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卷三十一 本紀第三十一: 明宗

Volume 31 Annals 31: Mingzong

Chapter 31 of 元史 · History of Yuan
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Chapter 31
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1
禿使使 禿禿 西 西 西
Emperor Mingzong, posthumous name Yixian Jingxiao, taboo name Arig Temür, was Wuzong's eldest son. His mother was Empress Renxian Zhangsheng of the Yiqilie clan. In the third year of Dade under Chengzong, Wuzong was ordered to command troops on the northern frontier; he was born on renzi day in the eleventh month of the fourth year. Chengzong died; in the eleventh year, Wuzong entered to succeed to the Great Foundation, installed Renzong as crown prince, and ordered that succession pass to him in order. Wuzong died; Renzong ascended the throne; spring of the third year of YanYou, when the Eastern Palace was under deliberation, Chancellor Tiemudie'er, wishing to secure his position and win favor, proposed installing Shidebala as crown prince; together with the empress dowager's favorite minister Shiliemen he slandered him before the two palaces; after long insinuation, the scheme succeeded. Thereupon he was enfeoffed Prince of Zhou and sent out to garrison Yunnan. Attendants' Office officials were appointed; Tughluq, remotely invested as central secretariat left grand councillor, Orda the grand minister of husbandry, Central Domestic Affairs Court commissioner Shangjianu, commander of ten-thousands of Mongol troops of Shanbei Liaoyang and other routes Boluo, Hanlin expositor academician Jiaohua, and others were all made attendants; Central Guard elite army commander Tangut and Ministry of War minister Saqan Baduqu were made chamberlains; 2 deliberators and 2 recorders were still appointed, and they were dispatched to take up the garrison. That year, eleventh month of winter, he halted at Yan'an; Tughluq, Shangjianu, Boluo, and Wuzong's old ministers Chiri, Shabuding, Qabarqu, and others all came to meet. Jiaohua plotted, saying, "The realm is our Martial Emperor's realm; the matter of being sent out to garrison was originally not the Supreme One's intent — it came about because those at the ruler's side sowed discord. Please report the reason to the branch secretariat, so that it may be brought to the court's attention — then perhaps the sowing of discord can be blocked; otherwise, unforeseen changes may arise." Thereupon with several horsemen he galloped away. Earlier, Ashan had been grand preceptor; Tiemudie'er seized his post and sent him out as Shaanxi branch secretariat grand councillor; when Jiaohua and the others arrived, he immediately joined branch secretariat grand councillor Taqachar, branch surveillance censor-in-chief Tulibai, and surveillance vice censor Tughon in fully mobilizing the Guanzhong armies, advancing in separate columns through Tong Pass and Hezhong Prefecture. Before long Taqachar and Tughon launched a surprise attack and killed Ashan and Jiaohua at Hezhong; he then went west and reached the Golden Mountain on the northern frontier. Northwestern princes including Cha'atai, hearing he had arrived, all led their followings to submit. When he reached their territory, he fixed regulations with them: each year they wintered at Jaya'an, summered at Olokoch'a Mountain, and in spring ordered their followers to farm at Yeni; for more than 10 years the frontier was tranquil.
2
使
Seventh year of YanYou, Renzong died; Shidebala succeeded to the throne. That year, summer, fourth month, on bingyin day, his son Toghan Temür was born — he who would become Emperor Zhizheng. Third year of Zhizhi, eighth month, on guihai day, Censor-in-Chief Tieshi and others assassinated Shidebala; Prince of Jin Yesun Temür installed himself as emperor and changed the reign title to Taiding. Fifth month, envoys were dispatched to escort Empress Babusha back from the capital. Second year, his younger brother Tugh Temür went out to reside at Jiankang as Prince of Huai. Third year, third month, on guiyou day, his son Yilianzhen Shiraban was born — he who would become Emperor Ningzong.
