Chapter 156 Chapter 155: Ming Emperor Xiao Kui

Xiao Kui, styled Renyuan, was the third son of Emperor Xuan of the Later Liang Dynasty.In the first month of the eighth year of Dading (AD 562), Emperor Xuan died of illness. According to the will of Otsuka Zaiyu Wenhu in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Xiao Kui succeeded to the throne as emperor, with the reign name Tianbao. Xiao Kui is kind, generous, quick-witted and eloquent, and good at literature.During his reign, he lived a frugal life without extravagance.He is good at controlling his subjects, so the relationship between the monarch and his subjects is relatively harmonious, and the territory is relatively stable.However, it has always been passive externally.As a vassal, Hou Liang not only had to obey the suzerain Northern Zhou Dynasty and later the Sui Dynasty, but also had to deal with the hostile Chen Dynasty.Due to the narrowness of the land, few people, and weak military strength, the war against Chen often resulted in more defeats than victories, and its territory was constantly being eroded by the Chen Dynasty.By the eighth year of Tianbao, only Jiangling was left.

In December of the ninth year of Tianbao (AD 571), Emperor Wu of Zhou felt that Houliang still had value, so he issued an edict to transfer the three prefectures of Ji, Ping and Pang on the north bank of the river to Houliang, so that Xiao Kui could survive. In May of the eighteenth year of Tianbao (580 A.D.), Emperor Wu of Zhou died of illness, and Emperor Jing, who was eight years old, succeeded to the throne.In the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Wei Chijiong, the governor of Xiangzhou, Sima Xiaonan, the governor of Yunzhou, and Wang Qian, the governor of Yizhou, rebelled against Yang Jian one after another.At this time, Liu Zhuang, a member of Zhongshushe sent by Xiao Kui, happened to come to Chang'an.Yang Jian said to Liu Zhuang meaningfully: "When I was a general in Kaifeng, I participated in the Battle of Jiangling and was deeply cared for by Lord Liang. Now the emperor is young and the world is difficult. The first emperor entrusted the young master to me. Lord Liang has been loyal to the court for many generations. Hope Encourage each other, like pines and cypresses in cold weather." When Liu Zhuang returned to Jiangling, all the generals of the Later Liang Dynasty were urging Xiao Kui to raise troops to respond to Yu Chijiong and others, thinking that if they advance, they will be able to complete the Zhou Dynasty, and if they retreat, they will sweep the land of Han Mian in the south of the mountain.Xiao Kui hesitated, and Liu Zhuang immediately expressed his opposition to everyone's opinions. He first conveyed Yang Jian's words one by one, and then suggested that Xiao Kui maintain a good relationship with Yang Jian.Xiao Kui decided to act according to Liu Zhuang's opinion.Soon, Yu Chijiong really failed, and Xiao Kui couldn't help but rejoice that he didn't make a mistake in this move. He happily said to Liu Zhuang: "If everyone had followed everyone's advice, the country would have been gone long ago!"

In the nineteenth year of Tianbao (581 A.D.), Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor on behalf of Zhou and established the Sui Dynasty.Because Xiao Kui performed well at the critical moment, the special envoy gave 500 liang of gold, 1000 liang of silver, 10,000 pieces of cloth and 500 horses.In the second year, Emperor Wen Yang Jian sent envoys to Jiangling to choose a concubine for his second son Jin Wang Yang Guang. After divination, all beauties were unlucky. Xiao Kui remembered that he still had a daughter who lived in his uncle Zhang Ke's house. Why not let her have a try? ?So he sent someone to pick up his daughter, and asked the envoys to divination for good luck, and it happened to be "good luck", so Emperor Wen ordered her to be the concubine of Jin.Later, Yang Guang succeeded Yangdi, and Xiao was established as the queen.Because Xiao's family was elected as the princess, Xiao Kui gained more trust. Yang Jian ordered the removal of the Jiangling chief in this year, and Xiao Kui was finally able to personally handle the post-Liang state affairs.

In the first month of the 22nd year of Tianbao (584 A.D.), Xiao Kui went to Chang'an again.Emperor Wen issued an edict: Xiao Kui is above the prince, and he also gave ten thousand horses, some treasures.When Xiao Kui returned to Jiangling, Emperor Wen personally saw him off, and said that he would "send the Yangtze River to send you back to Jiankang!" However, Xiao Kui could not wait for that day.In May of the second year (AD 585), he died of illness.At the age of 44, he was buried in Xianling, with the posthumous title of "Emperor Xiaoming" and the temple name of "Sejong".