Emperor Suzong of Tang, Li Heng, whose childhood name was Xu, was the second son of Emperor Xuanzong, Li Longji. His mother was Hu Chonghua. On the Bingxu day in March of the third year of Yongping, Li Heng was born in the northeast corner of Xuanguang Hall, and at that time, a mysterious light appeared in the palace! In the first year of Yanchang, on the day of Yihai in October, he was named crown prince.
On the night of Dingsi in the first month of the fourth year of his reign, Li Heng ascended to the throne. The next day, on Wuwu, he issued a general amnesty. On the following day, Jiwai, he ordered the recall of troops from both the western expedition and eastern defense. On the day of Gengshen, he appointed the Grand Guardian, Prince Gaoyang Li Yong, to take residence in Xibaotang and oversee major state affairs. At the same time, he appointed Prince Rencheng Li Cheng as the Minister of Appointments, commanding all officials to follow the orders of these two royal uncles.
On the day of Jisi, many countries, including Wujie, Daban, Didouhe, Nibujia, Badan, and Zuoyue Feishi, sent envoys to pay tribute. On the day of Gengchen in February, Li Heng honored Empress Gao with the title of Empress Dowager. On Xinsi, the Minister of Works, Gao Zhao, arrived in the capital but was executed for his crimes. Ren Taihong, the Governor of Ningzhou under Xiao Yan, attacked Guancheng but was defeated by Cheng Xingsun, Chancellor of Yizhou. On the day of Guiwei, Grand Guardian Li Yong was promoted to Grand Tutor, concurrently serving as Grand Marshal; Minister of Works, Prince Qinghe Li Yi, was appointed as Minister of Appointments; and General of the Cavalry, Prince Guangping Li Huai, was appointed as Minister of Works. On the day of Jihai, Li Heng honored his mother, Hu Chonghua, with the title of Imperial Noble Consort. The Dangchang kingdom also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the first day of March, Jiachen, Empress Dowager Gao renounced her status to become a nun and moved to Jinyong City. On Bingchen, the emperor ordered all officials in the palace to be promoted by one rank. Prior to this, Xiao Yan had caused destruction in the area of Fushan and Huai, attempting to endanger Yangzhou and Xuzhou, and the emperor ordered General Yang Dayan to take action against him. On Yichou, the emperor ordered all civil and military officials to be promoted again by one rank.
In April, Xue Huaigu, the governor of Liangzhou, defeated the rebellious Di people at Jushui. On the jiayin day in May, Cui Xian, the governor of Nanjinzhou, defeated the Di rebel army and lifted the siege of Wuxing. In June, a monk named Fa Qing led a rebellion in Jizhou, killing the magistrate of Fucheng County and declaring himself to be a "Great Vehicle" monk.
On the guimao day of July, the Rouran sent envoys to pay tribute. On the dingwei day, the emperor ordered Yuan Yao, the Right Minister, to serve as the General of the Northern Expedition to suppress Fa Qing. At the same time, the Dangchang state also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the second day of August, General Yu Zhong forged a false royal decree and killed both the Left Minister Guo Zuo and the Minister of State Pei Zhi! He also dismissed the Grand Tutor and the General of the Imperial Guard, Prince Yong of Gaoyang, sending him home. The next day, on the bingzi day, the emperor honored the Empress Dowager with the title of Empress. On the jimao day, the Tuyuhun state also sent envoys to pay tribute. On the gengchen day, Tian Chaoxiu, the governor of Dingzhou under Xiao Yan, surrendered with three thousand troops.
On the wuzi day, the emperor held an audience with the Empress Dowager in the Xuanguang Hall and proclaimed a general amnesty! This was truly a joyous occasion for all under heaven! The next day, on the jichou day, the Minister of Works and Prince Yi of Qinghe was promoted to Grand Tutor and also took on the position of Grand Commandant; the Minister of War and Prince Huai of Guangping was also promoted to Grand Protector and concurrently served as Minister of Works; the General of Cavalry, Prince Cheng of Rencheng, was appointed as Minister of War. On the gengyin day, General Yu Zhong was appointed as the Minister of State, and Special Advisor Cui Guang was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, both concurrently serving as the Minister of the Three Departments.
Finally, on the renchen day, the emperor restored the title of Ji, the former Prince of Jiangyang; he also restored the former title of the Prince of Jinan, Yu, appointing him as the Prince of Linhuai. The ministers also petitioned for the Empress Dowager to take charge of the government.
In early September, the Empress Dowager personally took charge of state affairs. She issued an edict, saying: "The founding emperor reformed the ceremonial system, ushering in a prosperous era; his benevolence continues to benefit the people to this day. The succeeding emperor inherited the great achievements of his predecessor, his holy virtue spreading far and wide. At a young age, I have taken on the responsibility of this nation; the burden is heavy, and I feel as though I’m walking on thin ice! All princes, ministers, officials, and common people have benefited from the previous dynasty's favor, enjoying honor and wealth, and should work even harder to maintain social stability together, wholeheartedly assisting me, your emperor, who has many shortcomings. Those who wish to retire to a simpler, rural life or seclude themselves in the mountains and forests, the court will provide them with adequate support so they can enjoy their later years; those who dare to speak their minds and contribute to the nation, I will promote and employ them beyond the usual standards. Filial sons, dutiful grandsons, righteous husbands, and virtuous wives, the court will honor their families to highlight their virtues; the elderly and infirm who cannot support themselves will receive food and clothing assistance from the court. Those who have lost their jobs due to famine and are wandering homeless, or even sold their children into servitude, can all return home. The soldiers stationed at the border, who have fought for a long time and are physically and mentally exhausted, I will send representatives to comfort them and reward them with clothing and horses; the guards and soldiers stationed in border towns and counties, as well as the leaders of various northern tribes, I will also reward to express my gratitude. If any outdated practices from the previous dynasty are deemed unreasonable, or if recent practices do not comply with regulations, they can be reported to the court for my careful consideration; if there are any good ideas that can benefit the nation and its people, even if they don't conform to the norms, I will handle them separately. I hope everyone understands my intentions and follows them closely."
The next day, news came from the north that the Yuan Yao army had achieved a great victory over the enemy, killing over a hundred enemy generals, including Fa Qing and more, and sending their heads to the capital. Prince An Ding passed away. A few days later, countries such as Gaochang, Kumoxi, and Khitan sent envoys to offer tributes. Xiao Yan's general Zhao Zuyue captured Xieshi. Subsequently, the court appointed Cui Liang, the governor of Dingzhou, as the acting General of the Southern Town, leading troops to conduct a military campaign; and appointed Xiao Baoyin, the governor of Jizhou, as the General of the Eastern Town, stationed at Huaiyan. After that, Deng Zhiguo also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the first day of Gengwu in November, the Wujiguo sent a type of arrow known as "wū shǐ." On the day of Renwu, both Goryeo and Tuyuhun sent envoys to pay tribute. On the day of Yiyou, An Ding Gong Hu Guozhen was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, with the same rank as the Three Excellencies. On the day of Jiawu, Du Gui, the governor of Honghua Prefecture under Xiao Yan, surrendered the entire prefecture to us. On the day of Xinchou in December, Wang Yong of Gaoyang was appointed as the Grand Tutor. On the day of Jiyou, General Cui Liang defeated Zuyue and then besieged Xieshi. On the day of Dingmao, the Emperor and Empress Dowager offered joint worship at Jingling. The Gao Che Kingdom also sent envoys to pay tribute.
In the first month of the first year of the Xiping era, on the day of Wuchan (戊辰), a general amnesty was declared throughout the land, and the era name was changed. Yuan Zhi, the governor of Jingzhou and Mianzhou, secured a significant victory over the army of Xiao Yan, killing Xiao Yan's governor of Hengnong, Wang Shiding, among others. The Minister of Personnel, Li Ping, was appointed as the Grand General of the Town Army, concurrently serving as the Right Minister, and was tasked with leading the various armies to attack Xieshi as the acting head of the administration. On the day of Yisi in February, General of the East, Xiao Baoyin, inflicted a crushing defeat on Xiao Yan's army in the north of the Huai River. On the day of Guihai, the first examination for scholars was conducted, and those who scored above average were given corresponding official positions. On the day of Yichou, General of the South, Cui Liang, and General Li Ping and other leaders captured Xieshi, killing Xiao Yan's governor of Yuzhou, Zhao Zuyue, and sent his head to the capital, capturing all of his soldiers. This month, envoys from the states of Tuyuhun, Dangchang, and Dengzhi came to pay tribute. On the day of Xinwei in March, Li Chong, the governor of Yangzhou, was appointed as the General of Cavalry and the Minister of Three Services. On the day of Renchen, the captives from Xieshi were rewarded to court officials.
On the day of Wuxu in April, due to a famine among the people of Yingzhou, the emperor ordered the granaries to be opened to relieve the disaster victims. The countries of Gaochang and Yinping also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the first day of May, the emperor issued a decree, which stated in summary: This drought has lasted for a long time, and the crops have withered away. Although there has been a little rain recently, it is still not enough, and the harvest is poor, causing great concern. The responsibility falls on me, and I must think of a way to address this. Minister, you must thoroughly investigate those imprisoned to see if there are any wrongfully accused. Those who deserve lighter sentences should receive them, and those who should be released should be released, so that no one holds grievances that could affect social harmony. Regarding the civil engineering projects, they should be put on hold, and everyone should be encouraged to farm, putting all efforts into planting. I hope heaven blesses us with a good harvest this year.
Zhang Qi, this guy, actually rebelled while serving as the governor of Hengzhou and took off to fight in Yizhou. The emperor sent Fu Shuyan to put him down, and Fu Shuyan scored several victories, even killing Zhang Qi's general Ren Taihong. On Gengwu, the emperor ordered the wild animals in Hualinyuan to be released back into the mountains. On Bingxu, the Tuyuhun sent envoys to pay tribute as well.
