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資治通鑑第074卷
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 74
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【魏紀六】起著雍敦牂，盡旃蒙赤奮若，凡八年。
[Wei Records, Six] spans from the year Zheyong-Dunzhang through Zhanmeng-Chifenruo—a period of eight years.
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烈祖明皇帝下景初二年（ 戊午，公元二三八年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Jingchu year 2 ( wuwu cycle, AD 238)
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春，正月，帝召司馬懿於長安，使將兵四萬討遼東。 議臣或以為四萬兵多，役費難供。 帝曰：「四千里征伐，雖雲用奇，亦當任力，不當稍計役費也。」 帝謂懿曰：「公孫淵將何計以待君？」 對曰：「淵棄城豫走，上計也； 據遼東拒大軍，其次也； 坐守襄平，此成禽耳。」 帝曰：「然則三者何出？」 對曰：「唯明智能審量彼我，乃豫有所割棄。 此既非淵所及，又謂今往孤遠，不能支久，必先拒遼水，後守襄平也。」 帝曰：「還往幾日？」 對曰：「往百日，攻百日，還百日，以六十日為休息，如此，一年足矣。」
In spring, the first month, the emperor recalled Sima Yi from Chang'an and sent him with forty thousand men to subdue Liaodong. Some advisers argued that forty thousand soldiers were excessive and that the expense of supplying them would be prohibitive. The emperor said, "A four-thousand-li campaign may call for stratagem, but it still demands brute strength—do not penny-pinch over supply costs." He then asked Yi, "What plan will Gongsun Yuan adopt to meet you?" Yi answered, "If Yuan abandons his cities and flees beforehand, that would be his best course; holding Liaodong to bar our main force would be second best; but to sit tight in Xiangping is simply to invite capture." The emperor asked, "Which of the three will he actually choose?" Yi said, "Only a sage who can weigh enemy against self will deliberately sacrifice ground in advance. Yuan lacks that capacity; he will also judge that we have marched far and alone and cannot hold out long—so he is sure to block the Liao first, then defend Xiangping." How long for the round trip?" the emperor asked." One hundred days going, one hundred attacking, one hundred returning, with sixty for rest—as much as a year altogether," Yi replied."
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公孫淵聞之，復遣使稱臣，求救於吳。 吳人欲戮其使，羊道曰：「不可，是肆匹夫之怒而捐霸王之計也，不如因而厚之，遣奇兵潛往以要其成。 若魏伐不克，而我軍遠赴，是恩結遐夷，義形萬里； 若兵連不解，首尾離隔，則我虜其傍郡，驅略而歸，亦足以致天之罰，報雪曩事矣。」 吳主曰：「善！」 乃大勒兵謂淵使曰：「請俟後問，當從簡書，必與弟同休戚。」 又曰：司馬懿所向無前，深為弟憂之。 帝問於護軍將軍蔣濟曰：「孫權其救遼東乎？」 濟曰：「彼知官備已固，利不可得，深入則非力所及，淺入則勞而無獲； 權雖子弟在危，猶將不動，況異域之人，兼以往者之辱乎！ 今所以外揚此聲者，譎其行人，疑之於我，我之不克，冀其折節事己耳。 然沓渚之間，去淵尚遠，若大軍相守，事不速決，則權之淺規，或得輕兵掩襲，未可測也。」
When Gongsun Yuan heard of the campaign, he again sent envoys to declare himself a vassal and beg Wu for rescue. The Wu court wanted to kill the envoys, but Yang Dao said, "You must not—that would be indulging a commoner's fury while throwing away a hegemon's design. Treat them generously instead and secretly dispatch a strike force to seize whatever opportunity arises. If Wei fails to conquer and our army marches to their aid, we bind distant peoples in gratitude and show righteousness across ten thousand li; if the war drags on and their forces are stretched thin, we can raid their neighboring commanderies, plunder, and withdraw—enough to bring Heaven's judgment upon them and settle old scores." The Wu ruler said, "Excellent!" He then staged a grand military review and told Yuan's envoy, "Await further word; when my written pledge arrives, I shall surely share your master's fortunes and misfortunes." He added, "Sima Yi advances wherever he turns—I am deeply worried for your master." The emperor asked Protector of the Army Jiang Ji, "Will Sun Quan rescue Liaodong? Ji replied, "He knows our defenses are solid and profit unobtainable; a deep thrust exceeds his strength, while a shallow raid means toil without gain; even if Quan's own kin were endangered he would not stir—how much less for a distant stranger, especially after past humiliations! He broadcasts this now to deceive Yuan's envoys, sow doubt about us, and hope that if we fail, Yuan will submit to him. Yet from Dazhu to Yuan's seat is still a great distance; if our main forces stalemate and the issue is not quickly settled, Quan's shallow design might still let light troops raid by surprise—this cannot be ruled out."
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帝問吏部尚書盧毓：「誰可為司徒者？」 毓薦處士管寧。 帝不能用，更問其次，對曰：「敦篤至行，則太中大夫韓暨； 亮直清方，則司隸校尉崔林； 貞固純粹，則太常常林。」 二月，癸卯，以韓暨為司徒。
The emperor asked Minister of the Civil Service Lu Yu, "Who is fit to be Minister over the Masses? Yu recommended the recluse Guan Ning. The emperor could not use Ning and asked for the next name. Yu said, "For honest and earnest supreme conduct, Grand Master of Palace Han Ji; for bright uprightness and pure integrity, Director of the Secretariat Cui Lin; for steadfast purity, Minister of Ceremonies Chang Lin." In the second month, on the day guimao, Han Ji was made Minister over the Masses.
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漢主立皇后張氏，前後之妹也。 立王貴人子璿為皇太子，瑤為安定王。 大司農河南孟光問太子讀書及情性好尚於秘書郎郤正，正曰：「奉親虔恭，夙夜匪解，有古世子之風； 接待群僚，舉動出於仁恕。」 光曰：「如君所道，皆家戶所有耳； 吾今所問，欲知其權略智調何如也。」 正曰：「世子之道，在於承志竭歡，既不得妄有施為，智調藏於胸懷，權略應時而發，此之有無，焉可豫知也！」 光知正慎宜，不為放談，乃曰：「吾好直言，無所迴避。 今天下未定，智意為先，智意自然，不可力強致也。 儲君讀書，寧當效吾等竭力博識以待訪問，如博士探策講試以求爵位邪！ 當務其急者。」 正深謂光言為然。 正，儉之孫也。
The Shu emperor installed Lady Zhang as empress; she was the younger sister of the late empress. He named the son of Honored Lady Wang, Xuan, crown prince, and Yao Prince of Anding. Grand Minister of Agriculture Meng Guang of Henan asked Secretary Gentleman Xi Zheng about the crown prince's studies and temperament. Zheng said, "He serves his parents with reverent devotion, untiring day and night—he has the bearing of an ancient heir apparent; in receiving officials his conduct springs from benevolence and forbearance." Guang said, "What you describe is what every household possesses; what I want to know is how his strategic grasp and native wit measure up." Zheng said, "A crown prince's duty is to carry out the will and give his utmost in service—he must not act rashly on his own. Wit lies hidden in the breast; strategy deploys as the moment demands. Whether he has these—how can one know in advance!" Guang knew Zheng was cautious and would not speak loosely, so he said, "I favor plain speech and make no detours. The realm is unsettled; wit and intent come first—and wit and intent arise naturally; they cannot be forced. Should the heir study only to imitate us in cramming broad learning for interrogation, like academicians drawing lots in examinations to win rank! He should attend to what is urgent." Zheng deeply agreed with Guang. Zheng was the grandson of Jian.
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吳人鑄當千大錢。
Wu cast large coins worth a thousand cash each.
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夏，四月，庚子，南鄉恭侯韓暨卒。
In summer, the fourth month, on the day gengzi, the Revered Marquis of Nanxiang Han Ji died.
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庚戌，大赦。
On the day gengxu, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
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六月，司馬懿軍至遼東，公孫淵使大將軍卑衍、楊祚將步騎數萬屯遼隧，圍塹二十餘里。 諸將欲擊之，懿曰：「賊所以堅壁，欲老吾兵也，今攻之，正墮其計。 且賊大眾在此，其巢窟空虛。 直指襄平，破之必矣。」 乃多張旗幟，欲出其南，衍等盡銳趣之。 懿潛濟水，出其北，直趣襄平； 衍等恐，引兵夜走。 諸軍進至首山，淵復使衍等逆戰，懿擊，大破之，遂進圍襄平。 秋，七月，大霖雨，遼水暴漲，運船自遼口徑至城下。 雨月餘不止，平地水數尺。 三軍恐，欲移營，懿令軍中：「敢有言徙者斬！」 都督令史張靜犯令，斬之，軍中乃定。 賊恃水，樵牧自若，諸將欲取之，懿皆不聽。 司馬陳珪曰：「昔攻上庸，八部俱進，晝夜不息，故能一旬之半，拔堅城，斬孟達。 今者遠來而更安緩，愚竊惑焉。」 懿曰：「孟達眾少而食支一年，將士四倍於達而糧不淹月； 以一月圖一年，安可不速！ 以四擊一，正令失半而克，猶當為之，是以不計死傷，與糧競也。 今賊眾我寡，賊饑我飽，水雨乃爾，功力不設，雖當促之，亦何所為！ 自發京師，不憂賊攻，但恐賊走。 今賊糧垂盡而圍落未合，掠其牛馬，抄其樵采，此故驅之走也。 夫兵者詭道，善因事變。 賊憑眾恃雨，故雖饑困，未肯束手，當示無能以安之。 取小利以驚之，非計也。」 朝廷聞師遇雨，鹹欲罷兵。 帝曰：「司馬懿臨危制變，禽淵可計日待也。」 雨霽，懿乃合圍，作土山地道，楯櫓鉤沖，晝夜攻之，矢石如雨。 淵窘急，糧盡，人相食，死者甚多，其將楊祚等降。 八月，淵使相國王建、御史大夫柳甫請解圍卻兵，當君臣面縛。 懿命斬之，檄告淵曰：「楚、鄭列國，而鄭伯猶肉袒牽羊迎之。 孤天子上公，而建等欲孤解圍退捨，豈得禮邪！ 二人老耄，傳言失指，已相為斬之。 若意有未已，可更遣年少有明決者來！」 淵復遣侍中衛演乞剋日送任，懿謂演曰：「軍事大要有五：能戰當戰，不能戰當守，不能守當走； 餘二事，但有降與死耳。 汝不肯面縛，此為決就死也，不須送任！」 任午，襄平潰，淵與子修將數百騎突圍東南走，大兵急擊之，斬淵父子於梁水之上。 懿既入城，誅其公卿以下及兵民七千餘人，築為京觀。 遼東、帶方、樂浪、玄菟四郡皆平。 淵之將反也，將軍綸直、賈范等苦諫，淵皆殺之，懿乃封直等之墓，顯其遺嗣，釋淵叔父恭之囚。 中國人欲還舊鄉者，恣聽之。 遂班師。
In the sixth month, Sima Yi's army reached Liaodong. Gongsun Yuan sent Grand Generals Bei Yan and Yang Zuo with tens of thousands of foot and horse to hold Liaosui, their trenches ringing more than twenty li. The generals wanted to attack, but Yi said, "The enemy holds behind walls to wear us down; attacking now plays straight into their plan. Their main force is here, and their nest is empty. Strike straight for Xiangping and we are sure to break them." He then raised many banners and flags as if to march out on their south; Yan and the rest rushed their best troops to meet him. Yi secretly crossed the river, emerged on their north, and pressed straight for Xiangping; Yan and the rest were alarmed and withdrew by night. The armies advanced to Shoushan. Yuan again sent Yan and the rest to give battle; Yi struck and routed them utterly, then pressed on to besiege Xiangping. In autumn, the seventh month, torrential rains fell; the Liao River flooded, and supply boats sailed straight from Liaokou to the foot of the walls. Rain fell for more than a month without stopping; on level ground the water stood several feet deep. The three armies were afraid and wanted to shift camp. Yi ordered, "Whoever speaks of moving camp—behead him! Director of the Army Commandant's clerical officer Zhang Jing violated the order and was beheaded; then the army settled down. The rebels relied on the flood and gathered fuel and grazed herds as they pleased; the generals wanted to seize them, but Yi forbade it. Major Chen Gui said, "When we attacked Shangyong, all eight divisions advanced together without ceasing day or night, and in half a month we took a strong city and beheaded Meng Da. Now we have marched from afar yet grow more leisurely—I am puzzled." Yi said, "Meng Da had few troops but provisions for a year; our officers and soldiers outnumbered him fourfold yet our grain did not last a month; to spend one month against one year—how could we not hurry! With four striking one, even losing half our force to win was still worth it—so we did not count casualties but raced against grain. Now the enemy outnumbers us, the enemy starves while we are fed, and with rain and flood like this effort cannot be deployed—even if we urged haste, what could we accomplish! From the time we left the capital I have not feared the enemy's attack but only feared the enemy's flight. Now the enemy's grain is nearly gone and the encirclement is not yet closed—seizing their cattle and raiding their woodcutters is precisely to drive them to flee. Warfare is the way of deception; one excels at adapting to events. The enemy