Volume 21 Annals 21: Shenzong 2

神宗二

Annals of Shenzong, Part Two.

二十五年春正月丙辰，朝鮮使來請援。二月丙寅，复議征倭。丙子，前都督同知麻貴為備倭總兵官，統南北諸軍。三月乙巳，山東右參政楊鎬為僉都御史，經略朝鮮軍務。己未，兵部侍郎邢玠為尚書，總督薊、遼、保定軍務，經略禦倭。夏六月戊寅，皇極、中極、建極三殿災。癸未，罷修國史。秋七月癸巳，誡諭群臣。丁酉，詔赦天下。是月，楊應龍叛，掠合江、綦江。八月丁丑，倭破朝鮮閒山，遂薄南原，副總兵楊元棄城走，倭逼王京。甲申，京師地震。九月壬辰，逮前兵部尚書石星下獄，論死。冬十月甲戌，安南黎惟潭篡立，款關請罪，詔授安南都統使。是年，琉球入貢。

In the twenty-fifth year, in the first month of spring, on bingchen, Korean envoys arrived to plead for military aid. In the second month, on bingyin, the court again deliberated launching a campaign against Japan. On bingzi former vice regional commander Ma Gui was appointed overall commander for coastal defense against Japan, with command over northern and southern forces. In the third month, on yisi, Yang Hao, right vice administrator of Shandong, was made censor-in-chief and put in charge of Korean military affairs. On jiwei Xing Jie, vice minister of war, was promoted to minister of war, made overall commander of military affairs in Ji, Liaodong, and Baoding, and appointed commissioner for defense against Japan. In the sixth month of summer, on wuyin, the three halls Huangji, Zhongji, and Jianji were destroyed by fire. On guiwei work on the national history was suspended. In the seventh month of autumn, on guisi, the assembled ministers received an admonitory edict. On dingyou an edict proclaimed amnesty throughout the realm. That month Yang Yinglong rose in rebellion and raided Hejiang and Qijiang. In the eighth month, on dingchou, Japanese forces overran Hansan in Korea, then pressed toward Nanwon; assistant regional commander Yang Yuan abandoned the city and fled, and the Japanese closed on Wangjing. On jiashen the capital shook with an earthquake. In the ninth month, on renchen, former minister of war Shi Xing was arrested and thrown into prison, and condemned to death. In the tenth month of winter, on jiaxu, Le Duy Dam of Annam seized the throne, submitted at the frontier to beg forgiveness, and was by edict invested as pacification commissioner of Annam. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.

二十六年春正月，官軍攻倭於蔚山，不克，楊鎬、麻貴奔王京。三月癸卯，賜趙秉忠等進士及第、出身有差。壬子，群臣詣文華門疏請皇長子冠婚，不允。夏四月丁卯，遼東總兵官李如松出塞，遇伏戰死。壬申，京師旱，敕修省。六月丁巳，楊鎬罷。戊午，中官李敬採珠廣東。丙寅，張位罷。丙子，巡撫天津僉都御史萬世德經略朝鮮。秋七月丙戌，中官魯保鬻兩淮餘鹽。八月丁丑，京師地震。九月壬辰，免浙江被災田租。冬十月乙卯，總兵官劉綎、麻貴分道擊倭，敗之。董一元攻倭新砦，敗績。十一月戊戌，倭棄蔚山遁，官軍分道進擊。十二月，總兵官陳璘破倭於乙山，朝鮮平。是年，烏斯藏入貢。

In the twenty-sixth year, in the first month of spring, government troops attacked the Japanese at Ulsan but failed to take it, and Yang Hao and Ma Gui fled back to Wangjing. In the third month, on guimao, Zhao Bingzhong and others received jinshi degrees, with palace passes and provincial appointments ranked by grade. On renzi the assembled ministers submitted memorials at the Wenhua Gate asking that the crown prince be capped and married, but the request was denied. In the fourth month of summer, on dingmao, Li Rusong, regional commander of Liaodong, went beyond the frontier, fell into an ambush, and was killed in battle. On renshen drought struck the capital, and an edict called for self-examination and reform. In the sixth month, on dingsi, Yang Hao was removed from office. On wuwu the eunuch Li Jing was sent to gather pearls in Guangdong. On bingyin Zhang Wei was removed from office. On bingzi Wan Shide, censor-in-chief and governor of Tianjin, was appointed commissioner of Korean affairs. In the seventh month of autumn, on bingxu, the eunuch Lu Bao sold off surplus salt from the Two Huai regions. In the eighth month, on dingchou, the capital shook with an earthquake. In the ninth month, on renchen, land tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Zhejiang. In the tenth month of winter, on yimao, regional commanders Liu Ting and Ma Gui struck the Japanese by separate routes and defeated them. Dong Yiyuan attacked the Japanese at Xincai and suffered defeat. In the eleventh month, on wuxu, the Japanese abandoned Ulsan and fled, and government troops pursued them by separate routes. In the twelfth month regional commander Chen Lin routed the Japanese at Yishan, and Korea was pacified. That year U-Tsang sent a tribute mission.

二十七年春二月壬子，分遣中官領浙江、福建、廣東市舶司。是月，貴州巡撫江東之遣兵討楊應龍，敗績。三月己亥，前兵部侍郎李化龍總督川、湖、貴州軍務究。討楊應龍。夏四月甲戌，御午門，受倭俘。是月，臨清民變，焚稅使馬堂暑，殺其參隨三十四人。閏月丙戌，以倭平，詔天下，除東征加派田賦。己丑，久旱，敕修省。丙申，以諸皇子婚，詔取太倉銀二千四百萬兩。戶部告匱，命嚴核天下積儲。六月己亥，楊應龍陷綦江，參將房嘉寵、游擊張良賢戰死。秋八月甲午，陝西狄道縣山崩。九月，土蠻犯錦州。

In the twenty-seventh year, in the second month of spring, on renzi, eunuch officials were dispatched separately to take charge of the maritime trade superintendentates of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong. That month Jiang Dongzhi, governor of Guizhou, sent troops against Yang Yinglong and suffered defeat. In the third month, on jihai, former vice minister of war Li Hualong was appointed overall commander of military affairs in Sichuan, Huguang, and Guizhou. His charge was to investigate and suppress Yang Yinglong. In the fourth month of summer, on jiaxu, the emperor received Japanese captives at the Meridian Gate. That month a popular uprising broke out in Linqing; the crowd burned tax commissioner Ma Tang's office and killed thirty-four of his attendants. In the intercalary month, on bingxu, because Japan had been pacified, an edict was issued throughout the realm abolishing the extra land taxes levied for the eastern expedition. On jichou, after prolonged drought, an edict called for self-examination and reform. On bingshen, because of the imperial princes' weddings, an edict ordered 24 million taels of silver drawn from the Great Storehouse. The Ministry of Revenue reported the treasury depleted, and an order went out to conduct strict audits of accumulated stores throughout the realm. In the sixth month, on jihai, Yang Yinglong captured Qijiang; participating general Fang Jiachong and mobile corps commander Zhang Liangxian were killed in battle. In the eighth month of autumn, on jiawu, a mountain collapsed in Didao County, Shaanxi. In the ninth month the Tuman raided Jinzhou.

