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文帝上
The Annals of Emperor Wen, Part One
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太祖文皇帝姓宇文氏，諱泰，字黑獺，代武川人也。 其先出自炎帝神農氏，為黃帝所滅，子孫遯居朔野。 有葛烏菟者，雄武多算略，鮮卑慕之，奉以為主，遂總十二部落，世為大人。 其後曰普回，因狩得玉璽三紐，有文曰皇帝璽，普回心異之，以為天授。 其俗謂天曰宇，謂君曰文，因號宇文國，幷以為氏焉。
Emperor Wen, canonically titled Grand Progenitor, was of the Yuwen clan; his given name Tai (taboo form), courtesy name Heitai; he came from Wuchuan in Dai commandery. The clan traced its descent to Shennong, the Flame Emperor. After the Yellow Emperor overthrew them, their line retreated into the northern frontier. Ge Wutu rose as a warrior of force and cunning whom the Xianbei chose as chief; he united twelve tribes, and his heirs held the title of paramount leader for generations. Puhui, a later descendant, found while hunting a tripartite jade seal engraved "Imperial Seal"; taking it for Heaven's grant, he cherished it as a sign of destiny. Their tongue called Heaven yu and ruler wen; from that came the name Yuwen for both their realm and their clan.
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普回子莫𨚗，自陰山南徙，始居遼西，是曰獻侯，為魏舅生之國。 九世至侯豆歸，為慕容晃所滅。 其子陵仕燕，拜駙馬都尉，封玄菟公。 魏道武將攻中山，陵從慕容寶禦之。 寶敗，陵率甲騎五百歸魏，拜都牧主，賜爵安定侯。 天興初，徙豪傑於代都，陵隨例遷武川焉。 陵生系，系生韜，並以武略稱。 韜生肱。
Puhui's son Moqi migrated south from the Yin range into Liaoxi, took the title Marquis Xian, and ruled the territory later known as Wei Jiusheng's state. Nine generations later Hou Dougui's line was extinguished by Murong Huang. Ling served the Yan court as commandant of the imperial son-in-law's horse guards and received the title Duke of Xuantu. As Wei Emperor Daowu marched on Zhongshan, Ling joined Murong Bao in the defense. After Bao's defeat Ling brought five hundred armored riders to Wei, received appointment as master of the capital pastures, and the marquisate of Anding. In the opening years of Tianxing the court relocated leading families to the Dai capital; Ling's household was resettled to Wuchuan like the rest. Ling's son was Xi, and Xi's son Tao; both won fame as men of arms. Tao's son was Gong.
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肱任俠有氣幹。 正光末，沃野鎮人破六汗拔陵作亂，遠近多應之。 其偽署王衛可孤徒黨最盛，肱乃糾合鄉里斬可孤，其衆乃散。 後避地中山，遂陷於鮮于修禮。 修禮令肱還統其部衆。 後為定州軍所破，歿於陣。 武成初，追尊曰德皇帝。
Gong was a man of bold spirit who lived by the code of the knight-errant. In the closing years of Zhengguang, Balang of the Poliuhan clan at Woye garrison revolted, drawing followers from across the region. The strongest rebel band rallied around their puppet king Wei Kegu; Gong mustered local men, killed Kegu, and broke the force apart. He later took refuge at Zhongshan and ended up serving under Xianyu Xiuli. Xiuli sent Gong back to lead his original troops. He was later cut down in battle by the Dingzhou forces. In the early Wucheng era he received the posthumous title Emperor De.
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太祖，德皇帝之少子也。 母曰王氏，孕五月，夜夢抱子昇天，纔不至而止。 寤而告德皇帝，德皇帝喜曰：「雖不至天，貴亦極矣。」 生而有黑氣如蓋，下覆其身。 及長，身長八尺，方顙廣額，美鬚髯，髮長委地，垂手過膝，背有黑子，宛轉若龍盤之形，面有紫光，人望而敬畏之。 少有大度，不事家人生業，輕財好施，以交結賢士大夫。
Yuwen Tai was Emperor De's youngest son. His mother, Lady Wang, was five months pregnant when she dreamed she held her son and rose toward Heaven, halting just before the summit. When she woke she told Emperor De, who said gladly: "He may not have reached Heaven, yet his eminence will be supreme." When he was born a black mist like a canopy descended over his body. Full grown he stood eight feet tall, square-browed and broad of forehead, with a fine beard and hair that swept the ground and arms that passed his knees. A dark birthmark on his back curled like a dragon; a violet light shone on his face, and those who saw him were struck with reverence. From youth he was open-handed and magnanimous, cared little for household trade, lavished gifts freely, and won the friendship of learned men and officials.
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少隨德皇帝在鮮于修禮軍。 及葛榮殺修禮，太祖時年十八，榮遂任以將帥。 太祖知其無成，與諸兄謀欲逃避，計未行，會爾朱榮擒葛榮，定河北，太祖隨例遷晉陽。 榮以太祖兄弟雄傑，懼或異己，遂托以他罪，誅太祖第三兄洛生，復欲害太祖。 太祖自理家冤，辭旨慷慨，榮感而免之，益加敬待。
As a young man he served with Emperor De in the forces of Xianyu Xiuli. Ge Rong murdered Xiuli when Yuwen Tai was eighteen; Rong then put him in charge of troops as a field commander. Yuwen Tai saw that Ge Rong was bound to fail and conspired with his brothers to escape. Before they could act, Erzhu Rong seized Ge Rong and secured Hebei; Yuwen Tai was then resettled to Jinyang like other captives. Erzhu Rong feared the Yuwen brothers' prowess and moved against them on trumped-up charges: he executed Yuwen Tai's third brother Luosheng and tried to kill Yuwen Tai as well. Yuwen Tai defended his clan in person with fierce eloquence; Erzhu Rong was impressed, spared him, and treated him with growing esteem.
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孝昌二年，燕州亂，太祖始以統軍從榮征之。 先是，北海王顥奔梁，梁人立為魏主，令率兵入洛。 魏孝莊帝出居河內以避之。 榮遣賀拔岳討顥，仍迎孝莊帝。 太祖與岳有舊，乃以別將從岳。 及孝莊帝反正，以功封寧都子，邑三百戶，遷鎮遠將軍、步兵校尉。
In Xiaochang 2 (526), when Yanzhou rose in revolt, Yuwen Tai first campaigned as army commander under Erzhu Rong. Earlier Yuan Hao, Prince of Beihai, had defected to Liang; the southern court set him up as a rival Wei sovereign and sent him marching on Luoyang. Emperor Xiaozhuang left the capital for Henei to escape the invasion. Erzhu Rong sent Helba Yue to defeat Hao and escort Emperor Xiaozhuang home. Yuwen Tai and Helba Yue were already acquainted, so he joined the campaign as a detached commander under Yue. After the emperor's restoration Yuwen Tai was enfeoffed as viscount of Ningdu with three hundred households, promoted to general who pacifies the distance, and made colonel of footsoldiers.
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万俟醜奴作亂關右，孝莊帝遣爾朱天光及岳等討之，太祖遂從岳入關，先鋒破偽行臺尉遲菩薩等。 及平醜奴，定隴右，太祖功居多，遷征西將軍、金紫光祿大夫，增邑三百戶，加直閣將軍，行原州事。 時關隴寇亂，百姓凋殘，太祖撫以恩信，民皆悅服。 咸喜曰：「早值宇文使君，吾等豈從逆亂。」 太祖嘗從數騎於野，忽聞簫鼓之音，以問從人，皆云莫之聞也。
When Wan'niu Chounu rebelled in Guanzhong, Emperor Xiaozhuang sent Erzhu Tianguang and Helba Yue against him. Yuwen Tai entered the passes with Yue, led the van, and routed the puppet commissioner Yuchi Pusa. After Chounu's defeat and the pacification of Longyou, Yuwen Tai's service stood foremost. He was made general who conquers the west and grand master with the golden seal and purple ribbon, gained three hundred more households, received the title general of the inner gate, and governed Yuanzhou in commission. With Guanzhong and Longyou torn by rebellion and the populace in ruins, Yuwen Tai won them over with clemency and trust until the people gladly obeyed. The people said with relief: "If only Commissioner Yuwen had come earlier—we would never have joined the rebels." Once, riding abroad with only a few companions, he suddenly heard flute and drum music; when he asked his escort, none of them heard a thing.
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普泰二年，爾朱天光東拒齊神武，留弟顯壽鎮長安。 秦州刺史侯莫陳悅為天光所召，將軍衆東下。 岳知天光必敗，欲留悅共圖顯壽，而計無所出。 太祖謂岳曰：「今天光尚邇，悅未有二心，若以此事告之，恐其驚懼，然悅雖為主將，不能制物，若先說其衆，必人有留心。 進失爾朱之期，退恐人情變動，乘•此說悅，事無不遂。」 岳大喜，卽令太祖入悅軍說之，悅遂不行。 乃相率襲長安，令太祖輕騎為前鋒。 太祖策顯壽怯懦，聞諸軍將至，必當東走，恐其遠遁，乃倍道兼行。 顯壽果已東走，追至華山，擒之。
In Putai 2 (530), Erzhu Tianguang marched east against Gao Huan (Qi Shenwu), leaving his brother Xianshou to garrison Chang'an. Houmochen Yue, governor of Qinzhou, received Tianguang's summons and prepared to march east with his troops. Helba Yue foresaw Tianguang's defeat and wanted Houmochen Yue to stay and help seize Xianshou, yet he could devise no plan. Yuwen Tai told Yue: "Tianguang is still close, and Houmochen Yue has not yet turned disloyal—tell him outright and he may panic. But though Yue commands the army, he cannot fully control it; speak first to the ranks and some will surely balk. Marching on misses Erzhu's schedule; staying back risks unrest among the men. Seizing this moment to win Yue over, you cannot fail." Yue was delighted and sent Yuwen Tai into Houmochen Yue's camp; persuaded, Yue stayed put. They then struck Chang'an together, with Yuwen Tai's light cavalry in the van. Judging Xianshou a coward who would bolt east at the first rumor of attack, Yuwen Tai raced ahead day and night lest the man escape. Xianshou had already fled east; they overtook him at Mount Hua and took him prisoner.
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太昌元年，岳為關西大行臺，以太祖為左丞，領岳府司馬，加散騎常侍。 事無巨細，皆委決焉。
In Taichang 1 (531), Helba Yue was made grand commissioner of the western passes and named Yuwen Tai his left director and headquarters marshal, with the added rank of regular attendant. Great or small, every affair went through him for final judgment.
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齊神武旣破爾朱，遂專朝政。 太祖請往觀之。 旣至幷州，齊神武問岳軍事，太祖口對雄辯，齊神武以為非常人，欲留之。 太祖詭陳忠款，乃得反命，遂星言就道。 齊神武果遣追之，至關，不及。 太祖還謂岳曰：「高歡非人臣也。 逆謀所以未發者，憚公兄弟耳。 然凡欲立大功，匡社稷，未有不因地勢，總英雄，而能克成者也。 侯莫陳悅本實庸材，遭逢際會，遂叨任委，旣無憂國之心，亦不為高歡所忌。 但為之備，圖之不難。 今費也頭控弦之騎不下一萬，夏州刺史斛拔彌俄突勝兵之士三千餘人，及靈州刺史曹泥，並恃其僻遠，常懷異望。 河西流民紇豆陵伊利等，戶口富實，未奉朝風。 今若移軍近隴，扼其要害，示之以威，服之以德，卽可收其士馬，以實吾軍。 西輯氐羌，北撫沙塞，還軍長安，匡輔魏室，此桓文舉也。」 岳大悅，復遣太祖詣闕請事，密陳其狀。 魏帝深納之。 加太祖武衛將軍，還令報岳。
After crushing the Erzhu faction, Gao Huan (Qi Shenwu) held the court in his grip. Yuwen Tai asked leave to visit him and take his measure. At Bingzhou, Gao Huan questioned him about Helba Yue's forces. Yuwen Tai replied with sharp eloquence; Gao Huan marked him as extraordinary and tried to keep him. Yuwen Tai played the loyal subject convincingly, secured leave to depart, and raced homeward without pause. Gao Huan did send pursuers, but they reached the pass after Yuwen Tai was gone. Back in camp Yuwen Tai told Yue: "Gao Huan is no man to serve a throne faithfully. He has not yet moved against the dynasty only because he fears you and your brothers. Still, no one wins great victories or saves a dynasty without holding ground, rallying able men, and building from there. Houmochen Yue is a mediocrity elevated by chance; he cares nothing for the realm, and Gao Huan does not fear him. Keep watch and move against him, and the thing is not hard. The Fei Yetou can field ten thousand bowmen; Xiazhou governor Hubo Mi'etu commands three thousand elite soldiers; and Lingzhou governor Cao Ni—all cling to distant posts and nurse private designs. West of the river, refugees such as Hedouling Yili are numerous and wealthy and still stand outside imperial sway. Move the army up to Longyou, hold the choke points, show force and offer favor, and we can absorb their fighters and horses into our own ranks. Secure the Di and Qiang in the west, calm the northern marches, march back to Chang'an, and uphold the Wei throne—the deed of a Huan or a Wen." Yue was elated and sent Yuwen Tai to court to seek approval and lay out the plan in secret. The emperor of Wei embraced the proposal wholeheartedly. Yuwen Tai was promoted to general of martial guards and dispatched to relay the answer to Yue.
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岳遂引軍西次平涼，謀於其衆曰：「夏州鄰接寇賊，須加綏撫，安得良刺史以鎮之？」 衆皆曰：「宇文左丞卽其人也。」 岳曰：「左丞吾之左右手也，如何可廢。」 沉吟累日，乃從衆議。 於是表太祖為使持節、武衛將軍、夏州刺史。 太祖至州，伊利望風款附，而曹泥猶通使於齊神武。
Yue marched west to Pingliang and asked his officers: "Xiazhou lies against the frontier and needs steady rule—who is fit to govern it?" They answered as one: "Left Director Yuwen is the man." Yue replied: "He is my right hand—I cannot spare him." After days of hesitation he bowed to their choice. He then recommended Yuwen Tai as bearer of the staff of authority, general of martial guards, and governor of Xiazhou. On reaching Xiazhou, Yili surrendered at once; Cao Ni, however, still exchanged messages with Gao Huan.
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魏永熙三年春正月，岳欲討曹泥，遣都督趙貴至夏州與太祖計事。 太祖曰：「曹泥孤城阻遠，未足為憂。 侯莫陳悅怙衆密邇，貪而無信，必將為患，願早圖之。」 岳不聽，遂與悅俱討泥。 二月，至於河曲，岳果為悅所害。 其士衆散還平涼，唯大都督趙貴率部曲收岳屍還營。 於是三軍未有所屬，諸將以都督寇洛年最長，相與推洛以總兵事。 洛素無雄略，威令不行，乃謂諸將曰：「洛智能本闕，不宜統御，近者迫於羣議，推相攝領，今請避位，更擇賢材。」 於是趙貴言於衆曰：「元帥忠公盡節，暴於朝野，勳業未就，奄罹凶酷。 豈唯國喪良宰，固亦衆無所依。 必欲糾合同盟，復讐雪恥，須擇賢者，總統諸軍。 舉非其人，則大事難集，雖欲立忠建義，其可得乎。 竊觀宇文夏州，英姿不世，雄謨冠時，遠邇歸心，士卒用命。 加以法令齊肅，賞罰嚴明，真足恃也。 今若告喪，必來赴難，因而奉之，則大事集矣。」 諸將皆稱善。 乃命赫連達馳至夏州，告太祖曰：「侯莫陳悅不顧盟誓，棄恩背德，賊害忠良，羣情憤惋，控告無所。 公昔居管轄，恩信著聞，今無小無大，咸願推奉。 衆之思公，引日成歲，願勿稽留，以慰衆望也。」 太祖將赴之，夏州吏民咸泣請曰：「聞悅今在 （永） 〔水〕洛，去平涼不遠。 若已有賀拔公之衆，則圖之實難。 願且停留，以觀其變。」 太祖曰：「悅旣害元帥，自應乘勢直據平涼，而反趑趄，屯兵水洛，吾知其無能為也。 且難得易失者時也，不俟終日者幾也，今不早赴，將恐衆心自離。」 都督彌姐元進規欲應悅，密圖太祖。 事發，斬之。
In spring, first month of Wei Yongxi 3 (534), Yue planned to attack Cao Ni and sent Commander Zhao Gui to Xiazhou to confer with Yuwen Tai. Yuwen Tai said: "Cao Ni sits in a distant walled town—hardly worth concern. Houmochen Yue is near, overconfident in his numbers, greedy and untrustworthy, and bound to turn dangerous. Strike him first." Yue refused and marched with Houmochen Yue against Cao Ni instead. In the second month, at the river bend, Helba Yue was murdered by Houmochen Yue. The army broke up toward Pingliang; only Chief Commander Zhao Gui gathered his household troops, recovered Yue's body, and brought it back to camp. With the host leaderless, the generals chose Kou Luo, the senior among them by age, to command. Kou Luo lacked bold command and could not enforce his orders. He told the officers: "I am not the man for this. You pushed me into acting commander; let me yield the post to someone better." Zhao Gui then addressed the host: "Our marshal died loyal to the throne before all eyes, his great task unfinished, struck down without warning. The court has lost a great minister, and we soldiers have lost our anchor. To reunite the alliance, take revenge, and restore honor, we need a leader worthy of the whole host. Choose wrongly and the cause collapses; loyalty alone will not save us. Consider Yuwen Tai of Xiazhou: a peerless hero, the boldest strategist of the day, trusted by men near and far, obeyed without question by his troops. His discipline is firm, his rewards and punishments exact—he is a man we can lean on. Send word of the death and he will come; put him at the head of the host and the cause is won." The generals approved unanimously. They sent Helian Da posthaste to Xiazhou with this message for Yuwen Tai: "Houmochen Yue broke his oath, betrayed his benefactor, and killed a loyal minister. The army burns with outrage and has no one to answer to. You governed here before and are known for mercy and trust; every man, high or low, wants you as commander. We have waited for you day after day, month after month—do not linger and disappoint the host." Yuwen Tai prepared to depart, but Xiazhou's officials and people wept and begged him: "We hear Houmochen Yue is now at (Yong) Shuoluo, not far from Pingliang. If he has already taken Helba Yue's army, moving against him will be far harder. We beg you to remain here awhile and watch how events unfold." Yuwen Tai replied: "Houmochen Yue murdered the marshal, yet instead of pressing straight for Pingliang he dithers at Shuoluo. He is finished. Time once lost is gone; opportunity will not wait until evening. Delay now and the army will melt away." Commander Mizhi Yuanjin meant to side with Yue and secretly moved against Yuwen Tai. The plot was exposed and he was executed.
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太祖乃率帳下輕騎，馳赴平涼。 時齊神武遣長史侯景招引岳衆，太祖至安定，遇之，謂景曰：「賀拔公雖死，宇文泰尚存，卿何為也？」 景失色，對曰：「我猶箭耳，隨人所射，安能自裁。」 景於此卽還。 太祖至平涼，哭岳甚慟。 將士且悲且喜曰：「宇文公至，無所憂矣。」
Yuwen Tai gathered his household light cavalry and galloped for Pingliang. Gao Huan had sent his chief clerk Hou Jing to recruit Helba Yue's army. At Anding, Yuwen Tai confronted him: "Helba Yue is dead, but I am still here—what do you think you are doing?" Hou Jing blanched and said: "I am only an arrow in another man's bow—I go where I am sent. I cannot choose for myself." Hou Jing withdrew on the spot. At Pingliang Yuwen Tai mourned Yue with wrenching grief. Officers and men wept and cheered together: "Yuwen Tai is here—our troubles are over."
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於時，魏孝武帝將圖齊神武，聞岳被害，遣武衛將軍元毗宣旨慰勞，追岳軍還洛陽。 毗到平涼，會諸將已推太祖。 侯莫陳悅亦被勅追還，悅旣附齊神武，不肯應召。 太祖謂諸將曰：「侯莫陳悅枉害忠良，復不應詔命，此國之大賊，豈可容之！」 乃命諸軍戒嚴，將以討悅。
Emperor Xiaowu, preparing to strike at Gao Huan, learned of Yue's murder and sent Martial Guard General Yuan Pi to comfort the host and order Yue's army back to Luoyang. Yuan Pi arrived at Pingliang to find the generals had already elevated Yuwen Tai. Houmochen Yue had also been recalled, but having thrown in with Gao Huan he refused to obey. Yuwen Tai told his officers: "Houmochen Yue murdered a loyal minister and now defies the throne—a traitor to the realm. He cannot be allowed to live." He put the host under arms and prepared to march against Yue.
16
及元毗還，太祖表於魏帝曰：「臣前以故關西大都督臣岳，竭誠奉國，橫罹非命，三軍喪氣，朝野痛惜。 都督寇洛等，銜冤茹戚，志雪讐恥。 以臣昔同幕府，苦賜要結。 臣便以今月十四日，輕來赴軍，當發之時，已有別表，旣為衆情所逼，權掌兵事。 詔召岳軍入京，此乃為國良策。 但高歡之衆，已至河東，侯莫陳悅猶在水洛。 況此軍士多是關西之人，皆戀鄉邑，不願東下。 今逼以上命。 悉令赴關，悅躡其後，歡邀其前，首尾受敵，其勢危矣。 臣殞身王事，誠所甘心，恐敗國殄人，所損更大。 乞少停緩，更思後圖，徐事誘導，漸就東引。」 太祖志在討悅，而未測朝旨，且兵衆未集，假此為詞。 因與元毗及諸將刑牲盟誓，同獎王室。
After Yuan Pi departed, Yuwen Tai wrote the emperor: "Your late commissioner Helba Yue served the throne with perfect loyalty and was cut down without cause. The army lost heart; the court and the people grieved. Kou Luo and the other commanders burned with outrage and swore to avenge the wrong. Knowing I had served in the same headquarters, they bound me to their cause. I came to the host on the fourteenth of this month—having already filed a separate report—and, pressed by the army's will, assumed interim command. Your order to bring Yue's army east is wise statecraft. But Gao Huan's troops are already at Hedong, and Houmochen Yue still camps at Shuoluo. Most of these men are westerners who yearn for home and dread marching east. Now they are driven by imperial order. March them to the passes and Yue will harry their rear while Huan blocks their front—caught between two enemies, they will be destroyed. I would gladly die in your service, but I fear the greater harm would be to ruin the army and waste the realm. I beg a little time to reconsider, to coax the men eastward step by step." Yuwen Tai meant to strike Yue, but the court's mind was uncertain and his forces not yet assembled—so he pleaded for time. He then joined Yuan Pi and the generals in a blood oath to uphold the throne.
17
初，賀拔岳營於河曲，有軍吏獨行，忽見一老翁，鬚眉皓素，謂之曰：「賀拔岳雖復據有此衆，然終無所成。 當有一宇文家從東北來，後必大盛。」 言訖不見。 此吏恒與所親言之，至是方驗。
When Helba Yue camped at Hequ, a staff officer walking alone met an old man with snow-white beard and brows who said: "Helba Yue may command this army, yet he will never succeed. A Yuwen will come from the northeast and rise to greatness." With that he disappeared. The officer had told his friends again and again; only now did they see it fulfilled.
18
魏帝詔太祖曰：「賀拔岳旣殞，士衆未有所歸，卿可為大都督，卽相統領。 知欲漸就東下，良不可言。 今亦征侯莫陳悅士馬入京。 若其不來，朕當親自致罰。 宜體此意，不過淹留。」 太祖又表曰：「侯莫陳悅違天逆理，酷害良臣，自以專戮罪重，不恭詔命，阻兵水洛，強梁秦隴。 臣以大宥旣班，忍抑私憾，頻問悅及都督可朱渾元等歸闕早晚，而悅並維縶使人，不聽反報。 觀其指趣，勢必異圖。 臣正為此，未敢自拔。 兼順衆情，乞少停緩。」 太祖乃與悅書責之曰：
The emperor wrote Yuwen Tai: "Helba Yue is gone and the host is leaderless. Take command as grand commander at once. Your plan to move east by degrees is exactly right. Summon Houmochen Yue's forces to the capital as well. If he refuses, I will punish him in person. Heed this—and do not delay overlong." Yuwen Tai wrote again: "Houmochen Yue defies Heaven and butchered a loyal minister. Knowing his crime of summary execution is capital, he rejects your summons, holds Shuoluo with armed force, and terrorizes Qin and Long. Though the court has proclaimed a general amnesty, I swallowed private grief and repeatedly asked Yue and Kezhuhun Yuan when they would come to court—yet Yue seized my messengers and sent no answer. By his conduct he plainly intends treason. That is why I have not dared march east alone. The army demands the same—and I beg a little more time." Yuwen Tai then sent Yue a letter of rebuke:
19
頃者正光之末，天下沸騰，塵飛河朔，霧塞荊沔。 故將軍賀拔公攘袂勃起，志寧宇縣。 授戈南指，拯皇靈於已墜； 擁旄西邁，濟百姓於淪胥。 西顧無憂，繄公是賴。 勳茂賞隆，遂征關右。 此乃行路所知，不籍一二談也。
At the close of Zhengguang the empire erupted in chaos—war swept the Yellow River northlands and turmoil choked the middle Yangtze. General Helba Yue rose in arms, resolved to restore order to the realm. Spear in hand he marched south and snatched the throne back from ruin; banner raised he marched west and pulled the people back from destruction. The western frontier rested secure—entirely on his strength. Honored for towering merit, he then secured the western passes. Every traveler knows this—it needs no long proof.
20
君實名微行薄，本無遠量。 故將軍降遷高之志，篤匯征之理，乃申啟朝廷，薦君為隴右行臺。 朝議以君功名闕然，未之許也。 遂頻煩請謁，至於再三。 天子難違上將，便相聽許。 是亦遐邇共知，不復煩之翰墨。 縱使木石為心，猶當知感； 況在生靈，安能無愧。 加以王室多故，高氏專權，主上虛心，寄隆晉鄭。 君復與故將軍同受密旨，屢結盟約，期於畢力，共匡時難。 而貌恭心狠，妒勝嫉賢，口血未乾，匕首已發。 協黨國賊，共危本朝，孤恩負誓，有靦面目。 豈不上畏於天，下慚於地！
You were obscure and insignificant, a man of no vision. The general set aside his own ambition and pressed your case before the throne, recommending you as commissioner for Longyou. The court saw you had done nothing and refused. He pleaded again and again until the court yielded. The emperor, unable to refuse his champion, at last agreed. All the realm knows this—there is no need to rehearse it on paper. Stone and timber would feel gratitude; how then can any living man face the world without shame? The throne is beset by crisis and the Gao faction grips power; the emperor has placed his trust in you as once in the ministers of Jin and Zheng. You took secret orders with the general, swore alliance upon alliance, and pledged to give your all to save the dynasty. Yet you bowed in false courtesy while plotting murder—jealous of merit, hating the able; the blood of your oath had barely dried before you struck. You conspired with the realm's enemy, betrayed your benefactor, and broke your oath—have you no shame? Do you not fear Heaven above and blush before Earth below!
21
吾以弱才，猥當藩牧，蒙朝廷拔擢之恩，荷故將軍國士之遇。 聞問之日，魂守驚馳。 便陳啟天朝，暫來奔赴，衆情所推，遂當戎重。 比有敕旨，召吾還闕，亦有別詔，令君入朝。 雖操行無聞，而年齒已宿。 今日進退，唯君是視。 君若督率所部，自山隴東邁，吾亦總勒師徒，北道還闕。 共追廉、藺之跡，同慕寇、賈之風。 如其首鼠兩端，不時奉詔，專戮違旨，國有常刑，枕戈坐甲，指日相見。 幸圖利害，無貽噬臍。
I am a man of little talent, unworthily holding a frontier post—raised by the court and honored by the general as a champion of the realm. When I heard the news my soul shook and I raced to answer. I reported to the throne and came at once; the army pressed me, and I took command. The throne has summoned me back to court and issued separate orders for you to come as well. You may lack renown, but you are no longer young. Whether we march east or stand fast now rests with you alone. Lead your men east from the Long Mountains and I will march north to the capital with the host. Let us follow the example of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru and honor the loyalty of Kou Yun and Jia Yi. But if you hedge and delay, summary execution in defiance of the throne is a capital crime—I sit armed and will meet you within days. Weigh your interest carefully—do not invite the doom of a beast devoured by its own kind.
22
悅旣懼太祖謀己，詐為詔書與秦州刺史万俟普撥，令與悅為黨援。 普撥疑之，封詔以呈太祖。 太祖表之曰：「臣自奉詔總平涼之師，責重憂深，不遑啟處。 訓兵秣馬，唯思竭力。 前以人戀本土，侯莫陳悅窺窬進退，量度且宜住此。 今若召悅授以內官，臣列旆東轅，匪朝伊夕。 朝廷若以悅堪為邊扞，乞處以瓜、涼一藩。 不然，則終致猜虞，於事無益。」
Fearing Yuwen Tai, Yue forged an imperial edict to Qinzhou governor Mozhan Pobo, urging him to join as ally. Mozhan Pobo suspected fraud, sealed the document, and sent it to Yuwen Tai. Yuwen Tai reported to the throne: "Since I took command at Pingliang, the weight of duty has allowed me no rest. I drill the men and ready the horses and think only of giving my all. Because the men cling to their homes and Houmochen Yue watches every move, I judged it best to hold here for now. Summon Yue to a court appointment and I will turn east at once—not tomorrow, but today. If the court believes Yue can guard the frontier, give him Guazhou or Liangzhou. Otherwise suspicion will poison everything and nothing will be gained."
23
初，原州刺史史歸為岳所親任，河曲之變，反為悅守。 悅遣其黨王伯和、成次安將兵二千人助歸鎮原州。 太祖遣都督侯莫陳崇率輕騎一千襲歸，擒之，幷獲次安、伯和等，送於平涼。 太祖表崇行原州事。 万俟普撥又遣其將叱乾保洛領二千騎來從軍。
Yuanzhou governor Shi Gui had been Yue's trusted man; at the river-bend crisis he defected and held the city for Yue. Yue sent Wang Bohe and Cheng Ci'an with two thousand men to reinforce Shi Gui at Yuanzhou. Yuwen Tai sent Houmochen Chong with a thousand light cavalry, seized Shi Gui, and captured Ci'an, Wang Bohe, and the rest, sending them to Pingliang. Yuwen Tai recommended Houmochen Chong to govern Yuanzhou. Mozhan Pobo sent his commander Chi'gan Baoluo with two thousand horsemen to join the campaign.
24
三月，太祖進軍至原州。 衆軍悉集，諭以討悅之意，士卒莫不懷憤。 太祖乃表曰：「臣聞誓死酬恩，覆宗報主，人倫所急，赴蹈如歸。 自大都督臣岳歿後，臣頻奉詔還闕，秣馬戒途，志不俟旦。 直以督將已下，咸稱賀拔公視我如子，今讐恥未報，亦何面目以處世間，若得一雪冤酷，萬死無恨。 且悅外附強臣，內違朝旨。 臣今上思逐惡之志，下遂節士之心，冀仗天威，為國除害。 小違大順，實在茲辰。 克定之後，伏待斧鉞。」
In the third month Yuwen Tai marched on Yuanzhou. With the host assembled, he announced the campaign against Yue, and every soldier burned with outrage. Yuwen Tai wrote the throne: "To repay kindness with one's life and answer one's lord even at the cost of one's house is the first duty of a man—men run to it as homeward. Since Helba Yue's death I have again and again been ordered back to court; I have fed the horses and readied the march, eager to depart before dawn. Only because every officer said Helba Yue treated me as a son—with vengeance unpaid, how could I show my face in the world? Give me one chance to avenge him and I would die without regret. Yue serves a powerful minister abroad while defying the throne at home. Now I honor the duty to destroy evil and fulfill the heart of a loyal man, trusting in Heaven's power to purge this threat to the realm. A lesser duty must yield to the greater—the hour is now. When the campaign is won, I will submit myself to judgment."
25
夏四月，引兵上隴，留兄子導為都督，鎮原州。 太祖軍令嚴肅，秋毫無犯，百姓大悅。 識者知其有成。 軍出木峽關，大雨雪，平地二尺。 太祖知悅怯而多猜，乃倍道兼行，出其不意。 悅果疑其左右有異志者，左右亦不安，衆遂離貳。 聞大軍且至，退保略陽，留一萬餘人據守水洛。 太祖至水洛，命圍之，城降。 太祖卽率輕騎數百趣略陽，以臨悅軍，悅大懼，乃召其部將議之。 皆曰「此鋒不可當」，勸悅退保上邽以避之。 時南秦州刺史李弼亦在悅軍，乃間道遣使，請為內應。 其夜，悅出軍，軍中自驚潰，將卒或相率來降。 太祖縱兵奮擊，大破之。 虜獲萬餘人，馬八千疋。 悅與其子弟及麾下數十騎遁走。 太祖曰：「悅本與曹泥應接，不過走向靈州。」 乃令原州都督導邀其前，都督賀拔潁等追其後。 導至牽屯山追及悅，斬之。 太祖入上邽，收悅府庫，財物山積，皆以賞士卒，毫釐無所取。 左右竊一銀鏤甕以歸，太祖知而罪之，卽 （割） 〔剖〕賜將士，衆大悅。
In the fourth month he marched up the Long, leaving his nephew Dao to hold Yuanzhou. Yuwen Tai's discipline was iron; not a leaf was touched, and the people rejoiced. Men who read the signs knew victory was at hand. As the army crossed Mukou Pass, snow and rain fell until the flats lay two feet deep. Knowing Houmochen Yue was timid and suspicious, the Grand Duke forced the march and struck before Yue expected it. Yue began suspecting his own entourage of treachery; they in turn grew restless, and his army started to come apart. When word came that the main force was near, he fell back to Lueyang and left over ten thousand men to hold Shuoluo. At Shuoluo the Grand Duke laid siege; the city surrendered. The Grand Duke raced ahead with a few hundred light cavalry to face Yue at Lueyang. Yue was terrified and called his officers into council. They all said, "We cannot stand against this vanguard," and urged Yue to pull back to Shanggui. Li Bi, governor of Southern Qinzhou, was then with Yue's force. He sent a secret messenger offering to turn traitor from within. That night Yue marched his troops out, but the camp panicked and collapsed on itself. Officers and men began surrendering in bands. The Grand Duke pressed the attack and broke them completely. They took more than ten thousand prisoners and eight thousand horses. Yue escaped with his kin and a few dozen horsemen from his personal guard. The Grand Duke said, "Yue meant to join Cao Ni—he can only run for Lingzhou." He sent his nephew Dao, governor of Yuanzhou, to block the road ahead while Heba Ying and others closed in from behind. Dao caught Yue at Qiantun Mountain and cut off his head. The Grand Duke entered Shanggui and opened Yue's treasury, heaped with goods. He gave it all to the troops and kept nothing for himself. When a retainer stole a silver-inlaid jar, the Grand Duke had him punished and at once (cut) split the jar open and shared it among the officers and men. The army was delighted.
26
時涼州刺史李叔仁為其民所執，舉州騷擾。 宕昌羌梁 （企） 〔仚〕定引吐谷渾寇金城。 渭州及南秦州氐、羌連結，所在蜂起。 南岐至于瓜、鄯，跨州據郡者，不可勝數。 太祖乃令李弼鎮原州，夏州刺史拔也惡蠔鎮南秦州，渭州刺史可朱渾元還鎮渭州，衛將軍趙貴行秦州事。 征豳、涇、東秦、岐四州粟以給軍。
Meanwhile the people of Liangzhou had seized their governor Li Shuren, and the province was in turmoil. Liang (Qi) Xianding of the Dangchang Qiang led Tuyuhun raiders against Jincheng. Di and Qiang bands linked up across Weizhou and Southern Qinzhou; revolts flared everywhere. From Southern Qi to Guazhou and Shazhou, rebels held districts across provincial borders beyond number. He posted Li Bi at Yuanzhou, Baye E'hao of Xiazhou at Southern Qinzhou, Kezhuhun Yuan at Weizhou, and put Guard General Zhao Gui in charge of Qinzhou. Grain was requisitioned from Bin, Jing, Eastern Qin, and Qi to feed the troops.
27
齊神武聞秦隴克捷，乃遣使於太祖，甘言厚禮，深相倚結。 太祖拒而不納。 時齊神武已有異志，故魏帝深仗太祖。 乃徵二千騎鎮東雍州，助為聲援，仍令太祖稍引軍而東。 太祖乃遣大都督梁禦率步騎五千鎮河、渭合口，為圖河東之計。 太祖之討悅也，悅遣使請援於齊神武，神武使其都督韓軌將兵一萬據蒲阪，而雍州刺史賈顯送船與軌，請軌兵入關。 太祖因梁禦之東，乃逼召顯赴軍。 禦遂入雍州。
When Qi Shenwu learned of the victory in Qin and Long, he sent envoys to the Grand Duke with flattering words and lavish gifts, hoping to bind him close. The Grand Duke turned him away. Qi Shenwu already had designs of his own, so the Wei emperor leaned heavily on the Grand Duke. The court called up two thousand cavalry for Eastern Yongzhou as reinforcement and told the Grand Duke to begin moving east. The Grand Duke sent Grand Governor Liang Yu with five thousand infantry and cavalry to hold the mouth of the He and Wei rivers, laying plans against Hedong. During the campaign against Yue, Yue had appealed to Qi Shenwu for help. Shenwu sent Han Gui with ten thousand men to seize Puban, and Yongzhou governor Jia Xian offered boats so Han Gui could cross into the Pass. While Liang Yu marched east, the Grand Duke ordered Jia Xian to report to headquarters under compulsion. Liang Yu then took Yongzhou.
28
魏帝遣著作郎姚幼瑜持節勞軍，進太祖侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、關西大都督、略陽縣公，承制封拜，使持節如故。 於是以寇洛為涇州刺史，李弼為秦州刺史，前略陽郡守張獻為南岐州刺史。 盧待伯拒代，遣輕騎襲擒之，待伯自殺。
The Wei emperor sent Compiler Yao Youyu with imperial credentials to reward the army. The Grand Duke was made Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, and Grand General of the Resplendent Guard with Three Excellencies honors, Grand Governor of Guanxi, Duke of Lueyang, with power to appoint officials on imperial authority. Kou Luo became governor of Jingzhou, Li Bi of Qinzhou, and the former Lueyang prefect Zhang Xian governor of Southern Qizhou. Lu Daibo refused to yield his post. A flying column seized him; he took his own life.
29
時魏帝方圖齊神武，又遣徵兵。 太祖乃令前秦州刺史駱超為大都督，率輕騎一千赴洛。 進授太祖兼尚書僕射、關西大行臺，餘官封如故。 太祖乃傳檄方鎮曰：
The Wei emperor was already moving against Qi Shenwu and issued another call for troops. The Grand Duke sent the former Qinzhou governor Luo Chao as grand governor with a thousand light cavalry toward Luoyang. The Grand Duke was also made Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Grand Commissioner of the Guanxi Branch Secretariat; his other titles stood unchanged. The Grand Duke then circulated a proclamation to the provinces:
30
蓋聞陰陽遞用，盛衰相襲，苟當百六，無間三五。 皇家創曆，陶鑄蒼生，保安四海，仁育萬物。 運距孝昌，屯沴屢起，隴、冀騷動，燕、河狼顧。 雖靈命重啟，蕩定有期，而乘釁之徒，因生羽翼。
Yin and yang take turns, rise and fall follow one another; in an age of cosmic calamity, no cycle of fate can spare us. Our dynasty forged an age, shaped the people, guarded the realm, and nurtured all living things. Since Xiaochang the realm has known one disaster after another—Long and Ji in uproar, Yan and He restless as wolves at bay. Heaven's mandate might yet revive and order find its hour—but every opportunist at the crack sprouted wings.
31
賊臣高歡，器識庸下，出自輿皂，罕聞禮義，直以一介鷹犬，效力戎行，靦冒恩私，遂階榮寵。 不能竭誠盡節，專挾姦回，乃勸爾朱榮行茲篡逆。 及榮以專政伏誅，世隆以凶黨外叛，歡苦相敦勉，令取京師。 又勸吐萬兒復為弒虐，暫立建明，以令天下，假推普泰，欲竊威權。 並歸廢斥，俱見酷害。 於是稱兵河北，假討爾朱，亟通表奏，云取讒賊。 旣行廢黜，遂將篡弒。 以人望未改，恐鼎鑊交及，乃求宗室，權允人心。 天方與魏，必將有主，翊戴聖明，誠非歡力。 而歡阻兵安忍，自以為功。 廣布腹心，跨州連郡，端揆禁闥，莫非親黨。 皆行貪虐，窫窳生人。 而舊將名臣，正人直士，橫生瘡痏，動掛網羅。 故武衛將軍伊琳，清貞剛毅，禁旅攸屬； 直閣將軍鮮于康仁，忠亮驍傑，爪牙斯在：歡收而戮之，曾无聞奏。 司空高乾，是其黨與，每相影響，謀危社稷。 但以姦志未從，恐先洩漏，乃密白朝廷，使殺高乾，方哭對其弟，稱天子橫戮。 孫騰、任祥，歡之心膂，並使入居樞近，伺國間隙，知歡逆謀將發，相繼逃歸，歡益加撫待，亦無陳白。
The traitor Gao Huan came up from the stable yard, a man of mean gifts who never learned ritual or right conduct. He rose as another man's hunting dog, traded flattery for favor, and climbed into power. He never served with honest loyalty. He trafficked in treachery and pushed Erzhu Rong toward usurpation. When Rong fell for seizing power and Shilong rebelled with the Erzhu faction, Huan pressed his allies onward and drove them to storm the capital. He backed Tuwannier in fresh murder and tyranny, propped up Jianming to rule the world, and used the Putai era as a mask to seize power. Each puppet was cast aside in turn, and each met a brutal end. Then he took up arms in Hebei under the pretense of destroying the Erzhu, flooding the court with memorials vowing to purge the corrupt. Once the throne was hollowed out, he moved toward outright usurpation. Popular loyalty had not yet broken, and fearing the cauldron of punishment, he hunted up a member of the imperial house to placate the crowd. Heaven still favored Wei and would provide a sovereign. The enthronement of a legitimate ruler was no deed of Huan's. Yet Huan, armed and ruthless, claimed the triumph for himself. He planted his creatures across provinces and linked commanderies; every post at court and gate fell to kin and clients. They plundered and tormented the people without restraint. Veteran commanders and honest ministers were hounded at every turn and caught in his nets. Military Guard General Yi Lin, a man of clean integrity on whom the palace guard depended, and Direct Attendant General Xianyu Kangren, a loyal and formidable champion of the throne—Huan seized them both and killed them without a word to the court. Minister of Works Gao Gan was his accomplice; together they schemed against the dynasty. Fearing exposure before their plot ripened, he secretly denounced Gao Gan to the court and had him killed—then wept before Gan's brother and blamed the emperor for a capricious execution. Sun Teng and Ren Xiang, his closest confidants, were posted near the throne to watch for weakness. When they saw his treason ripening they fled one after another—yet Huan sheltered them and never informed the court.
32
然歡入洛之始，本有姦謀。 令親人蔡儁作牧河、濟，厚相恩贍，以為東道主人。 故關西大都督、清水公賀拔岳，勳德隆重，興亡攸寄，歡好亂樂禍，深相忌毒，乃與侯莫陳悅陰圖陷害。 幕府以受律專征，便卽討戮。 歡知逆狀已露，稍懷旅距，遂遣蔡儁拒代，令竇泰佐之。 又遣侯景等云向白馬，輔世珍等徑趣石濟，高隆之、疋婁昭等屯據壺關，韓軌之徒擁衆蒲阪。 於是上書天子，數論得失，訾毀乘輿，威侮朝廷。 藉此微庸，冀茲大寶。 溪壑可盈，禍心不測。 或言徑赴荊楚，開疆於外； 或言分詣伊洛，取彼讒人； 或言欲來入關，與幕府決戰。 今聖明御運，天下清夷，百寮師師，四隩來暨。 人盡忠良，誰為君側？ 而歡威福自己，生是亂階，緝構南箕，指鹿為馬，包藏凶逆，伺我神器。 是而可忍，孰不可容！
From the day Huan entered Luoyang he had been plotting treason. He installed his kinsman Cai Jun as governor of He and Ji, lavishing favor on him as custodian of the eastern approach. Heba Yue, former Grand Governor of Guanxi and Duke of Qingshui, whose merit upheld the realm, was marked for death. Huan, a lover of chaos, conspired with Houmochen Yue to destroy him. This headquarters, commissioned to punish traitors, has already struck down Yue. Huan, his guilt laid bare, turned defiant. He sent Cai Jun to hold the frontier and Dou Tai to support him. He dispatched Hou Jing toward Baima, Fu Shizhen on Shiji, Gao Longzhi and Pilou Zhao at Huguan, and Han Gui with a host at Puban. He bombarded the throne with memorials, reviling the emperor and browbeating the court. On the strength of petty gains he reached for the throne itself. His greed has no bottom; his malice no limit. Some say he will march south into Jing and Chu to carve out new lands; others that he will split his army toward Luoyang to seize his enemies at court; still others that he means to cross into the Pass and settle matters with this headquarters in battle. Yet the sage emperor holds the helm, the realm is at peace, the bureaucracy stands in order, and the four quarters pay homage. The court is full of loyal men—who, then, is the villain at the emperor's ear? Huan makes himself the source of power, sows rebellion, twists truth into lies, hides treason, and covets the throne. If this can be endured, nothing cannot!
33
幕府折沖宇宙，親當受脤，銳師百萬，彀騎千羣，裹糧坐甲，唯敵是俟，義之所在，糜軀匪恡。 況頻有詔書，班告天下，稱歡逆亂，徵兵致伐。 今便分命將帥，應機進討。 或趣其要害，或襲其窟宅，電繞蛇擊，霧合星羅。 而歡違負天地，毒被人鬼，乘此掃蕩，易同俯拾。 歡若渡河，稍逼宗廟，則分命諸將，直取幷州，幕府躬自東轅，電赴伊洛； 若固其巢穴，未敢發動，亦命羣帥，百道俱前，轘裂賊臣，以謝天下。
This headquarters stands between heaven and earth with armies in the millions and cavalry by the thousand. Our men sit in armor with rations packed, waiting only for the foe—and where duty calls, they will spend themselves without hesitation. Imperial edicts have already gone out to the realm naming Huan a rebel and calling the hosts to war. Generals will now be dispatched to strike wherever opportunity opens. Some columns will hit their vitals, others their strongholds—striking like lightning, closing like mist and stars. Huan has defied heaven and earth and poisoned men and spirits alike. At this sweep he will fall as easily as scooping what lies at one's feet. If he crosses the river toward the ancestral shrines, our generals will drive on Bingzhou while this headquarters races east to Luoyang; if he hides in his lair and dares not move, a hundred columns will advance together and tear the traitor apart to appease the realm.
34
其州鎮郡縣，率土人黎，或州鄉冠冕，或勳庸世濟，並宜捨逆歸順，立效軍門。 封賞之科，已有別格。 凡百君子，可不勉歟。
To every province, command, and county—to gentry and to families long in the emperor's service—we say: abandon the rebel, return to loyalty, and earn merit under our banners. Rewards and enfeoffments are set forth in separate regulations. Every loyal man among you—will you not do your utmost?
35
太祖謂諸將曰：「高歡雖智不足而詐有餘，今聲言欲西，其意在入洛。 吾欲令寇洛率馬步萬餘，自涇州東引； 王羆率甲士一萬，先據華州。 歡若西來，王羆足得抗拒； 如其入洛，寇洛卽襲汾晉。 吾便速駕，直赴京邑。 使其進有內顧之憂，退有被躡之勢。 一舉大定，此為上策。」 衆咸稱善。
The Grand Duke told his officers, "Gao Huan lacks wisdom but not cunning. He talks of marching west; he means Luoyang. I will send Kou Luo with more than ten thousand infantry and cavalry east from Jingzhou; and Wang Pi with ten thousand armored men to seize Huazhou first. If Huan comes west, Wang Pi can hold him; if he pushes on to Luoyang, Kou Luo will strike Fen and Jin from behind. I will ride hard for the capital myself. He will advance with trouble at his back and retreat with us on his heels. One move settles everything. That is the best plan." All agreed it was sound.
36
秋七月，太祖帥衆發自高平，前軍至於弘農。 而齊神武稍逼京邑，魏帝親總六軍，屯於河橋，令左衛元斌之、領軍斛斯椿鎮武牢，遣使告太祖。 太祖謂左右曰：「高歡數日行八九百里，曉兵者所忌，正須乘便擊之。 而主上以萬乘之重，不能決戰，方緣津據守。 且長河萬里，扞禦為難，若一處得度，大事去矣。」 卽以大都督趙貴為別道行臺，自蒲阪濟，趣幷州。 遣大都督李賢將精騎一千赴洛陽。 會斌之與斛斯椿爭權不協，斌之遂棄椿還，紿帝云：「高歡兵至。」
In the seventh month the Grand Duke marched from Gaoping; the vanguard reached Hongnong. Qi Shenwu was meanwhile closing on the capital. The Wei emperor took the field in person at Heqiao, posted Yuan Binzhi and Hus Chun at Wulao, and sent word to the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke told his staff, "Gao Huan is marching eight or nine hundred li in a few days—a pace any seasoned commander dreads. We should hit him while we can. But the emperor, with the throne on his shoulders, would not fight it out and only dug in along the river crossings. The Yellow River runs for thousands of li—no line holds everywhere. One breach and everything is lost." He sent Grand Governor Zhao Gui as a separate column to cross at Puban and drive on Bingzhou. Grand Governor Li Xian was sent with a thousand picked horsemen toward Luoyang. Yuan Binzhi and Chisi Chun were then feuding for power. Binzhi deserted Chun and rode back, telling the emperor falsely that Gao Huan was upon them.
37
七月丁未，帝遂從洛陽率輕騎入關，太祖備儀衛奉迎，謁見東陽驛。 太祖免冠泣涕謝曰：「臣不能式遏寇虐，遂使乘輿遷幸。 請拘司敗，以正刑書。」 帝曰：「公之忠節，曝於朝野。 朕以不德，負乘致寇。 今日相見，深用厚顏。 責在朕躬，無勞謝也。」 乃奉帝都長安。 披草萊，立朝廷，軍國之政，咸取太祖決焉。 仍加授大將軍、雍州刺史，兼尚書令，進封略陽郡公，別置二尚書，隨機處分，解尚書僕射，餘如故。 太祖固讓，詔敦諭，乃 （授） 〔受〕。 初，魏帝在洛陽，許以馮翊長公主配太祖，未及結納，而帝西遷。 至是，詔太祖尚之，拜駙馬都尉。
On dingwei day in the seventh month the emperor fled Luoyang with light cavalry into the Pass. The Grand Duke met him with full ceremony at Dongyang Post Station. The Grand Duke bared his head and wept. "I failed to hold back the rebel," he said, "and forced Your Majesty from the capital. Arrest me under the law of dereliction and let justice be done." The emperor replied, "Your loyalty is plain to the whole realm. It was my own lack of virtue that brought the rebel down on us. To face you now shames me deeply. The fault is mine alone—do not apologize." He then conducted the emperor to Chang'an. They cleared the wilds, raised a court, and put every military and civil matter in the Grand Duke's hands. He was made Grand General and governor of Yongzhou, given concurrent charge of the Masters of Writing, and raised to Duke of Lueyang. Two secretaries were added for day-to-day business; the vice directorship was dropped; everything else stood as before. The Grand Duke refused repeatedly until imperial orders pressed him, and at last he (grant) accepted. While the Wei emperor still held Luoyang he had promised the Grand Duke marriage to the Princess Chang of Fufu, but the court moved west before the wedding could take place. Now an edict bound the marriage and made him Commandant of the Riding Companion.
38
八月，齊神武襲陷潼關，侵華陰。 太祖率諸軍屯霸上以待之。 齊神武留其將薛瑾守關而退。 太祖乃進軍討瑾，虜其卒七千，還長安，進位丞相。
In the eighth month Qi Shenwu stormed Tong Pass and raided Huayin. The Grand Duke camped the army at Bashang to meet him. Qi Shenwu left Xue Jin to guard the Pass and pulled back. The Grand Duke attacked Jin, took seven thousand prisoners, returned to Chang'an, and was made Chancellor.
39
冬十月，齊神武推魏清河王亶子善見為主，徙都於鄴，是為東魏。
In the tenth month Qi Shenwu enthroned Shanjian, son of Prince Qinghe Yuan Dan, moved the capital to Ye, and founded Eastern Wei.
40
十一月，遣儀同李虎與李弼、趙貴等討曹泥於靈州，虎引河灌之。 明年，泥降，遷其豪帥于咸陽。
In the eleventh month he sent Yitong Li Hu with Li Bi, Zhao Gui, and others against Cao Ni at Lingzhou. Hu dammed the river to flood the city. The following year Ni surrendered and his chieftains were resettled at Xianyang.
41
閏十二月，魏孝武帝崩。 太祖與羣公定策，尊立魏南陽王寶炬為嗣，是為文皇帝。
In the intercalary twelfth month Emperor Xiaowu of Wei died. The Grand Duke and the senior officials chose Prince Nanyang Yuan Baoju as heir—the man who became Emperor Wen.
42
全文以中華書局、一九七一年十一月版《周書》為本校。
The entire chapter was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju Zhou Shu (November 1971).