Xiao Cha, styled Lisi, was a native of Lanling and the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty and the third son of Crown Prince Xiao Tong. He loved learning from a young age, excelled in writing, and was particularly proficient in Buddhist doctrines. Emperor Wu of Liang held him in special esteem. In the sixth year of the Liang Pingtong era, he was granted the title of Duke of Qujiang. In the third year of the Zhongdatong era, he was promoted to the Prince of Yueyang. He held various positions including General of Xuanhui, Commander of Shitou, Prefect of Langya, Prefect of Pengcheng, and Inspector of Eastern Yangzhou. Initially, after the death of Crown Prince Xiao Tong, Emperor Wu did not make Xiao Cha or his brothers his heirs, instead choosing Emperor Jianwen, which left him feeling guilty, so he favored Xiao Cha and his brothers. Because the Kuaiji region was known for its outstanding people and was an important political center, Emperor Wu appointed Xiao Cha to the important position of Inspector of Eastern Yangzhou as a way to ease his guilt. However, Xiao Cha felt a lingering resentment for not having inherited the throne along with his brothers. Additionally, as Emperor Wu grew older and the court became corrupt, driving the country into decline, Xiao Cha began to secretly amass wealth, cultivate relationships with guests, recruit strong and ruthless outlaws, and show them exceptional kindness. Gradually, he gathered thousands of loyal warriors, all of whom received generous provisions.
In the first year of the Zhongdatong era, Xiao Cha was appointed as the military governor in charge of five provinces: Yong, Liang, Eastern Yi, and both Northern and Southern Qin, as well as Jingling and Suizhou. His official title was General of the Western Command, concurrently serving as the Captain of Ningman and Inspector of Yongzhou. Xiao Cha believed that Xiangyang had a strategic location and was where Emperor Wu established his foundation during his conquests; during peaceful times, he could consolidate his base there, and during chaotic times, he could plot for dominance. Therefore, he began to strictly demand of himself, working to cultivate a positive reputation among the populace, diligently managing state affairs, and focusing on appeasing the populace and boosting productivity. He issued orders declaring:
"In ancient times, those who were adept at governing a country did not rely solely on their own observations. They widely listened to the opinions of wise individuals, which enabled them to receive information from all directions; they drew on the experiences and lessons from the outside world, which made their vision clearer. Thus, Pang Can was able to understand the needs of the common people because he extensively sought the opinions of esteemed scholars; Ma Yuan was able to handle governmental affairs well because he frequently held his subordinates to account; Wang Chen was adept at administering rewards and punishments; and Lü Qian was able to succeed, all for specific reasons: thus, they were able to demonstrate good governance at that time and leave a lasting legacy.
I, with my limited experience, have the daunting task of governing such an important province, and I am constantly worried that my character is lacking, that the people will not comply, and that the administration will fall into chaos. At night, I toss and turn, unable to sleep and forgetting to eat as I sit at my desk, only wanting to find good methods to make up for my shortcomings. There are many things in Yongzhou that are harmful to the common people and detrimental to governance: officials are corrupt and greedy, the garrison commanders are weak and incompetent, checkpoints and markets exploit the common people indiscriminately, and wealthy landlords hide their riches. I have detailed all these issues to the court, hoping that they can properly rectify them. Furthermore, the key to effective governance for an inspector is finding the right balance; it should neither be too lax nor too strict, rewards and punishments must be reasonable, and the right talent must be chosen for positions. One should neither favor the wicked nor exclude the loyal and upright; I have been reflecting on these matters and wish to bring them to the court's attention, hoping they will understand my intentions. My words are like salt and sour plums, though they may be bitter, they are all for your benefit; I hope you will not conceal them. I will also broadly inform the elders in the countryside, so they understand my intentions.
As a result, governance in Yongzhou became transparent and orderly."
In the second year of Taiqing, Emperor Wu of Liang appointed Xiao Yu (Xiao Cha's brother) as the governor of Xiangzhou, transferred the former governor of Xiangzhou, Zhang Zuan, to Yongzhou, and replaced Xiao Cha. Zhang Zuan, relying on his talent and prestige, became arrogant and looked down on the young Xiao Yu, and did not show proper respect when welcoming him. Xiao Yu felt quite displeased. After arriving at the prefecture, he feigned illness and refused to see Zhang Zuan. Later, he heard that Hou Jing had rebelled and started to suppress Zhang Zuan. Zhang Zuan was afraid of being caught by Hou Jing, so he escaped on a small boat at night, wanting to run to Yongzhou, but feared that Xiao Cha would turn him away. At that time, Emperor Liang was stationed in Jiangling, and Zhang Zuan had known him before, hoping to enlist Emperor Liang's help to eliminate the Xiao brothers. Coincidentally, Emperor Liang, Xiao Yu, and the governor of Xinzhou, Prince Guiyang Wang Zao, led their troops to rescue Jinling. Prince Guiyang Wang Zao arrived at Jiangjin from the gorge, Xiao Yu arrived at Jiangkou, and Emperor Liang arrived at Wucheng in Yingzhou. By this time, Hou Jing had already requested peace talks, and Emperor Wu of Liang ordered the troops to withdraw. Xiao Yu wanted to return to Xiangzhou from Jiangkou, and Prince Guiyang Wang Zao wanted to wait for Emperor Liang to arrive before paying respects to the governor and then returning to his prefecture. At this time, Zhang Zuan was in Jiangling and wrote a letter to Emperor Liang saying, "Prince Xiao Yu of Hedong is sailing upstream and wants to attack Jiangling. Yueyang is in Yongzhou, and the two of them are plotting something." The chief general of the Jiangling garrison, Zhu Rong, also sent someone to report, "Prince Guiyang is staying in Jiangling and intends to assist Xiao Yu and Xiao Cha." Emperor Liang believed this, ordered the ships to be sunk, cut the ropes, and returned to Jiangling. After returning to Jiangling, he captured Pr
At first, Emperor Liang Yuan planned to send troops to support the city of Jianye, ordering the various states under his jurisdiction to send troops south to face the national emergency. Xiao Cha sent his chief of staff, Liu Fanggui, to lead the vanguard, preparing to depart from Hankou. Just as the troops were preparing to depart, Emperor Yuan also sent the consultant Liu Jue to persuade Xiao Cha to lead his own troops. Xiao Cha hesitantly refused, which angered Emperor Yuan. Liu Fanggui and Xiao Cha had a rocky relationship, and he secretly conspired with Emperor Yuan to attack Xiao Cha. Before the troops could depart, Xiao Cha called Liu Fanggui over for another matter. Liu Fanggui feared his plan had been uncovered, so he occupied Fancheng and refused to follow orders. Xiao Cha sent envoys, including Wei Yide and Du An, to attack him.
Facing a dire situation, Liu Fanggui sent his son Liu Qianchao to Jiangling for reinforcements. Emperor Liang Yuan gave Liu Qianchao a lot of money, officially to report back, but actually to secretly support Liu Fanggui. By the time Liu Qianchao arrived at the embankment, Fancheng had already fallen. Xiao Cha captured Liu Fanggui's brothers and associates, executing them all.
