1
孝靈皇帝諱宏，肅宗玄孫也。 曾祖河間孝王開，祖淑，父萇。 世封解瀆亭侯，帝襲侯爵。 母董夫人。 桓帝崩，無子，皇太后與父城門校尉竇武定策禁中，使守光祿大夫劉儵持節，將左右羽林至河間奉迎。
Emperor Xiaoling’s personal name was Hong; he was a fourth-generation descendant of Emperor Zhang. His great-grandfather was Kai, posthumously titled Prince Xiao of Hejian; his grandfather Shu; his father Chang. The line had long held the title Marquis of Jiedu pavilion, and he succeeded to that marquisate before ascending the throne. His mother was Lady Dong. When Emperor Huan died heirless, the empress dowager and her father Dou Wu, commandant of the Gates, chose the next ruler inside the palace; they sent Acting Grandee of Brilliant Candidacy Liu Su with the imperial credentials to lead the Feathered Forest guards to Hejian and escort the new emperor to the capital.
2
使護羌校尉段颎討先零羌。 二月辛酉，葬孝桓皇帝於宣陵，廟曰威宗。
Duan Jiong, colonel protecting the Qiang, was ordered to attack the Xianling Qiang. On the day xinyou in the second month, Emperor Huan was interred at Xuan Mausoleum; his temple designation was Weizong.
3
庚午，謁高廟。 辛未，謁世祖廟。 大赦天下。 賜民爵及帛各有差。 段颎大破先零羌於逢義山。
On gengwu he paid his respects at the shrine of the High Ancestor. On xinwei he visited the temple of Emperor Guangwu, the founding emperor. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. Commoners received noble ranks and silk gifts in graded amounts. Duan Jiong inflicted a crushing defeat on the Xianling Qiang at Mount Fengyi.
4
五月丁未朔，日有食之。 詔公卿以下各上封事，及郡國守、相舉有道之士各一人； 又故刺史、二千石清高有遺惠、為眾所歸者，皆詣公車。 太中大夫劉矩為太尉。
The new moon on dingwei in the fifth month was marked by a solar eclipse. An edict called on ministers down the ladder to file sealed memorials and required each governor or chancellor to nominate one candidate distinguished for moral insight. Former inspectors and former two-thousand-shi officials known for integrity, lasting kindness, and popular esteem were likewise summoned to report to the Palace Coaches reception office. Liu Ju, grand counselor, was appointed grand commandant.
5
六月，京師雨水。 秋七月，破羌將軍段颎復破先零羌於涇陽。 八月，司空王暢免，宗正劉寵為司空。
Heavy rain soaked the capital in the sixth month. That autumn, in the seventh month, Duan Jiong, general who breaks the Qiang, again routed the Xianling Qiang at Jingyang. Wang Chang was removed as minister of works; Liu Chong, minister of the imperial clan, took his place.
6
九月辛亥，中常侍曹節矯詔誅太傅陳蕃、大將軍竇武及尚書令尹勛、侍中劉瑜、屯騎校尉馮述，皆夷其族。 皇太后遷於南宮。 司徒胡廣為太傅，隸尚書事。 司空劉寵為司徒，大鴻臚許栩為司空。
On xinhai in the ninth month, the eunuch Cao Jiong forged an edict and had Grand Tutor Chen Fan, General-in-Chief Dou Wu, Director of the Secretariat Yin Xun, Palace Attendant Liu Yu, and Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry Feng Shu put to death; their entire clans were wiped out. The empress dowager was confined to the Southern Palace. Hu Guang, minister of education, became grand tutor and oversaw the affairs of the Masters of Writing. Liu Chong moved from minister of works to minister of education; Grand Herald Xu Xu succeeded him as minister of works.
7
冬十月甲辰晦，日有食之。 令天下繫囚罪未決入縑贖，各有差。 十一月，太尉劉矩免，太僕沛國聞人襲為太尉。 十二月，鮮卑及濊貊寇幽、幷二州。
A solar eclipse fell on the last day of the tenth month, jiachen. Prisoners whose cases were still undecided were allowed to commute sentences by paying fines in silk, the tariff varying by offense. In the eleventh month Liu Ju was dismissed as grand commandant; Wenren Xi of Pei, grand coachman, replaced him. In the twelfth month Xianbei and Huimo forces raided You and Bing provinces.
8
二年春正月丁丑，大赦天下。 三月乙巳，尊慎園董貴人為孝仁皇后。 夏四月癸巳，大風，雨雹。 詔公卿以下各上封事。
In the second year of the reign, on dingchou in the first month of spring, a general amnesty was declared. On yisi in the third month the emperor’s mother, Honored Lady Dong of the Shou Garden estate, was elevated with the title Empress Dowager Xiaoren. In the fourth month of summer a violent storm brought hail. Officials from the highest ministers downward were ordered to submit sealed memorials.
9
五月，大尉聞人襲罷，司空許栩免。 六月，司徒劉寵為太尉，太常許訓為司徒，太僕長沙劉囂為司空。 秋七月，破羌將軍段颎大破先零羌於射虎塞外谷。 東羌悉平。
In the fifth month Wenren Xi left the post of grand commandant and Xu Xu was dismissed as minister of works. In the sixth month Liu Chong became grand commandant, Xu Xun minister of education, and Liu Ao of Changsha, grand coachman, minister of works. That autumn Duan Jiong, general who breaks the Qiang, shattered the Xianling Qiang in the gorge beyond Tiger-shooting Pass. The eastern Qiang were finally subdued.
10
九月，江夏蠻叛，州郡討平之。 丹陽山越賊圍太守陳夤，夤擊破之。
In the ninth month the Man of Jiangxia rose in revolt; provincial and local forces suppressed them. Mountain Yue raiders in Danyang besieged Governor Chen Yin, who broke the siege and drove them off.
11
冬十月丁亥，中常侍侯覽諷有司奏前司空虞放、太僕杜密、長樂少府李膺、司隸校尉朱㝢、潁川太守巴肅、沛相荀昱、河內太守魏朗、山陽太守翟超皆為鉤黨，下獄，死者百餘人，妻子徙邊，諸附從者錮及五屬。 制詔州郡大舉鉤黨，於是天下豪桀及儒學行義者，一切結為黨人。
On dinghai in the tenth month the eunuch Hou Lan induced the court to denounce Yu Fang, Du Mi, Li Ying, Zhu Yu, Ba Su, Xun Yu, Wei Lang, and Zhai Chao as members of a proscribed faction; scores died in prison, families were banished to the frontier, and associates were barred from office through five degrees of relationship. Provinces and commanderies were commanded to hunt down faction sympathizers on a vast scale, so that local notables and every scholar with a reputation for integrity could be labeled a partisan.
