1
昔黃帝有子二十五人，或內列諸華，或外分荒服，昌意少子，受封北土，國有大鮮卑山，因以為號。 其後，世為君長，統幽都之北，廣漠之野，畜牧遷徙，射獵為業，淳樸為俗，簡易為化，不為文字，刻木紀契而已，世事遠近，人相傳授，如史官之紀錄焉。 黃帝以土德王，北俗謂土為托，謂后為跋，故以為氏。 其裔始均，入仕堯世，逐女魃於弱水之北，民賴其勤，帝舜嘉之，命為田祖。 爰歷三代，以及秦漢，獯鬻、獫狁、山戎、匈奴之屬，累代殘暴，作害中州，而始均之裔，不交南夏，是以載籍無聞焉。
Long ago the Yellow Emperor had twenty-five sons: some served within the Chinese heartland, others were sent to govern the outer marches. Changyi, his youngest, was enfeoffed in the north, where the great Xianbei Mountain stood—and from that mountain the people took their name. Afterward they ruled generation upon generation north of Youdu, across the wide steppe. They lived by herding, moving with the seasons, and by the hunt; their ways were plain, their customs unadorned. They had no script—only notches cut in wood to seal bargains. What happened near and far was handed down mouth to mouth, much as if scribes had kept annals. The Yellow Emperor reigned under the virtue of Earth; northerners called earth tuo and called a queen ba—so the clan took the name Tuoba. A descendant, Shijun, served in the reign of Yao, driving the drought demon Nüba beyond the Weak Water. The people owed their relief to his labor; Shun commended him and named him Lord of the Fields. Through the Three Dynasties and on into Qin and Han, the Xiongnu and their kindred peoples—Xunyu, Xianyun, Shanrong—ravaged the Central Plains generation after generation. Yet Shijun's line never dealt with the southern realms, and so the written histories say nothing of them.
2
積六十七世，至成皇帝諱毛立。 [1]聰明武略，遠近所推，統國三十六，大姓九十九，威振北方，莫不率服。 崩。
After sixty-seven generations they came to Emperor Cheng, styled Mao, who was enthroned. [1] Clever and formidable in war, he was acclaimed far and near. He ruled thirty-six domains and ninety-nine great clans; his authority shook the north, and all submitted. He died.
3
節皇帝諱貸立，崩。
Emperor Jie, styled Dai, was enthroned. He died.
4
莊皇帝諱觀立，崩。
Emperor Zhuang, styled Guan, was enthroned. He died.
5
明皇帝諱樓立，崩。
Emperor Ming, styled Lou, was enthroned. He died.
6
安皇帝諱越立，崩。
Emperor An, styled Yue, was enthroned. He died.
7
宣皇帝諱推寅立。 南遷大澤，方千餘里，厥土昏冥沮洳。 謀更南徙，未行而崩。
Emperor Xuan, styled Tuiyin, was enthroned. They migrated south to the Great Marsh, a domain of more than a thousand li, where the ground lay dim and sodden. They plotted to move still farther south, but before the move could be made he died.
8
景皇帝諱利立，崩。
Emperor Jing, styled Li, was enthroned. He died.
9
元皇帝諱俟立，崩。
Emperor Yuan, styled Qi, was enthroned. He died.
10
和皇帝諱肆立，崩。
Emperor He, styled Si, was enthroned. He died.
11
定皇帝諱機立，崩。
Emperor Ding, styled Ji, was enthroned. He died.
12
僖皇帝諱蓋立，崩。
Emperor Xi, styled Gai, was enthroned. He died.
13
威皇帝諱儈立，崩。
Emperor Wei, styled Kuai, was enthroned. He died.
14
獻皇帝諱隣立。 時有神人言於國曰：「此土荒遐，未足以建都邑，宜復徙居。」 帝時年衰老，乃以位授子。
Emperor Xian, styled Lin, was enthroned. Then a spirit spoke within the realm: "This country is too remote and barren to bear a capital. You should move on and settle elsewhere." The emperor was by then aged and abdicated in favor of his son.
15
聖武皇帝諱詰汾。 獻帝命南移，山谷高深，九難八阻，於是欲止。 有神獸，其形似馬，其聲類牛，先行導引，歷年乃出。 始居匈奴之故地。 其遷徙策略，多出宣、獻二帝，故人並號曰「推寅」，蓋俗云「鑽研」之義。 初，聖武帝嘗率數萬騎田於山澤，欻見輜軿自天而下。 既至，見美婦人，侍衞甚盛。 帝異而問之，對曰：「我，天女也，受命相偶。」 遂同寢宿。 旦，請還，曰：「明年周時，復會此處。」 言終而別，去如風雨。 及期，帝至先所田處，果復相見。 天女以所生男授帝曰：「此君之子也，善養視之。 子孫相承，當世為帝王。」 語訖而去。 子即始祖也。 故時人諺曰：「詰汾皇帝無婦家，力微皇帝無舅家。」 帝崩。
Emperor Shengwu, styled Jiefen. Emperor Xian had ordered them south, but the passes were steep and the ravines deep, nine perils and eight obstacles deep, and they were ready to turn back. A spirit beast appeared, horse in form and lowing like an ox. It led the way, and only after many years did they break out. At last they made their home in the old lands of the Xiongnu. Much of their strategy of relocation came from Emperors Xuan and Xian; people therefore nicknamed him Tuiyin—"to drill through," in the common tongue. In the beginning Emperor Shengwu led tens of thousands of riders on a hunt through hill and fen, when suddenly a curtained carriage dropped from the sky. When it landed, a beautiful woman stood within, attended by a great train. The emperor wondered and questioned her. She answered: "I am a heavenly maiden, sent to be your consort." That night they lay together. At dawn she asked leave to go, saying: "At this same season next year, meet me here again." With that she was gone, swift as wind and rain. When the season returned, the emperor came to the old hunting ground and found her waiting. The heavenly maiden placed the boy she had borne in his hands. "This is your son," she said. "Raise him with care. His line shall rule as emperors for generations to come." She spoke no more and departed. That child was the Founding Ancestor. Hence the saying of the age: "Emperor Jiefen had no kin by marriage; Emperor Liwei had no kin on his mother's side." The emperor died.
16
始祖神元皇帝諱力微立。 生而英叡。
The Founding Ancestor, Emperor Shenyuan, styled Liwei, was enthroned. Even as a child he showed a keen and commanding mind.
17
元年，歲在庚子。 先是，西部內侵，國民離散，依於沒鹿回部大人竇賓。 始祖有雄傑之度，時人莫測。 後與賓攻西部，軍敗，失馬步走，始祖使人以所乘駿馬給之。 賓歸，令其部內求與馬之人，當加重賞，始祖隱而不言。 久之，賓乃知，大驚，將分國之半，以奉始祖，始祖不受，乃進其愛女。 賓猶思報恩，固問所欲。 始祖請率所部北居長川，賓乃敬從。 積十數歲，德化大洽，諸舊部民，咸來歸附。
The first year of his reign fell in the gengzi year. Earlier the western clans had raided inward, scattering the people, who took refuge with Dou Bin, great chief of the Molu Hui. The Founding Ancestor bore the stature of a hero; none of his day could read his depths. Later he joined Bin in an attack on the western tribes. The army was beaten; Bin lost his mount and fled on foot. The Founding Ancestor sent a man to bring him the fine horse he himself had ridden. When Bin came home he ordered his people to find the man who had given the horse, promising a rich reward. The Founding Ancestor said nothing and would not be found. In time Bin learned the truth and was astonished. He offered half his domain in homage, but the Founding Ancestor refused and would take only his beloved daughter in marriage. Bin still sought to repay the debt and pressed him: what did he wish? The Founding Ancestor asked leave to lead his people north to the Long River, and Bin yielded with respect. After a dozen years his virtue had won the realm; the old tribes all came back to his banner.
