Emperor Gaozong, whose given name was Xiao Luan, with the courtesy name Jingxi, was the son of Prince of Zhen of Shi'an, Xiao Daosheng. His childhood name was Xuandu. He lost his father when he was young and was raised by Emperor Taizu Xiao Daocheng, who treated him with more favor than other princes. In the first year of Song Taiyu, he became the magistrate of Anji County, renowned for his strictness and competence. Later, he was appointed as the Left Chamberlain of Prince Wuling, Xiao Ye, but did not take up the position. In the second year of Yuanhui, he became the magistrate of Yongshi County. In the second year of Shengming, he was appointed as the Military Secretary of Prince Shaoling, Xiao Lun, but before he could assume the role, he was promoted to General of Ning Shuo and Prefect of Xuancheng in Huainan. Shortly after, he was promoted to Deputy General of the State. After Emperor Taizu Xiao Daocheng ascended the throne, Xiao Luan was promoted to Imperial Attendant, granted the title of Marquis of Xichang, and awarded a fief consisting of one thousand households. In the second year of Jianyuan, he was appointed as the Commissioner, Governor of Yingshou Prefecture, Sizhou, and Yiyang, Champion General, and Inspector of Yingshou. He later rose to General of Conquering the Barbarians. After Emperor Shizu Xiao Ze ascended the throne, Xiao Luan was appointed as Minister of Revenue, concurrently serving as General of the Right Army. In the first year of Yongming, he was promoted to Imperial Attendant and General of the Valiant Cavalry. At that time, while other princes and nobles rode in luxuriously decorated carriages, Xiao Luan rode in a simple carriage, with his retinue resembling that of a common official. Once, during a busy day, a vendor accidentally burned a cow's nose while carrying it on a shoulder pole. Prince Yuzhang Xiao Yi reported this incident to Emperor Shizu Xiao Ze, who burst out laughing. Later, Xiao Luan was promoted to Cavalier In Regular Attendance and General of the Left Guard, and his travels were smooth and unimpeded, which greatly pleased the Emperor. In the second year of Yongming, he was appointed as General of Conquering the Barbarians and Prefect of Wuxing. In the fourth year of Yongming, he was promoted to General of the Central Army, while retaining his previous positions. In the fifth year of Yongming, he was appointed as Commissioner, overseeing military affairs in Yuzhou, Yingshou, Xiyang, Runan, and Sizhou, as well as General of the Right Army and Inspector of Yuzhou. In the seventh year of Yongming, he was promoted to Right Minister of the Masters of Writing. In the eighth year of Yongming, he was also appointed as Commander of the Guards. In the tenth year of Yongming, he was transferred to Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing. In the eleventh year of Yongming, he was concurrently appointed as General of the Right Guard.
Before his death, Emperor Xiao Ze of the Shizong dynasty appointed him as Attendant and Minister of State in his will. Shortly after, he was also appointed as the General of the Guards and given twenty sword-bearing guards. In the first year of the Longchang reign, his title was changed from General of the Guards to Grand General, and he was provided with a military band and five hundred personal guards. He was then further appointed as Chief of the Secretariat and the Supervisor of the Palace Library. Prince Yulin, Xiao Zhaoye, was deposed, and Prince Hailing, Xiao Zhaowen, ascended the throne. Xiao Luan was appointed as the imperial envoy, military commander of Yangzhou and Nanxuzhou, Grand General of the Cavalry, Recorder of the Imperial Archives, and Governor of Yangzhou, retaining the same privileges as before. The number of sword-bearing guards was increased to thirty, and he was titled the Duke of Xuancheng County, with a fief of two thousand households, stationed in the Eastern Palace City. The court also provided him with five thousand troops, two million coins, and one thousand bolts of cloth. During the rebellion in Jiujian, Xiao Luan was bestowed the Huangyue to quell the rebellion, and later resigned from the title. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Huangyue, Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, Grand Tutor, concurrently holding the position of Grand General and Governor of Yangzhou, with forty sword-bearing guards, and provided with three ceremonial carriages, feathered fans, and a band. He was permitted to wear his sword and shoes in court, without the need to bow when meeting the emperor, and not needing to address him by name when paying respects. He was also appointed with four chief historians, marshals, chamberlains, secretaries, and officials on both sides. He was further titled as the King of Xuancheng, with a fief of five thousand households, and continued to hold the positions of imperial envoy, Attendant, Chief of the Secretariat, and Recorder of the Imperial Archives. Before he could formally assume office, the Empress Dowager commanded the deposition of Prince Hailing. Xiao Luan, as the third son of Emperor Taizu Xiao Daocheng, reluctantly accepted the title of heir to the throne after three petitions from the courtiers.