Liu Qianchao then arrived in the capital, while Xiao Cha kept delaying and refusing to relinquish power, staying in the western part of the city and putting on a polite front. However, in reality, Xiao Cha still called the shots in military and civilian matters. Xiao Cha thought Liu Qianchao was behind all this because of the matter involving Liu Fanggui, so he decided to scheme against him in secret. Fearing for his safety, Liu Qianchao asked the Emperor to call him back. The Emperor sent someone to Xiao Cha to bring Liu Qianchao back, but Xiao Cha held him captive. Du An and his brothers tricked Liu Qianchao, saying, "The common folks see how powerful Prince Yueyang is and don’t dare to cross him. You should head to the West Mountain to lay low. Once you get a feel for the situation, people from near and far will definitely come to seek refuge with you. With your good deeds, you can achieve anything." Liu Qianchao thought they made sense and allied with Du An and others. He also wanted the people of Yongzhou to gather their forces on the West Mountain. Therefore, Liu Qianchao dressed as a woman, rode in a blue cloth cart, and escaped with a dozen trusted followers. Xi Yin and the others rushed to tell Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha ordered his army officer Yin Zheng and Du An to lead the troops to chase them down. Knowing he couldn’t escape, Liu Qianchao asked to become a monk.
At that time, the situation was dire, so he left military strategist Cai Dabao to guard Xiangyang, while he led 20,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry to attack Jiangling to provide assistance. There was a palisade outside the city of Jiangling, surrounding the city walls, but the northern side was still incomplete. So he launched an attack there. Emperor Yuan was filled with fear, so he sent military strategist Yu Huan to convey a message to him, saying, "Now is a time of moral decay and widespread chaos. Why do you come to imitate such behavior? What are you trying to accomplish? I have received the grace of the late emperor and entrusted your brother to me. Now you send your nephew to attack your uncle; how can this be justified?" He replied to Yu Huan, "My brother is innocent, yet he remains besieged. As brothers, how can I stand by and do nothing? If the Emperor still remembers the grace of the late emperor, this wouldn't have happened. If you can withdraw your troops to the Xiang River, I will immediately withdraw my troops back to Xiangyang." After failing to breach the palisade, he retreated to fortify his position. He then concentrated his forces and launched a full-scale attack. Coincidentally, there was a heavy rain, causing the ground to flood to a depth of four feet, soaking his troops and sapping their morale. His generals Du An, Du An's younger brother Du You'an, and Du An's nephew Du Gang, fearing his defeat, surrendered to Jiangling with their troops. His troops were in a state of panic, and that night, they fled back to Xiangyang in disarray, abandoning numerous weapons, equipment, and supplies in the river. At first, he imprisoned Zhang Zuan in the camp, but at this point, he executed Zhang Zuan before making his retreat.
When Du An surrendered, he requested to lead five hundred cavalry to attack Xiangyang. When they were thirty li away from the city, the people inside noticed. Cai Dabaoh helped his mother, the Gong family from Baolin, to climb the city wall and closed the city gates to resist. When he returned that night, his mother did not know he had been defeated and thought the enemy was attacking. It was not until dawn when she saw him that she welcomed him back into the city. Upon hearing that Cai Dabaoh had returned, Du An and the others fled to his brother Du Yan, who was in Guangping. He then sent generals Yin Zheng, Xue Hui, and others to attack, capturing Du Yan, Du An, and others, along with their mothers, wives, and children, and then executed them all at Xiangyang's north gate. They completely wiped out all the Du family's relatives, even locking up children and distant relatives in a silkworm rearing room. He also dug up their graves, burned their remains, and scattered their ashes.
Xiao Cha had a falling out with Jiangling and, worried he could not hold his position, in the fifteenth year of the Datong reign, sent someone to pledge allegiance and request to become a vassal state of Wei. The Wei Xiaowen Emperor then sent Rong Quan, the Sacrificial Official from the East Pavilion of the Minister of State, to handle this matter. Xiao Cha was overjoyed. In the same year, Emperor Yuan of Liang sent Liu Zhongli to lead troops to attack Xiangyang. Xiao Cha was filled with fear and hurriedly sent his wife, the Wang clan, and his son, Xiao Yi, to act as hostages, requesting Wei for assistance. The Wei Xiaowen Emperor sent Rong Quan back with a response and dispatched Yang Zhong to lead troops for support.
In the sixteenth year of the Datong reign, Yang Zhong captured Liu Zhongli. After pacifying the eastern part of Hanzhong, Xiao Chao was finally secure. The court was discussing allowing Xiao Chao to inherit the title of King of Liang, but he felt he hadn't received a formal imperial decree, so he hesitated to accept it. Rong Quan was still with Xiao Chao then, so he hurried back to report the situation in detail to Emperor Xiaowen of Wei. Emperor Xiaowen then sent the acting Sanqi Changshi Zheng Mu and Rong Quan with the emperor's decree and seal to officially confer the title of King of Liang upon Xiao Chao. It was only then that Xiao Chao established a government in Xiangyang and began appointing officials himself.
In the seventeenth year of Datong, Xiao Chao left Cai Dabo to defend Xiangyang and personally went to Luoyang to pay a visit to Emperor Xiaowen of Wei. Emperor Xiaowen asked Xiao Chao, "You came this time thanks to Rong Quan, do you want to meet him?" Xiao Chao replied, "I’d be thrilled!" Emperor Xiaowen then called for Rong Quan to meet with him. Then Emperor Xiaowen said, "Rong Quan is a good person. I have worked with him and have never seen him act dishonestly!" Xiao Chao said, "Rong Changshi can communicate selflessly in both languages, and that's why I can sincerely submit to the Wei court now!"
In the year 550, Emperor Gaozu ordered General Yu Jin to attack Jiangling, and Xiao Chao also led troops to assist. After the fall of Jiangling, Emperor Gaozu appointed Xiao Chao as the Emperor of the Liang dynasty, granting him residence in the eastern city of Jiangling and giving him the entire Jiangling region as his domain. Xiangyang and its administered areas all pledged their allegiance to us.
Xiao Cha declared himself emperor in his own country, with the reign title of Dà Dìng. He honored his father Xiao Tong posthumously as Emperor Zhaoming, with the temple name of Gaozong, and bestowed posthumous honors on his mother Cai Shi as Empress Zhao De. He honored his birth mother Gong Shi as Empress Dowager, his wife Wang Shi as Empress, and his son Xiao Kui as Crown Prince. The rewards and punishments, official system, and various rules and regulations in his territory were equivalent to those of a legitimate emperor. However, when he submitted memorials to the court, he referred to himself as a vassal and continued to use the Northern Dynasty reign title. As for bestowing titles and offices on his subordinates, he followed the old system of the Liang Dynasty. The military ranks and levels also adopted official positions from the Northern Dynasty, such as Zhuguo. He honored his uncle Xiao Lun posthumously as Grand Preceptor, with the posthumous title Zhuangwu; he honored his brother Xiao Yu posthumously as Prime Minister, with the posthumous title Wuhuan. Emperor Gaozu established a defensive position in the western city of Jiangling, stationed troops there, claiming to assist Xiao Cha in defending against enemies, but in reality also guarding against Xiao Cha himself.
Initially, after Jiangling was breached, Liang Emperor Yuan's general Wang Lin occupied Xiangzhou with the aim of restoring the Liang Dynasty. After Xiao Cha became emperor, Wang Lin sent his generals Pan Chuntao and Hou Fang'er to attack Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha's forces resisted, causing Pan Chuntao and his men to retreat to Xiakou. In the fourth year of Xiao Cha's reign, his Grand General Wang Cao led troops to capture Changsha, Wuling, Nanping, and other commanderies controlled by Wang Lin. In the fifth year, Wang Lin sent his general Lei Wenrou to launch a surprise attack and occupy Jianli Commandery, where Administrator Cai Dayou died in battle. Shortly after, Wang Lin clashed with the Chen Dynasty and sought assistance from Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha agreed, but before his troops could depart, Wang Lin's army was defeated and surrendered to Northern Qi. In that year, Xiao Cha's Crown Prince Xiao Kui went to pay homage to the Northern Dynasty emperor. In the sixth year of Xiao Cha's reign, an earthquake occurred in the summer, causing his front hall to collapse, resulting in the deaths of over two hundred people.
