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卷111 晉紀三十三

Volume 111 Jin Records 33

Chapter 111 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 111. 【Jin Records 33】 From the year Tuyi Dayuanxian through Shangzhang Kundun—two years in all. Year 3 of Longan under Emperor An of Jin (jihai, AD 399). In spring, in the first month, on xinyou day, the court proclaimed a general amnesty. On wuchen day, Liu Zhong, the Yan governor of Changli, was executed for plotting rebellion. The case implicated Gen, Duke of Dongyang and Director of the Masters of Writing, and Duan Cheng, a Master of Writing—both were put to death as accomplices. The court sent Central Guard General Wei Shuang to Fancheng to execute Zhong's younger brother Zhi, who was Inspector of Youzhou. Yuan, Duke of Pingyuan and Guardian General, was appointed Grand Minister over the Masses and Director of the Masters of Writing. On gengwu day, the Wei ruler Tuoba Gui toured the north. He sent three armies east along Changchuan under Grand General Prince Changshan Zun; seven armies west through Niuchuan under Pacifier of the North Prince Gaoliang Lezhen; and led the main force himself on a central route along the Bojian River to attack the Gaoche. On renwu day, Zhang Zhen, Right General of Yan, and He Han, Colonel of the City Gates, were executed for treason. On guiwei day, Yan granted a general amnesty and adopted the reign title Changle. The Yan ruler Murong Sheng personally heard cases every ten days, forbore torture, and in most instances arrived at the truth. Wugu, Prince of Wuwei, moved his seat to Ledu. He posted his younger brother Lilugu, Duke of Xiping, at Anyi; Rutan, Duke of Guangwu, at Xiping; his uncle Suwo on the Huang River; Ruoliu on the Jiao River; his cousin Tiyin in Lingnan; Luohui in Lianchuan; and his uncle Turuoliu at Hao'ai; Able men from both the tribal and Chinese populations were assigned posts according to talent—some to high office at court, others to govern counties and commanderies—and all were well matched to their roles. Wugu told his ministers, "Longyou and Hexi were once a few commanderies, but turmoil has split them into more than a dozen states. The Lü, Qifu, and Duan clans are the strongest. If we mean to seize them, which should we attack first?" Yang Tong replied, "The Qifu were once our own tribe—they will submit in time. The Duan are bookish men who pose no real danger, and they are already friendly with us—an attack would be unjust. Lü Guang is senile and his heir feeble. Zuan and Hong may be capable, but they distrust each other. If we launch repeated raids from Hao'ai and Lianchuan while their defenses are thin, they will wear themselves out rushing to respond. In no more than two years, with their armies exhausted and their people strained, Guzang will be within our grasp. Once Guzang falls, the other two rivals will yield without a fight." Wugu said, "Well said." In the second month, on dinghai, the first day of the month, the Wei army crushed more than twenty Gaoche tribes, taking over seventy thousand captives, more than three hundred thousand horses, and over 1.4 million head of cattle and sheep. Prince Wei Yi led thirty thousand horsemen on a separate route more than a thousand li across the desert, defeated seven tribes, and captured over twenty thousand people, fifty thousand horses, and twenty thousand cattle and sheep. The Gaoche tribes were thrown into great alarm. Fan Da, king of Linyi, captured Rinan and Jiuzhen and then invaded Jiaozhi, but Prefect Du Yuan routed his forces. On gengxu day, Yu Yue, Wei's General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, defeated Zhang Chao at Bohai and executed him. Duan Ye took the throne of Liang and proclaimed the reign title Tianxi. Juqu Mengxun was made Left Director of the Masters of Writing and Liang Zhongyong Right Director. The Wei ruler Gui held a great hunt south of Niuchuan, using Gaoche tribesmen to form a seven-hundred-li drive; then drove the game south to Pingcheng and set the Gaoche to building a deer park several tens of li wide. In the third month, on jiwei day, Gui returned to Pingcheng. On jiazi day, Gui reorganized the thirty-six bureaus of the Masters of Writing and the outer offices into three hundred sixty bureaus, each placed under one of the eight great chieftains. Cui Hong, Minister of Personnel, oversaw all thirty-six bureaus in the manner of a chief minister coordinating the administration. He appointed Erudites for the Five Classics and raised enrollment at the Imperial University to three thousand students. Gui asked Erudite Li Xian, "What in the world best sharpens the mind and spirit? Li Xian answered, "Nothing surpasses books. Gui asked, "How many books exist, and how could we collect them all? Li Xian replied, "Since writing began, each generation has added to the store until today—they are beyond counting. But if the sovereign wills it, what is there to fear—they will be gathered." Gui took his advice and ordered every commandery and district to scour for books and send them to Pingcheng. Earlier, Fu Guang, younger brother of Former Qin ruler Fu Deng, had brought three thousand followers to serve Murong De of Southern Yan, who made him Champion General and stationed him at Qihuo Fort. When Mars stood in the Well mansion, some said Former Qin would rise again. Guang proclaimed himself King of Qin, attacked Murong Zhong, Prince of Northern Yan, and routed him. Huatai was then isolated and weak—fewer than ten walled towns and barely ten thousand men. After Zhong's defeat, many of De's adherents deserted him for Guang. De left Prince Luyang He to hold Huatai and marched in person against Guang, whom he killed. When Murong Bao of Yan reached Liyang, Prince Luyang He and his chief clerk Li Bian urged He to receive him; He refused. Fearing for himself, Bian secretly guided Jin troops to Guancheng, planning to rebel while De was away campaigning. When De never marched out, Bian grew only more anxious. When De set out against Fu Guang, Bian again pressed He to rebel. He again refused, so Bian killed him and surrendered Huatai to Wei. He Ba, Director of the Masters of Writing on Wei's field staff at Ye, rode with light cavalry from Ye to take possession. When He Ba arrived, Bian regretted his decision and shut the gates to resist. Ba sent Master of Writing Attendant Deng Hui to negotiate; Bian opened the gates and admitted him. He Ba then seized De's palace women and treasury. De sent troops against He Ba, who met them in counterattack and routed them, then defeated De's general Prince Guiyang Zhen and took more than a thousand prisoners. Many people in Chen and Ying districts went over to Wei. Murong Yun, Southern Yan's Right Guard General, killed Li Bian and led more than twenty thousand soldiers and dependents out of Huatai to rejoin De. De wanted to retake Huatai. Han Fan said, "Before, Wei was the guest and we the host; now we are the guest and Wei the host. Our men are frightened and in no state to fight again. We should secure a territory, build a foundation, and only then plan our next move." Zhang Hua said, "Pengcheng is the ancient capital of Chu—we can seize and hold it. Prince Northern Yan Zhong and others all urged De to retake Huatai. Master of Writing Pan Cong said, "Huatai sits at a crossroads—Wei to the north, Jin to the south, Qin to the west. No one who holds it has known