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姚泓
Yao Hong.
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姚泓，字元子，興之長子也。 孝友寬和，而無經世之用，又多疾病，興將以為嗣而疑焉。 久之，乃立為太子。 興每征伐巡遊，常留總後事。 博學善談論，尤好詩詠。 尚書王尚、黃門郎段章、尚書郎富允文以儒術侍講，胡義周、夏侯稚以文章遊集。 時尚書王敏、右丞郭播以刑政過寬，議欲峻制，泓曰：「人情挫辱，則壯厲之心生； 政教煩苛，則苟免之行立。 上之化下，如風靡草。 君等參贊朝化，弘昭政軌，不務仁恕之道，惟欲嚴法酷刑，豈是安上馭下之理乎！」 敏等遂止。 泓受經于博士淳于岐。 岐病，泓親詣省疾，拜於床下。 自是公侯見師傅皆拜焉。
Yao Hong, courtesy Yuanzi, was Yao Xing's firstborn. He was dutiful, gentle, and kind, but had no talent for governing a realm, and he was often ill—so Yao Xing long hesitated before naming him heir. At length Yao Xing named him crown prince. Whenever Yao Xing marched or toured, he left Yao Hong in charge of the rear. He was learned, a fluent talker, and especially loved poetry. Wang Shang, Duan Zhang, and Fu Yunwen tutored him in the classics; Hu Yizhou and Xiahou Zhi kept him company over belles-lettres. Director Wang Min and aide Guo Bo thought the laws too soft and pressed for crackdowns. Yao Hong replied: "Humiliate people and you breed defiance. Smother them in petty rules and they learn only to dodge. Those above shape those below as wind bends grass. You help run the court—widen the path of mercy, not the jailer's whip; harshness is no way to steady ruler and people." Wang Min and his allies dropped the idea. Yao Hong studied the classics under the erudite Chunyu Qi. When Chunyu Qi fell ill, Yao Hong visited his bedside and bowed on the floor. After that, every prince who met a tutor bowed as he had done.
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興之如平涼也，馮翊人劉厥聚眾數千，據萬年以叛。 泓遣鎮軍彭白狼率東宮禁兵討之，斬厥，赦其餘黨。 諸將咸勸泓曰：「殿下神算電發，蕩平醜逆，宜露布表言，廣其首級，以慰遠近之情。」 泓曰：「主上委吾後事，使式遏寇逆。 吾綏禦失和，以長奸寇，方當引咎責躬，歸罪行間，安敢過自矜誕，以重罪責乎！」 其右僕射韋華聞而謂河南太守慕容築曰：「皇太子實有恭惠之德，社稷之福也。」 其弟弼有奪嫡之謀，泓恩撫如初，未嘗見於色。 姚紹每為弼羽翼，泓亦推心宗事，弗以為嫌。 及僭立，任紹以兵權，紹亦感而歸誠，卒守其忠烈。 其明識寬裕，皆此類也。
When Yao Xing marched to Pingliang, Liu Jue of Fengyi raised several thousand men, seized Wannian, and rebelled. Yao Hong sent Peng Bailang with palace guards from the heir's residence; Liu Jue was executed and the rest pardoned. His generals said: "Your victory was swift—publish a victory notice and show the heads to steady the realm." Yao Hong answered: "My father left me the rear to stop traitors. I mishandled the pacification and fed rebellion—I should blame myself, not strut and deepen my fault." Wei Hua told Murong Zhu: "The crown prince's humility is the dynasty's luck." His brother Yao Bi plotted to supplant him, yet Yao Hong treated him with unchanged kindness and never showed resentment. Yao Shao backed Yao Bi, but Yao Hong still trusted him as kin and showed no distrust. Once Yao Hong took the throne he gave Yao Shao real command; Shao repaid him with loyalty unto death. His judgment and magnanimity ran in that vein throughout.
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興既死，秘不發喪。 南陽公姚愔及大將軍尹元等謀為亂，泓皆誅之。 命其齊公姚恢殺安定太守呂超，恢久乃誅之。 泓疑恢有陰謀，恢自是懷貳，陰聚兵甲焉。 泓發喪，以僭即帝位，大赦殊死已下，改元永和，廬於諮議堂。 既葬，乃親庶政，內外百僚增位一等，令文武各盡直言，政有不便於時，事有光益宗廟者，極言勿有所諱。
When Yao Xing died, the court hid the news. Yao Yin, Yin Yuan, and their fellow plotters were put to death. He told Duke Qi Yao Hui to kill Lü Chao, governor of Anding; Yao Hui dragged his feet before obeying. Yao Hong suspected treason; Yao Hui began to hedge and stockpile arms in secret. Yao Hong announced the death, claimed the throne, declared a general amnesty short of capital crimes, adopted the era Yonghe, and mourned in a hut beside the council hall. After the funeral he took the reins himself, promoted every official a grade, and invited blunt counsel on what helped or hurt the state.
