Records of Liang, Volume 20
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 164, Chapter 164: [Liang Chronicle 20] Beginning in the year of Chongguang Xieqia and ending in the year of Xuanwei Tuntuan, covering a total of two years.
Emperor Taizong Jianwen, continued
Spring, first month: Xinwu native Yu Xiaoqing raised troops to resist Hou Jing. Hou Jing sent Yu Qing to attack him but could not conquer. On the Gengxu day, Xiangdong King Xiao Yi sent Protector-General of the Army Yin Yue, General of Pacifying the East Du You'an, and Inspector of Bazhou Wang Xun, leading twenty thousand troops from Jiangxia to Wuchang, to be placed under the command of Xu Wensheng. Yang Ganyun captured Jiange; Yang Fachen retreated to Shimen, and Yang Ganyun occupied Nanyinping. On the Xinhai day, the Northern Qi ruler performed the suburban sacrifice at the Circular Mound. Zhang Biao sent his general Zhao Leng to surround Qiantang, and Sun Feng to surround Fuchun. Hou Jing sent Commander-in-Chief of the Three Departments Tian Qian and Zhao Bosu to rescue them; Zhao Leng and Sun Feng were defeated and fled. Zhao Leng was the son of Zhao Bosu's elder brother. On the Guihai day, the Northern Qi ruler conducted the plowing ceremony. On the Yichou day, he performed sacrifices in the Grand Temple. Yang Zhong of Western Wei besieged Runan; Li Su died in battle. Second month, on the Yihai day, the city fell. Yang Zhong captured the Xie King Xiao Lun and killed him, throwing his corpse on the riverbank; Yueyang King Xiao Cha retrieved the corpse and buried it. Someone accused the Northern Qi Grand Commandant Peng Le of plotting rebellion; on the Renchun day, Peng Le was executed for this crime. Northern Qi sent Attendant Gentlemen of the Scattered Cavalry Cao Wenjiao as an envoy to Jiangling; Xiangdong King Xiao Yi sent concurrent Attendant Gentlemen of the Scattered Cavalry Wang Zimin on a return mission. Hou Jing appointed Wang Ke as Grand Preceptor, Song Zixian as Grand Protector, Yuan Luo as Grand Tutor, Guo Yuanjian as Grand Commandant, Zhi Huaren as Minister over the Masses, Ren Yue as Minister of Works, Wang Wei as Left Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Suo Chaoshi as Right Director. Hou Jing established the three highest offices, often numbering in the tens, with the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Departments being especially numerous. He appointed Song Zixian, Guo Yuanjian, and Zhi Huaren as founding meritorious officials assisting the founding, Wang Wei and Suo Chaoshi as chief strategists, Yu Ziyue and Peng Juan in charge of decision-making, and Chen Qing, Lü Jilüe, Lu Huilüe, Ding He, and others as claws and teeth. Among the Liang people employed by Hou Jing were former General Zhao Bosu, former Director of the Bureau of Manufacture Zhou Shizhen, Inner Director Yan Dan, and Shao King's Recorder Fu Zhiming. As for the rest, such as Wang Ke, Yuan Luo, Attendant of the Palace Gate Yin Buhai, and Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhou Hongzheng, Hou Jing accorded them honorable positions to align with public sentiment, but they were not his trusted confidants.
The Inspector of Beiyanzhou, Xiao Yong, plotted to surrender to Western Wei; Hou Jing killed him. Yang Ganyun advanced and occupied Pingxing, which was Yang Fachen's administrative seat. Yang Fachen retreated to Yushi Cave; Yang Ganyun burned Pingxing and then returned. Li Qianshi gathered his forces and turned back to attack Nankang; Chen Baxian sent his general Du Sengming and others to meet him, captured Li Qianshi alive, and killed him. Xiangdong King Xiao Yi ordered Chen Baxian to advance and take Jiangzhou, appointing him as its Inspector. Third month, on the Bingwu day, Northern Qi's Xiangcheng King Gao Qing died. On the Gengxu day, Western Wei's Emperor Wen, Yuan Baoju, passed away; the crown prince Yuan Qin succeeded to the throne. On the Yimao day, Xu Wensheng and others captured Wuchang and advanced to Luzhou. On the Jiwei day, Northern Qi appointed Xiangdong King Xiao Yi as Chancellor of the Liang state, established the Liang Secretariat, overseeing all government affairs, and acting on imperial authority. Northern Qi's Minister of Works Sima Ziru requested to be enfeoffed as a king; the Northern Qi ruler grew angry, and on the Gengshen day, dismissed Sima Ziru from his office. Ren Yue sent an urgent message to Hou Jing; Hou Jing personally led his forces westward, taking the crown prince Xiao Daqi along as a hostage, leaving Wang Wei to guard Jiankang. Intercalary month, Hou Jing departed from Jiankang; from Stone City to Xinlin, his warships were linked bow to stern. Ren Yue divided his troops, defeated and attacked the Inspector of Dingzhou, Tian Zulong, at Qi'an. On the Renyin day, Hou Jing's army reached Xiyang and built fortifications across the river from Xu Wensheng. On the Guimao day, Xu Wensheng defeated Hou Jing, shooting and killing Hou Jing's Right Aide Ku Di Shijie, who fell into the water and died; Hou Jing fled back to his camp. Summer, fourth month, on the Jiachen day, Western Wei buried Emperor Wen at Yongling.
The Inspector of Yingzhou, Xiao Fangzhu, was only fifteen years old. Because the Administrator Bao Quan was weak, he often insulted and slighted him, sometimes making him lie on a couch and riding on his back as if on a horse. Relying on the presence of Xu Wensheng's large army nearby, he made no further defensive preparations, spending his days playing chupu and drinking wine. When Hou Jing heard that Jiangxia was undefended, on the Yisi day, he sent Song Zixian and Ren Yue, leading four hundred elite cavalry, to attack Yingzhou via the inner line of the Huai River. On the Bingwu day, a violent wind and rainstorm darkened the sky. Someone who had climbed the city wall and spotted the enemy troops told Bao Quan, "Enemy cavalry have arrived!" Bao Quan said, "Xu Wensheng's large army is downstream; how could the enemy get here? It must be Wang Xun's soldiers returning." Then, as the number of people reporting increased, he finally ordered the city gates closed, but Song Zixian and his men had already entered the city. Xiao Fangzhu was sitting on Bao Quan's belly, weaving five-colored ribbons into his beard. When he saw Song Zixian arriving, Xiao Fangzhu stepped forward and bowed, while Bao Quan hid under the bed. Song Zixian, leaning down, saw the colors in Bao Quan's white beard and was startled; he then captured them both, along with the Administrator of the Horse Yu Yu, and sent them all to Hou Jing. Taking advantage of the wind, Hou Jing raised his sails on the river and thus bypassed Xu Wensheng's army. On the Dingwei day, he entered Jiangxia. Xu Wensheng's troops, terrified, scattered; he and the Changsha King Xiao Shao and others fled back to Jiangling. Wang Xun and Du You'an, because their families were in Jiangxia, surrendered to Hou Jing.
Xiangdong King Xiao Yi appointed Wang Sengbian as Grand Commander, leading the Inspector of Bazhou, Danyang native Chunyu Liang, the Inspector of Dingzhou, Du Kan, the Inspector of Yizhou, Wang Lin, and the Inspector of Chenzhou, Pei Zhiheng, to march east and attack Hou Jing; all generals from Xu Wensheng downward were placed under his command. On the Wushen day, Wang Sengbian and his forces advanced and reached Baling. Hearing that Yingzhou had fallen, they halted and stationed themselves there. Xiao Yi wrote to Wang Sengbian, saying: "Since the rebels are advancing on their victory, they will certainly invade westward; there is no need to exhaust the army in a distant campaign. Just hold Baling securely, waiting at ease for the exhausted enemy; there is no worry about not winning." He also said to his aides: "If Hou Jing advances with both water and land forces, directly attacking Jiangling, that is the upper strategy. If he occupies Xiashou, stockpiling troops and provisions, that is the middle strategy. If he concentrates his entire force on attacking Baling, that is the lower strategy. Baling city is small but strong; Wang Sengbian is sufficient to entrust with this task. If Hou Jing cannot take the city in an assault and finds nothing to plunder in the countryside, summer heat and epidemics will arise; when provisions are exhausted and his soldiers are weary, defeating him is certain." He then ordered the Inspector of Luozhou, Xu Siyi, to lead troops from Yueyang, and the Inspector of Wuzhou, Du Ze, to lead troops from Wuling, to join Wang Sengbian.
Hou Jing sent Ding He with five thousand soldiers to guard Xiashou, Song Zixian with ten thousand soldiers as the vanguard, heading straight for Baling, and also dispatched Ren Yue to take a direct route to Jiangling, while Hou Jing himself led the main army by both land and water. Consequently, the garrison and patrol forces along the river, seeing his approach, all requested to submit; Hou Jing's patrols extended as far as Yinji. Wang Sengbian climbed the city wall and held firm, lowering his flags and silencing his drums, appearing as calm as if no one were there. On the Renxu day, Hou Jing's troops crossed the river and sent light cavalry to the foot of the city, asking: "Who is in the city?" The reply came: "Wang, the Army Commander." The cavalry said: "Why not surrender early?" Wang Sengbian said: "Your great army should just proceed to Jingzhou; this city is naturally no obstacle." The cavalry departed. Soon after, they brought Wang Xun and others to the city wall and made him urge his younger brother Wang Lin to surrender. Wang Lin said: "Brother, you were ordered to punish the rebels; you could not die for the state, and yet you feel no shame, but instead try to lure me into surrendering!" He drew his bow and shot at him; Wang Xun retreated in shame. Hou Jing personally engaged in hand-to-hand combat to attack the city, launching assaults from multiple routes. Within the city, drums and shouts arose, and arrows and rocks fell like rain. Many of Hou Jing's soldiers were killed or wounded, and he thus withdrew his troops. Wang Sengbian sent light troops out to fight, engaging in more than ten skirmishes, all of which were victorious. Hou Jing, clad in armor, supervised the battle beneath the city wall. Wang Sengbian, wearing his official sash, riding in a sedan chair, and playing military music, inspected the city. Hou Jing saw this and admired his courage and boldness.
