釋氏稽古略 3.356

3.356

In the second month, the Emperor's illness grew much worse. His executions were unpredictable. He again discussed going on campaign, and his attendants were mostly terrified. The Emperor's eldest son, Prince of Chen Youyu, had died early. His second son, the adopted son Prince of Bo Youwen, was especially beloved by the Emperor. The Prince of Ying, Yougui, felt resentful. The Emperor sent Yougui out to serve as Prefect of Laizhou. Yougui went in disguise to the Left Dragon and Tiger Army, met with Army Commander Han Qing, and informed him of the situation. Qing led five hundred elite soldiers to accompany Yougui, mingled with the Crane-Control Guards, and crept into ambush within the palace. In the middle of the night, they broke through the gates and reached the bedchamber. Yougui's servant Feng Ting'e stabbed the Emperor. They kept the death secret without announcing mourning, forged an imperial edict stating: "Our person is in grave danger; let Yougui provisionally take charge of the military and state affairs." They then announced mourning, and he took the throne as Emperor. In the first month of the third year of Qianhua, the era was changed to Fengli. At this time, Prince of Jun Youzhen was residing in Daliang and launched an expedition against Yougui. Yougui considered that he could not escape, and ordered Feng Ting'e to first kill his wife Lady Zhang and then kill himself. Ting'e also slit his own throat. The Prince of Jun took the throne at Daliang, retaining the name Qianhua year three.