1
成化十二年
The twelfth year of the Chenghua reign.
2
十二年春正月辛亥，南京地震有聲。 戊午，大祀天地於南郊。 二月乙亥朔，日有食之。 甲午，敕臣修省。 三月壬子，減內府供用物。 壬戌，李震大破靖州苗。
In the twelfth year, in the first month of spring, on xinhai, Nanjing was shaken by a rumbling earthquake. On wuwu he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on the new moon yihai, there was a solar eclipse. On jiawu the emperor ordered his ministers to undertake court-wide self-examination. In the third month, on renzi, the court cut inner-palace provisions. On renxu Li Zhen routed the Jingzhou Miao.
3
夏五月丁卯，副都御史原傑撫治荊、襄流民。 庚申，錄囚。
In the fifth month of summer, on dingmao, Vice Censor-in-Chief Yuan Jie was dispatched to settle the Jing-Xiang refugees. On gengshen the court reviewed prisoners.
4
秋七月庚戌，黑眚見。 乙丑，躬禱天地於禁中，以用度不節、工役勞民、忠言不聞、仁政不施四事自責。 戊辰，遣使錄天下囚。
In the seventh month of autumn, on gengxu, a black celestial aberration was seen. On yichou the emperor prayed to Heaven and Earth within the palace, taking blame for four faults—wasteful spending, corvée that wearied the people, loyal counsel ignored, and humane rule not carried out. On wuchen envoys were sent to review prisoners empire-wide.
5
冬十月辛巳，京師地震。 十一月，巡撫四川都御史張瓚討灣溪苗，破之。 十二月己丑，置鄖陽府，設行都司所，處流民。
In the tenth month of winter, on xinsi, an earthquake struck the capital. In the eleventh month Zhang Zan, Sichuan regional inspector, attacked the Wanxi Miao and broke them. In the twelfth month, on jichou, the court founded Yunyang Prefecture, posted a regional command and guards, and resettled refugees there.
6
是年，土魯番、撒馬兒罕、琉球、烏斯藏入貢。
That year Turfan, Samarkand, Ryukyu, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.
7
成化十三年
The thirteenth year of the Chenghua reign.
8
十三年春正月庚戌，大祀天地於南郊。 己巳，置西廠，太監汪直提督官校刺事。
In the thirteenth year, in the first month of spring, on gengxu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On jisi the Western Depot was set up, with the eunuch Wang Zhi directing palace agents to ferret out intelligence.
9
夏四月，汪直執郎中武清、樂章，太醫院院判蔣宗武，行人張廷綱，浙江布政使劉福下西廠獄。 五月甲戌，執左通政方賢下西廠獄。 丙子，大學士商輅、尚書項忠請罷西廠，從之。 六月甲辰，罷項忠為民。 庚戌，復設西廠。 丁巳，商輅致仕。
In the fourth month of summer Wang Zhi seized Bureau Director Wu Qing, Music Master Yue Zhang, Court of Imperial Medicine Vice Director Jiang Zongwu, courier Zhang Tinggang, and Zhejiang administrative commissioner Liu Fu and jailed them in the Western Depot. In the fifth month, on jiaxu, Left Assistant Commissioner Fang Xian was seized and imprisoned in the Western Depot. On bingzi Grand Secretary Shang Lu and Minister Xiang Zhong petitioned to abolish the Western Depot, and the throne agreed. In the sixth month, on jiachen, Xiang Zhong was stripped of office and reduced to commoner status. On gengxu the Western Depot was restored. On dingsi Shang Lu retired.
10
秋八月壬戌，錦衣衞官校執工部尚書張文質繫獄，帝知而釋之。
In the eighth month of autumn, on renxu, Brocade Guard agents seized Minister of Works Zhang Wenzhi and threw him into prison; when the emperor learned of it he ordered him freed.
11
冬十月戊申，復立哈密衞於苦峪谷，給土田牛種。 十一月，張瓚破松潘疊溪苗。
In the tenth month of winter, on wushen, the Hami Guard was re-founded at Kuyu Valley and granted fields, cattle, and seed grain. In the eleventh month Zhang Zan routed the Songpan Diexi Miao.
