Er Zhu Rong, also known as Tianbao, was from Xiurong in Northern Wei. His family originally lived in Er Zhu River, and hence adopted Er Zhu as their surname. Their family had long led the tribe, with each generation serving as tribal leaders. His grandfather, Er Zhu Yujian, was a strong and robust man, and during the early years of Northern Wei, he served as the chieftain of his people, leading 1,700 Qihu warriors in helping the emperor pacify Jinyang and then conquer Zhongshan. For his meritorious service, he was granted the title of Sanqi Changshi. Because the Er Zhu family resided in Xiurong Chuan, the court granted him a hereditary fief comprising a territory of 300 li in circumference.
Emperor Taizu of Northern Wei initially thought that the land in Southern Xiurongchuan was fertile and wanted to have Er Zhu Yujian move there to live. Er Zhu Yujian said, "My family has served the court for generations, serving the emperor. North Xiurong is already near the capital; how can we move to a more distant place just for the sake of fertile land?" Emperor Taizu agreed to his request. The place where they lived once had a dog that licked the ground, resulting in the discovery of a sweet spring, which is still called Dog Lick Spring today. Er Zhu Yujian died during the reign of Emperor Shizu of Northern Wei. His father, Er Zhu Yude, and his grandfather, Er Zhu Daiqin, both held the title of chieftains. Er Zhu Daiqin was the uncle of Empress Jing'ai of Northern Wei. Because he had a familial relationship with the royal family and had made contributions in numerous battles, the court granted him a lifetime tax exemption and appointed him as General of Righteousness. Once, when he went hunting in the mountains, his subordinates accidentally injured his thigh while shooting game, but Er Zhu Daiqin had them remove the arrow and did not hold anyone accountable, saying, "This is just an accident; how can we punish him?" His subordinates were deeply moved by this. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Northern Wei, he was granted the title of General of Ningnan and also served as the governor of Sizhou. Emperor Gaozu of Northern Wei conferred upon him the title of Duke of Liang. After he retired in old age, the court awarded him one hundred bolts of cloth each year. He passed away at the age of ninety-one, and the court awarded him five hundred bolts of silk and two hundred bolts of cloth, posthumously granting him the titles of General of Zennan and governor of Bingzhou, with the posthumous name of Zhuang. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, due to Er Zhu Rong's contributions to the royal family, he was posthumously granted the positions of Grand Preceptor, Duke of Situ, and Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel.
His father's name was Xinxing, who inherited the chieftaincy during the Taihe period. Their family has been wealthy for generations, with a particularly strong financial standing. One time, Xinxing took a herd of horses out and saw a white snake with two horns swimming in front of the herd. Xinxing found it strange and said, "If you truly have divine power, bless my livestock so that they may prosper!" From then on, his cattle, sheep, horses, and camels increased in number, with various animals grouped together and too numerous to count.
Every time the court went to war, Xinxing would voluntarily offer his horses and provide food and supplies to help the army in battle. Emperor Gaozu admired him and appointed him as the Right General and Guanglu Daifu. Later, after the capital moved to Luoyang, the court permitted him to visit the emperor in winter and return to his tribe in summer. Every time he entered the capital, the princes and ministers vied to present him with valuable gifts, and Xinxing would reciprocate with good horses. Later, he was promoted to Sanqi Changshi, Pingbei General, and became the chief of the foremost Xiurong tribe. In spring and autumn, Xinxing would always go with his wife to inspect the livestock by the rivers and lakes, and hunt for leisure.
During the reign of Suzong, Xinxing was old and requested to pass on his title to his son Rong. The court granted his request. During the Zhengguang period, Xinxing passed away at the age of seventy-four. The court posthumously appointed him as Sanqi Changshi, Pingbei General, and Hengzhou Governor, with the posthumous title of "Jian." During the reign of Xiaozhuang, he was posthumously granted the titles of Jiahuangyue, Shizhong, Taishi, Xiangguo, and Prince of Xihe County.
His son Rong is both fair-skinned and handsome, clever and witty from a young age, possessing strong judgment. As he grew up, he enjoyed hunting; whenever he organized a hunt, he arranged everyone in military formation, issuing strict commands, and no one dared to disobey. In the Xiurong region, there are three ponds situated in the high mountains, with clear, deep water that seems bottomless. Locals say these are the Qilian Ponds, and people from the Wei Dynasty called it the Heavenly Pond. His father, Xinxing, once brought him to play by the pond, and they suddenly heard the sound of flutes and drums playing. Xinxing said to Rong, "The elders say that anyone who hears this sound will become an important minister in the court in the future. I'm getting old now, so I’m passing this opportunity on to you. You must work hard!"
After he inherited the title, he was appointed as the General of the Direct Palace and the Guerrilla General. During the Zhengguang period, rebellions broke out across various regions, so he sold off the livestock at home, recruited volunteer troops, and provided them with clothing and horses. The leader of the Ruo Ruo tribe, Anaguai, invaded the northern border, and the court bestowed upon him the titles of Circuit General, Champion General, and Deputy General, allowing him to follow the governor Li Chong north to campaign. He led his four thousand men in pursuit of the enemy, crossed the desert, but was unable to catch up and had to return.
