1
梁本紀上第六
Liang Annals 1, Part Six
2
梁高祖武皇帝諱衍，字叔達，小字練兒，南蘭陵中都里人，姓蕭氏，與齊同承淮陰令整。 整生皇高祖轄，位濟陰太守。 轄生皇曾祖副子，位州治中從事。 副子生皇祖道賜，位南台治書侍御史。 道賜生皇考，諱順之，字文緯，于齊高帝為始族弟。
The Liang High Ancestor Emperor Wu — taboo name Yan, style name Shuda, childhood name Lian'er — came from Zhongdu Village in Nan Luling. The Xiao clan traced its line, like the Qi, from Huaiyin Magistrate Zheng. Zheng fathered the Imperial High Ancestor Xia, who served as Administrator of Jiyin. Xia fathered the Imperial Great-Grandfather Fuzi, who served as Assistant Administrator of the province. Fuzi fathered the Imperial Grandfather Daoci, who served as Supervising Censor of the Southern Secretariat. Daoci fathered the Imperial Father, whose taboo name was Shunzhi and style name Wenwei — a first cousin once removed of Emperor Gao of Qi.
3
皇考外甚清和，而內懷英氣，與齊高少而款狎。 嘗共登金牛山，路側有枯骨縱橫，齊高謂皇考曰：「周文王以來幾年，當復有掩此枯骨者乎？」 言之懍然動色。 皇考由此知齊高有大志，常相隨逐。 齊高每外討，皇考常為軍副。 及北討，薛索兒夜遣人入營，提刀徑至齊高眠床，皇考手刃之。 頻為齊高鎮軍司馬、長史。 時宋帝昏虐，齊高謀出外，皇考以為一旦奔亡，則危幾不測，不如因人之欲，行伊、霍之事，齊高深然之。 曆黃門郎，安西長史，吳郡內史，所經皆著名。 吳郡張緒常稱：「文武兼資，有德有行，吾敬蕭順之。」 袁粲之據石頭，黃回與之通謀，皇考聞難作，率家兵據朱雀橋，回覘人還告曰：「朱雀橋南一長者，英威毅然，坐胡床南向。」 回曰：「蕭順之也。」 遂不敢出。 時微皇考，石頭幾不據矣。 及齊高創造皇業，推鋒決勝，莫不垂拱仰成焉。 齊建元末，齊高從容謂皇考曰：「當令阿玉解揚州相授。」 玉，豫章王嶷小名也。 齊武帝在東宮，皇考嘗問訊，及退，齊武指皇考謂嶷曰：「非此翁，吾徒無以致今日。」 及即位，深相忌憚，故不居台輔。 以參豫佐命，封臨湘縣侯。 歷位侍中，衛尉，太子詹事，領軍將軍，丹陽尹，贈鎮北將軍，諡曰懿。
Outwardly the Imperial Father was gentle and even-tempered; inwardly he carried a warrior's fire. From boyhood he and Emperor Gao of Qi were close companions. Once they climbed Mount Jinniu together. Bleached bones lay scattered by the road. Emperor Gao turned to the Imperial Father and asked, "Since King Wen of Zhou — how many years have passed? Will anyone again come to bury these dry bones? As he spoke, his face darkened with solemn dread. From this the Imperial Father knew that Emperor Gao nursed great ambition, and he kept close at his side thereafter. Whenever Emperor Gao marched abroad, the Imperial Father usually served as his army's second-in-command. On a northern campaign, Xue Suo'er sent a man by night into the camp. Knife in hand, the assassin went straight to Emperor Gao's bed — and the Imperial Father struck him down himself. He repeatedly held the posts of Army Marshal and Chief Administrator under Emperor Gao. Emperor Song was benighted and cruel, and Emperor Gao plotted flight abroad. The Imperial Father argued that a sudden escape would invite incalculable peril — better to act on public will and do as Yi Yin and Huo Guang had done. Emperor Gao agreed wholeheartedly. He served as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Chief Administrator of the Anxi Command, and Interior Minister of Wu Commandery — and wherever he went, his name carried weight. Zhang Xu of Wu Commandery often said, "Civil and martial both — with virtue and conduct to match. I revere Xiao Shunzhi." When Yuan Can held Shitou and Huang Hui plotted with him, the Imperial Father heard trouble had erupted and led household troops to seize Zhuque Bridge. Hui's scout returned to report: "South of Zhuque Bridge sits a tall elder — stern, resolute — on a folding chair facing south." Hui said, "That is Xiao Shunzhi." He then dared not emerge. But for the Imperial Father, Shitou would scarcely have held. When Emperor Gao founded the dynasty, every thrust toward victory owed something to the Imperial Father's handiwork. Near the end of the Jianyuan era, Emperor Gao said casually to the Imperial Father, "I mean to have A-yu yield Yang Province and transfer it to you." Yu was the childhood name of Prince of Yuzhang, Niao. Emperor Wu of Qi was then in the Eastern Palace. After the Imperial Father paid a visit and withdrew, Emperor Wu pointed him out to Niao and said, "Without this old man, we would never have reached today." When he took the throne, he deeply envied and feared the Imperial Father, and so never gave him a seat among the highest ministers. For sharing in the founding merit, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Linxiang. He rose through Attendant-in-Ordinary, Commandant of the Guards, Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, and General Who Leads the Army, and served as Governor of Danyang. Posthumously he was made General Who Pacifies the North, with the posthumous title Yi.
4
帝以宋孝武大明八年歲次甲辰生於秣陵縣同夏裏三橋宅。 初，皇妣張氏嘗夢抱日，已而有娠，遂產帝。 帝生而有異光，狀貌殊特，日角龍顏，重岳虎顧，舌文八字，項有浮光，身映日無影，兩骻駢骨，項上隆起，有文在右手曰：「武」。 帝為兒時，能蹈空而行。 及長，博學多通，好籌略，有文武才幹。 所居室中，常若雲氣，人或遇者，體輒肅然。
The Emperor was born in the eighth year of Daming of Emperor Xiaowu of Song — the year jiachen — at the Three-Bridge residence in Tongxia Village, Moling County. Earlier the Imperial Mother, née Zhang, had dreamed she held the sun in her arms; soon after she conceived and bore the Emperor. At birth he shone with unusual light. His form was extraordinary: sun-angled brow, dragon countenance, heavy mountain peaks, a tiger's backward glance, an eight-character pattern on the tongue, floating light on the nape, a body that cast no shadow in sunlight, paired shin-bones, a raised ridge on the neck, and on his right hand the character Wu. As a boy the Emperor could tread empty air and walk. When grown, he was broadly learned, fond of strategy, and possessed both civil and martial talent. Cloud-vapor seemed often to fill the rooms where he dwelt; those who encountered it felt an involuntary solemn awe.
5
初為衛軍王儉東合祭酒，儉一見深相器異，請為戶曹屬。 謂廬江何憲曰：「此蕭郎三十內當作侍中，出此則貴不可言。」 竟陵王子良開西邸，招文學，帝與沈約、謝朓、王融、蕭琛、范雲、任昉、陸倕等並遊焉，號曰：「八友」。 融俊爽，識鑒過人，尤敬異帝，每謂所親曰：「宰製天下，必在此人。」 累遷隨王鎮西諮議參軍。 行經牛渚，逢風，入泊龍瀆，有一老人謂帝曰：「君龍行虎步，相不可言，天下方亂，安之者其在君乎？」 問其名氏，忽然不見。 尋以皇考艱去職，歸建鄴。
He first served as Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion under Wang Jian, General of the Guard. On first meeting, Jian marked him as extraordinary and requested him for the Household Bureau. He told He Xian of Lujiang, "This Master Xiao will be Attendant-in-Ordinary within thirty years — and beyond that, his eminence cannot be put into words." When Prince of Jingling Ziliang opened the Western Lodge and gathered men of letters, the Emperor joined Shen Yue, Xie Tiao, Wang Rong, Xiao Chen, Fan Yun, Ren Fang, Lu Chui, and others there — they were called the Eight Friends. Rong was handsome and bright, with insight surpassing others. He especially revered the Emperor and often told those close to him, "He who will rule the realm must be this man." He rose repeatedly to Adviser to the General Who Guards the West under the Prince of Sui. Passing Niuzhu, he met wind and moored at Longdu. An old man said to the Emperor, "Your dragon stride and tiger step — such a countenance cannot be spoken of. The realm is falling into disorder; will you be the one to settle it? Asked his name, the old man suddenly vanished. Soon after, on the Imperial Father's death he left office and returned to Jianye.
6
及齊武帝不豫，竟陵王子良以帝及兄懿、王融、劉繪、王思遠、顧暠之、範雲等為帳內軍主。 融欲因帝晏駕立子良，帝曰：「夫立非常之事，必待非常之人，融才非負圖，視其敗也。」 範雲曰：「憂國家者，惟有王中書。」 帝曰：「憂國欲為周、召？ 欲為豎、刁邪？」 懿曰：「直哉史魚，何其木強也！」
When Emperor Wu of Qi fell ill, Prince of Jingling Ziliang made the Emperor, his elder brother Yi, Wang Rong, Liu Hui, Wang Siyuan, Gu Tan, Fan Yun, and others commanders within the tent. Rong wished to use the Emperor's death to install Ziliang. The Emperor said, "Extraordinary deeds require extraordinary men — Rong's talent is not equal to bearing the realm. Watch him fail." Fan Yun said, "The one who worries for the state is Wang Zhongshu alone." The Emperor said, "Do you mean to be Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao? Or do you mean to be Shu and Diao?" Yi said, "How straight was Master Shi Yu — how obstinately wooden!"
7
建武二年，魏將王肅、劉昶攻司州刺史蕭誕甚急，齊明遣左衛將軍王廣之赴救，帝為偏帥隸廣之。 行次熨斗洲，有人長八尺餘，容貌衣冠皓然皆白，緣江呼曰：「蕭王大貴。」 帝既屢有征祥，心益自負。 時去誕百里，眾軍以魏軍盛，莫敢前。 帝欲大振威略，謂諸將曰：「今屯下梁之城，塞鑿峴之險，守雉腳之路，據賢首之山，以通西關，以臨賊壘，三方掎角，出其不備，破賊必矣。」 廣之等不從。 後遣徐玄慶進據賢首山，魏絕其糧道，眾懼，莫敢援之，惟帝獨奮請先進。 於是廣之益帝精甲，銜枚夜前。 失道，望見如持兩炬者，隨之果得道，徑上賢首山，廣之軍因得前。 魏軍來脅，帝堅壁不進。 時王肅自攻城，一鼓而退，劉昶有疑心，帝因與書，間成其隙。 一旦，有風從西北起，陣雲隨之來，當肅營，尋而風回雲轉，還向西北，帝曰：「此所謂歸氣，魏師遁矣。」 令軍中曰：「望麾而進，聽鼓而動。」 肅乃傾壁十萬，陣于水北，帝揚麾鼓噪，響振山谷，敢死之士，執短兵先登，長戟翼之。 城中見援至，因出軍攻魏柵，魏軍表裏受敵，因大崩。 肅、昶單騎走，斬獲千計，流血絳野。 得肅、昶巾箱中魏帝敕曰：「聞蕭衍善用兵，勿與爭鋒，待吾至； 若能禽此人，則江東吾有也。」 以功封建陽縣男。
In the second year of Jianwu, Wei generals Wang Su and Liu Chang pressed Governor of Si Province Xiao Dan hard. Emperor Ming of Qi sent Left Guard General Wang Guangzhi to the rescue; the Emperor served as a subordinate commander under Guangzhi. At Yandou Isle a man over eight chi tall, face and garb all white, called along the river, "Great nobility to Lord Xiao. Having repeatedly received auspicious signs, the Emperor grew ever more self-confident. They were then a hundred li from Dan; seeing the Wei forces strong, the armies dared not advance. The Emperor wished to display martial strategy and told the generals, "Encamp at Xiabliang City, block Zuoxian's peril, hold the road at Zhijiao, occupy Xianshou Mountain, open the Western Pass, and overlook the enemy camp — a three-sided pincer striking where they do not expect. The bandits will surely break. Guangzhi and the others would not follow. Later Xu Xuanqing was sent forward to hold Xianshou Mountain; the Wei cut his supply route. The troops feared and dared not aid him — only the Emperor urged advance and asked to go first. Guangzhi then gave the Emperor picked armor; gagged, they advanced by night. They lost the way; seeing what seemed two torches held, they followed and found the road, going straight up Xianshou Mountain — and Guangzhi's army was able to advance. The Wei army came to press them; the Emperor held the walls and would not advance. Wang Su himself attacked the city; one drum-stroke and he withdrew. Liu Chang grew suspicious; the Emperor wrote him letters and sowed discord between them. One day wind rose from the northwest and battle-clouds followed over Su's camp; soon wind and clouds shifted back northwest. The Emperor said, "This is returning breath — the Wei army will flee." He ordered the army, "Advance at the sight of the banner; move at the hearing of the drum. Su deployed his full force of a hundred thousand north of the water. The Emperor raised his banner and drummed; the clamor shook the valleys. Dare-to-die men with short weapons climbed first, long halberds flanking them. Seeing relief had arrived, the city sortied against the Wei palisade; attacked inside and out, the Wei army collapsed in great rout. Su and Chang fled alone on horseback; slain and captured numbered in the thousands, blood reddening the wild. From Su's and Chang's boxes they found an edict of the Wei Emperor: "I hear Xiao Yan is skilled in war — do not contend with him in the field; wait until I arrive. If you can capture this man, the lands east of the Yangtze will be mine." For merit he was enfeoffed as Baron of Jianyang.
8
尋為司州刺史。 有沙門自稱僧惲，謂帝曰：「君項有伏龍，非人臣也。」 復求，莫知所之。 帝在州，甚有威名。 嘗有人餉馬，帝不受，餉者密以馬系齋柱而去。 帝出見馬，答書殷勤，縛之馬首，令人驅出城外，馬自還。 還都為太子中庶子，領四廂直。 出鎮石頭。 齊明性猜忌，帝避時嫌，解遣部曲，常乘折角小牛車。 齊明每稱帝清儉，勖勵朝臣。
Soon after he became Governor of Si Province. A monk calling himself Seng Yun told the Emperor, "On your neck a hidden dragon — you are no subject's form." Sought again, none knew where he had gone. In the province the Emperor enjoyed great martial renown. Once someone presented a horse; the Emperor refused. The giver secretly tied the horse to a hall pillar and left. The Emperor came out, saw the horse, wrote a courteous reply, tied it to the horse's head, and had a man drive it outside the city — whereupon the horse returned on its own. Returning to the capital he became Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent, commanding the four side guards. He went out to garrison Shitou. Emperor Ming was suspicious by nature; the Emperor avoided the suspicion of the times, dismissed his personal troops, and often rode a small ox-cart with broken corners. Emperor Ming often praised the Emperor's frugality and held him up to exhort court ministers.