3
西 使 使 沿禿 禿 使
Year wuchen, seventh month, on gengwu day, Emperor Taiding died at Shangdu; Doresh monopolized power and acted on his own authority; for more than a month no ruler was installed, and court and countryside were anxious and fearful. At that time associate privy council administrator Yan Temür remained to guard the capital and thereupon plotted to raise righteous action. Eighth month, on jiawu day at dawn, he summoned the hundred officials to assemble at Xingsheng Palace; the troops all bared their blades and proclaimed to the multitude, "The Martial Emperor had two sage sons — filial, brotherly, benevolent, and literary; all under Heaven turn their hearts to them; the Great Foundation lies with them — we must welcome and install them; whoever does not obey shall die!" Thereupon he bound grand councillors Ubaidullah and Barqachar, and central secretariat left vice chancellor Duodu, associate administrator Wang Shixi, and others were thrown into prison. Yan Temür and Prince of Xi'an Alaqtenashiri firmly held the inner court. At that time he was still far away in the desert and could not arrive suddenly; fearing other changes might arise, Yan Temür welcomed his younger brother the Prince of Huai at Jiangling and also proclaimed that envoys had already been dispatched north to welcome him, to reassure the multitude. He further falsely claimed that envoys dispatched by him had come from the north, saying the Prince of Zhou was marshaling the princes' troops and turning the chariot south — he would arrive within the day. On dingsi day the Prince of Huai entered the capital; the hundred officials requested that the Great Foundation be rectified; he firmly declined, saying, "My elder brother is in the north; by seniority and by virtue he should possess all under Heaven. If it cannot be avoided, my intent must be made clear and proclaimed within and without." Ninth month, on renshen day, the Prince of Huai ascended the throne — this is Wenzong; the reign title was changed to Tianli, and an edict to the realm said, "We respectfully await our elder brother's arrival, to fulfill our firm intent to yield." At that time Doresh was at Shangdu; he installed Emperor Taiding's son as emperor and dispatched troops in separate columns to attack Dadu; meanwhile Prince of Liang Wang Chan, right chancellor Dash Temür, censor-in-chief Niudze, and grand marshal Buqa all encamped their armies at Yulin; Yan Temür with his younger brother Sadun, his son Tangqishi, and others commanded troops to give battle and repeatedly defeated them. The Shangdu troops all fled in rout. Tenth month, on xinchou day, Prince of Qi Yolqi Temür and marshal Buqa Temür led troops to besiege Shangdu; Doresh thereupon presented the imperial seal and surrendered; the roads between the two capitals were opened at last. Thereupon Wenzong dispatched Hasan and Sadi and others in succession to welcome him; the princes of the northern desert all urged him to return south to the capital, and he thereupon set out from the northern frontier. Princes Cha'atai, frontier marshal Duolienie, commander of ten-thousands Mailü, and others all commanded troops to escort the journey; old ministers Boluo, Shangjianu, and Qabarqu all followed. Reaching the Golden Mountain, Lingbei branch secretariat grand councillor Pobi came to welcome him; Prince Wuning Chechequ and associate privy council administrator Temür Buqa arrived in succession. He thereupon ordered Boluo to proceed to the capital; the people of the two capitals, hearing his envoys had arrived, shouted and danced for joy, saying, "Our Son of Heaven has truly come from the north!" Princes and old ministers vied to be first in welcoming and paying court; wherever he passed, crowds gathered.
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·.p151[1]
Chihitang 《Collected Essentials of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries》 (Ming) Song Lian, 《History of Yuan》, Volume 31, p.151, note 1
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First year of Tianli, first month, on yichou day, Wenzong again dispatched central secretariat left vice chancellor Yolqi Temür to welcome him. On yiyou day Sadi and the others arrived and entered to see him at the traveling encampment, urging accession by Wenzong's command. On bingxu day the Emperor ascended the throne north of Helin; the escorting princes and great ministers all entered to congratulate; he thereupon ordered Sadi to dispatch men back to report to the capital. That month, former Hanlin academician exemplar Budashili arrived with Palace Domestic Service director Sharaban, conveying gold, silver, coins, and silks. He dispatched Sadi and the others back to the capital; the Emperor charged them, saying, "My younger brother once perused books and histories — has he lately neglected them? In the leisure of hearing government, he should draw near worthy scholar-officials and discuss historical records, to know the gains and losses of governance through the ages. When you reach the capital, you should convey my intent to him."
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Second month, on renchen day, Prince Xuanjing Mainu came from the capital to pay court. On xinchou day the late empress of the Yiqilie clan was posthumously honored as Empress Renxian Zhangsheng. That month, Wenzong established the Kui Zhang Pavilion Academy at the capital and dispatched men to memorialize appointment orders; the Emperor approved them all.
