Emperor Xiaoling, whose name was Liu Hong, was the great-grandson of Emperor Suzong. His great-grandfather was King Xiaowang of Hejian, his grandfather was Liu Shu, and his father was Liu Chang. They were all Marquis of Jiedu Ting for generations, and Emperor Xiaoling inherited this title. His mother was Lady Dong. After Emperor Huan died without leaving a son, the Empress Dowager and her father, Colonel of the City Gate Dou Wu, devised a plan in the palace and sent Liu Shu, the Grand Master of Splendor, to Hejian with the emperor's seal and accompanied by the Imperial Guards to welcome Emperor Xiaoling.
On the day Renwu of the first month of the first year of Jianning, Dou Wu was appointed as Grand General. On the day Jihai, Emperor Xiaoling arrived at Xiamen Pavilion, and Dou Wu, with the emperor's seal, used a blue-covered carriage that only kings and dukes could ride in to welcome him into the palace. On the day Gengzi, twelve-year-old Liu Hong ascended the throne and became emperor, renaming the era Jianning. Afterwards, the court appointed the former Grand Commandant Chen Fan as Grand Tutor, allowing him to work alongside Dou Wu and the Minister of Works Hu Guang in handling state affairs. At the same time, the court sent Colonel Duan Qiang, who protected the Qiang, to subdue the Xianling Qiang.
On the day Xinyou of the second month, Emperor Huan was buried in Xuanling, with the temple title of Weizong. On the day Gengwu, Emperor Xiaoling went to offer sacrifices at the temple of his great ancestor, and on the day Xinwei, he went to offer sacrifices at the temple of his ancestor. Afterwards, the court issued a general amnesty, rewarding the people with titles and varying amounts of cloth. Duan Qiang defeated the Xianling Qiang at Fengyishan. On the day Jiawu of the intercalary month, the court posthumously recognized Emperor Xiaoling's great-grandfather as Emperor Xiaoyuan, and his great-grandmother, Lady Xia, as Empress Xiaoyuan; they also honored his grandfather as Emperor Xiaoren, and his grandmother Dong as Lady Shenyuan.
On the day of Wuchen in April, Grand Commandant Zhou Jing passed away. Sikong Xuanfeng was relieved of his duties, and Wang Chang, the Weiwei of Changle, took over as Sikong. On the day of the Dingwei New Moon in May, a solar eclipse occurred. The Emperor ordered all officials below the rank of public ministers to submit their opinions in writing, and the governors and county magistrates of each commandery and county were to recommend a man of virtue. In addition, former officials of the rank of two thousand stones who were upright, meritorious to the people, and highly esteemed were to come to the court to meet with the imperial court. Liu Ju was appointed as the Grand Commandant (Taizhong Dafu). In June, it rained in the capital. In July, General Duan Yong of the Poqiang defeated the Xianling Qiang in Jingyang. In August, Sikong Wang Chang was dismissed from his position, and Zongzheng Liu Chong took over as Sikong.
On the day of Xinhai in September, the Central Chamberlain, Cao Jie, forged an imperial edict and executed Grand Tutor Chen Fan, Grand General Dou Wu, Prefect Yin Xun, Attendant Liu Yu, and Colonel Feng Shu, along with their families. The Empress Dowager was relocated to the Southern Palace. Situ Hu Guang was appointed as the Grand Tutor to assist in managing the affairs of the Prefect; Sikong Liu Chong was appointed as the Situ, and Grand Herald Xu Xu took over as Sikong.
On the last day of October in an unspecified year, darkness fell, and a solar eclipse occurred! The Emperor waved his hand and said that those criminals yet to be sentenced across the country could redeem themselves with money, with different amounts.
In November, Grand Commandant Liu Ju was dismissed from his position, and Wen Renxi of Pei Guo succeeded him as Grand Commandant. In December, the Xianbei and the Huns, two nomadic tribes, came to Youzhou and Bingzhou to loot, causing trouble!
On the first day of the first month of the following year, the Emperor granted amnesty to all, and all prisoners were released. In March, the Emperor conferred the title of Empress Xiaoren upon Dong Gui, highly honored. In April, a fierce wind blew, and hail fell, and the Emperor ordered all officials to write memorials to him. In May, Grand Commandant Wen Renxi and Sikong Xu Xu were both dismissed from their positions. In June, Liu Chong became the Grand Commandant, Xu Xun became the Situ, and Liu Xiao became the Sikong, a significant reshuffle in the ranks of officialdom!
