1
宣宗憲天崇道英明神聖欽文昌武寬仁純孝章皇帝，諱瞻基，仁宗長子也。 母誠孝昭皇后。 生之前夕，成祖夢太祖授以大圭曰：「傳之子孫，永世其昌。」 即彌月，成祖見之曰：「兒英氣溢面，符吾夢矣。」 比長，嗜書，智識傑出。
Emperor Xuanzong—honored after death as one who revered Heaven, exalted the Way, and united brilliance, sagacity, literary and martial achievement, breadth, benevolence, purity, and filial devotion under the style Zhang—was named Zhanji and was the eldest son of Emperor Renzong. His mother was Empress Xiaogongzhao, known for sincere filial devotion. The night before he was born the Chengzu Emperor dreamed that the founding emperor placed a great jade tablet in his hands with the words: "Pass it to your descendants, and they shall prosper for ages. At the child's first-month celebration Chengzu looked on him and declared: "Heroic spirit shines from his face; he fulfills my dream." As he matured he devoured books and showed exceptional intelligence.
2
永樂七年，從幸北京，令觀農具及田家衣食，作《務本訓》授之。 八年，成祖征沙漠，命留守北京。 九年十一月，立為皇太孫，始冠。 自是，巡幸征討皆從。 嘗命學士胡廣等即軍中為太孫講論經史。 每語仁宗曰：「此他日太平天子也。」 仁宗即位，立為皇太子。
In the seventh year of Yongle he followed the court to Beijing, was shown farming tools and how farm families lived, and was presented with the essay "On Holding to the Fundamentals." In the eighth year, during Chengzu's desert campaign, he was left behind as regent in Beijing. In the eleventh month of the ninth year he was named heir apparent to the throne as imperial grandson and received his capping. Thereafter he accompanied the emperor on every tour, inspection, and expedition. On one occasion Hu Guang and fellow academicians were told to expound the classics and histories to the heir in camp. He repeatedly told Renzong: "This boy will one day be a peaceful-age emperor. When Renzong ascended the throne he was installed as crown prince.
3
夏四月，以南京地屢震，命往居守。 五月庚辰，仁宗不豫，璽書召還。 六月辛丑，還至良鄉，受遺詔，入宮發喪。 庚戌，即皇帝位。 大赦天下，以明年為宣德元年。 辛亥，諭邊將嚴守備。 甲寅，趣中官在外採辦者還，罷所市物。
In the fourth month, after repeated earthquakes in Nanjing, he was sent south to hold the capital. On the gengchen day of the fifth month, as Renzong lay gravely ill, a sealed summons recalled him. On xinchou in the sixth month he reached Liangxiang, received the dying emperor's final commands, entered the palace, and began the mourning rites. On gengxu he took the throne. A general amnesty was proclaimed and the following year was declared the first year of the Xuande reign. On xinhai frontier commanders were ordered to tighten their defenses. On jiayin palace eunuchs sent out to buy supplies were recalled, and their purchases were canceled.
4
秋七月乙亥，尊皇后為皇太后，立妃胡氏為皇后。 辛卯，鎮遠侯顧興祖討大藤峽蠻，平之。 乙未，諭法司慎刑獄。 閏月戊申，安順伯薛貴、清平伯吳成、都督馬英、都指揮梁成帥師巡邊。 乙丑，楊溥入直文淵閣。 八月戊辰，都指揮李英討安定曲先叛番，大敗之，定定王桑兒加失夾詣闕謝罪。 壬申，詔內外群臣舉廉潔公正堪牧民者。 癸未，大理卿胡概、參政葉春巡撫南畿、浙江。 設巡撫自此始。 九月壬寅，葬昭皇帝于獻陵。
On yihai in the seventh month the empress was elevated to empress dowager and Consort Hu was made empress. On xinmao Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Xingzu campaigned against the tribes of Great Vine Gorge and subdued them. On yiwei the legal offices were warned to handle criminal cases with care. On wushen in the intercalary month Anshun Earl Xue Gui, Qingping Earl Wu Cheng, Commissioner Ma Ying, and Regional Commander Liang Cheng took an army to patrol the frontier. On yichou Yang Pu joined the Grand Secretariat with duty in the Wenyuan Pavilion. On wuchen in the eighth month Regional Commander Li Ying crushed the rebel Tibetans of Qu River in Anding; the Ding prince Sang'erjiashijia came to court to submit. On renshen the throne called on officials throughout the empire to nominate men of integrity and justice fit to govern the people. On guiwei Chief Minister Hu Gai of the Court of Judicial Review and Assistant Administrator Ye Chun were sent to inspect and settle affairs in the southern capital region and Zhejiang. The institution of provincial grand coordinators dates from this appointment. On renyin in the ninth month the late Renzong Emperor was interred at Xianling.
5
冬十月戊寅，南京地震，戊子，敕公、侯、伯、五府、六部、大學士、給事中審覆重囚。 十一月戊戌，顧興祖討平思恩蠻。 辛酉，恭祿為鎮朔大將軍巡邊。 十二月甲申，顧興祖討平宜山蠻。
On wuyin in the tenth month Nanjing was shaken by earthquake; on wuzi dukes, marquises, earls, the five chief military commissions, the six ministries, grand secretaries, and supervising secretaries were told to rehear capital cases. On wuxu in the eleventh month Gu Xingzu put down the Si'en tribes. On xinyou Gong Lu was appointed grand general for the northern frontier and sent to patrol the borders. On jiashen in the twelfth month Gu Xingzu subdued the Yishan tribes.