18
二十九年，賓臨終，戒其二子使謹奉始祖。 其子不從，乃陰謀為逆。 始祖召殺之，盡并其眾，諸部大人，悉皆欵服，控弦上馬二十餘萬。
In his twenty-ninth year, as Bin lay dying, he charged his two sons to honor and serve the Founding Ancestor. His sons disobeyed and secretly plotted rebellion. The Founding Ancestor had them summoned and put to death, absorbing all their followers. Every tribal chief submitted; those who could draw a bow and ride numbered more than two hundred thousand.
19
三十九年，遷於定襄之盛樂。 夏四月，祭天，諸部君長皆來助祭，唯白部大人觀望不至，於是徵而戮之，遠近肅然，莫不震懾。 始祖乃告諸大人曰：「我歷觀前世匈奴、蹋頓之徒，苟貪財利，抄掠邊民，雖有所得，而其死傷不足相補，更招寇讎，百姓塗炭，非長計也。」 於是與魏和親。
In his thirty-ninth year they moved the seat to Shengle in Dingxiang. In the fourth month of summer they sacrificed to Heaven, and chiefs of every tribe came to join the rite. Only the White Tribe's chief held back and did not appear; he was summoned and executed. Near and far fell silent, trembling before his wrath. The Founding Ancestor then told the chiefs: "I have watched the Xiongnu and men like Tuntun of old—greedy for plunder, harrying the borderlands. They took booty, yet their dead outweighed the gain; they only bred new enemies and left the people in ashes. That is no lasting policy." So he made peace with Wei and sealed it by marriage.
20
四十二年，遣子文帝如魏，且觀風土。 魏景元二年也。
In his forty-second year he sent his son, who would be Emperor Wen, to Wei to observe its customs. This was the second year of Wei's Jingyuan era.
21
文皇帝諱沙漠汗，以國太子留洛陽，為魏賓之冠。 聘問交市，往來不絕，魏人奉遺金帛繒絮，歲以萬計。 始祖與隣國交接，篤信推誠，不為倚伏以要一時之利，寬恕任真，而遐邇歸仰。 魏晉禪代，和好仍密。 始祖春秋已邁，帝以父老求歸，晉武帝具禮護送。
Emperor Wen, styled Shamo Han, stayed at Luoyang as the realm's crown prince—the foremost of Wei's vassal guests. Envoys and merchants crossed the border without pause; each year Wei sent gold, silk, and floss in amounts beyond counting. In dealings with neighboring states the Founding Ancestor was steadfast and sincere, never scheming for a moment's advantage. Forgiving and plain in nature, he won the loyalty of near and far alike. When Wei yielded the throne to Jin, the bond between them stayed close. The Founding Ancestor was already old; the emperor, at his elders' plea for his return, sent him home with full ceremony under Emperor Wu of Jin.
22
四十八年，帝至自晉。
In the forty-eighth year the prince returned from Jin.
23
五十六年，帝復如晉； 其年冬，還國。 晉遺帝錦、罽、繒、綵、綿、絹、諸物，咸出豐厚，車牛百乘。 行達并州，晉征北將軍衞瓘，以帝為人雄異，恐為後患，乃密啟晉帝，請留不遣。 晉帝難於失信，不許。 瓘復請以金錦賂國之大人，令致間隙，使相危害。 晉帝從之，遂留帝。 於是國之執事及外部大人，皆受瓘貨。
In the fifty-sixth year the prince again went to Jin; and that winter came home to the realm. Jin sent him brocade, felt, silk, dyed cloth, cotton, gauze—gifts in lavish profusion, and a hundred ox-carts besides. At Bingzhou, Jin's northern commander Wei Guan saw in the prince a man of singular power and feared trouble later on. He secretly memorialized the Jin throne to hold him and not let him go. The Jin emperor would not break his word and refused. Wei Guan asked again to buy off the realm's chiefs with gold and brocade, sowing discord so they would turn on one another. The Jin emperor agreed, and so the prince was kept. Then the court officers and the outer chiefs all took Wei Guan's gifts.
24
五十八年，方遣帝。 始祖聞帝歸，大悅，使諸部大人詣陰館迎之。 酒酣，帝仰視飛鳥，謂諸大人曰：「我為汝曹取之。」 援彈飛丸，應弦而落。 時國俗無彈，眾咸大驚，乃相謂曰：「太子風彩被服，同於南夏，兼奇術絕世，若繼國統，變易舊俗，吾等必不得志，不若在國諸子，習本淳樸。」 咸以為然。 且離間素行，乃謀危害，並先馳還。 始祖問曰：「我子既歷他國，進德何如？」 皆對曰：「太子才藝非常，引空弓而落飛鳥，是似得晉人異法怪術，亂國害民之兆，惟願察之。」 自帝在晉之後，諸子愛寵日進，始祖年踰期頤，頗有所惑，聞諸大人之語，意乃有疑。 因曰：「不可容者，便當除之。」 於是諸大人乃馳詣塞南，矯害帝。 既而，始祖甚悔之。 帝身長八尺，英姿瓌偉，在晉之日，朝士英俊多與親善，雅為人物歸仰。 後乃追諡焉。
In the fifty-eighth year they at last let the prince go. When the Founding Ancestor learned the prince was coming home he rejoiced and sent chiefs of every tribe to Yin Lodge to welcome him. As the wine deepened, the prince looked up at birds on the wing and told the chiefs: "I will fetch those down for you. He took up a pellet bow and shot; at the snap of the string the birds dropped. The realm had never known the pellet bow; all were astonished and whispered: "The crown prince dresses and carries himself like the southern Chinese, and his uncanny skill has no match. If he inherits the throne and changes our ways, we shall lose our standing. Better a son raised here, steeped in our old simplicity." They were agreed. The seeds of division Wei Guan had planted were already ripe; they plotted against the prince and raced home ahead of him. The Founding Ancestor asked: "My son has lived in a foreign land—how has his character grown?" They answered: "The crown prince's gifts are beyond the common run. He drew an empty bow and felled a bird in flight—as if he had learned Jin sorcery. It is an omen of chaos and harm to the people. We beg Your Majesty to look into this. Since the prince had gone to Jin, the other sons had won favor day by day. The Founding Ancestor was past a hundred and his mind was clouded; hearing the chiefs, he began to doubt. He said: "If he cannot be borne, then do away with him." The chiefs galloped south of the frontier passes and, by forged order, killed the prince. Soon after, the Founding Ancestor was filled with remorse. The prince stood eight feet tall, splendid in bearing. In Jin many of the court's finest men befriended him; men of the age looked up to him. Later he was given a posthumous title.
25
章皇帝諱悉鹿立，始祖之子也。 諸部離叛，國內紛擾。 饗國九年而崩。
Emperor Zhang, styled Silu, was enthroned—son of the Founding Ancestor. The tribes broke away in revolt; the realm fell into disorder. He reigned nine years and died.
26
平皇帝諱綽立，章帝之少弟也。 雄武有智略，威德復舉。 七年，匈奴宇文部大人莫槐為其下所殺，更立莫槐弟普撥為大人。 帝以女妻撥子丘不懃。 帝饗國七年而崩。
Emperor Ping, styled Chuo, was enthroned—younger brother of Emperor Zhang. He was fierce in battle and shrewd in counsel; prestige and virtue were restored. In the seventh year Mo Huai, great chief of the Yuwen Xiongnu, was slain by his own men, who set up his younger brother Puba in his place. The emperor gave his daughter to Puba's son Qiubuqin in marriage. He reigned seven years and died.
