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卷五十六 列傳第六: 蕭銑 杜伏威 輔公祏 沈法興 李子通 羅藝 梁師都

Volume 56 Biographies 6: Xiao Xian, du fuwei, Fu Gongshi, Shen Faxing, Li Zitong, Luo Yi, Liang Shidou

Chapter 60 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 60
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1
Prince of Yong'an Xiaoji; Prince of Huai'an Shentong; and his sons Daoyan, Xiaocha, Xiaotong, Xiaoci, Xiaoyou, Xiaojie, Xiaoyi, and Xiaoyi.
2
Prince of Xiangyi Shenfu; his sons Demao and Wenliang.
3
Prince of Changping Shuliang; his sons Xiaoxie and Xiaobin; Xiaobin's sons Sixun and Sihui; Shuliang; and his younger brothers Deliang and Youliang.
4
Prince of Xiangwu Chen; Prince of Hejian Xiaogong and his son Hui; Xiaogong's younger brothers Jian and Gui; Prince of Lujiang Yuan; with Wang Junkuo appended.
5
西 使 祿 使 使 退 退 西
Prince of Huaiyang Daoxuan; Prince of Jiangxia Daozong; Prince of Longxi Boyi. Imperial Clan: Prince of Yong'an Xiaoji. Prince of Yong'an Xiaoji was a paternal cousin of Emperor Gaozu. His father Zhang had served as governor of Liang province under the Northern Zhou. He joined Prince Zhao You in a plot to kill Emperor Wen of Sui, but the conspiracy was discovered and he was put to death. When Emperor Gaozu came to the throne, he posthumously enfeoffed Zhang as Prince of Bi. Xiaoji was enfeoffed as Prince of Yong'an in 618. He served as commander of Shaan province and as Minister of Ceremonial Reception before being dismissed for an offense. In 619, Liu Wuzhou's general Song Jingang invaded Fen and Huai. Lu Chongmao of Xia county killed the magistrate, took up arms in rebellion, proclaimed himself King of Wei, and appealed to Liu Wuzhou for support. Xiaoji was again appointed campaign commander to put down the revolt, with Minister of Works Dugu Huai'en, Vice Director of the Secretariat Tang Jian, and Shaan commander Yu Jun all placed under his command. Liu Wuzhou sent his general Yuchi Jingde to reinforce Chongmao in secret. A major battle was fought at Xia county, the imperial army was routed, and Xiaoji, Tang Jian, and the others were all captured by the rebels. Later he plotted to return to the Tang cause and was killed by Liu Wuzhou. Emperor Gaozu mourned him, suspended court for three days, and granted his family one thousand bolts of silk. After the rebels were defeated, a reward was offered for his body, but it could not be found. A funeral was held by summoning his spirit home, and he was posthumously appointed General of the Left Guard with the posthumous title Zhuang. He left no son, so his cousin Shao's son Daoli was made his heir and enfeoffed as Prince of Gaoping commandery. In 626 his rank was reduced to that of a county duke. Early in the Yonghui reign he died while serving as prefect of Chen prefecture. Prince of Huai'an Shentong. Prince of Huai'an Shentong was a paternal cousin of Emperor Gaozu. His father Liang had served as governor of Hai prefecture under the Sui. At the start of the Wude reign he was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Zheng. At the end of the Sui, Shentong was in the capital. When the Tang uprising began, Sui agents tried to capture him. Shentong slipped into the mountains south of Hu county and, together with the capital champion Shi Wanbao, Pei Ji of Hedong, Liu Chongli, and others, raised troops in support of the cause. He sent envoys to ally with the Sizhu bandit chief He Panren. Panren arrived leading Princess Pingyang's forces. Shentong joined with them, advanced and captured Hu county, and his army grew to more than ten thousand men. He styled himself campaign commander of the Guanzhong circuit, with Shi Wanbao as his deputy, Pei Ji as chief administrator, Liu Chongli as marshal, and Linghu Defen as recorder. Emperor Gaozu was greatly pleased when he heard of this and appointed Shentong Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. He took part in the pacification of the capital and was appointed Director of the Imperial Clan. In 618 he was appointed General of the Right Yiyi Guard and enfeoffed as Prince of Yongkang, soon afterward renamed Prince of Huai'an and made Pacification Commissioner of the Shandong circuit. He attacked Yu Wenhuaji at Wei county. Huaji could not hold his ground and fled east to Liaocheng. Shentong pressed the pursuit and reached Liaocheng. When Huaji's supplies ran out he offered to surrender, but Shentong refused. His deputy, Vice Director of the Yellow Gate Cui Gan, urged him to accept the surrender. Shentong said, "Our soldiers have been out in the field for a long time. The enemy is exhausted and out of food; victory is only a matter of days. We should take the city by assault to show the power of the state, seize their treasure and silks, and distribute them as rewards to the army. If we accept their surrender, what will there be left for us to do? Gan said, "Dou Jiande is on his way, and Huaji is not yet subdued. Caught between two enemies, our position will be desperate. To take the city without a fight would be a great achievement. If we now grasp for their treasure and silks, defeat will come at any moment!" Shentong was furious and had Gan imprisoned in the camp. Before long Shiji sent supplies from Jibei, Huaji's army gradually recovered its strength, and they stood firm to fight. Shentong pressed the attack at close range. Beizhou prefect Zhao Junde scaled the battlements, but Shentong, resentful of another man's success, halted the army and refused to fight on. Junde cursed him bitterly and climbed back down, and the city continued to hold. Shentong then sent several thousand men to Weizhou to fetch siege equipment, but they were ambushed and defeated en route by men from Shen county. Dou Jiande's army was approaching, so he withdrew his forces. Two days later Huaji was captured by Jiande. The rebels' power swelled, and many cities and towns in Shandong went over to Jiande. Shentong's army gradually melted away. He fell back to Liyang and placed himself under Xu Shiji's protection, but soon fell into Jiande's hands. After Jiande's defeat he was again appointed Left Vice Director of the Hebei circuit executive. He followed Emperor Taizong in the campaign against Liu Heita and was transferred to General of the Left Wuwei Guard. In 627 he was appointed Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and granted an estate of five hundred taxable households. At that time Emperor Taizong told his meritorious ministers, "I have ranked your achievements and allotted your fiefs, but I fear I may not have done full justice. Speak for yourselves. Shentong said, "When the uprising first began, I was the one who led troops there first. Yet now men of the writing brush such as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui rank first in merit, and I cannot accept it." The Emperor said, "When the uprising first began, everyone had the same intent. Uncle, though you led troops there first, you never personally took the field. When Shandong was still unsettled, you were entrusted with independent command, yet when Jiande invaded from the south your entire army was lost; and when Liu Heita rose in revolt, your forces collapsed at the mere sight of the enemy. In reckoning merit and granting rewards today, Xuanling and the others deserve first place for the achievement of planning within the tent to secure the realm. They are like Xiao He of Han: though they never rode sweating horses into battle, they directed strategy from behind the lines, and so their merit ranks first. Uncle, you are the closest of kin to the throne, and I withhold nothing from you in my heart—but you cannot on account of family feeling be indiscriminately granted the same rewards as the meritorious ministers." In 630 he died. Emperor Taizong suspended court in mourning for him, posthumously appointed him Minister of Works, and gave him the posthumous title Jing. In 640 an edict ordered that he, together with Prince of Hejian Xiaogong, the posthumously honored Right Vice Director of the Shaan executive Yin Kaishan, Duke of Yun with posthumous title Jie, and the posthumously honored Minister of Revenue Liu Zhenghui, Duke of Yu with posthumous title Xiang, receive joint sacrifice in Emperor Gaozu's ancestral temple. He had eleven sons. The eldest, Daoyan, was enfeoffed as Prince of Jiaodong in 622; the next, Xiaocha, Prince of Gaomi; Xiaotong, Prince of Zichuan; Xiaoci, Prince of Guangping; Xiaoyou, Prince of Hejian; Xiaojie, Prince of Qinghe; and Xiaoyi, Prince of Jiaoxi.
