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bookofjin · 2 years

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Biography of Liu Yilong (WS097)

So-called Emperor Wen of Song. With a focus on his failed wars and one very unfilial son.

(Interestingly, the "five fingers" detail is not in the Songshu that I could find, but is included in the Nanshi.)

Liang and others installed Yifu's younger brother, the Inspector of Jing province, Yilong, and titled the year Yuanjia [“Inaugural Excellence”]. He dispatched envoy Zhao Daosheng to court with tribute.

2nd Year [425 AD], Xu Xianzhi, Fu Liang, and others returned the government to Yilong. He did not allow it.

3rd Year [426 AD], Yilong trusted the words of his Attendant-at-Centre, Wang Hua, and executed Xianzhi and Fu Liang. He dispatched his general Tan Daoji and others to chastise the Inspector of Jing province, Xie Hui. Hui led a multitude down east, planning to depose Yilong while using chastising Wang Hua as his explanation. He routed Yilong's general Dao Yanzhi. When they heard that Daoji was about to arrive, Hui's multitudes ruptured and scattered. Hui fled to Jiangling, and then brought along his younger brother Dun and others to flee north. When he arrived at Yantou in Anling, he was seized by the Defence Master, Guang Shunzhi, and beheaded at Jianye.

8th Month [18 September – 16 October]. Yilong sent his General Within the Hall, Ji Heng, to court with tribute.

2nd Year of Shenjia [429 AD], he again discarding the General Within the Hall, Sun Hengzhi, to court with tribute.

3rd Year [430 AD], he again dispatched the General Within the Hall, Tian Qi, to court with tribute.

Soon after he dispatched his General of the Right, Dao Yanzhi, General who Calms the North, Wang Zhongde, and Inspector of Yan province, Zhu Lingxiu, with a navy to enter the He, and the General of Valiant Cavalry, Duan Heng, to rob Hulao. He also dispatched his Inspector of Yu province, Liu Dewu, and General of the Rear, the King of Changsha, Yixin, to reach Pengcheng and be rear support. Dao Yanzhi robbed Que'ao, and divided off an army towards Hulao and Luoyang. Shizu decreed the various armies south of the He to assemble the multitudes and cross north to make him arrogant. Soon after he decreed the General of the Best of the Army, An Jie, and others, to lead a multitude and cross from Mengjin to attack Jinyong. Yilong's General who Establishes the Martial, Du Ji, set out and fled. Thereupon he exploited the victory to advance and attack Hulao. He captured it and beheaded their Inspector of Si Province, Yin Chong. Shusun Jian greatly routed Zhu Lingxiu, and pursued him until Hulu.

4th Year [431 AD], Jie attacked Huatai. Yanzhi, together with Wang Zhongde and others, burnt his ships and cast of his armour, and fled back to Pengcheng. Yilong again dispatched Tan Daoji to relieve Huatai. Shusun Jian and Zhangsun Daosheng struck him. Daoji arrived at Gaoliang Mountain. Jie and others attacked and overcame Huatai, and apprehended his Central Gentleman Assisting Affairs to the Minister over the Masses, Zhu Xiuzhi. Daoji ran and fled to Licheng, and during the night then escaped and turned back. Yilong's Inspector of Qing province, Xiao Sihua, also abandoned the garrison and ran to Pingchang. His stored up grain at Dongyang was burned by the hundred families.

1st Year of Yanhe, 5th Month [14 June – 13 July 432], Yilong again dispatched Zhao Daosheng to court with tribute.

2nd Year, 2nd Month [7 March – 5 April 433], decreed the Combined Cavalier Regular Attendant Song Xuan as envoy to Yilong, and moreover to make a marriage agreement for the August Heir-Apparent.

9th Month [30 September – 28 October], Yilong dispatched Zhao Daosheng to tribute one tame elephant.

2nd Year of Taiyan, 3rd Month [2 April – 1 May 436], Yilong dispatched as envoy Hui Yuanshao to court with tribute.

Yilong dreaded his Minister of Works, Tan Daoji, and thereupon executed him. When Daoji was approaching death, he took off his head-scarf and threw it on the ground, saying:

So then falls our ten thousand li Long Wall.

