1
姚興 (上)
Biography of Yao Xing. The first installment of the account.
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姚興，字子略，萇之長子也。 苻堅時為太子舍人。 萇之在馬牧，興自長安冒難奔萇，萇立為皇太子。 萇出征討，常留統後事。 及鎮長安，甚有威惠。 與其中舍人梁喜、洗馬範勖等講論經籍，不以兵難廢業，時人咸化之。
Yao Xing, courtesy Zilüe, was the firstborn of Yao Chang. Under Fu Jian he served as attendant to the crown prince. While Yao Chang was raising troops in the pastures, Yao Xing slipped out of Chang'an through danger to join him and was named heir. Yao Chang habitually left him in charge of the rear whenever he marched. As regent in Chang'an he combined stern authority with generous rule. With Liang Xi, Fan Xu, and other staff he kept debating the classics despite the war, and the capital gentry took his example.
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萇死，興秘不發喪，以其叔父緒鎮安定，碩德鎮陰密，弟崇守長安。 碩德將佐言於碩德曰：「公威名宿重，部曲最強，今喪代之際，朝廷必相猜忌，非永安之道也。 宜奔秦州，觀望事勢。」 碩德曰：「太子志度寬明，必無疑阻。 今苻登未滅而自尋干戈，所謂追二袁之蹤，授首與人。 吾死而已，終不若斯。」 及至，興優禮而遣之。
Yao Xing hid his father's death, posting Yao Xu at Anding, Yao Shuode at Yinmi, and his brother Yao Chong in Chang'an. Yao Shuode's officers warned him: "Your prestige and army outstrip everyone; at a moment of succession the throne will fear you—that is no way to stay safe. Flee to Qinzhou and wait on events." Yao Shuode replied, "The heir is open-minded; he will not mistrust us. Fu Deng still lives; civil war would repeat the Yuan brothers' folly and hand victory away. I would rather die than do it. When he reported in, Yao Xing honored him richly and sent him back to his post.
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興自稱大將軍，以尹緯為長史，狄伯支為司馬，率眾伐苻登。 咸陽太守劉忌奴據避世堡以叛，興襲忌奴，擒之。 苻登自六陌向廢橋，始平太守姚詳據馬嵬堡以距登。 登眾甚盛，興慮詳不能遏，乃自將精騎以迫登，遣尹緯領步卒赴詳。 緯用詳計，據廢橋以抗登。 登因急攻緯，緯將出戰，興馳遣狄伯支謂緯曰：「兵法不戰而制人者，蓋為此也。 苻登窮寇，宜持重，不可輕戰。」 緯曰：「先帝登遐，人情擾懼，今不因思奮之力，梟殄逆豎，大事去矣。 緯敢以死爭。」 遂與登戰，大破之，登眾渴死者十二三，其夜大潰，登奔雍。 興乃發喪行服。 太元十九年，僭即帝位於槐里，大赦境內，改元曰皇初，遂如安定。
Yao Xing took the title grand general, appointed Yin Wei and Di Bozhi, and marched against Fu Deng. Liu Jinu of Xianyang held Bishi fort in revolt; Yao Xing stormed it and took him prisoner. Fu Deng moved from Liumo toward the broken bridge while Yao Xiang of Shiping blocked him from Mawei fort. Fearing Fu Deng's numbers, Yao Xing rode out with elite horse and sent Yin Wei to reinforce Yao Xiang. Yin Wei followed Yao Xiang's advice and held the ruined bridge. As Fu Deng stormed Yin Wei's line, Yao Xing sent Di Bozhi with a warning: "The sage general wins without fighting—this is such a case. Fu Deng is desperate; stand fast and do not risk a rash clash." Yin Wei answered, "The late king has just died and morale wavers; if we do not strike now and crush Fu Deng, all is lost. I will stake my life on this. He gave battle, shattered Fu Deng, and left two-thirds of the enemy dying of thirst; that night Fu Deng's army melted away and he fled to Yong. Only then did Yao Xing proclaim his father's death and don mourning. In Taiyuan 19 he declared himself emperor at Huaili, amnestied his realm, took the reign name Huangchu, and moved to Anding.
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先是，苻登使弟廣守雍，子崇屯胡空堡，聞登敗，各棄守走。 登無所投據，遂奔平涼，率其餘眾入馬毛山。 興自安定如涇陽，與登戰于山南，斬登。 散其部眾，歸復農業。 徙陰密三萬戶于長安，分大營戶為四，置四軍以領之。
Fu Deng had left Fu Guang at Yong and crown prince Fu Chong at Hu Kong; both bolted when they heard of his defeat. Fu Deng retreated to Pingliang and climbed Maomao Mountain with his survivors. Yao Xing advanced from Anding to Jingyang and slew Fu Deng south of the range. He disbanded Fu Deng's troops to the plow. He resettled thirty thousand Yinmi households in Chang'an, split the great camp into four armies, and assigned commanders.
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安南強熙、鎮遠楊多叛，推竇沖為盟主，所在擾亂。 興率諸將討之，軍次武功，多兄子良國殺多而降。 沖弟彰武與沖離貳，沖奔強熙。 熙聞興將至，率戶二千奔秦州。 竇沖走汧川，汧川氐仇高執送之。 沖從弟統率其眾降於興。
Qiang Xi, general who pacifies the south, and Yang Duo rebelled, made Dou Chong their leader, and stirred the region. Yao Xing marched to suppress them; at Wugong Yang Duo's nephew Liangguo killed him and surrendered. Dou Chong's brother Zhangwu turned on him, and Dou Chong fled to Qiang Xi. Qiang Xi took two thousand households to Qinzhou when he learned Yao Xing was coming. Dou Chong ran to the Qian valley; the Di chief Qiu Gao seized him and handed him over. Dou Tong, Dou Chong's cousin, brought his men to Yao Xing.