The Hu leader Qifumo, who had submitted in the Xiurong region, killed the local governor; the herdsman leader from South Xiurong, Wanzi Qizhen, rebelled and killed the Grand Master of Horse Lu Yan; and the herdsman leader from Bingzhou, Suhe Polan, also rose in rebellion. He mobilized troops several times to quell these rebellions. He was promoted to General of the Direct Pavilion and Champion General, while continuing to serve as a Deputy General. Later, the rebellious Hu leaders Qibu Luojian and Liu Aru created chaos in Guasi, and the Qile people in the north, led by Buruo, also rebelled in Woyang, all of which he subdued one by one. Due to these achievements, he was granted the title of Duke of Kaiguo in Anping County, with a fief consisting of one thousand households. Shortly after, he was further promoted to the position of Regular Attendant of the Palace.
The leader of the Chule tribe, Huli Luoyang, raised an army to rebel west of the Sanggan River, engaging in repeated attacks with the pastoral leader of the Feiye tribe, Dieci. He led cavalry to defeat Luoyang at Shenjing and subsequently drove the Feiye pastoral leader west across the river. He was promoted to General Pingbei and Grand Minister of Rites, and was appointed to the position of General Anbei in name, serving as the governor of the Northern Road. He was then promoted to General Wuwei, and shortly after, he was further granted the titles of General with Special Command, General Anbei, and Governor of the various armies in Hengshuo to suppress the bandits, and was advanced to the title of Duke of Boling, with an increase of five hundred households in his fief. His original title in Liangjun was permitted to be granted to his second son.
At that time, he led his troops to Sizhōu, where Wei Qingbin, the governor of Sizhōu, fearing his power, closed the city gates and refused him entry. He was very angry, broke through the city of Sizhōu, and then appointed his uncle Yusheng as the governor of Sizhōu, escorting Wei Qingbin to Xiurong. From that time on, his military might grew stronger, leaving the court powerless against him. Soon, he was appointed General Zhenbei.
After Xianyu Xiuli returned from battle, the emperor promoted him, granting him the titles of General Zhengdong, General Youwei, and honorary General Cheqi, entrusting him with command over the armies of the six provinces: Bin, Si, Fen, Guang, Heng, and Yun. He was later promoted to Grand Governor and awarded the honorary title of Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. At that time, Du Luozhou occupied Zhongshan, and the court was planning to send troops north to attack, intending for Xianyu Xiuli to be the commander of the left army, but he did not go. Later, Ge Rong defeated Du Luozhou, increasing his own power. Xianyu Xiuli was worried that Ge Rong would march south to attack Ye City, so he petitioned the court to send three thousand cavalry to support Xiangzhou, but the emperor declined his request. He was subsequently promoted to General Cheqi and Right Grand Minister of Rites, and soon after, he was elevated to the rank of Yitong Sansi.
Xianyu Xiuli believed that the bandit troops in Shandong were powerful and feared they would advance westward, so he sent troops to firmly hold Fuko and prepare for them. He also wrote to the emperor saying, "Previously, due to repeated rebellions in two provinces and the defeat of our large army, there were no reinforcements in Hebei, which is why I was worried they would invade from the south; therefore, I requested to send three thousand elite cavalry to support Xiangzhou. This way, the court can intimidate them into not advancing southward. Upon hearing that we have such a large force, the bandits would likely think twice about attacking. When I was called back to court, the emperor said: 'Think of those traitorous rebels who were killed; Bao Yin has already been captured, Chou Nu and Ming Da have surrendered, the Sanfu region is stable, and the Guanlong region is also peaceful. Fei Mu led the army to a great victory over the barbarian tribes, and the two capitals have also put down the rebellion in Shu.' The emperor also ordered Prince Haofeng of Beihai to lead twenty thousand troops to garrison Xiangzhou. Prince Haofeng of Beihai is a royal family member and has a high status; having him defend Ye City will indeed stabilize the people's hearts. I just hope the emperor can give him more troops and send him out quickly. Although the western regions have been pacified, we can’t move the army yet; there are still bandit troops in the southern mountains, and we cannot easily shift our forces. Although the court's army is large, it has suffered repeated defeats, and morale is low, making it hard to use effectively. If we do not change our strategy soon, it will be very hard to ensure our safety. In my opinion, the Ruo Ruo leader, Anagui, has shown kindness to the court and shouldn't be overlooked; I suggest sending envoys to smooth things over with him. Then, we can send troops eastward, directly to Xiakou, to demonstrate our strength and hit the enemy from behind; the Prince of Beihai's army will guard the Xiangzhou region with strict vigilance to withstand the enemy's frontal assault; although my troops are few, I'll do my best to guard key spots from north of Jingxing to the west of the various passes and attack the enemy's flanks. Although Ge Rong has annexed Du Luozhou, his prestige has not yet been fully established, and people aren’t united, so we can turn things around." Thus, Xianyu Xiuli strictly reorganized the army and broadly recruited volunteers to defend against the enemies from Mayi in the north and guard Jingxing in the east.
The news of Emperor Suzong's death came suddenly. Rong (referring to Li Rong) was furious upon hearing it, believing that Zheng Yan and Xu He were behind it. He then conspired with Yuan Tianmu and others, planning to lead troops into the capital to support the court and punish Zheng Yan and Xu He. He submitted a memorial stating: "I have heard that the Emperor has passed away, and my heart feels like it's being ripped apart. Upon receiving the imperial edict, I am even more shocked and saddened. Now everyone is in a state of panic, with all kinds of rumors flying around, claiming that the Emperor was poisoned to death. We’ve heard the rumors and have speculated among ourselves. Just a day before, on the twenty-fifth of last month, the Emperor was in good health, but by the twenty-sixth, he had suddenly passed away. This whole situation is really puzzling. Furthermore, when the Emperor falls ill, the attendants should be right by his side at all times, and the royal relatives and famous doctors should be nearby to provide treatment, ready to follow orders and provide careful care. How could it be that no doctor was summoned when he fell ill, and no one was there to attend to him when he died? Is this meant to make everyone feel confused and disheartened? How could this even happen?"
