Prince Gong of Hailing, also known as Emperor Zhaowen, whose personal name was Xiao Zhaoye, was the second son of Prince Wen, Xiao Changmao. In the fourth year of the Yongming era, he was appointed as the Duke of Linru, with a fief consisting of 1,500 households. Initially, he served as the General of State Assistance and the Administrator of Jiyang. Ten years later, he was promoted to Grand Commandant and appointed as the Supervisor of Military Affairs in Southern Yuzhou, as well as the Inspector of Southern Yuzhou, while still holding his general rank. In the eleventh year, he received another promotion to Champion General. After the death of Prince Wen, he returned to the capital. When Xiao Zhaoye, the Prince of Yulin, ascended the throne, he was appointed as General of the Central Army, responsible for leading the army and organizing the staff. He was subsequently granted the title of Prince of Xin'an, with a fief comprising 2,000 households. In the first year of the Longchang era, he was appointed as Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Yang and Xu Provinces, and Inspector of Yangzhou, while continuing to hold his general rank. In that same year, the Prince of Yulin was deposed, and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Marquis Xiao Luan of Xichang, suggested that Xiao Zhaoye be declared Emperor.
In the autumn of the first year of Yanxing, on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, Xiao Zhaoye ascended to the throne. He immediately appointed Xiao Luan, the Marquis of Xichang, as the Grand General of the Cavalry, Minister of Personnel, Governor of Yangzhou, and Duke of Xuancheng. Xiao Zhaoye issued a decree stating: "The achievements of the three emperors have been passed down through the generations, their merits are outstanding, their teachings spread throughout the world, and there is no place that has not received their blessings. The foundation of the country is already solid, a prosperous era is on the horizon, but there have been obstacles and fluctuations in the national fortune. Thanks to Xiao Luan's loyal advice and decisive actions, the national situation has stabilized, the legacy of our ancestors over three generations has been continued, and the 700-year legacy has been safeguarded. As a young and inexperienced ruler inheriting the throne, I am full of worries and hope to create a peaceful and prosperous era together with the people." He then ordered a general amnesty, changed the reign title, and granted two ranks of nobility to civil and military officials.
In early August, the emperor promoted Xiao Chen to the position of Chief General, Wang Jing became the Grand Commandant, Chen Xianda transitioned from Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry to Minister of Works, Wang Yan was appointed as the Imperial Secretary, Wang Guangzhi was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou, and Prince Wang Qiang became the Minister of Works. The emperor also dispatched envoys to various regions to gauge the people's sentiments.
After a few days, the emperor spoke again: "Officials of fifth rank or higher in Xin'an Kingdom will all be promoted to the highest rank. Those below fifth rank can leave if they wish, and those who wish to stay in office can choose a position they prefer." Then, Prince Xuan of Hedong was appointed as the Inspector of Nanxu Prefecture, Prince Zhaoxiu of Linhai was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Prince Zhaocan of Yongjia was reassigned from Inspector of Nanxu Prefecture to Inspector of Jingzhou.
Next, Wang Xu was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou, Xiao Yaoxin became the Inspector of Yanzhou; Li Qingzong was also promoted to become the Inspector of Ningzhou; Wang Xuanmiao was appointed as the Middle Guard; Xiao Dan became the Inspector of Xuzhou; and Zang Lingzhi was appointed as the Inspector of Jiaozhou.
Finally, the emperor also ordered a strict ban on the production and sale of luxury silk products such as brocade, thin gold, colored flowers, and embroidered shoes. This means that such luxury goods cannot be produced freely anymore.
In early September, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Recently, due to the labor and garrison duties at the Huai River entrance, everyone has worked hard. Therefore, I am slightly promoting their ranks to reward their efforts. However, the records of their merits have not yet been submitted to the royal court, which has delayed the prompt granting of titles and has affected the efficiency of reporting merits in a timely manner. Therefore, envoys should be sent immediately to handle this matter."
A few days later, the former Prefect of Jiuzhen County, Song Ciming, was appointed as the Inspector of Jiaozhou. Subsequently, the newly appointed Minister of the Interior, Prince Qiang of Poyang, along with the Grand General of the Central Army, Prince Zilong, were executed. General Wang Guang was sent to execute Prince Anlu of Nanxian Prefecture. Following this, Prince Zimao, the Inspector of Jiangzhou, rebelled, and the emperor sent Middle Guard Wang Xuanmiao to suppress him.
After a few days, Luan, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, was awarded the Yellow Mace (symbolizing the highest military authority), and strict security measures were enforced throughout the palace and beyond. Subsequently, the Prefect of Xiangzhou, Prince Ruì of Nanping, the Prefect of Yingzhou, Prince Zhuàng of Jīnxī, and the Prefect of Nanyuzhou, Prince Kēng of Yīdū, were executed. Following this, the General of the Guards, Prince Zǐqīng of Luling, was appointed as the Minister over the Masses, while the General Who Calms the Army, Prince Shuò of Guiyang, was appointed as the General of the Central Army and bestowed with the title of Household Counselor.
