← Back to 晉書

卷九 帝紀第九 太宗簡文帝 孝武帝

Volume 9 Annals 9: Emperor Jianwen; Emperor Xiaowu

Chapter 9 of 晉書 · Book of Jin
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 9
Next Chapter →
1
Emperor Jianwen
2
Emperor Jianwen was born Yu, styled Daowan, the youngest son of Emperor Yuan of Jin. Even as a boy he showed unusual alertness, and Emperor Yuan doted on him. Guo Pu saw him and told others, "The one who will revive the Jin mandate must be this man." As he matured he cultivated clarity of mind and few desires, and excelled at philosophical conversation in the xuanxue manner.
3
In the first year of Yongchang, Emperor Yuan issued an edict, saying, "My late grandfather King Wu and my late father King Gong ruled Langye. The succession has passed down through generations, but the heir to the kingdom has not been established, and the seasonal offerings have no master; I have constantly grieved over this. My son Yu is humane, bright, wise, and measured, and can reverently serve the ancestral temple, in order to comfort boundless grace. Let Yu be enfeoffed as Prince of Langye, with the revenues of Kuaiji and Xuancheng as before." In Xianhe 1 his natural mother, Lady Zheng, died. He was only seven but mourned so intensely he wept blood and insisted on observing full mourning. Emperor Cheng relented: Yu’s seat moved to Prince of Kuaiji and he received the post of supernumerary gentleman attendant at court. In year nine he rose to General of the Right with concurrent palace attendant rank. Xiankang 6 brought promotion to General Who Guards the Army with supervision of the Palace Library.
4
殿
In summer, the fifth month, guichou, in the first year of Jianyuan, Emperor Kang issued an edict, saying, "The office of Grand Master of Ceremonies serves Heaven and Earth and also oversees the ancestral temple; its responsibility may be called weighty. For this reason, in selections and appointments from antiquity to the present, none has failed to choose with care one of contemporary reputation and also refined learning. Our uncle the Prince of Kuaiji practices purity and emptiness, is tireless in his devotion to the Way, moves at ease among the highest ranks, and offers counsel in the court. Let him hold the office of Grand Master of Ceremonies, with his original office as before." Yonghe 1: with Chongde regency he rose to Grand General Who Guards the Army and recorder of affairs for the six statutes. Next year He Chong died; the empress dowager ordered sole custody of government for the emperor. Year eight: minister of education—he repeatedly refused. At Mu’s capping he sought to yield power; the court refused. When Emperor Yi (the future Duke of Haixi) ascended, the Langye title still needed an occupant, so Yu resumed it while his son Changming received Kuaiji. He resisted losing Kuaiji—Langye was added but he kept calling himself prince of Kuaiji. Taihe 1 piled honors—chancellor, recorder, imperial etiquette—and again he refused.
5
殿輿 宿殿 使 西 便
When the deposed emperor was deposed, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, saying, "The Chancellor, Recorder of the Secretariat, Prince of Kuaiji, is himself of the line of Zhongzong; his bright virtue is excellent and good, his talent outstanding and subtle, and his spirit lodges beyond affairs. Because he fully satisfies what all look to, he has therefore served as Yi Yin for three reigns. His Way and transformation have spread abroad, and people's hopes have long turned to him. It is fitting to follow the hearts of Heaven and men, so that he may govern the imperial pivot. Let the responsible officials clearly follow the old institutions and carry it out at the proper time." Huan Wen ushered the court to Taiji Hall with full panoply and fetched Yu from Kuaiji; Yu changed clothes, faced east in humble dress, and took the seals. In winter, the eleventh month, jiyou, in the first year of Xian'an, he ascended the imperial throne. Huan Wen went out and lodged at the Central Hall, ordering troops to garrison and guard it. On yimao, Wen memorialized to depose the Grand Steward, Prince Xi of Wuling, and Xi's son Zong. An edict ordered Mao Anzhi, Administrator of Wei Commandery, to lead the palace guards under his command inside the hall, and changed the era name to Xian'an. On gengxu, Zhou Yi, acting as Grand Commandant, was sent to report to the Grand Temple. On xinhai, Huan Wen sent his younger brother Mi to force Prince Huang of Xincai to go to the Western Hall and personally state that he had plotted rebellion with the Grand Steward, Prince Xi of Wuling, and the others. The emperor faced him and shed tears, and Wen arrested them all and handed them over to the Chamberlain for Law Enforcement. On guichou, the two sons of Donghai and their mother were killed. At first, because the emperor was detached, unworldly, simple, and noble, and had served as chief minister through three reigns, Wen had long respected and feared him. When the emperor first ascended the throne, Wen prepared words and wanted to present his own explanation; the emperor summoned him, faced him, and wept sadly, so Wen was afraid and could not speak. At this point, the responsible offices took up Wen's intent and memorialized to execute Prince Xi of Wuling, but the emperor would not permit it. Wen insisted firmly again and again, and the emperor replied with a handwritten edict, saying, "If the Jin mandate is numinous and long-lasting, you should carry out the earlier edict. If the great fortune has departed, I request to withdraw from the road for worthier men." When Wen read it, he broke into sweat and changed color, and no longer dared to speak. On yimao, Xi and his three sons were deposed and moved to Xin'an. On bingchen, Prince Huang of Xincai was banished to Hengyang.
