1
馮異字公孫，潁川父城人也。 好讀書，能《左氏春秋》、《孫子兵法》。
Feng Yi, styled Gongsun, came from Fucheng in Yingchuan. He loved books and had mastered the Zuo Tradition of the Spring and Autumn Annals and Sunzi's Art of War.
2
漢兵起，異以郡掾監五縣，與父城長苗萌共城守，為王莽拒漢。 光武略地潁川，攻父城不下，屯兵巾車鄉。 異間出行屬縣，為漢兵所執。 時異從兄孝及同郡丁綝、呂晏，並從光武，因共薦異，得召見。 異曰：『異一夫之用，不足為強弱。 有老母在城中，願歸據五城，以效功報德。 』光武曰：『善。 』異歸，謂苗萌曰：『今諸將皆壯士屈起，多暴橫，獨有劉將軍所到不虜掠。 觀其言語舉止，非庸人也，可以歸身。 』苗萌曰：『死生同命，敬從子計。 』光武南還宛，更始諸將攻父城者前後十餘輩，異堅守不下； 及光武為司隸校尉，道經父城，異等即開門奉牛、酒迎。 光武署異為主簿，苗萌為從事。 異因薦邑子銚期、叔壽、段建、左隆等，光武皆以為椽史，以至洛陽。
When the Han armies rose, Feng Yi, serving as a commandery clerk overseeing five counties, joined Fucheng's magistrate Miao Meng in holding the city for Wang Mang against the Han. Emperor Guangwu campaigned through Yingchuan, laid siege to Fucheng without success, and quartered his army at Jinche Township. Feng Yi slipped out on patrol of the dependent counties and was captured by Han soldiers. At the time his clansman Feng Xiao and fellow commandery men Ding Lin and Lü Yan were already with Guangwu; together they recommended Feng Yi, who was then granted an audience. Feng Yi said, 'I am only one man; my strength alone cannot tip the balance either way. My aged mother is still inside the walls. Allow me to go back and secure the five cities for you, so I may prove my worth and repay your kindness.' Guangwu replied, 'Very well.' Feng Yi returned and told Miao Meng, 'The other generals are rough men who seized their chance to rise; most are brutal and predatory. Only General Liu takes no spoil wherever he marches.' Watch how he speaks and carries himself: he is no common soldier. We can pledge ourselves to him.' Miao Meng said, 'We share one fate in life or death; I will follow your counsel.' When Guangwu withdrew south to Wan, wave after wave of Gengshi's generals assaulted Fucheng, yet Feng Yi held the defenses and never gave way. When Guangwu was appointed Colonel Director of Retainers and his road led through Fucheng, Feng Yi and his companions opened the gates at once, offering cattle and wine in submission. Guangwu named Feng Yi chief clerk and Miao Meng a retainer. Feng Yi then recommended fellow townsmen Yao Qi, Shushou, Duan Jian, Zuo Long, and others, all of whom Guangwu took on as clerks and scribes until they arrived at Luoyang.
3
更始數欲遣光武徇河北，諸將皆以為不可。 是時，左丞相曹竟子詡為尚書，父子用事，異勸光武厚結納之。 及度河北，詡有力焉。
Gengshi repeatedly wanted to dispatch Guangwu to secure the region north of the Yellow River; his generals unanimously opposed the idea. At that time the left chancellor Cao Jing's son Cao Xu was an imperial secretary; father and son dominated the court, and Feng Yi urged Guangwu to win them over with lavish attention. When Guangwu crossed the Yellow River into the north, Cao Xu proved instrumental.
4
自伯升之敗，光武不敢顯其悲戚，每獨居，輒不禦酒肉，枕席有涕泣處。 異獨叩頭寬譬哀情。 光武止之曰：『卿勿妄言。 』異復因間進說曰：『天下同苦王氏，思漢久矣。 今更始諸將從橫暴虐，所至虜掠，百姓失望，無所依載。 今公專命方面，施行恩德。 夫有桀、紂之亂，乃見湯、武之功； 人久饑渴，是為充飽。 宜急分遣官屬，徇行郡縣，理冤結，布惠澤。 』光武納之。 至邯鄲，遣異與銚期乘傳撫循屬縣，錄囚徒，存鰥寡，亡命自詣者除其罪，陰條二千石長吏同心及不附者上之。
After his brother Bosheng's defeat, Guangwu dared not display his sorrow in public; whenever he was alone he abstained from wine and meat, and his pillow and mat were stained where he had wept. Only Feng Yi kowtowed and spoke gently to ease his anguish. Guangwu cut him short: 'Do not say such things carelessly.' Seizing another private moment Feng Yi urged him, 'All the realm has groaned under the Wangs; the people have hungered for the house of Han for years.' Today Gengshi's generals rampage in tyranny, looting every place they reach. The people have lost hope and have nowhere to turn.' You alone command this region and can show them mercy and grace.' It takes the chaos of a Jie or a Zhou to reveal the achievement of a Tang or a Wu.' When men have starved and thirsted too long, that is the moment to feed them full.' Send your officers at once through the commanderies and counties to redress wrongs and spread your benevolence far and wide.' Guangwu took his advice. At Handan he ordered Feng Yi and Yao Qi to ride the post relays through the attached counties, review those in custody, succor the widowed and alone, pardon fugitives who gave themselves up, and secretly memorialize which chief administrators stood with him and which did not.
5
及王郎起，光武自薊東南馳，晨夜草舍，至饒陽無蔞亭。 時天寒烈，眾皆饑疲，異上豆粥。 明旦，光武謂諸將曰：『昨得公孫豆粥，饑寒俱解』及至南宮，遇大風雨，光武引車入道傍空舍，異抱薪，鄧禹熱火，光武對竈燎衣。 異復進麥飯菟肩。 因復度虖沱河至信都，使異別收河間兵。 還，拜偏將軍。 從破王郎，封應侯。
When Wang Lang rebelled, Guangwu raced southeast from Ji, sleeping rough night and day, until he halted at Wulou Pavilion in Raoyang. The cold was severe; his men were famished and spent, and Feng Yi brought him a bowl of bean porridge. The next dawn Guangwu told his officers, 'Thanks to Gongsun's porridge yesterday, I shook off both hunger and cold.' Farther on, at Nan Palace, a violent storm struck; Guangwu drove into a roadside hut while Feng Yi gathered fuel, Deng Yu lit the fire, and Guangwu dried his clothes over the flames. Feng Yi then served him millet rice and hare haunch. They crossed the Hutuo again to Xindu, where Guangwu detached Feng Yi to levy troops in Hejian. On Feng Yi's return he was named lieutenant general. He took part in the destruction of Wang Lang and received the marquisate of Ying.
6
異為人謙退不伐，行與諸將相逢，輒引車避道。 進止皆有表識，軍中號為整齊。 每所止舍，諸將並坐論功，異常獨屏樹下，軍中號曰『大樹將軍』。 及破邯鄲，乃更部分諸將，各有配隸。 軍士皆言願屬大樹將軍，光武以此多之。 別擊破鐵脛於北平，又降匈奴於林闟頓王，因從平河北。
Feng Yi was humble and never vaunted himself: whenever he met another general on the march he pulled his cart aside to let them pass. His camps and marches were marked by clear signals, and the troops nicknamed him 'the orderly one.' At every halt the other generals sat in a circle boasting of their deeds, while Feng Yi habitually slipped away to sit alone beneath a tree, so the soldiers dubbed him 'the general under the great tree.' After Handan fell he reassigned the commanders, each to a fixed contingent. The rank and file clamored to serve under the general of the great tree, and Guangwu prized him all the more for it. He independently crushed Tiejing at Beiping, forced the submission of the Xiongnu king at Yulintun, and followed Guangwu in the pacification of Hebei.
7
時，更始遣舞陰王李軼、廩丘王田立、大司馬朱鮪、白虎公陳僑將兵號三十萬，與河南太守武勃共守洛陽。 光武將北徇燕、趙，以魏郡、河內獨不逢兵，而城邑宗，倉廩實，乃拜寇恂為河內太守，異為孟津將軍，統二郡軍河上，與恂合執，以拒朱鮪等。
Gengshi meanwhile dispatched the Prince of Wuyin Li Yi, the Prince of Linqiu Tian Li, Grand Marshal Zhu You, and the White Tiger Duke Chen Qiao with a host reckoned at three hundred thousand, alongside Henan governor Wu Bo, to defend Luoyang. As Guangwu prepared to drive north into Yan and Zhao, he noted that Wei and Henei alone had been spared the sword, their towns intact and their granaries full; he therefore named Kou Xun governor of Henei and Feng Yi general of Mengjin to command both commanderies' forces along the river in concert with Kou Xun and bar Zhu You's advance.