27
思皇帝諱弗立，文帝之少子也。 聰哲有大度，為諸父兄所重。 政崇寬簡，百姓懷服。 饗國一年而崩。
Emperor Si, styled Fu, was enthroned—younger son of Emperor Wen. Clever, far-sighted, and magnanimous, he was held in honor by his uncles and elder brothers. He governed with leniency and ease, and the people gave him their hearts. He reigned one year and died.
28
昭皇帝諱祿官立，始祖之子也。 分國為三部：帝自以一部居東，在上谷北，濡源之西，東接宇文部； 以文帝之長子桓皇帝諱猗㐌統一部，居代郡之參合陂北； 以桓帝之弟穆皇帝諱猗盧統一部，居定襄之盛樂故城。 自始祖以來，與晉和好，百姓乂安，財畜富實，控弦騎士四十餘萬。 是歲，穆帝始出并州，遷雜胡北徙雲中、五原、朔方。 又西渡河擊匈奴、烏桓諸部。 自杏城以北八十里，迄長城原，夾道立碣，與晉分界。
Emperor Zhao, styled Luoguan, was enthroned—son of the Founding Ancestor. He split the realm into three domains: the emperor kept the eastern third himself, north of Shanggu and west of the Ru River, with the Yuwen tribe on his eastern flank; he gave Emperor Wen's eldest son, Emperor Huan, styled Yiyi, one third, with his seat north of Canhe Marsh in Dai commandery; and he gave Emperor Huan's younger brother, Emperor Mu, styled Yilu, the third, based at the old capital of Shengle in Dingxiang. Since the Founding Ancestor's day they had lived at peace with Jin; the people prospered, herds and stores were full, and they could field more than four hundred thousand horse archers. That year Emperor Mu marched out of Bing province and resettled mixed non-Han peoples north into Yunzhong, Wuyuan, and Shuofang. He also crossed the Yellow River west to strike the Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and other tribes. From eighty li north of Xingcheng to the edge of the Great Wall, they set up boundary markers along the road to divide their land from Jin.
29
二年，葬文帝及皇后封氏。 初，思帝欲改葬，未果而崩。 至是，述成前意焉。 晉成都王司馬穎遣從事中郎田思，河間王司馬顒遣司馬靳利，并州刺史司馬騰遣主簿梁天，並來會葬。 遠近赴者二十萬人。
In the second year they interred Emperor Wen and Empress Feng. Earlier Emperor Si had planned a reburial, but died before it could be done. At last they carried out what he had intended. Sima Ying, Prince of Chengdu, sent Tian Si as attendant-in-ordinary; Sima Yong, Prince of Hejian, sent Commandant Jin Li; Sima Teng, inspector of Bingzhou, sent registrar Liang Tian—all to attend the burial. Nearly two hundred thousand mourners came from near and far.
30
三年，[2]桓帝度漠北巡，因西略諸國。
In the third year [2] Emperor Huan crossed the northern desert on campaign and turned west to subdue the western states.
31
四年，東部未耐婁大人倍斤入居遼東。
In the fourth year Beinarou, great chief of the eastern Weinü, moved into Liaodong.
32
五年，宇文莫廆之子遜昵延朝貢。 帝嘉其誠欵，以長女妻焉。
In the fifth year Xunniyan, son of Yuwen Mohuang, presented tribute. The emperor praised his good faith and gave him his eldest daughter in marriage.
33
七年，桓帝至自西略，諸降附者二十餘國，凡積五歲，今始東還。
In the seventh year Emperor Huan returned from the west; more than twenty states had submitted to him. Five years had passed, and at last he turned homeward.
34
十年，晉惠帝為成都王穎逼留在鄴。 匈奴別種劉淵反於離石，自號漢王。 并州刺史司馬騰來乞師，桓帝率十餘萬騎，帝亦同時大舉以助之，大破淵眾於西河、上黨。 會惠帝還洛，騰乃辭師。 桓帝與騰盟於汾東而還。 乃使輔相衞雄、段繁，於參合陂西累石為亭，樹碑以記行焉。
In the tenth year Emperor Hui of Jin was held at Ye by Sima Ying, Prince of Chengdu. Liu Yuan, of a Xiongnu splinter line, rose at Lishi and proclaimed himself King of Han. Sima Teng, inspector of Bingzhou, begged for aid. Emperor Huan led more than a hundred thousand cavalry, and Emperor Zhao mobilized on the same scale; together they shattered Liu Yuan's forces at Xihe and Shangdang. When Emperor Hui was restored to Luoyang, Teng released the allied troops. Emperor Huan swore alliance with Teng east of the Fen River and marched home. He had his ministers Wei Xiong and Duan Fan raise a stone pavilion west of Canhe Marsh and erect a stele to commemorate the campaign.
35
十一年，劉淵攻司馬騰，騰復乞師。 桓帝以輕騎數千救之，斬淵將綦毋豚，淵南走蒲子。 晉假桓帝大單于，金印紫綬。
In the eleventh year Liu Yuan attacked Sima Teng, who again begged for troops. Emperor Huan rode to the rescue with a few thousand light cavalry, slew Liu Yuan's general Qimu Tun, and Yuan fled south to Puzi. Jin invested Emperor Huan as Great Chanyu, granting a golden seal and purple ribbon.
36
是歲，桓帝崩。 帝英傑魁岸，馬不能勝。 常乘安車，駕大牛，牛角容一石。 帝曾中蠱，嘔吐之地仍生榆木。 參合陂土無榆樹，故世人異之，至今傳記。 帝統部凡十一年。 後定襄侯衞操，樹碑於大邗城，以頌功德。 子普根代立。
That year Emperor Huan died. He was a heroic, towering figure—ordinary horses could not carry him. He usually traveled in a secure cart pulled by huge oxen whose horns could hold a full stone of grain. Once, after he had been poisoned, an elm tree sprang up where he had vomited. Canhe Marsh had no elms in its soil, so people marveled at it—a wonder still told in chronicles. In all he ruled his domain eleven years. Later Wei Chao, marquis of Dingxiang, raised a stele at Dagancheng praising his achievements. His son Pugen succeeded him.
37
十二年，賨人李雄，僭帝號於蜀，自稱大成。
In the twelfth year Li Xiong of the Ba seized an imperial title in Shu and called his realm Dacheng.
38
十三年，昭帝崩。 徒何大單于慕容廆遣使朝貢。 是歲，羯胡石勒與晉馬牧帥汲桑反。
In the thirteenth year Emperor Zhao died. Murong Hui, Great Chanyu of the Tuohe, sent envoys bearing tribute. That year the Jie chieftain Shi Le and Ji Sang, overseer of Jin's stud farms, rose in revolt.
39
穆皇帝天姿英特，勇略過人，昭帝崩後，遂總攝三部，以為一統。
Emperor Mu was born extraordinary, his courage and stratagem surpassing other men. After Emperor Zhao's death he gathered the three domains into one rule.
40
元年，劉淵僭帝號，自稱大漢。
In the first year Liu Yuan took the imperial title and called his state Great Han.