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封征虜緒為晉王，征西碩德為隴西王，征南靖等及功臣尹緯、齊難、楊佛嵩等並為公侯，其餘封爵各有差。
He made Yao Xu prince of Jin, Yao Shuode prince of Longxi, and ennobled Yin Wei, Qi Nan, Yang Fosong, and other generals as dukes or marquises.
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鮮卑薛勃於貳城為魏軍所伐，遣使請救，使姚崇赴救。 魏師既還，薛勃復叛，崇伐而執之，大收其士馬而還。
When Wei attacked Xue Bo at Ercheng, Yao Xing sent Yao Chong to relieve him. After Wei withdrew, Xue Bo rebelled again; Yao Chong captured him and drove off his herds.
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興追尊其庶母孫氏為皇太后，配饗太廟。
He posthumously titled his stepmother Sun empress dowager and enshrined her with the ancestors.
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楊盛保仇池，遣使請命，拜使持節、鎮南將軍、仇池公。 鮮卑越質詰歸率戶二萬叛乞伏乾歸，降於興，興處之于成紀，拜使持節、鎮西將軍、平襄公。
Yang Sheng of Qiuqi submitted and received tally, general who guards the south, and duke of Qiuqi. Yuezhi Jiegui brought twenty thousand households from Qifu Gangui to Yao Xing, who settled them at Chengji and titled him general who guards the west, duke of Pingxiang.
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姚碩德討平涼胡金豹於洛城，克之。 初，上邽薑乳據本縣以叛，自稱秦州刺史。 碩德進討之，乳率眾降。 以碩德為秦州牧，領護東羌校尉，鎮上邽。 征乳為尚書。 強熙及略陽豪族權幹城率眾三萬圍上邽，碩德擊破之。 熙南奔仇池，遂假道歸晉。 碩德西討幹城，幹城降。
Yao Shuode crushed the Pingliang Hu Jin Bao at Luocheng. Jiang Ru of Shanggui had seized his county and called himself inspector of Qinzhou. Yao Shuode marched in; Jiang Ru surrendered. He named Yao Shuode governor of Qinzhou and colonel of the eastern Qiang at Shanggui. Jiang Ru was summoned to the secretariat. Qiang Xi and Lüeyang magnate Quan Gancheng besieged Shanggui with thirty thousand men until Yao Shuode routed them. Qiang Xi ran to Qiuqi and then passed through to Jin. Yao Shuode marched west; Quan Gancheng yielded.
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興令郡國各歲貢清行孝廉一人。
Yao Xing required every district to recommend one filial, incorrupt candidate each year.
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慕容永既為慕容垂所滅，河東太守柳恭等各阻兵自守，興遣姚緒討之。 恭等依河距守，緒不得濟。 鎮東薛強先據楊氏壁，引緒從龍門濟河，遂入蒲阪。 恭勢屈，請降。 徙新平、安定新戶六千于蒲阪。
When Murong Yong fell, Liu Gong of Hedong and others held out until Yao Xing sent Yao Xu. Liu Gong barred the Yellow River; Yao Xu could not ford. Xue Qiang held Yang's redoubt and guided Yao Xu across at Longmen into Puyang. Liu Gong submitted when outflanked. Six thousand households from Xinping and Anding were resettled at Puban.
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興母虵氏死，興哀毀過禮，不親庶政。 群臣議請依漢、魏故事，既葬即吉。 興尚書郎李嵩上疏曰「三王異制，五帝殊禮。 孝治天下，先王之高事也，宜遵聖性，以光道訓。 既葬之後，應素服臨朝，率先天下，仁孝之舉也。」 尹緯駁曰：「帝王喪制，漢、魏為准。 嵩矯常越禮，愆於軌度，請付有司，以專擅論。 既葬即吉，乞依前議。」 興曰：「嵩忠臣孝子，有何咎乎？ 尹僕射棄先王之典，而欲遵漢、魏之權制，豈所望於朝賢哉！ 其一依嵩議。」
Lady She died; Yao Xing mourned past all measure and ignored routine state business. His ministers urged Han and Wei practice: end mourning at burial. Li Song argued that the three kings and five emperors kept different mourning rites. Filial rule is the hallmark of sage-kings; the emperor should follow his heart to teach the realm. After the funeral he should hold court in undyed hemp to show the empire how a son grieves." Yin Wei countered that Han and Wei set the court precedent. Li Song twists custom; hand him to the judges for overstepping. Bury the empress dowager, then end mourning as we first proposed." Yao Xing said, "Li Song is loyal and filial—what crime is that? Yin Wei would toss the classics for Han expediency—is that what we expect of ministers? We will follow Li Song's advice."
