Annals of Liang, Volume 2
From the year of the Shemo Zuo’e to the year of the Qiangyu Dayuanxian, a total of three years.
Spring, first month, on the guimao day (new moon), Emperor Wu of Liang issued an edict: "During the Han dynasties, the selection of worthy talents was always through the study of the classics. They followed the correct path, thus establishing reputation and achieving virtuous conduct. Since the Wei and Jin periods, frivolity and dissipation have prevailed, Confucian learning has declined, and integrity and moral principles have been left unestablished. This is precisely the reason. Five Erudites for the Five Classics can be appointed, each in charge of one field, and schools should be widely opened to recruit promising students." Accordingly, He Yang, along with Ming Shanbin of Pingyuan, Shen Jun of Wuxing, and Yan Zhizhi of Jianping, were appointed as Erudites. Each presided over a school, with several hundred students in each school, provided with grain by the state. Those who excelled in the shooting-and-answer examinations were immediately appointed as officials. Within a year, students carrying their books and satchels gathered like clouds. He Yang was the great-great-grandson of He Xun. Students were also selected to go to Yunjian Mountain in Kuaiji to study under He Yin, with orders for He Yin to choose from his disciples those who were thoroughly versed in the classics and of high moral conduct, and report all their names. Additionally, the Erudite Libationer was dispatched to inspect the various provinces and commanderies to establish schools.
Initially, Xiahou Daqian of Qiao Commandery, serving as a General of the Auxiliary Guard, followed Pei Shuye to guard Shouyang and acted as the Grand Administrator of Nanqiao. Having a conflict with Pei Shuye, he fled alone on horseback to the Northern Wei. The Northern Wei appointed Xiahou Daqian as General of the Agile Cavalry, and he followed Wang Su to guard Shouyang, and was sent to defend Hefei. After Wang Su died, Xiahou Daqian abandoned his garrison and came to submit to the Southern Liang, following Zhuangqiu Hei, the Inspector of Liang and Qin Provinces, to guard Nanzheng. Xiahou Daqian was appointed as Chief Clerk and concurrently served as the Grand Administrator of Hanzhong. After Zhuangqiu Hei died, Emperor Wu of Liang issued an edict appointing Wang Zhenguo, the Minister of the Palace Revenues, as Inspector. Before Wang Zhenguo arrived, Xiahou Daqian secretly conspired with the military commander Jiang Chenzhi of Kaocheng and others to surrender to the Northern Wei.
Prior to this, Yang Lingzhen, the garrison commander of the Qiu region of the Northern Wei, had betrayed the Northern Wei and come to submit to the Southern Liang. The court appointed him as General of the Conquering Barbarians and Acting King of Wudu, assisting in the defense of Hanzhong. He had a personal retinue of over six hundred men, and Xiahou Daqian greatly feared him. Emperor Wu of Liang sent his attendant Wu Gongzhi and others as envoys to Nanzheng. Xiahou Daqian then killed the envoys, raised troops to attack Yang Lingzhen and his son, beheaded them, and sent their heads along with those of the envoys to the Northern Wei. When Jun Tianbao, the garrison commander of Baima, heard of this, he led troops to attack Xiahou Daqian, defeated his general Pang Shu, and then besieged Nanzheng. Xiahou Daqian sought help from the Di kings Yang Shaoxian, Yang Jiqi, and Yang Jiyi, but none responded. Only Yang Jiyi's younger brother Yang Jilang alone led troops to rescue Xiahou Daqian, attacked Jun Tianbao, and killed him. The Northern Wei appointed Xiahou Daqian as General of the Pacifying South, Inspector of Yuzhou, and Marquis of Feng County. They also appointed Shangshu Xing Luan as General of the Pacifying West and Commander-in-Chief of the campaigns against Liangzhou and Hanzhong, ordering him to lead troops there. Xiahou Daqian accepted the position of General of the Pacifying South but declined the post of Inspector of Yuzhou and requested to be enfeoffed as a duke. The Northern Wei ruler did not agree.
On the xinhai day, Emperor Wu of Liang performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven in the southern outskirts and granted a general amnesty.
On the yichou day, the Northern Wei appointed the Grand General of the Agile Cavalry, Prince Yuan Yong of Gaoyang, as Minister of Works, and granted the Shangshu Ling, Prince Yuan Jia of Guangyang, the title of Yitong sansi.
Second month, on the bingzi day, the Northern Wei appointed the heir of Dangchang, Liang Mibo, as the King of Dangchang.
Emperor Wu of Liang planned to attack the Northern Wei. On the renwu day, he dispatched Yang Gongze, the Chamberlain for the Imperial Insignia, to lead the palace guards to block the Luokou.
On the renchen day, the Inspector of Jiaozhou, Li Kai, rebelled by occupying the provincial capital. The Chief Clerk Li Ze suppressed the rebellion.
Xing Luan of the Northern Wei arrived in Hanzhong and attacked various fortified garrisons, achieving success wherever he went. Wang Jingyin, the Grand Administrator of Jinshou, held out at Shiting. Xing Luan dispatched the commander Li Yizhen to repel him. The Northern Wei appointed Xing Luan as Inspector of Liang and Qin Provinces. Pang Jingmin, the Grand Administrator of Baxi, held his commandery city and refused to surrender. A local man, Yan Xuanxi, gathered followers, proclaimed himself Inspector of Bazhou, and submitted to the Northern Wei. He attacked Pang Jingmin and killed him. Yang Jiqi and Yang Jiyi, hearing that the Northern Wei had captured Hanzhong, became fearful. In the intercalary month, they led various Di tribes to rebel against the Northern Wei, cutting off the grain supply route to Hanzhong. Xing Luan repeatedly sent troops to defeat them.
Summer, fourth month, on the dingsi day, Emperor Wu of Liang appointed Liang Mibo, the acting King of Dangchang, as Inspector of He and Liang Provinces and King of Dangchang.
The Champion General Kong Ling and others led twenty thousand troops to guard Shenhang, Lu Fangda guarded Nan'an, and Ren Sengbao and others guarded Shitong, to resist the Northern Wei. Xing Luan dispatched the commander Wang Zu to lead troops against them. Everywhere they went, they were victorious, and subsequently entered Jian'ge. Kong Ling and others retreated to guard Zitong. Wang Zu again advanced and attacked, defeating them. Fourteen commanderies of Liangzhou, spanning seven hundred li from east to west and one thousand li from north to south, were all incorporated into the Northern Wei.
Initially, the Inspector of Yizhou, the Marquis of Dangyang, Deng Yuanqi, requested to return home due to his mother's old age. Emperor Wu of Liang issued an edict summoning him as General of the Right Guard and sent Xiao Yuanzao, the Marquis of Xichang, to replace him. Xiao Yuanzao was the son of Xiao Yi. When Xiahou Daqian rebelled, Yin Tianbao sent a messenger on horseback to report to Deng Yuanqi. Later, when the Northern Wei invaded Jinshou, Wang Jingyin and others also sent urgent messages. Many urged Deng Yuanqi to quickly go to the rescue. Deng Yuanqi said, "The court is thousands of li away, and the army will not arrive soon. If the bandits spread their invasion, it will require suppression and annihilation. Who else but me bears the responsibility for command and leadership? Why rush to rescue!" Emperor Wu of Liang issued an edict appointing Deng Yuanqi as Commander-in-Chief of the campaigns, to rescue Hanzhong, but Jinshou had already fallen.