At the beginning, Jiangling City fell. Yin Deyi advised Xiao Cha, saying: "I've heard that leaders act differently than ordinary folks. The common people focus on the little things, fuss over every detail, and worry about their reputation. But as a leader, you need to stabilize the realm, secure the state, and accomplish great things. Currently, the Wei army is greedy and brutal, completely disregarding the righteousness and morality of 'punishing the guilty and comforting the people', solely intent on harming the people, killing rampantly, and conscripting civilians. However, these people's relatives and friends are all in Jiangdong. Just think about them being used as bait and captured far from home; it truly breaks one's heart, how could one forget! You now have the opportunity to pacify the world and inherit the legacy of your ancestors. But there are too many common people; it's impossible to explain to each household. They're all suffering now, believing it's your fault. You've killed their parents and brothers, leaving many orphans and widows; everyone is your enemy, who would want to serve you? However, the elite soldiers of Wei are concentrated here, and there's a precedent for treating the troops to a feast. If you host a banquet for them and take the opportunity to invite Yu Jin and others to attend, they won't see it coming and will come flocking. At this time, we’ll ambush their soldiers and wipe them out in one go. Then send elite soldiers to attack their camp, killing the enemy, leaving no one behind. The folks in Jiangling can live in peace and prosperity, and civil and military officials will quickly receive appointments. They’ll receive your favor; who wouldn’t be grateful for your wisdom and kindness? The Wei army will be afraid and dare not act recklessly. People like Wang Sengbian can be won over with just a letter. Then you can cross the Yangtze in your royal robes, carry on the great legacy of Yao, Shun, and Yu, and be remembered for generations. All of this can happen in the blink of an eye. As the ancients say, 'If you don’t seize a good opportunity, you’ll have to face the consequences; if you don’t act when the time is right, you’ll suffer calamity.' I hope you can see the bigger picture and don’t hesitate like an everyday person."
Xiao Cha did not listen to him and said to Yin Deyi, "Your strategy is good, but Wei has treated me well; I cannot betray them. If I follow your plan, it would be like what Duke Deng Qi said, 'People will not eat my leftovers.'"
Later, the old and young in Jiangling were all captured and taken to Guanzhong, and Xiangyang was also lost. Only then did Xiao Cha regretfully say, "I truly regret not listening to Yin Deyi back then, that has brought me to this point." He then saw the broken city walls and the relentless chaos of war, feeling overwhelmed with anger and sorrow. So, he penned a piece called "Ode to the Times" to express his feelings. The ode stated:
……(Original text of "Ode to the Times")……
Alas, my fate is unfortunate, and my luck is terrible; I'm truly at my breaking point! Year after year, I wear a frown, with difficulties following one after another. I'm busy all day, running in circles, and cannot sleep at night, hoping that the hard days will come to an end, yet I see no hope at all. Thinking of how the imperial seal of the Jin Dynasty fell into the hands of the Zhao State, and how the Han Dynasty's territory changed hands, my heart aches. I have neither the talents of Tian Dan or Fan Li, nor the benevolence of Yi Wu or Duke Huan of Qi; I can only make do and hope that one day I can turn things around. When will this disaster come to an end? How has the country declined to this extent?
Alas, I have been weak since childhood, and I have no great ambitions; I am not like Xie An or Xie Shi, who are brave in battle, nor like Zu Ti or Liu Lao Zhi, who are both literate and martial. I don't have the talents of Du Yu or Du Shenyan, and I cannot compare to the glory of the Wang family of Langya crossing the river with five horses. I'm naturally kind, like the unnoticed pigweed in the fields, only wishing to live a peaceful life, hoping for a bit of good fortune, maintaining tranquility, and staying away from disputes. But why is heaven so unkind to me? Why is this world so chaotic? The mountains and rivers of my homeland are in ruins, and enemies are everywhere. All I can do is look up at the sky and sigh, silently feeling sad and distressed.
In ancient times, people had confidants to comfort each other; how much more so for me, who once enjoyed the court's favor. Even the smallest good deed would be rewarded, and a word of praise could bring me immense joy. I served in Yuchuan and excelled in all three assessments. Later, during the reign of a wise ruler, I was pardoned and elevated to the ranks of the nobility. I once resigned from my post at Qishan and was then ordered to go to the Xiang River. That place in Nanyang is a gift from heaven, with both treacherous mountains and a flourishing legacy. I thought I could make my mark based on these advantages, but I found myself trapped in Fanchuan. My plight is as desperate as Goujian's and as exiled as Chong'er; I can only gaze at the southern branches and weep bitterly or look eastward and silently cry. Oh, how I long to return home! This homesickness is truly beyond words!
Alas, the Wei army suddenly attacked us, reaching the area of Nanjing. Look at that vast army, imposing and fierce, which swiftly took the city. Our situation is akin to Wu Sheng's plight in Xu and Xiao Bai's escape in Xing. The country can be preserved, thanks to our ancestors' blessings! But we common folk are like drifting duckweed, drifting without a destination. We've been stuck here for months with no sign of progress. This area used to be our territory for a thousand miles; now we're left with just seven miles, completely surrounded. With so little land, our harvest is minimal, making it impossible to pay taxes, let alone conscription. We're not as prosperous as Hanoi, nor is it as stable as Xingyang; things are really bad. At night, I hear gongs echoing everywhere, and during the day, I see flags flying everywhere. The beacon fires blaze up to the clouds, and horses in the stables whinny in distress. Alas, when will this nightmare end?
Reflecting on the past, Yunmeng was once a prosperous old capital, with beautiful scenery, but what of the present? Looking at the history of the past and then at the present, it boasts a grand reputation, yet in reality, it has fallen into decline. Everywhere there are desolate villages and barren fields, evoking the poetry of Song Yu and the lamentations of Sima Qian. The damp, low-lying south conjures memories of Qu Yuan's sorrow; the wetlands of Changsha evoke Jia Yi's sadness. I fervently wish to safeguard my homeland, hoping it can prosper like the Zhou Dynasty and honor ancestors like the Xia Dynasty, yet now I am beset by worry and must yield to the north. Is it that my age is not suitable, or is my fortune not favorable?
What’s worse is that everywhere there are robbers and bandits, stealing like curs and pilfering like rodents, and being as cunning as bees, scorpions, and foxes. Those slaves and prisoners have become bandits, gathering to form armies, eyeing our ferry crossings, running rampant along the riverbanks. These conflicts have persisted since the Yin and Shang dynasties, continuing into the Xuanyuan era. Just like the rebellion of the Hu clan chronicled in the "Book of Xia," and the gathering of the "Cai Wei" in the "Book of Songs," such events have existed from ancient times to the present. Thinking back to when Fang Shu fought in barbarian lands and Bo Qin triumphed in Huaiyi lands, those insurrections were ultimately subdued, and the rebels were ultimately executed, their banners seized. Those who commit numerous wrongdoings will eventually face retribution; can heaven deceive us? Looking at the rivers shrouded in mist, my heart is truly filled with indescribable melancholy.
Cha reigned for eight years and died at the age of forty-four in the second month of the second year of Baoding. His ministers interred him at Pingling, posthumously honored as Emperor Xuan, with the temple name Zhongzong.
Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, was ambitious from a young age and was not overly concerned with minor details. Although he was somewhat suspicious, he was skilled at discerning people's talents and putting them to good use, and he was very generous and kind to his soldiers, which made them willing to fight fiercely for him. He did not drink alcohol, lived a simple life, was very filial to his mother, and had a good reputation. He also disliked frivolous and debauched activities, especially detested seeing women; he found the scent of women intolerable, and if he touched a woman's clothes, he would refuse to wear them again. He also disliked seeing people's hair, and if he encountered someone in mourning, he would always find a way to steer clear of them. When he was an official in Dongyang Prefecture, he was rather carefree, was not particularly diligent with the accounts, and liked to make jokes, which drew some criticism. However, he loved literature and authored a fifteen-volume collection, which included annotations on the forty-six volumes of Buddhist scriptures such as the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Prajna Paramita Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and the Golden Light Sutra. These works have endured through the ages.
Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, governed a small realm, so he often felt depressed. He often recited the poem "An old horse in a stable, with dreams of far-off places, a hero in his twilight years, with an unyielding spirit." Each time he recited it, he would clench his fist and sigh deeply. In the end, overwhelmed by worry, he succumbed to a back abscess. His son, Xiao Kui, was subsequently enthroned as emperor, and the era name was Tianbao.
Xiao Kui, styled Renyuan, was Xiao Yan's third son. He was intelligent, capable, cultured, good at pacifying the people, and deeply loved by them. In his first year of reign, he honored his grandmother, Empress Dowager Gong, as Grand Empress Dowager, his mother, Empress Wang, as Empress Dowager, and his father's concubine, Lady Cao, as Grand Concubine. In May of that year, the Grand Empress Dowager passed away and was posthumously titled Yuan Empress Dowager. In September, the Empress Dowager also passed away and was posthumously titled Filial Empress Dowager. In the second year, the previous Empress Dowager passed away and was posthumously titled Xuanjing Empress.
Five years later, Hua Jiao, the governor of Xiangzhou, and Dai Sengshuo, the governor of Bazhou, of the Chen Dynasty surrendered to Xiao Kui, the Liang Dynasty's general. Hua Jiao even sent his son Hua Xuanxiang to Xiao Kui as a hostage and asked Xiao Kui to send troops to attack the Chen Dynasty. Xiao Kui reported this to Emperor Gaozu of the Liang Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu ordered General Wei Gongzhi to lead Quan Jingxuan, the governor of Jingzhou, and General Yuan Ding to provide support. Xiao Kui also sent his general Wang Cao with twenty thousand naval troops to rendezvous with Hua Jiao at Baling. They then clashed with the Chen general Wu Mingche at Dunkou, but Wei Gongzhi's forces were defeated, and Yuan Ding was killed in battle. Xiao Kui's general Li Guang and his men were also captured by the Chen forces, and both Changsha and Baling fell into the hands of the Chen Dynasty. Wei Gongzhi blamed the defeat on Xiao Kui's subordinate, Zhu Guo Yin Liang, for mishandling things. Although Xiao Kui felt that the defeat was not entirely Yin Liang's fault, he dared not disobey orders and had to execute Yin Liang. Taking advantage of his victory, Wu Mingche pursued and captured Xiao Kui's Hedong County, also capturing the defending general Xu Xiaojing.
The following year, Wu Mingche attacked Jiangling again and used water to flood the city. Xiao Kui moved his troops to Jinan to avoid confrontation. Gao Lin, the deputy governor of Jiangling, and Wang Cao, the Minister of Works, stayed in the city to resist. Xiao Kui's cavalry commanders, Ma Wu and Ji Che, engaged Wu Mingche and defeated him, forcing Wu Mingche to pull back to Gong'an. Xiao Kui then returned to Jiangling.
In the eighth year of Xiao Kui's rule, the Chen Dynasty dispatched Sikong Zhang Zhaoda to launch an attack. Lu Teng, the governor of Jiangling, and Xiao Kui's troops drove Zhang Zhaoda back. Zhang Zhaoda then launched an attack on Qingni in Jingling, and Xiao Kui sent General Xu Shiwu to the rescue, but Xu Shiwu suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Zhang Zhaoda.
At the beginning, Hua Jiao and Dai Sengshuo followed Wei Gong into battle against the Chen army, but after their defeat, they surrendered to Xiao Kui with several hundred troops. Xiao Kui appointed Hua Jiao as Minister of Works and granted him the title of Duke of Jiangxia; he appointed Dai Sengshuo as General of Chariots and Cavalry and made him the Marquis of Wuxing. In the tenth year of Xiao Kui's reign, Hua Jiao visited the court to meet with him. Upon arriving in Xiangyang, Hua Jiao addressed Wei Gong directly, saying, "The Liang Dynasty has now lost several counties in the south, the population is small, and the state is impoverished. The court should receive assistance in reviving the country. Should only Duke Huan of Qi and King Zhuang of Chu be remembered for their noble deeds in saving their states from crisis and restoring their power? I hope you can grant me a few provinces to assist the Liang Dynasty." Wei Gong readily agreed and sent word to Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu also agreed and ordered the provinces of Jizhou, Pingzhou, and Ruzhou to be assigned to Xiao Kui.
After Emperor Gaozu defeated the Qi state, Xiao Kui was stationed in Ye City. Although Emperor Gaozu appeared courteous on the surface, he did not truly value him. Xiao Kui was well aware of this. Later, at a banquet, he recounted to Emperor Gaozu how his father had benefitted from the favor of the founder of the Northern Zhou dynasty, and he also spoke of the intertwined history of mutual dependence, support, and rivalry between the Qi and Zhou dynasties. He spoke sincerely and with emotion, tears streaming down his face. Emperor Gaozu was moved as well and wiped away his own tears. From that point on, Emperor Gaozu bestowed special rewards upon Xiao Kui, and his status continued to rise.
Once, Gaozu hosted another dinner for Xiao Kui, and some former ministers from the State of Qi were also there. Gaozu pointed to one of them named Changyi and said to Xiao Kui, "This guy used to insult me from the city wall!" Xiao Kui wittily responded, "Changyi was unable to assist the tyrant Jie, so how could he attack the sage ruler Yao?" Gaozu laughed heartily upon hearing this. After a few rounds of drinks, Gaozu had someone bring a pipa and played it himself, then said to Xiao Kui, "Come on, Prince of Liang, let’s enjoy ourselves!" Xiao Kui got up and said he wanted to dance, to which Gaozu chuckled and asked, "Prince of Liang, can you still dance for me?" Xiao Kui cleverly replied, "Your Majesty is playing the five-stringed qin personally, how could I not join in and dance like the 'hundred beasts'?" Gaozu was thrilled and rewarded him with thousands of bolts of cloth and dozens of fine horses, and even gave him the concubines of the last Qi ruler and a swift horse that could travel five hundred miles a day.
When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, generals such as Yuchi Jing, Wang Qian, and Sima Xiaonan rose in revolt. Xiao Kui's generals urged him to mobilize troops and ally with them, which would demonstrate loyalty to the Zhou dynasty and give them a chance to seize control of the southern territories. However, Xiao Kui strongly disagreed and opposed the idea. Soon after, Sima Xiaonan defected to the Chen dynasty, and Yuchi Jing and the others were soon defeated.
After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended to the throne, he showered even more favor upon Xiao Kui, sending him a large quantity of gold, silver, treasures, and textiles. In the second year of Kaihuang, Emperor Wen of Sui formally married Xiao Kui's daughter to the Prince of Jin and also intended to betroth Xiao Kui's son, Xiao Mang, to Princess Lanling. Therefore, Emperor Wen of Sui removed Xiao Kui from his position as the governor of Jiangling, allowing him to focus on governing his own fiefdom. In the fourth year of Kaihuang, Xiao Kui went to Chang'an to meet Emperor Wen of Sui, who treated him with great respect, allowing him to sit above the princes and officials and rewarding him with a large amount of silk and treasures. As Xiao Kui was leaving Chang'an, Emperor Wen of Sui personally held his hand and said, "Prince of Liang, you have been in the Jingchu region for so long and have not been able to return to your homeland. You must be longing for your homeland. I plan to lead a large army to the Yangtze River area to send you back."
