Emperor Wu, whose nickname was Long'er, was the eldest son of Emperor Taizu of Song. He was born in the Qingxi Residence in Jiankang. That night, both Empress Chen Xiaohou and Empress Liu Zhao dreamed of a dragon coiled on the roof, so they gave him this nickname. He began his career as an attendant in Xunyang, then served as a secretary in the Western Office, and later became the magistrate of Gan County. Later, Prince Xun, the provincial governor of Jiangzhou, rebelled, but Emperor Wu chose not to join him. As a result, he was imprisoned by Shen Suzhi, the magistrate of Nankang. His relatives Xiao Xinzhu and his followers, including Huan Kang, broke into the county office and rescued him. Shen Suzhi pursued them with several hundred soldiers, but Emperor Wu and his men fought back and captured Shen Suzhi alive, killing more than a hundred soldiers, and then rebelled with a hundred or so followers. At that time, Xingxing magistrate Yin Fu led tens of thousands of troops to support Prince Xun in Xunyang. Some advised Emperor Wu to attack Yin Fu, but he felt the disparity in their military strengths was too significant, so he hid in Jieyang Mountain, slowly building up his strength until his forces numbered three thousand. Prince Xun sent Dai Kaizhi to serve as the magistrate of Nankang and sent Zhang Zongzhi with over a thousand men to support him. Emperor Wu launched an attack on Nankang, first defeating several hundred men led by Cheng Chao, one of Dai Kaizhi's commanders, at Nankang Pass, then defeating Zhang Zongzhi, and finally besieging the county seat of Nankang. Dai Kaizhi defended with several thousand men, but Emperor Wu personally led his soldiers in a day-long attack, eventually breaking through the city walls. Dai Kaizhi fled, and Emperor Wu also killed the pretender Tao Chongzhi. Emperor Wu took control of the county seat and sent Zhang Yingqi and Deng Huizhen with three thousand men to attack Yuzhang. Prince Xun sent Tan Xiuzhi and seven thousand men to resist in Xichang, and both sides constructed fortifications and engaged in a prolonged battle without a decisive outcome. Later, when they learned that Emperor Wu had personally arrived, Tan Xiuzhi and his men fled.
After the situation was settled, Emperor Wu of Han was appointed as an Official of the Shangshu (Secretariat) Library, a military advisor in the Northern Army, the Marquis of Xiyang, and served as the Governor of Nandongguan, the Cavalry Commander of the Yueqi, a regular official, the Chief Military Historian under Liu Yun, and the Prefect of Xiangyang. The court also conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Gan, with a fief comprising three hundred households, but he resolutely declined. He was later promoted to General of Ning Shuo and Grand Minister of Guangxing. When Prince Xiu Fan of Guiyang rebelled, Emperor Wu led his troops to Xunyang. Upon reaching Beijiao, the rebellion was suppressed, and the court appointed him as the Western Counselor to King Jinxiwang, but he declined the position and returned to his county. He was later promoted to Right Chief Historian of the Minister of Works and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
Shen Youzhi rebelled in the Jingchu area, and the Song Dynasty secretly prepared defenses. In the fourth year of Yuanhui, the court appointed Wudi as the Governor of Jinxi Wang, the Internal Historian of Jiangxia, and acted as the governor of Yingzhou. After the emperor ascended the throne, the court summoned Jinxi Wang Liu Xie as the Military Commander and Governor of Yangzhou, and Wudi was appointed as the left guard general to assist Liu Xie. After Shen Youzhi's rebellion broke out, before the court had time to decide, Wudi believed that he could use the advantage of the terrain to resist the enemy, so he occupied Penkou City to establish a defensive position. Taizu heard about this and happily said, "This is really my good son!" Wudi submitted a request to launch a western campaign, but the court did not approve it, so a smaller contingent was dispatched to support Yingzhou. General Huang Hui and others were all under the control of Wudi. Wudi was promoted to the champion general and granted the authority to command. In the second year of Shengming, after the rebellion was suppressed, Wudi was promoted to cavalier attendant, the commander of Jiangzhou and Yuzhou, and appointed as the general of conquering the enemy, the governor of Jiangzhou, with the authority to command unchanged. He was titled as the Marquis of Wenxi County, with a fief of two thousand households. In the same year, he was summoned as the attendant and the commander of the army, accompanied by a military band, and appointed as the military commander of Shitou City. Shortly after, he was further appointed as the commander, overseeing the military affairs of the capital region. Three years later, he was promoted to cavalier attendant, the supervisor of the imperial household, the general of the central army, the commander of the palace, and the governor of the palace, with the same responsibilities, overseeing the army, and leading the army, equipped with twenty swordsmen. After the establishment of the Qi Kingdom, he became the Crown Prince of Qi, appointed as the attendant, and the governor of South Yuzhou, equipped with oil-laden carriages and feathered drummers, and the number of swordsmen increased to forty. Shitou City was designated as the Crown Prince's Palace, with officials of the second rank and below, and the palace's dress code mirrored that of the Eastern Palace. Later, he was promoted to the position of Crown Prince. After Taizu ascended the throne, he was officially named Crown Prince.
On the ninth day of the third month in the year 477 AD, Emperor Taizu passed away. The new Emperor ascended the throne and declared a general amnesty. Orders were issued to all provincial and county officials, as well as military personnel and camp soldiers, to mourn the late Emperor for three days, and were not allowed to leave their posts without permission. The garrison troops in the capital and other regions were not allowed to return. On the twelfth day of the third month, the Emperor read out the late Emperor's will, appointing Minister of Works Chu Yuan to handle the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, Minister of the Left Wang Jian as Minister of Personnel, and General Zhang Jing'er as the Imperial Secretary. The decree stated: "Although there are established rules and regulations for mourning ceremonies, the late Emperor always promoted simplicity. Inner court officials could return to the palace once every three days, while outer court officials could return once every other day. In the future, in the event of a major mourning, this standard shall be followed." On the fourteenth day of the third month, General of the Right Guard Lu Anguo was appointed as the Inspector of Sizhou. On the seventeenth day of the third month, Prince Yuzhang, Wang Yi, was appointed as the Grand Marshal. On the twentieth day of the third month, the decree stated: "The system of city defense taxes should remain the same as in previous dynasties. In recent years, there has been some negligence, resulting in a large amount of arrears in tax payments. Although punishment is warranted by law, considering their difficulties, all outstanding city defense taxes accumulated over the years will be forgiven. From now on, the old regulations shall be strictly enforced, and any violations shall be dealt with according to the law." On the twenty-third day of the third month, the decree stated: "In recent years, harvests have been poor, leaving many people impoverished, especially along both banks of the capital. Send a Palace Attendant to thoroughly assess the situation and provide relief." On the fifth day of the fourth month, Assistant General Zhang Ni was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. On the tenth day of the fourth month, Empress Mu was posthumously honored as Empress. In early May, the court appointed Prince Liang of Wenxi as the Governor of Nanxuzhou. A few days later, General Yuan Chongzu of the Left Guard was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. Shortly after, the Emperor issued a decree that read: "Recent continuous rainfall has caused severe flooding, affecting many common folks living along both banks of the river. Send a Palace Attendant to work with local officials to assess and provide relief for the disaster-stricken people."
