1
成化十二年
The twelfth year of the Chenghua reign.
2
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
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
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
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
12
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
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
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
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
22
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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 Governor-Minister 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
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
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 guiwei an edict ruled that in extreme heat or bitter cold ministers might submit no more than five items at court.
57
58
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，敕羣臣修舉職業。 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
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
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
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 the Duoyan Three Guards, fleeing Nahai, entered Liaodong; the court ordered them to pasture near the frontier and supplied them with grain and cloth. [2] In the sixth month autumn grain tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi and the Southern Metropolitan Region.
69
In the seventh month of autumn, on wushen, the imperial sons Zhu Youyuan, Zhu Youlun, Zhu Youbin, Zhu Youhui, and Zhu Youyun 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
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.