Volume 48 Biographies 36: Er Zhurong

尒硃榮子文暢文略從子兆從弟彥伯彥伯子敞彥伯弟仲遠世隆榮從父弟度律榮從祖兄子天光

Er Zhurong; his sons Wenchang and Wenlue; his nephew Zhao; his cousin Yanbo; Yanbo's son Chang; Yanbo's brother Zhongyuan; Shilong; Rong's uncle's younger brother Dulü; Rong's elder cousin's son Tiangguang

尒硃榮

Er Zhurong

尒硃榮，字天寶，北秀容人也。世為部落酋帥，其先居尒硃川，因為氏焉。高祖羽健，魏登國初為領人酋長，率契胡武士從平晉陽，定中山，拜散騎常侍。以居秀容川，詔割方三百里封之，長為世業。道武初，以南秀容川原沃衍，欲令居之。羽健曰：「家世奉國，給侍左右，北秀容既在髂內，差近京師，豈以沃鹆脊，更遷遠地？」帝許之。所居處曾有狗舐地，因而穿之得甘泉，因名狗舐泉。曾祖鬱德、祖代勤，繼為酋長。代勤，太武敬哀皇后舅也。既以外親，兼數征伐有功，給復百年，除立義將軍。曾圍山而獵，部人射虎，誤中其髀。代勤仍令拔箭，竟不推問，曰：「此既過誤，何忍加罪。」部內咸感其意。位肆州刺史，封梁郡公，以老致仕，歲賜帛百疋以為常。卒，諡曰莊。孝莊初，追贈太師、司徒公、錄尚書事。父新興，太和中繼為酋長。曾行馬群，見一白蛇，頭有兩角，咒之，求畜牧蕃息。自是牛羊駝馬，日覺滋盛，色別為群，穀量之。朝廷每有征討，輒獻私馬，兼備資糧，助裨軍用。孝文嘉之。及遷洛，特聽冬朝京師，夏歸部落。每入朝，諸公王朝貴，競以珍玩遺之，新興亦報以名馬。位散騎常侍、平北將軍、秀容第一領人酋長。新興每春秋二時，恆與妻子閱畜牧于川澤，射獵自娛。明帝時，以年老，啟求傳爵于榮。卒，諡曰簡。孝莊初，贈太師、相國、西河郡王。

Er Zhurong, styled Tianbao, was a native of Northern Xiurong. For generations his family had been tribal chiefs; their ancestors dwelt in Erzhu River and took it as their surname. His great-grandfather Yu Jian, at the beginning of Wei's Dengguo reign, served as chief of the leading clan and led Qi-hu warriors in pacifying Jinyang and settling Zhongshan, and was appointed Regular Palace Attendant. Because he dwelt at Xiurong River, an edict carved out three hundred square li and enfeoffed it to him as a hereditary domain held in perpetuity. In the early Daowu era, because Southern Xiurong River's plains were fertile and broad, the court wished to have him relocate there. Yu Jian said: "Our family has served the state for generations, attending at court. Northern Xiurong lies within the inner frontier and is comparatively near the capital—how could we exchange fertile land for a more distant posting?" The emperor granted his request. At the place where he dwelt, a dog once licked the ground. Digging there, they found a sweet spring, hence the name Dog-Lick Spring. His great-great-grandfather Yude and grandfather Daiqin successively served as chiefs. Daiqin was maternal uncle to Emperor Taiwu's Respected and Lamented Empress. Because of this royal connection, and having repeatedly achieved merit in campaigns, he was granted a hundred-year exemption from tax and labor service and appointed General Who Establishes Righteousness. Once while hunting in the mountains, a tribesman shot at a tiger and accidentally hit Daiqin in the thigh. Daiqin still had the arrow pulled out and never pursued the inquiry, saying: "This was an accident—how could I bear to punish him?" All within his domain were moved by his magnanimity. He rose to Inspector of Sizhou and was enfeoffed as Duke of Liang Commandery. In old age he retired and was annually granted a hundred bolts of silk as a fixed stipend. When he died, he was posthumously named Zhuang. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, he was posthumously ennobled as Grand Preceptor, Duke of the Grand Steward, and Director of the Masters of Writing Affairs. His father Xinxing succeeded as chief in the Taihe era. Once while tending the horse herds he saw a white serpent with two horns. He prayed over it, seeking that his livestock breed and multiply. From then on cattle, sheep, camels, and horses daily grew more plentiful, sorted by color into separate herds and counted by grain measures. Whenever the court mounted campaigns, he presented his private horses and supplied provisions to assist the military effort. Emperor Xiaowen was pleased with this. When the capital moved to Luoyang, he was specially permitted to come to court in winter and return to his tribe in summer. Whenever he came to court, princes, dukes, and grandees competed to present him with rare treasures, and Xinxing reciprocated with famous horses. He held the posts of Regular Palace Attendant, General Who Pacifies the North, and Chief of the First Leading Clan of Xiurong. Each spring and autumn Xinxing would review the livestock with his wife and children in the rivers and marshes, hunting for his own pleasure. In Emperor Ming's time, citing old age, he petitioned to transmit his enfeoffment to Rong. When he died, he was posthumously named Jian. At the beginning of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, he was posthumously ennobled as Grand Preceptor, Chancellor of State, and Prince of Xihe Commandery.

榮潔白，美容貌，幼而神機明決。及長，好射獵，每設圍誓眾，便為軍陣之法，號令嚴肅，眾莫敢犯。秀容界有池三所，在高山上，清深不測，相傳曰祁連池，魏言天池也。父新興曾與榮游池上，忽聞簫鼓音，謂榮曰：「古老相傳，聞此聲，皆至公輔。吾年老暮，當為汝耳。」榮襲爵，後除直寢、遊擊將軍。正光中，四方兵起，遂散畜牧，招合義勇。以討賊功，進封博陵郡公，其梁郡前爵聽賜第二子。時榮率眾至肆州，刺史尉慶賓閉城不納。榮怒，攻拔之，乃署其從叔羽生為刺史，執慶賓還秀容。自是兵威漸盛，朝廷亦不能罪責。及葛榮吞杜洛周，榮恐其南逼鄴城，表求東援相州，帝不許。榮以山東賊盛，慮其西逸，乃遣兵固守滏口以防之。於是北捍馬邑，東塞井陘。尋屬明帝崩，事出倉卒，榮乃與元天穆等密議，入匡朝廷。抗表云：「今海內草草，異口一言，皆云大行皇帝鴆毒致禍，舉潘嬪之女以誑百姓，奉未言之兒而臨四海。求以徐紇、鄭儼之徒，付之司敗。更召宗親，推其明德。」於是將赴京師。靈太后甚懼，詔以李神軌為大都督，將于太行杜防。榮抗表之始，遣從子天光、親信奚毅及倉頭王相入洛，與從弟世隆密議廢立。天光乃見莊帝，具論榮心，帝許之。天光等還北，榮發晉陽，猶疑所立，乃以銅鑄孝文及咸陽王禧等五王子孫像，成者當奉為主。唯莊帝獨就。師次河內，重遣王相密迎莊帝與帝兄彭城王邵、弟始平王子正。武泰元年四月，莊帝自高渚度，至榮軍，將士咸稱萬歲。

Rong was fair-complexioned and handsome, sharp and decisive even as a child. When grown he loved hunting and shooting. Whenever he organized a hunt and gathered the crowd, he arrayed them in military formations with stern commands that none dared violate. Within Xiurong's borders were three pools on high mountains, deep and unfathomably clear. Tradition held they were the Qilian Pools, called in Wei speech the Heavenly Pools. His father Xinxing once went sightseeing at the pool with Rong and suddenly heard the sound of flutes and drums. He said to Rong: "Ancient tradition holds that whoever hears this sound will reach the highest offices. I am old and in my twilight years—it will be for you." Rong inherited the enfeoffment and was later appointed Direct Attendant and General Who Attacks at Large. In the Zhenguang era, when rebellion broke out on all sides, he dispersed his herds and recruited righteous volunteers. For merit in suppressing bandits, he was advanced to Duke of Boling Commandery, and the prior title of Duke of Liang was granted to his second son. At that time Rong led his forces to Sizhou, but Inspector Wei Qingbin closed the gates and would not admit them. Rong was enraged, stormed and took the city, appointed his uncle-by-clan Yusheng as inspector, and took Qingbin back to Xiurong. From then his military might gradually grew, and the court could not punish or blame him. When Ge Rong swallowed Du Luozhou, Rong feared he would press south toward Ye and memorialized requesting eastern aid for Xiangzhou, but the emperor refused. Because bandits in the east were powerful and he feared their westward flight, Rong sent troops to hold Fuyu Pass against them. Thus he defended Mayi in the north and blocked Jingxing Pass in the east. Soon afterward Emperor Ming died. The matter arose in sudden haste, and Rong secretly deliberated with Yuan Tianmu and others on marching in to restore the court. He submitted a memorial stating: "The realm is in turmoil—every mouth speaks as one, saying the late emperor met disaster through poisoning, that the daughter of Lady Pan is held up to deceive the people, and an infant who cannot yet speak is set to rule the four seas. We request that men such as Xu Yi and Zheng Yan be handed over to the Ministry of Punishments. Let imperial kin be summoned anew and one of virtuous merit be raised up." Thereupon he prepared to march on the capital. Empress Dowager Ling was greatly afraid. An edict appointed Li Shengui as Supreme Commander and deployed defenses at the Taihang mountain passes. At the beginning of Rong's campaign, he sent his nephew Tiangguang, trusted follower Xi Yi, and a household slave Wang Xiang into Luoyang to confer secretly with his cousin Shilong on deposing and enthroning. Tiangguang then saw Emperor Zhuang, fully explained Rong's intent, and the emperor consented. When Tiangguang and the others returned north, Rong set out from Jinyang but still doubted whom to enthrone. He had bronze cast into images of Emperor Xiaowen and the descendants of the five princes including Prince of Xianyang Wang Xi—whoever's image succeeded would be enthroned. Only Emperor Zhuang's image came out whole. When the army halted at Henei, he again sent Wang Xiang secretly to escort Emperor Zhuang, the emperor's elder brother Prince of Pengcheng Shao, and his younger brother Prince of Shiping Zizheng. In the fourth month of the first year of Wutai, Emperor Zhuang crossed from Gaozhu and reached Rong's army. Officers and soldiers all shouted ten thousand years.

及莊帝即位，詔以榮為使持節、都督中外諸軍事、大將軍、開府、尚書令、領軍將軍、領左右、太原王。及度河，太后乃下發入道，內外百官皆向河橋迎駕。榮惑武衛將軍費穆之言，謂天下乘機可取，乃譎朝士共為盟誓，將向河陰西北三里。至南北長堤，悉命下馬西度，即遣胡騎四面圍之。妄言丞相高陽王欲反，殺百官王公卿士二千餘人，皆斂手就戮。又命二三十人拔刀走行宮。莊帝及彭城王、霸城王俱出帳。榮先遣并州人郭羅察共西部高車叱列殺鬼在帝左右，相與為應。及見事起，假言防衛，抱帝入帳，餘人即害彭城、霸城二王。乃令四五十人遷帝於河橋，沉靈太后及少主於河。時又有朝士百餘人後至，仍於堤東被圍。遂臨以白刃，唱云：「能為禪文者出，當原其命。」時有隴西李神俊、頓丘李諧、太原溫子升並當世辭人，皆在圍中，恥是從命，俯伏不應。有御史趙元則者，恐不免死，出作禪文。榮令人誡軍士，言元氏既滅，尒硃氏興。其眾咸稱萬歲。榮遂鑄金為己像，數四不成。時榮所信幽州人劉靈助善卜占，言今時人事未可。榮乃曰：「若我作不吉，當迎天穆立之。」靈助曰：「天穆亦不吉，唯長樂王有王兆耳。」榮亦精神恍惚，不自支持，遂便愧悔。至四更中，乃迎莊帝，望馬首叩頭請死。其士馬三千餘騎，既濫殺朝士，乃不敢入京，即欲向北為移都之計。持疑經日，始奉駕向洛陽宮。及上北芒，視城闕，復懷畏懼，不肯更前。武衛將軍汎禮苦執不聽，復前入城，不朝戍。北來之人，皆乘馬入殿。諸貴死散，無復次序。莊帝左右，唯有故舊數人。榮猶執移都之議，上亦無以拒焉。又在明光殿重謝河橋之事，誓言無復二心。莊帝自起止之，因復為榮誓，言無疑心。榮喜，因求酒一遍。及醉熟，帝欲誅之，左右苦諫乃止。即以床輦向中常侍省。榮夜半方寤，遂達旦不眠。自此不復禁中宿矣。

