Volume 8 Northern Qi Annals 3: Emperor Shizu Wucheng, Later Rulers, Younger Rulers

世祖武成帝後主幼主

Emperor Shizu Wucheng; the Later Ruler; the Young Ruler.

世祖武成皇帝諱湛，神武皇帝第九子，孝昭皇帝之母弟也。儀表瑰傑，神武尤所鍾愛。神武方招懷荒遠，乃為帝娉蠕蠕太子庵羅辰女，號鄰和公主。帝時年八歲，冠服端嚴，神情閑遠，華戎嘆異。元象中，封長廣郡公。天保初，進爵為王，拜尚書令，尋兼司徒，遷太尉。幹明初，楊愔等密相疏忌，以帝為大司馬，領并州刺史。

Emperor Wucheng the Grand Ancestor, taboo name Zhan, was Shenwu's ninth son and Xiaozhao's younger brother by the same mother. He was handsome and imposing, and Shenwu doted on him especially. While Shenwu was courting distant tribes, he had the Emperor marry Anluochen, the Rouran crown prince's daughter, who received the title Princess Linhe. At eight years old he wore his cap and robes with grave propriety; his manner was calm and distant, and both Chinese and foreigners alike were struck with wonder. During Yuanxiang he was made Duke of Changguang. In the opening years of Tianbao he was raised to prince, made Minister of Works, soon given the concurrent post of Minister over the Masses, and then moved to Grand Commandant. When Ganming began, Yang Yin and his faction quietly shunned him and made him Grand Marshal with concurrent authority over Bing Province.

帝既與孝昭謀，誅諸執政，遷太傅、錄尚書事、領京畿大都督。皇建初，進位右丞相。孝昭幸晉陽，帝以懿親居守鄴，政事咸見委托。二年，孝昭崩，遺詔征帝入統大位。及晉陽宮，發喪於崇德殿。皇太后令所司宣遺詔，左丞相斛律金率百僚敦勸，三奏乃許之。

Once he and Xiaozhao had plotted the deaths of the ruling ministers, he was made Grand Tutor, Recorder of the Ministry of Works, and commander of the capital district. When Huangjian began he was elevated to Right Chancellor. While Xiaozhao was at Jinyang, the Emperor stayed behind in Ye as imperial kinsman, and every matter of state was placed in his hands. In year two Xiaozhao died, leaving an edict calling the Emperor to take the throne. On reaching the palace at Jinyang, the funeral rites were opened in Chongde Hall. The Empress Dowager had the testament read aloud; Left Chancellor Hulu Jin led the whole court in pressing him to accept, and only after the third plea did he agree.

二月丁未，以太宰、平陽王淹為青州刺史、太傅、領司徒；以領軍大將軍、宗師、平秦王歸彥為太宰、冀州刺史。乙卯，以兼尚書令、任城王湝為司徒。詔散騎常侍崔瞻聘於陳。夏四月辛丑，皇太后婁氏崩。乙巳，青州刺史上言。今月庚寅，河、濟清。以河、濟清，改大寧二年為河清，降罪人各有差。五月甲申，祔葬武明皇后於義平陵。己丑，以尚書右僕射斛律光為尚書令。秋七月，太宰、冀州刺史、平秦王歸彥據州反。詔大司馬段韶、司空婁睿討禽之。乙未，斬歸彥，並其三子及黨與二十人於都市。丁酉，以大司馬段韶為太傅；以司空婁睿為司徒；以太傅、平陽王淹為太宰；以尚書令斛律光為司空；以太子太傅、趙郡王睿為尚書令；中書監、河間王孝琬為尚書左僕射。癸亥，行幸晉陽。陳人來聘。冬十一月丁丑，詔兼散騎常侍封孝琰使於陳。十二月丙辰，車駕至自晉陽。是歲，殺太原王紹德。

On dingwei in the second month, Grand Preceptor Prince of Pingyang Yan was appointed Governor of Qing Province, Grand Tutor, and concurrent Minister over the Masses; General of the Guard and Grand Mentor Prince of Pingqin Guiyan was made Grand Preceptor and Governor of Ji Province. On yimao, concurrent Minister of Works Prince of Rencheng Hui was appointed Minister over the Masses. The court ordered Supervising Cavalier Attendant Cui Zhan to Chen as envoy. In summer, fourth month, on xinchou, Empress Dowager Lady Lou died. On yisi the Governor of Qing Province memorialized the throne. That month, on gengyin, the Yellow River and the Ji River turned clear. Since the Yellow and Ji rivers had cleared, the second year of Daning was renamed Heqing, and punishments were reduced by degree. On jiashen in the fifth month, Empress Wuming was interred at Yiping Mausoleum. On jichou, Vice Minister of Works Hulu Guang was appointed Minister of Works. In autumn, seventh month, Grand Preceptor and Governor of Ji Province Prince of Pingqin Guiyan rebelled and held the province. The court ordered Grand Marshal Duan Shao and Minister of Works Lou Rui to suppress him and take him alive. On yiwei, Guiyan was executed in the capital market along with his three sons and twenty followers. On dingyou, Grand Marshal Duan Shao was appointed Grand Tutor; Minister of Works Lou Rui was made Minister over the Masses; Grand Tutor Prince of Pingyang Yan was made Grand Preceptor; Minister of Works Hulu Guang was made Minister of Works; Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent Prince of Zhao Commandery Rui was made Minister of Works; Supervisor of the Secretariat Prince of Hejian Xiaowan was appointed Left Vice Minister of Works. On guihai the emperor went to Jinyang. Envoys arrived from Chen. In winter, eleventh month, on dingchou, the court ordered concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Feng Xiaoyan to Chen. On bingchen in the twelfth month, the emperor returned from Jinyang. That year Prince of Taiyuan Shaode was put to death.

二年春正月乙亥，帝詔臨朝堂，策試秀、孝。以太子少傅魏收為兼尚書右僕射。

In spring of year two, first month, on yihai, the emperor presided in the audience hall to test men nominated for cultivated talent and filial piety. Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent Wei Shou was appointed concurrent Right Vice Minister of Works.

霜晝下，雨血於太原。戊午，帝至晉陽。己未，周軍逼并州，又遣大將達奚武帥眾數萬至東雍及晉州，與突厥相應。是歲，室韋、庫莫奚、靺鞨、契丹並遣使朝貢。

Frost came down in daylight, and blood-red rain fell over Taiyuan. On wuwu the emperor arrived at Jinyang. On jiwei, Zhou forces closed on Bing Province, while General Daxi Wu led tens of thousands toward Dongyong and Jin Province in concert with the Turks. That year envoys came with tribute from the Shiwei, Kumo Xi, Mohe, and Khitan.

三年春正月庚申朔，周軍至城下而陳。戰於城西，周軍及突厥大敗，人畜死者相枕，數百里不絕。詔平原王段韶追出塞而還。三月辛酉，以律令班下，大赦。己巳，盜殺太師、彭城王浟。庚辰，以司空斛律光為司徒，以侍中、武興王普為尚書左僕射。甲申，以尚書令、馮翊王潤為司空。夏四月辛卯，詔兼散騎常侍皇甫亮使於陳。五月甲子，帝至自晉陽。壬午，以尚書令、趙郡王睿為錄尚書事，以前司徒婁睿為太尉。甲申，以太傅段韶為太師。丁亥，以太尉、任城王湝為大將軍。壬辰，行幸晉陽。六月庚子，大雨，晝夜不息，至甲辰乃止。是月，晉陽訛言有鬼兵，百姓競擊銅鐵以捍之。殺樂陵王百年。歸宇文媼於周。秋九月乙丑，封皇子綽為南陽王、儼為東平王。是月，歸閻媼於周。陳人來聘。突厥寇幽州，入長城，虜掠而還。

In spring of year three, first month, on the new moon gengshen, Zhou troops drew up beneath the city walls. Fighting west of the city, the Zhou and the Turks were routed; men and beasts lay dead in heaps for hundreds of li. The court ordered Prince of Pingyuan Duan Shao to chase them out of the borderlands and withdraw. On xinyou in the third month the laws were issued and a general pardon was declared. On jisi, bandits murdered Grand Preceptor Prince of Pengcheng You. On gengchen, Minister of Works Hulu Guang was made Minister over the Masses, and Palace Attendant Prince of Wuxing Pu was appointed Left Vice Minister of Works. On jiashen, Minister of Works Prince of Fenyang Run was appointed Minister of Works. In summer, fourth month, on xinmao, the court ordered concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Huangfu Liang to Chen. On jiazi in the fifth month the emperor came back from Jinyang. On renwu, Minister of Works Prince of Zhao Commandery Rui was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works, and former Minister over the Masses Lou Rui was appointed Grand Commandant. On jiashen, Grand Tutor Duan Shao was elevated to Grand Preceptor. On dinghai, Grand Commandant Prince of Rencheng Hui was made Grand General. On renchen the emperor went to Jinyang. On gengzi in the sixth month torrents fell day and night until jiachen, when they finally broke. That month Jinyang was rife with talk of ghost armies, and people clamored to beat copper and iron in defense. Prince of Leling Bainian was put to death. Lady Yuwen was returned to Zhou. In autumn, ninth month, on yichou, Prince Chuo was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanyang and Prince Yan as Prince of Dongping. That month Lady Yan was returned to Zhou. Envoys arrived from Chen. The Turks struck You Province, broke through the Great Wall, looted the countryside, and retreated.