41
三年，晉并州刺史劉琨遣使，以子遵為質。 帝嘉其意，厚報饋之。 白部大人叛入西河，鐵弗劉虎舉眾於雁門以應之，攻琨新興、雁門二郡。 琨來乞師，帝使弟子平文皇帝將騎二萬，助琨擊之，大破白部； 次攻劉虎，屠其營落。 虎收其餘燼，西走度河，竄居朔方。 晉懷帝進帝大單于，封代公。 帝以封邑去國懸遠，民不相接，乃從琨求句注陘北之地。 琨自以託附，聞之大喜，乃徙馬邑、陰館、樓煩、繁畤、崞五縣之民於陘南，更立城邑，盡獻其地，東接代郡，西連西河、朔方，[3]方數百里。 帝乃徙十萬家以充之。 劉琨又遣使乞師救洛陽，帝遣步騎二萬助之，晉太傅東海王司馬越辭以洛中飢饉，師乃還。 是年，劉淵死，子聰僭立。
In the third year Liu Kun, inspector of Bingzhou, sent envoys and offered his son Zun as hostage. The emperor approved his loyalty and sent back lavish gifts. The Bai chieftain rebelled into Xihe; Liu Hu of the Tiefo Xiongnu mustered troops at Yanmen to join him and struck Kun's Xinxing and Yanmen commanderies. Kun begged for troops. The emperor sent his nephew, who would become Emperor Pingwen, with twenty thousand cavalry to aid him. They routed the Bai; then turned on Liu Hu and destroyed his camps. Hu gathered what was left, fled west across the river, and hid in Shuofang. Emperor Huai of Jin promoted him to Great Chanyu and enfeoffed him as Duke of Dai. His fief lay too far from the heartland and did not adjoin his people, so he asked Kun for the territory north of Gouzhu Pass. Kun, glad to have such an ally, resettled the people of Mayi, Yin'an, Loufan, Fanzhi, and Guo—the five counties—south of the pass, rebuilt their towns, and yielded the whole region: east to Dai commandery, west to Xihe and Shuofang, [3] a domain hundreds of li across. The emperor then relocated a hundred thousand families to fill the new lands. Liu Kun again begged troops to relieve Luoyang. The emperor sent twenty thousand infantry and cavalry, but Sima Yue, grand tutor and Prince of Donghai, pleaded famine in the capital and the force turned back. That year Liu Yuan died and his son Cong seized the throne.
42
四年，劉琨牙門將邢延據新興叛，[4]招引劉聰。 帝遣軍討之，聰退走。
In the fourth year Xing Yan, Liu Kun's gate officer, rebelled and held Xinxing, [4] calling in Liu Cong. The emperor sent troops against him; Cong withdrew in flight.
43
五年，劉琨遣使乞師以討劉聰、石勒。 帝以琨忠義，矜而許之。 會聰遣其子粲襲晉陽，害琨父母而據其城，琨來告難，帝大怒，遣長子六脩、桓帝子普根，及衞雄、范班、姬澹等為前鋒，帝躬統大眾二十萬為後繼。 粲懼，焚輜重，突圍遁走。 縱騎追之，斬其將劉儒、劉豐、簡令、張平、邢延，伏尸數百里。 琨來拜謝，帝以禮待之。 琨固請進軍，帝曰：「吾不早來，致卿父母見害，誠以相愧。 今卿已復州境，然吾遠來，士馬疲弊，且待終舉。 賊奚可盡乎？」 饋琨馬牛羊各千餘，車令百乘，[5]又留勁銳戍之而還。 [6]
In the fifth year Liu Kun sent envoys begging troops to strike Liu Cong and Shi Le. Out of regard for Kun's loyalty, the emperor pitied him and agreed. When Cong's son Can stormed Jinyang, killed Kun's parents, and took the city, Kun came with the news. The emperor was furious. He sent his eldest son Liuxiu, Emperor Huan's son Pugen, and Wei Xiong, Fan Ban, Ji Dan, and others in the van, while he himself followed with two hundred thousand men. Can panicked, burned his supply train, and broke out in flight. Pursuing cavalry cut down his generals Liu Ru, Liu Feng, Jian Ling, Zhang Ping, and Xing Yan; the dead stretched for hundreds of li. Kun came to give thanks; the emperor received him with full ceremony. Kun pressed him to march on. The emperor said, "If I had not come late—if your parents had not died on my account—I would be ashamed indeed. You have won back your province, but my men and horses are spent after the long march. Wait until we strike the final blow. Can every foe be wiped out at once?" He presented Kun with more than a thousand horses, cattle, and sheep apiece, a hundred wagons of provisions, [5] left picked troops to garrison the city, and withdrew. Editorial note [6].
44
是年，晉雍州刺史賈疋、京兆太守閻鼎，以晉懷帝為劉聰所執，共立懷帝兄子秦王業為太子，於長安稱行臺。 帝復戒嚴，與琨更剋大舉。 命琨自列晉行臺，部分諸軍，帝將遣十萬騎從西河鑒谷南出，晉軍從蒲坂東度，會於平陽，就食聰粟，迎復晉帝。 事不果行。
That year Jia Pi, inspector of Yongzhou, and Yan Ding, defender of Jingzhao—because Emperor Huai was Liu Cong's prisoner—set up Emperor Huai's nephew, Prince Ye of Qin, as heir apparent at Chang'an under a provisional regime. The emperor again mobilized for war and fixed a new date with Kun for a joint offensive. Kun was to proclaim the Jin provisional government and array his forces. The emperor would lead a hundred thousand cavalry south through Jian'gu west of Xihe; Jin's army would cross east from Puban. They would meet at Pingyang, feed on Cong's grain, and restore the Jin emperor. The plan came to nothing.
45
六年，城盛樂以為北都，修故平城以為南都。 帝登平城西山，觀望地勢，乃更南百里，於灅水之陽黃瓜堆築新平城，晉人謂之小平城，使長子六脩鎮之，統領南部。
In the sixth year they fortified Shengle as the northern capital and restored old Pingcheng as the southern capital. From the western heights of Pingcheng he studied the land, then moved a hundred li south to Huangguadui on the south bank of the Sui River and built New Pingcheng—Chinese called it Little Pingcheng—placing his eldest son Liuxiu there to govern the south.
46
七年，帝復與劉琨約期，會於平陽。 會石勒擒王浚，國有匈奴雜胡萬餘家，多勒種類，聞勒破幽州，乃謀為亂，欲以應勒，發覺，伏誅，討聰之計，於是中止。
In the seventh year he again fixed a rendezvous with Liu Kun at Pingyang. When Shi Le took Wang Jun, more than ten thousand Xiongnu and other Hu households within the realm—many of them Le's kin—heard he had seized Youzhou and plotted revolt in his favor. The plot was uncovered and the ringleaders executed; the campaign against Cong was abandoned.
47
八年，晉愍帝進帝為代王，置官屬，食代、常山二郡。 帝忿聰、勒之亂，志欲平之。 先是，國俗寬簡，民未知禁。 至是，明刑峻法，諸部民多以違命得罪。 凡後期者皆舉部戮之，或有室家相攜而赴死所，人問「何之」，答曰「當往就誅」。 其威嚴伏物，皆此類也。
In the eighth year Emperor Min of Jin raised him to King of Dai, gave him a full court, and granted the revenues of Dai and Changshan commanderies. He burned with anger at Cong and Le and meant to crush them. Before this the nation's ways had been easy and plain; the people scarcely knew law. Now he proclaimed stern statutes, and across the tribes many fell afoul of his commands. Anyone late to muster saw his whole tribe put to death. Whole households walked together to the killing ground; when asked, "Where are you going?" they answered, "To be put to death." Such was the awe in which he held men and things.