When Emperor Zhuang took the throne, an edict appointed Rong Bearer of the Staff of Authority, area commander over all military affairs within and without, Grand General, with Opening of a Government Office, Director of the Masters of Writing, General of the Palace Garrison, Commander of the Left and Right Guards, and Prince of Taiyuan. After crossing the river, the empress dowager at last renounced the world and entered religious life. Within and without, the hundred officials all turned toward Heqiao Bridge to welcome the imperial carriage. Rong, swayed by the words of General of the Martial Guard Fei Mu, believed the realm could be seized by taking advantage of the moment. He deceived the court officials into swearing a joint oath and led them three li northwest of Heyin. Reaching the north-south long embankment, he ordered all to dismount and cross westward, then sent barbarian cavalry to surround them on all four sides. Falsely claiming that Chancellor Gao Yang Wang intended rebellion, he killed more than two thousand court officials, princes, dukes, and ministers—all folded their hands and submitted to slaughter. He also ordered twenty or thirty men to draw blades and run toward the traveling palace. Emperor Zhuang and the Princes of Pengcheng and Bacheng all came out of the tent. Rong first sent Bingzhou man Guo Luocha together with the Western Department's Gao-che warrior Chilie to kill demons at the emperor's side, acting in concert. When the incident began, pretending to guard against attack, he embraced the emperor into the tent while the others at once killed the Princes of Pengcheng and Bacheng. He then had forty or fifty men move the emperor to Heqiao Bridge and drowned Empress Dowager Ling and the young ruler in the river. At the time another hundred-odd court officials arrived late and were again surrounded east of the embankment. They were menaced with naked blades and told: "Whoever can draft an abdication document may come forth—his life will be spared." At the time Longxi Li Shenjun, Dunqiu Li Xie, and Taiyuan Wen Zisheng—all leading literary men of the age—were in the encirclement. Ashamed to obey, they prostrated themselves and did not respond. There was an imperial censor named Zhao Yuanze who, fearing he could not escape death, came forth and composed the abdication text. Rong had the soldiers admonished, declaring that the Yuan clan was destroyed and the Er Zhurong clan would rise. The host all shouted ten thousand years. Rong then had a gold image of himself cast, but four attempts failed. At the time Liu Lingzhu of Youzhou, whom Rong trusted, was skilled in divination and said the affairs of the age were not yet suitable. Rong then said: "If it is inauspicious for me to take the throne, we should welcome Tianmu and enthrone him." Lingzhu said: "Tianmu is also inauspicious—only the Prince of Changle shows the signs of kingship." Rong too felt his spirit waver and could not steady himself. Thereupon he was overcome with shame and remorse. Around the fourth watch he welcomed Emperor Zhuang back, looked toward his horse's head, and kowtowed begging for death. His three thousand-odd riders, having wantonly slaughtered court officials, dared not enter the capital and wished to flee north to plan moving the capital. Hesitating for days, he at last escorted the imperial carriage toward the Luoyang palace. When they ascended Beimang and looked upon the city towers, he again was filled with fear and refused to advance further. General of the Martial Guard Fan Li stubbornly pressed forward to enter the city and did not attend the dawn audience. Men from the north all rode horses into the hall. The grandees, dead or scattered, no longer maintained any order. At Emperor Zhuang's side there remained only a few old associates. Rong still pressed the plan to move the capital, and the emperor could not refuse him. Again in the Mingguang Hall he apologized deeply for the Heyin affair and swore he would never again harbor a second heart. Emperor Zhuang himself rose to stop him and in turn swore to Rong that he held no doubt in his heart. Rong was pleased and asked for wine and had one full round. When he was deeply drunk, the emperor wished to execute him, but those at his side strenuously remonstrated and he desisted. He was carried on a litter into the Directorate of Palace Attendants. Rong only awoke at midnight and did not sleep from then until dawn. From this he no longer spent the night within the palace.

榮女先為明帝嬪，欲上立為後，帝疑未決。給事黃門侍郎祖瑩曰：「昔文公在秦，懷嬴入侍。事有反經合義，陛下獨何疑焉？」上遂從之。榮意甚悅。于時，人間猶或云榮欲遷都晉陽，或云欲肆兵大掠，迭相驚恐，人情駭震。京邑士子，十不一存，率皆逃竄，無敢出者，直衛空虛，官守廢曠。榮聞之，上書謝愆。無上王請追尊帝號；諸王、刺史，乞贈三司；其位班三品，請贈令僕；五品之官，各贈方伯；六品已下及白身，贈以鎮郡。諸死者無後，聽繼，即授封爵。均其高下，節級別科，使恩洽存亡，有慰生死。詔從所表。又啟帝，遣使巡城勞問。於是人情遂安，朝士逃亡者，亦稍來歸闕。榮又奏請番直，朔望之日，引見三公、令、僕、尚書、九卿及司州牧、河南尹、洛陽河陰執事之官，參論國政，以為常式。

Rong's daughter had earlier been a consort of Emperor Ming. He wished the emperor to install her as empress, but the emperor hesitated and had not decided. Attendant at the Yellow Gate Zu Ying said: "In former times Duke Wen of Jin while in Qin had Huai Ying enter to serve him. There are matters that run counter to the norm yet accord with righteousness—why should Your Majesty alone hesitate?" The emperor thereupon followed this advice. Rong was greatly pleased. At the time among the people some still said Rong intended to move the capital to Jinyang, or that he intended to unleash his troops in great plunder. Alarm spread in waves, and popular sentiment was shaken with terror. Of the scholars in the capital, not one in ten remained. Most had fled and hidden, and none dared go out. The palace guard stood empty, and official posts lay abandoned. When Rong heard of this, he submitted a memorial apologizing for his fault. The Supreme King requested posthumous imperial honors; princes and inspectors requested posthumous appointment to the Three Dukes; those of third rank requested posthumous appointment as Director or Vice Director; fifth-rank officials each requested posthumous appointment as regional governor; those of sixth rank and below, and commoners, requested posthumous enfeoffment as commandery or garrison lord. For the dead who had no heirs, adoption was permitted and enfeoffment was granted at once. Their ranks were balanced high and low, graded by degree and category, so that grace reached both the living and the dead and comfort was given to both life and death. An edict approved his memorial. He also petitioned the emperor to send envoys to tour the city and offer consolation. Thereupon popular sentiment settled, and court officials who had fled also gradually returned to the palace. Rong also memorialized requesting rotating duty: on the first and fifteenth of each month, to summon the Three Dukes, Directors, Vice Directors, Masters of Writing, the Nine Ministers, and the officials in charge of Sizhou, Henan, Luoyang, and Heyin to discuss state affairs as a regular practice.

五月，榮還晉陽，乃令元天穆向京，為侍中、太尉公、錄尚書事、京畿大都督，兼領軍將軍，封上党王，樹置腹心在列職，舉止所為，皆由其意。七月，詔加榮柱國大將軍。

In the fifth month Rong returned to Jinyang and sent Yuan Tianmu to the capital as Palace Attendant, Grand Marshal, Director of the Masters of Writing Affairs, Supreme Commander of the Capital Region, and concurrently General of the Palace Garrison, enfeoffed as Prince of Shangdang. He planted trusted men in official posts, and their conduct followed his will. In the seventh month an edict added to Rong the title of Pillar-of-State Grand General.

時葛榮向京師，眾號百萬。州刺史李神俊閉門自守。榮率精騎七千，馬皆有副，倍道兼行，東出滏口。而與葛榮眾寡非敵。葛榮聞之，喜見於色，乃令其眾辦長繩，至便縛取。自鄴以北，列陣數十里，箕張而進。榮潛軍山谷為奇兵，分督將已上三人為一處，處有數百騎，令所在揚塵鼓噪，使賊不測多少。又以人馬逼戰，刀不如棒。密勒軍士，馬上各齎袖棒一枚，至戰時，慮廢騰逐，不聽斬級，使以棒，棒之而已。乃分命壯勇，所當衝突。號令嚴明，將士同奮。身自陷陣，出於賊後，表裏合擊，大破之。于陣禽葛榮，餘眾悉降。榮恐其疑懼，乃普令各從所樂，親屬相隨，任所居止。於是群情喜悅，登即四散，數十萬眾，一朝散盡。待出百里之外，乃始分道押領，隨便安置，咸得其宜。獲其渠帥，量才授用，新附者咸安。時人服其處分機速。乃檻車送葛榮赴闕。詔加榮大丞相、都督河北畿外諸軍事。初，榮將討葛榮，軍次襄垣，遂大獵，有雙兔起于馬前，榮彎弓誓之曰：「中則禽葛榮，不中則否。」既而並應弦而殪，三軍咸悅。及後，命立碑於其所，號雙兔碑。又將戰，夜夢一人從葛榮索千牛刀，葛榮初不肯與，此人自稱己是道武皇帝，葛榮乃奉刀，此人手持授榮。寤而喜。自知必勝。又詔以冀州之長樂、相州之南趙、定州之博陵、滄州之浮陽、平州之遼西、燕州之上穀、幽州之漁陽七郡，各萬戶，通前滿十萬。為太原國邑，又加位太師。

At the time Ge Rong was marching on the capital, his host claiming a million men. Inspector Li Shenjun of the province closed the gates and held in self-defense. Rong led seven thousand elite cavalry, each horse with a spare mount, marching at double speed east out of Fuyu Pass. Yet compared with Ge Rong his forces were no match in numbers. When Ge Rong heard of this, joy showed on his face. He ordered his troops to prepare long ropes—to bind and capture them on arrival. From Ye northward he arrayed his lines for several tens of li, advancing with wings spread like a winnowing basket. Rong hid troops in the valleys as a surprise force, grouping area commanders and above three to a unit, each with several hundred cavalry, ordering them to raise dust and clamor everywhere so the bandits could not gauge their numbers. He also held that in close combat between men and horses, blades were inferior to clubs. He secretly ordered each soldier to carry a sleeve club on horseback. When battle came, fearing pursuit would be wasted on taking heads, he forbade decapitation and had them use clubs—club them and that was all. He then assigned the strong and brave to the points of impact. Commands were stern and clear, and officers and soldiers fought as one. He personally plunged into the formation and emerged behind the bandits. Inner and outer forces struck together and routed them utterly. On the field he captured Ge Rong, and the remaining host all submitted. Rong feared they would grow suspicious and afraid and therefore broadly ordered each to follow his own wish, kin accompanying kin, free to settle where they would. Thereupon the mass sentiment was joyful. At once they scattered in all directions—several hundred thousand men dispersed in a single morning. Only after they had gone beyond a hundred li did he begin to divide routes and escort them, settling each as suited—all found their proper place. He captured their chieftains, assigned posts according to talent, and the newly attached were all reassured. People of the time admired his swift and decisive handling. He then sent Ge Rong to the capital in a caged cart. An edict added to Rong the titles of Grand Chancellor and area commander over all military affairs in Hebei and beyond the capital region. Earlier, when Rong was about to campaign against Ge Rong, the army halted at Xiangyuan and held a great hunt. A pair of hares rose before his horse. Rong bent his bow and vowed: "If I hit them, I shall capture Ge Rong; if not, I shall not." Both then fell to the bowstring, and the whole army rejoiced. Later he ordered a stele erected at that place, called the Twin Hares Stele. Again before battle he dreamed that a man demanded the imperial blade from Ge Rong. Ge Rong at first refused. The man declared himself Emperor Daowu; Ge Rong then presented the blade, and the man handed it to Rong. Awakening, he was pleased. He knew he would surely win. Another edict granted seven commanderies—Changle of Jizhou, Nanzhao of Xiangzhou, Boling of Dingzhou, Fuyang of Cangzhou, Liaoxi of Pingzhou, Shanggu of Yanzhou, and Yuyang of Youzhou—each ten thousand households, together with prior grants totaling one hundred thousand. This formed the fief-state of Taiyuan, and he was further given the rank of Grand Preceptor.

建義初，北海王元顥南奔梁，梁立為魏主，資以兵將。時邢杲以三齊應顥。朝廷以顥孤弱，永安二年春，詔元天穆先平齊地，然後征顥。顥乘虛徑進，榮陽、武牢並不守，車駕出居河北。榮聞之，馳傳朝行宮於上党之長子，輿駕於是南趣。榮為前驅，旬日之間，兵馬大集。天穆克平邢杲，亦度河以會。車駕幸河內。榮與顥相持於河上，無船不得即度。議欲還北，更圖後舉。黃門郎楊侃、高道穆等並固執以為不可。屬馬渚諸楊雲有小船數艘，求為鄉導。榮乃令都督尒硃兆等率精騎夜濟。顥奔。車駕度河，入居華林園。詔加榮天柱大將軍，增封通前二十萬戶，加前後部羽葆鼓吹。

At the start of the Jianyi era, Prince of Beihai Yuan Hao fled south to Liang. Liang enthroned him as ruler of Wei and supplied him with troops and generals. At the time Xing Gao raised the Three Qis in response to Hao. The court judged Hao isolated and weak. In the spring of the second year of Yong'an an edict ordered Yuan Tianmu first to pacify Qi territory, then campaign against Hao. Hao seized the opening and pressed straight forward. Rongyang and Wulao both went undefended, and the imperial carriage withdrew north of the river. When Rong heard of this, he raced by post to attend the traveling palace at Changzi in Shangdang. The imperial carriage thereupon turned south. Rong served as vanguard. Within ten days troops and horses massed in great numbers. Tianmu conquered and pacified Xing Gao and also crossed the river to join him. The imperial carriage visited Henei. Rong and Hao faced each other across the river. Without boats they could not cross at once. Some deliberated on returning north to plan a later effort. Attendant Gentleman Yang Kan, Gao Daomu, and others all stubbornly held that this could not be done. It happened that Yang Yun of Mazhu had several small boats and offered to serve as guide. Rong then ordered area commander Er Zhurong Zhao and others to lead elite cavalry across by night. Hao fled. The imperial carriage crossed the river and entered to dwell in Hualin Garden. An edict added to Rong the title of Pillar-of-Heaven Grand General, increased his fief by two hundred thousand households including prior grants, and added front and rear feathered banners and drum-and-flute escort.

