Records of Liang, Volume 21

In the spring, the first month, Wang Sengbian set out from Jiankang and, acting on the emperor’s decree, appointed Chen Baxian to temporarily govern Yangzhou. On the bingzi day, the Mountain Hu surrounded Lishi in Qi. On the wuyin day, the Qi ruler personally led an expedition, but before he arrived, the Mountain Hu had already fled. He then toured Sandui, conducted a large-scale hunt, and returned. He appointed the Minister of Personnel, Wang Bao, as Left Puye. On the jichou day, Qi recast coinage, with the inscription “Changping Wuzhu.”

In the second month, on the gengzi day, Li Hongya, unable to hold out, surrendered Kongyun City to Lu Na. Lu Na imprisoned Li Hongya and killed Ding Daogui. Lu Na, recalling the prophecy poem of the monk Baozhi, which contained the characters “eighteen sons,” believed that the Li clan should become king. On the jiachen day, he elevated Li Hongya as ruler, proclaiming him Grand General, allowing him to ride in a flat-shouldered palanquin with a band of musicians arranged in formation. Lu Na led several thousand troops, guarding him on the left and right flanks. The Wei Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai resigned from his posts as Grand Councillor and Grand Marshal of the Regional Command, taking up the position of Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs within and beyond the capital. Wang Xiong arrived at Dongliangzhou, and Huang Zhongbao led his troops to surrender. Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai pardoned him and relocated his chieftains to Yongzhou.

The Qi ruler sent back Dengzhu, father of the Rouran Khagan Tiefa, and his elder brother Kuti, to return to their own state. Tiefa was soon killed by the Khitan, and the state’s people established Dengzhu as khagan. Dengzhu was then killed by his great official Afuti, and the people established Kuti. The Turkic Yili Khagan died, and his son Kelo succeeded him, styled Yishiji Khagan. In the third month, he sent envoys to Wei, offering fifty thousand horses. Another branch of the Rouran established Deng Shuzi, uncle of Anagui, as khagan. Yishiji defeated Deng Shuzi at the Mulaishan Mountains north of Woye. Yishiji died, setting aside his own son Shedan to establish his younger brother Sijun, styled Muhan Khagan. Muhan Khagan had an unusual appearance, a strong and martial character, great strategic wisdom, and skill in warfare, so neighboring states all feared him.

The emperor, hearing that the Wuling King Xiao Ji was advancing eastward along the Yangtze, had a shaman paint Xiao Ji’s image on a wooden board and personally nailed its four limbs to perform a curse. He also sent prisoners captured from Hou Jing to inform Xiao Ji. Initially, when Xiao Ji raised his troops, it was entirely the plan of his heir, Xiao Yuanzhao. Xiao Yuanzhao was then garrisoning Badong and intercepted the messengers. He reported to Xiao Ji: “Hou Jing has not yet been pacified; we should advance rapidly to attack him. I have heard that the key commandery of Jingzhou has been broken by Hou Jing.” Xiao Ji believed him and urged his army eastward. The emperor was greatly alarmed and wrote to Wei, saying: “Zijiu is my relative; I ask your noble state to help me punish him.” Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai said: “Seizing Shu and controlling Liang—this will be accomplished in one move.” All the generals considered it difficult. The Great General, a man from Daidi named Yuchi Jiong, who was Yuwen Tai’s nephew, alone believed it could be conquered. Yuwen Tai asked him for the strategy, and Yuchi Jiong said: “Shu has been cut off from the Central Plains for over a hundred years, relying on its dangerous and remote position, never expecting us to come. If we send elite cavalry to attack day and night, we will surely succeed.” Yuwen Tai then dispatched Yuchi Jiong to command the six armies, including the Kaifu Yitong Sansi Yuan Zhen and others, with twelve thousand armored soldiers and ten thousand cavalry, setting out from Sanguan to attack Shu.

Lu Na sent his general Wu Zang, Pan Wuhei, Li Xianming, and others downstream to occupy Chelun. Wang Sengbian arrived at Baling, and the Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun yielded the post of Commander-in-Chief to Wang Sengbian, who did not accept it. The emperor then appointed Wang Sengbian and Xiao Xun as Eastern and Western Commanders. In the summer, the fourth month, on the bingshen day, Wang Sengbian encamped at Chelun. The Tuyuhun Khagan Kualü, though exchanging envoys with Wei, constantly raided and plundered. Yuwen Tai led thirty thousand cavalry across Longshan to reach Guzang and attacked him. Kualü, terrified, sought submission, but soon sent envoys to establish friendly relations with Qi. The Liangzhou Governor Shi Ning spied on his return, attacked him at Chiquan, and captured his Puye Qifu Chuzhuang.

Lu Na built fortifications on both banks of the Xiang River to resist Wang Sengbian. Lu Na’s soldiers were all battle-hardened veterans, and Wang Sengbian feared them, not daring to advance rashly. He gradually constructed linked fortifications to pressure them. Lu Na, thinking Wang Sengbian cowardly, did not prepare defenses. On the jiazi day of the fifth month, Wang Sengbian ordered all his forces to advance by water and land simultaneously, launching a fierce attack. Wang Sengbian personally held the banner and beat the drum, while the Yifeng Hou Xiao Xun braved arrows and stones, capturing two of Lu Na’s fortifications. Lu Na’s forces suffered a great defeat, fleeing on foot and holding fast to Changsha. On the yichou day, Wang Sengbian advanced and besieged Changsha. Wang Sengbian sat on an earthen mound to inspect the construction of siege works when Wu Zang and Li Xianming led a thousand elite soldiers, suddenly opening the city gates and charging out with shields, heading straight for Wang Sengbian. At that time, Du Zong and Du Kan were both attending him, with only a hundred guards, who fought fiercely to resist. Wang Sengbian sat motionless on his Hu-style couch. Pei Zhiheng attacked Wu Zang and the others from the flank, and they were repelled. Li Xianming died in battle, while Wu Zang escaped back into the city.

The Wuling King Xiao Ji reached Baju, and learning of the Wei army, sent the former Liangzhou Governor, the Ba man Qiao Yan, to turn back and rescue Shu. Initially, Yang Ganyun had requested to be Liangzhou Governor, but Xiao Ji appointed him Tongzhou Governor. Yang Fachen requested to be Lizhou Governor, but Xiao Ji appointed him Shazhou Governor. Both were greatly displeased. Yang Ganyun’s nephew Yang Lue urged Yang Ganyun, saying: “Now that Hou Jing has just been pacified, we should unite our efforts to protect the state and pacify the people. Yet brothers are raising arms against each other—this is the path to self-destruction. Rotten wood cannot be carved; a declining age is hard to aid. It would be better to submit to Guanzhong; thus you can achieve both merit and fame.” Yang Ganyun agreed and ordered Yang Lue to lead two thousand men to garrison Jiange. He also sent his son-in-law Le Guang to garrison Anzhou, and both secretly communicated with Wei. The Wei Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai secretly granted Yang Ganyun an iron covenant and appointed him as General of the Cavalry, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and Liangzhou Governor. Yuchi Jiong appointed the Kaifu Yitong Sansi Hou Lü Lingzhi as the vanguard. When they reached Jiange, Yang Lue withdrew to Le Guang, scaled the city wall, and welcomed Hou Lü Lingzhi, who entered and occupied Anzhou. On the jiaxu day, Yuchi Jiong reached Fushui, and Yang Ganyun surrendered with his province. Yuchi Jiong deployed troops to guard the area and advanced to attack Chengdu. At that time, Chengdu’s existing troops numbered less than ten thousand, and the warehouses were empty and exhausted. The Yongfeng Hou Xiao Zong defended the city, and Yuchi Jiong besieged him. Qiao Yan sent the Jiangzhou Governor Jing Xin and the Youzhou Governor Zhao Bahu to rescue Chengdu, but Yuchi Jiong sent Yuan Zhen and others to repel them.

