1
沮渠蒙遜
Juqu Mengxun.
2
沮渠蒙遜，臨松盧水胡人也。 其先世為匈奴左沮渠，遂以官為氏焉。 蒙遜博涉群史，頗曉天文，雄傑有英略，滑稽善權變，梁熙、呂光皆奇而憚之，故常遊飲自晦。 會伯父羅仇、麹粥從呂光征河南，光前軍大敗，麹粥言于兄羅仇曰：「主上荒耄驕縱，諸子朋黨相傾，讒人側目。 今軍敗將死，正是智勇見猜之日，可不懼乎！ 吾兄弟素為所憚，與其經死溝瀆，豈若勒眾向西平，出苕藋，奮臂大呼，涼州不足定也。」 羅仇曰：「理如汝言，但吾家累世忠孝，為一方所歸，寧人負我，無我負人。」 俄而皆為光所殺。 宗姻諸部會葬者萬餘人，蒙遜哭謂眾曰：「昔漢祚中微，吾之乃祖翼獎竇融，保寧河右。 呂王昏耄，荒虐無道，豈可不上繼先祖安時之志，使二父有恨黃泉！」 眾咸稱萬歲。 遂斬光中田護軍馬邃、臨松令井祥以盟，一旬之間，眾至萬餘。 屯據金山，與從兄男成推光建康太守段業為使持節、大都督、龍驤大將軍、涼州牧、建康公，改呂光龍飛二年為神璽元年。 業以蒙遜為張掖太守，男成為輔國將軍，委以軍國之任。
Juqu Mengxun was a Lu-shui Hu from Linsong. His forebears had held the Xiongnu title of Left Juqu, and the family took that office as its surname. Mengxun read widely in history, knew something of astronomy, was bold and resourceful, and had a ready wit for stratagem; Liang Xi and Lü Guang both admired and feared him, so he often hid his light beneath feasting and drink. When his uncles Luoqiu and Quzhou followed Lü Guang on the southern campaign, Lü Guang's vanguard suffered a crushing defeat. Quzhou said to his brother Luoqiu, "The ruler is senile and willful, his sons tear at one another in factions, and men who whisper slander watch for their chance. The army is broken and the generals are dying—this is the very hour when able men are marked for suspicion. Should we not be afraid! Our brothers have long been objects of fear; better to lead the host west to Xiping, break out through Tiaodiao, and raise a shout with arms flung high than to die like dogs in a ditch—Liangzhou would be ours for the taking." Luoqiu replied, "Your reasoning is sound, yet our family has been loyal for generations and this region looks to us; I would rather another betray me than betray another." Before long Lü Guang had them both put to death. More than ten thousand kinsmen and allies came to the funeral. Mengxun wept and told the crowd, "When the Han mandate faltered, my ancestor aided Dou Rong and helped secure the country west of the Yellow River. The Lü king is senile and cruel without principle—can we fail to carry on our forebears' wish for peace and leave our two fathers unrevenged in the grave!" The crowd shouted their assent. They slew Ma Sui, the central-field guard under Lü Guang, and Jing Xiang, magistrate of Linsong, to seal their oath, and within ten days their following passed ten thousand. They occupied Jin Mountain and, with his cousin Juqu Nancheng, set up Duan Ye, Lü Guang's governor of Jiankang, as commissioner with full powers, grand commander, grand general soaring dragon, governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Jiankang, reckoning the first year of their rule from Lü Guang's second year of Longfei under the new era name Shenxi. Duan Ye named Mengxun governor of Zhangye and Nancheng general who supports the state, entrusting them with civil and military power.
3
業將使蒙遜攻西郡，眾咸疑之。 蒙遜曰：「此郡據嶺之要，不可不取。」 業曰：「卿言是也。」 遂遣之。 蒙遜引水灌城，城潰，執太守呂純以歸。 於是王德以晉昌，孟敏以敦煌降業。 業封蒙遜臨池侯。 呂弘去張掖，將東走，業議欲擊之。 蒙遜諫曰：「歸師勿遏，窮寇弗追，此兵家之戎也。 不如縱之，以為後圖。」 業曰：「一日縱敵，悔將無及。」 遂率眾追之，為弘所敗。 業賴蒙遜而免，歎曰：「孤不能用子房之言，以至於此！」 業築西安城，以其將臧莫孩為太守。 蒙遜曰：「莫孩勇而無謀，知進忘退，所謂為之築塚，非築城也。」 業不從。 俄而為呂纂所敗。 蒙遜懼業不能容己，每匿智以避之。
When Duan Ye was about to send Mengxun against Xijun, his officers were skeptical. Mengxun said, "That commandery guards the ridge line; we must take it." Duan Ye said, "You are right." He sent him off. Mengxun broke the dikes and flooded the walls; the city fell, and he brought back the governor Lü Chun as prisoner. Wang De then surrendered Jinchang and Meng Min surrendered Dunhuang to Duan Ye. Duan Ye enfeoffed Mengxun as marquis of Linchi. When Lü Hong quit Zhangye to flee east, Duan Ye's council urged an attack. Mengxun remonstrated, "Do not bar a retreating army or press a cornered foe—such is the soldier's rule. Better to let them go and plan for another day." Duan Ye replied, "Let the enemy slip once and regret will come too late." He led the army in pursuit and was routed by Lü Hong. Duan Ye owed his escape to Mengxun and sighed, "I would not heed the counsel of a Zhang Liang, and this is the price!" He walled Xi'an and named his general Zang Mohai governor. Mengxun said, "Mohai is brave but witless, ever eager to advance and never to withdraw—you are digging his grave, not raising a wall for him." Duan Ye would not listen. Soon afterward Zang Mohai was defeated by Lü Zuan. Mengxun feared that Duan Ye could not tolerate him and constantly feigned dullness to stay out of his way.