榮尋還晉陽，遙制朝廷，親戚腹心，皆補要職，百僚朝廷動靜，莫不以申。至於除授，皆須榮許，然後得用。莊帝雖受制權臣，而勤政事，朝夕省納，孜孜不已。數自理冤獄，親覽辭訟。又選司多濫，與吏部尚書李神俊議正綱紀。而榮乃大相嫌責。曾關補定州曲陽縣令，神俊以階縣不奏，別更擬人。榮大怒，即遣其所補者往奪其任。榮使入京，雖復微蔑，朝貴見之，莫不傾靡。及至闕下，未得通奏，恃榮威勢，至乃忿怒。神俊遂上表遜位。榮欲用世隆攝選，上亦不違。榮曾啟北人為河內諸州，欲為掎角勢，上不即從。天穆入見論事，上猶未許。天穆曰：「天柱既有大功，為國宰相，若請普代天下官屬，恐陛下亦不得違。如何啟數人為州，便停不用？」帝正色曰：「天柱若不為人臣，朕亦須代；如其猶存臣節，無代天下百官理。」榮聞，大怒曰：「天子由誰得立？今乃不用我！」語皇后復嫌內妃嬪甚有妒恨之事。帝遣世隆語以大理，後曰：「天子由我家置立，今便如此。我父本日即自作，今亦復決？」世隆曰：「兄止自不為，若本自作，臣今亦得封王。」帝既外迫強臣，內逼皇后，恆怏怏不以萬乘為貴。

Rong soon returned to Jinyang and controlled the court from afar. Kin and trusted men filled key posts, and the movements of the hundred officials and the court were all reported to him. As for appointments and dismissals, all required Rong's approval before they could take effect. Though Emperor Zhuang was constrained by the powerful minister, he diligently attended to affairs of state, reviewing and accepting matters morning and evening without cease. He repeatedly personally cleared wrongful cases and reviewed petitions and lawsuits. The selection offices were much abused, and he discussed with Director of the Ministry of Personnel Li Shenjun correcting discipline and order. But Rong greatly resented and rebuked this. Once he intervened to appoint the magistrate of Quyang County in Dingzhou. Shenjun, because it was a county of lower grade, did not memorialize it and proposed someone else instead. Rong was greatly enraged and immediately sent the man he had appointed to seize the post. When Rong's envoys entered the capital, though they were again somewhat contemptuous, the court grandees who saw them all bowed and yielded. When they reached the palace gates and could not get their memorials through, relying on Rong's prestige and power they even grew angry. Shenjun thereupon submitted a memorial yielding his post. Rong wished to have Shilong act as interim selection officer, and the emperor did not oppose this. Rong once petitioned to appoint northerners to the various provinces of Henei, seeking a pincer formation, but the emperor did not immediately comply. Tianmu entered audience to discuss the matter, but the emperor still did not grant it. Tianmu said: "The Pillar of Heaven has already achieved great merit and serves as the state's chancellor—if he requested to replace all officials under heaven, I fear Your Majesty could not refuse either. How then, when he petitions for a few men as provincial governors, can you halt and not use them? The emperor said sternly: "If the Pillar of Heaven is no longer a subject, I too must be replaced; if he still preserves the integrity of a subject, there is no reason to replace all officials under heaven." When Rong heard this, he raged: "By whose agency did the Son of Heaven gain the throne? And now he will not use me!" He spoke to the empress, who again resented the inner consorts and harbored much jealousy and hatred. The emperor sent Shilong to explain the larger principle. The empress said: "The Son of Heaven was installed by our house—now it comes to this. My father could have made himself ruler that very day—is the matter still undecided? Shilong said: "My elder brother simply chose not to do so—if he had made himself ruler from the start, I too would now be enfeoffed as a prince." The emperor, pressed without by the powerful minister and within by the empress, was constantly discontent and did not regard the imperial throne as precious.

先是，葛榮枝党韓婁仍據幽、平二州，榮遣都督侯深討斬之。時万俟醜奴、蕭寶夤擁眾豳、涇，榮遣其從子天光為雍州刺史，令率都督賀拔岳、侯莫陳悅等入關討之。天光至雍州，以眾少未進。榮大怒，遣其騎兵參軍劉貴馳驛詣軍，加天光杖罰。天光等大懼，乃進討，連破之，禽醜奴、寶夤，並檻車送闕。天光又禽王慶雲、万俟道樂，關中悉平。於是天下大難便盡。莊帝恆不慮外寇，唯恐榮為逆。常時諸方未定，欲使與之相持。及告捷之日，乃不甚喜，謂尚書令、臨淮王彧曰：「即今天下，便是無賊？」臨淮見帝色不悅，曰：「臣恐賊平以後，方勞聖慮。」帝畏餘人怪，還以他語解之，曰：「其實撫甯荒余，彌成不易。」

Earlier, Han Lou, a remnant of Ge Rong's faction, still held the two provinces of You and Ping. Rong sent area commander Hou Shen to campaign against and behead him. At the time Moqi Chounu and Xiao Baoyin held masses in Bin and Jing. Rong sent his nephew Tiangguang as Inspector of Yongzhou, ordering him to lead area commanders Heba Yue, Houmochen Yue, and others to enter the passes and campaign against them. Tiangguang reached Yongzhou but did not advance because his forces were too few. Rong was greatly enraged and sent his Cavalry Adjutant Liu Gui by post to the army to have Tiangguang beaten. Tiangguang and the others were greatly afraid and advanced to campaign, defeating them in succession, capturing Chounu and Baoyin, and sending both to the capital in caged carts. Tiangguang also captured Wang Qingyun and Moqi Daoluo, and all of Guanzhong was pacified. Thereupon the great calamities of the realm were at an end. Emperor Zhuang constantly gave no thought to foreign invaders and feared only that Rong would rebel. While the various regions were still unsettled, he wished to keep them in mutual stalemate. On the day victory was reported, he was not greatly pleased and said to Director of the Masters of Writing, Prince of Linhuai Yu: "So the realm is now entirely free of bandits?" Prince of Linhuai, seeing the emperor's displeased expression, said: "Your servant fears that after the bandits are pacified, Your Majesty's concerns will only begin." The emperor, fearing others would find it strange, explained with other words: "In truth, pacifying and settling the devastated remnants is all the more difficult."

榮好射獵，不舍寒暑，法禁嚴重。若一鹿出，乃有數人殞命。曾有一人，見猛獸便走，謂曰：「欲求活邪！」遂即斬之。自此獵如登戰場。曾見一猛獸在窮穀中，乃令餘人重衣空手搏之，不令復損。於是數人被殺，遂禽得之。持此而樂焉。列圍而進，雖阻險不得回避，其下甚苦之。

Rong loved hunting and shooting, never ceasing winter or summer. Regulations and prohibitions were severe. If a single deer appeared, several men might lose their lives. Once a man, seeing a fierce beast, fled. Rong said to him: "Do you wish to live!" He thereupon cut off his head. From then on, hunting was like entering a battlefield. Once he saw a fierce beast in a remote ravine and ordered the others, in heavy clothing and empty-handed, to wrestle it, forbidding them to harm it further. Several men were killed in the attempt, but at last the beast was captured. He took pleasure in such things. He arrayed the encirclement and advanced. Though the terrain was obstructive, his men could not avoid it, and those below suffered greatly.

太宰元天穆從容言榮勳業，宜調政養人。榮便攘肘謂天穆曰：「太后女主，不能自正，推奉天子者，此是人臣常節。葛容之徒，本是奴才，乘時作亂，譬如奴走，禽獲便休。頃來受國大寵，未能混一海內，何宜今日便言勳也？如聞朝士猶自寬縱，今秋欲共兄戒勒士馬，校獵嵩原，令貪汙朝貴，入圍搏虎。仍出魯陽，曆三荊，悉擁生蠻，北填六鎮。回軍之際，因平汾胡。明年簡練精騎，分出江、淮，蕭衍若降，乞萬戶侯；如其不降，徑度數千騎，便往縛取。待六合寧一，八表無塵，然後共兄奉天子巡四方，觀風俗，布政教，如此乃可稱勳耳。今若止獵，兵士懈怠，安可復用也？」

Grand Preceptor Yuan Tianmu calmly spoke of Rong's achievements and said he ought to adjust governance and nurture the people. Rong then dug his elbow into Tianmu and said: "The empress dowager, a woman ruler, could not set herself right. To raise up and support the Son of Heaven—this is the constant duty of a subject. Men such as Ge Rong were originally slaves who seized the moment to rebel—like a runaway slave, once captured the matter ends. Recently I have received the state's great favor yet have not unified the realm within the four seas—how is it fitting to speak of merit today? I hear the court officials are still indulgent and lax. This autumn I wish to join you, elder brother, in drilling troops and horses, holding a hunt on Songyuan, and making the corrupt court grandees enter the ring to wrestle tigers. Then march out from Luyang, pass through the Three Jings, gather all the raw barbarians, and fill the Six Garrisons in the north. On the return march, pacify the Fen Hu along the way. Next year select and drill elite cavalry and dispatch them south of the Yangtze and Huai. If Xiao Yan submits, I request a marquisate of ten thousand households; if he does not submit, cross directly with several thousand cavalry and go bind and capture him. Wait until the six directions are at peace and the eight regions are without dust. Then together with you, elder brother, escort the Son of Heaven on a tour of the four quarters, observe customs, and spread governance and teaching—only then may one speak of merit. If we now stop hunting, the soldiers will grow slack—how can they be used again?"

及見四方無事，乃遣人奏曰：「參軍許周勸臣取九錫，臣惡其此言，已發遣令去。」榮時望得殊禮，故以意諷朝廷。帝實不欲與之，因稱其忠。榮見帝年長明悟，為眾所歸，欲移自近，皆使由己。每因醉雲，入將天子，拜謁金陵後，還復恆朔。而侍中硃元龍輒從尚書索太和中遷京故事，於是復有移都消息。

When he saw the four quarters were at peace, he sent a man to memorialize: "Adjutant Xu Zhou urged me to accept the Nine Bestowals. I detested these words and have already sent him away." Rong at the time hoped for extraordinary honors and therefore hinted at this to the court. The emperor in truth did not wish to grant them and therefore praised his loyalty. Rong saw that the emperor was grown, perceptive, and the object of popular allegiance. He wished to keep him close and have all matters pass through himself. Whenever he was drunk as a cloud, he would enter and take the emperor to pay homage at Jinling, then return for the regular dawn audience. But Palace Attendant Zhu Yuanlong repeatedly requested from the Masters of Writing the precedents for moving the capital in the Taihe era, and rumors of moving the capital arose again.

榮乃暫來向京，言看皇后娩難。帝懲河陰之事，終恐難保，乃與城陽王徽、侍中楊侃、李彧、尚書右僕射元羅謀，皆勸帝刺殺之。唯膠東侯李侃晞、濟陰王暉業言榮若來，必有備，恐不可圖。又欲殺其黨與，發兵拒之。帝疑未定，而京師人懷憂懼，中書侍郎邢子才之徒，已避之東出。榮乃遍與朝士書，相任留。中書舍人溫子升以書呈帝，帝恆望其不來，及見書，以榮必來，色甚不悅。武衛將軍奚毅，建義初往來通命，帝每期之甚重，然以為榮通親，不敢與之言情。毅曰：「若必有變，臣甯死陛下難，不能事契胡。」帝曰：「朕保天柱無異心，亦不忘卿忠款。」

Rong then came temporarily toward the capital, saying he wished to attend the empress's childbirth. The emperor, chastened by the Heyin affair, ultimately feared he could not preserve himself and plotted with Prince of Chengyang Hui, Palace Attendant Yang Kan, Li Yu, and Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Yuan Luo—all urged the emperor to assassinate Rong. Only Marquis of Jiaodong Li Kanxi and Prince of Jiyin Huiye said that if Rong came he would surely be prepared and the plot might not succeed. They also wished to kill his faction and raise troops to resist him. The emperor hesitated and had not decided, while people in the capital were filled with worry and fear. Attendant Gentleman of the Masters of Writing Xing Zicai and others had already fled eastward. Rong then wrote letters to all court officials, mutually urging them to remain. Secretary of the Masters of Writing Wen Zisheng presented the letter to the emperor. The emperor had constantly hoped Rong would not come, but upon seeing the letter judged that Rong would surely come, and his expression darkened. General of the Martial Guard Xi Yi had gone back and forth conveying orders in the early Jianyi era, and the emperor always valued him highly, yet because he was Rong's close kin dared not confide his feelings to him. Yi said: "If disaster must come, your servant would rather die in Your Majesty's peril than serve the Qi-hu." The emperor said: "I guarantee the Pillar of Heaven harbors no second heart, and I shall not forget your loyal devotion."

三年八月，榮將四五千騎，發并州向京。時人皆言其反，復道天子必應圖之。九月初，榮至京。有人告雲，帝欲圖之。榮即具奏。帝曰：「外人亦言王欲害我，豈可信之？」於是榮不自疑，每入謁帝，從人不過數十，皆不持兵仗。帝欲止，城陽王曰：「縱不反，亦何可耐？況何可保耶？」又北人語訛，語「尒硃」為「人主」。上又聞其在北言，我姓人主。先是，長星出中台，掃大角，恆州人高榮祖頗明天文，榮問之曰：「是何祥也？」答曰：「除舊佈新象也。昔長星掃大角，秦以之亡。」榮聞之悅。又榮下行台郎中李顯和曾曰：「天柱至，那無九錫，安須王自索也？亦是天子不見機！」都督郭羅察曰：「今年真可作禪文，何但九錫。」參軍褚光曰：「人言并州城上有紫氣，何慮天柱不應。」榮下人皆陵侮帝左右，無所忌憚，其事皆上聞。奚毅又見，求聞。帝即下明光殿與語。帝又疑其為榮，不告以情。及知毅赤誠，乃召城陽王徽及楊侃、李彧，告以毅語。榮小女嫁與帝兄子陳留王，小字伽邪。榮嘗指之曰：「我終當得此女婿力。」徽又云：「榮慮陛下終為此患，脫有東宮，必貪立孩幼。若皇后不生太子，則立陳留以安天下。」並言榮指陳留語狀。帝既有圖榮意，夜夢手持一刀自害，落十指節，都不覺痛。惡之，以告城陽王徽及楊侃。徽解夢曰：「蝮蛇螫手，壯士解腕。割指節與解腕何異？去患乃是吉祥。」聞者皆言善。

In the eighth month of the third year, Rong led four or five thousand cavalry from Bingzhou toward the capital. People of the time all said he was rebelling, and again said the emperor must surely be plotting against him. At the beginning of the ninth month Rong reached the capital. Someone reported that the emperor intended to plot against him. Rong immediately submitted a full memorial. The emperor said: "Outsiders also say Your Highness wishes to harm me—how can such things be believed?" Thereupon Rong did not suspect himself. Whenever he entered audience with the emperor, his followers numbered no more than several tens and none carried weapons. The emperor wished to stop, but Prince of Chengyang said: "Even if he does not rebel, how can he be endured? Moreover, how can he be trusted?" Also among northerners speech was corrupted—they pronounced "Erzhu" as "ruler." The emperor also heard that in the north Rong said, "My surname is Ruler." Earlier, a comet appeared from the Central Terrace and swept the Great Horn. Gao Rongzu of Hengzhou was well versed in astronomy, and Rong asked him: "What omen is this?" He answered: "It is the sign of removing the old and spreading the new. In former times when a comet swept the Great Horn, Qin perished because of it." When Rong heard this he was pleased. Also Li Xianhe, a gentleman of Rong's mobile headquarters, once said: "When the Pillar of Heaven arrives, how could there be no Nine Bestowals—why must Your Highness ask for them himself? It is also that the emperor does not see the moment!" Area commander Guo Luocha said: "This year one could truly compose an abdication document—why stop at the Nine Bestowals?" Adjutant Chu Guang said: "People say purple vapor rises above Bingzhou city—why worry that the Pillar of Heaven will not respond?" All of Rong's subordinates insulted and humiliated those at the emperor's side without restraint, and all these matters reached the emperor's ears. Xi Yi again had audience and requested a private hearing. The emperor immediately descended to the Mingguang Hall to speak with him. The emperor again suspected he was acting for Rong and did not confide the truth. When he learned of Yi's sincere loyalty, he summoned Prince of Chengyang Hui, Yang Kan, and Li Yu and told them what Yi had said. Rong's younger daughter was married to the emperor's elder brother's son, Prince of Chenliu, styled Jiaye. Rong once pointed to him and said: "I shall ultimately gain this son-in-law's strength." Hui also said: "Rong fears Your Majesty will ultimately become this trouble. If there is an Eastern Palace heir, he will surely be eager to enthrone a child. If the empress does not bear a crown prince, then he will enthrone Chenliu to settle the realm." He also reported Rong's words and gestures regarding Chenliu. The emperor, already intending to plot against Rong, dreamed that he held a blade and cut himself, severing the joints of ten fingers yet feeling no pain at all. He found it ominous and told Prince of Chengyang Hui and Yang Kan. Hui interpreted the dream: "When a viper stings the hand, the stalwart cuts off his wrist. Severing finger joints—how is it different from cutting the wrist? Removing the affliction is in fact auspicious." All who heard said it was well said.