冬十月壬午，振京城饑民。丙戌，以播州用兵，加四川、湖廣田賦。戊子，貴州宣慰使安疆臣有罪驗證。詔討賊自贖。十一月己酉，免河南被災田租。癸酉，振畿輔及鳳陽等處飢。十二月丁丑，武昌、漢陽民變，擊傷稅使陳奉。戊子，振京師就食流民。是年，琉球入貢。

In the tenth month of winter, on renwu, famine relief was sent to hungry people in the capital. On bingxu, because of military operations in Bozhou, land taxes in Sichuan and Huguang were increased. On wuzi An Jiangchen, pacification commissioner of Guizhou, was found guilty upon investigation. An edict ordered that he redeem himself by campaigning against the rebels. In the eleventh month, on jiyou, land tax was forgiven in disaster-stricken Henan. On guiyou famine relief was sent to the capital region and to places such as Fengyang. In the twelfth month, on dingchou, popular uprisings in Wuchang and Hanyang wounded tax commissioner Chen Feng. On wuzi famine relief was sent to refugees coming to the capital to seek food. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.

二十八年春二月戊寅，京師地震。丙戌，李化龍帥師分八路進討播州。夏六月丁丑，克海龍囤，楊應龍自縊死，播州平。秋七月辛亥，旱，敕修省。八月辛未，慈慶宮成。丙子，罷朝鮮戍兵。九月甲寅，停刑。是秋，炒花犯遼東，副總兵解生等敗沒。冬十月辛未，貴州皮林苗叛，總兵官陳璘討之。丙子，雲南稅監楊榮開採阿瓦、孟密寶井。十二月乙未，御午門，受播州俘。是年，兩畿各省災傷，民飢盜起，內外群臣交章請罷礦稅諸監，皆不聽。大西洋利瑪竇進方物。

In the twenty-eighth year, in the second month of spring, on wuyin, the capital shook with an earthquake. On bingxu Li Hualong led his forces in eight columns to advance against Bozhou. In the sixth month of summer, on dingchou, Hailong Stockade was taken, Yang Yinglong hanged himself, and Bozhou was pacified. In the seventh month of autumn, on xinhai, drought persisted and an edict called for self-examination and reform. In the eighth month, on xinwei, Ciqing Palace was completed. On bingzi the Korean garrison was withdrawn. In the ninth month, on jiayin, executions were suspended. That autumn Chaohua invaded Liaodong; assistant regional commander Xie Sheng and others were defeated and killed. In the tenth month of winter, on xinwei, the Pilin Miao of Guizhou rose in rebellion, and regional commander Chen Lin was dispatched to suppress them. On bingzi Yang Rong, the Yunnan tax commissioner, opened mining at the precious wells of Ava and Möng Mit. In the twelfth month, on yiwei, the emperor received Bozhou captives at the Meridian Gate. That year disasters afflicted the two capital regions and every province; the people went hungry and bandits rose; ministers inside and outside the court submitted memorial after memorial asking that mining taxes and the various commissioners be abolished, but the emperor would not listen. Matteo Ricci of the Atlantic presented tribute goods.

二十九年春正月壬子，以播州平，詔天下，蠲四川、貴州、湖廣、雲南加派田租逋賦，除官民詿誤罪。是月，皮林苗賊平。二月甲戌，振大同、宣府飢。三月乙卯，賜張以誠等進士及第、出身有差。是月，武昌民變，殺稅監陳奉參隨六人，焚巡撫公署。夏四月乙酉，徵陳奉還，以守備承天中官杜茂代之。五月，蘇州民變，殺織造中官孫隆參隨數人。六月，京師自去年六月不雨，至是月乙亥始雨。山東、山西、河南皆大旱。丁亥，法司請熱審，不報。是夏，振畿內飢。秋九月壬寅，河決開封、歸德。丁未，趙志皋卒。癸丑，振貴州飢。戊午，前禮部尚書沈鯉、硃賡並兼東閣大學士，預機務。冬十月己卯，立皇長子常洛為皇太子，封諸子常洵福王，常浩瑞王，常潤惠王，常瀛桂王。詔赦天下。壬辰，加上慈聖皇太后尊號。十二月辛未，詔复朵顏馬市。是年，琉球入貢。

In the twenty-ninth year, in the first month of spring, on renzi, because Bozhou had been pacified, an edict was issued throughout the realm remitting extra land rents and overdue levies in Sichuan, Guizhou, Huguang, and Yunnan and pardoning errors by officials and commoners alike. That month the Pilin Miao rebels were suppressed. In the second month, on jiaxu, famine relief was sent to Datong and Xuanfu. In the third month, on yimao, Zhang Yicheng and others received jinshi degrees, with palace passes and provincial appointments ranked by grade. That month a popular uprising in Wuchang killed six attendants of tax commissioner Chen Feng and burned the governor's yamen. In the fourth month of summer, on yiyou, Chen Feng was recalled, and the eunuch Du Mao, garrison commander of Chengtian, was sent to replace him. In the fifth month a popular uprising in Suzhou killed several attendants of the weaving commissioner, the eunuch Sun Long. In the sixth month the capital had gone without rain since the sixth month of the previous year; only on yihai of this month did rain finally come. Shandong, Shanxi, and Henan all suffered severe drought. On dinghai the judicial offices requested the summer judicial review, but received no reply. That summer famine relief was sent within the capital region. In the ninth month of autumn, on renyin, the Yellow River broke through at Kaifeng and Guide. On dingwei Zhao Zhigao died. On guichou famine relief was sent to Guizhou. On wuwu former ministers of rites Shen Li and Zhu Geng were both made concurrent grand secretaries of the Eastern Pavilion and entered deliberation on state affairs. In the tenth month of winter, on jimao, the eldest imperial son Changluo was invested as crown prince; Changxun was enfeoffed as prince of Fu, Changhao as prince of Rui, Changrun as prince of Hui, and Changying as prince of Gui. An edict proclaimed amnesty throughout the realm. On renchen an enhanced honorific title was added for the empress dowager Cisheng. In the twelfth month, on xinwei, an edict restored the horse market with the Tümed. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.