12
是年，免浙江、山東、河南、江西、福建被災稅糧。 振山東、南畿州縣饑。 安南、琉球、烏斯藏、暹羅、日本入貢。 滿都魯、癿加思蘭各遣使貢馬。
That year land tax and grain tribute were forgiven in disaster-hit Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan, Jiangxi, and Fujian. Relief was sent to famine in Shandong and the Southern Metropolitan Region. Embassies came from Annam, Ryukyu, U-Tsang, Siam, and Japan. Mandulu and Qara Hasan each sent envoys bearing horses as tribute.
13
成化十四年
The fourteenth year of the Chenghua reign.
14
十四年春正月甲戌，大祀天地於南郊。 三月戊辰，免浙江被災秋糧。 己卯，賜曾彥等進士及第、出身有差。 辛巳，罷烏撒銀場。 丙戌，復開遼東馬市。 丁亥，以浙江饑罷採花木。
In the fourteenth year, in the first month of spring, on jiaxu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the third month, on wuchen, autumn grain tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Zhejiang. On jimao Zeng Yan and others received jinshi degrees with distinctions of rank and origin. On xinsi the Wusa silver mine was shut down. On bingxu the Liaodong horse market was reopened. On dinghai, with Zhejiang in famine, the court stopped collecting ornamental plants.
15
夏四月丁酉，免南畿、山東被災秋糧。 六月癸卯，太監汪直行遼東邊。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingyou, autumn grain tax was remitted in disaster districts of the Southern Metropolitan Region and Shandong. In the sixth month, on guimao, the eunuch Wang Zhi toured the Liaodong border.
16
秋七月丁丑，遣使振畿南、山東饑。 八月癸巳，以直隸、山東災傷，詔六部條卹民事宜。 南京刑部侍郎金紳巡視江西水災。 庚戌，免湖廣被災秋糧。 甲寅，下巡撫蘇、松副都御史牟俸於錦衣獄，謫戍。 十二月甲午，免畿內被災秋糧。
In the seventh month of autumn, on dingchou, envoys were sent to relieve famine in the capital hinterland and Shandong. In the eighth month, on guisi, with Zhili and Shandong stricken, the throne ordered the Six Ministries to draft relief measures for the people. Jin Shen, Nanjing vice minister of justice, toured Jiangxi to assess flood damage. On gengxu autumn grain tax was remitted in disaster-stricken Huguang. On jiayin Mou Feng, Suzhou-Songjiang regional inspector, was thrown into Brocade Guard prison and exiled to border garrison duty. In the twelfth month, on jiawu, autumn grain tax was forgiven in disaster-hit districts around the capital.
17
是年，占城、烏斯藏、撒馬兒罕入貢。
That year Champa, U-Tsang, and Samarkand sent tribute missions.
18
成化十五年
The fifteenth year of the Chenghua reign.
19
十五年春正月丁卯，大祀天地於南郊。 辛巳，振山東饑，免秋糧。 二月，免湖廣被災秋糧。 甲寅，詔修開國勳臣墓，無後者置守塚一人。
In the fifteenth year, in the first month of spring, on dingmao, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On xinsi relief was sent to Shandong famine and autumn grain tax was forgiven. In the second month autumn grain tax was remitted in disaster-stricken Huguang. On jiayin the court ordered the tombs of founding meritocrats restored and, where lineages had died out, a single tomb keeper appointed.
20
夏四月丙午，免南畿被災稅糧。 壬子，下駙馬都尉馬誠於錦衣獄。 五月壬戌，汪直劾侍郎馬文升，下文升獄，謫戍。 癸酉，以馬文升、牟俸事，杖給事中李俊、御史王濬五十六人於闕下。 己卯，免湖廣、河南被災稅糧。
In the fourth month of summer, on bingwu, land tax and grain tribute were forgiven in disaster districts of the Southern Metropolitan Region. On renzi the emperor's son-in-law Ma Cheng was seized and imprisoned by the Brocade Guard. In the fifth month, on renxu, Wang Zhi denounced Vice Minister Ma Wensheng, who was jailed and exiled to the border. On guiyou, over the Ma Wensheng and Mou Feng cases, fifty-six officials including supervising secretary Li Jun and censor Wang Jun were flogged at the palace gate. On jimao land tax and grain tribute were remitted in disaster-stricken Huguang and Henan.
21
秋七月癸酉，汪直行大同、宣府邊。
In the seventh month of autumn, on guiyou, Wang Zhi toured the Datong and Xuanfu borders.