The Wuling King Xiao Ji reached Badong, and learning that Hou Jing had already been pacified, felt regret. He summoned his heir Xiao Yuanzhao and reproached him. Xiao Yuanzhao replied: “Though Hou Jing is pacified, Jiangling has not yet submitted.” Xiao Ji, because he had already proclaimed himself emperor and could no longer submit to others, wanted to continue eastward. The soldiers and officers longed day and night to return. His Jiangzhou Governor Wang Kaiye thought they should return to rescue their base before planning further moves, and all the generals agreed. Xiao Yuanzhao and Liu Xiaosheng insisted it was wrong, and Xiao Ji heeded them, proclaiming to his troops: “Anyone who dares to remonstrate will be executed!” On the jichou day, Xiao Ji reached Xiling, with his army’s momentum very strong, warships covering the river. The Protector of the Army, Lu Fahe, built two fortifications on both banks of the Gorge mouth, transported stones to fill the river, and used iron chains to block the river.

The emperor released Ren Yue from prison and appointed him as the Commandant of the Jin’an Prince, ordering him to assist Lu Fahe in resisting Xiao Ji. He said to Ren Yue: “Your crime is unforgivable, but I did not kill you, precisely for today!” He then allocated imperial guards to him and promised to marry the daughter of the Luling Prince Xiao Xu to him. He sent the Xuanyong General Liu Fen to accompany him. On the gengchen day, the Bazhou Governor Yu Xiaogan led ten thousand men to join Wang Sengbian at Changsha. The Yuzhang Governor, the Guanning Hou Xiao Yong, was foolish and indecisive. His attendant Wu Man Nu held power, and the military commander Wen Zhong hated him. Xiao Yong led troops to attack Lu Na, and when they reached Gongting Lake, Wen Zhong killed Wu Man Nu. Xiao Yong’s army scattered, and he fled to Jiangling. Wen Zhong led his troops to surrender to the Kaijian Hou Xiao Fan, who killed him and absorbed his forces.

In the sixth month, on the renchen day, the Prince of Wuling, Xiao Ji, built a series of connected fortresses, breached the iron chains, and Lu Fahe sent successive urgent reports of distress. The emperor again released Xie Daren from prison, appointed him as Infantry Commandant, provided him with troops, and ordered him to assist Lu Fahe. He also sent an envoy to deliver Wang Lin, instructing him to persuade Lu Na to surrender. On the yiwei day, Wang Lin arrived at Changsha. Wang Sengbian sent someone to show Wang Lin to Lu Na's forces. All of Lu Na's troops knelt and wept, sending a message to Wang Sengbian: "If the court pardons Wang Lin, we request permission for him to enter the city." Wang Sengbian refused and sent Wang Lin back to Jiangling. Lu Fahe continuously begged for reinforcements. The emperor wanted to mobilize the Changsha army but feared losing Lu Na. Therefore, he again sent Wang Lin, allowing him to enter the city. After Wang Lin entered the city, Lu Na surrendered, and Xiangzhou was pacified. The emperor restored Wang Lin's official title and noble rank, ordering him to lead troops westward to reinforce the Xia Gorge. On the jiachen day, the Qi prince, Zhangwu Jingwang, Ku Dijian, died.

The Prince of Wuling, Xiao Ji, sent General Hou Rui with a force of seven thousand men to construct fortifications to resist Lu Fahe. The emperor sent an envoy with a letter to Xiao Ji, promising him a return to the Shu region with exclusive authority over that area. Xiao Ji did not comply and replied using the etiquette of a family member. After Lu Na was pacified, the Xiangzhou armies successively moved westward. The emperor again wrote to Xiao Ji, saying: "I am slightly older than you. Because of my merit in pacifying the rebellion, I have accepted the people's support, and the imperial destiny is already fixed. If you send an envoy, I truly eagerly await him. If it is not so, then let this be the end of our correspondence. Between brothers, though we share the same form and breath, the elder brother is fat and the younger lean—there will never be another opportunity to meet. Pushing away dates and chestnuts, the days of joy are forever severed. In my heart, I truly cherish you; this letter cannot express all my thoughts." Xiao Ji had stationed his troops for a long time, suffered repeated defeats in battle, and, upon hearing that the Wei army had penetrated deeply and that Chengdu was isolated and endangered, became anxious and distressed, not knowing what to do. He then sent his Minister of Revenue, Le Fengye, to Jiangling to seek peace, requesting to return to Shu in accordance with the earlier imperial decree. Le Fengye knew that Xiao Ji was doomed to fail and reported to the emperor: "The Shu army is short of food, many soldiers have died, and their destruction is imminent." The emperor therefore refused his peace request.

Xiao Ji had gold made into cakes weighing one jin each, one hundred cakes per box, totaling one hundred boxes. Silver was five times that amount, and brocade, woolen fabrics, and colored silks were equivalent in quantity. Every time he fought, he hung these items up to show his officers and soldiers, but he did not distribute them as rewards. The Inspector of Ningzhou, Chen Zhizu, requested that these valuables be distributed to recruit brave warriors, but Xiao Ji refused. Chen Zhizu wept and died. When someone came to report on matters, Xiao Ji refused to see them on the pretext of illness, causing the officers and soldiers to become disaffected.

In the autumn, in the seventh month, on the xinwei day, the Ba Dong commoner Fu Sheng and others beheaded the city commander of Xia Gorge, Gongsun Huang, and surrendered to Wang Lin. Xie Daren and Ren Yue attacked Hou Rui, defeated him, and captured three of his fortresses. Consequently, all fourteen cities on both banks of the Yangzi River surrendered. Xiao Ji could not retreat and drifted eastward with the current. The General, Nanyang native Fan Meng, pursued him. Xiao Ji's forces were utterly defeated, with over eight thousand men drowning in the river. Fan Meng surrounded and guarded him. The emperor secretly ordered Fan Meng: "If you let him return alive, it will not count as a success." Fan Meng led troops to Xiao Ji's location. Xiao Ji ran around the bed in his boat, throwing a bag of gold to Fan Meng, saying: "Use this to hire you. Send me to see the Seventh Lord." Fan Meng said: "How can the Son of Heaven be seen! If I kill you, where can the gold go?" He then beheaded Xiao Ji and his youngest son, Xiao Yuanman. Lu Fahe arrested the heir apparent, Xiao Yuanzhao, and his two brothers, sending them to Jiangling. The emperor struck Xiao Ji's name from the imperial clan register, granting him the surname of Taotie. Liu Xiaosheng was imprisoned but was soon released. The emperor sent someone to say to the Jiang'an Marquis, Xiao Yuanzheng: "The western army has already been defeated. It is unknown whether your father is alive or dead," intending to drive him to suicide. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuanzheng wept loudly and continuously praised the heir apparent. The emperor sent people several times to spy on him, and knowing that he would not commit suicide, had him transferred to the Tingwei prison. There, he saw Xiao Yuanzhao and said: "Elder brother, why did you have to sow discord between close kin, causing such suffering to this extent!" Xiao Yuanzhao only said: "It was a miscalculation." The emperor ordered that they all be starved to death in prison. They ended up gnawing the flesh from their arms to eat and died thirteen days later. People far and near heard of this and grieved for them.

