Annals of Liang, Volume 6
Liang Ji Six
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 150
Volume 150
Beginning in the Year Guihai, Ending in the Year Wuzi, Twenty-Six Years in Total.
From the year Guihai to the year Wuzi, a total of twenty-six years.
Emperor Gao Ming, Middle Period
Zhongdatong First Year (Jiyou, AD 529)
Spring, First Month, on the day Xinyou (the first day of the month), the Emperor performed the suburban sacrifices to Heaven and Earth at the southern suburbs, granted a general amnesty, and changed the reign title to Zhongdatong.
The Wei prince, Yuan Yue of Runan, requested permission from the Liang court to return to Wei, and the court granted his request.
Previously, Wei had sent an envoy to Liang. The Wei envoy stated that Liang ought to send Yuan Yue back. The Emperor was troubled by this and hesitated. The Attendant-in-Waiting and General of the Leading Army, Xiao Zao, said: “Yuan Yue is a mediocre member of the imperial clan, and his rank is merely that of a prince. He has no deep enmity with the ruler of Wei. If we send him back, he will certainly assist Wei upon his return, and that will bring no benefit to our Liang.” Thus, the Emperor detained Yuan Yue.
Second Month, on the day Xinchou (the eleventh day), the Emperor lectured on the Buddhist Prajna Sutra at the Yuanpu. The audience numbered in the tens of thousands; seats were arranged all around the imperial palace city. The Emperor himself ascended the seat to expound the sutra. Below the seat, the title of the sutra was placed, and the Crown Prince, princes, marquises, imperial clan officials, and all officials from the President of the Department of State Affairs downward came to listen. Among the multitude of monks, Daoists, and secular scholars appointed by the Emperor, one person from each group presided over the lecture. The Emperor had Zhu Yi, Liu Zhilin, Cheng Shengzi, and thirty others take turns debating the meaning of the sutra before the seat. This lecture activity lasted for seven days before concluding.
Since Yuan Yue, the Prince of Runan from Wei, had not been sent back to Wei by Liang, he requested the Emperor to allow him to remain permanently. The Emperor agreed. Afterwards, Yuan Yue died in Pengcheng.
Emperor Gao Wu, Fifth Year (Jiachen, AD 524)
Spring, First Month, on the day Xinchou, Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei performed the suburban sacrifice at the southern suburbs.
Third Month, Northern Wei appointed Linhuai Wang Yuan Yu as Commander of the Northern Expeditionary Forces to campaign against Po Liuhan Baling.
Summer, Fourth Month, the commoners of Gaoping Town, led by He Lian’en and others, rebelled. They elevated the Chile tribal chief Hu Chen as the King of Gaoping and attacked Gaoping Town to respond to Po Liuhan Baling. The Northern Wei general Lu Zuqian defeated them, and Hu Chen fled north.
Wei Kegu besieged Huaishuo Town for an entire year, with no outside relief arriving. Yang Jun sent Hebasheng to Linhuai Wang Yuan Yu to report the emergency. Hebasheng recruited over ten fearless young cavalrymen, broke through the encirclement during a night gap, and the rebel cavalry pursued them. Hebasheng shouted: “I am Heba Poho!” The rebels dared not approach. Hebasheng met Yuan Yu at Yunzhong and advised him: “Huaishuo is under siege and will fall at any moment. The Great King now sits with his army idle. If Huaishuo falls, then Wuchuan will also be in danger, and the rebels’ morale will increase a hundredfold. Even if men like Zhang Liang or Chen Ping were here, they could devise no plan for the Great King.” Yuan Yu agreed to send troops. Hebasheng returned and again broke through the encirclement into the city. Yang Jun then sent Hebasheng out to reconnoiter Wuchuan, but Wuchuan had already fallen. Hebasheng galloped back, and Huaishuo also collapsed. Hebasheng and his father were both captured by Wei Kegu.
Fifth Month, Linhuai Wang Yuan Yu engaged Po Liuhan Baling at Wuyuan and was defeated, resulting in the stripping of his official rank and title. Anbei General Li Shuren of Longxi was also defeated at Baidao, and the rebels’ power grew increasingly strong. Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei summoned the Chancellor, Chief Administrators, Directors of the Department of State Affairs, Palace Attendants, and Yellow Gate Attendants to the Xianyang Hall and asked them: “Now the rebels have successively occupied Hengzhou and Shuozhou, approaching the Jinling. How should this be handled?” The Minister of Personnel, Yuan Xiuyi, requested that an important minister be sent to command the army to guard Hengzhou and Shuozhou to resist the rebels. Emperor Xiaoming said: “Last year, when A’nagui rebelled, I sent Li Chong on a northern expedition. Li Chong submitted a memorial requesting that the garrisons be converted into prefectures. I did not follow his request because the old system was difficult to change. Shortly afterward, when I read this memorial of Li Chong’s, it stirred up inappropriate ambitions among the garrison households, leading to today’s calamity. But past events are hard to regret; let us speak briefly. However, Li Chong is a relative of the imperial clan, of high virtue and great prestige, with keen insight and intelligence. I wish to send him again—what do you think?” The Director of the Department of State Affairs, Xiao Baoyin, and others all said: “This indeed accords with public expectation.” Li Chong said: “I proposed that because the six garrisons were remote and close to the rebels, I wanted to use this method to pacify their hearts. How dared I lead them into rebellion! My crime deserves death, but Your Majesty pardoned me. Now, if you send me north again, this is my opportunity to repay kindness and correct my errors. Yet I am seventy years old, weary and ill, unable to bear the burdens of military campaigns. I hope you will select another worthy talent.” Emperor Xiaoming did not agree. Yuan Xiuyi was the son of Yuan Tianci.
Your servant Sima Guang says: Li Chong’s memorial was precisely about eliminating trouble before it arose and achieving victory without visible action. Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei could neither adopt it, and when the rebellion occurred, he had no words of shame or apology, instead treating it as Li Chong’s fault. How could one plan great affairs with such a benighted ruler! The Book of Songs says: “When they hear agreeable words, they respond; when they hear remonstrance, they feign drunkenness; they do not employ good men, but instead make me rebellious.” This is precisely the case.
On the day Renshen, Li Chong was further appointed as Holder of the Imperial Staff, Opener of the Three Departments, and Grand Commander of the Northern Expedition, with orders that the General of the Pacifying Army, Cui Xia, and the General of the Garrison Army, Guangyang Wang Yuan Shen, both be subject to Li Chong’s command. Yuan Shen was the son of Yuan Jia.
Sixth Month, the Inspector of Yuzhou, Pei Sui, was appointed to command the expeditions against the Northern Wei.
Since the rebellion of Po Liuhan Baling in Northern Wei, rebels and bandits had arisen everywhere in Er Xia, Binzhou, and Liangzhou. The Inspector of Qinzhou, Li Yan, governed with harsh punishments and cruel administration, causing resentment among his subordinates. In this month, Xue Zhen and others within the city gathered a group and broke into the prefectural office, seized Li Yan, killed him, and elevated their partisan Mozhe Dati as leader. Mozhe Dati proclaimed himself King of Qin. Northern Wei sent the Inspector of Yongzhou, Yuan Zhi, to campaign against him.
Initially, the powerful men of Southern Qinzhou, the Yang Songbo brothers, repeatedly engaged in banditry. The Inspector, Boling Cui You, enticed them to surrender, appointed them as Registrars, treated them with cordial words and demeanor, and had them persuade the various Di tribes to submit. Subsequently, during a banquet, he arrested them all and killed them. From then on, no one in the region was without suspicion and fear. When Cui You heard of Li Yan’s death, he knew his situation was unsafe and attempted to flee but failed. The city inhabitants Zhang Changming, Han Zuxiang, Sun Yan, and others attacked Cui You and killed him, leading the entire city to respond to Mozhe Dati. Mozhe Dati sent his partisan Bu Hu to attack Gaoping, captured it, and killed the Garrison General He Lian Lue and the Circuit Intendant Gao Yuanrong. Mozhe Dati soon died, and his son Mozhe Niansheng proclaimed himself Son of Heaven, established a full bureaucracy, and changed the reign title to Tianjian.
On the day Dingyou, Northern Wei granted a general amnesty.
Autumn, Seventh Month, on the day Jiayin, Northern Wei appointed the Minister of Personnel, Yuan Xiuyi, concurrently as Acting Director of the Department of State Affairs and Circuit Intendant of the Western Circuit, leading various generals to campaign against Mozhe Niansheng.
Cui Xia defied Li Chong’s command and engaged Po Liuhan Baling at Baidao, suffering a great defeat. He fled back alone on horseback. Po Liuhan Baling concentrated his forces to attack Li Chong. Li Chong fought fiercely but could not withstand them, withdrew his army to Yunzhong, and remained in a standoff.
