Kui Xiao, courtesy name Jimeng, was a native of Tianshui Chengji. When he was young, he served as a minor official in the state and county. Wang Mang's state teacher, Liu Xin, brought him on as an advisor. After Liu Xin's death, Kui Xiao returned to his hometown. His uncle, Cui Mou, was known for his generosity and righteousness and was good at winning people's hearts. Upon hearing that Emperor Gengshi had declared himself emperor and that Wang Mang's army had suffered successive defeats, he, his brother Kui Yi, Yang Guang from Shanggui, and Zhou Zong from Jizhou discussed raising troops in response to the Han Dynasty. Kui Xiao advised them, saying, "Going to war is risky business! What wrongs have our people done?" His uncle did not listen and gathered several thousand people to attack Pingxiang, killing Wang Mang's General of Zhenrong. Cui Mou, Yang Guang, and the others believed they needed a leader to rally the troops, and they thought highly of Kui Xiao's reputation and his love for reading. Therefore, they elected him as the general. Kui Xiao turned them down several times, but eventually said, "Uncles, I can’t accept this command unless everyone is on board with my ideas." Everyone nodded in agreement.
After Kuai Xiao became a general, he sent someone to invite Fang Wang from Pingling to be his military adviser. When Fang Wang arrived, he said to Kuai Xiao, "If you want to follow the will of heaven, gain the support of the people, and assist in the rise of the Han Dynasty, the one now claiming the throne is in Nanyang, while Wang Mang still holds Chang'an. Although he pretends to act in the name of the Han Dynasty, he has not actually been authorized by the Han Dynasty. How can you make everyone believe in you? You should promptly build a temple, declare yourself a vassal, and perform sacrifices; this is 'establishing a divine path,' which means seeking assistance from the gods. Furthermore, rituals can be modified, and the form and content are not fixed. Simply open up a piece of land, build a temple with a thatched roof and earthen steps, as long as you show your respect and sincerity. Even if things are not complete, the gods will not despise it." Kuai Xiao followed his advice and built a temple in the east of the city, offering sacrifices to Gaozu, Taizong, and Shizong. They all proclaimed themselves vassals, performed sacrificial rituals, and the historian reported on the sacrificial proceedings. After the sacrifice, the officials dug a pit in the courtyard, brought horses, prepared knives and plates for the offerings, then sacrificed the livestock, swore an oath, declaring, "Our thirty-one allied generals, sixteen surnames, all willing to follow the will of heaven and restore the Liu imperial dynasty. If anyone harbors deceit and treachery, may the gods punish him! Let the descendants of Gaozu, Wendi, and Wudi lose their titles, their families be destroyed by the military, and their clans perish!" The officials presented the blood-stained knife, and the guards raised their hands to salute the generals, saying, "The knife is not stained with blood; there is no blood oath, this would be deceiving the gods, punishment shall be as the oath!" They then buried the bloodied soil, recorded the oath, and everything was done according to ancient rituals. After the matter was completed, Kuai Xiao issued a warning to all counties and states.
On a day in the seventh month of the 23rd year of the Common Era, General Wei Xiao, General Baihu Wei Cui, General Wei Yi, General Yang Guang, General Mingwei Wang Zun, and General Yunqi Zhou Zong issued orders to governors, department heads, county officials, commanders, grand masters, supervisors, captains, and sub-officers, saying: The former Duke of Xin Du, Wang Mang, is too arrogant; he completely disregards heaven and earth, violates the will of heaven, and acts against all reason. He poisoned Emperor Xiaoping and seized the throne. He falsely claimed the Mandate of Heaven, forged edicts, deceived the people, and angered the heavens. He deliberately dressed himself up and claimed it was a sign of good fortune, mocked the deities, and turned disasters into something to be praised. Even if he wrote with bamboo from the lands of Chu and Yue, he couldn't possibly list all his crimes! The people of the world know of his evil deeds; everyone has seen it with their own eyes. Now, we will only outline his major crimes for everyone to grasp.
Heaven is like a father, and earth is like a mother; blessings and misfortunes stem from human actions. Wang Mang clearly understood this truth but chose to offend it, disregarded significant taboos, and engaged in divination practices, even resorting to historical texts to justify his actions. Previously, Qin Shi Huang abolished the "Titles Law" in a bid for his achievements to be remembered forever, and Wang Mang even devised a calendar lasting 36,000 years, claiming he would live that long! This represents his gravest crime against heaven!
He divided the counties and states, severing the ties between the lands. The land became the property of the Wang family, leaving the common people unable to buy or sell. He also seized mountains and rivers, robbing the common people of their livelihoods. He constructed nine temples, wasting a significant amount of resources. He even dispatched people to excavate graves and loot tombs in Hedong. This constitutes his most heinous crime against the earth!
It is said that Wang Mang's rule was truly foolish and tyrannical! He surrounded himself with brutal thieves, trusted deceitful individuals, killed loyal and upright ministers, issued nonsensical orders all day, and made life a living hell for the people. Every day, people were arrested, and the punishments at the execution grounds continued day and night without pause. Innocent people were arrested, and the common people suffered greatly. He invented various cruel tortures, such as branding with hot irons, defying all reason, and even using poisoned wine and drugs to harm people. His decrees changed constantly, official titles changed monthly, and currency changed yearly, leaving the common people utterly bewildered. Merchants wailed in despair, crying out everywhere.
He heavily taxed and exploited the people while living a luxurious life himself. Corruption ran rampant, with no one to intervene. Even the common people were arrested for stealing a few scraps of copper or charcoal and forced into hard labor. The number of laborers reached tens of thousands, craftsmen died of hunger on the streets, and the stench hung heavily over the city of Chang'an. Not only did he harm the people, but he also invaded everywhere, fighting the Xiongnu in the north, the Yue in the south, the Qiang in the west, and the Yuezhi in the east, throwing neighboring countries into chaos, resulting in countless casualties along the borders. Wars, tortures, famines, and plagues resulted in an unimaginable number of deaths, bodies lay unburied, littering the ground, survivors scattered in every direction, orphaned and widowed refugees were seized and forced into slavery. This was truly a monstrous crime that drew the wrath of both heaven and humanity!