九月十五日，天穆到京，駕迎之。榮與天穆並從入西林園燕射。榮乃奏曰：「近來侍官皆不習武，陛下宜將五百騎出獵，因省辭訟。」先是奚毅言榮因獵挾天子移都，至是，其言相符。至十八日，召中書舍人溫子升告以殺榮狀，並問以殺董卓事。子升具通本，上曰：「王允若即赦涼州人，必不應至此。」良久，語子升曰：「朕之情理，卿所具知，死猶須為，況必不死！甯與高貴鄉公同日死，不與常道鄉公同日生。」上謂殺榮、天穆，即赦其党，便應不動。應詔王道習曰：「尒硃世隆、司馬子如、硃元龍比來偏被委付，具知天下虛實，謂不宜留。」城陽王及楊侃曰：「若世隆不全，仲遠、天光豈有來理？」帝亦謂然，無復殺意。城陽曰：「榮數征伐，腰間有刀，或能狠戾傷人。臨事，願陛下出。」乃伏侃等十餘人於明光殿東。其日，榮與天穆併入，坐食未訖，起出。侃等從東階上殿，見榮、天穆出至中庭，事不果。十九日是帝忌日。二十日榮忌日。二十一日，暫入，即向陳留王家，飲酒極醉。遂言病動，頻日不入。上謀頗泄，世隆等以告榮。榮輕帝，不謂能反。預帝謀者皆懼。二十五日旦，榮、天穆同入，其日大欲革易。上在明光殿東序中西面坐，榮與天穆並御床西北小床上南坐，城陽入，始一拜。榮見光祿卿魯安等持刀從東戶入，即馳向御坐，帝拔千牛刀，手斬之，時年三十八。得其手板上有數牒啟，皆左右去留人名，非其腹心，悉在出限。帝曰：「豎子！若過今日，便不可制。」時又天穆與榮子菩提亦就戮，於是內外喜叫，聲滿京城。既而大赦。

On the fifteenth day of the ninth month Tianmu reached the capital, and the imperial carriage went to welcome him. Rong and Tianmu together followed into Xilin Garden for banquet and archery. Rong then memorialized: "Recently the palace attendants are all unskilled in martial arts. Your Majesty ought to take five hundred cavalry out hunting and thereby review petitions and lawsuits." Earlier Xi Yi had said Rong would use the hunt to seize the emperor and move the capital. At this, his words matched. On the eighteenth he summoned Secretary of the Masters of Writing Wen Zisheng and told him the plan to kill Rong, also asking about the killing of Dong Zhuo. Zisheng fully explained the original account. The emperor said: "If Wang Yun had at once pardoned the men of Liangzhou, things would surely not have reached this pass." After a long while he said to Zisheng: "My feelings and reasoning you fully know—even if death were certain I must act, how much more when death is not certain! Better to die on the same day as Duke of Gaoguixiang than to live on the same day as Duke of Changdaoxiang." The emperor held that if Rong and Tianmu were killed and their faction pardoned at once, they would surely not stir. In response to an edict Wang Daoxi said: "Er Zhurong Shilong, Sima Ziru, and Zhu Yuanlong have recently been especially entrusted and fully know the realm's strengths and weaknesses—I hold they should not be kept." Prince of Chengyang and Yang Kan said: "If Shilong is not spared whole, how could Zhongyuan and Tiangguang have reason to come?" The emperor also judged this correct and no longer harbored intent to kill them. Prince of Chengyang said: "Rong has campaigned many times and wears a blade at his waist—he may violently harm someone. When the moment comes, I wish Your Majesty to withdraw." He then hid Kan and more than ten others east of the Mingguang Hall. That day Rong and Tianmu entered together. Before they had finished eating they rose and went out. Kan and the others ascended the hall by the eastern steps. Seeing Rong and Tianmu go out to the central courtyard, the affair did not succeed. The nineteenth was the emperor's death anniversary. The twentieth was Rong's death anniversary. On the twenty-first he entered briefly, then went straight to Prince of Chenliu's house and drank until utterly drunk. He then claimed his illness was acting up and for several days did not enter. The emperor's plot leaked somewhat, and Shilong and the others reported it to Rong. Rong looked down on the emperor and did not think he could rebel. All who shared in the emperor's plot were afraid. At dawn on the twenty-fifth Rong and Tianmu entered together. That day the great change was intended. The emperor sat facing west in the western section of the eastern wing of the Mingguang Hall. Rong and Tianmu both sat facing south on a small couch northwest of the imperial bed. Prince of Chengyang entered and bowed once. Rong saw Director of the Imperial Household Lu An and others enter with blades from the eastern door and immediately rushed toward the imperial seat. The emperor drew the imperial blade and cut him down with his own hand. Rong was thirty-eight years old. On his hand board were found several memorials and reports—all names of those at court to be dismissed or retained. None of his trusted inner circle; all were marked for removal. The emperor said: "Wretched brat! If he had passed this day, he could no longer have been controlled." At the same time Tianmu and Rong's son Puti were also executed. Thereupon rejoicing shouts within and without filled the capital. Soon afterward a general amnesty was proclaimed.

榮雖威名大振，而舉止輕脫，止以馳射為伎藝，每入朝見，更無所為，唯戲上下馬。于西林園宴射，恆請皇后出觀，並召王公妃主，共在一堂。每見天子射中，輒自起舞叫，將相卿士，悉皆盤旋，乃至妃主婦人，亦不免隨之舉袂。及酒酣耳熱，必自匡坐，唱虜歌，為《樹梨普梨》之曲。見臨淮王彧從容閒雅，愛尚風素，固令為敕勒舞。日暮罷歸，便與左右聯手蹋地，唱《回波樂》而出。性甚嚴暴，慍喜無恆，弓箭刀槊，不離於手，每有瞋嫌，即行忍害，左右恆有死憂。曾欲出獵，有人訴之，披陳不已，發怒，即射殺之。曾見沙彌重騎一馬，榮即令相觸，力窮不復能動，遂使傍人以頭相擊，死而後已。

Though Rong's prestige and fame were greatly raised, his conduct was frivolous and unrestrained. He regarded only riding and shooting as his art, and whenever he entered court audience he did nothing else but play at mounting and dismounting. At banquets and archery in Xilin Garden, he always insisted the empress come out to watch, and gathered princes, dukes, imperial consorts, and princesses together in a single hall. Whenever the emperor's arrow found its mark, Rong would leap up dancing and shouting. Generals, ministers, and courtiers spun in circles, and even consorts and noblewomen could not help lifting their sleeves and joining in. Once the wine had gone to his head, he would sit bolt upright and sing barbarian songs, performing the tune "Shuli Puli." Seeing Prince of Linhuai Yu's easy grace and taste for plain elegance, he ordered him to perform the Tiele dance. When the day's sport ended at dusk, he would link arms with his attendants, stamp the ground in rhythm, and leave singing "Huibo Le." He was ferociously violent, his moods swinging without warning. Bow, arrows, sword, and spear never left his hand, and at the slightest provocation he killed without hesitation. Those around him lived in constant dread of death. Once, as he was about to go hunting, a petitioner kept pressing his case without end. Rong flew into a rage and shot him dead on the spot. Once he saw two novice monks sharing a single horse. Rong had them charge at each other until both collapsed from exhaustion, then ordered bystanders to bash their heads together until they were dead.

節閔帝初，世隆等得志，乃詔贈假黃鉞、相國、錄尚書、都督中外諸軍事、晉王，加九錫，給九旒鑾輅，武賁班劍三百人，轀輬車，准晉太宰、安平獻王故事，諡曰武。又詔百官議榮配饗，司直劉季明曰：「晉王若配永安，則不能終臣節。以此論之，無所配。」世隆作色曰：「卿合配？」季明曰：「下官預在議限，據理而言，不合上心，誅翦唯命。」眾為之危，季明自若。世隆意不已，乃配享孝文廟庭。

Early in Emperor Jiemin's reign, once Shilong and his faction had secured power, an edict posthumously ennobled Rong with the yellow battle-axe, the chancellorship, the directorship of the Masters of Writing, supreme command of all armies, and the title Prince of Jin, together with the full Nine Bestowals—the nine-tassel carriage, three hundred ceremonial sword-bearers, and the imperial hearse—on the model of Jin's Grand Preceptor, Duke Xian of Anping, with the posthumous name Wu. A further edict called on the court to decide with whom Rong should share sacrificial honors. Direct Censor Liu Jiming argued: "If the Prince of Jin were paired with Emperor Yong'an, he could not have remained a loyal subject to the end. By that logic, there was no appropriate match at all. Shilong's expression darkened. "Perhaps you think you deserve a place in the temple?" Jiming replied: "I am among those whose views were solicited. I speak as reason dictates. If that displeases you, I submit to whatever punishment you decree." The whole assembly feared for his life, but Jiming showed not a trace of alarm. Shilong would not let the matter drop, and Rong was given paired sacrifice in Emperor Xiaowen's temple.

菩提位太常卿、開府儀同三司、侍中、特進。死時年十四。節閔帝初，加贈司徒，諡曰惠。

Puti held the offices of Grand Master of Ceremonies, Grand General with privileges equal to the Three Dukes, Palace Attendant, and Special Advance. He was fourteen when he died. Early in Emperor Jiemin's reign, he was posthumously promoted to Grand Steward and given the posthumous name Hui.

菩提弟叉羅，武衛將軍、梁郡王。尋卒，贈司空公。

Puti's younger brother Chaluo served as General of the Martial Guard and Prince of Liang Commandery. He died soon afterward and was posthumously ennobled as Duke of the Grand Marshal.

尒硃文暢

Er Zhu Wenchang

尒硃文略

Er Zhu Wenlue

弟文略，以兄叉羅卒無後，襲叉羅爵梁郡王。文暢事當從坐，靜帝使人往晉陽，欲拉殺之。神武特加寬貸，奏免之。文略聰明俊爽，多所通習。齊文襄嘗令章永興馬上彈琵琶，奏十餘曲，試使文略寫之，遂得八。文襄戲之曰：「聰明人多不老壽，梁郡其慎之！」文略對曰：「命之修短，皆在明公。」文襄愴然曰：「此不足慮。」初，神武遣令恕文略十死，恃此益橫，多所陵忽。齊天保末，嘗邀平秦、武興、汝南諸王至宅，供設奢麗，各有贈賄。諸王共假聚寶物以要之，文略弊衣而往，從奴五十人，皆駿馬侯服。其豪縱不遜如此。平秦王有七百里馬，文略敵以好婢，賭取之。明日，平秦王使人致請，文略殺馬及婢，以二銀器盛婢頭馬肉而遺之。平秦王訴之于文宣，系於京畿獄。文略彈琵琶，吹橫笛，謠詠倦極，便臥唱挽輓歌歌。居數月，奪防者弓矢以射人，曰：「不然，天子不憶我。」有司奏，遂伏法。文略嘗大遺魏收金，請為父作佳傳，收論榮比韋、彭、伊、霍，蓋由是也。

Wenlue, the younger brother, inherited the title Prince of Liang Commandery after Chaluo died without an heir. Wenchang should have been punished as an accomplice; Emperor Jing sent men to Jinyang to beat him to death. Shenwu intervened on his behalf and secured a pardon. Wenlue was brilliant, handsome, and quick-witted, with wide-ranging talents. Once Qi Wencheng had Zhang Yongxing play more than ten pipa pieces on horseback and tested Wenlue by asking him to reproduce them; Wenlue got eight right. Wencheng teased him: "Clever men seldom live long, Prince of Liang Commandery—take care! Wenlue answered: "Whether I live long or die young is entirely in your hands, my lord." Wencheng said wistfully: "That is nothing to worry about." Shenwu had once granted Wenlue immunity from ten capital offenses, and emboldened by this privilege he grew ever more arrogant and contemptuous of others. Late in the Tianbao reign of Qi, he once invited the kings of Pingqin, Wuxing, and Runan to his home, entertained them lavishly, and showered each with gifts. The princes pooled their treasures to put on a show of wealth; Wenlue arrived in threadbare clothes with fifty attendants, every one mounted on a fine horse and dressed like a nobleman. Such was the swaggering insolence of his ways. The Prince of Pingqin owned a horse said to run seven hundred li in a day; Wenlue wagered a beautiful maid against it and won the horse. The next day the Prince of Pingqin sent a messenger to reclaim the horse. Wenlue slaughtered both the horse and the maid, put the maid's head and the horse's flesh in two silver bowls, and sent them back as his reply. The Prince of Pingqin complained to Emperor Wenxuan, and Wenlue was thrown into the capital prison. In prison Wenlue played the pipa, blew the flute, and sang until he was exhausted, then lay down and crooned funeral dirges. After several months he snatched the guards' bow and arrows and shot at people, saying, "Otherwise the emperor will never think of me again. The authorities reported the matter, and he was put to death. Wenlue once paid Wei Shou a large sum in gold to compose a flattering biography of his father—hence Wei Shou's comparison of Rong to the great ministers Wei, Peng, Yi, and Huo.

