1
梁書卷第六本紀第六
Book of Liang, Volume 6, Annals 6
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三月，齊遣其上黨王高渙送貞陽侯蕭淵明來主梁嗣，至東關，遣吳興太守裴之橫與戰，敗績，之橫死。 太尉王僧辯率衆出屯姑孰。 四月，司徒陸法和以郢州附于齊，遣江州刺史侯瑱討之。 七月辛丑，王僧辯納貞陽侯蕭淵明，自採石濟江。 甲辰，入于京師，以帝爲皇太子。 九月甲辰，司空陳霸先舉義，襲殺王僧辯，黜蕭淵明。 丙午，帝卽皇帝位。
In the third month Qi sent Prince of Shangdang Gao Huan to escort Zhenyang marquis Xiao Yuanming to take the Liang succession; at Dong Pass Wuxing administrator Pei Zhiheng fought them and was defeated and killed. Grand marshal Wang Senbian led troops out to camp at Gudu. In the fourth month Minister of Education Lu Fafa surrendered Yingzhou to Qi; Jiangzhou inspector Hou Tian was sent against him. On xinchou in the seventh month Wang Senbian received Zhenyang marquis Xiao Yuanming and crossed from Caishi. On jiachen he entered the capital and the emperor was made crown prince. On jiachen in the ninth month Minister of Works Chen Baxian rose in revolt, killed Wang Senbian in a surprise attack, and deposed Xiao Yuanming. On bingwu the emperor took the throne.
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紹泰元年冬十月己巳，詔曰：「王室不造，嬰罹禍釁，西都失守，朝廷淪覆，先帝梓宮，播越非所，王基傾弛，率土罔戴。 朕以荒幼，仍屬艱難，泣血枕戈，志復讐逆。 大恥未雪，夙宵鯁憤。 羣公卿尹，勉以大義，越登寡闇，嗣奉洪業。 顧惟夙心，念不至此。 庶仰憑先靈，傍資將相，克清元惡，謝冤陵寢。 今墜命載新，宗祊更祀，慶流億兆，豈予一人。 可改承聖四年爲紹泰元年，大赦天下，內外文武賜位一等。」 以貞陽侯淵明爲司徒，封建安郡公，食邑三千戶。 壬子，以司空陳霸先爲尚書令、都督中外諸軍事、車騎將軍、揚、南徐二州刺史司空如故。 震州刺史杜龕舉兵，攻信武將軍陳蒨於長城，義興太守韋載據郡以應之。 癸丑，進太尉蕭循爲太保，新除司徒建安公淵明爲太傅，司徒蕭勃爲太尉。 以鎮南將軍王琳爲車騎將軍、開府儀同三司。 戊午，尊所生夏貴妃爲皇太后。 立妃王氏爲皇后。 鎮東將軍、揚州刺史張彪進號征東大將軍。 鎮北將軍、譙秦二州刺史徐嗣徽進號征北大將軍。 征南將軍、南豫州刺史任約進號征南大將軍。 辛未，詔司空陳霸先東討韋載。 丙子，任約、徐嗣徽舉兵反，乘京師無備，竊據石頭。 丁丑，韋載降，義興平。 遣晉陵太守周文育率軍援長城。
On jisi in the tenth month of winter, Shaotai year 1, an edict said: "The royal house is unformed, stricken with disaster; the western capital fell, the court collapsed; the late emperor's coffin wandered abroad, the throne shook, and the realm had no support. I was young and untried, thrust again into hardship; weeping blood and sleeping on my spear, I meant to avenge rebellion. Great shame was unavenged; day and night I choked on rage. The ministers urged me with great righteousness to step beyond my worth and succeed to the great enterprise. Looking to my former heart, I never imagined this. I hope to lean on our forefathers' spirits and on our generals and ministers to destroy the chief villain and settle the wrong done the imperial tombs. Now fate is renewed and the ancestral shrines restored; joy reaches the myriad people—not mine alone. Chengsheng year 4 is to become Shaotai year 1; amnesty is granted throughout the realm, and civil and military officials within and without receive one rank." Zhenyang marquis Yuanming was made Minister of Education and enfeoffed as Duke of Jian'an with three thousand households. On renzi Chen Baxian, still Minister of Works, became Director of the Masters of Writing, commander of all armies at home and abroad, Chariots and Cavalry General, and inspector of Yang and South Xu. Zhenzhou inspector Du Kan raised troops and attacked Trustworthy Martial General Chen Qian at Changcheng; Yixing administrator Wei Zai held the commandery in support. On guichou Grand Master of War Xiao Xun was promoted to Grand Mentor; newly appointed Minister of Education Duke of Jian'an Yuanming became Grand Tutor; Minister of Education Xiao Bo became Grand Master of War. Pacifying South General Wang Lin was made Chariots and Cavalry General with an office equal to the Three Excellencies. On wuwu his birth mother, Consort Xia Gui, was honored as empress dowager. Consort Wang was made empress. Pacifying East General and Yangzhou inspector Zhang Biao was promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the East. Pacifying North General and inspector of Qiao and Qin Xu Sihui was promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the North. Conquering South General and South Yuzhou inspector Ren Yue was promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the South. On xinwei an edict ordered Minister of Works Chen Baxian east against Wei Zai. On bingzi Ren Yue and Xu Sihui rebelled, exploiting the capital's unreadiness and seizing Shitou. On dingchou Wei Zai surrendered and Yixing was pacified. Jinling administrator Zhou Wenyu was sent with troops to relieve Changcheng.