In July, General Duan Qiang defeated the Xianling Qiang at the Shehu Pass. The Dong Qiang were thoroughly subdued. In September, the tribes of Jiangxia rebelled but were quickly suppressed by the local authorities. The mountain bandits in Danyang besieged Governor Chen Ying, who ultimately defeated them. On the last day of October, Hou Lan, the Minister of the Household, incited various departments to arrest several officials, accusing them of forming factions and engaging in private dealings. The Emperor ordered a nationwide crackdown on factionalism. In November, the Grand Commandant Liu Chong was dismissed and replaced by Guo Xi. The Xianbei raided Bingzhou again. That year, Cao Jie was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry but dismissed after just over a hundred days. In the third year of his reign, bizarre incidents were reported in Henan. On the last day of March, another solar eclipse occurred. In April, Guo Xi was dismissed and Wen Renxi became the Grand Commandant. In July, Liu Xiao was dismissed as Minister of Works. In August, Qiao Xuan became the Minister of Works. In September, Dong Chong, the Commandant of the Imperial Guards, was imprisoned and later died. In winter, thieves rose in Jinan and attacked Dongping Tomb. The people of Yulin Wuhu surrendered en masse. On the first day of the first month of the spring of 147 AD, the Emperor held a coronation ceremony and declared a general amnesty. Officials were rewarded in various ways, except for those implicated in factional activities.
In February, there was an earthquake, with seawater surging back while the river water became unusually clear. On the first day of March, a solar eclipse occurred. The Grand Commandant Xiren was removed from office, and Li Xian was appointed as the new Grand Herald. The emperor ordered all officials with a salary of six hundred stones or more to submit written statements of their political views. At that time, an epidemic was spreading, and the court sent people to patrol and deliver medicine to save lives. The Minister of Works Xu Xun was also dismissed, and Qiao Xuan was appointed as the new Minister of Works.
In April, the Minister of Ceremonies Lai Yan replaced Qiao Xuan as the Minister Over the Masses. In May, there were ground fissures, a hailstorm, and a flash flood in the Hedong region. In July, Lai Yan was dismissed from his position as Minister Over the Masses. On the same day, Song Shi was made empress. The Minister of Works Qiao Xuan was also dismissed, and Zong Ju was appointed as the new Minister of Works, while the previous Minister of Works Xu Xu resumed his position as Minister of Ceremonies. In winter, the Xianbei invaded Bingzhou.
In March of the year 148, Grand Tutor Hu Guang died. In May, there was a general amnesty, and the era name was renamed Xiping. The Grand Herald Hou Lan committed a crime and took his own life. In June, there was heavy rain in the capital. On the same day, the Empress Dowager Dou Shi passed away. In July, Empress Huan Si was laid to rest. Eunuchs incited Duan Cheng, the Commandant of Justice, to arrest over a thousand students from the Imperial Academy. In October, the Prince of Bohai, Kui, was falsely accused of rebellion, and he and his wife took their own lives. In November, a man from Kuaiji named Xu Sheng declared himself the King of Yue and set fires, committed murder, and looted across the region. Troops from various provinces were dispatched to subdue him. In December, Xu Xu was removed from his post as Minister of Ceremonies, and Yuan Wei was appointed as the new Minister of Ceremonies. The Xianbei invaded Bingzhou again. That year, the Prince of Ganling, Hui, also passed away.
In the first month of the 149th year, the plague swept through again, and the court sent people to distribute medicine. On the day of Dingchou in the same month, Sikong Zongju died. In the second month, there was a general amnesty. Yang Ci, the Guanglu Xun, took over as Sikong. In the third month, Grand Commandant Li Xian was dismissed. In the fifth month, Duan Jing was appointed Grand Commandant as the Colonel-Director of Retainers. Pei Xiangshi Qian was falsely accused of treason and died in prison. In the sixth month, an earthquake occurred in Beihai, causing seawater to inundate Donglai and Beihai. In the seventh month, Sikong Yang Ci was dismissed, and Taichang Tang Zhen took over as Sikong.
In December of winter, envoys from the southern states came to offer tribute. Grand Commandant Duan Jing stepped down. The Xianbei people came to harass Youzhou and Bingzhou again. On the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, there was a solar eclipse.
After the New Year, in the first month of spring, envoys from the Buyeo Kingdom also came to offer tribute. In the early days of the second month, the emperor ordered a general amnesty. Chen Dan succeeded Duan Jing as Grand Commandant. In the third month, the King of Zhongshan died without an heir, so his kingdom ceased to exist. In the sixth month of summer, Kang, the son of the King of Hejian, was assigned to perform sacrifices for Emperor Xiaoren. In the autumn, the Luo River flooded. In the early days of the tenth month of winter, the court allowed prisoners awaiting trial to redeem themselves with money. In the eleventh month, the Inspector of Yangzhou, Zang Min, and the Administrator of Danyang, Chen Yin, defeated Xu Sheng at Kuaiji and killed him. The King of Rencheng also passed away. In the twelfth month, the Xianbei people came to attack Beidi, but Xia Yu, the Administrator of Beidi, pursued and defeated them. However, the Xianbei continued to raid Bingzhou. Sikong Tang Zhen stepped down, and Xu Xun succeeded him as Sikong.
