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卷六十一 志第十四 五行一上

Volume 61 Treatises 14: Five Elements 1a

Chapter 61 of 宋史 · History of Song
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1
Heaven employs yin and yang and the five phases to generate and transform the myriad things; throughout the realm between heaven and earth, nothing escapes the subtle working of the five phases. Human beings take on physical form by receiving the qi of yin and yang and the five phases; form gives rise to spirit and awareness, the five natures are set in motion, the myriad affairs come forth, and with them fortune and calamity. Harmonious qi brings good omens, discordant qi brings anomalies, and all of this is manifest in the five phases. The Doctrine of the Mean says: "The way of utmost sincerity makes foreknowledge possible. When a state is about to flourish, auspicious signs will appear; when it is about to fall, evil portents will appear. They show themselves in divination by milfoil and tortoise shell, and stir in the movements of the four limbs. When fortune or disaster is on the way, one who is virtuous will know it in advance, and one who is not will know it in advance as well." Even in a single person's bearing and conduct, fortune and calamity may be discerned. If the ruler takes heaven, earth, and the myriad things as his own body, must not auspicious signs and evil portents likewise have their source? That is why historians since the Han have all included treatises on the five phases—to show how grave is the warning meant for rulers. After Zhou Dunyi's Explanation of the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate gained currency among Song Confucians, their discussions of the five phases rooted themselves in principle and sought their fulfillment in sincerity. They did not embrace the Hongfan doctrine of the five phases and five affairs, yet Ban Gu and Fan Ye had already grounded their treatises on the five phases in it, and Ouyang Xiu's Tang Annals followed suit as well; he recorded only disasters among the various signs and left out auspicious omens—was that not a deliberate judgment of its own?
2
In the earlier histories, from Emperor Taizu on, fine grain, auspicious wheat, sweet dew, sweet springs, spirit fungus, and the like fill the pages without end, as though every blessing had come at once—as might be expected in a well-governed age. In the Xiangfu and Xuanhe reigns, the court busied itself dressing the age in auspicious portents, while the villainy of Ding Wei and Cai Jing conspired in forced readings to deceive—what responses were there in truth? After Emperor Gaozong crossed the Yangtze, knowing such omens for what they were, the History of Song from the Jianyan era onward records no reports of auspicious portents from the counties, yet floods, droughts, pestilence, and every mark of calamity—seldom so fully set down in earlier histories—are entered again and again without concealment. In this way, through a century and a half under six rulers, the dynasty preserved itself by constant vigilance and was able to endure.
3
鹿
The Judgment on the Hexagram Zhen in the Book of Changes says: "Thunder comes with dread; through fear fortune is attained." Is there any surer path to fortune for a ruler than fear, reflection, and self-reform? In antiquity Yu gathered his ministers at Kuaiji; a yellow dragon bore his boat upon its back, and rulers from ten thousand states came bearing jade and silk. Kong Jia doted on spirits and omens; two dragons descended from heaven, yet the feudal lords one after another turned against Xia. Mulberry and grain sprang up together in the court, and a pheasant perched on the cauldron ears and crowed, yet Da Wu and Wu Ding restored the policies of Cheng Tang. King Mu received a white wolf and a white deer, yet the legacy of King Wen and King Wu fell into decline. Xu Yan received a vermilion bow and arrows; in Song a sparrow hatched a goshawk. Both states rose to dominance—and by those very signs were destroyed. Broadly speaking, auspicious and inauspicious signs resemble the fortune and misfortune of the hexagrams: where the ruler has virtue enough to master them, ill omens may turn to good; where he lacks the virtue to bear them, good omens become ill. When virtue is sufficient to overcome evil portents, those portents need not be feared; but when it is not virtue that brings auspicious signs, then every unnatural thing may count as an evil portent. Evil portents do not arise of themselves; it is human beings who bring them forth! Here I gather and arrange the signs of fortune and calamity recorded by historians past and present to compose the Treatise on the Five Phases.
4
To moisten and descend—that is the nature of water. When water loses its proper nature, disaster follows. Older accounts classified perpetual cold, drum omens, fish anomalies, swine calamities, thunder and lightning, frost and snow, rain and hail, black blights, and black portents under water; this treatise follows that scheme. Sweet springs and a clear Yellow River count as auspicious responses, yet if they come out of season they may prove ominous instead; they are therefore included here as well. Other auspicious things such as sweet dew, fine grain, and spirit fungus that appear later are likewise arranged by kind; when the event is weighed against its time, whether it bodes well or ill becomes clear of itself.
5
宿
In the fourth month of the second year of Qiande (964), tidal floods damaged farmland in Guangling, Yangzi, and other counties. In the seventh month, flooding on Mount Tai destroyed several hundred dwellings, and a great many cattle and livestock perished. In the second month of the third year (965), Quanzhou suffered heavy rains and flooding. In the seventh month, heavy rains and flooding in Qizhou destroyed people's homes. The river in Kaifeng Prefecture broke its banks and flooded Yangwu. The Yellow River rose in both Hezhong Prefecture and Mengzhou; in Mengzhou several hundred sections of the Zhongtan military camp and civilian dwellings were destroyed. The river destroyed the stone revetments of the dikes and overflowed into Yanzhou, ruining farmland. Tidal floods in Taizhou damaged farmland in Yancheng County. Rivers overflowed in both Zizhou and Jizhou, damaging farmland in Zouping and Gaoyuan counties. In the fourth year (966), the river overflowed in Dong'e County and damaged farmland. The river broke its banks in Guancheng County, destroying homes and flooding into Daming. The dikes in Linghe County also failed; the waters flowed east into Weinan County and the city of Nanhua. In the seventh month, the dikes on both banks of the river in Xingze County were breached. In the eighth month, the Bian River overflowed in Suzhou and breached the dikes. The Qinghe River overflowed in Zizhou, destroying the city of Gaoyuan County and drowning several hundred households along with fields and homes in Zouping County. The Huai River overflowed in Sizhou. Hengzhou suffered heavy rains and flooding for more than a month. In the fifth year (967), the river overflowed in Weizhou, destroying the prefectural city; a great many people drowned.