On the yiwei day, Wang Sengbian returned to Jiangling. An imperial edict ordered all armies to return to their respective garrison posts. Wei's Yuchi Jiong besieged Chengdu for fifty days. The Yongfeng Marquis, Xiao Zong, fought several sorties, all ending in defeat, and then requested to surrender. The other generals wanted to refuse, but Yuchi Jiong said: "Accepting surrender preserves the officers and soldiers and wins the hearts of those far away; attacking causes casualties among the officers and soldiers and frightens those far away." He therefore accepted the surrender. On the wuxu day of the eighth month, Xiao Zong, together with the Yidu Prince, Xiao Yuansu, led their civil and military officials to the army camp gate to surrender. Yuchi Jiong treated them with courtesy and formed an alliance with them north of Yizhou City. The officials and commoners all resumed their respective occupations. Only the confiscated slaves and accumulated valuables were distributed as rewards to the officers and soldiers; the army took nothing private. Wei appointed both Xiao Zong and Xiao Yuansu as Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and appointed Yuchi Jiong as Grand Commander of the Twelve Provinces including Yi and Tong, and Inspector of Yizhou.

On the gengzi day, the emperor issued an edict planning to return to Jiankang. The General of the Elite Guard, Hu Sengyou, the Grand Treasurer, Huang Luohan, the Minister of Personnel, Zong Lin, and the Imperial Censor-in-Chief, Liu Gu, remonstrated, saying: "The imperial aura of Jianye has already been exhausted. It is separated from the enemy by only a single Yangzi River. If something unexpected occurs, regret will be too late! Moreover, it has been passed down from ancient times: 'When the sandbars of Jingzhou number one hundred, a Son of Heaven will appear.' Now, at Zhijiang, a sandbar has formed, completing the count of one hundred. Your Majesty's ascension to the throne is exactly this fulfillment." The emperor ordered the court officials to debate the matter. The Deputy Director of the Yellow Gate, Zhou Hongzheng, and the Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Wang Bao, said: "Now the common people have not yet seen Your Majesty's carriage enter Jiankang, and they regard it as a state of a feudal prince. We hope Your Majesty will follow the expectations of the empire." At that time, most of the court officials were from Jingzhou, and they all said: "Zhou Hongzheng and others are men from the east. Their wish to go east is probably not a good plan." Zhou Hongzheng retorted to their faces, saying: "If men from the east advising Your Majesty to go east is not a good plan, then you men from the west advising Your Majesty to stay west—is that a long-term strategy?" The emperor laughed. Another discussion was held in the rear hall, with five hundred participants. The emperor asked them: "I wish to return to Jiankang. What do you all think?" No one dared to answer first. The emperor said: "Those who advise me to go, bare your left arm." Those who bared their left arms numbered more than half. The Grand Administrator of Wuchang, Zhu Maichen, said to the emperor: "Jiankang is the old capital, the location of the imperial mausoleums. Jingzhou is a remote frontier, not a place for an emperor to reside. I hope Your Majesty will not hesitate, to avoid future regret. Your subject's family is in Jingzhou—how could I not wish Your Majesty to stay here? But I fear this would be for your subject's wealth and honor, not for Your Majesty's!" The emperor sent the diviner Du Jinghao to perform a divination. The result was inauspicious. Du Jinghao said to the emperor: "Do not leave." After withdrawing, he said: "This omen means being detained by ghostly thieves." Because Jiankang was dilapidated and Jingzhou was flourishing, the emperor was also content with the status quo and ultimately followed the advice of Hu Sengyou and the others.

The emperor appointed the Inspector of Xiangzhou, Wang Lin, as Inspector of Hengzhou. In the ninth month, on the gengwu day, an edict ordered Wang Sengbian to return to garrison Jiankang, and Chen Baxian also returned to Jingkou. On the bingzi day, the Protector-General, Lu Fahe, was appointed as Inspector of Yingzhou. In governing, Lu Fahe did not use penal law; he exclusively used Buddhist precepts and Western Region magical arts to teach the people. His personal troops, several thousand in number, were all called his disciples. The Khitans invaded the border of Qi. On the renwu day, the Qi ruler made a northern tour of Ji Province, Ding Province, You Province, and An Province, and then attacked the Khitans.

The Qi ruler sent Guo Yuanjian to train twenty thousand naval troops at Hefei, intending to attack Jiankang and welcome the Marquis of Xiangtan, Xiao Tui. He also sent Generals Xing Jingyuan and Budahan Sa to lead troops and follow later. Chen Baxian, upon hearing this in Jiankang, reported it to the emperor; the emperor issued an edict ordering Wang Sengbian to garrison Gushu to defend against them. In winter, the tenth month, on the day of Dingyou, the Qi ruler arrived at Pingzhou, proceeded from the western route directly to the Long Trench, and sent Chancellor Pan Xangle to lead five thousand elite cavalry from the eastern route directly to Qingshan. On the day of Xinchou, they arrived at Bailangcheng. On the day of Renyin, they arrived at Changlicheng, and sent the Prince of Ande, Han Gui, to lead four thousand elite cavalry to cut off the Khitan's retreat from the east. On the day of Guimao, they arrived at Yangshishui, traveling day and night, launching a surprise attack on the Khitan. The Qi ruler let his hair down, bared his upper body, and marched continuously for over a thousand li, crossing mountains and ridges, taking the lead among his troops, eating only meat and drinking water, his spirit growing even more fierce. On the day of Jiachen, they encountered the Khitan, attacked with great force, and decisively defeated them, capturing over one hundred thousand people and several million head of various livestock. Pan Xangle also defeated another Khitan detachment at Qingshan. On the day of Dingwei, the Qi ruler returned to Yingzhou.

On the day of Jiyou, Wang Sengbian arrived at Gushu and sent the Governor of Wuzhou, Hou Tian, the Governor of Wujun, Zhang Biao, and the Governor of Wuxing, Pei Zhiheng, to build fortifications at Dongguan to await the Qi army. On the day of Dingsi, the Qi ruler ascended Jieshi Mountain, gazed upon the vast sea, and then proceeded to Jinyang. He appointed the Governor of Sizhou, Hulü Jin, as Grand Preceptor, then returned to Jinyang, appointed his son Hulü Fengle as General of Martial Guard, and ordered his grandson Hulü Wudu to marry the Princess of Yining. The favor and honor he bestowed upon them were unmatched by any other minister.

