1
太宗應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝敬敏昭定隆道顯功文皇帝，諱皇太極，太祖第八子，母孝慈高皇后。 上儀表奇偉，聰睿絕倫，顏如渥丹，嚴寒不栗。 長益神勇，善騎射，性耽典籍，諮覽弗倦，仁孝寬惠，廓然有大度。
Taizong, posthumously honored with the full title of a sage emperor who answered Heaven and exalted the realm, was known in life by the taboo name Huang Taiji. He was Taizu Nurhaci’s eighth son, born to Empress Xiaoci Gao. He was striking in stature and presence, with an intellect that outshone all around him. His face held a deep, ruddy flush, and even in bitter cold he never so much as shivered. In youth he grew ever bolder and more formidable, a master of horse and bow who could lose himself for hours in books without fatigue. He was known for kindness, filial devotion, and a magnanimity that seemed to have no limit.
2
太祖崩，儲嗣未定。 代善與其子岳託、薩哈廉以上才德冠世，與諸貝勒議請嗣位。 上辭再三，久之乃許。
When Nurhaci died, no successor had yet been named. Daisan and his sons Yuetuo and Sahalian declared that Huang Taiji’s talent and virtue stood above all others of their day. Together with the other princes they pressed him to take the throne. Huang Taiji refused repeatedly, and only after prolonged urging did he at last accept.
3
辛未，誓告天地，以行正道，循禮義，敦友愛，盡公忠，勖諸大貝勒等。 甲戌，諭漢官民有私計遁逃及令奸細往來者，雖首告勿論，後惟已逃被獲者論死。 丙子，諭曰：「工築之興，有妨農務，前以城郭邊牆，事關守禦，有勞民力，良非得已。 茲後止葺頹壞，不復興築，俾民專勤南畝。 滿洲、漢人，毋或異視，訟獄差徭，務使均一。 貝勒屬下人，毋許邊外行獵。 市稅為國費所出，聽其通商貿易，私往外國及漏稅者罪之。」 丁丑，令漢人與滿洲分屯別居。 先是漢人十三壯丁為一莊，給滿官為奴。 至是，每備御止留八人，餘悉編為民戶，處以別屯，擇漢官廉正者理之。 設八固山額真，分領八旗。 以納穆泰為正黃旗固山額真，額駙達爾漢為鑲黃旗固山額真，額駙和碩圖為正紅旗固山額真，博爾晉為鑲紅旗固山額真，額駙顧三泰為鑲藍旗固山額真，托博輝為正藍旗固山額真，徹爾格為鑲白旗固山額真，喀克篤禮為正白旗固山額真。 又設十六大臣，贊理庶政，聽八旗訟獄。 又設十六大臣，參理訟獄，行軍駐防則遣之。 乙未，蒙古科爾沁土謝圖汗奧巴遣使來吊。
On the xinwei day he took oath before Heaven and Earth to govern by the straight path—honoring ritual, nurturing brotherhood among the princes, and serving the public good—and he charged the senior beile to do the same. On jiaxu day he proclaimed to Han officials and subjects that anyone who schemed to flee or traded in intelligence with the enemy would find no mercy in confession alone. Henceforth only fugitives who were caught after escaping would face execution. On bingzi day he issued an edict: “Public works have been cutting into the farming season. Walls and border fortifications were a matter of defense, and conscripting labor for them was a painful necessity. From now on we will mend only what has fallen into ruin and build nothing new, so that the people can give their full attention to the fields. Manchu and Han alike are to be treated as one people; litigation, labor service, and taxes must be applied evenly to all. No subject of a beile may hunt beyond the border marches. Market tolls fund the state treasury—trade may flow freely, but anyone who deals abroad in secret or dodges the tax will be punished.” On dingchou day he ordered Han Chinese and Manchu to live in separate settlements. Until then, every thirteen adult Han men had been grouped into an estate and assigned as bondsmen to Manchu officers. Now each garrison officer was allowed only eight such men; the remainder were registered as free households in separate villages under the supervision of upright Han officials. He appointed eight gushan ejen—banner commanders—to lead the Eight Banners. Namutai took the Plain Yellow Banner; Prince-Consort Dalhan the Bordered Yellow; Prince-Consort Hosotu the Plain Red; Boringjin the Bordered Red; Prince-Consort Gursan the Bordered Blue; Tobohoi the Plain Blue; Cergei the Bordered White; and Kakduri the Plain White. He also created sixteen ministers to help govern civil affairs and adjudicate disputes within the Eight Banners. Another sixteen ministers were named to share judicial duties and to accompany armies in the field or on frontier station. On yiwei day Ooba, the Tüsiyetü Khan of Khorchin, dispatched mourners to the court.
4
冬十月己酉，以蒙古喀爾喀札魯特部敗盟殺掠，私通於明，命大貝勒代善等率精兵萬人討之，先貽書聲其罪，上送至蒲河山而還。 癸丑，別遣楞額禮、阿山率輕兵六百入喀爾喀巴林地，以張軍勢。 丙辰，科爾沁土謝圖汗奧巴及代達爾漢等十四貝勒各遣使來吊。 達硃戶征卦爾察部，獲其人口牲畜以歸。 明寧遠巡撫袁崇煥遣李喇嘛及都司傅有爵等來吊，並賀即位。 甲子，大貝勒代善等大破札魯特，斬其貝勒鄂爾齋圖，獲貝勒巴克及其二子並拉什希布等十四貝勒而還。
In the tenth month, on jiyou, learning that the Zhaluut Khalkha had broken faith, raided Qing territory, and conspired with the Ming, he sent Great Beile Daisan at the head of ten thousand elite troops to chastise them. A written indictment of their crimes went ahead of the army; the Emperor rode with the host to Puhe Mountain, then turned back. On guichou day he sent Lenggeri and Ashan with six hundred light cavalry into the Khalkha woodlands to feign a larger force. On bingchen day Ooba of Khorchin and fourteen beile, among them Prince-Consort Daidalhan, each sent delegations of condolence. Dazhu marched against the Gorcha and returned with prisoners, herds, and booty. Yuan Chonghuan, Ming governor of Ningyuan, sent Lama Li and Director Fu Youjue with others both to mourn Nurhaci and to congratulate Huang Taiji on his accession. On jiazi day Daisan’s army shattered the Zhaluut, slew their beile Orchitu, and came home with Bak, his two sons, Rashib, and thirteen other beile as prisoners.
5
十一月辛未，上發瀋陽迎大貝勒代善，師次鐵嶺樊河界。 癸酉，行飲至禮，論功，頒賚將士。 戊寅，上還瀋陽。 察哈爾阿喇克綽忒部貝勒圖爾濟率百戶來歸。 乙酉，遣方吉納、溫塔石偕李喇嘛往報袁崇煥，且遺書曰：「頃停息干戈，遣使弔賀，來者以禮，故遣官陳謝。 昔皇考往寧遠時，曾致璽書言和，未獲回答。 如其修好，答書以實，勿事文飾。」 崇煥不以聞，而令我使繼還。 卓禮克圖貝勒之子衛徵巴拜手巂其家屬來歸。 科爾沁貝勒青巴圖魯桑阿爾齋、台吉滿珠什哩各繼鞍馬牛羊來吊。
In the eleventh month, on xinwei day, Huang Taiji left Mukden to meet Great Beile Daisan’s returning column and camped at the Tieling–Fan River line. On guiyou day he held the victory feast, reviewed achievements, and distributed rewards among the troops. On wuyin day he returned to Mukden. Turgen, beile of the Chakhar Alakötü branch, came in with a hundred households. On yiyou day he sent Fangjina and Wentashi with Lama Li to answer Yuan Chonghuan, enclosing a letter: “We have laid down the sword for the moment and sent envoys in mourning and congratulation; you received them with propriety, and we therefore send these officers to thank you. When my late father marched on Ningyuan he once wrote under seal proposing peace, and never received an answer. If you truly desire peace, answer plainly—do not cloak your words in ornament.” Chonghuan never forwarded the letter to his court; he simply sent the Qing envoys home. Weijengbabai, son of a Jorčitu beile, arrived with his entire family to swear allegiance. The Khorchin beile Čingbatu Sang’arsan and the taiji Manjusiri each sent horses, cattle, and sheep as condolence offerings.
6
十二月庚子，禁與蒙古諸籓售賣兵仗。 壬戌，黑龍江人來朝貢。
In the twelfth month, on gengzi day, he banned the sale of arms to Mongol tributaries. On renxu day delegations from the Amur valley presented tribute at court.
7
二月己亥，以書招諭蒙古奈曼部袞出斯巴圖魯。
In the second month, on jihai day, he wrote to summon Günüsibaatur of the Naiman Mongols.
8
三月壬申，阿敏等克朝鮮義州，別遣兵搗鐵山，明守將毛文龍遁走。 又克安州，進至平壤城，渡大同江。 朝鮮國王李倧遣使迎師。 阿敏等數其七罪，仍遣使趣和。 倧懼，率妻子遁江華島，其長子李𣳫遁全州。 阿敏復遣副將劉興祚入島面諭倧。 倧遣其族弟原昌君李覺獻馬百匹、虎豹皮百、錦苧各四百、布一萬五千。 庚子，與朝鮮盟，定議罷兵。 壬申，明袁崇煥遣杜明忠偕方吉納等以書來，並李喇嘛書，欲釋恨修好。 惟請減金幣之數，而以我稱兵朝鮮為疑。 辛巳，阿敏等遣使奏捷。 乙酉，命留滿洲兵一千、蒙古兵二千防義州，滿洲兵三百、蒙古兵一千防鎮江城。 並諭李倧曰：「我留兵義州者，防毛文龍耳。」 阿敏等旋師，以李覺歸。
In the third month, on renshen day, Amin took the Korean town of Uiju while a detached force struck Tieshan and drove off the Ming general Mao Wenlong. They seized Anzhou, pushed on to Pyongyang, and crossed the Taedong. King Li Zong of Korea sent envoys to greet the invaders. Amin recited seven counts against the king and nevertheless dispatched messengers pressing for settlement. Terrified, Li Zong fled with his family to Ganghwa Island while his heir Li Hui withdrew to Jeonju. Amin sent Deputy Commander Liu Xingzuo to the island to parley with the king in person. The king sent his kinsman Wonchang-gun Li Jue with a hundred horses, a hundred tiger and leopard skins, four hundred lengths each of brocade and ramie, and fifteen thousand bolts of cloth. On gengzi day Korea and the Qing concluded a treaty and the armies stood down. On renshen day Yuan Chonghuan sent Du Mingzhong with Fangjina and others, bearing letters—including one from Lama Li—seeking to bury the feud and reopen relations. He asked only that the tribute in gold and goods be lowered, and he professed doubt over the Korean campaign. On xinsi day Amin’s staff dispatched messengers announcing victory. On yiyou day he left a thousand Manchu and two thousand Mongol troops at Uiju, and three hundred Manchu with a thousand Mongol at Zhenjiangcheng. He told Li Zong plainly: “The garrison at Uiju is aimed only at Mao Wenlong. Amin then marched home, bringing Li Jue with him.
9
夏四月甲辰，遺袁崇煥書曰：「釋恨修好，固所原也。 朝鮮自尊輕我，納我叛亡，我遲之數年，彼不知悔，是以興討。 天誘其衷，我軍克捷。 今已和矣，而爾詭言修好，仍遣哨卒偵視，修葺城堡。 我國將帥，實以此致疑。 夫講信修睦，必藉物以成禮，我豈貪而利此，使爾國力不支？ 可減其半。 歲時餽答，當如前議，則兩國之福也。」 書成，聞崇煥方築塔山、大凌河、錦州等城，遂罷遣使，而以書付杜明忠還。 更責崇煥曰：「兩國修好，當分定疆域。 今又修葺域垣，潛圖侵逼。 倘戰爭不息，天以燕、雲畀我，爾主不幸奔竄，身敗名裂，為何如也。 自古文臣不更事者徒為大言，每喪師殃民，社稷傾覆。 前者遼左任用非人，而河東西土地盡失，今尚謂不足戒而謀動干戈耶？」 癸丑，阿敏等自朝鮮凱旋，上迎於武靖營，賜阿敏御衣一襲，餘各賜馬一匹。 乙卯，論征朝鮮將士功，擢賞有差。 戊辰，上還瀋陽。 乙丑，以書諭察哈爾台吉濟農及奈曼袞出斯巴圖魯來和。
In the fourth month, on jiachen day, he wrote to Yuan Chonghuan: “Peace is what we want as well. Korea treated us with contempt, sheltered our runaways, and after years of forbearance showed no remorse—so we went to war. Heaven favored us, and our arms prevailed. That quarrel is settled, yet you talk of friendship while your scouts probe our lines and your walls rise higher. Our commanders, with reason, do not trust you. Courtesy between states requires gifts to seal the bond—do you imagine I crave your silver so keenly that I would beggar your treasury? Halve the sum, then. Let the yearly tribute follow what we already agreed, and both realms will prosper.” Hardly was the letter sealed when word came that Chonghuan was fortifying Tashan, Dalinghe, and Jinzhou; Huang Taiji canceled the embassy and sent the missive back with Du Mingzhong alone. In a second message he rebuked Chonghuan: “Allies fix their borders. You rebuild your ramparts and plot invasion in secret. If fighting continues, Heaven may hand Yan and Yun to us; your emperor may flee in ruin, his name disgraced forever—consider that. History shows that bookish ministers who never smelled battle love grand phrases—and each time, armies perish, peasants suffer, and dynasties fall. The Ming already lost everything east of the Liao because the wrong men held command—do you truly see no lesson in that, and still reach for the sword?” On guichou day Amin’s victorious column returned from Korea; Huang Taiji met them at Wujing Camp, gave Amin an imperial robe, and awarded every other officer a horse. On yimao day he reviewed the Korean campaign honors and promoted or rewarded each man according to his deeds. On wuchen day he was back in Mukden. On yichou day he wrote to the Chakhar taiji Jinong and to Günüsibaatur of the Naiman, inviting them to submit.
10
五月戊辰，遣朝鮮國王弟李覺歸國，設宴餞之，並賜鞍馬裘帶等物。 辛未，上聞明人於錦州、大凌河、小凌河築城屯田，而崇煥無報書，親率師往攻之。 乙亥，至廣寧，乘夜進兵。 丙子，明大凌河、小凌河兵棄城遁，遂圍錦州。 明台堡兵二千餘人來降，悉縱之歸。 丁丑，明鎮守遼東太監紀用、總兵趙率教遣人詣師請命。 上開誠諭之，並許紀用親來定議。 用不答，遂攻錦州。 垂克，明援兵至，退五里而營，遣人調瀋陽兵益師。 庚寅，固山額真博爾晉等以兵至。 癸巳，攻寧遠城，殲其步卒千餘人。 既，明總兵滿桂出城而陣，上欲擊之，三大貝勒均諫止。 上怒，趣諸將戴兜鍪，率阿濟格疾馳而進，敗其前隊，追至寧遠城下，盡殪之。 諸貝勒不及冑而從，濟爾哈朗、薩哈廉、瓦克達俱被創。 錦州守兵亦出城合戰，我軍復迎擊之。 游擊覺羅拜山、備御巴希陣歿，上臨其喪，哭而酹之。 我軍還駐雙樹舖。 乙未，復至錦州。
In the fifth month, on wuchen day, he sent King Li Zong’s brother Li Jue home with a parting banquet and gifts of saddles, horses, furs, and belts. On xinwei day, learning that the Ming were fortifying Jinzhou, Dalinghe, and Xiaolinghe while Chonghuan remained silent, Huang Taiji took the field in person. On yihai day he reached Guangning and marched forward under cover of night. On bingzi day the Ming garrisons at Dalinghe and Xiaolinghe abandoned their posts; he laid siege to Jinzhou. Over two thousand Ming soldiers from satellite forts surrendered and were sent home unharmed. On dingchou day the Ming eunuch Ji Yong and General Zhao Shuaijiao sent envoys to sue for terms. Huang Taiji received them frankly and even invited Ji Yong to come himself to negotiate. Ji Yong never came; the assault on Jinzhou resumed. As the walls were about to give way, Ming relief appeared; Huang Taiji drew off five li, made camp, and summoned more troops from Mukden. On gengyin day Boringjin and the other banner commanders arrived with reinforcements. On guisi day he struck Ningyuan and cut down more than a thousand foot soldiers. Then the Ming general Man Gui drew up his line outside the walls. Huang Taiji meant to charge, but the three senior beile pleaded against it. Enraged, he ordered every commander into his helm, took Ajige, and swept forward at a gallop, shattering the Ming van and chasing the survivors to the very foot of Ningyuan’s walls until none were left. Other princes rode after him before they could arm; Jirgalang, Sahalian, and Wakda were all wounded in the melée. Jinzhou’s garrison sallied forth as well, and the Qing host turned to beat them back. The guerrilla Gioro Baishan and the garrison officer Bashi were killed in the fighting; Huang Taiji came to their bier, wept, and poured wine for the dead. The army then withdrew to camp at Shuangshupu. On yimao day they were before Jinzhou once more.
11
六月己亥，攻錦州，值天溽暑，士卒死傷甚眾。 庚子，班師。 丁未，上還瀋陽。 是歲，大饑，斗米值銀八兩，銀賤物貴，盜賊繁興。 上惻然曰：「民饑為盜，可盡殺乎！」 令鞭而釋之，仍發帑賑民。
In the sixth month, on jihai day, the siege of Jinzhou resumed; the heat was brutal and casualties mounted. On gengzi day he ordered the retreat. On dingwei day he returned to Mukden. That year famine gripped the land—a peck of grain cost eight taels of silver, metal was cheap and grain dear, and robbery spread. Moved to pity, he said, “Hungry men steal—must we slaughter them all?” He had thieves flogged and freed, and opened the treasury to feed the starving.
