1
瓦剌，蒙古部落也，在韃靼西。 元亡，其強臣猛可帖木兒據之。 死，眾分為三，其渠曰馬哈木，曰太平，曰把禿孛羅。
The Oirats were a Mongol tribe situated west of the Tartars. After the Yuan fell, a powerful minister named Mokectemur took control of the tribe. When he died, the people divided into three factions, led by Mahamu, Taiping, and Batu Boluo.
2
成祖即位，遣使往告。 永樂初，復數使鎮撫答哈帖木兒等諭之，並賜馬哈木等文綺有差。 六年冬，馬哈木等遣暖答失等隨亦剌思來朝貢馬，仍請封。 明年夏，封馬哈木為特進金紫光祿大夫、順寧王； 太平為特進金紫光祿大夫、賢義王； 把禿孛羅為特進金紫光祿大夫、安樂王； 賜印誥。 暖答失等宴賚如例。
Upon his accession, the Chengzu Emperor dispatched envoys to inform them. In the early Yongle period, the emperor repeatedly sent pacification commissioners such as Dahar Temur to instruct them and granted Mahamu and his colleagues brocade in varying quantities. In the winter of the sixth year, Mahamu and his colleagues sent Nuandashi and others, accompanying Yilasi, to court with tribute horses and again petitioned for enfeoffment. The following summer, Mahamu was enfeoffed as Special Grand Master with the Golden Brilliant Ray Cap and Grand Seal and as King of Shunningning; Taiping as Special Grand Master with the Golden Brilliant Ray Cap and Grand Seal and as King of Xianyi; Batu Boluo as Special Grand Master with the Golden Brilliant Ray Cap and Grand Seal and as King of Anle; They were granted seals and letters of patent. Nuandashi and his party were entertained and rewarded according to established practice.
3
八年春，瓦剌復貢馬謝恩。 自是歲一入貢。
In the spring of the eighth year, the Oirats again sent tribute horses to express their thanks. Thereafter they sent tribute annually.
4
時元主本雅失裡偕其屬阿魯台居漠北，馬哈木乃以兵襲破之。 八年，帝既自將擊破本雅失裡及阿魯台兵，馬哈木上言請得早為滅寇計。 十年，馬哈木遂攻殺本雅失裡。 復上言欲獻故元傳國璽，慮阿魯台來邀，請中國除之； 脫脫不花子在中國，請遣還； 部屬多從戰有勞，請加賞賚； 又瓦剌士馬強，請予軍器。 帝曰：「瓦剌驕矣，然不足較。」 賚其使而遣之。 明年，馬哈木留敕使不遣，復請以甘肅、寧夏歸附韃靼者多其所親，請給還。 帝怒，命中官海童切責之。 冬，馬哈木等擁兵飲馬河，將入犯，而揚言襲阿魯台。 開平守將以聞，帝詔親征。 明年夏，駐蹕忽蘭忽失溫。 三部埽境來戰，帝麾安遠侯柳升、武安侯鄭亨等先嘗之，而親率鐵騎馳擊，大破之，斬王子十餘人，部眾數千級。 追奔，度兩高山，至土剌河。 馬哈木等脫身遁，乃班師。 明年春，馬哈木等貢馬謝罪，且還前所留使，詞卑。 帝曰：「瓦剌故不足較。」 受其獻，館其使者。 明年，瓦剌與阿魯台戰，敗走。 未幾，馬哈木死，海童歸言，瓦剌拒命由順寧，順寧死，賢義、安樂皆可撫。 帝因復使海童往勞太平、把禿孛羅。
At that time the Yuan ruler Benyashili and his follower Arugtai were living in the northern steppe, and Mahamu attacked and routed them. In the eighth year, after the emperor had personally led an expedition that broke the forces of Benyashili and Arugtai, Mahamu memorialized the throne asking to be allowed to plan early for their destruction. In the tenth year, Mahamu attacked and killed Benyashili. He memorialized again that he wished to present the former Yuan imperial seal but, fearing Arugtai might intercept it on the way, asked China to eliminate Arugtai; Togtoh Buqa's son was being held in China, and he asked that the boy be returned; many of his followers had fought with distinction and he asked for additional rewards; He also noted that Oirat warriors and horses were strong and asked for arms and equipment. The emperor said, "The Oirats have grown arrogant, but they are not worth taking seriously." He rewarded their envoys and dismissed them. The following year Mahamu detained the imperial envoy and refused to release him, and again asked that his kinsmen among those who had submitted to the Tartars from Gansu and Ningxia be returned to him. The emperor was enraged and ordered the eunuch Haitong to deliver a sharp reprimand. That winter Mahamu and his allies massed troops on the river where their horses were watered, preparing to invade while claiming they would strike Arugtai. The Kaiping garrison commander reported this, and the emperor announced he would lead the campaign in person. The following summer he encamped at Hulun Hubu Hot. All three tribes came to fight at the border. The emperor sent the Marquis of Anyuan, Liu Sheng, the Marquis of Wu'an, Zheng Heng, and others to probe them first, then personally led his armored cavalry in a charge and routed them, killing more than ten princes and several thousand of their followers. He pursued the fleeing enemy across two high mountains as far as the Tula River. Mahamu and his colleagues escaped, and the army withdrew. The following spring Mahamu and his colleagues sent tribute horses to apologize and returned the envoy they had detained, speaking in the most submissive terms. The emperor said, "The Oirats have never been worth taking seriously." He accepted their tribute and entertained their envoys. The following year the Oirats fought Arugtai, were defeated, and fled. Before long Mahamu died. On his return Haitong reported that Oirat defiance had stemmed from the Shunningning faction; with Shunningning gone, the Xianyi and Anle factions could both be won over. The emperor accordingly sent Haitong again to convey condolences and rewards to Taiping and Batu Boluo.