Heaven could not bear to watch any longer, so it delivered punishment. Wang Mang and his entire family were wiped out, and he himself was killed. His ministers began to rebel one after another, and Wang Mang's regime completely collapsed. Grand Marshal Dong Zhong, Imperial Tutor Liu Xin, and General Wang She of the Guards all participated in the internal strife. Minister of Ceremonies Kong Ren, Minister of Works Yan You, and Minister of Finance Chen Mao all surrendered to the new regime. Now, our army in Shandong numbers over 2,000,000, and we have pacified the states of Qi and Chu, conquered the states of Shu and Han, controlled Wancheng and Luoyang, occupied Aocang, guarded Hangu Pass, and our reputation spreads far and wide. We uphold the aspirations of our ancestors, restoring the peace and prosperity of the past, following the old system of Emperor Gaozu, and inheriting the virtues of Emperor Xiaowen. Anyone who dares to defy us will be dealt with by force! We have also sent envoys to pacify the barbarians, restoring their titles. Afterwards, our victorious army will return, laying down our bows and arrows, and putting away the war drums. We command the people to each pursue their own livelihoods, so as not to disappoint the love and care of their parents.
Xiao led 100,000 troops and defeated the Governor of Yongzhou, Chen Qing, preparing to attack Anding Commandery. The Prefect of Anding, Wang Xiang, is the son of Wang Mang's brother, the Marquis of Ping'a, Tan, but he is highly respected and influential in the area, with no signs of rebellion in the counties he governed. Xiao wrote a letter to Wang Xiang, urging him to surrender, saying it was fate, but Wang Xiang refused. So Xiao led his troops to attack, captured Wang Xiang, and made an example of him to the people, and Anding Commandery finally surrendered. At the same time, there were uprisings in Chang'an aimed at killing Wang Mang. Xiao sent his subordinates to attack Longxi, Wudu, Jincheng, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and other places, all of which were successively captured.
In the second year of Gengshi, Emperor Gengshi sent envoys to summon Xiao, Cui, Yi, and others to Chang'an. Xiao was getting ready to leave, but his subordinate Fang Wang believed the Gengshi regime was still unstable and advised him not to go, but Xiao did not listen. Fang Wang wrote a farewell letter before departing, in which he said:
"You are about to establish achievements like Yi Yin and Lv Shang, creating remarkable achievements, but the significant undertakings have only just begun, and the heroes and warriors have not fully gathered yet. You are far away in the borderlands, your reputation has not fully emerged, but you wish to first honor the virtuous and humble, emulate Mr. Guo Kui in recruiting talents, and assist the wise ruler like Yue Yi, so I follow your orders, align myself with the prevailing circumstances, and dare not refuse. General, you respect talents with the highest virtues, open up avenues for speech, and every action you take is commendable; your decisions are very wise, your foundation is already solid, and great achievements are about to be accomplished. Many outstanding talents have gathered under your command, fighting together like the feathers and wings of a bird. I should not occupy a place among your guests with my meager strength; I genuinely feel ashamed. Although I have a firm belief in my heart, wanting to clarify my own future, I will not ultimately betray my true self, nor alter my ambitions. Why? After Fan Li assisted King Goujian in establishing his dominance, he retired to the Five Lakes on a small boat; Jiu Fan helped Duke Wen of Jin to achieve dominance, then retired by the Yellow River. These two wise men made great contributions to the country, yet still chose to retreat and resign from office. My choice to do the same is only natural. I heard that in Wushi there is a Dragon Pool Mountain, with a small path leading to the south, bordering the Han Dynasty, where extraordinary individuals reside. In your leisure time, you can go and seek them out. I hope that you, General, will consider this carefully."
In the end, Xie and his companions arrived in Chang'an, and Emperor Gengshi appointed him as the Right General. Cui and Yi also regained their original positions. That winter, Cui and Yi conspired to rebel, and Xie, fearing implication, informed Emperor Gengshi about this, which led to the execution of Cui and Yi. Due to Xie's loyalty, Emperor Gengshi appointed him as the Grand Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
Next summer, the Red Eyebrow Army invaded Guanzhong, causing chaos in the Sanfu region. It was said that Emperor Guangwu declared himself emperor in Hebei, and Xiu advised Emperor Gengshi to hand over power to Guangwu's uncle, the three elders of the state, Liang, but Gengshi refused. Many generals plotted to kidnap Emperor Gengshi and take him back east, and Xiu also participated in this plan. As a result, the plan was exposed, and Emperor Gengshi sent messengers to summon Xiu. Xiu pretended to be ill and declined the summons, then gathered troops alongside Wang Zun, Zhou Zong, and others to fortify his defenses. Emperor Gengshi dispatched Commander Deng Ye with troops to besiege Xiu, but Xiu fortified his position by sealing the city gates. That night, he broke through the siege and led a dozen cavalry to cut through the gates of Pingcheng, escaping to Tianshui. He then regrouped his troops, occupied the original area, and declared himself General of the West Province.
After Emperor Gengshi's failure, esteemed officials and scholars in the Sanfu region flocked to Xiu for refuge. Xiu was known for his humility and respect for talent. He warmly welcomed them, treating them like brothers. During Wang Mang's reign, Gu Gong served as his physician in Chang'an Valley; Fan Quan from Pingling was his sworn brother, Zhao Bing, Su Heng, and Zheng Xing were his sacrificial officials, Shentu Gang and Du Lin were his bookkeepers, while Yang Guang, Wang Zun, Zhou Zong, as well as Xing Xun from Pingxiang, Ayang from Wang Jie, and Wang Yuan from Changling all served as his generals, and Dulang and Jindan were among his guests. Therefore, his reputation was loud in the West Province and even spread to the Shandong region.
In the second year of Jianwu, Grand Minister Deng Yu launched a western campaign against the Red Eyebrow Army, stationed in Yunyang. Deng Yu's deputy, Feng Yin, rebelled and advanced towards Tianshui with his forces. Xiu mounted a counterattack, defeating Feng Yin at Gaoping and seizing all his supplies. Deng Yu then sent messengers bearing the imperial seal to appoint Xiu as Grand General of the West Province, granting him authority over affairs in the Liangzhou and Shuofang regions. Later, as the Red Eyebrow Army departed Chang'an and attempted to advance westward to assault Longxi, Xiu dispatched General Yang Guang to intercept them, achieving victory and pursuing them between Wushi and Jingyang, where he defeated them once more.
