1
太祖高皇帝，姓愛新覺羅氏，諱努爾哈齊。 其先蓋金遺部。 始祖布庫里雍順，母曰佛庫倫，相傳感朱果而孕。 稍長，定三姓之亂，衆奉爲貝勒，居長白山東俄漠惠之野俄朶里城，號其部族曰滿洲。 滿洲自此始。 元於其地置軍民萬戸府，明初置建州衛。
Taizu, the High Emperor, was of the Aisin Gioro clan; his personal name was Nurhaci. His forebears were descended from the Jin dynasty. The founding ancestor Bukūri Yongšon was born to a mother named Fekulen, who according to tradition conceived after a red fruit fell upon her. When he came of age, he quelled the strife among the Three Surnames, and the people acclaimed him beile. He made his seat at Odoli City in the Omohi country east of the Changbai Mountains and gave his people the name Manchu. Thus the Manchu people took their origin. The Yuan had placed a military-civilian wanhu office there; in early Ming times it became the Jianzhou Guard.
2
越數世，布庫里雍順之族不善撫其衆，衆叛，族被戕，幼子范察走免。 又數世，至都督孟特穆，是爲肇祖原皇帝，有智略，謀恢復，殲其仇，且責地焉。 於是肇祖移居蘇克蘇滸河赫圖阿喇。 有子二：長充善，次褚宴。 充善子三：長妥羅，次妥義謨，次錫寶齊篇古。
Several generations later, Bukūri Yongšon's line failed to keep its followers loyal. The people rose against them, the clan was wiped out, and only the young son Fanca escaped alive. Generations later, Commander Mentemu—honored as the Progenitor Yuan Emperor—proved resourceful and far-sighted. He sought to restore his house, destroyed his enemies, and compelled them to yield land as well. The Progenitor then relocated to Hetu Ala on the Suke Su River. He had two sons: the elder Chongshan and the younger Čuyan. Chongshan had three sons: Toro, Toyomo, and Šiboci Panggū, in order of birth.
3
錫寶齊篇古子一：都督福滿，是爲興祖直皇帝。 興祖有子六：長德世庫，次劉闡，次索長阿，次覺昌安，是爲景祖翼皇帝，次包朗阿，次寶實。
Šiboci Panggū's son was Commander Fuman, honored as the Rising Ancestor Zhi Emperor. The Rising Ancestor had six sons: Dešiku, Liucan, Suocang'a, Jusangga (the Jing Ancestor Yi Emperor), Baolang'a, and Baoshi.
4
景祖承祖業，居赫圖阿喇。 諸兄弟各築城，近者五里，遠者二十里，環衛而居，通稱寧古塔貝勒，是爲六祖。 景祖有子五：長禮敦，次額爾袞，次界堪，次塔克世，是爲顯祖宣皇帝，次塔察篇古。 時有碩色納、加虎二族爲暴於諸部，景祖率禮敦及諸貝勒攻破之，盡收五嶺東蘇克蘇滸河西二百里諸部，由此遂盛。
The Jing Ancestor took up his forefathers' domain and lived at Hetu Ala. His brothers each built walled settlements—some five li away, others twenty—forming a ring of strongholds around him. They were known collectively as the Ningguta beile and are called the Six Ancestors. The Jing Ancestor had five sons: Lidun, Ergun, Jiekan, Taksi (the Xian Ancestor Xuan Emperor), and Tacihai Panggū. The Sušina and Jiahu clans were then terrorizing the neighboring tribes. The Jing Ancestor led Lidun and the other beile against them, bringing all peoples within two hundred li west of the Suke Su River, east of the Five Ridges, under his sway. His house grew mighty from that time.
5
顯祖有子五，太祖其長也。 母喜塔喇氏，是爲宣皇后。 孕十三月而生。 是歲，明嘉靖三十八年也。
The Xian Ancestor had five sons, of whom the Taizu was the eldest. His mother was of the Hitara clan and is honored as Empress Xuan. She carried him for thirteen months before he was born. This was the thirty-eighth year of the Ming Jiajing reign (1559).
6
太祖儀表雄偉，志意闊大，沈幾內蘊，發聲若鐘，睹記不忘，延攬大度。 鄰部古勒城主阿太爲明總兵李成梁所攻，阿太，王杲之子，禮敦之女夫也。 景祖挈子若孫往視。 有尼堪外蘭者，誘阿太開城，明兵入殲之，二祖皆及於難。 太祖及弟舒爾哈齊沒於兵間，成梁妻奇其貌，陰縱之歸。 途遇額亦都，以其徒九人從。
The Taizu was imposing in stature and sweeping in ambition. He concealed deep designs within a calm exterior; his voice rang like a bell, his memory was faultless, and he drew talent to him with generous forbearance. Atai, lord of Gule City in a neighboring tribe, came under attack by the Ming commander Li Chengliang. Atai was Wang Gao's son and the husband of Lidun's daughter. The Jing Ancestor took his sons and grandsons to go to his aid. Nikan Wailan persuaded Atai to open the gates. Ming forces poured in and slaughtered the garrison, and both the Jing and Xian ancestors died in the calamity. The Taizu and his brother Šurhaci were caught in the fighting. Li Chengliang's wife was struck by their appearance and secretly allowed them to escape. On the way home they met Eidu, who joined them with nine followers.
7
太祖既歸，有甲十三。 五城族人龍敦等忌之，以畏明爲辭，屢謀侵害，遣人中夜狙擊，侍衛帕海死焉。 額亦都、安費揚古備禦甚謹，嘗夜獲一人，太祖曰：「縱之，毋植怨也。」 使人愬於明曰：「我先人何罪而殲於兵？」 明人歸其喪。 又曰：「尼堪外蘭，吾仇也，願得而執之。」 明人不許。 會薩爾虎城主諾米納、嘉木瑚城主噶哈善哈思虎、沾河城主常書率其屬來歸，太祖與之盟，並妻以女，於是有用兵之志焉。 是歲癸未，明也，太祖年二十五。
When the Taizu returned, he had only thirteen suits of armor. Longdon and other kinsmen of the Five Cities resented him. Citing fear of Ming retaliation, they plotted against him again and again and sent assassins by night; the guard Pahai was killed in one such attack. Eidu and Ambainggū kept vigilant watch. One night they captured an assailant. The Taizu said, "Let him go. Do not breed lasting hatred." He sent envoys to the Ming with this grievance: "What crime had my forefathers committed, that your troops should have destroyed them in battle?" The Ming authorities returned the bodies for burial. He added, "Nikan Wailan is my enemy. I ask leave to take him into custody." The Ming refused. Then Nomin, lord of Sarhu, Gahasan Hasihu of Jiamuhu, and Changshu of Zhanhe came over with their followers. The Taizu made alliance with them and gave them his daughters in marriage. From that time he resolved on war. The year was guiwei (1583) under the Ming calendar. The Taizu was twenty-five.