a day of peace. Pengcheng is broad and thinly peopled, flat and without natural defenses—and as a former Jin stronghold, it will not be easy to take. It also lies close to the Yangzi and Huai, which flood in summer and autumn. River warfare is Wu's strength and our weakness. Qingzhou offers two thousand li of rich land and more than a hundred thousand seasoned troops. To the east lies the wealth of the coast; to the west, mountain barriers. Guanggu, built by Cao Yi, is steep and defensible—fit for an imperial capital. The able men of the Three Qi have long yearned for a worthy ruler under whom they could win glory. Pilü Hun once served Yan. Send eloquent envoys ahead and follow with a great army. If he refuses, taking his territory will be as easy as picking up a mustard seed. Once we hold that land, shut the passes, rest our forces, and strike when opportunity appears—that will be Your Majesty's Guanzhong and Henei." De remained undecided. The monk Zhu Lang was skilled in divination. De sent gate officer Su Fu to consult him. Zhu Lang said, "I have weighed all three plans. Master of Writing Pan's is the counsel that would found a kingdom. Moreover, early this year a comet rose in Kui and Lou and swept through Xu and Wei. A comet means clearing away the old to make way for the new. Kui and Lou signify Lu; Xu and Wei signify Qi. You should first take Yanzhou and secure Langye, then in autumn march north into Qi—this is Heaven's course." Su Fu also asked privately about the dynasty's span. Zhu Lang divined with the Book of Changes and said, "Yan will decline in the year gengxu—twelve years in all, and the succession will reach the son's generation. Su Fu reported back, and De marched south. Every commandery and district on the northern fringe of Yanzhou submitted. De appointed officials to govern them and forbade his soldiers from looting. The people rejoiced, and the roads were lined with offerings of cattle and wine. On bingzi day, Tuoba Gui sent General Who Establishes Righteousness Yu Zhen and Colonel of Agile Cavalry Xi Jin against the Kudi, Youlian, and Houmochen tribes. All were defeated; the pursuit reached Great E Valley, where garrisons were posted before the army withdrew. On jimao day, the emperor's birth mother, Lady Chen, was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager De. In summer, in the fourth month, five thousand households under the Xianbei leader Dieju of Henei surrendered to Western Qin. Western Qin ruler Qifu Gangui appointed Dieju chief commander in Henei and gave him a clan daughter in marriage. On jiawu day, Yan proclaimed a general amnesty. The Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Daozi, was ill and drank himself drunk every day without fail. The heir Sima Yuanxian, knowing the court despised his father, prompted the court to strip Daozi of the posts of Minister over the Masses and Inspector of Yangzhou. On yiwei day, Yuanxian was appointed Inspector of Yangzhou. Daozi learned of it only after he sobered up. He was furious but could do nothing. Yuanxian made Zhang Fashun of Kuaiji, Administrator of Lujiang, his chief strategist, brought in many relatives and allies, and all the great officials at court feared and deferred to him. Yu Chao, Palace Attendant of Yan, Left General Gao He, and others were executed for plotting rebellion. Liang crown prince Shao and Prince of Taiyuan Zuan led troops against Northern Liang. Northern Liang ruler Duan Ye sought help from Tufa Wugu, Prince of Wuwei, who sent Flying Cavalry General Lilugu and Yang Gui to the rescue. Ye was about to fight when Juqu Mengxun remonstrated: "Yang Gui relies on Xianbei strength and harbors aggressive designs. Shao and Zuan have marched deep and put their army in a death trap—we cannot stand against them. If we do not fight, we have the security of Mount Tai; if we fight, we face peril as fragile as a pile of eggs." Ye took his advice and held his army back without giving battle. Shao and Zuan withdrew their armies. In the sixth month, Wugu made Lilugu Governor of Liangzhou and stationed him at Xiping, then summoned Chariots and Cavalry General Rutan to the capital to manage state affairs. The Kuaiji heir Yuanxian, considering himself too young, did not wish to remain long in so heavy a post; On wuzi day, Prince Langya Dewen was appointed Minister over the Masses. Lu Pu of Fanyang, former Administrator of Henei under Wei, led several thousand households of his followers to Yuyang for provisions and then seized several commanderies. In autumn, in the seventh month, on jiwei day, Yan ruler Murong Sheng sent envoys to appoint Lu Pu Governor of Youzhou. On xinyou day, Murong Sheng issued an edict: "Under the statutes, dukes and marquises guilty of crimes could redeem themselves with gold and silk. That is not enough to punish wrongdoing and only enriches the royal treasury—it is utterly pointless. From now on all must earn merit to redeem their offenses. No more payments in gold and silk. Chilian Qidu, Duke of Chuannan Xuan and Chancellor of Western Qin, died. Later Qin Duke of Qi Chong and General Who Pacifies the East Yang Fosong attacked Luoyang. Xin Gongjing of Longxi, Administrator of Henan, shut the city gates and held out. Yongzhou Inspector Yang Xianqi sent envoys to seek help from Tuoba Zun, Prince of Changshan. Wei ruler Tuoba Gui sent Palace Attendant Zhang Ji of Xihe as Attendant Master of Writing under Zun to reply. Xianqi asked Ji: "When Wei attacked Zhongshan, how many fighting men did you have? Ji replied: "More than four hundred thousand." Xianqi said: "With Wei's might, these petty Qiang are nothing you cannot crush. Jin and Wei were originally one house, and now that we are allied there is no reason to hide anything. Our army here is weak and supplies are scarce. Luoyang's rescue depends entirely on Wei. If the city is saved, you will surely receive rich reward; if it cannot be held, better that Wei take it than that the Qiang do. Ji returned and reported this. In the eighth month, Tuoba Gui sent Grand Commandant Mu Chong with sixty thousand horsemen to the rescue. Li Lang, Administrator of Liaoxi under Yan, had governed the commandery for ten years and his authority ran throughout it. Fearing Murong Sheng would suspect him, he ignored repeated summons. Because his family was in Longcheng he did not dare rebel openly, but secretly summoned Wei troops and promised to surrender the commandery; he sent envoys racing to Longcheng with greatly exaggerated reports of enemy pressure. Sheng said: "This must be a ruse. He summoned the envoys and questioned them closely, and there proved to be no truth in it. Sheng exterminated Lang's entire clan. On dingyou day he sent General Who Supports the State Li Han to campaign against him. Earlier, Zhang Gun, General Who Bestirs Martial Might, had been trusted and valued by Tuoba Gui for his talent and counsel, and was treated as a confidant. Gui asked Gun about men of the Central Plains. Gun recommended Lu Pu and Cui Cheng, and Gui employed them both. Gui besieged Zhongshan for a long time without taking it. Army provisions ran short, and he asked his ministers for advice. Cui Cheng, serving as Censor-in-Chief, replied: "Mulberries can supplement grain. The flying crow eats mulberries and changes its cry—that is what the poets praise. Gui took his advice and allowed the people to pay taxes in mulberries, but he