1
前廢帝諱子業，小字法師，孝武帝長子也。 元嘉二十六年正月甲申生。 世祖鎮尋陽，子業留京邑。 三十年，世祖入伐元凶，被囚侍中下省，將見害者數矣，卒得無恙。
Emperor Fei I was named Ziye; his childhood name was Fashi. He was Emperor Xiao Wu's eldest son. He was born on jiashen day in the first month of the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia. While the future Emperor Xiao Wu held Xunyang, Ziye stayed behind in the capital. In the thirtieth year, when the emperor marched in to punish the assassin prince, Ziye was held prisoner in the attendants' sub-bureau; more than once he was nearly executed, yet in the end escaped unharmed.
2
世祖踐阼，立為皇太子。 始未之東宮，中庶子、二率並入直永福省。 大明二年，出居東宮。 [1]四年，講孝經於崇正殿。 七年，加元服。
After Emperor Xiao Wu succeeded, Ziye was made crown prince. At first he had not yet moved into the Eastern Palace, so his tutors and the two palace guard commandants all took up duty at Yongfu Palace instead. In the second year of Daming he took up residence in the Eastern Palace. [1] In the fourth year he heard lectures on the Classic of Filial Piety in Chongzheng Hall. In the seventh year he underwent the coming-of-age ceremony.
3
八年閏五月庚申，世祖崩，其日，太子即皇帝位。 大赦天下。 太宰江夏王義恭解尚書令，加中書監，驃騎大將軍柳元景加尚書令。 甲子，置錄尚書，太宰江夏王義恭錄尚書事。 驃騎大將軍柳元景加開府儀同三司。 丹陽尹永嘉王子仁為南豫州刺史。 [2]
On gengshen day in the intercalary fifth month of the eighth year Emperor Xiao Wu died, and the crown prince succeeded that same day. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. Grand Preceptor Liu Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia, stepped down as Director of the Masters of Writing and was named Supervisor of the Masters of Writing; General of Agile Cavalry Liu Yuanjing was appointed Director of the Masters of Writing. On jiazi day the post of Recorder of the Masters of Writing was created, and Grand Preceptor Liu Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia, was made Recorder of Masters of Writing Affairs. General of Agile Cavalry Liu Yuanjing was granted the privilege of an office equal to the Three Dukes. Liu Ziren, Prince of Yongjia and Administrator of Danyang, was appointed Inspector of Southern Yuzhou. [2] (End of note.)
4
六月辛未，詔曰：「朕以眇身，夙紹洪業，敬御天威，欽對靈命。 仰遵凝緒，日鑒前圖，實可以拱默守成，詒風長世。 而寶位告始，萬宇改屬，惟德弗明，昧于大道。 思宣睿範，引茲簡恤，可具詢執事，詳訪民隱。 凡曲令密文，繁而傷治，[3]關市僦稅，事施一時，而姦吏舞文，妄興威福，加以氣緯舛互，[4]偏頗滋甚。 宜其寬傜輕憲，以救民切。 御府諸署，事不須廣，雕文篆刻，無施於今。 悉宜并省，以酬氓願。 藩王貿貨，壹皆禁斷。 外便具條以聞。」 戊寅，以豫州之淮南郡復為南梁郡，復分宣城還置淮南郡。 庚辰，以南海太守袁曇遠為廣州刺史。
On xinwei day in the sixth month an edict declared: "Though my person is slight, I have long since inherited the great enterprise, reverently wielding Heaven's majesty and facing the sacred mandate with awe. Following the settled order of my forebears and taking past models as my daily guide, I might truly have folded my hands in silence, guarded what was already won, and let good customs endure for generations. Yet the throne has only just been announced and the realm has only just changed hands; my virtue is not yet clear, and I am still blind to the Great Way. I mean to proclaim a wise standard and extend this simple compassion—let every responsible office be consulted and the people's hidden hardships investigated in detail. Tortuous ordinances and secret statutes burden government; [3] market tolls and lease taxes meant for a moment's need are twisted by corrupt clerks who manipulate the written law and wield power arbitrarily, while the qi and celestial signs fall out of alignment [4] and bias and excess grow worse by the day. Corvée and punishments should be eased and lightened to relieve the people's urgent distress. The various offices of the imperial household need not be numerous; carved inscriptions and seal-cut ornament have no place today. All alike should be merged and cut back, to answer the people's wishes. Princely trade in goods is forbidden altogether. Outside the capital, let detailed lists be prepared and reported to the throne." On wuyin day Huainan Commandery in Yuzhou was restored as Nanliang Commandery, and Xuancheng was split off again to re-establish Huainan Commandery. On gengchen day Yuan Tanyuan, Administrator of Nanhai, was appointed Inspector of Guangzhou.
