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bookofjin · 4 years

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Annals of Gaozu of Chen, early career (- 550)

[From Chenshu 01]

The Exalted Ancestor [gaozu], the Martial [wu] August Emperor, taboo Baxian, courtesy name Xingguo, child name Fasheng, was native of Xiaruo Village in Changcheng in Wuxing, he was a descendant of Han's Chief of Taiqiu, Chen Shi. His family for generations lived in Yingchuan. Shi's great-great-grandson, Zhun, was Jin's Grand Commandant. Zhun begot Kuang. Kuang begot Da. During the Yongjia era [307 – 313], he moved south and was on the staff of the Imperial Chancellor. He was successively Forerunner to the Heir-Apparent, and set out to be Prefect of Changcheng. He was pleased with its mountains and rivers, and thereupon had his family there. He once spoke to his relatives, saying:

This land's mountains and streams are flowering and elegant, and will foster a king in two hundred years. My sons and grandsons will surely collect this fortune.

Da begot Kang, who then was on the staff of the Imperial Chancellor. In the middle of Xianhe [326 – 334] there was a land determination and for that reason he became a native of Changcheng. Kang begot the Grand Warden of Xuchi, Ying. Ying begot the Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, Gongbi. Gongbi begot the Colonel of Infantry, Ding. Ding begot the Cavalier Attendant Gentleman Gao. Gao begot the Prefect of Ande, Yong. Yong begot the Grand Warden of Ancheng, Meng. Meng begot the Grand Ordinary Minister, Daoju. Daoju begot the Late August Wenzan.

Gaozu was born in Liang's 2nd Year of Tianjian [503 AD], a guiwei year. As young he was special and exceptional, and had great aspirations, and did not arrange for a livelihood. When he had grown up, he read military books, and had much martial skill. His clarity and intelligence was indeed set apart, and he was pushed forward and deferred to by the times. He was 7 chi, 5 cun tall, his “sun-corner” had a dragon appearance, and his hands hung down beyond the knees.

He once roamed Yixing, and ledged with the Xu clan. At night he dreamt that the sky opened up several paces, and there were four persons in cinnabar clothes who held up the sun and arrived. They ordered Gaozu to open his mouth and take it. When he woke up, it was like inside his stomach was burning, Gaozu in his heart shouldered it alone.

At the beginning of Datong [535 – 546], the Marquis of Xinyu, Xiao Ying, was Grand Warden of Wuxing, he considerably esteemed Gaozu. Once when eyeing Gaozu, he spoke to his companions and assistants, saying:

This person is just about [to have] far-reaching greatness.

When Ying became Inspector of Guang province, Gaozu became Army Advisor of Central Upright Troops, accompanying the head-quarter's garrison. Ying ordered Gaozu to recruit and assemble soldiers and horses, the multitude reached a thousand people. He continued to instruct Gaozu to oversee Songlong commandery.

His section's An and Hua counties [Chonghua and Nan'an?] originally did not submit, Gaozu chastised and pacified them. Soon after he oversaw the Controller-Protector of Xijiang and Warden of Gaoyao commandery.

Before this, the Marquis of Wulin, Xiao Zi, was Inspector of Jiao province. He lost the multitudes' heart due to collecting [taxes] cruelly. Li Ben, a native of the land, connected and joined with the outstanding and prominent of several provinces to rebel at the same time. The palace dispatched the Inspector of Gao province, Sun Jiong, and the Inspector of Xin province, Lu Zixiong, to bring along troops and strike them. Jiong and others did not advance in time, and both submitted to execution in Guang province. Zixiong's younger brother Zilüe, Jiong's sons and nephews, and their Masters of the Host, Du Tianhe, and Du Sengming together raised troops, apprehended the Controller-Protector of Nanjiang, Shen Yi, and advanced to rob Guang province. Day and night there were incessant attacks, and within they shook in fear.

Gaozu led 3 000 of the finest soldiers, rolled up the armour and made combined marches so as to save them, in frequent battles he won again and again. Tianhe was hit by a stray arrow and died. The thieves' multitudes were greatly scattered, and Sengming thereupon surrendered. Emperor Wu of Liang deeply commended and marvelled at him, conferred on him General of the Upright Passageway, with ennoblement as Count of Xin'an and an estate of 300 households, and at the same time dispatched painters to make a picture of Gaozu's appearance to observe him.

