Volume 122 Records 22: Lü Guang; Lü Zuan; Lü Long

呂光呂纂呂隆

Lü Guang; Lü Zuan; Lü Long

呂光，字世明，略陽氐人也。其先呂文和，漢文帝初，自沛避難徙焉。世為酋豪。父婆樓，佐命苻堅，官至太尉。光生於枋頭，夜有神光之異，故以光為名。年十歲，與諸童兒遊戲邑裏，為戰陣之法，儔類咸推為主。部分詳平，群童嘆服。不樂讀書，唯好鷹馬。及長，身長八尺四寸，目重瞳子，左肘有肉印。沈毅凝重，寬簡有大量，喜怒不形於色。時人莫之識也，惟王猛異之，曰：「此非常人。」言之苻堅，舉賢良，除美陽令，夷夏愛服。遷鷹揚將軍。從堅征張平，戰於銅壁，刺平養子蠔，中之，自是威名大著。

Lü Guang, whose courtesy name was Shiming, came from the Di community of Lüeyang. His ancestor Lü Wenhe left Pei to escape turmoil in the early years of Emperor Wen of Han and settled there. For generations his clan had been tribal magnates. His father Polou had helped Fu Jian win the throne and rose to grand commandant. He was born at Fangtou, where a supernatural glow appeared by night, so he was given the name Guang, “radiance.” At ten he organized village boys into mock battles, and every child made him commander. His dispositions were fair and meticulous, and the other boys marveled. He cared nothing for books and lived for falconry and horsemanship. As a man he stood eight chi four cun tall, had double pupils, and bore a fleshy mark on his left elbow. He was deep, steady, and imperturbable, magnanimous and unruffled, never betraying emotion. Contemporaries overlooked him, but Wang Meng said, “This is no ordinary man.” He recommended him to Fu Jian; Lü Guang was nominated as “worthy and good,” named magistrate of Meiyang, and won the affection of tribesmen and Chinese alike. He was promoted to general who spreads might. He followed Fu Jian against Zhang Ping, ran him through at Tongbi, and wounded Zhang’s adopted son Hao—after that his fame spread far.

苻雙反于秦州，堅將楊成世為雙將苟興所敗，光與王鑒討之。鑒欲速戰，光曰：「興初破成世，奸氣漸張，宜持重以待其弊。興乘勝輕來，糧竭必退，退而擊之，可以破也。」二旬而興退，諸將不知所為，光曰：「揆其奸計，必攻榆眉。若得榆眉，據城斷路，資儲復贍，非國之利也，宜速進師。若興攻城，尤須赴救。如其奔也，彼糧既盡，可以滅之。」鑒從焉。果敗興軍。從王猛滅慕容暐，封都亭侯。

When Fu Shuang revolted in Qin, Fu Jian’s general Yang Chengshi fell to Gou Xing; Lü Guang and Wang Jian were sent to suppress them. Wang Jian wanted a quick fight, but Lü Guang said, “Gou Xing has just routed Yang Chengshi and his arrogance is swelling—we should stand firm until he weakens. He will press his luck until his supplies fail, then pull back—that is when we strike and break him.” After twenty days Gou Xing withdrew; the generals hesitated until Lü Guang said, “He means to strike Yumei. If he takes Yumei and blocks the road, he replenishes his stores—that hurts us. We must march at once. If he lays siege, we must relieve the place immediately. If he runs, his grain is gone and we can finish him.” Wang Jian agreed. They crushed Gou Xing’s army. He followed Wang Meng in the destruction of Murong Wei and was enfeoffed as village marquis.

苻重之鎮洛陽，以光為長史。及重謀反，苻堅聞之，曰：「呂光忠孝方正，必不同也。」馳使命光檻重送之。尋入為太子右率，甚見敬重。

When Fu Chong held Luoyang, Lü Guang became his chief clerk. When Fu Chong rebelled, Fu Jian said, “Lü Guang is loyal and upright—he will not join him.” He sent urgent orders for Lü Guang to shackle Fu Chong and bring him in. Soon he entered court as right leader of the crown prince’s household and was held in high regard.

蜀人李焉聚眾二萬，攻逼益州。堅以光為破虜將軍，率兵討滅之，遷步兵校尉。苻洛反，光又擊平之，拜驍騎將軍。

A Shu man named Li Yan raised twenty thousand men and threatened Yi Province. Fu Jian named him general who breaks the barbarians; he crushed the revolt and was promoted to colonel of foot. He put down Fu Luo’s rebellion and was named general of valiant cavalry.

堅既平山東，士馬強盛，遂有圖西域之志，乃授光使持節、都督西討諸軍事，率將軍姜飛、彭晃、杜進、康盛等總兵七萬，鐵騎五千，以討西域，以隴西董方、馮翊郭抱、武威賈虔、弘農楊穎為四府佐將。堅太子宏執光手曰：「君器相非常，必有大福，宜深保愛。」行至高昌，聞堅寇晉，光欲更須後命。部將杜進曰：「節下受任金方，赴機宜速，有何不了，而更留乎！」光乃進及流沙，三百餘里無水，將士失色。光曰：「吾聞李廣利精誠玄感，飛泉湧出，吾等豈獨無感致乎！皇天必將有濟，諸君不足憂也。」俄而大雨，平地三尺。進兵至焉耆，其王泥流率其旁國請降。龜茲王帛純距光，光軍其城南，五里為一營，深溝高壘，廣設疑兵，以木為人，被之以甲，羅之壘上。帛純驅徙城外人入于城中，附庸侯王各嬰城自守。

After conquering the east, Fu Jian turned toward the Western Regions: he gave Lü Guang the plenipotentiary baton and command of the western expedition—seventy thousand troops including five thousand armored horse under Jiang Fei, Peng Huang, Du Jin, and Kang Sheng—with Dong Fang, Guo Bao, Jia Qian, and Yang Ying as staff generals. Crown Prince Fu Hong took his hand and said, “Your bearing marks you for greatness—take good care of yourself.” At Gaochang he learned that Fu Jian had invaded Jin and meant to wait for new orders. Du Jin urged him: “You were sent west to seize the moment—delay serves nothing!” Lü Guang pushed into the desert, where three hundred li offered no water and his troops panicked. Lü Guang said, “Li Guangli’s devotion made springs burst from the sand—are we less sincere? Heaven will provide—there is no cause for fear.” Soon a downpour left three chi of water on the flats. He reached Yanqi, whose king Nilü led the neighboring states in surrender. King Bo Chun of Kucha defied him; Lü Guang ringed the south side with camps every five li, dug deep moats, raised high walls, and lined the parapets with armored dummies to feign strength. Bo Chun herded the suburban population inside while each client king held his own walls.

至是，光左臂內脈起成字，文曰「巨霸」。營外夜有一黑物，大如斷堤，搖動有頭角，目光若電，及明而雲霧四周，遂不復見。旦視其處，南北五里，東西三十餘步，鱗甲隱地之所，昭然猶在。光笑曰：「黑龍也。」俄而雲起西北，暴雨滅其跡。杜進言於光曰：「龍者神獸，人君利見之象。《易》曰：『見龍在田，德施普也。』斯誠明將軍道合靈和，德符幽顯。願將軍勉之，以成大慶。」光有喜色。

Then the veins of his left arm swelled into the characters “Giant Overlord.” A black shape as huge as a levee, horned and flashing eyes, writhed outside the camp until dawn mists swallowed it. At daybreak the ground showed scales for five li north–south and thirty paces east–west, as if a dragon had pressed there. Lü Guang laughed and said, “A black dragon.” Clouds rose from the northwest and a cloudburst washed the traces away. Du Jin said, “The dragon is a divine creature—the omen of a ruler whom Heaven favors. The Changes says, ‘The dragon appears in the field—his virtue spreads everywhere.’” Surely this means your path joins heaven and earth and your virtue answers both realms. I urge you to press on toward that great fortune.” Lü Guang smiled.

又進攻龜茲城，夜夢金象飛越城外。光曰：「此謂佛神去之，胡必亡矣。」光攻城既急，帛純乃傾國財寶請救獪胡。獪胡弟呐龍、侯將馗率騎二十餘萬，並引溫宿、尉頭等國王，合七十餘萬以救之。胡便弓馬，善矛槊，鎧如連鎖，射不可入，以革索為羂，策馬擲人，多有中者。眾甚憚之。諸將咸欲每營結陣，案兵以距之。光曰：「彼眾我寡，營又相遠，勢分力散，非良策也。」於是遷營相接陣，為勾鎖之法，精騎為遊軍，彌縫其闕。戰於城西，大敗之，斬萬餘級。，帛純收其珍寶而走，王侯降者三十餘國。光入其城，大饗將士，賦詩言志。見其宮室壯麗，命參軍京兆段業著《龜茲宮賦》以譏之。胡人奢侈，厚於養生，家有蒲桃酒，或至千斛，經十年不敗，士卒淪沒酒藏者相繼矣。諸國憚光威名，貢款屬路，乃立帛純弟震為王以安之。光撫寧西域，威恩甚著，桀黠胡王昔所未賓者，不遠萬里皆來歸附，上漢所賜節傳，光皆表而易之。

During the siege of Kucha he dreamed a golden statue flew beyond the walls. He said, “The Buddha’s power is leaving them—the barbarians are finished.” Under heavy pressure Bo Chun spent the royal treasury hiring mercenary Hu allies. Na Long, brother of the Hu chieftain, and the commander Kui brought two hundred thousand horsemen and, with the kings of Wensu, Weitou, and others, raised seven hundred thousand men to relieve the city. They excelled with bow and lance; their lamellar armor turned arrows; they lassoed men from the saddle and hurled them with deadly effect. Lü Guang’s troops were terrified. His generals wanted each camp to form a separate line and wait on the defensive. Lü Guang said, “They outnumber us and our camps are strung out—splitting up would be fatal.” He drew the camps into one continuous front with interlocking hooks, screened the line with picked cavalry, and plugged every weak point. West of the city he routed them and took more than ten thousand heads. Bo Chun fled with the royal treasures, and more than thirty kingdoms submitted. Lü Guang entered Kucha, feasted his army, and composed verse to voice his ambition. Struck by the opulence of the palace, he ordered his aide Duan Ye of Jingzhao to compose “Rhapsody on the Kucha Palace” in mockery. The Hu lived in luxury—some cellars held a thousand hu of wine that kept ten years—and Lü Guang’s men drowned themselves in it one after another. The states, awed by his name, sent tribute along every road; he enthroned Bo Chun’s brother Zhen to reassure them. He ruled the Western Regions with a blend of awe and kindness until even defiant kings crossed thousands of li to submit, handing over Han credentials for ones he issued by memorial to the court.