6
宿宿
In the sixth month of the first year of Kaibao (968), twenty-three prefectures and districts suffered heavy rains and flooding; rivers overflowed and destroyed farmland and homes. In the seventh month, tidal floods in Taizhou damaged the crops. In the eighth month, prolonged rains in Jizhou raised the river and destroyed homes, city walls, and government offices. In the seventh month of the second year (969), the river broke its banks in Xiayi County. That year floods struck Qing, Cai, Su, Zi, and Song prefectures, and also Zhending, Chan, Hua, Bo, Ming, Qi, Ying, Cai, Chen, Bo, Su, and Xu, damaging the autumn grain. In the third year (970), floods in Zheng, Chan, Yan, Zi, Ji, Guo, Cai, Xie, Xu, and Yue prefectures damaged farmland. In the sixth month of the fourth year (971), the Bian River broke its banks at Jiyang town in Gushu County, Songzhou. The river in Yanzhou and the Wen and Qing rivers also overflowed, flooding Dong'e County and Chenkong town and destroying storehouses and homes. The river broke its banks in Yuanwu County, Zhengzhou. In Caizhou the Huai and the Bailu, Shu, Ru, Lu, and Ying rivers all rose together, destroying homes and farmland. In the seventh month, floods in Qing and Qi prefectures damaged the fields. In the fifth year (972), the river broke its banks at Puyang in Chanzhou; Jiang, He, Lu, and Shou prefectures suffered major floods. In the sixth month, the river broke its banks again at Xiaoliu village in Yangwu County, Kaifeng Prefecture. The Bian River broke its banks in both Songzhou and Zhengzhou. The Yangtze at Zhongzhou rose two hundred feet. In the sixth year (973), the river broke its banks at Yangliu mouth in Yanzhou. The river broke its banks in Huojia County, Huaizhou. In Yingzhou the Huai and the Bi River overflowed, inundating a great many homes and fields. In the seventh month, the Imperial Canal broke its banks in Liting County. Heavy rains and flooding in both Danzhou and Puzhou destroyed government offices, storehouses, military camps, and homes. That autumn, floods damaged the fields in Daming Prefecture and in Song, Bo, Zi, Qing, Ru, Chan, and Hua prefectures. In the fourth month of the seventh year (974), Wei and Bo prefectures suffered flooding. In Sizhou the Huai rose violently and flooded the city, destroying five hundred homes. The river rose in Anyang County and destroyed a hundred dwellings. In the fifth month of the eighth year (975), the capital suffered heavy rains and flooding. The river broke its banks at Guolong village in Puzhou. In the sixth month, the river broke its banks in Dunqiu County, Chanzhou. Heavy rains in Yizhou flooded the city and destroyed homes and crops. In the third month of the ninth year (976), the capital suffered heavy rains and flooding. Floods in Zizhou damaged the fields.
7
使 耀 宿 西
In the sixth month of the second year of Taiping Xingguo (977), the river overflowed in Mengzhou and breached more than seventy paces of the Wen County dike; in Zhengzhou more than thirty paces of the dike at Ningwang village in Xingze County were destroyed; it rose again in Chanzhou and breached thirty paces of the dike at Yinggong village. The Bian River overflowed in Kaifeng Prefecture, breaching the Daning dike and flooding farmland. The Yangtze at Zhongzhou rose twenty-five zhang. The river rose in Xingzhou and destroyed more than four hundred sections of plank road. In Guancheng County the Jiaozhao River rose violently and overflowed the Jing River. Major floods in Puzhou damaged a total of 5,743 qing of farmland. The Ying River rose in Yingzhou and destroyed the city gates, military camps, and homes. In the seventh month, the Shu and Han rivers rose in Fuzhou, destroying the city along with farmland and homes. The river rose in Jizhou and inundated Jiaochuan County. In the fifth month of the third year (978), the river broke its banks in Huojia County, Huaizhou, and flowed northward. The Bian River also broke its banks within Ningling County, Songzhou. In the sixth month, the Huai rose and flooded the south city of Sizhou; the Bian River rose another zhang and blocked the north gate of the prefecture. In the tenth month, the Ling River in Huazhou, though recently sealed, broke its banks again. In the third month of the fourth year (979), the Luo River in Henan Prefecture rose seven chi and destroyed homes. Rain and flooding in Taizhou damaged the crops. The river broke its banks in Songcheng County, Songzhou. The river broke its banks in Ji County, Weizhou, destroying the Xinchang dike. In the eighth month, the river rose in Zizhou and destroyed trestle roads and barracks. In the ninth month, the river rose in Chanzhou. The Qing and Wen rivers rose together in Yanzhou and damaged farmland in Dong'e County. In Fuzhou the Huxiao lake in Mianyang County rose and destroyed homes and crops. In the fifth month of the fifth year, the Ying River overflowed in Yingzhou and destroyed the dikes and homes. The Baigou River overflowed in Xuzhou and flooded the prefectural city. In the seventh month, the river rose in Fuzhou, destroying homes and breaching every dike and embankment. In the sixth year, the river rose in Hezhong Prefecture, collapsed the linked dikes, flooded the city, and destroyed seven military camps and more than a hundred dwellings. In Fu, Yan, and Ning prefectures the three rivers rose together and flooded the cities: in Fu Prefecture military camps were destroyed, and Jianwu Command commander Li Hai drowned along with the old and young—sixty-three people in all; in Yanzhou a thousand six hundred storehouses and military and civilian dwellings were destroyed; in Ningzhou more than five hundred paces of the city wall were destroyed, along with five hundred twenty military camps and military and civilian dwellings. In the third month of the seventh year, the Wei River rose in Jingzhao Prefecture and destroyed the pontoon bridge; fifty-four people drowned. In the fourth month, floods in Yao, Mi, Bo, Wei, Chang, and Run prefectures damaged the crops. In the sixth month, the Yu, Jun, and Han rivers all rose together in Junzhou, destroying homes; a great many people and livestock perished. The river also broke its banks in Linyi County, and the river at Hanyang Army rose five zhang. In the seventh month, the Imperial Canal rose in Daming Prefecture and destroyed Fanji mouth. The river rose in Nanjian Prefecture and destroyed more than a hundred forty homes. In Xianyang, Jingzhao Prefecture, the Wei River rose and destroyed the pontoon bridge; fifty-four workers drowned. In the ninth month, the river in Wuzhou rose three zhang, flooded the city, and destroyed storehouses and homes. In the tenth month, the river broke its banks in Wuzhi County, Huaizhou, and damaged farmland. In the fifth month of the eighth year, the river broke its banks on a great scale at Fang village in Huazhou, passed through Chan, Pu, Cao, and Ji prefectures, inundated farmland and destroyed homes, and flowed southeast into the Huai. In the sixth month, the river rose in Shanzhou and destroyed the pontoon bridge; the Yongding stream also rose and destroyed more than a thousand homes and military camps. Torrential rain fell in Henan Prefecture; the Luo River rose more than five zhang and destroyed nearly all the government offices, military camps, and homes in Gong County. The Gu, Luo, Yi, and Chan rivers rose violently together, destroying more than ten thousand government offices, military camps, temples, shrines, and homes in the capital; those drowned numbered in the tens of thousands. The storehouses, military camps, and homes of the Fengrao office in Heqing County—more than a hundred sections—were also destroyed. The Yi River rose in Xiongzhou and destroyed people's homes. The river in Fuzhou rose, flooded the city, and destroyed more than four hundred government temples and homes. Mountain floods rose violently in Changlin County, Jingmen Army, destroying fifty-one homes; fifty-six people drowned. In the eighth month, the Qing River in Xuzhou rose one zhang and seven chi and overflowed; the three gates on the sides of the prefecture were sealed to hold it back. In the ninth month, the Sui River rose in Suzhou and inundated homes for sixty li. That summer and autumn, floods in Kaifeng, Junyi, Suanzao, Yangwu, Fengqiu, Changyuan, Zhongmou, Weishi, Xiangyi, Yongqiu, and other counties damaged farmland. In the seventh month of the ninth year, the river in Jiazhou rose violently, destroying government offices and homes; more than a thousand people drowned. In the eighth month, the north and south rivers in Yanzhou rose and flooded the east and west cities, destroying government temples and homes. Prolonged rain in Zizhou raised the Xiaofu River, which overflowed and destroyed government temples and farmland. The river rose in Mengzhou, destroyed the pontoon bridge, and damaged farmland. The river in Yazhou rose nine zhang and destroyed people's homes. The river rose in Xinzhou, flooded the south stockade, and destroyed military camps.
8
In the seventh month of the second year of Yongxi, the Lang River overflowed and damaged the crops. In the eighth month, major floods in Ying and Mo prefectures damaged farmland. In the sixth month of the third year, Shouzhou suffered major flooding.
