1
太祖文帝孝閔帝世宗明帝
Emperor Taizu Wen, Emperor Xiaomin, and Emperor Shizong Ming.
2
周太祖文皇帝姓宇文氏，諱泰，字黑獺，代郡武川人也。 其先出自炎帝。 炎帝為黃帝所滅，子孫遁居朔野。 其後有葛烏兔者，雄武多算略。 鮮卑奉以為主，遂總十二部落，世為大人及其裔孫曰普回，因狩得玉璽三紐，文曰「皇帝璽」，普回以為天授，己獨異之。 其俗謂天子曰「宇文」，故國號宇文，並以為氏。 普回子莫那，自陰山南徙。 始居遼西，是曰獻侯，為魏舅甥之國。 自莫那九世至侯歸豆，為慕容晃所滅。 其子陵仕燕，拜駙馬都尉，封玄菟公。 及慕容寶敗，歸魏，拜都牧主，賜爵安定侯。
The Grand Ancestor Emperor Wen of Zhou had the surname Yuwen, taboo name Tai, style name Heita, and came from Wuchuan in Dai Commandery. His line descended from Emperor Yan. Emperor Yan was overthrown by Emperor Huang, and his descendants withdrew into the northern frontier. Later came Ge Wutu, a man of martial valor and many stratagems. The Xianbei took him as their chief, and he united the twelve tribes, generation after generation serving as the great chieftain. A descendant named Puhui, while hunting, found a jade seal with three loops bearing the inscription "Imperial Seal." Puhui took it as a mandate from heaven and kept the wonder to himself. In their custom the Son of Heaven was called "Yuwen," and so the state took the name Yuwen and the clan took it as their surname. Puhui's son Monaj migrated south of Yin Mountain. He first settled in Liaoxi and was known as the Marquis of Xian; his state became a kinsman-realm allied to Wei by marriage. From Monaj down through nine generations to Hou Guidou, the line was destroyed by Murong Huang. His son Ling entered the service of Yan, was made Commandant of Escort Horses, and enfeoffed as Duke of Xuantu. When Murong Bao fell, he submitted to Wei, was appointed Chief Pastoral Administrator, and granted the title Marquis of Anding.
3
天興初，魏遷豪傑於代都，陵隨例徙居武川，即為其郡縣人焉。 陵生系，系生韜，韜生皇考肱，並以武略稱。 肱任俠有氣幹。 正光末，沃野鎮人破六韓拔陵作亂，其偽署王衛可瑰最盛。 肱乃糾合鄉里，斬瑰，其眾乃散。 後陷鮮于修禮，為定州軍所破，戰沒於陣。 武成初，追謚曰德皇帝。
At the opening of Tianxing, Wei moved the great families to the capital at Dai; Ling was relocated in the usual way to Wuchuan and became a man of that district. Ling fathered Xi, Xi fathered Tao, and Tao fathered the late Emperor's father Gou; all three were famed for military talent. Gou was a man of chivalry and forceful character. At the end of Zhenguang, the garrison men of Woye rose under Poliuhan Baling; of the rebel kings he appointed, Wei Kegei was the strongest. Gou gathered the local men, cut down Kegei, and his followers dispersed. Later he joined Xianyu Xiuli; when the Dingzhou army broke them, he fell on the field. At the opening of Wucheng he was posthumously titled Emperor De.
4
帝，德皇帝之少子也。 母曰王氏。 初孕五月，夜夢抱子升天，才不至而止。 寤，以告德皇帝。 德皇帝喜曰：「雖不至天，貴亦極矣。」 帝生而有黑氣如蓋，下覆其身。 及長，身長八尺，方顙廣額，美須髯，發長委地，垂手過膝，背有黑子，宛轉若龍盤之形，面色紫光，人望而敬畏之。 少有大度，不事家人生業。 輕財好施，以交結賢士大夫為務。 隨德皇帝在鮮于修禮軍。 及葛榮殺修禮，帝時年十八。 榮下任將帥，察其無成，謀與諸兄去之。 計未行，會榮滅，因隨爾朱榮遷晉陽。 榮忌帝兄弟雄傑，遂讬以他罪誅帝第三兄洛生。 帝以家冤自理，辭旨慷慨。 榮感而免之，益加敬待。 始以統軍從榮征討，後以別將從賀拔嶽討北海王顥於洛陽。 孝莊反正，以功封寧都子。 後從嶽入關，平万俟醜奴，行原州事。 時關、隴寇亂，帝撫以恩信，百姓皆喜，曰：「早遇宇文使君，吾等豈從逆亂。」 帝嘗從數騎於野，忽聞簫鼓之音，以問從者，皆莫之聞，意獨異之。
The Emperor was Emperor De's youngest son. His mother was Lady Wang. In the fifth month of her pregnancy she dreamed she was holding a child and climbing toward heaven, stopping only when she had nearly reached the top. When she woke, she told Emperor De. Emperor De said in delight, "Though he did not reach heaven, his rank will be supreme." At his birth black mist like a canopy descended and shrouded him. Grown to manhood he stood eight feet, with a square forehead and wide brow, a handsome beard, hair falling to the ground, hands reaching past his knees, and a black birthmark on his back coiled like a dragon; his countenance glowed with a purple light, and all who saw him were struck with reverence. Even as a youth he had a broad spirit and took no interest in the household trade. He gave freely of his wealth and made it his aim to win the friendship of worthy gentlemen and scholars. He followed Emperor De into Xianyu Xiuli's army. When Ge Rong killed Xiuli, the Emperor was eighteen years old. Ge Rong put his subordinates in command of armies; seeing that he would come to nothing, the Emperor planned with his elder brothers to break away. Before the plan could be acted on, Ge Rong was destroyed, and he followed Erzhu Rong to Jinyang. Rong envied the heroic stature of the Emperor and his brothers and, on a fabricated charge, put the Emperor's third elder brother Luosheng to death. The Emperor spoke in his own defense on behalf of the family wrong, his words ardent and unflinching. Rong was touched and released him, showing him even greater regard. At first he served as army commander under Rong on campaign; later, as a separate commander, he followed Heluo Yue against the Prince of Beihai, Yuan Hao, at Luoyang. When Emperor Xiaozhuang was restored to the throne, the Emperor was enfeoffed as Viscount of Ningdu for his service. Later he followed Yue through the pass, subdued Moqi Chounu, and acted as administrator of Yuanzhou. In those days Guan and Long were torn by rebellion; the Emperor won the people with kindness and good faith, and they all said with relief, "Had we met Commissioner Yuwen earlier, we would never have gone over to the rebels." Once, out riding with a handful of men, he suddenly heard flute and drum music; when he asked his companions, none had heard it, and he alone found it strange.
5
普泰二年，爾朱天光東拒齊神武，留弟顯壽鎮長安，召秦州刺史侯莫陳悅東下。
In Putai year two, Erzhu Tianguang marched east against the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi, leaving his brother Xianshou to garrison Chang'an and calling the Governor of Qinzhou, Houmochen Yue, to join him in the east.
6
嶽知天光必敗，欲留悅共圖顯壽，計無所出。 帝謂嶽曰：「今天光尚近，悅未必貳心； 若以此事告之，恐其驚懼。 然悅雖為主將，不能制物，若先說其眾，必人有留心。 進失爾朱之期，退恐人情變動； 若乘此說悅，事無不遂。」 嶽大喜，即令帝入悅軍說之。 悅遂與嶽襲長安。 帝輕騎為前鋒，追至華陰，禽顯壽。 及嶽為關西大行臺，以帝為左丞，領嶽府司馬，事無巨細，皆委決焉。
Yue saw that Tianguang would surely be defeated and wanted to keep Yue with him to take Xianshou, but could think of no means. The Emperor told Yue, "Tianguang is still close, and Yue may not yet be of two minds; if we disclose this plan to him, he may panic. Yet though Yue is the commanding general, he cannot fully command his men; if we address the soldiers first, some will surely waver. Go forward and we miss the Erzhu deadline; hold back and the troops may turn; but if we seize this moment to win Yue over, the thing cannot fail." Yue was overjoyed and immediately sent the Emperor into Yue's army to win him over. Houmochen Yue then joined Heluo Yue in a surprise strike on Chang'an. The Emperor rode at the head of the light horse, pursued as far as Huayin, and took Xianshou prisoner. When Yue became Grand Commissioner of the Western Pass, he made the Emperor Left Director and put him in charge of the commissioner's staff as marshal; every matter, large or small, was left to his judgment.
7
齊神武既除爾朱氏，遂專朝政。 帝請往觀之，至并州。 神武以帝非常人，曰：「此小兒眼目異。」 將留之。 帝詭陳忠款，具讬左右，苦求復命，倍道而行。 行一日而神武乃悔，發上驛千里，追帝至關，不及而反。 帝還，謂嶽曰：「高歡豈人臣邪，逆謀未發者，憚公兄弟耳。 侯莫陳悅本實庸材，亦不為歡忌，但為之備，圖之不難。 今費也頭控弦之騎，不下一萬； 夏州刺史解拔彌俄突，勝兵三千餘人，及靈州刺史曹泥，並恃僻遠，常懷異望。 河西流人紇豆陵伊利等，戶口富實，未奉朝風。
Once the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi had destroyed the Erzhu clan, he held court power alone. The Emperor asked to go and observe him and went to Bingzhou. The Divine Martial Emperor saw that the Emperor was no common man and said, "This youth's eyes are unlike any other's." He meant to keep him there. The Emperor spoke false words of loyalty, laid his case before the men around him, and pleaded urgently to return on his mission, riding day and night. One day after he had left, the Divine Martial Emperor regretted his decision and sent relay horses a thousand li in pursuit to the pass, but could not catch him and turned back. On his return the Emperor told Yue, "Gao Huan is no true subject; his treason has not yet surfaced only because he fears you and your brothers. Houmochen Yue is a man of no real talent, and Gao Huan does not fear him either; yet if you take precautions and move against him, it will not be difficult. The Fei Yetou today field no fewer than ten thousand mounted archers; the Governor of Xiazhou, Qieba Miyoutu, has more than three thousand fighting men; and the Governor of Lingzhou, Cao Ni, all of them trusting in their distant posts, often keep rebellious thoughts. The Hexi exiles, Hedinling Yili and the rest, are wealthy in households and have not yet bowed to the court.
8
今若移軍近隴，扼其要害，示之以威，懷之以德，即可收其士馬，以資吾軍。 西輯氐、羌，北撫沙塞，還軍長安，匡輔魏室，此桓文之舉也。」 嶽大悅。 復遣帝詣闕請事，密陳其狀。 魏帝納之，加帝武衛將軍，還令報嶽。 嶽遂引軍西次平涼。 嶽以夏州鄰接寇賊，欲求良刺史以鎮之，眾皆舉帝。 嶽曰：「宇文左丞，吾左右手，何可廢也。」 沈吟累日，乃從眾議，表帝為夏州刺史。 帝至州，伊利望風款附； 而曹泥猶通使於齊神武。
Move the army now to the edge of Long, seize the critical passes, show force and offer kindness, and at once we can take their men and horses to feed our own army. Unite the Di and Qiang in the west, soothe the desert marches in the north, bring the army back to Chang'an, and uphold the house of Wei: that is an act in the mold of Duke Huan and Duke Wen." Yue was delighted. He sent the Emperor again to the capital to petition and secretly set forth the whole design. The Wei Emperor approved, promoted the Emperor to General of Martial Guard, and sent him back to inform Yue. Yue then marched west and halted at Pingliang. Xiazhou lay against bandit country, and Yue wanted a strong governor to secure it; everyone named the Emperor. Yue said, "Director Yuwen is my right hand; how can I spare him?" He brooded for days, then yielded to the general wish and memorialized the Emperor as Governor of Xiazhou. When the Emperor arrived at the province, Yili came over at once; but Cao Ni still exchanged envoys with the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi.
9
魏永熙三年正月，賀拔嶽欲討曹泥，遣都督趙貴至夏州與帝謀。 帝曰：「曹泥孤城阻遠，未足為憂。 侯莫陳悅貪而無信，是宜先圖也。」 嶽不聽，遂與悅俱討泥。
In the first month of Wei Yongxi year three, Heluo Yue planned to attack Cao Ni and sent Commander Zhao Gui to Xiazhou to consult the Emperor. The Emperor said, "Cao Ni sits in an isolated city far off; he is no real concern. Houmochen Yue is greedy and untrustworthy; he is the one to strike first." Yue would not heed him and marched with Yue together against Ni.
10
二月，至河曲，果為悅所害。 眾散還平涼，唯大都督趙貴率部曲收嶽屍還營。 三軍未知所屬，諸將以都督寇洛年最長，推總兵事。 洛素無雄略，威令不行，乃請避位。
In the second month, when they reached Hequ, Yue was indeed slain by Yue. The army broke and fell back to Pingliang; only Grand Commander Zhao Gui, at the head of his own followers, recovered Yue's body and brought it back to camp. The three armies had no leader; the generals, judging Commander Kou Luonian the senior man, urged him to take overall command. Luo lacked bold design, and his word carried no weight; he asked to yield command.
11
於是趙貴言於眾，稱帝英姿雄略。 若告喪，必來赴難，因而奉之，大事濟矣。 諸將皆稱善。 乃令赫連達馳至夏州告帝。 士吏咸泣，請留以觀其變。 帝曰：「難得而易失者時也，不俟終日者機也； 今不早赴，將恐眾心自離。」 都督彌姐元進規應悅，密圖帝。 事發，斬之。 帝乃率帳下，輕騎馳赴平涼。 時齊神武遣長史侯景招引嶽眾。
Then Zhao Gui addressed the assembly and praised the Emperor's heroic mien and strategic mind. Announce the death, and he will surely come to our rescue; raise him up, and the great cause will succeed. All the generals approved. They sent Helianda at full speed to Xiazhou to tell the Emperor. The officers and clerks wept and begged him to stay and see how matters would turn. The Emperor said, "What is hard to win and easy to lose is the moment; what will not wait even a day is the chance; if we do not go at once, the troops may drift away of their own accord." Commander Mizhi Yuanjin meant to side with Yue and secretly plotted against the Emperor. When the plot was exposed, he was executed. The Emperor then took his household guard and light horse and raced to Pingliang. At that time the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi had sent Chief Clerk Hou Jing to draw off Yue's army.