尒硃兆

Er Zhu Zhao

兆字萬仁，榮從子也。少善騎射，趫捷過人，數從榮遊獵，至窮岩絕澗，人所不能升降者，兆必先之。手格猛獸，無所疑避。榮以此特加賞愛，任為爪牙。榮曾送台使，見二鹿，授兆二箭，令取供今食。遂構火以待之。俄而兆獲其一，榮欲誇使人，責兆不盡取，杖之五十。榮之入洛，兆兼前鋒都督。孝莊即位，封潁川郡公。後從上党王天穆平邢杲。又與賀拔勝擊斬元顥子冠受，禽之。進破安豐王延明，顥乃退走。莊帝還宮，論功除車騎大將軍、儀同三司、汾州刺史。

Zhao, courtesy name Wanren, was Er Zhurong's nephew. From boyhood he was an outstanding horseman and archer, more agile than anyone around him. On Rong's hunting expeditions, wherever the terrain was sheer cliff or impassable gorge, Zhao was always the first to go. He wrestled wild beasts bare-handed, never flinching. Rong prized him all the more for this and made him his right-hand man. Once, while seeing off an imperial envoy, Rong spotted two deer and handed Zhao two arrows, telling him to bring them back for the evening meal. Zhao built a fire and waited. Before long Zhao brought back one deer. Wanting to show off before the envoy, Rong berated him for failing to take both and had him beaten fifty strokes. When Rong marched into Luoyang, Zhao served as vanguard commander. When Emperor Xiaozhuang took the throne, Zhao was enfeoffed as Duke of Yingchuan Commandery. He later joined Shangdang Prince Tianmu in suppressing Xing Gao. He also fought alongside Heba Sheng, killing and capturing Yuan Hao's son Guanshou. Pressing forward, they routed Prince of Anfeng Yanming, and Yuan Hao fled. After Emperor Xiaozhuang returned to the capital, Zhao was rewarded with the posts of Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, privileges equal to the Three Dukes, and Inspector of Fenzhou.

尒硃榮死，兆自汾州據晉陽。元曄立，授兆大將軍，進爵為王。兆與世隆等定謀攻洛。兆遂輕兵倍道，掩襲京邑。先是，河邊人夢神謂己曰：「尒硃家欲度河，用爾作灅波津令，為之縮水脈。」月餘，夢者死。及兆至，有行人自言知水淺處，以草往往表插而導焉，忽失其所在。兆遂策馬涉度。是日暴風鼓怒，黃塵張天，騎叩宮門，宿衛乃覺。彎弓欲射，袍撥弦，矢不得發，一時散走。莊帝步出雲龍門外，為兆騎所擊，幽于永寧佛寺。兆撲殺皇子，汙辱妃嬪，縱兵虜掠。停洛旬余，先令衛送莊帝于晉陽，兆後於河梁監閱財貨。

After Er Zhurong's death, Zhao moved from Fenzhou and seized Jinyang. When Yuan Ye was enthroned, Zhao was made Grand General and elevated to princely rank. Zhao joined Shilong and the others in plotting an assault on Luoyang. Zhao then raced ahead with a light force and struck the capital by surprise. Earlier, a man living by the river dreamed that a god told him: "The Er Zhu clan intends to cross the river. They will appoint you commander of Zhuobo Ford and make you shrink the waters for them. A little over a month later the dreamer died. When Zhao arrived, a passerby claimed to know where the river was shallow and marked the way by sticking tufts of grass along the route—then vanished without a trace. Zhao spurred his horse into the water and crossed. That day a violent storm rose, yellow dust blotted out the sky, and horsemen were pounding on the palace gates before the guards even realized what was happening. They strung their bows to shoot, but their robes snagged the strings and the arrows would not fly; in moments the guards broke and ran. Emperor Xiaozhuang fled on foot beyond the Cloud Dragon Gate, was overtaken by Zhao's cavalry, and imprisoned in Yongning Buddhist Temple. Zhao beat the imperial princes to death, violated the consorts and concubines, and let his soldiers loot at will. He remained in Luoyong for over ten days, first sending guards to escort Emperor Xiaozhuang to Jinyang while he himself stayed behind at He Bridge to oversee the plunder.

初，兆將入洛，遣使招齊神武，欲與同舉。神武時為晉州刺史，謂長史孫騰曰：「臣而伐君，其逆已甚。我今不往，恐彼致恨，卿可往申吾意，但雲山蜀未平，不可委去。」騰乃詣兆，具申意。兆不悅，曰：「還白高兄弟，有吉夢，今行必克。吾比夢吾亡父登一高堆，堆傍地悉耕熟，唯有馬蘭草株，往往猶在，吾父顧我，令下拔之。吾手所至，無不盡出。以此而言，往必有利。」騰還，具報之。神武曰：「兆等倡狂，舉兵犯順，吾勢不可反事尒硃也。今天子列兵河上，兆進不能度，必退還。吾乘山東下，出其不意，此徒可一舉而禽。」俄而兆克京師，孝莊幽縶，都督尉景從兆南行，以書報神武。神武大驚，召騰，令馳驛詣兆，示以謁賀，密觀天子所在，當于路邀迎，唱大義於天下。騰遇帝于中路，神武時率騎東轉，聞帝已度，於是西還。仍與兆書，具陳禍福，不宜害天子，受惡名於海內。兆怒不納，而帝遂遇弑。

Before entering Luoyang, Zhao sent a messenger to recruit Qi Shenwu, hoping to act in concert with him. Shenwu was then Inspector of Jinyang. He told his chief clerk Sun Teng: "For a subject to attack his sovereign is rebellion in its worst form. If I refuse to go, they will resent it. Go and explain my position—tell them only that the mountains of Shu are not yet pacified and I cannot leave my post. Sun Teng went to Zhao and delivered the message in full. Zhao was displeased. "Go back and tell the Gao brothers," he said, "I have had an auspicious dream. This campaign cannot fail. I dreamed my dead father stood atop a high mound. All the land around it had been plowed smooth, but here and there stalks of malan grass still stood. My father looked at me and told me to go down and pull them up. Every stalk my hand touched came up without exception. By that omen, this expedition is bound to succeed. Sun Teng returned and reported everything Zhao had said. Shenwu said: "Zhao and his kind are mad with ambition, raising arms in rebellion against the throne. In my position I cannot simply submit to the Er Zhu clan. The emperor has massed troops along the river. Zhao will not be able to cross and will have to retreat. I will sweep down from the east and catch them off guard—we can destroy them in a single blow. Before long Zhao seized the capital and Emperor Xiaozhuang was taken prisoner. Commander Wei Jing accompanied Zhao south and wrote to inform Shenwu. Shenwu was deeply alarmed. He summoned Sun Teng and ordered him to ride post-haste to Zhao with congratulations, secretly ascertain the emperor's whereabouts, intercept and rescue him along the road, and proclaim the righteous cause to the realm. Sun Teng met the emperor on the road, but by then Shenwu had already turned his cavalry east; learning the emperor had passed, he wheeled back west. He still wrote to Zhao, laying out the consequences in full—that he must not harm the emperor and earn the hatred of the empire. Zhao angrily rejected the advice, and the emperor was murdered.

初，榮既死，莊帝詔河西人紇豆陵步蕃等，令襲秀容。兆入洛後，步蕃兵勢甚盛，南逼晉陽。兆所以不暇留洛，回師禦之。頻為步蕃所敗，於是部勒士馬，謀出山東，令人頻徵神武。神武晉州僚屬，並勸不行。神武揣其勢迫，必無他慮，決策赴之。兆乃分三州六鎮之人，令神武統領。神武既分兵別營，乃引兵南出，避步蕃之銳。步蕃至樂平郡，神武與兆還討，破斬之。及節閔帝立，授兆使持節、侍中、都督中外諸軍事、柱國大將軍，兼錄尚書事、大行台。又以兆為天柱大將軍，兆以是榮所終之官，固辭不拜。尋加都督十州諸軍事，世襲并州刺史。

After Rong's death, Emperor Xiaozhuang had ordered the Hexi commander Gedouling Bufan and others to attack Xiurong. After Zhao entered Luoyang, Bufan's forces grew formidable and pressed south toward Jinyang. This was why Zhao could not remain in Luoyang—he had to turn back to face Bufan. Suffering repeated defeats at Bufan's hands, Zhao regrouped his forces and planned to move into the eastern provinces, sending repeated summons to Shenwu. Shenwu's advisers in Jinyang all urged him not to go. Shenwu judged that with their backs to the wall they would have no ulterior designs, and decided to go. Zhao then assigned Shenwu command over the troops of the three provinces and six garrisons. Once Shenwu had detached his own force into a separate camp, he marched south to avoid Bufan's main thrust. When Bufan reached Leping Commandery, Shenwu and Zhao turned back, defeated him, and cut off his head. When Emperor Jiemin took the throne, Zhao was appointed Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, supreme commander of all armies, Grand General of the State Pillar, concurrent Recorder of the Masters of Writing, and Grand Commissioner with Full Powers. Zhao was also offered the title Grand General of the Heavenly Pillar—the last office Er Zhurong had held—but he firmly refused on that account. Soon afterward he was further appointed commander of military affairs in ten provinces and hereditary Inspector of Bingzhou.

神武之克殷州也，兆與仲遠、度律約拒之。仲遠、度律次陽平，兆屯廣阿，眾號十萬。神武廣縱反間，於是兩不相信，各致猜疑。仲遠等頻使斛斯椿賀拔勝往喻之。兆輕騎三百，來就仲遠，同坐幕下。兆性粗獷，意色不平，手舞馬鞭，長嘯凝望，深疑仲遠等有變，遂趨出馳還。仲遠遣椿、勝等追而曉譬，兆遂拘縛將還，經日放遣。仲遠等於是奔退。神武乃進擊，兆軍大敗。兆與仲遠、度律遂相疑阻，久而不和。世隆請節閔納兆女為皇后，兆乃大喜。世隆謀抗神武，乃降辭厚禮，喻兆赴洛。兆與天光、度律更自信約，然後大會韓陵山。戰敗，復奔晉陽。其年秋，神武自鄴進討之，兆遂大掠并州，走于秀容。神武又追擊，度赤洪嶺，破之。兆竄於窮山，殺所乘馬，自縊於樹。神武收葬之。

When Shenwu captured Yingzhou, Zhao joined Zhongyuan and Dulü in an agreement to resist him. Zhongyuan and Dulü camped at Yangping while Zhao held Guang'a; their combined forces were said to number one hundred thousand. Shenwu flooded the camps with disinformation, and the allies lost faith in one another, each side growing suspicious of the other. Zhongyuan and his allies repeatedly sent Husichen and Hebasheng to reason with Zhao. Zhao rode in with three hundred light cavalry to meet Zhongyuan, and the two men sat together under the camp awning. Zhao was coarse and wild by nature, and his face darkened. He flourished his riding crop, gave a long whistle, and stared hard into the distance, deeply convinced that Zhongyuan and his allies were plotting treachery. He bolted from the tent and galloped away. Zhongyuan sent Husichen, Hebasheng, and the others in pursuit to reason with him. Zhao seized and bound them and was about to take them away, but after a day he released them. Zhongyuan and his allies thereupon broke and fled. Shenwu then pressed the attack, and Zhao's army was routed. Zhao, Zhongyuan, and Dulü grew mutually suspicious and obstructive, and remained at odds for a long time. Shilong persuaded Emperor Jiemin to take Zhao's daughter as empress, and Zhao was overjoyed. Shilong plotted to resist Shenwu and sent Zhao humble words and lavish gifts to lure him to Luoyang. Zhao renewed his pact of trust with Tiangguang and Dulü, then mustered their combined forces at Hanling Mountain. They were defeated and again fled to Jinyang. That autumn Shenwu marched from Ye to pursue him. Zhao plundered Bingzhou on a vast scale and fled toward Xiurong. Shenwu pursued him again, crossed Chihong Ridge, and defeated him. Zhao fled into the wild mountains, killed his mount, and hanged himself from a tree. Shenwu recovered his body and gave him a proper burial.

兆勇於戰鬥，而無將領之能。榮雖奇其膽決，然每云：「兆不過將三千騎，多則亂矣。」

Zhao was brave in battle but lacked the talent of a commander. Rong admired his bold resolve, yet always said, "Zhao can lead no more than three thousand cavalry—give him more and he falls apart."

兆弟智彪，節閔帝封為安定王。與兆俱走，神武禽之。後死于晉陽。

Zhao's younger brother Zhibiao was enfeoffed as Prince of Anding by Emperor Jiemin. He fled with Zhao and was captured by Shenwu. He later died at Jinyang.

尒硃彥伯

Er Zhurong Yanbo

彥伯，榮從弟也。祖侯真，文成時並、安二州刺史、始昌侯。父買珍，宣武時武衛將軍、華州刺史。

Yanbo was Rong's younger paternal cousin. His grandfather Hou Zhen had served under Emperor Wen Cheng as Inspector of Bing and An provinces and as Marquis of Shichang. His father Mai Zhen had served under Emperor Xuanwu as General of the Martial Guard and Inspector of Huazhou.