閏月乙未，詔遣十二使巡行水澇州，免其租調。乙巳，突厥寇幽州。周軍三道並出，使其將尉迥寇洛陽，楊摽入軹關，權景宣趣懸瓠。冬十一月甲午，迥等圍洛陽。戊戌，詔兼散騎常侍劉逖使於陳。甲辰，太尉婁睿大破周軍於軹關，禽楊摽。十二月乙卯，豫州刺史王士良以城降周將權景宣。丁巳，帝自晉陽南討。己未，太宰、平陽王淹薨。壬戌，太師段韶大破尉迥等，解洛陽圍。丁卯，帝至洛陽，免洛州經周軍處一年租賦；赦州城內死罪已下囚。己巳，以太師段韶為太宰，以司徒斛律光為太尉，并州刺史、蘭陵王長恭為尚書令。壬申，帝至武牢，經滑臺，次於黎陽。所經減降罪人。丙子，車駕至自洛陽。是歲，高麗、靺鞨、新羅並遣使朝貢。山東大水，饑死者不可勝計。詔發振給，事竟不行。

On yiwei in the intercalary month, twelve envoys were sent to tour flood-hit provinces and exempt their rents and corvée. On yisi the Turks attacked You Province. Zhou forces moved on three routes: Yuwen Yong threatened Luoyang, Yang Biao entered Zhiguan Pass, and Quan Jingxuan marched on Xuanhu. In winter, eleventh month, on jiawu, Yong and his men encircled Luoyang. On wuxu the court ordered concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Liu Ti to Chen. On jiachen, Grand Commandant Lou Rui crushed the Zhou at Zhiguan Pass and took Yang Biao prisoner. On yimao in the twelfth month, Governor of Yu Province Wang Shiliang handed the city to Zhou general Quan Jingxuan. On dingsi the emperor led a southern expedition from Jinyang. On jiwei, Grand Preceptor Prince of Pingyang Yan died. On renxu, Grand Preceptor Duan Shao broke Yuwen Yong's force and relieved Luoyang. On dingmao the emperor entered Luoyang and waived a year's taxes in Luo Province wherever Zhou armies had passed; and all prisoners in the city below the rank of capital offense were released. On jisi, Grand Preceptor Duan Shao was made Grand Preceptor, Minister over the Masses Hulu Guang was appointed Grand Commandant, and Governor of Bing Province Prince of Lanling Chang Gong was made Minister of Works. On renshen the emperor came to Wu Fort, went by Huatai, and stopped at Liyang. Along the route he lightened sentences for offenders. On bingzi the emperor returned from Luoyang. That year tribute missions came from Goguryeo, Mohe, and Silla. The east was inundated, and famine deaths were numberless. Relief grain was ordered distributed, but in the end nothing was delivered.

四年春正月癸卯，以大將軍、任城王湝為大司馬。辛未，幸晉陽。二月甲寅，詔以新羅國王金真興為使持節、東夷校尉、樂浪郡公、新羅王。壬申，以年谷不登，禁酤酒。己卯，詔減百官食廩各有差。三月戊子，詔給西兗、梁、滄、趙州，司州之東郡、陽平、清河、武都。冀州之長樂、勃海遭水澇之處貧下戶粟各有差。家別斗升而已，又多不付。是月，彗星見。有物隕於殿廷。如赤漆鼓，帶小鈴。殿上石自起，兩兩相對。又有神見於後園萬壽堂前山穴中，其體壯大，不辨其面，兩齒絕白，長出於唇。帝直宿嬪御已下七百人咸見焉。帝又夢之。夏四月戊午，大將軍、東安王婁睿坐事免。乙亥，陳人來聘。太史奏，天文有變，其占當有易王。丙子，乃使太宰段韶兼太尉，持節奉皇帝璽綬，傳位於皇太子。大赦，改元為天統元年。

In spring of year four, first month, on guimao, Grand General Prince of Rencheng Hui was appointed Grand Marshal. On xinwei the emperor went to Jinyang. On jiayin in the second month, King Jinzhenxing of Silla was given the titles Bearer of the Staff, Commandant of the Eastern Barbarians, Duke of Lelang, and King of Silla. On renshen, with the crops ruined, wine was banned from sale. On jimao an edict cut the grain rations of officials by degree. On wuzi in the third month, grain was allotted to Xi Yan, Liang, Cang, and Zhao, and to Dong Commandery, Yangping, Qinghe, and Wudu in Si Province. Impoverished families in the flooded districts of Changle and Bohai in Ji Province were given grain by household, each allotment differing. The grant was merely a few sheng per household, and often even that never reached them. That month a comet was seen. An object fell into the palace court. It resembled a crimson lacquered drum hung with little bells. Stones in the hall lifted on their own and stood paired face to face. A spirit showed itself in a hillside cave before Wanshou Hall in the rear garden: massive in form, face indistinct, with two snow-white teeth thrust past the lips. All seven hundred women on overnight attendance, from consorts downward, saw it as well. The emperor dreamed of it too. In summer, fourth month, on wuwu, Grand General Prince of Dong'an Lou Rui was dismissed for misconduct. On yihai, envoys arrived from Chen. The court astrologer reported celestial changes whose omen pointed to a change of kings. On bingzi, Grand Preceptor Duan Shao was also made Grand Commandant and, bearing the imperial seal and cord, abdicated in favor of the crown prince. A general pardon was declared and the reign title became Tiantong year one.

百官進級，降罪，各有差。又詔皇太子妃斛律氏為皇后。於是群公上尊號為太上皇帝。軍國大事，咸以奏聞。始將傳政，使內參乘子尚乘驛送詔書於鄴。子尚出晉陽城，見人騎隨後，忽失之。尚未至鄴而其言已布矣。天統四年十二月辛未，太上皇帝崩於鄴宮幹壽堂，時年三十二。謚曰武成皇帝，廟號世祖。五年二月甲申，葬於永平陵。

Officials were advanced in rank and sentences were lightened by degree. The crown prince's wife Lady Hulu was also proclaimed empress. The great ministers then gave him the title Retired Emperor. Military and civil affairs were still submitted to him for approval. As the abdication was being arranged, inner attendant Shang was dispatched by relay to Ye with the edict. Shang had barely left Jinyang when riders seemed to follow him, then vanished without trace. He had not yet reached Ye when word of the transfer was already spreading. On xinwei in the twelfth month of Tiantong year four, the Retired Emperor died in Qian Shou Hall at Ye; he was thirty-two. He was posthumously titled Emperor Wucheng, with temple name Shizu. On jiashen in the fifth year, second month, he was interred at Yongping Mausoleum.

後主諱緯，字仁綱，武成皇帝之長子也。母曰胡皇后，夢於海上坐玉盆，日入裙下，遂有娠。天保七年五月五日，生帝於并州邸。帝少美容儀，武成特所愛寵，拜世子。及武成入纂大業，大寧二年正月丙戌，立為皇太子。河清四年，武成禪位於帝。

The Later Ruler, taboo name Wei, style name Rengang, was Wucheng's eldest son. His mother Empress Hu dreamed she sat in a jade basin upon the sea while the sun sank into her skirts, and afterward she became pregnant. On the fifth day of the fifth month in Tianbao year seven he was born at the Bing Province lodge. In youth he was handsome, and Wucheng favored him above all, naming him heir. When Wucheng took the throne, on bingxu in the first month of Daning year two, he was made crown prince. In Heqing year four, Wucheng abdicated in his favor.

壬子，狩於南郊。乙卯，狩於西郊。壬戌，太上皇帝幸晉陽。丁卯，帝至自晉陽。

On renzi he hunted at the southern suburb. On yimao he hunted at the western suburb. On renxu the Retired Emperor went to Jinyang. On dingmao the emperor came back from Jinyang.

庚午，有司奏改高祖文宣皇帝為威宗景烈皇帝。是歲，高麗、契丹、靺鞨並遣使朝貢。河南大疫。

On gengwu officials proposed changing Founding Ancestor Wenxuan's posthumous title to Weizong Jinglie Emperor. That year tribute came from Goguryeo, the Khitan, and Mohe. South of the Yellow River was ravaged by plague.

二年春正月辛卯，祀圓丘。癸巳，祫祭於太廟。詔降罪人各有差。丙申，以吏部尚書尉瑾為尚書右僕射。庚子，行幸晉陽。二月庚戌，太上皇帝至自晉陽。壬子，陳人來聘。三月乙巳，太上皇帝詔以三臺施興聖寺。以旱故，降禁囚。夏四月，陳文帝殂。五月乙酉，以兼尚書左僕射、武興王普為尚書令。己亥，封太上皇帝子儼為東平王，仁弘為齊安王，仁固為北平王，仁英為高平王，仁光為淮南王。六月，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍韋道儒聘於陳。秋八月，太上皇帝幸晉陽。冬十月乙卯，以太保侯莫陳相為太傅；大司馬、任城王湝為太保；太尉婁睿為大司馬，徙馮翊王潤為太尉，開府儀同三司韓祖念為司徒。十一月，大雨雪。盜竊太廟御服。十二月乙丑，陳人來聘。是歲，殺河間王孝琬。突厥、靺鞨國並遣使朝貢。於周為天和元年。

In spring of year two, first month, on xinmao, he sacrificed at the Circular Mound. On guisi he performed the joint ancestral rites in the Imperial Temple. An edict lightened sentences by degree. On bingshen, Minister of Personnel Wei Jin was appointed Right Vice Minister of Works. On gengzi the emperor went to Jinyang. In the second month, on gengxu, the Retired Emperor returned from Jinyang. On renzi envoys arrived from Chen. In the third month, on yisi, the Retired Emperor gave the Three Terraces to Xingsheng Temple. Because of drought, prisoners were freed. In summer, fourth month, Chen Emperor Wen died. On yiyou, concurrent Left Vice Minister of Works Prince of Wuxing Pu was appointed Minister of Works. On jihai the Retired Emperor enfeoffed his sons Yan as Prince of Dongping, Renhong as Prince of Qi'an, Rengu as Prince of Beiping, Renying as Prince of Gaoping, and Renguang as Prince of Huainan. In the sixth month the Retired Emperor sent concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Wei Daoru to Chen. In autumn, eighth month, the Retired Emperor went to Jinyang. In winter, tenth month, on yimao, Grand Guardian Hou Mo Chen Xiang was made Grand Tutor; Grand Marshal Prince of Rencheng Hui was made Grand Preceptor; Grand Commandant Lou Rui was made Grand Marshal, Prince of Fenyang Run was moved to Grand Commandant, and Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Han Zunian was made Minister over the Masses. In the eleventh month there was heavy rain and snow. The imperial vestments in the Imperial Temple were stolen. On yichou in the twelfth month, envoys arrived from Chen. That year Prince of Hejian Xiaowan was put to death. Envoys came with tribute from the Turks and Mohe. In Zhou it was Tianhe year one.

