1
卷一百一十八載記第十八
Book of Jin, scroll 118—Annals eighteenth.
2
姚興 (下)
This installment continues the biography of Yao Xing. (Part two.)
3
晉義熙二年，平北將軍、梁州督護苻宣入漢中，興梁州別駕呂營、漢中徐逸、席難起兵應宣，求救于楊盛。 盛遣軍臨濜口，南梁州刺史王敏退守武興。 楊盛復通于晉。
Yixi second year: Fu Xuan marched into Hanzhong; Yao Xing's aides Lu Ying and Xu Yi plus Xi Nan rose in support and pleaded with Yang Sheng. Yang Sheng lunged at Lintang ford while Wang Min fell back on Wuxing. Yang Sheng renewed ties with the Jin court.
4
興以太子泓錄尚書事。
Yao Xing handed crown prince Yao Hong the Secretariat portfolio.
5
慕容超司徒、北地王鐘，右僕射、濟陽王嶷，高都公始，皆來奔。
Southern Yan defectors arrived—Zhong the prince of Beidi, Wang Yi of Jiyang, and Shi duke of Gaodu.
6
華山郡地湧沸，廣袤百餘步，燒生物皆熟，曆五月乃止。
Huashan soil erupted across a hundred paces, flash-scorching life until the tide ebbed five months later.
7
赫連勃勃殺高平公沒奕於，收其眾以叛。
Helian Bobo killed Moyifu of Gaoping and drafted his tribes into revolt.
8
先是，魏主拓跋珪送馬千匹，求婚於興，興許之。 以魏別立後，遂絕婚，故有柴壁之戰。 至是，復與魏通和，魏放狄伯支、姚伯禽、唐小方、姚良國、康宦還長安，皆復其爵位。
Tuoba Gui once offered a thousand mounts for a royal marriage and Xing agreed. When Wei elevated another queen the match collapsed—leading to Chaibi. Peace returned Wei captives—Di Bozhi, Yao Boqin, Tang Xiaofang, Yao Liangguo, Kang Huan—and revived their titles.
9
時禿髮傉檀、沮渠蒙遜迭相攻擊，傉檀遂東招河州刺史西羌彭奚念，奚念阻河以叛。
Tufa Nutan and Juqu Mengxun traded blows until Nutan beckoned Peng Xinian east across the river—who then barred the ford.
10
蜀譙縱遣使稱籓，請桓謙，欲令順流東伐劉裕。 興以問謙，謙請行，遂許之。
Qiao Zong of Shu offered submission and asked for Huan Qian to float east against Liu Yu. Yao Xing asked Huan Qian's wishes and approved his expedition.
11
使中軍姚弼、後軍斂成、鎮遠乞伏乾歸等率步騎三萬伐傉檀，左僕射齊難等率騎二萬討勃勃。 吏部尚書尹昭諫曰：「傉檀恃遠，輕敢違逆，宜詔蒙遜及李玄盛，使自相攻擊。 待其斃也，然後取之，此卞莊之舉也。」 興不從。 勃勃退保河曲。 弼濟自金城，弼部將姜紀言於弼曰：「今王師聲討勃勃，傉檀猶豫，未為嚴防，請給輕騎五千，掩其城門，則山澤之人皆為吾有，孤城獨立，坐可克也。」 弼不從，進拔昌松，長驅至姑臧。 傉檀嬰城固守，出其兵擊弼，弼敗，退據西苑。 興又遣衛大將軍姚顯率騎二萬，為諸軍節度。 至高平，聞弼敗績，兼道赴之，撫慰河外，率眾而還。 傉檀遣使人徐宿詣興謝罪。
He sent Yao Bi, Liancheng, and Qifu Gangui with thirty thousand west against Nutan; Qi Nan led twenty thousand horse against Helian Bobo. Yin Zhao urged letting Mengxun and Li Xuansheng tear Nutan apart. Wait until they weary—then seize both like Bian Zhuang's tigers." Yao Xing refused. Helian Bobo hugged the northern bends. Jiang Ji urged five thousand riders to surprise Nutan while he dithered. Yao Bi refused, seized Changsong, and raced to Guzang. Nutan sallied from Guzang, broke Yao Bi, who fled to the western compounds. Yao Xing reinforced with Yao Xian and twenty thousand riders as theater commander. At Gaoping news of Bi's rout sent him sprinting to steady the frontier before pulling back. Nutan apologized through Xu Su.
12
齊難為勃勃所擒。 興遣平北姚沖、征虜狄伯支、輔國斂曼嵬、鎮東楊佛嵩率騎四萬討勃勃。 沖次於嶺北，欲回師襲長安，伯支不從，乃止，懼其謀泄，遂鴆殺伯支。
Helian Bobo bagged Qi Nan. He hurled Yao Chong, Di Bozhi, Liancheng Manwei, and Yang Fosong—forty thousand riders—at Bobo. Yao Chong plotted a coup at Chang'an; Di Bozhi balked, so Chong poisoned him to silence the secret.
13
時王師伐譙縱，大敗之，縱遣使乞師於興。 興遣平西姚賞、南梁州刺史王敏率眾二萬救之，王師引還。 縱遣使拜師，仍貢其方物。 興遣其兼司徒韋華持節策拜縱為大都督、相國、蜀王，加九錫，備物典策一如魏、晉故事，承制封拜悉如王者之儀。
While Jin crushed Qiao Zong, the Shu prince begged Yao Xing for rescuers. Yao Shang and Wang Min marched twenty thousand east; Jin retired. Qiao Zong renewed fealty and sent tribute. Wei Hua draped Qiao Zong in nine tinsel honors and kingly seals aping Wei-Jin ritual.