堅聞光平西域，以為使持節、散騎常侍、都督玉門已西諸軍事，安西將軍、西域校尉，道絕不通。光既平龜茲，有留焉之志。時始獲鳩摩羅什，羅什勸之東還，語在《西夷傳》。光於是大饗文武，博議進止。眾咸請還，光從之，以駝二萬餘頭致外國珍寶及奇伎異戲、殊禽怪獸千有餘品，駿馬萬餘匹。而苻堅高昌太守楊翰說其涼州刺史梁熙距守高桐、伊吾二關，熙不從。光至高昌，翰以郡迎降。初，光聞翰之說，惡之，又聞苻堅喪敗，長安危逼，謀欲停師。杜進諫曰：「梁熙文雅有餘，機鑒不足，終不能納善從說也，願不足憂之。聞其上下未同，宜在速進，進而不捷，請受過言之誅。」光從之。及至玉門，梁熙傳檄責光擅命還師，遣子胤與振威姚皓、別駕衛翰率眾五萬，距光於灑泉。光報檄涼州，責熙無赴難之誠，數其遏歸師之罪。遣彭晃、杜進、姜飛等為前鋒，擊胤，大敗之。胤輕將麾下數百騎東奔，杜進追擒之。於是四山胡夷皆來款附。武威太守彭濟執熙請降。光入姑臧，自領涼州刺史、護羌校尉，表杜進為輔國將軍、武威太守，封武始侯，自余封拜各有差。

Fu Jian promoted him to plenipotentiary, cavalier attendant, commander west of the Jade Gate, general who pacifies the west, and colonel of the Western Regions—but the route was severed and the patent never reached him. After taking Kucha he considered staying in the west. He had just captured Kumarajiva, who urged him to march east—the account is in the “Treatise on the Western Barbarians.” He feasted his officers and debated whether to advance or withdraw. They voted to return; Lü Guang agreed and loaded more than twenty thousand camels with foreign treasure, acrobats, exotic beasts, and over ten thousand horses. Fu Jian’s governor of Gaochang, Yang Han, urged Liang Xi to block the Gao Tong and Yiwu passes; Liang Xi refused. When Lü Guang reached Gaochang, Yang Han surrendered the commandery. He had resented Yang Han’s advice, and when he heard of Fu Jian’s defeat and Chang’an’s peril he thought of halting. Du Jin said, “Liang Xi is cultured but dull—he will never heed good counsel; do not fret. His court is divided—strike now; if we fail, execute me for rash words.” Lü Guang agreed. At the Jade Gate, Liang Xi accused Lü Guang of returning without orders and sent his son Liang Yin with Yao Hao and Wei Han and fifty thousand men to oppose him near Jiuquan (the manuscript reads Shaiquan). Lü Guang answered with a manifesto denouncing Liang Xi for failing to aid the throne and for blocking a loyal army’s return. He sent Peng Huang, Du Jin, and Jiang Fei against Liang Yin and shattered him. Liang Yin fled east with a few hundred horse; Du Jin ran him down and took him. Tribes from every quarter then pledged allegiance. Peng Ji, governor of Wuwei, seized Liang Xi and offered submission. Lü Guang took Guzang, added the titles of inspector of Liang and colonel who protects the Qiang, memorialized Du Jin as general who aids the state and marquis of Wushi, governor of Wuwei, and distributed other ranks as deserved.

光主簿尉祐，奸佞傾薄人也，見棄前朝，與彭齊同謀執梁熙，光深見寵任，乃譖誅南安姚皓、天水尹景等名士十餘人，遠近頗以此離貳。光尋擢祐為甯遠將軍、金城太守。祐次允吾，襲據外城以叛，祐從弟隨據鸇陰以應之。光遣其將魏真討隨，隨敗，奔祐，光將姜飛又擊敗祐眾。祐奔據興城，扇動百姓，夷夏多從之。飛司馬張象、參軍郭雅謀殺飛應祐，發覺，逃奔。

Wei You, Lü Guang’s registrar, was a sycophant cast off by the previous regime; he had helped Peng Qi seize Liang Xi and now won Lü Guang’s trust, then slandered more than a dozen worthy men such as Yao Hao of Nan’an and Yin Jing of Tianshui into execution, alienating many near and far. Soon Lü Guang raised Wei You to general who pacifies the distance and governor of Jincheng. Wei You stopped at Yunwu, seized the outer city in revolt, and his cousin Wei Sui held Zanyin in support. Lü Guang sent Wei Zhen against Wei Sui; Sui fled to Wei You, and Jiang Fei crushed their forces. Wei You fell back to Xingcheng, stirred up the people, and drew many tribesmen and Chinese to his banner. Jiang Fei’s major Zhang Xiang and aide Guo Ya plotted to kill him for Wei You; exposed, they fled.

初，苻堅之敗，張天錫南奔，其世子大豫為長水校尉王穆所匿。及堅還長安，穆將大豫奔禿髮思復犍，思復犍送之魏安。是月，魏安人焦松、齊肅、張濟等起兵數千，迎大豫於揟次，陷昌松郡。光遣其將杜進討之，為大豫聽敗。大豫遂進逼姑臧，求決勝負，王穆諫曰：「呂光糧豐城固，甲兵精銳，逼之非利。不如席捲嶺西，厲兵積粟，東向而爭，不及期年，可以平也。」大豫不從，乃遣穆求救于嶺西諸郡，建康太守李隰、祁連都尉嚴純及閻襲起兵應之。大豫進屯城西，王穆率眾三萬及思復犍子奚于等陣于城南。光出擊，破之，斬奚于等二萬餘級。光謂諸將曰：「大豫若用王穆之言，恐未可平也。」諸將曰：「大豫豈不及此邪！皇天欲贊成明公八百之業，故令大豫迷於良算耳。」光大悅，賜金帛有差。大豫自西郡詣臨洮，驅略百姓五千餘戶，保據俱城。光將彭晃、徐炅攻破之，大豫奔廣武，穆奔建康。廣武人執大豫，送之，斬于姑臧市。

After Fu Jian’s defeat Zhang Tianxi fled south, and his heir Zhang Dayu was hidden by Wang Mu, colonel of the Chang River. When Fu Jian returned to Chang’an, Wang Mu took Zhang Dayu to Tufa Sigujian, who sent them on to Weian. That month Jiao Song, Qi Su, and Zhang Ji of Weian raised several thousand men, welcomed Zhang Dayu at Zuci, and seized Changsong commandery. Lü Guang sent Du Jin, who suffered defeat at Zhang Dayu’s hands. Zhang Dayu pressed on to Guzang demanding battle; Wang Mu warned, “Lü Guang has ample grain, strong walls, and crack troops—forcing a fight helps us not. Better sweep the lands west of the ranges, train troops, and store grain, then strike east—within a year we can win.” Zhang Dayu refused and sent Wang Mu to beg help from the commanderies west of the ranges; Li Xi, governor of Jiankang, Yan Chun, commandant of Qilian, and Yan Xi rose in his support. Dayu shifted his camp to the west of the city while Wang Mu brought thirty thousand men plus Xi Yu, son of Sifu Jian, and others to form ranks south of the walls. Lü Guang sallied forth, broke their lines, and took over twenty thousand heads, including Xi Yu and his followers. Lü Guang told his officers, "Had Dayu heeded Wang Mu's counsel, we might never have subdued him." They replied, "Surely Dayu was not blind to that! Heaven means to secure your long reign, so it muddled Dayu's judgment and kept him from wise strategy." Lü Guang was delighted and distributed gold and silk according to rank. Dayu marched from Xijun to Lintao, seized over five thousand civilian households, and fortified himself at Jucheng. Generals Peng Huang and Xu Jiong crushed their position; Dayu bolted for Guangwu and Wang Mu for Jiankang. The people of Guangwu captured Dayu, turned him over, and he was executed in the marketplace at Guzang.

光至是始聞苻堅為姚萇所害，奮怒哀號，三軍縞素，大臨于城南，偽諡堅曰文昭皇帝，長吏百石已上服斬縗三月，庶人哭泣三日。光於是大赦境內，建元曰太安，自稱使持節、侍中、中外大都督、督隴右河西諸軍事、大將軍、鄰護匈奴中郎將、涼州牧、酒泉公。王穆襲據酒泉，自稱大將軍、涼州牧。時穀價踴貴，斗直五百，人相食，死者太半。光西平太守康寧自稱匈奴王，阻兵以叛，光屢遣討之，不捷。

Lü Guang learned only then that Fu Jian had been killed by Yao Chang. Shaken by grief and rage, he had the army dress in mourning and staged a grand lamentation south of the city. He posthumously honored Fu Jian as Emperor Wenzhao; officials at one hundred shi and above observed the deepest mourning for three months, and commoners were to weep for three days. He then proclaimed a general amnesty, adopted the reign title Tai'an, and took the titles Bearer of the Versatile Insignia, Palace Attendant, Grand Commander over Court and Field, Area Commander for Longyou and Hexi, Grand General, concurrent General of the Gentlemen of the Household Who Protects the Xiongnu, Governor of Liang Province, and Duke of Jiuquan. Wang Mu struck, seized Jiuquan, and proclaimed himself Grand General and Governor of Liang Province. Grain soared to five hundred cash a peck; people turned to cannibalism, and more than half of them perished. Kang Ning, prefect of Xiping under Lü Guang, declared himself king of the Xiongnu and rose in arms. Lü Guang sent repeated expeditions but could not defeat him.