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十一月庚辰，齊安州刺史翟子崇、楚州刺史劉仕榮、淮州刺史柳達摩率衆赴任約，入于石頭。 庚寅，司空陳霸先旋于京師。
On gengchen in the eleventh month Qi's Anzhou inspector Zhai Zichong, Chuzhou inspector Liu Shirong, and Huaizhou inspector Liu Damo led troops to Ren Yue and entered Shitou. On gengyin Minister of Works Chen Baxian returned to the capital.
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十二月庚戌，徐嗣徽、任約又相率至採石，迎齊援。 丙辰，遣猛烈將軍侯安都水軍于江寧邀之，賊衆大潰，嗣徽、約等奔于江西。 庚申，翟子崇等請降，並放還北。
On gengxu in the twelfth month Xu Sihui and Ren Yue again went together to Caishi to meet Qi reinforcements. On bingchen Fierce General Hou Andu intercepted them on the water at Jiangning; the rebels broke; Sihui, Yue, and others fled west of the river. On gengshen Zhai Zichong and others surrendered and were sent back north.
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太平元年春正月戊寅，大赦天下，其與任約、徐嗣徽協契同謀，一無所問。 追贈簡文皇帝諸子。 以故永安侯確子后襲封邵陵王，奉攜王后。 癸未，鎮東將軍、震州刺史杜龕降，詔賜死，曲赦吳興郡。 己亥，以太保、宜豐侯蕭循襲封鄱陽王。 東揚州刺史張彪圍臨海太守王懷振於剡巖。
On wuyin in the first month of spring, Taiping year 1, a general amnesty was declared; those who had conspired with Ren Yue and Xu Sihui were not questioned. The sons of Emperor Jianwen were posthumously honored. Hou, son of former Yong'an marquis Que, succeeded as Prince of Shaoling to serve Empress Hou. On guiwei Pacifying East General and Zhenzhou inspector Du Kan surrendered; an edict granted him death; Wuxing commandery received a partial amnesty. On jihai Grand Mentor and Marquis of Yifeng Xiao Xun succeeded as Prince of Poyang. East Yangzhou inspector Zhang Biao besieged Taizhou administrator Wang Huaizhen at Yan Rock.
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二月庚戌，遣周文育、陳蒨襲會稽，討彪。 癸丑，彪長史謝岐、司馬沈泰、軍主吳寶真等舉城降，彪敗走。 以中衛將軍臨川王大款卽本號開府儀同三司，中護軍桂陽王大成爲護軍將軍。 丙辰，若耶村人斬張彪，傳首京師，曲赦東揚州。 己未，罷震州，還復吳興郡。 癸亥，賊徐嗣徽、任約襲採石戍，執戍主明州刺史張懷鈞，入于齊。 甲子，以東土經杜龕、張彪抄暴，遣大使巡省。
On gengxu in the second month Zhou Wenyu and Chen Qian were sent to strike Kuaiji and suppress Biao. On guichou Biao's chief clerk Xie Qi, marshal Shen Tai, and army commander Wu Baozhen surrendered the city; Biao was beaten and fled. Central Guard General Prince Dakuen of Linchuan received a gate equal to the Three Excellencies at his existing rank; Central Protector Prince Dacheng of Guiyang became Protector-General of the Army. On bingchen a man of Ruoye village beheaded Zhang Biao and sent his head to the capital; East Yangzhou received a partial amnesty. On jiwei Zhenzhou was abolished and Wuxing commandery restored. On guihai rebels Xu Sihui and Ren Yue raided Caishi garrison, seized its commander Mingzhou inspector Zhang Huaijun, and went over to Qi. On jiazi, because the east had suffered the ravages of Du Kan and Zhang Biao, touring envoys were dispatched.