14
興自平涼如朝那，聞沖謀逆，以其弟中最少，雄武絕人，猶欲隱忍容之。 斂成泣謂興曰：「沖凶險不仁，每侍左右，臣常寢不安席，願早為之所。」 興曰：「沖何能為也！ 但輕害名將，吾欲明其罪于四海。」 乃下書賜沖死，葬以庶人之禮。
Riding from Pingliang toward Chaona, Yao Xing learned Yao Chong plotted treason yet hesitated to strike his fierce youngest brother. Liancheng begged through tears—Chong's cruelty kept every minister sleepless." Yao Xing scoffed, "What harm can he do? I mean to expose his guilt to the realm before acting." An edict forced Chong to die and buried him as a commoner.
15
晉河間王子國璠、章武王子叔道來奔，興謂之曰：「劉裕匡復晉室，卿等何故來也」國璠等曰：「裕與不逞之徒削弱王室，宗門能自修立者莫不害之。 是避之來，實非誠款，所以避死耳。」 興嘉之，以國璠為建義將軍、揚州刺史，叔道為平南將軍、兗州刺史，賜以甲第。
Jin princes Guofan and Shudao defected; Yao Xing asked why they fled Liu Yu's restoration. They answered that Liu Yu butchered every royal house still upright." They admitted they ran only to survive.
16
興如貳城，將討赫連勃勃，遣安遠姚詳及斂曼嵬、鎮軍彭白狼分督租運。 諸軍未集而勃勃騎大至，興欲留步軍，輕如嵬營。 眾咸惶懼，群臣固以為不可，興弗納。 尚書郎韋宗希旨勸興行。 蘭台侍御史姜楞越次而進曰：「韋宗傾險不忠，沮敗國計，宜先腰斬以謝天下。 脫車駕動軫，六軍駭懼，人無守志，取危之道也，宜遣單使以征詳等。」 興默然。 右僕射韋華等諫曰：「若車騎輕動，必不戰自潰，嵬營亦未必可至，惟陛下圖之。」 興乃遣左將軍姚文宗率禁兵距戰，中壘齊莫統氐兵以繼之。 文宗與莫皆勇果兼人，以死力戰，勃勃乃退。 留禁兵五千配姚詳守貳城，興還長安。
Yao Xing rewarded them with provincial commands and estates. At Ercheng he prepared war on Bobo, detailing Yao Xiang, Manwei, and Peng Bailang on logistics. Before concentrations finished Bobo struck; Yao Xing meant to abandon infantry for a dash to Manwei. Courtiers forbade the gamble; he brushed them off. Wei Zong curried favor urging the ride. Jiang Leng demanded Wei Zong's bisection for sabotaging policy." Stay off the road—send riders for Xiang instead. Yao Xing stayed mute. Wei Hua warned the dash would melt the army before contact. He relented, fed Yao Wenzong palace guards and Qi Mo's Di auxiliaries into the line. Wenzong and Qi Mo threw suicidal valor until Bobo peeled away.
17
譙縱遣其侍中譙良、太常楊軌朝於興，請大舉以寇江東。 遣其荊州刺史桓謙、梁州刺史譙道福率眾二萬東寇江陵。 興乃遣前將軍苟林率騎會之。 謙屯枝江，林屯江津。 謙，江左貴族，部曲遍于荊、楚，晉之將士皆有叛心。 荊州刺史劉道規大懼，嬰城固守。 雍州刺史魯宗之率襄陽之眾救之，道規乃留宗之守江陵，率軍逆戰。 謙等舟師大盛，兼列步騎以待之。 大戰枝江，謙敗績，乘輕舸奔就苟林，晉人獲而斬之。 苟林懼而引歸。
Five thousand guards stayed with Yao Xiang at Ercheng while Yao Xing rode home. Qiao Zong's envoys begged a joint strike on the lower Yangzi. He lent Huan Qian and Qiao Daofu twenty thousand easterners. Huan Qian anchored Zhijiang; Gou Lin hugged Jiangjin. Huan Qian's noble name seduced wavering Jin troops. Liu Daogui sealed Jiangling in panic. Lu Zongzhi raced from Xiangyang; Daogui left him holding Jiangling and sortied. Huan Qian massed river hulls backed by land arms. Zhijiang shattered Huan Qian; fleeing to Gou Lin earned him Jin's axe. Gou Lin fled upstream.
18
興以國用不足，增關津之稅，鹽竹山木皆有賦焉。 群臣咸諫，以為天殖品物以養群生，王者子育萬邦，不宜節約以奪其利。 興曰：「能逾關梁通利於山水者，皆豪富之家。 吾損有餘以裨不足，有何不可！」 乃遂行之。
Empty coffers drove tolls on salt, bamboo, and timber. Ministers protested Heaven's bounty should not be taxed into misery. Yao Xing answered that only magnates rode those profits. I skim the rich to feed the poor—why not?" The levies stuck.
19
興從朝門游于文武苑，及昏而還，將自平朔門入。 前驅既至，城門校尉王滿聰被甲持杖，閉門距之，曰：「今已昏暗，奸良不辨，有死而已，門不可開。」 興乃回從朝門而入。 旦而召滿聰，進位二等。
He toured the imperial park until dusk and aimed for Pingzhuo Gate. Captain Wang Mancong barred the dusk entrance—darkness hides assassins. Yao Xing doubled back through Chaomen. Dawn brought Mancong two promotions.
20
乞伏乾歸以眾叛，攻陷金城，執太守任蘭。 蘭厲色責乾歸以背恩違義，乾歸怒而囚之，蘭遂不食而死。
Qifu Gangui stormed Jincheng and took Ren Lan. Ren Lan scolded Gangui's treason and starved in chains.
