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卷十八 本紀第十八 世宗二

Volume 18 Annals 18: Shizong 2

Chapter 18 of 明史 · History of Ming
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Chapter 18
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1
Annals: Shizong II.
2
使
In spring of Jiajing twenty-two, on the bingwu new moon of the first month, there was a solar eclipse. In the third month, on gengxu, the court again sent envoys to gather timber in Huguang. That spring Anda raided across the frontier again and again. In the eighth month of autumn, Anda invaded Yan-sui and was defeated by Regional Commander Wu Ying and others. In the tenth month of winter, Duoyan invaded and killed Garrison Commander Chen Shun. In the twelfth month, on yiyou, tax grain was forgiven in the disaster-hit Southern Metropolitan Region. That year Champa, Turpan, Samarkand, Tianfang, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.
3
西
In spring of Jiajing twenty-three, on bingyin of the first month, Anda invaded Huangyakou. In the second month, on wuyin, he invaded Dashuigu. In the third month, on guichou, he invaded Longmen Garrison. On dingsi the palace examination was held; Qin Minglei and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the seventh month of autumn, Anda invaded Datong; Regional Commander Zhou Shangwen fought him at Heishan and won. In the eighth month, on jiawu, Zhai Luan was removed from office. In the ninth month, on guimao, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Zhejiang. On dingwei Xu Zan, minister of personnel, was also made grand secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and Zhang Bi, minister of rites, was also made grand secretary of the Eastern Pavilion; both entered state deliberations. On renzi the court sent disaster relief to Huguang. In the tenth month of winter, on wuchen, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Henan. On jiaxu the Little Prince entered Wanquan Right Guard. On wuyin he plundered Weizhou and pushed as far as Wanxian. Beijing was placed under martial law. On yiyou Grand Coordinator of Xuanda and Minister of War Zhai Peng and Grand Coordinator of Jizhen Zhu Fang were thrown into prison; Peng was banished to frontier service and Fang was beaten to death. In the eleventh month, on gengzi, martial law in the capital was lifted. Tao Zhongwen, a court Daoist adept, was given the rank of junior preceptor. In the twelfth month, on bingzi, the court sent disaster relief to Jiangxi. That year Annam sent tribute; Japan was turned away for presenting no formal memorial of submission.
4
西西
In spring of Jiajing twenty-four, on wushen of the second month, an edict urged displaced peasants back to their fields, supplied them with oxen and seed, and granted ten years' tax remission to those who reclaimed wasteland. In the third month, on renwu, Grand Coordinator of Xuanda Zhang Han, vice minister of war, was arrested, imprisoned, and banished to frontier service. In the fifth month of summer, on the renxu new moon, there was a solar eclipse. In the sixth month, on renchen, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was finished. That summer tax grain was forgiven in the disaster-hit metropolitan suburbs, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. In the seventh month of autumn, on renxu, the court sacrificed at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and proclaimed a general amnesty down to convict offenses. In the eighth month, on bingwu, the court ordered the burial of exposed corpses. On jiyou Zhang Bi died. On gengxu Anda invaded Songziling and killed Garrison Commander Zhang Wenhan. That month he invaded Datong; Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Feng, Commander Liu Qin, and others were killed in battle. In the ninth month, on dingchou, Xia Yan was recalled to the Grand Secretariat. In the eleventh month of winter, on xinsi, Xu Zan was removed from office. That year Annam, Ryukyu, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.
5
使 殿
In spring of Jiajing twenty-five, on wuchen of the third month, the Baicao tribes rose in rebellion in Sichuan. In the fifth month of summer, on wuchen, Anda sued for peace at the Datong frontier and frontier generals killed his envoys. In the sixth month, on jiachen, he invaded Xuanfu and Battalion Commander Wang Hong was killed in battle. In the seventh month of autumn, on guiyou, a sweet spring appeared at Chenghua Hall; court officials submitted congratulatory memorials, and sealed memorials from all offices were suspended for twenty days. After that, congratulatory and fasting-sacrifice memorials were suspended altogether. That month Anda invaded Yan'an and Qingyang. In the eighth month, on renzi, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shandong. In the ninth month Anda invaded Ningxia. In the tenth month of winter, on dinghai, he invaded Qingping Fort and Mobile Corps Commander Gao Ji was killed in battle. On guisi Fengguo General Chong Zhuo of the Dai princely establishment plotted rebellion and was put to death. On jiawu the former Marquis of Jianchang Zhang Yanling was executed. In the twelfth month, on dingwei, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Henan. That year Turpan sent a tribute mission.