considered Cheng insolent and nursed a grudge against him. Qin forces raided Xiangyang. Yongzhou Inspector Xi Huai sent a letter to Tuoba Zun, Prince of Changshan, seeking rescue: "Your brother marches like a tiger across the Central Plains. Gui considered Xi Huai's letter a breach of proper etiquette between ruler and subject and ordered Gun and Cheng to draft a reply that must demean the Jin emperor. Gun and Cheng called the emperor "honored sovereign." Gui raged: "I ordered you to demean him, yet you call him 'honored sovereign'—how is that different from calling him 'worthy elder brother'! When Cui Cheng had surrendered to Wei, fearing in the chaos that Wei might exterminate his line, he left his wife Lady Zhang and four sons in Jizhou and went alone with his youngest son Ze to Pingcheng. The family he left behind then fled to Southern Yan. Gui also held this against Cheng and sentenced him to death. Lu Pu accepted a title from Yan, raided Wei commanderies and districts, and killed Wei's Inspector of Youzhou Feng Tagen. Gui declared that none of Gun's recommendations had been suitable and demoted him to Clerk of the Masters of Writing. Gun then shut his doors to the world, devoting himself only to collating the classics by hand, and died a little over a year later. When Murong Bao of Yan was defeated, Chief Secretary and Minister of the People Feng Yi surrendered to Wei. Tuoba Gui made him Attendant in the Yellow Gate Office and Director of the Grand Commissary. Gui questioned him about old affairs of the Murong house. Feng Yi's answers were careless and disrespectful, and he too was dismissed to live at home. Tufa Wugu, Prince of Wuwei, while drunk rode a horse, injured his side, and died. His final orders were to establish the eldest son. The people established his younger brother Lilugu instead. Wugu was given the posthumous title Wu Wang and the temple name Liezu. Lilugu proclaimed a general amnesty and moved the capital to Xiping. Murong De of Southern Yan sent envoys to persuade Youzhou Inspector Pilü Hun to submit, but Hun refused. De sent Prince of Northern Yan Murong Zhong with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack him, then advanced and occupied Langya. More than one hundred thousand people of Xu and Yan provinces came over to him. De himself marched north from Langya, made Prince of Nanhai Murong Fa Inspector of Yanzhou, and stationed him at Liangfu. He attacked Jucheng. The defending general Ren An abandoned the city and fled. De made Pan Cong Inspector of Xuzhou and stationed him at Jucheng. During the turmoil of Lan Han, Yan Minister of the Masters of Writing Feng Fu fled south to Pilü Hun, who memorialized to make him Administrator of Bohai; When De arrived, Feng Fu came out and surrendered. De said joyfully: "I am not happy to have gained Qingzhou—I am happy to have gained you! He then entrusted him with confidential state affairs. Prince of Northern Yan Murong Zhong issued proclamations to the commanderies of Qingzhou, explaining the consequences of submission or resistance. Pilü Hun moved more than eight thousand households into Guanggu to defend it, sent Sima Cui Yan to garrison Bo and Xun Gu, and Pingyuan Administrator Zhang Huo to garrison Liuquan; Cui Yan and Zhang Huo both surrendered to De upon receiving the proclamation. Hun was terrified and fled with his wife and children to Wei. De sent Commandant of the Archers Liu Gang in pursuit, caught up with him at Jucheng, and executed him. Hun's son Daoxiu came to De of his own accord and asked to die with his father. De said: "Though the father was disloyal, the son can be filial. He specially pardoned him. Hun's aide Zhang Ying had drafted a proclamation for him in language mostly insolent. De seized him and rebuked him. Ying's expression remained calm. He said slowly: "Hun had his minister, just as Han Xin had Kuai Tong. Kuai Tong met the founder of Han and lived; I meet Your Majesty and die. Compared with men of old, I consider myself rather unfortunate! De had him executed. He then established his capital at Guanggu. Li Han of Yan had marched as far as Jian'an when Murong Sheng urgently recalled him. Neither ruler nor ministers could fathom why. In the ninth month, on xinwei day, he was sent out again. Li Lang heard his family had been executed and gathered more than two thousand households to fortify himself; when he heard Li Han had returned, he assumed there was internal turmoil and stopped making preparations. He left his son Yang to hold Lingzhi and went himself to meet Wei troops at Beiping. On renzi day, Li Han stormed Lingzhi and captured it. He sent General of Expansive Might Meng Guangping in pursuit; Meng caught Li Lang at Wuzhong and executed him. Because calamities and portents kept appearing, the Qin ruler Yao Xing lowered his title to king and issued an edict that dukes, ministers, generals, governors, and local officials should each demote themselves one rank; he proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name to Hongshi. He sent relief to orphans and the poor, promoted talented men, streamlined the laws, and reviewed court cases. Officials with good records were rewarded and the greedy and cruel were executed. Order was restored near and far. In winter, the tenth month, on jiawu day, Wei Shuang, Central Guard General of Yan, was found guilty and ordered to take his own life. Li Han was on his way back when he learned of Shuang's death. In fear he abandoned his army and fled. At Banshi he turned back and surrendered himself to judgment. Murong Sheng restored his rank and title and said to Attendant-in-Ordinary Sun Qing, "As a general Han abandoned his army. That is an unpardonable crime. Yet when the former emperor suffered exile, kin turned against kin and ministers betrayed their posts. Only Han, though a eunuch, served with unwavering loyalty from first to last. I pardon him in remembrance of that service. Xin Gongjing held out for more than a hundred days, but Wei relief never came. Qin forces took Luoyang and captured him. When brought before King Yao Xing of Qin, Gongjing refused to bow. "I will never serve Di bandits!" he declared. Xing had him imprisoned, but Gongjing escaped and made his way back. North of the Huai and Han rivers, city after city offered surrender and sent hostages to Qin. Emperor Tuoba Gui of Wei appointed Mu Chong Governor of Yuzhou and posted him at Yewang. Sima Yuanxian, heir of Kuaiji, was harsh by nature and killed or spared as he pleased; he conscripted freed slaves who had become tenant clients from the eastern commanderies, called them "Music Retainers," and relocated them to the capital for military service. The eastern provinces erupted in outrage. Sun En seized on the unrest. Leading his followers from their island base, he killed the magistrate of Shangyu and marched on Kuaiji. Wang Ningzhi, Internal Grandee of Kuaiji and son of Wang Xizhi, came from a family devoted to the Celestial Masters faith. He sent out no troops and made no defense, spending his days kowtowing and chanting in the ritual hall. When his staff urged him to march against En, Ningzhi said, "I have already invoked the Great Way and borrowed ghost soldiers to hold every pass—tens of thousands at each. The rebels are nothing to fear. Only when En drew near did he allow troops to march out—by then En was already at the gates of the city. On jiayin day En captured