1
後主幼主
Houzhu; Youzhu
2
後主諱緯，字仁綱，武成皇帝之長子也。 母曰胡皇后，夢於海上坐玉盆，日入裙下，遂有娠。 天保七年五月五日，生帝於幷州邸。 帝少美容儀，武成特所愛寵，拜王世子。 及武成入纂大業，大寧二年正月丙戌，立為皇太子。 河清四年，武成禪位於帝。
The Last Emperor, whose personal name was Wei and style name Rengang, was the eldest son of Emperor Wucheng. His mother was Empress Hu. She dreamed she was seated in a jade basin on the sea when the sun slipped beneath her skirt, and soon after she conceived. On the fifth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of the Tianbao era, the emperor was born at the princely residence in Bing Province. As a boy he was handsome in face and bearing, and Wucheng cherished him above all his children, appointing him heir prince. When Wucheng took the throne, on the bingxu day of the first month of the second year of the Daning era, the prince was formally established as crown prince. In the fourth year of the Heqing era, Wucheng abdicated the throne in his favor.
3
六月壬戌，彗星出文昌東北，其大如手，後稍長，乃至丈餘，百日乃滅。 己巳，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍王季高使於陳。
In the sixth month, on the renxu day, a comet appeared northeast of the Wenchang constellation. At first it was no larger than a hand, but it soon lengthened until it stretched more than ten feet, and only after a hundred days did it disappear. On the jisi day, the retired emperor issued an edict dispatching Concurrent Regular Attendant Wang Jigao as envoy to Chen.
4
秋七月乙未，太上皇帝詔增置都水使者一人。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the yiwei day, the retired emperor issued an edict adding one Commissioner of the Directorate of Waterways.
5
冬十一月癸未，太上皇帝至自晉陽。 己丑，太上皇帝詔改「太祖獻武皇帝」為「神武皇帝」，廟號「高祖」，「獻明皇后」為「武明皇后」； 其「文宣」諡號委有司議定。
In the eleventh month of winter, on the guiwei day, the retired emperor returned from Jinyang. On the jichou day, the retired emperor issued an edict changing "Grand Ancestor Emperor Xianwu" to "Emperor Shenwu," with the temple name Gaozu, and "Empress Xianming" to "Empress Wuming"; as for the posthumous title "Wenxuan," that was left to the relevant offices to determine through deliberation.
6
十二月庚戌，太上皇帝狩於北郊。 壬子，狩於南郊。 乙卯，狩於西郊。 壬戌，太上皇帝幸晉陽。 丁卯，帝至自晉陽。 庚午，有司奏改「高祖文宣皇帝」為「威宗景烈皇帝。」
In the twelfth month, on the gengxu day, the retired emperor hunted at the northern suburb. On the renzi day, he hunted at the southern suburb. On the yimao day, he hunted at the western suburb. On the renxu day, the retired emperor visited Jinyang. On the dingmao day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. On the gengwu day, the relevant offices memorialized that "Grand Ancestor Emperor Wenxuan" should be changed to "Emperor Jinglie of the temple name Weizong."
7
是歲，高麗、契丹、靺鞨並遣使朝貢。 河南大疫。
That year, Goguryeo, the Khitan, and the Mojie all sent envoys to pay court tribute. A great epidemic struck Henan.
8
二年丙戌春正月辛卯，祀圓丘。 癸巳，袷祭於太廟，詔降罪人各有差。 丙申，以吏部尚書尉瑾為尚書右僕射。 庚子，行幸晉陽。
On the xinmao day of the first month of spring in the second year (bingxu), he sacrificed at the Altar of Heaven. On the guisi day, he performed the joint sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple; an edict reduced the sentences of convicts by varying degrees. On the bingchen day, Minister of Personnel Yu Jin was made Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. On the gengzi day, the emperor proceeded to Jinyang.
9
二月庚戌，太上皇帝至自晉陽。 壬子，陳人來聘。
In the second month, on the gengxu day, the retired emperor returned from Jinyang. On the renzi day, envoys from Chen came on a diplomatic visit.
10
三月乙巳，太上皇帝詔以三臺施興聖寺。 以旱故，降禁囚。
In the third month, on the yisi day, the retired emperor issued an edict granting the Three Towers to Xingsheng Temple. Because of drought, imprisoned convicts had their sentences reduced.
11
夏四月，陳文帝殂。
In the fourth month of summer, Emperor Wen of Chen died.
12
五月乙酉，以兼尚書左僕射、武興王普為尚書令。 己亥，封太上皇帝子儼為東平王，仁弘為齊安王，仁堅為北平王，仁英為高平王，仁光為淮南王。
In the fifth month, on the yiyou day, Concurrent Left Vice Director of the Secretariat and Prince Pu of Wuxing was made Chief Minister of the Secretariat. On the jihai day, the retired emperor's sons were enfeoffed: Yan as Prince of Dongping, Renhong as Prince of Qi'an, Renjian as Prince of Beiping, Renying as Prince of Gaoping, and Renguang as Prince of Huainan.
13
六月，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍韋道儒聘於陳。
In the sixth month, the retired emperor issued an edict dispatching Concurrent Regular Attendant Wei Daoru on a friendly mission to Chen.
14
秋八月，太上皇帝幸晉陽。
In the eighth month of autumn, the retired emperor visited Jinyang.
15
冬十月乙卯，乙太保侯莫陳相為太傅，大司馬、任城王湝為太保，太尉婁叡為大司馬，徙馮翊王潤為太尉，開府儀同三司韓祖念為司徒。
In the tenth month of winter, on the yimao day, Grand Preceptor Houmo Chenxiang was made Grand Tutor; Grand Marshal and Prince Jie of Rencheng was appointed Grand Preceptor; Grand Commandant Lou Rui was made Grand Marshal; Prince Run of Fenyang was transferred to Grand Commandant; and Han Zunian, Commissioner with Protocol Equal to the Three Excellencies, was made Minister over the Masses.
16
十一月，大雨雪，盜竊太廟御服。
In the eleventh month, heavy rain and snow fell, and the imperial vestments in the Ancestral Temple were stolen.
17
十二月乙丑，陳人來聘。
In the twelfth month, on the yichou day, envoys from Chen came on a diplomatic visit.
18
是歲，殺河間王孝琬。 突厥、靺鞨國並遣使朝貢。 於周為天和元年。
That year, Prince Xiaowan of Hejian was executed. The Turks and the Mojie both sent envoys to pay court tribute. In the Northern Zhou calendar, it was the first year of the Tianhe era.
19
三年春正月壬辰，太上皇帝至自晉陽。 乙未，大雪，平地二尺。 戊戌，太上皇帝詔京官執事散官三品已上各舉三人，五品已上各舉二人； 稱事七品已上及殿中侍御史、尚書都檢校御史、主書及門下錄事各舉一人。 鄴宮九龍殿災，延燒西廊。
On the renchen day of the first month of spring in the third year, the retired emperor returned from Jinyang. On the yiwei day, heavy snow fell until level ground lay buried two feet deep. On the wuxu day, the retired emperor issued an edict that metropolitan officials in executive posts and honorary officials of rank three and above were each to recommend three men, and those of rank five and above were each to recommend two; officials with the title of responsible functionary of rank seven and above, as well as palace secretaries, inspector-generals of the Secretariat, clerks, and recorder-clerks of the Gate Office were each to recommend one person. The Nine Dragons Hall of the Ye Palace caught fire, and the blaze spread to burn the western corridor.
20
二月壬寅朔，帝加元服，大赦，九州職人各進四級，內外百官普進二級。
In the second month, on the first day of the renyin month, the emperor came of age. A general amnesty was proclaimed; craftsmen of the nine provinces were each promoted four ranks, and officials civil and military were universally promoted two ranks.
21
夏四月癸丑，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍司馬幼之使於陳。
In the fourth month of summer, on the guichou day, the retired emperor issued an edict dispatching Concurrent Regular Attendant Sima Youzhi as envoy to Chen.
22
五月甲午，太上皇帝詔以領軍大將軍、東平王儼為尚書令。 乙未，大風晝晦，發屋拔樹。
In the fifth month, on the jiawu day, the retired emperor issued an edict appointing General-in-Chief of the Palace Guard and Prince Yan of Dongping as Chief Minister of the Secretariat. On the yiwei day, a great wind darkened the sky in broad daylight, tore roofs from houses, and uprooted trees.
23
六月己未，太上皇帝詔封皇子仁幾為西河王，仁約為樂浪王，仁儉為潁川王，仁雅為安樂王，仁統為丹陽王，仁謙為東海王。
In the sixth month, on the jiwei day, the retired emperor issued an edict enfeoffing the imperial princes: Renji as Prince of Xihe, Renyue as Prince of Lelang, Renjian as Prince of Yingchuan, Renya as Prince of Anle, Rentong as Prince of Danyang, and Renqian as Prince of Donghai.
24
閏六月辛巳，左丞相斛律金薨。 壬午，太上皇帝詔尚書令、東平王儼錄尚書事，以尚書左僕射趙彥深為尚書令，幷省尚書左僕射婁定遠為尚書左僕射，中書監徐之才為右僕射。
In the intercalary sixth month, on the xinsi day, Left Chancellor Hulu Jin died. On the renwu day, the retired emperor ordered Chief Minister of the Masters of Writing Prince Yan of Dongping to serve as recorder of the Masters of Writing; Zhao Yanshen, left deputy director of the Masters of Writing, was made chief minister; Lou Dingyuan, left deputy director of the Jinyang Masters of Writing, was made left deputy director; and Xu Zhicai, director of the Secretariat, was made right deputy director.