12
帝至安定，遇之於傳舍。 吐哺上馬，謂曰：「賀拔公雖死，宇文泰尚存，卿何為也？」
When the Emperor reached Anding, he met him at the post station. He spat out his food, mounted, and said, "Heluo is dead, but Yuwen Tai still lives; what do you think you are doing?"
13
景失色曰：「我猶箭耳，隨人所射者也。」 景於此還。 帝至平涼，哭嶽甚慟。 將士悲且喜曰：「宇文公至，無所憂矣。」 齊神武又使景與常侍張華原、義寧太守王基勞帝，帝不受命。 與基有舊，將留之，並欲留景。 並不屈，乃遣之。 時斛斯椿在帝所，曰：「景，人傑也，何故放之？」 帝亦悔，驛追之不及。 基亦逃歸，言帝雄傑，請及其未定滅之。 神武曰：「卿不見賀拔、侯莫陳乎，吾當以計拱手取之。」 及沙苑之敗，神武乃始追悔。 於時魏帝將圖神武。 聞嶽被害，遣武衛將軍元毗宣旨勞嶽軍，追還洛陽。 毗到平涼，會諸將已推帝。 侯莫陳悅亦被敕追還。 悅既附神武，不肯應召。 帝曰：「悅枉害忠良，復不應詔命，此國之大賊。」 乃令諸軍戒嚴，將討悅。 及毗還，帝表於魏帝，辭以高歡至河東，侯莫陳悅在水洛，首尾受敵，乞少停緩。 帝志在討悅，而未測朝旨； 且眾未集，假為此辭。 因與元毗及諸將，刑牲盟誓，同獎王室。
Jing went white and said, "I am only an arrow, loosed wherever men choose to aim." With that Jing withdrew. When the Emperor came to Pingliang, he mourned Yue with bitter grief. The officers and soldiers grieved and rejoiced together, saying, "With Commissioner Yuwen here, we need fear nothing." The Divine Martial Emperor of Qi again sent Jing, with Regular Attendant Zhang Huayuan and the Administrator of Yining, Wang Ji, to offer condolences, but the Emperor would not accept the mission. He was old friends with Ji and meant to detain him, and he wanted to keep Jing too. Neither would submit, and he let them go. Husi Chun, who was then at the Emperor's side, said, "Jing is a man of rare ability; why let him go?" The Emperor regretted it too and sent relay horses after him, but could not catch up. Ji escaped home as well, calling the Emperor a man of heroic stature and urging that they destroy him before his power was fixed. The Divine Martial Emperor said, "Did you not see what became of Heluo and Houmochen? I will take him by design, as if he were delivered into my hands." Only after the defeat at Shawei did the Divine Martial Emperor begin to rue his choice. At that time the Wei Emperor was plotting against the Divine Martial Emperor. Learning that Yue had been killed, he sent General of Martial Guard Yuan Pi with an imperial message to comfort Yue's army and recall it to Luoyang. Pi reached Pingliang just as the generals had already proclaimed the Emperor. Houmochen Yue too had been ordered to return. Yue had already joined the Divine Martial Emperor and would not obey the call. The Emperor said, "Yue murdered a loyal man and now defies the imperial summons; he is the state's greatest enemy." He ordered the armies to stand ready and prepared to march against Yue. When Pi returned, the Emperor memorialized the Wei Emperor, saying that Gao Huan had reached Hedong and Houmochen Yue held Shuilo, leaving them caught between two foes, and begging a short reprieve. The Emperor meant to strike Yue, but had not yet read the court's mind; and with the army not yet gathered, he used this pretext. He then joined Yuan Pi and the generals in sacrificing and swearing to uphold the royal house together.
14
初，賀拔嶽營河曲，軍吏獨行，忽見一翁，謂曰：「賀拔雖據此眾，終無所成。
Earlier, when Heluo Yue camped at Hequ, a staff officer walking alone met an old man who said, "Though Heluo commands this army, he will never succeed.
15
當有一宇文家從東北來，後必大盛。」 言訖不見。 至是方驗。 魏帝因詔帝為大都督，即統賀拔嶽軍。 帝乃與悅書，責以殺賀拔嶽罪，又喻令歸朝。 悅乃詐為詔書與秦州刺史万俟普撥，令為己援。 普撥疑之，封以呈帝，帝表奏之。 魏帝因問帝安秦、隴計。 帝請召悅，授以內官，及處以瓜、涼一籓。 不然，則終致猜虞。 三月，帝進軍至原州，眾軍悉集，諭以討悅意，士卒莫不懷憤。 四月，引兵上隴，留兄子遵為都督，鎮原州。 帝軍令嚴肅，秋毫無犯，百姓大悅。 軍出木峽關，大雪，平地二尺。
A man of the Yuwen house will come from the northeast, and afterward his line will flourish." With that he disappeared. Only now did the prophecy prove true. The Wei Emperor then appointed the Emperor Grand Commander and immediately put him at the head of Heluo Yue's army. The Emperor wrote to Yue, accusing him of killing Heluo Yue and urging him to submit to the court. Yue forged an edict to the Governor of Qinzhou, Moqi Pubo, calling on him for support. Pubo doubted it, sealed the letter, and sent it to the Emperor, who reported it to the throne. The Wei Emperor then asked the Emperor how he meant to secure Qin and Long. The Emperor asked that Yue be summoned to court and given an inner office, with Guazhou and Liangzhou set aside for him as a fief. Otherwise mistrust would never cease. In the third month the Emperor marched to Yuanzhou; the armies gathered, and when he declared his plan to punish Yue, the soldiers seethed with rage. In the fourth month he led the army onto Long, leaving his nephew Zun as commander to hold Yuanzhou. The Emperor's discipline was severe; not a hair was touched, and the people rejoiced. As the army passed Muxia Pass, snow fell until the flat ground lay two feet deep.
16
帝知悅怯而多猜，乃倍道兼行，出其不意。 悅果疑其左右有異志，左右不自安，眾遂離貳。 聞大軍且至，退保略陽，留一萬餘人據守永洛。 帝至，圍之，城降。 帝即輕騎數百趣略陽，以臨悅軍。 其部將皆勸悅退保上邽。 時南秦州刺史李弼亦在悅軍，間遣使請為內應。 其夜，悅出軍，軍自驚潰，將卒或來降。 帝縱兵奮擊，大破之。
Knowing Yue to be cowardly and suspicious, the Emperor forced the march and struck where Yue did not expect him. Yue suspected treachery in his own circle; his men grew uneasy, and the host began to fall apart. Hearing that the main force was near, he fell back to Lueyang and left more than ten thousand men to hold Yongluo. The Emperor came up, besieged the city, and it surrendered. The Emperor then raced ahead with a few hundred light horse to face Yue's camp at Lueyang. Yue's commanders all urged him to fall back and defend Shanggui. Li Bi, Governor of Southern Qinzhou, was then in Yue's camp and secretly sent word offering to work from within. That night Yue marched out; his own army panicked and collapsed, and officers and men began to surrender. The Emperor drove his men in hard and broke them utterly.
17
悅與其子弟及麾下數十騎遁走。 帝乃命原州都督導追悅，至牽屯山斬之，傳首洛陽。
Yue fled with his sons, brothers, and a few dozen horsemen. The Emperor ordered the Commander of Yuanzhou, Dao, to pursue Yue; at Qiantun Mountain he was cut down, and his head was sent to Luoyang.
18
帝至上邽，悅府庫財物山積，皆以賞士卒，毫厘無所取。 左右竊以一銀甕歸，帝知而罪之，即剖賜將士，眾大悅。 齊神武聞關隴克捷，遣使於帝，深相倚結。 帝拒而不納，封神武書以聞。 時神武已有異志，故魏帝深仗於帝，仍令帝稍引軍而東。 帝乃令大都督梁禦率步騎五千，將鎮河、渭合口，為圖河東計。 魏帝進帝侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、關西大都督、略陽縣公，承制封拜，使持節如故。
At Shanggui, Yue's stores stood mountain-high; the Emperor gave it all to the soldiers and kept nothing for himself. An attendant secretly took a silver jar; the Emperor learned of it, punished the man, broke the jar, and gave the pieces to the troops, and the army was greatly pleased. Hearing of the victory in Guan and Long, the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi sent envoys to the Emperor seeking a close alliance. The Emperor refused the overture and reported the Divine Martial Emperor's letter, sealed, to the throne. The Divine Martial Emperor already nursed treasonous designs, and the Wei Emperor leaned heavily on the Emperor, ordering him to draw his army slowly eastward. The Emperor ordered Grand Commander Liang Yu to lead five thousand foot and horse to hold the He-Wei confluence, laying plans for Hedong. The Wei Emperor promoted the Emperor to Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, Director with the Three Excellencies' Staff, Grand Commander of the Western Pass, Duke of Lueyang County, with commission to appoint and enfeoff by imperial mandate, and Bearer of the Staff unchanged.
19
時魏帝方圖齊神武，又遣征兵。 帝乃令前秦州刺史駱超為大都督，率輕騎一千赴洛。 魏帝進授帝兼尚書左僕射、關西大行臺，余官如故。 帝乃傳檄方鎮曰：蓋聞陰陽遞用，盛衰相襲。 茍當百六，無聞三五。 皇家創歷，陶鑄蒼生； 保安四海，仁育萬物。 運距孝昌，屯沴屢起，隴、冀騷動，燕、河狼顧。 雖靈命重啟，蕩定有期，而乘釁之徒，因翼生羽。
The Wei Emperor was then plotting against the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi and again called for troops. The Emperor appointed the former Governor of Qinzhou, Luo Chao, Grand Commander and sent him with a thousand light horse to Luoyang. The Wei Emperor further made the Emperor concurrent Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Grand Commissioner of the Western Pass; his other titles stood unchanged. The Emperor then sent a proclamation to the regional commands, saying: It is said that yin and yang take turns, and rise and fall succeed one another. Even in the age of ruin, the age of sage kings is never wholly absent. The royal house established its reign and shaped the lives of the people; it guarded the four seas and nurtured all living things with benevolence. Since Xiaochang, disaster has struck again and again; Long and Ji have been in turmoil, and Yan and He have looked upon the throne with wolfish eyes. Though Heaven's mandate was renewed and order had its appointed time, men who seized the moment sprouted wings from the turmoil.
20
賊臣高歡，器識庸下； 出自輿皂，罕聞禮義。 直以一介鷹犬，效力戎行； 靦冒恩私，遂階榮寵。 不能竭誠盡節，專挾奸回，乃勸爾朱榮行茲篡逆。 及榮以專政伏誅，世隆以凶黨外叛； 歡苦相敦勉，令取京師。 又勸吐萬兒復為弒虐，暫立建明，以令天下； 假推普泰，欲竊威權。 並歸廢斥，俱見酷害。 於是稱兵河北，假討爾朱； 亟通表奏，雲取讒賊。 既行廢黜，遂將篡弒。 以人望未改，恐鼎鑊交及； 乃求宗室，權允人心。 天方與魏，必將有主； 翊戴聖明，誠非歡力。 而歡阻兵安忍，自以為功； 廣布腹心，跨州連郡，端揆禁闥，莫非親黨； 皆行貪虐，窫窳生靈。 而舊將名臣，正人直士，橫生瘡磐，動掛網羅。 故武衛將軍伊琳，清直武毅，禁旅攸屬； 直閣將軍鮮于康仁，忠亮驍傑，爪牙斯在：歡收而戮之，曾無聞奏。 司空高幹； 是其黨與，每相影響，謀危社稷。 但奸誌未從，恐先泄漏，乃密白朝廷，使殺高幹，方哭對其弟，稱天子橫戮。 孫騰、任祥，歡之心膂，並使入居樞近，伺國間隙，知歡逆謀將發，相繼歸逃。 歡益加撫待，亦無陳白。 然歡入洛之始，本有奸謀。 令親人蔡俊作牧河、濟，厚相恩贍，為東道主人。 故關西大都督清水公賀拔嶽，勛德隆重，興亡攸寄。 歡好亂樂禍，深相忌毒。 乃與侯莫陳悅，陰圖陷害。 幕府以受律專征，便即討戮。 歡知逆狀已露，稍懷旅拒，遂遣蔡俊拒代； 令竇泰佐之。 又遣侯景等雲向白馬，輔世珍等徑趣石濟，高隆之、及婁昭等屯據壺關，韓軌之徒擁眾蒲阪。 於是上書天子，數論得失，訾毀乘輿，威侮朝廷。 藉此微庸，冀茲大寶； 溪壑可盈，禍心不測。 或言徑赴荊、楚，開疆於外； 或言分詣伊、洛，取彼讒人； 或言欲來入關，與幕府決戰。 今聖明禦運，天下清夷； 百僚師師，四隩來暨； 人盡忠良，誰為君側？
The rebel minister Gao Huan is dull of mind and small of vision; born from the carriage-groom's class, he has scarcely known ritual or righteousness. He rose only as one hawk or hound, serving on campaign; shamelessly accepting private favor, he climbed to rank and favor. Unable to give full loyalty, he gave himself wholly to treachery and even urged Erzhu Rong to usurp the throne. When Rong was put to death for seizing power, and Shilong rebelled abroad as a villain of his faction; Huan pressed them hard and urged them to seize the capital. He also urged Tuwan'er to repeat his murderous cruelty, temporarily raising Jianming to rule the realm; then falsely promoting Putai, he sought to steal power for himself. All were cast aside, and all met cruel ends. Then he raised arms in Hebei, falsely claiming to punish the Erzhu; again and again he sent memorials, saying he would seize the slanderers and traitors. Having deposed the emperor, he then moved toward usurpation and regicide. Because the people's regard had not yet changed, he feared the cauldron and axe might fall on him; he therefore sought a member of the imperial clan to satisfy the people for the moment. Heaven was still with Wei, and a true sovereign had to exist; upholding the sage ruler was truly not Huan's work. Yet Huan clung to his armies and bore cruelty without remorse, claiming all credit for himself; he spread his trusted men across provinces and commanderies, and every post at the palace gates was held by his kin; all practiced greed and cruelty, grinding the people down. Old generals and famed ministers, upright men and straight scholars, were wounded as by plague and constantly caught in his nets. Thus General of Martial Guard Yi Lin, upright, pure, martial, and resolute, belonged to the inner guard; Direct Attendant General Xianyu Kangren, loyal, bright, bold, and outstanding, stood among his claws and fangs: Huan seized and executed them without ever reporting it to the throne. Minister of Works Gao Gan; was his partisan, and they constantly influenced one another, plotting to endanger the state. But because their treacherous design had not yet been carried out, he feared it would leak out first; he therefore secretly reported to the court and had Gao Gan killed, then wept before his brother and called it the emperor's arbitrary execution. Sun Teng and Ren Xiang, the very core of Huan's counsel, were both sent to hold posts close to the pivot of power to watch for openings in the state; when they learned that Huan's rebellion was about to break out, they fled home one after another. Huan treated them with even greater favor and still made no report to the throne. Yet from the time Huan entered Luoyang, he already harbored treacherous designs. He appointed his kinsman Cai Jun governor of He and Ji, heaping favors upon him to serve as host of the eastern route. Thus the Grand Commander of the Western Pass, Duke of Qingshui, Heluo Yue, whose merit and virtue were weighty and upon whom rise and fall depended. Huan loved disorder and rejoiced in calamity, and deeply hated and envied him. He joined with Houmochen Yue in a secret plot to destroy him. The headquarters, having received authority to campaign on its own, at once moved to punish and execute Yue. When Huan learned that his rebellion had been exposed, he grew somewhat defiant and sent Cai Jun to hold Dai; he had Dou Tai assist him. He also sent Hou Jing and others toward Baima in force, Fu Shizhen and others straight toward Shiji, Gao Longzhi and Lou Zhao and others to hold Huguan, and Han Gui and his followers to mass troops at Puyang. Thereupon he memorialized the Son of Heaven, enumerating faults, slandering the imperial carriage, and insulting the court with overbearing force. On the strength of these petty services, he hoped for the great treasure; ravines and gullies may be filled, but his treacherous heart cannot be measured. Some say he will march straight to Jing and Chu and open new territory abroad; Some say he will divide his forces and march on Yi and Luo to seize the slanderers there; Some say he means to enter the pass and fight a decisive battle with the headquarters. Now the sage ruler holds the throne, and the realm is clear and tranquil; the hundred officials serve in order, and the four corners of the earth come to pay homage; every man is loyal and good; who then stands at the ruler's side as villain?