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三月丙子，罷東揚州，還復會稽郡。 壬午，班下遠近並雜用古今錢。 戊戌，齊遣大將蕭軌出柵口，向梁山，司空陳霸先、軍主黃菆逆擊，大破之。 軌退保蕪湖。 遣周文育、侯安都衆軍，據梁山拒之。
On bingzi in the third month East Yangzhou was abolished and Kuaiji commandery restored. On renwu orders went out far and near to use old and new coin together. On wuxu Qi sent Grand General Xiao Gui from Zha Pass toward Liang Mountain; Minister of Works Chen Baxian and army commander Huang Kan counterattacked and routed them. Gui fell back to Wuhu. Zhou Wenyu and Hou Andu were sent with the main armies to hold Liang Mountain against them.
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夏四月丁巳，司空陳霸先表詣梁山撫巡將帥。 壬申，侯安都輕兵襲齊行臺司馬恭于歷陽，大破之，俘獲萬計。
On dingsi in the fourth month of summer Minister of Works Chen Baxian memorialized to visit Liang Mountain and reassure the commanders. On renshen Hou Andu with light troops raided Qi field headquarters Sima Gong at Liyang, routed him, and took tens of thousands captive.
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六月甲辰，齊潛軍至蔣山龍尾，斜趨莫府山北，至玄武廟西北。 乙卯，司空陳霸先授衆軍節度，與齊軍交戰，大破之，斬齊北兗州刺史杜方慶及徐嗣徽、弟嗣宗，生擒徐嗣產、蕭軌、東方老、王敬寶、李希光、裴英起、劉歸義等，皆誅之。 戊午，大赦天下，軍士身殞戰場，悉遣斂祭，其無家屬，卽爲瘞埋。 辛酉，解嚴。
On jiachen in the sixth month Qi secretly moved troops to Jiang Mountain's Dragon Tail, angling north past Mofu Mountain to the northwest of the Xuanwu Shrine. On yimao Minister of Works Chen Baxian took command of the armies, met the Qi force, and won a great victory; he beheaded Qi's North Yanzhou inspector Du Fangqing, Xu Sihui, and Sihui's brother Sizong; he captured Xu Sichan, Xiao Gui, Dongfang Lao, Wang Jingbao, Li Xiguang, Pei Yingqi, Liu Guiyi, and others alive and executed them all. On wuwu a general amnesty was declared; soldiers who fell in battle were given burial rites, and those without kin were buried on the spot. On xinyou the emergency curfew was lifted.
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秋七月丙子，車騎將軍、司空陳霸先進位司徒，加中書監，餘如故。 丁亥，以開府儀同三司侯瑱爲司空。
On bingzi in the seventh month of autumn Chariots and Cavalry General and Minister of Works Chen Baxian was promoted to Minister of Education and Supervisor of the Masters of Documents; other posts were unchanged. On dinghai Hou Tian, whose gate equaled the Three Excellencies, became Minister of Works.
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八月己酉，太保鄱陽王循薨。
On jiyou in the eighth month Grand Mentor Prince Xun of Poyang died.
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九月壬寅，改元大赦，孝悌力田賜爵一級，殊才異行所在奏聞，饑難流移勒歸本土。 進新除司徒陳霸先爲丞相、錄尚書事、鎮衛大將軍、揚州牧，封義興郡公。 中權將軍王沖卽本號開府儀同三司。 吏部尚書王通爲尚書右僕射。 丁巳，以郢州刺史徐度爲領軍將軍。
On renyin in the ninth month the era name was changed and a general amnesty granted; the filial, dutiful, and diligent in farming received one noble rank; unusual talent was to be reported from each region; famine refugees were ordered home. The new Minister of Education Chen Baxian was promoted to chancellor, Director of the Masters of Writing, Grand General Who Guards the Realm, and Yangzhou governor, and enfeoffed as Duke of Yixing. Central Authority General Wang Chong received a gate equal to the Three Excellencies at his existing rank. Minister of Personnel Wang Tong became Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On dingsi Yingzhou inspector Xu Du became General of the Forward Command.
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冬十一月乙卯，起雲龍、神虎門。
On yimao in the eleventh month of winter the Cloud Dragon and Spirit Tiger gates were built.