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初，興徙李閏羌三千家于安定，尋徙新支。 至是，羌酋党容率所部叛還，遣撫軍姚贊討之。 容降，徙其豪右數百戶于長安，余遣還李閏。 北地太守毛雍據趙氏塢以叛于泓，姚紹討擒之。 姚宣時鎮李閏，未知雍敗，遣部將姚佛生等來衛長安。 眾既發，宣參軍韋宗奸諂好亂，說宣曰：「主上初立，威化末著，勃勃強盛，侵害必深，本朝之難未可弭也。 殿下居維城之任，宜深慮之。 邢望地形險固，總三方之要，若能據之，虛心撫禦，非但克固維城，亦霸王之業也。」 宣乃率戶三萬八千，棄李閏，南保邢望。 宣既南移，諸羌據李閏以叛，紹進討破之。 宣詣紹歸罪，紹怒殺之。 初，宣在邢望，泓遣姚佛生諭宣，佛生遂贊成宣計。 紹數其罪，又戮之。
Yao Xing had earlier moved three thousand Li-run Qiang households to Anding, then shifted them again to Xin-zhi. Their chief Dang Rong then bolted for home; Yao Hong sent Yao Zan against him. Dang Rong yielded; Yao Hong moved the head families to Chang'an and let the rest go home to Li-run. Mao Yong of Beidi seized the Zhao stockade in revolt; Yao Shao captured him. Yao Xuan still held Li-run and, unaware of Mao Yong's fall, sent Yao Fosheng toward the capital. Adviser Wei Zong, a troublemaker, told Yao Xuan: "The new ruler lacks prestige; Helian Bobo is too strong—the capital's troubles are not over. You hold the western shield—think hard. Xingwang is a natural fortress commanding three approaches—seize it in earnest and you secure the west and maybe build a power base." Yao Xuan marched thirty-eight thousand households south from Li-run to fortify Xingwang. When Yao Xuan left, the Qiang seized Li-run; Yao Shao smashed them. Yao Xuan surrendered to Yao Shao, who killed him in fury. Earlier Yao Hong had sent Yao Fosheng to recall Yao Xuan; Fosheng instead backed the defection. Yao Shao listed Fosheng's crimes and put him to death too.
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泓下書，士卒死王事，贈以爵位，永復其家。 將封宮臣十六人五等子男，姚贊諫曰：「東宮文武，自當有守忠之誠，未有赫然之效，何受封之多乎？」 泓曰：「懸爵於朝，所以懲勸來效，標明盛德。 元子遭家不造，與宮臣同此百憂，獨享其福，得不愧於心乎！」 贊默然。 姚紹進曰：「陛下不忘報德，封之是也，古者敬其事，命之以始，可須來春，然後議之。」 乃止。 并州、定陽、貳城胡數萬落叛泓，入於平陽，攻立義姚成都於匈奴堡，推匈奴曹弘為大單于，所在殘掠。 征東姚懿自蒲阪討弘，戰於平陽，大破之，執弘，送于長安，徙其豪右萬五千落於雍州。
He decreed pensions and perpetual exemptions for families of soldiers who died in royal service. Yao Zan objected to raising sixteen household officers to noble rank: "The heir's staff owes loyalty by duty—they have done nothing spectacular yet." Yao Hong replied: "Titles exist to reward future service and mark true virtue. I share every grief with my household staff—how could I hoard favors for myself alone?" Yao Zan held his tongue. Yao Shao urged delay: "Reward them, yes, but wait until spring as the ancients would." Yao Hong dropped the plan. Tens of thousands of Hu households in Bing, Dingyang, and Ercheng rose, poured into Pingyang, crowned Cao Hong shanyu, and pillaged widely. Yao Yi marched from Puban, shattered them at Pingyang, sent Cao Hong to Chang'an, and resettled fifteen thousand elite households in Yongzhou.
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仇池公楊盛攻陷祁山，執建節王總，遂逼秦州。 泓遣後將軍姚平救之，盛引退。 姚嵩與平追盛及於竹嶺，姚贊率隴西太守姚秦都、略陽太守王煥以禁兵赴之。 贊至清水，嵩為盛所敗，嵩及秦都、王煥皆戰死。 贊至秦州，退還仇池。 先是，天水冀縣石鼓鳴，聲聞數百里，野雉皆雊。 秦州地震者三十二，殷殷有聲者八，山崩舍壞，咸以為不祥。 及嵩將出，群僚固諫止之。 嵩曰：「若有不祥，此乃命也，安所逃乎！」 遂及於難。 識者以為秦州泓之故鄉，將滅之征也。
Yang Sheng of Chouqi seized Qishan, captured Wang Zong, and drove on Qinzhou. Yao Hong sent Yao Ping; Yang Sheng pulled back. Yao Song and Yao Ping chased Yang Sheng to Bamboo Ridge while Yao Zan brought Yao Qindu and Wang Huan with palace troops. At Qingshui, Yao Zan learned Yao Song had been crushed—Song, Qindu, and Wang Huan all lay dead. Yao Zan retreated to Chouqi. Earlier a stone drum in Jixian boomed for hundreds of li and pheasants called without cease. Qinzhou then suffered dozens of quakes, rockslides, and ruined homes—everyone called it an ill omen. When Yao Song prepared to march, the court begged him to stay. Yao Song said, "If doom comes, it is fate—there is no escape." He rode to his death. Wise men said Qinzhou was Yao Hong's home ground—its ruin foretold his own.
