1
慕容暐
Murong Wei
2
慕容暐，字景茂，俊第三子也。 初封中山王，尋立為太子。 及俊死，群臣欲立慕容恪，恪辭曰：「國有儲君，非吾節也。」 於是立暐。 ，僭即皇帝位，大赦境內，改元曰建熙，立其母可足渾氏為皇太后。 以慕容恪為太宰、錄尚書，行周公事； 慕容評為太傅，副贊朝政； 慕輿根為太師； 慕容垂為河南大都督、征南將軍、兗州牧、荊州刺史，領護南蠻校尉，鎮梁國； 孫希為安西將軍、并州刺史； 傅顏為護軍將軍； 其餘封授各有差。
Murong Wei, styled Jingmao, was Murong Jun's third son. He was first created prince of Zhongshan, then soon named heir apparent. When Murong Jun died, the court wanted Murong Ke on the throne; he refused, saying, "The realm already has an heir—that is not my role. Murong Wei was enthroned. He took the imperial title, declared a general amnesty, adopted the reign name Jianxi, and installed his mother from the Kezhunhun clan as empress dowager. He named Murong Ke grand steward with authority over the Secretariat, to act as regent like the Duke of Zhou. Murong Ping became grand tutor to assist in government. Moyu Gen was made grand preceptor. Murong Chui received command in Henan as south-conquering general, governor of Yan and Jing, colonel of the southern barbarians, and camped at Liang. Sun Xi was named General Who Pacifies the West and governor of Bing. Fu Yan became guard general. The rest of the court received graded appointments.
3
暐既庸弱，國事緣委之於恪。 慕輿根自恃勳舊，驕傲有無上之心，忌恪之總朝權，將伺隙為亂，乃言於恪曰：「今主上幼沖，母后幹政，殿下宜慮楊駿、諸葛元遜之變，思有以自全。 且定天下者，殿下之功也，兄亡弟及，先王之成制，過山陵之後，可廢主上為一國王，殿下踐尊位，以建大燕無窮之慶。」 恪曰：「公醉乎？ 何言之勃也！ 昔曹臧、吳劄並於家難之際，猶曰為君非吾節，況今儲君嗣統，四海無虞，宰輔受遺，奈何便有私議！ 公忘先帝之言乎？」 根大懼，陳謝而退。 恪以告慕容垂，垂勸恪誅之。 恪曰：「今新遭大凶，二虜伺隙，山陵未建，而宰輔自相誅滅，恐乖遠近之望，且可容忍之。」 根與左衛慕輿幹潛謀誅恪及評，因而纂位。 入白可足渾氏及暐曰：「太宰、太傅將謀為亂，臣請率禁兵誅之，以安社稷。」 可足渾氏將從之，暐曰：「二公國之親穆，先帝所托，終應無此，未必非太師將為亂也。」 於是使其侍中皇甫真、護軍傅顏收根等，於禁中斬之，大赦境內。 遣傅顏率騎二萬觀兵河南，臨淮而還，軍威甚盛。
Murong Wei was a weak ruler, so state business fell to Murong Ke. Moyu Gen, swaggering on old merit, resented Murong Ke's power and plotted usurpation. He told Ke, "The boy emperor and meddling dowager invite a coup like Yang Jun's or Zhuge Dan's—you must secure yourself. You won the realm; younger brothers succeed elder brothers by ancient rule—after the late emperor's funeral, set the boy aside as a minor king, take the throne yourself, and secure Yan forever. Murong Ke snapped, "Are you drunk? What reckless talk is this? Cao Zang and Wu Jizi refused thrones amid family crisis; today a rightful heir sits and the regents hold the late king's charge—how dare we plot privately? Have you forgotten what the late emperor said? Moyu Gen fled the room in terror, apologizing. Murong Ke told Murong Chui, who urged him to kill Moyu Gen. Murong Ke said, "We mourn the late king while Jin and Qin watch for strife; the tomb is unfinished. To butcher each other now would dismay the realm—better endure Moyu Gen for the moment. Moyu Gen and the left guard Moyu Gan plotted to murder Murong Ke and Murong Ping and seize the throne. He went to the dowager and emperor claiming Murong Ke and Murong Ping were plotting treason and begging to lead the palace guard against them. The dowager almost agreed; Murong Wei said, "Those two are our bulwarks and the late emperor's chosen regents—this is surely Moyu Gen's lie. He sent Huangfu Zhen and Fu Yan to seize Moyu Gen and his allies, executed them inside the palace, and proclaimed amnesty. Fu Yan took twenty thousand horse to parade along the Yellow River, halted on the Huai, and withdrew in such strength that every neighbor took notice.
4
初，俊所署甯南將軍呂護據野王，陰通京師，穆帝以護為前將軍、冀州刺史。 俊死，謀引王師襲鄴，事覺，暐使慕容恪等率眾五萬討之。 傅顏言於恪曰：「護窮寇假合，王師既臨，則上下喪氣，曾不敢規兵中路，展其螗蜋之心。 此則士卒懾魂，敗亡之驗也。 殿下前以廣固天險，守易攻難，故為長久之策。 今賊形便不與往同，宜急攻之，以省千金之費。」 恪曰：「護老賊，經變多矣。 觀其為備之道，未易卒平。 今圈之窮城，樵采路絕，內無蓄積，外無強援，不過十旬，其斃必矣，何必遽殘士卒之命而趣一時之利哉！ 吾嚴浚圍壘，休養將卒，以重官美貨間而離之。 事淹勢窮，其釁易動； 我則未勞，而寇已斃。 此為兵不血刃，坐以制勝也。」 遂列長圍守之。 護遣其將張興率勁卒七千出戰，傅顏擊斬之。 自三月至八月而野王潰，護南奔于晉，悉降其眾。 尋復叛歸於暐，暐待之如初。 因遣傅顏與護率眾據河陰。 顏北襲敕勒，大獲而還。 護攻洛陽，中流矢而死。 將軍段崇收軍北渡，屯于野王。
Murong Jun had left Lü Hu as General Who Pacifies the South in Yewang, secretly treating with Jin; Emperor Mu had named Lü Hu front general and governor of Ji. After Murong Jun's death Lü Hu plotted to guide a Jin strike on Ye; when the plot surfaced, Murong Wei sent Murong Ke with fifty thousand men against him. Fu Yan told Murong Ke, "Lü Hu is a desperate patchwork; once our host appears his men will lose heart and never dare meet us in the open like a mantis lifting a chariot wheel. That is the look of an army already broken in spirit. At Guanggu you chose a slow siege because the walls favored the defender. Here the odds differ—you should storm him at once and save treasure and time. Murong Ke replied, "Lü Hu is an old fox who has survived many wars. His defenses are not crushed in a day. Besieged, cut off from fuel and supplies, with no relief, he will starve within a hundred days—why waste lives on a hasty assault? I will tighten the lines, rest the troops, and use rich bribes to split his officers. When time drags and their strength fails, cracks will open. We stay fresh while they wither. That is victory without staining the blades. He threw a long cordon around Yewang. Lü Hu sent Zhang Xing with seven thousand picked men; Fu Yan cut Zhang Xing down. Between the third and eighth months Yewang fell; Lü Hu fled south to Jin and surrendered his army. Soon he redefected to Yan, and Murong Wei received him as before. Murong Wei then sent Fu Yan and Lü Hu to hold the north bank of the Yellow River. Fu Yan raided north against the Tiele, took a great haul, and returned. Lü Hu attacked Luoyang, took an arrow in battle, and died. General Duan Chong withdrew north across the river and camped again at Yewang.