8
異乃遺李軼書曰：『愚聞明鏡所以照形，往事所以知今。 昔微子去殷而入周，項伯畔楚而歸漢。 周勃迎代王而黜少帝，霍光尊孝宣而廢昌邑。 彼皆畏天知命，睹存亡之符，見廢興之事，故能成功於一時，垂業於萬世也。 茍令長安尚可扶助，延期歲月，疏不間親，遠不逾近，季文豈能居一隅哉？ 今長安壞亂，赤眉臨郊，王侯構難。 大臣乖離，綱紀已絕，四方分崩，異姓並起，是故蕭王跋涉霜雪，經營河北。 方今英俟雲集，百姓風靡，雖邠歧慕周，不足以喻。 季文誠能覺悟成敗，亟定大計，論功古人，轉禍為福，在此時矣。 如猛將長驅，嚴兵圍城，雖有悔恨，亦無及已。』
Feng Yi wrote to Li Yi: 'They say a bright mirror shows your face and the past illumines the present.' Weizi left Yin for Zhou; Xiang Bo deserted Chu for Han.' Zhou Bo welcomed the King of Dai and cast down the boy emperor; Huo Guang raised Emperor Xuan and removed the king of Changyi.' Each read Heaven's will, grasped the signs of rise and fall, and so won success in his own day and left a name for ages.' Were Chang'an still worth propping up, you might buy time—but strangers cannot part close blood, and those far off cannot outrank those at hand. How long could you, Ji Wen, cling to one small corner?' Chang'an is a shambles; the Red Eyebrows ring the capital; the royal dukes tear one another apart.' The great ministers are split; the state's fabric is torn; the realm fragments and rival houses spring up. That is why the Prince of Xiao braves ice and snow to build his position in the north.' Heroes flock to him like clouds; the people drift to him like grass in the wind—more readily than Bin and Qi once turned to the house of Zhou.' If you can read the tide of fortune, seize the great decision now, and match yourself to the worthies of old, you may yet trade ruin for glory—this is the hour.' But if crack troops sweep in and iron rings close around the walls, remorse will come too late to save you.'
9
初，軼與光武首結謀約，加相親愛，及更始立，反共陷伯升。 雖知長安已危，欲降又不自安。 乃報異書曰：『軼本與蕭王首謀造漢，結死生之約，同榮枯之計。 今軼守洛陽，將軍鎮孟津，俱據機軸，千載一會，思成斷金。 惟深達蕭王，願進愚策，以佐國安人。 』軼自通書之後，不復與異爭鋒，故異因此得北攻天井關，拔上黨兩城，又南下河南成臯已東十三縣，及諸屯集，皆平之，降者十餘萬。 武勃將萬餘人攻諸畔者，異引軍度河，與勃戰於士鄉下，大破斬勃，獲首五千餘級，軼又閉門不救。 異見其信效，具以奏聞。 光武故宣露軼書，令朱鮪知之。 鮪怒，遂使人刺殺軼。 由是城中乖離，多有降者。 鮪乃遣討難將軍蘇茂將數萬人攻溫，鮪自將數萬人攻平陰以綴異。 異遣校尉護軍將兵，與寇恂合擊茂，破之。 異因度河擊鮪，鮪走； 異追至洛陽，環城一匝而歸。
Li Yi and Guangwu had once sworn a private pact and were close as brothers—yet when Gengshi took the throne they conspired to destroy Bosheng. Li Yi knew Chang'an was doomed yet hesitated to come over. He answered Feng Yi: 'I and the Prince of Xiao first plotted to restore Han; we pledged our lives together and swore to share honor or ruin.' You hold Mengjin while I hold Luoyang; together we grip the empire's hinge—an alliance forged once in a thousand years, strong as tempered steel.' Please convey my utmost loyalty to the Prince of Xiao; I would offer my poor counsel to steady the realm and comfort the people.' From the day that letter went out, Li Yi ceased to contest Feng Yi in the field, so Feng Yi drove north, seized Tianjing Pass and two cities in Shangdang, then swept south of the Yellow River through thirteen counties east of Chenggao and every fortified camp, reducing them all and bringing over a hundred thousand men to surrender. Wu Bo marched ten thousand soldiers against the defectors; Feng Yi crossed the river, met him at Shixia, shattered his army, and struck off his head with five thousand counted dead—while Li Yi kept his gates shut and sent no aid. Feng Yi saw how faithfully Li Yi had kept his word and laid the whole matter before the throne. Guangwu deliberately leaked Li Yi's letter so that Zhu You would learn of it. Zhu You, enraged, had Li Yi murdered. Luoyang's defenders then turned on one another, and ever more men came over to the Han. Zhu You dispatched Su Mao the 'general who settles strife' with tens of thousands against Wen while he himself led another host against Pingyin to pin Feng Yi in place. Feng Yi sent the colonel and protector of the army to unite with Kou Xun and crush Su Mao. Feng Yi then crossed the river against Zhu You, who broke and ran. Feng Yi chased him to Luoyang, rode a complete circuit of the walls, and withdrew.
10
移檄上伏，諸將皆入賀，並勸光武即帝位。 光武乃召異詣鄗，問四方動靜。 異曰：『三王反畔，更始敗亡，天下無主，宗廟之憂，在於大王。 宜從眾議，上為社稷，下為百姓。 』光武曰：『我昨夜夢乘赤龍上天，覺悟，心中動悸』異因下席再拜賀曰：『此天命發於精神。 心中動悸，大王重慎之性也。 』異遂與諸將軍議上尊號。
Once his bulletin had gone up the chain of command, every general came to offer congratulations and pressed Guangwu to take the throne. Guangwu summoned Feng Yi to Gao and questioned him on conditions throughout the realm. Feng Yi said, 'The three kings have turned traitor, Gengshi is ruined, and the empire has no master. The fate of the house of Liu rests with you.' Accept what your officers urge—for the altars above and for the people below.' Guangwu said, 'I dreamed last night that I rode a scarlet dragon into the sky; I woke with my heart pounding.' Feng Yi left his seat, bowed twice, and said, 'That is Heaven proclaiming its charge within your inmost mind.' The pounding in your breast only shows the depth of your caution, my lord.' Feng Yi then joined the generals in planning the bestowal of the imperial style.
11
建武二年春，定封異陽夏侯。 引擊陽翟賊嚴終、趙根，破之。 詔異歸家上冢，使太中大夫賫牛、酒，令二百里內太守、都尉已下及宗族會焉。
In the spring of Jianwu 2 his enfeoffment was settled: Feng Yi became marquis of Yangxia. He led troops against the rebels Yan Zhong and Zhao Gen at Yangzhai and broke them. He directed Feng Yi to visit his home and sweep the family graves, sending a palace grandee with oxen and wine and commanding every governor and commandant within two hundred li, down to the lowest rank, and all kinsmen to gather for the occasion.
12
時，赤眉、延岑暴亂三輔，郡縣大姓各擁兵眾，大司徒鄧禹不能定，乃遣異代禹討之。 車駕送至河南，賜以乘輿七尺具劍。 敕異曰：『三輔遭王莽、更始之亂，重以赤眉、延岑之酷，元元塗炭，無所依訴。 今之征伐，非必略地屠城，要在平定安集之耳。 諸將非不健鬥，然好虜掠。 卿本能禦吏士，念自修敕，無為郡縣所苦。 』異頓首受命，引而西，所至皆布威信。 弘農群盜稱將軍者十餘輩，皆率眾降異。
While the Red Eyebrows and Yan Cen terrorized the capital region and powerful local houses raised private armies, Grand Minister of Education Deng Yu could not restore order, so the court replaced him with Feng Yi. The emperor escorted him to Henan and gave him a seven-foot sword from the imperial train. His charge read: 'The three approaches have been wrecked by Wang Mang and Gengshi, then scourged by the Red Eyebrows and Yan Cen. The people lie in ashes and have no one to whom they may cry.' This expedition is not meant to grab land or sack cities; you are to pacify and gather the people in.' My generals fight well enough, but they cannot resist plunder.' You have always kept your men in hand—continue to hold yourself and them to strict discipline and spare the counties further pain.' Feng Yi kowtowed, took the order, marched west, and everywhere his prestige and good faith went before him. More than a dozen rebel bands in Hongnong who styled themselves generals brought their followers to surrender to him.
