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卷172 陳紀六

Volume 172 Chen Records 6

Chapter 172 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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Chapter 172
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172 西 西使 祿 使 使 沿 使 宿 殿 使 姿 殿 使 西 西 殿 退 便 使 使 使椿 椿 退 椿 使 西 使 退 使 西 使 西 穿 退 退 西 宿西 退 西 西 西 簿 宿 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 西
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 172. [Chen Records 6] From Zhanmeng Xieqia through Rouzhao Tuntan—two years in all. Emperor Xuan of Chen, middle reign, upper part: Taikjian year 7 (yiwei, AD 575). In spring, the first month, on xinwei, the Chen emperor sacrificed at the southern suburb. On guiyou, the Zhou emperor went to Tong Province. On yihai, Chen Left Guard General Fan Yi captured Tong Province. The Northern Qi emperor returned to Ye. On xinsi, the Chen emperor sacrificed at the northern suburb. In the second month, on the bingxu new moon, the sun was eclipsed. On wushen, Fan Yi captured Xiapi, Gaozha, and six other cities. The Northern Qi emperor spoke haltingly and disliked receiving court officials; except for intimate favorites, he never spoke with them at all. Timid by nature, he could not bear anyone's gaze; even when the Three Excellencies, ministers, and recorders reported business, they were forbidden to look up. They would state only the gist and flee out in alarm. Taking over the extravagance of his predecessor Gao Yang, he assumed such excess was only fitting for an emperor. The inner palace dressed in jeweled robes and feasted on jade fare; a single skirt could cost ten thousand bolts of silk. They vied in novel designs; a garment worn in the morning was discarded by evening. Palaces and parks were built on a grand scale, pushed to the utmost splendor. His tastes shifted constantly; again and again he tore down what he had just built and rebuilt anew. Artisans and laborers had no rest; at night fires were lit so work could continue, and in cold weather hot broth was used as mortar. He had the western hills of Jinyang carved into a colossal Buddha image; in a single night ten thousand basins of oil were burned, and the light filled the palace. Whenever omens, disasters, or banditry occurred, he never blamed himself but only ordered more Buddhist feasts, imagining this was cultivating virtue. He loved to play the pipa himself and composed the tune "Without Sorrow"; hundreds of close attendants sang along, and the people called him "the Carefree Son of Heaven." In Hualin Park he built a "Village of Beggar Boys," donned ragged blue clothes himself, and went begging there for amusement. He also had models built of the western frontier fortresses, sent men in black to attack them, and led the palace attendants himself in mock defense. He entrusted Lu Lingxuan, Mu Tipo, Gao Anagong, Han Changluan, and others to dominate the government; eunuchs Deng Changying, Chen Dexin, the Hu attendant He Hongzhen, and others all shared power, each promoting kin to exalted office. Offices were bought with money and lawsuits settled with bribes; they vied in treachery and flattery, ruining government and harming the people. Former servants such as Liu Taozhi were all made grand marshals and enfeoffed as kings; eunuchs, Hu attendants, performers, spirit-mediums, palace slaves, and the like who gained wealth and rank by the thousand nearly numbered ten thousand. Commoners enfeoffed as kings ran to the hundreds; over a thousand held grand-marshal titles and honorary-peer ranks beyond counting. At one time there were twenty commanders-in-chief and dozens of palace attendants and chief eunuchs—even dogs, horses, and hawks bore honorary-peer and district-lady titles; a fighting cock was styled Grand Marshal, and all drew state stipends. Favorites entertained him day and night at his side; a single reward for a jest often exceeded tens of thousands. When the treasury was exhausted, he granted favorites two or three commanderies or six or seven counties and let them sell offices for cash. Hence prefects and magistrates were mostly wealthy merchants who vied in greed; taxes and corvée grew crushing, and the people could barely survive. Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou planned to attack Qi and ordered the border garrisons to stock more provisions and add troops; when the Qi heard of this, they too strengthened their defenses. Pillar of State Yu Yi remonstrated, saying, "Border skirmishes with alternating victories only waste troops and stores and advance no great design. Better to stand the armies down and renew friendly ties so they relax their guard; then seize the moment, strike where they do not expect, and take them at one blow." The Zhou emperor accepted his advice. Wei Xiaokuan submitted a memorial presenting three strategies. The first said, "Your servant has spent many years on the frontier and has seen openings; without seizing the moment, success is hard. Hence past campaigns brought only toil and expense with no achievement, because the opportunity was missed. Why? South of the Long Huai was once fertile land; Chen, though barely surviving ruin, could still conquer it in one stroke; the Qi for years rushed to relieve it and returned defeated. Within they are divided and without they face rebellion; plans are exhausted and strength spent—the enemy shows a crack that must not be missed. Now if the main army issues from Zhiguan and advances in parallel columns, coordinating pincers with Chen, while Guangzhou volunteers strike from Sanya, fierce troops south of the mountains descend the river, and Northern Mountain Jie Hu cut the roads through Bing and Jin— let each of these forces also recruit stalwart warriors beyond the passes and rivers, enrich their rewards, and use them as vanguards. Mountains will shake and rivers shift like thunder and lightning; a hundred routes will advance together upon the enemy capital. They will surely flee at sight of our banners and be crushed wherever we turn; one campaign will settle all—truly this is the moment." The second said, "If the state plans further ahead and does not launch a great campaign at once, it should work with Chen to divide their military strength. North of Sanya and south of Wanchun, expand garrison farming, stock provisions in advance, recruit fierce men, and organize them into units. Since they already face an enemy in the southeast and their armies are tied down, we send surprise troops and ravage their borderlands. If they march to relieve, we fortify and clear the countryside, wait until they are far away, then strike again. Constantly use frontier forces to draw off their core armies. We bear no cost of overnight supply; they exhaust themselves rushing to arms—in one or two years they will split and rebel on their own. Moreover Qi is benighted and cruel; power is scattered; lawsuits and offices are sold for profit; the court drowns in wine and women and destroys the loyal; the whole realm groans