1
資治通鑑第102卷
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 102.
2
【晉紀二十四】起屠維大荒落，盡上章敦牂，凡二年。
Jin Annals 24: From Tuyang Dahuangluo through Shangzhang Dunzang—two years in all.
3
海西公下太和四年（ 己巳，公元三六九年）
Under the Deposed Emperor, fourth year of Taihe ( jisi, AD 369)
4
春，三月，大司馬溫請與徐、兗二州刺史郗愔、江州刺史桓沖、豫州刺史袁真等伐燕。 初，愔在北府，溫常雲：「京口酒可飲，兵可用。」 深不欲愔居之； 而愔暗於事機，乃遺溫箋，欲共獎王室，請督所部出河上。 愔子超為溫參軍，取視，寸寸毀裂，乃更作愔箋，自陳非將帥才，不堪軍旅，老病，乞閒地自養，勸溫並領己所統。 溫得箋大喜，即轉愔冠軍將軍、會稽內史，溫自領徐、兗二州刺史。 夏，四月，庚戌，溫帥步騎五萬發姑孰。
In spring, the third month, Grand Marshal Huan Wen asked to lead a campaign against Yan with Xi Yin, governor of Xu and Yan, Huan Chong of Jiang Province, Yuan Zhen of Yu Province, and the rest. Earlier, while Xi Yin held the Northern Headquarters at Jingkou, Huan Wen had often remarked, "The wine at Jingkou is worth drinking, and the soldiers there are worth using." He was deeply unwilling to let Yin keep that post; but Yin failed to read the situation and sent Wen a letter offering to rally the royal house and asking to lead his forces north of the Yellow River. Yin's son Xi Chao served as an aide on Wen's staff; he read the letter, tore it to shreds, and drafted a replacement in Yin's name declaring that he was no commander, unfit for the field, old and ill, and begging a quiet appointment to recover, while urging Wen to absorb his troops. Wen was delighted by the letter and at once moved Yin to General Who Establishes Might and interior administrator of Kuaiji, while taking the Xu and Yan governorships for himself. In summer, the fourth month, on the day gengxu, Wen marched from Gudu at the head of fifty thousand foot and horse.
5
甲子，燕主暐立皇後可足渾氏，太后從弟尚書令豫章公翼之女也。
On the day jiazi, the Yan ruler Murong Wei made Lady Kezuhun his empress; she was the daughter of Yizhang Duke Murong Yi, the empress dowager's cousin and minister of the masters of writing.
6
大司馬溫自兗州伐燕。 郗超曰：「道遠，汴水又淺，恐漕運難通。」 溫不從。 六月，辛丑，溫至金鄉，天旱，水道絕，溫使冠軍將軍毛虎生鑿巨野三百裡，引汶水會於清水。 虎生，寶之子也。 溫引舟師自清水入河，舳艫數百裡。 郗超曰：「清水入河，難以通運。 若寇不戰，運道又絕，因敵為資，復無所得，此危道也。 不若盡舉見眾直趨鄴城，彼畏公威名，必望風逃潰，北歸遼、碣。 若能出戰，則事可立決。 若欲城鄴而守之，則當此盛夏，難為功力。 百姓布野，盡為官有，易水以南必交臂請命矣。 但恐明公以此計輕銳，勝負難必，欲務持重，則莫若頓兵河、濟，控引漕運，俟資儲充備，至來夏乃進兵； 雖如賒遲，然期於成功而已。 捨此二策而連軍北上，進不速決，退必愆乏。 賊因此勢以日月相引，漸及秋冬，水更澀滯。 且北土早寒，三軍裘褐者少，恐於時所憂，非獨無食而已。」 溫又不從。
Grand Marshal Huan Wen advanced against Yan from Yan Province. Xi Chao said, "The march is long, and the Bian is shallow again—we may not be able to keep the supply line open by water." Wen would not listen. In the sixth month, on xinchou, Wen reached Jinxiang in a drought that had dried the waterways; he ordered General Who Establishes Might Mao Husheng to cut a three-hundred-li channel through Juye to bring the Wen River into the Qing. Husheng was a son of Mao Bao. Wen brought his fleet from the Qing into the Yellow River until the convoy stretched for hundreds of li. Xi Chao said again, "Once the Qing joins the Yellow River, supplies will be hard to move. If the enemy refuses battle and the line is cut again, we would live off them yet take nothing—this is a dangerous path. Better to throw every man you have straight at Ye; they fear your name and will break and flee north to Liao and Jie. If they come out to fight, the matter can be decided quickly. If you mean to fortify Ye and hold it, midsummer makes that work nearly impossible. The people are scattered across the countryside and would all become yours; south of the Yi they would fold their arms and surrender. Yet you may think this plan too bold and the outcome uncertain; if you want caution, halt on the Yellow and Ji, secure the water route, fill the granaries, and march only next summer; slow as that seems, it is the way to succeed. If you reject both and push north in one long column, advance without a quick decision and retreat will mean want and exhaustion. The enemy will drag things out day by day; by autumn and winter the rivers will run lower still. The north turns cold early, and few of the troops have winter gear—your seasonal worry will not be food alone." Again Wen would not listen.
7
溫遣建威將軍檀玄攻湖陸，拔之，獲燕寧東將軍慕容忠。 燕主暐以下邳王厲為征討大都督，帥步騎二萬逆戰於黃墟，厲兵大敗，單馬奔還。 高平太守徐翻舉郡來降。 前鋒鄧遐、朱序敗燕將傅顏於林渚。 暐復遣樂安王臧統諸軍拒溫，臧不能抗； 乃遣散騎常侍李鳳求救於秦。
Wen sent General Who Establishes Might Tan Xuan against Hulu, captured the place, and took Yan's General Who Pacifies the East Murong Zhong. Murong Wei made Prince of Xiapi Murong Li grand commander for the counterattack and led twenty thousand foot and horse to Huangxu; Li was routed and rode back alone. Xu Fan, administrator of Gaoping, surrendered his entire commandery. The vanguard Deng Xian and Zhu Xu defeated Yan general Fu Yan at Linzhu. Wei sent Prince of Le'an Murong Zang to command the armies against Wen, but Zang could not hold; so he sent attendant cavalier Li Feng to seek aid from Former Qin.
8
秋，七月，溫屯武陽，燕故兗州刺史孫元帥其族黨起兵應溫。 溫至枋頭，暐及太傅評大懼，謀奔和龍。 吳王垂曰：「臣請擊之； 若其不捷，走未晚也。」 暐乃以垂代樂安王臧為使持節、南討大都督，帥征南將軍范陽王德等眾五萬以拒溫。 垂表司徒左長史申胤、黃門侍郎封孚、尚書郎悉羅騰皆從軍。 胤，鐘之子； 孚，放之子也。
In autumn, the seventh month, Wen camped at Wuyang while Sun Yuan, Yan's former governor of Yan Province, rallied his kin to join Wen. When Wen reached Fangtou, Wei and Grand Tutor Murong Ping were terrified and planned to flee to Helong. Prince of Wu Murong Chui said, "Let me attack them; if we fail, it will still be time to run." Wei then replaced Murong Zang with Chui as commissioner with full powers and grand commander for the southern campaign, leading General Who Campaigns South Prince of Fanyang Murong De and fifty thousand men against Wen. Chui asked that chief clerk of the masters of writing Shen Yin, gentleman attendant at the yellow gate Feng Fu, and master of writing Xiluo Teng join the campaign. Yin was a son of Shen Zhong; Fu was a son of Feng Fang.
9
暐又遣散騎侍郎樂嵩請救於秦，許賂以虎牢以西之地。 秦王堅引群臣議於東堂，皆曰：「昔桓溫伐我，至灞上，燕不我救。 今溫伐燕，我何救焉！ 且燕不稱籓於我，我何為救之！」 王猛密言於堅曰：「燕雖強大，慕容評非溫敵也。 若溫舉山東，進屯洛邑，收幽、冀之兵，引並、豫之粟，觀兵崤、澠，則陛下大事去矣。 今不如與燕合兵以退溫； 溫退，燕亦病矣，然後我承其弊而取之，不亦善乎！」 堅從之。 八月，遣將軍苟池、洛州刺史鄧羌帥步騎二萬以救燕，出自洛陽，軍至穎川； 又遣散騎侍郎姜撫報使於燕。 以王猛為尚書令。
Wei also sent attendant cavalier Yue Song to Qin for aid, offering all territory west of Hulao as payment. King Fu Jian of Qin consulted his ministers in the Eastern Hall; all said, "When Huan Wen attacked us and reached Bashang, Yan did not help us. Now Wen attacks Yan—why should we save them! Besides, Yan does not acknowledge us as suzerain—why intervene!" Wang Meng told Jian privately, "Yan is strong, but Murong Ping cannot stand against Wen. If Wen takes Shandong, camps at Luoyang, gathers the armies of You and Ji, draws grain from Bing and Yu, and threatens Xiao and Mian, your great enterprise is finished. Better to join Yan now and drive Wen back; when Wen withdraws Yan will be spent, and we can take them at their weakness—is that not wise!" Jian agreed. In the eighth month he sent General Gou Chi and Luo governor Deng Qiang with twenty thousand foot and horse to aid Yan; they left Luoyang and reached Yingchuan; and sent attendant cavalier Jiang Fu as envoy to Yan. Wang Meng was appointed Director of the Masters of Writing.
10
太子太傅封孚問於申胤曰：「溫眾強士整，乘流直進，今大軍徒逡巡高岸，兵不接刃，未見克殄之理，事將何如？」 胤曰：「以溫今日聲勢，似能有為。 然在吾觀之，必無成功。 何則？ 晉室衰弱，溫專制其國，晉之朝臣未必皆與之同心。 故溫之得志，眾所不願也，必將乖阻以敗其事。 又，溫驕而恃眾，怯於應變。 大眾深入，值可乘之會，反更逍遙中流，不出赴利，欲望持久，坐取全勝； 若糧廩愆懸，情見勢屈，必不戰自敗，此自然之數也。」 溫以燕降人段思為鄉導，悉羅騰與溫戰，生擒思。 溫使故趙將李述徇趙、魏，騰又與虎賁中郎將染干津擊斬之，溫軍奪氣。
Grand Tutor of the Heir Feng Fu asked Shen Yin, "Wen's host is strong and his troops in order; he drives upriver in a straight rush. Our army only prowls the high banks without closing—how can we destroy him? What will happen?" Yin said, "By his present fame and force Wen looks capable. Yet in my view he cannot succeed. Why? The Jin house is weak and Wen dominates the state; the court is not necessarily united behind him. His success is what many do not want; they will work against him and ruin the campaign. He is arrogant, overconfident in numbers, and slow to adapt. His army is deep in enemy country; when a chance came he lingered on the river instead of striking, hoping to wait out a complete victory; when the granaries fail and his plight shows, he will collapse without a battle—that is how these things go." Wen used the Yan defector Duan Si as guide; Xiluo Teng fought him and took Si alive. Wen sent the former Zhao general Li Shu to sweep Zhao and Wei; Teng and Tiger Guard central commander Ranggan Jin killed him, and Wen's army lost heart.