Kuaiji. Ningzhi fled but was seized and executed, together with all his sons. Ningzhi's wife Xie Daoyun, daughter of Xie Yi, heard the enemy was coming and showed no panic. She had a maid carry her in a sedan chair, drew a blade, went out the gate, and killed several men herself before she was captured. Huan Qian, Internal Grandee of Wu; Wang Chong, Prince of Xin and Administrator of Linhai; and Wei Yin, Administrator of Yixing—all abandoned their posts and fled. Then Xie Jin of Kuaiji, Lu Gui of Wu, Qiu Kuang of Wuxing, Xu Chongzhi of Yixing, Zhou Zhou of Linhai, Zhang Yong of Yongjia, and others across eight commanderies including Dongyang and Xin'an rose at once, killed their local officials, and joined En. Within ten days their forces numbered in the hundreds of thousands. Xie Miao, Administrator of Wuxing; Sima Yi, Administrator of Yongjia; Gu Yin, Duke of Jiaxing; Xie Minghui, Duke of Nankang; Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate Xie Chong and Zhang Kun; Secretariat Officer Kong Dao; and others were all killed by En's partisans. Miao and Chong were both disciples of Xie An. The Three Wu region had known peace for so long that the people were unused to war. Commandery and county troops fled at the first sight of the enemy. En seized Kuaiji, styled himself General Who Conquers the East, and forced local notables into office. He called his followers "Long-lived Men." Those who refused to join were slaughtered down to infants; seven or eight out of ten perished. He had magistrates minced and forced their wives and children to eat the flesh. Those who refused were dismembered on the spot. Wherever they marched they looted, burned towns and granaries, felled trees, and filled in wells, driving the population to gather at Kuaiji; women who could not flee with their infants were thrown into the water with the words, "Congratulations on reaching the immortal halls first—I will follow soon. En submitted a memorial listing the crimes of Prince Sima Daozi of Kuaiji and his heir Yuanxian and calling for their execution. Since the emperor's accession, court and provinces had fallen out of step. South of Shitou was held by the Jing and Jiang regions; westward lay Yuzhou's domain; Jingkou and the lands north of the Yangzi were controlled by Liu Laozhi and Xiang Ya, Inspector of Guangling. The court's authority reached no farther than the Three Wu. When Sun En rebelled, eight commanderies fell to him. Bandits rose everywhere in the capital region, and his agents were known to be hiding in Jiankang itself. Fear spread through the population. Fearing a sudden uprising, the court put the capital and its environs under strict guard. Daozi was granted the yellow battle-axe; Yuanxian was made General Who Leads the Army of the Center; and Xie Yan, Governor of Xuzhou, was ordered to take command of Wuxing and Yixing and march against En; Liu Laozhi also mobilized against En, submitting his memorial and marching at once. Western Qin appointed Xin Jing, Administrator of Jincheng, as Right Chancellor. In the twelfth month, on jiawu day, Gao Hu, Administrator of Yan Commandery under Yan, surrendered to Wei with three thousand households. Gao Hu was the son of Gao Tai. On bingwu day Murong Sheng enfeoffed his younger brother Murong Yuan as Duke of Zhangwu, Murong Qian as Duke of Boling, and his son Murong Ding as Duke of Liaoxi. On dingwei day Empress Dowager Duan of Yan died. She was posthumously titled Empress Hui and Virtuous. Xie Yan attacked and killed Xu Chongzhi, restored Wei Yin to his commandery, and advanced against Qiu Kuang and routed him. He and Liu Laozhi fought their way forward, conquering wherever they turned. Xie Yan held at Wucheng and sent Marshal Gao Su to reinforce Laozhi, advancing as far as the Zhe River. An edict appointed Liu Laozhi overall commander of military affairs in the Wu region. Earlier, Liu Yu of Pengcheng lost his mother at birth. His father Liu Qiao, an émigré living at Jingkou, was so poor that he was about to abandon the infant. The mother of Liu Huaijing of the same commandery—Yu's aunt—had just given birth to Huaijing. She ran to the rescue, weaned her own child, and nursed Yu instead. When he grew up he was bold, vigorous, and full of ambition. He knew only a few written characters, made a living selling straw sandals, loved gambling, and was looked down on in his neighborhood. When Liu Laozhi marched against Sun En, he took Yu onto his staff and sent him with a few dozen men to reconnoiter the enemy. They ran into several thousand rebels. Yu charged at once. His men were all killed and he fell from the bank. As the rebels leaned over the bank to finish him, Yu swung his long blade upward and cut down several men, then scrambled ashore. Shouting, he drove them off. He killed and wounded a great many. Liu Jingxuan, alarmed that Yu had not returned, led men to find him and saw Yu alone putting thousands of rebels to flight. All who watched sighed in wonder. They pressed the attack, routed the rebels, and killed or captured more than a thousand. When En first heard that eight commanderies had risen with him, he told his followers, "The empire is ours. We shall dress in court robes and march on Jiankang. But when he learned that Laozhi had reached the river, he said, "If I hold everything east of the Zhe, I can still play the part of Goujian! On wushen day Laozhi crossed the river with his army. When En heard of it he said, "I am not too proud to run. He then drove more than two hundred thousand men, women, and children eastward, abandoning treasures and children along the road. Government troops stopped to loot the spoils, and En slipped away and fled back to his island refuge. Gao Su routed En's partisans at Shanyin and executed Lu Gui, En's appointee as Administrator of Wu; Qiu Kuang, Administrator of Wuxing; and Shen Mufu, Magistrate of Yuyao. The eastern provinces, ravaged by rebellion, had looked to the imperial armies for deliverance. Instead Laozhi and his men let their soldiers loot at will. The people lost hope. Towns stood empty for more than a month before anyone ventured back. Fearing En might return, the court appointed Xie Yan Administrator of Kuaiji and overall commander of five commanderies, and posted the civil and military officials of Xuzhou to guard the coast. Yuanxian was appointed Recorder of the Masters of Writing. People of the day called Daozi the Eastern Recorder and Yuanxian the Western Recorder; the Western offices thronged with carriages and horses, while at the Eastern residence one could spread a net at the gate—for no one came. Yuanxian had no worthy mentors. Those he trusted were mostly sycophants whom some hailed as heroes of the age and others as fashionable men of letters. Yuanxian grew ever more arrogant and extravagant. He urged the masters of ceremony to rule that, given his lofty virtue and heavy reputation, and since he now oversaw all government, every minister owed him full deference. From that point on, every official down to the lowest rank bowed when meeting Yuanxian. Campaign followed campaign until the treasury was drained. Officials from the Steward downward received seven sheng of grain a day, while Yuanxian kept hoarding wealth until he was richer than the imperial household. Yin Zhongkan, fearing Huan Xuan's overbearing ambition, sealed an alliance through marriage with Yang Quanqi. Quanqi