← Back to 金史

卷四 本紀第四: 熙宗

Volume 4 Annals 4: Xizong

Chapter 4 of 金史 · History of Jin
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 4
Next Chapter →
1
Emperor Xizong—posthumously styled Broad Foundation, Continuing Martial Prowess, Solemn and Tranquil, Filial and Accomplished—was taboo-named Dan, born Hela, a grandson of Taizu and son of Emperor Jingxuan. His mother belonged to the Pucha clan. He was born in the third year of Tianfu (the jihai year). In the eighth year of Tianhui the an-ban boji lie Gao died, and Taizong had still not settled on a successor. In the tenth year, Zonghan as left deputy commander-in-chief, Zongfu as right deputy commander-in-chief, and Wanyan Xiyin as left army supervisor came to court and urged Zonggan: “The heir’s seat has been empty too long. Delay now and we may set the wrong man upon it. Hela is the late sovereign’s legitimate grandson—he is the one to install.” They pressed Taizong again and again until he finally agreed. On gengwu in the fourth month an edict ran: “You are Taizu’s legitimate grandson, and I therefore name you an-ban boji lie. Do not plead youth and turn the office into a game—cultivate your virtue alone.” The an-ban boji lie was the post Taizong himself had once held; on taking the throne he gave it to his brother Gao. After Gao’s death Taizong chose him as successor, and this appointment followed.
2
On jiashen in the fifth month the left deputy commander-in-chief Zongfu died. On renshen in the ninth month his late father, Prince Feng, was raised posthumously to Emperor Jingxuan (temple name Huizong), and his late mother, Lady Pucha, to Empress Huizhao. On wuyin the widows of Taizu (He-shilie) and Taizong (Tangguo) were both elevated to grand empress dowager, and the decree was proclaimed within and without. On yiyou Emperor Huizong and Empress Huizhao were moved to Xingling.
3
殿 西鹿
In the eleventh month Zongpan, prince of Song and chief minister of the Department of State Affairs, was appointed grand preceptor. On yihai the calendar was issued for the first time. On jimao Wanyan Xiyin, left army supervisor, became left director of the Department of State Affairs and palace attendant; Gao Qingyi, junior mentor to the crown prince, became left vice director; and Xiao Qing, intendant of Pingyang, became right vice director. On jichou the Tian Kai Hall was set up as the Yaola residence. On guihai in the twelfth month the forms for congratulatory audiences, banquets, and farewell audiences from Qi, Goryeo, and Western Xia were established for the first time. The game preserve west of the capital was given over to farmer cultivation.
4
使 使 使 使使
On jisi, New Year’s Day of the first month in the fourteenth year, the emperor paid court to the grand empress dowagers in both palaces. Qi, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent envoys with congratulations. On guiyou the calendar was issued to Goryeo. On dingchou Grand Empress Dowager He-shilie died. On yiyou, the Longevity Festival, Qi, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. He had been born on the seventh day of the seventh month, but because that day fell on his late father’s death anniversary he moved the celebration to the seventeenth of the first month. On guimao in the second month she was given the posthumous title Empress Qinxian and buried at Ruiling. On renyang in the third month Grand Guardian Zonghan, Grand Preceptor Zongpan, and Grand Tutor Zonggan jointly headed the Three Departments. On dingyou Goryeo sent envoys to mourn. On bingchen in the eighth month forebears from the ninth generation back were raised to emperor and empress; the shrines of the First Ancestor, Jingzu, Shizu, Taizu, and Taizong were all declared perpetual and not to be removed. On guihai an edict ruled that when Jin soldiers or civilians and subjects of Qi brought suits against one another, official papers should be dated only in the Tianhui reign. On jiayin in the tenth month Wu Ji was sent as envoy for the Goryeo king’s birthday, and Xiao Zhonggong as envoy to return Liu Yu’s thanks to Qi and to observe New Year’s Day.
5
使 使 殿
In the first year of Tianjuan, on wuzi, New Year’s Day, the emperor held court at Mingde Palace. Goryeo and Western Xia sent envoys with congratulations. The Jurchen small script was issued. Yu, grand minister of works, was enfeoffed as a prince. On jiachen, the Longevity Festival, Goryeo and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On renxu in the second month the emperor went to the Yaola spring camp. On yichou he visited the Tian Kai Hall. On jisi an edict ended patrol restrictions along the Laishui and Huntong rivers and opened the ground to plowing and pasture. On gengyin in the third month unused ground in the imperial park was parceled out to the people. On wushen Han Fang was appointed Hanlin academician.