25
秋八月辛未，太上皇帝詔乙太保、任城王湝為太師，太尉、馮翊王潤為大司馬，太宰段韶為左丞相，太師賀拔仁為右丞相，太傅侯莫陳相為太宰，大司馬婁叡為太傅，大將軍斛律光為太保，司徒韓祖念為大將軍，司空、趙郡王叡為太尉，尚書令、東平王儼為司徒。
In the eighth month of autumn, on the xinwei day, the retired emperor reshuffled the highest offices: Grand Guardian Prince Jun of Rencheng was appointed grand preceptor; Minister of War Prince Run of Fenyang, grand marshal; Grand Mentor Duan Shao, left chancellor; Grand Preceptor Hebaren, right chancellor; Grand Tutor Houmochen Xiang, grand mentor; Grand Marshal Lou Rui, grand tutor; Grand General Hulu Guang, grand guardian; Minister over the Masses Han Zunian, grand general; Minister of Works Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery, minister of war; and Chief Minister Prince Yan of Dongping, minister over the masses.
26
九月己酉，太上皇帝詔：「諸寺署所綰雜保戶姓高者，天保之初雖有優勑，權假力用未免者，今可悉蠲雜戶，任屬郡縣，一準平人。」 丁巳，太上皇帝幸晉陽。
On the jiyou day of the ninth month, the retired emperor proclaimed: "Among the miscellaneous dependent households registered to monasteries and government offices who bear the surname Gao, many were nominally favored at the opening of the Tianbao era yet still pressed into provisional labor service. Let all such households now be fully released from dependent status, placed under prefectural and county authority, and treated in every respect as ordinary subjects." On the dingsi day, the retired emperor went to Jinyang.
27
是秋，山東大水，人饑，僵尸滿道。
That autumn catastrophic floods inundated the eastern provinces. Famine followed, and the dead lay heaped along every road.
28
冬十月，突厥、大莫婁、室韋、百濟、靺鞨等國各遣使朝貢。
In the tenth month of winter, envoys bearing tribute arrived from Tujue, Damolou, Shiwei, Baekje, Mojie, and other states.
29
十一月丙午，以晉陽大明殿成故，大赦，文武百官進二級，免幷州居城、太原一郡來年租賦。 癸未，太上皇帝至自晉陽。
On the bingwu day of the eleventh month, with the completion of Jinyang's Daming Hall, the court proclaimed a general amnesty, promoted all civil and military officials two ranks, and remitted the following year's land tax and corvée for Juzhou city and Taiyuan Commandery. On the guiwei day, the retired emperor returned from Jinyang.
30
十二月己巳，太上皇帝詔以故左丞相、趙郡王琛配饗神武廟庭。
On the jisi day of the twelfth month, the retired emperor ordered the late Left Chancellor Prince Chen of Zhao Commandery to receive posthumous cult in the temple court of Emperor Shenwu.
31
四年正月，詔以故清河王岳、河東王潘相樂十人並配饗神武廟庭。 癸亥，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍鄭大護使於陳。
In the first month of the fourth year, an edict granted the late Prince Yue of Qinghe, Prince Pan of Hedong, Xiang Yue, and eight others joint posthumous cult in the temple court of Emperor Shenwu. On the guihai day, the retired emperor appointed Zheng Dahu, acting regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, envoy to Chen.
32
三月乙巳，太上皇帝詔以司徒、東平王儼為大將軍，南陽王綽為司徒，開府儀同三司徐顯秀為司空，開府儀同三司、廣甯王孝珩為尚書令。
On the yisi day of the third month, the retired emperor appointed Prince Yan of Dongping, minister over the masses, grand general; Prince Chuo of Nanyang, minister over the masses; Xu Xianxiu, bearer of the grand dignity of the state with the three honors, minister of works; and Prince Xiaogong of Guangning, bearer of the same dignity, chief minister of the Masters of Writing.
33
夏四月辛未，鄴宮昭陽殿災，及宣光、瑤華等殿。 辛巳，太上皇帝幸晉陽。
In the fourth month of summer, on the xinwei day, fire consumed the Zhaoyang Hall of the Ye palace and spread to the Xuan'guang, Yaohua, and other halls. On the xinsi day, the retired emperor went to Jinyang.
34
五月癸卯，以尚書右僕射胡長仁為左僕射，中書監和士開為右僕射。 壬戌，太上皇帝至自晉陽。 自正月不雨至於是月。
On the guimao day of the fifth month, Hu Changren, right deputy director of the Masters of Writing, was made left deputy director, and He Shikai, director of the Secretariat, was made right deputy director. On the renxu day, the retired emperor returned from Jinyang. From the first month until this month, not a drop of rain had fallen.
35
六月甲子朔，大雨。 甲申，大風，拔木折樹。 是月，彗星見於東井。
On the jiazi day, the new moon of the sixth month, torrential rains fell. On the jiashen day, a violent wind uprooted trees and snapped trunks. That month a comet appeared in the Well constellation.
36
秋九月丙申，周人來通和，太上皇帝詔侍中斛斯文略報聘于周。
In the ninth month of autumn, on the bingshen day, Northern Zhou envoys arrived seeking peace. The retired emperor dispatched Palace Attendant Hulu Siwenlue to Zhou on a return mission.
37
冬十月辛巳，以尚書令、廣甯王孝珩為錄尚書，左僕射胡長仁為尚書令，右僕射和士開為左僕射，中書監唐邕為右僕射。
On the xinsi day of the tenth month of winter, Prince Xiaogong of Guangning, chief minister of the Masters of Writing, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing; Hu Changren, left deputy director, was made chief minister; He Shikai, right deputy director, was made left deputy director; and Tang Yong, director of the Secretariat, was made right deputy director.
38
十一月壬辰，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍李翥使於陳。 是月，陳安成王頊廢其主伯宗而自立。
On the renchen day of the eleventh month, the retired emperor appointed Li Xu, acting regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, envoy to Chen. That month Chen's Prince of Ancheng, Chen Xu, deposed his sovereign Chen Bozong and seized the throne for himself.
39
十二月辛未，太上皇帝崩。 丙子，大赦，九州職人普加四級，內外百官並加兩級。 戊寅，上太上皇后尊號為皇太后。 甲申，詔細作之務及所在百工悉罷之。 又詔掖庭、晉陽、中山官人等及鄴下、幷州太官官口二處，其年六十已上及有癃患者，仰所司簡放。 庚寅，詔天保七年已來諸家緣坐配流者，所在令還。
On the xinwei day of the twelfth month, the retired emperor died. On the bingzi day, the court proclaimed a general amnesty, promoted artisans of the nine provinces four ranks each, and advanced every civil and military official two ranks. On the wuyin day, the retired empress was honored as empress dowager. On the jiashen day, an edict halted all luxury manufacture and local artisan corvée throughout the realm. Another edict directed the responsible offices to review and release all palace women of the Inner Quarters, Jinyang, and Zhongshan, and all imperial kitchen servants at Ye and in Bing Province, who were sixty years of age or older or afflicted with chronic infirmity. On the gengyin day, an edict ordered the return of every family implicated and sent into exile since the seventh year of the Tianbao era.
40
是歲，契丹、靺鞨國並遣使朝貢。
That year envoys bearing tribute arrived from Khitan and Mojie.
41
五年春正月辛亥，詔以金鳳等三臺未入寺者施大興聖寺。 是月，殺定州刺史、博陵王濟。
In the first month of spring of the fifth year, on the xinhai day, an edict granted the three Jinfeng terraces and other sites not yet turned into monasteries to the Daxingsheng Monastery. That month Prince Ji of Boling, inspector of Ding Province, was put to death.
42
二月乙丑，詔應宮刑者普免刑為官口。 又詔禁網捕鷹鷂及畜養籠放之物。 癸酉，大莫婁國遣使朝貢。 己丑，改東平王儼為琅邪王。 詔侍中叱列長叉使於周。 是月，殺太尉、趙郡王叡。
On the yichou day of the second month, an edict commuted all sentences of castration, enrolling the condemned instead as government household servants. Another edict forbade the netting of hawks and falcons and the keeping or training of caged hunting birds. On the guiyou day, envoys bearing tribute arrived from Damolou. On the jichou day, Prince Yan of Dongping was redesignated Prince of Langye. An edict appointed Palace Attendant Chile Changcha envoy to Zhou. That month Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery, minister of war, was put to death.
43
三月丁酉，以司空徐顯秀為太尉，幷省尚書令婁定遠為司空。 是月，行幸晉陽。
On the dingyou day of the third month, Xu Xianxiu, minister of works, was made minister of war, and Lou Dingyuan, chief minister of the Jinyang Masters of Writing, was made minister of works. That month the emperor went to Jinyang.
44
夏四月甲子，詔以幷州尚書省為大基聖寺，晉祠為大崇皇寺。 乙丑，車駕至自晉陽。
In the fourth month of summer, on the jiazi day, an edict converted the Jinyang Masters of Writing into the Daji Sheng Monastery and the Jin Shrine into the Dachong Huang Monastery. On the yichou day, the emperor returned from Jinyang.
45
秋七月己丑，詔降罪人各有差。 戊申，詔使巡省河北諸州無雨處，境內偏旱者優免租調。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the jichou day, an edict reduced criminal sentences, each according to the merits of the case. On the wushen day, an edict dispatched inspectors to tour the rainless districts of Hebei's northern provinces, granting preferential remission of land tax and corvée wherever drought had struck.
