1
恭仁康定景皇帝，諱祁鈺，宣宗次子也。 母賢妃吳氏。 英宗即位，封郕王。
Emperor Jing—honored after death as Gongren Kangding Jing—was named Zhu Qiyu and was the second son of Emperor Xuanzong. His mother was Worthy Consort Wu. When Yingzong ascended the throne, Zhu Qiyu was enfeoffed as Prince of Cheng.
2
正統十四年秋八月，英宗北狩，皇太后命王監國。 丙寅，移通州糧入京師。 徵兩畿、山東、河南備倭運糧諸軍入，召寧陽侯陳懋帥師還。 戊辰，兵部侍郎于謙為本部尚書。 令臣直言時事，舉人材。 己巳，皇太后詔立皇子見深為皇太子。 卹陣亡將士。 庚午，籍王振家。 辛未，右都御史陳鎰撫安畿內軍民。 壬申，都督石亨總京營兵。 乙亥，諭邊將，瓦剌奉駕至，不得輕出。 輸南京軍器於京師。 修撰商輅、彭時入閣預機務。 是月，廣東賊黃蕭養作亂。 九月癸未，王即皇帝位，遙尊皇帝為太上皇帝，以明年為景泰元年，大赦天下，免景泰二年田租十之三。 甲申，夷王振族。 庚寅，處州賊平。 癸巳，指揮僉事季鐸奉皇太后命，達於上皇。 甲午，祭宣府、土木陣亡將士瘞遺骸。 乙未，總兵官安鄉伯張安討廣州賊，敗死。 指揮僉事王清被執，死之。 辛丑，給事中孫祥、郎中羅通為右副都御史，守紫荊、居庸關。 甲辰，遣御史十五人募兵畿內、山東、山西、河南。 都督同知陳友帥師討湖廣、貴州叛苗。 乙巳，遣使奉書上皇。 丙午，苗圍平越，調雲南、四川兵會王驥討之。 參議楊信民為右僉都御史，討廣東賊。
In the eighth month of Zhengtong fourteen the Yingzong Emperor was borne north; the Empress Dowager charged the Prince of Cheng with regency. On bingyin grain stores at Tongzhou were shifted into Beijing. Armies from the metropolitan districts, Shandong, and Henan engaged in anti-pirate grain transport were called in; Chen Mao, Baron of Ningyang, was ordered to march home. On wuchen Yu Qian, vice minister of war, was promoted minister of war. The court commanded officials to speak plainly on affairs of the day and to put forward able men. On jisi the Empress Dowager had Zhu Jianshen, the regent's son, named crown prince. The court granted relief to the families of troops killed in action. On gengwu Wang Zhen's estate was inventoried and confiscated. On xinwei Chen Yi, right censor-in-chief, was dispatched to reassure army and populace in the capital region. On renshen Shi Heng was made commander-in-chief of the capital camps. On yihai border commanders were warned not to venture out rashly should the Oirats march the captive emperor before them. Arms and equipment from Nanjing were shipped to Beijing. Shang Lu and Peng Shi, compilers of the Hanlin Academy, joined the Grand Secretariat to deliberate state secrets. In that month Huang Xiaoyang raised rebellion in Guangdong. In the ninth month, on guimao, the Prince of Cheng took the throne as Emperor Jingtai, saluted the captive Yingzong as Retired Emperor from afar, declared the next year the first of Jingtai, proclaimed an amnesty, and cut field tax for Jingtai two by one-third. On jiashen the house of Wang Zhen was annihilated to the last male. On gengyin the Chuzhou rebels were suppressed. On guisi Ji Duo, a commandant, delivered the Empress Dowager's words to the Retired Emperor. On jiawu the court sacrificed to the dead of Xuanfu and Tumu and interred such bones as could be gathered. On yiwei Zhang An, Baron of Anxiang and overall commander, marched against Guangzhou rebels, was beaten, and died. Commandant Wang Qing was taken and killed. On xinchou Sun Xiang, supervising secretary, and Luo Tong, director, were made right vice censors-in-chief to hold Zijing and Juyong passes. On jiachen fifteen investigating censors were sent to levy men in the capital region, Shandong, Shanxi, and Henan. Chen You, vice regional commander, took the field against Miao rebels in Huguang and Guizhou. On yisi messengers were dispatched with written greetings to the Retired Emperor. On bingwu Miao forces besieged Pingyue; Yunnan and Sichuan troops were called up to campaign under Wang Ji. Yang Xinmin, a participating secretary, was made right vice censor-in-chief and sent against the Guangdong rebels.