5
秋七月己亥，鎮軍將軍、雍州刺史晉安王子勛改為江州刺史，中護軍宗慤為安西將軍、雍州刺史，鎮北將軍、徐州刺史湘東王彧為護軍將軍，中軍將軍義陽王昶為征北將軍、徐州刺史。 庚戌，婆皇國遣使獻方物。 崇皇太后曰太皇太后，皇后曰皇太后。 乙卯，罷南北二馳道。 孝建以來所改制度，還依元嘉。 丙辰，追崇獻妃為獻皇后。 乙丑，撫軍將軍、南徐州刺史新安王子鸞解領司徒。
On jihai day in the seventh month of autumn, Liu Zixun, Prince of Jin'an, General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yongzhou, was reassigned as Inspector of Jiangzhou; Central Army Guard Zong Que became General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yongzhou; Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Xuzhou, became General Who Protects the Army; and Liu Chang, Prince of Yiyang, General of the Central Army, became General Who Conquers the North and Inspector of Xuzhou. On gengxu day the state of Pohuang sent envoys bearing tribute. The Honored Empress Dowager was elevated to Grand Empress Dowager, and the empress to Empress Dowager. On yimao day the northern and southern imperial speedways were abolished. Institutions changed since the Xiaojian era were restored to the Yuanjia standard. On bingchen day the late Consort Xian was posthumously honored as Empress Xian. On yichou day Liu Ziluan, Prince of Xin'an, General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Southern Xuzhou, was relieved of his concurrent post as Minister over the Masses.
6
八月丁卯，領軍將軍王玄謨為鎮北將軍、青冀二州刺史。 [5]己巳，以青、冀二州刺史蕭惠開為益州刺史。 己丑，[6]皇太后崩。 京師雨水。 庚寅，[7]遣御史與官長隨宜賑卹。
On dingmao day in the eighth month, General Who Protects the Army Wang Xuamo was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces. [5] On jisi day Xiao Hui Kai, Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces, was appointed Inspector of Yizhou. On jichou day [6] the Empress Dowager died. Prolonged rain fell in the capital region. On gengyin day [7] censors were sent out with office heads to give relief wherever it was needed.
7
九月辛丑，護軍將軍湘東王彧為領軍將軍。 癸卯，以尚書左僕射劉遵考為特進、右光祿大夫。 乙卯，文穆皇后祔葬景寧陵。
On xinchou day in the ninth month, Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, General Who Protects the Army, was made chief General Who Protects the Army. On guimao day Liu Zunkao, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was promoted to Special Advance and Right Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. On yimao day Empress Wenmu was enshrined at the Jingning tomb.
8
冬十月甲戌，太常建安王休仁為護軍將軍。 戊寅，輔國將軍宗越為司州刺史。 [8]庚辰，原除揚、南徐州大明七年逋租。
On jiaxu day in the tenth month of winter, Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an and Minister of Ceremonies, was appointed General Who Protects the Army. On wuyin day Zong Yue, General Who Assists the State, was appointed Inspector of Sizhou. [8] On gengchen day overdue rents from the seventh year of Daming in Yang and Southern Xuzhou were remitted.
9
十二月乙酉，以尚書右僕射顏師伯為尚書僕射。 [9]壬辰，以王畿諸郡為揚州，以揚州為東揚州。 癸巳，以車騎將軍、揚州刺史豫章王子尚為司徒、揚州刺史。
On yiyou day in the twelfth month, Yan Shibo, Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was confirmed as Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. [9] On renchen day the commanderies of the capital region were made Yang Province, and Yang Province was renamed Eastern Yang Province. On guisi day Liu Zishang, Prince of Yuzhang, General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Yang Province, was appointed Minister over the Masses while retaining Yang Province.
10
去歲及是歲，東諸郡大旱，甚者米一升數百，京邑亦至百餘，餓死者十有六七。 孝建以來，又立錢署鑄錢，百姓因此盜鑄，錢轉偽小，商貨不行。
In the previous year and again this year the eastern commanderies suffered severe drought; in the worst-hit districts a sheng of grain cost several hundred cash, and even in the capital the price rose above a hundred; six or seven out of every ten people starved to death. Since the Xiaojian era mints had also been set up to cast coin, which led the people to counterfeit it in turn; the currency grew ever smaller and more debased, and commerce ground to a halt.
11
永光元年春正月乙未朔，改元。 大赦天下。 乙巳，省諸州臺傳。 戊午，以領軍將軍湘東王彧為衞將軍、南豫州刺史，護軍將軍建安王休仁為領軍將軍，祕書監山陽王休祐為豫州刺史，左衞將軍桂陽王休範為中護軍，南豫州刺史尋陽王子房為東揚州刺史。
On yiwei day, the first of the first month of spring in the first year of Yongguang, the reign title was changed. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. On yisi day the provincial relay stations were abolished. On wuwu day Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, was made General of the Guard and Inspector of Southern Yuzhou; Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, became chief General Who Protects the Army; Liu Xiuyou, Prince of Shanyang and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Inspector of Yuzhou; Liu Xiufan, Prince of Guiyang, became Central Army Guard; and Liu Zifang, Prince of Xunyang, was transferred from Southern Yuzhou to Eastern Yang Province.
12
二月乙丑，減州郡縣田祿之半。 [10]庚寅，鑄二銖錢。
On yichou day in the second month, the field stipends of provinces, commanderies, and counties were cut in half. [10] On gengyin day two-zhu coins were cast.