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初，溫使豫州刺史袁真攻譙、梁，開石門以通水運，真克譙、梁而不能開石門，水運路塞。
Earlier Wen had sent Yu governor Yuan Zhen to take Qiao and Liang and open Shimen for the water route; Zhen captured both towns but failed to open Shimen, and the supply line by water was cut.
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九月，燕范陽王德帥騎一萬、蘭台治書侍御史劉當帥騎五千屯石門，豫州刺史李邽帥州兵五千斷溫糧道。 當，佩之子也。 德使將軍慕容宙帥騎一千為前鋒，與晉兵遇。 宙曰：「晉人輕剽，怯於陷敵，勇於乘退，宜設餌以釣之。」 乃使二百騎挑戰，分餘騎為三伏。 挑戰者兵未交而走，晉兵追之； 宙帥伏以擊之，晉兵死者甚眾。
In the ninth month, Prince of Fanyang Murong De led ten thousand horse and Orchid Terrace supervising secretary Liu Dang five thousand horse to hold Shimen, while Yu governor Li Gui led five thousand provincial troops to sever Wen's supply line. Dang was a son of Liu Pei. De sent General Murong Zhou with a thousand horse as vanguard; they met Jin forces. Zhou said, "Jin troops are rash—shy of a hard fight but eager to chase a retreat. We should bait them." He sent two hundred horse to provoke them and hid the rest in three ambushes. The challengers feigned flight before contact, and the Jin troops pursued; Zhou sprang the ambush and killed a great many Jin soldiers.
13
溫戰數不利，糧儲復竭，又聞秦兵將至，丙申，焚舟，棄輜重、鎧仗，自陸道奔還。 以毛虎生督東燕等四郡諸軍事，領東燕太守。
After repeated defeats and empty stores, with Qin troops reported on the way, on bingshen Wen burned his fleet, abandoned baggage and arms, and fled overland. Mao Husheng was left to supervise military affairs in Dongyan and three other commanderies as administrator of Dongyan.
14
溫自東燕出倉垣，鑿井而飲，行七百餘里。 燕之諸將爭欲追之，吳王垂曰：「不可。 溫初退惶恐，必嚴設警備，簡精銳為後拒，擊之未必得志，不如緩之。 彼幸吾未至，必晝夜疾趨； 俟其士眾力盡氣衰，然後擊之，無不克矣。」 乃帥八千騎徐行躡其後。 溫果兼道而進。 數日，垂告諸將曰：「溫可擊矣。」 乃急追之，及溫於襄邑。 范陽王德先帥勁騎四千伏於襄邑東澗中，與垂夾擊溫，又破之，死者復以萬計。 孫元遂據武陽以拒燕，燕左衛將軍孟高討擒之。
Wen marched from Dongyan toward Cangyuan, digging wells as he went, covering more than seven hundred li. Yan's generals clamored to pursue; Prince of Wu Chui said, "No. He has just retreated in panic and will post tight guards and elite rearguards; a strike may fail—better wait. Thinking us far behind, they will march day and night; when their men are spent and their spirit gone, strike—then you cannot fail." He led eight thousand horse at an easy pace in their wake. Wen did march by forced stages. After several days Chui told his officers, "Wen is ready to be hit." He pressed the pursuit and caught Wen at Xiangyi. Prince of Fanyang De had hidden four thousand elite horse in the eastern ravine at Xiangyi; with Chui he caught Wen in a pincer and routed him again, with tens of thousands more dead. Sun Yuan held Wuyang against Yan; Yan's Left Guard General Meng Gao captured him.
15
冬，十月，己巳，大司馬溫收散卒，屯於山陽。 溫深恥喪敗，乃歸罪於袁真，奏免真為庶人； 又免冠軍將軍鄧遐官。 真以溫誣己，不服，表溫罪狀，朝廷不報。 真遂據壽春叛，降燕，且請救； 亦遣使如秦。 溫以毛虎生領淮南太守，守歷陽。
In winter, the tenth month, on jisi, Grand Marshal Wen rallied his scattered troops and camped at Shanyang. Deeply shamed by the defeat, Wen blamed Yuan Zhen and memorialized to reduce him to commoner status; he also stripped General of the Gentlemen of the Household Deng Xian of his post. Zhen, believing Wen had framed him, refused to submit and memorialized Wen's crimes; the court did not respond. Zhen then seized Shouchun and rebelled, submitted to Yan, and asked for aid; he also sent envoys to Qin. Wen put Mao Husheng in charge as administrator of Huainan to hold Liyang.
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燕、秦既結好，使者數往來。 燕散騎侍郎太原郝晷、給事黃門侍郎梁琛相繼如秦。 晷與王猛有舊，猛接以平生，問晷東方之事。 晷見燕政不修而秦大治，知燕將亡，陰欲自托於猛，頗洩其實。
Once Yan and Qin were allied, envoys traveled between them constantly. Yan's attendant cavalier Hao Zhao of Taiyuan and gentleman attendant at the yellow gate Liang Chen went to Qin in turn. Zhao was an old acquaintance of Wang Meng, who received him warmly and asked about conditions in the east. Seeing Yan's government in decay and Qin thriving, Zhao knew Yan would fall and quietly sought Meng's protection, letting much of the truth slip.
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琛至長安，秦王堅方畋於萬年，欲引見琛，琛曰：「秦使至燕，燕之君臣朝服備禮，灑掃宮庭，然後敢見。 今秦王欲野見之，使臣不敢聞命！」 尚書郎辛勁謂琛曰：「賓客入境，惟主人所以處之，君焉得專制其禮！ 且天子稱乘輿，所至曰行在所，何堂居之有！ 又，《春秋》亦有遇禮，何為不可乎！」 琛曰：「晉室不綱，靈祚歸德，二方承運，俱受明命。 而桓溫猖狂，窺我王略，燕危秦孤，勢不獨立，是以秦主同恤時患，要結好援。 東朝君臣，引領西望，愧其不競，以為鄰憂，西使之辱，敬待有加。 今強寇既退，交聘方始，謂宜崇禮篤義以固二國之歡； 若忽慢使臣，是卑燕也，豈修好之義乎！ 夫天子以四海為家，故行曰乘輿，止曰行在。 今寓縣瓜裂，天光分曜，安得以乘輿、行在為言哉！ 禮，不期而見曰遇； 蓋因事權行，其禮簡略，豈平居容與之所為哉！ 客使單行，誠勢屈於主人； 然苟不以禮，亦不敢從也。」 堅乃為之設行宮，百僚倍位，然後延客，如燕朝之儀。 事畢，堅與之私宴，問：「東朝名臣為誰？」 琛曰：「太傅上庸王評，明德茂親，光輔王室； 車騎大將軍吳王垂，雄略冠世，折沖御侮； 其餘或以文進，或以武用，官皆稱職，野無遺賢。」
When Chen reached Chang'an, King Fu Jian was hunting at Wannian and wished to receive him at once; Chen said, "When a Qin envoy comes to Yan, our ruler and ministers dress in full court regalia, sweep the palace court, and only then receive him. Now the King of Qin wishes to meet me in the open field—I cannot accept such a command!" Master of writing Xin Jin said to Chen, "When a guest enters a country, the host decides the reception—how can you dictate the ritual! The Son of Heaven travels in the imperial carriage; wherever he stops is the 'traveling palace'—what fixed hall is there! Besides, the Spring and Autumn Annals records the rite of encounter—why not!" Chen said, "The Jin house has lost its way; the mandate has passed to the worthy; both our realms have received Heaven's mandate in turn. But Huan Wen is reckless and eyes our lands; Yan is in peril and Qin stands alone, so the King of Qin shares our distress and has sought alliance. The eastern court looks west in shame at its weakness; your envoy's slight should be answered with greater courtesy. Now that the great enemy has withdrawn and embassies have begun, you should honor ritual and deepen goodwill between our states; to slight the envoy is to demean Yan—is that how you keep friendship! The Son of Heaven makes the four seas his home; on the move he is the imperial carriage, at rest the traveling palace. The realm is split and rival courts shine separately—how can one still speak of imperial carriage and traveling palace! In ritual, a meeting not arranged in advance is called an encounter; it is done expediently when circumstances demand, and the rite is brief—is that what one does in ordinary court life! An envoy traveling alone is indeed at the host's mercy; yet without proper ritual, I dare not comply." Jian then set up a traveling palace, doubled the ranks of officials, and received Chen with Yan court ceremony. When the audience ended, Jian entertained him privately and asked, "Who are the great ministers of the eastern court?" Chen said, "Grand Tutor Prince of Shangyong Murong Ping, of bright virtue and royal kin, gloriously assists the throne; General of Chariots and Cavalry Prince of Wu Murong Chui, whose strategy crowns the age and repels every foe; the rest rise by civil or military merit; every post is filled, and no talent is wasted in the fields."
18
琛從兄弈為秦尚書郎，堅使典客館琛於弈捨。 琛曰：「昔諸葛瑾為吳聘蜀，與諸葛亮惟公朝相見，退無私面，余竊慕之。 今使之即安私室，所不敢也。」 乃不果館。 弈數來就邸捨，與琛臥起，閒問琛東國事。 琛曰：「今二方分據，兄弟並蒙榮龐，論其本心，各有所在。 琛欲言東國之美，恐非西國之所欲聞； 欲言其惡，又非使臣之所得論也。 兄何用問為！」
Chen's cousin Murong Yi was a master of writing in Qin; Jian had the reception office lodge Chen at Yi's house. Chen said, "When Zhuge Jin went from Wu to Shu, he met Zhuge Liang only at court and never in private—I have always admired that. To lodge me in a private house at once—I cannot accept." So he was not lodged there. Yi visited the guest house often, sharing Chen's daily life and asking in private about the eastern realm. Chen said, "Our two realms are divided; we brothers both enjoy honor, but our hearts belong to different masters. If I praise the east, the west may not wish to hear it; if I speak of its faults, that is not for an envoy to discuss. Why ask at all, brother!"
