Xiao Gang 蕭綱, Emperor Jianwen of Liang

Xiao Gang 蕭綱 (503–551), zi Shizan 世贊, Emperor Jianwen 簡文 of Liang (r. 549–551)

Xiao Gang was born on 2 December 503 in Jiankang. His ancestral home was Nan Lanling 南蘭陵 (the Danyang 丹陽 area northwest of modern Changzhou). Xiao Gang was the third son of Xiao Yan 蕭衍 (464–549), Emperor Wu of Liang (502–549). His mother was Ding Lingguang 丁令光 (485–526), who was also the mother of Xiao Yan's first heir designate, Xiao Tong 蕭統 (501–531). In February 506, Xiao Gang was granted the noble title of Prince of Jin'an with an appanage of 8,000 households. However, he did not actually occupy his fief, but remained in the capital area.

Xiao Gang showed unusual intelligence in his youth and reputedly was able to compose literary works at the age of six. After his father tested his son's literary ability, he proclaimed that “This boy is the Dong'e of our family.” Dong'e refers to Cao Zhi 曹植 (192–232), who was at one time Prince of Dong'e. In 509, Emperor Wu appointed Xiao Gang General of Cloud Banners and assigned him command of Shitou Fortress 石頭城 west of Jiankang. At this same time he was given a staff of men to assist him. Xu Chi 徐摛 (472–551) was appointed his reader-in-waiting. Xu Chi was also a gifted writer, and he probably exerted a great influence on the literary pursuits of the young prince. Another of Xiao Gang's aides was the literary man, Zhang Shuai 張率 (475–527), who served as his secretary.

In January 510, Emperor Wu assigned Xiao Gang as regional inspector of Southern Yanzhou 南兗州 (administrative seat Guangling 廣陵, modern Yangzhou). He was also given military command of the five provinces of Northern and Southern Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Jizhou. Zhang Shuai continued to serve on his staff as military aide. His entourage also included Yu Jianwu 庾肩吾 (ca. 487–551), who served as his attendant-in-ordinary.

In 512, Xiao Gang married Wang Lingbin 王靈賓 (505–549) from the prestigious Wang family of Langye. She was the granddaughter of Wang Jian 王儉 (452–489), who was a distinguished scholar and official in the Southern Qi.

In 513, Xiao Gang was named General Who Propagates Kindness and was appointed governor of Danyang 丹陽, which was the area that administered the capital area. In 514, he was sent out as regional inspector of Jingzhou 荊州. He was also put in charge of military affairs in the seven provinces of Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Liangzhou, Southern and Northern Qinzhou, Yizhou, and Ningzhou. He spent most of his time in the Jingzhou administrative seat of Jiangling 江陵 (modern Jingzhou, Hubei). Zhang Shuai during this time served as magistrate of Jiangling. Other members of his staff included Kong Xiuyuan 孔休源 (469–532), Yu Jianwu, Liu Zhilin 劉之遴 (477–458), and Liu Zun 劉遵 (488–535).

In 515, Xiao Gang was transferred as regional inspector of Jiangzhou 江州, which had its administrative seat in Chaisang 柴桑 (southwest of modern Jiujiang 九江, Jiangxi). Zhang Shuai continued to serve on his staff. Also in his entourage were Lu Chui 陸倕 (470–526), Xu Chi, Yu Jianwu, and Liu Yao 劉杳 (487–536). During this time Xiao Gang had a Buddhist monastery constructed at Mount Lu. He also exchanged poems with Xiao Tong.

In 518, Emperor Wu recalled Xiao Gang back to the capital. He was again assigned as governor of Danyang and given charge of military affairs at Shitou Fortress. He was also named western leader of court gentleman and given the supplementary title of palace attendant. Serving as his secretary at this time was Zhong Rong 鍾嶸 (467?–519), author of the Shi pin 詩品 (Gradings of poets). Zhong Rong died the following year. Also serving on his staff were Yu Jianwu and Xiao Ziyun 蕭子雲 (487–549). In the fall of 518, Xiao Tong gave a lecture in the Xuanpu 玄圃 (Hanging Garden) on the Two Satya (truths) and the Dharmakāya (truth body). Xiao Gang presented his brother the “Xuanpu jiang song” 玄圃講頌 (Eulogy on the Hanging Garden lectures), which much impressed Xiao Tong.

In 520, Xiao Gang was appointed regional inspector of Yizhou 益州, which meant he would have had to take up residence in the remote western area of Sichuan. However, before he could take up his post in Yizhou, Xiao Gang was reassigned as regional inspector of Southern Xuzhou 南徐州, which had its administrative seat at Jingkou 京口 (modern Zhenjiang), which was quite near the capital Jiankang. Upon his departure Xiao Tong wrote him a poem of farewell. Kong Xiuyuan served as his administrator as well as governor of Nan Lanling 南蘭陵 (northwest of modern Changzhou), which was the ancestral home of the Xiao imperial family. Xu Chi also was in Jingkou at this time as was Liu Zun. In 522, Xiao Gang received a visit from the famous Taoist master Tao Hongjing 陶弘景 (456–536). In 523, Xiao Gang's first son Xiao Daqi 蕭大器 (523–551) was born.