8
癸未夏五月，太祖起兵討尼堪外蘭，諾米納兵不至，尼堪外蘭遁之甲版。 太祖兵克圖倫城，尼堪外蘭遁之河口臺。 兵逐之，近明邊，明兵出，尼堪外蘭遁之鵝爾渾。 兵出無功，由於諾米納之背約，且泄師期也。 殺諾米納及其弟奈喀達。 五城族人康嘉、李岱等糾哈達兵來劫瑚濟寨，太祖使安費揚古、巴遜率十二人追之，盡奪所掠而返。
In the fifth month of 1583 the Taizu took the field against Nikan Wailan. Nomin failed to join him, and Nikan Wailan fled to Jabiyan. The Taizu's army took Tulun City, and Nikan Wailan fled to Hekoutai. They pursued him to the Ming frontier, where Ming troops intervened. Nikan Wailan escaped to Nierhun. The expedition achieved nothing, for Nomin had broken faith and betrayed the date of the march. The Taizu executed Nomin and his brother Naikada. Kangjia, Li Dai, and other Five Cities kinsmen mustered Hada forces to raid Huji Fort. The Taizu sent Ambainggū and Bashan with twelve men in pursuit; they recovered all the booty and returned.
9
甲申春正月，攻兆佳城，報瑚濟寨之役也。 途遇大雪，衆請還。 太祖曰：「城主李岱，我同姓兄弟，乃爲哈達導，豈可恕耶！」 進之，卒下其城。 先是龍敦唆諾米納背約，又使人殺噶哈善哈思虎，太祖收其骨歸葬。 六月，討薩木占，爲噶哈善哈思虎復仇也。 又攻其黨訥申於馬兒墩寨，攻四日殲之。 九月，伐董鄂部，大雪，師還，城中師出，以十二騎敗之。 王甲部乞師攻翁克洛城，中道赴之，焚其外郭。 太祖乘屋而射，敵兵鄂爾果尼射太祖，貫冑中首，拔箭反射，殪其一人。 羅科射太祖，穿甲中項，拔箭鏃卷，血肉迸落，拄弓徐下，飲水數斗，創甚，馳歸。 既愈，復往攻，克之。 求得鄂爾果尼、羅科。 太祖曰：「壯士也！」 授之佐領，戸三百。
In the first month of 1584 he attacked Zhaojia City to avenge the raid on Huji Fort. Heavy snow fell on the march, and his men urged him to turn back. The Taizu said, "Li Dai, lord of the city, is my kinsman—yet he led Hada against us. He cannot be spared." He pressed on and at last took the city. Longdon had earlier incited Nomin to break faith and had Gahasan Hasihu murdered. The Taizu recovered his remains and gave them honorable burial. In the sixth month he attacked Samuhu to avenge Gahasan Hasihu. He also assailed Neshen, an accomplice, at Ma'erdun Fort and destroyed the place after four days of fighting. In the ninth month he campaigned against the Donggo tribe. Snow forced a withdrawal, but when the garrison sallied forth he routed them with twelve horsemen. The Wangjia tribe asked for aid against Wengkeluo City. He marched partway to their relief and burned the outer ramparts. The Taizu fought from a rooftop. Ergoni shot him through helm and scalp. He pulled out the arrow, shot back, and killed his assailant. Luoke's arrow pierced his armor at the nape. When he drew out the head, flesh and blood gushed forth. He leaned on his bow, came down slowly, drank deeply, and rode home badly wounded. After he recovered, he attacked again and took the city. He captured Ergoni and Luoke alive. The Taizu said, "These are brave men!" He made them zuoling, each with three hundred households under his command.
10
乙酉春二月，太祖略界凡，將還，界凡、薩爾滸、東佳、把爾達四城合兵四百人來追，至太蘭岡，城主訥申、巴穆尼策馬併進，垂及，太祖返騎迎敵，訥申刃斷太祖鞭，太祖揮刀斫其背墜馬，迴射巴穆尼，皆殪之。 敵不敢逼，徐行而去。 夏四月，征哲陳部，大水，令諸軍還。 以八十騎前進。 至渾河，遙見敵軍八百憑河而陣。 包朗阿之孫扎親桑古里懼，解甲與人。 太祖斥之曰：「爾平日雄族黨間，今乃畏葸如是耶！」 去之。 獨與弟穆爾哈齊、近侍顏布祿、武陵噶直前衝擊，殺二十餘人，敵爭遁，追至吉林岡而還。 太祖曰：「今日之戰，以四人敗八百，乃天祐也。」 秋九月，攻安土瓜爾佳城，克之，斬其城主諾一莫渾。
In the second month of 1585 the Taizu raided Jiefan. On the return, four neighboring cities sent four hundred men in pursuit. At Tailangang the lords Neshen and Bamuni closed in abreast. The Taizu wheeled to fight: Neshen's blade severed his whip, but he slashed Neshen from the saddle and shot Bamuni as he turned—both fell dead. The pursuers dared not close in, and he withdrew at his ease. In the fourth month he marched against the Zhecheng tribe, but floods forced the main body to turn back. He pushed forward with eighty horsemen. At the Hun River he sighted eight hundred enemy soldiers drawn up along the bank. Baolang'a's grandson Zhajin Sangūri lost heart, stripped off his armor, and tried to pass it to another man. The Taizu rebuked him: "You strut among your clansmen—yet now you quail like this!" He dismissed him from the field. With only his brother Murhaci and attendants Yanbulu and Wulingga, he charged the line, killed more than twenty men, and put the enemy to rout. He pursued to Jilingang and then withdrew. The Taizu said, "Four men routing eight hundred today—that was Heaven's aid." In the ninth month he stormed Antu Gūwalgiya City, took it, and beheaded the lord Noyimohun.
11
丙戌夏五月，征渾河部播一混寨，下之。 秋七月，征服哲陳部托漠河城。 聞尼堪外蘭在鵝爾渾，疾進兵，攻下其城，求之弗獲。 登城遙望，一人毡笠靑棉甲，以爲尼堪外蘭也，單騎逐之，爲土人所圍，被創力戰，射殺八人，斬一人，乃出。 既知尼堪外蘭入明邊，使人向邊吏求之，使齋薩就斬之。 以罪人斯得，始與明通貢焉。 明歲犒銀幣有差。
In the fifth month of 1586 he attacked the Boyihun stockade of the Hunhe tribe and captured it. In the seventh month he subdued Tuomohe City of the Zhecheng tribe. Learning that Nikan Wailan was at Nierhun, he hurried his troops thither, took the city, but failed to find his quarry. From the wall he spied a man in felt hat and blue cotton armor and, taking him for Nikan Wailan, rode after him alone. Villagers surrounded him; though badly wounded he fought on, killing eight with arrows and one with his blade before breaking free. Once he learned Nikan Wailan had fled into Ming territory, he demanded him of the border officials. The Ming envoy Zhisa took his head. With his enemy delivered up, he opened tributary relations with the Ming. Each year the Ming sent rewards of silver and silks in fixed grades.
12
丁亥春正月，城虎闌哈達南岡，始建宮室，布教令於部中，禁暴亂，戢盜竊，立法制。 六月，攻哲陳部，克山寨，殺寨主阿爾太。 命額亦都帥師取把爾達城。 太祖攻洞城城主扎海降。
In the first month of 1587 he fortified the southern ridge of Hulun Hada, built his first palaces, proclaimed laws throughout the tribe, forbade violence, suppressed brigandage, and set up a legal order. In the sixth month he attacked the Zhecheng tribe, captured mountain strongholds, and killed the fort chief Aertai. He ordered Eidu to lead a force against Ba'erda City. The Taizu besieged Dongcheng, whose lord Zhahai submitted.
