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【漢紀三十四】起上章攝提格，盡旃蒙協洽，凡六年。
【Han Records 34】 From the first year of the Shangzhang cycle through the last year of the Zhanmeng cycle—six years in all.
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世祖光武皇帝中之上
The Founding Emperor Guangwu — Middle Part, Upper Section.
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1春，正月，丙辰，以舂陵鄉為章陵縣，世世復傜役，比豐、沛。
1. In spring, in the first month, on the day bingchen, Chunling township was made Zhangling county, with corvée and levies remitted for all generations, as at Feng and Pei.
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2吳漢等拔朐，斬董憲、龐萌，江、淮、山東悉平。 諸將還京師，置酒賞賜。
2. Wu Han and others captured Ju and beheaded Dong Xian and Pang Meng; the lands along the Yangtze, the Huai, and Shandong were all pacified. The generals returned to the capital, where the emperor feasted them and gave rewards.
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帝積苦兵間，以隗囂遣子內侍，公孫述遠據邊垂，乃謂諸將曰：「且當置此兩子於度外耳。」 因休諸將於雒陽，分軍士於河內，數騰書隴、蜀，告示禍福。
The emperor, worn down by years of war, noted that Wei Xiao had sent his son as a hostage and that Gongsun Shu held the distant marches. He told his generals, "For now let us set these two aside." He gave his generals rest at Luoyang, posted troops in Henei, and again and again sent letters to Long and Shu proclaiming blessing and doom.
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公孫述屢移書中國，自陳符命，冀以惑眾。 帝與述書曰：「圖讖言公孫，即宣帝也。 代漢者姓當塗，其名高； 君豈高之身邪！ 乃復以掌文為瑞，王莽何足效乎！ 君非吾賊臣亂子，倉卒時人皆欲為君事耳。 君日月已逝，妻子弱小，當早為定計。 天下神器，不可力爭，宜留三思！」 署曰「公孫皇帝」。 述不答。
Gongsun Shu sent letter after letter to the central court, citing omens of his destined rule, hoping to sway men's minds. The emperor wrote to Gongsun Shu: "The prophecies speak of 'Gongsun'—they mean Emperor Xuan. He who replaces Han bears the surname Dangtu; his given name is Gao;'— are you that Gao in person? Yet you again take palm-writing as a portent—Wang Mang is hardly worth imitating! You are no rebel of mine; in the chaos everyone wished to serve you for a time. Your day is passing; your wife and children are young and weak. Settle your course soon. The Mandate is not won by force alone—think thrice before you act!" He addressed it to "Emperor Gongsun." Gongsun Shu did not answer.
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其騎都尉平陵荊邯說述曰：「漢高祖起於行陳之中，兵破身困者數矣； 然軍敗復合，瘡愈復戰。 何則？ 前死而成功，愈於卻就於滅亡也！ 隗囂遭遇運會，割有雍州，兵強士附，威加山東； 遇更始政亂，復失天下，眾庶引領，四方瓦解，囂不及此時推危乘勝以爭天命，而退欲為西伯之事，尊師章句，賓友處士，偃武息戈，卑辭事漢，喟然自以文王復出也！ 令漢帝釋關、隴之憂，專精東伐，四分天下而有其三； 發間使，召攜貳，使西州豪傑咸居心於山東，則五分而有其四； 若舉兵天水，必至沮潰，天水既定，則九分而有其八。 陛下以梁州之地，內奉萬乘，外給三軍，百姓愁困，不堪上命，將有王氏自潰之變矣！ 臣之愚計，以為宜及天下之望未絕，豪桀尚可招誘，急以此時發國內精兵，令田戎據江陵，臨江南之會，倚巫山之固，築壘堅守，傳檄吳、楚，長沙以南必隨風而靡。 令延岑出漢中，定三輔，天水、隴西拱手自服。 如此，海內震搖，冀有大利。」 述以問群臣，博士吳柱曰：「武王伐殷，八百諸侯不期同辭，然猶還師以待天命。 未聞無左右之助。 而欲出師千里之外者也。」 邯曰：「今東帝無尺十之柄，驅烏合之眾，跨馬陷敵，所向輒平，不亟乘時與之分功，而坐談武王之說，是復效隗囂欲為西伯也。」
His Cavalry Commandant Jing Han of Pingling urged Gongsun Shu: "Han Gaozu rose from the ranks; his armies were shattered and he himself brought low again and again; yet when his army broke it re-formed; when his wounds healed he fought again. Why? To press on even unto death and win is better than to fall back toward ruin! Wei Xiao seized his moment, held Yong Province, commanded strong armies and loyal men, and his fame reached east of the passes; when the Gengshi court collapsed he might have taken the realm—the people looked to him and the empire fell apart—yet he did not press his advantage and contend for the Mandate. Instead he played King Wen: honoring teachers and classical glosses, gathering scholars and recluses, laying down arms, humbling himself before Han, sighing that King Wen had returned! So the Han emperor left the passes and Long untroubled, turned east, and held three quarters of the realm; send secret agents, win over the wavering, and turn the western chieftains' hearts toward the east—then four parts in five would be his; if he marched on Tianshui the enemy would break; with Tianshui secure, eight parts in nine would be his. Your Majesty holds Liang Province, supplying the throne within and the armies without, while the people groan under your demands—they cannot bear it. You will face a Wang Mang-style collapse from within! My counsel: while hope in you still lives and heroes may yet be won, strike now with your best troops. Put Tian Rong at Jiangling above the Yangtze junction, behind Wushan's ramparts, and hold fast. Send proclamations to Wu and Chu—the lands south of Changsha will bow like reeds in wind. Send Yan Cen from Hanzhong to secure the Three Metropolises; Tianshui and Longxi will surrender without a fight. Then the empire would tremble—and great profit might follow." Gongsun Shu asked his ministers. Erudite Wu Zhu said, "When King Wu attacked Yin, eight hundred lords came of one accord—yet he still withdrew his army to await Heaven's mandate. No one has marched far without allies at hand yet wishing to march a thousand li beyond your borders." Jing Han said, "The eastern emperor holds barely a finger's breadth of power. He drives a rabble, spurs his horse into the fray, and wins wherever he turns. If we do not seize this moment and share his conquests, but sit citing King Wu, we repeat Wei Xiao playing King Wen."
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述然邯言，欲悉發北軍屯士及山東客兵，使延岑、田戎分出兩道，與漢中諸將合兵並勢。 蜀人及其弟光以為不宜空國千里之外，決成敗於一舉，固爭之，述乃止。 延岑、田戎亦數請兵立功，述終疑不聽，唯公孫氏得任事。
Gongsun Shu agreed with Jing Han and planned to mobilize every northern garrison soldier and eastern mercenary, sending Yan Cen and Tian Rong by two routes to join the Hanzhong commanders in one thrust. The people of Shu and his brother Guang argued that he must not strip the realm and stake everything on one throw a thousand li away. They pressed him hard, and he desisted. Yan Cen and Tian Rong also begged again and again for troops to earn glory, but Gongsun Shu remained suspicious and refused. Only his own clan held office.
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述廢銅錢，置鐵錢，貨幣不行，百姓苦之。 為政苛細，察於小事，如為清水令時而已。 好改易郡縣官名。 少嘗為郎，習漢家故事，出入法駕，鸞旗旄騎。 又立其兩子為王，食犍為、廣漢各數縣。 或諫曰：「成敗未可知，戎士暴露而先王愛子，示無大志也！」 述不從，由此大臣皆怨。
Gongsun Shu abolished copper coin and issued iron money. Trade stalled and the people groaned under it. His rule was petty and exacting, obsessed with trifles—as when he had been magistrate of Qingshui. He loved to rename commanderies and counties. As a youth he had served as a court gentleman and knew Han ritual. He went abroad with imperial pomp—phoenix banners and pennoned escorts. He also made his two sons kings, enfeoffing them with several counties each in Qianwei and Guanghan. Someone urged him: "Victory is not yet certain. Your soldiers freeze in the field while you crown your sons—this shows small ambition!" He would not listen, and from that his ministers turned against him.
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3馮異自長安入朝，帝謂公卿曰：「是我起兵時主簿也，為吾披荊棘，定關中。」 既罷，賜珍寶、錢帛，詔曰：「倉卒蕪蔞亭豆粥，虖沱河麥飯，厚意久不報。」 異稽首謝曰：「臣聞管仲謂桓公曰：『願君無忘射鉤，臣無忘檻車。』 齊國賴之。 臣今亦願國家無忘河北之難，小臣不敢忘巾車之恩。」 留十餘日，令與妻子還西。
3. Feng Yi came from Chang'an to court. The emperor told the ministers, "This was my registrar when I first raised arms. He cut through the thorns for me and secured Guanzhong." When the audience ended he gave him treasures, cash, and silk, with an edict: "Bean porridge at Wulou Pavilion, wheat gruel at Hutuo River—your kindness went long unrewarded." Feng Yi kowtowed and said, "I have heard that Guan Zhong told Duke Huan of Qi: 'May my lord not forget the arrow that hooked you; may I not forget the prison cart. On that Qi stood. I too pray the realm will not forget the trials north of the river; I dare not forget the kindness of the covered cart." He stayed more than ten days, then was sent west with his wife and children.
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4申屠剛、杜林自隗囂所來，帝皆拜侍御史。 以鄭興為太中大夫。
4. Shentu Gang and Du Lin came from Wei Xiao's camp; the emperor made both Attendant Censors. Zheng Xing was appointed Grand Palace Grandee.
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5三月，公孫述使田戎出江關，招其故眾，欲以取荊州，不克。 帝乃詔隗囂，欲從天水伐蜀。 囂上言：「白水險阻，棧閣敗絕。 述性嚴酷，上下相患，須其罪惡孰著而攻之，此大呼響應之勢也。」 帝知其終不為用，乃謀討之。
5. In the third month Gongsun Shu sent Tian Rong through the river passes to rally his old followers and seize Jing Province. He failed. The emperor then ordered Wei Xiao to join an invasion of Shu from Tianshui. Wei Xiao replied: "The Bai River country is rugged; the plank roads are broken and impassable. Gongsun Shu is harsh and cruel; his court and people fear one another. Wait until his crimes are plain, then strike—the realm will answer like an echo to a shout." The emperor knew Wei Xiao would never serve him and began planning his destruction.
