1
乞伏國仁
Qifu Guoren
2
乞伏國仁，隴西鮮卑人也。 在昔有如弗斯、出連、叱盧三部，自漠北南出大陰山，遇一巨蟲于路，狀若神龜，大如陵阜，乃殺馬而祭之，祝曰：「若善神也，便開路； 惡神也，遂塞不通。」 俄而不見，乃有一小兒在焉。 時又有乞伏部有老父無子者，請養為子，眾咸許之。 老父欣然自以有所依憑，字之曰紇幹。 紇幹者，夏言依倚也。 年十歲，驍勇善騎射，彎弓五百斤。 四部服其雄武，推為統主，號之曰乞伏可汗托鐸莫何。 托鐸者，言非神非人之稱也。 其後有祐鄰者，即國仁五世祖也。 泰始初，率戶五千遷于夏緣，部眾稍盛。 鮮卑鹿結七萬餘落，屯于高平川，與祐鄰迭相攻擊。 鹿結敗，南奔略陽，祐鄰盡並其眾，固居高平川。 祐鄰死，子結權立，徙於牽屯。 結權死，子利那立，擊鮮卑吐賴于烏樹山，討尉遲渴權于大非川，收眾三萬餘落。 利那死，弟祁埿立。 祁埿死，利那子述延立。 討鮮卑莫侯于苑川，大破之，降其眾二萬餘落，固居苑川。 以叔父軻埿為師傅，委以國政，斯引烏埿為左輔將軍，鎮蔡園川，出連高胡為右輔將軍，鎮至便川，叱盧那胡為率義將軍，鎮牽屯山。 述延死，子傉大寒立。 會石勒滅劉曜，懼而遷于麥田無孤山。 大寒死，子司繁立，始遷於度堅山。 尋為苻堅將王統所襲，部眾叛降於統。 司繁歎謂左右曰：「智不距敵，德不撫眾，劍騎未交而本根已敗，見眾分散，勢亦難全。 若奔諸部，必不我容，吾將為呼韓邪之計矣。」 乃詣統降於堅。 堅大悅，署為南單于，留之長安。 以司繁叔父吐雷為勇士護軍，撫其部眾。 俄而鮮卑勃寒侵斥隴右，堅以司繁為使持節、都督討西胡諸軍事、鎮西將軍以討之。 勃寒懼而請降，司繁遂鎮勇士川，甚有威惠。
Qifu Guoren was a Xianbei of Longxi. Long ago the three clans of Rufusi, Chulian, and Chilu marched south from the northern steppe through the Great Yin Mountains. On the road they met a colossal creature shaped like a sacred tortoise, huge as a hill. They slaughtered a horse as an offering and prayed: "If you are a benevolent spirit, clear our path; if you are a malign spirit, let the way be shut and we shall not pass." In a moment it was gone, and a small boy stood there. An elder of the Qifu clan who had no son asked to adopt the boy, and the assembly consented. The old man rejoiced that he finally had someone to lean on, and gave the boy the childhood name Heggan. Heggan means "to lean upon" in the Xia tongue. At ten he was already fierce in battle, expert at riding and archery, and could bend a bow rated at five hundred jin. All four divisions bowed to his martial prowess and raised him as their chief, calling him Qifu Khan Tuoduo Mohe. Tuoduo denotes one who is neither spirit nor mortal. Later came Youlin, the fifth-generation ancestor of Guoren. At the opening of the Taishi era he led five thousand households to the Xia frontier, and his following steadily grew. The Xianbei leader Lujie held more than seventy thousand households on the Gaoping River and traded blows with Youlin in turn. Lujie was beaten and fled south to Lueyang; Youlin absorbed his entire following and entrenched himself on the Gaoping River. Youlin died and was succeeded by his son Jiequan, who relocated to Qiantun. Jiequan died and his son Lina took the leadership; Lina struck the Xianbei Tulai at Wushu Mountain, campaigned against Yuchi Kequan on the Dafei River, and gathered more than thirty thousand households. Lina died and was succeeded by his younger brother Qilei. Qilei died and Lina's son Shuyan succeeded. He campaigned against the Xianbei Mohou in Yuanchuan, crushed him, and received the submission of more than twenty thousand households before settling firmly in Yuanchuan. He appointed his uncle Keilei tutor and entrusted him with government; Siyin Wuqi became Left Assistant General guarding Caiyuan River, Chulian Gaohu Right Assistant General guarding Zhibian River, and Chilu Nahu General Who Leads Righteousness guarding Qiantun Mountain. Shuyan died and was succeeded by his son Ludahan. When Shi Le destroyed Liu Yao, Ludahan, alarmed, relocated to the Mai Fields and Solitary Mountain. Ludahan died; his son Sifan succeeded and first moved the seat to Dujian Mountain. Before long he was struck by Fu Jian's general Wang Tong; his followers rebelled and went over to Tong. Sifan sighed to his attendants: "Wisdom cannot hold off the foe, virtue cannot win the people—before blade meets blade our root is already rotten. With the host scattered, our position cannot be saved. If I flee to the other divisions they will not shelter me. I shall do as the Hun Shanyu did." He went to Tong and submitted to Fu Jian. Fu Jian was delighted, appointed him Southern Shanyu, and kept him at Chang'an. He appointed Sifan's uncle Tulei Protector of the Army of Brave Warriors to pacify the tribal following. Soon the Xianbei chief Bohai raided Longyou; Fu Jian made Sifan bearer of the staff of authority, commander of campaigns against the Western Hu, and General Who Pacifies the West. Bohai, terrified, sued for peace; Sifan garrisoned Yongshi River and won great authority and goodwill.
3
司繁卒，國仁代鎮，及堅興壽春之役，徵為前將軍，領先鋒騎。 會國仁叔父步頹叛於隴西，堅遣國仁還討之。 步頹聞而大悅，迎國仁于路。 國仁置酒高會，攘袂大言曰：「苻氏往因趙石之亂，遂妄竊名號，窮兵極武，跨僭八州。 疆宇既寧，宜綏以德，方虛廣威聲，勤心遠略，騷動蒼生，疲弊中國，違天怒人，將何以濟！ 且物極則虧、禍盈而覆者，天之道也。 以吾量之，是役也，難以免矣。 當與諸君成一方之業。」 及堅敗歸，乃招集諸部，有不附者，討而並之，眾至十餘萬。 及堅為姚萇所殺，國仁謂其豪帥曰：「苻氏以高世之姿而困於烏合之眾，可謂天也。 夫守常迷運，先達恥之； 見機而作，英豪之舉。 吾雖薄德，藉累世之資，豈可睹時來之運而不作乎！」 以孝武自稱大都督、大將軍、大單于、領秦、河二州牧，建元曰建義。 以其將乙旃音埿為左相，屋引出支為右相，獨孤匹蹄為左輔，武群勇士為右輔，弟乾歸為上將軍，自余拜授各有差。 置武城、武陽、安固、武始、漢陽、天水、略陽、漒川、甘松、匡朋、白馬、苑川十二郡，築勇士城以居之。
Sifan died and Guoren took his post; when Fu Jian launched the Shouchun campaign, Guoren was summoned as Forward General to lead the vanguard cavalry. Just then Guoren's uncle Bufei rebelled in Longxi, and Fu Jian sent Guoren back to put him down. Bufei, hearing of it, rejoiced and met Guoren on the road. Guoren held a great feast, rolled up his sleeves, and declared: "The Fu seized the throne amid the chaos of Zhao and Shi, exhausted every army, and usurped rule across eight provinces. The realm is pacified, yet instead of ruling with virtue they squander their prestige on distant schemes, harry the people, and weary the heartland—defying Heaven and enraging men. How can that endure? When things reach their limit they turn; when misfortune overflows it capsizes—that is Heaven's way. By my reckoning, they can hardly escape disaster in this campaign. Let us with you all build a realm of our own. When Fu Jian returned in defeat, Guoren rallied the divisions, subdued those who would not follow, and swelled his following to more than one hundred thousand. After Fu Jian was killed by Yao Chang, Guoren told his chieftains: "The Fu, who bore themselves as lords of a lofty age, were undone by a rabble—that is Heaven's work. To cling to routine when fortune turns is what sages of old despised; to seize the moment is the act of a true hero. My virtue may be slight, but I inherit generations of standing—how can I watch fortune arrive and stand idle!" He styled himself Xiaowu, Grand Commander, Grand General, Grand Shanyu, and Governor of Qin and He provinces, and proclaimed the era Jianyi. He appointed Yizhan Yingqi Left Chancellor, Wuyin Chuzhi Right Chancellor, Dugu Piti Left Assistant, Wuqun Yongshi Right Assistant, and his brother Gangui Upper General; the rest received ranks in due order. He established twelve commanderies—Wucheng, Wuyang, Angu, Wushi, Hanyang, Tianshui, Lueyang, Qiangchuan, Gansong, Kuangpeng, Baima, and Yuanchuan—and built Yongshi City as his seat.
4
鮮卑匹蘭率眾五千降。 明年，南安秘宜及諸羌虜來擊國仁，四面而至。 國仁謂諸將曰：「先人有奪人之心，不可坐待其至。 宜抑威餌敵，羸師以張之，軍法所謂怒我而怠寇也。」 於是勒眾五千，襲其不意，大敗之。 秘宜奔還南安，尋與其弟莫侯悌率眾三萬餘戶降于國仁，各拜將軍、刺史。
The Xianbei Pilan brought five thousand followers to submit. The next year Nan'an Miyi and various Qiang and other tribes attacked Guoren from every side. Guoren told his generals: "Our forebears seized when others hesitated; we must not sit idle while the enemy closes in. We should hide our strength and bait them, feigning weakness to swell their pride—what strategists call angering us while the foe grows careless." He led five thousand men, struck where they did not expect, and routed them utterly. Miyi fled to Nan'an; soon he and his brother Mohou led more than thirty thousand households to submit, and each was made general and inspector.
5
苻登遣使者署國仁使持節、大都督、都督雜夷諸軍事、大將軍、大單于、苑川王。 國仁率騎三萬襲鮮卑大人密貴、裕苟、提倫等三部於六泉。 高平鮮卑沒奕于、東胡金熙連兵來襲，相遇於渴渾川，大戰敗之，斬級三千，獲馬五千匹。 沒奕於及熙奔還，三部震懼，率眾迎降。 署密貴建義將軍、六泉侯，裕苟建忠將軍、蘭泉侯，提倫建節將軍、鳴泉侯。
Fu Deng sent envoys appointing Guoren bearer of the staff, Grand Commander, commander of the various Yi, Grand General, Grand Shanyu, and Prince of Yuanchuan. Guoren led thirty thousand horsemen against the three Xianbei divisions of the great chiefs Migui, Yugou, and Tilun at Liuquan. The Gaoping Xianbei Meiyiyu and the Eastern Hu Jin Xi joined forces to attack; on the Kehun River he met them in battle, defeated them, and took three thousand heads and five thousand horses. Meiyiyu and Xi fled; the three divisions, terrified, came in submission. He made Migui General Who Establishes Righteousness and Marquis of Liuquan, Yugou General Who Establishes Loyalty and Marquis of Lanquan, and Tilun General Who Establishes Discipline and Marquis of Mingquan.