Moreover, the Emperor suddenly appointed the Empress's daughter as the Crown Prince, leaving the court and the people confused. The ancestral tablets have been disrespected, and the people's hopes have been dashed. The country is on the brink of disaster, like a tower of eggs that could topple at any moment. Now they want to choose a baby as the Emperor, allowing corrupt officials to seize power and letting traitors pull the strings in the court. They are merely seeking power and fabricating imperial edicts; it's like burying your head in the sand. Now there is chaos in Qinzhou and Longzhou, wars in Zhaozhou and Weizhou, the forces of Baoyao and Chounu are closing in on Binzhou and Yongzhou, and the armies from Ge Rong and Jiude are threatening the northern regions of the Yellow River. The armies from Chu and Wu are also closing in on the capital. As the ancients said: "If a country does not govern with virtue, neighboring countries will benefit." Now the world is in chaos; who wouldn't take advantage of the situation? While the Emperor was revered during his reign, the border wars continued, and the enemies were not defeated. Furthermore, he is now swayed by the slander of corrupt officials, listens to the advice of relatives, and has appointed Lady Pan's daughter as the Crown Prince, placing a newborn in charge of the empire. How can this bring peace to the world? I earnestly urge the Emperor to reconsider, recognize the loyalty of his subjects, allow me to enter the capital, participate in important court affairs, investigate the circumstances surrounding the Emperor's sudden death, check whether the Imperial Guards were aware of this, and bring Zheng Yan, Xu He, and others to justice to calm the people's anger. Then, convene the royal family members and elect a respected and virtuous royal to inherit the throne; only then can peace be restored, allowing the people to live in safety and contentment." After speaking, Li Rong led his army into the capital. Empress Dowager Ling was filled with fear, so she appointed Li Shenggui as Grand Marshal to command the forces protecting the capital.
In the beginning, Rong Kang declared his intention to take action, so he sent his son Tianguang, his confidant Xi Yi, and his household servant Wang Xiang to Luoyang to secretly discuss the plan to depose the emperor with his younger brother Shilong. Tianguang met with Emperor Zhuang and detailed Rong's intentions, and Emperor Zhuang agreed. After Tianguang and the others returned to the north, Rong set out from Jinyang.
He was still undecided on who to crown as emperor, so he had statues of the founding emperor and the six princes, including Wang Xi of Xianyang, cast in bronze. The person corresponding to the successfully cast statue would be crowned emperor. Only the statue of Emperor Zhuang was successfully cast. When the army arrived in Henan, Rong secretly sent Wang Xiang to welcome Emperor Zhuang. Emperor Zhuang and his brothers Prince Shaoyang of Pengcheng and Prince Zizheng of Shiping quietly crossed the river at Gaozhu to reach Rong's camp. Rong's soldiers erupted in cheers of "Long live the emperor!" This happened on the ninth day of the fourth month of Wutai Yuan.
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Rong was crowned emperor, and the edict appointed him as the holder of the imperial edict, attendant, commander-in-chief of all military affairs, grand general, chief of the palace, concurrently as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, leading general, leading left and right, Prince of Taiyuan, with a fief of 20,000 households. This was an astonishingly rapid rise, going from a subject to an emperor in an instant!
On the twelfth day of the eleventh month, all officials went to the palace to pay their respects to the new emperor. The spectacle was truly unprecedented!
On November 13th, Rong was conned by General Fei Mu of the Imperial Guard, and actually led the officials to the northwest of the palace, saying it was for a skyward sacrifice. Fei Mu is indeed a real piece of work, managing to pull Rong onto his ship of tricks with just a few words. Once all the court officials had gathered, Rong ordered the soldiers to surround everyone, and then began to blame the chaos in the world, saying it was all due to those corrupt officials' inaction, and that the emperor's death was also because of them. This was simply a meticulously planned coup! Then, Rong ordered the slaughter of the ministers, and the nobility and officials were so terrified that they did not dare to resist, just waiting to be slaughtered. On that day, more than 1,300 people were killed, and even the emperor's brother was not spared; Empress Dowager Ling and the young master also met a sudden end that day. It was a bloody purge, plain and simple! Rong's ambition was blatantly obvious; he immediately had Zhao Yuanzhe, the censor, whip up an abdication document and sent a bunch of guys to haul the emperor's body to the river bridge. Such methods were truly ruthless! By the early hours of the morning, he sent the emperor's body back to the camp.
