Liang Wudi

Xiao Yan

Xiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty (464-549, June 12), was born in dongchengli, nanlanling county (now Dongcheng village, Yicheng Town, Danyang City, Jiangsu Province). Liang Kaiguo emperor of the Southern Dynasty (from April 30, 502 to June 12, 549), the 25th grandson of Xiao He, the Prime Minister of the Western Han Dynasty, and the son of Yin Xiaoshun in Danyang of the Southern Qi Dynasty.

Xiao Yan came from the Xiao family in Lanling. In the Southern Qi Dynasty, he became an official by menyin, and in the Ming Dynasty, he served as the governor of Yongzhou, participating in resisting the invasion of the Northern Wei Dynasty. In the second year of Yongyuan (500 years), troops were set up to attack Xiao Baojuan, the Marquis of donghun, and supported Xiao Baorong, the king of Nankang, as emperor. The next year, they conquered Jiankang. In 502, he accepted Xiao Baorong's "Zen position" and established Nanliang. In the early period of Xiao Yan's rule, he paid attention to government affairs and corrected the maladministration since Song and Qi dynasties. In order to put the counties under their own control, they adopted the policy of replacing dissidents, appointing cronies and crusading. He respected the aristocratic families and treated them leniently. Militarily, he resisted the southern invasion of the Northern Wei Dynasty and won the battle of Zhongli. Later, he launched the northern expedition, but the result was not great. In the late period of his reign, with the increase of years, he began to be lazy in politics and indulge in Buddhism. In the second year of the Taiqing Dynasty (548), the "Hou Jing rebellion" broke out. The next year, Xiao Yan was imprisoned and died in Taicheng. He was 86 years old and served for 48 years, ranking first among the emperors of the Southern Dynasty. His posthumous title is Emperor Wu and his temple title is emperor Gaozu. He was buried in Xiuling.

Xiao Yancai is quick thinking and knowledgeable in literature and history. He is one of the "eight friends of Jingling". He wrote thousands of Fu and hundreds of poems, among which there are many famous works. After he ascended the throne, he ordered him to compile 600 volumes of general history and wrote his own praise preface.

(photo source: Taipei Palace Museum)

Life of the characters

Young talents

Xiao Yan was born in sanqiaozhai, tongxiali, moling County in 464, the eighth year of the Ming Dynasty. Xiao Yan was closely related to the royal family of the Southern Qi Dynasty. His father, Xiao Shunzhi, was the younger brother of emperor Gao of the Qi Dynasty. He once served as a servant, a guard and other high officials. They are all descendants of Xiao Zheng, the magistrate of Huaiyin County in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Xiao Yan's family background played an important role in his later achievement.

Xiao Yan was very smart when he was a child, and he liked to read books. He was erudite and talented, especially in literature. Based on his family background, when Xiao Yangang became an official, he served as king of baling and general of nanzhonglang. He joined the army as FA caoxing of Xiao zilun's house, and later changed to Dongge sacrificial wine under Wang Jian, general of Wei. Cao Wencai was very appreciative of Xiao Wencai and asked him to transfer his position. Wang Jian once told the famous scholar he Xian, "this Xiao Lang will be a servant in his thirties, but after that he will be invaluable."

In the first month of the second year of Yongming (484), Emperor Wudi of Qi Dynasty, Xiao Ziliang, king of jingling, built his West residence and recruited many scholars. Xiao Yan made friends with fan Yun, Xiao Chen, Ren Fang, Wang Rong, Xie Tiao, Shen Yue and Lu Chu under Xiao Ziliang, known as "eight friends of Jingling". Wang Rong is known as "having learned from others". He often says to his relatives and friends, "it's this person who will dominate the world in the future."

In 490, Xiao Yan was transferred to join the army under the advice of Xiao Zilong, the king and general of Zhenxi. After Xiao Shunzhi's death, Xiao Yan left and returned to Jianye, where he spent three years in mourning for his father.