4
業僭稱涼王，以蒙遜為尚書左丞，梁中庸為右丞。
When Duan Ye assumed the title of king of Liang, he made Mengxun left secretary of the masters of writing and Liang Zhongyong right secretary.
5
呂光遣其二子紹、纂伐業，業請救于禿髮烏孤，烏孤遣其弟鹿孤及楊軌救業。 紹以業等軍盛，欲從三門關挾山而東。 纂曰：「挾山示弱，取敗之道，不如結陣衛之，彼必憚我而不戰也。」 紹乃引軍而南。 業將擊之，蒙遜諫曰：「楊軌恃虜騎之強，有窺覦之志。 紹、纂兵在死地，必決戰求生。 不戰則有太山之安，戰則有累卵之危。」 業曰：「卿言是也。」 乃按兵不戰。 紹亦難之，各引兵歸。
Lü Guang sent his sons Shao and Zuan against Duan Ye, who begged aid from Tufa Wugu; Wugu sent his brother Lugu and Yang Gui to relieve him. Lü Shao saw that Duan Ye's host was strong and proposed to slip east along the mountains through Sanmen Pass. Lü Zuan said, "Skirting the mountains advertises weakness and courts defeat; better to form a battle line and hold them—they will fear us and refuse battle." Lü Shao therefore marched south. As Duan Ye prepared to attack, Mengxun remonstrated, "Yang Gui trusts in the strength of his nomad horse and eyes your throne for himself. Shao and Zuan are on deadly ground; they will fight to the death. Refuse battle and you are secure as Mount Tai; join battle and you stand on eggs piled high." Duan Ye said, "You speak truly." He held his troops and gave no battle. Lü Shao found the situation awkward as well, and both sides withdrew.
6
業憚蒙遜雄武，微欲遠之，乃以蒙遜從叔益生為酒泉太守，蒙遜為臨池太守。 業門下侍郎馬權雋爽有逸氣，武略過人。 業以權代蒙遜為張掖太守，甚見親重，每輕陵蒙遜。 蒙遜亦憚而怨之，乃譖之於業曰：「天下不足慮，惟當憂馬權耳。」 業遂殺之。 蒙遜謂男成曰：「段業愚暗，非濟亂之才，信讒愛佞，無鑒斷之明。 所憚惟索嗣、馬權，今皆死矣，蒙遜欲除業以奉兄何如？」 男成曰：「業羈旅孤飄，我所建立，有吾兄弟，猶魚之有水，人既親我，背之不祥。」 乃止。 蒙遜既為業所憚，內不自安，請為西安太守。 業亦以蒙遜有大志，懼為朝夕之變，乃許焉。
Duan Ye feared Mengxun's prowess and wished to edge him aside; he named Mengxun's uncle Yisheng governor of Jiuquan and Mengxun governor of Linchi. Ma Quan, a gentleman attendant at Duan Ye's gate, was dashing and brilliant, with military talent above the common run. Duan Ye replaced Mengxun with Ma Quan as governor of Zhangye and favored him so heavily that Ma Quan regularly slighted Mengxun. Mengxun feared and hated him and said to Duan Ye, "The realm is no concern—only Ma Quan should worry you." Duan Ye had Ma Quan executed. Mengxun said to Nancheng, "Duan Ye is a dullard, no man to save a crisis; he heeds slander and dotes on toadies and cannot judge men. He feared only Suosi and Ma Quan, and both are dead. I mean to remove Duan Ye and set you up, brother—what say you?" Nancheng replied, "Duan Ye is a wanderer whom we raised to the throne; we are to him as water to fish. The people trust us; to betray him would be ill-omened." Mengxun dropped the plan. Since Duan Ye still feared him, Mengxun felt uneasy and asked to be governor of Xi'an. Duan Ye knew Mengxun nursed a great ambition and feared a coup at any hour, so he granted the request.
7
蒙遜期與男成同祭蘭門山，密遣司馬許咸告業曰：「男成欲謀叛，許以取假日作逆。 若求祭蘭門山，臣言驗矣。」 至期日，果然。 業收男成，令自殺。 男成曰：「蒙遜欲謀叛，先已告臣，臣以兄弟之故，隱忍不言。 以臣今在，恐部人不從，與臣克期祭山，返相誣告。 臣若朝死，蒙遜必夕發。 乞詐言臣死，說臣罪惡，蒙遜必作逆，臣投袂討之，事無不捷。」 業不從。 蒙遜聞男成死，泣告眾曰：「男成忠於段公，枉見屠害，諸君能為報仇乎？ 且州土兵亂，似非業所能濟。 吾所以初奉之者，以之為陳、吳耳，而信讒多忌，枉害忠良，豈可安枕臥觀，使百姓離于塗炭。」 男成素有恩信，眾皆憤泣而從之。 比至氐池，眾逾一萬。 鎮軍臧莫孩率部眾附之，羌胡多起兵回應。 蒙遜壁于侯塢。
Mengxun arranged to sacrifice with Nancheng on Mount Lanmen while secretly sending his aide Xu Xian to Duan Ye with the report that Nancheng planned revolt and would use a holiday leave to strike. If he asks leave to sacrifice on Lanmen Mountain, you will know my words are true." When the day came, Nancheng did exactly as foretold. Duan Ye seized Nancheng and ordered him to take his own life. Nancheng said, "Mengxun long ago told me of his plot to rebel, but I held my tongue for our brotherhood. While I live his men might not follow him, so he set this mountain rite with me and then denounced me to you. Kill me at dawn and he will rebel at dusk. Feign my execution and publish my crimes; Mengxun will then rise in open revolt, and I can throw off restraint and strike him—not a stroke can fail." Duan Ye would not hear it. When Mengxun heard that Nancheng was dead, he wept before the host and said, "Nancheng was loyal to Lord Duan and has been murdered. Will you avenge him? The province is in arms; Duan Ye is no man to set it right. I raised him at first thinking him another Chen Sheng or Wu Guang, yet he trusts slander, suspects everyone, and kills the loyal—can we sleep while the people burn?" Nancheng had long won the men's love; they wept with rage and rallied to Mengxun. By the time he reached Dichi his following passed ten thousand. Zang Mohai, garrison general, brought his command to join him, and Qiang and Hu bands rose everywhere in support. Mengxun fortified Houwu.
