Emperor Xianzu Xianwen, whose personal name was Hong, was the eldest son of Emperor Gaozong Wencheng. His mother was Lady Li. He was born in July of the first year of Xinguang, during the autumn season, north of Yin Mountain. In the second year of Tai'an, in February, he was named crown prince. He was intelligent and wise, with a high level of understanding, and showed talents for governing the country and protecting the people since childhood. He was compassionate and filial, and he respected his teachers and friends greatly.
In the sixth year of He Ping, on the day of Jiachen in May, he ascended to the throne, and the world was granted amnesty. He honored the empress as the empress dowager. As a result, General Yihun falsely issued a decree and killed Minister Yang Baonian, Duke Jia Airen of Pingyang, and Duke Zhang Tiandu of Nanyang in the palace. On the day of Wushen, the Chamberlain, Minister of Personnel, and Prince of Pingyuan, Lu Li, returned to court from Tangquan and were also killed by Yihun. On the day of Jiyou, Yihun was appointed as the Grand Minister, responsible for handling affairs of the Ministry of Personnel; Prince Liu Ni of Dong'an was appointed as Minister of Works; and the Left Assistant Minister of Personnel and his subordinate were appointed as Minister of Construction. On the day of Renzi, the Prince of Huainan was appointed as the General Who Guards the West and the Minister of Three Departments, stationed in Liangzhou. In June, Marquis Li Yi of Fanyang was granted the title of King of Danyang, and General Feng Xi of the Eastern Expedition was granted the title of King of Changli.
On the day of Yichou in the lunar calendar, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Heavy taxes leave the common people with no money; light taxes leave the state with no funds. Therefore, taxes should be collected at one-tenth, and the common people will appreciate this. The previous dynasty carefully considered the balance of taxes for the benefit of the people. I inherit the great achievements of my predecessor, always thinking of the teachings of my ancestors, rising early and sleeping late, devoted to the welfare of the people, hoping that everyone in the world can live a peaceful and prosperous life. However, the labor service and taxes are unending. How can we lighten the burdens on the people and help the common folk? Now, there is no war, food reserves are sufficient, and all kinds of miscellaneous taxes should be exempted, and returned to the common people!"
On the day of Guisi in July, Grand Minister Yihun was appointed Chancellor, holding a position higher than all the princes, with all matters decided by him.
In September of the year Gengzi, there was a general amnesty in the capital city. On the day of Bingwu, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The previous dynasty allowed provincial governors to be close to the people. They should be provided with good assistants, so I order the relevant departments to select officials according to nine regulations, allowing former officials to recommend talents. We hope to select excellent candidates, as we believe the selection system is fair and just, ensuring an orderly court. However, the provincial governors and local officials are lazy and complacent, not following the emperor's intentions. The individuals selected are unsuitable and violate the established rules. It is now stipulated that on the day they take office, governors and local officials must recommend prestigious, loyal, and reliable talents from the local area to serve as officials, and former officials are not allowed to interfere. If the recommended candidates are unsuitable, they will be punished for deceiving the emperor." This month, Liu Ziye summoned General Beida and Prince Yiyang, Liu Chang from Pengcheng, persuading him to surrender.
In October, Prince Yangping Liu Xincheng, Prince Jingzhao Zitui, Prince Jiyin Liu Xiaoxin, Prince Ruyin Liu Tianci, and Prince Rencheng Liu Yundu all went to the capital to meet the emperor. That year, Liu Ziye's uncle, Liu Yu, killed him and took the throne.
On the first day of the first month of the Tian'an era, there was a general amnesty and the era name was changed. In the second month of Gengshen, the Prime Minister and Prince Taiyuan Yihun plotted a rebellion and were killed. On the day of Yihai, the attendant Yuen Kongque was named Prince of Puyang, and the attendant Lu Dingguo was appointed as Prince of Dongjun. In the third month of Gengzi, Prince Longxi Yuan He was appointed Grand Marshal. On the day of Xinchou, the spirit tablet of Emperor Gaozong Wencheng was enshrined in the ancestral temple. On the day of Xinhai, the emperor went to the Daoist altar to personally receive the talisman; another general amnesty was declared in the capital. Envoys from Goryeo, Persia, Yutian, Axia, and other countries arrived to pay their respects.
On the Xinhai day in July, the emperor issued a decree, stating that those who obtained titles through improper means might be exempt from punishment in special cases, but would have their titles and official positions revoked. If ancestors or fathers obtained titles through bribery and corruption and then used them to falsely claim legitimacy, they would not be allowed to inherit titles. Those who were promoted not based on merit would also have to return to their original positions. Those who concealed the truth and did not report it would be punished for the crime of insubordination.
