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卷147 梁紀三

Volume 147 Liang Records 3

Chapter 147 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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Chapter 147
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147 輿 鹿 祿 忿 使使 使使 使 椿 椿 使 便 退 椿 使 使 宿 椿宿 西 使 使 輿 使西 使 使 西 使 退 宿 殿 西 使 祿祿 使 殿 殿 便 退 宿 禿 使 輿 西 殿 殿 使 西 使 祿 使 退 簿 西綿 使 椿 調退 調 祿
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 147 [Liang Records 3] From Zhuoyong Kundun through Yanfeng Dunzang—seven years in all. Emperor Wu of Liang, year 7 of the Tianjian era (wuzi, 508 CE). In spring, the first month, Wang Shennian, the Wei Administrator of Yingchuan, defected to Liang. On renzi, Xiao Biao, Marquis of Wu Ping, was appointed concurrently as Director-General of the Imperial Guard. An edict ordered Xu Mian, Minister of Personnel, to set the nine official ranks as eighteen grades, with the higher number of grades denoting greater precedence. In the second month, on yichou, the court expanded the ranks below the Generals of the Garrison and Guard to ten grades, twenty-four ban in all; those who did not reach the ten grades had a separate eight-ban scale. The court also established twenty-four grades of the General Who Applies Abroad, one hundred and nine titles in all. On gengwu, an edict appointed one Provincial Outlook, one District Elder, and one Village Magnate in each jurisdiction, each charged solely with seeking out and recommending talent. On yihai, Lyu Sengzhen, Governor of Southern Yan Province, was appointed Director-General of the Imperial Guard. The Director-General held the keys to internal and external military affairs, but since Emperor Xiaojian of Song the Directorate for Regulations had wielded real power, splitting military authority with the Director-General; directors and above could all submit memorials on their own, while the Director-General could only stand by with folded hands. When Xiao Biao, Marquis of Wu Ping, took office he was stern and exacting, and the bureaus were brought to order; the supervisors of the Directorate were all imperial favorites and found his demands hard to bear; for this reason he could not long remain at court, and on bingzi he was sent out as Governor of Yong Province. In the third month, on wuzi, Prince Chang of Northern Wei died; the imperial physician Wang Xian had failed in his treatment, and people at the time all believed this carried out Gao Zhao's wishes. In summer, the fourth month, on yimao, the crown prince took a consort, and the court proclaimed a general amnesty. In the fifth month, on jihai, an edict restored the Director of the Imperial Clan, Grand Coachman, Grand Master of Works, and Grand Herald, and added the Grand Treasury and Grand Superintendent of Shipping, restoring the twelve chief ministers of earlier times. On guimao, Prince Xiu of An Cheng was appointed Governor of Jing Province. Earlier, the Ma-ying tribesmen of Baling had raided along the Yangzi, and neither the province nor the commanderies could suppress them. Xiu sent the garrison officer Wen Chi at the head of troops to burn their forest cover; deprived of their strongholds, the tribesmen ceased to raid within the province. In autumn, the seventh month, on jiawu, Northern Wei enthroned the Honored Lady Gao as empress. Gao Zhao, Minister of State, grew ever more powerful and influential. Zhao altered many institutions of the former reign, cut back fiefs and ranks, and demoted men of merit; resentment therefore filled the roads. Ministers and imperial clansmen alike humbled themselves before him; only Yuan Kuang, Minister of Revenue, stood against Zhao. Kuang had a coffin made in advance and placed in his reception hall, intending to have it borne to the palace to denounce Zhao's crimes and kill himself in stern remonstrance; When Zhao heard of this he hated him for it. When Kuang and the Minister of Rites Liu Fang disputed weights and measures, Zhao backed Fang's position; Kuang thereupon quarreled loudly with Zhao and charged in a memorial that Zhao was calling a deer a horse. Wang Xian, Censor-in-Chief, memorialized impeaching Kuang for slandering the chief minister; the authorities sentenced Kuang to death. An edict spared his life and demoted him to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. In the eighth month, on guichou, Cao Jingzong, the stalwart Duke of Jingling, died. Earlier, the Northern Wei emperor had taken a younger sister of Empress Yu as consort for Prince Yu of Jingzhao; Yu did not love her but loved his concubine Lady Li, who bore a son named Baoyue. Empress Yu summoned Lady Li into the palace and had her beaten. Yu was arrogant, extravagant, greedy, and unrestrained, and most of his conduct was unlawful. The emperor summoned Yu into the inner palace to investigate his case, had him beaten fifty strokes, and sent him out as Governor of Ji Province. Yu considered himself the elder yet his power and position fell short of his two younger brothers, and he secretly nursed shame and resentment; moreover, he and his concubine had repeatedly been humiliated, and Gao Zhao had slandered Yu and his brothers many times; Yu could bear it no longer; “On guihai he killed Chief Clerk Yang Lingyin and Major Li Zun, falsely claiming to have obtained a secret memorial from Prince Yi of Qinghe stating that Gao Zhao had committed regicide.” He then raised an altar south of Xindu, declared himself emperor, proclaimed a general amnesty, changed the era name to Jianping, and made Lady Li empress. Cui Boqi, an aide in the Bureau of Justice, refused to obey; Yu had him killed. The garrisons of the northern provinces all suspected turmoil at the Wei court; Prince Quan of An Le, Governor of Ding Province, reported the full situation, and the provinces and garrisons were reassured. On yichou, Northern Wei appointed Li Ping, Minister of State, Grand Marshal for the Northern Campaign and acting Governor of Ji Province, to attack Yu. Ping was a younger cousin of Li Chong on his father's side. On dingmao, Northern Wei proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name to Yongping. Prince Yu of Jingzhao sent an envoy to persuade Fang Liang, Administrator of Pingyuan in Qinghe, but Liang beheaded the envoy; Yu sent his general Zhang Linghe to attack him, but Liang defeated him. When Li Ping's army reached Jing County, the imperial forces gathered in great numbers. That night several thousand tribal troops raided Ping's camp, and arrows struck his tent. Ping lay firm and did not stir; presently the disturbance settled of itself. In the ninth month, on the xinsi new moon, Yu gave battle at Caobridge south of the city. Ping struck hard and routed him utterly. Yu escaped into the city; Ping advanced and laid siege to it. On renchen, Prince Quan of An Le defeated Yu's troops north of the city. On guisi, the emperor enfeoffed Prince Xu as Prince of Nankang. When the Honored Lady Gao was made empress in Northern Wei, Prince Xie of Wu Xuan of Pengcheng remonstrated firmly, but the emperor would not listen. Gao Zhao therefore resented him and slandered Xie to the emperor many times, but the emperor did not believe it. Xie had recommended his maternal uncle Pan Senggu as Administrator of Changle; when Prince Yu of Jingzhao rebelled he coerced Senggu to join him, and Zhao firmly accused Xie of communicating with Yu in the north and summoning tribal raiders in the south. Wei Yan, Director of the Pengcheng princely establishment, and the former garrison officer Gao Zuzhen, hoping for promotion through Zhao, fabricated the affair. Zhao ordered Attendant-in-Ordinary Yuan Hui to report it; Hui refused, so Zhao had the Left Guard Yuan Zhen bring the matter before the emperor. The emperor asked Hui, and Hui made clear that Xie was not guilty; he then asked Zhao, who cited Wei Yan and Gao Zuzhen as witnesses; the emperor then believed the charge. On wuxu he summoned Xie together with Prince Yong of Gaoyang, Prince Jia of Guangyang, Prince Yi of Qinghe, Prince Huai of Guangping, and Gao Zhao, all to attend a banquet in the palace. Xie's consort Lady Li was in childbirth, and he firmly declined to go. Palace envoys summoned him in succession; he had no choice but to take leave of his consort and mount