13
異與赤眉遇於華陰，相拒六十餘日，戰數十合，降其將劉始、王宣等五千餘人。 三年春，遣使者即拜異為征西大將軍。 會鄧禹率車騎將軍鄧弘等引歸，與異相遇，禹、弘要異共攻赤眉。 異曰：『異與賊相拒且數十日，雖屢獲雄將，餘眾尚多，可稍以恩信傾誘，難卒用兵破也。 上今使諸將屯黽池要其東，而異擊其西，一舉取之，此萬成計也。 』禹、弘不從。 弘遂大戰移日，赤眉陽敗，棄輜重走。 車皆載土，以豆覆其上，兵士饑，爭取之。 赤眉引還擊弘，弘軍潰亂。 異與禹合兵救之，赤眉小卻。 異以士卒饑倦，可且休，禹不聽，復戰，大為所敗，死傷者三千餘人。 禹得脫歸宜陽。 異棄馬步走上回谿阪，與麾下數人歸營。 復堅壁，收其散卒，招集諸營保數萬人，與賊約期會戰。 使壯士變服與赤眉同，伏於道側。 旦日，赤眉使萬人攻異前部，異裁出兵以救之。 賊見勢弱，遂悉眾攻異，異乃縱兵大戰。 日昃，賊氣衰，伏兵卒起，衣服相亂，赤眉不復識別，眾遂驚潰。 追擊，大破於崤底，降男女八萬人。 餘眾尚十餘萬，東走宜陽降。 璽書勞異曰：『赤眉破平，士吏勞苦，始雖垂翅回谿，終能奮翼黽池，可謂失之東隅，收之桑榆。 方論功賞，以答大勛。』
He met the Red Eyebrows at Huayin and for over sixty days they glared at each other across dozens of clashes until he won over their officers Liu Shi, Wang Xuan, and more than five thousand soldiers. In the third year an imperial messenger invested him on the field as grand general of the western expedition. Deng Yu was retreating with General of Chariots and Cavalry Deng Hong and the rest when he met Feng Yi; Deng Yu and Deng Hong pressed him to join them in striking the Red Eyebrows. Feng Yi objected: 'We have faced these bandits for weeks. I have taken some of their best commanders, but their numbers remain huge. They can be worn down with kindness and trust, not smashed overnight by force.' His Majesty wants other columns to hold Mianchi and seal their eastern flank while I hit them from the west—that is the sure plan to finish them in one blow.' Deng Yu and Deng Hong would not listen. Deng Hong attacked at once and fought all day; the Red Eyebrows pretended to flee, abandoning their wagons. The carts were loaded with sand topped by a thin layer of beans; the starving soldiers fell on the bait. The Red Eyebrows wheeled and fell on Deng Hong, shattering his ranks. Feng Yi and Deng Yu rushed in together and checked the rout briefly. Feng Yi saw his men were famished and exhausted and begged for a pause; Deng Yu refused and attacked again, suffering a crushing defeat with over three thousand casualties. Deng Yu barely escaped and limped back to Yiyang. Feng Yi left his horse and fled on foot up the slope at Huixi, reaching camp with only a handful of followers. He dug in, rallied stragglers, and drew several tens of thousands from the outlying stockades, then fixed a day to meet the enemy in the field. He dressed picked warriors in Red Eyebrow garb and hid them along the route. At daybreak the Red Eyebrows threw ten thousand men against Feng Yi's front; Feng Yi feigned a thin relief column. Seeing weakness, they threw their entire force at Feng Yi, who then sprung his full strength in reply. Past noon their ardor faded; Feng Yi's hidden men rose at once, and in the confusion of identical dress the Red Eyebrows could not tell ranks apart and collapsed in rout. He pursued them, shattered their host at Yaodi, and accepted the surrender of eighty thousand men, women, and children. More than a hundred thousand survivors fled east to Yiyang and gave themselves up. The emperor's sealed rescript told Feng Yi: 'The Red Eyebrows are crushed. Your officers have borne a bitter campaign: first you seemed a clipped bird over Huixi, yet you spread your wings again at Mianchi—truly you lost at sunrise and won before sunset.' We shall weigh merit and grant rewards worthy of this feat.
14
時，赤眉雖降，眾寇猶盛：延岑據藍田，王歆據下邽，芳丹據新豐，蔣震據霸陵，張邯據長安，公孫守據長陵，楊周據谷口，呂鮪據陳倉，角閎據汧，駱延據盩厔，任良據鄠，汝章據槐里，各稱將軍，擁兵多者萬餘，少者數千人，轉相攻擊。 異且戰且行，屯軍上林苑中。 延岑既破赤眉，自稱武安王，拜置牧守，欲據關中，引張邯、任良共攻異。 異擊破之，斬首千餘級，諸營保守附岑者皆來降歸異。 岑走攻析，異遣復漢將軍鄧曄、輔漢將軍於匡要擊岑，大破之，隆其將蘇臣等八千餘人。 岑遂自武關走南陽。
Even with the Red Eyebrows gone, banditry still swelled: Yan Cen at Lantian, Wang Xin at Xiaqui, Fang Dan at Xinfeng, Jiang Zhen at Baling, Zhang Han in Chang'an, Gongsun Shou at Zhangling, Yang Zhou at Gukou, Lü Wei at Chencang, Jiao Hong at Qian, Luo Yan at Zhouzhi, Ren Liang at Hu, Ru Zhang at Huaili—each styled himself a general, mustering from a few thousand to over ten thousand men and raiding one another endlessly. Feng Yi fought his way forward and pitched camp inside the imperial hunting park at Shanglin. Once Yan Cen had beaten the Red Eyebrows, he proclaimed himself King of Wu'an, set up his own officials, aimed to hold Guanzhong, and marched Zhang Han and Ren Liang against Feng Yi. Feng Yi routed them, took more than a thousand heads, and every stockade that had backed Yan Cen came over to the Han. Yan Cen struck toward Xi; Feng Yi sent Generals Deng Ye and Yu Kuang to ambush him, broke his army, and induced Su Chen and more than eight thousand of his officers and men to surrender. Yan Cen then bolted through Wu Pass into Nanyang.
15
時，百姓饑餓，人相食，黃金一斤易豆五升。 道路斷隔，委輸不至，軍士委以果實為糧。 詔拜南陽趙匡為右扶風，將兵助異，並送縑谷，軍中皆稱萬歲。 異兵食漸盛，乃稍誅擊豪傑不從令者，褒賞降附有功勞者，悉遣其渠帥詣京師，散其眾歸本業。 威行關中，惟呂鮪、張邯、蔣震遣使降蜀，其餘悉平。
Famine stalked the land; men fed on one another; a pound of gold bought only five pints of beans. Supply lines were severed and grain never came; the troops lived on wild fruit. An edict named Zhao Kuang of Nanyang as right overseer of Fufeng to reinforce Feng Yi with troops, grain, and silk; the camps shouted long life to the throne. As provisions returned, Feng Yi executed defiant magnates, rewarded loyal defectors, shipped rebel chiefs to Luoyang, and sent the rank and file home to their fields. His authority filled Guanzhong; only Lü Wei, Zhang Han, and Jiang Zhen sent envoys to yield to Gongsun Shu's Shu; every other stronghold submitted.
16
明年，公孫述遣將程焉，將數萬人就呂鮪出屯陳倉。 異與趙匡迎擊，大破之，焉退走漢川。 異追戰於箕谷，復破之，還擊破呂鮪，營保降者甚眾。 其後蜀復數遣將間出，異輒摧挫之。 懷來百姓，申理枉結，出入三歲，上林成都。
The following year Gongsun Shu dispatched Cheng Yan with tens of thousands to unite with Lü Wei and fortify Chencang. Feng Yi and Zhao Kuang met them in battle, crushed them, and drove Cheng Yan back toward the Han River basin. He pursued them into Ji Valley, broke them again, then swung back to shatter Lü Wei, bringing hosts of garrisons to capitulate. Shu kept slipping raiding columns through the lines; Feng Yi smashed each one. He won the people by kindness, cleared old wrongs, and within three years the waste of Shanglin bloomed again like Chengdu.
17
異自以久在外，不自安，上書思慕闕廷，願親帷幄，帝不許。 後人有章言異專制關中，斬長安令，威權至重，百姓歸心，號為『咸陽王』。 帝使以章示異。 異惶懼，上書謝曰：『臣本諸生，遭遇受命之會，充備行伍，過蒙恩私，位大將，爵通侯，受任方面，以立微功，皆自國家謀慮，愚臣無所能及。 臣伏自思惟：以詔敕戰攻，每輒如意； 時以私心斷決，未嘗不有悔。 國家獨見之明，久而益遠，乃知「性與天道，不可得而聞也」。 當兵革始起，擾攘之時，豪傑競逐，迷惑千數。 臣以遭遇，托身聖明，在傾危混淆之中，尚不敢過差，而況天下平定，上尊下卑，而臣爵位所蒙，巍巍不測乎？ 誠冀以謹敕，遂自終始。 見所示臣章，戰栗怖懼。 伏念明主知臣愚性，固敢因緣自陳。 』詔報曰：『將軍之於國家，義為君臣，恩猶父子。 何嫌何疑，而有懼意？』
Feng Yi, uneasy after so long in the field, begged to return to court and serve at the emperor's side; the throne refused. Later a memorial charged him with ruling Guanzhong on his own authority, executing the magistrate of Chang'an, and holding such awe that the people hailed him as king of Xianyang. The emperor sent him the accusation to read. Trembling, Feng Yi wrote: 'I was only a scholar when fate raised this house; I rose through the ranks, received honors beyond desert—grand general, full marquis, command of a region—and won meager merit only because the state mapped every step; no wit of mine could match that.' Whenever I fought by your sealed orders, fortune favored us. Whenever I followed my own judgment, I lived to regret it. Your vision alone, steady and deepening, taught me what Confucius meant: "Nature and Heaven's way cannot be heard from a teacher."' In the first chaos of war, rival chiefs swarmed by the thousand, each chasing glory.' I clung to your light amid collapse and murk and still dared not stumble—now that the realm is ordered, high and low know their place, and my rank towers beyond measure, how could I?' I pray only to govern myself with care from first to last.' Reading the charge laid against me, I shake with dread.' Yet I trust you know my dull honesty; I venture this plea all the same.' The rescript answered: 'Between you and the throne the bond is minister and sovereign, yet the kindness is like father and son.' What shadow of distrust should make you afraid?'