12
秋七月己巳，蒙古敖漢瑣諾木杜稜、塞臣卓禮克圖、奈曼袞出斯巴圖魯舉國來附。 朝鮮國王李倧遣使報謝，並獻方物，命阿什達爾漢等往報之，尋以義州歸朝鮮。 是月，明袁崇煥罷歸。
In the seventh month, on jisi day, Sonom Düreng of the Aohan Mongols, Saicinn Jorčitu, and Günüsibaatur of the Naiman submitted with their whole tribes. King Li Zong sent thanks and tribute; Huang Taiji dispatched Ashadahan to answer him and soon restored Uiju to Korean control. That same month the Ming dismissed Yuan Chonghuan from office.
13
八月辛亥，察哈爾阿喇克綽忒部貝勒巴爾巴圖魯、諾門達賚、吹爾扎木蘇率眾來歸。 是月，明熹宗崩，其弟信王嗣位，是為莊烈帝。
In the eighth month, on xinhai day, the Chakhar beile Balbatu, Nomendai, and Cuirjambsu of the Alakötü came in with their followers. That month the Ming emperor Xizong (Tianqi) died. His younger brother, the Prince of Xin, took the throne and is known as the Zhuanglie Emperor (Chongzhen).
14
九月甲子朔，諭國家大祀大宴用牛外，其屠宰馬騾牛驢者悉禁之。
On the first day of the ninth month an edict declared that, save for oxen required for state sacrifices and grand feasts, the slaughter of horses, mules, cattle, and donkeys was forbidden throughout the realm.
15
冬十一月庚午，察哈爾大貝勒昂坤杜稜來降。 辛巳，薩哈爾察部來朝貢。
In the eleventh month of winter, on the gengwu day, Angkun Duling, grand beile of the Chakhar, submitted. On the xinsi day the Sahalcha tribe presented tribute at court.
16
十二月甲午朔，察哈爾阿喇克綽忒貝勒圖爾濟伊爾登來降。
On the first day of the twelfth month Tuerji Yierdeng, beile of the Chakhar Alakchuut, surrendered.
17
二年春正月戊子，格伊克裡部長四人率其屬來朝。
In the first month of spring in the second year, on the wuzi day, four chiefs of the Geikeli tribe arrived at court with their dependents.
18
二月癸巳朔，以額亦都子圖爾格、費英東子察哈尼俱為總兵官。 朝鮮國王李倧遣其總兵官李蘭等來獻方物，並米二千石，更以一千石在中江平糶。 庚子，以往喀喇沁使臣屢為察哈爾多羅特部所殺，上率師親征。 丁未，進擊多羅特部，敗之，多爾濟哈談巴圖魯被創遁，獲其妻子，殺台吉古魯，俘萬一千二百人還。 丁巳，以戰勝，用八牛祭天。
On the first day of the second month Turgai, son of Eidu, and Chahani, son of Fei Yingdong, were each appointed commander-in-chief. King Li Zun of Korea sent his commander Li Lan and others with tribute goods and two thousand piculs of rice, with another thousand piculs to be sold at regulated price on the Zhongjiang River. On the gengzi day, after Kharachin envoys had been killed again and again by the Chakhar Dorot, the Emperor took the field in person. On the dingwei day he struck the Dorot, routed them, and wounded Dorji Khatan Baturu, who fled. The Emperor seized his family, slew Taiji Guru, and returned with eleven thousand two hundred captives. On the dingsi day, in thanks for victory, he offered sacrifice to Heaven with eight oxen.
19
三月戊辰，上還瀋陽，貝勒阿敏等率群臣郊迎，行抱見禮。 以弟多爾袞、多鐸從征有功，賜多爾袞號墨爾根戴青，多鐸號額爾克楚虎爾。 庚寅，以賜名之禮宴之。 戊子，給國人無妻者金，使娶。 以貝勒多爾袞為固山貝勒。
On the wuchen day of the third month the Emperor came back to Shenyang. Beile Amin and the officials welcomed him outside the walls with the embrace-and-audience ceremony. His brothers Dorgon and Dodo had distinguished themselves on campaign; Dorgon received the title Mergen Daiqing and Dodo the title Erke Chuhor. On the gengyin day he held a feast for them according to the ritual of granting honorific names. On the wuzi day he distributed gold to unmarried men of the realm so they could take wives. Beile Dorgon was appointed gushan beile (Banner Prince).
20
夏四月丙辰，巴林貝勒塞特爾，台吉塞冷、阿玉石、滿硃習禮率眾來歸。 明復以袁崇煥督師薊、遼。 崇煥素弗善毛文龍。 時文龍據皮島，招集遼民，有逃亡則殺以冒功，遂得擢總兵，便宜行事。 後更致書與我通好。 上遣科廓等賚書往報。 既，文龍執科廓等送燕京。 崇煥以文龍私通罪紿殺之。
In the fourth month of summer, on the bingchen day, Bairin beile Setter and the taiji Seler, Ayushi, and Manzhuxili came over with their followers. The Ming once more put Yuan Chonghuan in charge of the Ji and Liao theaters. Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong had long been at odds. Wenlong then held Pi Island, drew Liaodong refugees to him, and killed runaways to inflate his reports, until he was promoted to regional commander with full discretion. He later sent letters proposing friendship with our court. The Emperor dispatched Ke Kuo and others with a written reply. Wenlong then seized Ke Kuo’s party and sent them to the Ming capital. Chonghuan, citing Wenlong’s secret dealings with us, lured him to his death.
21
五月辛未，明人棄錦州。 貝勒阿巴泰等率兵三千略其地，隳錦州、杏山、高橋三城，毀十三站以東墩台二十一。 先是顧特塔布囊以其眾自察哈爾逃匿蒙古地，遇歸附者輒殺之。 辛巳，命貝勒濟爾哈朗、豪格率兵討顧特塔布囊。 乙酉，顧特伏誅，俘其人口牲畜以萬計。 長白山迤東濱海虎爾哈部頭目裡佛塔等來朝。
On the xinwei day of the fifth month the Ming gave up Jinzhou. Beile Abatai and others led three thousand men to ravage the district, razed Jinzhou, Xingshan, and Gaoqiao, and tore down twenty-one beacon towers east of the thirteen relay stations. Earlier Gurt Tabunang had fled from the Chakhar into Mongolia with his band and slaughtered refugees who sought to join us. On the xinsi day beile Jirhalang and Hooge were sent to punish Gurt Tabunang. On the yiyou day Gurt was put to death, and captives and herds seized ran into the tens of thousands. Coastal Jurchen chiefs east of the Changbai Mountains, led by Lifta, presented themselves at court.
22
八月辛卯，與喀喇沁部議和定盟。 乙未，賜奈曼貝勒袞出斯號達爾漢，札魯特喀巴海號衛徵。 乙卯，朝鮮來貢。
On the xinmao day of the eighth month a treaty of peace and alliance was concluded with the Kharachin. On the yiwei day Naiman beile Gunbushi received the title Darhan and Jarud Kabai the title Weizheng. On the yimao day Korea presented tribute.
23
九月庚申，徵外籓兵共征蒙古察哈爾。 癸亥，上率大軍西發。 丙寅，次遼陽。 敖漢、奈曼、喀爾喀、札魯特、喀喇沁諸貝勒、台吉各以兵來會。 己巳，駐師綽洛郭爾。 甲戌，宴來會諸貝勒。 科爾沁諸貝勒不至。 土謝圖汗額駙奧巴、哈談巴圖魯、滿硃習禮如約，請先侵掠而後合軍。 上怒，遣使趣之。 時奧巴違命，逕歸。 滿硃習禮及台吉巴敦以所俘來獻，上賜滿硃習禮號達爾漢巴圖魯，巴敦號達爾漢卓禮克圖，厚賚之。 丙子，進兵擊席爾哈、席伯圖、英、湯圖諸處，克之，獲人畜無算。
On the gengshen day of the ninth month allied forces from the outer banners were called up for a campaign against the Chakhar Mongols. On the guihai day the Emperor marched west at the head of the main host. On the bingyin day the army encamped at Liaoyang. Beile and taiji of the Aohan, Naiman, Khalkha, Jarud, and Kharachin came in turn with their contingents. On the jisi day the host halted at Chuoluoguoer. On the jiaxu day he feasted the allied beile. The Khorchin beile failed to appear. Ooba, son-in-law of the Tüsiyetü Khan, with Khatan Baturu and Manzhuxili, asked leave to harry the enemy before the main forces joined, as previously arranged. The Emperor was displeased and dispatched messengers to hurry them. Ooba then defied his orders and withdrew homeward. Manzhuxili and taiji Badun brought in prisoners; the Emperor gave Manzhuxili the title Darhan Baturu and Badun Darhan Joriktu, with generous gifts besides. On the bingzi day he attacked Xierha, Xibotu, Ying, Tangtu, and neighboring posts, seized them, and took booty in men and herds beyond reckoning.
24
冬十月辛卯，還師。 丙申，諭敖漢、奈曼、巴林、札魯特諸貝勒，毋得要殺降人，違者科罰。 壬寅，上還瀋陽。 以劉興祚詐稱縊死，逃歸明，繫其母及妻子於獄。
In the tenth month of winter, on the xinmao day, the army marched home. On the bingshen day he warned the Aohan, Naiman, Bairin, and Jarud beile that surrendered peoples must not be slaughtered, on pain of penalty. On the renyin day the Emperor came back to Shenyang. Liu Xingzuo had pretended suicide and escaped to the Ming; his mother, wife, and children were therefore cast into prison.
25
十二月丁亥朔，遺土謝圖汗額駙奧巴書，數其罪。 巴牙喇部長伊爾彪等來朝貢。 蒙古郭畀爾圖、札魯特貝勒塞本及其弟馬尼各率部來歸。
On the first day of the twelfth month a letter was sent to Ooba, son-in-law of the Tüsiyetü Khan, listing his offenses. Chief Yierbiao of the Bayara and others presented tribute at court. The Mongols Guobieritu, Jarud beile Saiben, and Saiben’s brother Mani each brought their peoples to submit.
26
三年春正月庚申，土謝圖汗奧巴來請罪，宥而遣之。 辛未，敕科爾沁、敖漢、奈曼、喀爾喀、喀喇沁諸部悉遵國制。 丁丑，諭諸貝勒代理三大貝勒直月機務。
In the first month of spring in the third year, on the gengshen day, Ooba of the Tüsiyetü Khan came to plead guilt; the Emperor pardoned him and dismissed him. On the xinwei day the Khorchin, Aohan, Naiman, Khalkha, and Kharachin were commanded to observe the laws of the state. On the dingchou day he instructed the beile to take turns assisting the three great beile in monthly administration.
27
二月戊子，諭三大貝勒、諸貝勒、大臣毋得科斂民間財物，犯者治罪。 己亥，合葬太祖高皇帝、孝慈高皇后於瀋陽之石嘴頭山，妃富察氏祔。 喀爾喀札魯特貝勒戴青、桑土、桑古爾、桑噶爾寨等率眾來附。 甲辰，上南巡，閱邊境城堡，圮薄者修築之。 戊申，次海州，有老人年一百三歲，妻一百五歲，子七十三歲，召見賜牛種。 辛亥，上還瀋陽。
On the wuzi day of the second month he forbade the three great beile, the beile, and senior ministers to exact goods from the populace, under penalty of law. On the jihai day the Taizu and Empress Xiaoci were buried together at Shizui Mountain near Shenyang, with Consort Fuca placed in the same tomb. Khalkha Jarud beile Daiqing, Sangtu, Sanggur, Sanggaerzhai, and others came over with their followers. On the jiachen day he made a southern tour, examined frontier strongholds, and rebuilt any whose defenses had crumbled or thinned. At Haizhou on the wushen day he received a household of extraordinary age—a man of one hundred three, his wife one hundred five, their son seventy-three—and bestowed cattle and seed. On the xinhai day the Emperor returned to Shenyang.
28
三月戊午，申蒙古諸部軍令。
On the wuwu day of the third month he issued army regulations for the Mongol tribes.
29
夏四月丙戌朔，設文館，命巴克什達海及剛林等繙譯漢字書籍，庫爾纏及吳巴什等記注本朝政事。
On the first day of the fourth month of summer he founded the Literary Office, charging Dahai, Ganglin, and their colleagues with translating Chinese texts and Kuerchan, Wubashi, and others with compiling the annals of the reign.
30
五月丁未，奈曼、札魯特諸貝勒越界駐牧，自請議罰。 上宥之。
On the dingwei day of the fifth month Naiman and Jarud beile who had grazed beyond their bounds volunteered to accept punishment. The Emperor granted them pardon.
31
六月乙丑，議伐明，令科爾沁、喀爾喀、札魯特、敖漢、奈曼諸部會兵，並令預采木造船以備轉餉。 丁卯，喀喇沁布爾噶都戴青、台吉卓爾畢，土默特台吉阿玉石等遣使朝貢。 辛巳，土默特台吉卓爾畢泰等來朝貢。
On the yichou day of the sixth month he resolved on war with the Ming, calling the Khorchin, Khalkha, Jarud, Aohan, and Naiman to arms and ordering them to cut timber and build boats for supply lines. On the dingmao day Burgudut Daiqing of the Kharachin, taiji Jorbi, Tümed taiji Ayushi, and others sent tribute missions. On the xinsi day Tümed taiji Jorbitai and others presented tribute at court.
32
秋七月辛卯，喀爾喀台吉拜渾岱、喇巴泰、滿硃習禮自科爾沁來朝。 甲午，孟阿圖率兵征瓦爾喀。 乙未，庫爾喀部來朝貢。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the xinmao day, Khalkha taiji Baihundai, Labatai, and Manzhuxili arrived from the Khorchin. On the jiawu day Mengatu marched against the Warka. On the yiwei day the Kurka tribe presented tribute.
33
八月庚午，頒八旗臨陣賞罰令。 乙亥，諭曰：「自古及今，文武並用，以文治世，以武克敵。 今欲振興文教，試錄生員。 諸貝勒府及滿、漢、蒙古所有生員，俱令赴試。 中式者以他丁償之。」
On the gengwu day of the eighth month he issued the Eight Banners’ regulations for reward and punishment on campaign. On the yihai day he proclaimed: "From antiquity onward civil and military arts have gone together: learning to govern the realm, arms to defeat the enemy. We now intend to revive literary culture and will hold examinations for licentiates. Every licentiate in the beile’s establishments and among Manchu, Han, and Mongol subjects must present himself for the test. Those who pass shall have their labor obligations transferred to another household."
34
九月壬午朔，初試生員，拔二百人，賞緞布有差，免其差徭。 癸未，貝勒濟爾哈朗等略明錦州、寧遠諸路還，俘獲以三千計。 丙戌，阿魯部杜思噶爾濟農始遣使來通好。 癸卯，喀喇沁布爾噶都來朝貢。
On the first day of the ninth month the first licentiate examination was held. Two hundred candidates passed, received graded gifts of satin and cloth, and were freed from corvée. On the guiwei day beile Jirhalang and others returned from raiding Jinzhou and Ningyuan, with some three thousand prisoners. On the bingxu day the Aru Dusigal jinong sent his first embassy seeking friendship. On the guimao day Burgudu of the Kharachin presented tribute at court.
35
冬十月癸丑，上親征明，徵蒙古諸部兵以次來會。 庚申，次納裡特河，察哈爾五千人來歸。 壬戌，次遼河。 丙寅，科爾沁奧巴以二十三貝勒來會。 上集諸貝勒大臣議征明與征察哈爾孰利，皆言察哈爾遠，於是征明。 辛未，次喀喇沁之青城。 大貝勒代善、三貝勒莽古爾泰止諸貝勒帳外，入見密議班師。 既退，岳託等入白諸將在外候進取。 上不懌，因曰：「兩兄謂我兵深入，勞師襲遠，若糧匱馬疲，敵人環攻，無為歸計。 若等見及此，而初不言，朕既遠涉，乃以此為辭。 我謀且隳，何候為！」 岳託堅請進師。 八固山額真詣代善、莽古爾泰議，夜半議定。 諭曰：「朕承天命，興師伐明，拒者戮，降者勿擾。 俘獲之人，父母妻子勿使離散。 勿淫人婦女，勿褫人衣服，勿毀廬舍器皿，勿伐果木，勿酗酒。 違者罪無赦。 固山額真等不禁，罪如之。」 乙亥，次老河，命濟爾哈朗、岳託率右翼兵攻大安口，阿巴泰、阿濟格率左翼兵攻龍井關。 上與大貝勒代善、三貝勒莽古爾泰率大兵繼之。 丁丑，左翼兵克龍井關，明副將易愛、參將王遵臣來援，皆敗死。 漢兒莊、潘家口守將俱降。 戊寅，上督兵克洪山口。 辛巳，上至遵化。 莽古爾泰率左翼兵自漢兒莊來會。 遺書明巡撫王元雅勸降。
In the tenth month of winter, on the guichou day, the Emperor took the field against the Ming in person, summoning Mongol levies to assemble in turn. On the gengshen day the host encamped on the Nalite River, where five thousand Chakhar surrendered. On the renxu day the army halted on the Liao River. On the bingyin day Ooba of the Khorchin arrived with twenty-three beile. The Emperor convened beile and ministers to weigh war on the Ming against war on the Chakhar. All held the Chakhar too remote, and the march turned toward the Ming. On the xinwei day the army encamped at the Kharachin Green City. Grand beile Daishan and third beile Manggūltai left the other beile outside and went in alone to urge a secret retreat. When they had gone out, Yuetuo and others came in and said the commanders were waiting to press the attack. The Emperor was angered and said, "You two tell me the army is deep in enemy country—that a tired force striking far, with grain exhausted and horses spent, may be encircled with no road home. If you saw that danger and said nothing until now, when I have already marched so far, you offer it only as an excuse to turn back. My whole design is near ruin—why should anyone still wait?" Yuetuo pressed hard for the army to go forward. The gushan ejen of the Eight Banners conferred with Daishan and Manggūltai, and near midnight a decision was reached. He proclaimed: "I, bearing Heaven’s mandate, march against the Ming. Resisters shall be put to the sword; those who yield shall not be molested. Do not part parents from wives and children among prisoners. Do not debauch women, strip the living, wreck houses and goods, fell fruit trees, or drink to drunkenness. Whoever breaks these rules is guilty without mercy. Gushan ejen who fail to restrain their men share the same guilt." On the yihai day the army encamped at the Lao River. Jirhalang and Yuetuo were sent with the right wing against Daankou, Abatai and Ajige with the left against Longjing Pass. The Emperor came on with the main host behind Daishan and Manggūltai. On dingchou day the left wing seized Longjing Pass. Yi Ai and Wang Zunchen marched to its relief and were cut down. The defenders of Han'erzhuang and Panjiakou submitted. On wuyin day he led the assault and carried Hongshan Pass. On xinsi day he arrived before Zunhua. Manggūltai brought the left wing up from Han'erzhuang to rendezvous. He wrote Wang Yuanya, the Ming governor, urging surrender.
