1
梁本紀下第八
Liang Annals 3, Part Eight
2
太清三年，台城陷，太子坐永福省見侯景，神色自若，無懼容。 五月丙辰，帝崩。 辛巳，太子即皇帝位，大赦。 癸未，追尊穆貴嬪為皇太后，追諡妃王氏為簡皇后。
In the third year of Taiqing, when Taicheng fell, the Crown Prince received Hou Jing in Yongfu Palace with perfect composure and not a trace of fear. In the fifth month, on bingchen, the Emperor passed away. On xinsi the Crown Prince took the throne and issued a general amnesty. On guiwei the court posthumously honored the late Consort Mu as Empress Dowager and gave Consort Wang the posthumous title Empress Jian.
3
六月丙戌，以南康王會理為司空。 丁亥，立宣城王大器為皇太子。 壬辰，立當陽公大心為尋陽郡王，石城公大款為江夏郡王，甯國公大臨為南海郡王，臨城公大連為南郡王，西豐公大春為安陸郡王，新淦公大成為山陽郡王，臨湘公大封為宜都郡王，高唐公大莊為新興郡王。
In the sixth month, on bingxu, Prince Hui-li of Nankang was made Minister of Works. On dinghai Prince Daqi of Xuancheng was installed as Crown Prince. On renchen Da-xin, Duke of Dangyang, was enfeoffed as Prince of Xunyang; Da-kuan of Shicheng as Prince of Jiangxia; Da-lin of Ningguo as Prince of Nanhai; Da-lian of Lincheng as Prince of Nan; Da-chun of Xifeng as Prince of Anlu; Da-cheng of Xingan as Prince of Shanyang; Da-feng of Linxiang as Prince of Yidu; and Da-zhuang of Gaotang as Prince of Xinxing.
4
秋七月甲寅，廣州刺史元景仲謀應侯景，西江督護陳霸先攻之，景仲自殺。 霸先迎定州刺史蕭勃為刺史。 庚午，以司空南康王會理為兼尚書令。 是月，九江大饑，人相食者十四五。
In the seventh month of autumn, on jiayin, Guangzhou Inspector Yuan Jingzhong plotted to side with Hou Jing. Chen Baxian, Protector of the West River route, attacked him, and Jingzhong took his own life. Baxian then installed Xiao Bo, Inspector of Dingzhou, as the new Inspector of Guangzhou. On gengwu Minister of Works Prince Hui-li of Nankang was also named Director of the Masters of Writing. That month Jiujiang was stricken by famine so severe that perhaps one person in seven survived by eating the dead.
5
八月癸卯，征東大將軍、開府儀同三司、南徐州刺史蕭藻薨。 丙午，侯景矯詔：「儀同三司位比正公，自今悉不加將軍，以為定準。」
In the eighth month, on guimao, Xiao Zao—General Who Conquers the East, Commissioner with Grand Cavalry, and Inspector of South Xuzhou—died. On bingwu Hou Jing forged an edict declaring that holders of the Third Rank were equal to full grandees and that henceforth the general title would no longer be appended to such posts.
6
冬十月丁未，地震。 是月，百濟國遣使朝貢，見城寺荒蕪，哭于闕下。
In the tenth month of winter, on dingwei, the earth shook. That month envoys from Baekje arrived with tribute, and when they saw the capital temples lying waste they wept at the palace gate.
7
大寶元年春正月辛亥朔，大赦，改元。 丁巳，天雨黃沙。 己未，西魏克安陸，執司州刺史柳仲禮，盡有漢東地。 丙寅，月晝見於東方。 癸酉，前江都令祖皓起義兵於廣陵。
In spring of the first year of Dabao, on xinhai, the first day of the first month, the court proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the reign era. On dingsi yellow sand rained from the sky. On jiwei Western Wei took Anlu, captured Liu Zhongli, Inspector of Sizhou, and seized the entire Han River region. On bingyin the moon appeared in the eastern sky in daylight. On guiyou Zu Hao, former magistrate of Jiangdu, raised a loyalist force at Guangling.
8
二月癸未，侯景攻下廣陵，皓見害。 乙巳，以尚書僕射王克為左僕射。 丙午，侯景逼帝幸西州。
In the second month, on guiwei, Hou Jing took Guangling and Hao was put to death. On yisi Wang Ke, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was promoted to Left Vice Director. On bingwu Hou Jing forced the Emperor to visit Xizhou.
9
六月庚子，前司州刺史羊鴉仁自尚書省出奔江陵。
In the sixth month, on gengzi, Yang Yaren, former Inspector of Sizhou, escaped from the Masters of Writing office and fled to Jiangling.
10
秋七月戊辰，賊行台任約寇江州，刺史尋陽王大心以州降之。
In the seventh month of autumn, on wuchen, the rebel field officer Ren Yue invaded Jiangzhou, and Inspector Prince Da-xin of Xunyang surrendered the province.
11
八月甲午，湘東王繹遣領軍將軍王僧辯逼郢州，邵陵王綸棄郢州走。
In the eighth month, on jiawu, Prince Yi of Xiangdong sent Wang Sengbian, General of the Palace Guard, to threaten Yingzhou, and Prince Lun of Shaoling abandoned the city and fled.
12
九月乙亥，侯景自進位相國，封二十郡為漢王。
In the ninth month, on yihai, Hou Jing elevated himself to Chancellor and created a kingdom of Han from twenty commanderies.
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冬十月乙未，景又逼帝幸西州曲宴，自加宇宙大將軍、都督六合諸軍事。 立皇子大鈞為西陽郡王，大威為武甯郡王，大球為建安郡王，大昕為義安郡王，大摯為綏建郡王，大圜為樂梁郡王。 壬寅，侯景害司空南康王會理。
In the tenth month of winter, on yiwei, Jing again forced the Emperor to a banquet at Xizhou and took for himself the titles Grand General of the Cosmos and Commander-in-Chief of All Forces Under Heaven. Prince Da-jun was made Prince of Xiyang; Da-wei of Wuning; Da-qiu of Jian'an; Da-xin of Yi'an; Da-zhi of Suijian; and Da-yuan of Yueyang. On renyin Hou Jing executed Minister of Works Prince Hui-li of Nankang.
14
十一月，任約進據西陽，分兵寇齊昌，執衡陽王獻送都下，害之。 湘東王繹遣前甯州刺史徐文盛拒約，南郡王前中兵參軍張彪起義於會稽若邪山，攻破浙東諸縣。
In the eleventh month Ren Yue seized Xiyang, sent columns to raid Qichang, captured Prince Xian of Hengyang, sent him to the capital, and had him executed. Prince Yi of Xiangdong dispatched former Ningzhou Inspector Xu Wensheng against Yue, while Zhang Biao, former Central Army Commander of Nan Commandery, raised troops on Ruoye Mountain in Kuaiji and swept through the counties of eastern Zhe.
15
二年春二月，邵陵王綸走至安陸董城，為魏所攻，見殺。
In the second month of spring in the second year, Prince Lun of Shaoling fled to Dongcheng in Anlu, where Wei forces attacked and killed him.
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三月庚戌，魏文帝崩。
In the third month, on gengxu, Emperor Wen of Wei passed away.
17
夏四月，侯景圍巴陵。
In the fourth month of summer Hou Jing laid siege to Baling.
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六月乙巳，解圍宵遁。
In the sixth month, on yisi, he broke off the siege and stole away under cover of night.
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秋七月，景還至建鄴。
In the seventh month of autumn Jing withdrew to Jiankang.
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冬十月壬寅，帝崩於永福省，時年四十九。 賊偽諡曰明皇帝，廟稱高宗。 明年三月己丑，王僧辯平侯景，率百官奉梓宮升廟堂。 元帝追崇為簡文皇帝，廟號太宗。 四月乙丑，葬莊陵。
In the tenth month of winter, on renyin, the Emperor died in Yongfu Palace at the age of forty-nine. The rebels posthumously styled him Emperor Ming with the temple name Gaozong. In the third month of the following year, on jichou, Wang Sengbian defeated Hou Jing and led the court to install the imperial coffin in the ancestral temple. Emperor Yuan posthumously honored him as Emperor Jianwen with the temple name Taizong. In the fourth month, on yichou, he was interred at Zhuang Mausoleum.
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帝幼而聰睿，六歲便能屬文，武帝弗之信，於前面試，帝攬筆立成文。 武帝歎曰：「常以東阿為虛，今則信矣。」 及長，器宇寬弘，未嘗見喜慍色，尊嚴若神。 方頤豐下，須鬢如畫，直發委地，雙眉翠色。 項毛左旋，連錢入背。 手執玉如意，不相分辨。 眄睞則目光燭人。 讀書十行俱下，辭藻豔發，博綜群言，善談玄理。 自十一便能親庶務，曆試藩政，所在稱美。 性恭孝，居穆貴嬪憂，哀毀骨立，所坐席沾濕盡爛。 在襄陽拜表侵魏，遣長史柳津、司馬董當門、壯武將軍杜懷寶、振遠將軍曹義宗等進軍克南陽、新野等都，拓地千餘里。
From childhood the Emperor was bright and quick-witted; at six he could already compose prose. Emperor Wu doubted it and tested him in person, whereupon the boy took up the brush and finished an essay at once. Emperor Wu sighed and said, "I always thought the story of Cao Zhi was mere legend; now I see it is true." As he matured his manner was open and magnanimous; he never showed pleasure or displeasure on his face, and his dignity seemed almost superhuman. He had a broad forehead and full lower face, a beard and side-whiskers like a painted portrait, hair that fell straight to the ground, and eyebrows of vivid green. The hair at the nape of his neck curled to the left in linked coin-shaped whorls that ran down his back. In his hand he held a jade ruyi scepter so perfectly matched to his grip that hand and scepter seemed one. A sidelong glance from his eyes seemed to cast light upon whoever he looked at. He could read ten lines at once, wrote in a brilliant style, mastered every school of learning, and excelled at Neo-Daoist discourse. From the age of eleven he could manage affairs himself; after repeated trials in frontier posts, he was praised wherever he governed. Filial and reverent by nature, in mourning for Consort Mu he wasted away until little more than bone remained, and the mat beneath him rotted from constant weeping. At Xiangyang he memorialized the throne to strike Wei and dispatched Chief Clerk Liu Jin, Marshal Dong Dangmen, General Who Displays Martial Prowess Du Huaibao, General Who Shakes Distant Foes Cao Yizong, and others to advance, capturing Nanyang, Xinye, and other prefectures and extending Liang territory by more than a thousand li.