22
冬十月丁亥，撫寧侯朱永為靖虜將軍，充總兵官，汪直監軍，禦伏當加。 十二月辛未，論功封朱永保國公，加汪直歲祿，陞賞者二千六百餘人。 是月，免四川、江西被災稅糧。
In the tenth month of winter, on dinghai, Zhu Yong, Marquis of Funing, was made Pacifying the Barbarians General and supreme commander, with Wang Zhi as army supervisor, to repel Boladaci. In the twelfth month, on xinwei, after a merit review Zhu Yong was enfeoffed Duke of Bao, Wang Zhi's yearly stipend was raised, and more than twenty-six hundred men were promoted or rewarded. That month land tax and grain tribute were forgiven in disaster-hit Sichuan and Jiangxi.
23
是年，琉球、安南、烏斯藏入貢。
That year Ryukyu, Annam, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.
24
成化十六年
The sixteenth year of the Chenghua reign.
25
十六年春正月甲午，大祀天地於南郊。 丁酉，保國公朱永為平虜將軍，充總兵官，王越提督軍務，汪直監軍，禦亦思馬因於延綏。 二月癸酉，免湖廣被災稅糧。 戊寅，王越襲亦思馬因於威寧海子，破之。 三月戊子，以歲歉減光祿寺供用物。
In the sixteenth year, in the first month of spring, on jiawu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On dingyou Zhu Yong, Duke of Bao, was made Pacifying the Barbarians General and supreme commander, with Wang Yue directing operations and Wang Zhi supervising the army, to meet Isibayan on the Yan-Sui frontier. In the second month, on guiyou, land tax and grain tribute were remitted in disaster-stricken Huguang. On wuyin Wang Yue struck Isibayan at Weining Lake and routed him. In the third month, on wuzi, a poor harvest prompted cuts to Court of Imperial Entertainments provisions.
26
夏六月癸丑，禁勢家侵占民田。
In the sixth month of summer, on guichou, the throne forbade great houses from seizing commoners' farmland.
27
秋八月辛酉，申存卹孤老之令。
In the eighth month of autumn, on xinyou, the court reaffirmed its edict to shelter orphans and support the aged.
28
冬十二月庚申，亦思馬因犯大同。 丙寅，朱永、汪直、王越帥京軍禦之。 是月，總督兩廣軍務都御史朱英、總兵官平鄉伯陳政討廣西瑤，破之。
In the twelfth month of winter, on gengshen, Isibayan raided Datong. On bingyin Zhu Yong, Wang Zhi, and Wang Yue marched the metropolitan army to meet him. That month Zhu Ying, Two Guangs supreme commander, and Chen Zheng, Baron of Pingxiang and supreme commander, suppressed the Guangxi Yao and broke them.
29
是年，免兩畿、湖廣、河南、山東、雲南被災稅糧。 琉球、暹羅、蘇門答剌、土魯番、撒馬兒罕入貢。
That year land tax and grain tribute were forgiven in disaster districts of both metropolitan regions, Huguang, Henan, Shandong, and Yunnan. Embassies came from Ryukyu, Siam, Samudra, Turfan, and Samarkand.
30
成化十七年
The seventeenth year of the Chenghua reign.
31
十七年春正月丙戌，大祀天地於南郊。 二月壬戌，覈天下庫藏出納之數。 是月，免浙江、山西被災稅糧。 三月辛卯，賜王華等進士及第、出身有差。
In the seventeenth year, in the first month of spring, on bingxu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. In the second month, on renxu, the court audited treasury receipts and outlays empire-wide. That month land tax and grain tribute were remitted in disaster-stricken Zhejiang and Shanxi. In the third month, on xinmao, Wang Hua and others received jinshi degrees with distinctions of rank and origin.
32
夏四月庚申，以久旱風霾敕羣臣修省。 戊辰，諭法司慎刑獄。 太監懷恩同法司錄囚，自是每五歲遣內臣審錄以為常。 癸酉，亦思馬因犯宣府。 五月己亥，汪直監督軍務，王越為平胡將軍，充總兵官，禦之。
In the fourth month of summer, on gengshen, prolonged drought and dusty gales prompted an order for ministers to undertake self-examination. On wuchen the throne admonished the judiciary to handle cases with care. The eunuch Huai En joined the judiciary in reviewing prisoners; thereafter palace eunuchs were dispatched every five years for judicial review as standing practice. On guiyou Isibayan raided Xuanfu. In the fifth month, on jihai, Wang Zhi took charge of operations and Wang Yue was made Pacifying the Hu General and supreme commander to repel him.