46
冬十月壬戌，詔禁造酒。
On the renxu day of the tenth month of winter, an edict forbade the brewing of wine.
47
十一月辛丑，詔乙太保斛律光為太傅，大司馬、馮翊王潤為太保，大將軍、琅邪王儼為大司馬。
On the xinchou day of the eleventh month, an edict appointed Grand Guardian Hulu Guang grand tutor, Grand Marshal Prince Run of Fenyang grand guardian, and Grand General Prince Yan of Langye grand marshal.
48
十二月庚午，以開府儀同三司、蘭陵王長恭為尚書令。 庚辰，以中書監魏收為尚書右僕射。
On the gengwu day of the twelfth month, Prince Changgong of Lanling, bearer of the grand dignity of the state with the three honors, was made chief minister of the Masters of Writing. On the gengchen day, Wei Shou, director of the Secretariat, was made right deputy director of the Masters of Writing.
49
二月癸亥，以百濟王餘昌為使持節、侍中、驃騎大將軍、帶方郡公，王如故。 己巳，乙太傅、咸陽王斛律光為右丞相，幷州刺史、右丞相、安定王賀拔仁為錄尚書事，冀州刺史、任城王湝為太師。 丙子，降死罪已下囚。
In the second month, on the guihai day, King Yuchang of Baekje was appointed bearer of staff with full powers, palace attendant, general of agile cavalry, and duke of Daifang Commandery, retaining his royal title. On the jisi day, Grand Tutor Prince Hulu Guang of Xianyang was made right chancellor; Prince Hebaren of Anding, inspector of Bing Province and right chancellor, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing; and Prince Jie of Rencheng, inspector of Ji Province, was appointed grand preceptor. On the bingzi day, sentences were reduced for all prisoners convicted of capital crimes or lesser offenses.
50
閏月戊戌，隸尚書事、安定王賀拔仁薨。
In the intercalary month, on the wuxu day, Prince Hebaren of Anding, recorder of the Masters of Writing, died.
51
三月辛酉，以開府儀同三司徐之才為尚書左僕射。
In the third month, on the xinyou day, Xu Zhicai, bearer of the grand dignity of the state with the three honors, was made left deputy director of the Masters of Writing.
52
夏六月乙酉，以廣甯王孝珩為司空。 甲辰，以皇子恒生故，大赦，內外百官普進二級，九州職人普進四級。 己酉，詔以開府儀同三司唐邕為尚書右僕射。
In the sixth month of summer, on the yiyou day, Prince Xiaogong of Guangning was appointed minister of works. On the jiachen day, mourning for the death of Prince Heng brought a general amnesty; every civil and military official was promoted two ranks, and every provincial functionary four. On the jiyou day, an edict made Tang Yong, bearer of the grand dignity of the state with the three honors, right deputy director of the Masters of Writing.
53
秋七月癸丑，封孝昭皇帝子彥基為城陽王，彥康為定陵王，彥忠為梁郡王。 甲寅，以尚書令、蘭陵王長恭為錄尚書事，中領軍和士開為尚書令。 癸亥，靺鞨國遣使朝貢。 癸酉，以華山王凝為太傅。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the guichou day, Emperor Xiaozhao's sons were ennobled: Yanji as prince of Chengyang, Yankang as prince of Dingling, and Yanzhong as prince of Liang Commandery. On the jiayin day, Prince Changgong of Lanling, chief minister of the Masters of Writing, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing, and Central Army Commander He Shikai was appointed chief minister. On the guihai day, envoys from Mojie arrived to pay court tribute. On the guiyou day, Prince Ning of Huashan was appointed grand tutor.
54
八月辛卯，行幸晉陽。
In the eighth month, on the xinmao day, the emperor went to Jinyang.
55
九月乙巳，立皇子恒為皇太子。
In the ninth month, on the yisi day, Prince Heng was formally established as crown prince.
56
冬十月辛巳，以司空、廣甯王孝珩為司徒，以上洛王思宗為司空，封蕭莊為梁王。 戊子，曲降幷州死罪已下囚。 己丑，復改威宗景烈皇帝諡號為「顯祖文宣皇帝。」
In the tenth month of winter, on the xinsi day, Prince Xiaogong of Guangning, minister of works, was made minister over the masses; Prince Sizong of Shangluo was appointed minister of works; and Xiao Zhuang was enfeoffed as prince of Liang. On the wuzi day, sentences were partially reduced for all prisoners in Bing Province convicted of capital crimes or lesser offenses. On the jichou day, the posthumous title of Emperor Jinglie of the temple name Weizong was restored to "Emperor Xianzu Wenxuan."
57
十二月丁亥，車駕至自晉陽。 詔右丞相斛律光出晉州道，修城戍。
In the twelfth month, on the dinghai day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. An edict ordered Right Chancellor Hulu Guang to take the Jinzhou route and repair the frontier walls and garrisons.
58
二年春正月丁巳，詔兼散騎常侍劉環俊使於陳。 戊寅，以百濟王餘昌為使持節、都督、東青州刺史。
On the dingsi day of the first month of spring in the second year, an edict dispatched Concurrent Regular Attendant Liu Huanjun as envoy to Chen. On the wuyin day, King Yuchang of Baekje was appointed bearer of staff with full powers, commissioner-in-chief, and governor of Eastern Qing Province.
59
二月壬寅，以錄尚書事、蘭陵王長恭為太尉，幷省錄尚書事趙彥深為司空，尚書令和士開錄尚書事，左僕射徐之才為尚書令，右僕射唐邕為左僕射，吏部尚書馮子琮為右僕射。
In the second month, on the renyin day, Prince Changgong of Lanling, recorder of the Masters of Writing, was made grand commandant; Zhao Yanshen of the Bing Masters of Writing, recorder of the Masters of Writing, was appointed minister of works; Chief Minister He Shikai was made recorder; Left Deputy Director Xu Zhicai was made chief minister; Right Deputy Director Tang Yong was made left deputy director; and Minister of Personnel Feng Zicong was made right deputy director.
60
夏四月壬午，以大司馬、琅邪王儼為太保。 甲午，陳遣使連和，謀伐周，朝議弗許。
In the fourth month of summer, on the renwu day, Grand Marshal Prince Yan of Langye was appointed grand guardian. On the jiawu day, envoys from Chen arrived proposing an alliance for a joint campaign against Zhou, but the court refused.
61
六月，段韶攻周汾州，克之，獲刺史楊敷。
In the sixth month, Duan Shao attacked Zhou's Fen Province, captured it, and took Governor Yang Fu prisoner.
62
秋七月庚午，太保、琅邪王儼矯詔殺錄尚書事和士開於南臺。 卽日誅領軍大將軍厙狄伏連、書侍御史王子宣等，尚書右僕射馮子琮賜死殿中。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the gengwu day, Grand Guardian Prince Yan of Langye used a forged edict to kill He Shikai, recorder of the Masters of Writing, at the Southern Terrace. That same day Leading Army General Kudivolian, secretary-attendant censor Wang Zixuan, and others were put to death; Feng Zicong, right deputy director of the Masters of Writing, was ordered to take his own life in the palace hall.
63
八月己亥，行幸晉陽。
In the eighth month, on the jihai day, the emperor went to Jinyang.
64
冬十月，罷京畿府入領軍府。 己亥，車駕至自晉陽。
In the tenth month of winter, the Capital Region Prefecture was abolished and absorbed into the Leading Army Prefecture. On the jihai day, the emperor returned from Jinyang.
65
十一月庚戌，詔侍中赫連子悅使於周。 丙寅，以徐州行臺、廣甯王孝珩錄尚書事。 庚午，以錄尚書事、廣甯王孝珩為司徒。 癸酉，以右丞相斛律光為左丞相。
In the eleventh month, on the gengxu day, an edict dispatched Palace Attendant Helian Ziyue as envoy to Zhou. On the bingyin day, Prince Xiaogong of Guangning, head of the Xu Province provisional secretariat, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing. On the gengwu day, Prince Xiaogong of Guangning, recorder of the Masters of Writing, was appointed minister over the masses. On the guiyou day, Right Chancellor Hulu Guang was made left chancellor.
66
三年春正月己巳，祀南郊。 辛亥，追贈故琅邪王儼為楚帝。
On the jisi day of the first month of spring in the third year, the emperor sacrificed at the Altar of Heaven in the southern suburb. On the xinhai day, the late Prince Yan of Langye was posthumously ennobled as emperor of Chu.
67
二月己卯，以衛菩薩為太尉。 辛巳，以幷省吏部尚書元海為尚書右僕射。 庚寅，以左僕射唐邕為尚書令，侍中祖珽為左僕射。 是月，勑撰《玄洲苑御覽》，後改名《聖壽堂御覽》。
In the second month, on the jimao day, Wei Pusa was appointed grand commandant. On the xinsi day, Yuan Hai, minister of personnel of the Bing Masters of Writing, was made right deputy director of the Masters of Writing. On the gengyin day, Left Deputy Director Tang Yong was made chief minister of the Masters of Writing, and Palace Attendant Zu Ting was appointed left deputy director. That month an order went out to compile the Imperial Reader of the Xuanzhou Garden, later renamed the Imperial Reader of the Hall of Sacred Longevity.
68
三月辛酉，詔文武官五品已上各舉一人。 是月，周誅冢宰宇文護。
In the third month, on the xinyou day, an edict required every civil and military official of the fifth rank or higher to recommend one candidate. That month Zhou put the regent Yuwen Hu to death.