6
西
In spring of Jiajing twenty-six, on gengwu of the third month, Li Chunfang and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the fourth month of summer, on yisi, Grand Coordinator of Sichuan Zhang Shiche and Vice Regional Commander He Qing put down the Baicao rebels. On jiyou Anda asked to send tribute; the court refused. In the seventh month of autumn, on bingchen, the Yellow River broke its banks at Caoxian. In the eighth month, on bingxu, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi. In the ninth month, on wuchen, Minister of Revenue Wang Gao was impeached by censorial officials for bribery, cast into prison, and banished to frontier service. In the intercalary month, on bingwu, the court sent famine relief to Chengdu. In the eleventh month of winter, on renwu, fire broke out in the Inner Palace and Yang Jue was released from prison. On yiwei the empress died. In the twelfth month, on xinyou, Regional Commander of Gansu Qiu Luan was arrested. On yihai sea bandits raided Ningbo and Taizhou. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.
7
西 西 西
In spring of Jiajing twenty-seven, in the first month, Batu raided Guangning and Assistant Regional Commander Yan Zhen was killed in battle. On guiwei, amid debate over recovering the Ordos, Grand Coordinator of the Shaanxi Three Frontiers Zeng Xian was arrested and supervising secretaries and censors were beaten in open court. Xia Yan was removed from office. In the third month, on guisi, Zeng Xian was executed and Xia Yan was arrested. On guimao Qiu Luan was released from prison. In the fifth month of summer, on bingxu, Empress Xiaolie was buried. In the seventh month of autumn, on wuyin, an earthquake struck the capital. On gengzi auspicious grain from the Western Park was presented and offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. In the eighth month, on dingsi, Anda invaded Datong; Commander Gu Xiang and others were killed in battle, and Zhou Shangwen pursued and defeated him at Ciyekou. In the ninth month, on renwu, he invaded Xuanfu and pushed deep into Yongning, Huailai, and Longqing; Garrison Commander Lu Chengen and others were killed in battle. On yiwei tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi. In the tenth month of winter, on guimao, Xia Yan was put to death. In the eleventh month, on yiwei, an edict directed grand coordinators and regional inspectors to collect raw placer gold. That year Japan sent a tribute mission.
8
椿 西 殿 退
In spring of Jiajing twenty-nine, on renwu of the third month, Tang Ruji and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. That month the Li rebels of Qiongzhou were suppressed. In the sixth month of summer, on dingsi, Anda invaded Datong; Regional Commander Zhang Da and Vice Regional Commander Lin Chun were killed in battle. That summer, tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi, Henan, and Jiangbei. In the eighth month of autumn, on bingyin, court Daoist adept Tao Zhongwen was enfeoffed as Baron of Gongcheng. On dingchou Anda launched a major invasion, assaulted Gubeikou, and routed the Jizhen garrison. On wuyin he plundered Tongzhou, camped at Baihe, and sent detachments to raid prefectures and counties around the capital; Beijing was placed under martial law. Qiu Luan, regional commander of Datong, and troops from Henan and Shandong were called in to relieve the capital. On renwu the raiders drew near the capital. Qiu Luan was appointed General Who Pacifies the Barbarians with command over all route armies; Grand Coordinator of Baoding Yang Shouqian took charge of military affairs; and Left Lecturer Zhao Zhenji proclaimed the imperial will to the troops. On guiwei the emperor held his first audience at the Hall of Upholding Heaven and issued stern admonitions to the ministers. On jiashen the raiders withdrew. Wang Yi, censor-in-chief responsible for Tongzhou's defense, was arrested. On bingxu martial law in the capital was lifted. Zhao Zhenji was beaten with the staff and banished to an outside appointment. On dinghai Qiu Luan was defeated at Baiyangkou. Minister of War Ding Ruqie and Grand Coordinator Yang Shouqian were found guilty and executed in the marketplace. Tu Qiao, left censor-in-chief, and Peng An, vice minister of justice, were flogged at court. In the ninth month, on xinmao, the court sent relief to those in the metropolitan region harmed by the raid. On yiwei the Corps Camps were abolished, the old Three Great Camps system was restored, a Military Affairs Bureau was set up, and Qiu Luan was made its director-general. On dingyou the eunuchs who commanded the camps were removed from their posts. On wushen tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken areas within the metropolitan region. On renzi Prince of Zheng Hou Yan was stripped of his title and reduced to commoner status. In the tenth month of winter, on jiaxu, Zhang Zhi died. In the eleventh month, on guisi, censors were sent out separately to select frontier troops for service in the capital garrison. On renyin Emperor Renzong was removed from the main line of the ancestral temple, and Empress Xiaolie was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.
