釋氏稽古略 1.600

1.600

In the renxu year, the first year of Da'an, Prince Wumin of Qi, Jiong, having attained his ambitions, became quite arrogant, extravagant, and autocratic, causing widespread disappointment within and without. Gu Rong, the Attendant Officer, and Zhang Han, the Senior Clerk of the Eastern Bureau, both feared that calamity would reach them. Because the autumn wind had begun to blow, Han thought of water shield, water-chestnut soup, and sea bass slices, and sighed, saying, "In human life, what is valued is merely following one's inclinations; what is the use of wealth and honour?" and immediately departed. Rong deliberately drank heavily and paid no heed to administrative affairs. Yong, Prince of Hejian, submitted a memorial listing Jiong's crimes and stating that he was commanding one hundred thousand troops, intending to join Ying, Prince of Chengdu, Xin, Prince of Xinye, and Xiao, Prince of Fanyang, in Luoyang; he requested Ai, Prince of Changsha, to depose Jiong and return him to his private residence, and to replace Jiong with Ying to assist the government. Yong then raised troops and led Zhang Fang and others to march on Luoyang, sending envoys to invite Ying. In the twelfth month, Yong's memorial arrived, and Jiong was terrified. Zhang Fang led twenty thousand troops and encamped at Xin'an, issuing a call to arms to Ai, Prince of Changsha, ordering him to attack Jiong. Ai led over a hundred personal attendants into the palace, closed the gates, and, upholding the Emperor, attacked the headquarters of the Grand Minister of War. They fought continuously for three days, and Jiong's forces suffered a great defeat. Zhao Yuan, Chief Clerk to the Grand Minister of War, seized Jiong and surrendered. When Jiong was brought before the hall, the Emperor felt pity and wished to spare his life. Ai shouted and had him dragged out and beheaded outside the Changhe Gate. His accomplices were all exterminated along with their three clans. Although Ai, Prince of Changsha, was at court, in all matters great and small he deferred to Ye to consult Grand General Ying. Ying took Sun Hui as an adjutant and Lu Yun as Right Major. This year, the Prince of Chenliu passed away, and was given the posthumous title Emperor Yuan of Wei.