6
是年，哈密回回、滿剌撒丁、占城、琉球中山、爪哇、烏斯藏、瓦剌、浡泥入貢。
That year tribute missions came from Hami, Malacca, Champa, Zhongshan in the Ryukyus, Java, Tibet, the Oirats, and Brunei.
7
夏四月乙丑，成山侯王通為征夷將軍充總兵官，討黎利，尚書陳洽參贊軍務，陳智、方政奪官從立功。 五月甲午朔，錄囚。 丙申，詔赦交阯，許黎利自新。 丙午，敕郡縣瘞遺骸。 庚申，召薛祿還。
On yichou in the fourth month Chengshan Marquis Wang Tong was named supreme commander and general campaigning against the Yi to fight Li Lei, with Minister Chen Qia as staff officer; Chen Zhi and Fang Zheng were demoted but allowed to win back rank through service. On the jiawu new-moon day of the fifth month the throne held a jail delivery. On bingshen an amnesty for Jiaozhi offered Li Lei a chance to submit. On bingwu counties were commanded to inter unburied remains. On gengshen Xue Lu was recalled to court.
8
秋七月癸巳，京師地震，乙未，免山東夏稅。 己亥，諭六科，凡中官傳旨，必覆奏始行。 壬子，罷湖廣采木。 八月壬戌，漢王高煦反。 丙寅，宥武臣殊死以下罪，復其官。 己巳，親征高煦，命鄭王瞻、襄王瞻墡居守，陽武侯薛祿、清平伯吳成將前鋒，大賚五軍將士。 辛未，發京師。 辛巳，至樂安，帝兩遣書諭降，又以敕系矢射城中諭禍福。 壬午，高煦出降。 癸未，改樂安曰武定州。 乙酉，班師。 九丙申。」 至自武定州，錮高煦於西內。 戊戌，法司鞫高煦同謀者，詞連晉王、趙王，詔勿問。
On guisi in the seventh month Beijing trembled; on yiwei summer taxes in Shandong were waived. On jihai the six scrutiny offices were told that no eunuch order might be carried out until it had been reported back and approved. On renzi the timber levy in Huguang was halted. On renxu in the eighth month the Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, rose in revolt. On bingyin martial peers convicted of lesser felonies were forgiven and reinstated. On jisi the emperor marched in person against Gaoxu, leaving the princes of Zheng and Xiang as regents; Yangwu Marquis Xue Lu and Qingping Marquis Wu Cheng commanded the van, and the armies of the Five Chief Commissions received lavish gifts. On xinwei the imperial column left Beijing. On xinsi he arrived at Le'an; twice the emperor wrote urging surrender, then had an edict bound to an arrow and shot over the walls to warn of the consequences. On renwu Gaoxu marched out and submitted. On guiwei Le'an was redesignated Wuding prefecture. On yiyou the campaign force marched home. In the ninth month, on the bingchen day, the emperor returned from Wuding; Gaoxu was imprisoned in the western inner quarters. On wuxu the legal offices interrogated Gaoxu's accomplices, whose statements touched the Jin and Zhao princes; the throne ordered the matter dropped.
9
冬十月戊寅，釋李時勉，復為侍讀。 十一月乙未，成山侯王通擊黎利於應平，敗績，尚書陳洽死之。 十二月辛酉，免六師所過秋糧。 辛未，錄囚，宥免三千餘人。 乙酉，征南將軍總兵官黔國公沐晟帥興安伯徐亨、新甯伯譚忠，征虜副將軍安遠侯柳升帥保定伯梁銘都督崔聚，由雲南、廣西分道討黎利，兵部尚書李慶參贊軍務。
On wuyin in the tenth month Li Shimian was freed and again made a palace reader. On yiwei in the eleventh month Wang Tong met Li Lei at Yingping, suffered defeat, and Minister Chen Qia was killed. On xinyou in the twelfth month autumn taxes were waived along the route the imperial forces had taken. On xinwei a jail delivery freed over three thousand convicts. On yiyou Qinguo Duke Mu Sheng, supreme commander campaigning south, advanced through Yunnan with Xing'an Earl Xu Heng and Xinning Earl Tan Zhong, while Anyuan Marquis Liu Sheng, deputy commander against the barbarians, marched through Guangxi with Baoding Marquis Liang Ming and Commissioner Cui Ju to strike Li Lei; War Minister Li Qing served as staff officer.
10
是年，爪哇、暹羅、琉球、蘇門答剌、滿剌加、白葛達、撒馬兒罕、土魯番、哈密、烏斯藏入貢。
That year tribute came from Java, Siam, the Ryukyus, Samudera, Malacca, Barbary, Samarkand, Turfan, Hami, and Tibet.