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鮮卑薛勃叛奔嶺北，上郡、貳川雜胡皆應之，遂圍安遠將軍姚詳于金城。 遣姚崇、尹緯討之。 勃自三交趣金城，崇列營掎之，而租運不繼，三軍大饑。 緯言於崇曰：「輔國彌姐高地、建節杜成等皆諸部之豪，位班三品，督運稽留，令三軍乏絕，宜明置刑書，以懲不肅。」 遂斬之。 諸部大震，租入者五十餘萬。 興率步騎二萬親討之，勃懼，棄其眾奔于高平公沒奕于，於執而送之。
Xue Bo fled beyond the passes; Hu of Shang and Ercheng joined him and besieged Yao Xiang at Jincheng. Yao Xing sent Yao Chong and Yin Wei. Xue Bo raced from Sanjiao; Yao Chong checked him but supplies failed and the army starved. Yin Wei told Yao Chong to execute Mizhi Gaodi, Du Cheng, and other nobles who had stalled the grain convoys. They were beheaded. The clans panicked and forwarded over five hundred thousand measures of grain. Yao Xing took twenty thousand men against Xue Bo, who abandoned his troops and fled to Moyuyu of Gaoping; Moyuyu seized him and sent him in.
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泫氏男姚買得欲因興葬母虵氏殺興，會有告之者，興未之信，遣李嵩詐往。 買得具以告嵩，嵩還，以聞，興乃賜買得死，誅其黨與。
Yao Maide plotted to strike during Lady She's funeral; when a tip came, Yao Xing doubted it and sent Li Song to probe. Yao Maide confessed to Li Song; Yao Xing ordered his death and purged his party.
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興下書禁百姓造錦繡及淫祀。
He banned commoners from weaving fancy silks and from illicit shrines.
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興率眾寇湖城，晉弘農太守陶仲山、華山太守董邁皆降於興。 遂如陝城，進寇上洛，陷之。 遣姚崇寇洛陽，晉河南太守夏侯宗之固守金墉，崇攻之不克，乃陷柏穀，徙流人西河嚴彥、河東裴岐、韓襲等二萬餘戶而還。
He struck Hucheng; Tao Zhongshan and Dong Mai of Jin surrendered. He took Shancheng and Shangluo. Yao Chong failed at Jinyong against Xiahou Zongzhi but sacked Baigu and deported twenty thousand refugee families.
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興下書，令士卒戰亡者守宰所在埋藏之，求其近親為之立後。
He ordered battlefield dead buried locally and heirs found for each soldier.
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武都氐屠飛、啖鐵等殺隴東太守姚回，略三千餘家，據方山以叛。 興遣姚紹等討之，斬飛、鐵。 遣狄伯支迎流人曹會、牛壽萬餘戶於漢中。
Wudu Di Tu Fei and Dan Tie slew Yao Hui, seized three thousand families, and held Fangshan. Yao Shao executed Tu Fei and Dan Tie. Di Bozhi escorted ten thousand refugees from Hanzhong led by Cao Hui and Niu Shou.
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興留心政事，苞容廣納，一言之善，咸見禮異。 京兆杜瑾、馮翊吉默、始平周寶等上陳時事，皆擢處美官。 天水姜龕、東平淳于岐、馮翊郭高等皆耆儒碩德，經明行修，各門徒數百，教授長安，諸生自遠而至者萬數千人。 興每於聽政之暇，引龕等於東堂，講論道藝，錯綜名理。 涼州胡辯，苻堅之末，東徙洛陽，講授弟子千有餘人，關中後進多赴之請業。 興敕關尉曰：「諸生諮訪道藝，修己厲身，往來出入，勿拘常限。」 於是學者咸勸，儒風盛焉。 給事黃門侍郎古成詵、中書侍郎王尚、尚書郎馬岱等，以文章雅正，參管機密。 詵風韻秀舉，確然不群，每以天下是非為己任。 時京兆韋高慕阮籍之為人，居母喪，彈琴飲酒。 詵聞而泣曰：「吾當私刃斬之，以崇風教。」 遂持劍求高。 高懼，逃匿，終身不敢見詵。
Yao Xing governed attentively and welcomed counsel; sound advice won favor. Du Jin, Ji Mo, Zhou Bao, and others who wrote on policy won high posts. Elder scholars such as Jiang Kan, Chunyu Qi, and Gao Guo taught thousands of students in Chang'an. Between audiences Yao Xing debated metaphysics with them in the east hall. Hu Bian of Liangzhou had fled to Luoyang with a thousand pupils; Guanzhong students flocked to him. He told the gate wardens not to hinder scholars traveling for study. Learning flourished and Confucian study spread. Gucheng Shen, Wang Shang, Ma Dai, and others of polished prose joined the privy council. Gucheng Shen carried himself like a lone crane and made the kingdom's conscience his business. Wei Gao of Jingzhao aped Ruan Ji, playing music and drinking during his mother's mourning. Gucheng Shen swore to cut him down for the sake of public morals. He seized a sword and hunted Wei Gao. Wei Gao hid and never again faced him.
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興遣將鎮東楊佛嵩攻陷洛陽。
Yao Xing's general Yang Fosong took Luoyang.