Xiao Xian, because of his contributions to the Han Dynasty, received recognition and promotion from Deng Yu. Deng Yu even arranged for his trusted aides to assist him, and many people advised him to send envoys to the capital. In the third year of Jianwu, Xiao submitted a memorial to the court. Emperor Guangwu had long been aware of his reputation and replied to him with special favor, addressing him by name and employing the etiquette typically reserved for enemy monarchs to honor him. At that time, a man from Chen Cang named Lu Wei led tens of thousands of soldiers to rebel in the Sanfu region in collusion with Gongsun Shu. Xiao sent troops to assist General Feng Yi in their campaign against them, defeated Lu Wei, and reported the battle's outcome to the court. The Emperor replied:
"I especially admire your virtues and loyalty, and have always wanted to befriend you. In ancient times, although King Wen only occupied one-third of the land of the Shang Dynasty, he still submitted to the Shang Dynasty, which demonstrates that some formidable foes cannot be faced directly. I am like the steed recognized by Bole. Although it was unknown before, once appreciated, it can shine. Unfortunately, due to dangerous roads and rampant bandits, our communication is limited. You have always done your best to assist those in need, resist Gongsun Shu's army in the south, and repel the invasion of the Qiang and Hu in the north, enabling Feng Yi to traverse the Sanfu region smoothly with thousands of troops during his westward campaign. Without your help, Xianyang would have fallen into the hands of others long ago! Now, bandits in Guandong are roaming everywhere, and their influence is growing. We are unable to spare troops for a confrontation with Ziyang in Chengdu. If Ziyang can come to Hanzhong or Sanfu, I hope to rely on your troops to act together on equal terms. If you agree, it would be a tremendous fortune, and we can acquire land through our merits, just like those wise strategists!"
Guan Zhong once said, "While my parents gave me life, it was Bao Shuya who helped me succeed." From now on, let's correspond directly through letters and not allow ourselves to be swayed by others trying to sow discord. Since then, our friendship has deepened.
Later, Gongsun Shu launched several military campaigns against Hanzhong and even sent envoys to present the seals of the Grand Minister and King Fu'an, seeking to install Xiong as king. Xiong regarded himself and Gongsun Shu as enemies and felt ashamed to be his subject, so he killed the envoys and actively led his troops to attack Gongsun Shu, defeating his armies in successive battles, which made the Shu forces hesitant to invade the north again. At that time, many generals in the Guanzhong region repeatedly sent petitions to the court, suggesting an attack on Shu. The emperor presented the petitions to Xiong to gauge his reaction and also dispatched him to conquer Shu as a test of loyalty. Xiong had his chief secretary draft a letter to the emperor, arguing convincingly that the military strength in the Sanfu region was lacking and that Liu Wenbo was guarding the border, so it was not the right time to attack Shu. The emperor knew that Xiong was trying to please both factions and did not want unity in the empire, so he gradually diminished his favor towards him, adhering to the proper etiquette between ruler and subject. Initially, Xiong had a good relationship with He She and Ma Yuan, so the emperor repeatedly sent He She and Ma Yuan to persuade him to come to court and promised him a high rank. However, Xiong was reluctant to go to Chang'an and continued to send envoys bearing humble messages, saying that he had no merits and would return only when the world was at peace.
Five years later, the emperor sent an envoy to persuade Wei Xiao to send his son to the court as a political hostage. Wei Xiao heard that Liu Yong and Tong Chong had already been defeated, so he sent his eldest son Wei Xun to Chang'an. The emperor appointed him as Colonel of the Huqi and granted him the title of Marquis of Juanchuan. However, Wei Xiao's generals Wang Yuan and Wang Jie were reluctant to fully support the court, feeling that the situation in the world was still unclear. Wang Yuan advised Wei Xiao, saying, "Emperor Gengshi declared himself emperor in Chang'an before, and everyone responded to him. People thought the world was peaceful. But soon after, he was defeated. Where would you have gone back then, Your Highness? Now there is Zi Yang in the south, Wen Bo in the north, and more than a dozen feudal kings in the Jianghu and Haidai regions. Yet you choose to believe in the hollow rhetoric of scholars, abandon our current strong position, and flee to the perilous Chang'an in search of a foolproof strategy. This is just repeating past mistakes! It won't work at all! Tianshui is rich and fertile, our troops are strong; we can reclaim Xihe and Shangjun in the north and recover the Sannin region to the east, following the old system of the Qin Dynasty, relying on strategic terrain. I suggest that you symbolically offer a small piece of soil as a sacrificial offering on the eastern side of Hangu Pass. This is a significant event for generations to come! If you can't do this, then build up your strength, occupy strategic positions for defense, delay time, and wait for changes in the world. Even if you can't be king, you can still establish dominance in a region. In short, a fish out of water cannot survive, and if the divine dragon loses power, it becomes no better than an earthworm." Wei Xiao thought Wang Yuan made sense. Although he had sent his son as a hostage, he still sensed danger and wanted to bolster his military strength. Therefore, the wandering scholars and elders gradually drifted away from him. After six years, the eastern region was finally pacified. The emperor, weary from prolonged warfare, was fed up with Wei Xiao and Gongsun Shu, so he told his generals, "Let's put these two boys on the back burner for now." He then sent multiple letters to Longxi and Shu, appealing to their reason and emotions, explaining the benefits and consequences.
The arrogant guests and their aides, who were all cultured individuals, wrote memorials that the officials and nobles eagerly recited at the time, so the emperor took special care in replying to their memorials. The arrogant also sent envoys to various places, seeking an audience in the capital. However, the envoy arrived first at Feng Yi's camp, where he was killed by Feng Yi's enemies. The emperor then sent Wei Diaoqi with treasures and silk to reward the arrogant, but Diaoqi arrived in Zhengdi and was robbed by bandits, losing everything. The emperor thought highly of the arrogant and wanted to recruit him. Upon hearing about these incidents, he sighed and said, "It seems that my cooperation with Wei Xiao is hopeless. The people I sent were all killed, and the rewards were all lost."