3
冬十月戊申，也先擁上皇至大同。 壬子，詔諸王勤王。 乙卯，于謙提督諸營，石亨及諸將分守九門。 丙辰，也先陷紫荊關，孫祥死之，京師戒嚴。 丁巳，詔宣府、遼東總兵官，山東、河南、山西、陝西巡撫及募兵御史將兵入援。 戊午，也先薄都城，都督高禮、毛福壽敗之於彰義門。 己未，右通政王復、太常少卿趙榮使也先營，[一]朝上皇於土城。 庚申，徵兵於朝鮮，調河州諸土軍入援。 于謙、石亨等連敗也先於城下。 壬戌，寇退。 甲子，出紫荊關。 丁卯，詔止諸王兵。 瓦剌可汗脫脫不花使來。 辛未，昌平伯楊洪充總兵官，都督孫鏜、范廣副之，剿畿內餘寇。 十一月癸未，修沿邊關隘。 辛卯，毛福壽為副總兵，討辰州叛苗。 壬辰，上皇至瓦剌。 乙未，侍郎耿九疇撫安南畿流民，賜復三年。 十二月庚戌，尊皇太后為上聖皇太后。 辛亥，王驥為平蠻將軍，充總兵官，討貴州叛苗。 都督同知董興為左副總兵，討廣東賊，戶部侍郎孟鑑參贊軍務。 癸丑，尊母賢妃為皇太后。 甲寅，立妃汪氏為皇后。 丙辰，大赦。 己未，石亨、楊洪、柳溥分練京營兵。 戊辰，祭陣亡官軍於西直門外。
In the tenth month of winter, on wushen, Esen marched the Retired Emperor to Datong. On renzi princes throughout the realm were ordered to muster in aid of the court. On yimao Yu Qian assumed supreme direction of the capital armies while Shi Heng and the other commanders garrisoned the Nine Gates. On bingchen Esen broke through Zijing Pass; Sun Xiang fell; Beijing went on full alert. On dingsi regional commanders of Xuanfu and Liaodong, grand coordinators on four circuits, and censors recruiting levies were all commanded to hurry reinforcements to the capital. On wuwu Esen closed on the city; Gao Li and Mao Shoufu beat him back at Zhangyi Gate. On jiwei Wang Fu, right vice commissioner of the transmission office, and Zhao Rong, vice minister of rites, entered Esen's camp and were received by the Retired Emperor at Tucheng. On gengshen levies were ordered in Korea and native forces of Hezhou were called to the capital's aid. Below the walls Yu Qian, Shi Heng, and their colleagues drove Esen back again and again. On renxu the enemy lifted the siege and withdrew. On jiazi the Oirat host passed out by Zijing Pass. On dingmao the court ordered the princes' relief columns to stand down. Toghon Taishi, khan of the Oirats, dispatched an embassy. On xinwei Yang Hong, Baron of Changping, became overall commander with Sun Tang and Fan Guang as lieutenants to clear stragglers from the capital region. In the eleventh month, on guimao, border fortifications along the frontier were rebuilt. On xinmao Mao Shoufu was appointed deputy overall commander against the Chenzhou Miao. On renchen the Retired Emperor was brought into Oirat territory. On yiwei Geng Jiuzhou, vice minister, settled refugees south of the capital and gave them three years without tax. In the twelfth month, on gengxu, the empress dowager was elevated supreme empress dowager. On xinhai Wang Ji received the title General Who Pacifies the Barbarians and overall command of the Guizhou Miao campaign. Dong Xing, vice regional commander, became left deputy overall commander against Guangdong rebels; Meng Jian, vice minister of revenue, joined the staff. On guichou the emperor's mother, Worthy Consort Wu, was made empress dowager. On jiayin Consort Wang was installed as empress. On bingchen a general pardon was proclaimed. On jiwei Shi Heng, Yang Hong, and Liu Pu were assigned to drill the capital camps by rotation. On wuchen the court sacrificed to the war dead west of Xizhi Gate.
4
是年，琉球中山、占城、烏斯藏、撒馬兒罕入貢。
That year embassies came from Chuzan of Ryukyu, Champa, U-Tsang, and Samarkand.
5
景泰元年
Year one of Jingtai
6
景泰元年春正月丁丑朔，罷朝賀。 辛巳，城昌平。 壬午，享太廟。 丙戌，大祀天地於南郊。 閏月甲寅，瓦剌寇寧夏。 癸亥，詔會試取士毋拘額。 庚午，大同總兵官郭登敗瓦剌於沙窩，又追敗之於栲栳山，封登定襄伯。 是月，免大名、真定、開封、輝被災稅糧。 二月戊寅，耕耤田。 癸未，懸賞格招陷敵軍民。 丙戌，石亨為鎮朔大將軍，帥師巡大同。 都指揮同知楊能充遊擊將軍，巡宣府。 壬辰，太監喜寧伏誅。 三月己酉，瓦剌寇朔州。 辛亥，錄土木死事諸臣後。 癸丑，瓦剌寇寧夏、慶陽．乙卯，寇朔州。 癸亥，免畿內逋賦及夏稅。
In the first month of spring in Jingtai one, at the new moon on dingchou, the New Year audience was canceled. On xinsi fortifications at Changping were raised. On renwu the emperor offered at the Ancestral Temple. On bingxu he performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the intercalary month, on jiayin, Oirat bands struck Ningxia. On guihai the court ordered that palace graduates need not be held to a fixed quota. On gengwu Guo Deng, commander at Datong, routed the Oirats at Shawo and again at Kaolaoshan; he was made Baron of Dingxiang. That month grain tax was forgiven in flood-hit Daming, Zhending, Kaifeng, and Weihui. In the second month, on wuyin, he performed the spring plowing rite. On guimao posted rewards promised safe return to subjects and troops held in enemy hands. On bingxu Shi Heng was titled Grand General Who Pacifies the North and marched to patrol the Datong front. Yang Neng, vice commandant, became mobile corps general with patrol duty at Xuanfu. On renchen the eunuch Xi Ning was put to death. In the third month, on jiyou, Oirat forces raided Shuozhou. On xinhai the court enrolled and ennobled the kin of ministers who perished at Tumu. On guichou the Oirats struck Ningxia and Qingyang; on yimao they struck Shuozhou again. On gengshen overdue taxes and the summer assessment were forgiven in the capital region.