6
便
At first, when Emperor Gaozu took the throne, the realm was still unsettled, so he broadly enfeoffed members of the imperial clan to overawe the empire. Several dozen paternal cousins and nephews who were still children were all made princes of commanderies. When Emperor Taizong came to the throne, he took up the imperial clan register kept by the Director of the Imperial Clan and asked his ministers, "Is it good for the realm to enfeoff imperial clansmen so broadly? Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Feng Deyi replied, "Looking through history, never have so many been enfeoffed as kings as today. From the Han dynasties onward, only the emperor's sons and close brothers were enfeoffed as kings. More distant members of the imperial clan were not enfeoffed indiscriminately unless they had great merit, as with Xun and Teng under Zhou or Jia and Ze under Han. That was how near and distant kin were distinguished. The previous court, in the name of cherishing the nine clans, enfeoffed them all as kings. Once their titles were raised so high, many were burdened with corvée labor. That treated the realm as private property and was far from the way of governing all under Heaven with utmost fairness." Emperor Taizong said, "I govern the realm for the sake of the people. I do not wish to burden the people in order to support my own kin." Thereupon most members of the imperial clan, on account of distant kinship, had their ranks reduced to commandery dukes, and only several dozen men with real achievement were enfeoffed as kings. At that time Daoyan and the others all had their ranks reduced along with the rest. Daoyan and his youngest brother Xiaoyi were the best known among them.
7
綿 使 退
From childhood Daoyan served his parents with exceptional devotion. When the uprising first began, Shentong fled into hiding and fell ill in the mountains. He remained there for weeks until the food in the hills ran out. Daoyan put on old, tattered clothes, went among people to beg, and gathered wild fruits to feed his father, keeping nothing for himself. When his father tried to share food with him, he would claim he had already eaten, then secretly hide what he was given to save for later need. When Shentong joined the uprising, Daoyan was appointed Gentleman for Court Audience. When Emperor Gaozu took the throne, Daoyan was enfeoffed as Duke of Yixing commandery, then advanced to Prince of Jiaodong and appointed prefect of Long prefecture. Early in the Zhenguan reign he was transferred to commissioner of Xiang prefecture, had his rank reduced to duke under the general precedent, and was appointed commissioner of Min prefecture. When his father died he entered mourning, built a hut beside the tomb, carried earth to raise the mound, and personally planted pines and cypresses. Grief so wasted his appearance that relatives and friends no longer recognized him. When Emperor Taizong heard of this he praised him warmly and sent Attendant-in-Ordinary Wang Gui to offer further consolation and guidance. He was again appointed commissioner of Min prefecture. Daoyan sent envoys to announce the Tang's authority to the various Tangut tribes, and many submitted. When Li Jing attacked Tuyuhun, an edict appointed Daoyan campaign commander of the Chishui route. At that time the court again sent rich gifts to the Tangut and ordered them to serve as guides. The Tangut chieftain Tuo Ba Chici came to Li Jing's camp and told the generals, "In the past, whenever Sui forces came to attack Tuyuhun, we Tangut supplied their armies, yet the Sui were faithless and always invaded and plundered us. If you, General, have no other designs, we will supply grain for your transport; but if we are deceived, we will immediately hold the passes and block your army's route. The generals drank blood with him in alliance, and Chici trusted them. When Daoyan reached Kuoshui and saw that Chici was unprepared, he attacked him and seized several thousand head of cattle and sheep. The Qiang tribes were enraged and massed troops at Yehu Gorge. Daoyan could not advance, Chici seized the opportunity, and the army was routed with tens of thousands dead. Daoyan withdrew to Song prefecture. In the end he was sentenced to commuted death and exile to the frontier. He was later recalled and appointed commissioner of Liang prefecture. He died soon afterward and was posthumously appointed Minister of Rites.