under abuses it cannot bear. Viewed thus, collapse is only a matter of time; then seize the moment like a lightning sweep, as easy as snapping dry wood." The third said, "In old times Goujian destroyed Wu yet allowed ten years; King Wu overthrew Zhou yet still needed two campaigns. If we now preserve strength and watch the times, your servant holds we should honor neighborly ties, renew treaties, settle the people, open trade, store strength, and strike when a crack appears. This is the long-term strategy—annexation achieved while seated." When the memorial arrived, the Zhou emperor summoned Grand Marshal Yilou Qian to the inner hall and said calmly, "I wish to use the army—which target should come first?" He replied, "Qi is sunk in entertainers and actors, lost in wine and women. Their champion Hulu Guangyue has already been destroyed by slander. Court and people are estranged; men exchange fearful glances in the streets. Qi is easy to take." The emperor laughed heartily. In the third month, on bingchen, he sent Qian and Junior Minister of Justice Yuan Wei as envoys to Qi to probe for weakness. On bingyin, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. In summer, the fourth month, on jiawu, the Chen emperor offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Supervisor of Yuzhou Chen Taogen obtained a blue ox and presented it; an edict ordered it returned to the people. He also presented two hundred each of woven brocade coverlets; an edict ordered them burned outside the Cloud Dragon Gate. On gengzi, Northern Qi appointed Palace Secretariat Supervisor Yang Xiuzhi Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. In the sixth month, on renchen, Chen Right Vice Director Wang Chang was made Left Vice Director. On jiaxu, the Northern Qi emperor went to Jinyang. In autumn, the seventh month, on bingxu, the Zhou emperor went to the Cloud Yang Palace. Grand General Yang Jian's bearing and appearance were extraordinarily imposing. Jibo Lower Grandee Lai He of Chang'an once told Jian, "My lord's eyes are like dawn stars that miss nothing; you are destined to rule the realm—please restrain yourself in killing." The Zhou emperor had long favored Jian; Prince of Qi Yuwen Xian told him, "Puliu Jian's appearance is extraordinary; whenever I see him I lose myself. I fear he is not meant to serve another—please eliminate him early!" The emperor also grew suspicious and questioned Lai He. He answered evasively, "Duke Sui is only a man of integrity; he can guard one region. As a commander, he would smash every Chen force he met." On dingmao, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. Previously, the Zhou emperor secretly planned to attack Qi together only with Prince Xian of Qi and Wang Yi, Director of the Palace Secretariat. He also sent Lu Yun, Supervisor of Diverse Affairs, on post relays three times to consult Yu Yi, Inspector-General of Anzhou, on strategy. No one else knew of this. On bingzi, he first summoned all officers of grand general rank and above to the Dade Hall and disclosed the plan. On dingchou, an edict was issued to attack Qi. Chen Wang Chun the Duke of Chen, Sizixia the Duke of Xingyang, and Daxizhen the Duke of Zheng were appointed commanders-in-chief of the first three armies; Yue Wang Sheng, Houmochen Chong the Duke of Zhouchang, and Zhao Wang Zhao were appointed commanders-in-chief of the rear three armies. Prince Xian of Qi led twenty thousand troops toward Liyang. Duke of Sui Yang Jian and Duke of Guangning Xue Jiong commanded thirty thousand naval troops entering the river from the Wei. Duke of Liang Houmochen Rui led twenty thousand troops to guard the Taihang route. Duke of Shen Li Mu led thirty thousand troops to guard the Heyang route. Duke of Changshan Yu Yi led twenty thousand troops out toward Chen and Ru. Wang Yi was the elder brother's grandson of Wang Meng; Daxizhen was the son of Daxi Wu. As the Zhou emperor was about to advance from Heyang, Neishi Senior Clerk Yuwen Bi said, "The Qi dynasty has been established for many generations now; Although they are said to be without the Way, in the duties of frontier commands there are still capable men. For the present campaign, it is essential to choose the ground carefully. Heyang is a strategic choke point where elite troops are concentrated; if we exhaust ourselves besieging it, I fear we will find it hard to achieve our aim. As I see it, if we advance from Fenqu, the garrisons on the small hills are low and easy to storm and capture. There is no better place than this to exert military force." Zhao Jiong, Central Grandee of the Ministry of the People from Tianshui, said, "Henan and Luoyang are exposed to attack on all sides; even if we take them, we cannot hold them. I ask that we advance from north of the Yellow River straight toward Taiyuan and strike at their nest; in one blow we can settle the matter." Bao Hong, Lower Grandee of Suibo, said, "We are strong and Qi is weak; we are well governed and Qi is in turmoil—why worry that we will not succeed! But the former emperor in past times repeatedly marched on Luoyang; the enemy already had defenses ready, and each time the result was not victorious. According to my plan, we should advance through Fen and Lu, directly strike at Jinyang, and catch them unprepared—this seems the superior strategy." The Zhou emperor did not follow any of these proposals. Bao Hong was the younger brother of Bao Quan. On renwu, the Zhou emperor led sixty thousand troops straight toward Heyin. Yang Su requested to lead his father's troops as vanguard; the Zhou emperor permitted it. In the eighth month, on guimao, Zhou sent envoys on a friendly mission. When Zhou armies entered Qi territory, they forbade cutting trees or trampling crops; violators were all executed. On dingwei, the Zhou emperor attacked the great city of Heyin and captured it. Prince Xian of Qi captured Wuji; advancing to besiege Luokou, he captured the eastern and western cities, set fire to the pontoon bridge, and severed the bridge. Fu Fu of Tai'an, Grand Governor of Yongqiao in Qi, entered Zhongshuidan city by night from Yongqiao. After the Zhou forces had taken the southern city, they besieged Zhongshuidan for twenty days without capturing it. Dugu Yongye, Prefect of Luozhou, defended Jinyong; the Zhou emperor personally attacked it but could not take it. Yongye worked through the night preparing two thousand horse troughs; when the Zhou forces heard of this, they thought a large army was about to arrive and were intimidated. In the ninth month, Gao Anagong, Right Chancellor of Qi, led troops from Jinyang to resist the Zhou armies. When he reached Heyang, the Zhou emperor fell ill; on the night of xinyou he withdrew his troops. The naval forces burned their ships. Fu Fu said to Xingtai Qifu Guihe, "The Zhou armies are exhausted; if I am granted two thousand elite cavalry to pursue them, they can be defeated." Guihe did not permit it. Prince Xian of Qi, Yu Yi, and Li Mu met with success wherever they went, capturing