初，光之定河西也，杜進有力焉，以為輔國將軍、武威太守。既居都尹，權高一時，出入羽儀，與光相亞。光甥石聰至自關中，光曰：「中州人言吾政化何如？」聰曰：「止知有杜進耳，實不聞有舅。」光默然，因此誅進。光後宴群僚，酒酣，語及政事。時刑法峻重，參軍段業進曰：「嚴刑重憲，非明王之義也。」光曰：「商鞅之法至峻，而兼諸侯；吳起之術無親，而荊蠻以霸，何也？」業曰：「明公受天眷命，方君臨四海，景行堯、舜，猶懼有弊，奈何欲以商、申之末法臨道義之神州，豈此州士女所望於明公哉！」光改容謝之，於是下令責躬，及崇寬簡之政。

Early on, Du Jin had been instrumental when Lü Guang secured Hexi, so Guang named him Support the State General and governor of Wuwei. Once he held the capital magistracy, his power rivaled the throne: his retinue matched Lü Guang's in splendor. His nephew Shi Cong arrived from the Guanzhong region, and Lü Guang asked, "What do people in the heartland say of my rule?" Shi Cong replied, "They speak only of Du Jin; I barely hear anyone mention you, Uncle." Lü Guang fell silent and on that account put Du Jin to death. Later, at a banquet for his officials, as the wine flowed the talk turned to government. The laws were crushingly harsh. Staff officer Duan Ye spoke up: "Draconian penalties are not the way of a wise ruler." Lü Guang answered, "Shang Yang's code was extremely severe, yet Qin swallowed the feudal states; Wu Qi showed no mercy to kin, yet Chu rose to hegemony among the southern tribes. Why was that? Duan Ye replied, "You bear Heaven's mandate and aim to rule all under heaven. Even emulating Yao and Shun, you should fear missteps. How could you govern this heartland of civilization with the harsh expedients of Shang Yang and Shen Buhai? Is that what the people of Liangzhou expect from you?" Lü Guang's manner changed and he apologized, then issued an edict of self-reproach and pledged to pursue lenient, sparing rule.

其將徐炅與張掖太守彭晃謀叛，光遣師討炅，炅奔晃。晃東結康寧，四通王穆，光議將討之，諸將咸曰：「今康寧在南，阻兵伺隙，若大駕西行，寧必乘虛出於嶺左。晃、穆未平，康寧復至，進退狼狽，勢必大危。」光曰：「事勢實如卿言。今而不往，尋坐待其來。晃、穆共相脣齒，寧又同惡相救，東西交至，城外非吾之有，若是，大事去矣。今晃叛逆始爾，甯、穆與之情契未密，及其倉卒，取之為易。且隆替命也，卿勿復言。」光於是自率步騎三萬，倍道兼行。既至，攻之二旬，晃將寇顗斬關納光，於是誅彭晃。王穆以其党索嘏為敦煌太守，既而忌其威名，率眾攻嘏。光聞之，謂諸將曰：「二虜相攻，此成擒也。」光將攻之，眾咸以為不可。光曰：「取亂侮亡，武之善經，不可以累征之勞而失永逸之舉。」率步騎二萬攻酒泉，克之，進次涼興。穆引師東還，路中眾散，穆單騎奔騂馬，騂馬令郭文斬首送之。

General Xu Jiong conspired with Peng Huang, prefect of Zhangye. Lü Guang sent a force against Xu Jiong, who fled to Peng Huang. Peng Huang allied eastward with Kang Ning and coordinated with Wang Mu on every side. When Lü Guang proposed a campaign, his generals objected: "Kang Ning holds the south and watches for an opening. If the main host marches west, he will surely slip through the passes on our left while we are away. With Peng Huang and Wang Mu still unbeaten, Kang Ning would strike as well; we would be caught between forces and face disaster. Lü Guang said, "Your reading of the field is sound. Yet if we stay put, we will only wait for them to close in. Peng Huang and Wang Mu shield each other like lips and teeth, and Kang Ning will aid his fellow rebels. Attacks from east and west together would leave us holding only the walls, and the cause would be lost. Peng Huang has only just rebelled; his understanding with Kang Ning and Wang Mu is still shallow. We should strike while they are unprepared; victory will come more easily. Rise and fall are Heaven's decree. Say no more. He personally led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry by forced marches. After twenty days of siege, Kou Yi, a subordinate of Peng Huang, opened the gates to Lü Guang. Peng Huang was then executed. Wang Mu had appointed his follower Suo Gu as governor of Dunhuang, then grew jealous of his growing renown and led troops against him. When Lü Guang heard this, he told his officers, "Those two foes are clawing at each other; this hands us an easy capture. He prepared to march, but his commanders all thought it unwise. Lü Guang replied, "Exploiting turmoil and finishing a failing foe is the essence of war. We must not shun repeated expeditions and forfeit a chance at lasting peace." He took twenty thousand infantry and cavalry, seized Jiuquan, and advanced to camp at Liangxing. Wang Mu withdrew eastward, but his men melted away on the road. He fled alone to Zuoma, where Magistrate Guo Wen struck off his head and sent it in.

是時麟見金澤縣，百獸從之，光以為已瑞，以孝武太元十四年僭即三河王位，置百官自丞郎已下，赦其境內，年號麟嘉。光妻石氏、子紹、弟德世至自仇池，光迎於城東，大饗群臣。遣其子左將軍他、武賁中郎將纂討北虜匹勤於三岩山，大破之。立妻石氏為王妃，子紹為世子。宴其群臣于內苑新堂。太廟新成，追尊其高祖為敬公，曾祖為恭公，祖為宣公，父為景昭王，母曰昭烈妃。其中書侍郎楊穎上疏，請依三代故事，追尊呂望為始祖，永為不遷之廟，光從之。

A qilin was sighted in Jinze County, with many beasts trailing behind. Lü Guang took it as his own sign. In the fourteenth year of Taiyuan under Emperor Xiaowu of Jin, he assumed the title King of Sanhe without authority, installed a full bureaucracy down to secretaries and gentlemen, declared an amnesty, and adopted the reign title Linjia. His wife Lady Shi, his son Lü Shao, and his brother Deshi arrived from Chouchi. Lü Guang received them east of the city and held a grand banquet for his officials. He dispatched his son Ta, General of the Left, and Zuan, General of the Household Gentlemen Rapid as Tigers, to campaign against the northern foe Pi Qin at Mount Sanyan and routed him soundly. He named Lady Shi his queen and Lü Shao crown prince. He entertained his ministers in the New Hall of the inner gardens. The dynastic temple was newly finished. He gave posthumous titles to his ancestors: his remote forebear as Duke Jing, the next as Duke Gong, his grandfather as Duke Xuan, his father as King Jingzhao, and his mother as Consort Zhaolie. Gentleman of the Secretariat Yang Ying proposed following the precedent of the Three Dynasties to enshrine Lü Wang as primordial ancestor and grant him a permanent, unmoving temple rank. Lü Guang agreed.

是歲，張掖督郵傅曜考核屬縣，而丘池令尹興殺之，投諸空井，曜見夢於光曰：「臣張掖郡小吏，案校諸縣，而丘池令尹興贓狀狼藉，懼臣言之，殺臣投于南亭空井中。臣衣服形狀如是。」光寤而猶見，久之乃滅。遣使覆之如夢，光怒，殺興。著作郎段業以光未能揚清激濁，使賢愚殊貫，因療疾於天梯山，作表志詩《九歎》、《七諷》十六篇以諷焉。光覽而悅之。

That year Fu Yao, the postal inspector of Zhangye, was reviewing the subordinate counties when Magistrate Yin Xing of Qiuchi murdered him and cast the body into a dry well. Fu Yao appeared to Lü Guang in a dream and said, "I was a minor clerk of Zhangye inspecting the counties. Yin Xing of Qiuchi, awash with evidence of corruption, feared my report, killed me, and threw me into the empty well south of the post station. These were my clothes and how I looked. Lü Guang woke but still saw the apparition; only after a long while did it fade. He sent men to verify the account, and it matched the dream. Enraged, he executed Yin Xing. Editorial Director Duan Ye thought Lü Guang had failed to sort the worthy from the base, so he retired to Mount Tianti to convalesce and wrote sixteen didactic poems, including the "Nine Sighs" and "Seven Satires," to remonstrate with him. Lü Guang read them with satisfaction.

南羌彭奚念入攻白土，都尉孫峙退奔興城。光遣其南中郎將呂方及其弟右將軍呂寶、振威楊范、強弩竇苟討乞伏乾歸於金城。方屯河北，寶進師濟河，為乾歸所敗，寶死之。武賁呂篡、強弩竇苟率步騎五千南討彭奚念，戰於盤夷，大敗而歸。光親討乾歸、奚念，遣纂及揚武楊軌、建忠沮渠羅仇、建武梁恭軍于左南。奚念大懼，于白土津累石為堤，以水自固，遣精兵一萬距守河津。光遣將軍王寶潛趣上津，夜渡湟河。光濟自石堤，攻克枹罕，奚念單騎奔甘松，光振旅而旋。

Peng Xinian of the southern Qiang struck Baitu, driving Commandant Sun Zhi back toward Xingcheng. He sent Lü Fang, General of the Gentlemen of the South, with his brother Lü Bao, General of the Right, along with Yang Fan who bore the title that shook the foe, and crossbow commander Dou Gou, to campaign against Qifu Qian Gui at Jincheng. Lü Fang held the north bank while Lü Bao crossed the river, was defeated by Qian Gui, and died in the fight. Lü Cuan of the Rapid Tigers and Dou Gou led five thousand foot and horse south against Peng Xinian, fought at Panyi, and retreated in shambles. Lü Guang took the field in person against Qian Gui and Xinian, sending Zuan with Yang Gui who bore the title that displayed martial might, Juqu Luochou who bore the loyal bulwark title, and Liang Gong who bore the martial establishment title, to encamp at Zuonan. Terrified, Xinian piled stones into a levee at the Baitu ford to shield himself with the river and posted ten thousand picked troops to hold the crossing. He sent General Wang Bao to slip upstream toward the upper ford and cross the Huangshui by night. Lü Guang forded at the stone weir, stormed Fuhan, and sent Xinian fleeing alone toward Gansong before marching home in good order.