When Xiao Yuanzao was about to arrive, Deng Yuanqi packed up his belongings in camp to return, taking all the grain reserves, equipment, and supplies, leaving nothing behind. Xiao Yuanzao entered the city and harbored resentment over this. He also asked Deng Yuanqi for good horses. Deng Yuanqi said, "You are a young lad; what do you need horses for!" Xiao Yuanzao became angry, and while drunk, killed Deng Yuanqi. Deng Yuanqi's subordinates surrounded the city, wailing and demanding an explanation. Xiao Yuanzao said, "The Son of Heaven has issued an edict." The crowd then dispersed. Subsequently, Xiao Yuanzao falsely accused Deng Yuanqi of plotting rebellion. Emperor Wu of Liang had doubts about this. Deng Yuanqi's former subordinate Luo Yan of Guanghan came to court to plead his case. Emperor Wu of Liang said, "It is indeed as I suspected!" He then sent an envoy to rebuke Xiao Yuanzao, saying, "Deng Yuanqi avenged your father's death, yet you avenged his enemy. Where is the Way of loyalty and filial piety?" Thereupon, he demoted Xiao Yuanzao to Champion General, posthumously appointed Deng Yuanqi as General of the Western Expedition, and granted him the posthumous name of Zhonghou.
Li Yanshou commented: Deng Yuanqi diligently attached himself to the Liang court, and his merit lay in expanding its territory. Yet his toil was not rewarded, and disaster befell him first. The demotion to Champion General was already a light punishment. The governance and penal law of the Liang dynasty erred in this matter. The beginning of favoritism toward relatives commenced from this point. Was it not fitting that the Liang dynasty's state fortune did not last long!
The people of Yizhou, Jiao Sengfu, gathered tens of thousands to rebel. Xiao Yuanzao, not yet twenty years old, summoned his staff to discuss personally leading an attack. Someone advised against it, and Xiao Yuanzao, enraged, beheaded that person by the steps. He then rode in a flat sedan chair to inspect the rebel camps. The rebels shot arrows wildly, raining down like hail. His attendants raised shields to block the arrows, but Xiao Yuanzao ordered them to remove the shields. Consequently, the hearts of the people were greatly calmed. He then attacked Jiao Sengfu and his followers, completely pacifying them.
Sixth month, on the gengxu day, a Confucian temple was established for the first time.
The Inspector of Yuzhou, Wang Chaozong, led troops to besiege the Northern Wei's Xiaojian. On the dingmao day, the Inspector of Yangzhou of the Northern Wei, Xue Zhendu, dispatched the concurrent commander Li Shuren and others to attack him. Wang Chaozong's army suffered a great defeat.
The Champion General Wang Jingyin, Li Quan, the General of the Auxiliary Guard Lu Fangda, and others fought against Wang Zu of the Northern Wei, suffering repeated defeats. Autumn, seventh month, Wang Zu advanced and approached Fucheng.
Eighth month, on the renyin day, Prince Yuan Ying of Zhongshan of the Northern Wei invaded Yongzhou.
On the gengxu day, the Inspector of Qin and Liang Provinces, Lu Fangda, fought against Wang Zu's commanders Ji Hongya and Lu Zuqian of the Northern Wei, was defeated, and Lu Fangda, along with fifteen other generals, all died in battle. On the renzi day, Wang Jingyin and others again fought against Lu Zuqian, were defeated, and Wang Jingyin, along with twenty-four other generals, all died in battle.
Yang Gongze arrived at Luokou, fought against the Northern Wei's Chief Clerk of Yuzhou, Shi Rong, and killed him. On the jiayin day, General Jiang Qingzhen fought against the Northern Wei at Yangshi, but was unsuccessful. Yang Gongze withdrew his troops and stationed them at Matou.
The Yongzhou Man tribe's Hedong Prefect Tian Qingxi rebelled and surrendered to Northern Wei.
A lingzhi fungus grew in the western wing of the Taihe Hall of Northern Wei. The Northern Wei ruler showed it to Attendant-in-Ordinary Cui Guang. Cui Guang submitted a memorial, stating: "This is what the Zhuangzi calls 'qi condensing into mushrooms.' It is a weak and fragile thing, growing in abandoned villages and filthy, damp places; it should not grow in lofty palace halls. Now it has suddenly appeared, with luxuriant branches and leaves, truly enough to astonish. When wild trees grow in the court or wild birds fly into the ancestral temple, the ancients regarded such as omens of ruin. Therefore, Taiwu and Zhongzong, terrified by disasters, cultivated virtue, and the Way of Yin prospered. This is what is meant by 'when the household profits, portents come first; when the state is about to rise, anomalies appear.' Now the southwestern fronts are still unsettled, the suburbs are suffering prolonged drought, the people are toiling, and all things are withered—nothing is more severe than this. The one who receives Heaven's mandate and nurtures the people should pity and sympathize with this. I humbly beg Your Majesty to rectify yourself, be vigilant and cautious, renew the sagely way, moderate the pleasures of nightly feasting, and care for your vigorous body. Then the Wei state's mandate may long flourish, and Your Majesty's lifespan may rival the mountains." At that time, the Northern Wei ruler was fond of feasting and pleasure excursions, so Cui Guang spoke of these things.
In the ninth month, on the ji-si day, Yang Gongze and others fought against Northern Wei's Yangzhou Inspector Yuan Song. Yang Gongze suffered a great defeat.
Winter, tenth month, on the bing-wu day, Emperor Wu of Liang launched a major campaign against Northern Wei. He appointed Yangzhou Inspector, Prince of Linchuan Xiao Hong, as Commander of the Northern Expedition, with Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Liu Tan as deputy. Princes and dukes and those below each contributed the land taxes and grain from their fiefs to support the army. Xiao Hong stationed his army at Luokou.
Yang Jichu and Yang Jiyi established Yang Shaoxian as emperor and each styled themselves kings. Eleventh month, on the wu-chen day (first day), Northern Wei dispatched Grand Master of Splendid Happiness Yang Chun to lead troops to attack them.
