Real Histories
In the year 441 AD, the tomb of Emperor Gao (Liu Yu) was to be relocated to inter Empress Zhao (Wang Xianyuan). The department responsible for the sacrifices at the time was undecided on whether to hold ancestral sacrifices and whether to follow the ritual of offering nine dishes during the sacrifices. Wang Jian, the Left Supervisor, said: "The relocation ceremony is akin to the offerings made at a person's death. The 'Book of Rites' states that sacrifices should be made from one tomb to another, just like offering sacrifices at a temple." He Xun also said: "When it comes to burial, sacrifices are necessary." Fan Ning also said: "Offering sacrifices is essential before the burial." While it may not be classified as ancestral sacrifices, offering sacrifices is still essential. Everyone adopted his opinion.
The officials in charge of the sacrifices also reported: "The spirit tablet of Empress Zhao is currently enshrined in the temple. Now that it is to be relocated, a Yu sacrifice (a ritual to appease spirits) should be held in the temple. Since the spirit is already in the temple, is a Yu sacrifice really necessary when relocating it? Zheng Xuan's annotations in the 'Book of Rites' state that the ritual for relocating from temple to temple should be the same as relocating from tomb to tomb. What distinguishes the two situations? The previous dynasty held that relocating did not necessitate a Yu sacrifice." Wang Jian, the Left Supervisor, added: "Fan Ning mentioned that there will definitely be a carriage to escort the soul during the burial. If the spirit is not sent back, where will it go? In secular customs, sacrifices are typically made at the tomb during reburials. How can we proceed without offering sacrifices? He Xun also said that sacrifices must be made at the tomb after burial to complete the ritual. While it may not be a formal Yu sacrifice, it serves a similar purpose. During the Jin Dynasty, the Five Tombs were restored, and during the Song Dynasty, Empress Dowager Jing was relocated, both with Yu sacrifices. There’s no reason to doubt the necessity of holding a Yu sacrifice now." Therefore, everyone adopted his opinion.
In the year 439 AD, the Crown Princess passed away, and the palace ministers were uncertain about what mourning attire to wear. Wang Jian, the Left Minister, said: "The 'Book of Rites' states: 'When the father is alive, act as a son; when the sovereign is alive, act as a subject.' Moreover, from the Han Dynasty to the Wei Dynasty, the duties of palace officials were clear, and the etiquette norms for subjects were primarily based on three aspects. When Yu Yi's wife died, Wang Yun and Teng Yin believed that the officials should wear minor ruler’s attire (a type of mourning dress). How much more important is the etiquette for subjects? According to the rites, the wife of the deceased former sovereign should wear mourning attire for three months. During the mourning period, officials can take leave and must visit the spirit to mourn in the morning and evening. All of this falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Palace. Officials not serving in the palace can take two and a half days off from their residences, then wear mourning attire according to funeral etiquette, write a report, and are not required to rush to the funeral." Everyone accepted his suggestion.
The Crown Princess's coffin was to be transported in a yellow carriage woven from grass (a type of ornate hearse), and they discussed whether to set up a mourning flag. Wang Jian, the Left Minister, said: "According to the etiquette, after the coffin is sealed, the inscription should be written and placed on the east side of the coffin. After the funeral rites are completed, it should be placed on the east side of the western steps."
In the second year of the Ming Dynasty, the crown princess passed away. According to the rules, she should be given a ceremonial escort with nine tassels. Then, the officials in charge of organizing the funeral began to discuss: "Should the crown princess also have tassels? If so, how many tassels are appropriate? Also, should we use the dragon flag that rises and falls (referring to a flag with a dragon, where rising and falling indicate the level of mourning and honor)? How many flags should we use?" Wang Jian suggested, "The tassels originally represent a person's status in clothing and are not directly related to the funeral. Nowadays, even the ministers in the court may not necessarily adhere to the regulations on etiquette in their daily lives, so it should only be temporarily added during funerals. The crown princess of the Eastern Palace holds a status equivalent to that of the wife of a ninth-rank official; she is considered one with the crown prince and should be entitled to the same etiquette. We should not establish a separate set of mourning tassels simply due to a lack of precedent. The practices before the Ming Dynasty were often executed without thorough discussion. Now we should follow the rules of etiquette and not simply imitate past mistakes. The ceremonial escort for joyous occasions has its own procession, and the funeral escort has its own banners. If we were to establish a tassel, where would we even put it? As for the dragon flags, according to regulations, eight flags should be sufficient." Everyone agreed with Wang Jian's opinion. Next, the officials reported, "In the past, there was a custom in the Ming Dynasty that when the crown princess died, a stone tablet would be erected in her tomb. However, this practice does not align with established etiquette. Think back to the inscription written by Yan Yan for Wang Qiu during the Song Yuan Jia period, where common people didn't have stone tablets, so they used epitaphs to record their merits. Since then, officials and nobles have followed this practice. The crown princess holds a noble status, and her ceremonial standards differ from those of ordinary people. Since there is already a memorial document in place, erecting a stone tablet is unnecessary." The emperor also agreed with this suggestion.
Finally, the officials asked again: "After the death of Consort Mu, while the coffin is still en route, if it coincides with the new moon (first and fifteenth day of the lunar month), should a sacrifice be held?" Wang Jian analyzed and said: "According to the rites, after the mourning ceremony, sacrifices are performed in the temple to honor the ancestors, in accordance with the proper order of mourning. This is different from the usual sacrifices made on auspicious days, hence the necessity of a sacrifice during the new moon. Border regions do not strictly observe these rites; for instance, during the Song Dynasty, sacrifices were still conducted on the new moon following mourning. However, for members of the imperial family, once mourning has concluded, there is no reason to hold a sacrifice during the new moon. Although the coffin has not yet reached the temple, a sacrificial space has already been set up on the funeral carriage, similar to the ceremonies of moving temples for Huan Xuan and Emperor Gao of the Song Dynasty. Should an additional sacrifice be performed while the coffin is still en route? Therefore, there is no need to wait for the new moon sacrifice. This practice did not exist before the era of Empress Song Yi, which further illustrates the views of the people at that time." The emperor also accepted Wang Jian's opinion.
In the third year of Jianyuan, someone reported to the court: Consort Mu, the Crown Prince's consort, passed away in the seventh month of the previous year, and that year had an intercalary month in the ninth month. How should this intercalary month be calculated? Should it be combined with the first month? If the intercalary month is counted separately, then the mourning rites for Prince Nanjun's brothers should be conducted on the last day of the fourth month this year, thus eliminating any further confusion during the official mourning period.
Wang Jian, the Left Chancellor, expressed his opinion on this issue: there are 360 days in a year, which is clearly stated in the Book of Shang. This is recorded in "The Commands of Duke Wen" from the Book of Shang, and the "Spring and Autumn Annals" offers criticisms on this matter. The "Guliang Commentary" states, "accumulating days to form a month," while the "Gongyang Commentary" claims, "there is no such month in the sky." Although the "Zuo Commentary" believes that it is proper to report mourning according to the new moon (the first day of each month), previous Confucian scholars held that during a three-year mourning period, leap months should not be counted when calculating the years. For mourning periods shorter than three years for lesser achievements, leap months are counted as months. Leap months are essentially the extra days in a year, corresponding to additional new moon days. So Wu Shang said, "Including leap months to determine the mourning period is reasonable." Although the mourning period for the Crown Princess is in November, a full year must pass before wearing mourning clothes. The various mourning attire systems must adhere to the principles of formal mourning attire. There should be a two-month interval between mourning attire and white mourning attire, so the same should apply to lesser mourning attire. Moreover, from a nominal perspective, lesser mourning attire is originally calculated based on the year limit, and from an ethical system perspective, there should also be a two-day gap between the two. Now, since the mourning period has been moved forward to coincide with the Yangu ceremony, it cannot be claimed that this is not the designated time. Since the matter is of the same nature, the reasoning should be consistent, and the principle of excluding leap months should take precedence. If the lesser mourning attire is held on the last day of April, there would only be three months left until wearing mourning clothes, which would not align with previous customs. It should be held on the last day of May. This is a significant national event and should be studied meticulously. It would be wise to gather officials from the relevant departments to thoroughly examine the differences.