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堅使太子延琛相見。 秦人欲使琛拜太子，先諷之曰：「鄰國之君，猶其君也； 鄰國之儲君，亦何以異乎！」 琛曰：「天子之子視元士，欲其由賤以登貴也。 尚不敢臣其父之臣，況它國之臣乎！ 苟無純敬，則禮有往來，情豈忘恭，但恐降屈為煩耳。」 乃不果拜。
Jian had the crown prince receive Chen. The Qin wanted Chen to bow to the crown prince and hinted, "A neighboring ruler is like one's own ruler; how should a neighboring heir be different!" Chen said, "The Son of Heaven's sons begin as the lowest officers so they may rise from humble to high rank. They do not even treat their father's ministers as subjects—how much less another state's ministers! Without full reverence, ritual still allows exchange; respect remains, but I fear the bother of repeated prostration." So he did not bow.
20
王猛勸堅留琛，堅不許。
Wang Meng urged Jian to keep Chen; Jian refused.
21
燕主暐遣大鴻臚溫統拜袁真使持節、都督淮南諸軍事、征南大將軍、揚州刺史，封宣城公。 統未逾淮而卒。 吳王垂自襄邑還鄴，威名益振，太傅評愈忌之。 垂奏：「所募將士忘身立效，將軍孫蓋等摧鋒陷陳，應蒙殊賞。」 評皆抑而不行。 垂數以為言，與評廷爭，怨隙愈深。 太後可足渾氏素惡垂，毀其戰功，與評密謀誅之。 太宰恪之子楷及垂舅蘭建知之，以告垂曰：「先發制人，但除評及樂安王臧，餘無能為矣。」 垂曰：「骨肉相殘而首亂於國，吾有死而已，不忍為也。」 頃之，二人又以告，曰：「內意已決，不可不早發。」 垂曰：「必不可彌縫，吾寧避之於外，餘非所議。」
Murong Wei sent Grand Herald Wen Tong to invest Yuan Zhen as commissioner with full powers, commander of Huainan, Grand General Who Campaigns South, governor of Yang Province, and Duke of Xuancheng. Tong died before he crossed the Huai. Prince of Wu Murong Chui returned from Xiangyi to Ye; his fame grew and Grand Tutor Murong Ping hated him all the more. Chui memorialized, "The troops I raised risked their lives; Generals Sun Gai and others broke the enemy line and deserve exceptional reward." Ping blocked every request. Chui pressed the matter repeatedly and quarreled with Ping at court; their hatred deepened. Empress Dowager Lady Kezuhun had long hated Chui, belittled his victories, and secretly plotted with Ping to kill him. Murong Ke's son Murong Kai and Chui's uncle Lan Jian learned of it and told Chui, "Strike first—remove Ping and Prince of Le'an Murong Zang, and the rest are helpless." Chui said, "Kin killing kin and being first to throw the realm into chaos—I would rather die than do that." Soon they warned him again, "Their minds are made up—you must act at once." Chui said, "This cannot be patched; I would rather withdraw abroad—that is all I will consider."
22
垂內以為憂，而未敢告諸子。 世子令請曰：「尊比者如有憂色，豈非以主上幼沖，太傅疾賢，功高望重，愈見猜邪？」 垂曰：「然。 吾竭力致命以破強寇，本欲保全家國，豈知功成之後，返令身無所容。 汝既知吾心，何以為吾謀？」 令曰：「主上闇弱，委任太傅，一旦禍發，疾於駭機。 今欲保族全身，不失大義，莫若逃之龍城，遜辭謝罪，以待主上之察，若周公之居東，庶幾可以感寤而得還，此幸之大者也。 如其不然，則內撫燕、代，外懷群夷，守肥如之險以自保，亦其次也。」 垂曰：「善！」
Chui was inwardly troubled but had not yet told his sons. Heir Apparent Murong Ling asked, "Father, you have looked troubled lately—is it because the ruler is young, the Grand Tutor envies talent, and your great merit draws ever more suspicion?" Chui said, "It is. I risked everything to break the great enemy to save family and state—who knew that after success I would have nowhere to stand. You know my mind—what do you advise?" Ling said, "The ruler is weak and has entrusted everything to the Grand Tutor; once disaster strikes it will be faster than a sprung trap. To save the clan and yourself without losing righteousness, flee to Longcheng, submit a humble apology, and wait for the ruler's judgment—like the Duke of Zhou in the east; perhaps he will understand and recall you. That would be the best outcome. If not, pacify Yan and Dai within, win the tribes without, and hold the passes at Feiru—that is the next best." Chui said, "Well said!"
23
十一月，辛亥朔，垂請畋於大陸，因微服出鄴，將趨龍城。 至邯鄲，少子麟，素不為垂所愛，逃還告狀，垂左右多亡叛。 太傅評白燕主暐，遣西平公強帥精騎追之，及於范陽。 世子令斷後，強不敢逼。 會日暮，令謂垂曰：「本欲保東都以自全，今事已洩，謀不及設。 秦主方招延英傑，不如往歸之。」 垂曰：「今日之計，捨此安之！」 乃散騎滅跡，傍南山復還鄴，隱於趙之顯原陵。 俄有獵者數百騎四面而來，抗之則不能敵，逃之則無路，不知所為。 會獵者鷹皆飛揚，眾騎散去。 垂乃殺白馬以祭天，且盟從者。 世子令言於垂曰：「太傅忌賢疾能，構事以來，人尤忿恨。 今鄴城之中，莫知尊處，如嬰兒之思母，夷、夏同之。 若順眾心，襲其無備，取之如指掌耳。 事定之後，革弊簡能，大匡朝政，以輔主上，安國存家，功之大者也。 今日之便，誠不可失，願給騎數人，足以辦之。」 垂曰：「如汝之謀，事成誠為大福，不成悔之何及！ 不如西奔，可以萬全。」 子馬奴潛謀逃歸，殺之而行。 至河陽，為津吏所禁，斬之而濟。 遂自洛陽與段夫人、世子令、令弟寶、農、隆、兄子楷、舅蘭建、郎中令高弼俱奔秦，留妃可足渾氏於鄴。 乙泉戌主吳歸追及於闅鄉，世子令擊之而退。
In the eleventh month, on the new moon of xinhai, Chui asked to hunt on the mainland and slipped out of Ye in disguise, heading for Longcheng. At Handan his youngest son Murong Lin, whom Chui had never favored, fled back to inform on him; many of his attendants deserted. Grand Tutor Ping informed Murong Wei, who sent Prince of Xiping Murong Qiang with elite cavalry in pursuit; they caught up at Fanyang. Heir Apparent Ling covered the rear; Qiang did not dare press him. At dusk Ling told Chui, "We meant to hold the eastern capital to survive; now the secret is out and there is no time to plan. The King of Qin is gathering heroes—better to go to him." Chui said, "For today, where else can we turn!" They scattered their riders, erased their tracks, followed the southern hills back toward Ye, and hid at Xianyuan Tomb in Zhao. Soon several hundred mounted hunters closed in from all sides; they could neither fight nor flee. Just then the hunters' hawks all flew up, and the riders dispersed. Chui killed a white horse to sacrifice to Heaven and swore an oath with his followers. Heir Apparent Ling told Chui, "The Grand Tutor envies talent; since he began this plot, the people are furious. In Ye no one knows where you are; barbarian and Chinese alike long for you like children for their mother. Follow the people's will and strike while they are unprepared—you will take the city as easily as turning your hand. When it is done, reform abuses, promote the capable, set the court right, assist the ruler, and save state and family—that would be your greatest achievement. Today's chance must not be lost; give me a few horsemen and it will be enough." Chui said, "If your plan succeeds it is great fortune; if it fails, regret will be too late! Better to flee west—that alone is safe." His son Manu secretly plotted to flee home; they killed him and marched on. At Heyang a ferry officer barred them; they killed him and crossed. From Luoyang they fled to Qin with Lady Duan, Heir Apparent Ling, his brothers Bao, Nong, and Long, his nephew Kai, his uncle Lan Jian, and director of attendants Gao Bi, leaving Consort Lady Kezuhun in Ye. Wu Gui, commander of Yiquan Garrison, overtook them at Wuxiang; Heir Apparent Ling drove him back.
24
初，秦王堅聞太宰恪卒，陰有圖燕之志，憚垂威名，不敢發。 及聞垂至，大喜，郊迎，執手曰：「天生賢傑，必相與共成大功，此自然之數也。 要當與卿共定天下，告成岱宗，然後還卿本邦，世封幽州，使卿去國不失為子之孝，歸朕不失事君之忠，不亦美乎！」 垂謝曰； 「羈旅之臣，免罪為幸。 本邦之榮，非所敢望！」 堅復愛世子令及慕容楷之才，皆厚禮之，賞賜巨萬，每進見，屬目觀之。 關中士民素聞垂父子名，皆向慕之。 王猛言於堅曰：「慕容垂父子，譬如龍虎，非可馴之物，若借以風雲，將不可複製，不如早除之。」 堅曰：「吾方收攬英雄以清四海，奈何殺之！ 且其始來，吾已推誠納之矣。 匹夫猶不棄言，況萬乘乎！」 乃以垂為冠軍將軍，封賓徒侯，楷為積弩將軍。
Earlier, when King Fu Jian heard that Grand Preceptor Murong Ke had died, he secretly planned to conquer Yan but feared Murong Chui's fame and held back. When he heard Chui had come he was delighted, met him outside the city, took his hand and said, "Heaven sends great men to achieve great things together—that is nature's way. I mean to settle the realm with you, report success at Mount Tai, then return you to your homeland with hereditary rule in You Province, so you keep filial piety toward your state and loyalty toward me—is that not fine!" Chui thanked him and said; "A wanderer in exile—to escape punishment is fortune enough. Glory in my homeland—I dare not hope for it!" Jian also admired Heir Apparent Ling and Murong Kai, treated them generously, rewarded them lavishly, and watched them closely whenever they came to court. The people of Guanzhong had long heard of Chui and his sons and admired them. Wang Meng told Jian, "Murong Chui and his sons are dragon and tiger—not creatures to tame; give them wind and cloud and you cannot catch them again. Better remove them early." Jian said, "I am gathering heroes to pacify the realm—how can I kill them! When they first came I received them in good faith. Even a common man keeps his word—how much less an emperor!" He made Chui General Who Establishes Might and Marquis of Bintu, and Kai General of Strong Crossbows.