Northern Wei's Wang Zu besieged Fucheng. The people of Shu were terrified. Two or three out of ten of Yizhou's city defenses and garrisons surrendered to Northern Wei, and over fifty thousand households voluntarily registered their names. Xing Luan submitted a memorial to the Northern Wei ruler, requesting to take advantage of the victory to conquer Shu, stating: "Jiankang and Chengdu are ten thousand li apart; the land route is already cut off, and they rely only on waterways. A naval force sailing west cannot arrive in less than a year; Yizhou has no external reinforcements—this is the first reason it can be taken. Recently, it experienced Liu Jilian's rebellion and Deng Yuanqi's siege; its material reserves are already exhausted, and its officials and people no longer have the will to hold fast—this is the second reason it can be taken. Xiao Yuanzao is a youth in fine clothes, unfamiliar with governance; the famous generals of the past have mostly been imprisoned or killed by him, and those he now employs are all young men from his entourage—this is the third reason it can be taken. Shu's only reliance is on the Sword Gateway; now we have already taken Nan'an, seized their strategic points, and occupied a third of their territory. The road from Nan'an to Fucheng is broad and unobstructed; our forward troops have repeatedly defeated them, and their rear forces are utterly demoralized—this is the fourth reason it can be taken. Xiao Yuanzao is Xiao Yan's close blood relative; he certainly has no reason to abandon the city and flee. If we capture Fucheng, how could he sit quietly in the city and await capture? He is sure to flee before the wind. If he comes out to fight, the soldiers of Yong and Shu are weak and timid, and their arrows are scarce—this is the fifth reason it can be taken. I know in my heart that I am a civil official, unfamiliar with military affairs; relying on the utmost efforts of my officers and men, I have achieved repeated minor victories. Having now overcome successive obstacles, the people's hearts are turning to us, and I can see that Fucheng and Yizhou can be taken any day now. It is precisely because of a shortage of troops and provisions that it is inadvisable to press forward. If we do not take them now, it will be difficult to plan for them later. Moreover, Yizhou is rich, with a hundred thousand households; compared to Shouchun and Yiyang, the profit is three times greater. If the court wishes to advance, the opportunity must not be missed. If it wishes to preserve the realm and pacify the people, then there is nothing for me to do here, and I request to return and serve my parents." The Northern Wei ruler issued an edict: "The action to pacify Shu should await a later decree. The rebels' calamities are not yet settled; how can you use serving your parents as a pretext to decline!" Xing Luan again submitted a memorial: "In the past, Deng Ai and Zhong Hui led 180,000 troops, exhausting the material reserves of the Central Plains, and barely managed to pacify Shu. The reason was that they employed all their strength in a desperate struggle. Moreover, my abilities are inferior to those of the ancients; how can I hope to pacify Shu with only 20,000 troops! The reason I dare to do this is precisely because I have occupied strategic terrain, and the local scholars and people admire righteousness. From here it is easy to advance, while for them it is difficult to attack us. Acting according to our strength, it stands to reason that we can succeed. Now Wang Zu is already pressing Fucheng. If we capture Fucheng, then Yizhou will be within easy reach; it is only a matter of sooner or later. Moreover, Zitong already has tens of thousands of households of surrendered people; how can the court fail to hold it! Also, the Sword Gateway is a natural fortress; to obtain it and then abandon it is truly a pity! I truly know that war is a dangerous affair and not easy to undertake. Since our army crossed the Sword Gateway, my hair has turned half gray; I am fearful day and night—how can I be at ease! The reason I force myself to carry on is precisely because I fear that if I obtain this territory and then retreat without holding it, I would betray the title and stipend Your Majesty has granted me. Moreover, my plan is precisely to first take Fucheng, then advance step by step. If we obtain Fucheng, we can divide Yizhou's territory and cut off its water and land communications. With no external reinforcements, they will hold a solitary city on their own—how can they last long! Now I wish to have our troops deployed in succession, with momentum linked, first making thorough preparations, then planning for success. If we succeed, we will gain great profit; if not, we can still preserve ourselves. Furthermore, Baxi is 1,400 li from Nanzheng; it is far from the provincial seat and frequently experiences disturbances. In the time of the Southern Dynasty, because of the difficulty of governing it, they once established Bazhou to pacify and control the Yi and Liao peoples. Liangzhou benefited from this, but later petitioned to have it abolished. The prominent local families—the Yans, Pus, Hes, Yangs, and others—are more than one clan. Although most live in the mountain valleys, there are many powerful clans, and not a few men of literary refinement. It is only because they are far from the provincial seat that they have no opportunity for official advancement. As for the provincial administration, they cannot find a place among them. Therefore, they are frustrated and often harbor rebellious intentions. Recently, when Xiahou Daoxian raised the standard of revolt, Yan Xuanzi styled himself Bazhou Inspector, and after we captured the city, we still let him act in that capacity. The Baxi region is a thousand li square, with over forty thousand households. If we establish a prefecture there to govern and control the Han and Liao peoples, it would greatly accord with popular sentiment. From Dianjiang eastward, without the trouble of military campaigns, it would naturally come into the state's possession." The Northern Wei ruler did not follow this advice.
Before this, the Northern Wei ruler had appointed Wang Zu as acting Yizhou Inspector. Emperor Wu of Liang sent Tianshan Prefect Zhang Qi to lead troops to rescue Yizhou, but before he arrived, the Northern Wei ruler changed his appointment and made Liangzhou Army Supervisor, a man of Taishan named Yang Zhi, Yizhou Inspector. When Wang Zu heard this, he was very displeased, withdrew his troops, and thus Shu was not pacified. After a long time, Wang Zu came from Northern Wei to defect to Southern Liang. Xing Luan, while in Liangzhou, treated the powerful families with courtesy and pacified the common people with kindness, so the people of the prefecture were pleased with him. When Xing Luan captured Baxi, he sent Army Commander Li Zhongqian to guard it. Li Zhongqian indulged in wine and women, squandering military supplies and grain reserves. When official business was reported or requests made, no one could see him. Xing Luan was deeply angered by this. Li Zhongqian, afraid, plotted rebellion. The people of the city beheaded him and surrendered the city.
Twelfth month, on the geng-shen day, Northern Wei dispatched General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Guardian Yuan Huai, to campaign against the Di people of Wuxing. Xing Luan and others all came under his command.
Minister of Education and Director of the Department of State Affairs Xie Fei resigned due to his mother's death.
That year, there was a great harvest; one hu of rice cost thirty cash.
Spring, first month, on the ding-mao day (first day), Northern Wei's Empress Yu gave birth to a son, Yuan Chang. A general amnesty was declared.
Yang Jiyi besieged the Pizhou town of Guancheng. Xing Luan sent General of Established Might Fu Shuyan to attack him. Yang Jiyi engaged in battle, and Fu Shuyan defeated him. Pursuing the defeated troops, on the day of Renshen, they captured Wuxing, took Yang Shaoxian alive, and escorted him to Luoyang. Yang Jiqi and Yang Jiyi fled. Thus their state was destroyed, and it was established as Wuxing Commandery, later changed to Dongyizhou.
On the day of Yihai, the former Minister of Education Xie Tiao was appointed as Palace Secretariat Supervisor and Minister of Education.
The Inspector of Jizhou, Huan He, attacked the Southern Qingzhou of the Northern Wei but did not conquer it.
In the Qinzhou of the Northern Wei, a man of the Tuge people, Wang Fazhi, gathered two thousand followers, and they elevated the Registrar of Qinzhou, Lü Gou'er, as their leader. They changed the reign title to Jianming, established a hundred officials, and attacked and threatened the commanderies and counties. In Jingzhou, a commoner named Chen Zhan also gathered followers and proclaimed himself king, changing the reign title to Shengming.
On the day of Jimao, the brothers Yang Jiqi and others successively led their followers to surrender to the Northern Wei.
On the day of Jiashen, Emperor Wu of Liang enfeoffed his son Xiao Gang as the Prince of Jin'an.
In the second month, on the day of Bingchen, the Emperor of the Northern Wei issued an edict ordering officials of the rank of prince and above to offer forthright remonstrance. The Censor-in-Charge Yang Gu submitted a memorial, stating: "In the current governance, one should draw close to the imperial clan, diligently attend to various affairs, value agriculture and sericulture, look down upon artisans and merchants, put an end to discussions on profound and subtle theories, reduce the useless expenditures on Buddhism, in order to save the people from the hardships of hunger and cold." At that time, the Emperor of the Northern Wei entrusted Gao Zhao with affairs, distanced himself from the imperial clan, was fond of Buddhism, and did not personally attend to government matters; thus Yang Gu spoke on these issues.
On the day of Wuwu, the Northern Wei sent the General of the Right Guard, Yuan Li, to command the various armies to attack Lü Gou'er. Yuan Li was the son of Yuan Xiaoxincheng.
On the day of Yichou, the Inspector of Xuzhou, Chang Yizhi of Liyang, engaged in battle with the Northern Wei's General of Pacification South, Chen Bozhi, at Liangcheng. Chang Yizhi was defeated.
General Xiao Bing led troops to attack the Northern Wei's Xuzhou and besieged Huaiyang.
In the third month, on the day of Bingyin, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
On the day of Jimao, the Inspector of Jingzhou of the Northern Wei, Zhao Yi, and the General of Pacification South, Xi Kangsheng, came to relieve Huaiyang.