Guangyang King Yuan Shen submitted a memorial: "In the previous dynasty, when the capital was established at Pingcheng, the northern border was given great importance. A large number of close and worthy individuals were selected, banners raised for defense, and high-ranking families were assigned to them, willing to fight to the death. Not only were their official careers not abolished, but they alone enjoyed the privilege of exemption from corvée labor. At that time, people all admired and envied undertaking these duties. During the Taihe era, when Vice Director Li Chong held power, all the scholars from Liangzhou were exempted from base labor; yet the old noble families of the imperial homeland still had to guard the border garrisons. Unless they were criminals of the time, no one was willing to associate with them. The local garrisons employed them only as attendants and guards, and a lifetime of promotion would at most make them a military commander. However, those of the same clan who remained in the capital could obtain high-ranking positions, while those in the garrisons were cut off from pure and prestigious offices, causing many to flee. Consequently, the court strictly enforced regulations on border soldiers, forbidding garrison residents from moving elsewhere. Thus, the young could not study under teachers, the elderly could not seek office abroad, and they alone were regarded as base people. Speaking of this brings tears to one's eyes! Since the capital was moved to Luoyang, border duties were even more slighted. Only sluggish and mediocre talents were sent out as garrison commanders. They imitated each other, concentrating on amassing wealth. Or various wicked officials from all sides, exiled to the border for crimes, planned schemes for them, governance was established through bribery, and border residents all gnashed their teeth in hatred. When Aruo Gui turned against kindness and plundered with his troops, the court sent forces to pursue him. One hundred fifty thousand troops crossed the desert, but returned within a few days. Seeing such rescue forces, border residents began to despise the central plains. Shangshu Ling Li Chong requested changing garrisons into prefectures, perhaps a prescient insight, but the court did not permit it. Meanwhile, the commander of Gaogue Garrison lost harmony in governing his subordinates, and Poliuhan Baling killed him, then led a rebellion. They attacked cities and plundered territory, leveling everything in their path. The court's armies repeatedly suffered defeat, and the rebels grew stronger daily. This campaign was originally intended to pacify the rebellion; but Cui Ti's entire army was annihilated, and Li Chong and I lingered and returned, retreating together to Yunzhong. The morale of the officers and soldiers was utterly shattered. What we worry about today is not only the northwest; I fear that other garrisons will soon follow suit. The affairs of the empire, how can they be easily estimated!" The memorial was submitted but not heeded.
An edict summoned Cui Ti to be imprisoned by the Tingwei. Cui Ti bribed Yuan Yi with female entertainers, gardens, and fields, and ultimately escaped punishment.
On the Dingchou day, Mo Zhe Niansheng sent his commander Yang Bonian and others to attack the garrisons of Chouqiu and Hechi. The governor of Dongyi Province, Wei Zijian, sent General Yi Xiang and others to defeat them, killing over a thousand. Dongyi Province was originally the state of the Di king Yang Shaoxian. The staff officers all believed that the city residents were strong and fierce, and that the rebels of the two Qins were of the same clan, requesting that their weapons be confiscated first. Wei Zijian said: "The city residents have experienced many battles. Pacifying them will make them useful to us; forcing them will put us between enemies on both sides." So he gathered all the city residents, comforted and instructed them, and then gradually dispersed their fathers, brothers, and sons to guard outer commanderies. With internal and external checks, in the end, no one rebelled. Wei Zijian was of the same clan as Wei Langen.
The Liangzhou commander of the Northern Wei, Yu Puti, and others seized Governor Song Ying and occupied the provincial capital in rebellion.
In the eighth month, on the Gengyin day, the governor of Xuzhou, Cheng Jingjun, captured Tongcheng of the Northern Wei.
The Northern Wei's Court Gentleman for Miscellaneous Affairs, Li Miao, submitted a memorial: "Generally, when provisions are scarce and troops are elite, it is advantageous to fight quickly; when provisions are plentiful and soldiers are numerous, it is suitable to wage a protracted war. Now, the bandits in Longdi are rampant and lack daily reserves. Though they occupy two cities, they have no virtue or righteousness. Their situation favors rapid attack; every day there are those who surrender and defect. If delayed long, their morale will be scattered and dispirited, and they will collapse while waiting. Like a sudden storm, those who go against the wind hope for lucky success; with high walls and deep moats, the court's forces have a strategy for complete victory. However, the empire has long been at peace, and people do not understand military affairs. When pursuing profit, they do not wait for each other; when fleeing danger, they do not look after each other. Generals have no discipline, soldiers have no training, they do not consider long-term plans, and each harbors a contemptuous heart toward the enemy. If Longdong is lost and the Qianshui army is defeated, then the two Qins will grow strong, the three Guanzhong regions will be endangered and weakened, and the right arm of the state will be discarded from this point. Orders should be given for the great general to hold fast and not engage in battle, and another general should be sent to lead several thousand elite troops to attack their rear from Maijiya. Then the bandits in Qianshui and Qishan will naturally scatter."
The Northern Wei appointed Li Miao as commander, and together with another general, Chunyu Yan, they set out for Liang and Yi provinces, subordinate to Wei Zijian. Before they arrived, Mo Zhe Niansheng sent his younger brother, the Gaoyang King Mo Zhe Tiansheng, to lead troops down the mountain. On the Jiawu day, Commander Yuan Zhi fought him at Longkou. Yuan Zhi was defeated, abandoned his troops, and retreated east to defend Qizhou.
Both the eastern and western Chile tribes rebelled against the Northern Wei and joined Poliuhan Baling. Emperor Xiaoming of the Northern Wei then began to recall the words of Li Chong and Guangyang King Yuan Shen. On the Bingshen day, an edict was issued: "Those in the military registers of the various provinces and garrisons who were not exiled due to crimes are all to be released as commoners." Garrisons were changed into prefectures; Huaishuo Garrison was renamed Shuozhou, and the original Shuozhou was renamed Yunzhou. The concurrent Huangmen Shilang Li Daoyuan was sent as a grand commissioner to comfort and pacify the six garrisons. At that time, the six garrisons were already in full rebellion, and Li Daoyuan did not proceed.
Previously, the Dai people who had moved to Luoyang were mostly suppressed by the Selection Department and could not obtain office. After the six garrisons rebelled, Yuan Yi then used Dai commoners as imperial messengers to pacify them. The Tingwei Assessor, a Dai man named Shan Wei, submitted a memorial praising Yuan Yi's virtuous deeds, and Yuan Yi promoted Shan Wei to the post of Lang of the Two Thousand Stones in the Shangshu Bureau. Xiurong man Qifu Moyu gathered followers to attack the commandery city, killing the governor. On the Dingyou day, the southern Xiurong herder Wanyu Qianzhen rebelled, killing the Grand Servant Lu Yan. The Xiurong chieftain Erzhu Rong suppressed and pacified them. Erzhu Rong was the great-great-grandson of Erzhu Yujian. His grandfather, Erzhu Daiqin, once went hunting, and a tribesman shot a tiger, mistakenly hitting his thigh. Erzhu Daiqin pulled out the arrow and did not pursue the matter, and all his subordinates were moved and delighted. He served as governor of Sizhou, was granted the title Duke of Ran Commandery, and died at over ninety years old. His son, Erzhu Xinxing, succeeded him. During Erzhu Xinxing's time, livestock was especially abundant; cattle, sheep, camels, and horses were grouped by color, covering the mountains and plains, too numerous to count. Whenever the Northern Wei launched a military campaign, Erzhu Xinxing contributed horses and provisions to aid the army. Emperor Gaozu commended him. When Erzhu Xinxing grew old, he requested that the title be passed to his son, Erzhu Rong, and the Northern Wei court granted it. Erzhu Rong was decisive and clear-headed, and he governed his subordinates with strict discipline. At that time, uprisings arose from all directions. Erzhu Rong harbored great ambitions in secret, distributed his livestock and wealth, recruited valiant men, and befriended heroes. Consequently, Hou Jing, Sima Ziru, Jia Xiandu, along with Wuyuan man Duan Rong and Tai'an man Dou Tai, all went to attach themselves to him. Jia Xiandu was the elder brother of Jia Xianzhi.
On the Wuxu day, Mo Zhe Niansheng sent Commander Dou Shuang to attack the Northern Wei's Pantou Commandery. The governor of Dongyi Province, Wei Zijian, sent General Dou Nianzu to defeat them.
In the ninth month, on the Wushen day, Cheng Jingjun captured the Northern Wei's Suiling. On the Wuwu day, the governor of Northern Yanzhou, Zhao Jingyue, besieged Jingshan. Pei Sui led three thousand cavalry to attack Shouyang. On the night of the Renxu day, he forced the pass and entered, capturing its outer city. The Northern Wei's governor of Yangzhou, Zhangsun Zhi, defended against him. They fought nine battles in one day. The rear army under Cai Xiucheng lost its way and could not arrive in time, so Pei Sui withdrew his troops. Another general attacked the Northern Wei's Huaiyang. The Northern Wei sent the acting Xingtai Li Daoyuan and Commander Hejian King Yuan Chen to rescue Shouyang, and Anle King Yuan Jian to rescue Huaiyang. Yuan Jian was the son of Yuan Quan.
The Northern Wei's Western Circuit Xingtai Yuan Xiuyi suffered from wind illness and could not manage military affairs. On the Renshen day, the Northern Wei appointed the Left Vice Director of the Shangshu, Qi King Xiao Baoyin, as the Western Circuit Xingtai Grand Commander, leading various generals to suppress Mo Zhe Niansheng.