21
而歡威福自己，生是亂階； 緝構南箕，指鹿為馬； 包藏凶逆，伺我神器。 是而可忍，孰不可容。 幕府折沖宇宙，親當受脤； 銳師百萬，彀騎千群； 裹糧坐甲，唯敵是俟； 義之所在，糜軀匪吝。 頻有詔書，班告天下； 稱歡逆亂，征兵致伐。 今便分命將帥，應機進討。 或趣其要害，或襲其窟穴，電繞蛇擊，霧合星羅。 而歡違負天地，毒被人鬼； 乘此掃蕩，易同俯拾。 歡若度河，稍逼宮廟，則分命諸將，直取并州。 幕府躬自東轅，電赴伊、洛。 若固其巢穴，未敢發動； 亦命群帥，百道俱前，轘裂賊臣，以謝天下。 其州鎮郡縣，率土黎人，或州鄉冠冕，或勛庸世濟，並宜舍逆歸順，立效軍門。 封賞之科，已有別格； 凡百君子，可不勉哉。
Yet Huan wields fortune and authority for himself and is himself the source of disorder; he weaves slander like the Southern Dipper and calls a deer a horse; he harbors treachery and rebellion and watches for his chance at the imperial regalia. If this can be borne, what cannot be endured? The headquarters checks the enemy throughout the realm and has personally received the sacrificial flesh; sharp troops number in the millions, and armored horsemen stand in thousands of squadrons; with provisions wrapped and armor donned, we wait only for the enemy; where righteousness lies, we do not grudge the shattering of our bodies. Edicts have repeatedly been issued and proclaimed throughout the realm; declaring Huan's rebellion and calling for troops to march against him. Now at once we assign commanders and generals to advance and attack as occasion demands. Some will strike his vital points, some will raid his lairs; like lightning circling and serpents striking, like mist gathering and stars arrayed. Yet Huan has betrayed Heaven and Earth, and his poison afflicts both men and spirits; taking advantage of this moment to sweep him away will be as easy as picking up what lies at one's feet. If Huan crosses the river and presses close upon the palace and temples, then we shall assign the generals to march straight on Bingzhou. The headquarters will itself turn the chariot eastward and fly to Yi and Luo. If he holds fast in his nest and dares not stir; we shall also command the commanders to advance on a hundred routes, tear the rebel minister limb from limb, and settle accounts with the realm. In every province, garrison, commandery, and county, and among all the common people under heaven, whether men of local eminence or families of long-standing merit, all should abandon rebellion and return to loyalty, and prove their service at the army gate. The standards for enfeoffment and reward already stand in separate regulations; all you gentlemen should exert yourselves without fail.
22
帝謂諸軍曰：「高歡雖智不足而詐有餘，今聲言欲西，其意在入洛。 吾欲令寇洛率馬步萬餘，自涇州東引； 王羆率甲士一萬，先據華州。 歡若西來，王羆足得抗拒； 如其入洛，寇洛即襲汾、晉。 吾便速駕，直赴京邑，使其進有內顧之憂，退有被躡之勢。 一舉大定，此為上策。」 眾咸稱善。 七月，帝帥眾發自高平，前軍至於弘農。 而齊神武稍逼京師，魏帝親總六軍屯河橋，令左衛元斌之、領軍斛斯椿鎮武牢。 帝謂左右曰：「高歡數日行八九百里，曉兵者所忌，正須乘便擊之。 而主上以萬乘之重，不能度河決戰，方緣津據守。 且長河萬里，捍禦為難，一處得度，大事去矣。」 即以大都督趙貴為別道行臺，自蒲阪濟，趣并州。 遣大都督李賢將精騎一千赴洛陽。 會斌之與斛斯椿爭權，鎮防不守，魏帝遂輕騎入關。 帝備儀衛奉迎，謁見於陽驛，免冠流涕謝罪。 乃奉魏帝都長安。 披草萊，立朝廷，軍國之政，咸取決於帝。 仍加授大將軍、雍州刺史，兼尚書令，進封略陽郡公。 別置二尚書，隨機處分。 解尚書僕射，余如故。
The Emperor told the armies, "Though Gao Huan lacks wisdom, he has treachery to spare; now he declares he will go west, but his intent is to enter Luoyang. I wish to have Kou Luo lead more than ten thousand foot and horse eastward from Jingzhou; Wang Pi will lead ten thousand armored soldiers and seize Huazhou first. If Huan comes west, Wang Pi will be fully able to hold him off; if he enters Luoyang, Kou Luo will strike Fen and Jin. I shall then ride swiftly and go straight to the capital, so that advancing he will have worry for his rear, and retreating he will face the threat of pursuit. One stroke and all will be settled; this is the best plan." All agreed that it was well said. In the seventh month the Emperor led his troops out from Gaoping; the vanguard reached Hongnong. Meanwhile the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi pressed gradually toward the capital; the Wei Emperor personally commanded the Six Armies and encamped at Heqiao, ordering Left Guard Yuan Binzhi and Army Director Husi Chun to hold Wulao. The Emperor said to those around him, "Gao Huan travels eight or nine hundred li in a few days; this is what a man who understands warfare must avoid, and we should seize the moment to strike him. Yet the sovereign, with the weight of the imperial chariot upon him, will not cross the river for a decisive battle and instead holds the fords along the bank. The Long River runs ten thousand li; to defend it is hard, and if the enemy finds one crossing, the great enterprise is lost." He then appointed Grand Commander Zhao Gui Separate Commissioner and had him cross at Puyang, pressing toward Bingzhou. He sent Grand Commander Li Xian with a thousand elite horsemen to Luoyang. Binzhi and Husi Chun contended for power; the garrison defenses were not held, and the Wei Emperor therefore entered the pass with a light escort. The Emperor prepared ceremonial guards to welcome him, met him at Yangyi, removed his cap, and wept as he asked forgiveness. He then escorted the Wei Emperor to Chang'an. Clearing the wild growth, he established a court, and military and state affairs were all decided by the Emperor. He was further promoted to Grand General and Governor of Yongzhou, made concurrent Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and advanced to Duke of Lueyang Commandery. Two additional Directors of the Imperial Secretariat were established to handle matters as occasion required. He was relieved of Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat; his other offices remained as before.
23
初，魏帝在洛陽，許以馮翊長公主配帝，未及結納而魏帝西遷。 至是詔帝尚之，拜附馬都尉。 八月，齊神武襲陷潼關，侵華陰。 帝率諸軍屯霸上以待之。 神武留其將薛瑾守關而退。 帝乃進軍斬瑾，虜其卒七千。 還長安，進位丞相。 十一月，遣儀同李虎與李弼、趙貴等討曹泥於靈州，虎引河灌之。 明年，泥降，遷其豪帥於咸陽。
Earlier, when the Wei Emperor was at Luoyang, he had promised to give the Princess of Fengyi in marriage to the Emperor, but before the betrothal could be completed the Wei Emperor moved west. At this time an edict ordered the Emperor to marry her, and he was appointed Commandant of Escort Horses. In the eighth month the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi struck and took Tong Pass and invaded Huayin. The Emperor led the armies to encamp at Bashang and wait for him. The Divine Martial Emperor left his general Xue Jin to hold the pass and withdrew. The Emperor then advanced, beheaded Jin, and captured seven thousand of his soldiers. Returning to Chang'an, he was promoted to Chancellor. In the eleventh month he sent Commissioner of Protocol Li Hu with Li Bi, Zhao Gui, and others to attack Cao Ni at Lingzhou; Hu diverted the river to flood the city. The next year Ni surrendered, and their chieftains were moved to Xianyang.
24
十二月，魏孝武帝崩，帝與群公定冊，尊立魏南陽王寶炬為嗣，是為文帝。
In the twelfth month Emperor Xiaowu of Wei died; the Emperor joined the high officials in fixing the succession and raised the Prince of Nanyang, Yuan Baoju, as heir; this was Emperor Wen.
25
大統元年正月己酉，魏帝進帝都督中外諸軍、錄尚書事、大行臺，改封安定郡王。 帝固讓王及錄尚書。 魏帝許之，乃改封安定郡公。 東魏將同司馬子如寇潼關，帝軍霸上。 子如乃回軍自蒲津寇華州，刺史王羆擊走之。 三月，帝命有司為二十四條新制，奏行之。
On the day jiyou of the first month of Datong year one, the Wei Emperor promoted the Emperor to Director of All Armies at Home and Abroad, Recorder of Affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, and Grand Commissioner, and changed his enfeoffment to Prince of Anding Commandery. The Emperor firmly declined the princely title and the post of Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat. The Wei Emperor consented, and he was therefore changed to Duke of Anding Commandery. The Eastern Wei general Sima Ziru raided Tong Pass; the Emperor's army was at Bashang. Ziru then turned his army back, crossed at Pujin, and raided Huazhou; the Governor Wang Pi drove him off. In the third month the Emperor ordered the relevant offices to draft twenty-four new regulations and memorialized them for enactment.
26
二年五月，秦州刺史、建忠王万俟普撥率所部入東魏。 帝輕騎追之，至河北千餘里，不及而還。
In the fifth month of the second year, the Governor of Qinzhou, Prince of Jianzhong, Moqi Pubo, led his followers into Eastern Wei. The Emperor pursued with light cavalry more than a thousand li north of the river, but could not overtake him and returned.
27
三年正月，東魏寇龍門，屯軍蒲阪，造三道浮橋度河。 又遣其將竇泰趣潼關，高昂圍洛州。 帝出軍廣陽，召諸將謂曰：「賊掎吾三面，又造橋，示欲必度，是欲綴吾軍，使竇泰得西入耳。 且歡起兵以來，泰每先驅，下多銳卒，屢勝而驕。 今襲之必克。 克泰，則歡不戰而走矣。」 諸將咸曰：「賊在近，舍而襲遠； 若差跌，悔何及也。」 帝曰：「歡前再襲潼關，吾軍不過霸上。 今者大來，謂吾但自守耳。 又狃於得志，有輕我之心。 乘此擊之，何往不克。 賊雖造橋，未能徑度，比五日中，吾取泰必矣。」 庚戌，帝還長安，聲言欲向隴右。 辛亥，謁魏帝而潛軍至小關。 竇泰卒聞軍至，陳未成，帝擊之。 盡俘其眾，斬泰，傳首長安。 高昂聞之，焚輜重而走。 齊神武亦撤橋而退。 帝乃還。 六月，帝請罷行臺，魏帝復申前命，授帝錄尚書事，固讓乃止。 八月丁丑，帝率李弼、獨孤信、梁禦、趙貴、於謹、若干惠、怡峰、劉亮、王德、侯莫陳崇、李遠、達奚武等十二將東伐，至潼關。 帝乃誓於師曰：「與爾有眾，奉天威，誅暴亂。 惟爾眾士，整爾甲兵，戒爾戎事，無貪財以輕敵，無暴人以作威。 用命則有賞，不用命則有戮，爾眾士其勉之。」 乃遣於謹先徇地至盤豆，拔之。 獲東魏將高叔禮，送於長安。 戊子，至弘農，攻之，城潰。 禽東魏陜州刺史李徽伯，虜其戰士八千。 守將高千走度河，命賀拔勝追禽之，並送長安。 於是宜陽、邵郡皆歸附。 先是河南豪傑應東魏者，皆降。 齊神武懼，率眾下蒲阪，將自后土濟。 遣其將高昂以三萬人出河南。 是歲，關中饑，帝館谷於弘農五十餘日。
In the first month of the third year, Eastern Wei raided Longmen, encamped at Puyang, and built three pontoon bridges to cross the river. They also sent their general Dou Tai toward Tong Pass and Gao Ao to besiege Luozhou. The Emperor led his army out to Guangyang and summoned the generals, saying, "The enemy has seized three sides of us and built bridges, showing that they mean to cross for certain; they mean to pin our army so that Dou Tai can slip west. Moreover, since Huan raised his army, Tai has always led the van; his men below are mostly sharp troops, and repeated victory has made them arrogant. If we strike them now, we are sure to overcome them. If we overcome Tai, Huan will flee without fighting." All the generals said, "The enemy is near; to abandon them and strike far away; if we stumble, what regret will there be?" The Emperor said, "When Huan twice before raided Tong Pass, our army did not go beyond Bashang. Now that he comes in force, he thinks we will only defend ourselves. He is also accustomed to success and holds us in contempt. Strike at this moment, and where will we not prevail? Though the enemy has built bridges, they cannot cross directly; within five days I shall take Tai for certain." On the day gengxu the Emperor returned to Chang'an, declaring publicly that he intended to go toward Longyou. On the day xinhai he paid his respects to the Wei Emperor, then secretly led the army to Xiaoguan. Dou Tai's soldiers heard the army had arrived before their formation was complete; the Emperor attacked them. He captured the whole host, beheaded Tai, and sent his head to Chang'an. When Gao Ao heard of it, he burned his baggage train and fled. The Divine Martial Emperor of Qi also dismantled his bridges and withdrew. The Emperor then returned. In the sixth month the Emperor asked to abolish the Grand Commission; the Wei Emperor again repeated the earlier appointment and granted him Recorder of Affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, but he firmly declined and the matter stopped. On the day dingchou of the eighth month the Emperor led Li Bi, Dugu Xin, Liang Yu, Zhao Gui, Yu Jin, Ruogan Hui, Yi Feng, Liu Liang, Wang De, Houmochen Chong, Li Yuan, Daxi Wu, and twelve other generals east on campaign to Tong Pass. The Emperor then swore an oath before the army, saying, "With you I have this host; by Heaven's majesty we shall punish violence and disorder. You officers and soldiers, put your armor in order, guard your military duties, do not covet wealth and so treat the enemy lightly, and do not brutalize the people to make a show of might. Obey orders and there will be reward; disobey orders and there will be execution; you officers and soldiers, exert yourselves." He then sent Yu Jin ahead to advance through the territory as far as Pandou and took it. They captured the Eastern Wei general Gao Shuli and sent him to Chang'an. On the day wuzi they reached Hongnong and attacked it; the city collapsed. They captured the Eastern Wei Governor of Shaanzhou, Li Huibo, and took eight thousand of his fighting men. The defending general Gao Qian fled across the river; the Emperor ordered Heluo Sheng to pursue and capture him, and both were sent to Chang'an. Thereupon Yiyang and Shao Commandery all submitted. Earlier, the leading men south of the river who had sided with Eastern Wei all surrendered. The Divine Martial Emperor of Qi was afraid and led his troops down to Puyang, intending to cross from Houtu. He sent his general Gao Ao with thirty thousand men out into Henan. That year Guanzhong suffered famine, and the Emperor kept grain at Hongnong for more than fifty days.