In October in the winter of 457 AD, I ascended to the throne of the emperor. I issued a decree announcing: after the death of Emperor Qi, I inherited the throne and took on the responsibility of governance. Although the imperial family's fortunes were thriving, the nation was prosperous, and the country was stable, the country's major affairs were constantly facing obstacles, with ongoing internal and external troubles, and the nation's grand plans were on the brink of failure. Fortunately, Empress Xuande was wise and strategic; after consulting with the ministers, she ultimately decided to let me inherit the throne. I feel deeply inadequate, yet I must undertake the great task of revitalizing the country. I feel a heavy weight of responsibility and anxiety, like walking on thin ice in springtime, always vigilant and unsure how to save the country from crisis, hoping to create a new beginning alongside the people. Therefore, I declared a nationwide amnesty, renaming the era "Jianwu." All palace guards were promoted one rank, and all civil and military officials were promoted two ranks. All outstanding taxes, debts, and items owed to the government were forgiven. All imprisoned thieves were released as well. Those who had been exiled for crimes were permitted to return to their hometowns.
General Wang Jingze was appointed as Grand Marshal, Minister of War Chen Xianda was appointed as Grand Commandant, Minister of War Wang Yan was appointed as General of Cavalry, Central Army Commander Xiao Chen was appointed as Commanding General and Governor of Nanxu, Prince Bao Yi was appointed as Governor of Yangzhou, Central Protector General Wang Xuanmiao was appointed as Inspector of Nanyanzhou, newly appointed Right General Zhang Gui was appointed as Right Grandee of the Palace, and General Wang Guangzhi was appointed as Inspector of Jiangzhou. The next day, I issued a decree prohibiting all officials from presenting gifts to the court. Two days later, I issued another decree stating: "From now on, all kinds of carvings and engravings, as well as seasonal decorations, can be simplified or eliminated. Governors and county officials from all regions are strictly prohibited from presenting gifts unless they are local specialties." I posthumously named Marquis Mian of Anlu as King of Anlu, and appointed the son of the Marquis of Anlu, Bao Shan, as Inspector of Xiangzhou. I also issued a decree saying: "Recently, many officials have violated the old regulations, engaged in nepotism and corruption, distorted the law, and harmed the interests of the country, increasing the burden on the people. From now on, commercial travel taxes, taxes on stone quarries, and various loans will all be abolished. All expenses related to public affairs in various regions may be directly cut. Responsible officials must formulate detailed measures, and oversight departments must conduct thorough reviews."
In November, I appointed Wang Yaoguang, the Chief of the Western Central Command, as the Governor of Yangzhou, and Wang Hongfan, the Prefect of Jinshou, as the Governors of Qingzhou and Jizhou. The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Wang Yan, was appointed as the Crown Prince's Tutor. The next day, Grand Marshal Wang Jingze and thirteen others were granted higher ranks and rewards. I ordered that the Xinlin Garden was to be returned, since it originally belonged to the people, which is now returned to them, exempting them from previous taxes. I then conferred titles upon the princes: Prince Baoyi as the Prince of Jin'an, Prince Baoxuan as the Prince of Jiangxia, Prince Baoyuan as the Prince of Luling, Prince Baoyan as the Prince of Jian'an, Prince Baorong as the Prince of Suizhou, and Prince Baoyou as the Prince of Nanping. I issued a decree stating that the salaries of county magistrates were too low to sustain their livelihoods; therefore, all tribute payments to the court were abolished. Another decree stated that officials of fifth rank and above in Xuan Chengguo were to receive their rightful positions and salaries, while those below the fifth rank could resign and return home, or, if they wished to remain in office, choose a suitable position. I posthumously honored King Zhen of Shi'an with the title Emperor Jing, and his consort as the Empress Yi. I then appointed General Wenxi, Duke of Wenxi, as the Governor of Jingzhou, and General Ning Shuo, Duke of Ning Shuo, as the Governor of Yuzhou.