8
業先疑其右將軍田昂，幽之於內，至是，謝而赦之，使與武衛梁中庸等攻蒙遜。 業將王豐孫言于業曰：「西平諸田，世有反者，昂貌恭而心很，志大而情險，不可信也。」 業曰：「吾疑之久矣，但非昂無可以討蒙遜。」 豐孫言既不從，昂至侯塢，率騎五百歸於蒙遜。 蒙遜至張掖，昂兄子承愛斬關內之，業左右皆散。 蒙遜大呼曰：「鎮西何在？」 軍人曰：「在此。」 業曰：「孤單飄一己，為貴門所推，可見丐餘命，投身嶺南，庶得東還，與妻子相見。」 蒙遜遂斬之。
Duan Ye had long suspected his general of the right, Tian Ang, and kept him under house arrest; now he apologized, freed him, and sent him with Liang Zhongyong of the martial guard and others against Mengxun. Wang Fengsun warned Duan Ye, "The Tian of Xiping have rebelled in every generation; Tian Ang looks humble but his heart is cruel, his ambition large and his temper treacherous—do not trust him." Duan Ye said, "I have doubted him long, yet no one but Tian Ang can face Mengxun." Duan Ye brushed the warning aside; when Tian Ang reached Houwu he brought five hundred horsemen over to Mengxun. Mengxun marched on Zhangye; Cheng'ai, Tian Ang's nephew, cut the gate bars and let him in, and Duan Ye's guards melted away. Mengxun shouted, "Where is the general who guards the west?" The soldiers said, "Here." Duan Ye said, "I am one man alone, raised by your house; grant me my life and banish me south of the ranges so I may someday return east to my wife and children." Mengxun beheaded him.
9
業，京兆人也。 博涉史傳，有尺牘之才，為杜進記室，從征塞表。 儒素長者，無他權略，威禁不行，群下擅命，尤信卜筮、讖記、巫覡、征祥，故為奸佞所誤。
Duan Ye came from Jingzhao. He was well read and a skilled writer; he served Du Jin as secretary and campaigned beyond the frontier. He was a bookish gentleman without political guile; he could not enforce authority and let his subordinates do as they pleased; he doted on diviners, prophecies, shamans, and omens, and so was led astray by villains.
10
隆安五年，梁中庸、房晷、田昂等推蒙遜為使持節、大都督、大將軍、涼州牧、張掖公，赦其境內，改元永安。 署從兄伏奴為鎮軍將軍、張掖太守、和平侯，弟挐為建忠將軍、都谷侯，田昂為鎮南將軍、西郡太守，臧莫孩為輔國將軍，房晷、梁中庸為左右長史，張騭、謝正禮為左右司馬。 擢任賢才，文武咸悅。
In the fifth year of Long'an, Liang Zhongyong, Fang Lu, Tian Ang, and others proclaimed Mengxun commissioner with full powers, grand commander, great general, governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Zhangye, granted an amnesty within his domain, and adopted the era name Yong'an. He named his cousin Funu garrison general, governor of Zhangye, and marquis of Heping; his brother Nu general who establishes loyalty and marquis of Dugu; Tian Ang general who guards the south and governor of Xijun; Zang Mohai general who supports the state; Fang Lu and Liang Zhongyong chief clerks left and right; Zhang Zhi and Xie Zhengli majors of the left and right. He promoted able men, and both civil and military arms were pleased.
11
時姚興遣將姚碩德攻呂隆于姑臧，蒙遜遣從事中郎李典聘於興，以通和好。 蒙遜以呂隆既降於興，酒泉、涼寧二郡叛降李玄盛，乃遣建忠挐、牧府長史張潛見碩德于姑臧，請軍迎接，率郡人東遷。 碩德大悅，拜潛張掖太守，挐建康太守。 潛勸蒙遜東遷。 挐私于蒙遜曰：「呂氏猶存，姑臧未拔，碩德糧竭將遠，不能久也。 何故違離桑梓，受制於人！」 輔國莫孩曰：「建忠之言是也。」 蒙遜乃斬張潛，因下書曰：「孤以虛薄，猥忝時運。 未能弘闡大獻，戡蕩群孽，使桃蟲鼓翼東京，封豕烝涉西裔，戎車屢動，干戈未戢，農失三時之業，百姓戶不粒食。 可蠲省百徭，專功南畝，明設科條，務盡地利。」
While Yao Xing sent Yao Shuode against Lü Long at Guzang, Mengxun sent his staff officer Li Dian to court Yao Xing and open friendly relations. After Lü Long surrendered to Yao Xing, Jiuquan and Liangning went over to Li Xuansheng; Mengxun sent his brother Nu and chief clerk Zhang Qian to Yao Shuode at Guzang to ask for an escort and lead his people eastward. Shuode was delighted and named Zhang Qian governor of Zhangye and Nu governor of Jiankang. Zhang Qian urged Mengxun to move east. Nu said privately to Mengxun, "The Lü still hold out in Guzang; Shuode's supplies will run out and he will withdraw—he cannot stay long. Why leave our native soil to become another man's pawn!" Zang Mohai said, "The general who establishes loyalty speaks true." Mengxun executed Zhang Qian and issued an edict: "I am a man of slight merit unworthily raised by the times. I have not crushed the rebels or stopped the peach-borer from flapping its wings in the eastern capital nor the great boar from trampling the western march; chariots roll without cease, arms are never laid down, the seasons' farming is lost, and the people go hungry from door to door. Let corvée be lightened so men may turn to the southern fields; set clear laws and wring the best from the soil."