8
使 使
From youth Xiaoyi loved learning and was skilled at literary composition. He was first enfeoffed as Duke of Liang commandery. Late in Emperor Gaozong's reign he served as Supervising Attendant and rose through four promotions to chief administrator of the Yizhou metropolitan prefecture. When Empress Wu assumed power, he entered court service as General of the Left Guard and enjoyed great favor. In 684 Xu Jingye seized Yangzhou and rebelled. Xiaoyi was appointed General of the Left Yuling Guard and Grand Campaign Commander of Yangzhou to lead the army against him. Xiaoyi led his army to the Huai River. Jingye was then attacking Runzhou to the south and had sent his younger brother Jingyou to encamp at Huaiyin; while the rebel general Wei Chao held Duliang Mountain to block Xiaoyi's advance. Lieutenant general Ma Jingchen attacked and killed the rebel secondary commanders Yuchi Zhao, Xiahou Zan, and others. Chao then gathered his forces on the mountain and dug in. Someone said to Xiaoyi, "Chao's force holds the passes and uses the mountain as a barrier. If we attack, the infantry will have no room to exert themselves and the cavalry no room to charge. Cornered rebels will fight to the death, and our casualties will be heavy. Better to detach troops to contain them while the main army marches straight on Yangzhou. In a few days their resistance will surely collapse. Support-Distribution Commissioner and Guang Prefecture Vice-Marshal Xue Ke Gou said, "Although Chao holds the passes, his troops are not numerous. If we encounter a small rebel band and fail to attack, how can we demonstrate our martial prowess? If we detach troops to garrison them, we will miss our chance; if we leave them and press on, they will become a threat in our rear. We should attack them. Defeat Chao and Huaiyin will lose heart on its own. Once Huaiyin falls, every county in Chu prefecture will open its gates to the imperial army. Then we can advance on Gaoyou and strike straight for Jiangdu. The rebel leader's head will be ours for the taking. Xiaoyi followed his counsel and advanced against Chao's rebels. Pressing down from the heights, the imperial army stormed the mountain and killed several hundred. At dusk the siege lifted, and Chao slipped away in silence under cover of night. Xiaoyi led his troops against Huaiyin and routed Jingyou's army. Jingye had recalled his army and encamped at Xia'a Creek to block the imperial advance when a shooting star fell on his camp. Xiaoyi led his troops across the creek to attack him. Jingye won the opening clash but lost the next. Xiaoyi pursued the fleeing rebels for dozens of li. Hard pressed, Jingye fled with his followers and their families into a coastal inlet. Xiaoyi advanced into Yangzhou, captured and executed Jingye and his followers, and returned in triumph. For his service he was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Army, transferred to General of the Left Leopard Bow Guard, and enfeoffed as Duke of Wu. Xiaoyi had long enjoyed a high reputation, and from this victory his standing grew even greater. Wu Chengsi and his faction deeply envied him and repeatedly slandered him. In 686 he was demoted to prefect of Shi. That winter Chengsi and his allies sent men to accuse Xiaoyi falsely. They claimed that while serving in Yizhou he had once parsed the character for his name Yi, saying, "To run after a rabbit is always to be in the moon. The moon is near heaven — he was therefore destined for imperial rule. Empress Wu, because Xiaoyi had often rendered great service, commuted his death sentence to exile in Dan prefecture. He died soon afterward. Early in the Jingyun era he was posthumously appointed metropolitan overseer of Yizhou. Xiaorui's grandson Qiwu and Xiaotong's great-grandson Guozhen have separate biographies.
9
祿 輿殿輿 祿
Prince of Xiangyi Shenfu was the younger brother of Shentong. Orphaned in youth, he was known for the friendship and fraternal devotion he showed his elder brother. Early in the Yining era he was appointed Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and enfeoffed as Duke of Anji commandery. In 618 he was promoted to Prince of Xiangyi commandery. In 621, after a series of promotions, he became area commander of Bing prefecture. When the Türk khagan Jieli led a raid, Shenfu took the field and fought him east of the Fen River. He routed the Türks, took five hundred heads, and captured two thousand horses. He fought again north of the Sha River, captured the Türk elite commander Yili along with the khagan's horse and armor, and presented them as trophies. He was then summoned to court and appointed Director of the Palace Storehouse. In 626 he was transferred to metropolitan overseer of Yang prefecture. He moved the prefectural seat and its residents across the river from Danyang, to the great benefit of the region. Early in the Zhenguan era he was again transferred, becoming Director of the Imperial Clan Court. Later he resigned because of illness. Emperor Taizong visited his home to inquire after him, bestowed silk and brocade, and regularly sent mutton and wine. He was also ordered to ride in a small palanquin and was brought into the Ziwei Hall. Because Shenfu suffered from foot ailment, the Three Guards carried him up in a litter. Soon afterward he was granted the ceremonial rank of Grand Master with Privileges Equal to Three Departments. He died in 651 at the age of seventy-three. He was posthumously appointed Minister of Works and commissioner of Jing prefecture, buried with Emperor Gaozu's Xian mausoleum, and given the posthumous title Gong, Respectful. He had seven sons. Early in Wude all were enfeoffed as commandery princes, then later demoted by precedent to county marquises. His second son Demao and youngest son Wenliang were the most renowned. Demao rose to Director of the Lesser Treasury and Duke of Linchuan commandery. Wenliang served in turn as commissioner of You prefecture and Duke of Wei commandery. During the Chuigong era he was demoted to deputy prefect of Teng prefecture for an offense and was soon executed. Wenliang's son Quan served as Director of the Imperial Clan Court during the Kaiyuan era. Prince of Changping Shuliang — Prince of Changping Shuliang was a paternal cousin of Emperor Gaozu. His father Yi had held the Sui rank of Senior Master of Ceremony of the Third Rank. Early in Wude he was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Xun. During the Yining era Shuliang was appointed Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and enfeoffed as Duke of Changping commandery. In 618 he was appointed Vice Minister of Justice and promoted to princely rank. He took command at Jing prefecture to guard against Xue Ju. Ju then falsely claimed his provisions were exhausted, withdrew south, and sent a man from Gaodi to offer a fake surrender. Shuliang sent swift-cavalry commander Liu Gan to meet them. At Baili Xichuan an ambush sprang up, the imperial army was routed, and Liu Gan fell in battle. Shuliang was terrified and distributed gold to reward his soldiers. He tightened the defenses, and Jing prefecture barely held. In 621, when the Türks raided, Shuliang was ordered to lead five armies against them. Shuliang was struck by a stray arrow and died. He was posthumously appointed General-in-Chief of the Left Wing Guard and area commander of Ling prefecture, with the posthumous title Su, Solemn.
10
His son Xiaoxie succeeded him. In 622 he was enfeoffed as Prince of Fanyang commandery. Early in the Zhenguan era, by the precedent for more distant imperial kin, his rank was reduced to Duke of Xun. He later rose through successive promotions to prefect of Wei. During the Linde era he was sentenced to death for accepting bribes.
11
Xiaoxie's younger brother Xiaobin rose to chief administrator of the Yuan prefecture commissionerate.
