1
梁本紀中第七
Liang Annals 2, Part Seven
2
普通元年春正月乙亥朔，大赦，改元。 丙子，日有蝕之。 己卯，以司徒臨川王宏為太尉、揚州刺史，以金紫光祿大夫王份為尚書左僕射。 庚子，扶南、高麗等國並遣使朝貢。
In spring of the first year of Putong, on yihai, the first day of the first month, the court proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the reign era. On bingzi there was a solar eclipse. On jimao the Minister of Education, Prince of Linchuan Hong, was appointed Grand Commandant and Governor of Yang Province; Wang Fen, Grand Master of the Gold Seal and Purple Girdle, was made Left Vice Director of the Secretariat. On gengzi envoys arrived from Funan, Goguryeo, and other states bearing tribute.
3
二月癸丑，以高麗王嗣子安為甯東將軍、高麗王。
In the second month, on guichou, the Goguryeo king's heir An was appointed General Who Pacifies the East and confirmed as King of Goguryeo.
4
三月，滑國遣使朝貢。
In the third month Huaxia sent envoys with tribute.
5
夏四月，河南國遣使朝貢。
In the fourth month of summer Henan sent envoys with tribute.
6
秋七月己卯，江、淮、海並溢。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jimao, the Yangtze, the Huai, and the sea all burst their bounds.
7
九月乙亥，有星晨見東方，光爛如火。
In the ninth month, on yihai, a star appeared at dawn in the east, blazing like fire.
8
是歲，魏正光元年。
That year was the first year of Zhenguang in Wei.
9
二年春正月辛巳，祀南郊，詔置孤獨園以恤孤幼。 戊子，大赦。 二月辛丑，祀明堂。
In spring of the second year, on xinsi in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and ordered the establishment of the Garden for the Solitary to care for orphans and the young. On wuzi a general amnesty was declared. In the second month, on xinchou, the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
10
三月庚寅，大雪，平地三尺。
In the third month, on gengyin, heavy snow piled three feet deep on level ground.
11
夏四月乙卯，改作南北郊。 丙辰，詔曰：「平秩東作，義不在南，前代因襲，有乖禮制。 可于震方，具茲千畝。」 於是徙藉田於東郊外十五里。
In the fourth month of summer, on yimao, the southern and northern suburban altars were rebuilt. On bingchen an edict declared: "The rite of ranking the eastern labors does not belong in the south; former ages followed precedent in violation of proper ritual. Let the ceremonial field be prepared in the direction of Zhen, on these thousand mu." Thereupon the ceremonial plowing field was moved fifteen li east of the eastern suburb.
12
五月己卯，琬琰殿火，延燒後宮屋三千間。
In the fifth month, on jimao, the Wanyan Hall caught fire and the blaze spread through three thousand rooms of the inner palace.
13
閏月丁巳，詔自今可停賀瑞。
In the intercalary month, on dingsi, an edict ordered that congratulations on auspicious omens cease from that time forward.
14
六月丁卯，義州刺史文僧明以州歸魏。
In the sixth month, on dingmao, Wen Sengming, Governor of Yizhou, surrendered his province to Wei.
15
秋七月丁酉，假大匠卿斐邃節，督眾軍侵魏。 甲寅，魏荊州刺史桓叔興帥眾降。
In the seventh month of autumn, on dingyou, Acting Master of Works Fei Sui received the tally and led the armies in an incursion against Wei. On jiayin Huan Shuxing, Wei's Governor of Jing Province, led his forces in surrender.
16
八月丁亥，始平郡石鼓村地自開成井，方六尺六寸，深三十二丈。
In the eighth month, on dinghai, the ground at Shigu Village in Shiping Commandery opened of itself into a well six chi six cun square and thirty-two zhang deep.
17
冬十一月，百濟、新羅國各遣使朝貢。
In the eleventh month of winter Baekje and Silla each sent envoys with tribute.
18
十二月戊辰，以鎮東大將軍百濟王餘隆為甯東大將軍。
In the twelfth month, on wuchen, Yu Long, King of Baekje and General Who Guards the East, was promoted to Grand General Who Pacifies the East.
19
三年春正月庚子，以吳郡太守王暕為尚書左僕射。 庚戌，都下地震。
In spring of the third year, on gengzi in the first month, Wang Yan, Administrator of Wu Commandery, was appointed Left Vice Director of the Secretariat. On gengxu the capital was shaken by an earthquake.
20
三月乙卯，巴陵王蕭屏薨。
In the third month, on yimao, Prince of Baling Xiao Ping died.
21
夏四月丁卯，汝陰王劉端薨。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingmao, Prince of Ruyin Liu Duan died.
22
五月壬辰朔，日有蝕之，既。 癸巳，大赦。 詔公卿百僚各上封事，連率郡國舉賢良、方正、直言之士。
In the fifth month, on renchen, the first day of the month, there was a total solar eclipse. On guisi a general amnesty was declared. An edict ordered high ministers and all officials to submit sealed memorials, and regional inspectors and commandery and state heads to recommend men of worth, integrity, and forthright speech.
23
秋八月甲子，婆利、白題國各遣使朝貢。
In the eighth month of autumn Poli and Baidi each sent envoys with tribute.
24
冬十一月甲午，開府儀同三司始興王憺薨。
In the eleventh month of winter, on jiawu, Prince of Shixing Dan, bearing the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies, died.
25
四年春正月辛卯，祀南郊，大赦。 辛亥，祀明堂。
In spring of the fourth year, on xinmao in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. On xinhai the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
26
二月乙亥，耕藉田，孝弟力田賜爵一級，豫耕之司，克日勞酒。 冬十月庚午，以中衛將軍袁昂為尚書令，即本號開府儀同三司。 十一月癸未朔，日有蝕之。 甲辰，尚書左僕射王暕卒。 十二月戊午，用給事中王子雲議，始鑄鐵錢。 狼牙修國遣使朝貢。
In the second month, on yihai, the Emperor plowed the ceremonial field; filial sons, obedient younger brothers, and strong farmers were granted one rank of nobility, and the officials who prepared the plowing were rewarded with wine on the appointed day. In the tenth month of winter, on gengwu, Yuan Ang, General of the Central Guard, was appointed Director of the Secretariat and, retaining his existing title, granted the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies. In the eleventh month, on guiwei, the first day of the month, there was a solar eclipse. On jiachen Wang Yan, Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, died. In the twelfth month, on wuwu, following the proposal of Attendant Wang Ziyun, the court began casting iron cash. Langyaxiu sent envoys with tribute.
27
五年夏六月乙酉，龍鬥于曲阿王陂，因西行至建陵城，所經樹木倒折，開地數十丈。 庚子，以員外散騎常侍元樹為平北將軍、北青兗二州刺史，率眾侵魏。
In the sixth month of summer of the fifth year, on yiyou, dragons fought at Wang Pond in Qu'e, then moved west toward Jiancheng; trees along the way were snapped and the ground opened for tens of zhang. On gengzi Yuan Shu, Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Northern Qing and Yan provinces, and led forces in an incursion against Wei.
28
六年春正月辛亥，祀南郊，大赦。 庚申，魏徐州刺史元法僧以彭城來降。 自去歲以來，北侵諸軍，所在克獲。 甲戌，以元法僧為司空，封始安郡王。
In spring of the sixth year, on xinhai in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. On gengshen Yuan Faseng, Wei's Governor of Xu Province, surrendered Pengcheng to Liang. Since the previous year the northern incursion armies had met with success wherever they marched. On jiaxu Yuan Faseng was appointed Minister of Works and enfeoffed as Prince of Shi'an Commandery.
29
二月辛巳，改封法僧為宋王。
In the second month, on xinsi, Faseng's enfeoffment was changed to Prince of Song.
30
三月丙午，賜新附人長復除，詿誤罪失，一無所問。
In the third month, on bingwu, newly submitted people were granted long-term exemption from corvée and taxes, and errors in registration were not prosecuted.
31
夏五月己酉，修宿預堰，又修曹公堰于濟陰。 壬子，遣中護軍夏侯亶督壽陽諸軍侵魏。
In the fifth month of summer, on jiyou, the Suyu dyke was repaired, and the Cao Gong dyke was repaired in Jiyin as well. On renzi Xiahou Dan, General of the Central Guard, was dispatched to direct the Shouyang armies in an incursion against Wei.
32
六月庚辰，豫章王綜奔魏，魏復據彭城。
In the sixth month, on gengchen, Prince of Yuzhang Zong fled to Wei, and Wei again seized Pengcheng.
33
秋七月壬戌，大赦。
In the seventh month of autumn, on renxu, a general amnesty was declared.
34
冬十二月壬辰，都下地震。
In the twelfth month of winter, on renchen, the capital was shaken by an earthquake.
35
是歲，魏孝昌元年。
That year was the first year of Xiaochang in Wei.
36
七年春正月辛丑朔，赦死罪以下。
In spring of the seventh year, on xinchou, the first day of the first month, those guilty of capital crimes and below were pardoned.
37
夏四月乙酉，太尉臨川王宏薨。 南州津改置校尉，增加奉秩。 詔在位群臣，各舉所知，凡是清吏，咸使薦聞。
In the fourth month of summer, on yiyou, Grand Commandant Prince of Linchuan Hong died. At the ferry crossings of the southern provinces commandants were newly established and stipends increased. An edict ordered ministers in office each to recommend those they knew, and all upright officials were to be brought to the court's attention.
38
秋九月己酉，荊州刺史鄱陽王恢薨。
In the ninth month of autumn, on jiyou, Prince of Poyang Hui, Governor of Jing Province, died.
39
冬十一月庚辰，丁貴嬪薨，大赦。
In the eleventh month of winter, on gengchen, Noble Consort Ding died, and a general amnesty was declared.
40
是歲，河南、高麗、林邑、滑國並遣使朝貢。
That year Henan, Goguryeo, Linyi, and Huaxia all sent envoys with tribute.