Help Xiao Luan

In the 11th year of Yongming Dynasty (493), Emperor Wu of Qi Xiao Yu was seriously ill. Xiao Ziliang appointed Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi (Xiao Yan's mother and brother), Wang Rong and fan Yun as the army leaders in the account. Wang Rong wants to support Xiao Ziliang after Xiao you's death, but Xiao Yan doesn't agree. After the death of Xiao you, Xiao Zhaoye, the great grandson of the emperor, became emperor, assisted by Xiao Luan, the Marquis of Xichang.

After Xiao Zhaoye became emperor, he only knew pleasure, ignored government affairs, and did not accept the advice of his ministers. Xiao Luan often discussed with Xiao Yan and others to dethrone Xiao Zhaoye. In order to achieve the goal, Xiao Luan wants to recall Xiao Zilong, the king who guards Jingzhou. He is worried that Xiao Zilong will not follow him, and he is afraid that Wang Jing, who is in Kuaiji, will change, so he asks Xiao Yan for advice. Xiao Yan said: "although king suiwang has a good reputation, he is actually a mediocre talent, and his subordinates have no resourceful people. He just relies on Sima yuan's life and Bian Bailong, the governor of Wuling. The two men are mercenary and can be easily recalled as long as they promise high office and high salary. It only needs a letter to recall suiwang. Wang Jing is satisfied with sitting in Jiangdong and enjoying great wealth. He should choose beautiful women to entertain his heart. " Xiao Luan agreed with Xiao Yan's analysis, so he executed according to the plan, relieved the threat of seizing power, and killed Xiao Zilong.

In order to guard against Cui Huijing, the former general of Qi Dynasty and the governor of Yuzhou, Xiao Luan used Xiao Yan as general Ning Shuo to guard Shouchun. Xiao Yan gave Cui Huijing both kindness and power to make her feel at ease. In the first year of Longchang (494), Xiao Yan was appointed as the Minister of Zhongshu. Later, he moved to Huangmen, the prince's son, and "entered Zhidian province". After Xiao Luan killed Xiao Zhaoye, Xiao Zhaowen, the king of Xin'an Prefecture, ascended to the throne and took charge of the imperial power. Three months later, Xiao Luan abandoned Xiao Zhaowen and became emperor. After Xiao Luan ascended the throne, Xiao Yan was awarded the title of Jianyang County male and 300 families of food city for his contribution to "Ding CE". Since then, Xiao Yan's position has become increasingly prominent.

Two wars in Northern Wei Dynasty

In the second year of Jianwu (495), tuobahong, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, led 300000 troops to attack the Southern Qi Dynasty and attack Zhongli eastward along the Huaihe River. Xiao Luan sent General Cui Huijing of Zuowei and general Pei Shuye of ningshuo to lead the battle. After hearing that the Northern Wei army had divided its forces to attack Yiyang, Xiao Yan and Wang Guangzhi, general of Heping North, were sent to lead the rescue. When Wang Guangzhi led the army to a hundred miles away from Yiyang, he heard that the army of the Northern Wei Dynasty was strong and strong, so he winced. Xiao Yan asked to be the vanguard to fight with the army of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Wang Guangzhi then sent part of his army under Xiao Yan's command to Yiyang.

Xiao Yan led the army to the xianshou mountain, which was only a few miles away from the Northern Wei army. Then he ordered the soldiers to fill the mountain with flags. At daybreak, the Qi army in Yiyang City saw it and thought that the heavy troops had arrived to help them out, so their morale increased greatly. They immediately gathered their troops to attack the Northern Wei army and set fire to the wind. Xiao Yan also took the opportunity to attack the Northern Wei army. Xiao Yan went to the battle himself, waving the flag and beating drums. Qi's morale was high, and they all fought bravely. Under the attack of Qi army, the Northern Wei army was defeated and had to retreat. The Qi army finally won the battle. Xiao Yan was also promoted to be the common son of the crown prince because of his military achievements.

In the autumn of the fourth year of Jianwu (497), the Northern Wei army went south again, successively conquered Xinye and Nanyang, and the forward force went straight to Yongzhou (now Xiangfan City, Hubei Province). Xiao Luan quickly sent Xiao Yan, Zuo Jun Sima Zhangji and Du Zhi Shang Shu Cui Huijing to lead the troops to reinforce Yongzhou.