6
殿 滿
On dingmao in the fourth month Lu Yanlun, junior director of the palace storehouse, was charged to build the palaces on a spare and simple scale. On renyang the morning audience was held in the Tianyuan Hall. Lady Peiman was installed as noble consort. On jihai in the fifth month an edict opened examinations in two subjects—classics and fu rhapsody—to select officials.
7
殿 使 使 西西
On wuwu in the sixth month the emperor returned from the Tian Kai Hall. On xinmao in the seventh month Tatlan, left deputy commander-in-chief, and Zongjun, defender of the Eastern Capital, arrived at court. On dingyou the Chushui burst its banks, wrecking dwellings and drowning many. On renyin the left chief councillor Xiyin was removed from office. In the eighth month, on jiayin, the new moon, the court issued its system of official ranks. On guihai the Uyghurs sent envoys to court with tribute. On jimao the Henan territories were ceded to Song. Zhang Tonggu of the Department of State Affairs and others were dispatched as envoys to Jiangnan. The seat of government was declared the Upper Capital, its prefecture named Huining, while the old Upper Capital was redesignated the Northern Capital. On jiashen, the ninth month’s new moon, Shi was appointed superintendent of Huining and enfeoffed as prince of Deng. On yimao an edict ruled that official commissions be written in each man’s own script—Jurchen, Khitan, or Chinese—with Bohai treated like Chinese. On dingyou the Yanjing Military Affairs Commission was converted into a Branch Secretariat. On wuxu the emperor held court at Mingde Palace. On jiachen Yi was appointed grand councilor. On jiyou the court abolished prefectures and counties in Yan’s three western capitals and along Pingzhou’s eastern and western circuits. On xinhai Zhang Xiaochun, acting left chief councillor of the Branch Secretariat, retired.
8
殿 使 滿
On jiayin, the tenth month’s new moon, Li Degu, who managed Khitan script in the imperial presence, became vice grand councilor. On bingyin Uncle Zongqiang was made prince of Ji and Zongmin prince of Xing; thirteen of Taizong’s sons, among them Hulubu, received princely titles. On jisi the court first barred princes and lower ranks from wearing swords inside the palace. On xinwei the statutes governing princely domains were promulgated. On guiyou Zongjun, defender of the Eastern Capital, became left director of the Department of State Affairs and palace attendant and was enfeoffed as prince of Chen. On bingchen in the eleventh month, once the portraits from Kangzong and his forebears were complete, they were installed with offerings in Qianyuan Hall. On guihai in the twelfth month the new palace was finished. On jiaxu Goryeo sent tribute envoys. On dingchou Lady Peiman, noble consort, was raised to empress.
9
使 使 殿 使
On renchen, New Year’s Day of the second year, Goryeo and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On wuxu, the Longevity Festival, Goryeo and Western Xia sent envoys with congratulations. Zongjun, the left chief councillor, was made grand guardian, placed over the Three Departments, and advanced to prince of the Gun state. Wanyan Xiyin, intendant of Xingzhong, was restored as left director of the Department of State Affairs and palace attendant. On yimao in the second month the emperor went to the Tian Kai Hall. On bingchen in the third month the court ordered officials to draft the ritual code in full. On jiaxu in the fourth month the bureaucracy attended audience in court dress for the first time. On jimao Song dispatched envoys to thank the court for Henan.
