Emperor proceeded in person to Han*tan, promoting Hsiao Ho to be chief Minister and practically leaving him in charge of the realm (see Han Htin). Hsiao Ho built himself a very small house , saying that if his descendants were worthy men it would be to them an example of thrift; if unworthy, then they would not quarrel for its possession. He was canonised as ^ ^ , and is sometimes spoken of as |% >tS •
703
Hsiao Hsien . A.D. 583-621. A great-grandson of the
Emperor Ytlan Ti of the Liang dynasty, and a Magistrate under
the Emperor Yang Ti of the Sui dynasty. In 617, at the invitation
of the Hu-Euang rebels, he set up as King, and in 618 as Emperor,
with his capital at the modern Ching-chou Fu. Though outwardly
afEsible, he was of so jealous a nature that his best officers, fearing
for their lives, readily deserted to the T'ang Emperor whose armies
found little difficulty in reaching his capital. He surrendered, in
order to save his people from the horrors of a prolonged si^e,
just before his relief arrived, and was beheaded on account of his
stubborn refusal to acknowledge the House of T^ang.
704
Hsiao Hung . 5th cent. A.D. Brother of Hsiao Yen who
became the first Emperor of the Liang dynasty. He was a great
miser, and is said to have marked his piles of a million cash vrith
yellow labels, and his piles of ten million with red labels. For his
avarice he was reproved by ^ j^ Ebsiao Tsung, in an essay
entitled ^ j^ Mad an Money. This story is sometimes told of
Hsiao Yen.
705
Hsiao I (T. {g: |S ). A.D. 508-554. Seventh son of
Hsiao Yen. He slew the brother, known in history as ^ ^ ^ ,
whom Hou Ghing had placed upon the throne in succession to
Hsiao Kang, and proclaimed himself fourth Emperor of the Liang
dynasty. In 554 the Western Wei took Chiang- ling in Hnpeh , and
