Volume 4 Annals 4: Emperor Wenxuan

顯祖文宣皇帝諱洋，字子進，高祖第二子，世宗之母弟。后初孕，每夜有赤光照室，后私嘗怪之。初，高祖之歸尒朱榮，時經危亂，家徒壁立，后與親姻相對，共憂寒餒。帝時尚未能言，欻然應曰「得活」，太后及左右大驚而不敢言。及長，黑色，大頰兌下，鱗身重踝。不好戲弄，深沉有大度。晉陽曾有沙門，乍愚乍智，時人不測，呼為阿禿師。帝曾與諸童共見之，歷問祿位，至帝，舉手再三指天而已，口無所言。見者異之。高祖嘗試觀諸子意識，各使治亂絲，帝獨抽刀斬之，曰：「亂者須斬。」高祖是之。又各配兵四出，而使甲騎偽攻之。世宗等怖撓，帝乃勒衆與彭樂敵，樂免胄言情，猶擒之以獻。後從世宗行過遼陽山，獨見天門開，餘人無見者。內雖明敏，貌若不足，世宗每嗤之，云：「此人亦得富貴，相法亦何由可解。」唯高祖異之，謂薛琡曰：「此兒意識過吾。」幼時師事范陽盧景裕，默識過人，景裕不能測也。天平二年，授散騎常侍、驃騎大將軍、儀同三司、左光祿大夫、太原郡開國公。武定元年，加侍中。二年，轉尚書左僕射、領軍將軍。五年，授尚書令、中書監、京畿大都督。

Emperor Wenxuan, temple name Xianzu of Northern Qi, bore the personal name Yang and the style Zijin. He was the second son of Gao Huan and the younger maternal brother of Gao Cheng. When Empress Lou first conceived, every night red light filled the chamber; she privately found it strange. When Gao Huan first went over to Erzhu Rong, the realm was in turmoil and the household had nothing but bare walls; Empress Lou and her kin sat facing one another, sharing fear of cold and hunger. Gao Yang was not yet able to speak, but suddenly answered, "We will live." The empress and those beside her were greatly startled and dared not speak. When grown he was dark-skinned, with large cheeks and a heavy jaw; his body bore a scaly pattern and his ankles were thick. He cared little for play and horseplay; he was reserved and possessed great breadth of mind. At Jinyang there was once a monk who seemed by turns foolish and wise; men could not fathom him and called him Master Atuo. Gao Yang once went with other boys to see him; the monk asked each boy's destined rank in turn, and when it came to Gao Yang he only raised his hand and pointed repeatedly at heaven, saying nothing. Those who saw it thought it strange. Gao Huan once tested his sons' dispositions, giving each a snarl of tangled silk to put in order; Gao Yang alone drew a knife and cut it, saying, "What is tangled must be cut." Gao Huan approved of this. Again he gave each son troops to lead out in four directions and sent armored cavalry to feign attack. Gao Cheng and the others were frightened and broke; Gao Yang mustered his forces and fought Peng Yue as an enemy, and though Peng removed his helmet and spoke from the heart, Gao Yang still captured him and presented him as captive. Later, following Gao Cheng in passing Mount Liaoyang, he alone saw the Gate of Heaven open; no one else saw it. Inwardly he was keen and sharp, yet in appearance he seemed deficient; Gao Cheng often sneered at him, saying, "This man too will come to wealth and rank — how is face-reading to be explained?" Only Gao Huan regarded him differently and said to Xue Shu, "This boy's understanding surpasses mine." In youth he studied under Lu Jingyu of Fanyang; his retentive memory surpassed others, and Jingyu could not fathom him. In Tianping 2 (535) he received Regular Palace Attendant, General of the Flying Cavalry, Lord Equal to Three Imperator, Left Grand Master of Splendor, and the dukedom of Taiyuan Commandery. In Wuding 1 (543) he was made Palace Attendant. In the second year he was made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and General of the Palace Guard. In the fifth year he received Director of the Masters of Writing, Director of the Secretariat Supervisor, and the grand command of the capital region.

武定七年八月，世宗遇害，事出倉卒，內外震駭。帝神色不變，指麾部分，自臠斬群賊而漆其頭，徐宣言曰：「奴反，大將軍被傷，無大苦也。」當時內外莫不驚異焉。乃赴晉陽，親總庶政，務從寬厚，事有不便者咸蠲省焉。冬十月癸未朔，以咸陽王坦為太傅，潘相樂為司空。十一月戊午，吐谷渾國遣使朝貢。梁齊州刺史茅靈斌、德州刺史劉領隊、南豫州刺史皇甫眘等並以州內屬。十二月己酉，以并州刺史彭樂為司徒，太保賀拔仁為并州刺史。

In the eighth month of Wuding 7 (549), Gao Cheng was murdered; the affair was sudden and within and without all were shaken. Gao Yang's expression did not change; he directed the ranks, personally cut up the band of rebels and lacquered their heads, and slowly proclaimed, "The slaves have rebelled; the Grand General is wounded — there is no great harm." At the time none within or without was not startled. He then went to Jinyang, personally overseeing general government and striving for clemency; matters that were inconvenient were all exempted or reduced. In the tenth month, on the first day guimwei, Prince of Xianyang Gao Tan was made Grand Tutor and Pan Xiangle was made Minister of Works. In the eleventh month, on wuwu day, the Tuyuhun state sent envoys with tribute. Liang's Qizhou Inspector Mao Lingbin, Dezhou Inspector Liu Lingdui, and Southern Yuzhou Inspector Huangfu Shen and others all submitted their provinces. In the twelfth month, on jiyou day, Bing Inspector Peng Yue was made Minister of Education and Grand Tutor Helou Ren was made Bing Inspector.

八年春正月庚申，梁楚州刺史宋安顧以州內屬。辛酉，魏帝為世宗舉哀於東堂。梁定州刺史田聰能、洪州刺史張顯等以州內屬。戊辰，魏詔進帝位使持節、丞相、都督中外諸軍事、錄尚書事、大行台、齊郡王，食邑一萬戶。甲戌，地豆于國遣使朝貢。三月辛酉，又進封齊王，食冀州之渤海長樂安德武邑、瀛州之河間五郡，邑十萬戶。自居晉陽，寢室夜有光如晝。既為王，夢人以筆點己額。旦以告館客王曇哲曰：「吾其退乎？」曇哲再拜賀曰：「王上加點，便成主字，乃當進也。」夏五月辛亥，帝如鄴。甲寅，進相國，總百揆，封冀州之渤海長樂安德武邑、瀛州之河間高陽章武、定州之中山常山博陵十郡，邑二十萬戶，加九錫，殊禮，齊王如故。魏帝遣兼太尉彭城王韶、司空潘相樂冊命曰：

In the first month of spring in the eighth year, on gengshen day, Liang's Chuzhou Inspector Song Angu submitted his province. On xinyou day the Eastern Wei emperor held mourning for Gao Cheng in the Eastern Hall. Liang's Dingzhou Inspector Tian Congneng, Hongzhou Inspector Zhang Xian, and others submitted their provinces. On wuchen day the Eastern Wei emperor issued an edict that Gao Yang be advanced to Bearer of Credentials, Grand Chancellor, Commander-in-Chief of All Armies at Home and Abroad, Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing, Grand Mobile Headquarters, and Prince of Qi Commandery, with a fief of ten thousand households. On jiaxu day the Didouyu state sent envoys with tribute. In the third month, on xinyou day, he was further enfeoffed as Prince of Qi, with the five commanderies of Bohai, Changle, Ande, and Wuyi in Jizhou and Hejian in Yingzhou — a fief of one hundred thousand households. From the time he dwelt at Jinyang, his sleeping chamber at night had light like day. Once he was made prince, he dreamed that a man with a brush dotted his forehead. At dawn he told his guest Wang Tanzhe, "Am I to withdraw?" Wang Tanzhe bowed twice and congratulated him, "When the character for 'prince' receives a dot, it becomes the character for 'lord' — you are to advance." In the fifth month of summer, on xinhai day, Gao Yang went to Ye. On jiayin day he was advanced to Grand Chancellor, given charge of all affairs of state, and enfeoffed with the ten commanderies of Bohai, Changle, Ande, and Wuyi in Jizhou, Hejian, Gaoyang, and Zhangwu in Yingzhou, and Zhongshan, Changshan, and Boling in Dingzhou — a fief of two hundred thousand households — with the Nine Bestowals and extraordinary honors, remaining Prince of Qi as before. The Eastern Wei emperor sent Acting Grand Commandant Prince of Pengcheng Gao Shao and Minister of Works Pan Xiangle to invest him with the edict, saying:

於戲！敬聽朕命：夫惟天為大，列晷宿而垂象；謂地蓋厚，疏川嶽以阜物。所以四時代序，萬類駢羅，庶品得性，群形不夭。然則皇王統曆，深視高居，拱默垂衣，寄成師相，此則夏伯、殷尹竭其股肱，周成、漢昭無為而治。頃者天下多難，國命如旒，則我建國之業將墜於地。齊獻武王奮迅風雲，大濟艱危，爰翼朕躬，國為再造，經營庶土，以至勤憂。及文襄承構，愈廣前業，康邦夷難，道格穹蒼。王縱德應期，千齡一出，惟幾惟深，乃神乃聖，大崇霸德，實廣相猷。雖冥功妙實，藐絕言象，標聲示迹，典禮宜宣。今申後命，其敬虛受。

Alas! Attend and hear Our command: Heaven alone is great — it arrays the sun and stars and hangs forth signs; Earth is said to be thick — it opens rivers and mountains to enrich the myriad things. Thus the four seasons succeed one another, the myriad kinds throng together, the common multitude find their nature, and every form is spared untimely death. Then the sovereign and king inherit the calendar, gaze deeply from on high, hold silence and let the robe hang, and entrust accomplishment to teacher and minister — thus the Earl of Xia and the Yin minister gave their utmost as arms and legs, and King Cheng of Zhou and Emperor Zhao of Han ruled through nonaction. Lately the realm has been full of hardship and the fate of the state hangs like a pendant — then Our founding enterprise was about to fall to earth. Prince Xianwu of Qi rose swiftly amid wind and cloud, greatly rescued peril and crisis, supported Our person, and remade the state, managing the common soil to the point of utmost toil and care. When Gao Cheng took up the structure, he broadened the former enterprise still further, settled the state and smoothed hardship, and his Way reached the azure vault. The Prince accumulates virtue and answers the age — once in a thousand generations; subtle in foresight, deep in counsel, divine in spirit and sage in holiness, he greatly exalts hegemonic virtue and truly broadens the minister's design. Though hidden merit and subtle reality lie beyond words and images, to set forth fame and show the trace, ritual and canon ought to be proclaimed. Now We renew the later command — reverently receive it in emptiness.

王摶風初舉，建旟上地，庇民立政，時雨滂流，下識廉恥，仁加水陸，移風易俗，自齊變魯，此王之功也。仍攝天臺，總參戎律，策出若神，威行朔土，引弓竄跡，松塞無煙，此又王之功也。逮光統前緒，持衡匡合，華戎混一，風海調夷，日月光華，天地清晏，聲接響隨，無思不偃，此又王之功也。逖矣炎方，逋違正朔，懷文曜武，授略申規，淮楚連城，漼然桑落，此又王之功也。關、峴衿帶，跨躡蕭條，腸胃之地，嶽立鴟跱，偏師才指，渙同冰散，此又王之功也。晉熙之所，險薄江雷，迥隔聲教，迷方未改，命將鞠旅，覆其巢穴，威略風騰，傾懾南海，此又王之功也。群蠻跋扈，世絕南疆，搖盪邊垂，亟為塵梗，懷德畏威，向風請順，傾陬盡落，其至如雲，此又王之功也。胡人別種，延蔓山谷，酋渠萬族，廣袤千里，憑險不恭，恣其桀黠，有樂淳風，相攜叩款，粟帛之調，王府充積，此又王之功也。茫茫涉海，世敵諸華，風行鳥逝，倏來忽往，既飲醇醪，附同膠漆，毛裘委仞，奇獸銜尾，此又王之功也。秦川尚阻，作我仇讎，爰挹椒蘭，飛書請好，天動其衷，辭卑禮厚，區宇乂甯，遐邇畢至，此又王之功也。江陰告禍，民無適歸，蕭宗子弟，尚相投庇，如鳥還山，猶川赴海，荊江十部，俄而獻割，乘此會也，將混朱方，此又王之功也。天平地成，率土咸茂，禎符顯見，史不停筆，既連百木，兼呈九尾，素過秦雀，蒼比周烏，此又王之功也。搜揚管庫，衣冠獲序，禮云樂云，銷沉俱振，輕徭徹賦，矜獄寬刑，大信外彰，深仁遠洽，此又王之功也。王有安日下之大勳，加以表光明之盛德，宣贊洪猷，以左右朕言。昔旦、奭外分，毛、畢入佐，出內之任，王宜總之。