9
四年，魏孝文帝自率大眾逼雍州，刺史曹武度沔守樊城，武舊齊武腹心，齊明忌之，欲使後弟劉暄為雍州，暄不願出外，因江祏得留。 齊明帝擬帝雍州，受密旨出頓，聲為軍事發遣。 又命五兵尚書崔慧景、征南將軍陳顯達相續援襄陽。 慧景與帝進行鄧城，魏孝文帥十餘萬騎奄至，慧景引退，帝止之，不從，於是大敗。 帝帥眾拒戰，獨得全軍。 及魏軍退，以帝為輔國將軍，監雍州事。
In the fourth year, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei personally led a great host against Yong Province; Governor Cao Wu crossed the Han to hold Fancheng. Wu had been a trusted confidant of Emperor Wu of Qi; Emperor Ming envied him and wished to make the Empress's younger brother Liu Xuan Governor of Yong — but Xuan did not wish to go abroad and, through Jiang Shi, obtained leave to remain. Emperor Ming planned to send the Emperor to Yong Province; receiving secret orders he went out to encamp, ostensibly for military dispatch. He also ordered Minister of the Five Arms Cui Huijing and General Who Conquers the South Chen Xianda to aid Xiangyang in succession. Huijing and the Emperor advanced to Deng City; Emperor Xiaowen with over a hundred thousand horsemen suddenly arrived. Huijing withdrew; the Emperor stopped him but he would not obey — and there was a great defeat. The Emperor led the troops to resist and alone preserved the whole army. When the Wei army withdrew, the Emperor was made General Who Assists the State and overseer of Yong Province affairs.
10
先是，雍州相傳樊城有王氣，至是謠言更甚。 及齊明崩，遺詔以帝為都督、雍州刺史。 時揚州刺史始安王遙光、尚書令徐孝嗣、右僕射江祏、右將軍蕭坦之、侍中江祀、衛尉劉暄更直內省，分日帖敕，世所謂「六貴」。 又有禦刀茹法珍、梅蟲兒、豐勇之等八人，號為「八要」，及舍人王咺之等四十餘人，皆口擅王言，權行國憲。 帝謂張弘策曰：「政出多門，亂其階矣。 當今避禍，惟有此地，勤行仁義，可坐作西伯； 但諸弟在都，恐離時患，須與益州圖之耳。」 時上長兄懿罷益州還，仍行郢州事，乃使弘策詣郢，陳計於懿，語在懿傳。 言既不從，弘策還，帝乃召弟偉及憺，是歲至襄陽。 乃潛造器械，多伐竹木，沈于檀溪，密為舟裝之備。 時帝所住齋常有氣，五色回轉，狀若蟠龍。 季秋出九日台，忽暴風起，煙塵四合，帝所居獨白日清朗，其上紫雲騰起，形如傘蓋，望者莫不異焉。
Earlier Yong Province handed down that Fancheng possessed kingly qi; by this time the rumor grew stronger. When Emperor Ming died, the testamentary edict made the Emperor Area Commander and Governor of Yong. At that time Governor of Yang Province Prince of Shi'an Yaoguang, Director of the Masters of Writing Xu Xiaosi, Right Vice Director Jiang Shi, Right General Xiao Tanzhi, Attendant-in-Ordinary Jiang Si, and Commandant of the Guards Liu Xuan took turns in the inner palace, each day posting edicts — what the age called the Six Nobles. There were also the Imperial Blade-bearers Ru Fazhen, Mei Chong'er, Feng Yongzhi, and eight others called the Eight Keys, and Palace Attendant Wang Xuanzhi and over forty others — all speaking the king's words and exercising the state's laws by power. The Emperor said to Zhang Hongce, "When government issues from many gates, disorder has its stair. To avoid calamity now, there is only this place — practice benevolence and righteousness, and one may sit and become Lord of the West. But my younger brothers are in the capital; I fear they will suffer when the time divides — I must plot with Yi Province." At that time his eldest elder brother Yi had finished Yi Province and returned, still handling Ying Province affairs; he sent Hongce to Ying to lay out the plan to Yi — the account is in Yi's biography. When the words were not followed, Hongce returned; the Emperor then summoned his younger brothers Wei and Dan — that year they reached Xiangyang. He secretly made weapons, felled much bamboo and wood, sank it in Tan Creek, and secretly prepared boats. In the hall where the Emperor dwelt there was often vapor — five-colored, turning, shaped like a coiled dragon. In late autumn he went out to the Double-Ninth Platform; suddenly a violent wind rose and dust joined on four sides — only where the Emperor dwelt was clear daylight; above it purple clouds rose shaped like a canopy, and all who saw were struck.
11
尋而大臣相次誅戮。 永元二年冬，懿又被害。 信至，帝密召長史王茂、中兵呂僧珍、別駕柳慶遠、功曹史起士瞻等謀之。 既定，以十一月乙巳召僚佐集於聽事，告以舉兵。 是日建牙，出檀溪竹木裝舸艦，旬日大辦。 百姓願從者，得鐵馬五千匹，甲士三萬人。
Soon after, great ministers were executed one after another. In the winter of the second year of Yongyuan, Yi was again killed. When the letter arrived, the Emperor secretly summoned Chief Administrator Wang Mao, Central Army Lü Sengzhen, Vice Director Liu Qingyuan, Merit Officer Shi Qishi, and others to plot. When the plan was settled, on yisi of the eleventh month he summoned staff to the audience hall and announced raising troops. That day he raised the army standard and brought out Tan Creek's bamboo and wood to fit out boats and warships; in ten days all was ready. Common people who wished to follow provided five thousand iron horses and thirty thousand armored soldiers.
12
先是，東昏以劉山陽為巴西太守，使過荊州就行事蕭穎胄以襲襄陽。 帝知其謀，乃遣參軍王天武、龐慶國詣江陵，遍與州府人書論軍事。 天武既發，帝謂諮議參軍張弘策曰：「今日天武坐收天下矣。 荊州得天武至，必回遑無計，若不見同，取之如拾地芥耳。 斷三峽，據巴、蜀，分兵定湘中，便全有上流。 以此威聲，臨九派，斷彭蠡，傳檄江南，風之靡草，不足比也，政小引日月耳。 江陵本憚襄陽人，加唇亡齒寒，必不孤立，寧得不闇見同邪。 挾荊、雍之兵，掃定東夏，韓、白重出，不能為計，況以無算之昏主，役禦刀應敕之徒哉。」 及山陽至巴陵，帝復令天武齎書與穎胄兄弟。 去後，帝謂張弘策曰：「用兵之道，攻心為上，攻城次之； 心戰為上，兵戰次之，今日是也。 近遣天武往州府，人皆有書，今段止有兩封，與行事兄弟，雲'一二天武口具'。 及問天武，口無所說。 天武是行事心膂，彼聞必謂行事與天武共隱其事，則人人生疑。 山陽惑於眾口，判相嫌貳，則行事進退無以自明，是馳兩空函定一州矣。」 山陽至江安，聞之，果疑不上。 柳忱勸斬天武，送首山陽，穎胄乃謂天武曰：「天下之事，縣之在卿，今就卿借頭，以詐山陽； 昔樊於期亦以頭借荊軻。」 於是斬之，送首山陽，山陽信之，馳入城，將踰閾，縣門發，折其車轅，投車而走，中兵參軍陳秀拔戟逐之，斬於門外，傳首於帝。 仍以南康王尊號之議來告，且曰：「時有未利，當須來年二月。 遽便進兵，恐非廟算。」 帝答曰：「今坐甲十萬，糧用自竭，若頓兵十旬，必生悔吝。 且太白出西方，仗義而動，天時人謀，有何不利？ 昔武王伐紂，行逆太歲，復須待年月乎？」 竟陵太守曹景宗遣杜思沖勸帝迎南康，都襄陽，待正尊號，帝不從。 王茂又私于張弘策曰：「今以南康置人手中，彼挾天子以令諸侯，節下前去為人所使，此豈歲寒之計。」 弘策言之於帝，帝曰：「若前途大事不捷，故自蘭艾同焚； 若功業克建，誰敢不從？ 豈是碌碌受人處分！ 「于沔南立新野郡，以集新附。
Earlier Donghun had made Liu Shanyang Administrator of Brazil and sent him through Jing Province to have Acting Governor Xiao Yingzhao strike Xiangyang. Knowing their plot, the Emperor sent Staff Officer Wang Tianwu and Pang Qingguo to Jiangling, writing widely to men of the province and prefecture on military affairs. After Tianwu departed, the Emperor told Adviser Zhang Hongce, "Today Tianwu by sitting will take the realm. When Jing Province receives Tianwu, it will surely waver without plan; if it does not secretly agree, taking it will be like picking up a mustard leaf. Cut the Three Gorges, hold Ba and Shu, divide troops to settle Xiangzhong — and the upper reaches will be wholly held. With this martial renown, press the Nine Branches, cut off Poyang, proclaim by dispatch to Jiangnan — wind bending grass cannot compare; it is only a matter of days. Jiangling originally feared men of Xiangyang; add lips gone, teeth cold — it will surely not stand alone. How can it not secretly agree? Wielding the armies of Jing and Yong, sweep and settle the eastern Xia — even if Han Xin and Bai Qi returned, they could not reckon it; how much less an uncounted benighted lord and blade-bearers who answer edicts!" When Shanyang reached Baling, the Emperor again had Tianwu carry letters to the Yingzhao brothers. After he left, the Emperor told Zhang Hongce, "The way of using troops — attack the heart first, attack the city second. Heart-battle first, weapon-battle second — today is such a day. Recently I sent Tianwu to the province and prefecture — all had letters; this time there are only two, to the acting governor's brothers, saying 'one-two Tianwu will tell in person.' When asked, Tianwu will say nothing by mouth. Tianwu is the acting governor's heart and backbone; hearing this they will surely think the acting governor and Tianwu together hide the affair — then every man will grow suspicious. Shanyang, confused by many mouths, will judge mutual suspicion; then the acting governor, advance or retreat, cannot clarify himself — it is driving two empty letters to settle a province." Shanyang reached Jiang'an, heard of it, and indeed suspected and did not advance. Liu Chen urged beheading Tianwu and sending the head to Shanyang; Yingzhao then said to Tianwu, "Affairs of the realm hang on you; now I borrow your head to deceive Shanyang. Formerly Fan Yuqi also lent his head to Jing Ke." Thereupon they beheaded him and sent the head to Shanyang; Shanyang believed it, galloped into the city, and as he was about to cross the threshold the county gate sprang — breaking his carriage shaft, he cast aside the carriage and fled; Central Army Officer Chen Xiu pursued with halberd and beheaded him outside the gate; the head was sent to the Emperor. Still they sent word of the plan to honor the Prince of Nankang, saying also, "The time is not yet favorable — we must wait until the second month of next year. To advance troops in haste — I fear it is not what the temple calculated." The Emperor replied, "Now sitting with armor, a hundred thousand — provisions will exhaust themselves; if we halt ten ten-day periods, regret will surely arise. Moreover the White Planet has come out in the west — acting in righteousness, heaven's time and men's counsel — what is not favorable? Formerly King Wu attacked Zhou — marching against the Grand Year, must one again wait for year and month?" Governor of Jingling Cao Jingzong sent Du Sichong to urge the Emperor to welcome the Prince of Nankang, establish the capital at Xiangyang, and await the proper honorific — the Emperor did not follow. Wang Mao also privately told Zhang Hongce, "Now with the Prince of Nankang placed in another's hands, he will hold the Son of Heaven to command the feudal lords — my lord going forward will be used by others; this is no plan for hard times." Hongce spoke to the Emperor; the Emperor said, "If the great affair ahead does not succeed, orchid and mugwort will burn together. If the enterprise is established, who will dare not follow? How could I tamely accept another's disposal! "South of the Han he established Xinye Command to gather new adherents.
13
三年二月，南康王為相國，以帝為征東將軍。 戊申，帝發襄陽。 自冬積霰，至是開霽，士卒咸悅。 帝遂留弟偉守襄陽城，謂曰：「當置心於襄陽人腹中，推誠信之，勿有疑也。 天下一家，乃當相見。」 遂移檄建鄴，闡揚威武。 及至竟陵，命長史王茂與太守曹景宗為前軍，中兵參軍張法安守竟陵城。 茂、景宗帥眾濟岸，進頓九里。 其日，郢州刺史張沖迎戰，茂等大破之。 荊州遣冠軍將軍鄧元起、軍主王世興、田安等會大軍于夏口。 帝築漢口城以守魯山，命水軍主張惠紹、朱思遠等游遏中江，絕郢、魯二城信使。 時張沖死，其眾推軍主薛元嗣及沖長史程茂為主。
In the second month of the third year, the Prince of Nankang became Prince of the State; the Emperor was made General Who Conquers the East. On wushen the Emperor departed Xiangyang. From winter snow had accumulated; by now the sky cleared — the soldiers all rejoiced. The Emperor left his younger brother Wei to guard Xiangyang city, saying, "Place your heart in the bellies of the people of Xiangyang; extend trust to them — have no doubts. When all under heaven is one family, we shall meet again." He then moved a proclamation to Jianye, displaying martial might. Reaching Jingling, he ordered Chief Administrator Wang Mao and Governor Cao Jingzong as vanguard, Central Army Officer Zhang Fa'an to guard Jingling city. Mao and Jingzong led the host across the shore and advanced to encamp at Jiuli. That day, Governor of Ying Zhang Chong came out to battle; Mao and the others routed him greatly. Jing Province sent Champion General Deng Yuanqi, Army Commander Wang Shixing, Tian An, and others to join the great army at Xiakou. The Emperor built Hankou city to hold Lushan, ordering naval commanders Zhang Huishao, Zhu Siyuan, and others to patrol and block the middle river, cutting messengers between Ying and Lu cities. At that time Zhang Chong had died; his host pushed Army Commander Xue Yuansi and Chong's Chief Administrator Cheng Mao as leaders.