7
夏四月丙子，廣東都指揮李昇、何貴帥兵捕海賊，戰死。 辛巳，瓦剌寇大同，官軍擊之。 丁亥，保定伯梁代王驥討貴州叛苗。 戊子，大理寺丞李茂錄囚南京，考黜百司，訪軍民利病。 丙申，瓦剌寇雁門。 己亥，都督同知劉安充總兵官，練兵於保定、真定及涿、易、通三州，僉都御史曹泰參贊軍務。 庚子，振山東饑。 辛丑，振畿內被寇州縣。 癸卯，瓦剌寇大同，郭登擊之。 五月乙巳，免山西被災稅糧。 瓦剌掠河曲、代州，遂南犯，詔劉安督涿、易諸軍禦之。 戊申，瓦剌寇雁門，益黃花鎮戍兵陵寢，癸丑，董興擊破廣東賊，黃蕭養伏誅。 壬戌，振大同被寇軍民。 丙寅，侍郎侯璡、副總兵田禮大破貴州苗。 辛未，瓦剌遣使請和。 六月壬午，瓦剌寇大同，郭登擊之。 丙戌，也先復擁上皇至大同。 丁亥，左都御史陳鎰、王文以鞫太監金英家人不實下獄，尋釋之。 戊子，瓦剌寇宣府，都督朱謙、參將紀廣禦之。 戊戌，免山東被災州縣稅糧。 己亥，給事中李實、大理寺丞羅綺使瓦剌。
In the fourth month of summer, on bingzi, Li Sheng and He Gui, Guangdong regional commanders, took the sea rebels and were killed. On xinsi Oirat columns hit Datong; the garrison drove them off. On dinghai Liang Li, Baron of Baoding, relieved Wang Ji in the Guizhou Miao campaign. On wuzi Li Mao, an assistant director of the Court of Judicial Review, reviewed cases in Nanjing, graded the bureaucracy, and investigated grievances of army and people. On bingshen the Oirats raided Yanmen. On jihai Liu An, vice regional commander, became overall commander to train forces at Baoding, Zhending, and Zhuo, Yi, and Tong; Cao Tai, vice censor-in-chief, joined his staff. On gengzi grain was issued to relieve famine in Shandong. On xinchou the court aided counties in the capital region plundered by the enemy. On guimao the Oirats again struck Datong; Guo Deng beat them back. In the fifth month, on yisi, field tax was forgiven in stricken parts of Shanxi. Oirat bands looted Hequ and Daizhou and turned south; Liu An was ordered to lead the Zhuo–Yi corps against them. On wushen the Oirats hit Yanmen and the Huanghua garrison was strengthened to protect the tombs; on guichou Dong Xing crushed the Guangdong rebels and Huang Xiaoyang was beheaded. On renxu the court aided Datong's army and people after the raids. On bingyin Hou Lin, vice minister, and Tian Li, deputy commander, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Guizhou Miao. On xinwei the Oirats dispatched envoys to seek peace. In the sixth month, on renwu, the Oirats raided Datong and Guo Deng drove them off. On bingxu Esen once more escorted the Retired Emperor to Datong. On dinghai Chen Yi, left censor-in-chief, and Wang Wen were jailed for an unfounded inquest into eunuch Jin Ying's family, then freed. On wuzi the Oirats struck Xuanfu; Zhu Qian, regional commander, and Ji Guang, participating general, turned them back. On wuxu field tax was forgiven in afflicted Shandong counties. On jihai Li Shi, supervising secretary, and Luo Qi, assistant director, were dispatched to the Oirat court.
8
秋七月庚戌，尚書侯璡、參將方瑛破貴州苗，擒其酋獻京師。 庚申，右都御史楊善、工部侍郎趙榮使瓦剌。 停山西民運糧大同。 癸亥，李實、羅綺還。 己巳，楊善至瓦剌，也先許上皇歸。 八月癸酉，上皇發瓦剌。 戊寅，祀社稷。 甲申，遣侍讀商輅迎上皇於居庸關。 丙戌，上皇還京師，帝迎於東安門，入居南宮，帝帥百官朝謁。 庚寅，赦天下。 辛卯，刑部右侍郎江淵兼翰林學士，直文淵閣，預機務。 九月癸丑，巡撫河南副都御史王來總督湖廣、貴州軍務，討叛苗。
In the seventh month of autumn, on gengxu, Hou Lin and Fang Ying broke the Guizhou Miao, seized their leader, and sent him to Beijing. On gengshen Yang Shan, right censor-in-chief, and Zhao Rong, vice minister of works, went on embassy to the Oirats. The court stopped drafting Shanxi civilians to haul grain to Datong. On guihai Li Shi and Luo Qi came back from their mission. On jisi Yang Shan reached the Oirat camp; Esen agreed to send the Retired Emperor home. In the eighth month, on guiyou, the Retired Emperor left the Oirat lands. On wuyin the court offered sacrifice at the altars of soil and grain. On jiashen Lecturing Reader Shang Lu was sent to welcome the Retired Emperor at Juyong Pass. On bingxu the Retired Emperor came back to the capital; the Emperor met him at the Eastern Peace Gate and installed him in the Southern Palace, then led the whole bureaucracy in audience. On gengyin a general amnesty was proclaimed. On xinmao Vice Minister of Justice Jiang Yuan was also appointed Hanlin academician, entered the Grand Secretariat, and joined in state deliberations. In the ninth month, on guichou, Wang Lai, grand coordinator of Henan, was put in overall command of Huguang and Guizhou to suppress rebel Miao.
