Chapter 57 Ten or thirty years later, Hedong

Yu Wenhu conquered Chen Guo, thinking that he could take advantage of the danger, but the result was not worth the loss, and the relationship between Zhou and Chen fell into a stalemate.Du Gao, who was escorted by Yuwen Hu sent Emperor Chen Xuan back to the country, went to Chen Guo to clarify the interests and interests to Emperor Chen Xuan, and the two countries were repaired again, avoiding further military conflicts. Yu Wenhu was eager to make peace with Chen Guo because of his interests.On the one hand, when fighting in the Yangtze River Basin, the Northern Zhou Dynasty was indeed no match for the experienced Chen Jun;

The Northern Qi Empire had great achievements, but Gao Yang made a bad start. From the beginning of the founding of the country to its final demise, it was basically a "crazy empire".Not only that, the emperors of the Northern Qi Dynasty generally had two characteristics: first, they were handsome, and second, they were short-lived. "Handsome" is not difficult to explain. Gao Huan has "long head, high cheekbones, and white teeth like jade."The only exception is Gao Yang, who doesn't look like Gao Huan and Lou Zhaojun were born (some people speculate that before Gao Yang was born, Gao Huan and his wife happened to be in Er Zhurong's army, and the external pressure was too great, which caused his congenital developmental defects), it seems like he was picked up, no wonder Lou Zhaojun dislikes him.

"Short life" is a "tradition" that has been maintained since Gao Cheng's time: Gao Cheng was assassinated by a cook and lived to be 29 years old; Killed by his uncle Gao Yan; Gao Yan suffered retribution shortly after the death of his nephew, and like Gao Yin, he reigned for less than a year. There are roughly three theories about the cause of Gao Yan's death.It is said that once Gao Yan was out hunting, his mount was frightened by a big rabbit that suddenly jumped out (yes, it was a rabbit!), He fell hard to the ground, broke his ribs, and died.This is "falling to death".

Yan Zhitui's "Yan's Family Instructions" said that Gao Yan was born with the utmost filial piety, and his mother, Lou Zhaojun, was suffering from acupuncture.Lou Zhaojun recovered from his illness, while Gao Yan died of infection.This is the "sickness and death theory". The third argument comes from "Northern Qi Shu" and "Northern History". Unofficial history has carried out a deduction, saying that Gao Yan seized the throne, killed his nephew, was restless, and often saw the ghosts of Gao Yang and Yang Min in the palace. Floating around, threatening revenge on him.Gao Yan was frightened, and gradually lost his mind and became haggard physically and mentally. He wanted to exorcise ghosts by performing martial arts in the school field, but unexpectedly, his horse was frightened by a rabbit and fell to the ground and died.The second half of this statement is similar to "the theory of falling to death", but it is more legendary, so it might as well be called "the theory of scaring to death".

No matter what kind of death method, Gao Yan at the end of his life must be full of regrets.When Lou Zhaojun visited his doctor, he asked Gao Yin's whereabouts repeatedly, but Gao Yan was wrong and speechless.The old queen mother couldn't hide the grief and anger in her heart, and said on the spot: "You don't listen to me, kill him, you deserve it!" Gao Yan died in pain and remorse, at the age of twenty-seven. Gao Yan was the only emperor among the Gao brothers who was not bloodthirsty. Apart from killing Gao Yin, he had no bad deeds.He abolished the bad government of the Gaoyang era, paid attention to the evaluation and appointment of officials, and the Northern Qi government has greatly improved.At the same time, Gao Yan wanted to enrich the country, strengthen the army, and rule the world. He asked the prince's concubine Lu Shuwu and others to write "Ping Xi Ce" as a guiding document for fighting the Northern Zhou Dynasty.

If Gao Yan didn't kill Gao Yin, would he not have run into a big rabbit, would he not have died early, would he be able to lead Bei Qi to the road of prosperity?We don't know.What we know is that Gao Yan learned from his elder brother Gao Yang's lesson and did not pass on the throne to the crown prince Gao Bainian. He issued an edict that his younger brother Changguang Wang Gao Zhan would succeed him, and warned him: "Gao Bainian is innocent. Set it up well, don't learn from me." The Northern Qi emperor's throne continued to be handed down according to the pattern of brothers end up with younger brothers, and it was the turn of Gao Huan's ninth son, Gao Zhan.Gao Zhan was Emperor Wucheng, the ancestor of the Northern Qi Dynasty.