Chuyuan, the Minister of Rites, disagreed with Wang Jian's opinion. He said: The specific regulations regarding the ceremony are determined based on seniority and hierarchy, so the systems of Xiang Fu (ceremonial mourning attire) and Gao Fu (formal mourning attire) do not clearly define how to calculate the mourning period in months and years. Holding the Xiaoxiang ceremony in November is acceptable given the mourning period. Since we are calculating by months, the intercalary month should also be included. If we include the intercalary month, how does that differ from the Gao Fu system? The doubts arise from whether the Xiaoxiang ceremony should take place during the intercalary month, and there is controversy over the calculation of months. Calculating the intercalary month based on accumulated days has always been part of the calendar system. Calculating by months will result in extra months; calculating by years includes the intercalary month, which results in extra days. Why can't we create a system that makes sense?
Jian answered Yuan's questions, saying, "The meaning of the leap month is difficult to explain even for scholars well-versed in Confucianism. However, the ritual should be conducted at the scheduled time, but now it has been postponed due to the leap month, which does not breach the ritual norms. From the names of the ceremonies, everything is in order; from the emotional aspect of mourning, there is no difference. Although the time difference is only a few months, essentially, it represents the remainder of the year, so it should be included. Because the elder has passed away, the auspicious sacrifice has been postponed, and it is included in the leap month, symbolizing the year's continuity, accounting for both the postponement and the ongoing nature of the rituals. The meaning of the classics is probably here! If the minor auspicious sacrifice is held in May and the leap month is in June, then removing mourning clothes after the auspicious sacrifice means two months have passed, which is equivalent to using November to symbolize the previous period, and using two new moons to symbolize the following year, so the designations are distinct and should not be conflated. In the twenty-eighth year of Duke Xiang of Lu, 'in the twelfth month of Yiwei, the Lord of Chu passed away,' only the previous month was recorded, and the leap month was not mentioned at the beginning, which serves as further evidence of the leap month's significance. Zheng Xuan, She Hou, Wang Su, and He Xun all believe that if the mourning sacrifice is held on time, the leap month should be included, and at first, there was no distinction between the auspicious sacrifice in the mourning period, probably considering it self-evident. Cheng Xiufu said, 'After the grand auspicious sacrifice, there should be a separate calculation for the leap month,' clearly indicating the auspicious sacrifice in the mourning period should not be equated with the time for donning regular clothes after the thanksgiving sacrifice. Therefore, this reflects the court's benevolence, and we should follow this example." Yuan then asked Jian more than ten questions based on old sayings, and Jian explained each one clearly.
The opinion of the deputy minister of the ancestral temple, Wang Gui, is: "Funeral arrangements are postponed due to the intercalary month. Minor rituals for those of lower status can be omitted when they coincide with the intercalary month. Even though the postponement is caused by the intercalary month, the name of the ritual still exists, which is different from other mourning periods. When considering the months, the postponement is to honor the deceased and bring distant time closer. Although the date has passed and the month is not the first month, it is still included and in accordance with ritual norms, and this makes sense logically. The opinion of the Minister of Works, Jian, is well-argued, and I fully agree. Although Minister of Education Yuan initially had doubts, after several discussions, he still disagreed with Jian's opinion. Finally, after consultation with the eight deputy ministers, it was agreed that Jian's opinion was correct. Therefore, the minor rituals will be held on the last day of May, and both the minor rituals and the thanksgiving rites will be carried out within the normal time limits. After reporting to the emperor, the decree was issued both internally and externally." The emperor approved it.
After the death of Princess Mu Fei, the deputy minister of the Left and concurrently the compiler, Wang Qun, went to ask the Minister of Education, Wang Jian: Does the Prince of Nanjun (the youngest son of the Crown Prince) need to wait until after his mother's mourning period to hold a wedding ceremony? Princess Mu Fei passed away on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, and the mourning period will begin in the eighth month. It will take eleven months to wait until June. If the Prince of Nanjun wants to wait until June to hold the wedding ceremony, then the major mourning period (for the father) will have to be extended by another month, which means he'd have to wait until August instead of January. From a perspective of filial piety, doesn't this seem inappropriate? If they hold mourning and wedding ceremonies separately, then mixing joy and sorrow might create confusion. I wonder if this is appropriate or not?
Wang Jian said: The farewell to the deceased has been completed; the dead cannot return to life. This "extreme filial piety" is not prescribed by the mourning customs. The clear distinction between mourning and celebration signifies the conclusion of this matter. Relatives waiting for one another to handle mourning or celebratory events is not mentioned in the classics. Many people think that if there is mourning at home, joyous events should not take place; as a result, mourning and celebratory events are often spaced a month or two apart, and sometimes occur simultaneously. However, this reflects personal choices and shows a lack of understanding of the essence of etiquette. I discussed this in my earlier work, "Mourning Records." It's common for those who are far away to wait until they return to pay their respects, while children at home have no excuse not to adhere to the customs. Etiquette already suggests that one should return home after mourning, as recorded in the classics, which speaks for itself.
If we really have to wait, the waiting period could be as long as a year. Wouldn't that mean wearing mourning attire indefinitely? The ritual offerings for ancestral worship will also be permanently interrupted, which is certainly unacceptable. Even if it’s only a matter of days, it shouldn’t be delayed. Why? Because rituals have their order, and rules must be followed. Now, people far away don't need to wait, while those nearby must wait for each other, which goes against etiquette and is simply not acceptable. If you are worried about brothers living together and mixing good and bad events, there was a practice of living separately in ancient times. If there is no separation, then the child who returns from afar should establish a separate space to conduct the funeral alone. The memorial service should take place with family present, and the memorial should be dismantled after the mourning period. Why is this? The "Funeral Rituals" says "do not set up a memorial tablet," and Zheng Xuan explains that "because the spirit is not present." Not being able to attend the funeral is because the person is away. It is also reasonable not to set up a memorial tablet for worship. This is caused by objective reasons and is unrelated to legitimacy. The illegitimate son at home does not need to wait for the legitimate son. Moreover, the concubine is the official wife of the royal family, and the Prince of Nanjun is the eldest legitimate grandson. The court strictly implements the ritual system; there’s no reason for hesitation. Therefore, there should be no waiting for each other. After the Prince of Nanjun's family completes the funeral, he only goes to pay his respects to Concubine Mu and does not accept condolences from others. After the mourning period, the brothers can console each other, without needing to host guests. This is an important national matter, and the eight chancellors should convene to discuss, determine the procedures for various situations, and then report to the emperor. Sima Chuyuan and twenty others also agreed with Wang Jian's opinion and requested that this regulation be made a permanent rule. The emperor issued a decree to approve it.
In the year 487 AD, Crown Princess Mu Fei passed away. The officials of the Prince of Nanjun (the ruler of Nanjun at that time) were uncertain about the appropriate mourning attire to show their condolences for Crown Princess Mu Fei. Jian (the identity of the person in the text is subject to further verification) also expressed his opinion: "According to the Book of Rites, 'Commoners should dress in mourning attire for the ruler.' Ancient scholars interpreted 'commoners' as referring to those holding minor government positions, such as a scribe. Furthermore, when the wife of a vassal lord passed away, the lord should wear mourning attire made of hemp for seven months. By this reasoning, Crown Princess Mu Fei's status is far more exalted than that of a vassal lord's wife, so we cannot resort to such a trivial formality to convey our condolences. Currently, the Crown Prince (referring to Prince Wen Hui) himself is a prince of a vassal state, and Crown Princess Mu Fei is the legitimate wife of the court. Officials in the palace can mourn using the mourning customs of a minor ruler, so how can we officials of Nanjun only use the etiquette of a noblewoman? We should wear plain clothing, white headbands, and plain belts, cry outside the palace gates, and only enter when it is time to pay respects, just like the palace officials."