13
三月甲辰，罷臨江郡。
On jiachen day in the third month, Linjiang Commandery was abolished.
14
五月己亥，割郢州隨郡屬雍州。 丙午，以後軍司馬張牧為交州刺史。
On jihai day in the fifth month, Sui Commandery in Yingzhou was transferred to Yongzhou. On bingwu day Zhang Mu, Rear Army Major, was appointed Inspector of Jiaozhou.
15
六月己巳，左軍長史劉道隆為梁、南秦二州刺史。 乙亥，安西將軍、雍州刺史宗慤卒。 壬午，衞將軍、南豫州刺史湘東王彧改為雍州刺史。 [11]尚書令、驃騎大將軍柳元景加南豫州刺史。
On jisi day in the sixth month, Liu Daolong, Left Army Chief Clerk, was appointed Inspector of Liang and Southern Qin provinces. On yihai day Zong Que, General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yongzhou, died. On renwu day Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, General of the Guard and Inspector of Southern Yuzhou, was reassigned as Inspector of Yongzhou. [11] Liu Yuanjing, Director of the Masters of Writing and General of Agile Cavalry, was also made Inspector of Southern Yuzhou.
16
秋八月辛酉，越騎校尉戴法興有罪，賜死。 庚午，以尚書僕射顏師伯為尚書左僕射，[12]吏部尚書王景文為尚書右僕射。 癸酉，帝自率宿衞兵，誅太宰江夏王義恭、尚書令驃騎大將軍柳元景、尚書左僕射顏師伯、[13]廷尉劉德願。 改元為景和元年。 文武賜位二等。 以領軍將軍建安王休仁為安西將軍、雍州刺史，衞將軍湘東王彧還為南豫州刺史。 甲戌，司徒、揚州刺史豫章王子尚領尚書令，射聲校尉沈文秀為青州刺史，左軍司馬崔道固為冀州刺史。 乙亥，詔曰：「昔凝神佇逸，磻溪讚道，湛慮思才，傅巖毗化。 朕位御三極，風澄萬宇，資鈇電斷，正卯斯戮。 思所以仰宣遺烈，俯弘景祚，每結夢庖鼎，瞻言板築，有劬日昃，無忘昧旦。 可甄訪郡國，招聘閭部：其有孝性忠節，幽居遯棲，信誠義行，廉正表俗，文敏博識，幹事治民，務加旌舉，隨才引擢。 庶官克順，彝倫咸叙。 主者精加詳括，稱朕意焉。」 以始興公沈慶之為太尉，鎮北將軍、青冀二州刺史王玄謨為領軍將軍。 庚辰，以石頭城為長樂宮，東府城為未央宮。 罷東揚州并揚州。 甲申，以北邸為建章宮，南第為長楊宮。 以冠軍將軍邵陵王子元為湘州刺史。 丙戌，原除吳、吳興、義興、晉陵、琅邪五郡大明八年以前逋租。 己丑，復立南北二馳道。
On xinyou day in the eighth month of autumn, Colonel of Fast Cavalry Dai Faxing was found guilty of a crime and was ordered to take his own life. On gengwu day Yan Shibo was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, [12] and Wang Jingwen, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was made Right Vice Director. On guiyou day the emperor personally led the palace guard and executed Grand Preceptor Liu Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia; Director of the Masters of Writing and General of Agile Cavalry Liu Yuanjing; Left Vice Director Yan Shibo; [13] and Director of Justice Liu Deyuan. The reign title was changed to the first year of Jinghe. Civil and military officials were granted two ranks of advancement. Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, was made General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yongzhou; Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, General of the Guard, was restored as Inspector of Southern Yuzhou. On jiaxu day Liu Zishang, Prince of Yuzhang, Minister over the Masses and Inspector of Yang Province, also took charge of the Masters of Writing; Shen Wenxiu was appointed Inspector of Qingzhou; and Cui Daogu was appointed Inspector of Jizhou. On yihai day an edict declared: "In former times rulers fixed their spirit in stillness—at Panxi the Way was praised; they steeped their minds in the search for talent—at Fuyan worthies aided the transformation of the realm. I hold the three extremities and the winds are clear throughout the realm; with axe and lightning I have cut down the guilty, and at the hour of mao justice was done. I mean to look up and proclaim the legacy of my forebears and look down to extend the bright fortune of the throne; night after night I dream of the cauldron in the kitchen, and when I think of the plank road I do not forget the hour before dawn. Let every commandery and kingdom be searched and every district recruited: those of filial heart and loyal integrity, who dwell apart in seclusion, who practice trust and righteousness, who are pure and upright and set an example for others, who are cultured and learned, or who are capable in affairs and can govern the people—all should be commended and promoted according to their talents. Thus officials will perform their duties and the human order will be set right. Those in charge should examine each case carefully and report what accords with my intent." Shen Qingzhi, Duke of Shixing, was appointed Grand Marshal; Wang Xuamo, General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces, was made chief General Who Protects the Army. On gengchen day Stone City was renamed Changle Palace and the Eastern Palace quarter was renamed Weiyang Palace. Eastern Yang Province was abolished and merged back into Yang Province. On jiashen day the northern residence was renamed Jianzhang Palace and the southern mansion was renamed Changyang Palace. Liu Ziyuan, Prince of Shaoling, General Who Conquers the Champions, was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou. On bingxu day overdue rents before the eighth year of Daming in Wu, Wuxing, Yixing, Jinling, and Langya were remitted. On jichou day the northern and southern imperial speedways were restored.