In early June, Li Changmao was established as the Crown Prince. The Emperor issued a decree to extend the amnesty granted to criminals by another hundred days. Following this, Wang Qiang was appointed Governor of Yongzhou, and Linru's son, Qing, was appointed Governor of Yingzhou. Later on, General Zang Lingzhi was appointed Governor of Yuezhou. A few days later, Wang Shi was named Crown Princess. Several princes were granted noble titles as well: Prince Liang was titled King of Jingling, Prince Qing was titled King of Luling, Prince Jing was titled King of Anlu, Prince Mao was titled King of Jin'an, Prince Long was titled King of Suijun, Prince Zizhen was titled King of Jian'an, and Prince Shaoye was titled King of Nanjun.
Some time later, the Emperor decreed, "The floods are severe and the omens are unfavorable. Criminals in the capital must be tried promptly, while cases in distant places should be handled by the Governors in a timely manner. The impoverished in Jiankang and Moling counties must receive double relief, ensuring thorough care. Taxes for the disaster-stricken counties of Wuxing and Yixing shall be waived." Subsequently, Minister of Works Chu Yuan was promoted to Minister of Works and General of Chariots and Cavalry.
In early July, Weiwei Xiao Shunzhi was appointed Governor of Yuzhou. Shortly after, General Guan Rongzu was appointed Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou.
In early August, Minister of Works Chu Yuan passed away. In early September, due to the period of national mourning, the Imperial College suspended classes. Later on, General Jiang Boqi was appointed Governor of Qinzhou. A few days later, General Wang Senqian was promoted to Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and the Right Minister of the Masters of Writing, Wang Huan, was appointed Governor of Xiangzhou.
In December, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "The garrisons along the Huai River have long been stationed at the border, and it has been hard on them. As the New Year approaches, they should be granted some privileges. Send the Secretariat officials to console them. This should be done every year from now on." Finally, the Chief of the Left Guard of the Crown Prince, Dai Sengjing, was appointed Governor of Xuzhou.
In the first month of the first year of the Yongming era, on the day of Xinhai, the emperor went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, then ordered a general amnesty across the realm and changed the era name. The next day, on the day of Renzi, the emperor again ordered all court officials, including those from the inner and outer courts, to come and offer their opinions, to point out his mistakes and boldly suggest improvements. He also ordered nobles and ministers to recommend capable individuals and assign suitable positions based on their abilities and local conditions.
The emperor also issued a decree specifically stating: "The governance of the country relies on local officials, whose salaries follow fixed standards. In the past, due to conflicts at the borders, their salaries would sometimes be reduced or increased. Now that the country is peaceful and the people are living in harmony, I want to reward those diligent and capable officials. Therefore, the county magistrates may have their original lands and salaries restored." The emperor then appointed Prince Yuzhang as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Prince Changsha as the Governor of Nanxuzhou, and Prince Jingling as the Governor of Southern Yanzhou.
A few days later, on the day of Gengshen, the emperor appointed Xiao Jingxian as the Central Army Commander. On the day of Renxu, the emperor bestowed the title of Prince Nanping upon his brother Rui, Prince Yidu upon another brother named Keng, and appointed his son Ziming as Prince Wuchang and Zihan as Prince Nanhai. On the day of Jiazi, the emperor ordered the construction of the Qingxi Old Palace and personally oversaw the progress of the construction.
In the early days of the second month, Yang Jiong was appointed as the Governor of Shazhou. On another day of the same month, Liang Miji was appointed as the Governors of Hezhou and Liangzhou, and Xiang Shupeng was appointed as the Governor of Xiliang.
One day in March, the emperor decreed, "The moral integrity of the Song Dynasty is waning, the social fabric is deteriorating, officials at all levels and local people have lost the proper order, there are frequent personnel changes, and both public and private affairs are suffering as a consequence. Now that the new dynasty has just been established and there is much to be done, I aim to uphold the beneficial systems of the previous dynasty and consolidate the foundation of the country. Officials governing their regions should use 'Xiaoman' as a benchmark, rewarding those who perform well and removing those who are incompetent as necessary." A few days later, the emperor decreed again, "Since I ascended to the throne, I have been worried and burdened with heavy responsibilities, feeling as though I've plunged into an abyss. There are still many unresolved national affairs, political laws are still a work in progress, the stars are misaligned, and the balance of yin and yang is disrupted. In order to inherit the blessings of my ancestors and to atone for natural disasters and human misfortunes, all criminals will be pardoned for fifty days, starting from today. All prisoners in the capital will be released, soldiers serving sentences will also have their sentences reduced at the discretion of the authorities, and the poor and the widowed in the city should receive adequate aid." Later, the emperor decreed again, "All prisoners, regardless of their offenses, as well as the accomplices of those who looted, will also be granted clemency. All tax and debt arrears incurred before the third month of the fourth year of Jianyuan will be forgiven." One day in April, the emperor decreed, "The Wei Kingdom once extended favors to Yuan Shao and his descendants, and the Jin Dynasty also treated two royal relatives favorably. Both generations of emperors were celebrated for their benevolence and righteousness, with numerous historical records. Yuan Can and Liu Bing once assisted the Song Dynasty, and Shen Youzhi worked hard during the Jinghe period; though he met a tragic end, his original intentions deserve recognition. Now that time has passed, they should receive special consideration. Yuan Can and Liu Bing relocated their ancestors' tombs last year, and the tombs have yet to be restored; funds can be allocated for their construction to meet proper etiquette. The coffins of Shen Youzhi and his descendants in the West can be returned to their original burial site for reinterment." In May, Zhang Jing'er was executed.