69
夏四月，周人來聘。
In the fourth month of summer, envoys from Zhou arrived on a diplomatic visit.
70
秋七月戊辰，誅左丞相、咸陽王斛律光及其弟幽州行臺、荊山公豐樂。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the wuchen day, Left Chancellor Prince Hulu Guang of Xianyang and his younger brother Fengle, duke of Jingshan and head of the You Province provisional secretariat, were put to death.
71
八月庚寅，廢皇后斛律氏為庶人。 乙太宰、任城王湝為右丞相，太師、馮翊王潤為太尉，蘭陵王長恭為大司馬，廣甯王孝珩為大將軍，安德王延宗為司徒。 使領軍封輔相聘於周。 戊子，拜右昭儀胡氏為皇后。 己丑，以司州牧、北平王仁堅為尚書令，特進許季良為左僕射，彭城王寶德為右僕射。 癸巳，行幸晉陽。 是月，《聖壽堂御覽》成，勑付史閣。 後改為《修文殿御覽》。
In the eighth month, on the gengyin day, Empress Hulu was deposed and reduced to a commoner. Grand Preceptor Prince Jie of Rencheng was made right chancellor; Grand Preceptor Prince Run of Fenyang was appointed grand commandant; Prince Changgong of Lanling was made grand marshal; Prince Xiaogong of Guangning was made grand general; and Prince Yanzong of Ande was appointed minister over the masses. Leading Army Commandant Feng Fuxiang was sent as envoy to Zhou. On the wuzi day, Right Imperial Concubine Lady Hu was invested as empress. On the jichou day, Prince Renjian of Beiping, governor of Si Province, was made chief minister of the Masters of Writing; Xu Jiliang, special advancement, was appointed left deputy director; and Prince Baode of Pengcheng was made right deputy director. On the guisi day, the emperor went to Jinyang. That month the Imperial Reader of the Hall of Sacred Longevity was completed and ordered deposited in the historiography archives. It was later renamed the Imperial Reader of the Hall of Cultivating Culture.
72
九月，陳人來聘。
In the ninth month, envoys from Chen arrived on a diplomatic visit.
73
冬十月，降死罪已下囚。 甲午，拜弘德夫人穆氏為左皇后，大赦。
In the tenth month of winter, sentences were reduced for all prisoners convicted of capital crimes or lesser offenses. On the jiawu day, Lady Mu, lady of expanded virtue, was invested as left empress, and a general amnesty was proclaimed.
74
十二月辛丑，廢皇后胡氏為庶人。
In the twelfth month, on the xinchou day, Empress Hu was deposed and reduced to a commoner.
75
是歲，新羅、百濟、勿吉、突厥並遣使朝貢。 於周為建德元年。
That year envoys bearing tribute arrived from Silla, Baekje, Wuji, and the Turks. In Zhou this was the first year of the Jiande era.
76
四年春正月戊寅，以幷省尚書令高阿那肱為錄尚書事。 庚辰，詔兼散騎常侍崔象使於陳。 是月，鄴都、幷州並有狐媚，多截人髮。
On the wuyin day of the first month of spring in the fourth year, Gao Anagutai, chief minister of the Bing Masters of Writing, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing. On the gengchen day, an edict dispatched Concurrent Regular Attendant Cui Xiang as envoy to Chen. That month demonic foxes were reported in Ye and Bing Province, and many people had locks of their hair mysteriously shorn off.
77
二月乙巳，拜左皇后穆氏為皇后。 丙午，置文林館。 乙卯，以尚書令、北平王仁堅為錄尚書事。 丁巳，行幸晉陽。 是月，周人來聘。
In the second month, on the yisi day, Left Empress Lady Mu was invested as empress. On the bingwu day, the Wenlin Hall was established. On the yimao day, Prince Renjian of Beiping, chief minister of the Masters of Writing, was made recorder of the Masters of Writing. On the dingsi day, the emperor went to Jinyang. That month envoys from Zhou arrived on a diplomatic visit.
78
三月辛未，盜入信州，殺刺史和士休，南兗州刺史鮮于世榮討平之。 庚辰，車駕至晉陽。
In the third month, on the xinwei day, bandits entered Xin Province, killed Governor He Shixiu, and were put down by Xianyu Shirong, governor of Southern Yan Province. On the gengchen day, the emperor arrived at Jinyang.
79
夏四月戊午，以大司馬、蘭陵王長恭為太保，大將軍、定州刺史、南陽王綽為大司馬，太尉衛菩薩為大將軍，司徒、安德王延宗為太尉，司空、武興王普為司徒，開府儀同三司、宜陽王趙彥深為司空。 癸丑，祈皇祠壇壝蕝之內忽有車軌之轍，按驗傍無人跡，不知車所從來。 乙卯，詔以為大慶，班告天下。 己未，周人來聘。
In the fourth month of summer, on the wuwu day, Grand Marshal Prince Changgong of Lanling was appointed grand guardian; Grand General Prince Chuo of Nanyang, governor of Ding Province, was made grand marshal; Grand Commandant Wei Pusa was made grand general; Minister over the Masses Prince Yanzong of Ande was appointed grand commandant; Minister of Works Prince Pu of Wuxing was made minister over the masses; and Zhao Yanshen, bearer of the grand dignity of the state with the three honors and prince of Yiyang, was appointed minister of works. On the guichou day, chariot wheel ruts suddenly appeared within the enclosure of the imperial altar; investigators found no human tracks nearby and could not tell whence the chariot had come. On the yimao day, an edict declared the omen a great auspice and proclaimed it throughout the realm. On the jiwei day, envoys from Zhou arrived on a diplomatic visit.
80
五月丙子，詔史官更撰《魏書》。 癸巳，以領軍穆提婆為尚書左僕射，以侍中、中書監段孝言為右僕射。 是月，開府儀同三司尉破胡、長孫洪略等與陳將吳明徹戰於呂梁南，大敗，破胡走以免，洪略戰沒，遂陷秦、涇二州。 明徹進陷和、合二州。 是月，殺太保、蘭陵王長恭。
In the fifth month, on the bingzi day, an edict ordered the historiographers to compile a new Book of Wei. On the guisi day, Leading Army Commandant Mutipo was made left deputy director of the Masters of Writing, and Palace Attendant and Director of the Palace Secretariat Duan Xiaoyan was appointed right deputy director. That month Yu Pohu, bearer of the grand dignity of the state with the three honors, Zhangsun Honglue, and others fought Chen general Wu Mingche south of Luliang and were routed; Pohu fled to safety, Honglue was killed in battle, and Qin and Jing Provinces soon fell. Wu Mingche pressed forward and captured He and Hefei Provinces. That month Grand Guardian Prince Changgong of Lanling was put to death.
81
六月，明徹進軍圍壽陽。 壬子，幸南苑，從官暍死者六十人。 以錄尚書事高阿那肱為司徒。 丙辰，詔開府王師羅使於周。
In the sixth month Wu Mingche advanced and besieged Shouyang. On the renzi day, the emperor visited the Southern Park, and sixty attending officials died of heatstroke. Gao Anagutai, recorder of the Masters of Writing, was appointed minister over the masses. On the bingchen day, an edict dispatched Bearer of the Grand Dignity Wang Shiluo as envoy to Zhou.
82
九月，校獵于鄴東。
In the ninth month the court conducted a hunting expedition east of Ye.
83
冬十月，陳將吳明徹陷壽陽。 辛丑，殺侍中崔季舒、張彫虎，散騎常侍劉逖、封孝琰，黃門侍郎裴澤、郭遵。 癸卯，行幸晉陽。
In the tenth month of winter Chen general Wu Mingche captured Shouyang. On the xinchou day, Palace Attendants Cui Jishu and Zhang Diaohu, Regular Attendants Liu Ti and Feng Xiaoyan, and Yellow Gate Gentlemen Pei Ze and Guo Zun were put to death. On the guimao day, the emperor went to Jinyang.
84
十二月戊寅，以司徒高阿那肱為右丞相。 是歲，高麗、靺鞨並遣使朝貢，突厥使來求婚。
In the twelfth month, on the wuyin day, Minister over the Masses Gao Anagutai was made right chancellor. That year envoys bearing tribute arrived from Goguryeo and Mojie, and a Turk envoy came seeking a marriage alliance.
85
五年春正月乙丑，置左右娥英各一人。
On the yichou day of the first month of spring in the fifth year, one left and one right Eying were established.
86
二月乙未，車駕至自晉陽。 朔州行臺、南安王思好反。 辛丑，行幸晉陽。 尚書令唐邕等大破思好，思好投水死，焚其屍，並其妻李氏。 丁未，車駕至自晉陽。 甲寅，以尚書令唐邕為錄尚書事。
In the second month, on the yiwei day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. Prince Siho of Nan'an, head of the Shuozhou provisional secretariat, rebelled. On the xinchou day, the emperor went to Jinyang. Chief Minister Tang Yong and others routed Siho; Siho drowned himself, his corpse was burned, and his wife Lady Li was burned with it. On the dingwei day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. On the jiayin day, Chief Minister Tang Yong was made recorder of the Masters of Writing.
87
夏五月，大旱，晉陽得死魃，長二尺，面頂各二目。 帝聞之，便刻木為其形以獻。 庚午，大赦。 丁亥，陳人寇淮北。
In the fifth month of summer a severe drought struck; in Jinyang a drought demon was captured two feet long, with two eyes on its face and two on the crown of its head. When the emperor heard of it, he had a wooden figure carved in its likeness and presented it at court. On the gengwu day, a general amnesty was proclaimed. On the dinghai day, Chen forces raided the territory north of the Huai River.