三十年春正月己未，以四方災異敕修省。二月己卯，不豫，召大學士沈一貫於啟祥宮，命罷礦稅，停織造，釋逮擊，復建言諸臣職。翼日，疾瘳，寢前詔。甲申，重建乾清、坤寧宮。閏月丙申，复河套諸部貢市。戊午，河州黃河竭。三月甲申，騰越民變，殺稅監委官。夏四月辛丑，振順天、永平飢。五月乙亥，法司請熱審，不報。秋七月辛巳，邊餉缺，命嚴催積逋。是月，緬賊陷蠻莫宣撫司，宣撫思正奔騰越，賊追至，有司殺正以謝賊，始解。冬十月戊戌，振江北災。丙辰，停刑。是年，琉球、哈密入貢。

In the thirtieth year, in the first month of spring, on jiwei, because of disasters and portents throughout the realm, an edict called for self-examination and reform. In the second month, on jimao, the emperor fell ill and summoned grand secretary Shen Yiguan to Qixiang Palace, ordering him to halt mining taxes, stop imperial weaving, release those under arrest, and restore the posts of officials who had remonstrated. The following day, when his illness eased, he revoked the previous day's edicts. On jiashen the Qianqing and Kunning palaces were rebuilt. In the intercalary month, on bingshen, border-market trade with the Ordos tribes of the Yellow River bend was restored. On wuwu the Yellow River ran dry at Hezhou. In the third month, on jiashen, a popular uprising in Tengyue killed a delegated official of the tax commissioner. In the fourth month of summer, on xinchou, famine relief was sent to Shuntian and Yongping. In the fifth month, on yihai, the judicial offices requested the summer judicial review, but received no reply. In the seventh month of autumn, on xinsi, border funds ran short, and an order was issued to press strictly for overdue payments. That month Burmese raiders overran the Mangshi pacification superintendentate; pacification superintendent Si Zheng fled to Tengyue, and when the raiders pursued him there local officials killed Zheng to appease them, and only then was the crisis resolved. In the tenth month of winter, on wuxu, relief was sent for disaster-stricken Jiangbei. On bingchen executions were suspended. That year Ryukyu and Hami sent tribute missions.

三十一年春三月戊午，吏部奏天下郡守闕員，不報。是月，播州餘賊吳洪等作亂，有司討平之。夏四月丁亥朔，日有食之。五月丙辰，閣臣請熱審，不報。戊寅，京師地震。鳳陽大雨雹，毀皇陵殿脊。是夏，河決蘇家莊，北浸豐、沛、魚台、單縣。秋九月甲子，江北盜起。冬十月甲申，停刑。丙申，睢州賊楊思敬作亂，有司討擒之。十一月甲子，獲妖書，言帝欲易太子，詔五城大索。十二月丙戌，召見皇太子於啟祥宮，賜手敕慰諭。

In spring of Wanli thirty-one, on wuwu of the third month, the Ministry of Personnel reported vacancies among prefects throughout the realm, but received no reply. That month remnants of the Bozhou rebels led by Wu Hong and others rose in revolt, and local officials suppressed them. In the fourth month of summer, on the dinghai new moon, there was a solar eclipse. In the fifth month, on bingchen, grand secretaries requested the hot-season judicial review, but received no reply. On wuyin the capital was shaken by an earthquake. A great hailstorm in Fengyang destroyed the roof-ridge of the imperial mausoleum hall. That summer the Yellow River burst its banks at Sujiazhuang and flooded northward into Feng, Pei, Yutai, and Shan counties. In the ninth month of autumn, on jiazi, bandits rose in Jiangbei. In the tenth month of winter, on jiashen, executions were suspended. On bingshen the bandit Yang Sijing of Suizhou rose in revolt; local officials suppressed him and took him captive. In the eleventh month, on jiazi, a seditious tract was seized saying the emperor wished to replace the crown prince, and an edict ordered a major search by the Five Wards. In the twelfth month, on bingxu, the emperor summoned the crown prince at Qixiang Palace and granted an autograph edict to reassure him.

三十二年春二月壬寅，閣臣請補司道郡守及遣巡方御史，不報。三月甲子，乾清宮成。乙丑，賜楊守勤等進士及第、出身有差。夏四月辛巳朔，日有食之。是月，浚泇河工成。五月癸酉，雷火焚長陵明樓。六月丙戌，以陵災，命補闕官卹刑獄。丁酉，昌平大水，壞長、泰、康、昭四陵石梁。秋七月庚戌，京師大雨，壞城垣。辛酉，振被水居民。八月辛丑，群臣伏文華門，疏請修舉實政，降旨切責。丙午，分水河工成。九月戊申，振畿南六府飢。閏月辛丑，武昌宗人蘊鉁等作亂，殺巡撫都御史趙可懷。冬十月甲寅，始敘平播州功。

In spring of Wanli thirty-two, on renyin of the second month, grand secretaries requested appointments to provincial administrator, circuit intendant, and prefect vacancies and the dispatch of touring censors, but received no reply. In the third month, on jiazi, the Qianqing Palace was completed. On yichou Yang Shouqin and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the fourth month of summer, on the xinsi new moon, there was a solar eclipse. That month dredging work on the Ji River was completed. In the fifth month, on guiyou, lightning fire burned the soul tower of Changling. In the sixth month, on bingxu, because of the tomb disaster, an edict ordered vacant offices filled and clemency in criminal cases. On dingyou great flooding in Changping destroyed the stone bridges of the Chang, Tai, Kang, and Zhao tombs. In the seventh month of autumn, on gengxu, heavy rains in the capital destroyed sections of the city wall. On xinyou the court granted relief to flood-stricken residents. In the eighth month, on xinchou, the assembled ministers prostrated themselves at the Wenhua Gate and submitted memorials requesting practical governance be restored; a stern edict was issued rebuking them. On bingwu dredging work on the Fenshui River was completed. In the ninth month, on wushen, the court granted famine relief in the six prefectures south of the capital region. In the intercalary month, on xinchou, the clansman Yun Qin of Wuchang and others rose in revolt and killed Grand Coordinator and Censor-in-chief Zhao Kehuai. In the tenth month of winter, on jiayin, rewards were first distributed for suppressing Bozhou.

是年，琉球、烏斯藏入貢。

That year Ryukyu and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.

三十三年春正月，重修京師外城。庚辰，銀定、歹成犯鎮番，總兵官達雲擊敗之。夏四月辛亥，蘊鉁等伏誅。五月丙申，鳳陽大風雨，毀陵殿神座。庚子，雷擊圜丘望燈高桿。六月乙巳，以雷警，敕修省。秋八月己巳，停刑。九月甲午，昭和殿災。丙申，京師地震。

In spring of Wanli thirty-three, in the first month, the outer walls of the capital were rebuilt. On gengchen Yinding and Daicheng invaded Zhenfan, and Regional Commander Da Yun defeated them. In the fourth month of summer, on xinhai, Yun Qin and his fellows were executed. In the fifth month, on bingshen, great wind and rain in Fengyang destroyed the spirit seat in the mausoleum hall. On gengzi lightning struck the tall lamp pole at the Circular Mound Altar. In the sixth month, on yisi, because of this thunder portent, an edict ordered self-examination and reform. In the eighth month of autumn, on jisi, executions were suspended. In the ninth month, on jiawu, the Zhehe Palace was destroyed by fire. On bingshen the capital was shaken by an earthquake.