On the day of Bingyin in June, the emperor ordered, "All cases that need to be reviewed and tried, as long as they occurred before the third month of the fourth year of Jianyuan, will be pardoned." In the autumn of the seventh month of Wuxu, Wang Senqian, the newly appointed Left Guanglu Daifu, was promoted to Tejin. In the ninth month of Jimao, Prince Ying of Linqian, the Governor of Jingzhou, was appointed as the General of Cavalry; Prince Ziqing of Luling, the General of Champions, took over as the Governor of Jingzhou; and Marquis Anlu Mian, the Prefect of Wu County, was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou.
In the spring of the second year, on the day of Yihai in the first month, Lu Anguo, the Governor of Sizhou, was transferred to the Governor of Nanyanzhou; Prince Ziliang of Jingling, the General of Northern Expedition, was appointed as the Guard General while concurrently serving as the Minister of Works; Liu Quan, the Chief Clerk of Northern Expedition, took over as the Governor of Sizhou. On the day of Bingzi, Wang Yanzhi, the Right Guanglu Daifu, was promoted to Tejin.
In the third month of Yihai, Zhang Dai, the Prefect of Wuxing, was appointed as the Governor of Nanyanzhou; the former General Wang Huan was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou; and Lu Anguo, the General of North Pacification, was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the day of Wuyin, Zhao Jingyi, the Minister of Finance, was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou. In the summer of the fourth month of Jiachen, the emperor ordered, "All cases within the jurisdiction of Yangzhou, Nanxuzhou, Nanyanzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou, as well as the prisoners detained in the provinces of Bingzhou, Yuzhou, and Jiangzhou, and the prisoners detained in Jiangzhou Xunyang County and Xincai County, must all be sent back to the central government, waiting for a good day to determine the validity of their crimes. As for the remote counties along the Yangtze River and other states, they will be thoroughly investigated and tried by the respective governors." On the day of Jisi, Cheng Faqin, the General of Tranquilizing the Northern Frontier, was appointed as the Governor of Ningzhou.
In June, on the day of Guimao, the emperor presided over lawsuits and handled cases in the central hall. On the day of Yisi, Prince Jing of Anlu was appointed as the Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the day of Wushen, Huangmen Shilang Cui Pingzhong was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou.
In the seventh month of autumn in the Guiwei year, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The origin of music has been recorded by the ancient sages, and the rituals and music should not forget their roots. Throughout history, the same customs have been upheld. Therefore, Emperor Guangwu of Han hesitated in Nanyang, while Emperor Wen of Wei was diligent in political affairs in Qiaoguo. The Qingxi Palace is located in the heart of heaven and earth, radiating brilliance and gathering the essence of beauty, fulfilling the mandate of heaven. In the past, when the country was first established, there were many affairs to handle, and I never had the chance to build a palace. As time passed and past events faded, I have long felt a sense of guilt. With my limited abilities, I have inherited a great legacy, thinking of fulfilling the ancestors' aspirations and demonstrating the royal business. I consulted the stars to establish a system, arranged projects according to the calendar, completed the project reports, and the blueprints are also complete. We should hold a sacrificial ceremony to express our gratitude, and set a date for us to gather." On the day of Jia Shen, the emperor appointed Prince Zilun as the King of Balin.
In the eighth month of Bingwu, the emperor gathered at the old palace, set up musical instruments made of gold and stone, and all the officials present composed a poem. The emperor ordered: "The prisoners in the capital's prisons and the three government offices should be granted reduced sentences or pardons based on the circumstances. Each department in the palace should make detailed statistics and reward them with cloth and silk." On the day of Wu Shen, the emperor reviewed the army at Xuanwu Lake. On the day of Jia Zi, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Burying the dead and interring the remains is an important teaching, and caring for the elderly and disabled is a good rule. I have always been concerned about the suffering of the people, day and night, I cannot forget. But the news has not been fully conveyed, and many things have not been going smoothly. In the two counties of the capital, there are some long-destroyed graves that need to be buried promptly. Remains without coffins should also be given a proper burial. For those unable to survive due to illness or poverty, we should establish detailed regulations to provide relief."
In the tenth month of winter in the year of Dingsi, Prince Shuo of Guiyang was appointed governor of Nanxu. In the eleventh month of Dinghai, Prince Jian of Shixing was appointed governor of Yizhou.
In a certain year, on the third day of the first month, Bingchen day, the court appointed Liu Kai as the governor of Jiaozhou and Cui Qingxu as the governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. On the seventh day of the first month, Jiashen day, Prince Zimao of Jin'an was appointed as the governor of Nanyuzhou. On the twelfth day of the first month, Xinmao day, the emperor went to the southern outskirts to offer sacrifices and issued a nationwide amnesty decree. Serious offenders within three hundred li of the capital received reduced sentences, while other offenders were treated according to the amnesty guidelines, and those detained had their sentences reduced or were released based on their circumstances. At the same time, the court also provided aid to the residents of two impoverished counties. The emperor issued another decree, stating, "The 'Spring and Autumn Annals of the States' states that 'the people's learning is like the branches and leaves of a tree.' Good behavior and morals begin with education. In the early days of founding the country, we proudly governed the land of Huaxia, strongly promoted laws and systems, and emphasized education, directing relevant departments to establish schools. Although the initial construction of schools faced some challenges, we have always respected the achievements of our predecessors, and over time, we have increasingly prioritized education. Now that the entire country is unified and the writing system is standardized, we should choose exceptional officials to serve as teachers in schools and broadly recruit students."