18
六年春，異朝京師。 引見，帝謂公卿曰：『是我起兵時主簿也。 為吾披荊棘，定關中。 』既罷，使中黃門賜以珍寶、衣服、錢、帛。 詔曰：『倉卒無蔞亭豆粥，虖沱河麥飯，厚意久不報。 』異稽首謝曰：『臣聞管仲謂桓公曰：「願君無忘射鉤，臣無忘檻車。 」齊國賴之。 臣今亦願國家無忘河北之難，小臣不敢忘巾車之恩。 』後數引宴見，定議圖蜀，留十餘日，令異妻子隨異還西。
In the sixth year of Jianwu Feng Yi came to court at Luoyang. During the audience he told the high ministers, 'Here is the chief clerk who stood with me when I first took arms.' He cut a path through the brambles and brought peace to Guanzhong.' After court he sent a palace eunuch with gems, robes, cash, and silk. His message read: 'The porridge at Wulou, the millet at the Hutuo crossing—your kindness went long unrepaid.' Feng Yi kowtowed and said, 'Guan Zhong told Duke Huan, "May my lord remember the arrow that nearly killed you; may I remember the prison cart that spared me."' On that covenant Qi built its greatness.' So I pray the court will not forget the trials in Hebei, nor I the meal you shared at Jinche.' Afterward the emperor feasted him often, fixed the strategy against Shu, kept him ten days, then sent him west again with his family.
19
夏，遣諸將上隴，為隗囂所敗，乃詔異軍栒邑。 未及至，隗囂乘勝使其將王元、行巡將二萬餘人下隴，因分遣巡取栒邑。 異即馳兵，欲先據之。 諸將皆曰：『虜兵盛而新乘勝，不可與爭，宜止軍便地，徐思方略。 』異曰：『虜兵臨境，忸忕小利，遂欲深入。 若得栒邑，三輔動搖，是吾憂也。 夫「攻者不足，守者有餘」。 今先據城，以逸待勞，非所以爭也。 』潛往閉城，偃旗鼓。 行巡不足，馳赴之。 異乘其不意。 卒擊鼓建旗而出。 巡軍驚亂奔走，追擊數十里，大破之。 祭遵亦破王元於汧。 於是北地諸豪長耿定等，悉畔隗囂降。 異上書言狀，不敢自伐。 諸將或欲分其功，帝患之。 乃下璽書曰：『制詔大司馬，虎牙、建威、漢忠、捕虜、武威將軍：虜兵猥下，三輔驚恐。 栒邑危亡，在於旦夕。 北地營保，按兵觀望。 今偏城獲全，虜兵挫折，使耿定之屬，復念君臣之義。 征西功若丘山，猶自以為不足。 孟之反奔而殿，亦何異哉？ 今遣太中大夫賜征西吏士死傷者醫藥、棺斂，大司馬已下親吊死問疾，以崇謙讓。 』於是使異進軍義渠，並領北地太守事。
That summer columns sent onto Long were beaten by Wei Ao; the emperor shifted Feng Yi's command to Xunyi. Before Feng Yi could arrive, Wei Ao exploited his win to push Wang Yuan and Xing Xun with over twenty thousand men off the Long plateau, detaching Xing Xun to snap up Xunyi. Feng Yi spurred his army to reach the town first. His officers urged: 'The foe is fresh from victory and too strong to meet; halt on favorable ground and plan at leisure.' Feng Yi replied: 'They covet a quick prize on the frontier and mean to drive deep.' If they take Xunyi, the capital region reels—that is what I fear.' The old maxim says, "Attackers run short; defenders hold the edge."' Seize the walls first, rest while they tire—that is not reckless battle.' He slipped in, barred the gates, and hid drums and flags. Xing Xun, caught off guard, raced to claim the place. Feng Yi struck while he was unwary. Suddenly the Han beat drums, raised standards, and sortied. Xing Xun's men panicked and fled; Feng Yi chased them tens of li and broke them utterly. Zhai Zun likewise crushed Wang Yuan at Qian. Then the great clans of Beidi, led by Geng Ding, abandoned Wei Ao for the Han. Feng Yi reported the victory without praising himself. Other generals tried to steal credit; the emperor found it distasteful. He issued a sealed edict to the grand marshal and the Tiger Fang, Jianwei, Hanzhong, Capture Barbarian, and Wuwei generals: 'The enemy has poured down Long; the three approaches tremble.' Xunyi may fall by nightfall.' The Beidi stockades sit idle, watching which way the wind blows.' Because this lone city stands and the invader is bloodied, men like Geng Ding remember their duty to the throne.' The western commander's merit towers like a mountain, yet he calls it insufficient.' Is he not another Meng Zhifan, who ran yet shielded the army?' We dispatch a palace grandee with medicines and coffins for the wounded and the dead, and order every commander down to the grand marshal to mourn the fallen and visit the sick, honoring humility.' He then ordered Feng Yi toward Yiqu and added the governorship of Beidi.
20
青山胡率萬餘人降異。 異又擊盧芳將賈覽、匈奴薁日逐王，破之。 上郡、安定皆降，異復領安定太守事。 九年春，祭遵卒，詔異守征虜將軍，並將其營。 及隗囂死，其將王元、周宗等復立囂子純，猶總兵據冀，公孫述遣將趙匡等救之，帝復令異行天水太守事。 攻匡等且一年，皆斬之。 諸將共攻冀，不能拔，欲且還休兵，異固持不動，常為眾軍鋒。
The Qing Mountain Xiongnu brought over ten thousand warriors to submit. He next defeated Lu Fang's general Jia Lan and the Xiongnu Worthy King Wurizhu. Shang and Anding yielded; Feng Yi was given Anding as well. In the ninth year Zhai Zun died; the court named Feng Yi acting general who captures barbarians and merged their camps. After Wei Ao's death Wang Yuan and Zhou Zong raised Ao's son Wei Chun at Ji; Gongsun Shu sent Zhao Kuang to relieve them, and the emperor again put Tianshui under Feng Yi's charge. He besieged Zhao Kuang's ring for nearly a year and executed them all. The allied generals could not storm Ji and wanted to pull back; Feng Yi held his ground and always led the van.
21
明年夏，與諸將攻落門，未拔，病發，薨於軍，謚曰節侯。
The next summer he joined the assault on Luomen; the city had not fallen when he fell ill and died in camp, posthumously honored as Marquis Jie.
22
長子彰嗣。 明年，帝思異功，復封彰弟訢為析鄉侯。 十三年，更封彰東緡侯，食三縣。 永平中，徙封平鄉侯。 彰卒，子普嗣，有罪，國除。
His eldest son Feng Zhang succeeded to the title. The following year, remembering Feng Yi's service, the court also enfeoffed his brother Feng Xin as marquis of Xixiang. In the thirteenth year Feng Zhang was moved to the marquisate of Dongmin with revenue from three counties. Under Yongping his seat was shifted to the marquisate of Pingxiang. Feng Zhang died and his son Pu inherited, but a crime stripped the house of its fief.