三年春正月壬辰，太上皇帝至自晉陽。乙未，大雪，平地三尺。戊戌，太上皇帝詔，京官執事散官三品已上，舉三人，五品已上，各舉二人；稱事七品已上，及殿中侍御史、尚書都、檢校御史、主書及門下錄事，各舉一人。鄴宮九龍殿災，延燒西廊。二月壬寅朔，帝加元服，大赦。九州職人，各進四級；內外百官，普進二級。夏四月癸丑，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍司馬幼之使於陳。五月甲午，太上皇帝詔以領軍大將軍、東平王儼為尚書令。乙未，大風，晝晦，發屋拔樹。六月己未，太上皇帝詔封皇子仁機為西河王，仁約為樂浪王，仁儉為潁川王，仁雅為安樂王，統為丹楊王，仁謙為東海王。閏六月辛巳，左丞相斛律金薨。壬午，太上皇帝詔尚書令、東平王儼錄尚書事。以尚書左僕射趙彥深為尚書令，並省尚書右僕射婁定遠為尚書左僕射，中書監徐之才為右僕射。秋八月辛未，太上皇帝詔以太保、任城王湝為太師，太尉、馮翊王潤為大司馬，太宰段韶為左丞相，太師賀拔仁為右丞相，太傅侯莫陳相為太宰，大司馬婁睿為太傅，大將軍斛律光為太保，司徒韓祖念為大將軍，司空、趙郡王睿為太尉，尚書令、東平王儼為司徒。九月己酉，太上皇帝詔諸寺署所綰雜保戶姓高者，天保之初，雖有優放，權假力用未免者，今可悉蠲雜戶，任屬郡縣，一準平人。丁巳，太上皇帝幸晉陽。是秋，山東大水，人饑，僵屍滿道。

In spring of year three, first month, on renchen, the Retired Emperor returned from Jinyang. On yiwei snow fell so heavily that level ground lay three feet deep. On wuxu the Retired Emperor ordered capital officials of third rank and above to nominate three men each, and those of fifth rank and above two each; officials of seventh rank and above with substantive posts, together with palace attendants, ministry directors, inspecting censors, record clerks, and gate recorders, were each to nominate one. The Nine Dragons Hall at Ye caught fire and burned through the western corridor. On the new moon renyin in the second month the emperor came of age and a general pardon was declared. Artisans of the nine provinces were each promoted four ranks; and all civil and military officials inside and outside the court were promoted two ranks. In summer, fourth month, on guichou, the Retired Emperor sent concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Sima Youzhi to Chen. On jiawu in the fifth month the Retired Emperor made General of the Guard Prince of Dongping Yan Minister of Works. On yiwei a gale blew; day turned dark, roofs were torn off, and trees were uprooted. On jiwei in the sixth month the Retired Emperor enfeoffed princes Renji as Prince of Xihe, Renyue as Prince of Lelang, Renjian as Prince of Yingchuan, Renya as Prince of Anle, Tong as Prince of Danyang, and Renqian as Prince of Donghai. On xinsi in the intercalary sixth month, Left Chancellor Hulu Jin died. On renwu the Retired Emperor put Minister of Works Prince of Dongping Yan in charge of recording ministry affairs. Left Vice Minister of Works Zhao Yanshen was made Minister of Works, concurrent Right Vice Minister Lou Dingyuan was made Left Vice Minister, and Secretariat Supervisor Xu Zhicai was made Right Vice Minister. On xinwei in autumn, eighth month, the Retired Emperor appointed Grand Preceptor Prince of Rencheng Hui as Grand Preceptor, Grand Commandant Prince of Fenyang Run as Grand Marshal, Grand Preceptor Duan Shao as Left Chancellor, Grand Preceptor Heba Ren as Right Chancellor, Grand Tutor Hou Mo Chen Xiang as Grand Preceptor, Grand Marshal Lou Rui as Grand Tutor, Grand General Hulu Guang as Grand Guardian, Minister over the Masses Han Zunian as Grand General, Minister of Works Prince of Zhao Commandery Rui as Grand Commandant, and Minister of Works Prince of Dongping Yan as Minister over the Masses. On jiyou in the ninth month the Retired Emperor ordered that Gao-surnamed miscellaneous dependent households under temples and offices who since Tianbao had still been forced to labor despite partial relief should now be fully freed and registered as ordinary subjects in their counties. On dingsi the Retired Emperor went to Jinyang. That autumn the east was flooded; famine followed, and the dead filled the roads.

冬十月，突厥、大莫婁、室韋、百濟、靺鞨等國，各遣使朝貢。十一月丙午，以晉陽大明殿成故，大赦。文武百官進二級。免并州居城、太原一郡來年租。癸未，太上皇帝至自晉陽。十二月己巳，太上皇帝詔以故左丞相、趙郡王琛配饗神武廟廷。

In winter, tenth month, envoys came with tribute from the Turks, Damo Lou, Shiwei, Baekje, Mohe, and others. On bingwu in the eleventh month, with the completion of Daming Hall at Jinyang, a general pardon was declared. Civil and military officials were promoted two ranks. Next year's land tax was waived for Jucheng in Bing Province and for Taiyuan Commandery. On guiwei the Retired Emperor returned from Jinyang. On jisi in the twelfth month the Retired Emperor ordered the late Left Chancellor Prince of Zhao Commandery Chen paired in sacrifice in Shenwu's temple.

四年春正月壬子，詔以故清河王嶽、河東王潘相樂十人並配饗神武廟廷。癸亥，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍鄭大護使於陳。三月乙巳，太上皇帝詔以司徙、東平王儼為大將軍，南陽王綽為司徒，開府儀同三司、廣寧王孝珩為尚書令。夏四月辛未，鄴宮昭陽殿災，及宣光、瑤華等殿。辛巳，太上皇帝幸晉陽。五月癸卯，以尚書右僕射胡長仁為左僕射，中書監和士開為右僕射。壬戌，太上皇帝至自晉陽。自正月不雨，至於是月。六月甲子朔，大雨。甲申，大風，拔木折樹。是月，彗星見於東井。

In spring of year four, first month, on renzi, an edict paired the late Prince of Qinghe Yue, Prince of Hedong Pan, and ten others in sacrifice at Shenwu's temple. On guihai the Retired Emperor sent concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Zheng Dahu to Chen. On yisi in the third month the Retired Emperor made Minister over the Masses Prince of Dongping Yan Grand General, Prince of Nanyang Chuo Minister over the Masses, and Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing Minister of Works. In summer, fourth month, on xinwei, Zhaoyang Hall at Ye burned, along with Xuanguang, Yaohua, and other halls. On xinsi the Retired Emperor went to Jinyang. On guimao in the fifth month, Right Vice Minister Hu Changren was made Left Vice Minister, and Secretariat Supervisor He Shikai was made Right Vice Minister. On renxu the Retired Emperor returned from Jinyang. From the first month until now there had been no rain. On the new moon jiazi in the sixth month torrential rain fell. On jiashen a gale uprooted trees and snapped trunks. That month a comet was seen in the Well constellation.

秋九月丙申，周人來通和。太上皇帝詔侍中斛斯文略報聘於周。冬十月辛巳，以尚書令、廣寧王孝珩為錄尚書事，左僕射胡長仁為尚書令，右僕射和士開為左僕射，中書監唐邕為右僕射。十一月壬辰，太上皇帝詔兼散騎常侍李翥使於陳。是月，陳安成王頊廢其主伯宗而自立。十二月辛未，太上皇帝崩。丙子，大赦。九州職人普加一級，內外百官並加兩級。戊寅，上太上皇后尊號為皇太后。甲申，詔細作之務及所在百工悉罷之。又詔掖廷、晉陽、中山宮人等，及鄴下、并州太官官口二處，其年六十已上，及有癃患者，仰所司簡放。庚寅，詔天保七年已來，諸家緣坐配流者，所在令還。是歲，契丹、靺鞨國並遣使朝貢。

In autumn, ninth month, on bingshen, Zhou envoys came seeking peace. The Retired Emperor sent Palace Attendant Hulu Wenlue to Zhou in return. In winter, tenth month, on xinsi, Minister of Works Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works, Left Vice Minister Hu Changren was made Minister of Works, Right Vice Minister He Shikai was made Left Vice Minister, and Secretariat Supervisor Tang Yong was made Right Vice Minister. On renchen in the eleventh month the Retired Emperor sent concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Li Xu to Chen. That month Chen Prince of Ancheng Xiang deposed Emperor Bozong and seized the throne. On xinwei in the twelfth month the Retired Emperor died. On bingzi a general pardon was declared. Artisans of the nine provinces were promoted one rank; all civil and military officials were promoted two ranks. On wuyin the Retired Empress was given the title Empress Dowager. On jiashen an edict halted all fine-craft work and local artisan labor. Another edict ordered that palace women of the Rear Palace, Jinyang, and Zhongshan, and palace servants at Ye and Bing Province who were sixty or older or infirm, be reviewed and released. On gengyin an edict ordered families implicated and exiled since Tianbao year seven to be allowed to return home. That year envoys came with tribute from the Khitan and Mohe.

五年春正月辛亥，詔以金鳳等三臺未入寺者，施大興聖寺。是月，殺定州刺史、博陵王濟。二月乙丑，詔應宮刑者，普免刑為官口。又詔禁網捕鷹鷂及畜養籠放之物。癸酉，大莫婁國遣使朝貢。乙丑，改東平王儼為瑯邪王。詔侍中叱列長文使於周。是月，殺太尉、趙郡王睿。三月丁酉，以司空徐顯秀為太尉，並省尚書令婁定遠為司空。是月，行幸晉陽。夏四月甲子，詔以并州尚書省為大基聖寺，晉祠為大崇皇寺。乙丑，車駕至自晉陽。秋七月己丑，詔降罪人各有差。戊申，詔使巡省河北諸州無雨處，境內偏旱者，優免租調。冬十月壬戌，詔禁造酒。十一月辛丑，詔以太保斛律光為太傅，大司馬、馮翊王潤為太保，大將軍、瑯邪王儼為大司馬。十二月庚午，以開府儀同三司、蘭陵王長恭為尚書令。庚辰，以中書監魏收為尚書右僕射。

In spring of year five, first month, on xinhai, an edict gave the Jinfeng and other terraces not yet granted to temples to Daxing Sheng Temple. That month Prince of Boling Ji, Governor of Ding Province, was put to death. On yichou in the second month, an edict freed those liable to palace castration from punishment and enrolled them as palace servants. Another edict banned the netting of hawks and falcons and the keeping or release of caged raptors. On guiyou envoys came with tribute from Damo Lou. On yichou Prince of Dongping Yan was retitled Prince of Langye. The court ordered Palace Attendant Chilie Changwen to Zhou. That month Grand Commandant Prince of Zhao Commandery Rui was put to death. On dingyou in the third month, Minister of Works Xu Xianxiu was made Grand Commandant and concurrent Minister of Works Lou Dingyuan was appointed Minister of Works. That month the emperor went to Jinyang. In summer, fourth month, on jiazi, an edict turned the Bing Province ministry office into Daji Sheng Temple and Jin Shrine into Dachong Huang Temple. On yichou the emperor returned from Jinyang. In autumn, seventh month, on jichou, an edict lightened sentences by degree. On wushen envoys were sent to tour drought-hit districts in Hebei and to remit rents and corvée where drought was severe. In winter, tenth month, on renxu, wine-making was banned. On xinchou in the eleventh month, Grand Guardian Hulu Guang was made Grand Tutor, Grand Marshal Prince of Fenyang Run Grand Preceptor, and Grand General Prince of Langye Yan Grand Marshal. On gengwu in the twelfth month, Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Prince of Lanling Chang Gong was appointed Minister of Works. On gengchen, Secretariat Supervisor Wei Shou was appointed Right Vice Minister of Works.