9
In the second month of the first year of Duangong, floods in Bozhou damaged farmland. In the fifth month, the river in Yingzhou rose five zhang and destroyed several hundred sections of farmland and homes. In the seventh month, the Zhang and Fu rivers rose in Cizhou.
10
西
In the sixth month of the first year of Chunhua, heavy rains in Jizhou raised the river, which washed away farmland and homes. The lake at Jukou in Huangmei County rose and destroyed all farmland and homes; the river rose two zhang and eight chi. Floods in Hongzhou destroyed thirty sections of the city wall and more than two thousand homes, sweeping away more than two thousand households. The river rose in Mengzhou. In the fourth month of the second year, the river rose in Jingzhao Prefecture; the river rose in Shanzhou and destroyed the great dike and the Wulong shrine. On the day yiyou in the sixth month, the Bian River overflowed in Junyi County, breaching linked dikes and flooding farmland. The emperor went in person to inspect the breach and directed the guards to seal it. On the day xinmao it broke its banks again in Songcheng County. Prolonged heavy rains in Bozhou raised the river and destroyed eight hundred seventy homes. The river overflowed in Bozhou and flowed east, flooding farmland and homes. In the seventh month, the Mingshui River rose in Qizhou and destroyed more than a hundred sections of the wall of Liji stockade. The Sha River overflowed in Xuzhou. Pond water overflowed in Xiongzhou and destroyed nearly all the farmland. The river rose in Jiazhou, flooded the prefectural city, and destroyed homes. The Shu and Han rivers rose in Fuzhou and destroyed farmland and homes. Heavy rains in Zhaoxin County, Sizhou raised the mountain rivers, which washed away farmland and homes; twenty-one people died. In the eighth month, the river in Tengzhou rose more than ten zhang, flooded the prefectural city, and destroyed government offices and farmland. In the ninth month, mountain floods rose violently in Pujiang and other counties in Qiongzhou, destroying seventy homes; seventy-nine people died. That autumn, rivers in Jinghu North Circuit overflowed and inundated a great many fields. In the seventh month of the third year, the Luo River rose in Henan Prefecture and destroyed the Qili and Zhenguo bridges; mountain floods also rose violently, destroying the Fengrao office and homes; two hundred forty people died. In the tenth month, heavy rain in Shangjin County caused the river to overflow and destroy homes; thirty-seven people drowned. In the sixth month of the fourth year, heavy rain in Longcheng County caused the Niutou River to rise twenty zhang and drown residents and homes. In the ninth month, the river rose in Chanzhou and collapsed the north city; nearly all homes, government offices, and storehouses were destroyed, and a great many people drowned. The Fu River in Xuanwu County, Zizhou, rose two zhang and five chi, backed up, and flowed into the prefectural city, destroying more than ten thousand official and private homes; a great many people drowned. The tenth month, the river broke its banks in Chanzhou; the waters flowed northwest into the Imperial Canal and inundated Daming Prefecture; Prefect Zhao Changyan blocked the city gates to hold them back.
11
西
In the sixth month of the first year of Dazhong Xiangfu, the Huimin River broke its banks in Weishi County, Kaifeng Prefecture. In the seventh month of the second year, Xu, Ji, Qing, and Zi prefectures suffered major floods. In the eighth month, major floods in Feng Prefecture washed away people's homes. In the tenth month, the Huimin River broke its banks in the capital region and damaged farmland. In the sixth month of the third year, rivers overflowed in both Jizhou and Linjiang Army and damaged farmland. In the ninth month, the river broke its banks at Baifu Liang village in Hezhong Prefecture. In the fourth month of the fourth year, rivers rose in Hong, Jiang, Jun, and Yuan prefectures, damaged farmland, and destroyed the prefectural cities. In the eighth month, the river broke its banks in Tongli Army; the Imperial Canal overflowed in Daming Prefecture; the combined waters destroyed the prefectural city, damaged the fields, and drowned a great many people. In the ninth month, the river overflowed in Wen County, Mengzhou. The Wu River in Suzhou overflowed and destroyed homes. In the eleventh month, tidal floods in Chu and Taizhou damaged the fields and drowned many people. In the first month of the fifth year, the river broke its banks at Niejiakou in Dizhou. In the seventh month, mountain floods rose violently at Huai'an town in Qingzhou and swept away residents. In the sixth month of the sixth year, accumulated rain in Bao'an Army caused the river to overflow, inundated the ramparts, and destroyed homes; Vice Magistrate Zhao Zhen drowned, and six hundred fifty soldiers and civilians drowned in all. In the sixth month of the seventh year, floods in Sizhou damaged farmland. The Luo River rose in Henan Prefecture. In Dingxi stockade, Qinzhou, people drowned. In the eighth month, the river broke its banks in Chanzhou. In the tenth month, the river overflowed at Anding town in Binzhou. In the seventh month of the eighth year, heavy rain in Fangzhou caused the river to overflow and people drowned. In the sixth month of the ninth year, water from Dugu Valley in Qinzhou destroyed the city bridge of Yanguan town in Changdao County and two hundred ninety-five government offices and homes; sixty-seven people drowned. In the seventh month, mountain floods overflowed at Dingping, Anyuan, Saimen, and Kaola stockades in Yanzhou and destroyed dikes and cities. In the ninth month, the border river between Xiong and Ba prefectures overflowed. Floods in Lizhou washed away twelve thousand eight hundred sections of plank roads.
12
西 西
In the sixth month of the third year of Tianxi, the river broke its banks southwest of Huazhou city, sweeping away official and private dwellings; a great many died; it passed through Chanzhou, Pu, Yan, Ji, and Shan to Xuzhou, joined the Qing River, inundated the city walls, and where the water did not reach was four boards high. The following year it was sealed. In the sixth month, it broke its banks again at the northwest corner.
13
In the first month of the first year of Qianxing, floods in Xiuzhou left the people struggling to obtain food. On the night of the day jiyou in the tenth month, tidal floods in Yanshan and Wudi counties, Cangzhou, overflowed and destroyed official and private dwellings; a great many people drowned. That year, the Jingdong and Huainan circuits suffered flood disasters.
14
西
Early in the Tiansheng era, Xuzhou suffered successive years of flooding. In the eleventh month of the third year, on xinmao, the Han River in Xiangzhou ruined the people's farmland. In the sixth month of the fourth year, on dinghai, severe floods in Jianzhou and Shaowu Circuit destroyed more than seventy-nine hundred official and private homes, and more than one hundred fifty people drowned. That month, Henan Prefecture and Zhengzhou were hit by severe floods. On yiyou in the tenth month, mountain floods surged in Jingshan County; many were swept away and drowned, including the county magistrate Tang Yongzhi. That year the Bian River overflowed, breaching the Chenliu dike; the Jia Po west of the capital was also cut open so the water could enter the Huglong River and thus reduce its force. In the third month of the fifth year, Xiang, Ying, Xu, Ru, and other prefectures suffered floods. In the seventh month, on xinchou, Yanguan town in Taizhou was inundated, and many people drowned. In the seventh month of the sixth year, on renzi, the Yangtze overflowed in Jiangning Prefecture and in Yang, Zhen, and Run prefectures, destroying official and private homes. That month, Xiong and Ba prefectures suffered severe flooding. On jiaxu in the eighth month, mountain floods surged in Lintong County, and a great many people drowned. That month the river broke through Wang Chu embankment. In the sixth month of the seventh year, severe floods in Hebei destroyed the floating bridge at Chanzou.
