Records of Liang, Volume 16
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 160 [Liang Chronicle 16], Qiangyu Shanyan, one year.
Spring, first day of the first month, there was a solar eclipse, the sun was obscured leaving only a hook-like sliver. On Renyin day, the Jingzhou governor, Prince Luling Weiwang Xiao Xu, died. The crown prince, Xiao Yi of Xiangdong, was appointed commander-in-chief of the nine provinces of Jing and Yong, and governor of Jingzhou. Xiao Xu had always been greedy; on his deathbed, he submitted a memorial and sent the Central Recorder and Supervising Secretary Xie Xuanrong to present over a thousand pieces of gold and silverware. The emperor then realized how wealthy he was and asked Xie Xuanrong, "Is all of the prince's gold and silver here?" Xie Xuanrong said, "This can already be considered a great deal; how could there be more? The prince's faults were as evident as an eclipse of the sun or moon. He wanted Your Majesty to know, so in the end he concealed nothing." The emperor's anger then subsided.
Initially, when the Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, served as governor of Jingzhou, he had some minor faults. After Xiao Xu succeeded him, he reported these faults to the court, and from then on the two princes ceased to exchange letters or inquire after each other. When Xiao Yi heard that Xiao Xu had died, he jumped for joy inside his private chambers, even breaking the soles of his shoes.
On Bingwu day, Gao Huan, Prince Bohai Xianwu of Eastern Wei, died. Gao Huan's nature was deep and meticulous; his expression was stern all day long, and others could not fathom his thoughts. In matters of strategy and expediency, his changes were like those of a spirit. He controlled and commanded his armies with strict laws. He was clear-sighted in hearing cases and judging disputes, so others could not deceive or offend him. When promoting talent and appointing officials, his key principle was to obtain capable men; if someone was truly competent, he did not disdain them even if they were of lowly birth. As for those who had empty reputations but no real ability, he never employed them. He was habitually frugal; his swords, knives, saddles, and bridles were not decorated with gold or jade. In his youth he could drink heavily, but after assuming great responsibilities, he never drank more than three cups at a time. He understood talent and cherished scholars, protecting and caring for meritorious old subordinates. Whenever he captured loyal and upright officials from enemy states, he mostly did not punish them. Therefore, both civil and military officials were happy to serve him. His heir-apparent, Gao Cheng, kept the death a secret; only the Acting Left Censor Chen Yuankang knew of it.
Hou Jing, considering that he had already fallen out with the Gao clan, felt uneasy in his heart. On Xinhai day, he occupied the Henan region and rebelled, submitting to Western Wei. The governor of Yingzhou, Sima Shiyun, surrendered his city in response. Hou Jing lured and imprisoned the governor of Yuzhou, Gao Yuancheng; the governor of Xiangzhou, Li Mi; and the governor of Guangzhou, Huaishuo native Bao Xian, among others. He sent two hundred soldiers armed with weapons to enter Xiyanzhou at dusk, planning to seize it by surprise. The governor, Xing Zicai, discovered this, dispatched troops for a sudden raid, and captured them all. Xing Zicai then issued proclamations to the eastern provinces, ordering them each to prepare defenses, so Hou Jing was unable to take them.
All the generals believed that Hou Jing's rebellion was caused by Cui Xia. Gao Cheng, having no other choice, wanted to kill Cui Xia to apologize to Hou Jing. Chen Yuankang remonstrated, saying: "Now, although the realm is not yet secure, the state's laws and regulations have been established. If, because a few generals are campaigning outside, we kill an innocent man to curry their favor, destroying and discarding the penal code, would this not only betray the gods above but also on what basis could we pacify the common people? The precedent of Chao Cuo is a warning; I hope you will be cautious." Gao Cheng then desisted and sent the Minister of Works, Han Gui, to lead various armies to attack Hou Jing.
On Xinyou day, the emperor performed the Southern Suburb Sacrifice and granted a general amnesty. On Jiazi day, he sacrificed in the Hall of Light.
Second month, Western Wei issued an edict: "From now on, those who should be punished with castration will be directly confiscated as government slaves, and the punishment will no longer be inflicted."
Western Wei appointed the Kaifu Yitong Sansi Ruogan Hui as Minister of Works, and Hou Jing as Grand Guardian, Henan Grand Chief Administrator, and Duke of Shanggu.
On Gengchen day, Hou Jing again sent his Acting Chief Administrator Ding He to present a memorial saying: "I have a grievance with Gao Cheng. I request to lead the lands east of Hangu Pass and west of Xiaqiu, including the thirteen provinces of Yu, Guang, Ying, Jing, Xiang, Yan, Nanyan, Ji, Dongyu, Luo, Yang, Beijing, and Beiyang, to submit to the court. Only the provinces of Qing and Xu need but a single letter to be settled. Moreover, the region south of the Yellow River is all under my control; recovering it is as easy as turning over my hand. If, after Qi and Song are pacified, we can then slowly plan for the Yan and Zhao regions." The emperor summoned his ministers to discuss the matter in court. The Minister of Works, Xie Ju, and others all said: "In recent years, we have maintained peaceful relations with Wei, and the borders have been without conflict. Now, to accept their rebellious minister, we privately consider it inappropriate." The emperor said: "Even so, if we obtain Hou Jing, then the region north of the frontier can be pacified. Opportunities are hard to come by; how can we be stubbornly rigid?"
