1
Emperor Shun, taboo name Zhun, courtesy name Zhongmou, [1] childhood name Zhiguan, was the third son of Emperor Ming. He was born on the guichou day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Taishi. In the seventh year he was created Prince of Ancheng with a fief of three thousand households. He was at once appointed General Who Pacifies the Army, with aides and clerks assigned. When the Deposed Emperor acceded, he became Inspector of Yangzhou. In the second year of Yuanhui he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs in Yang and South Yu provinces, granted one set of martial pipes and drums, and remained Inspector as before. In the fourth year he was further promoted to Grand General of Agile Cavalry, authorized to maintain his own office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies, and granted thirty ceremonial swordsmen; he remained Commander-in-Chief and Inspector as before.
2
元徽五年七月戊子夜，廢帝殞，奉迎王入居朝堂。 壬辰，即皇帝位。
On the night of the wuzi day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Yuanhui, the Deposed Emperor died; the prince was escorted into the court hall. On the renchen day he ascended the throne.
3
昇明元年，改元，大赦天下，賜文武位二等。 甲午，鎮軍將軍齊王出鎮東城，輔政作相。 丙申，詔曰：「露臺息構，義光漢德； 雉裘焚制，事隆晉道。 故以檢奢軌化，敦儉馭俗。 頃甸服未靜，師旅連年，委蓄屢空，勞敝莫偃。 而丹雘之飾，糜耗難訾，寶賂之費，徵賦靡計。 今車服儀制，實宜約損，使徽章有序，勿得侈溢。 可罷省御府二署。 凡工麗彫鑴，傷風毀治，一皆禁斷。 庶永昭憲則，弘茲始政。」 征西大將軍、荊州刺史沈攸之進號車騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，尚書左僕射、中領軍、鎮軍將軍、南兗州刺史齊王為司空、錄尚書事、驃騎大將軍，刺史如故，中書令、衞將軍、開府儀同三司，撫軍將軍劉秉為尚書令，加中軍將軍，[2]安西將軍、郢州刺史晉熙王燮為撫軍將軍、揚州刺史，南陽王翽為郢州刺史。 辛丑，尚書右僕射王僧虔為尚書僕射，右衞將軍劉韞為中領軍，金紫光祿大夫王琨為右光祿大夫。 給司空齊王錢五百萬，布五千匹。 癸卯，車駕謁太廟。 丙午，以安西參軍明慶符為青、冀二州刺史，武陵王贊為郢州刺史，新除郢州刺史南陽王翽為湘州刺史，司空、南兗州刺史齊王改領南徐州刺史，征虜將軍李安民為南兗州刺史。
In the first year of Shengming the era name was changed, a general amnesty was proclaimed, and civil and military officials were advanced two ranks in status. On the jiawu day the Prince of Qi, General Who Pacifies the Army, went out to garrison the Eastern Fortress and took up regency as chancellor. On the bingshen day an edict said: "Ceasing construction on the Terrace of Dew shed light on Han virtue; burning the pheasant-fur robe exalted the way of Jin. Thus extravagance is checked to transform customs, and thrift is honored to govern the people. Recently the realm has not been at peace; armies have campaigned year after year; granaries stand empty again and again, and exhaustion never lets up. Yet lacquer and cinnabar ornament consume resources beyond measure, and treasure levies cannot be reckoned. Carriage dress and ritual regalia should now be pared back, so that ranks and insignia stay in order and excess is not permitted. The two bureaus of the Inner Palace are to be abolished. Every sort of ornate carving and fine chasing that harms custom and undermines good government is forbidden. May the statutes shine forever and this new rule be broadly proclaimed." Shen Youzhi, General Who Conquers the West and Inspector of Jingzhou, was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and authorized to maintain his own office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies. The Prince of Qi, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, Central Army Commander, General Who Pacifies the Army, and Inspector of South Yanzhou, was appointed Minister of Works, Recording Secretary, and Grand General of Agile Cavalry, remaining Inspector as before. [2] The text is defective here; the collation note restores the missing appointments: Yuan Can became Director of the Secretariat and concurrently Minister over the Masses, while Chu Yuan became Guards General, and both were authorized to maintain their own offices with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies. Liu Bing, General Who Pacifies the Army, became Director of the Masters of Writing and additionally Central Army Commander. Xie, Prince of Jinxi, General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yingzhou, became General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yangzhou. Prince of Nanyang Hui became Inspector of Yingzhou. On the xinchou day Wang Sengqian, Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Vice Director of the Masters of Writing; Liu Yun, Right Guards General, was appointed Central Army Commander; Wang Kun, Grandee of Splendid Gold and Purple Guanglu, was appointed Right Grandee of Splendid Service. Five million cash and five thousand bolts of cloth were granted to the Prince of Qi, Minister of Works. On the guimao day the emperor visited the Ancestral Temple. On the bingwu day Ming Qingfu, staff officer of Anxi, was appointed Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces; Prince of Wuling Zan was appointed Inspector of Yingzhou; Prince of Nanyang Hui, newly appointed Inspector of Yingzhou, was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou; the Prince of Qi, Minister of Works and Inspector of South Yanzhou, was reassigned to hold concurrently Inspector of South Xuzhou; Li Anmin, General Who Conquers the Barbarians, was appointed Inspector of South Yanzhou.