In March of the second year of the reign, the court ordered Confucian scholars to proofread the texts of the Five Classics, then engrave them on stones and erect them at the gate of the Imperial Academy. The son of Prince Jian of Hejian was appointed as the Prince of Rencheng. In April of the summer, many regions across the country were hit by severe flooding. In early May, a general amnesty was proclaimed. A fire broke out at Yanling Garden, and the emperor sent people to conduct sacrifices at Yanling to pray for relief from disasters. The Xianbei people attacked Youzhou again. In June, Hongnong and the Sannong region suffered from a locust plague. The court sent officials to the salt administration to dig channels to help the people and benefit the region. It was also ordered that areas affected by disasters could have their land rent reduced by half; those severely affected could be exempt from taxes. In early October of winter, the court ordered once again that prisoners awaiting trial could buy their freedom. The emperor also appointed the mother of Emperor Chong, Lady Yu, as the Xiangyuan Noble Lady and the mother of Emperor Zhi as the Bohai Filial Prince's Consort. The court changed the Pingzhun to Zhongzhun and permitted eunuchs to hold official positions within the Neishu. Since then, most officials across various departments were eunuchs. In early April of the fifth year, another general amnesty was proclaimed. Minority ethnic groups in Yizhou staged a rebellion, and Governor Li Yong quelled the rebellion. The court also renamed Chonggao Mountain to Songgao Mountain and conducted a large-scale rain prayer ceremony. The emperor sent imperial censors to the prison department to address wrongful convictions, to lessen the penalties for minor offenders, and to release some prisoners. In May, Grand Commandant Chen Dan stepped down, and Minister of Works Xu Xun took over as Grand Commandant. In the intercalary month, Governor Cao Luan of Yongchang was executed for offending people while handling cases. The court decreed that anyone connected to Cao Luan, whether they were his students, former subordinates, family members, or children, who were in office would be dismissed and barred from holding any official position.
On the day of Renxu in June, Liu Yi from Nanyang was appointed as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the autumn of July, the Grand General Xu Xun was dismissed from his position, and Liu Kuan replaced him as the Grand General. On the day of Renwu in October, the locust tree in the imperial palace's rear courtyard uprooted itself, quite miraculous! The Minister of Works Yuan Kui also stepped down, and on the day of Bingxu in November, Yang Ci took over as the Minister of Works. In December, Prince Ganling passed away. The court arranged positions for students over sixty, appointing over a hundred people as Langzhong, Prince's Attendants, and even positions such as royal attendants and county literary officials.
That year, the Xianbei invaded Youzhou, and there were sightings of a yellow dragon in Peiguo. On the day of Xinchou in the first month of the sixth year, there was a general amnesty. In February, the Pingcheng Gate in the Southern Palace and the eastern wall of the armory collapsed spontaneously. In the summer of April, there was a severe drought, and seven provinces were plagued by locusts. The Xianbei once again harassed the border. The court also appointed the Prince's Attendants for the merchants who showed filial piety to Emperor Xuanling, numbering several dozen. In July, the Minister of Works Liu Yi was dismissed, and Chen Qiu took over. In August, the court sent Tian Yan, Zang Min, and Xia Yu to lead troops separately to fight the Xianbei, and they achieved a great victory. On the day of Guichou in October, the first day, there was a solar eclipse. The Grand General Liu Kuan also stepped down. The emperor also went to offer sacrifices at Biyong. On the day of Xinchou, the capital was struck by an earthquake. On the day of Xinhai, the court decreed that prisoners awaiting judgment could buy their freedom. In November, the Minister of Works Chen Qiu was dismissed. In December of Jia Yin, Meng from Henan became the Grand General, and on the day of Gengchen, the Minister of Works Yang Ci was dismissed, and Chen Dan took over as the Minister of Works. The Xianbei once again harassed the western borders. Wang Min, the Grand Minister of Yong'an, was imprisoned and ultimately died in custody.