When the Prince first raised the wind and planted his banner on the upper land, sheltering the people and establishing government, timely rain poured in torrents; those below knew shame and integrity, benevolence was added to land and water, customs were changed and manners transformed — from Qi to Lu — this is the Prince's merit. Still he held the Celestial Terrace and took part in all military law; plans issued like a god and awe ran over the northern soil; bow drawn, the enemy fled and the pine frontier knew no smoke — this too is the Prince's merit. He continued the former thread of light, held the balance and set right the realm; Chinese and barbarian were mixed into one, winds and seas were tuned and the barbarians settled; sun and moon shed their brilliance, heaven and earth were clear and tranquil; sound met echo and none who thought did not submit — this too is the Prince's merit. Far off the fiery south, long in violation of the correct calendar, cherishing letters and displaying martial power, he handed down strategy and declared the rule; cities of Huai and Chu linked together fell like frost and mulberry leaves — this too is the Prince's merit. Guan and Xian were his girdle and sash; he strode over desolation; in the land that was the realm's belly, peaks stood and owls perched; a partial force had only to point and they melted like ice scattered — this too is the Prince's merit. Where Jinxi lay, steep beside river and thunder, far separated from sound and teaching and lost in direction unchanged, he ordered generals to marshal troops, overturned their nests, and with martial prestige wind-swift overawed the southern sea — this too is the Prince's merit. The many barbarians were overbearing, severed from the southern frontier for generations, shaking the border marches and repeatedly becoming dust and stubble; cherishing virtue and fearing awe, they turned to the wind and asked to submit; leaning corners all fell, arriving like clouds — this too is the Prince's merit. Barbarians of another kind spread through mountain valleys; chieftains of ten thousand clans over a thousand li relied on peril and were not respectful, indulging their fierceness and cunning; delighting in pure custom, they came together bearing tribute, and grain and silk levies filled the princely storehouse — this too is the Prince's merit. Across the boundless sea, age-long foes of the many Chinese, wind-borne and bird-swift, coming suddenly and going suddenly — having drunk rich wine they clung like lacquer; fur coats piled by the ren, strange beasts led by the tail — this too is the Prince's merit. Qinchuan was still blocked, making itself Our foe; then they drew pepper and orchid and sent letters asking for friendship; heaven moved their inmost hearts, their words were humble and their rites thick; the realm was settled and quiet, far and near all arrived — this too is the Prince's merit. The southern Yang reported calamity and the people had nowhere to turn; sons and younger brothers of the Xiao house still sought one another's shelter, like birds returning to mountains and streams running to the sea; ten districts of Jing and Jiang in a moment offered themselves cut away; seizing this occasion, he would mix Zhu and Fang — this too is the Prince's merit. Heaven level and earth complete, all under heaven flourishing; auspicious tokens appeared clearly and the scribes' brushes did not cease; connected trees numbered a hundred, and nine-tailed beasts appeared together; white surpassed the Qin sparrow, azure matched the Zhou crow — this too is the Prince's merit. He searched storehouses and promoted men of office; caps and robes received order; rites and music, long sunken, were both revived; light corvée and abolished levies, pity in prisons and lenient punishments, great faith shown abroad and deep benevolence reaching far — this too is the Prince's merit. The Prince has the great merit of settling the realm beneath the sun, and in addition displays the overflowing virtue of bright light; proclaim and assist the grand design, to stand at Our left and right in speech. In former times the Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao were divided without, Mao and Bi entered to assist — the charge within and without the Prince ought to sum them.

人謀鬼謀，兩儀協契，錫命之行，義申公道。以王踐律蹈禮，軌物蒼生，圓首安志，率心歸道，是以錫王大路、戎路各一，玄牡二駟。王深重民天，唯本是務，衣食之用，榮辱所由，是用錫王袞冕之服，赤舄副焉。王深廣惠和，易調風化，神祗且格，功德可象，是用錫王軒懸之樂，六佾之舞。王風聲振赫，九域咸綏，遠人率俾，奔走委贐，是用錫王朱戶以居。王求賢選衆，草萊以盡，陳力就列，罔非其人，是用錫王納陛以登。王英圖猛概，抑揚千品，毅然之節，肅是非違，是用錫王武賁之士三百人。王興亡所繫，制極幽顯，糾行天討，罪人咸得，是用錫王鈇鉞各一。王鷹揚豹變，實扶下土，狼顧鴟張，罔不彈射，是用錫王彤弓一、彤矢百、盧弓十、盧矢千。王孝悌之至，通於神明，率民興行，感達區宇，是用錫王秬鬯一卣，珪瓚副焉。往欽哉。其祗順往冊，保弼皇家，用終爾休德，對揚我太祖之顯命。

Human counsel and ghost counsel, the two principles in accord — the bestowal of command proceeds, righteousness declaring the public Way. Because the Prince treads law and steps in ritual, setting the standard for the myriad living, round heads rest in will and lead hearts return to the Way, therefore We bestow upon the Prince the Great Road and War Road, one each, with black stallions four-in-hand, two teams. The Prince deeply weighs the people as heaven and takes the root as his task; clothing and food are the source of honor and disgrace — therefore We bestow upon the Prince the robe and cap of the nine emblems, with red slippers besides. The Prince deeply broadens kindness and harmony, easily tunes wind and transformation; spirits and gods draw near and merit and virtue can be imaged — therefore We bestow upon the Prince suspended music and the dance of six rows. The Prince's fame and sound shake brilliantly and the nine regions are all soothed; distant men lead and submit, running to present gifts — therefore We bestow upon the Prince vermilion doors to dwell in. The Prince seeks the worthy and selects the multitude, exhausting the grass and thickets; presenting strength and taking rank, none are not the right men — therefore We bestow upon the Prince the ascending steps to mount. The Prince's heroic design and fierce breadth restrain and raise a thousand kinds; resolute in season, correcting what is and is not — therefore We bestow upon the Prince three hundred martial guards. The Prince is tied to rise and fall; he sets the utmost limit of dark and bright, corrects heaven's punishment, and the guilty all are taken — therefore We bestow upon the Prince axe and yue, one each. The Prince is hawk-soaring and leopard-changing, truly supporting the lower soil; wolf-looking and owl-spreading, none are not shot down — therefore We bestow upon the Prince one red bow, one hundred red arrows, ten black bows, and one thousand black arrows. The Prince's filial piety reaches utmost and passes through to the spirits; leading the people to rise and act, feeling reaches the regions — therefore We bestow upon the Prince one jar of black millet ale, with jade libation cup and ladle besides. Go — reverence! Reverently follow the former register, preserve and assist the royal house, to the end employ your fine virtue, and respond to and raise Our Grand Ancestor's bright command.

魏帝以天人之望有歸，丙辰，下詔曰：

Because the mandate of heaven and the people's hope had a place to return, on bingchen day the Eastern Wei emperor issued an edict, saying:

三才剖判，百王代興，治天靜地，和神敬鬼，庇民造物，咸自靈符，非一人之大寶，實有道之神器。昔我宗祖應運，奄一區宇，歷聖重光，暨于九葉。德之不嗣，仍離屯圮，盜名字者遍於九服，擅制命者非止三公，主殺朝危，人神靡繫，天下之大，將非魏有。賴齊獻武王奮揚靈武，克剪多難，重懸日月，更綴參辰，廟以掃除，國由再造，鴻勳巨業，無德而稱。逮文襄承構，世業逾廣，邇安遠服，海內晏如，國命已康，生生得性。迄相國齊王，緯文經武，統茲大業，盡睿窮幾，研深測化，思隨冥運，智與神行，恩比春天，威同夏日，坦至心於萬物，被大道於八方，故百僚師師，朝無秕政，網疏澤洽，率土歸心。外盡江淮，風靡屈膝，辟地懷人，百城奔走，關隴慕義而請好，瀚漠仰德而致誠。伊所謂命世應期，實撫千載。禎符雜遝，異物同途，謳頌填委，殊方一致，代終之迹斯表，人靈之契已合，天道不遠，我不獨知。朕入纂鴻休，將承世祀，籍援立之厚，延宗社之算，靜言大運，欣於避賢，遠惟唐、虞禪代之典，近想魏、晉揖讓之風，其可昧興替之禮，稽神祇之望？今便遜於別宮，歸帝位於齊國，推聖與能，眇符前軌。主者宣佈天下，以時施行。

The three powers were divided and distinguished, a hundred kings rose in succession, governing heaven and quieting earth, harmonizing spirits and revering ghosts, sheltering the people and creating things — all from numinous tokens; not one man's great treasure, but truly the sacred vessel of the Way. In former times Our clan ancestors answered the age and suddenly unified one region; sage after sage doubled the light, down to the ninth leaf. Virtue did not continue; still we departed from peril and ruin; those who stole names filled the nine domains, those who usurped command were not limited to the Three Dukes; the lord was killed, the court endangered, human and divine had no tie — the great realm would no longer be Wei's. We relied on Prince Xianwu of Qi to raise numinous martial power, cut down many hardships, rehung sun and moon, rejoined the Three Stars, swept the ancestral temple, and remade the state by the enterprise — a vast merit beyond words. When Gao Cheng took up the structure, the enterprise grew still broader; near was soothed and far submitted, within the seas were tranquil; the fate of the state was already secure and the living found their nature. Down to the Prince of Qi as Grand Chancellor, weaving letters and threading martial power, holding this great enterprise, exhausting wisdom and probing the subtle, studying the deep and measuring transformation — thought followed dark fortune, wisdom moved with the spirit; kindness matched spring heaven, awe matched summer sun; level heart reached the myriad things, the Great Way was spread to the eight directions; therefore the hundred officials were orderly, the court without bad government, the net sparse and the marsh rich, and all under heaven returned their hearts. Without, he exhausted the Yangtze and Huai; wind bowed and knees bent; opening land and cherishing men, a hundred cities ran; Guan and Long admired righteousness and asked for friendship; the boundless desert looked up to virtue and showed sincerity. What is called a life answering the age truly comforts a thousand years. Auspicious tokens crowded in confusion, strange things on the same road; songs of praise piled up, different regions with one accord — the trace of dynastic end was already shown, the covenant of human and numinous already joined; heaven's Way is not far — We alone do not know. We entered to receive the vast blessing and will inherit the age's sacrifice; relying on the thickness of established aid, extending the altar's span — speaking quietly of the great fortune, We rejoice in yielding to the worthy; far pondering the canon of abdication of Tang and Yu, near recalling the wind of bowing and yielding of Wei and Jin — how can We obscure the rites of rise and fall and examine the hope of spirits and gods? Now We at once yield to the separate palace and return the imperial seat to the state of Qi, pushing the sage and giving ability, faintly matching the former track. The chief officer shall proclaim throughout the realm and implement it in season.

又使兼太尉彭城王韶、兼司空敬顯儁奉冊曰：

Again he sent Acting Grand Commandant Prince of Pengcheng Gao Shao and Acting Minister of Works Jing Xianjun to present the register, saying:

咨爾相國齊王：夫氣分形化，物繫君長，皇王遞興，人非一姓。昔放勳馭世，沉璧屬子；重華握曆，持衡擁璇。所以英賢茂實，昭晰千古，豈盛衰有運，興廢在時，知命不得不授，畏天不可不受。是故漢劉告否，當塗順民，曹歷不永，金行納禪，此皆重規襲矩，率由舊章者也。

Consult you, Grand Chancellor Prince of Qi: Qi divided and forms transformed, things depend on a lord and elder; sovereign and king rise in turn — men are not of one surname. In former times Yao governed the age and sank the jade disc, entrusting it to his son; Shun grasped the calendar, held the balance and embraced the jade pivot. Therefore heroic and worthy, abundant in reality, shone clearly through a thousand ages — how is it that flourishing and decline have a fortune, rise and fall lie in the time, knowing fate cannot but be granted, fearing heaven cannot but be received? Thus Han Liu reported ill fortune, Dangtu followed the people; Cao's calendar was not long, the Metal line received abdication — all these repeated the measure and followed the square, proceeding by the old canon.