5
十六年春，海童偕瓦剌貢使來。 馬哈木子脫懽請襲爵，帝封為順寧王。 而海童及都督蘇火耳灰等以彩幣往賜太平、把禿孛羅及弟昂克，別遣使祭故順寧王。 自是，瓦剌復奉貢。
In the spring of the sixteenth year, Haitong arrived with Oirat tribute envoys. Mahamu's son Toγan petitioned to inherit his father's rank, and the emperor enfeoffed him as King of Shunningning. Haitong and Commissioner-in-Chief Suhuo'erhui and others were sent with colored silks to reward Taiping, Batu Boluo, and the younger brother Angke, while separate envoys were dispatched to perform rites for the late King of Shunningning. From then on the Oirats resumed regular tribute missions.
6
二十年，瓦剌侵掠哈密，朝廷責之，遣使謝罪。 二十二年冬，瓦剌部屬賽因打力來降，命為所鎮撫，賜彩幣、襲衣、鞍馬，仍令有司給供具。 自後來歸者悉如例。
In the twentieth year the Oirats raided Hami. When the court rebuked them, they sent envoys to apologize. In the winter of the twenty-second year the Oirat follower Sayindali surrendered. He was appointed pacification commissioner of his district and given colored silks, court robes, saddles, and horses, and the civil authorities were ordered to furnish his provisions as well. Thereafter every defector who came over was treated the same way.
7
四年，脫懽死，子也先嗣，稱太師淮王。 於是北部皆服屬也先，脫脫不花具空名，不復相制。 每入貢，主臣並使，朝廷亦兩敕答之； 賜賚甚厚，並及其妻子、部長。 故事，瓦使不過五十人。 利朝廷爵賞，歲增至二千餘人。 屢敕，不奉約。 使往來多行殺掠，又挾他部與俱，邀索中國貴重難得之物。 稍不饜，輒造釁端，所賜財物亦歲增。 也先攻破哈密，執王及王母，既而歸之。 又結婚沙州、赤斤蒙古諸衛，破兀良哈，脅朝鮮。 邊將知必大為寇，屢疏聞，止敕戒防禦而已。
In the fourth year Toγan died and his son Esen succeeded him, taking the title Grand Preceptor and Prince of Huai. The northern tribes then all submitted to Esen. Togtoh Buqa retained only a nominal title and could no longer control him. On each tribute mission both the nominal ruler and Esen sent envoys, and the court answered with two separate edicts; rewards were lavish and extended to their wives, children, and tribal leaders. By established practice, Oirat missions were limited to fifty men. Eager for court titles and rewards, their delegations grew to more than two thousand men a year. The court issued repeated orders, but they refused to comply. Their envoys often killed and plundered along the route, brought other tribes with them, and demanded rare goods that China could scarcely supply. At the slightest disappointment they provoked trouble, and the gifts they received grew larger every year. Esen captured Hami and took the king and queen mother prisoner, then later released them. He sealed marriage alliances with Shazhou and the Chijin Mongol guards, defeated the Wuliangha, and menaced Korea. Border commanders knew a major raid was coming and sent repeated warnings, but the court merely ordered them to stay on the defensive.
8
十一年冬，也先攻兀良哈，遣使抵大同乞糧，並請見守備太監郭敬。 帝敕敬毋見，毋予糧。 明年，復致書宣府守將楊洪。 洪以聞，敕洪禮其使，報之。 頃之，其部眾有來歸者，言也先謀入寇，脫脫不花止之，也先不聽，尋約諸番共背中國。 帝詔問，不報。 時朝使至瓦剌，也先等有所請乞，無不許。 瓦剌使來，更增至三千人，復虛其數以冒廩餼。 禮部按實予之，所請又僅得五之一，也先大愧怒。
In the winter of the eleventh year Esen attacked the Wuliangha and sent envoys to Datong to request grain and an audience with the garrison eunuch-director Guo Jing. The emperor ordered Guo Jing neither to meet them nor to supply grain. The following year he wrote again to the Xuanfu commander Yang Hong. Yang Hong reported this, and the emperor instructed him to receive the envoys courteously and send a reply. Soon afterward defectors reported that Esen was planning an invasion. Togtoh Buqa tried to dissuade him, but Esen refused to listen and soon enlisted other tribes in a joint revolt against China. The emperor sent inquiries, but they made no response. Whenever court envoys visited the Oirats, Esen and his party obtained whatever they asked for. Oirat missions now numbered three thousand men, and they again inflated their rolls to claim extra rations. The Ministry of Rites paid only according to the verified head count, so they received barely a fifth of what they demanded. Esen was deeply humiliated and furious.
9
十四年七月，遂誘脅諸番，分道大舉入寇。 脫脫不花以兀良哈寇遼東，阿剌知院寇宣府，圍赤城，又遣別騎寇甘州，也先自寇大同。 參將吳浩戰死貓兒莊，羽書踵至。 太監王振挾帝親征，群臣伏闕爭，不得。 大同守將西寧侯宋瑛、武進伯硃冕、都督石亨等與也先戰陽和，太監郭敬監軍，諸將悉為所制，失律，軍盡覆。 瑛、冕死，敬伏草中免，亨奔還。 車駕次大同，連日風雨甚，又軍中常夜驚，人恟懼，郭敬密言於振，始旋師。 車駕還次宣府，敵眾襲軍後。 恭順侯吳克忠拒之，敗歿。 成國公硃勇、永順伯薛綬以四萬人繼往，至鷂兒嶺，伏發，盡陷。 次日，至土木。 諸臣議入保懷來，振顧輜重遽止，也先遂追及。 土木地高，掘井二丈不得水，汲道已為敵據，眾渴，敵騎益增。 明日，敵見大軍止不行，偽退，振遽令移營而南。 軍方動，也先集騎四面沖之，士卒爭先走，行列大亂。 敵跳陣而入，六軍大潰，死傷數十萬。 英國公張輔，駙馬都尉井源，尚書鄺埜、王佐，侍郎曹鼐、丁鉉等五十餘人死之，振亦死。 帝蒙塵，中官喜寧從。 也先聞車駕至，錯愕未之信，及見，致禮甚恭，奉帝居其弟伯顏帖木兒營，以先所掠校尉袁彬來侍。 也先將謀逆，會大雷雨震死也先所乘馬，復見帝寢幄有異瑞，乃止。 也先擁帝至大同城，索金幣，都督郭登與白金三萬。 登復謀奪駕入城，帝沮之不果，也先遂擁帝北行。