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禿 輿 禿 殿禿 禿 西 使 使 禿禿 宿 禿 退 西 宿 使宿 禿 殿輿 禿 西 禿 西 輿 禿 禿 使 西使 使 禿 禿 西 使 西 使禿 殿
Third month, on wuwu new moon, he halted at Jegianchaghan. On xinyou day Wenzong dispatched right chancellor Yan Temür to present the imperial seal; surveillance vice censor Ba'irq, privy council administrator Tughqa Temür, and others each led their subordinates to follow. On renxu day imperial chariots, robes, and the apparel of close attendants were made. On bingyin day the Emperor said to central secretariat left vice chancellor Yolqi Temür, "When I reach Shangdu, the princes of the imperial domains will surely all come to assemble — this is not comparable to an ordinary court audience; Prince Cha'atai now also follows me from afar; the relevant offices' provisions for guests must all be prepared in advance. You should deliberate on this with the secretariat ministers." On dinghai day earth rained; there was haze. Fourth month, on guisi day Yan Temür saw the Emperor at the traveling palace and led the hundred officials in presenting the imperial seal; the Emperor praised his merit and made him grand preceptor, still appointing him central secretariat right chancellor, commissioner with the same trappings as the Three Excellencies of an opened princely household, pillar of state of the upper grade, recorder of state military affairs, supervisor of the state history, darughachi, and Prince of Taiping — all as before. He again instructed Yan Temür and the others, saying, "Of the hundred officials at the capital whom my younger brother employs, all shall remain as before; you should convey my intent to them." Yan Temür memorialized, "Your Majesty rules the myriad regions; what the state's great affairs depend upon is only the Central Secretariat, the Privy Council, and the Censorate — suitable men should be chosen to fill them." The Emperor approved his words and made Wuzong's old follower Qabarqu central secretariat grand councillor, former central secretariat grand councillor Bo Temür privy council administrator, and attendant Boluo censor-in-chief. On jiawu day a traveling privy council was established; Prince Zhaowu and privy council administrator Huosha was put in charge of traveling privy council affairs; Sa Temür, Mainu, and others were made associate traveling privy council administrators. That day the Emperor feasted the princes and great ministers in the traveling hall; Yan Temür, Qabarqu, Bo Temür, Boluo, and others attended. The Emperor specially charged the censorate officials, saying, "Taizu once admonished his ministers, saying, 'Beautiful women and famous horses — all men delight in them; yet if the heart's inch is once entangled, it can ruin name and virtue. You who hold the office of wind and discipline — have you also ever borne this in mind? When Shizu first established the Censorate, he first appointed Taqachar and Bentejir to jointly administer its affairs. All under Heaven and the state are like a single person's body — the Secretariat is the right hand, the Privy Council the left hand. When the left and right hands are ill, one treats them with a good physician — when the Secretariat and Privy Council have faults and omissions, can one fail to treat them through the Censorate? For all princes and the hundred offices, whoever violates law or oversteps ritual — all alike are to be impeached. When wind and discipline are weighty, the greedy and corrupt will fear — as when the axe is heavy, it enters the wood deeply; such is the force of it. If I have faults and omissions, you too should report them — I shall not blame you for it." On yimao day Boluo and others were specially charged to transmit the intent and proclaim to Yan Temür, Badashah, Huosha, Qabarqu, Ba'irq, and others, saying, "Shizu established the Central Secretariat, the Privy Council, the Censorate, and the hundred offices and various bureaus to jointly govern all under Heaven; great and small duties already have fixed regulations. Shizu ordered court ministers to compile statutes and regulations as law for ten thousand generations. From Chengzong onward, successive sage emperors have none failed to reverently observe the established constitution. I now occupy the seat where Taizu and Shizu dwelt; for all Secretariat, Privy Council, Censorate, and hundred-office affairs, after consultation and unanimous deliberation, translate what is memorialized and report it to me. Military affairs of secrecy — the Privy Council should report them immediately; do not delay on account of early or late hour. For other affairs, if there is truly something to say, one must first go through the Secretariat, Privy Council, and Censorate; subordinate hundred offices and ministers of the broad defense must not overstep ranks in submitting requests. This should be proclaimed to the various offices, so that all may hear and know. If anyone violates my intent, punishment shall be without pardon." On dingyou day Shaanxi branch surveillance censor-in-chief Temür Toq was made Shangdu garrison commissioner. On xinchou day Wenzong established a commandery-general's office at the capital and dispatched envoys to memorialize; censorate and surveillance appointment orders were also submitted — all were approved. On guimao day envoys were dispatched to the capital to select a day; left chancellor Temür Buqa was ordered to perform the proxy announcement of accession at the suburban altars and the altars of soil and grain. Prince Wuning Chechequ and Qabarqu were dispatched to install Wenzong as crown prince; the Crown Prince's Household was still established