36
十一月壬午朔，右翼諸貝勒率師來會。 先是濟爾哈朗等克大安口，五戰皆捷，降馬蘭營、馬蘭口、大安營三城，明羅文峪守將李思禮降。 山海關總兵趙率教以兵四千來援，阿濟格迎擊斬之。 甲申，諸貝勒攻遵化，正白旗小校薩木哈圖先登，大兵繼之，遂克其城。 明巡撫王元雅自經死。 上親酌金卮賜薩木哈圖，擢備御，世襲罔替，賜號巴圖魯，有過赦免，家固貧，恤之。 蒙古兵擾害羅文峪民。 令曰：「凡貝勒大臣有掠歸降城堡財物者斬，擅殺降民者抵罪，強取民物，計所取倍償之。」 己丑，敘克城功，將士賞賚有差。 壬辰，參將英俄爾岱、文館范文程留守遵化，大軍進逼燕京。 有蒙古兵殺人而褫其衣，上命射殺之。 甲午，徇薊州。 乙未，徇三河。 丙申，左翼貝勒赴通州視渡口。 明大同、宣府二鎮援兵至順義，貝勒阿巴泰、岳託擊敗之。 順義降。 上至通州，諭明士民曰：「我國夙以忠順守邊，葉赫與我同一國耳，明主庇葉赫而陵我，大恨有七。 我知終不相容，故告天興師。 天直我國，賜我河東地。 我太祖皇帝猶原和好，與民休息。 爾國不從，天又賜我河西地。 及朕即位，復徇爾國之請，遂欲去帝稱汗，趣制國印，而爾國不從。 今我興師而來，順者撫，逆者誅。 是爾君好逞干戈，猶爾之君殺爾也。 天運循環，無往不復，有天子而為匹夫，亦有匹夫而為天子者。 天既佑我，乃使我去帝號。 天其鑒之！」 辛丑，大軍逼燕京。 上營於城北土城關之東，兩翼營於東北。 明大同總兵滿桂、宣府總兵侯世祿屯德勝門，寧遠巡撫袁崇煥、錦州總兵祖大壽屯沙窩門。 上率右翼大貝勒代善，貝勒濟爾哈朗、岳託、杜度、薩哈廉等，領白甲護軍、蒙古兵進擊桂、世祿，遣左翼大貝勒莽古爾泰、阿巴泰、阿濟格、多爾袞、多鐸、豪格等，領白甲護軍、蒙古兵迎擊崇煥、大壽，俱敗之。 癸卯，遣明歸順王太監賚書與明議和。 乙巳，屯南海子。 戊申，袁崇煥、祖大壽營於城東南隅，樹柵為衛，我軍偪之而營。 上率輕騎往視。 諸貝勒請攻城，諭曰：「路隘且險，若傷我士卒，雖得百城不足多也。」 因止弗攻。 初，獲明太監二人，令副將高鴻中，參將鮑承先、寧完我等受密計。 至是，鴻中、承先坐近二太監耳語云：「今日撤兵，乃上計也。 頃上單騎向敵，敵二人見上語良久乃去。 意袁都堂有約，此事就矣。」 時楊太監佯臥竊聽。 翌日縱之歸，以所聞語明帝，遂下崇煥於獄。 大壽懼，率所部奔錦州，毀山海關而出。 諸貝勒大臣請攻城，上曰：「攻則可克，但恐傷我良將勁卒，余不忍也。」 遂止。
On the first day of the eleventh month the right-wing princes joined the army. Jirhalang had already stormed Daankou, won five engagements, and taken Malan Camp, Malankou, and Daan Camp; Li Sili, Ming commander at Luowen Valley, had yielded. Zhao Lüjiao, regional commander of Shanhaiguan, hurried forward with four thousand men; Ajige intercepted and slew him. On jiashen day the princes invested Zunhua. Samukhatu of the Plain White Banner went over the wall first; the main columns poured in and the city fell. Governor Wang Yuanya took his own life. The Emperor himself filled a golden cup for Samukhatu, made him a guard officer with hereditary tenure, named him Baturu, promised forgiveness for future faults, and, finding his household destitute, gave him aid. Mongol soldiers preyed on the people of Luowen Valley. He proclaimed: “Any prince or minister who loots a surrendered town shall die. Anyone who slays surrendered people without orders shall be punished. Anyone who seizes civilian property by force shall repay twice the value.” On jichou day he ranked the merit of the siege and rewarded the troops accordingly. On renchen day Ying'orda and Fan Wencheng of the Literary Office garrisoned Zunhua while the main host marched on the Ming capital. When Mongols killed a man and stripped him, the Emperor had them executed by bow. On jiawu day the army passed through Jizhou. On yiwei day it marched through Sanhe. On bingshen day the left-wing princes went to Tongzhou to scout the ford. Relief columns from Datong and Xuanfu reached Shunyi; Abatai and Yuetuo routed them. Shunyi submitted. At Tongzhou he spoke to the Ming people: “Our state has long guarded the border in loyalty. Yehe was of one house with us; your court sheltered Yehe and humbled us—seven grave injuries stand between us. I knew we could not endure together, and so I called on Heaven and took the field. Heaven favored us and gave us the country east of the Liao. Taizu still sought peace and ease for the people. Your court refused; Heaven then gave us the lands west of the Liao. When I succeeded, I again heard your plea and was ready to set aside the title of emperor, call myself Khan, and strike a seal of state—yet you would not agree. Now I come in arms: submit and you shall be spared; resist and you shall be destroyed. It is your sovereign who loves war—it is your sovereign who kills you. Heaven's cycle turns; what goes must come again. A Son of Heaven may become a commoner, and a commoner may become Son of Heaven. Heaven has aided us and made me set aside the title of emperor. Let Heaven be witness!” On xinchou day the host closed on Beijing. He pitched his camp east of Tuchengguan on the north side of the wall; the wings lay to the northeast. Man Gui of Datong and Hou Shilu of Xuanfu held Desheng Gate; Yuan Chonghuan, governor of Ningyuan, and Zu Dashou of Jinzhou held Shawo Gate. He himself, with Daishan and the right-wing princes Jirhalang, Yuetuo, Dudu, and Sahalian, led the white-armored guards and Mongols against Gui and Shilu; Manggūltai, Abatai, Ajige, Dorgon, Dodo, and Hooge with the left wing met Chonghuan and Dashou. Both Ming bodies were beaten. On guimao day he sent the surrendered Ming eunuch Wang with letters proposing peace. On yisi day the army encamped at Nanhaizi. On wushen day Chonghuan and Dashou entrenched in the southeast corner behind wooden barriers; the Qing host camped hard against them. The Emperor rode out with a light escort to view the lines. The princes urged an assault; he said, “The ground is narrow and steep. If we spend our men here, no gain of a hundred towns would repay the loss.” He therefore forbore the attack. Two Ming eunuchs had been taken earlier; Hongzhong, Chengxian, Wanwo, and others were entrusted with a stratagem. Now Hongzhong and Chengxian, sitting close by the eunuchs, murmured, “Today's retreat is the Emperor's design. A moment ago the Emperor rode alone toward the enemy lines; two men met him and talked long before they parted. Commissioner Yuan must have an agreement—the business is done.” Eunuch Yang pretended to sleep and listened. The next day they were sent back; Yang repeated what he had heard to the Chongzhen emperor, and Chonghuan was cast into prison. Dashou, in fear, broke out toward Jinzhou and forced his way through Shanhaiguan. The princes again begged to storm the walls. The Emperor said, “We could take it, but I will not spend my best commanders and veterans.” He again held back the assault.
37
十二月辛亥朔，大軍經海子而南，且獵且行，趣良鄉，克其城。 壬子，總兵吳訥格克固安。 辛酉，遣貝勒阿巴泰、薩哈廉以太牢祀金太祖、世宗陵。 丙寅，復趨燕京，敗明兵於盧溝橋，殲其眾。 明總兵滿桂、孫祖壽、黑雲龍、麻登雲以兵四萬柵永定門之南。 丁卯黎明，師毀柵入，斬桂、祖壽及副將以下三十餘人，擒黑雲龍、麻登雲，獲馬六千，分賜將士。 戊辰，遣達海賚書與明議和。 壬申，貝勒阿巴泰、濟爾哈朗略通州，焚其舟，攻張家灣，克之。 達海賚議和書二分置安定、德勝門外。 乙亥，復遣人賚書赴安定門。 俱不報。 丙子，駐師通州。 丁丑，岳託、薩哈廉、豪格率兵四千圍永平。 遂克香河、馬蘭峪諸城，復叛去。 己卯，大軍趣永平。
On the first day of the twelfth month the host turned south past the Haizi, hunting on the march, and seized Liangxiang. On renzi day Wu Nage captured Gu'an. On xinyou day Abatai and Sahalian offered the great sacrifice at the Jin tombs of Taizu and Shizong. On bingyin day the army again closed on Beijing, routed the Ming at Lugou Bridge, and destroyed their column. Man Gui, Sun Zushou, Hei Yunlong, and Ma Dengyun entrenched forty thousand men south of Yongding Gate. At dawn on dingmao the Qing host tore through the barriers, killed Gui, Zushou, and more than thirty officers down to the rank of vice-commander, seized Hei Yunlong and Ma Dengyun, took six thousand horses, and divided them among the army. On wuchen day Dahai was dispatched with letters to treat for peace. On renshen day Abatai and Jirhalang ravaged Tongzhou, burned the shipping, stormed Zhangjiawan, and captured it. Dahai set two copies of the peace overture outside Anding and Desheng gates. On yihai day another embassy was sent to Anding Gate. The Ming made no answer. On bingzi day the host halted at Tongzhou. On dingchou day Yuetuo, Sahalian, and Hooge invested Yongping with four thousand men. They took Xianghe, Malanyu, and other places, which then rose again and slipped from their grasp. On jimao day the main force marched on Yongping.
38
四年春正月辛巳朔，大軍至榛子鎮、沙河驛，俱降。 壬午，至永平。 先是，劉興祚自我國逃歸，匿崇煥所。 至是，率所手巂滿洲兵十五人、蒙古兵五百欲往守沙河。 聞大兵至，改趣永平之太平寨，襲殺喀喇沁兵於途。 上怒其負恩，遣貝勒阿巴泰等禽斬之，裂其屍以徇。 癸丑，上授諸將方略，乘夜攻城。 城中火藥自發，敵軍大亂，黎明克之。 貝勒濟爾哈朗等入城安撫。 丙戌，上率諸將入城，官民夾道呼萬歲。 貝勒濟爾哈朗、薩哈廉守永平。 以降官白養粹為永平巡撫，孟喬芳、楊文魁為副將，縱鄉民還其家。 是日，上率大軍趣山海關。 敖漢、奈曼、巴林、札魯特諸部兵攻昌黎，不克。 台頭營、鞍山堡、遷安、灤州以次降。 建昌參將馬光遠來歸。 丁酉，明兵攻遵化，貝勒杜度擊敗之。 明兵入三屯營，先所下漢兒莊、喜峰口、潘家口、洪家口復叛。 庚子，達海等復漢兒莊，貝勒阿巴泰守之。 辛丑，喀喇沁布爾噶都為明兵所圍，遣軍往救，未至，布爾噶都自擊敗之。 其帥明兵部尚書劉之綸領兵至，樹柵。 我軍砲毀其柵。 之綸屯山中。 大貝勒代善圍之，勸之綸降，不從。 破其營，之綸被箭死。 壬寅，移師馬蘭峪，毀其近城屯堡。 丙午，喀喇沁蘇布地上書明帝，論和好之利，且勸以愛養邊民、優恤屬國之道。 不報。 樂亭復叛。
In the first month of spring in the fourth year, on the first day of the month, the host reached Zhenzizhen and Shahe Post, and both submitted. On renwu day it arrived at Yongping. Liu Xingzuo had earlier defected from the Qing side and was sheltered by Chonghuan. Now he led fifteen household Manchu soldiers and five hundred Mongols to garrison Shahe. Learning that the main army was near, he turned for Taiping Stockade at Yongping and cut up a Kharachin detachment on the road. The Emperor, enraged at his treachery, sent Abatai and others to take him, behead him, and dismember the body for display. On guichou day he set the plan before his commanders and assaulted by night. Powder stores in the town blew up, the garrison collapsed in confusion, and by dawn Yongping had fallen. Jirhalang and the other princes entered to restore order. On bingxu day he led his commanders into the city while officials and commoners thronged the streets shouting homage. Jirhalang and Sahalian were left to hold Yongping. Bai Yangcui, a Ming defector, was made commissioner of Yongping; Meng Qiaofang and Yang Wenkui vice-commanders; villagers were allowed to return home. The same day he marched the main host toward Shanhaiguan. Levies from the Khorchin, Naiman, Bairin, and Jarud assaulted Changli without success. Taitouying, Anshan Fort, Qian'an, and Luanzhou submitted one after another. Ma Guangyuan, regional commander of Jianchang, defected. On dingyou day the Ming struck at Zunhua; Dudu repulsed them. Ming forces reoccupied Santunying, and Han'erzhuang, Xifengkou, Panjiakou, and Hongjiakou, once reduced, rose again. On gengzi day Dahai retook Han'erzhuang, which Abatai was left to hold. On xinchou day Burgudu of the Kharachin was besieged by the Ming; a relief column was dispatched, but Burgudu had already broken the siege before it came up. The Ming war minister Liu Zhilun advanced with an army and threw up barriers. Qing guns smashed the works. Zhilun drew off into the mountains. Daishan invested him and called on him to yield; he refused. The camp was overrun and Zhilun fell to an arrow. On renyin day the host moved to Malanyu and razed neighboring forts. On bingwu day Supudi of the Kharachin wrote the Ming throne on the advantages of peace and urged the emperor to cherish frontier subjects and treat vassals generously. No answer came. Laoting rose once more.
39
二月辛亥朔，諭貝勒諸臣，凡將士驍勇立功者，勿與攻城之役。 甲寅，宴明降將麻登雲等於御幄，謂之曰：「明主視爾等將士之命如草芥，驅之死地。 朕屢遣使議和，竟無一言相報，何也？」 登雲對曰：「明帝幼沖，大臣各圖自保，議和之事，儻不見聽，罪且不測，故懼不敢奏。」 上曰：「若然，是天讚我也，豈可棄之而歸。 但駐兵屯守，妨農時為可憫耳。 且彼山海關、錦州防守尚堅，今但取其無備城邑可也。」 己未，遺書明帝，仍申和好，並致書明諸臣，勸其急定和議，至是凡七致書矣。 甲子，明榆林副將王世選來降。 上班師，貝勒阿巴泰、濟爾哈朗、薩哈廉及文臣索尼、寧完我等守永平，鮑承先守遷安，固山額真圖爾格、那木泰等守灤州，察喀喇、范文程等守遵化。 駐灤三日，論功行賞。 壬申，諭曰：「天以明土地人民予我，其民即吾民，宜飭軍士勿加侵害，違者治罪。」 上至永平，降官郎中陳此心謀遁，事覺論斬，上赦之，聽其所往。
On the first day of the second month he told the princes and officials that men who had already distinguished themselves in the field were not to be wasted on sieges. On jiayin day he feasted the Ming defector Ma Dengyun and others in the imperial tent and said, “Your sovereign treats soldiers' lives like weeds and sends you to die. Again and again I have sent to treat for peace, and you give no answer—why?” Dengyun answered: "The Ming emperor is still a boy on the throne. Every senior minister is busy saving his own skin. If they urged peace and the court refused, who knows what punishment would follow? They are afraid to bring it up at all." The Emperor said: "If that is truly the case, Heaven itself is on my side. How could I walk away now? Only pity the farmers whose season our encampments will disrupt. Shanhaiguan and Jinzhou are still too strong to rush. For the moment, let us take only those towns that do not expect us." On the jiwei day he wrote again to the Ming emperor pleading for peace, and to Ming officials urging them to conclude a treaty without delay. This made the seventh such letter. On the jiazi day Wang Shixuan, deputy commander at Yulin in Ming service, defected. The Emperor led the main force home. Beile Abatai, Jirhalang, and Sahalian, with the civil officials Sony and Ning Wanwo, garrisoned Yongping; Bao Chengxian held Qian'an; gushan ejen Turgai and Namutai held Luanzhou; Chakara and Fan Wencheng held Zunhua. He remained at Luanzhou three days to review merit and grant rewards. On the renshen day he proclaimed: "Heaven has delivered the Ming lands and people into my hands. They are my people now. Command the troops to do them no injury—whoever disobeys will answer for it." At Yongping the surrendered revenue official Chen Cixin tried to escape. When the plot came to light he was condemned to death, but the Emperor spared him and allowed him to depart freely.
