1
永初元年夏六月丁卯，設壇於南郊，即皇帝位，柴燎告天。 策曰：
In the sixth month of summer of the inaugural year Yongchu, on the day dingmao, an altar was raised at the southern suburb. Liu Yu took the imperial throne and burned firewood to announce his accession to Heaven. The accession proclamation read:
2
皇帝臣裕，敢用玄牡，昭告皇天后帝。 晉帝以卜世告終，歷數有歸，欽若景運，以命于裕。 夫樹君宰世，天下為公，德充帝王，樂推攸集。 越俶唐、虞，降暨漢、魏，靡不以上哲格文祖，元勳陟帝位，故能大拯黔首，垂訓無窮。 晉自東遷，四維不振，宰輔焉依，為日巳久。 難棘隆安，禍成元興，遂至帝主遷播，宗祀堙滅。 裕雖地非齊、晉，眾無一旅，仰憤時難，俯悼橫流，投袂一麾，[1]則皇祀克復。 及危而能持，顛而能扶，姦宄具殲，僭偽必滅。 誠興廢有期，否終有數。 至於大造晉室，撥亂濟民，因藉時來，實尸其重。 加以殊俗慕義，重譯來庭，正朔所暨，咸服聲教。 至乃三靈垂象，山川告祥，人神協祉，歲月滋著。 是以羣公卿士，億兆夷人，僉曰皇靈降鑒於上，晉朝款誠於下，天命不可以久淹，宸極不可以暫曠。 遂逼羣議，恭茲大禮。
The Emperor, your subject Yu, ventures to offer a black bull and proclaim plainly to August Heaven and Sovereign Earth. The Jin emperor, because divination showed his dynasty's term had ended and the mandate had passed to its rightful holder, reverently followed the age's flourishing fortune and entrusted the mandate to Yu. To set up a ruler and govern the world: the realm belongs to all; when virtue matches that of emperors and kings, the people's willing endorsement gathers of itself. From Yao and Shun down through Han and Wei, none failed to have a supreme sage align with the founding ancestor of civilization and a chief merit-holder ascend the throne, thereby greatly rescuing the common people and handing down instruction without end. After the Jin moved south, the four pillars of order no longer held firm, and the court had long depended on chief ministers. Hardship piled up in the Long'an era, catastrophe took shape under Yuanxing, until emperors were driven from the capital and the ancestral rites were cut off. Though Yu's domain was no match for Qi or Jin and his forces scarcely amounted to a regiment, he looked up in anger at the age's calamities and down in grief at the flood of ruin; with a shake of his sleeve and one command, [1] the imperial sacrifices were restored. In peril he could hold firm; when the order was overturned he could set it right; treacherous evildoers were wiped out, and usurping pretenders were destroyed. Truly, the revival of what had been cast down has its season, and the end of decline has its reckoning. As for greatly rebuilding the Jin house, quelling chaos and succoring the people—riding the tide of the times, he truly bore the heaviest burden. Moreover, distant peoples admired righteousness, envoys came again and again to court, and wherever the imperial calendar reached, all submitted to civilizing rule. Even the three luminaries sent down portents, mountains and rivers announced auspicious signs, and heaven and earth joined in blessing, so that the mandate grew clearer month by month and year by year. Therefore the nobles, ministers, and officials, and the hundred million common people, all said that the August Spirit looked down from above while the Jin court showed sincerity below: the Mandate of Heaven could not long be delayed, and the imperial throne could not remain vacant. They thereupon pressed him with collective counsel and respectfully performed this great ceremony.
3
猥以寡德，託於兆民之上，雖仰畏天威，略是小節，顧深永懷，[2]祗懼若霣。 敬簡元辰，升壇受禪，告類上帝，用酬萬國之情。 克隆天保，永祚于有宋。 惟明靈是饗。
Humbly, with scant virtue, I rest upon the myriad people above; though in awe of Heaven's majesty this is a small matter, yet turning deeply to lasting recollection, [2] I am reverently fearful as though about to fall. Respectfully selecting this great day, I ascend the altar to receive the abdication, announce the succession to High God, and thereby answer the feeling of all under Heaven. May Heaven's blessing be magnified and everlasting fortune rest upon Song. May the luminous spirits accept this offering.
4
禮畢，備法駕幸建康宮，臨太極前殿。 詔曰：「夫世代迭興，承天統極，雖遭遇異塗，因革殊事，若乃功濟區宇，道振生民，興廢所階，異世一揆。 朕以寡薄，屬當艱運，藉否終之期，因士民之力，用獲拯溺，匡世撥亂，安國寧民，業未半古，功參曩烈。 晉氏以多難仍遘，曆運巳移，欽若前王，憲章令軌，用集大命于朕躬。 惟德匪嗣，辭不獲申，遂祗順三靈，饗茲景祚，燔柴于南郊，受終于文祖。 猥當與能之期，爰集樂推之運，嘉祚肇開，隆慶惟始，思俾休嘉，惠茲兆庶。 其大赦天下。 改晉元熙二年為永初元年。 賜民爵二級。 鰥寡孤獨不能自存者，人穀五斛。 逋租宿債勿復收。 其有犯鄉論清議、贓汙淫盜，一皆蕩滌洗除，與之更始。 長徒之身，特皆原遣。 亡官失爵，禁錮奪勞，一依舊准。」
When the rite was concluded, with full imperial equipage he went to Jiankang Palace and took his seat in the front hall of the Grand Ultimate. An edict stated: "Dynasties rise in succession and inherit Heaven's mandate; though they meet different circumstances and institutions change with the times, when merit saves the realm and the Way stirs the living people, the stages of rise and fall differ in age yet follow one measure. I, of meager virtue, stand at a harsh turning in fate; relying on the season when decline was ending and on the strength of scholars and people, I rescued the realm from ruin, set the age right, and settled the state and quieted the people. The achievement is not yet half that of antiquity, yet the merit rivals past glories. The Jin house, because hardship followed hardship, saw its mandate already shift; reverently following former kings and taking their statutes as the present norm, the great mandate was gathered upon my person. My virtue does not match the succession; I could not decline further, and so reverently followed the three spirits, received this bright fortune, burned firewood at the southern suburb, and received the mandate's end from the culture-founding ancestor. I unworthily stand at the season when the able are gathered and at the fortune when willing abdication assembles; auspicious fortune has newly opened and grand celebration has just begun; I wish to spread fine blessing and favor these myriad people. Let there be a great amnesty throughout the realm. Change the second year of Yuanxi of Jin to the first year of Yongchu. Grant the people two ranks of noble status. For widowers, widows, orphans, and the solitary who cannot support themselves, give five piculs of grain per person. Overdue rents and old debts shall not be collected again. Those who have violated village standards of conduct, or committed corruption, debauchery, or theft—all are to be cleared and given a fresh start. Persons sentenced to long penal service are all specially pardoned and sent home. Those who lost office or rank, were barred from office, or had labor levies taken—all follow the former standards."