41
大通元年春正月乙丑，以尚書右僕射徐勉為尚書僕射。 詔百官奉祿，自今可長給見錢。 辛未，祀南郊。 詔流亡者聽復宅業，蠲役五年，尤貧家勿收今年三調，孝弟力田賜爵一級。 是月，司州刺史夏侯夔進軍三關，所至皆克。 初，帝創同泰寺，至是開大通門以對寺之南門，取反語以協同泰。 自是晨夕講義，多由此門。
In spring of the first year of Datong, on yichou in the first month, Xu Mian, Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat. An edict ordered that from then on the salaries of all officials be paid regularly in cash. On xinwei the court sacrificed at the southern suburb. An edict permitted exiles to return to their homes and estates, remitted corvée for five years, exempted the poorest households from this year's three levies, and granted one rank of nobility to filial sons, obedient younger brothers, and strong farmers. That month Xiahou Kui, Governor of Si Province, advanced against the Three Passes and conquered wherever he marched. Earlier the Emperor had founded Tongtai Temple; now he opened the Datong Gate facing the temple's south gate, taking a reversed phrase to echo the name Tongtai. From then on morning and evening lectures mostly passed through this gate.
42
三月辛未，幸寺捨身。 甲戌還宮，大赦，改元大通，以符寺及門名。
In the third month, on xinwei, the Emperor visited the temple and offered his body to the sangha. On jiaxu he returned to the palace, declared a general amnesty, and changed the reign era to Datong to accord with the temple and gate names.
43
夏五月丙寅，成景雋克魏臨潼、竹邑。
In the fifth month of summer, on bingyin, Cheng Jingjun captured Lintong and Zhuyi from Wei.
44
冬十月庚戌，魏東豫州刺史元慶和以渦陽內屬。 甲寅，曲赦東豫州。
In the tenth month of winter, on gengxu, Yuan Qinghe, Wei's Governor of Eastern Yuzhou, submitted Guoyang to Liang. On jiayin a partial amnesty was declared for Eastern Yuzhou.
45
十一月丁卯，以中護軍蕭藻為都督侵魏，鎮于渦陽。
In the eleventh month, on dingmao, Xiao Zao, General of the Central Guard, was appointed commander for the incursion against Wei and garrisoned at Guoyang.
46
是歲，林邑、師子、高麗等國各遣使朝貢。
That year Linyi, Shizi, Goguryeo, and other states each sent envoys with tribute.
47
二年春正月乙酉，蠕蠕國遣使朝貢。
In spring of the second year, on yiyou in the first month, Rouran sent envoys with tribute.
48
二月，築寒山堰。 癸丑，魏孝明皇帝崩。
In the second month the Hanshan dyke was built. On guichou Emperor Xiaoming of Wei died.
49
夏四月戊戌，魏尒朱榮推奉孝莊帝。 庚子，榮殺幼主及太后胡氏。 辛丑，魏郢州刺史元願達以義陽降，封願達為樂平王。 是時魏大亂，其北海王顥、臨淮王彧、汝南王悅並來奔。 北青州刺史元雋、南荊州刺史李志皆以地降。
In the fourth month of summer, on wuxu, Erzhu Rong of Wei installed Emperor Xiaozhuang. On gengzi Rong killed the young ruler and Empress Dowager Hu. On xinchou Yuan Yuanda, Wei's Governor of Ying Province, surrendered Yiyang and was enfeoffed as Prince of Leping. At this time Wei was in great disorder; Prince of Beihai Hao, Prince of Huaiyin Yu, and Prince of Runan Yue all fled to Liang. Yuan Jun, Governor of Northern Qing Province, and Li Zhi, Governor of Southern Jing Province, both surrendered their territories.
50
冬十月丁亥，以魏北海王顥主魏，遣東宮直閣將軍陳慶之衛送還北。 魏豫州刺史鄧獻以地降。
In the tenth month of winter, on dinghai, Prince of Beihai Hao of Wei was installed to rule Wei, and Eastern Palace Direct Attendant Chen Qingzhi was dispatched to escort him back north. Deng Xian, Wei's Governor of Yuzhou, surrendered his territory.
51
是歲，魏武泰元年，尋改為建義，又改曰永安。 中大通元年春正月辛酉，祀南郊，大赦，賜孝悌力田爵一級。 辛巳，祀明堂。
That year was the first year of Wutai in Wei; soon it was changed to Jianyi, then again to Yongan. In spring of the first year of Zhongdatong, on xinyou in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb, declared a general amnesty, and granted one rank of nobility to filial sons, obedient younger brothers, and strong farmers. On xinsi the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
52
夏四月癸巳，陳慶之攻拔魏梁城，進屠考城，禽魏濟陰王暉業。 五月癸酉，進克虎牢，魏孝莊帝出居河北。 乙亥，元顥入京師，僭號建武。
In the fourth month of summer, on guisi, Chen Qingzhi attacked and took Liangcheng in Wei, advanced to sack Kaocheng, and captured Prince of Jiyin Huiye of Wei. In the fifth month, on guiyou, he advanced and captured Hulao; Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei withdrew north of the Yellow River. On yihai Yuan Hao entered the capital and usurped the era name Jianwu.
53
六月壬午，以永興公主疾篤故，大赦，公主志也。 是月，都下疫甚，帝於重雲殿為百姓設救苦齋，以身為禱。
In the sixth month, on renwu, because Princess Yongxing was gravely ill, a general amnesty was declared at the Princess's wish. That month plague in the capital was severe; at the Chongyun Hall the Emperor set up a salvation-from-suffering fast for the people and offered himself in prayer.
54
閏月，護軍將軍南康王績薨。 己卯，魏將尒朱榮攻殺元顥，京師反正。
In the intercalary month Prince of Nankang Ji, General Who Protects the Army, died. On jimao the Wei general Erzhu Rong attacked and killed Yuan Hao, and the capital returned to order.
55
秋九月辛巳，朱雀航華表災。 癸巳，幸同泰寺，設四部無遮大會。 上釋御服，披法衣，行清淨大舍，以便省為房，素床瓦器，乘小車，私人執役。 甲午，升講堂法坐，為四部大眾開涅盤經題。 癸卯，群臣以錢一億萬奉贖皇帝菩薩大舍，僧眾默許。 乙巳，百辟詣寺東門奉表，請還臨宸極，三請乃許。 帝三答書，前後並稱頓首。
In the ninth month of autumn, on xinsi, the ornamental column at the Zhuque Bridge was destroyed by fire. On guisi the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Fourfold Assembly Unrestricted Great Assembly. The sovereign cast off imperial robes and donned dharma robes, undertaking the great pure offering of his body; he made the privy chamber his room, with a plain bed and earthenware vessels, riding a small carriage while private persons served him. On jiawu he ascended the dharma seat in the lecture hall and opened the Nirvana Sutra for the fourfold assembly. On guimao the ministers offered one hundred million in cash to ransom the Emperor's bodhisattva great offering; the monastic assembly silently assented. On yisi the hundred ministers went to the temple's east gate with a memorial requesting his return to the imperial throne; after three requests he assented. The Emperor answered with three letters, each signed with a prostration.
56
冬十月己酉，又設四部無遮大會，道俗五萬餘人。 會畢，帝御金輅還宮，禦太極殿，大赦，改元。
In the tenth month of winter, on jiyou, the Fourfold Assembly Unrestricted Great Assembly was convened again; monks and laity numbered more than fifty thousand. When the assembly ended the Emperor rode the golden carriage back to the palace, ascended the Hall of Supreme Polarity, declared a general amnesty, and changed the reign era.
57
十一月戊子，魏巴州刺史嚴始欣以城降。
In the eleventh month, on wuzi, Yan Shixin, Wei's Governor of Ba Province, surrendered the city.
58
是歲，盤盤、蠕蠕國並遣使朝貢。
That year Panpan and Rouran each sent envoys with tribute.
59
二年夏四月癸丑，幸同泰寺，設平等會。 庚申，大雨雹。
In the fourth month of summer of the second year, on guichou, the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Assembly of Equality. On gengshen heavy hail fell.
60
六月丁巳，遣魏汝南王悅還北主魏。 庚申，以魏尚書左僕射范遵為司州牧，隨悅北侵。 是月，林邑、扶南國遣使朝貢。
In the sixth month, on dingsi, Prince of Runan Yue of Wei was sent back north to rule Wei. On gengshen Fan Zun, Left Vice Director of the Secretariat in Wei, was appointed Governor of Si Province and followed Yue north on campaign. That month Linyi and Funan sent envoys with tribute.
61
秋八月庚戌，幸德陽堂，祖魏主元悅。 山賊寇會稽郡縣。
In the eighth month of autumn, on gengxu, the Emperor visited the Deyang Hall and performed farewell rites for the Wei ruler Yuan Yue. Mountain bandits raided the commanderies and counties of Kuaiji.
62
九月壬午，假超武將軍湛海珍節以討之。
In the ninth month, on renwu, Acting General of Superlative Martiality Zhan Haizhen received the tally to suppress them.
63
是歲，魏莊帝殺其權臣尒朱榮，其党奉魏長廣王曄為主而殺孝莊帝，年號建明。
That year Emperor Zhuang of Wei killed his powerful minister Erzhu Rong; his faction installed Prince of Changguang Ye as ruler and killed Emperor Xiaozhuang, under the era name Jianming.
64
三年春正月辛巳，祀南郊，大赦。 丙申，以魏尚書僕射鄭先護為征北大將軍。
In spring of the third year, on xinsi in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. On bingshen Zheng Xianhu, Vice Director of the Secretariat in Wei, was appointed Grand General Who Conquers the North.
65
二月辛丑，祀明堂。
In the second month, on xinchou, the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
66
夏四月乙巳，皇太子統薨。
In the fourth month of summer, on yisi, Crown Prince Tong died.
67
六月癸丑，立昭明太子子華容公歡為豫章郡王，枝江公譽為河東郡王，曲江公察為岳陽郡王。 是月，丹丹國遣使朝貢。
In the sixth month, on guichou, Huan, Duke of Huarong and son of Crown Prince Zhaoming, was established as Prince of Yuzhang; Yu, Duke of Zhijiang, as Prince of Hedong; and Cha, Duke of Qujiang, as Prince of Yueyang. That month Danan sent envoys with tribute.
68
秋七月乙亥，立晉安王綱為皇太子，大赦。 賜為父後者，及出處忠孝、文武清勤，並爵一級。 庚寅，詔宗戚有服屬者，並賜湯沐食，鄉亭侯各隨遠近以為差次。 壬辰，以吏部尚書何敬容為尚書右僕射。
In the seventh month of autumn, on yihai, Prince of Jin'an Gang was established as Crown Prince and a general amnesty was declared. Those who had become heirs for their fathers, and those outstanding in loyalty, filial piety, civil and martial service, and clean diligence, were all granted one rank of nobility. On gengyin an edict granted bath-and-rest fiefs to clansmen within the mourning relationship; Marquises of township and hamlet received graded allotments according to distance. On renchen He Jingrong, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was appointed Right Vice Director of the Secretariat.