his carriage. Entering the Eastern Flank Gate and crossing the small bridge, the ox would not advance despite long beating. Another envoy rebuked Xie for coming late, so they removed the ox and men hauled the carriage forward by hand. They feasted within the inner palace; by night all were drunk, and each retired to a separate lodging to rest. Presently Yuan Zhen brought warriors bearing poisoned wine; Xie said, "I am guiltless; let me see His Majesty once, and I can die without regret!" Yuan Zhen said, "How could His Majesty be seen again!" Xie said, "His Majesty is sagely and enlightened; he would not kill me without cause. I beg to confront my accuser and settle right and wrong!" The warriors struck him with the rings of their swords; Xie cried out, "Heaven is unjust! Loyal yet slain!" The warriors struck him again; Xie then drank the poisoned wine, and the warriors finished the killing. Toward dawn his corpse was wrapped in bedding and carried back to his residence; it was announced that the prince had died drunk. Consort Li wailed loudly, saying, "Gao Zhao kills men by perverting justice; Heaven has a spirit—how can you die a good death!" The emperor mourned him in the Eastern Hall; posthumous offices and funeral rites were all enhanced by special favor. Among the honored and humble at court alike, none failed to lose heart. Men and women on the roads wept and said, "Chief Minister Gao has wrongly killed a worthy prince!" From this, hatred for him within and without the court grew all the greater. Prince Yu of Jingzhao could not hold Xindu; on guimao he burned the gate, took Lady Li and his four sons, and broke out with a little more than a hundred horsemen. Li Ping entered Xindu, beheaded Wei Chao and others whom Yu had appointed as governors of Ji Province, and sent the commander-in-chief Shusun Tou in pursuit to seize Yu and hold him at Xindu, then reported to the throne. The ministers asked that Yu be executed; the emperor would not consent and ordered him bound and sent to Luoyang, admonishing him as within the family. When he reached Yewang, Gao Zhao secretly sent men to kill him. When his sons reached Luoyang, the emperor pardoned them all. The emperor was about to slaughter Lady Li; Cui Guang, Director of the Secretariat, remonstrated, saying, "Lady Li is pregnant; punishment reaching to cutting open the womb is what Jie and Zhou did—it is cruel and not lawful. I ask that execution wait until after she has given birth." The emperor assented. Li Ping captured more than a thousand of Yu's remaining partisans and was about to kill them all; Gao Hao, Recording Secretary, said, "These were all coerced followers; we have already promised them pardon. A memorial should be submitted." Ping followed this advice, and all were spared death. Hao was a grandson of Gao You. Gao Zhi, Governor of Ji Province, led the provincial army against Yu with merit and was due enfeoffment; Zhi refused, saying, "My house has received heavy grace; to render service to the state is its constant duty—how dare I seek reward!" Zhi was a son of Gao Zhao. Li Ping was promoted to Attendant Cavalier-at-Large. Gao Zhao and Censor-in-Chief Wang Xian had long hated Ping; Xian impeached Ping for secretly intercepting government revenues in Ji Province, and Zhao memorialized to strike Ping's name from the rolls. Earlier, in the reign of Emperor Xianzu, more than ten thousand households of Rouran surrendered to Northern Wei and were placed in the two garrisons of Gaoping and Bogu; by the end of the Taihe era most had rebelled and fled, and only a little more than a thousand households remained. Grand Master of Palace Counsel Wang Tong asked that they be moved and settled north of the Huai to cut off rebellion; an edict ordered Grand Coachman Yang Chun to proceed with credentials and move them. Chun memorialized, saying, "The former dynasty placed them on the frontier marches to win over foreign peoples and to distinguish Chinese from barbarian. Now the newly submitted households are very numerous; if the old settlers are moved, the new will surely not feel secure—this would drive them to rebel. Moreover, these people wear fur and eat meat; they delight in winter and find cold agreeable; the southern lands are damp and hot—if sent there they would surely perish to the last. Advancing, we would lose hearts that have submitted; retreating, we would gain no benefit of frontier defense; placing them in central China might breed later trouble—it is not a good plan." The emperor did not follow this advice. They were therefore moved to Ji Province and settled along the river. When Prince Yu of Jingzhao rebelled, they all crossed the river by raft to join Yu and plundered wherever they went, just as Chun had said. On gengzi, Peng Zhen, Major of Ying Province in Northern Wei, and others rebelled, secretly leading Liang troops toward Yiyang; Hou Deng and other garrison commanders of the Three Passes surrendered their cities. Lou Yue, Governor of Ying Province, shut the city and held it; Northern Wei appointed Prince Ying of Zhongshan Grand Marshal for the Southern Campaign and sent thirty thousand foot and horse out of Runan to relieve it. In winter, the tenth month, Bai Zaosheng, commander of the Xuanhuo garrison in Northern Wei, killed Sima Yue, Governor of Yu Province, styled himself General Who Pacifies the North, and sought aid from Ma Xianbi, Governor of Si Province. At the time Prince Xiu of An Cheng, Governor of Jing Province, was Grand Marshal. Xianbi submitted a request asking to go in response. His aides all said they should wait for word from the capital; Xiu said, "They rely on us to survive; aid should be swift. Waiting for an edict is the old way, but not what an emergency calls for." He immediately sent troops. The emperor also ordered Xianbi to rescue Zaosheng. Xianbi advanced and encamped at King of Chu City, sending his lieutenant Qi Gou'er with two thousand troops to help hold Xuanhuo. An edict appointed Zaosheng Governor of Si Province. On bingyin, Zhang Ji, Administrator of Wuxing, was appointed Left Vice Minister of State. Northern Wei appointed Xing Luan, Minister of State, acting Governor of Yu Province, and sent troops to attack Bai Zaosheng. The emperor asked him, "Do you say Zaosheng will flee? Or hold? When can he be pacified?" He replied, "Zaosheng has no deep strategy or great wisdom; he simply took advantage of the people's anger at Sima Yue's cruelty and violence to raise rebellion, and the people, pressed by fierce power, followed him against their will. Even if Liang troops enter the city, with waterways cut and grain transport not continuing, he would still become a captive. Zaosheng, having gained Liang's aid, will drown in desire for gain and is sure to hold and not flee. If the imperial army comes upon him, soldiers and people will surely turn about and submit. Before the year is out, his head should be sent to the capital." The emperor was pleased and ordered Luan to set out first, with Prince Ying of Zhongshan to follow. Luan led eight hundred horsemen, marching day and night by double stages, and in five days reached Baokou. On bingzi, Zaosheng sent his great general Hu Xiaozhi with seven thousand troops to give battle two hundred li from the city. Luan struck hard and routed them utterly, then drove in victory straight to Xuanhuo. Zaosheng came out of the city to give battle and was defeated again; Luan then crossed the Ru River and besieged the city. An edict added to Luan the title Grand Marshal for the Southern Campaign. On dingchou, Cheng Jingjun, aide on the eastern garrison staff in Northern Wei, killed Yan Zhongxian, garrison commander of Suyu, and surrendered the city. At the time in Northern Wei's Ying and Yu provinces, from Xuanhuo south to Anyi all cities had fallen; only Yiyang held firm for Wei. The tribal chief Tian Yizong led the tribes in submission to Northern Wei, and Wei made him Governor of Eastern Yu Province; the Liang emperor recruited him with the titles General of Chariots and Cavalry, Bearer of the Golden Axe with Equal Protocol, and District Duke of five thousand households; Yizong refused. In the eleventh month, on gengyin, Northern Wei sent General Who Pacifies the East Yang Chun with forty thousand troops to