or receiving the surrender of more than thirty cities, all of which they abandoned without garrisoning. Only for the strategic Wangyao city did they appoint Han Zheng, Senior General of the Third Rank, to hold it; Zheng soon surrendered the city to Qi. On wuyin, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. On gengchen, Qi appointed Zhao Yanshen as Minister over the Masses and Hu Alieluo as Minister of Works. In the intercalary month, General of Chariots and Cavalry Wu Mingche led troops to attack Pengcheng in Qi; on renchen he defeated tens of thousands of Qi troops at Lüliang. On jiawu, the Zhou emperor went to Tong Province. In winter, the tenth month, on jisi, the princes Shuji and Shuwén were enfeoffed as Prince of Xincai and Prince of Jinxi respectively. In the twelfth month, on the xinhai new moon, the sun was eclipsed. On renxu, Wang Chang was appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Lu Shan of Wu Commandery, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, was appointed Right Vice Director. On gengwu, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. Emperor Xuan of Chen, middle reign, upper part: Taikjian year 8 (bingshen, AD 576). In spring, the first month, on guiwei, the Zhou emperor went to Tong Province; on xinmao, he went to Hedong Suichuan; on jiawu, he again returned to Tong Province. On jiayin, Northern Qi proclaimed a general amnesty. On yimao, the Northern Qi emperor returned to Ye. In the second month, on xinyou, the Zhou emperor ordered the crown prince to inspect the western regions and meanwhile attack Tuyuhun; Senior General of the Third Rank Wang Gui and Palace Director Yuwen Xiaobo accompanied him. All military command in the army was entrusted to the two of them; the crown prince merely accepted what was accomplished for him. Northern Qi gathered all unmarried women among the miscellaneous households; those who concealed anyone—the head of household was punished by death. On renshen, Wu Mingche, Senior General of the Third Rank, was appointed Minister of Works. In the third month, on renyin, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an; in summer, the fourth month, on yimao, he again went to Tong Province. On jiwei, the Chen emperor offered sacrifice at the Grand Ancestral Temple. Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Wang Chang. In the fifth month, on renchen, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. In the sixth month, on the wushen new moon, the sun was eclipsed. On xinhai, the Zhou emperor offered sacrifice at the Grand Ancestral Temple. Previously, Crown Prince Shubao wished to appoint Jiang Zong, Director of the Left Ministry of Household Affairs, as Grand Tutor, and had Recorder Lu Yu speak to Kong Huan, Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Kong Huan said to Yu, "Jiang has the literary brilliance of Pan Yue and Lu Ji but lacks the solid substance of Dong Zhongshu and Qi Li Ji; to assist and support the heir apparent, I privately find it difficult." The crown prince deeply resented this and spoke of it himself to the emperor. The emperor was about to grant it; Kong Huan submitted, "Jiang Zong is a man of literary brilliance. Now the crown prince's literary brilliance is not lacking—why rely on Zong! According to my humble view, I wish to select a man of solid weight to hold the post of guiding and assisting." The emperor said, "If it is as you say, who should hold this post?" Kong Huan said, "Wang Kuo, Director of the Palace Law Enforcement, for generations has possessed virtuous conduct; in knowledge and character he is solid and quick—he can hold it." The crown prince, who was then at his side, said, "Kuo is the son of Wang Tai—he is unsuitable to serve as Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince." Kong Huan said, "In the Song dynasty Fan Ye was the son of Fan Tai and also served as Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince—former generations raised no objection." The crown prince firmly contested this, but the Chen emperor ultimately appointed Zong as Grand Tutor. Zong was the great-grandson of Xue Zhi. On jiayin, Lu Shan, Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, was made Left Vice Director. The Chen emperor wished to replace Shan with Kong Huan; the edict had already been issued, but the crown prince dissuaded him and he stopped; Wang Ke, Prefect of Jinling, was instead made Right Vice Director. Before long, Zong and the crown prince held all-night drinking sessions, and Zong adopted a secondary consort, the Lady Chen, as his daughter; the crown prince repeatedly made secret outings to visit Zong's home. The Chen emperor was angered and dismissed Zong from office. Prince Kang of Ji, Governor of Lizhou in Zhou, was arrogant and unrestrained beyond measure; he repaired weapons of war and secretly harbored treasonous designs. Chief Clerk Pei Rong remonstrated and tried to stop him; Kang killed Rong. On bingchen, Kang was ordered to take his own life. On dingsi, the Zhou emperor went to Yunyang. On gengshen, Zhao Yanshen, Prince of Yiyang of Qi, died. Yanshen had served through successive reigns, regularly taking part in confidential affairs close to the throne, and was renowned for his warmth and prudence. After he died, among the court nobility entrusted with confidential affairs there remained only one man—Hulü Xiaoqing, Palace Attendant and Grandee of Splendid Happiness with Equivalent Rank to the Three Excellencies; all the rest were intimate favorites. Xiaoqing was the son of Qiang Ju; compared with the others, he was somewhat less greedy and corrupt. In autumn, the eighth month, on yimao, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. The Zhou crown prince marched against Tuyuhun, reached Fuyucheng, and returned. Palace Secretary Zheng Yi, Wang Duan, and others all enjoyed the crown prince's favor. The crown prince committed many offenses while in the army, and Yi and the others all took part in them. When the army returned, Wang Gui and the others reported this to the Zhou emperor. The Zhou emperor was enraged; he beat the crown prince and Yi and the others, removed Yi and the others from the register, and all palace attendants close to the crown prince were rebuked. The crown prince again summoned Yi and was as playful and familiar with him as before. Yi then said, "Your Highness, when will you be able to seize the empire?" The crown prince was pleased and grew even more intimate with him. Yi was the grandson of Yan's elder brother. The Zhou emperor treated the crown prince very sternly; whenever he attended audience, his comings and goings were no different from those of the officials—even in bitter cold or blazing heat, he was given no respite; because he was fond of wine, he was forbidden wine and could not go to the Eastern Palace; whenever he committed an offense, he was immediately beaten. He once said to him, "Throughout history, how many crown princes have been deposed? Is my son truly unfit to be established!" He then