10
殿
On wuzi in the fifth month Venus appeared in daylight—an omen. On yisi the emperor returned from the Tian Kai Hall. On jiyou, the sixth month’s new moon, he first assumed formal cap and robes. On xinhai Wu Shi rose in rebellion and was put to death. On jiwei the emperor spoke easily to his attendants: “Whenever I read the Essentials of Government from the Zhenguan reign, I find the exchanges between ruler and ministers full of lessons worth following.” Han Fang of the Hanlin Academy answered: “That was because Taizong questioned them with a gentle face, and Fang Xuanling and Du Rumi poured out loyal counsel. The book is short, yet it is model enough.” The emperor said: “Taizong was a sage of his generation—what of Ming Huang?” Fang said: “After Taizong, only Ming Huang and Xianzong in Tang deserve to be named. Ming Huang is the ruler they say began well and ended badly. He took the throne in peril, put Yao Chong and Song Jing in office, and held to the straight path—thus the Kaiyuan order was achieved. In old age he tired of government, handed affairs to Li Linfu, and let flatterers rule—until the Tianbao rebellion broke out. Had he guarded the end as he did the beginning, the spirit of Zhenguan would not have been hard to win back.” The emperor said that was well put. He went on: “What kind of sovereign was King Cheng of Zhou?” Fang answered: “A sage of the ancients.” The emperor said: “King Cheng was wise, but it was the Duke of Zhou who made him so. Later ages suspect the Duke of Zhou murdered his brother; as I see it, for the sake of the realm such an act ought not be condemned.”
11
On xinsi in the seventh month Zongpan, prince of Song, and Zongjun, prince of the Gun state, conspired in rebellion and were executed. On bingxu the right deputy commander-in-chief Zongbi was named commander-in-chief and raised to princely rank. On dinghai an edict to the empire proclaimed the punishment of Zongpan and his fellow conspirators. On jichou Tatlan, left deputy commander-in-chief, became left chief councillor of the Branch Secretariat; Du Chong became right chief councillor of the Mobile Branch Secretariat; and Xiao Bao and Yelu Hui became mobile-branch vice grand councilors. On jiawu Prince Hun of Yin, xiangwen of Xianzhou, was put to death for conspiring with Zongpan. On xinchou Zonggan, grand preceptor and head of the Three Departments, was raised to grand master, kept charge of the Three Departments, and advanced to prince of the Liang-Song state.
12
In the eighth month, on xinhai, Tatlan as mobile-branch left chief councillor, Wing Prince Huhen, Huoli Hutu, Tatlan’s son Wodai, and Udabu rose in rebellion and were executed. On dingchou Venus appeared in daylight—an omen.
13
西 西
In the fifth month, on bingzi, an edict commanded the marshalate to retake Henan and Shaanxi. On jimao an edict invested Li Renxiao as king of Western Xia. Commander-in-chief Zongbi was ordered to advance from Liyang on Bian, while right army supervisor Salihé was to move from Hezhong into Shaanxi.
14
西 使西 使西 祿
That month Henan was brought under control. In the sixth month Shaanxi was pacified. While the emperor was at Liang Pass a severe drought set in. He sent Xiao Yanrang and Tian Jian to review prisoners in the Western Capital. In autumn, on guimao, the seventh month’s new moon, the sun was eclipsed. On yimao Zongbi dispatched envoys announcing victory in Henan and Shaanxi. On dingmao an edict granted retired civil and military officials of the fifth rank and above half pay, and those who had held third rank or higher still received household staff.
15
使 使
In the first year of Huangtong, on xinchou, New Year’s Day, Goryeo and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On gengxu the court offered the honorific “Emperor Revering Heaven, Embodying the Way, Respectful and Illustrious in Civil and Military Sage Virtue.” For the first time he wore the full imperial regalia. On guichou he performed a thanksgiving rite at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The court proclaimed a general amnesty. The reign era was changed. On dingsi, the Longevity Festival, Goryeo and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On jiwei the ranks for ennobled consorts were established for the first time. Western Xia asked to open a border market; the court agreed. On jisi Grand Councilor Ang was enfeoffed as prince of Qishui commandery.
16
祿 退 使
In the second month, on wuyin, an edict granted retired officials who had held third rank half pay and half their former household staff. Zongbi took Luzhou. On yiyou Coastal King Yelu Yanxi was redesignated prince of Yu, Deposed Duke Zhao Ji became duke of Tianwater commandery, and Twice-Deposed Marquis Zhao Huan became duke of Tianwater district. On wuzi the emperor sacrificed at the Temple of Confucius and bowed twice toward the north. Leaving the temple he told his attendants: “In youth I wasted my days and never fixed my mind on learning. The years have run on, and I regret it deeply. Confucius never held a throne, yet his Way deserves honor—something for ten thousand generations to look up to. Whatever good you mean to do, you must press on and do it.” After that he read widely in the Documents, the Analects, and histories such as those of the Five Dynasties and the Liao, often far into the night.