12
西
Xiaobin's son Sixun, during Emperor Gaozong's reign, rose through successive appointments to magistrate of Jiangdu. When Empress Wu seized power, many members of the imperial clan were framed. Sixun resigned his office and went into hiding. Early in the Shenlong era, when Emperor Zhongzong restored the Tang dynasty, Sixun was suddenly promoted to Director of the Imperial Clan Court and enfeoffed as Duke of Longxi commandery with an income of two hundred households, in recognition of his senior standing in the clan. He served as chief administrator of Yizhou. Early in the Kaiyuan era he was General of the Left Forest Guard, then promoted to Duke of Peng with an additional two hundred taxable households, and soon transferred to General of the Right Martial Guard. He died in 718. He was posthumously appointed commissioner of Qin prefecture and buried with Emperor Ruizong's Qiao mausoleum. Sixun was especially skilled at painting. To this day painters speak of "General Li's landscapes" — the style he himself made famous.
13
Sixun's younger brother Sihui served as an aide in Yang prefecture during the Chuigong era. Sihui's son Linpu has a separate biography.
14
Shuliang's younger brother Deliang had been ill from youth and never held office. Early in Wude he was enfeoffed as Prince of Xinxing. He died in 637 and was posthumously appointed commissioner of Liang prefecture.
15
殿
Deliang's grandson Jin, during the Xiantian era, served as Director of the Palace Administration and concurrent chief administrator of Yong prefecture. He enjoyed great renown and was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Xinxing. Soon afterward he was executed for associating with Princess Taiping, and his clan surname was changed to Li. When Jin was about to be executed, his staff officials all fled. Only Records Officer Li Zong followed on foot, observing every propriety of office, and wept over his corpse. When Yao Chong heard of this, he said, "He is of the same breed as Luan and Xiang. He was promoted to a Secretariat officer. He later rose to prefect of Ze.
16
西 祿 祿使 使 退 使 使 使 使 西 退 歿
Deliang's younger brother Youliang was enfeoffed as Prince of Changle early in Wude. Once when someone stole his horse, Youliang captured the thief and killed him on the spot. Emperor Gaozu was furious and said, "In antiquity a man who had his horse stolen would treat the thief to wine and in the end receive his reward. You executed the man outright — where is the spirit of the ancients! The thief was indeed guilty, but is summary execution not itself a wrong? He sent Minister of Rites Li Gang to assemble the princes and nobles of the imperial clan in the court hall and have Youliang flogged. Afterward he rose through successive appointments to commissioner of Liang prefecture. He kept more than a hundred unruly men as personal retainers, and they frequently terrorized the markets. Travelers suffered greatly. When Emperor Taizong took the throne, someone reported that Youliang was secretly training desperate men and maintaining contacts beyond the border, possibly plotting rebellion. An edict sent Chief Councillor Yuwen Shiji to replace him as commissioner and investigate. Fearing a revolt, Shiji had him strangled. Prince of Xiangwu Chen — Prince of Xiangwu Chen was a son of Emperor Gaozu's paternal cousin. His grandfather Wei had been area commander of Shuo prefecture under the Northern Zhou. His father An had been General-in-Chief of the Palace Guard under the Sui. Early in Wude, Wei was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Cai and An as Prince of Xiping. During the Yining era Chen was enfeoffed as Duke of Xiangwu commandery. Together with Director of Ceremonial Zheng Yuanshang he brought female entertainers as gifts to the Türk khagan Shibi to cement a marriage alliance. Shibi received them with great honor, bestowed several hundred fine horses, and sent the Türk noble Kutlug Tegin to accompany Chen in presenting tribute. Emperor Gaozu was greatly pleased. He appointed Chen Vice Minister of Justice and promoted him to princely rank. He served in turn as area commander of Pu and Jiang prefectures. When Song Jingang seized Fen prefecture and many Jié-Xiongnu groups were in revolt, Chen was transferred to area commander of Xi prefecture to pacify the region. He governed with leniency and restraint, and both barbarians and Chinese lived in peace under his rule. He died in 620. His son Jian succeeded him. Later, by precedent, his title was reduced to marquis. Chen's younger brother Xiaogong — Prince of Hejian Xiaogong was Chen's younger brother. When Emperor Gaozu took the capital, Xiaogong was appointed Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Soon afterward he became commissioner for pacification of the South Mountain circuit. Setting out from Jin prefecture into Ba and Shu, he won people over with courtesy, and more than thirty prefectures submitted. Xiaogong pressed the attack on Zhu Can and defeated him. The generals said, "These are man-eating bandits who have done terrible harm. We ask that they be buried alive. Xiaogong said, "No! From here eastward all is enemy territory. If word of this spreads, who will dare to surrender? He pardoned them all instead. Thereafter, wherever his proclamations reached, surrender followed in succession. In 619 he was appointed area commander of Xin prefecture with authority to grant provisional commissions under imperial writ. When Xiao Xian held Jiangling, Xiaogong submitted a plan to defeat him, and Emperor Gaozu praised and adopted it. In 620 his title was advanced to prince. Xin prefecture was renamed Kui prefecture, and Xiaogong was appointed area commander there. He was ordered to build a large fleet and train his forces in naval warfare for a campaign against Xiao Xian. Xiaogong summoned the sons of Ba-Shu tribal leaders, assigned them posts suited to their abilities, and kept them close at hand. Outwardly it looked like promotion; in fact they were hostages. Soon afterward he was appointed campaign commander of the Jing-Xiang circuit, with twelve land and naval commanders under him. He set out from Xia prefecture and advanced on Jiangling. He stormed their river fort and took it, then scattered the captured ships down the Yangtze. The generals objected: "We should put those rebel ships to use. Why cast them away? Aren't we just handing the enemy an advantage? Xiaogong replied, "Not at all. Xiao Xian's rebel territory runs south to the far side of the Nanling ranges and east to Dongting. If we fail to take the city and their reinforcements arrive, we'll be caught between enemies with no room to advance or retreat. Even with ships, what good would they do us? When Xian's riverside garrisons see boats drifting downstream in disorder, they'll know he's lost and hesitate to advance. They'll linger on the river scouting for weeks—buying us time. Victory is assured. Xian's relief force reached Baling, saw the scattered vessels floating downriver, and as Xiaogong had predicted, hung back in suspicion rather than press forward. Cut off both within and without, Xian surrendered. Emperor Gaozu was delighted. He appointed Xiaogong Grand Area Commander of Jing prefecture and had painters render his likeness for the court to admire. He then established military colonies and copper works, to the benefit of the local populace. In 623 he was made Left Vice President of the Xiangzhou Circuit Executive. Although Jing and Xiang were now secure, the far south had not yet been fully pacified. Xiaogong dispatched envoys throughout the region to win hearts and minds. All forty-nine prefectures south of the Nanling submitted. When Fu Gongshi seized Jiangdong and rebelled, sending raiders against Shouyang, Xiaogong was appointed supreme campaign commander to crush him. In 624 Xiaogong marched from Jing prefecture toward Jiujiang. Li Jing, Li Ji, Huang Junhan, Zhang Zhenzhou, and Lu Zushang all served under his command. On the eve of departure he