ordered the Eastern Palace officials to record the crown prince's words, deeds, and movements, and report them monthly. The crown prince feared the Zhou emperor's awe-inspiring sternness, feigned virtue and cultivated appearances, and thus his faults and misdeeds went unreported. Wang Gui once said to Junior Palace Secretary Heluo Bi, "The crown prince will certainly be unable to bear the burden." Bi deeply agreed and urged Gui to present this to the emperor. Later, while attending the Zhou emperor, Gui said to him, "The crown prince has no reputation for benevolence or filial piety; I fear he will not be able to manage Your Majesty's household affairs. This foolish minister is shallow and dull—not to be trusted. Your Majesty always considers Heluo Bi to possess extraordinary talent in both civil and military affairs, and is often troubled on that account." The Zhou emperor questioned Bi about this; he replied, "The crown prince is cultivating virtue in the Eastern Palace, and none of his faults have been heard of." After they withdrew, Gui reproached Bi, "In our talks throughout our lives we have discussed everything—why, when answering before the throne today, have you reversed yourself so?" Bi said, "That was Your Excellency's fault. The crown prince is the heir of the state—how easily can one speak about him! If matters go awry, it leads straight to the extinction of one's clan. I thought Your Excellency would privately present your praise or blame. How could you bring it forth to open declaration!" Gui was silent for a long time, then said, "I devote myself single-mindedly to the state and have no concern for private calculation. Speaking before the assembly as I did was truly inappropriate." Later, at an inner-court banquet where he was offering birthday felicitations, Gui stroked the Zhou emperor's beard and said, "What a dear old lord—but how I regret that his successor is weak!" Earlier, the Zhou emperor had asked Yuwen Xiaobo, Right Director of the Eastern Palace, "How has my son been lately?" He replied, "The crown prince, fearing Heaven's majesty, has had no further misdeeds." When the drinking ended, the Zhou emperor reproached Xiaobo, "You have often told me, 'The crown prince has no faults. Yet now Gui has said this—you have deceived me." Xiaobo bowed twice and said, "Your subject has heard that between father and son, it is what men find hardest to speak of. Your subject knew Your Majesty could not cut off affection and endure harsh love, and so held his tongue." The Zhou emperor understood his meaning, was silent a long while, then said, "I have already entrusted this to you—please exert yourself." Wang Gui suddenly said to the Zhou emperor, "The crown prince is no fit master for the altars of soil and grain. Yang Jian of Puliuru has the look of a rebel." The Zhou emperor was displeased and said, "If destiny must rest with someone, what can be done!" When Yang Jian heard of this, he was greatly afraid and deeply concealed himself. The Zhou emperor deeply believed what Gui and the others had said was true, but Prince Zan of Han was next eldest and also lacking in talent, and the remaining sons were all young—thus the crown prince was not deposed. On dingmao, Wu Mingche, Minister of Works, was made Inspector of Southern Yan Province. The Northern Qi emperor went to Jinyang. He built the Handan Palace. In the ninth month, on wuxu, the Chen emperor's son Shubiao was made Prince of Huainan. The Zhou emperor said to the assembled ministers, "Last year I happened to suffer from illness, and so was unable to subdue the fugitive enemy. When I previously entered Qi territory, I saw their condition in full—their conduct of war is almost child's play. Moreover, their court is muddled and corrupt, with government in the hands of petty men; the people cry out in distress, with neither morning nor evening secure. Heaven grants yet we do not take—fear lest we leave regret behind. Previously we went beyond the river—it was merely patting the back, not grasping the throat. Jin Province was originally where Gao Huan rose to power; it is a key garrison of supreme importance. If we attack it now, they will surely come to its aid; We shall hold our army in strict readiness and await them—we will defeat them for certain. Then, riding the momentum of splitting bamboo, we shall march east with drums beating—enough to exhaust their lair and unite culture and cart-tracks." Many of the generals were unwilling to go. The Zhou emperor said, "The opportunity must not be lost. Whoever discourages our army shall be judged by military law!" In winter, the tenth month, on jiyou, the Zhou emperor personally led a campaign against Qi, appointing Prince Sheng of Yue, Duke Liang of Qi, and Duke Yang Jian of Sui as the Right Three Armies; Prince Jian of Qiao, Grand General Dou Tai, and Duke Qiu Chong of Guanghua as the Left Three Armies; and Prince Xian of Qi and Prince Chun of Chen as the vanguard. Liang was the son of Dao. On bingchen, the Northern Qi emperor hunted at Qilian Pool; On guihai, he returned to Jinyang. Previously, Zhang Yanjuan, Left Assistant Director of the Jin Province Executive, was upright, diligent, and quick-witted; provisions were stocked and defenses ready, and the people lived and worked in peace. The frontier was untroubled. The various favorites resented him and had him replaced, whereupon both public and private affairs fell into turmoil. The Zhou emperor arrived at Jin Province and encamped at Fen Bend. He sent Prince Xian of Qi to lead twenty thousand elite horsemen to guard Que-shu Valley; Prince Chun of Chen with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to guard Qianli Pass; Duke Zhen of Zheng with ten thousand infantry and cavalry to guard Tongjun River; Grand General Han Ming with five thousand infantry and cavalry to guard Qizi Ridge; Duke Sheng of the Yan clan with five thousand infantry and cavalry to guard Guchong Fort; Duke Shao of Liangcheng with five thousand infantry and cavalry to guard Pujin Pass; Prince Zhao with ten thousand infantry and cavalry to attack the various cities of Fen Province in Qi from Huagu; and Chief Minister Yuwen Sheng with ten thousand infantry and cavalry to guard Fenshui Pass. He sent Palace Secretary Wang Yi to supervise the various armies in the assault on Pingyang. Wei Xianggui, Prince of Haichang and Vice Director of the Northern Qi Executive, closed the city gates and held out in defense. Xianggui was the elder brother of Xiangyuan. On jiazi, the Qi forces assembled at Jin Shrine. On gengwu, the Northern Qi emperor personally led the various armies from Jinyang toward Jin Province. Day after day the Zhou emperor came from Fen Bend to beneath the city walls to direct the fighting, while distress within the city grew acute. On gengwu, Hou Ziqin, Left Assistant Director of the Executive, went out and surrendered to Zhou. On renshen, Cui Jingsong, Governor of Jin Province, held the north city. That night he sent envoys to request surrender to Zhou, and