Next, the emperor issued another edict: "It is the primary task of local officials to pacify the people, and it is of utmost importance for provincial officials to inspect the local areas. They should strictly supervise agricultural production and fully utilize land resources based on local climate and soil conditions. If any place excels in agricultural production and can inspire the indolent, it should be reported to the court immediately. If any official in a certain place violates the laws, indulges in luxury, or delays agricultural production, it should likewise be reported to the court. The court will enforce strict rewards and punishments, encourage diligent governance, conduct assessments of officials at the end of the year, and promote or demote based on the assessment results." On the Xinchou day of the second month, the emperor went to the northern suburbs for sacrifices. On the Wuxu day of the fourth month, the newly appointed Right Guard General, Crown Prince Wang Shixi of Yuzhang, was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou, and the Assistant General Huan Jing was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou.
On the Yiwu day of the fifth month, the emperor decreed: "The people are living in hardship; this situation has persisted for a long time. Although there is a good harvest of grain every year, many families are still poor. Those living alone or solely raising orphans will be exempt from land taxes this year." This month, the court restructured the Zongming Temple. On the Gengxu day of the sixth month, Prince of Henan, Du Yihou, was promoted to the General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the Xinchou day of the seventh month, the emperor decreed: "All areas under the jurisdiction of Danyang County and all prisoners within a radius of two hundred li must be escorted to the capital. Prisoners from other areas will be handled by their respective prefectures." On the Jiaxu day of the fourteenth day of the seventh month, Left Guanglu Doctor and Palace Attendant at the Office of the Masters of Writing, Wang Senqian, passed away. On the Dinghai day of the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the Commanding Officer of the Cavalry and Army Participating Officer, Dong Zhongshu, was appointed as the governor of Ningzhou.
In early August, the emperor held court hearings in the central hall. A few days later, Prince of Dangchang, Liang Mijie, was appointed as the governors of Hezhou and Liangzhou. A few days later, Wang Jian, the Minister of the Masters of Writing, was appointed as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Supervisor of the Crown Prince's Household, Xiao Shunzhi, was appointed as the General of the Army.
One winter day in October, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The Crown Prince Chang Mao's study course has ended, and a sacrificial ceremony will be held. Nobles, officials, and commoners are all welcome to attend." On a day in November, Champion General Wang Wenzhong was appointed as the governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou.
On a day in December, the emperor issued another decree saying, "Food is fundamental; everything else is secondary. Therefore, the sacrificial offerings must be abundant, and the person presiding over the ceremony must act with integrity. You don't need to own thousands of acres of land, as King Xuan of Zhou advised. When the country was newly established, affairs were chaotic, and holding grand sacrificial ceremonies was not possible. I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and wish to carry it on. I will personally cultivate the land and follow the old customs. Now we can begin the spring plowing, hold a grand sacrificial ceremony in the eastern suburbs to seek blessings from heaven, and encourage the people to work hard. Only then can our granaries be full, our fields abundant, and our country prosperous, allowing us to focus on education. That is the fundamental way." That summer, there was a drought in Langye County, and the people pulled out the withered crops, but surprisingly, in the autumn, the crops grew again and there was a bountiful harvest.
On a day in January of the fourth year of spring, Prince Wang Zilong, the uncle of the prince, was appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou, Zhang Gui was appointed as the governor of Yongzhou, Xue Yuan was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou, and Prince Wang Ziliang was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. A rebellion led by Tang Yuzhi erupted in Fuyang, gathering many people in Tonglu, attacking Fuyang, Qiantang, and other counties, and killed the Prefect of Dongyang, Xiao Chongzhi. Later, the imperial guards were dispatched to quell the rebellion and eliminate him. A few days later, Champion General and Cavalry Commander Chen Tianfu was executed for looting and killing civilians during the crackdown on Tang Yuzhi. A few days later, the emperor visited the central hall to assess outstanding talents.
In the leap month of the year of Guisi (623 AD), the emperor bestowed titles upon Prince Li Zhen as the King of Shaoling, and Prince Li Zhaowen as the Duke of Linru. This is the emperor's decree, and everyone must obey. A few days later, in the year of Dingwei (623 AD), the emperor appointed Prince Yang Ji of Wudu as the Governor of Beiqin Prefecture, giving him a new official position. In the year of Xinhai (623 AD), the emperor personally went to plow the fields, a practice known as "jiti." The emperor also issued a decree, essentially stating: plowing the fields is to show importance to agriculture, and personally plowing the fields is to lead by example and encourage the common people to farm well. I emulate the wise and virtuous rulers of the past, personally using farming tools to cultivate the land, hoping for a good harvest, educating the people, and ensuring that everyone can enjoy a good life. Recently, the heavens have shown great favor, with favorable winds and timely rains, various auspicious signs appearing; it is truly a time of joy! To celebrate this auspicious situation, I hereby proclaim a nationwide amnesty! All those who have committed crimes and have been sentenced to less than three years will be released! Those who owe taxes and debts, and are particularly poor, will have their debts forgiven for the next three years! Those who are filial to their parents and work hard in the fields will be heavily rewarded! The elderly widows and impoverished citizens will each receive ten stones of grain! For those who want to farm but lack grain to plant, I will also extend my assistance; in short, I want everyone to live well! In the year of Guichou (623 AD), the emperor appointed Liu Di as the Inspector of Guangzhou, another official appointment. In the year of Jiayin (623 AD), after the jiti ceremony, the emperor went to the Yuewu Hall with the ministers to drink together, to reward them, and also rewarded the princes and ministers with some cloth and silk; the amount awarded will depend on their rank. In the year of Wuwu (623 AD), the emperor went to the Xuanwu Hall to review the army, and decreed: today I will personally review the army; everyone conducted themselves well and adhered to the regulations, and I will grant rewards based on each individual's performance.
In the second month of Jiwei year (624 AD), the emperor appointed his brother Li Quan as the Prince of Jinxi, and another brother Li Xuan as the Prince of Hedong. In the year of Gengyin (624 AD), the emperor appointed the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Wang Xuanzai, as the Governor of Yanzhou. These are all court appointments and dismissals; everyone please take note of this.