冬十一月辛巳，免淮陽被災田租。十二月壬寅，詔罷天下開礦。以稅務歸有司，歲輸所入之半於內府，半戶、工二部。丙午，免河南被災田租。乙卯，以皇長孫生，詔赦天下。開宗室科舉入仕例。罷採廣東珠池、雲南寶井。

In the eleventh month of winter, on xinsi, field rent was remitted in Huaiyang for disaster-stricken lands. In the twelfth month, on renyin, an edict abolished mining operations throughout the realm. Tax administration was restored to civil officials; half of annual revenue was sent to the inner court and half to the Ministries of Revenue and Works. On bingwu field rent was remitted in Henan for disaster-stricken lands. On yimao, because the emperor's eldest grandson was born, an edict proclaimed amnesty throughout the realm. An examination route for imperial clansmen to enter office was established. Pearl fisheries in Guangdong and gem mines in Yunnan were abolished.

三十四年春二月庚戌，加上皇太后徽號。辛亥，大學士沈鯉、硃賡請補六部大僚，不報。三月己卯，雲南人殺稅監楊榮，焚其屍。丁酉，真定、順德、廣平、大名災，蠲振有差。夏四月癸亥，浚硃旺口河工成。五月癸酉，河套部犯延綏，官軍擊走之。六月癸卯，緬甸陷木邦。是月，畿內大蝗。秋七月癸未，沈一貫、沈鯉致仕。九月甲午，詔陝西嚴敕邊備。冬十月丙申，停刑。十一月己巳，朵顏入犯，總兵官姜顯謨禦卻之。十二月壬子，南京妖賊劉天緒謀反，事覺伏誅。是年，安南、琉球入貢。蒙古喀爾喀諸部悉歸我大清。

In spring of Wanli thirty-four, on gengxu of the second month, an honorific title was added for the empress dowager. On xinhai Grand Secretaries Shen Li and Zhu Geng requested that senior vacancies in the six ministries be filled, but received no reply. In the third month, on jimao, people in Yunnan killed tax commissioner Yang Rong and burned his corpse. On dingyou disasters struck Zhending, Shunde, Guangping, and Daming; remission and relief were granted in varying degrees. In the fourth month of summer, on guihai, dredging work on the Zhuwangkou River was completed. In the fifth month, on guiyou, Ordos tribes invaded Yan-sui, and government troops drove them off. In the sixth month, on guimao, Burma captured Mubang. That month great locust swarms struck the capital region. In the seventh month of autumn, on guiwei, Shen Yiguan and Shen Li retired from office. In the ninth month, on jiawu, an edict strictly ordered frontier defenses in Shaanxi. In the tenth month of winter, on bingshen, executions were suspended. In the eleventh month, on jisi, the Tümed invaded, and Regional Commander Jiang Xianmo repelled them. In the twelfth month, on renzi, the heretical rebel Liu Tianxu of Nanjing plotted rebellion; the plot was discovered and he was executed. That year Annam and Ryukyu sent tribute missions. All the Khalkha Mongol tribes submitted to our Great Qing.

三十五年春正月辛未，給事中翁憲祥言，撫、按官解任宜候命，不宜聽其自去，不報。二月戊戌，安南賊武德成犯雲南，總兵官沐睿禦卻之。三月辛巳，賜黃士俊等進士及第、出身有差。夏四月戊戌，銀定、歹成犯涼州，副總兵柴國柱擊走之。壬子，順義王撦力克卒。五月戊子，前禮部尚書於慎行及禮部侍郎李廷機、南京吏部侍郎葉向高並禮部尚書兼東閣大學士，預機務。六月，湖廣及徽、寧、太平、嚴州大水。閏月辛巳，复河套諸部貢市。秋七月庚子，京師久雨。刑部請發熱審疏，不報。八月丙寅，振畿內飢。九月甲午，停刑。冬十月癸酉，山東旱飢，蠲振有差。十一月壬子，於慎行卒。十二月，金沙江蠻阿克叛，陷武定，攻圍雲南，別陷嵩明、祿豐。安南賊犯欽州。是年，琉球入貢。

In spring of Wanli thirty-five, on xinwei of the first month, Supervising Secretary Weng Xianxiang memorialized that grand coordinators and provincial censors relieved of office should await orders rather than leave on their own, but received no reply. In the second month, on wuxu, the Annam rebel Wu Decheng invaded Yunnan, and Regional Commander Mu Rui repelled him. In the third month, on xinsi, Huang Shijun and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the fourth month of summer, on wuxu, Yinding and Daicheng invaded Liangzhou, and Vice Regional Commander Chai Guozhu drove them off. On renzi Cholige, Prince of Shunyi, died. In the fifth month, on wuzi, former Minister of Rites Yu Shenxing, Vice Minister of Rites Li Tingji, and Vice Minister of Personnel of Nanjing Ye Xianggao were all made ministers of rites and grand secretaries of the Eastern Pavilion and entered state deliberations. In the sixth month Huguang and Huizhou, Ningguo, Taiping, and Yanzhou suffered great flooding. In the intercalary month, on xinsi, tribute markets with the Ordos tribes were restored. In the seventh month of autumn, on gengzi, prolonged rains fell on the capital. The Ministry of Justice requested that the hot-season judicial review memorial be issued, but received no reply. In the eighth month, on bingyin, the court granted famine relief within the capital region. In the ninth month, on jiawu, executions were suspended. In the tenth month of winter, on guiyou, Shandong suffered drought and famine; remission and relief were granted in varying degrees. In the eleventh month, on renzi, Yu Shenxing died. In the twelfth month Ak, a Jinsha River tribesman, rebelled, captured Wuding, besieged Yunnan, and separately captured Songming and Lufeng. Annam rebels invaded Qinzhou. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.

三十六年春正月，河南、江北飢。二月戊辰，京師地震。夏六月己卯，南畿大水。秋七月丁酉，京師地震。郴州礦賊起。八月癸亥，治雲南失事諸臣罪，巡撫都御史陳用賓、總兵官沐睿下獄，論死。庚辰，振南畿及嘉興、湖州飢。九月甲午，四川巡撫都御史喬璧星奏擒阿克於東川，賊平。冬十一月壬子，硃賡卒。十二月戊午，再振南畿，免稅糧。是年，琉球入貢。

In spring of Wanli thirty-six, in the first month, Henan and Jiangbei suffered famine. In the second month, on wuchen, the capital was shaken by an earthquake. In the sixth month of summer, on jimao, the Southern Metropolitan Region suffered great flooding. In the seventh month of autumn, on dingyou, the capital was shaken by an earthquake. Mining rebels rose in Chenzhou. In the eighth month, on guihai, officials responsible for the Yunnan disaster were punished; Grand Coordinator and Censor-in-chief Chen Yongbin and Regional Commander Mu Rui were imprisoned and sentenced to death. On gengchen the court granted famine relief in the Southern Metropolitan Region, Jiaxing, and Huzhou. In the ninth month, on jiawu, Sichuan Grand Coordinator and Censor-in-chief Qiao Bixing memorialized that Ak had been captured at Dongchuan and the rebels pacified. In the eleventh month of winter, on renzi, Zhu Geng died. In the twelfth month, on wuwu, the court again granted famine relief in the Southern Metropolitan Region and remitted tax grain. That year Ryukyu sent a tribute mission.