5
封晉帝為零陵王，全食一郡。 載天子旍旗，乘五時副車，行晉正朔，郊祀天地禮樂制度，皆用晉典。 上書不為表，答表勿稱詔。 追尊皇考為孝穆皇帝，皇妣為穆皇后，尊王太后為皇太后。 詔曰：「夫微禹之感，歎深後昆，盛德必祀，道隆百世。 晉氏封爵，咸隨運改，至於德參微管，勳濟蒼生，愛人懷樹，猶或勿翦，雖在異代，義無泯絕。 降殺之宜，一依前典。 可降始興公封始興縣公，廬陵公封柴桑縣公，各千戶； 始安公封荔浦縣侯，長沙公封醴陵縣侯，康樂公可即封縣侯，各五百戶：以奉晉故丞相王導、太傅謝安、大將軍溫嶠、大司馬陶侃、車騎將軍謝玄之祀。 其宣力義熙，豫同艱難者，一仍本秩，無所減降。」 封晉臨川王司馬寶為西豐縣侯，食邑千戶。
The Jin emperor was enfeoffed as Prince of Lingling, with the full revenue of one commandery. He bore the Son of Heaven's banners and flags, rode the five-season secondary chariot, followed the Jin calendar, and in sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, rites, music, and institutions—all followed Jin regulations. In memorials to the throne he did not use the form "memorial"; in replies to memorials the word "edict" was not used. He posthumously honored his late father as Emperor Xiaomu, his late mother as Empress Mu, and honored the Wang Empress Dowager as Empress Dowager. An edict stated: "The regret at slighting Yu runs deep for later generations; great virtue must receive sacrifice, and the Way is honored for a hundred generations. Jin enfeoffments all changed with the shifting mandate; yet for those whose virtue matched Guan Zhong and whose merit aided the people—loving men cherish trees, and even when cut they may not be felled; though in a different age, righteousness does not permit their rites to be extinguished. The propriety of lowering and reducing ranks should wholly follow the former canon. The Duke of Shixing may be reduced and enfeoffed as Duke of Shixing County, the Duke of Luling as Duke of Chaisang County, each with one thousand households; the Duke of Shi'an enfeoffed as Marquis of Lipu County, the Duke of Changsha as Marquis of Liling County, the Duke of Kangle immediately enfeoffed as county marquis, each with five hundred households—to maintain the sacrifices to former Jin Chancellor Wang Dao, Grand Tutor Xie An, Grand General Wen Qiao, Grand Marshal Tao Kan, and Cavalry General Xie Xuan. Those who exerted strength in the Yixi era and shared hardship are to keep their original ranks without reduction." The Jin Prince of Linchuan, Sima Bao, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xifeng, with a fief of one thousand households.
6
庚午，以司空道憐為太尉，封長沙王。 追封司徒道規為臨川王。 尚書僕射徐羨之加鎮軍將軍，右衞將軍謝晦為中領軍，宋國領軍檀道濟為護軍將軍，中領軍劉義欣為青州刺史。 立南郡公義慶為臨川王。 又詔曰：「夫銘功紀勞，有國之要典，慎終追舊，在心之所隆。 自大業創基，十有七載，世路迍邅，戎車歲動，自東徂西，靡有寧日。 實賴將帥竭心，文武盡効，寧內拓外，迄用有成。 威靈遠著，寇逆消蕩，遂當揖讓之禮，猥饗天人之祚。 念功簡勞，無忘鑒寐，凡厥誠勤，宜同國慶。 其酬賞復除之科，以時論舉。 戰亡之身，厚加復贈。」 乙亥，立桂陽公義真為廬陵王，彭城公義隆為宜都王，第四皇子義康為彭城王。
On the day gengwu, the Minister of Works Dao Lin was appointed Grand Marshal and enfeoffed as Prince of Changsha. The late Minister of Works Dao Gui was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Linchuan. Secretariat Director Xu Xianzhi was additionally appointed General Who Stabilizes the Army; Right Guards General Xie Hui was made Central Army Commander; Song Domain Commander-in-Chief Tan Daoji was made Protector General; Central Army Commander Liu Yixin was made Governor of Qing Province. The Duke of Nan Commandery, Yiqing, was established as Prince of Linchuan. Another edict stated: "Inscribing merit and recording labor is a vital canon of the state; honoring the dead and remembering the past is what the heart holds sacred. From the founding of the great enterprise for seventeen years, the world's road was obstructed and war chariots moved every year; from east to west there was scarcely a day of peace. Truly relying on generals who gave their all and civil and military officials who exerted every effort, they pacified within and expanded without until success was achieved. Prestige and spirit were displayed afar, bandits and rebels were swept away, and so at last came the ceremony of abdication; I unworthily received Heaven and the people's mandate. Thinking of merit and honoring labor, do not forget them waking or sleeping; all who were sincere and diligent should share the state's celebration. The categories of reward, compensation, and exemption should be discussed and raised in due time. Those who died in battle should receive generous posthumous compensation." On the day yihai, the Duke of Guiyang, Yizhen, was established as Prince of Luling; the Duke of Pengcheng, Yilong, as Prince of Yidu; the fourth prince, Yikang, as Prince of Pengcheng.