4
Yongzhou suffered severe flooding; in the eighth month, on the renzi day, envoys were dispatched for relief, and taxes and levies were remitted. Liu Chengzhi, chief clerk of Agile Cavalry, was appointed Inspector of South Yuzhou. Yu Tianbao, Governor of Shanyang, and Qin Li, Viscount of Xinwu County, were found guilty, imprisoned, and died. On the wuwu day the Bureau of Equitable Standards was reorganized. On the xinyou day Li Lingqian, Governor of Xuancheng, was appointed Inspector of Yanzhou. On the guihai day Minister over the Masses Yuan Can garrisoned Stone City. On the dingmao day arrears in levies before the first year of the era were wholly remitted; Salary fields for commanderies and counties were restored. On the wuchen day the emperor's birth mother, Consort Chen of the Zhaohua rank, was honored as Grand Imperial Consort. On the gengwu day Xie Fei, chief clerk to the Minister of Works; Jiang Xiao, chief clerk of the Guards Army; Chu Xuan, Gentleman Attendant of the Palace Secretariat; and Liu Yu (the received text has Liu Hou), Literary Scholar to the Prince of Wuling, entered duty in the palace offices to advise on literary matters. The Prince of Qi firmly declined the post of Minister of Works; on the gengchen day he was appointed Grand General of Agile Cavalry and authorized to maintain his own office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies.
5
九月己丑，詔曰：「昔聖王既沒，淳風已衰，龜書永湮，龍圖長祕。 故三代之末，德刑相擾，世淪物競，道陂人諛。 然猶正士比轂，奇才接軫。 朕襲運金樞，纂靈瑤極，負扆巡政，日晏忘疲，永言興替，望古盈慮。 姬、夏典載，猶傳緗帙，漢、魏餘文，布在方冊。 故元封興茂才之制，地節剏獨行之品。 振維務本，存乎得人。 今可宣下州郡，搜揚幽仄，摽采鄉邑，隨名薦上。 朕將親覽，甄其茂異。 庶野無遺彥，永激遐芬。」 己酉，廬陵王暠薨。
On the jichou day of the ninth month an edict said: "When the sage kings passed away, pure custom had already decayed; the Tortoise Book lay forever hidden and the Dragon Chart long sealed away. Thus at the end of the Three Dynasties virtue and punishment encroached on one another; the age sank into contention over things, the Way collapsed, and men traded in flattery. Yet upright gentlemen still thronged like spokes at a hub, and extraordinary talents came one after another. We have inherited the golden pivot of the age and received the jade axis of the mandate; seated behind the screen we govern without rest, forgetting fatigue at day's end, ever pondering rise and fall and looking to antiquity with full concern. The records of Zhou and Xia still survive in silk volumes; the remaining writings of Han and Wei lie spread among the registers. Therefore in the Yuanfeng era the eminent-talent institution was established, and in the Dijie era the rank for lone excellence was created. To brace the framework and hold to the root lies in finding the right men. Let this now be proclaimed through the provinces and commanderies: search out the hidden and remote, gather talent from villages and hamlets, and recommend them by name to the throne. We shall personally examine them and distinguish the truly outstanding. Thus no worthy shall be left in obscurity, and distant virtue shall be stirred forever." On the jiyou day Prince of Luling Hao died.