Song Ying secretly sought help from the Tuyuhun king Fulianchou. Fulianchou personally led troops to rescue Liangzhou. Yu Puti abandoned the city and fled but was caught and killed. The city residents Zhao Tian'an and others again supported Song Ying as governor.
The army of Hejian King Yuan Chen reached Xiqiashi, lifted the siege of Woyang, and recaptured Jingshan Garrison. The governor of Qing and Ji provinces, Wang Shennian, fought him but was defeated by Yuan Chen. In winter, the tenth month, on the Wuyin day, Pei Sui and Yuan Shu attacked the Northern Wei's Jianling City and captured it. On the Xinsi day, they captured Qumu. The Sweeping Bandit General Peng Baosun captured Langya.
The Northern Wei's Yingzhou city residents Liu Anding and Jiu Dexing seized Governor Li Zhongzun and occupied the provincial capital in rebellion. The city resident Wang Er'er killed Liu Anding and surrendered. Jiu Dexing fled east and proclaimed himself King of Yan.
Hu Chen sent his general Su Qinmingda to harass the three provinces of Bin, Xia, and Beihua. On the Renwu day, Northern Wei sent the commander-in-chief, Prince of Beihai Yuan Hao, leading various generals to campaign against him. Yuan Hao was the son of Yuan Xiang.
On the Jiashen day, Peng Baosun captured Tanqiu. On the Xinmao day, Pei Sui captured Dicheng; on the Bingwu day, he also captured Picheng and advanced to camp at Lipang. On the Renyin day, the Northern Wei Prefect of Donghai, Wei Jingxin, surrendered by offering the city of Siwu. General Dingyuan Cao Shizong captured Quyang; on the Jiachen day, he also captured Qinxu, and most of the Northern Wei defenders abandoned the city and fled.
Northern Wei sent the Huangmen Lu Tong with credentials to comfort the troops in Yingzhou, but Ji Dexing surrendered and then rebelled again. An edict appointed Lu Tong as Inspector of Youzhou and concurrently Acting Minister of the Secretariat, but Lu Tong was repeatedly defeated by Ji Dexing and returned.
The northern Wei border Hu people rebelled and besieged the Inspector of Xiazhou, Yuan Ziyong. Within the city, food was exhausted, and they boiled horse hides to eat, but the people had no second thoughts. Yuan Ziyong wanted to go out himself to seek food, leaving his son Yuan Yanbo to guard Tongwan. The generals and aides all said, "Now that the four directions are scattered and rebellious, food is gone and reinforcements are cut off, it is better for father and son to leave together." Yuan Ziyong wept and said, "My family has received the nation's grace for generations and should serve this city with all its might. But without food, we cannot hold out, so I want to go to the eastern province to raise several months' provisions for you all. If we are lucky enough to obtain them, preserving this place will certainly be feasible." Then he led the weakened soldiers to transport grain from East Xiazhou, while Yuan Yanbo and the generals and aides saw him off in tears. After Yuan Ziyong had traveled for several days, the Hu chieftain Cao Ageba intercepted and attacked him, capturing him. Yuan Ziyong secretly sent a letter, ordering the city to hold out with all its strength. The whole city was filled with anxiety and fear. Yuan Yanbo admonished them, saying, "My father's fortune or misfortune is unknown, and my heart burns with anxiety. But I have been ordered to guard the city, and the responsibility is great. I dare not harm public affairs for private feelings. I hope you all can share this resolve!" Thus the people were moved by his righteousness, and none were not stirred to action. Although Yuan Ziyong was captured, the Hu often treated him with the rituals of a commoner, and Yuan Ziyong explained the advantages and disadvantages of good and bad fortune to them, urging Cao Ageba to surrender. It happened that Cao Ageba died, and his younger brother Cao Cangsheng eventually led his followers to surrender with Yuan Ziyong. Yuan Ziyong went to see the Acting Minister, Prince of Beihai Yuan Hao, and detailed that the various bandits could be eliminated. Yuan Hao assigned troops to Yuan Ziyong and made him the vanguard. At that time, the entire region of East Xiazhou had rebelled, with troops garrisoned everywhere and fortresses established. Yuan Ziyong fought his way forward, and in ninety days, he engaged in dozens of battles, thus pacifying East Xiazhou. He collected grain taxes to supply Tongwan, and the two Xia regions were thereby preserved. Yuan Ziyong was the son of Yuan Huai.
The Northern Wei Prince of Guangyang, Yuan Shen, submitted a memorial saying, "Now all six garrisons have rebelled, and the two divisions of the Gaoche have joined them. Attacking them with these exhausted troops will certainly not lead to victory. It is better to select and train elite troops to guard the key points of Hengzhou and then plan for the future." Then he and Li Chong led the troops back to Pingcheng. Li Chong said to the generals, "Yunzhong is the key point of the Baidao route and the throat of the bandits. If this place is not secured, then Bingzhou and Sizhou will be in danger. One person should be left to guard here; who is competent?" The crowd recommended Fei Mu, so Li Chong requested that Fei Mu be appointed Inspector of Shuozhou.
Hebaduba and his son, along with the Wuchuan man Yuwen Gong, gathered local heroes together and attacked Weikegu, killing him. Hebaduba soon died fighting the Tiele. Yuwen Gong was the great-great-grandson of Yuwen Yidougui.
Li Chong appointed the National Academy Erudite Zu Ying as his Chief Clerk. The Prince of Guangyang, Yuan Shen, reported that Zu Ying had falsely claimed the number of enemy heads taken and embezzled military supplies, so Zu Ying was stripped of his rank. Li Chong was also dismissed from office and had his titles stripped, then summoned back to the capital. Yuan Shen took sole command of the military and administrative affairs.
Mo Zhe Tiansheng attacked Northern Wei's Qizhou. On the Wushen day of the eleventh month, he captured it, seized the Commander-in-Chief Yuan Zhi and the Inspector Pei Fenzhi, sent them to Mo Zhe Niansheng, and had them killed. Mo Zhe Niansheng also sent Bu Hu and others to invade Jingzhou, defeating the Guanglu Xue Luan east of Pingliang. Xue Luan was the grandson of Xue Andu.
On the Bingchen day, Peng Baosun captured Northern Wei's Dongguan. On the Renxu day, Pei Sui attacked the Ancheng of Shouyang. On the Bingyin day, Matou and Ancheng both surrendered.
The people of Gaoping attacked and killed Bu Hu, together welcoming Hu Chen.
Northern Wei appointed the Huangmen Yang Yu as concurrent Attendant in Ordinary, holding credentials to oversee the army of the Prince of Beihai, Yuan Hao, to relieve Binzhou. The siege of Binzhou was lifted. The Shu bandits Zhang Yinglong and Jiang Shenda attacked Yongzhou. The Inspector of Yongzhou, Yuan Xiuyi, requested reinforcements, sending nine dispatches in a day and a night. The Commander-in-Chief Li Shuren hesitated and did not go to the rescue. Yang Yu said, "Chang'an is the foundation of Guanzhong. If Chang'an is lost, the main army will naturally disintegrate. What use is staying here?" So he and Li Shuren advanced and attacked them, killing Jiang Shenda, and the remaining followers scattered in all directions.
On the Wuyin day of the twelfth month, Northern Wei's Jingshan surrendered.
On the Renwu day, Northern Wei appointed the Prince of Jingzhao, Yuan Ji, as Grand Preceptor and Grand General, commanding the various armies of the Western Circuit to campaign against Mo Zhe Niansheng.
On the Yisi day, the Martial Bravery General Li Guoxing attacked Northern Wei's Pingjing Pass. On the Xinchou day, the Xinwei Chief Clerk Yang Gan attacked Wuyang Pass. On the Renyin day, he attacked Xian Pass; all were captured. Li Guoxing advanced and besieged Yingzhou. The Northern Wei Inspector of Yingzhou, Pei Xun, and the Man chieftain, Inspector of West Yingzhou, Tian Pute, coordinated to resist him. The siege lasted nearly a hundred days, until Northern Wei reinforcements arrived, and Li Guoxing withdrew his troops. Pei Xun was the grandson of Pei Jun.
The various Hu tribes in Northern Wei's Fenzhou rebelled. The Prince of Zhangwu, Yuan Rong, was appointed Grand Commander-in-Chief and led troops to campaign against them.
Northern Wei's Wei Zijian summoned and pacified the various Di tribes in Southern Qin, who gradually surrendered and submitted. Thus he recovered six commanderies and twelve garrisons, and killed the bandit leader Han Zuxiang. Northern Wei appointed Wei Zijian as concurrent Minister and Acting Minister, retaining his post as Inspector. The provinces of Liang, Ba, the two Yi, and the two Qin were all placed under his command and coordination.
Mo Zhe Niansheng sent troops to attack Liangzhou. The city people Tian Zhao'an again seized the inspector to respond to him.
In this year, the Attendant in Ordinary and Crown Prince's Household Supervisor Zhou She was dismissed from office due to an incident. The Sanqi Changshi Zhu Yi of Qiantang replaced him in charge of confidential matters. Military strategies, changes of regional commanders, court rituals, edicts, and decrees were all handled by him. Zhu Yi was fond of literary prose and reasoning, had multiple talents, and was energetic and sharp. The Emperor therefore employed him.