In the first month of the fifth year of Guanghe, the rebellious Wuhu tribes of Hepu and Jiaozhi, along with people from Jiuzhen and Rinnan, attacked the counties. General Meng was removed from office. On the first day of the second month, Xinhai, there was a solar eclipse. On the day of Guichou, another earthquake occurred. The court began to establish the Hongdu Gate School. In the third month of Xinchou, there was a general amnesty, and the era name was changed to Guanghe. Zhang Hao became the General. On the day of Bingchen in the fourth month, there was another earthquake.
The hens raised in the palace unexpectedly transformed into roosters, which was quite unusual. Minister Chen Dan was relieved of his duties, and Tai Chang Lai Yan took over his position.
On the day of Renwu in the fifth month, a man dressed in white suddenly burst into Deyang Hall and then ran away without being caught. On the day of Dingchou in the sixth month, a black mist suddenly descended in the courtyard of Wendian Hall. On the day of Renzi in the seventh month, a green halo appeared in the courtyard behind the Yutang Hall. In August, the Tian Shi star exhibited unusual behavior. In September, General Zhang Hao was relieved of his post, and Tai Chang Chen Qiu took over as General. Minister Lai Yan passed away. In October, Yuan Feng, the Commandant of the Garrison Cavalry, became the Minister. Empress Song was deposed, and her father, Chief Guard Feng, was imprisoned and eventually died. On the last day of Bingzi, there was a solar eclipse. "The sun is eating."
In November, General Chen Qiu was dismissed. On the day of Dingsi in December, Grand Master Qiao Xuan was appointed General. That year, the Xianbei people invaded Jiuquan. Horses proliferated in the capital. "The capital is full of horses and people." The court began to openly sell official titles, from Marquis within the Pass, Tiger Elite, and Imperial Guard, each at varying prices. Secretly, they also allowed their guards to sell official positions of ministers and officials, with public positions priced at over tens of millions, and ministerial positions exceeding five million.
In the second year of spring, a major epidemic broke out, and the court sent eunuchs and imperial attendants to various places to distribute medicine and treat the sick. In March, Minister of Works Yuan Pāng was removed from office, and Grand Herald Liu He took over. On the day of Yichou, Grand Commandant Qiao Xuan was dismissed, and Gentleman Duan Qiong took over. An earthquake occurred in Jingzhao. Minister of Works Yuan Feng was removed from office, and Minister of Ceremonies Zhang Ji took over as Minister of Works. On the first day of the fourth month, there was a solar eclipse. "On the first day of the fourth month, there was an eclipse of the sun." On the day of Xinsi, Palace Attendant Wang Fu and Grand Commandant Duan Qiong were both imprisoned and later died. On the day of Dingyou, there was a general amnesty, and those officials implicated in crimes were pardoned if their guilt was lesser than their merits. Prince Dongping died. In May, Grand Commandant Liu Kuan became the Grand Commandant. In July, Colonel of the Northern Army Zhang Xiu committed a crime, was imprisoned, and later died. On the day of Jiashe in October, Minister of Works Liu He, Prefect of the Palace Gentlemen of the Household Chen Qiu, Commandant of Guards Yang Qiu, and Colonel of Infantry Liu Na conspired to kill the eunuchs, but the plot was uncovered, leading to their imprisonment and eventual deaths. The Bandun barbarians in Bajun revolted, and the court sent Imperial Censor Xiao Yuan to urge the Inspector of Yizhou to suppress the rebellion, but without success. In December, Palace Attendant Yang Ci became the Minister of Works. The Xianbei invaded Youzhou and Bingzhou again. That year, Prince of Hejian Li died. In Luoyang, a woman gave birth to a child with two heads and four arms. In the third year, on the day of Guichou in the first month, there was a general amnesty. "In the first month of Guichou, there was a general amnesty throughout the country." In the second month, the corridor of the public office in the imperial palace collapsed unexpectedly. In March, Prince of Liang died. In April, the barbarians in Jiangxia rebelled. In June, the emperor ordered the ministers to recommend people who were proficient in the Classic of History, Book of Songs, Zuozhuan, and Guliang Zhuan, with one person recommended for each classic, and then promoted them all to the rank of Yìláng. In the autumn, there was an earthquake this year, and water emerged from underground. In August, the emperor decreed that those prisoners who had not yet been sentenced could redeem their crimes with money, with the redemption amount based on the severity of their offenses.