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赫連勃勃攻陷陰密，執秦州刺史姚軍都，坑將士五千餘人。 軍都瞋目厲聲數勃勃殘忍之罪，不為之屈，勃勃怒而殺之。 勃勃既克陰密，進兵侵雍，嶺北雜戶悉奔五將山。 征北姚恢棄安定，率戶五千奔新平，安定人胡儼、華韜等率眾距恢，恢單騎歸長安。 立節彌姐成、建武裴岐為儼所殺，鎮西姚諶委鎮東走。 勃勃遂據雍，抄掠郿城。 姚紹及征虜尹昭、鎮軍姚洽等率步騎五萬討勃勃，姚恢以精騎一萬繼之。 軍次橫水，勃勃退保安定，胡儼閉門距之，殺鮮卑數千人，據安定以降。 紹進兵躡勃勃，戰於馬鞍阪，敗之，追至朝那，不及而還。
Helian Bobo stormed Yinmi, captured Yao Jundu, and slaughtered over five thousand troops. Yao Jundu glared and cursed Bobo's cruelty to his face; Bobo slew him in rage. After Yinmi, Bobo struck toward Yong and drove every northern household toward Five-General Mountain. Yao Hui quit Anding with five thousand households for Xinping; local leaders blocked him and he galloped alone back to Chang'an. Mijie Cheng and Pei Qi died fighting Hu Yan; Yao Chen abandoned his post and ran east. Bobo then overran Yong and raided Mei. Yao Shao, Yin Zhao, and Yao Qia led fifty thousand men against Bobo; Yao Hui followed with ten thousand horse. At Hengshui Bobo pulled back to Anding; Hu Yan shut the gates, killed thousands of Xianbei, and handed the city over. Yao Shao beat Bobo at Ma'an Ridge, chased him toward Zhaona, then broke off the pursuit.
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楊盛遣兄子倦入寇長蛇。 平陽氐苟渴聚眾千餘，據五丈原以叛，遣鎮遠姚萬、恢武姚難討之，為渴所敗。 姚諶討渴，擒之。 泓使輔國斂曼嵬、前將軍姚光兒討楊倦于陳倉，倦奔于散關。 勃勃遣兄子提南侵池陽，車騎姚裕、前將軍彭白狼、建義蛇玄距卻之。
Yang Sheng sent his nephew Yang Juan against Changshe. The Di chief Gou Ke seized Wuzhangyuan; Yao Wan and Yao Nan marched against him and lost. Yao Chen captured Gou Ke in a second expedition. Yao Hong sent Lian Mankui and Yao Guang'er to Cangcang; Yang Juan bolted for Sanguan. Bobo's nephew Ti raided Chiyang but Yao Yu, Peng Bailang, and She Xuan threw him back.
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尋而晉太尉劉裕總大軍伐泓，次於彭城，遣冠軍將軍檀道濟、龍驤將軍王鎮惡入自淮、肥，攻漆丘、項城，將軍沈林子自汴入河，攻倉垣。 泓將王苟生以漆丘降鎮惡，徐州刺史姚掌以項城降道濟，王師遂入潁口，所至多降服。 惟新蔡太守董遵固守不降，道濟攻破之，縛遵而致諸軍門。 遵厲色曰：「古之王者伐國，待士以禮。 君奈何以不義行師，待國土以非禮乎。」 道濟怒殺之。 姚紹聞王師之至，還長安，言於泓曰：「晉師已過許昌，豫州、安定孤遠，卒難救衛，宜遷諸鎮戶內實京畿，可得精兵十萬，足以橫行天下。 假使二寇交侵，無深害也。 如其不爾，晉侵豫州，勃勃寇安定者，將若之何！ 事機已至，宜在速決。」 其左僕射梁喜曰：「齊公恢雄勇有威名，為嶺北所憚，鎮人已與勃勃深仇，理應守死無貳，勃勃終不能棄安定遠寇京畿。 若無安定，虜馬必及於郿、雍。 今關中兵馬足距晉師，豈可未有憂危先自削損也。」 泓從之。 吏部郎懿橫密言於泓曰：「齊公恢于廣平之難有忠勳于陛下，自陛下龍飛紹統，未有殊賞以答其意。 今外則致之死地，內則不豫朝權，安定人自以孤危逼寇，欲思南遷者十室而九，若擁精兵四萬，鼓行而向京師，得不為社稷之累乎！ 宜征還朝廷，以慰其心。」 泓曰：「恢若懷不逞之心，征之適所以速禍耳。」 又不從。
Soon Liu Yu of Jin massed at Pengcheng and sent Tan Daoji and Wang Zhen'e through Huai-Fei against Qiqiu and Xiangcheng while Shen Linzi struck Cangyuan from Bian. Wang Gousheng yielded Qiqiu to Wang Zhen'e, Yao Zhang yielded Xiangcheng to Tan Daoji, and the Jin host poured through Yingkou almost unopposed. Only Dong Zun of Xin'cai held out until Tan Daoji stormed the city and bound him before the camp. Dong Zun snapped: "Ancient kings campaigned with courtesy toward worthy foes. How dare you wage an unjust war and dishonor a loyal governor?" Tan Daoji killed him in fury. Yao Shao raced back to warn Yao Hong: "Jin is past Xuchang—Yuzhou and Anding are too far to save. Move frontier households into the capital for a hundred thousand veterans. Even if Bobo and Jin strike together, a thick core can absorb the blow. Otherwise Jin will chew Yuzhou while Bobo gnaws Anding—what then? The hour demands a fast decision." Liang Xi argued: "Yao Hui terrifies the north; his garrisons hate Bobo and will die before yielding—Bobo cannot skip Anding to strike the core. Lose Anding and enemy horsemen will reach Mei and Yong. Guanzhong can still face Jin—why cripple yourself before the crisis?" Yao Hong sided with Liang Xi. Personnel clerk Yi Heng whispered: "Yao Hui saved you at Guangping yet has never been richly rewarded. Now he is stranded abroad without voice at court; Anding feels doomed—nine tenths want to flee south. Give him forty thousand veterans and he could drum straight on Chang'an—think of the risk! Recall him to the capital to calm him." Yao Hong said: "If Yao Hui is disloyal, recalling him would only hasten revolt." He refused again.