Wang Gui led troops to respond. Before dawn, the Zhou general Duan Wenzhen of Beihai, spear in hand, climbed up first with several dozen men. He and Jingsong went together to Wei Xianggui's quarters, where he drew his belt knife and seized him. Drums and shouts rose on the walls, and the Qi troops broke in great rout. Zhou forces thereupon captured Jin Province and took Xianggui and eight thousand armored soldiers prisoner. The Northern Qi emperor was just then hunting at Tianchi with Lady Feng the Pure Consort. Urgent reports from Jin Province arrived—from dawn until noon, courier horses came three times. Right Chancellor Gao Anahoug said, "His Majesty is enjoying himself. Minor skirmishes on the frontier are an ordinary matter—why report them in such haste!" By evening another messenger arrived saying, "Pingyang has already fallen," and only then did he report it. The Northern Qi emperor was about to return when Lady Feng the Pure Consort asked to hunt one more beat, and he consented. Prince Xian of Qi of Northern Zhou captured the two cities of Hongdong and Yong'an and planned further advances. The Qi forces burned the bridges and held the defiles; Zhou forces could not advance and encamped at Yong'an. He sent Duke Chun of Yongchang to encamp at Jixi Plain, felling cypresses to build shelters and establish camps. Chun was the younger brother of Guang. On guiyou, the Northern Qi emperor divided ten thousand troops toward Qianli Pass, sent another force out through Fenshui Pass, and personally led the main army up Jixi Plain. Yuwen Sheng sent men to report the emergency, and Prince Xian of Qi came in person to rescue him. The Qi army withdrew. Sheng pursued and defeated them. Shortly afterward Chun reported that the Qi army was pressing closer, and Xian returned again to rescue him. The two armies faced each other in battle formation and did not fight until nightfall. Then the Zhou emperor summoned Xian back, and Xian led his troops away by night. The Qi forces saw the cypress shelters still standing and did not realize Zhou troops had gone. The next day they finally learned of it. The Northern Qi emperor sent Gao Anahoug to lead the vanguard forward first and also to direct the various armies. On jiaxu, Northern Zhou appointed Liang Shiyan of Anding, Upper Palace Gate General and Pillar of State, as Governor of Jin Province and left ten thousand elite troops to garrison it. In the eleventh month, on jimao, the Northern Qi emperor arrived at Pingyang. The Zhou emperor reckoned that the Qi troops had only just assembled and their momentum was very strong, and he also wished to withdraw west to avoid their edge. Palace Gate General and Pillar of State Yuwen Xin remonstrated, saying, "Given Your Majesty's sagely martial prowess and the enemy's reckless indulgence, what fear is there of not conquering them; If Qi should obtain a worthy ruler and ruler and ministers worked together, even the power of Tang and Wu would not easily subdue them. Now their ruler is benighted and their ministers foolish; the soldiers have no will to fight. Though they number a million, they are in truth merely offerings for Your Majesty." Army Rectifier Wang Hong of Jingzhao said, "Qi has lost its discipline for generations now. Heaven has rewarded the Zhou house—a single battle and we have their throat in our grasp. To seize disorder and despise a house in ruin—there is no better day than today. To release them and withdraw—this your servant does not understand." Though the Zhou emperor approved their words, in the end he led his army back. Xin was the son of Gui. The Zhou emperor left Prince Xian of Qi as rear guard. The Qi army pursued them. Xian and Yuwen Xin each led a hundred horsemen into battle and beheaded their fierce general Helan Baozi and others, and the Qi army then withdrew. Xian led his army across the Fen and caught up with the Zhou emperor at Yubi. The Qi army then besieged Pingyang, attacking day and night. Within the city the peril was extreme; the tower battlements were all gone, and what remained of the wall was only a few ren in height. At times they fought hand to hand; at times horsemen crossed in and out. External relief did not arrive, and the troops were all shaken with fear. Liang Shiyan was bold and composed as ever. He told the officers and soldiers, "If we die today, I shall go before you." Thereupon the brave rose together, their shouts shaking earth and sky, and each man fought as if a hundred. The Qi army fell back somewhat. He then ordered wives, concubines, soldiers, civilians, and women to repair the walls day and night, and in three days the work was done. The Zhou emperor sent Prince Xian of Qi to lead sixty thousand troops to encamp at Su River, giving distant support to Pingyang. The Qi forces dug tunnels to attack Pingyang. The wall collapsed for more than ten paces, and the officers and soldiers wished to take advantage and enter. The Northern Qi emperor ordered them to halt for the moment and summoned Lady Feng the Pure Consort to watch. Lady Feng was putting on her makeup and did not arrive in time. The Zhou defenders blocked the breach with wooden barriers, and the city was not taken. By old custom it was said that on a stone west of Jin Province city were the footprints of a sage. Lady Feng wished to go and view them. The Northern Qi emperor feared crossbow bolts would reach the bridge, and so stripped siege timber to build a long bridge. The Northern Qi emperor and Lady Feng crossed the bridge. The bridge collapsed, and they did not return until night. On guisi, the Zhou emperor returned to Chang'an. On jiawu, he again issued an edict that, because the Qi forces were besieging Jin Province, he would again lead the various armies to strike them. On bingshen, he released Qi prisoners to let them return. On dingyou, the Zhou emperor departed from Chang'an; on renyin he crossed the river and joined with the various armies. In the twelfth month, on dingwei, the Zhou emperor reached Gaoxian and sent Prince Xian of Qi to lead his division first toward Pingyang. On wushen the Zhou emperor reached Pingyang. On gengxu the various armies assembled in all—eighty thousand men. They advanced gradually, pressed close to the city, and set battle lines extending east and west for more than twenty li. Previously, fearing that Zhou troops might arrive suddenly, the Qi forces dug a ditch south of the city, running from Qiaoshan to the Fen River; the Northern Qi emperor massed a great army and arrayed it north of the ditch. The Zhou emperor ordered Prince Xian of Qi to ride quickly to observe it. Xian reported back, "They are easy to deal with. Allow us to defeat them before we eat." The Zhou emperor was pleased and said, "As you say, I have no worries!" The Zhou emperor rode his usual mount with only a few attendants and inspected the battle lines. Wherever he went he called out commanders by name and encouraged them. The officers and soldiers were pleased to be recognized and all wished to exert themselves. Just