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卷114 晉紀三十六

Volume 114 Jin Records 36

Chapter 114 of 資治通鑑 · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance
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114 使 西 西 西 使西西 西 輿輿 調便 使 使 使 姿 西 使 西 殿 西 使 西 禿 簿 貿 西 使西使 殿 殿 穿 禿 退 禿西西 使 西 西 禿 西 便 殿 宿 使 退 西 使使 使 宿 退 西 禿使使 使 使 使 使 使 禿 西 禿 使 使 使 使 禿 殿 殿 西 宿 便 便 使 使 使 禿使 退 使 使 西西 使 退西 使 使宿 退 退 使 西 禿 使
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 114. [Jin Records 36] Spanning from the year Qianmeng-Dahuangluo through Zhuyong-Youtan—a period of four years. First year of Yixi under Emperor An (yisi, AD 405). In spring, the first month, Lu Zongzhi of Fufeng, prefect of Nanyang, raised an army and struck at Xiangyang, driving Huan Wei to flee to Jiangling. On the jichou day, the forces under Liu Yi and his colleagues arrived at Matou. Huan Zhen seized the emperor, withdrew to encamp at Jiangjin, and sent messengers offering to surrender Jiang and Jing provinces if the emperor were allowed to depart; Liu Yi and his allies refused. On the xinmao day, Lu Zongzhi routed Wen Kai, a general of Huan Zhen, at Zha Stream and pressed forward to encamp at Jinan. Huan Zhen left Huan Qian and Feng Gai to defend Jiangling, then marched out and inflicted a crushing defeat on Lu Zongzhi. Liu Yi and his colleagues broke Feng Gai at the mouth of Yuzhang, and Huan Qian abandoned Jiangling and fled. Liu Yi's forces entered Jiangling, captured Bian Fanzhi and his associates, and put them to death. When Huan Zhen returned and saw flames rising over the city, he knew Jiangling had fallen; his army dissolved, and he fled to the Yun River. On the yiwei day, an imperial edict placed all major affairs entirely in the hands of Champion General Liu Yi. On the wuxu day, a general amnesty was declared and the reign title was changed, though the Huan family alone was excluded from pardon; Because Huan Chong had remained loyal to the throne, his grandson Yin was granted a special exemption. Lu Zongzhi was appointed inspector of Yong Province; Mao Qiu became General Who Conquers the West and commander of military affairs in the five provinces of Yi, Liang, Qin, and Liang; Qiu's brother Jin received Liang and Qin; and Yuan was named inspector of Ning Province. Liu Huaisu pursued and killed Feng Gai at Shicheng, while Huan Qian, Huan Yi, Huan Wei, Huan Mi, He Danzhi, and Wen Kai all fled into Later Qin territory. Huan Yi was the younger brother of Huan Hong. Murong Xi, king of Northern Yan, launched a campaign against Goguryeo. On the wushen day, he assaulted Liaodong. When the city was on the verge of capture, Xi commanded his troops: "No one is to enter before us. Wait until the walls are razed level, and then the empress and I will ride in together." This delay allowed the defenders to brace themselves, and in the end the assault failed and he withdrew. Emperor Xing of Later Qin appointed Kumarajiva as National Teacher and revered him almost as a deity. He personally led his court and the clergy to hear Kumarajiva lecture on the sutras, commissioned him to translate more than three hundred volumes of scriptures and treatises from the Western Regions, built pagodas and temples on a grand scale, and kept thousands of monks in meditation. Officials from the highest ranks down all embraced Buddhism, and the faith spread through the provinces until nine out of ten households were devoted to it. Qifu Gangui struck Tuyuhun's ruler Dahai and shattered his forces, taking more than ten thousand captives before returning; Dahai fled and died at Huyuan. Shipi's heir Tuyuhun Shiluo led several thousand surviving families to Mohe River, where he proclaimed himself General of Chariots and Cavalry, Great Chanyu, and King of Tuyuhun. Shiluo eased labor levies and lowered taxes, rewarded faithfully and punished without fail, and Tuyuhun revived; the Sha and Qiang tribes all rallied to him. Li Gao, Duke of Western Liang, took the titles Grand General and Grand Commander and assumed governorship of Qin and Liang provinces, declared a general amnesty, changed the era name to Jianchu, and sent Huang Shi and Liang Xing by a secret route to submit a memorial at Jiankang. In the second month, on the dingsi day, officials at the capital prepared the imperial escort to receive the emperor at Jiangling; Liu Yi and Liu Daogui stayed at Xiakou while He Wuji conducted the emperor back to the east. Earlier, on hearing that Huan Zhen had seized Jiangling, Mao Qiu marched thirty thousand men downstream to punish him, sending his brother Jin, Commandant of the Western Barbarians, and Shu prefect Yuan by the outer river routes, while staff officers Qiao Zong of Baxi and Hou Hui advanced by the Fu River. The people of Shu had no stomach for a distant campaign, and when Hou Hui reached the mouth of the Wucheng River he conspired with Yang Mei of Baxi to rebel. Qiao Zong was gentle and conscientious, and the Shu people admired him; Hui and Mei pressed him to lead the revolt, but he refused and tried to drown himself; They dragged him out, forced him at spear point into a carriage, and when he threw himself down and kowtowed in refusal, Hui bound him to the seat. On their return they struck Mao Jin at Fucheng, killed him, and proclaimed Qiao Zong inspector of Liang and Qin provinces. When Mao Qiu reached Lüecheng and learned of the revolt, he raced back to Chengdu and sent Wang Qiong against the rebels; Qiao Zong's brother Mingzi routed him, and eight or nine out of ten of his men were killed. Li Teng, a military settler of Yizhou, opened the gates to Qiao Zong's army, killed Mao Qiu and his brother Yuan, and wiped out their households. Qiao Zong proclaimed himself King of Chengdu, appointed his cousin Hong governor of Yizhou, and posted Mingzi as governor of Bazhou at Baidi. Shu was thrown into chaos, Hanzhong lay undefended, and the Di king Yang Sheng sent his nephew, General Who Pacifies the South Fu, to seize it. On the guihai day, Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei returned from Mount Chai and abolished the thirty-six bureaus of the Secretariat. In the third month, Huan Zhen struck Jiangling from Yuncheng; Jing inspector Sima Xiuzhi was defeated and fled to Xiangyang, and Zhen declared himself inspector of Jing Province. General Who Establishes Might Liu Huaisu rushed from Yundu to engage Huan Zhen at Shaqiao; Liu Yi sent General of Broad Might Tang Xing to reinforce him; Tang cut down Huan Zhen at a river bend and retook Jiangling. On the jiawu day, the emperor reached Jiankang. On the yiwei day, the court officials appeared at the palace to confess their failings, and an edict restored them to their posts. Yin Zhongwen of the Secretariat, noting that the court's ritual music was still incomplete, asked Liu Yu to have it restored. Liu Yu replied: "We have no time for that now, and in any case it is not something I understand." Yin Zhongwen said: "Once you take an interest in it, you will understand it readily enough." Liu Yu answered: "Precisely because understanding it would make me love it, I choose not to learn it." On the gengzi day, Prince Dewen of Langya became Grand Marshal and Prince Zun of Wuling Grand Tutor; Liu Yu received the posts of Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and commander of all military affairs at home and abroad while retaining Xu and Qing; Liu Yi became General of the Left; He Wuji became General of the Right, commander of five commanderies in Yu and Yang, and inspector of Yu; Liu Daogui became General Who Assists the State, commander north of the Huai, and inspector of Bing; and Wei Yongzhi became General Who Conquers Captives and