relies on numbers and trusts the rain; though hungry and distressed, they will not yield—we should show inability to reassure them. Taking small gains to startle them is not the plan." When the court heard the army had met rain, all wished to withdraw the troops. The emperor said, "Sima Yi masters danger and adapts to change; capturing Yuan can be counted in days." When the rain cleared, Yi closed the encirclement, raised earthworks and dug tunnels, deployed shields, mantlets, hooks, and rams, and attacked day and night; arrows and stones fell like rain. Yuan was desperate; grain ran out; men ate one another; the dead were countless; his generals Yang Zuo and others surrendered. In the eighth month Yuan sent Chancellor Wang Jian and Grand Censor Liu Fu to beg that the siege be lifted and the army withdrawn, promising that ruler and ministers would surrender with faces bared. Yi ordered them beheaded and announced to Yuan by proclamation, "Chu and Zheng were coequal states, yet the Earl of Zheng still bared his flesh and led a sheep to meet the victor. I am the Son of Heaven's chief minister—yet Jian and the rest wish me to lift the siege and withdraw. Is that proper ritual! The two men are old and senile and misstated the message—I have already beheaded them for you. If your intent is not yet satisfied, send younger men with clear resolve!" Yuan again sent Palace Attendant Wei Yan to beg a set day for delivering hostages. Yi told Yan, "The great essentials of military affairs are five: if you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, hold; if you cannot hold, flee; of the remaining two options, there are only surrender and death. You refuse to surrender with faces bared—this means you have resolved on death; hostages are not needed!" On the day renwu, Xiangping fell. Yuan and his son Xiu led several hundred horsemen to break out southeast; the main army pressed the attack and beheaded Yuan and his son on the Liang River. After Yi entered the city, he executed officials and commoners alike—more than seven thousand—and built them into a victory mound. The four commanderies of Liaodong, Daifang, Lelang, and Xuantu were all pacified. When Yuan was about to rebel, Generals Lun Zhi, Jia Fan, and others admonished him bitterly; Yuan killed them all. Yi then sealed the tombs of Zhi and the rest, honored their surviving heirs, and released Yuan's uncle Gong from prison. For subjects of the Central States who wished to return to their old homelands, he allowed it as they pleased. He then withdrew the army.
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初，淵兄晃為恭任子在洛陽，先淵未反時，數陳其變，欲令國家討淵； 及淵謀逆，帝不忍市斬，欲就獄殺之。 廷尉高柔上疏曰：「臣竊聞晃先數自歸，陳淵禍萌，雖為凶族，原心可恕。 夫仲尼亮司馬牛之憂，祁奚明叔向之過，在昔之美義也。 臣以為晃信有言，宜貸其死； 苟自無言，便當市斬。 今進不赦其命，退不彰其罪，閉著囹圄，使自引分，四方觀國，或疑此舉也。」 帝不聽，竟遣使繼金屑飲晃及其妻子，賜以棺衣，殯斂於宅。
Earlier, Yuan's elder brother Huang was a hostage in Luoyang. Before Yuan rebelled, Huang had repeatedly reported his brother's intentions, urging the state to campaign against Yuan; when Yuan plotted rebellion, the emperor could not bear to execute Huang in the marketplace and wished to kill him in prison. Minister of Justice Gao Rou submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard that Huang repeatedly came forward on his own, reporting Yuan's budding treason. Though of a criminal clan, his original intent may be forgiven. Confucius made clear Sima Niu's distress; Qi Xi made plain Shu Xiang's fault—beautiful righteousness of former ages. I hold that if Huang's words are believed, his death should be spared; if he had said nothing on his own, then he should be executed in the marketplace. Now if you advance yet do not spare his life, and retreat yet do not make his guilt clear, but shut him in prison and let him take his own life, the four quarters watching the state may doubt this course." The emperor would not listen and finally sent envoys with gold filings for Huang and his wife and children to drink; he granted coffin and garments and had them buried from their residence.
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九月，吳改元赤烏。
In the ninth month, Wu changed the era name to Chiwu.
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吳步夫人卒。 初，吳主為討虜將軍，在吳，娶吳郡徐氏。 太子登所生庶賤，吳主令徐氏母養之。 徐氏妒，故無寵。 及吳主西徙，徐氏留處吳。 而臨淮步夫人寵冠後庭，吳主欲立為皇后，而群臣議在徐氏，吳主依違者十餘年。 會步氏卒，群臣奏追贈皇后印綬，徐氏竟廢，卒於吳。
Lady Bu of Wu died. Earlier, when the Wu ruler was General Who Pacifies the Barbarians and stationed in Wu, he married a woman of the Xu clan of Wu commandery. Crown Prince Deng was born of a lowborn concubine; the Wu ruler ordered Lady Xu to rear him as a mother. Lady Xu was jealous and therefore won no favor. When the Wu ruler moved west, Lady Xu remained in Wu. But Lady Bu of Linhuai's favor crowned the rear palace; the Wu ruler wished to install her as empress, yet the officials argued for the Xu clan, and he wavered for more than ten years. When Lady Bu died, the officials memorialized to posthumously grant her empress seals and cords; Lady Xu was finally set aside and died in Wu.
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吳主使中書郎呂壹典校諸官府及州郡文書，壹因此漸作威福，深文巧詆，排陷無辜，毀短大臣，纖介必聞。 太子登數諫，吳主不聽，群臣莫敢復言，皆畏之側目。 壹誣白故江夏太守刁嘉謗訕國政，吳主怒，收嘉，繫獄驗問。 時同坐人皆怖畏壹，並言聞之。 侍中北海是儀獨雲無聞，遂見窮詰累日，詔旨轉厲，群臣為之屏息。 儀曰：「今刀鋸已在臣頸，臣何敢為嘉隱諱，自取夷滅，為不忠之鬼！ 厄以聞知當有本末。」 據實答問，辭不傾移，吳主遂捨之； 嘉亦得免。 上大將軍陸遜、太常潘濬憂壹亂國，每言之，輒流涕。 壹白丞相顧雍過失，吳主怒，詰責雍。 黃門侍郎謝肱語次問壹：「顧公事何如？」 壹曰：「不能佳。」 肱又問：「若此公免退，誰當代之？」 壹未答。 肱曰：「得無潘太常得之乎？」 壹良久曰：「君語近之也。」 肱曰：「潘太常常切齒於君，但道無因耳。 今日代顧公，恐明日便擊君矣！」 壹大懼，遂解散雍事。 潘濬求朝，詣建業，欲盡辭極諫。 至，聞太子登已數言之而不見從，濬乃大請百寮，欲因會手刃殺壹，以身當之，為國除患。 壹密聞知，稱疾不行。 西陵督步騭上疏曰：「顧雍、陸遜、潘濬，志在竭誠，寢食不寧，念欲安國利民，建久長之計，可謂心膂股肱社稷之臣矣。 宜各委任，不使他官監其所司，課其殿最。 此三臣思慮不到則已，豈敢欺負所天乎！」 左將軍朱據部曲應受三萬緡，工王遂詐而受之。 壹疑據實取，考問主者，死於杖下； 據哀其無辜，厚棺斂之，壹又表據吏為據隱，故厚其殯。 吳主數責問據，據無以自明，藉草待罪； 數日，典軍吏劉助覺，言王遂所取。 吳主大感寤，曰：「朱據見枉，況吏民乎！」 乃窮治壹罪，賞助百萬。 丞相雍至廷尉斷獄，壹以囚見。 雍和顏色問其辭狀，臨出，又謂壹曰：「君意得無慾有所道乎？」 壹叩頭無言。 時尚書郎懷敘面詈辱壹，雍責敘曰：「官有正法，何至於此！」 有司奏壹大辟，或以為宜加焚裂，用彰元惡。 吳主以訪中書令會稽闞澤，澤曰：「盛明之世，不宜復有此刑。」 吳主從之。
The Wu ruler sent Palace Gentleman Lü Yi to audit documents in all government offices and commanderies and prefectures. Yi thereby gradually wielded power and favor, twisting the law with crafty slander, framing the innocent, and defaming great ministers—no trifle escaped his ear. Crown Prince Deng admonished him repeatedly; the Wu ruler would not listen. The officials dared speak no more and all feared Yi, watching sidelong. Yi falsely reported that the former Administrator of Jiangxia Diao Jia had slandered state affairs. The Wu ruler was angry, seized Jia, and imprisoned him for interrogation. At the time all who sat together in the case feared Yi and alike said they had heard it. Palace Attendant Shi Yi of Beihai alone said he had not heard it; he was then pressed with interrogation for many days, the imperial orders growing harsher, and the officials held their breath for him. Yi said, "Now knife and saw are already at my neck—how dare I conceal and cover for Jia, bringing extinction on myself and becoming an unfaithful ghost! If I claim to have heard, there must be a beginning and end to it." He answered according to fact, his words not shifting; the Wu ruler then released him; Jia also escaped punishment. Grand General Lu Xun and Minister of Ceremonies Pan Jun feared Yi would throw the state into disorder; whenever they spoke of it, tears would flow. Yi reported Chancellor Gu Yong's faults. The Wu ruler was angry and rebuked Yong. Yellow Gate Attendant Xie Gong, in the course of conversation, asked Yi, "How stands Chancellor Gu's case? Yi said, "Not good. Gong asked again, "If he is dismissed, who should replace him? Yi did not answer. Gong said, "Could it be that Minister Pan would get it? After a long while Yi said, "Your words are close to it. Gong said, "Minister Pan constantly gnashes his teeth at you—only that he has had no opening. If he replaces Chancellor Gu today, I fear tomorrow he will strike at you!" Yi was greatly afraid and thereupon dropped the case against Yong. Pan Jun requested an audience and went to Jianye, wishing to speak his utmost in remonstrance. When he arrived, he heard Crown Prince Deng had already spoken many times without being heeded. Jun then invited all the hundred officials on a grand scale, wishing at the gathering to kill Yi with his own hand, taking the consequences on himself to remove the state's scourge. Yi secretly heard of it and pleaded illness and did not go. Supervisor of Xiling Bu Zhi submitted a memorial saying, "Gu Yong, Lu Xun, and Pan Jun aim at exhausting sincerity; they cannot rest in sleep or eating, thinking to secure the state and benefit the people and establish a long-lasting plan—they may be called the heart, spine, thigh, and arm ministers of the altars of soil and grain. Each should be entrusted with his charge and not have other officials supervise what they administer and grade their performance. If these three ministers' thoughts fall short, that is all—but how would they dare deceive and wrong their sovereign!" Left General Zhu Ju's troops were due to receive thirty thousand strings of cash; artisan Wang Sui fraudulently received it. Yi suspected Ju had actually taken it and interrogated the responsible clerk, who died under the staff; Ju pitied his innocence and gave him a thick coffin burial. Yi again memorialized that Ju's clerk had concealed for Ju, hence the lavish funeral. The Wu ruler repeatedly rebuked and questioned Ju; Ju had no way to clear himself and spread grass to await punishment; after several days, Army Commandant's clerk Liu Zhu discovered it and reported that Wang Sui had taken it. The Wu ruler was greatly awakened and said, "Zhu Ju was wronged—how much more officials and commoners! He then exhaustively prosecuted Yi's crimes and rewarded Zhu with a million. Chancellor Yong went to the Minister of Justice to try the case; Yi was brought in as a prisoner. Yong with gentle countenance asked about his statements; as he was leaving, he again said to Yi, "Sir, do you perhaps wish to say something? Yi kowtowed and said nothing. At the time Master of Writing Gentleman Huai Xu reviled and insulted Yi to his face. Yong rebuked Xu, "Offices have proper law—how reach to this! The responsible offices memorialized the death penalty for Yi; some held that burning and rending should be added to display the arch-villain. The Wu ruler consulted Director of the Palace Secretariat Kan Ze of Kuaiji. Ze said, "In an age of flourishing brilliance, this punishment should not be revived." The Wu ruler followed his advice.