Xiao Kui reigned for twenty-three years and passed away at the age of forty-four years. His subjects buried him in Xianling, posthumously conferring upon him the title of Emperor Xiaoming and giving him the temple name Shizong.
He was filial to his parents, loving to his siblings, kind and benevolent, exuding the demeanor of a true monarch. During ancestral sacrifices on holidays and festivals, he often wept uncontrollably. He was especially frugal, had a distinctive approach to managing his subordinates, and governed his territory in an orderly manner. His writings, including the "Classic of Filial Piety," "Commentary on the Book of Changes," and "The Profound and Subtle Teachings of the Great and Small Vehicles," have been passed down through generations. Emperor Wen of Sui also allowed his son, Xiao Cong, to inherit the throne, with the era title Guangyun.
Xiao Cong, styled Wenwen, possessed a carefree and free-spirited personality, was knowledgeable and talented, and excelled in archery. Initially granted the title of Prince of Dongyang, he was later made the crown prince. After he ascended to the throne, Emperor Wen of Sui summoned Xiao Cong's uncle, Cen, to Chang'an, detained him and stationed troops in Jiangling to keep an eye on him.
Xiao Cong reigned as emperor for two years, and Sui Wendi summoned him back to Chang'an. Xiao Cong brought more than two hundred officials to Chang'an to pay their respects. Sui Wendi remained uneasy, so he sent Wu Xiang Gong Cui Hongdu to lead troops to garrison Jiangling. When the army reached Yuezhou, Xiao Cong's uncle Yan and his younger brother Huang were afraid of a sudden attack by Cui Hongdu, so they took the people and fled to Chen. Sui Wendi thus abolished the Liang state, pardoned all the death row inmates in Jiangling, and exempted the people from ten years of taxes. Each of the two emperors of the Liang Dynasty was assigned ten households to tend their tombs. Later, Xiao Cong was appointed as Zhuguo and Duke of Juguo.
From the year Xiao Cha ascended the throne, which was the year of Yi Hai, to this point, it was already the year of Ding Wei, a total of thirty-three years. Xiao Cha's son, Xiao Lü, was posthumously honored with the title of Filial Prince Xiaohui; Xiao Yan was granted the title of King of Anping; Xiao Ji was granted the title of King of Dongping; Xiao Cen was first granted the title of King of Hejian, and later changed to the King of Wu Jun. Xiao Kui's son, Xiao Huang, was granted the title of King of Yixing; Xiao Juan was appointed as the King of Jinling; Xiao Jing was appointed as the King of Linhai; Xiao Xun was appointed as the King of Nanhai; Xiao Yang was appointed as the King of Yian; Xiao Yu was appointed as the King of Xin'an.
It is said that whether as a prince or an emperor, Xiao Cha always trusted Cai Dabao above all as his most capable assistant; Wang Cao was his most trusted confidant. Wei Yide, Yin Zheng, Xue Hui, Xu Xiaojing, and Xue Xuan were his most powerful generals; Zhen Xuancheng, Liu Ying, Cen Shanfang, Fu Zhun, Chu Gui, and Cai Daye handled various affairs. Zhang Wan, due to his seniority, held a powerful position; Shen Zhong was well-treated by the emperor due to his knowledge. Xiao Cha also promoted many other officials, enabling them to showcase their talents.
After Chai's son Kui ascended the throne, he continued to employ talented individuals. Among the notable ministers and chancellors were Hua Jiao, Yin Liang, and Liu Zhongyi; from the royal family, included Xiao Xin and Xiao Yi; among the people favored by the populace were Xiao Que, Xie Wen, Liu Yang, Wang Shi, and Xu Yue; from the extended family, there were Wang Bian, Wang Song, and Yin Lian; among the literary talents were Liu Xiaosheng, Fan Di, Shen Junyou, Jun Gong, and Liu Xinyan; and those skilled in handling political affairs included Yuan Chang, Liu Zhuang, Cai Yanshou, Zhen Xu, and Huangfu Zi. As a result, both Chai and Kui managed to preserve the dynasty, ensuring the people could live and work in peace.
Now, let me discuss Chai's sons and some notable figures, including Cai Dabaos. I won’t cover those already documented in the Liang, Chen, and Sui dynasties, nor about Kui's sons who did not hold official positions.
Chai's eldest son was named Yan, courtesy name Daoyuan, his mother, Empress Xuanjing. Yan was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and displayed an adult-like demeanor. When Chai was the King of Liang, he appointed him as the heir apparent. Unfortunately, Yan fell ill and died young, and it was only after Chai became emperor that he bestowed him posthumous honors.
Chai's fifth son was named Yan, courtesy name Yiyuan, renowned for his kindness and skill in calming others. He held important positions such as Palace Attendant, Governor of Jingzhou, Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, and Grand Tutor. Later, during the Chen dynasty, he became General of the Eastern Pacification and Governor of Eastern Yangzhou. Following the fall of the Chen dynasty, the people rallied behind Yan as their leader in resistance against the Sui army. Unfortunately, he was defeated by the Sui general Yuwen Shu and subsequently executed in Chang'an.
Chai's sixth son was named Ji, recognized for his gentle nature and lifelong passion for learning. He served as Palace Attendant and General of the Central Guard. In the fifth year of Emperor Kui's reign, Ji passed away and was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant and Minister of Works, receiving the posthumous title of Filial.
The eighth son of Cha is named Cen, courtesy name Zhiyuan, who attained the rank of Grand Minister. He was simple in nature and held strict standards for his subordinates. Later, Cha's son Cong ascended the throne, and Cen, due to his seniority and high status, was a bit unruly, so Emperor Wen of Sui summoned him to the court. He was later granted the title of Grand General and Duke of Huaiyi.
Now let’s talk about a man named Xiao Juan, courtesy name Qinwen, who was the third son of Xiao Kui. He was well-known from a young age and had outstanding literary talent, which his father particularly cherished. He later rose to the position of Governor of Jingzhou. At the beginning, when the Sui army attacked Ruzhou, the Liang officials were terrified and at a loss. Only Xiao Juan suggested they make a quick escape south! So they ran to the Chen Dynasty, where the emperor of Chen appointed him to the positions of Chamberlain, General An Dong, and Governor of Wuzhou. After the Chen Dynasty was destroyed, the people of Wu chose him as their leader to fight against the Sui army. As a result, they lost the battle, and he was executed alongside Xiao Yan.
Next, let’s talk about Cai Daba, courtesy name Jingwei, who was from Jiaoyang, Kaocheng. His grandfather, Cai Lu, was an official in the Ministry of Rites during the Qi Dynasty; his father, Cai Dian, was an official in the Ministry of Rites during the Liang Dynasty and a Deputy of Nanyan Prefecture. Cai Daba lost his parents young but was diligent in his studies and never slacked off, and he had excellent writing skills. He ranked first in the Mingjing policy exam and then became a Left Attendant of the Kingdom of Wuling. Once, he wrote a letter to the then Chancellor Xu Mian, who greatly admired him, inviting him to play with his son and lending him all the books from his collection. Thus, Cai Daba read extensively and became very knowledgeable.
