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文帝下
The Annals of Emperor Wen, Part Two
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魏大統元年春正月己酉，進太祖督中外諸軍事、錄尚書事、大行臺，改封安定郡王。 太祖固讓王及錄尚書事，魏帝許之，乃改封安定郡公。 東魏遣其將司馬子如寇潼關，太祖軍霸上，子如乃回軍自蒲津寇華州，刺史王羆擊走之。
In spring of the first year of Datong (535), on the jiyou day of the first month, Yuwen Tai was promoted to supervise all armies at home and abroad, made recorder of the Masters of Writing, and grand commissioner-in-chief, and enfeoffed as duke of Anding commandery. Yuwen Tai firmly declined both the royal title and the recordership; the Wei emperor assented, and he was re-enfeoffed as duke of Anding commandery. Eastern Wei sent Sima Ziru against Tong Pass; Yuwen Tai camped at Bashang. Ziru doubled back from Pujin to strike Hua Province, but Governor Wang Pi repulsed him.
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三月，太祖以戎役屢興，民吏勞弊，乃命所司斟酌今古，參考變通，可以益國利民便時適治者，為二十四條新制，奏魏帝行之。
In the third month, seeing repeated campaigns and exhausted officials and people, Yuwen Tai ordered the ministries to draw on past and present practice and draft twenty-four new statutes that would strengthen the state, ease the people, and fit the times; he submitted them to the Wei emperor for enactment.
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二年春三月，東魏襲陷夏州，留其將張瓊、許和守之。
In spring of the second year, third month, Eastern Wei seized Xia Province by surprise and left Zhang Qiong and Xu He to garrison it.
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夏五月，秦州刺史、建中王万俟普撥率所部叛入東魏。 太祖勒輕騎追之，至河北千餘里，不及而還。
In the fifth month of summer, Wan'niu Puba, Prince Jianzhong and governor of Qin Province, defected with his troops to Eastern Wei. Yuwen Tai pursued with light cavalry for over a thousand li north of the Yellow River, failed to catch him, and turned back.
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三年春正月，東魏寇龍門，屯軍蒲阪，造三道浮橋度河。 又遣其將竇泰趣潼關，高敖曹圍洛州。 太祖出軍廣陽，召諸將曰：「賊今掎吾三面，又造橋於河，示欲必渡，是欲綴吾軍，使竇泰得西入耳。 久與相持，其計得行，非良策也。 且歡起兵以來，泰每為先驅，其下多銳卒，屢勝而驕。 今出其不意，襲之必克。 克泰則歡不戰而自走矣。」 諸將咸曰：「賊在近，捨而遠襲，事若蹉跌，悔無及也。」。 太祖曰：「歡前再襲潼關，吾軍不過霸上。 今者大來，兵未出郊。 賊顧謂吾但自守耳，無遠鬥意。 又狃于得志，有輕我之心。 乘此擊之，何往不克。 賊雖造橋，不能徑渡。 此五日中，吾取竇泰必矣。 公等勿疑。」 庚戌，太祖率騎六千還長安，聲言欲保隴右。 辛亥，謁帝而潛出軍。 癸丑旦，至小關。 竇泰卒聞軍至，惶懼，依山為陣，未及成列，太祖縱兵擊破之，盡俘其衆萬餘人。 斬泰，傳首長安。 高敖曹適陷洛州，執刺史泉企，聞泰之歿，焚輜重棄城走。 齊神武亦撤橋而退。 企子元禮尋復洛州，斬東魏刺史杜密。 太祖還軍長安。
In spring of the third year, first month, Eastern Wei attacked Longmen, camped at Puban, and threw three pontoon bridges across the river. They sent Dou Tai toward Tong Pass and Gao Aocao to besiege Luo Province. Yuwen Tai marched from Guangyang and told his generals: "The foe has us pinned on three sides and bridged the river as if to force a crossing—they mean to hold us here while Dou Tai slips through to the west. A long standoff that lets them carry out that plan is poor strategy. Besides, since Huan took the field Dou Tai has always spearheaded his attacks with elite troops grown arrogant from many victories. Hit them unexpectedly now and victory is certain. Capture Dou Tai and Huan will retreat without a battle." The generals objected: "The enemy is close; to leave them and strike elsewhere risks disaster we cannot undo." Yuwen Tai replied: "When Huan attacked Tong Pass twice before, we never marched past Bashang. Now he comes in strength, but his army has not even cleared the outskirts. They take us for mere defenders with no appetite for a distant battle. Success has made them overconfident and contemptuous of us. Strike while they feel this way and where will you fail? Their bridges cannot carry them across at once. Within five days I will surely take Dou Tai. Have no doubts. On gengxu day Yuwen Tai led six thousand cavalry back to Chang'an, proclaiming that he would secure Longyou. On xinhai he attended court, then slipped out with the army. At dawn on guichou day he reached Xiaoguan Pass. Dou Tai's men, hearing he had come, panicked and formed on the slopes before their lines were set; Yuwen Tai attacked, routed them, and captured more than ten thousand. Dou Tai was killed and his head sent to Chang'an. Gao Aocao had just captured Luo Province and taken Governor Quan Qi; when he heard Dou Tai was dead he burned his wagons and fled. Qi Shenwu (Gao Huan) likewise pulled back his bridges and withdrew. Quan Qi's son Yuanli soon retook Luo Province and killed the Eastern Wei governor Du Mi. Yuwen Tai marched back to Chang'an.
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六月，遣儀同于謹取楊氏壁。 太祖請罷行臺，帝復申前命，太祖受錄尚書事，餘固讓，乃止。
In the sixth month he sent Army Comrade Yu Jin to seize Yangshi fortress. Yuwen Tai asked to abolish the grand commissionerate; the emperor repeated his earlier appointment, and Yuwen Tai accepted the recordership but declined the rest, and so it ended.
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秋七月，徵兵會咸陽。
In the seventh month of autumn levies were called to assemble at Xianyang.
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八月丁丑，太祖率李弼、獨孤信、梁禦、趙貴、于謹、若干惠、怡峯、劉亮、王德、侯莫陳崇、李遠、達奚武等十二將東伐。 至潼關，太祖乃誓於師曰：「與爾有衆，奉天威，誅暴亂。 惟爾士，整爾甲兵，戒爾戎事，無貪財以輕敵，無暴民以作威。 用命則有賞，不用命則有戮。 爾衆士其勉之。」 遣于謹居軍前，狥地至盤豆。 東魏將高叔禮守柵不下，謹急攻之，乃降。 獲其戍卒一千，送叔禮於長安。 戊子，至弘農。 東魏將高干、陝州刺史李徽伯拒守。 于時連雨，太祖乃命諸軍冒雨攻之。 庚寅，城潰，斬徽伯，虜其戰士八千。 高干走度河，令賀拔勝追擒之，並送長安。 於是宜陽、邵郡皆來歸附。 先是河南豪傑多聚兵應東魏，至是各率所部來降。
On dingchou day of the eighth month Yuwen Tai marched east with Li Bi, Dugu Xin, Liang Yu, Zhao Gui, Yu Jin, Ruogan Hui, Yi Feng, Liu Liang, Wang De, Houmochen Chong, Li Yuan, Daxi Wu, and eleven other commanders. At Tong Pass Yuwen Tai swore to the troops: "With you I have an army; by Heaven's mandate we punish the violent and rebellious. Soldiers, brace your arms and gear and keep discipline: do not grasp at loot and underestimate the foe, do not terrorize the people to play the despot. Obey and you will be rewarded; disobey and you will be punished. All of you, strive hard. He put Yu Jin in the van to clear the route as far as Pandou. Eastern Wei's Gao Shuli held a stockade and refused to submit; Jin stormed it until he surrendered. A thousand garrison troops were captured and Shuli was sent to Chang'an. On wuzi day they reached Hongnong. Eastern Wei's Gao Gan and Shaan governor Li Huibo defended the city. Steady rain fell; Yuwen Tai ordered an assault through the downpour. On gengyin day the walls gave way; Li Huibo was killed and eight thousand soldiers taken. Gao Gan fled across the river; Yuwen Tai sent Helba Sheng in pursuit to capture him, and both prisoners were sent to Chang'an. Yiyang and Shao commandery then submitted. Many Henan strongmen who had backed Eastern Wei now brought their bands over in surrender.
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齊神武懼，率衆十萬出壺口，趨蒲阪，將自后土濟。 又遣其將高敖曹以三萬人出河南。 是歲，關中饑。 太祖旣平弘農，因館谷五十餘日。 時戰士不滿萬人，聞齊神武將度，乃引軍入關。 齊神武遂度河，逼華州。 刺史王羆嚴守。 知不可攻，乃涉洛，軍于許原西。 太祖據渭南，徵諸州兵皆〔未〕會。 乃召諸將謂之曰：「高歡越山度河，遠來至此，天亡之時也。 吾欲擊之何如？」 諸將咸以衆寡不敵，請待歡更西，以觀其勢。 太祖曰：「歡若得至咸陽，人情轉騷擾。 今及其新至，便可擊之。」 即造浮橋於渭，令軍人齎三日糧，輕騎度渭，輜重自渭南夾渭而西。
Qi Shenwu, alarmed, marched a hundred thousand men from Hukou toward Puban to cross at Houtu ford. He also sent Gao Aocao with thirty thousand down the Henan line. Guanzhong suffered famine that year. After taking Hongnong Yuwen Tai lived on local grain stores for more than fifty days. His active troops numbered fewer than ten thousand; when he heard Qi Shenwu was crossing, he withdrew into the passes. Qi Shenwu crossed the river and advanced on Hua Province. Governor Wang Pi defended stubbornly. Finding the city untakable, he crossed the Luo and camped west of Xuyuan. Yuwen Tai held the south bank of the Wei River while provincial levies had not yet arrived. He called his generals and said: "Gao Huan has crossed mountains and rivers to reach us—Heaven's moment to destroy him. I mean to attack—what say you?" They pleaded inferior numbers and asked to let Huan push farther west before judging the situation. Yuwen Tai said: "If Huan reaches Xianyang the realm will panic. Strike now, while he has just arrived." He threw pontoon bridges on the Wei, gave each man three days' rations, crossed with light cavalry, and sent the baggage train west along both banks from the southern shore.
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冬十月壬辰，至沙苑，距齊神武軍六十餘里。 齊神武聞太祖至，引軍來會。 癸巳旦，候騎告齊神武軍且至。 太祖召諸將謀之。 李弼曰：「彼衆我寡，不可平地置陣。 此東十里有渭曲，可先據以待之。」 遂進軍至渭曲，背水東西為陣。 李弼為右拒，趙貴為左拒。 命將士皆偃戈於葭蘆中，聞鼓聲而起。 申時，齊神武至，望太祖軍少，競馳而進，不為行列，總萃於左軍。 兵將交，太祖鳴鼓，士皆奮起。 于謹等六軍與之合戰，李弼等率鐵騎橫擊之，絕其軍為二隊，大破之，斬六千餘級，臨陣降者二萬餘人。 齊神武夜遁，追至河上，復大克獲。 前後虜其卒七萬。 留其甲士二萬，餘悉縱歸。 收其輜重兵甲，獻俘長安。 還軍渭南，於是所徵諸州兵始至。 乃於戰所，准當時兵士，人種樹一株，以旌武功。 進太祖柱國大將軍，增邑幷前五千戶。 李弼等十二將亦進爵增邑。 幷其下將士，賞各有差。
In the tenth month of winter, on renchen day, they reached Shayuan, a little over sixty li from Qi Shenwu's camp. Qi Shenwu, learning Yuwen Tai was there, marched to engage him. At dawn on guisi day scouts reported Qi Shenwu's host drawing near. Yuwen Tai called a council of war. Li Bi said: "They outnumber us; we cannot fight on flat ground. Ten li east is a bend of the Wei—take it first and await them there. They moved to the river bend and formed lines with the water at their backs, east and west. Li Bi commanded the right wing; Zhao Gui the left. He hid the troops in the reeds with weapons down, to rise at the drum. At the shen hour Qi Shenwu came up; seeing few defenders, his men charged in disorder, crowding the left wing. As the lines met Yuwen Tai beat the drum and his men sprang up. Yu Jin's six corps engaged them; Li Bi and others led iron cavalry in a flank attack, split the enemy in two, and crushed them—six thousand killed and twenty thousand surrendered on the spot. Qi Shenwu fled by night; pursuit to the river yielded another great haul. Altogether they took seventy thousand prisoners in the campaign. Twenty thousand armored men were kept; the rest were sent home. Captured wagons, armor, and arms were brought in, and the prisoners displayed at Chang'an. Back on the south bank of the Wei, the provincial levies finally came in. At the battlefield each soldier of the day planted a tree to mark the victory. Yuwen Tai was promoted to pillar-of-state grand general with five thousand additional households added to his fief. Li Bi and the other twelve commanders were also promoted and enfeoffed. Subordinate officers and troops were rewarded according to merit.
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遣左僕射、馮翊王元季海為行臺，與開府獨孤信率步騎二萬向洛陽； 洛州刺史李顯趨荊州； 賀拔勝、李弼渡河圍蒲阪。 牙門將高子信開門納勝軍，東魏將薛崇禮棄城走，勝等追獲之。 太祖進軍蒲阪，略定汾、絳。 於是許和殺張瓊以夏州降。 初，太祖自弘農入關後，東魏將高敖曹圍弘農，聞其軍敗，退守洛陽。 獨孤信至新安，敖曹復走度河，信遂入洛陽。 東魏潁川長史賀若統與密縣人張儉執刺史田迅舉城降。 滎陽鄭榮業、鄭偉等攻梁州，擒其刺史鹿永吉； 清河人崔彥穆、檀琛攻滎陽，擒其郡守蘇定：皆來附。 自梁、陳已西，將吏降者相屬。
He dispatched Left Vice Director Yuan Jihai, Prince of Fengyi, as commissioner-in-chief, with Grand Marshal Dugu Xin and twenty thousand infantry and cavalry toward Luoyang; Luo governor Li Xian fled toward Jing Province; Helba Sheng and Li Bi crossed the river to besiege Puban. Gate officer Gao Zixin opened the gates to Sheng; Eastern Wei's Xue Chongli fled and was caught in pursuit. Yuwen Tai marched to Puban and secured Fen and Jiang. Xu He then killed Zhang Qiong and surrendered Xia Province. After Yuwen Tai entered the passes from Hongnong, Gao Aocao had besieged the city; when he heard of the defeat he fell back to Luoyang. Dugu Xin reached Xin'an; Aocao fled across the river again, and Xin entered Luoyang. Eastern Wei's Yingchuan chief clerk He Ruotong and Mi County's Zhang Jian arrested Governor Tian Xun and surrendered the city. Zheng Rongye and Zheng Wei of Xingyang took Liang Province and captured Governor Lu Yongji; Cui Yanmu of Qinghe and Tan Chen took Xingyang and seized Prefect Su Ding—all submitted. West of Liang and Chen, surrendering officials and generals came in one after another.
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於是東魏將堯雄、趙育、是云寶出潁川，欲復降地。 太祖遣儀同宇文貴、梁遷等逆擊，大破之。 趙育來降。 東魏復遣將任祥率河南兵與雄合，儀同怡峯與貴、遷等復擊破之。 又遣都督韋孝寬取豫州。 是云寶殺其東揚州刺史那 （樁） 〔椿〕，以州來附。
Eastern Wei then sent Yao Xiong, Zhao Yu, and Shi Yunbao out of Yingchuan to win back lost ground. Yuwen Tai sent Army Comrade Yuwen Gui, Liang Qian, and others to intercept them and won a crushing victory. Zhao Yu surrendered. Eastern Wei sent Ren Xiang with Henan troops to reinforce Xiong; Yiyi Feng, Yuwen Gui, and Liang Qian defeated them again. Yuwen Tai also sent Supervisor Wei Xiaokuan to seize Yu Province. Shi Yunbao killed the Eastern Yangzhou governor Na (Chun the cited text) and brought the province over in submission.
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四年春三月，太祖率諸將入朝。 禮畢，還華州。
In spring of the fourth year, third month, Yuwen Tai led his commanders to court. When the audience ended, he returned to Hua Province.
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七月，東魏遣其將侯景、厙狄干、高敖曹、 （元） 〔韓〕軌、可朱渾元、莫多婁貸文等圍獨孤信於洛陽。 齊神武繼其後。 先是，魏帝將幸洛陽拜園陵，會信被圍，詔太祖率軍救信，魏帝亦東。
In the seventh month Eastern Wei sent Hou Jing, Kudigan Gan, Gao Aocao, (Yuan) Han Gui, Kezhuhun Yuan, Moduolou Daiwen, and others to besiege Dugu Xin at Luoyang. Qi Shenwu (Gao Huan) followed in their wake. The Wei emperor had been preparing to visit Luoyang and the imperial tombs; when Dugu Xin was trapped, he ordered Yuwen Tai to relieve him and marched east himself.
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八月庚寅，太祖至穀城，莫多婁貸文、可朱渾元來逆，臨陣斬貸文，元單騎遁免，悉虜其衆送弘農。 遂進軍瀍東。 是夕，魏帝幸太祖營，於是景等夜解圍去。 及旦，太祖率輕騎追之，至於河上。 景等北據河橋，南屬邙山為陣，與諸軍合戰。 太祖馬中流矢，驚逸，遂失所之，因此軍中擾亂。 都督李穆下馬授太祖，軍以復振。 於是大捷，斬高敖曹及其儀同李猛、西兗州刺史宋顯等，虜其甲士一萬五千，赴河死者以萬數。
On gengyin day of the eighth month Yuwen Tai reached Gucheng; Moduolou Daiwen and Kezhuhun Yuan came out to fight; Daiwen was killed in the clash, Yuan fled alone on horseback, and the whole force was taken and sent to Hongnong. He then pushed east of the Chan River. That night the Wei emperor came to Yuwen Tai's camp; Hou Jing and the others broke the siege and withdrew under cover of darkness. At dawn Yuwen Tai pursued with light cavalry as far as the river. Hou Jing held the northern river bridge and anchored his line on Mount Mang to the south, then joined the full battle. Yuwen Tai's horse took a stray arrow, bolted in terror, and carried him out of sight; the army dissolved into confusion. Supervisor Li Mu dismounted and lent Yuwen Tai his horse; the line steadied again. Then came a great victory: Gao Aocao was killed, together with Army Comrade Li Meng, Western Yanzhou governor Song Xian, and others; fifteen thousand armored men were taken, and tens of thousands drowned fleeing into the river.
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是日置陣旣大，首尾懸遠，從旦至未，戰數十合，氛霧四塞，莫能相知。 獨孤信、李遠居右，趙貴、怡峯居左，戰並不利，又未知魏帝及太祖所在，皆棄其卒先歸。 開府李虎、念賢等為後軍，遇信等退，即與俱還。 由是乃班師，洛陽亦失守。 大軍至弘農，守將皆已棄城西走。 所虜降卒在弘農者，因相與閉門拒守。 進攻拔之，誅其魁首數百人。
That day the array stretched so far that van and rear could not see each other; from dawn to mid-afternoon they clashed again and again through fog so thick neither side knew where the other stood. Dugu Xin and Li Yuan on the right and Zhao Gui and Yiyi Feng on the left all fared badly; unable to find the Wei emperor or Yuwen Tai, each commander abandoned his men and fled. Senior Assistants Li Hu and Nian Xian commanded the rear; seeing the others retreat, they turned back with them. The army withdrew, and Luoyang fell. When the main force reached Hongnong, the garrison commanders had already abandoned the city and fled west. The Eastern Wei prisoners held at Hongnong then shut the gates and rebelled. They stormed the city, took it, and executed several hundred ringleaders.
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大軍之東伐也，關中留守兵少，而前後所虜東魏士卒，皆散在民間，乃謀為亂。 及李虎等至長安，計無所出，乃與公卿輔魏太子出次渭北。 關中大震恐，百姓相剽劫。 於是沙苑所俘軍人趙青雀、雍州民于伏德等遂反。 青雀據長安子城，伏德保咸陽，與太守慕容思慶各收降卒，以拒還師。 長安大城民皆相率拒青雀，每日接戰。 魏帝留止閿鄉，遣太祖討之。 長安父老見太祖至，悲且喜曰：「不意今日復得見公！」 士女咸相賀。 華州刺史導率軍襲咸陽，斬思慶，擒伏德，南度渭與太祖會攻青雀，破之。 太傅梁景睿先以疾留長安，遂與青雀通謀，至是亦伏誅。 關中於是乃定。 魏帝還長安，太祖復屯華州。
While the main army campaigned east, Guanzhong was thinly garrisoned and captured Eastern Wei soldiers were scattered among the people; they began plotting revolt. When Li Hu reached Chang'an with no clear plan, he and the court ministers moved the Wei crown prince to camp north of the Wei River. Panic swept Guanzhong, and people turned on one another in looting. Then Zhao Qingque, a soldier taken at Shayuan, and Yu Fude of Yong Province and others rose in revolt. Qingque seized Chang'an's inner citadel; Fude held Xianyang; they and Xianyang governor Murong Siqing rallied surrendered troops to block the returning army. The people of Chang'an's outer city banded together against Qingque and fought him every day. The Wei emperor paused at Wenxiang and sent Yuwen Tai to put down the rebellion. When the elders of Chang'an saw Yuwen Tai arrive, they wept and rejoiced: "We never thought we would see you again!" Men and women alike hailed one another in celebration. Hua governor Yuwen Dao struck Xianyang, killed Murong Siqing, captured Yu Fude, crossed the Wei southward, joined Yuwen Tai against Qingque, and broke the rebels. Grand Tutor Liang Jingrui, who had stayed in Chang'an through illness, had secretly colluded with Qingque and was now executed as well. Guanzhong was at last pacified. The Wei emperor returned to Chang'an, and Yuwen Tai again took post at Hua Province.
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冬十一月，東魏將侯景攻陷廣州。
In the eleventh month of winter Eastern Wei's Hou Jing took Guang Province.
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十二月，是云寶襲洛陽，東魏將王元軌棄城走。 都督趙剛襲廣州，拔之。 自襄、廣以西城鎮復內屬。
In the twelfth month Shi Yunbao struck Luoyang; Eastern Wei's Wang Yuangui abandoned the city and fled. Supervisor Zhao Gang retook Guang Province. West of Xiang and Guang, fortified towns once again returned to allegiance.
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五年冬，大閱於華陰。
In the fifth year, winter, Yuwen Tai held a grand review at Huayin.
22
六年春，東魏將侯景出三鵶，將侵荊州，太祖遣開府李弼、獨孤信各率騎五千出武關，景乃退還。
In spring of the sixth year Hou Jing came through Sanya Pass intending to invade Jing Province; Yuwen Tai sent Senior Assistants Li Bi and Dugu Xin, each with five thousand cavalry, out through Wu Pass, and Hou Jing withdrew.
23
夏，茹茹度河至夏州，太祖召諸軍屯沙苑以備之。
In summer the Rouran crossed the river toward Xia Province; Yuwen Tai gathered his armies at Shayuan to meet them.
24
七年春三月，稽胡帥、夏州刺史劉平伏據上郡叛，遣開府于謹討平之。
In spring of the seventh year, third month, Jiehu chieftain and Xia governor Liu Pingfu rebelled from Shang commandery; Yuwen Tai sent Senior Assistant Yu Jin to crush the revolt.
25
冬十一月，太祖奏行十二條制，恐百官不勉於職事，又下令申明之。
In the eleventh month of winter Yuwen Tai submitted twelve new regulations for enactment; fearing lax officials, he also issued an order spelling out their duties.
26
八年夏四月，大會諸軍於馬牧。
In the fourth month of summer of the eighth year he mustered the armies at Mabu.
27
冬十月，齊神武侵汾、絳，圍玉壁。 太祖出軍蒲阪，將擊之。 軍至皂莢，齊神武退。 太祖度汾追之，遂遁去。 十二月，魏帝狩于華陰，大饗將士。 太祖率諸將朝於行在所。
In the tenth month of winter Qi Shenwu (Gao Huan) invaded Fen and Jiang and besieged Yubi. Yuwen Tai marched out from Puban to attack him. When the army reached Zaojia, Qi Shenwu pulled back. Yuwen Tai crossed the Fen in pursuit, and Qi Shenwu fled. In the twelfth month the Wei emperor hunted at Huayin and feasted the officers and troops. Yuwen Tai led his commanders to audience at the imperial camp.
28
九年春，東魏北豫州刺史高仲密舉州來附，太祖帥師迎之，令開府李遠為前軍。 至洛陽，遣開府于謹攻栢谷塢，拔之。
In spring of the ninth year Eastern Wei's Northern Yu governor Gao Zhongmi defected with his province; Yuwen Tai marched to receive him and put Senior Assistant Li Yuan in the van. At Luoyang he sent Senior Assistant Yu Jin to storm Baigu fortress and took it.
29
三月，齊神武至河北。 太祖還軍瀍上以引之。 齊神武果度河，據邙山為陣，不進者數日。 太祖留輜重于瀍曲，士皆銜枚，夜登邙山。 未明，擊之，齊神武單騎為賀拔勝所逐，僅而獲免。 太祖率右軍若干惠等大破齊神武軍，悉虜其步卒。 趙貴等五將軍居左，戰不利。 齊神武軍復合，太祖又不利，夜乃引還。 旣入關，屯渭上。 齊神武進至陝，開府達奚武等率軍禦之，乃退。 太祖以邙山之戰，諸將失律，上表請自貶。 魏帝報曰：「公膺期作宰，義高匡合，仗鉞專征，舉無遺算。 朕所以垂拱九載，實資元輔之力，俾九服寧謐，誠賴翊贊之功。 今大寇未殄，而以諸將失律，便欲自貶，深虧體國之誠。 宜抑此謙光，恤予一人。」 於是廣募關隴豪右，以增軍旅。
In the third month Qi Shenwu (Gao Huan) reached the north bank. Yuwen Tai withdrew to the north bank of the Chan to draw him on. Qi Shenwu crossed the river, formed on Mount Mang, and held his ground for days without advancing. Yuwen Tai left the baggage at the bend of the Chan; the men marched in silence by night up Mount Mang. Before dawn they attacked; Qi Shenwu, alone on horseback, was chased by Helba Sheng and barely escaped. Yuwen Tai's right wing under Ruogan Hui and others shattered Qi Shenwu's army and took every foot soldier. Zhao Gui and five other commanders on the left fared badly. When Qi Shenwu's forces rallied, Yuwen Tai was pressed again and withdrew by night. Back inside the passes, he camped on the Wei River. Qi Shenwu pushed to Shan; Senior Assistants Daxi Wu and others blocked him, and he retreated. After the battle on Mount Mang, with his commanders having broken discipline, Yuwen Tai memorialized asking to demote himself. The Wei emperor answered: "You took up the chief ministry at the appointed hour; your loyalty in restoring order is exalted; bearing the battle-axe you lead campaigns on your own authority, and your plans miss nothing. For nine years I have ruled with hands folded, truly by the chief minister's strength; the nine domains are quiet and at peace, and that is your supporting work. The great enemy is not yet destroyed, yet because the generals broke ranks you would demote yourself—this deeply fails the loyalty the state requires of you. Set aside this humility and think of me alone." He then raised troops widely among the great clans of Guan and Long to strengthen the army.
30
冬十月，大閱于櫟陽，還屯華州。
In the tenth month of winter he held a grand review at Liyang, then returned to camp at Hua Province.
31
十年夏五月，太祖入朝。
In the fifth month of summer of the tenth year Yuwen Tai went to court.
32
秋七月，魏帝以太祖前後所上二十四條及十二條新制，方為中興永式，乃命尚書蘇綽更損益之，總為五卷，班於天下。 於是搜簡賢才，以為牧守令長，皆依新制而遣焉。 數年之間，百姓便之。
In the seventh month of autumn, taking Yuwen Tai's earlier twenty-four articles and twelve new statutes as the lasting model of restoration, the Wei emperor had Minister Su Chuo revise them into five volumes and promulgate them empire-wide. Talented men were sought out and appointed prefects, district chiefs, and magistrates, all sent out under the new code. Within a few years the people felt the benefit.
33
冬十月，大閱於白水。
In the tenth month of winter he held a grand review at Baishui.
34
十一年春三月，令曰：
In spring of the eleventh year, third month, Yuwen Tai issued an order:
35
古之帝王所以外建諸侯內立百官者，非欲富貴其身而尊榮之，蓋以天下至廣，非一人所能獨治，是以博訪賢才，助己為治。 若其知賢也，則以禮命之。 其人聞命之日，則慘然曰：「凡受人之事，任人之勞，何舍己而從人。」 又自勉曰：「天生儁士，所以利時。 彼人主者，欲與我為治，安可苟辭。」 於是降心而受命。 及居官也，則晝不甘食，夜不甘寢，思所以上匡人主，下安百姓； 不遑恤其私而憂其家，故妻子或有饑寒之弊而不顧也。 於是人主賜之以俸祿，尊之以軒冕，而不以為惠也。 賢臣受之，亦不以為德也。 位不虛加，祿不妄賜。 為人君者，誠能以此道授官，為人臣者，誠能以此情受位，則天下之大，可不言而治矣。 昔堯、舜之為君，稷、契之為臣，用此道也。 及後世衰微，此道遂廢，乃以官職為私恩，爵祿為榮惠。 人君之命官也，親則授之，愛則任之。 人臣之受位也，可以尊身而潤屋者，則迂道而求之； 損身而利物者，則巧言而辭之。 於是至公之道沒，而姦詐之萌生。 天下不治，正為此矣。
The ancient kings raised feudal lords without and appointed ministers within—not to heap wealth and honor on themselves, but because the realm is too vast for one man to rule alone; they searched widely for able men to help them govern. When they found the worthy, they summoned them with proper ceremony. On the day he received the summons, the worthy man would grieve and say: "To take another's charge and bear another's burden—why leave myself behind to serve another?" Then he would steel himself: "Heaven breeds exceptional men for the sake of the age. The ruler wishes to govern with my help—how can I lightly refuse?" And so he humbled himself and accepted the charge. In office he took no ease by day or rest by night, striving to support the ruler above and secure the people below; with no time for private cares while the realm weighed on him, so that wife and children might know hunger and cold and he would not turn aside. The ruler then paid him salary and honored him with carriage and cap, yet counted it no special grace. The worthy minister, in accepting, likewise felt no debt of gratitude. Rank was not given in vain; salary not handed out at random. If rulers truly appointed by this principle and ministers truly served in this spirit, the wide realm would be governed without another word spoken. In antiquity Yao and Shun as rulers and Ji and Qi as ministers followed this way. When later ages decayed, the way was lost; office became a private favor, rank and salary a personal windfall. Rulers gave posts to relatives and entrusted office to those they loved. Ministers, if rank could elevate their persons and fill their houses, would pursue it by devious means; Posts that demanded self-sacrifice for the public good were refused with polished excuses. Impartial appointment died out, and fraud took root. That is why the empire ceased to be well governed.
36
今聖主中興，思去澆偽。 諸在朝之士，當念職事之艱難，負闕之招累，夙夜兢兢，如臨深履薄。 才堪者，則審己而當之； 不堪者，則收短而避之。 使天官不妄加，王爵不虛受，則淳素之風，庶幾可反。
Now that the throne is restored, the court seeks to strip away shallow pretense. Every minister should remember how hard office is and how failure invites ruin—working day and night as if on the edge of a cliff. If you are fit for the role, weigh yourself honestly and accept it; if not, know your limits and stand aside. Then offices will not be handed out lightly, titles not taken empty-handed, and plain, honest government may return.
37
冬十月大閱於白水，遂西狩岐陽。
In the tenth month Yuwen Tai reviewed the troops at Baishui, then hunted west at Qiyang.
38
十二年春，涼州刺史宇文仲和據州反。 瓜州民張保害刺史成慶，以州應仲和。 太祖遣開府獨孤信討之。 東魏遣其將侯景侵襄州，太祖遣開府若干惠率輕騎擊之。 至穰，景遁去。
In spring of the twelfth year Yuwen Zhonghe, governor of Liang Province, rebelled and held the province. Zhang Bao of Guazhou murdered Governor Cheng Qing and joined Zhonghe with the province. Yuwen Tai sent Dugu Xin to put them down. Eastern Wei sent Hou Jing against Xiang Province; Yuwen Tai dispatched Ruogan Hui with light cavalry to intercept him. At Rang, Hou Jing withdrew.
39
夏五月，獨孤信平涼州，擒仲和，遷其民六千餘家于長安。 瓜州都督令狐延起義誅張保，瓜州平。
In the fifth month Dugu Xin recovered Liang Province, took Zhonghe prisoner, and resettled over six thousand families in Chang'an. Linghu Yan, inspector of Guazhou, rose in loyal revolt and killed Zhang Bao; Guazhou was secured.
40
七月，太祖大會諸軍於咸陽。
In the seventh month Yuwen Tai mustered the armies at Xianyang.
41
九月，齊神武圍玉壁，大都督韋孝寬力戰拒守，齊神武攻圍六旬不能下，其士卒死者什二三。 會齊神武有疾，燒營而退。
In the ninth month Qi Shenwu besieged Yubi; Wei Xiaokuan held out in fierce fighting. After sixty days of assault Qi Shenwu still could not take the city, and two or three tenths of his troops were dead. Qi Shenwu then fell ill, burned his camp, and retreated.
42
三月，太祖遣開府李弼率軍援之，軌等遁去。 景請留收輯河南，遂徙鎮豫州。 於是遣開府王思政據潁川，弼引軍還。
In the third month Yuwen Tai sent Li Bi with reinforcements; Gui and his colleagues withdrew. Hou Jing asked to remain and restore order in Henan, and shifted his garrison to Yuzhou. Yuwen Tai then posted Wang Sizheng at Yingchuan while Li Bi brought the main force home.
43
秋七月，侯景密圖附梁。 太祖知其謀，悉追還前後所配景將士。 景懼，遂叛。
In the seventh month Hou Jing began secretly plotting to go over to Liang. Yuwen Tai discovered the scheme and recalled every officer and soldier he had lent Hou Jing. Hou Jing, alarmed, rebelled.
44
冬，太祖奉魏帝西狩於岐陽。
That winter Yuwen Tai escorted the Wei emperor on a western hunt at Qiyang.
45
十四年春，魏帝詔封太祖長子毓為寧都郡公，食邑三千戶。 初，太祖以平元顥、納孝莊帝之功，封寧都縣子，至是改縣為郡，而以封毓，用彰勤王之始也。
In spring of the fourteenth year the Wei emperor enfeoffed Yuwen Tai's eldest son Yuwen Yu as duke of Ningdu commandery with three thousand households. Yuwen Tai had first received Ningdu as a county viscount for defeating Yuan Hao and restoring Emperor Xiaozhuang; now the county was raised to a commandery and given to Yuwen Yu, marking the origin of the family's service to the throne.
46
夏五月，進授太祖太師。 太祖奉魏太子巡撫西境，自新平出安定，登隴，刻石紀事。 下安陽，至原州，曆北長城，大狩。 將東趣五原，至蒲川，聞魏帝不豫，遂還。 旣至，帝疾已愈，於是還華州。
In the fifth month Yuwen Tai was promoted to grand preceptor. Yuwen Tai escorted the Wei crown prince on a tour of the western frontier, marching from Xinping through Anding, crossing Long, and carving an inscription on stone. He went down to Anyang, reached Yuan Province, followed the northern Long Wall, and held a great hunt. As he was turning east toward Wuyuan, word at Puchuan that the Wei emperor was ill brought him back. By the time he arrived the emperor had recovered, and he returned to Hua Province.
47
是歲，東魏遣其將高岳、慕容紹宗、劉豐生等，率衆十餘萬圍王思政於潁川。
That year Eastern Wei sent Gao Yue, Murong Shaozong, Liu Fengsheng, and others with over a hundred thousand men to besiege Wang Sizheng at Yingchuan.
48
十五年春，太祖遣大將軍趙貴帥軍至穰，兼督東南諸州兵以援思政。 高岳起堰，引洧水以灌城，自潁川以北皆為陂澤，救兵不得至。
In spring of the fifteenth year Yuwen Tai sent Zhao Gui to Rang to command the southeastern provinces' forces in relief of Wang Sizheng. Gao Yue built a dam and diverted the Wei River into the city; north of Yingchuan the land turned to swamp and relief could not get through.
49
夏六月，潁川陷。 初，侯景自豫州附梁，後遂度江，圍建業。 梁司州刺史柳仲禮以本朝有難，帥兵援之。 梁竟陵郡守孫暠舉郡來附，太祖使大都督符貴往鎮之。 及景克建業，仲禮還司州，率衆來寇，暠以郡叛。 太祖大怒。
In the sixth month Yingchuan fell. Hou Jing had earlier defected from Yuzhou to Liang, then crossed the Yangtze and besieged Jianye. Liu Zhongli, Liang governor of Si Province, marched to Hou Jing's aid when the dynasty was in crisis. Sun Gao, administrator of Jingling in Liang territory, submitted his commandery; Yuwen Tai sent Fu Gui to hold it. After Hou Jing took Jianye, Liu Zhongli returned to Si Province and invaded; Sun Gao rebelled with Jingling. Yuwen Tai was furious.
50
冬十一月，遣開府楊忠率兵與行臺僕射長孫儉討之，攻克隨郡。 忠進圍仲禮長史馬岫於安陸。
In the eleventh month he sent Yang Zhong and Chief Administrator Changsun Jian against them and took Suicheng commandery. Yang Zhong then besieged Liu Zhongli's chief clerk Ma Xiu at Anlu.
51
是歲，盜殺齊文襄於鄴，其弟洋討賊，擒之，仍嗣其事，是為文宣帝。
That year an assassin killed Qi Wenchang (Gao Cheng) at Ye; his brother Gao Yang hunted down the killer, took over his power, and became Emperor Wenxuan.
52
十六年春正月，柳仲禮率衆來援安陸，楊忠逆擊於漴頭，大破之，擒仲禮，悉虜其衆。 馬岫以城降。
In the first month of the sixteenth year Liu Zhongli marched to relieve Anlu; Yang Zhong met him at Chongtou, crushed his army, captured him, and took his entire force. Ma Xiu surrendered Anlu.
53
三月，魏帝封太祖第二子震為武邑公，邑二千戶。 先是，梁雍州刺史、岳陽王詧與其叔父荊州刺史、湘東王繹不睦，乃稱蕃來附，遣其世子嶚為質。 及楊忠擒仲禮，繹懼，復遣其子方平來朝。
In the third month the Wei emperor enfeoffed Yuwen Tai's second son Yuwen Zhen as duke of Wuyi with two thousand households. Earlier Xiao Cha, Liang prince of Yueyang and governor of Yongzhou, had quarreled with his uncle Xiao Yi, prince of Xiangdong and governor of Jingzhou; he submitted as a vassal and sent his heir Xiao Yan as hostage. After Yang Zhong captured Liu Zhongli, Xiao Yi, alarmed, sent his son Fangping to court again.
54
夏五月，齊文宣廢其主元善見而自立。
In the fifth month Qi Wenxuan deposed Emperor Xiaojing (Yuan Shan Jian) and took the throne himself.
55
秋七月，太祖率諸軍東伐，拜章武公導為大將軍，總督留守諸軍事，屯涇北以鎮關中。
In the seventh month Yuwen Tai marched east, made Yuwen Dao, duke of Zhangwu, grand general in charge of the home garrison, and posted him north of the Jing to guard Guanzhong.
56
九月丁巳，軍出長安。 時連雨，自秋及冬，諸軍馬驢多死。 遂于弘農北造橋濟河，自蒲阪還。 於是河南自洛陽，河北自平陽以東，遂入於齊矣。
On dingsi day in the ninth month the army left Chang'an. Steady rain from autumn into winter killed large numbers of army horses and mules. They bridged the river north of Hongnong and withdrew through Puban. Henan west of Luoyang and Hebei east of Pingyang were thus lost to Northern Qi.
57
十七年春三月，魏文帝崩，皇太子嗣位，太祖以冢宰總百揆。 梁邵陵王蕭綸侵安陸，大將軍楊忠討擒之。
In the third month of the seventeenth year Emperor Wen died; the crown prince succeeded, and Yuwen Tai as minister of state ran the government. Xiao Lun, Liang prince of Shaoling, attacked Anlu; Yang Zhong defeated and captured him.
58
冬十月，太祖遣大將軍王雄出子午，伐上津、魏興； 大將軍達奚武出散關，伐南鄭。
In the tenth month Yuwen Tai sent Wang Xiong through Ziwu Pass against Shangjin and Weixing; and Daxi Wu through Sanguan against Nanzheng.
59
魏廢帝元年春，王雄平上津、魏興，以其地置東梁州。
In spring of the first year of the Deposed Emperor, Wang Xiong took Shangjin and Weixing and created Eastern Liang Province.
60
夏四月，達奚武圍南鄭，月餘，梁州刺史、宜豐侯蕭循以州降。 武執循還長安。
In the fourth month Daxi Wu besieged Nanzheng for over a month until Xiao Xun, Liang governor of Liangzhou and marquis of Yifeng, surrendered. Daxi Wu took Xiao Xun back to Chang'an as prisoner.
61
秋八月，東梁州民叛，率衆圍州城，太祖復遣王雄討之。
In the eighth month Eastern Liang Province rose in revolt and besieged the capital; Yuwen Tai sent Wang Xiong again to suppress them.
62
侯景之克建業也，還奉梁武帝為主。 居數旬，梁武以憤恚薨。 景又立其子綱，尋而廢綱自立。 歲餘，綱弟繹討景，擒之，遣其舍人魏彥來告，仍嗣位於江陵，是為元帝。
When Hou Jing captured Jianye he still recognized Liang Wudi as emperor. Within weeks Liang Wudi died of grief and rage. Hou Jing then enthroned Liang Wudi's son Gang, but soon deposed him and seized power himself. A year later Gang's brother Xiao Yi destroyed Hou Jing, sent his retainer Wei Yan with the news, and took the throne at Jiangling as Emperor Yuan (Yuan Di).
63
二年春，魏帝詔太祖去丞相大行臺，為都督中外諸軍事。
In spring of the second year the Wei emperor stripped Yuwen Tai of the chancellorship and grand commissionerate, leaving him supervisor of all armies at home and abroad.
64
二月，東梁州平，遷其豪帥於雍州。
In the second month Eastern Liang Province was pacified and its leading families were resettled in Yong Province.
65
三月，太祖遣大將軍、魏安公尉遲迥率衆伐梁武陵王蕭紀於蜀。
In the third month Yuwen Tai sent Yuchi Jiong, duke of Wei'an, against Xiao Ji, Liang prince of Wuling, in Shu.
66
夏四月，太祖勒銳騎三萬西踰隴，度金城河，至姑臧。 吐谷渾震懼，遣使獻其方物。
In the fourth month Yuwen Tai led thirty thousand elite cavalry west over Long, crossed the Jincheng River, and reached Guzang. Tuyuhun, terrified, sent tribute.
67
五月，蕭紀潼州刺史楊乾運以州降，引迥軍向成都。
In the fifth month Yang Qianyun, Xiao Ji's governor of Tong Province, surrendered and guided Yuchi Jiong toward Chengdu.
68
秋七月，太祖自姑臧至於長安。
In the seventh month Yuwen Tai returned from Guzang to Chang'an.
69
八月，克成都，劍南平。
In the eighth month Chengdu fell and Jiannan was pacified.
70
冬十一月，尚書元烈謀作亂，事發，伏誅。
In the eleventh month Minister Yuan Lie plotted revolt; exposed, he was executed.
71
三年春正月，始作九命之典，以敘內外官爵。 以第一品為九命，第九品為一命。 改流外品為九秩，亦以九為上。 又改置州郡及縣：改東雍為華州，北雍為宜州，南雍為蔡州，華州為同州，北華為鄜州，東秦為隴州，南秦為成州，北秦為交州，東荊為淮州，南荊為昌州，東夏為延州，南夏為長州，東梁為金州，南梁為隆州，北梁為靜州，陽都為汾州，南汾為勳州，汾州為丹州，南豳為寧州，南岐為鳳州，南洛為上州，南廣為淯州，南襄為湖州，西涼為甘州，西郢為鴻州，西益為利州，東巴為集州，北應為輔州，恆州為均州，沙州為深州，寧州為麓州，義州為岩州，新州為溫州，江州為沔州，西安為鹽州，安州為始州，幷州為隨州，肆州為塘州，冀州為順州，淮州為純州，揚州為潁州，司州為憲州，南平為昇州，南郢為歸州，青州為眉州。 凡改州四十六，置州一，改郡一百六，改縣二百三十。
In the first month of the third year the Nine Ranks system was introduced to rank civil and military offices. First grade became nine ranks; ninth grade, one rank. Extra-statutory grades were reorganized into nine orders, with nine again the highest. They also altered the establishment of provinces, commanderies, and counties: Eastern Yong was changed to Hua Province, Northern Yong to Yi Province, Southern Yong to Cai Province, Hua to Tong Province, Northern Hua to Fu Province, Eastern Qin to Long Province, Southern Qin to Cheng Province, Northern Qin to Jiao Province, Eastern Jing to Huai Province, Southern Jing to Chang Province, Eastern Xia to Yan Province, Southern Xia to Long Province, Eastern Liang to Jin Province, Southern Liang to Long Province, Northern Liang to Jing Province, Yangdu to Fen Province, Southern Fen to Xun Province, Fen to Dan Province, Southern Bin to Ning Province, Southern Qi to Feng Province, Southern Luo to Shang Province, Southern Guang to Yu Province, Southern Xiang to Hu Province, Western Liang to Gan Province, Western Ying to Hong Province, Western Yi to Li Province, Eastern Ba to Ji Province, Northern Ying to Fu Province, Heng to Jun Province, Sha to Shen Province, Ning to Lu Province, Yi to Yan Province, Xin to Wen Province, Jiang to Mian Province, Xi'an to Yan Province, An to Shi Province, Bing to Sui Province, Si to Tang Province, Ji to Shun Province, Huai to Chun Province, Yang to Ying Province, Si to Xian Province, Southern Ping to Sheng Province, Southern Ying to Gui Province, Qing to Mei Province. Forty-six provinces were renamed, one created, and one hundred six commanderies and two hundred thirty counties retitled.
72
自元烈誅，魏帝有怨言。 魏淮安王育、廣平王贊等垂泣諫之，帝不聽。 於是太祖與公卿定議，廢帝，尊立齊王廓，是為恭帝。
After Yuan Lie's execution the Wei emperor voiced bitter complaints. Princes Yu of Huai'an and Zan of Guangping pleaded with tears; the emperor refused to heed them. Yuwen Tai then joined the senior officials in deposing him and enthroning Yuan Kuo, prince of Qi, as Emperor Gong (Gong Di).
73
魏恭帝元年夏四月，帝大饗羣臣。 魏史柳虯執簡書於朝曰：「廢帝，文皇帝之嗣子。 年七歲，文皇帝托于安定公曰：『是子才，由於公，不才，亦由於公，宜勉之。』 公旣受茲重寄，居元輔之任，又納女為皇后，遂不能訓誨有成，致令廢黜，負文皇帝付屬之意，此咎非安定公而誰？」 太祖乃令太常盧辯作誥諭公卿曰：「嗚呼！ 我羣后暨衆士，維文皇帝以繈褓之嗣托於予，訓之誨之，庶厥有成。 而予罔能革變厥心，庸暨乎廢，墜我文皇帝之志。 嗚呼！ 茲咎予其焉避。 予實知之，矧爾衆人之心哉。 惟予之顏，豈惟今厚，將恐來世以予為口實。」 乙亥，詔封太祖子邕為輔城公，憲為安城公，邑各二千戶。
In the fourth month of Emperor Gong's first year the court held a grand banquet for the ministers. At court Wei historiographer Liu Biao read from the annals: "The deposed emperor was Emperor Wen's heir. At seven Emperor Wen entrusted him to the duke of Anding with the words: 'Whether this boy proves capable rests with you; if he fails, that too is yours—see that you teach him well.' Yuwen Tai accepted that charge as chief minister, gave his daughter as empress, yet failed to train him and brought about his removal—who but the duke of Anding betrayed Emperor Wen's trust?" Yuwen Tai had Minister of Rites Lu Bian draft a proclamation to the officials: "Alas! My lords and officers—Emperor Wen left me an infant heir; I was to teach and guide him to maturity. I could not change his heart, and he was deposed—Emperor Wen's hope is undone. Alas! For this fault I cannot escape blame. I know it full well—and so do you, in your hearts. My disgrace is not for this day alone; posterity will make me a proverb of failure. On yihai day the emperor enfeoffed Yuwen Tai's sons Yuwen Yong as duke of Fucheng and Yuwen Xian as duke of Ancheng, two thousand households each.
74
茹茹乙旃達官寇廣武。 五月，遣柱國趙貴追擊之，斬首數千級，收其輜重而還。
Rouran chieftain Yizhan Daguan raided Guangwu. In the fifth month Zhao Gui pursued them, killed several thousand, captured their baggage, and withdrew.
75
秋七月，太祖西狩至於原州。
In the seventh month Yuwen Tai hunted west to Yuan Province.
76
梁元帝遣使請據舊圖以定疆界，又連結於齊，言辭悖慢。 太祖曰：「古人有言『天之所棄，誰能興之』，其蕭繹之謂乎。」
Emperor Yuan of Liang sent envoys asking that borders be drawn from old maps, allied himself with Northern Qi, and spoke with brazen insolence. Yuwen Tai said: "The ancients said, 'Whom Heaven rejects, who can restore?'—surely that applies to Xiao Yi."
77
冬十月壬戌，遣柱國于謹、中山公護、大將軍楊忠、韋孝寬等步騎五萬討之。
In the tenth month of winter, on renxu day, he sent Pillar-of-State Yu Jin, Duke of Zhongshan Yuwen Hu, Grand General Yang Zhong, Wei Xiaokuan, and others with fifty thousand foot and horse to campaign against him.
78
十一月癸未，師濟於漢。 中山公護與楊忠率銳騎先屯其城下，據江津以備其逸。 丙申，謹至江陵，列營圍守。 辛亥，進攻城，其日克之。 擒梁元帝，殺之，幷虜其百官及士民以歸。 沒為奴婢者十餘萬，其免者二百餘家。 立蕭詧為梁主，居江陵，為魏附庸。 梁將王僧辯、陳霸先于丹陽立梁元帝第九子方智為主。
In the eleventh month, on guimwei day, the army crossed the Han. Yuwen Hu and Yang Zhong led elite cavalry to the foot of the walls first and held the river crossing to block any breakout. On bingshen day Yu Jin reached Jiangling and laid siege. On xinhai day they stormed the city and took it that same day. They seized Emperor Yuan, executed him, and marched off his officials, gentry, and common people as captives. More than a hundred thousand were enslaved; only some two hundred households were spared. They enthroned Xiao Cha as Liang king at Jiangling, a Wei client. At Danyang, Liang generals Wang Sengbian and Chen Baxian raised Yuan's ninth son Fangzhi as emperor.
79
魏氏之初，統國三十六，大姓九十九，後多絕滅。 至是，以諸將功高者為三十六國後，次功者為九十九姓後，所統軍人，亦改從其姓。
When Wei first ruled, it had thirty-six domains and ninety-nine great clans, but many had since disappeared. Generals of highest merit were now made heirs of the thirty-six states, those of lesser merit heirs of the ninety-nine clans, and the troops under them took their leaders' surnames.
80
二年，梁廣州刺史王琳寇邊。 冬十一月，遣大將軍豆盧寧帥師討之。
In the second year Wang Lin, Liang prefect of Guangzhou, attacked the frontier. In the eleventh month of winter he sent Grand General Dou Lu Ning against him.
81
三年春正月丁丑，初行《周禮》，建六官。 以太祖為太師、大冢宰，柱國李弼為太傅，大司徒趙貴為太保，大宗伯獨孤信為大司馬，于謹為大司寇，侯莫陳崇為大司空。 初，太祖以漢魏官繁，思革前弊。 大統中，乃命蘇綽、盧辯依周制改創其事，尋亦置六卿官，然為撰次未成，衆務猶歸臺閣。 至是始畢，乃命行之。
In spring of the third year, on dingchou day of the first month, the 《Zhou Rites》 were enacted and the six ministries established. Yuwen Tai became grand preceptor and grand minister; Li Bi grand tutor; Zhao Gui grand guardian; Dugu Xin grand marshal; Yu Jin grand minister of justice; and Houmochen Chong grand minister of works. Yuwen Tai had long wanted to cut the bloated Han and Wei bureaucracy. Under Datong he had Su Chuo and Lu Bian draft reforms on the Zhou model and begin setting up the six ministries, but with the work unfinished routine business still flowed through the secretariat. Now the scheme was complete, and he ordered it enforced.
82
夏四月，太祖北巡狩。
In the fourth month of summer Yuwen Tai hunted north.
83
秋七月，度北河。 王琳遣使來附，以琳為大將軍、長沙郡公。 魏帝封太祖子直為秦郡公，招為正平公，邑各一千戶。
In the seventh month of autumn he crossed the northern river. Wang Lin sent envoys to submit; he was made grand general and duke of Changsha commandery. The Wei emperor enfeoffed Yuwen Tai's sons Zhi as duke of Qin commandery and Zhao as duke of Zhengping, each with one thousand households.
84
九月，太祖有疾，還至雲陽，命中山公護受遺輔嗣子。
In the ninth month Yuwen Tai fell ill; back at Yunyang he named Duke of Zhongshan Yuwen Hu regent to assist his heir.
85
冬十月乙亥，崩於雲陽宮，還長安發喪。 時年五十二。 甲申，葬於成陵，諡曰文公。 孝閔帝受禪，追尊為文王，廟曰太祖。 武成元年，追尊為文皇帝。
In the tenth month of winter, on yihai day, he died at Yunyang Palace; his body was brought to Chang'an and mourning began. He was fifty-two. On jiashen day he was buried at Chengling with the posthumous name Duke Wen. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne Yuwen Tai was posthumously honored as King Wen with temple name Taizu. In the first year of Wucheng he was posthumously honored as Emperor Wen.
86
太祖知人善任使，從諫如流，崇尚儒術，明達政事，恩信被物，能駕馭英豪，一見之者，咸思用命。 沙苑所獲囚俘，釋而用之，河橋之役，率以擊戰，皆得其死力。 諸將出征，授以方略，無不制勝。 性好朴素，不尚虛飾，恆以反風俗，復古始為心。
Yuwen Tai knew talent and put it to use, took counsel readily, honored the classics, governed with clarity, and won hearts with grace and good faith; heroes who met him once wanted to die for him. Captives from Shayuan he freed and enlisted; at the River Bridge battle he sent them into the line, and they fought to the death. When his generals marched out he gave them the plan, and they never lost. Plain and spare by nature, he scorned show and aimed always to turn custom back toward the ancients.
87
史臣曰：水曆將終，羣凶放命，或威權震主，或釁逆滔天。 咸謂大寶可以力征，神物可以求得，莫不闚窬九鼎，睥睨兩宮，而誅夷繼及，亡不旋踵。 是知巨君篡盜，終成建武之資； 仲潁兇殘，實啟當塗之業。 天命有底，庸可滔乎。
The historian writes: As the Northern Wei dynasty reached its end, villains ran rampant—some so powerful they overshadowed their emperors, others so treasonous their crimes seemed to touch the sky. Each believed the throne could be seized by the sword and the mandate wrested by force; all coveted the imperial regalia and eyed the palace—yet one after another they were destroyed, dying almost before they could turn around. So it proved that Wang Mang's usurpation only furnished the means for Guangwu's restoration; and Dong Zhuo's savagery truly opened the way for Cao Wei. Heaven's mandate rests on something firmer than force—who could overwhelm it.
88
太祖田無一成，衆無一旅，驅馳戎馬之際，躡足行伍之間。 屬與能之時，應啟聖之運，鳩集義勇，糾合同盟，一舉而殄仇讐，再駕而匡帝室。 於是內詢帷幄，外仗材雄，推至誠以待人，弘大順以訓物。 高氏籍甲兵之衆，恃戎馬之強，屢入近畿，志圖吞噬。 及英謀電發，神旆風馳，弘農建城濮之勳，沙苑有昆陽之捷。 取威定霸，以弱為強。 紹元宗之衰緒，創隆周之景命。 南清江漢，西舉巴蜀，北控沙漠，東據伊瀍。 乃擯落魏晉，憲章古昔，修六官之廢典，成一代之鴻規。 德刑並用，勳賢兼敘，遠安邇悅，俗阜民和。 億兆之望有歸，揖讓之期允集。 功業若此，人臣以終。 盛矣哉！ 非夫雄略冠時，英姿不世，天與神授，緯武經文者，孰能與於此乎。 昔者，漢獻蒙塵，曹公成夾輔之業； 晉安播蕩，宋武建匡合之勳。 校德論功，綽有餘裕。
Yuwen Tai began with not a field to his name nor a company to his command, riding hard through war and trudging in the ranks with common soldiers. When the times called for talent he answered the opening of a sage's age, gathering loyal fighters and forging alliances—one stroke destroyed his enemies, the next restored the throne. Within he plotted strategy; without he leaned on able men. He treated others with complete sincerity and governed through the great principle of yielding to the cosmic order. The Gao family commanded armor by the legion and cavalry by the herd, again and again pressing the capital's outskirts, intent on swallowing the realm. When his plans struck like lightning and his banners swept like wind—Hongnong brought a victory worthy of Chengpu, Shayuan a triumph to match Kunyang. He turned weakness into strength and seized hegemony from victory. He upheld the fading Yuan imperial line and founded Northern Zhou's radiant mandate. South he secured the Yangtze and Han; west he brought in Ba and Shu; north he held the steppes; east he grasped the Yi and Luo basins. He discarded Wei and Jin precedent, looked back to antiquity, revived the six ministries' lost statutes, and finished an institutional order for the age. He wielded both reward and punishment, honored merit and talent, soothed far borders and pleased those near home, and lifted custom until the people flourished in peace. The people's countless hopes converged on him; the moment for abdication and transfer of the throne was at hand. For a subject to end his career with such achievement. What greatness! Unless a man's strategy outshone his age, his presence was unmatched in his lifetime, Heaven and the spirits had marked him, and civil and military gifts were woven in one person—who could have done this. Long before, Emperor Xian of Han wandered in humiliation while Cao Cao built the work of a royal champion; Emperor An of Jin was tossed by rebellion while Liu Yu of Song forged the achievement of reunifying the realm. Measured against them in virtue or deed, he had merit to spare.
89
至於渚宮制勝，闔城孥戮； 茹茹歸命，盡種誅夷：雖事出於權道，而用乖於德教。 周祚之不永，或此之由乎。
Yet at Zhugong, where victory meant that an entire city—women and children included—was put to the sword; and when the Rouran surrendered only to have every clan exterminated—acts born perhaps of necessity, yet far from humane governance. That the Zhou dynasty proved so brief may well have begun here.
90
全文以中華書局、一九七一年十一月版《周書》為本校。
This text was collated against the Zhonghua Shuju edition of the Book of Zhou (November 1971).