23
永初六年，安帝下詔曰：『夫仁不遺親，義不忘勞，興滅繼絕，善善及子孫，古之典也。 昔我光武受命中興，恢弘聖緒，橫被四表，昭假上下，光耀萬世，祉祚流衍，垂於罔極。 予末小子，夙夜永思，追惟勛烈，披圖案籍，建武元功二十八將，佐命虎臣，讖記有征。 蓋蕭、曹紹封，傳繼於今； 況此未遠，而或至乏祀，朕其湣之。 其條二十八將無嗣絕世，若犯罪奪國，其子孫應當統後者，分別署狀上。 將及景風，章敘舊德，顯茲遺功焉。 』於是紹封普子晨為平鄉侯。 明年，二十八將絕國者，皆紹封焉。
In Yongchu 6 Emperor An proclaimed: 'Humaneness cherishes kin, righteousness remembers toil, fallen houses must be raised, and merit should bless descendants—such was the ancient rule.' When Guangwu received Heaven's charge and revived the Han, he widened the royal work until its glory filled the four seas and lit the ages; his blessing still runs without end.' I, immature as I am, pore night and day over the charts: the twenty-eight champions of Jianwu, the tiger ministers who bore the mandate, stand written in the portents.' Xiao He and Cao Shen kept their lines unbroken to this day;' these heroes are closer in time, yet some lack heirs—I grieve for them.' List every one of the twenty-eight whose line died out or whose fief was lost to crime, and note any descendant fit to carry the title, each case on its own memorial.' When the Jing-wind rites come round, we shall publish their old virtue and honor these unfinished deeds.' He therefore restored the line, naming Pu's son Chen marquis of Pingxiang. The next year every extinguished house among the twenty-eight was re-enfeoffed.
24
岑彭字君然，南陽棘陽人也。 王莽時，守本縣長。 漢兵起，攻拔棘陽，彭將家屬奔前隊大夫甄阜。 阜怒彭不能固守，拘彭母妻，令效功自襯。 彭將賓客戰鬥甚力。 及甄阜死，彭被創，亡歸宛，與前隊貳嚴說共城守。 漢兵攻之數月，城中糧盡，人相食，彭乃與說舉城降。
Cen Peng, styled Junran, came from Jiyang in Nanyang. Under Wang Mang he served as magistrate of his home county. When the Han armies rose and seized Jiyang, Cen Peng led his family to the forward-army grandee Zhen Fu. Zhen Fu, furious that Cen Peng had not held the town, held his mother and wife hostage and ordered him to earn his way back with battlefield merit. Cen Peng led his clients into battle and fought with exceptional stubbornness. When Zhen Fu fell, Cen Peng was wounded and fled to Wan, where he and Yan Shuo, deputy of the forward army, held the walls together. The Han besieged them for months until the granaries were empty and cannibalism began; Cen Peng and Yan Shuo then surrendered the whole city.
25
諸將欲誅之，大司徒伯升曰：『彭，郡之大吏，執心堅守，是其節也。 今舉大事，當表義士，不如封之，以勸其後。 』更始乃封彭為歸德侯，令屬伯升。 及伯升遇害，彭復為大司馬朱鮪校尉，從鮪擊王莽楊州牧李聖，殺之，定淮陽城。 鮪薦彭為淮陽都尉。 更始遣立威王張卬與將軍徭偉鎮淮陽。 偉反，擊走卬。 彭引兵攻偉，破之。 遷潁川太守。
The generals wanted them beheaded, but Grand Minister Liu Bosheng said, 'Cen Peng was a senior official who defended his post to the end—that is constancy.' As we launch this great cause we ought to honor such loyalty; enfeoff him and others will take heart.' Gengshi then named Cen Peng marquis of Guide and attached him to Bosheng's command.' After Bosheng was murdered, Cen Peng again served as colonel under Grand Marshal Zhu You, joined him against Wang Mang's Yangzhou governor Li Sheng, slew Li, and secured Huaiyang. Zhu You recommended him for the Huaiyang commandancy. Gengshi dispatched the Prince who Establishes Might Zhang Ang and General Yao Wei to hold Huaiyang. Yao Wei mutinied, routed Zhang Ang, and drove him out. Cen Peng marched against Yao Wei and broke his force. He was transferred to governor of Yingchuan.
26
會舂陵劉茂起兵，略下潁川，彭不得之官，乃與麾下數百人從河內太守邑人韓歆。 會光武徇河內，歆議欲城守，彭止不聽。 既而光武至懷，歆迫急迎降。 光武知其謀，大怒，收歆置鼓下，將斬之。 召見彭，彭因進說曰：『今赤眉入關，更始危殆，權臣放縱，矯稱詔制，道路阻塞，四方蜂起，群雄競逐，百姓無所歸命。 竊聞大王平河北，開王業，此誠皇天祐漢，士人之福也。 彭幸蒙司徒公所見全濟，未有報德，旋被禍難，永恨於心。 今復遭遇，願出身自效。 』光武深接納之。 彭因言韓歆南陽大人，可以為用。 乃貰歆，以為鄧禹軍師。
When Liu Mao of Chunling rebelled and overran Yingchuan, Cen Peng could not take up office and instead followed several hundred followers to his fellow townsman Han Xin, the governor of Henei. As Guangwu advanced through Henei, Han Xin debated holding the city; Cen Peng dissuaded him, but Han Xin would not listen. When Guangwu reached Huai, Han Xin—boxed in—opened the gates and submitted. Guangwu, learning of the earlier plot, was furious: he had Han Xin bound beneath the army drum and prepared to execute him. Called before Guangwu, Cen Peng urged: 'The Red Eyebrows are in Guanzhong, Gengshi totters, favorites forge orders, roads are cut, rebels rise on every side, and the people have no master.' They say you have pacified Hebei and laid the foundations of a new dynasty—Heaven's favor to Han and a blessing to every loyal man.' Grand Minister Bosheng once spared my life; I never repaid him before disaster struck, and that grief has never left me. Now fate sets me before you again; I beg to serve with my whole strength.' Guangwu welcomed him warmly and took him in.' Cen Peng added that Han Xin was a leading figure of Nanyang who could still be useful. Guangwu spared Han Xin and named him Deng Yu's army adviser.
27
建武二年，使彭擊荊州，下犨、葉等十餘城。 是時，南方尤亂。 南郡人秦豐據黎丘，自稱楚黎王，略十有二縣； 董訢起堵鄉； 許邯起杏； 又，更始諸將各擁兵據南陽諸城。 帝遣吳漢伐之，漢軍所過多侵暴。 時，破虜將軍鄧奉謁歸新野，怒吳漢掠其鄉里，遂反，擊破漢軍，獲其輜重，屯據淯陽，與諸賊合從。 秋，彭破杏，降許邯，遷征南大將軍。 復遣朱祐、賈復及建威大將軍耿弇，漢忠將軍王常，武威將軍郭守，越騎將軍劉宏，偏將軍劉嘉、耿植等，與彭並力討鄧奉。 先擊堵鄉，而奉將萬餘人救董訢。 訢、奉皆南陽精兵，彭等攻之，連月不克。 三年夏，帝自將南征，至葉，董訁斤別將將數千人遮首，車騎不可得前。 彭奔擊，大破之。 帝至堵陽，鄧奉夜逃歸淯陽，董訁斤降。 彭復與耿弇、賈復及積弩將軍傅俊、騎都尉臧宮等從追鄧奉於小長安，帝率諸將親戰，大破之。 奉迫急，乃降。 帝憐奉舊功臣，且釁起吳漢，欲全宥之。 彭與耿弇諫曰：『鄧奉背恩反逆，暴師經年，致賈復傷痍，朱祐見獲。 陛下既至，不知悔善，而親在行陳，兵敗乃降。 若不誅奉，無以懲惡。 』於是斬之。 奉者，西華侯鄧晨之兄子也。
In Jianwu 2 the emperor sent Cen Peng against Jingzhou; he captured Chou, Ye, and over ten towns. The south was in utter chaos. Qin Feng of Nan commandery held Liqiu, called himself King Chu-Li, and overran twelve counties; Dong Xin raised a revolt at Duxiang. Xu Han seized Xing and set up his own camp. Meanwhile Gengshi's generals still garrisoned the Nanyang towns. He dispatched Wu Han, whose columns plundered and abused the countryside as they marched. General Deng Feng was home in Xinye on leave when Wu Han ravaged his district; he revolted, shattered Wu Han's corps, seized the baggage, fortified Yuyang, and allied with the other rebels. That autumn Cen Peng took Xing, forced Xu Han to yield, and was promoted grand general of the southern expedition. He reinforced Cen Peng with Zhu You, Jia Fu, Geng Yan, Wang Chang, Guo Shou, Liu Hong, Liu Jia, Geng Zhi, and others for the campaign against Deng Feng. They hit Duxiang first; Deng Feng brought ten thousand men to relieve Dong Xin. Dong Xin and Deng Feng commanded Nanyang's best soldiers, and for months the imperial army could not break them. In the third summer the emperor marched south to Ye, where one of Dong Xin's officers barred the way with several thousand men and stopped the chariots and horse. Cen Peng charged them and scattered their line. At Duyang Deng Feng fled by night to Yuyang while Dong Xin capitulated. Cen Peng, Geng Yan, Jia Fu, Fu Jun, Zang Gong, and the rest pursued Deng Feng to Xiao Chang'an, where the emperor himself led the assault and crushed him. Hard pressed, Deng Feng surrendered. The emperor pitied an old servant of the cause and knew Wu Han had provoked the revolt; he meant to spare Deng Feng. Cen Peng and Geng Yan objected: 'Deng Feng betrayed your kindness, kept the armies in the field a year, wounded Jia Fu, and captured Zhu You.' Even after you arrived he showed no remorse, fought you in person, and only yielded when beaten.' Spare him and you cannot warn the wicked.' Deng Feng was executed. Deng Feng was a nephew of Deng Chen, marquis of Xihua.