I issued another decree saying, "The supervisors, material officials, carriage officials, and various craftsmen can take turns to have holidays to allow them to rest." I appointed Prince Baojuan as the Crown Prince and ordered that titles of nobility be granted to all filial sons and daughters in the world, and also to commend and reward filial sons, grandsons, loyal husbands, and chaste wives, erecting banners in front of their homes and presenting them with silk. I issued another decree saying, "The Crown Prince has just been enthroned, and all officials near and far who want to present congratulatory gifts are strictly prohibited." I appointed the newly appointed General of Conquering the Barbarians, Wang Baoxuan of Jiangxia, as the Inspector of Yingzhou. During the Yongming period, Chief Censor Shen Yuan submitted a memorial stating that many officials are over seventy and should be allowed to retire, and some poor official families should also receive assistance. I issued a decree saying, "Recently, many officials are old and requesting retirement; the court is sympathetic to their situation, allowing them to retire and providing them with certain benefits to express care for the elderly. From now on, all officials of a certain age can retire according to the regulations before the seventh year of Yongming." I pardoned the former kings who had been killed and restored their titles, appointing their sons as marquises. On the day of Renzi in the twelfth month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "I carefully reviewed the memorials and found that some matters were not reported, and the grievances of the common people were also difficult to express, just like the 'Gantang' in the Book of Songs, which is admirable and worth singing about, as well as 'Feishi.' From last month onward, all local officials who have unresolved grievances and whose righteous words are not accepted will be held accountable."
In the second year of the Xinwei era, during the first month of spring, the emperor issued another decree: "For prisoners detained in the capital city who have committed serious crimes, their sentences can be reduced to five years; those sentenced to less than three years of imprisonment shall be released. Nobles and ministers, as well as lower-ranking officials, are all required to recommend talents they know. At the same time, nobles, court officials, and officials inside and outside the court are required to point out my faults and freely offer advice." At this time, the Northern Suolu invaded the regions of Sizhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Liangzhou. On the Renshen day, the emperor dispatched General Wang Guangdu to lead the army of Sizhou in the campaign, General Xiao Tanzhi to lead the Xuzhou army in the campaign, and Shangshu Right Deputy Sha Wenji to lead the Yuzhou army in the campaign. On the Jimao day, the emperor issued a decree that there were cases of tomb desecration in two counties within the capital, and repairs should be made promptly.
The emperor issued another decree: "Food is the foundation on which the people rely for survival, just as the Book of Songs states, 'Food is the people's heaven, and righteousness is upheld by the noble.' Sericulture and silk weaving are fundamental to the national economy, and education is equally vital as noted in the Zhou Li. The exemplary behavior of the sages of the past, the wise rules of future emperors, laws and regulations must be carefully formulated, and everyone must abide by them. I govern the country diligently, considering how to promote education and striving to excel in the eight policies, always remembering the importance of diligent governance, even at the end of my reign, I will not forget the importance of diligent governance and love for the people. Local officials serve as the guardians of the people, and those who oversee them are responsible for their education. They should rigorously oversee agricultural production and prevent idleness among the populace, working diligently in accordance with the seasons, maximizing the use of land resources and reinforcing embankments, and assessing the performance of officials. If many individuals are engaged in farming and sericulture, they should be recognized; if any individuals are idle and detrimental to agricultural production, they should be reported without delay. The relevant departments should establish comprehensive regulations." On Yiwei day, the enemy launched an attack on Zhongli, and Governor Xiao Huixiu of Xuzhou successfully defeated them. On Bingshen day, the emperor promoted Grand Commandant Chen Xianda to the position of commissioner and commander-in-chief of the northwest expedition. On Dingyou day, the court maintained a high state of alert both inside and outside.
In March, on the Wushen day, the emperor issued a decree saying that many people who had migrated to Nanxuzhou from other regions had joined the army, so this year's taxes would be waived. The next day, on the Jiwei day, Xiao Dan, the governor of Sizhou, led his troops to fight the enemy and defeated them! The emperor issued another decree. It stated that families in the five provinces of Yongzhou, Yuzhou, Sizhou, Nanyanzhou, and Xuzhou who had been harmed by the enemy would be exempt from taxes this year. Those who had previously colluded with the enemy would not be held accountable for their past actions.
On the Bingyin day, the wheat tax in Qingzhou was also waived. The enemy withdrew from Shouchun. On the Jiashen day, the martial law was lifted. In the fourth month of summer, on the first day of Jihai, the emperor issued another decree saying, "Any cases within a radius of three hundred miles must be sent to the capital, where I will personally oversee them. Cases beyond three hundred miles will be handled by local authorities. Those who are detained should be released, and appropriate actions should be taken for those who need further processing." At this time, the Suolu camped outside Hanzhong City, getting ready to launch an attack, but Xiao Yi, the governor of Liangzhou, successfully resisted the enemy's attack and pushed them back. On the Jiwei day, Pei Shuye, the newly appointed Huangmen Lang, was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou.