That year, on the Yimao day of the first month, the emperor dreamed that all the governors of the central plains provinces came with their lands to submit, and all the court officials celebrated. In the morning, he saw the Secretariat Drafter Zhu Yi and told him the dream, adding: "I rarely dream, and if I do dream, it always comes true." Zhu Yi said: "This is an omen that the realm will be unified." When Ding He arrived, he claimed that Hou Jing had settled his plan on the Yimao day of the first month, and the emperor found it even more miraculous. However, he had not yet made a firm decision. He once said to himself: "My state is like a golden bowl, without a single chip or crack. Now, to suddenly accept Hou Jing's territory—is this the proper course? If it leads to chaos, will regret be any use?" Zhu Yi, gauging the emperor's intent, replied: "When a sage ruler governs the world, north and south all submit and admire him. It is precisely because events presented no opportunity that they could not express their intentions. Now Hou Jing, having split half of Wei's territory, comes to submit. If this is not due to Heaven guiding his heart and men aiding his plan, how could it have come to this? If we refuse and do not accept him, I fear it will cut off the hopes of those who later wish to submit. This is truly clear and obvious; I hope Your Majesty will not hesitate." The emperor then decided to accept Hou Jing. On Renwu day, he appointed Hou Jing as Grand General, enfeoffed him as Prince of Henan, and made him Commander-in-Chief of Henan and Hebei Military Affairs and Grand Chief Administrator, with authority to act on the emperor's behalf like Deng Yu of the Han dynasty. The Pingxi Participating Army Advisor Zhou Hongzheng was skilled in interpreting celestial omens. Before this, he had said to someone: "The state will experience military turmoil in a few years." When he heard of the acceptance of Hou Jing, he said: "The root of the calamity lies here!"
On Dinghai day, the emperor performed the Plowing Ceremony.
Third month, on Gengzi day, the emperor visited Tongtai Monastery and offered himself as a servant, as during the Datong era.
On Jiachen day, he sent the governor of Sizhou, Yang Yaren, to command the governor of Yanzhou, Huan He, and the governor of Renzhou, Zhan Haizhen, among others, leading thirty thousand troops to rush to Xuanhu and transport grain to support Hou Jing.
Western Wei granted a general amnesty.
Gao Cheng of Eastern Wei, fearing rebellions in the various provinces, personally went out on an inspection tour to pacify them. He left Duan Shao to guard Jinyang and entrusted military affairs to him. He appointed the Director of Merit from the Chancellor's Office, Zhao Yanshen, as the Chief Official of the Grand Chief Administrator's Office. He had Chen Yuankang pre-write several dozen imperial decrees from the late Chancellor Gao Huan and gave them to Duan Shao and Zhao Yanshen, instructing them to execute them in order. Before departing, Gao Cheng grasped Zhao Yanshen's hand and wept, saying: "I entrust my mother and younger brother to you. I hope you understand my heart!" Summer, fourth month, on Renshen day, Gao Cheng entered Yecheng for an audience. The Eastern Wei ruler hosted a banquet for him. Gao Cheng performed a dance. Those with discernment knew his end would not be good.
On Bingzi day, the ministers contributed goods to ransom the emperor. On Dinghai day, the emperor returned to the palace, granted a general amnesty, and changed the reign title, following the same practice as during the Datong era.
On Jiawu day, Eastern Wei sent the concurrent Sanqi Changshi Li Xi on a diplomatic mission. Li Xi was the younger brother of Li Hui.
Fifth month, on Dingyou day, the first day of the month, Eastern Wei granted a general amnesty.
On Wuxu day, Eastern Wei appointed the Prince of Xiangcheng, Yuan Xu, as Grand Commandant. Gao Cheng sent the General of Military Guards, Yuan Zhu, and others, leading several tens of thousands of troops, to march day and night to attack Hou Jing. They encountered Hou Jing north of Yingchuan, and Yuan Zhu and his forces suffered a great defeat. Hou Jing, because the army of Yang Yaren and others had not yet arrived, withdrew to defend Yingchuan.
On the day of jiachen, Eastern Wei appointed Kaifu Yitong Sansi Kudi Gan as Grand Preceptor, Lu Shangshu Shi Sun Teng as Grand Tutor, Fenzhou Cishi Heba Ren as Grand Guardian, Sikong Gao Longzhi as Lu Shangshu Shi, Sikong Han Gui as Minister of Works, Qingzhou Cishi Wei Jing as Grand Marshal, Lingjun Jiang Kezhuhun Daoyuan as Minister of Works, Puye Gao Yang as Shangshu Ling and concurrently Zhongshu Jian, Xuzhou Cishi Murong Shaozong as Shangshu Zuo Puye, and Gaoyang Wang Yuan Bin as Shangshu You Puye. On the day of wuwu, Wei Jing died.
Han Gui and others besieged Hou Jing in Yingchuan. Hou Jing, afraid, ceded the four cities of Dongjingzhou, Beiyanzhou, Luyang, and Changshe to bribe Western Wei and request aid. Shangshu Zuo Puye Yu Jin said: "Hou Jing studied military affairs from a young age; he is crafty and treacherous, difficult to fathom. It would be better to appease him with high office and noble rank, observe his changes, and not send troops to rescue him." Jingzhou Cishi Wang Sizheng believed: "If we do not seize this opportunity to advance, future regret will be too late." He then led over ten thousand infantry and cavalry from Jingzhou from Luyang Pass toward Yangdi. When Prime Minister Yuwen Tai heard of this, he granted Hou Jing the title of Grand General and concurrently Shangshu Ling, and sent Taiwei Li Bi and Yitong Sansi Zhao Gui with ten thousand men to rush to Yingchuan.