69
九月，狼牙修國遣使朝貢。 是秋，吳興生野稻，饑者賴焉。
In the ninth month Langyaxiu sent envoys with tribute. That autumn wild rice grew in Wuxing, and the hungry relied on it.
70
冬十月己酉，上幸同泰寺，升法坐，為四部眾說涅盤經，迄於乙卯。 前樂山縣侯蕭正則有罪流徙，至是招誘亡命，欲寇廣州，在所討平之。
In the tenth month of winter, on jiyou, the sovereign visited Tongtai Temple, ascended the dharma seat, and expounded the Nirvana Sutra for the fourfold assembly until yimao. Former Marquis of Leshan Xiao Zhengze, guilty and exiled, now gathered runaways and intended to raid Guangzhou; he was suppressed wherever he went.
71
十一月乙未，上幸同泰寺，升法座，為四部眾說般若經，迄于十二月辛丑。
In the eleventh month, on yiwei, the sovereign visited Tongtai Temple, ascended the dharma seat, and expounded the Prajna Sutra for the fourfold assembly until xinchou in the twelfth month.
72
是歲，魏尒朱兆又廢其主曄而奉節閔皇帝，改建明二年為普泰元年。 又魏勃海王高歡舉兵信都，別奉勃海太守朗為主，改普泰元年為中興。
That year Erzhu Zhao of Wei again deposed his ruler Ye and installed Emperor Jiemin, changing the second year of Jianming to the first year of Putai. Also Prince of Bohai Gao Huan of Wei raised troops at Xindu and separately installed Lang, Administrator of Bohai, as ruler, changing the first year of Putai to Zhongxing.
73
四年春正月丙寅，以開府儀同三司南平王偉為大司馬，以司空宋王元法僧為太尉，以尚書令、開府儀同三司袁昂為司空。 立臨川靖惠王宏子正德為臨賀郡王。 庚午，立嫡皇孫大器為宣城郡王，位列諸王上。 癸未，魏南兗州刺史劉世明以城降。
In spring of the fourth year, on bingyin in the first month, Prince of Nanping Wei, bearing the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies, was appointed Grand Marshal; Yuan Faseng, Minister of Works and Prince of Song, was made Grand Commandant; and Yuan Ang, Director of the Secretariat with the same insignia, was made Minister of Works. Zhengde, son of Prince of Linchuan Jinghui Hong, was established as Prince of Linhe Commandery. On gengwu the legitimate imperial grandson Daqi was established as Prince of Xuancheng Commandery, ranking above the other princes. On guiwei Liu Shiming, Wei's Governor of Southern Yan Province, surrendered the city.
74
二月壬寅，以太尉元法僧還北主魏，以侍中元景隆為徐州刺史，封彭城郡王，通直常侍元景宗為青州刺史，封平昌郡王，隨法僧北侵。 庚戌，新除揚州刺史邵陵王綸有罪，免為庶人。 三月庚午，侍中、領國子博士蕭子顯表置制旨孝經助教一人，生十人，專通帝所釋孝經義。
In the second month, on renyin, Grand Commandant Yuan Faseng was sent back north to rule Wei; Attendant Yuan Jinglong was appointed Governor of Xu Province and enfeoffed as Prince of Pengcheng Commandery; Attendant-in-Ordinary Yuan Jingzong was made Governor of Qing Province and enfeoffed as Prince of Pingchang Commandery; they followed Faseng north on campaign. On gengxu the newly appointed Governor of Yang Province, Prince of Shaoling Lun, was found guilty and demoted to commoner status. In the third month, on gengwu, Attendant and Director of the Imperial Academy Xiao Zixian memorialized to establish one Assistant Instructor for the Imperially Composed Filial Piety Classic and ten students devoted exclusively to the Emperor's exposition of that classic.
75
夏四月，盤盤國遣使朝貢。
In the fourth month of summer Panpan sent envoys with tribute.
76
秋七月甲辰，星隕如雨。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jiachen, stars fell like rain.
77
九月乙巳，加司空袁昂尚書令。
In the ninth month, on yisi, Minister of Works Yuan Ang was additionally appointed Director of the Secretariat.
78
冬十一月，高麗國遣使朝貢。
In the eleventh month of winter Goguryeo sent envoys with tribute.
79
十二月丙子，魏彭城王尒朱仲遠來奔，以為定洛將軍，封河南王，北侵。 隨所克土，使自封建。 庚辰，以太尉元法僧為郢州刺史、驃騎大將軍、開府同三司之儀。
In the twelfth month, on bingzi, Prince of Pengcheng Erzhu Zhongyuan of Wei fled to Liang; he was appointed General Who Settles Luo and enfeoffed as Prince of Henan, then sent north on campaign. Wherever territory was captured he was permitted to enfeoff himself. On gengchen Grand Commandant Yuan Faseng was appointed Governor of Ying Province and General of Agile Cavalry, with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies.
80
是歲，魏相勃海王高歡平尒朱氏，廢節閔皇帝及自所奉勃海故王朗，而奉平陽王修，是為孝武皇帝。 改中興二年為太昌，尋又改為永熙元年。
That year Chancellor Prince of Bohai Gao Huan of Wei pacified the Erzhu clan, deposed Emperor Jiemin and the former King Lang he had installed, and installed Prince of Pingyang Xiu as Emperor Xiaowu; the second year of Zhongxing was changed to Taichang, then soon to Yongxi. The second year of Zhongxing became Taichang, then soon the first year of Yongxi.
81
五年春正月辛卯，祀南郊，大赦。 賜孝悌力田爵一級。 先是一日丙夜，南郊令解滌之等到郊所履行，忽聞異香三隨風至。 及將行事，奏樂迎神畢，有神光圓滿壇上，朱紫黃白雜色，食頃乃滅。 戊申，都下地震。 己酉，長星見。 辛亥，祀明堂。
In spring of the fifth year, on xinmao in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. Filial sons, obedient younger brothers, and strong farmers were granted one rank of nobility. Earlier, on the night before, when Director of the Southern Suburb Xie Dizhi and others arrived at the suburban site and walked the grounds, they suddenly smelled a strange fragrance three times on the wind. When the rites were about to be performed and the music welcoming the spirits had finished, a round divine light filled the altar in red, purple, yellow, and white; after the time of a meal it vanished. On wushen the capital was shaken by an earthquake. On jiyou a long comet appeared. On xinhai the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
82
二月癸未，幸同泰寺，設四部大會，升法坐，發金字般若經題，訖於己丑。
In the second month, on guiwei, the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple, convened the Fourfold Assembly, ascended the dharma seat, and opened the gold-letter Prajna Sutra until jichou.
83
三月丙辰，大司馬南平王偉薨。
In the third month, on bingchen, Grand Marshal Prince of Nanping Wei died.
84
夏五月戊子，都下大水，御道通船。
In the fifth month of summer, on wuzi, the capital flooded so deeply that boats passed on the imperial avenue.
85
六月己卯，魏建義城主蘭保殺東徐州刺史崔庠，以下邳降。
In the sixth month, on jimao, Lan Bao, commander of Jianyi city, killed Cui Xiang, Governor of Eastern Xu Province, and surrendered Xiapi to Liang.
86
冬十月庚申，以尚書右僕射何敬容為左僕射，以吏部尚書謝舉為右僕射。
In the tenth month of winter, on gengshen, He Jingrong, Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, was promoted to Left Vice Director; Xie Ju, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was made Right Vice Director.
87
是歲，河南、波斯、盤盤等國並遣使朝貢。
That year Henan, Persia, Panpan, and other states all sent envoys with tribute.
88
六年春二月癸亥，耕藉田，大赦。 賜孝悌力田爵一級。
In the second month of spring of the sixth year, on guihai, the ceremonial field was plowed and a general amnesty was declared. Filial sons, obedient younger brothers, and strong farmers were granted one rank of nobility.
89
三月己亥，以行河南王可遝振為西秦、河二州刺史，正封河南王。 甲辰，百濟國遣使朝貢。
In the third month, on jihai, Keduo Zhen, Acting Prince of Henan, was appointed Governor of Western Qin and He provinces and formally enfeoffed as Prince of Henan. On jiachen Baekje sent envoys with tribute.
90
夏四月丁卯，熒惑在南斗。
In the fourth month of summer, on dingmao, the Spark Star stood in the Southern Dipper.
91
秋七月甲辰，林邑國遣使朝貢。 冬十月丁卯，以信武將軍元慶和為鎮北將軍，封魏王，率眾北侵。
In the seventh month of autumn Linyi sent envoys with tribute. In the tenth month of winter, on dingmao, Yuan Qinghe, General of Trustworthy Martiality, was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and enfeoffed as Prince of Wei, then led forces north on campaign.
92
閏十二月丙午，西南有雷聲二。
In the intercalary twelfth month, on bingwu, two claps of thunder sounded in the southwest.
93
是歲，魏孝武帝迫于其相高歡，出居關中。 歡又別奉清河王世子善見為主，是為孝靜帝。 改永熙三年為天平元年。 魏於是始分為兩。 孝武既至關中，又與丞相宇文泰不平，未幾，遇鴆而崩。
That year Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, pressed by his chancellor Gao Huan, withdrew to Guanzhong. Huan again separately installed the heir of Prince of Qinghe Shan as ruler — Emperor Xiaojing. The third year of Yongxi was changed to the first year of Tianping. From this time Wei was divided in two. After Xiaowu reached Guanzhong he fell out with Chancellor Yuwen Tai; before long he died by poisoned wine.
94
大同元年春正月戊申朔，大赦，改元。
In spring of the first year of Datong, on wushen, the first day of the first month, the court declared a general amnesty and changed the reign era.
95
二月辛巳，祀明堂。 丁亥，耕藉田。 辛丑，高麗、丹丹國並遣使朝貢。
In the second month, on xinsi, the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall. On dinghai the ceremonial field was plowed. On xinchou Goguryeo and Danan each sent envoys with tribute.
96
三月丙寅，幸同泰寺，設無遮大會。 辛未，滑國遣使朝貢。
In the third month, on bingyin, the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Unrestricted Great Assembly. On xinwei Huaxia sent envoys with tribute.