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十二月壬申，進太尉、鎮南將軍蕭勃爲太保、驃騎將軍。 以新除左衛將軍歐陽頠爲安南將軍、衡州刺史。 壬午，平南將軍劉法瑜進號安南將軍。 甲午，以前壽昌令劉叡爲汝陰王，前鎮西法曹、行參軍蕭紞爲巴陵王，奉宋、齊二代后。
On renshen in the twelfth month Grand Master of War and Pacifying South General Xiao Bo was promoted to Grand Mentor and Rapid Cavalry General. Newly appointed Left Guard General Ouyang He became Pacifying South General and Hengzhou inspector. On renwu Pacifying South General Liu Fayu was promoted to Annan General. On jiawu former Shouchang magistrate Liu Rui was made Prince of Yiyin; former Pacify West legal bureau acting staff officer Xiao Hong was made Prince of Baling to attend the Song and Qi empresses.
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二年春正月壬寅，詔曰：「夫子降靈體喆，經仁緯義，允光素王，載闡玄功，仰之者彌高，誨之者不倦。 立忠立孝，德被蒸民，制禮作樂，道冠羣后。 雖泰山頹峻，一簣不遺，而泗水餘瀾，千載猶在。 自皇圖屯阻，祀薦不脩，奉聖之門，胤嗣殲滅，敬神之寢，簠簋寂寥。 永言聲烈，實兼欽愴。 外可搜舉魯國之族，以爲奉聖後； 並繕廟堂，供備祀典，四時薦秩，一皆遵舊。」 是日，又詔「諸州各置中正，依舊訪舉。 不得輒承單狀序官，皆須中正押上，然後量授。 詳依品制，務使精實。 其荊、雍、青、兗雖暫爲隔閡，衣冠多寓淮海，猶宜不廢司存。 會計罷州，尚爲大郡，人士殷曠，可別置邑居。 至如分割郡縣，新號州牧，並系本邑，不勞兼置。 其選中正，每求耆德，該悉以他官領之。」 以車騎將軍、開府儀同三司王琳爲司空、驃騎大將軍。 分尋陽、太原、齊昌、高唐、新蔡五郡，置西江州，卽於尋陽仍充州鎮。 又詔「宗室在朝開國承家者，今猶稱世子，可悉聽襲本爵。」 以尚書右僕射王通爲尚書左僕射。 丁巳，鎮西將軍、益州刺史長沙王韶進號征南將軍。
On renyin in the first month of spring, year 2, an edict said: "The Master came down in spirit with perfected substance, threading benevolence and weaving righteousness, truly illuminating the uncrowned king and unfolding his hidden work; those who look up find him ever higher, those he teaches never weary. He established loyalty and filial piety and his virtue covered the people; he made rites and composed music and his Way surpassed all kings. Though Mount Tai fell and not a basket of earth was left, the lingering ripples of Sishui endure a thousand years on. Since the imperial house was blocked, sacrifices were not kept up; at the Gate of Veneration of the Sage heirs were destroyed; at the shrine of the revered spirit meat and grain vessels stood empty. His fame and merit move one always to reverent grief. Abroad, the clan of Lu is to be sought out and one chosen as heir to Veneration of the Sage; and temple halls are to be repaired, offerings supplied, and seasonal sacrifices conducted as of old." That same day another edict said: "Each province shall appoint a rectifier and, as before, seek out candidates. No one may advance on a lone petition alone; the rectifier must endorse it first, and only then is appointment to be made. Grades are to be applied with care so that appointments are exact. Though Jing, Yong, Qing, and Yan were for a time cut off, many gentry and officials still lived around the Huai; their offices should not be abolished. Kuaiji, though its province had been abolished, remained a great commandery with many scholars and officials; separate settlements may be established. Where commanderies and counties are split and new provincial governors are named, they remain tied to their original seats and need no duplicate offices. In choosing rectifiers, elders of virtue are to be sought, and knowledgeable men in other offices are to head the process." Chariots and Cavalry General Wang Lin, whose gate equaled the Three Excellencies, became Minister of Works and Grand Rapid Cavalry General. Five commanderies—Xunyang, Taiyuan, Qichang, Gaotang, and Xincai—were split off to form West Jiang province, with Xunyang as its seat. Another edict said: "Among the imperial clan in court who hold fiefs and inherit houses, those still called heir apparent may all succeed to their original titles." Right Vice Director Wang Tong became Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On dingsi Pacify West General and Yizhou inspector Prince Shao of Changsha was promoted to Conquering South General.