Yuan Yi, the son of the Northern Wei's Prince of Xianyang, Yuan Xi, encountered a general amnesty and requested to bury his father. He repeatedly wept and petitioned the Emperor of the Northern Wei, but the emperor did not allow it. On the day of Guiwei, Yuan Yi, along with his younger brothers Yuan Chang and Yuan Ye, came to surrender to the Liang. Emperor Wu of Liang enfeoffed Yuan Yi as the Prince of Xianyang. Because Yuan Ye was the son of the primary wife, Lady Li, Yuan Yi requested to yield the title to him, but Emperor Wu of Liang did not allow it.
The General Who Assists the State, Liu Sixiao, defeated the Northern Wei's Inspector of Qingzhou, Yuan Xi, at Jiaoshui.
The Prince of Linchuan, Xiao Hong, sent the Recorder, Qiu Chi of Wuxing, to write a letter to Chen Bozhi, saying: "Examining the timing of your initial departure and arrival, there is no other reason except that you could not examine yourself internally and were influenced by slanderous talk externally, becoming confused and foolish, to the point of reaching this state. The sovereign has relaxed the law and extended grace, such that even a fish that swallows a boat can escape the net. Your family's ancestral graves have not been destroyed, your relatives are living in peace and contentment, the lofty towers and platforms have not collapsed, and your beloved concubines still remain. Yet you, General, are like a fish swimming in a boiling cauldron, like a swallow building a nest on a fluttering curtain—is it not too foolish! I hope you will soon plan a good strategy and seek more blessings for yourself." On the day of Gengyin, Chen Bozhi led eight thousand followers from Shouyang's Liangcheng to surrender. The Northern Wei people killed his son, Chen Huya. Emperor Wu of Liang issued an edict reappointing Chen Bozhi as the Inspector of Xizhou; before he could assume office, he was further appointed as a Regular Attendant of the Palace Secretariat. After a long time, he died at home.
Initially, the Censor-in-Chief of the Northern Wei, Zhen Chen, submitted a memorial saying: "According to the Zhou Rites, there were officials like Yu and Heng for mountains, forests, rivers, and marshes, who established strict prohibitions. This was only to allow seasonal use and to prevent people from damaging them. Thus, although officials were set up, they were actually guarding on behalf of the people. The head of a family will surely care for and nurture his descendants; the sovereign of all under heaven will surely care for and nurture all the people. There is no principle by which a parent would begrudge vinegar and sauce, or one who possesses all things would monopolize a single item. Now the court guards the Hedong salt ponds and collects their profits—this is exclusively providing for the mouth and belly while neglecting the four limbs. The Son of Heaven, who possesses the entire realm, why should he worry about poverty! I request the removal of the salt pond prohibition, to share it with the people." The Chief of the Secretariat, Yuan Xie, and the Minister of Personnel, Xing Luan, jointly submitted a memorial, stating: "What Zhen Chen has presented, when spoken emptily, seems lofty in principle, but when put into practice, it falls short. We humbly believe that in ancient times, those skilled in governing the people would arrange matters according to the rise and decline of the times and the abundance or scarcity of resources, regulating labor and rest to fulfill the people's lives. If we allow them to live or die as they please and let them eat and drink freely, then we treat all things as straw dogs—how can one be a sovereign! Therefore, the sages collected products from mountains, forests, rivers, and marshes to reduce land taxes; they collected taxes at passes and markets to supplement the one-tenth income. Taking from here and giving to there, it was not for themselves—this is what is called borrowing the produce of Heaven and Earth to benefit the people of Heaven and Earth. Now the salt pond prohibition has been in place for a long time. Accumulating and then distributing it serves to aid the army and the state, not exclusively to supply the imperial kitchen or to provide clothing and ornaments for the rear palace. Since the benefit does not lie with oneself, then there is no distinction between self and others. However, since the prohibition on salt ponds was enacted, many officials have been negligent, and in the process of income and expenditure, they sometimes do not follow the regulations. This causes the common people to sigh and complain, and merchants to speak lightly—this is due to improper use by those who implement it, not a fault in those who established it. To abolish the prohibition all at once would, I fear, go against the original intent. If a policy is implemented and then changed, the laws become like playing chess. After deliberating on the principles and key points, it should follow the old system." The Emperor of the Northern Wei ultimately followed Zhen Chen's advice. In summer, the fourth month, on the day of Yiwei, the prohibition on salt ponds was lifted.
On the day of Gengxu, the Northern Wei appointed the Prince of Zhongshan, Yuan Ying, as General of the Southern Expedition and Commander of the Military Affairs of Yangzhou and Xuzhou, leading over one hundred thousand troops to resist the Liang army. He was granted full authority over command and could make decisions as he saw fit wherever he went.
The Inspector of Jiangzhou, Wang Mao, led tens of thousands of troops to invade the Northern Wei's Jingzhou, enticing the border people and various Man tribes of the Northern Wei to establish another Wanzhou. He sent his appointed Inspector of Wanzhou, Lei Baolang, and others to attack and seize the Northern Wei's Henan City. The Northern Wei sent the General of Pacification South, Yang Dayan, to command the various armies to attack Wang Mao. On the day of Xinyou, Wang Mao was defeated, losing over two thousand men. Yang Dayan attacked Henan City; Wang Mao fled back. Yang Dayan pursued him to the Han River, capturing five cities.
The Northern Wei's General of the Expedition Against the Barbarians, Yuwen Fu, invaded Sizhou, capturing over a thousand people before withdrawing.
In the fifth month, on the day of Xinwei, the Commander of the Right Guard of the Crown Prince, Zhang Huishao, and others invaded the Northern Wei's Xuzhou, capturing Suyu and taking alive the defending general, Ma Chenglong. On the day of Yihai, the Inspector of Beixuzhou, Chang Yizhi, captured Liangcheng.
The Inspector of Yuzhou, Wei Rui, sent his Chief Clerk, Wang Chao, and others to attack Xiaoxian but did not conquer it. When Wei Rui was inspecting the siege palisades, the Northern Wei sent out several hundred men to form a formation outside the city gate. Wei Rui wanted to attack them, but the generals all said: "We came lightly just now and are not prepared for battle. Let us slowly return and put on our armor before we can attack." Wei Rui said: "Not so. The Northern Wei city has over two thousand men, enough to hold it. Now, for no reason, they send troops outside the city—these must be their elite forces. If we can defeat them, the city will naturally fall." The crowd was still hesitant. Wei Rui pointed to his tally and said: "The court granted me this not for decoration; Wei Rui's orders are not to be violated!" He then advanced to attack. The officers and soldiers all fought to the death. The Northern Wei troops were defeated and fled. Wei Rui took the opportunity to fiercely assault the city, and within a night, it was captured. He then advanced to Hefei.