三十七年春三月辛卯，拱兔陷大勝堡，游擊於守志戰於小凌河，敗績。己酉，大學士葉向高請發群臣相攻諸疏，公論是非，以肅人心，不報。夏四月，倭寇溫州。秋九月癸卯，左都御史詹沂封印自去。丁未，停刑。是秋，福建、浙江、江西大水。湖廣、四川、河南、陝西、山西旱。畿內、山東、徐州蝗。冬十二月己巳，留畿內、山東諸省稅銀三分之一振饑民。徐州賊殺如皋知縣張籓。是年，日本入琉球，執其國王尚寧。哈密入貢。

In spring of Wanli thirty-seven, on xinmao of the third month, Guxu captured Dasheng Fortress; Mobile Corps Commander Yu Shouzhi fought him at the Xiaoling River and was defeated. On jiyou Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao requested that the mutual denunciations submitted by ministers be issued so public judgment might settle right and wrong and calm minds, but received no reply. In the fourth month of summer Japanese pirates raided Wenzhou. In the ninth month of autumn, on guimao, Left Censor-in-chief Zhan Yi sealed his office and left on his own authority. On dingwei executions were suspended. That autumn Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi suffered great flooding. Huguang, Sichuan, Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi suffered drought. Locusts struck the capital region, Shandong, and Xuzhou. In the twelfth month of winter, on jisi, one third of tax silver from the capital region, Shandong, and other provinces was retained to relieve famine victims. Bandits in Xuzhou killed Rugao magistrate Zhang Fan. That year Japan invaded Ryukyu and seized its king, Shō Nei. Hami sent tribute.

三十八年春三月癸巳，賜韓敬等進士及第、出身有差。夏四月丁丑，正陽門樓災。辛卯，以旱災異常，諭群臣各修職業，勿彼此攻訐。辛丑，振畿內、山東、山西、河南、陝西、福建、四川飢。五月，河南賊陳自管等作亂，有司討擒之。冬十月辛丑，停刑。十一月壬寅朔，日有食之。丁卯，以軍乏餉，諭廷臣陳足國長策，不得請發內帑。是年，烏斯藏入貢。

In the thirty-eighth year, in the third month of spring, on guisi, Han Jing and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the fourth month of summer, on dingchou, the Zhengyang Gate tower was destroyed by fire. On xinmao, because drought and disaster were extraordinary, the emperor instructed the assembled ministers each to attend to his duties and refrain from attacking one another. On xinchou famine relief was sent to the capital region, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, Fujian, and Sichuan. In the fifth month bandits in Henan led by Chen Ziguan and others rose in rebellion; the local authorities suppressed and captured them. In the tenth month of winter, on xinchou, executions were suspended. In the eleventh month, on the new moon of renyin, there was a solar eclipse. On dingmao, because the armies lacked supplies, the emperor instructed the court ministers to present long-term plans to sustain the state, but forbade requests to draw from the inner treasury. That year U-Tsang sent tribute.

三十九年春二月庚子，河套部敵犯甘州之紅崖、青湖，官軍禦卻之。夏四月，京師旱。戊子，怡神殿災。丙申，設邊鎮常平倉。五月壬寅，御史徐兆魁疏劾東林講學諸人陰持計典，自是諸臣益相攻擊。廣西、廣東大水。六月，自徐州北至京師大水。是夏，停熱審。冬十月丁卯，戶部尚書趙世卿拜疏自去。甲申，停刑。閣臣請釋輕犯，不報。是年，暹羅入貢。

In the thirty-ninth year, in the second month of spring, on gengzi, Ordos raiders invaded Hongya and Qinghu in Gansu, and government troops repelled them. In the fourth month of summer the capital suffered drought. On wuzi the Yi Shen Hall was destroyed by fire. On bingshen ever-normal granaries were established at the frontier garrisons. In the fifth month, on renyin, Censor Xu Zhaokui memorialized attacking the Donglin scholars for secretly controlling the evaluation system; from this the ministers grew ever more hostile toward one another. Guangxi and Guangdong suffered great floods. In the sixth month great floods struck from Xuzhou north to the capital. That summer the summer judicial review was suspended. In the tenth month of winter, on dingmao, Zhao Shiqing, minister of revenue, submitted a memorial and resigned. On jiashen executions were suspended. The grand secretaries requested release of minor offenders, but received no reply. That year Siam sent tribute.

四十年春二月癸未，吏部尚書孫丕揚拜疏自去。三月丙午，振京師流民。夏四月丙寅，南京各道御史言：「台省空虛，諸務廢墮，上深居二十餘年，未嚐一接見大臣，天下將有陸沈之憂。」不報。五月甲午朔，日有食之。秋八月，河決徐州。九月庚戌，李廷機拜疏自去。冬十月甲申，停刑。是年，琉球中山王尚寧遣使報歸國。

In the fortieth year, in the second month of spring, on guiwei, Sun Piyang, minister of personnel, submitted a memorial and resigned. In the third month, on bingwu, famine relief was sent to displaced persons in the capital. In the fourth month of summer, on bingyin, censors of the various circuits in Nanjing said: "The censorate and central agencies stand empty, affairs lie neglected, the emperor has lived in seclusion for more than twenty years and has never once received the senior ministers; the realm faces the danger of sinking into ruin. No reply was given. In the fifth month, on the new moon of jiawu, there was a solar eclipse. In the eighth month of autumn the Yellow River burst its banks at Xuzhou. In the ninth month, on gengxu, Li Tingji submitted a memorial and resigned. In the tenth month of winter, on jiashen, executions were suspended. That year King Shang Ning of Zhongshan in Ryukyu sent envoys to report his return to the throne.

四十一年春正月庚申，諭朝鮮練兵防倭。三月癸酉，賜周延儒等進士及第、出身有差。夏五月己巳，諭吏部都察院：「年來議論混淆，朝廷優容不問，遂益妄言排陷，致大臣疑畏，皆欲求去，甚傷國體。自今仍有結黨亂政者，罪不宥。」六月乙未，卜失兔襲封順義王。秋七月甲子，兵部尚書掌都察院事孫瑋拜疏自去。九月壬申，吏部左侍郎方從哲、前吏部左侍郎吳道南並禮部尚書兼東閣大學士，預機務。庚辰，吏部尚書趙煥拜疏自去。是年，兩畿、山東、江西、河南、廣西、湖廣、遼東大水。烏斯藏入貢。

In the forty-first year, in the first month of spring, on gengshen, the court instructed Korea to drill troops and guard against Japanese raiders. In the third month, on guiyou, Zhou Yanru and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the fifth month of summer, on jisi, an edict went to the ministries of personnel and the censorate: "In recent years partisan debate has grown confused; because the court has tolerated it without punishment, reckless accusations and entrapment have only increased, sowing fear among senior ministers until all wish to leave office—greatly harming the dignity of state. Henceforth anyone who still forms factions to disrupt governance will receive no pardon. In the sixth month, on yiwei, Bushitu inherited the enfeoffment as Prince of Shunyi. In the seventh month of autumn, on jiazi, Sun Wei, minister of war who also handled censorate affairs, submitted a memorial and resigned. In the ninth month, on renshen, Left Vice Minister of Personnel Fang Congzhe and former Left Vice Minister of Personnel Wu Daonan were both made ministers of rites and also grand secretaries of the Eastern Pavilion, entering state deliberations. On gengchen Zhao Huan, minister of personnel, submitted a memorial and resigned. That year the two capital regions, Shandong, Jiangxi, Henan, Guangxi, Huguang, and Liaodong suffered great floods. U-Tsang sent tribute.