33
秋七月甲戌，免南畿被災秋糧。 甲午，命所在鎮守總兵、巡撫聽汪直、王越節制。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jiaxu, autumn grain tax was remitted in disaster districts of the Southern Metropolitan Region. On jiawu all frontier supreme commanders and regional inspectors were ordered to take direction from Wang Zhi and Wang Yue.
34
冬十月壬戌，振河南饑。 十一月戊子，取太倉銀三分之一入內庫。
In the tenth month of winter, on renxu, relief was sent to Henan famine. In the eleventh month, on wuzi, one-third of Taicang treasury silver was transferred to the inner palace vault.
35
是年，安南、占城、滿剌加、烏斯藏入貢。 安南黎灝侵老撾宣慰司，賜敕諭之。
That year Annam, Champa, Malacca, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions. Annam's Li Hao invaded the Laos Pacification Commission and was sent an imperial reprimand.
36
成化十八年
The eighteenth year of the Chenghua reign.
37
十八年春正月壬午，大祀天地於南郊。 庚寅，劉吉起復。 [一]三月已巳朔，振南畿饑。 壬申，罷西廠。
In the eighteenth year, in the first month of spring, on renwu, he offered the great suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth. On gengyin Liu Ji was recalled from retirement. [1] On the third-month new moon, jisi, the court sent relief to famine in the Southern Metropolitan Region. On renshen the Western Depot was abolished.
38
夏四月癸丑，罕慎復哈密城。 甲子，免山西被災夏稅。 五月，免山東、南畿被災稅糧。 六月壬寅，亦思馬因犯延綏，汪直、王越調兵禦敗之。
In the fourth month of summer, on guichou, Han Shen retook Hami city. On jiazi summer tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shanxi. In the fifth month land tax and grain tribute were remitted in disaster-hit Shandong and the Southern Metropolitan Region. In the sixth month, on renyin, Yisimayin struck Yan-sui; Wang Zhi and Wang Yue raised troops to meet him and drove him off.
39
秋八月癸丑，遣使振畿內、山東饑。 辛酉，免河南被災稅糧。 閏月壬申，倉副使應時用請罷饒州燒造御器內臣，下獄，贖還職。
In the eighth month of autumn, on guichou, envoys were sent to relieve famine in the capital region and Shandong. On xinyou tax grain was forgiven in disaster-hit Henan. In the intercalary month, on renshen, Assistant Granary Commissioner Ying Shiyong asked that the eunuchs supervising imperial porcelain at Raozhou be removed; he was jailed, then bought his way out and returned to office.
40
冬十一月，免畿內、陝西、遼東被災秋糧。 十二月庚午，御製文華大訓成。
In the eleventh month of winter, autumn grain tax was remitted in the capital region, Shaanxi, and Liaodong where disaster had struck. In the twelfth month, on gengwu, the Emperor's Wenhua Grand Instructions were completed.
41
是年，琉球、哈密、暹羅、土魯番、烏斯藏入貢。
That year Ryukyu, Hami, Siam, Turfan, and Tibet sent tribute missions.
42
成化十九年
Chenghua nineteen
43
十九年春正月丙午，大祀天地於南郊。 三月丙辰，免湖廣被災稅糧。
In the first month of spring, on bingwu, the Emperor offered the great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the Southern Suburb. In the third month, on bingchen, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Huguang.
44
夏四月丁丑，免河南被災稅糧。 六月乙亥，汪直有罪，調南京御馬監。 丁丑，陳政破廣西瑤。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingchou, tax grain was remitted in disaster-hit Henan. In the sixth month, on yihai, Wang Zhi was judged guilty and reassigned to the Nanjing Imperial Horse Directorate. On dingchou Chen Zheng routed the Yao in Guangxi.
45
秋七月辛丑，迤北小王子犯大同。 癸卯，總兵官許寧禦之，敗績。 己未，朱永為鎮朔大將軍，充總兵官，帥京軍禦之。 八月甲子，犯宣府，巡撫都御史秦紘、總兵官周玉禦却之。 乙丑，戶部侍郎李衍、刑部侍郎何喬新巡視邊關。 壬申，謫汪直為奉御，其黨王越、戴縉等貶黜有差。 是月，朱永敗寇於大同、宣府。
In the seventh month of autumn, on xinchou, the northern Little Prince struck Datong. On guimao Supreme Commander Xu Ning met him in battle and was beaten. On jiwei Zhu Yong was appointed Pacifying-the-North Grand General and supreme commander and led the capital army against the invaders. In the eighth month, on jiazi, raiders struck Xuanfu; Grand Coordinator Qin Hong and Supreme Commander Zhou Yu drove them back. On yichou Vice Ministers Li Yan of Revenue and He Qiaoxin of Justice inspected the frontier defenses. On renshen Wang Zhi was reduced to palace attendant, and his allies Wang Yue, Dai Jin, and others were punished and demoted according to their crimes. That month Zhu Yong defeated the raiders at Datong and Xuanfu.