16
壹既伏誅，吳主使中書郎袁禮告謝諸大將，因問時事所當損益。 禮還，復有詔責諸葛瑾、步騭、朱然、呂岱等曰：「袁禮還云：『與子瑜、子山、義封、定公相見，並咨以時事當有所先後，各自以不掌民事，不肯便有所陳，悉推之伯言、承明。 伯言、承明見禮，泣涕懇惻，辭旨辛苦，至乃懷執危怖，有不自安之心。』 聞之悵然，深自刻怪！ 何者？ 夫惟聖人能無過行，明者能自見耳。 人之舉厝，何能悉中！ 獨當己有以傷拒眾意，忽不自覺，故諸君有嫌難耳。 不爾，何緣乃至於此乎」與諸君從事，自少至長，發有二色，以謂表裡足以明露，公私分計足用相保，義雖君臣，恩猶骨肉，榮福喜戚，相與共之。 忠不匿情，智無遺計，事統是非，諸君豈得從容而已哉！ 同船濟水，將誰與易！ 齊桓有善，管子未嘗不歎，有過未嘗不諫，諫而不得，終諫不止。 今孤自省無桓公之德，而諸君諫諍未出於口，仍執嫌難。 以此言之，孤於齊桓良優，未知諸君於管子何如耳！
After Yi had been executed, the Wu ruler sent Palace Gentleman Yuan Li to announce thanks to the great generals and inquire what in current affairs should be reduced or increased. When Li returned, there was again an edict rebuking Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi, Zhu Ran, Lü Dai, and the rest, saying, "Yuan Li reports on his return: 'I met Ziyu, Zishan, Yifeng, and Dinggong and consulted them on what in current affairs should come first or last. Each, on the ground that he does not administer civil affairs, was unwilling to speak forthwith and all pushed it onto Boyan and Chengming. Boyan and Chengming, meeting Li, wept with earnest grief; their words were bitter in intent, even to holding fear of peril and a heart not at ease.' Hearing this I am desolate and deeply blame myself! Why? Only the sage can be without wrongful conduct; only the clear-sighted can see himself. Men's actions—how can they all hit the mark! I alone must have wounded and rejected the multitude's intent without noticing—hence you gentlemen have grievances and difficulties. Otherwise, what cause would bring it to this?' In serving with you gentlemen from youth to age, I have never had two faces; I thought inside and outside were enough to show clearly, public and private accounts enough to protect each other. Though in righteousness we are ruler and minister, in grace we are like bone and flesh; glory, fortune, joy, and sorrow—we share them together. Loyalty does not hide feeling; wisdom leaves no plan behind; affairs turn on right and wrong—how can you gentlemen be at ease and stop there! In the same boat crossing the water—with whom would you exchange places! When Duke Huan of Qi had merit, Guan Zhong never failed to praise it; when he had faults, he never failed to remonstrate—and if remonstrance did not succeed, he remonstrated to the end without ceasing. Now I examine myself and lack Duke Huan's virtue, yet you gentlemen's remonstrance has not left your mouths and you still hold grievances and difficulties. By this reckoning, I am clearly superior to Duke Huan—I do not know how you gentlemen compare to Guan Zhong!"
17
冬，十一月，壬午，以司空衛臻為司徒，司隸校尉崔林為司空。
In winter, the eleventh month, on the day renwu, Minister of Works Wei Zhen was made Minister over the Masses and Director of the Secretariat Cui Lin was made Minister of Works.
18
十二月，漢蔣琬出屯漢中。
In the twelfth month, Jiang Wan of Shu went out to camp at Hanzhong.
19
乙丑，帝不豫。 辛巳，立郭夫人為皇后。
On the day yichou, the emperor fell ill. On the day xinsi, Lady Guo was installed as empress.
20
初，太祖為魏公，以贊令劉放、參軍事孫資皆為秘書郎。 文帝即位，更命秘書曰中書，以放為監，資為令，遂掌機密。 帝即位，尤見寵任，皆加侍中、光祿大夫，封本縣侯。 是時，帝親覽萬機，數興軍旅，腹心之任，皆二人管之； 每有大事，朝臣會議，常令決其是非，擇而行之。 中護軍蔣濟上疏曰：「臣聞大臣太重者國危，左右太親者身蔽，古之至戒也。 往者大臣秉事，外內扇動； 陛下卓然自覽萬機，莫不祗肅。 夫大臣非不忠也，然威權在下，則眾心慢上，勢之常也。 陛下既已察之於大臣，願無忘於左右。 左右忠正遠慮，未必賢於大臣，至於便辟取合，或能工之。 今外所言，輒雲中書。 雖使恭慎，不敢外交，但有此名，猶惑世俗。 況實握事要，日在目前，儻因疲倦之間，有所割制，眾臣見其能推移於事，即亦因時而向之。 一有此端，私招朋援，臧否毀譽，必有所興，功負賞罰，必有所易，直道而上者或壅，曲附左右者反達，因微而入，緣形而出，意所狎信，不復猜覺。 此宜聖智所當早聞，外以經意，則形際自見； 或恐朝臣畏言不合而受左右之怨，莫適以聞。 臣竊亮陛下潛神默思，公聽並觀，若事有未盡於理而物有未周於用，將改曲易調，遠與黃、唐角功，近昭武、文之績，豈牽近習而已哉！ 然人君不可悉任天下之事，必當有所付； 若委之一臣，自非周公旦之忠，管夷吾之公，則有弄機敗官之敝。 當今柱石之士雖少，至於行稱一州，智效一官，忠信竭命，各奉其職，可並驅策，不使聖明之朝有專吏之名也！」 帝不聽。 及寢疾，深念後事，乃以武帝子燕王宇為大將軍，與領軍將軍夏侯獻、武衛將軍曹爽、屯騎校尉曹肇、驍騎將軍秦朗等對輔政。 爽，真之子； 肇，休之子也。 帝少與燕王宇善，故以後事屬之。
Earlier, when the Grand Ancestor was Duke of Wei, he made Aide Liu Fang and Staff Officer Sun Zi both Secretaries. When Emperor Wen took the throne, the Secretariat was renamed the Palace Secretariat; Fang was made Supervisor and Zi Director, and they thereupon held confidential affairs. When the present emperor took the throne, they were especially favored and entrusted; both were added as Palace Attendants and Household Grandees and enfeoffed as marquises of their native counties. At this time the emperor personally handled the myriad affairs and frequently raised armies; the charge of heart and belly was all managed by the two men; whenever there was a great matter and the court officials met in council, he regularly had them decide right and wrong and choose what to carry out. Central Protector of the Army Jiang Ji submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard that when great ministers are too weighty the state is endangered, and when those at one's side are too intimate the person is obscured—the utmost warning of antiquity. In the past great ministers held affairs and inner and outer were stirred; Your Majesty stood forth alone to view the myriad affairs himself, and none were not reverent and stern. Great ministers are not disloyal, yet when authority and power rest below, the multitude's hearts slight the ruler above—this is the constant tendency of circumstances. Your Majesty has already discerned this in great ministers—I pray you not forget it in those at your side. Those at the side, loyal and upright with far-reaching thought, are not necessarily more worthy than great ministers; but in ingratiating compliance they may excel at it. Now what is spoken outside always says 'the Palace Secretariat.' Even if they are made respectful and cautious and dare not deal outside, merely having this name still confuses the worldly. How much more when they actually grasp the essentials of affairs, day by day before the eyes—if perchance in a moment of weariness they make some cut or control, the officials seeing they can shift matters will also turn toward them as the time suits. Once this beginning exists, they privately recruit partisans; praise and blame, ruin and praise, are sure to arise; merit and fault, reward and punishment, are sure to change; those on the straight path upward may be blocked, while those who crookedly attach to the side reach success instead—entering through the subtle, emerging along the form; those the mind favors and trusts are no longer suspected or perceived. This is what sage wisdom should hear early; attend to it from without and the form and boundary will show themselves; perhaps the court officials fear that words not agreeing will bring the side's resentment and none dare report it. I privately trust that Your Majesty ponders in hidden spirit and silent thought, listens publicly and views together—if affairs have not exhausted reason or things have not rounded utility, you will change the tune and alter the key, vie in merit with Huangdi and Yao afar and display nearby the achievements of Martial Emperor and Emperor Wen—how would you be bound to near habits alone! Yet the ruler cannot entirely entrust all under Heaven's affairs—there must be some delegation; if entrusted to a single minister, unless it be the loyalty of Duke of Zhou Dan or the fairness of Guan Yiwu, there is the harm of manipulating the mechanism and ruining office. Today's pillar-and-stone men are few, yet as to conduct praised in a province, wisdom effective in an office, loyalty and faith exhausting life, each holding his post—they can be driven together and not let a sage-bright court have the name of a monopoly official!" The emperor would not listen. When he lay ill in bed, deeply considering affairs after death, he then made Martial Emperor's son Prince of Yan Cao Yu Grand General, with General of the Gentlemen of the Household for the Encampments Xiahou Xian, General of the Martial Guard Cao Shuang, Colonel of the Valiant Cavalry Cao Zhao, General of Resolute Cavalry Qin Lang, and others to assist in government jointly. Shuang was Zhen's son; Zhao was Xiu's son. The emperor from youth was on good terms with Prince of Yan Yu, and therefore entrusted the later affairs to him.