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二月庚午，領軍將軍徐度入東關。 太保、廣州刺史蕭勃舉兵反，遣偽帥歐陽頠、傅泰、勃從子孜爲前軍，南江州刺史余孝頃以兵會之。 詔平西將軍周文育、平南將軍侯安都等率衆軍南討。 戊子，徐度至合肥，燒齊船三千艘。 癸巳，周文育軍于巴山生獲歐陽頠。
On gengwu in the second month Forward Command General Xu Du entered Dong Pass. Grand Mentor and Guangzhou inspector Xiao Bo rebelled; he sent Ouyang He, Fu Tai, and his nephew Zi as the vanguard; South Jiangzhou inspector Yu Xiaoping joined him with troops. An edict ordered Pacify West General Zhou Wenyu, Pacify South General Hou Andu, and others to lead the armies south against him. On wuzi Xu Du reached Hefei and burned three thousand Qi ships. On guisi Zhou Wenyu's army at Bashan took Ouyang He alive.
18
三月庚子，文育前軍丁法洪于蹠口生俘傅泰。 蕭孜、余孝頃軍退走。 甲辰，以新除司空王琳爲湘、郢二州刺史。 甲寅，德州刺史陳法武、前衡州刺史譚世遠於始興攻殺蕭勃。
On gengzi in the third month Wenyu's vanguard Ding Fahong at Zhi Pass captured Fu Tai alive. Xiao Zi and Yu Xiaoping's armies withdrew and fled. On jiachen the new Minister of Works Wang Lin became inspector of Xiang and Ying. On jiayin Dezhou inspector Chen Fawu and former Hengzhou inspector Tan Shiyuan attacked and killed Xiao Bo at Shixing.
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夏四月癸酉，曲赦江、廣、衡三州； 並督內爲賊所拘逼者，並皆不問。 己卯，鑄四柱錢，一準二十。 齊遣使請和。 壬辰，改四柱錢一準十。 丙申，復閉細錢。 蕭勃故主帥前直閤蘭敱襲殺譚世遠，敱仍爲亡命夏侯明徹所殺。 勃故記室李寶藏奉懷安侯蕭任據廣州作亂。 戊戌，侯安都進軍，余孝頃棄軍走，蕭孜請降，豫章平。
In the fourth month of summer, on guiyou, Jiang, Guang, and Heng received a partial amnesty; and all in those provinces coerced by rebels were pardoned without inquiry. On jimao four-pillar coin was cast, one worth twenty. Qi sent envoys seeking peace. On renchen four-pillar coin was revalued one to ten. On bingshen small coin was again abolished. Xiao Bo's former chief commander Lan Ai, a former Direct Attendant, killed Tan Shiyuan; Ai was then killed by the outlaw Xiahou Mingche. Bo's former secretary Li Baocang backed Marquis of Huai'an Xiao Ren in seizing Guangzhou and rebelling. On wuxu Hou Andu advanced; Yu Xiaoxiang fled; Xiao Zi surrendered, and Yuzhang was pacified.
20
五月乙巳，平西將軍周文育進號鎮南將軍，侯安都進號鎮北將軍，並以本號開府儀同三司。 丙午，以鎮軍將軍徐度爲南豫州刺史。 戊辰，余孝頃遣使詣丞相府乞降。
In the fifth month, on yisi, Zhou Wenyü was promoted from General Who Pacifies the West to General Who Pacifies the South; Hou Andu from General Who Pacifies the South to General Who Pacifies the North—both kept their titles and received Opening Office Equal to Three Departments. On bingwu Pacifying Army General Xu Du became South Yuzhou inspector. On wuchen Yu Xiaoxiang sent envoys to the chancellor's office to surrender.
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秋八月甲午，加丞相陳霸先黃鉞，領太傅，劍履上殿，入朝不趨，贊拜不名，給羽葆、鼓吹。
On jiawu in the eighth month of autumn Chancellor Chen Baxian received the yellow axe, became Grand Tutor, and was granted sword in the hall, no hurrying at court, praise without naming, and feather canopy and martial music.
22
九月辛丑，崇丞相爲相國，總百揆，封十郡爲陳公，備九錫之禮，加璽紱遠遊冠，位在王公上。 加相國綠綟綬。 置陳國百司。
On xinchou in the ninth month the chancellor was raised to chancellor of state, head of the hundred officials, enfeoffed Duke of Chen over ten commanderies, granted the Nine Bestowals with seal ribbon and far-wandering cap, and ranked above princes. A green sash was added for the chancellor of state. The hundred offices of the state of Chen were established.