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及居監撫，多所弘宥，文案簿領，纖豪必察。 弘納文學之士，賞接無倦。 嘗于玄圃述武帝所制五經講疏，聽者傾朝野。 雅好賦詩，其自序云：「七歲有詩癖，長而不倦。」 然帝文傷於輕靡，時號「宮體」。 所著昭明太子傳五卷，諸王傳三十卷，禮大義二十卷，長春義記一百卷，法寶連璧三百卷，謝客文涇渭三卷，玉簡五十卷，光明符十二卷，易林十七卷，灶經二卷，沐浴經三卷，馬槊譜一卷，棋品五卷，彈棋譜一卷，新增白澤圖五卷，如意方十卷，文集一百卷，並行於世。
As Supervisor and Regent he was broadly lenient in policy, yet in paperwork and accounts he examined even the smallest item. He gathered literary men around him and entertained them with inexhaustible generosity. Once in the Mystic Garden he lectured on Emperor Wu's commentaries to the Five Classics, and the audience filled both court and countryside. He loved writing poetry; in his own preface he wrote, "At seven I was already obsessed with verse, and I have never outgrown it." Yet his prose leaned toward the frivolous and decadent, and contemporaries called it the Palace Style. Among his published works were a Biography of Crown Prince Zhaoming in five juan, Biographies of the Princes in thirty juan, Great Principles of Ritual in twenty juan, Record of Righteousness of Eternal Spring in one hundred juan, Treasures Linked Like Jade in three hundred juan, Discriminating the Waters of Xie's Writings in three juan, Jade Slips in fifty juan, Talismans of Bright Light in twelve juan, Forest of Changes in seventeen juan, Classic of the Hearth in two juan, Classic of Bathing in three juan, Treatise on the Horse Spear in one juan, Grades of Go in five juan, Treatise on Pop Go in one juan, Newly Expanded White Ze Illustrations in five juan, Recipe of the Ruyi in ten juan, and Collected Works in one hundred juan.
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初，景納帝女溧陽公主，公主有美色，景惑之，妨于政事，王偉每以為言，景以告主，主出惡言。 偉知之，懼見讒，乃謀廢帝而後間主。 苦勸行殺，以絕眾心。 廢後，王偉乃與彭雋、王修纂進觴於帝曰：「丞相以陛下幽憂既久，使臣上壽。」 帝笑曰：「已禪帝位，何得言陛下？ 此壽酒將不盡此乎。」 於是雋等並齎酒肴、曲項琵琶，與帝極飲。 帝知將見殺，乃盡酣，謂曰：「不圖為樂，一至於斯。」 既醉而寢，偉乃出，雋進土囊，王修纂坐上，乃崩。 竟協於夢。 偉撤戶扉為棺，遷殯於城北酒庫中。
At first Hou Jing married the Emperor's daughter, the Princess of Liyang. She was beautiful, and his infatuation with her began to interfere with government; Wang Wei repeatedly remonstrated, and Jing told the princess, who answered with bitter words. When Wei learned of this he feared being slandered and plotted to depose the Emperor and then turn the princess against him. He pressed hard for the Emperor's death to extinguish all loyalty to the throne. After the deposition Wang Wei came forward with Peng Juan and Wang Xiuzuan, cups in hand, and said, "The Chancellor, seeing you long confined in grief, has sent us to offer birthday wine. The Emperor smiled and said, "I have already abdicated—how can you still call me 'Your Majesty'? Is this birthday wine not meant to be my last? Then Juan and the others brought wine, food, and curved-neck pipas, and drank with the Emperor until utterly sated. Knowing he was about to die, the Emperor drank himself into oblivion and said, "I never thought merriment could end like this. When he had drunk himself unconscious, Wei withdrew; Juan brought in a bag of earth, Wang Xiuzuan sat on the Emperor's chest, and he died. The manner of his death matched a dream he had once had. Wei stripped door panels to make a coffin and moved the body for temporary burial to a wine storehouse north of the city.
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帝自幽縶之後，賊乃撤內外侍衛，使突騎圍守，牆垣悉有枳棘。 無復紙，乃書壁及板鄣為文。 自序云：「有梁正士蘭陵蕭世贊，立身行道，終始若一，風雨如晦，雞鳴不已。 弗欺暗室，豈況三光？ 數至於此，命也如何！」 又為文數百篇。 崩後，王偉觀之，惡其辭切，即使刮去。 有隨偉入者，誦其連珠三首，詩四篇，絕句五篇，文並悽愴云。
Once the Emperor was imprisoned the rebels removed all inner and outer guards, posted mounted raiders to hold him, and planted thorn hedges along every wall. With no paper available he wrote on walls and wooden partitions instead. In one preface he wrote, "There is an upright gentleman of Liang, Xiao Shizan of Lanling, who from first to last walked the Way without wavering; through wind and rain at twilight the cock still crows. He does not deceive even in a dark room—how much less beneath sun, moon, and stars? To reach this pass again and again is fate; what can one do! He also wrote several hundred additional pieces. After his death Wang Wei read these writings, loathed their biting tone, and had them scraped from the walls. Someone who entered with Wei recited from memory three linked-pearl compositions, four poems, five quatrains, and other pieces—all heartbreakingly poignant.
25
世祖孝元皇帝諱繹，字世誠，小字七符，武帝第七子也。 初，武帝夢眇目僧執香爐，稱托生王宮。 既而帝母在采女次侍，始褰戶幔，有風回裾，武帝意感幸之。 采女夢月墮懷中，遂孕。 天監七年八月丁巳生帝，舉室中非常香，有紫胞之異。 武帝奇之，因賜采女姓阮，進為修容。 十三年，封湘東王。 太清元年，累遷為鎮西將軍、都督、荊州刺史。
Emperor Xiaoyuan, temple name Shizu, was named Yi, courtesy name Shicheng, childhood name Qifu, and was the seventh son of Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu once dreamed of a one-eyed monk holding an incense burner who declared he would be reborn in the palace. Soon after, while the Emperor's mother was serving among the palace women, she lifted a door curtain and a gust caught her skirt; Emperor Wu was stirred and took her to his bed. The woman dreamed the moon fell into her bosom, and she conceived. In the seventh year of Tianjian, eighth month, on dingsi, the Emperor was born; the room filled with an unearthly fragrance, and the afterbirth was purple. Emperor Wu was astonished, granted the woman the surname Ruan, and promoted her to the rank of Xiurong. In the thirteenth year he was enfeoffed as Prince of Xiangdong. In the first year of Taiqing he rose in succession to General Who Pacifies the West, Commander-in-Chief, and Inspector of Jingzhou.
26
三年三月，侯景陷建鄴。 四月，世子方等至自建鄴，知台城不守。 帝命柵江陵城，周回七十里。 鎮西長史王沖等拜箋請為太尉、都督中外諸軍事，承制主盟。 帝不許，曰：「吾於天下不賤，甯俟都督之名； 帝子之尊，何藉上臺之位。 議者可斬。」 投筆流淚。 沖等重請，不從。 又請為司空，以主諸侯，亦弗聽。 乃開鎮西府，辟天下士。
In the third year, third month, Hou Jing took Jiankang. In the fourth month the heir Fangdeng arrived from Jiankang with word that Taicheng could not be held. The Prince ordered Jiangling fortified with palisades encircling the city for seventy li. Chief Clerk Wang Chong and others of the Pacifying West headquarters submitted a memorial asking him to become Grand Commandant, Commander-in-Chief of Inner and Outer Forces, and provisional covenant leader. He refused, saying, "I am not insignificant in the realm—why should I wait for the title of commander-in-chief? As an imperial son, what need have I of the high platform's rank? Whoever urges this may be executed. He threw down his brush and wept. Chong and the others pressed again, but he would not agree. They then asked that he accept the Ministry of Works to oversee the feudal lords, but he again refused. He then opened the Pacifying West headquarters and recruited talent from across the empire.
27
是月，帝徵兵于湘州刺史河東王譽，譽拒命。 尋上甲侯韶自建鄴至，宣三月十五日密詔，授帝位假黃鉞、大都督中外諸軍事、司徒、承制。 於是立行台于南郡而置官司焉。
That month he summoned troops from Xiangzhou Inspector Prince Yu of Hedong, but Yu disobeyed. Soon the armored envoy Hou Shao arrived from Jiankang bearing the secret edict of the fifteenth day of the third month, granting provisional use of the yellow battle-axe, the titles Grand Commandant, Commander-in-Chief of Inner and Outer Forces, and Minister of Works, and provisional imperial authority. He then established a field headquarters at Nan Commandery and appointed officials.
28
七月，遣世子方等討河東王譽，軍敗，死之。 又遣鎮兵將軍鮑泉討譽。
In the seventh month he sent the heir Fangdeng against Prince Yu of Hedong; the army was defeated and Fangdeng was killed. He then sent General Who Garrisons the Army Bao Quan against Yu.
29
九月乙卯，雍州刺史岳陽王察舉兵寇江陵，其將杜崱兄弟來降，察遁走。 鮑泉攻湘州，未克； 又遣左衛將軍王僧辯代將。
In the ninth month, on yimao, Yongzhou Inspector Prince Cha of Yueyang raised troops and invaded Jiangling; his generals the Du brothers defected, and Cha fled. Bao Quan attacked Xiangzhou but failed to take it; he then sent General of the Left Guard Wang Sengbian to replace him.
30
及簡文帝即位，改元為大寶元年。 帝以簡文制於賊臣，卒不遵用。 正月，使少子方晷質于魏，魏不受質而結為兄弟。
When Emperor Jianwen ascended the throne the era name was changed to Dabao. The Prince, seeing Jianwen controlled by rebel ministers, refused to adopt the new era name. In the first month he sent his youngest son Fanggui to Wei as a hostage; Wei declined the hostage but entered into a pact of brotherhood instead.
31
四月，克湘州，斬譽，湘州平。 雍州刺史岳陽王察自稱梁王，蕃于魏，魏遣兵助伐襄陽。 先是，邵陵王綸書已言凶事，秘之，以待湘州之捷。 是月壬寅，始命陳瑩報武帝崩問，帝哭於正寢。
In the fourth month Xiangzhou fell, Yu was executed, and the province was pacified. Yongzhou Inspector Prince Cha of Yueyang declared himself King of Liang, submitted to Wei, and Wei sent troops to help him attack Xiangyang. Earlier Prince Lun of Shaoling had already sent word of the disaster, but the Prince kept it secret while awaiting victory in Xiangzhou. That month, on renyin, he finally ordered Chen Ying to announce Emperor Wu's death; the Prince wept in the main hall.
32
六月，江夏王大款、山陽王大成、宜都王大封自信安來奔。
In the sixth month Princes Da-kuan of Jiangxia, Da-cheng of Shanyang, and Da-feng of Yidu fled from Xin'an to join him.
33
九月辛酉，以前郢州刺史南平王恪為中衛將軍、尚書令、開府儀同三司。 改封大款為臨川郡王，大成為桂陽郡王，大封為汝南郡王。
In the ninth month, on xinyou, former Yingzhou Inspector Prince Ke of Nanping was named General of the Central Guard, Director of the Masters of Writing, and Commissioner with Grand Cavalry. Da-kuan was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Linchuan, Da-cheng as Prince of Guiyang, and Da-feng as Prince of Runan.
34
十一月甲子，南平王恪等奉箋進位相國，總百揆。 帝不從。 二年三月，侯景悉兵西上。
In the eleventh month, on jiazi, Prince Ke of Nanping and others submitted a memorial urging him to accept the chancellorship and overall governance. He refused. In the third month of the second year Hou Jing marched west with his full army.