我祖宗光宅，混一萬宇。迄於正光之末，奸孽乘權，厥政多僻，九域離蕩。永安運窮，人靈殄瘁，羣逆滔天，割裂四海，國土臣民，行非魏有。齊獻武王應期授手，鳳舉龍驤，舉廢極以立天，扶傾柱而鎮地，剪滅黎毒，匡我墜曆，有大德於魏室，被博利於蒼生。及文襄繼軌，誕光前業，內剿凶權，外摧侵叛，遐邇肅晏，功格上玄。王神祇協德，舟梁一世，體文昭武，追變窮微。自舉跡藩旟，頌歌總集，入統機衡，風猷弘遠。及大承世業，扶國昌家，相德日躋，霸風愈邈，威靈斯暢則荒遠賓士，聲略所播而鄰敵順款。以富有之資，運英特之氣，顧盻之間，無思不服。圖諜潛蘊，千祀彰明，嘉禎幽秘，一朝紛委，以表代德之期，用啟興邦之迹，蒼蒼在上，照臨不遠。朕以虛昧，猶未逡巡，靜言愧之，坐而待旦。且時來運往，媯舜不暇以當陽，世革命改，伯禹不容于北面，況於寡薄，而可踟躕。是以仰協穹昊，俯從百姓，敬以帝位式授於王。天祿永終，大命格矣。於戲！其祗承曆數，允執其中，對揚天休，斯年千萬，豈不盛歟！

Our clan ancestors illuminated the dwelling and unified the ten thousand realms. By the end of the Zhengguang era wicked men had seized power; government turned corrupt, and the realm was torn apart. Under Yongan the mandate ran out; men and spirits withered; rebels rose everywhere and carved up the empire—land and people no longer seemed Wei's own. Prince Xianwu of Qi took up the moment—rising like a phoenix, soaring like a dragon—raised the fallen throne, shored up the realm, uprooted the poison of chaos, and restored our broken calendar; great was his merit to Wei, wide his blessing to the people. When Wenxiang followed after, he carried the earlier work forward—crushing traitors within, breaking invaders without—until far and near grew quiet and his merit reached heaven. Your Majesty's virtue aligns with heaven and earth; you are the bridge of an age, embodying civil splendor and martial might, probing change to its roots. From your first days at the frontier banner, praise gathered everywhere; once you took the helm, your governance grew broad and far-reaching. Having inherited the great enterprise, you upheld the state and prospered the house—your virtue rising day by day, your hegemony spreading ever wider. Where your authority reaches, the distant come as guests; where your name travels, neighboring foes offer submission. With boundless resources and a singular spirit, in a single glance none fail to submit. Hidden tokens long concealed now shine clear through a thousand rites; secret auspices pour forth in a single morning—to mark the hour when virtue changes hands and a new state rises. Heaven above looks down from no great distance. I am unworthy and still have not withdrawn; even in silence I feel shame, sitting through the night until dawn. When the time comes, fate moves on—Emperors Gui and Shun could not linger on the throne; when the world changed, Yu could not remain in the north facing south. How much less can one as unworthy as I hesitate and delay! Therefore I look up to heaven and down to the people, and solemnly confer the throne upon you, my king. Heaven's blessing is at an end; the great mandate has passed. Alas! Reverently accept the mandate, hold fast to the mean, and answer heaven's grace—may your reign endure ten thousand years! What glory could surpass this!

又致璽書於帝，遣兼太保彭城王韶、兼司空敬顯儁奉皇帝璽綬，禪代之禮一依唐虞、漢魏故事。又尚書令高隆之率百僚勸進。戊午，乃即皇帝位於南郊，升壇柴燎告天曰：

He also sent a sealed letter to the emperor, dispatching Acting Grand Mentor Prince Pengcheng Gao Shao and Acting Minister of Works Jing Xianjun to present the imperial seal and cord; the abdication followed the ancient precedents of Yao, of Han, and of Wei. Minister of Works Chief Gao Longzhi also led the hundred officials in urging Gao Yang to accept the throne. On wuwu Gao Yang ascended the throne at the Southern Altar; mounting the altar and kindling the sacrificial fire, he addressed Heaven:

皇帝臣洋敢用玄牡，昭告於皇皇后帝：否泰相沿，廢興迭用，至道無親，應運斯輔。上覽唐、虞，下稽魏、晉，莫不先天揖讓，考歷終歸。魏氏多難，年將三十，孝昌已後，內外去之。世道橫流，蒼生塗炭。賴我獻武，拯其將溺，三建元首，再立宗祧，掃絕羣凶，芟夷奸宄。德被黔黎，勳光宇宙。文襄嗣武，克構鴻基，功浹寰宇，威陵海外，窮髮懷音，西寇納款，青丘保候，丹穴來庭，扶翼危機，重匡頹運，是則有大造於魏室也。

I, Yang, your subject, dare with a black bull to proclaim before the Lord on High and the Earth: fortune and ruin succeed each other; thrones rise and fall in turn; the Way shows no favor—it aids those whom fate chooses. From Yao and Shun above to Wei and Jin below, none failed to yield the throne when heaven decreed it, until the mandate ran its course. Wei suffered calamity after calamity for nearly thirty years; after Xiaochang, court and realm alike turned from it. The age ran wild; the people burned on the roasting-block of war. Thanks to our Founding Ancestor, the drowning were pulled back—thrice he raised a ruler, twice he restored the ancestral line, sweeping away gangs of villains and cutting down traitors. His virtue covered the people; his merit lit the universe. Wenxiang followed in his footsteps and built the great foundation—merit filling the realm, authority reaching beyond the seas, distant lands keeping faith, western foes submitting, frontier tribes sending tribute. He steadied Wei in its crisis and righted its falling fortune—great indeed was his service to Wei.

魏帝以卜世告終，上靈厭德，欽若昊天，允歸大命，以禪於臣洋。夫四海至公，天下為一，總民宰世，樹之以君，既川嶽啟符，人神效祉，群公卿士，八方兆庶，僉曰皇極乃顧於上，魏朝推進於下，天位不可以暫虛。遂逼群議，恭膺大典。猥以寡薄，托於兆民之上，雖天威在顏，咫尺無遠，循躬自省，實懷祗惕。敬簡元辰，升壇受禪，肆類上帝，以答萬國之心，永隆嘉祉，保祐有齊，以被於無窮之祚。

The Wei emperor, seeing that his dynasty's span was ending and heaven had turned from Wei, reverently acknowledged that the mandate belonged elsewhere and abdicated to me, Yang. The four seas belong to all; the realm is one—ruling the people requires a sovereign. Rivers and mountains have shown their signs; men and spirits have blessed the change. Lords and ministers and the people of every land say heaven's gaze has turned upward while Wei yields from below—the throne cannot stand empty even for a day. Pressed by the unanimous will of all, I reverently accept the great rite. Unworthy as I am, I am placed above the people—though heaven's majesty is upon my brow and no distance is far from my reach, looking within myself I feel only reverence and dread. On this sacred day I mount the altar to receive the abdication and worship God above, to answer the hearts of all lands—may blessings flourish forever, may Qi be protected and its fortune extend without end.

是日，京師獲赤雀，獻於南郊。事畢，還宮，御太極前殿。詔曰：「無德而稱，代刑以禮，不言而信，先春後秋。故知惻隱之化，天人一揆，弘宥之道，今古同風。朕以虛薄，功業無紀。昔先獻武王值魏世不造，九鼎行出，乃驅御侯伯，大號燕、趙，拯厥顛墜，俾亡則存。文襄王外挺武功，內資明德，纂戎先業，辟土服遠。年逾二紀，世歷兩都，獄訟有適，謳歌斯在。故魏帝俯遵曆數，爰念褰裳，遠取唐、虞，終同脫屣。實幽憂未已，志在陽城，而群公卿士，誠守愈切，遂屬代終，居於民上，如涉深水，有眷終朝。始發晉陽，九尾呈瑞，外壇告天，赤雀效祉。惟爾文武不貳心之臣，股肱爪牙之將，左右先王，克隆大業，永言誠節，共斯休祉。思與億兆同始茲日，其大赦天下。改武定八年為天保元年。其百官進階，男子賜爵，鰥寡六疾，義夫節婦，旌賞各有差。」

That day a red sparrow was caught in the capital and presented at the Southern Altar. When the rites were finished, he returned to the palace and took his seat at the Front Hall of the Grand Ultimate. An edict said: "To bear the name without merit is to govern by ritual rather than punishment; to win trust without words is to put nurture before severity. Compassion links heaven and earth; mercy has been the same wind in every age. I am unworthy, my achievements without measure. In Wei's evil hour our Founding Ancestor took up arms when the realm was lost, called the lords of Yan and Zhao to his banner, and snatched the falling dynasty from ruin, making the dead live again. Prince Wenxiang displayed martial prowess abroad and bright virtue at home, inheriting the martial enterprise and opening lands until distant peoples submitted. For more than twenty years, through two capitals, lawsuits were justly judged and songs of praise were heard. The Wei emperor therefore bowed to heaven's decree, thinking to lift his robe and go—as Yao and Yu did before him—casting off the throne like an old shoe. His heart still grieved and his wish was to withdraw to Yangcheng, but lords and ministers pressed ever more urgently; the mandate had passed and the throne could not stand empty. To reign over the people is to wade deep water—I feel that anxiety every morning. From the day we set out from Jinyang, a nine-tailed fox appeared as an omen; at the altar we addressed heaven, and the red sparrow brought its blessing. You civil and military ministers of loyal heart, you generals who were arm and claw to our former kings—you helped build this great work. May your loyalty endure, and may you share in these blessings. On this day I would begin anew with all my people—a general amnesty is proclaimed throughout the realm. Wuding year eight is changed to Tianbao year one. Officials are promoted in rank; common men are granted nobility; widows, orphans, the disabled, worthy husbands and chaste wives—all are honored and rewarded according to merit."

己未，詔封魏帝為中山王，食邑萬戶﹔上書不稱臣，答不稱詔，載天子旌旗，行魏正朔，乘五時副車；封王諸子為縣公，邑一千戶；奉絹萬匹，錢千萬，粟二萬石，奴婢二百人，水碾一具，田百頃，園一所。詔追尊皇祖文穆王為文穆皇帝，妣為文穆皇后，皇考獻武王為獻武皇帝，皇兄文襄王為文襄皇帝，祖宗之稱，付外速議以聞。辛酉，尊王太后為皇太后。乙丑，詔降魏朝封爵各有差。其信都從義及宣力霸朝者，及西來人並武定六年以來南來投化者，不在降限。辛未，遣大使于四方，觀察風俗，問民疾苦，嚴勒長吏，厲以廉平，興利除害，務存安靜。若法有不便於時，政有未盡於事者，具條得失，還以聞奏。甲戌，遷神主於太廟。

On jiwei an edict enfeoffed the former Wei emperor as Prince of Zhongshan with a fief of ten thousand households; his memorials need not call him subject, nor would replies be styled as edicts; he would bear imperial banners, keep Wei's calendar, and ride the secondary chariot of the five seasons; his sons were enfeoffed as district dukes with fiefs of one thousand households; and he was granted ten thousand bolts of silk, ten million cash, twenty thousand piculs of grain, two hundred slaves, one water mill, a hundred qing of land, and an estate garden. An edict posthumously honored his grandfather as Emperor Wenmu and his grandmother as Empress Wenmu, his father as Emperor Xianwu, and his elder brother as Emperor Wenxiang; ancestral temple titles were referred to the outer offices for prompt deliberation and report. On xinyou the queen mother was honored as empress dowager. On yichou an edict reduced the titles and ranks of the former Wei court, each according to rank. Those of Xindu who had kept faith, those who had served the Gao cause, arrivals from the west, and all who since Wuding year six had come south to submit were exempt from the reduction. On xinwei he sent envoys to every quarter to observe local customs, inquire into the people's hardships, and strictly admonish officials to govern with integrity, promote what benefits the people, remove what harms them, and keep the realm at peace. Where laws no longer fit the times or policies fall short, they were to itemize strengths and flaws and report back to the capital. On jiaxu the ancestral tablets were moved to the Grand Temple.

六月己卯，高麗遣使朝貢。辛巳，詔曰：「頃者風俗流宕，浮競日滋，家有吉凶，務求勝異。婚姻喪葬之費，車服飲食之華，動竭歲資，以營日富。又奴僕帶金玉，婢妾衣羅綺，始以創出為奇，後以過前為麗，上下貴賤，無復等差。今運屬惟新，思蠲往弊，反朴還淳，納民軌物。可量事具立條式，使儉而獲中。」又詔封崇聖侯邑一百戶，以奉孔子之祀，並下魯郡以時修治廟宇，務盡褒崇之至。詔分遣使人致祭於五嶽四瀆，其堯祠舜廟，下及孔父、老君等載於祀典者，咸秩罔遺。詔曰：「冀州之渤海、長樂二郡，先帝始封之國，義旗初起之地。并州之太原、青州之齊郡，霸業所在，王命是基。君子有作，貴不忘本，思申恩洽，蠲復田租。齊郡、渤海可並復一年，長樂復二年，太原復三年。」

On jimao of the sixth month, Goguryeo sent envoys with tribute. On xinsi an edict said: "Customs have grown loose and rivalry extravagant; in weddings and funerals every household strives to outdo the rest. The cost of marriages and funerals, the finery of carriage and dress, the luxury of food and wine—yearly income is poured out to flaunt daily wealth. Slaves wear gold and jade; maidservants wear silk and brocade—first novelty became fashion, then surpassing the last became the rule, until high and low knew no distinction. Now that the mandate is renewed, we would wipe away old abuses, restore simplicity, and bring the people back within proper bounds. Let regulations be drawn up as the times require, so that thrift may hold the mean." Another edict enfeoffed Lord Honored Sage with a fief of one hundred households to maintain sacrifices to Confucius, and ordered Lu Commandery to repair the temple in due season with all due reverence. Envoys were sent to offer sacrifice at the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Rivers; shrines to Yao and Shun, Kong Fu, Lord Lao, and all others in the sacrificial canon received rites without omission. An edict said: "The commanderies of Bohai and Changle in Ji Province were our Founding Ancestor's first fief and the place where the banner of revolt first rose. Taiyuan in Bing Province and Qi Commandery in Qing Province were the seat of our enterprise and the foundation of our mandate. A worthy man, when he achieves, does not forget his roots; thinking to extend grace to the land, we remit the land tax. Qi and Bohai are remitted one year, Changle two years, Taiyuan three years."