12
時梁中庸為西郡太守，西奔李玄盛。 蒙遜聞之，笑曰：「吾與中庸義深一體，而不信我，但自負耳，孤豈怪之！」 乃盡歸其妻孥。
Liang Zhongyong, then governor of Xijun, fled west to Li Xuansheng. When Mengxun heard the news he laughed and said, "Zhongyong and I were as one in honor; if he could not trust me, the fault is his own—I bear him no grudge!" He sent back Zhongyong's wife and children untouched.
13
蒙遜下令曰：「養老乞言，晉文納輿人之誦，所以能招禮英奇，致時邕之美。 況孤寡德，智不經遠，而可不思聞讜言以自鏡哉！ 內外群僚，其各搜揚賢雋，廣進芻蕘，以匡孤不逮。」
Mengxun issued an order: "When Duke Wen of Jin honored the old and listened to the songs of the cart drivers, he drew worthy men and brought harmony to the age. How much more I, a man of shallow virtue and no long view—can I refuse to seek honest counsel for a mirror to my rule! Let every officer within and without seek out the worthy and bring forward even the humblest counsel, to amend where I fall short."
14
遣輔國臧莫孩襲山北虜，大破之。 姚興遣將齊難率眾四萬迎呂隆，隆勸難伐蒙遜，難從之。 莫孩敗其前軍，難乃結盟而還。
He sent Zang Mohai to strike the tribes north of the ranges and broke them decisively. Yao Xing sent Qi Nan with forty thousand men to escort Lü Long; Lü Long persuaded Qi Nan to attack Mengxun, and Qi Nan agreed. Zang Mohai shattered Qi Nan's van, whereupon Qi Nan made peace and withdrew.
15
蒙遜伯父中田護軍親信、臨松太守孔篤並驕奢侵害，百姓苦之。 蒙遜曰：「亂吾國者，二伯父也，何以綱紀百姓乎！」 皆令自殺。
Mengxun's uncles Qinxin, warden of the central fields, and Kong Du, governor of Linsong, were arrogant predators, and the people groaned under them. Mengxun said, "Those two uncles are the men who ruin my state—how can I rule the people while they live!" He compelled both to take their own lives.
16
蒙遜襲狄洛磐於番禾，不克，遷其五百餘戶而還。
Mengxun struck Di Luoquan at Fanhe, failed to take him, and carried off over five hundred households on the retreat.
17
姚興遣使人梁斐、張構等拜蒙遜鎮西大將軍、沙州刺史、西海侯。 時興亦拜禿髮傉檀為車騎將軍，封廣武公。 蒙遜聞之，不悅，謂斐等曰：「傉檀上公之位，而身為侯者何也！」 構對曰：「傉檀輕狡不仁，款誠未著，聖朝所以加其重爵者，褒其歸善即敘之義耳。 將軍忠貫白日，勳高一時，當入諧鼎味，匡贊帝室，安可以不信待也。 聖朝爵必稱功，官不越德，如尹緯、姚晁佐命初基，齊難、徐洛元勳驍將，並位才二品，爵止侯伯。 將軍何以先之乎？ 竇融殷勤固讓，不欲居舊臣之右，未解將軍忽有此問！」 蒙遜曰：「朝廷何不即以張掖見封，乃更遠封西海邪？」 構曰：「張掖，規畫之內，將軍已自有之。 所以遠授西海者，蓋欲廣大將軍之國耳。」 蒙遜大悅，乃受拜。
Yao Xing sent Liang Fei and Zhang Gou to invest Mengxun as grand general who guards the west, governor of Shazhou, and marquis of Xihai. Yao Xing at the same time named Tufa Nutan general of chariots and cavalry and duke of Guangwu. Mengxun took this ill and asked the envoys, "Nutan enjoys a higher noble rank than I, yet I am only a marquis—how is that fair?" Zhang Gou answered, "Nutan is fickle and cruel and has not proved his loyalty; the court raised his rank only to reward his willingness to submit. Your loyalty shines like the sun and your deeds tower above the age; you should soon sit among the highest ministers and aid the throne—how could the court distrust you! In the Later Qin, rank always matches merit—as when Yin Wei and Yao Chao served at the founding, or Qi Nan and Xu Luo led the van—none rose above the second grade and none held more than a marquisate. Why should you rank ahead of such men? Dou Rong modestly refused to outrank the old ministers—why should you take offense at your place in the list!" Mengxun said, "Why not enfeoff me at Zhangye outright, instead of pushing me off to distant Xihai!" Zhang Gou replied, "Zhangye already lies within your grasp. The distant title of Xihai is meant only to widen your domain." Mengxun was satisfied and accepted the investiture.