12
戊戌晦，日有食之。 十一月，太尉劉寵免，太僕郭禧為太尉。 鮮卑寇并州。 是歲，長樂太僕曹節為車騎將軍，百餘日罷。
The month’s last day, wuxu, saw a solar eclipse. In the eleventh month Liu Chong was removed as grand commandant; Guo Xi, grand coachman, succeeded him. Xianbei horsemen raided Bing province. That year Cao Jiong, grand coachman of the Chang'an palace, briefly held the post of general of chariots and cavalry for just over a hundred days before being stood down.
13
三年春正月，河內人婦食夫，河南人夫食婦。 三月丙寅晦，日有食之。 夏四月，太尉郭禧罷，太中大夫聞人襲為太尉。 秋七月，司空劉囂罷。
In the third year’s first month, famine drove a woman in Henei to devour her husband and a man in Henan to devour his wife. A solar eclipse occurred on the last day of the third month, bingyin. In the fourth month Guo Xi stepped down as grand commandant and Wenren Xi, grand counselor, took the post. Liu Ao was dismissed as minister of works in the seventh month.
14
八月，大鴻臚橋玄為司空。 九月，執金吾董寵下獄死。 冬，濟南賊起，攻東平陵。 鬱林烏滸民相率內屬。
In the eighth month Grand Herald Qiao Xuan became minister of works. In the ninth month Dong Chong, bearer of the golden mace, was jailed and died there. That winter rebels rose in Jinan and struck the county seat of Dongpingling. The Wuhu people of Yulin commandery came over in a body to place themselves under Han rule.
15
四年春正月甲子，帝加元服，大赦天下。 賜公卿以下各有差，唯黨人不赦。 二月癸卯，地震，海水溢，河水清。 三月辛酉朔，日有食之。
On jiazi in the first month of the fourth year the emperor came of age with the capping ceremony, and a general amnesty followed. Gifts were distributed down the official hierarchy by rank, but partisans of the proscribed faction were excluded from the amnesty. On guimao in the second month the earth shook, the sea surged inland, and the Yellow River ran unseasonably clear. The new moon on xinyou in the third month brought a solar eclipse.
16
太尉聞人襲免，太僕李咸為太尉。 詔公卿至六百石各上封事。 大疫，使中謁者巡行致醫藥。 司徒許訓免，司空橋玄為司徒。 夏四月，太常來豔為司空。
Wenren Xi was dismissed as grand commandant; Li Xian, grand coachman, replaced him. An edict required every official from the highest ministers down to the six-hundred-shi rank to file a sealed memorial. A severe epidemic broke out, and palace envoys were dispatched with medicines to afflicted regions. Xu Xun was removed as minister of education; Qiao Xuan left the ministry of works to succeed him. In the fourth month Minister of Ceremonies Lai Yan was appointed minister of works.
17
五月，河東地裂，雨雹，山水暴出。 秋七月，司空來豔免。 癸丑，立貴人宋氏為皇后。 司徒橋玄免。 太常宗俱為司空，前司空許栩為司徒。 冬，鮮卑寇并州。
In the fifth month Hedong suffered ground fissures, hailstorms, and violent flash floods from the hills. Lai Yan was dismissed as minister of works in the seventh month. On guichou the emperor elevated Worthy Lady Song to empress. Qiao Xuan was removed as minister of education. Zong Ju, minister of ceremonies, became minister of works, while former Minister of Works Xu Xu returned as minister of education. That winter Xianbei raiders struck Bing province again.
18
熹平元年春三月壬戌，太傅胡廣薨。 夏五月己巳，大赦天下，改元熹平。 長樂太僕侯覽有罪，自殺。 六月，京師雨水。 癸巳，皇太后竇氏崩。
On renxu in the third month of the first Xiping year Grand Tutor Hu Guang died. On yisi in the fifth month a general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name changed to Xiping. Hou Lan, grand coachman of the Chang'an palace, facing charges, took his own life. Heavy rains again inundated the capital in the sixth month. On guisi Empress Dowager Dou died.
19
秋七月甲寅，葬桓思皇后。 宦官諷司隸校尉段颎捕繫太學諸生千餘人。 冬十月，渤海王悝被誣謀反，丁亥，悝及妻子皆自殺。
On jiayin in the seventh month she was buried with the posthumous title Empress Dowager Huansi. The eunuchs induced Metropolitan Commandant Duan Jiong to round up over a thousand Imperial University students. In the tenth month Liu Kui, Prince Hui of Bohai, was framed for treason; on dinghai he and his family killed themselves.
20
二年春正月，大疫，使使者巡行致醫藥。 丁丑，司空宗俱薨。 二月壬午，大赦天下。 以光祿勳楊賜為司空。 三月，太尉李咸免。
In the second year’s first month another great plague raged, and imperial envoys were sent with medicines on relief circuits. Minister of Works Zong Ju died on dingchou. On renwu in the second month a general amnesty was granted. Yang Ci, superintendent of the household for imperial proceedings, was named minister of works. In the third month Li Xian was dismissed as grand commandant.
21
夏五月，以司隸校尉段颎為太尉。 沛相師遷坐誣罔國王，下獄死。 六月，北海地震。 東萊、北海海水溢。 秋七月，司空楊賜免，太常潁川唐珍為司空。
In the fifth month Metropolitan Commandant Duan Jiong was promoted to grand commandant. Shi Qian, chancellor of Pei, was convicted of slandering his prince and died in prison. Beihai commandery was shaken by an earthquake in the sixth month. The sea breached its banks and flooded Donglai and Beihai. In the seventh month Yang Ci left the ministry of works; Tang Zhen of Yingchuan, minister of ceremonies, succeeded him.
22
冬十二月，日南徼外國重譯貢獻。 太尉段颎罷。 鮮卑寇幽、幷二州。 癸酉晦，日有食之。
In the twelfth month embassies from countries beyond Rinan’s southern frontier arrived, relayed through interpreters, bearing tribute. Duan Jiong was dismissed as grand commandant. Xianbei forces raided both You and Bing provinces. The month closed on guiyou with a solar eclipse.
23
三年春正月，夫餘國遣使貢獻。 二月己巳，大赦天下。
In the third year’s first month the kingdom of Puyu sent envoys with gifts. On yisi in the second month another general amnesty was proclaimed.
24
冬十月癸丑，令天下繫囚罪未決，入縑贖。
On guichou in the tenth month undecided prisoners empire-wide were permitted to buy release with silk payments.
25
四年春三月，詔諸儒正《五經》文字，刻石立于太學門外。 封河間王建子佗為任城王。 夏四月，郡國七大水。 五月丁卯，大赦天下。
In the third month of the fourth year scholars were ordered to fix the canonical text of the Five Classics; the approved version was engraved on stone tablets set outside the university gate. Tuo, son of Prince Jian of Hejian, was enfeoffed as king of Rencheng. Seven commanderies and kingdoms suffered serious flooding in the fourth month. On dingmao in the fifth month a general amnesty was issued.
26
延陵園灾，遣使者持節告祠延陵。 鮮卑寇幽州。 六月，弘農、三輔螟。
Fire broke out at the Yanling park complex; an envoy with imperial staff was sent to report the disaster and offer sacrifice at Yanling. Xianbei raiders struck You province. Locusts devastated Hongnong and the metropolitan region in the sixth month.