interior minister of Wu. Liu Yu repeatedly declined the appointments, refused even when made Recorder of the Masters of Writing, and repeatedly asked to withdraw to his fief; An edict ordered the entire court to urge him on, and the emperor himself visited his home. Alarmed, Liu Yu went again to the palace to plead his case and was at last allowed to retire to his fief. Wei Yongzhi was appointed inspector of Jing Province in place of Sima Xiuzhi. Earlier, when Liu Yi had served as staff officer under Liu Jingxuan, some called him a man of heroic stature. Liu Jingxuan said: "A truly extraordinary man has his own proper measure—one cannot simply pronounce you a hero! This man's character is generous in appearance but jealous within, boastful yet eager to impress others; should fortune ever elevate him, he would ruin himself through arrogance toward his superiors." Liu Yi heard this and bore a grudge. When Liu Jingxuan was appointed to Jiang Province, he declined on the ground that he had earned no distinction and should not rank above Liu Yi and the others; Liu Yu refused. Liu Yi sent a message to Liu Yu: "Liu Jingxuan had no part in the original planning. The battle-hardened generals and loyal ministers still await their rewards; men like Jingxuan should come after them. If you wish to honor old friendship, he might properly receive no more than supernumerary regular palace attendant. I hear he has already been given a commandery—that is already too generous; and now he has again been given Jiang Province—this is all the more outrageous and distressing." Liu Jingxuan grew increasingly uneasy and submitted a memorial asking to resign; he was recalled and appointed interior minister of Xuancheng instead. In summer, the fourth month, Liu Yu returned to his headquarters at Jingkou and was reassigned commander of military affairs in sixteen provinces including Jing and Si, with additional charge as inspector of Yan Province. Lu Xun sent envoys bearing tribute. The court had only just been restored and had no time for military action; on the renshen day Lu Xun was appointed inspector of Guang Province and Xu Daofu administrator of Shixing. Lu Xun sent Liu Yu rice dumplings; Liu Yu returned the courtesy with a gift of herbal tonic. Lu Xun appointed the former interior minister of Langya, Wang Dan, chief secretary to the General Who Pacifies the South. Wang Dan urged Lu Xun: "I am no soldier and serve no purpose here; General Liu has always treated me well; if I return north I am sure to win his confidence, and when the moment comes I shall repay your kindness both publicly and privately." Lu Xun was much persuaded. Liu Yu wrote Lu Xun demanding the return of Wu Yinzhi, but Lu Xun refused. Wang Dan urged him again: "General, keeping Lord Wu serves neither your public interest nor your private one. Did Sun Ce not wish to keep Hua Xin? It was simply that one realm cannot hold two masters." At that Lu Xun sent both Wu Yinzhi and Wang Dan back north. Earlier, Murong Beide of Southern Yan had served Former Qin as prefect of Zhangye while his elder brother Na and their mother Lady Gongsun lived there; when Beide followed Fu Jian of Qin on the Huainan campaign, he left a golden knife with his mother as a parting token. When Beide and Murong Chui rose in Shandong, Zhangye prefect Fu Chang arrested Na and Beide's sons and put them all to death; Lady Gongsun was spared because of her age, but Na's wife Lady Duan, who was pregnant, remained under sentence. Huyan Ping, a prison clerk and former retainer of Beide, secretly helped Lady Gongsun and Lady Duan flee into Qiang territory. Lady Duan bore a son named Chao; when he was ten, Lady Sun fell mortally ill and on her deathbed handed him the golden knife, saying: "If you ever make your way back east, you must return this knife to your uncle." Huyan Ping then helped Chao and his mother escape to Liang. When Lü Long surrendered to Qin, Chao was relocated to Chang'an with the people of Liang Province. After Ping died, Lady Duan found a wife for Chao and had him marry. Fearing capture by the Qin authorities, Chao feigned madness and wandered the streets as a beggar; The Qin people looked down on him, but Duke of Dongping Shao noticed something unusual about him and told Emperor Xing: "Murong Chao's bearing is magnificent; this is likely not true madness. Grant him a modest rank and title to keep him within reach." Xing summoned him for an audience; Chao deliberately answered absurdly or refused to reply when questioned. Xing told Shao: "As the proverb says, 'Fine skin cannot wrap a fool's bones'—mere empty talk." He then dismissed him. Beide heard that Na had left a posthumous son in Qin and sent Wu Bian of Jiyin to investigate; through a fellow townsman, Zongzheng Qian, who practiced divination in Chang'an, Bian informed Chao. Chao dared not tell his mother or wife; he secretly changed names with Qian and fled back to Southern Yan. At Liangfu, Chief Secretary Yue Shou of the General Who Guards the South reported him to Yan inspector Murong Fa. Fa said: "In Han times a diviner once falsely claimed to be the heir of Wei—who is to say this is not the same sort of impostor!" He refused to receive him. From this Murong Chao nursed a grudge against Murong Fa. When Beide learned that Chao had arrived, he was overjoyed and sent three hundred horsemen to welcome him. When Chao reached Guanggu, he presented the golden knife to Beide. Beide wept uncontrollably, overcome with grief. He enfeoffed Chao as Prince of Beihai and appointed him Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, Colonel Director of Retainers, and chief of staff, carefully selecting worthy men of the day as his aides. Beide had no son of his own and intended to make Chao his successor. Within the palace he served his uncle with filial devotion; outside he humbled himself before men of talent, and praise from court and country alike converged upon him. In the fifth month, Prince Xiu of Zhangwu, prefect of Guiyang, and Sima Guizhi, inspector of Yizhou, plotted rebellion and were put to death. Xiu's wife was Huan Zhen's sister, and fearing guilt by association he rebelled. More than a dozen bands of Huan Xuan's remnant followers, including Huan Liang and Fu Hong, raided the commanderies; Liu Yi, Liu Daogui, Tan Qi, and others divided their forces to destroy them, pacifying Jing, Ting, Jiang, and Yu. An edict appointed Liu Yi commander of military affairs in five commanderies including Huainan and inspector of Yu Province, and He Wuji commander of five commanderies east of the Yangzi and interior minister of Kuaiji. Liu Gai, inspector of Northern Qing Province, rebelled and sought Wei's support; Sun Quan, administrator of Qinghe and Yangping, raised troops to join him. In the sixth month, Suo Duzhen, Wei's inspector of Yu Province, and General Husilan invaded Xuzhou and besieged Pengcheng. Liu Yu sent his brother Daolin, interior minister of Nanpengcheng, and Meng Longfu, prefect of Donghai, to the rescue; they killed Gai and Quan and routed the Wei army. Meng Longfu was the younger brother of Meng Huaiyu. Shuode, Duke of Longxi of Later Qin, attacked Chouci and repeatedly defeated Yang Sheng's forces; General Lian Ju attacked Hanzhong, captured Chenggu, and resettled more than three thousand refugee families in Guanzhong. In autumn, the seventh month, Yang Sheng submitted to Qin. Qin appointed Yang Sheng commander of military affairs in Yi and Ning provinces, General Who Conquers the South, and governor of Yizhou. Liu Yu sent envoys to sue for peace with Tai and to request commanderies including Nanxiang; Emperor Xing of Qin agreed. The ministers