1
太祖道武帝太宗明元帝
Emperor Daowu the Grand Progenitor; Emperor Mingyuan the Grand Successor.
2
魏之先，出自黃帝軒轅氏。 黃帝子曰昌意，昌意之少子受封北國，有大鮮卑山，因以為號。 其後世為君長，統幽都之北廣莫之野，畜牧遷徙，射獵為業，淳樸為俗，簡易為化，不為文字，刻木結繩而已。 時事遠近，人相傳授，如史官之紀錄焉。 黃帝以土德王。 北俗謂土為托，謂後為跋，故以為氏。 其裔始均，仕堯時，逐女魃于弱水，北人賴其勳，舜命為田祖。 曆三代至秦、漢，獯鬻、獫狁、山戎、匈奴之屬，累代作害中州。 而始均之裔不交南夏，是以載籍無聞。 積六七十代，至成皇帝諱毛立，統國三十六，大姓九十九，威振北方。 成帝崩，節皇帝貸立。 節帝崩，莊皇帝觀立。 莊帝崩，明皇帝樓立。 明帝崩，安皇帝越立。 安帝崩，宣皇帝推寅立。 宣帝南遷大澤，方千餘里，厥土昏冥沮洳，謀更南徙，未行而崩。 景皇帝利立。 景帝崩，元皇帝俟立。 元帝崩，和皇帝肆立。 和帝崩，定皇帝機立。 定帝崩，僖皇帝蓋立。 僖帝崩，威皇帝儈立。 威帝崩，獻皇帝鄰立。 時有神人，言此土荒遐，宜徙建都邑。 獻帝年老，乃以位授于聖武皇帝，命南移。 山谷高深，九難八阻，於是欲止。 有神獸，似馬，其聲類牛，導引歷年乃出，始居匈奴故地。 其遷徙策略，多出宣、獻二帝，故時人並號曰推寅，蓋俗雲鑽研之義。
The Wei line traced its descent to the Yellow Emperor Xuan Yuan. The Yellow Emperor's son Changyi had a youngest son enfeoffed in the northland; Great Xianbei Mountain gave the people their name. Generation after generation they ruled the far north beyond Youdu: pastoral wanderers who hunted for a living, cherished plain ways, shunned writing, and remembered the past only by notched wood and knotted cord. Near events and distant ones alike were handed down mouth to mouth, much like an archivist's chronicle. The Yellow Emperor reigned through the power of Earth. Northern speech called earth tuo and “behind” ba, and from those words came the name Tuoba. Their descendant Shi Jun served under Yao, drove the drought demon Ba beyond the Weak Waters, and won such gratitude from the north that Shun named him lord of the fields. From the Three Dynasties through Qin and Han, Xiongnu and kindred peoples such as Xunyu, Xianyun, and Shanrong harried the heartland again and again. Shi Jun's line kept apart from the southern realms, and therefore left no trace in the written histories. Sixty or seventy generations later Emperor Cheng, whose taboo name was Mao, came to power over thirty-six domains and ninety-nine great clans, and his authority awed the north. Cheng Emperor died; Jie Emperor, taboo name Dai, took the throne. Jie Emperor died; Zhuang Emperor, taboo name Guan, succeeded. Zhuang Emperor died; Ming Emperor, taboo name Lou, succeeded. Ming Emperor died; An Emperor, taboo name Yue, succeeded. An Emperor died; Xuan Emperor, taboo name Tuiyin, succeeded. Xuan Emperor led his people south to the Great Marsh, more than a thousand li across, where the ground lay dark and sodden. He meant to push farther south, but died before the march began. Jing Emperor, taboo name Li, came to the throne. Jing Emperor died; Yuan Emperor, taboo name Hou, succeeded. Yuan Emperor died; He Emperor, taboo name Si, succeeded. He Emperor died; Ding Emperor, taboo name Ji, succeeded. Ding Emperor died; Xi Emperor, taboo name Gai, succeeded. Xi Emperor died; Wei Emperor, taboo name Kuai, succeeded. Wei Emperor died; Xian Emperor, taboo name Lin, succeeded. A spirit-man appeared and declared the country too desolate for a capital; they must migrate and build anew. Xian Emperor, grown old, abdicated in favor of the Holy Martial Emperor and commanded the nation to move south. Deep gorges and towering ridges blocked the way at every turn, and the people longed to stop. A spirit-beast resembling a horse but lowing like an ox guided them for years until they broke free and made their home in the old Xiongnu country. The plans behind the great migration were chiefly those of Xuan and Xian Emperors, so contemporaries called them both Tuiyin, meaning in folk speech to probe and weigh matters closely.
3
聖武皇帝諱詰汾，嘗田於山澤，欻見輜軿自天而下。 既至，見美婦人自稱天女，受命相偶。 旦日請還，期年周時復會於此，言終而別。 及期，帝至先田處，果見天女，以所生男授帝，曰：「此君之子也，當世為帝王。」 語訖而去。 即始祖神元皇帝也。 故時人諺曰：「詰汾皇帝無婦家，力微皇帝無舅家。」 帝崩，神元皇帝立。
Holy Martial Emperor Jiefen was hunting in the hills when a curtained carriage dropped out of the sky. From it stepped a radiant woman who called herself a daughter of Heaven and said fate had joined her to him. At daybreak she begged leave to go, promising to return to the same place when the year had come full circle, and vanished. At the appointed season the Emperor returned to the hunting ground and found the heavenly maiden, who placed the boy she had borne in his arms and said, "He is your son, and in his day he shall rule as emperor. With that she was gone. That child was the Progenitor, Shenyuan Emperor. Hence the proverb: "Jiefen Emperor had no in-laws; Liwei Emperor had no uncles on his mother's side. When Holy Martial Emperor died, Shenyuan Emperor took the throne.
4
神元皇帝諱力微。 元年，歲在庚子，先是西部內侵，依于沒鹿回部大人竇賓。 神元有雄傑之度，後與賓攻西部，賓軍敗，失馬步走，神元使以所乘駿馬給之。 賓歸，求馬主，帝隱而不言。 賓後知，大驚，將分國之半奉帝，帝不受，乃進其愛女。 賓猶思報恩，乃從帝所欲，徙所部北居長川。 積數年，舊部人咸來歸附。 及賓臨終，戒其二子，使謹奉神元。 其子不從，乃陰謀逆。 帝召殺之，盡並其眾。 諸部大人悉服，控弦之士二十餘萬。 三十九年，遷於定襄之盛樂。 四月祭天，諸部君長皆來助祭，唯白部大人觀望不至。 征而戮之，遠近肅然。 帝乃告諸大人，為與魏和親計。 四十二年，遣子文帝如魏，且觀風土。 是歲，魏景元二年也。
Shenyuan Emperor, whose taboo name was Liwei. In year one, a gengzi year, the western tribes had already pushed inward and attached themselves to Dou Bin, great chief of the Moluhui. Liwei was a man of heroic stature. Later he campaigned with Bin against the western tribes; when Bin's force broke and he fled on foot, Shenyuan gave him his own swift horse. Bin came home asking who owned the horse; the Emperor kept silent. Learning the truth, Bin was astonished and offered half his domain; Shenyuan refused, so Bin gave him his beloved daughter in marriage. Still eager to repay the debt, Bin moved his people north to the Long River as Shenyuan wished. Within a few years the old tribesmen were flocking to his banner. On his deathbed Bin charged his two sons to honor Shenyuan faithfully. The sons disobeyed and plotted treason in secret. Shenyuan had them summoned and executed, then absorbed all their people. Every tribal chief submitted, and archers in his service passed two hundred thousand. In his thirty-ninth year he shifted the seat of rule to Shengle in Dingxiang commandery. In the fourth month he offered to Heaven, and tribal chiefs gathered for the rite, but the Bai chief stayed away. Shenyuan marched against him, put him to death, and awe settled over every quarter. He told the tribal elders he intended to seek a marriage alliance with Wei. In his forty-second year he sent his son Wen Emperor to Wei to study its land and ways. That year corresponded to the second year of Jingyuan in Wei.
5
文帝諱沙漠汗，以國太子留洛陽。 後文帝以神元春秋已高，求歸。 晉武帝具禮護送。 五十六年，文帝復如晉，其冬還國。 晉征北將軍衛瓘以文帝雄異，恐為後患，請留不遣。 復請以金錦賂國之大人，令致間隙。 五十八年方遣帝。 神元使諸部大人詣陰館迎帝。 酒酣，帝仰視飛鳥，飛丸落之。 時國俗無彈，眾大驚，相謂曰：「太子被服同南夏，兼奇術絕人。 若繼國統，變易舊俗，吾等必不得志。」 乃謀危害帝，並先馳還，曰：「太子引空弓而落飛鳥，似得晉人異法。」 自帝在晉後，諸子愛寵，神元頗有所惑。 及聞諸大人請，因曰：「當便除之。」 於是諸大人馳詣塞南，矯害帝。
Wen Emperor, taboo name Shamohan, stayed in Luoyang as hostage heir. Later, seeing Shenyuan's great age, Shamohan asked leave to go home. Emperor Wu of Jin honored him with full ceremony and sent him homeward under escort. In the fifty-sixth year he visited Jin again and came back that winter. Jin's north-pacifying general Wei Guan, fearing Shamohan's formidable talent, asked that he be kept and not released. He also proposed bribing the tribal great men with gold and brocade to set them at odds with one another. Not until the fifty-eighth year was the heir allowed to depart. Shenyuan ordered the tribal chiefs to Yinyuan to welcome the heir home. Wine deep in the cup, the heir glanced up at a bird in flight and dropped it with a pellet. The people knew no slingshot; everyone was shaken and murmured, "The heir wears southern dress and commands arts no one here can match. If he inherits the realm and changes our customs, we will never prosper again." They plotted against him and rode ahead with a story: "The heir shot an empty bow and felled a bird in flight, as if he had learned some Jin sorcery. During Shamohan's long stay in Jin, his younger brothers won favor, and Shenyuan grew uncertain. When the elders pressed their case, he said, "Then let him be killed at once. The great men raced south of the frontier passes and murdered the heir under a forged order.
6
其年，神元不豫。 烏丸王庫賢親近任勢。 先受衛瓘之貨，欲沮動諸部，因於庭中礪鉞斧，曰：「上恨汝曹讒殺太子，欲盡收諸大人長子殺之。」 大人皆信，各各散走。 神元尋崩，凡饗國五十八年，年一百四歲。 道武即位，尊為始祖。 子章皇帝悉鹿立，時諸部離叛。 帝九年而崩。 弟平皇帝綽立，七年而崩。 文帝少子思皇帝立，思皇帝諱弗。 政崇寬簡，百姓懷服。 一年而崩。 神元子昭帝祿官立。 帝元年，分國為三部：一居上穀北，濡源西，東接宇文部，自統之； 一居代郡之參合陂北，使文帝長子桓帝諱猗厓統之； 一居定襄之盛樂故城，使桓帝弟穆帝猗盧統之。
That same year Shenyuan fell ill. Kuxian, a Wuhuan king, stood close to the throne and held real power. Having taken Wei Guan's bribes, he meant to panic the tribes; in the courtyard he sharpened axe and blade, crying, "The High One blames you for the heir's murder and will seize every chief's eldest son and kill him. The chiefs believed him and fled in every direction. Shenyuan died soon after, having ruled fifty-eight years and lived to one hundred and four. When Daowu came to power he enshrined Shenyuan as the dynastic Progenitor. His son Zhang Emperor Silu succeeded while the tribes were splintering away. Silu reigned nine years and died. His brother Ping Emperor Chuo ruled seven years and died. Wen Emperor's youngest son, Si Emperor, came next; Si Emperor's taboo name was Fu. He governed with leniency and ease, and the people gave him their hearts. He died after a single year. Shenyuan's son Zhao Emperor Luguan took the throne. In his first year Luguan split the realm in three: one branch lived north of Shanggu and west of Ruyuan, adjoining the Yuwen, under his own hand; one camped north of Canhe Marsh in Dai commandery, ruled by Wen Emperor's eldest son Huan Emperor, taboo name Yiyu; one occupied old Shengle in Dingxiang, ruled by Huan Emperor's younger brother Mu Emperor Yilu.
7
自神元以來，與晉和好。 是歲，穆帝始出并州，遷雜胡北徙雲中、五原、朔方。 又西度河，擊匈奴、烏丸諸部。 自杏城以北八十里，迄長城原，夾道立碣，與晉分界。
From Shenyuan's day the Tuoba had kept peace with Jin. That year Mu Emperor marched out of Bing province and shifted mixed tribes north into Yunzhong, Wuyuan, and Shuofang. He also crossed the river west and attacked Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and other peoples. From eighty li north of Xingcheng to the Long Wall plateau they set boundary stones along the road to mark the border with Jin.
8
二年，葬文帝及皇后封氏。 初，思帝欲改葬，未果而崩，至是述成前意焉。
In the second year they buried Wen Emperor and Empress Feng. Si Emperor had meant to rebury them but died before he could; now Luguan fulfilled that wish.
9
三年，桓帝度漠北巡，因西略諸國，凡積五歲，諸部降附者三十餘國。 桓帝英傑魁岸，馬不能勝，常乘安車，駕大牛，牛角容一石。 帝曾中蠱，嘔吐之地仍生榆，參合陂土無榆，故時人異之。
In the third year Huan Emperor toured north beyond the desert and campaigned west; over five years more than thirty peoples submitted. Huan Emperor was a giant of heroic build whom horses could not carry; he often rode a secure cart pulled by oxen whose horns could hold a stone of grain. Once poisoned, he vomited on the ground and an elm sprang up where none grew at Canhe Marsh, and people took it for a wonder.
10
十年，匈奴別種劉元海反晉于離石，自號漢王。 并州刺史司馬騰來乞師，桓帝與帝大舉以助之，大破元海眾於西河、上黨。 桓帝與騰盟於汾東而還，乃使輔相衛雄、段繁，於參合陂西累石為亭，樹碑以記行焉。
In the tenth year Liu Yuanhai, a Xiongnu offshoot, rose against Jin at Lishi and proclaimed himself King of Han. Bing inspector Sima Teng asked for aid; Huan and Zhao Emperors marched in force and routed Yuanhai's army at Xihe and Shangdang. Huan Emperor joined Teng in alliance east of the Fen, then sent ministers Wei Xiong and Duan Fan to pile stones into a pavilion west of Canhe Marsh and raise a stele to commemorate the march.
11
十一年，晉假桓帝大單于金印紫綬。 是歲，桓帝崩。 桓帝統部凡十一年。 後定襄侯衛操樹碑於大邗城，以頌功德。 子普根代立。
In the eleventh year Jin granted Huan Emperor the title Grand Chanyu with a golden seal and purple cord. That year Huan Emperor died. Huan Emperor had ruled his division for eleven years in all. Later Dingxiang Marquis Wei Cao raised a stele at Dahang City to celebrate his achievements. His son Pugen took his place as chief.
12
十三年，昭帝崩。 穆帝遂總攝三部為一統。 帝天姿英峙，勇略過人。
In the thirteenth year Zhao Emperor died. Mu Emperor then gathered the three divisions under a single rule. Heaven had given him a heroic bearing and a courage and cunning that outmatched any rival.
13
元年，劉元海僭帝號，自稱大漢。
In the first year Liu Yuanhai seized an imperial title and proclaimed the Great Han.