The emperor was both afraid and angry, unsure of what to do, so he sent someone to deliver a message to Rong, saying, "The rise and fall of emperors, as well as their glory and disgrace, are all quite normal. Now the world is in chaos, and rebellions are breaking out everywhere. General, your willingness to step forward is truly fate, beyond what mere mortals can achieve. I only wanted to save my life; how could I ever dare to aspire to the throne? You’ve left me no choice but to do this. Now that the situation is settled and the mandate of heaven is evident, you should quickly ascend the throne. If you refuse to accept it, for the sake of the Wei state, you can choose wise and capable individuals to assist him together." The emperor's words were a desperate act, acknowledging Rong's power while hinting that he should logically ascend the throne. Rong, who had ambitious plans, even had someone create a golden statue, but after several failed attempts, it was never successful. At this time, Liu Lingzhu, a fortune teller from Youzhou, whom Rong trusted greatly, said that the timing, location, and support of the people are not right for you to become emperor. Rong began to hesitate, feeling confused and overwhelmed, and it took him some time to realize, regretting it too late. At this moment, Xian Wuwang and Rong's foreign military advisor, Sima Ziru, and others strongly advised against it, saying that this course of action was unwise. Rong replied, "I have made such a grave mistake; I can only pay for my mistakes with my life. What should we do now?" Xian Wuwang and others said, "It would be better to send the emperor back to the palace; this is the only way to bring stability back to the realm." Thus, Rong sent the emperor back to Chang Le Palace. On November 14, the emperor's honor guard returned to the palace. This whole ordeal finally came to an end.
At that time, some said that Rong (referring to Gao Huan) intended to relocate the capital to Jinyang, while others claimed he aimed to lead troops on a large-scale plundering spree. Rumors spread rapidly, creating widespread panic among the populace. Few scholars in the capital dared to remain; they fled, leaving the streets empty. The palace guards were sparse, and the government had fallen into neglect. Hearing this, Gao Huan wrote to the emperor, stating: "My family has served the imperial court for generations, fighting for many years with steadfast loyalty. I have always sought to serve the country. It is solely due to the Empress Dowager's debauchery and the premature death of Emperor Xiaoming that I was compelled to lead righteous troops in support of the state. Your Majesty has only just ascended the throne, and the people's hearts have yet to settle; chaos reigns everywhere, making it difficult to restore order. Many princes and ministers in the court have suffered untimely deaths. My current limited strength is insufficient to atone for past mistakes or to comfort the souls of the departed. However, conferring posthumous honors for my achievements would at least ensure my name is remembered in history. I humbly request Your Majesty to show mercy and lessen my guilt. Please posthumously recognize the late emperor as emperor, and bestow titles upon the princes and governors of the Three Departments. Confer honors upon third-rank officials as lords, fifth-rank officials as marquesses, and to sixth-rank officials and below, as well as commoners, as town lords. For those deceased officials without descendants, please grant them titles. Regardless of rank, all should receive posthumous honors according to their status, so that the grace benefits both the living and the dead, providing comfort to the souls of the departed."
The emperor issued a decree saying, "After reading your memorial, I feel a deep sense of unease. My shortcomings have brought about this tragedy, and reflecting on everything that has happened in the past makes me feel very distressed. I grant your request!" From then on, the practice of posthumously awarding official titles became rampant, with some mediocre and incompetent officials being awarded high positions, which did not sit well with those of insight. It wasn't until the reign of King Wenxiang of Qi during the Wuding period that reforms began to take shape to rectify this problem, establishing rules for posthumous honors and awards. Gao Huan also sent people to inspect the capital and console the common folk. As a result, people's sentiments gradually settled, and the fleeing officials gradually returned to the court. Gao Huan then submitted a request for regular court meetings, stating that on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Three Dukes, the Minister of Works, the Chief Secretary, the Nine Ministers, and officials from Shizhou, Henan, Luoyang, and Heyin should be summoned to discuss state matters and strategize governance, establishing this as a formal practice. In May, I finally made my way back to my hometown in Jinyang.
In July, the emperor issued an imperial edict, which roughly translates to: "Heaven and Earth govern all things under the emperor's rule, with the stars affirming his merits; a ruler must have loyal and dependable ministers, just like arms and legs support the body. Just as during the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin emerged to show their loyalty in rescuing the people; when the Shang Dynasty declined, Peng Zu and Wei Xian also strived to save the crisis. Since the previous dynasty fell from power, misfortunes have come one after another. You, King Taiyuan, have always supported me faithfully. Your contributions surpass those of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, and your merits are as vast as Heaven and Earth. The royal family can be preserved, and it all relies on you! Therefore, I appoint you as the Grand General of the Pillar State and also in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, with other honors remaining the same.
Receiving this imperial edict is indeed a tremendous honor! The emperor's affirmation and reward make me deeply feel the weight of this responsibility and strengthen my determination to serve the country. It’s worth it to have the chance to contribute to my country in this lifetime!
Ge Rong, leading an army claimed to number a million, is set to attack the capital, and Li Shengui, the governor of Xiangzhou, has shut the city gates to defend against the attack. The rebel forces have already breached Jijun, and villages along the way have been looted. Li Shengui requests the court to dispatch troops to quell them. In September, Li Shengui led seven thousand elite cavalry, each horse with a spare, traveling day and night from Fukou in the east. Ge Rong has long been a notorious bandit in Hebei, and at that time, the disparity in military strength was so vast that many believed he was unbeatable.
After hearing this, Ge Rong broke into a smile and said to his subordinates, "These guys are easy to deal with! Everyone prepare long lengths of rope, and when the time comes, we can just tie them up!" Ge Rong set up his formation north of Ye City, spanning several dozen miles, fanning out like a dustpan, and aggressively advanced. Li Shengu secretly ambushed his troops in the valley as a hidden strike force, grouping the three commanders above into units of several hundred cavalry each, ordering them to raise dust and beat drums to mislead the enemy regarding their numbers. He also instructed the soldiers to fight in close quarters, since clubs were more effective than swords, and secretly ordered each soldier to keep a thick club next to their saddle. During the battle, they were not allowed to kill the enemy but only to use clubs. This was to prevent the soldiers from missing their chance due to bloodshed. Then, Li Shengu commanded the elite units to charge into battle, with strict military orders, and the soldiers fought bravely. Li Shengu personally launched a surprise attack from behind Ge Rong, surrounding him, which led to a crushing defeat for Ge Rong's forces. On the battlefield, he took Ge Rong prisoner, and the remaining bandits surrendered.