all objected, but Xing said: "Good in the world is one and the same. Liu Yu rose from humble origins, overthrew Huan Xuan, restored the Jin dynasty, put internal affairs in order, and secured the borders—why should I begrudge a few commanderies rather than help him complete this achievement!" He then ceded twelve commanderies including Nanxiang, Shunyang, Xinye, and Wuyin to Jin. In the eighth month, Shao Yan, administrator of Liaoxi in Yan, committed a crime and fled to become a bandit; In the ninth month, Regular Palace Attendant Guo Zhong hunted him down and killed him. When the Ru River ran dry, Beide of Southern Yan took it as an ill omen and soon fell seriously ill. Prince of Beihai Chao asked that prayers be offered, but Beide said: "A ruler's span of life is in Heaven's hands—not something the Ru River can control." Chao pressed his request, but Beide refused. On the wuwu day, Beide summoned the ministers to Dongyang Hall to discuss making Chao crown prince. Soon an earthquake struck; the officials were terrified, Beide himself was unsettled, and he returned to the palace. That night his illness turned critical; he lost consciousness and could not speak. Empress Duan called out: "Shall we summon the Secretariat to draft an edict making Chao crown prince?" Beide opened his eyes and nodded assent. Chao was then installed as crown prince, a general amnesty was declared, and Beide soon died. More than ten coffins were prepared; by night they were sent out through the four gates and secretly buried in the valleys. On the jiwei day, Chao ascended the throne, declared a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Taishang. Empress Duan was honored as empress dowager. Murong Zhong, Prince of Beidi, became commander of all armies and recorder of the masters of writing; Murong Fa became General Who Conquers the South and commander of Xu, Yan, Yang, and Southern Yan; Murong Zhen received an office equal to the Three Excellencies; Feng Fu became grand commandant; Qu Zhong became minister of works; and Feng Song became left vice minister of the masters of writing. On the guihai day. A ceremonial burial for Beide was held at Dongyang Mausoleum; his posthumous title was Emperor Xianwu and his temple name Shizong. Chao brought his favorite Gongsun Wulou into his inner circle. Beide's former ministers, including Prince of Beidi Murong Zhong and Duan Hong, grew uneasy and asked for provincial appointments. Chao appointed Zhong governor of Qing Province and Hong inspector of Xu Province. Gongsun Wulou became General of Martial Guard and Colonel of Garrison Cavalry, participating in internal affairs. Feng Fu remonstrated: "I have heard that kin should not be posted abroad, nor outsiders placed within. Zhong is a pillar of the state, on whom the realm depends; Hong is a kinsman by marriage of high standing, whom the people look to; they should assist at the center of government, not be posted far away to govern the provinces. Now Zhong and the others are sent to the provinces while Wulou assists within—I cannot feel secure about this." Chao refused to listen. Zhong and Hong both nursed grievances and said to each other: "The yellow dog's hide will end up patching the fox-fur coat after all." Wulou heard this and bore a grudge against them. After Wei Yongzhi died, Jiangling magistrate Luo Xiu plotted to seize Jiangling and install Wang Huilong as leader. Liu Yu appointed Liu Daogui, inspector of Bing Province, commander of military affairs in six provinces including Jing and Ning, and inspector of Jing Province. Xiu failed to launch the revolt and fled with Wang Huilong to Qin. Qifu Gangui attacked Chouci and was defeated by Yang Sheng. Li Gao, Duke of Western Liang, and Chief Secretary Zhang Miao planned to move the capital to Jiuquan to pressure Juqu Mengxun; Zhang Tiding was appointed administrator of Jiankang and posted at Ledu; Song Yao became protector of Dunhuang while his son Rang, administrator of Dunhuang, held Dunhuang; then the court moved to Jiuquan. In a hand-written testament he admonished his sons: "Those who govern must weigh rewards and punishments carefully, never indulge personal likes and dislikes, keep the loyal and upright close and flatterers at a distance, and never let those at one's side secretly wield power. When slander or praise arises, investigate whether it is true; in hearing cases, keep a gentle countenance and follow reason; never judge by suspicion or assumption, and never raise your voice lightly. Consult widely and never decide alone. In five years of rule I have not been able to give the people rest, yet by tolerating faults and hiding flaws, making morning enemies into evening trusted lieutenants, I have roughly kept faith with old and new alike, assigned duties fairly, and never let private resentment sway my judgments. By immediate measure it may seem insufficient, but judged over the long term it may prove more than enough; I hope I may stand without shame before those who came before." In the twelfth month, Murong Xi, king of Yan, raided the Khitan. Second year of Yixi under Emperor An (bingwu, AD 406). In spring, the first month, on the jiashen day, the Wei emperor went to Mount Chai Palace. Three inspectors were appointed in each province, three administrators in each commandery, and three magistrates in each county; the inspectors and magistrates went to their posts while the administrators, though appointed, did not yet govern the people; meritorious officials holding provincial posts were all recalled to the capital and retired to their estates with their titles. Sima Rongqi, inspector of Yizhou, attacked Qiao Mingzi at Baidi and routed him. Murong Xi reached the north of Xing, feared the Khitan numbers, and wanted to withdraw, but Empress Fu refused; on the wushen day he abandoned his baggage and struck Goguryeo with a light force. Murong Chao of Southern Yan grew ever more suspicious and cruel; power passed to favored courtiers while he indulged in hunting; Feng Tian and Han Yanzhuo remonstrated repeatedly in vain. Chao once asked Feng Fu at court: "Which ruler of old may I be compared to?" He replied: "Jie and Zhou." Chao flushed with shame and anger, but Feng Fu walked out slowly without changing expression. Qu Zhong told Feng Fu: "When speaking to the emperor, how can you be so blunt! You should go back and apologize." Feng Fu said: "At seventy, I seek only a place to die!" He never apologized. Out of respect for his standing, Chao tolerated him. During Huan Xuan's rebellion, Guo Fan and Shu Fan, sons of Prince Tan of Hejian, fled to Southern Yan. In the second month, on the jiaxu day, Guo Fan and his allies attacked Yin at Yiyang. The Yan army marched more than three thousand li; men and horses froze and collapsed, and the dead lined the road; they assaulted Goguryeo's Mudi city, failed to capture it, and withdrew. Duke of Xiyang Yun was wounded by an arrow and, fearing Murong Xi's cruelty, resigned on grounds of illness. In the third month, on the gengzi day, the Wei emperor returned to Pingcheng. In summer, the fourth month, on the gengshen day, he again went to Mount Chai Palace. On the jiawu day, he returned to Pingcheng. She Lun of Rouran raided the Wei frontier. In the fifth month, Duke of Boling Qian and Duke of Shangdang Zhao, sons of Murong Bao, were both forced to commit suicide on suspicion. In the sixth month, Shuode, Duke of Longxi of Later Qin, came to court from Shanggui; Emperor Xing proclaimed a general amnesty in his honor; when he departed, Xing escorted him as far as Yong before returning. Xing treated Duke Jin Xu and Shuode with familial courtesy, offering them the best