40
三月壬午，上還瀋陽。 庚寅，遣二貝勒阿敏、貝勒碩託率兵五千往守永平四城，貝勒阿巴泰等還。 庚子，阿魯四子部遣使來盟。
In the third month, on the renshen day, the Emperor came back to Shenyang. On the gengyin day Second Beile Amin and Beile Shuo Tuo marched out with five thousand men to garrison the four Yongping towns, while Beile Abatai and his colleagues withdrew. On the gengzi day the Aru Four Sons tribe sent envoys to swear alliance.
41
夏四月壬子，明兵攻灤州，不克。 己卯，貝勒阿巴泰、濟爾哈朗等自永平還。 上問是役俘獲較前孰多，對曰：「此行所獲人口甚多。」 上曰：「財帛不足喜，惟多得人為可喜耳。」
In the fourth month of summer, on the renzi day, Ming forces assaulted Luanzhou without success. On the jimao day Beile Abatai, Jirhalang, and the others returned from Yongping. The Emperor asked whether this campaign had yielded more captives than the last. They answered, "This time we took a great multitude of people." The Emperor said, "Gold and cloth are nothing to celebrate. What pleases me is winning people."
42
五月己丑，諭諸臣厚撫俘眾。 壬辰，阿敏、碩託等棄永平四城歸。 時明監軍道張春、錦州總兵祖大壽等合兵攻灤州。 那穆泰、圖爾格、湯古代等出戰，屢敗明兵，然兵少，阿敏、碩託畏不往援，明兵用砲攻灤州，那穆泰等不能支，棄城奔永平。 會天雨，我軍潰圍出，無馬被創者死四百餘人。 阿敏、碩託聞之恐，遂殺降官白養粹等，盡屠城中士民，收其金幣，乘夜出冷口。 察哈喇等亦棄遵化歸。 上方命貝勒杜度趨永平協守，且敕阿敏善撫官民，無侵暴，將整兵親往。 庚子，聞阿敏棄城，且大肆屠戮，乃止。
In the fifth month, on the jichou day, he commanded his ministers to care for the captives with generosity. On the renchen day Amin and Shuo Tuo abandoned the four Yongping garrisons and marched home. By then Zhang Chun, the Ming campaign supervisor, and Zu Dashou, commander at Jinzhou, had united their armies against Luanzhou. Namutai, Turgai, and Tangundai sallied forth and beat the Ming again and again, but they were too few. Amin and Shuo Tuo, afraid to reinforce them, held back while Ming artillery battered Luanzhou. Namutai's garrison could not stand; they abandoned the city and fled toward Yongping. Rain came down as our men broke through the siege. Over four hundred wounded foot soldiers who had lost their mounts perished. Amin and Shuo Tuo, hearing of the disaster, were seized with panic. They put the surrendered official Bai Yangcui and his fellows to the sword, massacred the soldiers and townspeople, looted their gold, and stole away by night through Cold Pass. Chakara too abandoned Zunhua and fell back. The Emperor had already ordered Beile Dudu to march to Yongping to reinforce the defense, and had warned Amin to treat officials and civilians gently and forbid pillage, while he himself prepared to take the field. On the gengzi day, when word came that Amin had deserted the towns and butchered the populace, he called the expedition off.
43
六月甲寅，收繫棄城諸將，數其罪。 乙卯，御殿宣阿敏十六罪。 眾議當誅。 上不忍致法，幽之。 碩託、湯古代、那穆泰、巴布泰、圖爾格等各奪爵、革職有差。 諸將中有力戰殺敵者釋之。 先是阿敏既屠永平官民，以其妻子分給士卒。 上曰：「彼既屠我歸順良民，又奴其妻子耶！」 命編為民戶，以房舍衣食給之。
In the sixth month, on the jiayin day, the commanders who had deserted their posts were seized and charged one by one. On the yimao day he sat in open court and read out sixteen counts against Amin. The council unanimously demanded his execution. The Emperor could not bring himself to carry out the sentence and had Amin confined instead. Shuo Tuo, Tangundai, Namutai, Babutai, Turgai, and the others were degraded in rank and dismissed from office to different degrees. Officers who had fought fiercely and slain the enemy in battle were spared punishment. After Amin's massacre at Yongping he had parceled out the victims' wives and children as slaves to his troops. The Emperor said, "He butchered people who had come over to us in good faith—and now we are to enslave their families?" He ordered the survivors enrolled as civilian households and given shelter, clothing, and provisions.
44
秋九月戊戌，申諭諸大臣滿、漢官各勤職業。
In the ninth month of autumn, on the xuany day, he again exhorted his great ministers and every Manchu and Han official to perform his office with diligence.
45
冬十月辛酉，諭編審各旗壯丁，隱匿者罰之。
In the tenth month of winter, on the xinyou day, he ordered each banner to muster and register its able-bodied men, with penalties for anyone who hid conscripts.
46
十一月甲午，那堪泰部虎爾噶率家屬來歸，阿魯四子部諸貝勒來歸。 壬寅，阿魯伊蘇忒部聞上善養民，留所部於西拉木輪河，而偕我使臣察漢喇嘛來朝。
In the eleventh month, on the jiawu day, Huerga of the Nakan Tai tribe arrived with his family, and the beile of the Aru Four Sons tribe came in. On the renyin day the Aru Isut tribe, hearing that the Emperor nourished his subjects well, left their main camp on the Xilamulun River and accompanied our envoy Chahan Lama to court.
47
十二月戊辰，科爾沁貝勒圖美衛徵來朝。
In the twelfth month, on the wuchen day, Khorchin Beile Tumai Weizheng presented himself at court.
48
五年春正月庚辰，諭已故功臣無後者，家產給其妻自贍。 壬午，鑄紅衣大砲成，金雋曰「天祐助威大將軍」。 軍中造砲自此始。 乙未，以額駙佟養性總理漢人軍民事，漢官聽其節制。 己亥，幸文館，入庫爾纏直房，問所修何書。 對曰：「記註所行政事。」 上曰：「如此，朕不宜觀。」 又覽達海所譯武銓，見投醪飲河事，曰：「古良將體恤士卒，三軍之士樂為致死。 若額駙顧三台對敵時，見戰士歿者，以繩曳之歸，安能得人死力乎！」 庚子，朝鮮貢物不及額，卻之，以書責其罪。
In the fifth year, in the first month of spring, on the gengchen day, he decreed that when a meritorious official died without heirs, his property should pass to his widow for her support. On the renwu day the great red-barrel cannon were cast and named "Great General of Heaven's Aid and Triumphant Might." Field artillery manufacture in the army began from this date. On the yiwei day Imperial Son-in-law Tong Yangxing was appointed to supervise all Han military and civil affairs, with Han officials subject to his orders. On the jihai day the Emperor visited the Literary Institute, stepped into Kurchen's study, and asked what work was in progress. They answered, "A day-by-day record of government business." The Emperor said, "In that case I had better not look at it." He also browsed Dahai's translation of the military classics and, coming upon the tale of a general who poured his wine into the river so his men could drink, remarked, "The great captains of old shared their soldiers' hardships. Men would die gladly for such leaders. But if Imperial Son-in-law Gu Santai, in the face of battle, had corpses hauled away on ropes while the living watched, how could he ever have earned their wholehearted loyalty?" On the gengzi day Korea's tribute came in below the required amount. He rejected it and dispatched a letter denouncing the breach.
49
二月庚申，敕邊臣謹斥堠。 甲戌，孟阿圖征瓦爾喀，奏捷。
In the second month, on the gengshen day, he commanded border officers to keep their outposts in strict readiness. On the jiaxu day Meng Atu marched against the Warka and sent word of victory.
50
三月乙亥朔，鑲藍旗固山額真、額駙顧三台罷，以太祖弟之子篇古代之。 書諭大貝勒代善、三貝勒莽古爾泰及貝勒諸大臣，求直言過失。 丁亥，閱漢兵。 甲午，誅劉興祚、興治家屬，赦其母。 丁酉，朝鮮復遣使來貢。 辛丑，遣滿達爾漢、董訥密遺朝鮮王書，索戰船助攻明。 不許。
On the first day of the third month the bordered blue banner gushan ejen and imperial son-in-law Gu Santai were removed from office and replaced by Piangu, son of the Taizu's younger brother. He wrote to Grand Beile Daishan, Third Beile Manggotai, and the other beile and ministers, inviting blunt criticism of his own failings. On the dinghai day he inspected the Han forces. On the jiawu day the households of Liu Xingzuo and Liu Xingzhi were put to death, though their mother was spared. On the dingyou day Korea once more sent tribute envoys. On the xinchou day Mandahan and Dongnami were sent with a confidential letter to the king of Korea demanding war junks for an assault on the Ming. The request was refused.
51
六月癸亥，定功臣襲職例。 黑龍江伊札訥、薩克提、伽期訥、俄力喀、康柱等五頭目來朝。
In the sixth month, on the guihai day, rules were fixed for hereditary office among the families of meritorious officials. Five chiefs of the Heilongjiang—Yizhanu, Saketi, Jiaqinu, Olikha, and Kangzhu—presented themselves at court.
52
秋七月甲戌，黑龍江虎爾哈部四頭目來朝貢。 庚辰，始設六部，以墨勒根戴青貝勒多爾袞，貝勒德格類、薩哈廉、岳託、濟爾哈朗、阿巴泰等管六部事。 每部滿、漢、蒙古分設承政官，其下設參政各八員，啟心郎各一員，改巴克什為筆帖式，其尚稱巴克什者仍其舊。 更定訐告諸貝勒者准其離主例，其以細事訐訴者禁之。 諭貝勒審事冤抑不公者坐罪。 除職官有罪概行削職律，嗣後有罪者，分別輕重降罰有差。 並禁官民同族嫁娶，犯者男婦以奸論。 又諭貝勒諸大臣省過改行，求極諫。 甲申，鬧雷虎爾哈部四頭目來朝貢。 癸巳，定小事賞罰例，令牛錄額真審理，大者送部。 明總兵祖大壽等築大凌河。 檄諸蒙古各率所部來會征之。 己亥，大軍西發，命貝勒杜度、薩哈廉、豪格留守。 庚子，渡遼河，申誡諸將恤士卒。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the jiaxu day, four chiefs of the Heilongjiang Hurka came in with tribute. On the gengchen day the Six Ministries were founded. Beile Dorgon, titled Mergen Daiqing, together with Beile Degui, Sahalian, Yueto, Jirhalang, and Abatai were assigned to head them. Each ministry received separate supervising officers for Manchu, Han, and Mongol affairs, with eight assistant administrators below them and one qixinlang apiece. The title bakshi was renamed bitheci, though men who still bore the old title kept it. The rule permitting subjects who accused a beile to leave his service was confirmed, while trivial lawsuits were banned. Beile who heard cases unfairly would themselves be punished. The blanket rule that any guilty official lost his post outright was repealed; from now on punishment would vary with the seriousness of the crime. He also forbade marriage within the same clan among officials and commoners, treating offenders of either sex as adulterers. He again urged the beile and great ministers to examine their conduct, mend their ways, and welcome the harshest counsel. On the jiaxu day four chiefs of the Naolei Hurka presented tribute at court. On the guisi day rules for petty rewards and penalties were set: niru ejen would decide small cases, while grave ones went to the ministries. Zu Dashou, the Ming regional commander, and others began fortifying Dalinghe. He issued orders for each Mongol tribe to march its forces to the siege. On the jihai day the main host marched west, leaving Beile Dudu, Sahalian, and Hooge to guard the homeland. On the gengzi day they crossed the Liao, and the Emperor once more charged his commanders to care for their men.
53
八月壬寅朔，次舊遼河而營，蒙古諸部率兵來會。 癸卯，集蒙古諸貝勒，申前令，無擅殺掠。 於是分兵兩路，貝勒德格類、岳託、阿濟格以兵二萬由義州入屯錦州、大凌河之間，上自白土場入廣寧。 丁未，會於大凌河，乘夜攻城。 令曰：「攻城恐傷士卒，當掘壕築壘困之。 彼若出，與之戰，外援至，迎擊之。」 乃分八旗兵合圍，令蒙古兵承其隙。 辛亥，明馬步兵五百人出城，達爾哈擊敗之。 壬子，射書城中，招蒙古人出降。 癸丑，明兵出城誘戰。 圖賴先入，達爾哈繼之，四面環攻，貝勒多爾袞亦率兵入。 城內砲矢俱發，圖賴被創，副將孟坦、屯布祿、備御多貝、侍衛戈裡戰歿。 上以圖賴等輕進，切責之。 以紅衣砲攻明台，兵降者相繼。 乙卯，遺祖大壽書曰：「往者我欲和，爾國君臣以宋為鑒，不我應。 爾國非宋，我亦非金，何不達若此。 朕今厭兵革，更以書往，惟將軍裁之。」 大壽不答。 丁巳，明松山兵二千來援，阿山、勞薩、土魯什擊敗之。 甲子，貝勒阿濟格、碩托遮擊明援兵。 丁卯，明錦州兵六千來攻阿濟格營。 會大霧，覿面不相識。 忽有青氣沖敵營，辟若門，我軍乘霧進，大戰，敗之，擒游擊一，盡獲其甲仗馬匹。 辛未，上詣貝勒阿濟格營，酌金卮勞諸將。 明兵突出，師夾擊，又大敗之。
On the first day of the eighth month the army halted on the old Liao River as Mongol contingents came in to the rendezvous. On the guimao day he gathered the Mongol beile and repeated his earlier command: no killing or looting without leave. The army then split. Beile Degui, Yueto, and Ajige led twenty thousand men through Yizhou to camp between Jinzhou and Dalinghe, while the Emperor marched into Guangning by way of Baituchang. On the dingwei day the columns united at Dalinghe and assaulted the walls by night. His order read: "A direct assault will cost us men. Dig trenches and raise earthworks and starve them out. If they sally forth, fight them. If reinforcements come, intercept them." The Eight Banners closed the ring around the fortress while Mongol detachments sealed the gaps. On the xinhai day five hundred Ming cavalry and infantry sallied from the city; Darha routed them. On the renzi day messages were fired into the town calling on the Mongol defenders to defect. On the guichou day Ming troops emerged to bait our men into a fight. Tulai struck first, Darha came behind him, and the ring closed on every side as Beile Dorgon led more men in. Guns and arrows blazed from the ramparts. Tulai was wounded; Deputy Commanders Mengtan and Tunbulu, Guard Officer Duobei, and the bodyguard Geli fell in the fight. The Emperor rebuked Tulai and the rest sharply for their reckless charge. Red-barrel cannon battered the Ming bastions, and defenders surrendered one after another. On the yimao day he wrote to Zu Dashou: "I once sought peace, but your court, citing the fall of the Song, would not reply. Your dynasty is not the Song, and I am no Jin conqueror—why cling to that lesson so blindly? I am weary of war and write again. The decision is yours, General." Dashou made no reply. On the dingyou day two thousand Ming troops marched out from Songshan; Ashan, Laosa, and Tulushi beat them back. On the jiazi day Beile Ajige and Shuo Tuo ambushed the Ming relief column. On the dingmao day six thousand Jinzhou troops assailed Ajige's encampment. A dense fog rolled in until men could not see one another's faces. Then a green light burst against the enemy lines, parting the mist like a gate. Our troops pressed forward through the fog, fought a fierce battle, routed the Ming, seized a guerrilla officer, and captured their armor, arms, and mounts to the last piece. On the xinwei day the Emperor rode to Beile Ajige's camp, lifted a golden goblet, and toasted his victorious commanders. Ming forces sallied forth; our troops caught them in a pincer and routed them once more.
54
九月丁亥，上以兵趨錦州，見塵起，上命諸軍勿行，自率擺牙喇兵二百，與貝勒多鐸緣山潛進。 明錦州兵七千突出進上前。 上甫擐甲，從者不及二百人，渡河沖敵軍。 敵不能當，潰走。 諸軍繼至，又大敗之，斬一副將而還。 己丑，復以書招祖大壽。 庚寅，上設伏山內，誘大壽出，將擒之，大壽驚遁，自是閉城不出。 時城中穀止百石，馬死盡，煮馬肉為食，以鞍代爨。 乙未，明太僕寺卿監軍道張春，總兵吳襄、鍾緯等，以馬步兵四萬來援，壁小凌河。 戊戌，明援兵趨大凌河，距城十五裡。 上率兩翼騎兵衝擊之，不動。 右翼兵猝入張春營，敵遂敗，吳襄及副將桑阿爾寨先奔。 張春等復集潰兵立營，會大風，敵乘風縱火，將及我軍，天忽雨，反風，復戰，遂大破之，生擒張春及副將三十三人。 春不屈，乞死，上赦不殺。 是役也，祖大壽仍以我為誘敵，故城中無應者。 是夕黑雲龍遁去。
On the dinghai day of the ninth month the Emperor moved on Jinzhou. When he saw dust rising he halted the main body, took two hundred bayara guards, and with beile Dorgon crept forward along the hills. Seven thousand Jinzhou Ming troops sallied and pressed straight toward the Emperor. He had barely time to arm; fewer than two hundred men were with him. He crossed the river and charged the enemy line. The enemy could not stand and broke in flight. The main forces came up, defeated them again, beheaded a deputy commander, and withdrew. On the jichou day he again wrote to summon Zu Dashou. On the gengyin day the Emperor laid an ambush in the hills to draw Dashou out and seize him; Dashou fled in alarm and thereafter kept the gates closed. Grain in the city then came to only a hundred piculs; the horses had all died; the garrison boiled horseflesh for food and burned saddles for fuel. On the yiwei day Zhang Chun, Ming Grand Secretary of the Imperial Stud and army inspector, with regional commanders Wu Xiang, Zhong Wei, and others brought forty thousand horse and foot to the relief and encamped on the Xiao Ling River. On the wuxu day the Ming relief force marched on Dalinghe, fifteen li from the walls. The Emperor led both wings of cavalry in a charge, but the enemy line held firm. Right-wing troops suddenly broke into Zhang Chun's camp; the enemy collapsed, and Wu Xiang with deputy commander Sang'a'erzhai fled first. Zhang Chun rallied the fugitives and pitched camp again. A gale rose and the enemy used it to fire on our lines, but rain suddenly fell and the wind turned back. We fought again and broke them completely, taking Zhang Chun and thirty-three deputy commanders alive. Chun refused to yield and begged for death; the Emperor spared him. In this fight Zu Dashou still took our moves as a ruse to lure out the relief army, so no one in the city came out to help. That night Hei Yunlong escaped.
