法苑珠林 70.82

70.82

Yao Chang of the Qin, courtesy name Jingmao, was a Qiang of Chiting. His father, Yizhong, served Shi Le. After the Shi clan was destroyed, Chang followed his elder brother Xiang to fight Fu Yonggu (Fu Jian) at Sanyuan. The army was defeated and Xiang died. Chang then surrendered to Yonggu, immediately receiving salary and rank, and was repeatedly granted additional titles and fiefs. When he was transferred to be General Soaring Dragon and Commander of Military Affairs in Liang and Yi Provinces, Yonggu said to him, 'I formerly founded my enterprise as General Soaring Dragon; this title has never been conferred on anyone else. Now I entrust Shannan to you, and so specially bestow it upon you.' Such was the lavish abundance of the favor and trust he received. Later, he accompanied Yonggu's son Rui to suppress Murong Hong, but was defeated by Hong, and Rui alone died in the battle. Chang sent his chief clerk to go to Yonggu to apologize. Yonggu was exceedingly angry and at once executed the envoy, which increased Chang's terror. He thereupon fled to the western region, gathered soldiers, and established his own independent power. Yonggu was repeatedly defeated by Murong Chong, who pressed him with increasing encroachment. Seeing strange omens arising frequently, Yonggu eventually fled to Mount Wujiang. Chang immediately dispatched General of Agile Cavalry Wu Zhong to besiege Yonggu. Zhong seized Yonggu and sent him [to Chang]. Chang imprisoned him that very day in order to demand the Imperial Seal of the Realm and to have him abdicate in his favor. Yonggu would not comply, rebuking him for his crime of rebellion. Chang thereupon killed him and subsequently proclaimed himself emperor. Later, he also exhumed Yonggu's corpse, flogged it countless times, stripped off its clothes, laid it on thorns, and dug a pit to bury it. When Chang later fell ill, he dreamed that Yonggu, leading a Heavenly Envoy and several hundred ghost soldiers, burst into his camp. Chang was terrified and ran into the rear tent. A palace attendant rushed in to stab at the ghosts, but mistakenly struck Chang's genitals. The ghosts said to each other, 'Right in the mortal spot!' When they pulled out the spearhead, more than a dan of blood gushed forth. He suddenly awoke with a start and immediately suffered from a swelling of his genitals. He ordered a physician to puncture it, and the blood flowed just as in the dream. He also cried out deliriously, saying, 'The one who killed Your Majesty was only my elder brother Xiang! It was not the fault of your servant Chang! May you not inflict this injustice!' Three days later, Chang died.