14
三年，晉并州刺史劉琨遣子遵為質，乞師。 帝使弟子平文皇帝助琨，破白部大人，次攻鐵弗劉武。 晉懷帝進帝大單于，封代公。 帝以封邑去國縣遠，從琨求句注陘北地。 琨大喜，乃徙馬邑、陰館、樓煩、繁畤、崞五縣人于陘南，更立城邑，盡獻其地。 東接代郡，西連西河、朔方數百百。 帝乃徙十萬家以充之。
In the third year Liu Kun of Bing province sent his son Zun as hostage and asked for military aid. The Emperor sent his nephew Pingwen Emperor to help Kun, routed the White Tribe chief, then marched against the Iron-Fu leader Liu Wu. Jin's Emperor Huai promoted him to Grand Chanyu and enfeoffed him as Duke of Dai. His grant lay too far from the heartland, so he asked Kun for territory north of Gouzhu Pass. Kun gladly moved the populations of Mayi, Yinyuan, Loufan, Fanchi, and Guo south of the pass, rebuilt their towns, and ceded the vacated lands in full. It reached east to Dai commandery and west through Xihe and Shuofang for several hundred li. He then settled a hundred thousand households there to people the land.
15
六年，城盛樂以為北都，修故平城以為南都。 帝登平城西山，觀望地勢，乃更南百里，于氵壘水之陽黃瓜堆築新平城，晉人謂之小平城。 使子六修鎮之，統領南部。
In the sixth year he fortified Shengle as the northern capital and restored old Pingcheng as the southern capital. From the western hills of Pingcheng he studied the ground, then shifted south another hundred li to build New Pingcheng on the south bank of the Luo at Huangguadui, which Jin subjects called Little Pingcheng. He stationed his son Liuxiu there to command the southern territories.
16
八年，晉湣帝進帝為代王，置官屬，食代、常山二郡。 先是國俗寬簡，至是明刑峻法，諸部人多以違命得罪。 凡後期者皆舉部戮之，或有室家相攜，悉赴死所。 人問何之，曰當就誅。 其威嚴若此。
In the eighth year Jin's Emperor Min raised him to King of Dai with a full bureaucracy and the income of Dai and Changshan commanderies. Where the nation had once been easygoing, he now imposed sharp law; tribesmen fell in numbers for defying his commands. Anyone who missed a deadline died with his entire clan, and whole families sometimes walked to the killing ground hand in hand. Asked where they were bound, they answered, "To be put to death." Such was the terror of his rule.
17
九年，帝召六修不至，怒，討之失利，遂崩。
In the ninth year he summoned Liuxiu; when the prince refused to come, the King marched against him, lost the fight, and died.
18
普根先守外境，聞難，來攻六修滅之。 普根立月餘薨。 普根子始生，桓帝后立之，又薨，思帝子平文皇帝立。
Pugen, who had been guarding the frontier, heard the news, marched in, attacked Liuxiu, and wiped him out. Pugen ruled barely a month before he died. Pugen's infant son was set up by Huan Emperor's widow, but he soon died as well, and Si Emperor's son Pingwen Emperor took the throne.
19
平文皇帝諱郁律，姿質雄壯，甚有威略。 元年，歲在丁丑。 二年，劉武據朔方，來侵西部，帝大破之。 西兼烏孫故地，東吞勿吉以西，控弦上馬將百萬。
Pingwen Emperor, taboo name Yulü, was powerfully built and commanded awe through force and guile. His first year was a dingchou year. In the second year Liu Wu, entrenched in Shuofang, invaded the west and was shattered. He seized the old Wusun country in the west and swallowed everything west of the Wuji in the east; a million warriors stood ready at bow and saddle.
20
是歲，晉元帝即位于江南，劉曜僭帝位。 帝聞晉湣帝為曜所害，顧謂大臣曰：「今中原無主，天其資我乎。」 曜遣使請和，帝不納。
That year Jin's Emperor Yuan reigned south of the Yangtze while Liu Yao claimed the imperial dignity. Learning that Liu Yao had killed Emperor Min, he told his ministers, "The heartland is masterless. Has Heaven chosen us?" Yao sent envoys seeking peace; the Emperor refused them.
21
三年，石勒自稱趙王，遣使乞和，請為兄弟，帝斬其使以絕之。 五年，晉元帝遣使韓暢加崇爵服，帝絕之。 講武，有平南夏志。 桓帝后以帝得眾心，恐不利己子，害帝，遂崩，大人死者數十人。 天興初，追尊曰太祖。
In the third year Shi Le proclaimed himself King of Zhao and sent envoys offering brotherhood; the Emperor executed them and broke off ties. In the fifth year Jin's Emperor Yuan sent Han Chang with titles and regalia; the Emperor turned him away. He drilled his armies and burned to pacify the southern realms. Fearing his popularity would endanger her son, Huan Emperor's widow murdered him, and dozens of tribal chiefs died in the turmoil. When Tianxing began he was enshrined posthumously as the Grand Progenitor.
22
桓帝中子惠帝賀傉立，以五年為元年。 帝未親政事，太后臨朝。 遣使與石勒通和，時人謂之女國使。 四年，帝始臨朝，以諸部人情未悉款順，乃築城於東木根山，徙都之。 五年，帝崩。
Huan Emperor's second son Hui Emperor Helu took the throne, dating his reign from the fifth year. The young king did not yet rule; the empress dowager governed. She sent envoys to Shi Le, whom contemporaries nicknamed the ambassadors of the women's court. In the fourth year he took the throne in person; doubting tribal loyalty, he built a fortress on East Mugen Mountain and moved the seat of rule there. He died in the fifth year.
23
弟煬帝紇那立，以五年為元年。 三年，石勒遣石季龍寇邊部，帝御之，不利，遷於大寧。
His brother Yang Emperor Henai succeeded, again dating from the fifth year. In the third year Shi Le sent Shi Jilong against the frontier; defeated, the Emperor withdrew to Daning.
24
時平文帝長子烈帝居於舅賀蘭部，帝遣使求之，賀蘭部帥藹頭擁護不遣。 帝怒，召宇文部並力擊藹頭。 宇文眾敗，帝還大寧。 五年，帝出居於宇文部，賀蘭及諸部大人共立烈帝。
Pingwen Emperor's eldest son Lie Emperor lived then with his Helan kinsmen; envoys demanded his return, but chief Aitou refused to surrender him. Enraged, he called in the Yuwen and marched against Aitou. The Yuwen were beaten and the Emperor fell back to Daning. In the fifth year he took refuge with the Yuwen while Helan and the other chiefs raised Lie Emperor.
25
烈皇帝諱翳槐，以五年為元年。 石勒遣使求和，帝遣弟昭成帝如襄國，徙者五千餘家。 七年，藹頭不修臣職，召而戮之，國人復貳。 於是煬帝自宇文部還入，諸部大人復奉之。
Lie Emperor, taboo name Yihuai, began his reign from the fifth year. Shi Le sued for peace; the Emperor sent his brother Zhaocheng Emperor to Xiangguo, and more than five thousand families went with him. In the seventh year Aitou neglected his obligations; summoned and killed, he left the realm divided once more. Yang Emperor came back from the Yuwen, and the tribal chiefs rallied to him again.
26
煬帝以烈帝七年為後元年。 時烈帝出居於鄴。 三年，石季龍納烈帝於大寧。 國人六千餘家部落叛，煬帝出居於慕容部。
Yang Emperor reckoned Lie Emperor's seventh year as the opening of a new era. Lie Emperor then dwelt in exile at Ye. In the third year Shi Jilong installed Lie Emperor at Daning. Six thousand-odd families rebelled, and Yang Emperor took refuge with the Murong.
27
烈帝復立，以煬帝三年為後元年。 城盛樂城，在故城東南十里。 一年而崩。 弟昭成皇帝立。
Lie Emperor was restored and dated a new era from Yang Emperor's third year. He built Shengle city ten li southeast of the old capital. A year later he died. His brother Zhaocheng Emperor took the throne.
28
昭成皇帝諱什翼犍，平文皇帝之次子也。 生而奇偉，寬仁大度。 身長八尺，隆准龍顏，立發委地，臥則乳垂至席。 烈帝臨崩，顧命迎帝，曰：「立此人則社稷乃安。」 故帝弟孤自詣鄴奉迎，與帝俱還。
Zhaocheng Emperor, taboo name Shiyijian, was Pingwen Emperor's second son. He was born strange and splendid, generous of heart and vast in spirit. Eight feet tall, with a high-bridged nose and dragon face, his hair swept the floor when he stood and his breasts reached the mat when he lay down. On his deathbed Lie Emperor ordered the court to fetch Shiyijian, saying, "Set this man on the throne and the realm will stand firm." His brother Gu went to Ye in person to escort him home.
29
建國元年十一月，帝即位於繁畤北，時年十九。
In the eleventh month of Jianguo year one he was enthroned north of Fanchi, aged nineteen.
30
二年春，始置百官，分掌眾職。 東自氵歲貊，西及破落那，莫不款附。 五月，朝諸大人于參合陂，議定都氵壘源川，連日不決，乃從太后計而止。 娉慕容晃妹為皇后。
In spring of the second year he created the hundred offices and assigned their duties. From the eastern Sushen Mohe to western Poluona, every people came in loyal submission. In the fifth month the chiefs met at Canhe Marsh to debate a capital on the Luo headwaters; after days of deadlock they accepted the empress dowager's counsel and abandoned the move. He married Murong Huang's younger sister as empress.
31
三年春，移都雲中之盛樂宮。
In spring of the third year he shifted the capital to the Shengle Palace at Yunzhong.
32
四年，築盛樂城于故城南八里。 皇后慕容氏崩。 十月，劉武寇西境，帝遣軍大破之。 武死，子務桓立，始來歸順，帝以女妻之。
In the fourth year he built Shengle city eight li south of the old walls. Empress Murong died. In the tenth month Liu Wu struck the western frontier; the Emperor's army crushed him. Wu died and his son Wuhuan submitted; the Emperor gave him a princess in marriage.
33
七年二月，遣大人長孫秩迎後慕容氏于和龍。 晃送女於境。 七月，慕容晃遣使來聘，求交婚。 帝許之，以烈帝女妻焉。
In the second month of the seventh year he sent chief Zhangsun Zhi to Helong to escort the new Murong empress. Murong Huang brought her to the frontier. In the seventh month Murong Huang sent envoys seeking kinship by marriage. The Emperor agreed and gave him Lie Emperor's daughter as bride.
34
十四年，帝以中州紛梗，將親率六軍，乘石氏之亂，廓定中原。 諸大人諫，乃止。
In the fourteenth year, with the heartland in turmoil, he meant to lead the six armies south, exploit the Shi clan's collapse, and conquer the central plains. The tribal chiefs dissuaded him, and he abandoned the plan.
35
十八年，太后王氏崩。
In the eighteenth year Empress Dowager Wang died.
36
十九年正月，劉務桓死，其弟閼頭立，潛謀反。
In the nineteenth year's first month Liu Wuhuan died; his brother Kentou took power and plotted treason in secret.
37
二十一年，閼頭部人多叛，懼而東走，度河半濟而冰陷。 後眾盡歸其兄子悉勿祈。 初，閼頭之叛，悉勿祈兄弟十二人在帝左右，盡遣之歸，欲其自相猜離。 至是，悉勿祈奪其眾，閼頭窮而歸命，帝待之如初。
In the twenty-first year Kentou's people rose; fleeing east, he drowned halfway across the river when the ice broke. In time the whole following passed to his nephew Xiwuqi. When Kentou first rebelled, Xiwuqi and eleven brothers had been at court; the Emperor sent them all home hoping they would tear one another apart. Xiwuqi had by then stolen Kentou's host; Kentou, ruined, surrendered, and the Emperor received him as of old.
38
二十二年春，帝東巡桑乾川。 四月，悉勿祈死，弟衛辰立。
In spring of the twenty-second year he toured east along the Sanggan. In the fourth month Xiwuqi died; his brother Weichen took his place.
39
二十三年六月，皇后慕容氏崩。 七月，衛辰來會葬，因求婚，許之。
In the sixth month of the twenty-third year Empress Murong died. In the seventh month Weichen came to the funeral and asked for a bride; the Emperor agreed.
40
二十五年，帝南巡君子津。
In the twenty-fifth year he toured south as far as Junzi Ford.
41
二十八年正月，衛辰謀反，度河東。 帝討之。 衛辰懼，遁走。
In the first month of the twenty-eighth year Weichen rebelled and crossed east of the Yellow River. The Emperor marched against him. Weichen fled in terror.
42
三十年十月，帝征衛辰。 時河冰未成，帝乃以葦絙約澌。 俄然冰合，乃散葦於上，冰草相結若浮橋，眾軍利涉。 衛辰與宗族西走，收其部落而還。
In the tenth month of the thirtieth year he marched against Weichen. The river had not yet frozen, so he lashed the floes together with reed ropes. Ice formed overnight; he spread reeds across it until ice and stalks knit into a bridge, and the army crossed with ease. Weichen fled west with his kin; the Emperor gathered the tribes and turned home.
43
三十四年春，長孫斤謀反，伏誅。 斤之反也，拔刃向御坐。 太子寔格之，傷肋，五月薨。 後追諡焉，是為獻明皇帝。 七月，皇孫珪生，大赦。
In the spring of the thirty-fourth year Zhangsun Jin rose in rebellion and was put to death. When Jin rose in revolt, he bared his sword against the throne. Crown Prince Shi blocked him, took a wound in the ribs, and died that fifth month. Later he received a posthumous title and is remembered as Emperor Xianming. In the seventh month imperial grandson Gui was born and the realm was pardoned.
44
三十九年，苻堅遣其大司馬苻洛帥眾二十萬及其將硃彤、張蠔、鄧羌等諸道來寇，王師不利。 帝時不豫，乃率國人避於陰山之北。 高車雜種盡叛，四面寇抄，不得芻牧，復度漠南。 堅軍稍退，乃還。 十二月，至雲中。 旬有二日，皇子寔君作亂。 帝暴崩，時年五十七。 道武即位，尊曰高祖。
In the thirty-ninth year Fu Jian sent Grand Marshal Fu Luo with two hundred thousand troops and generals Zhu Tong, Zhang Hao, and Deng Qiang against the state by several roads; the royal army suffered defeat. The Emperor was ill and led the nation north of Yinshan to escape. Gaoche tribes rose on every hand, raiders closed in from all quarters, and with no pasture for the herds he crossed the desert south once more. When Jian's army drew back, he returned home. In the twelfth month he reached Yunzhong. On the twelfth day Prince Shijun rebelled. The Emperor died suddenly at fifty-seven. Daowu came to power and enshrined him as High Progenitor.
45
帝性寬厚。 時國少繒帛，代人許謙盜絹二疋，守者以告，帝匿之，謂燕鳳曰：「吾不忍視謙之面，卿勿泄之。 謙或慚而自殺，為財辱士，非也。」 帝嘗擊西部叛賊，流矢中目。 賊破後，諸大臣執射者，各持錐刀欲屠割之。 帝曰：「各為其主，何罪也，釋之！」 其仁恕若此。
The Emperor was generous by nature. Silk was scarce in the realm when Xu Qian of the tribes stole two bolts; the guard told the Emperor, who hid the crime and said to Yan Feng, "I cannot bear to see Qian's face. Do not speak of this. If shame drove Qian to kill himself, a man of worth would die for money, and that would be wrong. Once, campaigning against western rebels, a stray arrow struck his eye. When the rebels were crushed, ministers seized the archer, awls and knives in hand, ready to butcher him. The Emperor said, "Each man served his own lord. What crime is that? Let him go! Such was the mercy of his rule.