48
平文皇帝諱鬱律立，思帝之子也。 姿質雄壯，甚有威略。
Emperor Pingwen, styled Yulü, was enthroned—son of Emperor Si. He was imposing in stature, mighty in frame, and masterful in war and counsel.
49
元年，歲在丁丑。
The first year was dingchou.
50
二年，劉虎據朔方，來侵西部，帝逆擊，大破之，虎單騎迸走。 其從弟路孤率部落內附，帝以女妻之。 西兼烏孫故地，東吞勿吉以西，控弦上馬將有百萬。 劉聰死，子粲僭立，為其將靳準所殺，淵族子曜僭立。 帝聞晉愍帝為曜所害，顧謂大臣曰：「今中原無主，天其資我乎？」 劉曜遣使請和，帝不納。 是年，司馬叡僭稱大位於江南。
In the second year Liu Hu, entrenched in Shuofang, invaded the west. The emperor met him and routed him; Hu escaped alone on horseback. His younger cousin Lugu brought his people in submission; the emperor gave him a daughter in marriage. He absorbed the old Wusun lands in the west and seized the country west of Wuji in the east; bowmen and horsemen neared a million. Liu Cong died. His son Can seized the throne but was slain by his general Jin Zhun; Liu Yuan's kinsman Yao then took power. When he heard that Emperor Min of Jin had been killed by Yao, he said to his ministers, "The heartland is masterless. Does Heaven mean to bless us?" Liu Yao sent envoys suing for peace; the emperor refused. That year Sima Rui seized the imperial seat south of the Yangtze.
51
三年，石勒自稱趙王，遣使乞和，請為兄弟。 帝斬其使以絕之。
In the third year Shi Le declared himself King of Zhao and sent envoys seeking peace, proposing brotherhood. The emperor had the envoys beheaded and broke off relations.
52
四年，私署涼州刺史張茂遣使朝貢。
In the fourth year Zhang Mao, who had taken the title of governor of Liangzhou on his own authority, sent tribute.
53
五年，僭晉司馬叡，遣使韓暢加崇爵服，帝絕之。 治兵講武，有平南夏之意。 桓帝后以帝得眾心，恐不利於己子，害帝，遂崩，大人死者數十人。 天興初，尊曰太祖。
In the fifth year the Jin usurper Sima Rui sent Han Chang to offer elevated rank and robes of honor; the emperor rejected them. He trained his armies and sharpened his weapons, intending to conquer the southern lands. Emperor Huan's widow, fearing that his hold on the people's loyalty would endanger her son, had the emperor murdered. Dozens of high-ranking women died with him. When the Tianxing era began, he was posthumously titled Taizu.
54
惠皇帝諱賀傉立，桓帝之中子也。 以五年為元年。 未親政事，太后臨朝，遣使與石勒通和，時人謂之女國使。
Emperor Hui, whose taboo name was Heluo, came to the throne; he was Emperor Huan's second son. He took the fifth year as the first year of his reign. He did not yet govern in person. The empress dowager held court and sent envoys to treat with Shi Le; contemporaries called them the "women's-state envoys."
55
二年，司馬叡死，子紹僭立。
In the second year Sima Rui died, and his son Shao usurped the throne.
56
四年，帝始臨朝。 以諸部人情未悉欵順，乃築城於東木根山，徙都之。 是年，張茂死，兄寔子駿立，遣使朝貢。
In the fourth year the emperor at last took the throne in person. Because the tribes had not yet fully submitted in good faith, a city was built on Eastern Mugen Mountain and the capital was moved there. That year Zhang Mao died. His elder brother Shi's son Jun succeeded and sent envoys with tribute.
57
五年，帝崩。 是年，司馬紹死，子衍僭立。
In the fifth year the emperor died. That year Sima Shao died, and his son Yan usurped the throne.
58
煬皇帝諱紇那立，惠帝之弟也。 以五年為元年。
Emperor Yang, taboo name Hena, took the throne; he was Emperor Hui's younger brother. He took the fifth year as the first year of his reign.
59
三年，石勒遣石虎率騎五千來寇邊部，帝禦之於句注陘北，不利，遷於大寧。 時烈帝居於舅賀蘭部，帝遣使求之，賀蘭部帥藹頭，擁護不遣。 帝怒，召宇文部并勢擊藹頭。 宇文眾敗，帝還大寧。
In the third year Shi Le sent Shi Hu at the head of five thousand cavalry to raid the borderlands. The emperor met them north of Gouzhu Pass, was defeated, and withdrew to Daning. At that time Emperor Lie was living with his maternal uncle's Helan tribe. The emperor sent envoys to fetch him, but the Helan chieftain Aitou shielded him and refused to let him go. Enraged, the emperor called up the Yuwen tribe and joined forces to strike Aitou. The Yuwen army was beaten, and the emperor returned to Daning.
60
四年，石勒擒劉曜。
In the fourth year Shi Le captured Liu Yao.
61
五年，帝出居於宇文部。 賀蘭及諸部大人，共立烈帝。
In the fifth year the emperor went out and took up residence with the Yuwen tribe. The Helan and the great ladies of the tribes together enthroned Emperor Lie.
62
烈皇帝諱翳槐立，平文之長子也。 以五年為元年。 石勒遣使求和，帝遣弟昭成皇帝如襄國，從者五千餘家。
Emperor Lie, taboo name Yihua, succeeded; he was the eldest son of Emperor Pingwen. He took the fifth year as the first year of his reign. Shi Le sent envoys suing for peace. The emperor sent his younger brother—the future Emperor Zhaocheng—to Xiangguo, followed by more than five thousand households.
63
二年，石勒僭立，自稱大趙王。
In the second year Shi Le usurped power and styled himself Great King of Zhao.
64
五年，勒死，子大雅僭立。 慕容廆死，子元真代立。
In the fifth year Le died, and his son Daya usurped the throne. Murong Hui died, and his son Yuanzhen succeeded him.
65
六年，石虎廢大雅，僭立。 李雄死，兄子班立。 雄子期，殺班自立。
In the sixth year Shi Hu deposed Daya and usurped the throne. Li Xiong died, and his elder brother's son Ban succeeded. Xiong's son Qi killed Ban and seized the throne himself.
66
七年，藹頭不修臣職，召而戮之，國人復貳。 煬帝自宇文部還入，諸部大人復奉之。
In the seventh year Aitou neglected his duties as a subject. Summoned and executed, the people of the state again turned disloyal. Emperor Yang returned from the Yuwen tribe, and the great ladies of the tribes again upheld him.
67
煬皇帝復立，以七年為後元年。 烈帝出居於鄴，石虎奉第宅、伎妾、奴婢、什物。
Emperor Yang was restored to the throne, and the seventh year was reckoned the first year of his second reign. Emperor Lie went out to live at Ye, where Shi Hu furnished him with mansions, concubines, servants, and household goods.
68
三年，石虎遣將李穆率騎五千納烈帝於大寧，國人六千餘落叛煬帝，煬帝出居於慕容部。
In the third year Shi Hu sent General Li Mu with five thousand cavalry to install Emperor Lie at Daning. More than six thousand households rebelled against Emperor Yang, who went out to dwell with the Murong tribe.
69
烈皇帝復立，以三年為後元年。 城新盛樂城，在故城東南十里。 一年而崩。
Emperor Lie was restored, and the third year was reckoned the first year of his second reign. They built the new city of Shengle, ten li southeast of the old capital. A year later he died.