97
夏四月庚子，波斯國遣使朝貢。 壬戌，幸同泰寺，鑄十方銀像，並設無礙會。
In the fourth month of summer Persia sent envoys with tribute. On renxu the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple, cast ten silver images of the ten directions, and convened the Unobstructed Assembly.
98
秋七月辛卯，扶南國遣使朝貢。
In the seventh month of autumn Funan sent envoys with tribute.
99
冬十月，雨黃塵如雪。
In the tenth month of winter yellow dust fell like snow.
100
十一月壬戌，北梁州刺史蘭欽攻漢中，魏梁州刺史元羅降。 癸亥，復梁州。
In the eleventh month, on renxu, Lan Qin, Governor of Northern Liang Province, attacked Hanzhong; Yuan Luo, Wei's Governor of Liang Province, surrendered. On guihai Liang Province was restored.
101
是歲，西魏文皇帝大統元年。
That year was the first year of Datong of Emperor Wen of Western Wei.
102
二年春二月乙亥，耕藉田。
In the second month of spring of the second year, on yihai, the ceremonial field was plowed.
103
三月庚申，詔求讜言，及令文武在位舉士。 戊寅，帝幸同泰寺，設平等法會。
In the third month, on gengshen, an edict sought forthright speech and ordered civil and military officials in office to recommend scholars. On wuyin the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Assembly of Equality.
104
夏四月乙未，以開府同三司之儀元法僧為太尉。
In the fourth month of summer, on yiwei, Yuan Faseng was appointed Grand Commandant with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies.
105
五月癸卯，以魏梁州刺史元羅為青、冀二州刺史，封東郡王。
In the fifth month, on guimao, Yuan Luo, Wei's Governor of Liang Province, was appointed Governor of Qing and Ji provinces and enfeoffed as Prince of Dongjun.
106
六月丁亥，詔郊明堂陵廟等令，改視散騎侍郎。
In the sixth month, on dinghai, an edict changed the directors of suburban, Bright Hall, and tomb rites to the rank of Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary.
107
秋九月辛亥，幸同泰寺，設四部無礙法會。
In the ninth month of autumn, on xinhai, the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Fourfold Unobstructed Assembly.
108
冬十月乙亥，詔大舉北侵。 壬午，幸同泰寺，設無礙大會。
In the tenth month of winter, on yihai, an edict ordered a great northern incursion. On renwu the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Unrestricted Great Assembly.
109
十一月，雨黃塵如雪，攬之盈掬。 己亥，詔北侵眾軍班師。
In the eleventh month yellow dust fell like snow; gathered in cupped hands it filled the palms. On jihai an edict ordered the northern incursion armies to withdraw.
110
辛亥，都下地震，生白毛，長二尺。
On xinhai the capital was shaken by an earthquake; white hair grew two chi long from the ground.
111
十二月壬申，與東魏通和。
In the twelfth month, on renshen, peace was made with Eastern Wei.
112
三年春正月辛丑，祀南郊，大赦。 賜孝悌力田爵一級。 是夜，朱雀門災。 壬寅，雨灰，黃色。
In spring of the third year, on xinchou in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. Filial sons, obedient younger brothers, and strong farmers were granted one rank of nobility. That night the Zhuque Gate was destroyed by fire. On renyin ash fell from the sky, yellow in color.
113
二月丁亥。 耕藉田。 癸巳，以護軍將軍蕭藻為尚書左僕射。
In the second month, on dinghai, the ceremonial field was plowed. On guisi Xiao Zao, General Who Protects the Army, was appointed Left Vice Director of the Secretariat.
114
三月戊戌，立昭明太子子謷為武昌郡王，臨為義陽郡王。
In the third month, on wuxu, Ao, son of Crown Prince Zhaoming, was established as Prince of Wuchang Commandery and Lin as Prince of Yiyang Commandery.
115
夏五月癸未，幸同泰寺，鑄十方金銅像，設無礙法會。
In the fifth month of summer, on guiwei, the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple, cast ten gold and bronze images of the ten directions, and convened the Unobstructed Assembly.
116
六月，青州朐山隕霜。
In the sixth month frost fell on Qushan in Qing Province.
117
秋七月，青州雪，害苗稼。 癸卯，東魏人來聘。 己酉，義陽王臨薨。
In the seventh month of autumn snow fell in Qing Province and harmed the crops. On guimao envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission. On jiyou Prince of Yiyang Lin died.
118
八月辛卯，幸阿育王寺，設無礙法喜食，大赦。
In the eighth month, on xinmao, the Emperor visited the Ashoka Temple, set up the Unobstructed Dharma Joy feast, and declared a general amnesty.
119
九月，使兼散騎常侍張皋聘於東魏。
In the ninth month Acting Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Zhang Gao was sent on a friendly mission to Eastern Wei.
120
閏九月甲子，侍中、太尉元法僧薨。
In the intercalary ninth month, on jiazi, Attendant and Grand Commandant Yuan Faseng died.
121
冬十月丙辰，都下地震。 是歲饑。
In the tenth month of winter, on bingchen, the capital was shaken by an earthquake. That year famine struck.
122
四年春二月己亥，耕藉田。
In the second month of spring of the fourth year, on jihai, the ceremonial field was plowed.
123
三月，河南、蠕蠕國並遣使朝貢。
In the third month Henan and Rouran each sent envoys with tribute.
124
夏五月甲戌，東魏人來聘。
In the fifth month of summer envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission.
125
六月辛丑，日有蝕之。
In the sixth month, on xinchou, there was a solar eclipse.
126
秋七月癸亥，詔以東冶徒李胤之降象牙如來真形，大赦。
In the seventh month of autumn, on guihai, an edict declared a general amnesty because Li Yinzhi, a convict of the Eastern Foundry, had submitted an ivory image of the Tathagata in true form.
127
戊辰，使兼散騎常侍劉孝儀聘於東魏。
On wuchen Acting Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Liu Xiaoyi was sent on a friendly mission to Eastern Wei.
128
八月甲辰，詔南兗等十二州，既經饑饉，曲赦逋租宿責，勿收今年三調。
In the eighth month, on jiachen, an edict granted a partial amnesty to the twelve provinces including Southern Yan, which had suffered famine, remitting overdue rents and old debts and exempting them from this year's three levies.
129
九月，閱武于樂游苑。
In the ninth month a military review was held at the Leyou Park.
130
五年春正月乙卯，以護軍將軍廬陵王續為驃騎將軍，安右將軍、尚書左僕射蕭藻為中衛將軍，並開府儀同三司。 中權將軍、丹陽尹何敬容以本號為尚書令，吏部尚書張續為尚書僕射。 丁巳，御史中丞、參禮儀事賀琛奏：「今南北二郊及藉田往還，並宜禦輦，不復乘路。 二郊請用素輦，藉田往還乘常輦，皆以侍中倍乘。 停大將軍及太僕。」 詔付尚書博議施行。 改素輦名大同輦。 郊祀宗廟乘玉輦。 辛未，祀南郊，詔孝悌力田及州閭鄉党稱為善人者，各賜爵一級。
In the first month of spring of the fifth year, on yimao, Prince of Luling Xu, General Who Protects the Army, was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry; Xiao Zao, General Who Stabilizes the Right and Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, was made General of the Central Guard — both with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies. He Jingrong, General of the Central Authority and Governor of Danyang, was appointed Director of the Secretariat under his existing title; Zhang Xu, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was made Vice Director of the Secretariat. On dingsi He Chen, Imperial Censor and participant in ritual affairs, memorialized: "For the southern and northern suburbs and the going and returning from the ceremonial field, the Emperor should ride the imperial carriage rather than the road carriage. For the two suburbs let the plain carriage be used; for going and returning from the ceremonial field let the regular carriage be used — both with the Attendant riding double. Suspend the Grand General and the Master of the Horse from the procession." An edict ordered the Secretariat to discuss the proposal broadly and implement it. The plain carriage was renamed the Datong Carriage. For suburban sacrifice and ancestral temple rites the jade carriage was used. On xinwei the court sacrificed at the southern suburb; an edict granted one rank of nobility each to filial sons, obedient younger brothers, strong farmers, and those in provinces, districts, townships, and hamlets called good men.
131
秋八月乙酉，扶南國獻生犀。
In the eighth month of autumn Funan presented a live rhinoceros.
132
冬十一月乙亥，東魏人來聘。
In the eleventh month of winter envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission.
133
十二月，使兼散騎常侍柳豹聘於東魏。
In the twelfth month Acting Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Liu Bao was sent on a friendly mission to Eastern Wei.
134
是歲，都下訛言天子取人肝以飴天狗，大小相警，日晚便閉門持仗，數月乃止。
That year a false rumor spread in the capital that the Son of Heaven took people's livers to feed the celestial dog; great and small warned one another, and each evening they barred their doors and took up weapons — for several months before the panic subsided.
135
六年春正月庚戌朔，曲赦司、豫、徐、兗四州。
In the first month of spring of the sixth year, on gengxu, the first day of the month, a partial amnesty was declared for Si, Yu, Xu, and Yan provinces.
136
二月己亥，耕藉田。
In the second month, on jihai, the ceremonial field was plowed.
137
夏四月癸未，詔晉、宋、齊三代諸陵有職司者，勤加守護。
In the fourth month of summer, on guiwei, an edict ordered diligent guarding of the tombs of Jin, Song, and Qi of the three dynasties wherever responsible officials were assigned.
138
五月己卯，河南王遣使朝，獻馬及方物，求釋迦像並經論十四條。 敕付像並制旨涅盤、般若、金光明講疏一百三卷。
In the fifth month, on jimao, the Prince of Henan sent envoys presenting horses and local products and requesting a Shakyamuni image and fourteen items of sutras and treatises. An imperial command delivered the image and one hundred three fascicles of the Emperor's lecture commentaries on the Nirvana, Prajna, and Golden Light sutras.
139
秋七月丁亥，東魏人來聘。 遣散騎常侍陸晏子報聘。
In the seventh month of autumn envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission. Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Lu Yanzi was sent on a return mission.
140
八月戊午，大赦。 辛未，盤盤國遣使朝貢。
In the eighth month, on wuwu, a general amnesty was declared. On xinwei Panpan sent envoys with tribute.
141
九月戊戌，司空袁昂薨。
In the ninth month, on wuxu, Minister of Works Yuan Ang died.
142
冬十一月己卯，曲赦都下。
In the eleventh month of winter, on jimao, a partial amnesty was declared for the capital.
