Volume 1: Emperor Wu 1

梁書卷第一本紀第一

Book of Liang, Volume 1, Annals 1

武帝上

Emperor Wu, Part One

高祖武皇帝，諱衍，字叔達，小字練兒，南蘭陵中都里人，漢相國何之後也。何生酇定侯延，延生侍中彪，彪生公府掾章，章生皓，皓生仰，仰生太子太傅望之，望之生光祿大夫育，育生御史中丞紹，紹生光祿勳閎，閎生濟陰太守闡，闡生吳郡太守冰，冰生中山相苞，苞生博士周，周生蛇丘長矯，矯生州從事逵，逵生孝廉休，休生廣陵郡丞豹，豹生太中大夫裔，裔生淮陰令整，整生濟陰太守鎋，鎋生州治中副子，副子生南台治書道賜，道賜生皇考諱順之，齊高帝族弟也。參預佐命，封臨湘縣侯。歷官侍中，衛尉，太子詹事，領軍將軍，丹陽尹，贈鎮北將軍。高祖以宋孝武大明八年甲辰歲生於秣陵縣同夏里三橋宅。生而有奇異，兩胯駢骨，頂上隆起，有文在右手曰「武」。帝及長，博學多通，好籌略，有文武才幹，時流名輩咸推許焉。所居室常若雲氣，人或過者，體輒肅然。

Gaozu, the Martial Emperor, taboo name Yan, styled Shuda, childhood name Lian'er, came from Zhongdu village in Nan Luling and traced his line to Han Chancellor of State He. He begat Marquis Ding Yan, who begat Attendant-in-Ordinary Biao, and so down the line through Grand Tutor Wang Zhi, ministers of the household, censors, administrators, and clerks to the Late Emperor's father Shunzhi, a kinsman of Qi Gaodi. He took part in founding the dynasty and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Linxiang county. He served as Attendant-in-Ordinary, Minister of Guards, Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, Defender-in-Chief, and governor of Danyang, and after death was made Pacification North General. Gaozu was born in the jiachen year of Daming 8 (464 CE), at the Three Bridge house in Tongxia village, Moling county. At birth he showed omens: fused hip bones, a raised crown, and the character for "Martial" written on his right hand. As he matured he became deeply learned, loved strategy, and showed both literary and martial gifts; the leading men of the age all praised him. Clouds often seemed to hang over his dwelling, and passersby felt themselves grow solemn without knowing why.

起家巴陵王南中郎法曹行參軍，遷衛將軍王儉東閣祭酒。儉一見深相器異，謂廬江何憲曰：「此蕭郎三十內當作侍中，出此則貴不可言。」竟陵王子良開西邸，招文學，高祖與沈約、謝朓、王融、蕭琛、范雲、任昉、陸倕等並遊焉，號曰八友。融俊爽，識鑒過人，尤敬異高祖，每謂所親曰：「宰制天下，必在此人。」累遷隨王鎮西諮議參軍，尋以皇考艱去職。隆昌初，明帝輔政，起高祖爲寧朔將軍，鎮壽春。服闋，除太子庶子、給事黃門侍郎，入直殿省。預蕭諶等定策勳，封建陽縣男，邑三百戶。

He entered service as a law aide on Prince of Baling's staff, then became East Pavilion Libationer under General of Guards Wang Jian. At their first meeting Jian marked him as extraordinary and told He Xian of Lujiang, "This young Xiao will reach Attendant-in-Ordinary within thirty years; after that his rise will be beyond telling." Prince Ziliang of Jingling opened the Western Pavilion for literary men; Gaozu joined Shen Yue, Xie Tiao, Wang Rong, Xiao Chen, Fan Yun, Ren Fang, Lu Chui, and others there, and they were known as the Eight Friends. Rong was sharp and perceptive beyond his peers and held Gaozu in special esteem, often telling intimates, "The man who will rule the realm is this one." He rose to advisory aide on the Prince of Sui's western staff, then left office to mourn his father. At the start of Longchang, with Emperor Ming acting as regent, Gaozu was recalled as General Who Pacifies the North and posted at Shouchun. After mourning he became Heir Apparent's Household Attendant and Bearer of the Yellow Gate, serving on palace duty. For helping Xiao Chen and others settle the succession, he was enfeoffed Baron of Jianyang, fief of three hundred households.

建武二年，魏遣將劉昶、王肅帥衆寇司州，以高祖爲冠軍將軍、軍主，隸江州刺史王廣爲援。距義陽百餘里，衆以魏軍盛，趑趄莫敢前。高祖請爲先啓，廣卽分麾下精兵配高祖。爾夜便進，去魏軍數里，逕上賢首山。魏軍不測多少，未敢逼。黎明，城內見援至，因出軍攻魏柵。高祖帥所領自外進戰。魏軍表裏受敵，乃棄重圍退走。軍罷，以高祖爲右軍晉安王司馬、淮陵太守。還爲太子中庶子，領羽林監。頃之，出鎮石頭。

In Jianwu 2, Wei generals Liu Chang and Wang Su invaded Si province; Gaozu was made General Who Conquers All and army commander under Jiangzhou inspector Wang Guangzhi. A hundred li short of Yiyang, the army hung back before Wei's strength and no one dared move forward. Gaozu asked to lead the first strike; Guang at once gave him picked troops from his own command. That night he marched on, climbed Xianshou Mountain, and halted only a few li from the Wei camp. The Wei force could not tell how many they were and did not dare close in. At daybreak the city garrison saw help had come and sallied out against the Wei stockade. Gaozu led his men in from outside. Caught between the sortie and Gaozu's assault, the Wei army broke siege and fled. After the campaign Gaozu became staff officer to Prince of Jin'an's Right Army and administrator of Huailing. He returned to court as Heir Apparent's Household Attendant and took command of the Feathered Forest Guard. Soon afterward he went out to garrison Stone Fort.

四年，魏帝自率大衆寇雍州，明帝令高祖赴援。十月，至襄陽。詔又遣左民尚書崔慧景總督諸軍，高祖及雍州刺史曹虎等並受節度。明年三月，慧景與高祖進行鄧城，魏主帥十萬餘騎奄至。慧景失色，欲引退，高祖固止之，不從，乃狼狽自拔。魏騎乘之，於是大敗。高祖獨帥衆距戰，殺數十百人，魏騎稍卻，因得結陣斷後，至夕得下船。慧景軍死傷略盡，惟高祖全師而歸。俄以高祖行雍州府事。

In the fourth year the Wei emperor invaded Yong province in person; Emperor Ming ordered Gaozu to relieve it. He reached Xiangyang in the tenth month. An edict also made Minister of the Left Cui Huijing overall commander; Gaozu, Yong province inspector Cao Hu, and the rest came under his orders. The next year, in the third month, Huijing and Gaozu marched on Deng city as the Wei ruler swept in with more than a hundred thousand cavalry. Huijing lost color and wanted to retreat; Gaozu tried hard to hold him, but he would not listen and broke away in disorder. Wei cavalry chased them down and routed the army. Gaozu alone held the rear, killing dozens or hundreds until the Wei riders fell back; he then formed up, covered the retreat, and reached the boats by nightfall. Huijing's force was nearly wiped out; only Gaozu brought his troops back whole. Soon Gaozu was put in charge of Yong province headquarters affairs.

七月，仍授持節、都督雍梁南北秦四州郢州之竟陵司州之隨郡諸軍事、輔國將軍、雍州刺史。其月，明帝崩，東昏卽位，揚州刺史始安王遙光、尚書令徐孝嗣、尚書右僕射江祏、右將軍蕭坦之、侍中江祀、衛尉劉暄更直內省，分日帖敕。高祖聞之，謂從舅張弘策曰：「政出多門，亂其階矣。《詩》云：『一國三公，吾誰適從？』況今有六，而可得乎！嫌隙若成，方相誅滅，當今避禍，惟有此地。勤行仁義，可坐作西伯。但諸弟在都，恐罹世患，須與益州圖之耳。」

In the seventh month he received bearer of the staff, command over Yong, Liang, North Qin, South Qin, Jingling, and Sui, Assistant State General, and the Yongzhou inspectorship. That month Emperor Ming died and Dong Hun succeeded; Prince Yao Guang of Shi'an, Xu Xiaosi, Jiang Shi, Xiao Tanzhi, Jiang Si, and Liu Xuan rotated palace duty and took turns issuing edicts. When Gaozu heard this he told his maternal uncle Zhang Hongce, "When power comes from too many hands, disorder follows close behind. The Odes says, 'One realm, three lords—whom should I obey?' And now there are six—how is that supposed to work! Once suspicion sets in they will destroy one another; to escape disaster now, only this post can save us. If we act with benevolence and righteousness, we can secure the west and wait our turn. But our brothers remain in the capital and may come to harm; we must also plan with Yizhou."

時高祖長兄懿罷益州還，仍行郢州事，乃使弘策詣郢，陳計於懿曰：「昔晉惠庸主，諸王爭權，遂內難九興，外寇三作。今六貴爭權，人握王憲，制主畫敕，各欲專威，睚眦成憾，理相屠滅。且嗣主在東宮本無令譽，媟近左右，蜂目忍人，一總萬機，恣其所欲，豈肯虛坐主諾，委政朝臣。積相嫌貳，必大誅戮。始安欲爲趙倫，形迹已見，蹇人上天，信無此理。且性甚猜狹，徒取亂機。所可當軸，惟有江、劉而已。祏怯而無斷，暄弱而不才，折鼎覆餗，翹足可待。蕭坦之胸懷猜忌，動言相傷，徐孝嗣才非柱石，聽人穿鼻，若隙開釁起，必中外土崩。今得守外籓，幸圖身計，智者見機，不俟終日。及今猜防未生，宜召諸弟以時聚集。後相防疑，拔足無路。郢州控帶荊、湘，西注漢、沔；雍州士馬，呼吸數萬，虎眎其間，以觀天下。世治則竭誠本朝，時亂則爲國剪暴，可得與時進退，此蓋萬全之策。如不早圖，悔無及也。」懿聞之變色，心弗之許。弘策還，高祖乃啓迎弟偉及憺。是歲至襄陽。於是潛造器械，多伐竹木，沉於檀溪，密爲舟裝之備。時所住齋常有五色回轉，狀若蟠龍，其上紫氣騰起，形如繖蓋，望者莫不異焉。

Gaozu's eldest brother Yi had just left Yizhou and was acting in Ying province, so Gaozu sent Hongce to lay out the plan: "Under the feckless Emperor Hui of Jin the princes fought for power, bringing nine internal crises and three foreign invasions. Now six men grasp the imperial seal, draft edicts for the throne, and each seek sole power; the smallest slights become deadly grudges, and slaughter is inevitable. The heir has never had a good name; he keeps vicious company, governs by caprice, and will never sit idle while ministers run the realm. Mutual distrust will only deepen until blood fills the palace. Prince Yao Guang of Shi'an already shows the makings of another Zhao Lun; a cripple climbing to Heaven is not in the order of things. He is suspicious and petty by nature and will seize any chance to make trouble. Only Jiang and Liu are left who might hold the center. Jiang Shi is timid and cannot decide; Liu Xuan is weak and incompetent—the cauldron is ready to tip. Xiao Tanzhi is jealous and quick to wound; Xu Xiaosi lacks the strength to bear weight and lets others lead him. Once the breach opens, court and country will crumble together. We hold an outer province and can still save ourselves; the wise act at once and do not wait for tomorrow. Before suspicion hardens, we should call our brothers together while we still can. After that, once they watch one another, we will have no way out. Ying province commands Jing and Xiang and opens west onto the Han and Mian; Yong province fields tens of thousands of troops and can watch the realm like a crouching tiger. In peace we serve the dynasty faithfully; in chaos we strike down the violent and move with the times. That is the safest course. If we do not act now, regret will come too late." Yi heard this, turned pale, and would not agree. Hongce returned, and Gaozu memorialized to bring his brothers Wei and Dan to him. They reached Xiangyang that year. He then secretly built weapons, cut bamboo and timber, sank the logs in Tanxi, and quietly prepared boats. Over his quarters five-colored vapors often swirled like coiled dragons, and purple clouds rose in the shape of canopy umbrellas; all who saw them were astonished.

永元二年冬，懿被害信至，高祖密召長史王茂、中兵呂僧珍、別駕柳慶遠、功曹史起士瞻等謀之。旣定，以十一月乙巳召僚佐集於廳事，謂曰：「昔武王會孟津，皆曰『紂可伐』。今昏主惡稔，窮虐極暴，誅戮朝賢，罕有遺育，生民塗炭，天命殛之。卿等同心疾惡，共興義舉，公侯將相，良在茲日，各盡勳效，我不食言。」是日建牙。於是收集得甲士萬餘人，馬千餘匹，船三千艘，出檀溪竹木裝艦。

In the winter of Yongyuan 2, word came that Yi had been killed; Gaozu secretly called in Wang Mao, Lu Sengzhen, Liu Qingyuan, Shi Qishi Zhan, and others to plan. When the plan was set, on yisi day in the eleventh month he assembled his staff and said, "At Meng Ford King Wu's allies agreed that Zhou could be overthrown. Today the tyrant's crimes are complete, his cruelty absolute, the court slaughtered, the people in ashes, and Heaven itself condemns him. Join me in righteous revolt; titles and rewards belong to this day if you give your all. I will not break my word." That day he raised the banner of revolt. He mustered more than ten thousand armored men, over a thousand horses, and three thousand boats, hauling up the Tanxi timber to fit out the fleet.