46
太祖道武皇帝諱珪，昭成皇帝之嫡孫，獻明帝之子也。 母曰獻明賀皇后，初因遷徙，游於雲澤。 寢夢日出室內，寤而見光自牖屬天，欻然有感。 以建國三十四年七月七日生帝於參合陂北，其夜復有光明。 昭成大悅，群臣稱慶，大赦，告於祖宗。 保者以帝體重倍于常兒，竊獨奇怪。 明年有榆生於藏胞之坎，後遂成林。 帝弱而能言，目有光曜，廣顙大耳。 六歲而昭成崩，苻堅遣將內侮，將遷帝長安，賴燕鳳乃免。 堅軍既還，國眾離散。 堅使劉庫仁、劉衛辰分攝國事。 南部大人長孫嵩及元他等盡將故人眾南依庫仁，帝於是轉在獨孤部。
Grand Progenitor Emperor Daowu, taboo name Gui, was Zhaocheng Emperor's grandson by the direct line and the son of Emperor Xianming. His mother was Empress He of Xianming; during the early migrations she came to Yun Marsh. She dreamed the sun rose inside her lodge; waking, she saw light pour from the window to the sky and felt a sudden awe. On the seventh day of the seventh month in Jianguo year thirty-four he was born north of Canhe Marsh, and light filled the night again. Zhaocheng rejoiced; ministers celebrated, the realm was pardoned, and the ancestors were notified. His nurse found him twice the weight of other infants and marveled in secret. Next year an elm grew in the hollow where the birth-curtain had stood and later became a wood. He spoke while still a child; his eyes shone, his brow was broad, his ears large. At six Zhaocheng died; Fu Jian sent generals south of the border intending to take the boy to Chang'an, but Yan Feng saved him. When Jian's army left, the nation fell apart. Jian set Liu Kuren and Liu Weichen to divide rule of the realm. Southern chief Zhangsun Song, Yuan Ta, and others took their old followers south to Kuren, and the boy passed into the Dugu tribe.
47
元年，葬昭成皇帝于金陵，營梓宮木柿盡生成林。 帝雖沖幼，而嶷然不群。 劉庫仁常謂其子曰：「帝有高天下之志，必興復洪業。」
In the first year they buried Zhaocheng at Jinling; timbers for the tomb all sprouted and became a grove. Though still a boy, he stood apart from other children. Liu Kuren often told his sons, "This child means to rule the world; he will restore the great enterprise."
48
七年十月，晉敗苻堅於淮南。 慕容文等殺劉庫仁，弟眷代攝國部。
In the tenth month of the seventh year Jin routed Fu Jian at Huainan. Murong Wen and others killed Liu Kuren; his brother Juan took the tribe.
49
八年，慕容暐弟沖僭立。 姚萇自稱大單于、萬年秦王。 慕容垂僭稱燕王。
In the eighth year Murong Wei's brother Chong seized the throne. Yao Chang proclaimed himself Grand Chanyu and Everlasting King of Qin. Murong Chui seized the title King of Yan.
50
九年，劉庫仁子顯殺眷而代之，乃將謀逆。 商人王霸知之，履帝足於眾中，帝乃馳還。 是時，故大人梁盆子六眷為顯謀主，盡知其計，密使部人穆崇馳告。 帝乃陰結舊臣長孫犍、元他等，因幸賀蘭部。 其日，顯果使人殺帝，不及。 語在《獻明太后傳》。 是歲，乞伏國仁私署秦、河二州牧、大單于。 姚萇殺苻堅，堅子丕僭即皇帝位於晉陽。
In the ninth year Liu Kuren's son Xian killed Juan, took his place, and plotted treason. Merchant Wang Ba learned of the plot and stepped on the Emperor's foot in the crowd; the boy galloped away. Former great chief Liujuan of Liang Penzi's line was Xian's chief plotter and knew the whole plan; he secretly sent Mu Chong to warn the Emperor. He secretly rallied old ministers Zhangsun Jian, Yuan Ta, and others and took refuge with the Helan tribe. That same day Xian sent killers after the Emperor, but they arrived too late. The full account is in the 《Biography of Empress Dowager Xianming》. That year Qifu Guoren privately took the titles Governor of Qin and He and Grand Chanyu. Yao Chang killed Fu Jian; Jian's son Pi seized the throne at Jinyang.
51
登國元年春正月戊申，帝即代王位，郊天建元，大會于牛川。 復以長孫嵩為南部大人，以叔孫普洛為北部大人。 是月，慕容垂僭即皇帝位於中山，國號燕。 二月，幸定襄之盛樂，息眾課農。 慕容沖為其部下所殺。 夏四月，改稱魏王。 五月，姚萇僭即皇帝位於長安，國號大秦。 秋八月，劉顯遣弟亢泥迎皇叔父窟咄于慕容永，以兵隨之，來逼南境。 帝左右于桓等與諸部大人謀應之。 事泄，誅造謀者五人，餘悉不問。 帝慮內難，乃北逾陰山，幸賀蘭部，阻山為固。 遣行人安同、長孫賀征師于慕容垂。 垂令其子賀驎率師隨同等。 軍未至而寇逼。 於是北部大人叔孫普洛等十三人及諸烏丸亡奔衛辰。 帝自弩山幸牛川，屯于延水，南出代谷，會賀驎于高柳，大破窟咄，悉收其眾。 冬十月，苻丕為晉將馮該所殺。 慕容永僭即皇帝位於長子。 十一月，苻登僭即皇帝位於隴東。 十二月，慕容垂遣使奉帝西單于印綬，封上谷王。 帝不納。
In spring of Dengguo year one, on wushen day in the first month, he became King of Dai, sacrificed to Heaven, proclaimed a reign era, and held court at Niuchuan. That month Zhangsun Song was again southern chief and Shusun Puluo northern chief. That month Murong Chui took the imperial title at Zhongshan and named his state Yan. In the second month he went to Shengle in Dingxiang, gave the people rest, and urged them to farm. Murong Chong was killed by his own men. In the fourth month of summer he took the title King of Wei. In the fifth month Yao Chang seized the throne at Chang'an and named his state Great Qin. In the eighth month Liu Xian sent his brother Kangni to fetch his uncle Kudu from Murong Yong with an army that pressed the southern frontier. Yu Huan and the tribal chiefs at court plotted to go over to the enemy. The plot leaked; five plotters were put to death and the rest went unpunished. Fearing civil war, he crossed Yinshan north to the Helan tribe and held the mountains as his fortress. He sent An Tong and Zhangsun He to Murong Chui to beg for troops. Chui sent his son Helin with an army to join Tong. Before the army arrived, the enemy was upon him. Northern chief Shusun Puluo and thirteen others, with Wuhuan bands, fled to Liu Weichen. He marched from Nushan to Niuchuan, camped on the Yan River, came south through Daigu Valley, met Helin at Gaoliu, shattered Kudu, and took all his people. In the tenth month Fu Pi was killed by Jin general Feng Gai. Murong Yong seized the throne at Changzi. In the eleventh month Fu Deng took the throne in Longdong. In the twelfth month Murong Chui sent envoys with the Western Chanyu seal and made him King of Shanggu. The Emperor refused.
52
二年夏五月，遣安同徵兵于慕容垂。 垂遣子賀驎率眾來會。 六月，帝親征劉顯，顯奔慕容永，盡收其部落。 冬十二月，巡松漠，還幸牛川。
In the fifth month of the second year he sent An Tong to Murong Chui for troops. Chui sent Helin with an army to join him. In the sixth month he marched in person against Liu Xian; Xian fled to Murong Yong and all his tribes were taken. In the twelfth month he toured Songmo and returned to Niuchuan.
53
三年夏五月癸亥，北征庫莫奚，大破之。 六月，乞伏國仁死，其弟乾歸立，私署河南王。 秋七月，庫莫奚部帥鳩集遺散，夜犯行宮，縱騎撲討，盡滅之。 八月，使九原公儀于慕容垂。 冬十月，垂遣使朝貢。
On guihai day in the fifth month of the third year he marched north against the Kumo Xi and crushed them. In the sixth month Qifu Guoren died; his brother Qiangui took power and styled himself King of Henan. In the seventh month the Kumo Xi chief Jiuji rallied the scattered and struck the traveling palace by night; cavalry ran them down and destroyed them. In the eighth month he sent Duke of Jiuyuan Yi to Murong Chui. In the tenth month Chui sent envoys with tribute.
54
四年春正月甲寅，襲高車諸部落。 二月癸巳，遂至女水，討叱突鄰部。 並大破之。 是月，呂光自稱三河王。 夏五月，使陳留公虔于慕容垂。 冬十月，垂遣使朝貢。
On jiayin day in the first month of the fourth year he raided the Gaoche tribes. On guisi day in the second month he reached Nüshui and attacked the Chituolin tribe. Both were shattered. That month Lü Guang took the title King of the Three Rivers. In the fifth month he sent Duke of Chenliu Qian to Murong Chui. In the tenth month Chui sent envoys with tribute.
55
五年春三月甲申，西征，次鹿渾海，襲高車袁紇部，大破之。 慕容垂遣子賀驎來會。 夏四月丙寅，行幸意辛山，與賀驎討賀蘭、紇奚諸部落，大破之。 秋八月，還幸牛川。 使秦王觚于慕容垂。 九月壬申，討叱奴部囊曲水，破之。 冬十月，討高車豆陳部於狼山，破之。 十二月，帝還次白漠。
On jiashen day in the third month of the fifth year he marched west to Luhun Sea, struck the Yuanhe Gaoche, and routed them. Murong Chui sent Helin to join him. On bingyin day in the fourth month he went to Yixin Mountain and with Helin broke the Helan and Hexi tribes. In the eighth month he returned to Niuchuan. He sent Prince Gu of Qin to Murong Chui. On renshen day in the ninth month he struck the Chinu tribe at Nangqu River and broke them. In the tenth month he attacked the Gaoche Douchén band at Wolf Mountain and broke them. In the twelfth month he returned and camped at White Desert.
56
六年春正月，幸紐垤川。 三月，遣九原公儀、陳留公虔等西討黜弗部，大破之。 夏四月，祭天。 秋七月壬申，講武于牛川。 慕容垂止秦王觚而求名馬，帝絕之。 乃遣使于慕容永，永使其大鴻臚慕容鈞奉表勸進尊號。 九月，帝襲五原，屠之，收其積穀。 還紐垤川，于棝陽塞北樹碑記功。 冬十月戊戌，北征蠕蠕，追破之于大磧南商山下。 十一月戊辰，還幸紐垤川。 戊寅，衛辰遣子直力鞮寇南部。 壬午，帝大破之於鐵歧山南，衛辰父子奔遁。 十二月，滅之，衛辰少子屈丐亡奔薛於部。 自河以南，諸部悉平。 收衛辰子弟宗黨無少長五千餘人，盡殺之。 是歲，起河南宮。
In the first month of the sixth year he went to Niudie River. In the third month he sent Dukes Yi of Jiuyuan and Qian of Chenliu west against the Chufu tribe and crushed them. In the fourth month he sacrificed to Heaven. On renshen day in the seventh month he held a martial review at Niuchuan. Murong Chui held Prince Gu and demanded famous horses; the Emperor refused. He sent envoys to Murong Yong; Yong sent Grand Herald Murong Jun with a memorial urging him to take the imperial title. In the ninth month he raided Wuyuan, put it to the sword, and seized its granaries. Returning to Niudie River, he raised a stele north of Ziyang Pass to record his deeds. On wuxu day in the tenth month he marched north against the Rouran and ran them down south of the Great Desert at Shangshan. On wuchen day in the eleventh month he returned to Niudie River. On wuyin day Weichen sent his son Zhilidi against the south. On renwu day the Emperor shattered them south of Iron Mound Mountain and Weichen and his sons fled. In the twelfth month he wiped them out; Qu Gou, Weichen's youngest son, fled to the Xueyu clan. Every tribe south of the river was brought to heel. He took Weichen's sons, kin, and clansmen, more than five thousand in all, and slaughtered every one. That year work began on the Henan Palace.
57
七年春正月，幸木根山，遂次黑鹽池，饗群臣，北之美水。 三月，還幸河南宮。 秋七月，行幸漠南，仍築巡台。 冬十二月，慕容永遣使朝貢。
In the first month of the seventh year he went to Mugen Mountain, camped at Black Salt Pool, feasted his ministers, and traveled north to Meishui. In the third month he returned to the Henan Palace. In the seventh month he toured south of the desert and built a patrol terrace. In the twelfth month Murong Yong sent envoys with tribute.
58
八年春正月，南巡。 二月，幸羖羊原，赴白樓。 夏六月，北巡。 秋七月，臨幸新壇。 先是衛辰子屈丐奔薛幹部，征之不送。 八月，帝南征薛幹部，屠其城。 九月，還幸河南宮。
In the first month of the eighth year he toured south. In the second month he went to Guyang Plain and then to White Tower. In the sixth month he toured north. In the seventh month he visited the new altar. Earlier Qu Gou had fled to the Xuegan tribe, and when the Emperor demanded him they refused to hand him over. In the eighth month he marched south against the Xuegan tribe and put their stronghold to the sword. In the ninth month he returned to the Henan Palace.
59
九年春三月，北巡。 使東平西元儀屯田于河北五原，至於棝陽塞外。 夏五月，田於河東。 秋七月，還幸河南宮。 冬十月，蠕蠕社侖等率部落西走。 是歲，姚萇子興僭立，殺苻登。 慕容垂滅永。
In the third month of the ninth year he toured north. He sent Yuan Yi, Duke of Dongping, to open garrison farms in Wuyuan north of the river as far as Yusun Pass. In the fifth month he hunted the fields east of the river. In the seventh month he returned to the Henan Palace. In the tenth month Shelun of the Rouran and others led their tribes west. That year Yao Xing, Yao Chang's son, seized the throne and killed Fu Deng. Murong Chui destroyed Murong Yong.
60
十年秋七月，慕容垂遣其子寶來寇五原。 八月，帝親兵于河南。 冬十月辛未，寶燒船夜遁。 己卯，帝進軍濟河。 乙酉夕，至參合陂。 丙戌，大破之，禽其王公以下文武將吏數千人。 於俘虜中擢其才識者賈彝、賈閏、晁崇等參謀議，憲章故實。 十二月，還幸雲中之盛樂。
In the seventh month of the tenth year Murong Chui sent his son Bao against Wuyuan. In the eighth month the Emperor led the army in person at Henan. On xinwei day in the tenth month Bao burned his boats and fled in the night. On jimao day the Emperor crossed the river with his army. At evening on yiyou day he reached Canhe Marsh. On bingxu day he crushed them and took several thousand princes, dukes, and officers. From the prisoners he drew men of talent such as Jia Yi, Jia Run, and Chao Chong into counsel on laws and precedent. In the twelfth month he returned to Shengle in Yunzhong.