attack Suyu. The emperor, hearing that Xing Luan had won repeated victories, ordered Prince Ying of Zhongshan to hurry to Yiyang; Ying, finding his forces few, memorialized repeatedly asking for troops but was not granted them. When Ying reached Xuanhuo he at once joined Luan in attacking it. In the twelfth month, on jiwei, Qi Gou'er and others opened the gate and surrendered; Bai Zaosheng and several tens of his partisans were beheaded. Ying then led his troops forward toward Yiyang. Zhang Daoning, General Who Pacifies the North, had first encamped at King of Chu City; on guihai he abandoned the city and fled; Ying pursued, caught up, and beheaded him. Xin Xiang of Didao, Administrator of Yiyang in Northern Wei, and Lou Yue jointly held Yiyang; the generals Hu Wucheng and Tao Pinglu attacked it. Xiang went out by night and raided their camp, captured Pinglu, and beheaded Wucheng; by this the province was preserved whole. When merit was assessed he should have been rewarded, but Lou Yue was ashamed that the merit was beneath his own and slandered him to those in power, so the reward was never granted. On renshen, Eastern Jing Province in Northern Wei memorialized, "Huan Xing, younger brother of Huan Hui, has over time won over the Taiyang tribes; more than ten thousand households have submitted, and we ask to establish sixteen commanderies and fifty districts." An edict ordered Li Daoyuan, former chief clerk of the eastern garrison headquarters, to inspect on circuit and establish them. Daoyuan was a son of Li Fan. That year the Tuo Khan of Rouran again sent Heixi Wuliu Ba to present sable fur coats to Northern Wei; the emperor would not accept them and replied as before. Earlier, Beiqiongqi, marquis of the Gaoche, was killed by the Yeda; they seized his son Miyoutu and took him away. His followers scattered; some fled to Northern Wei, some to Rouran. The emperor sent Meng Wei of Henan, Supervisor of the Feathered Forest, to comfort and receive the surrendered households and settle them at Gaoping Garrison. Afu Wangluo, king of the Gaoche, was cruel and violent; his people killed him and set up his clansman Baliyan. The Yeda supported Miyoutu to attack the Gaoche; the people killed Baliyan and welcomed Miyoutu to set him up as king. Miyoutu fought the Tuo Khan at Lake Pulei, was defeated, and fled west more than three hundred li. The Tuo Khan encamped on the northern mountains of Yiwu. It happened that Qu Jia, king of Gaochang, asked to move inward to Northern Wei; at the time Meng Wei was General of the Flying Dragon, and the emperor sent Wei to raise three thousand troops from Liang Province to welcome him. When they reached Yiwu, the Tuo Khan saw Wei's army, was frightened, and fled. Miyoutu, hearing that he had withdrawn in alarm, pursued, routed him utterly, and killed the Tuo Khan north of Lake Pulei; he cut off his hair and sent it to Wei, and also sent envoys to offer tribute to Northern Wei. The emperor sent Yu Liang, Master of the Eastern Wall, to reply; gifts were very generous. King Jia of Gaochang failed to arrive by the appointed time; Wei led his troops back. The Tuo Khan's son Chounu succeeded, styled himself Khan Douluofubadoufa, and changed the era name to Jianchang. By the old rites of Song and Qi, when sacrificing to Heaven all wore the dragon robe and cap; Xu Mao of Gaoyang, Concurrent Master in the Bureau of Writings, asked that the great fur robe be made, and the court followed his advice. The emperor was about to perform rites at the Imperial Ancestral Temple; an edict stated, "On fast days there shall be no music. From now on, when the imperial carriage first sets out, the accompanying drums and pipes shall not sound; on returning to the palace, the usual rites apply." Emperor Wu of Liang, year 8 of the Tianjian era (jichou, 509 CE). In spring, the first month, on xinsi, the emperor sacrificed at the southern suburb and proclaimed a general amnesty. At the time some asked to perform the feng sacrifice at Kuaiji and the shan at Guoshan; the emperor ordered the scholars to draft the feng and shan rites and intended to carry them out. Xu Mao offered advice, holding that "When Shun offered firewood at Dai Zong, this was a tour of inspection. Yet Zheng cites the Weft of the Classic of Filial Piety, Decree of Fate, saying, 'Perform the feng at Mount Tai, assess achievements with firewood offerings; perform the shan at Liangfu, carve stone to record the title.' This is a twisted doctrine of weft texts, not the general meaning of the orthodox classics. Shun toured once every five years, in spring, summer, autumn, and winter completing the circuit of the four sacred peaks—if this were the feng and shan, how frequent the number would be! Again, as Guan Zhong said of seventy-two rulers, before the Fire-Driller the age was plain and the people simple—how could there have been sealing gold and examining jade! They governed by knotted cords—how could there have been carving words to announce completion! Guan Zhong also said, 'Only a ruler who has received the Mandate may then perform the feng and shan.' King Cheng of Zhou was not a Mandate-receiving ruler—how could he perform the feng at Mount Tai and the shan at Sheshou! Shennong is the Flame Emperor, yet Guan Zhong divided them into two men—how excessive the error! If a sage ruler, the feng and shan are not needed; if an ordinary ruler, he ought not perform the feng and shan. Duke Huan of Qi wished to carry out this affair; Guan Zhong knew it could not be done and therefore cited prodigies to bend him from it. Qin Shihuang once performed the feng at Mount Tai; Sun Hao once sent Concurrent Minister of Works Dong Chao to Yangxian to perform the feng and shan at Guoshan—these were none of them deeds of great virtue and are not fit to be models. Thus the rites of feng and shan are all hearsay on the road, losing their original text, because the ruler above loves fame and ministers below flatter his intent. In antiquity sacrificing to Heaven and offering to Earth had fixed numbers in the rites; the way of sincere reverence is complete in these. As for the feng and shan, these are not what I dare hear of." The emperor praised and accepted this, then developed Mao's argument and issued an imperial pronouncement in answer to the petitioners; thereby the matter was stopped. Prince Ying of Zhongshan reached Yiyang and was about to take the Three Passes; he first planned, saying, "The Three Passes depend on one another like left and right hands; if one pass is taken, the other two will fall without waiting for attack; to attack the hard is not as good as attacking the easy; the Eastern Pass should be attacked first." He also feared they would combine strength in the east, and therefore sent Chief Clerk Li Hua to lead the Five Commands toward the Western Pass to divide their military force, while he himself supervised the armies toward the Eastern Pass. Earlier, Ma Xianbi had sent Cloud Cavalry General Ma Guang to encamp at Changbo and Garrison Commander Hu Wenchao to encamp at Songxian. On bingshen, Ying reached Changbo. On wuxu, Changbo collapsed; Ma Guang fled into Wuyang, and Ying advanced to besiege it. The emperor sent Champion General Peng Nusheng and Rapid-as-Steed General Xu Yuanji with troops to relieve Wuyang. Ying deliberately let them enter the city, saying, "I see that this city's terrain and situation make it easy to take." After Nusheng and the others had entered, Ying pressed the attack; in six days it was taken, and three generals with more than seven thousand soldiers were captured. He advanced to attack Guangxian; Li Yuanlu, Leader of the Left Guard of the Heir Apparent, abandoned the city and fled; he also attacked the Western Pass, and Ma Xianbi too abandoned the city and fled. The emperor sent Wei Rui, Administrator of Nan Commandery, with troops to rescue Xianbi; Rui reached Anlu, raised the walls more than two zhang, opened a great moat anew, and built lofty towers. The troops mostly mocked his timidity; Rui said, "Not so—a general should have times of caution and cannot rely on courage alone." Prince Ying of Zhongshan pressed hard in pursuit of Ma Xian, intending to wipe away the shame of Shaoyang; hearing that Rui had arrived, he withdrew. The emperor also issued