11
二年春正月庚子，大祀天地於南郊。 丁未，有司奏歲問囚數。 帝謂百姓輕犯法，由於教化未行，命申教化。 二月癸亥，行在戶部待郎陳山為本部尚書兼謹身殿大學士，直文淵閣。 乙丑，黎利攻交阯城，王通擊敗之。 三月辛卯，賜馬愉等進士及第、出身秀差。
In the second year, on gengzi in the first month, the emperor offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On dingwei local authorities submitted the annual figure for criminal cases heard. The emperor held that petty crime sprang from failed moral education and commanded officials to renew their teaching of the people. On guihai in the second month Chen Shan, acting revenue vice minister at the southern capital, was promoted minister and grand secretary of the Jinshen Hall with a seat in the Wenyuan Pavilion. On yichou Li Lei assaulted the Jiaozhi garrison and Wang Tong beat him off. On xinmao in the third month Ma Yu and other new jinshi were honored at court and lower degree holders were placed in office.
12
夏四月庚申，黎利陷昌江，都指揮李任，指揮顧福、劉順，知府劉子輔，中官馮智死之。 甲子，晉王濟熿有罪，廢為庶人。 己巳，王通許黎利和。 五月癸巳，薛祿督餉開平。 己亥，仁宗神主祔太廟。 丙午，錄囚。 六月戊寅，錄囚。
On gengshen in the fourth month Li Lei overran Changjiang; Regional Commander Li Ren and Commanders Gu Fu and Liu Shun, Prefect Liu Zifu, and the eunuch Feng Zhi were killed. On jiazi Prince Jin was found guilty and reduced to private status. On jisi Wang Tong concluded a truce with Li Lei. On guisi in the fifth month Xue Lu took charge of supplies on the Kaiping route. On jihai Renzong's tablet was enshrined in the ancestral temple. On bingwu the court held a jail delivery. On wuyin in the sixth month prisoners were again reviewed.
13
秋七月己亥，黎利陷隘留關，鎮遠侯顧興祖擁兵不救，逮治之。 庚子，錄囚。 辛丑，命都督同知陳懷充總兵官，帥師討松潘蠻。 丁未，薛祿敗敵於開平。 八月甲子，黃淮致仕。 免兩京、山西、河南州縣被災稅糧。 九月壬辰，錄囚。 乙未，柳升師次倒馬坡，遇伏戰死。 是日，保定伯梁銘病卒。 丙申，尚書李慶病卒。 師大潰，參將崔聚，郎中史安，主事陳鏞、李宗昉死之。
On jihai in the seventh month Li Lei seized Ailiu Pass while Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Xingzu, who had troops nearby, failed to relieve it and was seized for trial. On gengzi another jail delivery was held. On xinchou Vice Commissioner Chen Huai was appointed supreme commander to campaign against the Songpan tribes. On dingwei Xue Lu routed the foe near Kaiping. On jiazi in the eighth month Huang Huai left office on pension. Grain taxes were waived in disaster-hit districts of both capitals, Shanxi, and Henan. On renchen in the ninth month the throne again reviewed prisoners. On yiwei Liu Sheng's column camped at Daoma Slope, walked into an ambush, and he fell fighting. The same day Baoding Marquis Liang Ming died of sickness. On bingshen War Minister Li Qing also died of illness. The expedition broke in rout; Assistant Commander Cui Ju, Registrar Shi An, and clerks Chen Yong and Li Zongfang were killed.
14
冬十月戊寅，王通棄交阯，與黎利盟。 十一月乙酉，赦黎利，遣侍郎李琦、羅汝敬立陳暠為安南國王，悉如文武吏士還。 己亥，以皇長子生大赦天下，免明年稅糧三之一。 十二月丁丑，振陝西饑。 並給絹布十五萬疋。
On wuyin in the tenth month Wang Tong evacuated Jiaozhi and sealed a pact with Li Lei. On yiyou in the eleventh month Li Lei was amnestied; Vice Ministers Li Qi and Luo Rujing were dispatched to enthrone Chen Hao as ruler of Annam and repatriate every official and soldier. On jihai the birth of the heir prompted a general amnesty and a third of the following year's taxes was forgiven. On dingchou in the twelfth month famine relief was sent to Shaanxi. One hundred fifty thousand bolts of silk and cloth were issued as well.
15
是年，爪哇、占城、暹羅、琉球、瓦剌、哈密、亦力把裏、撒馬兒罕入貢。
That year missions arrived from Java, Champa, Siam, the Ryukyus, the Oirats, Hami, Yili, and Samarkand.
16
三年春正月甲午，大祀天地於南郊。 丙申，陳懷平松潘蠻。 二月戊午，立皇長子祁鎮為皇太子。 是月，作《帝訓》成。 三月癸未，廢皇后胡氏，立貴妃孫氏為皇后。 壬辰，錄囚。
In the third year, on jiawu in the first month, the emperor again performed the southern suburban sacrifice. On bingshen Chen Huai subdued the Songpan tribes. On wuwu in the second month the eldest son Qizhen was named crown prince. In the same month the emperor finished his book "Lessons for a Ruler." On guiwei in the third month Empress Hu was removed and Noble Consort Sun was raised to empress. On renchen the court held another jail delivery.