During the winter of a leap month, a comet appeared in the sky near Sirius and Arcturus. The Xianbei once again invaded Youzhou and Bingzhou. On the Ji Si day of the twelfth month, the emperor appointed Lady He to be the empress. That year, the emperor also built the Bigui Garden and the Lingkun Garden. In the fourth year of the first month, the emperor established the position of Luji Stable Manager, responsible for receiving tribute horses from various regions. Wealthy and powerful individuals conspired together, and the price of a single horse soared to as much as two million coins! In the second month, various regions presented Zhiying grass as tribute. On the Geng Zi day of the fourth month, the emperor issued a general amnesty. The Jiaozhi governor Zhu Jun campaigned against the U Hu barbarians of Jiaozhi and Hepu, defeating them. On the Geng Chen day of the sixth month, it hailed. In the seventh month, people in Henan claimed to have seen a phoenix appearing in Xincheng, with many birds flying alongside it; the emperor rewarded the magistrate of Xincheng, local elders, and diligent farmers with gifts according to their circumstances. On the Geng Yin day of the ninth month, there was a solar eclipse. Grand Commandant Liu Kuan was dismissed, and Guard Commander Xu You (the character 'You Yu' should actually be 'You') replaced him as Grand Commandant. On the Ruan You day of the leap month, the government office in the Yongxiang of the Beigong East Courtyard caught fire. The Minister of Works Yang Ci was dismissed. In October, the Minister of Ceremonies Chen Dan replaced him as the Minister of Works. The Xianbei people invaded Youzhou and Bingzhou again. That year, the emperor also constructed several shops in the harem for the palace maids to buy and sell goods, which led to thefts, fights, and brawls. The emperor also dressed in merchant's clothes, drank, feasted, and enjoyed himself. He even went to the West Garden to play with dogs, donning the Jin Xian crown and tying a sash. He also drove four donkey carts, personally pulling the reins and running around the palace, with people in the capital following his lead. On the Xin Wei day of the fifth year of the first month, the emperor issued a general amnesty. In the second month, a great plague occurred. In the third month, the Minister of Works Chen Dan was dismissed. In the fourth month, there was a severe drought. The Minister of Ceremonies Yuan Wei replaced him as the Minister of Works. On the Geng Shen day of the fifth month, the government office in Yongle Palace caught fire.
In July, a comet appeared in the sky near the Taiwei star. The Ban County tribes surrendered to Governor Cao Qian. On the day of Guiyou, the emperor decreed that those who had not been judged could redeem themselves with money, with the amount of redemption money determined by the severity of the crime.
In August, the emperor built a 400-foot high observation platform at Ating Road.
In October, Grand Commandant Xu You was dismissed, and Grand Minister Yang Ci replaced him as Grand Commandant.
The emperor went hunting at Shanglin Park, and also visited Hangu Pass, followed by a tour of Guangcheng Park. In December, the emperor returned to the palace and inspected the Imperial College.
After the New Year, in the first month of the second year, the minorities in the southern border regions paid tribute. In February, the emperor went to Changling County, which is similar to Feng County and Pei County. On the day of Xinwei in March, there was a general amnesty. In the summer, there was a severe drought. In the autumn, the waters of the Jincheng River flooded, and landslides occurred in Wuyuan. The court established a dedicated agency for garden management, appointing eunuchs as supervisors. In winter, the ice in the wells of Donghai, Donglai, and Langye was more than a foot thick. That year, there was a bountiful harvest.
In the first year of Zhongping, in February, Zhang Jiao from Julu proclaimed himself "the Yellow Sky," leading thirty-six followers, all wearing yellow scarves, and they rebelled on the same day. The people of Anping and Ganling also respectively supported their leaders in response to Zhang Jiao. On the day of Wushen in March, the court appointed He Jin as the Grand General of Henan, stationed with troops in Duting, and established eight prefectures with checkpoints. On the day of Renzi in March, the court granted amnesty to all exiled members of the faction, except for Zhang Jiao. The court ordered the nobles to supply war horses and crossbows, selecting descendants of military strategists and common people who understood military strategy to gather at the public carriage. The court sent General Lu Zhi of the North to suppress Zhang Jiao, and sent General Huangfu Song of the Left and General Zhu Jun of the Right to suppress the Yellow Turban Army in Yingchuan. On the day of Gengzi in March, Zhang Mancheng, leader of the Yellow Turban Army in Nanyang, killed Prefect Chu Gong.