In early October, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "The Zhou Dynasty established marriage officials to urge people to marry in a timely manner; the Han Dynasty emphasized reducing forced labor to allow the people to rest. All of this is to promote education, stabilize society, and make the people prosperous. Our governance of the world aims to practice nine virtues, but the social atmosphere has not been good and has not been rectified. People easily get angry and forget the rules of day and night. Therefore, everyone must be urged to marry and establish families; strict enforcement and clarification of regulations are necessary to ensure that marriages proceed on time and reduce grievances. In the past, various tasks of chefs were borne by the prefectures and counties, drafting local people to meet these needs. The government had to spend twenty days, and the people had to spend dozens of days. Guangling also had to send a thousand people to guard the Huai River every year, which was both burdensome and wasteful for the people, also involving issues of corruption. All of this must be halted and reorganized. The burdens on village heads, road maintenance, fortifications, and direct counties are particularly heavy and should be alleviated."
A few days later, the security measures were lifted. Luan, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Governor of Yangzhou, Duke of Xuānchéng, was promoted to Grand Tutor, concurrently serving as Grand General and Governor of Yangzhou, and was given special honors, elevated to the rank of Prince.
Subsequently, the newly appointed General of the Central Army, Prince Shuò of Guiyang, the General Who Calms the Army, Prince Jūn of Hengyang, the Palace Attendant and Supervisor of the Secretariat, Prince Fēng of Jiāngxià, the Garrison General, Prince Zǐzhēn of Jiān'ān, and the Left General, Prince Zhīlún of Bālíng, were also executed. Afterwards, the General Who Pacifies the North, Xiāo Yáoxīn, was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou, the newly appointed Chamberlain of the Yellow Gates, Xiāo Yáochāng, was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, and the General Who Aids the State, Xiāo Dàn, was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou.
Prince Xuancheng is in charge of state affairs, and the Emperor must consult him before making any decisions. When the Emperor wanted to eat steamed fish, the Grand Preceptor claimed he had not received any orders from the Emperor, so he did not prepare it for him. The Empress Dowager issued a decree: "The Minister of Works, General of the Rear, Intendant of Danyang, Minister of the Right, General of the Army, and the Eight Ministers of State: There are unforeseen changes in the world, the rise and fall of the country's fortunes; Heaven has favored us, and the people are devoted to the court. Since the royal family’s prosperity, wise rulers have succeeded each other on the throne, the nobles and officials have each performed their duties, and the spirits have fulfilled their responsibilities. However, troubles and disasters continue to emerge, chaos ensues, and the prosperous era has lost its moral compass, causing confusion among men and gods. Not only is the world divided, even the Nine Tripods, symbols of national stability, are about to be moved. Thanks to Heaven's blessings, there are wise ministers assisting, rectifying the state, rebuilding the foundation, and restoring the laws and systems. However, the Emperor is young, with many unclear matters of state, and is also ill, unable to bear heavy responsibilities. Therefore, there is internal rebellion within the imperial family, and the relatives are also rebelling, causing people's hearts to change. Although the ancestors' grace remains in the hearts of the people, the royal family is facing danger. Without the establishment of a wise monarch, supported by capable ministers, the expectations of the world cannot be met, and the schemes of treachery cannot be suppressed. Prince Xuancheng, the Grand Preceptor, carries on the legacy of previous emperors and the blessings of our ancestors. His abilities surpass those of anyone else, his accomplishments surpass even those of the Creator, and his merits are already illustrious, praised by the people. He should ascend the throne to restore stability to the state. The Emperor should be demoted to Prince of Hailing, and I will withdraw to my private residence. In the past, Emperor Xuan revitalized the Han dynasty, and Emperor Jianwen revived the Jin dynasty's sacrifices, hoping that our country can remain stable forever. I long for my country and feel deeply grateful."
In the year 25 AD, the emperor ordered: "According to the standards of the East Sea King from the Han Dynasty, provide Prince Hailing with the Tiger Guard Army, the Bannered Army, and the Painted Carriages, establish the Zhongju Palace County, meet all his needs, and show the royal favor everywhere." In November, Prince Hailing fell ill, and despite sending imperial physicians for treatment multiple times, he passed away. Exquisite burial items were prepared for him, including fine clothing, and he was laid to rest in ceremonial robes. The Grand Herald oversaw the funeral arrangements. During the burial procession, ornate carriages were present, great chariots with nine banners, yellow tent flags, along with feathered banners and a band playing elegies, all in accordance with the standards of the East Sea King. He was posthumously honored with the title Duke of Respect and passed away at the age of fifteen.
Historians noted: Guo Pu said that the name Yongchang symbolizes the sun and moon appearing together, just like the reign title Yongchang. According to historical records, in the 6th year of the Zhongping era of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Xian ascended the throne and immediately changed the era name to Guangxi, then after the deaths of Zhang Rang and Duan Gui, changed it again to Shaoning, and when Dong Zhuo took power, changed it once more to Yonghan, resulting in four era name changes within a single year! In the 2nd year of the Taian period of Emperor Hui of the Jin Dynasty, the King of Changsha, Sima Yi, was defeated in battle, and the King of Chengdu, Sima Ying, changed the era name to Yong'an. After Sima Ying was defeated by Sima Yong, the King of Hejian, Sima Yong, changed the era name to Yongxing, changing three era names within a year! Yongchang, Yanxing, Jianwu, we also changed three era names here. Therefore, the trajectory of national turmoil remains unchanged even after thousands of years!
In praise: The solemn Hailing, rising from the ashes. Neither first nor last, he faced his fate with dignity.