21
劉放、孫資久典機任，獻、肇心內不平； 殿中有雞棲樹，二人相謂曰：「此亦久矣，其能復幾！」 放、資懼有後害，陰圖間之。 燕王性恭良，陳誠固辭。 帝引放、資入臥內，問曰：「燕王正爾為？」 對曰：「燕王實自知不堪大任故耳。」 帝曰：「誰可任者？」 時惟曹爽獨在帝側，放、資因薦爽，且言：「宜召司馬懿與相參。」 帝曰：「爽堪其事不？」 爽流汗不能對。 放躡其足，耳之曰：「臣以死奉社稷。」 帝從放、資言，欲用爽、懿，既而中變，敕停前命； 放、資復入見說帝，帝又從之。 放曰：「宜為手詔。」 帝曰：「我困篤，不能。」 放即上床，執帝手強作之，遂繼出，大言曰：「有詔免燕王宇等官，不得停省中。」 皆流涕而出。 甲申，以曹爽為大將軍。 帝嫌爽才弱，復拜尚書孫禮為大將軍長史以佐之。 是時，司馬懿在汲，帝令給使辟邪繼手詔召之。 先是，燕王為帝畫計，以為關中事重，宜遣懿便道自軹關西還長安，事已施行。 懿斯須得二詔，前後相違，疑京師有變，乃疾驅入朝。
Liu Fang and Sun Zi had long held confidential charge; Xian and Zhao were inwardly displeased; in the hall there was a tree where chickens roosted. The two men said to each other, "This too has been long—how much longer can it last! Fang and Zi feared later harm and secretly plotted to drive them apart. The Prince of Yan was by nature respectful and good and with sincere words firmly declined. The emperor summoned Fang and Zi into the sickroom and asked, "Is the Prince of Yan really like this? They replied, "The Prince of Yan truly knows himself unfit for a great charge—that is all." The emperor asked, "Who can be entrusted? At the time only Cao Shuang stood at the emperor's side. Fang and Zi recommended Shuang and also said, "Sima Yi should be summoned to share in government." The emperor asked, "Is Shuang equal to the task? Shuang sweated and could not answer. Fang trod on his foot and whispered in his ear, "I will with my death serve the altars of soil and grain." The emperor followed Fang and Zi's words and wished to employ Shuang and Yi; then he changed his mind midway and ordered the previous command stopped; Fang and Zi again entered and persuaded the emperor, and he again followed them. Fang said, "There should be a handwritten edict." The emperor said, "I am gravely ill and cannot." Fang at once mounted the bed, seized the emperor's hand and forced the writing, then followed out and proclaimed loudly, "There is an edict dismissing Prince of Yan Yu and the rest from office—they may not remain in the inner palace." All wept as they went out. On the day jiashen, Cao Shuang was made Grand General. The emperor thought Shuang's talent weak and again appointed Master of Writing Sun Li as the Grand General's Chief Clerk to assist him. At this time Sima Yi was at Ji; the emperor ordered attendant Bixie to follow with the handwritten edict summoning him. Earlier, the Prince of Yan had drawn up a plan for the emperor, holding that Guanzhong affairs were weighty and Yi should be sent by a convenient route from Zhiguan west back to Chang'an; the matter had already been put into effect. Yi in a moment received two edicts that contradicted each other; he suspected change in the capital and galloped in haste to court.
22
烈祖明皇帝下景初三年（ 己未，公元二三九年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Jingchu year 3 ( jiwei cycle, AD 239)
23
春，正月，懿至，入見，帝執其手曰：「吾以後事屬君，君與曹爽輔少子。 死乃可忍，吾忍死待君，得相見，無所復恨矣！」 乃召齊、秦二王以示懿，別指齊王芳謂懿曰：「此是也，君諦視之，勿誤也！」 又教齊王令前抱懿頸。 懿頓首流涕。 是日，立齊王為皇太子。 帝尋殂。 帝沈毅明敏，任心而行，料簡功能，屏絕浮偽。 行師動眾，論決大事，謀臣將相，鹹服帝之大略。 性特強識，雖左右小臣，官簿性行，名跡所履，及其父兄子弟，一經耳目，終不遺忘。
In spring, the first month, Yi arrived and entered audience. The emperor grasped his hand and said, "I entrust the later affairs to you—you and Cao Shuang shall assist the young son. Death alone can be borne; I bore death awaiting you—now that we meet, there is nothing more to regret!" He then summoned the Princes of Qi and Qin to show Yi, and separately pointing to Prince of Qi Fang said to Yi, "This is he—look closely and do not mistake! He also instructed the Prince of Qi to come forward and embrace Yi's neck. Yi kowtowed and wept. That day the Prince of Qi was installed as crown prince. The emperor soon died. The emperor was deep, resolute, bright, and keen; he acted as his heart directed, weighed and selected ability, and barred out floating falsity. In marching armies and moving the multitude, in debating and deciding great affairs, strategists, generals, and ministers—all submitted to the emperor's grand design. His nature was especially strong in memory: even petty officials at his side—their office registers, nature and conduct, names and tracks trodden, and their fathers, brothers, and sons—once they passed ear or eye, he never forgot.
24
孫盛論曰：聞之長老，魏明帝天姿秀出，立發垂地，口吃少言，而沈毅好斷。 初，諸公受遺輔導，帝皆以方任處之，政自己出。 優禮大臣，開容善直，雖犯顏極諫，無所摧戮，其君人之量如此之偉也。 然不思建德垂風，不固維城之基，至使大權偏據，社稷無衛，悲夫！
Sun Sheng's commentary says: Hearing from elders, Emperor Ming of Wei had heaven's talent standing forth, hair standing to the ground when erect, stammering and few words, yet deep, resolute, and fond of decision. At first the lords received the testament to assist and guide, but the emperor all placed them in square posts of responsibility; government issued from himself. He honored great ministers with preferential rites, opened his countenance to good straight speech—even when they offended his face with extreme remonstrance, there was no crushing or killing; his measure as ruler of men was thus grand. Yet he did not think to establish virtue and let the wind hang down, did not solidify the foundation of the protecting walls, until great power lay one-sided and the altars of soil and grain had no guard—how sad!
25
太子即位，年八歲； 大赦。 尊皇后曰皇太后，加曹爽、司馬懿侍中，假節鉞，都督中外諸軍、錄尚書事。 諸所興作宮室之役，皆以遺詔罷之。 爽、懿各領兵三千人更宿殿內，爽以懿年位素高，常父事之，每事咨訪，不敢專行。
The crown prince took the throne at age eight; a general amnesty was proclaimed. The empress was honored as empress dowager; Cao Shuang and Sima Yi were added as Palace Attendants, loaned staffs of authority and axes, made Directors of all armies inner and outer, and Recorders of Palace Secretariat Affairs. All labor for palace construction that had been undertaken was stopped by testamentary edict. Shuang and Yi each led three thousand troops in rotation to lodge within the hall. Shuang, because Yi's age and rank had always been high, regularly served him as a father, consulting on every matter and not daring to act alone.
26
初，并州刺史東平畢軌及鄧颺、李勝、何晏、丁謐皆有才名而急於富貴，趨時附勢，明帝惡其浮華，皆抑而不用。 曹爽素與親善，及輔政，驟加引擢，以為腹心。 晏，進之孫； 謐，斐之子也。 晏等鹹共推戴爽，以為重權不可委於人。 丁謐為爽畫策，使爽白天子發詔，轉司馬懿為太傅，外以名號尊之，內欲令尚書奏事，先來由己，得制其輕重也。 爽從之。 二月，丁丑，以司馬懿為太傅，以爽弟羲為中領軍，訓為武衛將軍，彥為散騎常侍、侍講，其餘諸弟皆以列侯侍從，出入禁闥，貴寵莫盛焉。 爽事太傅，禮貌雖存，而諸所興造，希復由之。 爽徙吏部尚書盧毓為僕射，而以何晏代之，以鄧颺、丁謐為尚書，畢軌為司隸校尉。 晏等依勢用事，附會者升進，違忤者罷退，內外望風，莫敢忤旨。 黃門侍郎傅嘏謂爽弟羲曰：「何平叔外靜而內躁，銛巧好利，不念務本，吾恐必先惑子兄弟，仁人將遠而朝政廢矣！」 晏等遂與嘏不平，因微事免嘏官。 又出盧毓為廷尉，畢軌又枉奏毓免官，眾論多訟之，乃復以為光祿勳。 孫禮亮直不撓，爽心不便，出為揚州刺史。
Earlier, Inspector of Bing Province Bi Gui of Dongping and Deng Yang, Li Sheng, He Yan, and Ding Mi all had reputations for talent yet were eager for wealth and rank, courting the times and attaching to power. Emperor Ming hated their superficial show and all suppressed them without employing them. Cao Shuang had long been on intimate terms with them; when he assisted in government he suddenly promoted them and made them his inner circle. Yan was Jin's grandson; Mi was Fei's son. Yan and the rest all urged Shuang forward, holding that heavy power could not be entrusted to another man. Ding Mi drew up a plan for Shuang, having Shuang tell the Son of Heaven to issue an edict transferring Sima Yi to Grand Tutor—outwardly honoring him with a title, inwardly wishing that when the Masters of Writing reported affairs they should first come through himself so he could control their weight. Shuang followed this. In the second month, on the day dingchou, Sima Yi was made Grand Tutor; Shuang's younger brother Xi was made Central Commander of the Gentlemen of the Household; Xun was made General of the Martial Guard; Yan was made Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry and Lecturer-in-Attendance; the rest of the younger brothers all attended as ranked marquises, entering and leaving the forbidden gates—none were more honored and favored. Shuang served the Grand Tutor; courtesy and ritual remained, yet undertakings rarely again passed through him. Shuang moved Minister of the Civil Service Lu Yu to Vice Minister and replaced him with He Yan; made Deng Yang and Ding Mi Masters of Writing; and Bi Gui Director of the Secretariat. Yan and the rest relied on power to wield affairs; those who attached were promoted, those who opposed were dismissed; inner and outer watched the wind and none dared oppose the intent. Yellow Gate Attendant Fu Gu said to Shuang's younger brother Xi, "He Pingshu is outwardly calm yet inwardly restless, sharp and crafty, fond of profit, not mindful of attending to fundamentals—I fear he will first bewilder you brothers, humane men will withdraw, and court government will be abandoned! Yan and the rest thereupon were displeased with Gu and on a petty matter dismissed him from office. Lu Yu was again sent out as Minister of Justice; Bi Gui again falsely memorialized to dismiss Yu from office; public opinion largely pleaded for him, and he was again made Household Grandee. Sun Li was bright and straight and unbending; Shuang found it inconvenient at heart and sent him out as Inspector of Yang Province.
27
三月，以征東將軍滿寵為太尉。
In the third month, General Who Campaigns East Man Chong was made Grand Commandant.
28
夏，四月，吳督軍使者羊道擊遼東守將，俘人民而去。
In summer, the fourth month, Wu's Army Supervisor Envoy Yang Dao attacked Liaodong's defending general, captured the people, and withdrew.
29
漢蔣琬為大司馬，東曹掾犍為楊戲，素性簡略，琬與言論，時不應答。 或謂琬曰：「公與戲語而不應，其慢甚矣！」 琬曰：「人心不同，各如其面，面從後言，古人所誡。 戲欲贊吾是邪，則非其本心； 欲反吾言，則顯吾之非，是以默然，是戲之快也。」
In Shu, Jiang Wan was Grand Marshal; Eastern Bureau Aide Yang Xi of Jianwei was by nature brief and simple—when Wan spoke with him in discussion, he sometimes did not answer. Someone said to Wan, "You speak with Xi and he does not answer—his rudeness is extreme! Wan said, "Hearts differ, each like its face; to agree to the face and speak otherwise behind—this the ancients warned against. If Xi wished to praise me as right, that would not be his true heart; if he wished to oppose my words, that would display my wrong—hence his silence; that is Xi's pleasure."