Yueyang King Xiao Cha, hearing that Hou Jing had captured Yingzhou, sent Cai Dabao with ten thousand soldiers to occupy Wuning and sent an envoy to Jiangling, falsely claiming to come to the rescue. The officials discussed whether to reply that Hou Jing had already been defeated, to make him withdraw his troops. Xiangdong King Xiao Yi said: "Now telling him to retreat would be urging him to advance." He then sent someone to say to Cai Dabao: "The Yueyang King has repeatedly sent letters requesting peace and mutual non-aggression; why have you suddenly occupied Wuning? Now we should send the Grand Administrator of Tianmen, Hu Sengyou, with twenty thousand elite troops and five thousand iron-clad cavalry to station at Jianshui, awaiting the opportunity to advance." When Xiao Cha heard this, he recalled his troops. Hu Sengyou was a native of Nanyang.
In the fifth month, Li Hu, the Duke of Longxi of Western Wei, passed away. Hou Jing attacked Baling day and night but could not capture it; his army’s food supplies were exhausted, and disease and plague caused more than half of his troops to die or be wounded. The Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, sent the Inspector of Jinzhou, Xiao Huizheng, to lead troops to relieve Baling, but Xiao Huizheng declined, claiming he was unfit for the task, and recommended Hu Sengyou to replace him. Hu Sengyou was at that time imprisoned for offending the ruler in a discussion of state affairs. Xiao Yi immediately released him, appointed him as General of Fierce Bravery, and ordered him to go to the rescue, instructing him: “If the rebels engage in naval battle, merely use large ships to press close to them, and you will surely prevail. If they intend to fight on land, you can sail directly to Baling and avoid confrontation.” When Hu Sengyou reached Xiangpu, Hou Jing sent Ren Yue to lead five thousand elite soldiers to occupy Baiji and await him. Hu Sengyou took another route westward, and Ren Yue, believing he was afraid, pursued him hastily, catching up at Qiankou and shouting to Hu Sengyou: “You Wu-land brat, why not surrender early! Where can you flee!” Hu Sengyou did not respond but secretly led his troops to Chishating, where he happened to meet the Inspector of Xinzhou, Lu Fahe, and combined forces with him. Lu Fahe possessed strange magical arts; he had previously lived in seclusion on Baili Islet in Jiangling, dressing and living like an ascetic monk, sometimes predicting good or ill fortune, which mostly came true, and no one could fathom him. When Hou Jing besieged the Terrace City, someone asked him: “How will things turn out?” Lu Fahe said: “When commoners pick fruit, they should wait for it to ripen; if you don’t touch it, it will fall on its own.” Pressed repeatedly, Lu Fahe said: “It will be both victory and no victory.” When Ren Yue marched toward Jiangling, Lu Fahe volunteered to attack him, and Xiao Yi consented. On the Renyin day, Ren Yue reached Chiting. In the sixth month, on the Jiachen day, Hu Sengyou and Lu Fahe launched an attack against him; Ren Yue’s army was utterly defeated, with many killed or drowned, and Ren Yue was captured and sent to Jiangling. When Hou Jing heard this, on the Yisi day, he burned his camp and fled by night. He appointed Ding He as Inspector of Yingzhou, left Song Zixian and others, with a force reportedly numbering twenty thousand, to defend Yingcheng; and sent Zhi Huaren to garrison Lushan, Fan Xirong to act as governor of Jiangzhou, and the Three Dukes of the Yitong rank Ren Yanhe and the Inspector of Jinzhou, Xiahou Weisheng, to defend Jinzhou. Hou Jing, with several thousand of his followers, went downstream. Ding He crushed Bao Quan and Yu Yu to death with large stones and sank their bodies at Huangheji. Ren Yue was delivered to Jiangling, and Xiao Yi pardoned him. Xu Wensheng, because of harboring resentment, was imprisoned and executed. The Inspector of Bazhou, Yu Xiaoqing, sent his nephew Yu Sengzhong to lead troops to relieve Poyang, and Yu Qing retreated.
Xiao Yi appointed Wang Sengbian as General of the Eastern Expedition and Master of Writings, and promoted Hu Sengyou and others in rank, ordering them to lead troops eastward. Lu Fahe requested to return; after arriving, he said to Xiao Yi: “Hou Jing will naturally be pacified, but the bandits from Shu are about to come; allow me to hold the strategic passes and await them.” He then led his troops to garrison at Xiakou. On the Gengshen day, Wang Sengbian reached Hankou; he first attacked Lushan, captured Zhi Huaren, and sent him to Jiangling. On the Xinyou day, he attacked Yingzhou, breached its outer city, and beheaded a thousand men. Song Zixian retreated to hold the inner city, and Wang Sengbian piled up earthen mounds on all sides to assault it.
The Inspector of Yuzhou, Xun Lang, set out from Chaohu to enter the Ruxu River and intercept Hou Jing, defeating his rear guard. Hou Jing fled back, and his ships were scattered. The Crown Prince’s ship entered Zongyangpu; his close attendants aboard urged him to take this opportunity to flee northward. The Crown Prince said: “Since the state suffered defeat and ruin, my will has been to seek not life; the sovereign has endured humiliation—how could I bear to leave his side! If I were to leave now, it would be to betray my father, not to avoid the rebels.” Then, sobbing and weeping, he immediately ordered the ship to proceed. On the Jiazi day, Song Zixian and his men, hard-pressed and desperate, offered to surrender Yingcheng and return to Hou Jing. Wang Sengbian feigned agreement, ordering a hundred ships to reassure them. Song Zixian, believing it genuine, set sail to depart. Wang Sengbian ordered Du Kan to lead a thousand elite soldiers to scale the battlements, clamoring as they charged in; the naval commander Song Yao led tower ships to encircle them in the dark river at night. Song Zixian fought as he retreated, reaching Baiyangpu, where he was utterly defeated. Zhou Tiehu captured Song Zixian and Ding He alive and sent them to Jiangling, where they were executed.
On the Gengwu day, the Lord of Northern Qi, because Sima Ziru was an old acquaintance of the late emperor, reappointed him as Grand Commandant. The Marquis of Jiang’an, Xiao Yuanzheng, serving as Grand Administrator of Xiyang, was generous and kind, fond of giving alms; many people attached themselves to him, and he had ten thousand troops. The Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, plotted against him, appointing him as General of Pacifying the South. When he arrived, Xiao Yi did not meet him but had the Prince of Nanping, Xiao Ke, drink with him; when he was drunk, he imprisoned him in the inner palace, divided his troops, and sent someone to denounce his crimes. The conflict between Jingzhou and Yizhou began from this point.
Chen Baxian led his troops from Nankang. The Gan River originally had twenty-four rapids; it happened that the river rose several zhang in a single day, and for three hundred li, the boulders were all submerged. Chen Baxian advanced and encamped at Xichang.
The Tiele were about to attack the Rouran, but the Turkic chieftain Tumen intercepted and defeated them, subjugating all of their more than fifty thousand tents. Tumen, relying on his strength, sought a marriage alliance with the Rouran. The Rouran Khagan, Toubing, flew into a rage and sent someone to revile him, saying: “You are my blacksmith slave—how dare you speak such words!” Tumen also became enraged, killed the envoy, and thus broke relations with the Rouran, instead seeking a marriage with Western Wei. The Grand Chancellor of Western Wei, Yuwen Tai, married the Princess of Changle to him.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the Yihai day, the Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, appointed the Prince of Changsha, Xiao Shao, to oversee the affairs of Yingzhou. On the Dinghai day, Hou Jing returned to Jiankang. Yu Qing returned from Poyang to Yuzhang; Hou Zhen closed the city gates and resisted him. Yu Qing fled to Jiangzhou and occupied Guocheng Fort. Xiao Yi appointed Hou Zhen as Inspector of Yanzhou. Hou Jing killed all of Hou Zhen’s brothers. On the Xinchou day, Wang Sengbian, following his victory, took the city of Pengcheng. Chen Baxian led his thirty thousand troops to join him, encamping at Baqiu. The western army lacked food; Chen Baxian had five hundred thousand shi of grain and gave three hundred thousand shi to support them.
In the eighth month, on the Renshen day, Wang Sengbian’s vanguard attacked Yu Qing; Yu Qing abandoned Guocheng Fort and fled, and Fan Xirong also abandoned Xunyang City and fled. The Prince of Jinxi, Xiao Sengzhen, and others raised troops to besiege the commandery city. Wang Sengbian sent the Inspector of Shazhou, Ding Daogui, to assist him, and Ren Yanhe and others abandoned the city and fled. The Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, ordered Wang Sengbian to temporarily camp at Xunyang to await the assembly of all the armies.