55
冬十月丁未，以書招祖大壽、何可剛、張存仁。 己酉，再遺大壽書。 壬子，以紅衣砲攻於子章台。 台最固，三日台毀，守台將王景降，於是遠近百餘台俱下。 甲寅，遣降將姜新招祖大壽。 大壽亦遣游擊韓棟來會。 癸亥，議三貝勒莽古爾泰上前持刃罪，降貝勒，奪所屬五牛錄。 乙丑，祖大壽約我副將石廷柱議降。 丙寅，大壽遣其子可法為質。 戊辰，大凌河舉城降，獨副將何可剛不從。 大壽掖可剛至軍前殺之，夜至御營，上優遇之，大壽遂獻取錦州策。 己巳，遣兵隨大壽夜襲錦州，會大霧，失伍，還。
In the tenth month of winter, on the dingwei day, letters were sent summoning Zu Dashou, He Kegang, and Zhang Cunren. On the jiyou day another letter was sent to Dashou. On the renzi day red-coated cannon were turned on Yuzizhang platform. The platform was the strongest of all; in three days it was battered down. Its commander Wang Jing surrendered, and more than a hundred platforms near and far followed. On the jiayin day the surrendered general Jiang Xin was sent to win over Zu Dashou. Dashou in turn sent guerrilla officer Han Dong to parley with us. On the guihai day third-rank beile Manggi Ortai was judged for drawing a weapon in the Emperor's presence: he was reduced from beile and deprived of his five niru. On the yichou day Zu Dashou agreed through our deputy commander Shi Tingzhu to negotiate surrender. On the bingyin day Dashou sent his son Kefa as a hostage. On the wuchen day Dalinghe surrendered as a whole; only deputy commander He Kegang refused. Dashou brought Kegang out before the army and had him killed, then came by night to the imperial camp, where the Emperor received him with favor. Dashou thereupon offered a plan for taking Jinzhou. On the jisi day troops went with Dashou on a night attack on Jinzhou, but heavy fog scattered the columns and they turned back.
56
十一月庚午朔，縱大壽還錦州。 戊寅，毀大凌河城。 己卯，班師。 乙酉，上還瀋陽。 丙戌，察哈爾侵阿魯西拉木輪地，貝勒薩哈廉、豪格移師征之，會察哈爾已去，乃還。
On the first day of the eleventh month Dashou was allowed to return to Jinzhou. On the wuyin day the works at Dalinghe were torn down. On the jimao day the army marched home. On the yiyou day the Emperor returned to Shenyang. On the bingxu day the Chakhar raided Aru Xilamulun. Beile Sahaliyan and Hooge marched against them, found the Chakhar already gone, and came back.
57
閏十一月庚子朔，諭曰：「我兵之棄永平四城，皆貝勒等不學無術所致。 頃大凌河之役，城中人相食，明人猶死守，及援盡城降，而錦州、松、杏猶不下，豈非其人讀書明理盡忠其主乎？ 自今凡子弟年十五歲以下、八歲以上，皆令讀書。」 遣庫爾纏等責朝鮮違約罪。 庚戌，禁國中不得私立廟寺，喇嘛僧違律者還俗，巫覡星士並禁止之。
On the first day of the intercalary eleventh month an edict declared: "Our loss of the four Yongping cities came wholly from the beile's want of learning and skill. In the recent siege of Dalinghe the garrison ate one another, yet the Ming still held to the end; only when relief failed did the city yield, while Jinzhou, Songshan, and Xingshan remain untaken. Is this not because their people are schooled in books, understand right conduct, and serve their lord with full loyalty? Henceforth every son and younger brother from eight up to fifteen years of age must be put to books." Kuerchan and others were sent to charge Korea with breach of treaty. On the gengxu day private temples and shrines were banned throughout the realm; lama monks who broke the law were laicized, and shamans, diviners, and star-readers were prohibited as well.
58
十二月壬辰，參將寧完我請設言官，定服制。 上嘉納之。 丙申，用禮部參政李伯龍言，更定元旦朝賀行禮班次。
On the renchen day of the twelfth month Staff Captain Ning Wanwo petitioned to institute censorial remonstrators and to codify court dress. The Emperor approved the proposal. On the bingshen day, following Vice Commissioner Li Bolong of the Board of Rites, the order of ceremony at the New Year court audience was revised.
59
六年春正月癸亥，閱漢兵。
In the first month of spring in the sixth year, on the guihai day, Han troops were reviewed.
60
二月壬申，定儀仗制。 丁丑，謁太祖陵，行時享禮。 戊子，諭海州等處城守官三年一赴瀋陽考察。 丁酉，諭戶部貝勒德格類以大凌河漢人分隸副將以下，給配撫養。 給還貝勒莽古爾泰所罰人口。
On the renshen day of the second month regulations for ceremonial guards were established. On the dingchou day he visited Taizu's tomb and performed the seasonal offering. On the wuzi day he ordered garrison commanders of Haizhou and other posts to report to Shenyang every three years for review. On the dingyou day he charged Household Bureau beile Dorgide to distribute Dalinghe Han Chinese among deputy commanders and below for allotment and maintenance. The households taken from beile Manggi Ortai were restored to him.
61
三月戊戌，賚大凌河諸降將有差。 命達海分析國書音義。 庚戌，定訐告諸貝勒者輕重虛實坐罪例，禁子弟告父兄、妻告夫者，定貝勒大臣賜祭葬例。 丁巳，征察哈爾，徵蒙古兵，頒軍令。
On the wuxu day of the third month the surrendered generals of Dalinghe were rewarded according to merit. Dahai was ordered to work out the sounds and meanings of the national script. On the gengxu day laws were set for denouncing beile, with penalties graded by the weight and truth of the charge; children were forbidden to accuse fathers and elder brothers, and wives their husbands; rules for the sacrificial and funeral honors of beile and senior ministers were also fixed. On the dingsi day the Chakhar campaign was ordered, Mongol levies were called up, and army regulations were issued.
62
夏四月戊辰朔，上率大軍西發，阿巴泰、杜度、揚古利、伊爾登、佟養性留守。 己巳，次遼河。 丙子，次西拉木輪河。 己卯，次札滾烏達，諸蒙古部兵以次來會。 乙酉，次哈納崖。 察哈爾汗林丹聞我師至，大懼，驅歸化城富民牲畜渡河西奔，盡委輜重而去。 庚寅，次都勒河，聞察哈爾林丹遠遁，上趨歸化城。 丙申，大軍自阿濟格和爾戈還趨察哈爾。
On the first day of the fourth month of summer the Emperor marched west at the head of the main host, leaving Abatai, Dudu, Yanggūri, Ilden, and Tong Yangxing to hold the rear. On the jisi day the army encamped on the Liao River. On the bingzi day it halted at the Xilamulun River. On the jimao day it halted at Zhagun Wuda, where Mongol contingents joined one after another. On the yiyou day it halted at Hana Cliffs. Chakhar Khan Lindan, hearing our host was near, was stricken with fear; he drove Guihua City's rich households and their herds across the river to the west and abandoned his entire baggage train in flight. On the gengyin day the army halted at the Dule River; learning that Lindan had fled far off, the Emperor hurried toward Guihua City. On the bingshen day the main force turned back from Ajige He'erge and drove again toward the Chakhar.
63
五月癸卯，諭諸部貝勒大臣勿輕進，勿退縮，勿殺降，勿分散人妻子，勿奪人衣服財物。 甲辰，次布龍圖布喇克。 丁未，勞薩奏報察哈爾遁去已久，逐北三日無所見。 上自布龍圖旋師。 戊申，定議征明。 丙辰，次硃兒格土。 時糧盡，忽逢黃羊遍野，遂合圍殺數萬，脯而食之。 無水，以一羊易杯水而飲。 上命各牛錄持水迎給之。 庚申，次木魯哈喇克沁，貝勒阿濟格率左翼略宣府、大同，貝勒濟爾哈朗率右翼略歸化城，上與大貝勒代善、貝勒莽古爾泰統大軍繼進。 甲子，上至歸化城，兩翼兵來會。 是日，大軍馳七百里，西至黃河木訥漢山，東至宣府，自歸化城南至明邊境，所在察哈爾部民悉俘之。
On the guimao day of the fifth month he warned the beile and ministers of every tribe not to advance rashly, not to hang back, not to slaughter captives, not to separate families, and not to seize clothing or property. On the jiachen day the army encamped at Bulongtu Bulake. On the dingwei day Laosa reported that the Chakhar had been gone for many days; three days' pursuit to the north found no trace. The Emperor turned back from Bulongtu. On the wushen day an expedition against the Ming was decided. On the bingchen day the army halted at Zhu'ergetu. Supplies were spent when yellow sheep suddenly covered the plain; the army ringed and slaughtered tens of thousands, dried the meat, and lived on it. With no water to be had, a cup of water cost one sheep. The Emperor ordered every niru to bring water forward for the troops. On the gengshen day the host halted at Muluhalaqin. Beile Ajige led the left wing to harry Xuanfu and Datong; beile Jirhalang led the right wing against Guihua City; the Emperor with senior beile Daishan and beile Manggi Ortai followed with the main body. On the jiazi day the Emperor arrived at Guihua City and the wing armies united with him. That day the main force swept seven hundred li—west to Munahan Mountain on the Yellow River, east to Xuanfu—and from south of Guihua City to the Ming border every Chakhar tribesman in reach was taken.
64
六月丁卯朔，蒙古部民竄沙河堡，上以書諭明守臣索之。 明歸我男婦三百二十、牲畜千四百有奇。 辛未，寧完我、范文程、馬國柱合疏言：「伐明之策，宜先以書議和，俟彼不從，執以為辭，乘釁深入，可以得志。」 上嘉納之。 甲戌，大軍發歸化城，趨明邊。 丁丑，明沙河堡守臣使賚牲幣來獻。 己卯，庫爾纏等自得勝堡，愛巴禮等由張家口，分詣大同、宣府議和。 書曰：「我之興兵，非必欲取明天下也。 遼東守臣貪黷昏罔，勸葉赫陵我，遂嬰七恨。 屢愬爾主，而遼東壅不上聞。 我兵至此，欲爾主察之也。 及攻撫順，又因十三省商賈各遺以書，慮其不克徑達，則各以書進其省官吏，冀有一聞。 乃縱之使去，寂焉不復。 語云：『下情上達，天下罔不治； 下情上壅，天下罔不亂。』 今所在征討，爭戰不息，民死鋒鏑，雖下情不達之故，抑豈天意乎？ 我今聞誠相告，國雖褊小，惟欲兩國和好，互為貿易，各安耕獵，以享太平。 若言不由衷，天其鑒我。 前者屢致書問，憤疾之詞，固所不免。 此兵家之常，不足道也。 幸速裁斷，實國之福。 我駐兵十日以待。」 庚辰，駐大同邊外。 庫爾纏偕明得勝堡千總賚牲幣來獻。 上不納。 復遺書明守臣曰：「我仰體天意，原申和好。 爾果愛民，宜速定議。 若延時不報，縱欲相待，如軍中糧盡何。 至書中稱謂，姑勿論，我遜爾國，我居察哈爾之上可耳。」 癸未，趨宣府，守臣以明主所給察哈爾緞布皮幣一萬二千五百歸我。 庚寅，駐張家口外，列營四十里。 癸巳，明巡撫沈棨、總兵董繼舒遣人賚牛羊食物來獻。 上宴之，遂定和議，大市於張家口。 科爾沁部兵三人潛入明邊，盜牛驢，斬其首者，鞭二人，貫耳以徇。 甲午，明巡撫沈棨遣使來請盟。 命大臣阿什達爾哈等蒞之，刑白馬烏牛，誓告天地。 禮成，遣啟心郎祁充格送明使歸。 明以金幣來獻。 晉封皇子豪格為和碩貝勒。 是月，遼東大水。
On the first day of the sixth month Mongol tribesmen slipped into Shahe Fort; the Emperor wrote the Ming commander demanding their return. The Ming handed back three hundred twenty men and women and somewhat more than fourteen hundred head of livestock. On the xinwei day Ning Wanwo, Fan Wencheng, and Ma Guozhu jointly advised: "To campaign against the Ming, open with letters offering peace; when they refuse, use that refusal as your plea and march deep on opportunity—then you may prevail." The Emperor approved their counsel. On the jiaxu day the main army left Guihua City and moved on the Ming frontier. On the dingchou day the Ming commander of Shahe Fort sent envoys with livestock and silks as gifts. On the jimao day Kuerchan and others from Desheng Fort and Aibali and others through Zhangjiakou went separately to Datong and Xuanfu to treat for peace. The letter said: "I have taken up arms not because I must conquer the Ming empire. Liaodong officials were greedy, corrupt, and blind; they incited the Yehe to slight us, and so I raised the Seven Grievances. I appealed again and again to your sovereign, yet Liaodong kept word from reaching the throne. My army has come so that your sovereign may look into the matter. When we struck Fushun I also sent letters by merchants of the thirteen provinces; fearing they would not go straight to court, each letter was delivered to the officials of that province in hope that someone might hear. They were let go—and after that, silence. The proverb says: 'When what is below reaches what is above, all under Heaven is governed; when what is below is stopped from above, all under Heaven falls into disorder. Today war rages on every side and the people die by the blade—partly because word does not rise, yet is this not also Heaven's decree? I speak to you now in good faith: though our realm is small, we wish only peace between our states, trade in common, each at ease in field and hunt, and long tranquillity. If these words are not sincere, may Heaven judge me. In letters before this, harsh and angry words were unavoidable. That is the common way of armies and need not be dwelt on. Decide quickly, for that is truly your state's blessing. I shall hold my camp ten days for your answer." On the gengchen day he encamped beyond the Datong frontier. Kuerchan arrived with a Ming thousand-commander from Desheng Fort bringing livestock and silks as gifts. The Emperor refused the gifts. He wrote again to the Ming commander: "In accord with Heaven's will I seek only to restore peace. If you truly love the people, settle the matter at once. If you delay your reply, however much you may wish to wait, what can be done when the army's grain is gone? As for how your letter addresses me, let that be for another day; I yield precedence to your court—only let me rank above Chakhar. On the guiwei day he pressed toward Xuanfu. The garrison commander handed back twelve thousand five hundred pieces of satin, cloth, hides, and coin that the Ming emperor had granted the Chakhar. On the gengyin day he encamped outside Zhangjiakou, his lines stretching forty li. On the guisi day Ming grand coordinator Shen Qi and regional commander Dong Jishu sent envoys with cattle, sheep, and food as tribute. The Emperor entertained them, peace was concluded, and a great market was opened at Zhangjiakou. Three Khorchin soldiers who had crossed into Ming territory and stolen cattle and donkeys were punished: the leader was beheaded, two were flogged, and their ears were pierced and they were paraded before the army as a warning. On the jiawu day Shen Qi, Ming grand coordinator, sent envoys to ask for a sworn alliance. He charged ministers led by Ashidarha to preside. A white horse and a black ox were offered in sacrifice and the oath was sworn before Heaven and Earth. When the ceremony ended, senior secretary Qi Chongge was sent to conduct the Ming envoys back. The Ming presented gold and coin in tribute. Prince Hooge was promoted to hošo-i beile. That month eastern Liaodong suffered severe flooding.
65
秋七月丁酉朔，復以書約明張家口守臣信誓敦好，善保始終，且謂和議遼東地方在內，爾須遣官往告。 上率大軍還。 庚子，至上都河，明以和議成，來餽禮物，酌納之。 辛丑，蒙古諸貝勒辭歸。 庚戌，次擺斯哈兒。 游擊巴克什達海卒。 庚申，上還瀋陽。
On the first day of the seventh month of autumn he wrote again to the Zhangjiakou commander, binding him by oath to lasting amity and urging him to keep faith to the end. He also declared that Liaodong was covered by the treaty and that Ming officials must be sent to proclaim it there. The Emperor led the main army back. On the gengzi day he reached the Shangdu River. With peace concluded, the Ming sent gifts, which he accepted in due measure. On the xinchou day the Mongol beile departed for their own lands. On the gengxu day he encamped at Baisiha'er. Guerrilla officer Bakshi Dahai died. On the gengshen day the Emperor returned to Shenyang.
66
八月丁卯，召明諸生王文奎、孫應時、江雲入宮，問以和事成否。 三人皆言，明政日紊，和議難必。 且中原盜賊蜂起，人民離亂。 勸上宣佈仁義，用賢養民，乘時吊伐，以應天心。 癸酉，六部署成，頒銀印各一。 甲午，命固山額真察民疾苦，清理刑獄。 察哈爾檮納楚虎爾來歸。
In the eighth month, on the dingmao day, he summoned the Ming scholars Wang Wenkuai, Sun Yingshi, and Jiang Yun and asked whether the peace would endure. All three answered that Ming government was daily more disorderly and that a lasting peace was unlikely. Bandits, they added, were rising everywhere in the Central Plain and the people were in turmoil. They urged him to proclaim benevolence and righteousness, employ worthy men and care for the people, seize the moment to succor the suffering and chastise the guilty, and so answer Heaven's will. On the guiyou day the Six Ministries were fully established, and each received a silver seal. On the jiawu day he ordered the gushan ejen to inquire into the people's hardships and to review criminal cases. Chonochuhor of the Chakhar submitted.