彥伯性和厚，永安中，為榮府長史。節閔帝潛嘿于龍花佛寺，彥伯敦喻往來，尤有勤款。帝既立，尒硃兆以己不豫謀，大為忿恚，將攻世隆。詔令華山王鷙慰兆，兆猶不釋。世隆復令彥伯自往喻之，兆乃止。及還，帝宴彥伯于顯陽殿。時侍中源子恭、黃門郎竇瑗並侍坐。彥伯曰：「源侍中比為都督，與臣相持於河內。當爾之時，旗鼓相望，眇如天隔。甯期同事陛下，為今日之忻也？」子恭曰：「蒯通有言，犬吠非其主。他日之事永安，猶今日之事陛下耳。」帝曰：「源侍中可謂有射鉤之心也。」遂令二人極醉而罷。後封博陵郡王，位司徒公。于時炎旱，有勸彥伯解司徒者，乃上表遜位，詔許之。俄除儀同三司、侍中，餘如故。彥伯于兄弟之中，差無過患。天光等敗于韓陵，彥伯欲領兵屯河橋，世隆不從。及張勸等掩襲世隆，彥伯時在禁直。長孫承業等啟陳，神武義功既振，將除尒硃。節閔令舍人郭崇報彥伯知，彥伯狼狽出走，為人所執。尋與世隆同斬於閶闔門外，縣首於斛斯椿門樹，傳于神武。先是洛中謠曰：「三月末，四月初，揚灰簸土覓真珠。」又曰：「頭去項，腳根齊，驅上樹，不須梯。」至是並驗。子敞。

Yanbo was gentle and generous by nature. During the Yong'an era he served as chief clerk in Rong's headquarters. While Emperor Jiemin was held in secret at Longhua Buddhist Temple, Yanbo urged and guided the exchanges between the factions with especial diligence and loyalty. Once the emperor was enthroned, Er Zhurong Zhao, furious that he had not been included in the plot, prepared to attack Shilong. An edict ordered Prince Huashan Zhi to placate Zhao, but Zhao still would not be appeased. Shilong then sent Yanbo in person to reason with him, and Zhao desisted. When Yanbo returned, the emperor held a banquet for him in Xianyang Hall. Palace Attendant Yuan Zigong and Yellow Gate Gentleman Dou Yuan were also in attendance. Yanbo said, "Attendant Yuan, when you were area commander you and I faced each other across the field at Henei. In those days our banners and drums faced each other across a gulf as wide as heaven. Who could have dreamed we would serve Your Majesty together and share this day's joy? Zigong replied, "Kuai Tong once said that a dog barks not for its own master. Serving Emperor Yong'an then is no different from serving Your Majesty now. The emperor said, "Attendant Yuan may truly be said to have the heart of Duke Huan's loyal archer." He then had the two men drink until they were utterly drunk and dismissed the banquet. He was later enfeoffed as Prince of Boling Commandery and appointed Minister Over the Masses. During a severe drought some urged Yanbo to step down as Minister Over the Masses. He memorialized offering his resignation, and the emperor approved it. Soon afterward he was appointed Grand Master for Glorious Happiness and Palace Attendant; his other honors remained unchanged. Among the Er Zhurong brothers, Yanbo was comparatively free of serious faults. When Tiangguang and the others were defeated at Hanling, Yanbo wanted to lead troops to hold Heqiao Bridge, but Shilong refused. When Zhang Quan and the others launched a surprise attack on Shilong, Yanbo was on palace night duty. Changsun Chengye and the others reported that Shenwu's righteous cause was gaining strength and that the Er Zhurong clan would soon be destroyed. Emperor Jiemin ordered Attendant Guo Chong to warn Yanbo, but Yanbo fled in panic and was captured. Soon he was beheaded together with Shilong outside the Changhe Gate. Their heads were hung on the tree at Husichen's gate and sent on to Shenwu. Earlier a song in Luoyang had run, "At the end of the third month, at the start of the fourth, they toss ash and sift dust seeking true pearls." It also said, "The head leaves the neck, the feet level with the roots—drive them up a tree with no need of a ladder." By then both prophecies had come true. His son was Chang.

尒硃敞

Er Zhurong Chang

敞字乾羅。彥伯之誅，敞小，隨母養于宮中。年十二，敞自竇走至大街，見童兒群戲，敞解所著綺羅金翠服，易衣而遁。追騎至，不識敞，便執綺衣兒。比究問知非，會日已暮，由是免。遂入一村，見長孫氏媼，踞胡床坐，敞再拜求哀，長孫氏湣之，藏於復壁之中。購之愈急，追且至，長孫氏資而遣之。遂詐為道士，變姓名，隱嵩高山。略涉經史。數年間，人頗異之。嘗獨坐岩石下，泫然歎曰：「吾豈終此乎！伍子胥獨何人也？」乃奔長安。周文帝見而禮之，拜行台郎中、靈壽縣伯。保定中，遷開府儀同三司，進爵為公。後為膠州刺史。迎長孫氏至其第，置於家，厚資給之。隋文帝受禪，改封邊城郡公。黔安蠻叛，命敞討平之。師旋，拜金州總管，政號嚴明，吏人懼之。後以年老乞骸骨，賜二馬輅車歸河內，卒於家。子最嗣。

Chang, whose style name was Qianluo, was still a child when Yanbo was executed. He was raised in the palace with his mother. At twelve he slipped through a hole in the wall to the main street, saw children playing together, stripped off his brocade and jeweled garments, traded clothes with one of them, and fled. Pursuers arrived, failed to recognize Chang, and seized the child in brocade instead. Interrogation soon showed they had the wrong boy, and by then night had fallen, so Chang escaped. He came to a village and found an old woman of the Changsun clan seated on a folding chair. He bowed and begged for mercy. She took pity on him and hid him in a secret compartment behind the wall. The reward for his capture grew ever more urgent and pursuers were closing in, so the Changsun woman gave him money and sent him on his way. He then posed as a Daoist priest, changed his name, and hid on Mount Song. He read somewhat in the classics and histories. Within a few years people found him rather unusual. Once, sitting alone beneath a rock, he wept and sighed, "Am I to end my days like this? What made Wu Zixu so special?" He then fled to Chang'an. Emperor Wen of Zhou received him with honor and appointed him Gentleman of the Mobile Headquarters and Baron of Lingshou County. During the Baoding era he was promoted to Grand Master for Glorious Happiness with the Opening of a Government Office and raised to duke. He later served as Inspector of Jiaozhou. He brought the Changsun woman to his home, installed her in his household, and provided for her generously. When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Chang was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Biancheng Commandery. When the Qian'an tribes rebelled, he was ordered to suppress them. When his army returned, he was appointed area commander of Jinzhou. His governance was strict and clear, and officials and commoners feared him. Later, citing old age, he requested retirement. He was granted a two-horse carriage, returned to Henei, and died at home. His son Zui succeeded him.

尒硃仲遠

Er Zhurong Zhongyuan

仲遠，彥伯弟也。明帝末年，尒硃榮兵威稍盛，諸有啟謁，率多見從。而仲遠摹寫榮書，又刻榮印，與尚書令吏，通為奸詐。造榮啟表，請人為官，大得財貨，以資酒色。落魄無行業。及孝莊即位，封清河公、徐州刺史，兼尚書左僕射、三徐大行台。尋進督三徐諸軍事。仲遠上言：「竊見比來行台采募者，皆得權立中正，在軍定第，斟酌授官。今求兼置，權濟軍要。若立第亦爽，關京之日，任有司裁奪」。詔從之。於是隨情補授，肆意聚斂。

Zhongyuan was Yanbo's younger brother. In the final years of Emperor Ming, Er Zhurong's military prestige grew steadily, and most petitions submitted in his name were granted. Zhongyuan copied Rong's handwriting, carved a seal in Rong's name, and together with clerks of the Masters of Writing engaged in fraud. He forged memorials in Rong's name to sell offices, amassed great wealth, and spent it on wine and women. He was dissolute and without proper occupation. When Emperor Xiaozhuang took the throne, Zhongyuan was enfeoffed as Duke of Qinghe, appointed Inspector of Xuzhou, and concurrently made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Grand Commissioner with Full Powers over the Three Xus. Soon afterward he was further appointed supervisor of military affairs in the Three Xus. Zhongyuan memorialized, "I observe that lately recruiting commissioners have all been permitted to appoint arbiters of pedigree on their own authority, fix ranks within the army, and grant offices at discretion. I now request the same authority as a temporary measure to meet military needs. If the ranks I assign prove unsatisfactory, when matters reach the capital let the proper offices revise them." An edict approved the request. Thereupon he sold offices at whim and plundered without restraint.

尒硃榮死，仲遠勒其部眾，來向京師。節閔立，進爵彭城王，加大將軍，又兼尚書令，鎮大梁。仲遠遣使請准朝式，在軍鳴騶。節閔帝覽啟，笑而許之。其肆情如此。復進督東道諸軍事、本將軍、袞州刺史，余如故。仲遠天性貪暴，心如峻壑。大宗富族，誣之以反，沒其家口，簿籍財物，皆以入己。丈夫死者，投之河流，如此者不可勝數。諸將婦有美色者，莫不被其淫亂。自滎陽以東，輸稅悉入其軍，不送京師。時天光控關右，仲遠在大梁，兆據并州，世隆居京邑，各自專恣，權強莫此。所在並以貪虐為事，於是四方解體。又加太宰，解大行台。仲遠專恣尤劇，方之彥伯、世隆，最為無禮。東南牧守，下至人俗，比之豺狼，特為患苦。後移屯東郡，率眾與度律等拒齊神武。尒硃兆領騎數千自晉陽來會。軍次陽平，神武縱以間說，仲遠等迭相猜貳，狼狽遁走。中興二年，復與天光等於韓陵戰敗，南走。尋乃奔梁，死於江南。

When Er Zhurong died, Zhongyuan marched his troops toward the capital. When Emperor Jiemin was enthroned, Zhongyuan was promoted to Prince of Pengcheng and Grand General, concurrently appointed Director of the Masters of Writing, and stationed at Daliang. Zhongyuan sent envoys requesting permission to follow court protocol and have outriders announce his approach even while in the field. Emperor Jiemin read the memorial, laughed, and granted the request. Such was the extent of his arrogance. He was further appointed supervisor of military affairs on the Eastern Route and Inspector of Yanzhou while retaining his original generalship; his other honors remained unchanged. Zhongyuan was greedy and violent by nature, with a heart as deep and treacherous as a ravine. He falsely accused great clans and wealthy families of rebellion, confiscated their households, and recorded their goods and property—all for his own gain. The men he killed were cast into the river; such cases were beyond counting. None of the generals' wives who were beautiful escaped his debauchery. From Xingyang eastward, all tax deliveries went into his army and never reached the capital. At the time Tiangguang controlled the lands west of the passes, Zhongyuan held Daliang, Zhao held Bingzhou, and Shilong dominated the capital. Each ruled his domain with arbitrary power, and nowhere was authority stronger. Everywhere they ruled through greed and cruelty, and the realm began to fall apart. He was further appointed Grand Preceptor and relieved of his post as Grand Commissioner with Full Powers. Zhongyuan's arrogance was especially extreme. Compared with Yanbo and Shilong, he was the most insolent of all. From the governors and prefects of the southeast down to the common people, all compared him to wolves and jackals and found him a special source of misery. Later he shifted his camp to Dong Commandery and led his troops with Dulü and others to resist Shenwu. Er Zhurong Zhao led several thousand cavalry from Jinyang to join the alliance. When the army halted at Yangping, Shenwu flooded the camps with disinformation. Zhongyuan and his allies grew mutually suspicious and fled in disarray. In the second year of Zhongxing he was defeated again with Tiangguang and the others at Hanling and fled south. He soon fled to Liang and died in the south.

尒硃世隆

Er Zhurong Shilong

世隆，字榮宗，仲遠弟也。明帝末，兼直閣，加前將軍。尒硃榮表請入朝，靈太后惡之，令世隆詣晉陽慰喻榮。榮因欲留之，世隆曰：「朝廷疑兄，故令世隆來。今遂住，便有內備，非計之善。」榮乃遣入。榮舉兵南出，世隆遂走，會榮於上黨。建義初，除給事黃門侍郎。莊帝之立，世隆預其謀，封樂平郡公。元顥逼大梁，詔為前將軍、都督，鎮武牢。顥既克滎陽，世隆懼而遁還，莊帝倉卒北巡。及車駕還宮，除尚書左僕射，攝選。

Shilong, whose style name was Rongzong, was Zhongyuan's younger brother. At the end of Emperor Ming's reign he served in the Direct Attendance Office and was given the additional title of General of the Vanguard. When Er Zhurong memorialized requesting to enter court, Empress Dowager Ling detested the idea and ordered Shilong to go to Jinyang to placate Rong. Rong wished to detain him. Shilong said, "The court suspects you, elder brother—that is why they sent me. If I stay now, the court will take internal precautions at once. That is no good plan." Rong then sent him back to court. When Rong raised troops and marched south, Shilong fled to join him at Shangdang. At the start of the Jianyi era he was appointed Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. When Emperor Zhuang was enthroned, Shilong took part in the plot and was enfeoffed as Duke of Leping Commandery. When Yuan Hao pressed upon Daliang, Shilong was appointed General of the Vanguard and area commander and stationed at Wulao. Once Hao captured Xingyang, Shilong fled in fear and Emperor Zhuang made a hurried flight north. When the emperor returned to the palace, Shilong was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and given charge of appointments.

莊帝之將圖尒硃榮，每屏人言。世隆懼變，乃為匿名書，自榜其門曰：「天子與侍中楊侃、黃門高道穆等為計，欲殺天柱。」還復自以此書與榮妻北鄉郡公主，並以呈榮，勸其不入。榮毀書唾地曰：「世隆無膽，誰敢生心！」世隆又勸其速發。榮曰：「何忽忽？」皆不見從。

When Emperor Zhuang was plotting against Er Zhurong, he always dismissed attendants before speaking. Shilong feared a coup and wrote an anonymous letter, which he posted on his own gate: "The emperor, Palace Attendant Yang Kan, Yellow Gate Gentleman Gao Daomu, and others are plotting to kill the Heavenly Pillar." He then gave the same letter to Rong's wife, the Princess of Beixiang Commandery, and presented it to Rong as well, urging him not to enter court. Rong tore up the letter and spat on the ground. "Shilong has no courage—who would dare plot against me?" Shilong again urged him to set out quickly. Rong said, "Why so hurried?" None of his advice was heeded.