6
國仁建威將軍叱盧烏孤跋擁眾叛，保牽屯山。 國仁率騎七千討之，斬其部將叱羅侯，降者千餘戶。 跋大懼，遂降，復其官位。 因討鮮卑越質叱黎于平襄，大破之，獲其子詰歸、弟子復半及部落五千餘人而還。
Guoren's General Who Establishes Prestige, Chilu Wugiba, rebelled with his following and held Qiantun Mountain. Guoren led seven thousand horsemen against him, beheaded his divisional commander Chiluo Hou, and won the surrender of more than a thousand households. Terrified, Wugiba submitted and Guoren restored his office and rank. He then struck the Xianbei Yuezhi Chili at Pingxiang, crushed him, and returned with Chili's son Jigui, his nephew Fuban, and more than five thousand of the tribe.
7
，國仁死，在位四年，偽諡宣烈王，廟號烈祖。
Guoren died after four years on the throne; his posthumous title was Prince Xuanlie and his temple name Liezu.
8
乞伏-{乾}-歸
Qifu Gangui
9
-{乾}-歸，國仁弟也。 雄武英傑，沈雅有度量。 國仁之死也，其群臣咸以國仁子公府沖幼，宜立長君，乃推乾歸為大都督、大將軍、大單于、河南王，赦其境內，改元曰太初。 立其妻邊氏為王后，以出連乞都為丞相，鎮南將軍、南梁州刺史悌眷為御史大夫，自余封拜各有差。 遂遷于金城。
Gangui was the younger brother of Guoren. He was fierce in battle and heroic in talent, deep-minded and refined, with true breadth of character. When Guoren died his ministers judged Gongfu Chong too young and raised Gangui as Grand Commander, Grand General, Grand Shanyu, and Prince of Henan, declared an amnesty, and changed the era to Taichu. He made his wife Lady Bian queen, appointed Chulian Qidu chancellor and General Who Pacifies the South Tijuan, Governor of Southern Liang, censor-in-chief; the rest received titles in due order. He then moved his seat to Jincheng.
10
，苻登遣使署乾歸大將軍、大單于、金城王。 南羌獨如率眾七千降之。 休官阿敦、侯年二部各擁五千餘落，據牽屯山，為其邊害。 乾歸討破之，悉降其眾，於是聲振邊服。 吐谷渾大人視連遣使貢方物。 鮮卑豆留䩭、叱豆渾及南丘鹿結並休官曷呼奴、盧水尉地跋並率眾降於乾歸，皆署其官爵。 隴西太守越質詰歸以平襄叛，自稱建國將軍、右賢王。 幹歸擊敗之，詰歸東奔隴山。 既而擁眾來降，乾歸妻以宗女，署立義將軍。
Fu Deng sent envoys appointing Gangui Grand General, Grand Shanyu, and Prince of Jincheng. The Southern Qiang Duru brought seven thousand followers to submit. The Xiuguan chiefs Adun and Hounian each held more than five thousand households on Qiantun Mountain and raided his borders. Gangui defeated them and received the submission of all their followers; his name then shook the frontier. The Tuyuhun great chief Shilian sent envoys with local tribute. The Xianbei Douliuchi, Chidouhun, and Nanqiu Lujie, with the Xiuguan Ehu and the Lushui Weidiba, all brought their followers to submit, and Gangui appointed each to office and rank. Longxi Administrator Yuezhi Jigui rebelled at Pingxiang and styled himself General Who Establishes the State and Right Worthy Prince. Gangui defeated him and Jigui fled east to Long Mountain. Soon he returned with his following to submit; Gangui gave him a clanswoman in marriage and made him General Who Establishes Righteousness.
11
苻登將沒奕於遣使結好，以二子為質，請討鮮卑大兜國。 乾歸乃與沒奕於攻大兜於安陽城，大兜退固鳴蟬堡，乾歸攻陷之，遂還金城。 為呂光弟寶所攻，敗於鳴雀峽，退屯青岸。 寶進追乾歸，乾歸使其將彭奚念斷其歸路，躬貫甲胄，連戰敗之，寶及將士投河死者萬餘人。
Fu Deng's general Meiyiyu sent envoys seeking alliance, offering his two sons as hostages and asking help against the Xianbei great chief Dadou. Gangui joined Meiyiyu against Dadou at Anyang City; Dadou withdrew to Mingchan Fortress, which Gangui took, then returned to Jincheng. Lü Guang's brother Bao attacked him; defeated at Mingque Gorge, he withdrew to Qing'an. Bao pressed the pursuit; Gangui had Peng Xinian cut the retreat while he himself donned armor and fought until Bao was routed—more than ten thousand of Bao's men drowned in the river.
12
苻登遣使署乾歸假黃鉞、大都督隴右河西諸軍事、左丞相、大將軍、河南王，領秦、梁、益、涼、沙五州牧，加九錫之禮。 時登為姚興所逼，遣使請兵，進封乾歸梁王，命置官司，納其妹東平長公主為梁王后。 乾歸遣其前將軍乞伏益州、冠軍翟瑥率騎二萬救之。 會登為興所殺，乃還師。
Fu Deng sent envoys appointing Gangui acting bearer of the yellow axe, commander of Longyou and Hexi, left chancellor, grand general, Prince of Henan, and governor of Qin, Liang, Yi, Liang, and Sha provinces, with the Nine Bestowals. Deng, pressed by Yao Xing, asked for troops, advanced Gangui to Prince of Liang, ordered him to establish a court, and gave him Deng's younger sister, the Princess of Dongping, as princess consort. Gangui sent Forward General Qifu Yizhou and Champion Zhai Jin with twenty thousand horsemen to his aid. Deng was killed by Xing before they arrived, and the army turned back.
13
氐王楊定率步騎四萬伐之。 乾歸謂諸將曰：「楊定以勇虐聚眾，窮兵逞欲。 兵猶火也，不戢，將自焚。 定之此役，殆天以之資我也。」 於是遣其涼州牧乞伏軻殫、秦州牧乞伏益州、立義將軍詰歸距之。 定敗益州于平川，軻殫、詰歸引眾而退。 翟瑥奮劍諫曰：「吾王以神武之姿，開基隴右，東征西討，靡不席捲，威震秦、梁，聲光巴、漢。 將軍以維城之重，受閫外之寄，宜宣力致命，輔甯家國。 秦州雖敗，二軍猶全，奈何不思直救，便逆奔敗，何面目以見王乎！ 昔項羽斬慶子以甯楚，胡建戮監軍以成功，將軍之所聞也。 瑥誠才非古人，敢忘項氏之義乎！」 軻殫曰：「向所以未赴秦州者，未知眾心何如耳。 敗不相救，軍罰所先，敢自寧乎！」 乃率騎赴之。 益州、詰歸亦勒眾而進，大敗定，斬定及首虜萬七千級。 於是盡有隴西、巴西之地。
The Di king Yang Ding led forty thousand foot and horse against him. Gangui told his generals: "Yang Ding gathers men through cruelty and exhausts armies to feed his appetites. Armies are like fire—unchecked, they consume themselves. Heaven is likely using Ding's campaign to enrich us." He sent Governor of Liangzhou Qifu Kechan, Governor of Qinzhou Qifu Yizhou, and General Who Establishes Righteousness Jigui to meet them. Ding defeated Yizhou on the Ping River; Kechan and Jigui drew their forces back. Zhai Jin drew his sword and protested: "Our prince, with divine martial bearing, founded his realm in Longyou and swept east and west; his prestige shakes Qin and Liang, his fame resounds through Ba and Han. You bear the weight of guarding the realm and hold command beyond the passes—you should spend yourself unto death for house and state. Qinzhou fell, yet two armies remain intact—why not turn and save them instead of fleeing before defeat? What face will you show our prince? Xiang Yu slew Qingzi to secure Chu; Hu Jian executed the army supervisor to win—surely you have heard as much. My talent is not theirs, yet how dare I forget the Xiang clan's example!" Kechan said: "I did not march to Qinzhou earlier because I did not know the troops' hearts. Military law puts failure to rescue first—how dare I seek my own ease!" He then led his cavalry to their relief. Yizhou and Jigui advanced as well, crushed Ding, and took Ding's head together with more than seventeen thousand enemy heads. He then held all of Longxi and Baxi.
14
，赦其境內殊死以下，署其長子熾磐領尚書令，左長史邊芮為尚書左僕射，右長史秘宜為右僕射，翟瑥為吏部尚書，翟勍為主客尚書，杜宣為兵部尚書，王松壽為民部尚書，樊謙為三公尚書，方弘、麹景為侍中，自余拜授一如魏武、晉文故事。 猶稱大單于、大將軍。
He amnestied all below capital punishment, made his eldest son Chipan head the Secretariat, Bian Rui left vice director, Miyi right vice director, Zhai Jin minister of personnel, Zhai Qing minister of guests, Du Xuan minister of war, Wang Songshou minister of the people, Fan Qian minister of the three excellencies, and Fang Hong and Qu Jing attendants-in-ordinary; the rest received ranks after the precedents of Cao Cao and Sima Yi. He still bore the titles Grand Shanyu and Grand General.
15
楊定之死也，天水薑乳襲據上邽。 至是，遣乞伏益州討之。 邊芮、王松壽言於乾歸曰：「益州以懿弟之親，屢有戰功，狃於累勝，常有驕色。 若其遇寇，必將易之。 且未宜專任，示有所先。」 乾歸曰：「益州驍勇，善禦眾，諸將莫有及之者，但恐其專擅耳。 若以重佐輔之，當無慮也。」 於是以平北韋虔為長史、散騎常侍務和為司馬。 至大寒嶺，益州恃勝自矜，不為部陣，命將士解甲遊畋縱飲，令曰：「敢言軍事者斬！」 虔等諫曰：「王以將軍親重，故委以專征之任，庶能摧彼凶醜，以副具瞻。 賊已垂逼，奈何解甲自寬，宴安耽毒，竊為將軍危之。」 益州曰：「乳以烏合之眾，聞吾至，理應遠竄。 今乃與吾決戰者，斯成擒也。 吾自揣之有方，卿等不足慮也。」 乳率眾距戰，益州果敗。 乾歸曰：「孤違蹇叔，以至於此。 將士何為，孤之罪也。」 皆赦之。
After Yang Ding's death, Tianshui's Jiang Ru seized Shanggui. He then sent Qifu Yizhou against him. Bian Rui and Wang Songshou told Gangui: "Yizhou is your brother's kin and has won battle after battle; grown bold on success, he often shows arrogance. When he meets the foe he is sure to take him lightly. And he should not hold sole command—we must show that another leads." Gangui replied: "Yizhou is fierce and skilled at commanding men; none of the generals equals him—I only fear he may act on his own authority. With weighty deputies to assist him, there should be no worry." He appointed Wei Qian of Pingbei chief clerk and Wu He, casual attendant, marshal. At Dahan Ridge, Yizhou, drunk on victory, formed no battle line and ordered his men to lay aside armor for hunting and feasting, decreeing: "Whoever speaks of war shall die!" Qian and the others protested: "The prince entrusted you with sole command hoping you would crush these villains and answer what all expect. The enemy is upon you—how can you lay aside armor for ease and feast in fatal comfort? We fear for your safety." Yizhou said: "Ru leads a rabble; hearing I have come, he ought to flee. That he dares fight me means he is already as good as taken. I have my own plan—you need not worry." Ru gave battle and Yizhou was defeated. Gangui said: "I went against Jian Shu's counsel and came to this. What fault is it of the troops? The fault is mine alone." He pardoned them all.