25
燕魏尹范陽王德素與垂善，及車騎從事中郎高泰等，皆坐免官。 尚書右丞申紹言於太傅評曰：「今吳王出奔，外口籍籍，宜征王僚屬之賢者顯進之，粗可消謗。」 評曰：「誰可者？」 紹曰：「高泰其領袖也。」 乃以泰為尚書郎。 泰，瞻之從子； 紹，胤之兄也。
Yan's metropolitan governor Prince of Fanyang Murong De had long been friendly with Chui; he and attendant cavalier Gao Tai and others were all dismissed on account of it. Right assistant director Shen Shao told Grand Tutor Ping, "With the Prince of Wu in flight, rumor runs wild; promote worthy men from his staff and you may quiet the talk." Ping said, "Who would serve?" Shao said, "Gao Tai is their leader." Tai was then made master of writing attendant. Tai was Shen Zhan's nephew; Shao was the elder brother of Shen Yin.
26
秦留梁琛月餘，乃遣歸。 琛兼程而進，比至鄴，吳王垂已奔秦。 琛言於太傅評曰：「秦人日閱軍旅，多聚糧於陝東。 以琛觀之，為和必不能久。 今吳王又往歸之，秦必有窺燕之謀，宜早為之備。」 評曰：「秦豈肯受叛臣而敗和好哉！」 琛曰：「今二國分據中原，常有相吞之志。 桓溫之入寇，彼以計相救，非愛燕也。 若燕有釁，彼豈忘其本志哉！」 評曰：「秦主何如人？」 琛曰：「明而善斷。」 問王猛，曰：「名不虛得。」 評皆不以為然。 琛又以告燕主暐，暐亦不然之。 以告皇甫真，真深憂之，上疏言：「苻堅雖聘問相尋，然實有窺上國之心，非能慕樂德義，不忘久要也。 前出兵洛川，及使者繼至，國之險易虛實，彼皆得之矣。 今吳王垂又往從之，為其謀主； 伍員之禍，不可不備。 洛陽、太原、壺關，皆宜選將益兵，以防未然。」 暐召太傅評謀之，評曰：「秦國小力弱，恃我為援； 且苻堅庶幾善道，終不肯納叛臣之言，絕二國之好。 不宜輕自驚擾以啟寇心。」 卒不為備。
Former Qin kept Liang Chen over a month before letting him return. Chen pushed on without rest, but by the time he reached Ye, Prince of Wu Murong Chui had already defected to Qin. Chen told Grand Tutor Murong Ping, "Qin drills its troops every day and is stockpiling grain east of Shan. In my view, this peace will not hold for long. Now Prince of Wu Murong Chui has gone over as well; Qin surely intends to move against Yan, and we should prepare without delay." Ping said, "Why would Qin shelter a traitor and wreck the alliance between our states!" Chen said, "The two realms divide the heartland, and each has long wanted to devour the other. When Huan Wen invaded, Qin helped us by design, not out of any love for Yan. If Yan shows weakness, how would they forget what they wanted all along!" Ping asked, "What sort of man is the ruler of Qin?" Chen said, "Clear-minded and decisive." Asked about Wang Meng, he said, "His reputation is deserved." Ping dismissed it all. Chen reported the same to Murong Wei, who was equally unconvinced. He told Huangfu Zhen as well; Zhen was deeply alarmed and memorialized: "Though Fu Jian keeps up a stream of courtesy missions, he is really scheming against our realm—he does not truly admire our virtue or honor an old alliance. The earlier advance to the Luo River and the envoys who followed have taught them our defenses, terrain, and true condition. Now Prince of Wu Murong Chui has gone over and serves as their chief strategist; The calamity of Wu Zixu is a warning we cannot ignore. We should assign stronger garrisons at Luoyang, Taiyuan, and Huguan before trouble appears." Murong Wei summoned Grand Tutor Ping to discuss it; Ping said, "Qin is small and weak and depends on us for support; and Fu Jian is at least a decent ruler—he would never listen to a defector and rupture our friendship. We should not panic and provoke an enemy appetite." In the end they prepared nothing.
27
秦遣黃門郎石越聘於燕，太傅評示之以奢，欲以誇燕之富盛。 高泰及太傅參軍河間劉靖言於評曰：「越言誕而視遠，非求好也，乃觀釁也。 宜耀兵以示之，用折其謀。 今乃示之以奢，益為其所輕矣。」 評不從。 泰遂謝病歸。
Qin sent attendant Shi Yue of the yellow gate as envoy to Yan, and Grand Tutor Ping paraded luxury before him to show off Yan's riches. Gao Tai and the grand tutor's staff officer Liu Jing of Hejian told Ping, "Yue talks big and looks everywhere but friendship—he is scouting for weakness. We should parade the army to deter him and frustrate his plan. Showing him luxury only makes him despise us more." Ping refused to listen. Tai resigned citing illness and went home.
28
是時太后可足渾氏侵橈國政，太傅評貪昧無厭，貨賂上流，官非才舉，群下怨憤。 尚書左丞申紹上疏，以為：「守宰者，致治之本。 今之守宰，率非其人，或武人出於行伍，或貴戚生長綺紈，既非鄉曲之選，又不更朝廷之職。 加之黜陟無法，貪惰者無刑罰之懼，清修者無旌賞之勸。 是以百姓困弊，寇盜棄斥，綱頹紀紊，莫相糾攝。 又官吏猥多，逾於前世，公私紛然，不勝煩擾。 大燕戶口，數兼二寇，弓馬之勁，四方莫及； 而比者戰則屢北，皆由守宰賦調不平，侵漁無已，行留俱窘，莫肯致命故也。 後宮之女四千餘人，僮侍廝役尚在其外，一日之費，厥直萬金。 士民承風，競為奢靡。 彼秦、吳僭僻，猶能條治所部，有兼併之心，而我上下因循，日失其序。 我之不修，彼之願也。 謂宜精擇守宰，並官省職，存恤兵家，使公私兩遂，節抑浮靡，愛惜用度，賞必當功，罰必當罪。 如此，則溫、猛可梟，二方可取，豈特保境安民而已哉！ 又，索頭什翼犍疲病昏悖，雖乏貢御，無能為患； 而勞兵遠戌，有損無益。 不若移於並土，控制西河，南堅壺關，北重晉陽，西寇來則拒守，過則斷後，猶愈於戌孤城守無用之地也。」 疏奏，不省。
At this time Empress Dowager Kezuhun meddled in government, Grand Tutor Murong Ping was insatiably corrupt, posts went to bribery not talent, and the court seethed with resentment. Left assistant director Shen Shao memorialized the throne: "Local administrators are the foundation of good government. Today's prefects are mostly unfit—some are soldiers pulled from the ranks, others pampered kinsmen who never held court office or earned local trust. Promotion and dismissal follow no rule: the greedy face no punishment, the honest win no reward. The people are exhausted, bandits roam free, law and order collapse, and no one holds anyone accountable. Officials multiply beyond any previous age, and public and private life drown in pointless harassment. Great Yan's population rivals both enemy states together, and none can match its archers and horsemen; Yet we lose battle after battle because local officers levy taxes unevenly and never stop extorting—soldiers at march or rest are too desperate to fight to the death. More than four thousand women fill the harem, not counting pages and servants, and the court spends ten thousand in gold every day. Gentry and commoners follow suit and vie in extravagance. Even upstart Qin and Wu keep their domains in order and scheme for conquest, while we drift day by day into disorder. Our decay is exactly what they hope for. Choose administrators carefully, merge offices and cut posts, relieve military households, balance public and private need, curb luxury, husband resources, reward only merit, and punish only guilt. Then Huan Wen and Wang Meng could be brought low and both Qin and Jin taken—not merely defending our borders! Tuoba Shiyijian is feeble, sick, and senile; though tribute fails, he poses no threat; Yet distant garrisons wear out the army to no profit. Shift those forces to Bing province: hold West River, fortify Huguan in the south and Jinyang in the north—block western raids and cut off their retreat—rather than rotting in useless frontier towns." The memorial went in and was ignored.
29
辛丑，丞相昱與大司馬溫會塗中，以謀後舉； 以溫世子熙為豫州刺史、假節。
On xinchou, Prime Minister Sima Yu and Grand Marshal Huan Wen met on the road to plan their next move; Huan Wen's heir Huan Xi was made governor of Yu Province with provisional command.
30
初，燕人許割虎牢以西賂秦。 晉兵既退，燕人悔之，謂秦人曰：「行人失辭。 有國有家者，分災救患，理之常也。」 秦王堅大怒，遣輔國將軍王猛、建威將軍梁成、洛州刺史鄧羌帥步騎三萬伐燕。 十二月，進攻洛陽。
Earlier Yan had promised to cede everything west of Hulao as payment to Qin. After Jin withdrew, Yan tried to take it back and told Qin, "Our envoy misspoke. States help one another in calamity—that is only right." King Fu Jian flew into a rage and sent Wang Meng, Liang Cheng, and Luo governor Deng Qiang with thirty thousand foot and horse against Yan. In the twelfth month they marched on Luoyang.
31
大司馬溫發徐、兗州民築廣陵城，徙鎮之。 時征役既頻，加之疫癘，死者什四五，百姓嗟怨。 秘書監太原孫盛作《晉春秋》，直書時事； 大司馬溫見之，怒，謂盛子曰：「枋頭誠為失利，何至乃如尊君所言！ 若此史遂行，自是關君門戶事！」 其子遽拜謝，請改之。 時盛年老家居，性方嚴，有軌度，子孫雖斑白，待之愈峻。 至是諸子乃共號泣稽顙，請為百口切計。 盛大怒，不許，諸子遂私改之。 盛先已寫別本，傳之外國。 及孝武帝購求異書，得之於遼東人，與見本不同，遂兩存之。
Grand Marshal Huan Wen conscripted the people of Xu and Yan to build Guangling and moved his headquarters there. Corvée was already crushing, plague followed, four or five in ten died, and the people groaned in anger. Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Sun Sheng of Taiyuan wrote the Annals of Jin, recording current affairs without evasion; Grand Marshal Huan Wen read it, grew furious, and told Sheng's son, "Fangtou was a defeat, yes—but nothing like what your father wrote! If this book circulates, it will mean the ruin of your whole clan!" His son prostrated himself at once and begged to revise it. Sheng was old and retired at home, upright and stern; even gray-haired descendants felt his iron rule. His sons then wept and kowtowed together, pleading for the sake of the whole clan. Sheng refused in fury; his sons altered the text in secret. But Sheng had already copied an alternate version and sent it abroad. When Emperor Xiaowu later sought rare books, a Liaodong man supplied a copy that differed from the circulated text, and both versions were kept.