In September, Liu Yu's governor of Sizhou, Chang Zhenqi, surrendered with the Xuanhu region. On the Jiyou day, we started to establish schools in the villages, with each county hosting two scholars, two assistants, and sixty students. Xue Andou, Liu Yu's governor of Xuzhou, also surrendered with Pengcheng. Liu Yu sent generals Zhang Yong and Shen Youzhi to attack Xue Andou. The emperor appointed Wei Yuan as the Grand General of Zhen Nan, serving as the Northern Shangshu, commanding various armies, with Kong Bogong, the Duke of Chengyang, as his deputy, to go to the east to rescue Pengcheng; the Central Shangshu, Grand General of Zhen Xi, and Duke of Xihe Yuan Shi led the armies of Jingzhou, Yuzhou, and Nanyongzhou, with the Attendant, Marquis of Jingzhao Zhang Qiongqi as his deputy, to go to the west to rescue Xuanhu.
In October, envoys from Cao Li and Tonghe Kingdoms came to pay tribute. On the Renzi day of November, Bi Zhongjing, the provincial governor of Yanzhou under Liu Yu, also sent envoys to surrender. On the Jiwu day of December, Wei Yuan's army arrived in Shidi, leading to the successive defeats and retreats of Zhou Kai, Zhang Yong, and Shen Youzhi under Liu Yu. The emperor's brother, Prince Anping, died. In that year, eleven states and counties suffered from drought, and the people suffered from hunger, so the court had to open the granaries to help the people affected by the disaster.
In the first month of the Huangxing era, on the Guisi day, General Wei Yuan scored a decisive victory east of the Lüliang Mountains against Zhang Yong and Shen Youzhi, beheading tens of thousands and leaving innumerable others to freeze to death! They also captured Yuan Gongzu, the governor of Qinzhou, and Shen Chengbo, the commander of the Yulin. Zhang Yong and Shen Youzhi managed to escape alone. The spoils of war and military equipment were countless. Liu Yu sent envoys to pay tribute as well. On the Gengzi day, King Daofu of Dongping conspired in Chang'an, killing Deputy General Prince Duhua Wangu Zhen, Duke Li Hui of Julu, and Governor Yu Xuanming of Yongzhou. On the Bingwu day, the Emperor ordered Sikong, Duke Pingchang, and his attendant, as well as Duke Yuan Pi of Dongyang, to attack Daofu. On the Dingwei day, Daofu's general Duan Taiyang betrayed Daofu and killed him, sending Daofu's head to the capital. Daofu's brothers were also executed.
In the leap month, the Emperor appointed Prince Li Jun of Dunqiu as the Grand Chancellor. Liu Yu's governor of Qingzhou, Shen Wenxiu, and governor of Jizhou, Cui Daogu, also sent envoys to request allegiance. The Emperor ordered General Pingdong Changsun Ling and General Pingnan, Duke Hou Qiongqi to support them. In February, the Emperor dispatched an envoy with the authority to command military affairs, General Murong Baiyao, leading fifty thousand cavalry to Qiangzhu, as rear support for the eastern front. Prince Xiaoxin of Jiyin passed away. Countries such as Goguryeo, Kumo Xie, Jufu Fu, Yuyuling, Rilian, Pili Er, and Yutian all sent envoys to pay tribute. Liu Yu's governor of Dongping, Shen Zuan, stationed at Wuyan, blocked the passage of the royal envoys, prompting the Emperor to order General Murong Riyang to march against him. On the Jiayin day in March, Wuyan fell. Shen Wenxiu and Cui Daogu revolted again and rejoined Liu Yu. Murong Baiyao turned back to confront them, capturing Liu Yu's strongholds at Feicheng, Yuanmiao, and Migou.
In April, Murong Baiyao attacked Shengcheng, and the defending general, Fang Chongji, fled. In August, Murong Baiyao attacked Licheng. On the Dingyou day, the emperor went to Wuzhou Mountain Stone Cave Temple to enjoy some leisure time. On the Wushen day, Prince Hong was born, and the emperor granted a general amnesty and changed the era name. On the Renzi day in September, envoys from countries such as Goryeo, Yutian, Pulang, and Sogdiana came to offer tribute. On the Dingsi day, the emperor promoted Li Bai, the Duke of Fengyi, to the title of King of Liangjun. This month, the emperor ordered that impoverished residents of the six towns each received three pieces of cloth. On the Guimao day in October of a certain year, the emperor was working the fields at Nan Chi. King Kongque of Puyang was demoted to duke due to negligence, which drew harsh criticism!