In July, on Gengwu, the emperor again ordered a ban on killing cattle. On Bingzi, the emperor decreed that the soldiers called to Xieshi could postpone their taxes for a year. Fu Shuyan scored a major victory over Zhang Qi, who fled. On Yiyou, the Gaochang Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute again. In August, on Yisi, the emperor appointed Hu Guozhen as governor, responsible for the military affairs of six states: Yongzhou, Jingzhou, Qizhou, Huazhou, Dongqinzhou, and Binzhou, as General of Cavalry, concurrently serving as the head of the Three Departments, and also made him the governor of Yongzhou. On Bingwu, the emperor issued another decree saying, "Ancient sage emperors were virtuous and benevolent to their people, and their merits were recorded in historical texts. However, over time, many things have changed; the imperial tombs have fallen into disrepair, overrun with weeds, and even trampled upon. Therefore, I hereby decree that farming is banned within fifty paces of all imperial tombs!" The Dangchang Kingdom also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On September 1st, the levee along the Huai River gave way, and in the towns and villages along the Huai River, over a hundred thousand people were swept out to sea due to the flood. On December 3rd, the emperor ordered a thorough investigation and registration of people over seventy, as well as widows, orphans, the lonely, and the impoverished, unable to care for themselves, and those who, though young, suffer from severe illness and live in hardship in Luoyang, Heyin, and other places, to be reported back to the court.
In the spring of the year 702, during the first month, the remnants regrouped to attack Yingzhou again. The governor of Yingzhou, Yuwen Fu, quelled them. On Jiaxu day, the court announced a general amnesty. On Wuzi day, the kingdom of Wujiguo sent envoys to pay tribute. On Gengyin day, the emperor ordered special envoys to be dispatched to various parts of the country to learn about the struggles of the common people, look after orphans and widows, assess the officials' performance, and ensure that rewards and punishments are clear. He also issued an order stating that officials must be selected based on talent and that a broad search for hidden talents should be conducted to work together in governing the country. Each state and town should bolster city defenses and strictly investigate incidents of demons and monsters causing trouble. Prisons need to be built, and the torture devices should be lighter. Craftsmen's cleverly hidden items must be revealed; fabrics and silks must adhere to the specified standards; those who cheat and deceive in the military must be weeded out; and those who falsify household registrations need to be investigated, and they must admit their mistakes voluntarily, or face harsher penalties. The emperor also assigned the lieutenant Yuan Kuang to be responsible for checking the accuracy of the weights and measures. On Guichou day, the kingdoms of Difu Luo and Jibin sent envoys to pay tribute.
On Gengzi day in the second month, the Khitan, Deng Zhi, and Dangchang states all sent envoys to pay tribute. On Dingwei day, the emperor bestowed the title of King of Dongping on Inspector General Yuan Kuang. On Jiaxu day in the third month, the Tuyuhun state sent envoys to pay tribute. On Dinghai day, Grand Guardian, Minister of Personnel, and King of Guangping Huai passed away.
On the fourth day of the fourth month of summer, envoys from countries such as Goryeo, Persia, Shule, and Yada came to pay tribute. On the day of Dingyou, the court ordered that within the capital's jurisdiction, elderly individuals over one hundred years old would receive large county plaques, and those over ninety years old would receive small county plaques. (County plaques (an ancient symbol of honor)) On the day of Wushen, Hu Guozhen, the Chief Minister of the Central Secretariat, equivalent to the Three Departments, was appointed as the Duke of Situ, and Wang Yue of Runan was appointed as the Chief Minister of the Central Secretariat and the equivalent of the Three Departments. On the day of Yimao, the Empress Dowager visited the Yique Grotto Temple for a leisurely outing and returned to the palace the same day. Prince Chao of Anding was reappointed as Prince of Beiping. On the day of Xinyou in May, the Emperor decreed: "Soldiers who died in battle at Xieshi in Yangzhou, Jingshan, Xinhuai, and Chancheng will receive compensation, and if they are widowed, the government will support their wives for five years; if they are alone, the government will support their families for two years. If a soldier has three wounds, he will be promoted one rank; even if he has only one wound, but is disabled in all four limbs, he will also be promoted one rank." On the day of Gengchen, the court reiterated the prohibitions on astronomy, with violators subject to the death penalty. On the day of Yiyou, Deng Zhiguo sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the second day of the seventh month in a certain year, the countries of Difu Luo and Jibin from the Western Regions sent envoys to pay tribute. On the fourth day of the seventh month, the Chief Minister of the Central Secretariat, equivalent to the Three Departments, and Wang Yue of Runan were dismissed for murder and sent back to their hometowns. On the seventh day of the seventh month, the Emperor went to the Grand Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices.
On the seventh day of the eighth month, the Emperor hosted a banquet at the Xianyang Palace for the royal family members since the founding of our dynasty, with all those aged fifteen and above in attendance, to reinforce family bonds. On the eighth day of the eighth month, the Emperor issued a decree stating that royal family members under the age of fifteen were prohibited from holding official positions. The original text of the imperial edict read: "Since the founding of our Wei Dynasty, the national strength has thrived, surpassing that of the Zhou and Han Dynasties, and the capital has been moved twice, with the nation thriving for over a hundred years. Although there are many royal family members and quite a few talented individuals, there are still many who live quietly, living ordinary lives, which is not the image we want to project of 'royal relatives supporting the court'! Therefore, we will arrange official positions for them based on their closeness to the royal family." On the ninth day of the eighth month, the Emperor ordered that the royal family members from Xianyang and Jingzhao should be registered and return to their respective household registration locations. On the eleventh day, the Tuyuhun Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute. On the sixteenth day, the Emperor ordered that Shizhong, Grand Tutor, and Prince Gaoyang Yong were assigned to the Ministry of Rites to participate in handling memorials submitted by the Ministry of Personnel. On the eighteenth day, the Khitan Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the eighth day of the ninth month, the Tuyuhun Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute again. On the thirteenth day, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "Hearing cases and upholding justice is the foremost priority in governing the country; personally hearing the people's concerns is essential to gaining their trust in the government. Recently, due to my oversight, the administration has not been effectively managed, resulting in a growing number of people in prison and numerous appeals for wrongful convictions. Although there are officials responsible for handling these matters, many cases have been suppressed and dealt with unjustly. This is my responsibility, and I feel very guilty. Starting from the fifteenth of this month, I will personally travel outside the city to understand the people's sentiments and address the backlog of cases. Relevant departments should promptly inform everyone of this news." This month, the court ordered the building of city fortifications in seven regions: Qingzhou, Qizhou, Yanzhou, Jingzhou, Pingzhou, Yingzhou, and Sizhou, namely in the cities of Dongyang, Licheng, Xiaqiu, Pingliang, Feiru, Helong, and Jiuyuan.
On the Gengyin day in October, a great famine broke out in the four regions of Youzhou, Jizhou, Cangzhou, and Yingzhou. The emperor then dispatched the Minister of State, Changsun Zhi, along with Ministers Deng Xian and Yuan Zuan, to assess the situation, assist the common people in overcoming their difficulties, and open the granaries to provide relief to the victims of the disaster. On the day of Dingyou, the Wujiguo sent tribute in the form of arrows. On the day of Wuxu, because Guangzhou was also experiencing a famine, the situation was critical, and the emperor sent people to provide relief again. On the day of Yimao, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Beijing is our hometown, the land established by our ancestors. Although we have migrated south for two generations, there are still many people who remain there. They are attached to their homeland and reluctant to leave, which I can understand. Therefore, those who have not yet relocated can continue to stay in Beijing and live and work in peace. As for those who have talents, skills, and who wish to serve in the court, they will be selected separately and are not included in this exception. The descendants of the Zhou Dynasty and the Liu family of the Han Dynasty are spread throughout the country and have flourished; how can we restrict ourselves to the thousand-mile divide between the north and south?" On the day of Jiazi in November, Mu Hanchong, the General of Pingxi under Xiao Yan, sent envoys to surrender. On the day of Dingwei in December, the Rouran Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute.
In the first year of the Divine Turtle Era, on the first day of the first month, the emperor appointed the leader of the Di people, Yang Ding, as the King of Yinping. On the third day, he also appointed the Special Advisor and King of Jiangyang, Ji, as the General of Cavalry, while granting him an official title equivalent to that of the Three Departments. On the ninth day, the emperor issued a proclamation stating: “I lack the ability to govern the country, and the administration is still not running smoothly. I have not been able to pay timely attention to the suffering of the common people. I am anxious day and night, restless, always concerned about the well-being of the people and worried about the difficulties faced by the country from all directions. Therefore, for seniors over a hundred years old in the capital region, a pension from the large prefectures will be issued; for those over ninety, a pension from the small prefectures; for those over eighty, a pension from the large counties; for those over seventy, a pension from the small counties; for the people in each state, those over a hundred will receive a pension from the small prefectures; those over ninety will receive a pension from the small counties; those over eighty will receive a pension from the medium-sized counties; and those who are widowed, orphaned, or unable to care for themselves will each receive five hu of grain and two pieces of cloth.” On the sixteenth day, the emperor ordered that those who are supposed to serve labor duty but impersonate officials must have five officials from each level mutually guarantee them; if no one guarantees, they will be dismissed and sent back to serve labor duty. On the twenty-first day, the emperor further conferred the title of Special Advisor and King of Runan upon Yue. During this period, the Qiang people in Qinzhou staged a rebellion. Youzhou experienced a great famine, leading to the deaths of three thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine people, and the emperor ordered Inspector Zhao Yong to open the granaries to assist the disaster victims.
On the seventh day of the second month, envoys from various countries such as Yeda, Goguryeo, Wujie, Tuyuhun, Dangchang, Shule, Jiuweituo, and Mojuban came to pay tribute. On the eighth day of the second month, the emperor issued a decree announcing the appearance of a divine turtle, granting a general amnesty and changing the name of the era. However, the Di people in Dongyizhou were also in rebellion. The Rouran country also sent envoys to pay tribute. On the eighth day of the third month, Yu Zhong was appointed as the Minister of Works and Yitong Sanji. On the twelfth day of the third month, Yu Zhong passed away. The Di people in Nanqinzhou were also in rebellion, and the emperor dispatched General Longxiang Cui Xi with a decree to persuade them. Tuyuhun also sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the fourth day of the fourth month, the Minister of Works Hu Guozhen passed away. On the eighth day of the fourth month, Prince Jiangyang was renamed as King of Jingzhao. On the fifteenth day of the fourth month, envoys from the Shemo country came to pay tribute. In May, envoys from Goguryeo, Gaoche, Gaochang, and other nations came to pay tribute. There had been no rain from the first month until the second day of the sixth month, when a heavy rain finally fell.