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班命郡國，百姓因荒自賣為奴婢者，悉免為良人。 興以日月薄蝕，災眚屢見，降號稱王，下書令群公卿士將牧守宰各降一等。 於是其太尉趙公旻等五十三人上疏諫曰：「伏惟陛下勳格皇天，功濟四海，威靈振於殊域，聲教暨于遐方，雖成湯之隆殷基，武王之崇周業，未足比喻。 方當廓靖江、吳，告成中嶽，豈宜過垂沖損，違皇天之眷命乎！」 興曰：「殷湯、夏禹德冠百王，然猶順守謙沖，未居崇極，況朕寡昧，安可以處之哉！」 乃遣旻告於社稷宗廟，大赦，改元弘始。 賜孤獨鰥寡栗帛有差，年七十已上加衣杖。 始平太守周班、槐里令李青彡皆以黷貨誅，於是郡國肅然矣。 洛陽既陷，自淮、漢已北諸城，多請降送任。
He decreed that anyone sold into slavery during the famine should be freed. After eclipses and omens he demoted himself from emperor to king and cut every official's rank one step. Fifty-three ministers led by Zhao Min begged him to keep the throne, comparing him to Tang of Shang and Wu of Zhou. You mean to reunify the south and complete the sacred mountain rites—do not spurn heaven's mandate with false modesty!" Yao Xing answered, "Even Tang and Yu stayed humble; I am far beneath them. He had the demotion proclaimed at the shrines, amnestied the realm, and took the reign name Hongshi. He gave grain and cloth to the destitute and staffs to elders over seventy. Zhou Ban and Li Qingshan died for corruption; the provinces took notice. North of the Huai and Han, cities offered hostages after Luoyang fell.
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興下書聽祖父母昆弟得相容隱。 姚緒、姚碩德以興降號，固讓王爵，興弗許。
He allowed relatives to shield one another from criminal charges. Yao Xu and Yao Shuode tried to return their princely titles; Yao Xing refused.
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京兆韋華、譙郡夏侯軌、始平龐眺等率襄陽流人一萬叛晉，奔於興。 興引見東堂，謂華曰：「晉自南遷，承平已久，今政化風俗何如？」 華曰：「晉主雖有南面之尊，無總禦之實，宰輔執政，政出多門，權去公家，遂成習俗，刑網峻急，風俗奢宕。 自桓溫、謝安已後，未見寬猛之中。」 興大悅，拜華中書令。
Wei Hua, Xiahou Gui, and Pang Tiao brought ten thousand refugees from Xiangyang to Yao Xing. At court he asked Wei Hua how the Eastern Jin fared." Wei Hua said Jin's emperor was a figurehead: factions ruled, law grew harsh, and luxury spread. Since Huan Wen and Xie An, no ruler has balanced firm and mild rule. Yao Xing named him director of the secretariat.
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興如河東。 時姚緒鎮河東，興待以家人之禮。 下書封其先朝舊臣姚驢磑、趙惡地、王平、馬萬載、黃世等子為五等子男。 命百僚舉殊才異行之士，刑政有不便於時者，皆除之。 兵部郎金城邊熙上陳軍令煩苛，宜遵簡約。 興覽而善之，乃依孫吳誓眾之法以損益之。 興立律學于長安，召郡縣散吏以授之。 其通明者還之郡縣，論決刑獄。 若州郡縣所不能決者，讞之廷尉。 興常臨諮議堂聽斷疑獄，于時號無冤滯。
He traveled to Hedong. He received Yao Xu with familial warmth. He ennobled the heirs of old ministers such as Yao Luai and Zhao Edi. He called for talent recommendations and scrapped bad laws. Bian Xi urged simpler military regulations. Yao Xing rewrote the code along Sun Wu's lines. He opened a law academy in Chang'an for county clerks. Graduates returned home to try cases. Unresolved suits went to the supreme judge. He heard appeals in person and was said to leave no innocent jailed.
27
姚緒、姚碩德固讓王爵，許之。 緒、碩德威權日盛，興恐奸佞小人沮惑之，乃簡清正君子為之輔佐。
This time Yao Xing let them surrender princely titles. Fearing flatterers would taint his powerful uncles, he gave them honest advisers.
28
興以司隸校尉郭撫、扶風太守強超、長安令魚佩、槐里令彭明、倉部郎王年等清勤貞白，下書褒美，增撫邑一百戶，賜超爵關內侯，佩等進位一級。
He rewarded Guo Fu, Qiang Chao, and other honest officials with titles and stipends.
29
使碩德率隴右諸軍伐乞伏乾歸，興潛軍赴之，乾歸敗走，降其部眾三萬六千，收鎧馬六萬匹。 軍無私掠，百姓懷之。 興進如枹罕，班賜王公以下，遍于卒伍。
Yao Shuode struck Qifu Gangui while Yao Xing reinforced him, taking thirty-six thousand prisoners and sixty thousand horses. His troops did not loot; the people loved them. At Fuhan he rewarded every rank down to the ranks.
30
興之西也，沒奕於密欲乘虛襲安定，長史皇甫序切諫乃止。 于自恨失言，陰欲殺序。
Moyuyu meant to raid Anding while Yao Xing was away until Huangfu Xu stopped him. Moyuyu brooded and plotted Huangfu Xu's murder.
31
乞伏乾歸以窮蹙來降，拜鎮遠將軍、河州刺史、歸義侯，復以其部眾配之。
The beaten Qifu Gangui submitted and was rearmed as inspector of Hezhou.
32
興下書，將帥遭大喪，非在疆埸險要之所，皆聽奔赴，及期，乃從王役。 臨戎遭喪，聽假百日。 若身為邊將，家有大變，交代未至，敢輒去者，以擅去官罪罪之。 遣晉將軍劉嵩等二百三十七人歸於建鄴。
Generals could leave the front for parents' funerals unless posted at vital passes. Active officers got a hundred days' mourning leave. Border commanders who abandoned post without relief were prosecuted. He repatriated 237 Jin captive officers to Jianye.