In the seventh month of the fourteenth year he coerced the allied tribes into a full-scale invasion on several fronts. Togtoh Buqa led the Wuliangha against Liaodong, Alazhizhi struck Xuanfu and besieged Chicheng, a detached force raided Ganzhou, and Esen attacked Datong in person. Assistant General Wu Hao was killed at Mao'erzhuang, and urgent reports poured in. The eunuch Wang Zhen pressed the emperor to lead the campaign in person. Ministers knelt at the palace gate in protest but could not stop him. The Datong commanders—the Marquis of Xining Song Ying, the Earl of Wujin Zhu Mian, and Commissioner-in-Chief Shi Heng—fought Esen at Yanghe under the supervision of the eunuch Guo Jing, who kept the generals under his thumb. They lost discipline and the entire force was wiped out. Song Ying and Zhu Mian were killed. Guo Jing hid in the grass and survived; Shi Heng fled back alive. The imperial train halted at Datong. Days of heavy rain and nightly alarms spread panic through the army. Only after Guo Jing spoke privately to Wang Zhen did they turn back. On the return march the train halted at Xuanfu, and enemy forces struck the rear. The Marquis of Gongshun, Wu Kezhong, tried to hold them off and was killed in defeat. The Duke of Chengguo Zhu Yong and the Earl of Yongshun Xue Sui followed with forty thousand men, but at Yao'erling they walked into an ambush and the whole force was destroyed. The next day they reached Tumu. The ministers urged taking shelter in Huailai, but Wang Zhen, anxious about the baggage train, vetoed the move. Esen caught up with them. Tumu stood on high ground. Wells dug twenty feet deep found no water, and the streams were already in enemy hands. The army was parched while enemy horsemen gathered in ever greater numbers. The next day, seeing the main army immobilized, the enemy pretended to withdraw. Wang Zhen immediately ordered a move south. As soon as the army stirred, Esen massed his cavalry and charged from every side. Soldiers broke ranks and fled, and the formation collapsed. The enemy broke into the lines. The entire army was routed, and hundreds of thousands were killed or wounded. The Duke of Ying Zhang Fu, the imperial son-in-law Jing Yuan, Ministers Kuang Ye and Wang Zuo, Vice Ministers Cao Tai and Ding Xuan, and more than fifty others were killed, and Wang Zhen died as well. The emperor was taken captive, accompanied by the eunuch Xining. Esen could scarcely believe the emperor had fallen into his hands. When they met he treated him with great respect, lodged him in his brother Bayan Temur's camp, and sent the corporal Yuan Bin, whom he had captured earlier, to serve him. Esen was plotting treason when a thunderstorm killed his horse and he saw an ominous sign over the emperor's tent. He abandoned the plan. Esen brought the emperor to Datong and demanded gold and silver. Commissioner-in-Chief Guo Deng paid thirty thousand taels of silver. Guo Deng then planned to seize the emperor and bring him inside the walls, but the emperor forbade it and the attempt failed. Esen marched the emperor north.
10
九月，郕王自監國即皇帝位，尊帝為太上皇帝。 也先詭稱奉上皇還，由大同、陽和抵紫荊關，攻入之，直前犯京師。 兵部尚書于謙督武清伯石亨、都督孫鏜等御之。 也先邀大臣出迎上皇，未果。 亨等與戰，數敗之。 也先夜走，自良鄉至紫荊，大掠而出。 都督楊洪復大破其餘眾於居庸，也先仍以上皇北行。 也先夜常於御幄上，遙見赤光奕奕若龍蟠，大驚異。 也先又欲以妹進上皇，上皇卻之，益敬服，時時殺羊馬置酒為壽，稽首行君臣禮。
In the ninth month the Prince of Cheng, who had been serving as regent, ascended the throne and honored the captive emperor as the Retired Emperor. Esen pretended he was escorting the Retired Emperor home, marched through Datong and Yanghe to Zijing Pass, broke through, and drove on toward the capital. Minister of War Yu Qian directed the Earl of Wuqing Shi Heng, Commissioner-in-Chief Sun Tang, and others in the defense. Esen demanded that ministers come out to welcome the Retired Emperor, but none did. Shi Heng and his colleagues fought them and defeated them again and again. Esen fled by night from Liangxiang to Zijing Pass, looting heavily as he withdrew. Commissioner-in-Chief Yang Hong routed the remaining enemy at Juyong, while Esen continued north with the Retired Emperor. At night Esen often looked toward the imperial tent and saw from afar a brilliant red glow like a coiled dragon, which filled him with awe. Esen also offered his sister to the Retired Emperor, who refused her. Esen grew still more deferential, regularly slaughtering sheep and horses for banquets in the emperor's honor and bowing in full court ceremony.
11
景泰元年，也先復奉上皇至大同，郭登不納，仍謀欲奪上皇，也先覺之，引去。
In the first year of Jingtai, Esen brought the Retired Emperor to Datong again. Guo Deng refused entry and again plotted to rescue him. Esen sensed the trap and withdrew.