16
索虜禿髮如苟，率戶二萬降之，乾歸妻以宗女。
The Suolu Tufa Rugou brought twenty thousand households to submit; Gangui gave him a clanswoman in marriage.
17
呂光率眾十萬將伐乾歸，左輔密貴周、左衛莫者羖羝言於乾歸曰：「光旦夕將至。 陛下以命世雄姿，開業洮罕，克翦群光，威振遐邇，將鼓淳風于東夏，建八百之鴻慶。 不忍小下屈，與奸豎兢于一時，若機事不捷，非國家利也。 宜遣愛子以退之。」 乾歸乃稱籓於光，遣子敕勃為質。 既而悔之，遂誅周等。
Lü Guang led one hundred thousand men against Gangui; Left Assistant Migui Zhou and Left Guard Moze Gudi told him: "Guang will arrive within days. Your Majesty, born for the age, founded your realm on the Tao and Han, extinguished rival lights, and your name shakes the distant realms—you will bring pure rule to the east and establish an eight-hundred-year blessing. A lesser lord should not bow to a villain and contend with him for a moment; if fortune fails, the state suffers. Send a beloved son to make him withdraw. Gangui declared himself Guang's vassal and sent his son Chibo as hostage. Soon he regretted it and executed Zhou and his fellows.
18
乞伏軻殫與乞伏益州不平，奔于呂光。 光又伐之，咸勸其東奔成紀，乾歸不從，謂諸將曰：「昔曹孟德敗袁本初於官渡，陸伯言摧劉玄德于白帝，皆以權略取之，豈在眾乎！ 光雖舉全州之軍，而無經遠之算，不足憚也。 且其精卒盡在呂延，延雖勇而愚，易以奇策制之。 延軍若敗，光亦遁還，乘勝追奔，可以得志。」 眾咸曰：「非所及也。」 隆安元年，光遣其子纂伐乾歸，使呂延為前鋒。 乾歸泣謂眾曰：「今事勢窮踧，逃命無所，死中求生，正在今日。 涼軍雖四面而至，然相去遼遠，山河既阻，力不周接，敗其一軍而眾軍自退。」 乃縱反間，稱秦王乾歸眾潰，東奔成紀。 延信之，引師輕進，果為乾歸所敗，遂斬之。
Qifu Kechan quarreled with Qifu Yizhou and fled to Lü Guang. When Guang attacked again, all urged flight east to Chengji; Gangui refused and told his generals: "Cao Cao beat Yuan Shao at Guandu and Lu Xun crushed Liu Bei at Baidi—both won by stratagem, not numbers! Guang may field the whole province, but he lacks far sight and is not to be feared. His crack troops are all with Lü Yan—brave but stupid, easily undone by a clever stratagem. Defeat Yan and Guang will flee; pursue in victory and we shall prevail. The assembly said: "We cannot match that." In the first year of Longan, Guang sent his son Zuan against Gangui with Lü Yan as vanguard. Gangui wept to the host: "We are cornered with nowhere to flee; to seek life in death—today is the day. The Liang host comes from every side, yet they are far apart; mountains and rivers block them and their strength cannot join—break one army and the rest will withdraw." He spread false word that Prince Gangui's host had scattered and fled east to Chengji. Yan believed it, advanced lightly, was routed by Gangui, and was beheaded.
19
禿髮烏孤遣使來結和親。 使乞伏益州攻克支陽、鸇武、允吾三城，俘獲萬餘人而還。 又遣益州與武衛慕容允、冠軍翟瑥率騎二萬伐吐谷渾視羆，至於度周川，大破之。 視羆遁保白蘭山，遣使謝罪，貢其方物，以子宕豈為質。 鮮卑疊掘河內率屍五千，自魏降乾歸。
Tufa Wugu sent envoys to seek a marriage alliance. He sent Qifu Yizhou to take Zhiyang, Guanwu, and Yunwu and returned with more than ten thousand captives. He also sent Yizhou with Murong Yun and Zhai Jin and twenty thousand horsemen against Tuyuhun Shipi; at Duzhou River they crushed him. Shipi fled to Bailan Mountain, sent envoys to apologize, offered tribute, and gave his son Dangqi as hostage. The Xianbei Diejue Henai brought five thousand households from Wei to submit to Gangui.
20
乾歸所居南景門崩，惡之，遂遷于苑川。 姚興將姚碩德率眾五萬伐之，入自南安峽。 乾歸次於隴西以距碩德。 興潛師繼發。 乾歸聞興將到，謂諸將曰：「吾自開建以來，屢摧勍敵，乘機籍算，舉無遺策。 今姚興盡中國之師，軍勢甚盛。 山川阻狹，無從騎之地，宜引師平川，伺其怠而擊之。 存亡之機，在斯一舉，卿等戮力勉之。 若梟翦姚興，關中之地盡吾有也。」 於是遣其衛軍慕容允率中軍二萬遷于柏陽，鎮軍羅敦將外軍四萬遷于侯辰穀，乾歸自率輕騎數千候興軍勢。 俄而大風昏霧，遂與中軍相失，為興追騎所逼，入於外軍。 旦而交戰，為興所敗。 乾歸遁還苑川，遂走金城，謂諸豪帥曰：「吾才非命世，謬為諸君所推，心存撥亂，而德非時雄，叨竊名器，年逾一紀，負乘致寇，傾喪若斯！ 今人眾已散，勢不得安，吾欲西保允吾，以避其鋒。 若方軌西邁，理難俱濟，卿等宜安土降秦，保全妻子。」 群下咸曰：「昔古公杖策，豳人歸懷； 玄德南奔，荊、楚繈負。 分岐之感，古人所悲，況臣等義深父子，而有心離背！ 請死生與陛下俱。」 乾歸曰：「自古無不亡之國，廢興命也。 苟天未亡我，冀興復有期。 德之不建，何為俱死！ 公等自愛，吾將寄食以終餘年。」 於是大哭而別，乃率騎數百馳至允吾，禿髮利鹿孤遣弟傉檀迎乾歸，處之于晉興。
The Nanjing Gate of Gangui's residence collapsed; taking it as ill omen, he moved to Yuanchuan. Yao Xing's general Yao Shuode led fifty thousand men against him, entering through the Nan'an Gorge. Gangui encamped at Longxi to oppose Shuode. Xing secretly sent troops in succession. Hearing Xing was coming, Gangui told his generals: "Since I founded my realm I have repeatedly crushed fierce foes by seizing opportunity and stratagem, never missing a plan. Now Yao Xing brings the armies of the heartland, and his host is very strong. The mountains are narrow and obstruct horsemen—we should draw onto open ground and strike when they slacken. Survival or destruction hangs on this one stroke—exert yourselves, all of you. Behead Yao Xing and all Guanzhong is ours." He sent Murong Yun with twenty thousand of the central army to Baiyang, Luo Dun with forty thousand of the outer army to Houchen Valley, and himself led several thousand light horsemen to scout Xing's strength. Soon a great wind and dim mist arose; he lost the central army, was pressed by Xing's cavalry, and entered the outer army. At dawn they fought and were defeated by Xing. Gangui fled to Yuanchuan, then to Jincheng, and told the chieftains: "My talent is not for the age; wrongly you raised me. I meant to quell disorder, yet my virtue is not that of a hero of the times—I stole title and regalia for more than a decade until ruin came like this! The host is scattered and we cannot hold; I wish to go west to Yunwu and avoid their edge. If they march west in full strength we cannot all survive—you should settle your lands and submit to Qin, saving your wives and children." The assembly said: "When Duke Ji of Gu bore his staff, the people of Bin came to his heart; when Xuande fled south, Jing and Chu carried their children on their backs. Parting is what ancients mourned—how much more we, bound deep as father and son, who would desert you! We beg to live and die with you." Gangui said: "From antiquity no state has failed to perish; rise and fall are fate. If Heaven has not destroyed us, restoration may yet come. Since virtue is not established, why die together! Cherish yourselves—I shall live out my years on others' bounty." He wept and parted, led several hundred horsemen to Yunwu, and Tufa Lilugu sent his brother Rutan to welcome him and lodged him at Jinxing.
21
南羌梁戈等遣使招之。 乾歸將叛，謀泄，利鹿孤遣弟吐雷屯於捫天嶺。 乾歸懼為利鹿孤所害，謂其子熾磐曰：「吾不能負荷大業，致茲顛覆。 以利鹿孤義兼姻好，冀存脣齒之援，方乃忘義背親，謀人父子，忌吾威名，勢不全立。 姚興方盛，吾將歸之。 若其俱去，必為追騎所及。 今送汝兄弟及汝母為質，彼必不疑。 吾既在秦，終不害汝。」 於是送熾磐兄弟于西平，乾歸遂奔長安。 姚興見而大悅，署乾歸持節、都督河南諸軍事、鎮遠將軍、河州刺史、歸義侯，遣乾歸還鎮苑川，盡以部眾配之。 乾歸既至苑川，以邊芮為長史，王松壽為司馬，公卿大將已下悉降號為偏裨。
The Southern Qiang Liang Ge and others sent envoys to summon him. Gangui plotted rebellion, but the plot leaked; Lilugu sent his brother Tulei to garrison Mentian Ridge. Fearing Lilugu would harm him, Gangui told his son Chipan: "I could not bear the great enterprise and brought it to ruin. Lilugu's bond joins us through marriage; I hoped for mutual aid—yet he forgot righteousness, schemed between father and son, and envies my name so I cannot stand secure. Yao Xing is ascendant; I shall go to him. If we all go together, pursuing cavalry will overtake us. I send you brothers and your mother as hostages—they will not suspect. Once I am in Qin, they will not harm you in the end." He sent Chipan and his brothers to Xiping; Gangui fled to Chang'an. Yao Xing was delighted, appointed Gangui bearer of the staff, commander of Henan, General Who Pacifies the Distant, inspector of Hezhou, and Marquis Who Returns to Righteousness, sent him back to Yuanchuan, and assigned him all his following. At Yuanchuan he made Bian Rui chief clerk and Wang Songshou marshal; from the three excellencies down all were reduced to divisional commanders.