3rd Year, 3rd Month [21 April – 20 May 437], Yilong dispatched his Cavalier Regular Attendant Liu Xibo to court with tribute, and moreover to discuss accepting the [marriage] gift.

6th Month [19 July – 16 August], Yilong's daughter died, and they did not as a result make the marriage.

5th Year, 11th Month [22 December 439 – 19 January 440], Yilong dispatched Huang Yannian to present [a] tame elephant.

Beginning of Zhenjun [440 AD], Yilong moved his younger brother, the Great General Yikang, to Yuzhang.

2nd Year [441 AD], his Dragon-Prancing Army Advisor, Fu Lingyu [?] of Badong, went to Yilong to argue for Yikang. Yilong was greatly angered, he arrested Yu and killed him.

4th Month [7 May – 4 June], Yilong dispatched as envoy Huang Yannian to court with tribute.

12th Month [29 December – 26 January 442], Yilong again dispatched Huang Yannian to court with tribute.

This Year [441 AD], Yilong's Inspector of Liang# province Liu Zhendao's general, Pei Fangming, attacked Yang Nandang. Nandang gave up Chouchi, and took with him his wife and children to come fleeing.

3rd Year [442 AD], Shizu decreed the King of Langye, Sima Chuzhi, and others chastise him. The General who Calms the West, Gu Bi, the General who Pacifies the West, Yuan Ji, and others intercepted Yilong's Inspector of Qin province, Hu Chongzhi, at Zhuo River. They routed and seized him, his remnant multitudes ran to Hanzhong. Yilong installed Nandang's older brother's son Wende as Inspector of Qin province and King of Wudu. He made a defence post at Qielu. Bi and others chastised and pacified him. Yilong thereupon killed Zhendao and Fangming.

5th Year [444 AD], Yilong resumed dispatching envoys to court with tribute.

6th Year [445 AD], his Outer Staff Cavalier Attendant Gentleman Kong Xixian, though talented and learned, was not being employed. The Intendant of Affairs to the Heir-Apparent, Fan Ye, since his family was unrestrained and foul, was scorned by his generation. He, together with Xixian and his nephew Xie Zong, planned to kill Yilong and install his younger brother, the former Great General Yikang. The Governor of Danyang, Xu Zhanzhi reported it. He therefore executed Ye and others, and moved Yikang to Ancheng commandery, with a Steering Clerk to oversee and guard.

7th Year [446 AD], decreed the various armies to plunder Jiyin and Jinxiang and others, seven counties, and also chase away their Qing and Ji provinces people and households, and then turn back. A native of Beidi, Gai Wu, assembled a multitude in rebellion. Yilong used Wu as General who Calms the West and Inspector of Yong province, and ennobled him Duke of Beidi, calculating he would make chaos in Yong province. Decreed the various armies to chastise and pacify him.

Yilong was fond of acting on small plan and inciting the border people. Inside he erected mountain parks. [They?] were endlessly extravagant and extremely beautiful. The labour was put on the hundred families, South of the Jiang suffered from it.

9th Year, 1st Month [20 February – 20 March 448], Yilong dispatched envoys to present peacock.

11th Year, 2nd Month [28 February – 28 March 450], Shizu wished to hunt at Yunmeng, and issued out envoys to inform Yilong that he must not be suspicious or obstructive. Yilong requested to receive the decree. Shizu went on a southern tour. Yilong's border cities shut their gates to resist and defend. Shizu was wroth at them, and therefore attacked Xuanhu. He allotted and dispatched envoys to calm and comfort the surrendered people, those who did not submit he executed and slaughtered. Yilong's Grand Wardens of Runan, Nandun, Ruyang, and Yingchuan all abandoned their cities to run and flee. Yilong's General who Calms the North, the King of Wuling, Jun, dispatched the Army Advisers Liu Taizhi and Zang Zhaozhi, the Generals within the Hall, Yin Huaiyi and Cheng Tianzuo, and others with more than 1 000 cavalry to arrive arrive at Ruyang. The King of Yongchang, Wei, struck and routed them. He beheaded Taizhi and Zhaozhi, and seized Tianzuo and others.