When Xiao Cha had just become an official, Xu Mian recommended Cai Dabao as his attendant, also overseeing the office. Not long after, Cai Dabao was promoted to an official in the Ministry of Rites. Later, when Xiao Cha was stationed in Kuaiji, Cai Dabao followed him as a secretary, also in charge of the affairs of Changliu. When Xiao Cha was appointed as an official in Xiangyang, Cai Dabao was promoted to be a military adviser. When Emperor Liang Yuan and Wang Yu of Hedong had a falling out, Xiao Cha sent Cai Dabao to Jiangling to assess the situation. Emperor Liang Yuan already knew Cai Dabao and was very pleased to see him. He requested Cai Dabao to provide annotations for his own "Xuanlan Fu." Cai Dabao completed it in just three days, and Emperor Liang Yuan was very impressed, rewarding him with many gifts. When Cai Dabao returned to Xiao Cha, he said, "There are surely other plans brewing in the east. There will definitely be trouble in the future, and we can't count on Taicheng anymore." Xiao Cha followed his advice. Later, when Xiao Cha became the Prince of Liang, he promoted Cai Dabao to Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, responsible for selecting officials, and managing affairs for the Prefect of Xiangyang. He was later promoted to Attendant of Imperial Cavalry, then Minister of Personnel, and quickly rose to be the Minister of Personnel. He had a say in all court matters, big and small. He was subsequently appointed as Grand General, and then promoted to Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and was also titled General of the State. He was later appointed as an Envoy, General of Xuanhui, and Inspector of Yongzhou.
After being proclaimed emperor in Jiangling, he was appointed as Court Attendant and Minister of Rites, participating in the selection of officials. Later, he was further promoted to General of the Cloud Banner and Governor of Jingzhou. His official positions continued to rise, ultimately reaching the rank of Pillar of the Nation and Military Advisor General, and he also served as Tutor to the Crown Prince. Afterward, he was transferred to the position of General of the Frontiers and was granted the title of Marquis of Anfeng, with a fief of a thousand households. Upon returning to court with Emperor Xiao Kui, he was appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. After Xiao Kui ascended to the throne, he was again conferred the titles of Minister of Construction, Chief of the Central Secretariat, and Grand General of Central Command, concurrently holding the position of Minister of Personnel. However, he resigned from his position as Minister of Construction, and the emperor agreed. He was later promoted to the title of Special Advisor. Xiao Kui reigned for three years before his death. Xiao Kui was deeply saddened and visited his grave three times from the time of death until the burial. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Minister of State, his noble rank elevated to Duke, and he received the posthumous title of Wen Kai, with the honor of being worshipped at the temple of Xiao Zha.
Xiao Dabaos was a meticulous person, highly intelligent and skilled in governance, and had a fluent and swift writing style. All of Xiao Zha's various documents, edicts, and conferment papers were handled by Xiao Dabaos himself. Xiao Zha placed great trust in him and regarded him as his strategist. People at the time said that Xiao Zha had Xiao Dabaos, much like Liu Bei had Zhuge Liang. He left behind thirty volumes of collected writings and "Commentaries on the Book of Documents," which have been preserved through the ages. He had four sons.
His second son, Xiao Yanshou, was quite knowledgeable, well-read, and especially adept at managing the political affairs of the time. He married Princess Xuan Cheng, the daughter of Xiao Zha. He held positions such as Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Deputy Minister of Personnel, Minister of Personnel, and Deputy Censor. Later, he aligned with Xiao Cong to submit to the Sui Dynasty and was granted the official titles of Governor with equivalent rank to three ministers and Secretary of the Secretariat, ultimately passing away while in office as Governor of Chengzhou. Xiao Dabaos had a younger brother named Xiao Daye.
Xiao Daye, styled Jingdao, was a person of high moral character. After his father's death, he observed a period of mourning with great dedication. He had a generous disposition, profound knowledge, and was talented in governance, as he was frequently dispatched to the court. Initially, he served as a military officer in the Western Central Army under Xiao Cha, guarding a region. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he held various positions including Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, General of Opening the Distance, Governor of Jianli County, Palace Attendant, and Minister of Guards. After Xiao Kui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and also served as General of Resolute Integrity and Governor of Zhangchuan. Later, he returned to the court, serving as Left Minister of the People and Minister of Rites. Xiao Kui reigned for seven years before passing away; he was posthumously honored with the title of Grand Minister of Golden Purple and was given the posthumous name Jian. He had five sons, among whom Yun Gong was the most famous; he held positions as an editor and a palace attendant. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, he defected to the Chen Dynasty and was appointed as a minister in the Library Department. After the Chen Dynasty fell, he again defected to the Sui Dynasty, where he was granted the position of Palace Attendant of Daily Affairs.
Wang Cao, styled Zigao, had ancestors from Taiyuan, Jinyang. He was the nephew of Gong, the mother of Xiao Cha. His grandfather, Wang Lingqing, served as the magistrate of Haiyan, and his father, Wang Jingxiu, served as the Internal Historian of Linchuan. He was known for his honesty, strategic mind, extensive reading, and diligence in his official duties. He initially served as a minor soldier in a distant land and had a good relationship with Cai Daba, gaining considerable recognition. Later, when the King of Chu took power (acting as emperor), he promoted him to Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After the King of Chu declared himself emperor, he was further promoted to Minister of Military Affairs, Grand General, and Governor of Yingzhou. Before long, he was granted the title of Pillar of the State and also made the Marquis of Xinkang County.
Later, when King Chu Xiao Kui ascended the throne, he appointed him as the General of the Right and the Minister of Personnel. When Wu Mingche came to fight, Xiao Kui personally led the troops to resist at Jinan. This person was particularly skilled at comforting the troops, and everyone listened to him. Wu Mingche retreated, and Jiangling City was saved, thanks to his efforts. Afterwards, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, General of the Central Guard, Minister of Personnel, and held the title of "Three Offices," and was involved in selecting officials while concurrently serving as the Governor of Jingzhou. He held high office but was very humble, and at that time, everyone respected him. When Xiao Kui had been in power for fourteen years, this person died. Xiao Kui mourned for him in the court and cried to the ministers, saying, "Heaven did not allow me to pacify the Jiangbiao (referring to the area south of the Yangtze River), why did it take away such a good minister from me so soon?" After his death, Xiao Kui personally buried him at Waguangmen, posthumously granted him the title of Sikong, and elevated his rank to Duke, with the posthumous name of Kangjie. He had seven sons, among whom his second son, Heng, was the most renowned and talented. He initially served as a Secretary of the Interior, and later became the Crown Prince's Horsekeeper, Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, and Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate.
Wei Yide, from Xiangyang, was very capable, bold, and brave in battle. He participated in many wars and achieved numerous merits, rising to the position of Prefect. After King Chu Xiao Cha arrived in Xiangyang, he appointed him as the Governor of the Prefecture. Following Xiao Cha's decree, he was appointed as General, and later promoted to Grand General. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he conferred upon him the title of Pillar of the Nation, granted him the title of Marquis of Shanghuang County, with a fief of 1,000 households, and added the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry. In the second year of Xiao Cha's reign, Wei Yide died, posthumously honored with the title of Sikong, and his rank was elevated to Duke, with the posthumous name of Zhongzhuang. In the fifth year of Xiao Kui's reign, he was posthumously honored and commemorated alongside Xiao Cha.
Yin Zheng was from Tianshui. When Xiao Cha arrived in Yongzhou, Yin Zheng served as a military officer in his household. He was responsible for capturing Zhang Zuan and arresting Du An. After Xiao Cha ascended to power, he appointed him as a general and later promoted him to Grand General. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he made him the General of Guards, conferred upon him the title of Pillar of the Nation, and granted him the title of Marquis of Xinye County, with an estate of one thousand households. In the third year of Xiao Cha's reign, Yin Zheng passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of State of the same rank as the Three Excellencies, with the posthumous title of "Gang." In the fifth year of Xiao Kui's reign, he was posthumously honored and worshipped alongside Xiao Cha. His son Yin Deyi was also very strategic and rose to the rank of Grand General, but was later executed due to suspicion.