7
丁丑，詔曰：「古之王者，巡狩省方，躬覽民物，搜揚幽隱，拯災卹患，用能風澤遐被，遠至邇安。 朕以寡闇，道謝前哲，因受終之期，託兆庶之上，鑒寐屬慮，思求民瘼。 才弱事艱，若無津濟，夕惕永念，心馳遐域。 可遣大使分行四方，旌賢舉善，問所疾苦。 其有獄訟虧濫，政刑乖愆，傷化擾治，未允民聽者，皆當具以事聞。 萬事之宜，無失厥中，暢朝廷乃眷之旨，宣下民壅隔之情。」 戊寅，詔曰：「百官事殷俸薄，祿不代耕。 雖國儲未豐，要令公私周濟。 諸供給昔減半者，[3]可悉復舊。 六軍見祿粗可，不在此例。 其餘官僚，或自本俸素少者，亦疇量增之。」
On the day dingchou, an edict stated: "The kings of antiquity made inspection tours and examined the regions, personally viewing the people's condition, searching out the hidden, rescuing disaster and relieving suffering, thereby extending transforming influence afar so that the distant came and the near were at peace. I, of shallow understanding, fall short of former sages; because of the season of receiving the mandate's end, I rest upon the myriad people above; waking and sleeping my thoughts attach to seeking the people's afflictions. My talent is weak and affairs difficult, as though without a ford to cross; with evening vigilance and constant thought, my heart races to distant regions. Grand envoys may be dispatched to travel the four directions, displaying the worthy and raising the good, and asking what suffering the people have. Where lawsuits are deficient or excessive, government and punishments deviate, harm order and disturb governance, and are not acceptable to the people's hearing—all should fully report the matter. In the ten thousand affairs, nothing should miss the mean; extend the court's regard and proclaim the people's blocked feelings below." On the day wuyin, an edict stated: "The hundred officials' affairs are numerous and salaries thin; emolument does not replace farming. Though state stores are not yet abundant, public and private provision must be made complete. All supplies formerly reduced by half [3] may all be restored to the old amount. The Six Armies' present salaries are roughly adequate and are not included in this rule. For the remaining officials, those whose original salaries were always small should also be increased as appropriate."
8
己卯，改晉泰始曆為永初曆。
On the day jimao, the Jin Taishi calendar was changed to the Yongchu calendar.
9
辛卯，復置五校三將官，增殿中將軍員二十人，餘在員外。 戊戌，後將軍、雍州刺史趙倫之進號安北將軍，征虜將軍、北徐州刺史劉懷慎進號北平將軍，征西大將軍、開府儀同三司楊盛進號車騎大將軍。 甲辰，鎮西將軍李歆進號征西將軍，[5]平西將軍乞佛熾盤進號安西大將軍，征東將軍高句驪王高璉進號征東大將軍，鎮東將軍百濟王扶餘映進號鎮東大將軍。 置東宮冗從僕射、旅賁中郎將官。
On the day xinmao, the Five Guards and Three Generals offices were restored; twenty additional Palace Army commander posts were added, with the rest serving outside the quota. On the day wuxu, Rear General and Governor of Yong Province Zhao Lunzhi was advanced to General Who Pacifies the North; General Who Punishes Barbarians and Governor of North Xu Province Liu Huaishen was advanced to General Who Pacifies the North; General Who Punishes the West, Commissioner with the Golden Grandee's insignia and ceremonial staff equal to the Three Dukes, Yang Sheng was advanced to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the day jiachen, General Who Stabilizes the West Li Xin was advanced to General Who Punishes the West, [5] General Who Pacifies the West Qifu Chiban was advanced to Grand General Who Pacifies the West, General Who Punishes the East King Gao Lian of Goguryeo was advanced to Grand General Who Punishes the East, and General Who Stabilizes the East King Buyeo Yeong of Baekje was advanced to Grand General Who Stabilizes the East. The posts of Supernumerary Attendant of the Eastern Palace and Majordomo of the Palace Lancers were established.
10
戊申，遷神主於太廟，車駕親奉。
On the day wushen, the spirit tablets were moved to the Imperial Ancestral Temple; the emperor personally conveyed them.
11
壬子，詔曰：「往者軍國務殷，事有權制，劫科峻重，施之一時。 今王道惟新，政和法簡，可一除之，還遵舊條。 反叛淫盜三犯補冶士，本謂一事三犯，終無悛革。 主者頃多并數眾事，合而為三，甚違立制之旨，普更申明。」
On the day renzi, an edict stated: "Formerly, when army and state affairs were pressing, matters had provisional regulations; robbery statutes were severe and heavy, applied for a time. Now the royal way is newly renewed, government is harmonious and laws are simple; all may be abolished at once and the old articles followed again. Rebellion, debauchery, and theft—three offenses and one is assigned to smelting labor; this originally meant one matter with three offenses and ultimately no reform. The responsible officials recently often combined several matters and counted them as three, greatly violating the intent of establishing the regulation; let this be broadly clarified anew."
12
八月戊午，西中郎將、荊州刺史宜都王義隆進號鎮西將軍。
In the eighth month, on the day wuwu, General of the Western Interior, Governor of Jing Province, Prince of Yidu Yilong was advanced to General Who Stabilizes the West.
13
辛酉，開亡叛赦，限內首出，蠲租布二年。 先有資狀、黃籍猶存者，聽復本注。 諸舊郡縣以北為名者，悉除； 寓立於南者，聽以南為號。 又制有無故自殘傷者補冶士，實由政刑煩苛，民不堪命，可除此條。
On the day xinyou, an amnesty for fugitives who had fled was opened; those who came forward within the limit had two years of land cloth remitted. Those who previously had household registers and yellow registers still preserved might restore their original registration. All old commanderies and counties that used "north" in their names were to remove it; those established in the south as exiles might use "south" in their designation. Also the regulation that those who mutilated themselves without cause were assigned to smelting labor—in truth because government and punishments were numerous and harsh and the people could not bear the burden—this article may be abolished.