9
西西
In the third month of spring in the thirtieth year, on renchen, horse markets were opened at Xuanfu and Datong under the supervision of Vice Minister of War Shi Dao. In the fourth month of summer, on renwu, Vice Censor-in-Chief Shang Dajie, commissioner for capital defense, was cast into prison. In the ninth month of autumn, on yiwei, an earthquake struck the capital, and an edict ordered the court to examine its conduct and reform. In the eleventh month of winter, Anda invaded Datong. That year taxes and grain levies were forgiven in disaster-stricken regions of the two metropolitan circuits, Henan, Jiangxi, Liaodong, Guizhou, Shandong, and Shanxi.
10
西 西 西 祿
In the first month of spring in the thirty-first year, on renchen, Anda invaded Datong. On jiawu he broke into Hongci Fort. In the second month, on guichou, famine relief was sent to Xuanfu and Datong. On xinyou Anda struck Huairen Stream, and Commander Wang Gong was killed in battle. On jisi the Inner Palace Camp was established to train eunuch attendants. In the third month, on wuzi, Great General Qiu Luan marched to Datong at the head of the army. On xinmao Xu Jie, minister of rites, was also made grand secretary of the Eastern Lodge and entered state deliberations. In the fourth month of summer, on bingyin, Batu and Xin Ai attacked Xinxing Fort, and Commander Wang Xiang and others were killed in battle. On bingzi Japanese pirates struck Zhejiang. In the fifth month, on jiashen, Qiu Luan was recalled to court. On wushen the Japanese overran Huangyan. In the seventh month of autumn, on bingshen, summer taxes were forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi. On renyin, because of the Japanese alarm, Grand Coordinator Wang Yu of Shandong was ordered to inspect the defenses of Zhejiang. In the eighth month, on jiwei, Qiu Luan's seals as great general were confiscated, and he soon died of illness. On yihai Qiu Luan's corpse was posthumously executed, and his head was sent to the nine border regions. On jimao Anda invaded Datong and sent raiders to plunder Shuozhou, Yingzhou, Shanyin, and Mayi. In the ninth month, on yiyou, he struck the three passes of Shanxi. On renchen he invaded Ningxia. On dingyou the Yellow River burst its banks at Xuzhou. On gengzi Vice Minister of War Jiang Yingkui and Left Vice Commissioner Tang Guoqing were beaten at court for falsely claiming frontier merit. On guimao horse markets on all frontiers were closed. In the tenth month of winter, on jiwei, Minister of War Zhao Jin was exiled to the frontier as an associate of Qiu Luan's faction. On renxu taxes and grain levies were forgiven in disaster-stricken Jiangxi. In the twelfth month, on dingsi. Vice Director of the Imperial Household Ma Congqian was beaten to death at court for slander.