15
In the fourth month of the first year of Mingdao, on renzi, floods inundated farmland in Guanshi and seven other counties in Daming Prefecture.
16
In the intercalary sixth month of the first year of Jingyou, on jiazi, the Huai and Bian rivers overflowed at Sizhou. In the seventh month the river broke Henglong embankment in Chanzou. On gengwu in the eighth month, mountain floods burst forth in Fenning County, Hongzhou, sweeping away more than two hundred households; the dead numbered more than three hundred seventy. In the sixth month of the third year, prolonged rains in Gan and Ji prefectures caused the rivers to overflow, destroying city walls and homes, and many people drowned. On yihai in the sixth month of the fourth year, Hangzhou was struck by violent wind and rain; the tidal bore overflowed the banks to a height of six chi and destroyed more than a thousand zhang of dikes. On jiaxu in the eighth month, severe floods in Yuezhou swept away and drowned residents.
17
In the first year of Baoyuan, rain fell in Jianzhou from the first month through the fourth without stopping; brooks swelled, flooded the prefectural city, destroyed homes, and a great many people drowned.
18
In the ninth month of the first year of Kangding, on jiayin, the great river in Huazhou flooded widely and destroyed the people's homes.
19
In the second month of the first year of Huangyou, on jiaxu, the Yellow and Yu rivers in Hebei broke their banks and together poured into Qianning Army. The Hebei region suffered floods year after year. In the second year, Zhen and Ding were again inundated, and the border districts suffered especially badly. In the seventh month of the third year, on xinyou, the river broke through at Guogu Pass in Guantao County. In the eighth month the Bian Canal ran dry. In the eighth month of the fourth year, severe floods in Fuzhou destroyed military and civilian homes.
20
西 西
In the sixth month of the second year of Jiayou, waterlogging in the metropolitan district and in Jingdong West and Hebei damaged farmland. From the fifth month onward rain did not let up; water rose over Anshang Gate and broke the gate barrier, destroying tens of thousands of official and private homes, and within the city people crossed by raft. In the seventh month, Jingdong West and Jinghu North circuits suffered flooding. From summer through autumn the Huai swelled violently and surrounded Sizhou. That year rivers throughout the circuits overflowed and broke their banks; Hebei was hit hardest, and many people fled. In the seventh month of the third year, the Jing, Suo, and Guangji rivers overflowed and inundated farmland. In the seventh month of the fifth year, Su and Hu prefectures suffered floods. In the seventh month of the sixth year, on yiyou, the Huai overflowed at Sizhou. In the sixth month of the seventh year, heavy rain in Daizhou sent mountain floods rushing into the city. In the seventh month, mountain floods destroyed the walls of Douzhou. The river broke through the Fifth embankment at Beijing.
21
In the autumn of the first year of Xining, mountain floods surged in Bazhou; Baoding Army was inundated, crops were ruined, official and private homes and city walls were destroyed, and residents were swept away and drowned. The river broke its banks in En and Ji prefectures, sweeping away and drowning residents. In the eighth month of the second year, the river broke through at Rao'an in Cangzhou, drowning residents, and the county seat was relocated to Zhangwei village. Violent wind and rain struck Quanzhou as floodwaters and the tide surged together. Crops were ruined and official and private homes were swept away. In the eighth month of the fourth year, severe floods in Jinzhou destroyed the city walls and official and private homes. In the sixth month of the seventh year, heavy rain in Xizhou sent the Tao River flooding over its banks. In the fourth month of the eighth year, rivers overflowed in Tan, Heng, Shao, and Dao prefectures and destroyed official and private homes. In the seventh month of the ninth year, summer and autumn rains at Taiyuan Prefecture swelled the Fen River. In the tenth month, tidal floods in Haiyang and Chaoyang counties destroyed homes and drowned residents. In the seventh month of the tenth year, the river broke Lower Cao Village embankment; the Chanyuan channel ran dry, the Henan course shifted, and the waters again gathered eastward toward Liangshan and the Zhangze marshes, ruining forty-five prefectures and counties, tens of thousands of official halls and private dwellings, and three hundred thousand qing of farmland. The Zhang River broke its banks in Mingzhou and poured into the city. Heavy rains caused the Erzhang and Yang rivers to surge, destroying the south storehouse and drowning residents. Unceasing rains in Cang and Wei sent river marshes surging, destroying homes and damaging crops.
22
西
In the first year of Yuanfeng, the river in Zhangqiu overflowed, destroying public and private homes and city walls and sweeping away civilian dwellings. Mountain floods surged in Shuzhou, inundating official and private homes, ruining crops, and drowning residents. In the fourth month of the fourth year, the Xiao Wu River in Linhe County, Chanzou flooded northward, sweeping away and drowning residents. In the fifth month the Huai flooded widely. In the autumn of the fifth year, the river broke its banks in Yangwu and Yuanwu counties, destroying fields and homes. In the sixth month of the seventh year, floods in Qingtian County damaged crops. In the seventh month, Hebei East and West circuits were inundated. Flooding struck Beijing and Guantao; the river overflowed into the prefectural city and destroyed official and private homes. In the eighth month, rivers flooded widely in Zhao, Xing, Ming, Ci, and Xiang prefectures, destroying city defenses and military camps. That year the Zhang River broke its banks in Xiangzhou, drowning residents of Linzhang County. The Yellow and Qin rivers flooded widely in Huaizhou; heavy rains ruined crops and destroyed homes and city walls. Throughout the counties and towns of Cizhou, the Zhang and Fu rivers flooded in summer and autumn. Hulu Pass broke open in Linzhang County, destroying official and private homes, damaging crops, and harming residents.
23
西
In the fourth year of Yuanyou, seasonal rains persisted through summer and autumn and rivers flooded widely. In the eighth year, from the fourth month through the eighth month rain fell day and night without ceasing; the metropolitan region and the Jingdong West, Huainan, and Hebei circuits suffered severe flooding. An edict ordered palaces and temples in the capital opened for five days of prayer; local prefectural magistrates were to lead prayers throughout the empire, while Councillor Lü Dagui and others awaited punishment.
24
西西
In the first year of Yuanfu, Hebei, Jingdong, and other circuits suffered severe floods. In the sixth month of the second year, prolonged rains brought severe floods to Shaanxi, Jingxi, and Hebei; rivers overflowed, people were swept away, and homes were destroyed. That year Su, Hu, Xiu, and other prefectures in the Two Zhe region were especially afflicted by flooding.
25
西 鹿
In the summer of the first year of Daguan, the metropolitan region suffered severe flooding. An edict ordered the Ministry of Works Directorate of Water Control to dredge and channel the waters as far as Bajiao town. Rivers in Hebei and Jingxi overflowed, sweeping away and drowning common households. In the tenth month, Su and Hu suffered floods. In the autumn of the second year, the Yellow River broke its banks and engulfed Julu County in Xingzhou. In the seventh month of the third year, prolonged rain in Jiezhou caused the river to overflow. In the summer of the fourth year, severe floods in Dengzhou swept away and submerged Shunyang County.
26
In the sixth month of the fifth year of Zhenghe, Jiangning Prefecture, Taiping, and Xuanzhou suffered floods. In the eighth month, Su, Hu, Chang, and Xiu prefectures suffered floods. In the seventh year the river broke its banks in Ying and Cang prefectures; only three courses of Cangzhou's wall remained above water, and more than a million people died.