Initially, after Hou Jing captured Jiankang, he often said that the people of Wu were timid and weak, easy to surprise and seize. He should first pacify the Central Plains, then ascend the throne. Hou Jing married the emperor’s daughter, the Princess of Liyang, and doted on her, which interfered with state affairs. Wang Wei repeatedly remonstrated, and Hou Jing told the princess; the princess spoke harshly. Wang Wei, fearing slander, then urged Hou Jing to eliminate the emperor. After Hou Jing returned defeated from Baling, most of his fierce generals had died; he feared he could not last long and wished to take the throne early. Wang Wei said: “Since ancient times, when dynasties change, there must be a deposition and establishment; this both displays our authority and cuts off the people’s hopes for the old ruler.” Hou Jing followed his advice. He had the former Academician of the Shouguang Hall, Xie Hao, draft an edict, stating: “The younger brothers and nephews contended for the throne, the stars lost their order—all because I am not the rightful heir, bringing disaster and chaos. I should abdicate in favor of the Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Dong.” He sent Lü Jilüe into the palace to force the emperor to write it. Xiao Dong was the son of Xiao Huan. On the Wuwu day, Hou Jing sent the Commandant of the Palace Guard, Peng Juan, and others to lead troops into the palace, deposing the emperor as the Prince of Jin’an, confining him in Yongfu Province, removing all inner and outer guards, and posting cavalry to watch him left and right, filling the walls with brambles. On the Gengshen day, an edict was issued to welcome the Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Dong, to the throne. Xiao Dong was then imprisoned, with scant provisions, surviving on vegetables. Just as he and his consort, Lady Zhang, were hoeing amaranth, the imperial carriage suddenly arrived; Xiao Dong was startled, at a loss, and weeping, mounted the carriage.
Hou Jing killed the Heir Apparent Xiao Dazhi, the Prince of Xunyang Xiao Daxin, the Prince of Xiyang Xiao Dajun, the Prince of Jianping Xiao Daqiu, the Prince of Yi'an Xiao Daxin, and over twenty other princes and marquises in Jiankang. The heir apparent was dignified and upright, never currying favor with Hou Jing's partisans. Those close to him privately asked why, and the heir apparent said, "If the bandits act according to righteousness, they may not necessarily kill me. Even if I am slighted or rebuked, I will ultimately not dare to speak out. If the time for my death has come, even if I bowed a hundred times a day, it would be of no benefit." They further asked, "Your Highness is now in dire straits, yet your demeanor is as serene and calm as usual—why is this?" The heir apparent replied, "I estimate that my day of death will surely come before that of the bandits. If my uncles can destroy the bandits, the bandits will certainly kill me first, and then I will die. If not, the bandits will also kill me to gain wealth and honor. How can I, with a life that must end, bear useless sorrow?" When he met his end, his expression did not change; he said slowly, "I knew of this long ago; I only regret that it came too late!" The executioner tried to strangle him with a sash, but the heir apparent said, "This cannot kill me." He ordered them to take a tent cord to strangle him.
On the Renxu day, Xiao Dong ascended the throne as emperor. A general amnesty was granted, and the reign era was changed to Tianzheng. Grand Commandant Guo Yuanjian, upon hearing this, rode swiftly back from Qin Commandery and said to Hou Jing, "The former ruler was the heir apparent of the late emperor; he had no faults. How could he be deposed!" Hou Jing said, "Wang Wei urged me, saying, 'Remove the people's expectations early.' I followed him to pacify the realm." Guo Yuanjian said, "We hold the Son of Heaven to command the nobles, yet we still fear failure. To depose him for no reason is to invite our own destruction—where is the stability in that?" Hou Jing wanted to welcome the emperor back to the throne and make Xiao Dong the Grand Heir. Wang Wei said, "Deposing and establishing a ruler is a major affair; how can it be changed repeatedly?" So it was abandoned.
On the Yichou day, Hou Jing sent people to kill the Prince of Nanhai Xiao Dalin in Wu Commandery, the Prince of Nan Commandery Xiao Dalian at Gushu, the Prince of Anlu Xiao Dachun at Kuaiji, and the Prince of Gaotang Xiao Dazhuang at Jingkou. He bestowed the heir apparent's consort on Guo Yuanjian, but Guo said, "How can the consort of an heir apparent become a concubine?" He ultimately refused to see her and allowed her to become a nun.
On the Bingyin day, posthumous honors were conferred: the Zhaoming Heir Apparent was made Emperor Zhaoming, the Prince of Yuzhang An was made Emperor An, the Consort Jin Hua Jing was made Grand Empress Dowager Jing, the Princess Dowager of Yuzhang, née Wang, became Empress Dowager, and the consort Zhang became Empress. Liu Shenmao was appointed Minister of Works.
In the ninth month, on the Guisi day, the Northern Qi ruler went to Zhao Prefecture and Ding Prefecture, then proceeded to Jinyang. On the Jihai day, the Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, appointed the Minister of Works, Wang Sengbian, as the Inspector of Jiang Prefecture, and the Inspector of Jiang Prefecture, Chen Baxian, as the Inspector of Dongyang Prefecture.
Wang Wei urged Hou Jing to kill Emperor Taizong to sever the people's hopes, and Hou Jing agreed. In winter, on the Renyin night of the tenth month, Wang Wei, along with Left Guard General Peng Juan and Wang Xiuzuan, presented wine to Emperor Taizong, saying, "The Chancellor, deeming that Your Majesty has been long under confinement and sorrow, has sent us to offer wine and wish long life." Emperor Taizong laughed and said, "I have already abdicated; how can I be called 'Your Majesty'! This longevity wine—I fear it will not end here!" Then Peng Juan and the others played a curved-neck pipa and drank heartily with Emperor Taizong. Knowing he was about to die, Emperor Taizong drank until he was deeply intoxicated and said, "I never thought I would enjoy pleasure to such an extent!" After he fell asleep drunk, Wang Wei withdrew, Peng Juan brought in a sack of earth, and Wang Xiuzuan sat on it, and Emperor Taizong died. Wang Wei removed a door leaf to make a coffin and moved the remains to the wine storehouse north of the city. After being imprisoned, Emperor Taizong had no attendants or paper, so he wrote on walls and screens, composing several hundred poems and essays, their words extremely mournful. Hou Jing gave him the posthumous title of Emperor Ming and the temple name Gaozong.
When Hou Jing approached Jiangling, the Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, sought aid from Western Wei and ordered the Inspector of Liang and Qin Commanderies, the Marquis of Yifeng Xiao Xun, to surrender Nan Zheng to Western Wei and recall Xiao Xun to Jiangling. Xiao Xun considered that yielding a city without cause was not the conduct of a loyal subject and replied, "Please await a changed order." The Grand Preceptor of Western Wei, Yuwen Tai, sent General-in-Chief Daxi Wu with 30,000 soldiers to take Hanzhong and also sent General-in-Chief Wang Xiong to march via the Ziwu Valley to attack Shangjin. Xiao Xun sent his Recorder, Liu Fan of Pei, to seek aid from the Prince of Wuling, Xiao Ji, who sent the Inspector of Tong Prefecture, Yang Ganyun, to rescue him. Xiao Xun was Xiao Hui's son.
Wang Sengbian and others, upon hearing of the death of Emperor Taizong, on the Bingchen day, submitted a memorial to the Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, requesting that he assume the imperial title; Xiao Yi did not consent. The Minister of Works and Commissioner of the Eastern Circuit, Liu Shenmao, upon hearing that Hou Jing had returned after defeat at Baqiu, secretly planned to rebel against Hou Jing. The scholar-officials of Wu all encouraged him; so he, along with Chief Controller Yisitong Yin Sihe, Liu Guiyi, Wang Ye, and General of Cloud-Soaring Banner Yuan Gui, occupied Dongyang to respond to Jiangling. They sent Yuan Gui and other commander Li Zhan to hold the mouth of the Jiande River. Zhang Biao attacked Yongjia and captured it. The people of Xin'an, Cheng Lingxi, raised troops to occupy the commandery city in response to Liu Shenmao. Thus, all territory east of the Zhe River submitted to Jiangling. The Prince of Xiangdong, Xiao Yi, appointed Cheng Lingxi as the Inspector of Qiao Prefecture and concurrently as the Grand Administrator of Xin'an.
In the eleventh month, on the Yihai day, Wang Sengbian and others again submitted a memorial urging Xiao Yi to take the throne, but he did not consent. On the Wuyin day, Xiao Yi appointed the Inspector of Xiang Prefecture, the Marquis of An'nan Xiao Fangju, as General of the Central Guard to serve as his deputy. Xiao Fangju was Xiao Fangzhu's younger brother. He appointed the Prince of Nanping, Xiao Ke, as the Inspector of Xiang Prefecture.
Hou Jing appointed Zhao Bochao as Commissioner of the Eastern Circuit to hold Qiantang; he appointed Tian Qian as Army Supervisor to hold Fuchun; he appointed Li Qingxu as Commander of the Central Army, Xie Daren as Commander of the Right Wing, and Li Zun as Commander of the Left Wing to campaign against Liu Shenmao. On the Jimao day, Hou Jing was granted the Nine Bestowals, and the Han state established the offices of Chancellor and below. On the Jichou day, the Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Dong, abdicated in favor of Hou Jing, who ascended the imperial throne in the southern suburbs. On his return, he mounted the Taiji Hall. His partisans, tens of thousands in number, all whistling and shouting, surged up the steps. A general amnesty was granted, and the reign era was changed to Taishi. Xiao Dong was enfeoffed as the Prince of Huaiyin, and together with his two younger brothers, Xiao Qiao and Xiao Jiu, they were locked in a secret chamber.