Yilong again dispatched the General who Soothes the Boreal, Wang Xuanmo to lead is Colonel of Infantry and Cavalry to the Heir-Apparent, Shen Qingzhi, and the Consultant Army Adviser to the Garrison Army, Shen Tan, and others, to enter the He. The Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces, Xiao Bin, with his cavalry advanced on both water nad land. Leader of the Guards of the Left to the Heir-Apparent, Zang Zhi controlled the General of Valiant Cavalry, Wang Fanghui, the Marshal who Calms the Man, Liu Kangzu, and the Army Advisor of the Right Army, Liang Tan, to aim for Xu and Luo. The General of the Right and Inspector of Yu province, the King of Nanping, Shuo, […] . The Grand Commandant, the King of Jiangxia, Yigong had authority over the various armies. The Inspector of Liang# and Nanqin provinces, Liu Xiuzhi controlled the General Who Assists the State, Yang Wende, and the General who Proclaims Power, Liu Hongzong towards Qian and Long. The General who Protects the Army, Xiao Sihua managed the Dragon-Prancing General, Du Tan, and the Grand Warden of Jingling, Liu Deyuan, towards Wu Pass. Yilong ordered the kings and nobles, consorts and princesses, and his court gentlemen, shepherds and wardens extending down to wealthy people to fully send out their private riches to help with army expenditure. Gentlemen and commoners resented it. Nanyan, Qing, Ji, Yan, Yu, and San Wu selectively sent out, to match military action. Yang, Nanxu, Yan, and Jiang provinces all divided off one out of four. The Marshal who Establishes Power, Shen Yuanji, hastened to Sidu, and Xiao Bin arrived at Que'ao. Wang Xuanmo dispatched the Army Master Wang Baohui to attack Huatai. The Right Army Xiao Shuo [sic.] dispatched the Army Advisor of the Centre Troops, Liang Tan, and others to advance the army to Xiaosuo.

Shizu decreed the various armies to aid Huatai, and greatly defeated Wang Baohui and others. Wang Xuanmo fled back to Que'ao. Xiao Bin dispatched Shen Tan, together with Liang Tan and Yuan Huzhi, to occupy Liangdang City. Si withdrew back to Lixia. When the Chariot Drove across the He, Liang Tan withdrew and fled to Qijia Mountain. The Chariot Drove to issue out from Huatai, and passed Que'ao. Yilong again dispatched the Inspector of Yong province, the King of Jingling, Dan, to lead his generals Xue Andu, Liu Yuanjing, and others to enter Lushi, and advanced to attack Hongnong. Decreed the Inspector of Luo province, Zhang Shi, led the multitudes to cross over Yao. The Garrison Commander of Pucheng, He Nan, forded the He at Fenglingdui, and the Inspector of Qing province, Du Daosheng reached Wenxiang. Yuanjing withdrew and fled.

11th Month [29 December – 17 January 451], the Chariot Drove from Dong'an Mountain to set out for Xiapi. Yilong's Defence Master of Zoushan and Grand Warden of Luyang [sic] and Yangping, Cui Xieli, surrendered. The King of Chu, Jian, and the Marquis of Nankang, Du Daojun, advanced the army [to] Qingxi, reaching Liujian Defence Post. Yilong's Garrison Army Liu Jun's Army Adviser, Ma Wengong reached Xiaocheng. The Army Master Ji Xuanijng, reach Liucheng. Both were scouting, and on seeing the public army they altogether at the time withdrew and fled.

The King of Yongchang, Ren, attacked Xuanhu, took it, and captured Yilong's defending general, Zhao Huai. He passed by and settled Xiangcheng, routed Weiwu Defence Post, and seized its Defence Master. He advanced to attack Shouyang, stationed troops at Sunshu Ao's house, and plundered Matou and Zhongli commanderies. Yilong dispatched the General of the Left Army, Liu Kangzu, to hurry to Shouyang. He and Ren encountered each other, and Ren greatly routed him. He fully buried his multitudes, beheaded Kangzu, sending his head for display at Shouchun, and captured his generals Hu Shengzhi, Wang Luohan, and others. As for the cut off heads, he had the army soldiers drag them, going around the city three times, and piled them up west of the city, to a height uniform with the city walls. Liu Shuo therefore burned on all four sides the outer walls, huts and houses, fortified the inner walls and firmly defended.