9
冬十月辛卯，錄囚。 癸巳，免畿內逋賦。 十一月辛亥，禮部尚書胡請令百官賀上皇萬壽節。 十二月丙申，復請明年正旦百官朝上皇於延安門。 皆不許。
In the tenth month of winter, on xinmao, the court held a prison review. On guisi overdue taxes in the capital region were forgiven. In the eleventh month, on xinhai, Minister of Rites Hu Ying asked that all officials observe the Retired Emperor's longevity festival. In the twelfth month, on bingshen, he again asked that at next New Year's the officials attend the Retired Emperor at the Yan'an Gate. Both requests were refused.
10
是年，朝鮮貢馬者三。
That year Korea presented tribute horses three times.
11
景泰二年
The second year of the Jingtai reign.
12
二年春正月庚戌，大祀天地於南郊。 壬子，詔天下朝覲官當黜者運糧口外。 二月辛未，釋奠於先師孔子。 辛卯，以星變修省，詔廷臣條議寬卹諸政。 癸巳，詔畿內及山東巡撫官舉廉能吏專司勸農，授民荒田，貸牛種。 三月壬寅，賜柯潛等進士及第、出身有差。
In the second year, in the first month of spring, on gengxu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On renzi the throne ordered officials marked for dismissal at the audience circuit to haul grain beyond the frontier passes. In the second month, on xinwei, the court made the seasonal offering to Confucius. On xinmao, after a celestial omen, the Emperor entered a period of rectification and ordered the court to draft measures of leniency and relief across the administration. On guisi the throne told grand coordinators in the capital region and Shandong to nominate able officials for farm promotion, to assign wasteland to the people, and to lend oxen and seed. In the third month, on renyin, Ke Qian and other jinshi received metropolitan graduate and lower degrees in graded ranks.
13
夏四月乙酉，梁、王來等破平越苗，獻俘京師。 甲午，瓦剌寇宣府馬營，敕遊擊將軍石彪等巡邊。 乙未，命石亨選京營兵操練，尚書石璞總督軍務。 五月乙巳，城固原。 六月戊辰朔，日當食不見。 己卯，詔貴州各修舉屯田。
In the fourth month of summer, on yiyou, Liang Yu, Wang Lai, and others broke the Pingyue Miao and sent captives to the capital. On jiawu Oirat forces raided the Horse Camp at Xuanfu; the Emperor ordered Mobile-Column General Shi Biao and others to patrol the border. On yiwei Shi Heng was told to choose capital troops for training, and Minister Shi Pu was made supreme commander. In the fifth month, on yisi, work went forward on the walls of Guyuan. At the new moon of the sixth month, wuchen, an eclipse was predicted but never appeared. On jimao the throne ordered every Guizhou guard to revive its garrison farms.
14
秋七月戊申，普定、永寧、畢節諸苗復叛，梁等留軍討之。 八月壬申，南京地震。 辛巳，復午朝。 九月乙卯，禁諸司起復。
In the seventh month of autumn, on wushen, the Miao of Puding, Yongning, Bijie, and neighboring districts rose again; Liang Yu and others kept forces in the field to crush them. In the eighth month, on renshen, Nanjing suffered an earthquake. On xinsi the midday audience at court was restored. In the ninth month, on yimao, every department was forbidden to recall men still in mourning.
15
冬十月己丑，免山西被災稅糧。 十二月庚寅，禮部左侍郎王一寧、祭酒蕭鎡兼翰林學士，直文淵閣，預機務。 是月，也先弒其主脫脫不花。
In the tenth month of winter, on jichou, grain tax was waived in the stricken districts of Shanxi. In the twelfth month, on gengyin, Vice Minister of Rites Wang Yining and Libationer Xiao Zi were also appointed Hanlin academicians, entered the Grand Secretariat, and joined in state deliberations. That month Esen murdered his khan Toghon Buhua.
16
是年，安南、琉球中山、瓦剌、哈密入貢。
That year embassies came from Annam, Ryukyu Chuzan, the Oirats, and Hami.
17
景泰三年
The third year of the Jingtai reign.
18
三年春正月丙午，大祀天地於南郊。 二月乙酉，副都御史劉廣衡錄南京囚。 戊子，戶部尚書金濂以違詔下獄，尋釋之。 三月戊午，毛福壽討湖廣巴馬苗，克之。
In the third year, in the first month of spring, on bingwu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on yiyou, Vice Censor-in-Chief Liu Guangheng held a prison review at Nanjing. On wuzi Revenue Minister Jin Lian was jailed for defying an edict, then soon freed. In the third month, on wuwu, Mao Shou campaigned against the Bama Miao in Huguang and defeated them.
19
夏五月甲午，廢皇太子見深為沂王，立皇子見濟為皇太子。 廢皇后汪氏，立太子母杭氏為皇后。 封上皇子見清榮王，見淳許王。 大赦天下。 丙申，築沙灣堤成。 辛丑，河南流民復業者，計口給食五年。 乙巳，官顏、孟二氏子孫各一人。 六月乙亥，罷各省巡撫官入京議事。 是月，大雨，河決沙灣。
In the fifth month of summer, on jiawu, Crown Prince Jian Shen was demoted to Prince of Yi and the Emperor's son Jianji was named crown prince. Empress Wang was deposed and the crown prince's mother, Lady Hang, was made empress. The Retired Emperor's sons Jianqing and Jianchun were enfeoffed as Prince of Rong and Prince of Xu. A general amnesty was proclaimed. On bingshen the Shawan embankment was finished. On xinchou refugees in Henan who went back to farming were given grain by head for five years. On yisi one descendant each of the houses of Yan and Mencius was appointed to office. In the sixth month, on yihai, provincial grand coordinators were no longer summoned to the capital for joint deliberation. That month torrential rain broke the Yellow River at Shawan.