32
海西公下太和五年（ 庚午，公元三七零年）
Reign of the Deposed Emperor, Taihe year five ( year gengwu, 370 CE)
33
春，正月，己亥，袁真以梁國內史沛郡朱憲及弟汝南內史斌陰通大司馬溫，殺之。
In spring, the first month, on jihai, Yuan Zhen executed Zhu Xian, interior administrator of Liang, and his brother Bin, interior administrator of Runan, for secretly dealing with Grand Marshal Huan Wen.
34
秦王猛遺燕荊州刺史武威王築書曰：「國家今已塞成皋之險，杜盟津之路，大駕虎旅百萬，自軹關取鄴都，金墉窮戍，外無救援，城下之師，將軍所監，豈三百弊卒所能支也！」 築懼，以洛陽降，猛陳師受之。 燕衛大將軍樂安王臧城新樂，破秦兵於石門，執秦將楊猛。
Wang Meng of Qin wrote Yan's Jing governor Prince of Wuwei Murong Zhu: "We have sealed Chenggao and closed Meng Ford; a million tiger troops will take Ye through Zhiguan; your exhausted garrison at Jinyong has no help—the army at the walls is yours to command—can three hundred worn men hold them!" Murong Zhu, terrified, surrendered Luoyang; Wang Meng formed ranks and accepted. Yan's Guard Grand General Prince of Le'an Murong Zang fortified Xinyue, routed Qin at Shimen, and captured Qin general Yang Meng.
35
王猛之發長安也，請慕容令參其軍事，以為鄉導。 將行，造慕容垂飲酒，從容謂垂曰：「今當遠別，卿何以贈我，使我睹物思人？」 垂脫佩刀贈之。 猛至洛陽，賂垂所親金熙，使詐為垂使者，謂令曰：「吾父子來此，以逃死也。 今王猛疾人如仇，讒毀日深； 秦王雖外相厚善，其心難知。 丈夫逃死而卒不免，將為天下笑。 吾聞東朝比來始更悔悟，主、後相尤。 吾今還東，故遣告汝； 吾已行矣，便可速發。」 令疑之，躊躇終日，又不可審覆。 乃將舊騎，詐為出獵，遂奔樂安王臧於石門。 猛表令叛狀，垂懼而出走，及藍田，為追騎所獲。 秦王堅引見東堂，勞之曰：「卿家國失和，委身投朕。 賢子心不忘本，猶懷首丘，亦各其志，不足深咎。 然燕之將亡，非令所能存，惜其徒入虎口耳。 且父子兄弟，罪不相及，卿何為過懼而狼狽如是乎！」 待之如舊。 燕人以令叛而復還，其父為秦所厚，疑令為反間，徙之沙城，在龍都東北六百裡。
When Wang Meng marched from Chang'an, he asked Murong Ling to serve in his staff as guide through Yan country. Before leaving he visited Murong Chui for wine and said gently, "We part for a long journey—what gift will you leave me, that I may see it and think of you?" Murong Chui took off his belt knife and gave it to him. At Luoyang Wang Meng bribed Murong Chui's confidant Jin Xi to pose as Chui's messenger and tell Ling, "My father and I came here only to escape death. Wang Meng now hates us like enemies, and slander mounts daily; King Fu Jian seems gracious on the surface, but his mind is unreadable. A man who fled death only to die anyway will be mocked by the world. I hear the Eastern Court has begun to regret its mistake and king and queen blame each other. I am heading east and send word; I am already on my way—leave at once." Murong Ling suspected the message, wavered all day, and had no way to confirm it. He gathered his old retainers, feigned a hunting party, and fled to Prince of Le'an Murong Zang at Shimen. Wang Meng reported Ling's defection; Murong Chui fled in fear and was caught at Lantian by pursuers. King Fu Jian received him in the Eastern Hall and said kindly, "Your house and state were at odds, and you came to me. Your fine son still yearns for home—that is his nature, not a grave fault. Yet Yan is doomed and Ling cannot save it—I only pity him for leaping into the tiger's jaws. Crimes do not pass from father to son—why panic and flee like this!" He treated Murong Chui as before. Yan thought Murong Ling's defection and return, with his father favored by Qin, pointed to a double game, and exiled him to Shacheng, six hundred li northeast of the capital.
36
臣光曰：昔周得微子而革商命，秦得由余而霸西戎，吳得伍員而克強楚，漢得陳平而誅項籍，魏得許攸而破袁紹。 彼敵國之材臣，來為己用，進取之良資也。 王猛知慕容垂之心久而難信，獨不念燕尚未滅，垂以材高功盛，無罪見疑，窮困歸秦，未有異心，遽以猜忌殺之，是助燕為無道而塞來者之門也，如何其可哉！ 故秦王堅禮以收燕望，親之以盡燕情，寵之以傾燕眾，信之以結燕心，未為過矣。 猛何汲汲於殺垂，至乃為市井鬻賣之行，有如嫉其寵而讒之者，豈雅德君子所宜為哉！
Sima Guang remarks: Once Zhou won Weizi and overturned Shang; Qin won Youyu and ruled the western tribes; Wu won Wu Zixu and broke mighty Chu; Han won Chen Ping and destroyed Xiang Yu; Wei won Xu You and crushed Yuan Shao. Talented ministers from enemy states who enter one's service are assets for conquest. Wang Meng knew Murong Chui might never be fully trusted, yet forgot that Yan still stood—Murong Chui came in ruin, guilty of nothing, with no disloyal intent; to kill him from suspicion would justify Yan's wickedness and shut the door on future defectors. How could that be right! So King Fu Jian's courtesy to win Yan's hope, intimacy to draw out Yan's loyalty, favor to sway Yan's people, and trust to bind Yan's hearts was no excess. Why was Wang Meng so eager to kill Murong Chui that he stooped to street-market trickery, like a jealous rival whispering slander—what refined gentleman would do such a thing!
37
樂安王臧進屯滎陽，王猛遣建威將軍梁成、洛州刺史鄧羌擊走之； 留羌鎮金墉，以輔國司馬桓寅為弘農太守，代羌戍陝城而還。
Prince of Le'an Murong Zang advanced to Xingyang; Wang Meng sent Liang Cheng and Luo governor Deng Qiang to drive him back; Deng Qiang held Jinyong; Huan Yin was made Hongnong administrator to replace him at Shancheng while Wang Meng withdrew.
38
秦王堅以王猛為司徒，錄尚書事，封平陽郡侯。 猛固辭曰：「今燕、吳未平，戎車方駕，而始得一城，即受三事之賞，若克殄二寇，將何以加之！」 堅曰：「苟不暫抑朕心，何以顯卿謙光之美！ 已詔有司權聽所守； 封爵酬庸，其勉從朕命！」
King Fu Jian made Wang Meng Minister over the Masses and chief of the Secretariat, ennobling him as Marquis of Pingyang. Wang Meng firmly declined: "Yan and Wu remain unconquered, the armies have scarcely set out, and with one city taken you would already grant me the Three Highest Offices—what reward could you offer when both foes are destroyed?" Fu Jian replied, "Unless I briefly hold back my wishes, how can your virtue of humility shine forth? I have directed the officials to let you retain your current posts for now; accept rank and fief as reward for your service, and comply with my command!”
39
二月，癸酉，袁真卒。 陳郡太守朱輔立真子瑾為建威將軍，豫州刺史，以保壽春，遣其子乾之及司馬爨亮如鄴請命。 燕人以瑾為揚州刺史，輔為荊州刺史。
In the second month, on the day guiyou, Yuan Zhen died. Zhu Fu, governor of Chen, made Yuan Zhen's son Yuan Jin General Who Establishes Might and inspector of Yu, to hold Shouchun, and sent his son Qianzhi and army clerk Cuan Liang to Ye for confirmation. Yan recognized Jin as inspector of Yang and Fu as inspector of Jing.
40
三月，秦王堅以吏部尚書權翼為尚書右僕射。 夏，四月，復以王猛為司徒，錄尚書事； 猛固辭，乃止。 燕、秦皆遣兵助袁瑾，大司馬溫遣督護竺瑤等御之。 燕兵先至，瑤等與戰於武丘，破之。 南頓太守桓石虔克其南城。 石虔，溫之弟子也。
In the third month, King Fu Jian made Quan Yi, chief clerk of the Ministry of Personnel, Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. In the fourth month of summer, he again offered Wang Meng the posts of Minister over the Masses and chief secretary; Wang Meng again declined, and the offer was withdrawn. Both Yan and Qin sent forces to aid Yuan Jin; Grand Marshal Huan Wen dispatched Zhu Yao and other commanders against them. Yan's army arrived first; Zhu Yao fought them at Wuqiu and routed them. Huan Shiqian, governor of Nandun, took their southern citadel. Huan Shiqian was a nephew of Huan Wen.
41
秦王堅復遣王猛督鎮南將軍楊安等十將步騎六萬以伐燕。
King Fu Jian again dispatched Wang Meng at the head of ten generals, including Yang An, with sixty thousand troops to invade Yan.
42
慕容令自度終不得免，密謀起兵，沙城中謫戍士數千人，令皆厚撫之。 五月，庚午，令殺牙門孟媯。 城大涉圭懼，請自效。 令信之，引置左右。 遂帥謫戍士東襲威德城，殺城郎慕容倉，據城部署，遣人招東西諸戍，翕然皆應之。 鎮東將軍勃海王亮鎮龍城，令將襲之； 其弟麟以告亮，亮閉城拒守。 癸酉，涉圭因侍直擊令，令單馬走，其黨皆潰。 涉圭追令至薛黎澤，擒而殺之，詣龍城白亮。 亮為之誅涉圭，收令屍而葬之。
Murong Ling knew he could not escape forever and secretly plotted rebellion; in Shazhong he won over thousands of exiled garrison troops with generous treatment. In the fifth month, on the day gengwu, Murong Ling killed the gate commander Meng Wei. The city commander Da Shegui, fearing for his life, offered his services. Murong Ling believed him and kept him at his side. He then led the exiled garrison troops east to seize Weide, killed the commandant Murong Cang, organized the city's defenses, and sent envoys to garrisons east and west—all joined him at once. Prince of Bohai Murong Liang, general who pacified the east, held Longcheng; Murong Ling was preparing to attack it; His brother Murong Lin warned Liang, who shut the gates and held firm. On guiyou, Shegui seized his chance on guard duty and struck Murong Ling, who fled alone on horseback while his followers scattered. Shegui pursued him to Xueli Marsh, captured and killed him, then went to Longcheng to report to Murong Liang. Liang had Shegui executed for the murder, recovered Murong Ling's body, and gave him burial.