先是，東昏以劉山陽爲巴西太守，配精兵三千，使過荊州就行事蕭穎胄以襲襄陽。高祖知其謀，乃遣參軍王天虎、龐慶國詣江陵，遍與州府書。及山陽西上，高祖謂諸將曰：「荊州本畏襄陽人，加脣亡齒寒，自有傷弦之急，寧不闇同邪？我若總荊、雍之兵，掃定東夏，韓、白重出，不能爲計。況以無算之昏主，役御刀應敕之徒哉？我能使山陽至荊，便卽授首，諸君試觀何如。」及山陽至巴陵，高祖復令天虎齎書與穎胄兄弟。去後，高祖謂張弘策曰：「夫用兵之道，攻心爲上，攻城次之，心戰爲上，兵戰次之，今日是也。近遣天虎往州府，人皆有書。今段乘驛甚急，止有兩封與行事兄弟，云『天虎口具』；及問天虎而口無所說，行事不得相聞，不容妄有所道。天虎是行事心膂，彼聞必謂行事與天虎共隱其事，則人人生疑。山陽惑於衆口，判相嫌貳，則行事進退無以自明，必漏吾謀內。是馳兩空函定一州矣。山陽至江安，聞之，果疑不上。穎胄大懼，乃斬天虎，送首山陽。山陽信之，將數十人馳入，穎胄伏甲斬之，送首高祖。仍以南康王尊號之議來告，且曰：「時月未利，當須來年二月；遽便進兵，恐非廟算。」高祖答曰：「今坐甲十萬，糧用自竭，況所藉義心，一時驍銳，事事相接，猶恐疑怠；若頓兵十旬，必生悔吝。童兒立異，便大事不成。今太白出西方，仗義而動，天時人謀，有何不利？處分已定，安可中息？昔武王伐紂，行逆太歲，復須待年月乎？」竟陵太守曹景宗遣杜思沖勸高祖迎南康王都襄陽，待正尊號，然後進軍。高祖不從。王茂又私於張弘策曰：「我奉事節下，義無進退，然今者以南康置人手中，彼便挾天子以令諸侯，而節下前去爲人所使，此豈歲寒之計？」弘策言之，高祖曰：「若使前途大事不捷，故自蘭艾同焚；若功業克建，威懾四海，號令天下，誰敢不從！豈是碌碌受人處分？待至石城，當面曉王茂、曹景宗也。」於沔南立新野郡，以集新附。

Earlier Dong Hun had made Liu Shanyang administrator of Baxi, given him three thousand picked troops, and sent him through Jing province to join Xiao Yingchou in attacking Xiangyang. Gaozu learned of the plot and sent Wang Tianhu and Pang Qingguo to Jiangling with letters to every office in the province. As Shanyang marched west Gaozu told his generals, "Jing province has always feared Xiangyang men, and with us they share the fate of lips and teeth; wounded as they are, would they not secretly side with us? If I unite Jing and Yong, I can sweep the east; not even Han Xin and Bai Qi reborn could stop us. How much less against a witless tyrant and the kitchen boys who obey his orders! I can have Shanyang lose his head the moment he reaches Jing—watch and see." When Shanyang reached Baling, Gaozu again sent Tianhu with letters to the Yingchou brothers. After Tianhu left, Gaozu told Zhang Hongce, "In war the first victory is over the mind, the second over walls; battle of wills comes before battle of arms—and today is such a day. When I sent Tianhu through the province, every office received a letter. This courier run was rushed, and only two letters went to the acting headquarters brothers, saying 'Tianhu will explain in person'; yet when questioned Tianhu had nothing to say, so the brothers could not compare notes or speak freely. Tianhu is their trusted man; hearing this they will think the brothers hid the truth with him, and everyone will grow suspicious. Shanyang, swayed by rumor, will suspect them; unable to clear themselves, the brothers will betray our plan from within. With two empty letters we can settle a whole province. At Jiang'an Shanyang heard the tale, grew suspicious, and would not go on. Terrified, Yingchou beheaded Tianhu and sent his head to Shanyang. Shanyang believed him, rode in with a few dozen men, and Yingchou's hidden troops cut him down and sent his head to Gaozu. He then proposed enthroning Prince of Nankang and said, "The season is wrong; we should wait until the second month of next year; to march now would be to ignore the planners' counsel." Gaozu answered, "We sit here with a hundred thousand armored men while supplies drain away; our soldiers are bold for the cause and events press on us one after another—I already fear hesitation; halt ten days and regret will set in. Let one man waver and the whole enterprise fails. Venus now stands in the west; we move in righteousness—what omen or counsel could be better? The decision is made; how can we stop halfway? King Wu marched against Zhou though the stars were against him—must we wait for a better month?" Jingling administrator Cao Jingzong sent Du Sichong to urge Gaozu to bring Prince of Nankang to Xiangyang, proclaim him properly, and only then march east. Gaozu refused. Wang Mao took Zhang Hongce aside and said, "I serve you without thought of turning back—but if Nankang falls into other hands, they will hold the emperor hostage and rule the lords through him, and you will march only as their instrument. Is that a strategy for hard times?" Hongce relayed this; Gaozu answered, "If the great cause ahead fails, orchid and mugwort may burn together after all; but if success is won, awe will fill the four seas and orders will run through the realm—who would dare refuse? Why should we tamely accept someone else's terms? When we reach Stone City, I will explain this to Wang Mao and Cao Jingzong in person." South of the Mian River he created Xin Ye commandery to settle new adherents.

三年二月，南康王爲相國，以高祖爲征東將軍，給鼓吹一部。戊申，高祖發襄陽。留弟偉守襄陽城，總州府事，弟憺守壘城，府司馬莊丘黑守樊城，功曹史起士詢兼長史，白馬戍主黃嗣祖兼司馬，鄀令杜永兼別駕，小府錄事郭儼知轉漕。移檄京邑曰：

In the third year, second month, the Prince of Nankang was made Chancellor of State; Gaozu was appointed General Who Conquers the East and given one suite of martial music. On day wushen, Gaozu set out from Xiangyang. He left his brother Wei to guard Xiangyang and oversee the prefecture; his brother Dan to hold Lei city; Zhuangqiu Hei, prefecture marshal, to hold Fan city; Shi Qishi, merit officer, to double as chief administrator; Huang Sizu, garrison chief at White Horse, to double as marshal; Du Yong, magistrate of Shao, to double as aide-de-camp; and Guo Yan, petty office recorder, to handle grain transport. He sent a proclamation to the capital that read:

夫道不常夷，時無永化，險泰相沿，晦明非一，皆屯困而後亨，資多難以啓聖。故昌邑悖德，孝宣聿興，海西亂政，簡文升歷，並拓緒開基，紹隆寶命，理驗前經，事昭往策。

The Way is never always smooth; ages never stay unchanged; danger and safety alternate, darkness and light shift—great beginnings rise from hardship, and sages are forged through trial. When Prince Changyi turned wicked, Emperor Xuan arose; when Haixi misruled, Emperor Jianwen took the throne—each renewed the dynasty and carried forward Heaven's mandate, as the old texts foretold and past annals confirm.

獨夫擾亂天常，毀棄君德，姦回淫縱，歲月滋甚。挺虐於鬌剪之年，植險於髫丱之日。猜忌凶毒，觸途而著，暴戾昏荒，與事而發。自大行告漸，喜容前見，梓宮在殯，靦無哀色，歡娛遊宴，有過平常，奇服異衣，更極誇麗。至於選采妃嬪，姊妹無別，招侍巾櫛，姑侄莫辨，掖庭有稗販之名，姬姜被干殳之服。至乃形體宣露，褻衣顛倒，斬斮其間，以爲歡笑。騁肆淫放，驅屏郊邑。老弱波流，士女塗炭。行產盈路，輿尸竟道，母不及抱，子不遑哭。劫掠剽虜，以日繼夜。晝伏宵游，曾無休息。淫酗摐肆，酣歌壚邸。寵恣愚豎，亂惑妖㜸。梅蟲兒、茹法珍臧獲斯小，專制威柄，誅剪忠良，屠滅卿宰。劉鎮軍舅氏之尊，盡忠奉國；江僕射外戚之重，竭誠事上；蕭領軍葭莩之宗，志存柱石；徐司空、沈僕射搢紳冠冕，人望攸歸。或《渭陽》餘感，或勳庸允穆，或誠著艱難，或劬勞王室，並受遺託，同參顧命，送往事居，俱竭心力。宜其慶溢當年，祚隆後裔；而一朝齏粉，孩稚無遺。人神怨結，行路嗟憤。

This solitary ruler overturned Heaven's order and ruined royal virtue; treachery and debauchery deepened with every passing month. Even in the years when his hair was first cut, he showed cruelty; from childhood itself he nurtured danger. Suspicion and venom marked every path he took; brutality, perversity, and ruin followed every deed. Once the late emperor's illness was announced, joy showed on his face; though the imperial coffin still lay in the hall, he wore no mourning and feasted beyond all measure, dressing in outlandish finery more lavish still. He chose consorts without distinguishing sisters from one another; he called in attendants until aunt and niece were indistinguishable—the inner palace became a public market, and palace women went armed like soldiers. Sometimes bodies were displayed bare, underclothes worn reversed, and mutilation staged for laughter. He indulged every excess and drove the people from towns beyond the walls. The aged and weak were swept away like floodwater; men and women were crushed to ruin. Women giving birth clogged the roads; corpses filled the streets; mothers could not cradle their infants; sons could not pause to mourn. Robbery and kidnapping went on without pause, day into night. He lay low by day and prowled by night, never ceasing. He drowned himself in wine and riot, singing drunken songs in tavern quarters. He pampered witless youths and let sorcerous women lead him astray. Mei Chon'er and Ru Fazhen, men of the meanest bond-servant stock, seized all power, cut down the loyal, and butchered ministers and high officials. General Who Guards the Army Liu, the emperor's uncle by marriage, gave the state his whole loyalty; Vice Director Jiang, a kinsman of weight, served the throne with complete devotion; Army Commander Xiao, related by marriage, meant to stand as a pillar of the realm; Minister of Works Xu and Vice Director Shen, foremost among the gentry, were the men to whom all looked. Some were bound by kinship, some by long service, some by loyalty tested in crisis, some by labor for the throne—all had been entrusted at the deathbed, appointed regents together, and served the dead and the living with all their strength. They deserved blessings in their own time and glory for their heirs; Yet in one morning they were destroyed to the last, not even infants left alive. Heaven and earth seethed with resentment; wayfarers groaned in fury.

蕭令君忠公幹伐，誠貫幽顯。往年寇賊游魂，南鄭危逼，拔刃飛泉，孤城獨振。及中流逆命，憑陵京邑，謀猷禁省，指授羣帥，剋剪鯨鯢，清我王度。崔慧景奇鋒迅駭，兵交象魏，武力喪魂，義夫奪膽，投名送款，比屋交馳，負糧影從，愚智競赴。復誓旅江甸，奮不顧身，獎厲義徒，電掩強敵，剋殲大憝，以固皇基。功出桓、文，勳超伊、呂；而勞謙省己，事昭心迹，功遂身退，不祈榮滿。敦賞未聞，禍酷遄及，預稟精靈，孰不冤痛！而羣孽放命，蜂蠆懷毒，乃遣劉山陽驅扇逋逃，招逼亡命，潛圖密構，規見掩襲。蕭右軍、夏侯征虜忠斷夙舉，義形於色，奇謀宏振，應手梟懸，天道禍淫，罪不容戮。至於悖禮違教，傷化虐人，射天彈路，比之猶善，刳胎斮脛，方之非酷，盡𥯔縣之竹，未足紀其過，窮山澤之兔，不能書其罪。自草昧以來，圖牒所記，昏君暴后，未有若斯之甚者也。

Minister Xiao was loyal and able in public affairs; his devotion reached from the living world to the dead. In earlier years, when raiders threatened Nan Zheng, he seized his blade at Flying Spring and alone held the besieged city firm. When rebellion rose mid-river and pressed on the capital, he planned within the palace, directed the generals, destroyed the great foe, and restored the royal order. When Cui Huijing struck with sudden fury and armies met at the palace gate, enemy courage broke and loyal men found theirs; men sent in their names, households rushed to join, grain carriers followed in their tracks, and wise and simple alike hurried to the cause. Again he gathered forces along the Yangtze, risking himself without hesitation, rousing loyal men, falling on strong enemies like lightning, and crushing the arch-villain to secure the throne. His service outdid Duke Huan and Duke Wen; his achievement surpassed Yi Yin and Lu Wang. Yet he remained humble and restrained; his deeds revealed his heart—once success was won, he stepped back and asked for no excess of honor. No reward came; brutal ruin followed at once—knowing what the spirits foresaw, who did not cry out in injustice and grief! Yet the villainous faction threw off all restraint; like bees and scorpions they brewed poison—sending Liu Shanyang to stir fugitives, gather outlaws, and plot a secret strike. General of the Right Xiao and General Who Conquers Captives Xiahou, long steadfast in loyalty, showed justice in their bearing; their bold plans prevailed, and the enemy's heads fell at once—Heaven punishes excess, and such guilt cannot be spared. Even his breaches of ritual, corruption of custom, and torture of the people—shooting at Heaven and stoning travelers seem mild beside them; gouging wombs and severing legs seem merciful by comparison—not all the bamboo records of every commandery could list his crimes; not all the brush pens in hill and marsh could write them out. From the earliest ages to all that history records, no depraved ruler or brutal consort has ever gone so far.

旣人神乏主，宗稷阽危，海內沸騰，氓庶板蕩，百姓懍懍，如崩厥角，蒼生喁喁，投足無地。幕府荷眷前朝，義均休戚，上懷委付之重，下惟在原之痛，豈可臥薪引火，坐觀傾覆！至尊體自高宗，特鐘慈寵，明並日月，粹昭靈神，祥啓元龜，符驗當璧，作鎮陝籓，化流西夏，謳歌攸奉，萬有樂推。右軍蕭穎胄、征虜將軍夏侯詳並同心翼戴，卽宮舊楚，三靈再朗，九縣更新，升平之運，此焉復始，康哉之盛，在乎茲日。然帝德雖彰，區宇未定，元惡未黜，天邑猶梗。仰稟宸規，率前啓路。卽日遣冠軍、竟陵內史曹景宗等二十軍主，長槊五萬，驥騄爲羣，鶚視爭先，龍驤並驅，步出橫江，直指朱雀。長史、冠軍將軍、襄陽太守王茂等三十軍主，戈船七萬，乘流電激，推鋒扼險，斜趣白城。南中郎諮議參軍、軍主蕭偉等三十九軍主，巨艦迅楫，沖波噎水，旗鼓八萬，焱集石頭。南中郎諮議參軍、軍主蕭憺等四十二軍主，熊羆之士，甲楯十萬，沿波馳艓，掩據新亭。益州刺史劉季連、梁州刺史柳惔、司州刺史王僧景、魏興太守裴帥仁、上庸太守韋叡、新城太守崔僧季，並肅奉明詔，龔行天罰。蜀、漢果銳，沿流而下；淮、汝勁勇，望波遄騖。幕府總率貔貅，驍勇百萬，繕甲燕弧，屯兵冀馬，摐金沸地，鳴鞞聒天，霜鋒曜日，朱旗絳𥯔，方舟千里，駱驛係進。蕭右軍訏謨上才，兼資文武，英略峻遠，執鈞匡世。擁荊南之衆，督四方之師，宣贊中權，奉衛輿輦。旍麾所指，威棱無外，龍驤虎步，並集建業。黜放愚狡，均禮海昏，廓清神甸，掃定京宇。譬猶崩泰山而壓蟻壤，決懸河而注熛燼，豈有不殄滅者哉！

Men and gods are left without a ruler; the altars teeter on the edge; the realm seethes and the people are uprooted; common folk tremble like deer before the hunt; the living have nowhere to stand. This command bears the old court's trust and shares its weal and woe—charged from above, bound by kinship below—how can we lie on kindling beside the flames and watch the realm fall! The sovereign springs from High Ancestor, singled out for special grace—bright as sun and moon, pure in spirit; omens appeared on the sacred tortoise and the jade token confirmed his mandate; set to guard the western frontier, his virtue spread through the land—all the people sang his praise and pressed him forward. General of the Right Xiao Yingzhao and General Who Conquers Captives Xiahou Xiang have upheld him with one heart—in the old palace of Chu the three realms shine again, the nine domains are made new; the age of peace begins once more, and the glory of a well-ruled realm starts today. Yet though the emperor's virtue shines, the realm is still unsettled; the chief villain remains; the capital is still obstructed. Obeying the imperial design, we march at the fore and clear the way. Today we send Champion Cao Jingzong, interior administrator of Jingling, and twenty army commanders with fifty thousand long spears—swift horses massed, eyes fierce as eagles, banners like dragons— marching from Hengjiang straight at Zhuque Gate. Chief Administrator Wang Mao, champion general and administrator of Xiangyang, and thirty army commanders—seventy thousand war boats riding the current like lightning, driving the vanguard and seizing the defiles, angling toward White City. Consulting officer and army commander Xiao Wei and thirty-nine commanders—great ships with swift oars, waves crashing until the river choked, eighty thousand banners and drums converging on Stone Fort. Consulting officer and army commander Xiao Dan and forty-two commanders—warriors fierce as bear and pi, a hundred thousand in armor and shield, racing along the waves to seize Xinting. Liu Jilian, inspector of Yizhou; Liu Yan, inspector of Liangzhou; Wang Sengjing, inspector of Sizhou; Pei Shuairen, administrator of Weixing; Wei Rui, administrator of Shangyong; Cui Sengji, administrator of Xincheng—all reverently obey the imperial command and march to carry out Heaven's punishment. Shu and Han forces, keen and bold, come down the river; Huai and Ru fighters, strong and brave, sight the river and rush forward at speed. This command gathers a million fierce warriors—armor polished, Yan bows strung, Ji horses stationed; bronze gongs shake the earth, war drums deafen the sky; frost-bright blades flash in sunlight, crimson banners and pennons blaze; a thousand li of boats advance in endless file. General of the Right Xiao is a man of supreme counsel, skilled in both civil and military affairs; his vision is bold and far-reaching, and he holds the scales that set the age right. He commands the forces of southern Jing, directs armies on every side, supports the central power, and guards the imperial carriage. Wherever his banners turn, none can stand against him; dragon and tiger alike converge on Jianye. Cast out the wicked and deceitful; restore order to the ruined court; cleanse the sacred capital; sweep the realm clean. It is as if Mount Tai were falling on an anthill, as if a hanging river were poured onto burning coals—what could survive such ruin!