13
戊子夏四月，哈達貝勒扈爾干以女來歸，蘇完部索爾果率其子費英東等、雅爾古寨扈拉虎率子扈爾漢、董鄂部何和禮俱率所部來歸，皆厚撫之。 秋九月，取完顏部王甲城。 葉赫貝勒納林布祿以女弟那拉氏來歸，宴饗成禮，是爲孝慈高皇后。
In the fourth month of 1588 the Hada beile Hurgan came to marry his daughter to him. Suo'erguo of Suwan brought his son Feiyingdong; Hulahu of Yargū brought Hurhan; Heheli of Donggo came with his people—all were received with generous favor. In the ninth month he took Wangjia City of the Wanyan tribe. The Yehe beile Nalin Bulu gave his younger sister of the Nara clan in marriage. The wedding feast was duly held; she became the Xiaoci Gaohuanghou (Empress Xiaoci).
14
己丑春正月，取兆佳城，斬其城主寧古親。 冬十月，明以太祖爲建州衛都督僉事。
In the first month of 1589 he took Zhaojia City and beheaded its lord Ningguqin. In the tenth month the Ming appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the Jianzhou Guard.
15
辛卯春正月，遣師略長白山諸路，盡收其衆。 葉赫求地，弗與。 葉赫以兵劫我東界洞寨。
In the first month of 1591 he sent forces along the Changbai Mountain routes and brought all those peoples under his rule. Yehe demanded territory; he refused. Yehe then raided his eastern border forts with troops.
16
壬辰冬十月二十五日，第八子皇太極生，高皇后出也，是爲太宗。
On the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month of 1592 the eighth son, Huang Taiji, was born to the Gaohuanghou. He would become the Taizong (Emperor Taizong).
17
癸巳夏六月，葉赫、哈達、輝發、烏拉四部合兵侵戸布察，遣兵擊敗之。 秋九月，葉赫以不得志於我也，乃糾約扈倫三部烏拉、哈達、輝發，蒙古三部科爾沁、錫伯、卦爾察，長白二部訥殷、朱舍里，凡九部之兵三萬來犯。 太祖使武里堪偵敵，至渾河，將以夜渡河，踰嶺馳以告。 太祖曰：「葉赫兵果至耶？ 其語諸將以旦日戰。」 及旦，引兵出，諭於衆曰：「解爾蔽手，去爾護項，毋自拘縶，不便於奮擊。」 又申令曰：「烏合之衆，其志不一，敗其前軍，軍必反走，我師乘之，靡弗勝矣。」 衆皆奮。 太祖令額亦都以百人挑戰。 葉赫貝勒布齋策馬拒戰，馬觸木而踣，我兵吳談斬之。 科爾沁貝勒明安馬陷淖中，易驏馬而遁。 敵大潰，我軍逐北，俘獲無算，擒烏拉貝勒之弟布占泰以歸。 冬十月，遣兵征朱舍里路，執其路長舒楞格，遣額亦都等攻訥殷路，斬其路長搜穩塞克什，以二路之助敵也。
In the sixth month of 1593 the four tribes Yehe, Hada, Huifa, and Ula joined forces to invade Hubucha. He sent troops and defeated them. In the ninth month, frustrated in their designs against him, Yehe rallied the Hulun allies Ula, Hada, and Huifa; the Mongol tribes Khorchin, Xibo, and Guwalgiya; and the Changbai peoples Neyen and Jusheli—nine hosts totaling thirty thousand men—to invade his lands. The Taizu sent Wulikan to scout. At the Hun River, about to ford by night, Wulikan galloped over the pass with word of the enemy. The Taizu said, "So the Yehe army has really come? He told his generals they would give battle at dawn." At dawn he led his army forth and addressed them: "Slip your hand-guards, throw off your gorgets—do not hamper yourselves; you must strike freely." He added, "This is a mob with divided purpose. Break their van and the rest will run. Press them then, and you cannot fail." The men took heart. The Taizu ordered Eidu forward with a hundred men to provoke the enemy. The Yehe beile Bužai rode out to meet them, but his horse struck a tree and fell. The warrior Wutan slew him. The Khorchin beile Minggan's horse foundered in a swamp; he seized a piebald mount and fled. The enemy broke utterly. His army pursued north, taking prisoners and booty beyond count, and brought back the Ula beile's younger brother Bužantai as captive. In the tenth month he sent forces against the Jusheli route, took its chief Šulengge prisoner, and had Eidu attack the Neyen route and kill its chief Soun Sekexi, both having aided his enemies.
18
甲午春正月，蒙古科爾沁貝勒明安、喀爾喀貝勒老薩遣使來通好，自是蒙古通使不絕。
In the first month of 1594 the Khorchin beile Minggan and the Khalkha beile Laosai sent envoys to treat for peace, and thereafter Mongol embassies were unbroken.
19
乙未夏六月，征輝發，取多壁城，斬其城主。
In the sixth month of 1595 he attacked Huifa, captured Duobi City, and executed its lord.
20
丙申春二月，明使至，從朝鮮官二人，待之如禮。 秋七月，遣布占泰歸烏拉，會其貝勒爲部人所殺，遂立布占泰爲貝勒。
In the second month of 1596 Ming envoys came with two Korean officials in attendance, and he received them with full ceremony. In the seventh month he released Bužantai to rule Ula. When the beile was killed by his own people, the Taizu set Bužantai up in his place.
21
丁酉春正月，葉赫四部請修好，許之，與盟。 九月，使弟舒爾哈齊貢於明。
In the first month of 1597 the four Yehe divisions sued for peace; he agreed and renewed the covenant. In the ninth month he sent his brother Šurhaci to pay tribute at the Ming court.
22
戊戌春正月，命弟巴雅拉、長子褚英率師伐安褚拉庫，以其貳於葉赫也。 冬十月，太祖入貢於明。 十一月，布占泰來會，以弟之女妻之。
In the first month of 1598 he sent his brother Bayara and his eldest son Cuyen to punish Antuhalaku for its defection to Yehe. In the tenth month the Taizu himself went to present tribute to the Ming. In the eleventh month Bužantai came to court, and the Taizu gave him a niece in marriage.
23
己亥春正月，東海渥集部虎爾哈路路長王格、張格來歸，獻貂狐皮，歲貢以爲常。 二月，始製國書。 三月，開礦，采金銀，置鐵冶。 哈達與葉赫搆兵，送質乞援，遣費英東、噶蓋戍之。 哈達又私於葉赫，戍將以告。 秋九月，太祖伐哈達，攻城克之，以其貝勒孟格布祿歸。 孟格布祿有逆謀，噶蓋未以告，並誅之。
In the first month of 1599 the Hurha chiefs Wangge and Zhangge of the eastern Woji submitted, bringing sable and fox furs, and annual tribute was fixed thereafter. In the second month he instituted written state correspondence. In the third month he opened mines for gold and silver and set up iron foundries. When Hada and Yehe went to war, Hada sent hostages seeking help, and he posted Feiyingdong and Gagai to defend them. Hada then treated secretly with Yehe, and the garrison commanders reported the treachery. In the ninth month he attacked Hada, took the city, and brought back the beile Menggebulu. Menggebulu plotted rebellion; Gagai failed to expose him, and both were put to death.
24
辛丑春正月，明以滅哈達來責，乃遣孟格布祿之子吳爾古岱歸主哈達。 哈達爲葉赫及蒙古所侵，使訴於明，明不應； 又使哈達以饑告於明，亦不應。 太祖乃以吳爾古岱歸，收其部衆，哈達亡。 十二月，太祖復入貢於明。 是歲定兵制，令民間養蠶。
In the first month of 1601 the Ming reproached him for extinguishing Hada, and he restored Menggebulu's son Wurgudai as lord of Hada. Yehe and the Mongols harried Hada, which appealed to the Ming in vain. Hada then begged the Ming for famine relief and was again ignored. The Taizu brought Wurgudai home, absorbed Hada's people, and the state of Hada ceased to exist. In the twelfth month he again presented tribute at the Ming court. That year he regularized the army and ordered households to take up sericulture.