Before this, the Army of the Right Sima Hu Jinglüe and others attacked Hefei but failed to capture it for a long time. Wei Rui surveyed the mountains and rivers, and at night led his troops to build a dam to block the Fei River. Soon the dam was completed, the water flowed, and warships arrived one after another. Northern Wei had built two small cities, east and west, on both sides of Hefei. Wei Rui first attacked these two cities. Northern Wei general Yang Lingyin suddenly arrived with fifty thousand troops. The feared they could not withstand him and requested permission to petition for reinforcements. Wei Rui smiled and said: “When the enemy is at the city walls, only then do we ask for reinforcements—how could that be in time! Besides, if I request reinforcements, they will also reinforce. The art of war values surprise; how could it lie in numbers!” Then he attacked Yang Lingyin and defeated him. Wei Rui sent Army Commander Wang Huaijing to build a fort by the riverbank to guard the dam. Northern Wei captured this fort, and over a thousand men in the city all died in battle. The Northern Wei forces, riding on their victory, reached the base of the dam with great momentum. The generals wanted to retreat to Chaohu, and some wished to withdraw to Sancha. Wei Rui angrily said: “How could there be such a thing!” He ordered the ceremonial umbrellas, fans, and banners to be brought and set up beneath the dam, showing no intention of wavering. The Northern Wei men came to break the dam, and Wei Rui personally contested with them. The Northern Wei troops withdrew, so Wei Rui built a camp on the dam to strengthen the defense. Wei Rui constructed tower-ships, as tall as the city of Hefei, and approached Hefei from all four sides. The people in the city wept. Defender Du Yuanlun ascended the city wall to supervise the battle and was killed by a crossbow bolt. On the day Xinsi, the city was breached. Over ten thousand were captured or killed, and tens of thousands of oxen and horses were taken.
Wei Rui’s body had always been frail, and he had never ridden a horse. Whenever he fought, he often rode in a board cart to supervise and encourage his troops, his courage unmatched by any. During the day he received guests; at midnight he would rise to plan military documents, lighting a lamp until dawn. He comforted and cared for his troops, always as if afraid he could not attend to them fully, so those who came to enlist or were recruited all vied to join him. Wherever he stationed his camp, the lodgings, houses, and walls all met proper standards.
The various armies advanced to Dongling, when an imperial edict ordered them to withdraw. They were very close to the Northern Wei city, and the generals feared that the Northern Wei army would pursue. Wei Rui placed all the baggage train in front and himself rode in a small carriage at the rear. The Northern Wei men admired Wei Rui’s reputation and, looking at him, dared not press close, so the entire army returned safely. Thereupon the administrative seat of Yuzhou was moved to Hefei.
On the day Renwu, Northern Wei sent Minister of Personnel Yuan Yao southward to resist the Liang army.
On the day Guiwei, Northern Wei sent General Who Conquers the West Yu Jing to command and control the various armies of Qin and Long.
On the day Dinghai, Lu Jiang Grand Administrator Wenxi ren Pei Sui captured Northern Wei’s Yangshi City. On the day Gengyin, he also captured Huoqiu City.
In the sixth month, on the day Gengzi, Inspector of Qing and Ji Provinces Huan He captured Qushan City.
On the day Yisi, Northern Wei’s General Who Pacifies the West Yuan Li attacked Wang Fazhi, defeated him, and beheaded six thousand men.
Zhang Huishao and Acting Inspector of Xuzhou Song Hei advanced by water and land together, heading straight for Pengcheng, and surrounded Gaozhong Stockade. Northern Wei’s Martial Guard General Xi Kangsheng led troops to rescue them. On the day Dingwei, Zhang Huishao’s army suffered a defeat, and Song Hei died in battle.
The Crown Prince Xiao Tong, when he reached the age of five, could recite all of the Five Classics. On the day Gengxu, he first moved from the palace to the Eastern Palace.
On the day Dingsi, Northern Wei appointed Minister of Revenue Xing Luan as Commander of the Eastern Expeditions.
Northern Wei’s General of Chariot and Cavalry, Duke of Fengyi Huimin Yuan Huai, died. Yuan Huai’s nature was generous and simple; he disliked trivial details, and often said: “When a man of high rank handles affairs, he should grasp the main outline. Why must everything be detailed! It is like building a house: as long as the exterior is grand and imposing, the beams and rafters are level and straight, and the walls and foundations are complete and firm, that is enough. If the chisel and axe work is not smooth, or the cutting is not fine, that is not a flaw in the house.”
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Bingyin, Huan He attacked Northern Wei’s Yanzhou and captured Gucheng.
Lü Gou’er led a force of over one hundred thousand, encamped at Gushan, and besieged and pressured Qinzhou. Yuan Li advanced to attack and thoroughly defeated him. Li Shao, acting for the Qinzhou administration, attacked Gushan, capturing Lü Gou’er’s parents, wife, and children. On the day Gengchen, Lü Gou’er led his followers to surrender to Yuan Li.
The Concurrent Grand Coachman Yang Chun separately attacked Chen Zhan, who held a strategic pass to resist. Some generals suggested ambushing troops on mountain paths to cut off his supply routes and waiting until his food ran out before attacking; others wanted to cut down trees and burn the forests, then advance to attack. Yang Chun said: “Neither is a good plan. Since the imperial army arrived, it has been invincible. The reason the bandits have hidden deep and fled is merely to avoid death. Now restrain all our troops and stop plundering. The bandits will surely think we dare not advance because of the obstacles. When they let down their guard, then strike with full force, and we can pacify them in one move.” So he halted and did not advance. The bandits indeed came out to plunder. Yang Chun again lured them with horses and livestock, but did not attack or pursue. After a long time, he secretly selected elite troops, who, with gagged bits, launched a night raid. They beheaded Chen Zhan and sent his head to the capital. Both Qin and Jing provinces were pacified.
On the day Wuzi, Inspector of Xuzhou Wang Bo’ao fought with Northern Wei’s Prince of Zhongshan Yuan Ying at Yinling. Wang Bo’ao was defeated, losing over five thousand men.
On the day Jisi, Northern Wei conscripted one hundred thousand men from the six provinces of Ding, Ji, Ying, Xiang, Bing, and Si to reinforce the southern expeditionary army. Emperor Wu of Liang sent General Jiao Nian with ten thousand troops to garrison at Mengshan, to recruit the people of Yanzhou, and many came to surrender. At this time, General Xiao Ji was stationed at Gucheng, and Huan He at Gushan. Northern Wei’s Xing Luan sent Commander Fan Lu to attack Huan He, Separate General Yuan Heng to attack Xiao Ji, and Commander Bi Zuxiu to attack Jiao Nian. On the day Renyin, Fan Lu thoroughly defeated Huan He at Gushan, Yuan Heng captured Gucheng, and Bi Zuxiu attacked Jiao Nian and repelled him.
On the day Jiyou, Northern Wei issued an edict ordering the General Who Pacifies the South, Prince of Anle Yuan Quan, to command the later-departing armies to proceed to Huainan. Yuan Quan was the son of the Prince of Changle. General Lan Huaigong fought with Northern Wei’s Xing Luan at Suikou. Lan Huaigong was defeated, and Xing Luan advanced to besiege Suyu. Lan Huaigong again built a fort south of the Qingshui River. Xing Luan, together with the General Who Pacifies the South Yang Dayan, combined forces to attack. On the day Guiyou of the ninth month, they captured the fort, beheaded Lan Huaigong, and killed or captured tens of thousands. Zhang Huishao abandoned Suyu, and Xiao Bing abandoned Huaiyang, fleeing back.