143
十二月壬子，江州刺史豫章王歡薨。
In the twelfth month, on renzi, Prince of Yuzhang Huan, Governor of Jiang Province, died.
144
七年春正月辛巳，祀南郊，大赦。 辛丑，祀明堂。
In spring of the seventh year, on xinsi in the first month, the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. On xinchou the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall.
145
二月乙巳，以行宕昌王梁彌泰為平西將軍、河涼二州刺史，正封宕昌王。 辛亥，耕藉田。 乙卯，都下地震。
In the second month, on yisi, Liang Mitai, Acting Prince of Dangchang, was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of He and Liang provinces, and formally enfeoffed as Prince of Dangchang. On xinhai the ceremonial field was plowed. On yimao the capital was shaken by an earthquake.
146
夏四月戊申，東魏人來聘，遣兼散騎常侍明少遐報聘。
In the fourth month of summer envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission; Acting Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Ming Shaoxia was sent on a return mission.
147
冬十一月丙子，詔停所在使役女丁。
In the eleventh month of winter, on bingzi, an edict halted corvée by women wherever it was imposed.
148
十二月壬寅，東魏人來聘，遣兼散騎常侍袁狎報聘。 丙辰，于宮城西立士林館，延集學者。
In the twelfth month envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission; Acting Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Yuan Xia was sent on a return mission. On bingchen the Forest of Scholars Hall was established west of the palace to gather scholars.
149
是歲，宕昌、蠕蠕、高麗、百濟、滑國各遣使朝貢。 百濟求涅盤等經疏及醫工、畫師、毛詩博士，並許之。 交州人李賁攻刺史蕭諮。
That year Dangchang, Rouran, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Huaxia each sent envoys with tribute. Baekje requested Nirvana and other sutra commentaries, medical artisans, painters, and a Filial Piety Classic doctor — all were granted. Li Ben of Jiaozhou attacked Governor Xiao Zi.
150
八年春正月，安成郡人劉敬躬挾左道以反。
In the first month of spring of the eighth year Liu Jinggong of Ancheng Commandery relied on heterodox ways to rebel.
151
二月戊戌，江州刺史湘東王繹遣中兵曹子郢討禽之，送於都，斬之建康市。
In the second month, on wuxu, Prince of Xiangdong Yi, Governor of Jiang Province, dispatched Central Army Cao Ziying to suppress and capture him; he was sent to the capital and executed in the Jiankang market.
152
三月，于江州新蔡高塘立頌平屯，墾作蠻田。
In the third month the Songping garrison was established at Gaotang in Xincai of Jiang Province to reclaim barbarian fields.
153
九年春閏正月丙申，地震，生毛。
In the intercalary first month of spring of the ninth year, on bingshen, an earthquake struck and hair grew from the ground.
154
三月，以太子詹事謝舉為尚書僕射。
In the third month Xie Ju, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat.
155
夏四月，林邑王破德州，攻李賁，賁將范修又破林邑王於九德，敗走之。
In the fourth month of summer the King of Linyi broke Dezhou and attacked Li Ben; Ben's general Fan Xiu again defeated the King of Linyi at Jiude and drove him off.
156
冬十一月，益州刺史武陵王紀進號征西將軍、開府儀同三司。
In the eleventh month of winter Prince of Yiling Ji, Governor of Yizhou, was promoted to General Who Conquers the West with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies.
157
十年春正月，李賁竊號於交址，年號天德。
In the first month of spring of the tenth year Li Ben usurped an era name at Jiaozhi — Tiansheng.
158
三月甲午，幸蘭陵。 庚子，謁建陵，有紫雲蔭陵上，食頃乃散。 帝望陵流涕，所沾草皆變色，陵傍有枯泉，至是而流水香潔。 辛丑，哭于修陵。 壬寅，於皇基寺設法會，詔賜蘭陵老少位一階，並加頒賚。 所經縣邑，無出今年租賦。 因賦還舊鄉詩。 癸卯，詔園陵職司，恭事勤勞，並錫位一階，並加賜賚。 己酉，幸京口城北固樓，因改名北顧。 庚戌，幸回賓亭，宴帝鄉故老及所經近縣奉迎候者少長數千人，各賚錢二千。
In the third month, on jiawu, the Emperor visited Lanling. On gengzi he visited Jiancheng; purple clouds shaded the tomb for the time of a meal before dispersing. The Emperor gazed at the tomb and wept; wherever his tears fell the grass changed color; beside the tomb a dry spring now flowed with fragrant, pure water. On xinchou he wept at Xiuling. On renyin a dharma assembly was set up at Huangji Temple; an edict granted one rank to the old and young of Lanling and added distributions. The counties and townships he passed through were exempted from this year's land tax and levies. Thereupon he composed a poem on returning to his old home. On guimao an edict granted one rank and additional gifts to the officials of the imperial tombs for reverent service and diligent labor. On jiyou the Emperor visited the Beigu Tower north of Jingkou and renamed it Beigu — "Northward Gaze." On gengxu the Emperor visited the Huibin Pavilion and feasted the old men of the imperial homeland and those from nearby counties who came to welcome him — several thousand young and old — each receiving two thousand cash.
159
夏四月乙卯，至自蘭陵。 詔鰥寡孤獨尤貧者，贍恤各有差。 五月，廣州人盧子略反，刺史新渝侯映討平之。 詔曲赦廣州。
In the fourth month of summer, on yimao, he returned from Lanling. An edict granted relief according to rank to widowers, widows, orphans, the solitary, and those especially poor. In the fifth month Lu Zilue of Guangzhou rebelled; Governor Prince of Xinyu Ying suppressed and pacified him. An edict granted a partial amnesty for Guangzhou.
160
秋九月己丑，赦。
In the ninth month of autumn, on jichou, a pardon was declared.
161
冬十一月，大雪，平地三尺。
In the eleventh month of winter heavy snow piled three feet deep on level ground.
162
十一年春正月，震華林園光嚴殿、重雲閣。 帝自貶拜謝上天，累刻乃止。
In the first month of spring of the eleventh year the Hall of Radiant Solemnity and the Chongyun Pavilion in the Hualin Garden were shaken. The Emperor demoted himself and bowed in apology to Heaven; for many quarters of an hour before the tremors stopped.
163
夏四月，東魏人來聘。
In the fourth month of summer envoys from Eastern Wei arrived on a friendly mission.
164
冬十月己未，詔復開贖罪典。
In the tenth month of winter, on jiwei, an edict restored the statute for ransoming offenses.
165
中大同元年春正月丁未，曲阿縣建陵隧口石辟邪起舞，有大蛇鬥隧中，其一被傷奔走。 青蟲食陵樹葉略盡。 癸丑，交州刺史楊膘克交址嘉甯城，李賁竄入屈獠洞。 交州平。
In the first month of spring of the first year of Zhongdatong, on dingwei, at the Jiancheng tomb entrance in Qu'e County the stone ward-off-evil danced; a great serpent fought in the tunnel and one was wounded and fled. Green worms ate the tomb trees' leaves nearly bare. On guichou Yang Biao, Governor of Jiaozhou, captured Jianing city in Jiaozhi; Li Ben fled into the Qu Liao cave. Jiaozhou was pacified.
166
三月乙巳，大赦。 庚戌，幸同泰寺講金字三慧經，仍施身。 夏四月丙戌，皇太子以下奉贖，仍於同泰寺解講，設法會，大赦，改元。 是夜，同泰寺災。 六月辛巳，竟天有聲，如風水相薄。 秋七月甲子，詔自今有犯罪者，非大逆，父母祖父母勿坐。 丙寅，詔曰：「朝四暮三，眾狙皆喜，名實未虧，而喜怒為用。 頃聞外間多用九佰錢，佰減則物貴，佰足則物賤，非物有貴賤，是心有顛倒。 至於遠方，日更滋甚。 自今可通用足佰錢。」 八月丁丑，東揚州刺史武昌王謷薨。 甲午，渴盤陀國遣使獻方物。
In the third month, on yisi, a general amnesty was declared. On gengxu the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple to expound the gold-letter Three Wisdom Sutra and again offered his body to the sangha. In the fourth month of summer, on bingxu, the Crown Prince and those below offered ransom; at Tongtai Temple the lecture was concluded and a dharma assembly convened; a general amnesty was declared and the reign era changed. That night Tongtai Temple was destroyed by fire. In the sixth month, on xinsi, sound filled the sky like wind and water beating against each other. In the seventh month of autumn, on jiazi, an edict ordered that from then on, except for great treason, parents and grandparents were not to be implicated when someone committed a crime. On bingyin an edict declared: "Morning four, evening three — all the monkeys rejoice; name and reality are unchanged, yet joy and anger are manipulated. Recently it is heard that outside mostly use nine-hundred cash; when the hundred is shaved goods grow dear, when the hundred is full goods grow cheap — it is not that goods have dearth and plenty, but that minds are turned upside down. In distant regions the abuse grows worse day by day. From now on full hundred cash shall be used everywhere. In the eighth month, on dingchou, Prince of Wuchang Ao, Governor of Eastern Yang, died. On jiawu Kapisa sent envoys presenting local products.
167
冬十月癸酉，汝陰王劉哲薨。
In the tenth month of winter, on guiyou, Prince of Ruyin Liu Zhe died.
168
太清元年春正月己亥朔，日有蝕之。 壬寅，荊州刺史廬陵王續薨。 辛酉，祀南郊，大赦。 甲子，祀明堂。 是月，東魏相勃海王高歡薨。
In spring of the first year of Taiqing, on jihai, the first day of the first month, there was a solar eclipse. On renyin Prince of Luling Xu, Governor of Jing Province, died. On xinyou the court sacrificed at the southern suburb and declared a general amnesty. On jiazi the court sacrificed at the Bright Hall. That month Chancellor Prince of Bohai Gao Huan of Eastern Wei died.
169
二月己卯，白虹貫日。 庚辰，東魏司徒侯景求以河南十三州內屬。 壬午，以景為大將軍，封河南王，大行台，承制如鄧禹故事。 丁亥，耕藉田。
In the second month, on jimao, a white rainbow pierced the sun. On gengchen Hou Jing, Minister of Works of Eastern Wei, requested to submit the thirteen provinces of Henan to Liang. On renwu Jing was appointed Grand General, enfeoffed as Prince of Henan, given the Great Mobile Office, and empowered to act on imperial authority after the precedent of Deng Yu. On dinghai the ceremonial field was plowed.