At this time, Gongsun Shu sent troops to attack Nanjun. The emperor ordered the arrogant to lead troops from Tianshui to attack Shudu in an attempt to weaken Gongsun Shu's power. The arrogant then submitted a memorial stating, "The Baishui area is treacherous, and the plank roads have long been destroyed," offering various excuses. The emperor realized that he would ultimately not comply, so he decided to take action against him. The emperor personally led the campaign to Chang'an and sent General Jianwei Geng Yan and seven other generals to attack Shudu from the Long Road, first sending He, armed with the emperor's decree, to persuade the arrogant. The arrogant was filled with suspicion and fear, immediately mobilized his troops, and sent Wang Yuan to occupy Longdi, cutting down trees to block the road in an attempt to eliminate He. Fortunately, He managed to escape and make it back.
Good grief, those battles were a complete disaster. Our soldiers were routed and retreated in disarray. Later, Wang Mang sent Wang Yuan and Xing Xun to attack the Sanfu region, but they were utterly crushed by our Western General Feng Yi and the Conquering Xiongnu General Ji Zun. Wang Mang, in a panic, quickly penned a letter of apology, stating, "When the officials and people heard that the army was coming, they were terrified and found ways to escape. I couldn't stop them! This battle was so disastrous, I cannot go against my duties as a subject. I will personally lead the troops to chase them back. In the past, when Yu Shun served his father, he either endured his father's scoldings or ran away. While I may not be as filial as he was, I can't forget this principle! Now everything is in the hands of the court; if you want to kill me, go ahead, if you want to punish me, go ahead, it's up to you! If you could give me another chance to turn over a new leaf, even if it costs me my life, it would be worth it!" The court officials found Wang Mang's tone too arrogant and considered executing his son, Wang Xun, but the emperor, showing mercy, did not agree. Later, the court sent a letter to Wang Mang, stating, "General Chai once wrote to Han Xin, 'The Emperor is kind and forgiving. As long as the rebellious princes return, their original titles will be restored, and they will not be killed.' You, Wang Mang, come from a civil background and understand reasoning, so that's why I am writing to you. If I'm too direct, it might seem rude; if I'm vague, the message won't get through. If you honestly send Wang Xun's brother back to the court, your title and salary can be preserved, and you will receive great benefits. I'm nearly forty, have spent a decade in the military, and I'm fed up with all the insincere pleasantries. If you have no intention of complying, then don't even bother responding." Wang Mang realized the emperor had seen through his tricks and decided to send someone to surrender to Gongsun Shu.
In the second year, Gongsun Shu granted Wang Mang the title of King of Shuoning and sent troops to support him. In the autumn, Wang Mang led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Anding Commandery, reaching Yinpian, but was thwarted by Feng Yi and his troops. Wang Mang then sent other generals to attack Longxi, targeting the troops of Ji Zun in Henan, but gained no ground and had to fall back. The Emperor ordered Lai She to write to Wang Zun, urging him to surrender, and Wang Zun came to the capital with his family, where he was appointed Grand Master of the Palace and granted the title of Marquis Xiangyi. Wang Zun, styled Zichun, was from Baling, and his father was the Prefect of Shang Commandery. In his youth, Wang Zun was chivalrous, righteous, and a skilled speaker, and although he rebelled with Wang Mang, he always longed to return to the Han Dynasty. Once, in private with Lai She in Tianshui, he said, "I fight tooth and nail not for titles, but out of loyalty to my old master. My father received great kindness from the Han Dynasty in the past, and I just want to repay one ten-thousandth of it!" He repeatedly urged Wang Mang to send his son to the palace as a hostage, but Wang Mang did not listen, so Wang Zun left him. In the spring of AD 8, General Lai She launched a surprise offensive along the mountain pass and successfully seized Lueyang City. Cheng Gongxiao did not expect Lai She to attack the city so quickly, worried that more Han troops would arrive, so he sent Wang Yuan to guard Longdi, patrolled Fanxu Mouth, sent Wang Meng to block Jitou Road, and stationed Niu Han at Wating, while he personally led a large army to encircle Lai She. Gongsun Shu also sent his generals Li Yu and Tian Yan to support Cheng Gongxiao in attacking Lueyang, but they couldn't capture it for several months. Emperor Guangwu of Han personally led the generals westward, splitting the forces to assault Longshan, and sent Wang Zun to supervise Grand Marshal Wu Han, who remained in Chang'an.
Wang Zun knew that Cheng Gongxiao was definitely doomed. He and Niu Han were old acquaintances, and knowing that Niu Han had the intention of surrendering, he wrote a letter to persuade him: "Wei Xiao and I once formed an alliance with the Han Dynasty. We have experienced countless life and death moments together! At that time, from the Zhou region west of Luoyang, it was chaotic, with no unified political power. That's why I advised Wei Xiao to first reclaim Guanzhong and then take Shangjun. If successful, he could assist the emperor; if he failed, he could still pacify the border rebellions. For several years, I have been hoping that the Han Dynasty would restore its former glory. When that time comes, I will be able to bring the people of the Helong area back to the capital and serve the court. Since time immemorial, opportunities like this one, which favor the ambitions of ministers, are rare! However, the generals under Wei Xiao are all cunning, each only looking to undermine others. Every day, I have to outsmart these petty people, and I've nearly lost my life several times. There have been too many such incidents! My previous strategies were rejected, and my subsequent suggestions were not adopted. Therefore, I can only sigh, lament, and cry as I go. Fortunately, the emperor bestowed me with an official position, giving me the chance to speak with you. Whenever I discuss the situation in the west, I can't forget your advice back then. Now, the emperor and the army are already on the way, and Wu Han, Geng Yan, and other brave generals have also gathered in various places, while you are guarding the dangerous passes with a scattered army, resisting the enemy's attacks. What do you make of this situation? Smart people find ways to change their circumstances when faced with danger, and talented individuals will not be tainted even when in a quagmire, so they ultimately achieve success and fulfill their ambitions. Just like Yi Wu, who, despite being bound, became the prime minister of Qi, and Ying Bu, who surrendered to the Han after being captured. They both abandoned foolishness, chose righteousness, and ultimately achieved success and fame. You are now at a critical juncture, facing a formidable enemy. You must be feeling quite anxious! You should think carefully and make the right choice."