17
便
In the ninth month, on wushen, the emperor returned from Yanjing. He paid court to the grand empress dowager at Mingde Palace. An edict gave two bolts of silk and three jin of cotton wadding apiece to widowers, widows, orphans, and others unable to support themselves. That autumn locusts ravaged the land. Commander-in-chief Zongbi marched against Song and crossed the Huai. He wrote to rebuke Song; Song answered pleading for peace, and Zongbi on his own authority fixed the Huai as the border.
18
殿
In the eleventh month, on jiyou, Goryeo sent envoys to congratulate him on his new honorific. Fire destroyed the Scrutinizing Antiquity Hall. In the twelfth month, on guisi, Western Xia sent congratulations on his new honorific. Duke of Tianwater district Zhao Huan petitioned for pay at his former rank; the court ordered him supported. Left vice director Xu presented three fascicles of the previous reign’s Veritable Records; the emperor burned incense and received them standing.
19
殿 使 殿
In the third month, on xinchou, he returned from the Tian Kai Hall. Heavy snow fell. On bingwu Zongbi was appointed grand preceptor. On bingchen Left Palace Commissioner Liu Ke was dispatched with imperial robes, cap, and jade regalia to invest the Prince of Kang of Song as emperor. The former Song empress dowager Lady Wei, the former consort Lady Xing, Duke of Tianwater commandery Zhao Ji and Lady Zheng, and the duke’s coffin were escorted south to Jiangnan. On wuwu his son Ji’an was installed as crown prince. On bingyin in the fourth month an edict proclaimed vassalage to Song within and without the realm. On gengwu the Five Clouds Tower, the Hall of Double Brightness, and other palace halls were finished. On guisi, the fifth month’s new moon, he did not hold court. Since the previous year the emperor had given himself over to drink, carousing with close ministers far into the night. When grand councilors came to remonstrate, he would ply them with wine and say, “I know what you mean. I have drunk today; tomorrow I shall reform.” —and then drink again. On yimao the court sent Song the treaty oath edict. On xinyou he feasted the ministers in the Five Clouds Tower until every man was drunk.
20
使 西
On jiawu in the seventh month the Uyghurs sent tributary envoys. Locusts infested Beijing and Guangning prefecture. On dingyou Zongbi received a golden tally of authority. On dingmao in the eighth month an edict ordered Zhu Bian, Zhang Shao, and Hong Hao sent home to Song. On xinwei Taizong’s son Hulu was restored to princely status. The court granted famine relief in Shaanxi.
21
婿
On renchen in the ninth month an edict granted stipends to the prince of Tianshui’s sons, nephews, and sons-in-law and to the duke of Tianshui’s sons.
22
殿便殿 使殿 殿
On jichou, New Year’s Day of the third year, the crown prince’s death kept the emperor from the main hall; ministers offered New Year greetings at the side hall. Envoys from Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia offered distant congratulations at the Hall of Supreme Pole. On yisi, the Longevity Festival, ceremonies followed the New Year precedent. On xinmao in the third month Xu was promoted to chief councilor and Zongxian, commander of the palace guard, was named left vice director of the Department of State Affairs. On dingyou Grand Empress Dowager of the Tanggute clan died. On jiyou his son Daoji was enfeoffed as prince of Wei.
23
On dingsi, the fifth month’s new moon, Jingzhao presented stalks of auspicious wheat. On guihai the emperor offered sacrifices for the late grand empress dowager. On jiashen the court first established the imperial ancestral temple and the altars of soil and grain. On jiyou in the sixth month the court first established the Valiant Valor Army. On bingyin in the seventh month the emperor again sacrificed for the grand empress dowager. On gengchen Taiyuan circuit presented a xiezhi and stalks of auspicious wheat.
24
婿祿
On xinmao in the eighth month an edict granted stipends to grandsons of the prince of Tianshui and sons-in-law of the duke of Tianshui. On bingshen the Old Man star appeared—a portent of long life. On yisi the late grand empress dowager was posthumously titled Qinren. On wushen she was buried at Gongling. On guiwei, the twelfth month’s new moon, there was an eclipse of the sun.