On the fifteenth day of May, the temple was built, and the emperor ordered, "Officials in charge of the construction will be promoted one rank and given a year off. Those who did not participate in the project will also be exempt from taxes and have the same length of time off." On the twenty-seventh day of June, the emperor executed the commanding generals Xiao Chen, Prince Ming of Xiyang, Prince Han of Nanhai, and Prince Zhen of Shaoling. On the twenty-ninth day of June, Xiao Tanzhi was appointed as the new leading general. In July, the emperor appointed Prince Baoyi of Jin'an as the governor of Nan Xuzhou; then appointed Prince Liang as the governor of Sizhou; and finally appointed Di ethnic group member Yang Fuzhi as the governor of North Qinzhou, bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Chouchi. In August, the emperor appointed Prince Baoyuan of Luling as the governor of Nan Yanzhou; and then appointed the newly appointed General of Assistance Shen Xizu as the governor of Yanzhou. In September, the emperor re-titled Prince Baoyou of Nanping to Prince Zhen of Shaoling, Prince Wen of Shu to Prince Ming of Xiyang, Prince Jun of Guanghan to Prince Hengyang, Prince Zhaoxiu of Linhai to Prince Baling, and Prince Shaocan of Yongjia to Prince Guiyang. On the tenth day of October, the emperor issued a decree saying, "We must follow the ancient customs, eliminate extravagance, emulate the wise ancestors, educate the people to be diligent and frugal, and govern the country by looking at the mirror of the former kings. I have inherited a declining nation and taken over an era of extravagance. Although I have been promoting education and trying to bring peace to the country, the spirit of courtesy has yet to arise, and the trend of luxury still prevails. After carefully studying the ancient classics, I feel deeply ashamed and am determined to change customs and restore the simple and honest folkways. Therefore, I order the abolition of Dongtian and the tearing down of Xingguang Tower." At the same time, the emperor also ordered the Water Balance Commandant to reduce the number of imperial vehicles. On the twelfth day of October, the emperor married the crown princess Chu, and proclaimed a general amnesty, rewarding the nobles and officials with gifts of different values. At the same time, the various local tributes and formalities were abolished.
On the 14th of December, the emperor issued another decree saying: "The old capital is a sorrowful sight. Moreover, now that I reign as emperor in the south, living in the imperial palace, there are some meritorious officials who have served the nation, and their virtues have been celebrated through the ages, but their tombs are desolate and dilapidated, with trees on the graves left untrimmed. Isn’t this more than just a profound sympathy for the unfortunate fate of Xinling Jun? The former capital was destroyed, and the national treasures were relocated to the east. When Emperor Jin Yuan first established the dynasty, the legacy of Emperor Jianwen still existed in the hearts of the people, but Songmen lies in ruins, and the path to the tombs is choked with weeds. Although it has been a long time, reflecting on these matters still stirs deep emotions. Therefore, I hereby order the restoration of the tombs of the Jin dynasty emperors and an increase in guards. As for Wu County and Jinling County, due to poor harvests, their taxes will be exempted for three years; the extent of the exemption will be determined by specific conditions."
In the spring of a certain year (three years), on the day of Ding Mao, the emperor appointed Yang Chongzu, son of Prince Yinping Yang Jiong, as the governor of Shazhou and conferred upon him the title of Prince Yinping. At the same time, he appointed Prince Jian'an Bao Yin as the governor of Jiangzhou. On the day of Ji Si, the emperor issued a decree to reiterate the six-week guard system. On the day of Yi You, the emperor issued a decree: "Last year, when the barbarians invaded our borders, if soldiers and officers from various states and counties perished in battle or succumbed to illness, their bodies must be sent back to their hometowns."
On the day of Ren Wu in March, the emperor issued a decree: "All gold and silver adornments on the imperial carriages and artifacts must be stripped away." In the summer of April, enemy forces invaded Sizhou, and the defending army repelled them.