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冬十月戊辰，進陳公爵爲王，增封十郡，並前爲二十郡。 命陳王冕十有二旒，建天子旌旂，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，設鍾鋋宮縣。 王后王子女爵命之典，一依舊儀。 辛未，詔曰：
On wuchen in the tenth winter month the Duke of Chen was advanced to king, with ten more commanderies added for twenty in all. The king of Chen was ordered twelve cap tassels, Son of Heaven banners, road cleared on exit and return, the golden-root carriage with six horses, five-season secondary carriages, yak-tail and cloud pennants, eight rows of music and dance, and palace bell frames. Rites for queen, royal children, and enfeoffment all followed former usage. On xinwei an edict said:
24
五運更始，三正迭代，司牧黎庶，是屬聖賢，用能經緯乾坤，彌綸區宇，大庇黔首，闡揚洪烈。 革晦以明，積代同軌，百王踵武，咸由此則。 梁德湮微，禍難薦發：太清云始，用困長蛇； 承聖之年，又罹封豕； 爰至天成，重竊神器。 三光亟改，七廟乏祀，含生已泯，鼎命斯墜，我皇之祚，眇若綴旒，靜惟《屯》、《剝》，夕惕載懷。
The five phases turn anew, the three calendars succeed one another; to shepherd the people belongs to the sage, who can weave heaven and earth, cover the realm, shelter the masses, and spread the grand achievement. Darkness gave way to light, age after age on one track—hundred kings followed in martial steps, all by this rule. Liang virtue sank; calamity followed in succession: at Great Clarity's start one was trapped by the long serpent; in Receiving Sagacity's year one again suffered the ravenous boar; when Heavenly Completion came, the sacred vessel was stolen again. The three lights changed, the seven temples went without sacrifice; life was spent, the mandate fell—our imperial fortune hung like a dangling tassel; quietly I pondered ruin and stripping, and evening vigilance filled my breast.
25
相國陳王，有縱自天，降神惟嶽，天地合德，晷曜齊明。 拯社稷之橫流，提億兆之塗炭。 東誅叛逆，北殲獯丑，威加四海，仁漸萬國。 復張崩樂，重紀絕禮，儒館聿修，戎亭虛候。 雖大功在舜，盛績維禹，巍巍蕩蕩，無得而稱。 來獻白環，豈直皇虞之世； 入貢素雉，非止隆周之日。 故效珍川陸，表瑞煙雲，玉露醴泉，旦夕凝涌，嘉禾瑞草，孳植郊甸，道昭于悠代，勛格於皇穹。 明明上天，光華日月，革故著于玄象，代德彰于讖圖，獄訟有違，謳歌爰適，天之曆數，實有攸在。 朕雖庸藐，暗于古昔，永稽崇替，爲日已久，敢忘列代之遺典，人祇之至願乎！ 今便遜位別宮，敬禪于陳，一依唐虞、宋齊故事。
Chancellor of state and king of Chen were Heaven's chosen, spirit from the sacred peak; heaven and earth shared his virtue, sun and stars burned bright with him. He saved the altars from the flood and lifted the millions from the coals. East he punished rebels, north he destroyed the Xianyun; his awesomeness filled the four seas, his kindness spread to every state. He restored fallen music and raised extinct rites; Confucian halls were repaired and barbarian posts stood empty. Though his merit matched Shun and his achievement only Yu, he was vast beyond naming. White rings came as tribute—was that only in the age of august Yu? White pheasants were offered—not only in exalted Zhou. Treasures rose from rivers and land, omens from mist and cloud; sweet dew and sweet springs welled morning and evening; fine grain and auspicious grass sprouted thick in the suburbs; the Way shone in distant ages and merit reached heaven. Bright was high heaven, glory to sun and moon; change of the old was written in the dark signs, succession of virtue in the charts; lawsuits found their judge, songs of praise turned here—the heavenly succession truly had its lord. Though I am mediocre and small, dark on antiquity, long have I traced rise and fall; how dare I forget the former dynasties' statutes and the utmost wish of men and spirits! Now I yield the throne to a separate palace and respectfully abdicate to Chen, following the stories of Tang and Yu, Song and Qi.
26
史臣曰：梁季橫潰，喪亂屢臻，當此之時，天歷去矣，敬皇高讓，將同釋負焉。
The historiographer says: When the Liang age collapsed, calamity followed calamity; Heaven's mandate had departed; Emperor Jing's high abdication was like laying down a burden.