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6夏，四月，丙子，上行幸長安，謁園陵； 遣耿弇、蓋延等七將軍從隴道伐蜀，先使中郎將來歙奉璽書賜囂諭旨。 囂復多設疑故，事久冘豫不決。 歙遂發憤質素囂曰：「國家以君知臧否，曉廢興，故以手書暢意。 足下推忠誠，既遣伯春委質，而反欲用佞惑之言，為族滅之計邪！」 因欲前刺囂。 囂起入，部勒兵將殺歙，歙徐杖節就車而去，囂使牛邯將兵圍守之。 囂將王遵諫曰：「君叔雖單車遠使，而陛下之外兄也，殺之無損於漢，而隨以族滅。 昔宋執楚使，遂有析骸易子之禍。 小國猶不可辱，況於萬乘之主，重以伯春之命哉！」 歙為人有信義，言行不違，及往來遊說，皆可按覆； 西州士大夫皆信重之，多為其言，故得免而東歸。
6. In summer, in the fourth month, on the day bingzi, the emperor went in person to Chang'an and visited the imperial tombs; he sent Geng Yan, Gai Yan, and five other generals against Shu by the Long road, and first dispatched Palace Gentleman Lai Xi with an imperial letter to instruct Wei Xiao. Wei Xiao raised objection after objection; days passed and he still would not decide. Lai Xi then burst out and confronted Wei Xiao: "The throne believes you know good from evil and rise from fall—that is why it sent you this personal letter. You pledged loyalty and sent your son Bochun as hostage—will you now heed flatterers and plot your clan's destruction?" He started forward to stab Wei Xiao. Wei Xiao rose and withdrew, called up troops to kill him. Lai Xi walked slowly, staff and credentials in hand, to his carriage and departed. Wei Xiao sent Niu Han to surround and detain him. Wei Xiao's general Wang Zun urged: "Lai Xi came alone on a distant mission, but he is the emperor's cousin by marriage. Killing him would not hurt Han—but your clan would perish for it. When Song seized Chu's envoy, fathers and sons starved until they bartered flesh. Even a small state must not be shamed—how much less an emperor, and with your son Bochun's life at stake!" Lai Xi was a man of trust; his words matched his deeds, and every embassy he had made could be verified; the western gentry all trusted him, and many spoke for him, so he was spared and sent east.
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五月，己未，車駕至自長安。
In the fifth month, on the day jiwei, the emperor returned from Chang'an.
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隗囂遂發兵反，使王元據隴坻，伐木塞道。 諸將因與囂戰，大敗，各引兵下隴； 囂追之急，馬武選精騎為後拒，殺數千人，諸軍乃得還。
Wei Xiao then rebelled, posted Wang Yuan at Longzhi, felled trees and blocked the roads. The generals fought him and were routed; each led his army down from the Long plateau; Wei Xiao pressed hard. Ma Wu chose elite cavalry as rearguard, slew several thousand, and the armies escaped.
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7六月辛卯，詔曰：「夫張官置吏，所以為民也。 今百姓遭難，戶口耗少，而縣官吏職，所置尚繁。 其令司隸、州牧各實所部，省減吏員，縣國不足置長吏者並之。」 於是並省四百餘縣，吏職減損，十置其一。
7. On xinmao day in the sixth month an edict ran: "Offices exist for the people's sake. The people have suffered war; households are few, yet county posts remain too many. Let the Director of the Capital and the provincial governors audit their domains, cut posts, and merge counties too small to need their own magistrates." More than four hundred counties were merged; posts were cut to one in ten.
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8〔秋〕，九月，丙寅晦，日有食之。 執金吾朱浮上疏曰：「昔堯、舜之盛，猶如三考； 大漢之興，亦累功效，吏皆積久，至長子孫。 當時吏職，何能悉治，論議之徒，豈不喧嘩！ 蓋以為天地之功不可倉卒，艱難之業當累日也。 而間者守宰數見換易，迎新相代，疲勞道路。 尋其視事日淺，未足昭見其職，既加嚴切，人不自保，迫於舉劾，懼於刺譏，故爭飾詐偽以希虛譽，斯所以致日月失行之應也。 夫物暴長者必夭折，功卒成者必亟壞。 如摧長久之業而造速成之功，非陛下之福也。 願陛下遊意於經年之外，望治於一世之後，天下幸甚！」 帝采其言，自是牧守易代頗簡。
On the last day of the cycle bingyin there was a solar eclipse.1 Commandant of Justice Zhu Fu memorialized: "Even Yao and Shun at their height required three years of trial; Han too rose through long service; officers held office for years until sons and grandsons inherited their posts. Could every post have been perfectly filled then? Would critics not have roared? Heaven's work cannot be rushed; great undertakings need time. Yet lately prefects and magistrates are swapped again and again—welcoming the new, seeing off the old—until the roads groan with their comings and goings. They barely take office before they are moved on, with no time to prove themselves. Under harsh scrutiny men cannot stand secure; hunted by impeachment, dreading exposure, they vie to paint false fronts for hollow praise—and that brings the sun and moon out of their course. What shoots up too fast must die young; what is finished in haste must soon crack. To tear down long work for quick results is no blessing to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty set your mind on years ahead and look for order after a generation—the realm would be blessed indeed!" The emperor took his counsel; thereafter provincial appointments changed less often.
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9〔冬〕，十二月，壬辰，大司空宋弘免。
On renchen day Grand Minister of Works Song Hong was dismissed.2
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10癸巳，詔曰：「頃者師旅未解，用度不足，故行十一之稅。 今糧儲差積，其令郡國收見田租三十稅一，如舊制。」
10. On guisi day an edict said: "While armies were still in the field and funds ran short, we levied one part in eleven. Stores have begun to fill again. Let commanderies and kingdoms collect the field tax at one part in thirty, as of old."
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11諸將之下隴也，帝詔耿弇軍漆，馮異軍栒邑，祭遵軍汧，吳漢等還屯長安。 馮異引軍未至栒邑，隗囂乘勝使王元、行巡將二萬餘人下隴，分遣巡取栒邑。 異即馳兵欲先據之，諸將曰：「虜兵盛而乘勝，不可與爭鋒，宜止軍便地，徐思方略。」 異曰：「虜兵臨境，忸心犬小利，遂欲深入； 若得栒邑，三輔動搖。 夫攻者不足，守者有餘。 今先據城，以逸待勞，非所以爭也。」 潛往，閉城，偃旗鼓。 行巡不知，馳赴之。 異乘其不意，卒擊鼓、建旗而出。 巡軍驚亂奔走，追擊，大破之。 祭遵亦破王元於汧。 於是北地諸豪長耿定等悉畔隗囂降。 詔異進軍義渠，擊破盧芳將賈覽、匈奴奧鞬日逐王，北地、上郡、安定皆降。
11. When the generals retreated from Long, the emperor posted Geng Yan at Qi, Feng Yi at Xunyi, Ji Zun at Qian, and Wu Han and the rest at Chang'an. Feng Yi had not yet reached Xunyi when Wei Xiao, pressing his advantage, sent Wang Yuan and Xing Xun with more than twenty thousand men down from Long, and detached Xun to seize Xunyi. Feng Yi spurred his men to seize the city first. His officers said, "The enemy is strong and riding victory. We cannot meet them head-on. Halt on good ground and plan." Feng Yi said, "The enemy is at our border, their hearts craven as dogs after small gain, and they mean to drive deep; if they take Xunyi, the Three Metropolises will shake. Attack lacks strength; defense has surplus. Seize the city first and meet them fresh while they are weary—that is not contention at all." He went in secret, shut the city, and lowered banners and drums. Xing Xun did not know and galloped there. Yi caught them off guard, suddenly beat drums, raised banners, and sallied out. Xun's army panicked and fled; they pursued and routed them utterly. Ji Zun also defeated Wang Yuan at Qian. Thereupon all the powerful men and elders of Beidi, including Geng Ding, turned from Wei Ao and surrendered. An edict ordered Yi to advance to Yiqu, defeated Lu Fang's general Jia Lan and the Xiongnu Ao Jian Rizhu King, and Beidi, Shang, and Anding all surrendered.
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12竇融復遣其弟友上書曰：「臣幸得托先後末屬，累世二千石，臣復假歷將帥，守持一隅，故遣劉鈞口陳肝膽，自以底裡上露，長無纖介。 而璽書盛稱蜀、漢二主三分鼎足之權，任囂、尉佗之謀，竊自痛傷。 臣融雖無識，猶知利害之際、順逆之分。 豈可背真舊之主，事奸偽之人； 廢忠貞小節，為傾覆之事； 棄已成之基，求無冀之利。 此三者，雖問狂夫，猶知去就，而臣獨何以用心！ 謹遣弟友詣闕，口陳至誠。」 友至高平，會隗囂反，道不通，乃遣司馬席封間道通書。 帝復遣封，賜融、友書，所以尉藉之甚厚。
Dou Rong again sent his younger brother You to present a memorial, saying: "I was fortunate to rely on attachment to the former and latter imperial houses; my family for generations held two-thousand-bushel offices; I have again served as commander and held one corner, and therefore sent Liu Jun to speak my heart openly, believing my inmost loyalty was laid bare and would long remain without the slightest flaw. Yet the imperial letter lavishly praised the two lords of Shu and Han and the power to divide the realm like a tripod, the schemes of Ren Xiao and Wei Tuo—and I was privately pained and wounded. I, Rong, though without great understanding, still know the juncture of benefit and harm and the distinction of compliance and defiance. How could one turn against the true former lord and serve treacherous, false men; abandon the small integrity of loyalty and constancy and do deeds of overthrow; cast away an already completed foundation and seek profit without hope. These three—even a madman would know what to accept and reject—so why alone should I set my mind on them! I respectfully send my younger brother You to court to speak my utmost sincerity in person." You reached Gaoping, but Wei Ao had rebelled and the road was blocked, so he sent Marshal Xi Feng by a secret path to deliver the letter. The Emperor again sent Feng back with letters for Rong and You, comforting and reassuring them very generously.
22
融乃與隗囂書曰：「將軍親遇厄會之際，國家不利之時，守節不回，承事本朝。 融等所以欣服高義，願從役於將軍者，良為此也！ 而忿悁之間，改節易圖，委成功，造難就，百年累之，一朝毀之，豈不惜乎！ 殆執事者貪功建謀，以至於此。 當今西州地勢局迫，民兵離散，易以輔人，難以自建。 計若失路不反，聞道猶迷，不南合子陽，則北入文伯耳。 夫負虛交而易強禦，恃遠救而輕近敵，未見其利也。 自兵起以來，城郭皆為丘墟，生民轉於溝壑。 幸賴天運少還，而將軍復重其難，是使積痾不得遂瘳，幼孤將復流離，言之可為酸鼻。 庸人且猶不忍，況仁者乎！ 融聞為忠甚易，得宜實難。 憂人太過，以德取怨，知且以言獲罪也！」 囂不納。
Rong then wrote to Wei Ao, saying: "General, you personally met calamity and a time when the state was unfavored, held your integrity without turning back, and continued to serve the dynasty. The reason we rejoiced in your lofty righteousness and wished to serve under you is truly this! Yet in a moment of anger you changed your integrity and altered your plan, abandoned success and created difficulty, destroyed in a morning what a hundred years had built—is that not to be regretted! Perhaps those in charge, greedy for achievement, devised the plot and brought things to this. Now the Western Province is cramped, its militia and people scattered—it is easy to assist others and hard to stand on one's own. If you lose the road and do not return, hear the Way yet remain lost—if you do not join Ziyang in the south, you will go to Wenbo in the north. To rely on empty friendship and lightly oppose the strong, to count on distant rescue and slight a near enemy—its benefit is not seen. Since the war began, cities have become ruins and the people cast into ditches and gullies. Fortunately Heaven's favor has begun to return, yet the general again doubles the hardship—this keeps accumulated ills from healing and will cast infants and orphans adrift again; to speak of it is heartbreaking. Even a mediocre man could not bear it—how much more a benevolent man! I have heard that doing loyalty is easy, but obtaining what is fitting is truly hard. To worry for others too much is to draw resentment by one's virtue—I know I shall yet be punished for these words!" Ao did not accept it.