30
又督農楊敏； 敏嘗毀琬曰：「作事憒憒，誠不及前人。」 或以白琬，主者請推治敏，琬曰：「吾實不如前人，無可推也。」 主者乞問其憒憒之狀，琬曰：「苟其不如，則事不理，事不理，則憒憒矣。」 後敏坐事繫獄，眾人猶懼其必死，琬心無適莫，敏得免重罪。
Also Agricultural Supervisor Yang Min— Min once slandered Wan, saying, "In doing affairs he is muddled—truly he does not reach his predecessors. Someone reported this to Wan; the responsible official asked to pursue and punish Min. Wan said, "I truly do not reach my predecessors—there is nothing to pursue. The official begged to ask the form of his muddling. Wan said, "If he is not equal, then affairs are not ordered; if affairs are not ordered, then there is muddling." Later Min was imprisoned for an offense; the crowd still feared he would surely die, but Wan's heart had no near or far, and Min escaped heavy punishment.
31
秋，七月，帝始親臨朝。
In autumn, the seventh month, the emperor began personally to attend court.
32
八月，大赦。
In the eighth month, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
33
冬，十月，吳太常潘濬卒。 吳主以鎮南將軍呂岱代濬，與陸遜共領荊州文書。 岱時年已八十，體素精勤，躬親王事，與遜同心協規，有善相讓，南士稱之。 十二月，吳將廖式殺臨賀太守嚴綱等，自稱平南將軍，攻零陵、桂陽，搖動交州諸郡，眾數萬人，呂岱自表輒行，星夜兼路，吳主遣使追拜交州牧，及遣諸將唐咨等絡繹相繼，攻討一年，破之，斬式及其支黨，郡縣悉平。 岱復還武昌。
In winter, the tenth month, Wu's Minister of Ceremonies Pan Jun died. The Wu ruler made General Who Pacifies the South Lü Dai replace Jun, and with Lu Xun jointly oversaw Jing Province documents. Dai was then already eighty; his person was by nature refined and diligent, personally attending to royal affairs; with Xun he shared one heart and coordinated plans, yielding good to each other—the southern gentlemen praised them. In the twelfth month, Wu general Liao Shi killed Administrator of Linhe Yan Gang and others, styled himself General Who Pacifies the South, attacked Lingling and Guiyang, and shook the commanderies of Jiaozhou—his host numbered tens of thousands. Lü Dai memorialized on his own authority to go at once, traveling day and night by double marches; the Wu ruler sent envoys to confer on him retroactively the post of Governor of Jiaozhou and dispatched generals Tang Zi and others in continuous succession; after a year of attack and suppression they broke them, beheaded Shi and his branch and party, and commanderies and counties were all pacified. Dai again returned to Wuchang.
34
吳都鄉侯周胤將兵千人屯公安，有罪，徙廬陵； 諸葛瑾、步騭為之請。 吳主曰：「昔胤年少，初無功勞，橫受精兵，爵以侯將，蓋念公瑾以及於胤也。 而胤恃此，酗淫自恣，前後告諭，曾無悛改。 孤於公瑾，義猶二君，樂胤成就，豈有已哉！ 迫胤罪惡，未宜便還，且欲苦之，使自知耳。 以公瑾之子，而二君在中間，苟使能改，亦何患乎！」 瑜兄子偏將軍峻卒，全琮請使峻子護領其兵。 吳主曰：「昔走曹操，拓有荊州，皆是公瑾，常不忘之。 初聞峻亡，仍欲用護。 聞護性行危險，用之適為作禍，故更止之。 孤念公瑾，豈有已哉！」
Wu Marquis of the Capital District Zhou Yin led a thousand troops garrisoned at Gong'an; he had guilt and was moved to Luling; Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi pleaded for him. The Wu ruler said, "In the past Yin was young and at first had no merit or labor, yet was given elite troops in excess and ennobled marquis-general—this was thinking of Gongjin and extending it to Yin. Yet Yin relied on this, drunk and dissolute, indulging himself; warnings before and after never brought repentance. I toward Gongjin in righteousness am like two lords; I delight in Yin's accomplishment—how could there be an end! Pressed by Yin's crimes and wickedness, it is not yet fitting to return him at once—I wish rather to distress him so he may know himself. As Gongjin's son, with you two lords in the middle—if he can reform, what is there to fear!" Yu's elder brother's son Partial General Jun died; Quan Cong asked that Jun's son Hu lead his troops. The Wu ruler said, "In the past we routed Cao Cao and expanded to hold Jing Province—all was Gongjin; I never forget it. When I first heard Jun had died, I still wished to employ Hu. Hearing Hu's nature and conduct were perilous, employing him would precisely make disaster—so I stopped again. I think of Gongjin—how could there be an end!"
35
十二月，詔復以建寅之月為正。
In the twelfth month, an edict restored the first month as jianyin.
36
邵陵厲公上
Deposed Emperor of Shaoling, Part One
37
烈祖明皇帝下正始元年（ 庚申，公元二四零年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Zhengshi year 1 ( gengshen cycle, AD 240)
38
春，旱。
In spring, drought.
39
越巂蠻夷數叛漢，殺太守，是後太守不敢之郡，寄治安定縣，去郡八縣餘里。 漢主以巴西張嶷為越巂太守，嶷招慰新附，誅討強猾，蠻夷畏服，郡界悉平，復還舊治。
The barbarians of Yuexi repeatedly rebelled against Han and killed the administrator; thereafter the administrator dared not go to the commandery seat and lodged government at Anding county, more than eight counties' distance from the seat. The Shu emperor made Zhang Ni of Baxi Administrator of Yuexi. Ni comforted the newly attached, punished and attacked the strong and cunning; the barbarians feared and submitted, the commandery borders were all pacified, and he returned to the old seat of government.
40
冬，吳饑。
In winter, Wu suffered famine.
41
烈祖明皇帝下正始二年（ 辛酉，公元二四一年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Zhengshi year 2 ( xinyou cycle, AD 241)
42
春，吳人將伐魏。 零陵太守殷札言於吳主曰：「今天棄曹氏，喪誅累見，虎爭之際而幼童蒞事。 陛下身自御戎，取亂侮亡，宜滌荊、揚之地，舉強羸之數，使強者執戟，羸者轉運。 西命益州，軍於隴右，授諸葛瑾、朱然大眾，直指襄陽，陸遜、朱桓別征壽春，大駕入淮陽，歷青、徐。 襄陽、壽春，困於受敵，長安以西，務御蜀軍，許、洛之眾，勢必分離，掎角並進，民必內應。 將帥對向，或失便宜，一軍敗績，則三軍離心。 便當秣馬脂車，陵蹈城邑，乘勝逐北，以定華夏。 若不悉軍動眾，循前輕舉，則不足大用，易於屢退，民疲威消，時往力竭，非上策也。」 吳主不能用。 夏，四月，吳全琮略淮南，決芍陂，諸葛恪攻六安，朱然圍樊，諸葛瑾攻柤中。 征東將軍王凌、揚州刺史孫禮與全琮戰於芍陂，琮敗走。 荊州刺史胡質以輕兵救樊，或曰：「賊盛，不可迫。」 質曰：「樊城卑兵少，故當進軍為之外援，不然，危矣。」 遂勒兵臨圍，城中乃安。
In spring, the men of Wu were about to campaign against Wei. Administrator of Lingling Yin Zha said to the Wu ruler, "Now Heaven has abandoned the Cao clan; mourning and executions appear in succession—it is the moment of tigers contending while a young child holds affairs. Your Majesty should personally take the army, seize disorder and insult the perishing; you should cleanse the lands of Jing and Yang, raise the count of strong and weak, let the strong bear halberds and the weak transport supplies. Command Yizhou in the west to army on Longyou's right; give Zhuge Jin and Zhu Ran great hosts pointing straight at Xiangyang; Lu Xun and Zhu Huan separately campaign Shouchun; the imperial carriage enters Huaiyang and passes through Qing and Xu. With Xiangyang and Shouchun beset on every side, Wei must hold Chang'an's western flank against Shu while splitting Xu and Luoyang's strength; advance in coordinated pincers and the populace will rise within. Rival commanders may each miss the opportune move; one routed column and the whole campaign loses cohesion. Then harness the army, storm the cities, press the fleeing foe, and secure the Central Plains. Without full mobilization, repeating half-hearted sorties wastes the moment: repeated withdrawals exhaust the people and erode authority until strength fails—that is no winning policy." The Wu ruler would not adopt the plan. In summer's fourth month Wu forces struck on several fronts: Quan Cong raided Huainan and broke Quepi's dam, Zhuge Ke assailed Liu'an, Zhu Ran invested Fan, and Zhuge Jin marched on Zhazhong. Campaign Eastern General Wang Ling and Yangzhou inspector Sun Li met Quan Cong at Quepi and drove him off in defeat. Jingzhou inspector Hu Zhi hurried light forces to Fan's relief; advisers warned, "The enemy is too strong to close with. Hu Zhi replied, "Fan is low-walled and undermanned—I must march to relieve it from outside; otherwise it will fall." He pressed to the siege lines, and the defenders' alarm subsided.
43
五月，吳太子登卒。
In the fifth month the Wu heir apparent Deng died.
44
吳兵猶在荊州，太傅懿曰：「柤中民夷十萬，隔在水南，流離無主，樊城被攻，歷月不解，此危事也，請自討之。」 六月，太傅懿督諸軍救樊； 吳軍聞之，夜遁。 追至三州口，大獲而還。
With Wu still holding Jingzhou, Grand Tutor Sima Yi said, "A hundred thousand folk at Zhazhong south of the river are uprooted and leaderless, and Fan has been besieged a month unresolved—I must lead the relief myself." In the sixth month Sima Yi took command and marched to relieve Fan; the Wu force slipped away overnight at the news. They pursued to Sanzhou Ford, took rich spoils, and withdrew.
45
閏月，吳大將軍諸葛瑾卒。 瑾長子恪先已封侯，吳主以恪弟融襲爵，攝兵業，駐公安。
In the intercalary month Wu grand general Zhuge Jin died. Jin's eldest son Zhuge Ke already held a marquisate; the Wu ruler let his brother Rong succeed the fief, take command, and garrison Gong'an.