14
罷青州併兗州。
Qing Province was abolished and merged into Yan Province.
15
戊辰，詔曰：「彭、沛、下邳三郡，首事所基，情義繾綣，事由情奬，古今所同。 彭城桑梓本鄉，加隆攸在，優復之制，宜同豐、沛。 其沛郡、下邳可復租布三十年。」
On the day wuchen, an edict stated: "The three commanderies Peng, Pei, and Xiapi were the base of the first enterprise; affection and righteousness were close-knit—the matter proceeds from feeling and reward, the same in ancient and modern times. Pengcheng is the native district of the homeland; where special favor is due, the preferential exemption system should be the same as Feng and Pei. Pei Commandery and Xiapi may have land cloth exempted for thirty years."
16
辛未，追諡妃臧氏為敬皇后。 癸酉，立王太子為皇太子。 乙亥，詔曰：「朕承曆受終，猥饗天命。 荷積善之祚，藉士民之力，七廟備文，率由令範。 先后祗嚴，獲遂宣訓，蒸嘗肇建，[6]情敬無違。 加以儲宮備禮，皇基彌固，國慶家禮，爰集旬日，豈予一人，獨荷茲慶。 其見刑罪無輕重，可悉原赦。 限百日，以今為始。 先因軍事所發奴僮，各還本主； 若死亡及勳勞破免，亦依限還直。」
On the day xinwei, the late consort Lady Zang was posthumously titled Empress Jing. On the day guiyou, the Wang heir apparent was established as Crown Prince. On the day yihai, an edict stated: "I inherit the mandate and receive the succession, unworthily enjoying Heaven's mandate. Bearing the fortune of accumulated goodness and relying on scholars and people's strength, the seven temples' texts are complete and all follow the present norm. The former and later spirits were reverently honored; instruction was duly proclaimed; seasonal offerings were newly established, [6] with affection and respect unbroken. Moreover the heir's palace rites are complete and the imperial foundation is firmer; state celebration and family rites gather within ten days—how could I alone bear this celebration? Those now under punishment, without regard to severity, may all be pardoned. The limit is one hundred days, beginning from today. Bondservants previously levied for military affairs are each returned to their original masters; if they died or merit and labor broke the levy, compensation is also returned according to the limit."
17
閏月壬午朔，詔曰：「晉世帝后及藩王諸陵守衞，宜便置格。 其名賢先哲，見優前代，或立德著節，或寧亂庇民，墳塋未遠，並宜洒掃。 主者具條以聞。」 丁酉，特進、左光祿大夫孔季恭加開府儀同三司。
In the intercalary month, on the first day renwu, an edict stated: "Jin-era empresses and imperial princes and the tombs of feudatory kings—their guard and defense should promptly be set in regulations. Those famous worthies and former sages honored in prior ages, or who established virtue and showed integrity, or who quelled disorder and sheltered the people—their tombs are not yet distant and all should be swept and tended. The responsible officials were to itemize the matter fully and report it." On the day dingyou, Senior Adviser and Left Household Grandee Kong Jigong was additionally appointed Commissioner with the Golden Grandee's insignia and ceremonial staff equal to the Three Dukes.
18
辛丑，詔曰：「主者處案雖多所諮詳，若眾官命議，宜令明審。 自頃或總稱參詳，於文漫略。 自今有厝意者，皆當指名其人； 所見不同，依舊繼啟。」 又詔曰：「諸處冬使，或遣或不，事役宜省，今可悉停。 [7]唯元正大慶，不在其例。 郡縣遣冬使詣州及都督府，亦停之。」
On the day xinchou, an edict stated: "Though officials handling cases consult widely on details, when many officials are ordered to deliberate, the record should be made clear and explicit. Recently they sometimes used only the general phrase 'consultation and deliberation,' leaving the text vague and thin. From now on, where there are proposed measures, each proposer should be named; where views differ, follow the former practice of successive memorials." Another edict stated: "Winter envoys to various places are sometimes sent and sometimes not; corvée labor should be economized—now all such missions may be stopped. [7] Only the great celebration of New Year's Day was excepted from this rule. Commanderies and counties sending winter envoys to the province and to the area-command headquarters were also stopped."
19
九月壬子朔，置東宮殿中將軍十人，員外二十人。 壬申，置都官尚書。
In the ninth month, on the first day renzi, ten Eastern Palace Palace Army commanders were established, with twenty supernumerary posts. On the day renshen, the post of Minister of Justice was established.
20
冬十月辛卯，改晉所用王肅祥禫二十六月儀，依鄭玄二十七月而後除。
In the tenth month of winter, on the day xinmao, the Jin practice using Wang Su's auspicious mourning rite of twenty-six months was changed; following Zheng Xuan's twenty-seven months, mourning garments were then put aside.
21
十二月辛巳朔，車駕臨延賢堂聽訟。
In the twelfth month, on the first day xinsi, the emperor attended at the Hall for Extending Worth to hear lawsuits.
22
二年春正月辛酉，車駕祠南郊，大赦天下。 丙寅，斷金銀塗。 以揚州刺史廬陵王義真為司徒，以尚書僕射、鎮軍將軍徐羨之為尚書令、揚州刺史。 丙子，南康揭陽蠻反，郡縣討破之。 己卯，禁喪事用銅釘。 罷會稽郡府。
In spring, the first month of the second year, on the day xinyou, the emperor sacrificed at the southern suburb and proclaimed a great amnesty throughout the realm. On the day bingyin, gilding with gold and silver was prohibited. The Prince of Luling, Yizhen, was made Governor of Yang Province; Secretariat Director and General Who Stabilizes the Army Xu Xianzhi was made Secretariat Director and Governor of Yang Province. On the day bingzi, the Jieyang barbarians of Nankang rebelled; commanderies and counties attacked and defeated them. On the day jimao, the use of copper nails in funeral affairs was forbidden. The prefectural headquarters of Kuaiji Commandery was abolished.