25
使 使使 西 使 使
On guichou, New Year’s Day of the fourth year, Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent envoys with congratulations. On jiayin an edict distributed last year’s Song tribute payments among the imperial clan from the Founder downward. On jiwei Wang Lun, a Song envoy, was named transport commissioner of Pingzhou; after accepting the post he tried to decline—for his vacillation he was executed. On yichou Shaanxi presented twelve stalks of auspicious grain, every stalk bearing seven ears. On jisi, the Longevity Festival, Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On yihai the emperor sacrificed for Empress Qinren and wept until grief was spent. On guiwei in the second month the emperor went to the Eastern Capital. On bingshen he paused for the spring hunt on the Baibo River. On dingyou Uyghur envoys came with congratulations; Nianhe Han’nu was sent in reply.
26
殿
On xinhai, the fifth month’s new moon, he encamped at the Hall of Fragrant Breeze. On xinsi, the sixth month’s new moon, the sun was eclipsed.
27
使 使 殿
On dingwei, New Year’s Day of the fifth year, envoys from Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia came with congratulations. On guihai, the Longevity Festival, Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On yiwei in the second month he paused for the spring hunt at Jizhou. On wuchen in the third month he made camp at the Tian Kai Hall. On wuwu in the fifth month the court first used the emperor’s personal Jurchen small script. On renyin, moved by Chief Councilor Xu’s remonstrance, the emperor gave up wine and proclaimed the fact to his ministers. On yihai, the sixth month’s new moon, there was an eclipse of the sun.
28
殿
In the eighth month, on wuxu, the emperor departed the Tian Kai Hall. In the ninth month, on gengshen, he returned from the Eastern Capital. In the tenth month, on xinmao, the court augmented Taizu’s posthumous title. In the intercalary month, on wuyin, Daming prefecture reported an ox that had calved a qilin. On renchen, Huaizhou presented stalks of auspicious grain. In the twelfth month, on wushen, the court augmented posthumous titles for the ten ancestral emperors from the Founder downward and for Taizong and Huizong. On dingsi the court proclaimed a general amnesty.
29
使
In the third month, on renshen, Ali Bu was appointed right grand councilor of the mobile secretariat. On gengzi, the fourth month’s new moon, the emperor returned from the spring hunt. Zonggu, associate director of the Imperial Clan Court, was promoted to grand preceptor, right grand councilor, and concurrent director of the Secretariat. On wuwu Ali Bu, right grand councilor of the mobile secretariat, died. In the fifth month, on renshen, King Kojong of Goryeo died. On xinmao Left Palace Commissioner Liu Ke was named right grand councilor of the mobile secretariat.
30
使 使 西鹿 使 便殿 使
On yichou, New Year’s Day of the seventh year, envoys from Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia came with congratulations. On xinsi, the Longevity Festival, Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. On guiwei the deer park at the Western Capital was converted to civilian farmland. On dinghai Venus crossed the sky—a celestial portent. In the third month, on wuyin, Goryeo sent envoys to thank the court for condolence rites and for authorization to leave mourning. In the fourth month, on wuwu, the emperor feasted in the side hall. Drunk, the emperor killed Zongli, minister of revenue. In the sixth month, on dingyou, he executed Henghai Army commissioner Tian Juan, Left Department director Xi Yi, Hanlin awaiting appointment Xing Juzhan, and Wang Zhi, Gao Fengting, Wang Xiao, Zhao Yixing, Gong Yijian, and others.
31
In the seventh month, on jisi, Venus again crossed the sky and the court granted a partial amnesty in the capital region. In the ninth month Grand Preceptor and Right Grand Councilor Zonggu died. Zongbi, supreme commander, was promoted to grand preceptor and put in charge of the Three Departments while retaining supreme command and direction of mobile secretariat affairs. Grand councilor Xu became left chief councilor and palace attendant. Palace guard commander Zongxian became right chief councilor and concurrent director of the Secretariat. Mobile secretariat right grand councilor Liu Ke and right vice director Xiao Zhonggong were named grand councilors; Li Degu became right vice director of the Department of State Affairs; and Secretariat director Xiao Zi became vice grand councilor. In the tenth month, on renzi, Grand Councilor of mobile secretariat affairs Xi Bao died. In the eleventh month, on guiyou, Works vice minister Pusan Taiwan was appointed censor-in-chief. On yihai Minister of War Bingde presented a sheep with three horns. On jimao an edict cut the court’s daily provision of sheep and swine by two-fifths. On guiwei Zongxian, left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, was named grand councilor of the mobile secretariat, and Imperial Clan associate director Liang was made left vice director. In the twelfth month, on wuwu, Vice Grand Councilor Han Fang was dismissed from office. Minister of War Bingde was promoted to vice grand councilor.