17
夏四月癸亥，敕凡官民建言章疏，尚書、都御史、給事中會議以聞，勿諱。 閏月壬寅，錄囚。 免山西旱災稅糧。 甲辰，命有司振恤。 庚戌，論棄交阯罪，王通等及布政使弋謙、中官山壽、馬騏下獄論死，籍其家，鎮遠侯顧興祖並下獄。 五月壬子，李琦、羅汝敬還。 黎利表陳暠卒，子孫並絕，乞守國俟命。 辛酉，錄囚。 己巳，復遣羅汝敬等諭黎利立陳氏後。 辛未，贈交阯死事諸臣。 壬申，免北京被災夏稅。 六月丙戌，免陝西被災夏稅。 丁未，都御史劉觀巡視河道。
On guihai in the fourth month an edict required ministers, the censor-in-chief, and supervising secretaries to deliberate jointly on all memorials from officials and people and report without suppressing criticism. On renyin in the intercalary month prisoners were reviewed again. Grain taxes were waived in drought-stricken Shanxi. On jiachen local authorities were commanded to distribute relief. On gengxu the court judged those responsible for the loss of Jiaozhi: Wang Tong, Administration Commissioner Yi Qian, and the eunuchs Shan Shou and Ma Qi were jailed, condemned to death, and their property seized; Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Xingzu was imprisoned as well. In the fifth month, on renzi, Li Qi and Luo Rujing came back from their mission. Le Loi reported that Chen Hao was dead and the Chen line extinguished, and asked leave to govern Annam pending the throne's decision. On xinyou the court held a prison review. On jisi the Emperor again dispatched Luo Rujing and his party to order Le Loi to raise up a Chen heir. On xinwei the court ennobled the officials who had fallen in Jiaozhi. On renshen summer tax was forgiven in the disaster districts of Beiping. In the sixth month, on bingxu, summer tax was remitted in the stricken prefectures of Shaanxi. On dingwei Censor-in-Chief Liu Guan was sent to inspect the canal works.
18
秋七月戊辰，錄囚。 八月辛卯，罷北京行部及行後軍都督府。 丁未，帝自將巡邊。 九月辛亥，次右門驛。 兀良哈寇會州，帝帥精卒三千人往擊之。 己卯，出喜峰口，擊寇於寬河。 帝親射其前鋒，殪三人，兩翼軍併發，大破之。 寇望見黃龍旂，下馬羅拜請降，皆生縛之，斬渠酋。 甲子，班師。 癸酉，至自喜峰口。
In the seventh month of autumn, on wuchen, the court reviewed prisoners. In the eighth month, on xinmao, the traveling secretariats at Beiping and the traveling Rear Military Commission were abolished. On dingwei the Emperor took the field in person to tour the border. In the ninth month, on xinhai, he encamped at Youmen Post. Urianghad bands raided Huizhou, and the Emperor rode out with three thousand elite troops to meet them. On jimao he marched out by Xifeng Pass and fell upon the raiders at Kuan River. The Emperor shot down three men in the van with his own bow; when the wings closed in together the enemy host was shattered. At sight of the imperial yellow-dragon standard the raiders dismounted and prostrated themselves; the survivors were bound and their chiefs were executed. On jiazi the army marched home. On guiyou he re-entered the realm by Xifeng Pass.
19
冬十一月癸酉，錦衣指揮鐘法保請采珠東莞，帝曰：「是欲擾民以求利也」，下之獄。 十二月庚子，廣西總兵官山雲討擒忻城蠻。
In the eleventh month of winter, on guiyou, Brocade Guard Commander Zhong Fabao asked leave to harvest pearls at Dongguan; the Emperor said, "You mean to harass the people for gain," and cast him into prison. In the twelfth month, on gengzi, Guangxi supreme commander Shan Yun campaigned against the Xincheng tribesmen and took them captive.
20
是年，占城、暹羅、爪哇、琉球、瓦剌、哈密、安南、曲先、土魯番、亦力把裏、撒馬兒罕入貢。
That year embassies came from Champa, Siam, Java, Ryukyu, the Oirats, Hami, Annam, Quxian, Turfan, Yili Bali, and Samarkand.
21
四年春正月，兩京地震。 己未，大祀天地於南郊。 二月己丑，南京獻騶虞二，禮部請表賀，不許。 三月甲戌，遣李琦再諭黎利訪立陳氏後。
In the fourth year, at the opening of spring, the earth quaked in both capitals. On jiwei he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on jichou, Nanjing sent up two zouyu; the Ministry of Rites asked to memorialize the omen, and the Emperor refused. In the third month, on jiaxu, Li Qi was sent again to order Le Loi to find and enthrone a Chen heir.
22
夏四月辛巳，山雲討平柳、潯蠻。 戊子，工部尚書黃福、平江伯陳瑄經略漕運。 五月壬子，錄囚。 六月甲午，罷文吏犯贓贖罪例。 己亥，寇犯開平，鎮撫張信等戰死。 庚子，薛祿督餉開平。
In the fourth month of summer, on xinsi, Shan Yun brought the Liu and Xun tribes to submission. On wuzi Minister of Works Huang Fu and Chen Xuan, Marquis of Pingjiang, were ordered to oversee the Grand Canal grain route. In the fifth month, on renzi, the court reviewed prisoners. In the sixth month, on jiawu, the statute letting corrupt civil officials buy their way out of punishment was struck down. On jihai the enemy struck Kaiping, and Pacification Commissioner Zhang Xin fell with his men. On gengzi Xue Lu was put in charge of grain for the Kaiping garrison.
23
秋七月己未，幸文淵閣。 八月己卯，起復楊溥。 九月癸亥，釋顧興祖於獄。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jiwei, he visited the Wenyuan Pavilion. In the eighth month, on jimao, Yang Pu was recalled from mourning to serve again. In the ninth month, on guihai, Gu Xingzu was freed from prison.