70
昭成皇帝諱什翼犍立，平文之次子也。 生而奇偉，寬仁大度，喜怒不形于色。 身長八尺，隆準龍顏，立髮委地，臥則乳垂至席。 烈帝臨崩顧命曰：「必迎立什翼犍，社稷可安。」 烈帝崩，帝弟孤乃自詣鄴奉迎，與帝俱還。 事在孤傳。 十一月，帝即位於繁畤之北，時年十九，稱建國元年。 是歲，李雄從弟壽殺期僭立，自號曰漢。
Emperor Zhaocheng, taboo name Shiyijian, succeeded; he was the second son of Emperor Pingwen. From birth he was singular in stature, generous and forbearing; neither joy nor anger showed on his face. He stood eight chi tall, with a high-bridged nose and a dragon-like face; standing, his hair trailed to the ground; lying down, his breasts hung to the mat. On his deathbed Emperor Lie charged them: "You must welcome and enthrone Shiyijian—only then will the altars of state be secure." When Emperor Lie died, the emperor's younger brother Gu went in person to Ye to welcome him home, and they returned together. The full account is given in the biography of Gu. In the eleventh month the emperor was enthroned north of Fandi. He was nineteen; the era was named Jianguo, year one. That year Li Xiong's younger cousin Shou killed Qi, usurped the throne, and styled his state Han.
71
二年春，始置百官，分掌眾職。 東自濊貊，西及破洛那，莫不款附。 夏五月，朝諸大人於參合陂，議欲定都灅源川，連日不決，乃從太后計而止。 語在皇后傳。 娉慕容元真妹為皇后。
In the spring of the second year he first appointed the hundred offices, each to govern its charge. From the Mohe in the east to Poluona in the west, all came forward in submission. In the fifth month of summer he assembled the great ladies at Canhepo to debate moving the capital to Juanyuanchuan. For days they could not decide, and at last abandoned the plan on the empress dowager's advice. The full account is given in the biography of the empress. He took Murong Yuanzhen's younger sister as empress.
72
三年春，移都於雲中之盛樂宮。
In the spring of the third year he moved the capital to the Shengle Palace at Yunzhong.
73
四年秋九月，築盛樂城於故城南八里。 皇后慕容氏崩。 冬十月，劉虎寇西境。 帝遣軍逆討，大破之，虎僅以身免。 虎死，子務桓立，始來歸順，帝以女妻之。 十二月，慕容元真遣使朝貢，并薦其宗女。
In the ninth month of autumn in the fourth year he built Shengle city eight li south of the old capital. Empress Murong died. In the tenth month of winter Liu Hu raided the western frontier. The emperor sent troops to meet and attack him, winning a great victory; Hu barely escaped with his life. When Hu died, his son Wuhuan succeeded and first came to submit. The emperor gave him a daughter in marriage. In the twelfth month Murong Yuanzhen sent envoys with tribute and also offered a clanswoman for the harem.
74
五年夏五月，幸參合陂。 秋七月七日，諸部畢集，設壇埒，講武馳射，因以為常。 八月，還雲中。 是年秋，司馬衍死，弟岳僭立。
In the fifth month of summer in the fifth year he visited Canhepo. On the seventh day of the seventh month in autumn all the tribes gathered. They set up the arena, drilled in arms, and held mounted archery—a custom thereafter observed every year. In the eighth month he returned to Yunzhong. That autumn Sima Yan died, and his younger brother Yue usurped the throne.
75
六年秋八月，慕容元真遣使請薦女。 是年，李壽死，子勢僭立，遣使朝貢。
In the eighth month of autumn in the sixth year Murong Yuanzhen sent envoys asking to present a daughter. That year Li Shou died. His son Shi usurped the throne and sent envoys with tribute.
76
七年春二月，遣大人長孫秩迎后慕容氏元真之女於境。 夏六月，皇后至自和龍。 秋七月，慕容元真遣使奉聘，求交婚，帝許之，九月，以烈帝女妻之。 其年，司馬岳死，子聃僭立。
In the second month of spring in the seventh year he sent the great lady Changsun Zhi to the border to welcome the empress—Murong Yuanzhen's daughter. In the sixth month of summer the empress arrived from Helong. In the seventh month of autumn Murong Yuanzhen sent envoys with betrothal gifts, seeking a marriage alliance. The emperor agreed, and in the ninth month gave Emperor Lie's daughter to him in marriage. That year Sima Yue died, and his son Dan usurped the throne.
77
八年，慕容元真遣使朝貢。 是年，張駿私署假涼王。
In the eighth year Murong Yuanzhen sent envoys with tribute. That year Zhang Jun privately styled himself Acting Prince of Liang.
78
九年，石虎遣使朝貢。 是年，張駿死，子重華代立。
In the ninth year Shi Hu sent envoys with tribute. That year Zhang Jun died, and his son Chonghua succeeded him.
79
十年，遣使詣鄴觀釁。 是年，司馬聃擒李勢。 張重華遣使朝貢。
In the tenth year he sent envoys to Ye to spy out the situation. That year Sima Dan captured Li Shi. Zhang Chonghua sent envoys with tribute.
80
十一年，慕容元真死，子儁代立。
In the eleventh year Murong Yuanzhen died, and his son Jun succeeded him.
81
十二年，西巡，至河而還。 是年，石虎死，子世立。 世兄遵，殺世自立。 遵兄鑒，殺遵自立。
In the twelfth year he toured west as far as the river and returned. That year Shi Hu died, and his son Shi succeeded. Shi's elder brother Zun killed him and seized the throne. Zun's elder brother Jian killed Zun and seized the throne.
82
十三年，魏郡人冉閔，殺石鑒僭立。
In the thirteenth year Ran Min of Wei Commandery killed Shi Jian and usurped the throne.
83
十四年，帝曰：「石胡衰滅，冉閔肆禍，中州紛梗，莫有匡救，吾將親率六軍，廓定四海。」 乃敕諸部，各率所統，以俟大期。 諸大人諫曰：「今中州大亂，誠宜進取，如聞豪強並起，不可一舉而定，若或留連，經歷歲稔，恐無永逸之利，或有虧損之憂。」 帝乃止。 是歲，氐苻健僭稱大位，自號大秦。
In the fourteenth year the emperor declared: "The Shi are in decline, Ran Min runs riot, and the Central Plains are in chaos with no one to restore order. I shall personally lead the Six Armies and bring peace to the realm." He then ordered each tribe to muster its forces and await the appointed day. The great ladies remonstrated: "The Central Plains are indeed in turmoil and ripe for conquest, but powerful rivals are rising on every side. They cannot be subdued at a single stroke. If we linger for years, we may forfeit lasting gain—or suffer real losses." The emperor desisted. That year the Di leader Fu Jian usurped the imperial dignity and styled his state Great Qin.
84
十五年，慕容儁滅冉閔，僭尊號。
In the fifteenth year Murong Jun destroyed Ran Min and usurped an imperial title.
85
十六年，慕容儁遣使朝貢。 是年，張重華死，子曜靈立。 重華庶兄祚殺曜靈而自立，稱涼公。
In the sixteenth year Murong Jun sent envoys with tribute. That year Zhang Chonghua died, and his son Yaoling succeeded. Chonghua's younger half-brother Zuo killed Yaoling, seized power, and styled himself Duke of Liang.
86
十七年，遣使於慕容儁。 張祚復稱涼王，置百官，遣使朝貢。
In the seventeenth year he sent envoys to Murong Jun. Zhang Zuo again styled himself Prince of Liang, set up the full bureaucracy, and sent envoys with tribute.