an edict to halt the armies. Earlier, the Northern Wei emperor had sent Dong Shao of Chaoyang, Attendant of the Secretariat, to comfort and reward the rebel cities; Bai Zaosheng attacked and imprisoned him and sent him to Jiankang. After the emperor had taken Xuanhuo, he ordered that two of the four generals including Qi Gou'er be sent separately and instructed Yang Province to draw up an exchange document to trade for Shao and the head of Sima Yue. Before the exchange document arrived, Director-General Lyu Sengzhen spoke with Shao, admired his literary grace, and spoke of this to the emperor; the emperor sent Master of Documents Huo Lingchao to tell Shao, "Now we allow you to return and charge you to open good relations between the two states and give rest to the people on both sides—is this not excellent!" He was then summoned to audience, given clothing, and ordered comforted by Attendant Zhou She, who also said, "War has lasted many years and the people and things are charred; for this reason I am not ashamed to speak first of opening relations with the Wei court, yet recently there have been letters with no reply at all—you should fully set forth this intent. Now I send Herald Huo Lingxiu to escort you to your state; I await good news in reply." He also said to Shao, "Do you know why you were not put to death? To have obtained you now is Heaven's intent. A ruler is established for the sake of the people; all who stand above the people—how can they fail to think of this! If you wish to open good relations, we will now return Suyu to them, and they should return Hanzhong to us." Shao returned to Northern Wei and spoke of this to the emperor, who would not follow it. In the third month, Yuan Zhi, Governor of Jing Province in Northern Wei, led seventy thousand troops to raid Chan'gou, driving and pressing the tribal peoples; the tribes all crossed the Han River to surrender, and Xiao Biao, Marquis of Wu Ping, Governor of Yong Province, received them. The officials all held that the tribes would become a frontier trouble and it would be better to eliminate them thereby; Biao said, "They come to us in extremity—to execute them is inauspicious. Moreover, when Wei troops come to invade, to have the tribes as a screen—is this not good!" He therefore opened Fancheng to receive their surrender and ordered Major Zhu Siyuan and others to attack Zhi at Chan'gou, routing him utterly and taking more than ten thousand heads. Zhi was a grandson of Yuan Qi. In summer, the fourth month, on wushen, Prince Hong of Linchuan was made Minister of Works, and General of Chariots and Cavalry Wang Mao was given the Golden Axe with Equal Protocol. On dingmao, Li Guoxing, commander of King of Chu City in Northern Wei, surrendered the city. In autumn, the seventh month, on guisi, Prince Xiao Bao of Ling of Baling died. In the ninth month, on xinsi, Northern Wei enfeoffed Hao, son of the late Prince Xiang of Beihai, as Prince of Beihai. In Northern Wei, Gongsun Chong made a musical foot-rule, taking twelve millet grains as one inch; Liu Fang opposed this and changed it to ten millet grains as one inch. Minister of State Gao Zhao and others memorialized, "The eight-tone instruments and measures that Chong made all differ from the classics and commentaries; when questioned as to why, he said, 'If one must follow the classic text, the sounds will not harmonize. We ask that Fang again be ordered to make musical instruments according to the Rites of Zhou; when complete, let all gather in council and present them, following whichever is good." An edict followed this. In winter, the tenth month, on guichou, Northern Wei made Prince Jia of Guangyang, Minister of Works, Minister of State. In the eleventh month, on jichou, the emperor at Shigan Hall lectured on the Vimalakirti Sutra for the monks and court ministers. At the time the emperor devoted himself solely to the Buddha's teaching and did not attend to the classics; Pei Yanjun of Hedong, Vice Director of the Secretariat, submitted a memorial, holding that "Emperor Guangwu of Han and Emperor Wu of Wei, though amid chariots and horses, never abandoned books; the late emperor, moving the capital and marching with the army, did not let scrolls leave his hand. Truly because learning has many benefits, it cannot be briefly set aside. Your Majesty ascends the Dharma seat and personally expounds great awakening; all who look and listen have the dust of obstruction entirely opened. Yet the Five Classics are the models for ordering the age and what affairs of state should put first; I humbly wish that the classics be viewed in turn and Confucius and the Buddha both preserved—then inner and outer would both be complete and the true and the worldly would flow freely." At the time Buddhism flourished at Luoyang; besides the Chinese monks, more than three thousand came from the Western Regions, and the emperor separately built for them more than a thousand bays of Yongming Temple to house them. The recluse Feng Liang of Nanyang had ingenious thought; the emperor had him together with Zhen Chen, Intendant of Henan, and the Buddhist registrar Sengxian choose a place of scenic excellence on Mount Song and establish Leisure Dwelling Temple, exhausting the beauty of cliffs, ravines, earth, and wood. From this near and far caught the wind; none failed to serve the Buddha, and by the Yan chang era the provinces and commanderies together had more than thirteen thousand temples. That year Yuan Shu, Director of the Imperial Clan in Northern Wei, came over in surrender and was granted the title Prince of Ye. Shu was a younger brother of Yi. At the time Yi was Governor of Qing and Ji provinces, stationed at Yuyou; after a long while Yi plotted to surrender the province to Northern Wei, the affair leaked, and he was executed. Emperor Wu of Liang, year 9 of the Tianjian era (gengyin, 510 CE). In spring, the first month, on yihai, Shen Yue, Minister of State, was made Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, and Wang Ying, Right Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, was appointed Minister of State. Yue's literary art stood above his age, yet he was greedy for glory and profit; holding power more than ten years, on the gains and losses of government he merely assented. He considered that he had long occupied the chief minister's seat and had his mind set on the Three Excellencies; commentators also held it fitting, yet the emperor in the end did not use him; he then sought to go out to a provincial post and was again not permitted. Xu Mian requested for him the protocol of the Three Excellencies; the emperor would not consent. On gengyin, a new embankment along the Huai was built; on the north bank from Stone City to Eastern Smelting, on the south bank from Rear Islet Hedge Gate to Three Bridges. In the third month, on bingxu, Prince Xu of Northern Wei was born and a general amnesty was proclaimed. Xu's mother was Hu Chonghua of Linjing; her father Guozhen inherited the rank of Marquis of Wushi. When Chonghua was first chosen for the rear palace, her companions by custom blessed her, saying, "May you bear princes and princesses, but not bear the crown prince." Chonghua said, "My intent differs from others—how can I fear death for myself alone and thereby leave the state without an heir!" When she became pregnant, her companions urged her to remove it; Chonghua would not consent and privately vowed, "If by fortune I bear a son and he should by order grow up, though I die for bearing a son I have no regret!" Thereafter Xu was born. Earlier, the emperor had frequently lost princes; as the years grew he was deeply cautious, chose women of good families fit to bear sons as wet-nurses, and reared the child in a separate palace where neither the empress nor Chonghua might approach. On jichou, the emperor visited the Imperial Academy and personally attended the lectures. On yiwei, an edict ordered that below the crown prince and the sons of kings and marquises, all whose years allowed following teachers, should enter school. By old regulation, the five directorate clerks of the Ministry of State all used men of humble origin. In summer, the fourth month, on dingsi, an edict said, "The five directorates of the Ministry of State