Xue Hui was from Hedong, highly skilled, tall, and imposing. He once led troops and served as a capable general under Xiao Cha, tasked with defending against foreign invasions. Together with Yin Zheng, he captured Du An alive in Nanyang. After Xiao Cha became emperor, he was appointed a general. Before long, he was promoted to Grand General and then to Pillar of the Nation, and also became the General Leading the Army. In the second year of Xiao Cha's reign, Xue Hui passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of State of the same rank as the Three Excellencies. He left behind six sons, among whom Jian and Shang were relatively well-known.
Xu Xiaojing was from Wu County, whose childhood name was Si'er. He was particularly brave and served as a fierce general under Xiao Cha. He held the position of Grand General, stationed in Hedong Province. Due to a lack of reinforcements, he was captured by Ming Che of Wu and ultimately executed in Jiankang. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry. His son Shi Wu inherited his title and became a Grand General. Shi Wu had a fondness for battle from a young age and was known for his unruly behavior. He particularly enjoyed making friends, spending money lavishly, quickly squandering his family fortune. Frustrated with his lack of success, he planned to make a secret escape to Chen State. After the plan was exposed, he was executed.
Li Guang, with the courtesy name Dajiangjun, was from Kuaiji. He followed Xiao Cha early on and was known for his bravery. In the Battle of Dunkou, he was the first to charge into battle and fought valiantly. Later, after Hua Jiao was defeated, he was captured by Ming Che of the Kingdom of Wu. Ming Che wanted him to surrender, but Li Guang resolutely refused to yield and was ultimately killed. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Marshal, posthumously granted the title of Duke of Jianxing County, and given the posthumous name Zhongwu.
Zhen Xuancheng, with the courtesy name Jingping, was from Zhongshan. He was knowledgeable, well-versed in the classics and history, and excelled in writing. In his youth, he gained the favor of Emperor Jianwen. He served as a military aide under Xiao Cha, guarding Xiangyang. Later, he was promoted to the position of military recorder in the Central Records Office, responsible for managing documents and also involved in some political affairs. Given the powerful military presence in Jiangling, he harbored treasonous intentions and secretly wrote a letter to Emperor Yuan of Liang, expressing his loyalty. As a result, someone delivered his letter to Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha was a devout Buddhist and often vowed not to kill those who recited the Lotus Sutra. Zhen Xuancheng was well-versed in the Lotus Sutra, which saved him from death. When Xiao Cha later saw him, he would always say, "Zhen Gong, thanks to the Lotus Sutra!" He later rose to the positions of Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, Deputy Minister of Justice, Minister of the Department of Worship, and Minister of Personnel. In the sixth year of Xiao Cha’s reign, Zhen Xuancheng passed away and was posthumously granted the title of Attendant of the Palace and General of the Guard. He left behind a collection of twenty volumes of writings. His son, Zhen Xu, was intelligent from a young age and well-informed about political affairs. He served as a secretary in the Central Secretariat and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Later, he followed Xiao Cong to submit to the Sui Dynasty and was granted the position of Minister of State of the Three Offices. He ultimately died while serving as Deputy Minister of the Treasury.
Liu Ying, a native of Pengcheng, worked as a military officer in the Western Zhonglang Mansion under Xiao Cha. He was very capable and worked diligently and responsibly. When Xiao Cha dealt with important military and state affairs, he frequently involved Liu Ying in decision-making. Later, he was promoted several times, serving as a Yellow Gate Attendant, Supervisor of the Palace Library, Governor of Yongzhou, and Minister of Rites. In the seventh year of Xiao Cha's reign, Liu Ying passed away, and the court posthumously conferred his original official title. His third son, Liu Ran, was also quite famous at the time and later became a military officer in the Sui Dynasty.
Cen Shanfang, courtesy name Siyi, hailed from Jiyang in Nanyang and was a descendant of the Han Dynasty General Peng Chong. His grandfather, Cen Huifu, held the position of Grandee Secretary, and his father, Cen Chang, served as a Cavalry Attendant. Cen Shanfang was exceptionally talented, well-versed in both history and the classics, and possessed excellent oratory skills. He followed Xiao Cha to Xiangyang, serving as a military secretary in the judicial system. When Xiao Cha first contemplated surrendering to the court, he appointed Cen Shanfang as a secretary and sent him to the court to deliver messages. Cen Shanfang was flexible in handling matters and quick in his responses, earning the favor of the founding emperor, Yang Jian. From then on, he made numerous trips between the court and Xiao Cha, back and forth dozens of times. In the second year of Emperor Gong of Wei, Cen Shanfang was appointed as the Grand General of Valiant Cavalry, the Secretary of the Household, and also granted the title of Duke of Changning County. During Xiao Cha's rule, Cen Shanfang was appointed as an Attendant of the Palace Library and later promoted to the Prefect of Xiangyang. After Xiao Cha proclaimed himself emperor, the court recalled him to the capital to serve as the Minister of Works, concurrently holding the position of Attendant of the Palace Library. Shortly after, he was promoted to Cavalry Attendant, Chief of the Imperial Clan, and Minister of Works. Cen Shanfang was recognized for his integrity, prudence, and exceptional abilities, so Xiao Cha entrusted him with many confidential matters. In the seventh year of Xiao Cha's rule, Cen Shanfang passed away, and the court posthumously awarded him the title of Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and conferred the posthumous title of Jing. He wrote many articles, leaving behind a ten-volume collection of his writings.
Cen Shanfang had seven sons, all of whom were very outstanding. Among them, Cen Zhiyuan, Cen Zhili, and Cen Zhixiang were the most famous. Cen Zhiyuan served as an attendant to the crown prince, but unfortunately passed away at a young age. The founding emperor Yang Jian considered the contributions Cen Shanfang made to the court in the past, so he allowed Cen Zhili and Cen Zhixiang to serve as officials in the court. Cen Zhili was appointed as a military governor and an official in the Prince's office. Later, he served as the magistrate of Angu County, Sima of Chenzhou, Yijiangzhou, Sanzhou, and magistrate of Lingling County in the Sui Dynasty. Cen Zhixiang initially served as a junior officer in the court, later becoming a military officer in the court of Emperor Wen of Sui. He then held various positions in the Sui Dynasty, including as an assistant official in the Ministry of Justice, magistrate of Shaoling County, magistrate of Shangyi County, magistrate of Weinan County, and magistrate of Handan County.
Fu Zhun was from the northern region. His grandfather, Fu Zhao, held the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu (金紫光禄大夫); his father, Fu Xu, was a military officer serving the King of Xiangdong. Fu Zhun was well-versed in literature and skilled in poetry and prose. He served as a military officer under Chen Baxian, later rising to the position of Minister of Revenue. In the seventh year of Emperor Chen Kui's reign, Fu Zhun passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of State Ceremonials and the posthumous title Jingkang. He left behind a collection of twenty volumes of his writings. He had two sons, one named Fu Bing and the other named Fu Zhi, both of whom were talented and well-versed in literature and history. Fu Bing became the Deputy Minister of Justice, while Fu Zhi became a palace attendant and Deputy Minister of Justice.
Zong Ruzhou, a native of Nanyang, was exceptionally talented with an elegant demeanor and speech. He served as an official under Chen Baxian, later holding important positions such as Huangmen Shilang (Minister of the Yellow Gate) and Sangqi Changshi (Gentleman of the Palace), eventually becoming the Minister of Revenue. Zong Ruzhou died in the ninth year of Emperor Chen Kui's reign. Zong Ruzhou had an elongated face, and Chen Baxian teased him by quoting a line from the "Lotus Sutra" that mentioned not having a long face, joking that he was slandering Buddhist scriptures. Zong Ruzhou, feeling embarrassed, quickly clarified that he did not intend to slander the scriptures. Chen Baxian then called him "Ruchu" (as before). Feeling anxious, Zong Ruzhou went to Cai Dabao to express his concerns. Cai Dabao, understanding his concern, smiled and said, "You're not really worried about slandering the scriptures; you're more concerned that others won't believe in the 'Lotus Sutra,' right?" This realization struck Zong Ruzhou.