28
車駕引還，令彭率傅俊、臧宮、劉宏等三萬餘人南擊秦豐，拔黃郵，豐與其大將蔡宏拒彭等於鄧，數月不得進。 帝怪以讓彭，彭懼，於是夜勒兵馬，申令軍中，使明旦西擊山都。 乃緩所獲虜，令得逃亡，歸以告豐，豐即采其軍西邀彭。 彭乃潛兵度沔水，擊其將張楊於阿頭山，大破之。 從川谷間伐木開道，直襲黎丘，擊破諸屯兵。 豐聞大驚，馳歸救之。 彭與諸將依東山為營，豐與蔡宏夜攻鼓，彭豫為之備，出兵逆擊之，豐敗走，追斬蔡宏。 更封彭為舞陰侯。
On the withdrawal the emperor gave Cen Peng Fu Jun, Zang Gong, Liu Hong, and thirty thousand men to strike Qin Feng, seized Huangyou, then stalled at Deng against Qin Feng and Cai Hong for months. When the emperor rebuked the delay, Cen Peng—alarmed—drilled his troops by night and announced a dawn march west against Shandu. He released prisoners to carry word to Qin Feng, who at once shifted his army west to intercept Cen Peng. Cen Peng meanwhile slipped across the Han River, fell on Zhang Yang at Mount Atou, and routed him. He cut a track through the valleys, burst into Liqiu, and tore apart the outlying camps. Qin Feng raced back to save his base. Cen Peng's line stood on the eastern hills; Qin Feng and Cai Hong attacked by night, but Cen Peng was ready, counterattacked, drove Qin Feng off, and killed Cai Hong in the pursuit. His fief was moved to the marquisate of Wuyin.
29
秦豐相趙京舉宜城降，拜為成漢將軍，與彭共圍豐於黎丘。 時田戎擁眾夷陵，聞秦豐被圍，懼大兵方至，欲降。 而妻兄辛臣諫戎曰：『今四方豪傑各據郡國，洛陽地如掌耳，不如按甲以觀其變。 』戎曰：『以秦王之強，猶為征南所圍，豈況吾邪？ 降計決矣。 』四年春，戎乃留辛臣守夷陵，自將兵沿江溯沔止黎丘，刻期日當降，而辛臣於後盜戎珍寶，從間道先降於彭，而以書招戎。 戎疑必賣己，遂不敢降，百反與秦豐合，彭出兵攻戎，數月，大破之，其大將伍公詣彭降，戎亡歸夷陵。 帝幸黎丘勞軍，封彭吏士有功者百餘人。 彭攻秦豐三歲，斬首九萬餘級，豐餘兵裁千人，又城中食且盡。 帝以豐轉弱，令朱祐代彭守之，使彭與傅俊南擊田戎，大破之，遂拔夷陵，追至秭歸。 戎與數十騎亡入蜀，盡獲其妻子士眾數萬人。
Qin Feng's chancellor Zhao Jing surrendered Yicheng and was named general who completes Han; together they tightened the siege of Liqiu. Tian Rong of Yiling, hearing Qin Feng surrounded, feared the main host would reach him next and wished to submit. His brother-in-law Xin Chen argued, 'Every warlord still clutches a domain; Luoyang itself commands only a palmful of ground—better keep your spears and watch how the wind shifts.' Tian Rong answered, 'Even mighty Qin Feng is trapped by the southern commander—what chance have I?' My mind is made up to yield.' In the fourth spring Tian Rong left Xin Chen at Yiling while he sailed up the Han toward Liqiu to surrender on a set date—until Xin Chen stole his treasures, slipped to Cen Peng ahead of him, and wrote urging him to come over. Suspecting betrayal, Tian Rong refused to yield and instead rejoined Qin Feng; Cen Peng attacked him for months, broke his army, won over his general Wu Gong, and drove Tian Rong back to Yiling. The emperor visited Liqiu to hearten the troops and ennobled over a hundred of Cen Peng's soldiers. Three years of siege cost Qin Feng ninety thousand dead; fewer than a thousand defenders remained and the city was nearly out of food. Seeing Qin Feng enfeebled, he left Zhu You to finish the siege while Cen Peng and Fu Jun struck Tian Rong, took Yiling, and chased him to Zigui. Tian Rong fled into Shu with a few dozen horsemen; his family, officers, and tens of thousands of soldiers were taken.
30
彭以將伐蜀漢，而夾川谷少，水險難漕運，留威虜將軍馮駿軍江州，都尉田鴻軍夷陵，領軍李玄軍夷道，自引兵還屯津鄉，當荊州要會，喻告諸蠻夷，降者奏封其君長。 初，彭與交阯牧鄧讓厚善，與讓書陳國家威德，又遣偏將軍屈充移檄江南，班行詔命。 於是讓與江夏太守侯登、武陵太守王堂、長沙相韓福、桂陽太守張隆、零陵太守田翕、蒼梧太守杜穆、交恥太守錫光等，相率遣使貢獻，悉封為列侯。 或遣子將兵助彭征伐。 於是江南之珍始流通焉。
Preparing to invade Shu, Cen Peng stationed Feng Jun at Jiangzhou, Tian Hong at Yiling, Li Xuan at Yidao, and returned to Jinxiang to hold the throat of Jingzhou, while edicts promised titles to any tribal chief who submitted. He had long been friendly with Jiaozhi governor Deng Rang; he wrote of Han's power and sent Lieutenant General Qu Chong through the south with the emperor's proclamations. Deng Rang joined Hou Deng, Wang Tang, Han Fu, Zhang Long of Guiyang commandery, Tian Xi, Du Mu, Xi Guang of Jiaozhi, and others in sending tribute; each received a full marquisate. Some even sent sons with troops to fight under Cen Peng. For the first time the wealth of the south flowed north to the court.
31
六年冬，征彭詣京師，數召宴見，厚加賞賜。 復南還津鄉，有詔過家上冢，大長稱以朔望問太夫人起居。
In the sixth winter he recalled Cen Peng to Luoyang, feasted him repeatedly, and heaped gifts on him. Ordered south again to Jinxiang, he was allowed to visit his home and tombs while the da chang qiu sent greetings to his mother on every new and full moon.
32
八年，彭引兵從車駕破天水，與吳漢圍隗囂於西域。 時，公孫述將李育將兵救囂，守上邽，帝留蓋延、聯弇圍之，而車駕東歸。 敕彭書曰：『兩城若下，便可將兵南擊蜀虜。 人若不知足，既平隴，復望蜀。 每一發兵，頭須為白。 』彭遂壅谷水灌西城，城未沒丈餘，囂將行巡、周宗將蜀救兵到，囂得出還冀。 漢軍食盡，燒輜重，引兵下隴，延、弇亦相隨而退。 囂出兵尾擊諸營，彭殿為後拒，故諸將能全師東歸。 彭還津鄉。
In year 8 he followed the emperor to reduce Tianshui and joined Wu Han in besieging Wei Ao at Xicheng. Gongsun Shu's Li Yu relieved Wei Ao and held Shanggui; the emperor left Gai Yan and Geng Yan to invest the town while he rode east. He wrote, 'When those two towns fall, take your army straight at Shu.' Men are never content: Long subdued, they already eye Shu.' Every campaign I launch turns another shock of my hair white.' Cen Peng dammed the headwaters and drowned Xicheng's walls, but before the water rose a yard Xing Xun and Zhou Zong arrived with Shu reinforcements and snatched Wei Ao back to Ji. Han supplies failed; they burned the wagons and withdrew down the Long plateau, Gai Yan and Geng Yan following suit. Wei Ao harried the retreat, but Cen Peng held the rear so every column returned intact. Cen Peng went back to Jinxiang.
33
九年，公孫述遣其將任滿、田戎、程汎，將數萬人乘枋箄下江關，擊破馮駿及田鴻、李玄等。 遂拔夷道、夷陵，據荊門、虎牙。 橫江水起浮橋、鬥樓，立欑柱絕水道，結營山上，以拒漢兵。 彭數攻之，不利，於是裝直進樓船、冒突露橈數千艘。
In year 9 Gongsun Shu dispatched Ren Man, Tian Rong, and Cheng Fan with tens of thousands down the Yangzi on rafts from Jiang Pass, defeating Feng Jun, Tian Hong, and Li Xuan. They seized Yidao and Yiling and blocked Jingmen and Huya. They spanned the river with cables, floating bridges, and watchtowers, sank piles to choke the channel, and camped on the heights against the Han fleet. Cen Peng assaulted them repeatedly without success, then rigged thousands of tower ships and fast assault craft.