participate in governmental essentials; they not only oversee all bureaus but also stand level with the two vice ministers; they may be reformed to use men of genteel origin to hold these many offices." Thereupon the directorate clerks were treated as Court Gentlemen for Imperial Audience; Liu Na, Master in the Imperial Academy, was made concurrent head of the Palace Directorate; Liu Xian, aide in the Bureau of Justice of the Minister of Works, was made concurrent head of the Personnel Directorate; Kong Qiansun, Master in the Imperial Academy, was made concurrent head of the Treasury Directorate; Xiao Gui, aide in the Bureau of Justice of the Minister of Works, was made concurrent head of the Left and Right Households Directorate; Wang Yang, aide in the Ink Bureau of Xuanyi, was made concurrent head of the Central Military Directorate; all had talent and standing both excellent and were the first to receive these selections. In the sixth month, Wu Chengbo, a clerk of Xuancheng Commandery, relied on sorcery to gather a crowd. On guichou he attacked the commandery, killed Administrator Zhu Sengyong, and turned to slaughter neighboring districts. In the intercalary month, on jichou, Chengbo crossed the mountains and suddenly reached Wuxing. The people of the eastern lands were unused to war; officials and commoners panicked and fled in disorder; some urged Administrator Cai Jin to avoid him, but Jin would not consent and recruited the brave to shut the gates and hold in defense. Chengbo attacked with all his elite; Jin led the masses out to battle, routed them utterly, and beheaded Chengbo on the field. Jin was a son of Cai Xingzong. Chengbo's remaining partisans entered Xin'an, took Yi and She districts and others; Administrator Xie Lan sent troops to resist but was defeated and fled to Kuaiji; capital troops suppressed the bandits and pacified them. Lan was a son of Xie Lun. In winter, the tenth month, Prince Ying of Xian of Zhongshan died in Northern Wei. In the third year of the emperor's accession, an edict fixed a new calendar. Zu Hengheng, Attendant Cavalier Without Regular Appointment, memorialized that his father Zu Chongzhi's investigation of ancient methods was correct and the calendar could not be changed. By the eighth year, an edict ordered the Grand Astrologer to test the new and old calendars; the new calendar was precise, the old calendar loose; that year Zu Chongzhi's Daming Calendar began to be used. Liu Fang and others in Northern Wei memorialized, "The musical instruments made and the civil and military dances taught, the ascent hymns, and the drum-and-pipe pieces are complete; we ask, as in the former edict, that dukes, ministers, and the mass of scholars gather to determine by discussion and present them together with the old music; if what we have made conforms in form to antiquity and the clappers match the beat, we ask that they be used at the New Year's assembly next year." An edict said, "The dances may use the new; the rest for now remain as before." Emperor Wu of Liang, year 10 of the Tianjian era (xinmao, 511 CE). In spring, the first month, on xinchou, the emperor sacrificed at the southern suburb and proclaimed a general amnesty. Zhang Ji, Left Vice Minister of State, considered his merit great and his reward thin; once while attending a banquet in Lesou Hall, when wine was deep his resentment showed in word and countenance. The emperor said, "Your elder brother killed an administrator, your younger brother killed his lord—what reputation is there!" Ji said, "Your servant indeed has no reputation, but as for Your Majesty, one cannot say there was no merit. Dong Hun was cruel and violent; the army of righteousness also came to attack him—was it only in your servant!" The emperor stroked his beard and said, "Lord Zhang is a man to be feared!" Ji was both afraid and resentful and then sought to go out to a provincial post; on guimao he was made Governor of Qing and Ji provinces. Wang Zhenguo also harbored resentment; dismissed from the Liang and Qin governorships and returned, after wine at his seat he reported, "Your servant recently entered Liang Mountain and wept at once." The emperor was greatly startled and said, "If you weep for Dong Hun, it is already late; if you weep for me, I am not yet dead!" Zhenguo rose, bowed, and apologized; the emperor in the end did not reply, the seating broke up at once, and for this he was kept at a distance. After a long while he was appointed Minister of Justice. On dingsi, Liu Longju of the Shanhu in Fen Province in Northern Wei gathered a crowd and rebelled, raiding Xia Province; an edict ordered Remonstrance and Discussion Grand Master Xue He to raise the masses of the four provinces of Eastern Qin, Fen, Hua, and Xia to attack him. On xinyou, the emperor sacrificed at the Bright Hall. In the third month, Wang Wanshou of the people of Langye killed Liu Xi, Administrator of the two commanderies of Dongguan and Langye, held Mount Ju, and summoned Northern Wei troops. On renxu, Prince Jia of Yi Lie of Guangyang died in Northern Wei. Lu Chang, Governor of Xu Province in Northern Wei, sent Zhang Tianhui, deputy of the Yancheng garrison, and Fu Wenji, commander of the Langye garrison, in succession to Mount Ju; Zhang Ji, Governor of Qing and Ji provinces, sent troops to resist but was defeated. In summer, the fourth month, Wenji and others held Mount Ju; an edict ordered Ma Xianbi, General Who Quells the Distance, to attack them. Northern Wei also sent Acting General Who Pacifies the South Xiao Baoyin and Acting General Who Pacifies the East Zhao Xia of Tianshui with troops to hold Mount Ju, under Lu Chang's command. On jiaxu, Xue He in Northern Wei defeated Liu Longju, pacified all his partisans, and memorialized to establish Eastern Xia Province. In the fifth month, on bingchen, Northern Wei forbade astronomy. Zhang Chong, Libationer of the Imperial Academy, was appointed Left Vice Minister of State. Chong was a son of Zhang Xu. Ma Xianbi besieged Mount Ju; Zhang Ji provisionally encamped at Liuli to supervise grain transport; the emperor repeatedly sent troops to assist. In autumn, Lu Chang in Northern Wei submitted a memorial asking for six thousand more troops and one hundred thousand shi of grain; the emperor gave him four thousand troops. In winter, the eleventh month, on jihai, the emperor ordered Li Chong, Governor of Yang Province, and others to drill troops at Shouyang to divide the force at Mount Ju. Lu Chang was originally a Confucian scholar and unpracticed in military affairs. In Mount Ju city grain and firewood were both exhausted; Fu Wenji surrendered the city; in the twelfth month, on gengchen, Chang led his troops in flight first and the armies in succession all collapsed. It happened to snow heavily; two-thirds of the soldiers died of cold or lost hands and feet; Xianbi pursued and routed them utterly. Within two hundred li corpses lay one after another; of Northern Wei troops perhaps one or two in ten escaped. Grain, livestock, and weapons taken were beyond counting. Chang fled on a single horse, abandoning his credentials, escort, and guards entirely; reaching Yancheng he borrowed Zhao Xia's credentials to serve as military prestige. The emperor ordered Zhen Chen, Attendant of the Yellow Gate, to ride post-haste and chain Chang, exhaustively investigating his defeat; both he and Zhao Xia were dismissed from office. Only Xiao Baoyin returned with his army whole. When Lu Chang was at Mount Ju, Censor-in-Chief You Zhao said to the emperor, "Mount Ju is tiny, remote on the seacoast, low and damp and hard to dwell in; for us it is not urgent, for the enemy it is advantageous. Because it is advantageous, they will surely fight to the death for it; because it is not urgent, we fight only when we have no choice. To strike a must-die army with troops that fight only under compulsion—I fear months will drag on and the expense will be very great. Even if we took Mount Ju, we would only provoke mutual contention and in the end could hardly hold it secure—it is what is called useless land. I hear the enemy repeatedly offers Suyu in exchange for Mount Ju; if it must be so, to hold this useless land and recover their former territory would release the people from corvée