33
魏人襲沒奕于，於棄其部眾，率數千騎與赫連勃勃奔于秦州。 魏軍進次瓦亭，長安大震，諸城閉門固守。 魏平陽太守貳塵入侵河東。 興於是練兵講武，大閱於城西，於勇壯異者召入殿中。 引見群臣於東堂，大議伐魏。 群臣咸諫以為不可，興不從。 司隸姚顯進曰：「陛下天下之鎮，不宜親行，可使諸將分討，授以廟勝之策。」 興曰：「王者正以廓土靖亂為務，吾焉得而辭之！」
Wei attacked Moyuyu, who fled to Qinzhou with Helian Bobo. Wei reached Wating and threw Chang'an into panic; every gate shut. Erchen of Pingyang raided Hedong. Yao Xing reviewed troops west of Chang'an and enrolled champions. He debated war on Wei with his council. All advised against it; he would not listen. Yao Xian urged him to stay home and delegate." A king must expand the realm and crush rebels," Yao Xing replied.
34
興立其子泓為皇太子，大赦境內，賜男子為父後者爵一級。
He named Yao Hong heir and ennobled eldest sons.
35
遣姚平、狄伯支等率步騎四萬伐魏，姚碩德、姚穆率步騎六萬伐呂隆。 平等軍次河東，興遣其光遠黨娥、立節雷星、建忠王多等率杏城及嶺北突騎自和寧赴援，越騎校尉唐小方、積弩姚良國率關中勁卒為平後繼，姚緒統河東見兵為前軍節度，姚紹率洛東之兵，姚詳率朔方見騎，並集平望，以會於興。 使沒奕于權鎮上邽，中軍、廣陵公斂權鎮洛陽，姚顯及尚書令姚晃輔其太子泓，入直西宮。
He launched Yao Ping at Wei and Yao Shuode at Lü Long. He staged a massive relief column for Yao Ping from Xingcheng, Guanzhong, Hedong, and Luoyang. Moyuyu held Shanggui, Lian Quan Luoyang, while Yao Xian and Yao Huang aided the heir in the west palace.
36
碩德至姑臧，大敗呂隆之眾，俘斬一萬。 隆將呂他等率眾二萬五千，以東苑來降。 先是，禿髮利鹿孤據西平，沮渠蒙遜據張掖，李玄盛據敦煌，與呂隆相持。 至是，皆遣使降。
Yao Shuode crushed Lü Long at Guzang. Lü Ta brought twenty-five thousand men from the east garden. Tufa Lugu, Juqu Mengsun, and Li Xuansheng had boxed in Lü Long. Now all three submitted.
37
興率戎卒四萬七千，自長安赴姚平。 平攻魏乾城，陷之，逐據柴壁。 魏軍大至，攻平，截汾水以守之。 興至蒲阪，憚而不進。
Yao Xing marched forty-seven thousand men to Yao Ping. Yao Ping took Gancheng and Chaiyu. Wei surrounded him and dammed the Fen. Yao Xing stopped cold at Puyang.
38
時碩德攻呂隆，撫納夷夏，分置守宰，節糧積粟，為持久之計。 隆懼，遂降。 碩德軍令齊整，秋毫無犯，祭先賢，禮儒哲，西土悅之。
Meanwhile Yao Shuode was consolidating Liangzhou for a long siege of Lü Long. Lü Long capitulated. Yao Shuode's discipline won the west: no looting, honors to sages.
39
姚平糧竭矢盡，將麾下三十騎赴汾水而死，狄伯支等十將四萬餘人，皆為魏所擒。 興下書，軍士戰沒者，皆厚加褒贈。 魏軍乘勝進攻蒲阪，姚緒固守不戰，魏乃引還。
Yao Ping drowned himself in the Fen; Di Bozhi and forty thousand men were taken. He enriched pensions for the Wei dead. Wei struck Puyang but Yao Xu's defense drove them off.
40
興徙河西豪右萬餘戶于長安。
He resettled ten thousand Hexi notables in Chang'an.
41
晉輔國將軍袁虔之、甯朔將軍劉壽、冠軍將軍高長慶、龍驤將軍郭恭等貳于桓玄，懼而奔興。 興臨東堂引見，謂虔之等曰：「桓玄雖名晉臣，其實晉賊，其才度定何如父也？ 能辦成大事以不？」 虔之曰：「玄籍世資，雄據荊、楚，屬晉朝失政，遂偷竊宰衡。 安忍無親，多忌好殺，位不才授，爵以愛加，無公平之度，不如其父遠矣。 今既握朝權，必行篡奪，既非命世之才，正可為他人驅除耳。 此天以機便授之陛下，願速加經略，廓清吳、楚。」 興大悅，以虔之為大司農，餘皆有拜授。 虔之固讓，請疆埸自效，改授假節、甯南將軍、廣州刺史。
Jin officers fleeing Huan Xuan sought Yao Xing. He asked them about Huan Xuan. Could Huan Xuan finish what he started?" Yuan Qianzhi called Huan Xuan a usurper holding Jingzhou. He was cruel, jealous, and nepotistic—nothing like his father. Seizing power without genius, he would only pave the way for a real founder. Heaven offers you the south—strike quickly. Yao Xing made Yuan Qianzhi grand minister of agriculture. Yuan Qianzhi took a southern frontier command instead.
42
興立其昭儀張氏為皇后，封子懿、弼、洸、宣、諶、愔、璞、質、逵、裕、國兒皆為公。 遣其兼大鴻臚梁斐，以新平張構為副，拜禿髮傉檀車騎將軍、廣武公，沮渠蒙遜鎮西將軍、沙州刺史、西海侯，李玄盛安西將軍、高昌侯。
He made Lady Zhang empress and sons dukes. He invested Tufa Nutan, Juqu Mengsun, and Li Xuansheng with Jin-style titles.