In the year 497 AD, Crown Prince Wen Hui passed away. Right Chief Minister Wang Yan and others submitted a memorial stating: "According to the records of mourning attire, 'For the father or eldest son of a ruler, the mourning period should be the same as that for a ruler's father or eldest son.' Your Majesty, you only mourn for three months, not the customary three years, so court officials should wear the lower-ranking mourning attire designated for significant achievements. The mourning attire for the ninth month is designated for mourning between brothers and should not be used for honoring elders. After deliberation, we believe that the mourning attire classification should be elevated, the duration of mourning reduced, and mourning attire standardized to three months. Regarding the Crown Prince (the son of Crown Prince Wen Hui), mourning for three years is already quite significant; officials of Nanjun should wear mourning attire for the same period. The officials of Linru and Qujiang do not belong to the legitimate lineage and should not follow the mourning attire of the heir apparent. Therefore, officials of these two states are not required to observe mourning." The Emperor agreed to their proposal.
They reported again, saying: "According to the 'Funeral Attire Classic', although there is a saying 'Concubines should wear mourning clothes for the Lord's eldest son', this etiquette was abolished since the Han Dynasty. We suggest following the previous customs and no longer enforce this etiquette." The Emperor said, "Since it was abolished a long time ago, let's stop enforcing it."
They also reported: "We have consulted the relevant imperial clothing classics. During the mourning period of Prince Wen Hui, no music should be played. Although the princes also mourn for three months, the heir is the rightful representative of the ancestral temple, and the mourning etiquette should be the same. Once the mourning clothes are removed, music, weddings, and other activities should resume. However, we believe that these two joyful ceremonies, although both auspicious, carry different significance. Marriage is for procreation, which is not entirely considered auspicious, so music should not be played within three days, as clearly stipulated by the etiquette. During the Song Dynasty, those mourning at the level of great achievements were required to forgo music at weddings to express mourning for their relatives. We should follow the past precedents." The Emperor said, "Follow your advice."
The Emperor reported: According to ritual regulations, before the sacrifice, the sacrificial garments should be donned tonight, and the sacrificial ceremony should be held tomorrow morning. But now everyone changes clothes just before the start of the sacrificial ceremony, which is in violation of the etiquette. Today the prince is going to make a sacrifice. If we follow the usual practice, the Crown Prince must change into the sacrificial garments before the prince can do so. We ministers discussed and agreed that mourning should be completed first, and then the sacrificial ceremony should be held. Those ministers participating in the sacrifice should change into their clothes at their respective residences, and then go to the Prince's residence to offer their condolences.
The Emperor said, "Approved!"
In the second year of Jianwu, during the court session, the mourning period for Emperor Shizu had not yet ended, and everyone was discussing whether or not to play music. He Tong, an official in the Ministry of Rites, expressed his opinion: "In the past, when Emperor Shun succeeded Emperor Yao, although Emperor Shun was not actually Emperor Yao's son, after Emperor Yao passed away, Emperor Shun still held a three-year mourning ceremony for Emperor Yao. When Emperor Kang of the Jin Dynasty ascended, no music was played either. In the first year of the Yongjia reign under Emperor Huai, when the mourning period of Emperor Hui had not yet ended, Jiang Chong also mentioned that in ancient times, successive emperors, even with different blood relationships, still had the same importance in ceremonies." His opinion was accepted by everyone.
In January of the 26th year AD, the relevant authorities decided it was necessary to establish how to conduct the memorial ceremony for Emperor Guangwu's grandfather, Emperor Wenzong (Liu Kuang), on his death anniversary, major auspicious days, and minor auspicious occasions. They consulted officials from the Imperial Academy and the National University.
Dr. Tao Shao said: "It has been a tradition since ancient times to give ancestors posthumous titles and establish sacrificial rituals. Emperor Wenzong has now been posthumously revered as an ancestor, so the order and hierarchy of the sacrifices must be clearly defined. Therefore, on the death anniversary, major auspicious days, and minor auspicious occasions, the emperor should wear ceremonial robes and go to the Taiji Hall to pay his respects, and the officials should also don ceremonial robes to accompany him."
The Minister of Ceremonies, Li Hui, believes: "Since the posthumous title of Emperor Wen has been conferred, the mourning attire should also be formal. However, because expedient measures have been taken before (referring to the simplification of mourning attire), there is no need for hemp mourning garments and staffs. Moreover, the current circumstances differ from those of ancient times; the world has changed, so how can one not feel emotions? Think about it, when Empress Jingxian of the Jin Dynasty passed away, the court officials all wore the mourning clothes of a minor ruler. Now that Emperor Wen has been posthumously honored, we cannot disregard past precedents. Since he is posthumously honored as an emperor, the imperial sacrificial rites should be used. Although the rituals for the ministers are the same, the rituals will vary with the times. The current emperor is the emperor of the restored dynasty, and the situation is different from the ancient succession to the throne, so there is no need to wear the ancient deep mourning clothes. However, as an emperor, he should wear mourning clothes to the main hall for the sacrifices, and the officials should weep bitterly, as was the custom."
The Assistant to the Censorate and Assistant to the Imperial Academy, Xie Tanji, said: "There is a fixed system of funeral rituals, with different regulations for the days of mourning, major auspicious days, and minor auspicious days. The sacrifices and offerings express the feelings of missing deceased relatives, and the minor auspicious day expresses sorrow for the deceased, all to convey deep love and sorrow. Although the virtues of Emperor Wen have long been consolidated, his teachings have not yet fully penetrated people's hearts. Posthumously honoring him as an emperor is also out of filial piety. There is no real basis for stating how the ministers should behave, and it is not practical to say how the emperor himself should act. The emperor currently governs the realm and enjoys the favor of heaven, offering sacrifices at the seven ancestral temples, which differs from the previous sacrifices made for the three empresses, so there are no precedents to refer to for the rituals of the weekly mourning, auspicious days, and offerings." Doctor of the Imperial Academy, Cui Yi, agrees with Tao Shao; Minister of Ceremonies, Shen Tan, aligns with Li Hui; and Doctor of the Imperial Academy, Liu Jing, along with others, supports Xie Tanji's opinion.
Minister He Tong of the Ancestral Temple Department said, "The central idea of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' is that ministers should uphold the king's affection. Although the bonds of grace and blood are distinct, the rituals remain the same. This is the only way to deepen the feeling of respect and adhere to the funeral rituals. Although the emperor inherited the position of the founding emperor and once paid homage to him, now the current emperor is in power, and his benevolence knows no bounds. As descendants, the loyalty should remain unwavering. I believe that on the anniversary of Emperor Shizong's death, the emperor should don mourning attire in court, and the officials should offer their condolences collectively. Following the ceremony, the officials should proceed to Xuan De Palace to pay their respects, and then go to the mausoleum to express their remembrance of the ancestors." The Minister of Works Wang Yan and nineteen others unanimously accepted He Tong's opinion. The emperor issued a decree to "approve the memorial."
Prince Hailing passed away, and the officials gathered to mourn for him. At this time, as they were preparing for the funeral, there was much debate in the court regarding appropriate attire for the funeral. Minister He Tong of the Ancestral Temple Department proposed, "Fur-lined robes and dark hats are inappropriate for mourning. Therefore, military uniforms should not be worn to attend the funeral. In the second year of the Song Dynasty's Taishi era, on the day of Emperor Xiaowu's passing, when the officials came to the palace to pay their respects, they all changed out of their military uniforms at the palace gate and put on civilian clothes. After the mourning, they changed back into their military uniforms before leaving." His suggestion was unanimously accepted.