Hou Jing, fearing the emperor would blame him, sent Zhongbing Cangshen Jun Liu Kai to submit a memorial to the emperor, stating: "The imperial court’s army has not yet come to support me. I am in a critical situation between life and death, so I sought aid from Guanzhong to save myself for the moment. Since my relations with the Gao clan are unstable, how can I be tolerated by the Yuwen clan! But this is like cutting off one’s hand to save one’s life after being bitten by a venomous snake; it is truly unavoidable. My original intention was for the state, and I hope you will not blame me! Now that I have received military assistance from them, I cannot immediately abandon them. I have used four prefectures as bait to entice them, and have already had the Yuwen clan send people to garrison them. From east of Yuzhou to west of the Qi region by the sea, everything is under my control; all the present lands are entirely returned to the sacred court. Places like Xuanhu, Xiangcheng, Xuzhou, and Nanyanzhou require reception and acceptance. I hope Your Majesty will quickly order the border generals to each deploy heavy troops to coordinate with me, so that no mistakes occur!" The emperor replied to him: "When a great official leaves the realm, he can still act on his own authority; moreover, you have just initiated a brilliant strategy and are about to establish a great enterprise. It is fitting for you to act according to circumstances and respond to the situation. Your sincerity and loyalty are the foundation; why need you speak so many words!"
Western Wei appointed Kaifu Yitong Sansi Dugu Xin as Grand Marshal.
On the day of wuchen in the sixth month, they appointed Poyang Wang Xiao Fan as General for Pacifying the North, in charge of all military affairs for the Northern Expedition, to attack Rangcheng.
Han Gui and others of Eastern Wei, besieging Yingchuan, heard that Li Bi and Zhao Gui of Western Wei were about to arrive. On the day of jisi, they led their troops back to Yecheng. Hou Jing wanted to seize the opportunity of a meeting to capture Li Bi and Zhao Gui and take over their troops; Zhao Gui became suspicious and did not go. Zhao Gui wanted to lure Hou Jing to his camp and then capture him, but Li Bi stopped him. Yang Yaren sent Chief Historian Deng Hong with troops to reach Rushi, and Li Bi led his troops back to Chang'an. Wang Sizheng entered and occupied Yingchuan. Hou Jing, feigning an intention to seize territory, led his troops out of the city and encamped at Xuanhu.
Hou Jing again requested reinforcements from Western Wei. Prime Minister Yuwen Tai sent Tonggui Fangzhu Wei Fabao and Dudu He Lanyuan De and others with troops to aid him. Da Xingtai Zuocheng, a native of Lantian named Wang Yue, said to Yuwen Tai: "Hou Jing’s relationship with Gao Huan began with deep hometown friendship and eventually solidified into a lord-minister covenant. He held the rank of senior general and the weighty position of Taishi and Sikong. Now that Gao Huan has just died, Hou Jing immediately rebelled on the border. This is because his ambitions are great, and he ultimately cannot bear to be subordinate to others. Moreover, since he can betray Gao’s favor, how can he be willing to be loyal to the court! If we now further strengthen his power and send troops to aid him, I privately fear that the court will be laughed at by others in the future." Yuwen Tai then summoned Hou Jing to court.
Hou Jing secretly plotted to rebel against Western Wei, but the plan had not yet succeeded. He generously treated Wei Fabao and others, hoping they would serve him. Outwardly, he showed intimacy and lack of suspicion; whenever he went among the various armies, he took very few attendants, and personally visited the famous Western Wei generals. Tonggui Fangzhangshi Pei Kuan said to Wei Fabao: "Hou Jing is crafty and treacherous; he will certainly not enter the pass. He wants to show you sincerity, but I fear he cannot be trusted. If you ambush soldiers and kill him, that would be a temporary achievement. If you do not do this, you should be on strict guard against him and not believe in his deceptive inducements, leaving trouble for yourself." Wei Fabao deeply agreed, but did not dare to plot against Hou Jing; he only took precautions himself. Soon after, he took leave and returned to his post. Wang Sizheng also detected Hou Jing’s treachery, secretly recalled He Lanyuan De and others, and separately deployed various armies to occupy Hou Jing’s seven prefectures and twelve garrisons. Hou Jing indeed refused to enter court, writing to Prime Minister Yuwen Tai: "I am ashamed to be ranked with Gao Cheng; how can I be on equal footing with you!" Yuwen Tai then sent Xingtai Langzhong Zhao Shixian to recall all the various armies that had been dispatched to aid Hou Jing. Hou Jing then resolved to surrender to the Liang court. Western Wei general Ren Yue led over a thousand of his troops to surrender to Hou Jing.
Yuwen Tai transferred the titles of Shichi Jie, Taifu, Grand General, concurrently Shangshu Ling, Henan Da Xingtai, and Dudu Henan Zhujun Shi, originally granted to Hou Jing, to Wang Sizheng. Wang Sizheng declined them all; Yuwen Tai repeatedly sent people to urge and instruct him, and Wang Sizheng only accepted the position of Dudu Henan Zhujun Shi.
Gao Cheng was about to go to Jinyang. He appointed his younger brother Gao Yang as Jingji Dadudu to guard Yecheng, and sent Huangmen Shilang Gao Dezheng to assist him. Gao Dezheng was the son of Gao Hao. On the day of dingchou, Gao Cheng returned to Jinyang and only then began the mourning rites for Gao Huan.
In autumn, in the seventh month, Chang’an Wulie Gong Ruogan Hui of Western Wei died.