20
秋七月乙未，左都御史王總督兩廣軍務。 壬寅，王一寧卒。 八月乙丑，振徐、兗水災。 戊辰，都御史洪英，尚書孫原貞、薛希璉等分行天下，考察官吏。 丁丑，振兩畿水災州縣，免稅糧。 乙酉，振南畿、河南、山東流民。 九月庚寅，江淵起復。 [二]辛卯，以南京地震，兩淮大水，河決，命都御史王文巡視安輯。 乙未，振兩畿、山東、山西、福建、廣西、江西、遼東被災州縣。 閏月癸未，開處州銀場。 是月，福建盜起。
In the seventh month of autumn, on yiwei, Censor-in-Chief Wang Ao was put in overall command of the Two Guangs. On renyin Wang Yining died. In the eighth month, on yichou, grain relief was sent to the flood districts of Xu and Yan. On wuchen Censor-in-Chief Hong Ying and Ministers Sun Yuanzhen and Xue Xilian, among others, were dispatched across the provinces to examine local officials. On dingchou flood districts in both capital regions received relief and had grain tax waived. On yiyou relief was opened for displaced people in the southern capital region, Henan, and Shandong. In the ninth month, on gengyin, Jiang Yuan was recalled from mourning. On xinmao, after the Nanjing earthquake, flooding on the Two Huai, and the river breach, Censor-in-Chief Wang Wen was sent to tour the stricken districts and restore order. On yiwei relief was sent to stricken counties in both capital regions, Shandong, Shanxi, Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, and Liaodong. In the intercalary month, on guiwei, the Chuzhou silver mines were opened. That month banditry broke out in Fujian.
21
冬十月戊戌，左都御史王文兼翰林學士，直文淵閣，預機務。 丙辰，都督孫鏜、僉事石彪協守大同，都督同知潁，僉事楊能、張欽協守宣府，備也先。 十一月己未朔，日有食之。 戊辰，都督方瑛平白石崖諸苗。 甲戌，安輯畿內、山東、山西逃民，復賦役五年。 是月，免山東及淮、徐水災稅糧。 十二月癸巳，始立團營，太監阮讓、都督楊俊等分統之，聽于謙、石亨、太監劉永誠、曹吉祥節制。 是月，免河南及永平被災秋糧。
In the tenth month of winter, on wuxu, Censor-in-Chief Wang Wen was also appointed Hanlin academician, entered the Grand Secretariat, and joined in state deliberations. On bingchen Regional Commander Sun Tang and Commissioner Shi Biao held Datong together; Vice Commander Wei Ying with Commissioners Yang Neng and Zhang Qin held Xuanfu against Esen. At the new moon of the eleventh month, jiwei, there was a solar eclipse. On wuchen Regional Commander Fang Ying pacified the Miao at White Stone Cliff and neighboring strongholds. On jiaxu fugitives in the capital region, Shandong, and Shanxi were resettled, with tax and labor duties deferred for five years. That month grain tax was waived in the flood districts of Shandong and the Huai and Xu region. In the twelfth month, on guisi, regimented camps were first formed; Eunuch Ruan Rang, Regional Commander Yang Jun, and others were given separate commands, subject to Yu Qian, Shi Heng, and the eunuchs Liu Yongcheng and Cao Jixiang. That month autumn grain tax was waived in stricken Henan and Yongping.
22
是年，瓦剌、琉球中山、爪哇、暹羅、安南、哈密、烏斯藏入貢。
That year embassies came from the Oirats, Ryukyu Chuzan, Java, Siam, Annam, Hami, and Tibet.
23
景泰四年
The fourth year of the Jingtai reign.
24
四年春正月辛未，大祀天地於南郊。 二月戊子，五開、清浪諸苗復叛，梁、王來討之。 庚戌，免江西去年被災秋糧。 三月戊寅，開建寧銀場。
In the fourth year, in the first month of spring, on xinwei, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on wuzi, the Miao of Wukai, Qinglang, and neighboring districts rose again; Liang Yu and Wang Lai marched against them. On gengxu autumn grain tax was forgiven in last year's disaster districts of Jiangxi. In the third month, on wuyin, the Jianning silver mines were opened.
25
夏四月戊子，築沙灣決口。 運南京倉粟振徐州。 五月丁巳，發徐、淮倉振饑民。 己巳，王文起復。 [三]甲戌，徐州復大水，民益饑。 發支運及鹽課糧振之。 丁丑，發淮安倉振鳳陽。 乙酉，沙灣河復決。 六月壬辰，吏部尚書何文淵以給事中林聰言下獄，尋令致仕。 辛亥，瘞土木、大同、紫荊關暴骸。
In the fourth month of summer, on wuzi, the Shawan breach was closed. Grain from the Nanjing granaries was shipped to relieve Xuzhou. In the fifth month, on dingsi, the Xu and Huai granaries were opened for famine relief. On jisi Wang Wen was recalled from mourning. On jiaxu Xuzhou flooded again and hunger deepened. Grain from branch transport routes and from the salt levy was issued for relief. On dingchou the Huai'an granary was opened to relieve Fengyang. On yiyou the Shawan River broke its banks again. In the sixth month, on renchen, Personnel Minister He Wenyuan was jailed on a charge raised by Supervising Secretary Lin Cong and soon ordered to retire. On xinhai the unburied dead at Tumu, Datong, and Zijing Pass were interred.