46
冬十月壬申，召朱永還。
In the tenth month of winter, on renshen, Zhu Yong was recalled to court.
47
是年，撒馬兒罕貢獅子。
That year Samarkand sent a lion as tribute.
48
成化二十年
Chenghua twenty
49
二十年春正月庚寅，京師地震。 壬辰，敕臣修省。 詔減貢獻，飭備邊，罷營造，理冤獄，寬銀課、工役、馬價，卹大同陣亡士卒。 丁酉，大祀天地於南郊。 三月庚寅，賜李旻等進士及第、出身有差。 己酉，太監張善監督軍務，定西侯蔣琬充總兵官，同總督尚書余子俊備大同、宣府。
In the first month of spring, on gengyin, an earthquake struck the capital. On renchen the throne ordered all officials to examine their conduct. An edict cut tribute demands, strengthened frontier readiness, stopped wasteful construction, cleared wrongful cases, eased silver levies, corvée labor, and horse prices, and compensated the families of men killed at Datong. On dingyou the Emperor offered the great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the Southern Suburb. In the third month, on gengyin, Li Min and other metropolitan graduates received jinshi honors and appointments according to rank. On jiyou the eunuch Zhang Shan took charge of military affairs; Marquis of Dingxi Jiang Wan became supreme commander and, with Grand Secretary Yu Zijun as overall director, readied the defenses of Datong and Xuanfu.
50
夏四月戊午，錄囚。 五月甲午，再錄囚，減死罪以下。 六月，免南畿、陝西被災稅糧。
In the fourth month of summer, on wuwu, prisoners were reviewed. In the fifth month, on jiawu, prisoners were reviewed again and punishments below death were lightened. In the sixth month tax grain was forgiven in the Southern Metropolitan Region and Shaanxi where disaster had struck.
51
秋九月乙酉朔，日有食之。 是月，寇復入居河套。 是秋，陝西、山西大旱饑，人相食。 停歲辦物料，免稅糧，發帑轉粟，開納米事例振之。
In the ninth month of autumn, on the new moon yiyou, there was a solar eclipse. That month the raiders again occupied the Ordos bend. That autumn drought and famine ravaged Shaanxi and Shanxi until men ate one another. The court halted annual requisitions, remitted tax grain, released treasury stores, and opened the grain-for-office contribution system to relieve the suffering.
52
冬十月丁巳，杖刑部員外郎林俊、都督府經歷張黻，並謫官。 癸酉，罷雲南元江諸府銀坑。 十二月，免山西、河南被災夏稅。
In the tenth month of winter, on dingsi, Justice Vice Director Lin Jun and Chief Military Commission officer Zhang Fu were flogged and demoted. On guiyou the silver mines of Yuanjiang and other Yunnan prefectures were shut down. In the twelfth month summer tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shanxi and Henan.
53
是年，安南、日本、琉球、哈密、土魯番入貢。
That year Annam, Japan, Ryukyu, Hami, and Turfan sent tribute missions.
54
成化二十一年
Chenghua twenty-one
55
二十一年春正月甲申朔，星變。 丙戌，詔臣極言時政。 庚寅，赦天下。 乙未，大祀天地於南郊。 乙巳，遣侍郎李賢、何喬新、賈俊振陝西、山西、河南饑。 二月己未，放免傳奉文武官五百六十餘人。 丁丑，免陝西被災稅糧。
In the first month of spring, on the new moon jiashen, the heavens showed irregular stars. On bingxu an edict called on all officials to speak plainly about affairs of state. On gengyin a general amnesty was proclaimed. On yiwei the Emperor offered the great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the Southern Suburb. On yisi Vice Ministers Li Xian, He Qiaoxin, and Jia Jun were sent to relieve famine in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan. In the second month, on jiwei, more than five hundred and sixty specially appointed civil and military officials were dismissed. On dingchou tax grain was forgiven in disaster-hit Shaanxi.