and the Office of Stored Blessings abolished; Cheli Temür was made central secretariat grand councillor, Kokejis central secretariat right vice chancellor, Qelai and Jirhalang were both made Gansu branch secretariat grand councillors, Hulatai was made Jiang-Zhe branch secretariat grand councillor, and Nohai was made Lingbei branch secretariat grand councillor. On jiachen day the Central Secretariat was ordered to grant one rank higher to officials who delivered the seal; followers were rewarded with coins and silks. On yisi day a supervising censor said, "The Lingbei branch secretariat controls one region, its breadth ten thousand li — it is truly the land where Taizu first laid the foundation; the state's root is bound up with it. The trust reposed in a frontier post — how can it be lightly assigned? Grand councillor Taqaji was never a meritorious old follower; he slavishly served Doresh, rose abruptly from night guard duty, and was immediately made right vice chancellor, then soon promoted grand councillor; he is already 70, and his hair and eyes are extremely dim. Left vice chancellor Ma Mou was originally a follower of the Jin residence; he gave his daughter in marriage to Doresh, was introduced as director of waterways, and was then appointed left vice chancellor. Section director Luoli was a marketplace petty man; Tughlughunai was a Jin residence guard soldier — neither understands government affairs. All should be dismissed and demoted." The censorate officials reported this; the Emperor said, "The censor's words are very good — dismiss them all." He again instructed the censorate officials, saying, "The censor impeached the Lingbei provincial ministers — I greatly commend it. Hereafter, whatever ought to be spoken — do not hold back. If the impeached seek by improper means to appeal, I shall punish them. If the impeachment is not true to fact, do not rashly report it." Fifth month, on dingsi new moon, he halted at Doreberjen. On wuwu day Prince of Xi'an Alaqtenashiri was dispatched back to the capital; Temür was enfeoffed Prince of Baode Commandery. Escort night guards and others were granted coins and silks in varying amounts. On jiwei day the crown prince dispatched Hanlin academician exemplar Alin Temür to pay court. On gengshen day the court halted east of Orda-erqen Mu. On xinyou day censor-in-chief Boluo and Central Domestic Affairs Court commissioner Shangjianu were both specially granted commissioner with the Ceremonial Standing Equal to the Three Excellencies, to supervise the four palace guard corps. On guihai day the court halted at Biteqetu; Hanlin academician-director Orda-erqen came from the capital to have audience. Orders were issued to the relevant offices to renew Wuzong's tent palace and imperial carriages. On gengwu day Yan Timur was ordered to promote officials of the Lingbei Branch Secretariat; the remaining officials were all granted one grade of honorary rank. Former officials of the latent residence and attendant officers were selected for appointment; 85 who received commission edicts, and 26 of sixth rank and below. On renshen day the court halted at Tantuo'erhai. Yilin Zhenba was enfeoffed Prince of Liucheng Commandery; Bajila was made Shaanxi branch censorate grand councillor; Zhongjianu was made associate censor-in-chief. On yihai day the court halted at Tuhula. An edict directed the Dadu provincial officials to cast the crown prince's seal. At the time the former crown prince's seal could not be found; attendant Bobuhua said the seal was stored in the Shangdu travel encampment; men were sent to Shangdu to seek it but nothing was obtained, and orders were then issued to cast a new one. Forty-three relay stations including Ximulin suffered drought disaster; the central secretariat was ordered to grant grain in relief, totaling 8,200 shi. On dingchou day the crown prince departed the capital. Prince of Zhennan Tiemur Buqa, princes Yesu, Woji, Dalaibuhua, Duolaizhiban, and Boyeyebogan, imperial son-in-law Biejanli, and attendant guards and the hundred offices all followed on the journey. On wuyin day 280 horses were purchased in the capital and loaded with imperial carriage accoutrements to be sent to the imperial whereabouts. On jimao day the court halted east of the Tuhula River. Hanlin academician-director Tangqutu was promoted to grand preceptor. The tribes of Prince of Zhao Mazahan suffered drought; 55,400 persons could not support themselves; the Hedong pacification commission was ordered to grant 2 months' relief grain. On gengchen day Prince Yanzigetai was granted 200 ingots of notes and 2,000 bolts of silks. On xinsi day the court halted at Oloroqutu. On renwu day the court halted at Bulutong. That day left grand councillor Temur Buqa and others, on account of the Emperor's accession, reported by proxy at the Southern Suburb. On jiashen day the court halted at Hulahuo Shiwen. Sixth month, on dinghai new moon, the court halted at Kundu ye Bulaq. That day Temur Buqa and others, on account of the Emperor's accession, reported by proxy at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the altars of soil and grain. On wuzi day Yan Timur and others memorialized: "The Central Domestic Affairs Court, overstepping the central secretariat, has on its own authority memorialized appointments and removals, and sent documents demanding commission edicts; appointments have already been made as requested, yet this is not proper in the larger scheme of affairs; we request that orders be issued forbidding this, so that governmental authority may be unified. Approval was granted. On gengyin day the