87
十八年，太后王氏崩。 是年，苻健死，子生僭立。 羌姚襄自稱大將軍、大單于。 張瓘、宋混殺張祚，立重華少子玄靖，稱涼王。
In the eighteenth year Empress Dowager Wang died. That year Fu Jian died, and his son Sheng usurped the throne. The Qiang leader Yao Xiang styled himself Grand General and Great Chanyu. Zhang Guan and Song Hun killed Zhang Zuo, enthroned Chonghua's youngest son Xuanjing, and styled him Prince of Liang.
88
十九年春正月，劉務桓死，其弟閼頭立，潛謀反叛。 二月，帝西巡，因而臨河，使人招喻，閼頭從命。 冬，慕容儁來請婚，許之。
In the first month of spring in the nineteenth year Liu Wuhuan died. His younger brother Yantou succeeded and secretly plotted rebellion. In the second month the emperor toured west. Reaching the river, he sent men to summon and reassure Yantou, who submitted. That winter Murong Jun sought a marriage alliance, and the emperor consented.
89
二十年夏五月，慕容儁奉納禮幣。 是年，苻堅殺苻生而僭立。 姚襄為苻眉所殺。
In the fifth month of summer in the twentieth year Murong Jun presented betrothal gifts. That year Fu Jian killed Fu Sheng and usurped the throne. Yao Xiang was killed by Fu Mei.
90
二十一年，閼頭部民多叛，懼而東走。 渡河，半濟而冰陷，後眾盡歸閼頭兄子悉勿祈。 初，閼頭之叛，悉勿祈兄弟十二人在帝左右，盡遣歸，欲其自相猜離，至是，悉勿祈奪其眾。 閼頭窮而歸命，帝待之如初。
In the twenty-first year many of Yantou's people rebelled. In fear he fled eastward. He crossed the river, but halfway across the ice broke through; the troops behind all went over to Yantou's elder brother's son Xiwuqi. When Yantou first rebelled, Xiwuqi and his twelve brothers had been at the emperor's side; the emperor sent them all home, hoping they would turn on one another. Now Xiwuqi seized Yantou's followers. Yantou, brought to bay, submitted again; the emperor treated him as before.
91
二十二年春，帝東巡，至於桑乾川。 三月，慕容儁遣使朝貢。 夏四月，帝還雲中。 悉勿祈死，弟衞辰立。 秋八月，衞辰遣子朝貢。
In the spring of the twenty-second year the emperor toured east to the Sanggan River. In the third month Murong Jun sent envoys with tribute. In the fourth month of summer the emperor returned to Yunzhong. Xiwuqi died, and his younger brother Weichen succeeded. In the eighth month of autumn Weichen sent his son with tribute.
92
二十三年夏六月，皇后慕容氏崩。 秋七月，衞辰來會葬，因而求婚，許之。 是歲，慕容儁死，子暐立，遣使致賻。
In the sixth month of summer of the twenty-third year Empress Murong died. In the seventh month of autumn Weichen came for the funeral and sought a marriage alliance; the emperor consented. That year Murong Jun died. His son Wei succeeded and sent envoys with funeral gifts.
93
二十四年春，衞辰遣使朝聘。 是年，司馬聃死，衍子千齡僭立。
In the spring of the twenty-fourth year Weichen sent envoys on a court visit. That year Sima Dan died, and Yan's son Qianling usurped the throne.
94
二十五年，帝南巡，至君子津。 冬十月，行幸代。 十一月，慕容暐薦女備後宮。
In the twenty-fifth year the emperor toured south to Junzi Ford. In the tenth month of winter he traveled to Dai. In the eleventh month Murong Wei offered a daughter for the inner palace.
95
二十六年冬十月，帝討高車，大破之，獲萬口，馬牛羊百餘萬頭。 是年，張重華弟天錫殺玄靖而自立。
In the tenth month of winter of the twenty-sixth year the emperor attacked the Gaoche and won a great victory, taking ten thousand captives and more than a million head of horses, cattle, and sheep. That year Zhang Chonghua's younger brother Tianshi killed Xuanjing and seized power.
96
二十七年春，車駕還雲中。 冬十一月，討沒歌部，破之，獲牛馬羊數百萬頭。
In the spring of the twenty-seventh year the imperial carriage returned to Yunzhong. In the eleventh month of winter he attacked the Moge tribe, defeated them, and took several million head of cattle, horses, and sheep.
97
二十八年春正月，衞辰謀反，東渡河。 帝討之，衞辰懼而遁走。 冬十二月，苻堅遣使朝貢。 是歲，司馬千齡死，弟弈僭立。
In the first month of spring of the twenty-eighth year Weichen plotted rebellion and crossed the river to the east. The emperor attacked him, and Weichen fled in fear. In the twelfth month of winter Fu Jian sent envoys with tribute. That year Sima Qianling died, and his younger brother Yi usurped the throne.
98
二十九年夏五月，遣燕鳳使苻堅。
In the fifth month of summer of the twenty-ninth year he sent Yan Feng as envoy to Fu Jian.
99
三十年冬十月，帝征衞辰。 時河冰未成，帝乃以葦絙約澌，俄然冰合，猶未能堅，乃散葦於上，冰草相結，如浮橋焉。 眾軍利涉，出其不意，衞辰與宗族西走，收其部落而還，俘獲生口及馬牛羊數十萬頭。
In the tenth month of winter of the thirtieth year the emperor campaigned against Weichen. The river had not yet frozen solid. The emperor bound the slush with reed ropes until the ice suddenly joined; still not firm enough, he scattered reeds upon it until ice and grass knit together like a floating bridge. The army crossed with ease and took the enemy unawares. Weichen fled west with his clan; the emperor gathered up his tribes and returned with captives and several hundred thousand head of horses, cattle, and sheep.
100
三十一年春，帝至自西伐，班賞各有差。
In the spring of the thirty-first year the emperor returned from the western campaign and distributed rewards according to merit.
101
三十二年正月，帝南幸君子津。 冬十月，幸代。
In the first month of the thirty-second year the emperor traveled south to Junzi Ford. In the tenth month of winter he visited Dai.
102
三十三年冬十一月，征高車，大破之。 是年，苻堅擒慕容暐。
In the eleventh month of winter of the thirty-third year he campaigned against the Gaoche and won a great victory. That year Fu Jian captured Murong Wei.
103
三十四年春，長孫斤謀反，伏誅。 斤之反也，拔刃向御座，太子獻明皇帝諱寔格之，傷脅。 夏五月，薨，後追諡焉。 秋七月，皇孫珪生，大赦。 是年，司馬弈臣桓溫，廢弈為海西公，立叡子昱。
In the spring of the thirty-fourth year Changsun Jin plotted rebellion and was executed. When Jin rebelled he drew his blade toward the throne; the crown prince—the future Emperor Xianming, taboo name Shi—blocked him and was wounded in the flank. In the fifth month of summer he died; a posthumous title was conferred later. In the seventh month of autumn the imperial grandson Gui was born, and a general amnesty was proclaimed. That year Sima Yi's subject Huan Wen deposed Yi as Prince of Haixi and enthroned Rui's son Yu.
104
三十五年，司馬昱死，子昌明僭立。
In the thirty-fifth year Sima Yu died, and his son Changming usurped the throne.
105
三十六年夏五月，遣燕鳳使苻堅。
In the fifth month of summer of the thirty-sixth year he sent Yan Feng as envoy to Fu Jian.
106
三十七年，帝征衞辰，衞辰南走。
In the thirty-seventh year the emperor campaigned against Weichen, and Weichen fled south.
107
三十八年，衞辰求援於苻堅。
In the thirty-eighth year Weichen sought aid from Fu Jian.