21
赫連勃勃遣其將胡金纂將萬餘騎攻平涼。 興如貳城，因救平涼，纂眾大潰，生擒纂。 勃勃遣兄子提攻陷定陽，執北中郎將姚廣都。 興將曹熾、曹雲、王肆佛等各將數千戶避勃勃內徙，興處佛於湟山澤，熾、雲于陳倉。 勃勃寇隴右，攻白崖堡，破之，遂趣清水。 略陽太守姚壽都委守奔秦州，勃勃又收其眾而歸。 興自安定追之，至壽渠川，不及而還。
Bobo hurled Hu Jinzuan at Pingliang. Yao Xing relieved from Ercheng, captured Hu Jinzuan, and scattered his riders. Bobo's nephew Ti took Dingyang and bagged Yao Guangdu. Cao Chi, Cao Yun, and Wang Sifo shepherded refugees inland—Fo to Zhuang wetlands, the Caos to Chencang. Bobo ripped Longyou, cracked Baiya fort, and raced toward Qingshui. Yao Shoudu bolted to Qinzhou; Bobo scooped up his men. Yao Xing chased from Anding to Shouqu Stream but missed him.
22
初，天水人姜紀，呂氏之叛臣，阿謅奸詐，好問人之親戚。 興子弼有寵于興，紀遂傾心附之。 弼時為雍州刺史，鎮安定，與密謀還朝，令傾心事常山公顯，樹黨左右。 至是，興以弼為尚書令、侍中、大將軍。 既居將相，虛襟引納，收結朝士，勢傾東宮，遂有奪嫡之謀矣。
Jiang Ji of Tianshui—a Lu turncoat—survived on flattery and gossip. He latched onto favored prince Yao Bi. Yao Bi, anchoring Anding, plotted a Chang'an comeback through Duke Xian's faction. Yao Xing promoted Bi to minister of education, attendant-in-ordinary, and grand general. Bi captured civil-military posts, stacked allies, and angled for the heir's stool.
23
興以勃勃、乾歸作亂西北，傉檀、蒙遜擅兵河右，疇咨將帥之臣，欲鎮撫二方。 隴東太守郭播言於興曰：「嶺北二州鎮戶皆數萬，若得文武之才以綏撫之，足以靖塞奸略。」 興曰； 「吾每思得廉頗、李牧鎮撫四方，使便宜行事。 然任非其人，恆致負敗。 卿試舉之。」 播曰：「清潔善撫邊，則平陸子王元始； 雄武多奇略，則建威王煥； 賞罰必行，臨敵不顧，則奮武彭蠔。」 興曰：「蠔令行禁止則有之，非綏邊之才也。 始、煥年少，吾未知其為人。」 播曰：「廣平公弼才兼文武，宜鎮督一方，願陛下遠鑒前車，近悟後轍。」 興不從，以其太常索棱為太尉，領隴西內史，綏誘乾歸。 政績既美，乾歸感而歸之。 太史令任猗言於興曰：「白氣出於北方，東西竟天五百里，當有破軍流血。」 乞伏乾歸遣使送所掠守宰，謝罪請降。 興以勃勃之難，權宜許之，假幹歸及其子熾磐官爵。
Northwest rebels and Hexi warlords drove Yao Xing to hunt governors. Guo Bo urged posting talent on the northern marches. Yao Xing replied, " I dream of border wardens with Lian Po's grit—free to improvise. Wrong picks keep breaking armies. Name names." Guo Bo offered Wang Yuanshi for clean frontier rule; Wang Huan for battlefield cunning; Peng Hao for iron discipline." Yao Xing granted Peng Hao discipline but denied him soft power. The Wang youths remain unknown quantities." Guo Bo pushed Duke Yao Bi—begging Yao Xing to learn from past wrecks. Yao Xing spurned Bi and sent Suo Leng to coax Gangui. Good governance lured Gangui back. Ren Yi warned of a northern white band spanning the sky—omens of slaughter. Gangui returned captives and sued for peace. Helian Bobo forced Yao Xing to paper over Gangui's revolt with titles for father and son.
24
姚詳時鎮杏城，為赫連勃勃所逼，糧盡委守，南奔大蘇。 勃勃耍之，眾散，為勃勃所執。 時遣衛大將軍顯迎詳，詳敗，遂屯杏城，因令顯都督安定嶺北二鎮事。
Starving at Xingcheng under Bobo, Yao Xiang bolted south. Bobo snapped the column and took Xiang. Yao Xian rallied at Xingcheng after Xiang's loss and took theater command.
25
潁川太守姚平都自許昌來朝，言於興曰：「劉裕敢懷奸計，屯聚芍陂，有擾邊之志，宜遣燒之，以散其眾謀。」 興曰：「裕之輕弱，安敢窺吾疆埸！ 苟有奸心，其在子孫乎！」 召其尚書楊佛嵩謂之曰：「吳兒不自知，乃有非分之意。 待至孟冬，當遣卿率精騎三萬焚其積聚。」 嵩曰：「陛下若任臣以此役者，當從肥口濟淮，直趣壽春，舉大眾以屯城，縱輕騎以掠野，使淮南蕭條，兵粟俱了，足令吳兒俯仰回惶，神爽飛越。」 興大悅。
Yao Pingdu spotted Liu Yu massing at Quebei and urged a preemptive strike. Yao Xing sneered at Liu Yu's nerve. Let any plot pass to his sons!" He told Yang Fosong the easterners craved too much. Come first frost he would send thirty thousand riders to torch Jin granaries. Yang Fosong mapped a deep raid—Feikou crossing, Shouchun thrust, wasting Huai lands. Yao Xing delighted in the plan.
26
時西胡梁國兒于平涼作壽塚，每將妻妾入塚飲宴，酒酣，升靈床而歌。 時人或譏之，國兒不以為意。 前後征伐，屢有大功，興以為鎮北將軍，封平輿男，年八十餘乃死。
Liang Guoer banqueted inside his living tomb west of Pingliang. Gossip rolled off him. He died past eighty a decorated frontier general.