6
On wuwu, an edict said, "The royal house has had many troubles; Mu and Ai died early, the imperial heirs passed away too soon, and the divine vessel had no master. The Prince of Donghai, as a close relative and younger brother by the same mother, entered to inherit the great line. After he had held the throne for a year, he was dim and dark, disordered the constants, impaired human relations, and great disaster was about to arrive, so the spirits of our ancestors had nowhere to be entrusted. The Empress Dowager deeply feared for the imperial foundation and at the time settled the great plan. The Grand Marshal accordingly followed Heaven and men, joined in divine planning, personally led the assembled lords, and reverently received the bright command. The clouds and mist having been cleared, the imperial pivot is again pure, and so they turned to my person, and I look up and receive the great succession. Even Yi Yin securing the Yin court and Bolu pacifying the Han house could not surpass this. With my scant virtue, I have wrongly occupied the position of head. I truly fear my smallness and inability to bear it, trembling and cautious, not knowing how to bring relief. I wish to make a new beginning with the countless people. Let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm, a great feast for five days, two ranks added to civil and military positions, and five hu of rice per person for the filial, obedient, loyal, upright, widowed, bereaved, orphaned, and solitary." Next day Wen’s army received cloth and grain allotments. Huan Wen was offered chancellor; he declined. He withdrew from Baishi and camped at Gushu. Mao Wusheng took river-defense commands across Jing and Yang sectors.
7
西
Late year: grain surplus paused tribute convoys for one cycle. Emperor Yi was reduced to Duke of Haixi with a token fief. For the first time Ling spirits blessed the temple altar.
8
使
Baekje and Champa envoys arrived with gifts.
9
Former Qin crushed Murong Huan in Liaodong.
10
西 耀 使 使
In the third month, dingyou, an edict said, "I occupied the place of Yi Yin for three reigns and could not bring that age to harmony, until Haixi lost virtue and nearly overturned the imperial mandate. Relying on the virtue of the numinous spirits of the ancestors, on the Empress Dowager's good nature answering the time, on loyal and worthy support from the feudatories, and on the concerted effort of the hundred officials, we were able to disperse obstruction and duty beneath the vast sky and shine morning radiance through the universe. Thereupon, with my small person, I was entrusted above the princes and lords, and I think to rely on the assembled worthies to assist what is lacking. To make the root substantial and quiet the branches, suppress and cut off ostentation and competition, make pure and impure flow in different streams, and make ability and inability follow different tracks, so that offices have no chaff-like policies and officials no slanderous complaints: without punishment and encouragement, how could virtue and ritual be applied? Moreover, strong enemies have not yet been destroyed, and labor service has not yet ceased. Except for the essentials of the army, state, warfare, and sacrifice, all uses of ornament and needless expense should be reduced. As for worthies who withdraw fatly into poor valleys, and men who glide through mud and raise waves, though they lift their intentions to the dark heavens and hide silently in remote caves, if they covet bending the Way of lofty conduct in order to enlarge the beauty of assistance, how would that compare with being content with mountains and waters, lingering among hills and ravines, following the purity of a common man, and forgetting the greatness of helping all? The ancients did not borrow worthies from former generations; this is why I think emptily of today. Let the hundred officials inside and outside each be diligent in his office, so that no good fails to reach us and no evil fails to be heard, causing the poet's criticism of eating without service to be absent, while I obtain the seeking of an empty mind."
11
使
On guichou, an edict said, "I have inherited the great foundation of the ancestors, yet am dark in the Way of government; I fear I cannot properly regulate Heaven's work and gloriously enlarge the former enterprise. Evening and morning I am anxious, as if crossing spring ice. I rely on the loyal virtue of the chief ministers, whose Way gives aid like Yi Yin and Lü Wang; on the assembled lords who exhaust their sincerity and whose accord can cut metal; on those inside and outside who fully offer plans of correction and assistance; and on civil and military officials who show devotion without regard for themselves. I hope that through this Way, in the end we can bring broad relief. Whenever I think that spears and shields have not yet been laid down and public and private are weary and worn, that feudatories and garrisons have duties of boundary administration, and that campaigners and frontier guards carry the toil of the "Eastern Mountains," some white-haired in military ranks with loyal labor not yet recorded, others long on service with not even a picul or stone stored up, never have I failed to rise before dawn and forget sleep at midnight. Though I cannot yet soothe them by making a tour, I wish for now to make this heart of mine reach them. Let great envoys be sent to the Grand Marshal, and also inquire of regional inspectors down to the frontier garrisons, proclaiming the edict, holding a great feast, and asking what would make them secure. Also calculate grants and supplies, and in all cases make them broad and universal."