5
暐遣其甯東慕容忠攻陷滎陽，又遣鎮南慕容塵寇長平。 時晉冠軍將軍陳祐戍洛陽，遣使請救，帝遣桓溫援之。
Murong Wei sent Murong Zhong to seize Xingyang and Murong Chen to raid Changping. Jin's champion general Chen You held Luoyang and begged for help; the emperor sent Huan Wen to relieve him.
6
興甯初，暐復使慕容評寇許昌、懸瓠、陳城，並陷之，遂略汝南諸郡，徙萬餘戶于幽、冀。 暐豫州刺史孫興上疏，請步卒五千先圖洛陽。 暐納之，遣其太宰司馬悅希軍於盟津，孫興分戍成皋，以為之聲援。 尋而陳祐率眾奔陸渾，河南諸壘悉陷於希。 慕容恪攻陷金墉，害揚威將軍沈勁。 以其左中郎將慕容築為假節、征虜將軍、洛州刺史，鎮金墉，慕容垂為都督荊、揚、洛、徐、兗、豫、雍、益、梁、秦等十州諸軍事、征南大將軍、荊州牧，配兵一萬，鎮魯陽。
Early in the Xingning era Murong Wei sent Murong Ping against Xuchang, Xuanhu, and Chen, took them all, overran Runan, and deported ten thousand households to You and Ji. Sun Xing, Yan's governor of Yu, asked for five thousand foot to take Luoyang first. Murong Wei agreed, sent Yue Xi of the grand steward's staff to Meng Ford, and posted Sun Xing at Chenggao in support. Soon Chen You fled to Luhun and Yue Xi overran the Henan forts. Murong Ke stormed Jinyong and killed Jin's General Who Displays Might, Shen Jin. He named Murong Zhu acting general and governor of Luoyang at Jinyong, and Murong Chui commander of ten provinces with ten thousand men at Luyang.
7
時暐境內多水旱，慕容恪、慕容評並稽首歸政，請遜位還第，曰：「臣以朽暗，器非經國，過荷先帝拔擢之恩，又蒙陛下殊常之遇，猥以輕才，竊位宰錄，不能上諧陰陽，下厘庶政，致使水旱愆和，彝倫失序，轅弱任重，夕惕唯憂。 臣聞王者則天建國，辨方正位，司必量才，官惟德舉。 台傅之重，參理三光，苟非其人，則靈曜為虧。 屍祿貽殃，負乘招悔，由來常道，未之或差。 以姬旦之勳聖，猶近則二公不悅，遠則管、蔡流言，況臣等寵緣戚來，榮非才授，而可久點天官，塵蔽賢路！ 是以中年拜表，披陳丹款。 聖恩齒舊，未忍遐棄，奄冉偷榮，愆責彌厚。 自待罪鼎司，歲余辰紀； 忝冒宰衡，七載於茲。 雖乃心經略，而思不周務，至令二方幹紀，跋扈未庭，同文之詠，有慚盛漢，深乖先帝託付之規，甚違陛下垂拱之義。 臣雖不敏，竊聞君子之言，敢忘虞丘避賢之美，輒循兩疏知止之分，謹送太宰、大司馬、太傅、司徒章綬，惟垂昭許。」 暐曰：「朕以不天，早傾乾覆，先帝所托，唯在二公。 二公懿親碩德，勳高魯、衛，翼贊王室，輔導朕躬，宣慈惠和，坐而待旦，虔誠夕惕，美亦至矣。 故能外掃群凶，內清九土，四海晏如，政和時洽。 雖宗廟社稷之靈，抑亦公之力也。 今關右有未賓之氐，江、吳有遺燼之虜，方賴謀猷，混寧六合，豈宜虛己謙沖，以違委任之重！ 王其割二疏獨善之小，以成公旦復袞之大。」 恪、評等固請致政，暐曰：「夫建德者必以終善為名，佐命者則以功成為效。 公與先帝開構洪基，膺天明命，將廓夷群醜，紹復隆周之跡。 災眚橫流，乾光墜曜。 朕以眇躬，猥荷大業，不能上成先帝遺志，致使二虜遊魂，所以功未成也，豈宜沖退。 且古之王者，不以天下為榮，憂四海若荷擔，然後仁讓之風行，則比屋而可封。 今道化未純，鯨鯢未殄，宗社之重，非唯朕身，公所憂也。 當思所以寧濟兆庶，靖難敦風，垂美將來，侔蹤周、漢，不宜崇飾常節，以違至公。」 遂斷其讓表，恪、評等乃止。
Floods and droughts struck Yan; Murong Ke and Murong Ping offered to resign, saying they lacked the talent to harmonize Heaven and earth or govern the people, and that natural disasters proved their unfitness for such weight. They cited the ancient rule that offices must fit talent and appointments follow virtue. Grand tutor and minister posts steer the cosmos; the wrong men dim the stars. Fat salaries for useless men bring calamity—such misrule is older than history. Even the Duke of Zhou faced slander; we owe our posts to blood ties, not merit—we cannot block the path of worthies. We have begged to step down since middle age. Your kindness kept us on, and our shame only grew. We have disgraced the high ministry for over a year. We have held the regency seven years. Though we labored, Jin and Qin still defy us—we shame the Han exemplars and betray the late emperor and your trust. We beg to follow the worthies who knew when to stop and return the seals of grand steward, grand marshal, grand tutor, and minister of education. Murong Wei answered, "Heaven was cruel—I lost my father young; the late emperor left me only you two. You are kin of high merit like the Zhou princes of Lu and Wei; you guard the throne and school me in virtue, ever vigilant—that devotion is perfect. You have crushed enemies abroad and set the realm in order—peace and good seasons are your work. The altars owe their safety chiefly to you. Di tribes and eastern Jin still threaten us; we need your plans to pacify the realm—do not shirk the burden out of false modesty. Forget the recluse's small "good for myself" and do the great work of a Zhou duke regent. They pressed their resignations again; Murong Wei said, "True virtue finishes well; true service ends in achievement. You and my father founded this dynasty under Heaven's charge to cleanse the realm and revive the model of Zhou. Disaster struck and my father was taken. I, a weak youth, cannot finish his work while Jin and Qin still roam—how can I let you retire? Ancient kings bore the realm like a heavy pack before they spoke of yielding; only then could every house merit a noble's rank. The Way is unfinished and great foes remain; the altars are your burden as much as mine. Plan how to save the people and win lasting fame like Zhou and Han—do not hide behind empty ritual and shirk the common good. He refused their memorials, and Murong Ke and Murong Ping stayed on.