32
使 使 使 使 殿 殿 使
On gengshen, New Year’s Day of the eighth year, envoys from Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia came with congratulations. On bingzi, the Longevity Festival, Song, Goryeo, and Western Xia sent congratulatory envoys. In the second month, on renzi, Goluge Bogu and others were dispatched as gift-bearing envoys to Goryeo and Western Xia. On jiayin Zong’an of the Court of Judicial Review and others were sent to invest King Xian of Goryeo. On yimao the emperor went to the Tian Kai Hall. On wuzi, the fourth month’s new moon, the sun was eclipsed. On xinchou Vice Grand Councilor Bingde and others were dispatched on an integrity inspection of officials. On gengxu he returned from the Tian Kai Hall. On jiayin the compilation of the History of Liao was completed. In the sixth month, on yimao, Grand Councilor Xiao Zhonggong became left grand councilor of the mobile secretariat, Left Vice Director Liang became grand councilor, and palace guard commander Tangguo Bian became left vice director of the Department of State Affairs. Goryeo sent envoys to thank the court for the investiture.
33
'使使'
In the eleventh month, on renchen, Venus again crossed the sky. On yiwei Left Chief Councilor Zongxian, Left Vice Director Bingde, and others urged that prefectural and circuit governors should all be Jurchens. The emperor said, “Within the four seas all are my subjects. If we treat people differently, how can we achieve unity? Does not the proverb say, ‘Do not employ one you doubt; do not doubt one you employ’? From now on, whether Jurchen or of other stocks, appoint each according to talent alone.” On xinchou Zongxian was named left vice commander-in-chief; Grand Councilor Liang became left chief councilor and palace attendant; and Vice Grand Councilor Bingde became grand councilor. On gengxu Zongxian was again made grand preceptor while retaining the posts of left chief councilor and left vice commander-in-chief. In the twelfth month, on yimao, Right Chief Councilor Xiao Zhonggong was promoted to grand tutor and director of the Three Departments, and Left Chief Councilor Liang became right chief councilor. On yihai Zongxian was made grand preceptor, put in charge of the Three Departments, and named supreme commander as well.
34
In the second month, on jiayin, Metropolitan Herd director Tangguo Bian was again made left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, and Left Vice Director Bingde became grand councilor of the mobile secretariat. On guiwei, the third month’s new moon, the sun was eclipsed. On xinchou Minister of Works Zongben became right chief councilor and concurrent director of the Secretariat, and Left Chief Councilor Liang was made grand preceptor directing the Three Departments.
35
殿殿 宿
On the night of renshen in the fourth month a violent storm broke; thunder shattered the owl-tail finials of the sleeping hall and fire swept into the imperial bedchamber, burning the curtains—the emperor fled to another hall. On dingchou dragons were reported fighting on the Yulin River in Lizhou. The gale wrecked private homes and government buildings alike; tiles, timbers, people, and livestock were hurled ten-odd li, and several hundred were killed or injured. In the fifth month, on wuzi, the court proclaimed a general amnesty for the celestial portents of renshen and dingchou in the fourth month. Hanlin academician Zhang Jun was ordered to draft the amnesty edict; Vice Grand Councilor Xiao Zi seized on a phrase as slander—the emperor flew into a rage and had Zhang Jun killed. That same day the court granted a partial amnesty to prisoners at the Upper Capital. On gengyin Grand Preceptor Liang, director of the Three Departments, was assigned to head mobile secretariat affairs. On wushen Armory director Yelü Bajin falsely accused night-duty general Xiao Rong of faction with Prince of Zuo Yuan; both were put to death.
