Stone carvings at the Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang

Stone carvings at the Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang

The stone carvings at the Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang, are a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang, is located near Liujiazhuang in Sanxiang Township, Jinglin District, Danyang City. About 60 meters to its south lies the reconstructed tomb of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan.

Xiao Gang was the son of Emperor Wu. In May 549 during the third year of the Taiqing era, Emperor Wu died, and Xiao Gang ascended the throne. He was killed by Hou Jing in the second year of the Dabao era. The following year, Emperor Yuan, Xiao Yi, posthumously honored him as Emperor Jianwen, with the temple name Taizong, and buried him in the Tomb of Zhuang.

The tomb faces east and has been leveled. In front of the tomb lies Xiao Port, which connects to the canal of Lingkou Town. On the spirit way in front of the tomb remains a stone beast called Tianlu, facing north. Only the front part of the body and the left front foot remain. It stands 3.16 meters tall. The left front foot has five claws spread out, and beneath the foot is a remnant section of stone slab, 0.26 meters thick. It has wings, stretches its neck, and raises its head. Above the wing arms are two upward-curving feathered wings. This differs from other stone beasts of the Qi and Liang dynasties. There is fur-like decoration at the corners of the mouth, long hanging whiskers reaching the chest, and wing patterns similar to those of the stone beasts in front of the tomb of Emperor Ming of Qi, Xiao Luan, at Xing’an Tomb. They are quite ornamental.

Provincial-level cultural relic protection units of Jiangsu Province, first and second batches, adjusted and announced in March 1982: Stone carvings at the Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang, Southern Dynasties (551 AD), Liuyang Village, Jinglin, Danyang County. In 1988, as part of the "Danyang Southern Dynasties Tomb Stone Carvings," it was announced as part of the third batch of national key cultural relic protection units.

Stone carvings at the Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang

Xiao Gang (503–551 AD), son of Xiao Yan and mother Ding Lingguang. Installed by Hou Jing, he was 47 years old at the time, reigned for 3 years (549–551 AD), was killed, and buried in Zhuang Tomb. His reign title was Dabao. The Tomb of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Xiao Gang, is located in present-day Sancheng Lane, Jinglin Township, Danyang City, Jiangsu Province. A thousand years of wind and rain have long flattened and washed away the tomb mound, leaving only a broken stone qilin lying on the ground, as if mourning the unfortunate tomb owner. As a child, Xiao Gang was exceptionally intelligent. Legend has it that at just six years old, he could write very elegant prose. Emperor Wu once remarked, “This child is the Cao Zhi of our family.” (Dong’e, a county name located in what is now western Shandong Province, was once the fief of Cao Zhi, one of the “Three Caos.”) Comparing Xiao Gang to Cao Zhi is quite apt in some ways. As an adult, he long served as the military and political leader of the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River. During this time, he led troops on a northern campaign, capturing counties and commanderies such as Nanyang, Xinye, and Anchang. After the death of Crown Prince Zhaoming, Xiao Tong, Emperor Wu appointed him as crown prince. The decree stated, “Jin'an Prince Gang, naturally endowed with literary grace and filial piety, extends his authority and benevolence outward, cultivates virtue internally, earns the praise of all ministers, and unites the hearts of the people.” Emperor Wu reigned for fifty years, and his sons had long been suspicious of each other due to their ambitions for the throne. Xiao Gang was fortunate enough to be named crown prince, but that was also the beginning of his misfortune. In his later years, Emperor Wu excessively favored Buddhism and neglected state affairs, causing the foundation of the Liang regime to waver. In 548 during the second year of the Dabing era, the surrendered general Hou Jing rebelled, breached the capital city, imprisoned Emperor Wu, who soon died of worry and anger, leaving the Liang regime existing in name only. Knowing his background and status were unsuitable for taking over the Liang throne, Hou Jing forced Xiao Gang to become emperor in May of the third year of the Taiqing era. Just two years later, in August of the second year of the Dabao era, Hou Jing sent men to break into the palace, deposed Xiao Gang, reduced him back to Jin'an Prince, and confined him in Yongfu Province. In his self-written account on the wall of his prison cell in Yongfu Province, Xiao Gang wrote: “I am the upright man of Liang, Xiao Shi Zuan from Lanling, who has maintained his principles and conduct consistently from beginning to end. Though the storm rages and the sky darkens, the rooster continues to crow. I do not deceive even in the dark; how much less under the light of sun, moon, and stars. To reach such a state—such is fate.” This reveals his helpless and sorrowful state of mind. Two months later, Xiao Gang was murdered by men sent by Hou Jing. His death was tragic. When Hou Jing’s close aides, including Wang Wei, brought him wine and food, Wang Wei said, “Prime Minister Hou, mindful of Your Majesty’s distress, specially sent us to offer you a toast for your birthday.” Knowing his time had come, Xiao Gang said cheerfully, “How can I refuse a toast for my birthday?” He then listened to a lute performance while drinking wildly, sighing deeply, “This wild drinking is not just for pleasure!” He drank himself into a stupor, whereupon Wang Wei and the others suffocated him to death with a sack of earth.

Qilin of Zhuang Tomb

Front view of the Zhuang Tomb Qilin

Further reading:

· First and second batches of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units