8
暐鐘律郎郭欽奏議以暐承石季龍水為木德，暐從之。
The music officer Guo Qin argued that Yan should claim the wood phase after Zhao's water; Murong Wei agreed.
9
，暐遣撫軍慕容厲攻晉太山太守諸葛攸。 攸奔于淮南，厲悉陷兗州諸郡，置守宰而還。
Murong Wei sent Murong Li against Jin's governor of Taishan, Zhuge You. Zhuge You fled south; Murong Li overran Yanzhou, set magistrates, and withdrew.
10
慕容恪有疾，深慮暐政不在己，慕容評性多猜忌，大司馬之位不能允授人望，乃召暐兄樂安王臧謂之曰：「今勁秦跋扈，強吳未賓，二寇並懷進取，但患事之無由耳。 夫安危在得人，國興在賢輔，若能推才任忠，和同宗盟，則四海不足圖，二虜豈能為難哉！ 吾以常才，受先帝顧托之重，每欲掃平關、隴，蕩一甌、吳，庶嗣成先帝遺志，謝憂責于當年。 而疾固彌留，恐此志不遂，所以沒有餘恨也。 吳王天資英傑，經略超時，司馬職統兵權，不可以失人，吾終之後，必以授之。 若以親疏次第，不以授汝，當以授沖。 汝等雖才識明敏，然未堪多難，國家安危，實在於此，不可昧利忘憂，以致大悔也。」 又以告評。 月餘而死，其國中皆痛惜之。
Murong Ke fell ill and feared Murong Wei's court would slip from his grasp: Murong Ping was jealous, and no one else matched the grand marshal's prestige. He told Murong Zang, "Qin and Wu still hunger for our land—we need the right command. Safety lies in good appointments; if kin unite behind able men, the realm is within reach and neither foe need terrify us. I, a middling talent, bore my brother's charge and longed to clear Guanlong and the southeast to fulfill his will. This illness may prevent it—my death will leave regret. The Prince of Wu, Murong Chui, is brilliant and born for command—after my death give him the grand marshalcy. If kinship forbids you, give it to Murong Chong instead. You are clever but untested in crisis—the realm rides on this choice; do not chase petty gain and invite ruin. He repeated the same charge to Murong Ping. He died a month later, and the whole state grieved.
11
先是，晉南陽督護趙弘以宛降於暐，暐遣其南中郎將趙盤自魯陽戍宛。 至此，晉右將軍桓豁攻宛，拔之，趙盤退奔魯陽。 豁遣輕騎追盤，及於雉城，大戰敗之，執盤，戍宛而歸。
Earlier Jin's Zhao Hong had surrendered Wan; Murong Wei sent Zhao Pan from Luyang to hold it. Then Huan Huo of Jin retook Wan and drove Zhao Pan back to Luyang. Huan Huo's light horse ran Zhao Pan down at Zhicheng, shattered him, took him prisoner, and re-garrisoned Wan.
12
苻堅將苻謏據陝，降於暐。 時有圖書云：「燕馬當飲渭水。」 堅恐暐乘釁入關，大懼，乃盡精銳以備華陰。 暐群下議欲遣兵救謏，因圖關右。 慕容評素無經略，又受苻堅間貨，沮議曰：「秦雖有難，未易可圖。 朝廷雖明，豈如先帝，吾等經略，又非太宰之匹，終不能平秦也。 但可閉關息旅，保寧疆埸足矣。」 魏尹慕容德上疏曰：「先帝應天順時，受命革代，方以文德懷遠，以一六合。 神功未就，奄忽升遐。 昔周文既沒，武王嗣興，伏惟陛下則天比德，揆聖齊功，方闡崇乾基，纂成先志。 逆氐僭據關、隴，號同王者，惡積禍盈，自相疑戮，釁起蕭牆，勢分四國，投城請援，旬日相尋，豈非凶運將終，數歸有道。 兼弱攻昧，取亂侮亡，機之上也。 今秦土四分，可謂弱矣。 時來運集，天贊我也。 天與不取，反受其殃。 吳、越之鑒，我之師也。 宜應天人之會，建牧野之旗。 命皇甫真引並、冀之眾，徑趣蒲阪； 臣垂引許、洛之兵，馳解謏圍； 太傅總京都武旅，為二軍後繼。 飛檄三輔，仁聲先路，獲城即侯，微功必賞，此則郁概待時之雄，抱志未申之傑，必嶽峙灞上，雲屯隴下。 天羅既張，內外勢合，區區僭豎，不走則降，大同之舉，今其時也。 願陛下獨斷聖慮，無訪仁人。」 暐覽表大悅，將從之。 評固執不許，乃止。 苻謏知評、暐之無遠略，恐救師弗至，乃箋于慕容垂、皇甫真曰：「苻堅、王猛皆人傑也，謀為燕患，為日久矣。 今若乘機不赴，恐燕之君臣將有甬東之悔。」 垂得書，私於真曰：「方為人患者必在於秦，主上富於春秋，未能留心政事，觀太傅度略，豈能抗苻堅、王猛乎？」 真曰：「然，繞朝有雲，謀之不從可如何！」
Fu Jian's officer Fu Sou held Shanzhou and surrendered to Yan. A prophecy then said, "Yan's horses shall drink from the Wei River." Fu Jian, dreading a Yan thrust into Guanzhong, stripped his best troops to guard Huayin. Murong Wei's court debated sending relief to Fu Sou and exploiting Qin's troubles in Guanzhong. Murong Ping, never a strategist, took Fu Jian's bribes and blocked the plan: "Qin is in trouble, but that does not make her easy prey. We are no match for the late emperor or Murong Ke—we will never swallow Qin. Close the passes, rest the army, and guard the frontier—that is enough. Murong De of Wei commandery memorialized: "The late emperor took the Mandate to found Yan and meant to win the realm by civil virtue. He died before finishing that work. After King Wen died, King Wu finished his task; Your Majesty matches Heaven's virtue and should enlarge the foundation and fulfill his will. The Di usurp Guanzhong, turn on one another, and beg our aid from every side—Heaven is ending their mandate and giving it to us. To swallow the weak and strike the blind while they riot is the supreme opportunity. Qin's territory is split four ways—she is weak. The moment and the mandate favor us. Refuse Heaven's gift and you invite disaster. Wu and Yue's fate is our lesson. Answer Heaven and men—raise the host as at Muye. Send Huangfu Zhen from Bing and Ji straight to Puyang. Let Murong Chui march from Xu and Luoyang to lift the siege on Fu Sou. Let Murong Ping follow with the capital army as reserve. Proclaim to Guanzhong: every city taken wins a marquisdom, every deed a reward—heroes will rally on Bashang and Longyou. When our net closes, Qin must flee or yield—unification is now. Act on your own judgment—do not ask the timid. Murong Wei loved the plan and meant to adopt it. Murong Ping vetoed it and the idea died. Fu Sou saw Murong Ping's mediocrity and wrote Murong Chui and Huangfu Zhen: "Fu Jian and Wang Meng have long plotted against Yan. Miss this chance and Yan will regret it like the duke of Yue east of the Yong. Murong Chui told Huangfu Zhen in private: "Qin is our true peril; the boy on the throne ignores statecraft, and Murong Ping cannot stand against Fu Jian and Wang Meng. Huangfu Zhen sighed, "True—like Raozhao said, good counsel unheard leaves nothing to be done."