今資斧所加，止梅蟲兒、茹法珍而已。諸君咸世胄羽儀，書勳王府，皆俛眉姦黨，受制凶威。若能因變立功，轉禍爲福，並誓河、岳，永紆青紫。若執迷不悟，距逆王師，大衆一臨，刑茲罔赦，所謂火烈高原，芝蘭同泯。勉求多福，無貽後悔。賞罰之科，有如白水。

Now the punitive axe is aimed only at Mei Chon'er and Ru Fazhen. You are all noble scions and honored servants, men whose merit is recorded in the royal house—yet you bow to the villainous faction and submit to brutal force. If you seize this moment to earn merit and turn disaster into fortune, you may swear by the River and Mount and receive rank and honor for generations. If you persist in error and resist the imperial army, when the host arrives there will be no mercy—as the saying goes, when fire sweeps the high plain, orchid and mugwort burn alike. Seek your fortune now; do not leave yourselves room for regret. Reward and punishment stand as clear as white water.

高祖至竟陵，命長史王茂與太守曹景宗爲前軍，中兵參軍張法安守竟陵城。茂等至漢口，輕兵濟江，逼郢城。其刺史張沖置陣據石橋浦，義師與戰不利，軍主朱僧起死之。諸將議欲並軍圍郢，分兵以襲西陽、武昌。高祖曰：「漢口不闊一里，箭道交至，房僧寄以重兵固守，爲郢城人掎角。若悉衆前進，賊必絕我軍後，一朝爲阻，則悔無所及。今欲遣王、曹諸軍濟江，與荊州軍相會，以逼賊壘。吾自後圍魯山，以通沔、漢。鄖城、竟陵間粟，方舟而下；江陵、湘中之兵，連旗繼至。糧食旣足，士衆稍多，圍守兩城，不攻自拔，天下之事，臥取之耳。」諸將皆曰「善」。乃命王茂、曹景宗帥衆濟岸，進頓九里。其日，張沖出軍迎戰，茂等邀擊，大破之，皆棄甲奔走。荊州遣冠軍將軍鄧元起、軍主王世興、田安等數千人，會大軍於夏首。高祖築漢口城以守魯山，命水軍主張惠紹、朱思遠等游遏江中，絕郢、魯二城信使。

Gaozu reached Jingling and made Chief Administrator Wang Mao and Administrator Cao Jingzong the vanguard; Central Troops Officer Zhang Fa'an was left to guard Jingling city. Mao and his force reached Hankou; light troops crossed the river and pressed on Ying city. Inspector Zhang Chong drew up his lines at Stone Bridge Ford; the righteous army fought unsuccessfully, and Army Commander Zhu Sengqi was killed. The generals debated merging the armies to besiege Ying while sending detachments against Xiyang and Wuchang. Gaozu said, "Hankou is less than a li across; arrows can cross from every side; Fang Sengji holds it with a heavy force, pincering Ying city from without. If we move the whole army forward, the enemy will surely cut our rear; once trapped, regret will come too late. Now I mean to send Wang, Cao, and the rest across the river to join the Jingzhou force and press the enemy camp. I will myself take Mount Lu from the rear and open the route between the Mian and Han rivers. Grain from between Ying city and Jingling will be floated down in convoys; Soldiers from Jiangling and the Xiang basin will follow with banners one after another. Once grain is ample and our numbers grow, we need only hold both cities under siege—they will fall without a fight, and the realm will be ours as if taken at rest." The generals all agreed, "Excellent." He then ordered Wang Mao and Cao Jingzong to lead the army across and encamp at Jiuli. That day Zhang Chong came out to fight; Mao and the others intercepted him, broke his force completely, and the enemy threw off their armor and fled. Jingzhou sent Champion General Deng Yuanqi, Army Commander Wang Shixing, Tian An, and several thousand men to join the main force at Xia Shou. Gaozu built Hankou city to guard Mount Lu and ordered naval commanders Zhang Huishao and Zhu Siyuan to patrol the river and sever communications between Ying and Lu.

三月，乃命元起進據南堂西陼，田安之頓城北，王世興頓曲水故城。是時張沖死，其衆復推軍主薛元嗣及沖長史程茂爲主。

In the third month he ordered Yuanqi to take the western islet of South Hall; Tian An encamped north of the city; Wang Shixing encamped at the old city of Qu Shui. At this point Zhang Chong died; his men again made Army Commander Xue Yuansi and Chong's chief administrator Cheng Mao their leaders.

乙巳，南康王卽帝位於江陵，改永元三年爲中興元年，遙廢東昏爲涪陵王。以高祖爲尚書左僕射，加征東大將軍、都督征討諸軍事，假黃鉞。西臺又遣冠軍將軍蕭穎達領兵會于軍。是日，元嗣軍主沈難當率輕舸數千，亂流來戰，張惠紹等擊破，盡擒之。

On day yisi the Prince of Nankang took the throne at Jiangling, renamed the third year of Yongyuan as the first year of Zhongxing, and deposed Dong Hun from afar as Prince of Fuling. Gaozu was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, additionally made Great General Who Conquers the East and commander of all punitive forces, and granted the yellow battle-axe. The Western Secretariat also sent Champion General Xiao Yingda with troops to join the campaign. That same day Yuansi's commander Shen Nandang led several thousand light boats into the swirling current to fight; Zhang Huishao and the others defeated them and took every man.

四月，高祖出沔，命王茂、蕭穎達等進軍逼郢城。元嗣戰頗疲，因不敢出。諸將欲攻之，高祖不許。

In the fourth month Gaozu moved out along the Mian and ordered Wang Mao, Xiao Yingda, and the rest to advance against Ying city. Yuansi was exhausted by fighting and no longer dared to sally forth. The generals wanted to assault the city; Gaozu refused.

五月，東昏遣寧朔將軍吳子陽、軍主光子衿等十三軍救郢州，進據巴口。

In the fifth month Dong Hun sent Pacification North General Wu Ziyang, Army Commander Guang Zijin, and thirteen armies to rescue Yingzhou, advancing to occupy Bako.

六月，西臺遣衛尉席闡文勞軍，齎蕭穎胄等議，謂高祖曰：「今頓兵兩岸，不併軍圍郢，定西陽、武昌，取江州，此機已失；莫若請救於魏，與北連和，猶爲上策。」高祖謂闡文曰：「漢口路通荊、雍，控引秦、梁，糧運資儲，聽此氣息，所以兵壓漢口，連絡數州。今若併軍圍城，又分兵前進，魯山必阻沔路，所謂扼喉。若糧運不通，自然離散，何謂持久？鄧元起近欲以三千兵往定尋陽，彼若歡然悟機，一酈生亦足；脫距王師，故非三千能下。進退無據，未見其可。西陽、武昌，取便得耳，得便應鎮守。守兩城不減萬人，糧儲稱是，卒無所出。脫賊軍有上者，萬人攻一城，兩城勢不得相救。若我分軍應援，則首尾俱弱；如其不遣，孤城必陷。一城旣沒，諸城相次土崩，天下大事於是去矣。若郢州旣拔，席捲沿流，西陽、武昌，自然風靡，何遽分兵散衆，自貽其憂！且丈夫舉動，言靜天步；況擁數州之兵以誅羣豎，懸河注火，奚有不滅？豈容北面請救，以自示弱！彼未必能信，徒貽我醜聲。此之下計，何謂上策？卿爲我白鎮軍：前途攻取，但以見付，事在目中，無患不捷，恃鎮軍靖鎮之耳。」

In the sixth month the Western Secretariat sent Chamberlain Xi Chanwen to visit the army with a proposal from Xiao Yingzhao and others, telling Gaozu, "With troops halted on both banks, failing to combine forces, besiege Ying, secure Xiyang and Wuchang, and seize Jiangzhou—that chance is already gone; better to ask Wei for help and ally with the north—that would still be the best course." Gaozu told Chanwen, "Hankou links Jing and Yong, controls Qin and Liang, and holds the lifeline of grain and supplies—that is why we press the army on Hankou and tie several provinces together. If we mass for a siege and still split columns to push ahead, Lushan will choke the Mian route—the classic grip on the throat. Cut the grain lines and the army falls apart on its own—where is the staying power in that? Deng Yuanqi wants three thousand men to take Xunyang; if the town sees its chance and yields, a single envoy like Li Yi is enough; but if they stand against the imperial force, three thousand will not suffice. With no firm ground to advance or fall back on, I see no way this succeeds. Xiyang and Wuchang can be seized when the moment allows—and once taken, they must be held. Holding both towns takes at least ten thousand men and matching stores, leaving nothing in reserve. If rebels move upriver, ten thousand can storm one town while the other cannot help. Split to relieve them and both wings weaken; send none and the lone fortress is lost. One city gone, the rest crumble in turn—and with them the realm's great cause. Take Yingzhou and sweep downriver—Xiyang and Wuchang will fall of themselves. Why rush to split the army and invite our own trouble! Besides, a true man's deeds should calm the very pace of Heaven; how much less when we hold several provinces' worth of troops to crush these villains—like a river poured out or fire tipped over—what could stand? How can we face north and plead for rescue, exposing our weakness! They may not believe us anyway—we would only earn disgrace. That is the worst counsel—how can anyone call it the best plan? Tell the Pacification General for me: leave the fighting ahead to me. It is plain before our eyes; success is certain. I ask only that he keep the rear calm and secure."

吳子陽等進軍武口，高祖乃命軍主梁天惠、蔡道祐據漁湖城，唐脩期、劉道曼屯白陽壘，夾兩岸而待之。子陽又進據加湖，去郢三十里，傍山帶水，築壘柵以自固。魯山城主房僧寄死，衆復推助防孫樂祖代之。七月，高祖命王茂帥軍主曹仲宗、康絢、武會超等潛師襲加湖，將逼子陽。水涸不通艦，其夜暴長，衆軍乘流齊進，鼓噪攻之，賊俄而大潰，子陽等竄走，衆盡溺于江。王茂虜其餘而旋。於是郢、魯二城相視奪氣。

Wu Ziyang marched on Wukou. Gaozu posted Liang Tianhui and Cai Daoyou at Yuhu City and Tang Xiuqi and Liu Daoman at Baiyang Fortress, lining both shores. Ziyang next seized Jiahu, thirty li from Ying, backed by hills and fronted by water, and walled himself in with ramparts and palisades. Fang Sengji, commander of Lushan, died; the garrison again chose Assistant Defender Sun Lezu to succeed him. In the seventh month Gaozu sent Wang Mao with Cao Zhongzong, Kang Xuan, Wu Huichao, and others in a hidden column to strike Jiahu and close on Ziyang. The river had dropped too low for ships; that night it surged. The whole force rode the flood together, drums roaring as they attacked. The enemy broke at once. Ziyang and his officers fled—and in the end all drowned in the river. Wang Mao took the survivors and withdrew. Ying and Lushan, looking across at each other, lost all spirit.

先是，東昏遣冠軍將軍陳伯之鎮江州，爲子陽等聲援。高祖乃謂諸將曰：「夫征討未必須實力，所聽威聲耳。今加湖之敗，誰不弭服。陳虎牙卽伯之子，狼狽奔歸，彼間人情，理當忷懼，我謂九江傳檄可定也。」因命搜所獲俘囚，得伯之幢主蘇隆之，厚加賞賜，使致命焉。魯山城主孫樂祖、郢城主程茂、薛元嗣相繼請降。初，郢城之閉，將佐文武男女口十餘萬人，疾疫流腫死者十七八，及城開，高祖並加隱卹，其死者命給棺槥。

Before this Dong Hun had posted Champion General Chen Bozhi at Jiangzhou to back Wu Ziyang. Gaozu told his commanders, "Campaigns are not always won by brute force alone. What counts is the weight of your name. After Jiahu, who would not bow his head? Chen Huya is Bozhi's son—he ran home in tatters. The whole region must be terrified. I say Jiujiang can be taken by proclamation alone." He searched the prisoners, found Bozhi's banner-chief Su Longzhi, rewarded him generously, and sent him back with a letter. Sun Lezu at Lushan, Cheng Mao at Ying, and Xue Yuansi all surrendered in turn. While Ying was besieged, more than a hundred thousand people—soldiers, officials, men, women, and children—were inside. Plague and swelling sickness killed seven or eight in ten. When the city fell Gaozu showed mercy to all survivors and ordered coffins for the dead.

先是，汝南人胡文超起義於灄陽，求討義陽、安陸等郡以自效，高祖又遣軍主唐脩期攻隨郡，並剋之。司州刺史王僧景遣子貞孫入質。司部悉平。

Earlier Hu Wenchao of Runan had risen at Zhenyang, offering to seize Yiyang, Anlu, and neighboring commanderies for the cause. Gaozu also sent Tang Xiuqi against Suicommandery. Both efforts succeeded. Wang Sengjing, inspector of Sizhou, sent his son Zhensun as hostage. All of Sizhou was pacified.

陳伯之遣蘇隆之反命，求未便進軍。高祖曰：「伯之此言，意懷首鼠，及其猶豫，急往逼之，計無所出，勢不得暴。」乃命鄧元起率衆，卽日沿流。八月，天子遣黃門郎蘇回勞軍。高祖登舟，命諸將以次進路，留上庸太守韋叡守郢城，行州事。鄧元起將至尋陽，陳伯之猶猜懼，乃收兵退保湖口，留其子虎牙守盆城。及高祖至，乃束甲請罪。九月，天子詔高祖平定東夏，並以便宜從事。是月，留少府、長史鄭紹叔守江州城。前軍次蕪湖，南豫州刺史申胄棄姑孰走，至是時大軍進據之，仍遣曹景宗、蕭穎達領馬步進頓江寧。東昏遣征虜將軍李居士率步軍迎戰，景宗擊走之。於是王茂、鄧元起、呂僧珍進據赤鼻邏，曹景宗、陳伯之爲游兵。是日，新亭城主江道林率兵出戰，衆軍擒之於陣。大軍次新林，命王茂進據越城，曹景宗據皁莢橋，鄧元起據道士墩，陳伯之據籬門。道林餘衆退屯航南，義軍迫之，因復散走，退保朱爵，憑淮以自固。時李居士猶據新亭壘，請東昏燒南岸邑屋以開戰場。自大航以西、新亭以北，蕩然矣。

Chen Bozhi returned Su Longzhi with a reply asking that the army not advance until conditions were right. Gaozu said, "That answer shows a man with one foot in each camp. While he wavers, press him hard. He will have no plan left, and the moment will not allow him to resist." That same day he ordered Deng Yuanqi to march the army downriver. In the eighth month the emperor sent Yellow Gate Gentleman Su Hui to congratulate the troops. Gaozu embarked and sent the generals forward in sequence, leaving Upper Yong Administrator Wei Rui to hold Ying and govern the province. When Deng Yuanqi neared Xunyang, Chen Bozhi still mistrusted the cause. He pulled back to Hukou and left his son Huya at Pencheng. When Gaozu arrived, Bozhi laid down his arms and asked for pardon. In the ninth month the emperor authorized Gaozu to pacify Eastern Xia and act as he saw fit. That month he left Junior Master of the Palace and chief clerk Zheng Shaoshu to hold Jiangzhou. The vanguard stopped at Wuhu. Shen Zhou, inspector of South Yuzhou, abandoned Gushu and fled. The main force took it and sent Cao Jingzong and Xiao Yingda with cavalry and infantry to encamp at Jiangning. Dong Hun sent Campaign General Li Jushi with infantry to meet them. Cao Jingzong routed him. Wang Mao, Deng Yuanqi, and Lu Sengzhen then took Chibiyi Rampart. Cao Jingzong and Chen Bozhi served as flying columns. That day Xinting commander Jiang Daolin came out to fight and was taken in the line of battle. The army reached Xinglin. Wang Mao took Yue City, Cao Jingzong Zaojia Bridge, Deng Yuanqi Daoshi Mound, and Chen Bozhi Limen. Daolin's survivors fell back south of the crossing. The Righteous Army pressed them; they broke again and withdrew to Zhujue, clinging to the Huai for cover. Li Jushi still held the Xinting fort and asked Dong Hun to burn the south-bank towns and clear a field of battle. From the Great Crossing west to Xinting north, nothing was left standing.