On the day of dingyou, the Eastern Wei ruler held a mourning ceremony for Prime Minister Gao Huan. He wore mourning clothes, and the funeral rites followed the precedent of Huo Guang of the Han dynasty. He posthumously granted him the titles of Xiangguo and Qi Wang, and prepared the nine bestowments and other special rites. On the day of wuxu, he appointed Gao Cheng as Shichi Jie, Da Chengxiang, Dudu Zhongwai Zhujun, Lu Shangshu Shi, Da Xingtai, and Bohai Wang. Gao Cheng submitted a memorial declining the title. On the day of renyin, an edict appointed Taiyuan Gong Gao Yang to act on military and state affairs, and sent palace envoys to urge and instruct Gao Cheng.
On the day of gengshen, Yang Yaren entered Xuanhu City. On the day of jiazi, an edict changed Xuanhu to Yuzhou, Shouchun to Nanyuzhou, and Hefei to Hezhou. They appointed Yang Yaren as Cishi of Si and Yu Erzhou, to garrison Xuanhu; and Xiyang Taishou Yang Sida as Cishi of Yinzhou, to garrison Xiangcheng.
On the day of yichou in the eighth month, an edict ordered a great expedition against Eastern Wei. They sent Nanyuzhou Cishi Zhenyang Hou Xiao Yuanming and Nanyanzhou Cishi Nankang Wang Xiao Huili to separately command the various generals. Xiao Yuanming was the son of Xiao Yi; Xiao Huili was the son of Xiao Xu. Initially, the emperor wanted to appoint Poyang Wang Xiao Fan as marshal. Zhu Yi, who was then on urgent business outside, heard of this and hurriedly entered the palace, saying: "Poyang Wang is a heroic and dominant figure, able to command men to die for him, but wherever he goes, he is cruel and violent, not the kind of person to pacify the people. Moreover, Your Majesty once ascended the Beigu Pavilion to look out and said that Jiangyou had an aura of rebellion, and that bone-and-flesh relatives would become the source of disaster. In today’s matter, it is especially important to choose carefully." The emperor remained silent, then said: "What about Xiao Huili?" Zhu Yi replied: "Your Majesty has chosen the right person." Xiao Huili was weak and without strategy. The sedan chair he rode was fitted with a plank house covered in cowhide. When the emperor heard of this, he was very displeased. Zhenyang Hou Xiao Yuanming was then garrisoning Shouyang and repeatedly requested to go on campaign; the emperor agreed. Xiao Huili, considering himself a grandson of the emperor and also serving as commander, from Xiao Yuanming on down, hardly associated with them. Xiao Yuanming and the various generals secretly informed Zhu Yi, who recalled Xiao Huili, and thus appointed Xiao Yuanming as commander.
On the day of xinwei, Gao Cheng entered Yecheng for an audience and firmly declined the position of Da Chengxiang. An edict allowed him to remain as Grand General, with the other positions as previously appointed.
On the jiashen day, a false burial was held for Qi Xian King Gao Huan west of the Zhang River; secretly, a cave was chiseled beside the Buddha’s summit in the stone cave of Mount Gu in Cheng’an, his coffin was placed inside, the cave mouth was sealed, and all the craftsmen were killed. By the time Northern Qi fell, a craftsman’s son knew of this, opened the stone to take the gold, and fled.
On the wuzi day, the governor of Wuzhou, Xiao Nongzhang, attacked the garrisons of Qiquan and Lüliang of Eastern Wei and captured them.
Someone told the Grand General of Eastern Wei, Gao Cheng, “Hou Jing has plans to return north.” It happened that Hou Jing’s general, Cai Daozun, returned north, saying, “Hou Jing is quite remorseful.” Hou Jing’s mother, wife, and children were all in Yecheng, so Gao Cheng wrote a letter to Hou Jing, informing him that his family was safe, and promised that if he returned, he would be granted the lifelong post of governor of Yuzhou, his beloved wife and favored son would be returned to him, and no further inquiry would be made against his subordinate civil and military officials. Hou Jing had Wang Wei reply: “Now I have already led two states, raised the banners for a northern campaign, and with a host of bear-like and tiger-like troops advancing together, I shall reclaim the Central Plains. Fortunate to seize it myself, why should I trouble you for your grace? In former times, Wang Ling defected to Han and did not return even when his mother was there; when Emperor Gaozu of Han was imprisoned by Chu, Xiang Yu was about to boil his father, and he asked for a share of the broth—how much less do wife and children matter? If killing them is beneficial, I cannot be stopped; if killing them does no harm, it is merely vain slaughter. The harm to my family rests with you—what does it have to do with me?”
On the wuzi day, an edict appointed Hou Jing as Lu Xing Tai Shang Shu Shi (Acting Chief of the Branch Department of State Affairs).
The Emperor Jing of Eastern Wei had a handsome appearance and extraordinary physical strength; he could clamp a stone lion under his arm and leap over a palace wall, and every arrow he shot hit its mark. He delighted in literature and the arts, and his demeanor was composed, serene, and elegant. People of the time thought he had the style of Emperor Xiaowen, and the Grand General Gao Cheng was deeply wary of him.
Initially, King Xian of Qi, Gao Huan, was ashamed of having driven out the sovereign, so he treated Emperor Jing with great respect, reporting all matters, great or small, and following the imperial will. Whenever he attended banquets, he prostrated himself on the ground to offer wine; when the emperor held a Buddhist dharma assembly, riding in a carriage to offer incense, Gao Huan held an incense burner and walked behind, bowing and holding his breath, watching the emperor’s expression. Thus, his subordinates dared not be disrespectful in serving the emperor.