12
退祿
On yimao, an edict said, "After the affairs of the past, the hundred measures were not yet complete, and the regular salaries of the assembled officials were all scant and restricted; this was probably the meaning of adapting to the time. Yet to withdraw from meals and stay at court while salary does not substitute for plowing is not a system that accords with the classics. Now resources and stores are gradually abundant; salaries may be calculated and increased." A zouyu was sighted in Yuzhang.
13
西西
The deposed ruler was sent west of Wu county to Chaili. Empress Yu was posthumously stripped to Lady.
14
使
Baekje’s king got eastern command and Lelang title. Yu Xi rebelled from Hailing; the prefect fled.
15
In autumn, the seventh month, renchen, Huan Wen sent Zhou Shaosun, Interior Minister of Donghai, to attack Xi; he captured him and beheaded him in the market of Jiankang.
16
Crown prince Changming; Daozi to Langye with Kuaiji interior administration. He died that evening in the Eastern Hall at fifty-three. Burial at Gaoping; temple Taizong. Will entrusted regency to Huan Wen like Zhuge Liang or Wang Dao.
17
滿 西
Youth: dignified, bookish, indifferent to housekeeping—dust on the seat yet calm. Huan tested him with sudden martial noise on an outing. Xi panicked; Yu stayed composed—Huan respected him. Huan’s power grew through victories and coups. Yu kept quiet on the throne, fearing removal. The same omen had preceded the Duke of Haixi’s removal. It recurred at his accession—ominous to him. At the time, Secretariat gentleman Xi Chao was on duty, and the emperor then summoned him in and said to him, "The length or shortness of life is not something I originally reckon; surely there will not again be affairs like those of recent days!" Chao said, "The Grand Marshal, your servant Wen, is now securing the altars of soil and grain within and expanding plans without. As for extraordinary affairs, I guarantee against them with my hundred mouths." When Chao requested emergency leave to visit his father, the emperor said to him, "Convey my regards to your honored father. Affairs of family and state have come to this! Because I could not correct and protect them with the Way, my shame and sighing are deep; how could words make it clear?" He then chanted Yu Chan's poem, saying, "The man of purpose grieves at danger to the court; the loyal minister mourns the ruler's disgrace," and tears then wet his robe. Xie An likened him to Emperor Hui—better talker, no statesmanship. The monk Zhi Daolin once said, "Kuaiji has distant bearing but no distant spirit." Xie Lingyun grouped him with idle talkers like He Yan.
18
Emperor Xiaowu
19
Xiaowu was Yao, styled Changming, third son of Jianwen. Xingning 3 jiashen: first enfeoffment as Kuaiji prince.
20
Xian’an 2 jiwei: named heir. Same day Jianwen died; he succeeded. An edict said, "Because I was unfortunate, I suddenly met grief and calamity, crying to Heaven and striking the earth. I did not know where to appeal. Small, young, and childish, slight as pendant tassels, I deeply consider the weight of the altars of soil and grain and greatly fear that I cannot bear it. I look up and rely on the spirits of the ancestors and on the sacrifices of accumulated virtue. The late emperor's pure influence and mysterious transformation have left chants among the people. The chief ministers are outstanding and worthy, with high merit and abundant virtue. The trust of the final charge truly relies on their correction and instruction. The assembled lords keep to their offices, and the hundred officials are diligent in government. I hope that my orphaned and weak person will have support, and that the foundation of the imperial pivot will not fall. The former grace and remaining benefits have spread through the four seas; I think to enlarge the remaining moisture, in order to bring peace to the black-haired people. Let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm, making a new beginning with the people."
21
He elevated his late mother, the Kuaiji consort, to Empress Shun.
22
Late autumn brought Jianwen’s interment at Gaoping.
23
殿
Lu Song’s dawn raid on the hall ended when Mao Anzhi seized him.
24
Drought across Wu brought starvation; the court ordered local grain relief. Former Qin absorbed Chouchi and captured Yang Shi.
25
Ningkang opened with a new reign title on the jichou new moon.
26
Huan Wen entered the capital for audience.