banqueted his generals. When water was brought to the table it turned to blood. Every man present blanched. Xiaogong remained composed. "Fortune and disaster have no fixed gate," he told them calmly. "They are only what men bring upon themselves. I know I have wronged no one. Why are you so troubled? Gongshi has piled up evil until disaster must fall. We march under the emperor's plan to destroy him. This blood in the bowl is an omen that Gongshi will lose his head when the campaign ends. He drained the cup and dismissed the gathering. All who witnessed it marveled at his poise and his ability to steady the troops. Gongshi posted his generals Feng Huiliang and Chen Dangshi with the fleet on Bowang Mountain, and Chen Zhengtong and Xu Shaozong with infantry and cavalry on Qinglin Mountain. Xiaogong arrived and refused battle behind strengthened defenses while detachments severed the rebel supply lines. As the rebels grew hungrier, they raided the camp by night. Xiaogong slept on undisturbed. The next day he sent weak troops to feint at the rebel fort while Lu Zushang waited with elite cavalry in formation. The feinting force broke and fled. The rebels gave chase for several li, ran into Lu Zushang's cavalry, and were routed. Zhengtong abandoned his camp and rejoined Feng Huiliang on Liang Mountain. Xiaogong pressed the attack, stormed the secondary fort on Liang Mountain, and killed several thousand rebels who drowned trying to escape. Zhengtong fled by night with the land forces. Li Jing, area commander under Xiaogong, took Guangling and captured Yangzi garrison. Hard pressed, Gongshi abandoned Danyang and fled east. Xiaogong sent cavalry in pursuit. At Wukang they captured Gongshi, his chancellor Ximen Junyi, and dozens of other rebels. Jiangnan was fully pacified. The emperor sent a commendatory decree, granting him a mansion of the first rank, two companies of female performers, seven hundred servants, and a profusion of gold, jewels, and treasures. He was appointed Left Vice President of the Southeast Circuit Executive. The circuit executive was later abolished, and he was appointed Metropolitan Commissioner of Yangzhou. After defeating Gongshi, Xiaogong held authority over both the Jiang-Huai region and Lingnan. From the chaos at the end of the Sui, one warlord after another had risen, and all were brought down by Emperor Taizong with his strategists and generals at his side. Few outside that inner circle won independent renown. Only Xiaogong earned distinction commanding a whole region, and his fame was immense. He began to comport himself with growing grandeur, hoping his reputation alone would keep the frontier calm. He built an imposing estate at Shitou and posted fortified watch stations around it. He was soon recalled to court and appointed Director of the Imperial Clan Court. In 626 he received an income of twelve hundred taxable households. Early in the Zhenguan era he became Minister of Rites and, as a founding merit holder, was enfeoffed as Prince of Hejian. He was assigned as prefect of Guan and, together with Zhangsun Wuji and others, entered the rotation by which founding ministers served as regional governors. Xiaogong was extravagant by nature and devoted to feasting and entertainment. He kept more than a hundred singing girls and dancers. Yet he was forgiving and unassuming, without a trace of arrogance or self-congratulation. Emperor Taizong treated him with exceptional favor. Among the imperial clan, none stood as close. Xiaogong once told his intimates, with evident regret, "My house has grown a little too grand for my taste. I should sell it and build something modest—just enough to live in. After I am gone, if my sons are capable, that will be enough for them; if they are not, I hope at least to keep others from coveting what I leave behind. He died suddenly in 640, aged fifty. Emperor Taizong wore plain mourning and wept bitterly. Xiaogong was posthumously appointed Minister of Works and commissioner of Yangzhou, buried with Emperor Gaozu's Xian mausoleum, given the posthumous name Yuan, and granted a place in Emperor Gaozu's temple.
17
His son Chongyi succeeded him. His title was reduced to Duke of Qiao. He served as prefect of Pu and Tong in turn, then as chief administrator under the Yizhou Metropolitan Commissioner, and earned a formidable reputation. He later died while serving as Director of the Imperial Clan Court.
18
便 祿 使 使 使
Xiaogong's second son Hui, during the Qianfeng era, rose through successive appointments to commissioner of Ying prefecture, where his good governance became known; The emperor sent a commendatory decree and three hundred bolts of goods. He was transferred to General of the Right Golden Guard and concurrently made acting chief administrator of Yong prefecture. He prosecuted powerful wrongdoers without mercy, and officials and commoners alike feared and respected him. Hui's residence had a tower that looked down on a wineshop. The proprietor once came to him and said, "I am a humble man, scarcely worth your notice, but my household has elders and children, and we do not want strangers peering in on us. Your tower looms over my shop and makes coming and going difficult. I must ask to move elsewhere. Hui had the tower torn down that very day. When Emperor Gaozong prepared to travel to Luoyang, he left Hui in charge of the capital. "I entrust all affairs of Guanzhong to you," he told him. Statutes alone cannot make good government. Wherever something outside the statutes would benefit the people, do it at once—no need to seek approval. Hui distinguished himself again and again. When Empress Wu assumed power, he was transferred to Minister of Revenue. Early in the Chuigong era he became General of the Right Golden Guard Regiment, then Minister of Justice. He died in 689 and was posthumously appointed commissioner of You prefecture. His son Rong was executed by the era's notorious harsh investigators. Chen's younger brother Jian — Xiaogong's brother Jian — served during Wude as Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. He was enfeoffed as Prince of Jibei and died while serving as prefect of Shi. Jian's younger brother Gui — when the Tang army took the capital, Gui was appointed Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. In 618 he was enfeoffed as Duke of Hanyang. In 622 his title was advanced to prince. As the Turks repeatedly raided the frontier, Emperor Gaozu sent Gui with tens of thousands of bolts of silk to negotiate a marriage alliance. When Il Khan first received Gui, he sat with legs sprawled in contempt; Gui won him over with lavish gifts. Il Khan was delighted, changed his manner, and sent an envoy back with Gui bearing fine horses as tribute. When Gui returned on a later mission, Il Khan told his attendants, "Last time Li Gui came I regret not forcing him to bow. This time I will make him kowtow. Gui learned of the plan. When he met Il Khan he offered a deep bow but refused to kneel. Il Khan was furious and detained him. Gui remained calm throughout and never yielded. Seeing that threats would not break him, Il Khan finally released him with proper courtesy. He was appointed General of the Left Martial Guard, then Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, succeeding his elder brother Xiaogong as commissioner of Jing prefecture. His rule was quiet and fair, and scholars and commoners deeply trusted him. When rival chieftains beyond the Nanling attacked one another, he sent envoys to instruct them in the empire's power and its mercy. They submitted one after another, and the far south was pacified. When Emperor Taizong came to the throne, Gui's title was reduced to duke by precedent. His chief administrator Feng Changming, a former Censor-in-Chief who was habitually arrogant, made many decisions on his own. Gui had him beaten for it and was dismissed from office. In 630 he was appointed prefect of Yichuan with the additional title Regular Attendant, and died in office.