14
三月乙巳，南康王即帝位於江陵。 遙廢東昏為涪陵王，以帝為尚書左僕射，加征東大將軍、都督征討諸軍，假黃鉞。 西台又遣冠軍將軍蕭穎達領兵來會。 四月，帝出沔，命王茂、蕭穎達等逼郢城。 五月己酉，帝移屯漢南。 是日，有紫雲如蓋，蔭於壘幕。 甲寅，東昏遣甯朔將軍吳子陽、光子衿等十三軍救郢州，進據巴口。 七月，帝命王茂帥軍主曹仲宗、康絢、武會超等潛師襲加湖，將逼子陽。 水涸不通艦，子衿喜。 其夜流星墜其城，四更中無雨而水暴長，眾軍乘流齊進，鼓噪攻之，俄而大潰，子陽等竄走，眾盡溺于江，王茂虜其餘而旋。 郢、魯二城相視奪氣。
On yisi of the third month, the Prince of Nankang took the throne at Jiangling. From afar Donghun was deposed as Prince of Fuling; the Emperor was made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, additionally Great General Who Conquers the East, Area Commander of armies for suppression, with the yellow battle-axe. The Western Platform also sent Champion General Xiao Yingda leading troops to join. In the fourth month the Emperor went out on the Han; he ordered Wang Mao, Xiao Yingda, and others to press Ying city. On jiyou of the fifth month the Emperor moved camp to the south of the Han. That day, purple clouds like a canopy shaded the tents. On jiayin, Donghun sent Pacifier General Wu Ziyang, Guang Zijin, and thirteen armies to rescue Ying Province, advancing to hold Bakou. In the seventh month the Emperor ordered Wang Mao to lead Army Commanders Cao Zhongzong, Kang Xuan, Wu Huichao, and others with a hidden force to strike Jiahu, about to press Ziyang. The water dried and ships could not pass; Zijin rejoiced. That night a falling star struck their city; in the fourth watch without rain the water suddenly rose — the armies rode the current forward together, drumming and shouting in attack; soon they collapsed greatly; Ziyang and the others fled; the host all drowned in the river; Wang Mao captured the remainder and returned. Ying and Lu cities looked at each other and lost spirit.
15
先是，東昏遣冠軍將軍陳伯之鎮江州，為子陽等聲援。 帝謂諸將曰：「夫征討未必須實力，所聽威聲耳。 今加湖之敗，誰不讋服。 陳武牙即伯之之子，狼狽奔歸，彼間人情，理當兇懼。 我謂九江傳檄可定也。」 因命搜所獲俘囚，得伯之幢主蘇隆之，厚加賞賜，使致命焉。
Earlier, Donghun had sent Champion General Chen Bozhi to garrison Jiang Province as vocal support for Ziyang and the others. The Emperor told the generals, "Suppression need not always use real force — what is heard is martial renown. Now with defeat at Jiahu, who will not submit in fear? Chen Wuya is Bozhi's son, fleeing in disarray home — the sentiment there should be fierce fear. I say Jiujiang can be settled by proclamation." He then ordered a search among captured prisoners and obtained Bozhi's banner-commander Su Longzhi; he richly rewarded him and sent him with a message.
16
戊午，魯山城主孫樂祖降。 己未夜，郢城有數百毛人踰堞且泣，因投黃鵠磯，蓋城之精也。 及旦，其城主程茂、薛元嗣遣參軍朱曉求降。 帝謂曰：「城中自可不識天命，何意恒罵？ 「曉曰：「明公未之思耳，桀犬何嘗不吠堯。」 初，郢城之閉，將佐文武男女口十餘萬人，疾疫流腫死者十七八。 及城開，帝並加隱恤，其死者命給棺槥。
On wuwu, Lushan garrison commander Sun Lezu surrendered. On the night of jiwei, in Ying city several hundred hairy men climbed the parapet weeping, then threw themselves into Huanghe Isle — probably the city's essence. At dawn, garrison commanders Cheng Mao and Xue Yuansi sent Staff Officer Zhu Xiao to seek surrender. The Emperor said, "Within the city you yourselves could not know heaven's mandate — why constantly curse? "Xiao said, "My lord has not considered — Jie's dog, did it not bark at Yao?" Earlier, when Ying city closed, civil and military men and women numbered over a hundred thousand; plague and swelling killed seven or eight in ten. When the city opened, the Emperor all showed hidden kindness; for the dead he ordered coffins provided.
17
東昏聞郢城沒，乃為城守計，簡二尚方二冶囚徒以配軍。 其不可活者，於朱雀門內日斬百餘人。 尚書令王亮苦諫，不從。 陳伯之遣蘇隆之反命，求未便進軍。 帝曰：「伯之此言，意懷首鼠，可及其猶豫逼之。」 乃命鄧元起即日沿流。 八月，天子遣兼黃門郎蘇回勞軍。 帝登舟，命諸軍以次進路，留上庸太守韋叡守郢城，行州事。 鄧元起將至尋陽，陳伯之猶懼，乃收兵退保湖口，留其子武牙守盆城。 及帝至，乃束甲請罪。
Donghun, hearing Ying city had fallen, then made plans for city defense, selecting convicts from the two Directorate workshops and two smelting works to assign to the army. Those who could not be kept alive — at Zhuque Gate within, over a hundred were beheaded daily. Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Liang remonstrated bitterly; he did not follow. Chen Bozhi sent Su Longzhi back with his answer, asking that advance not yet be convenient. The Emperor said, "Bozhi's words show a wavering heart — while he still hesitates, press him." He then ordered Deng Yuanqi that same day along the current. In the eighth month the Son of Heaven sent Concurrent Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Su Hui to comfort the army. The Emperor boarded ship and ordered the armies to advance in order; he left Governor of Shangyong Wei Rui to guard Ying city and handle provincial affairs. As Deng Yuanqi was about to reach Xunyang, Chen Bozhi still feared and gathered troops to withdraw and hold Hukou, leaving his son Wuya to guard Pencheng. When the Emperor arrived, he bound armor and requested punishment.
18
九月，天子詔帝平定東夏，以便宜從事。 前軍之次蕪湖，南豫州刺史申胄棄姑孰走，至是大軍進據之。 自發雍州，帝所乘艦恒有兩龍導引，左右莫不見者。 緣道奉迎百姓，皆如挾纊。 仍遣曹景宗、蕭穎達領馬步進頓江寧。 東昏遣征虜將軍李居士迎戰，景宗擊走之。 於是王茂、鄧元起、呂僧珍進據赤鼻邏，曹景宗、陳伯之為游兵。 是日，新亭城主江道林率兵出戰，眾軍禽之於陣。 大軍次新林，建康士庶傾都而至，送款或以血為書。 命王茂進據越城，曹景宗據皁莢橋，鄧元起據道士墩，陳伯之據籬門。 道林餘眾退屯航南，迫之，因復散走，退保朱雀，憑淮自固。 時李居士猶據新亭壘，請東昏燒南岸邑屋，以開戰場。 自大航以西，新亭以北，蕩然矣。
In the ninth month the Son of Heaven ordered the Emperor to pacify the eastern Xia, acting as convenient. The vanguard halted at Wuhu; Governor of Southern Yu Shen Zhou abandoned Gushu and fled — then the great army advanced and held it. From departing Yong Province, the ship the Emperor rode always had two dragons guiding — those left and right all saw. Common people along the road came to welcome; all were as if carrying cotton. He then sent Cao Jingzong and Xiao Yingda leading horse and foot to advance and encamp at Jiangning. Donghun sent General Who Conquers Barbarians Li Jushi to meet in battle; Jingzong struck and routed him. Thereupon Wang Mao, Deng Yuanqi, and Lü Sengzhen advanced to hold Chibei Luo; Cao Jingzong and Chen Bozhi served as mobile troops. That day, Xinting garrison commander Jiang Daolin led troops out to battle; the armies captured him in the formation. The great army halted at Xinlin; scholars and commoners of Jiankang poured from the whole city to arrive, submitting allegiance or writing in blood. He ordered Wang Mao to advance and hold Yue city, Cao Jingzong to hold Zaojia Bridge, Deng Yuanqi to hold Daoshi Mound, Chen Bozhi to hold Limen. Daolin's remaining host withdrew to encamp south of the ferry; pressing them, they again scattered and fled, withdrawing to hold Zhuque, relying on the Huai to hold firm. At that time Li Jushi still held the Xinting fort and asked Donghun to burn south-bank houses to open the battlefield. From the Great Ferry west, from Xinting north — all was swept bare.
19
十月，東昏石頭軍主朱僧勇歸降。 東昏又遣征虜將軍王珍國列陣于航南大路，悉配精手利器，尚十餘萬，閹人王倀子持白虎幡督諸軍。 王茂、曹景宗等掎角奔之，珍國之眾，一時土崩。 眾軍追至宣陽門，李居士以新亭壘，徐元瑜以東府城降，石頭、白下諸軍並宵潰。 壬午，帝鎮石頭，命眾軍圍六門。 東昏悉焚門內，驅逼營署官府併入城，有眾二十萬。 青州刺史桓和紿東昏出戰，因降。 先是，俗語謂密相欺變者為「和欺」。 於是蟲兒、法珍等曰：「今日敗於桓和，可謂和欺矣。」 帝命諸軍築長圍。
In the tenth month, Shitou garrison commander Zhu Sengyong surrendered. Donghun again sent General Who Conquers Barbarians Wang Zhenguo to array south of the ferry on the great road, all equipped with crack marksmen and sharp weapons — still over a hundred thousand; eunuch Wang Zhenzi held the White Tiger Banner to supervise the armies. Wang Mao, Cao Jingzong, and others pincered and rushed them; Zhenguo's host collapsed like earth at once. The armies pursued to Xuanyang Gate; Li Jushi with the Xinting fort, Xu Yuanyu with the Eastern Headquarters city surrendered; Shitou, Baixia, and all garrisons fled by night. On renwu the Emperor garrisoned Shitou and ordered the armies to surround the six gates. Donghun burned all within the gates, driving and pressing barracks and government offices into the city — he had a host of two hundred thousand. Governor of Qing Province Huan He deceived Donghun into coming out to battle and thus surrendered. Earlier, common speech called secretly deceiving and turning "He-deceive." Thereupon Chong'er, Fazhen, and the others said, "Today defeated by Huan He — it can be called He-deceive." The Emperor ordered the armies to build a long encirclement.
20
初，眾軍既逼，東昏遣軍主左僧慶鎮京口，常僧景鎮廣陵，李叔獻屯瓜步。 及申胄自姑孰奔歸，又使屯破墩，以為東北聲援。 至是帝遣曉喻，並降。 帝乃遣弟輔國將軍秀鎮京口，輔國將軍恢屯破墩，從弟甯朔將軍景鎮廣陵。 吳郡太守蔡夤棄郡赴降。
Earlier, when the armies had pressed close, Donghun sent Army Commander Zuo Sengqing to garrison Jingkou, Chang Sengjing to garrison Guangling, and Li Shuxian to encamp at Guabu. When Shen Zhou returned in flight from Gushu, he also had him encamp at Podun as northeast vocal support. By now the Emperor sent enlightened persuasion — all surrendered. The Emperor then sent his younger brother General Who Assists the State Xiu to garrison Jingkou, General Who Assists the State Hui to encamp at Podun, and younger cousin Pacifier General Jing to garrison Guangling. Governor of Wu Commandery Cai Yin abandoned the commandery and came to surrender.
21
十二月丙寅，兼衛尉張稷、北徐州刺史王珍國斬東昏，其夜以黃油裹首送軍。 帝命呂僧珍、張彌勒兵封府庫及圖籍。 帝乃入，收嬖妾潘妃誅之，及凶党王咺之以下四十八人屬吏，以宮女二千人，分賚將士。 宣德皇后令追廢涪陵王為東昏侯，授帝中書監、大司馬、錄尚書、驃騎大將軍、都督、揚州刺史，封建安郡公，食邑萬戶，給班劍四十人，黃鉞、侍中、征討諸軍事並如故。 依晉武陵王遵承制故事，百僚致敬。 己卯，帝入屯閱武堂，下令大赦。 丙戌，入鎮殿內。 是日，鳳皇集建鄴。 又下令：「凡昏制謬賦、淫刑濫役，外可詳檢前源，悉皆除蕩。 其主守散失，諸所損耗，精立科條，咸從原例。」 丁亥，遣豫州刺史李元履以兵五千慰勞東方十二郡。
On bingyin of the twelfth month, Concurrent Commandant of the Guards Zhang Ji and Governor of Northern Xu Wang Zhenguo beheaded Donghun; that night they wrapped the head in yellow oil and sent it to the army. The Emperor ordered Lü Sengzhen and Zhang Mile to seal the treasuries and archives with troops. The Emperor then entered, seized the favorite concubine Consort Pan and executed her, and the evil faction Wang Xuanzhi and forty-eight others below were handed to the law; two thousand palace women were divided and bestowed on officers and soldiers. Empress Dowager Xuande ordered the deposed Prince of Fuling posthumously changed to Marquess of Donghun, and conferred on the Emperor Director of the Masters of Writing, Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Masters of Writing, General of Agile Cavalry, Area Commander, Governor of Yang Province, Duke of Jian'an Commandery with ten thousand households, forty ceremonial sword-bearers, yellow battle-axe, Attendant-in-Ordinary, and suppression of armies — all as before. Following the precedent of Prince Zun of Wuling of Jin assuming regency, the hundred officials paid homage. On jimao the Emperor entered and encamped at the Review Troops Hall and issued a general amnesty. On bingxu he entered and garrisoned within the palace hall. That day, phoenixes gathered at Jianye. He also ordered, "All benighted regulations, erroneous levies, excessive punishments, and abusive corvée — examine carefully the original sources and entirely abolish them. Where chiefs and guards lost or scattered goods and losses occurred — establish precise statutes, all following original precedent." On dinghai he sent Governor of Yu Li Yuanlu with five thousand troops to comfort the twelve eastern commanderies.
22
二年正月辛卯，下令：「通檢尚書眾曹東昏時諸諍訟失理及主者淹停不時施行者，精加訊辯，依事議奏。 其義師臨陣致命，疾病死亡者，並加葬斂，收恤遺孤。」 甲午，天子遣兼侍中席闡文、兼黃門侍郎樂法才慰勞都下。 追贈皇祖散騎常侍、左光祿大夫，皇考侍中、丞相。 乙未，下令：「朱雀之捷，逆徒送死者，特許家人殯葬； 若無親屬，或有貧苦，二縣長尉即為埋掩。 建康城內不達天命，自取淪滅，亦同此科。」 又下令減損浮費，自非奉粢盛，修紱冕，習禮樂之容，繕甲兵之備，此外一皆禁絕。 禦府中署，量宜罷省，命外詳為條格。
In the first month of the second year, on xinmao, he ordered, "Comprehensively inspect all bureaus of the Masters of Writing — all remonstrance litigation from Donghun's time that was unjust, and chief officials who delayed and did not implement in timely fashion — examine closely and debate, reporting according to the matter. Those of the righteous army who died facing the battle line, or from illness — all add burial rites and gather and comfort orphaned survivors." On jiawu the Son of Heaven sent Concurrent Attendant-in-Ordinary Xi Chawen and Concurrent Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Yue Facai to comfort the capital. Posthumously honored the Imperial Grandfather as Regular Mounted Attendant, Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall; the Imperial Father as Attendant-in-Ordinary, Chancellor. On yiwei he ordered, "At the Zhuque victory, rebel dead sent back — specially permit family burial. If there are no kin, or if poor and bitter, the two county magistrates and commandants at once bury and cover. Within Jiankang city those who did not reach heaven's mandate and brought ruin on themselves — the same rule." He also ordered reduction of floating expenses — except for offering grain, repairing robes and caps, practicing ritual and music, and repairing armor and weapons, beyond this all forbidden and cut off. Imperial workshops and inner offices — according to measure abolish and reduce; order outside to detail statutes.