for a time—the benefit would be great." The emperor was about to follow this when Chang's defeat occurred; Zhao was transferred to Attendant-in-Ordinary. Zhao was a son of You Minggen. Ma Xianbi as a general could share hardship and ease with his soldiers; what he wore was no more than cloth and silk; where he dwelt had no curtains, screens, quilts, or partitions; food and drink were the same as the lowest groom. On the frontier he often went alone in secret into enemy territory, observed where walls, villages, and strategic points lay, and in battles fought mostly won; soldiers also were glad to serve under him. Northern Wei made Zhen Chen Intendant of Henan; Chen memorialized, saying, "When the state dwelt in Dai, the trouble of many thefts was severe; Emperor Shizu roused himself and broadly established chief offices and hamlet heads—all had to be district magistrates of the lower generation and fifth-rank scattered marquises with strategic ability. Many clerks and officers were also set up as their wings; honored and weighted, only then could they be restrained. Now since the move of the capital the realm has grown broader; the four quarters assemble; affairs surpass the Dai capital; the five directions are mixed and crowded; bandits walk openly; hamlet heads have light duties and fragmented responsibilities, mostly men of low talent; people harbor laxity and cannot inspect. I ask that military officers from eighth-rank generals down who are capable and upright be taken, paid from their original salaries and allowances to hold the duties of hamlet wardens—the higher to lead six-ward wardens, the middle to lead route wardens, the lower to lead hamlet heads. If not, I ask that the rank of hamlet wardens be somewhat raised and men from the lower ranks who should be promoted be advanced to fill these posts. With supervision and responsibility in place, the capital region can be cleared." An edict said, "Hamlet heads may be advanced to meritorious rank, route wardens to sub-ninth rank, six-ward wardens to proper ninth rank; select from among these offices; they need not be military men." Chen also memorialized to use Feathered Forest patrol guards in all wards and lanes to inspect for bandits. Thereupon Luoyang was cleared and quiet; later this was regularly followed. That year within Liang's borders there were twenty-three provinces, three hundred fifty commanderies, and one thousand twenty-two districts. After this provincial names gradually increased; abolitions, establishments, separations, and mergers cannot be fully recorded. The Northern Wei court was likewise. The emperor cultivated harmony among the imperial clans and treated court officials with leniency; whenever one of them fell afoul of the law, he contrived to stretch the statutes in their favor. Commoners who broke the law were prosecuted to the letter. Collective punishment spared neither the aged nor children; one fugitive meant bondage for the entire household. Driven to desperation, the people turned ever more to crime. Once, during a suburban sacrifice, an old man from Moling stepped before the imperial carriage and said, "Your Majesty enforces the law harshly against commoners yet gently against the powerful. That is no foundation for lasting rule. If Your Majesty could truly reverse this, the realm would be greatly blessed." The emperor thereupon began searching for ways to soften the law. Emperor Wu of Liang, year 11 of the Tianjian era (renchen, 512 CE). In spring, the first month, on renchen, an edict declared, "Henceforth, among families facing banishment and offenders sentenced to bonded labor, if elderly or children are present in the household, their transfer shall be suspended." Xiao Hong, Prince of Linchuan, was appointed Grand Commandant, and Wang Mao, Flying Cavalry General, was made Grand Minister of Works and Director of the Imperial Secretariat. On bingchen, Northern Wei named Gao Zhao, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister of Works; Yuan Yi, Prince of Qinghe, Grand Minister of Works; and Yuan Huai, Prince of Guangping, was promoted to Flying Cavalry Grand General with the Three Directorates of Equal Honor. Though Gao Zhao had reached the Three Excellencies, he still felt himself banished from real power, and his resentment showed plainly in face and speech. Those who witnessed it laughed behind his back. Gao Chuo, Right Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Feng Gui, Erudite of the Imperial University, had long held themselves to a standard of uncompromising integrity. When Gao Zhao became Minister of Works, Chuo paid the expected courtesy calls, but Feng Gui never once visited him. Chuo looked about and, not seeing Feng Gui, hurried home. He sighed, "All my life I thought myself a man of propriety. Today I have fallen far short of Master Feng." Gao Chuo was a grandson of Gao Yun; Feng Gui was a clansman of Feng Yi. Yuan Yi, Prince of Qinghe, was a man of talent, learning, and public esteem. Mindful of the slaughter at Pengcheng, he took advantage of a banquet where he attended the emperor and said to Gao Zhao, "How many brothers does the Son of Heaven have, that you have nearly destroyed them all! Long ago Wang Mang, bald and hunchbacked, drew on the wealth of the Wei River's south and seized the Han throne. You too are bent of body, my lord. I fear you may yet become the first rung on a ladder to chaos." About that time a severe drought struck. Gao Zhao took it upon himself to review prisoners and release them, hoping to win the people's loyalty. Yuan Yi spoke to the Wei emperor, saying, "In antiquity the Ji clan usurped the feng sacrifice at Mount Tai, and Confucius condemned them for it. He did so because the boundary between ruler and minister must be guarded at the first sign of violation and evil stopped before it spreads. Such things must not be profaned. Reducing the imperial table and releasing prisoners are the emperor's prerogatives. For the Minister of Works to perform them—what sort of conduct is that for a subject! When a wise ruler loses his grip above, treacherous ministers seize power below. The foundation of disaster is laid right here." The emperor smiled and said nothing. In summer, the fourth month, Wei ordered the Imperial Secretariat and all ministries to review and settle legal cases, and directed famine victims to seek grain in Yan and Heng provinces and the six frontier garrisons. On yiyou, Northern Wei proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name to Yanfu. In winter, the tenth month, on yihai, Northern Wei installed Prince Xu as crown prince—and for the first time spared his mother's life. Guo Zuo, Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, was named concurrent Crown Prince Junior Tutor. Once, when Guo Zuo accompanied the Wei emperor to the Eastern Palace, he carried the imperial yellow seal-cloth to present to the crown prince; At the time Zhao Taogong of the Edict-Response Attendants enjoyed the emperor's deepest trust. Guo Zuo curried favor with him in private, and contemporaries dubbed them "Vice Director Taogong" and "Yellow Junior Tutor." In the eleventh month, on yiwei, Yuan Ang, Administrator of Wu Commandery, was appointed concurrent Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Earlier, Fu Manrong of Pingchang, Chief Commandant of Foot Soldiers to the Qi crown prince, had memorialized requesting the compilation of rites and music for a new dynasty. Emperor Shizu of Qi selected ten erudite scholars to compile the Five Rites, with Wang Jian, Governor of Danyang, as overall supervisor. When Wang Jian died, the work passed to He Yin, Chancellor of the Imperial University. When He Yin retired to Mount Dong, Emperor Ming of Qi ordered Xu Xiaosi, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, to take charge. After Xu Xiaosi was executed, most of the materials were scattered and lost. An edict placed He Tongzhi, Flying Cavalry General, in charge. The warfare and conflagrations at the end of Qi left only a fraction of the work intact. When the new emperor took the throne, He Tongzhi submitted a memorial asking what portions should be retained or discarded, and an edict ordered a full review outside the palace. The Imperial Secretariat argued that routine