詔故太傅孫騰、故太保尉景、故大司馬婁昭、故司徒高昂、故尚書左僕射慕容紹宗、故領軍万俟干、故定州刺史段榮、故御史中尉劉貴、故御史中尉竇泰、故殷州刺史劉豐、故濟州刺史蔡俊等並左右先帝，經贊皇基，或不幸早徂，或殞身王事，可遣使者就墓致祭，並撫問妻子，慰逮存亡。又詔封宗室高岳為清河王，高隆之為平原王，高歸彥為平秦王，高思宗為上洛王，高長弼為廣武王，高普為武興王，高子瑗為平昌王，高顯國為襄樂王，高睿為趙郡王，高孝緒為脩城王。又詔封功臣厙狄干為章武王，斛律金為咸陽王，賀拔仁為安定王，韓軌為安德王，可朱渾道元為扶風王，彭樂為陳留王，潘相樂為河東王。癸未，詔封諸弟青州刺史浚為永安王，尚書左僕射淹為平陽王，定州刺史浟為彭城王，儀同三司演為常山王，冀州刺史渙為上黨王，儀同三司淯為襄城王，儀同三司湛為長廣王，湝為任城王，湜為高陽王，濟為博陵王，凝為新平王，潤為馮翊王，洽為漢陽王。

An edict ordered sacrifice at the tombs of the late Sun Teng, Wei Jing, Lou Zhao, Gao Ang, Murong Shaozong, Wanqigan, Duan Rong, Liu Gui, Dou Tai, Liu Feng, Cai Jun, and others who had served the former emperors and built the dynasty—some dying early, some falling in the state's service—and directed that their wives and children be comforted, extending solace to living and dead. Another edict enfeoffed Gao Yue as Prince of Qinghe, Gao Longzhi as Prince of Pingyuan, Gao Guiyan as Prince of Pingqin, Gao Sizong as Prince of Shangluo, Gao Changbi as Prince of Guangwu, Gao Pu as Prince of Wuxing, Gao Ziyuan as Prince of Pingchang, Gao Xianguo as Prince of Xiangle, Gao Rui as Prince of Zhaojun, and Gao Xiaoxu as Prince of Xiucheng. Meritorious ministers were enfeoffed: Kudi Gan as Prince of Zhangwu, Helü Jin as Prince of Xianyang, Heba Ren as Prince of Anding, Han Gui as Prince of Ande, Kezhuhun Daoyuan as Prince of Fufeng, Peng Yue as Prince of Chenliu, and Pan Xiangle as Prince of Hedong. On guim wei younger brothers were enfeoffed: Gao Jun, Qingzhou inspector, as Prince of Yong'an; Gao Yan, Left Vice Minister, as Prince of Pingyang; Gao You, Dingzhou inspector, as Prince of Pengcheng; Gao Yan, Opening-Fu Third Rank, as Prince of Changshan; Gao Huan, Jizhou inspector, as Prince of Shangdang; Gao Yu as Prince of Xiangcheng; Gao Zhan as Prince of Ch'angguang; Gao Jie as Prince of Rencheng; Gao Shi as Prince of Gaoyang; Gao Ji as Prince of Boling; Gao Ning as Prince of Xinping; Gao Run as Prince of Fengyi; and Gao Qia as Prince of Hanyang.

丁亥，詔立王子殷為皇太子，王后李氏為皇后。庚寅，詔乙太師厙狄干為太宰，司徒彭樂為太尉，司空潘相樂為司徒，開府儀同三司司馬子如為司空。辛卯，以前太尉、清河王岳為使持節、驃騎大將軍、司州牧。壬辰，詔曰：「自今已後，諸有文啟論事並陳要密，有司悉為奏聞。」己亥，以皇太子初入東宮，赦畿內及并州死罪已下，餘州死降，徒流已下一皆原免。

On dinghai an edict established Prince Yin as crown prince and Lady Li as empress. On gengyin an edict appointed Grand Preceptor Kudi Gan as Grand Mentor, Minister of Works Peng Yue as Grand Marshal, Minister of Education Pan Xiangle as Minister of Works, and Opening-Fu Third Rank Sima Ziru as Minister of Education. On xinmao former Grand Marshal Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue was made Bearer of the Staff, Flying Cavalry Grand General, and Inspector of Sizhou. On renchen an edict said: "From this day forward, all memorials discussing affairs and stating matters of importance or secrecy shall be forwarded and reported by the responsible offices. On jihai, because the crown prince first entered the Eastern Palace, death sentences and below were pardoned within the capital precincts and Bing Province; in other provinces death was commuted and exile and penal servitude and below were all remitted.

秋七月辛亥，詔尊文襄妃元氏為文襄皇后，宮曰靜德。又詔封文襄皇帝子孝琬為河間王，孝瑜為河南王。乙卯，以尚書令、平原王隆之錄尚書事，尚書左僕射、平陽王淹為尚書令。又詔曰：「古人鹿皮為衣，書囊成帳，有懷盛德，風流可想。其魏御府所有珍奇雜彩常所不給人者，徒為蓄積，命宜悉出，送內後園，以供七日宴賜。」

In the seventh month of autumn, on xinhai, an edict honored Wenxiang's consort Lady Yuan as Empress Wenxiang, with her palace named Jingde. Gao Yang also enfeoffed Wenxiang's sons Xiaowan as Prince of Hejian and Xiaoyu as Prince of Henan. On yimao Minister of Works Chief Prince of Pingyuan Gao Longzhi was ordered to record Masters of Writing affairs, and Left Vice Minister Prince of Pingyang Gao Yan became Minister of Works Chief. Another edict said: "Ancient men wore deerskin and kept books in leather bags—men of great virtue whose elegance we can still imagine. The Wei imperial treasury holds rare treasures and fine silks never given away—they lie hoarded in store. Let them all be brought out to the inner rear garden for the seven-day feast and distribution."

八月，詔郡國修立黌序，廣延髦俊，敦述儒風。其國子學生亦仰依舊銓補，服膺師說，研習《禮經》。往者文襄皇帝所運蔡邕石經五十二枚，即宜移置學館，依次修立。又詔曰：「有能直言正諫，不避罪辜，謇謇若朱雲，諤諤若周舍，開朕意，沃朕心，弼於一人，利兼百姓者，必當寵以榮祿，待以不次。」又曰：「諸牧民之官，仰專意農桑，勤心勸課，廣收天地之利，以備水旱之災。」庚寅，詔曰：「朕以虛寡，嗣弘王業，思所以讚揚盛績，播之萬古。雖史官執筆，有聞無墜，猶恐緒言遺美，時或未書。在位王公文武大小，降及民庶，爰至僧徒，或親奉音旨，或承傳傍說，凡可載之文籍，悉宜條錄封上。」甲午，詔曰：「魏世議定《麟趾格》，遂為通制，官司施用，猶未盡善。可令群官更加論究。適治之方，先盡要切。引綱理目，必使無遺。」

In the eighth month an edict ordered the commanderies and principalities to repair schools, recruit talented youths, and revive Confucian learning. National University students were also to be selected and appointed by the old standards, follow their teachers' instruction, and study the Classic of Rites. The fifty-two stone classic tablets of Cai Yong that Wenxiang had transported were to be moved at once to the academy and set up in proper order. Another edict said: "Whoever speaks straight and remonstrates without fear of punishment—bold as Zhu Yun, blunt as Zhou She—opening my mind and aiding my rule to the people's benefit shall be honored with rank and salary and advanced without regard to precedent. It also said: "All officials who govern the people must devote themselves to farming and sericulture, encourage the harvest, gather the land's bounty, and prepare against flood and drought. On gengyin an edict said: "Unworthy as I am, I have inherited the great enterprise and wish to praise its achievements and spread them to posterity. Though the historiographers record what they hear, I fear that fine words may still be lost and deeds left unwritten. Princes and officials, civil and military, down to commoners and even monks—whether they heard commands directly or by report—should submit in full whatever written records can be made." On jiawu an edict said: "Wei deliberated and fixed the Linzhi Code as the general law, yet in practice it is still not wholly satisfactory. Let the officials deliberate further upon it. In reforming the law, begin with what is most essential and urgent. Set out the main principles and arrange the details, and let nothing be left out."

九月癸丑，以散騎常侍、車騎將軍、領東夷校尉、遼東郡開國公、高麗王成為使持節、侍中、驃騎大將軍、領護東夷校尉，王、公如故。詔梁侍中、使持節、假黃鉞、都督中外諸軍事、大將軍、承制、邵陵王蕭綸為梁王。庚午，帝如晉陽，拜辭山陵。是日皇太子入居涼風堂，監總國事。

On guichou of the ninth month Goguryeo King Seong, already Bearer of the Staff, Attendant-in-Ordinary, Flying Cavalry Grand General, Director of Eastern Yi, and Founding Duke of Liaodong Commandery, was further made Bearer of the Staff, Attendant-in-Ordinary, Flying Cavalry Grand General, and Director Protecting Eastern Yi—his royal and ducal titles unchanged. An edict enfeoffed Liang Attendant-in-Ordinary, Bearer of the Staff, Acting Yellow Battle-Axe, Director of All Military Affairs Within and Without, Grand General, Acting-by-Edict, Prince of Shaoling Xiao Lun as Prince of Liang. On gengwu the emperor went to Jinyang and bowed farewell at the mountain tombs. That day the crown prince took up residence at Cool Breeze Hall and oversaw state affairs.

冬十月己卯，備法駕，御金輅，入晉陽宮，朝皇太后於內殿。辛巳，曲赦并州太原郡晉陽縣及相國府四獄囚。癸未，茹茹國遣使朝貢。乙酉，以特進元韶為尚書左僕射，并州刺史段韶為尚書右僕射。丙戌，吐谷渾國遣使朝貢。壬辰，罷相國府，留騎兵、外兵曹，各立一省，別掌機密。十一月，周文帝率衆至陝城，分騎北渡，至建州。甲寅，梁湘東王蕭繹遣使朝貢。丙寅，帝親戎出次城東。周文帝聞帝軍容嚴盛，歎曰：「高歡不死矣。」遂退師。庚午，還宮。十二月丁丑，茹茹、庫莫奚國並遣使朝貢。辛丑，帝至自晉陽。

On jimao of the tenth month of winter, with full imperial escort he rode the golden carriage into Jinyang Palace and attended the empress dowager in the inner hall. On xinsi a partial amnesty was granted to prisoners in the four prisons of Jinyang County, Taiyuan Commandery, Bing Province, and of the chancellor's office. On guim wei the Rouran sent envoys with tribute. On yiyou day Yuan Shao, Special Advance, was appointed left vice director of the Masters of Writing, and Duan Shao, inspector of Bingzhou, right vice director. On bingxu day Tuyuhun sent envoys bearing tribute. On renchen day the chancellor's office was abolished, but the cavalry and external military bureaus were each kept as separate secretariats to handle confidential affairs. In the eleventh month Emperor Wen of Zhou led his army to Shancheng, sent cavalry north across the Yellow River, and reached Jianzhou. On jiayin day Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong of Liang, sent envoys with tribute. On bingyin day the emperor took command in person and encamped east of the city. When Emperor Wen of Zhou saw how stern and splendid the emperor's battle array was, he sighed and said, "Gao Huan is not dead after all." And he withdrew his army. On gengwu day the emperor returned to the palace. In the twelfth month, on dingchou day, Rouran and the Kumo Xi both sent envoys with tribute. On xinchou day the emperor returned from Jinyang.

二年春正月丁未，梁湘東王蕭繹遣使朝貢。辛亥，有事于圓丘，以神武皇帝配。癸亥，親耕籍田于東郊。乙酉，前黃門侍郎元世寶、通直散騎侍郎彭貴平謀逆，免死配邊。有事於太廟。甲戌，帝泛舟於城東。二月壬辰，太尉彭樂謀反，伏誅。壬寅，茹茹國遣使朝貢。三月丙午，襄城王淯薨。己未，詔梁承制湘東王繹為梁使持節、假黃鉞、相國，建梁台，總百揆，承制。梁交州刺史李景盛、梁州刺史馬嵩仁、義州刺史夏侯珍洽、新州刺史李漢等並率州內附。庚申，司空司馬子如坐事免。夏四月壬辰，梁王蕭繹遣使朝貢。閏月乙丑，室韋國遣使朝貢。五月丙戌，合州刺史斛斯顯攻剋梁曆陽鎮。丁亥，高麗國遣使朝貢。是月，侯景廢梁簡文，立蕭棟為主。六月庚午，以前司空司馬子如為太尉。七月壬申，茹茹遣使朝貢。癸酉，行臺郎邢景遠破梁龍安戍，獲鎮城李洛文。己卯，改顯陽殿為昭陽殿。九月壬申，詔免諸伎作、屯、牧、雜色役隸之徒為白戶。癸巳，帝如趙、定二州，因如晉陽。冬十月戊申，起宣光、建始、嘉福、仁壽諸殿。庚申，蕭繹遣使朝貢。丁卯，文襄皇帝神主入于廟。十一月，侯景廢梁主，僭即偽位於建鄴，自稱曰漢。十二月，中山王殂。