On the day of the third month of Xinhai, the emperor went to the National Confucian Temple to listen to lectures on the "Classic of Filial Piety," and rewarded the Chief of the National Confucian Temple, the scholars, and the assistants with various amounts of silk fabrics. On the day of the fourth month of Dinghai, Liu Shilong was appointed as the Inspector of Xiangzhou. The wheat in Linyi County that year had a poor harvest, and after the harvest, all of it was used to feed the horses. Unexpectedly, it was replanted in the summer and thrived. On the day of the fifth month of Guisi, the emperor issued a decree: household taxes in Yangzhou and South Xuzhou will be collected at a rate of "two fabrics for every one coin," that is, two-thirds will be collected in fabrics and one-third in coins. Starting from next year, the places where money is handed over by all prefectures and counties will reduce the amount of fabrics, each fabric calculated at four hundred wen, still collected in half, as a permanent policy. On the day of Bingwu, Luan, the Marquis of Xichang, was appointed as the Middle General of the Army. On the day of the eighth month of Xinyou, Xiao Huixiu was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. On the day of the ninth month of Jiayin, Wang Guangzhi was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou. By the twelfth month of Yihai, Cui Huijing was appointed as the Inspector of Sizhou.
In the fifth year of the Wuzi reign, in the first month, Prince Yuzhang Yi was appointed as the Grand Marshal, Prince Ziliang of Jingling was appointed as the Minister of Works, and Princes Ying, Jian, and Jingze of Linchuan retained their original positions and were honored with the title of 'Three Excellencies.' Shen Wenji was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, Prince Jing of Anlu was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou, Prince Mao of Jin'an was appointed as the Inspector of Nanyanzhou, and Prince Zhen of Jian'an was appointed as the Inspector of Nanyuzhou. On the day of Xinmao, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Since ascending the throne, I have always thought of reducing the suffering of the people. Although the harvests have been good in recent years, famines still occur from time to time. Now that the new year has begun and the yang energy is rising, we should follow the season and let the people live and work in peace. All widows, orphans, and the impoverished and the sick should be provided with relief grain, personally delivered to guarantee fairness." The tribes in Yongzhou and Sizhou often stir up trouble. On the day of Dingyou, the emperor sent Xiao Jing to Pingyang to quell the unrest, and also sent Chen Xianda to Wan City and Yexian to quell the unrest. On the day of Wuzi in the third month, the emperor attended a banquet at Fanglin Garden. The next day, which was Dingwei, the emperor appointed Chen Xianda as the Inspector of Yongzhou. In the fourth month, the emperor went to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices. The emperor then issued a decree that all prisoners serving less than four years would be released; those with five-year sentences would be reduced to three years; and those whose crimes in the capital would have warranted severe punishment would have their sentences reduced by one level.
In the sixth month of the Xinyou year, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently, there has been too much rain, causing floods everywhere, and many common folks in the capital have suffered. Therefore, officials from the Ministry of Personnel and two other counties are sent to the affected areas to provide relief as needed." In the seventh month of the Wushen year, the emperor issued another decree saying, "The various counties under Danyang have a backlog of unpaid land rent from the fourth year of Jianyuan to the third year of Yongming. Land near the capital should have appropriate reductions. Rent owed by less affluent families can be waived." In the eighth month of the Yihai year, the emperor issued another decree saying, "Due to heavy rainfall this summer, farmers in Wuxing and Yixing counties have suffered greatly, so their taxes will be waived." In the ninth month of the Jichou year, the emperor said, "On the ninth day of the ninth month, I will go to Shangbiao Hall to ascend and entertain the ministers." On the ninth day of the ninth month, the emperor indeed made his way to Shangbiao Hall. This hall was constructed by the emperor himself on Sunling Hill, and the common folks referred to it as "Ninth Day Platform." In the ninth month of the Bingwu year, the emperor issued another decree saying, "To govern the country well, the people shouldn’t suffer, and agriculture can thrive. The Zhou Dynasty imposed a tax of one out of every eleven, and the Han Dynasty also implemented the Changping Granary; these are good examples. In the past, silk and hemp from Taishan and Lushan, tribute from the Wen River basin, and leather from the Qi and Zi states were all transported to the court. However, since the decline of water virtue, there have been continuous wars and famines every year. Poor families are burdened by various taxes, money is sent to remote areas, and the country's needed goods must be redistributed from various regions, relying on taxation rather than local production. Although there is trade, the common folks haven't seen any benefits, causing hardship and discontent among the people, all due to these reasons."
In the previous prosperous years, although the stars foretold peace across the land, the old bad habits had not been fully corrected. Agricultural production was not as good as before, and most common people struggled to make ends meet due to low food and silk prices, with merchants having no savings. This was all because the monetary system was slack; the circulation of currency was too limited, so the common people had no money; how could they not live in poverty? Therefore, all impoverished families were granted a three-year tax exemption. The capital and various regions were instructed to set aside a significant amount of money to purchase food, silk, and other goods to stabilize prices and support the common people. Regarding tribute items from distant lands that were not produced locally, all such tributes were halted. Taxes for this year should be kept reasonable; anything lacking in the capital should be sourced from the market, and harsh collection practices should be avoided. In the tenth month of the year, the Emperor appointed Luan, Marquis of Xichang, as the governor of Yuzhou, and Mian, Marquis of Anlu, as the military commander. At the same time, the Emperor began the construction of a new forest park. In a certain year (the sixth year), on the Renwu day of the first month, the court appointed Gao, Prince of Ancheng, as the governor of Nanxuzhou. The imperial edict declared: "Cases within a radius of two hundred li must be brought to the capital for trial on a specified date. Cases beyond the two hundred li radius will be managed by local authorities. For those detained, a thorough review must be conducted, and those who should be released must be released." On the Jihai day of the third month, the Crown Prince, Zixiang, was appointed King of Badong. On the Guimao day, Zhou Panlong was appointed governor of Yanzhou, tasked with overseeing the local regions. On the Jiawu day of the fifth month, Liang Mi Cheng was appointed governor of both Hezhou and Liangzhou. On the Jiayin day of the sixth month, Shen Jingde was appointed governor of Xuzhou. On the Bingzi day, Fang Fachen was appointed governor of Jiaozhou. On the Yisi day of the seventh month, Lv Anguo was appointed military commander.