17
九月癸巳，車駕幸湖熟，奏鼓吹。 戊戌，車駕還宮。 庚子，以南兗州刺史永嘉王子仁為南徐州刺史，丹陽尹始安王子真為南兗州刺史。 辛丑，撫軍將軍、南徐州刺史新安王子鸞免為庶人，賜死。 丙午，以兗州刺史薛安都為平北將軍、徐州刺史。 丁未，衞將軍湘東王彧加開府儀同三司，特進、右光祿大夫劉遵考為安西將軍、南豫州刺史，寧朔將軍殷孝祖為兗州刺史。 戊申，以前梁、南秦二州刺史柳元怙復為梁、南秦二州刺史。 己酉，車駕討征北將軍、徐州刺史義陽王昶，內外戒嚴。 昶奔于索虜。 辛亥，右將軍、豫州刺史山陽王休祐進號鎮西大將軍。 甲寅，以安西長史袁顗為雍州刺史。 戊午，以左民尚書劉思考為益州刺史。 是日解嚴，車駕幸瓜步。 開百姓鑄錢。
On guisi day in the ninth month the emperor visited Hushu, where imperial music was performed. On wuxu day the emperor returned to the palace. On gengzi day Liu Ziren, Prince of Yongjia, was transferred from Southern Yanzhou to Southern Xuzhou; Liu Zizhen, Prince of Shi'an and Administrator of Danyang, was appointed Inspector of Southern Yanzhou. On xinchou day Liu Ziluan, Prince of Xin'an, General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Southern Xuzhou, was stripped of rank and ordered to take his own life. On bingwu day Xue Andu, Inspector of Yanzhou, was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Xuzhou. On dingwei day Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, General of the Guard, was granted the privilege of an office equal to the Three Dukes; Liu Zunkao was made General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Southern Yuzhou; and Yin Xiaozu was appointed Inspector of Yanzhou. On wushen day Liu Yuangu, former Inspector of Liang and Southern Qin provinces, was restored to that post. On jiyou day the emperor marched against Liu Chang, Prince of Yiyang, General Who Conquers the North and Inspector of Xuzhou, and the court went on full alert. Liu Chang fled to the northern barbarians. On xinhai day Liu Xiuyou, Prince of Shanyang, General of the Right and Inspector of Yuzhou, was promoted to General Who Pacifies the West. On jiayin day Yuan Yi, Chief Clerk of the Pacification of the West, was appointed Inspector of Yongzhou. On wuwu day Liu Kaokao, Director of the Left Household, was appointed Inspector of Yizhou. That same day the alert was lifted and the emperor went to Guabu. Private coinage by the common people was permitted.
18
冬十月癸亥，曲赦徐州。 丙寅，車駕還宮。 以建安王休仁為護軍將軍。 己卯，東陽太守王藻下獄死。 以宮人謝貴嬪為夫人，加虎賁靸戟，鸞輅龍旂，出警入蹕，實新蔡公主也。 乙酉，以鎮西大將軍、豫州刺史山陽王休祐為鎮軍大將軍、開府儀同三司。 [14]
On guihai day in the tenth month of winter, Xuzhou was granted a partial amnesty. On bingyin day the emperor returned to the palace. Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, was appointed General Who Protects the Army. On jimao day Wang Zao, Administrator of Dongyang, was thrown into prison and died there. The palace woman Xie Guibin was made Lady, granted Tiger Guards with leather quivers and halberds, an imperial carriage with dragon banners, and imperial escort whenever she went abroad—in truth she was Princess Xincai. On yiyou day Liu Xiuyou, Prince of Shanyang, General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yuzhou, was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Army and granted the privilege of an office equal to the Three Dukes. [14] (End of note.)
19
十一月壬辰，寧朔將軍何邁下獄死。 新除太尉沈慶之薨。 壬寅，立皇后路氏，四廂奏樂。 赦揚、南徐二州。 護軍將軍建安王休仁加特進、左光祿大夫。 中護軍桂陽王休範遷職。 丁未，皇子生，少府劉勝之子也。 [15]大赦天下。 贓汙淫盜，悉皆原除。 賜為父後者爵一級。 壬子，以特進、左光祿大夫、護軍將軍建安王休仁為驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。 戊午，南平王敬猷、廬陵王敬先、安南侯敬淵並賜死。
On renchen day in the eleventh month, He Mai, General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, was imprisoned and died. Shen Qingzhi, who had just been appointed Grand Marshal, died. On renyin day Lady Lu was installed as empress, with music performed in all four side chambers of the palace. An amnesty was granted in Yang and Southern Xu provinces. Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, General Who Protects the Army, was also made Special Advance and Left Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Liu Xiufan, Prince of Guiyang, Central Army Guard, was transferred to another post. On dingwei day a prince was born, the son of Liu Sheng of the Palace Treasury. [15] A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. Crimes of corruption, defilement, licentiousness, and theft were all remitted. Those who had become heirs to their fathers were granted one rank of nobility. On renzi day Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry and granted the privilege of an office equal to the Three Dukes. On wuwu day Liu Jingyou, Prince of Nanping, Liu Jingxian, Prince of Luling, and Liu Jingyuan, Marquis of Annan, were all ordered to take their own lives.