In July, the common people in Hezhou, led by Tie Cong, stirred up trouble, gathered a group of people to rebel, and even proclaimed themselves as the "Water Pool King." The court sent Yuan Zigong, the Xing Taiyuan, to suppress the rebellion.
On the day of the leap month in the sixth month, envoys from Tuyuhun came to present tributes. On the day of Jiachen, the court opened the silver mines in Kaihengzhou for communal mining. On the day of Dingwei, countries like Persia, Shule, Wuchang, and Kucha sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the first day of the eighth month, which was the day of Guichou, the emperor issued a decree stating, "My abilities are limited, and my experience is insufficient. The Empress Dowager has been worrying and started to handle state affairs. Many people are detained in prison, and the people are constantly suffering injustices. I am contemplating reducing some of the severe punishments. For prisoners in the capital, sentences below the death penalty will be commuted by one level."
On the day of Ding Si, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "In these past few years, there have been ongoing conflicts. Before the mourning period is over, we are already going to war again. The grief of losing loved ones has not been properly expressed, and the gratitude for the care received from parents has not been repaid. This is not in line with virtuous principles! From now on, even in times of war, no one shall be conscripted during the mourning period." On the day of Jia Zi, envoys from Wujiguo came to pay tribute. Tie Cong surrendered with his subordinates to Yuan Zigong, the ruling authority. On the first day of the ninth month, on the day of Gui Wei, the court appointed Liu Teng, the Right Guanglu Dafu, as the Guardian General and Yitong San Si. On the day of Wu Shen, Empress Dowager Gao Shi passed away at the Yao Guang Monastery. On the day of Ding Mao in October, Empress Dowager Gao Shi was buried according to Buddhist rites on Beimang Mountain. On the eighth day of the twelfth month, on the day of Xin Wei, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Everyone experiences birth, old age, sickness, and death, and eventually returns to the earth. There are over a hundred million people in the capital in need of assistance, regardless of wealth; they all rely on it, but the location for assistance has not been determined. As the guardians of the people, we should care for them. It is now decided that the area west of Ganpu Mountain will be designated as Jiuyuan (the burial ground)." In the spring of a certain year, on the day of Ding Hai in the first month, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "I possess only mediocre abilities and have inherited the throne, working diligently day and night, feeling as if I am navigating through deep waters. Thanks to the kindness and teachings of the Empress Dowager, I have learned many truths. Since I ascended the throne, it has been almost five years; the world is peaceful and the four seas are calm. But the ways of fate are deep and mysterious; I dare not be arrogant. My title is not yet appropriate, failing to honor the Empress Dowager as she deserves, and does not meet the expectations of the people. Therefore, according to the previous rules, a decree will be issued nationwide to fulfill the people's wishes." This month, the emperor ordered the reburial of Empress Dowager Gao Shi.
On the second day of the second month (Yichou), Prince You of Qi passed away. On the day of Gengwu, over a thousand soldiers from the Yulin Army set fire to General Zhang Yi's residence, assaulted him, and killed his son Zhang Shijun by burning. Both the Tuyuhun and Dangchang kingdoms sent envoys to pay tribute. On the day of Yihai, a great amnesty was declared throughout the land. On the day of Dingchou, the emperor issued an edict inviting candid opinions, allowing anyone to submit sealed petitions directly to the emperor. On the day of Renyin, the emperor issued another edict stating: "It is now the busy farming season, yet heaven does not bring rain, the crops are failing, and the wheat is withering. I am deeply concerned about this. An order should be issued across the country to pray for rain following traditional rituals, and the sacrificial ceremonies must be carried out diligently. Cases must be carefully reviewed, and wrongful convictions rectified, while unclaimed bodies should be buried. The regions of Jizhou and Yingzhou have previously suffered from war, many have perished, leaving bones scattered everywhere; special personnel should be sent to collect and bury them. The poor must be assisted, widows supported, the sick relieved, and the elderly cared for, following previous methods to ensure thoroughness and attention to detail." On the day of the third month, Jiachen, a timely rain finally arrived, bringing abundant rainfall.
In a certain year, during the Common Era, on the second day of the fourth month, envoys from the Yada Kingdom arrived to pay tribute, marking a significant event. On the eighth day of the fifth month, King Cheng of Rencheng was promoted to Minister of Works, and King Ji of Jingzhao took over as Minister of War, leading to significant changes in the government. By autumn, on the sixth day of the eighth month, Wang Kuang of Dongping was removed from his post due to misconduct and lost his title. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Huangfu Ji was appointed as General of the Western Expedition and concurrently held the title of Minister of Ceremonies, with his responsibilities growing. On the seventh day of the ninth month, the Empress Dowager visited Mount Songgao and returned to the palace on the tenth day of the ninth month. Meanwhile, a man named Liu Xuanming from Yingzhou tried to rebel but was captured and executed. On the twenty-second day of the eleventh month, Mo Yuanliang of the Ruru tribe surrendered with over seven hundred people, which was a cause for celebration. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, King Cheng of Rencheng passed away. On the seventeenth day of the twelfth month, the court announced a general amnesty and abolished some irregular sacrificial practices, and ordered the burning of various unorthodox idols. That year, King Yun of Goryeo died, and his son An succeeded to the throne.
On the second day of the first month in the first year of Zhengguang, the emperor issued an edict saying: "For the nation to grow, education is essential; respecting teachers and upholding morality has always been the custom. Next summer, when the weather is nice, will be a great time to honor Confucius and Yan Hui. The relevant departments should prepare the national studies ahead of time, touch up the portraits of the sages, arrange the officials and offerings for the ceremonies, and pick a good day to hold the ceremonies."
On the 3rd day of the 4th month, the emperor sent Zhangsun Zhi to the north to inspect and learn about the local customs and practices. On the 7th day of the 5th month, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "My abilities are limited, yet I bear such a great responsibility. Although I can’t claim to be diligent and caring towards the people, I am cautious every day, fearing that I might not do well. Recently, the drought has been severe, and I feel a deep sense of guilt and can’t sleep at night. Now, there are too many people in prison; we need to lighten the penalties, practice benevolent governance, and relieve the suffering of the people. All ministers must carefully review the prisoners and put an end to wrongful convictions." On the 9th day of the 5th month, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "To avoid disasters, governing the country is essential; the people are the true masters of the nation, and we should lead by example. The inspectors and county magistrates in various regions must work with me to govern the country, be more compassionate towards the people, and not lose sight of their responsibilities when they're happy. The drought has persisted for so long, and the people are suffering immensely; we cannot ignore the grievances of the impoverished. We need to take all cases seriously. We must firmly instruct all states and counties to support the people, dedicate themselves fully, take responsibility, and ensure they serve the people well, to ensure that policies are carried out effectively. If taxes and labor demands are harming the people, they should be reported immediately and canceled."
On the day of July Bingzi, the imperial attendants Yuan Cha and Liu Teng accompanied the emperor to the front hall, where they were instructed to convey the empress dowager's edict, saying: "The State of Wei has possessed the world, bringing glory through generations. Emperor Gaozu, the Filial and Benevolent Emperor, was wise and martial, ruling the world, moving the capital to Luoyang, and establishing a stable dynasty. Emperor Shizong, the Xuanwu Emperor, inherited this great enterprise and, through his wise governance, brought stability to the nation and expanded its territory. Unfortunately, his achievements were left unfinished when he passed on. Now, different regions have their own customs and traditions, and there are strong enemies invading. The young emperor is still quite young, having just ascended to the throne, and the ministers in court are unable to shoulder the heavy responsibilities. Therefore, I have complied with everyone's request to attend court and handle state affairs. The emperor is growing older and has long wished to abdicate, which is why I've been trying to share my thoughts for the past few years. All officials, both inside and outside the court, understand my intentions. However, everyone insists that I continue to strive, up to now. Since spring, my illness has recurred, and even after taking medicine, I haven’t seen any improvement. From summer until now, my condition has worsened, and I truly cannot manage daily state affairs; I am struggling with both big and small issues. The emperor is intelligent, knowledgeable, and increasingly mature, possessing the ability to govern the world, capable of pacifying the people and handling state affairs. I should stick to my earlier thoughts and retreat to another palace, which fits with the idea of passing on power to those who are capable and allows for rest and recuperation. I hope all the ministers and common folks can understand my struggles. In this way, everyone will be at peace, the nation will be stable, the fortunes of Wei will thrive, and both gods and people will rejoice. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" After he said this, he imprisoned the empress dowager in the Northern Palace, killed the Grand Tutor and the General-in-Chief, Prince Yi of Qinghe, took control of the imperial guards, and handled state affairs in the hall.
On the day of Xinmao, the emperor held the coming-of-age ceremony, granted a general amnesty, changed the era title, and promoted all officials, both civil and military, by one rank. In the eighth month of Jiayin, the Governor of Xiangzhou and Prince of Zhongshan, Xi, raised troops to try to kill Yuancha and Liu Teng, but ended up being defeated and killed. In the ninth month of Renchen, the Rouran tribal leader, Ana Huan, surrendered. On Wuxu, Grand Preceptor Gao Yang was appointed as Prime Minister, and the ceremonial retinue was expanded to include feathered banners, musicians, and forty sword-bearing warriors.