Linchuan Prince Xiao Hong, relying on his status as the emperor's younger brother, led the army with finely crafted and brand-new equipment, presenting a very grand military appearance. The northerners regarded this as something unseen in a hundred years. The army encamped at Luokou, and the vanguard captured Liangcheng. The generals wanted to take advantage of the victory to advance deeper, but Xiao Hong was timid and cowardly by nature, and his command and deployment were inept. Northern Wei issued an edict for Xing Luan to lead troops across the Huai River and join forces with Zhongshan Prince Yuan Ying to attack Liangcheng. Hearing this, Xiao Hong became very frightened and summoned the generals to discuss retreat. Lü Sengzhen said, "Knowing difficulties and then retreating—isn't that also good!" Xiao Hong said, "I think so too." Liu Dan said, "Since our great army has arrived, which city has not surrendered? What is called difficulty!" Pei Sui said, "This campaign was originally meant to engage the enemy—what difficulty is there to avoid!" Ma Xianpin said, "How can Your Highness speak such words of national ruin! The Son of Heaven has entrusted the full strength of the realm to Your Highness—there is only advancing a foot to die, not retreating an inch to live!" Chang Yiyi was so enraged that his beard and hair stood on end, saying, "Lü Sengzhen deserves death! How can a million-strong army, setting out without even encountering the enemy, immediately flee at the first sight of wind? What face is there to see the wise sovereign!" Zhu Sengyong and Hu Xinsheng drew their swords and withdrew, saying, "Those who wish to retreat may retreat themselves; we, these subordinates, will go forward and fight to the death." After the participants in the discussion dispersed, Lü Sengzhen apologized to the generals, saying, "Since yesterday, the has been afflicted with a wind ailment, his mind not on military matters. I was greatly worried about ruining the great enterprise, so I wanted to preserve the army and return." Xiao Hong did not dare to openly defy the opinion, so he halted the army and did not advance. The Northern Wei people, knowing his lack of courage, sent him women's headscarves and hair ornaments, and sang a song: "Fear not Xiao-niang and Lü-lao, only fear that there is Wei Hu in Hefei." Hu referred to Wei Rui. Lü Sengzhen sighed and said, "If only the Shixing Prince and Wu-ping Marquis had been made commanders-in-chief and assisted them, how could they be insulted by the enemy like this!" He wanted to send Pei Sui to detach a portion of the army to attack Shouyang, while the main force remained at Luokou, but Xiao Hong stubbornly refused, issuing an order in the army: "Anyone among the men or horses who dares to advance further will be beheaded!" Thus the officers and soldiers were all filled with anger. Northern Wei's Xi Kangsheng quickly sent Yang Dayan to tell Zhongshan Prince Yuan Ying: "Since the Liang people captured Liangcheng, they have not advanced for a long time. Their situation can be discerned—they must be afraid of us. If Your Highness advances and occupies the Luo River, they will naturally flee in defeat." Yuan Ying said: "Although Xiao Linchuan is foolish, his subordinates include fine generals like Wei Rui and Pei Sui, so he should not be taken lightly. We should first observe the situation and not engage them in battle."
Zhang Huishao's orders were strict and clear, and wherever he went, he alone achieved victories. He stationed his army at Xiapi, and many people of Xiapi wanted to surrender. Zhang Huishao told them: "If I take this city, you will all be subjects of our state; if I cannot capture it, I would needlessly cause you to lose your homeland, which is not the court's intention in pacifying the people. For now, remain in peace as before, restore your livelihoods, and do not rashly toil in vain." All those who surrendered were pleased.
On the day of Jichou, at night, a violent wind and heavy rain arose at Luokou, causing panic in the army. Linchuan Prince Xiao Hong fled with several cavalrymen. The officers and soldiers, unable to find Xiao Hong, all scattered and returned, discarding armor and weapons, filling both land and water routes, abandoning the sick, weak, and elderly, with nearly fifty thousand dead. Xiao Hong crossed the Yangtze in a small boat, arriving at Baishilei at night, and knocked on the city gate to request entry. Linru Marquis Xiao Yuanyou ascended the city wall and said to him: "With a million-strong army, in one morning scattered like birds, the survival of the state is still unknown. I fear that treacherous men might take advantage of the chaos to rebel; the city gate cannot be opened at night." Xiao Hong had no response, so he had food hoisted up to him by rope. Xiao Yuanyou was the younger brother of Xiao Yuanzao. At that time, Chang Yiyi was stationed at Liangcheng. Hearing of the defeat at Luokou, he and Zhang Huishao both withdrew their troops.
The Northern Wei ruler issued an edict ordering Zhongshan Prince Yuan Ying to take advantage of the victory to pacify the southeast. He then advanced north to Matou and captured it. The grain reserves in the city were all transported north by Northern Wei. Those discussing the matter all said: "Northern Wei has transported the grain north; they should not advance south again." Emperor Wu of Liang said: "Not so. This must be a plan to advance—it is merely a deceptive tactic." He then ordered the repair of Zhongli City and commanded Chang Yiyi to prepare for defense and combat.
Winter, tenth month, Yuan Ying advanced and besieged Zhongli. The Northern Wei ruler issued an edict ordering Xing Luan to lead troops to join him. Xing Luan submitted a memorial, arguing: "Although the southern army is no match for us in field battles, they have ample strength for defense. If we now use all our to attack Zhongli, capturing it would yield little gain, while failing would cause great loss. Moreover, Zhongli lies beyond the Huai River; even if they were to surrender willingly, we would still fear a lack of grain to hold it, let alone killing soldiers to attack it! Furthermore, the soldiers on the southern expedition have been on campaign for two seasons; their exhaustion and casualties are evident without asking. Though we have the capital of victory, I fear there may be no usable strength. In my humble opinion, we should repair the old garrisons, pacify the various provinces, and await future actions. The troubles in Jiangdong will not lack opportunity." The Northern Wei ruler issued an edict saying: "Crossing the Huai to form a pincer attack is as previously commanded; how can you still hesitate and present such a request? Advance swiftly!" Xing Luan again submitted a memorial, arguing: "Now Zhongshan Prince advances on Zhongli, which I truly cannot understand. If it is a matter of weighing gain and loss, disregarding perfect safety, and directly attacking Guangling by surprise, there might still be an uncertain outcome. But if they intend to take Zhongli City with eighty days' provisions, this is something I have never heard of. They will hold the city and defend themselves, not engaging in battle; the moat is deep, not something we can fill. We will simply sit until spring, and the soldiers will naturally tire. If I am sent there, where will I obtain grain? The soldiers who came in summer did not bring winter clothes; if we encounter ice and snow, where will we get supplies? I would rather bear the blame for cowardice and inaction than accept the charge of failure and empty-handed return. Zhongli is a natural fortress; all the court nobles know this. If there is an internal response, that is unknown; if not, there is certainly no prospect of capture. If you trust my words, I hope you will grant a halt to the operation; if you think I fear the advance and request a return, I will hand over all the troops I command to the Zhongshan Prince to handle as he sees fit, and I will follow him east and west alone on a single horse. I have served as a general many times and know well what is feasible; since I consider it difficult, how can I be forced to go?" The Northern Wei ruler then recalled Xing Luan and instead ordered Town General Xiao Baoyin to join Yuan Ying in besieging Zhongli.
Attendant-in-ordinary Lu Xu had long hated Xing Luan. Together with Attendant-in-ordinary and Leader of the Right Guard General Yuan Hui, he slandered him, getting Censor-in-chief Cui Liang to impeach Xing Luan for capturing people as slaves while in Hanzhong. Xing Luan bribed Yuan Hui with several beautiful women obtained in Hanzhong. Yuan Hui said to the Northern Wei ruler: "Xing Luan has recently rendered great merit; he should not be investigated for minor matters before an amnesty." The Northern Wei ruler deemed this correct and thus dropped the matter.
Yuan Hui and Lu Xu were both favored by the Northern Wei ruler, but they were greedy and unrestrained, and people at the time called them "the Hungry Tiger General" and "the Starving Hawk Attendant." Yuan Hui soon rose to become Minister of Personnel; all appointments had fixed prices: a large commandery cost two thousand bolts of silk, a middle commandery and lower commandery half that in turn, and other offices had their own grades. Those awaiting selection called the Ministry of Personnel "the Market Bureau."
On the day of Dingyou, the Liang forces besieging Yiyang fled during the night. Northern Wei's Yuzhou Governor Lou Yue pursued and defeated them.