carriages, horses, and ornaments before taking what remained himself, and consulted them on all major affairs of state before acting. Tufa Rutan attacked Juqu Mengxun, who held his city and refused to yield. Rutan reached Chiquan and withdrew, presenting three thousand horses and thirty thousand sheep to Qin. Emperor Xing took this as proof of loyalty and appointed Rutan commander of Hexi military affairs, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and inspector of Liang Province, stationed at Guzang, while recalling Wang Shang to Chang'an. Shentu Ying and others of Liang Province sent registrar Hu Wei to Chang'an to ask that Wang Shang remain; Xing refused. Hu Wei appeared before Xing in tears and said: "Our province has submitted to your transforming rule for five years; remote and isolated, beyond the reach of imperial authority, our officials and people have endured bitter hardship together to hold this lone city; relying on Your Majesty's sage virtue and a good governor's benevolent rule, we have preserved ourselves until today. How can Your Majesty trade us away for three thousand horses and thirty thousand sheep; valuing livestock above people—is this not wrong! If the army needs horses, a single order from the Masters of Writing would suffice; our three thousand households would each supply one horse—sent in the morning, ready by evening—what difficulty is there! Emperor Wu of Han once exhausted the empire's resources to open Hexi and sever the Xiongnu's right arm. Now Your Majesty would abandon the loyal and noble families of five commanderies to enrich a brutal enemy—not only will our people fall into misery, I fear this will become a source of sleepless worry for the dynasty." Xing regretted his decision and sent Che Pu of Xiping in haste to stop Wang Shang, and also sent envoys to instruct Rutan. But Rutan had already led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to Wujian; Pu reported the situation, and Rutan immediately pressed Wang Shang to leave; Wang Shang departed through Qingyang Gate as Rutan entered through Liangfeng Gate. He Bian Zongchang escorted Wang Shang back to Chang'an; Rutan told Chang: "Of the more than three thousand families I have gained in Liang Province, you alone hold my trust—how can you leave me!" Chang replied: "In escorting the former governor, I show loyalty to you." Rutan asked: "I have newly taken charge of this province—what policy should I adopt to win over the distant and settle those near?" Chang said: "Though Liang territory is exhausted, it is strategically strong. Treat the people with kindness, gather their worthy men to build merit and fame—what could you not achieve!" He then recommended more than ten civil and military men of renown from the province, and Rutan gladly accepted them. When Wang Shang reached Chang'an, Xing appointed him to the Masters of Writing. Rutan feasted his officials at Xuande Hall, looked up and sighed: "The ancients said: 'He who builds does not dwell; he who dwells does not build. How true that is." Meng Yi of Wuwei said: "Duke Wen of Zhang first built this hall a century ago; twelve lords have held it since—only one who keeps faith and thinks of compliance can long remain." Rutan approved. Emperor Daowu of Wei surveyed Pingcheng, intending to model it on Ye, Luoyang, and Chang'an and expand the palace buildings. Because Jiyang prefect Mo Ti was ingenious, he was summoned and consulted on the project. Mo Ti grew slack during a long audience; Gui was angered and had him executed. Mo Ti was the grandson of Mo Hanzhi. Men within five hundred li of the eight departments were mobilized to build the Southern Palace with gate towers more than ten zhang high; ditches and ponds were dug, parks expanded, an outer city twenty li square was planned, markets and wards laid out, and the work finished in thirty days. In autumn, the seventh month, Grand Commandant Duke Ding of Yidu, Mu Chong, died. In the eighth month, Tufa Rutan left Marquis of Xingcheng Wenzhi to guard Guzang and returned to Ledu; though he held Qin titles, his carriages, robes, and ceremonial observances were all those of a king. On the jiachen day, the Wei emperor went to Mount Chai Palace and then proceeded to the Stone Desert. In the ninth month he crossed north of the desert; on the guisi day he returned south to Changchuan. Hearing that Qiao Zong had rebelled, Liu Yu sent General of Flying Dragons Mao Xiuzhi with Sima Rongqi, Wen Chumao, and Shi Yanzu to suppress him. When Mao Xiuzhi reached Dangqu, Sima Rongqi was killed by his staff officer Yang Chengzu. Yang Chengzu declared himself inspector of Ba Province, and Mao Xiuzhi withdrew to Baidi. Tufa Rutan sought friendship with Western Liang, and Li Gao agreed. Juqu Mengxun raided Jiuquan and reached Anzhen. Li Gao was defeated but held the city; Mengxun withdrew. Gongsun Wulou of Southern Yan sought to monopolize court power, slandered Prince of Beidi Murong Zhong to Murong Chao, and asked that he be executed. When Beide died, Murong Fa did not attend the mourning; Chao sent envoys to reprove him; Fa grew afraid and plotted rebellion with Zhong and Duan Hong. When Chao learned of this, he summoned Zhong, who claimed illness and refused to come. Chao arrested his associates, including Palace Attendant Murong Tong, and put them to death. Chief Secretary Bu Zhen of the General Who Conquers the South reported that Left Vice Minister Feng Song had frequently associated with Fa and was suspected of treachery; Chao arrested Song and handed him to the Court of Justice. The empress dowager, weeping, told Chao: "Song repeatedly sent Yellow Gate Commandant Mou Chang to tell me: 'The emperor is not your son—I fear he will follow the Yongkang precedent. I am a woman of shallow understanding; fearing you would be killed, I told Fa. Fa's plotting was misguided—what more can I say." Chao then had Feng Song torn apart by chariots. General of the West Central Commandant Feng Rong fled to Wei. Chao sent Murong Zhen against Qing Province, Murong Yu against Xu Province, and Right Vice Minister Wu of Jiyang and Han Fan against Yan Province. Murong Yu captured Jucheng, and Duan Hong fled to Wei. Feng Rong and bandits attacked Shisai city, killed General Who Guards the West Yu Yu, and the whole state was shaken with fear. Prince Ning of Jiyang plotted to kill Han Fan and seize Guanggu; Fan learned of it, marshaled troops against Ning, and Ning fled to Liangfu; Han Fan also led his troops, attacked Liangfu, and captured it. Murong Fa fled to Wei and Prince Ning fled to Qin. Murong Zhen captured Qing Province, and Zhong killed his wife and children. They escaped through a tunnel and fled to Qin together with Duke of Gaodu Shi. Qin appointed Zhong administrator of Shiping and Ning palace attendant. Murong Chao of Southern Yan loved changing old institutions, and court and country alike were displeased; he also wished to restore corporal punishment and add boiling and dismemberment, but abandoned the plan when opinion divided. In winter, the tenth month, Feng Fu died. The Masters of Writing reviewed merit in founding the righteous cause and recommended enfeoffing Liu Yu as Duke of Yuzhang, Liu Yi as Duke of Nanping, and He Wuji as Duke of Ancheng, with graded rewards for the rest. Liu Zhi, inspector of Liangzhou, rebelled; Liu Yi sent a general who captured him. On the gengshen day, Emperor Daowu of Wei returned to Pingcheng. On the yihai day, General of the Left Kong Anguo was appointed left vice minister of the masters of writing. In the eleventh month, Tufa Rutan moved to Guzang. Qifu Gangui went to court at Qin. In the twelfth month, He Wuji was appointed