170
三月庚子，幸同泰寺，設無遮大會。 上釋御服，服法衣，行清淨大舍，名曰：「羯磨」。 以五明殿為房，設素木床、葛帳、土瓦器，乘小輿，私人執役。 乘輿法服，一皆屏除。 甲辰，遣司州刺史羊鴉仁率土州刺史桓和、仁州刺史湛海珍等應接侯景。 兵未至，而東魏遣兵攻景，景又割地求救于西魏，方解圍。 乙巳，帝升光嚴殿講堂，坐師子座，講金字三慧經，捨身。
In the third month, on gengzi, the Emperor visited Tongtai Temple and convened the Unrestricted Great Assembly. The sovereign cast off imperial robes and wore dharma robes, undertaking the great pure offering named Karma Repentance. He made the Hall of Five Brightnesses his room, with a plain wooden bed, hemp curtain, and earthenware vessels, riding a small palanquin while private persons served him. Imperial carriage and ritual robes were all set aside. On jiachen Yang Yaren, Governor of Si Province, was dispatched to lead Huan He, Governor of Tu Province, Zhan Haizhen, Governor of Ren Province, and others to support Hou Jing. Before the troops arrived Eastern Wei dispatched troops to attack Jing; Jing also ceded territory to beg rescue from Western Wei, and only then was the siege lifted. On yisi the Emperor ascended the lecture hall of the Hall of Radiant Solemnity, sat on the lion seat, expounded the gold-letter Three Wisdom Sutra, and offered his body.
171
夏四月庚午，群臣以錢一億萬奉贖皇帝菩薩，僧眾默許。 戊寅，百辟詣鳳莊門奉表，三請三答，頓首，並如中大通元年故事。 丁亥，服袞冕。 禦輦還宮。 幸太極殿，如即位禮，大赦，改元。 是月，神馬出，皇太子獻寶馬頌。
In the fourth month of summer, on gengwu, the ministers offered one hundred million in cash to ransom the Emperor bodhisattva; the monastic assembly silently assented. On wuyin the hundred ministers went to the Fengzhuang Gate with a memorial; three requests and three answers with prostrations — all as in the precedent of the first year of Zhongdatong. On dinghai he donned the robe and cap of state. He rode the imperial carriage back to the palace. He visited the Hall of Supreme Polarity as at the accession rites, declared a general amnesty, and changed the reign era. That month a divine horse appeared; the Crown Prince presented an ode on the treasured horse.
172
六月戊辰，以前雍州刺史鄱陽王範為征北將軍，總督漢北征討諸軍事。
In the sixth month, on wuchen, Prince of Poyang Fan, former Governor of Yong Province, was appointed General Who Conquers the North and overall commander of the Hanbei campaigns.
173
秋七月庚申，羊鴉仁入縣瓠城。
In the seventh month of autumn, on gengshen, Yang Yaren entered Xuanhu city.
174
八月乙丑，諸軍北征，以南豫州刺史蕭明為大都督。 赦緣邊初附諸州。 戊子，以大將軍侯景錄行台尚書事。
In the eighth month, on yichou, the armies marched north; Xiao Ming, Governor of Southern Yu Province, was appointed Commander-in-Chief. A pardon was declared for the border provinces newly submitted. On wuzi Grand General Hou Jing was put in charge of Mobile Office Secretariat affairs.
175
九月癸卯，王游苑成，輿駕幸苑。
In the ninth month, on guimao, the Wangyou Park was completed and the imperial carriage visited the park.
176
冬十一月，東魏將慕容紹宗大敗蕭明於寒山，明被俘執。 紹宗進圍潼州。
In the eleventh month of winter Murong Shaozong of Eastern Wei greatly defeated Xiao Ming at Hanshan and captured him alive. Shaozong advanced to besiege Tong Province.
177
十二月戊辰，命太子舍人元貞還北為東魏主。
In the twelfth month, on wuchen, Attendant of the Crown Prince Yuan Zhen was ordered back north to serve as ruler of Eastern Wei.
178
二年春正月癸巳朔，兩月相承如鉤，見於西方。 戊戌，詔在位各舉所知。 己亥，東魏克渦陽。 辛丑，以尚書僕射謝舉為尚書令，以守吏部尚書王克為尚書僕射。 甲辰，東魏克殷、豫二州。 三月甲辰，撫東將軍高麗王高延卒，以其子成為甯東將軍、高麗王、樂浪公。 己未，屈獠洞斬李賁，傳首建鄴。 夏四月丙子，詔在朝及州郡各舉士。
In spring of the second year, on guisi, the first day of the first month, two moons followed each other like hooks, appearing in the west. On wuxu an edict ordered those in office each to recommend those they knew. On jihai Eastern Wei captured Guoyang. On xinchou Xie Ju, Vice Director of the Secretariat, was appointed Director of the Secretariat; Wang Ke, Acting Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was made Vice Director of the Secretariat. On jiachen Eastern Wei captured Yin and Yu provinces. In the third month, on jiachen, Gao Yan, King of Goguryeo and General Who Pacifies the East, died; his son Cheng was appointed General Who Pacifies the East, King of Goguryeo, and Duke of Lelang. On jiwei the Qu Liao cave beheaded Li Ben and sent the head to Jiankang. In the fourth month of summer, on bingzi, an edict ordered those at court and in the provinces and commanderies each to recommend scholars.
179
五月辛丑，以新除中書令邵陵王綸為安前將軍、開府儀同三司。 辛亥，曲赦交、愛、德三州。
In the fifth month, on xinchou, the newly appointed Director of the Secretariat Prince of Shaoling Lun was made General Who Stabilizes the Front with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies. On xinhai a partial amnesty was declared for Jiao, Ai, and De provinces.
180
六月，天裂於西北，長十丈，闊二丈，光出如電，其聲若雷。
In the sixth month the sky split in the northwest — ten zhang long and two zhang wide; light issued like lightning and the sound like thunder.
181
秋七月，使兼散騎常侍謝班聘於東魏結和。
In the seventh month of autumn Acting Attendant Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary Xie Ban was sent on a friendly mission to Eastern Wei to conclude peace.
182
八月戊戌，侯景舉兵反。 甲辰，使開府儀同三司邵陵王綸都督眾軍討景，曲赦南豫州。
In the eighth month, on wuxu, Hou Jing raised troops in rebellion. On jiachen Prince of Shaoling Lun, with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies, was appointed commander-in-chief to suppress Jing; a partial amnesty was declared for Southern Yu Province.
183
九月戊辰，地震，江左尤甚，壞屋殺人。 地生白毛，長二尺。 益州市有飛蜂萬群，螫人死。
In the ninth month, on wuchen, an earthquake struck; east of the river the damage was especially severe — buildings collapsed and people were killed. White hair grew from the ground, two chi long. In Yizhou swarms of flying bees numbering in the tens of thousands stung people to death.
184
冬十月，侯景襲譙州，進攻陷曆陽。 戊申，以臨賀王正德為平北將軍，都督諸軍屯丹陽郡。 己酉，景自橫江濟採石。 辛亥，至建鄴，臨賀王正德率眾附賊。
In the tenth month of winter Hou Jing raided Qiao Province and advanced to attack and capture Liyang. On wushen Prince of Linhe Zhengde was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and commander of the armies garrisoned in Danyang Commandery. On jiyou Jing crossed the Yangtze from Hengjiang at Caishiji. On xinhai he reached Jiankang; Prince of Linhe Zhengde led his forces to join the rebels.
185
十一月戊午朔，設壇，刑白馬，祀蚩尤於太極殿前。 己未，景立蕭正德為天子于南闕前。 辛酉，賊攻陷東府城。 庚辰，邵陵王綸帥武州刺史蕭弄璋、前譙州刺史趙伯超等入援。 乙酉，進軍湖頭，與賊戰，敗績。 丙戌，安北將軍鄱陽王範遣世子嗣、雄信將軍裴之高等率眾入援，次張公洲。
In the eleventh month, on wuwu, the first day of the month, an altar was set up, a white horse was sacrificed, and Chiyou was worshipped before the Hall of Supreme Polarity. On jiwei Jing established Xiao Zhengde as Son of Heaven before the southern gate. On xinyou the rebels attacked and captured the Eastern Palace city. On gengchen Prince of Shaoling Lun led Xiao Nongzhang, Governor of Wu Province, Zhao Bochao, former Governor of Qiao Province, and others in relief. On yiyou the army advanced to Hutou and fought the rebels but was routed. On bingxu Prince of Poyang Fan dispatched his heir Si, Pei Zhigao, General of Trustworthy Martiality, and others to lead forces in relief, halting at Zhanggong Isle.
186
十二月戊申，天西北裂，有光如火。 尚書令謝舉卒。 丙辰，司州刺史柳仲禮、前衡州刺史韋粲、高州刺史李遷仕、前司州刺史羊鴉仁等率軍入援。
In the twelfth month, on wushen, the sky split in the northwest with light like fire. Director of the Secretariat Xie Ju died. On bingchen Liu Zhongli, Governor of Si Province, Wei Can, former Governor of Heng Province, Li Qianshi, Governor of Gao Province, Yang Yaren, former Governor of Si Province, and others led armies in relief.
187
三年春正月丁巳，大都督柳仲禮率眾軍分據南岸，賊濟軍於青塘，襲殺韋粲。 庚申，白虹貫日三重。 邵陵王綸、臨城公大連等率兵集南岸。 戊辰，有流星長三十丈，墮武庫。 李遷仕及天門太守樊文皎進軍青溪東，為賊所破，文皎死之。 壬午，熒惑守心。
In the first month of spring of the third year, on dingsi, Commander-in-Chief Liu Zhongli led the armies to hold the south bank; the rebels crossed at Qingtang and in a raid killed Wei Can. On gengshen a white rainbow pierced the sun threefold. Prince of Shaoling Lun, Duke of Lincheng Dalian, and others gathered troops on the south bank. On wuchen a meteor thirty zhang long fell on the armory. Li Qianshi and Fan Wenjiao, Administrator of Tianmen, advanced east of Qingxi and were broken by the rebels; Wenjiao died in the fighting. On renwu the Spark Star guarded the Heart.