23
二月己丑，車駕幸延賢堂策試諸州郡秀才、孝廉。 揚州秀才顧練、豫州秀才殷朗所對稱旨，並以為著作佐郎。 戊申，制中二千石加公田一頃。
In the second month, on the day jichou, the emperor went to the Hall for Extending Worth to examine by question the outstanding youths and filial and incorrupt candidates of various provinces and commanderies. The outstanding youth of Yang Province, Gu Lian, and the outstanding youth of Yu Province, Yin Lang—whose answers were deemed fitting—were both appointed Attendants Drafting at the Secretariat. On the day wushen, it was ordered that ranked officials at two thousand piculs receive one additional qing of public field.
24
三月乙丑，初限荊州府置將不得過二千人，吏不得過一萬人； 州置將不得過五百人，吏不得過五千人。 兵士不在此限。
In the third month, on the day yichou, it was first ordered that Jing Province's headquarters generals not exceed two thousand men and clerks not exceed ten thousand; provincial generals not exceed five hundred men, and clerks not exceed five thousand. Soldiers were not included in this limit.
25
夏四月己卯朔，詔曰：「淫祠惑民費財，前典所絕，可並下在所除諸房廟。 其先賢及以勳德立祠者，不在此例。」 戊申，車駕於華林園聽訟。 己亥，以左衞將軍王仲德為冀州刺史。 [8]
In the fourth month of summer, on the first day jimao, an edict stated: "Licentious shrines delude the people and waste wealth—former canons abolish them; all such local shrines may be removed. Shrines to former worthies and those established for merit and virtue were not included in this rule." On the day wushen, the emperor heard lawsuits at Hualin Garden. On the day jihai, Left Guards General Wang Zhongde was made Governor of Ji Province. Editorial note eight stands in the received text at this point in the narrative.
26
五月己酉，置東宮屯騎、步兵、翊軍三校尉官。 甲戌，車駕又幸華林園聽訟。
In the fifth month, on the day jiyou, the three Eastern Palace commanders—Cavalry, Foot, and Supporting Army—were established. On the day jiaxu, the emperor again went to Hualin Garden to hear lawsuits.
27
六月壬寅，詔曰：「杖罰雖有舊科，然職務殷碎，推坐相尋。 若皆有其實，則體所不堪； 文行而巳，又非設罰之意。 可籌量觕為中否之格。」 車駕又於華林園聽訟。 甲辰，制諸署敕吏四品以下，又府署所得輒罰者，聽統府寺行四十杖。
In the sixth month, on the day renyin, an edict stated: "Bamboo flogging, though there is an old statute, yet duties are numerous and minute and imputed guilt follows in succession. If all were carried out in full, the body could not bear it; to carry out the text and stop there is again not the intent of establishing punishment. A rough standard of moderate and excessive may be calculated." The emperor again heard lawsuits at Hualin Garden. On the day jiachen, it was ordered that for edict clerks of various offices of fourth rank and below, and for those whom offices and headquarters could directly punish, the supervising headquarters and directorate might administer forty blows.
28
秋七月己巳，地震。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the day jisi, there was an earthquake.
29
八月壬辰，車駕又於華林園聽訟。
In the eighth month, on the day renchen, the emperor again heard lawsuits at Hualin Garden.
30
冬十月丁酉，詔曰：「兵制峻重，務在得宜。 役身死叛，輒考傍親，流遷彌廣，未見其極。 遂令冠帶之倫，淪陷非所。 宜革以弘泰，去其密科。 自今犯罪充兵合舉戶從役者，便付營押領。 其有戶統及讁止一身者，[10]不得復侵濫服親，以相連染。」 己亥，以涼州胡帥大沮渠蒙遜為鎮軍大將軍、開府儀同三司、涼州刺史。 癸卯，車駕於延賢堂聽訟，以員外散騎常侍應襲為寧州刺史。
In the tenth month of winter, on the day dingyou, an edict stated: "Military regulations are severe and weighty; the essential is fitness. When corvée soldiers die or desert, nearby kin are immediately investigated; exile and relocation grow ever wider, with no limit in sight. Thus the girdled-and-capped class sink into what is not their place. It is fitting to reform with broad clemency and remove the dense statutes. From now on, those who commit crimes and are assigned to military service with the whole household following corvée should be delivered to the camp for custody. Where there is household registration and punishment stops at one person, [10] they must not again encroach on kin by implicated contamination." On the day jihai, the Di chieftain of Liang Province, Juqu Mengxun, was made Grand General Who Stabilizes the Army, Commissioner with the Golden Grandee's insignia and ceremonial staff equal to the Three Dukes, and Governor of Liang Province. On the day guimao, the emperor heard lawsuits at the Hall for Extending Worth and made Supernumerary Cavalier Attendant for Drafting Ying Xi Governor of Ning Province.