榮死，世隆奉榮妻，燒西陽門夜走。北次河橋，殺武衛將軍奚毅，率眾還戰大夏門外。及李苗燒絕河梁，世隆乃北遁。攻建州克之，盡殺人以肆其忿。至長子，與度律等共推長廣王曄為主。曄小名盆子，聞者皆以為事類赤眉。曄以世隆為尚書令，封樂平郡王，加太傅，行司州牧，會兆于河陽。兆既平京邑，讓世隆曰：「叔父在朝多時，耳目應廣，如何令天柱受禍？」按劍嗔目，詞色甚厲。世隆遜辭拜謝，然後得已，而深恨之。

When Rong died, Shilong escorted Rong's wife, burned the Xiyang Gate, and fled by night. He halted north at Heqiao Bridge, killed General of the Martial Guard Xi Yi, and led his troops back to fight outside the Daxia Gate. When Li Miao burned and destroyed the river bridge, Shilong fled north. He attacked Jianzhou, captured it, and slaughtered the population to vent his rage. At Changzi he joined Dulü and the others in raising Prince Changguang Ye as their leader. Ye's childhood name was Penzi, and those who heard of it all thought the affair resembled the Red Eyebrows rebellion. Ye appointed Shilong Director of the Masters of Writing, enfeoffed him as Prince of Leping Commandery, made him Grand Tutor and acting Governor of Sizhou, and joined Zhao at Heyang. Once Zhao had pacified the capital, he reproached Shilong: "Uncle, you were at court for years and should have heard everything—how could you let the Heavenly Pillar come to harm?" He gripped his sword and glared, his words and expression fierce. Shilong bowed and apologized humbly, and only then was Zhao appeased—but Shilong deeply resented him.

時仲遠亦自滑台入京。世隆與兄弟密謀，慮元曄母幹豫朝政，伺其母衛氏出行，遣數十騎如劫賊，於京巷殺之。公私驚愕，莫識所由。尋縣榜，以千萬錢募賊。百姓知之，莫不喪氣。尋又以曄疏遠，欲推立節閔帝。而度律意在南陽王，乃曰：「廣陵不言，何以主天下？」後知能語，遂行廢立。

At the time Zhongyuan also entered the capital from Huatai. Shilong and his brothers plotted in secret, fearing that Yuan Ye's mother would interfere in court affairs. When Lady Wei went out, they sent several dozen horsemen disguised as bandits and killed her in a capital lane. Officials and commoners alike were shocked, and none knew who was responsible. Soon a public notice was posted offering ten million cash to capture the killers. When the people learned who was responsible, all lost heart. Soon, finding Ye unsuitable, they wished to raise Emperor Jiemin instead. But Dulü favored the Prince of Nanyang and said, "If the Prince of Guangling cannot speak, how can he rule the realm?" Later they learned he could speak, and then carried out the deposition and enthronement.

初，世隆之為僕射，尚書文簿，在家省閱。性聰解，又畏榮，深自克勉，留心几案，傍接賓客，遂有解了之名。榮死之後，無所顧憚。及為令，常使尚書郎宋游道、邢昕在其宅聽事，東西別座，受納訴訟，稱命施行。既總朝政，生殺自由，公行淫泆，信任群小，隨情與奪。又兄弟群從，各擁強兵，割剝四海，極其貪虐。奸諂蛆酷，多見信用；溫良名士，罕豫腹心。於是天下之人，莫不厭毒。世隆尋讓太傅。節閔特置儀同三師之官，位次上公之下，以世隆為之。贈其父買珍相國、錄尚書事、大司馬。

Earlier, when Shilong served as Vice Director, he reviewed the Masters of Writing documents and registers at home. He was intelligent and quick to understand. He also feared Rong, so he disciplined himself strictly, attended closely to his desk work, and received guests on the side, and thereby gained a reputation for competence. After Rong died, he had nothing left to fear. Once he became Director, he regularly had Masters of Writing Gentlemen Song Youdao and Xing Xin hold court at his residence, seated separately east and west, hearing lawsuits and issuing orders in his name. Once he controlled court affairs, he held life and death at his own discretion, openly indulged in debauchery, trusted petty men, and granted or seized at whim. Moreover, the brothers and their clan kin each held strong armies, plundered the realm, and carried greed and cruelty to the extreme. Flatterers and cruel schemers were largely trusted; while gentle and worthy scholars were rarely admitted to his inner circle. Thereupon the people of the realm loathed and detested them. Shilong soon resigned as Grand Tutor. Emperor Jiemin specially established the office of the Three Masters for Glorious Happiness, ranking below the highest dukes, and appointed Shilong to it. His father Mai Zhen was posthumously given the titles of Chancellor of State, Recorder of the Masters of Writing, and Grand Marshal.

及齊神武起義兵，仲遠、度律等愚贛恃強，不以為慮，而世隆獨深憂恐。及天光等敗于韓陵，世隆請赦天下，節閔不許。斛斯椿既據河橋，盡殺世隆黨附，令行台長孫承業詣闕奏狀，掩執世隆及兄彥伯，俱斬之。

When Shenwu raised the righteous army, Zhongyuan, Dulü, and the others were dull and arrogant, trusting in their strength and giving it no thought, but Shilong alone was deeply worried and afraid. When Tiangguang and the others were defeated at Hanling, Shilong requested a general amnesty, but Emperor Jiemin refused. Once Husichen had seized Heqiao Bridge, he killed all of Shilong's partisans, sent Mobile Headquarters chief Changsun Chengye to the palace to report the situation, and seized Shilong and his elder brother Yanbo by surprise and beheaded them both.

初，世隆曾與吏部尚書元世俊握槊，忽聞局上詨然有聲，一局子盡倒立，世隆甚惡之。又曾晝寢，其妻奚氏忽見一人持世隆首去。奚氏驚，就視，而世隆寢如故。既覺，謂妻曰：「向夢人斷我頭持去，意殊不適。」又此年正月晦日，令、僕並不上省，西門不開。忽有河內太守田帖家奴，告省門亭長云：「今旦為令王借車牛一乘，終日于洛濱遊觀。至晚，王還省，將車出東掖門，始覺車上無褥，請為記識。」亭長以令僕不上，西門不開，無跡入者。此奴固陳不已，公文列訴。尚書都令史謝遠疑，謂妄有假借，白世隆，付曹推驗。時都官郎中穆子容究之。奴言，初來時，至司空府西，欲向省。令王嫌遲，遣催車。車入，到省西門，王嫌牛小，系于關下槐樹，更將一青牛駕車。令王著白紗、高頂帽，短小、黑色，儐從皆裙襦袴褶，握板，不似常時服章。遂遣一吏將奴送入省中査事東閣內，東廂第一屋中。其屋先常閉。奴雲，入此屋中有板床，床上無席，大有塵土，兼有甕米。奴拂床坐，兼畫地戲，甕中米亦握看之。子容與謝遠看之，閉極久，全無開跡。及入，狀皆符同。具以此對世隆。世隆悵然，意以為惡。未幾見誅。

Earlier Shilong had been playing pitch-pot with Yuan Shijun, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, when suddenly a loud crack was heard on the board and every piece stood on end. Shilong found this very ominous. On another occasion, while he was napping by day, his wife Lady Xi suddenly saw a man carrying off Shilong's head. Lady Xi was startled and went to look, but Shilong was sleeping as before. When he awoke, he said to his wife, "I just dreamed that a man cut off my head and carried it away. I feel very ill at ease." Moreover, on the last day of the first month that year, the Director and Vice Directors all stayed away from the ministry, and the west gate was not opened. Suddenly a slave of Tian Tie, Inspector of Henei, reported to the ministry gate captain: "This morning I borrowed a cart and ox for Director Wang, and spent the whole day sightseeing along the Luo River. By evening Wang returned to the ministry and was about to drive the cart out the East Side Gate when he noticed there was no cushion on the cart and asked that this be recorded." The gate captain replied that the Director and Vice Directors had not attended, the west gate had not been opened, and there was no trace of anyone entering. The slave persisted in his account, and an official complaint was filed. Chief Clerk of the Masters of Writing Xie Yuanyi was suspicious, believing the account a fabrication, reported it to Shilong, and handed it to the bureau for investigation. Gentleman of the Bureau of Justice Mu Zirong investigated the matter. The slave said that when he first arrived, he reached the west of the Minister of Works' office and was heading toward the ministry. Director Wang thought him slow and sent someone to hurry the cart. The cart entered and reached the west gate of the ministry. Wang thought the ox too small, tied it to the locust tree beneath the gate, and had a black ox harnessed to the cart instead. Director Wang wore white gauze and a high-peaked cap. He was short and dark. His attendants all wore skirts, jackets, and trousers and held tablets—not like their usual dress and insignia. He then sent an official to escort the slave into the ministry, to the first room in the east wing of the Eastern Investigation Pavilion. That room was normally kept closed. The slave said that inside the room there was a plank bed with no mat, much dust, and also a jar of rice. The slave dusted the bed and sat down, drew on the ground for amusement, and took the rice from the jar in his hand to look at it. Zirong and Yuanyi went to look. The room had been closed for a very long time and showed no trace of having been opened. When they entered, everything matched the slave's account. They reported all of this to Shilong in full. Shilong was despondent and took it as an evil omen. Before long he was executed.

世隆弟世承，莊帝時位侍中，領御史中尉。人才猥劣，備員而已。及元顥內逼，世承守轘轅，為顥所禽。顥讓而臠之。莊帝還宮，贈司徒。

Shilong's younger brother Shicheng served under Emperor Zhuang as Palace Attendant and concurrently as Imperial Censor. His talent was coarse and inferior; he was merely a placeholder. When Yuan Hao pressed inward, Shicheng defended Huanyuan and was captured by Hao. Hao rebuked him and had him cut to pieces. When Emperor Zhuang returned to the palace, Shicheng was posthumously given the title Minister Over the Masses.

世承弟弼，字輔伯，節閔帝時，封河間郡公。尋為青州刺史。韓陵之敗，欲奔梁，數日，與左右割臂為約。弼帳下都督馮紹隆為弼信待，乃說弼曰：「今方同契闊，宜當心瀝血，示眾以信。」弼從之。大集部下，弼乃踞胡床，令紹隆持刀披心。紹隆因推刃殺之，傳首京師。

Shicheng's younger brother Bi, whose style name was Fubo, was enfeoffed as Duke of Hejian Commandery under Emperor Jiemin. Soon afterward he was appointed Inspector of Qingzhou. After the defeat at Hanling he wished to flee to Liang. After several days he cut his arm with his attendants as a blood oath. Bi's camp commander Feng Shaolong, whom Bi trusted and favored, persuaded him: "Now that we share life and death together, you ought to cut open your heart and pour out blood to show the troops your sincerity." Bi agreed. He gathered his subordinates in force. Bi then sat on a folding camp chair and ordered Shaolong to take a knife and cut open his chest. Shaolong drove the blade in and killed him, then sent his head to the capital.

尒硃度律

Er Zhurong Dulü

度律，榮從父弟也，鄙樸少言。莊帝初，封樂鄉縣伯。榮死，與世隆赴晉陽。元曄之立，以度律為太尉公、四面大都督，封常山王。與尒硃兆入洛。兆遷晉陽，留度律鎮京師。節閔帝時，為使持節、侍中、大將軍、太尉公，兼尚書令、東北道行台，與仲遠出拒義旗。齊神武間之，與尒硃兆遂相疑貳，自敗而還。度律雖在軍戎，聚斂無厭，所經為百姓患毒。其母山氏聞度律敗，遂恚憤發病。及至，母責之曰：「汝荷國恩，無狀而反，我何忍見他屠戮汝也！」言終而卒，時人怪異之。後韓陵之敗，斛斯椿先據河橋，遂西走氵壘波津，為人執送。椿囚之，送齊神武，斬之都市。

Dulü was Rong's younger paternal cousin. He was rustic and plain and spoke little. At the start of Emperor Zhuang's reign he was enfeoffed as Baron of Lexiang County. When Rong died, Dulü went with Shilong to Jinyang. When Yuan Ye was enthroned, Dulü was appointed Grand Marshal and supreme commander on all four fronts and enfeoffed as Prince of Changshan. He entered Luoyang together with Er Zhurong Zhao. Zhao moved to Jinyang and left Dulü to garrison the capital. Under Emperor Jiemin he held the posts of Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Palace Attendant, Grand General, and Grand Marshal, concurrently serving as Director of the Masters of Writing and Grand Commissioner with Full Powers on the Northeastern Route, and marched out with Zhongyuan to resist Shenwu's righteous army. Shenwu spread disinformation, and Dulü and Er Zhurong Zhao grew mutually suspicious. Dulü was defeated and retreated. Though Dulü was on campaign, he plundered without restraint, and wherever he passed he became a scourge to the people. His mother, Lady Shan, upon hearing of Dulü's defeat, fell ill with rage and indignation. When he arrived, his mother rebuked him: "You received the state's grace yet rebelled without cause—how could I bear to watch others slaughter you!" When she finished speaking she died. People of the time found this strange and uncanny. Later, after the defeat at Hanling, Husichen had already seized Heqiao Bridge. Dulü fled west to Leibo Ford and was captured and sent back. Husichen imprisoned him and sent him to Shenwu, who had him beheaded in the marketplace.