20
時帝凶悖日甚，誅殺相繼，內外百司，不保首領。 先是訛言云：「湘中出天子。」 帝將南巡荊、湘二州以厭之。 先欲誅諸叔，然後發引。 太宗與左右阮佃夫、王道隆、李道兒密結帝左右壽寂之、姜產之等十一人，謀共廢帝。 戊午夜，帝於華林園竹林堂射鬼。 時巫覡云：「此堂有鬼。」 故帝自射之。 壽寂之懷刀直入，姜產之為副。 帝欲走，寂之追而殞之。 時年十七。 太皇太后令曰：
By then the emperor's cruelty and perversity grew worse by the day; executions followed one after another, and throughout the bureaucracy no one could be sure of keeping his head. Earlier a rumor had spread: "A Son of Heaven will arise in Xiang." The emperor planned a southern tour of Jing and Xiang provinces to counter the omen. He meant to execute his uncles first and only then set out on the journey. The future Ming Emperor secretly allied with his close attendants Ruan Tianfu, Wang Daolong, and Li Dao'er and with eleven of the emperor's own attendants, including Shou Jizhi and Jiang Chanzi, to depose him together. At midnight on wuwu day the emperor was in the Bamboo Grove Hall at Huilin Garden, shooting at ghosts. Shamans had said that the hall was haunted:" so the emperor had gone to shoot at them himself. Shou Jizhi entered with a drawn knife, Jiang Chanzi following as his second. The emperor tried to flee; Jizhi pursued him and struck him down. He was seventeen years old. The Grand Empress Dowager issued an order:
21
司徒領護軍八座：子業雖曰嫡長，少稟凶毒，不仁不孝，著自髫齔。 孝武棄世，屬當辰曆。 自梓宮在殯，喜容靦然，天罰重離，歡恣滋甚。 逼以內外維持，忍虐未露，而凶慘難抑，一旦肆禍，遂縱戮上宰，殄害輔臣。 子鸞兄弟，先帝鍾愛，含怨既往，枉加屠酷。 昶茂親作扞，橫相徵討。 新蔡公主逼離夫族，幽置深宮，詭云薨殞。 襄事甫爾，喪禮頓釋，昏酣長夜，庶事傾遺。 朝賢舊勳，棄若遺土。 管絃不輟，珍羞備膳。 詈辱祖考，以為戲謔。 行游莫止，淫縱無度。 肆宴園陵，規圖發掘。 誅剪無辜，籍略婦女。 建樹偽豎，莫知誰息。 拜嬪立后，慶過恒典。 宗室密戚，遇若婢僕，鞭捶陵曳，無復尊卑。 南平一門，特鍾其酷。 反天滅理，顯暴萬端。 苛罰酷令，終無紀極，夏桀、殷辛，未足以譬。 闔朝業業，人不自保，百姓遑遑，手足靡厝。 行穢禽獸，罪盈三千。 高祖之業將泯，七廟之享幾絕。 吾老疾沈篤，每規禍鴆，憂煎漏刻，氣命無幾。 開闢以降，所未嘗聞。 遠近思奮，十室而九。
To the Minister over the Masses, the chief General Who Protects the Army, and the Eight Dignitaries: Though Ziye was the eldest son of the proper wife, from childhood he showed a vicious and poisonous nature; his want of benevolence and filial piety was evident even in his earliest years. When Emperor Xiao Wu died, the throne passed to him by right of succession. From the moment the imperial coffin lay in state, his face was bright and untroubled; though Heaven's punishment had struck the imperial house, his wanton joy only grew. Forced by court and family to restrain himself, he had not yet shown his full cruelty; but his savage brutality could not be held back, and in a single day he unleashed catastrophe, slaughtering the chief ministers and destroying his own supporters. Ziluan and his brothers had been the late emperor's favorites; nursing old resentments, he had them savagely executed without cause. Chang, a close kinsman who should have been a bulwark of the throne, was attacked and punished without cause. Princess Xincai was torn from her husband's family and shut away in the inner palace, while a false report announced her death. Mourning had barely begun when its rites were cast aside; through long nights of drunkenness every affair of state was neglected. Court worthies and old ministers he cast aside like rubbish. Music never ceased; rare delicacies filled every table. He reviled his ancestors and forebears for sport. His wanderings knew no limit; his lewdness and excess knew no bounds. He feasted in the imperial tombs and plotted to open the graves. He slaughtered the innocent and seized women by force. He raised up false charges, and no one knew who would be struck down next. In taking concubines and installing an empress, his celebrations exceeded all precedent. Imperial kinsmen and close relatives he treated like servants, beating and dragging them with no regard for rank. The house of Nanping alone he singled out for especial cruelty. He turned against Heaven and extinguished moral principle; his open violence took ten thousand forms. Harsh punishments and cruel ordinances knew no limit; even Jie of Xia and Xin of Yin would not suffice for comparison. Throughout the court everyone lived in dread and no one was safe; the people were in turmoil and did not know where to turn. His conduct was more beastly than a beast's; his crimes were beyond numbering. The founding emperor's enterprise was on the verge of ruin; the offerings at the seven temples were nearly cut off. I am old and gravely ill; each day I foresee the poisoned cup; anxiety consumes me with every drip of the water clock, and my life will not long endure. Since the opening of the age, nothing like this has ever been heard of. Near and far alike yearn to rise against him; nine houses in ten.
