The “Eight Friends of Jingling”, which is generally defined as Xiao Yan, Shen Yao, Xie Xi, Wang Rong, Xiao Chen, Fan Yun, Ren Fang, and Lu Yun, was a group of literati formed by Xiao Ziliang, the King of Jingling, during the Yongming period of Southern Qi. But in fact, the prototype of “Eight Friends of Jingling” had already taken shape as early as when Wang Jian was in the Chancellery, in charge of the selection office, and headed the priest of the State Scholarship. Later, Xiao Yan, Xie Xie, Ren Fang and Xiao Chen, who had been brought together by Wang Jian, turned to the King of Jingling’s house and fell on the side of King of Jingling Xiao Ziliang, eventually forming the “Eight Friends of Jingling”. This is actually a good show that the contradiction between the imperial power and Wang Jian’s scholarly power became irreconcilable, and Emperor Wu of Qi was afraid of the expansion of Wang Jian’s power and supported his second son, King Xiao Ziliang of Jingling, to suppress Wang Jian. The formation of the “Eight Friends of Jingling” reveals the historical process in which the imperial power made use of the scholarly clan while suppressing them and achieving victory. |