commander of military affairs in eight commanderies of Jing, Jiang, and Yu provinces and inspector of Jiang Province. That year, Huan Shisui, Sima Guo Fan, and Chen Xi gathered at Hutaoshan to raid; Liu Yi sent Liu Huaisu, who defeated them. Huan Shisui was the younger brother of Huan Shisheng. Third year of Yixi under Emperor An (dingwei, AD 407). In spring, the first month, on the new moon of xinchou, Yan declared a general amnesty and changed the era name to Jianshi. Emperor Xing, finding Qifu Gangui growing too strong to control, kept him as minister of hosts and guests and made his heir Chifu acting commandant of the Western Barbarians to supervise his tribes. In the second month, on the jiyou day, Liu Yu went to Jiankang, firmly declined his new appointments, and threatened to submit himself to the Court of Justice; an edict granted his request, and Liu Yu returned to Dantu. The Wei emperor enfeoffed his sons: Xiu as Prince of Hejian, Chuwen as Prince of Changle, Lian as Prince of Guangping, and Li as Prince of Jingzhao. Yin Zhongwen had long enjoyed talent and reputation; he believed himself fit to govern and grew depressed at failing to achieve his ambition; when he was posted as administrator of Dongyang, he was especially unhappy. He Wuji had long admired him; Dongyang lay under Wuji's command, and Zhongwen promised to visit en route; Wuji was pleased and eagerly awaited him. But Zhongwen, dispirited and distracted, never called at his headquarters; Wuji took this as a slight and was furious. When Southern Yan invaded, Wuji told Liu Yu: "Huan Yin and Yin Zhongwen are the real threat at our core—the northern enemy is not worth worrying about." In the intercalary month, Liu Yu's officer Luo Bing plotted rebellion; the plot was discovered and Liu Yu executed him. He further charged that Bing had secretly conspired with Zhongwen, Huan Shisong, Cao Jingzhi, Bian Chengzhi, and Liu Yanzu to install Huan Yin as leader; all were executed along with their clans. Murong Xi built Chenghua Hall for his consort Lady Fu; laborers carried earth at the north gate until earth cost as much as grain. Garrison Commandant Du Jing brought a coffin to the palace gate and remonstrated fiercely; Xi had him beheaded. Lady Fu once craved frozen fish in midsummer and fresh rehmannia in midwinter; Xi harshly blamed officials who failed to obtain them and had them executed. In summer, the fourth month, on the guichou day, Lady Fu died; Xi wept until he fainted and long afterward revived; he mourned her as for a parent, wore unhemmed mourning and ate gruel, ordered officials to weep within the palace, sent inspectors to punish mourners without tears, and the ministers held hot pepper in their mouths to produce tears. Consort Zhang of Prince of Gaoyang, Xi's sister-in-law, was beautiful and clever; Xi wished to sacrifice her, found worn felt hidden in her burial boots, and had her put to death. Right Vice Minister Wei Qiu and others all feared being sacrificed, bathed, and awaited their fate. From the highest ministers down to soldiers and commoners, each household was levied to build the tomb until the treasury was exhausted. The tomb covered several li; Xi told the overseers: "Build it well—I shall follow after." On the dingyou day, Empress Dowager Duan of Yan relinquished her honorific title and moved to the outer palace. Di king Yang Sheng made General Who Pacifies the North Fu Xuan protector of Liang Province and led troops into Hanzhong; Lü Ying, vice prefect of Liangzhou under Qin, and others rose in response. Inspector Wang Min attacked them; Ying and the others sought aid from Sheng, who sent troops to Linjinkou; Min withdrew to Wuxing. Sheng renewed contact with Jin, which appointed him commander of Longyou military affairs, General Who Conquers the West, with an office equal to the Three Excellencies; Sheng then made Xuan acting inspector of Liang Province. In the fifth month, on the renxu day, Lang of the Masters of Writing Fu Jin plotted rebellion and was executed. Fu Jin was the son of Fu Ding. Emperor Daowu of Wei toured the north and reached Ruyuan. Prince of Changshan Zun of Wei was forced to commit suicide for his crime. Earlier, when Emperor Daowu destroyed Liu Weichen, his son Bobo fled to Qin; Duke of Gaoping Mo Yigan gave him his daughter in marriage. Bobo was tall and imposing, handsome and eloquent; Emperor Xing found him extraordinary, discussed military and state affairs with him, and favored him beyond old meritorious officials. Xing's brother Yong remonstrated: "Bobo must not be kept close." Xing replied: "Bobo has talent to save the age—I am about to pacify the world with him—why oppose and suspect him!" He then made Bobo General Who Pacifies the Distance and sent him to assist Mo Yigan at Bianping, assigning thirty thousand men from Sancheng, Shuo Fang tribes, and Weichen's followers to watch for openings against Wei. Yong firmly objected, but Xing asked: "How do you know what sort of man he is? Yong said: "Bobo is disrespectful to superiors, cruel to his followers, greedy and ruthless, and lightly changes allegiance. Favor him beyond measure and he will become a frontier menace." Xing then stopped. In time he made Bobo General Who Pacifies the North and Duke of Wuyuan, assigning more than twenty thousand households of Sanjiao Xianbei and mixed tribes, stationed at Shuo Fang. Emperor Daowu returned captured Qin general Tang Xiaofang to Qin. Emperor Xing requested the return of He Digan and sent a thousand fine horses to ransom Di Bozhi; Gui agreed. When Bobo learned that Qin had renewed contact with Wei, he angrily plotted rebellion against Qin. Rouran Khan She Lun presented eight thousand horses to Qin; at Dacheng Bobo seized them, gathered more than thirty thousand followers, feigned a hunt at Gaoping River, attacked and killed Mo Yigan, and absorbed his forces. Claiming descent from the Xia dynasty, Bobo in the sixth month styled himself Great Heavenly King of Xia and Great Chanyu, declared a general amnesty, changed the era name to Longsheng, and established a full bureaucracy. He made his elder brother Youdidai chancellor and enfeoffed him as Duke of Dai; Lisiti became grand general and Duke of Wei; Chigan Ali became censor-in-chief and Duke of Liang; His brother Aliluoyin became colonel director of retainers; Ruomen became minister of the masters of writing; Chiyijian became left vice minister; and Yidou became right vice minister. He Digan had long been confined in Chang'an, where he studied the classics and histories until his conduct resembled a Confucian scholar's. When he returned, Emperor Daowu saw that his speech and dress resembled Qin ways, thought he had adopted them out of admiration, and in anger had him and his brother Gui killed. Emperor Xing made Crown Prince Hong recorder of the masters of writing. In autumn, the seventh month, on the new moon of wuxu, there was a solar eclipse. Prince of Runan Zun Zhizhi was put to death for his offense. Zun Zhizhi was the fifth-generation descendant of Huan Liang. On the guihai day, Murong Xi buried Lady Fu at Huiping Mausoleum; the funeral carriage was so large the north gate was demolished to pass it; Xi walked barefoot with unbound hair for more than twenty li. On the jiazi day, a general amnesty was declared. Earlier, Central Guard General Feng Ba and his brother Attendant Sufu had both offended Xi; when Xi sought to kill them, the Ba brothers fled to the mountains. Xi's taxes and corvée were crushing; the people could not bear the burden; Ba, Sufu, and their cousin Wan Ni plotted: "Surrender offers no way out; better to exploit the people's resentment, raise a revolt