In April during the summer, General Yang Ci was dismissed, and Deng Sheng took over as General; Zhang Ji was removed from his position as Minister of Works, and Zhang Wen took over as Minister of Works. Zhu Jun was defeated by the Yellow Turban Army leader Bo Cai. Attendants Xiang Xu and Zhang Jun were imprisoned and eventually died for speaking ill of the eunuchs. The Yellow Turban Army in Runan defeated Zhao Qian, the Prefect of Shaoling. The Yellow Turban Army in Guangyang killed the Inspector of Youzhou Guo Xun and the Prefect of Liu Wei. In May, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun fought against Bo Cai and others at Changshe, achieving a significant victory. In June, the Prefect of Nanyang, Qin Jie, defeated Zhang Mancheng and beheaded him. The garrison in Jiaozhi captured the Inspector of Hepu and the Prefect of Jiaozhi and declared themselves 'Pillar General'; the court sent Inspector Jia Cong to suppress the rebellion. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun defeated the Yellow Turban Army in Xihua. The court ordered Huangfu Song to attack Dong Commandery and Zhu Jun to attack Nanyang. Lu Zhi defeated the Yellow Turban Army and besieged Zhang Jiao in Guangzong. Lu Zhi was falsely accused by the eunuchs and faced punishment. The court sent Colonel Dong Zhuo to attack Zhang Jiao, but he was unsuccessful.
In Luoyang, a woman gave birth to a conjoined twin with two heads sharing one body.
In the autumn of July 184 AD, the sorcerer Zhang Xiu from Bajun rebelled, wreaking havoc and destruction. Xu Guan, the Intendant of Henan, was arrested for this and eventually died.
In August, General Huangfu Song fought against the Yellow Turban Army in Cangting and captured their leader. A few days later, the Emperor ordered Huangfu Song to go north to suppress Zhang Jiao.
In September, Prince Anping Xun was executed for committing a crime, and his kingdom was also abolished.
In the winter of October, General Huangfu Song fought against the Yellow Turban bandits in Guangzong and captured Zhang Jiao's brother Liang. Zhang Jiao himself had already died, so Huangfu Song dismembered his body. Due to this victory, Huangfu Song was promoted to General of the Chariots and Cavalry.
In November, Huangfu Song again defeated the Yellow Turban Army at Xiquyang and beheaded another brother of Zhang Jiao, Bao. Meanwhile, the Hu people in Huangzhong, led by Beigong Boyu and the Xianbei Qiang, also rebelled, electing Bian Zhang and Han Sui of Jincheng as leaders, killing Ling Zheng, the Protector of the Qiang, and Chen Yi, the Prefect of Jincheng. On the same day, General Zhu Jun captured Wancheng and killed another Yellow Turban general, Sun Xia. In order to support the army, the court ordered a reduction in the delicacies in the palace, with the Emperor's diet limited to just one type of meat; all the palace horses were also allocated to the army except for sacrificial purposes.
In December, the Emperor issued a general amnesty and changed the era name to "Zhongping." That year, Wang Yi, the King of Xiaopei, also died without leaving a son, and his kingdom was abolished. Various strange plants that resembled dragons, snakes, birds, and beasts began to appear in different places.
In the spring of AD 185, a major epidemic broke out in the first month of the year, which resulted in the death of King Luangye of Langya. In the second month, a major fire broke out in Nangong and burned for half a month before it was extinguished. Several days later, many houses outside Guangyang Gate collapsed on their own. The court began imposing taxes on land across the nation, charging ten coins per mu. At the same time, over a dozen bandit leaders, including Zhang Niujiao of Heishan, rose up and wreaked havoc everywhere.
Yuan Wei, the Minister of Works, was removed from his position, and in March, Cui Lie replaced him as Minister of Works. Beigong Boyu and others attacked the Sannong region again, and the court dispatched Huangfu Song to suppress them, but he was unsuccessful.
In April, a fierce windstorm and hail fell. In May, the Grand Commandant Deng Sheng was dismissed, and Zhang Yan of Henei replaced him. In July, the Sannong region was struck by a locust plague. Huangfu Song, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, was also relieved of his duties.
In August, Zhang Wen was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry to confront Beigong Boyu. In September, Yang Ci was appointed Minister of Works. In October, Yang Ci passed away, and Xu Xiang succeeded him as Household Counselor.