In the spring, on the Bingwu day of the first month, the Inspector of Yongzhou, Prince of Jin'an Xiao Gang, sent the Anbei Chief Clerk Liu Hun to break through Northern Wei's Nanxiang Commandery. The Sima Dong Dangmen broke through Northern Wei's Jincheng. On the Gengxu day, they also broke through the two cities of Majuan and Diaoyang. On the Xinhai day, the Emperor performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven in the southern suburbs and granted a general amnesty.
The Northern Wei Inspector of Xuzhou, Yuan Faseng, had always been attached to Yuan Cha. Seeing Yuan Cha's arrogance and indulgence, he feared that disaster would involve himself, and thus plotted rebellion. Northern Wei sent the Zhongshu Sheren Zhang Wenbo to Pengcheng. Yuan Faseng said to him, "I want to leave danger and go to safety with you. Can you follow me?" Zhang Wenbo said, "I would rather die and pay homage to the tombs of the former emperors than turn my back on loyalty and follow a rebel!" Yuan Faseng killed him. On the Gengshen day, Yuan Faseng killed the Acting Minister Gao Liang, proclaimed himself emperor, changed the era name to Tianqi, and established his various sons as princes. Northern Wei sent troops to attack him, so Yuan Faseng sent his son Yuan Jingzhong to surrender.
The Andong Chief Clerk Yuan Xianhe, son of Yuan Li, raised troops to fight against Yuan Faseng. Yuan Faseng captured him, took his hand, and made him sit down. Yuan Xianhe refused, saying, "You and I are both of imperial lineage. How can you, because of one territory, rebel against the outside and not fear being recorded by the historians!" Yuan Faseng still wanted to comfort and persuade him, but Yuan Xianhe said, "I would rather die as a loyal ghost than live as a rebellious minister!" So Yuan Faseng killed him.
The Emperor sent the Sanqi Changshi Zhu Yi as an envoy to Yuan Faseng, appointed the Xuancheng Prefect Yuan Lüe as Grand Commander-in-Chief, and with the generals Chen Qingzhi of Yixing, Hu Longya, Cheng Jingjun, and others led troops to receive him.
The army of Mo Zhe Tian Sheng was encamped at Heishui, and their military strength was very formidable. The Northern Wei appointed Cui Yanbo, the governor of Qizhou, as General of the Western Expedition and Commander of the Western Circuit, leading fifty thousand troops to attack him. Cui Yanbo and the Acting Minister Xiao Baoyin's army were stationed at Mawei. Cui Yanbo was always brave and fierce, and Xiao Baoyin urged him to join battle. Cui Yanbo said, "Tomorrow morning, I will observe for you whether the rebels are courageous or cowardly." He then selected several thousand elite troops, crossed the Heishui River westward, formed their ranks, and advanced toward Mo Zhe Tian Sheng's camp; Xiao Baoyin's army was stationed on the eastern bank of the Heishui, serving as distant support from behind. Cui Yanbo directly reached the rebel camp, displayed his might to intimidate them, then slowly led his troops back. Mo Zhe Tian Sheng, seeing that Cui Yanbo's force was small, opened the camp gate and gave chase, his troops outnumbering Cui Yanbo's tenfold, driving him to the riverbank. Xiao Baoyin, watching from afar, was greatly alarmed. Cui Yanbo personally covered the rear, refusing to engage, letting his troops cross the river first, maintaining strict order, so that Mo Zhe Tian Sheng's army dared not attack. After a short while, the troops had all crossed, and Cui Yanbo then crossed slowly; the rebel army also withdrew. Xiao Baoyin said happily, "Cui's bravery surpasses that of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei." Cui Yanbo replied, "These rebels are no match for this old servant; let the Bright Lord sit at ease and watch the old servant defeat them." On Guihai (the 18th day), Cui Yanbo led his troops in an attack, with Xiao Baoyin's entire army following behind him. Mo Zhe Tian Sheng deployed all his forces to meet the battle. Cui Yanbo charged ahead of his men, breaking the enemy's front line; the officers and soldiers exerted themselves and competed to advance, inflicting a great defeat on the rebels, capturing or killing over a hundred thousand. They pursued the fleeing soldiers as far as Xiaolong, and Qizhou, Yongzhou, and the area east of Long were all pacified. However, the soldiers halted to loot, and Mo Zhe Tian Sheng then blocked the Long Road, so the various armies could not advance further.
Xiao Baoyin captured Wenchuan and enslaved the local people, giving ten beautiful women as a reward to Wei Langen, the governor of Qizhou. Wei Langen declined, saying, "This county lies between powerful bandits and could not stand on its own, so it submitted to survive. When the imperial army arrived, it should have shown mercy and comforted them. Why help the rebels do evil by cutting them down and reducing them to servitude?" He then found all their fathers and elder brothers and sent them back.
On Jisi (the 24th day), Pei Sui captured Xincai Commandery of Northern Wei. The Emperor issued an edict ordering the Attendant-in-Ordinary and General of the Guard, the Marquis of Xichang, Xiao Yuanzao, to lead troops as the vanguard, with the Governor of Nanyanzhou, the Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Zong, and various generals to follow later. On Guiyou (the 28th day), Pei Sui captured Zhicheng, and the regions around the Ru and Ying Rivers responded one after another. The Prince of Hejian, Yuan Chen, and others, fearing Pei Sui's reputation, camped at Chengfu and did not advance for several months. The Northern Wei court sent the Vice Director of the Court of Judicial Review, Cui Xiaofen, bearing a tally and a treasury sword to urge them forward. Cui Xiaofen was the son of Cui Ting. Yuan Chen arrived at Shouyang and wanted to give battle. Sun Changzhi argued that due to prolonged rain, it was not suitable to fight; Yuan Chen ignored him and led fifty thousand troops out of the city to attack Pei Sui. Pei Sui set up four ambushes to await him, sending the Direct Pavilion General Li Zuxian to challenge first and then feign retreat. Yuan Chen and Sun Changzhi deployed all their forces in pursuit; the four ambushes sprang simultaneously, and the Northern Wei army suffered a great defeat, with over ten thousand beheaded. Yuan Chen fled into the city, while Sun Changzhi covered the rear, then closed the gates and defended firmly, daring not to sortie again.
The Prince of Anle, Yuan Jian, led troops to attack Yuan Faseng, striking Yuan Lue south of Pengcheng. Yuan Lue was heavily defeated and fled into the city with a few dozen horsemen. Yuan Jian, caught off guard, was attacked by Yuan Faseng, who routed him, and Yuan Jian fled back alone. General Wang Xidi captured Nanyangping of Northern Wei and took the governor, Xue Tanshang. Xue Tanshang was the son of Xue Huzi. On Jiaxu (the 29th day), the Emperor appointed Yuan Faseng as Minister of Works and enfeoffed him as the Duke of Shian Commandery.
Northern Wei appointed the Prince of Anfeng, Yuan Yanming, as the Commissioner of the Eastern Circuit, and the Prince of Linhuai, Yuan Yu, as Commander-in-Chief, to attack Pengcheng.
Northern Wei appointed the Prince of Jingzhao, Yuan Ji, as Grand Commandant.
In the second month, on Yiyou (the 21st day), Zhao Jingyue captured Longkang of Northern Wei.
Initially, after Liu Teng died, the defenses around Empress Dowager Hu and Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei were slightly relaxed. Yuan Cha also became self-indulgent, often going out for excursions and lingering without returning; his close advisors remonstrated with him, but he ignored them. Empress Dowager Hu noticed this. In the autumn of the previous year, Empress Dowager Hu, in the presence of Emperor Xiaoming, said to the assembled officials, "Now that we are separated as mother and son and not allowed to meet, what use am I? I should become a nun and go to the Xianju Temple on Mount Song to cultivate the Way." She then pretended to cut her hair. Emperor Xiaoming and the officials kowtowed and wept, earnestly and urgently pleading with her, but Empress Dowager Hu's expression grew even more severe. Emperor Xiaoming then took up residence in the Jiafu Hall, and after several days, secretly plotted with Empress Dowager Hu to remove Yuan Cha. However, Emperor Xiaoming deeply concealed his intentions, and when Empress Dowager Hu made angry remarks about wanting to be able to visit the Xianyang Hall, he reported them all to Yuan Cha. He also wept before Yuan Cha, recounting Empress Dowager Hu's desire to become a nun, showing fear and anxiety several times a day. Yuan Cha was completely unconcerned and urged Emperor Xiaoming to comply with Empress Dowager Hu's wishes. Thus, Empress Dowager Hu frequently visited the Xianyang Hall, and there were no longer restrictions between the two palaces. Yuan Cha recommended Yuan Faseng as governor of Xuzhou; when Yuan Faseng rebelled, Empress Dowager Hu mentioned it several times, and Yuan Cha felt deeply ashamed and regretful. The Chancellor, the Prince of Gaoyang, Yuan Yong, though superior in rank to Yuan Cha, greatly feared him. It happened that Empress Dowager Hu and Emperor Xiaoming were touring the Luo River, and Yuan Yong invited both palaces to visit his residence. As dusk fell, Emperor Xiaoming and Empress Dowager Hu entered Yuan Yong's private chambers, and none of the attendants were allowed to enter; there they finalized their plan against Yuan Cha. Empress Dowager Hu then said to Yuan Cha, "If the Yuan Gentleman is loyal to the court and has no rebellious intent, why not resign from the post of Commander of the Guard and govern with other offices?" Yuan Cha, greatly frightened, removed his cap and begged to be relieved of his command. He was then appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Grand Master of the Palace with the Same Prestige as the Three Dukes, Master of Writing, Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Commander of the Left and Right Guards.