十月，東昏石頭軍主朱僧勇率水軍二千人歸降。東昏又遣征虜將軍王珍國率軍主胡虎牙等列陣于航南大路，悉配精手利器，尚十餘萬人。閹人王倀子持白虎幡督率諸軍，又開航背水，以絕歸路。王茂、曹景宗等掎角奔之，將士皆殊死戰，無不一當百，鼓噪震天地。珍國之衆，一時土崩，投淮死者，積尸與航等，後至者乘之以濟，於是朱爵諸軍望之皆潰。義軍追至宣陽門，李居士以新亭壘、徐元瑜以東府城降，石頭、白下諸軍並宵潰。壬午，高祖鎮石頭，命衆軍圍六門，東昏悉焚燒門內，驅逼營署、官府並入城，有衆二十萬。青州刺史桓和紿東昏出戰，因以其衆來降。高祖命諸軍築長圍。

In the tenth month Zhu Sengyong, Dong Hun's commander at Shitou, surrendered with two thousand sailors. Dong Hun sent Campaign General Wang Zhenguo with Hu Huya and other commanders to form battle lines on the road south of the crossing, all armed with elite archers and sharp weapons—more than a hundred thousand men. The eunuch Wang Shuan carried the white tiger banner to direct the host and flooded the crossing behind them to cut off retreat. Wang Mao and Cao Jingzong hit them from both sides. Every man fought as if one could match a hundred. The roar of drums shook heaven and earth. Zhenguo's army shattered at once. Men who threw themselves into the Huai drowned until the dead piled even with the crossing, and those behind walked over them to get across. Every force at Zhujue broke and ran. The Righteous Army chased them to Xuanyang Gate. Li Jushi surrendered the Xinting fort; Xu Yuanyu surrendered the Eastern Mansion. The garrisons at Shitou and Baixia melted away overnight. On day rencwu Gaozu occupied Shitou and surrounded the six gates. Dong Hun burned the districts within the walls, herded camps and offices into the city, and mustered two hundred thousand men. Huan He, inspector of Qingzhou, tricked Dong Hun into marching out, then defected with his whole force. Gaozu ordered a long siege line built around the city.

初，義師之逼，東昏遣軍主左僧慶鎮京口，常僧景鎮廣陵，李叔獻屯瓜步，及申胄自姑孰奔歸，又使屯破墩以爲東北聲援。至是，高祖遣使曉喻，並率衆降。乃遣弟輔國將軍秀鎮京口，輔國將軍恢屯破墩，從弟寧朔將軍景鎮廣陵。吳郡太守蔡夤棄郡赴義師。

When the Righteous Army first closed in, Dong Hun had posted Left Sengqing at Jingkou, Chang Sengjing at Guangling, and Li Shuxian at Guabu. When Shen Zhou fled back from Gushu, he too was sent to Podun to guard the northeast. Gaozu now sent envoys to win them over, and all came over with their troops. He posted his brother Auxiliary General Xiu at Jingkou, Auxiliary General Hui at Podun, and his cousin Unassuming General Jing at Guangling. Cai Yin, administrator of Wu commandery, left his post and joined the Righteous Army.

十二月丙寅旦，兼衛尉張稷、北徐州刺史王珍國斬東昏，送首義師。高祖命呂僧珍勒兵封府庫及圖籍，收㜸妾潘妃及凶黨王咺之以下四十一人屬吏，誅之。宣德皇后令廢涪陵王爲東昏侯，依漢海昏侯故事。授高祖中書監、都督揚南徐二州諸軍事、大司馬、錄尚書、驃騎大將軍、揚州刺史，封建安郡公，食邑萬戶，給班劍四十人，黃鉞、侍中、征討諸軍事並如故；依晉武陵王遵承制故事。

At dawn on day bingyin in the twelfth month, Concurrent Minister of the Guard Zhang Ji and North Xuzhou Inspector Wang Zhenguo cut off Dong Hun's head and sent it to the Righteous Army. Gaozu ordered Lu Sengzhen to seal the treasuries and archives, seize Consort Pan and the ringleaders led by Wang Xuanzhi—forty-one people in all—and hand them to the courts for execution. Empress Dowager Xuande stripped the deposed Prince of Fuling of his rank and made him Marquis Donghun, on the model of Han's Marquis of Haihun. Gaozu was made Director of the Masters of Writing, commander of Yang and South Xu military affairs, Grand Marshal, supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Fast General-in-Chief, and inspector of Yangzhou; enfeoffed Duke of Jian'an commandery with ten thousand households; granted forty halberd guards; yellow battle-axe, palace attendant, and campaign authority unchanged; following Jin's precedent of Prince of Wuling Zun acting with imperial authority.

己卯，高祖入屯閱武堂。下令曰：「皇家不造，遘此昏凶，禍挻動植，虐被人鬼，社廟之危，蠢焉如綴。吾身籍皇宗，曲荷先顧，受任邊疆，推轂萬里，眷言瞻烏，痛心在目，故率其尊主之情，厲其忘生之志。雖寶曆重升，明命有紹，而獨夫醜縱，方煽京邑。投袂援戈，克弭多難。虐政橫流，爲日旣久，同惡相濟，諒非一族。仰稟朝命，任在專征，思播皇澤，被之率土。凡厥負釁，咸與惟新。可大赦天下；唯王咺之等四十一人不在赦例。」

On day jimao Gaozu moved into the Review-of-Troops Hall. He proclaimed, "The dynasty has suffered ruin and met this dark tyrant. Disaster touched every living thing; cruelty reached from men to ghosts. The altars of state hang by a thread, swaying as if on a fraying cord. I am of the imperial blood, was favored by those before me, and was trusted on the frontier a thousand leagues away. When I see the orphaned bird, grief is before my eyes—so I roused the loyal heart and hardened the will to risk my life. Though the throne is restored and the mandate renewed, this lone monster's wickedness still burns in the capital. I rolled up my sleeves, took up arms, and put down many calamities. Bad government has run wild for years. Those who shared in the evil helped one another—it was not one house alone. Heeding the court's charge, my duty is to lead the campaign alone. I mean to spread imperial mercy over all the realm. All who have sinned shall share in a new beginning. Let there be a general amnesty throughout the land; Wang Xuanzhi and forty-one others alone are excluded."

又令曰：「夫樹以司牧，非役物以養生；視民如傷，豈肆上以縱虐。廢主棄常，自絕宗廟。窮凶極悖，書契未有。征賦不一，苛酷滋章。緹繡土木，菽粟犬馬，徵發閭左，以充繕築。流離寒暑，繼以疫鬁，轉死溝渠，曾莫救恤，朽肉枯骸，烏鳶是厭。加以天災人火，屢焚宮掖，官府臺寺，尺椽無遺，悲甚《黍離》，痛兼《麥秀》。遂使億兆離心，疆徼侵弱，斯人何辜，離此塗炭！今明昏遞運，大道公行，思治之氓，來蘇茲日。猥以寡薄，屬當大寵，雖運距中興，艱同草昧，思闡皇休，與之更始。凡昏制、謬賦、淫刑、濫役，外可詳檢前源，悉皆除蕩。其主守散失，諸所損耗，精立科條，咸從原例。」

He also ordered, "Officials are set over the people to govern them—not to grind the world down to feed a tyrant. To treat the people as if every wound were your own—how could a ruler indulge cruelty at will? The deposed emperor cast off the eternal order and severed himself from the ancestral temples. His wickedness and perversity exceed anything recorded in history. Taxes were arbitrary and cruelty grew day by day. Silk brocades and timber palaces, grain and horses and dogs—the people of the lanes were dragooned to build them. They were driven through heat and cold, then plague followed. They died in ditches with no one to save them. Rotting flesh and bare bones were food for crows and kites. On top of that came fire from heaven and from men. Palaces and offices burned again and again until not a rafter remained—grief like Grain Tall, sorrow doubled like Wheat in Bloom. Millions lost faith; the frontiers weakened. What had these people done to deserve such ruin? Now light follows darkness and the great Way is open again. People who hunger for peace may breathe free today. I am unworthy and weak in virtue, yet have been given this great charge. Though fortune still blocks full revival and hardship matches the founding days, I will spread imperial grace and start anew with the people. Every dark law, mistaken tax, cruel punishment, and abusive levy—let the ministries trace each to its source and abolish them all. Where local officials allowed losses and disorder, let clear rules be drawn up and all be made good under the old standards."

又曰：「永元之季，乾維落紐。政實多門，有殊衛文之代；權移於下，事等曹恭之時。遂使閹尹有翁媼之稱，高安有法堯之旨。鬻獄販官，錮山護澤，開塞之機，奏成小醜。直道正義，擁抑彌年，懷冤抱理，莫知誰訴。姦吏因之，筆削自己。豈直賈生流涕，許伯哭時而已哉！今理運惟新，政刑得所，矯革流弊，實在茲日。可通檢尚書衆曹，東昏時諸諍訟失理及主者淹停不時施行者，精加訊辨，依事議奏。」

He also said, "In the closing years of Yongyuan the axis of Heaven slipped its knot. Government had too many masters, as in Duke Wen of Wei's day; power sank to the bottom, as in the time of Cao Gong. Palace eunuchs were called Old Father and Old Mother; Gao'an carried the decree of Fa Yao. Justice was for sale, offices were traded, mountains and marshes were fenced off for private gain—the gates of power were worked by petty men. Honest men and just causes were crushed year after year. Those with grievances did not know where to turn. Corrupt clerks seized the chance and wrote the record—and the sentence—as they pleased. This is not merely Jia Yi weeping for the realm, or Xu Bo's funeral lament—it goes far deeper! Now governance begins anew, law and punishment are right again, and the moment to uproot old abuses has come. Inspect every Secretariat bureau. For wrongful suits from Dong Hun's reign and officials who sat on cases without acting, investigate carefully and report findings for decision."

又下令，以義師臨陣致命及疾病死亡者，並加葬斂，收恤遺孤。又令曰：「朱爵之捷，逆徒送死者，特許家人殯葬；若無親屬，或有貧苦，二縣長尉卽爲埋掩。建康城內，不達天命，自取淪滅，亦同此科。」

He also ordered that righteous troops killed in battle or dead of sickness receive proper burial, with their orphans taken in and cared for. Another edict said: "After the victory at Red Sparrow, the dead among the rebels may be claimed by their families for burial; where there is no kin, or kin are too poor, the magistrates of both counties shall bury them at once. Within Jiankang, those who defied Heaven's decree and brought destruction on themselves fall under the same provision."

二年正月，天子遣兼侍中席闡文、兼黃門侍郎樂法才慰勞京邑。追贈高祖祖散騎常侍左光祿大夫，考侍中丞相。

In the first month of year two, the Emperor sent Xi Chuanwen and Yue Facai to console the capital. Gaozu's grandfather was posthumously made Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and Left Grand Master for Brightness; his father, Attendant-in-Ordinary and Chancellor.

高祖下令曰：「夫在上化下，草偃風從，世之澆淳，恒由此作。自永元失德，書契未紀，窮凶極悖，焉可勝言。旣而琁室外構，傾宮內積，奇技異服，殫所未見。上慢下暴，淫侈競馳。國命朝權，盡移近習。販官鬻爵，賄貨公行。並甲第康衢，漸臺廣室。長袖低昂，等和戎之賜；珍羞百品，同伐冰之家。愚民因之，浸以成俗。驕豔競爽，夸麗相高。至乃市井之家，貂狐在御；工商之子，緹繡是襲。日入之次，夜分未反，昧爽之朝，期之清旦。聖明肇運，厲精惟始，雖曰纘戎，殆同創革。且淫費之後，繼以興師，巨橋、鹿臺，凋罄不一。孤忝荷大寵，務在澄清，思所以仰述皇朝大帛之旨，俯厲微躬鹿裘之義，解而更張，斵雕爲樸。自非可以奉粢盛，脩紱冕，習禮樂之容，繕甲兵之備，此外衆費，一皆禁絕。御府中署，量宜罷省。掖庭備禦妾之數，大予絕鄭衛之音。其中有可以率先卿士，准的甿庶，菲食薄衣，請自孤始。加羣才並軌，九官咸事，若能人務退食，競存約己，移風易俗，庶朞月有成。昔毛玠在朝，士大夫不敢靡衣偷食。魏武歎曰：『孤之法不如毛尚書。』孤雖德謝往賢，任重先達，實望多士得其此心。外可詳爲條格。」

Gaozu ordered: "Those who rule set the tone for all below—grass bends where the wind blows, and an age's corruption or virtue begins here. Since Yongyuan, virtue collapsed and records could scarcely keep pace—the cruelty and perversity beggar description. Palaces rose without end, inner treasuries overflowed, and bizarre arts and fashions appeared that none had ever seen. The high grew contemptuous, the low turned brutal, and debauchery and excess raced unchecked. State affairs and court authority fell entirely into the hands of cronies. Offices and ranks went up for sale, and graft flourished in the open. Grand estates lined the main roads; tiered towers and sprawling halls multiplied. Swishing sleeves like the gifts lavished on pacifying barbarians; delicacies by the hundred, fit for households rich enough to cut ice in winter. Common people took it up, and by degrees it hardened into custom. Ostentation and glamour competed; each tried to outshine the next. Even market families wore sable and fox fur; merchants' and craftsmen's sons dressed in brocade and silk. They did not come home at dusk, nor by midnight; at grey dawn they still waited for morning light. A sage ruler opens a new age and sharpens himself from the first day; though this is formally succession, it is almost a new founding. After wasteful excess came war—like Juqiao's granaries and Lutai's treasuries emptied without end. I am unworthy of this great charge, yet my duty is to set things right—to honor the court's spirit of plain great silk, and in my own life the lesson of the deer-fur coat: loosen what binds, restring the bow, strip ornament back to simplicity. Apart from what serves sacrifice, ritual vestments, music and ceremony, or arming the troops, every other extravagance is abolished. Imperial warehouses and inner departments shall be cut back as fit. The palace will limit concubines; court music will ban licentious Zheng and Wei tunes. Where I can lead officials and set an example for the people—simple fare and plain clothes—let it start with me. With able men in post and every office working, if each guards against excess and holds himself to restraint, custom may turn within a month. Once Mao Jie served at court, officials dared not dress beyond their rank or eat beyond their share. Cao Cao once sighed, "My rules fall short of Minister Mao's." My own virtue cannot match the ancients and the burden is heavy, but I hope the realm's officers will share this resolve. Let detailed rules be issued for all to follow."