尒硃天光

Er Zhurong Tiangguang

天光，榮從祖兄子也。少勇決，榮特親愛之，常預軍戎謀。孝昌末，榮據並、肆，仍以天光為都將，總統肆州兵馬。明帝崩，榮向京師，委以後事。建義初，為肆州刺史，封長安縣公。榮將討葛榮，留天光在州，鎮其根本。謂曰：「我身不得至處，非汝無以稱我心。」永安中，與元天穆東破邢杲。元顥入洛，天光與天穆會榮於河內。榮發後，並、肆不安，詔天光兼尚書僕射，為並、肆等九州行台，仍行并州事。天光至并州，部分約勒，所在寧輯。顥破，還京師，改封廣宗郡公。

Tiangguang was the son of Rong's elder cousin. From youth he was brave and resolute. Rong especially favored him and regularly included him in military plans. At the end of the Xiaochang era Rong held Bing and Si provinces and appointed Tiangguang area commander in overall charge of the troops and horses of Sizhou. When Emperor Ming died, Rong marched toward the capital and entrusted affairs at home to him. At the start of the Jianyi era he was appointed Inspector of Sizhou and enfeoffed as Duke of Chang'an County. When Rong was about to campaign against Ge Rong, he left Tiangguang in the province to guard his base. He told him, "Where I myself cannot go, no one but you can satisfy my intent." During the Yong'an era he joined Yuan Tianmu in the east to defeat Xing Gao. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang, Tiangguang and Tianmu joined Rong at Henei. After Rong set out, Bing and Si provinces were unsettled. An edict appointed Tiangguang concurrent Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Grand Commissioner with Full Powers over nine provinces including Bing and Si, while he still administered the affairs of Bingzhou. When Tiangguang reached Bingzhou, he organized and restrained the troops, and order was restored wherever he went. After Hao was defeated, he returned to the capital and was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Guangzong Commandery.

初，高平鎮城人赫貴連恩等為逆，共推敕勤酋長胡琛為主，號高平王。遙臣沃野鎮賊帥破六韓忉夤。琛入據高平城，遣其大將万俟醜奴來寇涇州。琛後與莫折念生交通，侮僈忉夤。遣使人費律如至高平，誘斬琛，為醜奴所並，與蕭寶夤相拒于安定。寶夤敗還。建義元年夏，醜奴擊寶夤於靈州，禽之，遂僭大號。時獲西北貢師子，因稱神獸元年，置百官。

Earlier, He Guilian'en and others of Gaoping Garrison town rebelled and jointly raised the tribal chief Hu Chen of Chiqin as their leader, styling him King of Gaoping. From afar they submitted to Poliuhan Chouyin, the rebel leader of Woye Garrison. Chen entered and seized Gaoping city and sent his great general Moqi Chounu to raid Jingzhou. Later Chen communicated with Moqi Niansheng and treated Chouyin with contempt. He sent an envoy, Fei Lüru, to Gaoping to lure and behead Chen. Chounu absorbed Chen's forces and faced Xiao Baoyin in opposition at Anding. Baoyin was defeated and retreated. In the summer of the first year of Jianyi, Chounu attacked Baoyin at Lingzhou, captured him, and usurped the imperial title. At the time he received a tribute lion from the northwest and styled his reign the Divine Beast, first year, establishing the full bureaucracy.

朝廷憂之，乃除天光使持節、都督、雍州刺史，率大都督武衛將軍賀拔岳、大都督侯莫陳悅等討醜奴。天光初行，唯有軍士千人。時東雍赤水蜀賊斷路，天光入關擊破之，簡取壯健。至雍，又稅人馬，合得萬疋。以軍人寡少，停留未進。榮遣責之，杖天光百下。榮復遣軍士二千人赴天光。天光令賀拔嶽率千騎先驅，至岐州，禽其行台尉遲菩薩。醜奴棄岐州走還安定。天光發雍至岐，與嶽合勢，破醜奴，獲蕭寶夤。於是涇、豳、二夏，北至靈州，及賊黨結聚之類，並降。唯賊行台万俟道洛不下，率眾西依牽屯山，據險自守。榮責天光不獲道洛，復遣使杖之百，詔削爵為侯。天光與嶽、悅等復向牽屯討之，道洛戰敗，投略陽賊帥王慶雲。慶雲以道洛驍果絕倫，得之甚喜，便謂大事可圖，乃自稱皇帝，以道洛為大將軍。天光乃入隴，至慶雲所居永洛城，破其東城。賊遂並趣西城。城中無水，眾聚熱渴。有人走降，言慶雲、道洛欲突出。天光恐失賊帥，乃遣謂慶雲，可以早降，若水決，當聽諸人今夜共議。又謂曰：「相知須水，今為小退。」賊眾安悅，無復走心。天光密使軍人多作木槍，各長七尺，至昏，布立人馬，為防衛之勢，又伏人槍中。其夜，慶雲、道洛果突出，至槍，馬各傷倒。伏兵便起，同時禽獲。賊窮，乞降而已。天光、嶽、悅等議悉阬之，死者萬七千人，分其家口。於是三秦、河、渭、瓜、梁、鄯善咸來款順。詔復天光前官爵。

The court was alarmed and appointed Tiangguang Bearer of the Staff of Authority, area commander, and Inspector of Yongzhou, leading Grand Generals Heba Yue and Houmochen Yue to campaign against Chounu. When Tiangguang first set out, he had only one thousand soldiers. At the time bandits of the Chishui Shu in Eastern Yong blocked the road. Tiangguang entered the pass, defeated them, and selected the strong and fit. When he reached Yongzhou he also levied men and horses, totaling ten thousand. Because his troops were too few, he halted and did not advance. Rong sent a messenger to rebuke him and had Tiangguang beaten one hundred strokes. Rong again sent two thousand soldiers to reinforce Tiangguang. Tiangguang ordered Heba Yue to lead one thousand cavalry as vanguard. At Qizhou he captured the mobile headquarters chief Yuchi Pusa. Chounu abandoned Qizhou and fled back to Anding. Tiangguang marched from Yongzhou to Qizhou, joined forces with Yue, defeated Chounu, and captured Xiao Baoyin. Thereupon Jing, Bin, the two Xias, and as far north as Lingzhou, together with scattered rebel bands, all submitted. Only the rebel mobile headquarters chief Moqi Daoluo refused to submit. He led his troops west to Qiantun Mountain and held the defiles. Rong rebuked Tiangguang for failing to capture Daoluo, had him beaten one hundred strokes again, and an edict reduced his rank from duke to marquis. Tiangguang with Yue and Houmochen Yue again marched against Qiantun. Daoluo was defeated and fled to Wang Qingyun, the rebel leader of Lueyang. Qingyun was greatly pleased to gain Daoluo, whose valor was unmatched, and at once judged the great enterprise achievable. He styled himself emperor and made Daoluo Grand General. Tiangguang then entered Long and reached Yongluo city where Qingyun resided, breaking its eastern wall. The rebels then all rushed toward the western city. There was no water in the city, and the massed troops suffered from heat and thirst. Someone defected and reported that Qingyun and Daoluo intended to break out. Tiangguang feared losing the rebel leaders and sent word to Qingyun that he could surrender early, and that if water were released he would allow everyone to discuss terms that night. He also said, "Knowing you need water, I will now withdraw a little." The rebel host was reassured and no longer thought of fleeing. Tiangguang secretly had his soldiers make wooden stakes seven feet long. At dusk he deployed men and horses in defensive array and hid troops among the stakes. That night Qingyun and Daoluo broke out as expected. Reaching the stakes, their horses were wounded and fell. The hidden troops rose at once and captured them. The rebels were exhausted and merely begged to surrender. Tiangguang, Yue, and Houmochen Yue agreed to bury them all alive. Seventeen thousand died, and their households were divided up. Thereupon the Three Qins, He, Wei, Gua, Liang, and Shanshan all came to submit. An edict restored Tiangguang's former offices and titles.

岳聞榮死，還涇州以待，天光亦下隴，與嶽圖入洛之策。既而莊帝進天光爵為廣宗王，元曄又以為隴西王。及聞尒硃兆已入京，天光乃輕騎向都，見世隆等，尋便還雍。世隆等議廢元曄，更舉親賢，遣告天光。天光與定策，立節閔帝。又加開府儀同三司、尚書令、關西大行台。天光北出夏州，遣將討宿勤明達，禽之，送洛。時費也頭帥紇豆陵伊利、万俟受洛於等據有河西，未有所附。天光以齊神武起兵信都，內懷憂恐，不暇他事。伊利等，但微遣備之而已。又除大司馬。

When Yue heard that Rong had died, he returned to Jingzhou to wait. Tiangguang also came down from Long and with Yue plotted a strategy to enter Luoyang. Soon afterward Emperor Zhuang advanced Tiangguang's rank to Prince of Guangzong. Yuan Ye again made him Prince of Longxi. When he heard that Er Zhurong Zhao had already entered the capital, Tiangguang rode with light cavalry to the capital, saw Shilong and the others, and soon returned to Yongzhou. Shilong and the others deliberated on deposing Yuan Ye and raising a worthy from among the imperial kin, and sent word to Tiangguang. Tiangguang joined in fixing the plan and enthroned Emperor Jiemin. He was further given Grand Master for Glorious Happiness with the Opening of a Government Office, Director of the Masters of Writing, and Grand Commissioner with Full Powers over Guanxi. Tiangguang marched north out of Xizhou, sent a general to campaign against Suqin Mingda, captured him, and sent him to Luoyang. At the time the Feiyetou chiefs Yidouling Yili and Moqi Shouluoyu and others held Hexi and had not yet attached themselves to any side. Because Shenwu had raised troops at Xindu, Tiangguang harbored worry and fear within and had no leisure for other matters. Toward Yili and the others he merely sent slight preparations, and that was all. He was further appointed Grand Marshal.

時神武軍既振，尒硃兆、仲遠等並經敗退。世隆累使徵天光，天光不從。後令斛斯椿苦要天光云：「非王無以能定，豈可坐看宗家之滅？」天光不得已，東下，與仲遠等敗于韓陵。斛斯椿等先還，於河橋拒之，天光不得度，西北走，被執，與度律並送于神武。神武送於洛，斬於都市。

By then Shenwu's army had gained strength, and Er Zhurong Zhao, Zhongyuan, and the others had all been defeated and retreated. Shilong repeatedly sent envoys to summon Tiangguang, but Tiangguang refused. Later he had Husichen urgently press Tiangguang: "Without Your Highness no one can settle matters—how can you sit and watch the clan's destruction?" Tiangguang had no choice. He marched east and with Zhongyuan and the others was defeated at Hanling. Husichen and the others returned first and blocked him at Heqiao Bridge. Tiangguang could not cross, fled northwest, was captured, and together with Dulü was sent to Shenwu. Shenwu sent him to Luoyang, where he was beheaded in the marketplace.

尒硃專恣，分裂天下，各據一方，賞罰自出，而天光有定關西之功，差不酷暴，比之兆與仲遠，為不同矣。

The Er Zhurong clan ruled with arbitrary power, each holding a region of the divided realm and granting rewards and punishments on their own authority. Yet Tiangguang had pacified Guanxi and was somewhat less cruel and violent than Zhao and Zhongyuan.

論曰：魏自宣武之後，政道頗虧。及明皇幼沖，女主南面。始則於忠專恣，繼以元叉權重，居官者肆其聚斂，乘勢者極其陵暴，於是四海囂然，已有群飛之漸。逮於靈後反政，宣淫於朝，傾覆之徵，於此至矣。尒硃榮緣將帥之列，藉部眾之威，屬天下暴虐，人神怨憤。遂有匡頹拯弊之志，援主逐惡之功。及夫禽葛榮，誅元顥，戮邢杲，揃韓婁，醜奴、寶夤，咸梟馬市，然則榮之功烈，亦已茂矣。而始則希覬非望，睥睨宸極，終乃靈後、少帝，沈流不反。河陰之下，衣冠塗地，其所以得罪人神者焉。至於末跡凶忍，地逼亦已除矣。而朝無謀難之宰，國乏折沖之將，遂使餘孽相糾，還成嚴敵。隆實指蹤，兆為戎首，山河失險，莊帝幽崩。宗屬分方，作威跋扈，廢帝立主，回天倒日；揃剝黎獻，割裂神州，刑賞任心，征伐自己。天下之命，縣于數胡，喪亂弘多，遂至於此。豈非天將去之，始以共定；終於惡稔，以至殄滅。抑亦魏紓其難，齊以驅除矣。

Commentary: From the time of Emperor Xuanwu onward, Wei governance was greatly impaired. When Emperor Ming was young and the empress dowager ruled from behind the screen, first Yu Zhong acted with arbitrary power, then Yuan Cha held heavy authority. Officials indulged in plunder and the powerful carried oppression to the extreme. The realm fell into uproar, and the trend toward mass uprising had already begun. By the time Empress Dowager Ling resumed rule and flaunted debauchery at court, the signs of collapse had reached their height. Er Zhurong rose from the ranks of generals, relying on the prestige of his tribal forces, at a time when tyranny filled the realm and men and spirits alike were filled with resentment. He therefore harbored the will to right a tottering state and rescue a failing order, and achieved the merit of supporting the ruler and driving out evil. When he captured Ge Rong, executed Yuan Hao, killed Xing Gao, cut down Han Lou, and displayed Chounu and Baoyin at Horse Market, Rong's achievements and glory were indeed abundant. Yet at first he coveted what was not his due and cast sidelong glances at the imperial throne. In the end Empress Dowager Ling and the Young Emperor were drowned and never returned. At Heyin, officials and gentry were strewn across the ground—this was how he offended both men and spirits. As for his final course of cruelty and ruthlessness, his territorial threat was also removed. Yet the court had no minister capable of planning against disaster, and the state lacked generals who could repel the enemy at the frontier. The surviving remnants joined forces and became a formidable foe. Shilong directed the operations, Zhao was the ringleader, the mountains and rivers lost their defenses, and Emperor Zhuang died in secret. The clan kin divided the regions, ruled with overbearing arrogance, deposed emperors and raised rulers, and turned heaven back and reversed the sun; they plundered the people, carved up the sacred land, meted out punishments and rewards at whim, and launched campaigns on their own authority. The fate of the realm hung on a few barbarian chiefs. Calamity and disorder were abundant, and matters reached this pass. Was it not that Heaven was about to remove Wei—at first using them to settle matters together; then, when their evil ripened fully, bringing them to extinction. Thus Wei eased its difficulties, and Qi drove them out and eliminated them.

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