On Wuxu (the 24th day), Northern Wei granted a general amnesty.
On Renchen (the 18th day), Mo Zhe Nian Sheng sent the Commander Yang Zha and others to attack Chouchi Commandery; the Acting Minister Wei Zijian defeated them.
In the third month, on Jiyou (the 5th day), the Emperor arrived at Baixia City to inspect the encampments of the six armies. On Yichou (the 21st day), he ordered the Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Zong, to temporarily station at Pengcheng, command all the armies, and act as acting governor of Xuzhou. On Jisi (the 25th day), he appointed Yuan Faseng's son, Yuan Jinglong, as governor of Hengzhou, and Yuan Jingzhong as governor of Guangzhou. The Emperor summoned Yuan Faseng and Yuan Lue back to Jiankang; Yuan Faseng drove over ten thousand officials and commoners of Pengcheng southward across the river. When Yuan Faseng arrived at Jiankang, the Emperor treated him with great favor and generosity; Yuan Lue, detesting his character, never smiled when speaking with him.
Northern Wei issued an edict ordering the Prince of Jingzhao, Yuan Ji, to withdraw his troops.
The Governor of Beiliangzhou, Xi Xiuru, and others invaded Northern Wei's Liangzhou from Weixing, attacking Zhicheng. The Northern Wei governor of Liangzhou, Fu Shuyan, sent his son Fu Jingshao to attack them; Xi Xiuru and his forces were defeated and retreated.
The Rouran Khan, Anagui, campaigned against Po Lu Han Ba Ling on behalf of Northern Wei, and Northern Wei sent Die Yun Ju Ren to deliver various goods as a consolation and reward. Anagui led a hundred thousand troops, advancing from Wuchuan westward to Woye, repeatedly defeating Po Lu Han Ba Ling's army. In summer, the fourth month, Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei again sent the Secretariat Drafter Feng Jun to comfort and reward Anagui. Anagui's tribe gradually grew stronger, and he proclaimed himself the Kehan of the Qilian Toubing Dafa.
Although Yuan Cha of Northern Wei had been relieved of military command, he still oversaw internal and external affairs, never imagining he would be deposed. Empress Dowager Hu was hesitant, but the Attendant-in-Ordinary Mu Shao urged her to eliminate him quickly. Mu Shao was the son of Mu Liang. Consort Pan was favored by Emperor Xiaoming, and the eunuch Zhang Jingsong advised her, saying, "Yuan Cha wants to kill you." Consort Pan tearfully said to Emperor Xiaoming, "Yuan Cha not only wants to kill me but will also harm Your Majesty." Emperor Xiaoming believed her, and taking advantage of Yuan Cha being away on an overnight stay, he relieved Yuan Cha of his post as Attendant-in-Ordinary. The next morning, when Yuan Cha tried to enter the palace, the guards refused him entry. On Xinmao (the 18th day), Empress Dowager Hu again assumed regency, issued an edict posthumously stripping Liu Teng of his official titles and noble rank, and demoted Yuan Cha to commoner status.
The Gentleman of the Household of the Qinghe Principality, Han Zixi, submitted a memorial pleading the grievances of Qinghe Wang Yuan Yi and requesting the execution of Yuan Cha and his faction. He said: “In former times, Zhao Gao monopolized the government of Qin, causing turmoil east of the Pass. Now Yuan Cha monopolizes the government of Wei, causing disturbances in all directions. The one who opened the breach was Song Wei; the one who brought the calamity to its culmination was truly Liu Teng. They should be beheaded and their heads displayed, their graves opened and their bones scattered, their clans exterminated, to make clear their crimes.” Empress Dowager Hu ordered Liu Teng’s grave opened, his bones exposed and scattered, his property confiscated, and all his adopted sons killed. Han Zixi was appointed Zhongshu Sheren. Han Zixi was the grandson of Han Qilin.
Earlier, Song Wei’s father, Song Bian, often said: “Song Wei’s nature is careless and dangerous; he will certainly ruin our family!” Li Chong, Guo Zuo, and You Zhao also said: “Bo Xu is cruel and reckless; he will ultimately bring down the Song clan. If he can die by execution, that will be fortunate!” Song Wei flattered and attached himself to Yuan Cha, was promoted by leaps to Luozhou Cishi, and at this time was stripped of his rank and soon ordered to commit suicide.
When Yuan Cha was relieved of his command of the Guard, Empress Dowager Hu, because Yuan Cha’s faction was still strong and could not be subdued hastily, appointed Hou Gang to replace Yuan Cha as Commander of the Guard to pacify their minds. Soon Hou Gang was transferred out to be Jizhou Cishi, with the additional title of Yitong Sansi; before he reached the province, he was demoted to General Who Subdues the Caitiffs and died at home. Empress Dowager Hu wanted to kill Jia Can, but because Yuan Cha’s faction was numerous and she feared alarming the capital and the provinces, she transferred Jia Can to be Jizhou Cishi, then soon caught up with him and killed him, confiscating his property. Only Yuan Cha himself, because he was her brother-in-law, she could not bear to execute.
Before this, the Jishi Huangmen Shilang Yuan Shun, because of his uprightness, had offended Yuan Cha’s intentions and was sent out as Qizhou Cishi; Empress Dowager Hu recalled him and appointed him Shizhong. When he was sitting in attendance beside Empress Dowager Hu, Yuan Cha’s wife was at the Empress Dowager’s side. Yuan Shun pointed at her and said: “Your Majesty, why, because of one younger sister, do you not rectify Yuan Cha’s crimes, so that the people of the world cannot vent their resentments and grievances?” Empress Dowager Hu was silent. Yuan Shun was the son of Yuan Cheng. One day, Empress Dowager Hu said calmly to her attendant ministers: “Liu Teng and Yuan Cha once asked me for iron tallies, hoping to avoid death. Fortunately, I did not give them to them.” Han Zixi said: “Matters that concern life and death—how could iron tallies decide them? Moreover, although Your Majesty did not give them before, how does that explain not killing them today?” Empress Dowager Hu looked disconsolate and lost. Soon, someone accused Yuan Cha and his younger brother Yuan Gua of plotting to entice the surrendered households of the Six Garrisons to rebel in Dingzhou, and also to lure the various Man tribes of Luyang to harass Yique, intending to act as internal agents. Their personal letters were obtained, but Empress Dowager Hu still could not bear to kill him. The assembled ministers insisted unceasingly, and Emperor Xiaoming also spoke, so Empress Dowager Hu yielded and ordered Yuan Cha and his brother Yuan Gua to commit suicide at home. Nevertheless, she posthumously appointed Yuan Cha as General of the Chariot and Cavalry, Yitong Sansi, and Shangshu Ling. Jiangyang Wang Yuan Ji was deposed and stayed at home, where he died of illness. The former Youzhou Cishi Lu Tong was stripped of his rank because he was a member of Yuan Cha’s faction.
Empress Dowager Hu paid great attention to adornment and makeup and went out to travel frequently. Yuan Shun remonstrated with her face to face, saying: “The Book of Rites says that a woman whose husband has died calls herself ‘the one who has not yet perished,’ removes pearls and jade from her head, and wears no ornamented clothing. Your Majesty, as a mother-empress, rules the world, and is nearly forty years old. Your adornment and grooming are excessive. How will you set an example for later generations?” Empress Dowager Hu, ashamed, returned to the palace. She summoned Yuan Shun and reproached him, saying: “I summoned you back from a thousand li—was it so that you could insult me in front of the multitude?” Yuan Shun said: “Your Majesty is not afraid to be laughed at by all under Heaven, yet you consider one word from your minister a disgrace!”
Yuan Shun and Mu Shao were on night duty together. Taking advantage of being drunk, Yuan Shun entered Mu Shao’s sleeping quarters. Mu Shao wrapped himself in his quilt and stood up, sternly reproaching Yuan Shun, saying: “I have served as Shizhong for twenty years and have frequently worked with your father. Even though you have just been appointed, how can you push and collide with me like this?” Thereupon he resigned and went home. Emperor Xiaoming issued an edict urging him at length, and only then did he come out to serve again.