戊戌，宣德皇后臨朝，入居內殿。拜帝大司馬，解承制，百僚致敬如前。詔進高祖都督中外諸軍事，劍履上殿，入朝不趨，贊拜不名。加前後部羽葆鼓吹。置左右長史、司馬、從事中郎、掾、屬各四人，並依舊辟士，餘並如故。詔曰：

On day wuxu, Empress Dowager Xuan took the regency from the inner palace. Gaozu was confirmed as Grand Marshal, his provisional powers ended, and officials paid homage as before. Gaozu was made supreme commander of all armies, with sword and shoes permitted in the throne room, no haste in court, and address without his personal name. He was granted imperial escort with canopy and martial music, front and rear. Four each were appointed as Left and Right Chief Clerks, Marshals, Attendant Gentlemen, aides, and clerks, recruited as before; other offices unchanged. The edict said:

夫日月麗天，高明所以表德；山岳題地，柔博所以成功。故能庶物出而資始，河海振而不洩。二象貞觀，代之者人。是以七輔、四叔，致無爲於軒、昊；韋、彭、齊、晉，靖衰亂於殷、周。

Sun and moon crown the sky, and by their height and light virtue is shown; mountains stand upon the earth, and through their breadth and steadfastness deeds are done. From this the ten thousand things arise and take their start; rivers and seas heave yet do not burst their bounds. Heaven and earth hold their course, and humanity stands as their heir. Thus the Seven Assists and Four Uncles brought effortless rule to the Yellow Emperor and Emperor Yao; Wei, Peng, Qi, and Jin stilled chaos in the Yin and Zhou dynasties.

大司馬攸縱自天，體茲齊聖，文洽九功，武苞七德。欽惟厥始，徽猷早樹，誠著艱難，功參帷幙。錫賦開壤，式表厥庸。建武升歷，邊隙屢啓，公釋書輟講，經營四方。司、豫懸切，樊、漢危殆，覆強寇於沔濱，僵胡馬於鄧汭。永元肇號，難結羣醜，專威擅虐，毒被含靈，溥天惴惴，命懸晷刻。否終有期，神謨載挺，首建大策，惟新鼎祚。投袂勤王，沿流電舉，魯城雲撤，夏汭霧披，加湖羣盜，一鼓殄拔，姑孰連旍，倏焉冰泮。取新壘其如拾芥，撲朱爵其猶掃塵。霆電外駭，省闥內傾，餘醜纖蠹，蚳蝝必盡。援彼已溺，解此倒懸，塗歡裏抃，自近及遠。畿甸夷穆，方外肅寧，解茲虐網，被以寬政。積弊窮昏，一朝載廓，聲教遐漸，無思不被。雖伊尹之執茲壹德，姬旦之光于四海，方斯蔑如也。

Grand Marshal You was heaven-sent in gifts, wholly sage in nature—literary virtue completing the Nine Works, martial virtue holding the Seven Powers. From the first his fine counsel took root; his loyalty proved in hardship and his merit was won within the command tent. Tax lands were granted to mark his worth. When the Jianwu era opened, the frontiers flared again; the Duke laid aside his books and took up the four quarters. Si and Yu teetered, Fan and Han were near ruin—he crushed strong foes on the Han River and froze the barbarian cavalry at Deng's ford. When Yongyuan began, villains gathered power, cruel and unchecked, poison spread to every living soul, all Heaven trembled, and men's lives hung by moments. Darkness at last had its limit; heaven's counsel rose with him—first to frame the great plan and renew the dynasty. He rallied to rescue the throne, racing downstream like lightning—Luzhou fell like clouds scattering, Xia's mouth cleared like lifted fog; at Jiahu the bandits were crushed in one assault, at Gushu their banners melted like ice in spring. Xinyu fell as easily as lifting a mustard seed; Zhujue was seized as lightly as sweeping dust. Thunder struck outward in terror, the palace swayed within, and every remnant vermin was stamped out to the last. He pulled the drowning from the water and cut the bound free from the beam—roads rang with joy and lanes with clapping, from the capital outward. The heartland grew calm, the frontiers quiet; the tyrant's snares were cut and gentler rule spread. Ages of rot were cleared in a single day; his voice and teaching reached far, and no heart was left untouched. Even Yi Yin's single-minded virtue and the Duke of Zhou's light over the four seas pale beside this.

昔呂望翼佐聖君，猶享四履之命；文侯立功平后，尚荷二弓之錫，況於盛德元勳，超邁自古。黔首惵惵，待以爲命，救其已然，拯其方斮，式閭表墓，未或能比；而大輅渠門，輟而莫授，眷言前訓，無忘終食。便宜敬升大典，式允羣望。其進位相國，總百揆，揚州刺史；封十郡爲梁公，備九錫之禮，加璽紱遠遊冠，位在諸王上，加相國綠綟綬。其驃騎大將軍如故。依舊置梁百司。

Once Lü Wang served the sage king, he still received command over four regions; Marquis Wen earned merit pacifying the realm yet still received two bows as reward—how much more for virtue and achievement that outstrip all former ages. The people looked to him for life itself—rescuing the doomed, saving what was already lost, honoring the worthy at gate and grave—none could match this; yet the highest honors were held back; remembering ancient precedent, he did not forget even over a single meal. It is right to raise him to the supreme rite and satisfy the people's longing. He shall be promoted to Chancellor, head of all government, and Governor of Yangzhou; granted ten commanderies as Duke of Liang with full Nine Bestowments, the seal-ribbon and Far-Wandering cap, rank above all princes, and the Chancellor's green-and-yellow sash. He retains his post as General of Agile Cavalry. The Liang administrative offices shall be set up as before.

策曰：

The formal decree said:

二儀寂寞，由寒暑而代行，三才並用，資立人以爲寶，故能流形品物，仰代天工。允茲元輔，應期挺秀，裁成天地之功，幽協神明之德。撥亂反正，濟世寧民，盛烈光於有道，大勳振於無外，雖伊陟之保乂王家，姬公之有此丕訓，方之蔑如也。今將授公典策，其敬聽朕命：

Heaven and earth endure in stillness, seasons turning through cold and heat; the three realms work together, and humanity is their treasure—shaping the ten thousand things and standing in for Heaven's craft. This chief minister rose to meet the age, completing heaven and earth's work and moving in secret accord with the gods. He set chaos right, saved the age, and settled the people—glory for the realm, renown beyond the borders; even Yi Zhi guarding the royal house and the Duke of Zhou's great teaching pale beside him. Now I invest the Duke with the formal decree—hear and obey:

上天不造，難鐘皇室，世祖以休明早崩，世宗以仁德不嗣，高宗襲統，宸居弗永，雖夙夜劬勞，而隆平不洽。嗣君昏暴，書契弗睹。朝權國柄，委之羣㜸。剿戮忠賢，誅殘台輔，含冤抱痛，噍類靡餘。實繁非一，並專國命。嚬笑致災，睚眦及禍。嚴科毒賦，載離比屋，溥天熬熬，置身無所。冤頸引決，道樹相望，無近無遠，號天靡告。公藉昏明之期，因兆民之願，援帥羣后，翊成中興。宗社之危已固，天人之望允塞，此實公紐我絕綱，大造皇家者也。

Heaven withheld its favor; calamity fell on the royal house—the Founding Emperor died young in his brilliance, the Heir Emperor left no son of virtue, the High Emperor took the throne but did not long hold it; though he labored day and night, lasting peace never came. The heir was brutal and blind, beyond what records can tell. Court authority and the nation's reins passed into the hands of a faction of women. They butchered loyal men and killed high ministers; the wronged and grieving were wiped out to the last mouth. Many were they, and not one alone—all seized the nation's power. A smile or frown brought calamity; the smallest slight brought destruction. Cruel law and crushing taxes emptied every household; all Heaven scorched, and men had nowhere to stand. The wronged cut their own throats; corpses hung from roadside trees near and far, crying to Heaven with no one to answer. The Duke seized the turning of dark to light, answered the people's prayer, rallied the lords, and helped restore the dynasty. The altars were saved, Heaven and earth's wish fulfilled—this is the Duke who mended our broken bonds and remade the royal house.

永明季年，邊隙大啓，荊河連率，招引戎荒，江、淮擾逼，勢同履虎。公受言本朝，輕兵赴襲，縻以長算，制之環中。排危冒險，強柔遞用，坦然一方，還成籓服。此又公之功也。在昔隆昌，洪基已謝，高宗慮深社稷，將行權道。公定策帷帳，激揚大節，廢帝立王，謀猷深著。此又公之功也。建武闡業，厥猷雖遠，戎狄內侵，憑陵關塞，司部危逼，淪陷指期。公治兵外討，卷甲長騖，接距交綏，電激風掃，摧堅覆銳，咽水塗原，執俘象魏，獻馘海渚，焚廬毀帳，號哭言歸。此又公之功也。樊、漢阽切，羽書續至。公星言鞠旅，稟命徂征，而軍機戎統，事非己出，善策嘉謀，抑而莫允。鄧城之役，胡馬卒至，元帥潛及，不相告報，棄甲捐師，餌之虎口。公南收散卒，北禦雕騎，全衆方軌，案路徐歸，拯我邊危，重獲安堵。此又公之功也。漢南迥弱，咫尺勍寇，兵糧蓋闕，器甲靡遺。公作籓爰始，因資靡託，整兵訓卒，蒐狩有序，俾我危城，飜爲強鎮。此又公之功也。永元紀號，瞻烏已及，雖廢昏有典，而伊、霍稱難。公首建大策，爰立明聖，義逾邑綸，勳高代入，易亂以化，俾昏作明。此又公之功也。文王之風，雖被江、漢，京邑蠢動，湮爲洪流，句吳、於越，巢幕匪喻。公投袂萬里，事惟拯溺，義聲所覃，無思不韙。此又公之功也。魯城、夏汭，梗據中流，乘山置壘，縈川自固。公御此烏集，陵茲地險，頓兵坐甲，寒往暑移，我行永久，士忘歸願，經以遠圖，御以長策，費無遺矢，戰未窮兵，踐華之固，相望俱拔。此又公之功也。惟此羣凶，同惡相濟，緣江負險，蟻聚加湖。水陸盤據，規援夏首，桴鳷一臨，應時褫潰。此又公之功也。姦㜸震皇，復懷舉斧，蓄兵九派，用擬勤王。公棱威直指，勢踰風電，旌旆小臨，全州稽服。此又公之功也。姑孰沖要，密邇京畿，凶徒熾聚，斷塞津路。公偏師啓塗，排方繼及，兵威所震，望旗自駭，焚舟委壁，卷甲宵遁。此又公之功也。羣豎倡狂，志在借一，豕突淮涘，武騎如雲。公爰命英勇，因機騁銳，氣冠版泉，勢逾洹水，追奔逐北，奄有通津，熊耳比峻，未足云擬，睢水不流，曷其能及。此又公之功也。琅邪、石首，襟帶岨固，新壘、東墉，金湯是埒。憑險作守，兵食兼資，風激電駭，莫不震疊，城復于隍，於是乎在。此又公之功也。獨夫昏很，憑城靡懼，鼓鐘鞺鞜，慠若有餘。狎是邪㜸，忌斯冠冕，凶狡因之，將逞孥戮。公奇謨密運，盛略潛通，忠勇之徒，得申厥效，白旗宣室，未之或比。此又公之功也。

Late in Yongming the frontiers burst open; commanders of Jing and He invited barbarians in—Jiang and Huai shook under threat, as if walking on a tiger's back. Ordered by the court, he led light forces in a swift strike, held them with long strategy, and contained them within his grasp. He braved every danger, shifting between force and forbearance—one region grew calm and again bowed as a vassal frontier. This too was the Duke's merit. In Longchang the dynasty's base was already spent; the High Emperor, fearing for the altars, prepared to act by necessity. The Duke decided policy in the tent, upheld great principle, deposed one emperor and raised another—his counsel shone clear. This too was the Duke's merit. Jianwu began its rule with far-reaching plans, yet barbarians invaded the passes—Si Province teetered on the brink of fall. The Duke marched out to war, armor rolled and horses driven far—he met the enemy, struck like lightning, swept like wind, broke the strong and crushed the sharp, choked streams and stained the plains; he took prisoners at the Elephant Gate, offered severed ears at the sea's edge, burned camps and destroyed tents, and the foe wailed homeward. This too was the Duke's merit. Fan and Han stood on the edge of ruin; urgent reports arrived one after another. The Duke mustered his army at dawn and marched on orders—yet strategy and command were not his to decide; good counsel was offered and refused. At Dengcheng barbarian cavalry struck without warning; the commander slipped in unseen and gave no word—armor was cast aside, troops abandoned, and men fed to the tiger's maw. The Duke gathered the scattered in the south and held the barbarian horse in the north—kept the army intact, withdrew in good order, saved the frontier, and restored peace. This too was the Duke's merit. The lands south of the Han had grown feeble and remote, yet fierce enemies pressed within arm's reach—grain for the armies was nearly gone, arms and armor nearly exhausted. When the Duke first went out to his fief, though he had little to lean on, he trained troops and kept hunts in order—what had been a city in peril became a stronghold. This too was the Duke's merit. Under the Yongyuan reign the omen of the perched crow had arrived—though deposing a worthless ruler had precedent, even Yi Yin and Huo Guang had called it hard. The Duke was first to set the great design and raise the enlightened sovereign—his righteousness exceeded the hemp tally of enfeoffment, his merit outshone a change of dynasties; he turned chaos to order and darkness to light. This too was the Duke's merit. Though the civilizing wind of King Wen had reached the Yangtze and Han, the capital seethed and sank under a rising flood—Wu and Yue were birds nesting above a burning curtain, a peril beyond words. The Duke flung aside his sleeve and marched ten thousand li, thinking only of those drowning in peril—wherever his righteous name reached, none withheld approval. This too was the Duke's merit. Lucheng and Xia Rui held the river's heart, piling ramparts on the hills and winding defenses along the streams. The Duke met this flock of crows, crossed perilous ground, and held his army in armor through winter into summer—our campaign ran long and the men forgot home; with distant design and patient strategy he spent no arrow in vain and never drove war to its limit—the strongholds of Jianhua fell one after another. This too was the Duke's merit. These criminals helped one another in wickedness, hugging the river's defenses and massing at Jia Lake like ants. They occupied land and water alike, scheming to relieve Xia Shou—but at the first arrival of our fleet they crumbled on the spot. This too was the Duke's merit. A treacherous minister alarmed the throne, again nursed rebellion, and gathered armies at the Yangtze's nine mouths under the banner of saving the dynasty. The Duke's aweful authority drove straight ahead, swifter than wind or lightning—at the least touch of his banners and flags, the whole province bowed. This too was the Duke's merit. Gushu was a vital crossing near the capital, where fierce rebels massed and cut the ferry roads. The Duke sent a flanking force to clear the way, columns pressing after in turn—where his army's might struck, men quailed at the sight of his flags; they burned their boats, abandoned their walls, and fled by night in rolled armor. This too was the Duke's merit. The rabble raged, staking everything on one throw—charging the Huai like wild boars, war-horses massed like clouds. The Duke called forth the valiant and, seizing the moment, let loose his keenest troops—his spirit outdid Banquan, his force surpassed the Huan; chasing the routed north he seized every crossing—steep as Bear-Ear Peaks, still not his equal; still as the Sui, who could match him? This too was the Duke's merit. Langye and Shishou were belted by rugged terrain; Xinlei and the eastern wall were strongholds of bronze and boiling water. Trusting to terrain, they held out with arms and provisions—struck by wind and lightning, all quaked and fell; the cities sank back into their moats, and so it was done. This too was the Duke's merit. The lone despot was maddened and savage, fearless behind his walls—drums and bells thundered as though strength still overflowed. He doted on evil favorites and resented the crown upon another head—the vicious took their opening and were ready to slaughter families whole. The Duke's secret design worked unseen, his great plan passed in silence—loyal and brave men at last could act; the white banners raised at the Bright Cultivation Hall had no parallel. This too was the Duke's merit.