27
使 使
In the summer of the first year of Chonghe, severe floods struck the Jiang, Huai, Jing, and Zhe circuits; many people fled or drowned, and emissaries were dispatched to provide relief. Transport Commissioner Ren Liang was removed from office for failing to report the destruction of official and private dwellings at Sizhou and related matters.
28
西 殿 使西 西
In the fifth month of the first year of Xuanhe, torrential rain raised the waters more than ten zhang overnight, flooding the capital from Motuo Hill in the northwest through the horse stud outside Wansheng Gate and drowning residents throughout. Several days earlier every well in the city had turned muddy, and the well behind Xuanhe Hall overflowed—a sure omen of flood. Then an edict ordered the Director of Water Control to cut the Suo River dike west of the city to slow the flood; tombs of residents south of the city were inundated, and the crops in the sacred ploughing field where the emperor had personally tilled were destroyed. The flood surged violently, rising straight over Anshang and Nanxun gates, and the capital was defended for half a month. The waters then entered the Bian Canal, which was close to overflowing; laborers were hired to cut the lower channel so the flood could enter the Wuzhang River north of the city and drain down to Liangshan marsh, and the waters subsided. In the eleventh month, southeastern prefectures and counties suffered floods. On wuxu in the twelfth month of the fourth year, an edict stated: "Inquiry shows that quite a few refugees from Jingdong West have reached Dezhou; that prefecture has handled relief well. Let this be reported and recommended for imperial reward. On other routes, wherever displaced persons are found, those who fail to provide immediate relief are to be investigated and reported to the throne. In the autumn of the sixth year the metropolitan region saw unceasing rain. Floods struck Hebei, Jingdong, and the Two Zhe regions, and many people fled.
29
In the spring of the second year of Jianyan, the southeastern provinces suffered flooding.
30
西 西沿 西
In the intercalary month of the second year of Shaoxing, floods in Hui and Yan prefectures damaged crops. In the seventh month of the third year, on bingzi, three days of flooding in Quanzhou destroyed city walls and homes. In the autumn of the fifth year, the provinces of western Sichuan suffered flooding. In the winter of the sixth year, rains in Raozhou destroyed more than four hundred zhang of the city wall. In the fourteenth year, in the fifth month, on bingyin, Wuzhou was flooded. On yichou, floodwaters in Lanxi County inundated the county seat and market; at midnight on bingyin the waters rose without warning, and more than ten thousand people perished. In the sixteenth year, the eastern and southern rivers of Tongchuan Prefecture burst their banks, the waters entered the city, and civilian homes were inundated. In the eighth month of the eighteenth year, floods struck Shaoxing Prefecture, Mingzhou, and Wuzhou. In the twenty-second year, the Huai region suffered flooding. In the twenty-third year, Jintang County was hit by severe floods. The Tongchuan river overflowed, inundating civilian dwellings within and beyond the city walls. A major flood at Xuanzhou sent its waters spreading as far as Taiping Prefecture. In the seventh month, torrential rains struck Guangze County; streams rose violently until level ground stood more than ten zhang under water. Those who could not escape drowned; within half an hour the waters fell again. In the twenty-seventh year, severe floods struck Zhenjiang, Jiankang, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhenzhou, Taiping, Chizhou, Jiangzhou, Hongzhou, Ezhou, and Hanyang Circuit. In the sixth month of the twenty-eighth year, on bingshen, heavy rains and floods in Xing and Li prefectures and Da'an Circuit swept away homes, destroyed bridges and trestle roads, and killed a great many people. In the ninth month, several prefectures east of the Yangtze and in Huainan suffered floods. Eastern and western Zhe along the coast saw violent winds and floods; Pingjiang, Shaoxing Prefecture, Huzhou, Changzhou, Xiuzhou, and Runzhou were hardest hit. In the seventh month of the twenty-ninth year, on wuxu, floodwaters entered Fuzhou; fields and homes in Min, Houguan, and Huai'an counties were ruined. Because officials failed to report the disaster, Investigating Censor Fan Guangyuan was removed from office. On the night of xinmao in the fifth month of the thirtieth year, mountain torrents burst out in Yuqian, Lin'an, and Anji counties, destroying homes and mulberry fields; a great many people drowned. In the eighth month of the thirty-first year, severe flooding in Jianshi County swept away homes and killed a great many people. In the fourth month of the thirty-second year, the Huai overflowed for hundreds of li, sweeping away farms and homes; casualties were especially heavy. In the sixth month, flash floods from the mountains struck western Zhe, sweeping away houses, destroying crops, and capsizing boats.
31
西
In the eighth month of the first year of Longxing, eastern and western Zhe were struck by violent winds and floods; Shaoxing, Pingjiang Prefecture, Huzhou, and Chongde County suffered worst. In the seventh month of the second year, severe floods inundated Pingjiang, Zhenjiang, Jiankang, Ningguo Prefecture, Huzhou, Changzhou, Xiuzhou, Chizhou, Taiping, Luzhou, Guangzhou, Jiangyin, Guangde, Shouchun, Wuwei Circuit, and the Huaidong prefectures, soaking city walls and destroying homes, polder fields, and military encampments. Boats navigated the markets for days on end, and a great many people drowned. A month later, unending overcast skies and relentless rain worsened the floods, and displaced people appeared in Huaidong.
32
西 西
In the sixth month of the first year of Qiandao, floods in Changzhou and Huzhou destroyed polder fields. On dinghai in the eighth month of the second year of Qiandao, a great gale struck Wenzhou and the sea surged inland, sweeping away homes, salt pans, and Longshuo Temple. Boats capsized and more than twenty thousand people drowned; along the riverbank more than seven thousand corpses still lay unburied. In the sixth month of the third year, floods in Luzhou, Shuzhou, and Qizhou destroyed the crops and swept away people and livestock. On jiyou in the seventh month, a torrent burst from Tianmu Mountain in Lin'an Prefecture and destroyed more than two hundred eighty households across five townships of Lin'an County; many drowned. In the eighth month, floods in Huzhou, Xiuzhou, and Shangyu County destroyed fields and homes. Standing floodwaters persisted until the ninth month, and the grain crops rotted away. Mountain floods overflowed in Jiangdong; Jiangxi prefectures flooded; four counties of Longxing Prefecture were hardest hit. On renxu in the seventh month of the fourth year of Qiandao, severe floods at Quzhou collapsed more than three hundred zhang of city wall, swept away homes and livestock, and ruined the crops. Severe flooding in Zhuji County damaged the harvest. Jiangning and Jiankang prefectures suffered flooding. That year floods also struck Rao and Xin prefectures. On dingsi in the seventh month of the fifth year, mountain torrents at Ruiying Field, Daji, and Shanzao in Jianning Prefecture swept away homes and drowned a great many people. That summer and autumn, Wenzhou and Taizhou suffered three great storms in all; floods swept away homes and ruined crops, drowning a great many people and livestock. Huangyan County was worst hit. Prefects Wang Zhiwang and Chen Yanxiao failed to report the disasters and were dismissed and demoted. In the fifth month of the sixth year, severe floods struck Pingjiang, Jiankang, Ningguo Prefecture, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Xiuzhou, Taiping, Guangde Circuit, and Jiangxi. In Jiangdong cities the water stood more than one zhang deep in places; homes were swept away, fields submerged, polder dikes breached, and many fled. In the fifth month of the eighth year, mountain torrents burst out in Ganzhou and Nan'an Circuit; Longxing Prefecture, Ji, Jun, and Linjiang Circuit were deluged; homes were swept away, walls ruined, and fields breached. On renyin in the sixth month, Sichuan prefectures and counties were deluged; Jia, Mei, Qiong, Shu, Yongkang Circuit, and Jintang County were hardest hit, with homes swept away and fields cut through. On wuwu in the fifth month of the ninth year, floods struck Jiankang, Longxing Prefecture, Yan, Ji, Rao, Xin, Chi, Taiping, and Guangde Circuit, sweeping away homes and submerging polder fields. Sand blocked more than four hundred mu at Fenshui County, and many refugees at Caishi crossed the Yangtze. In the sixth month, Hubei prefectures and counties suffered flooding.