6
In winter, on the jiyou day of the eleventh month, [4] Wa sent envoys presenting tribute goods. On the bingwu day Hu Xiansheng, Supernumerary Palace Attendant, was dispatched as Inspector of Yuezhou, and Shen Jingde, Inspector of Jiaozhou, was appointed Inspector of Guangzhou.
7
十二月丁巳，以驍騎將軍王廣之為徐州刺史。 車騎大將軍、荊州刺史沈攸之舉兵反。 丁卯，錄公齊王入守朝堂，侍中蕭嶷鎮東府。 戊辰，內外纂嚴。 己巳，以郢州刺史武陵王贊為安西將軍、荊州刺史，征虜將軍、雍州刺史張敬兒進號鎮軍將軍。 右衞將軍黃回為平西將軍、郢州刺史，督諸軍前鋒南討。 征虜將軍呂安國為湘州刺史，都官尚書王寬加平西將軍。 庚午，新除左衞將軍齊王世子奉新除撫軍將軍、揚州刺史晉熙王燮鎮尋陽之盆城。 壬申，以驍騎將軍周盤龍為廣州刺史。 是日，司徒袁粲據石頭反，尚書令劉秉、黃門侍郎劉述、冠軍王蘊率眾赴之。 黃回及輔國將軍孫曇瓘、屯騎校尉王宜興、輔國將軍任候伯、左軍將軍彭文之密相響應。 中領軍劉韞、直閤將軍卜伯興在殿內同謀。 錄公齊王誅韞等於省內。 軍主蘇烈、王天生、薛道淵、戴僧靜等陷石頭，斬粲於城內。 秉、述、蘊踰城走，追擒之，並伏誅。 其餘無所問。 豫州刺史劉懷珍、雍州刺史張敬兒、廣州刺史陳顯達並舉義兵。 司州刺史姚道和、梁州刺史范栢年、湘州行事庾佩玉擁眾懷貳。 甲戌，大赦天下。 乙亥，以尚書僕射王僧虔為尚書左僕射，新除中書令王延之為尚書右僕射。 吳郡太守劉遐據郡反，輔國將軍張瓌討斬之。
On the dingsi day of the twelfth month Wang Guangzhi, General of Agile Cavalry, was appointed Inspector of Xuzhou. Shen Youzhi, General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Jingzhou, rose in rebellion. On the dingmao day the Recording Secretary, the Prince of Qi, entered to guard the court hall, and Palace Attendant Xiao Ni garrisoned the Eastern Palace. On the wuchen day martial law was imposed within and without the capital. On the jisi day Prince of Wuling Zan, Inspector of Yingzhou, was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Jingzhou; Zhang Jinger, General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Inspector of Yongzhou, was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Army. Huang Hui, Right Guards General, was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yingzhou, commanding the vanguard in the southern expedition. Lu Anguo, General Who Conquers the Barbarians, was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou; Wang Kuan, Director of Judicial Affairs, was additionally appointed General Who Pacifies the West. On the gengwu day the newly appointed Left Guards General, heir of the Prince of Qi, escorted the newly appointed General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yangzhou, Prince of Jinxi Xie, to garrison Pencheng at Xunyang. On the renshen day Zhou Panlong, General of Agile Cavalry, was appointed Inspector of Guangzhou. That same day Minister over the Masses Yuan Can seized Stone City in rebellion; Director of the Masters of Writing Liu Bing, Gentleman Attendant of the Yellow Gate Liu Shu, and General Who Establishes Champions Wang Yun led troops to his side. Huang Hui; Sun Tanguan, General Who Assists the State; Wang Yixing, Commandant of Valiant Cavalry; Ren Houbo, General Who Assists the State; and Peng Wenzhi, General of the Left Army, secretly acted in concert. Central Army Commander Liu Yun and Direct Attendant Bu Boxing plotted together inside the palace. The Recording Secretary, the Prince of Qi, executed Yun and the others inside the Secretariat. Army commanders Su Lie, Wang Tiansheng, Xue Daoyuan, and Dai Sengjing took Stone City and beheaded Can within the walls. Bing, Shu, and Yun fled over the wall; pursued and captured, they were all executed. The rest were not prosecuted. Liu Huaizhen, Inspector of Yuzhou; Zhang Jinger, Inspector of Yongzhou; and Chen Xianda, Inspector of Guangzhou, all raised loyal forces. Yao Daohe, Inspector of Sizhou; Fan Bonian, Inspector of Liangzhou; and Yu Peiyu, acting for Xiangzhou, all raised forces with divided loyalties. On the jiaxu day a general amnesty was proclaimed. On the yihai day Wang Sengqian, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing; Wang Yanzhi, the newly appointed Director of the Secretariat, was appointed Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. Liu Xia, Governor of Wu Commandery, rebelled and held the commandery; Zhang Gui, General Who Assists the State, attacked and killed him.