13
暐僕射悅綰言於暐曰：「太宰政尚寬和，百姓多有隱附。 《傳》曰，唯有德者可以寬臨眾，其次莫如猛。 今諸軍營戶，三分共貫，風教陵弊，威綱不舉，宜悉罷軍封，以實天府之饒，肅明法令，以清四海。」 暐納之。 綰既定制，朝野震驚，出戶二十餘萬。 慕容評大不平，尋賊綰，殺之。
Yue Wan told Murong Wei: "Murong Ping's lax rule lets households hide from the tax rolls. The canon says only the virtuous may rule lightly; the next best is strict law. Soldier-farmers share one register in threes; discipline fails—abolish military fiefs, fill the treasury, and clarify the laws. Murong Wei agreed. Yue Wan's reform flushed over two hundred thousand hidden households into the registers. Murong Ping, furious, soon had Yue Wan murdered.
14
晉大司馬桓溫、江州刺史桓沖、豫州刺史袁真率眾五萬伐暐，前兗州刺史孫元起兵應之。 溫部將檀玄攻胡陸，執暐甯東慕容忠。 暐遣其將慕容厲與溫戰于黃墟，厲師大敗，單馬奔還。 高平太守徐翻以郡歸順。 溫前鋒硃序又破暐將傅顏于林渚，溫軍大振，次於枋頭。 暐懼，謀奔和龍。 慕容垂曰：「不然。 臣請擊之，若戰不捷，走未晚也。」 乃以垂為使持節、南討大都督，慕容德為征南將軍，率眾五萬距溫，使其散騎侍郎樂嵩乞師於苻堅。 堅遣將軍苟池率眾二萬，出自洛陽，師於潁川，外為赴援，內實觀隙，有兼併之志矣。 慕容德屯于石門，絕溫糧漕。 豫州刺史李邦率州兵五千斷溫饋運。 溫頻戰不利，糧運復絕，及聞堅師之至，乃焚舟棄甲而退。 德率勁騎四千，先溫至襄邑東，伏於澗中，與垂前後夾擊，王師大敗，死者三萬餘人。 苟池聞溫班師，邀擊于譙，溫眾又敗，死者萬計。
Huan Wen, Huan Chong, and Yuan Zhen marched fifty thousand against Yan while former governor Sun Yuan rose in support. Tan Xuan took Hulü and captured Murong Zhong. Murong Li met Huan Wen at Huangxu, was routed, and galloped back alone. Xu Fan, governor of Gaoping, brought his commandery over to Jin. Huan Wen's van under Zhu Xu broke Fu Yan at Linzhu; Jin's morale soared and Huan Wen camped at Fangtou. Murong Wei panicked and planned to flee to Helong. Murong Chui said, "Not so fast. Let me strike him first; if I lose, we can still run. Murong Wei named Murong Chui supreme southern commander and Murong De south-conquering general at the head of fifty thousand to face Huan Wen, and sent Yue Song to Fu Jian for aid. Fu Jian sent Gou Chi with twenty thousand men from Luoyang to Yingchuan—ostensibly to help Yan, really to watch for a chance to seize both. Murong De blocked Stone Gate and severed Huan Wen's supply line. Li Bang, governor of Yu, took five thousand men and ambushed Huan Wen's convoys. Huan Wen, beaten in skirmishes, out of supplies, and hearing Qin troops approach, burned his boats and fled. Murong De with four thousand horse overtook Huan Wen east of Xiangyi, ambushed him in a ravine with Murong Chui, and shattered the Jin army, taking thirty thousand heads. Gou Chi ambushed Huan Wen at Qiao and broke him again, with tens of thousands slain.
15
垂既有大功，威德彌振，慕容評素不平之。 垂又言其將孫蓋等摧鋒陷銳，宜論功超授，評寢而不錄。 垂數以為言，頗與評廷爭。 可足渾氏素惡垂，毀其戰功，遂與評謀殺垂。 垂懼，奔於苻堅。
Murong Chui's prestige soared after the victory, which Murong Ping had long resented. Murong Chui asked rewards for Sun Gai and other heroes; Murong Ping buried the list. Murong Chui pressed the matter and quarreled with Murong Ping at court. The empress dowager hated Murong Chui, belittled his victories, and conspired with Murong Ping to kill him. Murong Chui fled in fear to Fu Jian.
16
先是，暐使其黃門侍郎梁琛聘於堅。 琛還，言於評曰：「秦揚兵講武，運粟陝東，以琛觀之，無久和之理。 兼吳王西奔，必有觀釁之計，深宜備之。」 評曰：「不然。 秦豈可受吾叛臣而不懷和好哉！」 琛曰：「鄰國相並，有自來矣。 況今並稱大號，理無俱存。 苻堅機明好斷，納善如流。 王猛有王佐之才，銳於進取。 觀其君臣相得，自謂千載一時。 桓溫不足為慮，終為人患者，其唯王猛乎？。 暐、評不以為虞。 皇甫真又陳其事曰：「苻堅雖聘使相尋，托輔車為諭，然抗均鄰敵，勢同戰國，明其甘於取利，無慕善之心，終不能守信存和，以崇久要也。 頃來行人累續，兼師出洛川，夷險要害，具之耳目。 觀虛實以措奸圖，聽風塵而伺國隙者，寇之常也。 又吳王外奔，為之謀主，伍員之禍，不可不慮。 洛陽、并州、壺關諸城，並宜增兵益守，以防未兆。」 暐召評而謀之。 評曰：「秦國小力弱，杖我為援，且苻堅庶幾善道，終不納叛臣之言。 不宜輕自擾懼，以動寇心也。」 暐從之。
Earlier Murong Wei had sent Liang Chen to Qin on embassy. Liang Chen told Murong Ping: "Qin drills troops and ships grain east of Shan—there will be no lasting peace. Murong Chui's defection gives Qin a chance to strike—we must prepare. Murong Ping said no. Qin will not shelter our rebel and still seek friendship! Liang Chen answered, "Neighbors devour each other—that is older than history. Two emperors cannot long share one world. Fu Jian is decisive and quick to take good advice. Wang Meng has ministerial genius and an aggressive mind. They think their partnership unique in a thousand years. Huan Wen is no threat; the man who will destroy us is surely Wang Meng. Murong Wei and Murong Ping ignored the warning. Huangfu Zhen warned again: "Fu Jian's missions mean nothing; we are rival powers—he wants gain, not peace, and will never keep a lasting pact. Their envoys and troops on the Luo have mapped every defile. Probing strength and weakness is what enemies always do. Murong Chui now plots for Qin like Wu Zixu for Wu—think of that peril. Luoyang, Bingzhou, and Huguan need more men before the blow falls. Murong Wei called Murong Ping to discuss it. Murong Ping said Qin was small, weak, needed Yan, and Fu Jian was too virtuous to heed a traitor. We should not panic and tempt Qin to attack. Murong Wei agreed.