Earlier, Zheng Yan, the grandnephew of Zheng Xi, served as Xing canjun under Situ Hu Guozhen, and secretly gained the favor of Empress Dowager Hu, though people did not know it. When Xiao Baoyin campaigned in the west, Zheng Yan was appointed Kaifu shuyuan. After Empress Dowager Hu again took control of the government, Zheng Yan requested to return to court on official business. Empress Dowager Hu kept him, appointing him as Jianyi Daifu and Zhongshu Sheren, concurrently serving as Changshi Dianyu, staying day and night in the palace. Whenever he had a holiday, Empress Dowager Hu often sent eunuchs to accompany him. When Zheng Yan saw his wife, he could only speak of household matters. The Zhongshu Sheren of Le’an, Xu He, had some literary talent. Earlier, because he flattered and served Zhao Xiu, he was implicated and exiled to Fuhan. Later he returned and was again appointed Zhongshu Sheren, then flattered and served Qinghe Wang Yuan Yi. After Yuan Yi died, he was sent out as Yanmen Taishou. Returning to Luoyang, he again flattered and served Yuan Cha. After Yuan Cha failed, Empress Dowager Hu, because Xu He had been treated generously by Yuan Yi, recalled him to serve as Zhongshu Sheren, and Xu He again flattered and served Zheng Yan. Because Zheng Yan had cunning and resourcefulness, Xu He relied on him as his chief planner; because Zheng Yan had inner favor, Xu He devoted himself to ingratiating himself, and the two colluded both inside and outside, their power overwhelming the court and the provinces, and they were called “Xu and Zheng.” Zheng Yan was repeatedly promoted to Zhongshu Ling and Cheji Jiangjun; Xu He was repeatedly promoted to Jishi Huangmen Shilang, still concurrently serving as Sheren, overseeing the affairs of the Zhongshu and Menxia, and no military or state edicts were issued without their involvement. Xu He had a resourceful eloquence and vigorous energy. He handled affairs all day long, scarcely resting, and did not consider this as toil. Sometimes, when there was an urgent edict, he would have several clerks hold brushes, some walking, some kneeling, each dictating, and in the rush they would all be written out without missing the point. However, he had no grand strategy for governing the state, and specialized in petty skills. When meeting people, he feigned respect and caution, and people from near and far gathered around him like spokes to a hub.
The Jishi Huangmen Shilang Yuan Fan and Li Shengui both concurrently served as Zhongshu Sheren and were trusted by Empress Dowager Hu. People at the time said that Li Shengui also gained the favor of Empress Dowager Hu, but the multitude could not determine this clearly. Li Shengui sought a marriage alliance with the Sanji Changshi Lu Yixi, but Lu Yixi refused. The Huangmen Shilang Wang Song said to Lu Yixi: “In former times, a man did not exchange one daughter for many sons. Are you going to do such an exchange?” Lu Yixi said: “The reason I refused is precisely because of this. If I had agreed, I fear the calamity would be great and come quickly.” Wang Song then tightly grasped Lu Yixi’s hand and said: “I heard the command, but dared not tell anyone.” The daughter was then married to another family. On the night before the wedding, Empress Dowager Hu sent a palace attendant to announce an edict stopping the wedding. Inside and outside, everyone was terrified, but Lu Yixi’s expression was calm and at ease. Li Shengui was the son of Li Chong; Lu Yixi was the grandson of Lu Dushi.
Hu Chen occupied Gaoping and sent his generals Wanchou Chounu and Suqin Mingda to invade Bingzhou of Northern Wei. Generals Lu Zuqian and Yi Wengsheng attacked them but failed to achieve victory. Xiao Baoyin and Cui Yanbo, after defeating Mo Zhe Tiansheng, led their troops to Anding to rendezvous with Lu Zuqian and the others, with 120,000 infantry and 8,000 armored cavalry, their military might extremely formidable. Wanchou Chounu's army camped seven li northwest of Anding and frequently sent light cavalry to provoke battle. Before the main forces engaged, they would discard supplies and flee. Cui Yanbo, relying on his own bravery and having recently achieved military merit, proposed to lead the vanguard in attacking the enemy. He had large shields constructed, fitted with locking bars, and had strong men carry them on their backs while running, calling them "shield cities." Supplies were placed inside, with soldiers outside, advancing from the north of Anding along the plains northward. As battle was about to commence, several hundred enemy cavalrymen falsely claimed to hold documents, saying they were surrender registers, and requested a halt in the advance. Before Xiao Baoyin and Cui Yanbo could review them, Suqin Mingda led troops from the northeast, while the surrendering enemy soldiers rushed down from the west, attacking them from the rear. Cui Yanbo mounted his horse and fought fiercely, pursuing northward to their camp. The enemy were all light cavalry, while Cui Yanbo's army was mixed with infantry; after prolonged fighting, they became exhausted. The enemy took the opportunity to break into the shield city, and Cui Yanbo suffered a great defeat, with nearly 20,000 dead and wounded. Xiao Baoyin gathered the remaining troops and retreated to defend Anding. Ashamed of his defeat, Cui Yanbo repaired armor and weapons, recruited brave warriors, and again advanced westward from Anding, camping seven li from the enemy. On the day Renchen (19th day), without informing Xiao Baoyin, he independently led troops to attack the enemy, defeating them greatly and, in a short time, pacifying several of their stockades. Seeing Cui Yanbo's soldiers scattering to gather plunder, the enemy returned to attack them. The Northern Wei army suffered a major defeat, with Cui Yanbo struck and killed by a stray arrow, and over 10,000 soldiers dead. At that time, the great bandits had not been pacified, and they had lost a valiant general, causing anxiety and fear both at court and among the people. As the enemy's power grew even stronger, officials returning from outside, when questioned by Empress Dowager Hu, all said the enemy was weak to curry favor, so requests from generals for reinforcements were often denied.
In the fifth month, Yiling Liehou Pei Sui passed away. Pei Sui was deep and resourceful, lenient and clear-sighted in governance, loved and feared by his officers and men. On the day Renzi (9th day), Zhonghu Jun Xiahou Dan was appointed to command the military affairs of Shouyang and sent by post horse to replace Pei Sui.
Xiao Yuan You, the Prince of Linru and Inspector of Yizhou, sent his generals Fan Wenzhi and Xiao Shicheng, among others, to besiege He An, the Chief Administrator of Yizhou of Northern Wei, at Xiaojian. Bi Qiu, the Inspector of Yizhou of Northern Wei, sent the commandant Hu Xiaohu of Henan and Cui Zhenbao to lead troops to rescue him. Fan Wenzhi attacked and broke through their stockade, capturing them all. He had Hu Xiaohu urge He An to surrender early from below the city walls. Hu Xiaohu called out to He An from a distance, saying, "My stockade was unprepared and I was captured. Looking at their forces, they are not worth mentioning. Strive to hold out; the reinforcements from the Northern Wei mobile headquarters and Fu Liangzhou have already arrived." Before he finished speaking, the soldiers killed him with a sword. Chunyu Dan, the Military Commissioner of the Southwest Circuit, led troops to rescue Xiaojian. Fan Wenzhi set up a stockade on Longxushan to block the retreat. On the day Wuchen (25th day), Chunyu Dan secretly recruited brave men to climb the mountain at night and burn their stockade. Seeing their retreat cut off, the Liang army was panicked. Chunyu Dan took advantage of the situation to attack, and Fan Wenzhi suffered a great defeat, barely escaping with his life. Xiao Shicheng and eleven other officers were captured, and tens of thousands were killed or captured. Wei Zijian exchanged Xiao Shicheng for Hu Xiaohu's corpse and buried him after retrieving it.
Li Chong, the Wei Changkang Bo of Northern Wei, passed away.
Initially, Emperor Wu took as a concubine Wu Shuyuan, the favored consort of the Qi dynasty's Marquess of Eastern Darkness. Seven months later, she gave birth to Xiao Zong, the Prince of Yuzhang, and many at court suspected him. After Wu Shuyuan fell out of favor and became resentful, she privately said to Xiao Zong, "You are a child born after seven months; how can you compare with the other princes? Yet you are the second son of the Crown Prince; I hope you can preserve your wealth and rank—do not reveal this!" She embraced Xiao Zong and wept. Xiao Zong therefore became suspicious. During the day, he laughed and joked as usual, but at night, he would close himself in a quiet room, untie his hair, and sit on a straw mat, privately sacrificing to the seven temples of the Qi dynasty in another room. He also wore plain clothes to visit the tomb of Emperor Ming of Qi at Qu'a. Hearing folk tales that dripping blood onto bones would confirm father-son relationships if it seeped in, he secretly dug up the Marquess of Eastern Darkness's tomb and also killed a boy to test it; both experiments confirmed the bond. Consequently, he constantly harbored different intentions, always watching for changes in circumstances. Xiao Zong was strong and brave, able to subdue a galloping horse with his hands; he valued wealth lightly and loved scholars, keeping only worn-out clothes for himself and distributing the rest to others, often ending up in need. He repeatedly submitted memorials with suggestions, requesting border assignments, but the Emperor did not grant them. He often spread sand on the floor of his inner chamber, walking barefoot all day until calluses formed on his feet, able to walk 300 li in a day. The princes, marquises, consorts, princesses, and outsiders all knew his intentions, but the Emperor was grave and stern, and no one dared speak of it. He also sent people to inquire about Xiao Baoyin, addressing him as uncle. When serving as Inspector of Nanyanzhou, he did not receive guests; when hearing cases, he did so behind a screen; when going out, he lowered the curtains in his carriage, disliking that others might recognize his face.