67
九月癸卯，修覆蓋州城，移民實之。 甲寅，命戶部貝勒德格類、兵部貝勒岳託展耀州舊界至蓋州迤南。
In the ninth month, on the guimao day, Fugaizhou was rebuilt and settlers were moved in to populate it. On the jiayin day he ordered Household Bureau beile Degelai and War Bureau beile Yueto to extend our frontier from the old Yaozhou line south to Gaizhou.
68
冬十月乙丑朔，幸開原。 甲戌，還瀋陽。 遣衛徵囊蘇喇嘛赴寧遠，賚書致明帝曰：「我國稱兵，非不知足而冀大位，因邊臣欺侮，致啟兵釁。 往征察哈爾時，過宣府定和議，我遂執越境盜竊之人戮之塞下，我之誠心可謂至矣。 前邊臣未能細述，今欲備言，又恐疑我不忘舊怨，如遣信使來，將盡告之。 若謂已和，不必語及往事，亦惟命。」 又與明諸臣書曰：「宣府守臣與我盟時，約我毋侵遼東，誓諸天地。 今爾乃有異議，天可欺乎？ 執政大臣宜通權變，慎勿徒事大言，坐失事機。 若堅執不從，惟尋師旅，生靈荼毒，咎將誰歸？」
On the first day of the tenth month of winter he went to Kaiyuan. On the jiaxu day he returned to Shenyang. He dispatched Wei Zheng Nangsu Lama to Ningyuan with a letter to the Ming emperor: "Our state has taken up arms not from greed or ambition for the throne, but because your frontier officials insulted us and provoked war. On our campaign against the Chakhar we passed Xuanfu and made peace. We then seized men who crossed the border to steal and executed them at the frontier. Our sincerity could not have been greater. Your frontier officials never reported this fully. I would now explain everything, yet I fear you will think I still brood on old wrongs. Send envoys and I will lay out the whole matter. If you hold that peace is enough and the past should not be raised, I bow to your wish." He also wrote to Ming ministers: "When the Xuanfu commander allied with us he bound us not to invade Liaodong, with an oath sworn before Heaven and Earth. Now you dispute the terms—can Heaven itself be deceived? Those who govern should weigh circumstances and act; do not fill your dispatches with grand words and let the moment slip away. If you stand firm and will hear only of war, the common people will bear the suffering—who then will answer for it?"
69
十一月壬寅，明寧遠守臣以我所遺書封固，不敢以陳，請露封，許之。 辛亥，阿祿部都思噶爾濟農所屬祁他特吹虎爾台吉來附。 壬子，遣使往朝鮮定歲貢額。
On the renyin day of the eleventh month the Ningyuan garrison reported that our letter arrived sealed and they dared not open it before the throne; they asked leave to break the seal, and it was granted. On the xinhai day Qitete Chuihu'er taiji, subject of Dosiger Jiyin of the Aru, came to submit. On the renzi day envoys were sent to Korea to set the annual tribute quota.
70
十二月乙丑，定朝服及官民常服制。 三貝勒莽古爾泰卒。 乙亥，吳巴海征兀札喇遣使告捷。
In the twelfth month, on the yichou day, regulations were fixed for court dress and the everyday dress of officials and commoners. Third-rank beile Manggotai died. On the yihai day messengers arrived announcing Ubahai's victory over the Ujar.
71
七年春正月庚子，諭各牛錄額真以恤貧訓農習射。 辛丑，朝鮮來貢，不及額。 丁未，復書責之。 戊申，皇長女下嫁敖漢部貝勒都喇爾巴圖魯子台吉班第。 乙卯，征兀札喇師還。
In the first month of spring in the seventh year, on the gengzi day, he ordered every niru ejen to relieve the poor, instruct the people in farming, and drill in archery. On the xinchou day Korea sent tribute that fell short of the fixed quota. On the dingwei day he wrote again to rebuke them. On the wushen day the eldest imperial daughter was given in marriage to taiji Bandi, son of Ao Han beile Dorlar Baturu. On the yimao day the army returned from the campaign against the Ujar.
72
二月癸亥朔，阿魯科爾沁汗車根率固木巴圖魯、達爾馬代袞等舉國來附。 己卯，庫爾纏有罪，誅。 癸未，土魯什、勞薩等略寧遠。
On the first day of the second month Aru Khorchin Khan Chergen came with Gumbaturu, Darmadaigun, and the rest, bringing the whole tribe to submit. On the jimao day Kuerchan was found guilty and put to death. On the guiwei day Turusi, Laosa, and others raided Ningyuan.
73
三月丁酉，築鹻場、攬盤、通遠堡、岫巖四城。 辛丑，郭爾羅斯部台吉固木來朝。 丙辰，明故總兵毛文龍部將孔有德、耿仲明遣使來約降。
On the dingyou day of the third month four forts were built: Yanchang, Lanpan, Tongyuanbao, and Xiuyan. On the xinchou day taiji Gum of the Gorlos came to court. On the bingchen day Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming, former subordinates of Ming commander Mao Wenlong, sent envoys to negotiate surrender.
74
夏四月乙丑，察哈爾兩翼大總管塔什海虎魯克寨桑來附。 乙亥，使參將英俄爾岱等借糧朝鮮濟孔有德軍，不從。
In the fourth month of summer, on the yichou day, Tashihai Horluk jaisang, grand overseer of the Chakhar left and right wings, submitted. On the yihai day Enggurdai and other deputy generals were sent to borrow grain from Korea for Kong Youde's troops; the Koreans refused.
75
五月乙未，吳喇忒台吉土門達爾漢等來朝。 壬子，貝勒濟爾哈朗、阿濟格、杜度率兵迎孔有德、耿仲明於鎮江，命率所部駐東京。
In the fifth month, on the yiwei day, Wurate taiji Tumendahan and others came to court. On the renzi day beile Jirhalang, Ajige, and Dudu marched to Zhenjiang to receive Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming and ordered them to station their forces at Dongjing.
76
六月壬戌，諭將士毋侵擾遼東新附人民，違者孥戮之。 癸亥，召孔有德、耿仲明入覲，厚賚之。 丙寅，遣英俄爾岱遺朝鮮王書曰：「往之借糧，貴國王以孔有德等昔隸毛氏，無輸糧養敵之理。 今有德歸我，糧已足給。 惟兵卒守船，輓運維艱，近距貴國，以糧給之甚便。 朕思王視明為父，視朕為兄，父兄相爭數年，而王坐觀成敗，是外有父兄之名，而內懷幸禍之意。 若力為解勸，息兵成好，不惟我兩國樂見太平，即貴國亦受其福。 若仍以兵助明，合而御我，則構兵實自王始。」 己巳，諭官民冠服遵制畫一。 癸酉，以孔有德為都元帥，耿仲明為總兵官，並賜敕印。 戊寅，英俄爾岱奏報朝鮮用明人計，借兵倭國，又於義州南嶺築城備我。 集諸貝勒大臣議之，皆言宜置朝鮮而伐明。 己卯，貝勒岳託、德格類率右翼楞額禮、葉臣，左翼伊爾登、昂阿喇及石廷柱、孔有德、耿仲明將兵取明旅順口。 甲申，東海使犬部額駙僧格來朝貢。 丁亥，諭曰：「凡進言者，如朕所行未協於義，宜直言勿諱。 政事或有愆忌，宜開陳無隱。 六部諸臣，奸偽貪邪，行事不公，宜行糾劾。 諸臣有艱苦之情，亦據實奏聞。 苟不務直言，遠引曲喻，剿襲紛然，何益於事？」
In the sixth month, on the renxu day, he forbade troops to molest the newly submitted people of Liaodong, on pain of death for the offender and his kin. On the guihai day Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming were received in audience and given rich rewards. On the bingyin day Enggurdai was dispatched with a letter to the king of Korea: "When you refused grain before, you said Kong Youde and his fellows had served Mao Wenlong and that you would not supply our enemies. Now De has joined us and our grain is sufficient. Only the troops guarding the ships still find transport difficult. Your country is close at hand; to furnish grain would be most convenient. I consider that you treat the Ming as a father and me as an elder brother. Father and brother have contended for years while you sat by and watched—which outwardly is kinship, but inwardly is the mind of one who hopes for another's ruin. If you exert yourself to mediate and restore peace, not only will our two states enjoy tranquility—your own kingdom will share the blessing. If you still send troops to aid the Ming and join them against me, you will be the one who first brought on war." On the jisi day he commanded officials and commoners alike to conform their caps and dress to the new regulations. On the guiyou day Kong Youde was appointed commander-in-chief and Geng Zhongming regional commander; each was granted an edict and seal. On the wuyin day Enggurdai reported that Korea, heeding Ming advisers, planned to borrow troops from Japan and was building a fort on the southern ridge of Yizhou against us. The beile and ministers were assembled in council; all agreed that Korea should be left aside and the Ming attacked. On the jimao day beile Yueto and Degelai led the right-wing commanders Lenggeri and Yechen and the left-wing Ilden and Angara, together with Shi Tingzhu, Kong Youde, and Geng Zhongming, to seize Ming Lüshunkou. On the jiashen day Sangge, imperial son-in-law of the Donghai Inu division, came to court with tribute. On the dinghai day he proclaimed: "All who offer counsel: if my actions fall short of right, speak plainly and hold nothing back. If affairs go wrong, set them forth without concealment. Officials of the Six Ministries who are false, greedy, or partial in judgment—you are to impeach them. If any minister suffers hardship, let him report it as it is. If you will not speak directly but only cite remote precedents and repeat one another in a tangle of words, what good does that do?"
77
秋七月辛卯朔，諭滿洲各戶有漢人十丁者授棉甲一，以舊漢軍額真馬光遠統之。 壬辰，阿祿部孫杜稜子台吉古木思轄布，寨桑吳巴什、阿什圖、巴達爾和碩齊等，吳喇忒部台吉阿巴噶爾代皆來朝貢。 甲辰，貝勒岳託等奏克旅順口。
On the first day of the seventh month of autumn, every Manchu household that held ten Han Chinese was issued one cotton corselet, to be commanded by Maguangyuan, ejen of the old Han Army. On the renchen day Gomusixabu taiji, son of Sundu of the Aru, with jaisang Ubashi, Ashitu, Badar hosoi, and others, and Wurate taiji Abagarda—all came to court with tribute. On the jiachen day beile Yueto and his colleagues reported that Lüshunkou had been taken.
78
八月庚申朔，英俄爾岱等自朝鮮還，以復書允糧濟我守船軍士。 壬戌，貝勒阿巴泰、阿濟格、薩哈廉、豪格等略明山海關外。 庚辰，貝勒德格類、岳託師還。 丁亥，以副將石廷柱為總兵官。
On the first day of the eighth month Enggurdai returned from Korea with a reply consenting to furnish grain for our troops guarding the ships. On the renxu day beile Abatai, Ajige, Sahaliyan, Hooge, and others raided beyond Ming Shanhaiguan. On the gengchen day the army under beile Degelai and Yueto returned. On the dinghai day deputy commander Shi Tingzhu was appointed regional commander.
79
九月庚子，貝勒阿巴泰等師還。 上以其不深入，責之。 癸卯，英俄爾岱等往朝鮮互市。 庚戌，明登州都司蔡賓等來降。
In the ninth month, on the gengzi day, the army under beile Abatai and the others returned. The Emperor rebuked them for failing to press deep into enemy country. On the guimao day Enggurdai and his party went to Korea to open mutual trade. On the gengxu day Cai Bin of Ming Dengzhou and others defected.
80
冬十月壬戌，遣使外籓蒙古各部，宣佈法令。 丙寅，大閱。 丁卯，發帑賚八旗步兵。 己巳，諭曰：「置官以來，吏、戶、兵三部辦事盡善，刑部訊獄稽延，罔得實情，禮部、工部皆有缺失。 夫啟心郎之設，欲其隨事規諫，啟乃心也。 乃有差謬而不聞開導，何耶？」 又曰：「爾等動以航海取山東攻山海關為言。 航海多險，攻堅易傷，是以空言相賺，不啻為敵計耳。 兵事無藉爾言，惟朕與諸貝勒有過，當極言耳。」 又諭文館諸儒臣曰：「太祖始命巴克什額爾德尼造國書，後庫爾纏增之。 慮有未合，爾等職司紀載，宜悉心訂正。 朕嗣大位，凡皇考行政用兵之大，不一一詳載，後世子孫何由而知，豈朕所以盡孝道乎？」 丙子，授明降將馬光遠為總兵官，王世選、麻登雲為三等總兵官，馬光先、孟喬芳等各授職有差。 癸未，明廣鹿島副將尚可喜遣使來約降。
In the tenth month of winter, on the renxu day, envoys were sent among the outer Mongol tribes to proclaim the laws. On the bingyin day a grand military review was held. On the dingmao day funds from the treasury were distributed to reward the Eight Banners foot soldiers. On the jisi day he declared: "Since the ministries were set up, the boards of Personnel, Revenue, and War have managed their business well; Justice drags out trials and fails to learn the facts; Rites and Works both fall short. Senior secretaries were instituted precisely so they might counsel on each matter and open their hearts. Yet when mistakes occur I hear no remonstrance—why? He added: "You are forever urging that we sail to seize Shandong and storm Shanhaiguan. The sea road is full of peril and storming strong places brings heavy loss. Such talk is empty boasting—no better than plotting for the enemy. War needs none of your schemes; speak to the full only when I or the beile go wrong." He also addressed the scholars of the Literary Office: "Taizu first charged bakshi Erdeni with devising the national script, and Kuerchan later enlarged it. If anything remains amiss, you who keep the chronicle must correct it with all diligence. Having taken the great throne, were I not to record in full every weighty act of rule and war of my imperial father, how would later generations learn of them? How would I be discharging filial duty?" On the bingzi day the Ming defector Ma Guangyuan was made regional commander; Wang Shixuan and Ma Dengyun were appointed third-rank regional commanders; Ma Guangxian, Meng Qiaofang, and others received posts according to merit. On the guiwei day Shang Kexi, Ming vice-commander on Guanglu Island, sent envoys to arrange his submission.
81
十一月甲辰，英俄爾岱復賚書往朝鮮，責以違約十事。 戊申，遣季思哈、吳巴海往征朝鮮接壤之虎爾哈部。 辛亥，上獵於葉赫。
On the jiachen day of the eleventh month Ying'oerdai was again dispatched to Korea with a letter listing ten violations of treaty. On the wushen day Jisiha and Wubaihai were sent against the Hurka along the Korean frontier. On the xinhai day the Emperor hunted in Yehe.
82
十二月辛未，上還瀋陽。
On the xinwei day of the twelfth month the Emperor returned to Shenyang.
83
八年春正月庚寅，諭蒙古諸貝勒令遵我國定制。 黑龍江羌圖裡、嘛爾干率六姓來朝貢。 癸巳，詔宗人自興祖直皇帝出者為六祖後，免其徭役。 乙未，正黃旗都統、一等總兵官楞額禮卒。 癸卯，漢備御訴漢人徭役重於滿洲，戶部貝勒德格類以聞。 上命禮部貝勒薩哈廉集眾諭其妄。 漢總兵官石廷柱等執備御八人請罪，上曰：「若加以罪，則後無復言者。」 並釋之。 戊申，塔布囊等征察哈爾潰眾於席爾哈、席伯圖。 己酉，蒿齊忒部台吉額林臣來歸。 丁巳，免功臣身故無嗣者丁之半，妻故始應役，著為令。
In the first month of spring in the eighth year, on the gengyin day, the Mongol beile were commanded to follow our laws and customs. Qiangtuli and Ma'ergan of the Heilongjiang brought six clans to court with tribute. On the guisi day an edict declared that descendants of the six ancestors from Emperor Xingzu Zhi were freed from corvée. On the yiwei day Ledenge, commander of the Plain Yellow Banner and a first-rank regional commander, died. On the guimao day Han reserve officers protested that Han corvée was heavier than Manchu; Household Bureau beile Degui laid the matter before the throne. The Emperor had Rites Bureau beile Sahalian assemble the people and pronounce the charge false. Han regional commander Shi Tingzhu and others arrested eight reserve officers and begged their punishment. The Emperor said, "Punish them, and none will dare speak again." All were set free. On the wushen day Tabunang and others struck routed Chakhar bands at Xierha and Xibotu. On the jiyou day Eilinchin, taiji of the Haqitai, submitted. On the dingsi day it was ordered that when a meritorious officer died without heirs, half the household corvée was waived and the remainder fell due only after his wife's death.
84
二月壬戌，定喪祭例，妻殉夫者聽，仍予旌表； 逼妾殉者，妻坐死。 遣貝勒多爾袞、薩哈廉往迎降將尚可喜，使駐海州。 丁卯，都元帥孔有德劾耿仲明不法狀，諭解之。 戊辰，遣阿山等略錦州。
On the renxu day of the second month rules for funeral rites were set: a wife who died with her husband was allowed and still honored; but anyone who compelled a concubine to die with him was punished with the wife's death. Beile Dorgon and Sahalian were sent to receive the defector Shang Kexi and post him at Haizhou. On the dingmao day commander-in-chief Kong Youde accused Geng Zhongming of misconduct; the Emperor ordered them to make peace. On the wuchen day Asan and others were dispatched to harry Jinzhou.