33
西
On renyin and guimao in the seventh month of the first year of Chunxi, great winds and waves at Qiantang breached more than one thousand six hundred sixty zhang of Lin'an Prefecture's river dikes, swept away more than six hundred thirty households, and ruined fields and gardens in two riverside townships of Renhe County. On xinsi in the eighth month of the third year of Chunxi, Taizhou was battered by wind and rain through renwu; sea surge and river torrents combined into a great flood that breached the banks, destroyed homes, and drowned a great many. On guimao the capital was deluged; the Desheng, Jiangzhang, and Beixin bridges were ruined, along with fields in Qiantang, Yuhang, and Renhe counties. Floodwaters poured into Huzhou and Xiuzhou and damaged the harvest. Floods struck many prefectures in eastern and western Zhe and Jiangdong; Wuzhou, Sheng of Kuaiji, and the three counties of Guangde Circuit and Jianping were worst affected. On gengzi in the fifth month of the fourth year, heavy rains flooded Jianning Prefecture, Fu, and Nanjian prefecture; by renyin several thousand homes had been swept away. On the night of jihai the Qiantang bore surged and breached more than eighty zhang of Lin'an Prefecture's dikes; On gengzi another hundred-plus zhang of dikes gave way. A coastal gale at Mingzhou sent sea surge against the dikes, breaching more than two thousand five hundred zhang at Dinghai County and more than five thousand one hundred zhang at Yin County, and submerging farmland. On dingyou and wuxu in the ninth month, wind and rain drove sea surge that breached more than three hundred zhang of Qiantang County's dikes; More than forty people drowned in Yuyao County, and more than two thousand five hundred sixty zhang of dikes collapsed; dikes at Shangyu County, the Lianghu weir, and the Grand Canal embankment failed; at Dinghai County more than two thousand five hundred zhang of dikes gave way; and at Yin County more than five thousand one hundred zhang of dikes collapsed. On wuchen in the sixth month of the fifth year of Chunxi, severe flooding in Gutian County swept away homes and collapsed the county seat, market, and bridge. On jihai in the intercalary month, floods at Jiezhou destroyed the city walls. On yisi, great floods struck Xinghua Circuit, Fuqing County, and Haikou town, sweeping away homes, government buildings, and storehouses; a great many drowned. In the summer of the sixth year, Quzhou suffered flooding. That autumn, floods in Ningguo Prefecture, Wenzhou, Taizhou, Huzhou, Xiuzhou, and Taiping destroyed polder fields; more than one hundred drowned in Yueqing County. On wuxu in the fifth month of the seventh year, severe flooding at Fenyi County breached fields and ruined the harvest. On renchen in the fifth month of the eighth year, Yanzhou was inundated; floods swept or soaked more than nineteen thousand five hundred forty households and more than six hundred eighty military compounds. Severe floods at Shaoxing Prefecture inundated more than eighty-three thousand households across five counties and ruined the entire harvest; at Yubu more than five hundred zhang of dikes failed, and at Xinlin dikes collapsed into the Grand Canal. That year floods also struck Hui and Jiang prefectures. On xinsi in the fifth month of the tenth year, floodwaters entered Xinzhou; homes and market streets were submerged. Severe floods at Xiangyang Prefecture swept away homes and emptied storehouses. Several prefectures in Jiangdong and eastern Zhe also flooded. On xinyou in the eighth month, a great gale at Leizhou drove sea surge inland and submerged coastal homes; casualties were heavy. On yichou in the ninth month, wind and rain lashed Fu and Zhang prefectures and waters rose without warning. Coastal settlements, homes, and boats in Changxi and Ningde counties were swept into the sea; half of Zhang city was submerged, inundating more than eight hundred ninety households. On dingmao, severe flooding in Longquan County, Jizhou, swept away homes, ruined fields, and drowned many. In the fourth month of the eleventh year, floods at Hezhou submerged homes and destroyed polder fields. On bingshen in the fifth month, the Bai River at Jiezhou overflowed, breaching dikes and collapsing the wall; homes, barracks, shrines, temples, and monasteries were widely inundated. Jiankang Prefecture and Taiping Prefecture suffered flooding. On jiashen in the sixth month, heavy rains at Longquan County in Chuzhou inundated homes, destroyed bridges and beams, and turned fields into torrents that ruined the crops. On renchen in the seventh month, wind and rain at Mingzhou sent mountain torrents through the markets, collapsing homes and capsizing boats with loss of life. In the sixth month of the twelfth year, floods at Wuzhou and Fuyang County inundated homes and damaged crops. On wuyin in the eighth month, a flash flood from Zaoyuan village in Anji County swept away homes, temples, and monasteries, nearly ruining the entire harvest, and drowned more than one thousand people. Prefect Liu Zao failed to report it and was removed from office. That year Ezhou remained inundated from summer through winter. In the ninth month, Taizhou suffered flooding. On xinwei in the third month of the fourteenth year, floods at Tingzhou swept away more than one hundred households and more than sixty military compounds. In the fifth month of the fifteenth year, torrential rains flooded the Huai region; the river overflowed; Lu, Hao, Chu, Wuwei, Anfeng, Gaoyou, and Xuyi Circuit saw homes and crops swept away, and Luzhou's wall collapsed. The Jing overflowed; severe floods at Ezhou swept away more than three thousand military and civilian compounds. Floods struck Jiangling, Changde, De'an Prefecture, Fu, Yue, Li, and Hanyang Circuit. On wuwu, mountain torrents around Qimen County converged into a catastrophic flood, sweeping away six or seven tenths of crops, homes, tombs, mulberry, hemp, people, and livestock. Corpses floated in great numbers, and Fuliang County was also harmed. In the sixth month, floods collapsed homes in Jianning, Longxing Prefecture, Yuan, Fu, and Linjiang Circuit. In the seventh month, floods at Huangyan County ruined inundated fields. Poyang Lake overflowed into Poyang County, sweeping away homes and crops; some fled. On jiaxu in the fourth month of the sixteenth year, flash floods in Xinchang County, Shaoxing Prefecture, ruined crops, submerged fields, and swept away homes. On bingchen in the fifth month, mountain torrents in Yuan and Jing prefectures surged as far as Chenzhou; Changde's city stood one zhang five chi under water and homes were swept away. Severe floods at Tingzhou inundated more than one thousand five hundred homes and drowned three thousand people. Fenyi County suffered flooding. On dingsi the Bai River at Jiezhou overflowed and inundated the city's homes. On gengyin in the sixth month, five days of torrential rain flooded Zhenjiang Prefecture, inundating more than three thousand military and civilian compounds. On xinmao the southeastern rivers of Tongchuan Prefecture overflowed, breaching dikes, destroying bridges, and inundating homes; Fucheng, Zhongjiang, Shehong, Tongquan, and Qi counties saw fields and dwellings submerged.