27
River-crossing tolls at four Danyang bridges were lifted.
28
Midsummer drought returned.
29
使 西
Huan Wen died laden with every civil and military title from Yangzhou shepherd to grand marshal. Huan Huo rose to western expedition command. Huan Chong, Inspector of Jiangzhou, was made General of the Central Army, commander-in-chief of all military affairs in the three provinces of Yang, Yu, and Jiang, and Inspector of Yangzhou, with his headquarters at Gushu.
30
The empress dowager began her regency.
31
祿
Former Qin pressed Chengdu under Yang An. Wang Biaozhi headed the secretariat, Xie An became vice director, and Diao Yi held the northern Xu-Yan command at Guangling. Three palace finance offices were revived.
32
西
Former Liang’s ruler sent tribute from the northwest.
33
Yang An drove deep into Shu; Zhou Zhongsun quit his post with cavalry.
34
The second Ningkang year opened with a general pardon. The late Kuaiji heir Yu received posthumous rank as Prince Xian of Linchuan. Diao Yi died in office on the northern frontier.
35
Wang Tanzhi replaced Diao Yi on the Xu-Yan line. A comet trailed through Nü and Xu.
36
A comet showed in the Dipper’s Root mansion. In summer, the fourth month, renxu, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, saying, "Recently the dark signs have been transgressive and errant, and High Heaven has shown anomalies. Looking up and observing these changes, I am shaken and fearful in my heart. To cause rest to come from change has been the Way from antiquity. Would I dare not overcome my intent and restore my heart, in order to think on the mean? Moreover, the rich lands of the Three Wu and the commanderies hoped to be arms and legs have been struck together by flood and drought, and the hundred surnames have lost their occupations. Day and night I am anxious and cannot forget them; it is fitting to relieve and assist them in time, and rescue them from their distress. For the counties in Yixing and Jinling of the Three Wu and in Kuaiji that suffered especially severe floods, completely remit one year of rent cloth; for the next, permit half a year to be remitted; as for those who received relief loans, immediately bestow these on them."
37
使
Zhang Yu proclaimed a Shu kingship and besieged Chengdu while offering Jin overlordship. Gansu quaked and slopes gave way. Deng Qiang crushed Zhang Yu for Former Qin.
38
Weddings paused ahead of the empress investiture.
39
A comet burned across the Celestial Market asterism.
40
西
Dan raiders killed Prefect Wang Fei until Huan Huo’s column restored order. Qian Bushe’s rising in Changcheng fell to Zhu Xu. Huan Shiqian broke Yao Chang’s army at Dianjiang.
41
Ningkang 3 began with empire-wide pardon.
42
Wang Tanzhi died holding the Xu-Yan frontier. Huan Chong shifted north to Dantu while Xie An assumed Yangzhou.
43
Empress Wang’s installation came with amnesty and promotions.
44
He convened lectures on the Xiaojing.
45
An eclipse darkened the tenth-month new moon.
46
In the twelfth month, jiashen, Shenshou Gate suffered a fire. On guiwei, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, saying, "Recently the solar eclipse announced change, and flood and drought have not been in harmony. Although I have restrained myself and thought of rescue, I have not exhausted the methods. Let rice be bestowed on the poor among the hundred surnames, five hu per person." He capped the observances with a Confucius offering in the middle hall.
47
西西
Taiyuan opened with his majority rites at the ancestral shrine. The regency ended with her yielding power. Two days later came amnesty and the Taiyuan era. He took personal direction of audiences. Huan Huo, Xi Yin, Huan Chong, and Xie An were reshuffled at the summit of command. He toured four imperial tombs beginning with Jianping.
48
Summer brought another tremor. On jiayin, an edict said, "Recently High Heaven has lowered its oversight, and rebukes and warnings have repeatedly appeared. I am afraid of them, shaken and fearful in my heart. I think to deliberate on prisons, delay death penalties, pardon errors, and forgive crimes, hoping through the great change to make a new beginning with them." Amnesty followed, with another rank bonus.
49
A cadet branch of the imperial clan received the Zhangwu seat.
50
Former Qin extinguished Former Liang and took Zhang Tianxi captive. He replaced field-based rent with a flat per-capita rice levy and freed corvée bodies.
51
Huai frontier evacuees were moved into Jiangdong.
52
The eleventh-month sky showed an eclipse. Court kitchens cut royal fare as penance.
53
使
Former Qin struck Dai and captured the Tuoba ruler.
54
He restored fallen titles and rewarded old service.
55
Zhu Xu took the Liang-Xiangyang theater.
56
An intercalary-month tremor shook the capital region. Gales ripped tiles and broke timber.
57
Hail battered the fourth month.
58
Earth shook again in summer.