Wang Wei requested the establishment of a seven-generation ancestral temple. Hou Jing asked, "What is a seven-generation temple?" Wang Wei said, "The Son of Heaven sacrifices to seven generations of ancestors." He also asked for the names of the seven generations. Hou Jing said, "I do not remember the earlier ones; I only recall that my father was named Biao. Moreover, he is in Shuo Prefecture—how could he come here to eat these offerings!" Everyone laughed at him. Among Hou Jing's partisans, some knew that his grandfather was named Yiyuzhou; the rest were fabricated names by Wang Wei. Hou Jing posthumously honored his father Hou Biao as Emperor Yuan.
When Hou Jing was Chancellor, he used the Western Prefecture as his residence and received civil and military officials regardless of rank. But after entering the palace, he would not see anyone who was not an old acquaintance, so many generals harbored resentment. Hou Jing liked to ride a small horse alone and shoot at flying birds with a pellet bow. Wang Wei often forbade him, not allowing him to go out easily. Hou Jing became morose and more dispirited, saying, "I have done nothing to become emperor; it is no different from being rejected."
On the Renchen day, the Prince of Xiangdong appointed the Prince of Changsha, Xiao Shao, as the Inspector of Ying Prefecture.
The Chief Administrator of Yi Prefecture, Liu Xiaosheng, and others urged the Prince of Wuling, Xiao Ji, to proclaim himself emperor. Although Xiao Ji did not agree, he extensively manufactured imperial chariots and regalia.
In the twelfth month, on the Dingwei day, Xie Daren and Li Qingxu attacked Jiande, capturing Yuan Gui and Li Zhan and sending them to Jiankang. Hou Jing had their hands and feet cut off and displayed them in public; they died after a day.
The Northern Qi ruler, whenever he went out or came in, always had the Prince of Zhongshan, Yuan Shanjian, accompany him. The Princess of Taiyuan always tasted his food and looked after him. That month, the Northern Qi ruler gave the princess wine and sent someone to poison the Prince of Zhongshan, along with his three sons. He posthumously named the prince Emperor Xiaojing of Wei and buried him north of the Zhang River west of Ye City. Later, the Northern Qi ruler suddenly had his tomb excavated and cast the coffin into the Zhang River. When the Northern Qi ruler first accepted the abdication, the spirit tablets of the Northern Wei rulers were all stored in the Seven Emperors Temple; at this time, they were also taken out and burned.
Yuan Shao, the Prince of Pengcheng, was treated with special favor among the Yuan clan because he was the son-in-law of the Gao family. Kai Fu Yi Tong San Si Yuan Huiye, the Prince of Meiyang, was particularly feared by the Northern Qi ruler due to his prominent status and lofty aspirations. While accompanying the Northern Qi ruler in Jinyang, Yuan Huiye cursed Yuan Shao outside the palace gates, saying: "You are worse than an old woman—you handed the imperial seal to someone else. Why didn’t you smash it to pieces! I say this knowing I will die soon, but how much longer can you live?" When the Northern Qi ruler heard this, he had Yuan Huiye killed, along with Yuan Xiaoyou, the Prince of Linhuai. Both were thrown into the frozen waters of the Fen River after the ice was broken, and their bodies sank. Yuan Xiaoyou was the younger brother of Yuan Yu. The Northern Qi ruler once shaved off Yuan Shao’s sideburns, applied powder and rouge to his face, and made him follow as an attendant, saying: "I treat the Prince of Pengcheng as a palace lady." This was because he considered Yuan Shao as weak and effeminate as a woman.
Emperor Shizu Xiaoyuan, the Superior
First Year of Chengsheng (AD 552), spring, first month. Xiangdong Wang Xiao Yi appointed Wang Sengbian as Grand Marshal, commanding the of Bazhou, Chunyu Liang; the of Dingzhou, Du Kan; the of Yizhou, Wang Lin; and the of Chenzhou, Pei Zhiheng, to march eastward and attack Hou Jing. Xiao Yi set out from Jiangling and gathered his officials to swear an oath before the Xiangzhou government office. He commanded Wang Sengbian and the others, saying: "Now that all armies are advancing together, heading straight for Jiankang to punish the rebel Hou Jing, you must strive hard and not fail my expectations!" Xiao Yi also ordered Wang Sengbian and the others: "Hou Jing is a fierce and cunning villain who has betrayed the court and committed countless evils. You must unite your efforts to sweep away these vicious elements, and surely eliminate Hou Jing to avenge the nation’s shame." Wang Sengbian and the others accepted the orders and departed.
Second month. Wang Sengbian led the great army from Xunyang, with warships stretching end to end for several hundred li. When Xiao Yi heard this, he was overjoyed and said: "With this expedition, Wang Sengbian will surely destroy Hou Jing." Thereupon, Xiao Yi appointed Wang Sengbian as General Who Conquers the East, Kai Fu Yi Tong San Si, and bestowed upon him a set of drums and pipes.
Third month. Hou Jing’s general, Hou Zijian, led a water force of over ten thousand men and engaged Wang Sengbian at Gushu. He was defeated by Wang Sengbian and fled back to Jiankang. When Hou Jing heard of Hou Zijian’s defeat, he was greatly frightened and led his army to Gushu, preparing for a decisive battle with Wang Sengbian. Wang Sengbian led his main force to Wuhu, and Hou Jing’s general, Zhang Hei, abandoned the city and fled. Wang Sengbian then advanced to Gushu. Hou Jing sent his generals, Shi Anhe and Song Changgui, with two thousand troops to reinforce Hou Zijian. Wang Sengbian engaged Hou Zijian in battle and decisively defeated him; Hou Zijian barely escaped with his life. When Hou Jing heard this, he became even more panicked and led his army fleeing back to Jiankang.
Fourth month. Wang Sengbian led his great army to the walls of Jiankang. Hou Jing climbed the city wall to observe and, seeing the overwhelming might of Wang Sengbian’s forces, abandoned Jiankang and fled eastward to Wu Commandery. Wang Sengbian entered Jiankang. Xiao Yi appointed Wang Sengbian as Minister of Education, Palace Attendant, and Master of Documents, and enfeoffed him as Duke of Changning. Wang Sengbian also sent his general, Hou Tian, in pursuit of Hou Jing. Hou Jing fled to Songjiang, where Hou Tian caught up with him. Hou Jing was defeated and fled by boat into the sea with several dozen close followers. Hou Jing’s general, Yang Kun, killed Hou Jing and sent his corpse to Jiankang. Wang Sengbian sent Hou Jing’s head to Jiangling. Xiao Yi ordered that Hou Jing’s head be hung in the marketplace for public display; the common people vied to see it, and none failed to clap their hands in satisfaction.
Spring, first month. Xiangdong Wang appointed Wang Bao, the Inner Scribe of Nanping, as Minister of Personnel. Wang Bao was the grandson of Wang Qian.
The Qi people repeatedly invaded Hou Jing’s border regions. On the day Jiazhi, Hou Jing sent Guo Yuanjian to lead infantry to Xiaoxian, and Hou Zijian to lead a water force to Ruxu. On the day Jimao, they arrived at Hefei; the Qi people closed the city gates and did not engage in battle, so the forces withdrew.
On the day Bingshen, the Northern Qi ruler attacked the Kumo Xi, greatly defeating them, capturing four thousand people and over one hundred thousand various livestock.
The Northern Qi ruler had campaigned beyond the frontier for several consecutive years. Tang Yong, the Attendant Censor and concurrent Secretariat Drafter, was thoroughly familiar with military documents and affairs. From the commanding generals down, he knew the details of their merits and achievements, as well as the strength and numbers of the armies from all directions, their rotations and movements, the quality of weapons, and the state of grain reserves—nothing was unclear to him. Sometimes, when reviewing troops before the emperor, even if there were several thousand men, he could call out names orally without using written records, and never made a mistake. The emperor often said: "Tang Yong is capable and efficient; one man is worth a thousand." He also said: "Tang Yong, whenever there are military matters, writes documents with his hand, gives orders with his mouth, and listens to reports with his ears—truly a rare talent!" The favor and rewards he received were unmatched by any other minister.
The Wei general Wang Xiong captured Shangjin and Weixing. Li Qianzhe, the of Dongliang Prefecture from Ankang, was defeated in battle and surrendered.
The Turkic Tumen attacked the Rouran and greatly defeated them. The Rouran Khan, Toubing, committed suicide. His crown prince, Anluochen, along with A Naguai’s cousin, Dengzhu Shili, and Dengzhu’s son, Kuti, led their tribes to defect to Northern Qi. The remaining Rouran people then set up Dengzhu’s second son, Tiefa, as their ruler. Tumen proclaimed himself the Yili Khan, titled his wife as Kehedun, his sons and younger brothers as Tele, and those who led troops as She.
Xiangdong Wang ordered Wang Sengbian and the others to attack Hou Jing to the east. Second month, on the day Gengzi, the various armies set out from Xunyang, with warships stretching end to end for several hundred li. Chen Baxian led thirty thousand armored soldiers and two thousand warships, emerging from the Nanjiang River at the Penkou, and rendezvoused with Wang Sengbian at Baimao Bay. They built a high altar, smeared blood as a covenant, and recited the oath together, weeping with fervent emotion. On the day Guimao, Wang Sengbian sent Hou Tian to attack the garrisons at Nanling and Quetou, and captured them. On the day Wushen, Wang Sengbian and his forces camped at Dalei; on the day Bingchen, they set out from Quetou. On the day Wuwu, Hou Zijian returned to Zhan Island; when the western army suddenly arrived, Hou Zijian, in panic and fear, fled back to Huainan.