Previously, Minister Chen Dan of Works and Censor Liu Tao were arrested and eventually died for their outspoken remonstrances. In November, Zhang Wen defeated Beigong Boyu in Meiyang and then sent General Zhou Shen to pursue him, trapping Beigong Boyu in Yuzhong; he also sent Dong Zhuo to attack the Xianbei tribe. Unfortunately, both Zhou Shen and Dong Zhuo were unsuccessful. The Xianbei tribe invaded Youzhou and Bingzhou again. Oh, in this year, the court also built a "Wanjin Hall" in Xiyuan, spending money like water. What's even stranger is that someone in Luoyang was born with two heads and four arms! That's something else! In February of the third year of spring, the soldier Zhao Ci in Jiangxia rebelled and killed the Prefect of Nanyang, Qin Jie. On the day of Gengxu, the court ordered a general amnesty throughout the country. Captain Zhang Yan was dismissed, Cavalry General Zhang Wen was promoted to Captain, and Palace Attendant Zhao Zhong became Cavalry General. The court started renovations on the Jade Hall, cast four bronze figures, four yellow bells, and bronze statues of Tianlu, Xiamat, and others, and also minted a batch of square-hole coins. At the end of the fifth month of Rencheng, there was a solar eclipse. In June, the Governor of Jingzhou, Wang Min, suppressed Zhao Ci's rebellion and killed him. Cavalry General Zhao Zhong also stepped down. In August of the autumn, thousands of sparrows appeared in Huailing, crying miserably, pecking each other, and then dying. In October of the winter, the barbarians of Wuling rebelled, attacking the counties, but the county soldiers quickly suppressed the rebellion. Former Captain Zhang Yan was falsely accused by eunuchs, imprisoned, and eventually died. In December, the Xianbei tribe invaded Youzhou and Bingzhou again, what a headache! On the first day of the fourth year in January, the court ordered another general amnesty throughout the country, probably hoping for a fresh start in the new year. In February, a thief appeared in Xingyang and killed the magistrate of Zhongmu County. On the day of Jihai, the window frame in the South Palace just collapsed on its own, for reasons unknown.
In March, He Miaoping, the magistrate of Henan, pacified the bandits in Xingyang, marking a promotion and a path to wealth. In April, the governor of Liangzhou, Geng Bi, went to suppress the bandit Han Sui in Jincheng. However, Geng Bi's forces faced a crushing defeat, and Han Sui even attacked Hanyang, where Prefect Fu Xie was killed in battle. Ma Teng from Fufeng and Wang Guo from Hanyang also rebelled and attacked the Sanyuan region. Captain Zhang Wen was relieved of his duties, and Cui Lie, the Minister of Works, took over as Captain. In May, Minister of Works Xu Xiang was promoted to Minister, and Palace Attendant Ding Gong was appointed as Minister of Works. In June, a two-headed baby was born in Luoyang, a strange occurrence that happens every year, but this year seems especially prolific. Zhang Chun and his fellow townsman Zhang Ju led a rebellion in Yuyang, killing Liu Zheng, the Prefect of Beiping, Yang Zhong, the Prefect of Liaodong, and Gong Qichou, the Protector of the Wuhuan. Zhang Ju even declared himself Emperor and attacked Youzhou and Jizhou. On the Day of Dingshen in September, the court decreed that prisoners held without formal charges could buy their freedom. In the fifth year of Jianning in the Han Ling Emperor's reign (172 AD), a man from Lingling, claiming to be the "General of Calm Sky," rebelled in Guiyang. The Prefect of Changsha, Sun Jian, led troops to suppress him and killed him. In November, Grand Commandant Cui Lie was dismissed, and Grand Minister of Agriculture Cao Song took his position. In December, the Xiutu Xiongnu rebelled. That year, the court also auctioned off official positions and titles. Those who bought the title of Marquis within the borders could receive a golden seal and purple ribbon, which could be passed down to their descendants, but it came at a staggering cost of five million coins! In the first month of the fifth year of Jianning, the Xiutu Xiongnu invaded again, attacking Xihe Commandery and killing Commandant Xing Ji. Fortunately, it was the Day of Dingshen, and the court issued a general amnesty, which was seen as a welcome development. In February, a comet appeared in the sky near the Purple Palace. In the Bai Bo Valley of Xihe, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army, under the leadership of Guo Tai, launched another rebellion, attacking Taiyuan and Hedong.
In March, the Xiutu Xiongnu attacked and assassinated Zhang Yi, the Inspector of Bingzhou, and joined forces with the Left Wing Hu of the Southern Xiongnu to kill the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu! In April, the Yellow Turban Army seized many counties in Guobei, Runan. During this time, Grand Commandant Cao Song was also ousted. In May, Fan Ling, the Prefect of Yongle, was appointed Grand Commandant. On the Bingyin day in June, a strong wind blew. Shortly after, Grand Commandant Fan Ling was also dismissed. The leader of the Yellow Turbans in Yizhou, Ma Xiang, killed the Inspector Xi Jian, proclaimed himself Emperor, and attacked Bajun and killed Magistrate Zhao Bu. Jia Long, an official from Yizhou, led troops against Ma Xiang and defeated him. That year, there were seven major floods in various places.