25
癸卯春正月，遷於赫圖阿喇，肇祖以來舊所居也。 九月，妃那拉氏卒，卽孝慈高皇后也。 始妃有病，求見其母，其兄葉赫貝勒不許來，遂卒。
In the first month of 1603 he moved his capital to Hetu Ala, the seat of his forefathers since the Progenitor's day. In the ninth month his consort of the Nara clan died—the future Empress Xiaoci. When she fell ill she had asked to see her mother, but her brother the Yehe beile refused to let her go, and she died without that comfort.
26
甲辰春正月，太祖伐葉赫，克二城，取其寨七。 明授我龍虎將軍。
In the first month of 1604 he attacked Yehe, took two cities, and captured seven stockades. The Ming enfeoffed him as Dragon-Tiger General.
27
乙巳，築外城。 蒙古喀爾喀巴約忒部恩格德爾來歸。
In 1605 he built the outer ramparts. Enggeder of the Khalkha Bayut Mongols came over to his side.
28
丙午冬十二月，恩格德爾會蒙古五部使來朝貢，尊太祖爲神武皇帝。 是歲，限民田。
In the twelfth month of 1606 Enggeder led envoys from five Mongol tribes to pay tribute and hailed the Taizu as Divine Martial Emperor. That year he set limits on private landholdings.
29
丁未春正月，瓦爾喀斐悠城長穆特黑來，以烏拉侵暴，求內附。 命舒爾哈齊、褚英、代善及費英東、揚古利率兵徙其戸五百。 烏拉發兵一萬遮擊，擊敗之，斬首三千，獲馬五千匹。 師還，優賚褚英等。 夏五月，命弟巴雅拉、額亦都、費英東、扈爾漢征渥集部，取二千人還。 秋九月，太祖以輝發屢負約，親征，克之，遂滅輝發。
In the first month of 1607 Mutuhei, chief of Walgiya Feiyucheng, came seeking protection from Ula's oppression. He sent Šurhaci, Cuyen, Daisan, Feiyingdong, and Yanggūri to relocate five hundred households under his protection. Ula sent ten thousand men to block them; his forces routed the interceptors, took three thousand heads, and captured five thousand horses. On their return he richly rewarded Cuyen and the other commanders. In the fifth month he sent Bayara, Eidu, Feiyingdong, and Hurhan against the Woji and brought back two thousand captives. In the ninth month, Huifa having broken faith again and again, he led the campaign in person, conquered it, and destroyed the Huifa state.
30
戊申春三月，命褚英、阿敏等伐烏拉，克宜罕阿林城。 布占泰懼，復通好，執葉赫五十人以來，並請婚。 許之。 是歲，與明將盟，各守境，立石於界。
In the third month of 1608 he sent Cuyen and Amin against Ula and captured Yihan Alin City. Bužantai, in fear, renewed friendship, delivered fifty Yehe captives, and asked for a marriage alliance. The Taizu agreed. That year he made a border pact with Ming commanders, each to keep to his own territory, and boundary markers were erected.
31
己酉春二月，遺明書，謂：「鄰朝鮮而居瓦爾喀者乃吾屬也，其諭令予我。」 明使朝鮮歸千餘戸。 冬十月，命扈爾漢征渥集呼野路，盡取之。
In the second month of 1609 he wrote to the Ming: "The Walgiya on your Korean frontier are my people. Order that they be returned to me." The Ming complied and Korea sent back over a thousand households. In the tenth month he sent Hurhan to subdue the Woji Huye route and took it whole.
32
庚戌冬十一月，命額亦都率師招渥集部那木都魯諸路路長來歸。 還擊雅攬路，爲其不附，又劫我屬人也，取之。
In the eleventh month of 1610 he sent Eidu to bring in the chiefs of the Woji Namudulu routes. On the way back he struck the Yalan route for refusing allegiance and raiding his subjects, and conquered it.
33
辛亥春二月，賜國中無妻者二千人給配，與金有差。 秋七月，命子阿巴泰及費英東、安費揚古取渥集部烏爾古宸、木倫二路。 八月，弟舒爾哈齊卒。 冬十月，命額亦都、何和里、扈爾漢率師征渥集部虎爾哈，俘二千人，並招旁近各路，得五百戸。
In the second month of 1611 he provided wives for two thousand unmarried men in his domain, with gifts of gold according to rank. In the seventh month he sent his son Abatai with Feiyingdong and Ambainggū to seize the Woji Urguchen and Mulun routes. In the eighth month his brother Šurhaci died. In the tenth month Eidu, Heheli, and Hurhan campaigned against the Woji Hurha, took two thousand captives, and brought in five hundred households from neighboring routes.
34
壬子秋九月，太祖親征烏拉，爲其屢背盟約，又以鳴鏑射帝女也。 布占泰禦於河。 駐師河東，克六城，焚積聚。 布占泰親出乞和。 太祖切責之，許其納質行成，而戍以師。 師還。
In the ninth month of 1612 he marched in person against Ula for repeated breaches of faith and for shooting the ceremonial arrow at his daughter. Bužantai held the far bank of the river. The Taizu camped on the east bank, captured six towns, and burned their granaries. Bužantai came in person to sue for peace. The Taizu rebuked him sternly, accepted hostages for a truce, and left a garrison before withdrawing. The army marched home.
35
癸丑春正月，布占泰復貳於葉赫，率師往征。 布占泰以兵三萬來迎。 太祖躬先陷陣，諸將奮擊，大敗之，遂入其城。 布占泰至城，不得入，代善追擊之，單騎奔葉赫，遂滅烏拉。 使人索布占泰，葉赫不與。 秋九月，起兵攻葉赫，使告明，降兀蘇城，焚其十九城寨。 葉赫告急於明，明遣使爲解。 師還，經撫順，明游擊李永芳來迎。 與之書曰：「與明無嫌也。」
In the first month of 1613 Bužantai again joined Yehe, and the Taizu took the field against him. Bužantai met him with thirty thousand men. The Taizu charged at the head of the line; his generals followed hard and broke the enemy utterly, then entered the city. Bužantai found the gates closed against him. Daisan pursued him alone to Yehe, and Ula was destroyed. He demanded Bužantai of Yehe, but Yehe refused to surrender him. In the ninth month he attacked Yehe, notifying the Ming, took Wusu City, and burned nineteen towns and forts. Yehe cried to the Ming for help, and the Ming sent an envoy to broker peace. On the withdrawal, passing Fushun, the Ming guerrilla commander Li Yongfang came out to greet him. He sent Li Yongfang a letter: "I bear the Ming no ill will." With that he dismissed the envoy.
36
甲寅夏四月，帝八子皇太極娶於蒙古，科爾沁部莽古思之女也，行親迎禮。 明使來，稱都督。 上語之曰：「吾識爾，爾遼陽無賴蕭子玉也。 吾非不能殺爾，恐貽大國羞。 語爾巡撫，勿復相詐。」 冬十一月，遣兵征渥集部雅攬、西臨二路，得千人。
In the fourth month of 1614 his eighth son Huang Taiji went in person to Khorchin to marry Mangusi's daughter with full wedding rites. Ming envoys arrived and addressed him by his Ming title of commander. He told them, "I know you—you are that Liaodong swindler Xiao Ziyu. I could kill you, but I would not shame the great state by doing so. Tell your grand coordinator to stop his tricks." In the eleventh month he sent troops against the Woji Yalan and Xilin routes and took a thousand captives.