22
，熾磐自西平奔長安，姚興以為振忠將軍、興晉太守。 尋遣使者加乾歸散騎常侍、左賢王。 遣隨興將齊難迎呂隆於河西，討叛羌党龍頭於滋川，攻楊盛將苻帛于皮氏堡，並克之。 又破吐谷渾將大孩，俘獲萬餘人而還。 尋復率眾攻楊盛將楊玉于西陽堡，克之。 既而苑川地震裂生毛，狐雉入於寢內，乾歸甚惡之。 姚興慮乾歸終為西州之患，因其朝也，興留為主客尚書，以熾磐為建武將軍、行西夷校尉，監撫其眾。
Chipan fled from Xiping to Chang'an; Yao Xing made him General Who Quells Loyalty and administrator of Xingjin. Soon he sent envoys advancing Gangui to attendant-in-ordinary and Left Worthy King. He sent Qi Nan to welcome Lü Long in Hexi, campaign against the rebel Qiang Dang Longtou at Zichuan, and attack Yang Sheng's Fu Bo at Pishi Fortress—all were taken. He again defeated Tuyuhun Dahai and returned with more than ten thousand captives. Soon he again attacked Yang Sheng's Yang Yu at Xiyang Fortress and took it. Soon Yuanchuan suffered earthquake; the ground split and grew hair, and foxes and pheasants entered his bedchamber—Gangui was deeply alarmed. Yao Xing, fearing Gangui would become a western menace, detained him at court as minister of guests and made Chipan General Who Establishes Martial Might and acting commander of the western Yi to supervise the masses.
23
熾磐以長安兵亂將始，乃招結諸部二萬七千，築城-{于}-嵻㟍山以據之。 熾磐攻克枹罕，遣使告之，乾歸奔還苑川。 鮮卑悅大堅有眾五千，自龍馬苑降乾歸。 乾歸遂如枹罕，留熾磐鎮之。 乾歸收眾三萬，遷於度堅山。 群下勸乾歸稱王，乾歸以寡弱弗許。 固請曰：「夫道應符曆，雖廢必興； 圖籙所棄，雖成必敗。 本初之眾，非不多也，魏武運籌，四州瓦解。 尋、邑之兵，非不盛也，世祖龍申，亡新鳥散。 固天命不可虛邀，符籙不可妄冀。 姚數將終，否極斯泰，乘機撫運，實系聖人。 今見眾三萬，足可以疆理秦、隴，清蕩洮河。 陛下應運再興，四海鵠望，豈宜固守謙沖，不以社稷為本！ 願時即大位，允副群心。」 乾歸從之。 義熙三年，僭稱秦王，赦其境內，改元更始，置百官，公卿已下皆復本位。
As Chang'an troops were about to rise in disorder, Chipan gathered more than twenty-seven thousand of the divisions and built a city on Mount Yuqi to hold it. Chipan took Fuhan and sent word; Gangui fled back to Yuanchuan. The Xianbei Yuedajian brought five thousand from Longma Park to submit to Gangui. Gangui went to Fuhan and left Chipan to garrison it. Gangui gathered thirty thousand followers and moved to Dujian Mountain. His followers urged him to take the royal title; Gangui, few and weak, refused. They pressed him: "The Way answers the calendar—though abolished it must rise again; what the charts abandon, though established, must perish. Yuan Shao's host was vast, yet Cao Cao by stratagem made four provinces collapse. Wang Mang's armies were vast, yet when Guangwu rose like a dragon, the Xin scattered like birds. Heaven's mandate cannot be sought in vain, nor charts hoped for rashly. Yao's fate is ending; when denial reaches its extreme, prosperity comes—seizing the moment to rule fortune belongs to a sage. We have thirty thousand men—enough to order Qin and Long and sweep the Tao and Han. Fortune raises you again and the realm looks to you—how can you cling to humility and not put the altars of state first! Take the throne at once and answer the hearts of all. Gangui consented. In Yixi year 3 he styled himself Prince of Qin, declared an amnesty, changed the era to Gengshi, established offices, and restored ranks from the three excellencies down.
24
遣熾磐討諭薄地延，師次煩於，地延率眾出降，署為尚書，徙其部落于苑川。 又遣隴西羌昌何攻克姚興金城郡，以其驍騎乞伏務和為東金城太守。 乾歸復都苑川，又攻克興略陽、南安、隴西諸郡，徙二萬五千戶于苑川、枹罕。 姚興力未能西討，恐更為邊害，遣使署乾歸使持節、散騎常侍、都督隴西嶺北匈奴雜胡諸軍事、征西大將軍、河州牧、大單于、河南王。 乾歸方圖河右，權宜受之，遂稱籓於興。
He sent Chipan against Bodiyan; at Fanyu, Bodiyan surrendered and was made secretariat officer; his tribe was moved to Yuanchuan. He sent the Longxi Qiang Chang He to take Yao Xing's Jincheng and made the fierce horseman Qifu Wuhe governor of eastern Jincheng. Gangui made Yuanchuan his capital again, took Lueyang, Nan'an, and Longxi from Xing, and moved twenty-five thousand households to Yuanchuan and Fuhan. Yao Xing could not campaign west and, fearing border raids, appointed Gangui bearer of the staff, attendant-in-ordinary, commander of Longxi and the northern ranges, General Who Campaigns West, governor of Hezhou, Grand Shanyu, and Prince of Henan. Gangui was plotting the Hexi region and accepted for the moment, declaring himself Xing's vassal.
25
遣熾磐與其次子中軍審虔率步騎一萬伐禿髮傉檀，師濟河，敗傉檀太子武台于嶺南，獲牛馬十餘萬而還。 又攻克興別將姚龍于伯陽堡，王憬於永洛城，徙四千餘戶于苑川，三千餘戶于譚郊。 乾歸率步騎三萬征西羌彭利發於枹罕，師次於奴葵穀，利發棄其部眾南奔。 乾歸遣其將公府追及于清水，斬之。 乾歸入枹罕，收羌戶一萬三千。 因率騎二萬討吐谷渾支統阿若干於赤水，大破降之。
He sent Chipan and his second son Shenqian with ten thousand foot and horse against Tufa Rutan; crossing the river they defeated Rutan's heir Wutai south of the ridge and returned with more than one hundred thousand cattle and horses. He took Xing's Yao Long at Boyang Fortress and Wang Jing at Yongluo City, moving more than four thousand households to Yuanchuan and more than three thousand to Tanjiao. Gangui led thirty thousand foot and horse against the Western Qiang Peng Lifa at Fuhan; at Nu'kui Valley, Lifa abandoned his following and fled south. Gangui sent Gongfu in pursuit; at Qingshui he caught and beheaded Lifa. Gangui entered Fuhan and gathered thirteen thousand Qiang households. He led twenty thousand horsemen against the Tuyuhun Zhitong Aqianyu at Chishui, crushed him, and received his submission.
26
乾歸畋於五溪，有梟集於其手，甚惡之。 六年，為兄子公府所弑，並其諸子十餘人。 公府奔固大夏，熾磐與乾歸弟廣武智達、揚武木奕於討之。 公府走，達等追擒於嵻㟍南山，並其四子，轘之于譚郊。 葬乾歸於枹罕，偽諡武元王，在位二十四年。
While hunting at Wuxi an owl alighted on his hand; he took it as ill omen. In year 6 his nephew Gongfu murdered him together with more than ten of his sons. Gongfu fled to hold Gu in Daxia; Chipan with Gangui's brothers Zhida and Muyuqiu campaigned against him. Gongfu fled; they caught him on Yuqi South Mountain with his four sons and executed them by cart-sundering at Tanjiao. They buried Gangui at Fuhan with the posthumous title Prince Wuyuan; he had reigned twenty-four years.
27
乞伏熾磐
Qifu Chipan
28
熾磐，乾歸長子也。 性勇果英毅，臨機能斷，權略過人。 初，乾歸為姚興所敗，熾磐質於禿髮利鹿孤。 後自西平逃而降興，興以為振忠將軍、興晉太守，又拜建武將軍、行西夷校尉，留其眾鎮苑川。 及乾歸返政，復立熾磐為太子，領冠軍大將軍、都督中外諸軍、錄尚書事。 後乾歸稱籓于姚興，興遣使署熾磐假節、鎮西將軍、左賢王、平昌公，尋進號撫軍大將軍。
Chipan was Gangui's eldest son. He was brave, resolute, and firm; facing opportunity he could decide, and in stratagem he surpassed others. When Gangui was defeated by Yao Xing, Chipan was held hostage with Tufa Lilugu. He fled from Xiping to Xing, who made him General Who Quells Loyalty and administrator of Xingjin, then General Who Establishes Martial Might and acting commander of the western Yi, leaving his host at Yuanchuan. When Gangui returned to power he made Chipan heir apparent, Champion Grand General, commander of central and outer armies, and recorder of the Secretariat. When Gangui became Xing's vassal, Xing appointed Chipan acting bearer of the staff, General Who Pacifies the West, Left Worthy King, and Duke of Pingchang, soon advanced to General Who Pacifies the Army.
29
乾歸死，，熾磐襲偽位，大赦，改元曰永康。 署翟勍為相國，麹景為御史大夫，段暉為中尉，弟延祚為禁中錄事，樊謙為司直。 罷尚書令、僕射、尚書、六卿、侍中、散騎常侍、黃門郎官，置中左右常侍、侍郎各三人。
When Gangui died, Chipan succeeded, declared a great amnesty, and changed the era to Yongkang. He made Zhai Qing chancellor, Qu Jing censor-in-chief, Duan Hui commandant of justice, his brother Yanzuo palace recorder, and Fan Qian director of rectitude. He abolished the secretariat, vice directors, six ministers, attendants, and palace officers, establishing left and right regular attendants and gentlemen of the palace, three each.
30
，遣其龍驤乞伏智達、平東王松壽討吐谷渾樹洛幹於澆河，大破之，獲其將呼那烏提，虜三千餘戶而還。 又遣其鎮東曇達與松壽率騎一萬，東討破休官權小郎、呂破胡于白石川，虜其男女萬餘口，進據白石城，休官降者萬餘人。 後顯親休官權小成、呂奴迦等叛保白坑，曇達謂將士曰：「昔伯珪憑險，卒有滅宗之禍； 韓約肆暴，終受覆族之誅。 今小成等逆命白坑，宜在除滅。 王者之師，有征無戰，粵爾輿人，戮力勉之！」 眾咸拔劍大呼，於是進攻白坑，斬小成、奴迦及首級四千七百，隴右休官悉降。 遣安北烏地延、冠軍翟紹討吐谷渾別統句旁於泣勤川，大破之，俘獲甚眾。 熾磐率諸將討吐谷渾別統支旁于長柳川，掘達於渴渾川，皆破之，前後俘獲男女二萬八千。
He sent Qifu Zhida and Wang Songshou against Tuyuhun Shuluogan at Jiao River, crushed him, captured Huna Wuti, and returned with more than three thousand households. He sent Tanda and Songshou with ten thousand horsemen east to defeat Xiuguan Quan Xiaolang and Lü Pohu at Baishi River, taking more than ten thousand captives and holding Baishi City as more than ten thousand Xiuguan submitted. Later Xianguan chiefs Quan Xiaocheng and Lü Nujia rebelled and held Baikeng; Tanda told his troops: "Gongsun Zan relied on peril and in the end his clan was extinguished; Han Yue committed violence and in the end his whole clan was destroyed. Xiaocheng and the others defy mandate at Baikeng—they must be destroyed. A true king's army campaigns without fighting—exert yourselves, all of you!" The host drew swords and shouted; they took Baikeng, beheaded Xiaocheng and Nujia with four thousand seven hundred heads, and all Longyou Xiuguan submitted. He sent Wudiyan and Zhai Shao against Tuyuhun Jubang at Qiqin River, crushed him, and took a great many captives. Chipan led his generals against Tuyuhun Zhibang at Changliu River and Jueda at Kehun River—both were crushed—and captured twenty-eight thousand men and women in all.