That Year [544 AD], Winter, Xiao Ying passed on. Next Year [545 AD], Gaozu sent off the coffin to return to the capital. When he arrived at Dayu High Pass, there happened to be a decree for Gaozu to be Marshal of Jiao province, nominally Grand Warden of Wuping. He and the Inspector, Yang Piao, went south to chastise. Gaozu increasingly brought forward the brave and daring, his instruments and weapons were the finest and sharpest. Piao delightfully said:

Among those able to vanquish the thieves, certainly is Minister of the Martial Chen.

He entrusted him accordingly with organizing and strategizing. Gaozu and the multitude armies issued out from Panyu. At that time Xiao Bo was Inspector of Ding province, and they met each other on the Xijiang. Bo understood the army soldiers dreaded far-away service, and secretly offered rewarded and enticed them, and following that deceptively persuaded Piao. Piao assembled the various generals to ask about plans. Gaozu replied, saying:

Jiaozhi's rebels spread out, crime followed for the Lineage House. Thereupon they caused usurpation and chaos in several provinces, spreading out for successive years and harvests. Ding province then wishes to dim the gain in seeing forward, and does not look at the great plan. The tally sent down present [us] with utterances to swing at the criminals, for that reason [I] will live or die for it. How can [you] hold in awe and quail at the Lineage House, and make light of the state's laws? Now suppose the robbers dispirit the multitudes, how are [we] certain Jiao province will chastise the thieves. [If] asking about the criminals' host, then turn around and point at them.

With that they directed the troops to beat the drums and march, and then advanced.

11th Year, 6th Month [25 June – 24 July 545], the army arrived in Jiao province. Ben's multitudes, several ten thousand, was at the mouth of the Suli Jiang, to erect city palisades so as to resist the official army. Piao pushed forward Gaozu as the vanguard, wherever he turned he toppled and captured. Ben fled to Dianche Lake. In the region of the Qu Liao he erected a stockade, greatly constructed ships and warships, filling up and blocking the middle of the lake. The multitude armies dreaded them, they paused at the mouth of the lake and did not dare to advance. Gaozu spoke to the various generals, saying:

Our host is already worn, the generals and soldiers are weary with struggle. To grasp each other for successive years [I] fear is not a good plan. Moreover an isolated army without assistance enters into peoples hearts and bellies. Suppose there is a single battle we do not win, how do we expect to keep our lives intact? Now to depend on them fleeing again and again, peoples' feelings are not yet firm. The Yi and Liao are a flock of crows, and are easy to destroy and exterminate. It is correct to attend to together to set out for a hundred deaths, to determine strength and catch them. We have no reasons to stop and halt, the affairs of the times will go away.

The various generals were all silent, and did not have a response. That night the waters of the Jiang rose 7 zhang, gathered in the middle of the lake, running and flowing in a quick burst. Gaozu directed his section troops, and exploited the flow to advance first. The multitude armies beat the drums and made a clamour, and moved forward together. The thieves' multitudes were greatly scattered.

Ben ran away to enter within the grottos of the Qu Liao. The Qu Liao beheaded Ben, and transmitted his head to the Imperial City. This year was the 1st Year of Taiqing [547 AD]. Ben's older brother Tianbao escaped to enter Jiuzhen. He and the brigand leader Li Shaolong gathered the remaining troops, 20 000, killed the Inspector of De province, Chen Wenjie, and advanced to besiege Ai province. Gaozu carried on leading the multitudes to chastise and pacify them. He was appointed General who Raises the Distant, Controller-Protector of Xijiang, Grand Warden of Gaoyao, and Controller of All Army Affairs of Seven Commanderies.

2nd Year [548 AD], Winter, Hou Jing robbed the Imperial City. Gaozu wanted to led troops to go and assist. The Inspector of Guang province, Yuan Jingzhong secretly had different aspirations, and wanted to plot against Gaozu. Gaozu perceived his plan. He and the Inspector of Cheng province, Wang Huaiming, the Selection Gentleman of the Acting Tribunal, Yin Waichen, and others covertly discussed taking precautions and making preparations.

3rd Year, 7th Month [9 August – 7 September 549], he assembled righteous troops in the Southern Seas, and swiftly called arms to chastise Jingzhong. Jingzhong was desperate and under pressure, and hanged [himself] beneath the balcony. Gaozu welcomed Xiao Bo to garrison Guang provnice.