Hou Jing’s Yitong San Si, Xie Daren, attacked Liu Shenmao at Dongyang. Cheng Lingxi and Zhang Biao both led troops to prepare to rescue him. Liu Shenmao wanted to claim sole merit and did not allow them to come, instead camping at Xiahuai. Someone said to Liu Shenmao: "The rebel troops are skilled at field combat. Xiahuai is flat terrain, exposed to attack from all sides. It would be better to occupy Qililai; then the rebels will certainly be unable to advance." Liu Shenmao did not listen. Many of Liu Shenmao’s deputy generals were from the north and were not of one mind with him. The separate generals Wang Ye and Li Tong together occupied the outer camp and surrendered to Xie Daren. Liu Guiyi and Yin Sihe abandoned the city and fled. Isolated and in dire straits, Liu Shenmao surrendered to Xie Daren on the day Xinwei, and Xie Daren sent him to Jiankang.
On the day Guiyou, Wang Sengbian and his forces arrived at Wuhu. Hou Jing’s defending general, Zhang Hei, abandoned the city and fled. When Hou Jing heard this, he was greatly frightened and issued an edict pardoning the crimes of Xiangdong Wang Xiao Yi and Wang Sengbian; everyone laughed at him. Hou Zijian held Guzhu’s Southern Isle to resist the western forces. Hou Jing sent his partisan, Shi Anhe, with two thousand soldiers to reinforce him. Third month, on the day Jisi Shuo, Hou Jing issued an edict saying he would personally go to Gushu, and also sent someone to admonish Hou Zijian: "The westerners are skilled in naval warfare; do not contend with them head-on. The failure of Ren Yue last year was due to this. If you can engage their infantry and cavalry, you will surely defeat them. Just camp on the shore and bring the boats into the harbor to await them." Hou Zijian then abandoned his boats, went ashore, closed his camp, and did not give battle. Wang Sengbian and his forces halted at Wuhu for over ten days. Hou Jing’s partisans were delighted and told Hou Jing: "The western army fears our strength and seems about to flee. If we do not attack, we risk missing the opportunity." Hou Jing then ordered Hou Zijian to prepare for naval combat.
On the day Dingchou, Wang Sengbian arrived at Gushu. Hou Zijian led over ten thousand infantry and cavalry across the Southern Isle, challenged battle on the shore, and also used over a thousand small boats loaded with soldiers. Wang Sengbian ordered all the small boats to withdraw, leaving the large ships anchored on both sides. Hou Zijian’s troops, thinking the water force was retreating, vied to sally forth. The large ships cut off their retreat route, beating drums and shouting, and engaged in battle on the river. Hou Zijian was decisively defeated, with several thousand soldiers drowning in the water. Hou Zijian barely escaped with his life, gathered his scattered troops, and fled back to Jiankang, holding the Eastern Mansion. Wang Sengbian left the Tiger Minister General Zhuang Qiu Huida to guard Gushu, then led his army forward. The defending troops at Liyang surrendered upon his arrival. When Hou Jing heard that Hou Zijian had been defeated, he was greatly terrified, wept profusely, pulled his blanket over himself, and lay down. After a long time, he rose, sighed, and said: "This has killed your father!"
On the day of Gengchen, Wang Sengbian led the various armies to arrive at Zhanggong Island. On the day of Xinsi, taking advantage of the rising tide, they entered the Qinhuai River and advanced to before the Chanling Temple. Hou Jing summoned Zhang Bin, the supervisor of the Stone Garrison, and ordered him to use wooden stakes from the Huai River and seagoing ships, weighting them with stones, to block the mouth of the Huai River. He built ramparts along the Huai River, from Stone City to Zhuque Street, covering over ten li with towers and walls linked together. Wang Sengbian asked Chen Baxian for advice. Chen Baxian said: "In the past, Liu Zhongli had several hundred thousand troops sitting across the water, and Wei Can was at Qingxi, yet they dared not cross the river and land. The rebel army, looking down from a height, could see everything inside and out, and thus was able to defeat our forces. Now, to besiege Stone City, we must cross to the northern bank. If the generals cannot withstand the enemy's spearhead, let Baxian go first to establish a camp." On the day of Renwu, Chen Baxian built a camp on Luoxing Mountain west of Stone City. The various armies, in sequence, constructed eight fortresses, extending to the northwest of Stone City. Hou Jing, fearing that the road to West Province would be cut off, personally led Hou Zijian and others to build five fortresses northeast of Stone City to block the main road. Hou Jing sent Wang Wei and others to guard the Terrace City. On the day of Yiyou, Hou Jing killed the Prince of Xiangdong’s heir, Xiao Fangzhu, and the former General of Pingdong, Du You'an.
Liu Shenmao was delivered to Jiankang. On the day of Bingxu, Hou Jing ordered the setting up of a "large seated blade and pestle," first cutting off his feet, then slicing him inch by inch up to the head. Liu Yihui outwardly agreed with Liu Shenmao but secretly colluded with Hou Jing, so he escaped harm.
On the day of Dinghai, Wang Sengbian advanced to the north of Zhaoti Temple. Hou Jing led over ten thousand troops and more than eight hundred ironclad cavalry to set up formation west of West Province. Chen Baxian said: "Our army is numerous, while the rebel army is few. We should divide their forces and use the strong to overcome the weak. Why let them concentrate their sharpness to fight us to the death?" He then ordered the generals to deploy their troops separately. Hou Jing charged the camp of General Wang Sengzhi, who fell back slightly. Chen Baxian sent General Xu Du, a man from Anlu, leading two thousand crossbowmen to strike from the flank and rear, and Hou Jing’s troops then retreated. Chen Baxian, along with Wang Lin, Du Kan, and others, led ironclad cavalry to press the pursuit. Wang Sengbian led the main army forward, and Hou Jing’s army was defeated, retreating to hold their camps. Du Kan was the nephew of Du An. Hou Jing’s Yitong Sansi, Lu Huihui, who was guarding Stone City, opened the north gate and surrendered, and Wang Sengbian entered and occupied Stone City. Hou Jing fought to the death with Chen Baxian. Hou Jing led over a hundred cavalry, discarding their lances and wielding short swords, charging left and right at the formation’s flanks. Chen Baxian's formation did not waver, and Hou Jing’s troops then collapsed. The various armies pursued the routed troops all the way to Ximing Gate.
Hou Jing arrived at the palace gates but dared not enter the Terrace City. He summoned Wang Wei and rebuked him, saying: "You made me emperor, and today you have ruined me!" Wang Wei could not answer and circled the palace gates in hiding. Hou Jing wanted to flee, but Wang Wei grabbed his reins and admonished him: "Since ancient times, has there ever been a rebel emperor? The palace guards are still enough for one more battle. If you abandon this place, where will you go?" Hou Jing said: "In the past, I defeated Hebasheng, crushed Gerong, and made my name known in the Hebei region. I crossed the river to pacify the Terrace City and subdued Liu Zhongli as easily as turning over my hand. Today, Heaven is destroying me!" He then looked up at the stone watchtowers and sighed for a long time. He packed the two sons born to him east of the Yangtze in leather bags, hung them behind his saddle, and, with Fang Shigui and over a hundred cavalry, fled eastward, intending to go to Wu to seek refuge with Xie Daren. Hou Zijian, Wang Wei, and Chen Qing fled to Zhufang. Wang Sengbian ordered Pei Zhiheng and Du Kan to garrison at Dulao Alley, and Du Rong entered and occupied the Terrace City. Wang Sengbian did not restrain his soldiers, who looted the residents. Men and women were stripped naked, from Stone City to East City, with cries of weeping filling the roads. That night, soldiers dropped sparks, which burned down the Taiji Hall and the East and West Halls, leaving no precious vessels, regalia, or chariots remaining.
On the day of Wuzi, Wang Sengbian ordered Hou Tian and others to lead five thousand elite armored soldiers to pursue Hou Jing. Wang Ke, Yuan Luo, and others, leading the former officials within the Terrace City, met Wang Sengbian on the road. Wang Sengbian consoled Wang Ke, saying: "You have labored hard, serving a barbarian ruler." Wang Ke could not answer. He then asked: "Where is the imperial seal?" Wang Ke replied after a long pause: "It was taken by Zhao Pingyuan." Wang Sengbian said: "The Wang clan, hereditary nobles for a hundred generations, have fallen in an instant." Wang Sengbian welcomed the spirit tablet of Emperor Taizong (Emperor Jianwen) into the court hall and led the hundred officials in proper ritual weeping and leaping.
On the day of Jichou, Wang Sengbian and others submitted a memorial urging the throne and requesting that the Prince of Xiangdong return to Jianye to establish the capital. The Prince of Xiangdong replied: "The great whale of the Huai Sea (referring to Hou Jing), though said to have been delivered, and the short-tailed fox of Xiangyang (referring to Xiao Ji), has not yet fully reformed. When the world is at peace and the jade candle shines, you may then discuss this matter."
On the day of Gengyin, the Governor of Nanyanzhou, Guo Yuanjian, the Garrison Commander of Qin Commandery, Guo Zhengmai, the Garrison Commander of Yangping, Lu Bohe, and the Acting Governor of Southern Xu Province, Guo Zizhong, together held their cities and surrendered.