18
時地震，山崩折木。 太史令劉梁言于蒙遜曰：「辛酉，金也。 地動于金，金動刻木，大軍東行無前之征。」 時張掖城每有光色，蒙遜曰：「王氣將成，百戰百勝之象也。」 遂攻禿髮西郡太守楊統于日勒。 統降，拜為右長史，寵逾功舊。
An earthquake struck; mountains slid and timber snapped. Liu Liang, director of astrology, told him, "The day xinyou belongs to metal. Earthquake on a metal day means metal overcomes wood—an omen that a great host will march east unopposed." A strange glow played over Zhangye; Mengxun said, "The aura of kingship is gathering—an omen of victory in every fight." He then struck Tufa's governor of Xijun, Yang Tong, at Rile. Yang Tong surrendered and was named chief clerk on the right with honors above the older retainers.
19
張掖太守句呼勒出奔西涼。 以從弟成都為金山太守，羅仇子也； 鄯為西郡太守，麹粥子也。 句呼勒自西涼奔還，待之如初。
Gouhule, governor of Zhangye, fled to the Western Liang. He named his cousin Juqu Chengdu governor of Jinshan—Luoqiu's son; Juqu Shan governor of Xijun—Quzhou's son. When Gouhule returned from the Western Liang, Mengxun received him as before.
20
蒙遜率騎二萬東征，次於丹嶺，北虜大人思盤率部落三千降之。
Mengxun took twenty thousand cavalry east and camped at Danling; the northern chieftain Sinan brought three thousand tents to surrender.
21
時木連理，生於永安，永安令張披上書曰：「異枝同幹，遐方有齊化之應； 殊本共心，上下有莫二之固。 蓋至道之嘉祥，大同之美征。」 蒙遜曰：「此皆二千石令長匪躬濟時所致，豈吾薄德所能感之！」
Twin trunks joined in Yong'an; Magistrate Zhang Pi wrote, "Branches from one root show that distant lands are turning to your rule; separate stocks with one heart show that high and low are bound as one; this is the great omen of the Way and the sign of universal peace." Mengxun said, "That is the work of my magistrates who wear themselves out for the age—not something my meager virtue could conjure!"
22
蒙遜率步騎三萬伐禿髮傉檀，次於西郡。 大風從西北來，氣有五色，俄而晝昏。 至顯美，徙數千戶而還。 傉檀追及蒙遜於窮泉，蒙遜將擊之。 諸將皆曰：「賊已安營，弗可犯也。」 蒙遜曰：「傉檀謂吾遠來疲弊，必輕而無備，及其壘壁未成，可以一鼓而滅。」 進擊，敗之，乘勝至於姑臧，夷夏降者萬數千戶。 傉檀懼，請和，許之而歸。 及傉檀南奔樂都，魏安人焦朗據姑臧自立，蒙遜率步騎三萬攻朗，克而宥之。 饗文武將士于謙光殿，班賜金馬有差。 以敦煌張穆博通經史，才藻清贍，擢拜中書侍郎，委以機密之任。 以其弟挐為護羌校尉、秦州刺史，封安平侯，鎮姑臧。 旬餘而挐死，又以從祖益子為鎮京將軍、護羌校尉、秦州剌史，鎮姑臧。
Mengxun marched on Tufa Nutan at the head of thirty thousand men and halted at Xijun. A gale blew from the northwest in five-colored murk until day turned twilight. He reached Xianmei, resettled several thousand households, and withdrew. Nutan overtook Mengxun at Qiongquan; Mengxun prepared to give battle. His generals said, "The enemy is entrenched—we cannot strike." Mengxun replied, "Nutan thinks us road-weary and will be careless; before his walls are finished one charge will crush him." He attacked, routed Nutan, and pressed to Guzang; ten thousand-odd households of Chinese and tribesmen surrendered. Nutan sued for peace; Mengxun agreed and marched home. After Nutan withdrew toward Ledu, Jiao Lang of Wei'an held Guzang on his own; Mengxun took thirty thousand men, took the city, and spared Jiao Lang. He feasted his officers in the Qian'guang Hall and handed out gold and horses by rank. Zhang Mu of Dunhuang, learned and eloquent, was made gentleman of the palace secretariat and entrusted with state secrets. His brother Nu became colonel of the Qiang, governor of Qin, marquis of Anping, and held Guzang. Within a fortnight Nu died; Mengxun then named his kinsman Yizi garrison general of the capital, colonel of the Qiang, and governor of Qin to hold Guzang.
23
俄而蒙遜遷于姑臧，以義熙八年僭即河西王位，大赦境內，改元玄始。 置官僚，如呂光為三河王故事。 繕宮殿，起城門諸觀。 立其子政德為世子，加鎮衛大將軍、錄尚書事。
Soon Mengxun moved his seat to Guzang; in the eighth year of Yixi he took the title of king of Hexi, proclaimed a general amnesty, and adopted the era name Xuanshi. He organized a full administration on the model of Lü Guang's enthronement as king of Sanhe. He rebuilt the palaces and raised gate towers and viewing pavilions. He named his heir Zhengde and added the titles grand general of the guard and supervisor of the masters of writing.