11
西 鹿 退
In the first month of spring in the thirty-second year, on the new moon of wuyin, there was a solar eclipse, but clouds hid it from view. On jimao Vice Minister Wu Peng sent relief for flood disasters in the Huai region and Xuzhou. In the second month, on jiazi, Japanese pirates struck Wenzhou. On renshen Anda invaded Xuanfu, and Brigade Commander Shi Lue was killed in battle. In the third month, on dingchou, famine relief was sent to Shaanxi. On xinsi Ji Neng invaded Yan-Sui and killed Assistant Regional Commander Li Mei. On renwu Vice Minister of War Yang Bo toured the frontier defenses. On jiashen famine relief was sent to Shandong. On jiawu palace graduates including Chen Jin were granted jinshi honors with distinctions between top-tier and regular passes. On jiachen Anda invaded Xuanfu again, and Assistant Regional Commander Guo Du was killed in battle. In the intercalary third month the pirate Wang Zhi rallied Japanese raiders against the coastal commanderies, and they did not withdraw until the sixth month. In the seventh month of autumn, on wuwu, Anda launched a major invasion and struck Lingqiu and Guangchang. On yichou the Ordos tribes invaded Yan-Sui. On jisi Anda invaded Futuyu Pass, and Mobile Corps Commanders Chen Feng and Zhu Yu held him off. On gengwu the Henan bandit Shi Shangzhao seized Guide and the counties of Zhecheng and Luyi. In the eighth month, on bingzi, the Little Prince invaded Chicheng. On bingshen Shi Shangzhao attacked Taikang; government troops fought him at Yanling and were routed. On wuxu famine relief was sent to disaster-stricken Shandong, and taxes and grain levies were forgiven. In the ninth month, on bingwu, Anda invaded Guangwu; Grand Coordinator Zhao Shichun was defeated, and Regional Commander Li Lai, Brigade Commander Feng En, and others fought to the death. On xinyou the court reported thanks at the suburban altars and ancestral temples for the enemy's withdrawal. In the tenth month of winter, on jiaxu, famine relief was sent to Henan and Shandong. On gengzi Shi Shangzhao was executed, and the rebellion was put down. On xinchou the outer wall of the capital was finished. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.
12
In the first month of spring in the thirty-third year, on the new moon of renyin, the supervising secretaries of the six offices were beaten at court because their congratulatory memorials violated protocol. On wuchen government forces besieged Japanese pirates at Nansha; after five months they still had not broken the siege, and the Japanese broke out and turned to plunder Suzhou and Songjiang. In the second month, on gengchen, government forces were defeated at Songjiang. In the third month, on yichou, Japanese pirates struck Tongzhou and Taizhou, and surviving bands crossed into the Qingzhou and Xuzhou region. In the fourth month of summer, on jiaxu, famine relief was sent within the metropolitan region. On yihai Japanese pirates raided Jiaxing, and Commander Zhou Yingzhen and others were killed in battle. On yiyou they overran Chongming, and Magistrate Tang Yicen died defending the county. In the fifth month, on renyin, Japanese pirates plundered Suzhou. On dingsi Zhang Jing, minister of war at Nanjing, was made supreme commander of military affairs to campaign against the Japanese pirates. In the sixth month, on guiyou, Anda invaded Datong, and Regional Commander Yue Mao was killed in battle. On jichou Vice Minister Chen Ru sent relief to the troops at Datong. In the eighth month of autumn, on guiwei, Japanese pirates struck Jiading, and government forces drove them back. On gengyin they fought again and were routed. In the ninth month, on dingmao, Anda invaded Gubeikou, and Governor Yang Bo drove him back. That year Siam, Turfan, Tianfang, Samarqand, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.