23
融乃與五郡太守共砥厲兵馬，上疏請師期； 帝深嘉美之。 融即與諸郡守將兵入金城，擊囂黨先零羌封何等，大破之。 因並河，揚威武，伺候車駕。 時大兵未進，融乃引還。
Rong then together with the five commandery governors sharpened troops and horses and memorialized requesting a date for the army; the Emperor deeply praised it. Rong immediately led the commandery governors with troops into Jincheng, struck Ao's allies the Xianling Qiang Feng He and others, and routed them utterly. He then followed the river, displayed martial might, and awaited the imperial carriage. The great army had not yet advanced, so Rong withdrew.
24
帝以融信效著明，益嘉之，修理融父墳墓，祠以太牢，數馳輕使，致遺四方珍羞。
Because Rong's faith and achievement were clearly outstanding, the Emperor praised him further, repaired his father's tomb, sacrificed to it with the great offering, and repeatedly sent swift envoys bearing rare delicacies from the four directions.
25
梁統猶恐眾心疑惑，乃使人刺殺張玄，遂與隗囂絕，皆解所假將軍印綬。
Liang Tong still feared the troops were doubtful; he had Zhang Xuan assassinated, broke with Wei Ao, and all surrendered their borrowed general's seals and cords.
26
13先是，馬援聞隗囂欲貳於漢，數以書責譬之，囂得書增怒。 及囂發兵反，援乃上書曰：「臣與隗囂本實交友，初遣臣東，謂臣曰：『本欲為漢，願足下往觀之，於汝意可，即專心矣。』 及臣還反，報以赤心，實欲導之於善，非敢譎以非義。 而囂自挾奸心，盜憎主人，怨毒之情，遂歸於臣。 臣欲不言，則無以上聞，願聽詣行在所，極陳滅囂之術。」 帝乃召之。 援具言謀畫。
Earlier, Ma Yuan heard that Wei Ao wished to waver toward Han and repeatedly reproached him by letter; Ao grew angrier with each letter. When Ao raised troops and rebelled, Yuan presented a memorial, saying: "Wei Ao and I were truly friends; when he first sent me east he said to me: 'Originally I wished to serve Han; I hope you will go observe; if it suits your mind, then devote yourself wholeheartedly. When I returned and reported with a loyal heart, I truly wished to guide him toward the good and did not dare deceive him with what was not righteous. Yet Ao on his own harbored treachery, hated his master like a thief, and his resentful poison turned upon me. If I wished not to speak, there would be nothing to report above; I ask permission to go to the traveling palace and set forth fully the art of destroying Ao." The Emperor thereupon summoned him. Yuan fully stated his plans.
27
帝因使援將突騎五千，往來遊說囂將高峻、任禹之屬，下及羌豪，為陳禍福，以離囂支黨。 援又為書與囂將楊廣，使曉勸於囂曰：「援竊見四海已定，兆民同情，而季孟閉拒背畔，為天下表的。 常懼海內切齒，思相屠裂，故遺書戀戀，以致惻隱之計。 乃聞季孟歸罪於援，而納王游翁諂邪之說，因自謂函谷以西，舉足可定。 以今而觀，竟何如邪！ 援間至河內，過存伯春，見其奴吉從西方還，說伯春小弟仲舒望見吉，欲問伯春無它否，竟不能言，曉夕號泣，宛轉塵中。 又說其家悲愁之狀，不可言也。 夫怨讎可刺不可毀，援聞之，不自知泣下也。 援素知季孟孝愛，曾、閔不過。 夫孝於其親，豈不慈於其子！ 可有子抱三木而跳梁妄作，自同分羹之事乎！ 季孟平生自言所以擁兵眾者，欲以保全父母之國而完墳墓也，又言苟厚士大夫而已。 而今所欲全者將破亡之，所欲完者將毀傷之，所欲厚者將反薄之。 季孟嘗折愧子陽而不受其爵，今更共陸陸欲往附之，將難為顏乎！ 若復責以重質，當安從得子主給是哉！ 往時子陽獨欲以王相待而春卿拒之，今者歸老，更欲低頭與小兒曹共槽櫪而食，並肩側身於怨家之朝乎！ 今國家待春卿意深，宜使牛孺卿與諸耆老大人共說季孟，若計畫不從，真可引領去矣。 前披輿地圖，見天下郡國百有六所，奈何欲以區區二邦以當諸夏百有四乎！ 春卿事季孟，外有君臣之義，內有朋友之道。 言君臣邪，固當諫爭； 語朋友邪，應有切磋。 豈有知其無成，而但萎腇咋舌，義手從族乎！ 及今成計，殊尚善也，過是，欲少味矣！ 且來君叔天下信士，朝廷重之，其意依依，常獨為西州言。 援商朝廷，尤欲立信於此，必不負約。 援不得久留，願急賜報。」 廣竟不答。
The Emperor had Yuan lead five thousand shock cavalry, go back and forth persuading Ao's generals Gao Jun, Ren Yu, and their kind, down to the Qiang chieftains, set forth fortune and calamity, and thereby divide Ao's supporters. Yuan also wrote to Ao's general Yang Guang to enlighten and urge Ao, saying: "I have privately seen that within the four seas is settled and the myriad people share one feeling, yet Jimeng shuts himself off and rebels—he is a model for the world. I constantly fear that within the seas people grind their teeth and think of slaughtering one another; therefore I sent letters full of longing to offer a plan of compassionate pity. Yet I hear that Jimeng lays the blame on me and accepts the flattery and wickedness of Wang Youweng's words, and therefore thinks that west of Hangu Pass he can settle everything wherever he sets foot. Viewed from today—how does it turn out after all! Yuan by chance reached Henei and called on Bochun; he saw his slave Ji returning from the west, who said Bochun's younger brother Zhongshu, seeing Ji from afar, wished to ask whether Bochun was safe, yet could not speak, wept morning and evening, and writhed in the dust. He also spoke of his household's grief and sorrow—unspeakable. A foe of resentment may be stabbed but not destroyed; when Yuan heard it he wept without knowing it. Yuan has long known Jimeng's filial love—not surpassed by Zeng and Min. If one is filial toward one's parents, how could one not be loving toward one's sons! Can there be a son who bears the cangue and capers in reckless rebellion, making himself the same as the affair of dividing the broth! Jimeng has himself said that the reason he gathered troops was to preserve his parents' state and complete the tombs, and that he wished only to treat scholars generously. Yet now what he wished to preserve will be destroyed, what he wished to complete will be ruined, what he wished to treat generously will instead be treated thinly. Jimeng once humbled Ziyang in rebuke and did not accept his rank; now he again wishes to go attach to him step by step—will that not be hard on his face! If again charged with heavy hostages, from where will he obtain a lord's son to supply them! In former times Ziyang alone wished to treat him as king and Chunqing refused; now, in old age, he again wishes to bow his head and with little boys share manger and trough, shoulder to shoulder in his enemy's court! Now the state treats Chunqing with deep intent; you ought to have Niu Ruqing together with the various elders jointly persuade Jimeng—if the plan is not followed, truly one may stretch the neck and go. Earlier I spread the carriage-map and saw that the empire's commanderies and kingdoms number a hundred and six—how can one wish to use a mere two states to match the hundred and four of all Xia! Chunqing serves Jimeng—outwardly there is the righteousness of ruler and minister, inwardly there is the Way of friends. Speaking as ruler and minister—certainly one ought to remonstrate; speaking as friends—there ought to be mutual polishing. How can one know he has no success, yet only shrink and stammer, fold one's arms and follow the clan! To achieve the plan today is especially still good; past that, it will lose much of its savor! Moreover Lai Junshu is trusted throughout the world; the court values him; his intent is constant; he alone often speaks for the Western Province. I have discussed with the court; they especially wish to establish trust here and will certainly not break the covenant. I cannot long remain; I wish you would urgently grant a reply." Guang in the end did not reply.
28
諸將每有疑議，更請呼援，咸敬重焉。
Whenever the generals had doubtful points, they again requested Yuan be called—they all respected him.
29
14隗囂上疏謝曰：「吏民聞大兵卒至，驚恐自救，臣囂不能禁止。 兵有大利，不敢廢臣子之節，親自追還。 昔虞舜事父，大杖則走，小杖則受，臣雖不敏，敢忘斯義！ 今臣之事，在於本朝，賜死則死，加刑則刑； 如更得洗心，死骨不朽。」 有司以囂言慢，請誅其子。 帝不忍，復使來歙至汧，賜囂書曰：「昔柴將軍云：『陛下寬仁，諸侯雖有亡叛而後歸，輒復位號，不誅也。』 今若束手，復遣恂弟歸闕庭者，則爵祿獲全，有浩大之福矣！ 吾年垂四十，在兵中十歲，厭浮語虛辭。 即不欲，勿報。」 囂知帝審其詐，遂遣使稱臣於公孫述。
Wei Ao presented a memorial of apology, saying: "Officials and people, hearing the great army suddenly arrive, were frightened and sought to save themselves—I could not forbid it. The troops had great advantage; I did not dare abandon the integrity of a subject and minister and personally pursued and brought them back. Formerly Shun served his father: with a great staff he fled, with a small staff he accepted it—I, though not keen, dare not forget this righteousness! Now my affair lies with the dynasty—if death is granted then I die, if punishment is added then I suffer it; if again permitted to wash my heart, even dead bones would not decay." The responsible offices, because Ao's words were insolent, requested execution of his sons. The Emperor could not bear it and again sent Lai Xi to Qian with a letter for Ao, saying: "Formerly General Chai said: 'Your Majesty is broad and benevolent; though feudal lords have fled in rebellion and afterward returned, their ranks and titles are at once restored and they are not executed. Now if you bind your hands and again send Xun's younger brother back to court, then rank and stipend will be wholly preserved and there will be vast blessing! I am nearly forty, ten years in the army—I am weary of empty phrases. If you do not wish it, do not reply." Ao knew the Emperor had penetrated his deceit and sent envoys to declare himself a subject to Gongsun Shu.
30
15匈奴與盧芳為寇不息，帝令歸德侯颯使匈奴以修舊好。 單于驕倨，雖遣使報命，而寇暴如故。
The Xiongnu together with Lu Fang raided without cease; the Emperor ordered Marquis of Guide Sa as envoy to the Xiongnu to restore the old friendship. The chanyu was arrogant; though he sent envoys to return the mission, plunder and violence continued as before.
31
1春，三月，罷郡國輕車、騎士、材官，今還復民伍。
In spring, the third month, the commanderies' and kingdoms' light chariots, knights, and materiel officers were dismissed and ordered to return to the common people's companies.
32
2公孫述立隗囂為朔寧王，遣兵往來，為之援勢。
Gongsun Shu established Wei Ao as King of Shuoning, sent troops back and forth, and supported him.