28
時軍士不滿萬人，聞神武將度，乃還。 神武遂度河，逼華州。 刺史王羆嚴守，乃涉洛，軍於許原西。 帝至渭南，征諸州兵，未會。 將擊之，諸將以眾寡不敵，請且待歡更西以觀之。 帝曰：「歡若至咸陽，人情轉騷擾。 今及其新至，可擊之。」 即造浮橋於渭，令軍士賫三日糧，輕騎度渭，輜重自渭南，夾渭而西。 十月壬辰，至沙苑。 距齊軍六十餘里，神武引軍來會。 癸巳，侯騎告齊軍至，帝召諸將謀。 李弼曰：「彼眾我寡，不可平地置陣。 此東十里，有渭曲，可先據以待之。」 遂進至渭，背水東西為陣。 李弼為右拒，趙貴為左拒。 命將士皆偃戈於葭蘆中，聞鼓聲而起。 日晡，齊師至，望見軍少，競萃於左，軍亂不成列。 兵將交，帝鳴鼓，士皆奮起。 於謹等六軍與之合戰，李弼等率鐵騎橫擊之。 絕其軍為二，遂大破之，斬六千餘級，臨陣降者二萬餘人。 神武夜遁，追至河上，復大克。 前後虜其卒七萬，留其甲兵二萬，余悉縱歸。 收其輜重兵甲，獻俘長安。 李穆曰：「高歡膽破矣，逐之可獲。」
The army then numbered fewer than ten thousand; hearing the Divine Martial Emperor meant to cross, they turned back. The Divine Martial Emperor crossed the river and pressed Huazhou. Governor Wang Pi held firm, so the Divine Martial Emperor crossed the Luo and encamped west of Xuyuan. The Emperor reached Weinan and called up provincial troops, but they had not yet gathered. He meant to attack, but the generals, seeing they were outnumbered, asked to wait until Huan moved further west. The Emperor said, "If Huan reaches Xianyang, the people will fall into panic. Strike him now, while he has only just arrived." He built pontoon bridges on the Wei, gave each man three days' rations, crossed with light horse, and sent the baggage west from Weinan along both banks. On renchen of the tenth month they reached Shawei. Sixty-odd li from the Qi army, the Divine Martial Emperor came to meet them. On guisi, scouts reported the Qi army had arrived, and the Emperor called the generals to council. Li Bi said, "They outnumber us; we cannot fight on open ground. Ten li east is a bend of the Wei; let us seize it and wait." They advanced to the Wei and formed lines east and west with the river at their backs. Li Bi held the right wing, Zhao Gui the left. He ordered the men to hide their weapons in the rushes and rise at the drum. Late in the day the Qi army came; seeing few troops, they crowded left and broke ranks. As battle was about to join, the Emperor beat the drum and the men leaped up. Yu Jin's six armies joined the fight, and Li Bi led armored cavalry in a flanking strike. They cut the enemy in two and broke them utterly, beheading more than six thousand and taking more than twenty thousand on the field. The Divine Martial Emperor fled by night; they pursued to the river and won again. In all they took seventy thousand prisoners, kept twenty thousand in arms, and released the rest. They gathered the baggage and arms and presented the captives at Chang'an. Li Mu said, "Gao Huan's courage is broken; pursue and we can take him."
29
帝不聽，乃還軍渭南。 時所征諸州兵始至。 乃於戰所，準當時兵，人種樹一株，栽柳七千根，以旌武功。 魏帝進帝柱國大將軍，增邑並前五千戶。 李弼等十二將，亦進爵增邑。 以左僕射、馮翊王元季海為行臺，與開府獨孤信帥步騎二萬向洛陽。 賀拔勝、李弼度河圍蒲阪。 蒲阪鎮將高子信開門納勝軍，東魏將薛崇禮棄城走，勝等追獲之。 帝進軍蒲阪，略定汾、絳。 初，帝自弘農入關後，東魏將高昂圍弘農。 聞其軍敗，退守洛陽。 獨孤信至新安，昂復走度河，遂入洛陽。 自梁、陳已西，將吏降者相屬。 於是東魏將堯雄、趙育、是雲寶出潁川，欲復降地。 帝遣儀同宇文貴、梁遷等逆擊，大破之，趙育來降。 東魏復遣任祥率河南兵與堯雄合，儀同怡峰與貴、遷等復擊破之。 又遣都督韋孝寬取豫州。 是雲寶殺其東揚州刺史那椿，以州來降。
The Emperor would not listen and brought the army back to Weinan. The provincial troops called up were only just arriving. On the battlefield he had each soldier plant a tree; seven thousand willows marked the victory. The Wei Emperor made the Emperor Pillar of State and Grand General and added five thousand households to his fief. Li Bi and the other twelve generals also received higher rank and larger fiefs. Left Vice Director Prince of Fengyi Yuan Jihai was made Commissioner and, with Director Dugu Xin, led twenty thousand foot and horse toward Luoyang. Heluo Sheng and Li Bi crossed the river and besieged Puyang. Garrison commander Gao Zixin opened the gates to Sheng; Eastern Wei general Xue Chongli fled, and Sheng pursued and captured him. The Emperor advanced to Puyang and pacified Fen and Jiang. After the Emperor entered the pass from Hongnong, Eastern Wei general Gao Ao besieged Hongnong. Hearing of the defeat, he withdrew to Luoyang. When Dugu Xin reached Xin'an, Ao fled across the river again, and Xin entered Luoyang. From Liang and Chen westward, officials and commanders surrendered in succession. Eastern Wei generals Yao Xiong, Zhao Yu, and Shiyun Bao came out of Yingchuan to recover lost ground. The Emperor sent Commissioners Yuwen Gui and Liang Qian against them, broke them utterly, and Zhao Yu surrendered. Eastern Wei sent Ren Xiang with Henan troops to join Yao Xiong; Commissioner Yi Feng with Gui and Qian defeated them again. He also sent Commander Wei Xiaokuan to take Yuzhou. Shiyun Bao killed Eastern Wei Governor of Eastern Yangzhou Na Chun and surrendered the province.
30
四年三月，帝率諸將入朝，禮畢還華州。 七月，東魏將侯景等圍獨孤信於洛陽，齊神武繼之。 帝奉魏帝至谷城，臨陣斬東魏將莫多婁貸文，悉虜其眾，送弘農。 遂進軍瀍東。 景等夜解圍去。 及旦，帝率輕騎追至河上。 景等北據河橋，南屬芒山為陣，與諸軍戰。 帝馬中流矢，驚逸，軍中擾亂。 都督李穆下馬授帝，軍復振。 於是大捷，斬其將高昂、李猛、宋顯等，虜其甲士一萬五千人，赴河死者萬數。 是日，置陣既大，首尾懸遠，從旦至未，戰數十合，氛霧四塞，莫能相知。 獨孤信、李遠居右，趙貴、怡峰居左，戰並不利。 又未知魏帝及帝所在，皆棄其卒先歸。 開府李虎、念賢等為後軍； 遇信等退，即與俱還。 由是班師，洛陽亦失守。 大軍至弘農，守將皆已棄城西走。 所虜降卒在弘農者，因相與閉門拒守。 進攻拔之，誅其魁首數百人。 大軍之東伐也，關中留守兵少，而前後所虜東魏士卒，皆散在百姓間，乃謀亂。 及李虎等至長安，計無所出。 乃與太尉王盟、僕射周惠達輔魏太子出次渭北。
In the third month of year four the Emperor led the generals to court and returned to Huazhou when the rites were done. In the seventh month Eastern Wei general Hou Jing besieged Dugu Xin at Luoyang, and the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi followed. The Emperor escorted the Wei Emperor to Gucheng, beheaded Eastern Wei general Modu Lou Daiwen on the field, took his whole force, and sent them to Hongnong. He then advanced to the east bank of the Chan. Jing and the others broke the siege by night and withdrew. At dawn the Emperor led light horse in pursuit to the river. Jing and the others held Heqiao in the north and linked south to Mangshan, forming lines and giving battle. The Emperor's horse took a stray arrow, bolted, and the army fell into disorder. Commander Li Mu dismounted and gave the Emperor his horse, and the army rallied. They won a great victory, beheading Gao Ao, Li Meng, Song Xian, and others, taking fifteen thousand armored men, while ten thousand drowned fleeing into the river. That day the lines were vast and front and rear far apart; from morning to dusk they fought dozens of rounds in fog so thick none could tell friend from foe. Dugu Xin and Li Yuan held the right, Zhao Gui and Yi Feng the left; both wings fared badly. Not knowing where the Wei Emperor and the Emperor were, all abandoned their men and fled. Directors Li Hu and Nian Xian held the rear; meeting Xin in retreat, they turned back with him. The army withdrew, and Luoyang was lost as well. When the main army reached Hongnong, the defenders had already abandoned the city and fled west. The surrendered soldiers at Hongnong closed the gates and resisted together. They stormed the city and executed several hundred ringleaders. When the main army marched east, Guanzhong was lightly garrisoned, and captured Eastern Wei soldiers scattered among the people plotted rebellion. When Li Hu and the others reached Chang'an, they could think of no plan. They joined Grand Commandant Wang Meng and Vice Director Zhou Huida in escorting the Wei crown prince to halt north of the Wei.
31
關中大震恐，百姓相剽劫。 於是沙苑所俘軍人趙青雀、雍州人於伏德等遂反。 青雀據長安子城，伏德保咸陽； 與太守慕容思度各收降卒，以拒還師。 長安城人皆相率拒青雀，每日接戰。 魏帝留止閿鄉，令帝討之。 長安父老見帝，且悲且喜曰：「不意今日，復得見公。」 士女咸相賀。 華州刺史宇文導襲咸陽，斬思度，禽伏德，南度渭，與帝會，攻破青雀。 太傅梁景睿先以疾留長安，遂與青雀通謀。 至是亦伏誅，關中乃定。 魏帝還長安，帝復屯華州。 十二月，是雲寶襲洛陽，東魏將王元軌棄城走。 都督趙剛襲廣州拔之。 自襄、廣以西城鎮復西屬。
Terror seized Guanzhong, and the people turned to plundering one another. Then Zhao Qingque, a soldier captured at Shawei, and Yu Fude of Yongzhou rose in rebellion. Qingque held the inner city of Chang'an, and Fude held Xianyang; with Administrator Murong Sidu they gathered surrendered soldiers to block the returning army. The people of Chang'an banded together against Qingque and fought him daily. The Wei Emperor halted at Wenxiang and ordered the Emperor to suppress them. The elders of Chang'an wept and rejoiced, saying, "We never thought we would see you again today." Men and women alike congratulated one another. Governor Yuwen Dao raided Xianyang, beheaded Sidu, captured Fude, crossed south of the Wei, joined the Emperor, and broke Qingque. Grand Tutor Liang Jingrui, left at Chang'an through illness, had conspired with Qingque. He too was executed, and Guanzhong was pacified. The Wei Emperor returned to Chang'an, and the Emperor encamped again at Huazhou. In the twelfth month Shiyun Bao raided Luoyang; Eastern Wei general Wang Yuangui abandoned the city and fled. Commander Zhao Gang raided Guangzhou and took it. From Xiang and Guang westward, the fortified towns again submitted to the west.
32
五年冬，大閱於華陰。
In the winter of year five a grand review was held at Huayin.
33
六年春，東魏將侯景出三鴉，將侵荊州。 帝遣開府李弼、獨孤信各率騎出武關，景乃還。 夏，蠕蠕度河至夏州，帝召諸軍屯沙苑以備之。
In the spring of year six Eastern Wei general Hou Jing came out of Sanya to invade Jingzhou. The Emperor sent Directors Li Bi and Dugu Xin with cavalry out through Wuguan, and Jing withdrew. In summer the Rouran crossed the river to Xiazhou; the Emperor summoned the armies to Shawei in defense.
34
七年十一月，帝奏行十二條制，恐百官不勉於職事，又下令申明之。
In the eleventh month of year seven the Emperor memorialized twelve regulations, fearing officials would slack in duty, and issued clarifying orders.