23
戊戌，宣德皇后臨朝，入居內殿，拜帝大司馬，解承制，百僚致敬如前。 壬寅，詔進帝都督中外諸軍事，劍履上殿，入朝不趨，贊拜不名，加前後部羽葆、鼓吹，置左右長史、司馬、從事中郎、掾、屬各四人，並依舊辟士，餘並如故。 甲寅，齊帝進帝位相國，總百揆，封十郡為梁公，備九錫之禮，加遠遊冠，綠綟綬，位在諸王上。 策曰：
On wuxu Empress Dowager Xuande held court, entered and dwelt in the inner hall, invested the Emperor as Grand Marshal, released assumption of regency — the hundred officials paid homage as before. On renyin an edict advanced the Emperor to Area Commander of all armies within and without, sword and shoes in the hall, no hurrying in court entry, no naming in congratulatory bow, adding front and rear feather-canopies and drum-and-pipe — left and right Chief Administrators, Marshals, Attendant Gentlemen, Assistants, and Clerks each four, all according to old practice recruiting gentlemen — the rest all as before. On jiayin the Qi Emperor advanced the Emperor to Prince of the State, overseeing the hundred offices, enfeoffing ten commanderies as Duke of Liang, preparing the nine bestowals, adding the far-travel cap and green ribbon, rank above all princes. The investiture document says:
24
上天不造，難鍾皇室，世祖以休明早崩，世宗以仁德不嗣。 高宗襲統，宸居弗永，雖夙夜劬勞，而隆平不洽。 嗣君昏暴，書契弗睹，朝權國柄，委之群孽，剿戮忠賢，誅殘台輔，含冤抱痛，噍類靡餘。 公藉昏明之期，因兆庶之願，爰率群後，翊成中興，宗社之危已固，天人之望允塞，此實公紐我絕綱，大造皇家者也。
Heaven does not aid — calamity strikes the imperial house; the Founding Emperor with bright virtue died early, the Heir Emperor with benevolent virtue left no successor. Emperor Gaozong inherited the succession; the imperial residence was not long — though from dawn to night he toiled, prosperous peace was not harmonized. The succeeding lord was benighted and cruel, never seeing the covenant texts; court power and state handle were entrusted to a pack of villains — they slaughtered the loyal and worthy, exterminated platform ministers; bearing wrongs and clutching pain, not a cry remained. My lord, relying on the period of darkness and brightness, following the myriad people's wish, then led the feudal lords and assisted the central revival — the altars' peril was already secured, heaven and men's hope truly fulfilled: this is truly my lord tying our broken net, greatly creating the imperial house.
25
永明季年，邊隙大啟，荊河連率，招引戎荒。 公受言本朝，輕兵赴襲，排危冒險，剛柔遞用，坦然一方，還成藩服，此又公之功也。 在昔隆昌，洪基已謝，高宗慮深社稷，將行權道。 公定策帷帳，激揚大節，廢帝立王，謀猷深著，此又公之功也。 建武闡業，厥猷雖遠，戎狄內侵，憑陵關塞，司部危逼，淪陷指期。 公總兵外討，卷甲長騖，焚廬毀帳，胡哭言歸，此又公之功也。 樊、漢阽切，羽書續至。 公星言鞠旅，稟命徂征，拯我邊危，重獲安堵，此又公之功也。 漢南迥弱，咫尺勍寇。 公作藩爰始，因資靡托，練兵訓卒，搜狩有序，俾我危城，翻為強鎮，此又公之功也。 永元紀號，瞻烏已及，雖廢昏有典，而伊、霍難行。 公首建大策，爰立明聖，義踰邑綸，勳高代入，此又公之功也。 文王之風，雖被江、漢，京邑蠢蠢，湮為洪流。 公投袂萬里，事惟拯溺，義聲所覃，無思不韙，此又公之功也。 魯城、夏汭，梗據中流，乘山置壘，縈川自固。 公禦此烏集，陵茲地險，費無遺矢，戰未窮兵，踐華之固，相望俱拔，此又公之功也。 惟此群凶，同惡相濟，緣江負險，蟻聚加湖。 桴旝一臨，應時褫潰，此又公之功也。 奸孽震皇，復懷舉斧，畜兵九派，用擬勤王。 公棱威直指，勢踰風電，旌旆小臨，全州稽服，此又公之功也。 姑孰沖要，密邇京畿，凶徒熾聚，斷塞津路。 公兵威所震，望旗自駭，此又公之功也。 群豎倡狂，志在借一，豕突淮涘，武騎如雲。 公爰命英勇，因機騁銳，氣冠阪泉，勢踰洹水，此又公之功也。 琅邪、石首，襟帶岨固，新壘、東墉，金湯是埒，憑險作守，兵食兼資，風激電駭，莫不震疊，城復於隍，於是乎在，此又公之功也。 獨夫昏佷，憑城靡懼，鼓鍾鞺鞜，傲若有餘，狎是邪孽，忌斯冠冕，凶狡因之，將逞孥戮。 公奇謀密運，威略潛回，忠勇之徒，得申厥效，白旗宣室，未之或比，此又公之功也。 公有拯億兆之勳，重之以明德。 爰初厲志，服道儒門，濯纓來仕，清猷映世。 時運艱難，宗社危殆，昆岡已燎，玉石同焚，驅率貔貅，抑揚霆電，義等南巢，功齊牧野。 若夫禹功寂寞，微管誰嗣，拯其將魚，驅其袒發，解茲亂網，理此棼絲，復禮衽席，反樂河海。 永平故事，聞之者歎息，司隸舊章，見之者隕涕，請我人命，還之鬥極，憫憫縉紳，重符戴天之慶，哀哀黔首，復蒙履地之恩，德踰於嵩、岱，功鄰於造物，超哉邈矣，越無得而言焉。
In the last years of Yongming, border gaps opened greatly; Jing and He area commanders drew in barbarian wilds. My lord received word from the court, light troops hurrying to strike, braving peril and danger, hard and soft in turn — calmly one region, returning to become a feudal service: this too is my lord's merit. In former times at Longchang, the great foundation was already departed; Emperor Gaozong thought deeply for the altars and was about to walk the path of expedient power. My lord fixed policy within the tent, roused great integrity, deposed an emperor and established a king — counsel deep and manifest: this too is my lord's merit. Jianwu opened the enterprise — though the plan was far, barbarians invaded within, relying on passes and barriers; Si Province pressed in peril, fall imminent at a finger's touch. My lord gathered troops for external suppression, rolled armor and long gallop, burned huts and destroyed tents — the barbarians wept saying they returned: this too is my lord's merit. Fan and Han pressed to the brink; urgent dispatches came in succession. My lord at star-rise marshaled troops, received mandate and went to campaign, saved our border peril, again obtained peace and dwelling: this too is my lord's merit. South of the Han was distant and weak — a strong foe within a foot's reach. My lord, beginning as feudal lord, with resources none to rely on, trained soldiers and drilled troops, hunts in order — made our perilous city turn into a strong garrison: this too is my lord's merit. The Yongyuan era name — the crow looking already arrived; though deposing the benighted had precedent, yet Yi and Huo were hard to walk. My lord first established the great plan, then established the bright sage — righteousness exceeding town and silk, merit higher than replacing men: this too is my lord's merit. King Wen's wind, though covering Jiang and Han — the capital teemed, submerged into a great flood. My lord shook his sleeves ten thousand li — the affair only saving the drowning; where righteous fame reached, none thought it wrong: this too is my lord's merit. Lu city and Xia Rui blocked and held the middle current, riding mountains to set ramparts, winding rivers to hold firm. My lord faced this crow gathering, crossed this land's peril — expense not a stray arrow, battle not exhausting troops; the Hua's solidity, looking at each other both taken: this too is my lord's merit. Only these evil hosts, same evil aiding each other, along the river relying on peril, ant-swarming at Jiahu. One arrival of boat-flags — at the time stripped and collapsed: this too is my lord's merit. Traitorous spawn shook the emperor, again harboring raised axe, storing troops at the Nine Branches, intending to aid the king in labor. My lord's edge and might pointed straight — momentum exceeding wind and lightning; banners and flags slightly arrived — the whole province submitted: this too is my lord's merit. Gushu was strategic and vital, closely near the capital region — evil bands fiercely gathered, cutting and blocking ferry roads. Where my lord's martial might shook — seeing flags, they themselves were terrified: this too is my lord's merit. The evil hosts raised madness, intent on borrowing one throw — boar-rushing the Huai shore, martial horsemen like clouds. My lord then ordered the brave, seizing the moment and galloping sharpness — spirit topping Banquan, momentum exceeding Huan water: this too is my lord's merit. Langye and Shishou, belt and girdle rugged and firm; Xinlai and East Wall, metal and moat equal in strength — relying on peril to make defense, troops and grain both provided; wind stirred and lightning alarmed, none did not shake and fold; cities restored from the moat — therein it lay: this too is my lord's merit. The lone man benighted and perverse, relying on the city without fear — drums and bells booming, proud as if with surplus; he befriended these evil spawn, envied these caps and robes — the vicious and cunning by this were about to extend slaughter to wives and children. My lord's strange plan secretly operated, martial strategy secretly returned — loyal and brave men obtained to declare their effect; white flags announced in the chamber — none to compare: this too is my lord's merit. My lord has merit saving the hundred millions, heavy with bright virtue. At first he hardened his will, served the Way in the Confucian gate, washed his tassel to come to office — pure plan shining on the age. The times' transport was hard and perilous, altars nearly perished — the Kun mountain already burned, jade and stone burned together; driving and leading the brave warriors, restraining and releasing thunder and lightning — righteousness equal to South Nest, merit level with Muye. As for Yu's merit lonely, who after Guan Zhong — saving those about to be fish, driving those baring shoulders, undoing this tangled net, ordering this tangled silk, restoring ritual mats, returning joy to river and sea. The Yongping old story — hearing it one sighs; the Minister of Justice old statutes — seeing them one sheds tears; begging our people's lives, returning them to the Dipper Pole; sorrowful the gentry silk, again bearing heaven-bearing celebration; mournful the black-headed people, again receiving treading-earth grace — virtue exceeding Song and Dai, merit neighboring on creation; transcendent and far — beyond words to speak.
26
朕又聞之：疇庸命德，建侯作屏，咸用克固四維，永隆萬葉。 是以二南流化，九伯斯征，王道淳洽，刑厝罔用。 惟公經綸天地，甯濟區夏，道冠乎伊、稷，賞薄于桓、文，豈所以憲章齊、魯，長轡宇宙。 敬惟前烈，朕甚懼焉。 今進授相國，改揚州刺史為牧，以豫州之梁郡曆陽、南徐州之義興、揚州之淮南宣城吳吳興會稽新安東陽十郡，封公為梁公，錫茲白土，苴以白茅，爰定爾邦，用建塚社。 在昔旦、奭，入居保佑，逮于畢、毛，亦作卿士，任兼內外，禮實宜之。 今命使持節、兼太尉王亮授相國揚州牧印綬、梁公璽紱； 使持節、兼司空王志授梁公茅土，金虎符第一至第五左，竹使符第一至第十左。 相國位冠群後，任總百司，恒典彝數，宜與事革。 其以相國總百揆，去錄尚書之號，上所假節、侍中貂蟬、中書監印、中外都督大司馬印綬、建安公印策，驃騎大將軍如故。
I also hear: rewarding merit and commanding virtue, establishing marquises to make screens — all used to firmly secure the four corners, forever prosper the myriad leaves. Therefore the Two Souths flowed with transformation, the nine earls thus campaigned — kingly Way pure and harmonized, punishments set aside unused. Only my lord weaves heaven and earth, pacifies and aids the central Xia — the Way crowns Yi and Ji, reward thin compared to Huan and Wen; how could this model Qi and Lu, long reins on the cosmos? Reverently considering former blazing merit — I am very afraid. Now advancing and conferring Prince of the State, changing Governor of Yang Province to Governor; with Liang Commandery of Yu Province, Liyang, Yixing of Southern Xu, Huainan, Xuancheng, Wu, Wuxing, Kuaiji, Xin'an, and Dongyang of Yang Province — ten commanderies — enfeoffing my lord as Duke of Liang, bestowing this white earth, wrapping with white thatch, thereby fixing your state, thereby establishing altar and soil. In former times Dan and Shi entered to dwell in protection and blessing; reaching Bi and Mao, they also served as ministers — duty combining inner and outer, ritual truly fitting. Now ordering Bearer of the Staff, Concurrent Grand Commandant Wang Liang to confer Prince of the State, Governor of Yang seals and cords, Duke of Liang seal and ribbon; Bearer of the Staff, Concurrent Minister of Works Wang Zhi to confer Duke of Liang's earth and thatch, gold tiger tallies first through fifth left, bamboo envoy tallies first through tenth left. Prince of the State's rank crowns the feudal lords, duty totals the hundred offices — constant codes and regular numbers should change with the affair. Let Prince of the State oversee the hundred offices, remove the title Recorder of the Masters of Writing; the above-conferred staff, Attendant-in-Ordinary cicada and cap, Director of the Masters of Writing seal, Area Commander within and without Grand Marshal seals and cords, Duke of Jian'an seal and investiture — General of Agile Cavalry as before.