24
冬十月庚辰，幸文淵閣。 癸未，以天寒諭法司錄囚。 丙戌，制《猗蘭操》賜廷臣，諭以薦賢為國之道。 庚寅，張瑛、陳山罷。 甲午，閱武於近郊。 乙未，獵於峪口。 戊戌，還宮。 十一月癸卯，薛祿及恭順侯吳克忠帥師巡宣府。 十二月乙亥，京師地震。 壬辰，罷中官松花江造船。
In the tenth month of winter, on gengchen, he again visited the Wenyuan Pavilion. On guiwei, with the season turning bitter, he ordered the judiciary to review the prisons. On bingxu he composed the Melody of the Orchids in the Vale and gave it to his ministers, teaching them that the state is served by raising up worthy men. On gengyin Zhang Ying and Chen Shan were removed from office. On jiawu he held a military review in the suburbs. On yiwei he hunted at Yukou. On wuxu he returned to the palace. In the eleventh month, on guimao, Xue Lu and Wu Kezhong, Marquis of Gongshun, took the field to patrol Xuanfu. In the twelfth month, on yihai, the earth shook at the capital. On renchen the palace order to build ships on the Songhua was revoked.
25
是年，爪哇、占城、琉球、榜葛刺、哈密、土魯番、亦力把裏、撒馬兒罕入貢。
That year embassies came from Java, Champa, Ryukyu, Bengal, Hami, Turfan, Yili Bali, and Samarkand.
26
五年春正月癸丑，大祀天地於南郊。 戊辰，尚書夏原吉卒。 二月壬辰，罷工部采木。 癸巳，頒寬恤之令，省災傷，寬馬政，免逋欠薪芻，招流民賜復一年，罷採買，減官田舊科十之三，恤工匠，禁司倉官包納，戒法司慎刑獄。 乙未，奉皇太后謁陵。 三月戊申，道見耕者，下馬問農事，取耒三推，顧侍臣曰：「朕三推巳不勝勞，況吾民終歲勤動乎。」 命賜所過農民鈔，己酉，還宮。 辛亥，李琦還，黎利稱陳氏無後，上表請封。 丙辰，免山西去歲被災田租。 丁巳，賜林震等進士及第、出身有差。
In the fifth year, at the opening of spring, on guichou he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On wuchen Minister Xia Yuanji died. In the second month, on renchen, the Ministry of Works was ordered to cease its timber levies. On guisi he promulgated a broad edict of mercy: disaster districts were relieved, horse corvée was eased, arrears in hay and fodder were canceled, refugees were called home with a year's tax holiday, palace purchases were stopped, the old tax on official fields was cut by three-tenths, artisans were favored, granary clerks were forbidden to act as brokers, and the courts were warned to punish with restraint. On yiwei he led the Empress Dowager to the tombs to pay homage. In the third month, on wushen, he met farmers on the road, dismounted to ask after their work, took the plough and traced three furrows, then told his attendants, "Three passes of the plough have worn me out—think what a year of labor costs our people. He ordered cash notes given to every farmer along the route; on jiyou he returned to the palace. On xinhai Li Qi came back reporting that Le Loi claimed the Chen line was extinct and asked to be enfeoffed in his stead. On bingchen land tax was forgiven for last year's disaster counties in Shanxi. On dingsi Lin Zhen and the new jinshi were graduated into the Presented Scholar and Regular Graduate ranks as their marks allowed.
27
夏四月戊寅，薛祿帥師築赤城、雕鶚、雲州、獨石、團山城堡。 五月癸卯，追奪贓吏誥敕，著為令。 丙辰，修預備倉，出官錢收糴備荒。 癸亥，擢郎中況鐘、御史何文淵九人為知府，賜敕遣之。 六月己卯，遣官捕近畿蝗，諭戶部曰：「往年捕蝗之使害民不減於蝗，宜知此弊。」 因作《捕蝗詩》示之。
In the fourth month of summer, on wuyin, Xue Lu took the field to raise the fortresses at Chicheng, Diaoge, Yunzhou, Dushi, and Tuanshan. In the fifth month, on guimao, patents of rank were clawed back from venal officials and the practice was codified. On bingchen reserve granaries were restored and state silver was spent to fill them against dearth. On guihai nine men, among them Kuang Zhong and He Wenyuan, were raised from the center to prefect and sent to their posts with sealed commissions. In the sixth month, on jimao, officers were sent to hunt locusts near the capital; he warned the Ministry of Revenue, "Years ago the locust commissioners preyed on the people worse than the insects—remember that abuse. He then wrote the Poem on Catching Locusts and had it circulated among them.
28
秋七月癸亥，甄別守令。 八月己巳朔，日食，陰雨不見，禮官請表賀，不許。 九月丙午，擢御史于謙、長史周忱六人為侍郎，巡撫兩京、山東、山西、河南、江西、浙江、湖廣。 乙卯，巡近郊。 己未，還宮。
In the seventh month of autumn, on guihai, local administrators were sorted for promotion or censure. On the jisi new moon of the eighth month an eclipse fell, yet rain and cloud hid it; the ritualists asked to memorialize the omen, and the Emperor refused. In the ninth month, on bingwu, six men—among them Yu Qian and Zhou Chen—were made vice ministers and dispatched as grand coordinators over the two capitals, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Huguang. On yimao he toured the near suburbs. On jiwei he returned to the palace.