46
漢大司馬蔣琬以諸葛亮數出秦川，道險，運糧難，卒無成功。 乃多作舟船，欲乘漢、沔東下，襲魏興、上庸。 會舊疾連動，未時得行。 漢人鹹以為事有不捷，還路甚難，非長策也，漢主遣尚書令費禕、中監軍姜維等喻指。 琬乃上言：「今魏跨帶九州，根蒂滋蔓，平除未易。 若東西並力，首尾掎角，雖未能速得如志，且當分裂蠶食，先摧其支黨。 然吳期二三，連不克果。 輒與費禕等議，以涼州胡塞之要，進退有資，且羌、胡乃心思漢如渴，宜以姜維為涼州刺史。 若維征行，御制河右，臣當帥軍為維鎮繼。 今涪水陸四通，惟急是應，若東北有虞，赴之不難，清徙屯涪。」 漢主從之。
Han grand marshal Jiang Wan saw that Zhuge Liang's repeated thrusts up the Qin valley failed on bad roads and crippling supply lines. He built a large fleet instead, planning to descend the Han and Mian to strike Weixing and Shangyong. Recurrent illness soon kept him from sailing. Han officials judged the plan unlucky and the withdrawal treacherous, no lasting strategy; the Han ruler sent Fei Yi, Jiang Wei, and others to remonstrate. Jiang Wan memorialized, "Wei now grips the nine provinces with spreading roots—uprooting it will not be quick work. Yet if Shu and Wu strike from both ends in a pincer, we can gorge on Wei piecemeal even if victory tarries, nibbling off its limbs first. Wu, however, has missed its deadlines again and again and delivered nothing. I urged Fei Yi and colleagues that Liangzhou's Di and Hu frontier is the pivot for advance and retreat, and those tribes long for Han; appoint Jiang Wei inspector of Liangzhou. Let Wei drive on the Hexi; I will follow with the main army to cover his rear. Fu links by water and road in every direction, ready for any crisis in the northeast; move headquarters to Fu." The Han ruler agreed.
47
朝廷欲廣田畜谷於揚、豫之間，使尚書郎汝南鄧艾行陳、項已東至壽春。 艾以為：「昔太祖破黃巾，因為屯田，積穀許都以制四方。 今三隅已定，事在淮南，每大軍出征，運兵過半，功費巨億。 陳、蔡之間，土下田良，可省許昌左右諸稻田，並水東下，令淮北屯二萬人，淮南三萬人，什二分休，常有四萬人且田且守； 益開河渠以增溉灌，通漕運。 計除眾費，歲完五百萬斛以為軍資，六、七年間，可積三千萬斛於淮上，此則十萬之眾五年食也。 以此乘吳，無不克矣。」 太傅懿善之。 是歲，始開廣漕渠，每東南有事，大興軍眾，泛舟而下，達於江、淮，資食有儲而無水害。
The Wei court sought to enlarge military colonies across Yang and Yu and dispatched Secretariat gentleman Deng Ai from Runan to survey the line from Chen and Xiang east to Shouchun. Deng Ai argued, "When the Grand Ancestor broke the Yellow Turbans he founded tuntian, stockpiling grain at Xu to dominate all quarters. With three fronts pacified the contest has shifted to Huainan, yet every major expedition still spends more than half its strength hauling supplies at staggering cost. Between Chen and Cai the soil is rich; shift some Xuchang rice lands east along the waterways, station twenty thousand colonists north of the Huai and thirty thousand south, rotate one tenth off duty, and keep forty thousand farming and guarding at once; dig canals for irrigation and open waterborne grain routes. Cutting convoy costs, the yearly yield could reach five million hu; in six or seven years thirty million hu would sit on the Huai—enough to feed a hundred thousand soldiers for five years. With that stockpile Wu could not stand." Sima Yi endorsed the plan. That year work widened the grain canal; whenever the southeast flared, armies embarked downstream to the Yangtze and Huai with stores laid in and floods checked.
48
管寧卒。 寧名行高潔，人望之者，邈然若不可及，即之熙熙和易。 能因事導人於善，人無不化服。 及卒，天下知與不知，聞之無不嗟歎。
Guan Ning died. Guan Ning was famed for lofty purity; from afar he seemed unapproachable, yet up close he was genial and accessible. He guided people to goodness through the occasion at hand, and none left unconvinced. When he died, all who heard—friend and stranger alike—sighed in grief.
49
烈祖明皇帝下正始三年（ 壬戌，公元二四二年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Zhengshi year 3 ( renxu, AD 242)
50
春，正月，漢姜維率偏軍自漢中還住涪。
Early in spring Jiang Wei brought a detachment from Hanzhong to Fu.
51
吳主立其子和為太子，大赦。 三月，昌邑景侯滿寵卒。 秋，七月，乙酉，以領軍將軍蔣濟為太尉。
The Wu ruler named his son He heir apparent and granted a general amnesty. In the third month Marquis Jing of Changyi Man Chong died. In autumn's seventh month, on the day yiyou, Colonel of the Palace Guard Jiang Ji was appointed Grand Commandant.
52
吳主遣將軍聶友、校尉陸凱將兵三萬擊儋耳、珠崖。
The Wu ruler sent General Nie You and Colonel Lu Kai with thirty thousand men against Dan'er and Zhuya.
53
八月，吳主封子霸為魯王。 霸，和母弟也，寵愛崇特，與和無殊。 尚書僕射是儀領魯王傅，上疏諫曰：「臣竊以為魯王天挺懿德，兼資文武，當今之宜，宜鎮四方，為國籓輔。 宣揚德美，廣耀威靈，乃國家之良規，海內所瞻望。 且二宮宜有降殺，以正上下之序，明教化之本。」 書三、四上，吳主不聽。
In the eighth month the Wu ruler enfeoffed his son Ba as Prince of Lu. Ba was He's uterine brother yet was petted to the same degree as the heir. Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Shi Yi, as tutor to the Prince of Lu, memorialized, "I hold that Prince Lu, endowed with virtue and versed in civil and military affairs, should now be posted to guard the realm's frontiers as a royal bulwark. Let him spread imperial grace and display martial prestige—that is sound policy and the expectation of the empire. Yet the two palaces should be kept unequal in rank to preserve hierarchy and the lesson of proper order." He sent the memorial three or four times; the Wu ruler ignored him.
54
烈祖明皇帝下正始四年（ 癸亥，公元二四三年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Zhengshi year 4 ( guihai, AD 243)
55
春，正月，帝加元服。 吳諸葛恪襲六安，掩其人民而去。
In spring's first month the emperor came of age. Zhuge Ke of Wu raided Liu'an, carried off the population, and withdrew.
56
夏，四月，立皇后甄氏，大赦。 後，文昭皇后兄儼之孫也。
In summer's fourth month he made Lady Zhen empress and amnestied the realm. The new empress was granddaughter of Emperor Wen's brother Yan.
57
五月，朔，日有食之，既。
On the fifth month's new moon a total solar eclipse occurred.
58
冬，十月，漢蔣琬自漢中還住涪，疾益甚，以漢中太守王平為前監軍、鎮北大將軍，督漢中。
In winter's tenth month Jiang Wan came back from Hanzhong to Fu, failing fast; he appointed Wang Ping front army supervisor and Grand General Who Pacifies the North to command Hanzhong.
59
十一月，漢主以尚書令費禕為大將軍、錄尚書事。
In the eleventh month the Han ruler made Fei Yi grand general and coordinator of the secretariat.
60
吳丞相顧雍卒。
Wu chancellor Gu Yong died.
61
吳諸葛恪遠遣諜人觀相徑要，欲圖壽春。 太傅懿將兵入舒，欲以攻恪，吳主徙恪屯於柴桑。
Zhuge Ke sent distant scouts to map approaches, plotting against Shouchun. Sima Yi marched into Shu to strike Ke, and the Wu ruler shifted Ke's camp to Chaisang.
62
步騭、朱然各上疏於吳主曰：「自蜀還者，鹹言蜀欲背盟，與魏交通，多作舟船，繕治城郭。 又，蔣琬守漢中，聞司馬懿南向，不出兵乘虛以掎角之，反委漢中，還近成都。 事已彰灼，無所復疑，宜為之備。」 吳主答曰：「吾待蜀不薄，聘享盟誓，無所負之，何以致此！ 司馬懿前來入舒，旬日便退。 蜀在萬里，何知緩急而便出兵乎？ 昔魏欲入漢川，此間始嚴，亦未舉動，會聞魏還而止，蜀寧可復以此有疑邪！ 人言苦不可信，朕為諸君破家保之。」
Bu Zhi and Zhu Ran each warned the Wu ruler, "Travelers from Shu report plans to betray the alliance for Wei, with mass shipbuilding and fortification. Jiang Wan remains at Hanzhong yet, hearing Sima Yi marched south, refused a flanking strike and withdrew toward Chengdu. The signs are plain—doubt is gone; arm against it." The Wu ruler answered, "I have never slighted Shu—embassies and treaties bind us—how could they turn so! Sima Yi entered Shu and withdrew within ten days. Shu lies ten thousand li off—how could it judge our pace and march out in time? When Wei once threatened Hanzhong we stiffened defenses without moving until Wei retreated—why should Shu now suspect us of the same! Rumor is treacherous; I will stake my house on their good faith for your sake."
63
征東將軍、都督揚、豫諸軍事王昶上言：「地有常險，守無常勢。 今屯宛去襄陽三百餘里，有急不足相赴。」 遂徙屯新野。
Campaign Eastern General Wang Chang, overseer of Yang and Yu, memorialized, "Terrain offers fixed advantages, but defense has no fixed posture. Our camp at Wan lies three hundred li from Xiangyang—too far to answer a sudden alarm." He shifted headquarters to Xinye.