On the Yimao day in August, the court issued an order stating: "There has been a flood in the Wuxing and Yixing areas; each household with members suffering from serious illness will receive two dou of grain, each household with elderly patients will receive one dou, and other households will receive five dou." On the Renyin day in September, the emperor personally conducted military exercises in Langya City, training both land and water troops. On the Gengshen day in October, the beginning of winter, the emperor read the seasonal edict for the first time in the Taiji Hall. On the Xinyou day, Prince Ye of Wuling was appointed governor of Jiangzhou.
On the Yimao day in the intercalary month, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The eight border states of Beiyanzhou, Beixuzhou, Yuzhou, Sizhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, which are mostly impoverished, are exempt from overdue taxes prior to Yongming." On the Xinmao day, Wang Huan was appointed leading general. On the Yimao day in November, Fei Yanzong was appointed governor of Yuezhou. On the Gengshen day, Prince Mao of Jin'an was appointed governor of Xiangzhou, and Prince Ming of Xiyang was appointed governor of Nanyanzhou.
On the seventh day of the first month of 284 AD, Wang Jingze was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou, and Yin Zhibo was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. On the ninth day of the first month, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Yongzhou has been at war for several years, coupled with natural disasters; the situation is dire, therefore, overdue taxes from four years ago will be exempted." On the twelfth day of the first month, the Emperor went to the southern outskirts to perform sacrifices, and a nationwide amnesty was declared. The poor people in the capital received relief and rewards. The Emperor further decreed, "Distributing food in spring and collecting taxes in autumn is the fundamental principle of governance. It is only through gentleness that the people can live and work in peace. Zheng Hun governs the local area according to local conditions, and Wang Jun expands the territory, resulting in rapid population growth. Some people nowadays have children but cannot afford to raise them. Even though this practice has been banned, it still happens in various regions. If children are killed out of poverty, it can be understood as customs have weakened. Strict enforcement of the law should go hand in hand with compassion. Relevant departments should review the old systems, study them thoroughly, and then establish specific measures. Aid for the people should be as generous as possible." On the thirteenth day of the first month, General of Chariots and Cavalry and Prince of Linchuan, Wang Ying, passed away. On the eighteenth day of the first month, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "The senior ministers are getting old, but their salaries are too low. How can we say, 'When stepping off the cart, remember the past, and when crossing the bridge, honor the elderly'? Their salaries should be raised, and their actual expenses should be meticulously verified."
On the second day of the second month, on the day of Bing Zi, General Zuo Wei appointed Prince Xiang of Badong as the Commander of the Central Guard. On the fifth day of the second month, on the day of Ji Chou, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Confucius spread his moral teachings; his noble merits influenced seven generations and educated the populace. His reputation is unmatched; he is a true sage. His achievements were obscured at that time, but his morality is longer lasting than the sun and moon. Future generations have admired him for thousands of years; even though mountains and rivers have changed, his thoughts still exist. However, Confucius' temple has long been in disrepair, and even the incense has been cut off. Previous emperors admired him and built his temple, but over time, it has become overgrown with weeds. Now we are building the Confucius Temple to carry on his great teachings, honor his contributions, and show greater respect for him. The Confucius Temple should be rebuilt; it must be magnificent, and sacrifices should be performed according to the rites befitting princes, passing down the worship of the sage for generations." On the eighth day of the second month, on the day of Ren Yin, Wang Yan, the magistrate of Danyang, was appointed as the inspector of Jiangzhou. On the ninth day of the second month, on the day of Gui Mao, Prince Lun of Baling was appointed as the inspector of Yuzhou. On the seventeenth day of the third month, Wang Xuanmiao was appointed as the inspector of Yanzhou. On the nineteenth, Prince Xiang of Badong became the inspector of Jiangzhou, and Prince Long became the Commander of the Central Guard. On the twenty-third, the emperor appointed four princes as kings all at once: Ziyue as Linhe King, Zijun as Guanghan King, Zilin as Xuancheng King, and Zimin as Yian King. When this news came out, the entire court was in an uproar, as the enfeoffment of princes as kings is indeed a significant event.
On the fifth day of the fourth month, the emperor issued an edict, which stated: "Marriage is the foundation of human relationships. The roles of matchmakers are outlined in the 'Book of Rites', and there are many poems about weddings in the 'Book of Songs'. Ancient weddings emphasized solemnity, not extravagance. Nowadays, the social climate is deteriorating, becoming increasingly extravagant. I have been attempting to change this, but my efforts have yielded little success. I heard that nowadays wedding banquets are incredibly expensive; the dishes are as extravagant as those served in noble households! The rich flaunt their wealth, while the poor feel embarrassed and may even delay their wedding dates because they are unprepared, missing auspicious days. Therefore, it is essential to establish frugal guidelines and communicate them to the public. Court ceremonies should also adhere to these guidelines, ensuring the solemnity of weddings while embodying the principle of frugality. If anyone violates the rules, they will face legal consequences!" This edict reflects the emperor's concern about the prevailing social climate.
On the fourth day of the fifth month, Wang Jian died. He held prestigious titles, including Prefect of the Masters of Writing, General of the Guards, and Equal to the Three Excellencies. On the tenth day, Liu Shilong succeeded him as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing. On the fourteenth day of the sixth month, the emperor went to Langya for inspection, likely in disguise to gauge the sentiments of the people. On the seventh day of the eighth month, Prince Zhen of Jian'an was appointed as the Central Protector-General. On the first day of the tenth month, the emperor issued another edict: "The current social atmosphere is too extravagant; the old customs are being disregarded, and weddings, funerals, and marriages are too lavish. There are too many violations of the rules. Some people show off by using luxurious clothing, adorning tombs with gold, silver, and jewels, and even refuse to marry in old age, using multi-layered coffins, competing with each other, completely disregarding the rules. Clear regulations must be established, strictly enforced, and standardized. If there are further violations, they will face legal action!" This edict has a stricter tone, demonstrating the emperor's strong opposition to extravagance.
On December 12th, Prince Zhen of Jian'an was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou; Prince Xiang of Badong was transferred to be the Governor of Jingzhou; and Yuan Rongzu became the new Governor of Yanzhou. This series of personnel appointments also marked the court's reorganization of local officials.
In January of the year 478 AD (the eighth year of the Taishi era of Emperor Song Ming), on the Gengzi day, Wang Jingze was promoted from General of the Western Campaign to General of Cavalry and Chariots, Shen Wenji became the Army Commander, and Prince Qiang of Poyang was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. The court also ordered the release of prisoners held in the city, allowing them to go back to their hometowns.