The Rouran Kuke Khan died. His son Futu succeeded him, taking the title Tuohan Khan and changing the era name to Shiping. On the day of Wushen, Tuohan Khan sent an envoy, Gexi Wuliuba, to Northern Wei to seek peace. The Northern Wei ruler did not return his envoy, telling Wuliuba: "The distant ancestor of the Rouran, Shelun, was a rebellious minister of Northern Wei. In the past, we tolerated them and temporarily allowed diplomatic exchanges. Now the Rouran are weak and decayed, not as in the past. The virtue of Great Wei is even more flourishing than that of Zhou and Han. It is precisely because the region south of the Yangtze is not yet pacified that we have slightly relaxed the northern campaigns. Matters of peace and diplomatic exchange are not to be permitted. If they cultivate the rites of a vassal state with evident sincerity, we will certainly not fail them."
The feudatory officials of Northern Wei's Prince of Jingzhao, Yuan Yu, and Prince of Guangping, Yuan Huai, were mostly arrogant and unruly, openly making requests on behalf of others. The Northern Wei emperor issued an edict ordering Zhongwei Cui Liang to investigate and punish them. As a result, over thirty people were executed, and those who were not executed were stripped of their ranks and reduced to commoners. Only the Right Changshi of Guangping, Yang Yu, and the Literary Scholar, Cui Kai, were pardoned because they had remonstrated with loyal advice. Yang Yu was the son of Yang Chun.
On the Yichou day of the eleventh month, a general amnesty was granted to the empire. An edict was issued ordering the Right Guard General Cao Jingzong to command twenty thousand troops from various armies to rescue Zhongli. Emperor Wu of Liang ordered Cao Jingzong to encamp at Daoren Island, waiting for all the armies to assemble before advancing together. Cao Jingzong vehemently requested to first occupy the tail of Shaoyang Island, but Emperor Wu of Liang did not permit it. Cao Jingzong, wanting to claim sole credit, disobeyed the edict and advanced, but a sudden violent wind arose, drowning many men, and he returned to his original position. When Emperor Wu of Liang heard of this, he said, "Cao Jingzong's failure to advance is perhaps Heaven's will. If he had gone forward alone and the city wall could not be built in time, he would surely have been in dire straits. Now, defeating the enemy is inevitable."
In the beginning, in the final years of Li Shi, the Marquis of Guiyi of the Han dynasty, the various Lao tribes began to appear, spreading from Hanzhong in the north to Qiong and Zuo in the south, filling the valleys. After Li Shi's fall, most of the people of Shu migrated eastward, and the empty valleys were all occupied by the Lao tribes. Those near the commanderies who lived intermingled with the Han people still paid some taxes, but those deep in the mountains could not be controlled by the commanderies. The Liang and Yi provinces annually attacked the Lao tribes for their own profit, and both public and private interests found it advantageous. By the time Xing Luan became the Inspector of Liang Province, the nearby Lao tribes lived in peace, and those far away dared not become bandits. After Xing Luan was dismissed and left, Northern Wei appointed Yang Zhi as Inspector of Liang Province and Fu Shuyan as Inspector of Yi Province. Yang Zhi was cruel and tyrannical, losing the people's support. The Lao king Zhao Qingjing led Liang troops to invade the province's borders, and Yang Zhi sent troops to defeat them. Fu Shuyan showed kindness and trusted the people, greatly winning the hearts of the Lao tribes.
On the Guimao day of the twelfth month, Xie Fei, the Marquis of Dutingjing, passed away.
The people of Northern Wei discussed music, but for a long time no decision was reached.
In the spring, on the first month, Gongsun Chong requested that the Wei General and Right Pushe of the Department of State Affairs, Gao Zhao, be appointed to oversee this matter. The Northern Wei emperor, knowing that Gao Zhao was unlearned, issued an edict ordering the Taichang Qing Liu Fang to assist him.
The Prince of Zhongshan of Northern Wei, Yuan Ying, together with the General of Pingdong, Yang Dayan, led several hundred thousand troops to attack Zhongli. The north side of Zhongli city was blocked by the Huai River. The Wei army built bridges on both banks of Shaoyang Island, erected palisades for several hundred paces, and crossed the Huai River to open a road. Yuan Ying occupied the south bank to attack the city, while Yang Dayan occupied the north bank to build a wall for transporting grain. The defenders in the city numbered only three thousand. Chang Yizhi commanded the generals and soldiers, responding to the situation with appropriate measures. The Wei army used carts to transport earth to fill the moat, made soldiers carry earth behind them, and sent cavalry to drive them harshly from behind. Some who could not turn back in time were crushed by the earth. Soon the moat was filled, and where the battering rams struck, the earth on the city walls crumbled. Chang Yizhi repaired it with mud, and although the battering rams crashed into it, they could not destroy the wall. The Wei people attacked fiercely day and night, taking turns, climbing up after falling, with no one retreating. They fought dozens of engagements in a single day, inflicting tens of thousands of casualties before and after. The corpses of the dead Wei soldiers piled up as high as the city wall.
On the second month, the Northern Wei emperor summoned Yuan Ying to return. Yuan Ying submitted a memorial saying, "Your servant is determined to annihilate the fleeing rebels, but since the beginning of the month, continuous heavy rain has not stopped. If the weather clears in the third month, the city will surely be captured. I hope for a slight extension." The Northern Wei emperor again issued an edict saying, "That place is damp and sultry, unsuitable for a long stay. Although the situation is certain to be taken, this is the general's deep strategy; the army, long in battle and exhausted, is also a concern of the court." Yuan Ying again memorialized that he would certainly capture it. The Northern Wei emperor sent the Infantry Commandant Fan Shao to Yuan Ying to discuss the strategy for taking it. Fan Shao saw that the city of Zhongli was strong and advised Yuan Ying to withdraw and return, but Yuan Ying did not listen.
The emperor ordered the Inspector of Yu Province, Wei Rui, to lead troops to rescue Zhongli, under the command of Cao Jingzong. Wei Rui took a direct route from Hefei, passing through the Yinling Great Marsh. When encountering mountain streams and gorges, he built flying bridges to allow the army to cross. The generals and soldiers feared the strength of the Wei army, and many advised Wei Rui to advance slowly. Wei Rui said, "The people of Zhongli are now digging caves to live in, carrying doors to fetch water, with chariots racing and soldiers running, yet they still fear it may not be enough. How can we advance slowly! The Wei people have already fallen into my belly; you need not worry." He reached Shaoyang in ten days. The emperor had previously warned Cao Jingzong, saying, "Wei Rui is a man of reputation from your hometown; you should treat him with great respect!" When Cao Jingzong saw Wei Rui, his ceremonial courtesy was very respectful. When the emperor heard of this, he said, "The two generals are harmonious; the army will surely succeed."
Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui advanced and encamped on Shaoyang Island. Wei Rui dug a long moat twenty li in front of Cao Jingzong's camp, erected deer-antler barricades, cut off the island, and built a wall, just over a hundred paces from the Wei city. The Liang Grand Administrator of Nan, Feng Daogen, could measure the land by riding a horse, calculating the labor based on the horse's steps, and by dawn the camp was completed. The Prince of Zhongshan of Northern Wei, Yuan Ying, was greatly astonished and struck the ground with his staff, saying, "How can this be so swift!" The weapons and armor of Cao Jingzong and his men were fine and new, and the military array was very imposing. The Wei people, seeing it, lost their courage. Cao Jingzong, fearing that the city was in fear and danger, recruited the soldier Yan Wenda and others to swim through the water, carrying orders into the city. Only then did the people in the city know that there were reinforcements, and their courage doubled.