repeatedly urged an attack on Xuan, but Zhongkan always held him back. Xuan, fearing he would eventually be destroyed by Yin and Yang, appealed to the regents and asked for an enlargement of his command; the regents, hoping to drive a wedge between them, made Xuan overall commander of four Jingzhou commanderies and replaced Quanqi's brother Guang as Colonel of the Southern Man with Xuan's brother Huan Wei. Quanqi was furious and afraid. Yang Guang wanted to resist Huan Wei, but Zhongkan refused and posted Guang as Administrator of Yidu and Jianping. Yang Zijing had been Chancellor of Jiangxia. Xuan attacked by force, seized him, and made him a Consultation Adviser. Quanqi mobilized his army and raised his standard, claiming he would march to relieve Luoyang, and planned to strike Xuan together with Zhongkan. Zhongkan had allied with Quanqi outwardly but distrusted him inwardly and tried hard to stop him; unable to restrain him fully, he sent his cousin Yin Yu to encamp on the northern frontier to block Quanqi. Quanqi could neither move alone nor read Zhongkan's true intentions, and so he stood down. Zhongkan was indecisive and mistrustful. Consultation Adviser Luo Qisheng told his brother Zunsheng, "Lord Yin is kind but cannot decide. Disaster will find him. He has treated me well. It would be wrong to abandon him. I shall die at his side." That year Jing Province was devastated by floods three zhang deep even on flat ground. Zhongkan emptied the granaries to feed the starving. Huan Xuan wanted to strike while they were vulnerable. He marched west, again claiming he would relieve Luoyang, and wrote to Zhongkan: "Quanqi enjoyed the state's favor yet abandoned the imperial tombs. We should condemn him together. I am marching into the Mian basin to destroy Quanqi and have already encamped at the river mouth. If you stand with me without wavering, seize Yang Guang and kill him. Otherwise I shall lead my army into the Yangtze basin." Baling meanwhile held a large grain reserve. Xuan sent troops first to seize it by surprise. Guo Quan, newly appointed Inspector of Liang Province, was traveling through Xiakou on his way to take office. Xuan falsely claimed the court had posted Quan as his vanguard, put the Jiangxia forces under his command, and ordered a general advance while secretly telling his brother Wei to rise within as an ally. Wei, in panic, did not know what to do. He forwarded the message himself and showed it to Zhongkan. Zhongkan took Wei hostage and made him write to Xuan in the most anguished terms. Xuan said, "Zhongkan cannot decide. He is always weighing gain and loss and scheming for his sons. My brother has nothing to fear. Zhongkan sent Yin Yu with seven thousand river troops to Xijiangkou. Xuan ordered Guo Quan and Fu Hong to attack. Yu was routed and fled. Xuan encamped at Baling and fed his army from its grain; Zhongkan sent Yang Guang and his nephew Daohu and others to hold them off. Xuan defeated them all. Jiangling was seized with terror. Food in the city ran short, and the troops were rationed on sesame. Xuan pressed his advantage to Lingkou, twenty li from Jiangling. Zhongkan urgently called on Yang Quanqi to rescue him. Quanqi said, "Jiangling has no provisions. How can we hold off the enemy? Come join me and we will hold Xiangyang together." Zhongkan wanted to keep his forces intact and defend the province. Unwilling to abandon Jing and flee upstream, he lied: "We have been gathering supplies. We already have stores." Quanqi believed him and marched in with eight thousand foot and horse, their fine armor blazing in the sun. Zhongkan could offer his army nothing but plain rice. Quanqi flew into a rage. "We are ruined!" He refused to see Zhongkan and, with his brother Guang, attacked Xuan together. Xuan, wary of their momentum, pulled back to Matou. The next day Quanqi launched a furious assault on Guo Quan and nearly took him. Then Xuan's reinforcements arrived. Quanqi was routed and fled alone to Xiangyang. Zhongkan fled to Zuo City. Xuan sent General Feng Gai after Quanqi and Guang. Both were captured and killed, and their heads were sent to Jiankang. Quanqi's brother Siping and his cousins Shangbao and Zijing escaped into the hill country. When Zhongkan learned Quanqi was dead, he set out for Chang'an with a few hundred followers. At Guanjun City Feng Gai overtook and captured him. At Zhaoxi he was forced to take his own life, and Yin Daohu was killed as well. Zhongkan followed the Way of the Celestial Master, prayed to spirits without stinting gifts, yet was tight-fisted when others were in desperate need. He liked petty favors that won people's hearts, personally diagnosing the sick and dispensing medicine. His schemes were elaborate, but he lacked foresight—and so he fell. When Zhongkan fled, not one of his officials saw him off. Only Luo Qisheng went with him. As they passed his home, his brother Zunsheng called out, "On a parting like this, how can we not clasp hands once?" Qisheng wheeled his horse and reached out. Zunsheng, a strong man, yanked him from the saddle and said: " Mother is at home. Where do you think you are going?" Qisheng said through tears, "Today I am bound to die. You will support her—you will not fail in filial duty. In one house to have both loyalty and filial piety—what regret could there be!" Zunsheng held him all the tighter. Zhongkan waited on the road, saw that Qisheng could not break free, and rode on. When Xuan arrived, every notable in Jing Province paid him court—except Qisheng, who stayed away and instead settled Zhongkan's household affairs. Someone warned him, "That way lies disaster!" Qisheng replied, "Lord Yin honored me as a true servant of the state. Held back by my brother, I could not follow him to destroy this rebel. What face would I have to crawl to Huan for my life?" Xuan was angry when he heard, but Qisheng had long been a favorite. He sent word first: "Apologize and I will spare you." Qisheng answered, "I served Lord Yin of Jing. Jing fell and I could not save it. What apology do I owe?" Xuan had him seized and sent again to ask whether he had any last words. Qisheng said: " When Emperor Wen of Wei killed Ji Kang, Ji Shao became a loyal minister of Jin. I beg you for one younger brother to care for our old mother!" Xuan killed Qisheng and pardoned his brother. King Guang of Liang fell gravely ill. He installed Crown Prince Shao as Heavenly King, took the title Retired Emperor, named Prince of Taiyuan Zuan Grand Commandant and Prince of Changshan Hong Minister Over the Masses, and told Shao: " The realm is in peril and three neighbors are watching for weakness. After I am gone, let Zuan command the armies and Hong run the court. Hold yourself reverently and leave the weight to your two elder brothers—that may see us through. If you turn on one another within, calamity at the palace gates will come any day." He told Zuan and Hong, "Yongye is no man to quell chaos. He sits at the head only because the heir has his place. Enemies press from without and the people's hearts are unsettled. If you brothers stay united, the throne may endure for ages; if you feud among yourselves, ruin will follow at once." Zuan and Hong wept and said, "We would not dare." Taking Zuan's hand, he warned him, "You are rough by nature. That worries me deeply. Serve Yongye faithfully. Do not listen to slander!" That day Guang died. Shao kept