On May 5th, the emperor appointed General Xiao Yi as the Governor of Yizhou, reappointed Li Qingzong as the Governor of Ningzhou, and appointed General Yin Guangzong as the Governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. On September 9th in autumn, the emperor appointed General Xu Xuanqing as the Governor of Yanzhou. In October, the emperor appointed General Shen Xizu as the Governor of Sizhou. On the day of the leap month in December, the Crown Prince held a coming-of-age ceremony, and the emperor rewarded officials below the rank of king with silk and cloth, in varying amounts; those in mourning for their fathers received an additional noble title. At the same time, the ceremonial tribute system for both local and distant regions was abolished. The emperor also decreed: "This year, large-scale repairs are unnecessary; existing funds can be used to meet the needs of officials." In the spring of the fourth year, on the day of the first month, a general amnesty was proclaimed across the realm. The emperor issued a decree saying: "Only good food placed on the sacrificial altar can reveal its true flavor; fine jade must be meticulously carved to show its brilliance. Hence, various items should be meticulously crafted from the ground up; the governance of the nation must be effectively managed, learning and emulating the ways of ancient sages in governing the country. In the past, because the country was peaceful and the people were prosperous, schools were established, talents were selected, advantages and disadvantages were weighed, and some unnecessary systems were abolished, but the recitation of poetry began to dwindle, and in the blink of an eye, it was a year of abundant harvest. We must always keep the lessons of the ancients in mind and not forget the daily affairs. With the country now stable and remote areas having submitted to the court, we have timely renovated the Eastern Palace. Thus, we can adhere to the old customs, expand the royal family, promote the great ancestral business, and bestow blessings on future generations." On Renyin day, the emperor decreed: "When common people have children, their parents will be exempt from one year of corvée labor, and they will also receive ten bushels of rice. Newlyweds will be exempt from the husband's corvée labor for one year." On Bingchen day, Grand Secretary Wang Yan was executed.
In early February, Xu Xiaosi was promoted to the position of Minister of State, while Xiao Jichang became the Governor of Guangzhou. A few days passed in March, and Shen Wenji was appointed as the General of the Imperial Guard. In August, during the autumn, Empress Wang, the mother of Emperor Jing, was posthumously honored as Empress Gong. Nomadic tribes from the north began to raid the regions north of the Mian River. In October, as winter approached, they attacked Sizhou, and the court had no choice but to send Prince Liang and Zhang Ji to fight.
One day in November, Yang Lingzhen was appointed as the Governor of North Qinzhou and was also given the titles of Duke of Chouchi and King of Wudu. A decree was issued to re-register properties such as houses and fields in all regions, allowing for possible reductions in the previous valuations. One day in December, Pei Shuye, Xu Xuanqing, and Zuo Xingsheng were appointed as the Governors of Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou respectively. Subsequently, the court sent Cui Huijing to lead troops to rescue Yongzhou.
On the first day of the first month of the first year of Yongtai, a general amnesty was declared throughout the empire, clearing all debts and taxes owed from the previous four years. Xu Xiaosi continued to serve as the Grand General of the Central Army, with the additional title of Grand Chancellor. However, several counties in the north of Mian were still ravaged by enemy forces. The court quickly sent Chen Xianda to rescue Yongzhou. A few days later, the Emperor ordered the execution of several royal family members: Prince Xuan of Hedong, Prince Ziyue of Linhe, Prince Ziwen of Xiyang, Prince Zijun of Hengyang, Prince Zilin of Nankang, Prince Zimin of Yongyang, Prince Zijian of Xiangdong, Prince Zixia of Nanjun, Prince Zhaocan of Guiyang, and Prince Zhaoxiu of Baliang.
One day in February, Xiao Huixiu was sent to support Shouyang. Later, Pei Shuye achieved victory against the enemy in Huai North. Finally, Xiao Yaoxin was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou.
On the fifteenth day of the third month, the emperor exempted several counties in Yongzhou from taxes and cloth because they had been disturbed by the Hu people. Two days after the fifteenth, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Confucius is a saint chosen by heaven who has promoted the orthodox path of Confucianism, educated the people, and is the teacher of emperors throughout history. His teachings have influenced generations for a thousand years. Later generations admire him, and loyal and filial individuals draw inspiration from him. His merits are profound, and his morality is brilliant. Although he is far from us now, the sacrifices have never ceased and are conducted punctually, following the same standards as those for feudal lords. In recent years, the sacrificial rituals have declined, the items have become simpler, and offerings are lacking. How can we reflect his great achievements and promote his teachings? We should restore the standards of the sacrifices according to past rituals, ensure the offerings are abundant, and worship him with solemnity."