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王師至成皋，征南姚洸時鎮洛陽，馳使請救。 泓遣越騎校尉閻生率騎三千以赴之，武衛姚益男將步卒一萬助守洛陽，又遣征東、并州牧姚懿南屯陝津為之聲援。 洸部將趙玄說洸曰：「今寇逼已深，百姓駭懼，眾寡勢殊，難以應敵。 宜攝諸戍兵士，固守金墉，以待京師之援，不可出戰。 如脫不捷，大事去矣。 金墉既固，師無損敗，吳寇終不敢越金墉而西。 困之於堅城之下，可以坐制其弊。」 時洸司馬姚禹潛通於道濟，主簿閻恢、楊虔等皆禹之党，嫉玄忠誠，咸共毀之，固勸洸出戰。 洸從之，乃遣玄率精兵千餘南守柏穀塢，廣武石無諱東戍鞏城，以距王師。 玄泣謂洸曰：「玄受三帝重恩，所守正死耳。 但明公不用忠臣之言，為奸孽所誤，後必悔之，但無及耳。」 會陽城及成皋、滎陽、武牢諸城悉降，道濟等長驅而至。 無諱至石關，奔還。 玄與晉將毛德祖戰于柏穀，以眾寡而敗，被瘡十餘，據地大呼，玄司馬騫鑒冒刃抱玄而泣，玄曰：「吾瘡已重，君宜速去。」 鑒曰：「若將軍不濟，當與俱死，去將安之！」 皆死於陣。 姚禹逾城奔于王師。 道濟進至洛陽、洸懼，遂降。 時閻生至新安，益男至湖城，會洛陽已沒，遂留屯不進。
When Jin reached Chenggao, Yao Guang in Luoyang begged for reinforcements. Yao Hong sent Yan Sheng with three thousand horse, Yao Yinan with ten thousand foot to Luoyang, and Yao Yi to Shan ford as a screen. Zhao Xuan warned Yao Guang: "The enemy is on top of us, the people panic, and we are outnumbered. Pull every defender behind the Metal Rampart and wait for relief from Chang'an—do not offer battle outside the walls. Lose that fight and the cause is lost. Hold that fortress and Jin will never dare push west of it. Starve them under your walls without lifting another spear." Yao Yu plotted with Tan Daoji's party; jealous officers smeared Zhao Xuan and pushed Yao Guang to march out. Yao Guang listened: he sent Zhao Xuan to Bai Valley and Shi Wuhui to Gong to block Jin. Zhao Xuan wept: "Three emperors favored me—I mean to die loyally here. You spurn loyal counsel for flatterers—you will regret this when it is too late!" Yangcheng, Chenggao, Xingyang, and Wulao fell; Tan Daoji rolled forward unchecked. Shi Wuhui broke at Stone Pass and ran. Zhao Xuan fought Mao Dezu at Baigu, was overrun and cut down; Qian Jian tried to drag him clear but Zhao said, "I am finished—save yourself." Qian Jian said, "If you fall, I fall with you." Both died on the field. Yao Yu went over the wall to Jin. Tan Daoji reached Luoyang; Yao Guang surrendered in panic. Yan Sheng and Yao Yinan stopped cold when they heard Luoyang was lost.
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姚懿嶮薄，惑於信受，其司馬孫暢奸巧傾佞，好亂樂禍，勸懿襲長安，誅姚紹，廢泓自立。 懿納之，乃引兵至陝津，散谷以賜河北夷夏，欲虛損國儲，招引和戎諸羌，樹已私惠。 懿左常侍張敞、侍郎左雅固諫懿曰：「殿下以母弟之親，居分陝之重，安危休戚，與國共之。 漢有七國之難，實賴梁王。 今吳寇內侵，四州傾沒，西虜擾邊，秦、涼覆敗，朝廷之危有同累卵，正是諸侯勤王之日。 谷者，國之本也，而今散之。 若朝廷問殿下者，將何辭以報？」 懿怒，笞而殺之。 泓聞之，召姚紹等密謀於朝堂。 紹曰：「懿性識鄙近，從物推移，造成此事，惟當孫暢耳。 但馳使征暢，遣撫軍贊據陝城，臣向潼關為諸軍節度，若暢奉詔而至者，臣當遣懿率河東見兵共平吳寇。 如其逆釁已成，違距詔敕者，當明其罪於天下，聲鼓以擊之。」 泓曰：「叔父之言，社稷之計也。」 於是遣姚贊及冠軍司馬國璠、建義蛇玄屯陝津，武衛姚驢屯潼關。
Prince Yao Yi was vain and credulous; Sun Chang urged him to strike Chang'an, kill Yao Shao, and seize the throne. Yao Yi marched to Shan ford and scattered state grain to buy tribal loyalty. Zhang Chang and Zuo Ya warned: "You are the emperor's uncle on the western front—your fate is the dynasty's fate. Han survived the Seven Kingdoms revolt because the Prince of Liang stood firm. Jin is inside the passes, four provinces are gone, Bobo tears the west—this is the hour to rally for the throne, not to hoard grain. Grain is the root of power, and you are pouring it away. What will you tell the emperor when he asks where the granaries went?" Yao Yi had them beaten to death. Yao Hong called Yao Shao into the palace for a secret council. Yao Shao said: "Yao Yi is weak-minded; Sun Chang made him do this. Arrest Sun Chang, put Yao Zan in Shan, and I will take Tong Pass—if they obey, Yao Yi can still march east against Jin. If they defy the edict, publish their treason and attack." Yao Hong said, "Uncle, your plan saves the state." He sent Yao Zan, Simo Guofan, and She Xuan to Shan and Yao Lü to Tong Pass.