27
又加公九錫，其敬聽後命：
Also adding my lord the nine bestowals — reverently hear the later command:
28
以公禮律兼修，刑德備舉，哀矜折獄，罔不用情。 是用錫公大輅、戎輅各一，玄牡二駟。 公勞心稼穡，念在人天，丕崇務本，惟穀是寶。 是用錫公兗冕之服，赤舄副焉。 公鎔鈞所被，變風以雅，易俗陶人，載和邦國。 是用錫公軒縣之樂，六佾之舞。 公文德廣覃，義聲遠洽，椎髻髽首，夷歌請吏。 是用錫公朱戶以居。 公揚清抑濁，官方有序，多士聿興，棫樸流詠。 是用錫公納陛以登。 公正色禦下，以身範物，式遏不虞，折沖惟遠。 是用錫公虎賁之士三百人。 公威同夏日，志清奸宄，放命圮族，刑茲罔赦。 是用錫公鈇鉞各一。 公跨躡嵩溟，陵厲區宇，譬諸日月，容光必至。 是用錫公彤弓一、彤矢百，盧弓十、盧矢千。 公永言惟孝，至感通神，恭嚴祀典，祭有餘敬。 是用錫金秬鬯一卣，圭瓚副焉。 梁國置丞相以下，一遵舊式。 欽哉，其敬循往策，祗服大禮，對揚天眷，用膺多福，以弘我太祖之休命。 帝固辭，府僚勸進，不許。
Because my lord ritual and law both cultivated, punishment and virtue both raised, pitying in judging cases — none not using feeling. Therefore bestowing my lord great carriage and war carriage each one, black stallions two teams of four. My lord toils at heart for grain, thought on men and heaven, greatly honoring the root affair, only grain is treasure. Therefore bestowing my lord robes of the sacrificial cap, red shoes accompanying. My lord's melting balance what it covers — changing wind into elegance, changing custom and molding men, harmonizing and carrying the state. Therefore bestowing my lord suspended music of the hall, six rows of dancers. My lord's civil virtue broadly reaching, righteous fame far harmonized — topknot and mourning-bun, barbarian songs requesting officials. Therefore bestowing my lord vermilion doors to dwell. My lord raises the pure and suppresses the turbid — official ranks have order, many scholars thus rise, elm clumps flowing in song. Therefore bestowing my lord ascending steps to mount. My lord with correct color governs subordinates, with body models things, checking the unlooked-for, breaking enemy from afar. Therefore bestowing my lord three hundred tiger-guardsmen. My lord's might equal to summer sun, will to clear treacherous villains — defying mandate and destroying clan, punish them without pardon. Therefore bestowing my lord axe and yue each one. My lord strides over Song heights and northern sea, crosses and overcomes the realm — compared to sun and moon, radiance must arrive. Therefore bestowing my lord red bow one, red arrows one hundred, black bows ten, black arrows one thousand. My lord forever speaks only filial piety — utmost feeling penetrating the spirits, reverent and strict in sacrificial codes, sacrifice with surplus reverence. Therefore bestowing black millet-leaven wine one jar, jade libation cup accompanying. The Liang state establishes Chancellor and below — all following old forms. Reverence! Reverently follow former policy, reverently serve the great rites, answering and displaying heaven's favor, thereby receiving much blessing, thereby expanding our High Ancestor's fine mandate. The Emperor firmly declined; staff urged advance — he did not permit.
29
二月辛酉，府僚重請曰：「近以朝命蘊策，冒奏丹誠，奉被還令，未蒙虛受，縉紳顒顒，深所未達。 蓋聞受金於府，通人之弘致，高蹈海隅，匹夫之小節，是以履乘石而周公不以為疑，贈玉璜而太公不以為讓。 況世哲繼軌，先德在人，經綸草昧，歎深微管，加以朱方之役，荊河是依，班師振旅，大造王室，雖復累繭救宋，重胝存楚，居今觀古，曾何足云。 而惑甚盜鍾，功疑不賞，皇天后土，不勝其酷。 是以玉馬駿奔，表微子之去，金板出地，告龍逄之冤。 明公據鞍輟哭，厲三軍之志，獨居掩涕，激義士之心，故能使海若登只，罄圖效祉，山戎、孤竹，束馬景從，伐罪吊人，一匡靜亂，匪叨天功，實勤濡足。 龜玉不毀，誰之功歟，獨為君子，將使伊、周何地。」 於是始受相國、梁公之命。 命焚東昏淫奢異服六十二種於都街。 齊帝追贈梁公夫人為梁國妃。
On xinyou of the second month, staff again requested, saying, "Recently by court command the investiture was prepared; we presumed to report red sincerity, received return order, not granted empty acceptance — the gentry silk eager, deeply what is not yet understood. I hear receiving gold from the treasury is the broad intent of the penetrating man; high treading the sea corner is the small integrity of the lone man — therefore treading the stone steps and Duke of Zhou did not take it as doubt; bestowing the jade tablet and Grand Duke did not take it as yielding. How much more when the age's sage continues the track, former virtue in men — weaving the cosmos in grass and darkness, sighing deeply for the slight Guan; adding the Zhufang campaign, Jing and He thereby relied — withdrawing the army and shaking the host, greatly creating the royal house; though again piled cocoons saving Song, heavy calluses preserving Chu — viewing today by the ancient, how could it suffice to speak? Yet confusion extreme as stealing the bell, merit doubted and not rewarded — heaven and earth, unable to bear its cruelty. Therefore the jade horses galloped away, displaying Weizi's departure; the gold board came from earth, reporting Longfeng's wrong. My lord, holding the saddle stopped weeping, roused the three armies' will; dwelling alone covered tears, stirred righteous men's hearts — therefore able to make sea-spirits ascend and only, empty the chart and display blessing; Mountain Barbarians and Lone Bamboo bound horses and followed the scene; punishing crime and comforting men, one correction and quiet disorder — not presumptuous on heaven's merit, truly toiling with wet feet. Turtle and jade not destroyed — whose merit? Alone to be the noble man — will you make Yi and Zhou stand where?" Thereupon he first accepted the mandate of Prince of the State and Duke of Liang. He ordered burned at the capital street Donghun's sixty-two kinds of lewd luxury and strange garb. The Qi Emperor posthumously honored the Duke of Liang's consort as Consort of the Liang State.
30
乙丑，南兗州隊主陳文興于宣武城內鑿井，得玉鏤騏驎、金鏤玉璧、水精環各二。 又鳳凰見建康縣桐下里。 宣德皇后稱美符瑞，歸於相國府。 丙寅，詔梁國依舊選諸要職，悉依天朝之制。 帝上表，以「前代選官，皆立選簿，請自今選曹，精加隱括，依舊立簿，使冠履無爽，名實不違，庶人識涯涘，造請自息。 且聞中間立格，甲族以二十登仕，後門以過立試吏，豈所以弘獎風流，希向後進。 此實巨蠹，尤宜刊革」。 詔依表施行。 丙戌，詔進梁公爵為王，以豫州之南譙廬江、江州之尋陽、郢州之武昌西陽、南徐州之南琅邪南東海晉陵、揚州之臨海永嘉十郡益梁國，並前為二十郡。 其相國、揚州牧、驃騎大將軍如故。 帝固辭，有詔斷表。 相國左長史王瑩等率百僚敦請。
On yichou, a squad leader of Southern Yanzhou Chen Wenxing, digging a well within Xuanyang city, obtained jade carved qilin, gold carved jade bi, and crystal rings — two each. Also phoenix appeared at Tongxia Village, Jiankang County. Empress Dowager Xuande praised the auspicious omens and attributed them to the Prince of the State's office. On bingyin, an edict ordered the Liang state according to old practice to select all key posts — all following the heavenly court's system. The Emperor submitted a memorial, saying, "Former ages in selecting officials all established selection registers — I request from now the Selection Bureau carefully add hidden examination, according to old practice establish registers, making cap and shoes without error, name and reality not violated — common people will know the shore, seeking audience will itself cease. And I hear in the middle a standard was established — noble clans at twenty enter office, lesser gates by passing established as trial clerks — how is this to expand and reward elegant custom, hoping toward later comers? This is truly a great borer — especially should be cut and reformed." An edict followed the memorial and implemented. On bingxu, an edict advanced the Duke of Liang's rank to King, adding Southern Qiao and Lujiang of Yu Province, Xunyang of Jiang Province, Wuchang and Xiyang of Ying Province, Southern Langye, Southern Donghai, and Jinling of Southern Xu, Linhai and Yongjia of Yang Province — ten commanderies to increase the Liang state, together with the former making twenty commanderies. Prince of the State, Governor of Yang, General of Agile Cavalry — all as before. The Emperor firmly declined; there was an edict cutting off the memorial. Left Chief Administrator of the Prince of the State Wang Ying and others led the hundred officials in earnest urging.
31
三月癸巳，受梁王之命。 下令赦國內殊死以下，鰥寡孤獨不能自存者，賜穀五斛，府州所統亦同蠲蕩。 丙午，齊帝命帝冕十有二旒，建天子旌旗，出警入蹕，乘金根車，駕六馬，備五時副車，置旄頭雲罕，樂舞八佾，設鍾虡宮縣，王妃、王子、王女爵命之號，一如舊儀。 丙辰，齊帝下詔禪位，即安姑孰。 四月辛酉，宣德皇后令曰：「西詔至，帝憲章前代，敬禪神器于梁，明可臨軒，遣使恭授璽紱，未亡人便歸於別宮。」 壬戌，策曰：
On guisi of the third month, he accepted the mandate of King of Liang. He ordered amnesty within the state for exceptional death and below; widows, orphans, solitary and alone unable to support themselves — bestow five hu of grain; prefectures and provinces under jurisdiction likewise remit and abolish. On bingwu, the Qi Emperor ordered the Emperor's cap to have twelve tassels, establish the Son of Heaven's banners and flags, exit with police and enter with prohibition, ride the golden-root carriage, drive six horses, prepare five-season secondary carriages, establish plume-head and cloud-banner, music and dance eight rows, establish bell-frames and palace suspended bells — consort, princes, and princesses titles and commands all as old rites. On bingchen, the Qi Emperor issued an edict abdicating; he then settled at An Gushu. On xinyou of the fourth month, Empress Dowager Xuande ordered, "The western edict has arrived — the Emperor models former ages, reverently abdicating the divine vessel to Liang; tomorrow may he ascend the throne; dispatch envoys to reverently confer seals and cords — the un-widowed woman will then return to the separate palace. On renxu, the investiture document says:
32
咨爾梁王，惟昔邃古之載，肇有生靈，皇雄、大庭之辟，赫胥、尊盧之後，斯並龍圖鳥跡以前，慌惚杳冥之世，固無得而詳焉。 洎乎農、軒、炎、皞之代，放勳、重華之主，莫不以大道君萬姓，公器禦八紘，居之如執朽索，去之若釋重負，一駕汾陽，便有窅然之志，暫適箕嶺，即動讓王之心。 故知戴黃屋、服玉璽，非所以示貴稱尊，乘大輅、建旗旗，蓋欲令歸趣有地。 是故忘己而字兆庶，徇物而君四海。 及于菁華內竭，畚橇外勞，則撫茲歸運，惟能是與。 四百告終，有漢所以高揖，黃德既謝，魏氏所以樂推。 爰及晉、宋，亦弘斯典。 我太祖握河受曆，應符啟運，二葉重光，三聖系軌。 嗣君喪德，昏棄紀度，毀紊天綱，雕絕地紐。 是以谷滿川枯，山飛鬼哭，七廟已危，人神無主。 惟王體茲上哲，明聖在躬，端冕而協邕熙，推鋒而拯塗炭，武功與日車並運，文教與鵬翼齊舉。 固以幽顯宅心，謳訟斯屬； 豈徒桴鼓播地，卿雲叢天而已哉。 至於晝睹爭明，夜飛枉矢，除舊之征必顯，更姓之符允集。 今便仰祗幹象，俯從人願，敬禪神器，授帝位於爾躬。 大祚告窮，天祿永終。 于戲，王允執其中，式遵前典，以副昊天之望，禋上帝而臨億兆，格文祖而膺大業，以傳無疆之祚，豈不盛與。 並命璽書，遣兼太保、中書監、兼尚書令王亮，兼太尉、中書令王志奉皇帝璽紱，受終之禮，一依唐、虞故事。 帝抗表陳讓，表不獲通。 於是齊百官豫章王元琳等八百一十九人，及梁台侍中範雲等一百一十七人，並上表勸進，帝謙讓不受。 是日，太史令蔣道秀陳天文符讖六十四條，事並明著，群臣重表固請，乃從之。 天監元年夏四月丙寅，皇帝即位于南郊，設壇柴燎告天曰：皇帝臣衍，敢用玄牡，昭告於皇皇后帝。
Consult you, King of Liang — in records of remote antiquity, when living beings first arose, the sovereigns Huangxiong and Dating, after Heru and Zunlu — these all before dragon charts and bird tracks, in dim vague oblivion — inherently none to detail. Reaching the generations of Shennong, Xuanyuan, Yandi, and Haohao, the lords Fangxun and Chonghua — none did not with the Great Way lord the myriad surname, with the public vessel govern the eight directions — dwelling as if holding a rotten rope, departing as if releasing a heavy burden; one driving to Fenyang, then had distant ambition; briefly going to Jiling, then moved the yielding-king heart. Therefore know wearing yellow house and serving jade seal — not thereby to display nobility and call respect; riding great carriage and establishing banners and flags — probably intending to make return and tendency have place. Therefore forgetting self and nurturing the myriad masses, yielding to things and lording the four seas. Reaching essence and flower exhausted within, basket and spade laboring without — then comforting this returning mandate, only the able is given. Four hundred ended and reported — Han therefore high yielded; yellow virtue already departed — Wei therefore joyfully pushed. Reaching Jin and Song — also expanded this canon. Our High Ancestor grasped the river and received the calendar, responded to the talisman and opened the mandate — two generations doubled brilliance, three sages linked tracks. The succeeding lord lost virtue, benightedly abandoned measure and degree, destroyed and tangled heaven's net, carved and severed earth's cords. Therefore valleys full and rivers dry, mountains flying and ghosts weeping — seven temples already perilous, men and spirits without master. Only the King embodies this upper sage, bright sagacity in the body — correct cap and harmonizing grand harmony, pushing forward edge and saving the burning charcoal — martial achievement with the sun chariot together transported, civil teaching with the peng wing together raised. Truly the hidden and manifest alike took heart in him, and songs of praise gathered to his name; How could it be only drum and pestle spreading over earth, auspicious clouds clustering heaven? Reaching day seeing contending brightness, night flying crooked arrow — signs of removing the old must appear, talismans of changing surname truly gathered. Now then reverently ascending the dry image, humbly following men's wish — reverently abdicating the divine vessel, conferring the imperial position on your person. Great mandate declares exhausted, heaven's blessing forever ended. Alas! King, hold the center, model former canon, thereby answering bright heaven's hope, sacrifice to High God and face the hundred millions, approach the civil ancestor and receive the great enterprise, thereby transmitting boundless mandate — how is it not glorious! Also ordering seal documents, dispatching Concurrent Grand Preceptor, Director of the Masters of Writing, Concurrent Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Liang, Concurrent Grand Commandant, Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Zhi to present the Emperor's seals and cords — the receiving-end rites all following Tang and Yu old stories. The Emperor resisted with memorials declining; the memorials did not obtain passage. Thereupon Qi hundred officials Prince of Yuzhang Yuanlin and eight hundred nineteen others, and Liang Platform Attendant-in-Ordinary Fan Yun and one hundred seventeen others, all submitted memorials urging advance — the Emperor modestly declined and did not accept. That day, Imperial Astronomer Jiang Daoxiu presented astronomical talismans and prognostications sixty-four items — affairs all clearly manifest; the ministers again memorialized firmly requesting — then he followed. In the fourth month of the first year of Tianjian, on bingyin, the Emperor took the throne at the Southern Altar, establishing the altar, burning firewood, announcing to heaven, saying: The Emperor, subject Yan, dare use black stallion, clearly announcing to August August Empress and Emperor.