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皇始元年春正月，大蒐於定襄，因東幸善無北陂。 三月，慕容垂寇桑乾川，陳留公虔死之。 垂遂至平城西北，聞帝將至，乃築城自守。 疾甚，遂遁，死于上穀。 子寶秘喪，還至中山乃僭立。 夏六月丁亥，皇太后賀氏崩。 是月，葬獻明太后。 呂光僭稱天王，國號涼。 秋七月，左司馬許謙上書勸進尊號，於是改元，始建天子旌旗，出警入蹕。 八月己亥，大舉討慕容寶。 帝親勒六軍四十餘萬南出馬邑，逾句注，旌旗絡繹二千餘里，鼓行而前，人屋皆震。 別詔將軍封真等從東道襲幽州，圍薊。 九月戊午，次陽曲，乘西山，臨觀晉陽。 寶并州牧、遼西王農棄城遁，并州平。 初建台省，置百官，封拜公、侯、將軍、刺史、太守。 尚書郎以下悉用文人。 帝初拓中原，留心慰納。 諸士大夫詣軍門者，無少長皆引入，人得盡言，苟有微能，咸蒙敘用。 己未，詔輔國將軍奚牧略地晉川，獲慕容寶、丹楊王買得等於平陶城。 九月，晉孝武帝殂。 冬十一月庚子朔，帝至真定。 自常山以東，守宰或捐城奔竄，或稽顙軍門，唯中山、鄴、信都三城不下。 別詔東平公儀攻鄴，冠軍將軍王建、左軍將軍李栗等攻信都，軍所行不得傷桑棗。 戊午，進軍中山。 己未，圍之。 帝曰：「朕量寶不能出戰，必憑城自守，急攻則傷士，久守則費糧，不如先平鄴、信都，然後還取中山。」 諸將稱善。 丁卯，車駕幸魯口城。
In the first month of Huangshi year one he held a great hunt at Dingxiang and went east to the northern slope at Shanwu. In the third month Murong Chui struck the Sanggan River and Duke Qian of Chenliu fell in battle. Chui pressed on to northwest of Pingcheng; when he heard the Emperor was near, he walled himself in. His illness worsened and he fled; he died at Shanggu. Bao hid his father's death and returned to Zhongshan before seizing the throne. On dinghai day in the sixth month Empress Dowager He died. That month they buried the Xianming Empress Dowager. Lü Guang took the title Heavenly King and founded the state of Liang. In the seventh month Xu Qian, Left Marshal of the Masters of Writing, urged him to take the imperial title; he changed the era name, raised the imperial standard, and began imperial progresses with halting attendants. On jihai day in the eighth month he opened a great campaign against Murong Bao. The Emperor led more than four hundred thousand men south from Mayi, crossed Gouzhu Pass, and for two thousand li banners filled the road; drums drove the march, and the earth shook under foot. By separate edict Feng Zhen and other generals struck Youzhou from the east and besieged Ji. On wuwu day in the ninth month he camped at Yangqu, climbed the western hills, and gazed on Jinyang. Nong, Bao's governor of Bingzhou and Prince of Liaoxi, fled the city and Bingzhou was pacified. He founded the court and ministries for the first time, appointed the hundred offices, and enfeoffed dukes, marquises, generals, inspectors, and prefects. From clerks of the Masters of Writing down, every post went to literati. As he first pushed into the central plains, he devoted himself to winning people over. Scholars who came to his camp, young or old alike, were admitted to speak; anyone with the least talent was given office. On jiwei day he ordered Xi Mu, Supporting-the-State General, to overrun Jinchuan and took Murong Bao, Prince of Danyang Maidé, and others at Pingtao. In the ninth month Emperor Xiaowu of Jin died. On gengzi day, the new moon of the eleventh month, the Emperor reached Zhending. East of Changshan, local rulers either fled their posts or came to prostrate at the camp gate; only Zhongshan, Ye, and Xindu still resisted. By separate edict Duke Yi of Dongping besieged Ye while Wang Jian the Champion General and Li Li the Left Army General besieged Xindu; the troops were forbidden to touch mulberry or jujube. On wuwu day he marched on Zhongshan. On jiwei day he laid siege. The Emperor said, "Bao will not come out to fight; he will only cling to the walls. A hasty assault will cost men, a long siege will eat the grain. Let us take Ye and Xindu first, then come back for Zhongshan. The generals agreed. On dingmao day the court moved to Lukou city.
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二年春正月壬戌，帝引騎圍信都。 其夜，寶冀州刺史、宜都王慕容鳳逾城奔中山。 癸亥，寶輔國將軍張驤、護軍將軍徐超舉城降。 是月，鮮卑禿發烏孤私署大單于、西平王。 二月丁丑，帝軍于钜鹿之柏肆塢，臨滹沱水。 其夜，寶悉眾犯營，燎及行宮，兵人駭散。 帝驚起，不及衣冠，跣出擊鼓。 俄而，左右及中軍將士稍集。 帝設奇陣，列烽營外，縱騎沖之。 寶眾大敗，走還中山，獲其器械數十萬計。 寶尚書閔亮、秘書監崔逞等降者相屬，賜拜職爵各有差。 三月己酉，車駕次盧奴。 寶求和，請送秦王觚，割常山以西奉魏，乞守中山以東。 帝許之。 已而寶背約。 辛亥，車駕次中山，命將圍之。 是夜，寶弟賀驎將妻子走西山。 寶恐賀驎先據和龍，壬子夜，北遁。 城內共立慕容普鄰為主。 夏四月，帝以軍糧不繼，詔東平公儀罷鄴圍，徙屯巨鹿。 五月庚子，帝以中山城內為普鄰所脅，乃招喻之。 甲辰，曜兵揚威，以示城內，命諸軍罷圍南徙，以待其變。 甲寅，以東平公儀為左丞相，封衛王。 進襄城公題爵為王。 秋七月，普鄰遣烏丸、張驤率五千餘人出城求食，寇靈壽。 賀驎自丁零中入軍，因其眾，復入中山，殺普鄰而自立。 八月丙寅朔，帝進軍九門。 時大疫，人馬牛死者十五六，中山猶拒守，群下咸思北還。 帝知之，謂曰：「斯固天命，將若之何！ 四海之人皆可與為國，在吾所以撫之耳，何恤乎無人！」 群臣乃不敢言。 九月，賀驎饑窮，率三萬餘人寇新市。 甲子晦，帝進軍討之。 太史令晁崇奏曰：「不吉。」 帝曰：「何也？」 對曰：「紂以甲子亡，兵家忌之。」 帝曰：「周武不以甲子勝乎？」 崇無以對。 冬十月丙寅，帝進軍新市，賀驎退阻泒水，依漸洳澤以自固。 甲戌，帝臨其營，戰於義台塢，大破之。 賀驎單馬走鄴，慕容德殺之。 甲申，賀驎所署公卿尚書將吏士卒降者二萬餘人。 其將張驤、李沈、慕容文等先來降，尋皆亡還，是日復獲之，皆赦而不問。 獲其所傳皇帝璽綬、圖書、府庫珍寶。 中山平。 乙酉，襄城王題薨。
On renxu day in the first month of the second year the Emperor led cavalry to besiege Xindu. That night Murong Feng, Bao's governor of Jizhou and Prince of Yidu, climbed the wall and fled to Zhongshan. On guihai day Zhang Yang, Bao's Supporting-the-State General, and Xu Chao the Protecting-the-Army General surrendered the city. That month the Xianbei chief Tufa Wuji took the titles Grand Chanyu and King of Xiping. On dingchou day in the second month the Emperor camped at Bozhi Hill in Julu, on the Hutuo River. That night Bao threw his whole army against the camp; flames reached the traveling palace and the troops broke in terror. The Emperor leapt up, seized neither robe nor cap, and ran out barefoot to beat the alarm drum. Soon his guards and the central army began to rally. He laid an ambush, set beacon fires beyond the camp, and sent cavalry to charge. Bao's army was shattered and fled to Zhongshan; weapons taken numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Min Liang of Bao's Masters of Writing, Cui Cheng the Secretariat Director, and others who surrendered were given offices and ranks according to merit. On jiyou day in the third month the court camped at Lunu. Bao sued for peace, offering to send Prince Gu of Qin, cede everything west of Changshan to Wei, and keep only the lands east of the mountains around Zhongshan. The Emperor agreed. Soon Bao broke his word. On xinhai day the court came to Zhongshan and ordered a siege. That night Bao's brother He Lin fled west into the hills with his family. Fearing He Lin would take Helong first, Bao fled north on the night of renzi day. The city set up Murong Pulin as their lord. In the fourth month, with supplies failing, he ordered Duke Yi of Dongping to raise the siege of Ye and move to Julu. On gengzi day in the fifth month, seeing the city held hostage by Pulin, he sent envoys to win the people over. On jiachen day he paraded his army before the walls, drew off the siege southward, and waited for the city to turn. On jiayin day he made Duke Yi of Dongping Left Chancellor and Prince of Wei. He raised Duke Ti of Xiangcheng to prince. In the seventh month Pulin sent Zhang Yang the Wuhuan with five thousand men to forage and raid Linghou. He Lin came in from the Dingling tribes, gathered their men, re-entered Zhongshan, killed Pulin, and made himself ruler. On bingyin day, the new moon of the eighth month, the Emperor marched on Jiumen. A great pestilence was abroad; men, horses, and cattle died by the tens of thousands, yet Zhongshan still held, and everyone below wanted to turn north. Knowing their minds, the Emperor said, "This is Heaven's decree. What can we do? Every man under heaven may be made a subject of the realm; it is only a matter of how I win them. Why fear there will be no people! The ministers dared not speak again. In the ninth month He Lin, starving and cornered, led more than thirty thousand men against Xinyi. On jiazi day, the last day of the month, the Emperor marched out against him. Grand Astrologer Chao Chong said, "The day is ill-omened. The Emperor asked, "How so? He answered, "King Zhou of Shang fell on a jiazi day; soldiers dread it. The Emperor said, "Did not King Wu of Zhou win on a jiazi day? Chong had nothing to say. On bingyin day in the tenth month the Emperor marched on Xinyi; He Lin fell back to the Po River and dug in among the marshes of Jianru. On jiaxu day the Emperor faced their camp and fought at Eagle Terrace Hill; he crushed them. He Lin fled alone on horseback toward Ye; Murong De killed him. On jiashen day more than twenty thousand officers and men whom He Lin had appointed surrendered. Generals Zhang Rang, Li Shen, and Murong Wen had surrendered earlier, then fled back; captured again that day, they were all pardoned. They took the imperial seal and regalia, the archives, and the palace treasures. Zhongshan fell. On yiyou day Prince Ti of Xiangcheng died.
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天興元年春正月，慕容德走保滑台，衛王儀克鄴。 庚子，行幸真定，遂幸鄴。 百姓有老病不能自存者，詔郡縣振恤之。 帝至鄴，巡登臺榭，遍覽宮城，將有定都之志，乃置行台。 遂還中山，所過存問百姓。 詔大軍所經州郡皆復貲租一年，除山東人租賦之半。 車駕將北還，發卒萬人通直道，自望都鐵關鑿恆嶺至代五百餘里。 帝慮還後山東有變，乃於中山置行台，詔衛王儀鎮之，使略陽公遵鎮勃海之合口。 右軍將軍尹國先督租于冀州，聞帝將還，謀反，欲襲信都，安南將軍長孫嵩執送，斬之。 辛酉，車駕發中山，至於望都堯山。 徙山東六州人吏及徒何、高麗雜夷、三十六署百工伎巧十餘萬口以充京師。 車駕次於恆山之陽。 博陵、勃海、章武諸郡群盜並起，略陽公遵等討之。 是月，慕容德自稱燕王，據廣固。 二月，車駕至自中山。 幸繁畤宮。 更選屯衛。 詔給內徙新戶耕牛，計口受田。 三月，征左丞相、衛王儀還京師，詔略陽公遵代鎮中山。 夏四月壬戌，以曆陽公穆崇為太尉，钜鹿公長孫嵩為司徒，進封略陽公遵為常山王，南安公順為毗陵王。 祭天於西郊，旗幟有加焉。 廣平太守、遼西公意列謀反，與郡人韓奇矯假讖圖，將襲鄴城。 詔反者就郡賜死。 是月，蘭汗殺慕容寶而自立為大單于、昌黎王。 六月丙子，詔有司議定國號。 群臣奏曰：「昔周、秦以前，帝王居所生之土，及王天下，即承為號。 今國家啟基雲、代，應以代為號。」 詔曰：「昔朕遠祖總禦幽都，控制遐國，雖踐王位，未定九州。 逮于朕躬，掃平中土，凶逆蕩除，遐邇率服，宜仍先號為魏。」 秋七月，遷都平城，始營宮室，建宗廟，立社稷。 慕容寶子盛殺蘭汗而自立為長樂王。 八月，詔有司正封畿，制郊甸，端徑術，標道里，平五權，較五量，定五度。 遣使循行郡國，舉奏守宰不法者，親覽察黜陟之。 冬十月，起天文殿。 十一月辛亥，尚書吏部郎中鄧彥海典官制，立爵品，定律呂，協音樂。 儀曹郎中董謐撰郊廟、社稷、朝覲、饗宴之儀。 三公郎中王德定律令，申科禁。 太史令晁崇造渾儀，考天象。 吏部尚書崔宏總裁之。 閏月，左丞相衛王儀及王公卿士，詣闕上書曰：「臣等聞宸極居中，則列宿齊其晷。 帝王順天，則群後仰其度。 伏惟陛下德協二儀，道隆三五，仁風被于四海，盛化塞于天區，澤及昆蟲，恩沾行葦，謳歌所屬，八表歸心。 而躬履謙虛，退身後己，宸儀未彰，袞服未禦，非所以上允皇天之意，下副樂推之心。 臣等謹昧死以聞。」 帝三讓乃許之。 十二月己丑，帝臨天文殿。 太尉、司徒進璽綬，百官咸稱萬歲。 大赦，改元，追尊成帝以下及後號諡，樂用《皇始之舞》。 詔百司議定行次，尚書崔宏等奏從土德，服色尚黃，數用五，祖以未，臘以辰，犧牲用白，五郊立氣，宣贊時令，敬授人時，行夏之正。 徙六州二十二郡守宰豪傑吏人二千家於代都。
In the first month of Tianxing year one, Murong De withdrew to Hua Terrace; Prince Yi of Wei took Ye. On gengzi day he went to Zhending and then to Ye. An edict ordered every commandery and county to care for the aged and sick among the people who could not support themselves. At Ye he climbed the terraces and walked the palace grounds until he wished to make the city his capital; he established a traveling secretariat. He returned to Zhongshan and inquired after the people in every place he passed. An edict remitted one year's taxes in every commandery the army had crossed and cut the rent and levies of Shandong in half. As the court prepared to go north, ten thousand men opened a straight road more than five hundred li from Wangdu through Iron Pass in the Heng Mountains to Dai. Fearing unrest in Shandong after he left, he set up a traveling secretariat at Zhongshan, left Prince Yi of Wei to guard it, and sent Duke Zun of Liaoyang to hold He Pass on the Bohai coast. Yin Guo the General of the Right had been collecting taxes in Jizhou; learning the Emperor was returning, he plotted to strike Xindu; Sun Ci the Anping General seized him and had him beheaded. On xinyou day the court left Zhongshan and came to Yaoshan at Wangdu. More than a hundred thousand people—officials from the six eastern commanderies, Tuohe and Koguryo and other tribes, and craftsmen from the thirty-six workshops—were moved to the capital. The court camped on the southern face of Mount Heng. Bandits rose in Boling, Bohai, Zhangwu, and other commanderies; Duke Zun of Liaoyang and others suppressed them. That month Murong De declared himself King of Yan and took Guanggu. In the second month the court returned from Zhongshan. He visited Fancan Palace. The palace guards were reorganized. An edict gave plow oxen to the newly resettled and allotted fields by the head. In the third month he summoned Prince Yi of Wei, Left Chancellor, to the capital and sent Duke Zun of Liaoyang to replace him at Zhongshan. On renxu day in the fourth month he made Duke Chong of Liyang Grand Marshal, Duke Song of Julu Minister of State, raised Duke Zun of Liaoyang to Prince of Changshan, and Duke Shun of Nan'an to Prince of Piling. He sacrificed to Heaven at the western suburb with heightened ceremony. Yilie Duke of Liaoxi, governor of Guangping, conspired with Han Qi of his commandery to forge portents and seize Ye. An edict ordered the rebels executed in their own commanderies. That month Lan Han killed Murong Bao and made himself Grand Chanyu and King of Changli. On bingzi day in the sixth month an edict ordered the officials to choose a name for the realm. The ministers wrote, "Before Zhou and Qin, kings took the land of their birth as their dynastic name. Our realm rose in Yun and Dai; we should be called Dai." The edict answered, "Our remote ancestors ruled the north and held distant peoples in awe, yet even on the throne they did not unite the nine provinces. In his own time he had cleared the central plains and put down rebellion until all lands submit; the name should remain Wei." In the seventh month the capital moved to Pingcheng; work began on the palace, ancestral temple, and altars of state. Sheng, son of Murong Bao, killed Lan Han and made himself King of Changle. In the eighth month an edict ordered officials to survey the royal demesne, define the suburbs, straighten roads and measures, and standardize weights, capacities, and units of length. Envoys toured every commandery and kingdom, reporting corrupt governors; the Emperor read each case and promoted or removed men himself. In the tenth month work began on the Astronomy Hall. On xinhai day Deng Yanhai of the Masters of Writing oversaw offices and ranks, fixed pitch pipes, and set the music in order. Dong Mi of the Rites Bureau drafted the rites for sacrifice, temple worship, court audiences, and feasts. Wang De of the Three Excellencies Bureau drafted laws and clarified punishments. Astronomer Royal Chao Chong built an armillary sphere and charted the heavens. Minister of the Masters of Writing Cui Hong supervised the whole undertaking. In the intercalary month Prince Yi of Wei, Left Chancellor, with the princes, dukes, and ministers submitted a memorial: "When the pole stands at the center, every star wheels in its season. When a sage king follows Heaven, every lord takes his measure from him. Your virtue matches heaven and earth and your Way outshines the sage kings of old; your mercy fills the seas, your transforming grace reaches insects and grass, and the eight directions turn to you in song. Yet you still hold yourself low and keep the imperial rites hidden; this cannot satisfy Heaven or the people's longing to acclaim you. We venture our lives to say so." The Emperor refused three times, then consented. On jichou day in the twelfth month the Emperor ascended the Astronomy Hall. The Grand Marshal and Minister of State presented the imperial seal; the officials shouted ten thousand years. He proclaimed a general amnesty, changed the era name, gave posthumous titles to his forebears, and adopted the dance Beginning of the Sovereign for court music. An edict ordered deliberation on the dynastic element; Cui Hong and others argued for the power of Earth, yellow vestments, the number five, white victims, rites at the five suburbs, and the Xia calendar. Two thousand leading households of officials and gentry from twenty-two commanderies in six provinces were moved to the capital.