The Chariot Drove to arrive at Xuyi, the Huai, and the Si. Yilong dispatched the General who Assists the State, Zang Zhi to lead the legions to reach Xuyu, [and?] halted the army north of the city. The Six Armies were on the bank to sail across the Huai. Zhi dispatched Marshal Hu Chongzhi and others lead his command to set up a camp upon the mountain. The General who Establishes Power, Mao Xizuo occupied [a?] city before the great bank. Decreed to attack the two armies. Beheaded Chongzhi, Xizuo, and others, the other [cut off] heads numbering several thousands. The multitudes fully hurried into the river and died. The people South of the Huai all surrendered to the various armies.

The King of Gaoliang, Na, set out for Shanyang; the King of Yongchang, Ren, set out from Shouyang for Hengjiang. Everywhere they pass through there were none who did not scatter in the wind [?]. The Chariot Drove to climb upon Guabu, cutting reed and tying rafts, and showing intentions of crossing the Jiang. Yilong was greatly afraid, and wished to flee to Wu or Kuai[ji]. In Jianye, gentlemen and women all shouldered the burdens and stood up [?]. Yilong dispatched Huang Yannian to the Acting Palace. He presented a hundred sacrificial animals, tributed the things of his region, and also requested peace and sought to advance a daughter to the august grandson. Shizu considered a marriage among the legions not decorous, he allowed peace but did not allow marriage.

Earlier, when Yilong wished to dispatch an army to invade the frontier, his subjects Jiang Zhan and Xu Zhanzhi praised his affair, but Yilong's Heir-Apparent Shao, together with Xiao Sihua and Shen Qingzhi, spoke to Yilong, saying:

Formerly, Tan Daoji and Dao Yanzhi had no success and turned around. Now the generals, leaders, and multitude soldiers do not reach to before, [we] cannot take lightly moving troops and armour.

At the time Zhan and others were present, and Yilong made them plan and discuss with Qingzhi. Qingzhi said:

Running a state is like running a family. For ploughing ask a slave, for weaving ask a servant girl. Now [you] wish to attack a state, yet are planning it with a group of pale-faced book students. In what way will the affair be achieved.

Yilong greatly laughed, and thereupon did not take in Qinghzi's words.

Reaching this point, he climbed the tall buildings of Shitou Fort and gazed out, and, with very much a mournful appearance, sighed and said:

If Tan Daoji was here, would it have come to this!

Shao then placed the blame on Jiang and Xu. Yilong said:

It was pulled from my ideas. Do not involve the two people.

1st Year of Zhengping, 1st Month [17 February – 17 March 451], Shizu hosted a banquet at Guabu, and when he had allowed peace and friendship, he decreed to turn around the legions. Those people North of the Jiang who had reverted and surrendered numbered several hundred thousand. Altogether he had overcome Nanyan, Yu, Xu, Yan, Qing, and Ji, six provinces. The amount the army spearhead[s] had killed and plundered could not be fully counted.

At the time Yilong's North of the Jiang was barren and bleak, and within his territory there was disturbances and disorder. Yilong was anxious that Yikang might make chaos, and dispatched envoys to kil him, he buried him with the rites of a marquis. Yilong was ashamed and livid, and resorted to putting the blame on his subordinates. He demoted Yigong to Ceremony Similar to the Three Ministers, and Xiao Bin and Wang Xuanmo were both dismissed from their posts.

10th Month [10 November – 8 December], Yilong dispatched his General Sun Gai and others to court with tribute.

1st Year of Xing'an [452 AD, text has “9th Year”], Yilong dispatched the General who Consoles the Army, Xiao Sihua, to lead his general Zhang Yong and others in attacking Que'ao. Decreed the various armies to strike and rout them. Yong and others withdrew and fled. Sihua dispatched the General who Establishes the Martial, Yuan Huzhi, to reach Liang Mountain and confront the army. The Master of Writing Han Mao led cavalry to confront and strike him. Sihua withdrew back to Migou. Yilong again dispatched the Inspector of Yong province, Zang Zhi, towards Yao and Shan; the Inspector of Liang# province, Liu Xiuzhi, and the General who Assists the State, Yang Wende set out for Ziwu. The Inspector of Yu province, Zhangsun Lan, dispatched cavalry to rout them. Jizhi and others only escaped with their lives. Zang Zhi, Liu Yuanjing, Xue Andu, and others reached the Passes, also were continually defeated and fled.