27
遣守宮令之鹽監，穿渠為民興利。 令郡國遇災者，減田租之半； 其傷害十四以上，勿收責。 冬十月丁巳，令天下繫囚罪未決，入縑贖。 拜沖帝母虞美人為憲園貴人，質帝母陳夫人為渤海孝王妃。
The commandant of the palace was sent to government salt works to dig irrigation channels for the public good. Commanderies and kingdoms hit by natural disaster were ordered to cut the land tax by half. Where disaster had destroyed forty percent or more of the crop, no land tax was to be collected on the lost portion. On dingsi in the tenth month undecided prisoners throughout the realm were again allowed to commute with silk payments. The mother of Emperor Chong, Honored Lady Yu, was titled Honored Lady of the Xian Garden estate; the mother of Emperor Zhi, Lady Chen, was given the title consort to Prince Xiao of Bohai.
28
改平準為中準，使宦者為令，列於內署。 自是諸署悉以閹人為丞、令。
The Office of Equitable Marketing was renamed Central Marketing; eunuchs were appointed as its directors and stationed in the inner palace bureaus. Henceforth every such agency had eunuchs filling the posts of assistant and director.
29
五年夏四月癸亥，大赦天下。
On guihai in the fourth month of the fifth year a general amnesty was proclaimed.
30
益州郡夷叛，太守李颙討平之。 復崇高山名為嵩高山。 大雩。 使侍御史行詔獄亭部，理冤枉，原輕繫，休囚徒。 五月，太尉陳耽罷，司空許訓為太尉。
The tribesmen of Yizhou commandery rose in revolt; Governor Li Yong suppressed the uprising. Mount Chong was again officially styled Mount Song, the Lofty Central Peak. The court held the great rain sacrifice. Attendant censors were sent to review imperial jails and local lockups, redress miscarriages of justice, free minor offenders, and give labor gangs respite. In the fifth month Chen Dan left the grand commandant’s post; Xu Xun, minister of works, succeeded him.
31
閏月，永昌太守曹鸞坐訟黨人，弃市。 詔黨人門生、故吏、父兄、子弟在位者，皆免官禁錮。 六月壬戌，太常南陽劉逸為司空。 秋七月，太尉許訓罷，光祿勳劉寬為太尉。
During the intercalary month Cao Luan, governor of Yongchang, was put to death in the marketplace for having memorialized on behalf of the proscribed faction. An edict stripped from office and barred from service every serving official who was a student, former client, father, brother, son, or nephew of a listed partisan. On renxu in the sixth month Liu Yi of Nanyang, minister of ceremonies, was appointed minister of works. In the seventh month Xu Xun was dismissed as grand commandant; Liu Kuan, superintendent of the household for imperial proceedings, replaced him.
32
冬十月壬午，御殿後槐樹自拔倒豎。 司徒袁隗罷。 十一月丙戌，光祿大夫楊賜為司徒。 十二月，甘陵王定薨。
On renwu in the tenth month a locust tree behind the throne hall tore itself from the ground and stood roots upward. Yuan Kui was dismissed as minister of education. On bingxu in the eleventh month Yang Ci, grandee of brilliant candidacy, became minister of education. Prince Ding of Ganling died in the twelfth month.
33
試太學生年六十以上百餘人，除郎中、太子舍人至王家郎、郡國文學吏。 是歲，鮮卑寇幽州。 沛國言黃龍見譙。
Over a hundred Imperial University students past sixty were examined and given appointments ranging from gentleman consultant and heir’s household attendant to princely household gentleman and commandery literary officer. That year Xianbei raiders struck You province. Pei kingdom reported the sighting of a yellow dragon at Qiao.
34
六年春正月辛丑，大赦天下。
On xinchou in the first month of the sixth year a general amnesty was declared.
35
二月，南宮平城門及武庫東垣屋自壞。 夏四月，大旱，七州蝗。 鮮卑寇三邊。 市賈民為宣陵孝子者數十人，皆除太子舍人。 秋七月，司空劉逸免，衛尉陳球為司空。
In the second month the Pingcheng Gate of the Southern Palace and the eastern wall of the armory fell in without human agency. The fourth month brought severe drought and locust swarms across seven provinces. Xianbei horsemen raided the northern frontier on a broad front. Dozens of merchants who had posed as mourners-for-hire at Emperor Huan’s tomb were enrolled as the heir’s household attendants. In the seventh month Liu Yi was removed as minister of works; Chen Qiu, commandant of the guards, took the post.
36
八月，遣破鮮卑中郎將田晏出雲中，使匈奴中郎將臧旻與南單于出鴈門，護烏桓校尉夏育出高柳，並伐鮮卑，晏等大敗。 冬十月癸丑朔，日有食之。
In the eighth month three columns marched against the Xianbei: Tian Yan from Yunzhong, Zang Min with the Southern Shanyu from Yanmen, and Xia Yu, colonel protecting the Wuhuan, from Gaoliu; all three forces suffered crushing defeat. A solar eclipse occurred on the new moon, guichou, in the tenth month.
37
太尉劉寬免。 帝臨辟雍。 辛丑，京師地震。 辛亥，令天下繫囚罪未決，入縑贖。 十一月，司空陳球免。
Liu Kuan was dismissed as grand commandant. The emperor presided at the imperial academy’s circular moat hall. On xinchou the capital region was shaken by an earthquake. On xinhai undecided prisoners were again permitted silk commutations. Chen Qiu was removed as minister of works in the eleventh month.
38
十二月甲寅，太常河南孟□為太尉。 庚辰，司徒楊賜免。 太常陳耽為司空。 鮮卑寇遼西。 永安太僕王旻下獄死。
On jiayin in the twelfth month Meng Yu of Henan, minister of ceremonies, became grand commandant; the received text omits one character of his name. On gengchen Yang Ci was dismissed as minister of education. Chen Dan, minister of ceremonies, was appointed minister of works. Xianbei raiders invaded Liaoxi. Wang Min, grand coachman of the Yong'an palace, was jailed and died there.
39
光和五年春正月，合浦、交阯烏滸蠻叛，招引九真、日南民攻沒郡縣。 太尉孟□罷。
In the first month of the fifth Guanghe year the Wuhu tribes of Hepu and Jiaozhi rose in revolt, drew in people from Jiuzhen and Rinan, and overran county seats. Grand Commandant Meng Yu was dismissed; the received text omits one character of his name.
40
二月辛亥朔，日有食之。 癸丑，光祿勳陳國袁滂為司徒。 己未，地震。 始置鴻都門學生。 三月辛丑，大赦天下，改元光和。 太常常山張顥為太尉。
The second month opened on xinhai with a solar eclipse. On guichou Yuan Pang of Chen, superintendent of the household for imperial proceedings, became minister of education. On jiwei the earth shook. Students were first enrolled at the Hongdu Gate literary academy. On xinchou in the third month a general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name changed to Guanghe. Zhang Hao of Changshan, minister of ceremonies, was appointed grand commandant.