In the year X, on the second day of the tenth month, the emperor appointed Yue, Prince of Runan, as the Grand Commandant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat. On the seventeenth day of the eleventh month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The Rouran tribe has long been dominant in the northern regions, dominating the northern desert territories and engaging with the Central Plains dynasty for over a century. Since the fall of the Xia Dynasty, several dynasties have risen and fallen, and although they have occasionally failed to pay tribute, the border has remained peaceful. They have long sought to align themselves with our Great Wei and have expressed goodwill. Now, their leader Ana Gui is experiencing internal turmoil, the country is divided, relatives are scattered, and he has traveled a long way to seek refuge with us, demonstrating loyalty and a desire for allegiance. We should adhere to the principle of restoring the fallen and continuing the legacy, and receive him with grand ceremonies, hoping he can serve us. Therefore, I have resolved to appoint him as Duke of Shuofang County, the founding Duke of the Rouran, with a fief consisting of one thousand households, and bestow upon him clothing, hats, chariots, horses, appropriate salaries, and ceremonial honors, treating him as equal to the imperial family."
On the twenty-second day of December, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "The Rouran king Anagui has come from afar to seek refuge with us due to the chaos of war. Although his country is divided and leaderless, he still longs for his homeland and hopes to return to stabilize his country. His request is very sincere, and I deeply sympathize. Helping others through difficult times is a principle that has been followed since ancient times. I have decided to send envoys to accompany Anagui on his return journey, and I have ordered the Huai Shuo General to lead two thousand elite cavalry to escort them to the border. If they are welcomed, they should be given gifts like horses and carriages, and they must be sent back in a grand manner; if they are not welcomed, they should return. The Ministry of Personnel will cover their travel expenses." On a certain day of the same month, the emperor appointed the Minister of Works and the Prince of Jingzhao as the Minister of Education.
In the second year, in the first month, the Di people in Nanqin Prefecture revolted. On the seventh day of the second month, the emperor appointed the Household Counsellor Bing Qiu as the General-in-Chief to suppress them. On the tenth day of the second month, the emperor went to the Imperial Academy to teach the Classic of Filial Piety. On the seventh day of the third month, the emperor went to the Imperial Academy to pay homage to Confucius and honor Yan Yuan. On the fifteenth day of the third month, Xikang, the General of the Right Guard, attempted to assassinate Yuan Cha in the palace, but failed and was instead killed by Yuan Cha. The emperor appointed Liuteng, the General of the Household, as the Minister of Works.
In a certain year in April, on Gengzi, the Minister of Education and the Prince of Jingzhao were both promoted to the position of Grand Preceptor. On Renyin, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the General of the Household, Cui Guang, became the Minister of Education. Xiao Yan sent the Southern Jingzhou Inspector, Wen Sengming, to surrender to the court.
On Xinsi in May, the Inspector of Southern Jingzhou, Huan Shuxing, revolted in Anchang. On Yixu, envoys from the Wuchang Kingdom came to offer tribute. On Runyin in the intercalary month, envoys from the Jumi Kingdom and the Persian Kingdom both came to pay tribute. On Jisi in June, envoys from the Gaochang Kingdom came to pay tribute. On Guisi, envoys from Wujiguo also came to offer tribute.
On the Gui Chou day in July, the emperor issued an edict saying: "Now that the heavens aren’t sending rain, the crops are suffering from drought. This is my responsibility, and I worry about it every day. Although I have tried my best to pray to the heavens, it hasn’t worked. The relevant departments need to follow the old rules and tackle six tasks: prisoners must be tried as soon as possible; incompetent officials must be properly criticized and educated; we need to take good care of the lonely, elderly, and poor; we need to lighten the burden of labor and taxes; talented and honest people should be promoted promptly; corrupt individuals must be dismissed immediately; and those with conflicts between men and women must be helped to reconcile. I hope this will eliminate the disaster." On the Ji Si day in August, the kingdom of Fulu sent envoys to pay tribute. The former ruler of the Ruru Kingdom, Yu Jiulu Hou Ni, fled to Huai Shuo Town with his people. On the Yi Wei day in November, the nation of Gaochang sent envoys to pay tribute again. On Wu Shen, General Wei and the Minister of War, Huangfu Ji, died. On the Gui Chou day, the Chamberlain and General of Chariots and Cavalry, Hou Gang, was promoted and granted the title of Minister of War. On the Jia Xu day in December, the emperor asked Minister Cui Guang and Prince Yanming of Anfeng to come together and work on a new clothing system. On the Geng Chen day, the Di people of Dongyi and Nanqin rebelled, and the emperor dispatched General of the Central Army, Wang Chen of Hejian, to suppress them, but they ended up losing. In the first month of the following year, on the Xin Hai day, the emperor himself went out to plow the fields. On the Geng Chen day in April, the emperor appointed the king of the Gaoche Kingdom, Fu Luoyi Fu, as General of the West, granting him the title of Duke of Xihai County, while allowing him to continue as the king of Gaoche. That’s quite a big deal, holding multiple titles!
In June of the Ji Si year, the emperor issued a decree saying: "My abilities are limited. Since inheriting the throne, I have not been able to serve the heavens well, to attract good fortune. As a result, in recent years, the heavens have not helped, droughts continue, the good rain has not come, the crops have all withered, and there is no hope for a harvest in autumn. It seems that a great famine is imminent! This is all my responsibility, and I feel both anxious and fearful. Now, following the previous methods, send people to pray to the gods and deities, to pray to the gods of mountains, rivers, and hills to bring rain. Everyone must be devout and sincere, make every effort to move the heavens, and not miss any offerings. All officials must reflect on themselves, handle cases seriously, stop all civil engineering projects, reduce food and drink, cancel entertainment activities, and prohibit killings." This emperor is truly concerned about the country and the people, truly concerned about the people's harvest.
In July of the Ren Zi year, envoys from Persia, Bohan, and Kucha came to pay tribute. This shows that the emperor's policies are effective, and the country's prestige is still high!
In early October of the Ren Zi year, envoys from the Tuyuhun country came to pay tribute. A few days into November, the emperor conducted a ceremony at the Round Altar. Then, two days later, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The calendar is based on the changes in celestial phenomena; each dynasty has its own calendar, such as the Han Dynasty's Taichu calendar and the Wei Dynasty's Jingchu calendar. Since the founding of our Great Wei Dynasty, the calendar has not been very perfect, and the calculations of celestial phenomena have not been sufficiently accurate. The emperors of the previous dynasties felt this matter was important and wanted to improve it. It was not until the Shen Gui period that the scholars were ordered to re-establish the calendar. After much effort, a new calendar was finally created. Now, as spring approaches and all things revive, it is the best time to change the calendar, just as the Wei Dynasty, although an old country, must also keep up with the times. Therefore, I am now officially announcing this new calendar, which we shall call the 'Zhengguang Calendar'! The ceremony went smoothly, everything was harmonious, and I wish to share this joy with all the people of the realm, so I have decided to grant amnesty to all."
On a day in December, the emperor appointed Huangfu Du as the Minister of Ceremonial Affairs. A few days later, Yuan Qin was also promoted to the Minister of Ceremonial Affairs, King of Jingzhao was promoted to Grand Preceptor, and Cui Guang was promoted to Grand Guardian. Shortly thereafter, the emperor discovered that some local officials were abusing their power, recklessly erecting monuments to praise virtue, building temples and pagodas everywhere, constructing luxurious houses, and fostering commercial prosperity that disrupted the order of the city. The emperor ordered Lieutenant Duan Heng to strictly rectify the situation, imposing severe penalties on those of the seventh and sixth ranks and below, who had enough salary to support themselves through farming but still engaged in business to amass wealth.
In the spring of the following year, in February, the emperor posthumously granted the title of King Fucheng to King Xianyang Xi, King of Jingzhao Yu as King of Lintao, and King of Qinghe Yi as King of Fanyang, and they were reburied according to the standards of princes. A few days later, King of Hejian Chen and King of Zhangwu Rong were dismissed and investigated for corruption and bribery. Subsequently, Anagui of the Rouran state invaded the border with troops, and the emperor appointed Yuan Fu as the Northern Road Inspector to negotiate with them. Later, the Rouran envoy Houni came to pay tribute, and the state of Tangchang also sent envoys to pay tribute. Sadly, Minister Liu Teng passed away.
In April, Anagui fled north with livestock, accompanied by Yuan Fu. On the Jia Shen day, the emperor ordered General Li Chong, the Grand General of Cavalry and the Minister of Personnel, along with General Yuan Zuan, the General of the Central Army and Deputy Minister of Personnel, to lead a hundred thousand cavalry to attack the Rouran, advancing more than three thousand miles beyond the frontier, but ultimately failed to catch up and returned.
On the day of Xin Hai in the seventh month of autumn, the Emperor issued an edict saying: "Those esteemed and respected elderly ministers, who are advanced in age, should be allowed to continue serving the court. In the past, Minister Fang was allowed to remain in the court due to his seniority and status; Minister Chong Guo was allowed to stay in office because of his outstanding abilities. Even if they retired at seventy, they were well-versed in court traditions, and because their virtues were still admirable, they were permitted to continue participating in political affairs. Now, some officials are elderly and should retire as per regulations, but if we were to suddenly lose their contributions, it would be regrettable, and we are reluctant to see them leave. Some officials with white hair are still serving in the court and have not yet reached the time for external assignments; others have just passed their assessments and have not had the chance for promotion. In such cases, even if they are seventy years old, they may continue serving the people until their terms end. However, those who have recently stepped down from county positions or have just been transferred back to the court at seventy and still request promotion may not be considered by the Ministry of Personnel in accordance with regulations. Those renowned, respected, accomplished old ministers known to the world are not included in this exception. For those whose abilities are not particularly exceptional and who are currently serving in the court but should retire according to regulations, they may receive half-pay to enjoy their later years peacefully. This way, retired officials will not feel regret about stepping away from the court."