When they reached Pengcheng, the Northern Wei Prince of Anfeng, Yuan Yanming, and the Prince of Linhuai, Yuan Yu, led twenty thousand troops to approach Pengcheng, and for a long time, no victory or defeat was decided. Emperor Wu of Liang feared that Xiao Zong would be defeated and annihilated, so he ordered Xiao Zong to lead his army back. Xiao Zong, worried that if he returned south, he would never be able to reach the north again, secretly sent someone to deliver a letter of surrender to Yuan Yu. The Northern Wei people did not believe it, and Yuan Yu recruited someone to enter Xiao Zong’s camp to verify the truth, but no one dared to go. The Palace Attendant Censor, Lu Gong of Jiyin, who served as Yuan Yu’s supervisor of the army, requested to go, saying, “If Xiao Zong is sincere, I will swear an alliance with him; if he is deceitful, why regret the loss of a single man?” At that time, the two armies were facing each other, and both inside and outside were strictly guarded. Lu Gong rode alone on a horse, taking a small path out, and went straight to Pengcheng. He was captured by Xiao Zong’s troops, who asked him why he had come. Lu Gong said, “The Prince of Linhuai sent me to negotiate a transaction.” At that time, Yuan Lue had already returned south. Xiao Zong, hearing this, said to Cheng Jingjun and others, “I have often suspected Yuan Lue of wanting to defect back to the city. I wanted to test the truth of the matter, so I sent someone close to me, pretending to be Yuan Lue’s envoy, to enter the Wei army and summon one of their men. Now that man has indeed come. We can send someone to pretend that Yuan Lue is ill in a deep chamber, call him to the door, and have someone deliver a message to refuse him.” Xiao Zong also sent his trusted man, Liang Hua of Anding, to welcome Lu Gong and secretly told him the plan. Lu Gong entered the city at dusk and was first brought before Hu Longya. Hu Longya said, “Yuan Zhongshan greatly wishes to see you, so he sent for you.” He also said, “The Prince of Anfeng and the Prince of Linhuai have few troops and weak soldiers, and they plot to recapture this city—can they succeed?” Lu Gong said, “Pengcheng is the eastern border of Wei, and the situation makes it a place that must be contested. Whether it can be obtained depends on Heaven’s will, not something humans can predict.” Hu Longya said, “It should be as you say.” He then brought Lu Gong before Cheng Jingjun, who sat with him and said, “You are not an assassin, are you?” Lu Gong said, “Now I have been sent on a mission and wish to return to report. Matters of assassination can be considered later.” Cheng Jingjun set out food and drink for him, then led him to a place, where they had a man come out of a room, pretending to be Yuan Lue, who sent a message: “I once had reasons to come south, and I sent for you briefly to hear news of my homeland; but tonight, my illness has flared up, and I cannot meet you.” Lu Gong said, “I received your message early and came at great risk, but I cannot see you face to face—this weighs on my heart.” So he took his leave and withdrew. The generals vied to ask about the number of Northern Wei troops, and Lu Gong grandly stated that there were several hundred thousand elite soldiers. The generals said to each other, “These are just boastful words!” Lu Gong said, “It can be verified in a single morning—how could there be any boastfulness!” Then they sent Lu Gong back. Cheng Jingjun escorted him to the Xima Terrace, and looking north at the city moat, he said, “With such danger and fortifications, can Wei possibly capture it?” Lu Gong said, “Offense and defense depend on men—how can one speak only of danger and fortifications?” When Lu Gong returned, he reaffirmed and solidified the alliance with Liang Hua on the way. In the sixth month, on the day Gengchen (the seventh day), Xiao Zong, along with Liang Hua and Miao Wenchong of Huaiyin, went out at night and defected on foot to Yuan Yu’s army. By dawn, the various gates of the inner quarters were still closed, and the people did not know the reason. They only heard the Wei troops outside the city shouting, “Your Prince of Yuzhang came to our camp last night—what are you still doing here?” When the city could not find Xiao Zong, the army completely collapsed. The Northern Wei people entered Pengcheng, took advantage of the victory to pursue the Liang troops, seized other cities, and only returned after reaching Suyu. Among the officers and soldiers, seven or eight out of ten died or were captured; only Chen Qingzhi led his troops back safely.
When Emperor Wu of Liang heard this, he was shocked. The relevant officials submitted a memorial requesting that Xiao Zong’s title and fief be stripped, his name be removed from the imperial clan registry, and his son Xiao Zhi’s surname be changed to Bei. Within ten days, an edict was issued restoring his name to the clan registry and enfeoffing Xiao Zhi as the Marquis of Yongxin.
The Xifeng Marquis Xiao Zhengde, after returning from Northern Wei, had not reformed his conduct or character. He gathered a large number of outlaws, robbed and killed people on the roads at night, and while serving as a Light Chariot General in Xiao Zong’s northern campaign, he abandoned the army and returned. Emperor Wu of Liang accumulated his previous and current crimes, dismissed him from office, stripped his title, and exiled him to Linhai. Before he arrived, he was overtaken by a pardon and released.
Upon arriving in Luoyang, Xiao Zong paid homage to Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei. Returning to his lodgings, he held a mourning ceremony for the Marquess of Donghun of the Qi dynasty and wore the three-year mourning garment. Empress Dowager Hu and those below her all went to his lodgings to offer condolences. The rewards and courtesies were extremely generous. He was appointed Minister of Works, enfeoffed as the Duke of Gaoping Commandery and Prince of Danyang, and his name was changed to Zan. Miao Wenchong and Liang Hua were both appointed as Masters of Splendid Happiness. Lu Gong was enfeoffed as the Viscount of Dingtao and appointed as an Extraordinary Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry.
Xiao Zong’s Chief Administrator, Jiang Ge of Jiyang, and his Sima, Zu Hengzhi of Fanyang, were both captured by Northern Wei. The Prince of Anfeng, Yuan Yanming, hearing of their literary reputations, treated them generously. Jiang Ge claimed to have a foot ailment and did not bow. Yuan Yanming had Zu Hengzhi compose an inscription for the Qiyi Louke Ming (The Inclining Vessel and Water Clock Inscription). Jiang Ge scolded Zu Hengzhi, saying, “You have received the state’s great favor, yet you compose an inscription for the enemy—you betray the court!” When Yuan Yanming heard this, he ordered Jiang Ge to compose the Daxiao Temple Stele and the Sacrificial Ode to Peng Zu, but Jiang Ge refused. Yuan Yanming was about to have him flogged, but Jiang Ge said sternly, “Jiang Ge is sixty years old; to die today would be fortunate. I swear I will not wield a brush for others!” Yuan Yanming, knowing he could not force him, desisted. Every day, he was given three sheng of coarse rice, barely enough to keep him alive.
Emperor Wu of Liang secretly summoned Xiahou Dan back and ordered him to rest and reorganize his troops in Hefei, awaiting the completion of the Huai River dam before advancing.
On the day Guiwei (the tenth day), Northern Wei issued a general amnesty and changed the reign title to Xiaochang.
Po Sixian Baling surrounded the Northern Wei Prince of Guangyang, Yuan Shen, at Wuyuan. The Army Commander Heba Sheng recruited two hundred men, opened the eastern gate, and launched an attack, beheading over a hundred enemies, and the rebels gradually retreated. Yuan Shen led the army toward Mingzhou, with Heba Sheng often guarding the rear. The Prefect of Yunzhou, Fei Mu, gathered scattered soldiers and civilians and defended against the enemy on all sides. At that time, all the prefectures and garrisons on the northern border had fallen; only the city of Yunzhong alone remained intact. After a long time, the roads were cut off, reinforcements did not arrive, and food and weapons were exhausted. Fei Mu abandoned the city and fled south to Erzhu Rong at Xiurong. Soon after, he went to court to confess his guilt, and an edict pardoned him.
The Chief Clerk Yu Jin said to the Prince of Guangyang, Yuan Shen, “Now rebels and bandits are rising like swarms, and it is not easy to overcome them by force alone. I request to take Your Highness’s authority and explain to them the consequences of good and evil—perhaps we can disperse them a little.” Yuan Shen agreed. Yu Jin was also fluent in the languages of various states and tribes. So he rode alone to the rebel Hu camps, met with their chieftains, and displayed grace and trust. Consequently, the Western Tiele chieftain Mieliehe and others led over thirty thousand households southward to surrender to Yuan Shen. Yuan Shen wanted to lead troops to Zheshu Ling to welcome them, but Yu Jin said, “Po Sixian Baling’s military power is very strong. Hearing that Mieliehe and others have come to surrender, he will surely lead troops to intercept them. If they occupy the strategic points first, it will be difficult to resist. It is better to use Mieliehe as bait and set an ambush to wait for them—we will surely defeat them.” Yuan Shen followed his advice. Po Sixian Baling did indeed lead troops to intercept and attack Mieliehe, capturing all his followers. The ambush force then struck, Po Sixian Baling suffered a great defeat, and Yuan Shen reclaimed Mieliehe’s followers and returned.