34
綿 西 西
In the third month of the second year of Shaoxi, repeated floods in Ninghua County swept away homes and fields and drowned more than twenty people. On wushen in the fifth month, Jianning prefecture flooded. On jiyou, floods at Fuzhou inundated suburban homes; more than one thousand three hundred households were swept away in Huai'an and Houguan counties, and Gutian and Minqing counties also lost fields and homes. On gengwu the eastern river of Lizhou overflowed. Dikes, fields, and dwellings were ruined. On xinwei the eastern and southern rivers of Tongchuan Prefecture overflowed; On wuyin in the sixth month the rivers overflowed again, destroying dikes and bridges once more; waters entered the city and submerged more than seven hundred forty homes; in Qi, Fu, Shehong, and Tongquan counties more than one thousand mu of farmland became river. On guihai in the seventh month the Jialing River burst its banks. At Xingzhou seventeen sites—the city gates, prefectural prison, and government buildings—collapsed, and more than three thousand four hundred ninety homes were swept away. Floods also struck Tongchuan, Chongqing Prefecture, Mian, Guo, He, Jin, Long, and Han prefectures, Huai'an, Shiquan, and Yuguan in Da'an Circuit. Meanwhile upstream on the western Tibetan border the Gusong prefecture river surged without warning. Longzhou lost more than five hundred bridges and trestleworks, and drowning casualties were heavy in Jiangyou County. On renchen in the fifth month of the third year, torrential rains flooded Changde Prefecture, inundating farms and homes. On yiwei the eastern and southern rivers of Tongchuan Prefecture overflowed. Six days later they rose again, flooding homes beyond the walls, and people fled to the hills. On jihai, Chizhou was lashed by rain through the night. Mountain torrents burst upon Qingyang County, sweeping away fields and homes, killing people, and leaving storehouses utterly bare; Guichi County flooded as well. On gengzi, heavy rains at Jing County breached the dikes and collapsed the county seat and private homes. On xinchou in the sixth month, floods at Jianping County broke the dikes, poured into the town, and swept or soaked countless homes. On jiaxu, Qimen County suffered flooding. On renshen in the seventh month, Tiantai and Xianju counties were inundated night after night; more than five hundred sixty homes were swept away or submerged, and fields and crops were ruined. Torrential rains struck Xiangyang and Jiangling prefectures as the Han overflowed, breaching dikes and collapsing homes; submerged crops lasted more than ten days. Fuzhou and Jingmen Circuit suffered likewise. Floods in three counties of Zhenjiang Prefecture ruined the harvest on low ground. In the fourth month of the fourth year, flooding at Shanggao County inundated more than two hundred households. On renshen and guiyou in the fifth month, thunderstorms and floods struck Fengxin County, sweeping or soaking more than eight hundred twenty households. On xinwei and bingzi in the fifth month, torrential rain flooded Zhenjiang Prefecture, inundating more than six thousand military compounds. On wuyin, Anfeng Circuit was deluged to more than three zhang on flat ground. Fields and homes were swept away, and the silk and wheat crops were wiped out. That month severe floods in Zhuji, Xiaoshan, Xuancheng, and Ningguo counties ruined the harvest. Floods in the counties under Guangde Circuit damaged the crops. Floods at Yunzhou inundated people's homes. On wuyin, flooding at Jinxian County collapsed more than one hundred twenty households. On bingshen in the sixth month, floods struck Xingguo Circuit, sweeping away homes at Chikou town and in Daye County; some drowned. On wuxu, flooding at Jing'an County swept away more than three hundred twenty households. That summer Jiang, Gan, and Jiangling prefectures flooded as well. On yiyou in the seventh month Fengcheng County flooded; on renwu Linjiang Circuit did likewise—civilian homes collapsed in both places. On dinghai, floods at Xingan County swept or soaked more than two thousand three hundred households. On xinchou in the eighth month, flooding at Longxing Prefecture collapsed more than one thousand two hundred seventy households. Floods at Jizhou swept or soaked homes and the government buildings of Taihe County. From summer through autumn, floods covered all nine prefectures and thirty-seven counties of Jiangxi. That year a great gale at Xinghua Circuit drove the sea inland, sweeping away an especially large number of fields and homes. On xinwei in the fifth month of the fifth year, Shidi, Guichi, and Jing counties flooded, homes collapsed, and drowning casualties were heavy. That month Taizhou was severely flooded. On renshen in the seventh month, floods at Cixi County swept away homes, breached fields, ruined the crops, and drowned many. On yihai, a gale drove sea surge through Kuaiji, Shanyin, Xiaoshan, Yuyao, and Shangyu counties, destroying dikes and damaging the harvest. On xinchou in the eighth month, torrential rains struck Qiantang, Lin'an, Xincheng, Fuyang, and Yuqian counties, worst of all at Yuhang, sweeping away fields and homes with casualties beyond count. Anji County flooded to more than one zhang on flat ground. Floods struck Pingjiang, Zhenjiang, Ningguo Prefecture, Mingzhou, Taizhou, Wenzhou, Yanzhou, Changzhou, and Jiangyin Circuit. That autumn, the river overflowed at Wuling County, collapsing a great many fields and homes.
35
使 西
On renshen in the sixth month of the first year of Qingyuan, wind and rain lashed Taizhou and its counties as mountain torrents and sea surge struck together. Countless fields and homes were swept away; corpses choked the streams, drifting and sinking for ten days. By jiayin in the seventh month flooding at Huangyan County was especially severe. Ever-Normal Granary commissioner Mo Zhang was dismissed for delaying disaster relief. In the seventh month Lin'an Prefecture flooded. That autumn of the second year, eastern Zhe was widely inundated. In the ninth month of the third year floods harmed crops in two Shaoxing counties and two Wuzhou counties. In the autumn of the fifth year Taizhou, Wenzhou, Quzhou, and Wuzhou flooded, sweeping away homes and drowning many. Quzhou prefect Zhang Jing was dismissed for concealing the disaster and withholding relief. In the fifth month of the sixth year great floods struck Jianning Prefecture, Yan, Qu, Wu, Rao, Xin, Hui, Nanjian, and Jiangxi generally. From gengwu to jiaxu homes were swept away and crops ruined.
36
On bingwu in the seventh month of the second year of Jiatai, floods at Shanghang County collapsed fields and homes, ruined the harvest, and drowned many. At Jian'an County floods swept away more than one hundred twenty military and civilian buildings. Landslides buried seventy-seven homes, and more than sixty perished by drowning or crushing. On dingwei, floods at Changxi County swept away more than two hundred eighty households. Gutian County lost a great many government buildings and homes to the flood; two hundred seventy drowned. More than two hundred fifty households collapsed at Jianpu County, and casualties were likewise heavy. In the fourth month of the third year, floods in Jiangnan towns and prefectures damaged the crops.