33
齊氏以曆運斯既，否終則亨，欽若天應，以命於衍。 夫任是司牧，惟能是授，天命不于常，帝王非一族，唐謝虞受，漢替魏升，爰及晉、宋，憲章在昔，咸以君德馭四海，元功子萬姓，故能大庇甿黎，光宅區宇。 齊代雲季，世主昏凶，狡焉群慝，是崇是長，肆厥奸回暴亂，以播虐於我有邦，俾九服八荒之內，連率嶽牧之君，蹶角頓顙，匡救無術。 衍投袂星言，推鋒萬里，厲其掛冠之情，用拯兆庶之切，遂因時來，宰司邦國，濟物康世，實有厥勞。 而晷緯呈祥，川嶽效祉，代終之符既顯，革運之期已萃，殊俗百蠻，重譯獻款，人神遠邇，罔不和會。 於是群公卿士，咸致厥誠，並以皇幹降命，難以謙拒。 衍自惟匪德，辭不獲遂，仰迫上玄之眷，俯惟億兆之心，宸極不可久曠，人神不可乏主，遂藉樂推，膺此嘉祚。 以茲寡薄，臨馭萬方，顧求夙志，永言祗惕。 敬簡元辰，恭茲大禮，升壇受禪，告類上帝，克播休祉，以弘盛烈，式傳厥後，用永保于我有梁，惟明靈是饗。 禮畢，有詔放觀。
The Qi clan's calendar mandate already ended, obstruction ended then prosperity — reverently following heaven's response, thereby commanding Yan. To bear this stewardship, only the able is conferred; heaven's mandate is not constant, emperors and kings are not one clan — Tang yielded and Yu received, Han departed and Wei rose; reaching Jin and Song, modeling and statutes in former times — all thereby with lordly virtue governing the four seas, original merit tending the myriad surname, therefore able greatly to shelter the black-headed, gloriously dwelling the realm. The Qi age's cloud end — age-lords benighted and vicious, craftily the pack of villains, this they honored, this they lengthened, spreading their treacherous rebellion and violent disorder, thereby broadcasting cruelty in our state — making within the nine domains and eight wastes, area-commander and mountain-lord rulers, horns knocked and brows bowed, rescue without method. Yan shook sleeves at star-rise, pushed edge ten thousand li, roused his hanging-cap feeling, thereby saving the myriad masses' urgency — then following the timely coming, overseeing the state country, aiding things and comforting the age, truly having that labor. And gnomon and weft displayed auspicious signs, rivers and peaks displayed blessings — talismans of dynasty ending already manifest, periods of changing mandate already gathered; foreign customs and hundred barbarians, heavy translation presenting allegiance; men and spirits far and near, none not harmoniously meeting. Thereupon the lords, ministers, and gentlemen all reached their sincerity, all with imperial stem descending command — hard to modestly refuse. Yan himself considered lack of virtue, declined and did not obtain following — reverently pressed by High Mystery's favor, humbly considering the hundred millions' hearts — the polar star cannot long be vacant, men and spirits cannot lack master — then borrowing joyfully pushed, receiving this fine fortune. With this meager thinness, facing and governing the ten thousand directions — looking back seeking former will, forever speaking reverent fear. Reverently selecting the primary day, reverently this great rite — ascending the altar receiving abdication, announcing category to High God, able to spread fine blessing, thereby expanding flourishing merit, model transmitting to posterity, thereby forever preserving our Liang — only bright spirits be feasted. When the rites were complete, there was an edict releasing viewing.
34
乃備法駕還建康宮，臨太極前殿，大赦，改元，賜人爵二級，文武位二等； 鰥寡孤獨不能自存者，人穀五斛； 逋布、口錢、宿責勿復收； 其犯鄉論清議、贓汙淫盜，一皆蕩滌，洗除前注，與之更始。 封齊帝為巴陵王，全食一郡，載天子旌旗，乘五時副車，行齊正朔，郊祀天地，禮樂制度，皆用齊典。 以齊宣德皇后為齊文帝妃，齊帝后王氏為巴陵王妃，齊代王侯封爵，悉皆降省，其效著艱難者，別有後命。 惟宋汝陰王不在除例。 劫賊餘口沒在台府者，悉皆蠲放。 諸流徙之家，並聽還本。 以兼尚書令王亮為尚書令，兼尚書右僕射沈約為尚書僕射。 封皇弟中護軍宏為臨川王，南徐州刺史秀為安成王，雍州刺史偉為建安王，左衛將軍恢為鄱陽王，荊州刺史憺為始興王。 自郡王以下，列爵為縣六等。 皇弟、皇子封郡王，二千戶； 王之庶子為縣侯，五百戶，謂之諸侯； 功臣爵邑無定科。 鳳凰集南蘭陵。
Then preparing the law carriage returned to Jiankang Palace, facing the Supreme Ultimate front hall, general amnesty, changing era name, bestowing on men rank two grades, civil and military rank two grades; widows, orphans, solitary and alone unable to support themselves — per person five hu of grain; overdue cloth, head-tax money, old debts — do not again collect; those who violated village discourse pure discussion, corruption and pollution, lewdness and theft — all washed and cleared, scrubbing former notes, with them a new beginning. Enfeoffed the Qi Emperor as King of Baling, full sustenance one commandery, bearing Son of Heaven banners and flags, riding five-season secondary carriages, using Qi correct calendar, sacrificing to heaven and earth — ritual, music, and institutions all using Qi canon. Made Qi Empress Dowager Xuande Consort of Qi Emperor Wen, Qi Emperor's consort née Wang Consort of Baling — Qi age kings and marquises enfeoffments, all reduced and simplified; those whose effect was manifest in hardship — separately later command. Only Song Prince of Runan was not in the removal category. Remaining mouths of bandits and robbers detained in the palace offices — all remitted and released. All exiled and moved families — all permitted to return home. Made Concurrent Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Liang Director of the Masters of Writing, Concurrent Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Shen Yue Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. Enfeoffed imperial younger brother Central Protector General Hong as Prince of Linchuan, Governor of Southern Xu Xiu as Prince of Ancheng, Governor of Yong Wei as Prince of Jian'an, Left Guard General Hui as Prince of Poyang, Governor of Jing Dan as Prince of Shixing. From commandery kings downward, ranked enfeoffments as county six grades. Imperial younger brothers and imperial sons enfeoffed as commandery kings, two thousand households; kings' secondary sons as county marquises, five hundred households — called various marquises; meritorious ministers' enfeoffments and fiefs without fixed rule. Phoenix gathered at Nan Luling.
35
丁卯，詔凡後宮、樂府、西解、暴室諸如此例被幽逼者，一皆放遣。 若衰老不能自存者，官給廩食。 戊辰，遺巴陵王錢二百萬，絹布各千疋，綿二千斤。 車騎將軍高麗王高雲進號車騎大將軍，鎮東大將軍百濟王餘太進號征東大將軍，鎮東大將軍倭王武進號征東大將軍。 己巳，巴陵王殂于姑孰，追諡為齊和帝，終禮一依故事。
On dingmao, an edict: all rear palaces, music offices, western detachments, punishment chambers and such cases of forced confinement — all released and dispatched. If aged and weak unable to support themselves — the office provides grain rations. On wuchen, sent to King of Baling two million cash, silk and cloth each one thousand bolts, cotton two thousand jin. General of Chariots and Cavalry King Gao of Goguryeo advanced in title to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry; Grand General Who Pacifies the East King Yutai of Baekje advanced in title to Grand General Who Conquers the East; Grand General Who Pacifies the East King Bu of Wa advanced in title to Grand General Who Conquers the East. On jisi, King of Baling died at Gushu; posthumously honored as Emperor He of Qi — final rites all following old stories.
36
庚午，詔分遣內侍，周省四方，觀政聽謠，訪賢舉滯。 其有田野不辟，獄訟無章，忘公徇私，侵漁是務者，悉隨事以聞。 若懷寶迷邦，蘊奇待價，蓄響藏真，不求聞達，各依名騰奏，罔或遺隱。 又詔曰：「金作贖刑，有聞自昔，入縑以免，施於中代。 永言叔季，偷薄成風，嬰愆入罪，厥塗匪一。 死者不可復生，刑者無因自反，由此而望滋實，庸可致乎。 可依周、漢舊典，有罪入贖，外詳為條格，以時奏聞。」 辛未，以新除謝沐公蕭寶義為巴陵王，以奉齊祀。 復南蘭陵武進縣，依前代之科。 征新除相國軍諮祭酒謝朏為侍中、左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司。 改南東海為蘭陵郡，土斷南徐州諸僑郡縣。 癸酉，詔「於公車府謗木、肺石傍各置一函。 若肉食莫言，山阿欲有橫議，投謗木函。 若從我江、漢，功在可策，犀兕徒弊，龍蛇方縣； 次身才高妙，擯壓莫通，懷傅、呂之術，抱屈、賈之歎，其理有皦然，受困包匭； 夫大政侵小，豪門陵賤，百姓已窮，九重莫達，若欲自申，並可投肺石函」。 甲戌，詔斷遠近上慶禮。
On gengwu, an edict dispatched inner attendants to tour the four directions, observe government and listen to songs, visit worthies and raise the stagnant. Where fields and wilds are not opened, lawsuits and prisons without standards, forgetting public and following private, encroaching and fishing as the task — all follow the affair and report. If cherishing treasure yet lost to the state, storing wonder awaiting price, storing fame hiding truth, not seeking fame and reaching — each according to name memorialize and report, none omitted or hidden. Also an edict said, "Metal as ransom for punishment — heard from former ages; entering silk to avoid punishment — applied in middle generations. Forever speaking the late age, theft and thinness became custom — infant wrong enters crime, its paths not one. The dead cannot again live, the punished have no cause to return — thereby hoping increase in substance — how could it be reached? May follow Zhou and Han old canon — the guilty enter ransom; outside detail statutes, timely memorialize and report. On xinwei, made newly invested Duke of Xiemu Xiao Baoyi King of Baling, thereby continuing Qi sacrifices. Restored Nan Luling's Wujin County, following former ages' rule. Summoned newly invested Chief Libationer of the Prince of the State's Army Staff Xie Tiao as Attendant-in-Ordinary, Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall, and Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. Changed Southern Donghai to Lanling Commandery, land-registered all refugee commanderies and counties of Southern Xu. On guiyou, an edict, "At the public carriage office's slander-wood and lung-stone, beside each place one box. If meat-eaters do not speak, mountain hermits wish to have horizontal discussion — cast into the slander-wood box. If following our Jiang and Han, merit in what can be plotted, rhinoceros and buffalo vainly worn out, dragon and snake just suspended; next, talent lofty and subtle, excluded and blocked without passage, cherishing Fu and Lü's arts, holding Qu Yuan and Jia Yi's sighs — the principle has obvious clarity, receiving trouble in the wrapped box; great policy encroaching small, powerful gates bullying the lowly, common people already exhausted, nine layers not reaching — if wishing self to declare, all may cast into the lung-stone box." On jiaxu, an edict cut off near and far congratulatory rites.
37
閏月丁酉，以行宕昌王梁彌邕為安西將軍、河涼二州刺史，正封宕昌王。 壬寅，詔以憲綱日弛，漸以為俗，令端右以風聞奏事，依元熙舊制。 有司奏，追尊皇考為文皇帝，廟號太祖，皇妣張氏為獻皇后，陵曰建陵，郗氏為德皇后，陵曰修陵。
On dingyou of the intercalary month, made Acting King of Dangchang Liang Miyong Grand General Who Pacifies the West, Governor of He and Liang — formally enfeoffed King of Dangchang. On renyin, an edict because the legal net daily slackened, gradually becoming custom — ordered the right side to memorialize affairs by reputation heard, following the Yuanxi old system. The relevant offices memorialized, posthumously honoring the Imperial Father as Emperor Wen, temple name Taizu; the Imperial Mother née Zhang as Empress Xian, tomb called Jianling; née Chi as Empress De, tomb called Xiuling.
38
五月乙亥夜，盜入南北掖，燒神武門、總章觀，害衛尉卿張弘策。 戊子，江州刺史陳伯之舉兵反。 以領軍將軍王茂為征南將軍、江州刺史，率眾討之。
On the night of yihai of the fifth month, thieves entered the southern and northern side gates, burned Shenwu Gate and Zongzhang Pavilion, killed Commandant of the Guards Zhang Hongce. On wuzi, Governor of Jiang Chen Bozhi raised troops in rebellion. Made General Who Leads the Army Wang Mao Grand General Who Conquers the South, Governor of Jiang, leading the host to suppress.
39
六月庚戌，封北秦州刺史楊紹先為武都王。 是月陳伯之奔魏，江州平。 前益州刺史劉季連據成都反。 秋七月丁巳朔，日有蝕之。
During the sixth month, on gengxu, enfeoffed Governor of Northern Qin Yang Shaoqian as King of Wudu. That month Chen Bozhi fled to Wei; Jiang Province had been pacified. Former Governor of Yi Liu Jilian rose in rebellion and held Chengdu. During the seventh month, on the first day dingsi, the sun was eclipsed.
40
八月戊戌，置建康三官。 癸卯，鸞鳥見樂游苑。 乙巳，平北將軍、西涼州刺史象舒彭進號安西將軍，封鄧至王。 丁未，命中書監王瑩等八人參定律令。 詔尚書郎依昔奏事。 交州獻能歌鸚鵡，詔不納。 林邑、幹陀利國各遣使朝貢。
During the eighth month, on wuxu, established the three Jiankang offices. On guimao, luan-birds appeared at Leyou Park. On yisi, Pacifying North General, Governor of Western Liang Xiang Shupeng advanced in title to Grand General Who Pacifies the West, enfeoffed King of Dengzhi. On dingwei, ordered Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Ying and eight others to participate in fixing laws and orders. By edict, Masters of Writing Gentlemen to memorialize affairs as in former times. Jiao Province presented a parrot able to sing; an edict did not accept. Lin Yi and Gandhara each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
41
冬十一月己未，立小廟。 甲子，立皇子統為皇太子，賜天下為父後者爵一級。
In the eleventh month of winter, on jiwei, established the lesser temple. On jiazi, the imperial son Tong was established as Crown Prince; bestowed on all who were fathers of heirs rank one grade.
