“The Mausoleum of King Xiao of Liang”

King Xiao of Liang, known for his filial piety, was deeply devoted to Empress Dowager Dou. Upon hearing of her illness, he suffered greatly, unable to eat or rest comfortably, desiring always to remain in Chang’an to attend to her. The Empress Dowager reciprocated his affection. When news arrived of King Liang’s death, Empress Dowager Dou grieved intensely, refusing food and lamenting, “The Emperor has indeed killed my son!” Emperor Jing, fearing her grief, was at a loss. Consultation with Princess Yang’an led to the division of Liang into five kingdoms: eldest son Mai became King of Liang, titled Gong Wang; Ziming, King of Jichuan; Zipengli, King of Jidong; Ziding, King of Shanyang; and Zibushi, King of Jiyin. All five sons of King Xiao were made kings, and his daughters were given estates and stipends. This pleased the Empress Dowager, who then requested an additional meal for the Emperor.

Before his death, King Xiao possessed enormous wealth, beyond calculation. Upon his passing, his treasury still held over four hundred thousand kilograms of gold, in addition to other riches. Gong Wang ruled Liang for three years until Emperor Jing passed away. After his death, his son Xiang succeeded him as Ping Wang. During Ping Wang’s reign of fourteen years, his mother was known as Empress Chen. Gong Wang’s mother was Empress Li, the paternal grandmother of Ping Wang. The queen consort of Ping Wang was Lady Ren, who enjoyed great favor with him.

During King Ping’s reign, a vase adorned with thundercloud and elephant designs, valued at a thousand gold pieces, was kept in custody. King Xiao had decreed that it should be preserved for future generations and never given away. Lady Ren, upon hearing of it, coveted the vase. Empress Li objected, stating, “The late king commanded that the vase should not be given away, even though there are countless other treasures that one might freely use.” Lady Ren was determined to obtain the vase. Ping Wang personally ordered it taken from the treasury and presented it to Lady Ren. Empress Li was furious and tried to appeal to the Han envoy, but Ping Wang and Lady Ren blocked her efforts, refusing her access and gestures. In frustration, she pointed fingers and argued but was unable to see the Han envoy. Empress Li privately consorted with officials and scholars, seeking to undermine Lady Ren, who was also rumored to engage in improper behavior. Despite her illness, Empress Li never requested medical attention, nor did she observe the mourning period upon Lady Ren’s death.

During the Yuan Shuo era, a man from Suiyang named Lei’an caused trouble. Lei’an was insulted by his father and left the city with the governor of Huaiyang. When the governor dismounted, Lei’an killed his enemy in the carriage and escaped. The governor of Huaiyang was furious and accused the officials of Liang. The officials sought to capture Lei’an’s relatives. Lei’an, aware of the hidden matters of the state, took the opportunity to report the issue in detail, revealing the dispute between the king and the queen over the vase. The prime minister and others were aware of this and sought to use it to harm the officials of Liang. Their reports reached the emperor, who ordered an investigation, confirming the truth. The court officials proposed to demote Xiang to a commoner. The emperor said, “Empress Li has engaged in misconduct, and Ping Wang Xiang lacked a good tutor, so he is unjust.” He then revoked eight cities from Liang and executed Lady Ren in public. Ten cities of Liang remained. Xiang ruled for thirty-nine years and was posthumously named Ping Wang. His son Wushang succeeded him as King of Liang.

King Jichuan Ming was the eldest son of King Xiao of Liang, appointed as Marquis of Huanyi during the reign of Emperor Xiao Jing, becoming King of Jichuan in the sixth year. At the age of seven, he was found guilty of shooting and killing the commander-in-chief. The officials of Han requested his execution, but the emperor could not bear it and instead demoted him to a commoner. He was moved to Fangling, and his lands were absorbed into Han as a county.

King Jidong Penli, another son of King Xiao of Liang, became King of Jidong in the sixth year of Emperor Xiao Jing’s reign. At the age of twenty-nine, Penli was arrogant and lacked respect for authority. In the evenings, he engaged in robbery and murder with his servants and young fugitives, killing over a hundred people for money and pleasure. His crimes were well known throughout the kingdom, and no one dared to venture out at night. The families of his victims petitioned for justice. The officials of Han sought his execution, but the emperor could not bear it and demoted him to a commoner. He was transferred to Shangyong, and his lands were incorporated into Han as a major county.

King Shanyang Ai, another son of King Xiao of Liang, became King of Shanyang in the sixth year of Emperor Xiao Jing’s reign. He died nine years later without an heir, and his kingdom was dissolved, with his lands incorporated into Han as the Shanyang Commandery.

King Jiyin Ai, the youngest son of King Xiao of Liang, became King of Jiyin in the sixth year of Emperor Xiao Jing’s reign. He died after one year without an heir, and his kingdom was dissolved, with his lands incorporated into Han as the Jiyin Commandery.

Sima Qian remarked, “Although King Xiao of Liang enjoyed the rich lands due to his favor and filial piety, he lived in an era of Han’s prosperity, where the people were wealthy. This allowed him to amass wealth, expand palaces, and dress in a manner comparable to the emperor. However, he also exceeded his station.”

Chu Shen remarked, “When I was a young official, I heard much praise for King Xiao of Liang in the palace halls. I believe that this is what caused his resentment and led to his wicked deeds. Now the empress dowager, a woman in power, favored her youngest son and sought to make him emperor. The great ministers failed to voice their objections in time and flattered the young emperor, hoping to receive rewards and gifts. They were not loyal ministers. It was like Wei Ying, the Marquis of Dou, who spoke out against the establishment of a son instead of a brother.”

Why did such disasters follow? Emperor Jing and Wang Yan met with the empress dowager and drank. Emperor Jing said, “A thousand autumns and ten thousand years later, pass the king.” The empress dowager was pleased. When Dou Ying was in front of the city, he based his argument on the need to establish a son according to the Zhou code. But what he said made the empress dowager unspoken. Therefore, it was a long way to go! Not a great and wise man, but to return and enjoy. The Han etiquette was about the four seasons. After arriving, go see; the first day of the first month, send the ceremonial gifts to wish the first month, the ceremony. Three days later, the king held a wine for the king and gave gold, money, and other gifts. Two days later, go back and say goodbye. But staying in Chang’an for more than 20 days. It’s a small sight in the Forbidden City. Drink in the middle of the drink. It’s not a place for scholars. Now, Wang left the West. Then, leave half a year. Enter with the same car. Show the wind with big words and don’t even give it away. The grief made a pact, and so far! Non-big Congren, do not know retirement. Now Han’s law, to meet the king, often four seasons. Start, go to the Forbidden City, drink in the middle of the middle, and drink in the province. Now, Wang’s long…