27
時客星入東井，所在地震，前後一百五十六。 興公卿抗表請罪，興曰：「災譴之來，咎在元首； 近代或歸罪三公，甚無謂也。 公等其悉冠履復位。」
Guest stars and one hundred fifty-six tremors rocked the realm. Court offered ritual blame; Yao Xing owned the fault. Blaming the Three Excellencies misses the mark. He bade ministers retake their seats unscathed.
28
仇池公楊盛叛，侵擾祁山。 遣建威趙琨率騎五千為前鋒，立節楊伯壽統步卒繼之，前將軍姚恢、左將軍姚文宗入自鷲陝，鎮西、秦州刺史姚嵩入羊頭陝，右衛胡翼度從陰密出自汧城，討盛。 興將輕騎五千，自雍赴之，與諸將軍會于隴口。 天水太守王松忿言於嵩曰：「先皇神略無方，威武冠世，冠軍徐洛生猛毅兼人，佐命英輔，再入仇池，無功而還。 非楊盛智勇能全，直是地勢然也。 今以趙琨之眾，使君之威，准之先朝，實未見成功。 使君具悉形便，何不表聞？」 嵩不從。 盛率眾與琨相持，伯壽畏懦弗進，琨眾寡不敵，為盛所敗，興斬伯壽而還。 嵩乃具陳松忿之言，興善之。
Yang Sheng of Chouchi struck toward Qishan. Columns rolled from four passes against Yang Sheng. Yao Xing himself rode five thousand to Longkou. Wang Songfen reminded Yao Song that even Xu Luosheng twice failed Chouchi. Terrain alone saves Yang Sheng—not genius. Kun's column hardly bests old expeditions. Memorialize before marching. Yao Song brushed him off. Boshou hung back; Kun lost; Yao Xing executed Boshou. Yao Song repeated the warning and Yao Xing agreed.
29
乾歸為其下人所殺，子熾磐新立，群下咸勸興取之。 興曰：「乾歸先已返善，吾方當懷撫，因喪伐之，非朕本志也。」
After Gangui's murder ministers urged striking Chipan. Yao Xing refused to exploit the funeral.
30
以楊佛嵩都督嶺北討虜諸軍事、安遠將軍、雍州刺史，率領北見兵以討赫連勃勃。 嵩發數日，興謂群臣曰：「佛嵩驍勇果銳，每臨敵對寇，不可制抑，吾常節之，配兵不過五千。 今眾旅既多，遇賊必敗。 今去已遠，追之無及，吾深憂之。」 其下咸以為不然。 佛嵩果為勃勃所執，絕亢而死。
He gave Yang Fosong northern command against Bobo. Days later Yao Xing fretted Yang Fosong's rash streak. Too many riders doom him. Too late to recall—deep anxiety. Courtiers disagreed. Bobo captured Yang Fosong and cut his throat.
31
興立昭儀齊氏為皇后。 又下書以其故丞相姚緒、太宰姚碩德、太傅姚旻、大司馬姚崇、司徒尹緯等二十四人配饗於萇廟。 興以大臣屢喪，令所司更詳臨赴之制。 所司白興，依故事東堂發哀。 興不從，每大臣死，皆親臨之。
Lady Qi became empress. Twenty-four late ministers joined sacrifices at Yao Chang's shrine. Repeated deaths pushed ritual review. Rites proposed Eastern Hall wakes. Yao Xing insisted bedside vigils.
32
姚文宗有寵于姚泓，姚弼深疾之，誣文宗有怨言，以侍御史廉桃生為證。 興怒，賜文宗死。 是後群臣累足，莫敢言弼之短。
Yao Bi framed Wenzong before crown prince Hong. Yao Xing ordered Wenzong dead. Silence swallowed Yao Bi's sins.
33
時貳縣羌叛興，興遣後將軍斂成、鎮軍彭白狼、北中郎將姚洛都討之。 斂成為羌所敗，甚懼，詣趙興太守姚穆歸罪。 穆欲送殺之，成怒，奔赫連勃勃。
Qiang mutiny near Er drew punitive columns. Beaten, Liancheng crawled to Yao Mu. Mu meant to execute him; Liancheng bolted to Bobo.
34
興遣姚紹與姚弼率禁衛諸軍鎮撫嶺北。 遼東侯彌姐亭地率其部人南居陰密，劫掠百姓。 弼收亭地送之，殺其眾七百餘人，徙二千餘戶于鄭城。
Yao Shao and Yao Bi steadied the northern marches. Mizijie Tingdi raided Yinmi villages. Yao Bi slaughtered seven hundred and relocated two thousand families.
35
弼寵愛方隆，所欲施行，無不信納。 乃以嬖人尹沖為給事黃門侍郎，唐盛為治書侍御史，左右機耍，皆其黨人，漸欲廣樹爪牙，彌縫其闕。 右僕射梁喜、侍中任謙、京兆尹尹昭承間言於興曰：「父子之際，人罕得而言。 然君臣亦猶父子，臣等理不容默。 並後匹嫡，未始不傾國亂家。 廣平公弼奸凶無狀，潛有陵奪之志，陛下寵之不道，假其威權，傾險無賴之徙，莫不鱗湊其側。 市巷諷議，皆言陛下欲有廢立之志。 誠如此者，臣等有死而已，不敢奉詔。」 興曰：「安有此乎！」 昭等曰：「若無廢立之事，陛下愛弼，適所以禍之，願去其左右，減其威權。 非但弼有太山之安，宗廟社稷亦有磐石之固矣。」 興默然。
Every whim of Yao Bi's won approval. He stacked the palace with Bi loyalists—Yin Chong and Tang Sheng at the levers. Liang Xi, Ren Qian, and Yin Zhao broached succession. Silence ill suits ministers. Split succession wrecks dynasties. Yao Bi gathers villains under royal favor. Street rumor says Yao Xing will swap heirs. If true we prefer death to compliance." Yao Xing gasped denial. Strip Bi's creatures and trim his reach if you love him. Bi sleeps safer; so does the dynasty." Yao Xing answered with silence.