24
傉檀來伐，蒙遜敗之於若厚塢。 傉檀湟河太守文支據湟川，護軍成宜侯率眾降之。 署文支鎮東大將軍、廣武太守、振武侯，成宜侯為振威將軍、湟川太守，以殿中將軍王建為湟河太守。 蒙遜下書曰：「古先哲王應期撥亂者，莫不經略八表，然後光闡純風。 孤雖智非靖難，職在濟時，而狡虜傉檀鴟峙舊京，毒加夷夏。 東苑之戮，酷甚長平，邊城之禍，害深獫狁。 每念蒼生之無辜，是以不遑啟處，身疲甲胄，體倦風塵。 雖傾其巢穴，傉檀猶未授首。 傉檀弟文支追項伯歸漢之義，據彼重籓，請為臣妾。 自西平已南，連城繼順。 惟傉檀窮獸，守死樂都。 四支既落，命豈久全！ 五緯之會已應，清一之期無賒，方散馬金山，黎元永逸。 可露布遠近，咸使聞知。」
When Nutan invaded, Mengxun defeated him at Ruohouwu. Wen Zhi, Nutan's governor on the Huang River, held the Huangchuan, while Cheng Yi, guard commander, brought his command over to Mengxun. He named Wen Zhi grand general of the east, governor of Guangwu, and marquis of Zhenwu; Cheng Yi general who rouses might and governor of Huangchuan; and Wang Jian of the palace guard as governor of the Huang River. Mengxun proclaimed, "The sage kings of old who met their hour and quelled chaos always secured the outer marches before they spread pure rule. Though I am no master of saving the age, it is my charge to aid the times, while that bandit Nutan perches like an owl on the old capital and poisons Chinese and barbarian alike. The massacre in the eastern park outdid Changping; the harm to the frontier ran deeper than the Xianyun raids. Whenever I think of the innocent people, I cannot rest; I wear armor until I drop and ride the dust without pause. Though I have torn up his lair, Nutan still lives. His brother Wen Zhi, like Xiang Bo who went over to Han, holds a key bastion and begs to become my subject. South of Xiping the walled towns surrender in a chain. Only Nutan, a beast at bay, clings to Ledu. With his limbs cut away, how long can he last! The conjunction of the five planets answers our rise; the day of unification is near—then we shall turn the horses loose at Jinshan and the people know lasting peace. Let this be proclaimed far and wide so every ear may hear."
25
蒙遜西如苕藋，遣冠軍伏恩率騎一萬襲卑和、烏啼二虜，大破之，俘二千餘落而還。
Mengxun rode west to Tiaodiao and sent Fu En with ten thousand cavalry against the Boho and Wuti tribes, shattering them and bringing back over two thousand camps.
26
蒙遜寢於新台，閹人王懷祖擊蒙遜，傷足，其妻孟氏擒斬之，夷其三族。
On the new terrace the eunuch Wang Huaizu struck at Mengxun and wounded his foot; Lady Meng seized the assassin, executed him, and wiped out three generations of his kin.
27
蒙遜母車氏疾篤，蒙遜升南景門，散錢以賜百姓。 下書曰：「孤庶憑宗廟之靈，乾坤之祐，濟否剝之運會，拯遺黎之荼蓼，上望掃清氣穢，下冀保寧家福。 而太后不豫，涉歲彌增，將刑獄枉濫，眾有怨乎？ 賦役繁重，時不堪乎？ 群望不絜，神所譴乎？ 內省諸身，未知罪之攸在。 可大赦殊死已下。」 俄而車氏死。
When his mother Lady Che lay dying, Mengxun mounted the South View Gate and scattered coins to the people. He issued an edict: "I trust in the spirits of the altars and the favor of Heaven and earth to cross this evil time and lift the people from their misery, to cleanse the foul air above and bring peace to every home below. Yet the queen mother's illness lingers—are judgments unjust or the people nursing grievances? Are taxes and labor too heavy for the times to bear? Have the spirits turned away because our sacrifices are unclean? I search my heart and cannot see my fault. Let there be a sweeping amnesty short of capital crimes." Soon Lady Che died.
28
蒙遜遣其將運糧於湟河，自率眾攻克乞伏熾磐廣武郡。 以運糧不繼，自廣武如湟河，度浩亹。 熾磐遣將乞伏魋尼寅距蒙遜，蒙遜擊斬之。 熾磐又遣將王衡、折斐、麹景等率騎一萬據勒姐嶺，蒙遜且戰且前，大破之，擒折斐等七百餘人，麹景奔還。 蒙遜以弟漢平為折沖將軍、湟河太守，乃引還。
He sent troops to convoy grain to the Huang River while he himself stormed Qifu Chipan's Guangwu commandery. When supplies failed he moved from Guangwu toward the Huang River and crossed Haoqian. Chipan sent Qifu Kuini Yin to block him; Mengxun attacked and killed him. Chipan sent Wang Heng, Zhe Fei, and Qu Jing with ten thousand horse to hold Lejieling; Mengxun fought his way forward, routed them, took Zhe Fei and seven hundred others, while Qu Jing fled. He named his brother Hanping general who breaks the charge and governor of the Huang River, then withdrew.
29
晉益州刺史硃齡石遣使來聘。 蒙遜遣舍人黃迅報聘益州，因表曰：「上天降禍，四海分崩，靈耀擁于南裔，蒼生沒於醜虜。 陛下累聖重光，道邁周、漢，純風所被，八表宅心。 臣雖被髮邊徼，才非時雋，謬為河右遺黎推為盟主。 臣之先人，世荷恩寵，雖曆夷險，執義不回，傾首陽，乃心王室。 去冬益州刺史硃齡石遣使詣臣，始具朝廷休問。 承車騎將軍劉裕秣馬揮戈，以中原為事，可謂天贊大晉，篤生英輔。 臣聞少康之興大夏，光武之復漢業，皆奮劍而起，眾無一旅，猶能成配天之功，著《車攻》之詠。 陛下據全楚之地，擁荊、揚之銳，而可垂拱晏然，棄二京以資戎虜！ 若六軍北軫，克復有期，臣請率河西戎為晉右翼前驅。」
Zhu Lingshi, governor of Yi for the Eastern Jin, sent envoys on a courtesy mission. Mengxun sent Huang Xun to Jin with a memorial: "Heaven has scourged the realm; the empire is broken; the royal sun hangs over the south while the people lie under barbarian hooves. Your Majesty, sage upon sage, surpasses Zhou and Han; wherever your virtue reaches, the eight quarters turn their hearts to you. I, though a tribesman on the frontier and no genius of the age, have been chosen leader by the people west of the River. My forebears received your grace generation after generation; through every trial they kept faith and never turned their faces from the Jin sun. Last winter Zhu Lingshi's envoy brought me word of the court's health and favor. I hear Liu Yu, general of chariots and cavalry, is shoeing horses and raising spears for the Central Plain—surely Heaven aids great Jin and has sent a true champion. I recall how Shaokang restored Xia and Guangwu rebuilt Han with a sword in hand and barely a regiment, yet their deeds matched Heaven and were sung in the ode Chegong. You hold all of Chu and the spear-points of Jing and Yang—can you sit idle and yield the two capitals to the nomads! When the six hosts wheel north and a day of reconquest is set, I beg to lead the Rong of the west river as the vanguard on your right wing."