31
三年春正月甲辰朔，詔刑罰無輕重，悉皆原降。 壬子，以前冀州刺史王仲德為徐州刺史。 癸丑，以尚書令、揚州刺史徐羨之為司空、錄尚書事，刺史如故。 撫軍將軍、江州刺史王弘進號衞將軍、開府儀同三司，太子詹事傅亮為尚書僕射，中領軍謝晦為領軍將軍。 乙卯，以輔國將軍毛德祖為司州刺史。 [11]乙丑，詔曰：「古之建國，教學為先，弘風訓世，莫尚於此，發蒙啟滯，咸必由之。 故爰自盛王，迄于近代，莫不敦崇學藝，修建庠序。 自昔多故，戎馬在郊，旍旗卷舒，日不暇給。 遂令學校荒廢，講誦蔑聞，軍旅日陳，俎豆藏器，訓誘之風，將墜于地。 後生大懼於牆面，故老竊歎於子衿。 此國風所以永思，小雅所以懷古。 今王略遠屆，華域載清，仰風之士，日月以冀。 便宜博延冑子，陶奬童蒙，選備儒官，弘振國學。 主者考詳舊典，以時施行。」
In spring, the first month of the third year, on the first day jiachen, an edict stated that punishments, without regard to severity, were all pardoned and reduced. On the day renzi, the former Governor of Ji Province Wang Zhongde was made Governor of Xu Province. On the day guichou, Secretariat Director and Governor of Yang Province Xu Xianzhi was made Minister of Works and Recorder of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, with his governorship unchanged. General Who Comforts the Army and Governor of Jiang Province Wang Hong was advanced to General of the Guards and Commissioner with the Golden Grandee's insignia and ceremonial staff equal to the Three Dukes; Household Mentor of the Heir Fu Liang was made Secretariat Director; Central Army Commander Xie Hui was made Commander-in-Chief. On the day yimao, General Who Assists the State Mao Dezu was made Governor of Si Province. [11] On the day yichou, an edict stated: "In establishing a state of antiquity, teaching came first; to spread transforming influence and instruct the age, nothing is more honored than this; to open the benighted and relieve stagnation, all must pass through it. Therefore from the flourishing kings down to recent ages, none failed to esteem learning and arts and to build and repair schools. Formerly there were many troubles; war horses were in the suburbs; banners rolled and unfurled, and days allowed no rest. Thus schools were left desolate and lectures and recitation went unheard; armies were arrayed daily while sacrificial vessels were stored away; the wind of instruction and guidance was about to fall to earth. The young greatly feared facing the wall in ignorance, and old men privately sighed over the collar-gem. This is why the nation's manners forever yearn for it, and the Lesser Odes therefore cherish antiquity. Now the royal design extends afar and the flowering realm is cleared; those who look up to transforming influence increase day by day in hope. It is fitting broadly to extend noble sons, cultivate and encourage the young, select and prepare Confucian officials, and grandly revive the state school. The responsible officials were to examine the old canon in detail and implement it in due time."
32
二月丁丑，詔曰：「豫州南臨江滸，北接河、洛，民荒境曠，轉輸艱遠，撫莅之宜，各有其便。 淮西諸郡，可立為豫州； 自淮以東，為南豫州。」 以豫州刺史彭城王義康為南豫州刺史，征虜將軍劉粹為豫州刺史。 又分荊州十郡還立湘州，左衞將軍張邵為湘州刺史。 [12]戊寅，以徐州之梁，還屬豫州。
In the second month, on the day dingchou, an edict stated: "Yu Province borders the river south and adjoins the Yellow and Luo north; the people are desolate and the borders broad, and transport is hard and far—each has its convenience for comforting rule. The various commanderies west of the Huai may be established as Yu Province; east of the Huai is to be South Yu Province." The Prince of Pengcheng, Yikang, was made Governor of South Yu Province; General Who Punishes Barbarians Liu Cui was made Governor of Yu Province. Also ten commanderies of Jing Province were separated to re-establish Xiang Province; Left Guards General Zhang Shao was made Governor of Xiang Province. [12] On the day wuyin, Liang of Xu Province was returned to Yu Province.
33
三月，上不豫。 太尉長沙王道憐、司空徐羨之、尚書僕射傅亮、領軍將軍謝晦、護軍將軍檀道濟並入侍醫藥。 羣臣請祈禱神祇，上不許，唯使侍中謝方明以疾告廟而巳。 丁未，以司徒廬陵王義真為車騎將軍、開府儀同三司、南豫州刺史。 上疾瘳。 己未，大赦天下。 時秦雍流戶悉南入梁州。 庚申，送紵絹萬匹，[13]荊、雍州運米，委州刺史隨宜賦給。 辛酉，亡命刁彌攻京城，得入，太尉留府司馬陸仲元討斬之。
In the third month, the emperor was unwell. Grand Marshal Prince of Changsha Dao Lin, Minister of Works Xu Xianzhi, Secretariat Director Fu Liang, Commander-in-Chief Xie Hui, and Protector General Tan Daoji all entered to attend him with medicine. The hundred officials requested prayer and supplication to the spirits; the emperor did not permit it, only sending Palace Attendant Xie Fangming to report the illness to the ancestral temple and no more. On the day dingwei, Minister of Works Prince of Luling Yizhen was made Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Commissioner with the Golden Grandee's insignia and ceremonial staff equal to the Three Dukes, and Governor of South Yu Province. The emperor's illness abated. On the day jiwei, a great amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. At that time all wandering households of Qin and Yong entered Liang Province southward. On the day gengshen, ten thousand bolts of ramie silk were sent, [13] and rice was transported from Jing and Yong provinces; the governors were entrusted to distribute according to circumstances. On the day xinyou, the outlaw Diao Mi attacked the capital walls, entered, and the Grand Marshal's Acting Headquarters Major Lu Zhongyuan attacked and beheaded him.
34
夏四月乙亥，封仇池公楊盛為武都王，平南將軍楊撫進號安南將軍。 丁亥，以車騎司馬徐琰為兗州刺史。 庚寅，左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司孔季恭薨。
In the fourth month of summer, on the day yihai, the Duke of Chouchi, Yang Sheng, was enfeoffed as Prince of Wudu; General Who Pacifies the South Yang Fu was advanced to General Who Pacifies the South. On the day dinghai, Grand Marshal's Major Xu Yan was made Governor of Yan Province. On the day gengyin, Left Household Grandee and Commissioner with the Golden Grandee's insignia and ceremonial staff equal to the Three Dukes Kong Jigong died.