四十二年春正月乙丑，總兵官劉綎討建昌叛蠻，平之。二月辛卯，慈聖皇太后崩。己酉，振畿內飢。三月丙子，福王之國。夏四月丙戌，以皇太后遺命赦天下。六月甲午，葬孝定皇后。秋八月甲午，禮部右侍郎孫慎行拜疏自去。癸卯，葉向高致仕。是年，安南、土魯番入貢。

In the forty-second year, in the first month of spring, on yichou, Regional Commander Liu Ting suppressed the rebellious tribes of Jianchang and pacified them. In the second month, on xinmao, the Empress Dowager Cisheng died. On jiyou famine relief was sent to the capital region. In the third month, on bingzi, the Prince of Fu departed for his fief. In the fourth month of summer, on bingxu, the realm was pardoned by the empress dowager's dying command. In the sixth month, on jiawu, Empress Xiaoding was buried. In the eighth month of autumn, on jiawu, Sun Shenxing, right vice minister of rites, submitted a memorial and resigned. On guimao Ye Xianggao retired from office. That year Annam and Turfan sent tribute.

四十三年春正月乙丑，徐州決河工成。三月丁未朔，日有食之。夏五月己酉，薊州男子張差持梃入慈慶宮，擊傷守門內侍，下獄。丁巳，刑部提牢主事王之寀揭言張差獄情，梃擊之案自是起。己巳，嚴皇城門禁。癸酉，召見廷臣於慈寧宮。御史劉光復下獄。甲戌，張差伏誅。六月戊寅，久旱，敕修省。秋七月己酉，振畿內飢。甲戌，停刑。閏八月庚戌，重建三殿。丁巳，山東大旱，詔留稅銀振之。丁卯，河套諸部犯延綏，官軍御之，敗績，副將孫弘謨被執。冬十月辛酉，京師地震。十一月戊寅，振京師饑民。

In the forty-third year, in the first month of spring, on yichou, the Xuzhou river-control works were completed. In the third month, on the new moon of dingwei, there was a solar eclipse. In the fifth month of summer, on jiyou, a man of Jizhou named Zhang Cha, carrying a club, entered the Ciqing Palace, wounded the eunuch gatekeepers, and was imprisoned. On dingsi Wang Zhicai, a registrar in the prison bureau of the ministry of justice, publicly disclosed the circumstances of Zhang Cha's case; from this the club-assault affair arose. On jisi security at the imperial city gates was tightened. On guiyou the emperor summoned the court ministers for audience at the Cining Palace. Censor Liu Guangfu was imprisoned. On jiaxu Zhang Cha was executed. In the sixth month, on wuyin, because of prolonged drought, an edict called for self-examination and reform. In the seventh month of autumn, on jiyou, famine relief was sent to the capital region. On jiaxu executions were suspended. In the intercalary eighth month, on gengxu, reconstruction of the Three Halls began. On dingsi Shandong suffered great drought; an edict ordered tax silver retained there to be used for famine relief. On dingmao the Ordos tribes invaded Yan-Sui; government troops resisted but were defeated, and Vice General Sun Hongmo was captured. In the tenth month of winter, on xinyou, the capital shook with an earthquake. In the eleventh month, on wuyin, famine relief was sent to starving people in the capital.

四十四年春三月辛未朔，日有食之。乙酉，賜錢上升等進士及第、出身有差。是春，畿內、山東、河南、淮、徐大饑，蠲振有差。夏四月戊午，河南盜起，諭有司撫剿。六月壬寅，河套諸部犯延綏，總兵官杜文煥禦卻之。丁卯，河決祥符硃家口，浸陳、杞、睢、柘諸州縣。秋七月乙未，河套部長吉能犯高家堡，參將王國興敗沒。是月，陝西旱，江西、廣東水，河南、淮、揚、常、鎮蝗，山東盜賊大起。冬十月丁未，停刑。十一月己巳，隆德殿災。

In the forty-fourth year, in the third month of spring, on the new moon of xinwei, there was a solar eclipse. On yiyou Qian Shangsheng and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. That spring the capital region, Shandong, Henan, Huai, and Xu suffered great famine; remissions and relief were granted according to circumstance. In the fourth month of summer, on wuwu, bandits rose in Henan; the emperor instructed the local authorities to pacify and suppress them. In the sixth month, on renyin, the Ordos tribes invaded Yan-Sui, and Regional Commander Du Wenhuan repelled them. On dingmao the Yellow River broke through at Zhujiakou in Xiangfu, inundating the prefectures and counties of Chen, Qi, Sui, and Zhe. In the seventh month of autumn, on yiwei, Chang Jineng of the Ordos tribes invaded Gaojiabao; Assistant General Wang Guoxing was defeated and killed. That month Shaanxi suffered drought; Jiangxi and Guangdong suffered floods; Henan, Huai, Yangzhou, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang suffered locusts; and bandits rose in great numbers in Shandong. In the tenth month of winter, on dingwei, executions were suspended. In the eleventh month, on jisi, the Longde Hall was destroyed by fire.

四十五年春二月戊午，以去冬無雪，入春不雨，敕修省。三月辛未，鎮撫司缺官，獄囚久系多死，大學士方從哲等以請，不報。乙亥，振江西飢。夏五月丙子，久旱，再諭修省。六月丙申，畿南大饑，有司請振，不報。是月，閣臣法司請熱審，不報。秋七月癸亥朔，日有食之。丁卯，吳道南以憂去。是年，兩畿、河南、山東、山西、陝西、江西、湖廣、福建、廣東災。暹羅、烏斯藏入貢。

In the forty-fifth year, in the second month of spring, on wuwu, because there had been no snow the previous winter and no rain since spring began, an edict called for self-examination and reform. In the third month, on xinwei, because the prison surveillance office lacked officials and long-imprisoned inmates were dying in large numbers, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe and others made a request, but received no reply. On yihai famine relief was sent to Jiangxi. In the fifth month of summer, on bingzi, because of prolonged drought, the emperor again instructed self-examination and reform. In the sixth month, on bingshen, the region south of the capital suffered great famine; the local authorities requested relief, but received no reply. That month the grand secretaries and judicial officials requested a summer judicial review, but received no reply. In the seventh month of autumn, on the new moon of guihai, there was a solar eclipse. On dingmao Wu Daonan left office due to bereavement. That year the two capital regions, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Huguang, Fujian, and Guangdong suffered disasters. Siam and U-Tsang sent tribute.