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紿 使 退 使便 西 使 西
His son Chongxuan rose to Minister of Public Works during the Chuigong era; Chongxu died while serving as Supervisor of the Imperial Manufactories. Prince of Lujiang Yuan — Yuan was a cousin of Emperor Gaozu on the paternal line. His father Zhe, a Sui Pillar of State and Palace Guard General, was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Jinan. In 618 Yuan served as area commander of Xin prefecture and was enfeoffed as Prince of Lujiang. In 626 he was promoted to Metropolitan Commissioner of You prefecture. The court judged Yuan too timid for a frontier command and sent Right Vanguard General Wang Junke to assist with military affairs. Junke had once been a bandit and possessed extraordinary strength. Yuan leaned on him, promised him a marriage alliance, and confided in him as a trusted intimate. At that time the crown prince Jiancheng was plotting rebellion and cultivated ties with Yuan on the frontier. After Jiancheng was executed, the palace envoy Cui Dunli was sent to summon Yuan to court. Yuan's fear showed on his face. Junke, who was treacherous by nature, saw a chance to trap Yuan and claim the credit. He deceived Yuan: "There has been trouble in the capital—the outcome is still uncertain. You are the emperor's own cousin, entrusted with a frontier army. How can you march to court at the word of one messenger while tens of thousands of soldiers stand at your back? I hear Prince of Zhao has already been seized, and with things said to have gone against the crown prince and Prince of Qi alike—if you go now, can you be sure of your safety? They wept together. Yuan imprisoned Dunli and rose in rebellion. He summoned Wang Shen, prefect of Beiji, to discuss strategy. Army Staff Officer Wang Lishe urged Yuan, "Your Highness has raised troops without imperial orders—that is rebellion. You must change your methods of rule, adapt as circumstances demand, and first win the hearts of your followers. If the prefects refuse your orders and troops fail to rally when you call them, how will you protect yourself? Yuan asked, "What then should we do? Lishe replied, "East of the mountains once followed Dou Jiande. The tribal chiefs and local leaders were all officers of the rebel regime, but they have been dismissed and reduced to commoners. They hunger for rebellion like drought-blasted crops thirsting for rain. Send envoys to restore them to their old offices and have them recruit their former followers locally. Wherever a prefecture refuses, authorize whoever is on the spot to execute the offenders. If you adopt this plan, you can take Hebei as easily as drawing a breath. Then send Wang Shen north to link up with the Turks, advancing from Taiyuan south toward Pu and Jiang; while Your Highness yourself march on Luoyang and enter Tong Pass from the west. With both armies united, the empire will be settled in less than a month. Yuan accepted the plan. Yuan put all civil and military affairs entirely in Junke's hands. Lishe, distrusting Junke's unstable loyalty, urged Yuan to put the army under Wang Shen and remove Junke. Yuan could not make up his mind. Junke learned of it, rode at speed, and killed Shen. Holding up the head, he told the troops, "Li Yuan has rebelled with Wang Shen. They imprisoned the imperial envoy and raised troops without authorization. Wang Shen is already dead. Only Yuan remains, and he can do nothing. If you follow him, your families will be wiped out; join me in seizing him and you will be rich and honored at once. Fortune or ruin lies before you— which will you choose? The soldiers cried, "We will strike down the traitor. Junke led his men up the west wall of the city. Yuan did not yet know. Junke personally led more than a thousand men to the prison and freed Dunli. Yuan only then learned what was happening. He hastily mustered several hundred armored men and had scarcely stepped outside the gate when he ran into Junke. Junke shouted to Yuan's men, "Li Yuan led you into rebellion—why follow a traitor to your own destruction? They turned their weapons on Yuan and fled in every direction. Yuan stood alone and said to Junke, "These petty men betrayed me to win your favor. Your own turn will come. Junke seized Yuan and strangled him. Yuan was forty-one. His head was sent to the capital and his name was struck from the imperial clan rolls.