together, and establish a lordly achievement. If we fail, death will not come too late." They rode in together with a woman driving, secretly entered Longcheng, and hid in the home of Northern Department Major Sun Hu. When Xi went out for the funeral, Ba and the others joined General of the Left Guard Zhang Xing and Fu Jin's remnant followers in rebellion. Ba had long been friendly with Murong Yun and installed him as leader. Yun declined on grounds of illness; Ba said: "Murong Xi is debauched and cruel—men and gods alike are enraged; this is Heaven's moment to destroy him. You are of the famous Gao clan—how can you remain another's adopted son and abandon this hard-won fortune?" They supported him and brought him out. Ba's brother Ruchen and others attacked Hongguang Gate with drums and clamor; the palace guards scattered; they entered the palace, distributed armor, closed the gates, and held the defense. Central Yellow Gate Attendant Zhao Luosheng ran to report to Xi; Xi said: "What can rat-thieves accomplish! I shall return and execute them." He placed the empress and heir at Southern Park and gathered armor. He galloped back to the rescue. By night he reached Longcheng, assaulted the north gate, failed to take it, and camped outside. On the yichou day, Yun ascended the throne as Heavenly King, declared a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Zhengshi. Xi withdrew to Longteng Park; armory soldier Chutou climbed the wall to join him, declaring the camp soldiers loyal and awaiting only the army's arrival. Xi fled in alarm; none of his attendants dared pursue. Xi secretly escaped along a ditch; when he failed to return, his attendants searched and found only his robes and cap—no one knew where he had gone. Central Palace Guard Murong Ba told Regular Palace Attendant Guo Zhong: "Victory is near, yet the emperor fled in alarm for no reason—deeply strange. Yet the city awaits us eagerly; when we arrive success is certain—we must not delay. I shall go first to the city; you stay and wait for the emperor—when you have him, come quickly; if the emperor has not returned, I can pacify the city and welcome him at leisure—it will not be too late." He then led more than two thousand stalwart men onto the north wall. The soldiers thought Xi had arrived and all cast down their weapons and surrendered. When Xi failed to appear, Ba's troops had no reinforcements; hearts grew fearful; they descended from the wall and all dispersed. Ba was killed by men of the city. On the bingyin day, Xi in disguise hid in a forest, was seized and sent to Yun, who rebuked and killed him along with all his sons. Yun restored the surname Gao. Yi, Duke of Shangyong, inspector of You Province, surrendered to Wei, which made him governor of Ping Province and Prince of Changli. Yi was the grandson of Murong Ping. Emperor Daowu went west from Ruyuan to Canhe Marsh, then returned to Pingcheng. Tufa Guitan again wavered toward Qin and sent envoys to invite Qifu Chifu; Chifu beheaded the envoys and sent their heads to Chang'an. Murong Chao's mother and wife were still held in Qin; Chao sent Imperial Censor Zhongcheng Feng Kai to Qin to request their return. Emperor Xing said: "When the Fu clan fell, all the Grand Music performers passed into Yan. Yan now calls itself a vassal—send the performers or a thousand captives from Wu, and then your request may be granted." Chao discussed it with his ministers; Left Vice Minister Duan Hui said: "Your Majesty guards the altars of state—it is not fitting to lower your honored title for private kin; moreover, Grand Music is the legacy of former ages and must not be surrendered; better to seize captives from Wu and send them." Minister of the Masters of Writing Zhang Hua said: "Raiding a neighbor ties us to war and disaster—if we can go there, they can come here; this is not the state's blessing. Your beloved kin are in enemy hands—how can you begrudge an empty title and refuse to bow for their sake! Chief of the Secretariat Han Fan once served with the Qin emperor as attendants to Fu Jian's crown prince—send him and he will surely succeed." Chao agreed and sent Han Fan to Qin as envoy, declaring vassalage and submitting a memorial. Murong Ning told Xing: "Once the King of Yan has his mother and wife, he will no longer serve as vassal—make him send the performers first." Xing then told Fan: "I shall certainly return the Yan king's family, but the weather is still hot—we should wait for autumn cool." In the eighth month, Qin sent Supernumerary Regular Palace Attendant of the Agile Cavalry Wei Zong on a mission to Yan. Chao discussed with his ministers how to receive Zong; Zhang Hua said: "Your Majesty has already submitted a memorial—you should face north and receive the edict." Feng Cheng said: "Great Yan's seven sages restored the dynasty—how can we suddenly bow to a stripling!" Chao said: "I bow for the empress dowager's sake—I ask you all to speak no more!" He then faced north and received the edict. Mao Xiuzhi and Hancheng prefect Feng Qian combined forces, attacked Yang Chengzu, and killed him. Xiuzhi wished to advance against Qiao Zong, but Yizhou inspector Bao Lou refused. Xiuzhi submitted a memorial: "People value life because there is truly a way of living that can be preserved. Such is my feeling—my path of life is exhausted; I borrow my life like morning dew only in hope of relying on imperial majesty to destroy my enemy rebels. Now opportunities repeatedly arise, yet Lou each time fails to arrive on schedule; though I would die fighting in the enemy camp, relief is cut off—how can I succeed!" Liu Yu then recommended that Xiangcheng prefect Liu Jingxuan lead five thousand men against Shu, with Liu Daogui as commander for the Shu campaign. Emperor Daowu went to Mount Chai Palace. The surveillance officer reported: "Minister of Works Yu Yue's dress is splendid and his bearing imitates a ruler's." Gui arrested Yu Yue and killed him. Gao Yun of Northern Yan made Feng Ba commander of all armies, granted an office equal to the Three Excellencies, and recorder of the masters of writing; Feng Wanni became minister of the masters of writing; Feng Sufu became administrator of Changli; Feng Hong became General Who Conquers the East; Sun Hu became left vice minister; and Zhang Xing became General Who Assists the State. Feng Hong was Feng Ba's younger brother. In the ninth month, Qiao Zong declared vassalage to Qin. Tufa Tan led more than fifty thousand men against Juqu Mengxun; Mengxun fought him at Junshi and routed him. Mengxun advanced against Xijun prefect Yang Tong at Rile and forced his surrender. In winter, the tenth month, Qin Hezhou prefect Peng Xinian rebelled and surrendered to Tufa Rutan; Qin made Qifu Chifu acting inspector of He Province. Murong Chao sent Left Vice Minister Zhang Hua and Attendant Shou Zhengyuan to present one hundred twenty Grand Music performers to Qin; the Qin emperor returned Chao's mother and wife with generous gifts; Chao personally led the six palaces to welcome them at Ma'er Pass. King Bobo of Xia defeated three Xianbei divisions under Xue Qian, reduced tens of thousands of followers, advanced against Qin garrisons north of Sancheng, and killed Qin generals Yang Pi, Yao Shisheng, and others. The generals all said: "Your Majesty wishes to manage Guanzhong—you should first secure the foundation and give people's hearts something to rely upon. Gaoping's terrain is strategically strong and the land fertile—it can serve as capital." Bobo said: "Your Majesty wishes to manage Guanzhong—you should first rely on the foundation and give people's hearts something to rely upon. Gaoping's terrain is