35
四月，景遣其將宋子仙、任約襲郢州，執刺史方諸。 庚戌，領軍王僧辯屯師巴陵。
In the fourth month Jing sent his generals Song Zixian and Ren Yue to raid Yingzhou and captured Inspector Fang Zhu. On gengxu Wang Sengbian, General of the Palace Guard, encamped at Baling.
36
五月癸未，帝遣將胡僧佑、陸法和援巴陵。
In the fifth month, on guiwei, he sent Generals Hu Sengyou and Lu Fahé to relieve Baling.
37
六月，僧佑等擊破景將任約軍，禽約，景解圍宵遁。 以王僧辯為征東將軍、開府儀同三司、尚書令，帥眾追景，所至皆捷。 進圍郢州，獲賊將宋子仙等。
In the sixth month Sengyou and the others routed Ren Yue, captured him, and Jing broke off the siege and fled by night. Wang Sengbian was made General Who Conquers the East, Commissioner with Grand Cavalry, and Director of the Masters of Writing, and pursued Jing with success at every turn. He advanced to besiege Yingzhou and captured rebel generals including Song Zixian.
38
九月，盤盤國獻馴象。
In the ninth month the kingdom of Panpan presented tame elephants as tribute.
39
十月辛丑朔，紫雲如蓋臨江陵城。 是月，簡文帝崩，開府儀同三司王僧辯等奉表勸進。 帝奉諱，大臨三日，百官縞素，答表不許。 司空南平王恪率宗室，領軍將軍胡僧佑率群僚，江州別駕張佚率吏人，並奉箋勸進。 帝固讓。
In the tenth month, on xinchou, the first day of the month, purple clouds like a canopy gathered over Jiangling. That month Emperor Jianwen died, and Wang Sengbian, Commissioner with Grand Cavalry, and others submitted a memorial urging accession. He entered mourning and wailed for three days; the officials wore white hemp; he answered the memorial with refusal. Minister of Works Prince Ke of Nanping led the imperial clan, General of the Palace Guard Hu Sengyou led the officials, and Jiangzhou Aide Zhang Yi led the clerks and people—all urging accession. He firmly declined.
40
十一月乙亥，僧辯又奉表勸進，又不從。 時巨寇尚存，帝未欲即位，而四方表勸，前後相屬，乃下令斷表。
In the eleventh month, on yihai, Sengbian again urged accession, and again he refused. The great rebel still lived and he did not yet wish to take the throne, yet urging memorials poured in from every quarter, so he ordered them stopped.
41
承聖元年二月，王僧辯眾軍發自尋陽，帝馳檄四方，購獲景及逆者，封萬戶開國公，絹布五萬疋。
In the second month of the first year of Chengsheng, Wang Sengbian's combined armies set out from Xunyang; the Prince issued proclamations throughout the realm offering ten thousand households, a founding marquisate, and fifty thousand bolts of silk and cloth for the capture of Jing and other rebels.
42
三月，僧辯等平景，傳首江陵。 戊子，以賊平告明堂、太社。 己丑，僧辯等又表勸進曰：
In the third month Sengbian and the others defeated Jing and sent his head to Jiangling. On wuzi victory over the rebels was announced at the Bright Hall and the Altar of Soil and Grain. On jichou Sengbian and the others again submitted a memorial urging accession, saying:
43
眾軍以今月戊子，總集建康，賊景鳥伏獸窮，頻擊頻挫，奸竭詐盡，深溝自固。 臣等分勒武旅，百道同趨，突騎短兵，犀函鐵楯，結隊千群，持戟百萬，止紂七步，圍項三重，轟然大潰，群凶四滅。 京師少長，俱稱萬歲。 長安酒食，于此價高。 九縣雲開，六合清朗，矧伊黔首，誰不載躍。
"On this day, wuzi, our armies assembled at Jiankang. The rebel Jing, cornered like a hunted bird and a trapped beast, was struck again and again until his treachery was spent; he dug deep moats and held himself fast. We divided our forces and marched by a hundred routes; raiding cavalry and short weapons, rhinoceros-hide shields and iron pavises, ranks by the thousand and halberds by the million closed within seven paces as at Zhou and encircled in three rings as at Xiang; with a thunderous crash the evil host was shattered on every side. Young and old in the capital all cried, "Ten thousand years!" Wine and food in Chang'an—here the price is high indeed. The nine districts open like parting clouds; the six directions grow bright—how much more the common people, who leap for joy!
44
伏惟陛下咀痛茹哀，嬰憤忍酷。 自紫庭絳闕，胡塵四起，壖垣好畤，冀馬雲屯，泣血臨兵，嘗膽誓眾。 而吳、楚一家，方與七國俱反，管、蔡流言，又以三監作亂。 西涼義眾，阻秦塞而不通，并州遺黎，跨飛狐而見絕。 豺狼當路，非止一人，鯨鯢不梟，倏焉五載。 英武克振，怨恥並雪，永尋霜露，伊何可勝。 臣等輒依故實，奉修社廟，使者持節，分告園陵。 嗣後升遐，龍輴未殯，承華掩曜，梓宮莫測。 並即隨由備辦，禮具凶荒，四海同哀，六軍袒哭。 聖情孝友，理當感慟。
We humbly consider that Your Majesty chews grief and swallows sorrow, bearing rage like an infant and enduring cruel wrong. Since the crimson court and cinnabar gate, barbarian dust rose on four sides; ramparts and good earthworks, Ji horses massed like clouds; with blood in his eyes he led troops and tasted gall to bind the host by oath. Yet Wu and Chu were one family and rose with the Seven States; Guan and Cai spread slander and the Three Overseers again raised disorder. Righteous hosts of Western Liang were blocked at the Qin passes; remnant people of Bingzhou, crossing Flying Fox, were cut off from contact. Wolves and jackals blocked the road—not one alone; great whales went unbeheaded, and five years passed in a flash. Heroic martial spirit revived; grievance and shame were wiped away; forever seeking frost and dew upon the tombs—how can sorrow be borne? Your ministers have accordingly followed old precedent, reverently repaired the altars of soil and grain, sent envoys bearing insignia, and separately announced the imperial tombs. The late Emperor has ascended to the far realm; the dragon carriage is not yet interred; the splendor of the Eastern Palace is veiled; the imperial coffin cannot be found. All were immediately prepared as required; ritual implements in a time of calamity; the four seas mourn together; the six armies bared their shoulders and wept. Your Majesty's sacred filial piety and brotherly love should rightly move you to deepest grief.
45
日者，百司嶽牧，仰祈宸鑒，以錫珪之功，既歸有道，當璧之禮，允屬聖明。 而優詔謙沖，杳然凝邈，飛龍可躋，而幹爻在四，帝閽雲叫，而閶闔未開。 謳歌再馳，是用翹首。 所以越人固執，熏丹穴以求君，周人樂推，踰岐山而事主。 漢王不即位，無以貴功臣，光武止蕭王，豈謂紹宗廟。 黃帝游於襄城，尚訪御人之道，放勳寂于姑射，猶使鐏俎有歸。 伊此儻來，豈聖人所欲，帝王所應，不獲已而然。 伏讀璽書，尋諷制旨，領懷物外，未奉慈衷。 陛下日角龍顏之姿，表于徇齊之日，彤雲素靈之瑞，基於應物之初。 博學則大哉無所與名，深言則曄乎文章之觀。 忠為令德，孝實動天。 加以英威茂略，雄圖武算，指麾則丹浦不戰，顧眄則阪泉自蕩。 地維絕而重紐，天柱傾而更植。 鑿河津于孟門，百川復啟； 補穹儀以五石，萬物再生。 縱陛下拂袗衣而游廣成，登龕山而去東土，群臣安得仰訴，兆庶何所歸仁。 況郊祀配天，罍篚禮曠，齋宮清廟，匏竹不陳。 仰望鸞輿，匪朝伊夕，瞻言法駕，載渴且饑。 豈可久稽眾議，有曠彝則。 舊邦凱復，函、洛已平，高奴、櫟陽，宮館雖毀； 濁河清渭，佳氣猶存。 皋門有伉，甘泉四敞，土圭測景，仙人承露。 斯蓋九州之赤縣，六合之樞機。 博士捧圖書而稍還，太常定禮儀其已立，豈得不揚清警而赴名都，具玉鑾而旋正寢。 昔東周既遷，鎬京遂其不復，長安一亂，郟、洛永以為居。 夏後以萬國朝諸侯，文王以六州匡天下，方之跡基百里，劍仗三尺，以殘楚之地，抗拒六戎，一旅之卒，翦夷三叛，坦然大定，禦輦東歸。 解五牛于冀州，秣六馬於譙郡，緬求前古，其可得歟？ 對揚天命，無所讓德，有理存焉，敢重祈奏。 帝尚未從。 辛卯，宣猛將軍朱買臣奉帝密旨，害豫章王棟及其二弟橋、樛。
Recently the hundred offices and prefects looked up seeking the imperial mirror, that the merit of granting the jade scepter might return to the one who holds the Way; the rite of receiving the jade disk should belong to the sage and bright. Yet Your gracious edict was modest and restrained, remote and distant; the flying dragon could be mounted, yet the Qian line remained in the fourth place; the imperial gate cried out like clouds, yet the great gate was not opened. Song again galloped forth—therefore we raise our heads in hope. Therefore the people of Yue stubbornly held fast, fumigating the cinnabar cave to seek a lord; the people of Zhou gladly pushed forward, crossing Mount Qi to serve their master. If the King of Han did not ascend the throne he could not honor meritorious ministers; if Emperor Guangwu stopped the King of Xiao, how could he continue the ancestral temple? The Yellow Emperor wandered at Xiangcheng yet still inquired about the Way of ruling men; Emperor Yao was silent at Guniu yet still ensured the sacrificial vessels had their place. That such things come by chance is surely not what the sage desires; emperors and kings act thus only because they cannot do otherwise. We humbly read the imperial seal letter and sought the meaning of the edict; holding the realm beyond the body, we have not yet received the compassionate heart. Your Majesty's sun-horn and dragon-countenance appeared on the day of uniform yielding; auspicious crimson clouds and white numen took root from the beginning of responding to things. In learning he is so great that none may share the name; in profound speech the vista of literary accomplishment shines. Loyalty is the fine virtue; filial piety truly moves Heaven. Added to this are heroic authority and abundant strategy, bold design and martial calculation; at a gesture Danpu does not fight; at a glance Mount Banquan clears itself. The earth's cords broke and were reknotted; the pillar of Heaven tilted and was replanted. The river ford was cut open at Meng Gate; the hundred streams flowed again; the round heaven was mended with five stones; the ten thousand things were reborn. Even if Your Majesty shook out the plain robe and wandered at Guangcheng, ascended Mount Kan and departed the eastern lands—how could your ministers raise their appeal, and to whom would the multitude turn for benevolence? Moreover, in suburban sacrifice matching Heaven the wine vessels and baskets stand empty; in the pure palace and clear temple, gourd pipes and bamboo pipes are not displayed. Gazing up at the imperial carriage—not one morning or evening; looking to the law chariot—thirsty and hungry together. How can the multitude's deliberation be long delayed and the constant law neglected? The old capital is restored in triumph; Hangu and Luoyang are already pacified; Gaonu and Liyang—the palaces and halls though ruined; the muddy Yellow River and clear Wei still preserve their auspicious vapors. The outer gate has its pillars; Sweet Spring is open on four sides; the earth ruler measures the shadow; immortals receive the dew. This is the red district of the Nine Provinces, the pivot of the Six Directions. Doctors of learning carry books and gradually return; the Director of Ritual has already established ceremonies—how can you not sound the clear alarm and go to the famous capital, prepare the jade chariot and return to the proper palace? Formerly when the Eastern Zhou moved, Haojing was never restored; after one disorder in Chang'an, Jia and Luo were forever the seat. Yu of Xia had the myriad states attend the feudal lords; King Wen with six provinces corrected all under Heaven—compared with a foundation of a hundred li and swords and staffs of three feet, using the remnant lands of Chu to resist the six Rong, with troops of one brigade cutting down three rebellions, calmly settling the great order and driving the imperial carriage east— unhitching five oxen at Jizhou, feeding six horses at Qiao Commandery—seeking this in former antiquity, can it be obtained? In response to Heaven's mandate there is no virtue to yield; reason exists herein—we dare again earnestly memorialize. The Prince had still not consented. On xinmao General Who Proclaims Fierceness Zhu Maichen, bearing the secret order, killed Prince Dong of Yuzhang and his two younger brothers Qiao and Jiao.