Another time, someone complained to Zong Ruzhou that he handled matters like a local official, to which he replied, "I have been wronged, so I came to bring my grievances to the local official." Zong Ruzhou replied, "How rude of you to call me by my name!" The man sheepishly apologized, saying, "I only meant that you handle matters like a local official; I didn't know the name of the local official was Ruzhou. If I had known, how could I dare to call the local official by name?" Zong Ruzhou chuckled and said, "Take a moment to reflect; being insulted can help you recognize your mistakes more clearly." Everyone admired his generosity and grace. He had seven sons, notably, his sons Xiyan and Xihua gained greater renown. Xiyan was a gifted writer who rose to the position of Zhongshu Sheren; Xihua was well-educated and talented, a master of Confucianism in the Jingchu region, with expertise in classics and history.
Xiao Xin was the grandson of Xiao Xiu, the Prince of Ancheng, who was the brother of Emperor Liang Wudi, and the son of Prince Chen Yang, son of Emperor Chen Bayan. He was smart and quick-witted from a young age, widely read, and skilled in writing. After Chen Bayan ascended the throne, Xiao Xin inherited the title of Prince Chen Yang. He later held important positions such as Attendant, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister of State, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. When Emperor Chen Kui died in his twenty-third year of reign, he was posthumously appointed as Minister of State. Xiao Xin and Liu Xin were both famous literary figures during the Chen Dynasty. Xiao Xin left behind thirty volumes of literary works and wrote a hundred volumes of "History of Liang," but unfortunately, they were lost due to war.
Liu Yang hailed from Hedong. His grandfather, Zu Gan, held the position of Minister of Works, and his father, Liu Zhao, served as Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Liu Yang had literary talent from a young age and was very particular about etiquette. Like his contemporary Wang Shi, he was well-respected for his integrity and good conduct, earning the respect of many. Eventually, Liu Yang attained the position of Minister of Personnel and was later appointed as the Prefect of Shanghuang County. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, his county came under the rule of the Sui Dynasty, and he was granted the title of General of the Household. He passed away shortly thereafter.
Xu Yue came from Donghai. His father was Duke Jian Su Xu Mian, who held the titles of Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Household. Xu Yue was known for his integrity, extensive knowledge, and mastery of classics from a young age. He initially served as a teacher to Prince Dongyang Cong. After Cong became crown prince, Xu Yue was appointed as Chamberlain. When Cong ascended the throne, Xu Yue was promoted to Attendant, Minister of the Left, and shortly after to Minister of State. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he followed Cong in allegiance to the Sui Dynasty and was appointed as General of the Household. He passed away while serving as Governor of Chenzhou. His son, Xu Kai, worked as a clerk in the Secretariat. Xu Yue's brother, Xu Ju, was also talented in literature and skilled in handling government affairs, but was a bit greedy. He eventually rose to the position of Minister of Revenue. His son Xu Jing was a court gentleman.
Wang Bian was from Langya, Linyi. His grandfather, Wang Lin, served as a palace attendant and Grand Minister of Finance, and his father, Wang Xi, was also a palace attendant. Wang Bian was well-known in his youth and married Princess Luling, the sister of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Chai. He held positions as Secretary Lang, Prince's Attendant, Companion to Prince Xuan Cheng, and Prefect of Luling. After Xiao Chai ascended the throne, he was appointed as a palace attendant and Minister of Civil Service. In the fourth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty, he was sent to the court on official business and died in the post station. After his death, he was posthumously honored as a palace attendant and Right Grand Master of Ceremonies. His son, Wang Guan, was talented in literature and served as a palace attendant. His younger brother, Wang Shi, was known for his integrity and insight, reaching the position of Minister of the Imperial Court, and he passed away in the twentieth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty. His son, Wang Huai, was Secretary Lang and later became the magistrate of Mianyang County in the Sui dynasty.
Fan Di was from Shunyang. His grandfather, Fan Zhen, served as Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and his father, Fan Xu, was Prefect of Poyang. Fan Di was intelligent and clever from a young age and excelled in writing. He held positions as Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat, Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Regular Attendant of the Cavalry. He passed away in the seventeenth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty, leaving behind a ten-volume anthology of his works. His son was named Fan Pou. Fan Di's younger brother, Fan Yu, was not as talented in literature as Fan Di but had greater accomplishments in Confucian studies, reaching the position of Central Guard and Long History of Dongping Wang.
Shen Junyou was from Wuxing. His grandfather, Shen Sengfu, served as Left Minister of the Ministry of People, and his father, Shen Xun, was Prefect of Dongyang. Shen Junyou was knowledgeable and had outstanding literary talent, reaching the position of Regular Attendant of the Cavalry. He passed away in the twelfth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty, leaving behind a ten-volume collection of writings.
This younger brother, Jun Gong, had strong abilities, a handsome appearance, and excellent writing skills, and was especially esteemed by Mr. Kui. He served as Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat and Deputy Minister of the Imperial Court. Later, he transitioned from Minister of the Imperial Court to become the teacher of Prince Yixing, Xiao Huan. He fled to the Chen dynasty with Xiao Huan and was appointed as a palace attendant and Crown Prince's Grand Preceptor. After the Sui dynasty destroyed the Chen dynasty, he was executed due to Xiao Huan's involvement in the plot to cross the river.
Yuan Chang was from Chen County. His grandfather Yuan Ang held the position of Minister of Works. His father Yuan Shijun held the position of Interior Minister of Ancheng. Yuan Chang was a dignified and knowledgeable young man, well-read and erudite. Once, he went to the court as an official of the Ministry of Personnel. The receptionist wanted him to stand behind the envoys of the Chen Dynasty, but Yuan Chang firmly refused. When asked why, Yuan Chang replied, "The ancestors of the Chen Dynasty were merely minor officials serving under the princes of the Liang Dynasty. They betrayed their loyalty and seized control of the Jiangdong region. Now the Great Sui Dynasty has unified the realm, treating everyone with respect. If the envoys of the Liang Dynasty are allowed to stand behind those of the Chen Dynasty, wouldn’t that upset the ethical order? This is not what I want to see!" Unable to convince him, the receptionist reported the situation to his superiors. Emperor Wen of Sui admired him and ordered that Yuan Chang meet separately from the Chen Dynasty envoys. After he returned, for his adept handling of the situation, he was promoted to the position of Palace Attendant and later appointed as a General of the Guards. He passed away while serving as the Inspector of Qiaozhou, leaving behind two sons named Yuan Mi and Yuan Qian.
The historian remarked: Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, was highly strategic and adept at identifying and nurturing talent. He indeed possessed great vision and the bearing of an emperor. Although later, the Huaihai region was plagued by constant warfare and mutual suspicion among brothers, he relied on his own troops for protection, declaring himself a vassal king. In the end, he managed to preserve the entire Chu region and rejuvenate a deteriorating situation. Although his territory was different from that of previous states, his status and title remained unchanged. His achievements have been celebrated for generations, and his state lasted for several generations. There’s no denying he was a wise ruler! His descendants inherited his legacy, rehabilitated the foundation laid down by their forebears, and were fair in rewards and punishments, ensuring proper governance. When faced with foreign invasions, he demonstrated his bravery and strategic acumen; when paying tribute to the central court, he showcased his prestige and authority. Isn’t this the mark of a brilliant ruler?