On the Renchen day of the second month, Sima Yaoshi, the Prince of Lingling, passed away. By the Wuchen day of the fourth month, the court issued an order stating: "All officials from nobles down to lower ranks must recommend talents and assign positions according to their talents. Those who are recommended appropriately will be rewarded; those who are not suitable will face punishment." On the Xinchou day in autumn that year, Anlu Marquis Mian was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou. On the Guimao day in the seventh month, the emperor issued a decree stating: "There have been unusual celestial phenomena, disasters affecting the common people, and illnesses among the imperial heirs for several days. To align with heavenly will and ease the people's suffering, a general amnesty is declared!" On Guihai day, another decree was issued stating: "Due to years of poor harvests in Sizhou and Yongzhou, all outstanding taxes from before eight years ago in Yongzhou and seven years ago in Sizhou are exempted. The overdue taxes in Runan commandery will also be extended for five years." On the Bingyin day in the eighth month, due to prolonged rain in the capital, many places experienced flooding, prompting the court to dispatch officials from the Palace Secretariat and local authorities for disaster relief. On Yixu day, Prince Xiulv of Henan took over the positions of Governors of Qinzhou and Hezhou. On Renchen day, General of the Left Guard and Prince of Sui County, Zilong, was appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou. Prince Xiang of Badong committed a crime, resulting in the court sending Dan Yangyin Xiaoshunzhi to lead troops against him, ultimately resulting in Prince Xiang's death. On the Dingchou day in the tenth month, the court ordered: "Wuxing area is severely affected by floods; open the granaries to aid the disaster-stricken." On Guisi day, the court exempted taxes owed prior to the Jianyuan era. On the Yimao day in the eleventh month, Fu Dengzhi was appointed as the Governor of Jiaozhou. On the Yichou day in the twelfth month, Chen Songshou was appointed as the Governor of Yuezhou. On Wuyin day, considering the heavy workload and low pay of the Shangshu Chenglang, the court decided to increase their salaries. On Jimao day, Prince Zijian was appointed as the King of Xiangdong. On Guisi day, Zhang Chong was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou.
In the ninth year of the Taishi era, on the Jiawu day of the first month, Wang Feng of Jiangxia was appointed as the prefect of Nanxuzhou, and Liu Quan was appointed as the prefect of Yizhou. On the day of Xinchou, the emperor went to the southern suburbs of the capital to offer sacrifices and ordered, "Carefully review the prisoners held in the capital, release those who should be released."
In the beginning of the third month, Liu Kai was appointed as the prefect of Sizhou; on another day of the same month, Liu Zuan was appointed as the prefect of Guangzhou. On a day in the fourth month, someone reported that the previous year there were intended to be two visits to the tombs for sacrifices: a small-scale sacrifice on the 15th day of the third month and a large-scale sacrifice on the 15th day of the ninth month. The small-scale sacrifice had been suspended for a long time, leaving only the large-scale sacrifice. The emperor approved it.
On a day in the sixth month, Wang Huan was appointed as the prefect of Yongzhou. On a day in the ninth month, the emperor went to the Langye City drill ground to train the army, and the people of the entire city went to watch the event. The emperor also rewarded the spectators with wine and meat.
In the tenth year, on a specific day in the first month, the emperor ordered: all outstanding taxes and debts from seven years ago and earlier will be waived, except for large debts. Each elderly widow and individuals suffering from six ailments will receive five hu of grain. All officials inside and outside the court will receive a pay raise. On the same day, Wang Rui of Nanping was appointed as the prefect of Xiangzhou, Prince Liang of Jingling was appointed as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Wang Xuanmiao was appointed as the prefect of North Xuzhou, Prince Qing of Luling was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Prince Han of Nanhai was appointed as the prefect of Yanzhou, Duke Zhaowen of Linru was appointed as the prefect of Nanyuzhou, and Wang Wenhe was appointed as the prefect of North Yanzhou.
On a specific day in the second month, Chen Xianda was appointed as the commander of the central army. On a specific day in the fourth month, Prince Yi of Yuzhang passed away. On a specific day in the fifth month, Prince Liang of Jingling was appointed as the prefect of Yangzhou. On a specific day in the eighth month, Guo Anming was appointed as the prefect of Ningzhou. On a specific day in the tenth month, the emperor went to the Xuanwu Lake drill ground to train the army. On another day of the same month, the emperor made sacrifices at the imperial ancestral temple. On a specific day in the eleventh month, the emperor ordered: recently, there has been a lot of rain, causing prices of firewood and food to rise. The people of the capital have suffered a lot, so dispatch aid to assist them.
On a certain day in the first month of the eleventh year, the emperor ordered: review all the prisoners in the capital and release those who should be released. On the same day, Wang Jingze was appointed as the Minister of Public Works, Prince Qiang of Poyang was appointed as the General of the Army Corps, Chen Xianda was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou, and Cui Huijing was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. On another day of the same month, Crown Prince Changmao died.
In the early days of the second month, on the day of Renwu, the emperor appointed the son of Prince Luling, General of Chariots and Cavalry Wang Ziqing, who was promoted to General of the Cavalry and also appointed as the Governor of Southern Yuzhou. At the same time, General Cao Hu, the Deputy Commander, was also promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry.
On the day of Jichou, General Cao Hu was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. On the day of Guimao, the newly appointed Chief of the Secretariat, Wang Zimao, son of Prince Jin'an, was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou. On the day of Bingwu, General Wang Wenhe was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou. The emperor was quite busy promoting officials recently, with several important positions arranged at once.
In the month of March, Governor of Yongzhou Wang Huan was executed. In April, the emperor ordered that the civil and military officials of the Eastern Palace were to be transferred to serve the Crown Prince. In the same month, the Crown Prince was named Zhao Ye, and Lady He was appointed as the Crown Princess. The emperor also ordered that those who showed filial piety were to be promoted, with rewards of food and cloth for filial sons, good grandsons, righteous husbands, and virtuous wives. In the same month, Liu Lingzhe was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou.