46
四月乙巳，益州刺史、新除假黃鉞、太尉武陵王紀僭位於蜀，年號天正。 帝遣兼司空蕭泰、祠部尚書樂子雲拜謁塋陵，修復社廟。 丁巳，下令解嚴。
In the fourth month, on yisi, Yizhou Inspector and newly appointed provisional bearer of the yellow battle-axe and Grand Commandant Prince Ji of Wuling usurped the throne in Shu under the era name Tianzheng. He sent Concurrent Minister of Works Xiao Tai and Director of Sacrifices Yue Ziyun to pay respects at the imperial tombs and restore the altars of soil and grain. On dingsi he issued an order lifting martial law.
47
五月庚午，司空南平王恪及宗室王侯、大都督王僧辯等，復拜表上尊號。 帝猶固讓。 甲申，以開府儀同三司、江州刺史王僧辯為司徒。 乙酉，斬賊左僕射王偉、尚書呂季略、少府卿周石珍、舍人嚴亶於江陵市，乃下令赦境內。 齊將潘樂、辛術等攻秦郡，王僧辯遣將杜崱帥眾拒之。 以陳霸先為征北大將軍、開府儀同三司、徐州刺史。 齊人賀平侯景。
In the fifth month, on gengwu, Minister of Works Prince Ke of Nanping together with the imperial clan, Grand Commandant Wang Sengbian, and others again submitted a memorial offering the exalted title. He still firmly declined. On jiashen Wang Sengbian, Commissioner with Grand Cavalry and Inspector of Jiangzhou, was made Minister of Works. On yiyou rebel Left Vice Director Wang Wei, Director of the Masters of Writing Lü Jilüe, Director of the Palace Storehouse Zhou Shizhen, and Attendant Yan Dan were executed in the Jiangling market; he then proclaimed amnesty within the borders. Qi generals Pan Yue and Xin Shu attacked Qin Commandery; Wang Sengbian sent General Du Yan to resist them. Chen Baxian was made General Who Conquers the North, Commissioner with Grand Cavalry, and Inspector of Xuzhou. The people of Qi congratulated the defeat of Hou Jing.
48
八月，武陵王紀率巴、蜀之眾東下，遣護軍將軍陸法和屯巴峽以拒之。
In the eighth month Prince Ji of Wuling led the hosts of Ba and Shu eastward; he sent Protector of the Army Lu Fahé to encamp at Baxia to resist them.
49
九月甲戌，司空南平王恪薨。
In the ninth month, on jiaxu, Minister of Works Prince Ke of Nanping died.
50
十月乙未，前梁州刺史蕭循自魏至江陵，以為平北將軍、開府儀同三司。 戊申，執湘州刺史王琳于殿內。 庚戌，琳長史陸納及其將潘烏累等舉兵反，攻陷湘州。 是月，四方征鎮王公卿士復勸進表，三上，乃許之。
In the tenth month, on yiwei, former Liangzhou Inspector Xiao Xun came from Wei to Jiangling and was made General Who Pacifies the North and Commissioner with Grand Cavalry. On wushen Xiangzhou Inspector Wang Lin was seized inside the hall. On gengxu Lin's Chief Clerk Lu Na and his generals Pan Wulei and others rebelled and captured Xiangzhou. That month lords, ministers, and officials from the four quarters again urged accession; after three submissions he consented.
51
是歲，魏廢帝元年。
That year was the first year of the deposed Emperor of Wei.
52
二年春正月乙丑，詔王僧辯討陸納。 戊寅，以吏部尚書王褒為尚書右僕射。 己卯，江夏宮南門鑰牡飛。
In the second year, first month, on yichou, an edict ordered Wang Sengbian to campaign against Lu Na. On wuyin Wang Bao, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was made Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On jimao the lock bolt of the south gate of the Jiangxia Palace flew out.
53
三月庚寅，有兩龍見湘州西江。
In the third month, on gengyin, two dragons appeared in the West River of Xiangzhou.
54
夏五月甲申，魏大將尉遲迥進兵逼巴西，潼州刺史楊幹運以城納迥。 己丑，武陵王紀軍至西陵。
In the fifth month of summer, on jiashen, Wei Grand General Yuwen Jiong advanced against Baxi; Tongzhou Inspector Yang Ganyun surrendered the city to him. On jichou the army of Prince Ji of Wuling reached Xiling.
55
六月乙卯，王僧辯平湘州。
In the sixth month, on yimao, Wang Sengbian pacified Xiangzhou.
56
秋七月，武陵王紀眾大潰，見殺。
In the seventh month of autumn the army of Prince Ji of Wuling was utterly routed and he was killed.
57
八月戊戌，尉遲迥平蜀。 九月，齊遣郭元建及將邢杲遠、步大汗薩、東方老帥眾頓合肥。 冬十一月辛酉，僧辯留鎮姑孰，豫州刺史侯瑱據東關壘，征吳興太守裴之橫帥眾繼之。 戊戌，以尚書右僕射王褒為左僕射，湘東太守張綰為右僕射。
In the eighth month, on wuxu, Yuwen Jiong pacified Shu. In the ninth month Qi sent Guo Yuanjian and generals Xing Xiaoyuan, Bu Dahan Sa, and Dongfang Lao to encamp at Hefei. In the eleventh month of winter, on xinyou, Sengbian remained to garrison Gushu; Yuzhou Inspector Hou Tian held the fortress at Dongguan, and Wuxing Administrator Pei Zhiheng led troops to join him. On wuxu Wang Bao was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Xiangdong Administrator Zhang Wan was made Right Vice Director.
58
十二月，宿預土人東方光據城歸化，齊江西州郡皆起兵應之。
In the twelfth month Dongfang Guang of Suyu occupied the city and submitted; Qi commanderies west of the river all rose in response.
59
三月，主衣庫見黑蛇長丈許，數十小蛇隨之，舉頭高丈餘南望，俄失所在。 帝又與宮人幸玄洲苑，復見大蛇盤屈於前，群小蛇遶之，並黑色。 帝惡之，宮人曰：「此非怪也，恐是錢龍。」 帝敕所司即日取數千萬錢鎮於蛇處以厭之。 因設法會，赦囚徒，振窮乏，退居棲心省。 又有蛇從屋墮落帝帽上，忽然便失。 又龍光殿上所禦肩輿復見小蛇縈屈輿中，以頭駕夾膝前金龍頭上，見人走去，逐之不及。 城濠中龍騰出，煥爛五色，竦躍入雲，六七小龍相隨飛去。 群魚騰躍，墜死于陸道。 龍處為窟若數百斛圌。 舊大城上常有紫氣，至是稍復消歇。 甲辰，以司徒王僧辯為太尉、車騎大將軍。 戊申，以護軍將軍、郢州刺史陸法和為司徒。
In the third month a black serpent more than a zhang long was seen in the wardrobe store, followed by dozens of smaller serpents; it raised its head more than a zhang high facing south, then suddenly vanished. The Emperor again visited the Mystic Islet Garden with palace women and saw a great serpent coiled before them, encircled by a swarm of small serpents—all black. The Emperor was troubled; a palace woman said, "This is no omen—perhaps it is a Money Dragon. He ordered the office concerned that very day to bury tens of millions in cash where the serpent had appeared to suppress it. He then held a Buddhist assembly, pardoned prisoners, relieved the destitute, and withdrew to the Rest-the-Heart Palace. Again a serpent fell from the roof onto the Emperor's hat and suddenly vanished. Again on the imperial shoulder carriage in Longguang Hall a small serpent was seen coiled in the carriage, its head resting on the golden dragon head before the knees; seeing people it fled and could not be caught. In the city moat a dragon leapt out in brilliant five colors and soared into the clouds; six or seven small dragons followed and flew away. Shoals of fish leapt from the water and fell dead on the land road. Where the dragon had been a lair opened like a granary of several hundred hu. Formerly purple vapor had often appeared on the great wall; by this time it gradually faded away. On jiachen Minister of Works Wang Sengbian was made Grand Commandant and Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry. On wushen Protector of the Army and Yingzhou Inspector Lu Fahé was made Minister of Works.
60
夏四月癸酉，以征北大將軍、開府儀同三司陳霸先為司空。
In the fourth month of summer, on guiyou, General Who Conquers the North and Commissioner with Grand Cavalry Chen Baxian was made Minister of Works.
61
六月癸未，有黑氣如龍見於殿內。
In the sixth month, on guiwei, black vapor like a dragon appeared inside the hall.
62
秋九月辛卯，帝于龍光殿述老子義。 先是，魏使宇文仁恕來聘，齊使又至江陵，帝接仁恕有闕，魏相安定公憾焉。 乙巳，使柱國萬紐於謹來攻。
In the ninth month, on xinmao, the Emperor expounded the meaning of Laozi in Longguang Hall. Earlier Wei had sent Yuwen Renshu as envoy and Qi also sent envoys to Jiangling; the Emperor's reception of Renshu was deficient, and Wei Chancellor the Duke of Anding resented this. On yisi he sent Pillar of State Yuwen Niyu to attack.
63
冬十月丙寅，魏軍至襄陽，梁王蕭察率眾會之。 丁卯，停講，內外戒嚴，輿駕出行城柵，大風拔木。 丙子，續講，百僚戎服以聽。 詔征王僧辯。
In the tenth month of winter, on bingyin, Wei troops reached Xiangyang; King of Liang Xiao Cha led troops to join them. On dingmao lectures were suspended; inner and outer quarters were placed on alert; the imperial carriage went out to the city palisades; a great wind uprooted trees. On bingzi lectures resumed; the hundred officials listened in military dress. An edict summoned Wang Sengbian.