governance had only just begun and one should wait for true peace and prosperity. They proposed abolishing the Bureau of Rites for the time being and returning the work to the Protocol Section. An edict replied, "Rites lie in ruins and music is lost. The time has come to restore them. Recent compilers were not equal to the task, which is why years passed without result—title without substance. Since this is the foundation of statecraft, let the compilation proceed at once." Thereupon Shen Yue, Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and others memorialized, "We ask that one former erudite be appointed for each of the Five Rites, each to nominate one scholar of antiquities to assist in copying and compiling. Where doubts arise, following the precedent of the Stone Canal and White Tiger conferences, we request the emperor's ruling." Ming Shanbin, Staff Officer of the Right Army, and others were then assigned to oversee the Five Rites separately, with He Tongzhi directing the entire project. When He Tongzhi died, Fu Heng, Consulting Officer to the North Garrison General, succeeded him. Fu Heng was the son of Fu Manrong. By this time the Five Rites were complete and submitted to the throne: eight thousand nineteen articles in all. An edict ordered the responsible offices to put them into effect. On jiyou, Xiao Hong, Prince of Linchuan, was transferred to Flying Cavalry Grand General while still handling official duties. That year, Northern Wei appointed Huan Shuxing Inspector of Southern Jingzhou, with his seat at Anchang and authority over Eastern Jingzhou. Emperor Wu of Liang, year 12 of the Tianjian era (guisi, 513 CE). In spring, the first month, on xinmao, the emperor performed the southern suburban sacrifice and proclaimed a general amnesty. In the second month, on xinyou, Yuan Ang, who had been serving concurrently as Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat, was confirmed in that post. On jimao, Yuan Yong, Prince of Gaoyang of Northern Wei, was promoted to Grand Mentor. Yuzhou lay close to the Wei frontier, and its people often traded cloth with the northerners in secret. During the uprising at Qushan some had maintained secret contact with Wei. After Qushan was pacified, they lived in constant fear. Zhang Ji, Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces, had failed to achieve his ambitions. His administration grew lax, and his subordinates preyed freely on the people. On gengchen, Xu Daojiao and others of Yuzhou attacked the provincial city by night, killed Zhang Ji, and sent his head to Wei in surrender. Northern Wei dispatched Fan Lu, former Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, to lead troops to the scene. Northern Wei was then in the grip of famine; tens of thousands starved to death. You Zhao, Attendant-in-Ordinary, remonstrated, saying, "Qushan lies on the coast, low and damp and barely habitable. Yuzhou is an island besides. To hold it would be utterly useless. The place lies near the enemy's vital ground yet far from our own. To send distant troops against a nearby force is a fight we cannot win. At a time of famine and popular distress, the only wise course is quiet. To burden the people with another campaign and drain the treasury on supply lines—I see only loss and no gain." The Wei emperor would not listen and again dispatched Xi Kangsheng, Pacifying West General, to lead troops against the rebels. Before the Wei force could march, Kang Xuan, Inspector of Northern Yanzhou, sent his Chief of Staff Huo Fengbo to crush the rebellion. On xinsi, a new Hall of Grand Ultimate was completed. The emperor once had Shen Yue, Secretary-at-Large and Crown Prince Junior Tutor, Marquis of Jianchang, each list separately matters concerning chestnuts. Yue recorded three fewer items than the emperor. After leaving, he remarked to someone, "This man is so vain about his pride that he would die of shame otherwise!" When the emperor heard this he flew into a rage and wished to punish Shen Yue, but Xu Mian remonstrated firmly and dissuaded him. The emperor still harbored resentment against Zhang Ji and, in an unguarded moment, raised the subject with Shen Yue. Yue replied, "The Left Vice Director was sent to a frontier province. What point is there in revisiting the past!" The emperor, believing Shen Yue and Zhang Ji were shielding each other through marriage ties, snapped, "You speak like this—are you a loyal minister!" He then rode back to the inner palace in his carriage. Shen Yue was terrified. Not noticing that the emperor had risen, he remained seated as before; when he finally rose to leave, he reached for his couch before he was there, pitched forward through empty air, and collapsed at the doorway. He fell ill; he dreamed that Emperor He of Qi severed his tongue with a sword. He summoned a Daoist to submit a red petition to Heaven, declaring that "the matter of the dynastic transfer was not of my own doing." The emperor sent the Palace Secretary Huang Muzhi to inquire after his health. Returning that evening, Huang Muzhi did not report immediately on whether Shen Yue's condition had improved or worsened, fearing censure. He then disclosed the red-petition affair. The emperor was furious. Palace emissaries rebuked Shen Yue on four separate occasions. Shen Yue grew ever more fearful. In the intercalary month, on yichou, he died. The responsible offices proposed the posthumous title Literary. The emperor said, "When one's inner truth remains unrevealed, the title is Hidden." The posthumous title was changed to Hidden Marquis. In summer, the fifth month, prolonged rains at Shouyang sent floodwaters pouring into the city until every dwelling was submerged. Li Chong, Wei Inspector of Yangzhou, drew up his troops along the city wall as the waters rose without cease. He then took to boats moored against the parapet. Only two wall-planks' height of the city remained above water. His officers urged Li Chong to abandon Shouyang and withdraw to Mount North. Li Chong said, "I am unworthy of guarding this frontier stronghold; my meager virtue has brought this calamity upon us. All of Huainan for ten thousand li hangs on my person. If I take one step away, the people will collapse, and Yangzhou may no longer belong to the state. Would I cling to my own life and bring shame upon Wang Zun! Yet I grieve that these officers and people would perish together though they are guiltless. Build rafts and follow the rising water; each of you may plan his own escape. I shall sink with this city. I beg you, speak no more of it!" Pei Juan, Chief Clerk of Yangzhou, led several thousand families from the south of the city in boats fleeing south to high ground. Believing Li Chong had withdrawn north, he styled himself Inspector of Yuzhou and, with Zheng Zuqi, Administrator, and others, sent hostages to offer surrender. Ma Xianbi dispatched troops to deal with him. When Li Chong learned of Pei Juan's defection, uncertain whether the report was genuine, he dispatched the State Attendant Han Fangxing alone in a single boat to summon him. Pei Juan, learning that Li Chong remained at his post, was stricken with disappointment and alarmed resentment. He answered: 'It was only the recent inundation and our utter desperation that drove the people to push me forward. The die is cast now, and there is no turning back. These people are mine, not yours; these officials serve me, not you. I ask only that you withdraw at once—and do not provoke my troops.' Li Chong then sent his cousin, the Ningsuo General Li Shen, at the head of the river fleet to subdue him. Pei Juan was routed; Shen pursued and overran his camp. Pei Juan fled but was caught by local villagers. While being escorted back, he came to Weisheng Lake. There he cried, 'How could I ever again show my face to Duke Li!' With that he plunged into the lake and drowned. Pei Juan was a grandson of Du Shuye's elder brother. Zheng Zuoqi and his fellow conspirators were all put to death. Li Chong memorialized the throne, asking to be relieved of Yangzhou on account of the calamity; the Wei emperor refused. “Deep, forbearing, and masterful in counsel, Li Chong held the loyalty of officers and men alike. Throughout ten years at Shouyang he kept several thousand seasoned warriors