56
夏四月戊午，以泰山屢震遣使祭告。 壬戌，轉漕四十萬石，振陝西饑。 是月，免南畿、山東被災稅糧。 五月壬戌，京師地震。 丙子，振京師饑民。 六月辛巳，令武臣納粟襲職。 癸未，詔盛暑祁寒廷臣所奏毋得過五事。
In the fourth month of summer, on wuwu, because Mount Tai had shaken repeatedly, envoys were sent to report and offer sacrifice. On renxu four hundred thousand piculs of transport grain were diverted to relieve famine in Shaanxi. That month tax grain was remitted in the Southern Metropolitan Region and Shandong where disaster had struck. In the fifth month, on renxu, an earthquake struck the capital. On bingzi relief was distributed to famine victims in the capital. In the sixth month, on xinsi, military officials were allowed to buy office by presenting grain. On guimao an edict ruled that in extreme heat or bitter cold ministers might submit no more than five items at court.
57
秋八月己卯朔，日有食之。 九月甲子，劉珝致仕。
In the eighth month of autumn, on the new moon jimao, there was a solar eclipse. In the ninth month, on jiazi, Liu Xu retired.
58
冬十月，免山東、山西、河南、陝西、四川被災稅糧。 十一月丙寅，京師地震。 十二月甲申，詹事彭華為吏部左侍郎兼翰林學士，入閣預機務。 甲午，振南畿饑。 是冬，小王子犯蘭州、莊浪、鎮番、涼州。
In the tenth month of winter, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, and Sichuan. In the eleventh month, on bingyin, an earthquake struck the capital. In the twelfth month, on jiashen, Tutor Peng Hua was made left vice minister of personnel and Hanlin academician and entered the Grand Secretariat to deliberate on state affairs. On jiawu relief was sent to famine victims in the Southern Metropolitan Region. That winter the northern Little Prince raided Lanzhou, Zhuanglang, Zhenfan, and Liangzhou.
59
是年，哈密、烏斯藏入貢。
That year Hami and Tibet sent tribute missions.
60
成化二十二年
Chenghua twenty-two
61
二十二年春正月己未，大祀天地於南郊。 乙丑，免河南被災秋糧。 二月庚辰，免畿南及湖廣被災秋糧。
In the first month of spring, on jiwei, the Emperor offered the great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the Southern Suburb. On yichou autumn grain tax was forgiven in disaster-hit Henan. In the second month, on gengchen, autumn grain tax was remitted south of the capital and in Huguang where disaster had struck.
62
夏四月乙未，清畿內勳戚莊田。 六月，免南畿、陝西被災稅糧。 乙亥，敕臣修舉職業。 甲午，諭法司慎刑。
In the fourth month of summer, on yiwei, estates held by meritorious nobles and imperial kin around the capital were investigated and regularized. In the sixth month tax grain was forgiven in the Southern Metropolitan Region and Shaanxi where disaster had struck. On yihai an edict urged all officials to perform their offices with care. On jiawu the judiciary was instructed to punish with caution.
63
秋七月，小王子犯甘州，指揮姚英等戰死。 九月，免河南、廣東被災稅糧。 丁卯，兵部左侍郎尹直為戶部侍郎兼翰林學士，入閣預機務。
In the seventh month of autumn the northern Little Prince struck Ganzhou; Commander Yao Ying and others fell in battle. In the ninth month tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Henan and Guangdong. On dingmao War Vice Minister Yin Zhi was made vice minister of revenue and Hanlin academician and entered the Grand Secretariat to deliberate on state affairs.
64
冬十一月癸丑，占城為安南所侵，王子古來來奔。 十二月，免江西、廣西被災稅糧。
In the eleventh month of winter, on guichou, Annam invaded Champa and Prince Gulai fled to the Ming court for refuge. In the twelfth month tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Jiangxi and Guangxi.
65
是年，哈密、琉球入貢。
That year Hami and Ryukyu sent tribute missions.
66
成化二十三年
Chenghua twenty-three
67
二十三年春正月，免陝西、湖廣被災稅糧。 庚戌，大祀天地於南郊。 二月乙酉，副都御史邊鏞、邊政司參議田景賢巡視大同諸邊。 三月丁未，彭華致仕。 丁巳，賜費宏等進士及第、出身有差。 癸亥，免山東被災稅糧。
In the first month of spring, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi and Huguang. On gengxu the Emperor offered the great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the Southern Suburb. In the second month, on yiyou, Vice Censor-in-Chief Bian Yong and Frontier Affairs Commissioner Tian Jingxian inspected the defenses along the Datong sector and elsewhere. In the third month, on dingwei, Peng Hua retired. On dingsi Fei Hong and other metropolitan graduates received jinshi honors and appointments according to rank. On guihai tax grain was forgiven in disaster-hit Shandong.