strategically strong and the land rich and fertile—it can serve as capital." Bobo said: "You know one part and not the second. My great enterprise is newly founded; my forces are not yet numerous. Yao Xing is also a hero of the age; his generals obey orders—Guanzhong cannot yet be targeted. If I now hold fast to one city, they will combine against me; my numbers cannot match theirs—destruction awaits at once. Better to use swift cavalry like wind and lightning, strike where unexpected—if they rescue the front, strike the rear; if they rescue the rear, strike the front. Let them wear themselves out rushing to and fro while we roam and forage at ease. In less than ten years, all north of the mountains and east of the river will be ours. When Xing dies, his heir is weak—we can slowly take Chang'an; this is within my plan." Thereupon he raided north of the mountains; city gates north of the mountains were not opened by day. Xing sighed: "I did not heed Yong's warning, and have come to this!" Bobo sought marriage with Tufa Rutan; Rutan refused. In the eleventh month, Bobo led twenty thousand cavalry against Rutan at Zhiyang, killing or wounding more than ten thousand, driving off more than twenty-seven thousand captives and hundreds of thousands of livestock before returning. Rutan pursued with his army; Jiao Lang said: "Bobo is naturally bold and commands with strict discipline—he must not be underestimated. Better to cross north from Wenwei, reach Wanhudui, camp blocking the water, and choke his throat—that is the art of winning every battle." Rutan's general Helian Nu said angrily: "Bobo is a defeated remnant, a mob gathered in haste—why avoid him and show weakness! We should pursue him at once!' Rutan agreed. At Yangwu Bobo chiseled ice and buried carts to block the gorge, struck Rutan head-on, routed him, pursued more than eighty li, killed and wounded by the tens of thousands; six or seven tenths of his famous ministers and brave generals died. Rutan fled south into the mountains with a few horsemen and was nearly captured. Bobo piled the corpses into a mound and called it Skull Platform. Bobo again defeated Qin general Zhang Fosheng at Qingshi Plain, killing more than five thousand. Fearing external enemies, Rutan moved all people within three hundred li into Guzang; the people were alarmed and resentful; Tuge Cheng Qier rebelled, gathering several thousand men in one night. Palace Commandant Zhang Meng addressed the crowd: "Our lord's defeat at Yangwu came from relying on numbers. Self-examination and repentance harm not one's clarity—why follow this petty man in unrighteous deeds! The palace troops are coming—disaster is before your eyes!" The crowd heard this and dispersed; Qier fled to Yanran and was pursued and killed. Army consultant Ran Pou, staff officer Bian Xian of the General Who Assists the State, and others plotted rebellion; Rutan killed them all. Emperor Daowu returned to Pingcheng. In the twelfth month, on the wuzi day, Wang Mi, Marquis of Wugang, died. That year, Li Gao, Duke of Western Liang, having received no reply to his earlier memorial, again sent the monk Faquan by secret route to submit a memorial at Jiankang. Fourth year of Yixi under Emperor An (wushen, AD 408). In spring, the first month, on the jiachen day, Prince Dewen of Langya was appointed Minister over the Masses. Liu Yi and the others did not want Liu Yu to enter the central government; they discussed making Central Palace Guard Xie Hun inspector of Yang Province, or having Liu Yu hold Yang Province at Dantu while entrusting internal affairs to Meng Chang. They sent Right Assistant Minister Pi Shen to consult Liu Yu on the two proposals; Shen first saw Liu Muzhi, Yu's recorder, and fully relayed the court's deliberations. Muzhi pretended to rise to the privy and secretly wrote to Liu Yu: "Pi Shen's words must not be followed." After Liu Yu saw Shen and sent him out, he summoned Muzhi and questioned him. Muzhi said: "The Jin dynasty has long misgoverned; Heaven's mandate has shifted. You restored the imperial line; your merit is high and position weighty—in today's situation, how can you remain modest and become a frontier general! Liu, Meng, and the others rose from commoners with you and jointly established the righteous cause for wealth and rank; precedence determined who led for a time—it was not lasting submission defining lord and subject. When power is equal, in the end they devour one another. Yang Province is the foundation—it must not be given to others. Formerly it was given to Wang Mi—that was expedient; if it is given to another now, you will be subject to others' control. Once authority is lost, there is no regaining it—the future danger is hard to ponder fully. Given today's court deliberation, you should respond; claiming the decision rests with you is hard to word—you should only say: 'The capital is the root of governance; chief ministers hold honored importance; this matter is too great to debate at a distance—I shall temporarily enter court to discuss our differences.' When you reach the capital, they will surely not dare bypass you to appoint another—that is clear." Liu Yu followed this advice. The court then summoned Liu Yu as Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, with an office equal to the Three Excellencies, inspector of Yang Province, and recorder of the masters of writing, retaining Xu and Yan. Liu Yu relinquished Yan Province, appointed Zhuge Changmin inspector of Qing Province at Dantu, and Liu Daolian inspector of Bing Province at Shitou. On the gengshen day, Prince Zun of Wuling died. Emperor Daowu went to Mount Chai Palace and then proceeded to Ningchuan. Murong Chao honored his mother Lady Duan as empress dowager and his wife Lady Huyan as empress. When Chao sacrificed at the Southern Altar, a red beast like a rat but as large as a horse came to the altar. Soon a great wind blew; day turned dark; banners and canopies were torn apart. Chao was afraid and asked Grand Astrologer Gong Sui, who answered: "This comes from trusting flatterers, executing the worthy, levying heavy taxes, and imposing crushing labor burdens." Chao then declared a general amnesty and dismissed Gongsun Wulou and others. Soon afterward he employed them again. Gao Yun of Northern Yan installed his wife Lady Li as empress and his son Pengcheng as crown prince. In the third month, on the gengshen day, Murong Xi and Empress Fu were buried at Huiping Mausoleum; Xi received the posthumous title Emperor Zhaowen. Goguryeo sent envoys to Northern Yan and recounted clan ties; Gao Yun sent Attendant Censor Li Ba in reply. In summer, the fourth month, Left Vice Minister Kong Anguo died; on the jiawu day, Minister of the Civil Office Meng Chang replaced him. Northern Yan declared a general amnesty. In the fifth month, Northern Yan made Minister of the Masters of Writing Feng Wanni governor of You and Ji provinces, stationed at Feiru; Central Army General Feng Ruchen became governor of Bing Province at Bailang; General of the Army Who Pacifies Feng Sufu became colonel director of retainers; Colonel Director of Retainers Wu Yinti became minister of the masters of writing. Qiao Zong sent envoys declaring vassalage to Qin and secretly communicated with Lu Xun. Zong submitted a memorial requesting Huan Qian from Qin, wishing to join him in attacking Liu Yu. Emperor Xing asked Qian, who said: "My family's generations have shown favor in Jing and Chu; given Ba and Shu's resources, flowing downstream eastward, officials and people will surely respond as one." Xing said: "Small water cannot hold a great fish; if Zong's talent suffices, he needs not borrow