42
十二月，大雪，深三尺。
During the twelfth month, great snow — three chi deep.
43
是歲大旱，米斗五千，人多餓死。
That year great drought — rice five thousand per dou; many people starved to death.
44
二年春正月乙卯，以尚書僕射沈約為左僕射，吏部尚書范雲為右僕射。 辛酉，祀南郊，降死罪以下囚。 庚辰，以仇池公楊靈珍為北梁州刺史，封仇池王。
In the first month of year second, on yimao, made Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Shen Yue Left Vice Director, Minister of Personnel Fan Yun Right Vice Director. On xinyou, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; death sentences and lesser penalties were reduced and below among prisoners. On gengchen, made Duke of Chouchi Yang Lingzhen Governor of Northern Liang, enfeoffed King of Chouchi.
45
夏四月癸卯，尚書刪定郎蔡法度上梁律二十卷，令三十卷，科四十卷。
In the fourth month of summer, on guimao, Masters of Writing Revising and Fixing Gentleman Cai Fadu submitted the Liang Code in twenty scrolls, orders in thirty scrolls, statutes in forty scrolls.
46
五月，尚書右僕射範雲卒。 乙丑，益州刺史鄧元起克成都，曲赦益州。
During the fifth month, Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Fan Yun died. On yichou, Governor of Yi Deng Yuanqi took Chengdu; a partial amnesty was granted for Yi Province.
47
六月丁亥，以新除左光祿大夫謝朏為司徒、尚書令。 甲午，以中書監王瑩為尚書右僕射。 是夏，多癘疫。
During the sixth month, on dinghai, made newly invested Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall Xie Tiao Minister Over the Masses and Director of the Masters of Writing. On jiawu, made Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Ying Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. That summer, much pestilence.
48
秋七月，扶南、龜茲、中天竺國各遣使朝貢。
In the seventh month of autumn, Funan, Kucha, and Central Tianzhu each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
49
冬十月，皇子綱生，降都下死罪以下囚。
In the tenth month of winter, the imperial son Gang was born; death sentences and lesser penalties were reduced and below among prisoners in the capital.
50
十一月乙卯，雷電，大雨，晦。
During the eleventh month, on yimao, thunder and lightning, great rain — dark at month's end.
51
三年春正月癸丑，以尚書右僕射王瑩為左僕射，太子詹事柳惔為右僕射。
In the first month of year third, on guichou, made Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Ying Left Vice Director, Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent Liu Yan Right Vice Director.
52
二月，魏克梁州。
During the second month, Wei took Liang Province.
53
三月，隕霜殺草。
During the third month, falling frost killed grass.
54
夏五月丁巳，以扶南王憍陳如闍耶跋摩為安南將軍。
In the fifth month of summer, on dingsi, made King of Funan Jiaochen Ruzhan Yebamo Grand General Who Pacifies the South.
55
六月丙子，詔分遣使巡察州部，視人冤酷。 癸未，大赦。
During the sixth month, on bingzi, an edict dispatched envoys separately to inspect provinces and departments, observe men's wrongs and cruelty. On guiwei, general amnesty.
56
秋七月甲子，立皇子綜為豫章王。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jiazi, the imperial son Zong was established as Prince of Yuzhang.
57
八月，魏克司州。
During the eighth month, Wei took Si Province.
58
九月壬子，以河南王世子伏連籌為鎮西將軍、西秦河二州刺史，封河南王。 北天竺國遣使朝貢。
During the ninth month, on renzi, made Heir of King of Henan Fuliancou Grand General Who Pacifies the West, Governor of Western Qin and He — enfeoffed King of Henan. Northern Tianzhu sent envoys to court with tribute.
59
冬十一月甲子，詔除贖罪科。
In the eleventh month of winter, on jiazi, an edict abolished the ransom-for-crime statute.
60
是歲，魏正始元年。
In that year, first year of Zhengshi of Wei.
61
四年春正月癸卯，詔「自今九流常選，年未三十，不通一經，不得解褐； 若有才同甘、顏，勿限年次」。 置五經博士各一人。 有司奏：吳令唐傭鑄盤龍火爐、翔鳳硯蓋。 詔禁錮終身。 丙午，省鳳凰銜書伎。 戊申，詔「往代多命宮人帷宮觀禋郊之禮，非所以仰虔蒼昊，自今停止」。 辛亥，祀南郊，大赦。 二月，初置胄子律博士。 壬午，遣衛尉卿楊公則率宿衛兵塞洛口。 壬辰，交州刺史李凱據州反，長史李畟討平之，曲赦交州。 是月立建興苑於秣陵建興裏。
In the first month of year fourth, on guimao, an edict, "From now in regular selection of the nine ranks, if age not yet thirty and not penetrating one classic — may not remove coarse garb; if talent equal to Gan and Yan — do not limit by year order.". Established one Doctor of the Five Classics each. The relevant offices memorialized: Magistrate of Wu Tang Yong cast coiled-dragon fire brazier and soaring-phoenix inkstone cover. An imperial edict imprisoned for life. On bingwu, abolished the phoenix holding document performers. On wushen, an edict, "Former ages often ordered palace women for suburban and sacrificial rites — not thereby to reverently face azure heaven; from now stop.". On xinhai, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; a general amnesty followed. During the second month, first established the Crown Prince's Law Doctor. On renwu, dispatched Commandant of the Guards Yang Gongze leading palace guard troops to block Luokou. On renchen, Governor of Jiao Li Kai held the province in rebellion; Chief Administrator Li Yi suppressed and pacified — partial amnesty for Jiao Province. That month established Jianxing Park at Jianxing Village, Moling.
62
夏四月丁巳，以行宕昌王梁彌博為安西將軍、河涼二州刺史，正封宕昌王。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingsi, made Acting King of Dangchang Liang Mibo Grand General Who Pacifies the West, Governor of He and Liang — formally enfeoffed King of Dangchang.
63
六月庚戌，立孔子廟。
During the sixth month, on gengxu, established Confucius's temple.
64
冬十月，使中軍將軍、揚州刺史臨川王宏都督北討諸軍事侵魏。 以興師費用，王公以下各上國租及田穀以助軍資。
During the tenth month of winter, sent Central Army General, Governor of Yang Prince of Linchuan Hong as Area Commander of northern expedition armies to invade Wei. Because of raising-army expense, kings, dukes, and below each submitted state rent and field grain to aid military funds.
65
是歲大穰，米斛三十。
That year great harvest — thirty per hu of rice.
66
五年春正月丁卯朔，詔「凡諸郡國舊族邦內無在朝位者，選官搜括，使郡有一人」。 乙亥，起前司徒謝朏為中書監、司徒。 甲申，立皇子綱為晉安王。
During the first month of the fifth year, on dingmao new moon, an edict, "Of all commanderies and states, old clans within the district without court position — selection offices search and gather, making one man per commandery." On yihai, raised former Minister Over the Masses Xie Tiao as Director of the Masters of Writing, Minister Over the Masses. On jiashen, the imperial son Gang was established as Prince of Jin'an.
67
三月丙寅朔，日有蝕之。
On bingyin new moon of the third month of summer, the sun had been eclipsed.
68
夏四月甲寅，初立詔獄。 詔建康縣置三官，與廷尉三官分掌獄事，號建康為南獄，廷尉為北獄。
In the fourth month of summer, on jiayin, first established the edict-imprisonment office. An imperial edict established three offices in Jiankang County, with the Court of Judicature's three offices dividing prison affairs — called Jiankang the Southern Prison, Court of Judicature the Northern Prison.
69
五月，置集雅館以招遠學。
During the fifth month, established the Jiya Lodge to gather distant learning.
70
秋七月乙丑，鄧至國遣使朝貢。
In the seventh month of autumn, on yichou, Dengzhi sent envoys to court with tribute.
71
八月辛酉，作東宮。
During the eighth month, on xinyou, constructed the Eastern Palace.
72
九月，臨川王宏軍至洛口，大潰，所亡萬計，宏單騎而歸。 冬十一月甲子，都下地震，生白毛。 乙丑，以師出淹時，大赦。 魏人乘勝攻鍾離。
During the ninth month, Prince of Linchuan Hong's army reached Luokou and collapsed greatly — losses numbered in the tens of thousands; Hong returned alone on horseback. In the eleventh month of winter, on jiazi, the capital earthquake — white hair grew. On yichou, because the campaign had dragged on, general amnesty. The Wei forces pressed their victory and attacked Zhongli.
73
十二月癸卯，司徒謝朏薨。
During the twelfth month, on guimao, Minister Over the Masses Xie Tiao died.
74
六年春三月庚申，隕霜殺草。 是月，有三象入建鄴。
In the third month of year sixth (spring), on gengshen, falling frost killed grass. That same month, three elephants entered Jianye.
75
夏四月壬辰，置左右驍騎、左右遊擊將軍官。 癸巳，曹景宗、韋叡等破魏師于邵陽洲，斬獲萬計。 己酉，以江州刺史王茂為尚書右僕射。 丁巳，以揚州刺史臨川王宏為驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，以右光祿大夫沈約為尚書左僕射。 五月己巳，置中衛、中權將軍，改驍騎為雲騎，遊擊為遊騎。
In the fourth month of summer, on renchen, established Left and Right Valiant Cavalry and Left and Right Mobile Strike General offices. On guisi, Cao Jingzong, Wei Rui, and others broke Wei troops at Shaoyang Isle — slain and captured numbered in the tens of thousands. On jiyou, made Governor of Jiang Wang Mao Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On dingsi, made Governor of Yang Prince of Linchuan Hong Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon; made Right Grand Master of the Bright Hall Shen Yue Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. During the fifth month, on jisi, established Central Guard and Central Authority Generals; changed Valiant Cavalry to Cloud Cavalry, Mobile Strike to Mobile Cavalry.
76
秋八月戊子，赦。 戊戌，都下大水。
In the eighth month of autumn, on wuzi, amnesty. On wuxu, great flood in the capital.
77
九月乙亥，改閱武堂為德陽堂，聽訟堂為儀賢堂。
During the ninth month, on yihai, changed Review Troops Hall to Deyang Hall, Hear-Lawsuit Hall to Exalt-Worthies Hall.
78
冬閏十月乙丑，以開府臨川王宏為司徒，以行太子太傅； 尚書左僕射沈約為尚書令，以行太子少傅； 吏部尚書袁昂為兼尚書右僕射。 甲申，以左光祿大夫夏侯詳為左僕射。
On yichou of the intercalary tenth month of winter, made Grand Master with Golden Seal Prince of Linchuan Hong Minister Over the Masses, acting Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent;. Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Shen Yue Director of the Masters of Writing, acting Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent;. Minister of Personnel Yuan Ang Concurrent Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On jiashen, made Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall Xiahou Xiang Left Vice Director.
79
十二月丙辰，左僕射夏侯詳卒。
During the twelfth month, on bingchen, Left Vice Director Xiahou Xiang died.
80
七月春正月戊子，以元樹為恒、朔二州都督，封魏郡王。 戊戌，詔作神龍、仁獸闕於端門、大司馬門外。
During the first month of the seventh year of spring, on wuzi, made Yuan Shu Area Commander of Heng and Shuo, enfeoffed King of Wei Commandery. On wuxu, an edict constructed Spirit Dragon and Benevolent Beast towers at the Duan Gate and outside the Grand Marshal Gate.
81
二月乙卯，新作國門于越城南。 乙丑，增置鎮衛將軍以下為十品，以法日數； 凡二十四班，以法氣序； 不登十品，別有八班，以象八風； 又置施外國將軍二十四班，合一百九號。 庚午，詔於州郡縣置州望、郡宗、鄉豪各一人，專掌搜薦。 乙亥，以車騎大將軍高麗王高雲為撫東大將軍、開府儀同三司。 夏四月乙卯，以皇太子納妃故，赦大辟以下，頒賜朝臣及近侍各有差。
During the second month, on yimao, newly constructed the state gate south of Yue city. On yichou, additionally established General Who Guards the Garrison and below as ten grades, following sun numbers;. altogether twenty-four ranks, following qi sequence;. not ascending ten grades — separately eight ranks, symbolizing eight winds;. also established Foreign General with twenty-four ranks — altogether one hundred nine titles. On gengwu, an edict at provinces, commanderies, and counties established one each of Province Expectation, Commandery Ancestor, and Village Hero — exclusively managing search and recommendation. On yihai, made Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry King Gao of Goguryeo Grand General Who Pacifies the East, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. In the fourth month of summer, on yimao, because the Crown Prince received a consort, amnesty for capital crimes and below; distributed gifts to court ministers and close attendants each with difference.
82
五月，都下大水。 戊子，詔蘭陵縣建修二陵周回五里內居人賜復終身。 己亥，詔復置宗正、太僕、大匠、鴻臚，又增太府、太舟，仍先為十二卿，及置朱衣直合將軍官。
During the fifth month, great flood in the capital. On wuzi, an edict granted lifelong exemption to residents within five li of the Jian and Xiu tombs at Lanling County. On jihai, an edict restored Director of the Imperial Clan, Grand Master of the Stud, Grand Master of Craftsmen, Grand Master for Guests; also added Grand Master of the Treasury, Grand Master of Boats — again the twelve ministers; and established Vermilion-Robe Direct Attendant General office.
83
六月辛酉，改陵監為令。
During the sixth month, on xinyou, changed Tomb Supervisor to Tomb Director.
84
秋八月丁巳，皇子繹生，赦大辟以下未結正者。
In the eighth month of autumn, on dingsi, the imperial son Yi was born; amnesty for capital crimes and below still pending were pardoned.
85
九月壬辰，置童子奉車郎。 癸巳，立皇子績為南康王。
During the ninth month, on renchen, established the Youth Attendant of the Imperial Carriage Gentleman office. On guisi, the imperial son Ji was established as Prince of Nankang.
86
冬十月丙寅，以吳興太守張稷為尚書左僕射。 丙子，詔大舉北侵。 丁丑，魏縣瓠鎮主白皁生、豫州刺史胡遜以城內屬。
In the tenth month of winter, on bingyin, made Governor of Wuxing Zhang Ji Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On bingzi, an edict for a great northern invasion. On dingchou, Wei County Gushu garrison commander Bai Zaosheng and Governor of Yu Hu Xun surrendered the city within.
87
是歲，魏永平元年。
In that year, first year of Yongping of Wei.
88
八年春正月辛巳，祀南郊，大赦。 壬辰，魏鎮東參軍成景雋以宿預城內屬。
In the first month of the eighth year of spring, on xinsi, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; a general amnesty followed. On renchen, Wei Pacifying East Staff Officer Cheng Jingjun surrendered Xi Prefecture city within.