43
六月，乙卯，秦王堅送王猛於灞上，曰：「今委卿以關東之任，當先破壺關，平上黨，長驅取鄴，所謂『疾雷不及掩耳』。 吾當親督萬眾，繼卿星發，舟車糧運，水陸俱進，卿勿以為後慮也。」 猛曰：「臣杖威靈，奉成算，蕩平殘胡，如風掃葉，願不煩鑾輿親犯塵霧，但願速敕所司部置鮮卑之所。」 堅大悅。
In the sixth month, on yimao, King Fu Jian saw Wang Meng off at Bashang and said, "I entrust the eastern campaign to you—break Hukou, subdue Shangdang, and drive straight for Ye, as the saying goes, 'Lightning strikes before one can cover one's ears. I will myself lead the main army in your wake; grain will move by land and water together—you need not fear being left without backup." Wang Meng replied, "With Your Majesty's authority and a settled plan, I shall sweep the enemy aside like wind through leaves. I beg that you not ride forth into the dust yourself—only command officials promptly to settle the Xianbei wherever they are assigned." Fu Jian was greatly pleased.
44
秋，七月，癸酉朔，日有食之。
In the seventh month of autumn, on the first day guiyou, a solar eclipse occurred.
45
秦王猛攻壺關，楊安攻晉陽。 八月，燕主暐命太傅上庸王評將中外精兵三十萬以拒秦。 暐以秦寇為憂，召散騎侍郎李鳳、黃門侍郎梁琛、中書侍郎樂嵩問曰：「秦兵眾寡何如？ 今大軍既出，秦能戰乎？」 鳳曰：「秦國小兵弱，非王師之敵； 景略常才，又非太傅之比，不足憂也。」 琛、嵩曰：「勝敗在謀，不在眾寡。 秦遠來為寇，安肯不戰！ 且吾當用謀以求勝，豈可冀其不戰而已乎！」 暐不悅。 王猛克壺關，執上黨太守南安王越，所過郡縣，皆望風降附，燕人大震。
Wang Meng attacked Hukou while Yang An besieged Jinyang. In the eighth month, Murong Wei ordered his grand tutor, Prince of Shangyong Murong Ping, to lead three hundred thousand picked troops against Qin. Murong Wei, anxious about the Qin invasion, summoned Li Feng, Liang Chen, and Yue Song and asked, "How numerous are Qin's forces? Now that our main army is in the field, will Qin dare to fight? Li Feng said, "Qin is small and its troops are weak—no match for our royal army; Jinglüe is merely ordinary talent, no match for the grand tutor—nothing to fear. Liang Chen and Yue Song said, "Victory depends on strategy, not numbers. Qin has marched from afar to invade—how could they refuse battle! We must win by strategy—can we simply hope they will not fight? Murong Wei was displeased. Wang Meng took Hukou, captured Shangdang governor Prince of Nan'an Murong Yue, and everywhere he marched counties surrendered in dread—Yan was shaken."
46
黃門侍郎封孚問司徒長史申胤曰：「事將何如？」 胤歎曰：「鄴必亡矣，吾屬今茲將為秦虜。 然越得歲而吳伐之，卒受其禍。 今福德在燕，秦雖得志，而燕之復建，不過一紀耳。」
Feng Fu, gentleman attendant at the Yellow Gate, asked Shen Yin, chief clerk to the chancellor, "How will this end? Shen Yin sighed and said, "Ye will surely fall, and we shall become captives of Qin this year. Yet when Yue had the year's luck and Wu attacked, Yue still met disaster in the end. Fortune now favors Yan; though Qin may prevail, Yan will rise again within twelve years.”
47
大司馬溫自廣陵帥眾二萬討袁瑾； 以襄城太守劉波為淮南內史，將五千人鎮石頭。 波，隗之孫也。 癸丑，溫敗瑾於壽春，遂圍之。 燕左衛將軍孟高將騎兵救瑾，至淮北，未渡，會秦伐燕，燕召高還。
Grand Marshal Huan Wen marched from Guangling with twenty thousand men against Yuan Jin; He made Liu Bo, governor of Xiangcheng, interior governor of Huainan and stationed him at Shitou with five thousand men. Liu Bo was a grandson of Liu Kui. On guichou, Huan Wen defeated Yuan Jin at Shouchun and besieged the city. Yan's left guard general Meng Gao rode to Jin's aid but had reached only the north bank of the Huai when Qin invaded Yan and he was recalled.
48
廣漢妖賊李弘，詐稱漢歸義侯勢之子，聚眾萬餘人，自稱聖王，年號鳳凰。 隴西人李高，詐稱成主雄之子，攻破涪城，逐梁州刺史楊亮。 九月，益州刺史周楚遣子瓊討高，又使瓊子梓潼太守颺討弘，皆平之。
In Guanghan, the rebel Li Hong claimed to be the son of Li Shi, Marquis Who Bends to Righteousness, rallied ten thousand followers, declared himself Holy King, and adopted the era name Phoenix. Li Gao of Longxi claimed to be a son of Li Xiong, seized Fucheng, and drove out Liang inspector Yang Liang. In the ninth month, Zhou Chu, inspector of Yi, sent his son Zhou Qiong against Li Gao and Zhou Qiong's son Yang, governor of Zitong, against Li Hong; both rebels were crushed.
49
秦楊安攻晉陽，晉陽兵多糧足，久之未下。 王猛留屯騎校尉苟長戍壺關，引兵助安攻晉陽。 為地道，使虎牙將軍張蚝帥壯士數百潛入城中，大呼斬關，納秦兵。 辛巳，猛、安入晉陽，執燕并州刺史東海王莊。 太傅評畏猛，不敢進，屯於潞川。 冬，十月，辛亥，猛留將軍武都毛當戍晉陽，進兵潞川，與慕容評相持。
Yang An of Qin besieged Jinyang, which was well-manned and well-supplied; the city held out for a long time. Wang Meng left Gou Chang to hold Hukou and marched to help Yang An at Jinyang. They dug a tunnel and sent Tiger-tooth General Zhang Hao with hundreds of picked warriors into the city; roaring, they cut down the gatekeepers and let the Qin army in. On xinsi, Wang Meng and Yang An entered Jinyang and captured Bing inspector Prince of Donghai Murong Zhuang. Grand Tutor Murong Ping, fearing Wang Meng, dared not advance and camped on the Luchuan. In the tenth month of winter, on xinhai, Wang Meng left Mao Dang to hold Jinyang and marched to Luchuan to confront Murong Ping.
50
壬戌，猛遣將軍徐成覘燕軍形要，期以日中； 及昏而返，猛怒，將斬之。 鄧羌請之曰：「今賊眾我寡，詰朝將戰； 成，大將也，宜且宥之。」 猛曰：「若不殺成，軍法不立。」 羌固請曰：「成，羌之郡將也，雖違期應斬，羌願與成效戰以贖之。」 猛弗許。 羌怒，還營，嚴鼓勒兵，將攻猛。 猛問其故，羌曰：「受詔討遠賊； 今有近賊，自相殺，欲先除之！」 猛謂羌義而有勇，使語之曰：「將軍止，吾今赦之。」 成既免，羌詣猛謝。 猛執其手曰：「吾試將軍耳，將軍於郡將尚爾，況國家乎！ 吾不復憂賊矣！」
On renxu, Wang Meng sent Xu Cheng to scout the Yan army's disposition, with orders to return by noon; he did not return until dusk; Wang Meng flew into a rage and prepared to behead him. Deng Qiang pleaded for him: "The enemy outnumbers us, and we fight at dawn tomorrow; Xu Cheng is a senior commander—you should spare him for now. Wang Meng said, "If I spare Xu Cheng, military law means nothing. Deng Qiang pressed his case: "Cheng is my subordinate; though he deserves death for missing his deadline, I will fight at his side to redeem him." Wang Meng refused. Enraged, Deng Qiang marched back to camp, sounding the drums and mustering his men to attack Wang Meng. Wang Meng asked why; Deng Qiang said, "I was ordered to fight distant enemies; now nearby enemies are killing each other—I mean to deal with them first! Wang Meng saw both honor and courage in this, and sent word: "Stop, General—I pardon him now. Once Xu Cheng was spared, Deng Qiang came to Wang Meng to make amends. Wang Meng grasped his hand and said, "I was testing you; if you show such loyalty to a subordinate, what will you do for the state! I no longer fear the enemy!”
51
太傅評以猛懸軍深入，欲以持久制之。 評為人貪鄙，鄣固山泉，鬻樵及水，積錢帛如丘陵； 士卒怨憤，莫有鬥志。 猛聞之，笑曰：「慕容評真奴才，雖億兆之眾不足畏，況數十萬乎！ 吾今茲破之必矣。」 乃遣游擊將軍郭慶帥騎五千，夜從間道出評營後，燒評輜重，火見鄴中。 燕主暐懼，遣侍中蘭伊讓評曰：「王，高祖之子也，當以宗廟社稷為憂，奈何不撫戰士而榷賣樵水，專以貨殖為心乎！ 府庫之積，朕與王共之，何憂於貧！ 若賊兵遂進，家國喪亡，王持錢帛欲安所置之！」 乃命悉以其錢帛散之軍士，且趨使戰。 評大懼，遣使請戰於猛。
Grand Tutor Murong Ping, seeing Wang Meng deep in hostile territory, planned to wear him down by attrition. Murong Ping was greedy and mean; he sealed off mountain springs and sold firewood and water to his own troops, amassing coin and silk in heaps; his soldiers grew bitter, and none had heart to fight. When Wang Meng heard this he laughed: "Murong Ping is a true slave-driver—even millions would not worry me, let alone a few hundred thousand! I will crush him this time for certain. He sent Mobile General Guo Qing with five thousand horsemen by a secret night route behind Murong Ping's camp to burn his supply train; the flames were visible from Ye. Murong Wei, alarmed, sent Palace Attendant Lan Yi to rebuke Murong Ping: "You are a son of the founding emperor—you should worry for the altars of state; why do you neglect your soldiers and monopolize firewood and water for profit? The treasury is yours as well as mine—what need to fear poverty! If the enemy breaks through and the realm falls, where will you hoard your gold and silk then! He ordered all the hoarded wealth distributed to the troops and pressed Ping to give battle. Terrified, Murong Ping sent envoys asking Wang Meng for battle."
52
甲子，猛陳於渭源而誓之曰：「王景略受國厚恩，任兼內外，今與諸君深入賊地，當竭力致死，有進無退，共立大功，以報國家。 受爵明君之朝，稱觴父母之室，不亦美乎！」 眾皆踴躍，破釜棄糧，大呼競進。
On jiazi, Wang Meng drew up his army at Weiyuan and swore: "I, Wang Jinglüe, owe the state a great debt and hold power both at court and in the field; we march deep into enemy land—fight to the death, advance and never retreat, and together win glory for the realm. To receive honors in a wise ruler's court and toast your parents at home—what could be finer! The troops shouted with zeal, smashed their pots and dropped their rations, and charged with a roar."