12
初，也先有輕中國心，及犯京師，見中國兵強，城池固，始大沮。 會中國已誘誅賊奄喜寧，失其間諜，而脫脫不花、阿剌知院復遣使與朝廷和，皆撤所部歸，也先亦決意息兵。 秋，帝遣侍郎李實、少卿羅綺、指揮馬政等齎璽書往諭脫脫不花及也先。 而脫脫不花、也先所遣皮兒馬黑麻等已至，帝因復使都御史楊善、侍郎趙榮率指揮、千戶等往。 也先語實，兩國利速和，迎使夕至，大駕朝發，但當遣一二大臣來。 實歸，善等至，致奉迎上皇意。 也先曰：「上皇歸，當仍作天子邪？」 善曰：「天位已定，不再更。」 也先引善見上皇，遂設宴餞上皇行。 也先席地彈琵琶，妻妾奉酒，顧善曰：「都御史坐。」 善不敢坐，上皇曰：「太師著坐，便坐。」 善承旨坐，即起，周旋其間。 也先顧善曰：「有禮。」 伯顏等亦各設餞畢，也先築土台，坐上皇台上，率妻妾部長羅拜其下，各獻器用、飲食物。 上皇行，也先與部眾皆送約半日程，也先、伯顏乃下馬伏地慟哭曰：「皇帝行矣，何時復得相見！」 良久乃去，仍遣其頭目七十人送至京。
At first Esen had underestimated China, but after assaulting the capital and finding its armies strong and its walls solid, he lost heart. China had meanwhile lured the traitor Xining to his death and destroyed Esen's intelligence network. Togtoh Buqa and Alazhizhi sent envoys to sue for peace and withdrew their troops, and Esen too decided to end the war. That autumn the emperor sent Vice Minister Li Shi, Junior Director Luo Qi, Commander Ma Zheng, and others with imperial letters to Togtoh Buqa and Esen. By then Togtoh Buqa and Esen's envoys, including Pi'ermaheima, had already arrived, so the emperor sent Censor-in-Chief Yang Shan, Vice Minister Zhao Rong, and a party of commanders and chiliarchs in reply. Esen told Li Shi that both sides would gain from a quick peace: if welcoming envoys arrived by evening, the emperor could leave at dawn, and China need send only one or two senior ministers. When Li Shi returned, Yang Shan and his party arrived and stated China's wish to bring the Retired Emperor home. Esen asked, "When the Retired Emperor returns, will he become emperor again?" Yang Shan replied, "The throne is already settled and will not change." Esen then brought Yang Shan to the Retired Emperor and held a farewell banquet. Esen sat on the ground playing the pipa while his wives served wine. Turning to Yang Shan he said, "Censor-in-Chief, take a seat." Yang Shan hesitated. The Retired Emperor said, "When the Grand Preceptor bids you sit, sit." He obeyed and sat briefly, then rose again to attend to the company. " Esen remarked to him, "You have proper manners." Bayan and the others held their own farewell feasts. Esen built an earthen platform, seated the Retired Emperor on it, and led his wives and tribal chiefs in prostration below, each presenting gifts of vessels, food, and drink. As the Retired Emperor set out, Esen and his followers escorted him for half a day's march. Esen and Bayan then dismounted, prostrated themselves, and wept, crying, "The emperor is leaving—when shall we see him again!" After a long while they took their leave and sent seventy chiefs to escort him all the way to the capital.
13
上皇歸後，瓦剌歲來貢，上皇所亦別有獻。 於是帝意欲絕瓦剌，不復遣使往。
After the Retired Emperor's return the Oirats sent tribute every year, and the Retired Emperor's household made separate gifts as well. The reigning emperor then wished to break off contact with the Oirats and stopped sending envoys.
14
也先以為請，尚書王直、金濂、胡濙等相繼言絕之且起釁。 帝曰：「遣使，有前事，適以滋釁耳。 曩瓦剌入寇時，豈無使邪？」 因敕也先曰：「前者使往，小人言語短長，遂致失好。 朕今不復遣，而太師請之，甚無益。」 也先與脫脫不花內相猜。 脫脫不花妻，也先姊也，也先欲立其姊子為太子，不從。 也先亦疑其通中國，將謀己，遂治兵相攻。 脫脫不花敗走，也先追殺之，執其妻子，以其人畜給諸部屬； 遂乘勝迫脅諸蕃，東及建州、兀良哈，西及赤斤蒙古、哈密。
Esen petitioned for envoys, but Ministers Wang Zhi, Jin Lian, Hu Ying, and others warned in turn that severing ties would only provoke conflict. The emperor said, "We have the precedent of what happened before—sending envoys would only breed more trouble. When the Oirats invaded before, did we not still have envoys?" He instructed Esen, "When envoys went before, petty men's words caused offense and relations soured. I will not send them again, and though the Grand Preceptor asks for them, it would do little good." Esen and Togtoh Buqa grew mutually suspicious. Togtoh Buqa's wife was Esen's elder sister. Esen wanted her son made heir, but Togtoh Buqa refused. Esen also suspected him of colluding with China and plotting against him, and mobilized for war. Togtoh Buqa was defeated and fled. Esen pursued and killed him, seized his family, and distributed his people and livestock among his followers; then pressed his advantage to coerce tribes east to Jianzhou and the Wuliangha and west to the Chijin Mongols and Hami.
15
三年冬，遣使來賀明年正旦，尚書王直等復請答使報之。 下兵部議，兵部尚書于謙言：「臣職司馬，知戰而已，行人事非所敢聞。」 詔仍毋遣使。 明年冬，也先自立為可汗，以其次子為太師，來朝，書稱大元田盛大可汗，末曰添元元年。 田盛，猶言天聖也。 報書稱曰瓦剌可汗。 未幾，也先復逼徙朵顏所部於黃河母納地。 也先恃強，日益驕，荒於酒色。
That winter they sent envoys to congratulate the New Year. Minister Wang Zhi and others again asked that return envoys be sent. The matter went to the Ministry of War. Minister Yu Qian said, "My duty is military affairs and warfare alone; diplomacy is not for me to decide." An edict again forbade sending envoys. The following winter Esen declared himself khan, named his second son Grand Preceptor, and came to court with a letter styling himself Great Yuan Tiansheng Great Khan and dating it the first year of Tianyuan. Tiansheng means "Heaven's Sagacity." China's reply addressed him only as Oirat Khan. Before long Esen again forced the Doyan tribes to move to the Huanghe Muna region. Bloated with power, Esen grew ever more arrogant and abandoned himself to wine and women.
16
六年，阿剌知院攻也先，發之。 韃靼部孛來復殺阿剌，奪也先母妻並其玉璽。
In the sixth year Alazhizhi attacked and killed Esen. The Tartar leader Bolai then killed Ala and seized Esen's mother, wives, and jade seal.