After receiving the letter, Niu Han pondered for more than ten days, bid farewell to his subordinates and soldiers, surrendered to Luoyang, and was appointed as the Grand Minister. As a result, the thirteen generals under Cheng Gongxiao, along with sixteen subordinate counties and one hundred thousand troops, all surrendered to the Han army.
Wang Yuan went to Shu to seek reinforcements, while Kui Xiao sent his wife and children away to the Western Regions and joined Yang Guang, whereas Tian Yan and Li Yu held their ground in Shanggui. The court sent a decree to Kui Xiao, saying, "If you surrender obediently, you will still be able to see your father and son, and we promise not to harm you. Emperor Gaozu once said, 'Tyrants will be rewarded with titles of kings or marquises.' If you insist on following Qiang Bu in rebellion, you will bear the consequences!" Kui Xiao stubbornly refused to surrender. So the court killed his son Kui Xun and sent Wu Han and General Zeng Peng to besiege the West City, while Geng Yan and General Gai Yan besieged Shanggui. The emperor's entourage then made its way back east. After more than a month, Yang Guang died, and Kui Xiao was nearly at his breaking point. His general Wang Jie climbed the city wall in Rongqiu and shouted to the Han army, "Those defending the city for King Kui, all swear to fight to the death! I hope the generals will retreat quickly; I will prove my loyalty by taking my own life!" After speaking, he committed suicide.
Several months later, Wang Yuan, Xing Xun, and Zhou Zong led over five thousand reinforcements from Shu, sneaked in under the cover of darkness, drumming and shouting, "A million-strong army is on its way!" The Han army was startled; before they could form a formation, Wang Yuan and his men broke out, fought to the death, finally broke into the city, and brought Kui Xiao back to Jizhou. At this time, Wu Han and his men ran out of food and retreated, so An Ding, Beidi, Tianshui, and Longxi returned to Kui Xiao's hands.
In the spring of the ninth year, Wei Xiao, sick and hungry, went out of the city to eat some rough rations and died in a fit of anger. Wang Yuan and Zhou Zong proclaimed Wei Xiao's young son Wei Chun as king. The following year, Lai She, Geng Yan, and Gai Yan broke through Luomen, and Zhou Zong, Xing Xun, Ke Yu, Zhao Hui, and others led Wei Chun to surrender. Zhou Zong, Zhao Hui, and some members of the Wei clan were exiled east of the capital, while Wei Chun, Xing Xun, and Ke Yu were relocated to Hongnong. Only Wang Yuan stayed behind in Shu as a general. Later, General Zang Gong, the assistant commander, defeated Yan Cen, and Wang Yuan led his troops to surrender to General Zang Gong.
Wang Yuan, styled Huimeng, initially served as the County Magistrate of Cai and later rose to become the Minister of Dongping. Due to his failure in managing agricultural lands, he was imprisoned and eventually died in jail.
Niu Han, styled Ruqing, was from Didao. He was brave and talented and had a strong reputation on the frontier. After he surrendered, he was recommended by the Grand Minister Du Lin and the Grand Master Ma Yuan, and was appointed as the Protector of the Qiang, helping to pacify the Longyou region together with Lai She.
In the eighteenth year, Wei Chun fled to the Xiongnu tribes with dozens of companions on horseback, was captured in Wuwei, and ultimately executed.
Speaking of Wei Xiao, this person who raised an army and united people of all ethnicities used the mandate of heaven to command the world. From the moment he rebelled, his ambition was clear. Unfortunately, in the end, he was left with just a small patch of land, caught between powerful nations. While Long Mountain's terrain was rugged, he failed to capture the fertile Guanzhong region like Emperor Gaozu of Han. With only two commanderies at his disposal to face formidable foes, he ended up draining the treasury and burdening the people with heavy labor, eventually struggling to maintain his territory. This shows he had genuine talent, which is why he was able to attract heroes from all directions to join him. These people were even willing to sacrifice their lives without hesitation. Ultimately, great achievements lead to natural fame. However, once the endeavor fails, troubles arise. It's rare to find figures like Wei Xiao, who faced such widespread criticism after failure. Yet, if Wei Xiao's failure was truly fated and beyond his control, it would be a mistake to underestimate him, much like mocking Marquis Chang of Xibo.
Gongsun Shu, styled Ziyang, was a native of Maoling in Fufeng. During the reign of Emperor Ai of Han, he was appointed an official thanks to his father's achievements. Later, after his father was appointed Commandant of Henan, Gongsun Shu took over as the magistrate of Qingshui County. Concerned about his youth and inexperience, his father assigned him a secretary for assistance. However, just a month later, the secretary resigned and told his father, "Gongsun Shu doesn't need anyone to teach him." Eventually, the prefect recognized his talent and entrusted him with five departments. He managed affairs efficiently, and crimes disappeared, causing the locals to believe he had divine assistance. During the reign of Wang Mang, he became the Commander of the River and served in Linqiong, gaining a great reputation due to his outstanding abilities.
After Emperor Gengshi ascended to the throne, heroes from all over the country rose up for the Han Dynasty. Zong Cheng from Nanyang called himself the "General of the Restored Han" and attacked Hanzhong; the merchant Wang Cen also rose up in Lu County, calling himself the "General Supporting the Han," killed Wang Mang's general, and joined forces with Zong Cheng, with a combined force of tens of thousands. Gongsun Shu sent people to meet Zong Cheng and his men. After Zong Cheng and his men arrived in Chengdu, they burned, killed, and plundered, committing various atrocities. Gongsun Shu detested their behavior and gathered the local heroes, saying, "The people are tired of the new dynasty's rule and have longed for the revival of the Liu clan. So when they heard that the generals of the Han Dynasty had arrived, everyone rushed to welcome them. But now the people are suffering innocently; women and children are being captured, and houses are being burned. These people are bandits, not righteous soldiers. I want to protect our county and await the true monarch of the Han Dynasty. Those who wish to help can stay; those who don't may leave." The heroes all bowed and said, "We are willing to die for this cause!" So Gongsun Shu sent people disguised as envoys of the Han Dynasty, claiming that the envoys came from the east, and forged a seal for Gongsun Shu as the Supporting Han General, Prefect of Shu County, and Governor of Yizhou. Then he selected more than a thousand elite soldiers and attacked Zong Cheng and his men to the west. By the time they reached Chengdu, their forces had grown to several thousand strong, so they attacked Zong Cheng and achieved a great victory. Zong Cheng's general Yuan Fu killed Zong Cheng and surrendered with his subordinates.