初，光徙西海郡人于諸郡，至是，謠曰：「朔馬心何悲？念舊中心勞。燕雀何徘徊？意欲還故巢。」頃之，遂相扇動，復徙之于西河樂都。

Earlier, Lü Guang had resettled the people of Xihai commandery to other jurisdictions. Then a rhyme spread: "Why do the northern horses grieve, remembering their old homes, their hearts grow weary— Why do the swallows and sparrows hover, They only wish to return to their old nests. Before long the mood spread unrest, so he moved them again to Ledu in Xihe.

群議以高昌雖在西垂，地居形勝，外接胡虜，易生翻覆，宜遣子弟鎮之。光以子覆為使持節、鎮西將軍、都督玉門已西諸軍事、西域大都護，鎮高昌，命大臣子弟隨之。

His advisers argued that Gaochang, though on the far western edge, occupied key ground and bordered non-Chinese peoples, inviting revolt; princes or sons should be posted there. He appointed his son Fu Bearer of the Versatile Insignia, General Who Guards the West, Area Commander for all military matters west of Yumen, and Grand Protector of the Western Regions, stationing him at Gaochang with the sons of leading families in his train.

光於是乙太元二十一年僭即天王位，大赦境內，改年龍飛。立世子紹為太子，諸子弟為公侯者二十人。中書令王詳為尚書左僕射，段業等五人為尚書。

In the twenty-first year of the Taiyuan era he then assumed the title of Heavenly King without Jin's leave, proclaimed a general amnesty, and adopted the reign title Longfei. He elevated heir Lü Shao to crown prince and ennobled twenty younger kinsmen as dukes or marquises. Wang Xiang was promoted from Director of the Secretariat to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Duan Ye plus four others became ministers.

乾歸從弟軻彈來奔，光下書曰：「乾歸狼子野心，前後反覆。朕方東清秦、趙，勒銘會稽，豈令豎子鴟峙洮南！且其兄弟內相離間，可乘之機，勿過今也。其敕中外戒嚴，朕當親討。」光於是次於長最，使呂纂率楊軌、竇苟等步騎三萬攻金城。乾歸率眾二萬救之。光遣其將王寶、徐炅率騎五千邀之，乾歸懼而不進。光又遣其將梁恭、金石生以甲卒萬餘出陽武下峽，與秦州刺史沒奕于攻其東，光弟天水公延以枹罕之眾攻臨洮、武始、河關，皆克之。呂纂克金城，擒乾歸金城太守衛犍，犍瞋目謂光曰：「我寧守節斷頭，不為降虜也。」光義而免之。乾歸因大震，泣歎曰：「死中求生，正在今日也。」乃縱反間，稱乾歸眾潰，東奔成紀。呂延信之，引師輕進。延司馬耿稚諫曰：「乾歸雄勇過人，權略難測，破王廣，克楊定，皆羸師以誘之，雖蕞爾小國，亦不可輕也。困獸猶鬥，況乾歸而可望風自散乎！且告者視高而色動，必為奸計。而今宜部陣而前，步騎相接，徐待諸軍大集，可一舉滅之。」延不從，與乾歸相遇，戰敗，死之。耿稚及將軍姜顯收集散卒，屯於枹罕。光還于姑臧。

When Ke Tan, a cousin of Qian Gui, defected, Lü Guang issued an edict: "Qian Gui is a wolf cub at heart and has turned traitor again and again. I mean to pacify Qin and Zhao in the east and carve my victory stele at Kuaiji. I will not let some boy squat like an owl south of the Tao! His brothers are tearing one another apart within the clan; the moment must be seized now. Order full mobilization within and without; I shall lead the punitive expedition myself. He encamped at Changzui and sent Lü Zuan with Yang Gui, Dou Gou, and thirty thousand infantry and cavalry against Jincheng. Qian Gui marched twenty thousand men to its relief. Generals Wang Bao and Xu Jiong with five thousand horsemen blocked his path, and Qian Gui hesitated to advance. He also sent Liang Gong and Jin Shisheng with more than ten thousand armored troops through the Yangwu defile to join Governor Moyeyu of Qin province in striking the eastern front, while his brother Yan the Duke of Tianshui advanced from Fuhan against Lintao, Wushi, and Heguan, all of which fell. Lü Zuan seized Jincheng and took the prefect Wei Jian alive. Glaring at Lü Guang, Wei Jian said, "I would sooner die keeping my honor than live as your captive." Lü Guang admired his spirit and spared him. Qian Gui was shaken and wept, "To wrest life from death—today is the day. He sowed deception that his army had broken and fled east toward Chengji. Lü Yan believed the rumor and pushed ahead recklessly. His major Geng Zhi warned him: "Qian Gui surpasses other men in valor and cunning. He broke Wang Guang and destroyed Yang Ding by baiting them with feigned weakness. Even a small state must not be taken lightly. A cornered beast will still fight—how can we expect Qian Gui's host to melt away at rumor? The scouts looked smug and nervous; it must be a ruse. We should advance in ordered ranks, keep infantry and cavalry linked, wait until our full force assembles, and then destroy him at a blow. Yan refused, met Qian Gui in battle, was routed, and died. Geng Zhi and General Jiang Xian rallied the broken units and held Fuhan. Lü Guang withdrew to Guzang.

光荒耄信讒，殺尚書沮渠羅仇、三河太守沮渠麹粥。羅仇弟子蒙遜叛光，殺中田護軍馬邃，攻陷臨松郡，屯兵金山，大為百姓之患。蒙遜從兄男成先為將軍，守晉昌，聞蒙遜起兵，逃奔貲虜，扇動諸夷，眾至數千，進攻福祿、建安。甯戎護軍趙策擊敗之，男成退屯樂涫。呂纂敗蒙遜于忽穀。酒泉太守壘澄率將軍趙策、趙陵步騎萬餘討男成于樂涫，戰敗，澄、策死之。男成進攻建康，說太守段業曰：「呂氏政衰，權臣擅命，刑罰失中，人不堪役，一州之地，叛者連城，瓦解之勢，昭然在目，百姓嗷然，無所宗附。府君豈可以蓋世之才，而立忠於垂亡之世！男成等既唱大義，欲屈府君撫臨鄙州，使塗炭之余蒙來蘇之惠。」業不從。相持二旬而外救不至，郡人高逵、史惠等言於業曰：「今孤城獨立，台無救援，府君雖心過田單，而地非即墨，宜思高算，轉禍為福。」業先與光侍中房晷、僕射王詳不平，慮不自容，乃許之。男成等推業為大都督、龍驤大將軍、涼州牧、建康公。光命呂纂討業，沮渠蒙遜進屯臨洮，為業聲勢。戰于合離，纂師大敗。

Age and credulity led Lü Guang to heed slander; he executed Minister Juqu Luochou and Juqu Quzhou, prefect of Sanhe. Luochou's nephew Mengxun broke away, killed Protector of the Armies Ma Sui, overran Linsong commandery, and encamped on Mount Jin, becoming a scourge to the people. His elder cousin Nancheng had been a general holding Jinchang; hearing of Mengxun's uprising he fled to Zilu, stirred the tribes, gathered several thousand men, and struck toward Fulu and Jian'an. Protector of Ningrong Zhao Ce beat him back, and Nancheng withdrew to Legu. Lü Zuan defeated Mengxun in the Hugu valley. Lei Cheng, governor of Jiuquan, led generals Zhao Ce and Zhao Ling with more than ten thousand men against Nancheng at Legu but lost; Lei Cheng and Zhao Ce died in the fight. Nancheng pressed the attack on Jiankang and urged Prefect Duan Ye: "The Lü house is failing, strongmen seize orders, punishments are unjust, and the people cannot endure labor service. Whole districts rise across the province; the collapse is plain, the commoners cry out with no leader to follow. With your rare abilities will you cling to loyalty in a realm about to perish? We have raised the banner of righteousness and ask you, Prefect, to take charge of our commandery so that a people laid waste may know deliverance. Duan Ye refused. After twenty days of stalemate with no reinforcements, Gao Kui, Shi Hui, and others urged Duan Ye: "The city stands alone and the throne sends no help. Your spirit may match Tian Dan's, but you are not at Jimo. You need a bold strategy to turn disaster into opportunity. Duan Ye had already quarreled with Fang Jiu and Wang Xiang at Lü Guang's court and doubted he could stay safe, so he accepted. Nancheng and his party proclaimed Duan Ye grand commander, Dragon-Prancing Grand General, Governor of Liang Province, and Duke of Jiankang. Lü Guang sent Lü Zuan against Duan Ye while Juqu Mengxun moved to Lintao to support him. At Heli, Lü Zuan's force suffered a crushing defeat.

光散騎常侍、太常郭黁明天文，善占候，謂王詳曰：「于天文，涼之分野將有大兵。主上老病，太子沖暗，纂等凶武，一旦不諱，必有難作。以吾二人久居內要，常有不善之言，恐禍及人，深宜慮之。田胡王氣乞機部眾最強，二苑之人多其故眾。吾今與公唱義，推機為主，則二苑之眾盡我有也。克城之後，徐更圖之。」詳以為然。夜燒光洪範門，二苑之眾皆附之，詳為內應。事發，光誅之。黁遂據東苑以叛。光馳使召纂，諸將勸纂曰：「業聞師回，必躡軍後。若潛師夜還，庶無後患矣。」纂曰：「業雖憑城阻眾，無雄略之才，若夜潛還，張其奸志。」乃遣使告業曰：「郭黁作亂，吾今還都。卿能決者，可出戰。」於是引還。業不敢出。纂司馬楊統謂其從兄恆曰：「郭黁明善天文，起兵其當有以。京城之外非復朝廷之有，纂今還都，復何所補！統請除纂，勒兵推兄為盟主，西襲呂弘，據張掖以號令諸郡，亦千載一時也。」桓怒曰：「吾聞臣子之事君親，有隕無二，吾未有包胥存救之效，豈可安榮其祿，亂增其難乎！呂宗若敗，吾為弘演矣。」統懼，至番禾，遂奔郭黁。黁遣軍邀纂于白石，纂大敗。光西安太守石元良率步騎五千赴難，與纂共擊黁軍，破之，遂入于姑臧。黁之叛也，得光孫八人于東苑。及軍敗，恚甚，悉投之於鋒刃之上，枝分節解，飲血盟眾，眾皆掩目，不忍視之，黁悠然自若。