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二年春正月甲子，初祀上帝於南郊，以始祖神元皇帝配，降壇視燎，成禮而反。 乙丑，赦京師。 始制三駕之法。 庚午，北巡。 分命諸將大襲高車，常山王遵三軍從東道出長川，高涼王樂真等七軍從西道出牛川，車駕親勒六軍從中道自駮髯水西北出。 二月丁亥朔，諸軍同會，破高車雜種三十餘部。 衛王儀督三將別從西北絕漠千餘里，破其遺迸七部。 還次牛川，及薄山，並刻石紀功。 以所獲高車眾起鹿苑于南台陰，北距長城，東苞白登，屬之西山，廣輪數十里，鑿渠引武川水，注之苑中，疏為三溝，分流宮城內外。 又穿鴻雁池。 三月己未，車駕至自北伐。 甲子，初令《五經》群書各置博士，增國子太學生員三千人。 是月，氐人李辯叛慕容德，求援於鄴。 行台尚書和跋以輕騎應之，克滑台，收德宮人府藏。 秋七月，起天華殿。 辛酉，大閱于鹿苑。 八月，增啟京城十二門，作西武庫。 除州郡人租賦之半。 辛亥，詔禮官備撰眾儀，著於新令。 范陽人盧溥聚眾海濱，稱幽州刺史，攻掠郡縣，殺幽州刺史封遝幹。 是月，禿發烏孤死，其弟利鹿孤立，遣使朝貢。 冬十月，太廟成，遷神元、平文、昭成、獻明皇帝神主于太廟。 十二月，天華殿成。 呂光立其子紹為天王，自稱太上皇，及死，庶子纂殺紹而僭立。
On jiazi day in the first month of year two he sacrificed to Heaven at the southern suburb with Emperor Shenyuan as spirit partner, watched the flame from below the altar, and returned when the rite was done. On yichou day he pardoned the capital. He first established the rule of the three imperial progresses. On gengwu day he toured north. He sent his generals against the Gaoche clans: Prince Zun of Changshan led three armies east from Changchuan, Prince Yuezhen of Gaoliang led seven armies west from Niuchuan, and the Emperor led six armies from the center northwest from Boxu River. On dinghai day, the new moon of the second month, the armies met and shattered more than thirty Gaoche tribes. Prince Yi of Wei led three generals more than a thousand li across the desert northwest and broke seven fleeing tribes. On the return he camped at Niuchuan and Thin Mountain and carved the victory in stone at both places. With Gaoche captives he built a deer park south of South Terrace, running from the Long Wall north to White Ascent east and the western hills, tens of li across; canals brought Wuchuan River into the park in three channels threading through and around the palace. He also dug the Wild Goose Pool. On jiwei day in the third month the court returned from the northern expedition. On jiazi day he appointed erudites for the Five Classics and other texts and added three thousand students to the Imperial Academy. That month Li Bian of the Di rebelled against Murong De and asked Ye for help. He Ba of the traveling secretariat rode out with light cavalry, took Hua Terrace, and seized Murong De's women and stores. In the seventh month work began on the Celestial Splendor Hall. On xinyou day he held a great review at the deer park. In the eighth month the capital's twelve gates were enlarged and the Western Armory was built. Rent and levies were halved in every commandery and county. On xinhai day an edict ordered ritual officers to compile all ceremonies for the new code. Lu Pu of Fanyang raised a host on the coast, called himself Inspector of Youzhou, raided the commanderies, and killed Feng Qigan the inspector. That month Tufa Wuji died; his brother Lilugu succeeded him and sent tribute. In the tenth month the Grand Temple was finished and the tablets of Emperors Shenyuan, Pingwen, Zhaocheng, and Xianming were moved there. In the twelfth month the Celestial Splendor Hall was finished. Lü Guang made his son Shao Heavenly King and took the title Exalted Emperor; when he died his bastard son Zuan killed Shao and seized the throne.
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三年春正月戊午，材官將軍和突破盧溥於遼西，獲之，及其子煥傳送京師，轘之。 癸亥，祀北郊。 分命諸官循行州郡，觀風俗，察舉不法。 二月丁亥，詔有司祀日於東郊。 始耕籍田。 壬寅，皇子聰薨。 三月戊午，立皇后慕容氏。 是月，穿城南渠通於城內，作東西魚池。 夏四月，姚興遣使朝貢。 五月戊辰，詔謁者僕射張濟使於興。 己巳，東巡，遂幸涿鹿，遣使者乙太牢祀帝堯、帝舜廟。 西幸馬邑，觀氵壘源。 六月庚辰朔，日有蝕之。 秋七月，乞伏乾歸大為姚興所破。 壬子，車駕還宮。 起中天殿及雲母堂、金華室。 時太史屢奏天文錯亂，帝親覽經占，多雲宜改王易政，於是數革官號，欲以防塞凶狡，消弭災變。 已而慮臣下疑惑，冬十二月丙申，下詔述成敗之理，鑒殷、周之失，革秦、漢之弊，以喻臣下。 是歲，河右諸郡奉、涼武昭王李玄盛為秦涼二州牧、涼公，肇興霸業，年號庚子。
On wuwu day in the first month of year three General He Po defeated Lu Pu in Liaoxi, captured him and his son Huan, sent them to the capital, and had them torn apart by chariots. On guihai day he sacrificed at the northern suburb. He sent officers to tour the commanderies, observe local custom, and report corruption. On dinghai day an edict ordered sacrifice to the sun at the eastern suburb. He first plowed the sacred field. On renyin day Prince Cong died. On wuwu day in the third month he installed Empress Murong. That month a canal was cut south of the wall into the city and eastern and western fish ponds were dug. In the fourth month Yao Xing sent envoys with tribute. On wuchen day he sent Zhang Ji Chief of Protocol as envoy to Yao Xing. On jisi day he toured east to Zhuolu and sent envoys to offer the highest sacrifice at the temples of Yao and Shun. He went west to Mayi and viewed the Lei River source. On gengchen day, the new moon of the sixth month, the sun was eclipsed. In the seventh month Qifu Gangui was shattered by Yao Xing. On renzi day the court returned to the palace. Work began on the Central Heaven Hall, the Mica Hall, and the Golden Splendor Chamber. The astronomers kept reporting strange heavens; the Emperor studied the omen books himself, and since many said he should change his title and government, he altered office names again and again to ward off disaster. Fearing confusion among his ministers, on bingchen day in the twelfth month he issued an edict on success and failure, taking Yin-Zhou and Qin-Han as lessons, to guide his officials. That year the northwestern commanderies made Li Xuansheng Duke of Liang and governor of Qin and Liang, beginning his rule with the era name Gengzi.
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四年春二月丁亥，命樂師入學習舞，釋菜於先聖、先師。 丁酉，分命使者巡行州郡，聽察辭訟，糾劾不法。 是月，呂光弟子隆弑呂纂而自立。 三月，帝親漁，薦於寢廟。 夏四月辛卯，罷鄴行台。 詔有司明揚隱逸。 五月，起紫極殿、玄武樓、涼風觀、石池、鹿苑台。 六月，盧水胡沮渠蒙遜私署涼州牧、張掖公。 秋七月，詔兗州刺史長孫肥南徇許昌、彭城。 詔賜天下鎮戍將士布帛各有差。 八月，段興殺慕容盛，叔父熙盡誅段氏，僭即皇帝位。 冬十二月，集博士儒生比眾經文字，義類相從，凡四萬餘字，號曰《眾文經》。 是歲，涼武昭王、沮渠蒙遜並遣使朝貢。
On dinghai day in the second month of the fourth year he had the court musicians train in the ritual dances and offered the school sacrifice to Confucius and his disciples. On dingyou day he sent envoys throughout the provinces to hear cases and punish corruption. That month Long, nephew of Lü Guang, killed Lü Zuan and seized the throne. In the third month the Emperor fished himself and offered the catch at the ancestral sleeping hall. On xinmao day in the fourth month he abolished the traveling secretariat at Ye. An edict ordered officials to seek out and recommend hidden worthies. In the fifth month he began the Purple Pole Hall, Black Tortoise Tower, Cool Breeze Pavilion, Stone Pool, and Deer Park Terrace. In the sixth month Juqu Mengxun of the Lushui Hu took the titles Governor of Liangzhou and Duke of Zhangye on his own authority. In the seventh month he ordered Changsun Fei, inspector of Yanzhou, to strike south at Xuchang and Pengcheng. An edict gave graded gifts of cloth and silk to every garrison soldier in the realm. In the eighth month Duan Xing killed Murong Sheng; Xi his uncle wiped out the Duan clan and declared himself emperor. In the twelfth month he gathered scholars to harmonize the written forms of the classics into more than forty thousand characters, called the Comprehensive Script Classic. That year the King of Liang and Juqu Mengxun both sent tribute missions.
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五年春正月，帝聞姚興將寇邊，庚寅，大簡輿徒，詔并州諸軍積穀於平陽乾壁。 三月，禿發利鹿孤死。 夏五月，姚興遣其弟義陽王平來侵平陽，攻陷乾壁。 秋七月戊辰朔，車駕西討。 八月乙巳，至乾壁，平固守，進軍圍之。 姚興悉舉其眾來救。 甲子，帝度蒙坑，逆擊興軍大破之。 冬十月，平赴水而死，俘其餘眾三萬餘人，獲興尚書左僕射狄伯支以下四品將軍以上四十餘人。 獲前亡臣王次多、靳勒，並斬以徇。 興頻使請和，帝不許。 群臣請進平蒲阪，帝慮蠕蠕為難，戊申，班師。 十一月，車駕次晉陽。 征相州刺史庾岳為司空。 十二月辛亥，至自西征。 越勒莫弗率其部萬餘家內屬。
In the first month of the fifth year, learning that Yao Xing meant to attack the border, on gengyin day he mustered the army and ordered Bingzhou troops to stock grain at Ganbi in Pingyang. In the third month Tufa Lilugu died. In the fifth month Yao Xing sent his brother the Prince of Yiyang to invade Pingyang and take Ganbi. On wuchen day, the new moon of the seventh month, the court marched west on campaign. On yisi day in the eighth month he reached Ganbi, besieged Ping where he held the fortress, and pressed the siege. Yao Xing marched out with his whole army to relieve the siege. On jiazi day the Emperor crossed Meng Ravine, met Yao Xing's army, and shattered it. In the tenth month Ping drowned himself; more than thirty thousand survivors were captured along with Di Bozhi, Yao Xing's vice minister of the Masters of Writing, and more than forty generals of the fourth rank and above. Former deserters Wang Ciduo and Jin Le were taken and beheaded before the army. Yao Xing sued for peace again and again; the Emperor refused. His ministers urged him to push on to Puban; fearing the Rouran, he withdrew on wushen day. In the eleventh month the court camped at Jinyang. He summoned Yu Yue, inspector of Xiangzhou, and made him Minister of Works. On xinhai day in the twelfth month he returned from the western campaign. Yuele Mofu brought more than ten thousand households of his tribe into allegiance.