33
3癸亥晦，日有食之。 詔百僚各上封事，其上書者不得言聖，太中大夫鄭興上疏曰：「夫國無善政，則謫見日月。 要在因人之心，擇人處位。 今公卿大夫多舉漁陽太守郭人及可大司空者，而不以時定； 道路流言，咸曰『朝廷欲用功臣』，功臣用則人位謬矣。 願陛下屈己從眾，以濟群臣讓善之功。 頃年日食多在晦乙十一行本同； 孔本同。」 然不補亦可。，先時而合，皆月行疾也。 日君象而月臣象； 君亢急而臣下促迫，故月行疾。 今陛下高明而群臣惶促，宜留思柔克之政，垂意《洪範》之法。 帝躬勤政事，頗傷嚴急，故興奏及之。
On the last day of guihai there was a solar eclipse. An edict ordered the hundred officials each to present sealed memorials; memorialists might not speak of sageliness; Grand Master of the Palace Zheng Xing presented a memorial, saying: "When the state has no good government, reproof appears in the sun and moon. The key lies in following people's hearts and choosing men to place in positions. Now the high ministers mostly recommend Guo Ren, governor of Yuyang, and one fit for Grand Minister of Works, yet do not settle it in good time; roadside rumor says 'The court wishes to employ meritorious ministers'—if meritorious ministers are employed, then men's positions are wrong. I wish Your Majesty would bend yourself and follow the multitude, thereby completing the ministers' merit in yielding what is good. the Yi eleven-line edition agrees;3 Kong's edition agrees." Yet not supplying it is also acceptable. early conjunction—all because the moon moves swiftly. The sun is the image of the ruler and the moon the image of the minister; the ruler is overbearing and urgent while subjects below are pressed and cramped—therefore the moon moves swiftly. Now Your Majesty is lofty and bright while the ministers are fearful and pressed; you ought to ponder long a policy of gentle overcoming and attend to the methods of the Hong Fan." The Emperor personally attended diligently to government affairs and was rather severe and urgent; therefore Xing's memorial touched on this.
34
4夏，四月，壬午，大赦。
In summer, the fourth month, on the day renwu, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
35
5五月，戊戌，以前將軍李通為大司空。
In the fifth month, on the day wuxu, the former General-in-Chief Li Tong was made Grand Minister of Works.
36
6大司農江馮上言：「宜令司隸校尉督察三公。」 司空掾陳元上疏曰：「臣聞師臣者帝，賓臣者霸。 故武王以太公為師，齊桓以夷吾為仲父，近則高帝優相國之禮，太宗假宰輔之權。 及亡新王莽，遭漢中衰，專操國柄以偷天下，況己自喻，不信群臣，奪公輔之任，損宰相之威，以刺舉為明，徼訐為直，至乃陪僕告其君長，子弟變其父兄，罔密法峻，大臣無所措手足； 然不能禁董忠之謀，身為世戮。 方今四方尚擾，天下未一，百姓觀聽，咸張耳目。 陛下宜修文、武之聖典，襲祖宗之遺德，勞心下士，屈節待賢，誠不宜使有司察公輔之名。」 帝從之。
Grand Minister of Agriculture Jiang Feng submitted a memorial: "The Director of the Retainers ought to inspect and supervise the Three Excellencies." Aide to the Minister of Works Chen Yuan submitted a memorial, saying, "I have heard that a ruler with a teacher as minister becomes an emperor, and one with a guest as minister becomes a hegemon. King Wu of Zhou made Taigong his teacher; Duke Huan of Qi made Yiwu his zhongfu; recently the High Emperor showed exceptional courtesy to the Chancellor, and Emperor Wen entrusted the chief ministers with full authority. When Wang Mang's fallen Xin met Han in mid-decline, he monopolized state power to steal the realm, prided himself on self-comparison, distrusted his ministers, stripped the Three Excellencies of their duties, diminished the Chancellor's authority, treated denunciation as enlightenment and petty accusations as uprightness, until servants denounced their lords and sons turned against fathers—laws were tangled and severe, and great ministers had nowhere to set hand or foot; yet he could not suppress Dong Zhong's plot and himself became a byword for slaughter. Now the four quarters are still disturbed, the realm is not yet united, and the common people watch and listen with eyes and ears wide open. Your Majesty ought to restore the sage canons of Wen and Wu, inherit the ancestors' legacy virtue, toil to humble yourself before scholars, and bend your dignity to await the worthy—it is truly not fitting to let the responsible offices inspect the Three Excellencies." The Emperor agreed.
37
7酒泉太守竺曾以弟報怨殺人，自免去郡； 竇融承製拜曾武鋒將軍，更以辛肜為酒泉太守。
Administrator of Jiuquan Zhu Ceng, because his younger brother killed a man to avenge a grudge, resigned and left the commandery; Dou Rong by imperial order made Ceng Martial Vanguard General and replaced him with Xin Yin as Administrator of Jiuquan.
38
8秋，隗囂將步騎三萬侵安定，至陰槃，馮異率諸將拒之； 囂又令別將下隴攻祭遵於汧。 並無利而還。
In autumn Wei Ao led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to invade Anding and reached Yinpan; Feng Yi led the generals to resist him; Ao also ordered a separate general to descend Long and attack Ji Zun at Qian. Both gained no advantage and withdrew.
39
帝將自征隗囂，先戒竇融師期，會遇雨，道斷，且囂兵已退，乃止。
The Emperor was about to campaign in person against Wei Ao and first warned Dou Rong of the army's rendezvous date; rain cut the roads, Ao's troops had already withdrawn, and he stopped.
40
帝令來歙以書招王遵，遵來降，拜太中大夫，封向義侯。
The Emperor ordered Lai Xi to recruit Wang Zun by letter; Zun surrendered, was appointed Grand Master of the Palace, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangyi.
41
9冬，盧芳以事誅其五原太守李興兄弟。 其朔方太守田颯、雲中太守喬扈各舉郡降，旁令領職如故。
In winter Lu Fang on some pretext executed Administrator of Wuyuan Li Xing and his brothers. His Administrators of Shuofang Tian Sa and Yunzhong Qiao Hu each led their commanderies to surrender; the Emperor let them hold their posts as before.
42
10帝好圖讖，與鄭興議郊祀事，曰：「吾欲以讖斷之，何如？」 對曰：「臣不為讖。」 帝怒曰：「卿不為讖，非之邪？」 興惶恐曰：「臣於書有所未學，而無所非也。」 帝意乃解。
The Emperor was fond of prognostic charts and discussed suburban sacrifices with Zheng Xing, saying, "I wish to decide it by omens—what do you think?" He replied, "I do not produce omens." The Emperor angrily said, "You do not produce omens—you oppose them, do you?" Xing said in fear, "There are things in the classics I have not yet studied, but nothing I reject." The Emperor's mood thereupon eased.
43
11南陽太守杜詩政治清平，興利除害，百姓便之。 又修治陂池，廣拓土田，郡內比室殷足，時人方於召信臣。 南陽為之語曰：「前有召父，後有杜母。」
Administrator of Nanyang Du Shi's government was clear and fair; he promoted benefit and removed harm, and the common people found it convenient. He also repaired dikes and ponds and broadly expanded fields; within the commandery household after household was well provided, and men of the time compared him to Zhaoxin Chen. Nanyang had a saying: "Before there was Father Zhao; after there is Mother Du."
44
1春，來歙將二千餘人伐山開道，從番須、回中徑襲略陽，斬隗囂守將金梁。 囂大驚曰：「何其神也！」 帝聞得略陽，甚喜，曰：「略陽，囂所依阻。 心腹已壞，則制其支體易矣！」
In spring Lai Xi led more than two thousand men to cut through mountains and open roads, came by Fanxu and Huizhong on a direct path to strike Lueyang, and beheaded Wei Ao's garrison general Jin Liang. Ao was greatly alarmed and said, "How divine!" When the Emperor heard Lueyang had been taken, he was greatly pleased and said, "Lueyang is what Ao relies on for defense. His heart and belly are already ruined—then controlling his limbs will be easy!"
45
吳漢等諸將聞歙據略陽，爭馳赴之。 上以為囂失所恃，亡其要城，勢必悉以精銳來攻； 曠日久圍而城不拔，士卒頓敝，乃可乘危而進，皆追漢等還。 隗囂果使王元拒隴坻，行巡守番須口，王孟塞雞頭道，牛邯軍瓦亭。 囂自悉其大眾數萬人圍略陽，公孫述遣將李育、田弇助之，斬山築堤，激水灌城。 來歙與將士固死堅守，矢盡，發屋斷木以為兵。 囂盡銳攻之，累月不能下。
Generals Wu Han and the others, hearing Xi held Lueyang, all raced to join him. The Emperor thought Ao had lost his support and his key city and was certain to bring all his elite troops to attack; if the siege dragged on without taking the city the troops would be worn out, and then one could advance on their peril—he ordered Han and the others recalled. Wei Ao sent Wang Yuan to hold Longdi, Xing Xun to guard the mouth of Fanxu, Wang Meng to block Jitou Pass, and Niu Han to encamp at Wating. Ao himself mustered tens of thousands to besiege Lueyang; Gongsun Shu sent Li Yu and Tian Yan to assist; they cut mountains, built dikes, and channeled water to flood the city. Lai Xi and his officers and soldiers held staunchly to the death; when arrows ran out they tore apart houses and broke wood for weapons. Ao threw all his elite into the attack for months but could not take it.
46
夏，閏四月，帝自將征隗囂，光祿勳汝南郭憲諫曰：「東方初定，車駕未可遠征。」 乃當車拔佩刀以斷車靷。 帝不從，西至漆。 諸將多以王師之重，不宜遠入險阻，計冘豫未決； 帝召馬援問之。 援因說隗囂將帥有土崩之勢，兵進有必破之狀； 又於帝前聚米為山谷，指畫形勢，開示眾軍所從道徑，往來分析，昭然可曉。 帝曰：「虜在吾目中矣！」 明旦，遂進軍，至高平第一。
In summer, in the intercalary fourth month, the Emperor led a campaign in person against Wei Ao; Bearer of the Cap and Scepter Guo Xian of Runan remonstrated, "The east has only just been settled—the imperial carriage must not campaign so far." He stood before the carriage, drew his sword, and cut the traces. The Emperor did not listen and went west as far as Qi. Many generals held that the imperial army was too weighty to enter far into perilous passes, and plans were hesitant and undecided; the Emperor summoned Ma Yuan to ask his view. Yuan explained that Wei Ao's generals were on the verge of collapse and that if the army advanced it was certain to break them; and before the Emperor piled rice into mountains and valleys, traced the terrain, showed the routes the army would take, and analyzed the movements so clearly that all could understand. The Emperor said, "The foe is already in my sight!" The next morning he advanced the army to Gaoping Di Yi.