29
冬十月乙亥，阿魯台犯遼東，遼海衛指揮同知皇甫斌力戰死。 丙子，巡近郊。 己卯，獵於坌道。 丙戌，至洗馬林，遍閱城堡兵備。 壬辰，還宮。 十二月癸巳，曲先叛番平。 閏月己未，敕內外諸司，久淹獄囚者罪之。
In the tenth month of winter, on yihai, Aruqtai struck Liaodong, and Vice Commander Huangfu Bin of Liaohai Guard fell after a desperate stand. On bingzi he again toured the near suburbs. On jimao he hunted at Bendao. On bingxu he came to Ximolin and went through every fortress and its stores of arms. On renchen he returned to the palace. In the twelfth month, on guisi, the rebel tribes of Quxian were brought to peace. In the intercalary month, on jiwei, he ordered every office at court and in the provinces to answer with punishment for any who kept prisoners languishing in jail.
30
是年，占城、琉球、爪哇、瓦剌、哈密、罕東、土魯番、撒馬兒罕、亦力把裏入貢。
That year embassies came from Champa, Ryukyu, Java, the Oirats, Hami, Handong, Turfan, Samarkand, and Yili Bali.
31
六年春正月丁丑，大祀天地於南郊。 庚辰，大雨雷電。 二月丁酉，侍郎羅汝敬督陝西屯田。 己亥，浚金龍口，引河達徐州以便漕。 三月乙亥，命吏部考察外官自布政、按察二司始，著為令。
In the sixth year, at the opening of spring, on dingchou he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On gengchen a storm broke with thunder and lightning. In the second month, on dingyou, Vice Minister Luo Rujing was put in charge of military colonies in Shaanxi. On jihai the Golden Dragon Mouth was opened and the river channeled to Xuzhou to ease the grain route. In the third month, on yihai, the Ministry of Personnel was ordered to begin performance reviews of provincial officials with the administration and surveillance commissioners, and the practice was codified.
32
夏四月己酉，侍郎柴車經理山西屯田。 六月己亥，遣使詔黎利權署安南國事。
In the fourth month of summer, on jiyou, Vice Minister Chai Che was sent to oversee military colonies in Shanxi. In the sixth month, on jihai, envoys were sent to invest Le Loi with provisional rule over Annam.
33
秋七月己巳，錄囚。 壬午，許朵顏三衛市易。 冬十月甲辰，陳懷平松潘蠻。 十一月丙子，始命官軍兌運民糧。 乙酉，分遣御史往逮貪暴中官袁琦等。 十二月乙未，袁琦等十一人棄市，榜其罪示天下。 丁未，金幼孜卒。 庚戌，遣御史巡視寧夏甘州屯田水利。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jisi, the court reviewed prisoners. On renwu the Three Guards of Doyin were allowed to trade at the border markets. In the tenth month of winter, on jiachen, Chen Huai pacified the Songpan tribes. In the eleventh month, on bingzi, the court first ordered troops and transport officials to move the people's grain under the redemption transport system. On yiyou censors were sent out in separate parties to seize the predatory eunuch Yuan Qi and his confederates. In the twelfth month, on yiwei, Yuan Qi and eleven others were beheaded in the marketplace, and a placard of their crimes was sent through the realm. On dingwei Jin Youzi died. On gengxu censors were dispatched to review the military colonies and irrigation works of Ningxia and Ganzhou.
34
是年，占城、琉球、瓦剌、哈密、蘇門答剌、亦力把裏入貢。
That year embassies came from Champa, Ryukyu, the Oirats, Hami, Samudera, and Yili Bali.
35
七年春正月辛酉朔，日有食之，免朝賀。 癸酉，大祀天地於南郊。 二月甲午，以春和諭法司錄囚。 三月庚申，下詔行寬恤之政。 辛酉，諭禮部曰：「朕以官田賦重，十減其三。 乃聞異時蠲租詔下，戶部皆不行，甚者戒約有司，不得以詔書為辭。 是廢格詔令，使澤不下究也。 自今令在必行，毋有所遏。」
In the seventh year, on the xinyou new moon of spring, an eclipse darkened the sun and the New Year audience was canceled. On guiyou he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on jiawu, with the season turning mild, he ordered the judiciary to review the prisons. In the third month, on gengshen, he issued an edict enacting another round of merciful government. On xinyou he told the Ministry of Rites, "I cut the tax on official fields by three-tenths because the burden had grown unbearable. Yet I hear that whenever rent was forgiven in former reigns the Ministry of Revenue never obeyed, and some even warned local officers not to plead the edict. That is to nullify the throne's word and keep the benefit from reaching the people. From this day forward every command is to be executed without delay—let no one stand in its way."
36
夏四月辛丑，免山西逋賦。 壬寅，募商中鹽輸粟入邊。 六月癸卯，錄囚。 癸丑，罷中官入番市馬。 是月，作《官箴》成，凡三十五篇，示百官。
In the fourth month of summer, on xinchou, arrears of tax in Shanxi were forgiven. On renyin merchants were invited to carry grain to the border garrisons in return for salt certificates. In the sixth month, on guimao, the court reviewed prisoners in custody. On guichou eunuchs were forbidden to enter frontier markets to purchase horses. That month the Admonitions for Officials was finished, thirty-five sections in all, and displayed to the hundred offices.