64
十一月甲申，幸津陽門講武，置南北兩城主。 帝親觀閱，風雨總集，部分未交，旗幟飄亂，帝趣駕而回，無復次序。 風雨隨息，眾竊驚焉。 乙酉，以領軍胡僧佑為都督城東城北諸軍事，右僕射張綰為副； 左僕射王褒都督城西城南諸軍事，直殿省元景亮為副。 丁亥，魏軍至柵下。 丙申，征廣州刺史王琳入援。 丁酉，大風，城內火燒居人數千家。 以為失在婦人，斬首屍之。 是日，帝猶賦詩無廢。 以胡僧佑為開府儀同三司。 庚子，信州刺史徐世譜、晉安王司馬任約軍次馬頭岸。 是夜，有流星墜城中，帝援蓍筮之，卦成，取龜式驗之，因抵於地曰：「吾若死此下，豈非命乎？」 因裂帛為書催僧辯曰：「吾忍死待公，可以至矣。」 戊申，胡僧佑、朱買臣等出戰，買臣敗績。 辛亥，魏軍大攻，帝出枇杷門親臨陣督戰。 僧佑中流矢薨，軍敗，反者斬西門守卒以納魏軍。 帝見執，如梁王蕭察營，甚見詰辱。 他日，乃見魏僕射長孫儉，譎儉云：「埋金千斤於城內，欲以相贈。」 儉乃將帝入城，帝因述察相辱狀，謂儉曰：「向聊相譎，欲言耳； 豈有天子自埋金乎？」 儉乃留帝於主衣庫。
In the eleventh month, on jiashen, he visited Jinyang Gate to review troops and appointed lords for the southern and northern walls. The Emperor personally inspected them; wind and rain gathered together; before formations were set banners and flags were blown into disorder; the Emperor hurried the carriage back and all order was lost. When wind and rain ceased the crowd secretly marveled. On yiyou General of the Palace Guard Hu Sengyou was made Commander-in-Chief of the eastern and northern city sectors, with Right Vice Director Zhang Wan as deputy; Left Vice Director Wang Bao commanded the western and southern sectors, with Yuan Jingliang of the Direct Attendance Office as deputy. On dinghai Wei troops reached below the palisades. On bingshen an edict summoned Guangzhou Inspector Wang Lin to enter and relieve the siege. On dingyou a great wind blew; fire in the city burned the dwellings of several thousand families. It was thought the fault lay with women; heads were cut off and the corpses displayed. That day the Emperor still composed poetry without interruption. Hu Sengyou was appointed Commissioner with Grand Cavalry. On gengzi Xinzhou Inspector Xu Shipu and Chief Clerk of the Prince of Jin'an Ren Yue encamped at Matou Bank. That night a falling star dropped into the city; the Emperor divined with yarrow stalks; when the hexagram was complete he verified it with the tortoise mold, then struck it to the ground and said, "If I am to die here, is it not fate?" He then tore silk into a letter urging Sengbian: "I endure death waiting for you—you may come now." On wushen Hu Sengyou, Zhu Maichen, and others went out to battle; Maichen was defeated. On xinhai Wei troops launched a great attack; the Emperor went out through the Pipa Gate to personally oversee the battle from the front. Sengyou was struck by a flying arrow and died; the army was defeated; rebels cut down the western gate guards to admit Wei troops. The Emperor was seized and taken to the camp of King of Liang Xiao Cha, where he was grossly insulted and interrogated. Another day he was brought before Wei Vice Director Changsun Qian and deceived him, saying, "A thousand jin of gold is buried inside the city—I wish to give it to you. Qian therefore led the Emperor into the city; the Emperor then described Cha's insults and said to Qian, "I was merely jesting to speak— would an emperor bury gold himself? Qian therefore detained the Emperor in the wardrobe store.
65
十二月丙辰，徐世譜、任約退戍巴陵。 辛未，魏人戕帝。
In the twelfth month, on bingchen, Xu Shipu and Ren Yue withdrew to garrison Baling. On xinwei Wei men killed the Emperor.
66
明年四月，梁王方智承制，追尊為元皇帝，廟號世祖。 帝聰悟俊朗，天才英發，出言為論，音響若鍾。 年五六歲，武帝嘗問所讀書，對曰：「能誦曲禮。」 武帝使誦之，即誦上篇。 左右莫不驚歎。 初生患眼，醫療必增，武帝自下意療之，遂盲一目。 乃憶先夢，彌加湣愛。 及長好學，博極群書。 武帝嘗問曰：「孫策在江東，于時年幾？」 答曰：「十七。」 武帝曰：「正是汝年。」
In the fourth month of the following year King of Liang Fangzhi assumed provisional authority and posthumously honored him as Emperor Yuan with the temple name Shizu. The Emperor was clever, perceptive, handsome, and bright; his talent flourished brilliantly; when he spoke it became discourse, and his voice rang like a bell. At five or six Emperor Wu once asked what books he was reading; he answered, "I can recite the Record of Rites. Emperor Wu had him recite it, and he recited the first section. Those around him were all startled and sighed in admiration. At birth he suffered from eye disease; medical treatment always worsened it; Emperor Wu personally devised treatment, and he was blinded in one eye. He then recalled the earlier dream and Emperor Wu added still more pity and love. When he grew up he loved learning and exhaustively mastered all books. Emperor Wu once asked, "When Sun Ce was in Jiangdong, how old was he? He answered, "Seventeen." Emperor Wu said, "That is exactly your age."
67
帝性不好聲色，頗慕高名，為荊州刺史，起州學宣尼廟。 嘗置儒林參軍一人，勸學從事二人，生三十人，加廩餼。 帝工書善畫，自圖宣尼像，為之贊而書之，時人謂之三絕。 與裴子野、劉顯、蕭子雲、張纘及當時才秀為布衣交。 常自比諸葛亮、桓溫，惟纘許焉。
By nature he cared little for music and women and greatly admired men of reputation; as Inspector of Jingzhou he built a provincial school and a temple to Confucius. He appointed one Scholar of the Confucian Grove, two Encouragers of Learning, and thirty students, increasing their grain stipends. He was skilled at calligraphy and painting; he himself painted Confucius, composed a eulogy and wrote it, and contemporaries called it a triple masterpiece. With Pei Ziye, Liu Xian, Xiao Ziyun, Zhang Zuan, and the talented men of the time he formed friendships as equals. He often compared himself to Zhuge Liang and Huan Wen; only Zhang Zuan agreed.
68
性好矯飾，多猜忌，於名無所假人。 微有勝己者，必加毀害。 帝姑義興昭長公主子王銓兄弟八九人有盛名。 帝妒害其美，遂改寵姬王氏兄王珩名琳以同其父名。 忌劉之遴學，使人鴆之。 如此者甚眾，雖骨肉亦遍被其禍。 始居文宣太后憂，依丁蘭作木母。 及武帝崩，秘喪逾年，乃發凶問，方刻檀為像，置於百福殿內，事之甚謹。 朝夕進蔬食，動靜必啟聞，跡其虛矯如此。 性愛書籍，既患目，多不自執卷，置讀書左右，番次上直，晝夜為常，略無休已，雖睡，卷猶不釋。 五人各伺一更，恒致達曉。 常眠熟大鼾，左右有睡，讀失次第，或偷卷度紙。 帝必驚覺，更令追讀，加以檟楚。 雖戎略殷湊，機務繁多，軍書羽檄，文章詔誥，點毫便就，殆不遊手。 常曰：「我韜于文士，愧于武夫。」 論者以為得言。
His nature loved affectation and was much given to suspicion; in reputation he yielded nothing to others. If someone slightly surpassed him, he was sure to slander and destroy them. The Emperor's aunt's son Wang Quan and his eight or nine brothers had great fame. The Emperor, jealous of their excellence, changed the name of his favored consort's brother Wang Heng to Lin to match her father's name. He envied Liu Zhi's learning and had someone poison him. There were very many such cases; even kin by blood were everywhere struck by this calamity. When he first entered mourning for Empress Dowager Wenxuan, following Ding Lan he made a wooden mother. When Emperor Wu died he kept the death secret for more than a year before announcing the mourning news; only then did he carve a sandalwood image and place it in Baifu Hall, serving it with utmost reverence. Morning and evening he offered vegetarian food; in every movement he reported to it—his hypocrisy was such as this. He loved books by nature; since his eyes were afflicted he mostly did not hold scrolls himself but placed readers at his side in rotating shifts day and night as a constant, scarcely resting; even in sleep the scroll was not released. Five men each waited one watch and always read until dawn. When he slept deeply he snored loudly; if those beside him slept, the reading lost its order, or someone secretly turned pages ahead. The Emperor would surely start awake, order the passage read again, and add beating with the whip. Though military strategy pressed close and routine affairs were numerous, military dispatches, urgent reports, literary compositions, and edicts—all were completed at a stroke of the brush, scarcely leaving his hand idle. He often said, "I am concealed among literary men and ashamed before martial men. Commentators thought this well said.
69
始在尋陽，夢人曰：「天下將亂，王必維之。」 又背生黑子，巫媼見曰：「此大貴不可言。」 初，武帝敕賀革為帝府諮議，使講三禮。 革西上，意甚不悅，過別御史中丞江革。 江革告之曰：「吾嘗夢主上遍見諸子，至湘東王，脫帽授之。 此人後必當璧，卿其行乎。」 革頷之。 及太清之禍，遂膺歸運。
When he was first at Xunyang, a man in a dream said to him, "The realm will fall into disorder—you must hold it together. Again a black mole grew on his back; an old woman who saw it said, "This is great nobility beyond words." At first Emperor Wu ordered He Ge to serve as Adviser to the Prince's establishment and lecture on the Three Rites. Ge went west and was very displeased; passing by he took leave of Censor-in-Chief Jiang Ge. Jiang Ge told him, "I once dreamed the sovereign visited all his sons; when he came to the Prince of Xiangdong he removed his cap and gave it to him. This man will later surely receive the jade disk—you should go. Ge nodded assent. When the calamity of Taiqing came, he then received the mandate of return.
70
自侯景之難，州郡太半入魏，自巴陵以下至建康，緣以長江為限。 荊州界北盡武寧，西拒峽口； 自嶺以南，復為蕭勃所據。 文軌所同，千里而近，人戶著籍，不盈三萬。 中興之盛，盡於是矣。
From the disaster of Hou Jing, more than half the provinces and commanderies entered Wei; from Baling south to Jiankang, the Yangzi River formed the boundary. North of Jingzhou the border reached Wuning; west it reached the gorge mouth; south of the ranges it was again held by Xiao Bo. Where the written tradition was unified was nearly a thousand li; registered households did not exceed thirty thousand. The glory of restoration ended here.