85
三月丁亥朔，日有食之，綠虹見。 辛卯，命譚泰、圖爾格略錦州。 壬辰，副將尚可喜率三島官民降，駐海州。 己亥，大閱。 甲辰，遣英俄爾岱往朝鮮互市。 令孔有德、耿仲明、尚可喜幟用白鑲皁，以別八旗。 壬子，考試漢生員。
On the first day of the third month, dinghai, the sun was eclipsed and a green rainbow was seen. On the xinmao day Tangtai and Turgai were sent against Jinzhou. On the renchen day Vice-commander Shang Kexi brought the three islands' officials and people in submission and was garrisoned at Haizhou. On the jihai day the troops were reviewed in full. On the jiachen day Ying'oerdai was sent to Korea to open border markets. Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi were given standards of white edged in black to set them apart from the Eight Banners. On the renzi day Han licentiates sat for examination.
86
夏四月辛酉，升授太祖諸子湯古代等副將、參將、備御有差。 又以哈達、烏喇二部之後無顯職，授哈達克什內為副將，烏喇巴彥為三等副將。 詔以瀋陽為「天眷盛京」，赫圖阿喇城為「天眷興京」。 改定總兵、副將、參將、游擊、備御滿字官名。 丁丑，尚可喜來朝，命為總兵官。 乙亥，以太祖弟之子拜尹圖為總管。 辛巳，初命禮部考試滿洲、漢人通滿、漢、蒙古書義者，取剛林等十六人為舉人，賜衣一襲，免四丁。 乙酉，金繼孟等自明石城島來降，以隸尚可喜。
In the fourth month of summer, on the xinyou day, Taizu's sons Tangdai and the rest were raised to vice-commander, particolored commander, and reserve officer according to rank. As heirs of Hada and Ula held no notable office, Hada Keshine was made vice-commander and Ula Bayan third-rank vice-commander. An edict styled Shenyang "Shengjing, the capital Heaven favors" and Hetu Ala "Xingjing, where Heaven's favor first rose." Manchu designations for regional commander, vice-commander, particolored commander, guerrilla officer, and reserve officer were reordered. On the dingchou day Shang Kexi presented himself at court and was made regional commander. On the yihai day Bayintu, son of the Taizu's younger brother, was appointed commandant-general. On the xinsi day the Board of Rites first tested proficiency in Manchu, Han, and Mongol; Ganglin and fifteen others passed as juren, each receiving a suit of robes and exemption for four households. On the yiyou day Jin Jimeng and others defected from Ming Shicheng Island and were assigned to Shang Kexi.
87
五月丙戌朔，黑龍江巴爾達齊來貢。 庚寅，察哈爾台吉毛祁他特來朝。 定滿、漢馬步軍名。 丙申，議征明，諸貝勒請從山海關入。 上曰：「不然，察哈爾為我軍所敗，其貝勒大臣將歸我，宜直趨宣、大以逆之。」 乃集各都統部署軍政，遣國舅阿什達爾哈徵科爾沁兵，以書招撫遺眾之在明境者。 壬寅，定百官功次，賜敕書，其世襲及官止本身者，分別開載有差。 甲辰，季思哈、吳巴海征虎爾哈部奏捷。 命貝勒濟爾哈朗留守盛京，貝勒杜度守海州，吏部承政圖爾格等渡遼河，沿張古台河駐防，並扼敵兵，俱授方略。 畢，上率大軍前發。 己酉，次都爾鼻，諸蒙古外籓兵以次來會。 甲寅，次訥裡特河。
On the first day of the fifth month, bingxu, Bardachi of the Heilongjiang presented tribute. On the gengyin day Chakhar taiji Moqitete came to court. Designations for Manchu and Han cavalry and infantry were standardized. On the bingshen day the court debated war on the Ming; the beile urged a thrust through Shanhaiguan. The Emperor said, "No. The Chakhar are broken; their princes and ministers will turn to us. March at once on Xuanfu and Datong to receive them." Each banner commander then drew up the order of march; the imperial uncle Ashidahai was sent to raise Khorchin levies, and letters went out to draw in fugitives still within Ming borders. On the renyin day ranks of merit were fixed and patents issued, distinguishing hereditary posts from offices held only for the lifetime of the grantee. On the jiachen day Jisiha and Wubaihai sent word of victory over the Hurka. Beile Jirhalang was left to hold Shengjing; beile Dudu, Haizhou; Turgai of the Board of Civil Appointments and others crossed the Liao and encamped on the Zhanggutai River to bar the Ming — each received his instructions. When the dispositions were complete, the Emperor marched with the main host. On the jiwei day he halted at Du'erbi while Mongol auxiliaries joined in turn. On the jiayin day he encamped on the Nelite River.
88
六月辛酉，頒軍令於蒙古諸貝勒及孔有德、耿仲明、尚可喜，曰：「行軍時勿離纛，勿諠譁，勿私出劫掠。 抗拒者誅之，歸順者字之。 勿毀廟宇，勿殺行人，勿奪人衣服，勿離人夫婦，勿淫人婦女。 違者治罪。」 先是，察哈爾林丹西奔圖白特，其部眾苦林丹暴虐，逗遛者什七八，食盡，殺人相食，屠劫不已，潰散四出。 至是，絡繹來附者前後數千戶。 辛未，次庫黑布裡都，議覺羅布爾吉、英俄爾岱擅殺察哈爾布顏圖部眾罪，並奪其賜。 甲戌，次喀喇拖落木，命貝勒德格類率兵入獨石口，偵居庸關，期會師於朔州。 戊寅，諭蒙古諸貝勒曰：「科爾沁噶爾珠塞特爾等叛往索倫，為其族兄弟等追獲被殺，朕心惻然。 朕欲宣佈德化，使人民共登安樂。 今諸貝勒雖以罪誅，亦朕教化所未洽也。」 又命減阿魯部達喇海等越界駐牧罪。 壬午，察哈爾土巴濟農率其民千戶來歸。 喀爾喀部巴噶達爾漢來歸。 甲申，命大貝勒代善等率兵入得勝堡，略大同，西至黃河，副都統土魯什、吳拜等逕歸化撫察哈爾逃民，俱會師朔州。
On the xinyou day of the sixth month military orders went to the Mongol beile and to Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi: "Keep the standards; keep silence; do not plunder on your own. Slay those who resist; spare those who yield. Do not wreck shrines; do not kill wayfarers; do not strip travelers of clothing; do not part husband and wife; do not force women. Whoever breaks these rules shall answer for it." Earlier Chakhar Lindan had fled west to Tubait. His people, worn down by his tyranny, hung back in great numbers; when provisions failed they turned on one another; killing and robbery never ceased, and the host broke apart in every direction. Now they came in waves, several thousand households in all. On the xinwei day he halted at Kuhuibidu. Jueluo Bu'erji and Ying'oerdai were condemned for slaughtering Buyantu Chakhar without orders, and their gifts were revoked. On the jiaxu day he encamped at Kala Tuoluomu and sent beile Degui through Dushikou to reconnoiter Juyong Pass, to join the main body at Shuozhou. On the wuyin day he told the Mongol beile, "Galdzuserter of the Khorchin fled in revolt toward the Solon and was run down and slain by his own kin, and I was grieved. I mean to extend civilizing rule until all live in peace and contentment. Even when you beile execute men for crime, it shows my teaching has not yet won them." He also lightened the punishment of Dalahai of the Aru and others who had grazed beyond their bounds. On the renwu day Chakhar Tubajinong came in with a thousand households. Bagadarhan of the Khalkha submitted. On the jiashen day great beile Daishan was sent through Desheng Fort to raid Datong to the Yellow River; vice-commanders Tulushi and Wu Bai went to Guihua to round up Chakhar fugitives — all were to meet at Shuozhou.
89
秋七月己丑，命貝勒阿濟格、多爾袞、多鐸等入龍門，會宣府，上親統大軍自宣府趨朔州，期四路兵剋期並進。 辛卯，毀邊牆。 壬辰，入上方堡，至宣府右衛，以書責明守臣負盟之罪，仍諭其遣使議和。 癸巳，駐城東南。 時阿濟格攻龍門，未下，令略保安。 丁酉，營東城，遺明代王書，復約其遣使議和。 代善攻得勝堡，克之。 明參將李全自縊死。 進攻懷仁、井坪，皆不克，遂駐朔州。 丙午，上圍應州，令代善等趣馬邑。 土魯什至歸化城，察哈爾林丹之妻率其八寨桑以一千二百戶來降。 庚戌，阿濟格等攻保安州，克之。 壬子，德格類入獨石口，取長安嶺，攻赤城，不克，俱會師於應州。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the jichou day, beile Ajige, Dorgon, and Dodo were sent through Longmen to unite at Xuanfu while the Emperor led the main host from Xuanfu on Shuozhou; the four columns were to march together on the set day. On the xinmao day the frontier wall was broken through. On the renchen day he passed Shangfang Fort to Xuanfu Right Guard, sent a letter charging the Ming garrison with breach of alliance, and again invited envoys to negotiate peace. On the guisi day he encamped southeast of the walls. Ajige was still pressing Longmen without success and was told to turn against Bao'an. On the dingyou day he pitched camp east of the city and wrote the Ming Prince of Dai, once more urging that envoys come to parley. Daishan stormed Desheng Fort and carried it. Ming particolored commander Li Quan took his own life. He assailed Huairen and Jingping without success and drew up at Shuozhou. On the bingwu day the Emperor invested Yingzhou and sent Daishan and the others toward Mayi. Tulushi came to Guihua City, where Lindan's wife brought eight banners and twelve hundred households in submission. On the gengxu day Ajige and his column stormed Bao'an Prefecture and captured it. On the renzi day Degui passed Dushikou, seized Chang'an Ridge, and assaulted Chicheng in vain; every column then united at Yingzhou.
90
八月乙卯，命諸將略代州。 薩哈廉襲崞縣，拔之。 丙辰，碩托入圓平驛。 甲子，阿巴泰等取靈丘縣之王家莊，克之。 禮部承政巴都禮戰歿。 又攻應州之石家村堡，克之。 丙寅，上發應州，聞明陽和總督張宗衡、大同總兵曹文詔駐懷仁，度是夜必奔大同，令土魯什、吳拜伏兵邀之。 師行遲，宗衡等逸去。 上怒責之。 戊辰，上至大同，遺書文詔，令贊和議。 又遺書眾官，索察哈爾餘孽之在明者。 文詔挑戰，擊敗之。 貝勒阿巴泰等拔靈丘。 明代王母楊氏與張宗衡、曹文詔以書來請和。 辛未，遣使以書報之。 壬申，代善率師來會。 癸酉，駐師大同，遣明宗室硃乃廷及俘獲僧人入城。 三索報書，俱不答。 縱乃廷妻子及硃乃振還。 丁丑，營四十里舖，得明間諜書北樓口，為書報之曰：「來書以滿洲為屬國，即予亦未嘗以為非也。 惟遼東之官欺凌我國，皇帝惑於臣下之言狂，雖干戈十數年來，無一言詢及，使我國之情不達，若遣一信使判白是非，則兵戈早息矣。 欲享太平，只旦暮間事。 不然，爾國臣僚壅蔽欺罔，虛報斬伐，以吾小國果受傷夷，詎能數侵，豈皇帝之聰明獨不能一忖度耶？ 原和之誠，黑雲龍自知之，慮其恐結怨於大臣不盡告耳。」 己卯，大軍至陽和。 明總兵曹文詔詭以書言狂張宗衡，偽言砲傷我兵，得纛一桿等語，為我邏者所獲。 上乃遺宗衡書曰：「予謂爾明當有忠臣義士實心謀國者，乃一旦虛言狂至此，豈不愧於心乎？ 今與公等約，我兵以一當十，能約期出戰，當勒兵以俟。 若言狂言欺君，貽害生靈，禍薛將無窮矣。」 壬午，次懷遠。 癸未，駐左衛。
In the eighth month, on the yimao day, the commanders were sent to harry Daizhou. Sahalian stormed Zhuo County by surprise and carried it. On the bingchen day Shutuo took Yuanping post. On the jiazi day Abatai and others stormed Wangjiazhuang in Lingqiu and took it. Baduli, chengguan of the Board of Rites, fell in the fighting. They next carried Shijiacun fort below Yingzhou. On the bingyin day the Emperor raised the siege of Yingzhou. Learning that Zhang Zongheng, Ming governor of Yanghe, and Cao Wenzhao, regional commander of Datong, were at Huairen, he expected them to bolt for Datong that night and set Tulushi and Wu Bai in wait. The march was slow; Zongheng and his party escaped. The Emperor rebuked them in anger. On the wuchen day he came before Datong and wrote Cao Wenzhao to lend his weight to negotiation. He wrote the other commanders as well, demanding surrender of Chakhar fugitives still sheltered by the Ming. Wenzhao came out to fight and was beaten. Beile Abatai and the rest captured Lingqiu. Lady Yang, mother of the Ming Prince of Dai, with Zhang Zongheng and Cao Wenzhao wrote to seek peace. On the xinwei day he dispatched envoys with answering letters. On the renshen day Daishan came up with his force. On the guiyou day he encamped at Datong and sent the Ming royal Zhu Naiting and a monk taken prisoner into the city. Three times they demanded an answer; none was given. He freed Naiting's wife and children and Zhu Naizhen. On the dingchou day he encamped at the Forty-li Post, took a Ming spy's letter from Beiloukou, and answered: "You call Manchuria a tributary land; I have never said otherwise myself. Only the Liaodong officials oppress us, and Your Majesty is led astray by reckless counsel. For more than ten years of war not a single question has been put to us, so our grievance never reaches the throne. Send one envoy to settle who is right and wrong, and the fighting would already have ended. A lasting peace is only a daybreak away. Otherwise your ministers screen and deceive you, inventing body counts as though our little realm were truly broken—yet how could we raid you year after year? Surely Your Majesty's own mind can judge that once. Hei Yunlong knows in his heart how sincere we were for peace; I fear only that, not wishing to offend your senior ministers, he has not told you the whole truth. On the jimao day the main force reached Yanghe. Ming commander Cao Wenchao forged a letter slandering Zhang Zongheng, claiming our men had been shattered by cannon and that a banner staff had been captured; our scouts seized the document. The Emperor then wrote to Zongheng: "I believed the Ming still had ministers who truly cared for the realm—yet suddenly such wild boasts reach this pitch. Have you no shame? I now offer you this wager: one of my men against ten of yours. Name a day to fight, and I shall hold my ranks ready. If reckless lies deceive your sovereign and ruin the people, the calamity will never end." On the renwu day he encamped at Huaiyuan. On the guiwei day he halted at Zuoyi.
91
閏八月丙戌，以書責明宣府太監欺君誤國罪。 丁亥，副都統土魯什被創卒。 攻萬全左衛，克之。 庚寅，班師。 察哈爾噶爾馬濟農等遣使乞降，言其汗林丹病殂，汗子及國人皆欲來歸，於是命阿什達爾哈等往偵之。 丁酉，移軍舊上都城。 庚戌，移軍克蚌。 辛亥，察哈爾寨桑噶爾馬濟農等率其國人六千奉豆土門福金來歸。
On the bingxu day of the intercalary eighth month he sent a letter charging the Xuanfu eunuch with deceiving the throne and betraying the realm. On the dinghai day Vice Banner Commander Turusi died of his wounds. He assaulted Wanquan Left Guard and captured it. On the gengyin day the army marched home. Chakhar leaders including Garmejin sent envoys to submit, reporting that Khan Lindan had died of illness and that his son and people wished to defect. The Emperor dispatched Ashidahha and others to verify the report. On the dingyou day the host shifted camp to the old city of Shangdu. On the gengxu day the army moved to Kebang. On the xinhai day Saichan Garmejin of the Chakhar and others brought six thousand followers and the Doumen imperial seal to surrender.
92
九月戊辰，留守貝勒濟爾哈朗疏報季思哈、吳巴海征虎爾哈俘一千三百餘人。 阿魯部毛明安舉國來附。 辛未，渡遼河。 壬申，上還盛京。
On the wuchen day of the ninth month Prince Jirhalang, left to guard the capital, reported that Jisiha and Wubahai had campaigned against the Jurchen and brought back more than thirteen hundred prisoners. The Aru chieftain Maoming'an led his whole people in submission. On the xinwei day the army crossed the Liao River. On the renshen day the Emperor returned to Shenyang.
93
冬十月己丑，建太祖陵寢殿，樹松，立石獸。 壬辰，論征宣、大將士功罪。 己亥，科爾沁台吉吳克善來歸其妹，納之。 庚戌，以八年征討克捷，為文告太祖。 壬子，朝鮮國王李倧遣使以書來。 上以其言不遜，復書切責之。
In the tenth month of winter, on the jichou day, he built the hall at Taizu's tomb, planted pines, and erected stone guardian beasts. On the renchen day he judged the rewards and punishments of the commanders who had raided Xuanfu and Datong. On the jihai day the Khorchin taiji Wukesan brought his younger sister for marriage, and the Emperor took her as consort. On the gengxu day, with eight years of campaigns crowned by success, he drafted a memorial report to Taizu. On the renzi day King Li Jong of Korea sent an envoy bearing a letter. Finding the tone insolent, the Emperor answered with a stern rebuke.
94
十一月乙丑，六部官考績升授有差。
On the yichou day of the eleventh month the Six Boards' officials received graded promotions after their performance reviews.