On the day of Ji Si in August, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The barbarian bandits are rampant and brutal, invading the border. Although our army has fought them many times, the bandits are still fleeing in fear. However, wherever they go, the people are suffering greatly. I am deeply saddened by this and have ordered the Northern Dao Xing Tai to send envoys to inspect the affected areas, providing relief to those who have suffered from war and hunger, ensuring that they can survive." On the day of Wu Yin, the emperor issued a decree saying, "I have mediocre talents, inheriting the legacy of my ancestors, relying on the assistance of royal ministers, always worried about the safety of the people. In recent years, there has been irregular rainfall, unusual celestial phenomena, political discord, and signs from the divine. I worry day and night. Therefore, I command all officials to carry out their duties and provide relief to the widowed, orphans, the poor, the sick, and those who have suffered injustice. Those filial sons and grandsons, honest and upright individuals, as well as those who are talented and virtuous should be reported to the court. I will personally review and commend them." On the day of Gui Wei, the late Prince Ze of Fanyang was posthumously honored as Prince of Qinghe. On the day of Ding You in September, envoys from the Khitan Kingdom came to pay tribute. The emperor ordered the Privy Councilor, Grand Commandant, and Prince Yue of Runan to enter the Secretariat and participate in the deliberations of the Ministry of Personnel's memorial. On the day of Bing Shen in November, King Mi of Zhao County passed away. On the day of Ding You, Grand Preceptor Cui Guang passed away. In the twelfth month, Xiao Yan sent troops to invade the border, and the emperor ordered General Cui Yanbo, known as Who Conquers the South, to lead the expedition. At the same time, Prince Yue of Runan was appointed Grand Preceptor. Prince Hao of Beihai, the Inspector of Xuzhou, was dismissed for corruption. It is said that in the first month of the year 540 AD, the emperor went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven, and there was a minor issue. Not long after, in the intercalary second month, envoys from the He Da Kingdom came to pay tribute, which was considered good news.
In March, there was a major incident in the town of Woye. A man named Luohan Baling led a rebellion, killed the town general, and proclaimed himself the "True King of the First Year." This was a big deal! The Emperor quickly sent Prince Li Yu of Linhuai to be the general of the town army, and also gave him the title of General for the North, commanding the northern army to quell the rebellion.
In April, Chief Hu Chen of Gaoping also rebelled, calling himself the "King of Gaoping," and attacked Woye Town, working in cahoots with Luohan Baling. Fortunately, our commander Lu Zuqian defeated Hu Chen, who then fled. In May, Prince Li Yu was defeated in Wuyuan and lost his position. Things were not going well in this battle! The Emperor had no choice but to appoint Chancellor Li Chong as the Grand Commander, leading Prince Yuan of Guangyang and others to march north to quell the rebellion.
In June, in Qinzhou City, a man named Mo Zhetaiti also rebelled, calling himself the "King of Qin" and killed the governor, Li Yan. The Emperor sent the governor of Yongzhou, Yuan Zhi, to suppress the rebellion. To make things worse, in South Qinzhou City, Sun Yan, Zhang Changming, and Han Zuxiang also rebelled, killed the governor Cui You, and teamed up with Mo Zhetaiti. Mo Zhetaiti also sent people to attack Gaoping, killing the town general Helian Lue and the magistrate Gao Yuanrong. However, Mo Zhetaiti eventually died, and his son Mo Zhenian took over, even declaring himself Emperor, renaming the era to "Tianjian," and setting up a full bureaucratic system. In order to calm the people's fears, the Emperor issued a general amnesty on Dingyou Day.
On the first day of July in a certain year, Yuan Xiuyi, the Minister of Personnel, was ordered by the emperor to also take on the role of Minister of the Imperial Household and lead the Western Expedition, commanding the army westward. A few days later, the titles of Wang Chen from Hejian and Wang Yu from Linhuai were restored. The commander Cui Xian suffered a defeat at Baidao, and the Grand Commander Li Chong returned to Pingcheng with his forces. Due to Zu Ying, the Grand Historian, withholding military supplies, he was removed from office. On the ninth day of July, Mo Zhe Niansheng dispatched his commanders, Yang Bonian, Fan Yuan, Zhang Lang, and others to assault the military camps at Qiu Jiu and Hechi. Wei Zijian, the governor of East Yizhou, dispatched generals Yin Xiang and Li Shu, who defeated the attackers, beheaded Fan Yuan, and killed over a thousand enemy troops.
This month, the generals Yu Bodhi and Hu Yanxiong in Liangzhou rebelled alongside Governor Song Ying and occupied Liangzhou. Mo Zhan, Niansheng sent his brother Prince Gaoyang Tian Sheng to Longdong to suppress the rebellion. On the 7th day of the 8th month, Yuan Zhi was defeated in Longdong and retreated to Qizhou. On the 9th day of the 8th month, the emperor issued an edict stating, "Rewarding the meritorious is the usual way of a wise ruler; bestowing grace upon loyal ministers is the hallmark of a wise ruler. Emperor Daowu of the Taizu Dynasty rose at the right time to pacify the troubled times and established the Great Xia Dynasty; Emperor Taiwu of the Shizu inherited the previous achievements, expanded the territory, personally led the army, and cleared away the rebellion; the generals guarding various states were originally the emperor's loyal subordinates, engaged in long-term battles, toilsome and arduous, experiencing numerous hardships. During the reign of Emperor Xianzu Xianwen, from the north to the south, the Huaihai region needed pacification, so powerful clans were enfeoffed and border towns were established. Emperor Gaozu Xiaowen followed the example of Pan Geng in moving the capital to Luoyang, consolidated the northern border, expanded the southern territory, and selected good families and youths to guard the borders. These border guards are the reliance of the country. The late emperor was about to reward them generously for their loyalty and effectiveness, but Wan and Ying were in urgent need, Qu and Si were on alert, the war continued, and the previous rewards had not yet been distributed, and this delay has persisted until now. Much of the resentment towards the rebellion stems from this issue. After inheriting the throne, governing the world, and wanting to show grace to the people, we should trace back to past favors and double the rewards. The armies of the various states and towns, who have committed no crimes, will all be demoted to commoners, and the towns will be reclassified as states, retaining their original names. These people have been fighting for a long time, most of them are brave and skilled in battle; they have been identified and should be allowed to serve the country. Elite soldiers can be selected to suppress the rebellion in Longyou. People should come together and work in unison to bravely defeat the enemy, and the rebellion will definitely be quelled. Charging into battle and killing enemy generals, rewards will be granted in accordance with established practices."
On August 11, Pastor Nan Xiurong rebelled in Qizhen and killed the Grand Minister of Rites, Lu Yan. General Er Zhu Rong quelled the rebellion. On August 13, Mo Zhe Niansheng dispatched Governor Dou Shuang to attack Pantou County. Wei Zijian, the governor of Eastern Yizhou, dispatched General Dou Nianzu to suppress the rebellion, killing Dou Shuang and capturing over a thousand people. On September 7, the emperor issued an order for the Left Minister of the Secretariat, Qi Wang Xiao Baoyin, to serve as the Grand Governor of the Western Route, leading General Cui Yanbo of the Western Expedition on a westward campaign. He also restored the titles of General of Pacification and appointed Beihai Wang Hao as a governor to lead troops westward. On September 10, the emperor went to the Ming Hall to bid farewell to Xiao Baoyin and his companions. In that month, Xiao Yan sent the generals Pei Sui and Yu Hong to attack the outer city of Shouchun, but Governor Changsun Zhi repelled them, and Pei Sui retreated to Lijiang to camp. The emperor ordered Hejian Wang Chen to lead troops for support. Xiao Yan then sent troops to invade Huaiyang, and the emperor ordered the Secretary of the Secretariat, Anle Wang Jian, to lead troops to suppress them. Fu Lian, leader of Tuyuhun, led troops to attack Liangzhou, abandoning Putu City and fleeing while being pursued. The citizens of Liangzhou elected Song Ying as their governor.
In November, Liu Anding and Jiu Dexing rebelled in Yingzhou and captured Governor Li Zhongzun. Consequently, a man named Wang E'er killed Liu Anding and surrendered to the court. Jiu Dexing fled and proclaimed himself King of Yan. Hu Chen dispatched his general Su Qinming to attack Banzhou, Xiazhu, and Beihua Prefecture. On Renwu Day in the lunar calendar, the court ordered Governor Jing of Beihai to lead troops to suppress him.
On the Wu Shen day in November, Mo Zhe Tian successfully captured Qizhou, capturing Governor Yuan Zhi and Inspector Pei Fen. The people of Gaoping killed Bu Zhao and collectively welcomed Hu Chen. On the Ren Chen day in December, the court appointed Ji, the Grand Tutor and King of Jingzhao, as Grand Master and Grand General, granting him command of the troops for the campaign. At this time, nations like the Yeda, Khitan, Didaoyu, and Kumo Xi sent envoys to offer tribute. The Hu people in the mountainous regions of Fenzhou, Zhengping, and Pingyang revolted. The court reappointed General of the Eastern Expedition and King of Zhangwu Rong, restoring his title and appointing him as Grand Governor to lead the forces to suppress the rebellion.
Wei Zijian, the Inspector of Eastern Yizhou, convinced the Di people of Southern Qin to surrender, recapturing Liu Jun and the Twelve Garrison, and killed the bandit leader Han Zuxiang. Another bandit leader of Southern Qin, Zhang Changming, fearing coercion, also surrendered to Xiao Baoyin. In this month, Mo Zhe Niansheng sent troops to attack Liangzhou, where Zhao Tianan in Liangzhou City captured the Inspector in support of Mo Zhe Niansheng.
In the spring of 501, on the Geng Shen day of the first month, Yuan Fasing, the Inspector of Xuzhou, rebelled in the city of Xuzhou. He killed the acting governor Gao Liang, proclaimed himself king, taking the title "King of Song," renamed the era to "Tianqi," and sent his son Yuan Jingzhong to seek refuge with Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan then sent his generals Hu Longya, Cheng Jingjun, and Yuan Lue to lead troops to Pengcheng. The emperor also ordered Secretary Supervisor and Prince Anle Xiao Jian to lead troops back to suppress the rebellion.
Xiao Jian engaged Yuan Lue in battle at the south of Pengcheng, achieving a decisive victory and capturing all of Yuan Lue's army. However, unexpectedly, he was later defeated by Yuan Faseng due to insufficient preparation. Xiao Yan then sent his younger brother, Prince Yuzhang Xiao Zong, to garrison in Pengcheng. Yuan Faseng, along with his officials, local officials, soldiers, and the people of the city, with a total of over ten thousand people, fled to the south. The emperor then ordered General Zhenjun, Prince Linhuai Xiao Yu, and Shangshu Li Xian to be the commanders, while General Wei, National Teacher, and Prince Anfeng Xiao Yanming were appointed as the commanders for the Eastern Campaign. The emperor restored Li Chong to his former position as Yitong Sanqi and appointed him as the Grand Commander for the Eastern Campaign, and together they attacked Xuzhou. However, Li Chong did not go due to illness.