17
俄而堅遣其將王猛率眾伐暐，攻慕容築于金墉。 暐遣慕容臧率眾救之。 臧次滎陽，猛部將梁成、洛州刺史鄧羌與臧戰于石門，臧師敗績，死者萬餘，遂相持于石門。 築以救兵不至，以金墉降於猛。 梁成又敗慕容臧，斬首三千餘級，獲其將軍楊璩，臧遂城新樂而還。
Soon Fu Jian sent Wang Meng against Yan and Murong Zhu at Jinyong. Murong Wei sent Murong Zang to relieve him. Murong Zang stopped at Xingyang; Liang Cheng and Deng Qiang met him at Stone Gate, killed ten thousand, and both sides stalled there. Murong Zhu, with no relief, surrendered Jinyong to Wang Meng. Liang Cheng routed Murong Zang, took three thousand heads and general Yang Quan, and Zang fell back to fortify Xinle.
18
桓溫之敗也，歸罪於豫州刺史袁真。 真怒，以壽陽降暐，暐遣其大鴻臚溫統署真為使持節、散騎常侍、都督淮南諸軍事、征南大將軍、領護南蠻校尉、揚州刺史，封宣城公，未至而真、統俱卒。 真黨硃輔立真子瑾為建威將軍、豫州刺史，以固壽陽。
After his defeat Huan Wen blamed Yuan Zhen. Yuan Zhen, enraged, surrendered Shouyang; Murong Wei sent Wen Tong to enfeoff him as duke and governor of Yang—but both died before the orders arrived. Yuan Zhen's follower Zhu Fu set Yuan Jin in his place to hold Shouyang.
19
時外則王師及苻堅交侵，兵革不息； 內則暐母亂政，評等貪冒，政以賄成，官非才舉，群下切齒焉。 其尚書左承申紹上疏曰：
Without, Jin and Qin harried Yan without pause; within, the dowager meddled while Murong Ping sold offices—the court ground its teeth. Shen Shao of the Secretariat offered a memorial:
20
暐不納。
Murong Wei ignored it.
21
苻堅又使王猛、楊安率眾伐暐，猛攻壺關，安攻晉陽。 暐使慕容評等率中外精卒四十餘萬距之。 猛、安進師潞川。 州郡盜賊大起，鄴中多怪異，暐憂懼不知所為，乃召其使而問曰：「秦眾何如？ 今大師既出，猛等能戰不？」 或對曰：「秦國小兵弱，豈王師之敵，景略常才，又非太傅之匹，不足憂也。」 黃門待郎梁琛、中書侍郎樂嵩進曰：「不然。 兵書之義，計敵能鬥，當以算取之。 若冀敵不鬥，非萬全之道也。 慶鄭有云：'秦眾雖少，戰士倍我。 '眾之多少，非可問也。 且秦行師千里，固戰是求，何不戰之有乎！」 暐不悅。
Fu Jian sent Wang Meng against Huguan and Yang An against Jinyang. Murong Wei gave Murong Ping four hundred thousand picked troops to meet them. Wang Meng and Yang An marched to the Lu River. Banditry flared and Ye was full of ill omens; Murong Wei, terrified, asked Qin's envoy how large Qin's army was. With our host already in the field, can Wang Meng really fight? Some flatterers said Qin was small and weak, Wang Meng a mediocrity no match for Murong Ping—nothing to fear. Liang Chen and Yue Song objected: "No. War means measuring the foe—plan for the hardest fight. Hoping the enemy will not strike is no strategy at all. Qing Zheng said, 'Qin's numbers are smaller but her fighters outnumber ours.' Numbers alone prove nothing. Qin has marched a thousand li to fight—she will fight. Murong Wei took offense.
22
猛與評等相持。 評以猛懸軍遠入，利在速戰，議以持久制之。 猛乃遣其將郭慶率騎五千，夜從間道起火高山，燒評輜重，火見鄴中。 評性貪鄙，鄣固山泉，賣樵鬻水，積錢絹如丘陵，三軍莫有鬥志。 暐遣其侍中蘭伊讓評曰：「王，高祖之子也，宜以宗廟社稷為憂，奈何不務撫養勳勞，專以聚斂為心乎！ 府藏之珍貨，朕豈與王愛之！ 若寇軍冒進，王持錢帛安所置也！ 皮之不存，毛將安傅！ 錢帛可散之三軍，以平寇凱旋為先也。」 評懼而與猛戰於潞川，評師大敗，死者五萬餘人，評等單騎遁還。 猛遂長驅至鄴，堅復率眾十萬會猛攻暐。
Wang Meng and Murong Ping faced off. Murong Ping thought Wang Meng, deep in enemy country, needed a quick battle, and chose a war of attrition. Wang Meng sent Guo Qing with five thousand horse by a night path to burn Murong Ping's baggage on a height; the glow lit Ye. Murong Ping bottled up spring water and sold wood and water for profit while his men lost all will to fight. Murong Wei sent Lan Yi to rebuke Murong Ping: "You are royal blood—think of the altars, not your purse. The treasury is open to you—do not hoard. When the enemy breaks in, what good will your gold do? Without the hide, where grows the fur? Spend it on the troops and beat the invader first. Murong Ping, frightened, gave battle on the Lu and lost fifty thousand men, fleeing alone. Wang Meng marched on Ye while Fu Jian brought another hundred thousand to join the siege.