13
懿遂舉兵僭號，傳檄州郡，欲運匈奴堡穀以給鎮人。 甯東姚成都距之，懿乃卑辭招誘，深自結托，送佩刀為誓，成都送以呈泓。 懿又遣驍騎王國率甲士數百攻成都，成都擒國，囚之，遣讓懿曰：「明公以母弟之親，受推轂之寄，今社稷之危若綴旒然，宜恭恪憂勤，匡輔王室。 而更包藏奸宄，謀危宗廟，三祖之靈豈安公乎！ 此鎮之糧，一方所寄，鎮人何功，而欲給之！ 王國為蛇畫足，國之罪人，已就囚執，聽詔而戮之。 成都方糾合義眾，以懲明公之罪，復須大兵悉集，當與明公會於河上。」 乃宣告諸城，勉以忠義，厲兵秣馬，徵發義租。 河東之兵無詣懿者，懿深患之。 臨晉數千戶叛應懿。 姚紹濟自薄津，擊臨晉叛戶，大破之，懿等震懼。 鎮人安定郭純、王奴等率眾圍懿。 紹入于蒲阪，執懿囚之，誅孫暢等。
Yao Yi declared himself ruler and tried to ship grain from Xiongnu Fort to his troops. Yao Chengdu blocked him; Yao Yi tried flattery and sent a pledge knife—Chengdu handed it to Yao Hong. Chengdu captured Wang Guo and scolded Yao Yi: "As the emperor's uncle you should steady the throne, not plot treason. The imperial ancestors will not bless a traitor. This grain feeds the frontier—what right have you to give it away? Wang Guo was a fool's errand; he waits in chains for the axe. I am raising loyal troops to meet you on the Yellow River." He called the garrisons to arms and gathered supplies. No Hedong troops joined Yao Yi; he panicked. Thousands in Linjin rose for him. Yao Shao crossed at Bo ford, crushed the Linjin rebels, and terrified Yao Yi. Guo Chun and Wang Nu besieged Yao Yi. Yao Shao took Puban, jailed Yao Yi, and executed Sun Chang.
14
泓以內外離叛，王師漸逼，歲旦朝群臣於其前殿，淒然流涕，群臣皆泣。 時征北姚恢率安定鎮戶三萬八千，焚燒室宇，以車為方陣，自北雍州趣長安，自稱大都督、建義大將軍，移檄州郡，欲除君側之惡。 揚威姜紀率眾奔之。 建節彭完都聞恢將至，棄陰密，奔還長安。 恢至新支，姜紀說恢曰：「國家重將在東，京師空虛，公可輕兵徑襲，事必克矣。」 恢不從，乃南攻郿城。 鎮西姚諶為恢所敗，恢軍勢彌盛，長安大震。 泓馳使征紹，遣姚裕及輔國胡翼度屯於灃西。 扶風太守姚雋、安夷護軍姚墨蠡、建威姚娥都、揚威彭蠔皆懼而降恢。 恢舅苟和時為立節將軍，守忠不貳，泓召而謂之曰：「眾人咸懷去就，卿何能自安邪？」 和曰：「若天縱妖賊，得肆其逆節者，舅甥之理，不待賓士而加親。 如其罪極逆銷，天盈其罰者，守忠執志，臣之體也。 違親叛君，臣之所恥。」 泓善其忠恕，加金章紫綬。 姚紹率輕騎先赴難，使姚洽、司馬國璠將步卒三萬赴長安。 恢從曲牢進屯杜成，紹與恢相持於靈台。 姚贊聞恢漸逼，留甯朔尹雅為弘農太守，守潼關，率諸軍還長安。 泓謝贊曰：「元子不能崇明德義，導率群下，致禍起蕭牆，變自同氣，既上負祖宗，亦無顏見諸父。 懿始構逆滅亡，恢復擁眾內叛，將若之何？」 贊曰：「懿等所以敢稱兵內侮者，諒由臣等輕弱，無防遏之方故也。」 因攘袂大泣曰：「臣與大將軍不滅此賊，終不持面復見陛下！」 泓於是班賜軍士而遣之。 恢眾見諸軍悉集，咸懼而思善，其將齊黃等棄恢而降。 恢進軍逼紹，贊自後要擊，大破之，殺恢及其三弟。 泓哭之悲慟，葬以公禮。
On New Year's Day Yao Hong wept before his court as Jin closed in and kin rebelled. Yao Hui marched on Chang'an with thirty-eight thousand families in chariot fortresses, claiming he would purge evil counselors. Jiang Ji rode to his banner. Peng Wandu fled Yinmi for the capital. Jiang Ji urged a coup de main on empty Chang'an. Yao Hui refused and struck south for Mei instead. Yao Chen lost to Yao Hui; panic gripped Chang'an. Yao Hong recalled Yao Shao and sent Yao Yu and Hu Yidu west of the Feng River. Several frontier generals went over to Yao Hui. Yao Hong asked Gou He why he stayed loyal while kin rebelled. Gou He said: "If treason wins, uncle and nephew share the stain. If Heaven punishes the traitor, a subject stands by his oath. Betraying sovereign for kin would shame me." Yao Hong honored him with gold seal and purple ribbon. Yao Shao raced ahead while Yao Qia and Guofan brought thirty thousand foot toward the capital. Yao Hui camped at Ducheng; Yao Shao met him at Lingtai. Yao Zan rushed back from Tong Pass, leaving Yin Ya to hold the river. Yao Hong told Yao Zan: "I have failed the ancestors and shamed my uncles with these kin revolts. Yao Yi is dead yet Yao Hui marches on the capital—what now?" Yao Zan said: "They rebelled because we ministers seemed weak. He swore with Yao Shao to kill the traitors or never face the throne again. Yao Hong paid the troops and sent them out. Yao Hui's men wavered; Qi Huang and others defected. Yao Zan fell on Yao Hui from the rear, killed him and three brothers. Yao Hong buried him with princely honors and mourned bitterly.