59
Sandstorms scourged the sixth month. Champa sent envoys with gifts.
60
The auspicious Old Man star rose.
61
使西
Huan Chong rode to Jiankang for audience. Xie An stepped up to minister of education. The western pillar Huan Huo died in Jingzhou.
62
西 祿
In winter, the tenth month, xinchou, Huan Chong, General of Chariots and Cavalry, was made commander-in-chief of all military affairs in the seven provinces of Jing, Jiang, Liang, Yi, Ning, Jiao, and Guang, concurrently Colonel Protector of the Southern Man and Inspector of Jingzhou; Wang Yun, minister in the Secretariat, was made Inspector of Xuzhou and commander of the armies of Jinling south of the Yangzi; Xie Xuan, marshal of the General Who Campaigns West, was made Inspector of Yanzhou, Chancellor of Guangling, and supervisor of the armies north of the Yangzi. The chronicle notes the renyin day alone. Wang Biaozhi, keeper of the secretariat, died.
63
Wang Shao succeeded at vice director.
64
New palace works forced him into the Kuaiji princely mansion.
65
Spring storms tore through the capital.
66
In summer, in the fifth month, on the gengwu day, Cao Hui, King of Chenliu, died.
67
Summer floods inundated lowlands.
68
He took up residence in the finished halls. The Old Man star shone in the southern sky.
69
Amnesty paired with tax cuts for disaster counties. He sacrificed at seven tombs from Jianping onward.
70
使
Fu Pi’s siege captured Zhu Xu and broke Xiangyang. Shunyang fell next.
71
使
Spring plague swept the realm. On renxu, an edict said, "Cunning enemies are unrestrained, frontier guards have collapsed, and anxieties at the borders now exceed ordinary times. Let all officials inside and outside each devote his heart and join his strength, in order to bring peace to the many affairs. Moreover, the year's grain has not ripened, and many among the hundred surnames are in want. As for supplies to the imperial household, let matters follow frugality and restraint. Supplies to the nine degrees of kin and stipends and salaries for the many officials may provisionally be reduced by half. For all labor and expenses, unless they are essential affairs of army and state, they should all be stopped and reduced, in order to meet the needs of the time." He dispatched Mao Wusheng westward against Shu.
72
Former Qin seized Weixing; Prefect Ji Yi fell defending it.
73
Qin columns captured Xuyi and took Mao Zhi prisoner.
74
Midsummer drought struck again. Xie Xuan shattered Ju Nan and Peng Chao at Junchuan.
75
Wang Yun became vice director of the secretariat. Gales whipped grit through the capital.
76
Raiders murdered Nan’an Prefect Fu Zhan.
77
A winter new moon brought eclipse.
78
He sacrificed at Emperor Kang’s Chongping tomb.
79
Fourth-month drought scorched the south. Minor criminals up to five-year terms won release.
80
May floods rose across the lowlands. Xie An kept education rank while adding guard-general parity with the Three Dukes.
81
殿 宿
Thunder shattered Hanzhang columns and killed two eunuchs. Famine amnesty wiped arrears through Taiyuan 3 and fed the helpless. Prince Daozi of Langye took the education portfolio.
82
Empress Wang passed away.
83
Li Xun carved out Jiaozhou from the far south.
84
She joined her tomb at Longping.
85
殿
He opened palace chapels and lodged clerics within the walls. Xie Shi stepped up as vice director. Transport inspectors oversaw grain convoys.
86
Summer’s new moon eclipsed. The lower Yangzi corridor flooded. Bureaucracy shrank by seven hundred slots.
87
Another round released lighter criminals. Du Yuan’s sword ended Li Xun’s revolt. Starvation gripped the countryside.
88
Xi Yin traded army command for the works ministry. Tan Yuanzhi’s eastern-sea bid collapsed before Xie Aizhi.
89
Huan Shiqian bagged Yan Zhen’s raid on Jingling.
90
使
Champa’s ruler offered gifts again.
91
Autumn brought blanket pardon.
92
使
Five Wa kingdoms dispatched tribute missions. Qin raiders torched Hannan crops and dragged off civilians.
93
Thunder rolled in winter—an ill omen.
94
Sulfurous mist blanketed the horizon.
95
Southern Jiangxi drowned under thirty feet of water. Another empire-wide amnesty followed the floods.
96
Yang Liang clawed back Shu footholds and seized Wei Guang.
97
Guo Qia broke Zhang Chong on the Wudang road.
98
西
Facing Fu Jian’s crossing, Jin threw Xie Shi, Xie Xuan, Xie Yan, and Huan Yi into the line.
99
Prince Daozi joined the central recorder’s bench.