In the autumn of the second year, Emperor Gengshi sent the Marquis of Zhugong, Li Bao, and the Inspector of Yizhou, Zhang Zhong, with more than ten thousand troops to subdue the Shu Han region. Liu Yan's son, Liu Shu, took advantage of the dangerous terrain of Shu and the support of the local people to have thoughts of independence. So he sent his brother Liu Hui to Mianzhu to fight against Li Bao and Zhang Zhong, resulting in a decisive victory and driving them away. From then on, Liu Shu's reputation struck fear across all of Yizhou.
His subordinate Li Xiong advised him, "Now the world is in chaos, with uprisings everywhere. General, you have occupied thousands of miles of land, which is even more extensive than during the times of King Tang and King Wu! If you can enhance your reputation and seize the opportunity to align with the court, your ambition to dominate the world will be within reach! You should change your title to stabilize the hearts of the people." Liu Shu replied, "I've been thinking about this too, and what you said aligns perfectly with my thoughts!" So, Liu Shu declared himself the King of Shu and established Chengdu as the capital.
Sichuan is a land of fertile soil and strong soldiers. Many people from other regions have sought refuge here, including the local rulers of Qiongdu and Zedou who came to pay tribute. Li Xiong continued to persuade Liu Shu, "Now the Central Plains are suffering from famine, with famine and warfare rampant, turning cities into ruins. But in Sichuan, there are fertile lands, abundant fruits and vegetables; people can easily fill their bellies without even needing to plant crops. Women are skilled in weaving, supplying clothing for the entire country. There is an abundance of bamboo resources, various bamboo products are in surplus, as well as fish, salt, copper, silver, and other resources. Water transportation is also very convenient. To the north lies the strategic Baoxie Pass near Hanzhong; to the east, it guards Ba Prefecture, controlling the gateway of the Three Gorges. With such a vast territory, the army numbers no less than a million. If there's an opportunity for gain, expand your territory through military action; if not, concentrate on agriculture. You can explore the Qin territory by heading south along the Han River, or intimidate Jingzhou and Yangzhou by going down the Yangtze River. This is what we refer to as the right timing, favorable geography, and the unity of the people—essential conditions for success! Your reputation has spread far and wide, yet you have yet to officially declare yourself emperor. Those with ambition are still watching and waiting; you should quickly take the throne and declare yourself emperor, giving the people a leader they can rely on."
Liu Xiu said, "Becoming an emperor is up to fate; what qualifications do I have?" Li Xiong said, "Fate can change; it all depends on who the people support and who has the ability. If you have the ability, why hesitate?" Liu Xiu had a dream where someone told him, "Eight 'si' characters together, twelve years in total." When he woke up, he told his wife, "It seems that even if I were to die tonight, it would be worth it, let alone twelve years!" Later, a dragon appeared in Liu Xiu's mansion, and at night, there was a strange light. Liu Xiu believed it was an auspicious sign, so he carved the characters "公孙帝" (Emperor Gongsun) on his palm. In the first year of Jianwu, Liu Xiu finally proclaimed himself emperor, with the reign title Chengjia, promoting the color white, and changing the era name to Longxing. He appointed Li Xiong as Grand Tutor, Li Guang as Grand Marshal, and Li Hui as Grand Minister of Works. He also renamed Yizhou to Colonel Director, and Shu County as Chengdu Intendant. Ren Gui from Yueyi County also killed the county magistrate sent by Wang Mang, took over the county city, and surrendered to Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu then sent General Hou Dan to guard Baishuiguan and headed north to defend Nanzheng; he sent General Ren Man from Langzhong, along the river to Jiangzhou, taking control of the Three Gorges to the east. In this way, the entire Yizhou region belonged to Liu Xiu.
After the failure of Emperor Gengshi, Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu was mainly busy subduing Shandong and had not yet had the opportunity to engage in battles in the west. The Guanzhong area had many powerful heroes, such as Lu Wei and others, each leading tens of thousands of troops. Uncertain of whom to align with, many people ran to join Liu Xiu, who appointed them as military generals. Consequently, Liu Xiu initiated large-scale construction of camps and fortresses in Hanzhong, deploying formations, training soldiers in cavalry archery, gathering an army of hundreds of thousands, storing food in Hanzhong, and constructing a palace in Nanzheng. He also erected a ten-story red tower and constructed numerous magnificent ships. He created seals for the governors of various provinces across the realm, preparing the positions for court officials. He then sent Generals Li Yu and Cheng Wu with tens of thousands of troops from Chencang to pacify the Sannai region together with Lu Wei.
Three years later, General Feng Yi defeated Lu Wei and Li Yu at Chencang, who subsequently fled back to Hanzhong. Five years later, Yan Cen and Tian Rong were also vanquished by the Han army and retreated to Shu. Yan Cen, styled Shuya, hailed from Nanyang, initially seizing Hanzhong, and later leading troops in campaigns in the Guanzhong region, suffering defeats everywhere and retreating to Nanyang, where he controlled several counties. Tian Rong hailed from Runan and initially led an uprising in Yiling, attacking several counties, and had tens of thousands of troops under his command. Yan Cen and Tian Rong both formed an alliance with Qin Feng, who even married his daughter to both of them. After Qin Feng's defeat, both surrendered to Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu appointed Yan Cen as Grand Marshal and King of Runing, while Tian Rong was made King of Yijiang.
Six years later, Liu Xiu dispatched Tian Rong and General Ren Man from Jiangguan to assault the Jianju and Yiling regions, recruiting Tian Rong's former troops, hoping to capture several counties in Jingzhou, but ultimately failed.
It is said that at that time, Wang Mang abolished copper coins and issued iron coins, rendering the money in the hands of the common people worthless. The people of Sichuan composed a nursery rhyme: "Yellow cow with white belly, five zhu for a return." Some concerned individuals speculated that Wang Mang's "yellow" was self-referred to as "white," and the "five zhu coin" was the currency during the Han Dynasty. The meaning of this nursery rhyme is that the world is going back to the hands of the Liu clan.