36
興寢疾，妖賊李弘反于貳原，貳原氐仇常起兵應弘。 興輿疾討之，斬常，執弘而還，徙常部人五百餘戶於許昌。
Bedridden Yao Xing faced Li Hong's cult rising at Eryuan. He rode a litter, killed Qiu Chang, bagged Li Hong, resettled five hundred families.
37
興疾篤，其太子泓屯兵于東華門，侍疾於諮議堂。 姚弼潛謀為亂，招集數千人，被甲伏於其第。 撫軍姚紹及侍中任謙、右僕射梁喜、冠軍姚贊、京兆尹尹昭、輔國斂曼嵬並典禁兵，宿衛於內。 姚裕遣使告姚懿于蒲阪，並密信諸籓，論弼逆狀。 懿流涕以告將士曰：「上今寢疾，臣子所宜冠履不整。 而廣平公弼擁兵私第，不以忠於儲宮，正是孤徇義亡身之日。 諸君皆忠烈之士，亦當同孤徇斯舉也。」 將士無不奮怒攘袂曰：「惟殿下所為，死生不敢貳。」 於是盡赦囚徙，散布帛數萬匹以賜其將士，建牙誓眾，將赴長安。 鎮東、豫州牧姚洸起兵洛陽，平西姚諶起兵於雍，將以赴泓之難。 興疾瘳，朝其群臣，征虜劉羌泣謂興曰：「陛下寢疾數旬，奈何忽有斯事！」 興曰：「朕過庭無訓，使諸子不穆，愧于四海。 卿等各陳所懷，以安社稷。」 尹昭曰：「廣平公弼恃寵不虔，阻兵懷貳，自宜置之刑書，以明典憲。 陛下若含忍未便加法者，且可削奪威權，使散居籓國，以紓窺窬之禍，全天性之恩。」 興謂梁喜曰：「卿以為何如？」 喜曰：「臣之愚見，如昭所陳。」 興以弼才兼文武，未忍致法，免其尚書令，以將軍、公就第。 懿等聞興疾瘳，各罷兵還鎮。 懿、恢及弟諶等皆抗表罪弼，請致之刑法，興弗許。
Crown prince Hong massed at East Splendor Gate. Yao Bi hid thousands in armor at home. Palace guards under Yao Shao sealed the inner compound. Yao Yu alerted Yao Yi at Puban and frontier princes. Yao Yi rallied troops weeping for duty. Bi hoards arms instead of aiding the heir—time to die for duty. Stand with me or shame your steel." Soldiers roared loyalty to Yao Yi." He opened jails, draped ranks in silk, and aimed at Chang'an. Yao Guang at Luoyang and Yao Chen at Yong marched toward the capital. Recovery brought Liu Qiang's tears over the princes' war. Yao Xing blamed his parenting before the realm. Speak plainly to steady the state." Yin Zhao demanded Bi face law. Or exile him and spare blood." He turned to Liang Xi. Liang Xi backed Yin Zhao. Yao Xing spared Bi but stripped the Secretariat. Princely armies stood down when father rallied. They demanded execution; Yao Xing refused.
38
時魏遣使聘於興，且請婚。 會平陽太守姚成都來朝，興謂之曰：「卿久處東籓，與魏鄰接，應悉彼事形。 今來求婚，吾已許之，終能分災共患，遠相接援以不？」 成都曰：「魏自柴壁克捷已來，戎甲未曾損失，士馬桓桓，師旅充盛。 今修和親，兼婚姻之好，豈但分災共患而已，實亦永安之福也。」 興大悅，遣其吏部郎嚴康報聘，並致方物。
Wei sought renewed marriage ties. Yao Xing quizzed Yao Chengdu on Wei. Would Wei truly share burdens?" Since Chaibi Wei's armies stayed intact. Peace plus marriage means lasting fortune—not mere alliance." He sent Yan Kang with gifts.
39
時姚懿、姚洸、姚宣、姚諶來朝，使姚裕言於興曰：「懿等今悉在外，欲有所陳。」 興曰：「汝等正欲道弼事耳，吾已知之。」 裕曰：「弼苟有可論，陛下所宜垂聽。 若懿等言違大義，便當肆之刑辟，奈何距之！」 於是引見諮議堂。 宣流涕曰：「先帝以大聖起基，陛下以神武定業，方隆七百之祚，為萬世之美，安可使弼謀傾社稷。 宜委之有司，肅明刑憲。 臣等敢以死請。」 興曰：「吾自處之，非汝等所憂。」 先是，大司農竇溫、司徙左長史王弼皆有密表，勸興廢立。 興雖不從，亦不以為責。 撫軍東曹屬薑虯上疏曰：「廣平公弼懷奸積年，謀禍有歲，傾諂群豎為之畫足，釁成逆著，取嗤戎裔。 文王之化，刑于寡妻； 聖朝之亂，起自愛子。 今雖欲含忍其瑕，掩蔽其罪，而逆黨猶繁，扇惑不已，弼之亂心其可革耶！ 宜斥散凶徒，以絕禍始。」 興以虯表示梁喜曰：「天下之人莫不以吾兒為口實，將何以處之？」 喜曰：「信如虯言，陛下宜早裁決。」 興默然。
Princes asked audience through Yao Yu. Yao Xing knew they would attack Bi. Hear them out. If they lie, kill them—do not slam the door." He received them in Consultation Hall. Yao Xuan wept that Bi would wreck the seven-century dream. Hand him to judges. We stake our lives on this plea." Yao Xing brushed off their fears. Dou Wen and Wang Bi had urged deposing Bi in secret. Yao Xing neither obeyed nor punished them. Jiang Qiu catalogued Bi's long mutiny. King Wen began reform at home; this court's rot starts with a spoiled prince. Bi's cabal still spreads—his heart will not mend. Disband his gang before coup ripens." Yao Xing showed Jiang Qiu's memorial to Liang Xi in despair. Liang Xi urged swift judgment. Yao Xing stayed mute.