71
武陵之平，議者欲因其舟艦遷都建鄴，宗懍、黃羅漢皆楚人，不願移，帝及胡僧佑亦俱未欲動。 僕射王褒、左戶尚書周弘正驟言即楚非便。 宗懍及御史中丞劉懿以為建鄴王氣已盡，且渚宮洲已滿百，於是乃留。 尋而歲星在井，熒惑守心，帝觀之慨然而謂朝臣文武曰：「吾觀玄象，將恐有賊。 但吉凶在我，運數由天，避之何益？」 及魏軍逼，閽人朱買臣按劍進曰：「惟有斬宗懍、黃羅漢，可以謝天下。」 帝曰：「曩實吾意，宗、黃何罪。」 二人退入于人中。
After the pacification of Wuling, deliberators wished to move the capital to Jiankang using their boats; Zong Lin and Huang Luohan were both men of Chu and did not wish to move; the Emperor and Hu Sengyou also both did not wish to stir. Vice Director Wang Bao and Director of the Left Household Ministry Zhou Hongzheng repeatedly said that immediate removal to Chu was not advantageous. Zong Lin and Censor-in-Chief Liu Yi thought the royal qi of Jiankang was already exhausted, and moreover the islet of Zhugong Palace was already full to a hundred—therefore they remained. Soon the year star was in the Well; Mars guarded the Heart; the Emperor observed them and said sighing to the civil and military court, "I observe the celestial signs—I fear there will be rebels. But fortune and calamity depend on me; fate is ordained by Heaven—what good is avoidance? When Wei troops pressed close, gatekeeper Zhu Maichen drew his sword and advanced, saying, "Only by executing Zong Lin and Huang Luohan can the realm be appeased." The Emperor said, "It was indeed my intention—what crime have Zong and Huang?" The two withdrew into the crowd.
72
及魏人燒柵，買臣、謝答仁勸帝乘暗潰圍出就任約。 帝素不便馳馬，曰：「事必無成，徒增辱耳。」 答仁又求自扶，帝以問僕射王褒。 褒曰：「答仁，侯景之黨，豈是可信？ 成彼之勳，不如降也。」 乃聚圖書十餘萬卷盡燒之。 答仁又請守子城，收兵可得五千人。 帝然之，即授城內大都督，以帝鼓吹給之，配以公主。 既而又召王褒謀之，答仁請入不得，歐血而去。 遂使皇太子、王褒出質請降。 有頃，黃門郎裴政犯門而出。 帝乘白馬素衣出東門，抽劍擊闔曰：「蕭世誠一至此乎！」 魏師至凡二十八日，徵兵四方，未至而城見克。
When Wei men burned the palisades, Maichen and Xie Daren urged the Emperor to slip out under cover of darkness and go to Ren Yue. The Emperor had never been skilled at riding and said, "The affair will surely not succeed—it will only add disgrace. Daren again asked to support him himself; the Emperor asked Vice Director Wang Bao. Bao said, "Daren is a partisan of Hou Jing—how can he be trusted? To achieve his merit, it would be better to surrender. Thereupon they gathered more than a hundred thousand scrolls of books and burned them all. Daren again asked to hold the inner city and gather troops—five thousand could be obtained. The Emperor approved and immediately appointed him Grand Commander of the Inner City, gave him the imperial music, and paired him with a princess. Soon he again summoned Wang Bao to deliberate; Daren asked to enter but could not and spat blood and departed. He then sent the Crown Prince and Wang Bao out as hostages to request surrender. Before long Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Pei Zheng broke through the gate and went out. The Emperor rode a white horse in plain clothes out the eastern gate, drew his sword and struck the gate bar, saying, "Has Xiao Shicheng come to this! Wei troops were at the city for twenty-eight days in all; troops were summoned from the four quarters but did not arrive before the city fell.
73
在幽逼，求酒飲之，制詩四絕。 其一曰：「南風且絕唱，西陵最可悲，今日還蒿裏，終非封禪時。」 其二曰：「人世逢百六，天道異貞恒，何言異螻蟻，一旦損從鵬。」 其三曰：「松風侵曉哀，霜雰當夜來，寂寥千載後，誰畏軒轅台。」 其四曰：「夜長無歲月，安知秋與春？ 原陵五樹杏，空得動耕人。」 梁王察遣尚書傅准監行刑，帝謂之曰：「卿幸為我宣行。」 准捧詩，流淚不能禁，進土囊而殞之。 梁王察使以布帊纏屍，斂以蒲席，束以白茅，以車一乘，葬于津陽門外。 湣懷太子元良及始安王方略等，皆見害。 徐世譜、任約自馬頭走巴陵。 約後降于齊。 將軍裴畿、畿弟機並被害。 謝答仁三人相抱，俱見屠。 汝南王大封、尚書左僕射王褒以下，並為俘以歸長安。 乃選百姓男女數萬口，分為奴婢，小弱者皆殺之。
Under confinement he asked for wine and drank it, and composed four quatrains. The first reads: "The southern wind now ends its song; Xiling is most pitiable—today I return to the wild grave; this is not the time for the feng and shan rites. The second reads: "The human world meets the hundred-six; the Way of Heaven differs from constancy—why speak of differing from ants; in one morning the follower-peng is lost." The third reads: "Pine wind invades the dawn with grief; frost clouds come in the night; lonely after a thousand years—who fears the Terrace of Xuanyuan?" The fourth reads: "The night is long without months and years—how know autumn from spring? At Yuan Mausoleum five apricot trees—only able to move the plowman. King of Liang Cha sent Director of the Masters of Writing Fu Zhun to supervise the execution; the Emperor said to him, "I rely on you to proclaim the deed." Zhun held the poems, wept and could not restrain himself, advanced a bag of earth, and the Emperor perished. King of Liang Cha had the corpse wrapped in cloth, collected in rush matting, bound with white thatch, and buried with one carriage outside Jinyang Gate. Crown Prince Minhuai Yuanliang and Prince Fanglue of Shi'an and others were all killed. Xu Shipu and Ren Yue fled from Matou to Baling. Yue later surrendered to Qi. Generals Pei Ji and Ji's younger brother Ji were both killed. Xie Daren and three others embraced one another and were all slaughtered. Prince Da-feng of Runan, Left Vice Director Wang Bao, and those below were all taken captive and sent to Chang'an. They then selected tens of thousands of men and women among the common people, divided them as slaves and maidservants, and killed the small and weak.
74
帝於伎術無所不該，嘗不得南信，筮之，遇剝之艮。 曰：「南信已至，今當遣左右季心往看」。 果如所說，賓客咸驚其妙。 凡所占決皆然。 初從劉景受相術，因訊以年，答曰：「未至五十，當有小厄，禳之可免。」 帝自勉曰：「苟有期會，禳之何益？」 灨敘四十七矣。 特多禁忌，牆壁崩倒，屋宇傾頹，年月不便，終不修改。 庭草蕪沒，令鞭去之，其慎護如此。
The Emperor was versed in every craft of skill; once when he could not obtain news from the south he divined and encountered Gen of Stripping. He said, "Southern news has already arrived—now I shall send the attendant Ji Xin to look." It was indeed as he said, and guests were all startled at his subtlety. Every divination and decision was thus. At first he received physiognomy from Liu Jing and asked his age; he answered, "Before reaching fifty there will be a small calamity—if suppressed it can be avoided. The Emperor encouraged himself, "If there is a fixed term, what good is suppression?" He was forty-seven at the time of the disaster. He had many taboos; when walls collapsed or buildings tilted, if the year and month were inauspicious he would never repair them. Courtyard grass overgrew and he ordered it whipped away—his careful protection was such as this.
75
著孝德傳、忠臣傳各三十卷，丹陽尹傳十卷，注漢書一百十五卷，周易講疏十卷，內典博要百卷，連山三十卷、詞林三卷，玉韜、金樓子、補闕子各十卷，老子講疏四卷，懷舊傳二卷，古今全德志、荊南地記、貢職圖、古今同姓名錄一卷，筮經十二卷，式贊三卷，文集五十卷。
His works included Biographies of Filial Virtue and Biographies of Loyal Ministers each in thirty juan, Biographies of the Directors of Danyang in ten juan, a Commentary on the Book of Han in one hundred fifteen juan, Exegesis of the Book of Changes in ten juan, Essentials of the Inner Canon in one hundred juan, Lianshan in thirty juan and Forest of Phrases in three juan, Jade Sheath, Lord of the Golden Tower, and Supplement to the Deficient each in ten juan, Exegesis of Laozi in four juan, Record of Reminiscence in two juan, Record of Complete Virtues Ancient and Modern, Geography of Jingnan, Tribute Diagram, and Record of Identical Names Ancient and Modern each in one juan, Classic of Divination in twelve juan, Praise of the Mold in three juan, and Collected Works in fifty juan.
76
敬皇帝諱方智，字慧相，小字法真，元帝第九子也。 太清三年，封興梁侯。
Emperor Jing was named Fangzhi, courtesy name Huixiang, childhood name Fazhen, and was the ninth son of Emperor Yuan. In the third year of Taiqing he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xingliang.
77
四年二月癸丑，于江州奉迎至建鄴，入居朝堂。 以太尉王僧辯為中書監、錄尚書、驃騎大將軍、都督中外諸軍事，加司空陳霸先班劍二十人。 以湘州刺史蕭循為太尉，廣州刺史蕭勃為司徒。
In the fourth year, second month, on guichou, he was received from Jiangzhou to Jiankang and entered the Court Hall. Grand Commandant Wang Sengbian was appointed Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Recorder of the Masters of Writing, General of Agile Cavalry, and Commander-in-Chief of Inner and Outer Forces; Minister of Works Chen Baxian was granted twenty ceremonial swords. Xiangzhou Inspector Xiao Xun was made Grand Commandant; Guangzhou Inspector Xiao Bo was made Minister of Works.
78
三月，齊遣其上党王高渙送貞陽侯蕭明來主梁嗣，至東關，遣吳興太守裴之橫拒之。 與戰，敗績，死之。
In the third month Qi sent Prince Gao Huan of Shangdang to escort Marquis Xiao Ming of Zhenyang to take the Liang succession; reaching Dongguan, he sent Wuxing Administrator Pei Zhiheng to resist him. They fought; he was defeated and killed.
79
四月，司徒陸法和以郢州附齊，遣江州刺史侯瑱討之。
In the fourth month Minister of Works Lu Fahé submitted Yingzhou to Qi; Jiangzhou Inspector Hou Tian was ordered to campaign against him.
80
七月辛丑，僧辯納貞陽侯蕭明，自採石濟江。 甲辰，入建鄴。 丙午，即偽位。 年號天成，以帝為皇太子。 司空陳霸先襲殺王僧辯，黜蕭明而奉帝焉。
In the seventh month, on xinchou, Sengbian received Marquis Xiao Ming of Zhenyang and crossed the Yangzi from Caishi. On jiachen he entered Jiankang. On bingwu he assumed the false throne. The era name was Tiancheng; the Emperor was made Crown Prince. Minister of Works Chen Baxian launched a surprise attack and killed Wang Sengbian, deposed Xiao Ming, and enthroned the Emperor.