27
史臣侍中、鄭國公魏徵曰：「高祖固天攸縱，聰明稽古，道亞生知，學爲博物，允文允武，多藝多才。 爰自諸生，有不羈之度，屬昏凶肆虐，天倫及禍，收合義旅，將雪家冤。 曰紂可伐，不其而會，龍躍樊、漢，電擊湘、郢，剪離德如振槁，取獨夫如拾遺。 其雄才大略，固無得而稱矣。 旣懸白旗之首，方應皇天之眷，布德施惠，悅近來遠，開蕩蕩之王道，革靡靡之商俗，大修文教，盛飾禮容，鼓扇玄風，闡揚儒業，介胄仁義，折衝樽俎，聲振寰宇，澤流遐裔，干戈載戢，凡數十年。 濟濟焉，洋洋焉，魏、晉已來，未有若斯之盛。 然不能息末敦本，斫雕爲朴，慕名好事，崇尚浮華，抑揚孔、墨，流連釋、老。 或經夜不寢，或終日不食，非弘道以利物，惟飾智以驚愚。 且心未遺榮，虛廁蒼頭之伍； 高談脫屣，終戀黃屋之尊。 夫人之大欲，在乎飲食男女，至於軒冕殿堂，非有切身之急。 高祖屏除嗜欲，眷戀軒冕，得其所難而滯于所易，可謂神有所不達，智有所不通矣。 逮夫精華稍竭，鳳德已衰，惑于聽受，權在奸佞，儲后百辟，莫得盡言。 險躁之心，暮年愈甚。 見利而動，愎諫違卜，開門揖盜，棄好卽仇，釁起蕭牆，禍成戎羯，身殞非命，災被億兆，衣冠敝鋒鏑之下，老幼粉戎馬之足。 瞻彼《黍離》，痛深周廟； 永言《麥秀》，悲甚殷墟。 自古以安爲危，旣成而敗，顛覆之速，書契所未聞也。 《易》曰：『天之所助者信，人之所助者順。』 高祖之遇斯屯剝，不得其死，蓋動而之險，不由信順，失天人之所助，其能免於此乎！
Attendant-in-Ordinary and Duke of Zheng Wei Zheng said, "The High Ancestor was Heaven's chosen, intelligent and versed in antiquity; his Way nearly matched innate knowledge; he was learned, wen and wu, with many arts and talents. From his student days he had an untamed spirit; when the wicked ran rampant and kin met calamity, he gathered righteous troops to avenge the family. He said Zhou could be punished; allies assembled unlooked-for; he leapt like a dragon at Fan and Han and struck like lightning at Xiang and Ying; cutting Li was like shaking dry stalks; taking the lone tyrant was like picking up what was lost. His heroic talent and great design truly cannot be fully praised. He hung the head on the white flag, then answered Heaven's favor; he spread virtue and grace, pleased the near and reached the far; opened the broad royal Way and reformed Shang decadence; cultivated wen and education, adorned ritual, stirred the mysterious wind, and exalted Confucian learning; armor wore benevolence and righteousness; he overturned foes at the banquet table; his fame shook the realm and grace flowed abroad; weapons were laid aside for decades. Vast and abundant—since Wei and Jin there had been nothing like this splendor. Yet he could not rest the branch and strengthen the root or carve away ornament for simplicity; he admired reputation, loved novelty, and honored the floating and splendid; he elevated and suppressed Confucius and Mozi and lingered over Buddhism and Daoism. Sometimes he did not sleep all night; sometimes he did not eat until sunset—not to broaden the Way for the world's good, but only to adorn wisdom and startle fools. Moreover his heart had not left glory; he vainly sat among menials; he talked loftily of casting off the world yet to the end cherished the yellow canopy. Man's great desires lie in food, drink, and men and women; carriages, caps, halls, and palaces are no urgent personal need. The High Ancestor screened out appetites yet clung to rank and display; he mastered what is hard yet stalled at what is easy—spirit did not reach everywhere and wisdom did not penetrate all. When his essence failed and phoenix virtue declined, he was deluded in what he heard and power lay with flatterers; heir and hundred officials could not speak fully. His rash and restless heart grew worse in old age. Seeing profit he moved; he rejected remonstrance and defied divination; opened the gate to robbers, abandoned friendship for enmity; trouble rose within the palace wall; Rong and Jie brought calamity; he died unnaturally and disaster struck the millions; officials perished under arms; old and young were trampled by war horses. Gazing at that millet in ruin, grief exceeded the Zhou temple; forever speaking of the wheat in ear, grief exceeded the ruins of Yin. From antiquity, taking peace as peril and success as failure—the speed of ruin is unheard of in written records. The Changes says, "Heaven helps the faithful; men help the obedient." The High Ancestor met hardship and stripping and did not die a natural death—because he moved toward peril, not faith and obedience; losing Heaven's and men's help, how could he escape?