43
興遣鎮遠趙曜率眾二萬西屯金城，建節王松忿率騎助呂隆等守姑臧。 松忿至魏安，為傉檀弟文真所圍，眾潰，執松忿，送于傉檀。 傉檀大怒，送松忿還長安，歸罪文真，深自陳謝。
Zhao Yao went to Jincheng; Wang Songfen rode to help Lü Long. Wang Songfen fell to Tufa Wenzhen and was sent to Nutan. Tufa Nutan returned the general and blamed his brother.
44
興下書，錄馬嵬戰時將吏，盡擢敘之，其堡戶給復二十年。
He promoted Mawei veterans and twenty years' tax relief for their forts.
45
興性儉約，車馬無金玉之飾，自下化之，莫不敦尚清素。 然好游田，頗損農要。 京兆杜挻以僕射齊難無匡輔之益，著《豐草詩》以箴之，馮翊相雲作《德獵賦》以諷焉。 興皆覽而善之，賜以金帛，然終弗能改。
Yao Xing lived plainly and set the tone for court austerity. But he loved the hunt to the hurt of agriculture. Du Ting and Xiang Yun wrote verse criticizing hunts and lax ministers. Yao Xing praised their poems but kept hunting.
46
晉順陽太守彭泉以郡降興，興遣楊佛嵩率騎五千，與其荊州刺史趙曜迎之，遂寇陷南鄉，擒建威將軍劉嵩，略地至於梁國而歸。 又遣其兼散騎常侍席確詣涼州，征呂隆弟超入侍，隆遣之。 呂隆懼禿髮傉檀之逼，表請內徙。 興遣齊難及鎮西姚詰、鎮遠乞伏乾歸、鎮遠趙曜等步騎四萬，迎隆於河西。 難至姑臧，以其司馬王尚行涼州刺史，配兵三千鎮姑臧，以將軍閻松為倉松太守，郭將為番禾太守，分戍二城，徙隆及其宗室僚屬于長安。 沮渠蒙遜遣弟如子貢其方物。 王尚綏撫遺黎，導以信義，百姓懷其惠化，翕然歸之。 北部鮮卑並遣使貢款。
Peng Quan defected; Yang Fosong took Nanxiang and raided to Liang. Xi Que fetched Lü Chao as hostage. Lü Long asked to relocate inland before Tufa Nutan. Qi Nan led forty thousand men to escort Lü Long east. Qi Nan installed Wang Shang at Guzang and deported the Lü clan to Chang'an. Juqu Mengsun sent tribute through his brother. Wang Shang won Liangzhou with justice. Northern tribes sent tribute.
47
桓玄遣使來聘，請辛恭靖、何澹之。 興留恭靖而遣澹之，謂曰：「桓玄不推計曆運，將圖篡逆，天未忘晉，必將有義舉，以吾觀之，終當傾覆。 卿今馳往，必逢其敗，相見之期，遲不雲遠。」 初，恭靖至長安，引見興而不拜，興曰：「朕將任卿以東南之事。」 靖曰：「我寧為國家鬼，不為羌賊臣。」 興怒，幽之別室。 至是，恭靖亦逾牆遁歸。
Huan Xuan asked for two captives back. Yao Xing kept Xin Gongjing and warned He Danzhi that Huan Xuan would fall. He told He Danzhi he would soon see Huan Xuan's ruin. Earlier Xin Gongjing had refused to bow; Yao Xing had offered him office." I will be Jin's ghost, not your minister," Xin replied. Yao Xing jailed him. Xin Gongjing then escaped over the wall.
48
興遣其將姚碩德、姚斂成、姚壽都等率眾三萬，伐楊盛于仇池。 壽都等入自宕昌，斂成從下辯而進。 盛遣其弟壽距成，從子斌距都。 都逆擊擒之，盡俘其眾。 楊壽等懼，率眾請降。 碩德還師。
Yao Xing dispatched Yao Shuode, Yao Liancheng, and Yao Shoudou with thirty thousand men against Yang Sheng. Yao Shoudou came through Dangchang while Yao Liancheng moved up from Xiabian. Yang Sheng sent Yang Shou against Liancheng and nephew Yang Bin against Shoudou. Yao Shoudou routed and captured them wholesale. Yang Shou's party surrendered in fear. Yao Shuode withdrew.
49
晉汝南太守趙策委守奔於興。
Zhao Ce of Runan defected to Yao Xing.
50
興如趙逍園，引諸沙門于澄玄堂聽鳩摩羅什演說佛經。 羅什通辯夏言，尋覽舊經，多有乘謬，不與胡本相應。 興與羅什及沙門僧略、僧遷、道樹、僧睿、道坦、僧肇、曇順等八百餘人，更出大品，羅什持胡本，興執舊經，以相考校，其新文異舊者皆會於理義。 續出諸經並諸論三百餘卷。 今之新經皆羅什所譯。 興既托意於佛道，公卿已下莫不欽附，沙門自遠而至者五千餘人。 起浮圖於永貴裏，立波若台于中宮，沙門坐禪者恆有千數。 州郡化之，事佛者十室而九矣。
Yao Xing heard Kumārajīva preach at the imperial cloister. Kumārajīva found earlier Chinese versions full of mistakes. With eight hundred monks Yao Xing retranslated the Great Perfection of Wisdom, comparing Kumārajīva's Sanskrit to old Chinese. They issued over three hundred further fascicles of scripture and śāstra. The current canon is largely Kumārajīva's work. Court and countryside turned Buddhist; five thousand monks gathered at Chang'an. He built a stūpa and a prajñā platform; a thousand monks meditated daily. The provinces followed: nine families in ten were Buddhist.