Guo Nen, Lü Guang's cavalier attendant and minister of rites, was expert at the heavens and divination. He told Wang Xiang, "The astral field for Liang foretells major warfare. The sovereign is aged and ailing, the heir is young and dim, and Lü Zuan and his ilk are violent soldiers. When the old man passes, crisis will follow. We have long held inner power, and people speak ill of us. Calamity may reach us both unless we plan carefully. Among the Tianhu tribesmen, Wang Qiji commanded the strongest band, and the two royal parks teemed with his former followers. If you and I proclaim a righteous rising and set Qiji at the head, we can win over everyone in both parks. Once we hold the capital, we can decide the next move in our own time. Wang Xiang agreed. They torched the Hongfan Gate by night, the two parks rose with them, and Wang Xiang acted as their agent inside. The conspiracy surfaced and Lü Guang put them to death. Guo Nen then occupied the eastern park and rebelled. Lü Guang urgently recalled Lü Zuan. His officers warned him, "Duan Ye will shadow our retreat and hit us from behind if he hears we are coming home. A silent night march is our best hope of avoiding that. Lü Zuan replied, "Duan Ye is no strategist despite his walls and men. Sneaking home would only embolden him. He sent word to Duan Ye: "Guo Nen has mutinied; I am marching back to the capital. If you mean to contest this, meet me in the field. He then withdrew his host. Duan Ye stayed behind his walls. Major Yang Tong told his cousin Heng, "Guo Nen reads the stars; he would not rise without a sign. The capital's outskirts are already lost to the throne. What does Lü Zuan's homecoming change? Let us kill Lü Zuan, put you at the head of the host, strike west against Lü Hong, seize Zhangye, and call the provinces to obey—the opportunity of a lifetime. Huan flared, "A subject owes his prince undivided duty. I am no Shen Baoxu saving a fallen state. I will not fatten myself on office and deepen the realm's woes! If the Lü clan collapses, I shall play Hong Yan to the end." Yang Tong took fright, reached Fanhe, and defected to Guo Nen. Guo Nen's force ambushed Lü Zuan at Baishi and routed him. Shi Yuanliang, prefect of Xi'an under Lü Guang, brought five thousand men to the relief; he and Lü Zuan broke Guo Nen's line and fought their way into Guzang. At the outbreak of Guo Nen's revolt he had seized eight of Lü Guang's grandsons in the eastern park. After his defeat he flew into a rage, impaled the boys on weapons, carved them apart, and swore his men in their blood while they hid their eyes; Guo Nen alone looked on unmoved.

黁推後將軍楊軌為盟主，軌自稱大將軍、涼州牧、西平公。呂纂擊黁將王斐於城西，大破之，自是黁勢漸衰。光遺楊軌書曰：「自羌胡不靖，郭黁叛逆，南籓安否，音問兩絕。行人風傳，雲卿擁逼百姓，為黁脣齒。卿雅志忠貞，有史魚之操，鑒察成敗，遠侔古人，豈宜聽納奸邪，以虧大美！陵霜不凋者松柏也，臨難不移者君子也，何圖松柏凋於微霜，雞鳴已於風雨！郭黁巫卜小數，時或誤中，考之大理，率多虛謬。朕宰化寡方，澤不逮遠，致世事紛紜，百城離叛。戮力一心，同濟巨海者，望之於卿也。今中倉積粟數百千萬，東人戰士一當百餘，入則言笑晏晏，出則武步涼州，吞黁咀業，綽有餘暇。但與卿形雖君臣，心過父子，欲全卿名節，不使貽笑將來。」軌不答，率步騎二萬北赴郭黁。至姑臧，壘於城北。軌以士馬之盛，議欲大決成敗，黁每以天文裁之。呂弘為段業所逼，光遣呂纂迎之。軌謀於眾曰：「呂弘精兵一萬，若與光合，則敵強我弱。養獸不討，將為後患。」遂率兵邀纂，纂擊敗之。郭黁聞軌敗，東走魏安，遂奔於乞伏乾歸。楊軌聞黁走，南奔廉川。

Guo Nen made Rear General Yang Gui his war chief; Yang Gui proclaimed himself Grand General, Governor of Liang Province, and Duke of Xiping. Lü Zuan crushed Guo Nen's officer Wang Fei west of the walls, and Guo Nen's strength ebbed thereafter. Lü Guang wrote to Yang Gui: "Trouble among Qiang and Hu and Guo Nen's revolt have cut all tidings from the southern marches. Rumor says you drive the people and stand as Guo Nen's shield and sword. You prize honor like Shi Yu and read fortune like the sages. Do not heed villains and stain your name! Pine and cypress brave the frost; gentlemen stand firm in peril. Would I see pines fade at a chill or hear the dawn cock in a storm! Guo Nen's witchcraft and small tricks may fluke a hit, but in the large design they are hollow lies. My rule is clumsy and my kindness has not spread; the realm is in chaos and cities rise in revolt. I look to you to pull together and sail this great flood as one. Our granaries brim with grain, each eastern soldier is worth a hundred, they rest at ease in camp yet march like wolves abroad, and crushing Guo Nen and Duan Ye would still leave strength to spare. We are prince and subject in name, yet I favor you as a son; I mean to save your honor from future shame. Yang Gui did not reply; he marched twenty thousand men north to Guo Nen. He reached Guzang and threw up ramparts north of the walls. Yang Gui, confident in his numbers, wanted a showdown, but Guo Nen kept him in check with star lore. Duan Ye had cornered Lü Hong, so Lü Guang sent Lü Zuan to bring him in. Yang Gui told his officers, "Lü Hong commands ten thousand veterans. If he joins Lü Guang, we face a stronger foe. Spare a beast today and regret it tomorrow. He moved to cut off Lü Zuan, who beat him back. Guo Nen learned of Yang Gui's defeat, ran east to Weian, and then took refuge with Qifu Qian Gui. Yang Gui, hearing Guo Nen had gone, bolted south to Lianchuan.

光疾甚，立其太子紹為天王，自號太上皇帝。以呂纂為太尉，呂弘為司徒。謂紹曰：「吾疾病唯增，恐將不濟。三寇窺窬，迭伺國隙。吾終以後，使纂統六軍，弘管朝政，汝恭己無為，委重二兄，庶可以濟。若內相猜貳，釁起蕭牆，則晉、趙之變旦夕至矣。」又謂纂、弘曰：「永業才非撥亂，直以正嫡有常，猥居元首。今外有強寇，人心未甯，汝兄弟緝穆，則貽厥萬世。若內自相圖，則禍不旋踵。」纂、弘泣曰：「不敢有二心。」光以安帝隆安三年死，時年六十三，在位十年。偽諡懿武皇帝，廟號太祖，墓號高陵。

Lü Guang lay gravely ill. He installed Crown Prince Lü Shao as Heavenly King and took the title Grand Supreme Emperor himself. He named Lü Zuan grand commandant and Lü Hong minister of education. He told Lü Shao, "My malady grows worse; I may not survive. Three enemies watch our borders and wait for any crack. When I am gone, give Lü Zuan the six armies and Lü Hong the court; keep to modest inaction yourself and lean on your brothers—only so may we endure. If kin turn on kin, disaster will arrive as fast as it did for Jin and Zhao. To Lü Zuan and Lü Hong he added, "Yongye cannot master turmoil; he sits as heir only by the rule of primogeniture. Strong foes ring us and the people are uneasy. Brotherly harmony will secure the line for ages. If you scheme against one another, ruin will come before you turn around. They wept, "We would never harbor disloyalty. Lü Guang died in the third year of Long'an under Emperor An, at sixty-three, after ten years on the throne. His unauthorized posthumous title was Emperor Yiwu, temple name Taizu, tomb name Gaoling.

纂字永緒，光之庶長子也。少便弓馬，好鷹犬。苻堅時入太學，不好讀書，唯以交結公侯聲樂為務。及堅亂，西奔上邽，轉至姑臧，拜武賁中郎將，封太原公。

Lü Zuan, courtesy name Yongxu, was Lü Guang's eldest son by a concubine. As a boy he excelled at riding and archery and doted on hawks and hounds. Under Fu Jian he attended the Imperial Academy but shunned books, spending his time courting great lords and music. When Fu Jian's order fell apart he fled west to Shanggui, then reached Guzang, where he became a Rapid-as-Tigers household general and Duke of Taiyuan.

光死，呂紹秘不發喪，纂排閣入哭，盡哀而出。紹懼為纂所害，以位讓之，曰：「兄功高年長，宜承大統，願兄勿疑。」纂曰：「臣雖年長，陛下國家之塚嫡，不可以私愛而亂大倫。」紹固以讓纂，纂不許之。及紹嗣偽位，呂超言於紹曰：「纂統戎積年，威震內外，臨喪不哀，步高視遠，觀其舉止亂常，恐成大變，宜早除之，以安社稷。」紹曰：「先帝顧命，音猶在耳，兄弟至親，豈有此乎！吾弱年而荷大任，方賴二兄以甯家國。縱其圖我，我視死如歸，終不忍有此意也，卿懼勿過言。」超曰：「纂威名素盛，安忍無親，今不圖之，後必噬臍矣。」紹曰：「吾每念袁尚兄弟，未曾不痛心忘寢食，寧坐而死，豈忍行之。」超曰：「聖人稱知機其神，陛下臨機不斷，臣見大事去矣。」既而纂見紹於湛露堂，超執刀侍紹，目纂請收之，紹弗許。

Lü Shao hid Lü Guang's death, but Lü Zuan forced the doors, mourned openly, and withdrew when he had spent his grief. Fearing Lü Zuan, Lü Shao offered the throne: "Your deeds and age qualify you for the succession; do not doubt my intent. Lü Zuan answered, "I am older, but Your Majesty is the lawful heir; private feeling must not overturn proper order. Lü Shao pressed the offer; Lü Zuan refused. After Lü Shao took the unauthorized throne, Lü Chao warned him, "Lü Zuan has led troops for years and inspires fear within and without. He showed no sorrow at the funeral, walks like a conqueror, and acts outside all decency. Strike first or the realm will shake. Lü Shao replied, "Our father's dying words still ring; we are brothers—how could I? I took this heavy burden young and count on my brothers to steady the realm. Even if they move against me, I accept death rather than plot kin. Do not press me further. Lü Chao said, "Lü Zuan's name has long inspired terror; he kills without scruple. Ignore him now and we will regret it too late. Lü Shao said, "The tale of Yuan Shang's brothers still breaks my heart. I would sooner die in my seat than do such a thing. Lü Chao answered, "The wise seize the hour. If you hesitate, I see our cause lost. When Lü Zuan met Lü Shao in the Zhanlu Hall, Lü Chao stood by with a blade and signaled to arrest him, but Lü Shao forbade it.