Praise: The Ji family's system and Confucian teachings serve as models for all kings. The three thousand are counted, and the four dimensions are established. Loss and gain are determined by rituals, and the old regulations have been abolished. Military sacrifices are made for the country, and ancestral temples and educational institutions are revered. Ceremonies for crowning, marriage, court meetings, and clothing regulations for funerals are all observed. Uphold the virtues of the past while being mindful of previous mistakes.
Emperor He, his name is Liu Baorong, courtesy name Zhizhao, he is the eighth son of Emperor Gaozong. In the first year of Jianwu, he was granted the title of Prince of Suijun, with a fief consisting of two thousand households. Three years later, he was appointed Champion General, responsible for military affairs at Shitou Shu. In the first year of Yongyuan, he was again granted the title of King of Nankang, serving as Chief Commandant, commanding military affairs across seven provinces, including Jingzhou, Yongzhou, Yizhou, Ningzhou, Liangzhou, South Qinzhou, and North Qinzhou, while also holding the positions of General of the Guards of the West and Governor of Jingzhou.
On the Jia Yin day of the second year of Yongyuan, Chief Historian Xiao Yingzhou assassinated Liu Shanyang, the Deputy General of Fuguo, and the Prefect of Baxi and Zitong Counties, and then revolted under the banner of the Prince of Liang. The next day, Yi Mao, Xiao Yingzhou ordered the army's discipline to be reformed and issued an order saying: "I personally lead the army to set out from Jinyang to eliminate these rebels. The war is now intense, so we should show greater clemency. All prisoners held in various places, regardless of the severity of their crimes, as long as they are not sentenced to death, will be pardoned and released; those who previously held official positions will be reinstated; all officers and soldiers will receive a one-rank promotion; those whose families remain in town while they accompany the army will be provided with food and rations; all soldiers participating in the war will be exempt from corvée labor after the war and return to civilian life. As for specific rewards for merits, there are separate regulations." On the day of Bing Chen, the Prince of Liang was appointed as the Chief Commissioner, Commander of the Vanguard, and Left General. On the day of Ding Si, Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Right General and Commissioner of the Military Affairs. On the day of Wu Wu, the Prince of Liang submitted a memorial requesting promotion. By the day of Yi Hai in December, the court officials urged him to take the throne, but he declined. On the day of Ren Chen, the Valiant Cavalry General Xiahou Dan came from the capital to Jiangling and announced the Empress Dowager's decree: "The Prince of Nankang should inherit the throne and lead the people of the world. For now, do not be hasty in ascending to the throne. He is temporarily titled as the King of Xuan Cheng, overseeing ten counties, namely Xuan Cheng, Nan Langye, Nan Donghai, Dongyang, Linhai, Xin'an, Xunyang, Nanjun, Jingling, and Yidu. He is also appointed as the Prime Minister, Governor of Jingzhou, and granted the Yellow Battle-axe. He is authorized to appoint subordinates and select officials, and the Western Commandery and the Kingdom of Nankang will continue as before. When the army arrives nearby, the relevant departments should follow the old rules to welcome him."
In a certain year, on the first days of the first month, the king (referring to the emperor with the surname Wang) ascended the throne, granting a general amnesty—what a joyous occasion! However, Mei Chong'er and Ru Fazhen were left out of the amnesty, likely due to some serious wrongdoing. Xiao Yingzhou was promoted, changing from the Right General to the Left Minister of History, and was also appointed as the General of the Guard, while the Prince of Liang was promoted to General of the East. A few days later, Yang Gong was appointed as the Inspector of Xiangzhou. The emperor set up camp south of the city and began his official duties.
On the first days of the second month, Wang Maoxian became the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Cao Jingzong became the Inspector of Yingzhou, and Prince Shaoling Baoyou became the Inspector of Jingzhou. A few days later, the ministers presented honorific titles to the emperor, and ancestral temples and sacrificial altars were established in the northern and southern suburbs. Afterwards, the Prince of Liang stationed his army at Miankou, but Zhang Chong, the Inspector of Yingzhou, refused to surrender and held the city. On the first days of the third month, Zhang Chong died in battle, and Xue Yuansi and others continued to defend the city.
On a good day in the third month of the first year of the Zhongxing era, the emperor officially ascended the throne! A general amnesty was announced, marking the start of a new era! Civil and military officials were all promoted, and they were divided into two ranks! Five hu of grain were distributed to each elderly person and those unable to support themselves. This year was the third year of Yongyuan. Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Minister of Rites, Jin'an Prince Baoyi became the Minister of Works, Prince Luling Baoyuan became the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and also held the concurrent title of Governor of the Secretariat, Prince Jian'an Baoyin became the Inspector of Xuzhou, Xiahou Xiang was appointed as the Central Army Commander, and Xiao Wei was appointed Inspector of Yongzhou.
On that day, someone suggested that Xiao Baojuan be named the Marquis of Lingyang, but the emperor disagreed. Later, it was proposed to appoint him as the King of Fuling, to which the emperor agreed. Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou and was also granted the Yellow Battle-Axe, a symbol of military authority, by the emperor. Liu Yan was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou and Ningzhou, Zhuangqiu Hei was appointed as the Inspector of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou, and Deng Yuanqi was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. In early April, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The pacification of Jingzhou and Yongzhou was all laid down by the former kings! Those who have contributed to the country, regardless of the size of their merit, should be rewarded! The armies participating in the eastern campaign and the volunteer forces that answered the call, your offenses are forgiven!"
On the day of early May, the emperor went to the meditation hall at Bamboo Forest Temple to feast with his courtiers. The Prefect of Baxi, Lu Xiulie, and the son of the Prefect of Badong, Xiao Huixun, Xiao Gui, were currently fighting against the rebel forces. In July, Wu Ziyang from the east led thirteen armies to rescue Yingzhou and camped in Jiahu. Soon after, General Wang Maoxian defeated them. The emperor appointed Wang Maoxian as the Central Guard General. A few days later, the Lord of Lushan surrendered. Subsequently, the Lord of Yingzhou, Xue Yuansi, also surrendered.
In early August, the General of Pacifying the West, Chen Bozhi, also surrendered. A few days later, the emperor appointed him as the Inspector of Jiangzhou, and his son became the Inspector of Xuzhou. In early September, the emperor decreed that Prince Liang, Xiao Baojuan, select a location near the capital to build his mansion and handle political affairs on his own. In November, the emperor appointed the General of State Assistance, Li Yuanlu, as the Inspector of Yuzhou. Later, the Prefect of Jingzhou, Xiao Yingzhou, passed away, and the emperor appointed Xiaodan, the Yellow Gate Attendant, to temporarily oversee the affairs of Jingzhou Prefecture. A few days later, Xiao Gui and Lu Xiulie also surrendered.
In December, the city of Jiankang fell. A few days later, the Empress Dowager ordered the enfeoffment of Xiao Baojuan, the Prince of Liang, as Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Yangzhou, and granted him the title of Duke of Jian'an County. This honor was comparable to that of Prince Wuling of the Jin Dynasty, and all the officials came to pay their respects. In a few days, Xiao Baojuan was re-titled as the Prince of Poyang. Following this, Xiao Baoyi, the Minister of Works and Governor of Yangzhou, Prince Jin'an, was appointed as Grand Commandant and concurrently Minister of Works. The Emperor also rewarded the Grand Marshal with twenty million coins, along with five thousand bolts of silk and five thousand pieces of satin. Finally, the Emperor appointed Xiao Hong, the General Who Defends the State, as Middle Protector.