court halted at Sali. The Shaanxi Branch Secretariat reported famine; envoys were sent back to the capital to consult with the senior ministers on relief. On dingyou day the court halted at Wuna'ba. The Commissionerate was promoted to Grand Commissionerate. On jihai day the court halted at Kuoduo. The privy council memorialized: "The crown prince has sent envoys saying that edicts have recently been issued directing that troops of the various Sichuan provinces all be sent back to their camps; only Yunnan's rebellious designs cannot be measured, and the troops cannot immediately be disbanded; your subjects report this for the throne's information." The Emperor said: "They may continue garrison duty; disband them only after pacification is complete." On xinchou day the court halted at Saliqier. On renyin day attendants were admonished not to memorialize on their own authority. On jiachen day imperial son-in-law Tobu'er was granted 1,000 ingots of notes and sent to Yunnan. On dingwei day the court halted at Haliwen. On wushen day the court halted at Kuoduo Jie Alun. On xinhai day the court halted at Harqanatu. An edict instructed the central secretariat officials: "For all major state affairs concerning revenue and grain and appointments and removals, first inform the crown prince, and then report to Us. On guichou day the court halted at Huttu. On jiayin day 1,800 ingots of notes were granted in relief to 23 relay stations of Lintong and Huayin in Shaanxi, and 800 ingots of notes to 15 relay stations of Jinning Route. That month Temur Buqa, on account of prolonged drought, reported to the crown prince, resigned his chancellorship, and requested that another worthy be selected and entrusted with harmonizing governance; the crown prince sent envoys to report this. The Emperor instructed Kuorugusi and others: "Cultivating virtue to respond to Heaven is what ruler and ministers ought to do; what Temur Buqa said is indeed right. Heaven's clarity is to be feared; We have never for an instant forgotten this in Our heart. When the crown prince comes to meet Us, We should together plan what can benefit the people and bring them material good, and put it into practice. You should convey Our meaning to the hundred officials." Seventh month, on bingchen new moon, there was a solar eclipse. On jiazi day the court halted at Boluo Huoni. On renshen day surveillance censor Badi Yusi memorialized: "Since last autumn the court has ordered generals to take the field and suppress calamitous disorder; supplies for the armies, rewards for officers and soldiers, and expenditures cannot be reckoned. If compared with annual revenue from regular taxes, what has been spent already exceeds it several times over. Moreover, the princes' assemblies according to former custom have not yet been fully supplied in any respect; Shaanxi and other places have been repeatedly stricken by famine; the starved lie pillow to pillow; and with the turn from winter to spring, snow and rain have missed their season, wheat seedlings have withered and died, and autumn fields remain unplanted; the people are anxious, and those drifting away in migration are many. Your subject reflects that this is precisely the time for the state to economize. If there are those who must be rewarded for merit, their offices' high or low standing should be weighed in granting lighter or heavier rewards; not only would expenses be saved, encouragement could also be shown. The attendant ministers' memorial requests for gracious grants should all be halted, to ease the people's strength." The censorate reported this; the Emperor praised and accepted it, and still ordered the central secretariat to show what was said to the hundred offices. On yihai day the court halted at Buluo Chahan. On bingzi day Wenzong received the crown prince's seal. On wuyin day the court halted at Xiaozhi. On renwu day envoys were dispatched to the capital, directing central secretariat associate administrator Qabildar together with Hanlin National History Academy officials to perform sacrifice to the imperial portraits of the three reigns of Taizu, Taizong, and Ruizong. 6,000 troops from the various guards were dispatched to complete the capital's defenses. Eighth month, on yiyou new moon, the court halted at Wanghuchadu. On bingxu day the crown prince entered to have audience. That day the crown prince and the princes and great ministers were feasted at the travel palace. On gengyin day the Emperor died suddenly; he was 30 years old and was buried at Qilian Valley, following the imperial tombs. That month, on jihai day, the crown prince again assumed the imperial throne. Twelfth month, on yisi day, privy council administrator Chenye Bulun and others deliberated and requested the posthumous title Emperor Yixian Jingxiao and the temple name Mingzong. Third year, third month, on renshen day, he was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
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Annotations within the text
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Yuan Shi, juan 31: First month of Tianshun 2, on yichou day Wenzong again dispatched central secretariat left associate administrator Yiltemur to welcome him. On yiyou day Sadi and others arrived and had audience with the Emperor at the travel encampment, urging accession by Wenzong's command. On bingxu day the Emperor took the throne north of Hening; the princes and great ministers accompanying the journey all entered to congratulate. He then ordered Sadi to send men back to report to the capital.
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