2
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.
3
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.
4
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, and in the twelfth year of Yixi 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.
5
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 was then garrisoning Lirun and had not yet learned that Mao Yong had been defeated, so he sent his subordinate commander Yao Fosheng and others to defend Chang'an. 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.
6
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 against Yao Hong, entered Pingyang, attacked Liyi Yao Chengdu at the Xiongnu fort, raised the Xiongnu Cao Hong as great shanyu, and wherever they went ravaged and plundered. Yao Yi marched from Puban, shattered them at Pingyang, sent Cao Hong to Chang'an, and resettled fifteen thousand elite households in Yongzhou.
7
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 reached Qinzhou, then withdrew 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.
8
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; Anding men Hu Yan and Hua Tao 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.
9
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 Chencang; Yang Juan bolted for Sanguan. Bobo's nephew Ti raided Chiyang but Yao Yu, Peng Bailang, and She Xuan threw him back.
10
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 outside he is cast into a dead place, and inside he does not share court power; the men of Anding think themselves isolated and pressed by the raider—nine houses in ten wish to move south. If he rallies forty thousand crack troops and drums his march on the capital, would that not burden the altars? 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.
11
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 Guang's Major Yao Yu was in secret communication with Tan Daoji; Chief Clerk Yan Hui, Yang Qian, and others were all Yu's faction, jealous of Zhao Xuan's loyalty; they slandered him together and firmly urged Guang to go out to battle. 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.
12
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. The Wu invaders are now inside, four provinces have fallen, western raiders disturb the border, and Qin and Liang have been overthrown—the court's peril is like piled eggs; this is the hour for the lords to rally to the throne. 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, who bore credentials, heard that Hui was about to arrive, abandoned Yinmi, and fled back to Chang'an. Jiang Ji urged Hui, saying, "The state's weighty generals are in the east; the capital is empty—with light troops you could raid straight in; the affair would surely succeed." 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 summoned Gou He and asked, "Everyone is weighing whether to leave or stay—how can you alone remain at ease?" 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. Yi first plotted rebellion and was crushed; Hui again leads hosts in inner revolt—what is to be done?" Yao Zan said, "The reason Yi and others dared raise arms in inner insult is surely because we ministers seemed weak and had no means to check them." Thereupon he pulled his sleeve and wept greatly, saying, "Your subject and the grand general will not destroy these bandits—I shall never again show my face before Your Majesty!" 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
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, saying, "Puban is walled and moated too strong for a quick assault; attacking bleeds the army, holding it wastes days. Abandon it and strike Tong Pass first. Tong Pass is Heaven's barrier, a place of advantageous terrain; Zhen'e is an isolated army, his situation perilous and his force small—if Yao Shao is allowed to hold it, he will be hard to deal with. Seize the pass and Yao Shao will submit without fighting." 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 led Wang Jing, Shen Linzi, and others in a straight charge at Shao's army; Shao's officers and soldiers were startled and scattered and drew back to Dingcheng. Yao Shao left Yao Luan to choke Tan Daoji's supply line.
17
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
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
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
Yao Hong begged Northern Wei for aid against Jin. Wei sent Minister of Education Duke of Nanping Baba Song, Straight General Duke of Anping Yizhan Juan, and Raiding General Wang Luosheng to occupy Henei and Hedong as support for Yao Hong.
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 halted at Shan city and sent Shen Linzi with more than ten thousand crack troops over the mountains to join Shen Tianzi and others at Qingni, intending to attack 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 reached Tong Pass and sent the generals Zhu Chaoshi and Xu Yi to join Xue Bo north of the He to attack Puban. Yao Zan faced Liu Yu; Yao Nan held Xiangcheng. Liu Yu sent Wang Zhen'e and Wang Jing west from Qiushe to cross the Wei, pressing Nan's army. Yao Pu crushed Jin at Puban; Xu Yi died and Zhu Chaoshi ran. Yao Zan sent Sima Xiuzhi and Sima Guofan from Zhiguan toward Henei, drawing Wei troops to fall on 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
Liu Yu took Zheng. Yao Hong sent Yao Yu and the minister Pang Tong to station troops in the palace, Yao Guang to garrison west of Feng, the minister Yao Baigua to move the mixed households of the four armies into Chang'an, Yao Pi to guard the Wei Bridge, Hu Yidu to garrison Shiji, Yao Zan to garrison east of the Ba, while Hong himself encamped at Xiaoyao Garden. Wang Zhen'e shattered Yao Pi at the Wei bridge. Yao Hong's relief column stampeded itself in the narrow river flats. Yao Chen; Yao Lie of the Vanguard; Yao Bao'an of the Left Guard; Cavalier Attendant Wang Bo; General Who Establishes Martial Might Yao Jin; General Who Displays Might Yao Hao; Right Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs Sun Xuan; and the others all died in battle. Yao Hong rode back to the palace alone. 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
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. Within a hundred li of Jiankang, grass and trees all scorched dead.
24
From Yao Chang's usurpation in the ninth year of Taiyuan under Emperor Xiaowu to the fall in the thirteenth year of Yixi under Emperor An, the Later Qin lasted three reigns and thirty-two years.
25
史評
Section heading marking a later historical appraisal.
26
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
Yao Chang took up Yao Xiang's legacy, stepped into Fu Jian's fall, whistled command to the heroes, enlarged the hegemon's enterprise, and borrowed Murong Chong's edge to settle Hangu and Qin. 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
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 entrusted the Liang capital to Tufa and handed Shuofang to Helian, trusting himself bred disaster; border cities fell in succession, rejecting remonstrance invited calamity, inner-wall strife broke out again and again, war had no quiet year, and men lived in fear. 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
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
Eulogy: Yao Yizhong was stern and fierce, and in the end displayed remarkable integrity. Yao Xiang was truly heroic and resolute; Yao Chang was a treacherous champion. Yao Xing first raised the frame; Yao Hong was then destroyed and extinguished. Let later ages shun that fatal road.