17
也先諸子火兒忽答等徙居干趕河，弟伯都王、侄兀忽納等往依哈密。 伯都王，哈密王母之弟也。 英宗復辟三年，哈密為請封，詔授伯都王都督僉事，兀忽納指揮僉事。 自也先死，瓦剌衰，部屬分散，其承襲代次不可考。
Esen's sons Huo'erhuda and others moved to the Ganggan River, while his brother the Prince of Bodu and his nephew Wuhuna sought refuge in Hami. The Prince of Bodu was the younger brother of Hami's queen mother. In the third year after Emperor Yingzong's restoration, Hami petitioned for their titles. The Prince of Bodu was appointed vice commissioner-in-chief and Wuhuna vice commander. After Esen's death the Oirats declined, their followers scattered, and their line of succession can no longer be traced.
18
天順中，瓦剌阿失帖木兒屢遣使入貢，朝廷以其為也先孫，循例厚賚之。 又撦力克者，常與孛來仇殺。 又拜亦撒哈者，常偕哈密來朝。 其長曰克舍，頗強，數糾韃靼小王子入寇。 克捨死，養罕王稱雄，擁精兵數萬，克舍弟阿沙為太師。 成化二十三年，養罕王謀犯邊，哈密罕慎來告。 養罕不利去，憾哈密，兵還掠其大土剌。
During Tianshun the Oirat Ashi Temur sent tribute repeatedly. The court treated him as Esen's grandson and rewarded him generously by precedent. Another leader, Chalike, was constantly at war with Bolai. Baiyisaha often came to court together with Hami. Their chief Keshe was powerful and repeatedly rallied Tartar minor princes for raids. After Keshe's death the Yanghan King dominated with tens of thousands of elite troops, while Keshe's brother Asha served as Grand Preceptor. In the twenty-third year of Chenghua the Yanghan King plotted a border raid, and the Hami ruler Shen reported it. The Yanghan King withdrew without success, bore a grudge against Hami, and on his way back raided its chief city.
19
弘治初，瓦剌中稱太師者，一曰火兒忽力，一曰火兒古倒溫，皆遣使朝貢。 土魯番據哈密，都御史許進以金帛厚啖二部，令以兵擊走之。 其部長卜六王者，屯駐把思闊。 正德十三年，土魯番犯肅州。 守臣陳九疇因遺卜六王彩幣，使乘虛襲破土魯番三城，殺擄以萬計。 土魯番畏逼，與之和。 嘉靖九年，復以議婚相仇隙。 土魯番益強，瓦剌數困敗，又所部輒自殘，多歸中國，哈密復乘間侵掠。 卜六王不支，亦求內附。 朝廷不許，遣出關，不知所終。
Early in Hongzhi two Oirat leaders styled Grand Preceptor—Huo'erhuli and Huo'ergudaowen—both sent tribute missions. When Turpan seized Hami, Censor-in-Chief Xu Jin lavished gold and silks on the two Oirat factions and ordered them to drive Turpan out. Their chief, the King of Boliu, was encamped at Basikuo. In the thirteenth year of Zhengde Turpan invaded Suzhou. The garrison commander Chen Jiuchou sent colored silks to the King of Boliu and ordered him to strike while Turpan was exposed. He captured three cities and killed or captured tens of thousands. Turpan, intimidated, made peace with them. In the ninth year of Jiajing they fell out again over a marriage dispute. Turpan grew stronger while the Oirats suffered repeated defeats. Their followers fought among themselves, many defected to China, and Hami again raided them whenever it could. Unable to hold his ground, the King of Boliu also asked to submit to China. The court refused and sent him beyond the passes. His fate is unknown.
20
兀良哈三衛
The Three Wuliangha Guards
21
朵顏、福余、泰寧，高皇帝所置三衛也。 其地為兀良哈，在黑龍江南，漁陽塞北。 漢鮮卑、唐吐谷渾、宋契丹，皆其地也。 元為大寧路北境。
Doyan, Fuyu, and Taining were the three guards established by the founding emperor. Their territory was Wuliangha, south of the Amur and north of the Yuyang frontier. In Han times it had been Xianbei land; in Tang, Tuyuhun; in Song, Khitan—the same region under different names. Under the Yuan it formed the northern border of Daning Route.
22
高皇帝有天下，東蕃遼王、惠寧王、朵顏元帥府相率乞內附。 遂即古會州地，置大寧都司營州諸衛，封子權為寧王使鎮焉。 已，數為韃靼所抄。 洪武二十二年置泰寧、朵顏、福余三衛指揮使司，俾其頭目各自領其眾，以為聲援。 自大寧前抵喜峰口，近宣府，曰朵顏； 自錦、義歷廣寧至遼河，曰泰寧； 自黃泥窪逾瀋陽、鐵嶺至開原，曰福余。 獨朵顏地險而強。 久之皆叛去。
When the founding emperor took the realm, the eastern tribes—the Prince of Liao, the Prince of Huining, and the Doyan marshal's office—successively submitted. He took the old Huizhou territory, established the Daning command and Yingzhou guards, and enfeoffed his son Quan as Prince of Ning to garrison it. Before long it was repeatedly raided by the Tartars. In the twenty-second year of Hongwu the three guard commanderies of Taining, Doyan, and Fuyu were established, each chief leading his own followers as a supporting force. From Daning forward to Xifeng Pass, near Xuanfu, was Doyan; from Jin and Yi through Guangning to the Liao River was Taining; from Huangniwa across Shenyang and Tieling to Kaiyuan was Fuyu. Doyan alone occupied rugged terrain and was the strongest. Before long they all rebelled and broke away.
23
成祖從燕起靖難，患寧王躡其後，自永平攻大寧，入之。 謀脅寧王，因厚賂三衛說之來。 成祖行，寧王餞諸郊，三衛從，一呼皆起，遂擁寧王西入關。 成祖復選其三千人為奇兵，從戰。 天下既定，徙寧王南昌，徙行都司於保定，遂盡割大寧地畀三衛，以償前勞。
When the Chengzu Emperor launched the Jingnan campaign from Yan, he feared the Prince of Ning might strike from behind. He attacked Daning from Yongping and took it. He plotted to seize the Prince of Ning and lavishly bribed the three guards to join him. As the Chengzu Emperor departed, the Prince of Ning saw him off outside the city. The three guards followed, and at a single call they all rose, seized the Prince of Ning, and marched him west through the passes. The Chengzu Emperor also selected three thousand of their men as shock troops for the campaign. After the realm was settled, the Prince of Ning was moved to Nanchang, the regional capital to Baoding, and all of Daning was given to the three guards as reward for their service.