In March of the fifth year of Jianwu (498), Xiao Yan and Cui Huijing led the army to fight against the Northern Wei army. Deng City, northwest of Yongzhou, was surrounded by tens of thousands of iron cavalry of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Knowing that there was a lack of food, grass and guns in the city, Xiao Yan said to Cui Huijing, "we were very tired when we went on a long journey. We need to rest. Now we are besieged by a strong enemy. If the army knew about the lack of food and grass, there would be a mutiny. Just in case, we'd better take advantage of the fact that the enemy's foothold is not stable and boost our morale to fight out of the encirclement. " Although Cui Huijing was worried and timid in her heart, she pretended to be calm on the surface: "the northern army likes to swim and fight. They won't attack the city at night. They will naturally retreat soon." Unexpectedly, there were more and more Wei troops, and there was no sign of retreat. Cui Huijing, who used to be very calm, showed her timidity. Without consulting with Xiao Yan, she ran away with her own trilogy. When the other departments saw that the commander-in-chief had slipped away, they also fled one after another. Unable to control the situation, Xiao Yan had to retreat while fighting. When crossing a ditch, the army trampled on each other, and the Northern Wei army arched behind, causing heavy casualties. In the end, Xiao Yan retreated to Fancheng to gain a firm foothold.

After the defeat, Xiao Luan did not blame Xiao Yan, but let him preside over the defense of Yongzhou and become the governor of Yongzhou. Since then, Xiao Yan had a fixed base, which laid the foundation for the development of his power and became the capital for him to fight for the Qi regime in the future.

Kill donghun

In July of the fifth year of Jianwu (498), Xiao Luan, who had been in power for only five years, died of illness and was ascended by his son Xiao Baojuan. Xiao Baojuan was tyrannical. After he ascended the throne, he was good at killing many ministers, which made the government and the public panic and separated.

After Xiao Baojuan wrongly killed Xiao Yan's elder brother and Minister Xiao Yi, Xiao Yan convened his subordinates to discuss the abolition of Xiao Baojuan. They all agreed, so Xiao Yan made great efforts to recruit soldiers and prepared for a decisive battle with Xiao Baojuan. Soon, he recruited thousands of soldiers, thousands of horses and 3000 warships. When Xiao Yingzhou, the imperial family of Jingzhou, supported the king of Nankang, Xiao Baorong raised his troops, so Xiao Yan united with him to fight against donghun marquis. After that, Xiao Baorong ascended the throne in Jiangling, that is, Emperor Qihe. Finally, Xiao Yan led the troops to Jiankang City, fought fiercely with the garrison, captured the outer city and surrounded Qigong city.

At the time of the national calamity, there were still treacherous officials in Qi, who said it was the fault of the Minister of culture and military, and encouraged Xiao Baojuan to kill. This made the General Wang Zhenguo extremely resentful and secretly sent his confidants to send a mirror to Xiao Yan to express his feelings. Wang Zhenguo and other ministers led soldiers to the palace at night to kill Xiao Baojuan, who was still in a state of great danger and kept singing and dancing. Then he gave his head to Xiao Yan. After seizing Jiankang, the capital, Xiao Yan sent troops to fight everywhere, and officials from all over the country surrendered one after another. This time, Xiao Yan supported Xiao Baorong, eliminated the donghun Marquis, and made great achievements. Therefore, he was promoted to be the Chief Secretary of state, in charge of military affairs at home and abroad. He also enjoyed the honor of walking on swords to the palace, not going to court, and not being famous.

On behalf of Qi Jianliang

Although Xiao Yan was in power and wanted to abolish Xiao Baorong as Emperor himself, he was not eager for success, but waited for the opportunity. The original friend Shen Yue knew what was on his mind, so she gently mentioned it to him. For the first time, Xiao Yan pretended to be confused and refused. When he mentioned it for the second time, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment and said