On the day of Gengshen, Xiao Baoyin and Cui Yanbo defeated the Qin forces at Heishui, killing many and capturing tens of thousands. The Qin commander retreated to Longxi, and the Jingzhou, Qizhou, and Longdong regions were all pacified. The emperor appointed Taishi, General, and King of Jingzhao Xiao Ji as the Grand Commandant, with all other positions remaining unchanged.
In February, the emperor appointed Yuan Cha as the Grand Cavalry General and also appointed him as the Yitong Sanqi. (Yitong Sanqi is a very high position.) The emperor also ordered the restoration of the title of Marquis Changming previously held by King Le Liang, to be passed down to his son Zhongshao. Mu Shao was also promoted to Yitong Sanqi. On the day of Wuxu, a general amnesty was declared, bringing great joy to everyone! On the day of Renchen, Mo Zhenian sent Yang Zha, Liang Xiabian, and Jiang Qi to attack Chouchi County, but they were defeated by Sheng Qian, who was dispatched by Wei Zijian, and Liang Xiabian and Jiang Qi were both killed.
On Renyin, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Encouraging good deeds and punishing bad deeds is an important method of governing the country. In the future, all levels of officials must be assessed annually; county magistrates must assess their subordinates, and provincial governors must assess county magistrates to evaluate their capabilities. If there are errors in the assessment results, the responsibility of the assessors must be investigated." This month, in Weijun, Qizhou, a man named Fang Bohan led a rebellion, resulting in everyone dispersing due to a general amnesty.
On Jisi in the third month, the emperor ordered the Grand Commandant, the Commander of the Western Region, and Prince Jingzhao to return to the capital. On Renshen, the emperor issued another decree saying: "Prince Gaoyang, who is highly esteemed and honest, sets an example for the entire country and has significantly contributed to the governance of the nation, so he should be given higher honors. In the future, official documents submitted by prefectures and counties should be sent directly to the Prime Minister's office for processing, and other notifications should be handled in the same way."
On Jiaxu, the emperor issued another decree saying: "Throughout history, selecting talented individuals has always been important. I have inherited my family’s legacy and am handling the major affairs of the country. I am keen to discover talented individuals to help govern the nation. Accurately judging people is challenging, so I hope that all ministers will widely recommend talents, whether they are officials or not, as long as they are capable. We must carefully examine their abilities and character, and then assign positions based on their abilities to ensure that the country is filled with talents and upright individuals."
Xiao Yan dispatched Xixiu Ru, Yu He, and Jiang Pingluo to assault Zhicheng, but they were defeated by the Governor of Liangzhou, Fu Shuyan, who captured and executed more than three thousand people. Xixiu Ru and others escaped back to Weixing. This month, Cui Chu from Qinghe in Qizhou assassinated Governor Dong Zun, and Fu Dui from Guangchuan captured Governor Liu Mang for rebellion, but were later subdued by the Governor of Qingzhou and Prince Anle Jian. This month, General Wang Bulu of the Borohan tribe seized control of Huaishuo Town.
In April, Xiao Yan sent his subordinate Xiao Yuanyou to besiege Xiaojian Fort. The Governor of Yizhou, Bing Qiu, and the Minister of State Wei Zijian sent
Then, on Xinmao day, the Empress Dowager returned to power and summoned the ministers to discuss the pros and cons of the court. The Emperor issued an edict, stating that he was clueless and that it was thanks to the blessings of his ancestors that he had barely made it to this point. However, those powerful officials, like Yuan Cha and Liu Teng, colluded in secret, imprisoned the Empress Dowager, led to the death of Grand Tutor Prince Qinghe, even exterminated the family of the King of Zhongshan, and killed Right Guard General Xi Kangsheng. These people became bolder and acted with impunity, completely disregarding the Emperor, causing chaos in the world with wars everywhere. The Emperor had had enough; although he had pardoned them several times before, this time he had to take decisive action. Liu Teng was stripped of his title, while Yuan Cha, as a royal relative, was spared death but was stripped of his position.
On the fifth day of the fifth month, Chunyu Dan and his allies scored a major victory; Xiao Yan's army was routed, with over ten thousand either killed or captured, and ten generals including Xiao Shicheng were taken prisoner. Fan Wenchu was solely focused on escaping and ran back to Chengdu. On Wuzi day that same month, Li Chong died.
On Guiwei day in the sixth month, a general amnesty was issued, and the era name was updated. The Emperor also ordered that all civil and military officials who served in the army for two hundred days would be promoted by one level for civil officials and two levels for military officials. At the same time, the Rouran forces defeated the Balin army, killing their generals such as Kongque. Xiao Yan's army was cornered in Pengcheng; Xiao Zong made a secret surrender under the cover of night, and the other generals of Xiao Yan also fled. The pursuers were hot on their heels, and only about one in ten managed to escape in the end.
In the Tang Dynasty, on the Guiyou day of August, the emperor issued an edict to halt all tribute of rare treasures from various regions, warning that anyone who defied this order would lose their official positions! As a result, Du Luozhou, a man from Rouxuan Town, led a group of followers to rebel in Shanggu, proclaiming himself "King Nianzhen." They attacked cities and seized land, capturing several counties and even besieging Yanzhou. But that was not the end; on the Wuzi day, Mo Zheniansheng sent commanders Du Heier and Du Guang to assault Qiuchi County, but they were defeated by the general Cheng Qian sent by the acting commander Wei Zijian, with Du Guang executed during the battle. By the Yimao day in September, the emperor decreed a nationwide reduction of various taxes by half; on the Bingchen day, he appointed General Zuo and Youzhou Governor Chang Jing as the acting commander, and appointed General Yuan Tan as the commander to quell Du Luozhou.
On the Xinyou day, the emperor issued another decree, the original text is as follows: "To pursue merit and commend virtue, encourage the good. The achievements of our ancestors and meritorious officials should be inscribed in the royal records; however, their descendants cannot be neglected, falling into obscurity among the common people, with titles unheard of, and their migration and flow unjustly lost. The famous guardians of Yingchuan and the magistrate of Chongquan have won the hearts of the people with their benevolent governance, yet still remain unrecognized, not receiving the commendation they deserve, which contradicts the proclaimed love and care for the people. Those meritorious officials and famous generals known from previous dynasties, whose descendants are suppressed and not mentioned, as well as those governors and magistrates whose reputations are outstanding, should all be duly acknowledged by the authorities. I will elevate those in obscurity and promote virtuous governance." This means that those who have contributed to the state and their descendants should be recognized, so that the contributions of those who serve the country do not go unnoticed by their future generations. Subsequently, on Renxu day, the emperor ordered all officials above the fifth rank to recommend individuals of virtue and talent that they knew. On the Xinwei day, both South and North Qinzhou were granted a general amnesty.
In October, King Anagui of the Ruru Kingdom sent envoys to offer tribute. This month, the Tuyuhun Kingdom attacked Zhao Tian'an again, which led to Zhao Tian'an's surrender. The governor of Hezhou, Yuan Yongping, and others recommended the envoy He Da to act as the governor, but Liang Zhaozhi's son, Liang Jing, led troops to kill He Da and took over as the governor of Hezhou. On the day of Xinhai in November, the emperor issued a new edict, which read: "Great filial piety honors parents, as recorded in ancient texts; therefore, those over eighty years old should be cared for by their children, who can live with them to fulfill their filial duties." This meant that children should honor their parents, and those with parents over eighty could stay by their side to show filial piety. At that time, wars were raging across the country, and many ethnic minorities began to rebel again.
On the day of Renwu in December, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Emperor Gaozu established the foundation of the dynasty based on the achievements of the Ming Dynasty. Although the subsequent emperors, including the Shizong, also had military accomplishments, the governance was far from peaceful, causing turmoil in the realm and unrest among the populace. The Ming Dynasty has lasted for seven hundred years. I inherited the throne from a young age and have always been cautious, like walking on thin ice. However, I lack sufficient understanding of governance, and my administration and enforcement of laws have not been effective. Powerful officials have overstepped their bounds, disrupting the court's order. This has led to tyranny in the Western Qin region, chaos along the northern borders, and unrest in the Jingman area, resulting in continuous warfare. The severity of the conflicts has even surpassed the Jingyang Rebellion and the military exercises at Xiliu Camp. Yet the military has been slow to mobilize, with the Beiyu region facing imminent danger and Nanyang in distress, threatening to lose the territories of Jingzhou and Mianzhou, putting the country in a grave crisis. Now, the soldiers are filled with righteous indignation, eager to completely eliminate the rebellion and restore peace to the realm, ensuring the people can live and work in peace and security."
I have decided to personally lead the army to suppress the rebellion. The six armies must be well equipped, each fierce like bears and tigers. The front, back, left, and right must be organized properly. The generals must be brave and resolute, the officers must be shrewd in their work, and provisions, weapons, vehicles, and horses must be timely in place. If anyone violates military discipline, loses troops, soldiers desert or rebel, or thieves loot and hide in the mountains, don’t worry about past mistakes as long as they can prove themselves in the future. Recruit them again with new standards, allow them to start anew, spread the word to all counties, and let them join the army. Now, first subdue the rebellious tribes in Jingman and govern the southern border well; then advance eastward to pacify the region south of the Huai River. Afterwards, concentrate forces to attack the Western Rong and Northern Di; personally comfort the suffering people and address their hunger and cold issues. By then, I will return to Luoyang, offer sacrifices to the heavens and earth, present jade bi to the Heluo River, celebrate victory at Mount Tai— that would be great! All officials, local officials, and military commanders, both inside and outside the court, should take their responsibilities seriously and fulfill their duties!