22
衞將軍湘東王體自太祖，天縱英聖，文皇鍾愛，寵冠列藩。 吾早識神睿，特兼常禮。 潛運宏規，義士投袂，獨夫既殞，懸首白旗，社稷再興，宗祏永固，人鬼屬心，大命允集。 且勳德高邈，大業攸歸，宜遵漢、晉，纂承皇極。 主者詳舊典以時奉行。
General of the Guard Liu Yu, Prince of Xiangdong, is descended from the dynastic founder; Heaven endowed him with heroic sagacity, and Emperor Wen cherished him above all other princes. I recognized his keen intelligence early and treated him with especial honor. He carried out his great design in secret; men of righteousness rallied to him; the tyrant has fallen, his severed head on the white banner; the altars of state are renewed and the ancestral temple secured; the hearts of men and spirits alike turn to him, and the great mandate is duly his. His merit and virtue are lofty; the great enterprise is his to receive; let him follow the precedents of Han and Jin in ascending the throne. Those in charge should examine the old statutes and carry them out without delay.
23
未亡人餘年不幸嬰此百艱，永尋情事，雖存若殞。 當復奈何！ 當復奈何！
I, who have outlived my allotted years, have met this hundredfold calamity; whenever I revisit these events, though I live I am as one dead. What is to be done! What is to be done!
24
葬廢帝丹陽秣陵縣南郊壇西。
The deposed emperor was buried west of the southern suburban altar in Moling County, Danyang.
25
帝幼而狷急，在東宮每為世祖所責。 世祖西巡，子業啟參承起居，書迹不謹，上詰讓之。 子業啟事陳謝，上又答曰：「書不長進，此是一條耳。 聞汝素都懈怠，狷戾日甚，何以頑固乃爾邪！」 初踐阼，受璽紱，悖然無哀容。 始猶難諸大臣及戴法興等，既殺法興，諸大臣莫不震懾。 於是又誅羣公。 元凱以下，皆被毆捶牽曳。 內外危懼，殿省騷然。 初太后疾篤，遣呼帝。 帝曰：「病人間多鬼，可畏，那可往。」 太后怒，語侍者：「將刀來，破我腹，那得生如此寧馨兒！」 及太后崩後數日，帝夢太后謂之曰：「汝不孝不仁，本無人君之相。 子尚愚悖如此，亦非運祚所及。 孝武險虐滅道，怨結人神，兒子雖多，並無天命。 大運所歸，應還文帝之子。」 其後湘東王紹位，果文帝子也。 故帝聚諸叔京邑，慮在外為患。 山陰公主淫恣過度，謂帝曰：「妾與陛下，雖男女有殊，俱託體先帝。 陛下六宮萬數，而妾唯駙馬一人。 事不均平，一何至此！」 帝乃為主置面首左右三十人； 進爵會稽郡長公主，秩同郡王，食湯沐邑二千戶，[16]給鼓吹一部，加班劍二十人。 帝每出，與朝臣常共陪輦。 主以吏部郎褚淵貌美，就帝請以自侍，帝許之。 淵侍主十日，備見逼迫，誓死不回，遂得免。 帝所幸閹人華願兒，官至散騎常侍，加將軍帶郡。 帝少好讀書，[17]頗識古事，自造世祖誄及雜篇章，往往有辭采。 以魏武帝有發丘中郎將、摸金校尉，乃置此二官。 以建安王休仁、山陽王休祐領之。 [18]其餘事迹，分見諸列傳。
From childhood the emperor was impatient and harsh; in the Eastern Palace he was often rebuked by his father. When Emperor Xiao Wu toured the west, Ziye submitted memorials on his daily routine; his calligraphy was careless, and the emperor rebuked him for it. Ziye submitted an apology, and the emperor replied again: "Your writing does not improve—that is one thing. I hear you are habitually lax and idle, and your perversity grows worse by the day—why are you so obstinately incorrigible!" When he first took the throne and received the imperial seal, he showed no grief at all. At first he still found the great ministers and Dai Faxing hard to control; after he killed Faxing, every great minister lived in terror. Thereupon he executed the host of nobles. From Yuan Kai downward, all were beaten and dragged about. Within and without the court there was peril and dread; the palace halls were in uproar. Earlier, when the Empress Dowager's illness was critical, she sent for the emperor. The emperor said: "Sickrooms are full of ghosts—it is dreadful; how could I go there?" The Empress Dowager grew angry and told her attendants: "Bring a knife and cut open my belly—how could I have borne such a son!" Several days after the Empress Dowager died, the emperor dreamed that she said to him: "You are unfilial and unkind; you were never fit to be a ruler. Zishang is as foolish and perverse as you; he too is not what fortune and the throne can sustain. Emperor Xiao Wu was cruel and extinguished the Way; his crimes bound men and spirits in resentment; though his sons were many, none had Heaven's mandate. The great fortune turns where it belongs; it should return to a son of Emperor Wen. When the Prince of Xiangdong later succeeded, he was indeed a son of Emperor Wen. Therefore the emperor gathered his uncles in the capital, fearing