On the 5th day of the 1st month of the year 477 AD, Empress Xuande took the throne and moved into the inner palace. As Grand Marshal, the Prince of Liang continued to respectfully pay his respects to the Empress. After the 5th day of the 1st month, Xiao Bing was appointed as the Monitoring General of Nan Yan Province. On the 11th day of the 1st month, the Prince of Liang was further promoted to Grand Marshal, in charge of the national military and enjoying special privileges. On the 27th day of the 1st month, Wang Liang was appointed as the Chief Imperial Secretary. On the 1st day of the 2nd month, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, promoting the Prince of Liang to Prime Minister, in charge of all officials, concurrently Governor of Yangzhou, and additionally enfeoffing him with ten counties, bestowing him the title of Duke of Liang, allowing him to partake in the Nine Honors ceremony, wearing a cap for distant travels, ranking above all other princes, and granting him a green silk sash for the Prime Minister's exclusive use. On the 9th day of the 5th month, the newly appointed Right General, Cao Jingzong, was also named Governor of Yingzhou.
On the Renxu day in February, Prince Xiao Baozhi of Xiangdong was executed. On the Wuchen day, the title of Duke of Liang was elevated to King of Liang, and ten more counties were added to the fiefdom. On the Yiwei day in March, the Empress Dowager ordered five million coins, five thousand pieces of cloth, and one thousand pieces of silk to be allocated to the Kingdom of Liang. On the Xinchou day, Prince Xiao Baoyin of Poyang fled to the northern minority tribes, while Prince Xiao Baoyou of Shaoling, Prince Xiao Baosong of Jinxi, and Prince Xiao Baozhen of Guiyang were executed. On the Jiawu day, the King of Liang was allowed to wear a twelve-pendant crown, use the Emperor's banners, sound warning drums during travels, ride a golden-rooted carriage with six horses, have five auxiliary carriages for different occasions, set up banners and flags, perform ceremonial dances, and have bells and drums in the palace. The titles and treatment of the princes and princesses remained unchanged. On the Gengxu day, Xiao Xiu was appointed as the Governor of Nanxu Province, and Cai Daogong was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou Province. The Southern Qi court moved to Gushu. On the Bingchen day, the King of Liang accepted the throne and officially ascended as emperor. On the Dingsi day, Prince Xiao Baoyuan of Luling passed away. On the Xinyou day in April, the abdication decree was delivered, and the Empress Dowager moved out of the outer palace. On the Dingmao day, King Liang Xiao Daocheng honored the founder of Southern Qi, Xiao Daocheng, as the King of Baling and established his palace in Gushu, continuing the calendar of the Qi dynasty. On the Wuchen day, King Liang Xiao Daocheng passed away at the age of fifteen. He was posthumously revered as Emperor He of Qi and buried in Gong'an Mausoleum.
The historian commented: The Xia dynasty fell due to the tyranny of Jie, the Shang dynasty fell due to the incompetence of Zhou; changes of dynasty and era should not have continued. However, due to the mandate of heaven, the Western Chu flourished once again, and the sacred artifacts temporarily fell into the hands of the Xiao clan. Though this was fated, Xiao Daocheng was fortunate to attain such a prestigious title.
Praise: The young He Emperor ascended the throne, overcoming the hardships of the past,
He was perceptive about the times and seized the opportunity of history, ultimately receiving high praise and leaving a lasting legacy.
Xiao Baojuan, courtesy name Zhicang, was the second son of Emperor Gaozong of the Song dynasty. Originally named Xiao Mingxian, his name was changed by Emperor Gaozong after he came to power. In the first year of the Jianwu era, he was appointed Crown Prince.
In the seventh month of the first year of Jianwu, Emperor Gaozong died, and Crown Prince Xiao Baojuan ascended to the throne as Emperor.
In the eighth month, he ordered various compensations to be provided to soldiers who sacrificed their lives in battle against enemies in Yongzhou, based on their circumstances. He also ordered a careful investigation to see if there were any poor people who had been wronged. In the same month, Prince Jin'an Xiao Baoyi was promoted to General of the Northern Conquest and was also given the title of Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. Prince Jian'an Xiao Baoyin was appointed Inspector of Yingzhou. In the winter, in the tenth month, he ordered the simplification of legal texts.
In the eleventh month, Xiao Baojuan appointed Lady Chu as Empress and rewarded officials below the rank of king with varying amounts of money. In the first month of the first year of Yongyuan, there was a general amnesty and a change of reign title. The Emperor ordered an assessment of the performance and filial piety of officials. He went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. He also ordered that officials of the third rank or above who had parents or grandparents over the age of seventy should receive additional funds. Prince Nangang Xiao Baorong was appointed Inspector of Jingzhou in the month of Guimao.
In the second month of Guichou, Prince Shaoling Xiao Baoyou was appointed Inspector of Nanyanzhou. In the same month, Grand Commandant Chen Xianda suffered defeat at Maquan. In the fourth month of Jisi, Xiao Baojuan appointed Xiao Song as Crown Prince, issued a general amnesty, and promoted the common people by one rank to honor their fathers. On the day of Jiaxu, Liu Gan was appointed Inspector of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou.
In the early days of the fifth month, the Emperor appointed General Who Calms the Army Prince Yaoguang as Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, with an additional promotion. One day in June, the newly appointed General of the Right Guard, Cui Huijing, was reassigned as General Who Protects the Army. On the same day, Fan Yun, the Interior Minister of Shixing, was appointed Inspector of Guangzhou. The next day, the Emperor issued a decree stating that there would be three movements in Yongzhou this year.
On a day in July during autumn, there was a major flood in the capital, and many people died. The emperor ordered the distribution of wood and tools to the families of the deceased and provided aid to the disaster victims. On a day in August, the emperor exempted the capital's residents from this year's taxes due to the flood. He also ordered a mourning ceremony for the soldiers who died in battle at the cavalry stables. Shortly after, on another day in August, the governor of Yangzhou, Prince Yáoguāng of Shì'ān, staged a rebellion in the Eastern Palace! The emperor quickly ordered a general amnesty for the capital, imposed martial law nationwide, and stationed officials, led by the Minister of Personnel, Xú Xiàosì, and other officials, in the palace. The emperor also sent General Xiāo Tǎnzhī to lead six armies to suppress him.
In a few days, Yáoguāng was killed, and his head was sent to the capital. Then, the emperor appointed General of the Northern Expedition, Prince Bǎoxuán of Jìn'ān, as the new governor of Southern Xuzhou and Yanzhou. On the same day, Minister of Personnel Xú Xiàosì was promoted to the position of Minister of Works, and General of the Right Guard, Liú Xuān, replaced Xiāo Tǎnzhī as the general in command. On a day in the intercalary month, the emperor appointed Duke Bǎo Lǎn of Jiānglíng as the new Prince of Shì'ān. The former puppet governor of Eastern Xuzhou, Shěn Líng, was appointed as the governor of Northern Xuzhou.
In September, the emperor appointed General of the State, Péi Shūyè, as the governor of Yanzhou, and Chief of Staff for Barbarian Pacification, Zhāng Chōng, as the governor of Yùzhou. Afterwards, because many ministers had been executed during this period, the emperor decided to grant amnesty to all under heaven. A few days later, the Prince's Attendant, Wáng Yīng, was appointed as the General of the Central Army. On a day in October in winter, the emperor unexpectedly ordered the execution of Minister of Personnel and Minister of Works, Xú Xiàosì, as well as the Right Deputy Marshal and Garrison General, Shěn Wénjì. On the same day, the emperor appointed the Interior Minister of Shìxīng, Yán Fān, as the governor of Guǎngzhōu, and General of the Pacification of the Barbarians, Shěn Líng, as the governor of Yuèzhou.
On the 11th day of the eleventh month, the old man Chén Xiǎndá rebelled in Xúnyáng, becoming the Grand Commandant and Governor of Jiāngzhōu, but ultimately, he was still a traitor!