Shanhu Liu Li gathered troops to rebel, claiming to be the emperor and establishing bureaucratic institutions. This month, the emperor appointed Prince Linhuai Yu as the Grand General of the Southern Expedition, leading the army to attack the barbarians in Luyang. In the year X AD, on the day of Gengxu, which is the first few days of the first month, the emperor appointed the eldest son of Prince Guangping Huai, the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites, as the Prince of Fanyang. On the day of Renzi, he also appointed the Grand Preceptor, Prince of Runan, as the Grand Commandant, which is an important position. This month, Yuan Tan led troops to fight in the capital, but was defeated by Luo Zhou, which was quite a blow! Also, the surrendered Hu Xianyu Xiu Li in Wuyuan rebelled in Dingzhou, claiming it was the first year of Luxing— what a bold move! The emperor quickly sent the Left Chief Minister Changsun Zhi to suppress the rebellion, granting him the titles of Commissioner, Acting General of Cavalry, Grand Commander, and Northern Expedition Chief, and let him and Prince Hejian Chen lead troops to attack.
On the Jia Shen day in February, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager went to Xiamen together to personally handle the grievances and wrongful cases of the common people, which was a very down-to-earth gesture! This month, the Diefu Luo kingdom also sent envoys to pay tribute, which was a cause for celebration. On the Geng Zi day in March, the Emperor promoted General of Cavalry, the Inspector of Xuzhou, and Prince of Anfeng, Hui, to the title of Yitong Sansi. Additionally, he posthumously conferred the title of Prince of Zhongshan on Xi, to be inherited by his son Shuren. On the Jia Yin day, Hulus Luoyang from the western Chille region rebelled in Sanggan and colluded with the shepherds of Hexi. Fortunately, Er Zhu Rong led his troops to defeat them; otherwise, it would have been a major problem.
In April, the court declared a general amnesty. On the tenth of April, the Emperor appointed Hui, the Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Prince of Chengyang, to the title of Yitong Sansi, which was equivalent to a higher official position. In Shuo Prefecture, Xianyu Ahhu and Shedi Fengle instigated a rebellion. On the fourteenth, Governor Li Ju fought against the rebels north of Jicheng but was defeated by Luo Zhou, and Li Ju was killed in battle. On the fifteenth, the Emperor appointed General of Cavalry, Grand Marshal, and Prince of Qi, Bao Yin, to the title of Yitong Sansi. The governors responsible for the northern campaign, Wang Chen of Hejian and Changsun Zhi, were defeated and fled back in disgrace, leading the Emperor to directly remove their official positions and titles. The country of Kumo Xi sent envoys to pay tribute.
On the fourteenth of May, the Emperor prepared to personally lead troops to the north to suppress the rebels, and the entire nation was placed under martial law. Previously, Yuan Lue, the Huangmen Shilang who had served in Xiao Yan's court, returned to the capital, and the Emperor bestowed upon him the title of Prince of Yiyang. The Emperor appointed Wang Yong of Gaoyang, the Prime Minister, as Grand Marshal; Wang Yuan of Guangyang, the Minister of Personnel, as General of Cavalry and Yitong Sansi, and then made him the Grand Commander, leading Wang Rong of Zhangwu to the north to suppress the rebellion. On the fifteenth, the Inspector of Yanzhou, Cui Bing, abandoned his post and fled to Zhongshan. On the twenty-first, the Emperor appointed Zongzheng Zhen's grandson, the General of Anxi and Grand Minister of Rites, as Governor to quell the Hu rebellion in Fen Prefecture.
On June 6th, the court issued a decree pardoning the criminals of Qizhou. Chen Shuangzhi from Jiangzhou and Shuzhou raised an army to rebel, self-proclaiming as the "Founding King." The court further ordered the pardon of criminals from Pingyang, Jianxing, and Zhengping counties. The emperor commanded the General of the West, Changsun Zhi, to suppress Chen Shuangzhi, ultimately quelling the rebellion. On the 9th, Prince Yiyang Yuan Lue was reappointed as King Dongping. General Wei and Xingtai's Commander Yuan Hengzhi were promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Yitong Sansi. On the 11th, the emperor again ordered that Ji’s title of King Jingshao be restored, appointing him as King Jiangyang. On the 11th, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Since I ascended the throne, the country has been in turmoil, with continuous warfare; the legacy left by my ancestors is at risk, and the nation is on the brink of collapse. My abilities are insufficient to stabilize the world, causing the people to suffer, and I am truly ashamed in front of them! I will now reside in the main hall, eating a vegetarian diet and wearing coarse clothing. I will personally recruit loyal and courageous individuals; anyone who dares to speak candidly and advise me, and those who are willing to sacrifice for the country, are to come to the eastern gate of Hualin on the 25th. I will personally meet with you to discuss solutions to our problems. The contents of this decree must be made known throughout the entire nation!" On the 27th, General Wei and King Dongping Yuan Lue were appointed as Left Guanglu Dafu and Yitong Sansi.
In a certain year, on Wushen day in July, Du Luozhou sent his subordinate Cao Hezheng to raid Youzhou. As a result, the Xingtai sent Yu Rong to defeat them at Suyuan, where Cao Hezheng was killed, and over thirty military flags and more than twenty thousand cattle and donkeys were seized. On Jiazi day, Hengzhou fell, and Xingtai's Yuan Zuan fled to Jizhou. On Jiazi day, Xiao Yan's subordinates Yuan Shu and Zhan Sengzhen launched an attack on Shouchun.
On the eighth day of the eighth month, the emperor granted the title of King of Changshan to Shao, the Duke of Guangchuan. He also promoted Yu, the Grand General of the Cavalry, the Eastern Envoy, and Prince of Linhuai, to the position of Yitong Sanqi (Equestrian General). On the day of Wuyin, the emperor visited the Nanshiku Temple and returned to the palace on the same day. On the day of Wuzi, the emperor conferred the title of King of Changle on You, the Cavalier Attendant and Prince of Wucheng County. Commander I Wengsheng went to attack Badi and ended up dying in battle. On the day of Guisi, the rebel leader Yuan Hongye killed a descendant of Xianyu Xiuli who sought to surrender but was killed by Ge Rong, who was likewise a rebel. The commander Erzhu Rong captured Governor Wei Qingbin in Sizhou and let his nephew Wei Yusheng take over the affairs of the province.
On the ninth day of the ninth month, Ge Rong defeated the commanders Guangyang Wang Yuan and Zhangwu Wang Rong at Baineiluo, with Zhangwu Wang Rong dying in battle. Ge Rong proclaimed himself emperor, naming his state Qi and adopting the reign title Guang'an. On the day of Jiashen, Chang Jing defeated Dulo Zhou (Dulo Zhou), killing Heba Wenxing, the Prince of Wuchuan, along with his general Houmochen Sheng, capturing more than four hundred male and female captives, and capturing more than five thousand cattle and donkeys. He also captured Pingzhou and killed the governor Wang Mainu. In that month, Mo Zhetiansheng expressed a desire to surrender, and Xiao Baoyan sent Cui Shi, the Left Envoy of the Ministry of Rites, to Qinzhou to receive him. However, Mo Zhetiansheng had a change of heart, killing Cui Shi and sending his body to Hu Chen.
In the eleventh month, on Wuxu day, Du Luozhou captured Youzhou, taking the governor, Wang Yannian, and the acting commander, Chang Jing, as prisoners. On Bingwu day, the court began collecting land rent in the capital: five sheng per mu for private land; one dou per mu for public land. During the intercalary month, a tax of one qian was imposed on each person entering or leaving the city; shops were taxed according to their grade, divided into five levels. Liu Shu and Liu Cangsheng from the Qizhou Pingyuan led a rebellion, and the local troops were defeated. Liu Shu fled to Xiao Yan. Yuan Shu, a subordinate of Xiao Yan, approached Shouchun, and the governor of Yangzhou, Li Xian, could not hold out and was forced to surrender. At first, the long officials, generals, and garrison commanders from various states, prefectures, and counties were required to send deputies as hostages to stay in the capital. Xiao Yan sent troops to assault Xinye, and the court ordered the commander Wei Chengzu to launch a campaign against them. The emperor issued an edict stating: “Recently, the old capital has fallen, the Central Plains are in chaos, and the royal descendants registered in the Seven Temples, who have been humiliated by some commoners, may sever their ties.”
In the first month of an unspecified year, during the first few days, Huangfu Du was elevated to Minister of Works, Xiao Baoyin was promoted to Minister of War, and Wang Hao of Beihai was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, while also concurrently holding the title of Minister of the Three Departments. The dust had barely settled from these official changes when an incident occurred in Xuzhou, where a man named Ren Daoling led a rebellion and seized Xiaocheng. However, the local army quickly suppressed it. A few days later, Ge Rong captured Yanzhou, and the governor of Yanzhou, Cui Kai, vowed to resist to the death but ultimately made the ultimate sacrifice. Ge Rong then turned his attack towards Jizhou. Subsequently, the court ordered an increase in currency minting.
In Jingzhou, Xiao Baoyin and Yuan Hengzhi suffered defeats, and the governor of Dulong, Prince Zhongjiu of Nanping, along with the junior governor Gao Yu, also suffered consecutive defeats. The governor of Dongqinzhou, Pan Yiyuan, actually surrendered to the rebel army. The rebel forces from Gaoping advanced towards Qizhou, where the people captured Governor Wei Langen and then opened the city gates to surrender. The governor of Binzhou, Bi Zuhui, and acting governor Yang Shen also fled, with Bi Zuhui dying on the battlefield. Prince Hao of Beihai also retreated in defeat. The rebel leader Hu Yanzu occupied Beihua Prefecture, in coordination with other rebel factions. Another rebel leader, Chiguan Qilin, took over Binzhou. The court issued an amnesty for criminals in the Guanzhong region as well as in Zhengping, Pingyang, and Jianxing. A few days later, Huangfu Du was promoted to the position of Grand Commandant.
