The dynasty had just been founded. To the north lay Northern Zhou and the Northern Xiongnu; to the south, Southern Tang and Southern Zhou; and to the east, Great Xia. Fortunately, the sea to the west blocked Goryeo, which lay across the water. Gongsun Yunli led troops to pacify Southern Zhou and Southern Tang, then marched north and destroyed Northern Zhou. His standing among the military soared. In the sixth year of Taichu, as he campaigned north against the Xiongnu, seven urgent imperial decrees in succession summoned him back to the capital, and Liu Bin took over as commander. Before long, a witchcraft scandal erupted in the capital. The entire Gongsun clan was massacred, Crown Prince Liu Ju took his own life in the palace, and Empress Huo hanged herself…