Wang Mang was particularly fond of playing with symbols, gods, auspicious signs, and randomly quoting prophecies. He believed that Confucius wrote the "Spring and Autumn Annals," who used a red pen to strike out the names of twelve princes, implying that there were twelve generations from the Han Dynasty to Emperor Ping, and the number of days had come to an end. No surname could receive the mandate of the world anymore. He also quoted from the "Lu Yunfa": "Abolish Emperor Chang, establish the Gongsun clan." He quoted the "Kuadi Xiang" saying: "Emperor Xuanyuan received the mandate, the Gongsun clan holds the world." He also quoted the "Yuan Shen Qi" saying: "Western Governor, Yi Mao Jin." He believed that the Western Governor, Yi Mao, corresponded to the metal element in the Five Elements, and the color associated with metal is white. According to the theory of the Five Virtues, white follows yellow, and white is in the west; therefore, white symbolizes the Gongsun clan. Wang Mang believed he had inherited the Han Dynasty in accordance with the mandate of heaven. He also claimed to have unique patterns on his hands, which he claimed were auspicious signs. He wrote to the court several times, hoping to impress the people with this.
The emperor found this matter quite troubling, so he wrote a letter to Wang Mang saying: "The 'Gongsun' mentioned in those prophecies refers to Emperor Xuan. To replace the Han Dynasty, one should have the strength like the founding emperor Liu Bang. Who do you think you are, exactly? Using the patterns on your hands as auspicious signs, what kind of person do you think Wang Mang is, that you would want to imitate him? You are not my mortal enemy, a treacherous minister, but just caught up in this chaotic world; many people want to support you, what does this amount to? You are also old, your wife and children are weak, quickly think of a way out to be at ease. The divine artifacts of the world cannot be obtained by brute force; you should really think it over." The letter was signed "Emperor Gongsun." Wang Mang did not reply.
In the second year, Kui Xiao swore allegiance to Wang Mang. Wang Mang's cavalry commander, Jing Han from Pingling, saw that the eastern front was about to stabilize and that the army was about to move west. He advised Wang Mang:
Brothers, war is the greatest weapon of emperors, and no one has ever been able to give it up since ancient times. In the past, when the Qin Dynasty lost the country, heroes and rebels emerged from all directions. Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, who started with nothing but a small piece of land, fought his way out of the battlefield. He himself was wounded countless times and almost died. But every time he was defeated, he could bounce back and fight even harder. Why? Because he knew that dying for success was much better than living in shame!
That Kui Xiao kid was pretty lucky, occupying Yongzhou with a strong army and expanding his influence to Shandong. But when the Xin Dynasty fell into chaos, he lost the world, his men scattered and fled, and things started to fall apart everywhere. Instead of capitalizing on his chance to seize power, he retreated, wanting to imitate King Wen of Zhou by spending all day chatting about classics and poetry with scholars and friends, laying down his weapons and groveling to the Han Dynasty, feeling pretty good about himself, convinced he was the reincarnation of King Wen! What happened? He allowed the Han emperor to focus on battling the eastern enemies without worrying about Guanzhong and Longxi, and the Han Dynasty took over three-quarters of the world. The heroes and rebels in the west were also won over by the Han Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty easily took over three-quarters of the world. If Kui Xiao had risen up in Tianshui from the start, he would have been wiped out long ago. If Tianshui had fallen, the Han Dynasty would have controlled eighty percent of the realm!
Your Majesty currently controls the territory of Liangzhou, the court is propping up the Emperor, the military is stationed outside, and the common people are suffering immensely; they can hardly endure it any longer. The Wang family might just fall apart any day now. In my humble opinion, we should seize the opportunity while the people's spirits are still alive and quickly send troops! Send Tian Rong to occupy Jiangling, control Jiangnan, rely on the natural defenses of Wushan, build strong fortifications, and issue a challenge to Wu and Chu; the regions south of Changsha will undoubtedly surrender. Then send Yan Cen to Hanzhong to secure the Sui, Feng, and Wei regions; Tianshui and Longxi will likely surrender as well. In this way, the world will be shaken, and we will reap great rewards!
Ministers, I have a question for everyone. Dr. Wu Zhu stated, "When King Wu attacked King Zhou, he first stationed his troops at Mengjin, and eight hundred vassals responded in unison, but ultimately, he withdrew his troops and awaited his destiny. I've never heard of anyone attempting to expand their territory a thousand miles away without allies to back them up." Han Dan said, "Now the Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty does not even have an inch of land in his hands, yet he leads a ragtag army that is invincible. If we don't seize this chance to share in the glory with him, instead of discussing King Wu here, aren't we just like Kui Xiao trying to become the Marquis of the West?" After hearing Han Dan's words, I intended to send the troops stationed in the north along with the guest troops from Shandong out, letting Yan Cen and Tian Rong each lead troops from two different routes to meet with the generals in Hanzhong and strengthen our forces. The people of Shu and his brother Guang argued that we shouldn't squander our national strength so far away and bet everything on a single battle; they strongly opposed my plan, but I remained firm. Yan Cen and Tian Rong also repeatedly requested to lead troops to achieve merit, but in the end, I hesitated and did not agree.
My character is strict and meticulous; I like to meddle in small matters, take pleasure in killing, but cannot see the big picture. I also have a penchant for renaming counties and prefectures. In my youth, however, I served as a court official and was familiar with the system of the Han Dynasty. When entering and leaving the imperial palace, the phoenix flag and the horse-tail flag were displayed, and only then did I leave the palace in a carriage. I also appointed my two sons as kings, allowing them to enjoy the income of several counties in Jianwei and Guanghan respectively. Many ministers cautioned me that success or failure was uncertain, saying soldiers were risking their lives on the battlefield, yet I was in a hurry to crown kings, which reflects a lack of ambition and could demoralize the soldiers. But I ignored their warnings. Only Lady Gongsun could be trusted by me, so the ministers all resented me. Eight years later, the emperor sent a general to attack Wei Xiao, and I sent Li Yu to lead more than 10,000 troops to rescue Wei Xiao. As a result, Wei Xiao was defeated, the army was completely wiped out, and the people of Shu were thrown into a panic. I was afraid and wanted to calm the people. There was an old granary outside Chengdu, dating back to the Qin Dynasty, which had been empty since the Wang Mang era. I orchestrated rumors that the White Emperor's granary was overflowing with food, and the hungry people flocked to the city to see for themselves. Then I summoned the ministers for a meeting and asked them, "Is the granary of the White Emperor really as full of food as a mountain?" Everyone answered, "No." I said, "Rumors are unreliable, just like the news of Wei Xiao's defeat." Before long, Wei Xiao's general Wang Yuan surrendered, and I appointed him as my general. The following year, I sent Wang Yuan to guard He'an with his troops, and sent Tian Rong, Grand Minister Ren Man, and Cheng Fan, the Prefect of Nanjun, to lead troops to attack Jiangguan, defeating General Feng Jun and his forces, capturing Wuxian, Yiling, and Yidao, and subsequently taking Jingmen.