Due to ongoing wars in various regions, the court declared a nationwide state of emergency, and the emperor prepared to lead an expedition personally. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan dispatched Zhan Sengzhen to lay siege to Dongyu Province, and the court appointed Yuan Wei as the governor to suppress the rebellion. In the same month, Xiao Yan sent Peng Qun, Wang Bian, and others to lead tens of thousands of troops to approach Langya, prompting the court to command Qingzhou and Nanjingzhou to dispatch troops for resistance. On a certain day in February, the court issued an edict: "The Guanzhong region has suffered from warfare, and the rebel forces in the Yan and Zhao regions are rampant, causing the common people have been displaced, with agricultural production severely damaged. Coupled with various taxes and corvée labor, the people are suffering immensely. The state granaries are well-stocked with provisions, and the people should no longer endure hardship. To alleviate the burden of grain transport, anyone who can transport grain to the four states of Yingzhou, Dingzhou, Qizhou, and Yongzhou will receive a promotion of one rank for every 200 hu of grain delivered; for those delivering to Erhua Prefecture, they will be promoted one rank for every 500 shi of grain delivered. There is no limit on the quantity; as long as the grain is delivered, promotions will be awarded according to the regulations."
At that time, the rebels had already occupied Tongguan. A few days later, the court restored Kuang's title as the Prince of Dongping and reappointed him as the King of Jinan. After that, Zhao Xiande, a commoner from Dongjun, rebelled, killed the prefect Pei Yan, declared himself the governor, and appointed his nephew as the prefect. The court appointed Li Renshu as the commander to suppress the rebellion. That same month, Cheng Jingjun, a general of Xiao Yan, attacked Pengcheng, and the court appointed Cui Xiaofen as the acting commander to lead the troops to repel him.
In early March, the emperor issued a decree to dispatch troops for a western expedition, causing tension and heightened vigilance across the nation. Fortunately, the enemy had fled, and Tongguan was back in our hands. After a few days, the emperor changed his mind again and decided to march north to quell the rebellion. The emperor appointed Yuan Ziyong as the grand commander to fight against Ge Rong. A few days later, Liu Jun, a commoner from Guangchuan in Qizhou Province, captured the prefect of Qinghe, Shao Huai, raised a force in rebellion, and even declared himself the grand acting commander. On the Qinghe side, a commoner named Fang Xu also proclaimed himself the grand commander and occupied Changguo City, creating a chaotic situation.
In April, our general Yuan Bin went to Dongjun to fight and killed Zhao Xiande. During this time, the Rouran state sent envoys to pay tribute, returning again in June. This month, the emperor sent Li Shuren to quell Liu Jun's rebellion, and at last, the situation was resolved.
In July, Liu Huo and Zheng Bian, ordinary folks from Chenjun, rebelled in Xihua and even changed their reign title to "Tianshou." As a result, the provincial troops quickly put them down. Alas, this was not the end; the Governor of Xiangzhou, Wang Jian of Anle, also rebelled. Goodness, the emperor was in a tough spot and quickly issued a decree granting special amnesty. This month, Wang Shao, the Qingzhou governor, and Hu Ping, the South Qingzhou governor, sent troops to kill Peng Qun, a general under Xiao Yan, capturing over two thousand people. In August, Yuan Ziyong, Li Gui, and Pei Yan attacked Ye City together. They finally killed Wang Jian of Anle, and Xiangzhou was pacified. Then, Yuan Ziyong and the others continued to fight against Ge Rong. In September, Yuan Qing, the Governor of East Yuzhou, led the people of Chengnan in a rebellion. Meanwhile, the Rouran state sent tribute again. In the city of Qinzhou, Du Can killed Mo Zhe Niansheng and made himself governor. In South Qinzhou, Xin Chen also became governor and sent someone to apologize.
In October, the emperor issued another decree granting special amnesty covering Hebei, Zhengping, Pingyang, Shaojun, and Guansi. Then, Er Zhu Rong was promoted and appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and granted the title of Yitong Sansi. In November, Xiao Baoyin, the Governor of Yongzhou, also rebelled, claiming to be the emperor of the Qi state and changing his reign title to "Longxu." The emperor quickly sent Changsun Zhi to take him on. In November, Ge Rong captured Jizhou, seized Governor Yuan Fu, and drove the common people away, leading to many freezing to death—at least sixty to seventy percent. In December, Yuan Ziyong and Pei Yan clashed with Ge Rong but were defeated near the Zhang River northeast of Yangping, and both died in battle. This month, Du Can was killed by Luo Chao, who also sent someone to apologize.
In the first month of the first year of the Wutai era, on the day of Guihai, the court appointed Prince Hao of Beihai as General of Cavalry, with the title of Grand Chancellor and Governor of Xiangzhou, one official position after another, which sounded quite impressive. Two days later, on the day of Yichou, bad news arrived: Dingzhou had been occupied by Du Luozhou, and the governor Yang Jin was captured. Even worse, the governor of Yingzhou, Yuan Ning, had directly surrendered to Du Luozhou. However, on the same day, there was good news: the emperor had a daughter, and it was whispered that she was a prince! On the day of Bingyin, the court issued a general amnesty and changed the era name. On the day of Bingzi, General Changsun Zhi successfully pacified Tongguan. On the day of Dingchou, in Yongzhou city, a man named Hou Zhongde led everyone to attack Bao Yin, who fled with the Nanyang princess and her children, with just over a hundred cavalry, and escaped across the Weihe River, thus pacifying Yongzhou in the process.
In February, the court promoted Changsun Zhi again, appointing him as General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the title of Grand Chancellor and Governor of Yongzhou, while also holding the position of Minister of the Department of State Affairs and the West Road Inspectorate, his official rank continuing to rise! During this time, west of Gong County, east of the passes, and south of the Gonglu River, bandits were burning, killing, and plundering everywhere, causing chaos. The emperor ordered General Li Shenggui to take command and pacify these rebels.
In the year of Guichou, the emperor passed away in the Xianyang Hall at the age of nineteen. Alas, he was taken from us so young.
In the year of Jia Yin, the crown prince ascended to the throne, and a grand amnesty was declared throughout the land. The Empress Dowager issued a decree stating: "The royal family is divinely ordained and has ruled for nearly two hundred years; our ancestors were all wise rulers, and the country has enjoyed stability. The founding emperor ruled with wisdom and culture, while subsequent emperors, including the current one, ruled with military prowess. The officials who assisted the emperor have been excellent, and the emperors have all been wise. The late emperor was renowned for his kindness and generosity, showing filial piety to his elders and being gentle and respectful. I consider myself of mediocre talent, yet I bear the heavy responsibility of governing the people, feeling unworthy of the ancient wise rulers and my virtuous mother. Unfortunately, I am faced with ongoing rebellions and constant warfare in the border regions. I hope heaven will bless us, leading to national prosperity and the flourishing of future generations. Since Pan Chonghua became pregnant, I have longed to give birth to two heirs, but unfortunately, reality did not align with my wishes, and only the late emperor's child was born. At that time, the country was still in a precarious state, so I claimed, falsely, that the late emperor had an heir, hoping to stabilize the people's hearts and rely on heaven's protection. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the late emperor passed away, the nation's power waned, and the royal line was nearly extinguished. The late emperor's great-grandson, who is also the son of Wang Baohui of Lintao, inherited the excellent qualities of the founding emperor; he is intelligent, and the late emperor held him in high regard during his life, treating him like a biological son. His behavior also met the standards of an heir. When the late emperor was critically ill, he summoned him and named him as his successor. However, the late emperor passed away before he had the chance to ascend the throne. Now he has successfully inherited the great authority and ascended to the throne as emperor. I feel anxious and on edge, my heart is in turmoil. Now that the monarch has passed away and the new monarch has ascended, the state is stable, and it’s time to reward those who have served well. From the ministers to all serving officials, they should be promoted. All officials, both civil and military, supervisors, and those dismissed due to the difficulties of state affairs, should receive two ranks of military merit; the military officials of the Imperial Guard, from those below the Zhi Ge to those above the Zhi Cong and the commanders, should receive three ranks of military merit; those who have lost their official positions and titles should be allowed to restore their titles. Those who have been dismissed for treasonous acts are excluded from this. Those who were silenced for their words should also have their voices restored. Officials of the second rank and above who cannot personally receive titles may have them conferred upon their descendants. I hope that all officials and subjects, near and far, will know about this.
No text has been provided for translation.
In the year of Jia Yin, in the month of Yi Mao, the young emperor took the throne. The Yitong San Si and Grand Commander Erzhu Rong submitted a memorial requesting to enter the capital and lead troops south. During this month, Du Luo Zhou fell to Ge Rong.
In early March, Ge Rong and his men broke through Cangzhou, captured Governor Xue Qingzhi, and most of the common people perished. The next day, the emperor posthumously honored the late emperor with the title of Xiaoming. The day after, he was buried in Dingling, with the temple name Suzong.
Ah, Emperor Suzong had a truly tumultuous life. After Emperor Xiaoming of Wei, state affairs became lax and chaotic. Suzong became emperor at a young age, with his mother, Empress Dowager Ling, who wielded power and made arbitrary decisions, surrounding himself with unreliable people and creating chaos in rewards and punishments. Consequently, rebellions erupted everywhere, as war spread to the outskirts of the capital, and the emperor's reign was short-lived before he died. This marks the beginning of the decline of the Wei Dynasty, alas!
"In the month of Gui Wei in early March, Ge Rong captured Cangzhou, seized Governor Xue Qingzhi, and eighty to ninety percent of the residents perished. In the month of Jia Shen, the late emperor was posthumously honored with the title Xiaoming Emperor. In the month of Yi You, he was buried in Dingling, with the temple name Suzong."
"In the month of Wuxu in the fourth month of summer, Erzhu Rong crossed the river. In the month of Geng Zi, the Empress Dowager and the young emperor passed away."
The historian said: Since the reign of the Xuanwu Emperor of Wei, the political system has been in chaos. Suzong ascended the throne at a young age, with Empress Dowager Ling exercising autocratic power, employing incompetent people, and creating confusion in rewards and punishments. As a result, conflicts arose in all directions, calamities spread to the capital, and he eventually did not reign for long. This can be seen as the beginning of the decline of the Wei Dynasty, alas!