30
熾磐率眾三萬襲湟河，漢平力戰固守，遣司馬隗仁夜出擊熾磐，斬級數百。 熾磐將引退，先遣老弱。 漢平長史焦昶、將軍段景密信招熾磐，熾磐復進攻漢平。 漢平納昶、景之說，而縛出降。 仁勒壯士百餘據南門樓上，三日不下，眾寡不敵，為熾磐所擒。 熾磐怒，命斬之。 段暉諫曰：「仁臨難履危，奮不顧命，忠也。 宜宥之，以厲事君。」 熾磐乃執之而歸。 在熾磐所五年，暉又為之固請，乃得還姑臧。 及至，蒙遜執其手曰：「卿孤之蘇武也！」 以為高昌太守。 為政有威惠之稱，然頗以愛財為失。
Chipan struck the Huang River with thirty thousand men; Hanping held fast and sent Wei Ren by night against Chipan, who lost several hundred heads. Chipan prepared to withdraw, sending out the old and weak first. Jiao Chang and Duan Jing secretly invited Chipan in; Chipan advanced again against Hanping. Hanping listened to Jiao Chang and Duan Jing, bound himself, and came out to surrender. Wei Ren held the south gate tower for three days with a hundred men until, overwhelmed, Chipan took him. Chipan in his rage ordered his execution. Duan Hui urged him, "Wei Ren faced death fearlessly—that is loyalty. Spare him to teach others how to serve a lord." Chipan seized Wei Ren and carried him off. Wei Ren spent five years in Chipan's hands until Duan Hui again pleaded for him and he was allowed to return to Guzang. When he came home, Mengxun took his hand and said, "You are my Su Wu!" Mengxun named him governor of Gaochang. As an administrator he combined firmness with kindness, though he was faulted for greed.
31
蒙遜西祀金山，遣沮渠廣宗率騎一萬襲烏啼虜，大捷而還。 蒙遜西至苕藋，遣前將軍沮渠成都將騎五千襲卑和虜，蒙遜率中軍三萬繼之，卑和虜率眾迎降。 遂循海而西，至鹽池，祀西王母寺。 寺中有《玄石神圖》，命其中書侍郎張穆賦焉，銘之於寺前，遂如金山而歸。
Mengxun offered sacrifice west of Jin Mountain and sent Juqu Guangzong with ten thousand cavalry against the Wuti tribes, winning a great victory. He rode to Tiaodiao and sent Juqu Chengdu with five thousand horse against the Bohe while he followed with thirty thousand from the center; the Bohe came out to surrender. He then followed the shore west to the salt lakes and sacrificed at the temple of the Queen Mother of the West. The temple held the sacred chart on the black stone; he had Zhang Mu compose a fu on it, carved the text before the gate, and returned by way of Jin Mountain.
32
蒙遜下書曰：「頃自春炎旱，害及時苗，碧原青野，倏為枯壤。 將刑政失中，下有冤獄乎？ 役繁賦重，上天所譴乎？ 內省多缺，孤之罪也。 《書》不雲乎：'百姓有過，罪予一人。 '可大赦殊死已下。」 翌日而澍雨大降。
He proclaimed, "Since spring a killing drought has blasted the young crops and turned green fields to dust. Are judgments unjust and innocent men in chains? Are taxes and labor so heavy that Heaven punishes us? The fault is mine alone. The Book of Documents says, 'If the people err, the blame is mine. Grant a broad amnesty short of capital crimes." The next day a soaking rain fell.
33
蒙遜聞劉裕滅姚泓，怒甚。 門下校郎劉祥言事于蒙遜，蒙遜曰：「汝聞劉裕入關，敢研研然也！」 遂殺之。 其峻暴如是。 顧謂左右曰：「古之行師，不犯歲鎮所在。 姚氏舜後，軒轅之苗裔也。 今鎮星在軒轅，而裕滅之，亦不能久守關中。」
When word came that Liu Yu had destroyed Yao Hong, Mengxun flew into a rage. Liu Xiang offered advice; Mengxun snarled, "You heard that Liu Yu had entered the passes and grew insolent!" He had Liu Xiang killed. Such was his harsh and violent temper. He told his attendants, "The ancients never campaigned against the station of the year star and the garrison planet. The Yao clan are Shun's line and the blood of the Yellow Thearch. The garrison star now stands in the Scales, yet Liu Yu has destroyed Qin—he too will not long hold the Guanzhong."