13
使 西西
In the first month of spring in the thirty-fourth year, on the new moon of dingyou, Japanese pirates seized Chongde and attacked Deqing. In the second month, on bingxu, Vice Minister of Works Zhao Wenhua offered the sea sacrifice and concurrently directed measures against the pirates. That month Anda invaded the Ji garrison, and Brigade Commanders Zhao Qingkui and others were killed in battle. In the third month, on jiayin, Ren Huan, deputy commissioner for military affairs of Suzhou-Songjiang, defeated Japanese pirates at Nansha. In the fourth month of summer, on wuzi, Anda invaded Xuanfu; Brigade Commander Li Guangqi was captured, refused to submit, and died steadfast. In the fifth month, on jiawu, Supreme Commander Zhang Jing and Assistant Regional Commander Yu Dayou attacked Japanese pirates at Wangjiangjing and routed them. On yisi the Japanese split into separate bands and plundered the counties under Suzhou. On jiyou Zhang Jing was arrested and cast into prison. In the sixth month, on renwu, Vice Minister of War Yang Yi was made supreme commander of military affairs to campaign against the Japanese pirates. In the seventh month of autumn, on yisi, Japanese pirates seized Nanling and swept on through Wuhu and Taiping. On bingchen they struck Nanjing. In the eighth month, on renchen, Grand Coordinator Cao Bangfu of Suzhou-Songjiang defeated Japanese pirates at Hushu. In the ninth month, on yiwei, Zhao Wenhua and Regional Inspector Hu Zongxian attacked Japanese pirates at Taozhai and were routed. On bingwu Anda invaded Datong and Xuanfu. On wuwu he invaded Huailai, and the capital was placed under martial alert. On xinyou Brigade Commander Ma Fang defeated the raiders at Bao'an. That autumn, grain levies were forgiven in disaster-stricken regions north of the Yangzi and in Shandong. In the tenth month of winter, on gengyin, Zhang Jing was executed, together with Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Tianchong, grand coordinator of Zhejiang, and Yang Jisheng, director in the Ministry of War. On xinmao Japanese pirates plundered Ningbo and Taizhou and struck Kuaiji. In the eleventh month, on the new moon of renchen, there was a solar eclipse. On gengshen Japanese pirates struck Xinghua and Quanzhou. In the intercalary month, on dingchou, taxes and grain levies were forgiven for flood disasters within the metropolitan region. In the twelfth month, on jiawu, silver mines were opened in Shandong and Sichuan. On renyin great earthquakes struck Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan; the Yellow and Wei rivers overflowed, and more than eight hundred thirty thousand people died. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.
14
西
In the first month of spring in the thirty-fifth year, on renwu, government forces attacked Japanese pirates at Songjiang and were routed. In the second month, on jiawu, disaster relief was sent to Pingyang and Yan'an. On jihai. Yang Yi was removed from office. On wuwu Li Mo, minister of personnel, was convicted of slander, thrown into Brocade Guard prison, and sentenced to death. Grand Coordinator Hu Zongxian was appointed overall commander of military affairs to campaign against the pirates. In the third month, on dingchou, jinshi of the da shou rank and others received their degrees and appointments with differing grades. In the fourth month of summer, on bingshen, disaster relief was sent to Shaanxi. On jiachen pirates struck Wuwei Prefecture, and Assistant Prefect Qi En was killed in battle. On xinhai Garrison Commander Zong Li fought the pirates at Chongde and was destroyed in defeat. In the fifth month, on yichou, Zhao Wenhua was appointed to superintend military affairs in Jiangnan and Zhejiang. On dinghai Left Vice Commissioner Wang Huai collected silver from mines at Yuwangyu. In the sixth month, on bingshen, Regional Commander Yu Dayou defeated the pirates at Huangpu. On xinchou Anda invaded Xuanfu and killed Garrison Commander Zhang Hong. In the seventh month of autumn, on xinsi, Hu Zongxian routed the pirates at Zhapu. In the eighth month, on renyin, the court ordered the collection of auspicious lingzhi fungus. On xinhai Hu Zongxian launched a surprise attack and routed the sea bandit Xu Hai at Liangzhuang. In the ninth month, on yichou, Prince of Hui Zai Yun was found guilty and stripped to commoner rank. Tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken southern Ji. On renwu, with Zhejiang pacified of the pirates, the court offered sacrifice at the suburban altars, the ancestral temple, and the altar of soil and grain. On the bingxu new moon of the tenth winter month there was a solar eclipse. In the eleventh month, on wuwu, Dalai Sun invaded Guangning, and Regional Commander Yin Shangzhi and others were killed in battle. In the twelfth month, on dingwei, he struck Huanqing.