41
夏四月丙辰，地震。 侍中寺雌雞化為雄。 司空陳耽免，太常來豔為司空。 五月壬午，有白衣人入德陽殿門，亡去不獲。
On bingchen in the fourth month another earthquake struck. At the palace attendants’ compound a hen turned into a rooster. Chen Dan was removed as minister of works; Lai Yan, minister of ceremonies, replaced him. On renwu a figure in white slipped through the Deyang Hall gate and vanished; searchers never found him.
42
冬十月，屯騎校尉袁逢為司空。 皇后宋氏廢，后父執金吾酆下獄死。 丙子晦，日有食之。 十一月，太尉陳球免。 十二月丁巳，光祿大夫橋玄為太尉。
In the tenth month Yuan Feng, colonel of the garrison cavalry, became minister of works. Empress Song was deposed; her father Feng, bearer of the golden mace, was thrown into prison and died there. The month ended on bingzi with a solar eclipse. Chen Qiu was dismissed as grand commandant in the eleventh month. On dingsi in the twelfth month Qiao Xuan, grandee of brilliant candidacy, became grand commandant.
43
是歲，鮮卑寇酒泉。 京師馬生人。 初開西邸賣官，自關內侯、虎賁、羽林，入錢各有差。 私令左右賣公卿，公千萬，卿五百萬。 二年春，大疫，使常侍、中謁者巡行致醫藥。
That year Xianbei raiders struck Jiuquan commandery. In the capital a mare was reported to have foaled something human-shaped. Office-selling began at the Western Lodge: ranks from marquis-within-the-passes down through tiger lancer and Feathered Forest posts carried fixed cash prices. Privately he had his favorites peddle ministerial posts—ten million cash for a seat among the three excellencies, five million for the nine ministers. In the second year’s spring a severe plague broke out; regular attendants and palace envoys carried medicines on relief tours.
44
三月，司徒袁滂免，大鴻臚劉郃為司徒。 乙丑，太尉橋玄罷，太中大夫段颎為太尉。 京兆地震。 司空袁逢罷，太常張濟為司空。
In the third month Yuan Pang left the ministry of education; Grand Herald Liu He succeeded him. On yichou Qiao Xuan stepped down as grand commandant; Duan Jiong, grand counselor, took his place. The metropolitan district was shaken by an earthquake. Yuan Feng was dismissed as minister of works; Zhang Ji, minister of ceremonies, replaced him.
45
夏四月甲戌朔，日有食之。 辛巳，中常侍王甫及太尉段颎並下獄死。 丁酉，大赦天下，諸黨人禁錮小功以下皆除之。 東平王端薨。
The new moon on jiaxu in the fourth month was eclipsed. On xinsi the eunuch Wang Fu and Grand Commandant Duan Jiong were jailed and died there. On dingyou a general amnesty lifted the partisan ban for everyone within the lesser-gong degree of kinship or more distant. Liu Duan, prince of Dongping, died.
46
五月，衛尉劉寬為太尉。 秋七月，使匈奴中郎將張脩有罪，下獄死。
In the fifth month Liu Kuan, commandant of the guards, was promoted to grand commandant. In the seventh month Zhang Xiu, colonel in charge of the Xiongnu, was jailed on charges and died in prison.
47
冬十月甲申，司徒劉郃、永樂少府陳球、衛尉陽球、步兵校尉劉納謀誅宦者，事泄，皆下獄死。 巴郡板楯蠻叛，遣御史中丞蕭瑗督益州刺史討之，不克。
On jiashen in the tenth month Liu He, Chen Qiu, Yang Qiu, and Liu Na conspired to kill the eunuchs; the plot was exposed and all four died in prison. The Ban-dun tribesmen of Ba commandery rebelled; Palace Assistant Secretary Xiao Yuan oversaw the inspector of Yi province in a campaign that failed to crush them.
48
十二月，光祿勳楊賜為司徒。 鮮卑寇幽、幷二州。 是歲，河間王利薨。 洛陽女子生兒，兩頭四臂。
In the twelfth month Yang Ci, superintendent of the household for imperial proceedings, became minister of education. Xianbei raiders struck You and Bing provinces. That year Liu Li, prince of Hejian, died. A woman in Luoyang bore a child reported to have two heads and four arms.
49
三年春正月癸酉，大赦天下。 二月，公府駐駕廡自壞。 三月，梁王元薨。 夏四月，江夏蠻叛。
On guiyou in the first month of the third year a general amnesty was granted. In the second month the carriage sheds at the Three Excellencies compound collapsed on their own. Prince Yuan of Liang died in the third month. The Man tribes of Jiangxia rose in revolt in the fourth month.
50
六月，詔公卿舉能通《古文尚書》、《毛詩》、《左氏》、《穀梁春秋》各一人，悉除議郎。 秋，表是地震，涌水出。 八月，令繫囚罪未決，入縑贖，各有差。
In the sixth month the court called for one nominee apiece expert in the Old Text "Shang shu", the "Mao Odes", the "Zuo Tradition", and the "Guliang Spring and Autumn"; each man chosen was appointed gentleman consultant. That autumn Biaoshi county was hit by an earthquake that brought groundwater surging to the surface. In the eighth month undecided prisoners could again buy release with graded silk payments.
51
冬閏月，有星孛於狼、弧。 鮮卑寇幽、幷二州。 十二月己巳，立貴人何氏為皇后。 是歲，作罼圭、靈昆苑。
During the intercalary winter month a comet appeared in the Bow and Arrow constellations. Xianbei raiders again struck You and Bing. On jisi in the twelfth month Worthy Lady He was elevated to empress. That year work began on the Bigui and Lingkun palace parks.
52
四年春正月，初置騄驥廄丞，領受郡國調馬。 豪右辜搉，馬一匹至二百萬。 二月，郡國上芝英草。 夏四月庚子，大赦天下。 交阯刺史朱儁討交阯、合浦烏滸蠻，破之。
In the first month of the fourth year the post of assistant to the Swift Steeds stable was created to handle horse levies from the commanderies and kingdoms. Rich magnates cornered the trade until a single horse could cost two million cash. In the second month local authorities reported finding auspicious “spirit-fungus” plants. On gengzi in the fourth month a general amnesty was proclaimed. Zhu Jun, inspector of Jiaozhi, campaigned against the Wuhu tribes of Jiaozhi and Hepu and broke their resistance.
53
六月庚辰，雨雹。 秋七月，河南言鳳皇見新城，群鳥隨之； 賜新城令及三老、力田帛，各有差。 九月庚寅朔，日有食之。 太尉劉寬免，衛尉許□為太尉。
On gengchen in the sixth month a hailstorm struck. In the seventh month Henan commandery reported a phoenix at Xincheng with a train of other birds; Rewards in silk were given in graded amounts to the magistrate of Xincheng, the local elders, and model farmers. The ninth month opened on gengyin with a solar eclipse. Liu Kuan was removed as grand commandant; Xu Xiang, commandant of the guards, succeeded him; the received text omits one character of his name.