Li Shengu considered that there were many bandits, and if they were immediately divided and settled, they might become suspicious and fearful, regrouping again. Therefore, he publicly announced that everyone could return to their homes, stay with their relatives, and choose where to live. As a result, everyone was extremely happy and immediately scattered, and the hundreds of thousands of troops dispersed in an instant. After they had left for over a hundred miles, he began to escort them in batches, settling them in a relaxed manner, and everyone was settled properly. Li Shengu promoted the leaders of the bandit army, assigning them important responsibilities based on their abilities, and those who had recently joined enjoyed a peaceful life. People at the time admired his quick and decisive actions. Then, Li Shengu sent Ge Rong to the capital in a prisoner transport.
The emperor issued a decree: "Your achievements have shaken the heavens and the earth; you have been rewarded with a high official position. You have saved the people, and the title to honor your achievements should be great. Just like Shen Shi praised Bo, unconventional titles were bestowed upon him; Wei Sou assisted the Zhou dynasty, and rewards from different eras were concentrated on him. Moreover, you pacified Ji Shi, conquered Kunshan, inherited a glorious cause, assisted in achieving a great feat, supported the sky about to collapse, and revived the earth about to break. Your virtues surpass those of the Five Marquises, and your merits exceed those of the Nine Counts! Prince Li Shenggui of Taiyuan accepted the imperial favor, loyal for generations. You entered the court to help the country out of difficulties and went on expeditions to eliminate the main culprits. Years of war and chaos were suddenly quelled; the chaos brought by years of war was restored to peace in a day. Yan and Heng were stabilized, Zhao and Wei also restored peace; your achievements and contributions are truly exceptional in history. If we do not follow the old rules and increase your rewards, how can we demonstrate your merits, honor your achievements, and establish a model for the country? You are appointed as the Grand Prime Minister, Commander of all military affairs outside the Hebei region, with an additional ten thousand households added to your fief, bringing the total to thirty thousand households, and your other official positions will remain unchanged."
On the night before Yuan Rong was set to battle Ge Rong, he dreamed of a figure approaching Ge Rong to demand a thousand cattle knives. Ge Rong was initially reluctant to comply. The figure proclaimed, "I am Emperor Daowu (Tuoba Gui)! Do you dare to disobey my orders?" Frightened, Ge Rong quickly presented the knives. The figure took the knives and then handed them to Yuan Rong. Yuan Rong woke up very happy, knowing in his heart that he would definitely win the battle.
The emperor issued a decree, declaring, "Our Great Wei Dynasty, graced by the mandate of heaven, has prospered greatly and bestowed grace upon the world. However, at this moment, our national power is declining, chaos reigns throughout the land, officials are incompetent, the court is in disarray, the people are filled with discontent, and the nation teeters on the brink of collapse. Rebels such as Du Zhou, Liu Qian, and Yan Dai, along with bandits like Ge Rong, are causing havoc everywhere, attacking cities and seizing territory. In the areas of Changshan and Yishui, the sound of war drums echoes through the night; near Bingjing and Congtai, the dust of the enemy can be seen by day. The northern territories have long been left in ruins, and Hebei is on the verge of becoming a wasteland. The ancestral temples and land altars are under dire threat.
Fortunately, the Grand Prime Minister and Prince of Taiyuan, Wang Rong, is endowed with both virtue and talent, with keen foresight and the ability to anticipate the future. He has inherited the achievements of his predecessors, is loyal and devoted, and leaves no stone unturned. He has formulated a great strategic plan, recruited many loyal and brave men, and the soldiers bravely engage the enemy, their momentum unstoppable. They have triumphed in the south and battled in the north, sweeping all before them, striking fear across the four corners of the realm, pacifying rebellions, and executing traitors. The number of enemy soldiers killed surpasses even the Battle of Changping, and the weapons captured are higher than those of Xiong'er Mountain. The states of Qin and Jin were so terrified at this news that they were left trembling in fear, and the states of Qi and Ju dared not make any hasty moves.
Today, the nation is reviving, and an era of peace and prosperity is about to arrive. Even the contributions of Yi Yin and Huo Guang in assisting emperors, as well as the achievements of Duke Huan and Duke Wen in flourishing the state, cannot compare to the merits of Wang Rong. His virtues are immeasurable, and his benevolence extends to all; throughout history, no one can match him! To honor his achievements and expand his fief, I hereby grant him the seven commanderies of Chang Le in Jizhou, Nan Zhao in Xiangzhou, Bo Ling in Dingzhou, Fu Yang in Cangzhou, Liao Xi in Pingzhou, Shang Gu in Yanzhou, and Yu Yang in Youzhou, each with ten thousand households, totaling one hundred thousand households, as a reward and as territory of the Taiyuan Kingdom." At the same time, he is promoted to Grand Preceptor, while other official positions remain unchanged.
Initially, King Yuan Hao of Beihai sought refuge with Xiao Yan, who then made him the emperor of Wei and provided him with troops. At that time, Xing Gao was rebelling in the Sanqi region, coordinating with Yuan Hao. The court regarded Yuan Hao as weak and did not take him seriously.