四十六年春二月乙巳，振廣東飢。夏四月甲辰，大清兵克撫順城，千總王命印死之。庚戌，總兵官張承胤帥師援撫順，敗沒。閏月庚申，楊鎬為兵部左侍郎兼右僉都御史，經略遼東。六月壬午，京師地震。是夏，有司請熱審，不報。秋七月丙午，大清兵克清河堡，守將鄒儲賢、張旆死之。八月壬申，海運餉遼東。庚辰，乃蠻等七部款塞。辛巳，停刑。九月壬辰，遼師乏餉，有司請發各省稅銀，不報。辛亥，加天下田賦。乙卯，京師地震。冬十一月甲午，以災異敕修省。十二月丁巳，河套部長猛克什力來降。是年，土魯番、天方、撒馬兒罕、魯迷、哈密、烏斯藏入貢。

In the forty-sixth year, in the second month of spring, on yisi, famine relief was sent to Guangdong. In the fourth month of summer, on jiachen, Qing forces captured Fushun city; Company Commander Wang Mingyin died defending it. On gengxu Regional Commander Zhang Chengyin led troops to relieve Fushun but was defeated and killed. In the intercalary month, on gengshen, Yang Hao was made left vice minister of war and also right vice censor-in-chief, with responsibility for affairs in Liaodong. In the sixth month, on renwu, the capital shook with an earthquake. That summer the local authorities requested a summer judicial review, but received no reply. In the seventh month of autumn, on bingwu, Qing forces captured Qinghe Fort; the defending generals Zou Chuxian and Zhang Qi died defending it. In the eighth month, on renshen, grain for Liaodong was transported by sea. On gengchen seven tribes including Naiman submitted at the frontier. On xinsi executions were suspended. In the ninth month, on renchen, because the Liaodong army lacked supplies, the local authorities requested that tax silver from the provinces be released, but received no reply. On xinhai land tax throughout the realm was increased. On yimao the capital shook with an earthquake. In the eleventh month of winter, on jiawu, because of calamities and portents, an edict called for self-examination and reform. In the twelfth month, on dingsi, Mengkeshili, chief of the Ordos tribes, came to surrender. That year Turfan, Tianfang, Samarkand, Rumi, Hami, and U-Tsang sent tribute missions.

四十七年春二月乙丑，經略楊鎬誓師於遼陽，總兵官李如柏、杜松、劉綎、馬林分道出塞。三月甲早，杜松遇大清兵於吉林崖，戰死。乙酉，馬林兵敗於飛芬山，兵備僉事潘宗顏戰死。庚寅，劉綎兵深入阿布達里岡，戰死。辛丑，賜莊際昌等進士及第、出身有差。夏四月癸酉，盔甲廠災。六月丁卯，大清兵克開原，馬林敗沒。癸酉，大理寺丞熊廷弼為兵部右侍郎兼右僉都御史，經略遼東。甲戌，廷臣伏文華門，請發章奏及增兵發餉，不報。秋八月乙卯，山東蝗。癸亥，逮楊鎬。九月庚辰，停刑。戊子，百官伏闕，請視朝行政，不報。冬十月丁巳，振京師饑民。十二月，再加天下田賦。辛未，鎮江、寬奠、靉陽新募援兵潰。是年，暹羅入貢。

In the forty-seventh year, in the second month of spring, on yichou, Commissioner-in-Chief Yang Hao rallied the army at Liaoyang; Regional Commanders Li Rubai, Du Song, Liu Ting, and Ma Lin advanced beyond the frontier by separate routes. In the third month, on jiawu, Du Song encountered Qing troops at Jilin Cliff and died in battle. On yiyou Ma Lin's army was defeated at Feifen Mountain, and Assistant Surveillance Commissioner Pan Zongyan died in battle. On gengyin Liu Ting's army advanced deep into Mount Abudali, and he died in battle. On xinchou Zhuang Jichang and others received jinshi ranks, palace degrees, and provincial degrees according to merit. In the fourth month of summer, on guiyou, the armor factory burned. In the sixth month, on dingmao, Qing forces captured Kaiyuan; Ma Lin was defeated and perished. On guiyou Xiong Tingbi, assistant director of the Court of Judicial Review, was made vice minister of war and also right assistant censor-in-chief, commissioner-in-chief of Liaodong. On jiaxu court officials prostrated themselves at the Wenhua Gate, requesting that memorials be issued and that troops and supplies be increased, but received no reply. In the eighth month of autumn, on yimao, locusts struck Shandong. On guihai Yang Hao was arrested. In the ninth month, on gengchen, executions were suspended. On wuzi all officials prostrated themselves at the palace gate, requesting that the emperor hold court and conduct state affairs, but received no reply. In the tenth month of winter, on dingsi, famine relief was sent to the hungry in the capital region. In the twelfth month the land tax was increased again throughout the realm. On xinwei newly recruited relief troops at Zhenjiang, Kuandian, and Aiyang mutinied and dispersed. That year Siam sent tribute.

四十八年春正月庚子，朝鮮乞援。三月庚寅，復加天下田賦。夏四月癸丑，皇后王氏崩。戊午，帝不豫，召見方從哲於弘德殿。秋七月壬辰，大漸，召英國公張惟賢，大學士方從哲，尚書周嘉謨、李汝華、黃嘉善、張問達、黃克纘，侍郎孫如游於弘德殿，勉諸臣勤職。丙申，崩，年五十有八。遺詔罷一切榷稅並新增織造諸項。九月甲申，上尊諡，廟號神宗，葬定陵。

In the forty-eighth year, in the first month of spring, on gengzi, Korea requested aid. In the third month, on gengyin, the land tax was again increased throughout the realm. In the fourth month of summer, on guichou, Empress Wang died. On wuwu the emperor took ill and summoned Fang Congzhe to audience at the Hongde Hall. In the seventh month of autumn, on renchen, as his illness grew grave, he summoned the Duke of Ying Zhang Weixian, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Ministers Zhou Jiamo, Li Ruhua, Huang Jiashan, Zhang Wenda, and Huang Kezuan, and Vice Minister Sun Ruyou to the Hongde Hall and urged them to attend diligently to their duties. On bingshen he died, aged fifty-eight. His deathbed edict abolished all monopoly taxes and newly added weaving and manufacture items. In the ninth month, on jiashen, posthumous honors were granted, the temple name Shenzong was bestowed, and he was buried at Dingling.