At that time, the Interior Clerk of Linhe, Ouyang Wei oversaw Heng province. Lan Yu and Lan Jingli incited and persuaded Shixing etc., 10 commanderies. Together they raised up troops to attack Wei. Wei requested aid from Bo. Bo ordered Gaozu to lead the multitudes to rescue him. He thoroughly seized Yu and others, and continued to oversee Shixing commandery.

11th Month [5 December – 3 January 550], Gaozu dispatched Du Sengming and Hu Ying to bring along 2 000 people to pause above the high passes. He also substantially connected with the outstanding and prominent of Shixing to together plan to righteously raise up. Hou Andu, Zhang Rensi, and others led more than 1 000 people to come and adhere. Xiao Bo heard about it, and dispatched Zhong Xiuyue to talk to Gaozu, saying:

Hou Jing is gallant and valiant, Under Heaven none are his equal. Those in front assisted an army of 100 000, the soldiers and horses are the very best and vigorous. But yet they did not dare to be the spear-point, and thereupon ordered the Jie thieves to obtain their aspirations. You Lord, with a multitude of little account, how might it be?

Similarly, hearing that north of the High Passes, the kings and marquises are also all a boiling cauldron, Hedong and Guiyang are in turn butchering and massacring each other. Shaoling is beginning a foundation, and personally seeking out shield and spear. Li Qianshi is devoting himself to Dangyang, readily snatching horses and weaponry. By you Lord ignoring the outside, could you be jumping in the dark?

It is not as good moreover as dwelling in Shixing, far away extend the sound of power, protect this grand mountain, and yourself seek much happiness.

Gaozu sobbed and spoke to Xiuyue, saying:

This humble one originally was ordinary and unassuming, facing the state's complete accomplishments. When [I] formerly heard Hou Jing had crossed the Jiang, [I] immediately wished to go and aid. Coming across the conflict with Yuan and Lan, they were thorns in the middle of my path. Now the Imperial Capital is overturned and lost, the Ruler and Sovereign is suffering dust, the lords are humiliated and the subjects dead. Who would dare covering over the instructions! The Lord Marquis embodies then the august branches, his duties weighty among the regions' high peaks. He is not able to snap a spear-point at ten thousand li, wipe away this unjust pain, and see to dispatching a single army. Better than doing nothing, and then submit to later directives, making people melancholy, this humble one will act and plan for a decision, and rely on it as disclosing and recounting.

He then dispatched messengers to go to Jiangling outside the roads, and receive the successor army's appointed time, rules and measures.

At the time Cai Luyang rose up with troops to occupy Nankang. Bo dispatched his belly and heart Tan Shiyuan as Prefect of Qujiang. He and Luyang joined with each other, and together went aganst the righteous army.

1st Year of Dabao [2 February – 3 March 550], Gaozu issued out from Shixing, and stayed at Dayu High Pass. Luyang set out with the army and paused at Nanye, he relied on the mountains and rivers to erect four forts so as to resist Gaozu. Gaozu fought with him, and greatly routed him. Luyang extricated himself, ran away and fled. Gaozu advanced to pause in Nankang. The King of Xiangdong succeeded to authority, and conferred on Gaozu Cavalier in Regular Attendance of the Outer Staff, Holding the Tally, General who Clarifies Power, and Inspector of Jiao province, and changed his ennoblement to Baron of Nanye county.

6th Month [30 June – 29 July], Gaozu repaired the old city of Qitou, and moved to reside there. The Inspector of Gao province, Li Qianshi occupyed Dagao. He dispatched the Master of the Host Du Pinglu to lead 1 000 people and enter Ganshi and Yuliang. Gaozu instructed Zhou Wenyu to bring along troops and strike him. Qiangshi ran to Ningdu. The Successor to Authority conferred on Gaozu Thoroughly Straight Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Envoy Holding the Tally, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Six Commanderies, General of the Host of Armies, Inspector of Nanjiang province; the remainder like before.

At the time, natives of Ningdu, Liu Ai and others, supplied Qianshi with ships, warships, troops and weaponry, wanting to assault Nankang. Gaozu dispatched Du Sengming and others to lead 20 000 people to occupy Baikou, and build a fort so as to hold out against them. Qianshi likewise erected a fort so they were confronting each other.

#cs01

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