In the seventh month of the sixth year of Qian Yuan, Western Liang Emperor Xiao Jue abdicated the throne to Empress Qin Chang Ge. That year, the era was changed to Lingxiao, the state name to Great Qin, and the Great Qin calendar was established, with the sixth year of Qian Yuan becoming the 371st year of the Great Qin calendar.

In the 372nd year of the Great Qin calendar, Qin Chang Ge allied with Northern Wei’s Dharma King He Buyu to kill Wei Tianzi through stratagem, then immediately sent troops to destroy Northern Wei, completely bringing the vast territories east of the Inner River continent’s coastal regions under her control.

In the 378th year of the Great Qin calendar, Liguo’s great army under Chu Rong rose in rebellion. Those who heard responded like scenery following the wind. He conquered cities and seized territory along the way, taking the capital in just three months. The Liguo sovereign committed suicide, and Princess Jianxi led court officials bearing surrender documents to welcome Chu Rong into the capital.

Two months later, Chu Rong ascended the throne, changing the era name to “Chang Huan” (Eternal Joy). He sent tributes to establish friendly relations with Qin, agreeing to be eternal friendly neighboring states.

Under the governance of Qin Chang Ge and Chu Rong, both countries enjoyed abundant resources, prosperous people, and strong national power.

On the renchen day of the third month in the 384th year of the Great Qin calendar, Emperor Qian Yuan Xiao Jue passed away.

On the gengshen day of the fourth month, a hanging rainbow descended from heaven, white qi penetrated between heaven and earth, and to the southeast of the land, purple light stretched like silk.

In Longzhang Palace, Emperor Lingxiao, who was reviewing memorials, suddenly set down her brush, smiled silently, then commanded palace attendants to prepare fragrant bath water for bathing and changing clothes.

After bathing, she wrote a letter, handed it to a trusted palace attendant to be delivered to State Minister Wen Zhengting, then dismissed all palace attendants and sat behind lowered curtains.

Before long, she passed away, her countenance remaining lifelike.

The golden bell of the Great Ceremonial Hall rang thirty-six times. The entire nation donned mourning white, and all people grieved together.

Palace attendants guarding the hall claimed that at the moment of the empress’s death, they heard strange fragrances and vaguely heard voices calling from the sky: “Lingyuan, Lingyuan, grudges are resolved, worldly affairs concluded – why not return? Why not return?”

Therefore, all people regarded Emperor Lingxiao as a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal world. Every household burned incense and set up spirit altars, with sounds of praise and prayer reaching the stellar clouds.

The empress’s final edict read: “With the realm unified, after my death, my son Xiao Rong shall possess all under heaven.”

Xiao Rong returned several days later, succeeded to the throne before the coffin, and the ruler of Liguo became the new master of the Great Qin dynasty.

The following year, the two countries merged, the Heavenly Moat Canal was built, and the world’s territory was unified.

The era name was set as: “Lingyuan.”

(End)