When Wang Sengbian departed from Jiangling, he had reported to the Prince of Xiangdong: "After pacifying the rebels, if the heir (Emperor Jianwen) is still safe, I do not know what ritual to use in dealing with him?" The Prince of Xiangdong said: "Within the six gates, one must fully display military might." Wang Sengbian said: "The strategy for punishing the rebels, I consider my own responsibility; but matters like the assassination of Cao Jie, please select another person to handle." The Prince of Xiangdong then secretly ordered General Xuanmeng, Zhu Maichen, to deal with the matter. By the time Hou Jing was defeated, Emperor Taizong (Emperor Jianwen) had already died. The Prince of Yuzhang, Xiao Dong, and his two younger brothers, Xiao Qiao and Xiao Jiu, supporting each other, emerged from a secret room. On the road, they met Du Rong, who removed their chains. The two younger brothers said: "Today we are spared a violent death!" Xiao Dong said: "Good fortune and calamity are interdependent and hard to predict; I still have fear!" On the day of Xinmao, they encountered Zhu Maichen, who called them onto a boat to drink together. Before the drinking was finished, he drowned them all in the water.
Wang Sengbian sent Chen Baxian to lead troops to Guangling to receive the surrender of Guo Yuanjian and others, and also sent envoys to console them. Most of the generals privately sent men to separately request horses and weapons. Just then, Hou Zijian crossed the river and reached Guangling, saying to Guo Yuanjian and the others: "We people are the deep enemies of the Liang dynasty; what face have we to see their ruler again? Better to defect to the Northern Dynasty, where we can still return to our homeland." So they all surrendered to Northern Qi. Chen Baxian arrived at Ouyang, but the Xingtai official of Northern Qi, Xin Shu, had already occupied Guangling.
Wang Wei became separated from Hou Zijian. The Garrison Commander of Zhidu, Huang Gongxi, captured him and sent him to Jiankang. Wang Sengbian asked him: "You were the prime minister of a rebel; why did you not die for your principles, but instead seek life in the wilds?" Wang Wei said: "The rise and fall of states are matters of Heaven’s decree. If the Han Emperor (referring to Hou Jing) had early heeded my words, how could you, Illustrious Lord, be here today!" The Shangshu Zuocheng, Yu Zhi, had once been insulted by Wang Wei, so he spat in his face. Wang Wei said: "You do not read books; you are not worth talking to!" Yu Zhi withdrew in shame. Wang Sengbian ordered the Governor of Luozhou, Xu Siwei, to garrison Zhufang.
On the day of Renchen, Hou Jing reached Jinling, gathered the remnants of Tian Qian’s troops, and then drove and looted the residents, heading east toward Wu Commandery.
Summer, the fourth month, the Northern Qi ruler sent the Grand Commander Pan Le and Guo Yuanjian to lead fifty thousand troops to attack Yangping, and they captured it.
Wang Sengbian memorialized to request that Chen Baxian be appointed to garrison Jingkou.
Yi Prefectural Governor and Grand Commandant, Prince of Wuling Xiao Ji, was quite skilled in military strategy. During his seventeen years in Shu, he expanded southward to open up Ningzhou and Yuexi, communicated westward with Ziling and Tuyuhun, internally promoted agriculture, sericulture, salt, and iron administration, and externally profited from trade with distant regions. Thus he was able to accumulate wealth, with weapons and armor piling up, and possessed eight thousand warhorses. Hearing that Hou Jing had captured Taicheng and that the Prince of Xiangdong was about to campaign against him, Xiao Ji said to his subordinates: "Seventh Lord (the Prince of Xiangdong) is a scholar; how could he save the times!" In his inner bedchamber in the Cypress Hall, flowers grew around the knots on a pillar, and Xiao Ji considered this his own auspicious sign. On the Yisi day, he ascended the imperial throne, changed the reign title to Tianzheng, established his son Xiao Yuanzhao as Crown Prince, Xiao Yuanzheng as Prince of Xiyang, Xiao Yuanman as Prince of Jingling, Xiao Yuanpu as Prince of Qiao, and Xiao Yuansu as Prince of Yidu. He appointed the Grand Administrator of Brazil and Zitong, Yongfeng Hou Xiao Hui, as General of the Western Expedition and Yi Prefectural Governor, enfeoffing him as Prince of Qin Commandery. The Commandant Wang Senglue and Direct Army Adjutant Xu Peng earnestly remonstrated, but he did not listen. Wang Senglue was the younger brother of Wang Sengbian; Xu Peng was the nephew of Xu Mian.
Initially, when Taicheng was under siege, Xu Peng urged Xiao Ji to quickly send reinforcements, but Xiao Ji was unwilling in his heart and therefore harbored a grudge. It happened that a Shu person, Fei He, accused Xu Peng of plotting rebellion. Xu Peng had a letter to a general that said: "Everything is stated orally to the person." Xiao Ji then took this as evidence of rebellion and said to Xu Peng: "For the sake of our old friendship, I will ensure your sons are safe." Xu Peng replied: "If my sons grow up to be like Your Highness, what use would they be!" Xiao Ji then executed Xu Peng and all his sons, had their heads hung in the market for display, and also killed Wang Senglue. Yongfeng Hou Xiao Hui sighed and said: "The imperial enterprise cannot succeed! Good men are the foundation of the state; now that he has killed them first, what else is there but ruin!"
Xiao Ji summoned the Consultant to Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun, Liu Fan, to be a Secretariat Drafter. The envoy went back and forth eight times before Liu Fan came. Xiao Ji had Liu Xiaosheng earnestly express his sincerity, but Liu Fan earnestly begged to return. The Central Recorder Wei Deng privately said to Liu Fan: "His Highness (Xiao Ji) is cruel and harbors long-standing resentment. If you, sir, do not stay, you will invite great disaster. Why not together build the great hall, bringing both personal and reputational glory?" Liu Fan said sternly: "Are you trying to persuade me? I have already established my duty and principle with Yifeng Hou (Xiao Xun); how could I change my resolve because of difficulties or ease! His Highness is now spreading great righteousness throughout the world; he will not ultimately indulge his private desires against one person." Xiao Ji, knowing that Liu Fan would certainly not serve him, sent him back with generous gifts. He appointed Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun as Yi Prefectural Governor and Prince of Sui Commandery, and appointed Liu Fan as Chief Clerk of Xiao Xun's princely establishment and Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery.
Xie Daren, having campaigned against Liu Shenmao and returned, reached Fuyang. Hearing that Hou Jing had been defeated and fled, he led ten thousand men intending to go north to wait for Hou Jing. Zhao Bochao occupied Qiantang to resist him. Hou Jing advanced to Jiaxing; hearing that Zhao Bochao had betrayed him, he withdrew to defend Wu. On the Jiyou day, Hou Zhen caught up with Hou Jing at Songjiang. Hou Jing still had two hundred ships and several thousand men. Hou Zhen attacked and defeated him, capturing Peng Jun, Tian Qian, Fang Shigui, Cai Shoule, and Wang Bochou. Hou Zhen cut open Peng Jun's belly and pulled out his intestines. Peng Jun was not yet dead; he personally gathered his intestines back into his abdomen, and then Hou Zhen killed him.
Hou Jing fled with several dozen trusted followers in a single boat, pushing his two sons into the water, intending to go out to sea. Hou Zhen sent his deputy general Jiao Sengdu to pursue. Hou Jing had taken Yang Kan's daughter as a concubine and appointed her elder brother Yang Kun as Library Manager Commander, treating him well. Yang Kun followed Hou Jing fleeing east and secretly plotted with Hou Jing's confidants Wang Yuanli and Xie Weirui to kill him. Xie Weirui was Xie Daren's younger brother. Hou Jing put out to sea, intending to go to Mount Meng. On the Jimao day, Hou Jing slept during the day; Yang Kun said to the boatman: "What Mount Meng is here? You just follow my orders." So they directly sailed toward Jingkou. When they reached Hudou Island, Hou Jing woke up, greatly alarmed; he asked people on the shore, who replied: "Guo Yuanjian is still at Guangling." Hou Jing was overjoyed and prepared to go and join him. Yang Kun drew his sword, ordered the boatman to steer toward Jingkou, and then said to Hou Jing: "We have served the great king many times. Now that things have come to this pass, there will ultimately be no achievement. We wish to borrow your head to seek wealth and honor." Before Hou Jing could answer, swords and knives struck together. Hou Jing tried to throw himself into the water, but Yang Kun cut at him with a sword. Hou Jing fled into the cabin and used his dagger to pry at the boat's bottom; Yang Kun stabbed him with a long spear and killed him. The Minister of the Right of the Secretariat, Suo Chaoshi, was on another boat; Xie Weirui, pretending to have Hou Jing's order, summoned and captured him. The Southern Xu Prefectural Governor, Xu Sihui, beheaded Suo Chaoshi, stuffed salt into Hou Jing's belly, and sent his corpse to Jiankang. Wang Sengbian sent Hou Jing's head to Jiangling, cut off his hands, and sent them to Northern Qi via Xie Weirui; Hou Jing's corpse was exposed in the market, and the common people vied to take and eat it, even the bones were consumed; Liyang Princess also participated in the eating. Initially, Hou Jing's five sons were in Northern Qi; the Shizong flayed the eldest son's face and then boiled him to death; the younger ones were all castrated. When Qi Xianzu ascended the throne, he dreamed of a macaque sitting on his imperial bed, so he boiled them all to death. Zhao Bochao and Xie Daren both surrendered to Hou Zhen, and Hou Zhen sent them together with Tian Qian and others to Jiankang. Wang Sengbian beheaded Fang Shigui in the market and sent Wang Wei, Lü Jilüe, Zhou Shizhen, Yan Dan, Zhao Bochao, and Fu Zhiming to Jiangling.