15
殿 使 西
In the thirty-sixth year, in the second month of spring, Anda invaded Datong. In the third month, on renwu, Badu'er raided Qian'an, and Assistant Regional Commander Jiang Chengxun was killed after a fierce fight. That month Jineng raided Yan-sui and killed Assistant Regional Commander Chen Feng. In the fourth month of summer, on bingshen, the Hall of Heavenly Compliance, Huagai Hall, and Hall of Scrupulous Conduct burned down. On renyin the emperor issued an edict accepting blame, observed five days of fasting rites, halted memorials from all offices, and suspended executions. In the fifth month, on guichou, pirates struck Yang and Xu and crossed into Shandong. On guihai timber was gathered in Sichuan and Huguang. On xinwei pirates raided Tianchang and Xuyi, then attacked Sizhou. On bingzi they struck Huai'an. In the sixth month, on yiyou, Military Vice Commissioner Yu Dechang and Regional Vice Commander Liu Xian defeated the pirates at Andong. On jiawu Shaanxi mining operations were abolished. In the seventh month of autumn, on gengwu, the court ordered pearl gathering in Guangdong. In the ninth month Xinai, son of Anda, raided Ying and Shuo and destroyed more than seventy forts. In the eleventh month of winter, on dingchou, Xinai besieged Youwei city. That winter tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shandong and Zhejiang. That year Ryukyu sent tribute.
16
In the thirty-seventh year, on guihai of the first month, Henan mining operations were abolished. In the third month, on xinwei, the Three Great Camps were first exempted from sending officers and men on campaign call-up to construction labor. In the fourth month of summer, on guiwei, famine relief was sent to Liaodong. On xinsi pirates struck Zhejiang and Fujian by separate routes. In the eighth month of autumn, on jiwei, Jineng invaded Yongchang and Liangzhou and besieged Ganzhou. In the tenth month of winter, on guichou, the Ministry of Rites presented one thousand eight hundred and sixty specimens of auspicious lingzhi; the court ordered a wider search for fungus more than a foot across. In the eleventh month, on dinghai, the court instructed the judicial offices to show leniency in sentencing. That year Ryukyu and Siam sent tribute.
17
使 退 使
In the thirty-eighth year, in the second month of spring, on gengwu, Badu'er invaded Panjiakou, crossed the Luan River, and pressed Santun Camp. In the third month, on jimao, he plundered Qian'an, Jizhou, and Yutian. On gengyin jinshi including Ding Shimei received their degrees and appointments with differing grades. On guisi pirates struck eastern Zhejiang, and Maritime Route Vice Commissioner Tan Lun defeated them. On jiawu Zhejiang Regional Commander Yu Dayou was arrested. In the fourth month of summer, on dingwei, pirates struck Tongzhou. On jiayin pirates attacked Fuzhou. On gengshen pirates attacked Huai'an; Grand Coordinator Li Sui of Fengyang defeated them at Yaojia Dang, and they withdrew to hold Miaowan. On bingyin Vice Commissioner Liu Jingzhao routed the pirates at Yinzhuang. In the fifth month, on xinsi, Overall Commander Wang Yu of Ji-Liao was arrested and thrown into prison. On jiawu Liu Jingzhao routed the pirates at Miaowan, and the pirates north of the river were pacified. In the sixth month, on yisi, Xinai invaded Datong. In the eighth month of autumn, on jiwei, Li Sui and Hu Zongxian routed the pirates at Liujiazhuang. On jiazi famine relief was sent to Liaodong, and seed cattle were distributed. That month Anda invaded Tumu, and Garrison Commander Dong Guozhong and others were killed in battle. In the ninth month he invaded Xuanfu. That year Turfan, Mecca, Samarkand, Rum, Hami, and Siam sent tribute.