54
閏月辛酉，北宮東掖庭永巷署災。 司徒楊賜罷。 冬十月，太常陳耽為司徒。 鮮卑寇幽、幷二州。
On xinyou in the intercalary month fire destroyed the Eternal Lane office in the Northern Palace’s eastern annex. Yang Ci was dismissed as minister of education. In the tenth month Chen Dan, minister of ceremonies, became minister of education. Xianbei raiders struck You and Bing provinces again.
55
是歲，帝作列肆於後宮，使諸采女販賣，更相盜竊爭鬥。 帝著商估服，飲宴為樂。 又於西園弄狗，著進賢冠，帶綬。 又駕四驢，帝躬自操轡，驅馳周旋，京師轉相放效。
That year the emperor opened bazaar lanes in the harem and set the palace ladies to hawking wares; they pilfered from one another and came to blows. He dressed like a street peddler and amused himself with feasting and wine. At the Western Garden he sported with dogs, crowned himself with the cap of advanced worthies, and fastened ministerial ribbons about his waist. He also raced a four-donkey chariot, handling the reins himself while careering about the grounds; the capital’s nobles rushed to copy the fad.
56
五年春正月辛未，大赦天下。 二月，大疫。 三月，司徒陳耽免。 夏四月，旱。 太常袁隗為司徒。
On xinwei in the first month of the fifth year a general amnesty was proclaimed. A severe epidemic raged in the second month. Chen Dan was removed as minister of education in the third month. The fourth month brought drought. Yuan Kui, minister of ceremonies, succeeded as minister of education.
57
五月庚申，永樂宮署灾。
Fire destroyed offices at the Yongle Palace on gengshen in the fifth month.
58
秋七月，有星孛於太微。 巴郡板楯蠻詣太守曹謙降。 癸酉，令繫囚罪未決，入縑贖。 八月，起四百尺觀於阿亭道。 冬十月，太尉許□罷，太常楊賜為太尉。 校獵上林苑，歷函谷關，遂巡狩於廣成苑。 十二月，還，幸太學。
A comet appeared in the Supreme Enclosure constellation in the seventh month. The Ban-dun tribesmen of Ba commandery submitted to Governor Cao Qian. On guiyou undecided prisoners were permitted silk commutations. In the eighth month a four-hundred-foot lookout tower was erected on the Ating road. In the tenth month Xu Xiang stepped down as grand commandant; Yang Ci, minister of ceremonies, replaced him; the received text omits one character of Xu’s name. He hunted in Shanglin Park, rode through Hangu Pass, and continued with a ritual hunt at Guangcheng Park. In the twelfth month he returned to the capital and visited the Imperial University.
59
六年春正月，日南徼外國重譯貢獻。 二月，復長陵縣，比豐、沛。 三月辛未，大赦天下。
In the first month of the sixth year embassies from beyond Rinan arrived with tribute. Changling county was re-established in the second month with privileges matching those of the Gaozu’s home counties. On xinwei in the third month a general amnesty was declared.
60
夏，大旱。 秋，金城河水溢。 五原山岸崩。 始置圃囿署，以宦者為令。 冬，東海、東萊、珢邪井中冰厚尺餘。
That summer brought severe drought. That autumn the Yellow River burst its banks in Jincheng. Cliffs along the Wuyuan frontier gave way. A new Park and Preserve bureau was created under a eunuch director. That winter wells in Donghai, Donglai, and Langya froze to a depth of over a foot.
61
大有年。
The year brought bumper harvests.
62
中平元年春二月，鉅鹿人張角自稱『黃天』，其部帥有三十六方，皆著黃巾，同日反叛。 安平、甘陵人各執其王以應之。
In the second month of the first Zhongping year Zhang Jue of Julu proclaimed himself agent of Yellow Heaven; his army was organized in thirty-six divisions whose men all tied on yellow turbans and rose together. In Anping and Ganling the commoners seized their princes and joined the rebellion.
63
三月戊申，以河南尹何進為大將軍，將兵屯都亭。 置八關都尉官。 壬子，大赦天下黨人，還諸徙者，唯張角不赦。 詔公卿出馬、弩，舉列將子孫及吏民有明戰陣之略者，詣公車。 遣北中郎將盧植討張角，左中郎將皇甫嵩、右中郎將朱儁討潁川黃巾。 庚子，南陽黃巾張曼成攻殺郡守褚貢。
On wushen in the third month He Jin, governor of Henan, was appointed general-in-chief and encamped his troops at the metropolitan pavilions. Eight new pass commandantships were created. On renzi partisans empire-wide were pardoned and exiles recalled, while Zhang Jue alone remained outside the amnesty. The court demanded horses and crossbows from the high ministers and called for volunteers with military talent, including descendants of noted generals, to report to the Palace Coaches office. Lu Zhi, general of the household for the north, was sent against Zhang Jue, while Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, generals of the household for the left and right, marched on the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans. On gengzi Zhang Mancheng’s Yellow Turbans in Nanyang slew the governor, Chu Gong.
64
夏四月，太尉楊賜免，太僕弘農鄧盛為太尉。 司空張濟罷，大司農張溫為司空。 朱儁為黃巾波才所敗。 侍中向栩、張鈞坐言宦者，下獄死。 汝南黃巾敗太守趙謙於邵陵。 廣陽黃巾殺幽州刺史郭勳及太守劉衛。
In the fourth month Yang Ci left the grand commandant’s post; Deng Sheng of Hongnong, grand coachman, replaced him. Zhang Ji was dismissed as minister of works; Zhang Wen, grand minister of agriculture, took his place. Zhu Jun suffered defeat at the hands of the Yellow Turban leader Bo Cai. Xiang Xu and Zhang Jun, palace attendants, were jailed and died for having criticized the eunuchs. Yellow Turbans in Runan routed Governor Zhao Qian near Shaoling. Guangyang Yellow Turbans killed Guo Xun, the inspector of You, and the administrator Liu Wei.
65
五月，皇甫嵩、朱儁復與波才等戰於長社，大破之。
In the fifth month Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun crushed Bo Cai’s host at Changshe.
66
六月，南陽太守秦頡擊張曼成，斬之。 交阯屯兵執刺史及合浦太守來達，自稱『柱天將軍』，遣交阯刺史賈琮討平之。 皇甫嵩、朱儁大破汝南黃巾於西華。 詔嵩討東郡，朱儁討南陽。 盧植破黃巾，圍張角於廣宗。 宦官誣奏植，抵罪。 遣中郎將董卓攻張角，不克。
In the sixth month Qin Nie, governor of Nanyang, struck Zhang Mancheng and took his head. Mutinous troops in Jiaozhi captured the inspector and Hepu Governor Lai Da and proclaimed a rebel general-in-chief; Jia Cong, inspector of Jiaozhi, was dispatched and restored order. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun shattered the Runan Yellow Turbans at Xihua. Huangfu Song was ordered east against Dong commandery and Zhu Jun south against Nanyang. Lu Zhi broke the Yellow Turbans and penned Zhang Jue inside Guangzong. The eunuchs framed Lu Zhi and had him punished and removed. Dong Zhuo, general of the household, was sent to relieve the siege but failed to break through.