公有拯億兆之勳，重之以明德，爰初厲志，服道儒門，濯纓來仕，清猷映代。時運艱難，宗社危殆，崑崗已燎，玉石同焚。驅率貔貅，抑揚霆電，義等南巢，功齊牧野。若夫禹功寂漠，微管誰嗣，拯其將魚，驅其被𩬃，解茲亂網，理此棼絲，復禮衽席，反樂河海。永平故事，聞之者歎息；司隸舊章，見之者隕涕。請我民命，還之斗極。憫憫搢紳，重荷戴天之慶；哀哀黔首，復蒙履地之恩。德逾嵩、岱，功鄰造物，超哉邈矣，越無得而言焉。

The Duke had saved the myriad people and was crowned with bright virtue—from the first he hardened his purpose, took the Way from the gates of the Ru, washed his tassel to enter service, and his clean governance lit the age. The times were dire and the altars tottered—the ridge of Kunlun was already afire, jade and common stone consumed together. He led the tiger hosts, wielding thunder and lightning—righteous as the campaign at Nanchao, meritorious as the battle at Muye. When Yu's achievement lay in silence, who could follow if not Guan Zhong? He saved men about to become fish, drove off those with shorn and tangled hair, cut this snarled net, straightened these knotted threads, restored ritual to the mat, and brought music back to river and sea. The old ways of Yongping—those who hear of them sigh; the Commandant's former statutes—those who read them weep. He pleaded for the people's lives and restored them to the turning of the Dipper. The gentry sighed and again bore the blessing of Heaven above; the common people mourned and again received the mercy of firm ground beneath their feet. His virtue exceeded Song and Dai, his achievement touched the work of creation—so lofty and far that words cannot reach it.

朕又聞之：疇庸命德，建侯作屏，咸用剋固四維，永隆萬葉。是以《二南》流化，九伯斯征，王道淳洽，刑措罔用。覆政弗興，歷茲永久，如燬旣及，晉、鄭靡依。惟公經綸天地，寧濟區夏，道冠乎伊、稷，賞薄于桓、文，豈所以憲章齊、魯，長轡宇宙。敬惟前烈，朕甚懼焉。今進授相國，改揚州刺史爲牧，以豫州之梁郡歷陽、南徐州之義興、揚州之淮南宣城吳吳興會稽新安東陽十郡，封公爲梁公。錫茲白土，苴以白茅，爰定爾邦，用建冢社。在昔旦、奭，入居保佑，逮于畢、毛，亦作卿士，任兼內外，禮實宜之。今命使持節兼太尉王亮授相國揚州牧印綬，梁公璽紱；使持節兼司空王志授梁公茅土，金虎符第一至第五左，竹使符第一至第十左。相國位冠羣后，任總百司，恒典彝數，宜與事革。其以相國總百揆，去錄尚書之號，上所假節、侍中貂蟬、中書監印、中外都督大司馬印綬，建安公印策，驃騎大將軍如故。又加公九錫，其敬聽後命：以公禮律兼修，刑德備舉，哀矜折獄，罔不用情，是用錫公大輅、戎輅各一，玄牡二駟。公勞心稼穡，念在民天，丕崇本務，惟穀是寶，是用錫公袞冕之服，赤舄副焉。公熔鈞所被，變風以雅，易俗陶民，載和邦國，是用錫公軒懸之樂，六佾之舞。公文德廣覃，義聲遠洽，椎髻髽首，夷歌請吏，是用錫公朱戶以居。公揚清抑濁，官方有序，多士聿興，《棫樸》流詠，是用錫公納陛以登。公正色御下，以身軌物，式遏不虞，折衝惟遠，是用錫公虎賁之士三百人。公威同夏日，志清姦宄，放命圮族，刑茲罔赦，是用錫公鈇、鉞各一。公跨躡嵩溟，陵厲區宇，譬諸日月，容光必至，是用錫公彤弓一，彤矢百；盧弓十，盧矢千。公永言惟孝，至感通神，恭嚴祀典，祭有餘敬，是用錫公秬鬯一卣，圭瓚副焉。梁國置丞相以下，一遵舊式。欽哉！其敬循往策，祗服大禮，對揚天眷，用膺多福，以弘我太祖之休命！

I have also heard that merit must be rewarded and virtue appointed, that lords are enfeoffed as bulwarks—all to brace the four corners of the realm and make the ten thousand branches flourish forever. Thus the "Two Souths" flowed with transforming influence, the nine lords went forth on campaign, the royal Way ran clear, and punishments fell unused. No overturning of rule arose through all this long age—yet as when beacon fires already burn, Jin and Zheng had none to lean on. Only the Duke has woven heaven and earth and brought peace to the realm—his Way crowns Yi Yin and Hou Ji, yet his reward is less than Duke Huan's or Duke Wen's; how can this be the model of Qi and Lu, the long reins over all under heaven? Reverently weighing the deeds of those before me, I am deeply afraid. Now I advance you to Chancellor of State, change the Yangzhou inspector to governor, and with ten commanderies—Liang and Liyang in Yuzhou, Yixing in South Xuzhou, and Huainan, Xuancheng, Wu, Wuxing, Kuaiji, Xin'an, and Dongyang in Yangzhou—I enfeoff you as Duke of Liang. Grant this white soil bound in white thatch—thereby fixing your domain and founding your ancestral altar. In olden days the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao entered to guard and bless; later Bi and Mao too became ministers—bearing duties within and without, as ritual truly requires. Now I command Bearer of the Staff and concurrent Grand Commandant Wang Liang to confer the seals and cords of Chancellor of State and Yangzhou governor, and the Duke of Liang insignia; and Bearer of the Staff and concurrent Minister of Works Wang Zhi to confer the Duke of Liang's earthen fief wrapped in thatch, gold tiger tallies one through five left, and bamboo envoy tallies one through ten left. The chancellor stands above all feudal lords and oversees every office—fixed statutes and canonical numbers should shift with the times. Let him, as chancellor, govern all affairs, drop the title Recorder of the Masters of Writing, and return the borrowed tally, Attendant-in-Ordinary cicada badge, Director of the Secretariat seal, seals of Inner-Outer Commander and Grand Marshal, and the Jian'an Duke patent and credentials—Grand General of Agile Cavalry unchanged. I further add the Nine Bestowments—hear and obey what follows: because the Duke has perfected both ritual and law, both punishment and virtue, and in judging cases shows pity without bending feeling—therefore I bestow one grand chariot and one war chariot, and two four-horse teams of black stallions. Because the Duke labors over the fields and keeps the people as his heaven, exalting the root and treasuring grain—I bestow the sacrificial robe and cap, with vermilion shoes to match. Where the Duke's melting influence has touched, rough ways turn elegant and peoples are shaped into harmony—I bestow suspended bells and the six-row dance. Because his civil virtue spreads far and his righteous name reaches distant lands, and men with knotted hair and shaved crowns sing barbarian songs asking for officers—I bestow vermilion gateposts for his dwelling. Because he lifts the clear and checks the turbid, puts office in order, and many scholars rise while "Old Stump" is sung in praise—I bestow the inner steps for ascent. Because he governs with stern countenance and by his own conduct sets the measure, checking the unforeseen and breaking the enemy from afar—I bestow three hundred tiger guards. Because his authority is like the summer sun and his will is to purge treachery, and those who defy command and destroy clans shall not be spared—I bestow one axe and one ceremonial axe. Because he strides over Mount Song and the eastern sea and towers over the realm, like sun and moon whose radiance must reach wherever it shines—I bestow one red bow and one hundred red arrows; ten black bows and one thousand black arrows. Because he ever speaks of filial piety and deepest feeling moves the spirits, reverently observing the sacrifices with overflowing respect—I bestow one ewer of dark millet wine, with libation vessels to match. In the state of Liang, appointments from chancellor downward shall all follow the former pattern. Take heed! Reverently follow the policies of old, humbly receive the great rites, answer Heaven's grace, take up many blessings, and extend the glorious mandate of our founding ancestor!

高祖固辭。府僚勸進曰：「伏承嘉命，顯至佇策。明公逡巡盛禮，斯實謙尊之旨，未窮遠大之致。何者？嗣君棄常，自絕宗社，國命民主，剪爲仇讐，折棟崩榱，壓焉自及，卿士懷脯斮之痛，黔首懼比屋之誅。明公亮格天之功，拯水火之切，再躔日月，重綴參辰，反龜玉於塗泥，濟斯民於坑岸，使夫匹婦童兒，羞言伊、呂，鄉校里塾，恥談五霸。而位卑乎阿衡，地狹於曲阜，慶賞之道，尚其未洽。夫大寶公器，非要非距，至公至平，當仁誰讓？明公宜祗奉天人，允膺大禮。無使後予之歌，同彼胥怨，兼濟之人，翻爲獨善。」公不許。

Gaozu firmly refused. His staff urged him onward: "We humbly receive this glorious command and plainly await your design. The Illustrious Duke holds back from these great rites—this is indeed the intent of humble respect, yet it does not exhaust the greater need. Why so? The reigning lord cast off the constant way and severed himself from the ancestral temples—the nation's mandate and its sovereign were hacked into foes; beams snapped, rafters fell, and the ruin crushed him in turn—ministers tasted the agony of being minced alive, common people feared slaughter house by house. The Illustrious Duke showed merit that measured heaven, pulled the realm from fire and flood, twice restored sun and moon and restrung the stars of Shen, returned jade and turtle from the mud, and lifted the people from pit and cliff—so that wives and children blush to name Yi and Lü, and village schools are ashamed to speak of the Five Hegemons. Yet your rank stands below Aheng, your domain is narrower than Qufu—the path of reward and grace is still unfinished. The great mandate is a vessel for all—not to be grasped, not to be pushed away—in perfect fairness, when benevolent rule is due, who should yield? The Illustrious Duke should reverently answer Heaven and the people and fully accept the great rite. Do not let the song of "after me" share that ancient bitterness, making one who would rescue all become one who saves himself alone." The Duke would not consent.

二月辛酉，府僚重請曰：「近以朝命蘊策，冒奏丹誠，奉被還令，未蒙虛受，搢紳顒顒，深所未達。蓋聞受金於府，通人弘致，高蹈海隅，匹夫小節，是以履乘石而周公不以爲疑，贈玉璜而太公不以爲讓。況世哲繼軌，先德在民，經綸草昧，歎深微管。加以朱方之役，荊河是依，班師振旅，大造王室。雖復累繭救宋，重胝存楚，居今觀古，曾何足云。而惑甚盜鐘，功疑不賞，皇天后土，不勝其酷。是以玉馬駿奔，表微子之去；金板出地，告龍逢之冤。明公據鞍輟哭，厲三軍之志，獨居掩涕，激義士之心，故能使海若登祗，罄圖效祉，山戎、孤竹，束馬影從，伐罪弔民，一匡靜亂。匪叨天功，實勤濡足。且明公本自諸生，取樂名教，道風素論，坐鎮雅俗，不習孫、吳，遘茲神武。驅盡誅之氓，濟必封之俗，龜玉不毀，誰之功與？獨爲君子，將使伊、周何地？」於是始受相國梁公之命。

On day xinyou in the second month the staff petitioned again: "Not long ago, carrying the court's hidden design, we ventured to lay our loyal hearts bare; we received your refusal and were not granted gracious acceptance—the gentry look on with longing, deeply unable to understand. We have heard that to take gold from the treasury is the enlightened man's broad aim, while to hide oneself at the sea's edge is the common man's petty scruple—thus when the Duke of Zhou trod the stone steps, none doubted him; when Duke Tai was given the jade tablet, none called it refusal. How much more when a sage heir follows the former path and ancestral virtue still lives in the people—in ordering the realm from chaos, who does not sigh over "if not for Guan Zhong"? Add the campaign at Zhufang, leaning on the Jing and the He—withdrawing the army and rallying the host, a great renewal of the royal house. Even shoes heaped with calluses for Song, even soles thickened to save Chu—set beside your deeds today, what are they worth? Yet merit is doubted and left unrewarded, as though one were the bell-thief deceiving himself—Heaven and Earth cannot endure such harshness. Thus the jade horses ran in haste, showing Weizi's going away; and the gold tablets rose from the ground, proclaiming Longfeng's wrong. The Illustrious Duke clutched the saddle and checked his tears, hardening the will of the three armies; alone he hid his weeping and stirred the hearts of men of honor—so that the sea lord came up to offer blessing, Mountain Rong and Guzhu tied their horses and followed like shadows—punishing the guilty, comforting the people, and in one stroke setting chaos at rest. This was not stealing Heaven's achievement; in truth he labored with soaked feet. Moreover the Illustrious Duke began as a scholar, finding joy in teaching and moral order—his Way and plain speech steadied elegant custom; he did not study Sun and Wu, yet met this divine martial gift. He drove off the mob marked for destruction and lifted customs ready for enfeoffment—the turtle and jade were not shattered—whose work is this if not yours? If you alone remain the gentleman, where shall Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou have place?" Only then did he first accept appointment as Chancellor and Duke of Liang.

是日，焚東昏淫奢異服六十二種於都街。湘東王寶晊謀反，賜死。詔追贈梁公故夫人爲梁妃。

That same day sixty-two kinds of Dong Hun's licentious, luxurious, and outlandish dress were burned in the streets of the capital. Prince of Xiangdong Bao Zhi plotted rebellion and was sentenced to death. An edict posthumously made the Duke of Liang's late wife Consort of Liang.

乙丑，南兗州隊主陳文興於桓城內鑿井，得玉鏤騏驎、金鏤玉璧、水精環各二枚。又建康令羊瞻解稱鳳皇見縣之桐下里。宣德皇后稱美符瑞，歸于於相國府。

On day yichou, Chen Wenxing, squad chief of South Yanzhou, while digging a well inside Huan city, found two jade-inlaid qilin, two gold-inlaid jade bi, and two crystal rings. Jiankang magistrate Yang Zhan also reported that a phoenix had been seen at Tongxia village in the county. Empress Xuande praised these auspicious omens and ascribed them to the chancellor's office.