The Rouran Chief, Toubing Khan, heavily defeated Po Sixian Baling, killing his general Kongque and others. Po Sixian Baling, to avoid the Rouran, moved south and crossed the Yellow River. General Li Shuren, because Po Sixian Baling was gradually approaching, requested aid from the Prince of Guangyang, Yuan Shen, who led troops to rush to him. The rebels, from first to last, surrendered and submitted, numbering two hundred thousand. Yuan Shen, together with the Acting Minister Yuan Zuan, submitted a memorial saying, “We request that separate prefectures and counties be established north of Hengzhou to settle the surrendered households, and that relief and rewards be provided according to circumstances to quell their rebellious intentions.” The Northern Wei court did not consent but issued an edict ordering the Yellow Gate Attendant Yang Yu to settle them separately in the three provinces of Ji, Ding, and Yingzhou to find food. Yuan Shen said to Yuan Zuan, “These people will once again become Beggar Troops.”
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Renshu (the nineteenth day), a general amnesty was issued.
In the eighth month, Du Luozhou, a commoner from the Rouzhen garrison of Wei, raised a rebellion in Shanggu, changing the era name to Zhenwang, and captured commanderies and counties. Gao Huan, Cai Jun, Yu Jing, along with Duan Rong and Peng Le of Anding, all followed him. Du Luozhou besieged Cui Bing of Boling, the Inspector of Yanzhou under Wei. In the ninth month, on the day bingchen (the fourteenth), Wei appointed Chang Jing, the Inspector of Youzhou, concurrently as Shangshu and Xingtai, to campaign against him along with Yuan Tan, the Commander of Youzhou. Chang Jing was the grandson of Chang Shuang. Troops were deployed to hold strategic passes from the Lulong Fortress to the Jundu Pass, and Yuan Tan encamped at Juyong Pass.
In the winter, the tenth month, Tuyuhun sent troops to attack Zhao Tian'an, who surrendered, and Liangzhou again came under Wei's control.
Pingxi General Gao Hui was dispatched as an envoy to the Yanda people; on his return, he reached Baohan. At that time, the Inspector of Hezhou, Yuan Zuo, had died, and Liang Jinfu, son of former Inspector Liang Zhao, led Mo Zheyinian's army to besiege Hezhou city. Changshi Yuan Yong and others recommended that Gao Hui act as acting prefectural administrator, leading troops in a determined defense. Liang Jinfu also assumed the role of acting prefectural administrator on his own. Gao Hui requested reinforcements from Tuyuhun, who came to his aid; Liang Jinfu was defeated and fled. Gao Hui was the grandson of Gao Hu.
Wei was preoccupied with affairs in the northwest. The various Man tribes in Erjing and Xiying all revolted, cutting off the Sanya Road, killing the commander, and plundering and raiding, reaching as far north as Xiangcheng. In the Ru River region, the Ran, Xiang, and Tian clans were the most powerful; other major clans had ten thousand households, while smaller ones had a thousand households. Each proclaimed themselves kings or marquises, gathered and occupied strategic points, and the roads were impassable. In the twelfth month, on the day renwu (the twelfth), Emperor Xiaoming of Wei issued an edict: "I will personally lead the six armies to sweep away the fleeing and vile elements. For now, I will first campaign against the Jing Man to pacify the southern border." At that time, the various Man tribes invited Liang general Cao Yizong and others to besiege Wei's Jingzhou. Wei Commander Cui Xia led tens of thousands of troops to relieve it, but upon reaching Luyang, he dared not advance. Wei reassigned Linhuai Prince Yuan Yu as Southern Expedition Generalissimo to lead troops against the Luyang Man, and Sikong Changshi Xin Xiong as Xingtai Zuocheng, hurrying east to Ye City. Additionally, they dispatched Zheng Lu General Pei Yan and Hengnong Taishou Wang Pi of Jingzhao, leading ten thousand troops, to set out from Wuguan and open the Sanya Road to relieve Jingzhou.
Before Pei Yan and his forces arrived, Yuan Yu's army had already encamped by the Ru River. The prefectures and commanderies suffering from Man raiders vied to request aid, but Yuan Yu, having already deployed his various armies, was reluctant to grant it. Xin Xiong said, "Now Pei Yan has not yet arrived, but Your Highness's troops are already assembled. The Man are rampant, disturbing and pressing near the capital region. Your Highness holds military authority in the field; advance when you see an opportunity. Why must you argue over different routes?" Yuan Yu feared future blame for gains or losses and asked Xin Xiong to issue a tally. Xin Xiong believed that the various Man, upon hearing of Emperor Xiaoming's impending personal expedition, would be shaken in heart and could be broken by taking advantage of this momentum. He thus issued a tally to Yuan Yu's army, ordering them to advance swiftly and attack. When the various Man heard of this, they indeed scattered and fled.
Emperor Xiaoming of Wei wanted to personally lead the campaign against the rebels, but Zhongshu Ling Yuan Fan remonstrated and stopped him. Xin Xiong submitted a memorial from the army, saying: "The reason men forget themselves before battle and face white blades without fear is, first, to seek glorious reputation, second, to covet heavy rewards, third, to dread punishment, and fourth, to avoid calamity. Without these points, even a sage king cannot drive his subjects, nor a kind father spur his sons. The enlightened ruler deeply understands this principle, so rewards are always given, and punishments are always enforced. This makes all, whether close or distant, noble or base, brave or cowardly, wise or foolish, upon hearing the sound of drums and bells and seeing the array of banners, none fail to exert themselves and strive to charge into enemy ranks. Is it that they detest long life and delight in quick death? It is because the advantages and disadvantages are set before them, and they cannot stop even if they wish. Since the rebellions in Qin and Long and the disruption of order by the Man, several years have passed. Among the troops on active service, there are hundreds of thousands. The armies resisting the three rebel forces have seen more defeats than victories. Tracing the cause, it is all due to unclear rewards and punishments. Although Your Majesty has issued clear edicts and granted rewards without delay, the merits of officers and soldiers remain undecided for years. Soldiers who flee in defeat are safe at home. This causes men of integrity and righteousness to have nothing to inspire them, and ordinary men to have nothing to fear. Advancing to attack the rebels, death is imminent while rewards are distant; retreating and scattering, one preserves oneself without blame. This is why they see the enemy and flee in panic, unwilling to exert their full strength. If Your Majesty truly ensures that orders are trusted and rewards and punishments are enforced, then military authority will surely be displayed, and the bandits will surely be pacified." The memorial was submitted but not reviewed.
Cao Yizong and his forces captured Wei's Shunyang and Majuan. They engaged Pei Yan and others at Xiyang; Cao Yizong and his forces were defeated and retreated. Pei Yan and his men then recaptured Shunyang and advanced to besiege Majuan. Luo Inspector Dong Shao, believing Majuan's defenses solid and Pei Yan's provisions scarce, submitted a memorial stating they would surely fail. Shortly after, Cao Yizong attacked Pei Yan and his forces, defeated them, and recaptured Shunyang. Wei appointed Wang Pi as Inspector of Jingzhou.
Shaoling Prince Xiao Lun acted as administrator of Southern Xu province. In the province, he was capricious in joy and anger, willfully carrying out unlawful acts. He roamed in the marketplace and asked a seller of eels, "How is the Inspector?" The man replied, "Violent and cruel." Xiao Lun became enraged and forced him to swallow the eels, causing his death. The common people were terrified and exchanged glances on the roads without daring to speak. Once, encountering a funeral carriage, he snatched the mourning clothes from the filial son and put them on himself, crawling and wailing. The Qian Shuai, fearing blame, secretly reported the matter. Emperor Wu began by sternly reprimanding him, but Xiao Lun did not reform, so the emperor sent someone to replace him. Xiao Lun became even more perverse and arrogant. He then took an old man who was short and thin and resembled Emperor Wu, dressed him in imperial robes and crown, placed him on a high seat, and worshiped him as his sovereign, stating his own innocence. He then had the old man stripped from the seat and whipped in the courtyard. He also made a new coffin, placed Sima Cui Huiyi inside it, used a funeral carriage and dirge songs as a burial ceremony, and had old women ride in carriages weeping. Cui Huiyi could not endure this and rode alone back to the capital to report. Emperor Wu, fearing he might flee, used imperial troops to arrest him and was about to have him die by edict in prison. Crown Prince Xiao Tong wept and earnestly pleaded for him, so he was spared. On the day wuzi (the eighteenth), Xiao Lun was stripped of his office and his title and fief were abolished.
Wei's Shan Hu, Liu Lisheng, rebelled, proclaimed himself Son of Heaven, and established a hundred officials.
Initially, the Chile chieftain Hu Lü Jin served under Yang Jun, the garrison commander of Rouzhen, as a military officer. In military operations, he used the Xiongnu method: by looking at dust, he could determine the number of horses and infantry; by smelling the ground, he could gauge the distance of an army. When Po Liu Han Baling rebelled, Hu Lü Jin led his tribe to join him, and Po Liu Han Baling appointed him king. Soon realizing that Po Liu Han Baling would ultimately not succeed, he surrendered at Yunzhou. He then gradually led his tribe south out of Huanggua Mound. Defeated by Du Luozhou, he escaped and surrendered to Erzhu Rong, who appointed him as a Biejiang.