95
十二月癸未朔，朝鮮國王以書來謝罪。 壬辰，命副都統霸奇蘭、參領薩木什喀征黑龍江未服之地。 丙申，分定宗室、額駙等專管佐領有差。 丁酉，墨勒根喇嘛以嘛哈噶喇金像來貢，遣使迎至盛京。 癸卯，察哈爾祁他特車爾貝、塞冷布都馬爾等各率所部人民來歸。 遣吳巴海、荊古爾代征瓦爾喀。 甲辰，佐領劉學誠疏請立郊壇，勤視朝。 上曰：「疏中欲朕視朝勤政是也。 至建立郊壇，未知天意所在，何敢遽行，果成大業，彼時議之未晚也。」
On the first day of the twelfth month, a guiwei day, the King of Korea sent a letter of apology. On the renchen day he ordered Vice Banner Commander Baqilan and Company Commander Samuska to subdue the Amur regions not yet brought in. On the bingshen day princes and imperial sons-in-law were allotted separate command of the niru. On the dingyou day the Mergen lama offered a gilt image of Mahakala; the court sent envoys to bring it to Shenyang. On the guimao day the Chakhar leaders Qitete Cherbei, Selingbudumaer, and others each came over with their people. Wubahai and Jinggu'erdai were sent to campaign against the Valha. On the jiachen day niru leader Liu Xuecheng memorialized asking that a suburban altar be built and that the sovereign hold court diligently. The Emperor said: "Your plea that I hold court diligently is well taken. But to raise a suburban altar—I do not yet know Heaven's will, and dare not act hastily. When the great undertaking is truly won, there will be time enough to decide."
96
九年春正月丁卯，上親送科爾沁土謝圖濟農等歸國。 癸酉，免功臣徭役。 丁丑，詔太祖庶子稱「阿格」，六祖子孫稱「覺羅」，覺羅繫紅帶以別之。 有詈其祖父者罪至死。
In the first month of the ninth year, on the dingmao day, the Emperor himself escorted the Khorchin Tuxetu jin and his party home. On the guiyou day meritorious officials were freed from corvée duties. On the dingchou day an edict declared that Taizu's sons by secondary wives should be styled Age, that descendants of the six ancestral lines should be styled Gioro, and that Gioro clansmen should wear a red belt as their mark. Whoever curses another man's grandfather shall be punished with death.
97
二月壬午，令諸臣薦舉居心公正及通曉文藝可任使者。 丁亥，編喀喇沁部蒙古壯丁為十一旗，每旗設都統一員，下以副都統、參領二員統之。 戊子，諭曰：「邇來進言者皆請伐明，朕豈不以為念。 然亦須相機而行。 今察哈爾新附，人心未輯，城郭未修，而輕於出師，何以成大業？ 且大兵一舉，明主或棄而走，或懼而請和，攻拒之策，何者為宜？ 其令高鴻中、鮑承先、寧完我、范文程等酌議以聞。」 己丑，沈佩瑞請屯田廣寧、閭陽，造舟輓粟，為進取計。 上嘉納之。 乙未，范文程、寧完我請薦舉不實宜行連坐法。 丁未，命多爾袞、岳託、豪格、薩哈廉將精騎一萬，收察哈爾林丹之子額爾克孔果爾額哲。
On the renyin day of the second month he ordered his ministers to recommend men of upright character and literary skill fit for diplomatic service. On the dinghai day the Kharachin Mongols were registered as eleven banners, each with a commander assisted by a vice commander and a company commander. On the wuzi day he proclaimed: "Lately every memorial urges war on the Ming, and I have not forgotten that goal. Yet we must wait for the right moment. The Chakhar have only just submitted; hearts are not yet united and our defenses are unfinished. If we march rashly, how can the great enterprise succeed? And once our main force moves, the Ming sovereign may flee or sue for peace in terror—which course—pressing the attack or holding back—is the wiser? Let Gao Hongzhong, Bao Chengxian, Ning Wanwo, Fan Wencheng, and the rest deliberate and advise me." On the jichou day Shen Peirui proposed garrison colonies at Guangning and Lüyang and grain barges on the rivers as the logistics for a forward campaign. The Emperor approved the plan with praise. On the yiwei day Fan Wencheng and Ning Wanwo asked that officials who recommended unworthy men be punished together with their nominees. On the dingwei day he ordered Dorgon, Yueto, Hooge, and Sahalian to lead ten thousand elite horsemen to take Lindan's son Erkekuoguolezhe.
98
三月戊辰，諭曰：「頃民耕耨愆期，蓋由佐領有事築城，民苦煩役所致。 嗣有濫役妨農者治其罪。」 庚午，察哈爾寨桑巴賴都爾等一千四百餘人來歸。
On the wuchen day of the third month he proclaimed: "Farmers have fallen behind in the spring sowing because niru leaders pressed them into wall-building and abused their labor. From now on, whoever misuses corvée and hinders the harvest shall be punished." On the gengwu day Saichan Baiduer of the Chakhar and more than fourteen hundred followers submitted.
99
五月乙卯，霸奇蘭、薩木什喀征黑龍江虎爾哈部，盡克其地，編所獲人口以歸，論功升賞有差。 癸亥，上以西征諸貝勒經宣、大境，度明必調寧、錦兵往援，遣貝勒多鐸率師入寧、錦撓之。 己巳，命文館譯宋、遼、金、元四史。 壬申，貝勒多鐸奏報殲明兵五百人於錦州松山城外，殺其副將劉應選。 丙子，貝勒多爾袞、岳託、薩哈廉、豪格等奏報兵至西喇硃爾格，遇察哈爾囊囊太妃暨台吉瑣諾木等以一千五百戶降，遂抵額爾克孔果爾額哲所居，其母率額哲迎降。
On the yimao day of the fifth month Baqilan and Samuska subdued the Jurchen of the Amur country, settled the captives, and returned; rewards were apportioned by merit. On the guihai day, expecting the western beile to cross the Xuan–Da border and draw Ning–Jin relief troops, the Emperor sent beile Dodo to raid Ning and Jin and tie down the Ming reinforcements. On the jisi day he ordered the Literary Academy to translate the histories of the Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan. On the renshen day beile Dodo reported that he had annihilated five hundred Ming soldiers outside Jinzhou's Songshan and killed Vice Commander Liu Yingxuan. On the bingzi day beile Dorgon, Yueto, Sahalian, Hooge, and the rest reported reaching Xilazhuger, where Nangnang taiji of the Chakhar and Suonuomu taiji surrendered with fifteen hundred households; they then came to Erkekuoguolezhe's seat, where his mother brought Erkezhe out to submit.
100
六月乙酉，貝勒多鐸凱旋，賜良馬五，賞從征將士有差。 丁酉，吳巴海、荊古爾代師還，論功亦如之。 明登州黃城島千總李進功來降。 辛丑，諭曰：「太祖以人民付朕，當愛養之。 諸貝勒非時修繕，勞苦百姓，民不得所，浸以逃亡，是違先志而長敵寇也。 今朝鮮賓服，察哈爾舉國來附，苟不能撫輯其眾，後雖拓地，何以處之？ 貝勒大臣其各戢驕縱以副朕意！」 壬寅，察哈爾台吉瑣諾木率其屬六千八百人來歸。 癸卯，諭曰：「太祖禁貝勒子弟郊外放鷹，慮其踐田園、擾牲畜也。 今違者日眾。 語曰：『涓涓不塞，將成江河。』 其嚴禁之。」
On the yiyou day of the sixth month beile Dodo returned in triumph; he was given five fine horses and the campaign commanders were rewarded according to rank. On the dingyou day Wubahai and Jinggu'erdai came back as well, and their men were rewarded on the same principle. Li Jingong, Ming thousand-commander on Huangcheng Island off Dengzhou, defected to the Jin. On the xinchou day he proclaimed: "Taizu entrusted the people to me, and I must cherish them. Yet the beile press wall-building out of season, wear out the common folk, and drive them to flight—betraying our founder's intent and feeding the enemy. Korea now pays court and all the Chakhar have submitted; if we cannot win their hearts, what good is wider territory when we cannot govern those within it? Beile and ministers, curb your pride and excess and stand with my purpose!" On the renyin day Suonuomu taiji of the Chakhar brought six thousand eight hundred followers in submission. On the guimao day he proclaimed: "Taizu forbade princes' sons to hawk outside the suburbs lest they trample the fields and harass the herds. Violations grow daily. As the proverb says, 'A trickle unchecked becomes a river.' Forbid it strictly."
101
秋七月癸酉，論漢人丁戶增減，擢參領李思忠等六員官，高鴻中等十一員黜罰有差。
On the guiyou day of the seventh month he reviewed Han household registers; six company commanders including Li Sizhong were promoted, while eleven officials including Gao Hongzhong were demoted or punished in varying degrees.
102
八月庚辰，貝勒多爾袞、岳託、薩哈廉、豪格以獲傳國玉璽聞。 先是元順帝北狩，以璽從，後失之。 越二百餘年，為牧羊者所獲。 後歸於察哈爾林丹汗。 林丹亦元裔也。 璽在蘇泰太妃所。 至是獻之。 時岳託以疾留歸化城，多爾袞等率兵略明山西，自平虜衛入邊，毀長城，略忻州、代州，至崞縣。 甲申，繪太祖實錄圖成。 乙巳，上率大貝勒代善及諸貝勒多爾袞等師次平虜堡。 丁未，渡遼河，閱巨流河城堡。
On the gengchen day of the eighth month beile Dorgon and the others announced that they had taken the imperial jade seal. Long before, when the Yuan's Emperor Shundi withdrew northward he carried the seal away, and it was afterward lost. More than two centuries later a shepherd found it. It later came into the hands of Chakhar Khan Lindan. Lindan too was of Yuan imperial descent. The seal was kept by Lady Sutai. Now it was presented to the throne. Yueto, ill, stayed at Guihua City while Dorgon and the rest raided Shanxi, entering by Pinglu Guard, breaking the Great Wall, and sweeping Xinzhou, Daizhou, and Guo County. On the jiashen day the illustrated Veritable Record of Taizu was finished. On the yisi day the Emperor marched with senior beile Daishan and beile Dorgon and others to encamp at Pinglu Fort. On the dingwei day he crossed the Liao River and inspected the works at Juliuhe.
103
九月癸丑，貝勒多爾袞等師還，獻玉璽，告天受之。 額爾克孔果爾額哲及其母來朝。 庚午，上還宮。 壬申，召諸貝勒大臣數代善罪。 眾議削大貝勒號及和碩貝勒，奪十佐領，其子薩哈廉奪二佐領，哈達公主降庶人，褫其夫瑣諾木濟農爵號。 上皆免之。
On the guichou day of the ninth month beile Dorgon and the rest came back, presented the jade seal, and proclaimed its reception before Heaven. Erkekuoguolezhe and his mother presented themselves at court. On the gengwu day the Emperor returned to the palace. On the renshen day he summoned the beile and senior ministers to list Daishan's offenses. The council proposed removing Daishan's titles of great beile and hošo beile, confiscating ten of his niru and two from his son Sahalian, reducing the Hada princess to commoner rank, and stripping her husband Suonuomu of his jin title. The Emperor pardoned them all.
104
冬十月己卯，以明議和不成，將進兵，遣使賚書諭明喜峰口、董家口諸邊將。 管戶部事和碩貝勒德格類卒。 癸未，命吳巴海、多濟裡、札福尼、吳什塔分將四路兵征瓦爾喀。
In the tenth month of winter, on the jimao day, peace talks with the Ming having collapsed, he prepared to march and sent envoys with letters to the generals at Xifengkou and Dongjiakou. Degui, the hošo beile who headed the Board of Revenue, died. On the guiwei day he ordered Wubahai, Duojeri, Zhafoni, and Wuxita each to lead a column against the Valha.
105
十一月丁未朔，命額爾克孔果爾額哲奉母居孫島習爾哈。
On the first day of the eleventh month, a dingwei day, he assigned Erkekuoguolezhe to live with his mother at Sundao Xierha.
106
十二月辛巳，哈達公主莽古濟之僕冷僧機首告貝勒莽古爾泰生時與女弟莽古濟、弟德格類謀逆，公主之夫瑣諾木及屯布祿、愛巴禮與其事。 會瑣諾木亦自首。 訊得實，莽古濟、莽古爾泰子額必倫及屯布祿、愛巴禮皆伏誅。 莽古爾泰餘子、德格類子俱為庶人。 瑣諾木自首免罪。 授冷僧機三等副將。 丁酉，謁太祖陵。 甲辰，貝勒薩哈廉與諸貝勒及大貝勒代善盟誓，請上尊號。 上不許。 會蒙古貝勒復來請。 上曰：「朝鮮兄弟國，宜告之。」
On the xinsi day of the twelfth month Lengsenji, a servant of the Hada princess Mangguji, denounced beile Mangguertai for plotting treason from childhood with his sister Mangguji and his brother Degui, naming the princess's husband Suonuomu and Tunbulu and Aibali as accomplices. Suonuomu confessed as well. Examination proved the charge; Mangguji, Mangguertai's son Ebilun, Tunbulu, and Aibali were all put to death. Mangguertai's surviving sons and Degui's sons were reduced to commoner status. Suonuomu was spared because he had turned himself in. Lengsenji was made a third-rank vice commander. On the dingyou day the Emperor visited Taizu's tomb. On the jiachen day beile Sahalian joined the other beile and senior beile Daishan in a covenant asking the Emperor to take an imperial title. The Emperor refused. Mongol beile came again with the same plea. The Emperor said: "Korea is a brother kingdom; they ought to be told."
107
十年春正月壬戌，皇次女下嫁額爾克孔果爾額哲。
In the first month of the tenth year, on the renxu day, the Emperor's second daughter was given in marriage to Erkekuoguolezhe.
108
二月丁丑，八和碩貝勒與外籓四十九貝勒各遺書朝鮮，約其國王勸進尊號。 戊子，遣使至明邊松棚路、潘家口、董家口、喜峰口、賚書致明帝，索其報書。 定諸臣帽頂飾。 庚寅，寧完我以罪免。
On the dingchou day of the second month the eight hošo beile and forty-nine outer-domain beile each wrote to Korea asking its king to join in urging the imperial title. On the wuzi day envoys were sent to the Ming posts at Songpeng Road, Panjiakou, Dongjiakou, and Xifengkou with a letter to the Ming emperor demanding an answer. Regulations were set for officials' hat insignia. On the gengyin day Ning Wanwo was removed from office for misconduct.
109
三月丙午朔，清明節，謁太祖陵。 辛亥，改文館為內國史、內祕書、內弘文三院。 乙卯，遣貝勒阿濟格、阿巴泰築噶海城。 庚申，吳什塔等征瓦爾喀，遣使奏捷。 諭曰：「蒙古深信喇嘛，實乃妄人。 嗣後有懸轉輪結布幡者，宜禁止之。」 乙丑，英俄爾岱等自朝鮮還，言國王李倧不接見，亦不納書，以其報書及所獲倧諭邊臣書進。 諸貝勒怒，欲加兵。 上曰：「姑遣人諭以利害，質其子弟，不從，興兵未晚也。」 丁卯，外籓蒙古十六國四十九貝勒及孔有德、耿仲明、尚可喜俱以請上尊號至盛京。
On the first day of the third month, a bingwu day and the Qingming festival, he visited Taizu's tomb. On the xinhai day the Literary Academy was divided into three inner courts: National History, Secretariat, and Promoting Culture. On the yimao day beile Ajige and Abatai were sent to build Gahai City. On the gengshen day Wuxita and the Valha expedition sent messengers announcing victory. He proclaimed: "The Mongols put blind faith in lamas and are led astray. Hereafter anyone who sets up prayer wheels or fluttering prayer banners is forbidden to do so." On the yichou day Ying'erdai and his party returned from Korea reporting that King Li Jong would neither grant an audience nor accept their letter; they submitted Jong's reply and a captured letter in which he ordered his frontier officials. The beile were furious and urged war. The Emperor said: "For now send an envoy to lay out the stakes and take their princes as hostages. If they still refuse, it will be time enough to march." On the dingmao day forty-nine beile from sixteen Mongol domains, together with Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi, arrived at Shenyang to urge the imperial title.
110
夏四月己卯，大貝勒代善，和碩貝勒濟爾哈朗、多爾袞、多鐸、岳託、豪格、阿巴泰、阿濟格、杜度率滿、漢、蒙古大臣及蒙古十六國四十九貝勒以三體表文詣闕請上尊號曰：「恭維我皇上承天眷祐，應運而興。 當天下昏亂，修德體天，逆者威，順者撫，寬溫之譽，施及萬姓。 征服朝鮮，混一蒙古。 遂獲玉璽，受命之符，昭然可見，上揆天意，下協輿情。 臣等謹上尊號，儀物俱備，伏原俞允。」 上曰：「爾貝勒大臣勸上尊號，歷二年所。 今再三固請，朕重違爾諸臣意，弗獲辭。 朕既受命，國政恐有未逮，爾等宜恪恭贊襄。」 群臣頓首謝。 庚辰，禮部進儀注。 壬午，齋戒，設壇德盛門外。
On the jimao day of the fourth month senior beile Daishan, hošo beile Jirhalang, Dorgon, Dodo, Yueto, Hooge, Abatai, Ajige, and Dudu, with Manchu, Han, and Mongol ministers and forty-nine beile from sixteen Mongol domains, submitted a trilingual memorial at court asking that he take the throne, declaring: "We respectfully observe that our sovereign enjoys Heaven's grace and has risen to answer the mandate. When the realm was in chaos he cultivated virtue and matched Heaven's way: the defiant were overawed, the willing were soothed, and his fame for mercy spread to every household. He conquered Korea and united Mongolia. He has now received the jade seal—the clear sign of Heaven's mandate—so that intent above and the people's will below are as one. We therefore beg to invest you with the imperial title; the ritual regalia is ready, and we humbly pray you will consent." The Emperor said: "You beile and ministers have pressed this title upon me for two years. Now, with your repeated and earnest plea, I can no longer refuse without wronging you. Having accepted the mandate, I fear the government may still fall short; you must serve me faithfully and well." The ministers kowtowed in gratitude. On the gengchen day the Board of Rites submitted the coronation rites. On the renwu day he fasted and raised the altar outside Desheng Gate.