47
竇融率五郡太守及羌虜小月氏等步騎數萬，輜重五千餘兩，與大軍會。 是時軍旅草創，諸將朝會禮容多不肅，融先遣從事問會見儀適。 帝聞而善之，以宣告百僚，乃置酒高會，待融等以殊禮。 遂共進軍，數道上隴。 使王遵以書招牛邯，下之，拜邯太中大夫。 於是囂大將十三人、屬縣十六、眾十餘萬皆降。 囂將妻子奔西城，從楊廣，而田弇、李育保上邽。 略陽圍解。 帝勞賜來歙，班坐絕席，在諸將之右，賜歙妻縑千匹。 進幸上邽，詔告隗囂曰：「若束手自詣，父子相見，保無佗也。 若遂欲為黥布者，亦自任也。」 囂終不降，於是誅其子恂。 使吳漢、岑彭圍西城，耿弇、蓋延圍上邽。
Dou Rong led the five commandery administrators and Lesser Yuezhi and other Qiang and barbarian infantry and cavalry numbering tens of thousands, with more than five thousand supply wagons, and joined the main army. The army was newly formed; at court assemblies many generals' ceremonial bearing was lax; Rong first sent an attendant to inquire about the proper etiquette for audience. The Emperor heard and approved, proclaimed it to the hundred officials, set out wine for a grand gathering, and treated Rong and the others with exceptional courtesy. They advanced together on several routes up Long. Wang Zun recruited Niu Han by letter; Han submitted and was appointed Grand Master of the Palace. Thereupon thirteen of Ao's great generals, sixteen subordinate counties, and more than a hundred thousand men all surrendered. Ao fled with his wife and children to Xicheng and followed Yang Guang, while Tian Yan and Li Yu held Shanggui. The siege of Lueyang was lifted. The Emperor rewarded Lai Xi, gave him a separate mat to the right of the generals, and gifted his wife a thousand bolts of fine silk. He advanced to Shanggui and issued an edict to Wei Ao: "If you bind yourself and come in person, father and son will meet—I guarantee you no other harm. If you persist in being like Qing Bu, that is your own choice." Ao never surrendered; the Emperor thereupon executed his son Xun. He sent Wu Han and Cen Peng to besiege Xicheng and Geng Yan and Gai Yan to besiege Shanggui.
48
以四縣封竇融為安豐侯，弟友為顯親侯，及五郡太守皆封列侯，遣西還所鎮。 融以久專方面，懼不自安，數上書求代。 詔報曰：「吾與將軍如左右手耳，數執謙退，何不曉人意！ 勉循士民，無擅離部曲！」
With four counties he enfeoffed Dou Rong as Marquis of Anfeng and his younger brother You as Marquis of Xianqin; all five commandery administrators were enfeoffed as ranked marquises and sent west to their posts. Rong, having long held independent authority in his region, feared for his security and several times asked to be replaced. The edict replied, "You and I are like left and right hands—why again and again insist on modest withdrawal and not understand my intent! Press on in governing your people—do not leave your command on your own!"
49
穎川盜賊群起，寇沒屬縣，河東守兵亦叛，京師騷動。 帝聞之曰：「吾悔不用郭子橫之言。」
Bandits in Yingchuan rose in groups, raided subordinate counties, garrison troops in Hedong rebelled, and the capital was disturbed. The Emperor said, "I regret not having taken Guo Ziheng's advice."
50
秋，八月，帝自上邽晨夜東馳，賜岑彭等書曰：「兩城若下，便可將兵南擊蜀虜。 人苦不知足，既平隴，復望蜀。 每一發兵，頭鬚為白！」
In autumn, the eighth month, the Emperor galloped east day and night from Shanggui and wrote Cen Peng and the others: "If the two cities fall, you may at once lead troops south to strike the Shu foe. Men never know sufficiency—having pacified Long, they look again to Shu. Every time I dispatch troops, my hair and beard turn white!"
51
九月，乙卯，車駕還宮。 帝謂執金吾寇恂曰：「穎川迫近京師，當以時定。 惟念獨卿能平之耳，從九卿復出以憂國可也！」 對曰：「穎川聞陛下有事隴、蜀，故狂狡乘間相詿誤耳。 如聞乘輿南向，賊必惶怖歸死，臣願執銳前驅。」 帝從之。 庚申，車駕南征，穎川盜賊悉降。 寇恂竟不拜郡，百姓遮道曰：「願從陛下復借寇君一年。」 乃留恂長社，鎮撫吏民，受納餘降。 東郡、濟陰盜賊亦起，帝遣李通、王常擊之。 以東光侯耿純嘗為東郡太守，威信著於衛地，遣使拜太中大夫，使與大兵會東郡。 東郡聞純入界，盜賊九千餘人皆詣純降，大兵不戰而還； 璽書復以純為東郡太守。 戊寅，車駕還自穎川。
In the ninth month, on the day yimao, the imperial carriage returned to the palace. The Emperor said to Bearer of the Gilded Mace Kou Xun, "Yingchuan presses close on the capital—it must be settled in good time. I think only you can pacify it—coming forth again from the Nine Ministers for the state's sake is fitting!" He replied, "Yingchuan heard Your Majesty was occupied with Long and Shu, so the reckless took advantage of the interval to mislead one another. If they hear the imperial carriage is heading south, the bandits will be fearful and submit; I wish to take the van with arms in hand." The Emperor agreed. On the day gengshen the imperial carriage campaigned south and the Yingchuan bandits all surrendered. Kou Xun in the end did not take the commandery; the common people blocked the road, saying, "We beg Your Majesty to lend us Lord Kou for one more year." He kept Xun at Changshe to pacify officials and commoners and receive those still surrendering. Bandits in Dong and Jiyin also rose; the Emperor sent Li Tong and Wang Chang to strike them. Because Marquis of Dongguang Geng Chun had once been Administrator of Dong and his authority was established in Wei, the Emperor appointed him Grand Master of the Palace and had him join the main army at Dong. When Dong heard Chun had entered its borders, more than nine thousand bandits all came to him to surrender; the main army returned without fighting; an imperial letter again made Chun Administrator of Dong. On the day wuyin the imperial carriage returned from Yingchuan.
52
2安丘侯張步將妻子逃奔臨淮，與弟弘、藍欲招其故眾，乘船入海。 琅邪太守陳俊追討，斬之。
Marquis of Anqiu Zhang Bu fled with his wife and children to Linhuai; with his younger brothers Hong and Lan he wished to rally his former followers and take ship to sea. Administrator of Langye Chen Jun pursued and beheaded him.
53
3冬，十月，丙午，上行幸懷； 十一月，乙丑，還雒陽。
In winter, the tenth month, on the day bingwu, the Emperor visited Huai; in the eleventh month, on the day yichou, he returned to Luoyang.
54
4楊廣死，隗囂窮困，其大將王捷別在戎丘，登城呼漢軍曰：「為隗王城守者，皆必死，無二心。 願諸軍亟罷，請自殺以明之。」 遂自刎死。
Yang Guang died; Wei Ao was destitute; his great general Wang Jie was at Rongqiu, mounted the wall, and called to the Han army, "All who hold the city for King Wei are certain to die—there is no second thought. I beg the armies to withdraw at once; I will kill myself to make this clear." He thereupon cut his own throat and died.
55
初，帝敕吳漢曰：「諸郡甲卒但坐費糧食，若有逃亡，則沮敗眾心，宜悉罷之。」 漢等貪并力攻囂，遂不能遣，糧食日少，吏士疲役，逃亡者多。 岑彭壅谷水灌西城，城未沒丈餘。 會王元、行巡、周宗將蜀救兵五千餘人乘高卒至，鼓噪大呼曰：「百萬之眾方至！」 漢軍大驚，未及成陳，元等決圍殊死戰，遂得入城，迎囂歸冀。 吳漢軍食盡，乃燒輜重，引兵下隴，蓋延、耿弇亦相隨而退。 囂出兵尾擊諸營，岑彭為後拒，諸將乃得全軍東歸； 唯祭遵屯汧不退。 吳漢等復屯長安，岑彭還津鄉。 於是安定、北地、天水、隴西復反為囂。
Earlier the Emperor had charged Wu Han, "The armored soldiers of the various commanderies only sit and waste grain; if any flee they will break the army's heart—you ought to dismiss them all." Han and the others, greedy to combine strength and attack Ao, could not send them away; grain daily grew less, officials and soldiers were worn by labor, and many fled. Cen Peng dammed the Gu River to flood Xicheng; the water had not yet submerged the city by more than a zhang. Just then Wang Yuan, Xing Xun, and Zhou Zong led more than five thousand Shu relief troops down from the heights, beat drums and shouted, "A host of a million is just arriving!" The Han army was greatly alarmed and had not yet formed ranks; Yuan and the others broke the encirclement and fought to the death, entered the city, and welcomed Ao back to Ji. Wu Han's army ran out of food; he burned the baggage train and led troops down Long; Gai Yan and Geng Yan withdrew as well. Ao sent troops to strike the rear of the camps; Cen Peng served as rear guard and the generals brought the whole army back east; only Ji Zun, garrisoned at Qian, did not withdraw. Wu Han and others again encamped at Chang'an; Cen Peng returned to Jinxiang. Thereupon Anding, Beidi, Tianshui, and Longxi again rebelled in support of Wei Ao.
56
校尉太原溫序為囂將苟宇所獲，宇曉譬數四，欲降之。 序大怒，叱宇等曰：「虜何敢迫脅漢將！」 因以節廝殺數人。 宇眾爭欲殺之，宇止之曰：「此義士，死節，可賜以劍。」 序受劍，銜須於口，顧左右曰：「既為賊所殺，無令須汙土！」 遂伏劍而死。 從事王忠持其喪歸雒陽，詔賜以塚地，拜三子為郎。
Commandant Wen Xu of Taiyuan was captured by Wei Ao's general Gou Yu; Yu reasoned with him four times, wishing to win his surrender. Xu was greatly angered and shouted at Yu and the others, "How dare you barbarians coerce a Han general!" He thereupon used his staff of authority to hack down and kill several men. Yu's men all clamored to kill him; Yu stopped them and said, "This is a man of righteousness who dies for his integrity—grant him a sword." Xu accepted the sword, held his beard in his mouth, looked about, and said, "Since I am to be killed by bandits, do not let my beard touch the soil!" He thereupon fell on the sword and died. Attendant Wang Zhong bore his coffin back to Luoyang; an edict granted burial ground and appointed his three sons as Gentlemen of the Palace.