34
蒙遜為李士業敗于解支澗，復收散卒欲戰。 前將軍成都諫曰：「臣聞高祖有彭城之敗，終成大漢，宜旋師以為後圖。」 蒙遜從之，城建康而歸。
Mengxun was routed by Li Shiye at Jiezhi Creek and tried to rally his broken troops for another round. Juqu Chengdu urged him, "Even the Han founder lost at Pengcheng yet built the dynasty—you should withdraw and plan again." Mengxun agreed, drew back to Jiankang commandery in Hexi, and marched home.
35
其群下上書曰：「設官分職，所以經國濟時； 恪動官次，所以緝熙庶政。 當官者以匪躬為務，受任者以忘身為效。 自皇綱初震，戎馬生郊，公私草創，未遑舊式。 而朝士多違憲制，不遵典章； 或公文御案，在家臥署； 或事無可否，望空而過。 至今黜陟絕於皇朝，駁議寢於聖世，清濁共流，能否相雜，人無勸競之心，苟為度日之事。 豈憂公忘私，奉上之道也！ 今皇化曰隆，遐邇寧泰，宜肅振綱維，申修舊則。」 蒙遜納之，命征南姚艾、尚書左丞房晷撰朝堂制。 行之旬日，百僚振肅。
His officers wrote, "Offices exist to govern the state and meet the hour; orderly ranks keep every task in hand; ministers should give their bodies to duty and forget themselves in service. Since the dynasty shook, armies have tramped the borders, government was thrown together, and old regulations were neglected. Many officials flout the code; some sign papers from their beds at home; some let business pass unanswered. Promotions and reviews no longer reach the throne; the worthy and the base are jumbled together and no one strives—only marking time. That is no way to serve the state or the throne! Now your virtue grows daily and the realm is calmer—it is time to tighten discipline and restore the old rules." Mengxun agreed and told Yao Ai and Fang Lu to draft regulations for the court hall." Within ten days every office stood in awe.
36
太史令張衍言于蒙遜曰：「今歲臨澤城西當有破兵。」 蒙遜乃遣其世子政德屯兵若厚塢。 蒙遜西至白岸，謂張衍曰：「吾今年當有所定，但太歲在申，月又建申，未可西行。 且當南巡，要其歸會，主而勿客，以順天心。 計在臨機，慎勿露也。」 遂攻浩亹，而蛇盤於帳前。 蒙遜笑曰：「前一為騰蛇，今盤在吾帳，天意欲吾回師先定酒泉。」 燒攻具而還，次於川岩。 聞李士業徵兵欲攻張掖，蒙遜曰：「入吾計矣。 但恐聞吾回軍，不敢前也。 兵事尚權。」 乃露布西境，稱得浩亹，將進軍黃穀。 士業聞而大悅，進入都瀆澗。 蒙遜潛軍逆之，敗士業於壞城，遂進克酒泉。 百姓安堵如故，軍無私焉。 以子茂虔為酒泉太守，士業舊臣皆隨才擢敘。
Zhang Yan, director of astrology, said, "This year an army will be broken west of Linze." Mengxun therefore stationed his heir Zhengde at Ruohouwu. At Bai'an he told Zhang Yan, "I should win a field this year, yet the Grand Year and the month both stand in shen—I must not march west. I shall tour south instead, wait for the enemy to gather, keep the initiative, and follow Heaven's intent. Tell no one; we shall decide as events unfold." He struck at Haoqian, and a serpent coiled before his tent. He laughed and said, "First came the omen of the soaring serpent; now it coils in my tent—Heaven orders me to wheel about and take Jiuquan first." He burned his siege train, fell back, and camped at Chuanyan. When he learned that Li Shiye was raising an army for Zhangye, he said, "He has walked into my trap. I only fear he will hang back if he hears I have turned back. War turns on deception." He published word along the frontier that he had seized Haoqian and would push on to Huanggu. Shiye rejoiced, marched into Dudujian, while Mengxun stole up, broke him at Huai city, and stormed Jiuquan. The people were left undisturbed and the troops took no private plunder. He named his son Maoqian governor of Jiuquan and employed Shiye's former officers by their abilities.
37
蒙遜以安帝隆安五年自稱州牧，義熙八年僭立，後八年而宋氏受禪，以元嘉十年死，時年六十六，在偽位三十三年。 子茂虔立，六年，為魏所擒，合三十九載而滅。
He first called himself governor of the province in the fifth year of Long'an under Emperor An, seized the royal title in the eighth year of Yixi, saw the Song accept the abdication eight years later, and died in the tenth year of Yuanjia at sixty-six, having reigned thirty-three years in all. His son Maoqian ruled six years before Wei captured him; thirty-nine years in all from rise to fall.
38
史臣曰：蒙遜出自夷陬，擅雄邊塞。 屬呂光之悖德，深懷仇粥之冤； 推段業以濟時，假以陳、吳之事。 稱兵白澗，南涼請和； 出師丹嶺，北寇賓服。 然而見利忘義，苞禍滅親，雖能制命一隅，抑亦備諸凶德者矣。
The historians write: Mengxun rose from the tribal marches and seized power beyond the passes. When Lü Guang turned cruel, he avenged the murder of Quzhou; he raised Duan Ye as a banner for the hour, as Chen Sheng and Wu Guang once did; he mustered troops at Baijian and forced Southern Liang to sue for peace; he marched from Danling and brought the northern tribes to heel. He forgot duty for gain, harbored treachery, and slew his own kin; master of a corner though he was, he ranks among the vicious.
39
贊曰：光猜人傑，業忌時賢。 游飲自晦，匿智圖全。 凶心既逞，偽績攸宣。 挺茲奸數，馳競當年。
The encomium runs: Lü Guang feared great men; Duan Ye resented talent; Mengxun feasted and played the fool while plotting his survival; when his cruel heart had its way, his usurpation showed plain; such cunning drove him to scramble for power in his time.