88
秋八月癸卯，行幸晉陽。 甲辰，以高勱為尚書右僕射。
In the eighth month of autumn, on the guimao day, the emperor went to Jinyang. On the jiachen day, Gao Mai was appointed right deputy director of the Masters of Writing.
89
是歲，殺南陽王綽。
That year Prince Chuo of Nanyang was put to death.
90
六年春三月乙亥，車駕至自晉陽。 丁丑，烹妖賊鄭子饒於都市。 是月，周人來聘。
In the third month of spring of the sixth year, on the yihai day, the emperor returned from Jinyang. On the dingchou day, the sorcerer-rebel Zheng Zirao was boiled alive in the public marketplace. That month envoys from Zhou arrived on a diplomatic visit.
91
夏四月庚子，以中書監陽休之為尚書右僕射。 癸卯，靺鞨遣使朝貢。
In the fourth month of summer, on the gengzi day, Director of the Secretariat Yang Xiuzhi was appointed right vice director of the Masters of Writing. On the guimao day, envoys from Mojie arrived to pay court tribute.
92
秋七月甲戌，行幸晉陽。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the jiaxu day, the emperor went to Jinyang.
93
八月丁酉，冀、定、趙、幽、滄、瀛六州大水。 是月，周師入洛川，屯芒山，攻逼洛城，縱火船焚浮橋，河橋絕。
In the eighth month, on the dingyou day, Ji, Ding, Zhao, You, Cang, and Ying Provinces were struck by severe flooding. That month Zhou troops entered Luochuan, encamped at Mangshan, and pressed the siege of Luoyang; fire ships burned the pontoon bridge and severed the river crossing.
94
閏月己丑，遣右丞相高阿那肱自晉陽禦之，師次河陽，周師夜遁。 庚辰，以司空趙彥深為司徒，斛律阿列羅為司空。 辛巳，以軍國資用不足，稅關市、舟車、山澤、鹽鐵、店肆，輕重各有差，開酒禁。
In the intercalary month, on the jichou day, Right Chancellor Gao Anaggon was sent from Jinyang to oppose them; his army halted at Heyang, and the Zhou troops withdrew under cover of night. On the gengchen day, Minister of Works Zhao Yanshen was appointed minister over the masses, and Hulu Alieluo was made minister of works. On the xinsi day, with military and state coffers empty, the court taxed market tolls, transport, natural resources, salt and iron, and shops at graded rates, and lifted the ban on wine.
95
七年春正月壬辰，詔去秋已來，水潦人饑不自立者，所在付大寺及諸富戶濟其性命。 甲寅，大赦。 乙卯，車駕至自晉陽。
In the first month of spring of the seventh year, on the renchen day, an edict ordered that flood and famine victims unable to support themselves since the previous autumn be placed with major monasteries and wealthy households for relief. On the jiayin day, a general amnesty was proclaimed. On the yimao day, the emperor returned from Jinyang.
96
二月辛酉，括雜戶女年二十已下十四已上未嫁悉集省，隱匿者家長處死刑。 二月丙寅，風從西北起，發屋拔樹，五日乃止。
In the second month, on the xinyou day, unmarried women of miscellaneous households between fourteen and twenty were conscripted and sent to the capital, and any family head who hid them faced execution. In the second month, on the bingyin day, a windstorm from the northwest tore off roofs and uprooted trees and did not subside until the fifth day.
97
夏六月戊申朔，日有食之。 庚申，司徒趙彥深薨。
On the first day of the sixth month of summer, the wushen day, there was a solar eclipse. On the gengshen day, Minister over the Masses Zhao Yanshen died.
98
秋七月丁丑，大雨霖。 是月，以水澇遣使巡撫流亡人戶。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the dingchou day, torrential rains fell for many days. That month, because of flooding, envoys were sent to tour the provinces and aid displaced households.
99
八月丁卯，行幸晉陽。 雉集於御坐，獲之，有司不敢以聞。 詔營邯鄲宮。
In the eighth month, on the dingmao day, the emperor went to Jinyang. A pheasant alighted on the imperial throne; it was caught, but the officials dared not report the omen. An edict ordered construction of the Handan Palace.
100
冬十月丙辰，帝大狩於祁連池。 周師攻晉州。 癸亥，帝還晉陽。 甲子，出兵，大集晉祠。 庚午，帝發晉陽。 癸酉，帝列陣而行，上雞棲原，與周齊王憲相對，至夜不戰，周師斂陣而退。
In the tenth month of winter, on the bingchen day, the emperor held a great hunt at Qilian Pool. Zhou forces attacked Jin Province. On the guihai day, the emperor returned to Jinyang. On the jiazi day, the army was mobilized and assembled at the Jin Shrine. On the gengwu day, the emperor marched out from Jinyang. On the guiyou day, the emperor formed battle lines and advanced to Jiqiyuan, facing Prince Xian of Zhou; the two armies faced off until nightfall without engaging, and the Zhou troops then withdrew.
101
十一月，周武帝退還長安，留偏師守晉州。 高阿那肱等圍晉州城。 戊寅，帝至圍所。
In the eleventh month Emperor Wu of Zhou withdrew to Chang'an, leaving a detached force to garrison Jin Province. Gao Anaggon and others laid siege to Jin Province. On the wuyin day, the emperor arrived at the siege lines.
102
十二月戊申，周武帝來救晉州，庚戌，戰於城南，我軍大敗。 帝棄軍先還。 癸丑，入晉陽，憂懼不知所之。 甲寅，大赦。 帝謂朝臣曰：「周師甚盛，若何？」 群臣咸曰：「天命未改，一得一失，自古皆然。 宜停百賦，安慰朝野，收拾遺兵，背城死戰，以存社稷。」 帝意猶豫，欲向北朔州。 乃留安德王延宗、廣甯王孝珩等守晉陽。 若晉陽不守，卽欲奔突厥。 群臣皆曰不可，帝不從其言。 開府儀同三司賀拔伏恩、封輔相、慕容鐘葵等宿衛近臣三十餘人西奔周師。 乙卯，詔募兵，遣安德王廷宗為左，廣甯王孝珩為右。 延宗入見，帝告欲向北朔州。 延宗泣諫，不從。 帝密遣王康得與中人齊紹等送皇太后、皇太子於北朔州。 丙辰，帝幸城南軍，勞將士，其夜欲遁，諸將不從。 丁巳，大赦，改武平七年為隆化元年。 其日，穆提婆降周。 詔除安德王延宗為相國，委以備禦，延宗流涕受命。 帝乃夜斬五龍門而出，欲走突厥，從官多散。 領軍梅勝郎叩馬諫，乃廻之鄴。 時唯高阿那肱等十餘騎，廣甯王孝珩、襄城王彥道續至，得數十人同行。 戊午，延宗從衆議卽皇帝位於晉陽，改隆化為德昌元年。
In the twelfth month, on the wushen day, Emperor Wu of Zhou marched to relieve Jin Province; on the gengxu day battle was joined south of the city, and the Northern Qi army was routed. The emperor abandoned his army and fled ahead of the troops. On the guichou day he entered Jinyang, stricken with fear and at a loss for what to do. On the jiayin day, a general amnesty was proclaimed. The emperor asked his ministers: "The Zhou army is overwhelming—what are we to do?" The ministers replied as one that Heaven's mandate had not shifted and that kingdoms had always known both victory and defeat. They urged him to suspend every tax, steady court and countryside, rally the broken army, and make a last stand behind the city walls to save the realm. The emperor remained undecided and wanted to flee north to Shuozhou. He then left Prince Yanzong of Ande, Prince Xiaogong of Guangning, and others to hold Jinyang. If Jinyang fell, he planned to flee to the Turks. Every minister protested, but the emperor refused to listen. Heba Fu'en, Feng Fuxiang, Murong Zhongkui, and more than thirty other palace guards and intimate attendants deserted westward to the Zhou camp. On the yimao day, an edict called for levies and placed Prince Yanzong of Ande on the left flank and Prince Xiaogong of Guangning on the right. Yanzong came before the emperor, who confided that he meant to flee north to Shuozhou. Yanzong pleaded through tears, but the emperor would not be moved. The emperor secretly sent Wang Kangde and the eunuch Qi Shao to convey the empress dowager and crown prince north to Shuozhou. On the bingchen day the emperor went to the southern camp to rally the troops; that night he tried to flee, but his generals refused. On the dingsi day a general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name was changed from Wuping 7 to Longhua 1. That same day Mu Tipo defected to Zhou. An edict relieved Prince Yanzong of Ande of his post and made him grand chancellor with full authority over the defense; Yanzong accepted the charge in tears. That night the emperor cut through the Wulong Gate intending to flee to the Turks, and most of his attendants scattered. Leading Army Commander Mei Sheng seized his horse's bridle and pleaded with him, and the emperor turned back toward Ye. Only Gao Anaggon and a dozen riders were still with him; Prince Xiaogong of Guangning and Prince Yandao of Xiangcheng soon joined them, bringing their party to several dozen men. On the wuwu day Yanzong, bowing to the will of the assembly, immediately ascended the throne at Jinyang and changed the era name to Dechang 1.