40
太子詹事王周亦虛襟引士，樹黨東宮，弼惡之，每規陷害周。 周抗志確然，不為之屈。 興嘉其守正，以周為中書監。
Yao Bi schemed against Wang Zhou's east-palace salon. Wang Zhou never bent. Yao Xing raised Wang Zhou to supervise the palace secretariat.
41
興如三原，顧謂群臣曰：「古人有言，關東出相，關西出將，三秦饒俊異，汝潁多奇士。 吾應天明命，跨據中原，自流沙已東，淮、漢已北，未嘗不傾己招求，冀匡不逮。 然明不照下，弗感懸魚。 至於智效一官，行著一善，吾曆級而進之，不使有後門之歎。 卿等宜明揚仄陋，助吾舉之。」 梁喜對曰：「奉旨求賢，弗曾休倦，未見儒亮大才王佐之器，可謂世之乏賢。」 興曰：「自古霸王之起也，莫不將則韓、吳，相兼蕭、鄧，終不采將於往賢，求相於後哲。 卿自識拔不明，求之不至，奈何厚誣四海乎！」 群臣咸悅。
At Sanyuan Yao Xing mused on recruiting talent east and west. Since taking the north he had quested for worthies. Yet talent hid like fish shy of hooks. Merit won steady promotion—no back doors. Seek hidden gems for us." Liang Xi complained the age seemed bare of heroes. Yao Xing scoffed—founders forge their own ministers. Blame your eyes—not the realm!" Courtiers brightened.
42
晉荊州刺史司馬休之據江陵，雍州刺史魯宗之據襄陽，與劉裕相攻，遣使求援。 興遣姚成王、司馬國璠率騎八千赴之。
Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi begged Qin help against Liu Yu. Yao Xing sent eight thousand riders.
43
弼恨姚宣之毀己，遂譖宣於興。 會宣司馬權丕至長安，興責丕以無匡輔之益，將戮之。 丕性傾巧，因誣宣罪狀。 興大怒，遂收宣於杏城，下獄，而使弼將三萬人鎮秦州。 尹昭言於興曰：「廣平公與皇太子不平，握強兵于外，陛下一旦不諱，恐社稷必危。 小不忍以致大亂者，陛下之謂也。」 興弗納。 赫連勃勃攻杏城，興又遣弼救之，至冠泉而杏城陷。 興如北地，弼次於三樹，遣弼及斂曼嵬向新平，興還長安。
Yao Bi slandered Yao Xuan. He blamed Quan Pi and meant to kill him. Quan Pi framed Yao Xuan to save himself. Rage jailed Yao Xiang at Xingcheng while Bi took thirty thousand west. Yin Zhao warned Bi would seize the throne at Yao Xing's death. Spare the rod, spoil the heir." Yao Xing ignored him. Bobo took Xingcheng before Bi arrived. Yao Xing veered through Beidi, Bi toward Xinping.
44
姚成王至於南陽，司馬休之等為劉裕所敗，引歸。 休之、宗之等遂與譙王文思，新蔡王道賜，甯朔將軍、梁州刺史馬敬，輔國將軍、竟陵太守魯軌，甯朔將軍、南陽太守魯范奔於興。
Liu Yu crushed the Jin loyalists before Chengwang arrived. Defeated Jin royals bolted to Chang'an.
45
勃勃遣其將赫連建率眾寇貳縣，數千騎入平涼。 姚恢與建戰于五井，平涼太守姚興都為建所獲，遂入新平。 姚弼討之，戰于龍尾堡，大破之，擒建，送于長安。 初，勃勃攻彭雙方于石堡，方力戰距守，積年不能克。 至是，聞建敗，引歸。
Helian Jian struck toward Pingliang. Yao Xingdu fell captive; Jian took Xinping. Yao Bi shattered Helian Jian at Dragon Tail. Bobo had besieged Peng Shuangfang for years. News of Jian's loss broke the siege.
46
休之等至長安，興謂之曰：「劉裕崇奉晉帝，豈便有闕乎？」 休之曰：「臣前下都，琅邪王德文泣謂臣曰：'劉裕供禦主上，克薄奇深。 '以事勢推之，社稷之憂方未可測。」 興將以休之為荊州刺史，任以東南之事。 休之固辭，請與魯宗之等擾動襄陽、淮、漢。 乃以休之為鎮南將軍、揚州刺史，宗之等並有拜授。 休之將行，侍御史唐盛言於興曰：「符命所記，司馬氏應復河、洛。 休之既得濯鱗南翔，恐非復池中之物，可以崇禮，不宜放之。」 興曰：「司馬氏脫如所記，留之適足為患。」 遂遣之。
Yao Xing asked whether Liu Yu truly honored Jin. Sima Xiuzhi quoted Prince Dewen's tears over Liu Yu's grip on the emperor. The throne's peril runs deep." Yao Xing meant to seat Xiuzhi on the Jingzhou frontier. Xiuzhi chose raiding Xiangyang instead. He named Xiuzhi southern guardian and Yangzhou shepherd. Tang Sheng cited omens of Sima restoration. A freed Sima may never return to the pool." Yao Xing preferred them gone to plague Jin." He let them go south.