37
乙卯夏四月，明總兵張承胤使人來求地，拒之。 令各佐領屯田積穀。 秋閏八月，帝長子褚英卒。 先是太祖將授政於褚英，褚英暴伉，衆心不附，遂止。 褚英怨望，焚表告天，爲人所告，自縊死。 冬十月，遣將征渥集部東格里庫路，得萬人。 是歲，釐定兵制，初以黃、紅、白、黑四旗統兵，至是增四鑲旗，易黑爲藍。 置理政聽訟大臣五，以扎爾固齊十人副之。 於是歸徠日衆，疆域益廣，諸貝勒大臣乃再三勸進焉。
In the fourth month of 1615 Zhang Chengyin, Ming commander-in-chief, sent envoys demanding territory; he refused. He ordered every zuoling to farm and store grain. In the intercalary eighth month his eldest son Cuyen died. He had intended to name Cuyen his successor, but Cuyen's arrogance alienated the nobles, and he set the plan aside. Cuyen, bitter at the slight, burned a petition and cursed heaven; when he was denounced he took his own life. In the tenth month he sent generals against the Woji Donggeliku route and brought back ten thousand people. That year he reorganized the Eight Banners: the original plain yellow, red, white, and black were joined by four bordered banners, black becoming blue. He named five chief ministers of state and ten jaruguci assistants to hear cases. As submissions poured in and his domain widened, the beile and ministers pressed him again and again to assume the imperial title.
38
秋七月，禁五大臣私家聽訟。 命扈爾漢、安費揚古伐東海薩哈連部，取三十六寨。
In the seventh month he barred the five great ministers from holding private courts. He sent Hurhan and Ambainggū against the Sahaliyan tribes of the eastern sea and took thirty-six forts.
39
八月，渡黑龍江，江冰已合，取十一寨，徇使犬路、諾洛路、石拉忻路，並取其人以歸。
In the eighth month they crossed the Amur on the ice, seized eleven stockades, overran the Quanlu, Nuoluo, and Shilaxin routes, and brought the inhabitants home.
40
二年丁巳春正月，蒙古科爾沁貝勒明安來朝，待之有加禮。
In the second year of his reign (1617), first month, the Khorchin beile Minggan came to court and was received with exceptional honor.
41
是歲，遣兵取東海散居諸部負險諸島，各取其人以歸。
That year he sent forces against island strongholds of the eastern tribes and carried off their populations.
42
三年戊午二月，詔將士簡軍實，頒兵法。 壬寅，上伐明，以七大恨告天，祭堂子而行。 分兵左四旗趨東州、馬根單二城，下之。 上帥右四旗兵趨撫順。 明撫順游擊李永芳降，以爲總兵官，轄輯降人，毀其城。 明總兵張承胤等來追，回軍擊斬承胤等，班師。
In the third year (1618), second month, he ordered a muster of arms and the promulgation of military regulations. On a renyin day he marched against the Ming, announcing the Seven Great Grievances before heaven, offered sacrifice at the ancestral hall, and took the field. The left four banners struck east and captured Dongzhou and Magendan. He himself led the right four banners on Fushun. Li Yongfang, Ming guerrilla commander of Fushun, surrendered; the Taizu made him a regional commander over the defectors and razed the city. Zhang Chengyin pursued; he wheeled about, killed Chengyin and his fellows, and withdrew in good order.
43
五月，復伐明，克撫安等五堡，毀城，以其粟歸。
In the fifth month he attacked again, took Fu'an and five neighboring forts, demolished them, and carried off their grain.
44
七月，入雅鶻關，明將鄒儲賢等戰死。
In the seventh month he forced Yahuguan Pass; the Ming officers Zou Chuxian and others fell in the fighting.
45
冬十月，東海虎爾哈部部長納哈哈來歸，賜賚有差。 使犬各部路長四十人來歸，賜宴賞賚，並授以官。
In the tenth month Nahaha, chief of the eastern Hurha, submitted and received graded rewards. Forty chiefs of the dog-tributary routes came in, were feasted and rewarded, and received official titles.
46
四年己未春正月，伐葉赫，取二十餘寨。 聞有明師，乃還。 明經略楊鎬遣使來議罷兵，覆書拒之。 楊鎬督師二十萬來伐，並徵葉赫、朝鮮之兵，分四路進。 杜松軍由東路渡渾河出撫順、薩爾滸。 劉綎軍由南路入董鄂。 偵者以告。 上曰：「明兵由南來者，誘我南也。 其北必有重兵，宜先破之。」 命諸貝勒先行。
In the fourth year (1619), first month, he attacked Yehe and overran more than twenty stockades. Learning that a Ming force was approaching, he turned back. The Ming commander Yang Hao sent envoys to treat for peace; he answered with a refusal. Yang Hao took the field at the head of two hundred thousand Ming troops, called up Yehe and Korean auxiliaries, and marched in four divisions. Du Song's eastern column crossed the Hun and debouched toward Fushun and Sarhu. Liu Ting's southern column entered Dong'e. Scouts brought word of the advance. The Taizu said, "The Ming are feinting south with their southern column. Their main strength must lie to the north; we should strike that first. He ordered the beile to march at once.