67
洛陽女子生兒，兩頭共身。 秋七月，巴郡妖巫張脩反，寇郡縣。 河南尹徐灌下獄死。
A Luoyang woman bore a single-bodied infant with two heads. In the seventh month Zhang Xiu, a sorcerer of Ba commandery, rose in revolt and pillaged local seats. Xu Guan, governor of Henan, was thrown into prison and died there.
68
八月，皇甫嵩與黃巾戰於倉亭，獲其帥。 乙巳，詔皇甫嵩北討張角。 九月，安平王續有罪誅，國除。
In the eighth month Huangfu Song defeated the Yellow Turbans at Cangting and seized their leader. On yisi Huangfu Song was ordered north to finish Zhang Jue. In the ninth month Liu Xu, prince of Anping, was executed for a crime and his kingdom extinguished.
69
冬十月，皇甫嵩與黃巾賊戰於廣宗，獲張角弟梁。 角先死，乃戮其屍。 以皇甫嵩為左車騎將軍。
In the tenth month Huangfu Song defeated the Yellow Turbans at Guangzong and captured Zhang Liang, Zhang Jue’s brother. Zhang Jue was already dead, so the victors desecrated his body. Huangfu Song was named general of chariots and cavalry of the left.
70
十一月，皇甫嵩又破黃巾於下曲陽，斬張角弟寶。 湟中義從胡北宮伯玉與先零羌叛，以金城人邊章、韓遂為軍帥，攻殺護羌校尉伶徵、金城太守陳懿。 癸巳，朱儁拔宛城，斬黃巾別帥孫夏。 詔減太官珍羞，御食一肉； 廄馬非郊祭之用，悉出給軍。
In the eleventh month Huangfu Song broke the Yellow Turbans at Xiaquyang and beheaded Zhang Bao. Beigong Boyu, a Hu auxiliarist from the Huangzhong region, joined the Xianling Qiang in revolt, elevated Bian Zhang and Han Sui of Jincheng as chiefs, and killed Ling Zheng, colonel protecting the Qiang, and Chen Yi, governor of Jincheng. On guisi Zhu Jun stormed Wancheng and executed the Yellow Turban leader Sun Xia. An edict cut back the imperial kitchen’s luxury fare so the emperor’s table might offer only a single meat course. Stable horses not reserved for suburban rites were turned over to the armies.
71
十二月己巳，大赦天下，改元中平。
On jisi in the twelfth month a general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name changed to Zhongping.
72
是歲，下邳王意薨，無子，國除。 郡國生異草，備龍蛇鳥獸之形。
That year Liu Yi, prince of Xiapi, died heirless and his kingdom was abolished. Odd plants sprang up in the commanderies and kingdoms shaped like dragons, snakes, birds, and beasts.
73
二年春正月，大疫。 琅邪王據薨。 二月己酉，南宮大灾，火半月乃滅。 癸亥，廣陽門外屋自壞。
A major epidemic struck in the first month of the second year. Liu Ju, prince of Langya, died. On jiyou the Southern Palace burned; the flames were not brought under control for half a month. On guihai structures outside the Guangyang Gate collapsed on their own.
74
稅天下田，畝十錢。 黑山賊張牛角等十餘輩並起，所在寇鈔。
A levy of ten cash per mu was imposed on cultivated land empire-wide. Zhang Niujiao and a dozen other Black Mountain chieftains rose at once and raided wherever they went.
75
司徒袁隗免。 三月，廷尉崔烈為司徒。 北宮伯玉等寇三輔，遣左車騎將軍皇甫嵩討之，不克。 夏四月庚戌，大風，雨雹。 五月，太尉鄧盛罷，太僕河內張延為太尉。
Yuan Kui was removed as minister of education. In the third month Cui Lie, commandant of justice, became minister of education. Beigong Boyu’s rebels ravaged the Three Adjuncts; Huangfu Song, general of chariots and cavalry of the left, was sent against them but could not prevail. On gengxu in the fourth month a violent storm brought hail. In the fifth month Deng Sheng left the grand commandant’s post; Zhang Yan of Henei, grand coachman, replaced him.
76
秋七月，三輔螟。 左車騎將軍皇甫嵩免。 八月，以司空張溫為車騎將軍，討北宮伯玉。 九月，特進楊賜為司空。 冬十月庚寅，司空楊賜薨，光祿大夫許相為司空。
Locusts swarmed the metropolitan region in the seventh month. Huangfu Song was stripped of his post as general of chariots and cavalry of the left. In the eighth month Zhang Wen, minister of works, was named general of chariots and cavalry and ordered to crush Beigong Boyu. In the ninth month Yang Ci, specially advanced, became minister of works. On gengyin in the tenth month Yang Ci died in office as minister of works; Xu Xiang, grandee of brilliant candidacy, succeeded him.
77
前司徒陳耽、諫議大夫劉陶坐直言，下獄死。
Chen Dan, the former minister of education, and Liu Tao, a remonstrance grandee, were jailed and died for outspoken criticism.
78
十一月，張溫破北宮伯玉於美陽，因遣蕩寇將軍周慎追擊之，圍榆中； 又遣中郎將董卓討先零羌。 慎、卓並不克。 鮮卑寇幽、幷二州。 是歲，造萬金堂於西園。 洛陽民生兒，兩頭四臂。
In the eleventh month Zhang Wen routed Beigong Boyu at Meiyang and sent Zhou Shen, general who sweeps away bandits, in pursuit to besiege him at Yuzhong. Dong Zhuo, general of the household, was also dispatched against the Xianling Qiang. Neither Zhou Shen nor Dong Zhuo achieved victory. Xianbei raiders struck You and Bing provinces. That year the Hall of Myriad Gold was raised in the Western Garden. A Luoyang commoner’s child was born with two heads and four arms.
79
三年春二月，江夏兵趙慈反，殺南陽太守秦頡。 庚戌，大赦天下。 大尉張延罷。 車騎將軍張溫為太尉，中常侍趙忠為車騎將軍。
In the second month of the third year Zhao Ci, a mutinous soldier from Jiangxia, killed Qin Nie, governor of Nanyang. On gengxu a general amnesty was proclaimed. Zhang Yan was dismissed as grand commandant. Zhang Wen became grand commandant while the eunuch Zhao Zhong was oddly given the rank of general of chariots and cavalry.