31
僭立十年，有雲五色，起于南山，熾磐以為己瑞，大悅，謂群臣曰：「吾今年應有所定，王業成矣！」 於是繕甲整兵，以待四方之隙。 聞禿髮辱檀西征乙弗，投劍而起曰：「可以行矣！」 率步騎二萬襲樂都。 禿髮武台憑城距守，熾磐攻之，一旬而克。 遂入樂都，論功行賞各有差。 遣平遠犍虔率騎五千追傉檀，徙武台與其文武及百姓萬餘戶於枹罕。 傉檀遂降，署為驃騎大將軍、左南公。 隨傉檀文武，依才銓擢之。 熾磐既兼傉檀，兵強地廣，置百官，立其妻禿髮氏為王后。
In his tenth year five-colored clouds rose from the southern mountains; Chipan took them as his omen and told his ministers: "This year my royal enterprise is accomplished!" He repaired armor and marshaled troops, waiting for openings in every quarter. Hearing Tufa Rutan was campaigning west against the Yifu, he cast aside his sword and cried: "Now we can act!" He led twenty thousand foot and horse in a surprise strike on Ledu. Tufa Wutai held the city; Chipan took it in ten days. He entered Ledu and rewarded merit by rank. He sent Jianqian with five thousand horsemen after Rutan and moved Wutai with his officials and more than ten thousand households to Fuhan. Rutan submitted and was made General of Agile Cavalry and Duke of Zuonan. He promoted Rutan's officials according to talent. Having absorbed Rutan, Chipan was strong in arms and broad in lands; he established offices and made his Tufa wife queen.
32
十一年，熾磐攻克沮渠蒙遜河湟太守沮渠漢平，以其左衛匹逵為河湟太守，因討降乙弗窟乾而還。 遣其將曇達、王松壽等討南羌彌姐康薄于赤水，降之。
In year 11 he took Juqu Mengxun's Hexi administrator Juqu Hanping, made his Left Guard Pidi Hexi administrator, subdued the Yifu Kugan, and returned. He sent Tanda and Wang Songshou against the Southern Qiang Minjie Kangbo at Chishui and received his submission.
33
熾磐攻漒川，師次遝中，沮渠蒙遜率眾攻石泉以救之。 熾磐聞而引還，遣曇達與其將出連虔率騎五千赴之。 蒙遜聞曇達至，引歸，遣使聘於熾磐，遂結和親。 又遣曇達、王松壽等率騎一萬伐姚艾於上邽。 曇達進據蒲水，艾距戰，大敗之，艾奔上邽。 曇達進屯大利，破黃石、大羌二戍，徙五千餘戶於枹罕。
Chipan attacked Qiangchuan; at Diezhong, Juqu Mengxun attacked Shiquan to relieve it. Hearing of it, Chipan withdrew and sent Tanda with Chulian Qian and five thousand horsemen to its aid. Mengxun withdrew on hearing Tanda had arrived and sent envoys to seek alliance; they formed a marriage bond. He again sent Tanda and Wang Songshou with ten thousand horsemen against Yao Ai at Shanggui. Tanda held Pu River; Ai gave battle and was routed; Ai fled to Shanggui. Tanda garrisoned Dali, took Huangshi and Daqiang, and moved more than five thousand households to Fuhan.
34
令其安東木奕於率騎七千討吐谷渾樹洛幹於塞上，破其弟阿柴于堯扞川，俘獲五千餘口而還，洛幹奔保白蘭山而死。 熾磐聞而喜曰：「此虜矯矯，所謂有豕白蹢。 往歲曇達東征，姚艾敗走； 今木奕於西討，黠虜遠逃。 境宇稍清，奸凶方殄，股肱惟良，吾無患矣。」 於是以曇達為左丞相，其子元基為右丞相，麹景為尚書令，翟紹為左僕射。 遣曇達、元基東討姚艾，降之。
He ordered Muyuqiu with seven thousand horsemen against Tuyuhun Shuluogan on the frontier, defeated his brother Achai at Yaoqian River, returned with more than five thousand captives, and Shuluogan fled to Bailan Mountain and died. Chipan rejoiced and said: "That barbarian was spirited—what they call a boar with white hooves. In former years Tanda campaigned east and Yao Ai fled; now Muyuqiu campaigns west and the cunning barbarian flees far away. The realm grows clear, traitors are being cut down, and my lieutenants are worthy—I have no worry." He made Tanda left chancellor, his son Yuanji right chancellor, Qu Jing head of the secretariat, and Zhai Shao left vice director. He sent Tanda and Yuanji east against Yao Ai and received his submission.
35
至是，乙弗鮮卑烏地延率戶二萬降於熾磐，署為建義將軍。 地延尋死，弟他子立，以子軻蘭質于西平。 他子從弟提孤等率戶五千以西遷，叛於熾磐。 涼州刺史出連虔遣使喻之，提孤等歸降。 熾磐以提孤奸猾，終為邊患，稅其部中戎馬六萬匹。 後二歲而提孤等扇動部落，西奔出塞。 他子率戶五千入居西平。
The Yifu Xianbei Wudiyan brought twenty thousand households to submit and was made General Who Establishes Righteousness. Wudiyan soon died; his brother Tazi succeeded and sent his son Kelan as hostage to Xiping. Tazi's cousin Tigui and others led five thousand households west in rebellion against Chipan. Inspector of Liangzhou Chulian Qian persuaded them; Tigui and the others submitted. Chipan, judging Tigui crafty and a future border menace, levied sixty thousand war-horses from his division. Two years later Tigui incited the tribes and fled west beyond the passes. Tazi led five thousand households to settle in Xiping.
36
先是，姚艾叛降蒙遜，蒙遜率眾迎之。 艾叔父俊言于眾曰：「秦王寬仁有雅度，自可安土事之，何為從涼主西遷？」 眾咸以為然，相率逐艾，推俊為主，遣使請降。 熾磐大悅，征俊為侍中、中書監、征南將軍，封隴西公，邑一千戶。
Earlier Yao Ai had rebelled and submitted to Mengxun, who led his host to welcome him. Ai's uncle Jun told the host: "Prince Chipan is generous and measured; settle and serve him—why follow the Lord of Liang west? All agreed; they drove off Ai, raised Jun as leader, and asked to submit. Chipan was delighted, summoned Jun as attendant-in-ordinary, director of the secretariat, General Who Campaigns South, and Duke of Longxi with a fief of one thousand households.
37
使征西孔子討吐谷渾覓地于弱水南，大破之。 覓地率眾六千降於熾磐，署為弱水護軍。 遣其左衛匹逵，建威梯君等討彭利和於漒川，大破之，利和單騎奔仇池，獲其妻子。 徙羌豪三千戶於枹罕，漒川羌三萬餘戶皆安堵如故。
He sent General Who Campaigns West Kongzi against Tuyuhun Midi south of the Ruoshui and crushed him. Midi brought six thousand followers to submit and was made Protector of the Army of Ruoshui. He sent Pidi and Tijun against Peng Lihe at Qiangchuan, crushed him; Lihe fled alone to Chouchi and they took his wife and children. He moved three thousand Qiang chieftains' households to Fuhan, and more than thirty thousand Qiangchuan households dwelt secure as before.
38
，立其第二子慕末為太子，領撫軍大將軍、都督中外諸軍事，大赦境內，改元曰建弘，其臣佐等多所封授。 熾磐在位七年而宋氏受禪，以宋元嘉四年死。 子慕末嗣偽位，在位四年，為赫連定所殺。
He made his second son Mumo heir apparent, General Who Pacifies the Army and commander of central and outer armies, declared a great amnesty, changed the era to Jianhong, and enfeoffed many ministers. Chipan reigned seven years until the Song received the mandate; he died in Song Yuanjia year 4. His son Mumo succeeded, reigned four years, and was killed by Helian Ding.
39
始國仁以孝武僭位，至慕末四世，凡四十有六載而滅。
From Guoren's presumptuous reign as Xiaowu to Mumo, four generations and forty-six years passed until destruction.
40
史臣曰：夫天地閉，大昆生； 雲雷屯，群凶作。 自晉室遘孽，胡兵肆禍，封域無紀，干戈是務。 國仁陰山遺噍，難以義服，伺我阽危，長其陵暴。 向使偶欽明之運，遭雄略之主，已當褫魂沙漠，請命槁街，豈暇竊據近郊，經綸王業者也。
The historiographer says: When Heaven and Earth are closed, the Great Kun is born; when cloud and thunder gather, villains arise. After the Jin house met calamity, Hu armies ravaged the land, borders lost all rule, and war was the only business. Guoren was a remnant of the Yin Mountains, not to be won by righteousness alone; watching our peril, he grew arrogant and violent. Had he met an age of bright worthies and a lord of heroic stratagem, he would have lost his soul in the desert and begged for life at Gaojie—how could he have seized the near suburbs and woven a royal enterprise?
41
乾歸智不及遠而以力詐自矜。 陷呂延之師，奸謀潛斷； 俘視羆之眾，威策遐舉。 便欲誓湃、隴之餘卒，窺崤、函之奧區，秣疲馬而宵征，翦勍敵而朝食。 既而控弦嗚鏑，厥志未逞，沮岸崩山，其功已喪。 履重氛於外難，幸以計全； 貽巨釁于蕭牆，終成凶禍，宜哉！
Gangui's wisdom did not reach far, yet he prided himself on force and deceit. He trapped Lü Yan's army and cut off his stratagems by deceit; he captured Shipi's host and by prestige and stratagem campaigned far abroad. He meant to swear the weary troops of the Tao and Long, spy on the heartland of Xiao and Han, feed tired horses for night marches, and cut fierce foes for the morning meal. Yet though he drew the bow and the arrow whistled, his will was not fulfilled; bank and mountain collapsed, and his achievement was lost. Facing heavy peril from without, he preserved himself by stratagem; but he left a great fault within the palace screen and met a violent end—fitting indeed!
42
熾磐叱吒風雲，見機而動，牢籠俊傑，決勝多奇，故能命將掩澆河之酋，臨戎襲樂都之地，不盈數載，遂隆偽業。 覽其遺跡，盜亦有道乎！
Chipan thundered through wind and cloud, acted on opportunity, gathered outstanding men, and won by stratagem; he ordered generals against the chiefs of Jiao River, took the field at Ledu, and in a few years raised a presumptuous realm. Surveying his traces—even a robber has his way!