24
四年冬，三衛飢，請以馬易米。 帝命有司第其馬之高下，各倍價給之。 久之，陰附韃靼掠邊戍，復假市馬來窺伺。 帝下詔切責，令其以馬贖罪。 十二年春，納馬三千於遼東，帝敕守將王真，一馬各予布四匹。 已，復叛附阿魯台。 二十年，帝親征阿魯台還，擊之，大敗其眾於屈烈河，斬馘無算，來降者釋勿殺。
In the winter of the fourth year the three guards were starving and asked to trade horses for grain. The emperor ordered officials to grade their horses and pay double the market price. Before long they secretly joined the Tartars in raiding border posts and used horse markets as cover for spying. The emperor rebuked them sharply and ordered them to atone with horses. In the spring of the twelfth year they delivered three thousand horses in Liaodong. The emperor instructed the garrison commander Wang Zhen to pay four bolts of cloth per horse. Before long they rebelled again and joined Arugtai. In the twentieth year, returning from a personal campaign against Arugtai, he struck the three guards and routed them at the Qulie River with countless casualties. Those who surrendered were spared.
25
宣宗初，三衛掠永平、山海間，帝將親討之，三衛頭目皆謝罪入貢，撫納之如初。 七年更給泰寧衛印。 秋，以朵顏頭目哈剌哈孫、福余頭目安出、泰寧頭目脫火赤等恭事朝廷久，加賜織金彩幣表裡有差。
Early in Xuande the three guards raided between Yongping and Shanhai. When the emperor prepared to campaign in person, their chiefs all apologized and sent tribute, and they were received as before. In the seventh year the Taining Guard seal was reissued. That autumn, because the Doyan chief Halahasun, the Fuyu chief Anchu, the Taining chief Tuohuochi, and others had long been loyal, they received additional brocaded silks and garments in varying quantities.
26
正統間，屢寇遼東、大同、延安境。 獨石守備楊洪擊敗之，擒其頭目朵欒帖木兒。 未幾，復附瓦剌也先，泰寧拙赤妻也先以女，皆陰為之耳目。 入貢輒易名，且互用其印，又東合建州兵入廣寧前屯。 帝惡其反覆，九年春，命成國公硃勇偕恭順侯吳克忠出喜峰，興安伯徐亨出界嶺，都督馬亮出劉家口，都督陳懷出古北，各將精兵萬人，分剿之。 勇等捕其擾邊者致闕下，並奪回所掠人畜。
During Zhengtong they repeatedly raided Liaodong, Datong, and Yan'an. The Dushi garrison commander Yang Hong defeated them and captured their chief Duoluan Temur. Before long they again joined the Oirat Esen. Taining's Zhuochi married Esen's daughter, and all served secretly as his spies. On tribute missions they changed names and even used one another's seals. They also joined Jianzhou forces to raid Guangning and Qiantun. Disgusted by their treachery, in the spring of the ninth year the emperor sent the Duke of Chengguo Zhu Yong with the Marquis of Gongshun Wu Kezhong through Xifeng, the Earl of Xing'an Xu Heng through Jieling, Commissioner-in-Chief Ma Liang through Liujiakou, and Commissioner-in-Chief Chen Huai through Gubei—each with ten thousand elite troops—to attack them on separate fronts. Zhu Yong and his colleagues captured the raiders and brought them to court, recovering the people and livestock they had seized.
27
拙赤等拘肥河衛使人殺之，肥河衛頭目別裡格與戰於格魯坤迭連，拙赤大敗。 瓦剌復分道截殺，建州亦出兵攻之，三衛大困。
Zhuochi detained and killed an envoy of the Feihe Guard. The Feihe chief Bielige fought him at Gelukundielian and routed him. The Oirats ambushed them on several routes, Jianzhou attacked as well, and the three guards were driven to desperation.
28
十二年春，總兵曹義、參將胡源、都督焦禮等分巡東邊，值三衛入寇，擊之，斬三十二級，擒七十餘人。 其年，瓦剌賽刊王復擊殺朵顏乃兒不花，大掠以去。 也先繼至，朵顏、泰寧皆不支，乞降，福余獨走避腦溫江，三衛益衰。 畏瓦剌強，不敢背，仍歲來致貢，止以利中國賜賚； 又心銜邊將剿殺，故常潛圖報復。
In the spring of the twelfth year Regional Commander Cao Yi, Assistant General Hu Yuan, Commissioner-in-Chief Jiao Li, and others patrolled the eastern border. When the three guards invaded, they struck back, killing thirty-two and capturing more than seventy. That year the Oirat Saikan King attacked and killed the Doyan chief Nair Buhua and withdrew after heavy looting. Esen followed. Doyan and Taining could not hold out and surrendered. Fuyu alone fled beyond the Naowen River. The three guards grew weaker still. Fearing the Oirats, they dared not break away and still sent tribute each year, motivated chiefly by China's rewards; yet they also resented the border generals' punitive campaigns and often plotted revenge in secret.
29
十四年夏，大同參將石亨等復擊其盜邊者於箭溪山，擒斬五十人，三衛益怨。 秋，導瓦剌大入，英宗遂以是役北狩。
In the summer of the fourteenth year Datong Assistant General Shi Heng and others struck their raiders at Jianxishan, killing or capturing fifty. The three guards grew still more hostile. That autumn they guided the Oirats in a major invasion, and Emperor Yingzong was captured on the northern campaign.
30
景泰初，朝廷仍遣使撫諭。 三衛受也先旨，數以非時入貢，多遣使往來伺察中國。 既而也先虐使之，復逼徙朵顏所部於黃河母納地，三衛皆不堪，遂陰輸瓦剌情於中國，請得近邊屯駐。 舊制，三衛每歲三貢，其貢使俱從喜峰口驗入，有急報則許進永平。 時三衛使有自獨石及萬全右衛來者。 邊臣以為言，敕止之。
Early in Jingtai the court still sent envoys to reassure them. Acting on Esen's orders, the three guards sent tribute at irregular times and dispatched many envoys to spy on China. Esen then mistreated them and again forced the Doyan tribes to move to Huanghe Muna. Unable to endure this, the three guards secretly reported Oirat movements to China and asked to camp near the border. By established practice the three guards sent tribute three times a year, entering through Xifeng Pass. In emergencies they were allowed into Yongping. At that time three-guard envoys were arriving through Dushi and Wanquan Right Guard. Border officials reported this, and the court ordered it stopped.