35
五月，上疾甚，召太子誡之曰：「檀道濟雖有幹略，而無遠志，非如兄韶有難御之氣也。 徐羨之、傅亮當無異圖。 謝晦數從征伐，頗識機變，若有同異，必此人也。 小卻，可以會稽、江州處之。」 又為手詔曰：「朝廷不須復有別府，宰相帶揚州，可置甲士千人。 若大臣中任要，宜有爪牙以備不祥人者，可以臺見隊給之。 有征討悉配以臺見軍隊，行還復舊。 後世若有幼主，朝事一委宰相，母后不煩臨朝。 仗既不許入臺殿門，要重人可詳給班劍。」 癸亥，上崩于西殿，時年六十。 [14]
In the fifth month, the emperor was gravely ill and summoned the Crown Prince to admonish him: "Tan Daoji has capacity and plan, but no far-reaching aim; he is not like your brother Shao, who has a spirit hard to control. Xu Xianzhi and Fu Liang should have no divergent designs. Xie Hui has followed campaigns many times and knows well how opportunity shifts; if there is divergence, it will surely be this man. When he recovers a little, he may be placed at Kuaiji and Jiang Province." He also made a hand edict: "The court need not again have a separate headquarters; the chief minister should hold Yang Province and may have one thousand armored soldiers. If among great ministers one holds a key post and should have guards to ward against unlucky men, he may be given the Terrace Guard detachment. Where there is campaigning, all are to be assigned the Terrace Guard army; when they return, the old arrangement is restored. If in later generations there is a young sovereign, court affairs are entirely entrusted to the chief minister; the empress dowager need not attend court. Weapons are not permitted to enter the terrace and palace gates; for important men, court swords may be granted in detail." On the day guihai, the emperor died in the Western Hall, aged sixty. Editorial note fourteen stands in the received text at this point in the narrative.
36
秋七月己酉，葬丹陽建康縣蔣山初寧陵。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the day jiyou, he was buried at Chuning Mausoleum on Mount Jiang in Jianye County, Danyang.
37
上清簡寡欲，嚴整有法度，未嘗視珠玉輿馬之飾，後庭無紈綺絲竹之音。 寧州嘗獻虎魄枕，光色甚麗。 時將北征，以虎魄治金創，上大悅，命擣碎分付諸將。 平關中，得姚興從女，有盛寵，以之廢事。 謝晦諫，即時遣出。 財帛皆在外府，內無私藏。 宋臺既建，有司奏東西堂施局脚牀、銀塗釘，上不許； 使用直脚牀，釘用鐵。 諸主出適，遣送不過二十萬，無錦繡金玉。 內外奉禁，莫不節儉。 性尤簡易，常著連齒木屐，好出神虎門逍遙，左右從者不過十餘人。 時徐羨之住西州，嘗幸羨之，便步出西掖門，羽儀絡驛追隨，巳出西明門矣。 諸子旦問起居，入閤脫公服，止著裙帽，如家人之禮。 孝武大明中，壞上所居陰室，於其處起玉燭殿，與羣臣觀之。 牀頭有土鄣，壁上挂葛燈籠、麻繩拂。 [15]侍中袁顗盛稱上儉素之德。 孝武不答，獨曰：「田舍公得此，以為過矣。」 故能光有天下，克成大業者焉。
The emperor was pure and simple, with few desires, strict and orderly with laws and standards; he never looked at ornaments of pearls, jade, chariots, or horses, and the rear palace had no sound of silk damask or bamboo pipes. Ning Province once presented an amber pillow; its light and color were very beautiful. At the time he was about to campaign north and used amber to treat metal wounds; the emperor was greatly pleased and ordered it pounded and divided among the generals. When Guanzhong was pacified, he obtained Yao Xing's niece by marriage; she received great favor and he neglected affairs because of her. Xie Hui remonstrated, and he immediately sent her out. Wealth and silks were all in the outer treasury; within there was no private store. When the Song terrace was first established, the responsible officials memorialized that the eastern and western halls use cabriole-legged couches and silver-coated nails; the emperor did not permit it; straight-legged couches were used, and nails were of iron. When princesses married out, the send-off did not exceed two hundred thousand cash, and there were no brocades, embroideries, gold, or jade. Within and without the palace, all observed the prohibition; everyone lived frugally. His nature was especially plain and unpretentious; he often wore wooden clogs with linked teeth, liked to stroll out the Spirit Tiger Gate, and those who followed him numbered no more than a dozen or so. At the time Xu Xianzhi lived in West Province; once when he visited Xianzhi, he simply walked out the Western Side Gate on foot; the guard of honor pursued in relays and had already passed the Western Bright Gate before catching up. When his sons came in the morning to inquire after his health, entering the inner apartments they removed their official robes and wore only skirts and caps, observing the manners of an ordinary family. In the Daming era of Emperor Xiaowu, the dark chamber where the late emperor had lived was demolished, and on that site the Jade Candle Hall was raised; he viewed it with his ministers. At the head of the bed stood an earthen barrier; on the wall hung a kudzu lamp shade and a hemp-rope duster. [15] Palace Attendant Yuan Yi greatly praised the late emperor's virtue of frugality and plainness. Emperor Xiaowu did not reply, but only said: "That rustic fellow got this far and thought it excessive." Thus he was able to spread his light over all under Heaven and achieve the great enterprise.
38
史臣曰：漢氏載祀四百，比祚隆周，雖復四海橫潰，而民繫劉氏，惵惵黔首，未有遷奉之心。 魏武直以兵威服眾，故能坐移天曆，鼎運雖改，而民未忘漢。 及魏室衰孤，怨非結下。 晉藉宰輔之柄，因皇族之微，世擅重權，用基王業。 至於宋祖受命，義越前模。 晉自社廟南遷，祿去王室，朝權國命，遞歸台輔。 君道雖存，主威久謝。 桓溫雄才葢世，勳高一時，移鼎之業巳成，天人之望將改。 自斯以後，晉道彌昏，道子開其禍端，元顯成其末釁，桓玄藉運乘時，加以先父之業，因基革命，人無異心。 高祖地非桓、文，眾無一旅，曾不浹旬，夷凶翦暴，祀晉配天，不失舊物，誅內清外，功格區宇。 至於鍾石變聲，柴天改物，民巳去晉，異於延康之初，功實靜亂，又殊咸熙之末。 所以恭皇高遜，殆均釋負。 若夫樂推所歸，謳歌所集，魏、晉采其名，高祖收其實矣。 盛哉！
The historian states: The Han house carried sacrifices for four hundred years, its fortune comparable to the flourishing Zhou; though the four seas collapsed in ruin, the people remained bound to the Liu clan—the common people had no heart to shift allegiance. Emperor Wu of Wei directly by military prestige made the masses submit, and so was able to sit and shift the heavenly calendar; though the mandate changed, the people had not forgotten Han. When the Wei house declined and stood isolated, resentment was not tied to the lower ranks. Jin relied on the power of chief ministers; because the imperial clan was weak, generation after generation they monopolized heavy authority and thereby founded the royal enterprise. As for the founding emperor of Song receiving the mandate, the righteousness surpassed former models. Since Jin's altars moved south, emolument departed from the royal house; court power and the state's mandate in succession returned to the terrace ministers. The way of the ruler though it existed, the sovereign's prestige had long declined. Huan Wen's heroic talent covered the age and his merit stood highest for a time; the enterprise of shifting the mandate was already accomplished and Heaven and man's expectation was about to change. From then on Jin's way grew ever darker; Daozi opened the source of calamity and Yuanxian completed the final provocation; Huan Xuan rode fortune and seized the season, adding his father's former enterprise, and thereby founded revolution—among the people there was no divergent heart. Gaozu's territory was not like Duke Huan or Duke Wen's, his forces scarcely amounted to a regiment; in less than ten days he extinguished the fierce and cut down the violent, sacrificed to Jin and matched Heaven, did not lose the old emblems, punished within and cleared without—merit reached the realm. As to bells and stones changing their sound and burning firewood to Heaven to change the regime—the people had already departed from Jin, differing from the beginning of Yanxi; the achievement truly quieted disorder, again unlike the end of Xianxi. Therefore Emperor Gong's lofty abdication was nearly equal to laying down a burden. As for where willing abdication returns and songs of praise gather—Wei and Jin harvested the name, but Gaozu gathered the reality. Magnificent!