64
宗室曹冏上書曰：「古之王者，必建同姓以明親親，必樹異姓以明賢賢。 親親之道專用，則其漸也微弱； 賢賢之道偏任，則其敝也劫奪。 先聖知其然也，故博求親疏而並用之，故能保其社稷，歷經長久。 今魏尊尊之法雖明，親親之道未備，或任而不重，或釋而不任。 臣竊惟此，寢不安席，謹撰合所聞，論其成敗曰：昔夏、商、周歷世數十，而秦二世而亡。 何則？ 三代之君與天下共其民，故天下同其憂； 秦王獨制其民，故傾危而莫救也。 秦觀周之弊，以為小弱見奪，於是廢五等之爵，立郡縣之官，內無宗子以自毘輔，外無諸侯以為籓衛，譬猶芟刈股肱，獨任胸腹。 觀者為之寒心，而始皇晏然自以為子孫帝王萬世之業也，豈不悖哉！ 故漢祖奮三尺之劍，驅烏集之眾，五年之中，遂成帝業。 何則？ 伐深根者難為功，摧枯朽者易為力，理勢然也。 漢監秦之失，封殖子弟； 及諸呂擅權，圖危劉氏，而天下所以不傾動者，徒以諸侯強大，盤石膠固故也。 然高祖封建，地過古制，故賈誼以為欲天下之治安，莫若眾建諸侯而少其力； 文帝不從。 至於孝景，猥用晁錯之計，削黜諸侯，遂有七國之患。 蓋兆發高帝，釁鐘文、景，由寬之過制，急之不漸故也。 所謂『末大必折，尾大難掉』，尾同於體，猶或不從，況乎非體之尾，其可掉哉！ 武帝從主父之策，下推恩之令，自是之後，遂以陵夷，子孫微弱，衣食租稅，不預政事。 至於哀、平，王氏秉權，假周公之事而為田常之亂，宗室王侯，或乃為之符命，頌莽恩德，豈不哀哉！ 由斯言之，非宗子獨忠孝於惠、文之間而叛逆於哀、平之際也，徒權輕勢弱，不能有定耳。 賴光武皇帝挺不世之姿，擒王莽於已成，紹漢嗣於既絕，斯豈非宗子之力也！ 而曾不監秦之失策，襲周之舊制，至於桓、靈，閹宦用事，郡孤立於上，臣弄權於下； 由是天下鼎沸，奸宄並爭，宗廟焚為灰燼，宮室變為榛藪。 太祖皇帝龍飛鳳翔，掃除凶逆。 大魏之興，於今二十有四年矣。 觀五代之存亡而不用其長策，睹前車之傾覆而不改於轍跡。 子弟王空虛之地，君有不使之民； 宗室竄於閭閻，不聞邦國之政； 權均匹夫，勢齊凡庶。 內無深根不拔之固，外無盤石宗盟之助，非所以安社稷，為萬世之業也。 且今之州牧、郡守，古之方伯、諸侯，皆跨有千里之土，兼軍武之任，或比國數人，或兄弟並據； 而宗室子弟曾無一人間廁其間，與相維制，非所以強幹弱枝，備萬一之虞也。 今之用賢，或超為名都之主，或為偏師之帥； 而宗室有文者必限小縣之宰，有武者必致百人之上，非所以勸進賢能、褒異宗室之禮也。 語曰：『百足之蟲，至死不僵』，以其扶之者眾也。 此言雖小，可以譬大。 是以聖王安不忘危，存不忘亡，故天下有變而無傾危之患矣。」 冏冀以此論感寤曹爽，爽不能用。
Imperial clansman Cao Jiong memorialized, "Ancient kings enfeoffed kinsmen to cement blood ties and elevated outsiders to honor merit. Rely only on kin and power thins; lean only on outsiders and usurpation follows. Sages knew this and used kin and outsiders together, keeping state and throne for ages. Wei honors rank yet neglects kin-support—some clansmen are named but not empowered, others freed but not trusted. I brood on this sleeplessly and set out what I know of success and failure: Xia, Shang, and Zhou endured dozens of reigns; Qin collapsed in two. Why? The Three Dynasties' kings shared the people with the realm, so the realm shared their troubles; Qin's king ruled the people alone, and when crisis came none could rescue him. Qin saw Zhou's weakness in petty lords and abolished the five ranks for commanderies and counties, leaving no kin within to brace the throne and no feudal shields without—like cutting off limbs and trusting the torso alone. Onlookers shuddered, yet the First Emperor calmly assumed his line would rule forever—how perverse! Thus the Han founder drew his sword, rallied a scattered host, and within five years won the empire. Why? Uprooting deep roots is arduous; snapping dry wood is easy—that is the way of things. Han learned from Qin and enfeoffed the imperial house; When the Lü clan seized power and threatened the Liu throne, the realm held firm only because powerful feudal lords stood like bedrock. Yet Gaozu had granted lands beyond ancient measure, so Jia Yi urged many small feudatories to keep the realm at peace; Emperor Wen did not heed him. Under Emperor Jing he rashly adopted Chao Cuo's scheme to strip the princes, provoking the Rebellion of the Seven States. The trouble began with Gaozu's overgenerous grants and erupted under Wen and Jing through lenience followed by sudden harshness. As the saying runs, 'A branch too heavy must snap, a tail too large cannot wag'—even a tail part of the body may refuse command; how much less an alien appendage! Emperor Wu took Zhufu Yan's advice and issued the grace decree; thereafter the feudal lines dwindled, their heirs living on stipends alone, barred from politics. By the reigns of Ai and Ping, the Wang clan held power, cloaking usurpation in Zhou Gong's name while acting like Tian Chang; some imperial princes even forged omens and sang Wang Mang's praises—how pitiable! This shows that imperial clansmen were not loyal only under Hui and Wen and rebellious only under Ai and Ping; they simply lacked weight and strength to hold the realm steady. Thanks to Emperor Guangwu's unmatched force of character, who seized Wang Mang at the height of his triumph and restored Han when the line seemed dead—was that not the work of the imperial clan! Yet none took warning from Qin's mistakes or Zhou's example; by Huan and Ling, eunuchs ruled, the throne isolated above while ministers manipulated power below; The empire seethed, traitors and rebels contended, ancestral temples burned to ash, and palace halls reverted to wilderness. The Grand Ancestor rose like dragon and phoenix, sweeping away the vicious and rebellious. Great Wei has now stood for twenty-four years. They watched five dynasties rise and fall yet ignored the lessons; they saw the overturned cart ahead yet would not change course. Princes held hollow domains while the ruler commanded subjects he could not deploy; The imperial clan dwelt in ordinary lanes, shut out from statecraft; Their power matched any commoner's; their standing equaled ordinary folk. Within lay no deep-rooted strength; without lay no bedrock of clan allies—hardly the way to secure the realm for generations. Today's provincial governors and prefects are the feudal lords of old, each commanding a thousand li and both civil and military power—some several princes in one region, some brothers sharing command; Yet no imperial clansman stood among them to balance power—not the way to strengthen the center, weaken the periphery, and guard against disaster. Worthy men today are made masters of great cities or commanders of independent armies; Literary clansmen were capped at petty county magistrates, martial ones at centurion rank—hardly the ritual to honor merit and elevate the royal house. As the saying runs, "A centipede stiffens only in death because so many legs hold it up." Though a small saying, it illumines a great truth. Hence the sage king, secure, never forgot peril; in prosperity never forgot ruin—so when trouble came, the realm did not topple." Jiong hoped this discourse would move Cao Shuang, but Shuang would not heed it.
65
烈祖明皇帝下正始五年（ 甲子，公元二四四年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Zhengshi year 5 ( jiazi cycle, AD 244)
66
春，正月，吳主以上大將軍陸遜為丞相，其州牧、都護、領武昌事如故。
In spring, the first month, the Wu ruler made Superior Grand General Lu Xun chancellor while his posts as regional inspector, chief protector, and administrator of Wuchang remained unchanged.
67
征西將軍、都督雍、涼諸軍事夏侯玄，大將軍爽之姑子也。 玄辟李勝為長史，勝及尚書鄧颺欲令爽立威名於天下，勸使伐蜀； 太傅懿止之，不能得。 三月，爽西至長安，發卒十餘萬人，與玄自駱谷入漢中。 漢中守兵不滿三萬，諸將皆恐，欲守城不出以待涪兵。 王平曰：「漢中去涪垂千里，賊若得關，便為深禍，今宜先遣劉護軍據興勢，平為後拒； 若賊分向黃金，平帥千人下自臨之，比爾間涪軍亦至，此計之上也。」 諸將皆疑，惟護軍劉敏與平意同，遂帥所領據興勢，多張旗幟，彌亙百餘里。
General Who Conquers the West Xiahou Xuan, supreme commander on the Yong-Liang frontier, was Grand General Cao Shuang's nephew. Xuan recruited Li Sheng as chief clerk; Sheng and Secretariat Director Deng Yang sought glory for Shuang and urged an invasion of Shu; Grand Tutor Sima Yi opposed it but could not prevail. In the third month, Shuang reached Chang'an, mobilized over a hundred thousand troops, and with Xuan entered Hanzhong through Lu Valley. Hanzhong held fewer than thirty thousand defenders; the generals feared siege and wanted to wait inside for reinforcements from Fu. Wang Ping said, "Hanzhong lies a thousand li from Fu; if the enemy takes the pass, disaster follows. Send Protector Liu to hold Xingshi while I cover the rear; if they split toward Huangjin, I will lead a thousand men down to meet them; by then Fu's army should arrive—this is the best plan." The generals doubted, but Protector Liu Min agreed with Ping; they led their troops to Xingshi and planted banners along more than a hundred li of road.
68
閏月，漢主遣大將軍費禕督諸軍救漢中，將行，光祿大夫來敏詣禕別，求共圍棋； 於時羽檄交至，人馬擐甲，嚴駕已訖，禕與敏對戲，色無厭倦。 敏曰：「向聊觀試君耳。 君信可人，必能辦賊者也。」
In the intercalary month, the Shu emperor sent Grand General Fei Yi to rescue Hanzhong; as he prepared to leave, Palace Doctor Lai Min visited to bid farewell and asked for a game of go; Urgent dispatches piled up, men and horses were armored, departure was set—and Yi played on without a trace of weariness. Min said, "I was only testing you a moment ago. You are truly reliable—you will surely defeat the enemy."
69
夏，四月，丙辰朔，日有食之。
In summer, the fourth month, on the first day bingchen, there was a solar eclipse.
70
大將軍爽兵距興勢不得進，關中及氐、羌轉輸不能供，牛馬騾驢多死，民夷號泣道路，涪軍及費禕兵繼至。 參軍楊偉為爽陳形勢，宜急還，不然，將敗。 鄧颺、李勝與偉爭於爽前。 偉曰：「颺、勝將敗國家事，可斬也！」 爽不悅。 太傅懿與夏侯玄書曰：「《春秋》責大德重。 昔武皇帝再入漢中，幾至大敗，君所知也。 今興勢至險，蜀已先據，若進不獲戰，退見邀絕，覆軍必矣，將何以任其責！」 玄懼，言於爽； 五月，引軍還。 費禕進據三嶺以截爽，爽爭險苦戰，僅乃得過，失亡甚眾，關中為之虛耗。
Cao Shuang's army stalled at Xingshi; Guanzhong and the Di and Qiang could not keep supplies moving; draft animals died in droves and people wailed along the roads as Fu's troops and Fei Yi's army arrived in succession. Staff Officer Yang Wei urged Shuang to withdraw at once or face defeat. Deng Yang and Li Sheng argued against Wei before Shuang. Wei said, "Yang and Sheng will ruin the state—they deserve execution!" Shuang took offense. Grand Tutor Sima Yi wrote Xiahou Xuan, "The Spring and Autumn Annals holds great virtue to great weight. Emperor Wu twice invaded Hanzhong and nearly met disaster, as you know. Xingshi is desperately narrow and Shu already holds it; advance without battle, retreat with the way blocked, and the army is ruined—how will you answer for that!" Xuan was alarmed and spoke to Shuang; In the fifth month, they withdrew. Fei Yi seized San Ridge to cut off Shuang's retreat; Shuang fought through the narrows at terrible cost and barely escaped, losing a great host and exhausting Guanzhong.
71
秋，八月，秦王詢卒。
In autumn, the eighth month, Prince of Qin Cao Xun died.
72
冬，十二月，安陽孝侯崔林卒。
In winter, the twelfth month, Marquis of Anyang Cui Lin died.
73
是歲，漢大司馬琬以病固讓州職於大將軍禕，漢主乃以禕為益州刺史，以侍中董允守尚書令，為禕之副。 時戰國多事，公務煩猥，禕為尚書令，識悟過人，每省讀文書，舉目暫視，已究其意旨，其速數倍於人，終亦不忘。 常以朝晡聽事，其間接納賓客，飲食嬉戲，加之博弈，每盡人之歡，事亦不廢。 及董允代禕，欲學禕之所行，旬日之中，事多愆滯。 允乃歎曰：「人才力相遠若此，非吾之所及也！」 乃聽事終日而猶有不暇焉。
That year, Shu Grand Minister of War Jiang Wan, ill, firmly ceded his provincial duties to Grand General Fei Yi; the Shu emperor made Yi Governor of Yizhou and Attendant-in-Ordinary Dong Yun acting Director of the Secretariat as his deputy. War multiplied business; as Director of the Secretariat, Yi's grasp was uncanny—a glance sufficed to master a document, several times faster than others, and he forgot nothing. He held court morning and evening, yet between sessions received guests, feasted, frolicked, and played games—giving everyone full enjoyment while business never lagged. When Dong Yun succeeded him and tried to imitate his ways, within ten days affairs piled up in arrears. Yun sighed, "Talents differ so widely—this is beyond me!" He worked all day and still could not keep up.
74
烈祖明皇帝下正始六年（ 乙丑，公元二四五年）
Emperor Ming the Illustrious Ancestor, Part Three (conclusion), Zhengshi year 6 ( yichou cycle, AD 245)
75
春，正月，以票騎將軍趙儼為司空。
In spring, the first month, General of Agile Cavalry Zhao Yan was made Minister of Works.