丙寅，詔：「梁國初建，宜須綜理，可依舊選諸要職，悉依天朝之制。」高祖上表曰：

On day bingyin an edict said: "The state of Liang is newly founded and must be put in order—choose all important offices as before, all according to the imperial court's system." Gaozu submitted a memorial saying:

臣聞以言取士，士飾其言，以行取人，人竭其行。所謂才生於世，窮達惟時；而風流遂往，馳騖成俗，媒孽誇衒，利盡錐刀，遂使官人之門，肩摩轂擊。豈直暴蓋露冠，不避寒暑，遂乃戢屨杖策，風雨必至。良由鄉舉里選，不師古始，稱肉度骨，遺之管庫。加以山河梁畢，闕輿徵之恩；金、張、許、史，忘舊業之替。吁，可傷哉！且夫譜牒訛誤，詐偽多緒，人物雅俗，莫肯留心。是以冒襲良家，卽成冠族；妄修邊幅，便爲雅士；負俗深累，遽遭寵擢；墓木已拱，方被徽榮。故前代選官，皆立選簿，應在貫魚，自有銓次。胄籍升降，行能臧否，或素定懷抱，或得之餘論，故得簡通賓客，無事掃門。頃代陵夷，九流乖失。其有勇退忘進，懷質抱真者，選部或以未經朝謁，難於進用。或有晦善藏聲，自埋衡蓽，又以名不素著，絕其階緒。必須畫刺投狀，然後彈冠，則是驅迫廉撝，獎成澆競。愚謂自今選曹宜精隱括，依舊立簿，使冠屨無爽，名實不違，庶人識崖涘，造請自息。

" Your subject has heard that if one selects scholars by speech, scholars polish their speech; if one selects men by conduct, men spend themselves in conduct. As the saying goes, talent rises with the age, and fortune turns on timing alone; Yet refinement has faded, ambition has hardened into habit, flattery and self-display rule the day, and every gain is counted to the last coin—until the doors of office swarm shoulder to shoulder and wheel to wheel. Men no longer merely brave sun and frost with uncovered heads; they strap on their sandals, take up their staves, and come through storm and tempest. The cause lies in local recommendation and district selection turned from ancient practice: appearance is weighed like meat on a scale, and worthy men are shelved in storehouse clerkships. On top of this, the old favor of imperial summons after the frontier examination has vanished; and clans once as proud as Jin, Zhang, Xu, and Shi forget how far their old estates have fallen. Alas, how lamentable! Genealogies are corrupt, imposture ramifies in every direction, and no one cares whether a man is cultivated or crude. So a man who steals a respectable lineage becomes a great clan overnight; one who merely trims his outward show passes for a man of taste; men long stained by ill repute are suddenly raised and favored; and honor arrives only after the trees above their graves have grown tall. In earlier times every office of selection kept its own register, and men due for advancement stood in a fixed order, like fish strung on a line. Family standing, talent, and moral worth were already known—by long acquaintance or public report—so a man could receive visitors without waiting at his gate for petitioners. In recent generations standards have collapsed, and every path of worth has lost its way. Men who shun ambition and keep their integrity are often passed over because they have never yet presented themselves at court. Others bury their gifts in obscurity and live in humble seclusion, only to find the rungs of office closed to them because no one knows their names. Only after writing cards and filing petitions may they dust off the official cap—thus integrity is driven out and shameless rivalry is rewarded. I submit that hereafter the Bureau of Selection should examine candidates with rigor, restore the old registers, and keep rank and conduct, name and fact, in accord—so that men know their bounds and the plague of importunate petitioning dies away.

且聞中間立格，甲族以二十登仕，後門以過立試吏，求之愚懷，抑有未達。何者？設官分職，惟才是務。若八元立年，居皁隸而見抑；四凶弱冠，處鼎族而宜甄。是則世祿之家，無意爲善；布衣之士，肆心爲惡。豈所以弘獎風流，希向後進？此實巨蠹，尤宜刊革。不然，將使周人有路傍之泣，晉臣興漁獵之歎。且俗長浮競，人寡退情，若限歲登朝，必增年就宦，故貌實昏童，籍已逾立，滓穢名教，於斯爲甚。

I also hear that new rules were set: great families may take office at twenty, while lesser men must wait until after thirty to serve as clerks—and in my humble judgment this too misses the mark. Why so? Offices exist and duties are divided for one purpose: to employ the able. If the Eight Worthies, come of age, were kept among menials and passed over; while the Four Evils, barely grown, sat in great houses and were deemed fit for office— then hereditary houses would see no reason to cultivate virtue; and men of humble birth would feel free to do as they pleased. How could this encourage excellence or give the young anything worth striving toward? This is a grievous corruption and should be abolished at once. Otherwise we shall again see the roadside weeping of Zhou and the hunting-sighs of Jin ministers who neglect the realm. The age loves display and hates restraint; if office is tied to a fixed age, men will delay entry and grow old in waiting—so that a man looks like a boy while his record says he is past thirty. Nothing defiles the teaching of the sages more than this.

臣總司內外，憂責是任，朝政得失，義不容隱。伏願陛下垂聖淑之姿，降聽覽之末，則彝倫自穆，憲章惟允。

I oversee affairs within and without the palace, and the burden of care is mine; on the right and wrong of government I cannot keep silent. I humbly pray that Your Majesty will lend your sacred ear to these words at last, so that human order may right itself and law may stand true.

詔依高祖表施行。

An edict approved Gaozu's memorial and ordered it carried out.

丙戌，詔曰：

On bingxu day, an edict read:

嵩高惟岳，配天所以流稱；大啓南陽，霸德所以光闡。忠誠簡帝，番君膺上爵之尊；勤勞王室，姬公增附庸之地。前王令典，布諸方策，長祚字甿，罔不由此。

Song Mountain stands supreme among peaks, and its name endures because it shares Heaven's majesty; Nanyang saw a great founding, and hegemonic virtue is why its light still shines. Lord Fan, loyal and discerning, won the highest noble rank; Duke Ji, toiling for the royal house, was granted broader domains. The worthy precedents of former kings, set down in the records, have ever been the source of long rule and the people's peace.

相國梁公，體茲上哲，齊聖廣淵。文教內洽，武功外暢。推轂作籓，則威懷被於殊俗；治兵教戰，則霆雷赫於萬里。道喪時昏，讒邪孔熾。豈徒宗社如綴，神器莫主而已哉！至於兆庶殲亡，衣冠殄滅，餘類殘喘，指命崇朝，含生業業，投足無所，遂乃山川反覆，草木塗地。與夫仁被行葦之時，信及豚魚之日，何其遼夐相去之遠歟！公命師鞠旅，指景長騖。而本朝危切，樊、鄧遐遠，凶徒盤據，水陸相望，爰自姑孰，屈于夏首，嚴城勁卒，憑川爲固。公沿漢浮江，電激風掃，舟徒水覆，地險雲傾，藉茲義勇，前無強陣，拯危京邑，清我帝畿，撲旣燎於原火，免將誅於比屋。悠悠兆庶，命不在天；茫茫六合，咸受其賜。匡俗正本，民不失職。仁信並行，禮樂同暢。伊、周未足方軌，桓、文遠有慚德。而爵後籓牧，地終秦、楚，非所以式酬光烈，允答元勳。寔由公履謙爲本，形於造次，嘉數未申，晦朔增佇。便宜崇斯禮秩，允副遐邇之望。可進梁公爵爲王。以豫州之南譙、盧江、江州之尋陽、郢州之武昌、西陽、南徐州之南琅邪、南東海、晉陵、揚州之臨海、永嘉十郡，益梁國，並前爲二十郡。其相國、揚州牧、驃騎大將軍如故。

The Chancellor of State, Duke of Liang, embodies this highest wisdom—holy in stature and vast in understanding. Within, culture has taken root; without, martial glory has spread. As frontier lord he drove the chariot of state, and his awe and kindness reached distant peoples; training armies and teaching war—until thunder rolled across ten thousand li. The age had lost the Way; slander and wickedness ran wild. And was the ruin only that the altars hung by a thread and the throne stood empty? Countless people were slain, scholars and officials wiped out, survivors gasping out their lives from dawn to dusk; every living thing trembled with nowhere to stand, until mountains and rivers were overturned and the earth was covered with the dead. What a gulf lies between that age and the days when benevolence fell even on roadside weeds and trust reached beasts in the pen! The Duke raised armies and mustered his hosts, driving forward as though chasing the sun itself. Yet the dynasty stood on the brink; Fan and Deng were far away; rebels held entrenched positions across land and water, from Gushu to Xiashou, with strong walls, fierce soldiers, and rivers for their ramparts. The Duke swept down the Han and sailed the Yangtze like lightning and wind; boats capsized, defenses crumbled like clouds in storm; led by loyal courage he broke every line, rescued the capital in its peril, cleansed the imperial domain, stamped out fires already running across the fields, and spared household after household from the executioner. For countless people, life no longer hung on Heaven alone; throughout the six directions all shared in his deliverance. He set custom aright and restored the foundations, so that men did not lose their proper place. Benevolence and trust went hand in hand, and rites and music flourished together. Even Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou cannot stand beside him; Duke Huan and Duke Wen would blush at the comparison. Yet to reward him only as a frontier prince, with lands bounded by Qin and Chu, is no fit repayment for such blazing merit and founding achievement. This is because the Duke, rooted in humility, has again and again refused what is due—so that month after month the realm waits in longing. It is right to raise him to this higher station and satisfy the hopes of all, near and far. The Duke of Liang shall be advanced to King. Let the ten commanderies of Southern Qiao and Lujiang in Yuzhou, Xunyang in Jiangzhou, Wuchang and Xiyang in Yingzhou, Southern Langye, Southern Donghai, and Jinling in South Xuzhou, and Linhai and Yongjia in Yangzhou be added to the State of Liang, making twenty commanderies in all with those already held. He shall retain his posts as Chancellor of State, Governor of Yangzhou, and General of Cavalry on the Fast March.

公固辭。有詔斷表。相國左長史王瑩等率百僚敦請。

The Duke refused firmly. An edict rejected his refusal. Wang Ying, Left Chief Clerk of the Chancellery, led the hundred officials in pressing him to accept.

三月辛卯，延陵縣華陽邏主戴車牒稱云：「十二月乙酉，甘露降茅山，彌漫數里。正月己酉，邏將潘道蓋于山石穴中得毛龜一。二月辛酉，邏將徐靈符又於山東見白麞一。丙寅平旦，山上雲霧四合，須臾有玄黃之色，狀如龍形，長十餘丈，乍隱乍顯，久乃從西北升天。」丁卯，兗州刺史馬元和籤：「所領東平郡壽張縣見騶虞一。」

Third month, xinmao: Dai Che, chief of Huayang district in Yanling county, reported, "On yiyou in the twelfth month, sweet dew fell on Maoshan and spread for several li. First month, jiyou: district general Pan Daogai found a hairy turtle in a mountain cave. Second month, xinyou: district general Xu Lingfu also saw a white deer on the eastern slope. On bingyin at dawn, cloud and mist closed in on every side; then black and yellow light took the shape of a dragon more than ten zhang long, now vanishing, now appearing, until at last it ascended to heaven from the northwest." On dingmao, Yanzhou Inspector Ma Yuanhe reported, "In Shouzhang county of Dongping, under his command, a Zouyu was seen."

癸巳，受梁王之命。令曰：「孤以虛昧，任執國鈞，雖夙夜勤止，念在興治，而育德振民，邈然尚遠。聖朝永言舊式，隆此眷命。侯伯盛典，方軌前烈，嘉錫隆被，禮數昭崇。徒守愿節，終隔體諒。羣后百司，重茲敦獎，勉茲厚顏，當此休祚。望昆、彭以長想，欽桓、文而歎息，思弘政塗，莫知津濟。邦甸初啓，籓宇惟新，思覃嘉慶，被之下國。國內殊死以下，今月十五日昧爽以前，一皆原赦。鰥寡孤獨不能自存者，賜穀五斛。府州所統，亦同蠲蕩。」

On guisi day, he accepted the mandate of King of Liang. He issued an order: "I, unworthy and obscure, hold the nation's helm; though I rise early and sleep late with governance always in mind, to nurture virtue and lift the people still seems far off. The sacred court has honored the old forms and raised me to this cherished charge. The rites due a marquis or count now match the great founders of old; honors have been heaped upon me and ceremonial rank made bright. Yet I have held to modest refusal and remain far from true accord. The lords and the hundred offices have pressed this reward upon me again, and I must bear the shame of accepting in such a fortunate hour. I think of Kun Wu and Peng Zu and feel how small I am; I look to Duke Huan and Duke Wen and sigh; I would broaden the way of rule, yet cannot see the crossing. The inner realm has only just been restored and the frontiers made new; I would spread this blessing through all the lands below. Throughout the realm, all crimes short of death are pardoned before dawn on the fifteenth of this month. Widows, widowers, orphans, and the destitute who cannot support themselves shall receive five hu of grain. The prefectures and provinces under my rule shall grant the same pardon and relief."

丙午，命王冕十有二旒，建天子旌旗，出警入蹕，乘金根車，駕六馬，備五時副車，置旄頭雲罕，樂舞八佾，設鐘鋋宮縣。王妃王子王女爵命之號，一依舊儀。

On bingwu day he was granted the twelve-tasseled royal cap, the banners of the Son of Heaven, imperial escort on departure and return, the golden-root chariot drawn by six horses, seasonal secondary chariots, the battle-standard and cloud banner, eight rows of dancers, and the full palace bell ensemble. Titles for the queen, princes, and princesses followed the old rites.

丙辰，齊帝禪位于梁王。詔曰：

On bingchen day, the Qi emperor abdicated in favor of the King of Liang. An edict read:

夫五德更始，三正迭興，馭物資賢，登庸啓聖，故帝跡所以代昌，王度所以改耀，革晦以明，由來尚矣。齊德淪微，危亡薦襲。隆昌凶虐，實違天地；永元昏暴，取紊人神。三光再沉，七廟如綴。鼎業幾移，含識知泯。我高、明之祚，眇焉將墜。永惟屯難，冰谷載懷。

The five virtues succeed one another, the three calendars take turn after turn; to govern the world one must employ the worthy, and to rise to office is to open the way for sages. Dynasties flourish as they change, royal law shines as it is renewed, and the turning of darkness into light has been honored since antiquity. Qi's virtue collapsed, and ruin followed ruin. Emperor Longchang was savage and cruel, offending Heaven and Earth; Emperor Yongyuan was violent and benighted, overturning the order of men and gods. Sun, moon, and stars were darkened again; the seven ancestral temples hung by a thread. The royal mandate nearly passed away, and all who had understanding were nearly destroyed. The fortune of our Gao and Ming line trembled on the edge of collapse. Remembering these accumulated calamities, I feel perils as cold as ice and as deep as a ravine.

相國梁王，天誕睿哲，神縱靈武，德格玄祇，功均造物。止宗社之橫流，反生民之塗炭。扶傾頹構之下，拯溺逝川之中。九區重緝，四維更紐。絕禮還紀，崩樂復張。文館盈紳，戎亭息警。浹海宇以馳風，罄輪裳而稟朔。八表呈祥，五靈效祉。豈止鱗羽禎奇，雲星瑞色而已哉！勳茂於百王，道昭乎萬代，固以明配上天，光華日月者也。河嶽表革命之符，圖讖紀代終之運。樂推之心，幽顯共積；歌頌之誠，華裔同著。昔水政旣微，木德升緒，天之曆數，寔有所歸，握鏡琁樞，允集明哲。

The Chancellor of State, King of Liang, was born with Heaven's keen wisdom and a spirit of divine martial power; his virtue moves the hidden powers, his achievement matches the work of creation. He halted the flood that threatened the altars and turned the people back from charred ruin. Beneath tottering beams and falling rafters, he pulled the drowning from the rushing stream. The nine regions were knit together again; the four pillars of order were restored. Rites that had broken were made whole again; music that had fallen silent sounded once more. Literary halls filled again with robed scholars; frontier posts fell quiet of alarm. His influence ran like wind across land and sea; every cart and robe turned to acknowledge the new dawn. The eight directions brought forth omens; the five spirits offered their blessing. These are not mere fish and birds bearing omens, or lucky clouds and stars in the sky! His achievement outshines every king before him, his Way luminous for ages to come—he stands beside Heaven itself, bright as sun and moon. Rivers and mountains proclaim the sign of dynastic change; prophecies mark the turning of the age. The people's wish to transfer power—seen and unseen worlds alike have stored it up; The truth of their songs and hymns—Han and foreign lands alike proclaim it. When Qi's Water mandate faded and Liang's Wood virtue ascended, Heaven's count had found its home—and the wise gathered round the throne.