before battle, the officials requested that he change horses. The Zhou emperor said, "If I alone ride a fine horse, where would I go!" The Zhou emperor wished to press close to the Qi army but was blocked by the ditch and halted. From dawn until shen hour they faced each other without resolution. The Northern Qi emperor said to Gao Anahoug, "Shall we fight? Shall we not fight?" Anahoug said, "Though our troops are many, those fit to fight are no more than one hundred thousand. The sick, wounded, and those gathering firewood and cooking around the city walls account for another third. In the past when we attacked Yubi, we withdrew as soon as relief arrived. How can today's officers and soldiers compare with those in the time of the Divine Martial Emperor! Better not to fight and instead withdraw to hold Gaoliang Bridge." An Tugen said, "That handful of bandits—spear them from horseback and toss them into the Fen River!" The Northern Qi emperor's mind was not yet decided. The various inner attendants said, "He too is Son of Heaven, and we too are Sons of Heaven. He has come from far away—why should we hold a ditch and show weakness!" The Northern Qi emperor said, "These words are correct." Thereupon they filled the ditch and advanced south. The Zhou emperor was greatly pleased and urged the various armies to attack them. The armies had only just joined battle when the Northern Qi emperor and Lady Feng the Pure Consort rode side by side to watch the fighting. The eastern wing fell back slightly. Lady Feng said in fear, "The army is defeated!" Chief Secretary of State Affairs Mutipo, Prince of Chengyang, said, "Your Majesty, go! Your Majesty, go!" The Northern Qi emperor thereupon fled with Lady Feng to Gaoliang Bridge. Palace Gate General of the Third Rank Xi Chang remonstrated, "Advancing half and retreating half is the normal pattern of battle. Now the troops are wholly intact and have suffered no losses. Where will Your Majesty go if you abandon this place! Once the horses' hooves move, men's hearts will be thrown into panic and cannot be rallied again. I beg you to return quickly and reassure them!" Guard Commander Zhang Changshan arrived from the rear and also said, "The army is about to regroup and is still very intact. The troops besieging the city have not moved either. Your Majesty should return. If you do not believe my words, I beg to take the inner attendants to go and see for themselves." The Northern Qi emperor was about to follow this advice. Mutipo pulled the Northern Qi emperor by the elbow and said, "These words are hard to believe." The Northern Qi emperor thereupon fled north with Lady Feng. The Qi army broke in great rout. More than ten thousand men died, and military supplies and equipment were abandoned in heaps for hundreds of li. Prince Yan Zong of Ande alone brought his whole army back intact. When the Northern Qi emperor reached Hongdong, Lady Feng was just amusing herself with a powder mirror. Then shouts rose from behind crying that bandits had arrived, and so he fled again. Previously the Northern Qi emperor, because Lady Feng had rendered meritorious service, was about to establish her as Left Empress and had sent inner attendants to Jinyang to fetch empress robes, ceremonial regalia, and feathered banners. At this time they met them on the road. The Northern Qi emperor reined in his horse, ordered Lady Feng to put them on, and only then went on. On xinhai, the Zhou emperor entered Pingyang. Liang Shiyan saw the Zhou emperor, took hold of his beard and wept, saying, "Your servant nearly did not see Your Majesty!" The Zhou emperor also wept for him. The Zhou emperor, because the officers and soldiers were weary, wished to withdraw. Shiyan knocked on the horse and remonstrated, "Now the Qi army has scattered in flight and every heart is shaken. If we attack them while they are afraid, the enterprise is sure to succeed." The Zhou emperor followed his advice and took his hand, saying, "I gained Jin Province as the foundation for pacifying Qi. If it is not firmly held, the great enterprise will not succeed. I have no worry about what lies before, only fear of changes afterward. You must hold it well for me!" He thereupon led the various generals in pursuit of the Qi army. The generals firmly requested to return west. The Zhou emperor said, "To let the enemy go breeds future trouble. If you are doubtful, I shall go alone." The generals then did not dare speak. On guichou, they reached Fenshui Pass. The Northern Qi emperor entered Jinyang, anxious and fearful, not knowing where to go. On jiayin, Northern Qi proclaimed a general amnesty. The Northern Qi emperor asked the court ministers for plans. All said, "Taxes and corvée labor should be reduced to comfort the people's hearts; gather the scattered troops, fight to the death with the city at your back, and thereby secure the altars of state." The Northern Qi emperor wished to leave Prince Yan Zong of Ande and Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning to hold Jinyang while he himself went north to Shuozhou. If Jinyang could not be held, he would flee to the Turks. The ministers all considered this impossible, but the emperor would not listen. More than thirty close attendants on palace guard duty, including Palace Gate General of the Third Rank Heba Fu'en, fled west to the Zhou army. The Zhou emperor enfeoffed and rewarded each according to merit. The troops under Gao Anahoug still numbered ten thousand. He held Gaobi, while the rest of the men defended Luonü Stockade. The Zhou emperor led his army toward Gaobi. Anahoug fled at the sight of them. Prince Xian of Qi attacked Luonü Stockade and captured it. A soldier reported that Anahoug had sent him to lure the western army. The Northern Qi emperor ordered Palace Attendant Hulu Xiaqing to investigate. Xiaqing considered it false. On returning to Jinyang, Anahoug's confidants again reported that Anahoug was plotting rebellion. Again it was considered false, and they were executed. On yimao, the Northern Qi emperor ordered Prince Yan Zong of Ande and Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning to recruit troops. Yan Zong came in to see him. The Northern Qi emperor told him of his wish to go north to Shuozhou. Yan Zong remonstrated with tears but was not heeded. Secretly he sent attendants ahead to escort the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince to northern Shuozhou. On bingchen, the Zhou emperor joined Prince Xian of Qi at Jiexiu. Han Jianye, Palace Gate General of the Third Rank of Qi, surrendered the whole city. He was made Upper Pillar of State and enfeoffed as Duke of Xun. That night the Northern Qi emperor wished to slip away, but the generals would not follow. On dingsi, the Zhou army reached Jinyang. The Northern Qi emperor again proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name to Longhua. He appointed Prince Yan Zong of Ande as Chancellor and Governor of Bing Province to command the troops of the western mountains, saying to him, "Bing Province, elder brother, take for yourself—I am leaving now!" Yan Zong said, "Your Majesty, for the sake of the altars of state, do not move. Your servant will exert himself unto death for Your Majesty and is sure to defeat them." Mutipo said, "His Majesty's plan is already settled. Your Highness must not rashly discourage it!" That night the Northern Qi emperor cut through Wulong Gate and went out, intending to flee to the Turks. Most of his attendants scattered. Army Director Mei Sheng remonstrated by knocking on the horse, and he thereupon turned back toward Ye. At the time only a dozen or so horsemen including Gao Anahoug followed him. Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning and Prince Yandao of Xiangcheng arrived afterward, and he had several dozen men with him. Mutipo fled west to the Zhou army. Lu Lingxuan killed herself, and her family members were all executed and their property confiscated. The Zhou emperor appointed Tipo as Pillar of State and Governor of Yi Province. An edict was issued to instruct the Qi ministers, "If you fully employ human counsel and deeply comprehend Heaven's mandate, official honors and noble rewards will each be increased. If any of our officers and soldiers have fled to that court, regardless of rank, they will all be swept away." From this time Qi ministers surrendered one after another. Initially, when the Qi Founding Emperor was Chancellor of Wei, he put Tang Yong in charge of the Outer Military Office and Bai Jian of Taiyuan in charge of the Cavalry Office. Both were entrusted because they were skilled at writing accounts and adept at ledgers. When Qi received the abdication, the various offices all came under the Ministry of State Affairs; only these two offices were not abolished and were renamed the Two Departments. Yong rose to Chief Secretary of State Affairs and Jian to Director of the Palace Secretariat. They regularly managed the Two Departments and were known in their age as "Tang and Bai." Yong also concurrently headed the Revenue Office. He had a rift with Gao Anahoug, who slandered him. The Northern Qi emperor ordered Palace Attendant Hulu Xiaqing to take overall charge of cavalry and revenue. Xiaqing decided many matters on his own and no longer sought instructions. Yong, considering himself an old hand versed in affairs, felt slighted by Xiaqing and was deeply depressed. When the Northern Qi emperor returned to Ye, Yong remained at Jinyang. The generals of Bing Province petitioned Prince Yan Zong of Ande, "If Your Highness is not Son of Heaven, these men truly cannot exert themselves unto death for you." Yan Zong had no choice. On wuwu he ascended the imperial throne. An edict was issued, "The Wuping reign was feeble; government was controlled by eunuchs. He cut through the gate and fled by night—no one knows where he went. Princes, dukes, and ministers have unworthily pressed me, and I now reverently accept the throne." A general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name changed to Dechang. Prince Tang Yong of Jinchang was made Chancellor; Prince Modou Jingxian of Qichang, Prince A Ganzi of Shuyang, Right Guard General Duan Chang, Palace Gate General of the Third Rank Han Guhu, and others were made generals. Jingxian was the son of Daiwen. When the masses heard of it, those who came without being summoned followed one after another. Yan Zong opened the treasury stores and distributed palace beauties to reward the officers and soldiers, and confiscated the property of more than ten inner-attendant families. When the Northern Qi emperor heard of it, he told his close attendants, "I would rather let Zhou take Bing Province than let Ande have it." His attendants said, "That is reasonable." When Yan Zong saw the soldiers, he personally took each by the hand and called him by name, weeping and sobbing. The men vied to die for him; boys and girls too climbed onto roofs, rolled up their sleeves, and threw bricks and stones to repel the enemy. On jiwei, the Zhou emperor reached Jinyang. On gengshen, the Northern Qi emperor entered Ye. The Zhou army besieged Jinyang, closing in on all four sides like a black cloud. Prince Yan Zong of Ande ordered Modou Jingxian and Han Guhu to hold the south of the city; A Ganzi and Duan Chang to hold the east; and he personally led troops to hold Prince Xian of Qi at the north of the city. Yan Zong had always been fat—his front like a reclining figure, his back like one lying prone—and people often laughed at him. At this time he wielded a great spear back and forth to direct the fighting, swift and agile as if flying, unstoppable wherever he went. A Ganzi and Duan Chang fled with a thousand horsemen to the Zhou army. The Zhou army attacked the east gate. At dusk they entered it and advanced to burn the Buddhist temple. Yan Zong and Jingxian entered through the gate and attacked them from both sides. The Zhou army fell into great disorder, struggling for the gate, trampling one another, blocking the road so they could not advance. The Qi forces hacked and stabbed from behind, and more than two thousand men died. The Zhou emperor's attendants were nearly all gone, and he could find no way to extricate himself. Palace Attendant Senior Gentleman Zhang Shou seized the horse's head, and Heba Fu'en whipped its hindquarters. Over rough ground they finally got out. The Qi forces struck fiercely and nearly hit him. The road east of the city was narrow, perilous and winding. Fu'en and the defector Pizi Xin guided him, and he barely escaped. It was already the fourth watch. Yan Zong thought the Zhou emperor had been killed by the disorderly troops and had men search among the heaped corpses for one with long whiskers, but they did not find him. By then the Qi forces had already won. They entered the wards to drink, all drunk and lying down, and Yan Zong could no longer restore order. The Zhou emperor left the city, was very hungry, and wished to slip away. Many of the generals also urged him to return. Yuwen Xin stepped forward angrily and said, "Your Majesty, since capturing Jin Province, has ridden victory to this point. Now the false ruler is in flight, and the lands east of the pass tremble at the news. Since ancient times in campaigning, there has never been such grandeur. Yesterday we broke the city; the officers and soldiers grew contemptuous of the enemy and suffered a slight setback—what is there to brood over! A man should seek life amid death and seize victory from defeat. Now the momentum of splitting bamboo is already formed—how can we abandon it and withdraw!" Prince Xian of Qi and Pillar of State Wang Yi also thought that to leave would surely mean no escape. Duan Chang and others further declared emphatically that the city was empty within. The Zhou emperor thereupon halted his horse, sounded the horn to gather the troops, and in a short while they rallied again. On xinyou, at dawn, they returned to attack the east gate and captured it. Yan Zong's fighting strength was