108
三十九年，苻堅遣其大司馬苻洛率眾二十萬及朱彤、張蚝、鄧羌等諸道來寇，侵逼南境。 冬十一月，白部、獨孤部禦之，敗績。 南部大人劉庫仁走雲中。 帝復遣庫仁率騎十萬逆戰於石子嶺，王師不利。 帝時不豫，羣臣莫可任者，乃率國人避於陰山之北。 高車雜種盡叛，四面寇鈔，不得芻牧。 復度漠南。 堅軍稍退，乃還。 十二月，至雲中，旬有二日，帝崩，時年五十七。 太祖即位，尊曰高祖。
In the thirty-ninth year Fu Jian sent his Grand Marshal Fu Luo at the head of two hundred thousand men, with Zhu Tong, Zhang Hao, Deng Qiang, and others on several routes to invade and press the southern frontier. In the eleventh month of winter the Bai and Dugu tribes met them in defense and were defeated. The southern great lady Liu Kuren fled to Yunzhong. The emperor again sent Kuren with one hundred thousand cavalry to meet them at Shizi Ridge; the royal army was defeated. The emperor was then ill, and no minister seemed fit for the task; he therefore led the people north of Yinshan. Mixed Gaoche tribes all rebelled; raiders closed in from every side, and they could neither pasture nor gather fodder. They crossed south of the desert again. As Jian's army gradually withdrew, they returned. In the twelfth month they reached Yunzhong. Twelve days later the emperor died, aged fifty-seven. When Taizu took the throne, he was posthumously honored as Gaozu.
109
帝雅性寬厚，智勇仁恕。 時國中少繒帛，代人許謙盜絹二匹，守者以告，帝匿之，謂燕鳳曰：「吾不忍視謙之面，卿勿泄言，謙或慚而自殺，為財辱士，非也。」 帝嘗擊西部叛賊，流矢中目。 賊破之後，諸大臣執射者，各持錐刀欲屠割之。 帝曰：「彼各為其主，何罪也。」 乃釋之。
The emperor was by nature magnanimous, wise, brave, and forgiving. Silk was scarce in the realm. A man of Dai named Xu Qian stole two bolts; the guards reported him. The emperor hushed the matter and told Yan Feng: "I cannot bear to look Qian in the face—say nothing. He may be shamed into taking his own life; to ruin a gentleman over money would be wrong." Once, campaigning against rebels in the west, a stray arrow struck his eye. After the rebels were broken, the great ministers seized the archer; each held awl and knife, ready to butcher him. The emperor said: "Each man served his own lord—what crime is that?" He released them.
110
是歲，苻堅滅張天錫。
That year Fu Jian destroyed Zhang Tianshi.
111
史臣曰：帝王之興也，必有積德累功博利，道協幽顯，方契神祇之心。 有魏奄迹幽方，世居君長，淳化育民，與時無競。 神元生自天女，桓、穆勤於晉室。 靈心人事，夫豈徒然。 昭成以雄傑之姿，包君子之量，征伐四克，威被荒遐，乃立號改都，恢隆大業。 終於百六十載，光宅區中。 其原固有由矣。
The historiographer writes: When emperors and kings rise, they must have accumulated virtue, heaped merit, and broad benefit; only when the Way accords with what is hidden and manifest does it win the hearts of the spirits. Wei held the north in quiet sovereignty, generation after generation as chieftains, nurturing the people in simplicity and not contending with the age. Shenyuan was born of a heavenly woman; Huan and Mu were diligent in the service of Jin. Spirit and human affairs working together—was that mere chance? Zhaocheng, in heroic stature and with a gentleman's breadth, conquered wherever he marched and spread awe to the far marches; he established a reign title, moved the capital, and enlarged the great enterprise. In the end, through one hundred sixty years, they held the central realm. The origin indeed had its reasons.
112
校勘記
Collation Notes
113
至成皇帝諱毛立太平御覽 〈下簡稱御覽〉 卷一０一 〈四八一頁〉 、冊府元龜 〈下簡稱冊府〉 卷一 〈九頁、御覽、冊府頁碼據中華書局影印本〉 「毛」均作「屯」。
"To Emperor Cheng, taboo name Mao, succeeded" — Taiping Yulan 〈hereafter abbreviated Yulan〉 juan 101 〈p. 481〉 , Cefu Yuangui 〈hereafter abbreviated Cefu〉 juan 1 〈page numbers for Yulan and Cefu follow the Zhonghua shuju photolithographic edition〉 In all cases "Mao" is written as "Tun."
114
三年諸本「三年」作「二年」，唯殿本作「三年」。 按北史卷一魏本紀亦作「三年」，殿本當依北史改。 據上文已見「二年」，不應重出。 下文稱「七年，桓帝至自西略， 〈中略〉 凡積五歲」，自三年至七年共五歲，知作「三年」是，今從殿本。
"Third year" — In all editions this reads "second year"; only the Dian edition reads "third year." The Northern History, juan 1, Wei Annals, also reads "third year"; the Dian edition should follow the Northern History here. "Second year" already appears above and should not be repeated. Below it says: "In the seventh year Emperor Huan returned from the western campaign, 〈omitted〉 "altogether five years passed"—from the third year to the seventh is five years in all; thus "third year" is correct; we follow the Dian edition.
115
西連西河朔方百衲、南、汲、局四本「西」作「南」，北、殿二本作「西」。 按北史卷一魏本紀、冊府卷一 〈一一頁〉 也作「西」。 上云「東接」，此稱「西連」是對文，且西河、朔方正在陘北五縣之西，作「西」是，今從北、殿本。
"West connecting with Xihe and Shuofang" — In the Baibaina, Nan, Ji, and Ju editions "west" reads "south"; in the Bei and Dian editions it reads "west." The Northern History, juan 1, Wei Annals, and Cefu, juan 1 〈p. 11〉 also read "west." Above it says "east adjoining"; here "west connecting" forms a parallel, and Xihe and Shuofang lie west of the five counties north of the Pass—"west" is correct; we follow the Bei and Dian editions.
116
劉琨牙門將邢延據新興叛諸本「邢」作「邪」，唯局本作「邢」。 按下文稱斬劉聰諸將中有「邢延」，資治通鑑 〈下簡稱通鑑〉 卷八七 〈二七七三頁、頁碼據中華書局標點本〉 敍此事較詳，也作「邢延」。 「邪」字訛，今據改。
Liu Kun's gate-guard general Xing Yan held Xinxing in rebellion — In all editions "Xing" reads "Xie"; only the Ju edition reads "Xing." Below, among Liu Cong's generals whom he beheaded is "Xing Yan"; the Zizhi Tongjian 〈hereafter abbreviated Tongjian〉 juan 87 〈p. 2773; page numbers follow the Zhonghua shuju punctuated edition〉 gives a fuller account of this affair and also reads "Xing Yan." The character "Xie" is corrupt; we emend accordingly.
117
車令百乘御覽卷一０ 〈一四八二頁〉 「令」作「牛」，通鑑卷八八 〈二七八五頁〉 無「令」字。 按「車令」無義，「令」字非訛即衍。
"Chariots, one hundred teams" — Yulan, juan 10 〈p. 1482〉 "teams" reads "oxen"; Tongjian, juan 88 〈p. 2785〉 has no character "teams." "Chariots teams" makes no sense; the character "teams" is either corrupt or superfluous.
118
又留勁銳戍之而還諸本「留勁」訛「面動」，今據御覽卷一０一 〈四八二頁〉 改。
"Furthermore he left crack troops to garrison and returned" — In all editions "liu jin" is corrupted as "mian dong"; we emend according to Yulan, juan 101 〈p. 482〉 accordingly.