81
十一月庚辰，齊安州刺史翟子崇、楚州刺史劉仕榮、淮州刺史柳達摩率眾赴任約，入石頭。
In the eleventh month, on gengchen, Qi Inspector of Anzhou Zhai Zichong, Inspector of Chuzhou Liu Shirong, and Inspector of Huaizhou Liu Damo led troops to join Ren Yue and entered Shitou.
82
十二月庚戌，任約、徐嗣徽等至採石迎齊援。 丙辰，遣猛烈將軍侯安都于江寧邀擊，敗之，約、嗣徽等奔江西。 庚申，翟子崇等降，並放還北。
In the twelfth month, on gengxu, Ren Yue, Xu Sihui, and others reached Caishi to welcome Qi reinforcements. On bingchen Fierce General Hou Andu intercepted and attacked them at Jiangning; he defeated them, and Yue, Sihui, and others fled west of the river. On gengshen Zhai Zichong and the others surrendered and were all sent back north.
83
太平元年春正月戊寅，大赦。 追贈諡簡文帝諸子。 封故永安侯確子後為邵陵王，奉攜王后。 癸未，震州刺史杜龕降，詔賜死，赦吳興郡。 己亥，乙太保宜豐侯蕭循襲封鄱陽王。 東揚州刺史張彪圍臨海太守王懷振於剡岩。
In the first month of spring of the first year of Taiping, on wuyin, a great amnesty was proclaimed. Posthumous titles were conferred on the sons of Emperor Jianwen. The descendant of former Marquis Que of Yong'an was enfeoffed as Prince of Shaoling to continue the line of Prince Xie. On guiwei Zhenzhou Inspector Du Long submitted and was ordered to die by edict; Wu Commandery was pardoned. On jihai the late Grand Mentor Marquis Yifeng of Yifeng Xiao Xun inherited the enfeoffment as Prince of Poyang. Eastern Yangzhou Inspector Zhang Biao besieged Linhai Administrator Wang Huaizhen at Shanyan.
84
二月庚戌，遣周文育、陳蒨襲會稽討彪，彪敗走。 以中衛將軍臨川王大款即本號開府儀同三司。 丙辰，若邪村人斬張彪，傳首建鄴，赦東揚州。 甲子，以東土經杜龕、張彪之亂，遣大使巡省。 是月，齊人來聘，使侍中王廓報聘。
In the second month, on gengxu, Zhou Wenyü and Chen Qian were dispatched to raid Kuaiji and campaign against Biao; Biao was defeated and fled. General of the Central Guard Prince Da-kuan of Linchuan was appointed Commissioner with Grand Cavalry at his existing rank. On bingchen a man of Ruoye Village beheaded Zhang Biao and sent his head to Jiankang; Eastern Yangzhou was pardoned. On jiazi, because the eastern lands had suffered the disorders of Du Long and Zhang Biao, grand envoys were dispatched to tour and inspect. That month Qi sent envoys; Attendant Wang Kuo was sent to return the visit.
85
三月壬午，班下遠近，並雜用今古錢。 戊戌，齊將蕭軌出柵口，向梁山，陳霸先大敗之。
In the third month, on renwu, an edict was issued to the far and near to use both current and ancient coinage mixed. On wuxu Qi general Xiao Gui left Zankou and advanced toward Liangshan; Chen Baxian defeated him greatly.
86
夏四月壬申，侯安都輕兵襲齊行台司馬恭于曆陽，大破之。
In the fourth month of summer, on renshen, Hou Andu with light troops raided Qi field officer Sima Gong at Liyang and defeated him greatly.
87
六月壬子，齊軍至玄武湖西北。 乙卯，陳霸先大破齊軍。
In the sixth month, on renzi, Qi troops reached the northwest of Xuanwu Lake. On yimao Chen Baxian defeated the Qi army greatly.
88
戊午，大赦。 辛酉，解嚴。
On wuwu a great amnesty was proclaimed. On xinyou martial law was lifted.
89
秋七月丙子，司空陳霸先進位司徒。 丁亥，以開府儀同三司侯瑱為司空。
In the seventh month of autumn, on bingzi, Minister of Works Chen Baxian was promoted to Minister of Works. On dinghai Commissioner with Grand Cavalry Hou Tian was made Minister of Works.
90
八月己酉，太保鄱陽王循薨。
In the eighth month, on jiyou, Grand Mentor Prince Xun of Poyang died.
91
九月壬寅，大赦，改元。 司徒陳霸先進位丞相、錄尚書事，改封義興郡公。 加中權將軍王衝開府儀同三司，以吏部尚書王通為尚書右僕射。
In the ninth month, on renyin, a great amnesty was proclaimed and the reign era was changed. Minister of Works Chen Baxian was promoted to Chancellor and Recorder of the Masters of Writing and re-enfeoffed as Duke of Yixing. General of Central Authority Wang Chong was granted Commissioner with Grand Cavalry; Director of the Ministry of Personnel Wang Tong was made Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing.
92
冬十月乙亥，魏相安定公薨。
In the tenth month of winter, on yihai, Wei Chancellor the Duke of Anding died.
93
十一月，起雲龍、神武門。
In the eleventh month the Cloud Dragon and Divine Martial gates were built.
94
十二月壬申，進太尉蕭勃為太保。 甲午，封前壽昌令劉叡為汝陰王，前鎮西法曹行參軍蕭沇為巴陵王，奉宋、齊二代後。 庚子，魏恭帝遜位於周。 二年春正月壬寅，詔求魯國孔氏族為奉聖侯，並繕廟堂，供備祀典。 又詔諸州各置中正。 舊放舉選，不得輒承單狀序官，皆須中正押上，然後量授。 其選中正，每求耆德該悉，以他官領之。 以開府儀同三司王琳為司空，以尚書右僕射王通為左僕射。
In the twelfth month, on renshen, Grand Commandant Xiao Bo was promoted to Grand Mentor. On jiawu former Magistrate of Shouchang Liu Rui was enfeoffed as Prince of Runan, and former Acting Administrator of the Law Bureau of the Pacifying West Headquarters Xiao Yan was enfeoffed as Prince of Baling, to continue the lines of Song and Qi. On gengzi the deposed Emperor of Wei abdicated to Zhou. In the second year, first month, on renyin, an edict sought a member of the Kong clan of Lu as Marquis Who Venerates the Sage, and temple halls were repaired and sacrificial rites supplied. An edict also ordered each province to establish Rectifiers of Central Selection. Formerly in nominations for office one could not directly submit a single petition for appointment—all required the Rectifier's endorsement before rank was granted. In selecting Rectifiers, each time venerable virtue and comprehensive knowledge were sought, and another official held the post concurrently. Commissioner with Grand Cavalry Wang Lin was made Minister of Works; Right Vice Director Wang Tong was made Left Vice Director.
95
二月庚午，遣領軍將軍徐度入東關。 太保、廣州刺史蕭勃舉兵反，詔平西將軍周文育、平南將軍侯安都等南討。 戊子，徐度至合肥，燒齊船舶三千艘。 癸巳，周文育軍于巴山，獲蕭勃偽帥歐陽頠。
In the second month, on gengwu, General of the Palace Guard Xu Du entered Dongguan. Grand Mentor and Guangzhou Inspector Xiao Bo raised troops in rebellion; General Who Pacifies the West Zhou Wenyü and General Who Pacifies the South Hou Andu and others were ordered to campaign south. On wuzi Xu Du reached Hefei and burned three thousand Qi ships. On guisi Zhou Wenyü's army was at Bashan and captured Xiao Bo's false commander Ouyang Yi.
96
三月甲寅，德州刺史陳法武、前衡州刺史譚遠于始興攻殺蕭勃。 夏四月癸酉，曲赦江、廣、衡三州，並督內為賊所拘逼者。 己卯，鑄四柱錢，一當二十。 齊遣使通和。 壬辰，改四柱錢，一當十。 丙申，復閉細錢。
In the third month, on jiayin, Dezhou Inspector Chen Fawu and former Hengzhou Inspector Tan Yuan attacked and killed Xiao Bo at Shixing. In the fourth month of summer, on guiyou, a partial amnesty was granted to Jiang, Guang, and Heng provinces and all within their jurisdictions who had been coerced by rebels. On jimao four-pillar coin was cast, one equal to twenty. Qi sent envoys seeking peace. On renchen the four-pillar coin was changed—one equal to ten. On bingshen small coin was again closed from circulation.
97
五月乙巳，平西將軍周文育進號鎮南將軍，平南將軍侯安都進號鎮北將軍，並開府儀同三司。 戊辰，余孝頃遣使詣丞相府求降。
In the fifth month, on yisi, General Who Pacifies the West Zhou Wenyü was promoted to General Who Pacifies the South; General Who Pacifies the South Hou Andu was promoted to General Who Pacifies the North—both were granted Commissioner with Grand Cavalry. On wuchen Yu Xiaoxiang sent envoys to the Chancellor's office seeking surrender.
98
秋八月，加丞相陳霸先殊禮。
In the eighth month of autumn extraordinary honors were added to Chancellor Chen Baxian.
99
九月，周塚宰宇文護殺閔帝。 丞相陳霸先改授相國，封陳國公。
In the ninth month Zhou Regent Yuwen Hu killed Emperor Min. Chancellor Chen Baxian was reappointed Chancellor and enfeoffed as Duke of Chen.