exhausted. He fled to the north of the city and was captured by the Zhou forces. The Zhou emperor dismounted and took his hand. Yan Zong declined, saying, "The hand of a dead man—how dare it press upon Your Majesty!" The Zhou emperor said, "The two states' Sons of Heaven bear no mutual hatred. I have come simply for the sake of the people. In the end I will not harm you. Do not be afraid." He had his hat and robes restored and treated him with courtesy. Tang Yong and the others all surrendered to Zhou. Only Modou Jingxian fled to Ye. The Northern Qi emperor appointed him Minister of Education. When Yan Zong first assumed the imperial title, he sent envoys with a formal letter to Prince Cheng of Rencheng, Governor of Ying Province, saying, "His Majesty has fled. The altars of state are a weighty matter. The lords pressed me, and I temporarily hold command. When affairs are settled, I shall in the end return rule to my uncle." Cheng said, "I am a subject—how can I accept such a letter!" He seized the envoys, put them in confinement, and sent them to Ye. On renxu, the Zhou emperor proclaimed a general amnesty and abolished Qi institutions. He gathered and honored men of civil and military talent. Initially, when Yi Lou Qian of Ye was on a mission to Qi, his staff officer Gao Zun divulged secrets to Qi, and the Qi forces detained him at Jinyang. After the Zhou emperor had captured Jinyang, he summoned Qian and comforted him. He seized Zun and handed him over to Qian, letting him take revenge as he wished. Qian kowtowed and asked that he be pardoned. The Zhou emperor said, "You may gather the crowd to spit in his face and make him know shame." Qian said, "For Zun's crime, spitting in the face is not an adequate punishment." The emperor approved his words and stopped. Qian treated Zun as before. Your servant Guang says: To reward merit and punish guilt—this is the ruler's duty. Gao Zun was sent on a mission to a foreign state and divulged a great plan—he is a traitorous minister. The Zhou Founding Emperor did not execute him himself but gave him to Qian to let him take revenge—this was a failure of government and punishment! Confucius said: If one repays injury with virtue, with what shall one repay virtue? As for Qian, he should have declined and not accepted him, returning him to the officials to be judged by proper law. Instead he asked for pardon and thereby achieved a private reputation for virtue—beautiful though it is, it is not public righteousness. The Northern Qi emperor ordered heavy rewards to recruit warriors, but in the end gave out nothing. Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning requested, "Let Prince Cheng of Rencheng lead the Youzhou-route troops through Tumen Pass, proclaiming that he is heading for Bing Province; let Dugu Yongye lead the Luozhou-route troops into Tong Pass, proclaiming that he is heading for Chang'an; and let your servant lead the capital-region troops out through Fukou, marching with drums beating to meet the enemy in battle. When the enemy hears that troops are coming from north and south, they will naturally flee and collapse." He also requested that palace women and treasures be brought out to reward the officers and soldiers. The Northern Qi emperor was displeased. Hulu Xiaqing asked the Northern Qi emperor to personally comfort the officers and soldiers, composed words for him, and said, "You should speak with generous emotion and shed tears to stir men's hearts." When the Northern Qi emperor came out and faced the crowd, about to give orders, he no longer remembered the words he had been given and burst into laughter. Those around him laughed too. The officers and soldiers said angrily, "If he himself is like this, why should we hurry!" None had any will to fight. Thereupon, from the Grand Chancellor downward, the offices of Grand Mentor, Three Preceptors, Grand Marshal, Grand General, Three Dukes, and the like were all increased in number and filled—some with three or four appointees, beyond counting. Gao Mai, Vice Director of the Shuozhou Executive, led troops escorting the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince back to Ye by the Tumen route. At the time the eunuch Palace Gate General of the Third Rank Gou Ziyi still relied on favor to act violently. Chickens and pigs among the people—he let his hawks and dogs seize and devour them; Mai seized him and displayed him for execution, about to behead him; the Empress Dowager rescued him, and he was spared. Someone said to Mai, "Men like Ziyi can by a word bring fortune or disaster—do you alone not consider future trouble?" Mai rolled up his sleeves and said, "Now the western invaders already hold Bing Province, and high officials are mostly deserting and rebelling. It is precisely because of men like these befouling and disordering the court. If I can behead him today and be executed myself tomorrow, I shall have no regret!" Mai was the son of Yue. On jiazi, the Qi Empress Dowager reached Ye. On bingyin, the Zhou emperor brought out treasures, robes, playthings, and two thousand palace women from the Qi palace and distributed them to the officers and soldiers. Those who had rendered merit received additional ranks and titles according to merit. The Zhou emperor asked Gao Yan Zong for a plan to take Ye. He declined, saying, "This is not within the reach of a minister of a fallen state." When pressed, he finally said, "If Prince Cheng holds Ye, your servant cannot know. If the present ruler holds it himself, Your Majesty's army will take it without bloodshed." On guiyou the Zhou army pressed toward Ye. Prince Xian of Qi was ordered to lead the vanguard, and Upper Pillar of State Prince Chun of Chen was made overall commander of Bing Province. The Northern Qi emperor led the various high ministers into Vermilion Bird Gate, bestowed wine and food, and asked them for plans to resist Zhou. Each man had a different opinion, and the Northern Qi emperor did not know whom to follow. At this time men's hearts were alarmed and fearful; none had the will to fight. Court officials went out to surrender day and night without cease. Gao Mai said, "Those who rebel now are mostly men of rank. As for the common soldiers, their hearts have not yet turned away. I request that the families of officials of the fifth rank and above be seized and placed in Santai. Then force them to fight. If we do not succeed, burn the tower. These men, cherishing their wives and children, will surely fight to the death. Moreover the royal army has repeatedly gone north, and the bandits despise us. If we now stake all with our backs to the city, reason says we must break them." The Northern Qi emperor could not adopt this plan. A reader of cosmic signs said there would be a change of dynasty. The Northern Qi emperor summoned Chief Minister of State Affairs Gao Yuanhai and others to discuss following the precedent of the Tiantong reign and abdicating in favor of the Crown Prince.
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