the death secret. Zuan forced the door and entered the mourning chamber, wailed his fill, and came out. Shao, frightened, offered him the throne. "Your merit is great and you are the elder. You should inherit." Zuan replied, "Your Majesty is the lawful heir. How could I usurp the throne?" Shao pressed the offer. Zuan refused. Flying Cavalry General Lü Chao told Shao, "Zuan has commanded armies for years and his prestige dominates court and camp. At the funeral he is restless, head high and eyes roaming—he harbors treason. Remove him now." Shao said, "Our father's words still ring in my ears. How can I betray them? I am young and the burden is heavy. I depend on my two elder brothers to keep the house and realm at peace. Even if he plots against me, I am ready to die—and I cannot bring myself to raise a hand against him. Say no more!" Zuan visited Shao in the Hall of Pure Dew; Chao stood at his side with a sword, signaling Zuan to seize him. Shao refused. Chao was the son of Guang's brother Bao. Hong secretly sent Master of Writing Jiang Ji to Zuan: "The sovereign is feeble and cannot weather these troubles. Your prestige is established. Act for the realm—not for petty scruples." That night Zuan led several hundred picked men over the north wall and stormed the Gate of Broad Summer. Hong led the Eastern Park garrison to break through the Gate of Grand Norm. Left Guard General Qi Cong held the Rongming Watchtower and challenged them: "Who goes there?" The answer came: "The Prince of Taiyuan." Cong said, "The realm is in mourning and the sovereign is newly enthroned. The Prince of Taiyuan enters the palace by night by an unlawful way—is this mutiny?" He drew his sword and struck at Zuan, wounding his forehead. Zuan's men seized him. Zuan cried, "He is a loyal man. Do not kill him!" Shao sent Tiger Guard Lü Kai with the palace guard to hold the Duan Gate. Lü Chao brought two thousand men to reinforce him; but the troops had long feared Zuan. None would fight and they broke. Zuan entered through the Blue Horn Gate and ascended the Hall of Modest Light. Shao climbed the Purple Pavilion and took his own life. Lü Chao fled to Guangwu. Zuan, wary of Hong's strength, offered him the throne. Hong said, "I am Shao's younger brother, yet I took the throne against the people's will. I already defied our father's dying charge in deposing him—I am ashamed before the dead! How could my heart consent to leap over my elder brother now!" Zuan had Hong announce to the court: "This was our father's dying charge." The ministers answered as one: "So long as the realm has a master, who would disobey?" Zuan then took the throne as Heavenly King. He proclaimed a general amnesty, adopted the era Xianning, and posthumously titled Guang Emperor Yi and Martial with temple name Taizu; and gave Shao the posthumous name King Yin. Hong was made Grand Commander, Director of all military affairs civil and martial, Grand Marshal, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Director of the Metropolitan Intendancy, and Recorder of the Masters of Writing, with a new enfeoffment as Duke of Fanhe. Zuan said to Qi Cong, "Your blow was fierce indeed!" Cong wept and said, "King Yin was chosen by our late lord; "You may have Heaven and men on your side, but you never understood my heart—I feared only that you would survive. What do you mean my blow was too fierce?" Zuan praised his loyalty and treated him generously. Zuan's uncle Fang, General Who Conquers the East and governor of Guangwu, sent Fang a message: "Chao is loyal and brave, but he lacks sense of the state's larger needs and when to bend with circumstances. I depend on him to see us through this crisis. Explain that to him." Chao memorialized his gratitude, and Zuan restored his titles. That year Murong Sheng of Yan named Duke of Hejian Xi grand commander of all armies, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and acting commander of the central guard. Liu Weichen's son Wenchen defected to Wei; Tuoba Gui married him to a royal clanswoman, made him Grand General, and granted him the surname Su. Year 4 of Longan under Emperor An of Jin (gengzi, AD 400). In spring, on the new moon of the first month, Murong Sheng proclaimed an amnesty and styled himself Commoner Heavenly King. Wei's Material-Officers General He Ba struck Lu Pu in Liaoxi. On wuwu day he took the place, captured Pu and his son Huan, sent them to Pingcheng, and tore them apart with chariots. Murong Sheng sent General of Broad Authority Meng Guangping to relieve Pu, but arrived too late; he beheaded the Wei garrison in Liaoxi and withdrew. On yihai day the court proclaimed a general amnesty. Qifu Gangui of Western Qin moved his capital to Yuanchuan. Tufa Lilugu of Southern Liang proclaimed an amnesty and adopted the era Jianhe. King An of Goguryeo slighted Yan in the matter of tribute; In the second month, on bingshen day, Murong Sheng led thirty thousand men against him, with Guo Xi commanding the van. He seized Xincheng and Nansu, pushed the frontier seven hundred li, resettled five thousand households, and marched home. Xi was the bravest of the commanders. Sheng said, "Uncle, your boldness matches our founder's—only your breadth of vision falls short!" Earlier Tuoba Gui had taken Liu Toujuan's daughter; she outshone every consort and bore a son named Si. After he took Zhongshan he also gained Murong Bao's young daughter. To choose an empress he followed Wei custom and cast golden figures as lots—the Liu figure failed, the Murong figure held. On wuwu day in the third month he made Lady Murong empress. After Huan Xuan seized Jing and Yong, he asked to be given both Jing and Jiang provinces. The court named Xuan director of armies in Jing, Si, Yong, Qin, Liang, Yi, and Ning and inspector of Jing, with Huan Xiu as inspector of Jiang. Huan Xuan pressed his claim to Jiang until the court enlarged his mandate to eight provinces plus military command over eight Yang and Yu districts, and restored Jiang to him. He promptly installed his brother Wei as inspector of Yong, and the court could not refuse. He also named his nephew Zhen prefect of Huainan. Zuan of Later Liang resented Grand Marshal Hong, whose towering merit and proximity made him a threat. Hong grew fearful in turn and rebelled with troops from the Eastern Park, attacking Zuan. Zuan sent Jiao Bian against him; Hong's army broke and he fled. Zuan let his men loot freely and distributed the women of the Eastern Park as booty—including Hong's wife and children. Zuan smiled at his court and asked, "How did today's battle go?" Palace Attendant Fang Gui replied, "Heaven has cursed the house of Liang; one disaster follows another. Our late lord had barely died when King Yin was cast aside; the tombs were scarcely sealed when the Grand Marshal took up arms; blood ran in the capital and brothers turned on one another. Hong courted ruin, yet Your Majesty showed no brotherly grace. You should search your heart, accept blame, and make amends to the people. Yet you went on looting and abusing men and women—Hong started this; what did the people do to deserve it? Hong's wife is your brother's widow; his daughter is your niece. How can you let rabble dishonor them as slaves? Could Heaven itself endure to see this?" He broke down in tears. Zuan's face changed; he apologized and had Hong's family housed in the Eastern Palace with rich care. Hong