57
5十二月，高句麗王遣使朝貢，帝復其王號。
5. In the twelfth month, the king of Gaogouli sent envoys with tribute; the Emperor restored his royal title.
58
6是歲，大水。
6. This year there was a great flood.
59
1春，正月，穎陽成侯祭遵薨於軍； 詔馮異並將其營。 遵為人，廉約小心，克己奉公，賞賜盡與士卒； 約束嚴整，所在吏民不知有軍。 取士皆用儒術，對酒設樂，必雅歌投壺。 臨終，遺戒薄葬； 問以家事，終無所言。 帝愍悼之尤甚，遵喪至河南，車駕素服臨之，望哭哀慟； 還，幸城門，閱過喪車，涕泣不能已； 喪禮成，復親祠以太牢。 詔大長秋、謁者、河南尹護喪事，大司農給費。 至葬，車駕復臨之； 既葬，又臨其墳，存見夫人、室家。 其後朝會，帝每歎曰：「安得憂國奉公如祭征虜者乎！」 衛尉銚期曰：「陛下至仁，哀念祭遵不已，群臣各懷慚懼。」 帝乃止。
1. In spring, the first month, Marquis Cheng of Yingyang Ji Zun died in the army; an edict had Feng Yi take command of his camps as well. Zun was frugal and cautious, restrained himself and served the public, and gave all rewards and gifts to his soldiers; his discipline was strict and orderly, and wherever he was officials and commoners scarcely knew an army was present. in recruiting men he used only Confucian learning; when wine was set out with music, he always had elegant songs and pitch-pot. At his end he left instructions for a plain burial; asked about household affairs, he finally said nothing. The Emperor mourned him with exceptional grief; when Zun's coffin reached Henan the sovereign came in plain dress, gazed upon it, and wept in deep sorrow; on returning he visited the city gate, reviewed the passing funeral carriage, and wept without cease; when the funeral rites were completed he again sacrificed in person with the great offering. An edict had the Grand Chamberlain for the Palace, the Usher, and the Intendant of Henan oversee funeral affairs; the Minister of the Imperial Granary supplied expenses. At the burial the sovereign again came in person; after burial he again visited the tomb and inquired after the lady and household. Afterward at court audiences the Emperor often sighed and said, "Where can one find another who cares for the state and serves the public like Campaign-against-Barbarians Ji?" Commandant of the Guards Nao Qi said, "Your Majesty is supremely humane and mourns Ji Zun without end; the ministers each harbor shame and fear." The Emperor thereupon stopped.
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2隗囂病且餓，餐糗糒，恚憤而卒。 王元、周宗立囂少子純為王，總兵據冀。 公孫述遣將趙匡、田弇助純。 帝使馮異擊之。
2. Wei Ao was ill and starving; he ate dry baked grain, and died in rage and resentment. Wang Yuan and Zhou Zong enthroned Ao's youngest son Chun as king, gathered troops, and held Ji. Gongsun Shu sent generals Zhao Kuang and Tian Yan to assist Chun. The Emperor sent Feng Yi to attack them.
61
3公孫述遣其翼江王田戎、大司徒任滿、南郡太守程泛將數萬人下江關，擊破馮駿等軍，遂拔巫及夷道、夷陵，因據荊門、虎牙，橫江水起浮橋、關樓，立欑柱以絕水道，結營跨山以塞陸路，拒漢兵。
3. Gongsun Shu sent his King of Assisting Jiang Tian Rong, Grand Minister of Education Ren Man, and Administrator of Nanjun Cheng Fan to lead tens of thousands down Jiang Pass, defeated Feng Jun's army, took Wu, Yidao, and Yiling, and held Jingmen and Huya; across the river they raised floating bridges and barrier towers, set piled pillars to block the water route, joined camps across the mountains to block the land road, and resisted Han troops.
62
4夏，六月，丙戌，帝幸緱氏，登轘轅。
4. In summer, the sixth month, on bingxu, the Emperor visited Gou's clan seat and ascended Huanyuan.
63
5吳漢率王常等四將軍兵五萬餘人擊盧芳將賈覽、閔堪於高柳； 匈奴救之，漢軍不利。 於是匈奴轉盛，鈔暴日增。 詔朱祜屯常山，王常屯涿郡，破奸將軍侯進屯漁陽，以討虜將軍王霸為上谷太守，以備匈奴。
5. Wu Han led Wang Chang and three other generals with more than fifty thousand troops to attack Lu Fang's generals Jia Lan and Min Kan at Gaoliu; the Xiongnu rescued them and the Han army fared ill. Thereupon the Xiongnu grew stronger still, and raiding and violence increased daily. An edict had Zhu Hu encamp at Changshan, Wang Chang at Zhuo commandery, Break-Treason General Hou Jin at Yuyang, and Demon-Slaying General Wang Ba made Administrator of Shanggu to guard against the Xiongnu.
64
6帝使來歙悉監護諸將屯長安，太中大夫馬援為之副。 歙上書曰：「公孫述以隴西、天水為籓蔽，故得延命假息； 今二郡平蕩，則述智計窮矣。 宜益選兵馬，儲積資糧。 今西州新破，兵人疲饉，若招以財穀，則其眾可集。 臣知國家所給非一，用度不足，然有不得已也！」 帝然之。 於是詔於汧積穀六萬斛。 秋，八月，來歙率馮異等五將軍討隗純於天水。
6. The Emperor sent Lai Xi to oversee in full all the generals encamped at Chang'an, with Grand Master of the Palace Ma Yuan as his deputy. Xi memorialized, "Gongsun Shu takes Longxi and Tianshui as screen and shield, and so obtains extended life and borrowed breath; now that the two commanderies are swept level, Shu's stratagems are exhausted. It is fitting to increase selection of troops and horses and store up provisions and grain. Now the Western Province is newly broken; soldiers and people are weary and hungry—if recruited with wealth and grain, their hosts can be gathered. Your servant knows the state's grants are not one alone and expenditures are insufficient, yet there are times when one cannot do otherwise!" The Emperor approved it. Thereupon an edict stored sixty thousand hu of grain at Qian. In autumn, the eighth month, Lai Xi led Feng Yi and four other generals to campaign against Wei Chun at Tianshui.
65
7驃騎將軍杜茂與賈覽戰於繁畤，茂軍敗績。
7. Flying-Cavalry General Du Mao fought Jia Lan at Fanzhi; Mao's army suffered a great defeat.
66
8諸羌自王莽末入居塞內，金城屬縣多為所有。 隗囂不能討，因就慰納，發其眾與漢相拒。 司徒掾班彪上言：「今涼州部皆有降羌，羌胡被發左衽，而與漢人雜處，習俗既異，言語不通，數為小吏黠人所見侵奪，窮恚無聊，故致反叛。 夫蠻夷寇亂，皆為此也。 舊制，益州部置蠻夷騎都尉，幽州部置領烏桓校尉，涼州部置護羌校尉，皆持節領護，治其怨結，歲時巡行，問所疾苦。 又數遣使譯，通導動靜，使塞外羌夷為吏耳目，州郡因此可得警備。 今宜復如舊，以明威防。」 帝從之。 以牛邯為護羌校尉。
8. The various Qiang since the end of Wang Mang had entered and dwelt within the passes; many subordinate counties of Jincheng were held by them. Wei Ao could not chastise them and thereupon went to comfort and win them, mustering their hosts to resist Han. Chancellor's Clerk Ban Biao submitted, "Now in the Liangzhou circuit there are surrendered Qiang everywhere; Qiang and Hu with hair unbound and garments folded left live mixed with Han people; customs already differ and speech does not connect—they are repeatedly invaded and stripped by petty clerks and crafty men, driven to extremity with nowhere to turn, and so they rebel. Barbarian raids and disorder are all for this reason. The old system placed in the Yizhou circuit the Commandant of Barbarian Cavalry, in the Youzhou circuit the Commandant in Charge of the Wuhuan, and in the Liangzhou circuit the Protector of the Qiang—all bearing credentials to lead and guard, settling their grievances, and each year touring to ask their hardships. Again envoys and interpreters were repeatedly sent to open and guide news of movement, making Qiang and Yi beyond the passes the eyes and ears of officials, so that provinces and commanderies could thereby obtain warning and preparation. Now it is fitting to restore it as of old, to display majesty and guard against trouble." The Emperor followed it. Niu Han was made Protector of the Qiang.
67
9盜殺陰貴人母鄧氏及弟訢。 帝其傷之，封貴人弟就為宣恩侯，復召就兄侍中興，欲封之，置印綬於前。 興固讓曰：「臣未有先登陷陣之功，而一家數人，並蒙爵士，令天下觖望，誠所不願！」 帝嘉之，不奪其志。 貴人問其故，興曰：「夫外戚家苦不知謙退，嫁女欲配侯王，取婦眄睨公主，愚心實不安也。 富貴有極，人當知足，誇奢益為觀聽所譏。」 貴人感其言，深自降挹，卒不為宗親求位。
9. Bandits killed the Honored Lady of Yin Yin Deng and her brother Xin. The Emperor was deeply grieved; he enfeoffed the Honored Lady's younger brother Jiu as Marquis of Proclaiming Grace, again summoned Jiu's elder brother, Palace Attendant Xing, wished to enfeoff him, and set seal and cord before him. Xing firmly declined, "Your servant has no merit of being first to ascend and break the battle line, yet several in one family all receive noble rank—this makes the realm resentful; it is truly what I do not wish!" The Emperor praised him and did not override his intent. The Honored Lady asked the reason; Xing said, "The trouble with affinal kin is not knowing humility and withdrawal—marrying a daughter they wish to match with marquises and kings, taking a wife they cast sidelong glances at princesses; this foolish heart is truly uneasy. Wealth and honor have their limit; a man ought to know sufficiency—boasting extravagance is further what observers ridicule." The Honored Lady was moved by his words, deeply lowered and restrained herself, and finally did not seek offices for her kin.
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10帝召寇恂還，以漁陽太守郭人及為潁川太守。 人及招降山賊趙宏、召吳等數百人，皆遣歸附農； 因自劾專命，帝不以咎之。 後宏、吳等黨與聞人及威信，遠自江南，或從幽、冀，不期俱降，駱驛不絕。
10. The Emperor summoned Kou Xun back and made Yuyang Administrator Guo Renji Administrator of Yingchuan. Renji summoned and received the surrender of mountain bandits Zhao Hong, Shao Wu, and several hundred others, all sent back to attach to farming; he thereupon impeached himself for acting on his own authority; the Emperor did not blame him for it. Later Hong, Wu, and their associates, hearing of Renji's prestige and trust, came from afar—from Jiangnan, or from You and Ji—unexpectedly all submitting together, post relays without cease.
69
11莎車王康卒，弟賢立，攻殺拘彌、西夜王，而使康兩子王之。
11. King Kang of Suoche died; his younger brother Xian succeeded, attacked and killed the kings of Jumi and Xiye, and set Kang's two sons to rule them.
70
1春，正月，吳漢復率捕虜將軍王霸等四將軍六萬人出高柳擊賈覽，匈奴數千騎救之。 連戰於平城下，破走之。
1. In spring, the first month, Wu Han again led Captive-Slayer General Wang Ba and three other generals with sixty thousand men out from Gaoliu to attack Jia Lan; several thousand Xiongnu horsemen rescued him. They joined battle repeatedly below Pingcheng and routed and drove him off.
71
2夏陽節侯馮異等與趙匡、田弇戰且一年，皆斬之。 隗純未下，諸將欲且還休兵，異固持不動，共攻落門，未拔。 夏，異薨於軍。
2. Marquis Jie of Xiayang Feng Yi and others fought Zhao Kuang and Tian Yan for nearly a year and beheaded them both. Wei Chun was not yet taken; the generals wished to withdraw for the time being and rest the troops; Yi firmly held and did not move, and together they attacked Luomen but did not take it. In summer Yi died in the army.
72
3秋，八月，己〔卯〕( 亥) 亥) 袁《紀》作「己卯」，為初五日，「己亥」為廿五日。 若作「己亥」，則與下文干支「戊戌」不合，據改。，上幸長安。
3. In autumn, the eighth month, on ji [mao] ( hai) hai) Yuan Ji's Annals has "jimao," the fifth day of the month; "jihai" is the twenty-fifth. If written as "jihai," it would not agree with the sexagenary day "wuxu" below—emended accordingly. , the sovereign visited Chang'an.