武平元年春正月乙酉朔，改元。太師、并州刺史、東安王婁睿薨。戊申，詔兼散騎常侍裴獻之聘於陳。二月癸亥，以百濟王余昌為使持節、侍中、驃騎大將軍、帶方郡公，王如故。己巳，以太傅、咸陽王斛律光為右丞相，并州刺史、右丞相、安定王賀拔仁為錄尚書事，冀州刺史、任城王湝為太師。丙子，降死罪已下囚。閏月戊戌，錄尚書事、安定王賀拔仁薨。三月辛酉，以開府儀同三司徐之才為尚書左僕射。夏六月乙酉，以廣寧王孝珩為司空。甲辰，以皇子恒生故，大赦。內外百官，普進二級；九州職人，普進四級。己酉，詔以開府儀同三司唐邕為尚書右僕射。秋七月癸丑，封孝昭皇帝子彥基為城陽王，彥康為定陵王，彥忠為梁郡王。甲寅，以尚書令、蘭陵王長恭為錄尚書事，中領軍和士開為尚書令。癸亥，靺鞨遣使朝貢。

In spring of Wuping year one, first month, on the new moon yiyou, the reign title was changed. Grand Preceptor and Governor of Bing Province Prince of Dong'an Lou Rui died. On wushen the court ordered concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Pei Xianzhi to Chen. On guihai in the second month, King Yuchang of Baekje was given the titles Bearer of the Staff, Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, Duke of Daifang, and confirmed as king. On jisi, Grand Tutor Prince of Xianyang Hulu Guang was made Right Chancellor, Governor of Bing Province and Right Chancellor Prince of Anding Heba Ren was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works, and Governor of Ji Province Prince of Rencheng Hui was made Grand Preceptor. On bingzi prisoners below the rank of capital offense were pardoned. On wuxu in the intercalary month, Recorder of the Ministry of Works Prince of Anding Heba Ren died. On xinyou in the third month, Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Xu Zhicai was appointed Left Vice Minister of Works. In summer, sixth month, on yiyou, Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing was appointed Minister of Works. On jiachen, with the birth of Prince Heng, a general pardon was declared. All civil and military officials were promoted two ranks; and artisans of the nine provinces were promoted four ranks. On jiyou Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Tang Yong was appointed Right Vice Minister of Works. In autumn, seventh month, on guichou, Xiaozhao's sons Yanji, Yankang, and Yanzhong were enfeoffed as Prince of Chengyang, Prince of Dingling, and Prince of Liang Commandery. On jiayin, Minister of Works Prince of Lanling Chang Gong was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works, and Central Guard General He Shikai was appointed Minister of Works. On guihai envoys came with tribute from Mohe.

癸酉，以華山王凝為太傅。八月辛卯，行幸晉陽。九月乙巳，立皇子恒為皇太子。

On guiyou Prince of Huashan Ning was made Grand Tutor. In the eighth month, on xinmao, the emperor went to Jinyang. On yisi in the ninth month, Prince Heng was made crown prince.

冬十月辛巳，以司空、廣寧王孝珩為司徒，以上洛王思宗為司空，封蕭莊為梁王。

In winter, tenth month, on xinsi, Minister of Works Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing was made Minister over the Masses, Prince of Shangluo Si Zong was made Minister of Works, and Xiao Zhuang was enfeoffed as Prince of Liang.

戊子，曲降并州死罪已下囚。己丑，復改威宗景烈皇帝謚號為顯祖文宣皇帝。十二月丁亥，車駕至自晉陽。詔左丞相斛律光出晉州道，修城戍。

On wuzi prisoners in Bing Province below capital offense were partially pardoned. On jichou the posthumous title Weizong Jinglie Emperor was restored to Xianzu Wenxuan Emperor. On dinghai in the twelfth month the emperor returned from Jinyang. The court ordered Left Chancellor Hulu Guang to take the Jin Province route and repair walls and garrisons.

二年春正月丁巳，詔兼散騎常侍劉環俊使於陳。戊寅，以百濟王余昌為使持節、都督、東青州刺史。二月壬寅，以錄尚書事、蘭陵王長恭為太尉，並省錄尚書事趙彥深為司空，尚書令和士開為錄尚書事，左僕射徐之才為尚書令，右僕射唐邕為左僕射，吏部尚書馮子琮為右僕射。夏四月壬午，以大司馬、瑯邪王儼為太保。甲午，陳遣使連和，謀伐周，朝議弗許。六月，段韶攻周汾州克之，獲刺史楊敷。秋七月庚午，太保、瑯邪王儼矯詔殺錄尚書事和士開於南臺，即日誅領軍大將軍庫狄伏連、書侍御史王子宣等，尚書右僕射馮子琮賜死殿中。八月己亥，行幸晉陽。九月辛亥，以太師、任城王湝為太宰，馮翊王潤為太師。己未，左丞相、平原王段韶薨。戊午，曲降并州界內死罪已下，各有差。庚午，殺太保、瑯邪王儼。壬申，陳人來聘。冬十月，罷京畿府入領軍府。己亥，車駕至自晉陽。十一月庚戍，詔侍中赫連子悅使於周。丙寅，以徐州行臺、廣寧王孝珩為錄尚書事。庚午，以錄尚書事、廣寧王孝珩為司徒。癸酉，以右丞相斛律光為左丞相。

In spring of year two, first month, on dingsi, the court ordered concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Liu Huanjun to Chen. On wuyin, King Yuchang of Baekje was made Bearer of the Staff, Area Commander, and Governor of Eastern Qing Province. On renyin in the second month, Recorder of the Ministry of Works Prince of Lanling Chang Gong was made Grand Commandant, concurrent Recorder Zhao Yanshen Minister of Works, Minister of Works He Shikai Recorder of the Ministry of Works, Left Vice Minister Xu Zhicai Minister of Works, Right Vice Minister Tang Yong Left Vice Minister, and Minister of Personnel Feng Zicong Right Vice Minister. In summer, fourth month, on renwu, Grand Marshal Prince of Langye Yan was made Grand Preceptor. On jiawu Chen sent envoys proposing alliance and a joint attack on Zhou; the court refused. In the sixth month Duan Shao took Zhou's Fen Province and captured its governor Yang Fu. In autumn, seventh month, on gengwu, Grand Preceptor Prince of Langye Yan forged an edict and killed Recorder of the Ministry of Works He Shikai at the Southern Terrace; the same day General of the Guard Kudi Fulian and Supervising Secretary Wang Zixuan were executed, and Right Vice Minister Feng Zicong was forced to die in the palace. In the eighth month, on jihai, the emperor went to Jinyang. On xinhai in the ninth month, Grand Preceptor Prince of Rencheng Hui was made Grand Preceptor and Prince of Fenyang Run was made Grand Preceptor. On jiwei, Left Chancellor Prince of Pingyuan Duan Shao died. On wuwu prisoners in Bing Province below capital offense were partially pardoned by degree. On gengwu Grand Preceptor Prince of Langye Yan was put to death. On renshen envoys arrived from Chen. In winter, tenth month, the Capital Region Office was dissolved into the Guard General's Office. On jihai the emperor returned from Jinyang. On gengxu in the eleventh month the court ordered Palace Attendant Helian Ziyue to Zhou. On bingyin, Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing of the Xuzhou Field Office was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works. On gengwu, Recorder of the Ministry of Works Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing was made Minister over the Masses. On guiyou, Right Chancellor Hulu Guang was made Left Chancellor.

三年春正月己巳，祀南郊。辛亥，追贈故瑯邪王儼為楚帝。二月己卯，以衛菩薩為太尉。辛巳，以並省吏部尚書高元海為尚書右僕射。庚寅，以左僕射唐邕為尚書令，侍中祖珽為左僕射。是月，敕撰《玄州苑御覽》，後改名《聖壽堂御覽》。

In spring of year three, first month, on jisi, he sacrificed at the Southern Suburb. On xinhai the late Prince of Langye Yan was posthumously enfeoffed as Emperor of Chu. On jimao, Wei Pusa was made Grand Commandant. On xinsi, Minister of Personnel of the Combined Provinces Gao Yuanhai was appointed Right Vice Minister of Works. On gengyin, Left Vice Minister Tang Yong was made Minister of Works and Palace Attendant Zu Ting was made Left Vice Minister. That month work was ordered on the Xuanzhou Garden Imperial Digest, later renamed the Shengshou Hall Imperial Digest.

三月辛酉，詔文武官五品已上，各舉一人。是月，周誅冢宰宇文護。夏四月，周人來聘。秋七月戊辰，誅左丞相、咸陽王斛律光，及其弟幽州行臺、荊山公豐樂。八月庚寅，廢皇后斛律氏為庶人。以太宰、任城王湝為右丞相，太師、馮翊王潤為太尉，蘭陵王長恭為大司馬，廣寧王孝珩為大將軍，安德王廷宗為司徒。使領軍封輔相聘於周。戊子，拜右昭儀胡氏為皇后。己丑，以司州牧、北平王仁堅為尚書令，特進許季良為左僕射，彭城王寶德為右僕射。癸巳，行幸晉陽。是月，《聖壽堂御覽》成，敕付史閣。後改為《修文殿御覽》。九月，陳人來聘。冬十月，降死罪已下囚。甲午，拜弘德夫人穆氏為左皇后，大赦。十二月辛丑，廢皇后胡氏為庶人。

On xinyou in the third month, civil and military officials of fifth rank and above were each ordered to nominate one man. That month Zhou executed regent Yuwen Hu. In summer, fourth month, envoys arrived from Zhou. In autumn, seventh month, on wuchen, Left Chancellor Prince of Xianyang Hulu Guang was executed, together with his younger brother Regional Inspector of You Province and Duke of Jingshan Fengle. On gengyin in the eighth month, Empress Hulu was deposed and reduced to commoner status. Grand Preceptor Prince of Rencheng Hui was made Right Chancellor, Grand Preceptor Prince of Fenyang Run Grand Commandant, Prince of Lanling Chang Gong Grand Marshal, Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing Grand General, and Prince of Ande Tingzong Minister over the Masses. General of the Guard Feng Fuxiang was sent to Zhou as envoy. On wuzi, Honored Consort Hu was made empress. On jichou, Governor of Si Province Prince of Beiping Renjian was made Minister of Works, Special Advance Xu Jiliang Left Vice Minister, and Prince of Pengcheng Baode Right Vice Minister. On guisi the emperor went to Jinyang. That month the Shengshou Hall Imperial Digest was finished and sent to the Historiography Office. It was later renamed the Xiucheng Hall Imperial Digest. In the ninth month envoys arrived from Chen. In winter, tenth month, prisoners below capital offense were pardoned. On jiawu, Honored Lady Mu was made Left Empress and a general pardon was declared. On xinchou in the twelfth month, Empress Hu was deposed and reduced to commoner status.