In the spring of two years later, on the Guimao day of February, the emperor went hunting in Xishan again, personally shooting tigers and leopards—what a display of power! During this time, Cui Daogu, Liu Yu, Liang Zoushu, and Pingyuan Prefect Liu Xiubin all surrendered together; it seems that the emperor's reputation is far-reaching! In the same month, the bandit Sima Xiufu in Xuzhou claimed to be the Prince of Jin, but he truly overestimated his own abilities and was quickly subdued by General Wei Yuan. In March, Bai Yao began to besiege Dongyang, while Liu Yu sent envoys to pay tribute, which shows a remarkably quick change in attitude. On the day of Xinchou in April, the emperor appointed Duke of Nanjun Li Hui as Grand General of Southern Expedition, Yitong Sansi, Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of Guanyou, Governor of Yongzhou, and also elevated him to a king—a true mark of honor and favor! Even more impressively, envoys from countries like Goryeo, Khitan, Jufufo, Yuyuling, Riyue, Pilier, Chiluoshou, Xiwandan, Adahe, Yuzhenhou, Yutian, and the Persian Empire all came to pay tribute; the emperor's face is truly great! In May, on the day of Yimao, the emperor went to Guoshan to farm, and then went to Fanzhi, returning to the palace only on the day of Xinyou. On the day of Gengchen in June, the emperor opened up new land in Henan and pardoned criminals in the capital who had committed crimes below the death penalty—a reason for widespread celebration. At the same time, the emperor also appointed Prince Changli Feng Xi as Grand Tutor, a significant position! On the day of Xinhai in September, the emperor again appointed Uncle Zhen as the King of Nan'an, Changshou as the King of Chengyang, Tailuo as the King of Zhangwu, and Xiu as the King of Anding, adding several new princes to the imperial family.
In October, during the winter, on the Xin Chou day, the emperor was farming at Cold Spring. Eleven months later, due to droughts and floods affecting twenty-seven states and towns, the emperor ordered the opening of granaries to distribute grain to relieve the disaster victims; he truly was a benevolent emperor! On the Jia Wu day in December, the emperor issued an edict stating: “Recently, Zhang Yong rebelled and dared to defy the royal command, resulting in countless corpses strewn across the land and numerous casualties. I am deeply pained by the grievances of these deceased, as do the common people, so I command all counties to allow the disabled soldiers from Zhang Yong's army to return to Jiangnan, and those bodies left in the wilderness must be properly gathered and buried.” This month, envoys from more than ten countries, including Xiwandan, came to pay tribute, indicating that the emperor's prestige is on the rise! On the Yi Chou day in the third year of the reign, Dongyang City fell, and Shen Wenxiu was captured. On the Wu Chen day, the Minister of Works and Duke of Pingchang, passed away. In February, the Rouran, Goryeo, Kumoxi, Khitan, and other nations sent envoys to pay tribute again; the emperor truly commands great authority across the land! On the Ji Mao day, the emperor appointed Murong Baiyao, Duke of Shangdang, as the commander of military affairs in Qingqi, Dongxu, and other three provinces, General of the Southern Expedition, and Governor of the Three Departments, and promoted him to the rank of King of Jinan, which is a recognition of his contributions!
In the year 465, on the eighth of April, Emperor Liu Yu of the Liu Song dynasty sent envoys to pay tribute. On the fourteenth, the emperor named his son Hong and issued a decree of amnesty for the entire world. On the fifteenth, the emperor went hunting in Guo Mountain. In May, the emperor relocated the people of Qingzhou to the capital. On the eighth of June, the emperor declared his son Hong as the crown prince.
In July, the Rouran also sent envoys to pay tribute. In October, Li Jun, the Chamberlain, Grand Chancellor, and Duke of Dunqiu, passed away. In November, the chieftain of Tuyuhun, Bai Yangti Duhuan, led his people to submit to the imperial court. Han Tui was promoted and granted the title of king.
In January of the year 466 AD, the court ordered the granaries to be opened to relieve the famine-stricken people across eleven provinces. In February, Prince Lu Dingguo of Dongju was appointed as the Minister of Works. Goryeo, Khitan, and Kumo Xi sent envoys to pay tribute. Shiyin of Tuyuhun failed to present tribute, so the Emperor sent Changsun Guan to attack him. Prince Shihou of Guangyang passed away. In March, the Emperor issued a decree, stating his deep concern for the people's suffering and calling for the gathering of skilled doctors and valuable medicinal herbs to aid them. In April, a general amnesty was declared. On the 27th, Changsun Guan's forces defeated Shiyin at Mantou Mountain. Shiyin fled with several hundred cavalry. Shiyin's brother Douwu and their leader Pilou Balei surrendered with their troops. In May, the Emperor appointed his younger brother as Prince Jianchang. In June, Liu Song sent envoys to offer tribute again. In August, a group of bandits attacked Pengcheng, killing the general Yuan Jiechou, but the chief of staff led troops to wipe them out. The Rouran people invaded the border. On the third day of September, the Emperor personally led his troops on a northern campaign and defeated the enemy at Nvshui. The Minister of Works and Prince Dong'an Liu Ni were dismissed due to their errors. On the seventh day of September, the Emperor returned from the campaign and hosted a banquet to celebrate the victory, reporting the situation to the ancestral temple. In October, Prince Murong Baiyao of Jinan and Prince Li Fu of Gaoping were executed. In November, the court ordered the restrictions on mountains and swamps to be lifted. On the thirteenth day of December, the Emperor visited Luye Park and Shiku Temple for some leisure time. Prince Xincheng of Yangping passed away.