The next day, on Yi Chou, the court swiftly appointed Cui Huijing as the General of Pingnan and sent him south to quell the rebellion. On Bing Yin, Wang Hong was dispatched to Xuzhou as governor. By the end of December, Yang Ji was appointed governor of Qinzhou. On Jia Shen, Chen Xianda arrived in the capital, prompting heavy palace security and the army to be on high alert. On Yi You, Chen Xianda was executed, and his head was displayed publicly. On Ding Hai, the court sent Prince Baoyou of Shaoling to Jiangzhou as governor, likely to handle the aftermath.
In the spring of the second year, on Ren Zi in the first month, Zhang Chong was appointed governor of Nanyanzhou. On Geng Wu, the court ordered the campaign against Pei Shuye, the governor of Yuzhou. In the second month, on Gui Wei, Xiao Yin was appointed governor of Sizhou. On Bing Xu, Xiao Yi was appointed governor of Yuzhou and was sent to attack Shouchun. On Ji Chou, Pei Shuye died of illness, leading his nephew Pei Zhi to surrender Shouchun.
In early March, Zhang Chong was appointed governor of Sizhou, holding the title of Fuguo General. A few days later, General Cui Huijing of Pingxi was dispatched to attack Shouchun. A few days later, the newly appointed Champion General Zhang Chong became governor of Nanyanzhou. Cui Huijing revolted in Guangling and marched directly toward the capital! The court promptly ordered Right Guard General Zuo Xingsheng to lead the troops in defense of the capital. The governor of Nanxuzhou, Prince Wang Baoxuan of Jiangxia, unexpectedly opened the city gates to greet Cui Huijing! The court then sent General Wang Ying of the Central Army to station troops at the North Lijing Gate, but when Cui Huijing launched his attack, Wang Ying and his troops were defeated. Cui Huijing stormed into the capital, while those in the palace held the walls. Governor Xiao Yi of Yuzhou led his troops to rescue the emperor.
In April, Cui Huijing was defeated in battle and fled, and was beheaded. The court ordered a pardon for the capital, Nan Xu, and Yan Zhou. Xiao Yi was then appointed as the Minister of State, and Jinxi Wang Baosong became the provincial governor of Nan Xu. In May, Wang Su, who had been posing as the provincial governor of Yu Zhou, was officially appointed as the provincial governor of Yu Zhou. Prince Baoben of Guiyang became the commander of the Central Guard. Prince Baoxuan of Jiangxia was executed. A general amnesty was then declared, and the capital, Nan Xu, and Yan Zhou were pardoned again. Prince Baolan of Shi'an became the provincial governor of Xiangzhou.
In June, the Emperor held a grand banquet at Leyou Garden, which was lively like the ancient Sanyuan Festival, and the women of the capital gathered to watch. Zhang Chong was appointed as the provincial governor of Yingzhou, and Lu Huixiao replaced him as the provincial governor of Nan Yan. In July, Zhang Ji became the provincial governor of North Xu. In August, Chen Bozhi became the provincial governor of Yu Zhou. That night, a fire broke out in the palace! In October, Minister of State Xiao Yi passed away.
In November, Zhang Ji became the provincial governor of Nan Yan again. Xiao Yingzhou rebelled in Jingzhou. In December, Prince Liang rebelled in Xiangyang. Liu Hui was appointed as the provincial governor of Yongzhou.
On the first day of the first month of a certain year (specific year to be supplemented based on historical records), on the day of Bing Shen, which was the conjunction of the new moon (the new moon was conjunct after the hour of Yin, between 3-5 am) and after the eighth quarter (a quarter being about 15 minutes, totaling 2 hours), the major event in the palace had taken place. Following that, a grand New Year's ceremony was held at the Yuewu Hall, with the Empress seated at the center, eunuchs in charge of various ceremonies, and the Emperor inspecting the proceedings in military attire. The next day, on the day of Ding You, Prince Jin'an Baoyi was appointed as the Grand General of the Cavalry and concurrently as the Minister of Works, while the newly appointed General of the Guard, Prince Baoyin of Jian'an, was promoted to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and also appointed as the Grand Councilor. On the day of Jia Chen, Wang Zhengguo was appointed as the General of Ning Shuo and concurrently as the provincial governor of North Xu. On the day of Xin Hai, the Emperor went to the southern suburbs to perform sacrifices, and then issued a decree for a general amnesty, and officials presented petitions and accusations.
On the 2nd day of the second lunar month, oh no, trouble has struck! The west wing of the Ganhe Hall caught on fire! This is a big deal. On the 9th day of the fifth month, the emperor ordered the Imperial Guards to march to Yongzhou to quell the unrest, leading to nationwide tension as everyone prepared for battle. In March, Shen Huifu was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou, and Zhang Xintai was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou. Prince Baorong of Nankang proclaimed himself emperor in Jiangling. Afterwards, Chen Bozhi was sent on a western expedition. In the sixth month, the capital was hit by heavy rains, and the court dispatched aid to the disaster-stricken areas, with relief efforts adjusted based on the situation. Xiao Yingzou's brother, Xiao Yingfu, led a rebellion in Luling. The court granted amnesty to Ancheng and Luling counties in Jiangzhou. In the seventh month, the court granted amnesty to Jingzhou and Yongzhou. Zhang Xintai and Wang Lingshow, along with the troops from Shitou City, backed Prince Baoyin's bid for the imperial palace but found the gates closed, forcing them to retreat. Cheng Mao was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, Xue Yuansi was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou, and Xue Yuansi surrendered Yingcheng to the rebels that very day. In the eighth month, Shen Zhou was appointed as the Military Supervisor of Yuzhou. Zhang Gui defended Shitou City. Li Jushi was appointed commander of the Western Front and stationed at Xinting City. In the ninth month, Li Jushi was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou, Wang Zhenguo was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou, and Prince Baoyin was appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou. Shen Zhou oversaw Yingzhou, Ma Xianpin oversaw Yuzhou, and Xu Yuancheng oversaw Xuzhou. On that day, the rebels advanced into Nanzhou, and Shen Zhou's twenty thousand troops retreated from Gushu. Xiao Gui became the Governor of Sizhou, Lu Xiulie was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou, and Zhao Yue had previously served as the Governors of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. Li Jushi clashed with the rebels at Xinting but was ultimately defeated.
In October, Wang Zhenguo engaged in battle with the Zhuque Hang and the rebel forces, but was defeated. Xu Yuanyu surrendered the city of Dongfu. Huan He led the troops from Qingzhou and Jizhou to the capital to support the emperor, stationed in the East Palace, and later surrendered as well. Zhang Gui abandoned Shitou City and returned to the palace. Then the palace gates were shut tight and heavily guarded. Hu Huya was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou, Xu Zhiyong was appointed as the governor of Yizhou, and Niu Ping was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. Li Jushi surrendered in Xinting, and the lord of Langye, Zhang Mu, also surrendered. The rebel army surrounded the imperial palace.
On the Bingyin day in December, Wang Zhenguo, the newly appointed governor of Yongzhou, and Zhang Ji, an attendant, led troops into the imperial palace, deposing the emperor, who was just nineteen at the time.
This emperor, since childhood, played recklessly in the East Palace, not liking to study at all. His father, Emperor Gaozong, was also indifferent, just advising him to behave properly. He even ordered the crown prince to attend court twice a day, but when the crown prince ignored him, the emperor issued a decree changing it to once every three days. It's said he once caught rats until dawn and thought it was quite amusing. When Emperor Gaozong was dying, he entrusted his affairs to others, citing Emperor Longchang as a cautionary tale, saying, "One must not lag behind in doing things!" Thus, he favored those lesser-known individuals, executed a number of ministers, and anything he wanted to do, he could accomplish.