37
西 西
On jihai in the fifth month of the second year of Jiading, Lianzhou was deluged, breaching more than one hundred zhang of wall, submerging government buildings, the prefectural school, and homes, and ruining vast tracts of farmland and settlements. On xinyou in the sixth month, floods at Xihe prefecture submerged the Changdao county seat and its storehouses. On bingzi, flooding at Zhaohua County submerged the county seat and swept away homes. Floods at Chengzhou poured into the city and collapsed the barracks. Tonggu County, Suining Prefecture, and Langzhou all flooded. On renchen in the seventh month, wind and rain at Taizhou drove the sea inland, destroying more than two thousand two hundred eighty households; drowning casualties were especially heavy. On jiazi in the fourth month of the third year, Xincheng County was severely flooded. In the fifth month torrential rains struck Yan, Qu, Wu, Huizhou, Fuyang, Yuhang, Yanguan, Xincheng, Zhuji, and Chun'an. Many drowned, fields, homes, and market towns collapsed, and the first planting rotted entirely. The mobile capital was inundated, flooding five thousand three hundred dwellings, submerging half the imperial guard compounds outside the walls, and causing West Lake to overflow. On xinyou in the seventh month of the fourth year, severe flooding at Cixi County collapsed fields and homes and drowned many. In the eighth month the sea broke Shanyin County's dikes, sweeping away farmland for miles and salinizing one hundred thousand mu. On gengxu in the fifth month of the fifth year, Yanzhou flooded. On dingchou in the sixth month, floods at Taizhou and in Jiande, Zhuji, and Kuaiji counties ruined fields and homes. On dingchou in the sixth month of the sixth year, a mountain torrent burst upon Chun'an County, swallowing Qingquan Temple and sweeping away fields and homes across five townships for one hundred eighty li. Casualties were beyond count and great trees were uprooted. On dinghai, Yuqian County was severely flooded. On wuzi, wind, thunder, and torrential rain struck Zhuji County as mountain floods burst out, sweeping away ten townships' fields and homes; drowning casualties were especially heavy. Qiantang County, Lin'an, Yuhang, Yuqian, and Anji counties all flooded. In the fifth month of the ninth year the mobile capital, Shaoxing Prefecture, Yan, Qu, Wu, Tai, Chu, Xin, Rao, Fu, Zhang, and Quan prefectures, and Xinghua Circuit were inundated, sweeping away fields and homes and ruining the crops. That winter the Qiantang bore overflowed, collapsing homes, capsizing boats, and drowning many. Rivers at Shu and Han prefectures submerged the cities. On wushen in the sixth month of the eleventh year, severe floods at Wukang and Ji'an counties swept away government buildings and homes, ruined the crops, and killed many people and livestock. In the twelfth year the sea at Yanguan County abandoned its old channel; tides scoured more than thirty li of farmland and now reached the county seat. Harbors and canals at Luzhou and salt stations such as Shangxia guan and Huangwan gang all collapsed. Shushan was swallowed by the sea, settlements and farmland lost half their extent, and crops across four prefectures were ruined. Six years passed before the waters subsided. In the fourteenth year Jiankang Prefecture was severely flooded. In the seventh month of the fifteenth year Xiaoshan County was deluged. Prolonged rains sent flash floods from Qu, Wu, Hui, and Yan to meet the Yangtze surge, collapsing fields and homes and ruining the harvest. In the fifth month of the sixteenth year floods struck Jiang, Zhe, Huai, Jing, and Shu, worst at Pingjiang Prefecture, Huzhou, Changzhou, Xiuzhou, Chizhou, Ezhou, Chuzhou, Taiping, and Guangde Circuit. Homes were swept away, crops ruined, walls and dikes collapsed, and drowning casualties were heavy. At Ezhou rivers and lakes rose together, submerging the city, which did not drain for months. That autumn the river overflowed and homes collapsed. Yuhang, Qiantang, and Renhe counties were severely flooded. Floods at Fu, Zhang, and Quan prefectures and Xinghua Circuit ruined fifteen or sixteen tenths of the harvest. In the fifth month of the seventeenth year severe floods struck Fujian, wiping out Shuikou town and sweeping away several hundred households at Ganzhe stockade in Houguan County; many drowned; waters submerged Pingzheng Bridge and poured into Jianning city; At Nanjian the prefectural seat, gate tower, prison, and government buildings collapsed and the city was ruined; everyone who fled upstairs to escape the flood perished. On yimao, Jianchang Circuit was inundated until only three plank courses of the wall stood above water. Homes were swept away, government buildings, walls, and bridges collapsed, and crops were ruined.
38
沿
In the second year of Shaoding, Tiantai and Xianju counties were severely flooded. In the fourth year floods struck along the Yangtze.
39
On xinyou in the third month of the third year of Duanping, torrential rains at Qizhou swept away homes. That year Yingde Prefecture, Shaozhou, and the Xiang and Han rivers were all severely flooded.
40
In the first year of Jiaxi, Rao and Xin prefectures flooded. In the second year the Qiantang bore overflowed.
41
In the second year of Chunyou, Shaoxing Prefecture, Chuzhou, and Wuzhou flooded. In the seventh year Fujian flooded. In the tenth year Yanzhou flooded. On jiachen in the eighth month of the eleventh year, a mountain torrent burst upon Tingzhou and swept people away. In the ninth month Jiangling flooded. That year floods were widespread in Jiang and Zhe; Raozhou flooded as well. In the sixth month of the twelfth year great floods struck Jianning Prefecture, Yan, Qu, Wu, Xin, Tai, Chu, Nanjian, and Shaowu Circuit, overtopping walls, sweeping away homes, and killing tens of thousands.
42
In the seventh month of the first year of Baoyou (1253), Wen, Tai, Chu, Xin, and Rao prefectures suffered major floods.
43
On the day jiwei in the fifth month of the first year of Kaiqing (1259), floods in Wuzhou swept away people's homes. That year, Chu and Yan prefectures suffered flooding.
44
In the second year of Jingding (1261), eastern Zhejiang suffered flooding.
45
In the fifth month of the sixth year of Xianchun (1270), heavy rains and flooding struck. On the day jiashen in the fifth month of the seventh year (1271), major floods in Zhuji County swept away homes. That month, the river in Chongqing Prefecture overflowed three times, sweeping away city walls and destroying watchtowers. In the third month of the tenth year (1274), Luzhou suffered flooding. In the fourth month, Shaoxing Prefecture suffered heavy rains and flooding. In the eighth month, Lin'an Prefecture flooded, as did Anji and Wukang counties.
46
In the eighth month of the fourth year of Taiping Xingguo (979), the river in Liyang County, Huazhou, ran clear.
47
In the second month of the first year of Duangong (988), the rivers in Chan and Pu prefectures ran clear for more than two hundred li.
48
西
On the day dingyou in the eleventh month of the third year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1010), the river in Shaanxi ran clear. On the day yisi in the twelfth month, the river ran clear again; where it meets the Fen River it was as clear as the Fen itself.
49
In the tenth month of the fourth year of Yuanfeng (1081), the river water in Huanzhou turned sweet.
50
In the eighth month of the first year of Daguan (1107), the river in Qianning Army ran clear. In the twelfth month of the second year (1108), the river in Shanzhou ran clear; in Hancheng and Heyang counties in Tongzhou the clear stretch extended a hundred li and persisted unchanged through spring. From then until the Zhenghe and Xuanhe reigns, circuits repeatedly reported a clear river; each time a court gentleman was dispatched to offer sacrifice, and the chief ministers led the officials in congratulatory memorials—until it became an annual routine.
51
In the fifth month of the first year of Xining (1068), a sweet spring appeared in Kaihua ward in the capital.
52
In the first month of the fifth year of Zhenghe (1115), a sweet spring appeared at the terrace-shrine in Heyang.
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