Yang Dayan was the bravest in the three armies. He led over ten thousand cavalry to attack, and wherever he went, nothing could withstand him. Wei Rui linked chariots to form a formation. Yang Dayan gathered his cavalry and surrounded it. Wei Rui had two thousand strong crossbows fire simultaneously, piercing armor and hitting bodies, killing and wounding many. An arrow hit Yang Dayan's right arm, and Yang Dayan retreated. The next morning, Yuan Ying personally led his army to fight. Wei Rui rode in a white wooden carriage, holding a white horn ruyi to command the army. They fought several engagements in a single day before Yuan Ying withdrew. The Wei army also came to attack the city at night, with arrows falling like rain. Wei Rui's son, Wei An, asked him to descend from the city wall to avoid the arrows, but Wei Rui did not permit it. The army was panicked, but Wei Rui shouted sternly from the wall, and they calmed down. Those who went to the north bank of the Huai River to cut grass and graze were all captured by Yang Dayan. Cao Jingzong recruited over a thousand brave soldiers and built a camp several li south of Yang Dayan's city. Yang Dayan came to attack, but Cao Jingzong repelled him. After the camp was completed, he sent the separate general Zhao Cao to guard it. Those who came to plunder were all captured by Zhao Cao, and afterward, they could graze freely.
The emperor ordered Cao Jingzong and others to prepare large warships in advance, making them as high as the Wei army's bridges, as a plan for a fire attack. He ordered Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui each to attack one bridge: Wei Rui attacked the south bridge, and Cao Jingzong attacked the north bridge. In the third month, the Huai River suddenly rose by six or seven feet. Wei Rui sent Feng Daogen, together with the Administrator of Lujiang, Pei Sui, and the Administrator of Qin Commandery, Li Wenzhao, among others, to set out in competing warships, attacking the Wei army on the island and annihilating them all. They also used small boats loaded with grass, soaked in oil, to set fire to the Wei army's bridges. The wind was strong and the fire great, with smoke and dust blotting out the sun. The death-defying soldiers pulled out the palisades and cut down the bridges. The current was also swift, and in an instant, the bridges and palisades were all burned. Feng Daogen and the others all fought in person, and the soldiers were valiant, their shouts shaking heaven and earth. Each one fought as if they were a hundred, and the Wei army was utterly defeated and scattered. Yuan Ying, seeing that the bridges were destroyed, fled alone, abandoning the city. Yang Dayan also burned his camp and left. The various camps collapsed one after another, all abandoning their weapons and armor, vying to throw themselves into the water. Those who drowned numbered over a hundred thousand, and those who were beheaded were about the same number. Wei Rui sent a messenger to report to Chang Yizhi. Chang Yizhi was both sad and joyful, unable to answer, only shouting, "Reborn! Reborn!" The various armies pursued the defeated troops as far as the Hui River. Yuan Ying fled alone into Liangcheng. For over a hundred li along the Huai River, corpses lay piled on top of each other. Fifty thousand were captured alive, and the confiscated supplies, grain, and weapons were piled up like mountains. The number of oxen, horses, donkeys, and mules was incalculable.
Chang Yizhi, grateful to Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui, invited them both for a gathering. He set out two hundred thousand cash and gambled in the government office. Cao Jingzong threw a "zhi"; Wei Rui slowly threw a "lu," then quickly took a counter and turned it over, saying, "A strange thing!" Thus it became a "sai." Cao Jingzong and the various generals competed to report their victories first; only Wei Rui alone was last, and the world especially considered him virtuous for this. An edict was issued increasing the fiefs and stipends of Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui, and Chang Yizhi and others were rewarded according to their merit.
In summer, the fourth month, on jiyou, Wang Mao, the governor of Jiang Province, was appointed Right Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Xiao Xiu, the Prince of Ancheng, was appointed governor of Jiang Province. When Xiao Xiu was about to set out, the responsible officials requested finding sturdy boats to serve as the fasting boat. Xiao Xiu said, “Am I one who cherishes wealth and does not cherish scholars?” Thereupon, he gave the sturdy boats to his aides and used the inferior boats to carry the fasting provisions. Shortly afterward, they encountered wind and waves, and the fasting boat indeed broke apart.
On dingsi, Xiao Hong, the Prince of Linchuan, was appointed General of Cavalry and Commander Unequal in Rank, Xiao Wei, the Prince of Jian’an, was appointed governor of Yang Province, Shen Yue, the Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, was appointed Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Wang Ying, the Left Deputy Director, was appointed General of the Central Army.
In the sixth month, on bingwu, seven commanderies, including Fengyi, rebelled and surrendered to Northern Wei.
In autumn, the seventh month, on dinghai, Wang Mao, the Right Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, was appointed General of the Central Army.
In the eighth month, on wuzi, a general amnesty was granted to the empire.
The relevant department of Northern Wei submitted a memorial: “Yuan Ying, the Prince of Zhongshan, erred in his plans, and Xiao Baoyin, the Prince of Qi, failed to secure the bridge. Both should be punished with the extreme penalty.” On jihai, an edict was issued sparing Yuan Ying and Xiao Baoyin from death, stripping them of their offices and ranks and reducing them to commoners. Yang Dayan was exiled to Ying Province for military service. Li Chong, the Protector of the Central Army, was appointed General Who Conquers the South and governor of Yang Province. Li Chong acquired many properties. Xin Chen, a native of Didao and Chief Clerk for the Southern Expedition, repeatedly admonished him but was not heeded; consequently, they mutually reported each other’s misconduct. An edict was issued ignoring both matters. Li Chong then set out wine and said to Xin Chen, “Chief Clerk, in the future you will surely become a governor; it is only unknown what kind of superior you will have.” Xin Chen replied, “If by a ten-thousandth chance I obtain the post, and have a righteous chief clerk who can hear my faults morning and evening, that is my wish.” Li Chong’s face showed a look of shame.
In the ninth month, on jihai, Northern Wei appointed Yuan Yong, the Prince of Gaoyang and Minister of Works, as Grand Commandant, and Yuan Jia, the Prince of Guangyang and President of the Department of State Affairs, as Minister of Works. On jiazi, Northern Wei opened the old Xie Valley road.
In winter, the tenth month, on renyin, Xu Mian, the Minister of the Five Military Departments, was appointed Minister of Civil Office. Xu Mian’s energy surpassed others; though documents and files piled up and guests filled the hall, he responded to them like a stream and did not pause his hand from writing. He also oversaw all officials and avoided their taboos. Once, he gathered with disciples at night. A guest, Yu Hao, sought the post of Fifth Officer of the Household Supervisor. Xu Mian said sternly, “Tonight we may only discuss wind and moonlight; we must not touch upon public affairs.” People of the time all admired his lack of partiality.
In the intercalary month, on yichou, Xiao Hong, the Prince of Linchuan, was appointed Minister of Instruction and Acting Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, Shen Yue, the Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, was appointed President of the Department of State Affairs and Acting Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent, and Ang Ang, the Minister of Civil Office, was appointed Right Deputy Director.
On dingmao, Empress Yu of Northern Wei died. At that time, the Noble Consort Gao was favored and jealous, and Gao Zhao’s power swayed both within and outside the court. The empress suddenly died of a violent illness; people all attributed it to the Gao family. Matters within the palace were secret and could not be known in detail.
On jiashen, Xiahou Xiang, the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, was appointed Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs.
On yiyou, Northern Wei buried Empress Shun in the Yongtai Mausoleum.
In the twelfth month, on bingchen, Xiahou Xiang, the Duke of Fengcheng, died.
On yichou, Chang Yonghe, the Commandant of the Huaiyang Town of Northern Wei, led his city in surrendering.