The Emperor has a rather dull and reticent personality. He does not interact with court officials, only forming close ties with trusted eunuchs and the guards by his side. Since Jiang Ji and Prince Shi'an Yaoguang were killed, he took up horse riding. Every night, he rides horses in the palace, sings and dances with the eunuchs and musicians, plays drums and gongs, making quite a racket. He goes to sleep at dawn every day, sleeping until the afternoon. The officials are supposed to pay their respects to him as per protocol, but they have to wait until the afternoon to see him, sometimes being sent away long after dark. Memorials sent to the Imperial Secretariat and the Chancellery can take over ten days to a month for approval, with no one even knowing where the Emperor is. During the New Year celebrations, he only makes an appearance after his meal, and right after the congratulatory ceremony wraps up, he goes back to his western sleeping quarters to sleep, from around 9 AM to 3 PM, with all the officials standing around, looking exhausted and pale. When the morning court disperses, they all rush away in a panic.
After the Chen Xianda incident calmed down, the Emperor gradually began to travel around. He cleared the streets of common folks wherever he went. From the Wanchun Gate, along the East Palace to the east, all the way to the outskirts, for miles on end, every home was deserted. Tall curtains were hung as barriers across the main streets, and soldiers were stationed to keep watch, a practice called "screening out." Sometimes, the Emperor would pass by the homes of some imperial relatives and nobles on the left side of the market, taking a winding path through the whole capital.
Whenever it reaches the third and fourth watch of the night, the sound of drums echoed everywhere, flags and weapons blocking the roads, causing the common people to flee in all directions in fear, following the emperor's procession. Civil and military officials were bewildered about where the emperor was headed, with people being driven in all directions. Inside the barriers, there were ceremonial guards and several bands playing music from the Western Regions and the Hu people, drums and horns sounding together, creating a lively atmosphere. When the emperor went out at night and returned during the day, the flames lit up the entire sky. The emperor appointed his beloved Pan Shi as his noble concubine, while he rode in a carriage, with the emperor on horseback behind him. The emperor was clad in armor and undeterred by cold or heat, wind or snow, not avoiding bumps and holes, galloping at breakneck speed, dismounting when thirsty to drink from a gourd at his waist, then remounting to continue riding.
The emperor's horse gear was lavishly adorned with brocade, protected from rain with covers made of brocade and pearls, very exquisite. The emperor also trained fifty to sixty imperial guards as cavalry, selecting some rascals skilled in running as pursuit riders, surrounded by over five hundred people who were constantly running back and forth, with hardly any time to rest. The emperor also established two hundred and ninety-six pheasant shooting grounds, with tents and barriers draped in green and red brocade, crossbows decorated with gold and silver, quivers made of tortoiseshell, everywhere luxurious. The people outside the capital neglected their livelihoods, the paths for gathering firewood were obstructed, important events were delayed, families of pregnant women, newlyweds, and newborns had to move and seek refuge in other households, some even left the sick abandoned by the roadside, unable to afford time for burial.
Reports suggest that some officials, fearing retribution from their superiors, shoved sick individuals into the river at Qingxi, covering their faces with mud, and soon the patients died, with their bodies never found.
After the fire in the harem, the emperor rebuilt Xianhua Palace, Shenxian Palace, Yushou Palace, and others. These palaces were decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, glistening with gold and jade, truly extravagant! Look at the roofs, doors, and windows, all made of turquoise, with musk scent wafting from the walls, and curtains made of brocade cascading down, pearl curtains cascading down; it is truly magnificent! In order to meet the deadline, the craftsmen worked day and night, but still fell behind schedule. The emperor even ordered the removal of decorations from the caisson ceilings and figures of immortals riding beasts on the pagodas of various temples. Emperor Shizu coated the Xingguang Building in blue lacquer, so people called it the "Blue Building." The emperor also said, "Emperor Wu is really stupid, why not use colored glaze?" Pan's every need—clothing, food, shelter, and transport—was met with the finest treasures! The palace discarded all old clothes, and whatever the palace needed, they seized from both officials and commoners, with prices skyrocketing! Take, for instance, a string of tiger soul bracelets valued at an astonishing 1.7 million! In order to gild the palace, even the tax revenue from alcohol sales in the capital was converted to gold payments! Yet, it still wasn't enough; the emperor ordered that the construction costs for bridges and dams in Yangzhou and Nanxu provinces were to be shared per capita, directly collecting cash to cover the expenses of the Taile Bureau and the empress's wardrobe. Consequently, many bridges and dams in those regions fell into disrepair. He even demanded hats made from pheasant feathers, cloaks from crane feathers, and mourning garments from egret feathers... Those who had a good relationship with the emperor took advantage of the situation to make money, charging taxes at ten times the normal rate, and local officials dared not say a word.
In the summer of the third year, next to the Yuewu Hall, a Fangleyuan Garden was built. The stones were painted in vibrant colors, purple pavilions and palaces were constructed on the pond, and the walls were adorned with lewd depictions of couples! The garden was planted with precious flowers, plants, and trees, but that summer was particularly hot, and they all withered shortly after being planted! So, the emperor ordered the common people to dig up the trees from their homes and send them to the palace, tearing down people's houses to bring the trees to the palace! Planting in the morning and pulling out in the evening, the roads were a chaotic mess of trees and flowers! A market was also built in the garden, with the palace sending food and drink every morning for the palace maids to sell. Pan Shi was the market manager, and the emperor was in charge of the market, responsible for punishing violators; if there was a fight, Pan Shi would be in charge of the judgment. The emperor was incredibly strong, able to carry the White Tiger flag, and made various colorful silk clothes himself, adorned with gold flowers, jade mirrors, and various treasures, dressing up in a fancy manner. He surrounded himself with thirty-one cronies, including ten Huangmen guards. At first, he appointed Xu Shiheng from Xincai as the General of the Direct Cavalry and listened to Xu Shiheng's orders in all matters of killing. After Xu Xiaosi was killed, the emperor appointed Xu Shiheng as the Marquis of Linru County. When Chen Xianda rebelled, Xu Shiheng was promoted to Assistant General. Although he appointed Hu Jun Cui Huijing as the commander on the surface, the real military power lay with Xu Shiheng. After the situation was resolved, Xu Shiheng told others, "I led a five hundred-man army and managed to subdue a commander with tens of thousands of troops!" Xu Shiheng also knew that the emperor was indulgent and incompetent, so he secretly said to his accomplices Ru Fazhen and Meichong'er, "What emperor doesn’t have important figures around him? It’s just that we’re a bunch of troublemakers!"
Fa Zhen and his associates vied for power and profit, and reported Xu Shijian to the emperor. The emperor gradually became fed up with their brutal arrogance, so in the first month of the following year, he sent the imperial troops to kill Xu Shijian, who was killed in the struggle. Since then, Ru Fazhen and Mei Chong'er seized power, both becoming high-ranking officials, issuing false imperial edicts everywhere; the imperial secretary Wang Xuan conspired with them, specifically handling documents. The other twenty-plus people also held considerable influence. After Cui Huijing's rebellion was suppressed, Fa Zhen was granted the title of Baron of Yugan County, while Chong'er was granted the title of Baron of Jingling County. When the righteous army rose up, both Jiangzhou and Yingzhou surrendered. The emperor remained obstinate, and he told Ru Fazhen, "We'll fight to the death only when the righteous army reaches the Baimen Gate!" As the righteous army approached the outskirts, the emperor started to devise defense strategies, summoning officials and ministers to assign them to the Ministry of Personnel and the palace. He was also superstitious; during Cui Huijing's rebellion, he deified Jiang Ziwen as a false emperor, Grand Commandant, Chancellor, Grand Preceptor, Grand General, Recorder of the Ministry of Personnel, Governor of Yangzhou, and King of Zhongshan. Now, he has elevated Jiang Ziwen to the status of emperor.
