Was Emperor Xiaowen a sinner or a great hero in the Northern Wei Dynasty? (Brief overview, main points)

There are too many people in the history of China who deserve to be known, discussed and commemorated. In recent years, I have paid more attention to Yuan (Tuoba) Hong, Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Born in August of the first year of Huangxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 476), he died in April of the 23rd year of Taihe (AD 499). In three years, it will be the 500th anniversary of his death/kloc-0. His original surname was Tuoba, but he changed his surname to Yuan three years before his death. During his twenty-three years in office, the most important and controversial move was to move the capital and sinicize it. Although historians have published many works, I think it is necessary to discuss them further, because from today's point of view, people may make completely different comments. Is Justin a hero or a sinner? Let's look at the historical facts first! In May of the seventeenth year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 493), Emperor Xiaowen Tuoba Hong held a fast in Tang Ming, the capital city of Pingcheng (now northwest of Datong City, Shanxi Province), and called his ministers to decide by divination whether or not to arise in the Southern Dynasties. Tai Chen presides over divination. He carefully observed the lines on the tortoise plate and determined that it belonged to leather divination. Hearing this, Emperor Xiaowen immediately quoted Gegua's haiku and said, "The revolution in the Tang and Wu Dynasties depends on heaven and people." It's so lucky. Ministers know that Emperor Xiaowen has made up his mind, and no one dares to speak. Only Shangshu and Ren Wang Cheng TaBaCheng said, "Your majesty inherited the legacy of the first emperor and ruled the Central Plains. This time, he sent troops to conquer the small countries that have not surrendered, but he got the divination of the revolutions in Shang Tang and Zhou Wuwang. I am afraid it can't be counted as good luck. " Emperor Xiaowen asked sharply: "It is very clear in the eulogy that it is a' big change'. How can you say unlucky? " Tuoba Cheng said, "Your Majesty has been on the throne for a long time. How can he change from a tiger to a tiger today? " Xiao Wen's face fell and said, "My country is my country. Do you want to shake people's hearts? " Ren Chengwang still refused to buy it, saying, "Although the country belongs to your majesty, I am the minister of the country. How can I know there is danger and not talk? " Emperor Xiaowen finally put up with this tone and said simply, "Say what you want, it's no big deal!" This grand ceremony ended hastily. Of course, Emperor Xiaowen's real intention is not to travel south. Zhiren saw through his mind and summoned him immediately after returning to the palace, saying, "I was afraid that people would talk too much in the hall and ruin my big event, so I pretended to be angry and frightened all the officials." You probably get it. Now let's seriously discuss the changes in divination. " Then he backed off and told his plan exactly: "This action is really difficult, but Pingcheng is a place for employing people, not a place for civil administration. There is no way to change customs here. I want to take the opportunity to move the capital to the Central Plains. What do you think? " Tuoba Cheng said: "Your Majesty's plan to move the capital to the four seas is the successful experience of Zhou Chengwang and Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty!" Emperor Xiaowen is not without worries: "Northerners cling to old habits and miss their homeland, which is bound to cause panic and riots. What should I do? " Tuoba Cheng replied: "Extraordinary things are not something that ordinary people can think of and can do. As long as your majesty makes up his mind, what can they do? " With the support of the imperial clan, Emperor Xiaowen became more confident. He compared Wang Rencheng to Sean, the counselor who made Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang decide to move to Chang 'an. Then, Emperor Xiaowen made a secret agreement with Li Chong, the minister of the Han nationality, and ordered the army to conduct exercises, and Li Chong was responsible for selecting personnel. On July 10, the Northern Wei Dynasty imposed martial law throughout the country, mobilized troops, officially announced the southern expedition, and ordered Yangzhou, which borders the Southern Dynasties, to levy civilian workers and recruit soldiers. Ten days later, Emperor Xiaowen held a farewell ceremony in front of his first grandmother, Feng Taihou's Yonggu Mausoleum. Starting from Pingcheng, Emperor Xiaowen led 300,000 troops south. The relocation of the capital in the name of "Southern Expedition" started here and was finally completed within two years after several twists and turns. When it was a foregone conclusion to move the capital, Emperor Xiaowen began to take a series of more thorough sinicization measures, and the opposition did not miss every opportunity of confrontation. On the second day of December in the eighteenth year of Taihe, Emperor Xiaowen ordered that the gentry were forbidden to wear "khufu" (costumes of northern tribes such as Xianbei). Most Xianbei people don't want to do this, and many people don't follow orders. For example, Duke Dongyang (former King Dongyang) and Tuoba Pi, a teacher, openly wore khufu and refused to change clothes. On March 19th, 19th, a surname and Jing were sealed in Pingcheng. Feng is the younger brother and the father-in-law of Emperor Xiaowen. Tuoba Pi, who stayed in Pingcheng, disapproved of moving the capital, and waited for a letter with Liu Rui, asking Emperor Xiaowen to return to Pingcheng to attend Feng's funeral. Emperor Xiaowen saw through their intentions and pointed out that they came up with such an idea at the beginning of moving the capital, and they were "unjust kings", ordered them to be demoted, and issued a letter to welcome Feng Lingbin to Luoyang for burial.