76
吳太子和與魯王同宮，禮秩如一，群臣多以為言，吳主乃命分宮別僚； 二子由是有隙。 衛將軍全琮遣其子寄事魯王，以書告丞相陸遜，遜報曰：「子弟苟有才，不憂不用，不宜私出以要榮利； 若其不佳，終為取禍。 且聞二宮勢敵，必有彼此，此古人之厚忌也。」 寄果阿附魯王，輕為交構。 遜書與琮曰：「卿不師日磾而宿留阿寄，終為足下門戶致禍矣。」 琮既不納遜言，更以致隙。 魯王曲意交結當時名士。 偏將軍朱績以膽力稱，王自至其廨，就之坐，欲與結好。 績下地住立，辭而不當。 績，然之子也。 於是自侍御、賓客，造為二端，仇黨疑貳，滋延大臣，舉國中分。 吳主聞之，假以精學，禁斷賓客往來。 督軍使者羊道上疏曰：「聞明詔省奪二宮備衛，抑絕賓客，使四方禮敬不復得通，遠近悚然，大小失望。 或謂二宮不遵典式，就如所嫌，猶宜補察，密加斟酌，不使遠近得容異言。 臣懼積疑成謗，久將宣流，而西北二隅，去國不遠，將謂二宮有順之愆，不審陛下何以解之！」
Crown Prince He and the Prince of Lu shared a palace with equal honors; after many ministers spoke up, the Wu ruler ordered them separated; and the two princes bore a grudge from that day. Defender General Quan Cong sent his son Ji to serve the Prince of Lu and wrote Chancellor Lu Xun; Xun replied, "Talented kin need not fear employment; they must not court favor privately for gain; if they lack talent, they will only invite disaster. And when two courts are evenly matched, rivalry follows—what ancients feared above all." Ji did fawn on the Prince of Lu and lightly wove intrigues. Xun wrote Cong, "You have not learned from Jin Midi yet harbor this flatterer Ji—you will bring disaster on your house." Cong ignored Xun and their estrangement deepened. The Prince of Lu cultivated the leading men of the day with studied grace. Partial General Zhu Ji was famed for courage; the prince came to his office and sat beside him, seeking friendship. Ji stepped down and stood, declining the honor. Ji was the son of Zhu Ran. Thereafter retainers and guests took opposing sides, factions formed, suspicion spread among the great ministers, and the realm divided in two. The Wu ruler heard of it, citing the need for diligent study, and barred guests from visiting either prince. Army inspector Yang Dao memorialized, "I hear that the edict stripped both palaces of guards and barred guests, so that courtesy from every quarter can no longer reach them; near and far are alarmed, high and low dismayed. Some say both princes breach protocol; even if that is so, they should be quietly investigated and judged, not left open to rumor from every quarter. I fear suspicion will harden into slander and spread; the northwest frontiers lie close, and men will read this as proof of rebellion in both palaces—how will Your Majesty answer them!"
77
吳主長女魯班適左護軍全琮，少女小虎適驃騎將軍朱據。 全公主與太子母王夫人有隙，吳主欲立王夫人為後，公主阻子； 恐太子立怨己，心不自安，數譖毀太子。 吳主寢疾，遣太子禱於長沙桓王廟，太子妃叔父張休居近廟，邀太子過所居。 全公主使人覘視，因言「太子不在廟中，專就妃家計議」，又言「王夫人見上寢疾，有喜色」，吳主由是發怒。 夫人以憂死，太子寵益衰。 魯王之黨楊竺、全寄、吳安、孫奇等共譖毀太子，吳主惑焉。 陸遜上疏諫曰：「太子正統，宜有盤石之固； 魯王籓臣，當使寵佚有差。 彼此得所，上下獲安。」 書三四上，辭情危切； 又欲詣都，口陳嫡庶之義。 吳主不悅。 太常顧譚，遜之甥也，亦上疏曰：「臣聞有國有家者，必明嫡庶之端，異尊卑之禮，使高下有差，等級逾邈； 如此，則骨肉之恩全，覬覦之望絕。 昔賈誼陳治安之計，論諸侯之勢，以為勢重雖親，必有逆節之累，勢輕雖疏，必有保全之祚。 故淮南親弟，不終饗國，失之於勢重也； 吳芮疏臣，傳祚長沙，得之於勢輕也。 昔漢文帝使慎夫人與皇后同席，袁盎退夫人之位，帝有怒色； 及盎辨上下之義，陳人彘之戒，帝既悅懌，夫人亦悟。 今臣所陳，非有所偏，誠欲以安太子而便魯王也。」 由是魯王與譚有隙。 芍陂之役，譚弟承及張休皆有功； 全琮子端、緒與之爭功，譖承、休於吳主，吳主徙譚、承、休於交州，又追賜休死。 太子太傅吾粲請使魯王出鎮夏口，出楊竺等不得令在京師，又數以消息語陸遜； 魯王與楊竺共譖之，吳主怒，收粲下獄，誅。 數遣中使責問陸遜，遜憤恚而卒。 其子抗為建武校尉，代領遜眾，送葬東還，吳主以楊竺所白遜二十事問抗，抗事事條答，吳主意乃稍解。
The Wu ruler's eldest daughter Luban was married to Left Protector of the Army Quan Cong; the younger, Xiaohu, to General of Agile Cavalry Zhu Ju. Princess Quan feuded with the crown prince's mother Lady Wang; when the Wu ruler wished to make Lady Wang empress, the princess blocked it; fearing the crown prince would resent her once enthroned, she grew uneasy and repeatedly slandered him. When the Wu ruler fell ill, he sent the crown prince to pray at the Temple of Prince Huan of Changsha; the prince's uncle by marriage Zhang Xiu lived nearby and invited him to call. Princess Quan had him watched and reported, "The crown prince never reached the temple but went straight to his in-laws to plot," and added, "Lady Wang looked pleased at the sovereign's illness." The Wu ruler flew into a rage. Lady Wang died of grief, and the crown prince's favor waned further. The Prince of Lu's partisans Yang Zhu, Quan Ji, Wu An, Sun Qi, and others joined in slandering the crown prince, and the Wu ruler was swayed. Lu Xun memorialized in protest, "The crown prince is the legitimate heir and should stand firm as bedrock; the Prince of Lu is a feudal prince and should receive favor in due measure. Each in his proper place, high and low will be secure." He sent three or four such memorials, each urgent in tone; and wished to go to court in person to speak on the rights of heir and younger son. The Wu ruler was displeased. Grand Master of Ceremonies Gu Tan, Lu Xun's nephew, also memorialized, "I have heard that whoever holds state and house must mark the line between heir and younger son, set honor and rank apart, keep high and low at distance; then kinship holds firm and covetous hopes die. Jia Yi once urged policies for order, arguing that great power in a kinsman, however close, breeds rebellion, while light power in a distant kinsman brings safety. Prince Liu An of Huainan, the emperor's own brother, never kept his realm—power undid him; Wu Rui, a distant subject, held Changsha for generations—light power preserved him. When Emperor Wen of Han seated Lady Shen beside the empress, Yuan Ang moved her down; the emperor flushed with anger; but when Ang explained rank and cited the fate of Lady Qi, the emperor was appeased and Lady Shen understood. What I urge is no partiality—I mean only to secure the crown prince and spare the Prince of Lu." The Prince of Lu thereafter bore a grudge against Tan. At the battle of Quepi, Tan's younger brother Cheng and Zhang Xiu both won merit; Quan Cong's sons Duan and Xu disputed merit with them and slandered Cheng and Xiu to the Wu ruler; the Wu ruler moved Tan, Cheng, and Xiu to Jiaozhou and further posthumously granted Xiu death. Crown Prince Grand Tutor Wu Can asked that the Prince of Lu be sent out to garrison Xiakou, that Yang Zhu and others be sent out and not allowed in the capital, and repeatedly sent word to Lu Xun; the Prince of Lu and Yang Zhu together slandered him; the Wu ruler was angry, seized Can and put him in prison, and executed him. He repeatedly sent palace envoys to rebuke and question Lu Xun; Xun died of rage and resentment. His son Kang was Colonel of Establishing Martiality, succeeding to command Xun's troops; escorting the funeral east and returning, the Wu ruler questioned Kang on the twenty matters Yang Zhu had reported against Xun; Kang answered each item by item, and the Wu ruler's mind was then somewhat eased.
78
夏，六月，都鄉穆侯趙儼卒。
In summer, the sixth month, the Revered Marquis of the Capital District Zhao Yan died.
79
秋，七月，吳將軍馬茂謀殺吳主及大臣以應魏，事洩，並黨與皆族誅。
In autumn, the seventh month, Wu general Ma Mao plotted to kill the Wu ruler and great ministers to respond to Wei; the affair leaked, and he and his partisans were all executed to the clan.
80
八月，以太常高柔為司空。
In the eighth month, Minister of Ceremonies Gao Rou was made Minister of Works.
81
漢甘太后殂。
Shu's Empress Dowager Gan died.
82
吳主遣校尉陳勳將屯田及作士三萬人，鑿句容中道，自小其至雲陽西城，通會市，作邸閣。
The Wu ruler sent Colonel Chen Xun to lead thirty thousand men of agricultural garrisons and construction laborers to cut the middle route at Jurong, from Xiaoji to the western city of Yunyang, connecting market towns and building relay lodges.
83
冬，十一月，漢大司馬琬卒。
In winter, the eleventh month, Shu's Grand Marshal Wan died.
84
十二月，漢費禕至漢中，行圍守。 漢尚書令董允卒； 以尚書呂乂為尚書令。 董允秉心公亮，獻可替否，備盡忠益，漢主甚嚴憚之。 宦人黃皓，便僻佞慧，漢主愛之。 允上則正色規主，下則數責於皓。 皓畏允，不敢為非，終允之世，皓位不過黃門丞。 費禕以選曹郎汝南陳祗代允為侍中，祗矜厲有威容，多技藝，挾智數，故禕以為賢，越次而用之。 祗與皓相表裡，皓始預政，累遷至中常侍，操弄威柄，終以覆國。 自陳祗有寵，而漢主追怨董允日深，謂為自輕，由祗阿意迎合而皓浸潤構間故也。
In the twelfth month, Shu's Fei Yi reached Hanzhong and conducted encirclement hunts and defense. Shu's Director of the Masters of Writing Dong Yun died; Master of Writing Lü Yi was made Director of the Masters of Writing. Dong Yun held his heart fair and bright, offered what was acceptable and replaced what was not, exhaustively fulfilling loyalty and benefit—the Shu emperor greatly feared and respected him. Eunuch Huang Hao was facile, fawning, and clever; the Shu emperor loved him. Yun upward with stern countenance admonished the ruler; downward he repeatedly rebuked Hao. Hao feared Yun and dared not do wrong; through Yun's lifetime Hao's post did not exceed Yellow Gate Assistant. Fei Yi made Selection Bureau Gentleman Chen Zhi of Runan replace Yun as Palace Attendant; Zhi was stern and imposing in bearing, skilled in many arts, and relied on stratagem—hence Yi held him worthy and used him out of order. Zhi and Hao were inside and outside to each other; Hao began to participate in government, was repeatedly promoted to Regular Palace Attendant, manipulated authority, and in the end brought the state to ruin. From the time Chen Zhi had favor, the Shu emperor's growing resentment of Dong Yun deepened daily, thinking himself slighted—because Zhi flattered intent and complied while Hao seeped in and built divisions.