On the first day of the fourth month, the era was reformed, and three departments released prisoners, each under different circumstances. Both civil and military officials were promoted by two levels. On the third day of the fourth month, General Xiaotanzi was appointed as the Imperial Attendant and Commander of the Central Army. On the sixth day of the fourth month, the son of Wuling's Prince Zhaowang was appointed as the King of Hengyang. On the ninth day of the fourth month, Liu Xuan was appointed as the Prefect of Yingzhou. On the tenth day of the fourth month, Wang Jing, the Grand Marshal and Prefect of Kuaiji, instigated a rebellion.
On the eighth day of May, the emperor sent General Liu Shanyang to lead the army eastward to suppress the rebellion. On the eleventh day of May, Wang Jingze was beheaded, and his head was sent to the capital. Pardons were granted to seven counties including Zhe Dong, Wu Jun, Jin Ling, and four others. Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Governor of Southern Yanzhou. On the fourteenth day of May, Sima Yuanhe was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. In July, Wang Zhenguo was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. On the seventh day of July, the Prince of Liang was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou, and the Grand Commandant Chen Xianda was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. On the thirteenth day of July, the emperor died in Zhengfu Hall at the age of forty-seven. His edict read: "Xu Ling is to reaffirm the eight commands. The officials of the Imperial Secretariat shall remain in their positions, Shen Wenji shall serve as Left Supervisor, the Imperial Household Guard shall remain in their positions, Jiang Ji shall serve as Right Supervisor, Jiang Si shall serve as Palace Attendant, and Liu Xuan shall serve as Commandant of the Guards. Major military and political matters shall be handled by the Grand Commandant Chen. All internal and external affairs shall be handled by Xu Xiaosi, Yaoguang, Tan Zhi, and Jiang Ji, with major matters to be discussed with Shen Wenji, Jiang Si, and Liu Xuan. Important tasks shall be entrusted to Liu Quan, Xiao Huixiu, and Cui Huijing." The emperor was buried at the Xing'an Mausoleum.
The emperor was very clear about which officials were talented, and he enforced the law very strictly, never showing favoritism, even keeping his close aides under tight control. The officials in the court were very cautious. He even prohibited the poor from using four-fold umbrellas, demonstrating his frugality. He ordered the abolition of the New Forest Park built by Emperor Shizu, returning the land to the people; and the sale of the Eastern Field established by Emperor Wendi for the Crown Prince. During the Yongming era, all the gold and silver from the carriages and boats in the imperial palace were removed and returned to the royal treasury. When the imperial kitchen sent over steamed dishes, the emperor said, "I can't finish this; divide it into four portions and save the rest for dinner." He left untouched all the harem palaces, garments, and imperial belongings left by Emperor Shizu.
However, he was suspicious and paranoid, so he committed indiscriminate killings of innocent people. He was also superstitious, liked fortune-telling, and insisted on divining his fortune before traveling. If he was going south, he would claim to be going west; if he was going east, he would claim to be going north. He rarely left the palace and had never even been to the southern suburbs for sacrifices. He fell seriously ill but insisted on handling state affairs secretly. It wasn't until his condition worsened that he ordered the provincial government to collect documents and search for a cure, which eventually revealed to outsiders that he was ill. He wore red clothes, and all his accessories were red to ward off evil spirits. The sorcerers claimed, "The water from the back lake flows through the palace, so the emperor fell ill." The emperor personally went to the Grand Palace and ordered the digging of a water channel. The courtiers advised, "The Grand Palace cannot function without this water channel." The emperor insisted on blocking the water channel and wanted to divert the water from the Huai River to the south. Before he could carry out this plan, he died, and the matter was left unresolved. Historians noted that Emperor Gaozong hailed from a collateral branch of the imperial family, and he ascended the throne by inheriting it. His ascension as Crown Prince was not his original ambition, and the merits and demerits he left behind were inevitable. His brutal actions stemmed from complex motives, possibly driven by ambition or fear. He first abandoned his relatives who shared his wealth, then became suspicious of those he had promoted and trusted, ultimately betraying their expectations. His suspicions and fears grew increasingly severe, leading him to commit murder with tears, which was definitely not a just act. His pursuit of stability was likely accompanied by deep guilt. Ultimately, this led to his own undoing, leaving his descendants weak, causing the decline of the country, and ultimately leading to the downfall of the dynasty. If his acts of suppressing dissent were deemed as fate, then how should we interpret the relocation of Pan Geng and the succession of the Yang family's legacy?
It is said: Emperor Gaozong emerged from a collateral branch of the royal family, bringing prosperity to the nation. He valued frugality, enacted sound laws, was hardworking and prudent, and governed wisely. Regrettably, he lost the territory of Mianyang, and development in the south also came to a standstill.