103
庚申，帝入鄴。 辛酉，延宗與周師戰於晉陽，大敗，為周師所虜。 帝遣募人，重加官賞，雖有此言，而竟不出物。 廣甯王孝珩奏請出宮人及珍寶班賜將士，帝不悅。 斛律孝卿居中受委，帶甲以處分，請帝親勞，為帝撰辭，且曰宜慷慨流涕，感激人心。 帝旣出臨衆，將令之，不復記所受言，遂大笑，左右亦群咍，將士莫不解體。 於是自大丞相已下太宰、三師、大司馬、大將軍、三公等官並增員而授，或三或四，不可勝數。 甲子，皇太后從北道至。 引文武一品已上入朱華門，賜酒食，給紙筆，問以禦周之方。 群臣各異議，帝莫知所從。 又引高元海、宋士素、盧思道、李德林等，欲議禪位皇太子。 先是望氣者言，當有革易，終是依天統故事，授位幼主。
On the gengshen day the emperor entered Ye. On the xinyou day Yanzong fought the Zhou army at Jinyang, was defeated, and was taken prisoner. The emperor called for recruits with lavish promises of rank and reward, but in the end provided nothing. Prince Xiaogong of Guangning petitioned to distribute palace women and treasures among the troops, and the emperor took offense. Hulu Xiaoqing, wielding delegated authority at court, appeared in armor to direct affairs; he urged the emperor to address the troops in person, drafted a speech for him, and said he should speak through generous tears to stir their hearts. When the emperor appeared before the troops and tried to speak, he forgot every word he had been given and burst out laughing; his attendants joined in, and the soldiers' morale collapsed entirely. Thereupon posts from grand chancellor down through grand tutor, the three preceptors, grand marshal, grand general, and the three dukes were multiplied, some offices filled three or four at a time, beyond number. On the jiazi day the empress dowager arrived by the northern road. He summoned civil and military officials of the first rank and above to the Zhuhua Gate, feasted them, supplied paper and brush, and asked how Zhou might be resisted. Each minister offered a different plan, and the emperor could not decide whom to follow. He then summoned Gao Yuanhai, Song Shisu, Lu Sidao, Li Delin, and others to discuss abdicating in favor of the crown prince. Earlier court diviners had foretold a change of dynasty; in the end the court followed the Tian Tong precedent and transferred the throne to Youzhu.
104
幼主名恒，帝之長子也。 母曰穆皇后，武平元年六月生於鄴。 其年十月，立為皇太子。
Youzhu, whose personal name was Heng, was the emperor's eldest son. His mother was Empress Mu; he was born at Ye in the sixth month of the first year of the Wuping era. In the tenth month of that year he was formally established as crown prince.
105
隆化二年春正月乙亥，卽皇帝位，時八歲，改元為承光元年，大赦，尊皇太后為太皇太后，帝為太上皇帝，後為太上皇后。 於是黃門侍郎顏之推、中書侍郎薛道衡、侍中陳德信等勸太上皇帝往河外募兵，更為經略，若不濟，南投陳國，從之。 丁丑，太皇太后、太上皇后自鄴先趣濟州。 周師漸逼，癸未，幼主又自鄴東走。 己丑，周師至紫陌橋。 癸巳，燒城西門。 太上皇將百餘騎東走。 乙亥，渡河入濟州。 其日，幼主禪位於大丞相、任城王湝，令侍中斛律孝卿送禪文及璽紱於瀛州，孝卿乃以之歸周。 又為任城王詔，尊太上皇為無上皇，幼主為守國天王。 留太皇太后濟州，遣高阿那肱留守。 太上皇並皇后攜幼主走青州，韓長鸞、鄧顒等數十人從。 太上皇旣至青州，卽為入陳之計。 而高阿那肱召周軍，約生致齊主，而屢使人告言，賊軍在遠，已令人燒斷橋路。 太上所以停緩。 周軍奄至青州，太上窘急，將遜於陳，置金囊於鞍後，與長鸞、淑妃等十數騎至青州南鄧村，為周將尉遲綱所獲。 送鄴，周武帝與抗賓主禮，並太后、幼主、諸王俱送長安，封帝溫國公。 至建德七年，誣與宜州刺史穆提婆謀反，及延宗等數十人無少長咸賜死，神武子孫所存者一二而已。 至大象末，陽休之、陳德信等啟大丞相隋公，請收葬，聽之，葬長安北原洪瀆川。
In the first month of spring of Longhua 2, on the yihai day, he immediately ascended the throne at the age of eight; the era was renamed Chengguang 1; a general amnesty was proclaimed; the empress dowager was elevated to grand empress dowager; the former emperor became retired emperor; and the empress became retired empress. Yellow Gate Gentleman Yan Zhitui, Masters of Writing Gentleman Xue Daohang, Palace Attendant Chen Dexin, and others then urged the retired emperor to cross the Yellow River to raise troops and regroup; if that failed, they should flee south to Chen—and he agreed. On the dingchou day the grand empress dowager and retired empress departed Ye ahead of the court and hurried toward Ji Province. As Zhou forces closed in, on the guimao day Youzhu fled east from Ye once more. On the jichou day the Zhou army reached Zimo Bridge. On the guisi day the western gate of the city was set ablaze. The retired emperor fled east with barely a hundred riders. On the yihai day he crossed the river and entered Ji Province. That same day Youzhu abdicated in favor of Grand Chancellor Prince Ji of Rencheng and ordered Palace Attendant Hulu Xiaoqing to convey the abdication text and imperial seal and cord to Ying Province—but Xiaoqing delivered them to Zhou instead. Prince Ji also issued an edict in his own name, elevating the retired emperor to supreme retired emperor and naming Youzhu guardian king of the realm. The grand empress dowager was left at Ji Province with Gao Anaggon assigned to hold the city. The retired emperor, the empress, and Youzhu fled toward Qing Province with Han Changluan, Deng Yan, and several dozen followers. Once the retired emperor reached Qing Province, he immediately set about planning flight into Chen. But Gao Anaggon had summoned the Zhou army, promising to deliver the Qi ruler alive, while repeatedly reporting that the enemy was still distant and that he had already burned the bridges and roads. That is why the retired emperor paused and delayed his flight. The Zhou army suddenly appeared at Qing Province; cornered and about to slip into Chen, the retired emperor hung a gold pouch from his saddle and rode south with Changluan, his consort, and a dozen followers to Deng Village south of the city, where Zhou general Yuchi Gang seized them. They were sent to Ye, where Emperor Wu of Zhou received the retired emperor with the courtesies due an equal; the empress dowager, Youzhu, and the princes were all sent to Chang'an, and the retired emperor was enfeoffed as Duke of Wen. In the seventh year of the Jiande era he was falsely accused of plotting rebellion with Mu Tipo, governor of Yizhou; Yanzong and dozens of others, young and old alike, were put to death; of Shenwu's descendants only one or two survived. By the end of the Daxiang era Yang Xiuzhi, Chen Dexin, and others petitioned Grand Chancellor the Duke of Sui for permission to bury the remains; he consented, and they were interred at Hongdu Stream on the northern plain of Chang'an.
106
帝幼而令善，及長，頗學綴文，置文林館，引諸文士焉。 而言語澀呐，無志度，不喜見朝士。 自非寵私昵狎，未嘗交語，性懦不堪，人視者，卽有忿責。 其奏事者，雖三公令錄莫得仰視，皆略陳大旨，驚走而出。 每災異寇盜水旱，亦不貶損，唯諸處設齋，以此為修德。 雅信巫覡，解禱無方。
As a boy the emperor was well behaved; as he grew he took up literary composition, established the Forest of Letters Hall, and gathered scholars there. Yet he spoke haltingly, lacked firm purpose, and disliked receiving court officials. Unless they were favorites or intimate companions he never spoke with them; craven and unable to endure being watched, he would fly into a rage at anyone who looked at him. Even the three dukes and chief ministers reporting to him dared not meet his gaze; they could only outline the gist of their business and flee in alarm. Whenever disaster, banditry, flood, or drought struck, he never cut spending or humbled himself; he merely ordered vegetarian offerings here and there, calling that moral cultivation. He put blind faith in shamans and knew no remedy for prayer or expiation beyond them.
107
初琅邪王舉兵，人告者誤云厙狄伏連反，帝曰：「此必仁威也。」 又斛律光死後，諸武官舉高思好堪大將軍，帝曰：「思好喜反。」 皆如所言。 遂自以策無遺算，乃益驕縱。 盛為無愁之曲，帝自彈胡琵琶而唱之，侍和之者以百數。 人間謂之無愁天子。 嘗出見羣厲，盡殺之，或剝人面皮而視之。
When the Prince of Langye first rose in arms, an informant wrongly reported that Kudivolian had rebelled, and the emperor said this must be Renwei. Later, after Hulu Guang's death, the military officers recommended Gao Sihao for grand general, and the emperor said Sihao was always ready to rebel. On every occasion events proved exactly as he had predicted. Convinced that his stratagems were flawless, he grew ever more arrogant and unrestrained. He lavishly composed the "Song Without Sorrow," playing the foreign pipa and singing it himself while hundreds joined in chorus. The people called him the Carefree Son of Heaven. Once, going abroad, he encountered a crowd of the plague-stricken and had them all killed; on other occasions he flayed men's faces and studied them.