He brought the statue of Jiang Ziwen and other temple statues into the palace, and had his trusted shaman Zhu Guangshang pray for blessings. The emperor ordered General Wang Zhenguo to lead 30,000 troops to guard Daheng, but the soldiers lacked morale. The emperor then sent his eunuch Wang Baosun to supervise the battle, referring to him as "Wang's eldest son." Wang Baosun scolded the generals, and General Xi Haofen bravely charged into battle but was killed. After the brave General Xi Haofen died, the army disintegrated, and many soldiers leapt from Zhuque Temple or into the Huai River to take their own lives, resulting in countless casualties. Therefore, the emperor ordered the city to be locked down and fortified, and military command in the city was handed over to Wang Zhenguo. Governor of Yanzhou Zhang Ji led troops to the capital to support the emperor, and the emperor appointed Zhang Ji as his deputy, with 70,000 elite troops at his disposal. The emperor, wearing a black hat and in full ceremonial regalia, stood atop the South Yezheng Gate, gazing out. He also put on a show with a thousand armored horses and a ceremonial procession, all armed with bows and arrows, marching out from the East Yezheng Gate, claiming that it was King Jiang leading the charge. The emperor always enjoyed toying with the army, initially conscripting palace maids as soldiers, and later using the Yellow Gate Guards. He personally oversaw the battle at the front lines, even feigning injury and having himself carried off.
At this time, he established a military camp in the Yuewu Hall and kept strict guard every night. The emperor rode a horse in the palace, entering from the Fengzhuang Gate to the Huiming Gate. The horse was adorned with armor made of silver lotus leaves and was decorated with various feathers, including those of kingfishers. Guards followed on both sides, sleeping during the day and getting up at night as usual. Hearing the sound of killing outside the city, the emperor, wearing a red robe, ascended to the rooftop of Jingyang Tower to survey the scene and nearly got struck by a crossbow bolt. Everyone was weary and not putting in their full effort. Recruiting soldiers for battle, the soldiers sat down just a few dozen paces from the city gate and didn't even bother to take off their armor before heading back. The emperor was worried about an ambush outside the city, so he ordered the destruction of the government buildings near the city walls, burning everything within the six gates. The pavilions in the city and the West Gate became markets for selling the meat of slaughtered cattle and horses. The emperor began discussing matters with the petty officials, thinking that the rebel army would likely disperse within ten days to two weeks, so he ordered the preparation of a hundred days' worth of food. After the defeat at Daheng, the populace was in a state of panic, and Fazhen and others were afraid that the people would flee in panic, so they closed the city and did not send out troops. Later, the rebel army completely surrounded Jiankang, digging trenches, setting up fences, and defending tightly. Only then did the emperor send out troops, resulting in repeated defeats. The emperor was notoriously miserly and refused to grant rewards. Fazhen knelt down to request rewards, but the emperor said, "The bandits are attacking me, why should they ask me for things?" In the palace, there were hundreds of wooden boards stored, originally intended for repairing city defenses, but the emperor intended to use them for palace construction, which ultimately never materialized. He urged the imperial household to make three hundred fine weapons, meant for dealing with dissenters once the siege was lifted. Gold, silver, jewelry, and various carved items became even scarcer than before. Wang Zhenguo and Zhang Ji, fearing for their own safety, led troops into the palace, with some troops entering the harem from the West Shangge, cutting off the escape route, with Yudao Fengyong acting as an informant.
That night, the emperor was playing the sheng, a traditional Chinese wind instrument, and singing in the Handedian. Before he had fallen asleep, he suddenly heard soldiers breaking in and quickly fled through the north gate, hoping to return to the harem. The Qingyao Pavilion was already closed, and the eunuch Huang Taiping wounded the emperor in the knee with a knife, causing him to fall to the ground. The emperor asked, "Are you staging a rebellion?" Then, Zhang Qi beheaded the emperor and presented his head to the Prince of Liang. Empress Xuande ordered, "Several emperors from the royal family have died one after another. Our ancestors were all wise emperors. The founding emperor Gaozu established the foundation, ordained by heaven. The martial emperor Wuzhuo was brave and skilled in battle; the Ming emperor Gaozong strengthened and developed the nation. Unfortunately, they all died young, leaving the throne vacant. The responsibility of inheriting the throne is significant and should rightly fall on the heir. However, he has been foolish and cruel since his childhood, raised by a wet nurse, growing up to be arrogant and unreasonable, with a notorious reputation. Emperor Gaozong painstakingly named his eldest son as the crown prince, with many talented individuals supporting him, as well as relatives and ministers jointly maintaining order, in hopes of avoiding chaos. But before the situation could improve, he began to indiscriminately slaughter the innocent. Relatives, friends, meritorious officials, and good generals were all wiped out by him in just a few short months. He surrounded himself with only wicked individuals, mostly butchers and thugs from the military, with fierce looks, yet they held great power in court, determining the fate of the country, killing innocents at will, seizing their properties and slaughtering entire families at the slightest provocation.
As the emperor, he enjoys such trivial matters, dressing in tattered clothes and lounging around carelessly. He goes out early and returns late every day, tirelessly driving the people away, forcing the common people to flee in all directions, homeless, with refugees and corpses littering the streets, blocking the way. He embarks on massive construction projects, constructing palaces around the clock, building them one day and demolishing them the next, adorning them with pearls and finding it insufficient, wanting to use jade and jasper for decoration, with utter disregard for moderation. In the sweltering summer heat, he insists on transplanting bamboo and fruit trees, day and night; before the roots are even planted, the leaves start to wither, with exhausted workers scurrying about. He recklessly squanders the national treasury, obsessed with these superficial embellishments, forcing the people to pay up, instilling fear in the common folk everywhere, driving them to flee. When the treasury runs dry, he resorts to seizing merchants' money, leaving them crying out and fleeing in all directions.
He actually served as the emperor, yet personally participated in lowly activities like wrestling. He held his head high, shrugged his shoulders, boasted of his strength, played with wooden objects, and the venue was packed with spectators, yet he felt no shame whatsoever. The Fang Le Palace and Hualin Garden have turned into markets, with stalls everywhere, butchering pigs and sheep, and he personally weighed them on the scale. The clamor of weapons and soldiers was incessant, day and night; although there was no war, the city seemed to be at war. As for his indulgence in pleasure during funerals, three years of indulgence against all reason, and other immoral acts, these matters are too numerous to detail. The bamboo of Chu and Yue cannot contain his crimes, surpassing even Xia Jie and King Zhou of Shang. General Zhengdong is loyal and valiant, leading his troops across a thousand miles, assisting the wise ruler and achieving great success. He pursued and cleared the capital, but the villains remained unrepentant, clinging to the city, having already delayed for over ten days; they should be swiftly eliminated to restore order. You can secretly send someone to convey my orders, letting the loyal and brave soldiers go out together, quickly suppress the rebellion, expel the evil, and escort them to another place. The families of the deceased have suffered so much misfortune; thinking of them, my heart feels like it's being sliced by a knife. Ah! What to do! What to do!" The Empress Dowager gave orders again, in line with the example of the Haihun Marquis of the Han Dynasty, posthumously honoring the East Marquis. Rufen Zhen, Meichong'er, Wang Xuan and others were executed, and Feng Yong also died. Historical records show that during the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, a white tiger was captured in Nangong, and the one who captured the tiger was named Zhang Wu, showing he was brave and strong enough to tame fierce beasts. The East Marquis (Xiao Baojuan) was debauched and tyrannical, throwing the court into chaos. Xiao Yan raised troops to pacify the chaos, personally taking risks, making decisive moves, and ultimately ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. Even the names of those eunuchs who were overthrown felt like they were fated by heaven.
It is said: Dong Hun Hou was debauched and tyrannical, just like Xia Jie and Shang Zhou. He overturned laws and traditions, discarded ethics and morality, became obsessed with warfare, and ultimately met a fiery end. "Dong Hun is slow in his ways, like Gui and Fang Xin. He undermines the rules, discards the norms, toys with war, and ultimately meets a fiery end."
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.
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.
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