35
八年十月，齊神武侵汾、絳，圍玉壁。 帝出軍蒲阪，神武退； 度汾追之，遂遁去。 十二月，魏帝狩於華陰，大饗將士。 帝帥諸將，朝於行在所。
In the tenth month of year eight the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi invaded Fen and Jiang and besieged Yubi. The Emperor led his army out at Puyang; the Divine Martial Emperor withdrew; crossing the Fen in pursuit, the Emperor drove him off. In the twelfth month the Wei Emperor hunted at Huayin and feasted the officers and soldiers. The Emperor led the generals to attend him at his temporary residence.
36
九年二月，東魏北豫州刺史高慎舉州來附，帝帥師迎之。 三月，齊神武據芒山陣，不進者數日。 帝留輜重於瀍曲，軍士銜枚，夜登芒山，未明擊之。 神武單騎為賀拔勝所逐，僅免。 帝率右軍若干惠，大破神武軍，悉虜其步卒。 趙貴等五將軍居左，戰不利。 神武復合戰，帝又不利，夜引還。 入關，屯渭上。 神武進至陜，開府達奚武等禦之，乃退。 帝以芒山諸將失律，上表自貶，魏帝不許。 於是廣募關、隴豪右，以增軍旅。 十月，大閱於櫟陽，還屯華州。
In the second month of year nine Eastern Wei Governor of Beiyu Gao Shen surrendered the province, and the Emperor led his army to welcome him. In the third month the Divine Martial Emperor of Qi held Mangshan and did not advance for days. The Emperor left the baggage at the bend of the Chan; the men climbed Mangshan by night with sticks in their mouths and struck before dawn. The Divine Martial Emperor, alone on horseback, was pursued by Heluo Sheng and barely escaped. The Emperor led the right wing under Ruogan Hui and routed the Divine Martial Emperor's army, taking all his foot soldiers. Zhao Gui and five other generals held the left, and the fighting went badly. The Divine Martial Emperor rallied and fought again; the Emperor was again at a disadvantage and withdrew by night. Entering the pass, he encamped on the Wei. The Divine Martial Emperor advanced to Shaan; Directors Daxi Wu and others held him off, and he withdrew. Because the Mangshan generals had violated discipline, the Emperor memorialized asking to demote himself; the Wei Emperor refused. He broadly recruited the leading families of Guan and Long to swell the army. In the tenth month he held a grand review at Lueyang and returned to Huazhou.
37
十年五月，帝朝京師。 七月，魏帝以帝前後所上二十四條及十二條新制，方為中興永式； 命尚書蘇綽更損益之，總為五卷，班於天下。 於是搜簡賢才為牧、守、令，習新制而遣焉。 數年間，百姓便之。 十月，大閱於白水。
In the fifth month of year ten the Emperor attended court at the capital. In the seventh month the Wei Emperor, taking the twenty-four articles and twelve new regulations the Emperor had submitted as the enduring model for restoration, ordered Vice Director Su Chuo to revise them further; five scrolls were compiled and promulgated throughout the realm. Worthy men were sought out as governors, prefects, and magistrates, instructed in the new regulations, and sent out. Within a few years the people found the system convenient. In the tenth month he held a grand review at Baishui.
38
十一年十月，大閱於白水，遂西狩岐陽。
In the tenth month of year eleven he reviewed at Baishui and then hunted west at Qiyang.
39
十二年春，涼州刺史宇文仲和據州反，瓜州人張保害刺史成慶以應之，帝遣開府獨孤信討之。 東魏將侯景侵襄州，帝遣開府若干惠禦之，至穰，景遁去。 五月，獨孤信平涼州，禽仲和，遷其百姓六千餘家於長安。 瓜州都督令狐延起義誅張保，瓜州平。 七月，帝大會諸軍於咸陽。
In the spring of year twelve, Governor Yuwen Zhonghe rebelled at Liangzhou, and Zhang Bao of Guazhou killed Governor Cheng Qing in response; the Emperor sent Director Dugu Xin against them. Eastern Wei general Hou Jing invaded Xiangzhou; the Emperor sent Director Ruogan Hui against him; at Xiang, Jing withdrew. In the fifth month Dugu Xin pacified Liangzhou, captured Zhonghe, and moved more than six thousand households to Chang'an. Commander Linghu Yanqi of Guazhou rose in righteous force, executed Zhang Bao, and Guazhou was pacified. In the seventh month the Emperor held a great assembly of the armies at Xianyang.
40
十三年正月，東魏河南大行臺侯景舉河南六州來附，被圍於潁川。 六月，帝遣開府李弼援之，東魏將韓軌等遁去。 景遂徙鎮豫州。 於是遣開府王思政據潁川，弼引軍還。 七月，侯景密圖附梁，帝知其謀，悉追還前後所配景將士。 景懼，遂叛。
In the first month of year thirteen, Hou Jing, Grand Commissioner of Henan of Eastern Wei, surrendered the six Henan provinces but was besieged at Yingchuan. In the sixth month the Emperor sent Director Li Bi to relieve him; Eastern Wei generals Han Gui and others withdrew. Jing then moved his garrison to Yuzhou. The Emperor sent Director Wang Sizheng to hold Yingchuan, and Bi led his army back. In the seventh month Hou Jing secretly plotted to submit to Liang; the Emperor learned of it and recalled all officers and soldiers previously assigned to Jing. Jing was afraid and rebelled.
41
冬，帝奉魏帝西狩咸陽。
In winter the Emperor escorted the Wei Emperor on a western hunt at Xianyang.
42
十四年春，魏帝詔封帝長子覺為寧都郡公。 初，帝以平元顥納孝莊帝功，封寧都縣子。 至是，改以為郡，以封覺，用彰勤王之始也。 五月，魏帝進帝位太師。 帝奉魏太子巡撫西境，登隴，刻石紀事。 遂至原州，歷北長城，大狩。 東趣五原，至蒲州，聞魏帝不豫而還。 及至，魏帝疾已愈，乃還華州。 是歲，東魏將高嶽圍王思政於潁川。
In the spring of year fourteen the Wei Emperor enfeoffed the Emperor's eldest son Jue as Duke of Ningdu Commandery. Earlier, for receiving Emperor Xiaozhuang when Yuan Hao was pacified, the Emperor had been enfeoffed as Viscount of Ningdu County. It was now changed to a commandery and given to Jue, to mark the beginning of his service to the throne. In the fifth month the Wei Emperor promoted the Emperor to Grand Preceptor. The Emperor escorted the Wei crown prince on a tour of the western frontier, ascended Long, and carved stone to record the event. He then went to Yuanzhou, followed the northern Long Wall, and held a great hunt. Turning east toward Wuyuan, he reached Puzhou; hearing the Wei Emperor was unwell, he returned. When he arrived, the Wei Emperor had already recovered, and he returned to Huazhou. That year Eastern Wei general Gao Yue besieged Wang Sizheng at Yingchuan.
43
十五年春，帝遣大將軍趙貴帥師援王思政。 高嶽堰洧水以灌城，潁川以北皆為陂澤，救兵不得至。 六月，潁川陷。 初，侯景圍建鄴，梁司州刺史柳仲禮赴臺城。
In the spring of year fifteen the Emperor sent Grand General Zhao Gui to relieve Wang Sizheng. Gao Yue dammed the Wei River to flood the city; north of Yingchuan all became marsh, and relief could not reach it. In the sixth month Yingchuan fell. Earlier, when Hou Jing besieged Jiankang, Liang Governor of Sizhou Liu Zhongli went to relieve the capital.
44
梁竟陵郡守孫皓以郡內附，帝使大都督苻貴鎮之。 及建鄴陷，仲禮還司州，來寇。
Sun Hao, Administrator of Jingling of Liang, submitted the commandery; the Emperor sent Grand Commander Fu Gui to garrison it. When Jiankang fell, Zhongli returned to Sizhou and came to raid.
45
皓以郡叛，帝大怒。 十一月，遣開府楊忠攻克隨州，進圍仲禮長史馬岫於安陸。
Hao rebelled with the commandery, and the Emperor was greatly angered. In the eleventh month he sent Director Yang Zhong to take Suizhou and besieged Zhongli's chief clerk Ma Xiu at Anlu.
46
十六年正月，仲禮來援安陸，楊忠逆擊於漴頭，大破之，禽仲禮。 馬岫以城降。
In the first month of year sixteen Zhongli came to relieve Anlu; Yang Zhong met him at Chongtou, broke him utterly, and captured Zhongli. Ma Xiu surrendered the city.
47
三月，魏帝封帝第二子震為武邑公。 七月，帝東伐，拜章武公導為大將軍，總督留守諸軍，屯涇北，鎮關中。 九月丁巳，軍出長安。 連雨，自秋及冬，諸軍馬驢多死。
In the third month the Wei Emperor enfeoffed the Emperor's second son Zhen as Duke of Wuyi. In the seventh month the Emperor marched east; he made Duke of Zhangwu Dao Grand General, put him in command of the garrison, encamped north of Jing, and held Guanzhong. On dingsi of the ninth month the army set out from Chang'an. Rain fell continuously from autumn through winter, and many horses and donkeys died.
48
遂於弘農北造橋濟河，自蒲阪還。 於是河南自洛陽，河北自平陽以東，遂入齊。
He built a bridge north of Hongnong to cross the river and returned from Puyang. From Luoyang in Henan and from Pingyang east in Hebei, the territory passed into Qi.
49
十七年三月，魏文帝崩，皇太子嗣位，帝以冢宰總百揆。 十月，帝遣大將軍王雄出子午，伐上津、魏興，大將軍達奚武出散關，伐南鄭。
In the third month of year seventeen Emperor Wen of Wei died; the crown prince succeeded, and the Emperor as Grand Minister directed all affairs. In the tenth month he sent Grand General Wang Xiong out through Ziwu against Shangjin and Weixing, and Grand General Daxi Wu out through San'guan against Nanzheng.
50
廢帝元年春，王雄平上津、魏興，以其地置東梁州。 四月，達奚武圍南鄭。 月餘，梁州刺史宜豐侯蕭修以州降武。 八月，東梁州百姓圍州城，帝復遣王雄討之。
In the spring of Deposed Emperor year one, Wang Xiong pacified Shangjin and Weixing and established Eastern Liangzhou there. In the fourth month Daxi Wu besieged Nanzheng. After more than a month, Liang Governor Marquis of Yifeng Xiao Xiu surrendered the province to Wu. In the eighth month the people of Eastern Liangzhou besieged the provincial city, and the Emperor again sent Wang Xiong against them.
51
二年正月，魏帝詔帝為左丞相、大行臺、都督中外諸軍事。 二月，東梁州平，遷其豪帥於雍州。 三月，帝遣大將軍、魏安公尉遲迥帥師伐梁武陵王蕭紀於蜀。 四月，帝勒銳騎三萬，西逾隴，度金城河，至姑臧。 吐谷渾震懼，遣使獻其方物。 七月，帝至自姑臧。 八月，尉遲迥克成都，劍南平。 十一月，尚書元烈謀亂，伏誅。
In the first month of year two the Wei Emperor appointed the Emperor Left Chancellor, Grand Commissioner, and Director of All Armies at Home and Abroad. In the second month Eastern Liangzhou was pacified, and its chieftains were moved to Yongzhou. In the third month he sent Grand General Duke of Wei'an Wei Chiji against Liang Prince of Wuling Xiao Ji in Shu. In the fourth month the Emperor led thirty thousand sharp horse west over Long, crossed the Jincheng River, and reached Guzang. Tuyuhun was terrified and sent envoys with local tribute. In the seventh month the Emperor returned from Guzang. In the eighth month Wei Chiji took Chengdu and pacified Jiannan. In the eleventh month Vice Director Yuan Lie plotted rebellion and was executed.
52
三年正月，始作九命之典，以敘內外官爵。 以第一品為九命，第九品為一命； 改流外品為九秩，亦以九為上。 又改置州、郡、縣，凡改州四十六，置州一，改郡一百六，改縣三百三十。 魏帝有怨言，於是帝與公卿議，廢帝； 立齊王廓。 是為恭帝。
In the first month of year three the Nine Ranks system was first established to order inner and outer offices and ranks. The first rank was made nine orders, and the ninth rank one order; ranks outside the regular flow were also made nine grades, with nine as the highest. Provinces, commanderies, and counties were reorganized; forty-six provinces were renamed, one established, one hundred six commanderies renamed, and three hundred thirty counties renamed. The Wei Emperor voiced complaints; the Emperor consulted with the dukes and ministers and deposed him; Prince of Qi Kuo was raised instead. This was Emperor Gong.
53
恭帝元年四月，帝大饗群臣。 魏史柳虬執簡書告於朝曰：「廢帝，文皇帝之嗣子，年七歲，文皇帝托於安定公曰：『是子也，才由於公； 不才亦由於公，公宜勉之。』 公既受茲重寄，居元輔之任，又納女為皇后； 遂不能訓誨有成，致令廢黜，負文皇帝付屬之意，此咎非安定公而誰？」 帝乃令太常盧辯作誥喻公卿曰：「嗚呼！
In the fourth month of Emperor Gong year one the Emperor held a great feast for the ministers. Wei historian Liu Qiu, holding the bamboo annals, announced in court, "The Deposed Emperor was Emperor Wen's heir; at seven Emperor Wen entrusted him to the Duke of Anding, saying, 'This child's talent comes from you; if he lacks talent, that too comes from you; you should exert yourself for him. The Duke accepted this heavy trust and held the post of chief minister; he also gave his daughter in marriage as empress; yet he could not instruct and guide him to achievement, causing his deposition, and failing Emperor Wen's entrustment; if not the Duke of Anding, who bears this blame?" The Emperor ordered Grand Master of Ceremonies Lu Bian to compose an announcement to the dukes and ministers, saying, "Alas!