But when Gao Cheng took charge of state affairs, he immediately became extremely arrogant. He had the Palace Attendant and Secretariat Gentleman Cui Jishu observe the emperor’s movements, and everything, great or small, was reported to him. Gao Cheng wrote to Cui Jishu, saying, “How has that fool been lately? Has his foolishness lessened a bit? You should check carefully.” Once, when the emperor was hunting east of Yecheng, he galloped like the wind, and the Inspector and Commander of the Guard, Wunaluo Shougongfa, shouted from behind, “Your Majesty, do not race your horse—the Grand General will be angry!” Gao Cheng once accompanied the emperor at a banquet, raised a large goblet, and said to the emperor, “I, Gao Cheng, urge Your Majesty to drink.” The emperor could not contain his anger and said, “Since ancient times, no state has not perished; why should I live like this?” Gao Cheng was enraged and said, “I, I—dog-footed I!” He had Cui Jishu punch the emperor three times, then shook his sleeves and left. The next day, Gao Cheng sent Cui Jishu into the palace to console the emperor. The emperor also apologized to him and granted Cui Jishu a hundred bolts of silk.
Unable to bear this humiliation and distress, the emperor recited a poem by Xie Lingyun: “When Han fell, Zhang Liang rose; when Qin became emperor, Lu Zhonglian felt shame. Originally a man of the rivers and seas, loyalty and righteousness moved the gentleman.” The Regular Attendant and Court Lecturer, Yingchuan native Xun Ji, understood the emperor’s intent, and together with the Director of the Ministry of Rites, Yuan Jin, the Chief of the Long Autumn Palace, Liu Siyi, the Prince of Huashan, Yuan Daqi, the Prince of Huainan, Yuan Xuanhong, the Prince of Jibei, Yuan Wei, and others, plotted to kill Gao Cheng. Yuan Daqi was the son of Yuan Zhi. The emperor feigned an imperial decree and asked Xun Ji, “On which day do you plan to begin the lecture?” Then they pretended to build an earthen mound within the palace and dug a tunnel leading north of the city. When they reached the Qianqiu Gate, the gatekeeper detected sounds underground and reported it to Gao Cheng. Gao Cheng led troops into the palace, saw the emperor, did not bow, and sat down, saying, “Why does Your Majesty wish to rebel? My father and I have rendered merit to the altars of state—what have we done to wrong Your Majesty? This must be the work of the concubines by Your Majesty’s side.” He wanted to kill Lady Hu and Consort Li. The emperor said with a stern expression, “Since ancient times, I have only heard of subjects rebelling against their sovereign, not of a sovereign rebelling against his subjects. You yourself wish to rebel—why do you blame me instead? If I kill you, the state will be at peace; if I do not, its fall will not be far off. I cannot even cherish my own life—how much less the concubines? If you are determined to commit regicide, whether swiftly or slowly is up to you!” Gao Cheng then got down from the bed, kowtowed, and wept loudly in apology. Then he drank freely until late at night before leaving. After three days, he confined the emperor in the Hanzhang Hall. On the renchen day, Xun Ji and the others were boiled to death in the marketplace.
Initially, when Xun Ji was young, he lived east of the Yangzi River, was broadly learned, and skilled in letters. He had a friendship with the emperor from humble times and knew the emperor had great ambitions, but he was arrogant and refused to yield. He often said to others, “I will grind ink on the boss of a shield and write a proclamation to punish him.” The emperor was deeply displeased by this. When the emperor ascended the throne, someone recommended Xun Ji, but the emperor said, “This man has talent, but he delights in disturbing the world and rebelling—he cannot be employed.” Xun Ji submitted a memorial criticizing the emperor for his excessive devotion to Buddhism and the extravagant construction of pagodas and temples. The emperor was furious and wanted to summon the court officials to behead him. Zhu Yi secretly informed Xun Ji, who fled to Eastern Wei. When Gao Cheng was the Director of the Secretariat, he wanted to appoint Xun Ji as a Reader-in-Waiting, but King Xian of Qi, Gao Huan, said, “I cherish Xun Ji and wish to preserve him, so I did not employ him. If Xun Ji enters the palace, he will surely fail.” Gao Cheng insisted, and Gao Huan agreed. When the plot was exposed, the Attendant, Yang Zunyan, said to Xun Ji, “You are old—why must you do this?” Xun Ji said, “My vigor remains!” He was then imprisoned and argued in his defense, “I lament that I am old and have not established merit, so I intended to seize the Son of Heaven and kill the powerful minister.” Gao Cheng wanted to spare his life and personally asked him, “Lord Xun, why do you rebel?” Xun Ji said, “Acting on the emperor’s edict to kill Gao Cheng—how can this be called rebellion?” The relevant officials, seeing that Xun Ji was old and ill, loaded him onto a deer cart and took him to the Eastern Market, where he was burned along with his corpse.
Gao Cheng suspected that the Advisory Counselor Wen Zisheng knew of Yuan Jin’s plot. At the time, Wen Zisheng was composing an epitaph for King Xian of Qi, Gao Huan. After it was finished, Gao Cheng starved him to death in the Jinyang prison; he died eating his torn cotton-padded jacket. His corpse was thrown by the roadside, and his household was confiscated. The Grand Commandant’s Chief Clerk, Song Youdao, collected his body for burial. Gao Cheng said to Song Youdao, “I recently wrote to various dignitaries in the capital, discussing the court’s scholars, and I thought you were partial to cliques, which would be a great malady. Now I know that you truly value old friends and uphold righteousness. The world fears for you, but they do not understand my heart.” On the xinchou day of September, Gao Cheng returned to Jinyang.