On the Dingsi day, the Prince of Xiangdong ordered the lifting of martial law.
On the Yichou day, Emperor Jianwen was buried at Zhuangling, with the temple name Taizong.
When Hou Jing was defeated, he carried the state seal with him, entrusting it to his Attendant and Pingyuan Grand Administrator Zhao Sixian, saying: "If I die, you should sink it into the Yangzi River, so that the sons of Wu cannot obtain it again." Zhao Sixian, crossing the river from Jingkou, encountered bandits, and his followers dropped the state seal in the grass. After reaching Guangling, he told Guo Yuanjian. Guo Yuanjian retrieved it and handed it to Xin Shu. On the Renshen day, Xin Shu sent it to Yecheng.
On the Jiashen day, Northern Qi appointed the Minister of Personnel, Yang Yin, as Right Vice Director, and married him to the Princess of Taiyuan. The princess was the Empress of Emperor Xiaojing of Wei.
Yang Ganyun reached Jianbei. Wei's Daxi Wu engaged him and heavily defeated Yang Ganyun at Baima, displaying the captured heads beneath the walls of Nanzheng and sent someone to humiliate Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun. Xiao Xun, enraged, sent out troops to battle. Commander Yang Shao set up an ambush and attacked, nearly annihilating them. Liu Fan returned west of Baima, was captured by Daxi Wu, and sent to Chang'an. Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai had long heard of his reputation and treated him like an old friend. At that time, Nanzheng had not been taken for a long time; Daxi Wu requested permission to slaughter the city, and Yuwen Tai was about to agree. Liu Fan petitioned the court not to slaughter the city; Yuwen Tai was angry and did not agree. Liu Fan wept and begged incessantly; Yuwen Tai said: "Serving one's lord should be like this." So he agreed to his request.
In the fifth month, on the Gengwu day, the Minister of Works, Nanping Wang Xiao Ke, and others again urged the throne, but the Prince of Xiangdong still did not accept. He sent the Attendant, Fengcheng Hou Xiao Tai, and others to pay homage at the imperial tombs and to repair the ancestral temples and altars.
On the Wuyin day, Hou Jing's head was sent to Jiangling, hung in the market for three days, then boiled and lacquered, and stored in the armory. On the Gengchen day, Nanping Wang Xiao Ke was appointed Yangzhou Prefectural Governor. On the Jiashen day, Wang Sengbian was appointed Minister of Education and General of the Guard, enfeoffed as Duke of Changning. Chen Baxian was appointed as General of the Expedition, with open mansion and equal to the three dukes, enfeoffed as Marquis of Changcheng County.
On the Yiyou day, Hou Jing's appointed Minister of the Left of the Secretariat, Wang Wei, Minister of the Left of the People, Lü Jilüe, Junior Treasurer Zhou Shizhen, and Secretary Yan Dan were executed in the market. Zhao Bochao and Fu Zhiming starved to death in prison. Because Xie Daren had not been discourteous to Taizong (Emperor Jianwen), he was specially pardoned. Wang Wei wrote a poem of five hundred characters in prison. The Prince of Xiangdong admired his talent and wanted to pardon him. Someone jealous of him told the Prince of Xiangdong: "The other day, Wang Wei's proclamation was very fine." The Prince of Xiangdong asked to see it. The proclamation said: "Xiang Yu had double pupils, yet still met defeat at the Wujiang River; the Prince of Xiangdong has only one eye, how could he be the one to whom all under heaven return!" The Prince of Xiangdong was enraged, nailed Wang Wei's tongue to a pillar, split open his belly, and cut off his flesh, killing him.
On the bingxu day, Hezhou Prefect of Northern Qi, Husisizhao, attacked Liyang and captured it.
On the dinghai day, the Prince of Xiangdong issued an order, stating: "Wang Wei and others have already been executed. As for the remaining scholar-officials and old nobles who were forced into hiding, and the fierce warriors, meritorious ministers, and heroes who went along with the tide to avoid disaster, none shall be pursued."
Fu Fengren Lu Xida gathered his fellow villagers to defend Xincai, diligently farming and storing grain. At that time, the Jiangdong region was plagued by famine and chaos, with nine out of ten people dying of starvation. The surviving populace, supporting the elderly and leading the young, flocked to him. Lu Xida distributed grain for relief, saving and preserving many lives. He recruited five commanderies, including Jinxi, and took full possession of these lands. He sent his younger brother Lu Guangda to lead troops and follow Wang Sengbian in attacking Hou Jing. After Hou Jing was pacified, Lu Xida was appointed as the Inspector of Northern Jiangzhou.
The ruler of Northern Qi sent Sanqi Changshi Cao Wenjiao and others on a diplomatic mission. The Prince of Xiangdong sent Sanqi Changshi Liu Hui and others to return the visit, informing them that Hou Jing had been pacified. He also sent She Ren Wei Yan to inform the Wei state.
The ruler of Northern Qi sent Pan Le and Guo Yuanjian to lead troops to besiege Qin Commandery. The Acting Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Xin Shu, admonished: "The court has continuous diplomatic exchanges with the Prince of Xiangdong. Yangping is Hou Jing’s territory; it is permissible to attack it. Now that Wang Sengbian has already sent Yan Chaoda to guard Qin Commandery, on moral grounds, how can we contend for it further? Moreover, the rainy season is about to begin; it is better to withdraw the troops." His advice was not heeded. Chen Baxian ordered a separate general, Xu Du, to lead troops to help defend Qin Commandery. The Northern Qi army, numbering seventy thousand, attacked with great urgency. Wang Sengbian sent General of the Left Guard Du Zui to reinforce them, and Chen Baxian also arrived from Ouyang to join forces. They fought a great battle with Guo Yuanjian at Tulin, defeating him decisively, beheading over ten thousand, capturing more than a thousand alive. Guo Yuanjian gathered his remaining troops and fled north. Because the two states were on friendly terms, the pursuit was not pressed.
Xin Shu was promoted to Minister of Personnel. Since the Wei state moved its capital to Yecheng, those who held the post of selecting officials included several well-known figures, each with their merits and faults: Gao Cheng, the Shizong of Qi, was young, intelligent, and open-minded, but his fault was carelessness; Yuan Shude was calm, cautious, and generous, but his fault was excessive pettiness; Yang Yin was elegant and eloquent, but his selection of talent erred on the side of frivolity. Only Xin Shu, whose nature prized integrity and clarity, selected talents based on their abilities and character, matching the name with the reality, employing both the old and the new. He invariably promoted those who managed warehouses, and did not omit those from prestigious families. Examining the past and present, his approach was the most balanced and appropriate.
Daxi Wu of the Wei state sent the Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Liu Daiwei, into Nanzheng to persuade Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun, saying: "What you rely on is strategic terrain; what you depend on is relief troops; what you seek to protect is the people. Now that the imperial army has penetrated deeply, the terrain you rely on is insufficient for defense; the troops at Baima have fled in defeat, and the leaders do not advance; the relief troops you expect are unreliable; the long siege closes in from all sides, and the people under your command cannot be protected. Moreover, your own dynasty is in turmoil, and the altars of state have no master; for whom do you wish to be loyal? Why not turn disaster into fortune, allowing blessings to be passed down to your descendants?" Xiao Xun then requested to surrender. Liu Daiwei was the son of Liu Qing. Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Helan Deyuan, hearing that the city’s grain was exhausted, requested an assault. The Grand Commander, Helian Da, said: "To capture a city without battle is the best strategy. How can we covet their women and children, plunder their goods, and not cherish the lives of the people? Moreover, looking at their troops and horses, they are still strong, and their city walls are still solid. Even if an attack succeeds, both sides will inevitably suffer losses. If they fight desperately like cornered beasts, then victory or defeat is still uncertain." Daxi Wu said: "You are right." Thus, he accepted Xiao Xun’s surrender, capturing twenty thousand men and women before returning. From then on, the region north of Jian was all incorporated into the Wei state.
In the sixth month, on the dingwei day, the ruler of Northern Qi returned to Yecheng; on the yimao day, he again went to Jinyang.
On the gengyin day, An’an Hou Xiao Fangju was established as the Crown Prince.
Northern Qi sent Sanqi Changshi Xie Jijun to congratulate on the pacification of Hou Jing.
The Inspector of Hengzhou, Wang Huaiming, rebelled, and the Inspector of Guangzhou, Xiao Bo, campaigned against him and pacified the rebellion.
Northern Qi’s government decrees were harsh and its taxes heavy. The people north of the Yangtze River were unwilling to submit to Northern Qi, and their local heroes repeatedly asked Wang Sengbian to dispatch troops. Wang Sengbian, because of the friendly relations with Northern Qi, did not agree. In autumn, the seventh month, the émigrés of Guangling, Zhu Sheng and others, secretly gathered several thousand followers and plotted to assassinate the Northern Qi Inspector Wen Zhongyong. They sent envoys to Chen Baxian for reinforcements, claiming that they had already captured the outer city. Chen Baxian sent someone to inform Wang Sengbian, who said: "It is not easy to verify the truth of this matter. If the outer city has indeed been taken, urgent assistance is needed. If not, do not advance." Before the envoy returned, Chen Baxian had already crossed the Yangtze River. Wang Sengbian then ordered the Inspector of Wuzhou, Du Zui, and others to assist him. Just then, Zhu Sheng’s plot was exposed, and Chen Baxian took the opportunity to advance and besiege Guangling.
