Who killed Prince Zhaoming?

Liu Liangzhong In 531 AD, Xiao Tong, the crown prince of Liang Dynasty who was only in his forties, passed away. The historians say that Xiao Tong, who died young, "died abnormally and was framed to death." Historians put the blame on Bao Miao, the palace eunuch who served the prince. Sima Guang, the author of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian", also thinks so. I beg to differ. Xiao Tong was the eldest son of Xiao Yan, the founding monarch of the Liang Dynasty. He was extremely intelligent since he was a child and was regarded as the apple of his eye by Xiao Yan. He was made the crown prince the year he proclaimed himself emperor. Xiao Tong was kind-hearted. He had been the prince for decades and devoted himself to assisting his father in handling government affairs. All civil and military officials in the court were full of praise. However, in his later years, Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, who was obsessed with Buddhism, and Prince Xiao Tong, who believed in Taoism, gradually became a little alienated. Emperor Wu sent his little eunuch Bao Miao, nicknamed Clever Ghost, to the prince's command, and secretly ordered Bao Miao to monitor the prince's words and deeds. Bao Miao's secret report: The prince asked the Taoist priests around him to bury a wax goose in front of the grave of his biological mother, Ding Guibi, to curse the emperor to an early death. Soon there was another report: The prince had invited several literati and celebrities to gather at the Ziyun Palace, "whispering and not knowing what to do." When Emperor Wu of Liang heard this, he was furious. He didn't send someone to check, and he didn't ask the prince to find out. He went straight to Ziyun Palace, scolded the prince, and before leaving, he said harshly: "You traitor, let's see how I deal with you!" Xiao Tong was at a loss and knelt down. I thought to myself: I have been the prince for so many years, and I have devoted myself to assisting my father, and I have never thought of anything wrong. The reason for burying wax goose in front of the mother's grave was because the Taoist priest said that the feng shui of the cemetery chosen by the father was not very good, and that burying the wax goose can improve the feng shui. There is no point in cursing the father! As for finding a few literati to gather together, the purpose is to discuss writing a preface to the "Selected Works" I compiled. Saying that I am plotting to kill the king and usurp the throne, to seize power, where do you start? The more Xiao Tong thought about it, the more uncomfortable he became, until he fainted and fell to the ground. After being revived by the imperial physician, he heard that the emperor had issued an edict to kill all the Taoist priests who had been in contact with him, and to imprison all the literati who participated in the gathering at Ziyun Palace pending trial. He was only lenient to Liu Xie, but he was not allowed to meet the prince again. From then on, Xiao Tong truly became a loner. He was completely desperate, and his heart attack turned into a physical illness. He just passed the New Year and left with injustice. Everyone said that Prince Zhaoming died unjustly, but who actually killed this prince who had been loyal to his emperor and filial piety all his life? There are some historians who are not truthful and do not know or dare to say anything else. They can only blame the young eunuch Bao Miao. This is the safest and safest thing for yourself and others. Woohoo!