In the intercalary month, on the day of Dingchou, the Governor of Southern Yuzhou, Hou Tian, fought with Guo Yuanjian at Dongguan. The Qi army was utterly defeated, with tens of thousands drowning. The Marquis of Xiangtan, Xiao Tui, returned to Yecheng, and Wang Sengbian returned to Jiankang. The Governor of Wuzhou, the Marquis of Kaijian, Xiao Fan, relying on his strong military power, did not pay tribute to the court. The emperor secretly ordered his general Xu Foshou to plot his removal. Xu Foshou had his subordinates pretend to be litigants and go to Xiao Fan's place, then arrested him. The emperor appointed Xu Foshou as Grand Administrator of Jian'an and appointed the Attendant-in-Waiting, Wang Zhi, as Governor of Wuzhou. When Wang Zhi arrived at Poyang, Xu Foshou settled him in the Inner City while occupying the Outer City himself, controlling the keys to the city gates, and building ships, armor, and weapons. Wang Zhi dared not contend with him. The former Marquis's personal troops, several thousand strong, attacked Xu Foshou, who fled to Southern Yuzhou. Hou Tian killed him, and then Wang Zhi began to exercise the authority of the governor.

In the eleventh month, on the day of Wuxu, the Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Wang Bao, was appointed as Left Vice Director, and the Grand Administrator of Xiangdong, Zhang Wan, was appointed as Right Vice Director. On the day of Jiwei, the Türks again attacked the Rouran, and the entire Rouran nation fled to Qi. On the day of Guihai, the Qi ruler marched north from Jinyang to attack the Türks, welcomed and received the Rouran, deposed their Khagan Kuti, and established Anagui's son Anluochen as Khagan, settling them in Mayichuan and supplying them with grain and silk. He personally pursued the Türks to Shuozhou; the Türks requested to surrender, which he granted, and then returned. From then on, the Türks' tribute missions continued without interruption.

The Wei Minister of State, Yuan Lie, secretly plotted to kill Yuwen Tai. The matter was exposed, and Yuwen Tai killed him. On the day of Bingyin, the emperor sent the Attendant-in-Waiting, Wang Chen, as an envoy to Wei. Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai already had secret designs on Jiangling. When Xiao Cha, the King of Liang, heard of this, he increased his tribute offerings. In the twelfth month, a commoner from Suyu in Qi, Dongfang Baie, surrendered the city, and the various provinces and commanderies west of the Yangzi River all raised troops in response to him.