26
秋七月庚辰，停諸不急工役。 八月己丑，振河南饑。 甲午，也先自立為可汗。
In the seventh month of autumn, on gengchen, every nonessential public work was stopped. In the eighth month, on jichou, relief was sent to famine victims in Henan. On jiawu Esen proclaimed himself khan.
27
冬十月庚寅，詔天下鎮守、巡撫官督課農桑。 甲午，諭德徐有貞為左僉都御史，[四]治沙灣決河。 戊戌，也先遣使來。 十一月辛未，皇太子見濟薨。 十二月乙未，免山東被災稅糧。 乙巳，賚邊軍。
In the tenth month of winter, on gengyin, the throne ordered every frontier garrison commander and grand coordinator to press farming and silkworm raising. On jiawu Lecturing Mentor Xu Youzhen was made left vice censor-in-chief to take charge of the Shawan breach. On wuxu Esen sent envoys to court. In the eleventh month, on xinwei, Crown Prince Jianji died. In the twelfth month, on yiwei, grain tax was waived in the disaster districts of Shandong. On yisi the frontier armies were given bounty gifts.
28
是年，琉球中山、安南、爪哇、日本、占城、哈密、瓦剌入貢。
That year embassies came from Ryukyu Chuzan, Annam, Java, Japan, Champa, Hami, and the Oirats.
29
景泰五年
The fifth year of the Jingtai reign.
30
五年春正月戊午，黃河清，自龍門至於芮城。 甲子，大祀天地於南郊。 壬申，罷福州、建寧銀場。 甲戌，平江侯陳豫、學士江淵撫輯山東、河南被災軍民。 二月乙巳，以雨暘弗時，詔修省，求直言。 三月壬子，賜孫賢等進士及第、出身有差。 辛酉，學士江淵振淮北饑民。 王文撫卹南畿。 甲子，總督兩廣副都御史馬昂破瀧水瑤。 庚辰，緬甸執獻思機發。
In the fifth year, in the first month of spring, on wuwu, the Yellow River ran clear from Longmen to Ruicheng. On jiazi he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On renshen the Fuzhou and Jianning silver mines were shut. On jiaxu Marquis of Pingjiang Chen Yu and Academician Jiang Yuan were sent to restore order among troops and civilians stricken in Shandong and Henan. In the second month, on yisi, with the seasons out of balance, the Emperor ordered rectification and called for blunt memorials. In the third month, on renzi, Sun Xian and other jinshi received metropolitan graduate and lower degrees in graded ranks. On xinyou Academician Jiang Yuan sent relief to famine victims north of the Huai. Wang Wen comforted and consoled the Southern Capital district. On jiazi Ma Ang, vice censor-in-chief over the Two Guangs, defeated the Longshui Yao. On gengchen Burma seized Si Jifa.
31
夏四月壬午朔，日有食之。 辛卯，方瑛破草塘苗，封瑛南和伯。 五月甲子，禮部郎中章綸、御史鍾同以請復沂王為皇太子下錦衣獄。 六月戊子，錄囚。
In summer, the fourth month, on the new-moon day renwu, the sun was eclipsed. On xinmao Fang Ying routed the Caotang Miao and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanhe. In the fifth month, on jiazi, Zhang Lun of the Ministry of Rites and Censor Zhong Tong, for begging that the Prince of Qi be restored as crown prince, were cast into the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison. In the sixth month, on wuzi, prisoners were reviewed.
32
秋七月癸酉，振南畿水災。 八月丁酉，復命天下巡撫官赴京師議事。 九月壬戌，免蘇、松、常、揚、杭、嘉、湖漕糧二百餘萬石。
In the seventh month of autumn, on guiyou, grain relief was sent to flood-stricken districts of the Southern Capital. In the eighth month, on dingyou, touring commissioners throughout the realm were again ordered to the capital for deliberation. In the ninth month, on renxu, more than two million shi of transport grain were remitted for Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou, Yangzhou, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou.
33
冬十月庚辰，副都御史劉廣衡巡撫浙江、福建，專司討賊。 十一月戊午，罷蘇、松、常、鎮織造採辦。 十二月，免南畿、浙江被災稅糧。
In the tenth month of winter, on gengchen, Vice Censor-in-chief Liu Guangheng was assigned to tour Zhejiang and Fujian, charged solely with suppressing bandits. In the eleventh month, on wuwu, imperial weaving procurement for Suzhou, Songjiang, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang was abolished. In the twelfth month, disaster tax grain was remitted in the Southern Capital district and Zhejiang.
34
是年，安南、琉球中山、爪哇入貢。 也先為知院阿剌所殺。
That year Annam, Ryukyu's Zhongshan domain, and Java sent tribute missions. Esen was killed by Alai the yiyuan.
35
景泰六年
Jingtai 6
36
六年春正月戊午，大祀天地於南郊。 二月壬午，太監王誠同法司、刑科錄囚。 大理少卿李茂等錄南京、浙江囚。
In spring of the sixth year, the first month, on wuwu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on renwu, the eunuch Wang Cheng joined the judiciary and the Penal Affairs section in reviewing prisoners. Li Mao, assistant director of the Court of Judicial Review, and others reviewed prisoners in Nanjing and Zhejiang.