朕雖庸蔽，闇于大道，永鑒崇替，爲日已久，敢忘列代之高義，人祇之至願乎！今便敬禪于梁，卽安姑孰，依唐虞、晉宋故事。

Though I am obtuse and lost in the great Way, I have watched glory and ruin for many years—how could I forget what every age has honored, what gods and men most desire! Today I formally abdicate to Liang, retire to Gufu, and follow the precedent set by Yao and Shun, Jin and Song.

四月辛酉，宣德皇后令曰：「西詔至，帝憲章前代，敬禪神器于梁。明可臨軒遣使，恭授璽紱，未亡人便歸於別宮。」壬戌，策曰：

On the fourth month, day xinyou, the Virtuous Empress Dowager ordered: "The edict from the west has come. The Emperor, honoring the ways of former ages, yields the imperial regalia to Liang. Tomorrow I shall receive envoys at court and solemnly hand over the seal and sash; this widow will retire to the detached palace." On day renxu the investiture edict ran:

咨爾梁王：惟昔邃古之載，肇有生民，皇雄、大庭之辟，赫胥、尊盧之後，斯並龍圖鳥跡以前，慌忽杳冥之世，固無得而詳焉。洎乎農、軒、炎、皞之代，放勳、重華之主，莫不以大道君萬姓，公器御八紘。居之如執朽索，去之若捐重負。一駕汾陽，便有窅然之志；暫適箕嶺，卽動讓王之心。故知戴黃屋，服玉璽，非所以示貴稱尊；乘大輅，建旂旌，蓋欲令歸趣有地。是故忘己而字兆民，殉物而君四海。及于精華內竭，畚橇外勞，則撫茲歸運，惟能是與。況兼乎笙管革文，威圖啓瑞，攝提夜朗，螢光晝發者哉！四百告終，有漢所以高揖；黃德旣謝，魏氏所以樂推。爰及晉、宋，亦弘斯典。我太祖握《河》受曆，應符啓運，二葉重光，三聖系軌。嗣君喪德，昏棄紀度，毀紊天綱，凋絕地紐。茫茫九域，剪爲仇讎，溥天相顧，命縣晷刻。斮涉刳孕，於事已輕；求雞徵杖，曾何足譬。是以谷滿川枯，山飛鬼哭，七廟已危，人神無主。

To you, Prince of Liang: In deepest antiquity, when humankind first appeared—from Huangxiong and Dating to the heirs of Hexu and Zunlu—all before dragon charts and bird tracks, in misty ages no one can fully trace. Through the ages of Shennong, the Yellow Emperor, Yandi, and Shaohao—sovereigns like Yao and Shun—all ruled the people by the great Way and held the realm as a trust for all. They clung to the throne like a man holding a fraying rope; they left it like a man dropping a crushing weight. A single journey to Fenyang, and the heart already turned toward retreat; A short sojourn on Mount Ji, and the will to abdicate awakened. So we know that the yellow canopy and jade seal are not worn to show off rank and glory; The great chariot, the banners and pennants—these exist so that power may one day be returned. They forgot themselves for the sake of the people, and gave their lives to governing the world. When their strength was spent within and their labor worn out without, they welcomed the turning of fate and yielded only to the worthy. How much more now, when music heralds a new age, auspicious signs appear, Sheti burns bright at night, and fireflies shine by day! When four hundred years ran out, Han bowed and yielded the throne; When the Yellow virtue waned, Wei gladly accepted what the people thrust upon it. Down through Jin and Song, each honored this same rite. Our founding emperor took the River Chart and received Heaven's calendar, answered the omen and opened a new fortune—two reigns shone in succession, three sage rulers linked the line. The heir lost his virtue, cast off all order, tangled Heaven's laws and snapped the bonds of earth. The nine regions became a wilderness of enemies; all under Heaven stared at one another, each life hanging by a thread. Slaughtering the unborn, wading through gore—even these were trifles compared with what followed; Demanding a chicken, seizing a walking stick—how could such petty tyrannies even begin to compare? Valleys overflowed while rivers ran dry, mountains trembled and ghosts wailed—the ancestral temples stood in peril, and neither men nor gods had a master.

惟王體茲上哲，明聖在躬，稟靈五緯，明並日月。彝倫攸序，則端冕而協邕熙；時難孔棘，則推鋒而拯塗炭。功逾造物，德濟蒼生，澤無不漸，仁無不被，上達蒼昊，下及川泉。文教與鵬翼齊舉，武功與日車並運。固以幽顯宅心，謳訟斯屬；豈徒桴鼓播地，卿雲叢天而已哉！至如晝睹爭明，夜飛枉矢，土淪彗刺，日旣星亡，除舊之徵必顯，更姓之符允集。是以義師初踐，芳露凝甘，仁風旣被，素文自擾，北闕藁街之使，風車火徼之民，膜拜稽首，願爲臣妾。鐘石畢變，事表于遷虞；蛟魚並出，義彰于事夏。若夫長民御衆，爲之司牧，本同己於萬物，乃因心於百姓。寶命無常主，帝王非一族。今仰祗乾象，俯藉人願，敬禪神器，授帝位于爾躬。大祚告窮，天祿永終。於戲！王允執其中，式遵前典，以副昊天之望。禋上帝而臨億兆，格文祖而膺大業，以傳無疆之祚，豈不盛歟！

You alone embody supreme wisdom, sage virtue in your person, blessed by the five planets, bright as sun and moon together. In times of peace you don the ceremonial cap and robe and bring harmony to all; In times of crisis you take up the sword and save the people from fire and ruin. Your achievement exceeds what Heaven itself has wrought; your virtue succors all the living—no one goes untouched by your grace, no one left outside your mercy, from the sky above to the springs below. Culture spreads on wings as broad as the roc's; martial glory rides beside the chariot of the sun. The seen and unseen worlds have set their hearts on you; the songs of the people belong to you alone; Not merely drums beating across the land and auspicious clouds filling the sky! When sun and moon vie for brightness by day, stray stars streak by night, earth collapses and comets pierce the sky, the sun darkens and stars fall—the omens of casting off the old are plain, the signs of dynastic change have gathered. When the righteous army first marched, sweet dew gathered; when benevolent winds blew, white banners rose of their own accord—envoys from the northern capital, peoples from the farthest frontiers, all bowed and prostrated themselves, begging to become your subjects. Bells and stone chimes all changed—the omen of Yu's abdication appeared; Dragons and fish rose together—the righteousness of serving Xia was made manifest. To govern the people and lead the masses as their shepherd—the root of it is to become one with all creation, to follow the hearts of the common people. Heaven's mandate has no permanent master; the throne does not belong to one family forever. Now, looking up to Heaven's signs and down to the people's will, I yield the imperial regalia and confer the throne upon you. Our great fortune is spent; Heaven's blessing upon us is ended. Alas! Prince, hold the middle way, follow the ancient precedent, and fulfill what bright Heaven expects. Worship Heaven and rule the hundred million people, receive the ancestors' blessing and take up the great enterprise—to pass on an endless fortune: what glory could be greater!

又璽書曰：

Another letter bearing the imperial seal read:

夫生者天地之大德，人者含生之通稱，並首同本，未知所以異也。而稟靈造化，賢愚之情不一；託性五常，強柔之分或舛。羣后靡一，爭犯交興，是故建君立長，用相司牧。非謂尊驕在上，以天下爲私者也。兼以三正迭改，五運相遷，綠文赤字，徵《河》表《洛》。在昔勛、華，深達茲義，眷求明哲，授以蒸民。遷虞事夏，本因心於百姓；化殷爲周，實受命於蒼昊。爰自漢、魏，罔不率由；降及晉、宋，亦遵斯典。我高皇所以格文祖而撫歸運，畏上天而恭寶曆者也。至于季世，禍亂荐臻，王度紛糾，姦回熾積。億兆夷人，刀俎爲命，已然之逼，若線之危，跼天蹐地，逃形無所。羣凶挾煽，志逞殘戮，將欲先殄衣冠，次移龜鼎。衡、保、周、召，並列宵人。巢幕累卵，方此非切。自非英聖遠圖，仁爲己任，則鴟梟厲吻，剪焉已及。

Life is the greatest virtue of Heaven and Earth; humanity is the common name of all who live—we share the same form, the same root; who knows why we should be divided? Yet endowed by creation, the wise and the foolish are not alike; Rooted in the five virtues, the strong and the weak may fall out of balance. When rulers were many and strife arose, they set up kings and chiefs to govern on their behalf. Not so that the proud might stand above and treat the realm as their private possession. Moreover the three calendars succeeded one another, the five phases turned in cycle—green writing and red characters bore witness, the River Chart and Luo Writ gave proof. In ancient times Yao and Shun understood this deeply, sought out the wise, and entrusted the people to them. Yu yielded to Shun, Shun served the Xia—the root of it was following the people's hearts; The Zhou replaced the Shang—truly receiving mandate from Heaven above. From Han and Wei onward, none failed to follow this way; Down through Jin and Song, each honored this same tradition. Our High Emperor therefore received the ancestors' blessing and embraced the turning of fate, revering Heaven and respectfully taking up the imperial calendar. In the last days calamity piled upon calamity, royal order collapsed, and wickedness flourished unchecked. Millions of ordinary people faced the knife and the block; danger pressed close as a thread; they crawled between heaven and earth with nowhere to hide. The wicked fanned the flames of chaos, hungry for slaughter—they meant first to wipe out the educated classes, then seize the throne itself. Men who should have been like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou stood instead among villains of the night. A nest in a burning rafter, eggs stacked on a collapsing wall—even these do not capture the peril we faced. Had you not been a heroic sage of far vision, taking benevolence as your own burden—the owls would already have closed their beaks upon us all.

惟王崇高則天，博厚儀地，鎔鑄六合，陶甄萬有。鋒馹交馳，振靈武以遐略；雲雷方扇，鞠義旅以勤王。揚旍旆於遠路，戮姦宄於魏闕。德冠往初，功無與二。弘濟艱難，緝熙王道。懷柔萬姓，經營四方。舉直措枉，較如畫一。待旦同乎殷后，日昃過於周文。風化肅穆，禮樂交暢。加以赦過宥罪，神武不殺，盛德昭於景緯，至義感於鬼神。若夫納彼大麓，膺此歸運，烈風不迷，樂推攸在。治五韙於已亂，重九鼎於旣輕。自聲教所及，車書所至，革面回首，謳吟德澤。九山滅祲，四瀆安流。祥風扇起，淫雨靜息。玄甲游於芳荃，素文馴於郊苑。躍九川於清漢，鳴六象於高崗。靈瑞雜杳，玄符昭著。至於星孛紫宮，水效孟月，飛鴻滿野，長彗橫天，取新之應旣昭，革故之徵必顯。加以天表秀特，軒狀堯姿；君臨之符，諒非一揆。《書》云：「天鑒厥德，用集大命。」《詩》云：「文王在上，於昭于天。」所以二儀乃眷，幽明允葉，豈惟宅是萬邦，緝茲謳訟而已哉！

You alone are lofty as Heaven, vast as Earth, forging the six directions, shaping the ten thousand things. Spears flashed and couriers raced, rousing martial valor for campaigns far and wide; Thunder clouds gathering, you raised righteous armies to rescue the throne. You raised your banners on distant roads and executed traitors at the capital gates. Your virtue surpasses all who came before; your achievement has no equal. You crossed through hardship and restored the brightness of the kingly Way. You embraced and comforted the people, and set the four directions in order. You promoted the upright and removed the corrupt—as uniform as a line drawn with one stroke. You waited for dawn like a worthy Shang ruler; you toiled past noon surpassing King Wen of Zhou. Customs grew solemn and pure; rites and music flourished together. You pardoned the guilty and forgave offenses, wielded divine power without needless killing—your great virtue shines among the stars, your supreme righteousness moves ghosts and spirits. In receiving the great mandate at Mount Tai, accepting this turning of fate—the fierce wind did not lead you astray, and the people's will to yield was plain. You set right the five rites in a broken age, and restored the nine cauldrons that had lost their weight. Wherever your civilizing voice reached, wherever your chariots and writing arrived—people turned their faces and sang of your grace. Evil mists vanished from the nine mountains; the four great rivers flowed in peace. Auspicious winds rose; floods and storms subsided. Armored soldiers walk peacefully among fragrant meadows; white banners flutter calmly in the royal parks. Fish leap in the clear rivers; the six auspicious beasts call from the high hills. Spiritual omens appeared in profusion; Heaven's signs shone clear. Comets blazed in the Purple Palace, water omens appeared in the first month, wild geese filled the fields, long comets crossed the sky—the signs of a new beginning were plain, the omens of dynastic change unmistakable. Your heavenly bearing is uniquely noble, your stature like that of Emperor Yao; The signs that you are meant to rule—surely they are not of one kind alone. The Book of Documents says: "Heaven sees his virtue and brings the great mandate to him." The Book of Odes says: "King Wen above—how bright he shines before Heaven." Heaven and earth both look upon you with favor, the seen and unseen worlds agree—not merely to win this realm and gather the people's songs!

朕是用擁琁沉首，屬懷聖哲。昔水行告厭，我太祖旣受命代終；在日天祿云謝，亦以木德而傳于梁。遠尋前典，降惟近代，百辟遐邇，莫違朕心。今遣使持節、兼太保、侍中、中書監、兼尚書令汝南縣開國侯亮，兼太尉、散騎常侍、中書令新吳縣開國侯志，奉皇帝璽紱。受終之禮，一依唐虞故事。王其陟茲元后，君臨萬方，式傳洪烈，以答上天之休命！

Therefore I bow my head upon the jade scepter and place my trust in your sage wisdom. When the Water mandate ran its course, our founding emperor received Heaven's charge to succeed the dying dynasty; Today Heaven's blessing upon us is ended, and by Wood virtue the mandate passes to Liang. Looking back to ancient precedent and down to recent times—ministers near and far, none oppose what my heart commands. Now I send Commissioner with Staff, concurrent Grand Tutor, Attendant-in-Ordinary, Director of the Secretariat, concurrent Master of Affairs, Marquis of Ruinan Liang, and concurrent Grand Commandant, Palace Attendant, Director of the Secretariat, Marquis of Xinwu Zhi, to deliver the imperial seal and sash. The ceremony of succession shall follow entirely the precedent of Yao and Shun. Prince, ascend the throne, rule the ten thousand regions, pass on your great achievement—and answer Heaven's gracious command!

高祖抗表陳讓，表不獲通。於是，齊百官豫章王元琳等八百一十九人，及梁臺侍中臣雲等一百一十七人，並上表勸進，高祖謙讓不受。是日，太史令蔣道秀陳天文符讖六十四條，事並明著。羣臣重表固請，乃從之。 [1]

Gaozu submitted memorials declining the throne, but they were not delivered onward. Thereupon eight hundred nineteen Qi officials, led by Prince Yuanlin of Yuzhang, and one hundred seventeen Liang Platform officials, led by Attendant-in-Ordinary Fan Yun, all submitted memorials urging accession; Gaozu modestly declined. That day Imperial Astronomer Jiang Daoxiu presented sixty-four astronomical omens and portents, each clearly established. When the ministers again memorialized, firmly urging him, he at last consented. Editorial footnote marker in the source text.

全文以中華書局《梁書》為本校。

The full text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Liang.

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