37
秋八月乙未，敕京官三品以上舉才行文學之士，吏部、都察院黜方面有司不職者。 九月庚午，諸將巡邊。 是秋，免兩畿及嘉興。 湖州水災稅糧。
In the eighth month of autumn, on yiwei, the throne ordered capital officials of third rank and above to recommend men of talent, character, and letters; the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate cashiered incompetent provincial magistrates. In the ninth month, on gengwu, the generals made a frontier inspection tour. That autumn tax grain was remitted in the Two Capitals districts and Jiaxing. Tax grain for Huzhou's flood disaster was remitted as well.
38
冬十一月辛酉，召督漕平江伯陳瑄、侍郎趙新等歲終至京議糧賦利弊。
In winter, the eleventh month, on xinyou, Grand Coordinator of Grain Transport Chen Xuan, Earl of Pingjiang, Vice Minister Zhao Xin, and others were summoned to reach the capital by year's end and debate the merits of grain levies.
39
是年，占城、琉球、哈密、哈烈、瓦剌、亦力把裏入貢。
That year Champa, Ryukyu, Hami, Herat, Oirat, and Ili Balik sent tribute missions.
40
八年春正月丁卯，大祀天地於南郊。 二月壬子，錄囚，宥免五千餘人。 三月丙辰，賜曹鼐等進士及第、出身有差。 庚辰，諭內外優恤軍士，違者風憲官察奏罪之。 是春，以兩京、河南、山東、山西久旱，遣使振恤。
In spring of the eighth year, the first month, on dingmao, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on renzi, prisoners were reviewed and more than five thousand pardoned and released. In the third month, on bingchen, Cao Nai and other jinshi received metropolitan graduate and lower degrees in graded ranks. On gengchen the court ordered officials at court and in the provinces to treat soldiers with generous care; violators would be impeached and punished by surveillance censors. That spring, with drought lingering in the Two Capitals, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi, envoys were sent with relief grain.
41
夏四月戊戌，詔蠲京省被災逋和、雜課，免今年夏稅，賜復一年。 理冤獄。 減殊死以下，赦軍匠在逃者罪。 有司各舉賢良方正一人。 巡按御史、按察使糾貪酷吏及使臣生事者。 五月丁巳，總兵官都督蕭授討平貴州烏羅蠻。 丁卯，山雲討平宜山蠻。 六月乙酉，禱雨不應，作《閔旱詩》示群臣。 辛丑，詔中外疏決罪囚。 是夏，復振兩京、河南、山東、山西、湖廣饑，免稅糧。
In summer, the fourth month, on wuxu, an edict remitted disaster arrears and miscellaneous levies in the metropolitan provinces, exempted the summer tax for the year, and granted one year of corvée exemption. Wrongful convictions were reviewed. Sentences short of death were reduced, and deserters among military artisans were pardoned. Each office recommended one man of worthy and upright character. Touring censors and provincial surveillance commissioners impeached greedy and cruel officials and envoys who stirred up trouble. In the fifth month, on dingsi, Regional Commander Xiao Shou pacified the Wuluo tribes of Guizhou. On dingmao Shan Yun pacified the Yishan tribes. In the sixth month, on yiyou, rain prayers brought no answer; he composed Poems Mourning the Drought and showed them to his ministers. On xinchou an edict ordered prompt judgment of prisoners at court and in the provinces. That summer relief was again sent to the Two Capitals, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, and Huguang, and tax grain was remitted.
42
秋七月壬申，免江西水災稅糧。 八月癸巳，汰京師冗官。 閏月辛亥，西域貢麒麟。 戊午，景星見。 禮官請表賀，皆不許。 九月乙酉，遣官錄天下重囚。 己亥，阿魯台部昝卜寇涼州，總兵官劉廣擊斬之。
In the seventh month of autumn, on renshen, Jiangxi's flood-disaster tax grain was remitted. In the eighth month, on guisi, redundant officials in the capital were culled. In the intercalary month, on xinhai, the Western Regions presented a qilin. On wuwu the auspicious star appeared. The ritual officials asked to present congratulatory memorials; the Emperor refused them all. In the ninth month, on yiyou, officials were sent to review serious prisoners throughout the realm. On jihai Zanbu of Aruqtai's tribe raided Liangzhou; Regional Commander Liu Guang struck and beheaded him.
43
冬十二月乙亥，諭法司宥京官過犯。
In winter, the twelfth month, on yihai, the judicial offices were instructed to pardon minor offenses of capital officials.
44
是年，暹羅、占城、琉球、安南、滿剌加、天方、蘇門答剌、古裏、柯枝、阿丹、錫蘭山、佐法兒、甘巴里、加異勒、忽魯謨斯、哈密、瓦剌、撒馬兒罕、亦力把裏入貢。
That year Siam, Champa, Ryukyu, Annam, Malacca, Mecca, Samudra, Calicut, Cochin, Aden, Ceylon, Dhofar, Cambay, Kayal, Hormuz, Hami, Oirat, Samarkand, and Ili Balik sent tribute missions.