The emperor ordered Xiao Yuanming to dam the Si River at Hanshan to flood Pengcheng, and after capturing Pengcheng, to advance and form a pincer with Hou Jing. On the guimao day, Xiao Yuanming camped at Hanshan, eighteen li from Pengcheng, and cut off the river to build a dam. The Attendant Yang Kan oversaw the construction of the dam, which was completed in twenty days. The governor of Xuzhou of Eastern Wei, Taiyuan native Wang Ze, defended the city firmly. Yang Kan urged Xiao Yuanming to take advantage of the flood to attack Pengcheng, but Xiao Yuanming did not listen. When the various generals discussed military matters with Xiao Yuanming, he could not answer, only saying, “Act according to circumstances.”
In winter, the eleventh month, the Grand Preceptor of Western Wei, Yuwen Tai, accompanied the Western Wei emperor in hunting at Qiyang.
Dong Wei Grand General Gao Cheng sent Grand Commander Gao Yue to relieve Pengcheng, intending to appoint Jinmen Commandery Duke Pan Le as his deputy. Chen Yuankang said, "Pan Le is slow-witted and not adept at adapting to circumstances; it would be better to use Murong Shaozong. Moreover, this was the late king’s command. If you can treat this man with complete sincerity, Hou Jing will no longer be a concern." At that time, Murong Shaozong was away in another region. Gao Cheng wanted to summon him but feared he might become alarmed and rebel. Chen Yuankang said, "Murong Shaozong knows that I am particularly favored and treated well by you, and recently he sent someone to give me gold. To reassure him, I accepted the gold and replied to his letter generously, assuring him of no disloyal intentions." On the yiyou day, Murong Shaozong was appointed as the Southeast Circuit Chief Commander, setting out together with Gao Yue and Pan Le. Initially, when Hou Jing heard that Han Gui was coming, he said, "What can that boy who eats pig intestines accomplish?" When he heard that Gao Yue was coming, he said, "The soldiers are elite, but the general is mediocre." He held none of the generals in regard. But when he heard that Murong Shaozong was coming, he struck his saddle with a look of fear and said, "Who taught that Xianbei boy to send Murong Shaozong? If so, then the King of Gao must not yet be dead, right?"
Gao Cheng appointed Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review Du Bi as Military Supervisor and acting Left Chief Clerk of the Circuit. On the eve of his departure, Gao Cheng asked him for the essentials of governance and matters that could serve as warnings, telling him to record one or two items. Du Bi requested to speak orally, saying, "The great affairs of the world are nothing beyond rewards and punishments. Rewarding one person brings joy to all under heaven; punishing one person brings fear to all under heaven. If these two matters are without error, then naturally everything will be perfectly good." Gao Cheng was greatly pleased and said, "Though the words are few, the principle is indeed essential."
Murong Shaozong led a hundred thousand troops to occupy Tuotuo Xian. Yang Kan urged Zhenyang Marquis Xiao Yuanming to attack while they had come from afar, but Xiao Yuanming did not listen. The next day, Yang Kan again urged him to give battle, but he still did not listen. Yang Kan then led his own troops out of the city and camped on the dyke.
On the bingwu day, Murong Shaozong arrived at the city wall, leading ten thousand infantry and cavalry to attack the camp of Tanzhou Governor Guo Feng, with arrows falling like rain. Xiao Yuanming was drunk and could not rise; he ordered the various generals to go to the rescue, but none dared to go into battle. Northern Yanzhou Governor Hu Guisun said to Qiaozhou Governor Zhao Bochao, "We led our troops here—what was our original purpose? Now that we encounter the enemy, do we not go out to fight?" Zhao Bochao could not answer. Hu Guisun alone led his subordinates to engage the Dong Wei forces, beheading two hundred men. Zhao Bochao, commanding several thousand troops, did not dare to rescue him, and said to his subordinates, "The enemy is so strong; engaging them will surely lead to defeat. It would be better to preserve our army and return early, thereby avoiding punishment." Everyone said, "Good!" So they fled back.
Initially, Hou Jing often warned the Liang people, "When pursuing a defeated army, do not go beyond two li." When Murong Shaozong was about to fight, because the Liang people were swift and fierce, fearing his own troops could not withstand them, he led the generals and soldiers one by one, telling them, "I will feign retreat to lure the Wu boys forward, and you attack them from behind." The Dong Wei forces indeed pretended to retreat, and the Liang people, ignoring Hou Jing’s advice, took advantage and advanced deep. The Dong Wei generals and soldiers, seeing Murong Shaozong’s words come true, vied to attack them from behind together. The Liang army suffered a great defeat; Zhenyang Marquis Xiao Yuanming, along with Hu Guisun, Zhao Bochao, and others, were all captured by Dong Wei, with tens of thousands of soldiers lost. Yang Kan arrayed his formation and slowly withdrew.
The Emperor was taking a nap when the eunuch Zhang Sengyin reported that Zhu Yi had urgent matters to present. The Emperor was startled, immediately rose, boarded his sedan chair, and went to the Wende Palace pavilion. Zhu Yi said, "The battle at Hanshan has been lost." Upon hearing this, the Emperor was dazed and almost fell from his bed. Zhang Sengyin helped him sit down, and the Emperor then sighed and said, "I fear I will not escape the fate of the Jin Emperor!"