73
4初，隗囂將安定高峻擁兵據高平第一，建威大將軍耿弇等圍之，一歲不拔。 帝自將征之，寇恂諫曰：「長安道裡居中，應接近便，安定、隴西必懷震懼； 此從容一處，可以制四方也。 今士馬疲倦，方履險阻，非萬乘之固也。 前年潁川，可為至戒。」 帝不從，〔戊戌〕，進幸汧乙十一行本同； 孔本同； 張校同。 為廿四日，據補，與上文干支「己卯」相合。。 峻猶不下，帝遣寇恂往降之。 恂奉璽書至第一，峻遣軍師皇甫文出謁，辭禮不屈； 恂怒，將誅之。 諸將諫曰：「高峻精兵萬人，率多強弩，西遮隴道，連年不下，今欲降之而反戮其使，無乃不可乎？」 恂不應，遂斬之，遣其副歸告峻曰：「軍師無禮，已戮之矣！ 欲降，急降； 不欲，固守！」 峻惶恐，即日開城門降。 諸將皆賀，因曰：「敢問殺其使而降其城，何也？」 恂曰：「皇甫文，峻之腹心，其所取計者也。 今來，辭意不屈，必無降心。 全之則文得其計，殺之則峻亡其膽，是以降耳。」 諸將皆曰：「非所及也！」
4. Earlier, Wei Ao's general Gao Jun of Anding held troops and occupied Gaoping the First; Establishing Might Great General Geng Yan and others besieged it a full year without taking it. The Emperor led the campaign in person; Kou Xun remonstrated, "Chang'an's roads and distance are central—responses are near and convenient; Anding and Longxi will surely harbor shock and fear; this is one place of ease from which the four quarters may be controlled. Now soldiers and horses are weary and you are just treading perilous passes—it is not the security of the imperial chariot. The affair at Yingchuan two years ago may serve as the utmost warning." the Yi eleven-line edition agrees;4 Kong's edition agrees; Zhang's collation agrees." It is the twenty-fourth day—supplied on that authority, agreeing with the sexagenary day "jimao" above. . Jun still did not submit; the Emperor sent Kou Xun to go and receive his surrender. Xun bore the imperial letter on jade to the First; Jun sent his Military Adviser Huangfu Wen out to call on him, but in words and ceremony he would not yield; Xun was angered and was about to execute him. The generals remonstrated, "Gao Jun has elite troops of ten thousand, mostly strong crossbows; he blocks the Long road in the west and for successive years has not been taken—now you wish to receive his surrender yet instead kill his envoy—is this not inadmissible?" Xun did not reply, thereupon beheaded him, and sent his deputy back to tell Jun, "The Military Adviser was without courtesy—I have already executed him! If you wish to submit, submit quickly; if not, hold firm!" Jun was terrified and that very day opened the city gate and submitted. The generals all congratulated him and thereupon said, "We venture to ask—killing his envoy yet receiving the surrender of his city—how is this?" Kou Xun said, "Huangfu Wen is Gao Jun's trusted inner counselor—the one from whom he takes his plans. Now he has come with language and intent unyielding; he surely has no heart to surrender. If we spare him, Wen gets his plan across; if we kill him, Gao Jun loses his courage—that is why he surrendered." The generals all said, "Beyond what we could reach!"
74
5冬，十月，來歙與諸將攻破落門，周宗、行巡、苟宇、趙恢等將隗純降，王元奔蜀。 徙諸隗於京師以東。 後隗純與賓客亡入胡，至武威，捕得，誅之。
In the fifth year, in winter, in the tenth month, Lai Xi and the generals broke Luomen; Zhou Zong, Xing Xun, Gou Yu, Zhao Hui, and others led Wei Chun to surrender; Wang Yuan fled to Shu. The various Wei clansmen were relocated east of the capital. Later Wei Chun fled into the barbarian lands with his guests; reaching Wuwei they were captured and executed.
75
6先零羌與諸種寇金城、隴西，來歙率蓋延等進擊，大破之，斬首虜數千人。 於是開倉稟以賑饑乏，隴右遂安，而涼州流通焉。
In the sixth year the Xianling Qiang and various tribes raided Jincheng and Longxi; Lai Xi led Gai Yan and others in attack, routed them completely, and beheaded and captured several thousand. Thereupon they opened granaries and distributed grain to relieve hunger and want; Longyou was thereby pacified, and commerce in Liangzhou flowed again.
76
7庚寅，車駕還宮。
In the seventh year, on the day gengyin, the imperial carriage returned to the palace.
77
1春，三月，己酉，帝幸南陽，還幸章陵； 庚午，車駕還宮。
In the first year, in spring, in the third month, on the day jiyou, the Emperor visited Nanyang and then visited Zhangling; On the day gengwu, the imperial carriage returned to the palace.
78
2岑彭屯津鄉，數攻田戎等，不克。 帝遣吳漢率誅虜將軍劉隆等三將，發荊州兵凡六萬餘人、騎五千匹，與彭會荊門。 彭裝戰船數〔十〕( 千) 艘千) 艘章校「十二行本『千』作『十』； 乙十一行本同。」 作「千」太多，據改。，吳漢以諸郡棹卒多費糧穀，欲罷之。 彭以為蜀兵盛，不可遣，上書言狀。 帝報彭曰：「大司馬習用步騎，不曉水戰，荊門之事，一由征南公為重而已。」
In the second year Cen Peng encamped at Jinxiang, repeatedly attacked Tian Rong and others, and could not overcome them. The Emperor sent Wu Han leading three generals including Executioner of Captives General Liu Long, mobilizing more than sixty thousand troops and five thousand horses from Jing province, to join Peng at Jingmen. Peng fitted out war ships numbering [several tens]( thousand) thousand)5 vessels—Zhang's collation: "In the twelve-line edition 'thousand' reads 'ten'; the yi eleven-line edition agrees." Reading 'thousand' is too many; emended accordingly. ; Wu Han, because the oarsmen from the various commanderies consumed much grain, wished to dismiss them. Peng held that Shu troops were numerous and they could not be sent away; he submitted a memorial stating the situation. The Emperor replied to Peng, "The Grand Marshal is practiced in infantry and cavalry and does not understand naval warfare; as for the Jingmen affair, it all rests on the Marquis Who Pacifies the South alone."
79
閏月，岑彭令軍中募攻浮橋，先登者上賞。 於是偏將軍魯奇應募而前，時東風狂急，魯奇船逆流而上，直衝浮橋，而欑柱有反杷鉤，奇船不得去。 奇等乘勢殊死戰，因飛炬焚之，風怒火盛，橋樓崩燒。 岑彭悉軍順風並進，所向無前，蜀兵大亂，溺死者數千人，斬任滿，生獲程汎，而田戎走保江州。
In the intercalary month Cen Peng ordered the army to recruit men to assault the floating bridge; those who scaled first received top reward. Thereupon Colonel Lu Qi volunteered and went forward; an east wind blew wild and fierce; Lu Qi's boat went up against the current straight at the floating bridge, but the piles had reverse rake hooks and Qi's boat could not get free. Qi and the others seized the momentum and fought to the death; they hurled fire torches to burn it; wind fed the flames until they were fierce and the bridge towers collapsed in fire. Cen Peng led the whole army with the wind in parallel advance, unstoppable wherever they went; Shu troops fell into great disorder; several thousand drowned; Ren Man was beheaded, Cheng Fan was captured alive, and Tian Rong fled to hold Jiangzhou.
80
彭上劉隆為南郡太守； 自率輔威將軍臧宮、驍騎將軍劉歆長驅入江關。 令軍中無得虜掠，所過，百姓皆奉牛酒迎勞，彭復讓不受。 百姓大喜，爭開門降。 詔彭守益州牧，所下郡輒行太守事，彭若出界，即以太守號付後將軍。 選官屬守州中長吏。
Peng recommended Liu Long as Administrator of Nan commandery; himself led Auxiliary Majestic General Zang Gong and Valiant Cavalry General Liu Xin in a long drive into the Jiang Pass. He ordered that within the army there was to be no seizing plunder; wherever they passed the common people all offered oxen and wine to welcome and refresh them, but Peng again declined and would not accept. The common people were greatly pleased and vied to open their gates and surrender. An edict made Peng acting Governor of Yizhou; in each commandery he reached he at once exercised the Administrator's duties; if Peng crossed the border, the title of Administrator was handed to the Rear General. He selected officials and staff to hold the long-term offices within the province.
81
彭到江州，以其城固糧多，難卒拔，留馮駿守之； 自引兵乘利直指墊江，攻破平曲，收其米數十萬石。 吳漢留夷陵，裝露橈繼進。
Peng reached Jiangzhou; because its walls were strong and grain abundant and it could not quickly be taken, he left Feng Jun to hold it; himself led troops, seizing advantage, straight at Dianjiang, broke Pingqu, and gathered several hundred thousand shi of rice. Wu Han remained at Yiling, fitting out uncovered oars and continuing forward.
82
3夏，先零羌寇臨洮。 來歙薦馬援為隴西太守，擊先零羌，大破之。
In the third year, in summer, the Xianling Qiang raided Lintao. Lai Xi recommended Ma Yuan as Administrator of Longxi; he struck the Xianling Qiang and routed them completely.
83
4公孫述以王元為將軍，使與領軍環安拒河池。 六月，來歙與蓋延等進攻元、安，大破之，遂克下辨，乘勝遂進。 蜀人大懼，使刺客刺歙，未殊，馳召蓋延。 延見歙，因伏悲哀，不能仰視。 歙叱延曰：「虎牙何敢然！ 今使者中刺客，無以報國，故呼巨卿，欲相屬以軍事，而反效兒女子涕泣乎！ 刃雖在身，不能勒兵斬公邪？」 延收淚強起，受所誡。 歙自書表曰：「臣夜人定後，為何人所賊傷，中臣要害。 臣不敢自惜，誠恨奉職不稱，以為朝廷羞。 夫理國以得賢為本，太中大夫段襄，骨鯁可任，願陛下裁察。 又臣兄弟不肖，終恐被罪，陛下哀憐，數賜教督。」 投筆抽刃而絕。 帝聞，大驚，省書攬涕。 以揚武將軍馬成守中郎將代之。 歙喪還洛陽，乘輿縞素臨吊、送葬。
In the fourth year Gongsun Shu made Wang Yuan a general and sent him with Colonel of the Guard Huan An to hold Hechi. In the sixth month Lai Xi with Gai Yan and others advanced to attack Yuan and An, routed them completely, then took Xiabian and pressed the victory forward. The people of Shu were greatly afraid and sent assassins to stab Lai Xi; he was not yet dead and urgently summoned Gai Yan. Yan saw Xi and thereupon prostrated himself in grief, unable to look up. Xi rebuked Yan, "Tiger's Tooth, how dare you act thus! Now the envoy has been struck by assassins and cannot repay the state—therefore I called you, Great Qing, wishing to entrust you with military affairs, yet you instead imitate children and women in weeping! Though the blade is in my body, can you not muster troops and behead the enemy lord?" Yan wiped his tears, forced himself to rise, and received the charge given him. Xi himself wrote a memorial, saying, "Your servant, after men had settled at night, was wounded by assassins—struck in my vital place. Your servant dares not spare himself but truly regrets that in fulfilling duty I have not measured up, bringing shame on the court. To order a state, gaining the worthy is fundamental; Grand Master of the Palace Duan Xiang is a backbone who can be entrusted—may Your Majesty judge and examine. Moreover your servant's brothers are unworthy and in the end will surely incur guilt—may Your Majesty pity them and repeatedly grant instruction and oversight." He cast down the brush, drew out the blade, and expired. The Emperor heard, was greatly startled, read the memorial, and wept as he clasped it. He made Valiant Martial General Ma Cheng hold the post of Colonel of the Palace Guard in his stead. When Xi's funeral returned to Luoyang, the Emperor in unbleached silk came to mourn and escort the burial.