15
至是，王鎮惡至宜陽。 毛德祖攻弘農太守尹雅于蠡城，眾潰，德祖使騎追獲之，既而殺晉守者奔固潼關。
Wang Zhen'e had reached Yiyang. Mao Dezu broke Yin Ya at Li, captured him, killed Jin guards, and fled to Tong Pass.
16
檀道濟、沈林子攻拔襄邑堡，建威薛帛奔河東。 道濟白陝北渡，攻蒲阪，使將軍苟卓攻匈奴堡，為泓甯東姚成都所敗。 泓遣姚驢救蒲阪，胡翼度據潼關。 泓進紹太宰、大將軍、大都督、都督中外諸軍事、假黃鋮，改封魯公，侍中、司隸、宗正、節錄並如故，朝之大政皆往決焉。 紹固辭，弗許。 於是遣紹率武衛姚鸞等步騎五萬，距王師於潼關。 姚驢與并州刺史尹昭為表裏之勢，夾攻道濟。 道濟深壁不戰，沈林子說道濟曰：「今蒲阪城堅池浚，非可卒克，攻之傷眾，守之引日，不如棄之，先事潼關。 潼關天限，形勝之地，鎮惡孤軍，勢危力寡，若使姚紹據之，則難圖矣。 如克潼關，紹可不戰而服。」 道濟從之，乃棄蒲阪，南向潼關。 姚贊率禁兵七千，自渭北而東，進據蒲津。 劉裕使沈田子及傅弘之率眾萬餘人入上洛，所在多委城鎮奔長安。 田子等進及青泥，姚紹方陣而前，以距道濟。 道濟固壘不戰，紹乃攻其西營，不克，遂以大眾逼之。 道濟率王敬、沈林子等逆沖紹軍，將士驚散，引還定城。 紹留姚鸞守險，絕道濟糧道。
Tan Daoji and Shen Linzi took Xiangyi; Xue Bo ran to Hedong. Tan Daoji crossed north against Puban; Gou Zhuo lost to Yao Chengdu at Xiongnu Fort. Yao Hong sent Yao Lü to Puban and Hu Yidu held Tong Pass. Yao Hong made Yao Shao supreme commander with the yellow axe and Lu dukedom, leaving all war policy to him. Yao Shao refused the honors; Yao Hong insisted. He sent Yao Shao with fifty thousand men to Tong Pass. Yao Lü and Yin Zhao hit Tan Daoji from two sides. Shen Linzi urged Tan Daoji to abandon Puban for Tong Pass. Tong Pass is the bottleneck; if Yao Shao locks it, Wang Zhen'e is lost. Seize the pass and Yao Shao will fold without another fight. Tan Daoji gave up Puban and marched on Tong Pass. Yao Zan took seven thousand palace guards to Pu ford. Liu Yu sent Shen Tianzi and Fu Hongzhi into Shangluo; towns collapsed toward the capital. Shen Tianzi reached Qingni while Yao Shao advanced to face Tan Daoji. Tan Daoji stayed behind walls; Yao Shao stormed his west camp, failed, then massed against him. Tan Daoji counterattacked but broke and withdrew to Dingcheng. Yao Shao left Yao Luan to choke Tan Daoji's supply line.
17
時裕別將姚珍入自子午，竇霸入自洛穀，眾各數千人。 泓遣姚萬距霸，姚彊距珍。 姚鸞遣將尹雅與道濟司馬徐琰于潼關南，為琰所獲，送之劉裕。 裕以雅前叛，欲殺之。 雅曰：「前活本在望外，今死寧不甘心。 明公將以大義平天下，豈可使秦無守信之臣乎！」 裕嘉而免之。
Liu Yu's columns entered from Ziwu and Luogu valleys. Yao Hong sent Yao Wan and Yao Qiang to meet them. Yin Ya was captured by Xu Yan and sent to Liu Yu. Liu Yu meant to execute Yin Ya for past treason. Yin Ya said: "You spared me once; now I will not beg like a coward. You claim to conquer by virtue—do not kill the one Qin man who keeps faith!" Liu Yu admired him and let him live.
18
泓遣給事黃門侍郎姚和都屯于堯柳，以備田子。 姚紹謂諸將曰：「道濟等遠來送死，眾旅不多，嬰壘自固者，正欲曠日持久，以待繼援耳。 吾欲分軍還據閿鄉，以絕其糧運，不至一月，道濟之首可懸之麾下矣。 濟等既沒，裕計自沮。」 諸將咸以為然。 其將胡翼度曰：「軍勢宜集不可以分，若偏師不利，人心駭懼，胡可以戰！」 紹乃止。 薛帛據河曲以叛。 紹分道置諸軍為掎角之勢，遣輔國胡翼度據東原，武衛姚鸞營于大路，與晉軍相接。 沈林子簡精銳銜枚夜襲之，鸞眾潰戰死，士卒死者九千餘人。
Yao Hong posted Yao Hedou at Yaoliu against Shen Tianzi. Yao Shao told his generals: "Jin hugs its walls waiting for reinforcements. Send a column to Wenxiang to sever their supplies and Tan Daoji's head will be on your pole within a month. Kill Tan Daoji and Liu Yu loses his spear point." The generals agreed. Hu Yidu objected: "Split the army and one defeat routs every heart—you cannot fight divided." Yao Shao dropped his plan to split the army. Xue Bo rebelled from the river bend. Yao Shao spread his wings: Hu Yidu on the east plain, Yao Luan on the main road, pressing Jin. Shen Linzi night-attacked; Yao Luan fell with nine thousand men.