In this same year, Xiao Gang was assigned as regional inspector of Yongzhou 雍州 and given command of military affairs in Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Southern and Northern Qinzhou, Shazhou, Jingling in Yingzhou, and Sui commandery in Sizhou. He was also named General Who Defends the West. Yongzhou, which had its administrative seat in Xiangyang 襄陽 (modern Xiangfan, Hubei). Xiangyang had been his father's base of support when he took up arms against the Southern Qi house. Members of his entourage included Xu Chi, Liu Zun, Wei Can 韋粲 (495–549), Xu Chi's son Xu Ling 徐陵 (507–583), Yu Jianwu, and his Yu Xin 庾信 (513–581).

In January 524, Xiao Gang was granted the title of General Who Pacifies the North. In spring of the following year, he launched a successful expedition against the Northern Wei in which he increased the Liang territory by over a thousand li. In the winter of 525, his mother died. Xiao Gang requested to resign his post to observe mourning for her but was not allowed to do so. In 528, he led an army against the Wei city of Rangcheng 穰城 (modern Deng 鄧 county, Henan). Sometime earlier Xiao Gang had sent a letter to the Wei regional inspector of Jingzhou Li Zhi 李志 urging him to surrender. In August of this year, Li Zhi agreed to cede his territory to the Liang. Emperor Wu presented Xiao Gang a military band as a reward for his successful military campaigns.

While in Yongzhou, Xiao Gang attracted a large group of literary men. One group of ten was known as the Gaozhai xueshi 高齋學士 (Lofty Studio scholars). They included Xu Chi, Yu Jianwu, Liu Xiaowei 劉孝威, Jiang Boyao 江伯搖 (also written Boyao 伯瑤, d. ca. 550), Kong Jingtong 孔敬通, Shen Ziyue 申子悅, Xu Fang 徐防, Wang You 王囿, and Kong Shuo 孔鑠. Many of Xiao Gang's extant poems come from the period he spent in Yongzhou.

In spring of 530, Xiao Gang returned to Jiankang where he was assigned to the post of regional inspector of Yangzhou 揚州, the province that included the capital. Xiao Tong died suddenly in May 531 as the result of a tragic boat accident in which he fell into the water and injured his leg. He was only thirty-one at the time. Xiao Tong was buried on 21 June 531. Rather than name Xiao Tong's son Xiao Huan 蕭歡 (d. 549) heir, Emperor Wu selected Xiao Gang as heir designate. He was granted this title on 27 June 531.

After he became heir designate, Xiao Gang temporarily moved from the Eastern Palace, which need to be remodeled, to the Dongfu cheng 東府城 outside the southeast wall of Jiankang. He returned to the Eastern Palace in October/November 532. During the period 532 to 548, Xiao Gang spent most of his time overseeing scholarly projects and composing literary works. He established in the Eastern Palace the Wende sheng 文德省 (Department of Literary and Virtuous Scholars) to which he appointed academicians. These included Xu Ling, Yu Xin, Kong Jingtong, Zhang Changgong 張長公, Fu Hong 傅弘, Bao Zhi 鮑至, Du Zhiwei 杜之偉 (508–559), Liu Zhi 劉陟, and Ji Shaoyu 紀少瑜 (fl. 541).

During the 530s and 540s, Xiao Gang commissioned the compilation of a large number of scholarly works. One of the largest of these was the Fabao lianbi 法寶聯璧 (Linked jades of dharma treasures). This was a large collection of Buddhist writings that Xiao Gang had begun to compile while he was in Yongzhou. The final version in two hundred juan was completed in 534. The work is not extant, but the preface by Xiao Yi 蕭繹 (508–554) has been preserved. Another large compilation was the Changchun yi ji 長春義記 (Notes on meanings [of texts] from the Hall of Eternal Spring?) in one hundred juan. This work is listed in the “exegesis on the Classics” section of the monographs on bibliography of the Sui shu and the two Tang histories. Thus, it probably was a set of notes on discussions of the Ruist Classics that were held in the Eastern Palace. Perhaps Xiao Gang himself presided over some of these discussion. The work was lost in the Song. Other works on the Classics that have been transmitted under Xiao Gang's name include Mao shi shiwu guofeng yi 毛詩十五國風義 (Meaning of the fifteen “Airs of the States” in the Mao version of the Songs) in twenty juan, Li dayi 禮大義 (Greater meaning of the Rites) in twenty juan, Chunqiu Zuo zhuan li yuan 春秋左傳例苑 (Garden of interpretative principles for the Zuo Tradition of the Annals) in nineteen juan, and Xiao jing yishu 孝經義疏 (Commentary on the meaning of the Classic of Filial Piety) in five juan. These works probably were largely compiled by members of Xiao Gang's staff.

Xiao Gang was very devoted to his older brother Xiao Tong. After Xiao Tong's death he compiled the Zhaoming taizi zhuan 昭明太子傳 (Biography of Crown Prince Zhaoming) in five juan, and the Zhaoming taizi ji 昭明太子集 in twenty juan. Neither of these works is extant. However, Xiao Gang's preface to the Zhaoming taizi ji has been preserved.