In the spring of the year 455 AD, on the day of Yihai in the third month, the emperor issued a decree: "Since the establishment of Tian'an, the country has faced ongoing major challenges. The southern region has been pacified in the area of Xuzhou, and the remnants of the enemies in the north have also been eliminated. Soldiers who have deserted are deserving of punishment. Although I have always been lenient, a lenient policy flows like water, and the number of deserters keeps increasing. It is necessary to strictly enforce the law to deter the wicked. Effective immediately, all deserting soldiers and officials who are supposed to serve but are wandering must turn themselves in by June 30th; those who do not surrender will be punished according to the law." The emperor also sent Court Attendant Xing You to see Liu Yu.
In the summer, in the fourth month, the Xianbei tribe in the western region rebelled. The emperor ordered King Tianci of Ruyin and the attendant Luo Yun to suppress the rebellion. As a result, Luo Yun was attacked and killed by the Xianbei tribe, resulting in the deaths of fifteen or sixteen individuals. Prince Changsun Dun of Beiping passed away. On the day of Dingwei in the sixth month, the emperor conducted an inspection tour of Hexi.
In the autumn, on the day of Bingyin in the seventh month, the emperor arrived at Yinshan. On the day of Dinghai in the eighth month, the emperor's carriage returned to the imperial palace. The emperor showed little interest in state affairs and had been thinking of abdicating the throne to his uncle, Prince of Jingzhao, Zi Tui, as noted in "The Biography of Prince Rencheng." The ministers strongly opposed this, and the emperor gave up on the idea. On the day of Bingwu, the emperor formally designated the Crown Prince, saying, "In the past, Yao and Shun abdicated because their sons were unreliable. If they were as capable as Dan Zhu and Shang Jun, who would choose those mediocre individuals? Although you are young, you possess the demeanor of a true monarch. You will surely uphold the royal way and benefit the people. Now I entrust the imperial seal to the Grand Preceptor and Prince Jian'an, who will pass on the throne to you. After you ascend to the throne, you must govern diligently, honor our ancestors, and grant me a peaceful retirement. Doesn't that sound good?"
On the day of Dingwei, the emperor issued a decree again, saying, "I have inherited great authority and am in an era of peace and prosperity; the world is submissive, and the four seas are calm. So I wish to live a quiet and simple life, focusing my efforts. However, dealing with political affairs all day long is taking a toll on my physical and mental health; if one day is delayed, political affairs will accumulate. However, a son should honor his father when taking over the throne; it's only natural for a father to pass his position to his son. Now, according to the mandate of heaven and considering everyone's opinions, I have decided to let you inherit the throne. As for me, I will live quietly, dedicating myself to the country and ensuring its peace and prosperity. Isn't this good? Officials, you must assist the crown prince well to repay the grace of heaven. Spread this news to all parts of the country, so that everyone knows."
Then the ministers reported, "In the past, during the reign of the Three Emperors, they were all quiet and inactive, hence the title 'emperor.' After Emperor Gaozu of Han was proclaimed emperor, he honored his father as the Emperor Emeritus, indicating that the emperor is not the only one in the world. Now that the emperor is still young, the affairs of the state still need you to preside over. We suggest that you be honored as the Emperor Emeritus." The emperor agreed.
On the day of Jiyou, the Emperor Emeritus moved to the Chongguang Palace, that was simple and unadorned, with earth-built steps instead of carved beams and painted rafters. All major state affairs were reported to him. In the first year of Chengming, at the age of twenty-three, the emperor passed away in the Yong'an Hall, posthumously honored as Emperor Xianwen, with the temple name Xianzu, and was buried in Jinling, Yunzhong.
Historians commented: The emperor was exceptionally intelligent, mature and wise beyond his years, decisive and sagacious; that is Emperor Xianzu! He pacified the northern border and expanded the southern territories. However, he grew tired of the throne too early, ultimately leading to a change in the court. Was this truly the will of heaven?