In the second year, on dingwei of the first spring month, Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong of Liang, sent envoys with tribute. On xinhai day rites were performed at the Round Mound, with Emperor Shenwu enshrined as associate. On guihai day the emperor personally plowed the sacred field in the eastern suburbs. On yiyou day Yuan Shibao, former attendant gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and Peng Guiping, general-in-ordinary attendant gentleman-in-attendant, plotted rebellion; they were spared death and sent to the frontier. Rites were performed at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On jiaxu day the emperor went boating east of the city. In the second month, on renchen day, Grand Commandant Peng Le plotted rebellion and was executed. On renyin day Rouran sent envoys with tribute. In the third month, on bingwu day, Prince of Xiangcheng Gao You died. On jiwei day an edict made Xiao Yi, holding provisional authority for Liang, minister of state with the yellow battle-axe, established the Liang court, and entrusted him with all government under provisional authority. Li Jingsheng, inspector of Jiaozhou of Liang, Ma Songren, inspector of Liangzhou, Xiahou Zhenqia, inspector of Yizhou, Li Han, inspector of Xinzhou, and others all led their provinces to submit. On gengshen day Grand Minister of Works Sima Ziru was dismissed for an offense. In the fourth month, on renchen day, King Xiao Yi of Liang sent envoys with tribute. In the intercalary month, on yichou day, the Shiwei sent envoys with tribute. On bingxu day Hezhou Inspector Husi Xian attacked and captured Liang's Liyang garrison. On dinghai day Goguryeo sent envoys with tribute. That month Hou Jing deposed Emperor Jianwen of Liang and set up Xiao Dong as ruler. In the sixth month, on gengwu day, former Grand Minister of Works Sima Ziru was made Grand Commandant. In the seventh month, on renshen day, Rouran sent envoys with tribute. On guiyou day Xingtai secretary Xing Jingyuan broke Liang's Long'an garrison and captured its garrison commander Li Luowen. On jimao day Xianyang Hall was renamed Zhaoyang Hall. In the ninth month, on renshen day, an edict freed all entertainers, military colonists, herders, and bond servants of miscellaneous labor and made them common households. On guisi day the emperor went to Zhao and Ding provinces and then to Jinyang. In the tenth month of winter, on wushen day, construction began on the Xuanguang, Jianshi, Jiafu, and Renshou halls. On gengshen day Xiao Yi sent envoys with tribute. On dingmao day the spirit tablet of Emperor Wenxiang entered the ancestral temple. In the eleventh month Hou Jing deposed the Liang ruler, usurped the throne at Jiankang, and styled himself Han. In the twelfth month the Prince of Zhongshan died.

三年春正月丙申，帝親討庫莫奚於代郡，大破之，獲雜畜十餘萬，分賚將士各有差。以奚口付山東為民。二月，茹茹主阿那瓌為突厥虜所破，瓌自殺，其太子庵羅辰及瑰從弟登注俟利發、注子庫提並擁衆來奔。茹茹餘衆立注次子鐵伐為主。辛丑，契丹遣使朝貢。三月戊子，以司州牧清河王嶽為使持節、南道大都督，司徒潘相樂為使持節、東南道大都督，及行臺辛術率衆南伐。癸巳，詔進梁王蕭繹為梁主。夏四月壬申，東南道行台辛術於廣陵送傳國璽。甲申，以吏部尚書楊愔為尚書右僕射。丙申，室韋國遣使朝貢。六月乙亥，清河王岳等班師。丁未，帝至自晉陽。乙卯，帝如晉陽。九月辛卯，帝自并州幸離石。冬十月乙未，至黃櫨嶺，仍起長城，北至社干戍四百餘里，立三十六戍。十一月辛巳，梁王蕭繹即帝位於江陵，是為元帝，遣使朝貢。十二月壬子，帝還宮。戊午，帝如晉陽。

In the third year, on bingchen of the first spring month, the emperor personally campaigned against the Kumo Xi in Da Commandery, routed them utterly, and took more than a hundred thousand head of mixed livestock, distributing rewards to officers and soldiers in varying measure. Captives of the Xi were assigned to Shandong as common people. In the second month Rouran ruler Anagui was broken by the Turks; Anagui killed himself, and his crown prince Anluochen, his cousin from the father's side Dengzhu Houli, and Dengzhu's son Kuti all led their bands to flee and submit. The remaining Rouran set up Dengzhu's second son Tiepo as ruler. On xinchou day the Khitan sent envoys with tribute. In the third month, on wuzi day, Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue, inspector of Sizhou, was made commissioner with full powers and grand commander of the southern route; Grand Minister of Works Pan Xiang was made commissioner with full powers and grand commander of the southeastern route; and with Xingtai Xin Shu they led armies south to attack. On guisi day an edict advanced King Xiao Yi of Liang to Emperor of Liang. In the fourth month of summer, on renshen day, Xin Shu of the southeastern route Xingtai presented the Imperial Seal of Transmission at Guangling. On jiashen day Minister of Personnel Yang Yin was made right vice director of the Masters of Writing. On bingshen day the Shiwei sent envoys with tribute. In the sixth month, on yihai day, Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue and the others returned from campaign. On dingwei day the emperor returned from Jinyang. On yimao day the emperor went to Jinyang. In the ninth month, on xinmao day, the emperor traveled from Bingzhou to Lishi. In the tenth month of winter, on yiwei day, he reached Huanglu Ridge and there began the Great Wall, running north to Shegan Garrison for more than four hundred li and establishing thirty-six garrisons. In the eleventh month, on xinsi day, King Xiao Yi of Liang took the throne at Jiangling as Emperor Yuan and sent envoys with tribute. In the twelfth month, on renzi day, the emperor returned to the palace. On wuwu day the emperor went to Jinyang.

四年春正月丙子，山胡圍離石。戊寅，帝討之，未至，胡已逃竄，因巡三堆戍，大狩而歸。戊寅，庫莫奚遣使朝貢。己丑，改鑄新錢，文曰「常平五銖」。二月，送茹茹主鐵伐父登注及子庫提還北。鐵伐尋為契丹所殺，國人復立登注為主，仍為其大人阿富提等所殺，國人復立庫提為主。夏四月戊戌，帝還宮。戊午，西南有大聲如雷。五月庚午，帝校獵于林慮山。戊子，還宮。九月，契丹犯塞。壬午，帝北巡冀、定、幽、安，仍北討契丹。冬十月丁酉，帝至平州，遂從西道趣長塹。詔司徒潘相樂率精騎五千自東道趣青山。辛丑，至白狼城。壬寅，經昌黎城。復詔安德王韓軌率精騎四千東趣，斷契丹走路。癸卯，至陽師水，倍道兼行，掩襲契丹。甲辰，帝親踰山嶺，為士卒先，指麾奮擊，大破之，虜獲十萬餘口、雜畜數十萬頭。樂又於青山大破契丹別部。所虜生口皆分置諸州。是行也，帝露頭袒膊，晝夜不息，行千餘里，唯食肉飲水，壯氣彌厲。丁未，至營州。丁巳，登碣石山，臨滄海。十一月己未，帝自平州，遂如晉陽。閏月壬寅，梁帝遣使來聘。十二月己未，突厥復攻茹茹，茹茹舉國南奔。癸亥，帝自晉陽北討突厥，迎納茹茹。乃廢其主庫提，立阿那瑰子庵羅辰為主，置之馬邑川，給其稟餼繒帛。親追突厥於朔州，突厥請降，許之而還。於是貢獻相繼。

In the fourth year, on bingzi of the first spring month, the Shan Hu besieged Lishi. On wuyin day the emperor campaigned against them; before he arrived the Hu had already fled, and he then inspected the Sandui garrison, held a great hunt, and returned. On wuyin day the Kumo Xi sent envoys with tribute. On jichou day new coin was cast with the inscription "Changping Wuzhu." In the second month Rouran ruler Tiepo's father Dengzhu and son Kuti were sent back north. Tiepo was soon killed by the Khitan; the people again set up Dengzhu as ruler, but he was then killed by tribal elders including Afuti; the people again set up Kuti as ruler. In the fourth month of summer, on wuxu day, the emperor returned to the palace. On wuwu day a great sound like thunder came from the southwest. In the fifth month, on gengwu day, the emperor reviewed troops and hunted at Mount Linlu. On wuzi day he returned to the palace. In the ninth month the Khitan raided the frontier. On renwu day the emperor toured Ji, Ding, You, and An and then marched north to campaign against the Khitan. In the tenth month of winter, on dingyou day, the emperor reached Pingzhou and then took the western route toward Changcheng. An edict ordered Grand Minister of Works Pan Xiang to lead five thousand picked cavalry by the eastern route toward Qingshan. On xinchou day he reached Bailang Fortress. On renyin day he passed Changli Fortress. Again an edict ordered Prince of Ande Han Gui to lead four thousand picked cavalry eastward to cut off the Khitan line of retreat. On guimao day he reached the Yangshi River, marched day and night at forced speed, and fell upon the Khitan by surprise. On jiachen day the emperor himself crossed the mountain ridge ahead of the soldiers, directed the assault, and routed them utterly, taking more than a hundred thousand captives and several hundred thousand head of mixed livestock. Pan Xiang also routed a separate Khitan division at Qingshan. All captives taken were distributed among the various provinces. On this campaign the emperor went bareheaded and bare-chested, marching without rest day and night for more than a thousand li, eating only meat and drinking only water, his martial spirit growing ever fiercer. On dingwei day he reached Yingzhou. On dingsi day he ascended Jieshi Mountain and looked out over the Eastern Sea. In the eleventh month, on jiwei day, the emperor left Pingzhou and went to Jinyang. In the intercalary month, on renyin day, the Emperor of Liang sent envoys on a formal visit. In the twelfth month, on jiwei day, the Turks again attacked Rouran, and Rouran fled south with the whole nation. On guihai day the emperor marched north from Jinyang to campaign against the Turks and receive Rouran. He deposed their ruler Kuti, set up Anagui's son Anluochen as ruler, and settled him at Mayi River, supplying grain rations and silk. He personally pursued the Turks to Shuozhou; the Turks asked to surrender, and he granted it and returned. From then on tribute followed in succession.

五年春正月癸巳，帝討山胡，從離石道。遣太師、咸陽王斛律金從顯州道，常山王演從晉州道，掎角夾攻，大破之，斬首數萬，獲雜畜十餘萬，遂平石樓。石樓絕險，自魏世所不能至。於是遠近山胡莫不懾服。是月周文帝廢西魏主，立齊王廓，是為恭帝。三月，茹茹庵羅辰叛，帝親討，大破之，辰父子北遁。太保賀拔仁坐違節度除名。夏四月，茹茹寇肆州。丁巳，帝自晉陽討之，至恒州黃瓜堆，虜騎走。時大軍已還，帝率麾下千餘騎，遇茹茹別部數萬，四面圍逼。帝神色自若，指畫形勢，虜衆披靡，遂縱兵潰圍而出。虜乃退走，追擊之，伏尸二十里，獲庵羅辰妻子及生口三萬餘人。五月丁亥，地豆干、契丹等國並遣使朝貢。丁未，北討茹茹，大破之。六月，茹茹率部衆東徙，將南侵。帝率輕騎於金山下邀擊之，茹茹聞而遠遁。秋七月戊子，肅慎遣使朝貢。壬辰，降罪人。庚戌，帝至自北伐。八月丁巳，突厥遣使朝貢。庚子，以司州牧、清河王嶽為太保，司空尉粲為司徒，太子太師侯莫陳相為司空，尚書令、平陽王淹錄尚書事，常山王演為尚書令，中書令、上黨王渙為尚書左僕射。乙亥，儀同三司元旭以罪賜死。丁丑，帝幸晉陽。己卯，開府儀同三司、錄尚書事、平原王高隆之薨。是月，詔常山王演、上黨王渙、清河王岳、平原王段韶等率衆於洛陽西南築伐惡城、新城、嚴城、河南城。九月，帝親自臨幸，欲以致周師。周師不出，乃如晉陽。冬十月，西魏伐梁元帝於江陵。詔清河王岳、河東王潘相樂、平原王段韶等率衆救之，未至而江陵陷，梁元帝為西魏將于謹所殺。梁將王僧辯在建康，共推晉安王蕭方智為太宰、都督中外諸軍，承制置百官。十二月庚申，帝北巡至達速嶺，覽山川險要，將起長城。