54
我群後暨眾士，維文皇帝以繈褓之嗣托於予，訓之誨之，庶厥有成。 而予罔能弗變厥心，庸暨乎廢墜我文皇帝之志。 嗚呼！ 茲咎予其焉避？ 予實知之，矧爾眾人之心哉。 惟予之顏，豈惟今厚，將恐來世，以予為口實。」 乙亥，魏帝詔封帝子邕為輔城公，憲為安城公。 七月，西狩至原州。 梁元帝遣使請據舊圖以定疆界； 又連結於齊，言辭悖慢。 帝曰：「古人有言，天之所棄，誰能興之，其蕭繹之謂乎。」 十月壬戌，遣柱國於謹、中山公護與大將軍楊忠、韋孝寬等步騎五萬討之。 十一月癸未，師濟漢，中山公護與楊忠率銳騎先屯其城下。 丙申，於謹至江陵，列營圍守。 辛亥，克其城，戕梁元帝，虜其百官士庶以歸，沒為奴婢者十餘萬，免者二百餘家。 立蕭察為梁主，居江陵，為魏附庸。 魏氏之初，統國三十六，大姓九十九，後多絕滅。
My lords and ministers, Emperor Wen entrusted his infant heir to me to train and instruct, hoping he would succeed. Yet I could not change his heart, and so I have failed Emperor Wen's intent. Alas! How can I escape this blame? I know it myself, and all your hearts know it as well. As for my face, it is shameful not only today; I fear future ages will take me as a byword. On yihai the Wei Emperor enfeoffed the Emperor's son Yong as Duke of Fucheng and Xian as Duke of Ancheng. In the seventh month he hunted west as far as Yuanzhou. Emperor Yuan of Liang sent envoys asking to fix the borders according to the old maps; he also allied with Qi, and his words were insolent and contemptuous. The Emperor said, "The ancients said that what Heaven abandons, who can restore? That must mean Xiao Yi." On renxu of the tenth month he sent Pillar of State Yu Jin, Duke of Zhongshan Hu, with Grand Generals Yang Zhong, Wei Xiaokuan, and others, twenty thousand foot and horse, against him. On guiwei of the eleventh month the army crossed the Han; Duke of Zhongshan Hu with Yang Zhong led sharp horse to encamp first beneath the walls. On bingshen Yu Jin reached Jiangling and set camp in siege. On xinhai the city was taken; Emperor Yuan of Liang was killed; his officials, gentry, and people were captured; more than a hundred thousand were made slaves, and more than two hundred households were spared. Xiao Cha was established as ruler of Liang at Jiangling as a vassal of Wei. At the beginning of Wei, thirty-six states and ninety-nine great clans were registered; later many died out.
55
至是，以諸將功高者為三十六國後； 次者為九十九姓後； 所統軍人，亦改從其姓。
Generals of highest merit were now made successors to the thirty-six states; those of next rank were made successors to the ninety-nine clans; the soldiers under their command also took their surnames.
56
二年，梁廣州刺史王琳寇邊。 十月，帝遣大將軍豆盧寧帥師討之。
In year two Wang Lin, Governor of Guangzhou of Liang, raided the frontier. In the tenth month the Emperor sent Grand General Dou Lu'ning against him.
57
三年正月丁丑，初行《周禮》，建六官，魏帝進帝位太師、大冢宰。 帝以漢、魏官繁，思革前弊。 大統中，乃令蘇綽、盧辯依周制改創其事，尋亦置六卿官，然為撰次未成，眾務猶歸臺閣。 至是始畢，乃命行之。 四月，帝北巡。 七月，度北河。
On dingchou of the first month of year three the Rites of Zhou were first enacted, the Six Offices established, and the Wei Emperor promoted the Emperor to Grand Preceptor and Grand Minister. Seeing that Han and Wei offices were overly numerous, the Emperor wished to reform earlier abuses. During Datong he had ordered Su Chuo and Lu Bian to recreate the system on the Zhou model; the Six Ministers were also established, but with the compilation incomplete, most affairs still returned to the Secretariat. Now it was finished, and he ordered it enacted. In the fourth month the Emperor toured north. In the seventh month he crossed the northern river.
58
魏帝封帝子直為秦郡公，招為正平公。 九月，帝不豫，還至雲陽，命中山公護受遺輔嗣子。 十月乙亥，帝薨於雲陽宮，還長安發喪，時年五十。 十二月甲申，葬於成陵，謚文公。 及孝閔帝受禪，追尊為文王，廟曰太祖。 武成元年，追尊為文皇帝。
The Wei Emperor enfeoffed the Emperor's son Zhi as Duke of Qin Commandery and Zhao as Duke of Zhengping. In the ninth month the Emperor fell ill, returned to Yunyang, and ordered Duke of Zhongshan Hu to receive his final instructions and assist the heir. On yihai of the tenth month the Emperor died at Yunyang Palace; the body was brought to Chang'an and mourning proclaimed; he was fifty. On jiashen of the twelfth month he was buried at Chengling with the posthumous title Duke Wen. When Emperor Xiaomin received the throne, he was posthumously honored as Prince Wen, with temple name Taizu. In Wucheng year one he was posthumously honored as Emperor Wen.
59
帝知人善任使，從諫如順流。 崇尚儒術，明達政事，恩信被物。 能駕馭英豪，一見之者，咸思用命。 沙苑所獲囚俘，釋而用之； 及河橋之役，以充戰士，皆得其死力。 諸將出征，授以方略，無不制勝。 性好樸素，不尚虛飾，恒以反風俗復古始為心云。
The Emperor knew men and employed them well; he accepted remonstrance as readily as water flows downstream. He honored Confucian learning, was clear in government, and his kindness and trust reached all men. He could command heroes; all who met him wished to serve him with their lives. Prisoners captured at Shawei were released and employed; at Heqiao they served as fighting men and all fought to the death. When generals went on campaign, he gave them strategy, and none failed to win. By nature he loved simplicity and scorned empty display; he always sought to reverse custom and restore antiquity.
60
孝閔皇帝諱覺，字陀羅尼，文帝第三子也。 母曰元皇后。 大統八年，生於同州。
Emperor Xiaomin, taboo name Jue, style name Tuoluoni, was the third son of Emperor Wen. His mother was Empress Yuan. In Datong year eight he was born at Tongzhou.
61
七歲封略陽郡公。 時善相者史元華見帝，退謂所親曰：「此公子有至貴相，但恨不壽耳。」
At seven he was enfeoffed as Duke of Lueyang Commandery. The physiognomist Shi Yuanhua saw the Emperor and, withdrawing, told those close to him, "This young lord has the countenance of supreme nobility, but I regret he will not live long."
62
魏恭帝三年三月，命為安定公世子。 四月，拜大將軍。 十月乙亥，文帝崩。 丙子，世子嗣位為太師、大冢宰。 十二月丁亥，魏帝詔以岐陽地封帝為周公。 庚子，詔禪位於帝曰：「予聞皇天之命不於常，惟歸於德。 故堯授舜，舜授禹，時宜也。
In the third month of Wei Emperor Gong year three he was appointed heir of the Duke of Anding. In the fourth month he was appointed Grand General. On yihai of the tenth month Emperor Wen died. On bingzi the heir succeeded as Grand Preceptor and Grand Minister. On dinghai of the twelfth month the Wei Emperor enfeoffed the Emperor as Duke of Zhou with the territory of Qiyang. On gengzi an edict abdicated the throne to the Emperor, saying, "I have heard that Heaven's mandate is not fixed, but returns to the virtuous. Therefore Yao gave the throne to Shun, and Shun to Yu; that was the proper time.
63
天厭我魏邦，垂變以告，惟爾罔弗知。 予雖不明，敢弗龔天命，格有德哉。 今踵唐、虞舊典，禪位於周，庸布告爾焉。」 使大宗伯趙貴持節奉冊書曰：「咨爾周公，帝王之位弗常，有德者受命，時乃天道。 予式時庸，荒求於唐、虞之彜踵，曰我魏德之終舊矣。 我邦小大罔弗知，今其可亢怫於天道而不歸有德歟。 時用詢謀，僉曰：公昭考文公，格勛德於天地，丕濟黔黎。 洎公，又躬宣重光。 故玄象征見於上，謳訟奔走於下，天之歷數，用實在焉，予安敢弗若。 是以欽祗聖典，遜位於公。 公其享茲天命，保有萬國，可不慎歟。」 魏帝臨朝，遣戶部中大夫、濟北公元迪致皇帝璽綬。 帝固辭，公卿百辟勸進，太史陳祥瑞，乃從之。 是日，魏帝遜位於大司馬府。
Heaven has grown weary of Wei and sent down change to announce it; you alone did not know. Though I am not bright, how dare I not respect Heaven's mandate and turn to the virtuous? Now, following the old precedent of Tang and Yu, I abdicate the throne to Zhou; let this be proclaimed to you all." He sent Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhao Gui, Bearer of the Staff, with the book of investiture, saying, "I address you, Duke of Zhou: the throne is not fixed; the virtuous receive the mandate; such is Heaven's way. I follow the time and the task, seeking the pattern of Tang and Yu, and say: the virtue of Wei has reached its end. Great and small in our state all know it; how can we resist Heaven's way and not turn to the virtuous? When I consulted the times, all said: your late father Duke Wen established merit and virtue between Heaven and Earth and greatly succored the people. Down to you, you again personally spread this renewed glory. Therefore the dark symbols appeared above and songs of praise ran below; Heaven's count truly rests with you; how dare I not yield? Therefore with reverence I respect the sacred canon and yield the throne to you. Receive this mandate of Heaven, preserve the myriad states, and be careful. The Wei Emperor attended court and sent Director of the Household Bureau, Duke of Jibei Yuan Di, to present the imperial seal and cord. The Emperor firmly declined; the dukes, ministers, and hundred officials urged him to ascend; the Grand Astrologer reported auspicious signs; he then accepted. That day the Wei Emperor abdicated at the Grand Marshal's residence.
64
元年春正月，天王即位，柴燎告天，朝百官於路門。 追尊皇考文公為文王，皇妣為文後，大赦。 封魏帝為宋公。 是日，槐里獻赤雀。 百官奏議曰：「帝王之興，罔弗更正朔，明受之於天，革人視聽也。 逮於尼甫，稽諸陰陽，雲行夏之時，後王所不易。 今魏歷告終，周室受命； 以木承水，實當行錄； 正用夏時，式遵聖道。 惟文王誕玄氣之祥，有黑水之讖，服色宜尚烏。 制曰：「可。」 以大司徒、趙郡王李弼為太師； 以大宗伯、南陽公趙貴為太傅、大冢宰； 以大司馬、河內公獨孤信為太保； 以大宗伯、中山公護為大司馬； 以大將軍寧都公毓、高陽公達奚武、武陽公豆盧寧、小司冠陽平公李遠、小司馬博陵公賀蘭禪、小宗伯魏安公尉迥等並為柱國。
In the first month of year one, on the day of the Heavenly King's accession, he burned firewood and reported to Heaven, and attended upon the hundred officials at Lum Gate. He posthumously honored his late father Duke Wen as Prince Wen and his late mother as Empress Wen, and proclaimed a general amnesty. The Wei Emperor was enfeoffed as Duke of Song. That day Huaili presented a red sparrow. The hundred officials memorialized, saying, "Whenever emperors and kings rise, none fail to correct the calendar; it makes clear that they receive it from Heaven and change what the people see and hear. Down to Confucius, when he examined yin and yang, he said to follow the seasons of Xia; later kings did not change this. Now the calendar of Wei has reached its end, and the house of Zhou receives the mandate; using wood to succeed water, green is truly the color to be employed; correctly using the Xia calendar, we follow the sage way. Prince Wen bore the auspice of dark vapor and the prophecy of black water; ceremonial colors should honor black. The decree said, "Approved." Grand Minister of Education, Prince of Zhao Commandery Li Bi, was made Grand Preceptor; Grand Master of Ceremonies, Duke of Nanyang Zhao Gui, was made Grand Tutor and Grand Minister; Grand Marshal, Duke of Henei Dugu Xin, was made Grand Guardian; Grand Master of Ceremonies, Duke of Zhongshan Hu, was made Grand Marshal; Grand General Duke of Ningdu Yu, Duke of Gaoyang Daxi Wu, Duke of Wuyang Dou Lu'ning, Lesser Director of the Court Duke of Yangping Li Yuan, Lesser Grand Marshal Duke of Boling Helan Chan, Lesser Master of Ceremonies Duke of Wei'an Wei Chiji, and others were all made Pillars of State.
65
壬寅，祀圓丘。 詔曰：「予本自神農，其於二丘，宜作厥主。 始祖獻侯，啟土遼海，配南北郊； 文考德符五運，受天明命，祖於明堂，以配上帝。」 癸卯，祀方丘。 甲辰，遂祭太社。 初除市門稅。 乙巳，享太廟。 丁未，會於幹安殿，班賞各有差。 戊申，詔有司分命使者，巡察風俗，求人得失，禮餼高年，恤於鰥寡。 辛亥，祀南郊。
On renyin the Round Mound was sacrificed to. An edict said, "I trace my origin to Shennong; for the two mounds I should serve as their lord. The founding ancestor Marquis of Xian opened the land in Liaohai and is paired at the southern and northern suburbs; my late father's virtue matched the five phases; he received Heaven's bright mandate and is honored in the Bright Hall, paired with the Supreme Lord. On guimao the Square Mound was sacrificed to. On jiachen the Great Altar of Soil was sacrificed to. Market gate taxes were abolished for the first time. On yisi the Grand Temple was sacrificed to. On dingwei an assembly was held at Gan'an Hall and rewards were distributed in varying degrees. On wushen an edict ordered the relevant offices to dispatch envoys to inspect local custom, seek out men's gains and losses, offer gifts to the aged, and show compassion to widows and orphans. On xinhai the southern suburb was sacrificed to.
66
壬子，立王後元氏。 辛酉，享太廟。 癸亥，親耕籍田。 二月癸酉朔，朝日於東郊。
On renzi Queen Wang of the Yuan clan was established. On xinyou the Grand Temple was sacrificed to. On guihai the Emperor personally plowed the sacred field. On guiyou, the first day of the second month, the sun was worshipped at the eastern suburb.