80
復修玉堂殿，鑄銅人四，黃鐘四，及天祿、蝦蟆，又鑄四出文錢。 五月壬辰晦，日有食之。 六月，荊州刺史王敏討趙慈，斬之。 車騎將軍趙忠罷。 秋八月，懷陵上有雀萬數，悲鳴，因鬥相殺。
The Jade Hall was rebuilt; four bronze figures, four yellow bells, and the Tianlu and Giant Toad bronze ornaments were cast, along with new four-snouted bronze coinage. A solar eclipse fell on the last day of the fifth month, renchen. In the sixth month Wang Min, inspector of Jing province, destroyed Zhao Ci’s band and executed him. Zhao Zhong was stripped of his post as general of chariots and cavalry. In the eighth month countless sparrows gathered on Huailing mound, wailing, then turned on one another until many lay dead.
81
冬十月，武陵蠻叛，寇郡界，郡兵討破之。 前太尉張延為宦人所譖，下獄死。 十二月，鮮卑寇幽、幷二州。
In the tenth month the tribesmen of Wuling rose up, raided the commandery frontier, and were beaten back by local forces. Zhang Yan, the former grand commandant, was framed by the eunuchs, thrown into prison, and died there. In the twelfth month Xianbei raiders struck You and Bing provinces.
82
四年春正月己卯，大赦天下。
On jimao in the first month of the fourth year a general amnesty was proclaimed.
83
二月，滎陽賊殺中牟令。 己亥，南宮內殿罘罳自壞。 三月，河南尹何苗討滎陽賊，破之，拜苗為車騎將軍。
In the second month rebels in Xingyang murdered the magistrate of Zhongmou. On jihai the latticed screens in the Southern Palace’s inner hall fell in without warning. In the third month He Miao, governor of Henan, crushed the Xingyang bandits and was rewarded with the rank of general of chariots and cavalry.
84
夏四月，涼州刺史耿鄙討金城賊韓遂，鄙兵大敗，遂寇漢陽，漢陽太守傅燮戰沒。 扶風人馬騰、漢陽人王國並叛，寇三輔。 太尉張溫免，司徒崔烈為太尉。
In the fourth month Geng Bi, inspector of Liang, marched on Han Sui’s rebels in Jincheng and suffered a crushing defeat; Han Sui swept into Hanyang, where Governor Fu Xie fell fighting. Ma Teng of Fufeng and Wang Guo of Hanyang rose together and ravaged the metropolitan region. Zhang Wen was removed as grand commandant; Cui Lie, minister of education, took his place.
85
五月，司空許相為司徒，光祿勳沛國丁宮為司空。 六月，洛陽民生男，兩頭共身。
In the fifth month Xu Xiang moved from minister of works to minister of education, while Ding Gong of Pei became minister of works. In the sixth month a Luoyang commoner’s son was born with two heads on a single trunk.
86
漁陽人張純與同郡張舉舉兵叛，攻殺右北平太守劉政、遼東太守楊終、護烏桓校尉公綦稠等。 舉自稱天子，寇幽、冀二州。 秋九月丁酉，令天下繫囚罪未決，入縑贖。
Zhang Chun of Yuyang and his fellow townsman Zhang Ju mutinied, killing Liu Zheng of Youbeiping, Yang Zhong of Liaodong, Gongqi Chou, colonel protecting the Wuhuan, and others. Zhang Ju declared himself emperor and pillaged You and Ji provinces. On dingyou in the ninth month undecided prisoners were again allowed silk commutations.
87
冬十月，零陵人觀鵠自稱『平天將軍』，寇桂陽，長沙太守孫堅擊斬之。 十一月，太尉崔烈罷，大司農曹嵩為太尉。 十二月，休屠各胡叛。
In the tenth month Guan Hu of Lingling, calling himself general who levels heaven, struck Guiyang; Sun Jian, governor of Changsha, ran him down and executed him. In the eleventh month Cui Lie left the grand commandant’s post; Cao Song, grand minister of agriculture, replaced him. The Xiutuqiang tribesmen rose in revolt in the twelfth month.
88
是歲，賣關內侯，假金印紫綬，傳世，入錢五百萬。
That year a marquis-within-the-passes title could be bought for five million cash, complete with the gold seal and purple ribbon and the right to pass them to an heir.
89
五年春正月，休屠各胡寇西河，殺郡守邢紀。 丁酉，大赦天下。
In the first month of the fifth year Xiutuqiang raiders invaded Xihe and slew Governor Xing Ji. On dingyou a general amnesty was declared.
90
二月，有星孛於紫宮。 黃巾餘賊郭太等起於西河白波谷，寇太原、河東。
A comet appeared in the Purple Palace asterism in the second month. Guo Tai and other Yellow Turban holdouts rose from the Baibo Gorge in Xihe commandery and ravaged Taiyuan and Hedong.
91
三月，休屠各胡攻殺幷州刺史張懿，遂與南匈奴左部胡合，殺其單于。 夏四月，汝南葛陂黃巾攻沒郡縣。 太尉曹嵩罷。 五月，永樂少府樊陵為太尉。
In the third month Xiutuqiang warriors killed Zhang Yi, inspector of Bing, then allied with the left wing of the Southern Xiongnu and murdered that faction’s Shanyu. In the fourth month Runan’s Gebei Yellow Turbans overran county seats. Cao Song was dismissed as grand commandant. In the fifth month Fan Ling, junior prefect of Yongle, became grand commandant.
92
六月丙寅，大風。 太尉樊陵罷。 益州黃巾馬相攻殺刺史郗儉，自稱天子，又寇巴郡，殺郡守趙部，益州從事賈龍擊相，斬之。 郡國七大水。 秋七月，射聲校尉馬日磾為太尉。
A violent windstorm struck on bingyin in the sixth month. Fan Ling was dismissed as grand commandant. Ma Xiang’s Yellow Turbans in Yi province murdered Inspector Xi Jian, proclaimed an emperor, pushed into Ba commandery, and killed Governor Zhao Bu before Jia Long, a provincial clerk, destroyed Ma Xiang and took his head. Seven commanderies and kingdoms suffered serious flooding. In the seventh month Ma Midi, colonel of the archers who let their sound ring, was appointed grand commandant.
93
八月，初置西園八校尉。 司徒許相罷，司空丁宮為司徒。 光祿勳南陽劉弘為司空。 衛尉董重為票騎將軍。
In the eighth month the eight Western Garden colonelcies were created for the first time. Xu Xiang left the ministry of education; Ding Gong, minister of works, succeeded him. Liu Hong of Nanyang, superintendent of the household for imperial proceedings, became minister of works. Dong Zhong, commandant of the guards, was named general of agile cavalry.
94
九月，南單于叛，與白波賊寇河東。 遣中郎將孟益率騎都尉公孫瓚討漁陽賊張純等。
In the ninth month the Southern Shanyu turned rebel and joined White Wave raiders in pillaging Hedong. General of the household Meng Yi was dispatched with Gongsun Zan, colonel of cavalry, to campaign against Zhang Chun’s rebels in Yuyang.