39
校勘記
Textual collation notes
40
投袂一麾「麾」各本作「援」，南史作「起」，據禮志三改。
With a shake of the sleeve and one command: in all editions "command" is written "aid"; the History of the Southern Dynasties has "rise"; changed according to the Treatise on Rites, section three.
41
顧深永懷「深」各本並作「探」，據禮志三改。
Turning deeply to lasting recollection: in all editions "deep" is written "probe"; changed according to the Treatise on Rites, section three.
42
諸供給昔減半者「給」各本並作「納」，據元龜五０五改。
All supplies formerly reduced by half: in all editions "supply" is written "tribute"; changed according to the Yuance, section 505.
43
諸流徙家並聽還本土各本並奪「流」字，據南史補。
All wandering households are permitted to return to their native districts: all editions omit the character "wander"; supplemented according to the History of the Southern Dynasties.
44
鎮西將軍李歆進號征西將軍南史、通鑑作「征西大將軍」。 此疑脫「大」字。
General Who Stabilizes the West Li Xin advanced in rank to General Who Punishes the West: the History of the Southern Dynasties and Comprehensive Mirror have "Grand General Who Punishes the West." Here the character "grand" is suspected to be missing.
45
七廟備文率由令範先后祗嚴獲遂宣訓蒸嘗肇建各本並脫去「七廟備文」及「獲遂」六字，據元龜二０七補。 又「蒸嘗」各本並作「七廟」，據元龜二０七改。
The seven temples' texts complete and all follow the present norm; the former and later spirits reverently honored; instruction was duly proclaimed; seasonal offerings newly established: all editions omit the six characters "seven temples' texts complete" and "obtained and thereby"; supplemented according to the Yuance, section 207. Also "seasonal offerings" in all editions is written "seven temples"; changed according to the Yuance, section 207.
46
今可悉停各本並脫「今」字，據本書禮志一、元龜一九一補。
Now all may be stopped: all editions omit the character "now"; supplemented according to this book's Treatise on Rites, section one, and the Yuance, section 191.
47
戊申車駕於華林園聽訟己亥以左衞將軍王仲德為冀州刺史按是月己卯朔，二十一日己亥，三十日戊申。 戊申不當在己亥前，當有誤。
On the day wushen the imperial carriage heard lawsuits at Hualin Garden; on the day jihai Left Guards General Wang Zhongde was made Governor of Ji Province: according to the calendar, that month began on the day jimao, the twenty-first day was jihai, and the thirtieth day was wushen. The day wushen should not precede the day jihai; there must be an error.
48
其有戶統及讁止一身者「戶統」，元龜二０九作「科戶絕」。
Where there is household registration and punishment stops at one person: for "household registration," the Yuance, section 209, has "registered household cut off."
49
乙卯以輔國將軍毛德祖為司州刺史各本並脫「祖」字。 據索虜傳，時有司州刺史毛德祖。 晉書毛寶傳宗人德祖附傳：「尋遷督司雍并三州諸軍事、冠軍將軍、司州刺史。」 今據補。
On the day yimao General Who Assists the State Mao Dezu was made Governor of Si Province: all editions omit the character "zu." According to the Account of the Northern Barbarians, at the time there was Governor of Si Province Mao Dezu. The Jin History biography of Mao Bao, appended biography of clansman Dezu: "Shortly thereafter he was transferred to Supervisor of military affairs of Si, Yong, and Bing provinces, Champion General, and Governor of Si Province." Now supplemented accordingly.
50
左衞將軍張邵為湘州刺史「張邵」各本並作「張紀」，據通鑑宋武帝永初三年改。 按張邵傳，宋武帝時，「分荊州立湘州，以邵為刺史。」
Left Guards General Zhang Shao made Governor of Xiang Province: in all editions "Zhang Shao" is written "Zhang Ji"; changed according to the Comprehensive Mirror, Song Emperor Wu, third year of Yongchu. According to the biography of Zhang Shao, in the time of Song Emperor Wu, "Jing Province was divided to establish Xiang Province, and Shao was made governor."
51
送紵絹萬匹「紵」各本並作「綜」，據元龜一九五改。
Sent ten thousand bolts of ramie silk: in all editions "ramie" is written "composite"; changed according to the Yuance, section 195.
52
壁上挂葛燈籠麻繩拂各本並脫「挂」字。 據南史、藝文類聚十三引、御覽一二八及四三一引補。
On the wall hung kudzu lamp shade and hemp-rope duster: all editions omit the character "hang." Supplemented according to the History of the Southern Dynasties, Literary Collections, section thirteen citation, Imperial Readings, sections 128 and 431 citations.