23
先是，慕容桓以眾萬餘屯于沙亭，為評等後繼。 聞評敗，引屯內黃。 堅遣將鄧羌攻信都，桓率鮮卑五千退保和龍。 散騎侍郎徐蔚等率扶餘、高句麗及上黨質子五百餘人，夜開城門以納堅軍。 暐與評等數十騎奔于昌黎。 堅遣郭慶追及暐于高陽，堅將巨武執暐，將縛之，暐曰：「汝何小人而縛天子！」 武曰：「我梁山巨武，受詔縛賊，何謂天子邪！」 遂送暐於堅。 堅詰其奔狀，暐曰：「狐死首丘，欲歸死于先人墳墓耳！」 堅哀而釋之，令還宮率文武出降。 郭慶遂追評、桓子和龍。 桓殺其鎮東慕容亮而並其眾，攻其遼東太守韓稠于平川。 郭慶遣將軍硃嶷擊桓，執而送之。
Murong Huan had camped ten thousand men at Shating as Murong Ping's reserve. When he heard of the rout he withdrew to Neihuang. Fu Jian sent Deng Qiang against Xindu while Murong Huan retreated toward Helong with five thousand Xianbei. Xu Wei and others opened Ye's gates at night with five hundred hostages from Fuyu, Goguryeo, and Shangdang to let Qin in. Murong Wei fled toward Changli with a few dozen riders. Guo Qing ran Murong Wei down at Gaoyang; the Qin soldier Ju Wu seized him. Murong Wei cried, "How dare a nobody bind an emperor!" Ju Wu retorted, "I am Ju Wu of Liangshan, ordered to seize rebels—where is any emperor?" They brought Murong Wei to Fu Jian. Fu Jian asked why he fled; Murong Wei said, "A fox dies heading home—I meant to die by my ancestors' graves." Fu Jian spared him and told him to return to the palace and surrender with his court. Guo Qing pursued Murong Ping and Murong Huan's son toward Helong. Murong Huan killed Murong Liang, took his troops, and struck Han Chou at Pingchuan. Guo Qing sent Zhu Yi, who captured Murong Huan and sent him in.
24
堅徙暐及其王公已下並鮮卑四萬餘戶于長安，封暐新興侯，署為尚書。 堅征壽春，以暐為平南將軍、別部都督。 淮南之敗，隨堅還長安。 既而慕容垂攻苻丕于鄴，慕容沖起兵關中，暐謀殺堅以應之，事發，為堅所誅，時年三十五。 及德僭稱尊號，偽諡幽皇帝。
Fu Jian deported Murong Wei, the nobility, and forty thousand Xianbei households to Chang'an, made him marquis of Xinxing, and gave him a Secretariat post. On the Shouzhou campaign Fu Jian named him General Who Pacifies the South. After the Huainan disaster he followed Fu Jian back to Chang'an. When Murong Chui besieged Fu Pi and Murong Chong rose in Guanzhong, Murong Wei plotted to murder Fu Jian; the plot failed and Fu Jian executed him at thirty-five. When Murong De took the throne he posthumously named Murong Wei Emperor You.
25
始廆以武帝稱公，至暐四世。 暐在位一十一年，以海西公滅，通廆、皝凡八十五年。
From Murong Gui's ducal title under Jin Wudi to Murong Wei was four generations. Murong Wei reigned eleven years; with his fall the Yan line Murong Gui had founded lasted eighty-five years through him.
26
慕容恪
Murong Ke
27
慕容恪，字玄恭，皝之第四子也。 幼而謹厚，沈深有大度。 母高氏無寵，皝未之奇也。 年十五，身長八尺七寸，容貌魁傑，雄毅嚴重，每所言及，輒經綸世務，皝始異焉，乃授之以兵。 數從皝征伐，臨機多奇策。 使鎮遼東，甚有威惠。 高句麗憚之，不敢為寇。 皝使恪與俊俱伐夫餘，俊居中指授而已，恪身當矢石，推鋒而進，所向輒潰。
Murong Ke, styled Xuangong, was Murong Huang's fourth son. As a boy he was grave, deep, and magnanimous. His mother lacked the king's favor and Murong Huang overlooked him. At fifteen he stood eight feet seven inches, looked a giant, and spoke of statecraft so shrewdly that Murong Huang gave him a command. He campaigned with Murong Huang and showed repeated tactical genius. Posted to Liaodong, he ruled by awe and kindness. Goguryeo feared him and dared not raid. Murong Huang sent him with Murong Jun against Puyŏ; while Jun directed from the rear, Murong Ke led from the front and shattered every line.
28
皝將終，謂俊曰：「今中原未一，方建大事，恪智勇俱濟，汝其委之。」 及俊嗣位，彌加親任。 累戰有大功，封太原王，拜侍中、假節、大都督、錄尚書。 俊寢疾，引恪與慕容評屬以後事。 及暐之世，總攝朝權。 初，建鄴聞俊死，曰：「中原可圖矣。」 桓溫曰：「慕容恪尚存，所憂方為大耳。」
Murong Huang told Murong Jun on his deathbed: "The realm is unfinished—Murong Ke has wisdom and valor; trust him. Murong Jun favored him still more. He earned high merit, became prince of Taiyuan, palace attendant, and regent with the imperial staff. Murong Jun on his sickbed charged Murong Ke and Murong Ping with the succession. Under Murong Wei he held full regency. When Jiankang heard Murong Jun was dead, they said the Central Plain was ripe for taking. Huan Wen answered, "Murong Ke still lives—that is the real worry."
29
慕輿根之就誅也，內外危懼。 恪容止如常，神色自若，出入往還，一人步從。 或有諫之者，恪曰：「人情懷懼，且當自安以靖之。 吾復不安，則眾何瞻仰哉！」 於是人心稍定。 恪虛襟待物，諮詢善道，量才處任，使人不逾位。 朝廷謹肅，進止有常度，雖執權政，每事必咨之於評。 罷朝歸第，則盡心色養，手不釋卷。 其百僚有過，未嘗顯之，自是庶僚化德，稀有犯者。
When Moyu Gen was executed, the whole court panicked. Murong Ke kept his composure, walking the streets with a single attendant. When warned he was exposed, he said, "The people are afraid—I must show calm. If I panic, who will steady them?" Gradually the capital calmed. Murong Ke ruled with open mind, sought good counsel, and matched men to posts so none overreached. The court grew orderly; though regent, he still consulted Murong Ping on every matter. At home he devoted himself to his mother and never stopped reading. He covered his colleagues' slips so tactfully that few erred again.
30
恪之圖洛陽也，秦中大震，苻堅親將以備潼關，軍回乃定。 恪為將不尚威嚴，專以恩信禦物，務於大略，不以小令勞眾。 軍士有犯法，密縱舍之，捕斬賊首以令軍。 營內不整似可犯，而防禦甚嚴，終無喪敗。
His Luoyang campaign terrified Qin until Fu Jian held Tong Pass in person and quiet returned only when Yan withdrew. As a general he relied on kindness and trust rather than terror, stressing strategy over petty rules. He pardoned minor offenses in secret but executed bandit chiefs to keep discipline. His camps looked slack but were ironclad—he never lost a battle.