19
姚贊屯於河上，遣恢武姚難運蒲阪穀以給其軍，至香城，為王師所敗。 時泓遣姚諶守堯柳，姚和都討薛帛於河東，聞王師要難，乃兼道赴救，未至而難敗，固破裕裨將于河曲，遂屯蒲阪。 姚贊為林子所敗，單馬奔定城。 紹遣左長史姚洽及姚墨蠡等率騎三千屯于河北之九原，欲絕道濟諸縣租輸。 洽辭曰：「夫小敵之堅，大敵之擒。 今兵眾單弱，而遠在河外，雖明公神武，然鞭短勢殊，恐無所及。」 紹不聽。 沈林子率眾八千，耍洽於河上，洽戰死，眾皆沒。 紹聞洽等敗，忿恚發病，托姚贊以後事，使姚難屯關西，紹嘔血而死。
Yao Zan tried to ship grain from Puban but Jin smashed the train at Xiangcheng. Yao Chen raced to save Yao Nan, missed him, but beat a Jin column in the bend and held Puban. Yao Zan fled alone to Dingcheng after Shen Linzi routed him. Yao Shao sent Yao Qia to Jiuyuan to choke Tan Daoji's supply convoys. Yao Qia refused: "A small force that stands stubborn becomes bait. We are too few and too far—even you cannot stretch a whip across the river." Yao Shao ignored him. Shen Linzi destroyed Yao Qia on the riverbank. Yao Shao died of rage and bleeding after Yao Qia's loss.
20
泓以晉師之逼，遣使乞師于魏。 魏遣司徒、南平公拔拔嵩，正直將軍、安平公乙旃眷，進據河內，遊擊將軍王洛生屯於河東，為泓聲援。
Yao Hong begged Northern Wei for aid against Jin. Wei sent Baba Song and others to threaten Liu Yu's flank.
21
劉裕次於陝城，遣沈林子率精兵萬餘，越山開道，會沈田子等於青泥，將攻堯柳。 泓使姚裕率步騎八千距之，泓躬將大眾繼發。 裕為田子所敗，泓退次於灞上，關中郡縣多潛通于王師。 劉裕至潼關，遣將軍硃超石、徐猗之會薛帛于河北，以攻蒲阪。 姚贊距裕于關西，姚難屯於香城。 裕遣王鎮惡、王敬自秋社西渡渭，以逼難軍。 鎮東姚璞及姚和都擊敗猗之等於蒲阪，猗之遇害，超石棄其眾奔於潼關。 姚贊遣司馬休之及司馬國璠自軹關向河內，引魏軍以躡裕後。 姚難既為鎮惡所逼，引師而西。 時大霖雨，渭水泛溢，贊等不得北渡。 鎮惡水陸兼進，追及姚難。 泓自灞上還軍，次於石橋以援之。 贊退屯鄭城。 鎮北姚彊率郡人數千，與姚難陣於涇上，以距鎮惡。 鎮惡遣毛德祖擊彊，大敗，彊戰死，難遁還長安。
Liu Yu sent Shen Linzi overland to Qingni against Yaoliu. Yao Hong marched with Yao Yu to meet them. Yao Yu lost to Shen Tianzi; Yao Hong fell back to Bashang as towns went over to Jin. Liu Yu sent Zhu Chaoshi to strike Puban from the north bank. Yao Zan faced Liu Yu; Yao Nan held Xiangcheng. Wang Zhen'e crossed the Wei against Yao Nan. Yao Pu crushed Jin at Puban; Xu Yi died and Zhu Chaoshi ran. Yao Zan tried to bring Wei in against Liu Yu's rear. Yao Nan retreated west before Wang Zhen'e. Floods blocked Yao Zan from crossing the Wei. Wang Zhen'e overtook Yao Nan in the flood season. Yao Hong rushed to Stone Bridge to help. Yao Zan fell back to Zheng. Yao Qiang joined Yao Nan on the Jing River line. Mao Dezu killed Yao Qiang; Yao Nan bolted for Chang'an.
22
劉裕進據鄭城。 泓使姚裕、尚書龐統屯兵宮中，姚洸屯於灃西，尚書姚白瓜徙四軍雜戶入長安，姚丕守渭橋，胡翼度屯石積，姚贊屯霸東，泓軍於逍遙園。 鎮惡夾渭進兵，破姚丕於渭橋。 泓自逍遙園赴之，逼水地狹，因丕之敗，遂相踐而退。 姚諶及前軍姚烈、左衛姚寶安、散騎王帛、建武姚進、揚威姚蠔、尚書右丞孫玄等皆死於陣，泓單馬還宮。 鎮惡入自平朔門，泓與姚裕等數百騎出奔于石橋。 贊聞泓之敗也，召將士告之，眾皆以刀擊地，攘袂大泣。 胡翼度先與劉裕陰通，是日棄眾奔裕。 贊夜率諸軍，將會泓于石橋，王師已固諸門，贊軍不得入，眾皆驚散。
Liu Yu took Zheng. Yao Hong strung his last line from the palace to the Wei bridge and Free-Roam Garden. Wang Zhen'e shattered Yao Pi at the Wei bridge. Yao Hong's relief column stampeded itself in the narrow river flats. Yao Hong's generals died to a man; he galloped alone back into the palace. Wang Zhen'e broke Pingshuo Gate; Yao Hong fled toward Stone Bridge. Yao Zan's men wept and beat the ground when they heard the news. Hu Yidu defected to Liu Yu. Yao Zan could not re-enter the sealed capital.