In May, the emperor issued a decree stating that due to drought and flooding resulting in poor harvests, those who owed taxes could defer payment until autumn. In addition to Zhufang and Gushu, two counties in the capital were temporarily banned from selling alcohol. Xiao Huixiu was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou; Prince Kong of Yidu was appointed as the Governor of Southern Yuzhou. In June, the emperor issued an order that after the rain had cleared, the Imperial Secretary and county officials were to distribute relief supplies to the citizens of the capital.
In July, the emperor issued a decree: Recently, there have been continuous floods and droughts, and the people living along the riverbanks have suffered greatly. In addition, many are sick, and orphans and widows are even more pitiful. Officials from the imperial library should be sent to offer them comfort and aid. Another decree declared: The severe water and drought disasters have seriously affected agricultural production. The warehouses in the Jianghuai region are empty, so many have turned to theft and robbery, hiding in the mountains and lakes, becoming fugitives. Therefore, a pardon is hereby granted to the fugitives from the five states of Nanyanzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Sizhou, and Xuzhou, as well as the fugitives from Liyang, Qiaojun, Linjiang, and Lujiang in Nanyuzhou, exempting them from their outstanding tax debts and granting them an additional five years.
This month, the emperor fell ill and relocated to the Yanchang Palace. Upon ascending the palace steps, strange sounds were heard, which he found displeasing. The border was invaded by enemies, so the emperor sent Chen Xianda to guard Fancheng in Yongzhou. The emperor feared causing panic among his officials, endured the pain, and ordered music to be played. In the same month, the emperor was critically ill. The emperor decreed: "Everyone must eventually die, even saints and sages cannot avoid it. I am sixty years old this year, and I have few regrets. However, the succession to the throne poses challenges, and the national affairs are heavy. I still harbor some concerns. My grandson is becoming more and more outstanding, and the state affairs can be entrusted to him. You must diligently assist him and work hard to govern the country; discuss all internal and external matters with him. The Ministry of Personnel is the foundation of the country, so I entrust it to Wang Yan and Xu Xiaosi; in terms of military matters, I entrust them to Wang Jingze, Chen Xianda, Wang Guangzhi, Wang Xuanmiao, Shen Wenji, Zhang Gui, and Xue Yuan; all other officials should diligently fulfill their duties and support the crown prince without fail. I have nothing more to say."
The emperor issued another decree, saying: "After my death, I shall wear summer clothing and patterned clothing on my body, using pure black rhinoceros horns as guiding implements. No other treasures or exquisite fabrics shall be used, only one ordinary piece of clothing each. The long and short swords I often use and the iron rings shall be buried with me. The key to the sacrificial ceremony lies in sincerity. Killing a cow in the east is not as straightforward as simply offering sacrifices in the west. For my sacrifices, do not use livestock; only bread, tea, dry rice, and meat and wine should be offered. Everyone must adhere to this rule. Before burial, offerings must be made on the first and fifteenth of every month. The tomb is a place for eternal rest. I have always felt that the Restful Peace Tomb is unsuitable. I have now decided to be buried in the easternmost of the three locations in the east, named the Scenic Peace Tomb. Keep the funeral simple and do not burden the people. Not all officials need to come to pay their respects at all six designated times. The first and fifteenth of every month and the ancestral worship days can continue as usual. The concubines in the harem do not need to go to the tomb. The Phoenix Hall, Longevity Hall, and Yaoling Hall in the inner hall were built by me. Although they are rich, the living quarters are not luxurious, which reflects simplicity. Do not destroy them. The jade and Buddha statues, along with the offerings in Xianyang Hall, should be managed according to a separate list, and must be carefully offered. Other matters of merit will be managed by the Ministry of Personnel. From now on, no one is permitted to become a Taoist monk, nor is the construction of pagodas or temples allowed. Only those over sixty with a genuine commitment can be recommended by courtiers to become monks. I have issued a separate decree for this. Other requests for rewards and palace affairs are listed separately. The old generals and guards of the imperial guards are to be properly arranged by Xiao Chan, without failing to honor my last wishes." On that day, the emperor passed away at the age of fifty-four.
Speaking of this emperor, he was resolute and decisive, focusing on the big picture in governing the country and prioritizing enriching the nation and strengthening the people. However, he was not fond of leisurely banquets and extravagant luxuries, often troubled by them, yet found it hard to completely let them go. Before his death, he issued a decree, "All expenses related to leisure activities should be reduced. From now on, regardless of the items presented from near or far, there should be a focus on thriftiness, and no one is allowed to exceed boundaries in search of rare treasures, nor should they compete with each other in extravagance. Gold, silver, treasures, silk, and satin have already caused hardship for the people, and jade and precious ornaments are even more burdensome; violations of these regulations will not be tolerated." On the ninth day of the third month in the Bingyin year, he was buried in Jing'an Mausoleum.
Historians commented: Emperor Shizu's achievements after ascending to the throne were as significant as those granted by heaven. Although he inherited the imperial throne, governing the country proved to be quite challenging. Dressed in his dragon robe and crown, he always adhered to the correct political system. The appointments of civil and military officials did not change the old regulations; rewards and punishments were clear, with a balance of leniency and strictness. All policies originated from the emperor himself, reflecting a far-sighted vision, and everyone respected him. Both inside and outside the court were peaceful, affairs were handled in an orderly manner, tribute continued, the national treasury was full, the people were rarely conscripted for labor, and the construction of palaces and gardens did not cause a huge financial burden. The people lived and worked in peace, and their lifespan was also extended, a shared blessing for all. However, he also had personal attachments he struggled to relinquish, just like anyone else; he had a deep affection for the late Emperor Taizu and his royal family. Thinking about how Emperor Han Wu regretted in his later years, and Lord Wei Wen did not use the conquered Zhongshan Kingdom to reward his own brother. The inner thoughts of these wise and virtuous figures are challenging for me as a historian to fully grasp.
Praise: The achievements of Emperor Wu are remarkable, making peace his guiding principle. Shaoling has been free from disasters, and Pengshui has also found tranquility. He upheld the legacy of his predecessor, adhering closely to the law. Northern ethnic minorities come to pay their respects, while southern tribes bring forth songs. The court is stable, and peace reigns both at home and abroad.