47
三月甲申朔，清旦，師行。 大貝勒代善議師行所向。 四貝勒皇太極言：「宜趨界凡，我有築城萬五千人，役夫多而兵少，慮爲所乘。」 額亦都曰：「四貝勒之言是也。」 遂趨界凡。 向午，至太蘭岡，望見明兵，分千人援界凡。 界凡之騎兵已乘明師半渡谷口，擊其尾，迴守吉林崖。 杜松留師壁薩爾滸，而自攻吉林崖。 我軍至，役夫亦下擊，薄明軍。 是時，上至太蘭察兵勢，命大軍攻薩爾滸，垂暮墮其壘，入夜夾攻松軍。 松不支，及其副王宣、趙夢麟等皆死。 追北至勺琴山，西路軍破。 是日，馬林軍由東北清河、三岔至尚間崖。 乙酉，代善聞報，以三百騎赴之。 馬林斂軍入壕，外列火器，護以騎兵，別將潘宗顏屯飛芬山相犄角。 上率四貝勒逐杜松後隊，殲其軍，聞馬林軍馳至。 上趨登山下擊，代善陷陣，阿敏、莽古爾泰麾兵繼進，上下交擊，馬林遁，副將麻岩戰死，全軍奔潰。 移攻飛芬，上率騎突入，斬宗顏，西北路軍破，葉赫兵遁。 是時劉綎南路之軍由寬甸間道敗我戍將五百人，乘勢深入。 上命扈爾漢將千兵往援，戍將托保以餘兵會之。 丙戌，復命阿敏將二千人繼往。 上至界凡，刲八牛祭纛。 丁亥，命大貝勒代善、四貝勒皇太極南禦，遇綎精騎萬餘前進。 四貝勒以突騎三十奪阿布達里岡，代善冒杜松衣幟入其軍，軍亂，四貝勒馳下會戰，斬綎，又敗其後軍。 乘勝至富察，綎監軍道康應乾以火器迎戰，大風起，烟燄返射，復大破之，應乾遁，朝鮮兵降。 凡四日而破三路明兵。 其北路李如柏之軍，爲楊鎬急檄引還，至虎欄，遇我游騎二十人，登山鳴螺，呼噪逐之，如柏軍奔迸，踐斃又千餘人。 甲辰，釋朝鮮降將姜弘立歸，以書諭其國主。
At dawn on the first day of the third month (1619) the army took the field. The great beile Daisan debated which way the army should move. The fourth beile Huang Taiji urged, "We must reach Jiefan at once: fifteen thousand men are building there, mostly laborers with few troops, and the Ming may overrun them. Eidu agreed: "The fourth beile speaks truly." They thereupon pressed on to Jiefan. By noon they had reached Tailan Ridge, sighted the Ming host, and sent a thousand men to relieve Jiefan. Jiefan's horsemen had already caught the Ming column in the pass, cut their rear, and fell back to defend Jilin Cliff. Du Song left his main force at Sarhu and led the assault on Jilin Cliff in person. Our troops came up and the laborers joined the fight, closing on the Ming line. The Taizu came to Tailan to view the enemy, then ordered the main body against Sarhu; at dusk the ramparts fell, and through the night his forces assailed Du Song from two sides. Du Song's line broke; he and his deputies Xuan and Zhao Menglin were among the slain. The pursuit ran north to Shaoqin Mountain, and the western column was destroyed. That same day Ma Lin's northeastern column came up the Qinghe and Sancha route to Shangjian Cliff. On the following day Daisan, hearing the news, rode out with three hundred horse. Ma Lin pulled his men behind entrenchments, lined firearms before them with cavalry in support, while Pan Zongyan held Feifen Mountain to cover his flank. The Taizu, with the fourth beile, destroyed Du Song's rearguard and, learning of Ma Lin, galloped to meet him. The Taizu charged down the slope; Daisan pierced the line, Amin and Manggūltai drove the banners forward, and with blows from height and plain Ma Lin fled, his deputy Ma Yan was killed, and the host scattered. They turned on Feifen; the Taizu broke in at the head of his cavalry and killed Zongyan, shattering the northwestern column while the Yehe auxiliaries fled. Meanwhile Liu Ting's southern force, stealing through Kuandian by a bypath, had overrun a five-hundred-man garrison and was driving deep into our territory. The Taizu sent Hūrhan with a thousand men to relieve them, and the garrison commander Toboo rallied the remnant to his banner. On the next day he sent Amin after with two thousand more. The Taizu came to Jiefan and offered eight oxen before the battle standards. On dinghai day he sent Daisan and Huang Taiji southward, where they met Liu Ting's elite cavalry, more than ten thousand strong. Huang Taiji took Abudali Ridge with thirty horsemen; Daisan rode in under Du Song's captured flags and threw the column into confusion; Huang Taiji charged down to the fight, killed Liu Ting, and routed the rearguard as well. The pursuit carried to Fucha, where the Ming inspector Kang Yingqian met them with guns; a gale sprang up, blew the smoke and fire back into the Ming ranks, and broke them again; Yingqian fled and the Koreans laid down their arms. Within four days three of the four Ming columns had been destroyed. Li Rubai's northern column, recalled by Yang Hao's frantic order, reached Hulan and met only twenty of our scouts; they scaled a hill, blew horns, raised a din, and put Li Rubai's men to flight—another thousand died in the crush. On jiachen day he sent the Korean captive Jiang Hongli home with a letter to the Korean king.
48
四月，遂築界凡。 遣兵徇鐵嶺，略千人。
In the fourth month he completed the fort at Jiefan. He sent troops against Tieling and brought back more than a thousand captives.
49
五月，朝鮮使來報謝。
In the fifth month Korea sent envoys with thanks.
50
六月，先是遣穆哈連收撫虎爾哈部遺民，至是得千戸，上出城撫之，賜以田廬牛馬。 上率兵攻開原，克之，斬馬林等，殲其軍，還駐界凡。
In the sixth month Muhali, whom he had sent to win over the scattered Hūrha, returned with a thousand households; the Taizu went out to receive them and granted land, dwellings, cattle, and horses. He marched on Kaiyuan, captured it, executed Ma Lin and his officers, destroyed the garrison, and withdrew to Jiefan.
51
秋七月，明千總王一屏等五人來降，暨前降守備阿布圖，各予之官。 上攻鐵嶺，克之。 是夕，蒙古喀爾喀部來援葉赫，敗之，追至遼河，擒其貝勒介賽。
In the seventh month five Ming company commanders led by Wang Yiping defected; with the earlier defector Abutu they were all given posts. He attacked Tieling and captured it. That night Khalkha Mongols came to Yehe's aid; he routed them, chased them to the Liao, and took their beile Jaisai prisoner.
52
八月己巳，征葉赫。 葉赫有二城，貝勒金台什守東城，其弟布揚古、布爾杭古守西城。 分軍圍之，隳其郛，穴城，城摧，我軍入城。 命四貝勒領金台什之子德爾格勒諭降再四，金台什終不從，乃執而縊之。 布爾杭古降。 布揚古不遜，殺之。 葉赫亡。 師還駐界凡。
On the jisi day of the eighth month he marched against Yehe. Yehe held two towns: the beile Gintaisi defended the east, his brothers Buyanggu and Buirhanggu the west. He invested both towns, breached the suburbs, undermined the walls until they gave way, and his troops poured in. The fourth beile, with Gintaisi's son Delgele, pleaded for surrender again and again; Gintaisi refused to the end and was taken and hanged. Buirhanggu submitted. Buyanggu showed defiance and was put to death. Yehe was extinguished. The army withdrew to Jiefan.
53
冬十月，蒙古察哈爾林丹汗使來，書辭多嫚，執其使。 喀爾喀五部來使約伐明，上使大臣希福等五人蒞盟。 旋有五部下屬人來歸，上卻之。
In the tenth month Ligdan Khan of the Chahar sent envoys with a contemptuous letter; the Taizu had them arrested. The five Khalkha tribes proposed an alliance against the Ming, and he sent the minister Hifu and four colleagues to swear the pact. Soon afterward lesser Khalkha chiefs offered submission, but he turned them away.
54
是歲，明以熊廷弼爲經略。
That year the Ming named Xiong Tingbi supreme commander of Liaodong.
55
五年庚申春正月，上報書林丹汗，斥其嫚。 執我使臣。 上亦殺其使。
In the fifth year of his reign (1620), first month, he answered Ligdan Khan with a sharp rebuke for his arrogance. Ligdan had seized his envoy. The Taizu executed Ligdan's envoy in return.
56
二月，賜介賽子克什克圖、色特希爾裘馬，令其更代爲質。
In the second month he gave horses to Jaisai's sons Kesiketu and Sete'erjiu and set them to alternate as hostages.
57
三月，論功，更定武爵。 丙戌，左翼都統總兵官、一等大臣費英東卒，上臨哭之。
In the third month he reviewed service and reformed the military peerage. On bingxu day Feiyingdong, left-wing commander and first-rank minister, died; the Taizu mourned him in person.
58
夏六月，諭樹二木於門，欲訴者懸其辭於木，民情盡達。
In the sixth month he set up two petition trees at the gate so that every grievance might reach him.
59
秋八月，上伐明，略瀋陽，明兵不戰而退，乃還。
In the eighth month he raided Shenyang; the Ming garrison fled without fighting, and he withdrew.
60
九月甲申，皇弟穆爾哈齊卒，車駕臨奠，因過費英東墓賜奠。
On jiashen day of the ninth month his brother Mūrhalaci died; the Taizu went to mourn him and left offerings at Feiyingdong's tomb on the way.