45
九年春正月辛卯，大祀天地於南郊。 二月庚戌，振鳳陽、淮安、揚州、徐州饑。 乙卯，申兩京、山東、山西、河南寬恤之令。 三月戊寅，山雲討症思恩叛蠻。
In spring of the ninth year, the first month, on xinmao, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on gengxu, grain relief was sent to Fengyang, Huai'an, Yangzhou, and Xuzhou. On yimao the order of generous relief for the Two Capitals, Shandong, Shanxi, and Henan was reaffirmed. In the third month, on wuyin, Shan Yun campaigned against the rebellious tribes of Ping Sien.
46
夏四月己未，黎利死，子麟來告喪，命麟權署安南國事。 戊辰，錄囚。 五月壬午，瘞暴骸。
In summer, the fourth month, on jiwei, Le Loi died; his son Lin came to announce the mourning, and Lin was ordered to act in charge of Annam's affairs. On wuchen prisoners were reviewed. In the fifth month, on renwu, exposed corpses were buried.
47
秋七月甲申，遣給事中、御史、錦衣衛官督捕兩畿、山東、山西、河南蝗。 八月庚戌，振湖廣饑。 甲子，敕兩京、湖廣、江西、河南巡撫、巡按御史、三司官行視災傷，蠲秋糧十之四。 乙丑，罷工部採辦。 己巳，瓦剌脫歡攻殺阿魯台，來告捷。 九月癸未，自將巡邊。 乙酉，度居庸關。 丙戌，獵於坌道。 乙未，阿魯臺子阿卜只俺來貴。 丁酉，至洗馬林，閱城堡兵備。 己亥，大獵。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jiashen, supervising secretaries, censors, and Brocade Guard officers were sent to supervise locust eradication in the Two Capitals districts, Shandong, Shanxi, and Henan. In the eighth month, on gengxu, grain relief was sent to Huguang. On jiazi the throne ordered grand coordinators, touring censors, and the three commissions of the Two Capitals, Huguang, Jiangxi, and Henan to inspect disaster damage and remit four-tenths of the autumn grain tax. On yichou procurement by the Ministry of Works was halted. On jisi Toghon of Oirat attacked and killed Aruqtai and came to report victory. In the ninth month, on guimao, the Emperor led a frontier tour in person. On yiyou he passed Juyong Pass. On bingxu he hunted at Bendao. On yiwei Abuji'an, son of Aruqtai, came to pay tribute. On dingyou he reached Ximolin and inspected fortress troops and defenses. On jihai a great hunt was held.
48
冬十月丙午，還宮。 丙辰，都督方政討平松潘叛蠻。 甲子，罷陝西市馬。 丁卯，兩畿、浙江、湖廣、江西饑，以應運南京及臨清倉粟振濟。 十一月戊戌，停刑。 庚子，免四川被災稅糧。 十二月甲子，帝不豫，衛王瞻埏攝享太廟。
In winter, the tenth month, on bingwu, he returned to the palace. On bingchen Regional Commander Fang Zheng pacified the rebellious tribes of Songpan. On jiazi the Shaanxi frontier horse market was abolished. On dingmao famine struck the Two Capitals districts, Zhejiang, Huguang, and Jiangxi; grain from the Yingyun granaries of Nanjing and the Linqing warehouses was used for relief. In the eleventh month, on wuxu, executions were suspended. On gengzi Sichuan's disaster tax grain was remitted. In the twelfth month, on jiazi, the Emperor fell ill; the Prince of Wei, Zhu Zhanshan, acted as regent to offer sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
49
是年，暹羅、占城、琉球、蘇門答剌、哈密、瓦剌入貢。
That year Siam, Champa, Ryukyu, Samudra, Hami, and Oirat sent tribute missions.
50
十年春正月癸酉朔，不視朝，命群臣謁皇太子于文華殿。 甲戌，大漸。 罷買、營造諸使。 乙亥，崩于乾清宮，年三十有八。 遺詔國家重務白皇太后。 丁酉，上尊諡，廟號宣宗，葬景陵。
In spring of the tenth year, the first month, on guiyou, the new year's first day, he did not hold court; the ministers were ordered to pay homage to the Crown Prince in the Wenhua Hall. On jiaxu his illness turned critical. Procurement and construction envoys were dismissed. On yihai he died in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, aged thirty-eight. His final testament charged the Empress Dowager with affairs of state weight. On dingyou posthumous titles were raised; his temple name was Xuanzong, and he was buried at Jing Mausoleum.
51
贊曰：仁宗為太子，失愛于成誼。 其危而復安，太孫蓋有力焉。 即位以後，吏稱其職，政得其平，綱紀修明，倉庾充羨，閭閻樂業。 歲不能災。 蓋明興至是歷年六十，民氣漸舒，蒸然有治平之象矣。 若乃強籓猝起，旋即削平，掃蕩邊塵，狡寇震懾，帝之英姿睿略，庶幾克繩祖武者歟。
The eulogy says, "As crown prince, Renzong lost favor with Chengzu." He stood in peril yet was restored to safety—the great-grandson heir had much to do with it. After he took the throne, officials fulfilled their duties, government found its balance, discipline was clear, granaries overflowed, and the lanes knew contentment. No year could bring disaster. From the founding of the Ming to this point sixty years had passed; the people's spirits eased, and signs of good order rose like steam. When powerful fiefs suddenly rose, they were swiftly cut down; border dust was swept away and crafty foes were awed—the Emperor's heroic bearing and keen strategy perhaps matched the martial prowess of his ancestors.