53
猛望燕兵之眾，謂鄧羌曰：「今日之事，非將軍不能破勍敵。 成敗之機，在茲一舉，將軍勉之！」 羌曰：「若能以司隸見與者，公勿以為憂。」 猛曰：「此非吾所及也，必以安定太守、萬戶侯相處。」 羌不悅而退。 俄而兵交，猛召羌，羌寢弗應。 猛馳就許之，羌乃大飲帳中，與張蚝、徐成等跨馬運矛，馳赴燕陳； 出入數四，旁若無人，所殺傷數百。 及日中，燕兵大敗，俘斬五萬餘人，乘勝追擊，所殺及降者又十萬餘人，評單騎走還鄴。
Gazing at the vast Yan host, Wang Meng told Deng Qiang, "Today's battle cannot be won without you. Everything hangs on this charge—do your utmost, General! Deng Qiang replied, "Grant me the post of metropolitan inspector, and you need not worry." Wang Meng said, "That is beyond my power—I can only offer you the governorship of Anding and a marquisate of ten thousand households." Displeased, Deng Qiang withdrew. Battle joined; Wang Meng called for Deng Qiang, who stayed in his tent and would not answer. Wang Meng rode to him in person and granted his request; Deng Qiang then drank deep in his tent, and with Zhang Hao, Xu Cheng, and others mounted, wheeled their spears, and charged the Yan lines; they rode in and out four times as though no one else were on the field, killing and wounding hundreds. By noon the Yan army lay in ruins: more than fifty thousand killed or captured; in the pursuit another hundred thousand fell or surrendered, and Murong Ping fled alone on horseback back to Ye."
54
崔鴻曰：鄧羌請郡將以撓法，徇私也； 勒兵欲攻王猛，無上也； 臨戰豫求司隸，邀君也。 有此三者，罪孰大焉！ 猛能容其所短，收其所長，若馴猛虎，馭悍馬，以成大功。 《詩》雲：「采葑采菲，無以下體。」 猛之謂矣。
Cui Hong commented: In asking the provincial commander to set aside military law, Deng Qiang was putting private interest first; in drawing up his soldiers to attack Wang Meng he reached the height of insubordination; and in demanding the post of Metropolitan Commandant on the eve of battle he was holding his sovereign to ransom. Given these three offenses, which crime could rank above them? Yet Wang Meng overlooked his faults and put his strengths to use, as one tames a savage tiger or rides a spirited horse, and so won a great victory. The Book of Songs says: "We gather turnips, we gather radishes; do not reject them for what lies below." Such was Wang Meng's way.
55
秦兵長驅而東，丁卯，圍鄴。 猛上疏稱：「臣以甲子之日，大殲丑類。 順陛下仁愛之志，使六州士庶，不覺易主，自非守迷違命，一無所害。」 秦王堅報之曰：「將軍役不逾時，而元惡克舉，勳高前古。 朕今親帥六軍，星言電赴。 將軍其休養將士，以待朕至，然後取之。」
The Qin army swept eastward; on dingmao it encircled Ye. Wang Meng memorialized the throne: "On the day jiazi your servant annihilated the enemy host. In accord with Your Majesty's merciful purpose I have let the people of six provinces scarcely feel that their ruler has changed; save those who stubbornly resist, none have come to harm. Emperor Fu Jian replied: "General, you finished within the allotted time and destroyed the chief foe—achievement higher than any in olden days. I now lead the imperial host myself, marching as swiftly as a shooting star. Rest your men and wait for my arrival before you deliver the final stroke.”
56
猛之未至也，鄴帝剽劫公行，及猛至，遠近貼然。 號令嚴明，軍無私犯，法簡政寬，燕民各安其業，更相謂曰：「不圖今日復見太原王！」 猛聞之，歎曰：「慕容玄恭信奇士也，可謂古之遺愛矣！」 設太牢以祭之。
Before Wang Meng arrived, bandits roamed the roads around Ye; once he came, peace returned far and near. His discipline was iron, his soldiers scrupulous, his laws light and his rule gentle; the people of Yan went safely about their trades and said to one another, "We never thought we would see the Prince of Taiyuan's ways again! When Wang Meng heard this he sighed: "Murong Xuangong was indeed a rare man—his kindness still reaches us from ages past! He offered the highest sacrificial rites in Murong Jun's honor.
57
十一月，秦王堅留李威輔太子守長安，陽平公融鎮洛陽，自帥精銳十萬赴鄴，七日而至安陽，宴祖父時故老。 猛潛如安陽謁堅，堅曰：「昔周亞夫不迎漢文帝，今將軍臨敵而棄軍，何也？」 猛曰：「亞夫前卻人主以求名，臣竊少之。 且臣奉陛下威靈，擊垂亡之虜，譬如釜中之魚，何足慮也！ 監國沖幼，鸞駕遠臨，脫有不虞，悔之何及！ 陛下忘臣灞上之言邪！」
In the eleventh month Fu Jian left Li Wei to help the crown prince guard Chang'an and Yangping Duke Fu Rong to hold Luoyang, then marched east with a hundred thousand elite troops; in seven days he reached Anyang and banqueted the elders who had known his grandfather. Wang Meng slipped away to Anyang to see Fu Jian, who said: "Long ago Zhou Yafu would not receive Emperor Wen of Han at his camp—now you leave the field while the enemy is still before you. Why? Wang Meng answered: "Yafu turned his emperor away to win a reputation for strictness—I have never admired that. Besides, under Your Majesty's majesty I strike a doomed foe—fish in a boiling pot. What is there to fear? The regent Fu Chong is still a boy, and you would ride far from the capital—if misfortune should come, regret would come too late! Has Your Majesty forgotten what I told you at Bashang?”
58
初，燕宜都王桓帥眾萬餘屯沙亭，為太傅評後繼，聞評敗，引兵屯內黃。 堅使鄧羌攻信都。 丁丑，桓帥鮮卑五千奔龍城。 戊寅，燕散騎侍郎餘蔚帥扶餘、高句麗及上黨質子五百餘人，夜，開鄴北門，納秦兵，燕主暐與上庸王評、樂安王臧、字襄王淵、左衛將軍孟高、殿中將軍艾朗等奔龍城。 辛巳，秦王堅入鄴宮。
Earlier Murong Huan, Prince of Yidu, had camped at Shating with ten thousand men as Murong Ping's reserve; when Ping was defeated he withdrew to Neihuang. Fu Jian dispatched Deng Qiang against Xindu. On dingchou Murong Huan fled to Longcheng with five thousand Xianbei horsemen. On wuyin Yu Wei, a Yan chamberlain, opened Ye's north gate by night with five hundred Fuyu, Goguryeo, and Shangdang hostages and let the Qin army in; Murong Wei fled to Longcheng with Murong Ping, Le'an Prince Murong Zang, Beixiang Prince Murong Yuan, Meng Gao, Ai Lang, and others. On xinsi Fu Jian entered the palace at Ye.
59
慕容垂見燕公卿大夫及故時僚吏，有慍色。 高弼言於垂曰：「大王憑祖宗積累之資，負英傑高世之略，遭值迍阨，棲集外邦。 今雖家國傾覆，安知其不為興運之始邪！ 愚謂國之舊人，宜恢江海之量，有以慰結其心，以立覆簣之基，成九仞之功，奈何以一怒捐之？ 愚竊為大王不取也！」 垂悅，從之。
When Murong Chui met Yan's former ministers and officials, his face showed anger. Gao Bi said to him: "Your Highness draws on the accumulated strength of your house and on gifts that set you above your age; you have suffered ruin and dwell now in a foreign land. Though our state has fallen, who knows but this is the seed of a new rise? Your old countrymen should be met with the breadth of river and sea; win their hearts and you lay the first basket of earth for a nine-fathom tower—why cast that away in a moment's wrath? I must say, my lord, that would be unwise. Murong Chui took the advice and did as he was urged."
60
燕主暐之出鄴也，衛士猶千餘騎，既出城，皆散，惟十餘騎從行； 秦王堅使游擊將軍郭慶追之。 時道路艱難，孟高扶侍暐，經護二王，極其勤瘁，又所在遇盜，轉斗而前。 數日，行至福祿，依塚解息，盜二十餘人猝至，皆挾弓矢，高持刀與戰，殺傷數人。 高力極，自度必死，乃直前抱一賊，頓擊於地，大呼曰：「男兒窮矣！」 餘賊從帝射高，殺之。 艾朗見高獨戰，亦還趨賊，並死。 暐失馬步走，郭慶追及於高陽，部將巨武將縛之，暐曰：「汝何小人，敢縛天子！」 武曰：「我受詔追賊，何謂天子！」 執以詣秦王堅。 堅詰其不降而走之狀，對曰：「狐死首丘，欲歸死於先人墳墓耳。」 堅哀而釋之，令還宮，帥文武出降。 暐稱孟高、艾朗之忠於堅，堅命厚加斂葬，拜其子為郎中。
When Murong Wei fled Ye he still had a thousand guards, but once outside the walls they all scattered and only a dozen horsemen rode with him; Fu Jian sent Mobile General Guo Qing in pursuit. The roads were treacherous; Meng Gao attended Murong Wei and guarded the two princes with tireless devotion, fighting bandits at every turn as they pressed forward. After several days they reached Fulu and rested by a tomb; more than twenty armed bandits fell upon them, and Meng Gao fought with his blade, killing or wounding several. Exhausted and knowing he would die, he seized one robber, dashed him to the ground, and cried out: "This is as far as a man can go! The remaining bandits shot at him before Murong Wei and killed him. Ai Lang saw Meng Gao fighting alone, wheeled back toward the bandits, and died beside him. Murong Wei lost his horse and fled on foot until Guo Qing caught him at Gaoyang; as the subordinate Ju Wu moved to bind him, Wei cried: "How dare a wretch like you bind the Son of Heaven! Ju Wu replied: "I follow an order to seize a fugitive—what Son of Heaven? He bound Murong Wei and brought him before Fu Jian. Fu Jian asked why he had refused surrender and fled; Murong Wei answered: "When a fox dies its head turns homeward—I wished only to die among my forefathers' graves. Moved, Fu Jian freed him and sent him back to the palace to lead his ministers out in formal surrender. Murong Wei commended Meng Gao and Ai Lang's loyalty; Fu Jian had them buried with honor and made their sons palace attendants.