47
揚武、安鄉侯康宦驅略白鹿原氏胡數百家奔上洛，太守宋林距之。 商洛人黃金等起義兵以掎宦，宦乃率眾歸罪。 興赦之，復其爵位。
Kang Huan looted toward Shangluo until Song Lin blocked him. Local militias squeezed Kang Huan until he surrendered. Yao Xing restored his titles.
48
時白虹貫日，有術人言於興曰：「將有不祥之事，終當自消。」 時興藥動，姚弼稱疾不朝，集兵於第。 興聞之怒甚，收其党殿中侍御史唐盛、孫玄等殺之。 泓言於興曰：「臣誠不肖，不能訓諧于弟，致弼構造是非，仰慚天日，陛下若以臣為社稷之憂，除臣而國寧，亦家之福也。 若垂天性之恩，不忍加臣刑戮者，乞聽臣守籓。」 興慘然改容，召姚贊、梁喜、尹昭、斂曼嵬於諮議堂，密謀收弼。 時姚紹屯兵雍城，馳遣告之，數日不決。 弼黨兇懼。 興慮其為變，乃收弼，囚之中曹，窮責黨與，將殺之。 泓流涕固請之，乃止。 興謂梁喜曰：「泓天心平和，性少猜忌，必能容養群賢，保全吾子。」 於是皆赦弼黨。
A white arc crossed the sun; soothsayers murmured ill omens. Bi feigned illness while stacking arms at home. Yao Xing executed Tang Sheng and Sun Xuan of Bi's ring. Crown prince Hong offered his life or exile if it would spare the dynasty Bi threatened. Or exile me to a frontier post." Stricken, Yao Xing plotted Bi's arrest with key ministers. Word to Yao Shao at Yong stalled for days. Bi's partisans panicked. Yao Xing jailed Bi and hunted accomplices. Hong's tears stayed the executions. Yao Xing praised Hong's mild temper. He pardoned Bi's network.
49
靈台令張泉又言於興曰：「熒惑入東井，旬紀而返，未餘月，復來守心。 王者惡之，宜修仁虛己，以答天譴。」 興納之。
Zhang Quan tracked Mars lodging in heart constellation. Kings must answer such signs with humility and mercy." Yao Xing listened.
50
正旦，興朝群臣於太極前殿，沙門賀僧慟泣不能自勝，眾咸怪焉。 賀僧者，莫知其所從來也，言事皆有效驗，興甚神禮之，常與隱士數人預於宴會。
Monk He Seng sobbed uncontrollably at New Year court. He Seng's prophecies had never missed—Yao Xing honored him.
51
興如華陰，以泓監國，入居西宮。 因疾篤，還長安。 泓欲出迎，其宮臣曰：「今主上疾篤，奸臣在側，廣平公每希顗非常，變故難測。 今殿下若出，進則不得見主上，退則有弼等之禍，安所歸乎！ 自宜深抑情禮，以甯宗社。」 泓從之，乃拜迎於黃龍門樽下。 弼黨見興升輿，咸懷危懼。 尹沖等先謀欲因泓出迎害之，尚書姚沙彌曰：「若太子有備，不來迎侍，當奉乘輿直趣公第。 宿衛者聞上在此，自當來奔，誰與太子守乎！ 吾等以廣平公之故，陷身逆節。 今以乘輿南幸，自當是杖義之理，匪但救廣平之禍，足可以申雪前愆。」 沖等不從，欲隨興入殿中作亂，復未知興之存亡，疑而不發。 興命泓錄尚書事，使姚紹、胡翼度典兵禁中，防制內外，遣斂曼嵬收弼第中甲杖，內之武庫。
At Huayin Yao Xing left Hong regent in the west palace. He hurried back as sickness bit. Aides begged Hong not to greet the litter—Bi lurked. Step outside and Bi traps you either way. Stay put for the dynasty's sake." Hong waited under Yellow Dragon Gate. Bi's men trembled when Yao Xing appeared alive. Yin Chong's plot assumed Hong would greet the emperor. Palace guards would abandon Hong for the visible emperor. We are marked traitors for Bi. Seizing the litter redeems us." They hesitated without knowing if Yao Xing still breathed. Yao Xing armed Hong, disarmed Bi, sealed the palace.
52
興疾轉篤，興妹偽南安長公主問疾，不應。 興少子耕兒出告其兄愔曰：「上已崩矣，宜速決計。」 於是愔與其屬率甲士攻端門，殿中上將軍斂曼嵬勒兵距戰，右衛胡翼度率禁兵閉四門。 愔等遣壯士登門，緣屋而入，及于馬道。 泓時侍疾於諮議堂，遣斂曼嵬率殿中兵登武庫距戰，太子右衛率姚和都率東宮兵入屯馬道南。 愔等既不得進，遂燒端門。 興力疾臨前殿，賜弼死。 禁兵見興，喜躍，貫甲赴賊，賊眾駭擾。 和都勒東宮兵自後擊之，愔等奔潰，逃於驪山，愔党呂隆奔雍，尹沖等奔于京師。 興引紹及贊、梁喜、尹昭、斂曼嵬入內寢，受遺輔政。 義熙十二年，興死，時年五十一，在位二十二年。 偽諡文桓皇帝，廟號高祖，墓曰偶陵。
He snubbed even his sister at bedside. Prince Yin lied that the emperor had died. Prince Yin stormed the Vermilion Gate. Mutineers scaled walls toward the crown prince. Hong countered from Consultation Hall with armory troops and eastern palace guards. Blocked, they torched the Vermilion Gate. Yao Xing dragged himself to court and ordered Bi dead. Palace guards rallied at sight of their emperor. Yao Hedou smashed the coup; Yin fled toward Li Mountain. Yao Xing named regents on his deathbed. He died Yixi twelfth year at fifty-one after twenty-two years ruling. Histories record him as Emperor Wen Huan, temple Gaozu, buried at Ou Ridge.