61
冬十月，自界凡遷於薩爾滸。
In the tenth month he shifted his seat from Jiefan to Sarhu.
62
是歲，明神宗崩，光宗立，復崩，熹宗立，罷經略熊廷弼，以袁應泰代之。
That year the Ming Shenzong died, Guangzong reigned briefly and died, and Xizong succeeded; Xiong Tingbi was removed and Yuan Yingtai put in his place.
63
六年辛酉春二月，上伐明，略奉集堡，至武靖營。
In the sixth year (1621), second month, he raided the Ming frontier as far as Fengji Fort and Wujing Camp.
64
三月壬子，上大舉攻明瀋陽，以舟載攻具，自渾河下。 瀋陽守禦甚備，環濠植籤，我軍拔籤猛進，明軍殊死戰，陣斬總兵賀世賢以下。 乙卯，入瀋陽。 復敗其援軍總兵陳策等於渾河，敗總兵李秉誠於白塔鋪，援軍盡走。 庚申，乘勝趨遼陽。 袁應泰引水注濠，環城列砲，督軍出戰，不支而退，守城樓。 壬戌，我右翼軍毀閘，左翼軍毀橋，右翼傅西城升陴，左翼聞之，畢登。 明軍猶列炬巷戰，達旦皆潰，袁應泰自焚死，御史張銓被執，不屈死。 癸亥，入遼陽。 遼人具乘輿鼓樂迎上，夾道呼萬歲。 命皇子德格類徇遼以南，所至迎降，兵宿城上，不入民舍。
On renzi day of the third month he moved in force on Shenyang, floating siege engines down the Hun. Shenyang was strongly fortified, its moat ringed with chevaux-de-frise; his men tore them up and pressed the assault; the Ming fought to the last; the commander He Shixian and others fell in the line. On yimao day he entered Shenyang. He routed Chen Ce's relief force on the Hun and Li Bingcheng's at Baita Post; the Ming reinforcements fled in every direction. On gengshen day he marched on Liaoyang in the wake of victory. Yuan Yingtai flooded the moat, ranged guns along the walls, and led a sortie; beaten back, the defenders clung to the towers. On renxu the right wing broke the water gate and the left the bridge; the right scaled the west wall and the left, seeing them up, stormed the ramparts as well. The Ming still fought by torchlight in the streets until dawn, then broke; Yuan Yingtai burned himself alive; the censor Zhang Qin was taken, defied his captors, and was killed. On guihai day he entered Liaoyang. The Liaodong people came out with carriages, drums, and music to welcome him, crying "Long live the Khan!" along the road. He sent Prince Degesi to pacify the country south of Liaoyang; town after town submitted, and his men camped on the walls without entering homes.
65
六月，左翼總兵官、一等大臣額亦都卒，上臨奠，哭之慟。
In the sixth month Eidu, left-wing commander and first-rank minister, died; the Taizu mourned him with deep lamentation.
66
秋七月壬寅，宴有功將士，酌酒賜衣。 鎮江城人殺守將佟養真，降於明將毛文龍。
On renyin day in the seventh month he feasted his victorious commanders, gave them wine, and granted robes. At Zhenjiang the townspeople killed the garrison officer Tong Yangzhen and went over to the Ming commander Mao Wenlong.
67
十一月乙卯，命阿敏擊毛文龍，敗之。 喀爾喀部台吉古爾布什來降。 明復以熊廷弼爲經略。
In the eleventh month, on yimao day, he sent Amin against Mao Wenlong and routed him. The Khalkha taiji Guribusi submitted. The Ming restored Xiong Tingbi as supreme commander.
68
七年壬戌春正月甲寅，上伐明，攻廣寧。 丙辰，克西平堡。 明軍三萬來禦，擊敗之，斬其總兵劉渠、祁秉忠，巡撫王化貞遁，游擊孫得功以城降。 庚申，上入廣寧，降其城堡四十，進兵山海關，熊廷弼盡焚沿塗邨堡而走。 乃移軍北攻義州，克之，還駐廣寧。 蒙古厄魯特部十七貝勒來附，上宴勞之，授職有差。 喀爾喀五部同來歸。
In the seventh year (1622), first month, on jiayin day, he marched on Guangning. On bingchen day he captured Xiping Fort. Thirty thousand Ming came to meet him; he broke them, killed the commanders Liu Qu and Qi Bingzhong, drove off the coordinator Wang Huazhen, and accepted Sun Degong's surrender of the town. On gengshen he entered Guangning, took forty strongholds, and pushed toward Shanhaiguan while Xiong Tingbi burned the line of villages and forts in retreat. He then turned north, took Yizhou, and withdrew to Guangning. Seventeen Oirat beile submitted; he feasted them, gave rewards, and enfeoffed each according to his station. All five Khalkha tribes now came in together.
69
二月癸未，上還遼陽。 遼陽城圮，遷於太子河濱。
On guiwei day of the second month he returned to Liaoyang. When Liaoyang's walls gave way, he moved his seat to the Taizi River.
70
秋七月乙未朔，一等大臣安費揚古卒。
On the first day of the seventh month Ambainggū, first-rank minister, died.
71
八年癸亥春正月壬辰朔，蒙古扎魯特部巴克來朝，遣與質子俱還。
On New Year's day of the eighth year (1623) the Jarud beile Baka came to court and was sent home with his hostage.
72
夏四月癸酉，遣皇子阿巴泰、德格類、皇孫岳託率師討扎魯特貝勒昂安，以其殺我使人也。 昂安攜孥遁。 達穆布逐之，中槍卒。 我軍憤，進殺昂安父子，並以別部桑土妻子歸。
In the fourth month, on guiyou day, he sent Princes Abatai and Degesi and his grandson Yuetuo to chastise the Jarud beile Ang'an for murdering his envoy. Ang'an fled with his family. Dambu ran him down and shot him dead. The troops, enraged, pressed on and killed Ang'an and his sons, and carried off the family of the Jarud chief Sangtu as well.
73
六月，戒諸女已嫁毋凌其夫，違者必以罪。
In the sixth month he forbade married daughters to mistreat their husbands, on pain of punishment.
74
冬十月丁丑，一等大臣扈爾漢卒，上臨哭之。
In the tenth month Hurhan, a first-rank minister, died. The Emperor mourned him in person.
75
九年甲子春正月，喀爾喀貝勒恩克格爾來朝，求內遷，許之，以兵遷其民。
In the first month of 1624 the Khalkha beile Enkeger came to court seeking resettlement within the realm. The Emperor agreed and sent troops to relocate his people.
76
二月庚子，皇弟貝勒巴雅拉卒。 上遣庫爾𦆑等與科爾沁台吉奧巴盟，勿與察哈爾通。
In the second month his brother Bayara, a beile, died. He sent Kurku to bind the Khorchin taiji Aoba in alliance and forbid dealings with the Chahar.
77
四月，營山陵於東京城東北陽魯山，奉景祖、顯祖遷葬焉，是曰永陵。
In the fourth month work began on the royal tombs at Yanglu Mountain northeast of the Eastern Capital. The Jing and Xian ancestors were reinterred there in what became Yongling.
78
五月，毛文龍寇輝發，戍將楞格禮、蘇爾東安追擊殲之。
In the fifth month Mao Wenlong attacked Huifa, but garrison commanders Lenggeli and Su'erdong'an pursued and destroyed his force.