fled toward Tufa Lilugu; passing Guangwu he sought out Lü Fang. Fang wept at the sight of him: "The world is wide—how did you end up here?" He seized Hong and sent him to prison; Zuan sent the brawler Kang Long to strangle him where he lay. Zuan made Lady Yang empress and her father Huan Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and chief magistrate of the Liang capital. On xinmao day Duan Deng, magistrate of Xiangping, and others were executed for treason. Zuan prepared to attack Tufa Lilugu of Wuwei. Director of the Masters of Writing Yang Ying warned, "Lilugu's realm serves him united; there is no opening—do not attack." Zuan refused. Lilugu sent his brother Rutan to meet them. In the fourth month of summer Rutan routed the Liang army at Sandui, claiming two thousand heads. Li Gao of Longxi was a literary man of fine reputation. Once he shared lodgings with Guo Nen and his half-brother Song Yao of Dunhuang. Nen told Yao, "You will rise to the top of the bureaucracy; Li is fated to rule a state of his own; when your dun mare foals a white-faced colt. That will be the sign." When Meng Min became prefect of Sha, he made Li Gao magistrate of Xiaogu; Song Yao served Duan Ye of Northern Liang as a Central Regular Attendant. When Meng Min died, protector Guo Qian and administrator Suo Xian, finding Li Gao gentle, firm, and just in office, raised him to prefect of Dunhuang. Li Gao hesitated until Song Yao came home on leave from Zhangye and said, "Duan Ye has no long view—he cannot last. Brother, have you forgotten what Guo Nen foretold? The white-faced colt has already arrived." Li Gao agreed and asked Duan Ye to confirm the appointment. Ye confirmed him as prefect of Dunhuang. Right Guard General Suo Si of Dunhuang told Ye, "Li Gao should not be left in Dunhuang." Ye replaced Li Gao with Si as prefect and sent him west with five hundred cavalry. Twenty li short of the city Si announced that Gao was moving against him; Li Gao, startled, prepared to ride out to receive him. Magistrate Zhang Miao and Song Yao stopped him: "Duan Ye is weak and blind—this is the hour for a man of action; You hold a whole province in your hands—why surrender it without a fight? Si trusts his native ties and thinks the people favor him; he will never expect you to resist—one battle will take him." Li Gao agreed. He first sent Song Yao to meet Si with fair promises. Yao returned and reported, "Si is overconfident and his force is slight—he can be taken easily." Li Gao sent Zhang Miao, Song Yao, and his sons Xin and Rang to attack. Si was routed and fled back to Zhangye. Though they had once been friends, Li Gao now hated Si deeply and asked Ye to execute him. Juqu Mancheng likewise despised Si and urged Ye to kill him; Ye executed Si, apologized to Li Gao, and promoted him to director of armies west of Liang and Xing and General Who Pacifies the West. Shipi of the Tuyuhun died. His heir Shiluogan was only nine; his younger brother Wugeti was enthroned. Wugeti married Shiluogan's mother, Lady Nian, who bore Mugui and Muyan. Wugeti was feckless and dissolute and could not govern; Lady Nian ran the realm with courage and wit, and her people obeyed her in awe. Duan Ji, Former General of Yan and a nephew of Empress Dowager Duan, was named in Duan Deng's confession. On renzi day in the fifth month he fled to Liaoxi. On bingyin day, General of the Guard Wang Xun, Marquis Xian of Dongting, died. On jisi day, the Wei ruler Tuoba Gui traveled east to Zhuolu and west to Mayi to inspect the source of the Lei River. On wuyin day, Duan Ji of Yan came back to Yan to surrender himself; Murong Sheng pardoned him, created him Marquis Reflecting on Repentance, married him to a princess, and posted him on duty inside the palace. Xie Yan held Kuaiji on the strength of his family name, but he neither won the people over nor kept the garrison ready. His generals all urged him: "The rebels are camped on the coast, waiting for an opening. We ought to offer them a way back to loyalty." Xie Yan refused. "Even Fu Jian's million-man army marched to its death at Huainan; Sun En is a petty rebel who fled beaten into the sea. How could he ever come back! If he does return, Heaven itself must want him dead." Soon afterward Sun En struck Jiakou, entered Yuyao, and overran Shangyu. When Sun En reached Xingpu, Xie Yan sent his aide Liu Xuanzhi against him and drove him back. A few days later he struck Xingpu again. The imperial forces lost, and Sun En pressed straight on. On jimao day he reached Kuaiji. Xie Yan had not yet eaten and said, "I mean to destroy these rebels before I sit down to a meal." He mounted and rode out to fight, was routed, and was killed by Zhang Meng, a commander of his household guard. Yu Huan, prefect of Wuxing, fearing the county would rally to Sun En again, slaughtered several thousand men and women. Sun En then turned against Linhai. The court was alarmed and sent Champion General Huan Bucai, General Who Supports the State Sun Wuzhong, and General Who Pacifies the North Gao Yazhi to meet him. Shuode, Duke of Longxi and Qin Grand General Who Conquers the West, marched five thousand men against Western Qin through the Nan'an Gorge. Qifu Gangui of Western Qin led his generals out to meet them and camped in Longxi. Yang Gui and Tian Xuanming plotted to kill Lilugu, Prince of Wuwei, and Lilugu had them executed. In the sixth month, on the first day gengchen, the sun was eclipsed. He Cheng, preceptor to the Prince of Langye, was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. He Cheng was a son of He Zhun. On jiazi day, Yan proclaimed a general amnesty. Lü Zuan, king of Later Liang, was preparing to strike Northern Liang. Jiang Ji warned him: "It is midsummer and the fields are at their busiest. This is no time for war. If you march deep into the country west of the passes, the Tufa will strike our capital while it stands empty. What then!" Zuan refused. He pressed on to besiege Zhangye and swept west through Jianchang. Tufa Rutan heard of it and led ten thousand cavalry against Guzang. Zuan's brother Wei, Duke of Longxi, fortified the northern city to hold out. Rutan feasted his troops atop the Zhu Ming Gate with bells and drums, paraded his army at the Qingyang Gate, and withdrew after seizing more than eight thousand households. When Zuan heard, he turned his army homeward. In autumn, the seventh month, on renzi day, Grand Empress Dowager Li died. On dingmao day the court proclaimed a general amnesty. Qifu Gangui posted Martial Guard General Mu Wu and others to hold the line, cutting off the Qin army's firewood routes. Yao Xing of Qin secretly marched to their relief. Gangui sent Mu Wu with twenty thousand central troops to Baiyang and Pacifying Army General Luo Dun with forty thousand outer troops to Houchen Valley, while he himself rode ahead with several thousand light cavalry to watch the Qin advance. A gale and blinding mist separated him from the central army. Pursuers pressed him until he fell in among the outer troops. At dawn he fought Qin and was routed. He fled to Yuanchuan, and thirty-six thousand of his followers surrendered to Qin. Yao Xing pressed on to Fuhan. Gangui fled to Jincheng and told the tribal chiefs: " I have no merit, yet I have clung to a royal title for more than twelve years. Beaten and scattered as we are, I cannot face the enemy. I mean to withdraw west and hold Yunwu. If the