In the eighth month, a man of Ankang in Wei, Huang Zhongbao, rebelled, attacking Weixing, capturing the Grand Administrator Liu Gui, and then besieging Dongliangzhou. They ordered Liu Gui to persuade the people in the city to surrender. Liu Gui refused and was killed. Liu Gui was the younger brother of Liu Qiu. The Grand Preceptor, Yuwen Tai, sent Wang Xiong and the General of Agile Cavalry, Wenchuan Yuwen Qiu, to campaign against him.
The Prince of Wuling, Xiao Ji, led his troops eastward along the outer river. He appointed Yongfeng Hou Xiao Hui as the Inspector of Yizhou to guard Chengdu, with his son Yidu Wang Xiao Yuansu as his deputy.
In the ninth month, on the jiaxu day, the Minister of Works, Nanping Wang Xiao Ke, died. On the jiashen day, Wang Sengbian was appointed as the Inspector of Yangzhou.
The ruler of Northern Qi sent someone to tell Wang Sengbian and Chen Baxian: "Please lift the siege of Guangling, and I will certainly return the two cities of Guangling and Liyang." Chen Baxian led his troops back to Jingkou, and more than ten thousand people from north of the Yangtze River followed Chen Baxian across the river. The Prince of Xiangdong appointed Chen Baxian as General of the Northern Expedition, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and Inspector of Southern Xuzhou. He summoned Chen Baxian’s heir, Chen Chang, and his nephew, Chen Xu, to Jiangling, appointing Chen Chang as Yuanwai Sanqi Changshi and Chen Xu as Lingzhi.
When Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun surrendered to the Wei state, the Chancellor, Yuwen Tai, promised to let him return to the south, but after a long time, he did not send him off. Yuwen Tai leisurely asked Liu Fan: "How do I compare to the ancients?" Liu Fan replied: "Liu Fan has always compared you to King Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou. What I see today is not even as good as Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin!" Yuwen Tai said: "How dare I compare myself to King Tang and King Wu? I hope to come close to Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou. How could I be inferior to Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin?" Liu Fan replied: "Duke Huan of Qi preserved three extinct states, and Duke Wen of Jin did not break his promise when attacking the state of Yuan." Before he finished speaking, Yuwen Tai clapped his hands and said: "I understand your meaning; you are trying to spur me on." Then he said to Xiao Xun: "Does the King wish to go to Jingzhou or Yizhou?" Xiao Xun requested to return to Jiangling, and Yuwen Tai sent him off with generous gifts. Xiao Xun led a thousand households of civil and military officials to follow him. The Prince of Xiangdong was suspicious of him and sent people to spy on him, with a continuous stream on the road. On the night of his arrival, he ordered people to rob and steal his goods. By dawn, Xiao Xun presented a report and offered horses and weapons. Only then did the Prince of Xiangdong feel at ease, inviting him in, weeping together, and appointing Xiao Xun as Shizhong, General of Agile Cavalry, and Kaifu Yitong Sansi.
In winter, the tenth month, the ruler of Northern Qi went from Jinyang to Lishi, starting from Huanglu Ridge to build the Great Wall, extending north to Sheping Garrison, over four hundred li long, and setting up thirty-six garrison posts.
On the wushen day, the Prince of Xiangdong arrested the Inspector of Xiangzhou, Wang Lin, in the palace and executed his deputy general, Yin Yan.
Wang Lin was originally from a military family in Kuaiji. His sisters had all entered the palace, so from a young age Wang Lin was in the service of the Prince of Xiangdong. Wang Lin was fond of bravery and martial prowess, and the Prince of Xiangdong made him a general. Wang Lin humbled himself and treated worthy men with courtesy; whatever rewards he received, he did not take home. His troops numbered ten thousand, mostly bandits from the Yangtze and Huai River regions. He followed Wang Sengbian in pacifying Hou Jing, and his merit was ranked together with Du Kan’s as the highest. While in Jiankang, relying on favor, he indulged in violent and unruly behavior, which Wang Sengbian could not restrain. Wang Sengbian, fearing that he himself would be blamed for the burning of the palace, sought to shift responsibility onto Wang Lin. He therefore secretly submitted a memorial to the Prince of Xiangdong, requesting that Wang Lin be executed. The Prince of Xiangdong appointed Wang Lin as Inspector of Xiangzhou. Wang Lin, suspecting that disaster was coming, sent his senior administrator Lu Na to lead his troops to Xiangzhou, while he himself went to Jiangling to offer his thanks and explain himself. He said to Lu Na and the others: “If I do not return, where will you go?” The crowd all said: “We are willing to die for you.” They wept facing each other and parted. Upon arriving at Jiangling, the Prince of Xiangdong handed Wang Lin over to the judicial officers for interrogation.
On the xinyou day, the Prince of Xiangdong’s son Xiao Fanglüe was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou, and the Chamberlain for Law Enforcement Huang Luohan was made Senior Administrator. He was sent together with the Grand Master of the Imperial Boats Zhang Zai to Baling to first take command of Wang Lin’s army. Zhang Zai was favored by the Prince of Xiangdong, but he treated his subordinates harshly, and the people of Jingzhou hated him as an enemy. When Huang Luohan and the others reached Wang Lin’s army, Lu Na and the soldiers all wept, refused to accept the orders, and seized Huang Luohan and Zhang Zai. The Prince of Xiangdong sent the eunuch Chen Min to admonish them. Lu Na, facing Chen Min, cut open Zhang Zai’s belly, pulled out his intestines, and tied them to a horse’s leg. He made the horse run in circles until the intestines were completely pulled out and Zhang Zai died from the injury. Then they cut his flesh into small pieces, gouged out his heart, clapped their hands and danced before it, and burned the remaining bones. Huang Luohan was spared because of his incorruptibility and caution. Lu Na and the various generals led their troops to launch a surprise attack on Xiangzhou. At that time, the prefecture had no chief commander, so Lu Na occupied it.
The high officials and regional governors repeatedly urged the Prince of Xiangdong to ascend the throne. In the eleventh month, on the bingzi day, Emperor Shizu (Xiao Yi) ascended the imperial throne in Jiangling, changed the reign title, and proclaimed a general amnesty. On that day, the emperor did not ascend the main hall; the high officials merely stood in attendance.
On the dingchou day, the Yifeng Marquis Xiao Xun was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou.
On the jimao day, the crown prince Xiao Fangju was made the heir apparent, and his name was changed to Yuanliang. The imperial prince Xiao Fangzhi was made the Prince of Jin’an, Xiao Fanglüe the Prince of Shi’an, and Xiao Fangdeng’s son Xiao Zhuang the Prince of Yongjia. The emperor’s mother, the former Consort Ruan, was posthumously honored as Wenxuan Empress.
During the Hou Jing rebellion, more than half of the commanderies and prefectures had fallen into the hands of Wei. From Baling down to Jiankang, the Yangtze River served as the boundary. Jingzhou’s border extended north to Wuning and west to Xiakou. Lingnan was occupied by Xiao Bo. The area where the emperor’s decrees could be enforced was no more than a thousand li in circumference, and the registered population was fewer than thirty thousand households.
Lu Na attacked the Inspector of Hengzhou, Ding Daogui, at Lukou and defeated him. Ding Daogui fled to Lingling, and all his troops surrendered to Lu Na. When the emperor heard of this, he sent envoys to summon the Minister of Education Wang Sengbian, the Right Guard General Du Ce, the Pingbei General Pei Zhiheng, and the Yifeng Marquis Xiao Xun to jointly campaign against Lu Na. Xiao Xun stationed his troops at Baling to await them.
During the Hou Jing rebellion, the Lingling man Li Hongya had occupied that commandery. The emperor immediately appointed him as Inspector of Yingzhou. Li Hongya requested permission to attack Lu Na, and the emperor agreed. Ding Daogui gathered his remaining troops and joined him. Lu Na sent his general Wu Zang to attack them and defeated them. Li Hongya and the others retreated to defend Kongyun Fort, and Wu Zang surrounded it with his troops. Shortly after, Lu Na requested to surrender, offering to send his wife and children as hostages. The emperor sent Chen Min to Lu Na’s camp. Lu Na’s troops all wept and said: “Wang Lang (Wang Lin) is imprisoned, so we fled to Xiangzhou to escape punishment; we have no other intentions.” Thereupon they handed over their wives and children to Chen Min. When Chen Min reached Baling, Xiao Xun said: “This is a feigned surrender; they will surely attack us.” So he secretly prepared defenses. Lu Na indeed led light troops in the night, following behind Chen Min, with an agreement to raise a clamor and beat drums when they reached the city walls. On the morning of the renwu day in the twelfth month, when they were ten li from Baling, Lu Na’s troops, thinking they had arrived, raised a clamor and beat drums. The army was panicked. Xiao Xun sat on a folding couch at the camp gate, watching. Lu Na attacked by water, and arrows fell like rain. Xiao Xun was eating sugarcane, showing no fear. Calmly and deliberately, he deployed his officers and soldiers to counterattack, capturing one of their warships. Lu Na retreated and defended Changsha.
On the renwu day, the Northern Qi ruler returned to Yecheng; on the wuwu day, he again went to Jinyang.