34
十一年春，彭與吳漢及誅虜將軍劉隆、輔威將軍臧宮、驍騎將軍劉歆，發南陽、武陵、南郡兵，又發桂陽、零陵、長沙委輸棹卒，凡六萬餘人，騎五千匹，皆會荊門。 吳漢以三郡棹卒多費糧谷，欲罷之。 彭以蜀兵盛，不可遣，上書言狀。 帝報彭曰：『大司馬習用步騎，不曉水戰，荊門之事，一由征南公為重而已。 』彭乃令軍中募攻浮橋，先登者上賞。 於是偏將軍魯奇應募而前。 時天風狂急，奇船逆流而上，直沖浮橋，而欑柱鉤不得去，奇等乘勢殊死戰，因飛炬焚之，風怒火盛，橋樓崩燒。 彭復悉軍順風並進，所向無前。 蜀兵大亂，溺死者數千人。 斬任滿，生獲程汎，而田戎亡保江州。 彭上劉隆為南郡太守，自率臧宮、劉歆長驅入江關，令軍中無得虜掠。 所以，百姓皆奉牛、酒迎勞。 彭見諸耆老，為言大漢哀湣巴蜀久見虜役，故興師遠伐，以討有罪，為人除害。 讓不受其牛、酒。 百姓皆大喜悅，爭開門降。 詔彭守益州牧，所下郡，輒行太守事。
In spring of year 11 he and Wu Han, Liu Long, Zang Gong, Liu Xin, and others mustered sixty thousand foot from Nanyang, Wuling, and Nan commandery, five thousand horse, and oarsmen from Guiyang, Lingling, and Changsha at Jingmen. Wu Han wanted to send the three commanderies' boatmen home to save grain. Cen Peng insisted the Shu host was too strong to cut forces and memorialized the facts. The emperor answered, 'The grand marshal knows infantry and cavalry, not river war—everything at Jingmen rests with you, general of the south.' Cen Peng offered top bounty to whoever first stormed the floating bridge.' Lieutenant General Lu Qi volunteered and led the way. A fierce wind blew; Lu Qi drove upstream onto the bridge until his hull snagged on the piles; his men fought to the death, hurled fire brands, and wind-whipped flames brought the towers crashing down in flame. Cen Peng then sent the whole fleet downwind and swept all before him. The Shu lines collapsed and several thousand men drowned. Ren Man died on the field, Cheng Fan was taken alive, and Tian Rong fled to fortify Jiangzhou. Cen Peng recommended Liu Long for governor of Nan commandery, then drove deep into Jiang Pass with Zang Gong and Liu Xin under strict orders against looting. For that the villagers pressed cattle and wine on him in welcome. To the elders Cen Peng said the Han court pitied Ba and Shu, long ground down by oppressors, and had marched far to punish the guilty and lift the burden from the people. He refused their oxen and wine with courtesy. The common folk rejoiced and vied to open their gates in submission. The emperor named Cen Peng acting governor of Yi: in every county he took he exercised a governor's authority.
35
彭到江州，以田戎食多，難卒拔，留馮駿守之，自引兵乘利直指墊江，攻破平曲，收其米數十萬石。 公孫述使其將延岑、呂鮪、王元及其弟恢悉兵拒廣漢及資中，又遣將侯丹率二萬餘人拒黃石。 彭乃多張疑兵，使護軍楊翕與臧宮拒延岑等，自分兵浮江下還江州，溯都江而上，襲擊侯丹，大破之。 因晨夜倍道兼行二千餘里，徑拔武陽。 使精騎馳廣都，去成都數十里，勢若風雨，所至皆奔散。 初，述聞漢兵在平曲，故遣大兵逆之。 及彭至武陽，繞出延岑軍後，蜀地震駭。 述大驚，以杖擊地曰：『是何神也！』
At Jiangzhou Cen Peng saw Tian Rong too well supplied for a quick siege; he left Feng Jun to pin him while he struck straight for Dianjiang, stormed Pingqu, and seized hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain. Gongsun Shu threw Yan Cen, Lü Wei, Wang Yuan, and Wang Hui against Guanghan and Zizhong while Hou Dan blocked Huangshi with twenty thousand men. Cen Peng feigned deployments, left Yang Xi and Zang Gong to tie down Yan Cen, doubled back downriver to Jiangzhou, then swept up the Min to ambush Hou Dan and crush him. He then drove night and day over two thousand li and seized Wuyang in a single rush. He sent horsemen racing to Guangdu, within a few dozen li of Chengdu; they swept like a storm and every garrison broke before them. Shu had massed troops to meet the Han at Pingqu. Cen Peng appeared at Wuyang behind Yan Cen's line, and all Shu trembled. Gongsun Shu beat his staff on the earth and cried, 'What kind of spirit is this man!'
36
彭所營地名彭亡，聞而惡之，欲徙，會日暮，蜀刺客詐為亡奴降，夜刺殺彭。
The camp lay at a place called Pengwang—'Peng's doom'—which unnerved him; at dusk a Shu agent feigned desertion, slipped in by night, and assassinated him.
37
子遵嗣，徒封細陽侯。 十三年，帝思彭功，復封遵弟淮為穀陽侯。 遵永平中為屯騎校尉。 遵卒，子伉嗣。 伉卒，子杞嗣，元初三年，坐事失國。 建光元年，安帝復封杞細陽侯，順帝時為光祿勛。
His son Cen Zun succeeded, with the title shifted to Xiyang. In the thirteenth year the court remembered Cen Peng and also ennobled Zun's brother Huai as marquis of Guyang. Under Yongping Cen Zun served as colonel of the garrison cavalry. Cen Zun died and his son Cen Kang inherited. Cen Kang was followed by Cen Qi, who lost the fief in Yuanchu 3 for a crime. Emperor An restored Cen Qi to Xiyang in Jianguang 1; under Shun he rose to minister of the imperial household.
38
杞卒，子熙嗣，尚安帝妹涅陽長公主。 少為侍中、虎賁中郎將，朝廷多稱其能。 遷魏郡太守，招聘隱逸，與參政事，無為而化。 視事二年，輿人歌之曰：『我有枳棘，岑君伐之。 我有蟊賊，岑君遏之。 狗吠不驚，足下生氂。 含哺鼓腹，焉知凶災？ 我喜我生，獨丁斯時。 美矣岑君，於戲休茲！』
Cen Qi was succeeded by Cen Xi, who married Emperor An's sister, the senior princess of Nieyang. Young, he served as palace attendant and colonel of the tiger brave guard, and the court praised his talent. As governor of Wei he called in hidden scholars to share administration and ruled so lightly that order came of itself. After two years the people sang: 'Thorns choked our fields till Lord Cen cleared them away.' Locusts devoured our grain till Lord Cen drove them off.' Dogs barked at ease and soft grass grew underfoot.' Men fed at leisure, patting full bellies—who thought of sorrow?' We bless our lives to have lived in such an age.' How fine is Lord Cen—may his grace never end!'
39
熙卒，子福嗣，為黃門侍郎。
Cen Xi was succeeded by Cen Fu, who served as gentleman at the yellow gate.
40
賈復字君文，南陽冠軍人也。 少好學，習《尚書》。 事舞陰李生，李生奇之，謂門人曰：『賈君之容貌志氣如此，而勤於學，將相之器也。 』王莽末，為縣掾，迎鹽河東，會遇盜賊，等比十餘人皆放散其鹽，復獨完以還縣，縣中稱其信。
Jia Fu, styled Junwen, came from Guanjun in Nanyang. As a boy he loved books and mastered the Book of Documents. He studied under a teacher Li at Wuyin, who told his pupils, 'Jia Fu has the look and drive of a commander yet keeps at his books—he will be general or minister material.' Near Wang Mang's fall he was a county clerk fetching salt east of the river when bandits struck; a dozen men dumped their loads, but Jia Fu brought every sack home intact and won the county's praise for honesty.