whole realm moves with me, none of us will escape; stay here and each of you surrender to Qin with your own men. Save your clans. Do not follow me." They answered, "In life or death we will follow you." Gangui said, "I am about to live at another man's mercy. If Heaven has not finished with me, perhaps one day I may recover my realm and see you again. To follow me now and die together would serve no purpose." Then they wept and took leave of one another. Gangui rode alone with several hundred followers to Yunwu and submitted to Lilugu, Prince of Wuwei. Lilugu sent Rutan, Duke of Guangwu, to receive him. He was lodged at Jinxing and entertained as an honored guest. Pacifier of the North Tufa Juyan told Lilugu, "Gangui was once our vassal. He seized a crown in the chaos, and now, broken, he comes to surrender—but his heart is false. If he slips back to the Yao, he will become a threat. Better to resettle him among the Yifu so he cannot flee." Lilugu replied, "He comes to us in desperation, and you would greet him with suspicion. How will that encourage others to come! Juyan was Lilugu's younger brother. After the Qin army withdrew, Liang Ge of the Southern Qiang and others secretly called Gangui to revolt, and he was ready to answer them. His minister Wuyin Aluo told Jinxing Prefect Yin Chang, who rode at once to Lilugu. Lilugu sent his brother Tu Lei with three thousand cavalry to Mentian Ridge. Fearing Lilugu would kill him, Gangui told his heir Chizen, "If we stay here, Lilugu will never tolerate us. The Yao are strong now, and I mean to go to them. If we all flee together, pursuers will overtake us. I will leave you, your brothers, and your mother as hostages so they will not doubt me. Once I reach Chang'an, they will never dare harm you." He then sent Chizen and the others to Xiping. In the eighth month Gangui fled south to Fuhan and surrendered to Qin. On dinghai day, Wang Ya, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, died. In the ninth month, on guichou day, there was an earthquake. Lü Fang of Later Liang surrendered to Qin, and more than three thousand households from Guangwu fled to Lilugu, Prince of Wuwei. In winter, the eleventh month, Gao Yazhi fought Sun En at Yuyao, was beaten, and fled to Shanyin. Seven or eight men in ten were killed. The court ordered Liu Laozhi to command five commanderies, including Kuaiji, and drive Sun En back. Sun En fled to sea. Laozhi camped east at Shangyu and posted Liu Yu at Gouzhang. Yuan Song, interior minister of Wu, built fortifications on the Hudu River to block Sun En. Yuan Song was a grandson of Yuan Qiao. Huan Wuxian, heir of Kuaiji, asked to take Xuzhou. The court made Huan Yuanxian Commissioner with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Excellencies Who Open a Prefecture, commander of military affairs across sixteen provinces, and concurrent inspector of Xuzhou, and created his son Yanwei Prince of Donghai. When Qifu Gangui reached Chang'an, Yao Xing made him commander of military affairs south of the Yellow River, inspector of Hezhou, and Marquis Who Returns to Righteousness. After a time Chizen begged for arms, planning to flee to Gangui. Lilugu, Prince of Wuwei, pursued and captured him. Lilugu was about to execute Chizen. Rutan, Duke of Guangwu, said, "A son who seeks his father is hardly a grave crime. Pardon him and show your breadth." Lilugu agreed. Yao Xing sent more than two hundred Jin officers, including Liu Song, to defect to Qin. Tang Yao, prefect of Jinchang in Northern Liang, rebelled, circulated a manifesto through six commanderies, and set up Li Gao as Grand General Who Conquers the Champions, inspector of Shazhou, Duke of Liang, and concurrent prefect of Dunhuang. Li Gao proclaimed an amnesty in his domain and adopted the era name Gengzi. He appointed Tang Yao General Who Conquers the East, Guo Qian army consultation libationer, Suo Xian left chief clerk, Zhang Miao right chief clerk, Yin Jianxing left major, and Zhang Tishun right major. He sent Attendant Gentleman Song Yao east against Liangxing and together they reduced every city west of Yumen. Wang De, prefect of Jiuquan, also rebelled against Northern Liang and proclaimed himself Inspector of Hezhou. Duan Ye, king of Northern Liang, sent Juqu Mengxun to suppress him. De torched the city and fled with his main force toward Tang Yao. Mengxun pursued to Shatou, crushed him, and carried off his family and followers. In the twelfth month, on wuyin day, a comet appeared at the Tianjin asterism. Citing the omen in the heavens, Kuaiji heir Sima Yuanxian stepped down as Recorder of the Masters of Writing and was appointed Director of the Masters of Writing instead. Che Yin, Minister of Personnel, reported Yuanxian's arrogance to Prince of Kuaiji Sima Daozi and asked that he be curbed. Yuanxian heard something was amiss but could not tell what. He asked Daozi, "What did Che Wuzi want to say to you in private? Daozi would not answer. When Yuanxian pressed him, Daozi burst out, "Are you trying to shut me up and keep me from talking to the gentlemen at court! Yuanxian left and told his followers, "Che Yin is setting my father and me against each other. He secretly sent men to rebuke Yin. Yin, in fear, took his own life. On renchen day, Murong Sheng of Yan established the Yan Terrace to oversee the various tribal peoples. Wei's Grand Astrologer repeatedly reported irregularities in the heavens. Tuoba Gui himself read prognostic texts that often spoke of dynastic change. He issued an edict urging his officials that imperial succession rests on Heaven's mandate and must not be rashly attempted. He also changed official titles again and again, hoping to ward off ill omens. Dong Mi of the Ceremonies Bureau presented the Scripture of Immortality through Diet and Drugs. Gui appointed an Erudite of Immortals, set up an Immortals' Quarter, refined elixirs from a hundred herbs, and closed the Western Hills for firewood. When the elixirs were ready, he had condemned men test them. Many died, and the drugs proved worthless; yet Gui still believed and never ceased his search. Gui often blamed Murong Chui's practice of placing his sons in powerful posts—power had slipped downward and the state had fallen—and he deeply disapproved of it. Erudite Gongsun Biao, seeking to please him, presented Han Fei's works and urged Gui to govern his subordinates through law. Left General Li Su was blunt and disrespectful, often behaving with easy familiarity before Gui, coughing and spitting as he pleased; Gui tallied his long record of offenses and had him executed. The court was shaken with fear. On dingyou day, Murong Sheng of Yan honored Lady Ding, consort of the late Zhuang, as Empress Dowager and named Duke of Liaoxi Ding crown prince. A general amnesty was proclaimed. That year Murong De of Southern Yan took the imperial throne at Guanggu, granted a general amnesty, and proclaimed the reign title Jianping. He changed his name to Beide so that officials and commoners could more easily avoid the taboo on his personal name. He posthumously honored the Yan ruler Murong Chui as Emperor You. He made Prince Northern Yan Zhong Grand Minister over the Masses, Murong Ba Minister of Works, Feng Fu Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and Murong Hu Right Vice Director. He made his consort, Lady Duan, empress.””
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