31
臨終，暐親臨問以後事，恪曰：「臣聞報恩莫大薦士，板築猶可，而況國之懿籓！ 吳王文武兼才，管、蕭之亞，陛下若任之以政，國其少安。 不然，臣恐二寇必有窺窬之計。」 言終而死。
Murong Wei visited his deathbed; Murong Ke said the greatest thanks was to recommend talent—especially princes of the blood. Murong Chui matches Guan Zhong and Xiao He—use him and the state will rest easier. Otherwise Jin and Qin will spy for their chance. He died with those words.
32
陽騖、皇甫真
Yang Wu; Huangfu Zhen
33
陽騖，字士秋，右北平無終人也。 父耽，仕廆，官至東夷校尉。 騖少清素好學，器識沈遠。 起家為平州別駕，屢獻安時強國之術，事多納用，廆甚奇之。 皝即王位，遷左長史。 東西征伐，參謀幃幄。 皝臨終謂俊曰：「陽士秋忠幹貞固，可託付大事，汝善待之。」 俊之將圖中原也，騖制勝之功亞于慕容恪。 暐既嗣偽位，申以師傅之禮，親遇日隆。 及為太尉，慨然而歎曰：「昔常林、徐邈先代名臣，猶以鼎足任重而終辭三事。 以吾虛薄，何德以堪之！ 固求罷職，言甚墾至，暐優答不許。 騖清貞謙謹，老而彌篤，既以宿望舊齒，自慕容恪已下莫不畢拜。 性儉約，常乘弊車瘠馬，及死，無斂財。
Yang Wu, styled Shiqiu, came from Wuzhong in Right Beiping. His father Dan served Murong Gui as colonel of the eastern Yi. Yang Wu was frugal, studious, and far-sighted in youth. He began as Pingzhou recorder, offering sound policy until Murong Gui prized him. Murong Huang made him senior clerk of the left. He planned Murong Huang's eastern and western campaigns. Murong Huang told Murong Jun to trust Yang Wu with great affairs. In Murong Jun's central-plain wars Yang Wu's merit ranked just below Murong Ke's. Murong Wei honored him as tutor with growing intimacy. As grand commandant he sighed that even Han worthies like Chang Lin had declined such heavy rank. How could his slight gifts bear the post? He begged to resign; Murong Wei refused kindly. Chaste and humble in old age, even Murong Ke bowed to him. He rode a nag and a rattletrap cart and died poor.
34
皇甫真，字楚季，安定朝那人也。 弱冠，以高才，廆拜為遼東國侍郎。 皝嗣位，遷平州別駕。 時內難連年，百姓勞瘁，真議欲寬減歲賦，休息力役。 不合旨，免官。 後以破麻秋之功，拜奉車都督，守遼東、營丘二郡太守，皆有善政。 及俊僭位，入為典書令。 後從慕容評攻拔鄴都，珍貨充溢，真一無所取，唯存恤人物，收圖籍而已。 俊臨終，與慕容恪等俱受顧托。
Huangfu Zhen, styled Chuji, was a native of Chaona in Anding. At twenty Murong Gui named him gentleman of the Liaodong princedom for his talent. Murong Huang promoted him to Pingzhou recorder. After years of civil strife he urged lighter taxes and less labor. Murong Huang disliked the advice and removed him. He defeated Ma Qiu, became chariot commandant, and governed Liaodong and Yingqiu well. When Murong Jun took the throne Huangfu Zhen became chief of the secretariat. At Ye's fall he took no loot, only comforted the people and secured the archives. Murong Jun named him among Murong Ke's co-regents.
35
慕輿根將謀為亂，真陰察知之，乃言於恪，請除之。 恪未忍顯其事。 俄而根謀發伏誅，恪謝真曰：「不從君言，幾成禍敗。」 呂護之叛，恪謀於朝曰：「遠人不服，修文德以來之。 今護宜以恩詔降乎，不宜以兵戈取也？」 真曰：「護九年之間三背王命，揆其奸心，凶勃未已。 明公方飲馬江、湘，勒銘劍閣，況護蕞爾近幾而不梟戮，宜以兵算取之，不可復以文檄喻也。」 恪從之。 以真為冠軍將軍、別部都督。 師還，拜鎮西將軍、并州刺史，領護匈奴中郎將。 征還，拜侍中、光祿大夫，累遷太尉、侍中。
He detected Moyu Gen's plot and urged Murong Ke to strike first. Murong Ke hesitated to move openly. When Moyu Gen fell, Murong Ke thanked him: "Without you we should have been ruined. During Lü Hu's revolt Murong Ke asked whether kindness could win him back. Should Lü Hu be offered amnesty or taken by force? Huangfu Zhen said Lü Hu had rebelled three times in nine years and would never yield to words. You mean to conquer the south and mark Sword Pass—this bandit at your gate must be crushed by arms, not edicts. Murong Ke agreed. He named Huangfu Zhen champion general and independent commander. After the campaign he became General Who Guards the West and governor of Bing. Recalled to court, he rose to grand commandant and palace attendant.
36
苻堅密謀兼併，欲觀審釁隙，乃遣其西戎主簿郭辯潛結匈奴左賢王曹轂，令轂遣使詣鄴，辯因從之。 真兄典仕苻堅為散騎常侍，從子奮、覆並顯關西。 辯既至鄴，曆造公卿，言於真曰：「辯家為秦所誅，故寄命曹王，貴兄常侍及奮、覆兄弟並相知在素。」 真怒曰：「臣無境外之交，斯言何以及我！ 君似奸人，得無因緣假託乎！」 乃白暐請窮詰之，暐、評不許。 辯還謂堅曰：「燕朝無綱紀，實可圖之。 鑒機識變，唯皇甫真耳。」 堅曰：「以六州之地，豈無智識士一人哉！ 真亦秦人，而燕用之，固知關西多君子矣。」
Fu Jian sent Guo Bian to win the Xiongnu chieftain Cao Gu and follow his envoys into Ye to spy. Huangfu Zhen's brother served Fu Jian, and his nephews were powerful in Guanzhong—giving Qin leverage over him. Guo Bian toured Ye's nobles and told Huangfu Zhen that Qin had killed his kin, that he lived under Prince Cao, and that Zhen's brother and nephews had long known him. Huangfu Zhen snapped, "I keep no foreign contacts—why drag me into this? You sound like a spy spinning a tale." He asked Murong Wei to interrogate Guo Bian, but Murong Wei and Murong Ping refused. Guo Bian told Fu Jian that Yan's court was lawless and ripe for taking. Only Huangfu Zhen could read the signs of the times. Fu Jian retorted, "Six provinces must hold more than one wise man! Yet Huangfu Zhen is a man of Guanzhong whom Yan employs—proof that our land breeds gentlemen."
37
真性清儉寡欲，不營產業，飲酒至石餘不亂，雅好屬文，凡著詩賦四十餘篇。
Huangfu Zhen lived plainly, drank a stone of wine without losing his wits, and left forty poems and fu.