是歲，新羅、百濟、勿吉、突厥並遣使朝貢。於周為建德元年。

That year tribute came from Silla, Baekje, Wuji, and the Turks. In Zhou it was Jiande year one.

四年春正月戊寅，以並省尚書令高阿那肱為錄尚書事。庚辰，詔兼散騎常侍崔象使於陳。是月，鄴都、并州並有狐媚，多截人發。二月乙巳，拜左皇后穆氏為皇后。丙午，置文林館。乙卯，以尚書令、北平王仁堅為錄尚書事。丁巳，行幸晉陽。

In spring of year four, first month, on wuyin, Minister of Works of the Combined Provinces Gao Anagou was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works. On gengchen the court ordered concurrent Supervising Cavalier Attendant Cui Xiang to Chen. That month fox-demons appeared at Ye and Bing Province and cut off many people's hair. On yisi in the second month, Left Empress Lady Mu was made empress. On bingwu the Wenlin Hall was established. On yimao, Minister of Works Prince of Beiping Renjian was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works. On dingsi the emperor went to Jinyang.

是月，周人來聘。三月辛未，盜入信州，殺刺史和士休，南兗州刺史鮮于世榮討之。

That month envoys arrived from Zhou. On xinwei in the third month, bandits entered Xin Province and killed Governor He Shixiu; Governor of Southern Yan Province Xianyu Shirong marched against them.

庚辰，車駕至晉陽。夏四月戊午，以大司馬、蘭陵王長恭為太保，大將軍、定州刺史、南陽王綽為大司馬，大司馬、太尉衛菩薩為大將軍，司徒、安德王延宗為太尉，司空、武興王普為司徒，開府儀同三司、宜陽王趙彥深為司空。癸丑，祈皇祠。壇壝蕝之內忽有車軌之轍，案驗，傍無人跡，不知車所從來。乙卯，詔以為大慶，班告天下。己未，周人來聘。五月丙子，詔史官更撰《魏書》。癸巳，以領軍穆提婆為尚書左僕射，以侍中、中書監段孝言為右僕射。是月，開府儀同三司尉破胡、長孫洪略等與陳將吳明徹戰於呂梁南。大敗，破胡走以免，洪略戰歿。遂陷秦、涇二州。明徹進陷和、合二州。是月，殺太保、蘭陵王長恭。六月，明徹進軍圍壽陽。

On gengchen the emperor arrived at Jinyang. In summer, fourth month, on wuwu, Grand Marshal Prince of Lanling Chang Gong was made Grand Preceptor, Grand General and Governor of Ding Province Prince of Nanyang Chuo Grand Marshal, Grand Marshal and Grand Commandant Wei Pusa Grand General, Minister over the Masses Prince of Ande Tingzong Grand Commandant, Minister of Works Prince of Wuxing Pu Minister over the Masses, and Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Prince of Yiyang Zhao Yanshen Minister of Works. On guichou sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Shrine. Within the altar enclosure wheel tracks suddenly appeared; no footprints were found nearby, and no one knew where the carriage had come from. On yimao an edict declared this a great omen and proclaimed it to the empire. On jiwei envoys arrived from Zhou. In the fifth month, on bingzi, the court ordered the historiographers to compile a new History of Wei. On guisi, General of the Guard Mu Tipo was made Left Vice Minister of Works, and Palace Attendant and Secretariat Supervisor Duan Xiaoyan was made Right Vice Minister. That month Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Wei Pohu and Zhangsun Honglue fought Chen general Wu Mingche south of Lüliang. They were routed; Pohu fled and survived, while Honglue fell in battle. Qin and Jing provinces then fell. Mingche went on to take He and He provinces as well. That month Grand Preceptor Prince of Lanling Chang Gong was put to death. In the sixth month Mingche marched on and besieged Shouyang.

壬子，幸南苑，從官暍死者六十人。以錄尚書事高阿那肱為司徒。丙辰，詔開府王師羅使於周。秋九月，校獵於鄴東。冬十月，陳將吳明徹陷壽陽。辛丑，殺侍中崔季舒、張雕唐、散騎常侍劉逖、封孝琰、黃門侍郎裴澤、郭遵。癸卯，行幸晉陽。

On renzi he visited the Southern Park; sixty attendants died of heatstroke. Recorder of the Ministry of Works Gao Anagou was made Minister over the Masses. On bingchen the court ordered Bearer of the Office Wang Shiluo to Zhou. In autumn, ninth month, he held a hunting review east of Ye. In winter, tenth month, Chen general Wu Mingche captured Shouyang. On xinchou, Palace Attendants Cui Jishu and Zhang Diaotang, Supervising Cavalier Attendants Liu Ti and Feng Xiaoyan, and Yellow Gate Gentlemen Pei Ze and Guo Zun were put to death. On guimao the emperor went to Jinyang.

十二月戊寅，以司徒高阿那肱為右丞相。是歲，高麗、靺鞨並遣使朝貢，突厥使求婚。

On wuyin in the twelfth month, Minister over the Masses Gao Anagou was made Right Chancellor. That year tribute came from Goguryeo and Mohe, and the Turks sent envoys seeking a marriage alliance.

五年春正月乙丑，置左右娥英各一人。二月乙未，車駕至自晉陽。朔州行臺、南安王思好反。辛丑，行幸晉陽。尚書令唐邕等大破思好，投火死，焚其屍，並其妻李氏。丁未，車駕至自晉陽。甲寅，以尚書令唐邕為錄尚書事。夏五月，大旱，晉陽得死魃，長二尺，面頂各二目。帝聞之，使刻木為其形以獻。庚申，大赦。丁亥，陳人寇淮北。秋八月癸卯，行幸晉陽。甲辰，以高勱為尚書右僕射。是歲，殺南陽王綽。

In spring of year five, first month, on yichou, one Left and one Right Eying were appointed. On yiwei in the second month the emperor returned from Jinyang. Regional Inspector of Shuo Province Prince of Nan'an Sihao rebelled. On xinchou the emperor went to Jinyang. Minister of Works Tang Yong and others crushed Sihao; he threw himself into the fire and died, and his corpse was burned together with his wife Lady Li. On dingwei the emperor returned from Jinyang. On jiayin, Minister of Works Tang Yong was made Recorder of the Ministry of Works. In summer, fifth month, drought was severe; at Jinyang a dead drought-demon was found, two feet long, with two eyes on face and crown alike. On hearing this, the emperor had a wooden image carved in its likeness and presented. On gengshen a general pardon was declared. On dinghai Chen forces raided north of the Huai. In autumn, eighth month, on guimao, the emperor went to Jinyang. On jiachen, Gao Li was appointed Right Vice Minister of Works. That year Prince of Nanyang Chuo was put to death.

六年春三月乙亥，車駕至自晉陽。丁丑，烹妖賊鄭子饒於都市。是月，周人來聘。夏四月庚子，以中書監陽休之為尚書右僕射。癸卯，靺鞨遣使朝貢。秋七月甲戌，行幸晉陽。八月丁酉，冀、定、趙、幽、滄、瀛六州大水。是月，周師入洛川，屯芒山，攻逼洛城。縱火船焚浮橋，河橋絕。閏月己丑，遣右丞相高阿那肱自晉陽禦之，師次河陽，周師夜遁。庚辰，以司空趙彥深為司徒，斛律阿列羅為司空。辛巳，以軍國資用不足，稅關市、舟車、山澤、鹽鐵、店肆，輕重各有差，開酒禁。

In spring of year six, third month, on yihai, the emperor returned from Jinyang. On dingchou the sorcerer-rebel Zheng Zirao was boiled alive in the market. That month envoys arrived from Zhou. In summer, fourth month, on gengzi, Secretariat Supervisor Yang Xiuzhi was appointed Right Vice Minister of Works. On guimao envoys came with tribute from Mohe. In autumn, seventh month, on jiaxu, the emperor went to Jinyang. On dingyou in the eighth month, Ji, Ding, Zhao, You, Cang, and Ying provinces were inundated. That month Zhou forces entered the Luo valley, encamped on Mang Mountain, and pressed Luoyang. Fire ships burned the pontoon bridge and severed the crossing. On jichou in the intercalary month, Right Chancellor Gao Anagou was sent from Jinyang to meet them; his army halted at Heyang and the Zhou forces fled by night. On gengchen, Minister of Works Zhao Yanshen was made Minister over the Masses and Hulu Alieluo was appointed Minister of Works. On xinsi, with state funds exhausted, taxes were imposed on markets, transport, mountains, salt, iron, and shops by degree, and the wine ban was lifted.