51
使姚碩德及冠軍徐洛生等伐仇池，又遣建武趙琨自宕昌而進，遣其將斂俱寇漢中。
He renewed the Qiuqi campaign and sent Lian Ju into Hanzhong.
52
時劉裕誅桓玄，迎復安帝，玄衛將軍、新安王桓謙，臨原王桓怡，雍州刺史桓蔚，左衛將軍桓謐，中書令桓胤，將軍何澹之等奔於興。 劉裕遣大參軍衡凱之詣姚顯，請通和，顯遣吉默報之，自是聘使不絕。 晉求南鄉諸郡，興許之。 群臣咸諫以為不可，興曰：「天下之善一也，劉裕拔萃起微，匡輔晉室，吾何惜數郡而不成其美乎！」 遂割南鄉、順陽、新野、舞陰等十二郡歸於晉。
Huan Xuan's kinsmen and He Danzhi fled to Yao Xing after Liu Yu restored Jin. Liu Yu and Yao Xing exchanged peace envoys through Yao Xian. Jin asked for Nanxiang; Yao Xing agreed. Ministers objected; Yao Xing said Liu Yu deserved the border towns. He yielded twelve prefectures including Nanxiang and Shunyang.
53
姚碩德等頻敗楊盛，盛懼，請降，遣子難當及僚佐子弟數十人為質，碩德等引還。 署盛為使持節、散騎常侍、都督益、甯州諸軍事、征南大將軍、開府、益州牧、武都侯。 斂俱陷城固，徙漢中流人郭陶等三千餘家於關中。
Yang Sheng submitted hostages after repeated defeats. Yang Sheng received full honors as governor of Yi and marquis of Wudu. Lian Ju took Chenggu and deported three thousand Hanzhong families.
54
興班告境內及在朝文武，立名不得犯叔父緒及碩德之名，以彰殊禮。 興謙恭孝友，每見緒及碩德，如家人之禮，整服傾悚，言則稱字，車馬服玩，必先二叔，然後服其次者，朝廷大政，必諮之而後行。
He forbade personal names that clashed with his uncles Yao Xu and Yao Shuode. He treated his uncles like elders, gave them first pick of gifts, and sought their counsel on state affairs.
55
太史令郭黁言於興曰：「戌亥之歲，當有孤寇起於西北，宜慎其鋒。 起兵如流沙，死者如亂麻，戎馬悠悠會隴頭，鮮卑、烏丸居不安，國朝疲於奔命矣。」 時所在有泉水湧出，傳云飲則愈病，後多無驗。 屢有妖人自稱神女，戮之乃止。
Guo Nen prophesied northwest trouble in Xu-Hai years. His rhyme foretold border chaos and Xianbei unrest. Healing springs appeared then proved false. False prophetesses were executed.
56
興大閱，自杜郵至於羊牧。 興以姚碩德來朝，大赦其境內。 及碩德歸於秦州，興送之，及雍乃還。
He reviewed troops from Duyou to Yangmu. He amnestied the realm when Yao Shuode visited. Yao Xing escorted his uncle to Yong.
57
禿髮傉檀獻興馬三千匹，羊三萬頭。 興以為忠於己，乃署傉檀為涼州刺史，征涼州刺史王尚還長安。 涼州人申屠英等二百餘人，遣主簿胡威詣興，請留尚，興弗許。 引威見之，威流涕謂興曰：「臣州奉國五年，王威不接，銜膽棲冰、孤城獨守者，仰恃陛下威靈，俯杖良牧惠化。 忽違天人之心，以華土資狄。 若傉檀才望應代，臣豈敢言。 竊聞乃以臣等貿馬三千匹，羊三萬口，如所傳實者，是為棄人貴畜。 苟以馬供軍國，直煩尚書一符，三千餘家戶輸一匹，朝下夕辦，何故以一方委此奸胡！ 昔漢武傾天下之資，開建河西，隔絕諸戎，斷匈奴右臂，所以終能屠大宛王毋寡。 今陛下方布政玉門，流化西域，奈何以五郡之地資之犬嚴狁，忠誠華族棄之虐虜！ 非但臣州裏塗炭，懼方為聖朝旰食之憂。」 興乃遣西平人車普馳止王尚，又遣使喻傉檀。 會傉檀已至姑臧，普以狀先告之。 傉檀懼，脅遣王尚，遂入姑臧。
Tufa Nutan sent three thousand horses and thirty thousand sheep. Thinking it loyalty, Yao Xing swapped Wang Shang for Tufa Nutan as governor of Liangzhou. Two hundred Liangzhou notables begged to keep Wang Shang; Yao Xing refused. Hu Wei wept that Liangzhou had served faithfully under Wang Shang. Now you hand Chinese land to barbarians. If Tufa Nutan were fit to rule, I would be silent. Rumor says you sold us for livestock—that values animals over people. A requisition could raise the horses; why give a province to aliens? Emperor Wu built Hexi to break the Xiongnu and take Dayuan. You mean to civilize the west yet you feed five commanderies to Xianyun and abandon Chinese loyalty! Liangzhou will burn and the court will pay. Yao Xing sent Che Pu to recall Wang Shang and wrote Tufa Nutan. Che Pu met Tufa Nutan already at Guzang. Tufa Nutan forced Wang Shang out and took Guzang.
58
尚既至長安，坐匿呂氏宮人，擅殺逃人薄禾等，禁止南台。 涼州別駕宗敞、治中張穆、主簿邊憲、胡威等上疏理尚曰：
Wang Shang was jailed for hiding Lü concubines and killing fugitives. Zong Chang, Zhang Mu, Bian Xian, and Hu Wei petitioned for Wang Shang:
59
臣州荒裔，鄰帶寇仇，居泰無垂拱之安，運否離傾覆之難。 自張氏頹基，德風絕而莫扇； 呂數將終，梟鶚以之翻翔。 群生嬰罔極之痛，西夏有焚如之禍。 幸皇鑒降眷，純風遠被。 刺史王尚受任垂滅之州，策成難全之際，輕身率下，躬儉節用，勞逸豐約，與眾同之，勸課農桑，時無廢業。 然後振王威以掃不庭，回天波以蕩氛穢。 則群逆冰摧，不俟硃陽之曜； 若秋霜隕籜，豈待勁風之威。 何定遠之足高，營平之獨美！ 經始甫爾，會朝算改授，使希世之功不終於必成，易失之機踐之而莫展。 當其時而明其事者，誰不慨然！
Liangzhou is a frontier ever under threat. After the Zhangs fell, virtue died; the Lü regime rotted while predators circled. The people suffered; the west was fire. Your grace reached us like a cleansing wind. Wang Shang took a dying province, lived simply, shared hardship, and restored farming. Then he struck rebels and cleared the land. Rebels melted like frost; they fell like leaves—no need of gale. What need of famous generals of old? Just as he succeeded, you recalled him and wasted his work. Who could not grieve?
60
既遠役遐方，劬勞於外，雖效未酬恩，而在公無闕。 自至京師，二旬於今，出車之命莫逮，萋斐之責惟深。 以取呂氏宮人裴氏及殺逃人薄禾等為南台所禁，天鑒玄鏡，暫免圇圄，譏繩之文，未離簡墨。 裴氏年垂知命，首發二毛，嫠居本家，不在尚室，年邁姿陋，何用送為！ 邊籓耍捍，眾力是寄，禾等私逃，罪應憲墨，以殺止殺，安邊之義也。 假若以不送裴氏為罪者，正闕奚官之一女子耳。 論勳則功重，言瑕則過微。 而執憲吹毛求疵，忘勞記過，斯先哲所以泣血于當年，微臣所以仰天而灑淚。
He served abroad without fault though reward was thin. Twenty days in Chang'an—no summons, only slander. South terrace jailed him for Pei and Bo He though heaven knows better. Pei is an old widow in her own home—no concubine of Wang Shang. Bo He was a deserter; killing him secured the border. At worst one palace maid is missing. His service outweighs petty faults. Judges nitpick and forget his labor—sages wept for less.
61
且尚之奉國，曆事二朝，能否效於既往，優劣簡在聖心，就有微過，功足相補，宜弘罔極之施，以彰覆載之恩。
Wang Shang served two regimes; pardon small slips for great deeds.
62
臣等生自西州，無翰飛之翼，久沈偽政，絕進趣之途。 及皇化既沾，投竿之心冥發，遂策名委質，位忝吏端。 主辱臣憂，故重繭披款，惟陛下亮之。
We westerners had no path under past tyrants. Your virtue let us take office. We come with heavy hearts—hear us.
63
興覽之大悅，謂其黃門侍郎姚文祖曰：「卿知宗敞乎？」 文祖曰：「與臣州裏，西方之英雋。」 興曰：「有表理王尚，文義甚佳，當王尚研思耳。」 文祖曰：「尚在南台，禁止不與賓客交通，敞寓於楊桓，非尚明矣。」 興曰：「若爾，桓為措思乎？」 文祖曰：「西方評敞甚重，優於楊桓。 敞昔與呂超周旋，陛下試可問之。」 興因謂超曰：「宗敞文才何如？ 可是誰輩？」 超曰：「敞在西土，時論甚美，方敞魏之陳、徐，晉之潘、陸。」 即以表示超曰：「涼州小地，寧有此才乎？」 超曰：「臣以敞余文比之，未足稱多。 琳琅出於昆嶺，明珠生於海濱，若必以地求人，則文命大夏之棄夫，姬昌東夷之擯士。 但當問其文彩何如，不可以區宇格物。」 興悅，赦尚之罪，以為尚書。
Yao Xing asked Yao Wenzu about Zong Chang." He is our countryman and a western star." This petition for Wang Shang is brilliant—Wang Shang must have drafted it." Wang Shang is incommunicado; Zong Chang stays with Yang Huan—so Wang did not write it. Yang Huan then?" The west esteems Zong Chang above Yang Huan. Ask Lü Chao—he knew Zong Chang. He asked Lü Chao how good Zong Chang was. Who is his peer?" Zong Chang ranks with Chen Lin, Xu Gan, Pan Yue, and Lu Ji. He showed the memorial: could Liangzhou produce this?" Compared to his other work this is ordinary. Genius is not geography—Yu and Wen Wang came from humble ground. Judge the prose, not the map. Yao Xing freed Wang Shang and named him director of the secretariat.