41
時，下江、新市兵起，復亦聚眾數百人於羽山，自號將軍。 更始立，乃將其眾歸漢中王劉嘉，以為校尉。 復見更始政亂，諸將放縱，乃說嘉曰：『臣聞圖堯、舜之事而不能至者，湯、武是也； 圖湯、武之事而不能至者，桓、文是也； 圖桓、文之事而不能至者，六國是也； 定六國之規，欲安守之而不能至者，亡六國是也。 今漢室中興，大王以親戚為藩輔，天下未定而安守所保，所保得無不可保乎？ 』嘉曰：『卿言大，非吾任也。 大司馬劉公在河北，必能相施，第持我書往。 』復遂辭嘉，受書北度河，及光武於柏人，因鄧禹得召見。 光武奇之，禹亦稱有將帥節，於是署復破虜將軍督盜賊。 復馬羸，光武解左驂以賜之。 官屬以復後來而好陵折等輩，調補鄗尉，光武曰：『賈督有折沖千里之威，方任以職，勿得擅除。』
When the Xinshi and Lower Yangzi rebels rose, Jia Fu rallied several hundred men on Mount Yu and called himself a general. After Gengshi took the throne he brought his band to Liu Jia, prince of Hanzhong, who named him colonel. Seeing Gengshi's court rot and his generals run wild, Jia Fu urged Liu Jia: 'Those who aim at Yao and Shun yet fall short become founders like Tang and Wu;' those who aim at Tang and Wu yet fall short become hegemons like Huan and Wen;' aim at hegemony like Duke Huan or Duke Wen yet fall short, and you end among the doomed alliances of the east;' try only to preserve a league of states in peace—and fail—and you share the fate of the realms Qin extinguished.' The Han revives at its heart while you, royal kin, lean on a rich domain; the empire is still unsettled—can any fence you think safe stay standing forever?' Liu Jia answered, 'That is too large a burden for me.' Grand Marshal Liu is in Hebei and will know how to use you—take my letter north.' Jia Fu left Liu Jia, crossed the Yellow River with the letter, and met Guangwu at Bairen through Deng Yu. Guangwu was impressed; Deng Yu praised his commander's bearing, and he was named general who breaks the barbarians and supervisor of bandits. His horses were poor, so Guangwu unhitched his own left trace-horse and gave it to him. Staff tried to demote the latecomer who bullied his peers to sheriff of Gao; Guangwu snapped, 'Jia Fu can turn an army at a thousand li—assign him real duty and do not demote him at will.'
42
光武至信都，以復為偏將軍。 及拔邯鄲，遷都護將軍。 從擊青犢於射犬，大戰至日中，賊陳堅不卻。 光武傳召復曰：『吏士皆饑，可且朝飯。 』復曰：『先破之，然後食耳！ 』於是被羽先登，所向皆靡，賊乃敗走。 諸將咸服其勇。 又北與五校戰於真定，大破之。 復傷創甚。 光武大驚曰：『我所以不令賈復別將者，為其輕敵也。 果然，失吾名將。 聞其婦有孕，生女邪，我子娶之，生男邪，我女嫁之，不令其憂妻子也。 』復病尋愈，追及光武於薊，相見甚歡，大饗士卒，令復居前，擊鄴賊，破之。
At Xindu he made Jia Fu lieutenant general. After Handan fell he became general who protects all. He fought the Green Calves at Shequan until noon against a line that would not break. Guangwu sent word: 'The men are starving—break off for breakfast.' Jia Fu shouted back, 'Break them first, then we eat!' He seized his shield, led the storming party, shattered the enemy, and sent them running. Every general stood in awe of his valor. He next crushed the Five Schools at Zhending. He took grievous wounds. Guangwu cried, 'I kept Jia Fu from independent command because he scorns danger too much.' And now I have lost my finest captain.' If his wife bears a girl my son will wed her; if a boy my daughter will marry him—his family will never want while I live.' Jia Fu mended, rejoined Guangwu at Ji to great rejoicing, feasted the troops, and led the van to crush the Ye rebels.'
43
復從征伐，未嘗喪敗，數與諸將潰圍解急，身被十二創。 帝以復敢深入，希令遠征，而壯其勇節，常自從之，故復少方面之勛。 諸將每論功自伐，復未嘗有言。 帝輒曰：『賈君之功，我自知之。』
He campaigned without defeat, broke sieges beside his comrades, and bore twelve wounds. The emperor, knowing his reckless dash, seldom sent him far afield yet kept him near out of respect—so he won fewer independent commands. When others bragged of their feats Jia Fu stayed silent. Guangwu would say, 'Jia Fu's deeds—I keep the tally myself.'
44
十三年，定封膠東侯，食郁秩、壯武、下密、即墨、梃、觀陽，凡六縣。 復知帝欲偃干戈，修文德，不欲功臣擁眾京師，乃與高密侯鄧禹並剽甲兵，敦儒學。 帝深然之，遂罷左右將軍。 復以列侯就第，加位特進。 復為人剛毅方直，多大節。 既還私第，闔門養威重。 朱祐等薦復宜為宰相，帝方以吏事責三公，故功臣並不用。 是時，列侯惟高密、固始、膠東三侯與公卿參議國家大事，恩遇甚厚。 三十一年卒，謚曰剛侯。
In the thirteenth year he received the Jiaodong marquisate with six counties' revenue. Seeing the emperor meant to sheathe the sword and rule by culture, not by captains camped at Luoyang, he and Deng Yu of Gaomi stacked their arms and took up the classics. The throne approved and abolished the left and right generals' posts. Jia Fu retired to his estate as a full marquis with the added rank of special advancement. He was stern, blunt, and built for great occasions. At home he shut his gates and cultivated a quiet dignity. Zhu You urged making him chancellor, but the emperor was loading the three excellencies with routine business and would not give such posts to old warriors. Only Deng Yu of Gaomi, Fu of Gushi, and Jia Fu of Jiaodong sat with the ministers on state policy—such was their favor. He died in the thirty-first year of the reign, posthumously Marquis Gang.
45
子忠嗣。 忠卒，子敏嗣。 建初元年，坐誣告母殺人。 國除。 肅宗更封復小子邯為膠東侯，邯弟宗為即墨侯，各一縣。 邯卒，子育嗣。 育卒，子長嗣。
His son Jia Zhong succeeded. Jia Zhong was followed by Jia Min. In Jianchu 1 Jia Min was convicted of slandering his mother for murder. The fief was stripped. Emperor Zhang re-enfeoffed Jia Fu's younger son Han at Jiaodong and Han's brother Zong at Jimo, each with one county. Jia Han died; Jia Yu inherited. Jia Yu was followed by Jia Zhang.
46
宗字武孺，少有操行，多智略。 初拜郎中，稍遷，建初中為朔方太守。 舊內郡徙人在邊者，率多貧弱，為居人所仆役，不得為吏。 宗擢用其任職者，與邊吏參選，轉相監司，以擿發其奸，或以功次補長吏，故各願盡死。 匈奴畏之，不敢入塞。 徵為長水校尉。 宗兼通儒術，每宴見，常使與少府丁鴻等論議於前。 章和二年卒，朝廷湣惜焉。
Jia Zong, styled Wuru, was principled and resourceful from boyhood. He rose from gentleman of the palace to governor of Shuofang in mid Jianchu. Colonists sent from the interior were usually poor, bullied by locals, and barred from office. Jia Zong promoted able colonists, rotated them with native officials in mutual oversight, exposed corruption, and advanced men by merit so that all fought to the death for him. The Xiongnu feared him and dared not raid the frontier. He was recalled as colonel of the long waters. Learned in the classics, he was often called with Ding Hong of the privy treasury to debate policy at court feasts. He died in Zhanghe 2 to the court's deep regret.
47
子參嗣。 參卒，子建嗣。 元初元年，尚和帝女臨潁長公主。 主兼食潁陰、許，合三縣，數萬戶。 時鄧太后臨朝，光寵最盛，以建為侍中，順帝時為光祿勛。
His son Jia Can succeeded. Jia Can was followed by Jia Jian. In Yuanchu 1 he married Emperor He's daughter, the senior princess of Linying. Her appanage added Yinyin and Xu—three counties and tens of thousands of households. Under Empress Dowager Deng's regency the house blazed with favor; Jia Jian became palace attendant and later minister of the household under Shun.
48
論曰：中興將帥立功名者眾矣，惟岑彭、馮異建方面之號，自函谷以西，方城以南，兩將之功，實為大焉。 若馮、賈之不伐，岑公之義信，乃足以感三軍而懷敵人，故能克成遠業，終全其慶也。 昔高祖忌柏人之名，違之以全福； 征南惡彭亡之地，留之以生災。 豈幾慮自有明惑，將期數使之然乎？
The historian remarks: many captains won glory in the restoration, yet only Cen Peng and Feng Yi held full regional commands; west of Hangu and south of Fangcheng their achievement towered above the rest. Feng Yi and Jia Fu's modesty and Cen Peng's good faith could move their own armies and disarm foes—hence they finished great campaigns and kept their blessings whole. Gaozu once shunned an ill-omened place name and so escaped harm;' the southern commander lingered at Pengwang—'Peng's doom'—and met disaster there.' Was that wisdom or folly—or simply fate?'
49
贊曰：陽夏師克，實在和德。 膠東鹽吏，征南宛賊。 奇鋒震敵，遠圖謀國。
The verse runs: 'Yangxia fell to harmony and virtue.' Jia Fu the salt clerk, Cen Peng the scourge of Wan.' Keen blades broke the enemy; long strategy built the realm.'