In the fifth year, on guisi of the first spring month, the emperor campaigned against the Shan Hu by the Lishi route. He sent Grand Preceptor Prince of Xianyang Hulü Jin by the Xianzhou route and Prince of Changshan Gao Yan by the Jinzhou route; attacking from both sides they routed the enemy utterly, beheaded tens of thousands, took more than a hundred thousand head of mixed livestock, and thereupon pacified Shilou. Shilou was utterly perilous; since the Wei dynasty none had been able to reach it. Thereupon the Shan Hu near and far all submitted in awe. That month Emperor Wen of Zhou deposed the Western Wei ruler and set up Yuwen Kuo as Emperor Gong. In the third month Rouran's Anluochen rebelled; the emperor personally campaigned against him, routed him utterly, and Anluochen and his son fled north. Grand Guardian Heba Ren was stripped of rank for violating command. In the fourth month of summer Rouran raided Sizhou. On dingsi day the emperor campaigned against them from Jinyang; at Hundred Melon Mound in Hengzhou the enemy cavalry fled. The main army had already returned when the emperor, leading a little more than a thousand cavalry of his own, encountered a separate Rouran force of tens of thousands that closed in from all sides. The emperor's bearing was perfectly calm; he traced the situation with his finger, the enemy ranks broke apart, and he broke through at a gallop. The enemy then retreated; he pursued them, and corpses lay fallen for twenty li; he took Anluochen's wife and children and more than thirty thousand captives. In the fifth month, on dinghai day, Didougan, the Khitan, and other states all sent envoys bearing tribute. On dingwei day the emperor marched north against the Rouran and shattered them. In the sixth month the Rouran moved their tribes eastward, preparing to strike south. The emperor led light cavalry to intercept them below Golden Mountain; the Rouran heard of it and fled deep into the steppe. In the seventh month of autumn, on wuzi day, Sushen sent envoys bearing tribute. On renchen day the emperor pardoned criminals. On gengxu day the emperor returned from the northern campaign. In the eighth month, on dingsi day, the Turks sent envoys bearing tribute. On gengzi day Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue, Inspector of Sizhou, was made Grand Tutor; Wei Can, Minister of Works, became Minister over the Masses; Houmochen Xiang, Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, became Minister of Works; Prince of Pingyang Gao Yan, Director of the Masters of Writing, was made Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing; Prince of Changshan Gao Yan became Director of the Masters of Writing; Prince of Shangdang Gao Huan, Director of the Secretariat, became Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On yihai day Yuan Xu, Protocol Equal to Three Imperator, was sentenced to death for his crimes. On dingchou day the emperor went to Jinyang. On jimao day Gao Longzhi, Prince of Pingyuan, Opener of a Government Office Equal in Protocol to Three Imperator and Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing, died. That month the emperor ordered Prince of Changshan Gao Yan, Prince of Shangdang Gao Huan, Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue, Prince of Pingyuan Duan Shao, and others to lead troops and build Fa'e Fort, New Fort, Yan Fort, and Henan Fort southwest of Luoyang. In the ninth month the emperor went in person, hoping to draw the Northern Zhou army out. The Zhou army did not emerge, and he then proceeded to Jinyang. In the tenth month of winter Western Wei attacked Emperor Yuan of Liang at Jiangling. The emperor ordered Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue, Prince of Hedong Pan Xiangyue, Prince of Pingyuan Duan Shao, and others to march to his relief; before they arrived Jiangling fell, and Emperor Yuan of Liang was killed by the Western Wei general Yu Jin. At Jiankang the Liang general Wang Sengbian and his allies raised Prince Jin'an Xiao Fangzhi as Grand Preceptor and Commander-in-Chief of All Armies at Home and Abroad, provisionally appointing the full roster of officials. In the twelfth month, on gengshen day, the emperor toured north to Dasu Ridge, studied the terrain's strengths, and planned to build the Great Wall.

六年春正月壬寅，清河王岳以衆軍渡江，剋夏首。送梁郢州刺史陸法和。詔以梁散騎常侍、貞陽侯蕭明為梁主，遣尚書左僕射、上黨王渙率衆送之。二月甲子，以陸法和為使持節、都督荊雍江巴梁益湘萬交廣十州諸軍事、太尉公、大都督、西南道大行臺，梁鎮北將軍、侍中、荊州刺史宋茝為使持節、驃騎大將軍、郢州刺史。甲戌，上黨王渙剋譙郡。三月丙戌，上黨王渙剋東關，斬梁將裴之橫，俘斬數千。丙申，帝至自晉陽。封世宗二子孝珩為廣甯王，延宗為安德王。戊戌，帝臨昭陽殿聽獄決訟。夏四月庚申，帝如晉陽。丁卯，儀同蕭軌克梁晉熙城，以為江州。戊寅，突厥遣使朝貢。梁反人李山花自號天子，逼魯山城。五月乙酉，鎮城李仲侃擊斬之。庚寅，帝至自晉陽。蕭明入於建鄴。丁未，茹茹遣使朝貢。六月壬子，詔曰：「梁國遘禍，主喪臣離，逷彼炎方，盡生荊棘。興亡繼絕，義在於我，納以長君，拯其危弊，比送梁主，已入金陵。藩禮既修，分義方篤。越鳥之思，豈忘南枝，凡是梁民，宜聽反國，以禮發遣。」丁卯，帝如晉陽。壬申，親討茹茹。甲戌，諸軍大會于祁連池。乙亥，出塞，至厙狄谷，百餘里內無水泉，六軍渴乏，俄而大雨。戊寅，梁主蕭明遣其子章、兼侍中袁泌、兼散騎常侍楊裕奉表朝貢。秋七月己卯，帝頓白道，留輜重，親率輕騎五千追茹茹。壬午，及於懷朔鎮。帝躬當矢石，頻大破之，遂至沃野，獲其俟利藹焉力婁阿帝、吐頭發郁久閭狀延等，並口二萬餘，牛羊數十萬頭。茹茹俟利郁久閭李家提率部人數百降。壬辰，帝還晉陽。九月乙卯，帝至自晉陽。冬十月，梁將陳霸先襲王僧辯，殺之，廢蕭明，復立蕭方智為主。辛亥，帝如晉陽。十一月丙戌，高麗遣使朝貢。梁秦州刺史徐嗣輝、南豫州刺史任約等襲據石頭城，並以州內附。壬辰，大都督蕭軌率衆至江，遣都督柳達摩等渡江鎮石頭。東南道行台趙彥深獲秦郡等五城，戶二萬餘，所在安輯之。己亥，太保、司州牧、清河王岳薨。是月，柳達摩為霸先攻逼，以石頭降。十二月戊申，庫莫奚遣使朝貢。是年，發夫一百八十萬人築長城，自幽州北夏口至恒州九百餘里。

In the first month of spring of the sixth year, on renyin day, Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue led the army across the Yangzi and took Xiashou. They sent back Lu Fahuo, Liang Inspector of Ying Province. The emperor made Xiao Ming, Attendant Cavalier in Ordinary of Liang and Marquis of Zhenyang, ruler of Liang, and sent Prince of Shangdang Gao Huan, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, to escort him with an army. In the second month, on jiazi day, Lu Fahuo was made Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Commander of Military Affairs for ten provinces, Grand Commandant, Grand Commander, and Grand Mobile Headquarters of the Southwestern Circuit; Song Chi of Liang, General Who Pacifies the North, Palace Attendant, and Inspector of Jing Province, was made Bearer of the Staff of Authority, General of Agile Cavalry, and Inspector of Ying Province. On jiaxu day Prince of Shangdang Gao Huan took Qiao Commandery. In the third month, on bingxu day, Prince of Shangdang Gao Huan took Dongguan, beheaded the Liang general Pei Zhiheng, and captured and killed several thousand men. On bingshen day the emperor returned from Jinyang. The late Shizong's two sons Gao Xiaohang and Gao Yanzong were enfeoffed as Prince of Guangning and Prince of Ande. On wuxu day the emperor presided at Zhaoyang Hall to hear cases and pass judgment. In the fourth month of summer, on gengshen day, the emperor went to Jinyang. On dingmao day Xiao Gui, Protocol Equal, took Liang's Jinxi Fort and made it Jiang Province. On wuyin day the Turks sent envoys bearing tribute. The Liang rebel Li Shanhua declared himself Son of Heaven and besieged Lu Mountain Fort. In the fifth month, on yiyou day, Li Zhongkan of Zhen Fort attacked and beheaded him. On gengyin day the emperor returned from Jinyang. Xiao Ming entered Jianye. On dingwei day the Rouran sent envoys bearing tribute. In the sixth month, on renzi day, an edict proclaimed: "Liang has met calamity; its lord is dead and its ministers scattered; in that scorched southland thorns grow everywhere. To restore the fallen and continue the broken line is our duty; we installed a senior lord and rescued Liang from peril; the ruler of Liang we escorted has now entered Jinling. The rites between vassal and liege are restored, and the bonds of shared duty run deep. Does the bird that nests in the south forget its southern bough? All subjects of Liang should be permitted to return home and be sent off with due ceremony." On dingmao day the emperor went to Jinyang. On renshen day he personally marched against the Rouran. On jiaxu day the armies assembled at Qilian Pool. On yihai day they crossed the frontier to Shedi Valley; for more than a hundred li there was no water, and the six armies thirsted; then suddenly a great rain fell. On wuyin day the ruler of Liang Xiao Ming sent his son Zhang, Concurrent Palace Attendant Yuan Bi, and Concurrent Attendant Cavalier in Ordinary Yang Yu to submit a memorial and pay tribute. In the seventh month of autumn, on jimao day, the emperor halted at White Road, left the baggage train behind, and personally led five thousand light cavalry in pursuit of the Rouran. On renwu day he reached Huaishuo garrison. The emperor himself faced arrows and stones, repeatedly shattered the enemy, and pressed on to Woye; he captured their chieftains Aiyanlou A'di, Tutoufa Yujiulü Zhuangyan, and others—more than twenty thousand captives in all—and several hundred thousand head of cattle and sheep. The Rouran chieftain Yujiulü Lijia Ti led several hundred of his tribesmen in surrender. On renchen day the emperor returned to Jinyang. In the ninth month, on yimao day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. In the tenth month of winter the Liang general Chen Baxian attacked Wang Sengbian, killed him, deposed Xiao Ming, and restored Xiao Fangzhi as ruler. On xinhai day the emperor went to Jinyang. In the eleventh month, on bingxu day, Goguryeo sent envoys bearing tribute. Liang's Qin Inspector Xu Sihui, South Yuzhou Inspector Ren Yue, and others seized Shitou Fort and submitted their provinces to our rule. On renchen day Grand Commander Xiao Gui led troops to the Yangzi and sent Commander Liu Daimo and others across the river to hold Shitou. Zhao Yanshen, Grand Mobile Headquarters of the Southeastern Circuit, took five commanderies including Qin, more than twenty thousand households, and settled the people where they were. On jihai day Grand Tutor and Sizhou Inspector Prince of Qinghe Gao Yue died. That month Liu Daimo, hard pressed by Chen Baxian's attack, surrendered Shitou. In the twelfth month, on wushen day, the Kumo Xi sent envoys bearing tribute. That year 1,800,000 corvée laborers were levied to build the Great Wall, more than nine hundred li from Beixia Pass in You Province to Heng Province.

七年春正月甲辰，帝至自晉陽。於鄴城西馬射，大集衆庶而觀之。二月辛未，詔常山王演等於涼風堂讀尚書奏按，論定得失，帝親決之。三月丁酉，大都督蕭軌等率衆濟江。夏四月乙丑，儀同婁睿率衆討魯陽蠻，大破之。丁卯，詔造金華殿。五月丙申，漢陽王洽薨。是月，帝以肉為斷慈，遂不復食。六月乙卯，蕭軌等與梁師戰於鐘山之西，遇霖雨，失利，軌及都督李希光、王敬寶、東方老、軍司裴英起並沒，土卒散還者十二三。乙丑，梁湘州刺史王琳獻馴象。是年，修廣三臺宮殿。秋七月己亥，大赦天下。八月庚申，帝如晉陽。九月甲辰，庫莫奚遣使朝貢。冬十月丙戌，契丹遣使朝貢。是月，發山東寡婦二千六百人以配軍士，有夫而濫奪者五分之一。是月，周文帝殂。十一月壬子，詔曰：

In the first month of spring of the seventh year, on jiachen day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. West of Ye he held mounted archery and gathered a great crowd of common people to watch. In the second month, on xinwei day, the emperor ordered Prince of Changshan Gao Yan and others to read memorials and reports on the Documents at Liangfeng Hall, debate their merits, and decide the matter himself. In the third month, on dingyou day, Grand Commander Xiao Gui and others led troops across the Yangzi. In the fourth month of summer, on yichou day, Lou Rui, Protocol Equal, led troops against the Luyang barbarians and shattered them. On dingmao day an edict ordered the building of Jinhua Hall. In the fifth month, on bingshen day, Prince of Hanyang Gao Qia died. That month the emperor broke his vow against meat and thereafter ate no meat at all. In the sixth month, on yimao day, Xiao Gui and others fought the Liang army west of Zhong Mountain; long rains fell, they were defeated, and Xiao Gui, Commanders Li Xiguang, Wang Jingbao, Dongfang Lao, and Army Supervisor Pei Yingqi all perished; of the soldiers who straggled back, only one or two in ten. On yichou day Wang Lin, Liang Inspector of Xiang Province, presented a tame elephant. That year the Three Terraces palace was expanded and repaired. In the seventh month of autumn, on jihai day, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. In the eighth month, on gengshen day, the emperor went to Jinyang. In the ninth month, on jiachen day, the Kumo Xi sent envoys bearing tribute. In the tenth month of winter, on bingxu day, the Khitan sent envoys bearing tribute. That month 2,600 widows from Shandong were levied and assigned to soldiers; one in five already had husbands and had been seized in violation of the law. That month Yuwen Tai, the Wen Emperor of Northern Zhou, died. In the eleventh month, on renzi day, an edict proclaimed:

崐山作鎮，厥號神州；瀛海為池，是稱赤縣。蒸民乃粒，司牧存焉。王者之制，沿革迭起，方割成災，肇分十二，水土既平，還復九州。道或繁簡，義在通時，殷因於夏，無所改作。然則日月纏於天次，王公國於地野，皆所以上叶玄儀，下符川嶽。逮于秦政，鞭撻區宇，罷侯置守，天下為家。洎兩漢承基，曹、馬屬統，其間損益，難以勝言。魏自孝昌之季，數鐘澆否，祿去公室，政出多門，衣冠道盡，黔首塗炭。銅馬、鐵脛之徒。黑山、青犢之侶，梟張晉、趙，豕突燕、秦，綱紀從茲而頹，彝章因此而紊。是使豪家大族，鳩率鄉部，托迹勤王，規自署置。或外家公主，女謁內成，昧利納財，啟立州郡。離大合小，本逐時宜，部竹分符，蓋不獲已，牧守令長，虛增其數，求功錄實，諒足為煩，損害公私，為弊殊久，既乖為政之禮，徒有驅羊之費。自爾因循，未遑刪改。朕寅膺寶曆，恭臨八荒，建國經野，務存簡易。將欲鎮躁歸靜，反薄還淳，苟失其中，理從刊正。傍觀舊史，逖聽前言，周曰成、康，漢稱文、景，編戶之多，古今為最。而丁口滅於疇日，守令倍於昔辰，非所以馭俗調風，示民軌物。且五嶺內賓，三江廻化，拓土開疆，利窮南海。但要荒之所，舊多浮偽，百室之邑，便立州名，三戶之民，空張郡目。譬諸木犬，猶彼泥龍，循名督實，事歸烏有。今所並省，一依別制。

With Kunlun as its pillar, it is called the Divine Land; with the encircling sea as its moat, it is called the Red County. The common people have grain to eat; stewards of the land exist for this purpose. The system of kings has changed through the ages; when the realm was carved into regions calamity followed, and at first there were twelve; when water and earth were settled, the Nine Provinces were restored. The Way may be complex or simple; the principle is to suit the times—Yin followed Xia and changed nothing. Thus sun and moon are fixed in the celestial order and kings and lords rooted in the land—all to accord above with heaven's pattern and below with rivers and mountains. Down to the government of Qin, which lashed the realm, abolished the feudal lords, and set up commanderies—the realm became one household. When the Two Han inherited the foundation and the houses of Cao and Sima continued the line, the gains and losses in between are beyond full reckoning. From the late Xiaochang era of Wei, debased governance came again and again; salary departed from the public house, policy issued from many gates, the way of the gentry was exhausted, and the common people were scorched. The hosts of the Bronze Horses and Iron Shins— the bands of Black Mountain and Green Calves—ravenously spread through Jin and Zhao, boar-rushed through Yan and Qin; from this the bonds of rule collapsed and the ordinances fell into disorder. This drove great clans and powerful houses to gather their townships, claim the cause of aiding the throne, and scheme to appoint themselves. Some were princesses of the outer kin; palace women gained influence within; blinded by profit they took bribes and opened new provinces and commanderies. Splitting large into small originally followed the needs of the time; issuing tallies and dividing seals was largely unavoidable—yet prefects, governors, magistrates, and chiefs were falsely multiplied; seeking merit and recording reality was plainly a burden, harm to public and private a long-standing evil, it already violated the rites of governance, and there was only the waste of driving sheep. Since then it has dragged on, and there has been no leisure to revise and cut back. I reverently received the imperial succession and respectfully face the eight directions; in founding the state and ordering the realm I aim to keep things simple. I wish to still unrest and restore quiet, turn what is thin back to what is pure; where the mean is lost, reason demands correction. Looking at the old histories and listening to words of old: Zhou had Cheng and Kang, Han had Wen and Jing—their registered households were the greatest of antiquity and the present. Yet today households and mouths have dwindled from former days while prefects and magistrates are twice what they once were—this is not the way to govern custom, harmonize the winds, and show the people their measure. Moreover the Five Ridges have submitted within, the Three Rivers have turned back in allegiance; we have broadened the land and opened the frontiers, and profit reaches to the end of the Southern Sea. Yet in the distant frontier there were formerly many false and inflated entries—a settlement of a hundred households would at once raise a province's name; a people of three households would vainly spread a commandery's title. They were no more real than wooden dogs or clay dragons—once names were matched to facts, the whole affair vanished into nothing. The consolidations now ordered were to follow the separate regulations in full.

於是併省三州、一百五十三郡、五百八十九縣、二鎮二十六戍。又制刺史令盡行兼，不給幹物。十二月，西魏相宇文覺受魏禪。先是，自西河總秦戍築長城東至於海，前後所築東西凡三千餘里，率十里一戍，其要害置州鎮，凡二十五所。

Thereupon three provinces, 153 commanderies, 589 counties, two garrison-towns, and twenty-six outposts were merged away. It was further ordered that prefects and magistrates should all hold concurrent posts and receive no stipends in kind. In the twelfth month Western Wei's chancellor Yuwen Jue accepted the Wei abdication. Earlier, from the Zongqin Garrison in Xihe a Great Wall had been raised eastward to the sea; in all more than three thousand li had been built, with a fort roughly every ten li and garrison provinces or towns at the key points—twenty-five in all.

八年春三月，大熱，人或暍死。夏四月庚午，詔諸取蝦蟹蜆蛤之類，悉令停斷，唯聽捕魚。乙酉，詔公私鷹鷂俱亦禁絕。以太師、咸陽王斛律金為右丞相，前大將軍、扶風王可朱渾道元為太傅，開府儀同三司賀拔仁為太保，尚書令、常山王演為司空、錄尚書事，長廣王湛為尚書令，尚書右僕射楊愔為尚書左僕射，以并省尚書右僕射崔暹為尚書右僕射，上黨王渙錄尚書事。是月，帝在城東馬射，敕京師婦女悉赴觀，不赴者罪以軍法，七日乃止。五月辛酉，冀州民劉向於京師謀逆，黨與皆伏誅。秋八月己巳，庫莫奚遣使朝貢。庚辰，詔丘、郊、禘、祫、時祀，皆仰市取，少牢不得剖割，有司監視，必令豐備；農社先蠶，酒肉而已；雩、禖、風、雨、司民、司祿、靈星、雜祀，果餅酒脯。唯當務盡誠敬，義同如在。自夏至九月，河北六州、河南十二州、畿內八郡大蝗。是月，飛至京師，蔽日，聲如風雨。甲辰，詔今年遭蝗之處免租。是月，周冢宰宇文護殺其主閔帝而立帝弟毓，是為明帝。冬十月乙亥，陳霸先弑其主方智自立，是為陳武帝，遣使稱藩朝貢。是年，於長城內築重城，自庫洛拔而東至於塢紇戍，凡四百餘里。

In the third month of spring of the eighth year the heat was fierce, and some people died of sunstroke. On gengwu day in the fourth month of summer an edict halted the taking of shrimp, crabs, clams, and the like; only fishing was allowed. On yiyou day an edict likewise banned hawks and falcons, whether public or private. Hulü Jin, grand preceptor and Prince of Xianyang, was made right chancellor; Kezhuhun Daoyuan, former grand general and Prince of Fufeng, grand tutor; Helü Ren, commissioner with protocol equal to the three excellencies, grand guardian; Prince Yan of Changshan, director of the Masters of Writing, minister of works and recorder of the Masters of Writing; Prince Zhan of Changguang, director of the Masters of Writing; Yang Yin, right vice director of the Masters of Writing, left vice director; Cui Xian, right vice director of the consolidated Masters of Writing, right vice director; and Prince Huan of Shangdang, recorder of the Masters of Writing. That month the emperor held mounted archery east of the city and commanded every woman of the capital to attend; those who stayed away were punished under military law, and the order lasted seven days. On xinyou day in the fifth month Liu Xiang of Jizhou plotted rebellion in the capital, and his accomplices were all put to death. On jisi day in the eighth month of autumn the Kumo Xi sent envoys with tribute. On gengchen day an edict ordered that for the mound, suburban, di, and ti sacrifices and seasonal rites all offerings were to be bought in the market; the young bullock might not be butchered on the spot, and supervising officials were to see that everything was fully supplied. For the agricultural and sericulture rites, wine and meat alone were enough. For the rain, marriage, wind, and other rites, and for the Director of the People, Director of Emolument, Spirit Star, and miscellaneous sacrifices, fruit, cakes, wine, and dried meat were offered. Only sincerity and reverence were to be fully observed—the meaning was the same as if the spirits were truly present. From summer through the ninth month great locust plagues struck the six provinces north of the Yellow River, the twelve provinces south of it, and the eight commanderies of the capital region. That month they flew as far as the capital, blotting out the sun, with a sound like wind and rain. On jiachen day an edict remitted rent in every district struck by locusts that year. That month Northern Zhou's regent Yuwen Hu killed his sovereign Emperor Min and enthroned the emperor's younger brother Yu, who became Emperor Ming. On yihai day in the tenth month of winter Chen Baxian murdered his sovereign Fangzhi and seized the throne as Emperor Wu of Chen, then sent envoys declaring vassalage and tribute. That year a second wall was built inside the Great Wall from Kuluo Valley eastward to Wuge Garrison, more than four hundred li in all.

九年春二月丁亥，降罪人。己丑，詔限仲冬一月燎野，不得他時行火，損昆蟲草木。三月丁酉，帝至自晉陽。夏四月辛巳，大赦。是夏，大旱。帝以祈雨不應，毀西門豹祠，掘其冢。山東大蝗，差夫役捕而坑之。是月，北豫州刺史司馬消難以城叛，入於周。五月辛丑，尚書令、長廣王湛錄尚書事，驃騎大將軍、平秦王歸彥為尚書左僕射。甲辰，以前尚書左僕射楊愔為尚書令。六月乙丑，帝自晉陽北巡。己巳，至祁連池。戊寅，還晉陽。秋七月辛丑，給京畿老人劉奴等九百四十三人版職及杖帽各有差。戊申，詔趙、燕、瀛、定、南營五州及司州廣平、清河二郡去年螽澇損田，兼春夏少雨，苗稼薄者，免今年租賦。八月乙丑，至自晉陽。甲戌，帝如晉陽。是月，陳江州刺史沈泰以三千人內附。先是，發丁匠三十餘萬營三臺於鄴下，因其舊基而高博之，大起宮室及遊豫園。至是，三臺成，改銅爵曰金鳳，金獸曰聖應，冰井曰崇光。十一月甲午，帝至自晉陽，登三臺，御乾象殿，朝讌群臣，並命賦詩。以新宮成，丁酉，大赦，內外文武普汎一大階。丁巳，梁湘州刺史王琳遣使請立蕭莊為梁主，仍以江州內屬，令莊居之。十二月癸酉，詔梁王蕭莊為梁主，進居九派。戊寅，乙太傅可朱渾道元為太師，司徒尉粲為太尉，冀州刺史段韶為司空，錄尚書事、常山王演為大司馬，錄尚書事、長廣王湛為司徒。是月，起大莊嚴寺。是年，殺永安王浚、上黨王渙。

In the second month of spring of the ninth year, on dinghai day, the sentences of convicts were reduced. On jichou day an edict limited field-burning to the mid-winter month and forbade fires at other times, lest insects and plants be harmed. On dingyou day in the third month the emperor returned from Jinyang. On xinsi day in the fourth month of summer a general amnesty was proclaimed. That summer brought a great drought. When prayers for rain went unanswered, the emperor destroyed the shrine of Ximen Bao and dug up his tomb. In Shandong a great locust plague struck, and corvée laborers were sent to catch the insects and bury them in pits. That month Sima Xiaonan, governor of Northern Yuzhou, rebelled with his city and defected to Northern Zhou. On xinchou day in the fifth month Prince Zhan of Changguang, director of the Masters of Writing, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing, and Prince Guiyan of Pingqin, general of agile cavalry, left vice director of the Masters of Writing. On jiachen day former left vice director of the Masters of Writing Yang Yin was made director of the Masters of Writing. On yichou day in the sixth month the emperor set out on a northern tour from Jinyang. On jisi day he reached Qilian Pool. On wuyin day he returned to Jinyang. On xinchou day in the seventh month of autumn 943 elderly men of the capital region, including Liu Nu, were granted office tablets, canes, and caps in varying measure. On wushen day an edict remitted this year's rent and tax for fields in Zhao, Yan, Ying, Ding, and Southern Camp and in Guangping and Qinghe in Sizhou that had been damaged by locusts and floods the year before, and for fields whose crops were thin after a dry spring and summer. On yichou day in the eighth month he returned from Jinyang. On jiaxu day the emperor went to Jinyang. That month Shen Tai, Chen's governor of Jiangzhou, defected with three thousand men. Earlier more than three hundred thousand corvée laborers and artisans had been mobilized to build the Three Towers below Ye on their old foundations, raising them higher and broader, and to erect great palaces and pleasure gardens. By then the Three Towers were finished: Copper Sparrow was renamed Golden Phoenix, Golden Beast Holy Response, and Ice Well Glorious Light. On jiawu day in the eleventh month the emperor returned from Jinyang, ascended the Three Towers, presided in Qianxiang Hall, held court and feasted the hundred officials, and ordered them all to compose poems. With the new palace complete, on dingyou day a general amnesty was proclaimed and every civil and military official within and without the court was promoted one full rank. On dingsi day Wang Lin, Liang's governor of Xiangzhou, sent envoys asking that Xiao Zhuang be established as ruler of Liang, with Jiangzhou submitted to Qi and Zhuang installed there. On guiyou day in the twelfth month an edict established Xiao Zhuang as ruler of Liang and had him advance to Jiupai. On wuyin day Grand Tutor Kezhuhun Daoyuan was promoted to grand preceptor; Minister over the Masses Wei Can, grand commandant; Duan Shao, governor of Jizhou, minister of works; Prince Yan of Changshan, recorder of the Masters of Writing, grand marshal; and Prince Zhan of Changguang, recorder of the Masters of Writing, minister over the masses. That month construction began on the Great Solemnity Temple. That year Prince Jun of Yong'an and Prince Huan of Shangdang were put to death.