67
戊寅，祭太社。 丁亥，柱國、楚國公趙貴謀反，伏誅。 太保獨孤信罪免。 甲午，以大司空、梁國公侯莫陳崇為太保； 大司馬、晉國公護為大冢宰； 柱國、博陵公賀蘭禪為大司馬； 高陽公達奚武為大司寇； 大將軍、化政公宇文貴為柱國。 三月己酉，衛國公獨孤信賜死。 癸亥，省六府士員三分之一。 夏四月壬申，降死罪已下囚。 壬午，謁成陵。 丁亥，享太廟。 五月己酉，帝將觀漁於昆明池，博士姜頃諫，乃止。
On wuyin the Great Altar of Soil was sacrificed to. On dinghai Pillar of State, Duke of Chu Zhao Gui plotted rebellion and was executed. Grand Guardian Dugu Xin was punished by removal from office. On jiawu Grand Minister of Works, Duke of Liang Houmochen Chong was made Grand Guardian; Grand Marshal, Duke of Jin Hu, was made Grand Minister; Pillar of State, Duke of Boling Helan Chan, was made Grand Marshal; Duke of Gaoyang Daxi Wu was made Grand Minister of Justice; Grand General, Duke of Huazheng Yuwen Gui, was made Pillar of State. On jiyou Duke of Weiguo Dugu Xin was ordered to take his own life. On guihai the staff of the Six Offices was reduced by one third. On renshen of the fourth month in summer, prisoners sentenced to death and below were pardoned. On renwu he visited Chengling. On dinghai the Grand Temple was sacrificed to. On jiyou of the fifth month the Emperor was about to watch fishing at Kunming Pool; Academician Jiang Qing remonstrated, and he stopped.
68
秋七月壬寅，帝聽訟於右寢，多所哀宥。 辛亥，享太廟。 八月戊辰，祭太社。 辛未，降死罪已下囚。 甲午，詔二十四軍舉賢良。 九月庚申，改太守為郡守。
On renyin of the seventh month in autumn the Emperor heard cases in the western chamber and showed much mercy. On xinhai the Grand Temple was sacrificed to. On wuchen of the eighth month the Great Altar of Soil was sacrificed to. On xinwei prisoners sentenced to death and below were pardoned. On jiawu an edict ordered the twenty-four armies to recommend worthy men. On gengshen of the ninth month grand administrators were changed to commandery governors.
69
帝性剛果，忌晉公護之專。 司會李植、軍司馬孫恒以先朝佐命，入侍左右，亦疾護權重，乃與宮伯乙鳳、賀拔提等潛請帝誅護，帝許之。 又引宮伯張先洛。 先洛以白護，護乃出植為梁州刺史，恒為潼州刺史。 鳳等更奏帝，將召群臣入，因此誅護。 先洛又白之。 時小司馬尉綱總統宿衛兵。 護乃召綱入殿中，詐呼鳳等論事，以次執送護弟，並誅之。 綱乃罷禁兵，帝無左右，獨在內殿，令宮人執兵自守。 護遣大司馬賀蘭祥逼帝遜位，貶為略陽公，遂幽於舊邸。 月餘日，以弒崩，時年十六。
The Emperor was by nature firm and decisive and resented Duke of Jin Hu's monopoly of power. Director of Accounts Li Zhi and Army Marshal Sun Heng, who had assisted the previous reign and attended at his side, also hated Hu's heavy authority; together with Palace Commander Yi Feng, Heba Ti, and others they secretly asked the Emperor to execute Hu, and the Emperor agreed. They also brought in Palace Commander Zhang Xianluo. Xianluo reported it to Hu; Hu therefore sent Zhi out as Governor of Liangzhou and Heng as Governor of Tongzhou. Feng and the others again memorialized the Emperor, planning to summon the ministers to enter and thereby execute Hu. Xianluo again reported it. At that time Lesser Grand Marshal Wei Gang commanded the palace guard. Hu then summoned Gang into the hall, falsely called Feng and the others to discuss affairs, and had them seized one by one and sent to Hu's brother; all were executed. Gang then dismissed the guard; the Emperor had no attendants and was alone in the inner hall, ordering palace women to take up arms in self-defense. Hu sent Grand Marshal Helan Xiang to force abdication; the Emperor was demoted to Duke of Lueyang and confined in his old residence. After more than a month he was assassinated; he was sixteen.
70
植、恒等亦遇害。 及武帝誅護後，乃詔曰：「故略陽公至德純粹，天姿秀傑。 屬魏詐告終，寶命將改，謳歌允集，歷數攸歸。 上協蒼靈之慶，下昭後祗之錫。 而禍生肘腋，釁起蕭墻； 白武噬驂，蒼鷹集殿； 幽辱神器，弒酷乘輿； 冤結生靈，毒流宇縣。 今河海登清，氛沴消蕩； 追尊之禮，宜崇徽號。」 遣太師、蜀國公迥於南郊，上謚曰孝閔皇帝，陵曰靜陵。
Zhi, Heng, and the others were killed as well. After Emperor Wu executed Hu, an edict said, "The late Duke of Lueyang possessed supreme virtue and a naturally outstanding talent. When Wei's deceit reached its end and the mandate was about to change, songs of praise gathered and Heaven's count rested with him. Above he accorded with the blessing of the dark numen; below he displayed the gift of the later altar. Yet calamity arose at the elbow and trouble sprang from within the courtyard wall; the white tiger devoured the paired horses, and the dark hawk gathered on the palace hall; the sacred regalia was humiliated, and the imperial carriage met cruel murder; grievance bound the living, and poison flowed through the realm. Now the rivers and seas are clear and the miasma of calamity has dissolved; the rites of posthumous honor should be raised with a lofty title." Grand Preceptor, Duke of Shu Wei Chiji, was sent to the southern suburb to confer the posthumous title Emperor Xiaomin; his tomb was named Jingling.
71
世宗明皇帝諱毓，小名統萬突。 文皇帝之長子也。 母曰姚夫人。 永熙三年，文帝臨夏州，生於統萬城，因以名焉。 大統十四年，封寧都郡公。 魏恭帝三年，累遷大將軍，鎮隴右。 孝閔踐阼，進位柱國，轉岐州刺史，有美政。 及孝閔廢，晉公護遣迎帝於岐州。 九月癸亥，至京師，止於舊邸。 群臣上表勸進，備法駕奉迎，帝固讓，群臣固請，乃許之。
Emperor Shizong Ming, taboo name Yu, childhood name Tongwantu. He was Emperor Wen's eldest son. His mother was Lady Yao. In Yongxi year three, when Emperor Wen was at Xiazhou, he was born at Tongwan City and was therefore so named. In Datong year fourteen he was enfeoffed as Duke of Ningdu Commandery. In Wei Emperor Gong year three he rose in succession to Grand General and garrisoned Longyou. When Xiaomin ascended the throne, he was promoted to Pillar of State and made Governor of Qi Province, where his governance was praised. When Xiaomin was deposed, Duke of Jin Hu sent envoys to welcome the Emperor from Qi Province. On guihai of the ninth month he reached the capital and halted at his old residence. The ministers memorialized urging ascent; the full imperial equipage was prepared; the Emperor declined, but when they pressed again he consented.
72
元年秋九月，天王即位，大赦。 乙丑，朝郡臣於延壽殿。 冬十月癸酉，太師、趙國公李弼薨。 己卯，以大將軍、昌平公尉綱為柱國。 乙酉，祀圓丘。 丙戌，祀方丘。 甲午，祭太社。 陽平公李遠賜死。 辛未，梁敬帝遜位於陳。 十一月庚子，享太廟。 丁未，祀圓丘。 十二月庚午，謁成陵。 庚辰，以大將軍、輔城公邕為柱國。 戊子，赦長安見囚。 甲午，詔元氏子女自坐趙貴等事以來，所有沒入為官口者，悉免之。
In the ninth month of year one in autumn the Heavenly King ascended the throne and proclaimed a general amnesty. On yichou he attended upon the commandery ministers at Yanshou Hall. On guiyou of the tenth month in winter Grand Preceptor, Prince of Zhao Commandery Li Bi died. On jimao Grand General, Duke of Changping Wei Gang was made Pillar of State. On yiyou the Round Mound was sacrificed to. On bingxu the Square Mound was sacrificed to. On jiawu the Great Altar of Soil was sacrificed to. Duke of Yangping Li Yuan was ordered to take his own life. On xinwei Emperor Jing of Liang abdicated to Chen. On gengzi of the eleventh month the Grand Temple was sacrificed to. On dingwei the Round Mound was sacrificed to. On gengwu of the twelfth month he visited Chengling. On gengchen Grand General, Duke of Fucheng Yong was made Pillar of State. On wuzi prisoners in Chang'an were pardoned. On jiawu an edict released all sons and daughters of the Yuan clan confiscated as government slaves since the affair of Zhao Gui and others.
73
二年春正月乙未，以大冢宰、晉公護為太師。 辛亥，親耕籍田。 癸丑，立王後獨孤氏。 丁巳，於雍州置十二郡。 三月甲午，北豫州刺史司馬消難舉州來附。 改雍州刺史為牧，京兆郡守為尹。 庚申，詔三十六國、九十九姓，自魏南徙，皆稱河南人； 今周室既都關中，宜改稱京兆人。 夏四月己巳，以太師、晉公護為雍州牧。 辛未，降死罪囚一等，五歲刑已下皆原之。 甲戌，天王後獨孤氏崩。 甲申，葬敬後。
On yiwei of the second month in spring Grand Minister, Duke of Jin Hu, was made Grand Preceptor. On xinhai the Emperor personally plowed the sacred field. On guichou Queen Dugu was established. On dingsi twelve commanderies were established in Yongzhou. On jiawu of the third month Governor of Beiyu Sima Xiaonan surrendered the province. The Governor of Yongzhou was changed to Prefect, and the Commandery Governor of Jingzhao to Intendant. On gengshen an edict said that the thirty-six states and ninety-nine clans, moved south by Wei, had all been called people of Henan; now that Zhou had its capital in Guanzhong, they should be changed to people of Jingzhao. On jisi of the fourth month in summer Grand Preceptor, Duke of Jin Hu, was made Prefect of Yongzhou. On xinwei prisoners sentenced to death had their punishment reduced one degree, and those with sentences of five years or below were all pardoned. On jiashen the Heavenly King's consort Lady Dugu died. On jiashen Empress Jing was buried.
74
五月乙未，以大司空、梁國公侯莫陳崇為大宗伯。 六月癸亥，嚈噠國遣使朝貢。 己巳，板授高年刺史、守、令，恤鰥寡孤獨各有差。 分長安為萬年縣，並居京城。 壬申，遣使分行州郡，理囚徒，察風俗，掩骸埋胔。 秋七月，順陽獻三足烏。 八月甲子，群臣上表稱慶。 於是大赦，文武普進級。 九月辛卯，以大將軍楊忠、王雄並為柱國。 甲辰，封少師元羅為韓國公，以紹魏後。 丁未，行幸同州故宅，賦詩。 冬十月辛酉，突厥遣使朝貢。 癸亥，太廟成。 乙亥，以功臣瑯邪貞獻公賀拔勝等十三人配享文帝廟庭。 壬午，大赦。
On yiwei of the fifth month Grand Minister of Works, Duke of Liang Houmochen Chong, was made Grand Master of Ceremonies. On guihai of the sixth month the state of Yeda sent envoys with tribute. On jisi elderly men were appointed by plaque as governors, prefects, and magistrates; widows, orphans, and the solitary were shown compassion in varying degrees. Chang'an was divided into Wannian County, both dwelling in the capital city. On renshen envoys were dispatched through the provinces and commanderies to try prisoners, inspect custom, and cover exposed bones and bury flesh. In the seventh month in autumn Shunyang presented a three-footed crow. On jiazi of the eighth month the ministers memorialized offering congratulations. Thereupon a great amnesty was proclaimed and civil and military officers were all promoted one rank. On xinmao Grand Generals Yang Zhong and Wang Xiong were both made Pillars of State. On jiachen Junior Preceptor Yuan Luo was enfeoffed as Duke of Han to continue the line of Wei. On dingwei he traveled to his old home at Tongzhou and composed a poem. On xinyou of the tenth month in winter the Turks sent envoys with tribute. On guihai the Grand Temple was completed. On yihai the meritorious ministers, including Duke of Langye Zhenxian Heba Sheng and twelve others, were paired in sacrifice at Emperor Wen's temple hall. On renwu a great amnesty was proclaimed.
75
武成元年春正月己酉，太師、晉公護上表歸政。 帝始親萬機，軍旅猶總於護。
On jiyou of the first month in spring of Wucheng year one, Grand Preceptor, Duke of Jin Hu, memorialized returning government to the Emperor. The Emperor then personally handled state affairs; military affairs still remained under Hu's overall command.
76
初改都督諸州軍事為總管。 三月癸巳，陳六軍，帝親擐甲胄，迎太白於東方。 吐谷渾寇邊。 庚戌，遣大司馬、博陵公賀蘭祥率眾討之。 夏五月戊子，詔有司造周歷。
For the first time Commander of Military Affairs of the Various Provinces was changed to Area Commander. On guisi of the third month the Six Armies were displayed; the Emperor personally donned armor and welcomed the White Planet in the east. Tuyuhun raided the frontier. On gengxu Grand Minister of Justice, Duke of Boling Helan Xiang, was sent to lead troops against them. On wuzi of the fifth month in summer an edict ordered the relevant offices to compile the Zhou calendar.
77
己亥，聽訟於正武殿。 辛亥，以大宗伯、梁國公侯莫陳崇為大司徒； 大司寇、高陽公達奚武為大宗伯； 武陽公豆盧寧為大司寇； 柱國、輔城公邕為大司空。 乙卯，詔曰：「比屢有糾發官司赦前事者，有司自今勿推究。 唯庫既倉廩，與海內所共。 漢帝有云：『朕為天下守財耳。』 若有侵盜公家財畜錢粟者，魏朝之事，年月既遠，一不須問； 自周有天下以來，雖經赦宥，事跡可知者，有司宜即推窮。 得實之日，免其罪，征備如法。」 賀蘭祥攻拔洮陽、洪和二城，吐谷渾遁走。 閏月，高昌遣使朝貢。 六月戊子，大雨霖。 詔公卿大夫士爰及牧守黎庶等，令各上封事，讜言極諫，無有所諱。 其遭水者，有司可時巡檢，條列以聞。 庚子，詔曰：「潁川從我，是曰元勛； 無忘父城，實起王業。 文考屬天地草昧，造化權輿，拯彼流亡，匡茲頹運。
On jihai he heard cases at Zhengwu Hall. On xinhai Grand Master of Ceremonies, Duke of Liang Houmochen Chong, was made Grand Minister of Education; Grand Minister of Justice, Duke of Gaoyang Daxi Wu, was made Grand Master of Ceremonies; Duke of Wuyang Dou Lu'ning was made Grand Minister of Justice; Pillar of State, Duke of Fucheng Yong, was made Grand Minister of Works. On yimao an edict said, "Recently officials have repeatedly reported pre-amnesty matters; the relevant offices shall not investigate them from now on. Only the storehouses and granaries are held in common with all within the seas. Emperor Han said, 'I am but keeper of the realm's wealth. If anyone steals or embezzles public livestock, grain, or money, matters of the Wei court, remote in years, need not be questioned at all; since Zhou received the realm, even if pardoned, where the facts can still be known, the relevant offices should pursue the investigation at once. On the day the facts are established, the crime is pardoned and restitution is levied according to law." Helan Xiang attacked and took Taoyang and Honghe, and Tuyuhun fled. In the intercalary month Gaochang sent envoys with tribute. On wuzi of the sixth month heavy rain fell for many days. An edict ordered dukes, ministers, grand masters, scholars, governors, prefects, magistrates, and common people to submit sealed memorials offering candid remonstrance without reserve. Those who suffered from the flood should be inspected in timely rounds by the relevant offices and reported item by item. On gengzi an edict said, "Yingchuan followed me; that is the founding merit; do not forget the father's city; it truly began the royal enterprise. My late father, amid the dark chaos of Heaven and Earth and the first stirrings of creation, rescued the exiled and upheld the failing mandate.