During the spring of the third year of Yong'an, the court ordered General Yuan Mu to first pacify the Qi region and then return to attack Yuan Hao. Seeing that the army had not yet returned, Yuan Hao took the opportunity to strike directly at Huanglong, quickly capturing the Liang Kingdom, advancing triumphantly without resistance from Xingyang and Hulao. In May, the emperor fled with his entourage to Hebei. This incident was too sudden, causing nationwide panic, leaving everyone unsure of what to do.
Hearing this news, King Rongyang immediately sent a messenger on horseback to deliver the message to the emperor's temporary palace in Changzi County of Shangdang. He set out at the head of his own troops. The emperor's convoy then turned south, with King Rongyang at the forefront. Within ten days, a steady stream of troops and supplies arrived. After pacifying Xing Gao, Yuan Mu also crossed the Yellow River to join the emperor.
Zongzheng Zhensun, a subordinate of Yuan Hao, and the governor of Hanoi, Yuan Xi, fiercely defended the city and refused to surrender. King Rongyang attacked and killed Zhensun and Yuan Xi as a warning to others. The emperor then arrived at Hanoi. King Rongyang and Yuan Hao faced each other by the Yellow River, and Yuan Hao ordered King Anfeng Yanming to defend the river. At that time, King Rongyang did not have boats and could not cross the river. He was planning to return north to devise another strategy.
Yang Kan, along with court official Gao Daomu and others, stated that if the army retreated, they would lose the support of the people, and they strongly opposed this idea. At this time, Yang Yun and others from the Mazhu region had a few small boats and volunteered to guide the way. King Rongyang ordered Er Zhu Zhao and others to lead elite cavalry units to cross the river at night and launch a fierce attack after landing. Yuan Hao's son, General Yuan Guanshou, led five thousand infantry and cavalry to resist, but he was ultimately defeated by Er Zhu Zhao, and Yuan Guanshou was captured on the spot.
When Yanming heard that Yuan Guanshou had been captured, he immediately fled, and Yuan Hao led the remaining troops to escape south.
The emperor crossed the river by carriage and then took residence in Hualin Garden. The emperor issued an imperial edict, stating: "King Wu of Zhou followed the mandate of heaven, pacified the chaos ten times, and inherited the throne; Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was astute, relying on the exceptional talents of Zhang Liang, Xiao He, and Han Xin to pacify the world. The principles of governing the people and stabilizing the country have remained unchanged. To you, Wang Rong, Grand Commandant, Chief General, Chancellor, and Prince of Taiyuan, you are like a vessel of wind and clouds, encompassing the sun and moon, capable of devising both extraordinary and conventional strategies, possessing both civil and martial talents. In the tumultuous times of the past, you concealed your brilliance, secretly accumulated strength, trained your troops in Jibei, and honed your weapons in Jinyang, waiting for your command, then rising to action, eager to pacify the world, with a heart full of sighs. Your loyalty and bravery, alongside the fierce generals under your command, have achieved remarkable military successes, unstoppable in your advance. Thus, you are able to eradicate bandits and revitalize the nation, allowing me, a foolish and inept emperor, to inherit the ancestral legacy.
"Although I successfully ascended to the throne, the bandits across various regions have still not been subdued. Ge Rong is arrogant and overbearing, once again wreaking havoc in the Central Plains. You led the army to crush him and completely eradicate the threat. Yuan Hao is ruthless and obstinate, committing atrocious acts, obstructing our forces, and staining the honor of the royal family. I personally led a mighty army northward, toiling day and night, enduring great hardships. Upon hearing the news, you hurried over and swiftly quelled the rebellion in one decisive blow, ensuring that the people can live and work in peace, thereby solidifying the royal family's rule. Your contributions are immense, unparalleled in historical records; even in terms of merit rewards, there are no suitable precedents to draw upon. Such extraordinary achievements deserve extraordinary rewards, so I hereby appoint you as the Grand General of the Heavenly Pillar! Although this official title was not known in ancient times and does not exist today, Emperor Taizu once established this title, and we now use this precedent to grant you special rewards. Additionally, your fief will be expanded by another hundred thousand households, bringing the total to two hundred thousand, along with an enhancement of the ceremonial music and banners for your front and rear guards. All other benefits will remain the same." Wang Rong then made his way back to Jinyang.