In the spring, the first month, on the guisi day, the Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang set out from the Lishi road to attack the Mountain Hu. He dispatched Hulü Jin from the Xianzhou road and the Prince of Changshan, Gao Yan, from the Jinzhou road for a pincer attack. They thoroughly defeated the Mountain Hu. All males aged thirteen and above were executed; females and young children were given to the army. Thus Shilou was pacified. Shilou's terrain was extremely dangerous; since the Northern Wei era, the army had been unable to reach it. Now, the Mountain Hu far and near were all terrified and submitted. There was a duhu who was wounded in battle. His squad leader, Lu Huili, did not rescue him in time. The Northern Qi ruler ordered that Lu Huili's internal organs be cut out and had nine men eat him; the flesh and filth were all consumed. From this point on, he began to practice cruel and tyrannical acts. Chen Baxian crossed the river from Dantu and surrounded Northern Qi's Guangling. The Inspector of Qin Province, Yan Chaoda, advanced from Qin Commandery to surround Jing Province. The Inspector of Southern Yu Province, Hou Tian, and the Grand Administrator of Wu Commandery, Zhang Biao, both set out from Shiliang to serve as a supporting force. On the xinchou day, the Inspector of Jinling, Du Sengming, was sent to lead three thousand men to aid Dongfang Baie. The Western Wei Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai began to establish the nine-rank system of statutes and regulations, in order to arrange the noble ranks of officials inside and outside the court. He changed the ranks outside the regular stream into nine grades. Since Yuan Qin, the Western Wei ruler, had been killed, he uttered resentful words and secretly plotted to kill the Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai. The Prince of Linhuai, Yuan Yu, and the Prince of Guangping, Yuan Zan, wept and earnestly admonished him, but Yuan Qin did not listen. All of Yuwen Tai's sons were young; his nephews, the Duke of Zhangwu, Yuwen Dao, and the Duke of Zhongshan, Yuwen Hu, were both sent out to guard the frontier. He only used his sons-in-law as his trusted core. The da duhu, the Duke of Qinghe, Li Ji, the Duke of Yicheng, Li Hui, and the Duke of Changshan, Yu Yi, all served as wufu generals, each commanding the imperial guard. Li Ji was Li Yuan's son; Li Hui was Li Bi's son; Yu Yi was Yu Jin's son. Therefore, Yuan Qin, the Western Wei ruler's secret plot leaked. Yuwen Tai deposed Yuan Qin, the Western Wei ruler, and placed him in Yong Province. He established Yuan Qin's younger brother, the Prince of Qi, Yuan Kuo, as the emperor. The reign title was abolished; it was only called the first year. The surname was restored to Tuoba. The ninety-nine surnames that had been changed to single surnames were all restored to their original ones. In the early years of the Northern Wei, it had commanded thirty-six states and ninety-nine major surnames. Later, most of them became extinct. Yuwen Tai then enfeoffed the generals with the highest merits as the thirty-six states, and the next rank as the ninety-nine surnames. The soldiers they led also changed their surnames to follow their generals. In the third month, on the dinghai day, the Prince of Changsha, Xiao Shao, captured Ba Commandery. On the jiashen day, Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed Wang Sengbian as taiwei and cheqi da jiangjun. On the dingwei day, the Northern Qi general Wang Qiu attacked Suyu. Du Sengming led out his troops to meet him and thoroughly defeated Wang Qiu's army. Wang Qiu withdrew to Pengcheng. The Inspector of Ying Province, Lu Fahe, submitted a memorial claiming himself situ. Emperor Yuan of Liang found this strange. Wang Bao said, "Since Lu Fahe possesses the Way of the Dao, perhaps he can know things in advance." On the wushen day, Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed Lu Fahe as situ on the spot. On the jiyou day, the Western Wei shizhong Yuwen Renshi came to the Liang court on a diplomatic mission. It happened that a Northern Qi envoy also arrived at Jiangling. Emperor Yuan of Liang's reception rites for Yuwen Renshi were not as grand as those for the Northern Qi envoy. After Yuwen Renshi returned, he reported the situation to the Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai. Emperor Yuan of Liang also requested that the borders be delineated according to the old maps, and his words were quite disrespectful. Yuwen Tai said, "The ancients had a saying: 'If Heaven wants to abandon a person, who can make him prosper?' This refers to Xiao Yi!" The Inspector of Jing Province, Zhangsun Jian, repeatedly presented plans for attacking the Liang. Yuwen Tai summoned Zhangsun Jian to court, questioned him about his strategies, and then ordered him to return to his garrison and secretly prepare for this. Ma Bofu secretly sent someone to report to Emperor Yuan of Liang, but Emperor Yuan of Liang did not believe it. The Rouran kehan Anluochen rebelled against Northern Qi. The Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang personally led troops to attack and thoroughly defeated the Rouran army. Anluochen and his son fled north. The tai bao, the Prince of Anding, Heba Ren, presented horses that were not of good quality. The Northern Qi ruler became angry, pulled out his hair, degraded him to commoner status, and exiled him to Jinyang to carry charcoal on his back. The Northern Qi zhongshu ling Wei Shou compiled the Book of Wei. He was very partial in his praise and blame based on his own likes and dislikes. He often said to people, "What kind of brat dares to show displeasure to Wei Shou! If I lift him up, he can ascend to heaven; if I press him down, he can enter the earth!" After the book was completed, the zhongshu sheren Lu Qian submitted a memorial saying, "Wei Shou has slandered and deceived an entire generation; his crime deserves death!" The shangshu zuocheng Lu Fei and Dunqiu Li Shu both said that the History of Wei was not impartial. Wei Shou reported to the Northern Qi ruler, saying, "Since I have incurred the enmity of powerful clans, I will be killed by an assassin." The Northern Qi ruler became angry. Consequently, Lu Fei, Li Shu, and the shangshu langzhong Wang Songnian were all punished for slandering the history book. They were flogged two hundred times and exiled to the armor workshops. Lu Fei and Li Shu died in prison. Lu Qian was also imprisoned for this reason. However, people at the time were still not convinced and called this history book the "Filthy History." Lu Qian was a great-grandson of Lu Dushi; Lu Fei was a son of Lu Tong; Wang Songnian was a son of Wang Zunye. Summer, the fourth month. The Rouran invaded Northern Qi's Si Province. The Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang attacked the Rouran from Jinyang, reaching Heng Province. The Rouran army scattered and fled. The Northern Qi ruler led over two thousand cavalry to guard the rear and camped at Huangguadui. Another Rouran force of several tens of thousands of cavalry suddenly arrived. The Northern Qi ruler lay down peacefully and only rose at dawn, his expression calm. He deployed and directed the situation, then unleashed his troops to attack fiercely. The Rouran army was routed, and the Northern Qi army broke out of the encirclement. The Rouran army fled, and the Northern Qi army pursued them. Corpses stretched for over twenty li. They captured Anluochen's wife and children and took over thirty thousand prisoners. The duhu Wushan Gao Anagong was ordered to lead several thousand cavalry to block the Rouran's retreat route. At that time, the Rouran army was still very strong. Gao Anagong considered his force too small and requested reinforcements. The Northern Qi ruler instead reduced his force by half. Gao Anagong attacked fiercely and thoroughly defeated the Rouran army. Anluochen crossed a dangerous valley and barely escaped with his life. On the bingyin day, Emperor Yuan of Liang sent the sanqi changshi Yu Xin and others on a diplomatic mission to Western Wei. On the guichou day, Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed Chen Baxian as sikong. On the dingwei day, the Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang again personally attacked the Rouran and thoroughly defeated them. On the gengxu day, the Western Wei Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai poisoned the deposed emperor Yuan Qin to death. In the fifth month, the Western Wei men of Zhi Province, Le Chi, and of Yang Province, Huang Guo, among others, rebelled. The kaifu yitong sansi Gao Ping Tian Hong and Henan He Ruodun attacked them but could not