8
In the intercalary month, on the xinsi day, Wang Yixing, Commandant of Valiant Cavalry, was found guilty and executed. On the guisi day Shen Youzhi besieged Yingcheng; Liu Shilong, chief clerk of the vanguard, held firm in defense. Youzhi's younger brother Dengzhi rose in revolt in Wuxing; Shen Wenji, Governor of Wuxing, attacked and killed him. [5] On the jihai day martial law was imposed within and without the capital, and the Recording Secretary, the Prince of Qi, was granted the yellow battle-axe. On the xinchou day Yang Wendu, General of Pacifying the North and Inspector of North Qinzhou, Prince of Wudu, was promoted to General Who Conquers the West. [6] On the yisi day the Recording Secretary, the Prince of Qi, went out and encamped at Xinting.
9
In spring of the second year, the first month, Shen Youzhi sent the general Gongsun Fangping to hold Xiyang; on the xinyou day Zhang Mo, Governor of Jianning, attacked and defeated him. On the dingmao day Shen Youzhi fled in rout from Yingcheng. On the jisi day the people of Huarong district killed him and sent his head. Liu Huaizhen, General of the Left Army and Inspector of Yuzhou, was promoted to General Who Pacifies the South. On the xinwei day Zhang Jinger, General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yongzhou, took Jiangling, beheaded Youzhi's son Guangyan, pacified Jingzhou, and all fellow rebels were executed. On the bingzi day martial law was lifted. Liu Shilong, newly appointed Palace Attendant, was appointed Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. That same day the Recording Secretary, the Prince of Qi, returned to garrison the Eastern Palace. On the dingchou day Prince of Shaoling You was appointed General Who Pacifies the South and Inspector of South Yuzhou. [7] The Left Guards General, heir of the Prince of Qi, was appointed Inspector of Jiangzhou; Palace Attendant Xiao Ni was appointed Commander of the Guards; Zhang Jinger, General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yongzhou, was promoted to General Who Conquers the West; Huang Hui, General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Yingzhou, was promoted to General Who Pacifies the West.
10
On the gengchen day of the second month Wang Sengqian, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Director of the Masters of Writing; Wang Yanzhi, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. On the guiwei day the Recording Secretary, the Prince of Qi, was additionally appointed Grand Commandant; Chu Yuan, Guards General, was appointed Director of the Secretariat and Minister of Works. On the jiashen day a partial amnesty was proclaimed for Jingzhou. On the bingxu day Prince of Jinxi Xie, General Who Pacifies the Army and Inspector of Yangzhou, was promoted to Central Army Commander and authorized to maintain his own office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies. On the wuzi day grain tax and cloth levy were remitted for three years for residents along the Han in Yongzhou who had earlier suffered flooding. On the xinmao day Huang Hui, Inspector of Yingzhou and newly appointed General Who Pacifies the South, was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of South Yanzhou; Li Anmin, Inspector of South Yanzhou, was appointed Inspector of Yingzhou. On the guisi day Fu Yan, Magistrate of Shanyin, was appointed Inspector of Yizhou. On the bingshen day Peng Wenzhi, General of the Left Army, was found guilty, imprisoned, and died. Ren Houbo, acting for Xiangzhou, killed the former acting officer of Xiangzhou Yu Peiyu and sent his head to the capital.