Gao Zhan looks handsome and tall, a typical handsome guy in line with the characteristics of the Northern Qi emperor.Who doesn't like pretty kids?Gao Huan was also unavoidable, and loved him very much. When he got married with Rouran, he married Anagui Khan's granddaughter for him.The excessive doting of parents did not make a man of the world, but made Gao Zhan an embroidered pillow with no virtue or talent. Gao Zhan contributed a lot to Gao Yan becoming the emperor.When Gao Yan doubted Gao Yin, he was also in Yecheng, feeling uneasy, so he called his clan Gao Yuanhai for advice on countermeasures.Gao Yuanhai replied lukewarmly: "The empress dowager is in good health, and the emperor is filial and friendly, so your highness don't need to think wildly!" His own backroom forced him to think of countermeasures.Gao Yuanhai had no choice but tossed around the bed all night, proposed three strategies, and declared: "In my opinion, His Highness will not use any of these three strategies."

Gao Zhan was not angry either, and immediately asked Gao Yuanhai to suggest the best policy.Gao Yuanhai said: "His Royal Highness followed the example of King Liang Xiao of the Han Dynasty, and took a few personal attendants to Jinyang. First, he met the Queen Mother, begged for mercy, and then went to see the Emperor, and handed over the military power. Until he died of old age, he did not ask about the government. This is the best policy. .” Gao Zhan felt that something was wrong, and then asked Zhongce. "His Royal Highness made a statement to the emperor, saying that he has too much power, and he is afraid of being hated. He asked to be sent to Qingzhou and Qizhou to serve as governors. This will surely dispel suspicion. This is the middle policy."

Gao Zhan shook his head and said, "It's not a big deal to go to a ghost place like Qingzhou, so you can talk about the worst plan." Gao Yuanhai's face was full of sorrow: "I'm afraid of killing the nine clans..." Gao Zhan forced him to say. "The worst strategy is to simply raise troops, support the restoration of the King of Jinan (Gao Yin), kill the accomplice Gao Guiyan, and order the world to crusade against non-officials." Ironically, Gao Zhan was very interested in Gao Yuanhai's idea of ​​rebellion, but he was too timid to do it, and he was too embarrassed to tell Gao Yuanhai that he really didn't know how to use any of the three strategies, so he asked an "expert" for divination.Unexpectedly, the answer was: "If you don't do anything, you will be lucky." Gao Zhan smiled, and the gods knew my heart, so he did nothing. (It can be seen from this that Gao Zhan has no courage at all. Even if he knows what to do, he doesn't do it. In the end, he can only rely on luck.)

As a result, Gao Zhan was really lucky. Not only was his life not in danger, but he also picked up a throne for nothing.As soon as Gao Zhan came to power, Bei Qi's nightmare officially began. Gao Zhan ascended the throne very smoothly, thanks to one person, he is Gao Guiyan, the king of Pingqin who claims to have six armies.When Gao Yan died, Gao Guiyan took the initiative to go to Yecheng to meet Gao Zhan and was worshiped as Taifu.Gao Guiyan took credit for his pride, and all the ministers in the court could not understand him, and all complained about his shortcomings in Gao Zhan's ears.Gao Yuanhai said to Gao Zhan: "Gao Guiyan was reused by Emperor Wenxuan to lead the forbidden army, but he broke his oath to Gu and attached himself to Emperor Xiaozhao (Gao Yan), which led to the abolition of King Jinan. Now he supports His Majesty so much, it is definitely a repeat An impermanent villain will surely cause chaos in the future." As soon as Gao Zhan heard the truth, he released the clan uncle who had made great achievements as the governor of Jizhou.