prevail. The Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai ordered the cheqi da jiangjun Li Qianzhe to join He Ruodun in jointly attacking Le Chi and the others, and they pacified the rebellion. Li Qianzhe then marched south with He Ruodun, conquering territory as far as Ba Province. The Inspector of Ba Province, Mou Anmin, surrendered. The people of the Ba and Pu regions all submitted to Western Wei. The Man chieftain Xiang Wuzi Wang and others captured Baidi. Li Qianzhe attacked them. Xiang Wuzi Wang and the others fled. Li Qianzhe pursued and defeated them. Yuwen Tai appointed Li Qianzhe as Inspector of Xin Province, stationed at Baidi. Xin Province had previously had no stored grain. Li Qianzhe and his soldiers together gathered kudzu roots as food. Sometimes, when they encountered a delicacy, he would always share it with everyone to taste. The soldiers were moved and delighted. Li Qianzhe repeatedly attacked the rebellious Man tribes and defeated them. The various Man tribes were terrified and submitted, all sending grain and sending their sons and younger brothers as hostages. Therefore, the territory of Xin Province was pacified, and military grain stores were also sufficient. The Rouran Yizhan Da Guan invaded Western Wei's Guangwu. The zhuguo Li Bi pursued and defeated them. The Inspector of Guang Province, the Marquis of Qujiang, Xiao Bo, considered himself not appointed by Emperor Yuan of Liang, and his heart was uneasy. Emperor Yuan of Liang also suspected him. Xiao Bo submitted a request to come to court. In the fifth month, on the yisi day, Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed Wang Lin as Inspector of Guang Province and Xiao Bo as Inspector of Jin Province. Because Wang Lin's troops were strong and he had won the people's hearts, Emperor Yuan of Liang wanted to send him far away. Wang Lin was on close terms with the zhu shu Guanghan Li Ying. He privately said to Li Ying, "I, Wang Lin, am a petty man. I have been promoted to this position by Your Majesty's grace. Now that the world is not yet settled, if I am sent to Lingnan, and if something unexpected happens, where will you find me, Wang Lin, to serve as a useful arm? I privately suspect that His Majesty's intention is merely that he has suspicions about me. My own position and aspirations are limited; how could I contend with His Majesty for the throne? Why not let me, Wang Lin, serve as Inspector of Yong Province, guarding Wuning? I, Wang Lin, will let my troops farm themselves, to defend and protect the state." Li Ying thought his words were correct but did not dare to memorialize them. The sanji lang from Xinye, Yu Jicai, said to Emperor Yuan of Liang, "In the eighth month of last year, on the bingshen day, the moon encroached upon the middle star of the Heart mansion. In the first month of this year, on the bingxu day, a red vapor offended the Northern Dipper. The Heart mansion corresponds to the Son of Heaven. Bing corresponds to the region of Chu. I fear that in the month of jianzi (the eleventh month), a great army will enter Jiangling. Your Majesty should leave a heavy minister to guard Jiangling, arrange the flags and pennants, and return to the capital to avoid this calamity. If the Wei barbarians press and attack, they will only take Jing and Xiang provinces. For the state and the altar of the soil and grain, there will still be no need for worry." Emperor Yuan of Liang also understood astronomy. He knew there was a calamity in Chu and sighed, saying, "Calamity and fortune depend on Heaven. What use is there in avoiding them?" In the sixth month, on the renwu day, Northern Qi's Bushihan Sa led forty thousand troops to Jing Province. Wang Sengbian sent Hou Tian and Zhang Biao to lead troops from Shiliang to assist Yan Chaoda in resisting. Hou Tian and Zhang Biao lingered and did not advance. General Yin Lingsi led over ten thousand men, planning to attack Xuyi. The Inspector of Northern Qi's Ji Province, Duan Shao, led his army to Suyu to attack Dongfang Baie. Both Guangling and Jing Province sent urgent reports of distress. The generals were worried about this. Duan Shao said, "Liang is in mourning and chaos. The state has no fixed ruler. People's hearts each harbor intentions to stay or leave; they follow the strong. Chen Baxian and the others outwardly pretend to be of one mind, but inwardly they harbor divisive intentions. You gentlemen need not worry. I have thoroughly assessed them!" He then left the yitong san si Jing Xianxie and others to besiege Suyu, while he himself led troops day and night to rush to Jing Province. On the way, he passed through Xuyi. Yin Lingsi did not expect the Northern Qi army to arrive suddenly and fled at the mere sight of them. Duan Shao advanced and attacked Yan Chaoda, defeating him. He then turned his army and rushed to Guangling. Chen Baxian lifted the siege and fled. Du Sengming returned to Dantu. Hou Tian and Zhang Biao returned to Qin Commandery. Wu Mingche surrounded Haixi. The garrison commander, Zhongshan Lang Ji, held out firmly. He shaved wood to make arrows and cut paper for fletchings. The siege lasted one hundred days, but they ultimately could not capture it and withdrew. The Rouran led their remaining forces eastward and also intended to invade south. The Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang led light cavalry to intercept them at Jinshuan. When the Rouran heard of this, they fled into the distance. The Inspector of Ying Province, Lingqiu Wang Jun, set up an ambush and attacked them, capturing several tens of their renowned kings. The Dengzhi Qiang chief Yanheng lost his authority and fled to Western Wei. The Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai sent the Inspector of Qin Province, Yuwen Dao, to lead troops and receive him. Northern Qi's Duan Shao returned to Suyu. He sent a persuasive person to convince Dongfang Baie. Dongfang Baie opened the gate and requested an alliance. Duan Shao took the opportunity to seize him and behead him. Autumn, the seventh month, on the gengxu day, the Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang returned to Yecheng. The Western Wei Grand Preceptor Yuwen Tai traveled west on an inspection tour, reaching Yuan Province. In the eighth month, on the qianchen day, Northern Qi appointed the sizhou mu, the Prince of Qinghe, Gao Yue, as tai bao; the sikong Wei Can as situ; the taizi taishi Houmo Chen Xiang as sikong; the shangshu ling, the Prince of Pingyang, Gao Yan, as lu shangshu shi; the Prince of Changshan, Gao Yan, as shangshu ling; and the zhongshu ling, the Prince of Shangdang, Gao Huan, as zuo puye. On the yihai day, Northern Qi's yitong san si Yuan Xu was found guilty of an offense and ordered to kill himself. On the dingchou day, the Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang went to Jinyang. When the Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang had not yet become the chengxiang of Northern Wei, the tai bao and lu shangshu shi, the Prince of Pingyuan, Gao Longzhi, had often insulted him. Later, when Gao Yang was about to accept the abdication, Gao Longzhi also considered it unacceptable. The Northern Qi ruler therefore held a grudge against him. Cui Jishu slandered him, saying, "Whenever Gao Longzhi sees litigants, he always shows them pity and sympathy, to display that the decision was not his own." The Northern Qi ruler imprisoned Gao Longzhi in the shangshu province. Gao Longzhi had once been drinking with Yuan Xu and said to Yuan Xu, "In associating with a prince, one should not betray him in life or death." Someone secretly reported these words to the Northern Qi ruler. The Northern Qi ruler therefore became angry, ordered strong men to punch him over a hundred times, and then released him. On the xinsi day, Gao Longzhi died on the road. After a long time, the Northern Qi ruler recalled his old grievance. He seized Gao Longzhi's sons, Gao Huideng and others, twenty men in total, and brought them before him. The Northern Qi ruler struck his saddle with his horsewhip, and in an instant, all their heads fell to the ground. He then threw all the bodies into the Zhang River. He also opened Gao Longzhi's grave, took out his corpse, cut the bones into pieces and burned them, then threw them into the Zhang River. The Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang sent the Prince of Changshan, Gao Yan, the Prince of Shangdang, Gao Huan, the Prince of Qinghe, Gao Yue, and the Prince of Pingyuan, Duan Shao, to lead troops and build the cities of Fa'e, Xincheng, Yancheng, and Henan in the southwest of Luoyang. In the ninth month, the Northern Qi ruler inspected the four cities. He intended to use this to lure the