100
論曰：帝王之位，天下之重職，文武之道，守國所常遵。 其於行用，義均水火，相資則可，專任成亂。 觀夫有梁諸帝，皆一之而已。 簡文文明之姿，稟乎天授，粵自支庶，入居明兩，經國之算，其道弗聞。 宮體所傳，且變朝野，雖主虛號，何救滅亡。 元帝居勢勝之地，啟中興之業，既雪讎恥，且應天人。 而內積猜忍，外崇矯飾，攀號之節，忍酷於踰年； 定省之制，申情於木偶。 竟而雍州引寇，釁起河東之戮，益部親尋，事習邵陵之窘。 悖辭屈於僧辯，殘虐極於圓正，不義不昵，若斯之甚。 而復謀無經遠，心勞志大，近舍宗國，遠迫強鄰，外弛藩籬，內崇講肆，卒於溘至戕隕，方追始皇之跡，雖復文籍滿腹，何救社廟之墟。 曆觀書契以來，蓋亦廢興代有，未見三葉遘湣，頓若蕭宗之酷。 敬皇以此沖年，當斯頹運，將不高揖，其可得乎。 初，武帝末年，都下用錢，每百皆除其九，謂為九佰，竟而有侯景之亂。 及江陵將覆，每百復除六文，稱為六佰。 識者以為九者陽九，六者百六，蓋符歷數，非人事也。
Commentary says: The position of emperor and king is the weightiest duty under Heaven; the Way of wen and wu is what guarding the state constantly follows. In their employment, righteousness is like water and fire—mutual support is possible, exclusive reliance brings disorder. Observing the emperors of Liang, each had only one of the two. Emperor Jianwen's civil brilliance was endowed by Heaven; from a branch line he entered the bright position; the strategy of governing the state—its Way was not heard. What the Palace Style transmitted changed court and countryside; though he held an empty title, what could save extinction? Emperor Yuan occupied a position of superior strength and opened the enterprise of restoration; he both wiped away grievance and shame and answered Heaven and men. Yet inwardly he accumulated suspicion and cruelty; outwardly he exalted affectation; in the rites of proclaiming the mourning name he was cruel beyond a year; in the regulations of visiting parents he expressed feeling toward a wooden image. In the end Yongzhou drew in invaders; the provocation began with the slaughter at Hedong; Yizhou turned kin against kin; the affair followed the distress of Shaoling. Perverse words bowed before Sengbian; cruelty reached its limit at Yuanzheng; unrighteous and unkind—to such a degree. Yet again his plans lacked far sight; his heart toiled and his ambition was great; near at hand he abandoned the ancestral state, far off he pressed a strong neighbor; outwardly he relaxed the frontier defenses, inwardly he exalted lecture halls—and he ended in sudden slaughter and fall, treading in the tracks of the First Emperor; though books filled his belly, what could save the ruins of the altars? Reviewing written records from antiquity, rise and fall have always alternated—but never seen were three generations meeting calamity as sudden and cruel as the house of Xiao. Emperor Jing at such a tender age faced this declining fortune—if he did not yield the throne high, how could it be obtained? At first, in the late years of Emperor Wu, coin used in the capital had nine of every hundred removed, called the "nine hundred"—and in the end came the disorder of Hou Jing. When Jiangling was about to fall, again six cash of every hundred were removed, called the "six hundred." Those who understood thought nine was the yang nine and six was the hundred-six—surely symbols of the calendar's numbers, not human affairs.
101
善乎鄭文貞公論之曰：高祖固天攸縱，聰明稽古，道亞生知，學為博物，允文允武，多藝多才。 爰自諸生，有不羈之度，屬昏凶肆虐，天倫及禍，糾合義旅，將雪家冤。 曰紂可伐，不期而會，龍躍樊、漢，電擊湘、郢。 翦離德如振槁，取獨夫如拾遺，其雄才大略，固無得而稱矣。 既縣白旗之首，方應皇天之眷，布德施惠，悅近來遠。 開蕩蕩之王道，革靡靡之商俗。 大修文教，盛飾禮容，鼓扇玄風，闡揚儒業。 介胄仁義，折沖尊俎，聲振寰宇，澤流遐裔，干戈載戢，凡數十年，濟濟焉，洋洋焉，魏、晉以來，未有若斯之盛也。 然不能息末敦本，斲雕為樸，慕名好事，崇尚浮華，抑揚孔、墨，流連釋、老。 或終夜不寢，或日旰不食，非弘道以利物，惟飾智以驚愚。 且心未遺榮，虛廁蒼頭之伍，高談脫屣，終戀黃屋之尊。 夫人之大欲，在乎飲食男女，至於軒冕殿堂，非有切身之急。 高祖屏除嗜欲，眷戀軒冕，得其所難，而滯于所易，可謂神有所不達，智有所不通矣。 逮夫精華稍竭，鳳德已衰，惑於聽受，權在奸佞，儲後百辟，莫能盡言。 險躁之心，暮年逾甚，見利而動，愎諫違卜。 開門揖盜，棄好即讎，釁起蕭牆，禍成戎、羯，身殞非命，災被億兆。 衣冠斃鋒鏑之下，老幼粉戎馬之足，瞻彼黍離，痛深周廟； 永言麥秀，悲甚殷墟。 自古以安為危，既成而敗，顛覆之速，書契所未聞也。 易曰：「天之所助者順，人之所助者信。」 高祖之遇斯屯剝，不得其死，蓋動而之險，不由信順，失天人之助，其能免於此乎。 太宗敏叡過人，神采秀髮，多聞博達，富贍詞藻。 然文豔用寡，華而不實，體窮淫麗，義罕疏通，哀思之音，遂移風俗，以此而貞萬國，異乎周誦、漢莊矣。 我生不辰，載離多難，桀逆構扇，巨猾滔天，始同牖裏之拘，終類望夷之禍，悠悠蒼昊，其可問哉。 昔國步初屯，兵纏魏闕，群後釋位，投袂勤王。 元帝以磐石之宗，受分陝之任，屬君親之難，居連率之長，不能撫劍嘗膽，枕戈泣血，躬先士卒，致命前驅。 遂乃擁眾逡巡，內懷觖望，坐觀國變，以為身幸。 不急莽、卓之誅，先行昆弟之戮。 又沈猜忍酷，多行無禮，騁智辯以飾非，肆忿戾以害物，爪牙重將，心膂謀臣，或顧眄以就拘囚，或一言而及葅醢，朝之君子，相顧懍然。 自謂安若泰山，算無遺策，怵於邪說，即安荊楚。 雖元惡克翦，社稷未寧，而西鄰責言，禍敗旋及，斯乃上靈降鑒，此焉假手，天道人事，其可誣乎。 其篤志藝文，采浮華而棄忠信，戎昭果毅，先骨肉而後寇讎。 口誦六經，心通百氏，有仲尼之學，有公旦之才，適足以益其驕矜，增其禍患，何補金陵之覆沒，何救江陵之滅亡哉！ 敬帝遭家不造，紹茲屯運，征伐有所自出，政刑不由於己。 時無伊、霍之輔，焉得不為高讓歟。
Excellent is the commentary of Duke Zhen of Zheng, who said: The High Ancestor was indeed Heaven's chosen, intelligent and versed in antiquity; his Way nearly matched innate knowledge, his learning was that of broad learning; he was both wen and wu, with many arts and many talents. From his days as a student he had an untamed spirit; when the wicked and fierce ran rampant and family bonds met calamity, he gathered righteous troops to wipe away the family's wrong. He said Zhou could be punished; without expecting it they assembled; he leapt like a dragon at Fan and Han and struck like lightning at Xiang and Ying. Cutting off the virtue of Li was like shaking dry stalks; taking the lone tyrant was like picking up what was lost—his heroic talent and great design truly cannot be fully praised. Already he had hung the head on the white flag; then he answered Heaven's favor; he spread virtue and showed grace, pleasing the near and reaching the far. He opened the broad Way of kings and reformed the decadent customs of Shang. He greatly cultivated wen and education, richly adorned ritual and bearing, stirred the mysterious wind, and exalted Confucian enterprise. Armor wore benevolence and righteousness; he overturned the enemy at the banquet table; his fame shook the realm and his grace flowed to distant lands; weapons were laid aside for several decades—vast and abundant, since Wei and Jin there had been nothing like this splendor. Yet he could not rest the branch and strengthen the root, carve away ornament and return to simplicity; he admired reputation and loved novelty and honored the floating and splendid; he elevated and suppressed Confucius and Mozi and lingered over Buddhism and Daoism. Sometimes he did not sleep the whole night; sometimes he did not eat until the sun set—not to broaden the Way to benefit things, but only to adorn wisdom and startle fools. Moreover his heart had not left glory; he vainly sat among the ranks of menials; he talked loftily of casting off the world yet to the end cherished the honor of the yellow canopy. The great desires of man lie in food, drink, and the relations of men and women; as for carriages, caps, halls, and palaces—there is no urgent need touching the person. The High Ancestor screened out appetites yet clung to carriages and caps; he obtained what is hard yet stalled at what is easy—this may be called spirit not reaching everywhere and wisdom not penetrating all. When his essence and splendor gradually failed and phoenix virtue had declined, he was deluded in what he heard and power lay with wicked flatterers; the heir and the hundred officials—none could speak fully. His rash and restless heart grew worse in old age; seeing profit he moved; stubbornly he rejected remonstrance and defied divination. He opened the gate to welcome robbers, abandoned friendship and turned to enmity; the provocation arose within the palace wall; calamity was completed by the Rong and Jie; he died an unnatural death and disaster struck hundreds of millions. Gentlemen and officials perished under blade and arrow; old and young were ground beneath the hooves of war horses; gazing at that millet in ruin, the pain exceeded the Zhou temple; forever speaking of the wheat in ear, the grief exceeded the ruins of Yin. From antiquity, taking peace as peril and success as failure—the speed of overturning is unheard of in written records. The Changes says, "Heaven helps the obedient; men help the faithful. That the High Ancestor met this time of hardship and stripping and did not obtain natural death—surely because in movement he went toward peril and did not follow faith and obedience; losing Heaven's and men's help, how could he escape this? Emperor Taizong was keen and surpassing in men, with spirit and appearance splendidly flourishing; he heard much, reached far, and was rich and ample in literary ornament. Yet his writing was brilliant but his use sparse, flowery but not solid; his style exhausted licentious beauty and his meaning rarely penetrated; the tone of mournful longing shifted custom—by this to hold the myriad states differs from King Song of Zhou and Emperor Zhuang of Han. I was born at the wrong time and repeatedly parted from peace; the cruel rebel constructed turmoil and the great villain flooded Heaven—I began like one confined in the windowed room and ended like the calamity at Wangyi; vast blue Heaven—can it be questioned? Formerly when the nation's step first faltered, war entangled the Wei gate; the feudal lords released their posts and rolled up their sleeves to serve the king. Emperor Yuan as a foundation stone of the clan received the charge of dividing Shaan; facing the ruler's and parent's calamity, he held the post of regional commander—yet he could not grasp the sword and taste gall, pillow the spear and weep blood, take the lead among soldiers and stake his life in the vanguard. He then held the host yet hesitated, inwardly harbored divided hopes, sat watching the nation's change and took it as personal fortune. He did not urgently seek the punishment of Wang Mang and Zhuo—first he carried out the slaughter of brothers. Again he was deep in suspicion, cruel, and ruthless, often acting without propriety; he deployed clever debate to cover wrong and unleashed wrath and harshness to harm people; trusted generals and ministers of heart and spine—some were seized with a glance, some reached minced pickle with a single word; the gentlemen of the court looked at one another in fear. He thought himself secure as Mount Tai, his calculations without omission; deluded by perverse counsel, he then settled in Jing and Chu. Though the great villain was cut down and the altars were not yet at peace, the western neighbor reproached him and disaster and defeat soon followed—this was the upper spirit lowering inspection and lending its hand here; Heaven's Way and human affairs—how can they be deceived? His steadfast will in arts and letters gathered the floating and splendid and cast aside loyalty and faith; in martial proclamation he was resolute and bold—first against kin, then against enemies. His mouth recited the Six Classics and his heart penetrated the hundred schools; he had the learning of Confucius and the talent of the Duke of Zhou—yet it only increased his pride and added to his calamities; what did it remedy the fall of Jinling, what did it save the extinction of Jiangling! Emperor Jing met with an unpropitious house and inherited this time of hardship; campaigns issued from elsewhere and government and punishment were not in his own hands. At the time there were no Yi and Huo to assist him—how could he not yield the throne high?