18
西 西 西 西西
In the thirty-ninth year, on bingxu of the first month, Anda invaded Xuanfu. In the second month, on dingsi, the Zhenwu Camp troops at Nanjing mutinied and killed Overall Grain Commissioner Huang Maoguan. On wuwu famine relief was sent to Shuntian and Yongping. Pirates raided Chaozhou. In the third month, on guiwei, Datong Regional Commander Liu Han launched a surprise attack and routed the Wushen at Hui River. On dinghai Dalai Sun invaded Guangning and captured Zhongqiansuo. Garrison Commandant Wu Shoujue and Huang Tingxun were killed. In the fifth month of summer, on renwu, famine relief was sent to the Three Passes of Shanxi. On renchen bandits entered Boluo County in Guangdong and killed Magistrate Shu Yan. On the yichou new moon of the seventh month of autumn, Badu'er invaded western Ji, and Garrison Commander Hu Zhen repulsed him. On gengwu Liu Han launched a surprise attack on Anda at Fengzhou and routed him. In the ninth month, on jisi, Anda invaded Shuozhou and Guangwu. In the twelfth month of winter Tu Man invaded Dong Sheng Fort at Haizhou. That month bandits from Fujian and Guangdong raided Jiangxi. That year tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken metropolitan districts, Shanxi, Shandong, Huguang, and Shaanxi. Siam sent tribute.
19
西 使 殿
In the fortieth year, on the xinmao new moon of the second month, a solar eclipse was due but was not seen. Famine relief was sent to Shandong. On dingwei the Prince of Jing proceeded to his princely estate. In the third month, on renxu, famine relief was sent to the capital region. In the fourth month of summer, on dingwei, famine relief was sent to Shanxi. In the fifth month, on yihai, Li Ben left office to mourn. In the intercalary month, on bingchen, bandits raided Taihe and killed Vice Commissioner Wang Yizhong and Commander Wang Yingpeng. On the jichou new moon of the seventh month of autumn there was a solar eclipse. On gengxu Anda invaded Xuanfu, and Assistant Regional Commander Ma Fang repulsed him. In the ninth month, on gengzi, he invaded Juyong Pass, and Regional Vice Commander Hu Zhen repulsed him. On xinchou disaster relief was sent to southern Ji. In the eleventh month of winter, on jiawu, Minister of Rites Yuan Wei was made minister of revenue and grand secretary of the Wuying Hall, entering state deliberations. On gengxu Jineng invaded Ningxia and pressed toward Guyuan; on xinhai the Wanshou Palace burned down. In the twelfth month, on bingyin, Badu'er invaded Gaizhou in Liaodong. That year U-Tsang sent tribute.
20
殿 西 西
In the forty-first year, in the third month of spring, on xinmao, a white rabbit gave birth; the Ministry of Rites asked to notify the ancestral temple, permission was granted, and the officials presented congratulatory memorials. On renyin jinshi including Shen Shixing received their degrees and appointments with differing grades. On jiyou the rebuilt Wanshou Palace was completed. In the fifth month of summer, on renyin, Yan Song was removed from office. On renzi Tu Man attacked Tangzhan Fort, and Assistant Regional Commander Hei Chun was killed after a fierce fight. In the ninth month of autumn, on renwu, the three halls were completed; the Hall of Heavenly Compliance was renamed Supreme Harmony, Huagai Hall Central Harmony, and the Hall of Scrupulous Conduct Establishing Harmony. In the tenth month of winter tax grain was forgiven in the disaster-stricken Southern Metropolitan Region and Jiangxi. In the eleventh month, on yiyou, censors were dispatched to seek alchemists and fine calligraphy. On dinghai Hu Zongxian was arrested, then soon released. On xinchou Jineng invaded Ningxia and Assistant Regional Commander Wang Xun was killed in battle. On jiyou pirates captured Xinghua. That month Zhao Ke, regional commander of Yan-sui, divided his forces, raided beyond the border, and defeated the enemy. Tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken Shaanxi and Huguang, and for Fujian areas harmed by raids. That year Ryukyu sent tribute.