68
夏四月乙亥，免浙江被災秋糧。 五月乙卯，旱，遣使分禱天下山川。 丙辰，敕臣修省。 是月，朵顏三避那孩入遼東，令駐牧近邊，給米布。 [二]六月，免陝西、南畿被災秋糧。
In the fourth month of summer, on yihai, autumn grain tax was remitted in disaster-stricken Zhejiang. In the fifth month, on yimao, drought prompted envoys to pray at mountains and rivers across the realm. On bingchen an edict ordered all officials to examine their conduct. That month Bianai of the Duoyan Three Guards entered Liaodong; the court let him pasture near the frontier and supplied him with grain and cloth. [2] In the sixth month autumn grain tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi and the Southern Metropolitan Region.
69
秋七月戊申，封皇子祐杬為興王，祐棆岐王，祐檳益王，祐楎衡王，祐雍王。 八月庚辰，帝不豫。 甲申，皇太子攝事於文華殿。 己丑，崩，年四十有一。 九月乙卯，上尊諡，廟號憲宗，葬茂陵。
In the seventh month of autumn, on wushen, the imperial sons Zhu Youyuan, Zhu Youlun, Zhu Youbin, Zhu Youheng, and Zhu Youjing were enfeoffed as Princes of Xing, Qi, Yi, Heng, and Yong. In the eighth month, on gengchen, the Emperor fell gravely ill. On jiashen the crown prince took charge of affairs at the Wenhua Hall. On jichou the Emperor died, aged forty-one. In the ninth month, on yimao, posthumous honors were granted, the temple name Xianzong was bestowed, and he was buried at Maoling.
70
贊曰：憲宗早正儲位，中更多故，而踐阼之後，上景帝尊號，卹于謙之冤，抑黎淳而召商輅，恢恢有人君之度矣。 時際休明，朝多耆彥，帝能篤於任人，謹於天戒，蠲賦省刑，閭里日益充足，仁、宣之治於斯復見。 顧以任用汪直，西廠橫恣，盜竊威柄，稔惡弄兵。 夫明斷如帝而為所蔽惑，久而後覺，婦寺之禍固可畏哉。
The appraisal says: Xianzong had been confirmed as heir early and weathered many trials before he took the throne; once enthroned he honored the Jingtai Emperor with a posthumous title, cleared Yu Qian's wrongful death, suppressed Li Chun and recalled Shang Lu—acts that showed the measure of a true ruler. His age was bright and settled, and the court held many seasoned worthies; the Emperor was steadfast in appointing men, heedful of Heaven's warnings, and generous in remitting levies and easing punishments, so that villages grew ever more prosperous and the governance of Renzong and Xuanzong seemed to return. Yet because he employed Wang Zhi, the Western Depot ran rampant, stole imperial authority, and—grown wicked through long license—stirred up war at will. That so discerning a ruler could still be misled, and only awaken after long delay, shows how dreadful the harm of palace women and eunuchs can be.
71
校勘記
Collation notes
72
[一]庚寅劉吉起復按本書卷一○九宰輔年表作「正月丁憂，七月起復」，憲宗實錄卷二二三正月庚寅條作「令吉奔喪，安葬畢日起復」，此記正月庚寅起復，是合「丁憂」「起復」為一事，顯有脫訛。
[1] "On gengyin Liu Ji returned to office": this book, juan 109, Chronological Table of Chief Ministers, reads "first month, mourning leave; seventh month, returned to office"; the Xianzong Shilu, juan 223, entry for gengyin of the first month reads "ordered Ji to hurry home for mourning and to return once the funeral was complete." Recording a return to office in the first month on gengyin conflates mourning leave and reinstatement into one event and is clearly corrupt.
73
[二]是月至給米布是月，即五月，明史稿紀一一憲宗紀、憲宗實錄卷二九一均繫於六月己巳。
[2] "That month" through "gave rice and cloth": that month means the fifth month; the Draft History of the Ming, Annals 11, Xianzong Annals, and the Xianzong Shilu, juan 291, both place the entry under the sixth month on jisi.