89
夏四月戊申，以司徒臨川王宏為司空、揚州刺史，以車騎將軍、領太子詹事王茂即本號開府儀同三司。
In the fourth month of summer, on wushen, made Minister Over the Masses Prince of Linchuan Hong Minister of Works, Governor of Yang; made Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Concurrent Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent Wang Mao Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon at his existing title.
90
秋七月癸巳，巴陵王蕭寶義薨。
In the seventh month of autumn, on guisi, King of Baling Xiao Baoyi died.
91
冬十一月壬寅，立皇子續為廬陵王。
In the eleventh month of winter, on renyin, the imperial son Xu was established as Prince of Luling.
92
九年春正月乙亥，以右光祿大夫王瑩為尚書令。 庚寅，新作緣淮塘。
On yihai of the first month of the ninth year of spring, made Right Grand Master of the Bright Hall Wang Ying Director of the Masters of Writing. On gengyin, newly constructed the embankment along the Huai.
93
三月己丑，幸國子學，親臨講肄，賜祭酒以下各有差。 乙未，詔皇太子及王侯之子，年在從師者，皆入學。
During the third month, on jichou, visited the Imperial Academy, personally lectured and studied, bestowed on the Libationer and below each with difference. On yiwei, an edict: the Crown Prince and kings' and marquises' sons, in years of following teachers — all enter learning.
94
夏四月丁巳，選尚書五都令史，革用士流。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingsi, selected the Masters of Writing five capital clerks — reformed to use gentry stream.
95
六月癸丑，盜殺宣城太守朱僧勇。
During the sixth month, on guichou, bandits killed Governor of Xuancheng Zhu Sengyong.
96
閏六月己丑，宣城盜轉寇吳興，太守蔡撙討平之。
On jichou of the intercalary sixth month, Xuancheng bandits turned to raid Wuxing; Governor Cai Chan suppressed and pacified.
97
冬十二月癸未，幸國子學，策試胄子，賜訓授之司各有差。
In the twelfth month of winter, on guiwei, visited the Imperial Academy, tested the Crown Prince's students, bestowed on the instructing offices each with difference.
98
是歲，于闐、林邑國並遣使朝貢。
In that year, Khotan and Lin Yi each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
99
十年春正月辛丑，祀南郊，大赦。 戊申，荊州言騶虞見。
In the first month of the tenth year of spring, on xinchou, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; a general amnesty followed. On wushen, Jing Province reported the zouyu appeared.
100
三月，盜殺東莞、琅邪二郡太守劉晰，以朐山引魏徐州刺史盧昶。
During the third month, bandits killed Governors of Dongguan and Langye Liu Xi, using Qushan to draw in Wei Governor of Xu Lu Chang.
101
夏六月，以國子祭酒張充為尚書右僕射。
During the sixth month of summer, made Imperial Academy Libationer Zhang Chong Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing.
102
冬十二月，山車見臨城縣。 振遠將軍馬仙崥大破魏軍，斬馘十餘萬，復朐山城。
During the twelfth month of winter, the mountain carriage appeared at Lincheng County. General Who Shakes the Distance Ma Xiancheng greatly broke Wei army — slain and severed ears over a hundred thousand; recovered Qushan city.
103
是歲，初作宮城門三重樓及開二道。 宕昌國遣使朝貢，婆利國貢金席。
In that year, first constructed the palace city gate triple towers and opened two roads. Dangchang sent envoys to court with tribute; Poli presented a gold mat.
104
十一年春正月壬辰，詔「自今逋謫之家，及罪應質作，若年有老小，可停將送」。 加鎮南將軍、江州刺史建安王偉開府儀同三司，司空、揚州刺史臨川王宏進位元元太尉，以驃騎將軍王茂為司空。
During the first month of the eleventh year of spring, on renchen, an edict, "From now for families of exiled and demoted, and crimes deserving bonded labor — if there are aged and small in the household, may halt sending to corvée." Added General Who Pacifies the South, Governor of Jiang Prince of Jian'an Wei Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon; Minister of Works, Governor of Yang Prince of Linchuan Hong advanced to Grand Preceptor; made Grand General of Agile Cavalry Wang Mao Minister of Works.
105
二月戊辰，新昌、濟陽二郡野蠶成繭。
During the second month, on wuchen, Xinchang and Jiyang two commanderies' wild silkworms formed cocoons.
106
三月丁巳，為旱故，曲赦揚、徐二州。 庚申，高麗國遣使朝貢。 夏四月，百濟、扶南、林邑等國各遣使朝貢。
During the third month, on dingsi, because of drought, partial amnesty for Yang and Xu two provinces. On gengshen, Goguryeo sent envoys to court with tribute. In the fourth month of summer, Baekje, Funan, Lin Yi, and other states each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
107
秋九月，宕昌國遣使朝貢。
During the ninth month of autumn, Dangchang sent envoys to court with tribute.
108
是歲，魏延昌元年。
In that year, first year of Yan chang of Wei.
109
十二年春正月辛卯，祀南郊，赦大辟罪以下。
During the first month of the twelfth year of spring, on xinmao, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; amnesty for capital crimes and below.
110
二月辛酉，兼尚書右僕射袁昂即正。 丙寅，詔「明下遠近，若委骸不葬，或篨衣莫改，量給棺具收斂」。 辛巳，新作太極殿，改為十三間，以從閏數。
During the second month, on xinyou, Concurrent Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Yuan Ang assumed the regular post. On bingyin, an edict, "Make known near and far — if abandoned bones are not buried, or hemp garments not changed — according to measure provide coffins and implements for gathering and burial.". On xinsi, newly constructed the Supreme Ultimate Hall, changed to thirteen bays, following intercalary number.
111
閏三月乙丑，特進、中軍將軍沈約卒。
On yichou of the intercalary third month, Special Advisor, Central Army General Shen Yue passed away.
112
夏四月，都下大水。
During the fourth month of summer, great flood in the capital.
113
六月癸巳，新作太廟，增基九尺。
During the sixth month, on guisi, newly constructed the Grand Temple, foundation increased nine chi.
114
秋九月，加揚州刺史臨川王宏位元元司空，以司空王茂為驃騎將軍、開府同三司之儀、江州刺史。
During the ninth month of autumn, added Governor of Yang Prince of Linchuan Hong rank Grand Preceptor; made Minister of Works Wang Mao Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Governor of Jiang.
115
冬十月丁亥，詔曰：「明堂地居卑濕，可量就埤起，以盡誠敬。」
In the tenth month of winter, on dinghai, an edict said, "The Bright Hall's ground occupies low damp — may according to measure be raised on the mound, thereby exhausting reverence."
116
十三年春二月庚辰朔，震於西南，天如裂。 丁亥，耕藉田，大赦，賜孝悌力田爵一級。
During the second month of the thirteenth year of spring, on gengchen new moon, earthquake in the southwest — heaven as if splitting. On dinghai, plowed the sacred field; general amnesty; bestowed on filial piety and diligent farming rank one grade.
117
夏六月，都下訛言有棖棖，取人肝肺及血，以飴天狗。 百姓大懼，二旬而止。
During the sixth month of summer, false rumor in the capital that there were cheng-cheng taking men's liver and lungs and blood, to feed the heavenly dog. Common people greatly feared — in two ten-day periods it stopped.
118
秋七月乙亥，立皇子綸為邵陵王、繹為湘東王、紀為武陵王。
In the seventh month of autumn, on yihai, the imperial son Lun was established as Prince of Shaoling, Yi as Prince of Xiangdong, Ji as Prince of Wuling.
119
是歲，林邑、扶南、于闐國各遣使朝貢。 作浮山堰。
In that year, Lin Yi, Funan, and Khotan each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute. Constructed the Fushan dam.
120
十四年春正月乙巳朔，皇太子冠，大赦，賜為父後者爵一級，王公以下班賚各有差。 停遠近上慶禮。 辛亥，祀南郊，詔班下遠近，博采英異。 又前以墨刑用代重辟者，除其條。 丙辰，汝陰王劉胤薨。 丁巳，魏宣武皇帝崩。
During the first month of the fourteenth year of spring, on yisi new moon, the Crown Prince capped; general amnesty; bestowed on fathers of heirs rank one grade, kings and dukes and below graded gifts each with difference. Stopped near and far congratulatory rites. On xinhai, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; an edict distributed near and far, broadly gathering outstanding and unusual. Also earlier because ink punishment replaced heavy capital crimes — abolished that statute. On bingchen, Prince of Runan Liu Yin passed away. On dingsi, Emperor Xuanwu of Wei passed away.
121
夏四月丁丑，驃騎將軍、開府同三司之儀、江州刺史王茂薨。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingchou, Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Governor of Jiang Wang Mao died.
122
冬十月，浮山堰壞。
During the tenth month of winter, the Fushan dam broke.
123
是歲，蠕蠕、狼牙修國各遣使來朝貢。
In that year, Rouran and Langyaxiu each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
124
十五年春三月戊辰朔，日有蝕之，既。
During the third month of the fifteenth year of spring, on wuchen new moon, the sun had been eclipsed — total.
125
夏四月，高麗國遣使朝貢。
During the fourth month of summer, Goguryeo sent envoys to court with tribute.
126
六月庚子，以尚書令王瑩為左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，尚書右僕射袁昂為左僕射，吏部尚書王暕為右僕射。
During the sixth month, on gengzi, made Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Ying Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon; Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Yuan Ang Left Vice Director; Minister of Personnel Wang Yan Right Vice Director.
127
秋八月，蠕蠕、河南國各遣使朝貢。
In the eighth month of autumn, Rouran and Henan each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
128
九月辛巳，左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司王瑩薨。 壬辰，大赦。
During the ninth month, on xinsi, Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon Wang Ying died. On renchen, general amnesty.
129
冬十一月，交州刺史李畟斬反者阮宗孝，傳首建鄴。 曲赦交州。 是歲，魏孝明皇帝熙平元年。
During the eleventh month of winter, Governor of Jiao Li Yi beheaded the rebel Ruan Zongxiao, sent the head to Jianye. Partial amnesty for Jiao Province. In that year, first year of Xiping of Emperor Xiaoming of Wei.
130
十六年春正月辛未，祀南郊。 詔尤貧家勿收今年三調，無田業者，所在量宜賦給； 及優蠲產子之家，恤理冤獄，並賑孤老鰥寡不能自存者。
During the first month of the sixteenth year of spring, on xinwei, sacrificed at the Southern Altar. An edict: extremely poor households do not collect this year's three levies; those without field estates — where they are, according to measure grant and give;. and favorably remit households bearing children, soothe and settle wrongful prisons, and relief to solitary old, widows, and orphans unable to support themselves.
131
二月辛亥，耕藉田。 甲寅，赦罪人。
During the second month, on xinhai, plowed the sacred field. On jiayin, amnesty for criminals.
132
三月丙子，敕太醫不得以生類為藥； 公家織官紋錦飾，並斷仙人鳥獸之形，以為褻衣，裁翦有乖仁恕。 於是祈告天地宗廟，以去殺之理，欲被之含識。 郊廟牲牷，皆代以面，其山川諸祀則否。 時以宗廟去牲，則為不復血食，雖公卿異議，朝野喧囂，竟不從。
During the third month, on bingzi, ordered the Imperial Physicians not to use living creatures as medicine; government weaving offices' brocade ornamentation — all cut images of immortals, birds, and beasts, using them as inner garments, cutting and trimming contrary to benevolence and forbearance. Thereupon prayed and announced to heaven, earth, and the ancestral temple — with the principle of removing killing, wishing to spread it to all sentient beings. Suburban and temple sacrificial victims — all replaced with dough; mountain and river various sacrifices then not. At the time because the ancestral temple removed victims, then it had been as if no longer blood-eating — though lords and ministers differed in opinion, court and wild clamored — in the end they did not follow.
133
冬十月，宗廟薦羞，始用蔬果。
During the tenth month of winter, ancestral temple offerings — first used vegetables and fruits.
134
是歲，河南、扶南、婆利等國各遣使朝貢。
In that year, Henan, Funan, Poli, and other states each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.
135
十七年春二月癸巳，雍州刺史安成王秀薨。 甲辰，大赦。
During the second month of the seventeenth year of spring, on guisi, Governor of Yong Prince of Ancheng Xiu passed away. On jiachen, general amnesty.
136
三月丙寅，改封建安郡王偉為南平王。
During the third month, on bingyin, changed enfeoffment of Prince of Jian'an Commandery Wei to Prince of Nanping.
137
夏六月乙酉，中軍將軍、中書監臨川王宏以本號行司徒。
On yiyou of the sixth month of summer, Central Army General and Director of the Masters of Writing Prince of Linchuan Hong served as acting Minister Over the Masses under his existing title.
138
秋八月壬寅，詔「兵騶奴婢，男年六十六，女年六十，免為編戶」。
In the eighth month of autumn, on renyin, an edict, "Military grooms and slave servants — men age sixty-six, women age sixty — freed as registered households."
139
閏八月，幹陀利國遣使朝貢。
During the intercalary eighth month, Gandhara sent envoys to court with tribute.
140
冬十月乙亥，以行司徒臨川王宏即正。
In the tenth month of winter, on yihai, Acting Minister Over the Masses Prince of Linchuan Hong assumed the regular post.
141
十一月辛亥，以南平王偉為左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司。
During the eleventh month, on xinhai, made Prince of Nanping Wei Left Grand Master of the Bright Hall, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon.
142
是歲，魏神龜元年。
In that year, first year of Shen gui of Wei.
143
十八年春正月甲申，以領軍將軍鄱陽王恢為征西將軍、荊州刺史，以荊州刺史始興王憺為中撫將軍，並開府儀同三司。 以尚書左僕射袁昂為尚書令，以右僕射王暕為左僕射，以太子詹事徐勉為右僕射。 辛卯，祀南郊，孝悌力田賜爵一級。 夏四月丁巳，帝於無礙殿受佛戒，赦罪人。 秋七月，于闐、扶南國各遣使朝貢。
During the first month of the eighteenth year of spring, on jiashen, made General Who Leads the Army Prince of Poyang Hui Grand General Who Conquers the West, Governor of Jing; made Governor of Jing Prince of Shixing Dan Central Pacifying General — both Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. Made Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Yuan Ang Director of the Masters of Writing; Right Vice Director Wang Yan Left Vice Director; Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent Xu Mian Right Vice Director. On xinmao, sacrificed at the Southern Altar; filial piety and diligent farming bestowed rank one grade. In the fourth month of summer, on dingsi, the Emperor at the Unhindered Hall received Buddhist precepts; amnesty for criminals. In the seventh month of autumn, Khotan and Funan each dispatched envoys to court bearing tribute.