Gao Guiyan stayed in Jizhou for half a year, and the more he thought about it, the more unbalanced he became, and he planned to take advantage of the situation to occupy Yecheng when Gao Zhan went to Jinyang.Before the plan took shape, he was reported by his doctor, Lu Sili.Gao Zhan ordered Grand Sima Duan Shao and Sikong Lou Rui to lead troops to attack. Gao Guiyan hastily closed the city and refused to defend, with only 40,000 people supporting him. Gao Guiyan ascended the city and scolded angrily: "Emperor Xiaozhao passed away. I had a million soldiers and took the initiative to support His Majesty. If you really want to rebel, you would have rebelled by then. Do you have to wait until today? I can't understand Gao Yuanhai like that The courtiers framed Zhongliang in front of the emperor, just to kill them, a shame!" Gao Guiyan was not the opponent of Gao Zhan's army, he fled from the city and was captured and taken to Yecheng.Gao Zhan beheaded Gao Guiyan and fifteen of his descendants. Killing a hero is not enough for Gao Zhan. He thinks he should learn from his elder brother Gao Yang and play something more "romantic".Li Zu'e struggled desperately, but Gao Zhan threatened, "If you don't obey me, I will kill your son." This kind of rogue's technique probably learned from Gao Yang, and it was better than Gao Yang. Anyway, it scared Li Zu'e Stopped, had no choice but to obey. Gao Zhan tasted the sweetness for a while, and then went in and out of Zhaoxin Palace frequently, which made Li Zu'e's belly bigger.Gao Shaode, the king of Taiyuan, went to visit his mother, but Li Zu'e avoided seeing her. Gao Shaode shouted outside the palace gate: "Does the queen mother think the child doesn't know? The queen mother has a big belly, so she doesn't want to see me!" Li Zue was so ashamed that she drowned after giving birth to her daughter a few months later.Gao Zhan was furious and said, "You killed my daughter, why can't I kill your son!" He sent someone to arrest Gao Shaode, and beat him to death with a knife ring in front of Li Zu'e.Li Zu'e watched her son's miserable condition, crying and almost fainting.Gao Zhan still couldn't let go of his hatred, and stripped off her clothes, beat her all over with bruises, then wrapped her in a bag and threw her into the ditch outside the palace.Li Zu'e was fateful enough, she survived the torture, Gao Zhan didn't bother to talk to him anymore, and sent her to a Buddhist temple to have her hair shaved and become a nun. Gao Zhan was so cruel to Gao Yang's wife and children, and he was no exception to the ex-prince and King of Leling, Gao Bainian, who Gao Yan urged him to let go. In the third year of Heqing (564 A.D.), a "white rainbow penetrating the sun" appeared in the sky. Gao Zhan, like Gao Yang, first thought of killing people to deal with the celestial phenomenon.Gao Yang killed the Yuan clan, Gao Yan killed Gao Yin, following the example, Gao Zhan chose the fourteen-year-old Gao Bainian. Gao Bainian had a teacher named Jia Dezhou who was in charge of teaching Gao Bainian calligraphy.One day he reported to Gao Zhan that Gao Bainian had written a lot of "Chi" characters.Gao Zhan looked at Jia Dezhou's neat "Chi" characters and thought: Gao Bainian, Gao Bainian, now I have a reason to kill you. ("Chi" is a word that can only be written when the emperor gives an order. Writing the word "Chi" can be understood as an attempt to rebel.) Gao Zhan sent someone to summon Gao Bainian into the palace. Gao Bainian had a premonition, and bid farewell to his wife Hulushi (daughter of General Huluguang), and took off the jade on his belt for her to keep. When Gao Zhan saw Gao Bainian, he ordered him to write the word "Chi". After writing a comparison, it was very similar to the handwriting submitted by Jia Dezhou.Gao Zhan slapped the table, holding sticks to the left and right. It was indistinguishable that it was a burst of beatings, and he dragged Gao Bainian around the inner hall, beating as he walked, blood everywhere he passed.Gao Bainian was beaten to the brink of death, and kept begging, "Uncle, please spare me, I am willing to be your slave!" Gao Zhan was tired of hearing this, ordered Gao Bainian to be killed, and threw him into the pool in the back garden, staining the pool water. bright red. The poor little concubine, Hulushi, was struggling to stay with her, only waiting for the news of her husband's death.She cried to Peiyu day and night, refused to eat, and starved to death at home.When he died, he still held the piece of jade tightly in his fist. Gao Zhan's brutal killings actually reflected his inner weakness. Because he had nothing to do, he could only kill people to gain power and intimidate his courtiers.Gao Zhan only knew how to drink and hold lances all day long (a gambling game during the Southern and Northern Dynasties). He favored He Shikai, a barbarian from the Western Regions who was good at having fun, and appreciated He Shikai's "enlightenment": "Since ancient times, emperors have turned into ashes in the end. , Yao, Shun, Jie, and Zhou, what is the difference? Your Majesty is young and strong, and it is time to enjoy yourself in time. One day can be happier than a thousand years. It is fine to leave the state affairs to the ministers, so why bother to endure hardships?" Under the influence of He Shikai, Gao Zhan became more and more negligent in political affairs, the upper court council became a formality, and reviewing memorials became a formality. In the past, when Emperor Wenxuan of Qi Dynasty Gao Yang was in power, the North was full of power. Every winter, the Zhou army on the west side of the Yellow River would go to the river to dig ice to prevent the Qi army from stepping on the ice and crossing the river to sneak attack.Thirty years have passed since the confrontation between east and west, and it is the turn of the Qi army on the east bank of the Yellow River to dig ice for defense.It is really unpredictable, the way of heaven is impermanent, Hexi was thirty years ago, and Hedong thirty years later.