初，光欲立弘為世子，會聞紹在仇池，乃止，弘由是有憾於紹。遣尚書姜紀密告纂曰：「先帝登遐，主上暗弱，兄總攝內外，威恩被於遐邇，輒欲遠追廢昌邑之義，以兄為中宗何如？」纂於是夜率壯士數百，逾北城，攻廣夏門，弘率東苑之眾斫洪範門。左衛齊從守融明觀，逆問之曰：「誰也？」眾曰：「太原公。」從曰：「國有大故，主上新立，太原公行不由道，夜入禁城，將為亂邪？」因抽劍直前，斫纂中額。纂左右擒之，纂曰：「義士也，勿殺。」紹遣武賁中郎將呂開率其禁兵距戰於端門，驍騎呂超率卒二千赴之。眾素憚纂，悉皆潰散。

Lü Guang had meant to make Lü Hong heir until news of Lü Shao in Chouchi changed his mind, leaving Lü Hong bitter toward Lü Shao. He sent Minister Jiang Ji to Lü Zuan in secret: "The late emperor is gone, the young lord is feeble, and you hold power inside and out. Let us follow the precedent of deposing the prince of Changyi and raise you as a new Zhongzong—what say you? That night Lü Zuan took hundreds of picked men over the north wall against the Guangxia Gate while Lü Hong's eastern park force smashed the Hongfan Gate. Left Guard Qi Cong held the Rongming belvedere and challenged them: "Who goes there? They answered, "The Duke of Taiyuan. Qi Cong said, "The court is in mourning and a new sovereign sits. The Duke of Taiyuan steals into the palace by night by no proper path—do you mean revolt? He drew steel and struck Lü Zuan square on the brow. Lü Zuan's guards seized Qi Cong, but Lü Zuan said, "He is a man of principle; spare him. Lü Shao sent household general Lü Kai with the palace guard to hold the Duan Gate while Lü Chao raced there with two thousand riders. The troops had always dreaded Lü Zuan and melted away.

纂入自青角門，升于謙光殿。紹登紫閣自殺，呂超出奔廣武。纂憚弘兵強，勸弘即位。弘曰：「自以紹弟也而承大統，眾心不順，是以違先帝遺敕，慚負黃泉。今復越兄而立，何面目以視息世間！大兄長且賢，威名振於二賊，宜速即大位，以安國家。」纂以隆安四年遂僭即天王位，大赦境內，改元為咸寧，諡紹為隱王。以弘為使持節、侍中、大都督、都督中外諸軍事、大司馬、車騎大將軍、司隸校尉、錄尚書事，改封番禾郡公，其餘封拜各有差。

Lü Zuan came in through the Qingjiao Gate and mounted the Qiangguang Hall. Lü Shao climbed the Purple Pavilion and took his own life; Lü Chao fled to Guangwu. Lü Zuan, wary of Lü Hong's army, pressed him to take the throne. Lü Hong said, "I took the succession as my brother's junior against the people's mind and broke our father's will; I already shame the dead. To step ahead of my elder brother now—how could I show my face? My eldest brother is senior, able, and feared by both enemy houses. He should mount the throne at once to steady the realm. In the fourth year of Long'an Lü Zuan assumed the Heavenly King title without mandate, ordered a general amnesty, adopted the reign Xianning, and gave Lü Shao the posthumous title Prince Yin. He named Lü Hong Bearer of the Versatile Insignia, palace attendant, grand commander over all military affairs, grand marshal, chariots-and-cavalry general, metropolitan colonel, and recorder of ministerial business, and transferred his fief to Duke of Fanhe; other titles were distributed accordingly.

纂謂齊從曰：「卿前斫我，一何甚也！」從泣曰：「隱王先帝所立，陛下雖應天順時，而微心未達，惟恐陛下不死，何謂甚也。」纂嘉其忠，善遇之。纂遣使謂征東呂方曰：「超實忠臣，義勇可嘉，但不識經國大體，權變之宜。方賴其忠節，誕濟世難，可以此意諭之。」超上疏陳謝，纂復其爵位。

Lü Zuan said to Qi Cong, "That stroke you dealt me was severe!" Qi Cong wept, "Prince Yin was the late emperor's chosen heir. You hold Heaven's mandate, yet I could not fathom your intent—I only wished you dead. What was excessive in that?" Lü Zuan honored his loyalty and treated him generously. Lü Zuan sent word to Lü Fang on the eastern front: "Lü Chao is loyal and courageous yet ignorant of larger statecraft and expedient policy. We depend on his constancy to weather this turmoil—make that clear to him." Lü Chao filed a memorial of apology, and Lü Zuan restored his title.

呂弘自以功名崇重，恐不為纂所容，纂亦深忌之。弘遂起兵東苑，劫尹文、楊桓以為謀主，請宗燮俱行。燮曰：「老臣受先帝大恩，位為列棘，不能隕身授命，死有餘罪，而復從殿下，親為戎首者，豈天地所容乎！且智不能謀，眾不足恃，將焉用之！」弘曰：「君為義士，我為亂臣！」乃率兵攻纂。纂遣其將焦辨擊弘，弘眾潰，出奔廣武。纂縱兵大掠，以東苑婦女賞軍，弘之妻子亦為士卒所辱。纂笑謂群臣曰：「今日之戰何如？」其侍中房晷對曰：「天禍涼室，釁起戚籓。先帝始崩，隱王幽逼，山陵甫訖，大司馬驚疑肆逆，京邑交兵，友于接刃。雖弘自取夷滅，亦由陛下無棠棣之義。宜考已責躬，以謝百姓，而反縱兵大掠，幽辱士女。釁自由弘，百姓何罪！且弘妻，陛下之弟婦也；弘女，陛下之侄女也。奈何使無賴小人辱為婢妾。天地神明，豈忍見此！」遂歔欷悲泣。纂改容謝之，召弘妻及男女于東宮，厚撫之。呂方執弘系獄，馳使告纂，纂遣力士康龍拉殺之。是月，立其妻楊氏為皇后，以楊氏父桓為散騎常侍、尚書左僕射、涼都尹，封金城侯。

Lü Hong thought his achievements too prominent to be safe under Lü Zuan, who in turn deeply mistrusted him. Lü Hong rose in the eastern park, took Yin Wen and Yang Huan as his strategists, and invited Zong Xie along. Zong Xie replied, "The late emperor favored me with high office, yet I failed to die for him—I am guilty enough. To follow you as the first rebel would shame heaven and earth. I lack the wit to scheme, and your following is too thin—what use is this rising?" Lü Hong shot back, "Then you are the loyalist and I the rebel!" He then marched against Lü Zuan. Lü Zuan sent Jiao Bian against him; Lü Hong's force collapsed and he bolted to Guangwu. Lü Zuan unleashed a general looting, handed out women from the eastern park as spoils, and Lü Hong's family was abused by the troops. Lü Zuan asked his court with a smile, "What did you make of today's fight?" Fang Jiu answered, "Heaven scourges Liang: kin turn blades on kin. No sooner had the late emperor fallen than Prince Yin was trapped. The tomb was still fresh when the grand marshal turned traitor, the capital erupted in fighting, and brothers crossed swords. Lü Hong courted his own doom, yet you too showed none of the brotherly love the Tang pear trees symbolize. You should humble yourself before the people, yet you sanctioned rape and pillage against gentry and women. The guilt is Lü Hong's—what did commoners do to deserve this? Moreover Lü Hong's wife is your sister-in-law; his daughter is your niece. How could you let rabble degrade them as concubines? Would heaven and earth look on such cruelty without flinching!" He broke down weeping. Lü Zuan softened, apologized, and brought Lü Hong's family to the eastern palace with rich consolation. Lü Fang captured Lü Hong, jailed him, and reported to Lü Zuan, who sent Kang Long to haul him out and strangle him. The same month he made Lady Yang empress, named her father Yang Huan cavalier attendant, left vice director of state affairs, intendant of the Liang capital, and Marquis of Jincheng.

纂將伐禿髮利鹿孤，中書令楊穎諫曰：「夫起師動眾，必參之天人，苟非其時，聖賢所不為。禿髮利鹿孤上下用命，國未有釁，不可以伐。宜繕甲養銳，勸課農殖，待可乘之機，然後一舉蕩滅。比年多事，公私罄竭，不深根固本，恐為患將來，願抑赫斯之怒，思萬全之算。」纂不從。度浩亹河，為鹿弧弟傉檀所敗，遂西襲張掖。姜紀諫曰：「方今盛夏，百姓廢農，所利既少，所喪者多，若師至嶺西，虜必乘虛寇抄都下，宜且回師以為後圖。」纂曰：「虜無大志，聞朕西征，正可自固耳。今速襲之，可以得志。」遂圍張掖，略地建康。聞傉檀寇姑臧，乃還。

As Lü Zuan prepared war on Tufa Lilugu, Yang Ying warned, "War demands the right moment in heaven and on earth; sages refuse ill-timed campaigns. Lilugu's realm obeys him and shows no crack—this is no time to strike. Repair arms, rest the army, push farming, and move only when a gap opens—then wipe them out at one blow. Years of strife have emptied the treasury and the people. Without rebuilding strength you court future peril—check your anger and choose the sure path." Lü Zuan refused to listen. He crossed the Haomen River but Tufa Rutan, Lilugu's brother, routed him, so he veered west against Zhangye. Jiang Ji urged him, "Midsummer idles the farmers for little gain. If we push past the mountains, the foe will raid an empty capital—withdraw and plan again." Lü Zuan answered, "They lack grand designs; news of our western march will only make them dig in. A quick blow now can still succeed." He besieged Zhangye and swept the Jiankang district. When he learned Tufa Rutan was striking Guzang, he turned back.