11
On the gengxu day of the third month Zhou Panlong, Inspector of Guangzhou, was appointed Inspector of Sizhou; Liu Quan, General Who Assists the State, was appointed Inspector of Guangzhou. On the bingzi day the canopy of feathers and martial pipes and drums were granted to the Prince of Qi, Grand Commandant.
12
In summer, the fourth month, on the jimao day Yuan Chongzu, General of the Mobile Corps, was appointed Inspector of Yanzhou. On the xinmao day Huang Hui, newly appointed General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of South Yanzhou, was found guilty and ordered to die. On the jiawu day Xiao Ying, General Who Assists the State and Governor of Huainan and Xuancheng, acted as Inspector of South Yanzhou.
13
On the wuwu day of the fifth month King Bu of Wa sent envoys bearing tribute; he was appointed Grand General Who Pacifies the East. Ren Houbo, General Who Assists the State and acting for Xiangzhou, was found guilty and executed.
14
On the jichou day of the sixth month Zhao Chaomin, former Governor of Xinhui, was appointed Inspector of Jiaozhou. On the dingyou day Yang Wenhong, General Who Assists the State, was appointed Inspector of North Qinzhou and created Prince of Wudu.
15
On the xinmao day of the eighth month the Prince of Qi, Grand Commandant, memorialized to forbid extravagant ornament and splendid dress, fourteen articles in all. [8] On the yiwei day the heir of the Prince of Qi, Inspector of Jiangzhou, was appointed Commander of the Guards and General Who Pacifies the Army. On the bingshen day Xiao Ni, Commander of the Guards, was appointed Inspector of Jiangzhou.
16
On the new moon of the ninth month, the day yisi, there was a solar eclipse. On the bingwu day the Prince of Qi, Grand Commandant, was additionally granted the yellow battle-axe, made Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs within and without, and appointed Grand Preceptor, holding concurrently the governorship of Yangzhou; he was permitted sword and shoes in the palace hall, not to quicken his step on entering court, and not to have his name spoken in congratulatory address. Left and right chief clerks, marshals, attendants, aides, and subordinates were established, four of each. Prince of Jinxi Xie, Central Army Commander and Inspector of Yangzhou, was appointed Minister over the Masses. On the wushen day Xiao Ying, acting Inspector of South Yanzhou, was appointed Inspector of South Yanzhou. On the jiayin day three imperial lookout chariots were granted to the Prince of Qi, Grand Preceptor. On the jiwei day Ruru sent envoys presenting tribute. On the guiyou day Zhang Dan, Interior Secretary of Wuling, was found guilty, imprisoned, and died.
17
On the dingchou day of the tenth month Xiao Huang, General of Pacifying the North and Governor of Huainan and Xuancheng, was appointed Inspector of Yuzhou. Sun Tanguan had earlier fled; on the jimao day he was captured and executed. On the renyin day Empress Xie was installed; death sentences were reduced one degree, and punishments of five years or less were all pardoned.
18
On the renzi day of the eleventh month Liu Ban, son of the late Governor of Wuchang Liu Kun, was created Prince of Nanfeng County. On the guihai day Marquis of Linli Liu Huang plotted rebellion; Huang and his associates were all executed. On the jiazi day Prince of Nanyang Hui was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Sui Commandery, and Suiyang Commandery was renamed Sui Commandery.
19
十二月丙戌，皇后見于太廟。 戊子，高麗國遣使獻方物。
On the bingxu day of the twelfth month the empress was presented at the Ancestral Temple. On the wuzi day Goguryeo sent envoys presenting tribute.