光宗，崇天契道英睿恭純憲文景武淵仁懿孝貞皇帝，諱常洛，神宗長子也。母恭妃王氏。萬曆十年八月生。神宗御殿受賀，告祭郊廟社稷，頒詔天下，上兩宮徽號。未幾，鄭貴妃生子常洵，有寵。儲位久不定，廷臣交章固請，皆不聽。二十九年十月，乃立為皇太子。

Emperor Guangzong—honored after death as one who honored Heaven, aligned with the Way, and united sagacious wisdom, respectful purity, constitutional culture, glorious martial accomplishment, profound benevolence, manifest filial piety, and steadfast uprightness—was named Zhu Changluo and was Shenzong's eldest son. His mother was Consort Gong of the Wang clan. He was born in the eighth month of Wanli ten. Shenzong held court to receive congratulations, reported the birth at sacrifices to the suburban shrines, imperial temples, and the altar of soil and grain, issued an edict throughout the realm, and honored both empress dowagers with honorific titles. Before long Consort Zheng bore Changxun, and she enjoyed favor. The succession remained unsettled for a long time; court officials submitted memorial after memorial in firm request, but the emperor would not listen. In the tenth month of year twenty-nine he was at last invested as crown prince.

三十一年，獲妖書，言神宗欲易太子，指斥鄭貴妃。神宗怒。捕逮株連者甚眾，最後得皦生光者，磔之。獄乃解。四十一年六月，奸人王曰乾上變，告孔學等為巫蠱，將謀不利於東宮，語連鄭貴妃、福王，事具《葉向高傳》。四十三年夏五月己酉，薊州男子張差持梃入慈慶宮，事复連貴妃內璫。太子請以屬吏。獄具，戮差於市，斃內璫二人於禁中。自是遂有「梃擊」之案。

In year thirty-one a demonic tract was discovered stating that Shenzong wished to replace the crown prince and denouncing Consort Zheng. Shenzong was enraged. Very many were arrested and implicated; finally one Jiao Sheng was found and dismembered. The case was then closed. In the sixth month of year forty-one the villain Wang Ri'gan submitted an urgent report accusing Kong Xue and others of witchcraft and plotting harm against the Eastern Palace; the affair connected Consort Zheng and the Prince of Fu—the full account is given in the biography of Ye Xianggao. In the fifth month of summer of year forty-three, on yiyou, a man of Jizhou named Zhang Cha entered the Ciqing Palace armed with a club; the affair again connected the consort's eunuchs. The crown prince requested that Zhang Cha be handed over to the regular officials. When the case was concluded, Cha was executed in the marketplace and two palace eunuchs were put to death within the forbidden precincts. From this there arose the case known as the Stick Beating.

四十八年七月，神宗崩。丁酉，太子遵遺詔發帑金百萬犒邊。盡罷天下礦稅，起建言得罪諸臣。己亥，再發帑金百萬充邊賞。八月丙午朔，即皇帝位。大赦天下，以明年為泰昌元年。蠲直省被災租賦。己酉，吏部侍郎史繼偕、南京禮部侍郎沈飀為禮部尚書兼東閣大學士，預機務。遼東大旱。庚申，蘭州黃河清，凡三日。甲子，禮部侍郎何宗彥、劉一燝、韓爌為禮部尚書兼東閣大學士，預機務。乙丑，南京禮部尚書硃國祚為禮部尚書兼東閣大學士，預機務。召葉向高。遣使卹刑。丙寅，帝不豫。戊辰，召對英國公張惟賢、大學士方從哲等十有三人於乾清宮，命皇長子出見。甲戌，大漸，復召從哲等受顧命。是日，鴻臚寺官李可灼進紅丸。九月乙亥朔，崩於乾清宮，在位一月，年三十有九。熹宗即位，從廷臣議，改萬曆四十八年八月後為泰昌元年。冬十月，上尊諡，廟號光宗，葬慶陵。

In the seventh month of year forty-eight Shenzong died. On dingyou the crown prince, following the deathbed edict, disbursed one million taels from the treasury to reward the frontier. All mining taxes throughout the realm were abolished, and officials who had been punished for remonstrance were restored. On jihai another million taels from the treasury were disbursed as frontier rewards. On the bingwu new moon of the eighth month he ascended the throne. He proclaimed a general amnesty throughout the realm and declared the following year Taichang one. Rent and tax were remitted in directly administered provinces stricken by disaster. On jiyou Shi Jixie, vice minister of personnel, and Shen Fei, vice minister of rites at Nanjing, were made ministers of rites and also grand secretaries of the Eastern Lodge and entered state deliberations. Liaodong suffered great drought. On gengshen the Yellow River ran clear at Lanzhou for three days in all. On jiazi He Zongyan, Liu Yijian, and Han Kuang, vice ministers of rites, were made ministers of rites and also grand secretaries of the Eastern Lodge and entered state deliberations. On yichou Zhu Guozuo, minister of rites at Nanjing, was made minister of rites and also grand secretary of the Eastern Lodge and entered state deliberations. Ye Xianggao was summoned. Envoys were dispatched to show mercy in criminal matters. On bingyin the emperor took ill. On wuchen Zhang Weixian, Duke of Ying, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, and thirteen others in all were summoned for audience at the Qianqing Palace, and the eldest imperial son was ordered brought out to be seen. On jiaxu, as his illness grew grave, Fang Congzhe and the others were again summoned to receive his final charge. That same day Li Kezhuo, an official of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, presented the Red Pill. On the yihai new moon of the ninth month he died in the Qianqing Palace, having reigned one month, aged thirty-nine. When Xizong ascended the throne he followed the court's counsel and changed the period after the eighth month of Wanli forty-eight to Taichang one. In the tenth month of winter posthumous honors were granted, the temple name Guangzong was bestowed, and he was buried at Qingling.

贊曰：神宗衝齡踐阼，江陵秉政，綜核名實，國勢幾於富強。繼乃因循牽制，晏處深宮，綱紀廢弛，君臣否隔。於是小人好權趨利者馳騖追逐，與名節之士為仇讎，門戶紛然角立。馴至悊、愍，邪黨滋蔓。在廷正類無深識遠慮以折其機牙，而不勝忿激，交相攻訐。以致人主蓄疑，賢姦雜用，潰敗決裂，不可振救。故論者謂明之亡，實亡於神宗，豈不諒歟。光宗潛德久彰，海內屬望，而嗣服一月，天不假年，措施未展，三案構爭，黨禍益熾，可哀也夫！

Appraisal: Shenzong took the throne at a tender age; Jiangling held government, verified names against realities, and the nation's strength came near to prosperity and power. Thereafter he drifted in inertia and constraint, dwelt at ease deep within the palace, statutes and discipline fell into decay, and ruler and ministers were cut off from one another. Thereupon men of little worth who loved power and pursued profit raced and jostled after it, made enemies of men of reputation and integrity, and factional doors rose up to contend against one another. Gradually, by the Tianqi and Chongzhen reigns, evil factions spread ever further. Those in court who were upright lacked deep insight and far-sighted planning to break their teeth; unable to restrain their indignation, they attacked one another in turn. Thus the ruler nursed suspicion, the worthy and the wicked were employed together, and collapse and rupture came in a way that could not be mended. Therefore commentators say that the fall of the Ming in truth began with Shenzong—can that not be believed? Guangzong's hidden virtue had long been manifest and the realm looked to him, yet he reigned only one month; Heaven granted no length of years and his measures went unrealized; the Three Cases stirred contention and partisan disaster grew fiercer still—pitiable indeed!

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