23
泓計無所出，謀欲降於裕。 其子佛念，年十一，謂泓曰：「晉人將逞其欲，終必不全，願自裁決。」 泓憮然不答。 佛念遂登宮牆自投而死。 泓將妻子詣壘門而降。 贊率宗室子弟百餘人亦降於裕，裕盡殺之，余宗遷於江南。 送泓于建康市斬之，時年三十，在位二年。 建康百里之內，草木皆燋死焉。
Yao Hong decided to surrender to Liu Yu. His eleven-year-old son Yao Fonian said: "Surrender will not save us—better to die cleanly." Yao Hong could not answer. Yao Fonian leaped from the palace wall. Yao Hong brought his family to Liu Yu's camp and yielded. Liu Yu slaughtered the surrendered Yao princes and deported the clan to the south. Yao Hong was executed in the Jiankang market at thirty after two years' reign. Grass and trees withered for a hundred li around Jiankang—omen of the tyrant's fall.
24
姚萇以孝武僭立，至泓三世，以安帝而滅，凡三十二年。
From Yao Chang's usurpation to Yao Hong's death the Later Qin lasted three reigns and thirty-two years under Jin's An era.
25
史評
Section heading marking a later historical appraisal.
26
史臣曰：自長江徙禦，化龍創業，巨寇乘機而未寧，戎馬交馳而不息，晦重氛於六漠，鼓洪流於八際，天未厭亂，凶旅實繁。 弋仲越自金方，言歸石氏，抗直詞於暴主，闡忠訓于危朝，貽厥之謀，在乎歸順，鳴哀之義，有足稱焉。 景國弱歲英奇，見方孫策，詳其幹識，無忝斯言，遂踐迷途，良可悲矣！
The historian opens: age of warlords and tribal armies without end. Yao Yizhong defied Shi Hu yet sought peace—his loyalty earns praise. Yao Xiang matched Sun Ce in dash but marched into tragedy.
27
景茂因仲襄之緒，躡苻亡之會，嘯命群豪，恢弘霸業，假容沖之銳，俯定函、秦； 挫雷惡之鋒，載甯東北。 在茲奸略，實冠凶徒。 列樹而表新營，雖云效績； 薦棘而陵舊主，何其不仁！ 安枕而終，斯為幸也。
Yao Chang used Yao Xiang's legacy to seize Chang'an when Fu Jian fell. He broke Murong Chui's power and quieted the northeast. In cunning he outdid every rival warlord. He marked new camps with trees—passing as order. Yet he trampled his old lord Fu Jian—heartless. He died in bed—that was luck enough.
28
子略克摧勍敵，荷成先構，虛襟訪道，側席求賢，敦友弟以睦其親，明賞罰以臨其下，英髦盡節，爪牙畢命。 取汾、絳，陷許、洛，款僭燕而籓偽蜀，夷隴右而靜河西，俗阜年豐，遠安邇輯，雖楚莊、秦穆何以加焉！ 既而逞志矜功，弗虞後患。 委涼都於禿髮，授朔方於赫連，專己生災，邊城繼陷，距諫招禍，蕭牆屢發，戰無寧歲，人有危心。 豈宜騁彼雄圖，被深恩於介士； 翻崇詭說，加殊禮于桑門！ 當有為之時，肄無為之業，麗衣腴食，殆將萬數，析實談空，靡然成俗。 夫以漢朝殷廣，猶鄙鴻都之費； 況乎偽境日侵，寧堪永貴之役！ 儲用殫竭，山林有稅，政荒威挫，職是之由，坐致淪胥，非天喪也。
Yao Xing broke strong enemies, finished his father's work, sought wise counsel, knit his clan, and ruled with clear rewards—rivaling Zhuang of Chu or Mu of Qin. At his height he held the heartland and the west in prosperity few could match. Then pride undid his caution. He gave the west to Tufa Lianggu and the north to Helian Bobo, ignored advice, and border disaster followed year on year. He should have showered his soldiers with thanks— —yet he lavished gold on Buddhist monks instead. He let monasteries swell while taxes bled the hills. Even the vast Han court scorned the waste of the Hongdu academy. How much less could a shrinking rebel realm bear endless monastic extravagance? Empty treasuries and forest levies—not fate but policy destroyed Later Qin.
29
元子以庸懦之質，屬傾擾之餘，內難方殷，外禦斯輟。 王師杖順，弭節而下長安； 凶嗣失圖，系組而降軹道。 物極則反，抑斯之謂歟！
Yao Hong was weak when kin tore the realm apart and Jin struck. Jin marched in righteousness and took Chang'an; the last heir bound himself at Zhidao. Thus the wheel turns: extremes invite reversal.
30
贊曰：弋仲剛烈，終表奇節。 襄實英果，萇惟奸傑。 興始崇構，泓遂摧滅。 貽誡將來，無踐危轍。
Eulogy: Yao Yizhong died unbroken. Yao Xiang was bold; Yao Chang was the cunning founder. Yao Xing built the state; Yao Hong watched it fall. Let later ages shun that fatal road.