100
輿
Fu Rong seized Shouchun for the invasion. Feishui broke Former Qin’s host and captured Fu Jian’s conveyances.
101
Xie An welcomed the victors at Jincheng. The Chenliu heir Sun Bao succeeded to his princely title.
102
使
Post-Feishui amnesty marked restored calm. Xie Shi took the secretariat’s head chair. Wine bans ended in celebration. The rice levy jumped to five shi per capita. Zhai Liao’s Henan revolt drew Murong Chui; together they pressed Fu Hui at Luoyang. Yang Shi rushed west and renewed fealty to Jiankang.
103
A Wuling grandson, Sun Bao, received the Linchuan seat. The Xinning princely seat passed to Zun. He sacrificed again at the western tombs. Liu Laizhi seized Qiao from Qin holdouts. Guo Bao folded the Han River triple cities.
104
使
In the second month, xinsi, Huan Chong, bearer of the staff of authority, commander-in-chief of all military affairs in the seven provinces of Jing, Jiang, Liang, Ning, Yi, Jiao, and Guang, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Inspector of Jingzhou, died. Murong Chui and Zhai Liao closed on Ye against Fu Pi.
105
Xie An moved to grand mentor with honors. Murong brothers rose in Guanzhong against Former Qin.
106
西 使
The state academy grew by a hundred places. The fallen Liang ruler kept rank as Xiping duke. Zhao Tong reclaimed Xiangyang for Jin. Yao Chang broke away and founded Later Qin.
107
Regent empress dowager Chu died. Murong Chong murdered Hong and claimed Yan heir status.
108
使 西
Chunzhi swept the lost northern imperial graves. Lady Chu joined Chongping beside her consort. Baekje offered southern seas gifts. Murong Chong shattered Fu Jian west of the Ye capital.
109
Xi Yin died in office.
110
Xie Xuan drove Zhang Chong from Juancheng. Xie An assumed sweeping theater command over fifteen provinces. In winter, the tenth month, on xinhai, the first day of the month, there was an eclipse of the sun. On dingsi, Prince Tanzhi of Hejian died. On yichou, because the dark celestial signs had departed from their proper measures, there was a general amnesty. On gengwu, Chong, younger brother of the former Prince Huang of Xincai, was established as Prince of Xincai. Fu Lang, Fu Jian's Inspector of Qingzhou, led his followers and came to surrender.
111
Lü Guang carved out the northwest as his own. Murong Chong crowned himself at Epang Palace.
112
Spring sacrifices swept the mausoleum row.
113
A state academy opened at the capital. Ren Quan, Administrator of Shu Commandery, beheaded Li Ping, Fu Jian's Inspector of Yizhou, and Yizhou was pacified.
114
使使
Xingyang flipped to Jin. The beaten Fu Jian begged Jin for rescue. Liu Laizhi lost to Murong Chui on the Yellow River.
115
Second defeat followed at Five Bridges Marsh. Xie An marched ostensibly to aid the stranded Fu Jian.
116
Late spring floods returned. Fu Jian abandoned Chang’an for the hills.
117
In the sixth month, Hong came to surrender, and Murong Chong entered Chang'an.
118
西 使
Fu Pi outran Tan Xuan’s pursuit from Fangtou. Parched fields brought hunger again. The Old Man star rose—auspice of age. In the eighth month, on jiawu, there was a general amnesty. On dingyou, Xie An, bearer of the staff of authority, palace attendant, director of the Secretariat, grand commander of military affairs in fifteen provinces, guard general, and grand protector, died. On gengzi, Prince Daozi of Langye was made commander-in-chief of all armies inside and outside the capital. That month, Yao Chang killed Fu Jian and illegitimately ascended the imperial throne.
119
Lü Guang seized Wuwei and claimed Liangzhou. Fu Pi declared emperor from Bingzhou.
120
Feishui heroes received ducal stacks—Xie kin and Huan Yi foremost.
121
Western Qin’s Qifu Guoren proclaimed dual shepherdships.
122
Later Yan rose with Murong Chui’s throne at Zhongshan. Zhai Liao snatched Liyang and captured Teng Tianzhi. The chronicle marks yiyou. He ended the season at the imperial tombs. A Yan officer murdered Murong Chong inside the fallen western capital.
123
Spring brought another blanket pardon. Taishan flipped to Zhai Liao’s coalition.
124
使
Baekje’s heir received Jin investiture and full general’s regalia. The Tuoba ruler began calling his realm Wei. Lu Na and Prince Tian split the secretariat’s two chairs.
125
西
Summer tremors returned. On gengyin, Yang Liang, former General Who Assists the State, was made Colonel of the Western Rong and Inspector of Yongzhou, and was stationed to guard the mountain mausolea.