37
夏四月丙子朔，日有食之。 辛巳，敕戶、兵二部及兩畿、山東、河南、浙江、湖廣撫、按、三司官條寬卹事，罷不急諸務。 五月己巳，禱雨於南郊。 六月乙亥，宋儒朱熹裔孫梃為翰林院世襲五經博士。 癸未，河決開封。
In summer, the fourth month, on the new-moon day bingzi, the sun was eclipsed. On xinsi an edict charged the Ministries of Revenue and War and the touring and surveillance officials and provincial administrations of the Two Capitals districts, Shandong, Henan, Zhejiang, and Huguang to lay out lenient relief measures and abolish non-urgent tasks. In the fifth month, on jisi, rain was prayed for at the Southern Suburb. In the sixth month, on yihai, Ting, descendant of the Song Confucian Zhu Xi, was appointed hereditary Five Classics doctor of the Hanlin Academy. On guiwei the Yellow River burst its banks at Kaifeng.
38
秋七月乙亥，沙灣決口隄成。 庚寅，以南京災異屢見，敕臣修省。 八月庚申，南京大理少卿廖莊以請復沂王為皇太子，杖於闕下，杖章綸、鍾同於獄，同卒。 九月乙亥，振蘇、松饑民米麥一百餘萬石。
In the seventh month of autumn, on yihai, the Sha Bay breach dike was completed. On gengyin, because omens and disasters repeatedly appeared at Nanjing, the throne ordered officials to undertake self-reform. In the eighth month, on gengshen, Liao Zhuang, Nanjing assistant director of the Court of Judicial Review, for begging that the Prince of Qi be restored as crown prince, was beaten at the palace gate; Zhang Lun and Zhong Tong were beaten again in prison, and Zhong Tong died. In the ninth month, on yihai, more than a million shi of rice and wheat were sent to relieve famine in Suzhou and Songjiang.
39
冬十月戊午，免陝西被災稅糧。 十一月乙亥，南和伯方瑛為平蠻將軍充總兵官，討湖廣苗。 十二月己巳，免南畿被災秋糧。
In the tenth month of winter, on wuwu, Shaanxi's disaster tax grain was remitted. In the eleventh month, on yihai, Fang Ying, Marquis of Nanhe, was made General Who Pacifies the Miao and overall commander to campaign against the Huguang Miao. In the twelfth month, on jisi, autumn grain tax was remitted in disaster-stricken districts of the Southern Capital.
40
是年，琉球中山、暹羅、哈密、滿剌加入貢。
That year Ryukyu's Zhongshan domain, Siam, Hami, and Malacca sent tribute missions.
41
景泰七年
Jingtai 7
42
七年春正月己卯，尚書石璞撫安湖廣軍民。 壬午，大祀天地於南郊。 二月庚申，皇后崩。 甲子，營壽陵。 三月戊寅，免雲南被災稅糧。
In spring of the seventh year, the first month, on jimao, Minister Shi Pu pacified the armies and people of Huguang. On renwu he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on gengshen, the Empress died. On jiazi work began on the Longevity Mausoleum. In the third month, on wuyin, Yunnan's disaster tax grain was remitted.
43
夏五月戊寅，以水旱災異，敕內外諸臣修省。 辛卯，宋儒周敦頤裔孫冕為翰林院世襲五經博士。 六月庚申，葬肅孝皇后。
In the fifth month of summer, on wuyin, because of flood, drought, and omens, the throne ordered officials within and without the court to undertake self-reform. On xinmao Mian, descendant of the Song Confucian Zhou Dunyi, was appointed hereditary Five Classics doctor of the Hanlin Academy. In the sixth month, on gengshen, Empress Su-Xiao was buried.
44
冬十月癸卯，振江西饑。 十二月己亥，方瑛大破湖廣苗。 戊午，振畿內、山東、河南水災。 癸亥，帝不豫，罷明年元旦朝賀。 是冬，免畿內、山東被災稅糧，並蠲逋賦。
In the tenth month of winter, on guimao, grain relief was sent to famine in Jiangxi. In the twelfth month, on jihai, Fang Ying inflicted a great defeat on the Huguang Miao. On wuwu grain relief was sent to flood disaster in the capital districts and in Shandong and Henan. On guihai the Emperor fell ill, and next year's New Year court audience was abolished. That winter disaster tax grain was remitted in the capital districts and Shandong, and overdue levies were forgiven as well.
45
是年，琉球中山、撒馬兒罕、烏斯藏入貢。
That year Ryukyu's Zhongshan domain, Samarkand, and Tibet sent tribute missions.
46
景泰八年
Jingtai 8
47
八年春正月戊辰，免江西被災稅糧。 丁丑，帝輿疾宿南郊齋宮。 己卯，臣請建太子，不聽。 壬午，武清侯石亨、副都御史徐有貞等迎上皇復位。 二月乙未，廢帝為郕王，遷西內，皇太后吳氏以下悉仍舊號。 癸丑，王薨於西宮，年三十。 諡曰戾。 毀所營壽陵，以親王禮葬西山，給武成中軍二百戶守護。
In spring of the eighth year, the first month, on wuchen, Jiangxi's disaster tax grain was remitted. On dingchou the Emperor, stricken with illness, lodged overnight in the Southern Suburb fasting lodge. On jimao officials begged that a crown prince be established; the Emperor would not consent. On renwu Military Marquis Shi Heng, Vice Censor-in-chief Xu Youzhen, and others welcomed the Retired Emperor back to the throne. In the second month, on yiwei, the Emperor was deposed as Prince of Cheng and moved to the Western Palace; Grand Empress Dowager Wu and those below all resumed their former titles. On guichou the Prince died in the Western Palace, aged thirty. He was given the posthumous title Li. The Longevity Mausoleum then under construction was torn down; he was buried on the Western Hills by princely rite, and two hundred households of the Wu-cheng Central Army were assigned to guard the tomb.