20
使 殿 祿 耀
Junke was a native of Shiai in Bingzhou. In youth he turned outlaw and became a bandit leader. He gathered more than a thousand followers, raided Changping, and pressed toward Xia County. Li Mi sent for him, and he went over to Mi's side. He soon led his followers to submit to Tang. He rose through successive posts to Right Martial Guard General and was enfeoffed repeatedly as Duke of Peng. After campaigning against Liu Heita, he was assigned to guard Youzhou. When Turks raided the frontier, Junke intercepted and routed them, killing or capturing more than two thousand men and taking five thousand horses. Emperor Gaozu was delighted. He summoned Junke to court, gave him an imperial horse, and had him ride it out across the palace courtyard. Then he told the ministers, "I have heard that when Lin Xiangru berated the King of Qin, blood burst from his eyes. Once, as Junke was about to ride out against Dou Jiande, Li Jing restrained him. Junke roared in fury until blood streamed from his eyes, nose, and ears at once. Such courage needs no apology to the ancients. He must be rewarded beyond ordinary measure. Gaozu granted him a brocade robe and gold belt and sent him back to Youzhou. Soon afterward he was made Left Army General-in-Chief and concurrently Metropolitan Protector of Youzhou for killing Yuan. Gaozu gave him Yuan's household, added the title Left Grand Master of Splendorous Happiness, granted a thousand bolts of goods, and conferred a fief of thirteen hundred households. In office he was habitually unrestrained. Chief Administrator Li Xuandao repeatedly threatened him with imperial law. Fearing denunciation, he grew profoundly uneasy. Later he was recalled to court. At Weinan he killed the relay clerk and fled. He was heading for the Turks when country folk killed him. His fief was posthumously revoked. Prince of Huaiyang Daoxuan — Daoxuan was a cousin of Emperor Gaozu on the paternal line. His grandfather Hui had served as area commander of Xiazhou under the Sui. At the start of the Tang he was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Yong. His father Zhi was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Henan. In 618 Daoxuan was enfeoffed Prince of Huaiyang and appointed to the Right Thousand-Ox Guard. At fifteen he followed Taizong against Song Jingang at Jiezhou, was first over the ramparts and through the enemy line. Taizong was impressed and rewarded him with a thousand bolts of goods. He later campaigned against Wang Shichong and won battle after battle. When Dou Jiande reached Hulao, Taizong used light cavalry as bait. Daoxuan led hidden troops along the left flank. When the enemy closed in, they were pursued and broken. At Sishui he fought under Taizong again, halberd in hand, smashing through the line, circling behind the enemy, scattering their ranks, and charging back through them. Taizong was delighted and gave Daoxuan a spare chariot of his own. Riding again with Taizong into the enemy, he entered and withdrew twice while arrows fell like rain and bristled like a hedgehog's quills. His fury only sharpened. Every man he shot fell at the twang of his bow. When Luoyang was pacified, he was made area commander of Luozhou. When the area command was abolished, he was reassigned as prefect of Luozhou. In 622, when Liu Heita led Turks into Hebei, Daoxuan was again made Commander on Campaign of the Shandong Circuit. His army encamped at Xiabo, where it met the rebels. Daoxuan led the cavalry charge himself and ordered his deputy Shi Wanbao to bring up the main force. Wanbao resented him. When Daoxuan pressed deep into the enemy lines, Wanbao held the main force back. He told his intimates, "I carry a handwritten edict saying that although the Huaiyang boy bears the title of general, advance and halt are mine to decide. He is reckless—crossing marshland to fight. If we march the main force forward, we will bog down. Better to hold formation and wait. That may harm the prince, but it will serve the state. Daoxuan was taken by the enemy and his whole force wiped out. Only Wanbao escaped. Daoxuan was killed. He was nineteen. Taizong mourned him for a long while. Once he told his ministers at ease, "Daoxuan followed me everywhere. He watched me plunge deep into enemy lines and win wherever I turned, and he wanted to be like me. That is why he charged first in every battle—he was learning from me. It is a pity he was so young and never lived to achieve great things. He wept as he spoke. He was posthumously made Left Guard Cavalry General-in-Chief and given the posthumous name Zhuang, meaning Bold. He had no sons. An edict enfeoffed his younger brother Daoming, Duke of Wudu, as Prince of Huaiyang to maintain Daoxuan's ancestral rites. Daoming rose through successive posts to Left Guard Cavalry General. While escorting Princess Honghua back to her people he let slip that she was not Taizong's daughter. His title was stripped and his fief abolished. He later died as prefect of Yanzhou. Daoxuan's paternal cousin — Prince of Jiangxia Daozong was Daoxuan's paternal cousin. His father Shao was posthumously enfeoffed Prince of Dongping and given the posthumous title Minister of Revenue. In 618 Daozong was enfeoffed Duke of Lueyang and entered service as Left Thousand-Ox Guard attendant. Campaigning against Liu Wuzhou, he fought at Dusuoyuan. The Tang army was defeated and the rebels pressed toward Hedong. Daozong was seventeen. He followed Taizong in leading troops to resist them. From the walls of Yubi, Taizong surveyed the enemy and turned to Daozong. "They rely on numbers and want to force us into battle. What do you advise? Daozong answered, "They come flush with victory—their momentum cannot be met head on. They can be broken by stratagem, not by force. Fortify the walls and raise the ramparts to blunt their attack; a rabble like this cannot hold together. When their grain runs out they will break apart, and we can take them without fighting. Taizong said, "Your counsel matches my own. The rebels did run out of supplies and fled by night. Taizong caught them at Jiezhou and destroyed them in a single battle. He later helped pacify Dou Jiande and defeat Wang Shichong and distinguished himself again and again. In 622 he was appointed area commander of Lingzhou. Liang Shidou held Xiazhou and sent his brother Luoren with tens of thousands of Turk horsemen to the city walls. Daozong shut the gates and held firm, then struck when he saw an opening and routed the enemy. Gaozu praised the feat and told Vice Director Pei Ji and Central Secretariat Director Xiao Yu, "Daozong can now defend the frontier and defeat larger forces with smaller ones. Long ago Prince Zhang of Rencheng drove back the enemy in person on the battlefield. Daozong's courage is the same. He was thereupon enfeoffed Prince of Rencheng. Earlier the Turks had allied with Liang Shidou. Their chieftain Yushe settled in the old Wuyuan territory, and Daozong drove him out. He made a display of force, pushed the border more than a thousand li, and won over the frontier peoples.