61
郭慶進至龍城，太傅評奔高句麗，高句麗執評，送於秦。 宜都王桓殺鎮東將軍勃海王亮，並其眾，奔遼東。 遼東太守韓稠，先已降秦，桓至，不得入，攻之，不克。 郭慶遣將軍朱嶷擊之，桓充眾單走，嶷獲而殺之。
Guo Qing pressed on to Longcheng; Murong Ping fled to Goguryeo, which captured him and sent him to Qin. Murong Huan murdered Eastern Pacifying General Prince Murong Liang of Bohai, absorbed his troops, and fled to Liaodong. Liaodong governor Han Chou had already submitted to Qin; Murong Huan could not enter, besieged him, and failed. Guo Qing sent General Zhu Ni against him; Murong Huan abandoned his army and fled alone; Zhu Ni captured and executed him.
62
諸州牧守及六夷渠帥盡降於秦，凡得郡百五十七，戶二百四十六萬，口九百九十九萬。 以燕宮人、珍寶分賜將士。 下詔大赦曰：「朕以寡薄，猥承休命，不能懷遠以德，柔服四維，至使戎車屢駕，有害斯民，雖百姓之過，然亦朕之罪也。 其大赦天下，與之更始。」
Every provincial governor and tribal chief submitted to Qin; in all he gained one hundred fifty-seven commanderies, 2.46 million households, and 9.99 million people. He divided Yan's palace women and treasures among his officers and men. He proclaimed a general amnesty: "My virtues are few, yet I rashly received the mandate; I failed to win the far reaches through kindness or to soften the realm in all directions, so that chariots of war went forth again and again to the harm of the people. The fault lies with the people, but the blame is mine as well. Therefore let the empire be pardoned and begin anew with a clean slate.”
63
初，梁琛之使秦也，以侍輦苟純為副。 琛每應對，不先告純； 純恨之，歸，言於燕主暐曰：「琛在長安，與王猛甚親善，疑有異謀。」 琛又數稱秦王堅及王猛之美，且言秦將興師，宜為之備。 已而秦果伐燕，皆如琛言，暐乃疑琛知其情。 及慕容評敗，遂收琛繫獄。 秦王堅入鄴而釋之，除中書著作郎，引見，謂之曰：「卿昔言上庸王、吳王皆將相奇材，何為不能謀畫，自使亡國？」 對曰：「天命廢興，豈二人所能移也！」 堅曰：「卿不能見幾而作，虛稱燕美，忠不自防，返為身禍，可謂智乎？」 對曰：「臣聞『幾者動之微，吉兇之先見者也。』 如臣愚闇，實所不及。 然為臣莫如忠，為子莫如孝，自非有一至之心者，莫能保忠孝之始終。 是以古之烈士，臨危不改，見死不避，以徇君親。 彼知幾者，心達安危，身擇去就，不顧家國，臣就使知之，尚不忍為，況非所及邪！」
When Liang Chen first went as envoy to Qin, Gou Chun served as his deputy. Liang Chen answered every question without consulting Gou Chun beforehand; Gou Chun hated this; back in Yan he told Murong Wei: "In Chang'an Liang Chen grew very close to Wang Meng—I suspect treachery. Liang Chen also praised Fu Jian and Wang Meng openly and warned that Qin would invade—Yan should prepare. When Qin attacked exactly as Liang Chen had foretold, Murong Wei began to suspect he had known more than he let on. After Murong Ping's defeat he threw Liang Chen in prison. After taking Ye Fu Jian freed him, made him a compiler in the secretariat, and asked: "You once praised the Prince of Shangyong and the Prince of Wu as rare talent in statecraft—why could they not save their country from ruin? Liang Chen answered: "The rise and fall of dynasties is Heaven's decree—how could two men overturn it? Fu Jian said: "You failed to read the signs in time, praised Yan without cause, kept faith without guarding yourself, and brought ruin on your own head—is that wisdom? He replied: "I have heard that 'the subtle' is the first tremor of events, the foreshadowing of fortune or doom. In my dullness I could never grasp such things. Yet nothing becomes a minister like loyalty, or a son like filial piety; only one utterly devoted can carry duty and devotion from first to last. That is why heroes of old faced danger unflinching and death unafraid for sovereign and kin. Those who read the signs choose safety over peril, pick their moment and think nothing of country or kin; even if I had such knowledge I would still refuse to act on it—much less attain it!”
64
堅聞悅綰之忠，恨不及見，拜其子為郎中。
Fu Jian heard of Yue Wan's faithful death and, grieving that he could not meet him, made Yue Wan's son a palace attendant.
65
堅以王猛為使持節、都督關東六州諸軍事、車騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、冀州牧，鎮鄴，進爵清河郡侯，悉以慕容評第中之物賜之。 賜楊安爵博平縣侯； 以鄧羌為使持節、征虜將軍、安定太守，賜爵真定郡侯； 郭慶為持節、都督幽州諸軍事、幽州刺史，鎮薊，賜爵襄城侯。 其餘將士封賞各有差。
Fu Jian made Wang Meng commander of the six eastern provinces with full military authority, Chariot-and-Cavalry Grand General, and Governor of Ji, stationed at Ye as Marquis of Qinghe, and gave him everything in Murong Ping's mansion. Yang An was created Marquis of Boxian; Deng Qiang was made Bearer of the Staff, General Who Conquers Barbarians, and Administrator of Anding, with the title Marquis of Zhending; Guo Qing was made governor and military commander of You Province, stationed at Ji as Marquis of Xiangcheng. Other officers and men were rewarded according to their merit.
66
堅以京兆韋鐘為魏郡太守，彭豹為陽平太守； 其餘州縣牧、守、令、長，皆因舊而授之。 以燕常山太守申紹為散騎侍郎，使與散騎侍郎京兆韋儒俱為繡衣使者，循行關東州郡，觀省風俗，勸課農桑，振恤窮困，收葬死亡，旌顯節行，燕政有不便於民者，皆變除之。
Fu Jian appointed Wei Zhong of Jingzhao governor of Wei Commandery and Peng Bao governor of Yangping; For the rest he kept the existing prefects, governors, and magistrates in post. He made Shen Shao and Wei Ru embroidered-robes inspectors to tour the eastern provinces, review local customs, promote farming, aid the poor, bury the dead with honor, and reward virtue; every Yan regulation that harmed the people was abolished.
67
十二月，秦王堅遷慕容暐及燕後妃、王公、百官並鮮卑四萬餘戶於長安。
In the twelfth month Fu Jian moved Murong Wei, the Yan royal household, the nobles and officials, and more than forty thousand Xianbei families to Chang'an.
68
王猛表留梁琛為主簿，領記室督。 它日，猛與僚屬宴，語及燕朝使者，猛曰：「人心不同。 昔梁君至長安，專美本朝； 樂君但言桓溫軍盛； 郝君微說國弊。」 參軍馮誕曰：「今三子皆為國臣，敢問取臣之道何先？」 猛曰：「郝君知幾為先。」 誕曰：「然則明公賞丁公而誅季布也。」 猛大笑。
Wang Meng asked to keep Liang Chen as his chief clerk and head of his secretariat. One evening at a feast with his staff Wang Meng spoke of the Yan envoys and said: "Men's hearts differ. Liang Chen came to Chang'an and would speak only of Yan's virtues; Yue spoke of nothing but Huan Wen's strength; Hao barely hinted at Yan's weakness. His aide Feng Yan asked: "All three now serve your lordship—which quality matters most in choosing a minister? Wang Meng said: "Hao's gift for reading the signs comes first." Feng Yan said: "Then you would reward the turncoat and execute the faithful man." Wang Meng laughed heartily."
69
秦王堅自鄴如枋頭，宴父老，改枋頭為永昌，復之終世。 甲寅，至長安，封慕容暐為新興侯； 以燕故臣慕容評為給事中，皇甫真為奉車都尉，李洪為駙馬都尉，皆奉朝請。 李邽為尚書，封衡為尚書郎，慕容德為張掖太守，燕國平睿為宣威將軍，悉羅騰為三署郎。 其餘封授各有差。 衡，裕之子也。
Fu Jian went from Ye to Fangtou, feasted the local elders, renamed the place Yongchang, and exempted it from taxes for life. On jiayin he reached Chang'an and created Murong Wei Marquis of Xinxing; Former Yan ministers were given posts: Murong Ping as palace attendant, Huangfu Zhen and Li Hong as court commandants, all with regular attendance at court. Li Gui was made a minister, Feng Heng a secretary, Murong De governor of Zhangye, Ping Rui a general, and Xi Luoteng an officer of the palace guard. Others received titles and offices according to rank. Feng Heng was the son of Feng Yu.
70
燕故太史黃泓歎曰：「燕必中興，其在吳王乎！ 恨吾老，不及見耳！」 汲郡趙秋曰：「天道在燕，而秦滅之。 不及十五年，秦必復為燕有。」
Huang Hong, Yan's former court astrologer, sighed: "Yan will rise again—and the Prince of Wu will be the man! Alas that I am too old to live to see it!" Zhao Qiu of Ji Commandery said, "Heaven favored Yan, yet Qin destroyed it. Within fifteen years Qin will again belong to Yan."
71
慕容桓之子鳳，年十一，陰有復仇之志。 鮮卑、丁零有氣干者，皆傾身與之交結。 權翼見而謂之曰：「兒方以才望自顯，勿效爾父不識天命！」 鳳厲色曰：「先王欲建忠而不遂，此乃人臣之節； 君侯之言，豈獎勸將來之義乎！」 翼改容謝之，言於秦王堅曰：「慕容鳳忼慨有才器，但狼子野心，恐終不為人用耳。」
Murong Huan's son Feng, only eleven, secretly nursed a wish for revenge. Bold Xianbei and Dingling youths all sought his friendship. Quan Yi saw this and warned him, "You are building a name on talent—do not follow your father in defying Heaven's mandate!" Feng said coldly, "My father wished to serve loyally and could not finish—that is a subject's duty; are your words meant to encourage a future worth having!" Yi apologized and told King Fu Jian, "Murong Feng is bold and able, but he has the heart of a wolf cub and may never truly serve anyone."
72
秦省雍州。
Qin abolished Yong Province.
73
是歲，仇池公楊世卒，子纂立，始與秦絕。 叔父武都太守統與之爭國，起兵相攻。
That year Duke of Chouchi Yang Shi died; his son Zuan succeeded and broke with Qin for the first time. His uncle Tong, administrator of Wudu, contested the succession and raised troops against him.