是月，以水澇，遣使巡撫流亡人戶。八月丁卯，行幸晉陽。雉集於御坐，獲之，有司不敢以聞。詔營邯鄲宮。冬十月丙辰，帝大狩於祁連池。周師攻晉州。癸亥，帝還晉陽。甲子，出兵，大集晉祠。庚午，帝發晉陽。癸酉，帝列陣而行，上雞棲原，與周齊王憲相對，至夜不戰。周師斂陣而退。十一月，周武帝退還長安，留偏師守晉州，高阿那肱等圍晉州城。戊寅，帝至圍所。十二月戊申，周武帝來救晉州。庚戌，戰於城南，齊軍大敗。帝棄軍先還。癸丑，入晉陽，憂懼不知所之。甲寅，大赦。帝謂朝臣曰：「周師甚盛，若何？」群臣咸曰：「天命未改，一得一失，自古皆然。宜停百賦，安朝野，收遺兵，背城死戰，以存社稷。」帝意猶預，欲向北朔州。乃留安德王廷宗、廣寧王孝珩等守晉陽。若晉陽不守，即欲奔突厥。群臣皆曰不可，帝不從其言。開府儀同三司賀拔伏恩、封輔相、慕容鐘葵等宿衛近臣三十餘人，西奔周師。乙卯，詔募兵，遣安德王延宗為左廣，廣寧王孝珩為右廣。延宗入見帝，帝告欲向北朔州，延宗泣諫，不從。帝密遣王康德與中人齊紹等送皇太后、皇太子於北朔州。丙辰，帝幸城南軍營，勞將士，其夜欲遁，諸將不從。丁巳，大赦。改武平七年為隆化元年。其日，穆提婆降周。詔除安德王延宗為相國，委以備禦，延宗流涕受命。帝乃夜斬五龍門而出。欲走突厥，從官多散，領軍梅勝郎叩馬諫，乃回之鄴。時唯高阿那肱等十餘騎，廣寧王孝珩、襄城王彥道續至，得數十人同行。戊午，延宗從眾議，即皇帝位於晉陽，改隆化為德昌元年。庚申，帝入鄴。

That month envoys were sent to succor displaced households after the floods. In the eighth month, on dingmao, the emperor went to Jinyang. Pheasants gathered on the imperial seat; they were caught, but officials dared not report it. An edict ordered the Handan palace built. In winter, tenth month, on bingchen, the emperor held a great hunt at Qilian Pool. Zhou forces attacked Jin Province. On guihai the emperor returned to Jinyang. On jiazi troops were mobilized and a great muster held at Jin Shrine. On gengwu the emperor marched out from Jinyang. On guiyou the emperor advanced in battle order, climbed Jixi Plain, and faced Zhou Prince of Qi Xian; neither side fought until night. The Zhou forces withdrew and retreated. In the eleventh month Zhou Emperor Wu returned to Chang'an, leaving a detachment to hold Jin Province while Gao Anagou and others besieged the city. On wuyin the emperor reached the siege camp. On wushen in the twelfth month Zhou Emperor Wu came to relieve Jin Province. On gengxu battle was joined south of the city and the Qi army was routed. The emperor abandoned the army and fled first. On guichou he entered Jinyang, stricken with fear and at a loss. On jiayin a general pardon was declared. The emperor asked the court: "The Zhou armies are very strong; what shall we do?" All replied: "Heaven's mandate has not changed; gain and loss have always alternated. Stop all levies, calm court and countryside, gather the scattered troops, and fight to the death with the city at your back to save the realm." The emperor still hesitated and wished to flee north to Shuo Province. He then left Prince of Ande Tingzong and Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing to hold Jinyang. If Jinyang fell, he meant to flee to the Turks. The ministers all said this was impossible, but the emperor would not listen. Bearer of Equal Honor with the Three Excellencies Heba Fu'en, Feng Fuxiang, Murong Zhongkui, and more than thirty bodyguards fled west to the Zhou armies. On yimao an edict ordered levies and made Prince of Ande Yan Zong Left Commander and Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing Right Commander. Yan Zong came before the emperor, who said he wished to go north to Shuo Province; Yan Zong wept and remonstrated in vain. The emperor secretly sent Wang Kede and the eunuch Qi Shao to escort the Empress Dowager and crown prince to northern Shuo Province. On bingchen the emperor visited the southern camp to encourage the troops; that night he wished to flee, but the generals refused. On dingsi a general pardon was declared. The seventh year of Wuping was renamed the first year of Longhua. That same day Mu Tipo surrendered to Zhou. An edict made Prince of Ande Yan Zong chancellor in charge of defense; he accepted through tears. That night the emperor cut through the Five Dragon Gate and fled. He meant to flee to the Turks; attendants scattered; Guard General Mei Sheng Lang seized his horse and remonstrated, and he turned back to Ye. Only Gao Anagou and a dozen riders remained; Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing and Prince of Xiangcheng Yandao joined later with several dozen men. On wuwu Yan Zong, following the general will, took the throne at Jinyang and changed Longhua to Dechang year one. On gengshen the emperor entered Ye.

辛酉，延宗與周師戰於晉陽，大敗，為周師所虜。

On xinyou Yan Zong fought the Zhou at Jinyang, was routed, and was taken prisoner.

帝遣募人，重加官賞，雖有此言，而竟不出物。廣寧王孝珩奏請出宮人及珍寶，班賜將士，帝不悅。斛律孝卿居中，受委帶甲以處分。請帝親勞，為帝撰辭，且曰：「宜慷慨流涕，感激人心。」帝既出臨眾，將令之，不復記所受言，遂大笑。左右亦群咍，將士莫不解體。於是自大丞相已下，太宰、大司馬、三師、大將軍、三公等官，並增員而授，或三或四，不可勝數。甲子，皇太后從北道至。引文武一品已上入朱華門。賜酒食及紙筆，問以禦周之方略。群臣各異議，帝莫知所從。又引高元海、宋士素、盧思道、李德林等欲議禪位皇太子。先是，望氣者言，當有革易，於是依天統故事，授位幼主。

The emperor promised rank and reward to recruits, but in the end gave nothing. Prince of Guangning Xiaoxing asked that palace women and treasures be given to reward the troops; the emperor was displeased. Hulu Xiaoqing held the center, entrusted with authority and armored to direct affairs. He asked the emperor to appear in person to encourage the troops, drafted a speech, and said: "You should weep freely and stir men's hearts." When the emperor came out before the host to speak, he forgot what he had been told and burst into laughter. Those around him laughed too; officers and soldiers were utterly disheartened. Thereupon from Grand Chancellor downward, posts of Grand Preceptor, Grand Marshal, the Three Preceptors, Grand General, and the Three Excellencies were multiplied, some with three or four holders, beyond counting. On jiazi the Empress Dowager arrived by the northern route. Civil and military officials of first rank and above were summoned into Zhuhua Gate. They were given wine, food, paper, and brushes and asked for strategy against Zhou. Each minister offered a different view, and the emperor knew not whom to follow. Gao Yuanhai, Song Shisu, Lu Sidao, and Li Delin were also summoned to discuss abdicating to the crown prince. Geomancers had foretold a dynastic change; following the Tiantong precedent, the throne was transferred to the Young Ruler.

幼主名恒，帝之長子也。母曰穆皇后。武平元年六月，生於鄴。其年十月，立為皇太子。隆化二年春正月乙亥，即皇帝位，時年八歲。改元為承光元年，大赦。

The Young Ruler, named Heng, was the emperor's eldest son. His mother was Empress Mu. In Wuping year one, sixth month, he was born at Ye. That year, tenth month, he was made crown prince. In spring of Longhua year two, first month, on yihai, he took the throne; he was eight years old. The reign title became Chengguang year one and a general pardon was declared.

尊皇太后為太皇太后，帝為太上皇帝，後為太上皇后。於是黃門侍郎顏之推、中書侍郎薛道衡、侍中陳德信等勸太上皇帝往河外募兵，更為經略。若不濟，南投陳國。

The Empress Dowager was honored as Grand Empress Dowager, the emperor as Retired Emperor, and the empress as Retired Empress. Yellow Gate Gentleman Yan Zhitui, Secretariat Gentleman Xue Daoheng, Palace Attendant Chen Dexin, and others urged the Retired Emperor to go beyond the river to raise troops and plan anew. If that failed, they would flee south to Chen.

從之。丁丑，太皇太后、太上皇自鄴先趣濟州。周師漸逼。癸未，幼主又自鄴東走。

He agreed. On dingchou the Grand Empress Dowager and Retired Emperor left Ye first and hurried toward Ji Province. The Zhou armies closed in. On guiwei the Young Ruler fled east from Ye again.

己丑，周師至紫陽橋。癸巳，燒城西門，太上皇將百餘騎東走。乙亥，度河入濟州。

On jichou the Zhou armies reached Ziyang Bridge. On guisi the western gate was burned; the Retired Emperor fled east with a little over a hundred riders. On yihai he crossed the river and entered Ji Province.

其日，幼主禪位於大丞相、任城王湝，令侍中斛律孝卿送禪文及璽紱於瀛州。孝卿乃以之歸周。又為任城王詔，尊太上皇為無上皇。幼主為守國天王。留太皇太后濟州，遣高阿那肱留守。太上皇並皇后攜幼主走青州，韓長鸞、鄧颙等數十人從。太上皇既至青州，即為入陳之計。而高阿那肱召周軍，約生致齊主。而屢使人告，言賊軍在遠，已令人燒斷橋路。太上所以停緩。周軍奄至青州，太上窘急，將遜於陳，置金囊於鞍後。與長鸞、淑妃等十數騎至青州南鄧村，為周將尉暹綱所獲，送鄴。

That day the Young Ruler abdicated to Grand Chancellor Prince of Rencheng Hui and ordered Palace Attendant Hulu Xiaoqing to deliver the abdication text and imperial seal and cord to Ying Province. Xiaoqing then took them to Zhou. An edict was also issued in Prince of Rencheng's name honoring the Retired Emperor as Supreme Retired Emperor. The Young Ruler was made Heavenly King Guarding the State. The Grand Empress Dowager was left at Ji Province and Gao Anagou was left to hold the city. The Retired Emperor, the empress, and the Young Ruler fled to Qing Province with Han Changluan, Deng Yong, and several dozen others. Once at Qing Province, the Retired Emperor at once planned to enter Chen. But Gao Anagou summoned the Zhou armies and agreed to deliver the Qi ruler alive. Yet he repeatedly sent word that the enemy was far off and that he had already burned the bridges and cut the roads. This was why the Retired Emperor halted and delayed. The Zhou armies suddenly reached Qing Province; the Retired Emperor, in dire straits, was about to flee to Chen and placed a gold pouch behind his saddle. With Changluan, the Honored Consort, and a dozen riders he reached Deng Village south of Qing Province and was captured by Zhou general Wei Xiangang and sent to Ye.

周武帝與抗賓主禮，並太后、幼主、諸王，俱送長安。封帝溫國公。至建德七年，誣與宜州刺史穆提婆謀反，及延宗等數十人，無少長咸賜死。神武子孫所存者一二而己。至大象末，陽休之、陳德信等啟大丞相隋公，請收葬。聽之，葬於長安北原洪瀆川。

Zhou Emperor Wu treated him with guest-and-host etiquette and sent the empress dowager, the Young Ruler, and the princes together to Chang'an. The emperor was enfeoffed as Duke of Wen State. In Jiande year seven he was falsely accused of plotting rebellion with Governor of Yi Province Mu Tipo; he and Yan Zong and several dozen others, without distinction of age, were all put to death. Of Shenwu's descendants only one or two remained. By the end of Daxiang, Yang Xiuzhi, Chen Dexin, and others petitioned Grand Chancellor the Duke of Sui to allow burial. Permission was granted, and they were buried on the northern plain of Chang'an at Hongdu Stream.