20
In spring of the third year, on the jiachen day of the first month, Xiao Ni, Inspector of Jiangzhou, was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Jingzhou; Wang Yanzhi, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was appointed General Who Pacifies the South and Inspector of Jiangzhou. Xiao Shunzhi, chief clerk of Anxi, was appointed Inspector of Yingzhou. On the yimao day the Prince of Qi, Grand Preceptor, memorialized that all who owed official goods or corvée labor should be wholly remitted. On the xinhai day Wang Xuanmiao, General of Agile Cavalry, was appointed Inspector of Liang and South Qin provinces. The heir of the Prince of Qi, Commander of the Guards and General Who Pacifies the Army, was additionally appointed Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, promoted to Grand Central Army Commander, and authorized to maintain his own office with ceremonial rank equal to the Three Excellencies. On the bingchen day the front canopy of feathers and martial pipes and drums were granted to the Prince of Qi, Grand Preceptor. On the dingsi day an edict ordered the Grand Preceptor's office to recruit staff as before. Zhang Jinger, General Who Conquers the West and Inspector of Yongzhou, was appointed General Who Protects the Army; Xiao Changmao, newly appointed Gentleman Attendant of the Yellow Gate, was appointed Inspector of Yongzhou.
21
二月丙子，安南將軍、南豫州刺史邵陵王友薨。
On the bingzi day of the second month Prince of Shaoling You, General Who Pacifies the South and Inspector of South Yuzhou, died.
22
On the new moon of the third month, the day guimao, there was a solar eclipse. On the jiachen day the Grand Preceptor was elevated to Chancellor of State, directing all affairs of government, enfeoffed with ten commanderies as Duke of Qi, granted the full rites of the Nine Bestowals, additionally given the imperial seal-cord and the Far Roaming cap, ranking above all princes, with a green cord for the Chancellor of State; he remained Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Governor of Yangzhou, and Inspector of South Xuzhou as before. On the bingwu day Xiao Ze, Grand Central Army Commander, was appointed Inspector of South Yuzhou and heir of the Duke of Qi, deputy to the Chancellor of State, with a green cord. On the gengxu day Prince of Linchuan Chuo plotted rebellion; Chuo and his associates were all executed. On the dingsi day, because the State of Qi was newly established, five million cash, five thousand bolts of cloth, and one thousand bolts of silk were granted.
23
In summer, the fourth month, on the renshen day the Duke of Qi was promoted to Prince of Qi, with ten additional commanderies added to his fief. On the jiaxu day Prince of Wuling Zan, General Who Pacifies the West, died. On the bingxu day the Prince of Qi was commanded to wear a twelve-tassel cap, establish the imperial banners and flags, clear the roads on exit and entry, ride the golden-root chariot drawn by six horses, equip five seasonal auxiliary carriages, install the maotou and yunhan banners, perform the eight ranks of dancers, and establish the bell frames and palace musical sets. The heir was promoted to Crown Prince; titles and ranks for princes, princesses, and royal grandchildren followed entirely the former protocols. On the xinmao day the celestial mandate reached its end, and the throne was yielded to Qi. On the renchen day the emperor abdicated at the Eastern Residence. Thereafter he moved to dwell in the Danyang Palace. The Prince of Qi ascended the throne, enfeoffed the emperor as Prince of Ruyin, and treated him with the rites due one not subject to court protocol. The Song calendar was maintained; memorials submitted were not styled as petitions, and replies to petitions were not styled as edicts.
24
On the jiwei day of the fifth month of the first year of Jianyuan he died in the Danyang Palace, aged thirteen. His posthumous title was Emperor Shun. On the yiyou day of the sixth month he was buried at Suining Mausoleum.
25
史臣曰：聖王膺錄，自非接亂承微，則天曆不至也。 自三、五以來，受命之主，莫不乘淪亡之極，然後符樂推之運。 水德遷謝，其來久矣，豈止於區區汝陰揖禪而已哉！
The historian says: When a sage king receives the mandate, it is only after meeting disorder and inheriting a fragile age that the celestial ordination arrives. From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors onward, every ruler who received the mandate did so only at the furthest point of collapse, and only then did the talisman and musical verification of dynastic change appear. The transfer of the Water virtue had been long in coming—how could it be limited to the mere yielding of the throne at Ruyin!