28
太宗聰睿過人，神彩秀髮，多聞博達，富贍詞藻。 然文艷用寡，華而不實，體窮淫麗，義罕疏通，哀思之音，遂移風俗，以此而貞萬國，異乎周誦、漢庄矣。 我生不辰，載離多難，桀逆構扇，巨猾滔天，始自牖里之拘，終類望夷之禍。 悠悠蒼天，其可問哉！
Taizong was keen beyond others, with splendid spirit and appearance; he heard much, reached far, and was rich in literary ornament. Yet his writing was brilliant but thin, flowery but not solid; his style exhausted licentious beauty and his meaning rarely penetrated; mournful tones shifted custom—holding the myriad states thus differs from King Song of Zhou and Emperor Zhuang of Han. I was born at the wrong time, repeatedly parted from peace; cruel rebels stirred turmoil and great villains flooded Heaven—I began like confinement in Youli and ended like Wangyi's calamity. Vast blue Heaven—can it be questioned?
29
昔國步初屯，兵纏魏闕，羣后釋位，投袂勤王。 元帝以盤石之宗，受分陝之任，屬君親之難，居連率之長，不能撫劍嘗膽，枕戈泣血，躬先士卒，致命前驅； 遂乃擁衆逡巡，內懷觖望，坐觀時變，以爲身幸。 不急莽、卓之誅，先行昆弟之戮。 又沉猜忌酷，多行無禮。 騁智辯以飾非，肆忿戾以害物。 爪牙重將，心膂謀臣，或顧眄以就拘囚，或一言而及菹醢。 朝之君子，相顧懍然。 自謂安若泰山，舉無遺策，怵于邪說，卽安荊楚。 雖元惡克剪，社稷未寧，而西鄰責言，禍敗旋及。 上天降鑒，此焉假手，天道人事，其可誣乎！ 其篤志藝文，采浮淫而棄忠信； 戎昭果毅，先骨肉而後寇仇。 雖口誦《六經》，心通百氏，有仲尼之學，有公旦之才，適足以益其驕矜，增其禍患，何補金陵之覆沒，何救江陵之滅亡哉！
When the nation first faltered, war entangled the Wei gate; lords released their posts and rolled up their sleeves to serve the king. Emperor Yuan as a foundation stone of the clan received the charge of dividing Shaan; facing ruler and parent in calamity, he held the regional command—yet he could not grasp the sword and taste gall, pillow the spear and weep blood, lead soldiers and stake his life in the vanguard; he held the host yet hesitated, inwardly harbored divided hopes, watched the nation change, and took it as personal fortune. He did not urgently punish Wang Mang and Zhuo—first he slaughtered his brothers. Again he was deep in suspicion, cruel, and ruthless, often acting without propriety. He deployed clever debate to cover wrong and unleashed wrath to harm people. Trusted generals and chief ministers—some were seized with a glance, some reached minced pickle with a single word. Court gentlemen looked at one another in fear. He thought himself secure as Mount Tai, his plans without omission; deluded by perverse counsel, he settled in Jing and Chu. Though the great villain was cut down and the altars were not yet at peace, the western neighbor reproached him and disaster soon followed. Heaven lowered inspection and lent its hand here; Heaven's Way and human affairs—how can they be deceived? His steadfast will in arts and letters gathered the floating and splendid and cast aside loyalty and faith; in martial proclamation he was resolute and bold—first against kin, then against enemies. Though his mouth recited the Six Classics and his heart penetrated the hundred schools; he had Confucius' learning and the Duke of Zhou's talent—yet it only increased his pride and calamities; what did it remedy Jinling's fall or save Jiangling's extinction!
30
敬帝遭家不造，紹茲屯運，征伐有所自出，政刑不由於己，時無伊、霍之輔，焉得不爲高讓歟？」 [1]
Emperor Jing met an unpropitious house and inherited hardship; campaigns issued elsewhere and government and punishment were not his own; with no Yi and Huo to assist, how could he not yield the throne high? Editorial footnote marker in the source text.
31
全文以中華書局、一九七三年五月版《梁書》爲本校。
The full text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Liang (May 1973).