Guo Feng retreated to hold Tanzhou, and Murong Shaozong advanced and besieged him. On the jiashen day of the twelfth month (the first day of the month), Guo Feng abandoned the city and fled.
Eastern Wei sent the army secretary Du Bi to draft a proclamation and deliver it to the Liang court, saying: “The imperial house has received Heaven’s mandate, its radiance matching that of Heaven above. Only the lands of Wu and Yue alone remain isolated, obstructed from awe-inspiring transformation. The sovereign cherishes the intent to cease warfare; the chief minister reduces the mustering of war chariots. Thus, they released the southern captives and informed them of harmony and amity. Although the good strategies and far-reaching plans originate from our side, the cessation of war and the nurturing of the people bring benefit to the other party. Hou Jing, that petty fellow, bred suspicion within himself, far entrusting himself to Guan and Long, relying on treacherous men. The rebel lord established the bond of ruler and minister; the false minister formed brotherly affection. How could it be said there was no grace and righteousness? Yet in the end, he could not be tamed. Soon he changed his mind and personally stirred up war. His provocations and cruelty, his full measure of evil, left him with no refuge. He took Jinling as a den for fugitives and Jiangnan as a place of exile. With sweet words and humble rites, he offered lavish gifts to scheme for himself. His deceptive talk and baseless claims—his intent can be discerned. Yet the counterfeit court above and below rejoiced in calamity and forgot righteousness. The ruler was licentious above; the ministers deceived below. They colluded with vile villains, severed friendly relations with neighboring states, conscripted troops to guard the borders, and indulged bandits in invading other lands. Things have no fixed form; affairs have no fixed situation. Sometimes gaining advantage leads to harm; sometimes gaining something leads to greater loss. Thus, Wu invaded the borders of Qi and ultimately brought upon itself Gou Jian’s army. Zhao accepted Han’s territory and finally suffered the defeat at Changping. How much more so when they whip the weary people, encroach upon Xu’s territory, build ramparts and block rivers, abandon boats and seek profit by luck? Therefore, the generals who hold drumsticks and command banners, and the elite soldiers who can leap high and hurl stones, all harbor anger and change countenance, as if rushing to avenge personal grievances. The enemy links camps and gathers troops, relying on mountains and rivers. They raise mantis-like axes, don dung-beetle-like shells, sit on the ruts of a desperate cart awaiting its wheels, and sit on piled firewood awaiting burning. When the blades first clash and the dust just meets, they already abandon their spears and shields, collapsing like crumbling earth. Counting fingers on boats, bundling armor beneath drums, people of the same clan or different surnames, bound and led away, follow one after another. Right and wrong are not the same; strength and weakness are not equal. To gain one man but lose a state—to see a yellow bird but forget the deep pit—this is what the wise do not do and what the benevolent do not desire. Truly, the past is hard to recover, but the future can still be remedied. Hou Jing, a vulgar and base person, encountered a favorable turn of events, reaching the rank of the Three Dukes and enfeoffment with ten thousand households. According to reason, he should have measured himself and assessed his lot, knowing long ago to be content and stop. Yet he has been restless and fickle, repeatedly turning away and scattering. How could this be without cause? His intent can be seen. And you have given him sharp weapons, taught him the principle of careless storage, enabling him to use the situation to harbor treachery and seize the moment to act. Now, seeing the southern wind does not prevail, Heaven’s destruction shows signs. The old villain’s treacherous schemes will arise again. However, destroying the strong is difficult; breaking the withered and rotten is easy. Calculating that he is not a fierce general like Sun Wu or Wu Qi, nor elite troops like those of Yan or Zhao, yet he is still one long experienced in battle and familiar with military affairs. How can he be equated with a reckless and violent army, different from fragile and easily defeated forces? Resisting them leaves morale insufficient; attacking them leaves strength in excess. In the end, I fear the tail will be too big to wag; the heel will be thicker than the thigh. Stubborn and refusing to obey, fierce and hard to tame. Summon them, and they rebel quickly with lesser harm; do not attack them, and they rebel slowly with greater harm. They will gaze far at the Tingwei, unwilling to be subjects, occupy Huainan on their own, and also seek to claim the title of emperor. I only fear that if Chu loses its monkey, the harm will spread to the trees; if fire breaks out at the city gate, it will bring disaster to the fish in the moat. In vain will the scholars of Jiang and Huai, the people of Jing and Yang, die under arrows and stones, perish young in mist and dew. Your Liang ruler’s conduct is unknown; his rashness and risk-taking are constant. He boasts of merits from shooting sparrows, boasts of strength from rowing boats. His years are already old, and he is additionally senile. Government is scattered, the people are in flight; rites are ruined, music is destroyed. Add to this his improper use of men, his loss of measure in appointing and deposing. He feigns emotions to startle the age, adorns his intelligence to alarm the foolish. His heart is full of poison, yet he vainly speaks of abstaining from enterprise. Inwardly restless and competitive, he mistakenly talks of purity and quiet. Heaven sends down calamities and anomalies; below, resentment and slander arise. Everyone is weary and bitter; every household thinks of rebellion. The frost has been trodden for a while, and hard ice will soon come. They spread a treacherous and frivolous custom, employ frivolous descendants. The path of cliques is wide open; military power lies outside. Disaster will surely arise among flesh and bone, conflict will start at the bosom. Strong crossbows rush the city; long spears point at the palace. In vain will they capture young sparrows, unable to rescue the empty treasury; empty will they beg for bear paws, how can they prolong a moment of life? External collapse and internal dissolution—the time is now. The snipe and the clam contend; we will take advantage of their exhaustion. We are about to let fine horses chase the wind, let elite armor gleam in the sun, let the twenty-eight generals stand side by side, let the million troops gather in a host. With the force of a rolling stone, we will achieve the momentum of splitting bamboo. We should cause Zhongshan to cross the river, the blue canopy to enter Luoyang. Thorns will grow in the palace of Jianye, deer will roam in the halls of Gusu. I only fear that where war chariots trample, where sword cavalry ravage, the catalpa and zelkova will break here, the bamboo arrows will be destroyed here. If the royal sons of Wu, the nobles of Shu, submit at the military gate and entrust themselves to the lower officials, they will be immediately granted the rank of guest minister and specially given the title of General of the Guard. All you gentlemen, please strive to seek much blessing.” Later, the calamities and defeats of Liang all turned out as Du Bi said.