即序胡安據盜發張駿墓，見駿貌如生，得真珠簏、琉璃榼、白玉樽、赤玉簫、紫玉笛、珊瑚鞭、馬腦鐘，水陸奇珍不可勝紀。纂誅安據党五十餘家，遣使弔祭駿，並繕修其墓。

An Ju of the Jixu Hu broke into Zhang Jun's tomb and found the corpse as if alive, hauling off pearl boxes, glass vessels, jade cups and pipes, a coral whip, an agate bell, and treasures without number. Lü Zuan wiped out An Ju's fifty-odd allied families, sent officials to mourn Zhang Jun, and restored the tomb.

道士句摩羅耆婆言於纂曰：「潛龍屢出，豕犬見妖，將有下人謀上之禍，宜增修德政，以答天戒。」纂納之。耆婆，即羅什之別名也。

The Daoist Kumarajiva warned Lü Zuan, "Omens speak of a hidden dragon and beast signs—vassals may strike their lord. Answer heaven with better rule." Lü Zuan took the advice. That teacher was another name for Kumarajiva.

纂游田無度，荒耽酒色，其太常楊穎諫曰：「臣聞皇天降鑒，惟德是與。德由人弘，天應以福，故勃焉之美奄在聖躬。大業已爾，宜以道守之。廓靈基於日新，邀洪福于萬祀。自陛下龍飛，疆宇未辟，崎嶇二嶺之內，綱維未振於九州。當兢兢夕惕，經略四方，成先帝之遺志，拯蒼生於荼蓼。而更飲酒過度，出入無恆，宴安游盤之樂，沈湎樽酒之間，不以寇仇為慮，竊為陛下危之。糟丘酒池，洛汭不返，皆陛下之殷鑒。臣蒙先帝夷險之恩，故不敢避幹將之戮。」纂曰：「朕之罪也。不有貞亮之士，誰匡邪僻之君！」然昏虐自任，終不能改，常與左右因醉馳獵於坑澗之間，殿中侍御史王回、中書侍郎王儒扣馬諫曰：「千金之子坐不垂堂，萬乘之主清道而行，奈何去輿輦之安，冒奔騎之危！銜橛之變，動有不測之禍。愚臣竊所不安，敢以死爭，願陛下遠思袁盎攬轡之言，不令臣等受譏千載。」纂不納。

Lü Zuan hunted without restraint and drowned in wine and women. Yang Ying said, "High heaven favors only those who show virtue. Virtue draws heaven's blessing; your sudden rise owed to that power. Now that you hold the throne, you must guard it with right conduct. Renew your mandate day by day and seek lasting fortune for the altars. Since you took the throne the realm beyond the passes is unconquered and order does not yet span the nine provinces. You should live in vigilant fear, campaign to finish your father's work, and lift the people from misery. Instead you drink without measure, come and go at whim, revel in hunts and feasts, and ignore your enemies—I tremble for you, Sire. The wine pools of Zhou and the drowned kings of old are warnings carved for you. Your father favored me through thick and thin; I speak though it cost my neck." Lü Zuan said, "The fault is mine. Without honest ministers, who would set a wayward ruler straight?" He never mended his ways. Drunk, he raced through ravines with his favorites until Wang Hui and Wang Ru seized his reins: "A noble heir avoids crumbling eaves; a Son of Heaven travels with roads cleared—why trade your palanquin for a reckless ride! A slipped rein can kill you before you know it. I risk death to say it: remember Yuan Ang's warning about the reins—do not make us a laughingstock for ages." Lü Zuan ignored them.

纂番禾太守呂超擅伐鮮卑思盤，思盤遣弟乞珍訴超於纂，纂召超將盤入朝。超至姑臧，大懼，自結於殿中監杜尚，纂見超，怒曰：「卿恃兄弟桓桓，欲欺吾也，要當斬卿，然後天下可定。」超頓首不敢。纂因引超及其諸臣宴於內殿。呂隆屢勸纂酒，已至昏醉，乘步輓車將超等游於內。至琨華堂東閤，車不得過，纂親將竇川、駱騰倚劍於壁，推車過閤。超取劍擊纂，纂下車擒超，超刺纂洞胸，奔於宣德堂。川、騰與超格戰，超殺之。纂妻楊氏命禁兵討超，杜尚約兵舍杖。將軍魏益多入，斬纂首以徇曰：「纂違先帝之命，殺害太子，荒耽酒獵，昵近小人，輕害忠良，以百姓為草芥。番禾太守超以骨肉之親，懼社稷顛覆，已除之矣。上以安宗廟，下為太子報仇。凡我士庶，同茲休慶。」

Lü Chao, governor of Fanhe, raided the Xianbei chief Sipan without orders. Sipan sent Qizhen to complain, and Lü Zuan ordered Chao to escort Sipan to the capital. Lü Chao reached Guzang in terror and bribed Du Shang. Lü Zuan snarled, "You trust your brothers' brawn to mock me—I should take your head before the realm is steady." Lü Chao kowtowed and stayed silent. Lü Zuan then feasted Lü Chao and the ministers in the inner palace. Lü Long kept pouring wine until Lü Zuan was blind drunk, then toured the inner grounds with him and Lü Chao in a handcart. At Kunhua Hall's east wing the cart stuck; Dou Chuan and Luo Teng propped swords against the wall and shoved it through. Lü Chao snatched a blade, stabbed Lü Zuan through the chest as he leapt from the cart, and fled toward Xuande Hall. Dou Chuan and Luo Teng closed with him and died on his sword. Lady Yang called the guard on Lü Chao, but Du Shang had them stand down. Wei Yiduo burst in, struck off Lü Zuan's head, and proclaimed, "Lü Zuan broke his father's will, murdered the crown prince, drowned in wine and the chase, trusted villains, slew loyal men, and trampled the people like weeds. Fanhe governor Lü Chao, as kinsman, feared the state would fall and removed him. He acted to steady the shrines and avenge the heir. Let every subject rejoice in this."

偽巴西公呂他、隴西公呂緯時在北城，或說緯曰：「超陵天逆上，士眾不附。明公以懿弟之親，投戈而起，姜紀、焦辨在南城，楊桓、田誠在東苑，皆我之党也，何慮不濟！」緯乃嚴兵謂他曰：「隆、超弑逆，所宜擊之。昔田恆之亂，孔子鄰國之臣，猶抗言於哀公，況今蕭牆有難，而可坐觀乎！」他將從之，他妻梁氏止之曰：「緯、超俱兄弟之子，何為舍超助緯而為禍道乎！」他謂緯曰：「超事已立，據武庫，擁精兵，圖之為難。且吾老矣，無能為也。」超聞，登城告他曰：「纂信讒言，將滅超兄弟。超以身命之切，且懼社稷覆亡，故出萬死之計，為國家唱義，叔父當有以亮之。」超弟邈有寵於緯，說緯曰：「纂殘國破家，誅戮兄弟，隆、超此舉應天人之心，正欲尊立明公耳。先帝之子，明公為長，四海顒顒，人無異議。隆、超雖不達臧否，終不以孽代宗，更圖異望也，願公勿疑。」緯信之，與隆、超結盟，單馬入城，超執而殺之。

Lü Ta and Lü Wei held the north wall when someone told Wei, "Lü Chao has seized power illegally—the army will not follow him. You are the virtuous younger brother—raise your spears. Jiang Ji and Jiao Bian hold the south, Yang Huan and Tian Cheng the east park; our allies are everywhere—how can we fail?" Lü Wei marshaled men and told Lü Ta, "Lü Long and Lü Chao regicide must be crushed. When Tian Heng seized Qi, Confucius still rebuked his own duke though only a neighbor's minister. Kin are killing kin under our roof—can we watch?" Lü Ta agreed until his wife said, "Wei and Chao are both nephews—why side with one and invite ruin?" Lü Ta told Lü Wei, "Lü Chao holds the arsenal and picked troops; he is entrenched. I am too old for this fight." Lü Chao mounted the wall and shouted to Lü Ta, "Lü Zuan meant to wipe us brothers out on rumor. I risked everything to save the bloodline and the realm—uncle, judge me fairly." Lü Miao, favored by Lü Wei, whispered, "Lü Zuan shattered the clan. Long and Chao acted for heaven and earth—they mean to set you on the throne. You are the late emperor's eldest surviving son; the realm looks to you alone. They are no scholars of legitimacy, yet they would never set a junior line above the main house—have no fear." Lü Wei believed him, swore with Long and Chao, rode in alone, and Lü Chao seized and killed him.

初，纂嘗與鳩摩羅什棋，殺羅什子，曰：「斫胡奴頭。」羅什曰：「不斫胡奴頭，胡奴斫人頭。」超小字胡奴，竟以殺纂。纂在位三年，以元興元年死。隆既篡位，偽諡纂靈皇帝，墓號白石陵。

Once Lü Zuan played chess with Kumarajiva, captured his piece, and joked, "Off with the barbarian slave's head!" The monk answered, "Fail to take the Hu slave's head and the Hu slave will take yours." Lü Chao's pet name was Hu slave—and he slew Lü Zuan. Lü Zuan reigned three years and died in the first year of Yuanxing. After seizing power, Lü Long gave Lü Zuan the posthumous title Emperor Ling and buried him at the White Stone Tumulus.

隆多殺豪望，以立威名，內外囂然，人不自固。魏安人焦朗遣使說姚興將姚碩德曰：「呂氏因秦之亂，制命此州。自武皇棄世，諸子兢尋干戈，德刑不恤，殘暴是先，饑饉流亡，死者太半，唯泣訴昊天，而精誠無感。伏惟明公道邁前賢，任尊分陝，宜兼弱攻昧，經略此方，救生靈之沈溺，布徽政於玉門。篡奪之際，為功不難。」遣妻子為質。碩德遂率眾至姑臧。其部將姚國方言於碩德曰：「今懸師三千，後無繼援，師之難也。宜曜勁鋒，示其威武。彼以我遠來，必決死距戰，可一舉而平。」碩德從之。呂超出戰，大敗，遁還。隆收集離散，嬰城固守。

Lü Long slaughtered leading families to inspire fear; the court and countryside seethed and no one felt safe. Jiao Lang of Weian urged Yao Shude, "The Lüs grabbed Liangzhou when Former Qin collapsed. Since Lü Guang died his sons have torn one another apart, lawless and cruel. Half the people are dead of hunger and flight; prayers to heaven go unheard. Your virtue outshines the past and your charge matches the old dukes of Shaan. Strike this weak, benighted state, rescue the drowning people, and carry good rule to the Jade Gate. They are ripe for the taking." He sent his family as hostages. Yao Shude marched on Guzang. Yao Guofang warned, "We are three thousand men deep in enemy land with no reserves—that is perilous. Flash our steel and show our might. They will meet us with desperate defense because we came far—one blow can finish it." Yao Shude agreed. Lü Chao sallied forth, lost badly, and ran back to the city. Lü Long rallied stragglers and shut the gates for a stubborn defense.