188
二月，侯景遣使求和，皇太子固請，帝乃許之。 盟于西華門下。 景既運東城米歸於石頭，亦不解圍，啟求遣諸軍退。 丁未，皇太子又命南兗州刺史南康王會理、前青冀二州刺史湘潭侯退率江北之眾，頓于蘭亭苑。 甲子，以開府儀同三司、丹陽尹邵陵王綸為司空，以合州刺史鄱陽王範為征北大將軍、開府儀同三司，以司州刺史柳仲禮為侍中、尚書僕射。 時景奸計既成，乃表陳帝失，復舉兵向闕。
In the second month Hou Jing sent envoys seeking peace; the Crown Prince firmly requested it and the Emperor assented. They swore alliance below the West Splendor Gate. After Jing transported the Eastern Palace grain to Shitou he still did not lift the siege and memorialized requesting that the armies withdraw. On dingwei the Crown Prince again ordered Prince of Nankang Huili, former Governor of Qing and Ji provinces, and Duke of Xiangtan Tui to lead the forces north of the river, encamping at Lanting Park. On jiazi Prince of Shaoling Lun, with the insignia of Opening an Office and Peer of the Three Excellencies and Governor of Danyang, was appointed Minister of Works; Prince of Poyang Fan, Governor of He Province, was made General Who Conquers the North with the same insignia; Liu Zhongli, Governor of Si Province, was made Attendant and Vice Director of the Secretariat. By then Jing's treacherous plan was complete; he memorialized listing the Emperor's faults and again raised troops toward the palace.
189
三月，城內以景違盟，設壇告天地神祗。 戊午，前司州刺史羊鴉仁等進軍東府北，與賊戰，大敗。 時四方征鎮入援者三十餘萬，莫有鬥志，自相抄奪而已。 丁卯，賊攻陷宮城，縱兵大掠。 己巳，賊矯詔遣石城公大款解外援軍。 庚午，侯景自為都督中外諸軍事、大丞相、錄尚書事。 辛未，援軍各退散。 丙子，熒惑守心。
In the third month, because Jing had violated the alliance, an altar was set up within the city to announce to Heaven, Earth, and the spirits. On wuwu Yang Yaren and others advanced north of the Eastern Palace and fought the rebels but were greatly defeated. At this time regional commanders and garrisons coming in relief numbered more than three hundred thousand; none had the will to fight — they merely plundered one another. On dingmao the rebels attacked and captured the palace city and let the troops plunder freely. On jisi the rebels forged an edict dispatching Duke of Shicheng Dakuan to disband the external relief armies. On gengwu Hou Jing himself became Commander-in-Chief of All Armies Within and Without, Grand Chancellor, and Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing. On xinwei the relief armies each withdrew and dispersed. On bingzi the Spark Star guarded the Heart.
190
夏四月己丑，都下地震。 丙申，又震。 己酉，帝以所求不供，憂憤寢疾。 是月，青冀二州刺史明少遐、東徐州刺史湛海珍、北青州刺史王奉伯各舉州附東魏。
In the fourth month of summer, on jichou, the capital was shaken by an earthquake. On bingshen it shook again. On jiyou, because what was requested was not supplied, the Emperor grieved and fell ill from worry. That month Ming Shaoxia, Governor of Qing and Ji provinces, Zhan Haizhen, Governor of Eastern Xu Province, and Wang Fengbo, Governor of Northern Qing Province, each submitted their province to Eastern Wei.
191
五月丙辰，帝崩于淨居殿，時年八十六。 辛巳，遷梓宮於太極前殿。 十一月乙卯，葬于修陵，追尊為武皇帝，廟號高祖。 帝性淳孝，六歲，獻皇太后崩，水漿不入口三日，哭泣有過成人。 及丁文帝憂，時為齊隨王諮議，隨府在荊鎮，以病聞，便投劾星馳，不復寢食，倍道就路。 憤風驚浪，不暫停止。 帝形容本壯，及至都，銷毀骨立，親表士友，皆不復識。 望宅奉諱，氣絕久之。 每哭，輒歐血數升。 服內，日惟食麥二溢。 拜掃山陵，涕淚所灑，松草變色。 及居帝位，即於鍾山造大愛敬寺，青溪邊造智度寺，於台內立至敬等殿，又立七廟堂。 月中再設淨饌，每至展拜，涕泗滂沱，哀動左右。
In the fifth month, on bingchen, the Emperor died in the Pure Dwelling Hall; he was eighty-six. On xinsi the coffin was moved to the front hall of the Hall of Supreme Polarity. In the eleventh month, on yimao, he was buried at Xiuling; posthumously honored as Emperor Wu with temple name Gaozu. The Emperor's nature was pure filial piety. At six sui the Empress Dowager Xian died; for three days he took neither water nor broth, and his weeping exceeded that of adults. When he completed mourning for Emperor Wen he was Adviser under the Prince of Sui of Qi, whose establishment was at Jing garrison; on hearing of the illness he submitted his resignation and galloped by starlight, neither sleeping nor eating, pressing double pace on the road. Through furious winds and alarming waves he did not pause. The Emperor's form was originally robust; when he reached the capital he had wasted to skin and bone, and relatives, friends, and scholars no longer recognized him. Gazing at the residence on receiving the tabooed name, his breath ceased for a long time. Each time he wept he vomited several sheng of blood. Throughout the mourning period he ate only two yi of wheat each day. When he bowed and swept the mountain tombs, wherever his tears fell the pines and grass changed color. When he took the imperial throne he at once built the Great Temple of Loving Reverence at Zhongshan and the Temple of Wisdom by the Qing Stream; within the palace he established the Hall of Utmost Reverence and the Hall of the Seven Ancestors. Twice each month he set out pure offerings; each time he performed the bowing rites tears streamed in torrents, moving those at his side.
192
少而篤學，能事畢究，雖萬機多務，猶卷不輟手，然燭側光，常至戊夜。 撰通史六百卷，金海三十卷，制旨孝經義、周易講疏及六十四卦、二系、文言、序卦等義，樂社義、毛詩、春秋答問、尚書大義、中庸講疏、孔子正言、孝經講疏，凡二百餘卷。 王侯朝臣皆奉表質疑，帝皆為解釋。 修飾國學，增廣生員，立五館，置五經博士。 天監初，何佟之、賀瑒、嚴植之、明山賓等覆述制旨，並撰吉凶賓軍嘉五禮，一千餘卷，帝稱制斷疑焉。 大同中，於台西立士林館，領軍朱異、太府卿賀琛、舍人孔子驅等遞互講述。 皇太子、宣城王亦于東宮宣猷堂及揚州廨開講。 於是四方郡國，莫不向風。 爰自在田，及登寶位，躬制贊、序、詔誥、銘、誄、說、箴、頌、箋、奏諸文，又百二十卷。 六藝備閑，棋登逸品，陰陽、緯候、卜筮、占決、草隸、尺牘、騎射，莫不稱妙。
From youth he was deeply devoted to learning and brought affairs to thorough completion; though myriad tasks pressed upon him his hand did not cease turning pages, often by candlelight until the fifth watch. He compiled the Comprehensive History in six hundred fascicles and Golden Sea in thirty fascicles; he composed imperial exegeses on the Filial Piety Classic, lecture commentaries on the Zhou Changes and its sixty-four hexagrams, the two commentaries, the Wenyan, and the Sequence of Hexagrams; Music and Community Exegesis, the Mao Odes, Spring and Autumn Question-and-Answer, Great Meaning of the Documents, Doctrine of the Mean Lecture Commentary, Confucius's Correct Words, and Filial Piety Lecture Commentary — more than two hundred fascicles in all. Princes, marquises, and court ministers all submitted memorials raising questions, and the Emperor answered each one. He renovated the Imperial Academy, increased the student quota, established the Five Halls, and appointed doctors of the Five Classics. At the beginning of Tianjian, He Tongzhi, He Chang, Yan Zhizhi, Ming Shanbin, and others reviewed the imperial compositions and together compiled the five rites of auspicious, inauspicious, guest, military, and celebratory rites — more than one thousand fascicles; the Emperor said he decided doubtful points. In the Datong era the Forest of Scholars Hall was established west of the palace; Army Supervisor Zhu Yi, Grand Steward He Chen, Attendant Kongzi Qu, and others lectured in rotation. The Crown Prince and Prince of Xuancheng also opened lectures at the Propagation of Virtue Hall in the Eastern Palace and at the Yangzhou yamen. Thereupon throughout the realm commanderies and states turned toward the court's influence. From the time he was in the fields until he ascended the throne he personally composed prefaces, introductions, edicts, proclamations, inscriptions, dirges, disquisitions, admonitions, eulogies, letters, and memorials — one hundred twenty fascicles in all. He fully mastered the Six Arts; at chess he reached transcendent rank; yin-yang, weft texts, divination, prognostication, clerical and cursive script, letters, horsemanship, and archery — in none did he fail to excel.
193
晚乃溺信佛道，日止一食，膳無鮮腴，惟豆羹糲飯而已。 或遇事擁，日儻移中，便嗽口以過。 制涅盤、大品、淨名、三慧諸經義記數百卷。 聽覽餘閒，即於重雲殿及同泰寺講說，名僧碩學，四部聽眾，常萬餘人。
In his later years he drowned in Buddhist faith; he ate only one meal a day, with no fresh or rich foods — only bean broth and coarse rice. When affairs pressed and the day passed midday he merely rinsed his mouth and went on. He composed exegeses and lecture records on the Nirvana, Great Perfection, Vimalakirti, Three Wisdom, and other sutras — several hundred fascicles. In spare time after audience he lectured at the Chongyun Hall and Tongtai Temple; famous monks and great scholars and a fourfold audience often numbered more than ten thousand.
194
身衣布衣，木綿皁帳，一冠三載，一被二年。 自五十外便斷房室，後宮職司貴妃以下，六宮褘褕三翟之外，皆衣不曳地，傍無錦綺。 不飲酒，不聽音聲，非宗廟祭祀、大會饗宴及諸法事，未嘗作樂。
He personally wore cloth robes and cotton bedding with a black canopy; one cap lasted three years, one quilt two years. From after fifty he cut off the bedchamber entirely; in the inner palace, officials and consorts below Noble Consort — apart from the six palaces' ceremonial robes and the three pheasant patterns — all wore garments that did not trail on the ground, with no brocade or damask at the sides. He did not drink wine or listen to music; except for ancestral temple sacrifice, great assemblies and feasts, and various dharma affairs, he never had music performed.