84
5趙王良從帝送歙喪還，入夏城門，與中郎將張邯爭道，叱邯旋車，又詰責門候，使前走數十步。 司隸校尉鮑永劾奏：「良無籓臣禮，大不敬。」 良尊戚貴重，而永劾之，朝廷肅然。 永辟扶風鮑恢為都官從事，恢亦抗直，不避強禦。 帝常曰：「貴戚且斂手以避二鮑。」 永行縣到霸陵，路經更始墓，下拜，哭盡哀而去，西至扶風，椎牛上苟諫塚。 帝聞之，意不平，問公卿曰：「奉使如此，何如？」 太中大夫張湛對曰：「仁者，行之宗； 忠者，義之主也。 仁不遺舊，忠不忘君，行之高者也。」 帝意乃釋。
In the fifth year King Zhao Liang followed the Emperor escorting Xi's funeral back; entering the Xia city gate he disputed the road with Colonel of the Palace Guard Zhang Han, rebuked Han to turn his carriage, and also reproached the gate warden, making him go forward several tens of paces. Director of the Secretariat Bao Yong impeached him, saying, "Liang lacks the rites of a feudatory minister—great irreverence." Liang was an honored kinsman of weighty rank, yet Bao Yong impeached him—the court was awed into order. Bao Yong recruited Bao Hui of Fufeng as Director of Capital Cases; Hui was also upright and unyielding and did not avoid the powerful. The Emperor often said, "Even the honored kin fold their hands to avoid the two Baos." Bao Yong on circuit reached Baling; the road passed Gengshi's tomb—he dismounted, bowed, wept his full grief, and departed; west to Fufeng he beat an ox as offering atop Gou Jian's mound. The Emperor heard and was ill at ease; he asked the high ministers, "To go on commission like this—how is it?" Grand Master of the Palace Zhang Zhan replied, "Benevolence is the ancestor of conduct; loyalty is the master of righteousness. Benevolence does not abandon the old; loyalty does not forget the lord—these are the heights of conduct." The Emperor's mind was then released.
85
6帝自將征公孫述； 秋，七月，次長安。
In the sixth year the Emperor himself led the campaign against Gongsun Shu; in autumn, in the seventh month, he halted at Chang'an.
86
7公孫述使其將延岑、呂鮪、王元、公孫恢悉兵拒廣漢及資中，又遣將侯丹率二萬餘人拒黃石。 岑彭使臧宮將降卒五萬，從涪水上平曲，拒延岑，自分兵浮江下還江州，溯都江而上，襲擊侯丹，大破之； 因晨夜倍道兼行二千餘里，逕拔武陽。 使精騎馳擊廣都，去成都數十里，勢若風雨，所至皆奔散。 初，述聞漢兵在平曲，故遣大兵逆之。 及彭至武陽，繞出延岑軍後，蜀地震駭。 述大驚，以杖擊地曰：「是何神也！」
In the seventh year Gongsun Shu sent his generals Yan Cen, Lü Fu, Wang Yuan, and Gongsun Hui with all their troops to hold Guanghan and Zizhong, and also sent General Hou Dan with more than twenty thousand men to hold Huangshi. Cen Peng sent Zang Gong with fifty thousand surrendered troops up the Fu River from Pingshui to Pingqu to hold Yan Cen; he himself divided troops to float down the river back to Jiangzhou, go up the Du River, and strike Hou Dan, routing him completely; then traveled more than two thousand li day and night on forced marches and straightway took Wuyang. He sent elite cavalry to gallop and strike Guangdu, several tens of li from Chengdu; their momentum was like wind and rain—wherever they reached all fled and scattered. At first Gongsun Shu heard Han troops were at Pingqu and therefore sent a great army to oppose them. When Peng reached Wuyang and came out behind Yan Cen's army, Shu was shaken as by an earthquake in terror. Gongsun Shu was greatly startled, struck the ground with his staff, and said, "What god is this!"
87
延岑盛兵於〔沈〕( 沅) 水沅) 水據胡注改。。 臧宮眾多食少，轉輸不至，降者皆欲散畔郡邑，復更保聚，觀望成敗。 宮欲引還，恐為所反； 會帝遣謁者將兵詣岑彭，有馬七百匹，宮矯制取以自益，晨夜進兵，多張旗幟，登山鼓噪，右步左騎，挾船而引，呼聲動山谷。 岑不意漢軍卒至，登山望之，大震恐； 宮因縱擊，大破之，斬首、溺死者萬餘人，水為之濁。 延岑奔成都，其眾悉降，盡獲其兵馬珍寶。 自是乘勝追北，降者以十萬數。 軍至〔平〕陽鄉，王元舉眾降。 帝與公孫述書，陳言禍福，示以丹青之信。 述省書歎息，以示所親。 太常常少、光祿勳張隆皆勸述降。 述曰：「廢興，命也，豈有降天子哉！」 左右莫敢復言。 少、隆皆以憂死。
Yan Cen massed troops at [Shen]( Yuan) Yuan)6 River—emended per Hu's annotation. . Zang Gong's host was many but food scant; relay transport did not arrive; the surrendered all wished to scatter and rebel against commanderies and counties, again holding together in defense and watching success or failure. Zang Gong wished to draw back but feared being turned on by them; it happened the Emperor sent a Herald leading troops to Cen Peng with seven hundred horses; Zang Gong forged an order and took them to enrich himself, advanced troops day and night, set out many banners and flags, climbed mountains beating drums and shouting, infantry on the right and cavalry on the left, drawing boats along—cries shook the valleys. Yan Cen did not expect Han troops to arrive so suddenly; climbing the mountain to look, he was greatly shaken in terror; Zang Gong thereupon loosed the attack and routed them completely; more than ten thousand were beheaded or drowned—the water was muddied thereby. Yan Cen fled to Chengdu; his host all surrendered; they fully gained his troops, horses, and treasures. From this they rode victory in pursuit north; those who surrendered numbered in the hundreds of thousands. ; Wang Yuan led his host to surrender.7 The Emperor wrote to Gongsun Shu, setting forth fortune and calamity, showing the good faith of cinnabar and green. Gongsun Shu read the letter and sighed, showing it to those close to him. Grand Master of Ceremonies Chang Shao and Household Minister Zhang Long all urged Gongsun Shu to surrender. Gongsun Shu said, "Rise and fall are fate—how could there be a Son of Heaven who surrenders!" Those at his side dared speak no more. Chang Shao and Zhang Long both died of grief.
88
8帝還自長安。
In the eighth year the Emperor returned from Chang'an.
89
9冬，十月，公孫述使刺客詐為亡奴，降岑彭，夜，刺殺彭。 太中大夫監軍鄭興領其營，以俟吳漢至而授之。 彭持軍整齊，秋毫無犯。 邛穀王任貴聞彭威信，數千里遣使迎降； 會彭已被害，帝盡以任貴所獻賜彭妻子。 蜀人為立廟祠之。
In the ninth year, in winter, in the tenth month, Gongsun Shu sent assassins posing as escaped slaves to surrender to Cen Peng; at night they stabbed and killed him. Grand Master of the Palace supervising the army Zheng Xing took command of his camp to await Wu Han's arrival and hand it over. Peng held the army in good order—not the slightest violation. Qionggu King Ren Gui heard of Cen Peng's prestige and from several thousand li sent envoys to welcome and surrender; But Cen Peng had already been killed; the Emperor gave all that Ren Gui had presented to Cen Peng's wife and children. The people of Shu built a temple and sacrificed to him.
90
10馬成等破河池，遂平武都。 先零諸種羌數萬人，屯聚寇鈔，拒浩亹隘。 成與馬援深入討擊，大破之，徙降羌置天水、隴西、扶風。
10. Ma Cheng and others defeated Hechi and thereby pacified Wudu. Several tens of thousands of Xianliang and various Qiang tribes gathered to plunder and held the Hao'ai Pass. Ma Cheng with Ma Yuan penetrated deep in pursuit, routed them completely, and relocated the submitted Qiang to Tianshui, Longxi, and Fufeng.
91
是時，朝臣以金城破羌之西，塗遠多寇，議欲棄之。 馬援上言：「破羌以西，城多完牢，易可依固。 其田土肥壤，灌溉流通。 如令羌在湟中，則為害不休，不可棄也。」 帝從之。 民歸者三千餘口，援為置長吏，繕城郭，起塢候，開溝洫，勸以耕牧，郡中樂業。 又招撫塞外氏、羌，皆來降附，援奏復其侯王君長，帝悉從之。 乃罷馬成軍。
At this time the court ministers, because west of Jincheng's Poqiang the road was long and bandits were many, debated abandoning the region. Ma Yuan memorialized, "West of Poqiang, cities are mostly intact and strong and easy to hold. Its fields and soil are fertile, and irrigation flows through. If the Qiang are allowed to remain in Huangzhong, harm will never cease—it cannot be abandoned." The Emperor accepted his advice. More than three thousand people returned; Ma Yuan appointed chief officials, repaired walls and towers, raised walled watch-posts, opened irrigation ditches, urged farming and herding, and the commandery prospered in peace. He also recruited and pacified the Di and Qiang beyond the passes; all came to submit; Ma Yuan memorialized to restore their marquis-kings and chieftains, and the Emperor accepted all. He then dismissed Ma Cheng's army.
92
11十二月，吳漢自夷陵將三萬人溯江而上，伐公孫述。
11. In the twelfth month, Wu Han from Yiling led thirty thousand men up the Yangzi to attack Gongsun Shu.
93
12郭人及為并州牧，過京師，帝問以得失，人及曰：「選補眾職，當簡天下賢俊，不宜專用南陽人。」 是時在位多鄉曲故舊，故人及言及之。
12. Guo Renji became Governor of Bingzhou; passing through the capital, the Emperor asked him about gains and losses; Renji said, "In selecting and filling all posts one should choose the realm's worthy talent and not exclusively employ men of Nanyang." At this time those in office were mostly hometown acquaintances and old friends, so Renji's words touched on this.
Footnotes
- 〔Autumn〕, the ninth month
- 〔Winter〕, the twelfth month
- In recent years solar eclipses have mostly been on the last day of the month
- The Emperor did not follow; [on wuxu] he advanced in person to Qian
- vessels
- River
- The army reached [Ping]yang village