78
賴英賢盡力，文武同心，翼贊大功，克隆帝業。 而被堅執銳，櫛風沐雨，永言疇昔，良用憮然。 若功成名遂，建國割符，予唯休也。 其有致死王事，妻子無歸者，朕甚傷之。 凡從先王向夏州，發夏州從來，見在及薨亡者，並量賜錢帛，稱朕意焉。」
Relying on worthy men who exhausted their strength and civil and military men of one mind, they aided the great achievement and multiplied the imperial enterprise. Yet bearing hard armor and sharp weapons, combing the wind and bathing in rain, when I speak of those former days I am deeply moved. If merit is achieved and the enterprise completed, and a state is founded with territory divided, that is my rest. Those who died serving the royal cause and left wives and children with no home grieve me deeply. All who followed the former king to Xiazhou, and all who set out from Xiazhou then and are now living or have died, shall be granted money and silk in measure according to my intent."
79
是月，陳武帝殂。 秋八月己亥，改天王稱皇帝，追尊文王為文皇帝。 大赦，改元。
That month Emperor Wu of Chen died. On jihai of the eighth month in autumn the title Heavenly King was changed to Emperor, and Prince Wen was posthumously honored as Emperor Wen. A general amnesty was proclaimed and the reign title was changed.
80
癸丑，增禦正四人，位上大夫。 冬十月，齊文宣帝殂。
On guichou four Directors of the Imperial Household were added, with rank of Senior Grand Master. In the tenth month in winter Emperor Wenxuan of Qi died.
81
二年春正月癸丑朔，大會群臣於紫極殿，始用百戲。 三月辛酉，重陽閣成，會群臣公侯列將卿大夫及突厥使於芳林園，賜錢帛各有差。 夏四月，帝因食糖追遇毒，庚子，大漸。 詔曰：人生天地之間，稟五常之氣； 天地有窮已，五常有推移，人安得長在。 是以有生有死者，物理之必然。 處必然之理，修短之間，何足多恨。 朕雖不德，性好典墳，披覽聖賢余論，未嘗不以此自曉。 今乃命也，夫復何言！ 諸公及在朝卿大夫士、軍中大小督將軍人等，並立勛效，積有年載； 輔翼太祖，成我周家，令朕纘承大業，處萬乘之上。 此上不負太祖，下不負朕躬。 朕得啟手啟足，從先帝於地下，實無恨於心矣。 所可恨者，朕享大位，可謂四年矣，不能使政化修理，黎庶豐足； 九州未一，二方猶梗，顧此恨恨，目用不瞑。 唯冀仁兄冢宰，洎朕先正先父公卿大臣等，協和為心，勉力相勸，勿忘太祖遺誌，提挈後人。 朕雖沒九泉，形骸不朽。 今大位虛曠，社稷無主； 朕兒幼少，未堪當國。 魯國公邕，朕之介弟，寬仁大度，海內共聞，能弘我周家，必此子也。 夫人貴有始終，公等事太祖，輔朕躬，可謂有始矣。
In the first month of year two, on guichou, the first day, a great assembly of ministers was held at Ziji Hall, and the hundred entertainments were used for the first time. On xinyou of the third month Chongyang Pavilion was completed; ministers, dukes, ranked generals, and grand masters, together with Turk envoys, were assembled at Fanglin Garden and given money and silk in varying degrees. In the fourth month in summer the Emperor was poisoned while eating rice cakes; on gengzi his illness became critical. An edict said, "Human life between Heaven and Earth receives the qi of the five constants; Heaven and Earth have their end, the five constants shift and change, and how can a man endure forever? Therefore that there is birth and there is death is the necessary law of things. Facing the law of necessity, what regret can there be in the span between long and short? Though I lack virtue, by nature I love the classics; reading the remaining writings of sages and worthies, I have never failed to understand myself thereby. Now it is fate; what more is there to say! You lords and the ministers, grand masters, and scholars at court, and commanders and generals great and small in the army, have all established merit over many years; you aided Grand Ancestor and completed our house of Zhou, enabling me to inherit the great enterprise and stand above the imperial chariot. In this you have not failed Grand Ancestor above, nor failed me below. That I may depart with clean hands and feet and follow the former emperors underground truly leaves no regret in my heart. What I regret is that though I have held the great throne for what may be called four years, I could not make government and teaching well ordered and the people rich and sufficient; the nine provinces are not united, and two regions still block the way; thinking of this I am full of regret, and my eyes will not close in peace. I only hope that my elder brother the Grand Minister, together with my former upright ministers and former fathers the dukes and great ministers, will be of one mind in harmony and exert themselves to encourage one another, not forgetting Grand Ancestor's final charge and guiding those who come after. Though I sink into the nine springs, my purpose will not perish. Now the great throne stands empty and the altars of state have no lord; my sons are young and cannot yet bear the realm. Duke of Lu Yong is my younger brother by the same mother; broad, benevolent, and magnanimous, he is known throughout the realm; he alone can expand our house of Zhou. It is fitting that a man honor beginning and end; you served Grand Ancestor and aided me; that may be called a beginning.
82
若克念政道，顧其艱難，輔邕以主天下者，可謂有終矣。 哀死事生，人臣大節，公等可思念此言，令萬代稱嘆。 朕稟生儉素，非能力行菲薄。 每寢大布之被，服大帛之衣，凡是器用，皆無雕刻。 身終之日，豈容違棄此好。 喪事所須，務從儉約，斂以時服，勿使有金玉之飾。 若以禮不可闕，皆令用瓦。 小斂訖，七日哭。 文武百官，各權辟麻苴，以素服從事。 葬日，選擇不毛之地，因勢為墳，勿封勿樹。 且厚葬傷生，聖人所誡。 既服膺聖人之教，安敢違之。 凡百官司，勿異朕意。 四方州鎮使到，各令三日哭。 哭訖，權辟凶服，還以素服從事，待大例除。 非有呼召，各按部自守，不得輒奔赴闕庭。 禮有通塞隨時之義，葬訖，內外悉除服從吉。 三年之內，勿禁婚娶，一令如平常也。 時事殷猥，病困心亂，止能及此。 如事有不盡，準此以類為斷。
If you keep government in mind and regard its difficulties, and aid Yong in ruling the realm, that may be called an end. To mourn the dead and serve the living is the great duty of a minister; you should keep these words in mind and let future ages praise them. I received life in frugality and simplicity; it is not that I could practice austerity by my own strength. Each night I slept under coarse hemp quilts and wore coarse silk robes; all utensils were without carving. On the day my life ends, how could I abandon this preference? What the funeral requires must follow frugality; enshroud me in seasonal garments and do not allow gold or jade ornament. If ritual cannot be omitted, let everything be of tile. When the lesser encoffining is complete, mourn for seven days. Civil and military officials shall each temporarily wear hemp mourning and serve in plain garments. On the burial day choose barren ground and make the mound according to the terrain; do not mound it high and do not plant trees. Moreover, lavish burial harms the living; this the sages forbade. Having accepted the sages' teaching, how dare I violate it? All officials of every rank, do not depart from my intent. When envoys from the four directions and regional commands arrive, each shall mourn for three days. When mourning ends, temporarily leave off mourning garments and return to plain garments for service, waiting for the general term of mourning to end. Unless summoned, each shall guard his post and not rashly hurry to the court. Ritual has the meaning of adapting to the time; when burial is complete, within and without all shall leave mourning and return to auspicious dress. Within three years do not forbid marriage; let everything be as in normal times. Affairs are pressing and numerous; sick and troubled in mind, I can reach only this far. If matters are not fully covered, decide similar cases by this standard.
83
死而可忍，古人有之，朕今忍死，盡此懷抱。
That death can be borne, the ancients knew; I now bear death to exhaust this heartfelt intent.
84
其詔即帝口授也。 辛丑，帝崩於延壽殿，時年二十七。 謚曰明皇帝，廟號世宗。
The edict was dictated from the Emperor's own mouth. On xinchou the Emperor died at Yanshou Hall; he was twenty-seven. His posthumous title was Emperor Ming; his temple name was Shizong.
85
五月辛未，葬於昭陵。
On xinwei of the fifth month he was buried at Zhaoling.
86
帝寬明仁厚，敦睦九族，有君人之量。 幼而好學，博覽群書。 善屬文，詞彩溫麗。 及即位，集公卿已下有文學者八十餘人，於麟趾殿刊校經史。 又捃采眾書，自義、農已來，訖於魏末，敘為《世譜》凡百卷。 所著文章十卷。
The Emperor was broad, clear, benevolent, and generous; he treated the nine clans with affection and had the measure of a ruler. From youth he loved learning and read widely among the books. He was skilled at literary composition; his language was warm and elegant. When he ascended the throne, he gathered more than eighty men of letters among the dukes, ministers, and those below, and at Linqi Hall collated and edited the classics and histories. He also gathered books from many sources, from Shennong down to the end of Wei, and arranged them into Genealogies of the Age in one hundred scrolls. His own writings filled ten scrolls.
87
論曰：昔者水運將終，群凶放命。 或權威震主，或釁逆滔天。 咸謂大寶可以力致，神器可以求得，而卒誅夷繼及，亡不旋踵。 是知天命有底，庸可慆乎。 周文爰自潛躍，眾無一旋，驅馳戎馬之際，躡足行伍之間。 時屬與能，運膺啟聖，鳩集義勇，糾合同盟。 一舉而殄仇讎，再駕而匡帝室。 於是內詢帷幄，外杖材雄； 推至誠以待人，弘大順以訓物。 高氏藉甲兵之眾，恃戎馬之強，屢入近畿，誌圖吞噬。 及英謀電發，神旆風馳。 弘農建城濮之勛，沙苑有昆陽之捷； 取威定霸，以弱為強。
The commentary says: In former times the water mandate was nearing its end, and many villains cast off restraint. Some made their authority shake the ruler; some raised rebellion that overflowed heaven. All thought the great treasure could be attained by force and the sacred regalia obtained by seeking; yet in the end execution and extermination followed one upon another, and none survived a turning of the heel. From this one knows that Heaven's mandate has its foundation; how could it be presumed upon? Duke Wen of Zhou rose from hidden advancement when none stood with him; he drove through the intervals of war and trod among the ranks. The time called for able men; fortune received the opening of sage rule; he gathered righteous courage and rallied allied forces. One stroke extinguished the enemy; a second journey restored the imperial house. Within he consulted the tent; without he relied on heroic talent; he extended utmost sincerity in treating men and spread the great accord to instruct the people. The Gao clan relied on the multitude of armored troops and the strength of war horses, repeatedly entering the near capital with intent to swallow and devour. When heroic plans flashed like lightning, divine banners raced like the wind. At Hongnong he built the merit of Chengpu; at Shawei he won the victory of Kunyang; taking prestige to fix hegemony, he turned weakness into strength.
88
紹元宗之衰緒，創隆周之景命。 南清江、漢，西舉巴、蜀，北控沙漠，東據伊、瀍。
He continued the declining line of the primal ancestor and founded the bright mandate of ascending Zhou. South he cleared the Yangtze and Han; west he raised Ba and Shu; north he controlled the desert; east he held Yi and the Chan.
89
乃擯落魏、晉，憲章古昔； 修六官之廢典，成一代之鴻規。 德刑並用，勛賢兼敘。
He cast aside Wei and Jin and took the statutes of antiquity as his model; he restored the abandoned canon of the Six Offices and completed the great design of an age. Virtue and punishment were used together; merit and worth were both honored.
90
遠安邇悅，俗阜人和。 億兆之望有歸，揖讓之期允集。 功業若此，人臣以終，盛矣哉。 非求雄略冠時，英姿不世； 天與神授，緯武經文者，孰能與於此乎。 昔漢獻蒙塵，曹公成夾輔之業； 晉安播蕩，宋武建匡合之勛。 校德論功，綽有餘裕。 至於渚宮制勝，闔城孥戮； 蠕蠕歸命，盡種誅夷。 雖事出於權道，而用乖於德教，斯為過矣。 孝閔承既安之業，膺樂推之運； 明皇處代邸之尊，纂大宗之緒。 始則權臣專命，終乃政出私門； 俱懷芒刺之疑，用致幽弒之禍，惜哉。
The distant were pacified and the near rejoiced; custom flourished and men were in harmony. The hope of the hundred million had its return; the time of abdication and acceptance was truly gathered. Merit and enterprise such as this, for a minister to finish, how magnificent! If one did not seek heroic strategy that crowned the age and bearing unmatched in a generation; heaven-given and spirit-conferred, weaving martial and civil together, who could equal this? Formerly Emperor Xian of Han suffered dust on the road, and Duke Cao completed the enterprise of supporting the throne; Emperor An of Jin was driven into turmoil, and Emperor Wu of Song built the merit of restoring unity. Comparing virtue and weighing merit, he had abundance to spare. As for victory at Zhugong and slaughtering the families of the whole city; the Rouran submitting and exterminating the whole tribe; though the acts arose from expedient policy, the means departed from the teaching of virtue; this was excessive. Xiaomin inherited an already settled enterprise and received fortune pushed upon him; Emperor Ming occupied the honor of the substitute fief and continued the line of the great ancestor. At first powerful ministers held sole command; in the end government issued from private gates; both harbored the suspicion of a thorn in the flesh and thereby met the calamity of secret assassination; pitiable indeed.