126
A Confucius caretaker received a hereditary fief for the sage’s cult. Prince Anping passed away. Zhu Xu drove Zhai Liao from Qiao prefecture.
127
西
Murong Chui finished Fu Pi; his head reached Jiankang. The deposed emperor Yi died in obscurity.
128
Fu Deng declared himself emperor on the Long plateau.
129
Zhu Xu shifted north to guard the Huaiyin crossing.
130
New-year amnesty followed. Gales damaged the capital suburbs.
131
Wen Xiang abandoned Jibei before Chui’s advance. Zhai Zhao’s eastern thrust failed against Zhu Xu.
132
The emperor’s mother Li became imperial mother. Ice hail battered the fields. Gaoping rose for Zhai Liao under Zhai Chang’s coup.
133
The court wooed Dai Kui and Xi Xuanzhi with formal silk gifts.
134
Crown prince Dezong’s installation came with nationwide celebration.
135
Princely seats shifted—Zun back to Wuling, He to Liang.
136
Wang Xiazhi checked Zhai Liao at the Huai mouth.
137
Zhu Xu took Yongzhou while Prince Tian held the northern Yang theater.
138
Sixth-month drought parched the crops. Western Qin passed from brother to brother under the Henan title.
139
In autumn, the ninth month, Zhai Liao's general Zhai Fa raided Luoyang, and Guo Ji, Administrator of Henan, resisted and defeated him. In winter, the twelfth month, on wuzi, surging water entered Shitou, destroyed the great bridge, and killed people. On yiwei, a great wind blew, daylight went dark, and Yanxian Hall suffered a fire. On bingshen, Zhongsi Zeba Hall, the guest lodge, and the cavalry general's storehouse all suffered fires. On jihai, Xie Shi, director of the Secretariat, was additionally made guard general and granted establishment of office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies. On gengzi, Xie Shi, director of the Secretariat, guard general, and holder of establishment of office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies, died.
140
沿
In spring, the first month, guihai, in the fourteenth year, an edict ordered that all captives taken in Huainan and assigned to the various work offices be released, that men and women pair themselves with one another, and that they be given one hundred days of provisions; those along the line who had been used as military rewards were all to be redeemed, and one county each was to be established in the rich lands of Xiangyang and Huainan to settle them. Liu Zaizhi crushed Liu Li’s roadside kingship.
141
Funan sent southern tribute. Later Liang’s Lü Guang took a river-king style.
142
Prince Pengcheng died. Zhai Liao captured Zhang Zhuo at Xingyang.
143
使
Huan Shiqian’s death opened Jingzhou.
144
Fire consumed Xuanyang Gate’s colonnade.
145
Yao Chang seized Fu Deng’s consort in battle. Prince Runan died.
146
Lu Na rose to director.
147
Freezing rain lacquered branches white.
148
Prince Tian’s northern command ended with his death. Liu Laizhi lost Taishan to Zhai Liao’s alliance. Zhu Xu broke Murong Yong’s Shanxi thrust. Wang Gong took five-province command on the northern rim.
149
Spring earth shook on the new moon. May amnesty cleared debts of war.
150
A comet trailed through Northern River asterism.
151
Li Dan’s coastal rising fell to Liu Huaizhi. Jiankang felt an earthquake. Cometary fire brushed the polar stars. The Han River basin and Yanzhou drowned. Zhu Xu broke Zhai Liao at Huatai and flipped Zhang Yuan.
152
Wang Xun entered the secretariat from Wu commandery.
153
Year-end tremors struck again.
154
Imperial ancestors gained new shrine halls.
155
Yang Quanqi held Henan against Murong Yong. Prince Zhangwu died.
156
Wang Xun and Xie Yan rotated the secretariat wings. The ancestral shrine stood finished.
157
Later Qin crushed Fu Deng’s northern remnant.
158
宿
Year seventeen opened with debt forgiveness.
159
Qingzhou briefly rebelled before Bikan Hun restored order.
160
Summer eclipse darkened the fifth month.
161
Jiankang quaked in summer heat. A tidal bore smashed the Stone City bridge. A tidal bore drowned Yongjia’s shore dwellers. Windstorms followed the surge. Prince Liang died. Chui drove Zhai Zhao into Yong’s orbit.
162
Daylight Venus augured military stir.
163
Crown-prince quarters rose anew.
164
Venus flared again by day in winter. Wang Xin’s death vacated Jingzhou.
165
In the eleventh month, guiyou, Yellow Gates gentleman Yin Zhongkan was made commander-in-chief of all military affairs in the three provinces of Jing, Yi, and Liang, and Inspector of Jingzhou. Daozi moved to Kuaiji while Prince Dewen took Langye.