First, Ge Rong's subordinate Han Lou was still entrenched in Youzhou and Pingzhou, so Ge Rong sent the commander Hou Yuan to take them down and kill them. At that time, the bandit leaders Wanqi Chounu and Xiao Baoyin were stirring up trouble in Binzhou and Jingzhou with a large following, becoming increasingly arrogant. Ge Rong then sent his cousin Ge Tianguang to serve as the governor of Yongzhou, ordering him to take commanders Heba Yue and Hou Mochenyue with him to enter the pass and fight. After Ge Tianguang arrived in Yongzhou, he felt he didn't have enough troops to win, so he hesitated and barely took any action. Upon hearing this, Ge Rong was furious and quickly dispatched cavalry officer Liu Gui to the camp to punish Ge Tianguang severely. Ge Tianguang and his men were intimidated and promptly sent troops to engage in battle, winning consecutive victories and capturing Wanqi Chounu and Xiao Baoyin, escorting them back to the capital in a prisoner cart. Ge Tianguang also captur
Ge Rong is particularly fond of hunting, and no matter how windy or rainy it gets, he insists on going. When he hunts, he demands that the team must march in formation; even when encountering dangerous terrain, they cannot take a detour. If tigers or leopards break out of the encirclement, those responsible will face execution. His soldiers are deeply troubled. Tai Zai Yuan Tian Mu advised him, saying: "Your Majesty, you have made great contributions to the country, and the world is at peace now. What you should focus on now is resting and recuperating, hunting in season. Why must you pursue game in the scorching heat of summer, upsetting the natural balance?" Upon hearing this, Ge Rong nudged Yuan Tian Mu with his elbow and said, "The Empress Dowager is in power but cannot govern the country well herself. It is our duty as subjects to support the Son of Heaven. The followers of Ge Rong are nothing but lackeys; they take the opportunity to create chaos and hand out titles without merit, just like servants, and they will be finished if caught. Although I have recently received great grace from the Emperor, I have yet to expand our territory and unify the realm. It's premature to talk about achievements! I have heard that the ministers in the court are relatively lenient, and this autumn, I plan to gather the troops with my brother and hunt in Songshan, inviting those corrupt ministers to join us in hunting tigers. Then, we will set out from Luyang, pass through the Sanjing region, and bring those barbarians to fill the six garrisons. On the way back, we will also subdue the Hu people in Fenzhou. Next year, I will select elite soldiers and send troops to the Jianghuai region. If Xiao Yan surrenders, I will ask to be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households; if he does not surrender, I will lead several thousand cavalry to capture him myself. Once the world is unified and peace reigns, I will accompany my brother to serve the Son of Heaven, inspect the regions, understand the people's needs, and promote education. Only then can it be considered a great achievement! If we focus solely on hunting now, our soldiers will grow complacent, and how will we utilize them later?"
The Rong family, although living outside, has always been controlling the affairs of the court. They widely spread their relatives, arranged them around the court, and constantly gathered information. Any important matter or minor detail, they knew everything. If anyone wanted to seek an official position through the back door, they had to first visit the Rong family, get their recommendation, and nothing was beyond reach. Once, they recommended a person to be the county magistrate of Quyang County in Dingzhou. The Minister of Personnel, Li Shenjun, felt that this person did not have enough qualifications and recommended someone else. When the Rong family heard about this, they were furious and immediately sent their recommended candidate to seize the position. When the Rong family's people went to the capital to handle affairs, even if their attitude was a bit arrogant, the court ministers were intimidated and dared not speak; when they arrived at the gate of the palace, before the Emperor had an audience, they threw tantrums there, relying on the power of the Rong family. The Rong family once suggested that officials from the north should serve as officials in various states in Henan, but Emperor Zhuang refused. Tian Mu went to the palace to see the Emperor and directly said, "Tian Zhu (referring to the Rong family) has made great contributions. If he requests to replace all the officials in the country, I'm afraid Your Majesty won't be able to stop him. He just wants to recommend a few people to be state officials, but you do not agree, what's the matter with that?" The Emperor said solemnly, "If Tian Zhu does not treat me as the Emperor, then I will have to replace him; if he still considers the identity of my subjects, then he should not think about replacing all the officials in the country. This matter isn't worth mentioning at all!" When the Rong family heard that the Emperor refused his suggestion, they were furious and exclaimed, "How did the Emperor become the Emperor? Now he doesn't even listen to me!" Emperor Zhuang was superficially suppressed by the Rong family, but he constantly felt uneasy, fearing he might lose his position one day. In addition, Prince Chengyang Hui, Grand Preceptor Li Yu, and others also wanted to control the power; they feared the Rong family would undermine them, so they colluded against each other, continually slandering the Rong family, making the situation more serious day by day. Therefore, Emperor Zhuang secretly started plotting against the Rong family.
In the third year of the reign of the Emperor, in September, Rong Qi was going to the capital to attend court. The officials in the court were worried about what he might do, and Emperor Zhuangdi was afraid of him, harboring suspicions. Rong Qi's brother Rong Shilong wrote to him, advising him not to come; Rong Qi's wife, Princess of Beixiang County, also advised him not to go, but Rong Qi ignored their advice. The Emperor had long been looking for a way to eliminate Rong Qi and planned to act as soon as he arrived, but because Tian Mu was also in Bingzhou, he feared it would create future problems, so he temporarily held back.
When Rong Qi arrived in Luoyang, someone tipped him off that the Emperor wanted him dead. Rong Qi immediately wrote a memorial to inform the Emperor, and the Emperor said, "Someone outside reported that you want to harm me, how can I believe that?" This caused Rong Qi to let his guard down completely, and every time he went to see the Emperor, he was accompanied by only a handful of people, and these people were empty-handed, without weapons. When Tian Mu arrived in Luoyang, the Emperor laid an ambush with soldiers in the east corridor of the Mingguang Hall and led Rong Qi, Rong Qi's eldest son Puti, and Tian Mu into the hall.
As soon as they sat down, Lu An, the Guanglu Shaoqing, Li Kanxi, the Dianyu, and others drew their swords and charged. Rong Qi was suddenly filled with panic, stood up, and rushed towards the throne. The Emperor first placed the sword ac
Another imperial decree was issued: Wang Rong of Taiyuan is truly a heavenly envoy sent to assist us; his contributions are comparable to Yi Yin and Huo Guang, and his virtues are on par with Duke Huan and King Wen. He was about to exert his efforts for the country but tragically passed away, which is truly heartbreaking! He had already been posthumously honored before, but we feel it is not enough; he should be further honored and posthumously titled King of Jin, given the highest honors, accompanied by a ceremonial chariot adorned with nine crests, tiger guards, three hundred warrior escorts, and a special carriage, with a posthumous title of King Wu according to the standards of Jin's Grand Minister Anping.