十年春正月戊戌，以司空侯莫陳相為大將軍。甲寅，帝如遼陽甘露寺。乙卯，詔於麻城置衡州。二月丙戌，帝於甘露寺禪居深觀，唯軍國大政奏聞。三月戊戌，以侍中高德政為尚書右僕射。丙辰，帝至自遼陽。是月，梁主蕭莊至郢州，遣使朝貢。閏四月丁酉，以司州牧、彭城王浟為司空，侍中、高陽王湜為尚書右僕射。乙巳，以司空、彭城王浟兼太尉，封皇子紹廉為長樂郡王。五月癸未，誅始平西元世、東平西元景式等二十五家，特進元韶等十九家並令禁止。六月，陳武帝殂，兄子蒨立，是為文帝。秋八月戊戌，封皇子紹義為廣陽郡王，以尚書右僕射、河間王孝琬為尚書左僕射。癸卯，詔諸軍民或有父祖改姓冒入元氏，或假託攜認，忘稱姓元者，不問世數遠近，悉聽改復本姓。九月己巳，帝如晉陽。是月，使酈懷則、陸仁惠使於蕭莊。冬十月甲午，帝暴崩於晉陽宮德陽堂，時年三十一。遺詔：「凡諸凶事一依儉約。三年之喪，雖曰達禮，漢文革創，通行自昔，義有存焉，同之可也，喪月之斷限以三十六日。嗣主、百僚、內外遐邇奉制割情，悉從公除。」癸卯，發喪，斂於宣德殿。十一月辛未，梓宮還京師。十二月乙酉，殯於太極前殿。乾明元年二月丙申，葬于武寧陵，諡曰文宣皇帝，廟號威宗。武平初，又改為文宣，廟號顯祖。

In the first month of spring of the tenth year, on wuxu day, Minister of Works Houmochen Xiang was made grand general. On jiayin day the emperor went to Sweet Dew Temple at Liaoyang. On yimao day an edict established Hengzhou at Macheng. On bingxu day in the second month the emperor withdrew to Sweet Dew Temple for Chan retreat and deep contemplation; only great affairs of state and the army were reported to him. On wuxu day in the third month Palace Attendant Gao Dezheng was made right vice director of the Masters of Writing. On bingchen day the emperor returned from Liaoyang. That month the Liang ruler Xiao Zhuang reached Yingzhou and sent envoys with tribute. In the intercalary fourth month, on dingyou day, Prince You of Pengcheng, governor of Sizhou, was made minister of works, and Palace Attendant Prince Shi of Gaoyang, right vice director of the Masters of Writing. On yisi day Prince You of Pengcheng, minister of works, was additionally made grand commandant, and the emperor's son Shaoqian was enfeoffed as Prince of Changle Commandery. On guiwei day in the fifth month twenty-five households of the Yuan clan, including Shixi of the Western Capital and Jingshi of the Eastern Capital, were executed, and nineteen households including Special Advance Yuan Shao were placed under restriction. In the sixth month Emperor Wu of Chen died; his elder brother's son Qian succeeded him as Emperor Wen. On wuxu day in the eighth month of autumn the emperor's son Shaoyi was enfeoffed as Prince of Guangyang Commandery, and Prince Xiaowan of Hejian, right vice director of the Masters of Writing, was made left vice director. On guimao day an edict ordered that soldiers and commoners who had changed their surname to pass as Yuan, or who falsely claimed kinship and forgot their original surname because they called themselves Yuan, were all permitted to restore their original surname, no matter how many generations had passed. On jisi day in the ninth month the emperor went to Jinyang. That month Li Huai'ze and Lu Renhui were dispatched as envoys to Xiao Zhuang. On jiawu day in the tenth month of winter the emperor suddenly died in Deyang Hall of Jinyang Palace; he was thirty-one. The testamentary edict read: "All affairs of mourning shall follow austerity in every respect. The three-year mourning, though called the fulfillment of ritual, had since Emperor Wen of Han curtailed it and the practice had continued from of old; its spirit still stood and might be adopted alike, with mourning fixed at thirty-six days. The heir, the hundred officials, and all near and far, at home and abroad, were to set aside private grief in obedience to the edict and observe public mourning throughout." On guimao day mourning was announced and the body was laid out in Xuande Hall. On xinwei day in the eleventh month the coffin returned to the capital. On yiyou day in the twelfth month the body was placed in the hall before the Supreme Ultimate. On bingchen day in the second month of the first year of Ganming he was buried at Wuning Tomb, posthumously titled Emperor Wenxuan, with the temple name Weizong. At the beginning of the Wuping era the title was again changed to Wenxuan and the temple name to Xianzu.

帝少有大度，志識沉敏，外柔內剛，果敢能斷。雅好吏事，測始知終，理劇處繁，終日不倦。初踐大位，留心政術，以法馭下，公道為先。或有違犯憲章，雖密戚舊勳，必無容舍，內外清靖，莫不祗肅。至於軍國幾策，獨決懷抱，規模巨集遠，有人君大略。又以三方鼎跱，諸夷未賓，修繕甲兵，簡練士卒，左右宿衛置百保軍士。每臨行陣，親當矢石，鋒刃交接，唯恐前敵之不多，屢犯艱危，常致克捷。嘗于東山遊讌，以關隴未平，投杯震怒，召魏收於御前，立為詔書，宣示遠近，將事西伐。是歲，周文帝殂，西人震恐，常為度隴之計。既征伐四克，威振戎夏，六七年後，以功業自矜，遂留連耽湎，肆行淫暴。或躬自鼓舞，歌謳不息，從旦通宵，以夜繼晝。或袒露形體，塗傅粉黛，散發胡服，雜衣錦彩。拔刃張弓，游於市肆，勳戚之第，朝夕臨幸。時乘馲駝牛驢，不施鞍勒，盛暑炎赫，隆冬酷寒，或日中暴身，去衣馳騁，從者不堪，帝居之自若。親戚貴臣，左右近習，侍從錯雜，無復差等。徵集淫嫗，分付從官，朝夕臨視，以為娛樂。凡諸殺害，多令支解，或焚之於火，或投之於河。沉酗既久，彌以狂惑，至於末年，每言見諸鬼物，亦云聞異音聲。情有蒂芥，必在誅戮，諸元宗室咸加屠剿，永安、上黨並致冤酷，高隆之、高德政、杜弼、王元景、李蒨之等皆以非罪加害。嘗在晉陽以槊戲刺都督尉子耀，應手即殞。又在三臺大光殿上，以鋸鋸都督穆嵩，遂至於死。又嘗幸開府暴顯家，有都督韓悊無罪，忽於衆中喚出斬之。自餘酷濫，不可勝紀。朝野憯憎，各懷怨毒。而素以嚴斷臨下，加之默識強記，百僚戰慄，不敢為非，文武近臣，朝不謀夕。又多所營繕，百役繁興，舉國騷擾，公私勞弊。凡諸賞賚，無復節限，府藏之積，遂至空虛。自皇太后諸王及內外勳舊，愁懼危悚，計無所出。暨于末年，不能進食，唯數飲酒，麴蘖成災，因而致斃。

From youth the emperor had great breadth of mind; his purpose and understanding were deep and keen; outwardly gentle yet inwardly firm; bold and resolute in judgment. By nature he loved administrative work; tracing matters from beginning to end, he handled the most difficult and complex affairs all day without weariness. When he first ascended the throne he gave his heart to statecraft, governing subordinates by law and putting fairness first. If anyone violated the statutes, even close kin or old merit-holders were shown no indulgence; within and without the court all was clear and quiet, and none failed to stand in reverent awe. In military and state strategy he decided alone in his breast; his designs were vast and far-reaching, and he had the great outline of a true sovereign. Because the three realms stood like tripods and the various tribes had not yet submitted, he repaired armor and weapons, drilled and selected soldiers, and stationed a hundred-company guard force among his personal attendants. Whenever he went to the battle line he personally faced arrows and stones; when blades crossed he feared only that the enemy before him were too few, and repeatedly braved hardship and danger, often achieving victory. Once, while feasting on the Eastern Hill, because Guanlong was not yet pacified he threw down his cup in rage, summoned Wei Shou before him, and had an edict drafted on the spot proclaiming to far and near that he would campaign west. That year Emperor Wen of Northern Zhou died; the people of the west were shaken with fear, and plans to cross Long were often made. After his campaigns conquered on four fronts and his might shook barbarians and Chinese alike, six or seven years later he grew proud of his achievements, lingered in dissipation, and indulged in lewdness and violence. Sometimes he danced and sang himself without cease, from dawn through the night and on through the day. Sometimes he bared his body, smeared on powder and rouge, let his hair hang loose in barbarian dress, and wore mixed garments of brocade. Blade drawn and bow in hand, he roamed the markets and visited the mansions of meritorious kin morning and evening. At times he rode camels, mules, oxen, and donkeys without saddle or bridle; in fierce summer heat or bitter winter cold, or baring himself at midday and riding stripped, his attendants could not endure it, yet the emperor was entirely at ease. Relatives of merit, honored ministers, and close attendants were mixed together in his company without any distinction of rank. He summoned licentious women and assigned them to his attendants, visiting them morning and evening for amusement. Of all the killings, many were ordered dismembered, burned in fire, or cast into rivers. Deep drunkenness lasting long made him ever more frenzied and deluded; in his final years he constantly said he saw ghosts and heard strange sounds. If resentment took root in his heart, execution was inevitable; the Yuan of the imperial clan were slaughtered wholesale, and Prince Jun of Yong'an and Prince Huan of Shangdang met cruel injustice; Gao Longzhi, Gao Dezheng, Du Bi, Wang Yuanjing, Li Qianzhi, and others were all destroyed on false charges. Once at Jinyang he playfully stabbed Supervisor Wei Ziyao with a spear, and Wei fell dead at once. Again, in Great Light Hall of the Three Towers he sawed Supervisor Mu Song with a saw until he died. Again, while visiting the residence of Kaifu Bao Xian, he called out the innocent Supervisor Han Ti from among the crowd and beheaded him. The rest of the cruel excess was beyond counting. Court and countryside were filled with anguish; each nursed resentment and hatred. Yet because he had always governed subordinates with stern decisiveness, and moreover possessed a silent memory of great strength, the hundred officials trembled with fear and dared not do wrong; civil and military close attendants did not know whether they would live to see the morrow. He also undertook many constructions; corvée labor multiplied throughout the realm, the whole state was thrown into turmoil, and public and private alike were worn out with toil. Rewards and bestowals knew no limit, and the treasury's stores were drained empty. From the Empress Dowager and the princes to meritorious elders within and without the court, all lived in dread and peril, with nowhere to turn. In his final years he could no longer eat and drank only wine; fermented malt became his ruin, and he died of it.

論曰：高祖平定四胡，威權延世。遷鄴之後，雖主器有人，號令所加，政皆自出。顯祖因循鴻業，內外協從，自朝及野，群心屬望。東魏之地，舉世樂推，曾未期月，玄運集己。始則存心政事，風化肅然，數年之間，翕斯致治。其後縱酒肆欲，事極倡狂，昏邪殘暴，近世未有。饗國弗永，實由斯疾，胤嗣殄絕，固亦餘殃者也。

Commentary: The Grand Ancestor pacified the four barbarian peoples, and his authority endured for generations. After the move to Ye, though an heir held the vessel of state, every command and every policy still issued from the regent alone. The Founding Ancestor inherited the great enterprise; court and countryside alike fell into step, and every heart turned toward him. Throughout Eastern Wei all gladly urged him forward; before a month had passed the dark mandate had gathered upon him. At first he gave his mind to government; customs grew solemn and upright, and within a few years he had brought the realm to order. Afterward he gave free rein to wine and desire, indulging madness to the limit; his delusion, wickedness, cruelty, and ferocity were unmatched in recent memory. That he did not long enjoy the realm was truly due to this sickness; the extinction of his line was likewise the lingering curse of it.

贊曰：天保定位，受終攸屬。奄宅區夏，爰膺帝籙。勢叶謳歌，情毀龜玉。始存政術，聞斯德音。罔遵克念，乃肆其心。窮理殘虐，盡性荒淫。

Appraisal: In the Tianbao reign the throne was fixed; to receive the mandate's end was his allotted portion. He took possession of the central lands and thereupon received the imperial tally. The momentum matched the people's song of praise; yet in the end his heart ruined the jade tally and regalia. At first he preserved the art of government, and men heard his virtuous words. He did not keep to self-restraint and gave his heart full license. He pushed reason to cruelty and indulgence to the utmost in debauchery.

全文以中華書局、一九七二年十一月、第一版《北齊書》為本校。

This text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju first edition of the Book of Northern Qi (November 1972).

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