時熒惑犯帝坐，有群雀鬥于太廟，死者數萬。東人多謀外叛，將軍魏益多又唱動群心，乃謀殺隆、超，事發，誅之，死者三百餘家。於是群臣表求與姚興通好，隆弗許。呂超諫曰：「通塞有時，艱泰相襲，孫權屈身于魏，譙周勸主迎降，豈非大丈夫哉？勢屈故也。天錫承七世之資，樹恩百載，武旅十萬，謀臣盈朝，秦師臨境，識者導以見機，而愎諫自專，社稷為墟。前鑒不遠，我之元龜也。何惜尺書單使，不以危易安！且令卑辭以退敵，然後內修德政，廢興由人，未損大略。」隆曰：「吾雖常人，屬當家國之重，不能嗣守成基，保安社稷，以太祖之業委之于人，何面目見先帝於地下！」超曰：「應龍以屈伸為靈，大人以知機為美。今連兵積歲，資儲內盡，強寇外逼，百姓嗷然無糊口之寄，假使張、陳、韓、白，亦無如之何！陛下宜思權變大綱，割區區常慮。苟卜世有期，不在和好，若天命去矣，宗族可全。」隆從之，乃請降。碩德表隆為使持節、鎮西大將軍、涼州刺史、建康公。於是遣母弟愛子文武舊臣慕容築、楊穎、史難、閻松等五十餘家質于長安，碩德乃還。姚興謀臣皆曰：「隆藉伯父余資，制命河外。今雖饑窘，尚能自支。若將來豐贍，終非國有。涼州險絕，世難先違，道清後順，不如因其饑弊而取之。」興乃遣使來觀虛實。

Mars trespassed the throne star, sparrows brawled in the imperial temple, and tens of thousands lay dead. Easterners plotted defection; Wei Yiduo fanned the mood; a scheme to murder Lü Long and Lü Chao leaked, and over three hundred families were slaughtered. The court begged to treat with Yao Xing, but Lü Long refused. Lü Chao argued, "Fortunes turn. Sun Quan bowed to Wei; Qiao Zhou urged surrender—great men bend when they must. They yielded to necessity. Zhang Tianxi had seven generations of wealth, a century of goodwill, and a hundred thousand spears, yet when Qin closed in he spurned wise warning and lost everything—a lesson carved in stone. That fall is recent history; let it be our oracle. Why not send one letter and one envoy to buy peace? Humble terms can buy a truce; then mend rule at home. Rise or fall is still ours to choose." Lü Long answered, "I am no hero, yet I bear the realm. To hand my father's legacy to a foreign throne—how could I face him beneath the earth?" Lü Chao replied, "Dragons thrive by flexing; wise men seize the hour. We have fought for years, emptied the granaries, and face foes on every wall while the people starve. Even Zhang Liang or Han Xin could not save us now! Think of the larger strategy and shed small scruples. If fate still favors us, peace need not shame us; if doom is sealed, surrender may spare the bloodline." Lü Long relented and sued for surrender. Yao Shude had Lü Long named Bearer of the Versatile Insignia, General Who Guards the West, Governor of Liang Province, and Duke of Jiankang. He sent his mother, brothers, sons, and fifty-odd families of old officials—including Murong Zhu, Yang Ying, Shi Nan, and Yan Song—as hostages to Chang'an, after which Yao Shude withdrew. Yao Xing's advisers said, "Lü Long still feeds on his uncle's hoard and rules the west. He is hungry but not broken. If he recovers, we will never own Liangzhou. Liangzhou is a natural fortress. Strike now while they starve rather than fight them fat." Yao Xing sent spies to test their strength.

沮渠蒙遜又伐隆，隆擊敗之，蒙遜請和結盟，留穀萬餘斛以振饑人。姑臧穀價踴貴，斗直錢五千文，人相食，饑死者十餘萬口。城門盡閉，樵采路絕，百姓請出城乞為夷虜奴婢者日有數百。隆懼沮動人情，盡坑之，於是積屍盈于衛路。

Juqu Mengxun attacked again; Lü Long repulsed him; Mengxun sued for peace, swore a pact, and left ten thousand bushels of grain for the hungry. In Guzang grain hit five thousand cash a peck; cannibalism returned; over a hundred thousand starved. Every gate stayed shut and fuel ran out; hundreds each day pleaded to be sold to the tribes outside. Fearing panic, Lü Long massacred those who wished to flee until the avenues choked with bodies.

禿髮傉檀及蒙遜頻來伐之，隆以二寇之逼也，遣超率騎二百，多齎珍寶，請迎于姚興。興乃遣其將齊難等步騎四萬迎之。難至姑臧，隆素車白馬迎於道旁。使胤告光廟曰：「陛下往運神略，開建西夏，德被蒼生，威振遐裔。枝嗣不臧，迭相篡弑。二虜交逼，將歸東京，謹與陛下奉訣于此。」歔欷慟泣，酸感興軍。隆率戶一萬，隨難東遷，至長安，興以隆為散騎常侍，公如故；超為安定太守；文武三十餘人皆擢敘之。其後隆坐與子弼謀反，為興所誅。

Tufa Rutan and Juqu Mengxun kept up the pressure, so Lü Long sent Lü Chao with two hundred horsemen and rich gifts to beg Yao Xing for rescue. Yao Xing dispatched Qi Nan with forty thousand men to escort him east. Qi Nan arrived at Guzang to find Lü Long waiting in a plain cart and white mount. He had Yin speak at Lü Guang's shrine: "You forged Western Liang, spread kindness, and awed the frontiers. Your sons and grandsons turned bad and slew one another. Two foes press us from both sides, and I must return to the eastern capital; here I respectfully bid your spirit farewell. He wept until Yao's soldiers were moved. Lü Long took ten thousand households east with Qi Nan. At Chang'an, Yao Xing named him cavalier attendant and left his ducal title intact; he made Lü Chao governor of Anding; and promoted more than thirty of his civil and military followers. Later Lü Long was executed for plotting revolt with his son Lü Bi.

呂光以孝武太元十二年定涼州，十五年僭立，至隆凡十有三載，以安帝元興三年滅。

Lü Guang took Liangzhou in 387, claimed kingship in 390, and the line ended with Lü Long in 404 after thirteen years.

史臣曰：自晉室不綱，中原蕩析，苻氏乘釁，竊號神州。世明委質偽朝，位居上將，爰以心膂，受脤遐征。鐵騎如雲，出玉門而長騖；雕戈耀景，捐金丘而一息。蕞爾夷陬，承風霧卷，宏圖壯節，亦足稱焉。屬永固運銷，群雄兢起，班師右地，便有覬覦。於是要結六戎，潛窺雁鼎；併吞五郡，遂假鴻名。控黃河以設險，負玄漠而為固，自謂克昌霸業，貽厥孫謀。尋而耄及政昏，親離眾叛，瞑目甫爾，釁發蕭牆。紹、纂凡才，負乘致寇；弘、超凶狡，職為亂階；永基庸庸，面縛姚氏。昔竇融歸順，榮煥累葉；隗囂幹紀，靡終身世。而光棄茲勝躅，遵彼覆車，十數年間，終致殘滅。向使矯邪歸正，革偽為忠，鳴檄而蕃晉朝，仗義而誅醜虜，則燕、秦之地可定，桓、文之功可立，郭黁、段業豈得肆其奸，蒙遜、烏孤無所窺其隙矣。而猥竊非據，何其謬哉！夫天地之大德曰生，聖人之大寶曰位。非其人而處其位者，其禍必速；在其位而忘其德者，其殃必至。天鑒非遠，庸可濫乎！

The court historians wrote: Once Jin lost the realm, Fu Jian seized the Central Plain and proclaimed his own rule. Lü Guang, styled Shiming, served Fu Jian as a top general and led the western expedition as his trusted arm. Iron horsemen streamed beyond the Jade Gate; inlaid spears flashed as they swept the sands in a single breath. The western tribes folded before him; his ambition and courage deserve mention. When Fu Jian fell and warlords rose, Lü Guang drew home his host and eyed the throne himself. He rallied the six tribes and nursed imperial ambition; seized five commanderies, then took a kingly title. He held the Yellow River as a moat and the Gobi as a shield, sure his line would flourish for generations. Age and misrule followed; kin fled and the people turned. He had hardly died before brothers drew knives. Lü Shao and Lü Zuan were mediocrity; seizing power invited ruin; Lü Hong and Lü Chao were cruel and sly, the very authors of chaos; Lü Long, styled Yongji, was feeble and ended bound before Yao Xing. Dou Rong once yielded to Han and his house shone for ages; Wei Xiao defied heaven and died without peace. Lü Guang spurned the wise path and copied failures, destroying himself within a decade. Had he turned loyal to Jin and marched against the real foes, he might have matched Huan Wen's fame and kept rebels from rising. Instead he seized an unlawful throne—a gross mistake. Heaven's chief gift is life; the sage's chief prize is the throne. The wrong man on the throne invites swift disaster; the right seat without virtue brings certain punishment. Heaven watches closely—do not trifle with its charge!

贊曰：金行不兢，寶業斯屯。瓜分九寓，沴聚三秦。呂氏伺隙，欺我人神。天命難假，終亦傾淪。

Epitaph: Jin's metal mandate faltered; the sacred work stalled. The realm split apart; calamity clung to the three Qin heartland. The Lüs seized their chance and cheated men and gods. Heaven's mandate cannot be stolen; they fell at last.

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