108
任陸令萱、和士開、高阿那肱、穆提婆、韓長鸞等宰製天下，陳德信、鄧長顒、何洪珍參預機權。 各引親党，超居非次，官由財進，獄以賄成，其所以亂政害人，難以備載。 諸宮奴婢、閹人、商人、胡戶、雜戶、歌舞人、見鬼人濫得富貴者將萬數，庶姓封王者百數，不復可紀。 開府千餘，儀同無數。 領軍一時二十，連判文書，各作依字，不具姓名，莫知誰也。 諸貴寵祖禰追贈官，歲一進，位極乃止。
He put Lu Lingxuan, He Shikai, Gao Anaggon, Mu Tipo, Han Changluan, and others in charge of the realm, while Chen Dexin, Deng Changyang, and He Hongzhen shared in the secret levers of power. Each man installed his own faction in ranks they did not deserve; offices were bought and verdicts bought off—their corruption and cruelty are beyond full reckoning. Palace slaves, eunuchs, merchants, foreign and miscellaneous households, singers, dancers, and spirit-mediums who undeservedly grew rich and powerful numbered nearly ten thousand; commoners raised to princely rank ran to the hundreds—too many to count. Open-office grandees numbered more than a thousand; protocol-equal titles were beyond counting. At one point there were twenty army-inspectors-general at once; they countersigned documents in succession, each writing only the assent character yi without a full name, so no one could tell who had approved what. Every favorite noble had ancestors and forebears posthumously promoted one rank each year until the highest offices were reached.
109
宮掖婢皆封郡君，宮女寶衣玉食者五百餘人，一裙直萬疋，鏡臺直千金，競為變巧，朝衣夕弊。 承武成之奢麗，以為帝王當然。 乃更增益宮苑，造偃武修文臺，其嬪嬙諸宮中起鏡殿、寶殿、瑇瑁殿，丹青雕刻，妙極當時。 又於晉陽起十二院，壯麗逾於鄴下。 所愛不恒，數毀而又復。 夜則以火照作，寒則以湯為泥，百工困窮，無時休息。 鑿晉陽西山為大佛像，一夜然油萬盆，光照宮內。 又為胡昭儀起大慈寺，未成，改為穆皇后大寶林寺，窮極工巧，運石填泉，勞費億計，人牛死者不可勝紀。 御馬則藉以氊罽，食物有十餘種，將合牝牡，則設青廬，具牢饌而親觀之。 狗則飼以粱肉。 馬及鷹犬乃有儀同、郡君之號，故有赤彪儀同、逍遙郡君、淩霄郡君，高思好書所謂「駮龍、逍遙」者也。 犬於馬上設褥以抱之，鬬雞亦號開府，犬馬雞鷹多食縣幹。 鷹之入養者，稍割犬肉以飼之，至數日乃死。
Palace maids were all made commandery ladies; more than five hundred palace women lived in jeweled robes and jade fare—a single skirt cost ten thousand bolts of silk, a mirror stand a thousand in gold—as they vied in novelty, morning garments were rags by evening. Taking Wucheng's extravagance as his model, he assumed such luxury was an emperor's due. He further expanded the palaces and parks, built the Retire-the-Arms-and-Cultivate-Culture Terrace, and within the consorts' quarters raised the Mirror Hall, Treasure Hall, and Horn Hall, painted and carved with a brilliance unmatched in the age. At Jinyang he also built twelve courtyards, grander even than those at Ye. His favorites shifted without cease; he tore down and rebuilt again and again. Work continued by torchlight at night; in cold weather hot water stood in for mortar; craftsmen were driven to exhaustion without pause. He carved a colossal Buddha from the western hills of Jinyang; in one night ten thousand basins of oil burned so brightly that the palace interior glowed. He also raised the Great Compassion Temple for Lady Hu; before it was finished it was turned into the Great Treasure Grove Temple for Empress Mu, wrought with every artifice—stone hauled in to fill springs—at a cost in the hundreds of millions, with human and ox deaths beyond counting. Imperial horses slept on felt rugs and ate more than ten kinds of feed; when they were to mate, a green enclosure was erected, a full feast laid out, and the emperor watched in person. Dogs were fed on millet and meat. Horses, hawks, and dogs even held titles of protocol equal and commandery lady—Red Tiger Protocol Equal, Carefree Commandery Lady, Sky-Piercing Commandery Lady—the "Dappled Dragon" and "Carefree" of whom Gao Sihao wrote. Dogs rode on horseback in cushioned arms; fighting cocks were styled open-office grandees; dogs, horses, cocks, and hawks were fed chiefly on county-dried rations. Hawks brought in for training were fed dog meat bit by bit until they died within days.
110
又於華林園立貧窮村舍，帝自弊衣為乞食兒。 又為窮兒之市，躬自交易。 嘗築西鄙諸城，使人衣黑衣為羌兵，鼓噪淩之，親率內參臨拒，或實彎弓射人。 自晉陽東巡，單馬馳騖，衣解髮散而歸。
In the Hualin Garden he built wretched village huts and himself, in ragged clothes, played the begging child. He also opened a beggar-children's market and haggled there himself. Once he rebuilt the western frontier forts and had men dress in black as Qiang troops, who clamored and pressed the attack; he personally led palace attendants to repel them, sometimes drawing his bow and shooting real people. On an eastern tour from Jinyang he galloped alone and returned with his clothes undone and hair flying loose.
111
又好不急之務，曾一夜索蠍，及旦得三升。 特愛非時之物，取求火急，皆須朝徵夕辦，當勢者因之，貸一而責十焉。 賦斂日重，徭役日繁，人力旣殫，幣藏空竭。 乃賜諸佞幸賣官。 或得郡兩三，或得縣六七，各分州郡，下逮鄉官亦多降中旨，故有勑用州主簿，勑用郡功曹。 於是州縣職司多出富商大賈，競為貪縱，人不聊生。 爰自鄴都及諸州郡，所在徵稅，百端俱起。 凡此諸役，皆漸於武成，至帝而增廣焉。 然未嘗有帷薄淫穢，唯此事頗優於武成云。
He also loved trifling amusements; once he demanded scorpions overnight, and by dawn three sheng had been collected. He especially craved out-of-season goods and wanted them at once—everything had to be supplied between morning and evening; men in power turned this to profit, lending at one and collecting ten. Taxes grew heavier by the day and corvée more burdensome; when human strength was spent, the treasury stood empty. Thereupon he granted his flatterers and favorites the privilege of selling offices. Some bought two or three commanderies, others six or seven counties; they carved up provinces and commanderies, and even village posts were often filled by secret imperial order—provincial clerks by edict, commandery clerks by edict. Soon provincial and county offices went mostly to great merchants and traffickers, who vied in greed and excess until the people could no longer live. From Ye and through every province and commandery, exactions sprang up on every side. All these burdens had begun gradually under Wucheng and were greatly expanded under Houzhu. Yet there was said to be no licentiousness within the inner quarters—in that alone he was somewhat better than Wucheng.
112
初河清末，武成夢大蝟攻破鄴城，故索境內蝟膏以絕之。 識者以後主名聲與蝟相協，亡齊徵也。 又婦人皆剪剔以著假髻，而危邪之狀如飛鳥，至於南面，則髻心正西。 始自宮內為之，被於四遠，天意若曰元首剪落，危側當走西也。 又為刀子者刃皆狹細，名曰盡勢。 游童戲者好以兩手持繩，拂地而卻上跳，且唱曰「高末」，高未之言，蓋高氏運祚之末也。 然則亂亡之數蓋有兆云。
Near the end of the Heqing era Wucheng dreamed that a great hedgehog broke into Ye, and ordered hedgehog fat collected throughout the realm to exterminate them. Those who read omens noted that Houzhu's personal name Wei echoed hedgehog—a portent of Northern Qi's fall. Women trimmed and shaved their hair to wear false topknots tilted like flying birds; when facing south, the crown of the topknot pointed due west. It began in the palace and spread to the four quarters; Heaven seemed to say the ruler's hair was shorn and, in peril and skew, he would flee west. Knives were made with blades all narrow and fine, named "Exhausting Power." Street children liked to take ropes in both hands, sweep the ground and leap upward, singing "gao mo"—"Gao's end," meaning the end of the Gao clan's fortune. Thus the signs of ruin and extinction were already plain.
113
論曰：武成風度高爽，經算弘長，文武之官，俱盡其力，有帝王之量矣。 但愛狎庸豎，委以朝權，帷薄之間，淫侈過度，滅亡之兆，其在斯乎？ 玄象告變，傳位元子，名號雖殊，政猶己出，跡有虛飾，事非憲典，聰明臨下，何易可誣。 又河南、河間、樂陵等諸王，或以時嫌，或以猜忌，皆無罪而殞，非所謂知命任天道之義也。
Commentary: Wucheng's bearing was lofty and open, his designs far-reaching; civil and military officials all gave their full strength—he had the stature of an emperor. But he doted on vulgar favorites and entrusted them with court power; within the inner quarters his excess knew no bounds—the seed of extinction lay here. Celestial signs warned of change, and he transferred the throne to his eldest son—titles changed, yet power still flowed from him; the gesture was hollow, the act outside the law—with such intelligence ruling from above, how could he be easily deceived? Moreover the princes of Henan, Hejian, Leling, and others—whether from timely suspicion or mutual jealousy—all died though guilty of nothing; this was not knowing one's fate and yielding to Heaven's way.