43
馮跋
Feng Ba
44
馮跋，字文起，長樂信都人也，小字乞直伐，其先畢萬之後也。 萬之子孫有食采馮鄉者，因以氏焉。 永嘉之亂，跋祖父和避地上黨。 父安，雄武有器量，慕容永時為將軍。 永滅，跋東徙和龍，家于長穀。 幼而懿重少言，寬仁有大度，飲酒一石不亂。 三弟皆任俠，不修行業，惟跋恭慎，勤于家產，父母器之。 所居上每有雲氣若樓閣，時咸異之。 嘗夜見天門開，神光赫然燭於庭內。 及慕容寶僭號，署中衛將軍。
Feng Ba, styled Wenqi, was from Xindu in Changle; his childhood name was Qizhifa; his ancestors were descendants of Bi Wan. Among Bi Wan's descendants was one who held Feng as a fief and took it as his surname. In the Yongjia disorders, Ba's grandfather He fled to Shangdang. His father An was fierce and measured; under Murong Yong he served as a general. When Yong fell, Ba moved east to Helong and settled at Changgu. From youth he was refined and grave, spoke little, generous and measured, and could drink a dan of wine without losing himself. His three younger brothers were chivalrous ruffians who neglected proper conduct; only Ba was respectful and diligent in the family estate, and his parents valued him. Above his dwelling cloud vapor often formed like towers and pavilions, and all regarded it as strange. Once at night he saw the Gate of Heaven open and divine light blaze across the courtyard. When Murong Bao took the throne, he appointed Ba General of the Palace Guard.
45
初，跋弟素弗與從兄萬泥及諸少年游于水濱，有一金龍浮水而下，素弗謂萬泥曰：「頗有見否？」 萬泥等皆曰：「無所見也。」 乃取龍而示之，咸以為非常之瑞。 慕容熙聞而求焉，素弗秘之，熙怒。 及即偽位，密欲誅跋兄弟。 其後跋又犯熙禁，懼禍，乃與其諸弟逃于山澤。 每夜獨行，猛獸常為避路。 時賦役繁數，人不堪命，跋兄弟謀曰：「熙今昏虐，兼忌吾兄弟，既還首無路，不可坐受誅滅。 當及時而起，立公侯之業。 事若不成，死其晚乎！」 遂與萬泥等二十二人結謀。 跋與二弟乘車，使婦人禦，潛入龍城，匿于北部司馬孫護之室。 遂殺熙，立高雲為主。 雲署跋為使持節、侍中、都督中外諸軍事、征北大將軍、開府儀同三司、錄尚書事、武邑公。
At first Ba's brother Sufu with his cousin Wan Ni and other youths were playing by the water when a golden dragon floated down; Sufu asked Wan Ni: "Did you see anything?" Wan Ni and the others said: "We saw nothing." He took out the dragon and showed them; all regarded it as an extraordinary omen. Murong Xi, hearing of it, demanded it; Sufu kept it secret and Xi grew angry. When he took the throne he secretly wished to execute the Ba brothers. Later Ba again violated Xi's prohibitions; fearing disaster, he fled with his brothers to the mountains and marshes. Each night he walked alone and fierce beasts always made way for him. Levies were heavy and the people could not endure; the Ba brothers plotted: "Xi is benighted and cruel and envies us; we cannot sit and await execution. We should rise in time and establish a lordly enterprise. If we fail, is it not better to die late!" They formed a plot with Wan Ni and twenty-two others. Ba and his two brothers rode in a carriage driven by women, secretly entered Longcheng, and hid in Sun Hu's house. They killed Xi and raised Gao Yun as ruler. Yun appointed Ba bearer of the staff, attendant-in-ordinary, commander of central and outer armies, General Who Campaigns North, commissioner equal to the three excellencies, recorder of the secretariat, and Duke of Wuyi.
46
跋宴群僚，忽有血流其左臂，跋惡之。 從事中郎王垂因說符命之應，跋戒其勿言。 雲為其幸臣離班、桃仁所殺，跋升洪光門以觀變。 帳下督張泰、李桑謂跋曰：「此豎勢何所至！ 請為公斬之。」 於是奮劍而下，桑斬班於西門，泰殺仁於庭中。 眾推跋為主，跋曰：「范陽公素弗才略不恆，志於靖亂，掃清凶桀，皆公勳也。」 素弗辭曰：「臣聞父兄之有天下，傳之於子弟，未聞子弟籍父兄之業而先之。 今鴻基未建，危甚綴旒，天工無曠，業系大兄。 願上順皇天之命，下副元元之心。」 群臣固請，乃許之，於是乙太元二十年乃僭稱天王于昌黎，而不徙舊號，即國曰燕，赦其境內，建元曰太平。 分遣使者巡行郡國，觀察風俗。 追尊祖和為元皇帝，父安為宣皇帝，尊母張氏為太后，立妻孫氏為王后，子永為太子。 署弟素弗為侍中、車騎大將軍、錄尚書事，弘為侍中、征東大將軍、尚書右僕射、汲郡公，從兄萬泥為驃騎大將軍、幽平二州牧，務銀提為上大將軍、遼東太守，孫護為侍中、尚書令、陽平公，張興為衛將軍、尚書左僕射、永甯公，郭生為鎮東大將軍、領右衛將軍、陳留公，從兄子乳陳為征西大將軍、並青二州牧、上谷公，姚昭為鎮南大將軍、司隸校尉、上党公，馬弗勤為吏部尚書、廣宗公，王難為侍中、撫軍將軍、潁川公，自餘拜授，文武進位各有差。 尋而萬泥抗表請代，跋曰：「猥以不德，謬為群賢所推，思與兄弟同茲休戚。 今方難未寧，維城任重，非明德懿親，孰克居也！ 且折沖禦侮，為國籓屏，雖有他人，不如我弟兄，豈得如所陳也。」 於是加開府儀同三司。
While feasting his ministers, blood flowed on Ba's left arm; he took it as ill omen. Attendant Zhonglang Wang Chui spoke of the mandate of signs; Ba warned him not to speak. Yun was killed by his favorites Li Ban and Taoren; Ba ascended Hongguang Gate to observe. Camp supervisors Zhang Tai and Li Sang told Ba: "How far can this villain's power reach! Let us behead him for you. They drew swords; Sang beheaded Ban at the western gate and Tai killed Ren in the courtyard. The host raised Ba as ruler; Ba said: "Duke of Fanyang Sufu's talent is extraordinary; his will is to quell disorder and sweep away the wicked—all is your merit." Sufu declined: "Fathers and elder brothers pass the realm to sons and younger brothers; I have not heard that younger brothers seize their elders' enterprise and go before them. The foundation is not yet established and peril hangs like a dangling tassel; Heaven's work admits no vacancy—the enterprise rests on the eldest brother. Above, follow Heaven's mandate; below, answer the hearts of the people." The ministers pressed him and he consented; in Eastern Jin Taian year 20 he styled himself Heavenly King at Changli, named the state Yan, declared an amnesty, and established the era Taiping. He sent envoys to tour the commanderies and observe local customs. He posthumously honored his grandfather He as Emperor Yuan and his father An as Emperor Xuan, made his mother Lady Zhang empress dowager, his wife Lady Sun queen, and his son Yong heir apparent. He appointed Sufu attendant-in-ordinary, general of chariots and cavalry, and recorder of the secretariat; Hong attendant-in-ordinary, general who campaigns east, right vice director, and Duke of Ji; Wan Ni general of agile cavalry and governor of You and Ping; and the rest received ranks in due order. Wan Ni requested replacement; Ba said: "With slight virtue I have been pushed forward by the worthy; I wish to share fortune and misfortune with my brothers. Difficulties are not settled and the city-wall's weight is heavy—who but a bright kinsman can bear it! To break the foe and repel insult is the state's screen; none equals us brothers—how can I do as you propose?" He therefore added the protocol of the three excellencies.
47
，跋下書曰：「昔高祖為義帝舉哀，天下歸其仁。 吾與高雲義則君臣，恩逾兄弟。 其以禮葬雲及其妻子，立雲廟於韭町，置園邑二十家，四時供薦。」
Ba issued a proclamation: "The High Ancestor mourned Emperor Yi of Righteousness and the realm returned to his benevolence. Gao Yun and I were ruler and minister in righteousness, yet in kindness we exceeded brothers. Bury Yun and his wife and children with rites, establish Yun's temple at Jiuding, set a park estate of twenty households, and offer sacrifices in the four seasons."
48
初，跋之立也，萬泥、乳陳自以親而有大功，謂當入為公輔，跋以二籓任重，因而弗征，並有憾焉。 乳陳性粗獷，勇氣過人，密遣告萬泥曰：「乳陳有至謀，顧與叔父圍之。」 萬泥遂奔白狼，阻兵以叛。 跋遣馮弘與將軍張興將步騎二萬討之。 弘遣使喻之曰：「昔者兄弟乘風雲之運，撫翼而起。 群公以天命所鍾，人望攸系，推逼主上光踐寶位。 裂土疏爵，當與兄弟共之，奈何欲尋干戈于蕭牆，棄友于而為閼伯！ 過貴能改，善莫大焉。 宜舍茲嫌，同獎王室。」 萬泥欲降，乳陳按劍怒曰：「大丈夫死生有命，決之於今，何謂降也。」 遂克期出戰。 興謂弘曰：「賊明日出戰，今夜必來驚我營，宜命三軍以備不虞。」 弘乃密嚴人課草十束，畜火伏兵以待之。 是夜，乳陳果遣壯士千餘人來斫營。 眾火俱起，伏兵邀擊，俘斬無遺。 乳陳等懼而出降，弘皆斬之。
When Ba was established, Wan Ni and Ruchen, as kin with great merit, expected chief minister posts; Ba left them on the frontier and both resented it. Ruchen was coarse and fierce; he secretly told Wan Ni: "I have a supreme plan and wish to surround them with you, uncle." Wan Ni fled to Bailang and rebelled with his army. Ba sent Feng Hong with Zhang Xing and twenty thousand foot and horse against them. Hong sent envoys: "We brothers rode the fortune of wind and cloud and rose together. The lords, because Heaven's mandate was concentrated, pushed forward the sovereign to the throne. Land and rank ought to be shared with brothers—why seek weapons within the palace screen and abandon brotherhood! He who corrects a fault does the greatest good. Set aside this resentment and together encourage the royal house." Wan Ni wished to surrender; Ruchen grasped his sword and said: "A great man's life and death have their mandate—decide today; what talk of surrender!" They fixed a date and gave battle. Xing told Hong: "The foe will fight tomorrow; tonight they will surprise our camp—order the three armies to guard against it." Hong had men prepare ten bundles of straw, stored fire, and set ambush troops to wait. That night Ruchen sent more than a thousand stalwarts to strike the camp. Fires rose on all sides; ambush troops struck and captured or beheaded all. Terrified, Ruchen and the others surrendered; Hong beheaded them all.
49
署素弗為大司馬，改封遼西公，馮弘為驃騎大將軍，改封中山公。
He appointed Sufu grand marshal and Duke of Liaoxi; Feng Hong general of agile cavalry and Duke of Zhongshan.