79
秋八月壬辰，總兵官、一等大臣何和里卒，上聞之慟，曰：「天何不遺一人送朕老耶！」 毛文龍之衆屯田於鴨綠島，使楞格禮襲其衆，殲之。
In the eighth month Heheli, regional commander and first-rank minister, died. The Emperor mourned him deeply, crying, "Why will Heaven not leave me one more pillar for my old age?" He then sent Lenggeli against Mao Wenlong's men farming on Yalu Island and wiped them out.
80
十年乙丑春正月癸亥，命皇子莽古爾泰率師至旅順，擊明戍兵，隳其城。
In the first month of 1625 he sent Manggu'ertai to Lüshun, where he smashed the Ming garrison and razed the city.
81
二月，科爾沁貝勒寨桑以女來歸四貝勒皇太極爲妃，大宴成禮。
In the second month the Khorchin beile Zaisang gave his daughter to Huang Taiji in marriage with a great feast.
82
三月庚午，遷都瀋陽，凡五遷乃定都焉，是曰盛京。 遣喀爾達等征瓦爾喀，歸，降其衆三百。
In the third month he moved the capital to Shenyang—the fifth and final seat of government, thereafter known as Shengjing. He sent Karda against the Walgiya, who returned with three hundred submitters.
83
夏四月己卯，宗室王善、副將達朱戸、車爾格征瓦爾喀，凱旋，宴勞備至。
In the fourth month Wangshan, Dazhuhu, and Cergi campaigned against the Walgiya. On their return he feasted them generously.
84
六月癸卯，毛文龍兵襲耀州，戍將揚古利擊敗之。
In the sixth month Mao Wenlong raided Yaozhou but was beaten back by Yangguli.
85
秋八月，遣土穆布城耀州，明師來攻，擊走之，獲馬七百。 命博爾晉征虎爾哈，降其戸五百，雅護征卦爾察部，獲其衆二千。 毛文龍襲海州張屯寨，戍將戒沙擊走之。 上著酒戒頒於國中。
In the eighth month he garrisoned Yaozhou under Tumubu. Ming forces attacked and were repulsed with the loss of seven hundred horses. Borkjin subdued five hundred Hurha households; Yahū brought in two thousand Guwalgiya tribesmen. Mao Wenlong raided Zhangtun near Haizhou and was driven off by Jiesha. The Emperor issued a state-wide prohibition on drunkenness.
86
十年己卯，皇子阿拜、塔拜、巴布泰征虎爾哈，以千五百人歸。
Princes Abai, Tabai, and Babutai campaigned against the Hurha and brought back fifteen hundred people.
87
十一月庚戌，科爾沁奧巴告有察哈爾之師，遣四貝勒皇太極及阿巴泰以精騎五千赴之，林丹汗遁。
In the eleventh month Aoba of Khorchin warned of Chahar forces. Huang Taiji and Abatai rode out with five thousand elite cavalry, and Lin Dan Khan fled before them.
88
是年，明使高第爲經略，驅錦西人民入山海關。 寧前道袁崇煥誓守不去。
That year the Ming made Gao Di commissioner and evacuated the people of western Jinzhou behind Shanhaiguan. Yuan Chonghuan of the Ning-Qian circuit alone vowed to stand his ground.
89
十一年丙寅春正月戊午，上起兵伐明寧遠。 至右屯，守將遁，收其積穀。 至錦州，戍將俱先遁。 丁卯，至寧遠。 寧前道袁崇煥偕總兵滿桂、副將祖大壽嬰城固守。 天寒土凍，鑿城不隳，城上放西洋炮，頗傷士卒，乃罷攻。 遣武訥格將蒙古兵攻覺華島，奪舟二千，盡焚其軍儲，班師。
In the first month of 1626 he took the field against Ming Ningyuan. At Youtun the garrison fled, and he seized their granaries. At Jinzhou the defenders had already abandoned their posts. On dingmao day he arrived before Ningyuan. Yuan Chonghuan, Man Gui, and Zu Dashou barred the gates and defended with desperate resolve. Cold froze the ground and sapping failed. Western guns on the walls killed many of his men, and he broke off the assault. He sent Wunage with Mongol cavalry against Juehua Island, seized two thousand boats, burned the Ming supply depots, and withdrew.
90
二月壬午，上還瀋陽，語諸貝勒曰：「朕用兵以來，未有抗顏行者。 袁崇煥何人，乃能爾耶！」
In the second month he returned to Shenyang and told the beile, "In all my campaigns, no foe has ever stood against me and held. Who is Yuan Chonghuan, to have done such a thing?" So he mused on the only check his arms had yet met.
91
夏四月丙子，征喀爾喀五部，爲其背盟也，殺其貝勒囊奴克，進略西拉木輪，獲其牲畜。
In the fourth month he punished the five Khalkha tribes for breaking faith, killed the beile Nangnuk, and drove their herds from Xilamulin.
92
五月，毛文龍兵襲鞍山驛及薩爾滸，戍將巴布泰、巴篤禮敗之，擒其將李良美。 丁巳，科爾沁貝勒奧巴來朝，謝援師也。 上優禮之，封爲土謝圖汗。
In the fifth month Mao Wenlong raided Anshan and Sarhu; Babutai and Baduli defeated him and took the general Li Liangmei. On dingsi day the Khorchin beile Aoba came to thank him for the rescue. The Emperor received him with high honor and enfeoffed him as Tüsiyetü Khan.
93
六月，上書訓辭與諸貝勒。
In the sixth month he issued written admonitions to the beile.
94
秋七月，上不豫，幸清河湯泉。
In the seventh month he fell ill and went to the hot springs at Qinghe.
95
八月丙午，上大漸，乘舟回。 庚戌，至愛雞堡，上崩，入宮發喪。 在位十一年，年六十有八。 天聰三年葬福陵。 初諡武皇帝，廟號太祖，改諡高皇帝，累諡承天廣運聖德神功肇紀立極仁孝睿武端毅欽安弘文定業高皇帝。
In the eighth month his illness worsened, and he took boat for home. On gengxu day he reached Aijibao and died. Mourning was proclaimed in the palace. He had reigned eleven years and was sixty-eight at his death. In the third year of Tiancong he was buried at Fuling. He was first styled Martial Emperor with temple name Taizu, later raised to High Emperor, and finally given the full posthumous title: High Emperor Who Receives Heaven's Broad Mandate, Sage in Virtue, Divine in Merit, Founding in Record, Establishing the Ultimate, Benevolent, Filial, Sagacious, Martial, Upright, Resolute, Reverent, Pacifying, Promoting Culture, and Fixing the Enterprise.
96
論曰：太祖天錫智勇，神武絕倫。 蒙難艱貞，明夷用晦。 迨歸附日衆，阻貳潛消。 自摧九部之師，境宇日拓。 用兵三十餘年，建國踐祚。 薩爾滸一役，翦商業定。 遷都瀋陽，規模遠矣。 比於岐、豐，無多讓焉。
The historian writes: The Taizu was endowed by Heaven with wisdom and courage, unmatched in martial brilliance. He bore adversity with steadfast integrity, concealing his strength while the Ming sun still shone. As more tribes submitted each day, resistance and covert defection faded away. After shattering the coalition of nine tribes, his domain widened day by day. Thirty years of war won him a state and a throne. At Sarhu he broke Ming power and settled the contest of the northeast. His removal of the capital to Shenyang revealed vision that reached far ahead. Beside the founders of Zhou at Qi and Feng, he stands second to none.