31
天順中，嘗乘間掠諸邊，復竊通韃靼孛來，每為之鄉導。 所遣使與孛來使臣偕見。 中國待韃靼厚，請加賞不得，大忿，遂益與孛來相結。
During Tianshun they seized opportunities to raid the borders, secretly contacted the Tartar Bolai, and often guided his raids. Their envoys were received together with Bolai's. China treated the Tartars generously, but their request for extra rewards was denied. Enraged, they drew closer to Bolai.
32
十四年詔復三衛馬市。 初，國家設遼東馬市三，一城東，一廣寧，皆以待三衛。
In the fourteenth year the court restored the three guards' horse markets. The state had originally established three Liaodong horse markets—at Chengdong and Guangning among them—all for the three guards.
33
正統間，以其部眾屢叛，罷之。 會韃靼滿都魯暴強，侵掠三衛，三衛頭目皆走避塞下。 數飢困，請復馬市再四，不許。 至是巡撫陳鉞為帝言，始許之。 滿都魯死，亦思馬因主兵柄，三衛復數為所窘。
During Zhengtong their followers rebelled repeatedly, and the markets were closed. The Tartar Mandulu grew powerful and raided the three guards until their chiefs all fled to the border passes for refuge. Repeatedly starving, they petitioned four times to reopen the horse markets but were refused. Grand Coordinator Chen Yue then persuaded the emperor, and permission was finally granted. After Mandulu's death Yisimayin took command of the troops and again repeatedly harassed the three guards.
34
二十二年，韃靼別部那孩擁三萬眾入大寧、金山，涉老河，攻殺三衛頭目伯顏等，掠去人畜以萬計。 三衛乃相率攜老弱，走匿邊圉。 邊臣劉潺以聞，詔予芻糧優飖之。
In the twenty-second year the Tartar leader Nahai led thirty thousand men into Daning and Jinshan, crossed the Lao River, killed chiefs including Bayan, and carried off tens of thousands of people and livestock. The three guards then fled en masse with their families to seek refuge inside the border defenses. Border official Liu Chan reported this, and the court granted them fodder and grain with generous relief.
35
弘治初，常盜掠古北、開原境，守臣張玉、總兵李杲等以計誘斬其來市者三百人，遂北結脫羅干，請為復仇，數寇廣寧、寧遠諸處。 時海西尚古者，以不得通貢叛中國，數以兵阻諸蕃入貢，諸蕃並銜之。 朝廷旋許尚古納款，撫寧猛克帖木兒等皆以尚古為辭，入寇遼陽，殺掠甚眾。 韃靼小王子屢掠三衛，三衛因各叩關輸罪，朝廷許之，然陽為恭順而已。
Early in Hongzhi they often raided Gubei and Kaiyuan. Defending official Zhang Yu and Regional Commander Li Gao lured three hundred men who came to market and executed them. The three guards then allied with Tuoluo Gan to the north and repeatedly raided Guangning and Ningyuan. At that time Shanggu of Haixi, denied tribute access, rebelled and repeatedly blocked other tribes' missions. All resented him. The court soon accepted Shanggu's submission, but Funing, Mengketemur, and others used him as a pretext to invade Liaoyang with heavy killing and plunder. Tartar minor princes repeatedly raided them. The three guards each came to the passes to confess and were forgiven, but their submission was only for show.
36
朵顏都督花當者，恃險而驕，數請增貢加賞，不許。
The Doyan commissioner Huadang, relying on rugged terrain, grew arrogant and repeatedly asked for more tribute and rewards, but was refused.
37
正德十年，花當子把兒孫以千騎毀鯰魚關，入馬蘭谷大掠，參將陳乾戰死； 復以五百騎入板場谷，千騎入神山嶺，又千餘騎入水開洞。 事聞，命副總兵桂勇御之。 花當退去，屯駐紅羅山，匿把兒孫，使其子打哈等入朝請罪，詔釋不問。 十三年，帝巡幸至大喜峰口，將征三衛頭目，使悉詣關下宴勞，不果。
In the tenth year of Zhengde Huadang's son Ba'ersun led a thousand horsemen to destroy Nianyu Pass and raid Malan Valley. Assistant General Chen Qian was killed; he then sent five hundred horsemen into Banchang Valley, a thousand into Shenshan Ridge, and more than a thousand into Shuikaidong. When this was reported, Vice Regional Commander Gui Yong was ordered to repel them. Huadang withdrew to Hongluo Mountain, hid Ba'ersun, and sent his son Daha to court to apologize. They were pardoned. In the thirteenth year the emperor on tour reached Daxifeng Pass, planning to summon the three-guard chiefs below the pass for a feast, but the plan failed.
38
當把兒孫犯邊時，朝廷詔削其職。 把兒孫死，其子伯革入貢。 嘉靖九年，詔予伯革父爵，而打哈自以花當子不得職，怒，遂先後掠冷口、擦崖、喜峰間。 參將袁繼勳等失於防禦，皆逮治。 十七年春，指揮徐顥誘殺泰寧部九人，其頭目把當亥率眾寇大清堡，總兵馬永擊斬之。 其屬把孫以朵顏部眾復入，鎮守少監王永與戰，敗績。 二十二年冬，攻圍墓田谷，殺守備陳舜，副總兵王繼祖等赴援，擊斬三十餘級。
When Ba'ersun raided the border, the court stripped his rank. After Ba'ersun's death his son Boge sent tribute. In the ninth year of Jiajing Boge was granted his father's rank. Daha, angry that he as Huadang's son received no office, raided Lengkou, Cayai, and Xifeng in succession. Assistant Generals Yuan Jixun and others were arrested for failing in defense. In the spring of the seventeenth year Commander Xu Hao lured and killed nine Taining tribesmen. Their chief Badanghai raided Daqing Fort and was killed by Regional Commander Ma Yong. His follower Basun invaded again with Doyan tribesmen. Garrison eunuch-director Wang Yong fought them and was defeated. In the winter of the twenty-second year they besieged Mutian Valley and killed Garrison Commander Chen Shun. Vice Regional Commander Wang Jizu relieved the siege and killed more than thirty raiders.