Hou Jing besieged Qiaocheng but did not capture it. He withdrew his troops and attacked Chengfu, capturing it. On the day of Renxu, he sent the acting left aide Wang Wei and others to Jiankang to persuade the emperor, saying: “The civil and military officials in Yecheng conspired together and summoned me to jointly punish Gao Cheng. The matter leaked, and Gao Cheng imprisoned Yuan Shanjian in Jinyongcheng and killed over sixty members of the Yuan clan. The hearts of the people north of the Yellow River all yearn for their ruler, asking to establish a member of the Yuan clan to follow popular will. If this is done, then Your Majesty will have the fine reputation of continuing a broken lineage, and I, Hou Jing, will have the real merit of establishing achievements. The land north of the Yellow River will become the Zhu and Ju of the sacred court; the men and women of the state will become the subjects and concubines of Great Liang.” The emperor considered it correct. On the day of Yihai, he issued an edict enfeoffing the heir of the crown prince, Yuan Zhen, as the Prince of Xianyang, providing him with troops, and allowing him to return north to preside over Wei. After crossing the river, he was permitted to ascend the throne, with his ceremonial guard equipped according to the standard of the emperor’s deputy chariot. Yuan Zhen was the son of Yuan Shu.
Xiao Yuanming was sent to Yecheng. The Eastern Wei ruler ascended the Changhe Gate to receive the captives, berated him, and then released him, sending him to Jinyang. The grand general Gao Cheng treated him very generously.
Murong Shaozong led an army to attack Hou Jing. Hou Jing had several thousand baggage carts, several thousand horses, and forty thousand soldiers, retreating to hold Woyang. Murong Shaozong had one hundred thousand soldiers, their banners and armor gleaming in the sunlight, beating drums and advancing at full speed. Hou Jing sent someone to say to them: “Are you here to see off guests, or to determine who is the victor?” Murong Shaozong said: “I want to decide the outcome with you.” So he arrayed his troops with the wind at his back. Hou Jing closed his camp and waited until the wind stopped before emerging. Murong Shaozong said: “Hou Jing is full of tricks and likes to attack people from behind.” He ordered the troops to be on guard, and indeed it happened as he said. Hou Jing ordered his soldiers to all wear short armor and wield short swords, charging into the Eastern Wei formation, only lowering their heads to cut at men’s calves and horses’ legs. The Eastern Wei army was thus defeated. Murong Shaozong fell from his horse, the councilor of ceremonies Liu Fengsheng was wounded, and the inspector of Xianzhou, Zhang Zunye, was captured by Hou Jing.
Murong Shaozong and Liu Fengsheng both fled to Qiaocheng. The lieutenant generals Hulü Guang and Zhang Shixian blamed them. Murong Shaozong said, “I have fought many battles, but I have never seen anyone as hard to defeat as Hou Jing. You try confronting him!” Hulü Guang and the others donned their armor and prepared to go into battle. Murong Shaozong warned them, “Do not cross the Woshui River.” The two men camped on the north bank of the Woshui, and Hulü Guang shot arrows from a light horse. Hou Jing, facing the Woshui, said to Hulü Guang, “You have come seeking merit, and I am leaving because I fear death. I am a friend of your father—why do you shoot at me? Do you not understand why you should not cross to the south bank of the Woshui? It was Murong Shaozong who taught you this!” Hulü Guang had no reply. Hou Jing sent his subordinate Tian She to shoot Hulü Guang’s horse, piercing its chest. Hulü Guang changed horses and hid behind a tree, but was struck again by an arrow and retreated into the ranks. Hou Jing captured Zhang Shixian but soon released him. Hulü Guang fled into Qiaocheng. Murong Shaozong said, “Now what do you think? Do you still blame me?” Hulü Guang was the son of Hulü Jin.
Kaifu Yitong Sansi Duan Shao set up camp on the south bank of the Woshui and secretly set a fire upwind. Hou Jing led his cavalry to charge into the water, emerged from it, and then retreated. The grass was wet, and the fire would not burn again.
Western Wei’s Qizhou had long suffered from warfare. When the governor Zheng Mu first took office, there were only three thousand households. Zheng Mu pacified and gathered the people, and within a few years, the number increased to over forty thousand households. His performance in office was ranked first among all prefectures. Prime Minister Yuwen Tai promoted Zheng Mu to the position of Jingzhao Yin.
Hou Jing and Eastern Wei’s Murong Shaozong were locked in stalemate for several months. Hou Jing’s food supplies were exhausted, and Sima Shiyun surrendered to Murong Shaozong.