By the 540s Xiao Yan was becoming increasingly senile and losing control of the political and military problems that faced the dynasty. The greatest danger the Liang faced was from the northern states. In 547, Hou Jing 侯景 (503–552), a general from the Eastern Wei, offered to defect to the Liang, bringing with him all the territory that was under his control. Xiao Yan accepted Hou Jing's offer. The result was that the Eastern Wei attacked the Liang. By the next year (548), Hou Jing had to flee to the south. When it seemed likely that Xiao Yan was about to hand Hou Jing over to the Eastern Wei, Hou Jing turned against the Liang. He attacked Jiankang in December 548. The city fell on 24 April 549. Xiao Yan died in June 549, perhaps of starvation. He was eighty-five years old.

On 7 July 549, Hou Jing placed Xiao Gang on the throne. Xiao Gang reigned as a puppet ruler for two and one half years. Hou Jing married one of Xiao Gang's daughters. Hou Jing's title was that of counselor-in-chief (xiang guo 相國), but he was the de facto ruler. Xiao Gang virtually was held under house arrest in the Yongfu Hall 永福殿. Hou Jing eventually decided to depose Xiao Gang. In October 551, Hou Jing replaced Xiao Gang with the grandson of Xiao Tong, a young boy named Xiao Dong 蕭棟. He imprisoned Xiao Gang and set out to murder all of the Xiao princes. On 15 November 551, while Xiao Gang was asleep, assassins sneaked into Xiao Gang's bedroom and smothered him with a heavy sandbag. He was forty-nine years of age at the time. His body was left in a wine storehouse for seven months before it was properly buried.

In 527, while Xiao Gang was still regional inspector of Yongzhou, Lu Zhao 陸罩 (487–post 541) compiled Xiao Gang's literary works in a collection of eighty-five juan. The monograph on bibliography of the Sui shu lists the eighty-five juan collection compiled by Lu Zhao. If this is the version compiled in Yongzhou, it could not have included all of his writings. The two Tang histories record a version in eighty juan. There is evidence of a larger version of Xiao Gang's collection. When his youngest son Xiao Dayuan 蕭大圜 (d. 581) was serving as academician in the Northern Zhou court, he discovered in the imperial library a collection of his father's writings in ninety juan. The Nan shi mentions a collection in one hundred juan. All of these larger versions were lost by the Southern Song. The private book catalogue Zhizhai shulu jieti 直齋書錄解題 by Chen Zhensun 陳振孫 (1211–1249) only lists a five-juan version. All received versions of the collection are reconstructions.

Xiao Gang was a prolific poet. 285 of his poems are extant. He was a sponsor of the “new poetry” that came into vogue during the Qi and Liang period. The Yutai xinyong 玉臺新詠 (New songs from the jade terrace), the most important collection of palace style poetry, was probably compiled under his auspices by Xu Ling. Xiao Gang's verse shows a wide range of themes: palace style, yongwu 詠物, biansai 邊塞, travel, and personal feelings. Xiao Gang also wrote several important pieces on literature. Most of them are letters. The best known pieces are “Yu Xiangdong wang shu” 與湘東王書 (Letter to the Prince of Xiangdong) and “Jie Dangyang gong Daxin shu” 誡當陽公大心書 (Letter of admonition to Daxin, Duke of Dangyang). For an insightful reassesment of Xiao Gang's poetry, see the Tian Xiaofei, Beacon Fire and Shooting Star, listed in the bibliography below.

Bibliography

Collections

• Xue Yingqi 薛應旂 (jinshi 1535), ed. Liang Jianwen di ji 梁簡文帝集. 2 juan. In Liuchao shiji 六朝詩集.
• Yan Guangshi 閻光世, ed. Liang Jianwen di ji 梁簡文帝集. 2 juan. Wen xuan yiji 文選遺集.
• Zhang Xie 張燮 (1574–1640), ed. Liang Jianwen di yuzhi ji 梁簡文帝御製集. 6 juan + supplement 1 juan. Qishi'er jia ji 七十二家集. Rpt. Xuxiu Siku quanshu.
• Zhang Pu 張溥 (1602–1641), ed. Liang Jianwen di yuzhi ji 梁簡文帝御製集. 2 juan. Han Wei Liuchao baisan mingjia ji.
• Yin Zhengxuan 尹正鉉. “Liang Jianwen di shi jianzhu” 梁簡文帝詩箋注. M.A. thesis, Guoli Zhengzhi daxue Zhongwen yanjiusuo, 1969.
• Xiao Zhanpeng 蕭占鵬 and Dong Zhiguang 董志廣, ed. and comm. Liang Jianwen di ji jiaozhu 梁簡文帝集校注. Tianjin: Nankai daxue chubanshe, 2012.

Concordance

• D.C. Lau 劉殿爵, Chen Fangzheng 陳方正, and He Zhihua 何志華, ed. Liang Jianwen di Xiao Gang zhuzi suoyin 梁簡文帝蕭綱逐字索引. Hong Kong: Zhongwen daxue chubanshe, 2002.

DRK