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六年春正月辛未，朔方尉遲部別帥率萬家內屬，入居雲中。 夏四月癸巳朔，日有蝕之。 五月，大簡輿徒，將略江淮。 秋七月，鎮西大將軍、司隸校尉、毗陵王順有罪，以王還第。 戊子，北巡，築離宮於豺山，縱士校獵，東北逾罽嶺，出參合、代穀。 九月，行幸南平城，規度氵壘南夏屋山，背黃瓜堆，將建新邑。 辛未，車駕還宮。 冬十月，起西昭陽殿。 乙卯，立皇子嗣為齊王，加車騎大將軍，位相國。 紹為清河王，加征南大將軍。 熙為陽平王，曜為河南王。 封故秦湣王子夔為豫章王，陳留桓王子悅為硃提王。 丁巳，晉人來聘。 十一月庚午，將軍伊謂大破高車。 十二月，晉桓玄廢其主司馬德宗為平固王而自立，僭號楚。
On xinwei day in the first month of the sixth year a Yuchi chieftain of Shuofang led ten thousand families to submit and settle in Yunzhong. On guisi day, the new moon of the fourth month, the sun was eclipsed. In the fifth month he mustered a great army, intending to strike toward the Yangzi and Huai. In the seventh month Prince Shun of Piling, Grand General Who Pacifies the West and Director of Retainers, was found guilty and stripped to his princely estate. On wuzi day he toured north, built a lodge on Wolf Mountain, held a competitive hunt, crossed Ji Ridge northeast, and came out through Canhe and Dai Valley. In the ninth month he went to Nanping city and surveyed Yongnan and Summer House Hill, backed by Yellow Melon Mound, planning a new capital. On xinwei day the court returned to the palace. In the tenth month work began on the Western Zhaoyang Hall. On yimao day he made his son Si Prince of Qi, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, with rank equal to the chancellor. Shao became Prince of Qinghe and Grand General Who Conquers the South. Xi became Prince of Yangping and Yao Prince of Henan. He enfeoffed Kui, son of the late King of Qin, as Prince of Yuzhang, and Yue, son of Prince Huan of Chenliu, as Prince of Zhuti. On dingsi day Jin sent envoys on a friendly visit. On gengwu day in the eleventh month General Yi Wei shattered the Gaoche. In the twelfth month Huan Xuan of Jin deposed Emperor Dezong to Prince of Pinggu and made himself King of Chu.
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天賜元年春二月，晉劉裕起兵誅桓玄。 三月，初限縣戶不滿百罷之。 夏五月，置山東諸冶，發州郡徒謫造兵甲。 秋九月，帝臨昭陽殿，分置眾職，引朝臣文武親自簡擢，量能敘用。 制爵四等，曰王、公、侯、子，除伯、男之號。 追錄舊臣，加封爵各有差。 是秋，江南大亂，流人繦負奔淮北者行道相尋。 冬十月辛巳，大赦，改元。 築西宮。 十一月，幸西宮，大選臣僚，令各辨宗党，保舉才行，諸部子孫失業賜爵者二千餘人。
In the second month of Tianci year one Liu Yu of Jin raised an army and killed Huan Xuan. In the third month he abolished every county with fewer than a hundred households. In the fifth month he set up foundries across Shandong and drafted convicts from every province to forge arms and armor. In the seventh month he sat in Zhaoyang Hall, reorganized the offices, and personally chose civil and military men according to their talents. He fixed nobility at four ranks, king, duke, marquis, and viscount, and abolished the ranks of earl and baron. He posthumously honored old ministers with titles and fiefs according to their service. That autumn the south fell into chaos and refugees with infants on their backs filled the roads to the Huai north bank. On xinsi day in the tenth month he proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name. He built the Western Palace. In the eleventh month he went to the Western Palace, had officials sort their clans and recommend talent, and ennobled more than two thousand idle sons of the departments.
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二年春正月，晉主司馬德宗復位。 夏四月，祀西郊，車旗盡黑。 冬十月，慕容德死。
In the first month of year two Sima Dezong of Jin was restored to the throne. In the fourth month he sacrificed at the western suburb with chariots and banners all in black. In the tenth month Murong De died.
71
三年春正月甲申，北巡，幸豺山宮，校獵，還至屋孤山。 二月乙亥，幸代園山，建五石亭。 三月庚子，車駕還宮。 夏四月庚申，復幸豺山宮。 占授著作郎王宜弟造《兵法孤虛立成圖》三百六十。 時遂登定襄角史山，又幸馬城。 甲戌，車駕還宮。 六月，發八部五百里內男丁築氵壘南宮，門闕高十餘丈。 引溝穿池，廣苑囿。 規立外城方二十里，分置市里，經途洞達。 三十日罷。 秋七月，太尉穆崇薨。 八月甲辰，行幸豺山宮，遂至青牛山。 丙辰，西登武要北原，觀九十九泉，造古亭，遂之石漠。 九月甲戌朔，幸漠南鹽池。 壬午，至漠中，觀天鹽池。 度漠北，之吐鹽池。 癸巳，南還長川。 丙申，臨觀長陂。 冬十月庚申，車駕還宮。
On jiashen day in the first month of year three he toured north to Wolf Mountain Palace, hunted, and returned to Wugu Mountain. On yihai day he went to Dai Garden Mountain and built the Five Stone Pavilion. On gengzi day the court returned to the palace. On gengshen day in the fourth month he again visited Wolf Mountain Palace. By divination he appointed Attendant Gentleman Wang Yidi to compose three hundred sixty charts of void formations and military method. He then climbed Dingxiang Horn Historian Mountain and visited Horse City. On jiaxu day the court returned to the palace. In the sixth month he drafted men from the eight tribes within five hundred li to build the Yongnan Palace with gate towers more than ten zhang high. He cut canals, dug pools, and enlarged the imperial parks. He planned an outer city twenty li square with wards and markets and straight streets running through. After thirty days the labor was dismissed. In the seventh month Grand Commandant Mu Chong died. On jiachen day he went to Wolf Mountain Palace and then to Green Ox Mountain. On bingchen day he climbed the northern plain of Wuyao westward, viewed the ninety-nine springs, built a pavilion in the old style, and went on to Stone Desert. On jiaxu day, the new moon of the ninth month, he visited the salt pools south of the desert. On rewu day he reached the heart of the desert and viewed the Heavenly Salt Pool. He crossed north of the desert to the Spitting Salt Pool. On guisi day he turned south to Long River. On bingshen day he came to view Long Marsh. On gengshen day in the tenth month the court returned to the palace.
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四年春二月，封皇子修為河間王，處文為長樂王，連為廣平王，黎為京兆王。 夏五月，北巡，自參合陂東過蟠羊山，大雨，暴水流輜車數百乘，殺百餘人。 遂東北逾石漠，至長川，幸濡源。 常山王遵有罪賜死。 六月，赫連屈丐自稱大單于、大夏天王。 秋七月，西幸參合陂。 築北宮垣，三旬而罷，乃還宮。 慕容寶養子高雲殺慕容熙而自立，僭號天王。 八月，誅司空庾嶽。
In the second month of the fourth year he enfeoffed his sons Xiu as Prince of Hejian, Wenchang as Prince of Changle, Lian as Prince of Guangping, and Li as Prince of Jingzhao. In the fifth month he toured north; east from Canhe Marsh a storm flood overturned hundreds of supply wagons and killed more than a hundred men. He went northeast beyond Stone Desert to Long River and visited Ruyuan. Prince Zun of Changshan was found guilty and ordered to die. In the sixth month Helian Bobo declared himself Grand Chanyu and Great Heavenly King of Xia. In the seventh month he went west to Canhe Marsh. He built the northern palace wall, finished in thirty days, and returned to the palace. Gao Yun, adopted son of Murong Bao, killed Murong Xi and declared himself Heavenly King. In the eighth month Minister of Works Yue was put to death.
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五年春正月，行幸豺山宮，遂如參合陂，觀漁于延水，至寧川。 三月，姚興遣使朝貢。 秋七月戊戌朔，日有蝕之。 冬十月，禿發傉檀僭即涼王位。
In the first month of the fifth year he went to Wolf Mountain Palace, then to Canhe Marsh, watched fishing on the Yan River, and reached Ningchuan. In the third month Yao Xing sent envoys with tribute. On wuxu day, the new moon of the seventh month, the sun was eclipsed. In the tenth month Tufa Rutan declared himself King of Liang.
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六年夏，帝不豫。 初，帝服寒食散，自太醫令陰羌死後，藥數動發，至此愈甚。 而災變屢見，憂懣不安，或數日不食，或不寢達旦，歸咎群下，喜怒乖常。 謂百僚左右不可信，慮如天文之占，或有肘腋之虞。 追思既往成敗得失，終日竟夜獨語不止，若傍有鬼物對揚者。 朝臣至前，追其舊惡，便見殺害。 其餘或以顏色變動，或以喘息不調，或以行步乖節，或以言辭失措，帝以為懷惡在心，變見於外，乃手自毆擊。 死者皆陳天安殿前。 於是朝野人情各懷危懼，有司廢怠，莫相督攝，百工偷劫，盜賊公行，巷里之間，人為稀少。 帝亦聞之，曰：「朕故縱之使然，幸過災年，當更清整之耳。」 秋七月，慕容氏支屬百餘家謀欲外奔，發覺，伏誅死者三百餘人。 八月，衛王儀謀叛，賜死。 十月戊辰，清河王紹作亂，帝崩于天安殿，時年三十九。 永興二年九月甲寅，上諡曰宣武皇帝，葬于盛樂金陵，廟號太祖，泰常五年改諡曰道武。
In the summer of the sixth year the Emperor fell gravely ill. He had long taken cold-food powder; after Chief Physician Yin Qiang died the doses brought on worse and worse crises. Strange omens piled up; restless, he sometimes fasted for days, sometimes sat awake until dawn, blamed his officials, and turned erratic in temper. He said none of the officials around him could be trusted and feared the stars foretold treachery at his elbow. He brooded over past victories and defeats and talked to himself day and night as though someone unseen answered back. When a courtier came before him he dredged up old wrongs and killed him at once. Others he killed for a change of expression, uneven breath, an awkward step, or a slip of the tongue, convinced their hearts were guilty and their bodies had betrayed them, and beat them to death himself. The dead were laid out before the Hall of Heavenly Peace. Court and countryside alike lived in fear; officials neglected their duties; craftsmen stole openly; thieves roamed the streets; the lanes grew empty. The Emperor heard of it too and said he had let it go on purpose and would set things right once the bad years had passed. In the seventh month more than a hundred Murong kinsmen plotted to flee; caught, more than three hundred were put to death. In the eighth month Prince Yi of Wei plotted rebellion and was sentenced to death. On wuchen day in the tenth month Prince Shao of Qinghe rose in rebellion; the Emperor died in the Hall of Heavenly Peace. He was thirty-nine. On jiayin day in the ninth month of Yongxing year two he received the posthumous name Emperor Martial-Illustrious, was buried at the Golden Tomb at Shengle, and given temple name Grand Ancestor; in Taichang year five the posthumous title became Emperor Dao Wu.
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太宗明元皇帝諱嗣，道武皇帝之長子也。 母曰劉貴人，登國七年，生於雲中宮。 道武晚有男，聞而大悅，乃大赦。 帝明睿寬毅，非禮不動。 天興六年，封齊王，拜相國。 初，帝母既賜死，道武召帝告曰：「昔漢武將立其子而殺其母，不令婦人與國政，汝當繼統，故吾遠同漢武。」 帝素純孝，哀不自勝。 道武怒。 帝還宮，哀不自止，道武知而又召帝。 帝欲入，左右諫，請待和解而進，帝從之。 及元紹之逆，帝還而誅之。
Emperor Mingyuan, styled the Grand Ancestor, whose name was Si, was Dao Wu's eldest son. His mother was Honored Lady Liu; in Dengguo year seven he was born at the Cloud Palace. Dao Wu had long awaited a son; when he heard, he rejoiced and proclaimed a general amnesty. He was clear-minded, wise, magnanimous, and firm; nothing moved him outside the rites. In Tianxing year six he was made Prince of Qi and Chancellor of State. When his mother had been put to death, Dao Wu called him in and said: "Emperor Wu of Han killed his son's mother before setting the boy on the throne, lest a woman hold the state. You will succeed me, so I have done as Han Wu did." The Emperor had always been devoted; grief overwhelmed him. Dao Wu grew angry. He went back to the palace still weeping; when Dao Wu heard, he summoned him again. He started to go in; his attendants urged him to wait until tempers had cooled; he listened. When Prince Shao rebelled, the Emperor came back and put him to death.
76
永興元年冬十月壬午，皇帝即位，大赦改元，追尊皇妣為宣穆皇后。 公卿大臣先罷歸第者，悉復登用之。 詔南平公長孫嵩、北新侯安同對理人訟，簡賢任能。 是月，馮跋弑其主高雲，僭號天王，國號北燕。 閏十月丁亥，硃提王悅謀反，賜死。 詔都兵將軍山陽侯奚斤巡諸州，問人疾苦。 十二月戊戌，封衛王儀子良為南陽王，進陰平公列爵為王，改封高涼王樂真為平陽王。 己亥，帝始居西宮，禦天文殿。 蠕蠕犯塞。 是歲，乞伏乾歸自稱秦王。
On renwu day in the tenth month of Yongxing year one he took the throne, proclaimed amnesty and a new reign title, and honored his mother posthumously as Empress Xuanmu. Every noble and minister who had been sent home was brought back to office. He ordered Duke Changsun Song of Southern Peace and Marquis An Tong of Northern Xin to judge cases and appoint worthy men. That month Feng Ba murdered his ruler Gao Yun, styled himself Heavenly King, and named his state Northern Yan. On dinghai day in the intercalary tenth month Prince Yue of Zhuti plotted rebellion and was sentenced to death. He ordered General Xi Jin, Marquis of Shanyang, to tour the provinces and hear the people's grievances. On wuxu day in the twelfth month he made Ziliang, son of Prince Yi of Wei, Prince of Nanyang, raised Duke Lie of Yinping to prince, and changed Prince Le Zhen of Gaoliang to Prince of Pingyang. On jihai day he moved into the Western Palace and held court in the Hall of Heavenly Astronomy. The Rouran raided the border. That year Qifu Gangui declared himself King of Qin.
77
二年春正月甲寅朔，詔南平公長孫嵩等北征蠕蠕，因留屯漠南。 夏五月，嵩等自大漠還，蠕蠕追圍之于牛川。 壬申，帝北伐，蠕蠕聞而遁走。 車駕還幸參合陂。 六月，晉將劉裕滅慕容超。 秋七月丁巳，立射台於陂西，仍講武。 乙丑，至自北伐。
On the new moon of the first month in year two he sent Duke Changsun Song of Southern Peace north against the Rouran with orders to camp south of the desert. In the fifth month Song returned from the desert; the Rouran caught them at Ox Stream and besieged them. On renshen day the Emperor marched north; hearing of it, the Rouran withdrew. The court returned to Canhe Mound. In the sixth month the Jin general Liu Yu destroyed Murong Chao. On dingsi day in the seventh month he built an archery platform west of the mound and held a military review. On yichou day he returned from the northern campaign.
78
三年春二月戊戌，詔簡宮人非禦及伎巧者，悉以賜鰥人。 己亥，詔北新侯安同等持節巡行並、定二州及諸山居雜胡、丁零，問其疾苦，察舉守宰不法者。 辛丑，簡宮人工伎之不急者出，賜人不能自存者。 三月己未，詔侍臣常佩劍。 夏五月丙寅，復出宮人賜鰥人。 丁卯，車駕謁金陵于盛樂。 己巳，昌黎王慕容伯兒謀反，伏誅。 六月，姚興遣使朝貢。 秋七月戊申，賜衛士酺三日。 冬十一月丁未，大閱於東郊。
On wuxu day in the second month of year three he ordered palace women not needed at court or for crafts given to widowers. On jihai day he ordered Marquis An Tong of Northern Xin, with full authority, to tour Bing and Ding provinces and the mountain tribes, hear their grievances, and impeach corrupt officials. On xinchou day he released unneeded craftswomen from the palace and gave them to people who could not support themselves. On jiwei day in the third month he ordered ministers in attendance to wear swords at all times. On bingyin day in the fifth month he again gave palace women to widowers. On dingmao day the court visited the Golden Tomb at Shengle. On jisi day Prince Murong Bo'er of Changli plotted rebellion and was executed. In the sixth month Yao Xing sent tribute envoys. On wushen day in the seventh month he granted the guards three days of feasting. On dingwei day in the eleventh month he held a great review at the eastern suburb.