In July, Ma Ridan, the Archery Major, was appointed Grand Commandant. In August, the court appointed eight new Major Commandants in Xiyuan. Minister Over the Masses Xuxiang was dismissed, Ding Gong was appointed as Minister Over the Masses, Liu Hong from Nanyang became the Minister of Works, and Dong Zhong became the General of Chariots and Cavalry. In September, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu rebelled once more, attacking Hedong alongside the White Wave Bandits. The court dispatched Colonel Meng Yi and Cavalry Captain Gongsun Zan to quell the bandits Zhang Chun and others in Yuyang.
In October, the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou and Xuzhou rose in rebellion again, attacking multiple counties. On Jiazi day, Emperor Ling of Han even declared himself "Supreme General" and showcased his military might at the Ping Le Pavilion! In November, the rebel Wang Guo laid siege to Chencang in Liangzhou, and General Huangfu Song went to their rescue. The court also dispatched Junior Colonel Bao Hong to quell the Yellow Turbans in Gebei. The Bandun tribesmen in Bajun also rebelled, and the court dispatched Senior Captain Zhao Jin from the Separate Division to suppress the rebellion. Gongsun Zan engaged in battle against Zhang Chun at Shimen and emerged victorious. That year, the court also reformed the Inspector system, renaming it to Governors.
In the second month of the sixth year of Jianning, General Huangfu Song decisively defeated Wang Guo in Chencang, effectively suppressing the rebellion in Liangzhou.
In March, the Governor of Youzhou, Liu Yu, defeated the bandit Zhang Chun in Yuyang. As a result, a junior military officer named Bao Hong was imprisoned and eventually died because of this action. On the first day of April, there was a solar eclipse. The Grand Marshal Ma Ridi was dismissed, and Liu Yu took over his position, becoming the Grand Marshal. Shortly after, the Emperor died in the Jia De Hall of the Southern Palace, at just thirty-four. The Emperor's son, Liu Bian, ascended the throne at the age of seventeen. His mother was honored as the Empress Dowager and began to take charge of state affairs. A nationwide amnesty was declared, the era title was changed to Guangxi, and the Emperor's brother, Liu Xie, was appointed as the King of Bohai. Yuan Wei became the Grand Tutor and together with He Jin, handled court affairs. Another senior military officer named Jian Shuo was also imprisoned and eventually died. In May, the General of Cavalry, Dong Zhong, was imprisoned and later died. In June, Empress Dowager Dong passed away. Subsequently, Emperor Xiaoling, Liu Hong, was buried in Wenling. During this period, there was also rainfall, known as "Grain Rain." In July, Prince Ganling, Liu Zhong, passed away. The funeral of Empress Dowager Dong was conducted at Shenling in Hejian. Liu Xie was reappointed as King of Chenliu. Ding Gong, the Minister of Works, was dismissed.
In August, the eunuchs Zhang Rang and Duan Gui murdered Grand General He Jin. Yuan Shu set fire to the palace and launched an attack on the eunuchs. Zhang Rang and Duan Gui fled with the young emperor and the Prince of Chenliu to the Deyang Palace in the Northern Palace. He Jin's subordinates, Wu Kuang and General He Miao of the Chariots and Cavalry, fought at the Vermilion Bird Gate, and He Miao lost and was killed. Yuan Shao led troops to arrest fake officials and eunuchs, regardless of rank, and killed them all. Zhang Rang and Duan Gui fled with the emperor and the Prince of Chenliu to Xiaopingjing. Minister Lu Zhi pursued them, killed a few, and the others jumped into the river to take their own lives. The emperor and the Prince of Chenliu walked along the path illuminated by moonlight at night, found a peasant's cart, and escaped together. Finally, on the Xinwei day, they returned to the palace. A general amnesty was declared, and the era was renamed to Shaoning.
During this time, the Governor of Bingzhou Dong Zhuo assassinated the Chief Commandant Ding Yuan, and the Minister of Works Liu Hong was dismissed, and Dong Zhuo took over as Minister of Works himself. In September, Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Liu Bian and made him the King of Hongnong. It had been raining since June, and the rain continued into September. Some say that the 'Records of the Grand Historian' recount that Zhao Gao deceived the Second Emperor, pointing to a deer and calling it a horse, and Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang also deceived Emperor Ling of Han, not allowing him to see far, indicating that the reasons behind the country's downfall are similar. Ah, what a beautiful name it is, yet the outcome... alas! "Emperor Ling carried a burden, succumbed to corruption. Signs of destruction were evident, as 'Xiao Ya' was incomplete. Deer and frost, thus settled in the palace." This praise poem summarizes it so well; Emperor Ling indulged in pleasure, handing over power to those cunning villains, and the signs of the country's demise had long been apparent, as predicted in 'Xiao Ya.' In the end, the nation, like a deer caught in frost, remained desolately trapped within the palace.