50
跋下書曰：「自頃多故，事難相尋，賦役系苦，百姓困窮。 宜加寬宥，務從簡易，前朝苛政，皆悉除之。 守宰當垂仁惠，無得侵害百姓，蘭台都官明加澄察。」 初，慕容熙之敗也，工人李訓竊寶而逃，貲至巨萬，行貨于馬弗勤，弗勤以訓為方略令。 既而失志之士書之于闕下碑，馮素弗言之於跋，請免弗勤官，仍推罪之。 跋曰：「大臣無忠清之節，貨財公行於朝，雖由吾不明所致，弗勤宜肆諸市朝，以正刑憲。 但大業草創，彝倫未敘，弗勤拔自寒微，未有君子之志，其特原之。 李訓小人，污辱朝士，可東市考竟。」 於是上下肅然，請賕路絕。
Ba issued a proclamation: "Recently troubles have followed one another, levies have bound the people in bitterness, and the common people are impoverished. We ought to add leniency, strive for simplicity, and abolish the harsh policies of the former court. District defenders must extend benevolence and not harm the people; the directorates should inspect this clearly." When Murong Xi was defeated, the craftsman Li Xun stole treasures and fled with wealth reaching tens of millions; he offered goods to Ma Fuqin, who made Xun strategist-in-ordinary. Men of lost ambition wrote on the palace stele; Feng Sufu told Ba and asked that Fuqin be removed and guilt pushed onto him. Ba said: "Great ministers lack loyal integrity and wealth moves openly in court—though this is my lack of clarity, Fuqin ought to be displayed in the market to rectify the law. But the enterprise is newly founded and norms are not yet ordered; Fuqin was raised from humble station and lacks a gentleman's resolve—let him be pardoned. Li Xun is a petty man who defiled court officers—examine him to the end at the eastern market." Thereupon above and below were reverent and requests for bribes ceased.
51
蝚蠕勇斛律遣使求跋女偽樂浪公主，獻馬三千匹，跋命其群下議之。 素弗等議曰：「前代舊事，皆以宗女妻六夷，宜許以妃嬪之女，樂浪公主不宜下降非類。」 跋曰：「女生從夫，千里豈遠！ 朕方崇信殊俗，奈何欺之！」 乃許焉。 遣其遊擊秦都率騎二千，送其女婦於蝚蠕。 庫莫奚虞出庫真率三千餘落請交市，獻馬千匹，許之，處之于營丘。
The Rouran chief Hulu sought Ba's daughter, the presumptuous Princess of Lelang, and presented three thousand horses; Ba ordered deliberation. Sufu and others said: "Former generations always married clan daughters to the six barbarians; we ought to consent with a consort's daughter, but the Princess of Lelang ought not descend to an alien kind." Ba said: "A girl follows her husband—are a thousand li far! I honor alien customs—how can I deceive them!" He consented. He sent Mobile Commander Qin Du with two thousand horsemen to escort his daughter to the Rouran. The Kumo Xi Yuchu Kuizhen brought more than three thousand households requesting markets, presented one thousand horses, was permitted, and was settled at Yingqiu.
52
分遣使者巡行郡國，孤老久疾不能自存者，振穀帛有差，孝悌力田閨門和順者，皆褒顯之。 昌黎郝越、營丘張買成、周刁、溫建德、何纂以賢良皆擢敘之。 遣其太常丞劉軒徙北部人五百戶于長谷，為祖父園邑。 以其太子永領大單于，置四輔。 跋勵意農桑，勤心政事，乃下書省徭薄賦，墮農者戮之，力田者褒賞，命尚書紀達為之條制。 每遣守宰，必親見東堂，問為政事之要，令極言無隱，以觀其志，於是朝野競勸焉。
He sent envoys to tour the commanderies; the solitary old and long ill who could not support themselves received grain and cloth; the filial, fraternal, and harmonious were praised. Hao Yue of Changli, Zhang Maicheng of Yingqiu, Zhou Diao, Wen Jiande, and He Zuan were promoted for worthiness. He sent Vice Director of the Imperial Clan Liu Xuan to move five hundred northern households to Changgu as his grandfather's park estate. He made heir apparent Yong Grand Shanyu and established four assistants. Ba encouraged agriculture and was diligent in government; he reduced corvée and lightened levies, beheaded those who neglected fields, rewarded the diligent, and ordered Ji Da to make regulations. Whenever he sent district defenders, he received them in the Eastern Hall, asked the essentials of government, ordered them to speak without concealment, and court and countryside competed in effort.
53
先是，河間人褚匡言於跋曰：「陛下至德應期，龍飛東夏，舊邦宗族，傾首朝陽，以日為歲。 若聽臣往迎，致之不遠。」 跋曰：「隔絕殊域，阻回數千，將何可致也？」 匡曰：「章武郡臨海，船路甚通，出於遼西臨渝，不為難也。」 跋許之，署匡遊擊將軍、中書侍郎，厚加資遣。 匡尋與跋從兄買、從弟睹自長樂率五千餘戶來奔，署買為衛尉，封城陽伯，睹為太常、高城伯。
Before this, Chu Kuang of Hejian told Ba: "Your supreme virtue responds to the season; the old homeland and clans turn to the morning sun, counting days as years. If you will let me go welcome them, bringing them is not far." Ba said: "Separated by a different realm and thousands of li—how can they be brought?" Kuang said: "Zhangwu faces the sea; the route is open from Linyu in Liaoxi—it is not difficult." Ba consented and appointed Kuang mobile general and attendant secretariat gentleman, generously funding his dispatch. Soon Kuang with Ba's cousin Mai and younger cousin Du from Changle brought more than five thousand households; he made Mai commandant of the guards and Marquis of Chengyang, Du grand master of splendid happiness and Marquis of Gaocheng.
54
契丹庫莫奚降，署其大人為歸善王。
The Khitan and Kumo Xi submitted; he made their great chiefs Kings Who Return to Goodness.
55
跋又下書曰：「今疆宇無虞，百姓甯業，而田畝荒穢，有司不隨時督察，欲今家給人足，不亦難乎！ 桑柘之益，有生之本。 此土少桑，人未見其利，可令百姓人殖桑一百根，柘二十根。」 又下書曰：「聖人制禮，送終有度。 重其衣衾，厚其棺槨，將何用乎？ 人之亡也，精魂上歸於天，骨肉下歸於地，朝終夕壞，無寒暖之期，衣以錦繡，服以羅紈，寧有知哉！ 厚於送終，貴而改葬，皆無益亡者，有損於生。 是以祖考因舊立廟，皆不改營陵寢。 申下境內，自今皆令奉之。」
Ba again issued a proclamation: "The borders are without worry and the people secure, yet fields lie waste—the offices do not supervise in season; if we wish every household provided for, is it not hard! Mulberry and paper-mulberry are the root of livelihood. This land has little mulberry; the people have not seen its benefit—order every household to plant one hundred mulberry roots and twenty paper-mulberry roots." He again issued a proclamation: "The sages established rites; sending off the dead has its measure. Heavy shrouds, thick coffins—what use are they? When a man dies, spirit rises to Heaven and flesh returns to earth; by morning's end and evening's ruin there is no cold or warmth—would brocade and silk give awareness! Being heavy in sending off the dead and valuing reburial benefits neither the dead nor the living. Therefore ancestors established temples on the old model and did not alter the tombs. We order all within the borders from now on to observe this."
56
魏使耿貳至其國，跋遣其黃門郎常陋迎之於道。 跋為不稱臣，怒而不見。 及至，跋又遣陋勞之。 貳忿而不謝。 跋散騎常侍申秀言於跋曰：「陛下接貳以禮，而敢驕蹇若斯，不可容也。」 中給事馮懿以傾佞有幸，又盛稱貳之陵慠以激跋。 跋曰：「亦各其志也。 匹夫尚不可屈，況一方之主乎！」 請幽而降之，跋乃留貳不遣。
The Wei envoy Geng Er came; Ba sent Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Chang Lou to welcome him on the road. Because Ba would not style himself a vassal, Er was angry and refused to receive him. When Er arrived, Ba again sent Lou to offer him comfort. Er was resentful and did not thank him. Attendant-in-Ordinary Shen Xiu told Ba: "Your Majesty received Er with rites, yet he dares be so arrogant—he cannot be tolerated." Palace Attendant Feng Yi, favored for fawning flattery, also praised Er's insolence to provoke Ba. Ba said: "Each has his own will. Even a common man ought not be bent—how much more the lord of a region!" He asked that Er be imprisoned until he submitted; Ba detained Er and would not send him away.
57
是時井竭三日而復。 其尚書令孫護裏有犬與豕交，護見而惡之，召太史令閔尚筮之。 尚曰：「犬豕異類而交，違性失本，其于《洪範》為犬禍，將勃亂失眾，以至敗亡。 明公位極塚宰，遐邇具瞻，諸弟並封列侯，貴傾王室，妖見裏庭，不為他也。 願公戒滿盈之失，修尚恭儉，則妖怪可消，永享元吉。」 護默然不悅。
At that time the wells dried up for three days and then returned. Head of the Secretariat Sun Hu's lane had a dog mating with a pig; Hu took it as ill omen and summoned Grand Astrologer Min Shang to divine it. Shang said: "Dog and pig are different kinds yet mate—against nature; in the Hong Fan this is canine calamity; there will be sudden disorder, loss of the host, and ruin. Your position reaches chief of the lineage; near and far look to you; your brothers are enfeoffed as marquises, your honor overturning the royal house—the omen is in your courtyard, not another's. Guard against the fault of fullness, cultivate respect and frugality, and the omen may be dispelled and you may enjoy supreme fortune." Hu was silent and displeased.
58
昌黎尹孫伯仁、護弟叱支、叱支弟乙拔等俱有才力，以驍勇聞。 跋之立也，並冀開府，而跋未之許，由是有怨言。 每于朝饗之際，常拔劍擊柱曰：「興建大業，有功力焉，而滯於散將，豈是漢祖河山之義乎！」 跋怒，誅之。 進護左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司、錄尚書事以慰之。 護自三弟誅後，常怏怏有不悅之色，跋怒，酖之。 尋而遼東太守務銀提自以功在孫護、張興之右，而出為邊郡，抗表有恨言，密謀外叛。 跋怒，殺之。
Changli Magistrate Sun Boren, Hu's brother Chizhi, and Chizhi's brother Yiba all had talent and were known for fierce bravery. When Ba was established they all hoped for a government office, but Ba did not consent, and they resented it. At every court feast they drew swords and struck the pillar: "We had merit in founding the great enterprise, yet we stagnate as scattered generals—is this the Han Founder's righteousness!" Ba was angry and executed them. He advanced Hu to left grand master of splendid happiness, commissioner equal to the three excellencies, and recorder of the secretariat to comfort him. After Hu's three brothers were executed, he was often sullen; Ba was angry and poisoned him. Soon Liaodong Administrator Wuyin Ti, considering his merit above Sun Hu and Zhang Xing yet sent to a frontier commandery, submitted a resentful memorial and secretly plotted rebellion. Ba was angry and killed him.