trouble if they remained in the provinces. The Princess of Shanyin was licentious beyond measure; she told the emperor: "Your Majesty and I, though man and woman differ, both owe our bodies to the late emperor. Your Majesty has ten thousand women in the six palaces, yet I have only one husband. How unfair that things should have come to this!" The emperor thereupon provided the princess with thirty male favorites; she was advanced to Princess of Kuaiji Commandery with precedence equal to a commandery prince, a fief of two thousand households, [16] one set of imperial music, and twenty guards with ceremonial swords. Whenever the emperor went out, court ministers commonly rode in the same carriage with him. Because Chu Yuan, Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was handsome, the princess asked the emperor to let him serve her, and the emperor consented. Yuan served the princess for ten days, was pressed on every side, and swore he would rather die than submit; only then was he released. The eunuch Hua Yuan'er, whom the emperor favored, rose to Attendant Cavalier and was made a general with a commandery attached. From youth the emperor loved reading [17] and knew antiquity well; he composed the eulogy for his father and various other pieces that often showed real literary talent. Because Emperor Wu of Wei had had a General of Opening Mounds in the Middle and a Colonel of Touching Gold, he established the same two offices. Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, and Liu Xiuyou, Prince of Shanyang, were placed in charge of them. [18] His other deeds are set forth separately in the various biographies.
26
史臣曰：廢帝之事行著于篇。 若夫武王數殷紂之釁，不能絓其萬一； 霍光書昌邑之過，未足舉其毫釐。 假以中才之君，有一于此，足以霣社殘宗，汚宮瀦廟，況總斯惡以萃一人之體乎！ 其得亡亦為幸矣。
The historian remarks: The deeds of the deposed emperor are set forth in this chapter. When King Wu of Zhou counted the crimes of King Zhou of Yin, he could not exhaust one part in ten thousand; when Huo Guang set down the faults of the Marquis of Haihun, he could not list one hair's breadth in a thousand. An emperor of only middling talent who committed one such fault would suffice to destroy the altars of state and defile the ancestral shrines; how much more when all these evils were gathered in a single body! That he perished when he did was itself a mercy.
27
校勘記
Textual collation notes
28
出居東宮各本並脫「居」字，據元龜二五六補。
「Moved out to reside in the Eastern Palace」: all editions omit 「ju」; the character is restored from Yuan Gui 256.
29
丹陽尹永嘉王子仁為南豫州刺史「南豫」子仁傳作「南兗」。
「Liu Ziren, Prince of Yongjia, Administrator of Danyang, was made Inspector of Southern Yuzhou」: Ziren's biography reads 「Southern Yanzhou」 instead.
30
繁而傷治「傷」各本並作「作」，據元龜一九一改。
「Burdensome and harmful to good government」: all editions read 「make」 for 「harmful」; emended per Yuan Gui 191.
31
氣緯舛互「互」各本並作「玄」，蓋形近而譌，今改正。
「The qi and celestial markers are at cross purposes」: all editions read 「mysterious」 for 「cross」—likely a graphic confusion; corrected here.
32
領軍將軍王玄謨為鎮北將軍青冀二州刺史各本「鎮北將軍」下並衍「南徐州刺史新安王子鸞為」十一字。 按新安王子鸞傳，不言曾為青、冀二州刺史，而王玄謨傳，言玄謨時徙為青、冀二州刺史。 今訂正。
「Wang Xuamo was made General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Qing and Ji」: all editions insert eleven spurious characters after 「General Who Pacifies the North」. Ziluan's biography never makes him Inspector of Qing and Ji, while Xuamo's biography says he was transferred there at this time. The text is emended accordingly.
33
己丑各本並作「己未」。 按是月丁卯朔，二十三日己丑，無己未、乙丑。 今據建康實錄及通鑑改正。
「Jichou day」: all editions read 「jiwei」. That month's dingmao was the first day; the twenty-third was jichou—neither jiwei nor yichou occurred. Corrected per the Veritable Records of Jiankang and the Comprehensive Mirror.