21
In the forty-second year, in the first month of spring, on wushen, Anda invaded Xuanfu and raided south as far as Longqing. In the fourth month of summer, on gengshen, pirates invaded Fuqing; Regional Commanders Liu Xian and Yu Dayou combined forces and wiped them out. On dingmao Assistant Regional Commander Qi Jiguang defeated the pirates at Pinghai Guard. In the eighth month of autumn, on yihai, Regional Commander Yang Zhao raided the enemy beyond Guangning Pass and was killed after a fierce fight. In the tenth month of winter, on dingmao, Xinai and Badu'er broke through Qiangzi Ridge and invaded; the capital was placed on alert and troops from all garrisons were ordered to reinforce. On wuchen they plundered Shunyi and Sanhe, and Regional Commander Sun Lin was defeated and killed. On yihai Jiang Yingxiong, regional commander of Datong, met the raiders at Miyun and defeated them. In the eleventh month, on dingchou, the capital's alert was lifted. That year Ryukyu sent tribute.
22
西 西
In the forty-third year, in the first month of spring, on renchen, the Tu Man chieftain Heishitan raided Jizhou; Regional Commander Hu Zhen and Assistant Commander Bai Wenzhi drove them back. In the second month, on jiyou, Prince Dian of Yi was found guilty and degraded to commoner status. On wuwu pirates invaded Xianyou; Regional Commander Qi Jiguang routed them, and the pirates in Fujian were pacified. In the intercalary month, on bingshen, bandits seized Zhangping and Magistrate Wei Wenrui was killed. In the third month, on jiwei, government troops attacked the pirates in Chaozhou and defeated them. In the fourth month of summer, on yihai, tax grain was forgiven in disaster-stricken areas of the metropolitan region. In the fifth month, on the renyin new moon, there was a solar eclipse. On yimao a peach was found in the imperial canopy, and the court officials submitted congratulatory memorials. In the sixth month, on xinmao, pirates invaded Haifeng and Yu Dayou defeated them. In the twelfth month of winter bandits rose in Nanshao; Garrison Commander He Duo and Commander Cai Yinyuan were captured and killed. Anda invaded Shanxi; Mobile Corps Commander Liang Ping and Garrison Commander Qi Mou were killed in battle. That year Xifan, Hami, and Annam sent tribute, and the land of Rum presented a lion.
23
殿
In the forty-fourth year, in the third month of spring, on dingsi, jinshi including Fan Yingqi received their degrees and appointments with differing grades. On jiwei Yuan Wei retired from office. On xinyou Yan Shifan was executed. That month Tu Man raiders invaded Liaodong, and Commanders Xian Bugun and Yang Weifan were killed in battle. In the fourth month of summer, on gengchen, Yan Ne, minister of personnel, and Li Chunfang, minister of rites, were also made grand secretaries of the Wuying Hall and entered state deliberations. On renwu Anda invaded Suzhou and Regional Commander Liu Chengye drove him back. In the sixth month, on jiaxu, sacred fungus appeared on a pillar of Emperor Ruizong's original temple; the court announced it at the ancestral temple, received congratulations, and then built the Jade Fungus Palace. In the eighth month of autumn, on renwu, an elixir was found at the imperial throne and the court reported to the ancestral temple. In the eleventh month of winter, on guimao, Yan Ne retired from office. On wushen the spirit tablets of Emperor Xian and the Empress were installed in the Jade Fungus Palace. That year Ryukyu sent tribute.
24
輿
Appraisal: At the start of Shizong's reign he energetically swept away corrupt practices, and the realm united in praising good governance. Yet when the Great Rites controversy erupted again and again, public opinion boiled over with it; favored ministers seized the moment, and soon great prosecutions followed. Natural feeling runs deepest; the duty owed to ruler and parent is a great moral principle—to posthumously honor one's father and establish a temple for him was ritually fitting as well; Yet to install him in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and place him above Emperor Wuzong—was that not going too far? As for his reign, affairs proliferated without end; armies were worn down on the frontier and rebellion broke out within, even as he exalted Daoism, conducted irregular sacrifices, and launched construction on every side until the treasury was empty—more than a century's work of prosperity and order thus ebbed away. Although he cut down powerful schemers and kept authority firmly in his own hands, on the whole he was a ruler of only moderate gifts.
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