59
跋下書曰：「武以平亂，文以經務，甯國濟俗，實所憑焉。 自頃喪難，禮崩樂壞，閭閻絕諷誦之音，後行無庠序之教，子衿之歎復興於今，豈所以穆章風化，崇闡斯文！ 可營建太學，以長樂劉軒、營丘張熾、成周翟崇為博士郎中，簡二千石已下子弟年十五已上教之。」
Ba issued a proclamation: "Martial affairs pacify disorder, civil affairs order administration—pacifying the state truly depends on these. Recently rites collapsed and music was ruined; lanes lacked recitation and the young had no school education—how can this rectify custom and extend culture! Build the Imperial University, with Liu Xuan, Zhang Chi, and Zhai Chong as erudite gentlemen, teaching sons of officials of two thousand shi and below aged fifteen and above."
60
跋弟丕，先是因亂投於高句麗，跋迎致之，至龍城，以為左僕射、常山公。
Ba's brother Pi had fled to Goguryeo amid disorder; Ba welcomed him to Longcheng and made him left vice director and Duke of Changshan.
61
蝚蠕斛律為其弟大但所逐，盡室奔跋，乃館之於遼東郡，待之以客禮。 跋納其女為昭儀。 時三月不雨，至於夏五月。 斛律上書請還塞北，跋曰：「棄國萬里，又無內應。 若以強兵相送，糧運難繼； 少也，勢不能固。 且千里襲國，古人為難，況數千里乎！」 斛律固請曰：「不煩大眾，願給騎三百足矣。 得達敕勒國，人必欣而來迎。」 乃許之，遣單于前輔萬陵率騎三百送之。 陵憚遠役，至黑山，殺斛律而還。
Rouran Hulu was driven out by his brother Datan and fled with his household to Ba; Ba lodged them in Liaodong and treated them as guests. Ba took his daughter as a consort. For three months there was no rain, until the fifth month of summer. Hulu asked to return north of the passes; Ba said: "Abandoning your state for ten thousand li without internal support— if we send a strong army, grain transport is hard to continue; if few, the position cannot be held. Striking a state a thousand li away the ancients considered hard—how much more several thousand!" Hulu pressed his request: "It need not trouble the great host—three hundred horsemen will suffice. Reaching the Tiele state, the people will rejoice and come to welcome me." He consented and sent the Shanyu's Forward Assistant Wan Ling with three hundred horsemen to escort him. Ling feared the distant service; at Black Mountain he killed Hulu and returned.
62
晉青州刺史申永遣使浮海來聘，跋乃使其中書郎李扶報之。 蝚蠕大但遣使獻馬三千匹，羊萬口。
Jin Inspector of Qingzhou Shen Yong sent envoys by sea; Ba sent Secretariat Gentleman Li Fu to respond. Rouran Datan sent envoys with three thousand horses and ten thousand sheep.
63
有赤氣四塞，太史令張穆言於跋曰：「兵氣也。 今大魏威制六合，而聘使斷絕。 自古未有鄰接境，不通和好。 違義怒鄰，取亡之道。 宜還前使，修和結盟。」 跋曰：「吾當思之。」 尋而魏軍大至，遣單于右輔古泥率騎候之。 去城十五里，遇軍奔還。 又遣其將姚昭、皇甫軌等距戰，軌中流矢死。 魏以有備，引還。
Red vapor filled the four quarters; Grand Astrologer Zhang Mu told Ba: "It is the aura of armies. Great Wei's prestige controls the six directions, yet court envoys have ceased. From antiquity neighboring borders have never lacked communication of friendship. To violate righteousness and anger neighbors is the way to destruction. Return the former envoy and repair harmony and alliance." Ba said: "I shall consider it." Soon the Wei army arrived in great strength; he sent the Shanyu's Right Assistant Gunai with horsemen to observe them. Fifteen li from the city they met the army and fled back. He sent Yao Zhao, Huangfu Gui, and others to oppose them; Gui was struck by an arrow and died. Wei, finding preparation, withdrew.
64
跋境地震山崩，洪光門鸛雀折。 又地震，右寢壞。 跋問閔尚曰：「比年屢有地動之變，卿可明言其故。」 尚曰：「地，陰也，主百姓。 震有左右，此震皆向右，臣懼百姓將西移。」 跋曰：「吾亦甚慮之。」 分遣使者巡行郡國，問所疾苦，孤老不能自存者，賜以穀帛有差。
Within Ba's borders the earth quaked and mountains collapsed; the magpie at Hongguang Gate broke its wing. Again the earth quaked and the right sleeping quarters collapsed. Ba asked Min Shang: "In recent years there have repeatedly been earthquakes—can you state the reason?" Shang said: "Earth is yin and governs the common people. Earthquakes have left and right; these all moved to the right—I fear the people will shift west." Ba said: "I too am greatly concerned." He sent envoys to tour the commanderies, asking what suffering there was; the solitary old who could not support themselves received grain and cloth.
65
跋立十一年，至是，也，此後事入于宋。 至死。 弟弘殺跋子翼自立，後為魏所伐，東奔高句麗。 居二年，高句麗殺之。
Ba had reigned eleven years; at this point—thereafter affairs enter into the Song. He died. His brother Hong killed Ba's son Yi and established himself; later Wei campaigned against him and he fled east to Goguryeo. After two years Goguryeo killed him.
66
始，跋以孝武僭號，至弘二世，凡二十有八載。
From Ba's presumptuous reign as Xiaowu to Hong, two generations and twenty-eight years passed.
68
弟素弗
Younger brother Sufu
69
=馮素弗，跋之長弟也。 慷慨有大志，姿貌魁偉，雄傑不群，任俠放蕩，不修小節，故時人未之奇，惟王齊異焉，曰：「撥亂才也。」 惟交結時豪為務，不以產業經懷。 弱冠，自詣慕容熙尚書左丞韓業請婚，業怒而距之。 復求尚書郎高邵女，邵亦弗許。 南宮令成藻，豪俊有高名，素弗造焉，藻命門者勿納。 素弗逕入，與藻對坐，旁若無人。 談飲連日。 藻始奇之，曰：「吾遠求騏驥，不知近在東鄰，何識子之晚也！」 當世俠士莫不歸之。 及熙僭號，為侍御郎、小帳下督。
Feng Sufu was Ba's eldest younger brother. Generous and bold with great resolve, imposing in stature, heroic and apart from the crowd, chivalrous and unrestrained, not cultivating small proprieties—men of the time did not regard him as extraordinary; only Wang Qi said: "Talent for putting down disorder." He only sought the bold heroes of the time and did not take estate to heart. At weak cap he went to Murong Xi's Left Vice Director Han Ye to request marriage; Ye angrily refused. He again sought Secretariat Gentleman Gao Shao's daughter; Shao also refused. Nangong Magistrate Cheng Zao, a bold hero of high name—Sufu visited him; Zao ordered the gatekeeper not to admit him. Sufu went straight in and sat facing Zao as if no one else were present. They talked and drank for successive days. Zao then regarded him as extraordinary and said: "I sought a swift horse far away, not knowing it was near in the eastern neighbor—how late I knew you!" The chivalrous warriors of the age all submitted to him. When Xi took the throne, Sufu was attendant of the imperial guard and junior commander of the small tent.
70
跋之偽業，素弗所建也。 及為宰輔，謙虛恭慎，非禮不動，雖廝養之賤，皆與之抗禮。 車服屋宇，務於儉約，修己率下，百僚憚之。 初為京尹。 及鎮營丘，百姓歌之。 嘗謂韓業曰：「君前既不顧，今將自取，何如？」 業拜而陳謝。 素弗曰：「既往之事，豈復與君計之！」 然待業彌厚。 好存亡繼絕，申拔舊門，問侍中陽哲曰：「秦、趙勳臣子弟今何在乎？」 哲曰：「皆在中州，惟桃豹孫鮮在焉。」 素弗召為左常侍，論者歸其有宰衡之度。
Ba's presumptuous enterprise was what Sufu established. As chief minister he was modest, respectful, and cautious; what was not rite he would not do; even the lowest servants he treated with opposing rites. Carriages, robes, and dwellings he kept frugal; cultivating himself and leading those below, the hundred officials feared him. At first he was metropolitan governor. When he garrisoned Yingqiu, the common people sang of him. He once told Han Ye: "You earlier would not look to me; now I shall take for myself—what of it?" Ye bowed and apologized. Sufu said: "Past affairs—shall I reckon them with you again!" Yet he treated Ye all the more generously. He loved preserving what was dying and continuing what was cut off; he asked Attendant-in-Ordinary Yang Zhe: "Where are the sons of Qin and Zhao merit ministers now?" Zhe said: "All are in the central provinces; only Tao Bao's grandson Xian is here." Sufu summoned him as left regular attendant; discussants attributed to him the measure of chief minister.
71
跋之七年死，跋哭之哀慟。 比葬，七臨之。
In Ba's seventh year Sufu died; Ba wept for him with bitter grief. By burial he visited the tomb seven times.
72
史臣曰：自五胡縱慝，九域淪胥，帝裏神州，遂混之於荒裔，鴻名寶位，咸假之於雜種。 嘗謂戎狄凶囂，未窺道德，欺天擅命，抑乃其常。 而馮跋出自中州，有殊丑類，因鮮卑之昏虐，亦盜名於海隅。 然其遷徙之餘，少非雄傑，幸以寬厚為眾所推。 初雖砥礪，終罕成德，舊史稱其信惑妖祀，斥黜諫臣，無開馭之才，異經決之士，信矣。 速禍致寇，良謂在茲。 猶能撫育黎萌，保守疆宇，發號施令，二十餘年，豈天意乎，非人事也！
The historiographer says: From the time the Five Hu ran wild, the nine domains sank; the imperial capital was mixed with the wild borderlands; throne and great name were borrowed by mixed breeds. One might say the Rong and Di are fierce, never glimpsing morality, deceiving Heaven and usurping mandate—that is their constant. Yet Feng Ba came from the central provinces, a different kind; riding Xianbei cruelty, he stole a name on the seacoast. Yet among migrants he was in youth no hero; he was lucky to be pushed forward for his generosity. At first he honed himself, yet rarely achieved virtue; old histories call him one who believed strange cults, drove away remonstrating ministers, and lacked talent for rule—true indeed. Hastening calamity and inviting the foe—truly it lies here. Yet he could nurture the people and preserve the borders for more than twenty years—is it Heaven's will, not human effort!
73
【贊】
【Praise】
74
贊曰：國仁驍武，乾歸勇悍。 矯矯熾磐，臨機能斷。 孰謂獯虜，亦懷沈算。 文起常才，憑時叛換。 咸竊大寶，為我多難。
The praise says: Guoren was fierce in martial bearing, Gangui brave and fierce. Chipan, spirited and soaring, faced opportunity and could decide. Who would say the barbarian herdsmen also harbored deep stratagems. Wenqi was an ordinary talent who, relying on the times, rebelled and changed sides. They all usurped the imperial throne and brought manifold calamities upon the land.