34
庚寅各本並作「庚子」。 按是月丁卯朔，無庚子，二十三日己丑後，二十四日有庚寅。 今改正。
「Gengyin day」: all editions read 「gengzi」. That month's dingmao was the first day; there was no gengzi. The day after jichou (the twenty-third) was gengyin (the twenty-fourth). Corrected here.
35
輔國將軍宗越為司州刺史「宗越」書中多誤作「宋越」，今據宗越傳改正。 以下類此者皆逕改，不具校。
「Zong Yue was made Inspector of Sizhou」: the book often miswrites his name as 「Song Yue」; corrected per his biography. Similar cases below are emended directly without separate notes.
36
以尚書右僕射顏師伯為尚書僕射「尚書僕射」各本作「尚書左僕射」，南史無「左」字。 李慈銘宋書札記云：「左字衍，當據南史刪。」 按是時但置尚書僕射，不分立左右。 今據南史刪「左」字。
「Yan Shibo was made Vice Director of the Masters of Writing」: all editions add 「Left」; the Southern History has none. Li Ciming's Notes on the Book of Song: 「「Left」 is intrusive; delete it per the Southern History. 」At that time only a single Vice Director was appointed, with no left-right division. 「Left」 is deleted per the Southern History.
37
減州郡縣田祿之半宋本、三朝本、北監本、毛本及南史作「田祿」。 殿本、局本作「田租」。 建康實錄作「祿秩」。 按普減國內田租之半，非封建統治者所肯為，此必減州郡縣官吏田祿之半。 故建康實錄改稱為「祿秩」。
「Field stipends … reduced by half」: the Song, Three-Dynasties, Beijian, and Mao editions and the Southern History read 「field stipends」. The Palace and Bureau editions read 「field rent」. The Veritable Records of Jiankang reads 「stipend ranks」. A general halving of land rent empire-wide is not something a feudal ruler would do; this must mean halving officials' field stipends in provinces, commanderies, and counties. Hence the Veritable Records of Jiankang's wording 「stipend ranks」.
38
衞將軍南豫州刺史湘東王彧改為雍州刺史各本並脫「南」字。 按明帝紀，永光元年為南豫州刺史，鎮姑孰。 又按州郡志，此時南豫州鎮姑孰，而豫州則未嘗以姑孰為州治。 今據明帝紀補。
「Liu Yu … Inspector of Southern Yuzhou, was changed to Inspector of Yongzhou」: all editions omit 「Southern」. Emperor Ming's annals show him as Inspector of Southern Yuzhou, garrisoning Gushu, in Yongguang 1. The Monograph on Provinces and Commanderies shows Southern Yuzhou at Gushu, while Yuzhou never used Gushu as its seat. 「Southern」 is restored per Emperor Ming's annals.
39
尚書左僕射顏師伯「尚書左僕射」各本並作「尚書僕射」，據南史改，說見前。
「Left Vice Director Yan Shibo」: all editions drop 「Left」; restored per the Southern History, as noted above.
40
以鎮西大將軍豫州刺史山陽王休祐為鎮軍大將軍開府儀同三司鎮西大將軍各本並作「鎮北大將軍」。 上九月辛亥下作鎮西大將軍，休祐傳亦作鎮西，今改正。
「General Who Pacifies the West … made General Who Pacifies the Army」: all editions read 「North」 for 「West」. The ninth-month xinhai entry and Xiuyou's biography both have 「West」; corrected here.
41
少府劉勝之子也「劉勝」元龜一九七及二０七同本紀。 符瑞志及始安王休仁傳、宋略、南史帝紀作劉矇，南史休仁傳作劉蒙。
「Son of Liu Sheng of the Palace Treasury」: Yuan Gui 197 and 207 agree with this annals. The Treatise on Omens, Xiuren's biography, the Song Summary, and the Southern History annals write the name as 「Liu Meng」 (blind); Xiuren's biography in the Southern History writes it as 「Liu Meng」 (cover).
42
食湯沐邑二千戶「食」各本並作「侯」。 據御覽一五二改。
「Fief of two thousand households for bathing and maintenance」: all editions read 「marquis」 for 「receive」. Emended per the Imperial Readings 152.
43
帝少好讀書「讀書」各本並作「講書」，據南史、元龜一九二、御覽一二八引改。
「From youth the emperor loved reading」: all editions read 「lecturing on books」; emended per the Southern History, Yuan Gui 192, and Imperial Readings 128.
44
以建安王休仁山陽王休祐領之各本並脫「休仁山陽王」五字，據南史補。 張燴讀史舉正云：「按建安王乃休仁，休祐則山陽王也。 南史作『以建安王休仁、山陽王休祐領之』為是。」
「Jian'an and Shanyang princes were placed in charge」: all editions omit 「Xiuren … Prince of Shanyang」; restored per the Southern History. Zhang Hui's Corrections in Reading History: 「The Prince of Jian'an is Xiuren; Xiuyou is the Prince of Shanyang. The Southern History's 「Liu Xiuren, Prince of Jian'an, and Liu Xiuyou, Prince of Shanyang, were placed in charge of them」 is correct.」