Western Wei army. The Western Wei army did not come out, so he went to Jinyang. The Western Wei Yuwen Tai ordered the shizhong Cui You to open the Huiche road in order to open up the road to Hanzhong. Emperor Yuan of Liang was fond of metaphysical discussions. On the xinmao day, he lectured on the Laozi at the Longguang Hall. The Marquis of Qujiang, Xiao Bo, moved to Shixing. Wang Lin sent his deputy Sun Chang to first occupy Panyu. On the yisi day, Western Wei dispatched the zhuguo, the Duke of Changshan, Yu Jin, the Duke of Zhongshan, Yuwen Hu, and the da jiangjun Yang Zhong to lead fifty thousand troops to invade. Autumn, the tenth month, on the renxu day, they set out from Chang'an. Zhangsun Jian asked Yu Jin, "What plans would you make for Xiao Yi?" Yu Jin said, "To display his military strength in the Han and Mian river regions, roll up his forces and cross the river, and strike straight for Danyang—that would be the best strategy. To move the residents of the outer city into the inner city, retreat and hold the inner city, raise the battlements, and wait for relief forces—that is a middle strategy. If it is difficult to move, to hold the outer city—that is the worst strategy." Zhangsun Jian said, "What plan do you estimate Xiao Yi will adopt?" Yu Jin said, "The worst strategy." Zhangsun Jian asked, "What is the reason?" Yu Jin said, "The Xiao clan has held Jiangnan for several decades. It happens that the Central Plains are troubled, so they have had no leisure to manage external affairs. Moreover, because our state has the calamity of Northern Qi, they must think our forces cannot be divided. Furthermore, Xiao Yi is weak and lacks strategy. He is suspicious and indecisive. The common people are hard to plan with at the beginning; they all cling to their cities and homes. Therefore, I know he will adopt the worst strategy." On the guihai day, the Grand Administrator of Wuning, Zong Jun, reported that the Western Wei army was about to arrive. Emperor Yuan of Liang summoned the dukes and ministers to discuss. The lingjun Hu Sengyou and the taifu qing Huang Luohan said, "The two states are on friendly terms and have no discord. This certainly cannot be." The shizhong Wang Chen said, "I estimate Yuwen Tai's demeanor; there is definitely no such intention." So he again sent Wang Chen on a mission to Western Wei. On the bingyin day, Yu Jin reached Fan and Deng. The Liang ruler Xiao Cha led his troops and joined him. On the dingmao day, Emperor Yuan of Liang stopped the lectures and declared martial law both inside and outside the court. Wang Chen reached Shifan but did not see the Western Wei army. He sent a rider with a letter to report to Huang Luohan, saying, "I have reached Shifan. All is quiet on the border. The previous talk was nothing but child's play." When Emperor Yuan of Liang heard this, he was puzzled. On the gengwu day, he again opened the lectures. The hundred officials wore military dress while listening. On the xinwei day, Emperor Yuan of Liang sent the zhu shu Li Ying to Jiankang to summon Wang Sengbian as da duhu and Inspector of Jing Province, and ordered Chen Baxian to move his garrison to Yang Province. Wang Sengbian sent the Inspector of Yu Province, Hou Tian, leading Cheng Lingxi and others as the vanguard, and the Inspector of Yan Province, Du Sengming, leading Wu Mingche and others as the rearguard. On the jiaxu day, Emperor Yuan of Liang ascended the Fenghuang Pavilion at night, paced back and forth, and sighed, saying, "A guest star has entered the Yi and Zhen constellations. Now defeat is certain!" His consorts and attendants all wept. When Lu Fahe heard that the Western Wei army had arrived, he set out from Ying Province and entered the Han River mouth, intending to rush to Jiangling. Emperor Yuan of Liang sent someone to intercept him and said, "I myself can naturally break the rebels. You should just guard Ying Province. Do not act!" Lu Fahe returned to Ying Province. He whitewashed the city gates with white earth, wore mourning clothes, and sat on a reed mat. After a full day, he took off the mourning clothes. In the eleventh month, Emperor Yuan of Liang held a grand military review outside the Jinyang Gate. He encountered a north wind and heavy rain, so he took a light carriage and returned to the palace. On the guiwei day, the Western Wei army crossed the Han River. Yu Jin ordered Yuwen Hu and Yang Zhong to lead elite cavalry and first occupy Jiangjin, cutting off the eastern route. On the jiashen day, Yuwen Hu captured Wuning and seized Zong Jun. On this day, Emperor Yuan of Liang rode out of the city on horseback to inspect the palisade. The palisade was made of wooden stakes inserted into the ground, with a circumference of over sixty li. He appointed the lingjun jiangjun Hu Sengyou as du dushu chengdong zhu janshi, with the shangshu you puye Zhang Wan as his deputy. He appointed the zuo puye Wang Bao as du dushu chengxi zhu janshi, with the sixiang ling zhi Yuan Jingliang as his deputy. The princes and dukes below each had their own defensive duties. On the bingxu day, he ordered the heir apparent to inspect the city towers and had the residents help transport timber and stone. At night, the Western Wei army reached Huanghua, forty li from Jiangling. On the dinghai day, they arrived at the palisade. On the wuzi day, the Inspector of Xi Province, Pei Ji, Pei Ji's younger brother, the Grand Administrator of Xinxing, Pei Ji, the Grand Administrator of Wuchang, Zhu Maichen, and the Grand Administrator of Hengyang, Xie Daren, opened the Pipa Gate and went out to fight. Pei Ji killed the Western Wei yitong san si Hu Wenfa. Pei Ji was Pei Zhigao's son. Emperor Yuan of Liang summoned the Inspector of Guang Province, Wang Lin, as Inspector of Xiang Province, ordering him to lead troops to come to the rescue. On the dingyou day, a fire broke out inside the palisade, burning several thousand homes and twenty-five city towers. Emperor Yuan of Liang personally went to the burned city tower. Gazing into the distance at the Western Wei army crossing the river, he looked around and sighed. That night, he stopped outside the palace and lodged in a commoner's house. On the jihai day, he moved to the Qihuan Temple. Yu Jin ordered the construction of a long siege wall. Communication between inside and outside the city was thus cut off. On the gengzi day, the Inspector of Xin Province, Xu Shipu, and the sima of the Prince of Jin'an, Ren Yue, among others, built a camp at Matou to serve as a distant supporting force. That night, Emperor Yuan of Liang patrolled the city walls and even improvised a poem. The assembled ministers also composed poems in reply. Emperor Yuan of Liang tore silk to write a letter, urging Wang Sengbian, saying, "I am enduring death to wait for you. You can come!" On the renyin day, he returned to the palace. On the guimao day, he went out and lodged at the Changsha Temple. On the wushen day, Wang Bao, Hu Sengyou, Zhu Maichen, Xie Daren, and others opened the gate and went out to fight. They were all defeated and returned. On the jiyou day, Emperor Yuan of Liang moved to the Tianjue Temple. On the guichou day, he moved to the Changsha Temple. Zhu Maichen grasped his sword and stepped forward, saying, "Only by beheading Zong Lin and Huang Luohan can we apologize to the world!" Emperor Yuan of Liang said, "It was originally my intention. What crime have Zong and Huang committed?" Zhu and Huang retreated into the crowd. Wang Lin's army reached Changsha. The zhennan fu zhangshi Pei Zheng requested to take a side road and first go to Jiangling to report. When he reached Bailizhou, he was captured by Western Wei soldiers. The Liang ruler Xiao Cha said to Pei Zheng, "I am the grandson of Emperor Wu. Can I not be your ruler? If you follow my plan, wealth and honor will extend to your sons and grandsons. If not, your waist and neck will be separated." Pei Zheng pretended to agree, saying, "I obey." Xiao Cha put him in chains and took him to the city wall, telling him to say, "Wang Sengbian, hearing that the inner city is besieged, has already proclaimed himself emperor. Wang Lin's forces are isolated and weak; he can no longer come." Pei Zheng instead shouted loudly to those inside the city, "The relief troops are arriving in great numbers. You gentlemen, each do your utmost. I have been captured as a secret envoy. I should be ground to powder to repay the state." The guards beat his mouth. Xiao Cha became angry and ordered him to be killed immediately. The xi zhong lang canjun Cai Daye admonished, saying, "This is a man upon whom the people look. If you kill him, then Jing Province cannot be taken." So they released him. Pei Zheng was Pei Zhili's son. Cai Daye was Cai Dabao's younger brother. At that time, troops were being conscripted from everywhere, but none had arrived. On the jiayin day, the Western Wei troops attacked the city from a hundred directions. The soldiers and people inside the city carried doors and covered themselves with shields. Hu Sengyou personally faced arrows and stones, supervising the battle day and night. He rewarded the soldiers and punished them fairly. The troops all fought with utmost effort, and wherever they went, they destroyed and annihilated the enemy. The Western Wei army could not advance. Soon, Hu Sengyou was struck by a stray arrow and died. Inside and outside the court, there was great alarm. The entire Western Wei army attacked the palisade. Traitors opened the west gate and let the Western Wei army in. Emperor Yuan of Liang, together with the heir apparent, Wang Bao, Xie Daren, and Zhu Maichen, retreated to hold the Jincheng. He ordered the Prince of Runan, Xiao Dafeng, and the Prince of Jinxi, Xiao Dayuan, to go to Yu Jin as hostages to seek peace. When the Western Wei army first arrived, many people thought that Wang Sengbian's son, the shizhong Wang Yi, could serve as duhu. Emperor Yuan of Liang did not employ him but instead deprived him of military authority, ordering him to enter the palace with ten followers to guard the hall. It was only after Hu Sengyou died that he appointed him du dushu chengzhu janshi. Pei Ji, Pei Ji, and the Marquis of Liyang, Xiao Jun, all left the city and surrendered. Because Pei Ji had personally killed Hu Wenfa, Yu Jin executed him along with Pei Ji. Xiao Jun was Xiao Yuanyou's son. At that time, although the southern part of the city was breached, the generals in the northern part were still fighting fiercely. As dusk fell, they heard that the city had fallen and then dispersed. Emperor Yuan of Liang entered the Dongge Bamboo Hall and ordered the sheren Gao Shanbao to burn one hundred and forty thousand scrolls of ancient and modern books. He was about to jump into the fire himself, but the palace women and his attendants together stopped him. He also drew his sword and cut a pillar, breaking it, and sighed, saying, "The Way of civil and military affairs is exhausted tonight!" He then sent the yushi zhongcheng Wang Xiaosi to draft a letter of surrender. Xie Daren and Zhu Maichen admonished, saying, "The troops in the city are still strong. If we take advantage of the darkness to break out and flee, the rebels will surely be alarmed. We can press close to them and cross the river to join Ren Yue." Emperor Yuan of Liang had never been good at riding a horse. He said, "The matter will certainly not succeed. It will only add to the shame!" Xie Daren requested to personally support Emperor Yuan of Liang. Emperor Yuan of Liang asked Wang Bao about this. Wang Bao said, "Xie Daren was a follower of Hou Jing. How can he be trusted? To accomplish his merit would be worse than surrendering." Xie Daren again requested to guard the inner city. He could gather troops and obtain five thousand men. Emperor Yuan of Liang considered this acceptable and immediately appointed him chengzhong da duhu and gave him a princess in marriage. Soon after, he summoned Wang Bao to plan again, and they considered it unfeasible. Xie Daren requested an audience but was not permitted. He spat blood and left. Yu Jin summoned the heir apparent as a hostage. Emperor Yuan of Liang sent Wang Bao to escort the heir apparent. Because Wang Bao was skilled in calligraphy, Yu Jin's son gave him paper and brush. Wang Bao then wrote, "Slave of the house of the Duke of Changshan, the zhuguo." Shortly after, the huangmen lang Pei Zheng violated the prohibition and rushed out the gate. Emperor Yuan of Liang then removed his ceremonial insignia and cultural objects, rode a white horse, and wore white clothes. He went out through the east gate, drew his sword, and struck the door panels, saying, "Xiao Shicheng has come to this!" The Western Wei soldiers crossed the moat and seized his horse's reins. They reached the north of the Baima Temple, took the fine horse he was riding, and replaced it with an inferior one. They sent a tall Hu man to hold him by the neck and lead him forward. When he met Yu Jin, the Hu man pulled Emperor Yuan of Liang to make him kneel. The Liang ruler Xiao Cha sent armored cavalry to surround Emperor Yuan of Liang and take him into the camp, where he was imprisoned under a black tent. He was interrogated and humiliated in every possible way by Xiao Cha. On the yimao day, Yu Jin ordered the kaifu yitong sansi Zhangsun Jian to enter and occupy the Jincheng. Emperor Yuan of Liang deceived Zhangsun Jian, saying, "A thousand jin of gold is buried in the city. I want to give it to you as a gift." Zhangsun Jian then took Emperor Yuan of Liang into the city. Emperor Yuan of Liang then recounted the humiliations inflicted by Xiao Cha. He said to Zhangsun Jian, "I was just temporarily deceiving you a moment ago. I wanted to say this. How could a Son of Heaven personally bury gold?" Zhangsun Jian then left Emperor Yuan of Liang in the Imperial Wardrobe Treasury. Emperor Yuan of Liang was cruel by nature. Moreover, he took warning from the laxity of his father, Emperor Wu of Liang, so he advocated strictness in governance. By the time the Western Wei army besieged the city, there were still several thousand prisoners under sentence of death. The relevant officials requested that they be released to serve as soldiers. Emperor Yuan of Liang did not permit it. He ordered them all to be beaten to death with clubs. Before the task was completed, the city had fallen. The zhongshu lang Yin Buhai had previously been supervising the battle elsewhere. After the city fell, he was separated from his mother. At that time, ice and snow were piled up, and those who had frozen to death filled the ditches. Yin Buhai walked along the road weeping, searching for his mother's corpse. He went everywhere. When he saw a dead person in a ditch, he jumped down to lift him up and look. His whole body was frozen and wet. He did not take any water or gruel. His wailing did not stop. After seven days of this, he finally found his mother's corpse. In the twelfth month, on the bingchen day, Xu Shipu and Ren Yue withdrew to guard Baling. Yu Jin pressured Emperor Yuan of Liang to write a letter summoning Wang Sengbian. Emperor Yuan of Liang refused. The envoy said, "Can the prince be free now?" Emperor Yuan of Liang said, "Since I am not free, Wang Sengbian is also not subject to me." He then asked Zhangsun Jian for the palace women Wang and Xun, as well as his young son Xiao Xishou. Zhangsun Jian returned them all to him. Someone asked, "Why did you burn the books?" Emperor Yuan of Liang said, "I have read ten thousand scrolls, and yet I have come to this day. Therefore, I burned them!" On the gengshen day, the Northern Qi ruler Gao Yang made a northern tour, reaching the Dasu Ridge. He inspected the strategic points of the mountains and rivers and was about to build the Great Wall. On the xinwei day, Emperor Yuan of Liang was killed by the Western Wei people. The Liang ruler Xiao Cha sent the shangshu Fu Zhun to supervise the execution. He was suffocated with a sack of earth. Xiao Cha ordered that the body be wrapped in cloth, encoffined in a reed mat, bound with white straw, and buried outside the Jinyang Gate. At the same time, the Minhuai heir apparent Xiao Yuanliang, the Prince of Shi'an Xiao Fanglüe, the Prince of Guiyang Xiao Dacheng, and others were also killed. Emperor Shizu of Liang, Xiao Yi, was fond of books by nature. He often had his attendants read to him, day and night without stopping. Even when fast asleep, he would not put down the book. Sometimes, if someone misread or deceived him, Emperor Yuan of Liang would always wake up with a start. When he wrote prose, he could finish it as soon as he picked up the brush. He often said, "I am well-versed in the art of civil affairs towards scholars, but I am ashamed of my military abilities towards military men." Those who discussed it considered this statement correct. Western Wei established the Liang ruler Xiao Cha as the Lord of Liang. They granted him the territory of Jing Province, extending three hundred li, but at the same time took away his Yong Province territory. Xiao Cha resided in the eastern city of Jiangling. Western Wei set up a defense commander, leading troops stationed in the western city. In name, this was called auxiliary defense, outwardly indicating help for Xiao Cha's defense and resistance, but in reality, it was to guard against him. The former yitong san si Wang Yue was ordered to remain and guard Jiangling. Yu