95
冬十月，青、徐黃巾復起，寇郡縣。 甲子，帝自稱『無上將軍』，燿兵於平樂觀。 十一月，涼州賊王國圍陳倉，右將軍皇甫嵩救之。
In the tenth month Yellow Turban remnants in Qing and Xu provinces rose again and attacked local seats. On jiazi the emperor took the title supreme general and reviewed troops at the Pingle observation platform. In the eleventh month Wang Guo’s rebels besieged Chencang; Huangfu Song, general of the right, marched to raise the siege.
96
遣下軍校尉鮑鴻討葛陂黃巾。 巴郡板楯蠻叛，遣上軍別部司馬趙瑾討平之。 公孫瓚與張純戰於石門，大破之。 是歲，改刺史，新置牧。
Bao Hong, colonel of the lower army, was ordered against the Gebei Yellow Turbans. When the Ban-dun tribes of Ba commandery revolted, Zhao Jin, separate-division major of the upper army, was sent and restored order. Gongsun Zan shattered Zhang Chun’s force at Shimen. That year the office of regional inspector was reorganized into the new post of provincial shepherd.
97
六年春二月，左將軍皇甫嵩大破王國於陳倉。
In the second month of the sixth year Huangfu Song, general of the left, shattered Wang Guo’s army at Chencang.
98
三月，幽州牧劉虞購斬漁陽賊張純。 下軍校尉鮑鴻下獄死。
In the third month Liu Yu, shepherd of You, had Zhang Chun of Yuyang hunted down and killed for the posted reward. Bao Hong, colonel of the lower army, was jailed and died there.
99
夏四月丙午朔，日有食之。 太尉馬日磾免，幽州牧劉虞為太尉。 丙辰，帝崩於南宮嘉德殿，年三十四。 戊午，皇子辯即皇帝位，年十七。 尊皇后曰皇太后，太后臨朝。 大赦天下，改元為光熹。 封皇弟協為渤海王。 後將軍袁隗為太傅，與大將軍何進參錄尚書事。 上軍校尉蹇碩下獄死。
The fourth month opened on bingwu with a solar eclipse. Ma Midi was removed as grand commandant; Liu Yu, the shepherd of You province, succeeded him. On bingchen the emperor died in the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace at the age of thirty-four. On wuwu the imperial heir Liu Bian ascended the throne; he was seventeen. The empress was honored as empress dowager, and she began to rule the court as regent. A general amnesty followed and the era name was changed to Guangxi. The emperor’s younger brother Liu Xie was enfeoffed as king of Bohai. Yuan Kui, general of the rear, became grand tutor and shared oversight of the Masters of Writing with General-in-Chief He Jin. Jian Shuo, colonel of the upper army, was thrown into prison and died.
100
五月辛巳，票騎將軍董重下獄死。 六月辛亥，孝仁皇后董氏崩。 辛酉，葬孝靈皇帝於文陵。 雨水。 秋七月，甘陵王忠薨。 庚寅，孝仁皇後歸葬河間慎陵。
On xinsi in the fifth month Dong Zhong, general of agile cavalry, was jailed and died. On xinhai in the sixth month Empress Dowager Dong, posthumously titled Xiaoren, died. On xinyou Emperor Ling was interred at Wen Mausoleum. Rain continued to fall. Prince Zhong of Ganling died in the seventh month. On gengyin the late Empress Dowager Dong was escorted to Hejian for burial at Shen Mausoleum.
101
徙渤海王協為陳留王。 司徒丁宮罷。
Liu Xie was transferred from the kingship of Bohai to that of Chenliu. Ding Gong was dismissed as minister of education.
102
八月戊辰，中常侍張讓、段珪殺大將軍何進，於是虎賁中郎將袁術燒東西宮，攻諸宦者。 庚午，張讓、段珪等劫少帝及陳留王幸北宮德陽殿。 何進部曲將吳匡與車騎將軍何苗戰於朱雀闕下，苗敗，斬之。 辛末，司隸校尉袁紹勒兵收偽司隸校尉樊陵、河南尹許相及諸閹人，無少長皆斬之。 讓、珪等復劫少帝、陳留王走小平津。 尚書盧植追讓、珪等，斬數人，其餘投河而死。 帝與陳留王協夜步逐熒光行數里，得民家露車，共乘之。 辛未，還宮。 大赦天下，改光熹為昭寧。
On wuchen in the eighth month the eunuchs Zhang Rang and Duan Gui murdered He Jin; Yuan Shu, colonel of the household rapid as a tiger, then torched the inner palaces and moved against the eunuch faction. On gengwu Zhang Rang and Duan Gui abducted the young emperor and the king of Chenliu and took refuge in the Deyang Hall of the Northern Palace. Below the Vermilion Bird Gate Wu Kuang, a commander under He Jin, fought He Miao, general of chariots and cavalry; He Miao was routed and beheaded. On the day recorded as xinmo, Yuan Shao, metropolitan commandant, arrested the bogus metropolitan commandant Fan Ling, Henan Governor Xu Xiang, and every eunuch his men could find, executing them without regard to age. Zhang Rang and Duan Gui again fled with the young emperor and the king of Chenliu toward Little Ping Ford. Lu Zhi, director of the secretariat, overtook the eunuchs, killed several, and drove the rest to drown themselves in the river. The emperor and Liu Xie, king of Chenliu, stumbled through the dark for miles by the glimmer of fireflies, then found a peasant’s open cart and rode it together. On xinwei they were brought back to the palace. A general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name Guangxi was changed to Zhaoning.
103
幷州牧董卓殺執金吾丁原。 司空劉弘免，董卓自為司空。 九月甲戌，董卓廢帝為弘農王。 自六月雨，至於是月。
Dong Zhuo, shepherd of Bing province, murdered Ding Yuan, bearer of the golden mace. Liu Hong was removed as minister of works; Dong Zhuo took the post himself. On jiaxu in the ninth month Dong Zhuo deposed the emperor, reducing him to prince of Hongnong. Rain had fallen without cease since the sixth month.
104
論曰：《秦本紀》說趙高譎二世，指鹿為馬，而趙忠、張讓亦紿靈帝不得登高臨觀，故知亡敝者同其致矣。 然則靈帝之為靈也優哉！
The historian remarks: just as the 《Basic Annals of Qin》 tells how Zhao Gao duped the Second Emperor into calling a deer a horse, Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang tricked Emperor Ling out of climbing high towers to survey his realm; the path to ruin runs the same course. Small wonder, then, that his posthumous name should be Ling, “the numinous,” in its darker sense of dissipation!
105
贊曰：靈帝負乘，委體宦孽。 徵亡備兆，《小雅》盡缺。 麋鹿霜露，遂棲宮衛。
The summation reads: Emperor Ling held a throne beyond his strength, the classic “carrying the vessel on his back while riding,” and gave himself over to the eunuchs’ brood. Every sign of ruin stood plain, as if the moral world evoked in the 《Lesser Odes》 had been erased. Deer would bed down in the frost among the palace wards where armored guards once stood.