166
Another winter tremor. Drought stretched from autumn into winter.
167
The new year opened with shaking earth.
168
Aftershocks rolled through spring.
169
Zhai Zhao probed Henan again.
170
Southern Jiangxi drowned as before.
171
Autumn dried what floods had spared.
172
Sima Hui’s hill band fell to Liu Laizhi’s detachment.
173
Yang Quanqi broke Di auxiliaries at Tonggu.
174
Yao Xing inherited Later Qin from his father.
175
Xiaowu elevated his grandmother Lady Zheng to Xuan Dowager.
176
使
Floods ruined the lower Yangzi harvest; relief followed.
177
Lady Li moved from consort to mother-empress at Chongxun Palace. Chui ended Yan Yong at Changzi.
178
Wei Jian fell battling Murong raiders on the Shandong plain.
179
Fu Chong fled northwest and claimed the Qin flame.
180
祿
A temple rose for Empress Dowager Xuan. Lu Na’s long career ended.
181
Spring eclipse on the gengchen new moon.
182
Summer floods swamped Jing and Xu again.
183
Northern Wei bloodied Later Yan at Shugu.
184
殿
Palace builders raised the Clear Summer retreat.
185
Later Yan seized Pingcheng from Wei.
186
Builders raised Yong’an Palace beside the seat of power. Ice pellets crashed down on dinghai. Murong Bao inherited Later Yan after his father’s death.
187
Xie Yan moved from Wangcai county duke to left vice director. Floods spread across the lowlands.
188
殿
Lü Guang crowned himself Tianwang of Later Liang. He died in his lakeside hall at thirty-five. His tomb joined Longping beside prior rulers.
189
Even as a boy he passed for brilliant. When Emperor Jianwen died, he was then ten years old; by late afternoon he had not gone to mourn, and when attendants advanced remonstrance, he answered, "When grief arrives, then one weeps. What constancy is there in it?" Xie An compared his poise favorably to Yuan’s. Once he held real power, he seemed capable of rule. He sank into drinking and consorts and endless banquets. In his final years, when a long-tailed star appeared, the emperor deeply disliked it. In Hualin Garden he raised wine and toasted it, saying, "Long-tailed star, I urge you to drink a cup of wine. Since antiquity, how has there ever been a Son of Heaven of ten thousand years!" Omens stacked—daylight Venus, tremors, deluge, drought. Rare clarity and no honest counselors left him unreformed. At the time, Honored Lady Zhang was favored and was nearly thirty years old. The emperor joked with her, saying, "Because of your age, you should be discarded." She murdered him that drunken evening—so tradition holds. Simas Daozi and Yuanxian buried the truth.
190
殿
Jianwen once read a book prophecy tying Jin’s fall to “Changming.” When the emperor was still in the womb, Empress Dowager Li dreamed that a spirit man said to her, "If you give birth to a boy, make 'Changming' his courtesy name." Dawn at his birth became his personal name Yao tied to Changming. Jianwen grasped the omen and wept. Wits said “Qingshu” punned on grief—clear summer echoing Chu sorrow. His death marked Jin’s downward turn.
191
姿 西
The historian says: earlier histories say, "If there had not been abandonment, how would I have arisen?" True restoration takes Heaven-touched heroes who ford chaos. Shaokang’s handful of men rebuilt Xia. Tang rose from seventy square li. They dammed disaster and mended heaven’s frame. Without such heroes the path stays shut. Jianwen reigned in name while Huan Wen ruled fact. After Yu’s death young Kuaiji-Zi’s reign saw Huan Wen’s threat expire by fate. Jin’s arms reached Shu and the northern river. Yangzi armies massed like storm clouds. Xie An, Wang Biaozhi, Huan Chong, and Xie Xuan anchored state and camp. Heaven favored Jin while Former Qin collapsed. Even children dreamed of reconquering the north. But Sima Daozi and Wang Guobao sold offices, poisoned taxes, and rotted administration. Honest memorials went unheard while Xiaowu drank away warnings. Although "Changming" was shown in a dream, how could he have listened to the spirit's words? The decline and slackening of the metal phase was also perhaps a matter of human affairs. The saying goes, "Before the government of a great state has declined, the disorder of a small state has already overturned it." He happened upon Fu Jian's season of one hundred and six and the abandonment of the masses at the Fei River, and the emperor's title was made "Wu"; is this not generous!
192
The ruler was pawn; harmony never fully came. Jianwen endured quietly without inviting catastrophe. Xiaowu’s early reign scattered warlords. Triumph still echoed abroad while inner chambers slid toward Zheng-style indulgence. Song girls shared his couch; cups fed ill omens. Jin’s fortune failed before Heaven’s judgment.
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →