1
Emperor Ming, canonically titled Shizong, bore the taboo name Yu and in childhood was called Tongwantu; he was the eldest son of Yuwen Tai. His mother was Lady Yao. In the third year of Yongxi (534), while Yuwen Tai was in Xia Province, the future emperor was born at Tongwan and took his childhood name from the city. In the fourteenth year of Datong (548) he was enfeoffed as duke of Ningdu commandery. In the sixteenth year (550) he acted as administrator of Hua Province. He was soon made commissioner with Three Excellencies protocol, commander of all Yi Province forces, and governor of Yi Province. In the third year of Western Wei Emperor Gong (556) he was made grand general and posted to Longyou. When Emperor Xiaomin took the throne he was promoted to pillar-of-state and transferred to command of Qi Province forces and the governorship of Qi Province. His rule won praise; the people held him in affection. After Emperor Xiaomin was deposed, Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu sent envoys to bring the future emperor from Qi Province. In the ninth month of autumn, on guihai day, he reached the capital and stayed at his old residence. On jiazi day the ministers memorialized urging him to ascend the throne and came with the full imperial escort to receive him. He refused firmly; the court pressed him again; that day he accepted the throne as heavenly king and proclaimed a general amnesty. On yichou day he held audience with his ministers in the Hall of Extended Life.
2
In winter, on guiyou in the tenth month, Grand Tutor Li Bi, Duke of Zhao, died. On jimao day Grand General Yuchi Gang, Duke of Changping, was made pillar of state. On yiyou day he sacrificed at the Circular Mound. On bingxu day he sacrificed at the Square Mound. On jiawu day he sacrificed at the Great Altar of Soil. Pillar-of-State Li Yuan, Duke of Yangping, was ordered to take his own life. That month Liang chancellor Chen Baxian deposed his ruler Xiao Fangzhi and took the throne himself as Chen Wudi.
3
十一月庚子，祠太廟。 丁未，祠圓丘。 丁巳，詔曰：「帝王之道，以寬仁為大。 魏政諸有輕犯未至重罪、及諸村民一家有犯乃及數家而被遠配者，並宜放還。」
In the eleventh month, on gengzi day, he offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestors' Temple. On dingwei day he sacrificed at the Circular Mound. On dingsi day an edict declared: "The way of kings and emperors rests above all on clemency and benevolence. Under Wei law, all who had committed minor offenses not amounting to grave crime, and all villages where one family's guilt had sent several households into distant exile, should be released and sent home."
4
In the twelfth month, on gengwu day, he visited Chengling Mausoleum. On guiyou day he returned to the palace. On gengchen day he made Grand General Yuwen Yong, Duke of Fucheng, a pillar-of-state. On wuzi day he pardoned prisoners then held in Chang'an. On jiawu day an edict said: "The descendants of the virtuous still win pardon generation after generation; how much more when the Wei dynasty yielded the throne in virtue—can we withhold compassion? Since the Yuan imperial clan was implicated in the Zhao Gui affair and after, all sons and daughters confiscated as government bond-slaves should be released and freed."
5
In spring of the second year, first month, on yiwei day, Grand Preceptor Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu was made grand tutor. On xinhai day he performed the ceremonial plowing at the sacred field. On guichou day he installed Lady Dugu as queen. On dingsi day twelve commanderies were set up within Yong Province. Pu Province was also established in Hedong, Yu Province in Hebei, Shan Province in Hongnong, Jiang Province in Zhengping, Xiong Province in Yiyang, and Shao Province in Shao commandery.
6
二月癸未，詔曰：「王者之宰民也，莫不同四海，一遠近，為父母而子之。 一物失所，若納于隍。 賊之境土，本同大化，往因時難，致阻東西。 遂使疆埸之間，互相抄掠。 興言及此，良可哀傷。 自元年以來，有被掠入賊者，悉可放免。」 自冬不雨，至於是月方大雪。
Second month, on guiwei day, an edict said: "In governing the people, a king must make the four seas one and near and far alike, acting as a parent to his children. If one thing is out of place, it is as into a gutter. Rebel-held lands once shared the same civilizing rule; wartime hardship had cut east from west. Border districts therefore raided and plundered one another. To speak of it is truly heartbreaking. Since the first year of the reign, all who were seized and carried into enemy territory may be released and sent home." Rain had failed since winter; only in this month did heavy snow come.
7
Third month, on jiawu day, Northern Qi's governor of North Yu Province, Sima Xiaonan, surrendered the province; the court sent Pillar-of-State Daxi Wu, Duke of Gaoyang, and Grand General Yang Zhong with troops to receive him. The Yong Province governor was retitled governor-general of Yong Province, and the Jingzhao commandery prefect became intendant of Jingzhao. Guangye and Xiucheng commanderies were combined into Kang Province, and Jialu commandery into Wen Province. On wushen day Chang'an presented a white sparrow. On gengshen day an edict said: "The thirty-six states and ninety-nine surnames, since the Wei dynasty moved south, were all called people of Henan. Now that Zhou holds the capital in Guanzhong, they should be called people of Jingzhao."
8
In summer, fourth month, on jisi day, Grand Tutor Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu was made governor-general of Yong Province. On gengwu day Mars entered the Xuanyuan asterism. On xinwei day death sentences were commuted one grade, and punishments of five years or less were all forgiven. On jiaxu day Queen Lady Dugu died. On jiashen day Empress Jing was buried.
9
五月乙未，以大司空、梁國公侯莫陳崇為大宗伯。
Fifth month, on yiwei day, Grand Minister of Works Houmochen Chong, Duke of Liang, was made grand director of ceremonies.
10
六月癸亥，獻噠遣使獻方物。 己巳，板授高年刺史、守、令，恤鰥寡孤獨各有差。 分長安為萬年縣，並治京城。 辛未，幸昆明池。 壬申，長安獻白烏。 遣使分行州郡，理囚徒，察風俗，掩骼埋胔。
Sixth month, on guihai day, the Hephthalites (Yeda) sent envoys with tribute. On jisi day elderly men were honored with plaque appointments as governors, prefects, and magistrates; widowers, widows, orphans, and the alone received graded relief. Chang'an was split into Wannian county; the two counties jointly administered the capital. On xinwei day he visited Kunming Pool. On renshen day Chang'an presented a white crow. Envoys were sent through the provinces and commanderies to review prisoners, inspect local custom, and gather bones and bury the unburied dead.
11
秋七月甲午，遣柱國、甯蜀公尉遲迥率衆於河南築安樂城。 丙申，順陽獻三足烏。
Seventh month of autumn, on jiawu day, he sent Pillar-of-State Yuchi Jiong, Duke of Ningshu, with troops to build Anle fortress in Henan. On bingshen day Shunyang presented a three-legged crow.
12
Eighth month, on jiazi day, the ministers submitted memorials of congratulation. An edict said: "Heaven does not hoard its treasures; earth displays auspicious signs—the awe-inspiring phoenix nests in the tower, the patterned dragon leaps in the pool; how much more than sun and moon strung like pearls, wind and rain like jade candles? Thus Hooks Life Verdict says, "When the king is supremely filial, it appears," and Primordial Mandate Bud says, "When the ruler's governance is supreme, he possesses it." Yu Shun, utterly filial, here received the strange foot; King Wen of Zhou, reverent and careful, here saw this numinous bird soar. King Wen's utmost virtue spread below; his surviving benevolence still reaches abroad; a thousand years matched, this three-footed bird was sent down. It will bring the three regions back to their root and settle the nine provinces in harmony. In this great cause, bright fortune rests with the people. How dare I withhold the ancestral temple's blessing and fail to proclaim a great grace? Let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm, and let civil and military officials all advance two ranks."
13
Ninth month, on xinmao day, Grand Generals Yang Zhong and Wang Xiong were both made pillars-of-state. On jiachen day Junior Tutor Yuan Luo was enfeoffed as Duke of Han to continue the Wei line. On dingwei day he visited Tong Province. Passing his old home, he composed a poem: "Jade candles tune the autumn air; the gold carriage passes the old palace. Turning back is like crossing Baishui again; it feels even more like entering Xinfeng. Frosted pools steep the late chrysanthemums; a cold well sheds sparse paulownia leaves. Raising his cup to old friends present, he had them sing Great Wind."
14
Tenth month of winter, on xinyou day, he returned to the palace. On yichou day he sent Pillar-of-State Yuchi Jiong to garrison Longyou. Chang'an presented a white hare.
15
Twelfth month, on xinyou day, the Turks sent envoys with tribute. On guihai day the Imperial Ancestors' Temple was completed. On xinsi day thirteen meritorious ministers, including Helba Sheng, Duke of Langye Zhenxian, were granted paired sacrifice in Yuwen Tai's temple court. On renwu day a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm.
16
In spring of Wucheng year one, on jiyou of the first month, Grand Tutor Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu submitted a memorial returning government, and the emperor began personally overseeing state affairs. Military affairs remained under Hu's overall command. For the first time the title of commander of military affairs of the various provinces was changed to governor-general. On bingchen day Grand General Zhangwu Xiaogong Dao's son Liang was enfeoffed Duke of Yongchang, and Yi was made Duke of Xiyang.
17
Third month, on guisi day, the six armies were drawn up; the emperor personally donned armor and helmet and welcomed Venus in the east. Yuwen Zhi, Duke of Qin commandery, garrisoned Pu Province. Tuyuhun raided the frontier; on gengxu day he sent Grand Marshal Helan Xiang, Duke of Boling, with troops to punish them.
18
四月戊午，武當郡獻赤烏。 甲戌，雲。 秦州獻白馬朱鬣。
Fourth month, on wuwu day, Wudang commandery presented a red crow. On jiaxu day auspicious clouds appeared. Qin Province presented a white horse with a red mane.
19
五月戊子，詔曰：「皇王之迹不一，因革之道已殊，莫不播八政以成物，兆三元而為紀。 是以容成創定於軒轅，羲和欽若於唐世，《鴻範》九疇，大弘五法。 《易》曰：「澤中有火，革，君子以治曆明時。」 故歷之為義大矣。 但忽微成象，象極則差； 分積命時，時積斯舛。 開闢至於獲麟，二百七十六萬歲，晷度推移，餘分盈縮，南正無聞，疇人靡記。 暑往寒來，理乖攸序，敬授民時，何其積謬。 昔漢世巴郡洛下閎善治歷，云後八百歲，當有聖人定之。 自火行至今，木德應其運矣，朕何讓焉。 可命有司，傍稽六曆，仰觀七曜，博推古今，造我周曆，量定以聞。」 己亥，聽訟於正武殿。 辛亥，以大宗伯、梁國公侯莫陳崇為大司徒，大司寇、高陽公達奚武為大宗伯，武陽公豆盧甯為大司寇，柱國、輔城公邕為大司空。 乙卯，詔曰：「比屢有糾發官司赦前事。 此雖意在疾惡，但先王制肆眚之道，令天下自新，若又推問，自新何由哉。 如此之徒，有司勿為推究。 惟庫廄倉廩與海內所共，漢帝有云『朕為天下守財耳』。 若有侵盜公家財畜錢粟者，魏朝之事，年月旣遠，一不須問。 自周有天下以來，雖經赦宥，而事蹟可知者，有司宜即推窮。 得實之日，但免其罪，徵備如法。」 賀蘭祥攻拔洮陽、洪和二城，吐谷渾遁走。
Fifth month, on wuzi day, an edict said: "The ways of emperors and kings are not one; paths of reform already differ; all spread the eight governances to complete creation and take the three origins as their measure. Thus Rongcheng first fixed the calendar under the Yellow Emperor, and Xihe reverently kept time in the age of Tang; the nine categories of Great Plan greatly extended the five methods. The Changes says: "Fire in the marsh—innovation; the gentleman uses it to regulate the calendar and clarify the seasons." Thus the meaning of the calendar is indeed great. Yet subtle signs become phenomena, and when phenomena reach their limit error follows; Fractions accumulate to fix the seasons; as seasons accumulate, discrepancies arise. From the world's opening to the Capture of the Unicorn, 2,760,000 years—the gnomon and degrees shifted, remainders waxed and waned, the south-first month went unmarked, and calendar officers left no record. Summer passes and winter comes—the order is wrong; to reverently grant seasons to the people—how piled the errors! In Han times Luoxia Hong of Ba commandery was skilled at calendrics; he said that eight hundred years later a sage would fix the calendar. From the Fire phase until now the Wood virtue answers its turn; why should I decline? Let the responsible offices consult the six calendars, observe the seven luminaries, compare past and present broadly, create the Zhou calendar, measure and fix it, and report." On jihai day he heard lawsuits at the Hall of Righteous Martialness. On xinhai day Grand Director of Ceremonies Houmochen Chong, Duke of Liang, was made grand minister of education; Grand Minister of Justice Daxi Wu, Duke of Gaoyang, was made grand director of ceremonies; Doulu Ning, Duke of Wuyang, was made grand minister of justice; and Pillar-of-State Yuwen Yong, Duke of Fucheng, was made grand minister of works. On yimao day an edict said: "Lately offices have repeatedly been impeached for offenses committed before the amnesty. That may aim at hating evil, but former kings instituted amnesty so the realm could renew itself; if cases are pursued again, how can anyone begin anew? Officials are not to pursue cases of this kind. The imperial stores and granaries belong to the realm as a whole. A Han emperor put it plainly: "I am only the empire's treasurer." Theft of public property dating to Wei times is too remote to investigate. Since our dynasty began, even when pardon has covered a crime, officials must still investigate any case whose facts remain clear. Once guilt is proved, the offender is spared punishment but must make full restitution by law." Helan Xiang took Taoyang and Honghe, and the Tuyuhun withdrew.
20
閏月庚申，高昌遣使獻方物。
In the intercalary month, on gengshen day, Gaochang sent tribute envoys.
21
六月戊子，大雨霖。 詔曰：「昔唐咨四嶽，殷告六眚，睹災興懼，咸寘時雍。 朕撫運應圖，作民父母，弗敢怠荒，以求民瘼。 而霖雨作沴，害麥傷苗，隤屋漂垣，洎于昏墊。 諒朕不德，蒼生何咎。 刑政所失，罔識厥由。 公卿大夫士爰及牧守黎庶等，今宜各上封事，讜言極諫，罔有所諱。 朕將覽察，以答天譴。 其遭水者，有司可時巡檢，條列以聞。」 庚子，詔曰：「潁川從我，是曰元勳； 無忘父城，實起王業。 文考屬天地草昧，造化權輿，拯彼橫流，匡茲頹運。 賴英賢盡力，文武同心，翼贊大功，克隆帝業。 而被堅執銳，櫛風沐雨，永言疇昔，良用憮然。 至若功成名遂，建國剖符，予惟休也。 其有致死王事，妻子無歸者，朕甚傷之。 凡是從先王向夏州，發夏州從來，見在及薨亡者，並量賜錢帛，稱朕意焉。」 是月，陳武帝薨，兄子蒨立，是謂文帝。
In the sixth month, on wuzi day, torrential rains set in. An edict read: "In antiquity Yao questioned the Four Peaks and the Yin court reported the six calamities; seeing disaster, rulers grew fearful and restored harmony to the age. I have taken up the mandate and stand as father and mother to the people, never daring to slacken in seeking out their hardships. Yet unending rain has brought ruin: wheat spoiled, seedlings destroyed, roofs fallen and walls swept away, until the land lies drowned. The fault is mine, not the people's. Where law and rule have gone wrong, I cannot see the reason. Dukes, ministers, officials, governors, and commoners alike should now submit sealed memorials—speak frankly, remonstrate fully, and hide nothing. I will read them and answer Heaven's rebuke. For those harmed by the floods, officials should inspect promptly and report each case." On gengzi day an edict read: "Yingchuan stood with me—that was the first of founding merits; Do not forget Fucheng—that is where the royal enterprise began. My late father, in the chaos when Heaven and Earth were still unformed, saved the realm from the flood and turned back a failing age. Worthy men gave all their strength, civil and military leaders stood as one, and together they raised the great work and founded the imperial house. Those who wore armor and bore arms, who endured wind and rain—to speak of them even now moves me deeply. As for merit fulfilled, states founded, and fiefs granted—that was their reward and my comfort. Those who died in the king's service, leaving wives and children with nowhere to go—I grieve for them deeply. All who marched with the late king to Xia Province, and all who came from Xia Province and are still living or have since died—each shall receive money and silk as I intend." That month Chen Wudi died; his nephew Chen Qian succeeded him, known as Emperor Wen of Chen.
22
On jihai day in the eighth month of autumn he took the title Emperor instead of Heavenly King, posthumously raised Wen Wang to emperor, proclaimed a general amnesty, and changed the era name. On renzi day Grand General Yuwen Xian, Duke of Ancheng, was made governor-general of Yi Province. On guichou day four Imperial Rectifiers were appointed, each with the rank of Senior Grand Master.
23
In the ninth month, on yimao day, Grand General Yuwen Guang, Duke of Tianshui, was made governor-general of Liang Province. On xinwei day Yuwen Yong, Duke of Fucheng, was promoted to Duke of Lu; Yuwen Xian of Ancheng to Duke of Qi; Yuwen Zhi of Qin commandery to Duke of Wei; and Yuwen Zhao of Zhengping to Duke of Zhao. The emperor's younger brothers were enfeoffed: Yuwen Jian as Duke of Qiao, Yuwen Chun as Duke of Chen, Yuwen Sheng as Duke of Yue, Yuwen Da as Duke of Dai, Yuwen Tong as Duke of Ji, and Yuwen You as Duke of Teng. Yuwen Guang of Tianshui was promoted to Duke of Cai; Daxi Wu of Gaoyang to Duke of Zheng; Doulu Ning of Wuyang to Duke of Chu; Helan Xiang of Boling to Duke of Liang; Yuchi Jiong of Ningshu to Duke of Shu; Yuwen Gui of Huazheng to Duke of Xu; and Chenliu Duke Yang Zhong as (Sui) Duke of Sui State; Yuchi Gang of Changping as Duke of Wu, and Wang Xiong of Wuwei as Duke of Yong. Each fief held ten thousand households.
24
In winter, on jiawu in the tenth month, Pillar-of-State Yuchi Gang, Duke of Wu, was made governor-general of Jing Province. That month Emperor Wenxuan of Qi died, and his son Yin succeeded to the throne. Pillar-of-State Yuchi Jiong, Duke of Shu, was made governor-general of Qin Province.
25
二年春正月癸丑朔，大會羣臣於紫極殿，始用百戲焉。
In spring of the second year, on the new moon of the first month, the court gathered all ministers in the Ziji Hall and for the first time staged the hundred entertainments.
26
三月辛酉，重陽閣成，會羣公列將卿大夫及突厥使者于芳林園，賜錢帛各有差。
In the third month, on xinyou day, the Chongyang Pavilion was finished; dukes, commanders, ministers, and Türk envoys were entertained at Fanglin Garden, and money and silk were granted in due measure.
27
In the fourth month of summer the emperor was poisoned at a meal. On gengzi day he fell gravely ill. He issued a death edict:
28
Human life draws breath from the five constants between Heaven and Earth; Heaven and Earth themselves pass away, and the five constants change—how then can any man endure forever? That the living must die is the way of nature. Once one accepts that law, what matter whether life is long or short? I am not a virtuous man, but I have always loved the classics; reading the words left by sages, I have tried to take their lesson to heart. Now my hour has come, and there is nothing more to say. You dukes, ministers, and officials at court, and every commander and soldier in the armies—you have served with merit for years, supporting the Grand Progenitor and building our Zhou house. I have inherited the great enterprise and held the throne; in that I have not failed the Grand Progenitor above nor my own duty below. I may die whole of limb and join the former emperors below with no regret. What I regret is that in nearly four years on the throne I could not bring good order to government, make the people secure, or reunite the realm while two regions still hold out. That grief will not let me close my eyes in peace. I ask my elder brother the Chief Minister, together with the worthies who served before, my late father's ministers, and you all, to stand as one, keep one another to the task, and honor the Grand Progenitor's last wish by guiding those who come after. Though I go down to the grave, my purpose need not die with me.
29
The throne is empty and the altars of state have no ruler. My son is still a child and cannot yet rule. Yuwen Yong, Duke of Lu, is my younger brother—generous, open, and famed throughout the realm. He can carry our Zhou house forward, and he must be the one. A man's honor lies in finishing what he begins. You served the Grand Progenitor and supported me—that was the beginning. If you remember how hard these times are and help Yu Gong rule the realm, that will be the end. To honor the dead and serve the living is a minister's highest duty. Keep these words in mind, and let later ages praise you for them.
30
朕稟生儉素，非能力行菲薄，每寢大布之被，服大帛之衣，凡是器用，皆無雕刻。 身終之日，豈容違棄此好。 喪事所須，務從儉約，斂以時服，勿使有金玉之飾。 若以禮不可闕，皆令用瓦。 小斂訖，七日哭。 文武百官各權辟衰麻，且以素服從事。 葬日，選擇不毛之地，因地勢為墳，勿封勿樹。 且厚葬傷生，聖人所誡，朕旣服膺聖人之教，安敢違之。 凡百官司，勿異朕此意。 四方州鎮使到，各令三日哭，哭訖，悉權辟凶服，還以素服從事，待大例除。 非有呼召，各按部自守，不得輒奔赴闕庭。 禮有通塞隨時之義，葬訖，內外悉除服從吉。 三年之內，勿禁婚娶，飲食一令如平常也。
I was raised in plain ways, not from any special strength of mine; I slept under coarse cloth and wore plain silk, and kept every vessel and tool undecorated. At my death I cannot abandon that habit. Let the funeral be spare: dress me in ordinary clothes and put no gold or jade on my body. Where ritual cannot be omitted, use pottery only. After the initial laying-out, mourn for seven days. All civil and military officials shall wear mourning hemp for the time being and carry on affairs in plain dress. Bury me on barren ground, shaping the grave to the terrain—no mound raised, no trees planted. Lavish burial harms the living, and the sages warned against it. I have taken that teaching to heart and dare not break it. Every office must follow this intent. Envoys from the provinces and border posts shall mourn three days on arrival; when that ends, they too shall wear mourning briefly, then return to plain dress until the general rule for ending mourning. Unless called, each man is to stay at his post and not rush to court. Rites may be tightened or relaxed as times require; once burial is done, mourning ends throughout the court and the realm. For three years do not forbid marriage, and let food and drink continue as in normal times.
31
時事殷猥，病困心亂，止能及此。 如其事有不盡，准此以類為斷。 死而近思，古人有之。 朕今忍死，書此懷抱。
Affairs pressed hard upon me; sick and confused, I could only set down this much. If anything remains unsettled, decide like cases by what is written here. The ancients spoke of reflecting hard upon death while still alive. I now force myself to live long enough to set these thoughts down.
32
The edict was dictated by the emperor himself. On xinchou day he died in the Yanshou Hall, aged twenty-seven; he was posthumously titled Emperor Ming and given the temple name Shizong. In the fifth month, on xinwei day, he was buried at Zhaoling.
33
He was open, clear, benevolent, and generous, kept the imperial clan in harmony, and had the bearing of a true ruler. From youth he loved learning, read widely, wrote well, and his prose ran warm and fine. After his accession he brought more than eighty literate officials of civil and military rank to the Linzhi Hall to edit and collate the classics and histories. He also collected books from the age of Fuxi and Shennong down to the end of Wei and compiled them into a genealogical record of five hundred scrolls. His own writings filled ten scrolls.
34
史臣曰：世宗寬仁遠度，叡哲博聞。 處代邸之尊，實文昭之長。 豹姿已變，龍德猶潛，而百辟傾心，萬方注意。 及乎迎宣黜賀，入纂大宗，而禮貌功臣，敦睦九族，率由恭儉，崇尚文儒，亹亹焉其有君人之德者矣。 始則權臣專制，政出私門； 終乃鴆毒潛加，享年不永。 惜哉！
The historiographer writes: Shizong was generous and far-seeing, wise and widely learned. While he held the honored place of heir at the princely lodge, he was in truth Wen's eldest son. Though still young in years and not yet fully revealed in power, the hundred officials already turned to him and the realm already watched him. Once he was brought from Qizhou and proclaimed, with the former emperor deposed, he took up the great succession; he honored meritorious ministers, kept the clan at peace, lived in reverence and frugality, and cherished scholars—earnestly showing the virtue of a ruler. At first a powerful minister ruled alone and policy came from his house; in the end poison was set in his food, and his life was cut short. Alas!