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使 使 使 滿 輿
In 627 he was summoned to court as Minister of Ceremonial, later serving as Left Army commander and Minister of Justice. As Taizong prepared campaigns against the Turks, Daozong was again made Metropolitan Protector of Lingzhou. In 629 he became Commander on Campaign of the Datong Circuit. When Li Jing's surprise attack broke Jieli Khan, Jieli fled with a dozen horsemen toward Daozong's command. Daozong advanced and ordered the local tribes to seize Jieli and send him in. Jieli slipped away by night with a few riders and hid in a desolate valley. Shaqiluo, fearing reprisals, rode in pursuit, captured him, and sent him to the capital. For this he received a fief of six hundred households and was made Minister of Justice. When Tuyuhun raided the frontier, Li Jing was made Great Commander on the Kunqiu Circuit, with Daozong and Minister of Civil Appointments Hou Junji as his deputies. Hearing the army approach, the enemy fled into the Zhang Mountains, already thousands of li away. The other generals wanted to halt the campaign. Daozong insisted on pursuit. Li Jing agreed, but Hou Junji refused. Daozong led a detached column by forced marches on a parallel route and caught the enemy ten days ahead of the main army. The enemy fought from strong ground. Daozong secretly sent a thousand horsemen over the mountains to strike their rear. Caught between two forces, they broke and fled. In 638 he was transferred to Minister of Rites and enfeoffed Prince of Jiangxia. Soon afterward he was imprisoned on corruption charges. Taizong told his ministers, "I possess the four seas and armies without number. If I wished to ride my chariot to every corner of the realm, tour without rest, gather rare curios from distant lands, and feast on delicacies from beyond the sea—could I not? But I will not weary my people for my own pleasure. Human desire knows no limit. It must be held in check by principle. Daozong's salary is generous and his banquets plentiful. He has more than enough wealth, yet he grasped for more. It is lamentable—and contemptible! He was dismissed from office and his fief was reduced. In 639 he was recalled as Metropolitan Protector of Maozhou. Before he could take up the post, he was transferred to prefect of Jinzhou. In 640 he was again appointed Minister of Rites. Hou Junji had distinguished himself in the conquest of Gaochang. Confident in his abilities, he secretly harbored treacherous ambitions. At a court banquet Daozong said calmly, "Junji's wit is small but his talk is grand, and his behavior is unseemly. In my view, he will lead a rebellion. Taizong asked, "How can you tell? Daozong answered, "He takes pride in modest achievements, boasts of them openly, and resents ranking below Fang Xuanling and Li Jing. Even as Minister of Civil Appointments his ambitions are unsatisfied. He speaks ill of worthy contemporaries and often voices bitter complaints. Taizong said, "One must not speculate rashly and breed needless suspicion. His achievements and talent qualify him for the highest posts. Would I stint on rank? The time simply has not come yet. Soon Hou Junji was executed for treason. Taizong smiled and told Daozong, "Junji's case proved exactly as you foresaw. When the main army marched against Goguryeo, Daozong and Li Jing led the vanguard, crossed the Liao River, and took Gaemu City. When a large enemy force appeared, the officers all wanted to entrench and hold strong ground until Taizong arrived. Daozong said, "We cannot do that. They have marched far in haste and their troops are exhausted. They rely on numbers and underestimate us. One strike will break them. Geng Yan refused to leave the enemy for his sovereign. As vanguard commander it is my duty to clear the way for the emperor's march. Li Jing agreed. He took several dozen picked horsemen and charged straight into the enemy lines, wheeling in and out. Li Jing joined the attack and they routed the enemy. When Taizong arrived he praised Daozong lavishly and granted him forty household slaves. They also raised an earthen mound to assault Ancheng. The mound collapsed. Daozong's dispositions failed, and the enemy seized it. He blamed Brave Corps Officer Fu Fu'ai and had him executed. Daozong went barefoot to the command banner to accept punishment. Taizong said, "When Emperor Wu executed Wang Hui he acted less wisely than Duke Mu of Qin, who pardoned Meng Ming. The loss of the mound was not wholly your fault. He dismissed the matter without further punishment. Daozong was wounded in the foot during battle. Taizong personally stitched the wound and gave him food from the imperial table. In 647, citing illness, he asked for a less demanding post and was made Minister of Ceremonial. In 650 he was given the honorific title Special Advance and his fief income was raised to six hundred households in all. In 653, when Fang Yiai was executed, Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang—long at odds with Daozong—accused him of conspiring with Yiai. He was exiled to Xiangzhou. He fell ill on the journey and died at fifty-four. After Wuji and Suiliang themselves were condemned, an edict restored Daozong's ranks and titles. In later life Daozong devoted himself to learning, admired men of talent, and never bullied others with his rank. Among the imperial clan, he and Prince Xiaogong of Hejian and his brothers were the most respected men of their time.
22
西西
Daozong's son Jingheng was demoted to Duke of Lu and rose to prefect of Xiangzhou. Prince Boyi of Longxi — Boyi was Emperor Gaozu's nephew. Gaozu's elder brothers were, in order, Cheng, Zhan, and Hong. All died young. At the start of the Tang, Cheng was posthumously enfeoffed Prince of Liang, Zhan Prince of Shu, and Hong Prince of Zheng. Cheng and Hong left no heirs. Boyi was Zhan's second son. He received his title in 618. Under Gaozu he served as Director of the Imperial Clan and Minister of Rites and received the honorific Special Advance. Boyi kept several hundred courtesans and concubines, all dressed in silk and fed on fine grain and meat. Day and night he entertained himself with song and music, living in unmatched arrogance and extravagance. He and his brother Prince Fengci of Bohai were both held in contempt by Gaozu. The emperor told them, "When even my enemies prove capable I promote them ahead of their turn. How much more should I trust my own kin—yet I do not? I hear that you keep company only with petty men, delight in misconduct, and never study the classics of the ancients. I grant you two hundred bolts of silk apiece. Buy the classics and histories and study them. Devote yourselves to worthy conduct. He died in 671. He was posthumously made Grand Master of the Palace with Purse-Strings and Metropolitan Protector of Jingzhou, with the posthumous name Gong, meaning Respectful. Fengci was enfeoffed Prince of Bohai at the start of the Tang. During the Xianqing era he rose to Metropolitan Protector of Yuanzhou. He died and was given the posthumous name Jing, meaning Reverent. Commentary: The historiographer writes: When one shows no partiality toward others, others in turn show none toward him. Gaozu had scarcely pacified the Central Plain when he enfeoffed distant kinsmen, provoking rebellion at Lujiang and quarrels over credit from Li Shentong. Feng Deyi criticized the policy early on, and Fang Xuanling mocked it later. Prince Xiaogong of Hejian was deep in counsel and broad in vision. He emptied his boats to take Xiao Xian and drank blood-tainted water to subdue Fu Gongshi. At court he upheld the proper order between sovereign and subject, sold his mansion to provide for his descendants, and ended as well as he began. When merit was weighed and rewards granted, he showed no partiality. Someone asked, "When water turned to blood, that was surely an evil omen. Yet he succeeded without suffering for it. Why? The answer was: Prince Xiaogong of Hejian was integrity itself, devoted to restoring the dynasty. An evil omen could not overcome such manifest virtue. Daozong combined military skill with courage, loved learning, and honored worthy men. Among the imperial cousins he was hailed as the outstanding man of his generation. Wuji and Suiliang, nursing old grudges against him, inflicted a wrong that would echo for a thousand years. During the Yonghui era Wuji and Suiliang were loyal yet condemned, and all the realm mourned them. They forgot that they had already framed Liu Ji and Prince Ke of Wu, and later wrongfully destroyed Daozong. Heaven's net misses nothing. That they did not die natural deaths was only fitting!
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In praise: Enfeoffing every distant kinsman bred rebellion and harmed the state. Only Prince Xiaogong of Hejian won true distinction in arms.
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