帝幼而令善；及長，頗學綴文，置文林館，引諸文士焉。而言語澀吶，無誌度，不喜見朝士。自非寵私昵狎，未嘗交語。性懦不堪，人視者即有忿責。其奏事者，雖三公、令、錄莫得仰視。皆略陳大旨，驚走而出。每災異寇盜水旱，亦不自貶損；唯諸處設齋，以此為修德。雅信巫覡，解禱無方。初，瑯邪王舉兵，人告者誤雲庫狄伏連反，帝曰：「此必仁威也。」又斛律光死後，諸武官舉高思好堪大將軍，帝曰：「思好喜反。」皆如所言，遂自以策無遺算，乃益驕縱。盛為無愁之曲，帝自彈胡琵琶而唱之，侍和之者以百數，人間謂之無愁天子。嘗出見群厲，盡殺之。或殺人，剝面皮而視之。任陸令萱、和士開、高阿那肱、穆提婆、韓長鸞等宰制天下；陳德信、鄧長颙、何洪珍參預機權。各引親黨，超居非次；官由財進，獄以賄成；其所以亂政害人。難以備載。諸官奴婢、閹人、商人、胡戶、雜戶、歌舞人、見鬼人濫得富貴者，將以萬數。庶姓封王者百數，不復可紀。開府千餘，儀同無數。領軍一時三十，連判文書，各作依字，不具姓名，莫知誰也。諸貴寵祖禰追贈，官歲一進，位極乃止。宮掖婢皆封郡君。宮女寶衣玉食者五百餘人。一裙直萬疋，鏡臺直千金。競為變巧，朝衣夕弊。承武成之奢麗，以為帝王當然。乃更增益宮苑，造偃武修文臺。其嬪嬙諸院中，起鏡殿、寶殿、瑇瑁殿，丹青雕刻，妙極當時。又於晉陽起十二院，壯麗逾於鄴下。所愛不恒，數毀而又復。夜則以火照作，寒則以湯為泥。百工困窮，無時休息。鑿晉陽西山為大佛像，一夜燃油萬盆，光照宮內。又為胡昭儀起大慈寺，未成，改為穆皇后大寶林寺。窮極工巧，運石填泉，勞費億計，人牛死者，不可勝紀。御馬則藉以氈罽，食物有十餘種。將合牝牡，則設青廬，具牢饌而親觀之。狗則飼以梁肉。馬及鷹犬，乃有儀同、郡君之號。故有赤彪儀同、逍遙郡君、陵霄郡君。高思好書所謂馱龍，逍遙著也。犬於馬上設褥以抱之。鬥雞亦號開府。犬馬雞鷹，多食縣幹。鷹之入養者，稍割犬肉以飼之，至數日乃死。又於華林園立貧窮村舍，帝自弊衣為乞食兒。又為窮兒之市，躬自交易。寫築西鄙諸城，黑衣為羌兵；鼓噪陵之，親率內參臨拒，或實彎弓射人。自晉陽東巡，單馬馳騖，衣解發散而歸。又好不急之務，曾一夜索蠍，及旦，得三升。特愛非時之物，取求火急，皆須朝征夕辦。當勢者因之，貸一而責十焉。賦斂日重，徭役日煩；人力既殫，帑藏空竭。乃賜諸佞幸賣官，或得郡兩三，或得縣六七，各分州郡，下逮鄉官，亦多降中者。故有敕用州主簿，敕用郡功曹。於是州縣職司，多出富商大賈。

As a child he was clever and good; when he grew he studied composition, established the Wenlin Hall, and gathered literary men there. Yet his speech was halting, he had no fixed purpose, and he disliked seeing court officials. Unless they were intimate favorites, he never spoke with them. He was timid and brittle; if anyone looked at him he would fly into a rage. Even the Three Excellencies, the Minister of Works, and the Recorder might not look up when reporting affairs. They would state the gist briefly and flee out in alarm. Whenever omens, bandits, floods, or drought struck, he never blamed himself; he only ordered vegetarian feasts here and there, calling it cultivating virtue. He greatly trusted shamans and knew no limit to prayer and exorcism. When Prince of Langye raised troops, an informer mistakenly said Kudi Fulian had rebelled; the emperor said: "This must be Renwei." After Hulu Guang died, military officials recommended Gao Sihao for Grand General; the emperor said: "Sihao loves rebellion." Each time he was right, and he came to believe his judgment missed nothing, growing ever more arrogant and unrestrained. He composed at length the Song of Carefree Sorrow, played the foreign pipa and sang it himself, with hundreds joining the chorus; people called him the Carefree Emperor. Once when he went out and saw locusts, he killed them all. Sometimes when he killed a man, he flayed the face and looked at it. He entrusted Lu Lingxuan, He Shikai, Gao Anagou, Mu Tipo, and Han Changluan with mastery over the realm; Chen Dexin, Deng Changyong, and He Hongzhen shared in the exercise of power. Each brought in his own partisans and was promoted beyond proper rank; office came through wealth and prisons through bribes; this was how they ruined government and harmed the people. It is hard to record it all. Official slaves, eunuchs, merchants, foreign households, miscellaneous households, singers, dancers, and spirit-mediums who improperly gained wealth and rank numbered nearly ten thousand. Commoners enfeoffed as princes numbered in the hundreds, beyond further reckoning. Bearer of the Office numbered over a thousand; Bearer of Equal Honor was beyond count. At one time there were thirty Guard Generals; they countersigned documents in succession, each writing "approved" without a full name, and no one knew who was who. For all favorites, ancestors were posthumously enfeoffed, their offices advancing one rank each year until the highest rank was reached. Palace maidservants were all enfeoffed as commandery ladies. Palace women in jeweled robes and jade fare numbered more than five hundred. One skirt cost ten thousand bolts, and one mirror stand a thousand in gold. They vied in novelty and artifice; robes worn in the morning were worn out by evening. Following Wucheng's extravagance, he took this as what an emperor ought to be. He then further enlarged the palace parks and built the Rest Arms and Cultivate Culture Terrace. In the consorts' courts he erected Mirror Hall, Treasure Hall, and Tortoiseshell Hall, painted and carved to the utmost wonder of the age. He also built twelve courts at Jinyang, more splendid than those at Ye. What he favored did not last; he repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. At night they worked by torchlight; in cold weather they used hot water for mortar. Artisans were exhausted and had no time to rest. The western mountain at Jinyang was carved into a great Buddha image; in one night ten thousand basins of oil were burned and the light filled the palace. He also built Daci Temple for Honored Consort Hu; before it was finished it was changed to Empress Mu's Dabaolin Temple. Craftsmanship was pushed to the extreme; stones were transported to fill springs; labor and expense ran to hundreds of millions; men and oxen who died were beyond counting. Imperial horses were spread with felt and rugs, and their food came in more than ten varieties. When they were to mate, a green pavilion was set up, full provisions prepared, and he watched in person. Dogs were fed on fine grain and meat. Horses, hawks, and dogs were given titles of Bearer of Equal Honor and commandery lady. Hence there were Bearer of Equal Honor Red Tiger, Commandery Lady Xiaoyao, and Commandery Lady Lingxiao. The "pack-dragon" in Gao Sihao's letter was Xiaoyao. Dogs were given cushions on horseback and carried in the arms. Fighting cocks were also titled Bearer of the Office. Dogs, horses, cocks, and hawks ate much dried meat from the counties. Hawks being trained were fed by gradually cutting dog flesh until after several days the dog died. He also built poor village dwellings in Hualin Garden and himself wore ragged clothes as a begging child. He also made a poor children's market and traded in person. He copied and built the western frontier cities and dressed men in black as Qiang soldiers; drums and shouts assaulted them; he personally led inner attendants to resist, and sometimes actually bent the bow and shot at men. On an eastern tour from Jinyang he galloped alone; his clothes came loose and his hair fell loose as he returned. He also loved useless tasks; once he demanded scorpions overnight, and by dawn three sheng had been gathered. He especially loved out-of-season things; demands were urgent and all had to be procured by evening if ordered in the morning. Those in power took advantage of this, lending one and exacting ten. Taxes grew heavier day by day, and corvée more burdensome day by day; human strength was exhausted and the treasury emptied. Thereupon favorites were granted the sale of offices; some received two or three commanderies, others six or seven counties; they divided provinces and commanderies among themselves, down to village officials, many of whom were also sold. Hence there were edict appointments as provincial chief clerk and edict appointments as commandery merit officer. Thereupon provincial and county functionaries mostly came from great merchants.

競為貪縱，人不聊生。爰自鄴都及諸州郡，所在征稅，百端俱起。凡此諸役皆漸於武成，至帝而增廣焉。然未嘗有有帷薄淫穢，唯此事頗優於武成云。

They vied in greed and excess; the people could not live. From Ye and the various provinces and commanderies, levies arose everywhere in a hundred forms. All these burdens had gradually begun under Wucheng and were expanded under this emperor. Yet he never had the licentiousness of the inner quarters; in this alone he was somewhat better than Wucheng, it is said.

初，河清末，武成夢大猬攻破鄴城，故索境內猬膏以絕之。識者以後主名聲與猬相協，亡齊征也。又婦人皆剪剔以著假髻；而危邪之，狀如飛鳥，至於南面，則髻心正西。始自宮內為之。被於四遠。天意若曰：「元首翦落，危側，當走西也。」

Near the end of Heqing, Wucheng dreamed that a great hedgehog broke through Ye city; therefore he demanded hedgehog fat throughout the realm to exterminate them. The knowing said the Later Ruler's name and reputation harmonized with hedgehog, a sign of Qi's destruction. Also, women all cut and shaved their hair to wear false topknots; They styled them daringly, like birds in flight; when a woman faced south, the crown of the false topknot pointed west. The fashion began in the palace. From there it spread everywhere. Heaven seemed to say: "The ruler's hair is shorn, his position perilous and askew; he is bound to flee west."

又為刀子者，刃皆狹細，名曰盡勢。遊童戲者，好以兩手持繩，拂地而卻上跳，且唱曰「高末」。高末之言，蓋高氏運祚之末也。然則亂亡之數，蓋有兆云。

Knife-makers too shaped blades narrow and fine, naming them "spent force." Children at play would take a rope in both hands, sweep the ground, leap upward, and sing "gaomo." The words "gaomo" meant the end of the Gao clan's fortune. So the omens of chaos and ruin were already at hand.