you as wings. You should seek your own good fortune." He sent him anyway. When Qian reached Chengdu, he opened his mind and drew scholars; Zong suspected him, placed him in Longge, and had him guarded. Qian wept and told his brothers: "Lord Yao's words were prophetic!" Emperor Xing, seeing Tufa Rutan beset by difficulties within and without, wished to seize his territory and sent Lang of the Masters of Writing Wei Zong to observe him. Rutan discussed with Zong the great outlines of the age with boundless range. When Zong withdrew, he sighed: "Extraordinary talent need not come from Huaxia; clear wisdom need not come from books—I now know that beyond the Nine Provinces, outside the Five Classics, there are still such men." Returning, he told Xing: "Though Liang Province is worn, Rutan's cunning surpasses others—he cannot yet be targeted." Xing said: "Liu Bobo with a mob could still defeat him—how much more if I bring the empire's armies against him!" Zong said: "Not so. Forms shift and situations change with endless reversals; bullies are easily defeated; the wary are hard to attack. Rutan was defeated by Bobo because he underestimated him. Now if we bring a great army against him, he will fear and seek to preserve himself. I observe the ministers' talent—none compares with Rutan; even with imperial majesty bearing down, I dare not guarantee victory." Xing refused to listen and sent his son Central Army General Duke of Guangping Bi, Rear Army General Lian Cheng, and General Who Guards the Distance Qifu Gangui with thirty thousand infantry and cavalry against Rutan; Left Vice Minister Qi Nan led twenty thousand cavalry against Bobo. Minister of the Civil Office Yin Zhao remonstrated: "Rutan relies on his strategic remoteness and dares to defy and show disrespect; better to order Juqu Mengxun and Li Gao to attack him and let them wear each other out—there is no need to trouble imperial armies." He also refused to listen. Xing sent Rutan a letter: "I now dispatch Qi Nan to suppress Bobo; fearing he may flee west, I have ordered Bi and others to intercept him in Hexi." Rutan believed this and made no preparations. When Bi crossed from Jincheng, Jiang Ji told him: "The royal army claims to be suppressing Bobo; Rutan hesitates and defenses are lax—give me five thousand light cavalry to seize his gates; the people of mountains and marshes will be ours, and the isolated city can be taken without effort." Bi refused. At Mokou, Changsong prefect Su Ba closed the city and resisted; Bi sent men to demand surrender; Ba said: "You abandon faith and pledge to destroy a friendly state—I have only death; what surrender is there!" Bi attacked, killed him, and drove straight to Guzang. Rutan held the city, sent surprise troops against Bi, defeated him, and Bi withdrew to Xiyuan. Wang Zhong and others in the city plotted as inside collaborators; when the plot leaked, Rutan wished to execute the ringleaders and pardon the rest; Forward Army General Yiliyanhou said: "A strong foe is outside while traitors rise within—what danger could be greater! If we do not bury them all alive, how can we warn those who follow!" Rutan agreed and killed more than five thousand people. He ordered commanderies and counties to drive cattle and sheep into the wild; Lian Cheng let his troops raid and plunder; Rutan sent General Who Guards the North Juyan and General Who Guards the Army Jing Gui against them; the Qin army was routed and more than seven thousand were killed. Yao Bi held his camp and refused to come out; Rutan attacked but failed to take him. In autumn, the seventh month, Xing sent Guard General Duke of Changshan Xian with twenty thousand cavalry as rear support; reaching Gaoping, he heard Bi was defeated and marched at double speed. Xian sent five skilled archers including Meng Qin to challenge at Liangfeng Gate; before they could draw their bows, Rutan's Master of Works General Song Yi and others met them and killed them. Xian blamed Lian Cheng, sent envoys to apologize to Rutan, comforted the lands beyond the river, and withdrew. Rutan sent envoy Xu Su to Qin to apologize. King Bobo of Xia heard Qin troops were approaching and withdrew to Hequ. Qi Nan, thinking Bobo was far away, let his troops raid freely. Bobo secretly struck them, killing more than seven thousand. Nan retreated; Bobo pursued to Mucheng, captured him, and took more than thirteen thousand of his officers and soldiers. Thereupon tens of thousands of Yi and Xia north of the mountains rallied to Bobo; he appointed guards and magistrates to pacify them. Sima Shufan raided Zou Mountain from Fancheng; Lu prefect Xu Shao abandoned the city and fled; Chief Secretary Liu Zhong repelled him. Gao Yun of Northern Yan enfeoffed Murong Gui as Duke of Liaodong and made him preside over Yan sacrifices. After Liu Jingxuan entered the gorge, he sent Badong prefect Wen Zuo with two thousand men by the outer waterways while he himself led Yizhou inspector Bao Lou, General Who Assists the State Wen Chumao, and General of Flying Dragons Shi Yanzu forward by way of Dianjiang. Qiao Zong sought rescue from Qin; Emperor Xing sent General Who Pacifies the West Yao Shang and Southern Liangzhou prefect Wang Min with twenty thousand troops to his aid. Jingxuan's army reached Huanghu, five hundred li from Chengdu. Qiao Zong's General Who Assists the State Qiao Daofu marshaled all his forces to hold the passes; they faced each other for more than sixty days without Jingxuan advancing; food ran out, plague broke out, and more than half died; he withdrew; Jingxuan was removed from office and his enfeoffment reduced by one third; Jing inspector Liu Daogui, for his command oversight, was reduced to General Who Establishes Might. In the ninth month, Liu Yu, because Jingxuan had failed, requested to step down; an edict reduced him to Central Army General while retaining his staff office. Liu Yi wished to punish Jingxuan severely; Liu Yu protected him; He Wuji told Yi: "How can you harm the public good through private resentment!" Yi then stopped. Qifu Chifu, seeing Qin's government declining and fearing Qin attacks, in winter, the tenth month, gathered more than twenty thousand men from various tribes, built a city at Liang Mountain, and occupied it. In the eleventh month, Tufa Rutan again styled himself King of Liang, declared a general amnesty, changed the era name to Jiaping, and established a full bureaucracy. He installed Lady Zhejue as queen, heir Wutai as crown prince and recorder of the masters of writing. Left Chief Secretary Zhao Chao and Right Chief Secretary Guo Xing became left and right vice ministers of the masters of writing; Marquis of Changsong Juyan became grand commandant. In Southern Yan the Ru River ran dry. The rivers all froze solid, but the Sheng River did not ice over. Murong Chao regarded this as ill-omened and asked Li Xuan, who answered: "The Sheng River has no ice because it lies close to the capital, near the sun and moon." Chao was greatly pleased and bestowed a set of court robes. In the twelfth month, Qifu Chifu attacked Peng Xinian at Fuhan, was defeated, and withdrew. That year, Emperor Daowu killed Duke of Gaoyi Mo Ti. Earlier, when Tuoba Kuchou attacked Gui, Ti, thinking Gui too young, secretly sent Kuchou an arrow, saying: "Can a three-year-old calf overcome a heavy load!" Gui nursed a grudge. At this time, someone reported that Ti's conduct was arrogant and imitated a ruler; Gui sent a man to show Ti the arrow and ask: "How did the three-year-old calf turn out?" Ti and his son wept together. At dawn the next day, he was arrested and executed.
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