39
其年，詔罷舊設三衛馬市，並新設木市亦罷之。 秋，三衛復導韃靼寇遼州，入沙河堡，守將張景福戰死。
That year the court abolished the three guards' horse markets and the newly established timber markets as well. That autumn the three guards again guided Tartar raiders into Liaozhou and Shahe Fort. Defending general Zhang Jingfu was killed.
40
三衛之迭犯也，實朵顏部哈舟兒、陳通事為之。 二人者，俱中國人，被擄遂為三衛用。 二十九年，韃靼俺答謀犯畿東，舟兒為指潮河川路。 俺答移兵白廟，近古北，舟兒詐言敵已退，邊備緩，俺答遂由鴿子洞、曹榆溝入，直犯畿甸。 已，俺答請開馬市，舟兒復往來誘阻之。 三十年，薊遼總督何棟購捕至京，伏誅。
The repeated raids were in fact instigated by the Doyan men Hazhou'er and Chen Tongshi. Both were Chinese captives who then served the three guards. In the twenty-ninth year the Tartar Altan planned to raid the eastern capital region, and Zhou'er showed him the route along the Chaohé River. Altan moved to Baimiao near Gubei. Zhou'er falsely reported that the enemy had withdrawn, border defenses slackened, and Altan entered through Gezidong and Caoyugou to raid the capital region. Later, when Altan sought to open horse markets, Zhou'er went back and forth to obstruct the negotiations. In the thirtieth year Jili-Liaodong Governor-General He Dong had him captured and brought to the capital for execution.
41
朵顏通罕者，俺答子辛愛妻父也。 四十二年，古北哨卒出關，為朵顏所撲殺。
The Doyan leader Tonghan was the father-in-law of Altan's son Xin'ai. In the forty-second year Gubei sentry soldiers who went beyond the pass were ambushed and killed by the Doyan.
42
俄通罕叩關索賞，副總兵胡鎮伏兵執之。 總督楊選將為牽制辛愛計，乃拘縶通罕，令其諸子更迭為質。 三衛恨甚，遂導俺答入掠順義及三河，選得罪。
Soon afterward Tonghan came to the pass demanding rewards. Vice Regional Commander Hu Zhen ambushed and seized him. Governor-General Yang Xuanjiang, planning to restrain Xin'ai, detained Tonghan and required his sons to serve as hostages in rotation. The three guards were furious and guided Altan to raid Shunyi and Sanhe. Yang Xuan was punished for the disaster.
43
萬曆初，朵顏長昂益強，挾賞不遂，數糾眾入掠，截諸蕃貢道。 十二年秋，復導士蠻以四千騎分掠三山、三道溝、錦川諸處。 守臣李松請急剿長昂等，朝議不從，僅革其月賞。 未幾，復以千騎犯劉家口，官軍御之，殺傷相當。 於是長昂益跋扈自恣，東勾土蠻，西結婚白洪大，以擾諸邊。 十七年合韃靼東西二部寇遼東，總兵李成梁逐之，官軍大敗，殲八百人。 又二年大掠獨石路。 二十二年復擁眾犯中後所，攻入小屯台，副總兵趙夢麟、秦得倚等力戰卻之。 明年潛入喜峰口，官軍擒其頭目小郎兒。
Early in Wanli the Doyan leader Changang grew powerful. When his demands for rewards failed, he repeatedly raided and cut off other tribes' tribute routes. In the autumn of the twelfth year he again guided the Tumen with four thousand horsemen to raid Sanshan, Sandao Gou, Jinchuan, and other places. Defending official Li Song urged an immediate campaign against Changang, but the court refused and merely cut his monthly stipend. Before long he raided Liujiakou with a thousand horsemen. Government troops resisted, and casualties were roughly equal. Changang grew still more overbearing, allied with the Tumen in the east and married into Bai Hongda's family in the west, and harassed the borders on every side. In the seventeenth year the eastern and western Tartars together raided Liaodong. Regional Commander Li Chenliang pursued them, and the army was routed with eight hundred killed. Two years later they raided heavily along the Dushi route. In the twenty-second year they again attacked Zhonghousuo and broke into Xiaotuntai. Vice Regional Commanders Zhao Menglin and Qin Deyi fought hard and drove them back. The following year they slipped into Xifeng Pass, and government troops captured their chief Xiaolang'er.
44
二十九年，長昂與董狐狸等皆納款，請復寧前木市，許之。 三十四年冬，復糾韃靼班不什、白言台吉等，以萬騎迫山海關，總兵姜顯謨擊走之。 長昂復以三千騎窺義院界，邊將有備，乃引去。 旋詣喜峰，自言班、白入寇，己不預知。 守臣具以聞，詔長昂復貢市，頒給撫賞如例。
In the twenty-ninth year Changang, Dong Huli, and others submitted and asked to reopen the Ningqian timber market. The court agreed. In the winter of the thirty-fourth year he rallied Banbushi, Baiyan Taiji, and others with ten thousand horsemen against Shanhai Pass. Regional Commander Jiang Xianmo drove them off. Changang probed the Yiyuan border with three thousand horsemen, but border commanders were ready and he withdrew. He soon came to Xifeng and claimed he had known nothing of Ban and Bai's raid. Border officials reported this, and the court restored Changang's tribute markets and issued pacification rewards as usual.
45
長昂死，諸子稍衰，三衛皆靖。 崇禎初，與插漢戰於早落兀素，勝之，殺獲萬計，以捷告。 未幾，皆服屬於大清雲。
After Changang's death his sons declined, and the three guards grew quiet. Early in Chongzhen they fought the Chakhar at Zaoluo Wusu, won a great victory with tens of thousands killed or captured, and reported their triumph. Before long they all submitted to the Great Qing.