That Year, Yilong's Heir-Apparent Shao and the King of Shixing, Xiuming, had a sorceress, Yan Daoyu, cast a curse on Yilong. The affair came out. Yilong, rankled and abashed, lost himself, and was neglectful in government affairs [?]. He therefore discussed demoting Shao and killing Xiuming. He frequently summoned the Archer-Servant of the Masters of Writing, Xu Zhanshi, the Master of Writing of the Personell Section, Jiang Zhan, the Attendant-at-Centre, Wang Sengchuo, and others to plan and discuss. Sengchuo said:

“One who at the decisive time does not decide, instead receives the trouble.” Indeed, when desiring to cut away affection with righteousness, sketching out minor things is intolerable [?]. Otherwise, [you] readily ought to lay out your innermost feelings like before, without over-much vacillating discussions. [You] cannot make the difficulties give birth to a worries over appearance [?] and be laughed at for a thousand years.

Yilong said:

My Servant can speak of ability to decide great affairs, this one is impossible not to earnestly think thrice about. When Yikang had just died, people said I had not then the Way of compassionate fondness.

Sengchuo again said:

Your Subject fears for the descendants of a thousand years, and tells Your Majesty it is easy to cut away a younger brother, [but] difficult to depose a son.

Yilong fell silent.

Xiuming's mother Pan had favour with Yilong, and Yilong informed her of the plans for deposing and installing. Pan requested a pardon, it was not allowed, and thereupon she informed Xiuming. Xiuming hurried to report to Shao. Shao understood he himself would be deposed, and thereupon at night summoned his left and right company chiefs, Chen Shu'er, and Zhan [Shu'er], fasting leaders Zhang Chaozhi, Ren Jianzhi, and others, controlling more than 2 000 people wearing armour, to guard himself. He also summoned the Leader of Guards of the Left, Yuan Shu, the Central Retainer Yin Zhongsu, and the General of Amassed Crossbows of the Left, Wang Zhengjian, and also shouted for the Senior Clerk of the Left Army, Xiao Bin. Shao said:

The imperial court trusts slander, and [I] will be accused and deposed. After inner examination [find I] have not transgressed, and, unable to accept the injustice, [I] next will enter the halls. You My Servants will surely not be different.

Then all around him made obeisance and announced sympathy. The multitudes were all frightened and did not answer. Yuan Shu after a good long time said:

From old [I] have had nothing of this kind, but have wished to apply good thoughts.

Shao was so angry he changed colour, and so left and right everyone stated they would humbly listen to his commands and directions. Next daybreak they beheaded Shu.

Shao defended the Wanchun Gate, and then announced to those at the gate, saying:

I have received a directive to enter and make arrests. [You] can help me supervise the rear company and order them to make haste.

Shao also faked directives from Yilong stating:

Lu Xiu plans rebellion. You next [?] can defend the barriers. Bring along troops to enter and chastise.

For that reason the officers and men trusted him.

Chaozhi and others led more than ten people to run through the Yunlong Gate, pull out their blades, and head directly to ascend the Hanzhang Hall. Yilong at night had withdrawn from people with Xu Zhanzhi for idle talk, and at the time had still not yet finished. The gate doors equally were without attendant guards. Yilong, hard pressed, used an armrest to shield himself. The troops' blades crisscrossed down and five fingers fell off. Chaozhi chopped down Yilong, Xu Zhanzhi was murdered by the disorderly troops. Shao separately dispatched ambushers on Jiang Zhanzhi, and beheaded him. Xiuming at the time was at the western provincial headquarters, he came to station within the hall. Shao also sent troops to kill Xiuming's mother.

Next day, Shao ascended the hall and accepted the imperial seal and ribbon. He sent down a document which said:

Xu Zhanzhi and Jiang Zhan's murderous treason is indescribable. I guided troops to enter the halls, but there was already nothing to do. Calling out in chagrin and collapsing with heartache, heart and liver are smashed and cracked. Now the criminals have been obtained, and the prime fiends overcome and ended. The divined generations and numinous benedictions are forever appreciated without end. Thinking of it extending here with the myriad millions to once more begin, there can be a great amnesty under Heaven, and change the 30th Year of Yuanjia to be the 1st Year of Taichu [“Grand Beginnings”].

#ws097

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