79
四年春二月癸未，登獸圈，射猛獸。 夏四月乙未，宴群臣於西宮，使各獻直言，勿有所諱。 六月，乞伏乾歸為兄子公府所弑。 閏月丙辰，大閱於東郊。 秋七月己巳朔，東巡。 置四廂大將，又放十二時，置十二小將。 以山陽侯奚斤、元城公屈行左右丞相。 己卯，大獼于石會山。 戊子，臨去畿陂觀漁。 庚寅，至於濡源，西巡，幸北部諸落。 八月壬子，幸西宮，臨板殿，大饗群臣，命百姓大酺三日。 乙卯，賜王公以下至宿衛將士布各有差。 冬十一月己丑，賜宗室近屬南陽王良以下至於緦麻親布帛各有差。 是月，沮渠蒙遜僭稱河西王。 十二月丁巳，北巡，至長城而旋。
On guiwei day in the second month of year four he climbed into the hunting park and shot wild beasts. On yiwei day in the fourth month he feasted his ministers in the Western Palace and asked each to speak plainly without holding back. In the sixth month Qifu Gangui was murdered by his nephew Gongfu. On bingchen day in the intercalary month he held a great review at the eastern suburb. On the new moon of the seventh month he toured east. He appointed four senior generals for the cardinal divisions and twelve junior generals for the twelve watches. He made Marquis Xi Jin of Shanyang and Duke Qu Xing of Yuancheng left and right chancellors. On jimao day he held a great hunt at Stone Meeting Mountain. On wuzi day he watched the fishing at the Ji Mound. On gengyin day he reached Ruyuan, turned west, and visited the northern tribes. On renzi day in the eighth month he went to the Western Palace, feasted his ministers at the Plank Hall, and ordered three days of public celebration. On yimao day he gave graded gifts of cloth to princes, officials, and garrison troops alike. On jichou day in the eleventh month he gave graded gifts of cloth and silk to the imperial clan from Prince Liang of Nanyang down to even the most distant kin. That month Juqu Mengxun styled himself Prince of Hexi. On dingsi day in the twelfth month he toured north to the Great Wall and returned.
80
五年春正月己巳，大閱畿內，男年十二以上悉集。 己卯，幸西宮。 頞拔大渠帥四十餘人詣闕奉貢，賜以繒帛錦罽各有差。 乙酉，詔諸州，六十戶出戎馬一匹。 庚寅，大閱於東郊，署將帥，以山陽侯奚斤為前軍，眾三萬； 陽平王熙等十二將各一萬騎； 帝臨白登，躬自校覽。 二月庚戌，幸高柳川。 癸丑，穿魚池于北苑。 庚午，姚興遣使朝貢。 己卯，詔使者巡行天下，招延俊彥，搜揚隱逸。 夏四月乙卯，西巡。 五月乙亥，行幸雲中舊宮之大室。 丙子，大赦。 六月，西幸五原，校獵于骨羅山，獲獸十萬。 秋七月己巳，還幸薄山。 帝登觀宣武游幸刻石頌德之處，乃於其旁起石壇而薦饗焉，賜從者大酺於山下。 前軍奚斤等破越勒倍泥部落於跋那山西，徙二萬餘家而旋。 丙戌，車駕自大室西南巡諸部落，遂南次定襄大洛城，東逾七嶺山，田於善無川。 八月癸卯，車駕還宮。 癸丑，奚斤等班師。 甲寅，帝臨白登山，觀降人，數軍實。 置新人于大寧，給農器，計口受田。 冬十一月癸酉，大饗於西宮。 姚興遣使朝貢，請進女，帝許之。
On jisi day in the first month of year five he mustered the capital domain; every male twelve or older was called up. On jimao day he went to the Western Palace. More than forty chiefs of Eba came to court with tribute and received graded gifts of silk and brocade. On yiyou day he ordered every province to furnish one war horse per sixty households. On gengyin day he held a great review at the eastern suburb and appointed commanders; Marquis Xi Jin of Shanyang led the vanguard with thirty thousand men. Prince Xi of Yangping and twelve other generals each commanded ten thousand cavalry. The Emperor went to White Mount and inspected the troops himself. On gengxu day in the second month he went to Gaoliu Stream. On guichou day he dug a fish pond in the northern park. On gengwu day Yao Xing sent tribute envoys. On jimao day he sent envoys through the realm to seek worthy men and hidden scholars. On yimao day in the fourth month he toured west. On yihai day in the fifth month he visited the great hall of the old palace at Yunzhong. On bingzi day he proclaimed a general amnesty. In the sixth month he went west to Wuyuan, hunted at Mount Guluow, and took a hundred thousand animals. On jisi day in the seventh month he returned to Bo Mountain. He climbed to the spot where Emperor Martial-Illustrious had carved his praises in stone, built an altar beside it and made offerings, and feasted his followers at the foot of the hill. Vanguard Xi Jin defeated the Yuele Beini west of Mount Bana, resettled more than twenty thousand households, and returned. On bingxu day the court left the great hall, toured the tribes southwest, camped south at Dingxiang Daluo City, crossed Seven Ridges east, and tilled fields at Shanyou Stream. On guimao day in the eighth month the court returned to the palace. On guichou day Xi Jin and his army returned in triumph. On jiayin day the Emperor went to White Mount, reviewed the captives, and counted the stores of arms. He settled the new captives in Daning, gave them farm tools, and allotted land by head. On guiyou day in the eleventh month he held a great feast in the Western Palace. Yao Xing sent tribute envoys and asked to send a daughter; the Emperor agreed.
81
神瑞元年春正月辛酉，以禎瑞頻集，大赦改元。 辛巳，行幸繁畤。 賜王公以下至於士卒百工布帛各有差。 二月戊戌，車駕還宮。 乙卯，起豐宮于平城東北。 夏六月，乞伏熾盤滅禿發傉檀。 秋七月，晉將硃齡石滅蜀。 八月戊子，詔馬邑侯元陋孫使于姚興。 姚興遣使朝貢。 九月丁巳朔，日有蝕之。 冬十一月壬午，詔使者巡行諸州，校閱守宰資財，非自家所齎，悉簿為贓。 守宰不如法，聽百姓詣闕告之。 十二月丙戌朔，蠕蠕犯塞。 丙申，車駕北伐。
On xinyou day in the first month of Shenrui year one, frequent auspicious signs moved him to proclaim amnesty and change the reign title. On xinsi day he went to Fanzhi. He gave graded gifts of cloth and silk to princes, soldiers, and artisans alike. On wuxu day in the second month the court returned to the palace. On yimao day he began Feng Palace northeast of Pingcheng. In the sixth month Qifu Chipan destroyed Tufa Rutan. In the seventh month the Jin general Zhu Lingshi conquered Shu. On wuzi day in the eighth month he sent Marquis Yuan Lousun of Mayi as envoy to Yao Xing. Yao Xing sent tribute envoys. On the new moon of the ninth month there was a solar eclipse. On renwu day in the eleventh month he sent envoys to audit provincial officials' wealth; anything not brought from home was entered as embezzlement. Officials who broke the law could be reported by the people at court. On the new moon of the twelfth month the Rouran raided the border. On bingshen day the court marched north on campaign.
82
二年春正月丙辰，車駕至自北伐。 二月丁亥，大饗於西宮。 甲辰，立宣武廟于白登西。 三月丁丑，詔以刺史守宰率多逋惰，今年貲調縣違者，謫出家財以充，不聽徵發於人。 夏四月，晉人來聘。 己卯，北巡。 五月丁亥，次於參合，東幸大寧。 丁未，田於四岬山。 六月戊午，臨去畿陂觀漁。 辛酉，次於濡源，立蜯台。 遂射白熊于頹牛山，獲之。 丁卯，幸赤城，親見長老，問人疾苦，復租一年。 南次石亭，幸上穀，問百年，訪賢俊，復田租之半。 壬申，幸涿鹿，登嶠山，觀溫泉，使乙太牢祠黃帝、唐堯廟。 癸酉，幸廣寧，事如上穀。 己卯，登廣寧之曆山，乙太牢祠舜廟，帝親加禮焉。 庚辰，幸代。 秋七月癸未，車駕還宮，復所過田租之半。 八月庚辰晦，日有蝕之。 九月，京師人饑，聽就食山東。 冬十月壬子，姚興使奉其西平公主至，帝以後禮納之。 辛酉，行幸沮洳城。 癸亥，車駕還宮。 丙寅，詔以頻遇霜旱，年穀不登，命出布帛倉穀以振貧窮。
On bingchen day in the first month of year two the court returned from the northern campaign. On dinghai day in the second month he held a great feast in the Western Palace. On jiachen day he founded the Temple of Martial-Illustrious west of White Mount. On dingchou day in the third month he ruled that lazy officials must pay shortfalls in land tax and corvée from their own estates, not from the people. In the fourth month envoys from Jin came on a friendly mission. On jimao day he toured north. On dinghai day in the fifth month he stopped at Canhe and went east to Daning. On dingwei day he tilled fields at Four Cape Mountain. On wuwu day in the sixth month he watched the fishing at Quji Mound. On xinyou day he stopped at Ruyuan and built Clam Terrace. He shot a white bear on Tui Ox Mountain and brought it down. On dingmao day he went to Chicheng, met the elders in person, asked after the people's hardships, and remitted a full year of land tax. He stopped south at Shiting, visited Shanggu, questioned centenarians, sought worthy men, and cut the field tax in half. On renshen day he went to Zhuolu, climbed Qiao Mountain, viewed the hot springs, and had an ox sacrifice offered at the temples of the Yellow Emperor and Tang Yao. On guiyou day he visited Guangning and did as he had at Shanggu. On jimao day he climbed Li Mountain in Guangning, offered an ox at Shun's temple, and the Emperor himself performed the rites. On gengchen day he went to Dai. On guiwei day in the seventh month the court returned to the palace and halved the field tax everywhere it had passed. At month's end on gengchen day in the eighth month there was a solar eclipse. In the ninth month famine struck the capital; people were allowed to go east to Shandong to find food. On renzi day in the tenth month Yao Xing's envoys brought his Princess of Xiping; the Emperor welcomed her with the rites due an empress. On xinyou day he went to Juru City. On guihai day the court returned to the palace. On bingyin day he ruled that repeated frost and drought had ruined the harvest and ordered cloth, silk, and grain from the stores given to the poor.
83
泰常元年春二月丁未，姚興死。 三月己丑，長樂王處文薨。 夏四月壬子，大赦改元。 庚申，河間王修薨。 五月甲申，彗星二見。 六月丁巳，北巡。 秋七月甲申，大獮于牛川，登釜山，臨殷繁水，南觀於九十九泉。 戊戌，車駕還宮。 辛亥晦，日有蝕之。 九月，晉劉裕溯河伐姚泓，遣部將王仲德從陸道至梁城。 兗州刺史尉建畏懦，棄守北渡，仲德遂入滑台。 詔將軍叔孫建等度河曜威，斬尉建於城下。 冬十一月戊寅，起蓬台于北苑。 十二月，南陽王良薨。
On dingwei day in the second month of Taichang year one Yao Xing died. On jichou day in the third month Prince Changle Wang Chuwen died. On renzi day in the fourth month he proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the reign title. On gengshen day Prince Hejian Wang Xiu died. On jiashen day in the fifth month two comets were seen. On dingsi day in the sixth month he toured north. On jiashen day in the seventh month he held a great hunt at Ox Stream, climbed Kettle Mountain, looked down on the Yinfan River, and gazed south from Ninety-Nine Springs. On wuxu day the court returned to the palace. At month's end on xinhai day there was a solar eclipse. In the ninth month Liu Yu of Jin marched upriver against Yao Hong and sent Wang Zhongde by land to Liangcheng. Wei Jian, inspector of Yanzhou, lost his nerve, abandoned his post, and fled north across the river; Zhongde then took Huatai. He ordered General Shusun Jian and others to cross the river and show their strength; Wei Jian was beheaded beneath the walls. On wuyin day in the eleventh month he built Peng Terrace in the northern park. In the twelfth month Prince Nanyang Wang Liang died.
84
二年春正月甲戌朔，日有蝕之。 二月丙午，詔使者巡行天下，觀風俗，問其所苦。 是月，涼武昭王薨。 五月，西巡至雲中，遂濟河，田於大漠。 秋七月乙亥，車駕還宮。 乙酉，起白台于城南，高二十丈。 是月，晉劉裕滅姚泓。 冬十月癸丑，豫章王夔薨。 十二月己酉，詔河東、河內購泓子弟播越人間者。
On the new moon of the first month in year two there was a solar eclipse. On bingwu day in the second month he sent envoys through the realm to observe local customs and hear what troubled the people. That month the Liang Martial-Illustrious King died. In the fifth month he went west to Yunzhong, crossed the river, and tilled fields in the great desert. On yihai day in the seventh month the court returned to the palace. On yiyou day he built White Terrace south of the city, twenty zhang tall. That month Liu Yu of Jin destroyed Yao Hong. On guichou day in the tenth month Prince Yuzhang Wang Kui died. On jiyou day in the twelfth month he ordered that in Hedong and Henei any of Hong's kin still living among the people be sought out and redeemed.
85
三年春三月，晉人來聘。 庚戌，幸西宮。 以勃海、范陽郡去年水，復其租稅。 夏四月己巳，徙冀、定、幽三州徒何于京師。 五月壬子，東巡至濡源，及甘松。 遣征東將軍長孫道生帥師襲馮跋，遂至龍城，徙其居人萬餘家而還。 秋七月戊午，車駕至京師。 八月，雁門、河內大雨水，復其租稅。 冬十月戊辰，築宮於西苑。 十一月，赫連屈丐克長安。 十二月，晉安帝殂。
In the third month of year three envoys from Jin came on a friendly mission. On gengxu day he went to the Western Palace. Bohai and Fanyang had flooded the year before; their taxes and levies were remitted. On jisi day in the fourth month the Tuohe of Ji, Ding, and You provinces were relocated to the capital. On renzi day in the fifth month he toured east as far as Ruyuan and Gan Song. He sent Eastern Campaign General Changsun Daosheng against Feng Ba; Daosheng reached Longcheng, resettled more than ten thousand households, and returned. On wuwu day in the seventh month the court reached the capital. In the eighth month Yanmen and Henei were struck by heavy rain and flood; their taxes were remitted. On wuchen day in the tenth month he built a palace in the western park. In the eleventh month Helian Quban took Chang'an. In the twelfth month Emperor An of Jin died.