Finally, another imperial decree was issued: During the Wutai years, the country was on the verge of collapse, and it was thanks to King Rong of Jin that he remained loyal and saved the nation, allowing it to regain strength. Although he had already been posthumously honored by the royal court, we feel it is still insufficient; he should be allowed to receive offerings in the temple of the founding emperor to better recognize his contributions.
Putai, at the end of Emperor Suzong's reign, was appointed as the Commander of the Imperial Guard. Not long after, he was promoted to General of the Imperial Guard. When Emperor Xiaozhuang first ascended the throne, due to his familial ties to Wang Rong, he was promoted to the position of Cavalry Commandant, General of Northern Pacification, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, he was further promoted to Minister of Rites, then to General of the Cavalry, and was granted the title of Imperial Secretary and Special Advisor. Unfortunately, he tragically died at the age of fourteen. When the former Emperor was newly in power, he posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Imperial Secretary, General of the Cavalry, Duke of Situ, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title of Hui.
Putai's brother, Chaluo, was initially appointed as an Imperial Secretary and General of the Imperial Guard during Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign. He first inherited the title of Duke of Liang County, and later was promoted to King. Not long after, he passed away and was posthumously honored with the titles of Imperial Secretary and General of Chariot and Cavalry, Duke of Sikong, and Governor of Yongzhou.
Wenshu, Cha Luo's younger brother, was appointed as the Duke of Kaichang County during the Jianyi era and later promoted to a king. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, he inherited an even higher title: King of Taiyuan. He died in Jinyang at just nine years old.
Wenchang, Wenshu's brother, was initially appointed as the Duke of Changle County, with a fief of 2,000 households. Due to his achievements in the battle against the Ge thieves, he was promoted to a king, with his fief increased by one thousand households. He was also promoted to Cavalry Supervisor and General Who Pacifies the Army. Later, he served as the Inspector of Sizhou, still retaining the position of General Who Pacifies the Army, and was also granted the title of General of the Household of the Three Excellencies. In the spring of the third year of Wuding, he was executed for conspiring with former Eastern Prefect Ren Cao and others, at just eighteen years old.
Wenlue, Wenchang's younger brother, inherited the title of Liang Prince. During the Wuding era, he served as General Who Pacifies the Army and Grandee Secretary.
Historians say: Emperor Taizu adapted to the times and quickly established the dynasty; Emperor Shizu unified the country with his military achievements; Emperor Gaozu changed the world with his civil governance. After Emperor Shizong, political clarity deteriorated. When Emperor Ming was still young, the Empress Dowager held power. Initially, Yu Zhong was abusive of power; then Yuan Cha took control, exercising control over rewards and punishments, holding the power of life and death. Officials' promotions and honors depended on their relationship with the royal family, while their status depended on their closeness to those in power. Those who sought favor with the powerful used their children to ingratiate themselves; those who wanted to advance and make money used gold and silver treasures to bribe them. Moreover, corrupt officials were in power; those who had merit did not receive rewards, and officials greedily amassed wealth, oppressing the people with power and acting tyrannically. Therefore, signs of rebellion were emerging amid widespread discontent. When the Empress Dowager Ling took power again, the court was rife with corruption. Zheng Yan, relying on his talent and status, strongly advocated for imperial authority; Li Gui and Xu He competed to flatter and seek favor; Yuan Lue and Yuan Hui also vied to flatter the powerful. Self-interest prevailed while justice was trampled, grievances were widespread inside and outside the country, and chaos reigned. The signs of the nation's downfall became evident at this time. Erzhu Rong was originally a senior military commander, relying on the power of his troops. With the sudden death of Emperor Xiaowu and widespread grievances among the people, even the heavens were angered, so Erzhu Rong was compelled to support the state, save the crisis, establish a new ruler, and eradicate evil. This was likely a manifestation of divine will.
At that time, the court was rife with discord, and civil and military officials acted independently; everyone hoped for the emergence of loyal and righteous individuals, expecting someone to turn the tide like Huan Wen did. Er Zhu Rong gained unanimous support from both the court and the people without much effort; he assisted the royal family, supported the new emperor, and paid tribute to the ancestors of the Wei state, without abolishing the old system.
Next, he captured Ge Rong, put Yuan Hao to death, killed Xing Gao, and eliminated Han Lou, with even people like Chou Nu and Bao Yin becoming his victims. Some of these individuals proclaimed themselves kings in their own territories, while others altered the era name to claim the title of emperor, all believing they had the mandate of heaven, each one aspiring to become an emperor or king; it wasn't as simple as petty theft or banditry. If it weren't for Er Zhu Rong's efforts to quell these rebellions and eliminate these major threats, who knows how many would have claimed the title of emperor or king! Therefore, Er Zhu Rong's contributions were indeed enormous!
However, he initially harbored ambitious thoughts of becoming emperor himself; in the end, he caused the deaths of Empress Ling and Emperor Xiaoming, leading to his own disgraceful downfall. The incident at He Yin resulted in rivers of blood and corpses strewn across the fields. This is why he fell out of favor with both gods and men, ultimately leading to his execution. If Er Zhu Rong had not engaged in those treacherous and cruel acts and had cultivated virtue, then what would people like Peng Yue, Wei Xian, Yi Yin, and Huo Guang even mean? In the end, he was killed due to suspicion and coercion, similar to how Kuai Tong advised King Han, ultimately reaping what he had sown.