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後主以中庸之姿，懷易染之性，永言先訓，教匪義方。 始自繈褓，至于傳位，隔以正人，閉其善道。 養德所履，異乎春誦夏弦； 過庭所聞，莫非不軌不物。 輔之以中宮嬭媼，屬之以麗色淫聲，縱韝絏之娛，恣朋淫之好。 語曰「從惡若崩」，蓋言其易。 武平在御，彌見淪胥，罕接朝士，不親政事，一日萬機，委諸凶族。 內侍帷幄，外吐絲綸，威厲風霜，志廻天日，虐人害物，搏噬無厭，賣獄鬻官，溪壑難滿。 重以名將貽禍，忠臣顯戮，始見浸弱之萌，俄觀土崩之勢，周武因機，遂混區夏，悲夫！ 蓋桀、紂罪人，其亡也忽焉，自然之理矣。
Houzhu was mediocre in talent and easily corrupted; speak as one will of his father's instruction, the teaching was not the righteous way. From swaddling clothes until he took the throne he was kept from upright men and shut off from the good path. The path by which he was raised to virtue was not spring recitation and summer lyre-playing; what he heard in the courtyard was nothing but what strayed from rule and decency. Palace wet-nurses from the inner quarters raised him; he was given over to beautiful women and lascivious music—indulging hawking and leash sport and debauched companions without restraint. The saying goes, "Following evil is like an avalanche"—meaning how swiftly it comes. Under the Wuping reign he sank ever deeper—rarely receiving court officials, never handling government himself; the ten thousand affairs of each day he handed to a vicious clan. They waited on him within the curtains and issued commands without, fierce as frost and wind, their will overturning sun and sky—tormenting men and ruining things, devouring without surfeit, selling prisons and vending offices, gorges and ravines they could never fill. To this were added the ruin of famous generals and the public execution of loyal ministers—first the first shoots of weakness, then suddenly the momentum of collapse; Emperor Wu of Zhou seized the moment and unified the realm—alas! Jie and Zhou were criminals; their fall came in a flash—it is the natural order.
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鄭文貞公魏徵總而論之曰：神武以雄傑之姿，始基霸業； 文襄以英明之略，伐叛柔遠。 于時喪君有君，師出以律。 河陰之役，摧宇文如反掌； 渦陽之戰，掃侯景如拉枯。 故能氣攝西鄰，威加南服，王室是賴，東夏宅心。 文宣因累世之資，膺樂推之會，地居當璧，遂遷魏鼎。 懷譎詭非常之才，運屈奇不測之智，網羅俊乂，明察臨下，文武名臣，盡其力用。 親戎出塞，命將臨江，定單于於龍城，納長君於梁國，外內充實，疆埸無警，胡騎息其南侵，秦人不敢東顧。 旣而荒淫敗德，罔念作狂，為善未能亡身，餘殃足以傳後。 得以壽終，幸也，胤嗣不永，宜哉。 孝昭地逼身危，逆取順守，外敷文教，內蘊雄圖，將以牢籠區域，奄一函夏，享齡不永，勣用無成。 若或天假之年，足使秦、吳旰食。 武成卽位，雅道陵遲，昭、襄之風，漼焉已墜。 洎乎後主，外內崩離，衆潰於平陽，身離於青土。 天道深遠，或未易談，吉凶由人，抑可揚榷。
Duke Wen Zhen of Zheng, Wei Zheng, summing up the matter, said: Shenwu, with the stature of a heroic champion, laid the foundation of hegemony; Wenxiang, with brilliant strategy, chastised rebels and pacified the distant. In those days when a ruler died another stood ready; armies marched by rule and measure. At Heyin he shattered the Yuwen as easily as turning one's hand; At Woyang he swept Hou Jing aside like snapping dry wood. Thus he overawed the western neighbors and extended his authority over the southern domains—the royal house relied on him, and the eastern lands gave him their hearts. Wenxuan, drawing on the resources of generations and accepting the moment when all urged him forward—standing where the jade token lay—thereupon moved the Wei dynasty's tripod. He possessed extraordinary cunning and deployed unpredictable stratagems; he gathered the outstanding, ruled with clear scrutiny below, and civil and military luminaries gave their full service. He personally campaigned beyond the frontier and ordered generals to the Yangtze; he settled the Chanyu at Dragon City and installed a long-reigning lord in Liang territory; inner and outer were full, the borders quiet—the Hu cavalry ceased their southern raids and the Qin people dared not look east. Yet afterward he debauched himself and ruined virtue, forgot all restraint and ran wild—virtue could not save his person, but the after-suffering was enough to pass to posterity. That he died at full span of years was good fortune; that his line did not endure was fitting. Xiaozhao, pressed by terrain and endangered in person, seized in defiance and held through compliance—outwardly spreading civil culture, inwardly harboring heroic designs, intending to encompass the realm and unite all within the four seas—he did not enjoy a long reign, and his merit went unrealized. Had Heaven granted him more years, he would have been enough to make Qin and Wu eat late at their meals. When Wucheng took the throne, elegant culture declined—the spirit of Zhao and Xiang had already fallen away. By Houzhu's time inner and outer had collapsed—the army routed at Pingyang, his person seized in Qing Province. Heaven's way is deep and distant—perhaps not easy to discuss; fortune and disaster depend on men—that much can be weighed and judged.
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觀夫有齊全盛，控帶遐阻，西苞汾、晉，南極江、淮，東盡海隅，北漸沙漠，六國之地，我獲其五，九州之境，彼分其四。 料甲兵之衆寡，校帑藏之虛實，折衝千里之將，帷幄六奇之士，比二方之優劣，無等級以寄言。 然其太行、長城之固自若也，江淮、汾晉之險不移也，帑藏輸稅之賦未虧也，士庶甲兵之衆不缺也； 然而前王用之而有餘，後主守之而不足，其故何哉？ 前王之御時也，沐雨櫛風，拯其溺而救其焚，信賞必罰，安而利之，旣與共其存亡，故得同其生死。 後主則不然，以人從欲，損物益己。 雕牆峻宇，甘酒嗜音，廛肆遍於宮園，禽色荒於外內，俾晝作夜，罔水行舟，所欲必成，所求必得。 旣不軌不物，又暗於聽受，忠信不聞，萋斐必入，視人如草芥，從惡如順流。 佞閹處當軸之權，婢媼擅廻天之力，賣官鬻獄，亂政淫刑，刳剒被於忠良，祿位加於犬馬，讒邪並進，法令多聞，持瓢者非止百人，搖樹者不唯一手，於是土崩瓦解，衆叛親離，顧瞻周道，咸有西歸之志，方更盛其宮觀，窮極荒淫，謂黔首之可誣，指白日以自保。 馳倒戈之旅，抗前歌之師，五世崇基，一舉而滅，豈非鐫金石者難為功，摧枯朽者易為力歟？
Consider Northern Qi at its height—it commanded vast barriers; west it embraced Fen and Jin, south it reached the Yangtze and Huai, east to the sea's edge, north to the desert's edge; of the Six States' lands it held five parts; of the Nine Provinces' territory rivals held four. Count armed hosts, compare treasuries full or empty, generals who could repel at a thousand li, strategists of the six arts in the tent—weigh the two sides' strengths and weaknesses, and there was no gradation by which to speak. Yet the Taihang and Great Wall defenses stood as firm as ever; the Yangtze-Huai and Fen-Jin barriers did not shift; stored treasure and delivered taxes were not diminished; commoners and armed hosts were not lacking; Yet the former kings used them with surplus while Houzhu held them and found them insufficient—why? When the former kings ruled, they endured rain and braved wind, rescued the drowning and saved those in fire, kept rewards and penalties sure, secured and benefited the people—having shared survival and ruin, they shared life and death. Houzhu was not so—he made men serve his desires and harmed things to enrich himself. Carved walls and towering chambers, sweet wine and love of music—markets filled palace gardens, birds and women ran riot within and without; he made day into night and sailed boats on dry land—what he wished was done, what he sought was gained. Neither keeping to rule nor decency, he was blind in what he heard—loyalty and faith went unheard, slander always entered; he viewed men like weeds and followed evil like drifting downstream. Flatterers and eunuchs held pivot power; maids and wet-nurses wielded Heaven-turning authority—selling offices, vending prisons, ruining government with licentious punishments; disemboweling reached the loyal and good, salary and rank fell on dogs and horses; slander and wickedness advanced together, and legal penalties multiplied—the bearers of gourds were not merely a hundred, nor those shaking the tree only one hand; thereupon the realm collapsed and bonds dissolved, the masses rebelled and kin deserted; gazing on the Zhou road, all had the will to go west—and yet he only expanded his palaces and towers further, pursuing debauchery to the limit, thinking the common people could be deceived and pointing to the white sun to preserve himself. He rushed troops who turned their spears to meet armies singing ahead of them—a five-generation foundation destroyed in one stroke—is it not that carving stone and metal is hard work, while crushing dry rot is easy?
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抑又聞之：皇天無親，唯德是輔； 天時不如地利，地利不如人和。 齊自河清之後，逮于武平之末，土木之功不息，嬪嬙之選無已，征稅盡，人力殫，物產無以給其求，江海不能贍其欲。 所謂火旣熾矣，更負薪以足之，數旣窮矣，又為惡以促之，欲求大廈不燔，延期過曆，不亦難乎！ 由此言之，齊氏之敗亡，蓋亦由人，匪唯天道也。
It is further said: August Heaven has no favorites—it assists only virtue; Heavenly time is not as good as earthly advantage; earthly advantage is not as good as human accord. From after Heqing until the end of Wuping, Northern Qi knew no cease of construction in earth and wood, no end of selecting consorts and concubines—taxes exhausted, human strength spent; its products could not supply his demands, rivers and seas could not satisfy his appetites. As the saying goes—the fire already blazing, yet adding fuel to feed it; the tally already spent, yet doing evil to hasten ruin—to seek that a great house not burn, or that one's term be extended beyond its reckoning—is that not difficult! From this it follows that the fall of the Qi house was also through men, not Heaven's way alone.
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全文以中華書局、一九七二年十一月、第一版《北齊書》為本校。
The full text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju first edition of the Book of Northern Qi (November 1972).