38
王猛入鄴，真望馬首拜之。 明日更見，語乃卿猛。 猛曰：「昨拜今卿，何恭慢之相違也？」 真答曰：「卿昨為賊，朝是國士，吾拜賊而卿國士，何所怪也？」 猛大嘉之，謂權翼曰：「皇甫真故大器也。」 從堅入關，為奉車都尉，數歲而死。
When Wang Meng took Ye, Huangfu Zhen bowed to him from the saddle. The next day he addressed Wang Meng as an equal. Wang Meng asked why yesterday's reverence became today's familiarity. Huangfu Zhen answered, "Yesterday you were a conqueror; today you are the state's minister—I bowed to a foe and now speak as to a peer—where is the fault?" Wang Meng praised him to Quan Yi as a man of true capacity. He followed Fu Jian west as chariot commandant and died a few years later.
39
史評
Historians' judgment
40
史臣曰：觀夫北陰衍氣，醜虜匯生，隔閡諸華，聲教莫之漸，雄據殊壤，貪悍成其俗，先叛後服，蓋常性也。 自當塗紊紀，典午握符，推亡之功，掩岷、吳而可錄，禦遠之策，懷戎狄而猶漏。 慕容廆英姿偉量，是曰邊豪，釁跡奸圖，實惟亂首。 何者？ 無名而舉，表深譏于魯冊； 象龔致罰，昭大訓于姚典。 況乎放命挻禍，距戰發其狼心； 剽邑屠城，略地騁其蝥賊。 既而二帝遘平陽之酷，按兵窺運； 五鐸啟金陵之祚，率禮稱籓。 勤王之誠，當君危而未立； 匡主之節，俟國泰而將徇。 適所謂相時而動，豈素蓄之款戰！ 然其制敵多權，臨下以惠，勸農桑，敦地利，任賢士，該時傑，故能恢一方之業，創累葉之基焉。
The historians write: Northern chiefs breed warlike lines that cut themselves off from Chinese civilization, seize alien soil, and veer between rebellion and submission—that is their nature. When Wei fell and Jin rose, Jin could record the conquest of Shu and Wu yet still leaked control over the northern tribes. Murong Gui was a frontier hero whose plots made him chief among rebels. Why? To take arms without a mandate earned the Spring and Autumn Annals' deepest blame. The Documents' lesson on Gong's crime shows Heaven's standard. How much worse to defy Heaven, stir strife, and feed a wolfish heart. They sacked cities, seized land, and ran riot like locusts. Then two Jin emperors suffered at Pingyang while the Murongs watched from the sidelines. When the five bells tolled Jin's revival at Jinling, Murong Yan styled itself a vassal. Their "rescue the king" loyalty never saved a throne in peril. Their "right the ruler" honor appeared only when peace made it cheap. They moved with expediency, not out of steadfast devotion. Yet they governed well—kind to subjects, promoted farming, used talent—and built a regional power lasting generations.
41
元真體貌不恆，暗符天表，沈毅自處，頗懷奇略。 于時群雄角立，爭奪在辰，顯宗主祭于沖年，庾亮竊政于元舅，朝綱不振，天步孔艱，遂得據已成之資，乘土崩之會。 揚兵南矛騖，則烏丸卷甲； 建旆東征，則宇文摧陣。 乃負險自固，恃勝而驕，端拱稱王，不待朝命，昔鄭武職居三事，爵不改伯； 齊桓績宣九合，位止為侯。 瞻曩烈而功微，征前經而禮縟，溪壑難滿，此之謂乎？
Murong Gui looked like Heaven's chosen: deep, resolute, and full of stratagems. While rivals contended, a child emperor sat in Jin and Yu Liang hijacked the regency—Murong Gui seized the moment of Jin's weakness. A southern thrust rolled the Wuhuan up. An eastern drive shattered the Yuwen. They grew arrogant, called themselves kings without Jin's leave—unlike Zheng Wu who kept his earldom though powerful. Duke Huan of Qi united the lords yet remained only a marquis. Compared with true hegemons their merit was small yet their pride bottomless—is that not the gully that never fills?
42
宣英文武兼優，加之以機斷，因石氏之釁，首圖中原，燕士協其籌，冀馬為其用，一戰而平巨寇，再舉而拔堅城，氣讋傍鄰，威加邊服。 便謂深功被物，天數在躬，遽竊鴻名，偷安寶錄。 猶將席捲京洛，肆其蟻聚之徒； 宰割黎元，縱其鯨吞之勢。 使江左疲於奔命，職此之由。 非夫天厭素靈而啟異類，不然者，其鋒何以若斯！
Murong Jun blended arms and letters, exploited Zhao's fall, won Yan and Ji to his plans, crushed foes and took strong cities, and overawed every neighbor. He mistook battlefield luck for the Mandate and seized the imperial title. He meant to sweep the Central Plain and unleash his hosts. He would have carved up the people and swallowed the south wholesale. Jin was worn ragged chasing his raids for that reason. Had Heaven not turned from Jin to raise another power, how could their spear have reached so far!
43
景茂庸材，不親厥務，賢輔攸賴，逆臣挫謀，於是陷金墉而款河南，包銅城而臨漠北，西秦勁卒頓函關而不進，東夏遺黎企鄴宮而授首。 當此之時也，凶威轉熾。 及玄恭即世，虐媼亂朝。 垂以勳德不容，評以黷貨幹政，志士絕忠貞之路，讒人襲交亂之風。 輕鄰反速其咎，禦敵罕修其備，以攜離之眾，抗敢死之師。 鋒鏑未交，白溝淪境； 沖輣暫擬，紫陌成墟。 是知由餘出而戎亡，子常升而郢覆，終於身死異域，智不自全，吉凶惟人，良所謂也。
Murong Wei, a mediocrity, left rule to ministers while foes stalled at Hangu and easterners died at Ye. Then their terror of foes blazed highest. When Murong Ke died, the vicious dowager ruined the government. Murong Chui was driven out, Murong Ping sold offices—loyal men fell silent and slander ran free. They slighted neighbors, invited disaster, left defenses in ruin, and met death with divided ranks. Before the lines met, the Bai River line collapsed. Siege towers rose and the capital streets turned to rubble. Like Youyu's defection that destroyed Qin or Zichang's treason that ruined Chu, they died abroad unable to save themselves—proof that fate follows conduct.
44
贊曰：青山徙構，玄塞分疆。 蠢茲雜種，奕世彌昌。 角端掩月，步搖翻霜。 乘危猥起，怙險鴟張。 假竊神器，憑陵帝鄉。 守不以德，終致餘殃。
The verse runs: They shifted the northern hills and split the dark passes. This cluster of tribes flourished for generations. Their banners dimmed the moon; their ornaments flashed like frost. They rose meanly in crisis and glared like owls from the heights. They stole the regalia and bullied the heartland. Without virtue to hold power, they earned their final ruin.