53
尹緯，字景亮，天水人也。 少有大志，不營產業。 身長八尺，腰帶十圍，魁梧有爽氣。 每覽書傳至宰相立勳之際，常輟書而歎。 苻堅以尹赤之降姚襄，諸尹皆禁錮不仕。 緯晚乃為吏部令史，風志豪邁，郎皆憚之。 堅末年，祅星見於東井，緯知堅將滅，喜甚，向天再拜，既而流涕長歎。 友人略陽桓識怪而問之，緯曰：「天時如此，正是霸王龍飛之秋，吾徒杖策之日。 然知己難遭，恐不得展吾才志，是以欣懼交懷。」
Yin Wei of Tianshui, courtesy Jingliang. Ambitious youth, no taste for land grabbing. Eight chi tall, ten-girth belt, towering presence. Reading of founding ministers he closed the text and sighed. Fu Jian blacklisted the Yin clan after Yin Chi defected to Yao Xiang. Demoted to a clerk, Yin Wei still intimidated his superiors. When omens foretold Fu Jian's fall Yin Wei laughed then wept. He told Huan Shi the age called for ambitious men. Yet mentors were scarce—hope and dread warred in him."
54
及姚萇奔馬牧，緯與尹詳、龐演等扇動群豪，推萇為盟主，遂為佐命元功。 萇既敗苻堅，遣緯說堅，求禪代之事。 堅問緯曰：「卿于朕何官？」 緯曰：「尚書令史。」 堅歎曰：「宰相之才也，王景略之儔。 而朕不知卿，亡也不亦宜乎！」
At Ma pasture Yin Wei helped hoist Yao Chang as alliance chief. After Chang broke Fu Jian, Yin Wei urged abdication. Fu Jian asked Yin Wei's former rank." Only clerk of the Secretariat." You had chancellor timber—peer to Wang Meng. Yet I never saw it—small wonder I fall!"
55
緯性剛簡清亮，慕張子布之為人。 馮翊段鏗性傾巧，萇愛其博識，引為侍中。 緯固諫以為不可，萇不從。 緯屢眾中辱鏗，鏗心不平之。 萇聞而謂緯曰：「卿性不好學，何為憎學者？」 緯曰：「臣不憎學，憎鏗不正耳。」 萇因曰：「卿好不自知，每比蕭何，真何如也？」 緯曰：「漢祖與蕭何俱起布衣，是以相貴。 陛下起貴中，是以賤臣。」 萇曰：「卿實不及，胡為不也？」 緯曰：「陛下何如漢祖？」 萇曰：「朕實不如漢祖，卿遠蕭何，故不如甚也。」 緯曰：「漢祖所以勝陛下者，以能遠段鏗之徒故耳。」 萇默然，乃出鏗為北地太守。
Blunt and upright, Yin Wei modeled himself on Wu's Zhang Zhao. Yao Chang favored erudite courtier Duan Keng. Yin Wei warned against Duan Keng; Chang ignored him. Yin Wei shamed Duan Keng in open court. Chang asked why Yin Wei despised scholars." I hate crooked learning." Chang needled him about comparing himself to Xiao He." Liu Bang and Xiao He rose from dust together—they prized each other. You sprang from privilege—that is why you scorn me." You are no Xiao He—admit it." How do you measure against Liu Bang?" I lag Liu Bang; you trail Xiao He further still." Liu Bang stayed clear of toadies like Duan—that is his edge." Silenced, Chang banished Duan Keng to Beidi.
56
萇死，緯與姚興滅苻登，成興之業，皆緯之力也。 曆輔國將軍、司隸校尉、尚書左右僕射、清河侯。
Yin Wei anchored Yao Xing's victory over Fu Deng. He rose to Qinghe baron and twin servants-in-chief.
57
緯友人隴西牛壽率漢中流人歸興，謂緯曰：「足下平生自謂：'時明也，才足以立功立事； 道消也，則追二疏、硃雲，發其狂直，不能如胡廣之徒洿隆隨俗。 '今遇其時矣，正是垂名竹素之日，可不勉歟！」 緯曰：「吾之所庶幾如是，但未能委宰衡於夷吾，識韓信於羈旅，以斯為愧耳。 立功立事，竊謂未負昔言。」 興聞而謂緯曰：「君之與壽言也，何其誕哉！ 立功立事，自謂何如古人？」 緯曰：「臣實未愧古人。 何則？ 遇時來之運，則輔翼太祖，建八百之基。 及陛下龍飛之始，翦滅苻登，蕩清秦、雍，生極端右，死饗廟庭，古之君子，正當爾耳。」 興大悅。 及死，興甚悼之，贈司徙，諡曰忠成侯。
Niu Shou quoted Yin Wei's old vow to seize fame or withdraw like Zhu Yun. He once vowed to shine in bright times or withdraw wildly in dark ones—never to drift like Hu Guang. The moment is here—etch your name in history!" I hoped for that—yet I never matched Guan Zhong's trust nor spotted a Han Xin on the road—that shames me. Still I think I kept my word." Yao Xing heard and laughed at his swagger. Stack yourself beside the ancients—how high?" I do not blush before them. Why? I rode fate to help build Yao Chang's enterprise. At your rise I erased Fu Deng and cleansed Qin-Yong—living at the pinnacle, dying with temple honors—that is what an ancient gentleman claims." Yao Xing glowed. When he died Yao Xing mourned him deeply, awarding posthumous rank as minister of education and the marquis title Zhongcheng—Loyal Accomplisher.