in training; every enemy raid that came against him was shattered. On the frontier they called him the Crouching Tiger.” Emperor Wu of Liang repeatedly spread rumors to undermine him and heaped honors upon him—Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Commander with the Three Directorates, Duke of a ten-thousand-household commandery, county marquisates for all his sons. The Wei emperor, who had always known Li Chong's steadfast loyalty, continued to trust him without the slightest doubt. In the sixth month, on guisi, a new Grand Ancestral Temple was erected. In autumn, the eighth month, on wuwu, Xiao Hong, Prince of Linchuan, was appointed Grand Minister of Works. Earthquakes and thunderous rumbling from the mountains struck the Wei provinces of Heng and Si and continued for more than a year without abating; vast numbers of people were crushed to death. The Wei emperor went to the Eastern Palace and named Cui Guang, Supervisor of the Palace Archive, as the crown prince's junior tutor, commanding the heir to pay him obeisance. Cui Guang protested that he was unworthy of the honor, but the emperor would not hear of it. The crown prince turned south and bowed twice. The Steward Wang Xian petitioned to bow along with the heir, and at once every officer of the palace followed suit. Cui Guang stood facing north, unable to return the salute; he bowed in gratitude toward the west and withdrew. Emperor Wu of Liang, year 13 of the Tianjian era (jiawu, 514 CE). In spring, the second month, on dinghai, the emperor performed the sacred plowing rite and proclaimed a general amnesty. Under the Song and Qi dynasties the sacred plowing had been held in the first month; now, for the first time, it was moved to the second month, with a period of fasting before the rites to the First Farmer. Tian Yizong, the Wei Eastern Yuzhou Inspector, had grown old and weak. He and his sons and grandsons plundered without end, and the people under his rule groaned beneath their exactions. Rumors spread that he meant to rebel. The Wei emperor dispatched Liu Taofu of the Palace Secretariat to visit and reassure Tian Yizong. On his return, Taofu reported the governor's abuses. The Wei emperor issued an edict: 'Taofu tells Us that your son Lusheng has been rapacious and brutal in Huainan and, acting in your name, will not desist—this undermines your loyal service. Order Lusheng to the capital; We shall promote him to suitable office.' Lusheng did not come. An edict then transferred Tian Yizong to the post of Eastern Garrison General and Inspector of Jizhou; fearing he would refuse to yield his post, the court sent the Rear General Li Shizhe and Liu Taofu at the head of an army to strike by surprise, seizing Guangling in a sudden assault. Lusheng fled south of the pass with his brothers Luxian and Chaoxiu, called in Liang forces, and captured the frontier posts from Guangcheng southward. The Liang emperor appointed Lusheng Inspector of Northern Sizhou, Luxian Inspector of Northern Yuzhou, and Chaoxiu Inspector of Dingzhou. In the third month, Li Shizhe of Wei routed Lusheng and his allies and re-established the frontier garrisons. Tian Yizong was recalled to Luoyang and given the titles Southern Expedition General and Grand Master of the Golden Seal and Purple Girdle. Tian Yizong memorialized the throne, claiming he had been slandered by Liu Taofu and declaring, 'Taofu hounded Lusheng and the others until they rebelled. I beg that Taofu be brought before the court so that he and I may confront each other and establish the truth.' The edict refused, stating, 'You have already been granted a broad pardon; the matter cannot now be reopened as a criminal prosecution.' In autumn, the seventh month, on yihai, the emperor ennobled his sons: Xiao Lun as Prince of Shaoling, Xiao Yi as Prince of Xiangdong, and Xiao Ji as Prince of Wuling. In winter, the tenth month, on gengchen, the Wei emperor dispatched the Valiant Cavalry General Ma Yishu to reassure and instruct the Rouran. When the Wei defector Wang Zu invaded, the emperor ordered Li Lue of Fu, the Ningzhou Inspector, to repel him, promising that once the campaign ended he would be made Inspector of Yizhou. Wang Zu withdrew, but the emperor did not honor his promise. Li Lue nursed his grievance and plotted treason; the emperor had him executed. Li Lue's nephew Li Miao fled to Wei. Chunyu Dan of Taishan, a Footsoldier Commandant who had once served as chief clerk in Yizhou and defected from Hanzhong, joined him in urging the Wei emperor to conquer Shu—and the emperor was persuaded. On xinhai, Gao Zhao, Minister of Works, was appointed Grand General and Grand Commander to Pacify Shu, and sent at the head of one hundred fifty thousand foot and horse to invade Yizhou; Fu Shuyan, Inspector of Yizhou, was to advance from north of Ba; Yang Zhi, Inspector of Liangzhou, from Fucheng; Xi Kangsheng, Pacifying West General, from Mianzhu; and Zhen Chen, Pacifying Army General, through Jiange Pass; On yimao, Yuan Yao, Central Guard General, was named Southern Expedition General to command the garrisons holding Liang and Chu in check. You Zhao remonstrated: 'Floods and droughts have struck year after year; the people cannot bear further corvée. Every past expansion succeeded because garrison commanders surrendered of their own accord—campaigns without fighting. Those who now urge this invasion may be lying, or nursing private grudges—We cannot trust them entirely. Shu is rugged and its defenses tight; how can We march a great army on nothing but empty rumor! Begin rashly, and regret will come too late.' The emperor would not listen. Chunyu Dan was made Valiant Cavalry General and Li Miao acting Dragon-Soaring General; both were placed in command of native guides for the army. Wang Zu, who had defected from Wei, proposed damming the Huai to inundate Shouyang. “The emperor agreed and sent the hydraulic engineer Chen Chengbai and the Military Materials General Zu Heng to survey the ground. Both reported that the Huai's sandy bed was too loose to hold a dam—the project was doomed.” The emperor refused to listen. He conscripted labor from Xu and Yang—five men from every twenty households—and provisionally named Kang Xuan, Right Guard Leader to the crown prince, to command all forces on the Huai and supervise the dam works at Zhongli. Laborers and soldiers together numbered two hundred thousand. From Fushan in the south to Chanshi in the north they piled earth along the banks until the barrier met at midstream. Wei appointed Yang Jin, former Inspector of Dingzhou, to the post of Huazhou Inspector. Yang Jin was the younger brother of Yang Chun. Previously, officials collecting the silk tax had used exaggerated measuring rods, and local officers colluded to stretch or shrink the standards as they pleased—the people suffered greatly. Yang Jin required the official standard measure throughout his jurisdiction; those who delivered silk of exceptional quality received a cup of wine in reward; those who delivered inferior goods were still accepted, but received no wine—a mark of disgrace. Soon everyone strove to outdo his neighbor, and the quality of tax silk surpassed anything seen before. The Wei crown prince was still a child. Whenever he entered or left the Eastern Palace he was attended only by wet nurses, and the palace staff knew nothing of his movements. The Steward Yang Yu memorialized: 'Henceforth, whenever the crown prince is summoned, let a personal edict be issued commanding us to attend and escort him.' The Wei emperor agreed and ordered the palace officers then on duty to escort the heir as far as Wansui Gate. Wang Xian, Censor-in-Chief of Wei, asked Yang Gu, Supervising Secretary: 'When I was Grand Treasury Director, the vaults overflowed with wealth—what is your opinion of that?' Yang Gu replied: 'You skimmed a quarter of every official's salary and funneled bribes and fines from every province into the capital—that is hardly a treasury filled with honest abundance. Besides, as the saying goes: Better a thieving minister than one who squeezes the people dry.' Should that not give you pause!' Wang Xian took offense and soon found a pretext to have Yang Gu stripped of his post.
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