論曰：武成風度高爽，經算弘長。文武之官，俱盡謀力，有帝王之量矣。但愛狎庸豎，委以朝權；帷薄之間，淫侈過度。滅亡之兆，其在斯乎。玄象告變，傳位元子；名號雖殊，政猶己出；跡有虛飾，事非憲典；聰明臨下，何易可誣。又河南、河間、樂陵等諸王，或以時嫌，或以猜忌，皆無罪而殞。非所謂知命任天體大道之義也。後主以中庸之姿，懷易染之性。永言先訓，教匪義方。始自繈褓，至於傳位，隔以正人，閉其善道。養德所履，異乎春誦夏弦。過廷所聞，莫非不軌不物。輔之以中官奶媼，屬之以麗色淫聲；縱巘紲之娛，恣朋淫之好。語曰：「從惡若崩」，蓋言其易。武平在禦，彌見淪胥；罕接朝士，不親政事；一日萬機，委諸凶族。內侍帷幄，外吐絲綸；威厲風霜，誌回天日；虐人害物，搏噬無厭；賣獄鬻官，溪壑難滿。重以名將貽禍，忠臣顯戮；始見浸溺之萌，俄觀土崩之勢。周武因機，遂混區夏，悲天！蓋桀紂罪人，其亡也忽焉，自然之理矣。

The commentary says: Wucheng carried himself with lofty clarity and planned on a broad scale. Civil and military men gave him their full counsel and effort; he had the stature of a true emperor. Yet he doted on low attendants and handed them the reins of government; within the inner quarters his extravagance knew no limit. The seed of ruin lay here, did it not. When the heavens signaled change, he abdicated in favor of his son; though titles changed, power still flowed from him; the gesture was hollow, and the deed violated proper law; with a clear-eyed court beneath him, how could such pretense long deceive anyone. Princes of Henan, Hejian, Leling, and others were killed though guilty of nothing, some from suspicion of the times, some from distrust. This was not the conduct of one who knows fate, accepts Heaven, and embodies the great Way. The Later Ruler was mediocre by nature and easily corrupted. He spoke always of his forefathers' instruction, yet what he received was not the righteous way. From infancy to enthronement, upright men were kept from him and the good path barred. The moral ground he walked was nothing like the spring recitations and summer lute lessons of old. What reached him at court was nothing but the improper and the unworthy. Eunuchs and wet nurses raised him; beautiful women and sensual music held him; he indulged hunting and gave free rein to debauched companions. As the saying goes, "Following evil is like an avalanche" — how swift the fall. Once Wuping began, he sank deeper into ruin; he rarely saw court officials and never handled affairs himself; the day's myriad affairs were left to a vicious clan. Within the curtains they ruled; without they issued edicts; their power was frost and wind, their will bending sun and sky; they devoured men and goods without end; they sold prisons and offices, and no ravine could hold their greed. Famous generals were destroyed and loyal ministers openly executed; first came the first signs of flood, then suddenly the rush of collapse. Zhou Emperor Wu seized the moment and unified the realm — Heaven have mercy! Jie and Zhou were Heaven's outcasts; their fall came in a breath — such is nature's way.

鄭文貞公魏征總而論之曰：神武以雄傑之姿，始基霸業；文襄以英明之略，伐叛柔遠。於時喪君有君，師出以律。河陰之役，摧宇文如反掌；渦陽之戰，掃侯景如拉枯。故能氣懾西鄰，威加南服。王室是賴，東夏宅心。文宣因累世之資，膺樂推之會，地居當璧，遂遷魏鼎。懷譎詭非常之才，運屈奇不測之智；網羅俊乂，明察臨下；文武名臣，盡其力用。親戎出塞，命將臨江。定單于於龍城，納長君於梁國。外內充實，疆場無警；胡騎息其南侵，秦人不敢東顧。既而荒淫敗德，罔念作狂；為善未能亡身，余殃足以傳後。得以壽終，幸也；胤嗣不永，宜哉。孝昭地逼身危，逆取順守；外敷文教，內蘊雄圖；將以牢籠區域，奄有函夏。享齡不永，績用無成。若或天假之年，足使秦、吳旰食。武成即位，雅道陵遲。昭、襄之風，摧焉已墜。暨乎後主，外內崩離；眾潰於平陽，身禽於青土。天道深遠，或未易談；吉凶由人，抑可揚榷。觀夫有齊全盛，控帶遐阻：西包汾、晉，南極江、淮，東盡海隅，北漸沙漠。六國之地，我獲其五；九州之境，彼分其四。料甲兵之眾寡，校帑藏之虛實；折沖千里之將，帷幄六奇之士，比二方之優劣，無等級以寄言。然其太行、長城之固，自若也；江、淮、汾、晉之險，不移也；帑藏輸稅之富，未虧也；士庶甲兵之眾，不缺也。然而前王用之而有餘，後主守之而不足，其故何哉？前王之御時也，沐雨櫛風；拯其溺而救其焚，信必賞，過必罰，安而利之。既與共其存亡，故得同其生死。後主則不然。以人從欲，損物益己。雕墻峻宇，甘酒嗜音；廛肆遍於宮園，禽色荒於外內。俾晝作夜，罔水行舟；所欲必成，所求必得。既不軌不物，又暗於聽受；忠信弗聞，萋斐必入。視人如草芥，從惡如順流。佞閹處當軸之權，婢媼擅回天之力。賣官鬻獄，亂政淫刑；刳剒被於忠良，祿位加於犬馬。讒邪並進，法令多聞。持瓢者非止百人，搖樹者不唯一手。於是土崩瓦解，眾叛親離。

Duke Wen Zhen of Zheng, Wei Zheng, summed it up thus: Shenwu, heroic in stature, first laid the hegemonic foundation; Wenxiang, brilliant in strategy, crushed rebels and pacified the frontier. In those days when a ruler died, another stood ready, and armies marched by rule. At Heyin, Yuwen was broken as easily as turning the hand; at Woyang, Hou Jing was swept aside like dry wood pulled apart. Their spirit awed the west and their might reached the southern realms. The royal house leaned on them, and the eastern lands gave them their hearts. Wenxuan, drawing on generations of strength and the people's acclaim, took the jade disk's place and moved the Wei tripod. He had a gift for devious, unfathomable schemes; he gathered the worthy and judged his subjects with clear eyes; and civil and military ministers gave all their strength. He led armies beyond the frontier himself and sent generals to the Yangtze. He settled the Xiongnu at Long City and set the Liang ruler in place. Within and without were full, and the borders knew no alarm; northern horsemen ceased their southern raids, and Qin did not dare look east. Then he cast virtue aside for debauchery and forgot himself in madness; virtue could not save him, yet the aftershock was enough to ruin his heirs. That he died in his bed was luck; that his line did not endure was only fitting. Xiaozhao, pressed by circumstance and peril, seized power by force yet ruled by restraint; outwardly he spread civil teaching, inwardly he nursed heroic designs; he meant to envelop the realm and hold all within the passes. His years were short and his work unfinished. Had Heaven granted him longer life, Qin and Wu would have dined late in fear. Under Wucheng the refined Way declined. The spirit of Zhao and Xiang was already fallen. By the Later Ruler's time, inner and outer were collapsing; the army broke at Pingyang, and the man was taken on the blue plain. Heaven's Way is deep and perhaps beyond easy speech; yet fortune and ruin still turn on men and can be weighed. Qi at its height held the far barriers: Fen and Jin to the west, the Yangtze and Huai to the south, the sea to the east, the desert to the north. Of the Six States' lands, Qi held five; of the Nine Provinces, Zhou held four. Count armor and troops, weigh treasury full against empty; generals who broke the enemy a thousand li off, strategists of the six arts in the tent — between the two sides there was no clear rank of strength. Yet Taihang and the Great Wall stood as firm as ever; the Yangtze, Huai, Fen, and Jin remained as perilous; treasury wealth and transport taxes were not yet spent; gentry, commoners, armor, and troops were not yet wanting. Yet earlier kings used these assets and had surplus, while the Later Ruler guarded them and still fell short — why? Earlier kings ruled drenched by rain and combed by wind; they rescued the drowning and the burning; merit was rewarded and fault punished; they secured and benefited the people. Having shared survival and ruin with the people, they shared life and death with them. The Later Ruler did none of this. He used men to serve his desires and harmed the realm to enrich himself. Carved walls and towering halls, sweet wine and endless music; markets filled the palace gardens, and birds and women ran wild inside and out. He turned day into night and sailed boats on dry ground; what he wished came to pass, and what he sought was his. Improper in conduct and deaf in judgment; loyalty went unheard while slander always entered. He treated men like grass and followed evil like a downstream current. Flatterers and eunuchs held the axle's power; wet nurses and maidservants bent Heaven back to their will. They sold offices and prisons, ruined government and debauched justice; the loyal were mutilated while dogs and horses received rank and stipend. Slander and evil rose together, and laws multiplied in name only. Those dipping the ladle were more than a hundred; those shaking the tree were more than one hand. Then earth and tile collapsed together; armies rebelled and kin deserted.

顧瞻周道，咸有西歸之志。方更盛其宮觀，窮極荒淫；謂黔首之可誣，指白日以自保。驅倒戈之旅，抗前歌之師；五世崇基，一舉而滅。豈非鐫金石者難為功，摧枯朽者易為力歟。抑又聞之，「皇天無親，唯德是輔」。「天時不如地利，地利不如人和」。齊自河清之後，逮於武平之末，土木之工不息，嬪嬙之選無已。征稅盡，人力殫，物產無以給其求，江海不能贍其欲。所謂火既熾矣，更負薪以足之；數既窮矣，又為惡以促之。欲求大廈不燔，延期過歷，不亦難乎。由此言之，齊氏之敗亡，蓋亦由人，匪惟天道也。

Looking toward the Zhou Way, all wished to turn west. Yet he enlarged his palaces further and pursued extravagance to the limit; he thought the people could be fooled and pointed to the bright sun to save himself. He drove men who had turned their spears against him and faced armies singing in advance; Five generations of glory were undone in a single stroke. Was it not because stone is hard to carve, but dry rot easy to crush? It is also said: "High Heaven shows no favoritism; only virtue wins its support." "Heaven's timing is less than earth's advantage; earth's advantage is less than human harmony." From after Heqing through the end of Wuping, building never stopped and the search for consorts and ladies never ended. Taxes were drained dry, labor exhausted, and the land could not feed the appetite; seas and rivers could not fill the want. This is what is meant by: the fire was already blazing, yet more fuel was piled on; the tally was already spent, yet more evil was done to hurry the end. To hope the great house would not burn and the dynasty endure — how could that have been easy? From this we may say: Qi's fall came from men as well, and not from Heaven alone.

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