86
四年春正月壬辰朔，車駕臨河，大蒐於犢渚。 癸卯，還宮。 三月，赫連屈丐僭即皇帝位。 癸丑，築宮於蓬臺北。 夏四月庚辰，享東廟，遠蕃助祭者數百國。 辛巳，南巡，幸雁門，賜所過無出今年租賦。 五月庚寅朔，觀漁于氵壘水。 己亥，車駕還宮。 秋八月辛未，東巡，遣使祠恆嶽。 甲申，車駕還宮，賜所過無出今年田租。 九月甲寅，築宮于白登山。 冬十一月丁亥朔，日有蝕之。 十二月癸亥，西巡，至雲中，逾白道，北獵野馬於辱孤山。 至於黃河，從君子津西度，大狩于薛林山。
On the new moon of the first month in year four the court came to the river and held a great hunt at Calf Ford. On guimao day he returned to the palace. In the third month Helian Quban styled himself emperor. On guichou day he built a palace north of Peng Terrace. On gengchen day in the fourth month he sacrificed at the eastern temple, with several hundred distant states joining the rites. On xinsi day he toured south to Yanmen and exempted the route from this year's land tax and levies. On the new moon of the fifth month he watched the fishing at Lei River. On jihai day the court returned to the palace. On xinwei day in the eighth month he toured east and sent envoys to offer sacrifice at Mount Heng. On jiashen day the court returned to the palace and exempted the route from this year's field tax. On jiayin day in the ninth month he built a palace on White Ascent Mount. On the new moon of the eleventh month there was a solar eclipse. On guihai day in the twelfth month he went west to Yunzhong, crossed White Road, and hunted wild horses north at Humiliated Solitary Mountain. He came to the Yellow River, crossed west from Gentleman Ford, and held a great hunt at Xue Forest Mountain.
87
五年春正月丙戌朔，自薛林東還。 至屋竇城，饗勞將士，大酺二日，班禽以賜之。 己亥，車駕還宮。 三月丙戌，南陽王意文薨。 夏四月丙寅，起氵壘南宮。 五月乙酉，詔曰：「宣武皇帝體得一之玄遠，應自然之沖妙，大行大名，未盡盛美。 今啟緯圖，始睹尊號，其更上尊諡曰道武皇帝，以章靈命之先啟，聖德之玄同。」 庚戌，淮南侯司馬國璠、池陽侯司馬道賜等謀反，伏誅。 六月丙寅，幸翳犢山。 是月，晉恭帝禪位於宋。 秋七月丁酉，西至五原。 丁未，幸雲中大室，賜從者大酺。 八月癸亥，車駕還宮。 閏月甲午，陰平王烈薨。 是歲，西涼亡。
On the new moon of the first month in year five he turned east from Xue Forest. At Wudi City he feasted and rewarded his officers and men, held two days of public celebration, and gave out game as gifts. On jihai day the court returned to the palace. On bingxu day in the third month Prince Nanyang Wang Yiwen died. On bingyin day in the fourth month he began Lei South Palace. On yiyou day in the fifth month he proclaimed: "Emperor Xuanwu grasped the deep mystery of the One and answered to nature's plain subtlety; yet his great deeds and great fame did not wholly show his full glory. Now the charts of heaven are revealed and we see his true title at last: let his posthumous name be raised to Emperor Dao Wu, that the first stirring of the sacred mandate and the hidden sameness of sage virtue may be made plain." On gengxu day Sima Guofan, Marquis of Huainan, Sima Daoci, Marquis of Chiyang, and others plotted rebellion and were put to death. On bingyin day in the sixth month he went to Yiyi Calf Mountain. That month Emperor Gong of Jin abdicated in favor of Song. On dingyou day in the seventh month he went west to Wuyuan. On dingwei day he visited the Great Hall at Yunzhong and gave his followers a great public feast. On guihai day in the eighth month the court returned to the palace. On jiawu day in the intercalary month Prince Yinping Wang Lie died. That year Western Liang fell.
88
六年春二月己亥，詔天下戶二十輸戎馬一匹、大牛一頭。 三月甲子，陽平王熙薨。 乙亥，制六部人羊滿百口者調戎馬一匹。 發京師六千餘人築苑，起自舊苑，東苞白登，周回四十餘里。 夏六月乙酉，北巡，至於蟠羊山。 秋七月乙卯，車駕還宮。 癸酉，西巡。 獵於祚山，親射猛獸，獲之。 遂至於河。 八月庚子，大獼於犢渚。 九月庚戌，車駕還宮。 壬申，宋人來聘。 冬十月己亥，行幸代。 十二月丙申，西巡於雲中。
On jihai day in the second month of year six he ordered every twenty households to supply one war horse and one great ox. On jiazi day in the third month Prince Yangping Wang Xi died. On yihai day he ruled that in the six divisions any household with a hundred sheep or more owed one war horse. He sent more than six thousand men from the capital to build a park from the old grounds east around White Ascent, more than forty li around. On yiyou day in the sixth month he toured north to Coiled Goat Mountain. On yimao day in the seventh month the court returned to the palace. On guiyou day he toured west. He hunted at Zuo Mountain, shot fierce beasts himself, and brought them down. He then came to the river. On gengzi day in the eighth month he held a great hunt at Calf Ford. On gengxu day in the ninth month the court returned to the palace. On renshen day envoys from Song came on a friendly mission. On jihai day in the tenth month he went to Dai. On bingshen day in the twelfth month he toured west through Yunzhong.
89
七年春正月甲辰朔，自雲中西幸屋竇城，賜從者大酺三日。 二月丙戌，車駕還宮。 三月乙丑，河南王曜薨。 夏四月甲戌，封皇子燾為太平王，拜相國，加大將軍； 丕為樂平王，加車騎大將軍； 彌為安定王，加衛大將軍； 范為樂安王，加中軍大將軍； 健為永昌王，加撫軍大將軍； 崇為建甯王，加輔國大將軍； 俊為新興王，加鎮軍大將軍； 獻懷長公主子嵇敬為長樂王，拜大司馬、大將軍。 初，帝服寒食散，頻年發動，不堪萬機，五月，立太平王燾為皇太子，臨朝聽政。 是月，宋武帝殂。 秋九月，詔司空奚斤等帥師伐宋。 乙巳，幸氵壘南宮，遂如廣寧。 己酉，詔皇太子率百國以法駕田于東苑，車乘服物皆以乘輿之副。 辛亥，築平城外郭，周回三十二里。 辛酉，幸嶠山，遣使者祠黃帝、唐堯廟。 因東幸幽州，見耆年，問其所苦，賜以爵號。 分遣使者巡行州郡，觀察風俗。 冬十月甲戌，車駕還宮，復所過田租之半。 奚斤等濟河，攻滑台不拔，求濟師，帝怒不許。 議親南征，為其聲援。 壬辰，南巡，出自天門關，逾恆嶺，四方蕃附大人各帥所部從者五萬餘人。 十一月，皇太子親統六軍鎮塞上，安定王彌與北新公安同居守。 丙午，曲赦司州殊死以下。 丙辰，次於中山，問人疾苦。 十二月丙戌，行幸冀州，存問人俗。 遣壽光侯叔孫達等率眾自平原東度，徇下青、兗諸郡。
On the new moon of the first month in year seven he went west from Yunzhong to Wudi City and gave his followers three days of public celebration. On bingxu day in the second month the court returned to the palace. On yichou day in the third month Prince Henan Wang Yao died. On jiaxu day in the fourth month he made his son Tao Prince of Taiping, Chancellor of State, and Grand General. Pi was made Prince of Leping and named Cavalry-and-Chariots Grand General; Mi was made Prince of Anding and named Guard Grand General; Fan was made Prince of Le'an and named Central Army Grand General; Jian was made Prince of Yongchang and named Pacification Army Grand General; Chong was made Prince of Jianning and named Auxiliating-the-State Grand General; Jun was made Prince of Xinxing and named Suppression Army Grand General; Ji Jing, son of Princess Xianhuai, was made Prince of Changle, Grand Marshal, and Grand General. From the first the Emperor had used cold-food powder; it seized him year after year until he could no longer manage the realm. In the fifth month he made Prince Taiping Tao crown prince to hold court and govern. That month Emperor Wu of Song died. In the ninth month of autumn he ordered Minister of Works Xi Jin and others to march against Song. On yisi day he visited Lei South Palace and then went on to Guangning. On jiyou day he had the crown prince lead the hundred states in an imperial hunt at the Eastern Park, with chariots, dress, and insignia all matching the Son of Heaven's own. On xinhai day they raised Pingcheng's outer rampart, thirty-two li around. On xinyou day he went to Qiao Mountain and sent envoys to offer sacrifice at the temples of the Yellow Emperor and Tang Yao. Then he traveled east to Youzhou, met the elders, asked their troubles, and bestowed noble ranks. He sent envoys through the provinces and commanderies to observe local custom. On jiaxu day in the tenth month the court returned to the palace and halved the field tax along the way. Xi Jin crossed the river and besieged Huatai without success; when they begged for more troops the Emperor refused in anger. They debated whether he should lead a southern campaign himself to back them. On renchen day he marched south from Heavenly Gate Pass over Mount Heng; chieftains of the four directions who had submitted each brought their followers, more than fifty thousand in all. In the eleventh month the crown prince took command of the six armies on the frontier while Prince Anding Mi and Duke An of Northern Xin'an held the capital together. On bingwu day he granted a partial amnesty in Jizhou for all below capital punishment. On bingchen day he stopped at Zhongshan and asked after the people's hardships. On bingxu day in the twelfth month he went to Ji Province and comforted the people in their customs. He sent Marquis Shusun Da of Shouguang and others east from Pingyuan to overrun Qing and Yan.
90
八年春正月丙辰，行幸鄴，存問人俗。 司空奚斤既平兗、豫，還圍武牢，宋守將毛德祖距守不下。 蠕蠕犯塞。 二月戊辰，築長城於長川之南，起自赤城，西至五原，延袤二千餘里，備置戍衛。 三月乙卯，濟自靈昌。 夏四月丁卯，幸成皋，觀武牢。 而城內乏水，縣綆汲河。 帝令連艦，上施轒巉，絕其汲路； 又穿地道，以奪其井。 丁丑，幸洛陽，觀石經。 閏月丁未，還幸河內，北登太行，幸高都。 己未，武牢潰。 士眾大疫，死者十二三。 辛酉，幸晉陽，班賜王公以下至於廝役。 五月丙寅，還次雁門，皇太子率留台王公迎于句注之北。 庚寅，車駕至自南巡。 六月己亥，太尉、宜都公穆觀薨。 丙辰，北巡，至參合陂。 秋七月，幸三會屋侯泉，詔皇太子率百官以從。 八月，幸馬邑，觀於氵壘源。 九月乙亥，車駕還宮。 冬十月癸卯，廣西宮，起外牆，周回二十里。 是歲饑，詔所在開倉振給。 十一月己巳，帝崩于西宮，時年三十二。 遺詔以司空奚斤所獲軍實賜大臣自司徒長孫嵩以下，至於士卒各有差。 十二月庚子，上諡曰明元皇帝，葬于雲中金陵，廟稱太宗。
On bingchen day in the first month of the eighth year he went to Ye and comforted the people in their customs. Xi Jin, Minister of Works, had pacified Yan and Yu and now besieged Wulao, but the Song defender Mao Dezu held out and would not yield. The Rouran raided the border. On wuchen day in the second month they built a long wall south of the Long River from Chicheng west to Wuyuan, more than two thousand li, with garrisons all along it. On yimao day in the third month he crossed at Lingchang. On dingmao day in the fourth month he went to Chenggao to view Wulao. Water inside the city ran low; they let down ropes to draw from the river. The Emperor had ships chained together and fitted with assault rams to block their water route; and drove tunnels as well to take their wells. On dingchou day he went to Luoyang and viewed the stone classics. On dingwei day in the intercalary month he returned to Henei, crossed the Taihang north, and went to Gaodu. On jiwei day Wulao fell. A great plague swept the army; ten or twenty percent died. On xinyou day he went to Jinyang and gave rewards from the princes and dukes down to the servants. On bingyin day in the fifth month he came back to Yanmen; the crown prince led the capital officials to meet him north of Gouzhu. On gengyin day the court returned from the southern tour. On jihai day in the sixth month Grand Marshal Mu Guan, Duke of Yidu, died. On bingchen day he toured north as far as Canhe Marsh. In the seventh month he went to Sanhui Wuhou Spring and ordered the crown prince to lead the hundred officials after him. In the eighth month he went to Mayi and watched the fishing at Lei Source. On yihai day in the ninth month the court returned to the palace. On guimao day in the tenth month they expanded the Western Palace and built an outer wall twenty li around. That year there was famine; he ordered granaries opened throughout the realm for relief. On jisi day in the eleventh month the Emperor died in the Western Palace at the age of thirty-two. His death edict had the booty Xi Jin had taken distributed to ministers from Minister Changsun Song down and to the soldiers by rank. On gengzi day in the twelfth month he was given the posthumous name Emperor Mingyuan, buried at Jindling in Yunzhong, and his temple called Taizong.
91
帝兼資文武，禮愛儒生，好覽史傳，以劉向所撰《新序》、《說苑》于經典正義多有所闕，乃撰《新集》三十篇，采諸經史，該洽古義云。
The Emperor was adept in both letters and arms, cherished Confucian scholars, and loved histories; finding Liu Xiang's New Prefaces and Garden of Stories thin beside the canonical tradition, he compiled New Collectanea in thirty chapters from the classics and histories to hold ancient meaning whole.
92
論曰：自古帝王之興，誠有天命，亦賴累功積德，方契靈心。 有魏奄宅幽方，代為君長。 神元生自天女，桓、穆勤于晉室，冥符人事，夫豈徒然！
The commentary says: Since antiquity the founding of emperors and kings has surely owed something to Heaven's mandate, but also to merit piled generation upon generation before the spirit is moved. Wei possessed the deep north for generations, its lords ruling in succession. Shenyuan was born of a heavenly woman; Huan and Mu labored for the Jin court—such secret harmony with human affairs was hardly accident!
93
昭成以雄傑之姿，苞君人之量，征伐四克，威被遐荒。 乃改都立號，恢隆大業，終百六十載，光宅區中，其原固有由矣。
Zhaocheng had the stature of a hero and the breadth of a true king; his wars succeeded on every side and his might reached the distant wilds. He changed the capital and raised his title, enlarged the great work, and for one hundred sixty years held the realm in light—the roots of that fortune ran deep.
94
道武顯晦安危之中，屈申潛躍之際。 驅率遺黎，奮其靈武。 克翦方難，遂啟中原。 垂拱人神，顯登皇極。 雖冠履不暇，棲遑外土，而製作經謨，咸出長久，所謂大人利見，百姓與能，抑不世之神武也。 而屯厄有期，禍生非慮，將人事不足，豈天實為之乎？
Daowu revealed and concealed himself between peril and peace, bowed and rose in seasons of hiding and springing. He rallied the scattered people and roused his sacred martial power. He cleared every obstacle and so unlocked the Central Plain. Ruling in ease over gods and men, he openly took the imperial throne. Though he seldom rested, cap or shoes, and dwelt uneasy beyond the homeland, what he made and planned was built to endure—the great man seen with favor, the people given strength to follow: was this not a godlike martial gift without peer? Yet hardship had its season and calamity struck unbidden—was the fault in men, or did Heaven truly will it?
95
明元承運之初，屬廓定之始，于時狼顧鴟峙，猶有窺覦。 已加以天賜之末，內難尤甚。 帝孝心睿略，權正兼運，纂業固基，內和外撫，終能周、鄭款服，聲教南被，祖功宗德，其義良已遠矣！
Mingyuan at the start of his reign, when the realm was still being settled, faced wolves glancing back and hawks perched in wait—foes still watched for their chance. On top of that came the last years of the Heavenly Gift era, and inner strife grew fiercer still. With filial devotion, keen wit, and strategy that joined force to justice, he secured the legacy and steadied the base, soothed within and rallied without, until Zhou and Zheng came in good faith and his transforming fame reached south—the merit of ancestors and the glory of the temple stand far indeed!