48
成化十一年十二月戊子，制曰：「朕叔郕王踐阼，戡難保邦，奠安宗社，殆將八載。 彌留之際，奸臣貪功，妄興讒構，請削帝號。 先帝旋知其枉，每用悔恨，以次抵諸奸於法，不幸上賓，未及舉正。 朕敦念親親，用成先志，可仍皇帝之號，其議諡以聞。」 遂上尊諡。 敕有司繕陵寢，祭饗視諸陵。
In the twelfth month of Chenghua 11, on wuzi, an edict said, "Our uncle the Prince of Cheng took the throne, quelled crisis and preserved the state, and settled altar and land—nearly eight years. In his final illness crafty ministers, greedy for merit, falsely raised slander and asked that his imperial title be struck. The late emperor soon knew their wrong; he often repented and in turn brought the traitors to justice; alas he ascended on high before the wrong could be fully righted. We, cherishing kinship, fulfill his intent: his imperial title may stand; deliberate his posthumous title and report." Thereupon supreme posthumous honors were raised. An edict charged the relevant offices to repair the mausoleum; sacrifices were to follow the rites of the imperial tombs.
49
贊曰：景帝當倥傯之時，奉命居攝，旋正大位以繫人心，事之權而得其正者也。 篤任賢能，勵精政治，強寇深入而宗社乂安，再造之績良云偉矣。 而乃汲汲易儲，南內深錮，朝謁不許，恩誼恝然。 終於輿疾齋宮，小人乘間竊發，事起倉猝，不克以令名終。 惜夫！
The appraisal says: When the Jingtai Emperor faced desperate crisis, he accepted commission as regent and soon took the throne formally to steady men's hearts—an expedient rightly taken. He trusted worthies earnestly and applied himself to government; though fierce enemies drove deep within the realm, altar and land knew peace again—the merit of restoration was indeed great. Yet he pressed urgently to change the heir, held the Southern Palace under stern lock, forbade court audience, and kindness between kin grew cold. At last, sick in the suburban fasting lodge, petty men seized the interval to strike; the affair rose in haste and he could not end with a fair name. A pity!
50
校勘記
Collation notes
51
[一]右通政王復太常少卿趙榮使也先營趙榮，原作「王榮」。 明史稿紀九景帝紀、英宗實錄卷一八四同。 按本書卷一七○于謙傳、又卷一七七王復傳，國榷卷二八頁一八○四都作「趙榮」。 本書卷一七一楊善傳附有趙榮傳，事跡與紀合。 明史稿、英宗實錄顯蒙上文「王復」的「王」字而誤，今改正。
[1] "Right Vice Minister of Communications Wang Fu and Vice Minister of Rites Zhao Rong were sent to Esen's camp": Zhao Rong, the original text read "Wang Rong." The Draft History of the Ming, Annals 9, Account of the Jingtai Emperor, and the Yingzong Shilu, juan 184, agree. Per this book, juan 170, Biography of Yu Qian, and juan 177, Biography of Wang Fu, and Guoque, juan 28, p. 1804, all read "Zhao Rong." This book, juan 171, Biography of Yang Shan, appends a biography of Zhao Rong; his deeds agree with the annals. The Draft History and the Yingzong Shilu plainly took the "Wang" of "Wang Fu" above in error; emended accordingly.
52
[二]九月庚寅江淵起復按本書卷一○九宰輔年表、英宗實錄卷二二○都作「九月奔喪」，宰輔年表作四年「四月還任」，是起復在下一年四月，紀文疑有誤。
[2] "On gengyin Jiang Yuan returned to office": per this book, juan 109, Chronological Table of Chief Ministers, and the Yingzong Shilu, juan 220, both read "in the ninth month, mourning leave," and the Chronological Table records "returned to office in the fourth month" of the fourth year; return to office was thus in the fourth month of the following year; the annals text is suspect.
53
[三]己巳王文起復按本書卷一○九宰輔年表記王文事，作「五月丁憂，九月起復」。 英宗實錄卷二二九繫王文丁母憂奔喪於五月己巳，繫王文起復於九月甲寅。 此記起復於五月己巳，合二事為一，顯有脫訛。
[3] "On jisi Wang Wen returned to office": per this book, juan 109, Chronological Table of Chief Ministers, recording Wang Wen's affairs, reads "fifth month, mourning; ninth month, returned to office." The Yingzong Shilu, juan 229, places Wang Wen's mourning for his mother and departure on jisi of the fifth month, and his return to office on jiayin of the ninth month. Here return to office is recorded on jisi of the fifth month, combining two events into one; there is plainly lacuna and corruption.
54
[四]諭德徐有貞為左僉都御史左僉都御史，本書卷一七一徐有貞傳、國榷卷三一頁一九六六同。 明史稿紀九景帝紀及英宗實錄卷二三四均作「右僉都御史」。 按本書及官銜，「左」「右」往往相混，以後此類不再出校記。
[4] "Lecturer Xu Youzhen was made Left Vice Censor-in-chief": Left Vice Censor-in-chief—this book, juan 171, Biography of Xu Youzhen, and Guoque, juan 31, p. 1966, agree. The Draft History of the Ming, Annals 9, Account of the Jingtai Emperor, and the Yingzong Shilu, juan 234, both read "Right Vice Censor-in-chief." Per this book and official titles, "Left" and "Right" are often confused; hereafter such cases will no longer receive collation notes.