195
勤於政務，孜孜無怠。 每冬月四更竟，即敕把燭看事，執筆觸寒，手為皴裂。 然仁愛不斷，親親及所愛愆犯多有縱舍，故政刑弛紊。 每決死罪，常有哀矜涕泣，然後可奏。
He was diligent in government affairs, tireless and unceasing. Each winter when the fourth watch ended he ordered candles brought to review affairs; holding the brush in the cold his hands cracked with chilblains. Yet his benevolence was indecisive; among kin and those he loved many offenses were pardoned — and government and punishments grew lax and disordered. Each time he decided a capital case he wept with pity before it could be submitted.
196
性方正，雖居小殿暗室，恒理衣冠小坐，暑月未嘗褰袒。 雖見內豎小臣，亦如遇大賓也。
His nature was upright; though he dwelt in a small hall or dark room he always arranged cap and robes properly; in summer he never bared his shoulders. Though he saw inner attendants or minor servants he treated them as if meeting a great guest.
197
初，齊高帝夢屐而登殿，顧見武、明二帝后一人手張天地圖而不識，問之，答曰：「順子後。」 及崔慧景之逼，長沙宣武王入援，至越城，夢乘馬飛半天而墜，帝所馭化為赤龍，騰虛獨上。 時台內有宿衛士為覡，常見太極殿有六龍各守一柱，末忽失其二，後見在宣武王宅。 時宣武為益州，覡乃往蜀伏事。 及宣武在郢，此覡還都，乃見六龍俱在帝所寢齋，遂去郢之雍。 中途遇疾且死，謂同侶曰：「蕭雍州必作天子。」 具以前事語之。 推此而言，蓋天命也。
Earlier Emperor Gao of Qi dreamed he climbed the hall in clogs; looking back he saw the two empresses Wu and Ming — one held open the map of Heaven and Earth and he did not recognize her; he asked, and she answered: "After Shunzi." When Cui Huijing pressed close, Prince of Changsha Xuanwu entered in relief; reaching Yuecheng he dreamed he rode a horse flying halfway into the sky then falling; the steed the Emperor rode transformed into a red dragon and soared alone upward. At that time a guard within the palace who was a diviner often saw six dragons each guarding one pillar of the Hall of Supreme Polarity; suddenly two vanished, and later he saw them at Prince of Xuanwu's residence. At that time Xuanwu was in Yizhou; the diviner went to Shu to serve in secret. When Xuanwu was at Ying this diviner returned to the capital and saw all six dragons together at the Emperor's sleeping quarters; thereupon he left Ying for Yong. Midway he fell ill near death and told his companions: "Governor Xiao of Yong Province will surely become Son of Heaven." He fully told them the earlier affair. Pushing this to speak, it was probably Heaven's mandate.
198
雖在蒙塵，齋戒不廢，及疾不能進膳，盥漱如初。 皇太子日中再朝，每問安否，涕泗交面。 賊臣侍者，莫不掩泣。 疾久口苦，索蜜不得，再曰：「荷，荷！」 遂崩。 賊秘之，太子問起居不得見，慟於合下。
Though in dust and hardship he did not cease fasting and purification; when ill and unable to take food his washing and rinsing were as before. The Crown Prince twice each day at noon attended court; each time he asked after his health tears crossed his face. The rebel ministers' attendants — none failed to cover their faces and weep. After long illness his mouth was bitter; he sought honey and could not obtain it; again he said: "He, he!" Then he died. The rebels kept it secret; the Crown Prince asked after his health and could not see him, and grieved below the side chamber.
199
始天監中，沙門釋寶志為詩曰：「昔年三十八，今年八十三，四中復有四，城北火酣酣。」 帝使周舍封記之。 及中大同元年，同泰寺災，帝啟封見舍手跡，為之流涕。 帝生於甲辰，三十八，克建鄴之年也。 遇災歲實丙寅，八十三矣。 四月十四日而火，火起之始，自浮屠第三層。 三者，帝之昆季次也。 帝惡之，召太史令虞履筮之，遇？。 履曰：「無害。 其繇云：'西南得朋，東北喪朋，安貞吉。' 文言云：'東北喪朋，乃終有慶。' 帝曰：「斯魔鬼也。 酉應見卯，金來克木，卯為陰賊。 鬼而帶賊，非魔何也。 孰為致之？ 酉為口舌，當乎說位。 說言乎兌，故知善言之口，宜前為法事。」 於是人人贊善，莫不從風。 或刺血灑地，或刺血書經，穿心然燈，坐禪不食。 及太清元年，帝捨身光嚴、重雲殿，遊仙化生皆震動，三日乃止。 當時謂之祥瑞。 識者以非動而動，在鴻範為祅。 以比石季龍之敗，殿壁畫人頸皆縮入頭之類。
At the beginning of Tianjian the monk Shibao Zhi composed a verse: "In years past thirty-eight, this year eighty-three; within four again four, north of the city fire blazes blazes." The Emperor had Zhou She seal and record it. In the first year of Zhongdatong Tongtai Temple was destroyed by fire; the Emperor opened the seal and saw She's own handwriting and wept. The Emperor was born in jiachen; thirty-eight was the year Jiankang was taken. The year of the disaster was truly bingyin — eighty-three. On the fourteenth day of the fourth month came fire; the fire began from the third story of the pagoda. Three — the Emperor's order among his brothers. The Emperor hated it; he summoned Grand Astrologer Yu Li to divinate and encountered the hexagram Kun. Li said: "No harm. Its line text says: "In the southwest one finds companions; in the northeast one loses companions; steadfast correctness is auspicious." The Wenyan says: "In the northeast one loses companions; in the end there is celebration." The Emperor said: "This is a demon ghost. You corresponds to mao; metal comes to overcome wood; mao is the yin thief. A ghost yet bearing thief — if not a demon, what? Who brought it about? You is the mouth and tongue; it should correspond to the Speaking position. Speaking words belong to Dui; therefore one knows the mouth of good speech should beforehand become a dharma affair. Thereupon every person praised goodness; none failed to follow the wind. Some pricked blood to sprinkle the ground; some pricked blood to write sutras; pierced the heart to burn lamps; sat in meditation without eating. In the first year of Taiqing the Emperor offered his body at the Hall of Radiant Solemnity and Chongyun Hall; Youxian and Huasheng all shook for three days before stopping. At the time it was called an auspicious omen. Those who understood considered that not moving yet moving — in the Great Plan it is portent. It may be compared to Shi Le's defeat — when the painted people on the hall walls all shrank their necks into their heads, and the like.
200
時海中浮鵠山，去余姚岸可千餘里，上有女人年三百歲，有女官道士四五百人，年並出百，但在山學道。 遣使獻紅席。 帝方捨身時，其使適至，雲此草常有紅鳥居下，故以為名。 觀其圖狀，則鸞鳥也。 時有男子不知何許人，於大眾中自割身以飴饑鳥，血流遍體，而顏色不變。 又沙門智泉鐵鉤掛體，以然千燈，一日一夜，端坐不動。 開講日，有三足鳥集殿之東戶，自戶適於西南縣楣，三飛三集。 白雀一，見於重雲閣前連理樹。 又有五色雲浮于華林園昆明池上。 帝既流遁益甚，境內化之，遂至喪亡云。
At that time Goose Mountain floated on the sea more than a thousand li from the shore of Yuyao; on it was a woman three hundred sui old, with four or five hundred female officials and Daoist nuns all also over a hundred — all on the mountain studying the Way. Envoys were sent presenting red mats. The Emperor was just then offering his body when the envoys arrived; they said this grass always had red birds dwelling beneath — therefore it was so named. Looking at its pictured form, it was the luan bird. At that time there was a man of unknown origin who in the great assembly cut his own body to feed hungry birds; blood flowed over his body yet his complexion did not change. Also the monk Zhi Quan hung his body on an iron hook and lit a thousand lamps; for one day and one night he sat upright without moving. On the day the lecture opened a three-footed bird settled on the hall's east door, then went to the southwest ridgepole — three flights and three settlements. A white sparrow appeared before the joined tree before the Chongyun Pavilion. Also five-colored clouds floated above the Kunming Pond in the Hualin Garden. The Emperor's wandering in hardship grew ever worse; the realm was transformed by it — and thus reached ruin and death.
201
論曰：梁武帝時逢昏虐，家遭冤禍，既地居勢勝，乘機而作，以斯文德，有此武功。 始用湯、武之師，終濟唐、虞之業，豈曰人謀，亦惟天命。 及據圖籙，多曆歲年，製造禮樂，敦崇儒雅，自江左以來，年踰二百，文物之盛，獨美於茲。 然先王文武遞用，德刑備舉，方之水火，取法陰陽，為國之道，不可獨任； 而帝留心俎豆，忘情幹戚，溺於釋教，弛于刑典。 既而帝紀不立，悖逆萌生，反噬彎弧，皆自子弟，履霜弗戒，卒至亂亡。 自古撥亂之君，固已多矣，其或樹置失所，而以後嗣失之，未有自己而得，自己而喪。 追蹤徐偃之仁，以致窮門之酷，可為深痛，可為至戒者乎！
The commentary says: Under Emperor Wu of Liang the times encountered tyranny and the family suffered wrongful calamity; possessing terrain and momentum he seized the opportunity to act; with such civil virtue he achieved such martial success. At first he used the armies of Tang and Wu; in the end he completed the enterprise of Tang and Yu — can one call it human planning alone? It was also Heaven's mandate. When he held the chart and seal many years passed; he fashioned rites and music and honored the Confucian and elegant — since east of the river, in more than two hundred years, in cultural brilliance none surpassed this age. Yet the former kings used civil and martial in alternation and employed both virtue and punishments; comparing them to water and fire and taking law from yin and yang — the way of governing a state cannot rely on one alone; while the Emperor fixed his heart on the sacrificial vessels, forgot feeling for shield and axe, drowned in the Buddhist teaching, and relaxed the penal code. Thereupon imperial discipline was not established; rebellious thoughts sprouted; turning back to bite and bending the bow — all from his own sons and younger brothers; treading frost without caution, in the end reaching disorder and ruin. Since ancient times lords who raised order have indeed been many; those who erred in establishing heirs and lost the realm through later successors — none obtained it by themselves and lost it by themselves. Pursuing the benevolence of Xu Yan and thereby reaching the cruelty of the impoverished gate — can this not be deeply painful? Can this not be the utmost warning!