In the eleventh year of the era, General Cen Peng led his troops to attack Wang Lang, and Man Chong and his forces were routed. Wang Zheng beheaded Man Chong and presented his head to Cen Peng. Tian Rong escaped and fled to Jiangzhou. The townspeople opened the gates and surrendered. Cen Peng pressed on to Wuyang. The emperor personally wrote to Wang Lang, laying out the facts and reasoning, stressing his sincerity, like characters painted in ink. After reading the letter, Wang Lang sighed and showed it to his trusted advisors, Tai Chang Shao Qing and Guanglu Xun Zhang Long. Both officials advised him to surrender. Wang Lang said, "Success and failure are all in the hands of fate; how could I ever surrender to the emperor!" Those around him fell silent. Later, Zhonglang General Lai She launched a fierce attack on Wang Yuan and Huan An, and Huan An dispatched assassins to eliminate Lai She; Wang Lang retaliated by sending an assassin after Cen Peng.
In the twelfth year of the era, Wang Lang's brother, Wang Hui, and his son-in-law, Shi Xing, were defeated and killed by Grand Marshal Wu Han and Assistant Wei General Zang Gong. After that, Wang Lang's generals were all afraid, contemplating escape and surrender daily. Even though Wang Lang executed the families of defectors, he struggled to maintain control. The emperor was particularly eager for his surrender, issuing a decree to persuade him: "In the past, when I issued edicts, I said to use both grace and power, hoping you won’t doubt my sincerity due to the fates of Lai She and Cen Peng. If you surrender in time, your family will be safe; if you remain stubborn, it’s like throwing meat to a tiger—what a waste! Your generals are worn out, and the soldiers just want to go home and stop fighting. I’ve sent you countless letters before; I always keep my word!" Wang Lang still refused to surrender.
In September, Wu Han defeated once more Wang Lang's Chancellor Xie Feng and Chief of the Imperial Guard Yuan Ji, and the Han army set up camp in Chengdu. Wang Lang asked Yan Cen, "What should we do now?" Yan Cen said, "A true man should fight for survival even in death; how can we just sit back and wait to die? Wealth can be easily gained; we should not place too much importance on it." Wang Lang then distributed all the gold and silver treasures to the soldiers, recruited more than five thousand fearless warriors, and together with Yan Cen formed a battle line at the market bridge, made fake banners, drummed up a challenge, while secretly sending elite troops to ambush the Wu Han army from behind, and defeated Wu Han. Wu Han fell into the water and barely managed to pull himself out by grabbing the horse's tail.
In November, Zang Gong's army arrived at Xianmen. Gongsun Shu consulted the divination book, which read, "The enemy will die in battle under the city." He was overjoyed, convinced that the Han army would surely win. He personally led tens of thousands of troops to attack the Han army and sent Yancen to confront Zang Gong. The two sides fought fiercely, with Yancen emerging victorious in all three encounters. From morning to noon, the soldiers had not eaten anything and were utterly exhausted. The Han army seized the opportunity to order their elite soldiers to launch a counterattack; Gongsun Shu's forces fell into disarray, and he was pierced through the chest and fell from his horse. He was swiftly carried back to the city. Gongsun Shu handed over the remaining military power to Yancen and died that night. The following morning, Yancen surrendered to Wu Han. Wu Han ordered the execution of Gongsun Shu's wife and children, completely wiping out the Gongsun clan, and implicated Yancen. Then the troops were unleashed to plunder and set fire to Gongsun Shu's mansion. The emperor was furious upon hearing about it and reprimanded Wu Han. He also reprimanded Wu Han's deputy Liu Shang, saying, "The city surrendered three days ago; officials and civilians have all surrendered, tens of thousands of civilians of all ages have surrendered, and suddenly the troops were released and fires were set. It's heartbreaking to hear this! Shang, you are a descendant of the royal family, you have been an official before; how could you do such a thing? Look up at the sky, look down at the earth, think about the fawn drinking soup, which one is more merciful? You have committed a grave error by executing the general to appease the people!" Initially, Chang Shao and Zhang Long advised Gongsun Shu to surrender, but he ignored their advice and ultimately succumbed to his worries. The emperor posthumously promoted Chang Shao to Grand Minister and Zhang Long to Grand Officer, and arranged for their reburial with full honors. All those loyal and honorable men received commendations. Cheng Wu and Li Yu, due to their talents, were promoted and given important positions. So the people in the west were all pleased, and everyone submitted to the court.
The article comments: In the past, Zhao Tuo proclaimed himself king and ruled over Panyu, while Gongsun Shu seized the throne of Shu Han. Upon careful consideration, they did not possess any exceptional talents, and in the end both faced their downfall, probably because the territories they governed were peripheral and outside the influence of the Central Plains dynasties. Although Gongsun Shu was an official of the Han dynasty, he lacked reliable support and was more concerned with leading a refined lifestyle, struggling to gather any advisors. Though he lacked ability, his ambitions were vast. He failed to seize opportunities for success and adapt to the changing times, instead focusing on appearances and upholding a lofty image, which was the very aspect that made Wei Wenhou feel ashamed of Wu Qi back in the day. Only when he lost the support of his subordinates did he realize the fate of rise and fall, which stood in stark contrast to the fates of those who spent their days flattering others.
It is said: "Gongsun excels in administration, while King Wei attracts scholars. The Han mandate has returned, the two regions are now in chaos. The will of heaven is against us, and the stability of the nation is hard to depend on."