36
In the sixth month, on jiwei, Supreme Commander Zongmin became grand preceptor directing the Three Departments and left vice commander-in-chief, while Left Chief Councilor Zongxian was named concurrent supreme commander. In the eighth month, on gengshen, Liu Ke was made minister of works while retaining the post of mobile secretariat right grand councilor. The chief ministers proposed relocating the people of Liaoyang and Bohai to the region south of Yan, and the emperor approved. Attendants Gao Shouxing and others faced transfer and appealed to the empress, who reported it to the emperor. Enraged at the officials who had debated the policy, he had Grand Councilor Bingde beaten and Left Department director Sanhe executed. In the ninth month, on bingshen, Liang, who had directed mobile secretariat affairs, was again made grand councilor. On wuxu Right Chief Councilor Zongben became grand preceptor directing the Three Departments; Left Vice Commander-in-Chief Zongmin took charge of mobile secretariat affairs; Grand Councilor Bingde became left chief councilor and concurrent director of the Secretariat; and Minister of Works Liu Ke was named grand councilor. On gengzi Censor-in-Chief Zongfu was promoted to vice grand councilor.
37
使 滿 使 滿殿 殿 殿 滿 滿
In the tenth month, on yichou, Prince of Zuo Yuan, Northern Capital garrison commander, his younger brother Anwu Army commissioner Chala, and Left Guard general Tesi were executed. The court proclaimed a great amnesty. On guiyou Hanlin academician Jing was appointed censor-in-chief. In the eleventh month, on guiwei, Empress Peiman was put to death. Saomao, consort of the late Prince of Zuo, was summoned into the palace. On wuzi the former princes of Deng, A’lan and Da’lan, were executed. On guisi the emperor went hunting at Hulahun Tuwun. The court sent agents to kill Consort Wugulun and the consorts of the Gu and Zhang clans. On jiyou, the twelfth month’s new moon, the emperor returned from the hunt. On bingchen the emperor had the late Consort Peiman’s remains used in constructing a sleeping hall—a gesture of perverse cruelty. Meanwhile Grand Councilor Liang, seeing the court paralyzed by fear, conspired with his confidants—imperial son-in-law Tangguo Bian, sleeping-hall attendant Da Xingguo, guard squad leader Hutu, Ali Chuhu, and others. On dingsi Hutu and Ali Chuhu were posted to inner palace duty, and provincial clerk Li Laoseng was sent to confer with Xingguo. At the second watch Xingguo stole the tally, forged an edict to open the palace gate, and summoned Bian and the rest. Liang hid a blade and followed Bian to the palace gate; the guards, knowing Bian as imperial son-in-law, suspected nothing and let them in. At the hall gate the guards sensed trouble and drew blades to seize them—yet none dared act. When Hutu and Ali Chuhu reached the emperor, he groped for the blade he kept by the couch, not knowing Xingguo had already moved it; Hutu and Ali Chuhu struck first, and Liang stepped in to stab him himself—blood spattered his face and robes. The emperor died at thirty-one. Left Chief Councilor Bingde and the others thereupon seated Liang on the throne; they bowed in a circle, shouted “Long live the emperor!” and proclaimed him ruler. The fallen emperor was demoted to Prince of Eastern Darkness and buried in Empress Peiman’s tomb. In the third year of the Zhenyuan era he was reburied at Liaoxiangdian on Great Fang Mountain, in a tomb precinct shared with the princes. Early in the Dading era he received the posthumous title Emperor Wuling, the temple name Minzong, and the mausoleum name Siling. A separate ancestral temple was established for him. In the nineteenth year he was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and his posthumous title was augmented to Hongji Zuowu Zhuangjing Xiaocheng. In the twenty-seventh year his temple name was changed to Xizong. In the twenty-eighth year, because Siling was too cramped, he was reburied in Emei Valley, retaining the mausoleum name Siling. An edict was promulgated throughout the court and the realm.
38
Eulogy: In Xizong’s day the realm was untroubled; he honored the imperial clan and great ministers and entrusted them with government—his civil succession is worth regard. In his final years he drank to excess and killed at whim, until the court lived in dread. So it was said: slander stood before him yet he did not see it; treachery stood behind him yet he did not know it. His fall was not the work of a single morning or evening—it had been long in the making.
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →