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資治通鑑123卷卷第一百二十三。 【宋紀五】起柔兆困敦,盡重光大荒落,凡六年。。 太祖文皇帝中之上元嘉十三年(丙子,公元四三六年)。 春,正月,癸丑朔,上有疾,不朝會。。 甲寅,魏主還宮。。 二月,戊子,燕王遣使入貢於魏,請送侍子,魏主不許,將舉兵討之,壬辰,遣使才十餘輩詣東方高麗等諸國告諭之。。 司空、江州刺史、永修公檀道濟,立功前朝,威名甚重,左右腹心並經百戰,諸子又有才氣,朝廷疑畏之。 帝久疾不愈,劉湛說司徒義康,以為:「宮車一日晏駕,道濟不復可制。」 會帝疾篤,義康言於帝,召道濟入朝。 其妻向氏謂道濟曰:「高世之勳,自古所忌。 今無事相召,禍其至矣。」 既至,留之累月。 帝稍間,將遣還,已下渚,未發; 會帝疾動,義康矯詔召道濟入祖道,因執之。 三月,己未,下詔稱:「道濟潛散金貨,招誘剽猾,因朕寢疾,規肆禍心。」 收付廷尉,並其子給事黃門侍郎植等十一人誅之,唯宥其孫孺。 又殺司空參軍薛彤、高進之。 二人皆道濟腹心,有勇力,時人比之關、張。。 道濟見收,憤怒,目光如炬,脫幘投地曰:「乃壞汝萬里長城!」 魏人聞之,喜曰:「道濟死,吳子輩不足復憚!」。 庚申,大赦; 以中軍將軍南譙王義宣為江州刺史。。 辛未,魏平東將軍娥清、安西將軍古弼將精騎一萬伐燕,平州刺史拓跋嬰帥遼西諸軍會之。。 氐王楊難當自稱大秦王,改元建義,立妻為王后,世子為太子,置百官皆如天子之制,然猶貢奉宋、魏不絕。。 夏,四月,魏娥清、古弼攻燕白狼城,克之。 高麗遣其將葛盧孟光將眾數萬隨陽伊至和龍迎燕王。 高麗屯於臨川。 燕尚書令郭生因民之憚遷,開城門納魏兵; 魏人疑之,不入。 生遂勒兵攻燕王,王引高麗兵入自東門,與生戰於闕下,生中流矢死。 葛盧孟光入城,命軍士脫弊褐,取燕武庫精仗以給之,大掠城中。。 五月,乙卯,燕王帥龍城見戶東徙,焚宮殿,火一旬不滅; 令婦人被甲居中,陽伊等勒精兵居外,葛盧孟光帥騎殿後,方軌而進,前後八十餘里。 古弼部將高苟子帥騎欲追之,弼醉,拔刀止之,故燕王得逃去。 魏主聞之,怒,檻車征弼及娥清至平城,皆黜為門卒。 戊午,魏主遣散騎常侍封撥使高麗,令送燕王。。 丁卯,魏主如河西。。 六月,詔寧朔將軍蕭汪之將兵討程道養。 軍至郪口,帛氐奴請降。 道養兵敗,還入郪山。。 赫連定之西遷也,楊難當遂據上邽。 秋,七月,魏主遣驃騎大將軍樂平王丕、尚書令劉絜督河西、高平諸軍以討之,先遣平東將軍崔賾繼詔書諭難當。。 魏散騎侍郎游雅來聘。。 己未,零陵王太妃褚氏卒,追謚曰晉恭思皇后,葬以晉禮。。 八月,魏主畋於河西。。 魏主遣廣平公張黎發定州兵一萬二千通莎泉道。。 九月,庚戌,魏樂平王丕等至略陽; 楊難當懼,請奉詔,攝上邽守兵還仇池。 諸將議,以為:「不誅其豪帥,軍還之後,必相聚為亂。 又,大眾遠出,不有所掠,無以充軍實,賞將士。」 丕將從之,中書侍郎高允參丕軍事,諫曰:「如諸將之謀,是傷其向化之心; 大軍既還,為亂必速。」 丕乃止,撫慰初附,秋毫不犯,秦、隴遂安。 難當以其子順為雍州刺史,守下辨。 高麗不送燕王於魏,遣使奉表,稱「當與馮弘俱奉王化」。 魏主以高麗違詔,議擊之,將發隴右騎卒。 劉絜曰:「秦、隴新民,且當優復,俟其饒實,然後用之。」 樂平王丕曰:「和龍新定,宜廣修農桑以豐軍實,然後進取,則高麗一舉可滅也。」 魏主乃止。。 癸丑,封皇子浚為始興王,駿為武陵王。。 冬,十一月,己酉,魏主如稒陽,驅野馬於雲中,置野馬苑。 閏月,壬子,還宮。。 初,高祖克長安,得古銅渾儀,儀狀雖舉,不綴七曜。 是歲,詔太史令錢樂之更鑄渾儀,逕六尺八分,以水轉之,昏明中星與天相應。。 柔然與魏絕和親,犯魏邊。。 吐欲渾惠王慕瑰卒,弟慕利延立。。 太祖文皇帝中之上元嘉十四年(丁丑,公元四三七年)。 春,正月,戊子,魏北平宣王長孫嵩卒。。 辛卯,大赦。。 二月,乙卯,魏主如幽州。 三月,丁丑,魏主以南平王渾為鎮東大將軍、儀同三司,鎮和龍。 己卯,還宮。。 帝遣散騎常侍劉熙伯如魏議納幣,會帝女亡而止。。 夏,四月,趙廣、張尋、梁顯等各帥眾降。 別將王道恩斬程道養,送首,餘黨悉平。 丁未,以輔國將軍周籍之為益州刺史。。 魏主以民官多貪,夏,五月,己丑,詔吏民得舉告守令不如法者。 於是奸猾專求牧宰之失,迫脅在位,橫於閭裡; 而長吏鹹降心待之,貪縱如故。。 丙申,魏主如雲中。。 秋,七月,戊子,魏永昌王健等討山胡白龍餘黨於西河,滅之。。 八月,甲辰,魏主如河西。 九月,甲申,還宮。。 丁酉,魏主遣使者拜吐谷渾王慕利延為鎮西大將軍、儀同三司,改封西平王。。 冬,十月,癸卯,魏主如雲中。 十一月,壬申,還宮。。 魏主復遣散騎侍郎董琬、高明等多繼金帛,使西域,招撫九國。 琬等至烏孫,其王甚喜,曰:「破洛那、者舌二國皆欲稱臣致貢於魏,但無路自致耳,今使君宜過撫之。」 乃遣導譯送琬詣破落那,明詣者舌。 帝國聞之,爭遣使者隨琬等入貢,凡十六國。 自是每歲朝貢不絕。。 魏主以其妹武威公主妻河西王牧犍,河西王遣宋繇奉表詣平城謝,且問其母及公主所宜稱。 魏主使群臣議之,皆曰:「母以子貴,妻從夫爵。 牧犍母宜稱河西國太后,公主於其國稱王后,於京師則稱公主。」 魏主從之。。 初,牧犍娶涼武昭王之女,及魏公主至,李氏與其母尹氏遷居酒泉。 頃之,李氏卒,尹氏撫之,不哭,曰:「汝國破家亡,今死晚矣。」 牧犍之弟無諱鎮酒泉,謂尹氏曰:「後諸孫在伊吾,後欲就之乎?」 尹氏未測其意,紿之曰:「吾子孫漂蕩,托身異域,餘生無幾,當死此,不復為氈裘之鬼也。」 未幾,潛奔伊吾。 無諱遣騎追及之,尹氏謂追騎曰:「沮渠酒泉許吾歸北,何為復追! 汝取吾首以往,吾不復還矣。」 追騎不敢逼,引還。 尹氏卒於伊吾。。 牧犍遣將軍沮渠旁周入貢於魏,魏主遣侍中古弼、尚書李順賜其侍臣衣服,並征世子封壇入侍。 是歲,牧犍遣封壇如魏,亦遣使詣建康,獻雜書及敦煌趙匪文所撰《甲寅元歷》,並求雜書數十種,帝皆與之。。 李順自河西還,魏主問之曰:「卿往年言取涼州之策,朕以東方有事,未遑也。 今和龍己平,吾欲即以此年西征,可乎?」 對曰:「臣疇昔所言,以今觀之,私謂不謬。 然國家戎車屢動,士馬疲勞,西征之義,請俟它年。」 魏主乃止。。 太祖文皇帝中之上元嘉十五年(戊寅,公元四三八年)。 春,二月,丁未,以吐谷渾王慕利延為都督西秦、河、沙三州諸軍事、鎮西大將軍、西秦、河二州刺史、隴西王。。 三月,癸未,魏主詔罷沙門年五十已下者。。 初,燕王弘至遼東,高麗王璉遣使勞之曰:「龍城王馮君,愛適野次,士馬勞乎?」 弘慚怒,稱制讓之。 高麗處之平郭,尋徙北豐。 弘素侮高麗,政刑賞罰,猶如其國。 高麗乃奪其侍人,取其太子王仁為質。 弘怨高麗,遣使來上表求迎,上遣使者王白駒等迎之,並令高麗資遣。 高麗王不欲使弘南來,遣將孫漱、高仇等殺弘於北豐,並其子孫十餘人,謚弘曰昭成皇帝。 白駒等帥所領七千餘人掩討漱、仇,殺仇,生擒漱。 高麗王以白駒等專殺,遣使執送之。 上以遠國,不欲違其意,下白駒等獄; 已而原之。。 夏,四月,納故黃門侍郎殷淳女為太子劭妃。。 五月,戊寅,魏大赦。。 丙申,魏主如五原。 秋,七月,自五原北伐柔然。 命樂平王丕督十五將出東道,永昌王健督十五將出西道,魏主自出中道。 至浚稽山,復分中道為二:陳留王崇從大澤向涿邪山,魏主從浚稽北向天山,西登白阜,不見柔然而還。 時漠北大旱,無水草,人馬多死。 冬,十一月,丁卯朔,日有食之。。 十二月,丁巳,魏主至平城。。 豫章雷次宗好學,隱居廬山。 嘗征為散騎侍郎,不就。 是歲,以處士征至建康,為開館於雞籠山,使聚徒教授。 帝雅好藝文,使丹陽尹廬江何尚之立玄學,太子率更令何承天立史學,司徒參軍謝元立文學,並次宗儒學為四學。 元,靈運之從祖弟也。 帝數幸次宗學館,令次宗以巾示冓侍講,資給甚厚。 又除給事中,不就。 久之,還廬山。。 臣光曰:《易》曰:「君子多識前言往行,以畜其德。」 孔子曰:「辭達而已矣。」 然則史者儒之一端,文者儒之餘事; 至於老、莊虛無,固非所以為教也。 夫學者所以求道; 天下無二道,安有四學哉!。 帝性仁厚恭儉,勤於為政,守法而不峻,容物而不弛。 百官皆久於其職,守宰以六期為斷,吏不苟免,民有所繫。 三十年間,四境之內,晏安無事,戶口蕃息; 出租供徭,止於歲賦,晨出暮歸,自事而已。 閭閻之內,講誦相聞; 士敦操尚,鄉恥輕薄。 江左風俗,於斯為美。 後之言政治者,皆稱元嘉焉。。 太祖文皇帝中之上元嘉十六年(己卯,公元四三九年)。 春,正月,庚寅,司徒義康進位大將軍、領司徒,南袞州刺史、江夏王義恭進位司空。。 魏主如定州。。 初,高祖遣詔,令諸子次第居荊州。 臨川王義慶在荊州八年,欲為之選代,其次應在南譙王義宣。 帝以義宣人才凡鄙,置不用; 二月,己亥,以衡陽王義季為都督荊、湘等八州諸軍事、荊州刺史。 義季嘗春月出畋,有老父被苫而耕,左右斥之,老父曰:「盤於游畋,古人所戒。 今陽和布氣,一日不耕,民失其時,奈何以從禽之樂而驅斥老農也!」 義季止馬曰:「賢者也!」 命賜之食,辭曰:「大王不奪農時,則境內之民皆飽大王之食,老夫何敢獨受大王之賜乎!」 義季問其名,不告而退。。 三月,魏雍州刺史葛那寇上洛,上洛太守鐔長生棄郡走。。 辛未,魏主還宮。。 楊保宗與兄保顯自童亭奔魏。 庚寅,魏主以保宗為都督隴西諸軍事、征西大將軍、開府儀同三司、秦州牧、武都王,鎮上邽,妻以公主; 保顯為鎮西將軍、晉壽公。。 河西王牧犍通於其嫂李氏,兄弟三人傳嬖之。 李氏與牧犍之姊共毒魏公主,魏主遣解毒醫乘傳救之,得愈。 魏主征李氏,牧犍不遣,厚資給,使居酒泉。。 魏每遣使者詣西域,常詔牧犍發導護送出流沙。 使者自西域還,至武威,牧犍左右有告魏使者曰:「我君承蠕蠕可汗妄言云:『去歲魏天子自來伐我,士馬疫死,大敗而還; 我擒其長弟樂平王丕。』 我君大喜,宣言於國。 又聞可汗遣使告西域諸國,稱:『魏已削弱,今天下唯我為強,若更有魏使,勿復供奉。』 西域諸國頗有貳心。」 使還,具以狀聞。 魏主遣尚書賀多羅使涼州觀虛實,多羅還,亦言牧犍雖外修臣禮,內實乖悖。。 魏主欲討之,以問崔浩。 對曰:「牧犍逆心已露,不可不誅。 官軍往年北伐,雖不克獲,實無所損。 戰馬三十萬匹,計在道死傷不滿八千,常歲羸死亦不減萬匹。 而遠方乘虛,遽謂衰耗不能復振。 今出其不意,大軍猝至,彼必駭擾,不知所為,擒之必矣。」 魏主曰:「善! 吾意亦以為然。」 於是大集公卿議於西堂。。 弘農王奚斤等三十餘人皆曰:「牧犍,西垂下國,雖心不純臣,然繼父位以來,職貢不乏。 朝廷待以籓臣,妻以公主; 今其罪惡未彰,宜加恕宥。 國家新征蠕蠕,士馬疲弊,未可大舉。 且聞其土地鹵瘠,難得水草,大軍既至,彼必嬰城固守。 攻之不拔,野無所掠,此危道也。」。 初,崔浩惡尚書李順,順使涼州凡十二返,魏主以為能。 涼武宣王數與順游宴,對其群下時為驕慢之語; 恐順洩之,隨以金寶納於順懷,順亦為之隱。 浩知之,密以白魏主,魏主未之信。 及議伐涼州,順與尚書古弼皆曰:「自溫圉水以西至姑臧,地皆枯石,絕無水草。 彼人言,姑臧城南天梯山上,冬有積雪,深至丈餘,春夏消釋,下流成川,居民引以溉灌。 彼聞軍至,決此渠口,水必乏絕。 環城百里之內,地不生草,人馬飢渴,難以久留。 斤等之議是也。」 魏主乃命浩與斤等相詰難。 眾無復它言,但云「彼無水草」。 浩曰:「《漢書‧地理志》稱『涼州之畜為天下饒』,若無水草,畜何以蕃? 又,漢人終不於無水草之地築城郭,建郡縣也。 且雪之消釋,僅能斂塵,何得通渠溉灌乎! 此言大為欺誣矣。」 李順曰:「耳聞不如目見,吾嘗目見,何可共辯」浩曰:「汝受人金錢,欲為之遊說,謂我目不見便可欺邪!」 帝隱聽,聞之,乃出見斤等,辭色嚴厲,群臣不敢復言,唯唯而已。。 群臣既出,振威將軍代人伊□言於帝曰:「涼州若果無水草,彼何以為國? 眾議皆不可用,宜從浩言。」 帝善之。。 夏,五月,丁丑,魏主治兵於西郊; 六月,甲辰,發平城。 使侍中宜都王穆壽輔太子晃監國,決留台事,內外聽焉。 又使大將軍長樂王稽敬、輔國大將軍建寧王崇將二萬人屯漠南以備柔然。 命公卿為書以讓河西王牧犍,數其十二罪,且曰:「若親帥群臣委贄遠迎,謁拜馬首,上策也。 六軍既臨,面縛輿櫬,其次也。 若守迷窮城,不時悛悟,身死族滅,為世大戮。 宜思厥中,自求多福!」。 己酉,改封隴西王吐谷渾慕利延為河南王。。 魏主自雲中濟河,秋,七月,己巳,至上郡屬國城。 壬午,留輜重,部分諸軍,使撫軍大將軍永昌王健、尚書令劉絜與常山王素為前鋒,兩道並進; 驃騎大將軍樂平王丕、太宰陽平王杜超為後繼; 以平西將軍源賀為鄉導。。 魏主問賀以取涼州方略,對曰:「姑臧城旁有四部鮮卑,皆臣祖父舊民,臣願處軍前,宣國威信,示以禍福,必相帥歸命。 外援既服,然後取其孤城,如反掌耳。」 魏主曰:「善!」。 八月,甲午,永昌王健獲河西畜產二十餘萬。。 河西王牧犍聞有魏師,驚曰:「何為乃爾!」 用左丞姚定國計,不肯出迎,求救於柔然。 遣其弟征南大將軍董來將兵萬餘人出戰於城南,望風奔潰。 劉絜用卜者言,以為日辰不不利,斂兵不追,董來遂得入城。 魏主由是怒之。。 丙申,魏主至姑臧,遣使諭牧犍令出降。 牧犍聞柔然欲入魏邊為寇,冀幸魏主東還,遂嬰城固守; 其兄子祖逾城出降,魏主具知其情,乃分軍圍之。 源賀引兵招慰諸部下三萬餘落,故魏主得專攻姑臧,無復外慮。。 魏主見姑臧城外水草豐饒,由是恨李順,謂崔浩曰:「卿之昔言,今果驗矣。」 對曰:「臣之言不敢不實,類皆如此。」。 魏主之將伐涼州也,太子晃亦以為疑。 至是,魏主賜太子詔曰:「姑臧城東、西門外,湧泉合於城北,其大如河。 自餘溝渠流入漠中,其間乃無燥地。 故有此敕,以釋汝疑。」。 庚子,立皇子鑠為南平王。。 九月,丙戌,河西王牧犍兄子萬年帥所領降魏。 姑臧城潰,牧犍帥其文武五千人面縛請降,魏主釋其縛而禮之。 收其城內戶口二十餘萬,倉庫珍寶不可勝計。 使張掖王禿髮保周、龍騎將軍穆罷、安遠將軍源賀分徇諸郡,雜胡降者又數十萬。。 初,牧犍以其弟無諱為沙州刺史、都督建康以西諸軍事、領酒泉太守,宜得為秦州刺史、都督丹嶺以西諸軍事、領張掖太守,安周為樂都太守,從弟唐兒為敦煌太守。 及姑臧破,魏主遣鎮南將軍代人奚眷擊張掖,鎮北將軍封沓擊樂都。 宜得燒倉庫,西奔酒泉; 安周南奔吐谷渾,封沓掠數千戶而還。 奚眷進攻酒泉,無諱、宜得收遺民奔晉昌,遂就唐兒於敦煌。 魏主使弋陽公元絜守酒泉,及武威、張掖皆置將守之。。 魏主置酒姑臧,謂群臣曰:「崔公智略有餘,吾不復以為奇。 伊□弓馬之士,而所見乃與崔公同,深可奇也!」 □善射,能曳牛卻行,走及奔馬,而性忠謹,故魏主特愛之。。 魏主之西伐也,穆壽送至河上,魏主敕之曰:「吳提與牧犍相結素深,聞朕討牧犍,吳提必犯塞,朕故留壯兵肥馬,使卿輔佐太子。 收田既畢,即發兵詣漠南,分伏要害以待虜至。 引使深入,然後擊之,無不克矣。 涼州路遠,朕不得救,卿勿違朕言!」 壽頓首受命。 壽雅信中書博士公孫質,以為謀主。 壽、質皆信卜筮,以為柔然必不來,不為之備。 質,軌之弟也。。 柔然敕連可汗聞魏主向姑臧,乘虛入寇,留其兄乞列歸與嵇敬、建寧王崇相拒於北鎮,自帥精騎深入,至善無七介山,平城大駭,民爭走中城。 穆壽不知所為,欲塞西郭門,請太子避保南山,竇太后不聽而止。 遣司空長孫道生、征北大將軍張黎拒之於吐頹山。 會嵇敬、建寧王崇擊破乞列歸於陰山之北,擒之,並其伯父他吾無鹿胡及將帥五百人,斬首萬餘級。 敕連聞之,遁去; 追至漠南而還。。 冬,十月,辛酉,魏主東還,留樂平王丕及征西將軍賀多羅鎮涼州,徙沮渠牧犍宗族及吏民三萬戶於平城。。 癸亥,禿髮保周帥諸部鮮卑據張掖叛魏。。 十二月,乙亥,太子劭加元服,大赦。 劭美鬢眉,好讀書,便弓馬,喜延賓客; 意之所欲,上必從之,東宮置兵與羽林等。。 壬午,魏主至平城,以柔然入寇,無大失亡,故穆壽等得不誅。 魏主猶以妹婿待沮渠牧犍,征西大將軍、河西王如故。 牧犍母卒,葬以太妃禮; 為武宣王置守塚三十家。。 涼州自張氏以來,號為多士。 沮渠牧犍尤喜文學,以敦煌闞駰為姑臧太守,張湛為兵部尚書,劉昺、索敞、陰興為國師助教,金城宋欽為世子洗馬,趙柔為金部郎,廣平程駿、駿從弟弘為世子侍講。 魏主克涼州,皆禮而用之,以闞駰、劉昺為樂平王丕從事中郎。 安定胡叟,少有俊才,往從牧犍,牧犍不甚重之,叟謂程弘曰:「貴主居僻陋之國而淫名僭禮,以小事大而心不純壹,外慕仁義而實無道德,其亡可翹足待也。 吾將擇木,先集於魏; 與子暫違,非久闊也。」 遂適魏。 歲餘而牧犍敗。 魏主以叟為先識,拜虎威將軍,賜爵始復男。 河內常爽,世寓涼州,不受禮命,魏主以為宣威將軍。 河西右相宋繇從魏主至平城而卒。。 魏主以索敞為中書博士。 時魏朝方尚武功,貴遊子弟以講學為意。 敞為博士十餘年,勤於誘導,肅而有禮,貴游皆嚴憚之,多所成立,前後顯達至尚書、牧守者數十人。 常爽置館於溫水之右,教授七百餘人; 爽立賞罰之科,弟子事之如嚴君。 由是魏之儒風始振。 高允每稱爽訓厲有方,曰:「文翁柔勝,先生剛克,立教雖殊,成人一也。」。 陳留江強,寓居涼州,獻經、史、諸子千餘卷及書法,亦拜中書博士。 魏主命崔浩監秘書事,綜理史職; 以中書侍郎高允、散騎侍郎張偉參典著作。 浩啟稱:「陰仲達、段承根,涼土美才,請同修國史。」 皆除著作郎。 仲達,武威人; 承根,暉之子也。。 浩集諸歷家,考校漢元以來日月薄食、五星行度,並譏前史之失,別為《魏歷》,以示高允。 允曰:「漢元年十月,五星聚東井,此乃歷術之淺事; 今譏漢史而不覺此謬,恐後人之譏今猶今之譏古也。」 浩曰:「所謬雲何?」 允曰:「案《星傳》:『太白、辰星常附日而行。』 十月,日在尾、箕,昏沒於申南,而東井方出於寅北,二星何得背日而行? 是史官欲神其事,不復推之於理也。」 浩曰:「天文欲為變者,何所不可邪?」 允曰:「此不可以空言爭,宜更審之。」 坐者鹹怪允之言,唯東宮少傅游雅曰:「高君精於歷數,當不虛也。」 後歲餘,浩謂允曰:「先所論者,本不經心; 乃更考究,果如君言。 五星乃以前三月聚東井,非十月也。」 眾乃歎服。 允雖明歷,初不推步及為人論說,唯游雅知之。 雅數以災異問允,允曰:「陰陽災異,知之甚難; 既已知之,復恐漏洩,不如不知也。 天下妙理至多,何遽問此!」 雅乃止。 魏主問允:「為政何先?」 時魏多封禁良田,允曰:「臣少賤,唯知農事。 若國家廣田積穀,公私有備,則饑饉不足憂矣。」 帝乃命悉除田禁以賦百姓。。 吐谷渾王慕利延聞魏克涼州,大懼,帥眾西遁,逾沙漠。 魏主以其兄慕瑰有擒赫連定之功,遣使撫諭之,慕利延乃還故地。。 氐王楊難當將兵數萬寇魏上邽,秦州人多應之。 東平呂羅漢說鎮將拓跋意頭曰:「難當眾甚,今不出戰,示之以弱,眾情離沮,不可守也。」 意頭遣羅漢將精騎千餘出沖難當陳,所向披靡,殺其左右騎八人,難當大驚。 會魏主以璽書責讓難當,難當引還仇池。。 南豐太妃司馬氏卒,故營陽王之後也。。 趙廣、張尋等復謀反,伏誅。。 太祖文皇帝中之上元嘉十七年(庚辰,公元四四零年)。 春,正月,己酉,沮渠無諱寇魏酒泉,元絜輕之,出城與語; 壬子,無諱執絜以圍酒泉。。 二月,魏假通直常侍邢穎來聘。。 三月,沮渠無諱拔酒泉。。 夏,四月,戊午朔,日有食之。 庚辰,沮渠無諱寇魏張掖,禿髮保周屯刪丹; 丙戌,魏主遣撫軍大將軍永昌王健督諸將討之。。 司徒義康專總朝權。 上羸疾積年,心勞輒發,屢至危殆; 義康盡心營奉,藥食非口所親嘗不進,或連夕不寐,內外眾事皆專決施行。 性好吏職,糾剔文案,莫不精盡。 上由是多委以事,凡所陳奏,入無不可; 方伯以下,並令義康選用,生殺大事,或以錄命斷之。 勢傾遠近,朝野輻湊,每旦府門常有車數百乘,義康傾身引接,未嘗懈倦。 復能強記,耳目所經,終身不忘; 好於稠人廣席,標題所憶以示聰明。 士之幹練者,多被意遇。 嘗謂劉湛曰:「王敬弘、王球之屬,竟何所堪! 坐取富貴,復那可解!」 然素無學術,不識大體,朝士有才用者皆引入己府,府僚無施及忤旨者乃斥為台官。 自謂兄弟至親,不復存君臣形跡,率心而行,曾無猜防。 私置僮六千餘人,不以言台,四方獻饋,皆以上品薦義康,而以次者供御; 上嘗冬月啖甘,歎其形味並劣,義康曰:「今年甘殊有佳者。」 遣人還東府取甘,大供御者三寸。。 領軍劉湛與僕射殷景仁有隙,湛欲倚義康之重以傾之。 義康權勢已盛,湛愈推崇之,無復人臣之禮,上浸不能平。 湛初入朝,上恩禮甚厚。 湛善論治道,諳前代故事,敘致銓理,聽者忘疲。 每入雲龍門,御者即解駕,左右及羽儀隨意分散,不夕不出,以此為常。 及晚節驅煽義康,上意雖內離而接遇不改,嘗謂所親曰:「劉班方自西還,吾與語,常視日早晚,慮其將去; 比入,吾亦視日早晚,苦其不去。」。 殷景仁密言於上曰:「相王權重,非社稷計,宜少加裁抑。」 上陰然之。。 司徒左長史劉斌,湛之宗也; 大將軍從事中郎王履,謐之孫也; 及主簿劉敬文,祭酒魯郡孔胤秀,皆以傾諂有寵於義康; 見上多疾,皆謂「宮車一日晏駕,宜立長君。」 上嘗疾篤,使義康具顧命詔。 義康還省,流涕以告湛及景仁。 湛曰:「天下艱難,詎是幼主所御!」 義康、景仁並不答。 而胤秀等輒就尚書義曹索晉鹹康末立康帝舊事,義康不知也; 及上疾瘳,微聞之。 而斌等密謀,欲使大業終歸義康,遂邀結朋黨,伺察禁省,有不與己同者,必百方構陷之,又採拾景仁短長,或虛造異同以告湛。 自是主、相之勢分矣。。 義康欲以劉斌為丹陽尹,言次,啟上陳其家貧。 言未卒,上曰:「以為吳郡。」 後會稽太守羊玄保求還,義康又欲以斌代之,啟上曰:「養玄保欲還,不審以誰為會稽?」 上時未有所擬,倉猝曰:「我已用王鴻。」 自去年秋,上不復往東府。。 五月,癸巳,劉湛遭母憂去職。 湛自知罪釁已彰,無復全地,謂所親曰:「今年必敗。 常日正賴口舌爭之,故得推遷耳; 今既窮毒,無復此望,禍至其能久乎!」 乙巳,沮渠無諱復圍張掖,不克,退保臨松。 魏主不復加討,但以詔諭之。。 六月,丁丑,魏皇孫浚生,大赦,改元太平真君,取寇謙之《神書》云「輔佐北方太平真君」故也。。 太子劭詣京口拜京陵,司徒義康、竟陵王誕等並從,南兗州刺史、江夏王義恭自江都會之。。 秋,七月,己丑,魏永昌王健擊破禿髮保周於番禾; 保周走,遣安南將軍尉眷追之。。 丙申,魏太后竇氏殂。。 壬子,皇后袁氏殂。。 癸丑,禿髮保周窮迫自殺。。 八月,甲申,沮渠無諱使其中尉梁偉詣魏永昌王健請降,歸酒泉郡及所虜將士元絜等。 魏主使尉眷留鎮涼州。。 九月,壬子,葬元皇后。。 上以司徒彭城王義康嫌隙已著,將成禍亂。 冬,十月,戊申,收劉湛付廷尉,下詔暴其罪惡,就獄誅之,並誅其子黯、亮、儼及其黨劉斌、劉敬文、孔胤秀等八人; 徙尚書庫部郎何默子等五人於廣州,因大赦。 是日,敕義康入宿,留止中書省。 其夕,分收湛等; 青州刺史杜驥勒兵殿內以備非常,遣人宣旨告義康以湛等罪狀。 義康上表遜位,詔以義康為江州刺史,侍中、大將軍如故,出鎮豫章。。 初,殷景仁臥疾五年,雖不見上,而密函去來,日以十數,朝政大小,必以咨之; 影跡周密,莫有窺其際者。 收湛之日,景仁使拂拭衣冠,左右皆不曉其意。 其夜,上出華林園延賢堂,召景仁。 景仁猶稱腳疾,以小床輿就坐; 誅討處分,一皆委之。。 初,檀道濟薦吳興沈慶之忠謹曉兵,上使領隊防東掖門。 劉湛為領軍,嘗謂之曰:「卿在省歲久,比當相論。」 慶之正色曰:「下官在省十年,自應得轉,不復以此仰累!」 收湛之夕,上開門召慶之,慶之戎服縛褲而入,上曰:「卿何意乃爾急裝?」 慶之曰:「夜半喚隊主,不容緩服。」 上遣慶之收劉斌,殺之。。 驍騎將軍徐湛之,逵之之子也,與義康尤親厚,上深銜之。 義康敗,湛之被收,罪當死。 其母會稽公主,于兄弟為長嫡,素為上所禮,家事大小,必咨而後行。 高祖征時,嘗自於新洲伐荻,有納布衫襖,臧皇后手所作也; 既貴,以付公主曰:「後世有驕奢不節,可以此衣示之。」 至是,公主入宮見上,號哭,不復施臣妾之禮,以錦囊盛納衣擲地曰:「汝家本貧賤,此是我母為汝父所作; 今日得一飽餐,遽欲殺我兒邪!」 上乃赦之。。 吏部尚書王球,履之叔父也,以簡淡有美名,為上所重。 履性進利,深結義康及湛; 球屢戒之,不從。 誅湛之夕,履徒跣告球,球命左右為取履,先溫酒與之,謂曰:「常日語汝雲何?」 履怖跣告球,球命左右為取履,先溫酒與之,謂曰:「常日語汝雲何?」 履怖懼不得答。 球徐曰:「阿父在,汝亦何憂!」 上以球故,履得免死,廢於家。。 義康方用事,人爭求親暱,唯司徒主簿江湛早能自疏,求出為武陵內史。 檀道濟嘗為其子求婚於湛,湛固辭,道濟因義康以請之,湛拒之愈堅,故不染於二公之難。 上聞而嘉之。 湛,夷之子也。。 彭城王義康停省十餘日,見上奉辭,便下渚; 上唯對之慟哭,餘無所言。 上遣沙門慧琳視之,義康曰:「弟子有還理不?」 慧琳曰:「恨公不讀數百卷書!」。 初,吳興太守謝述,裕之弟也。 累佐義康,數有規益,早卒。 義康將南,歎曰:「昔謝述唯勸吾退,劉班唯勸吾進; 今班存而述死,其敗也宜哉!」 上亦曰:「謝述若存,義康必不至此!」。 以征虜司馬蕭斌為義康咨議參軍,領豫章太守,事無大小,皆以委之。 斌,摹之之子也。 使龍驤將軍蕭承之將兵防守。 義康左右愛念者,並聽隨從; 資奉優厚,信賜相系,朝廷大事皆報示之。。 久之,上就會稽公主宴集,甚歡; 主起,再拜叩頭,悲不自勝。 上不曉其意,自起扶之。 主曰:「車子歲暮必不為陛下所容,今特請其命。」 因慟哭。 上亦流涕,指蔣山曰:「必無此慮。 若違今誓,便是負初寧陵。」 即封所飲酒賜義康,並書曰:「會稽姊飲宴憶弟,所餘酒今封送。」 故終主之身,義康得無恙。。 臣光曰:文帝之於義康,友愛之情,其始非不隆也。 終於失兄弟之歡,虧君臣之義,跡其亂階,正由劉湛權利之心無有厭已。 《詩》云:「貪人敗類。」 其是之謂乎!。 征南袞州刺史江夏王義恭為司徒、錄尚書事。 戊寅,以臨川王義慶為南袞州刺史,殷景仁為揚州刺史,僕射、吏部尚書如故。 義恭懲彭城之敗,雖為總錄,奉行文書而已,上乃安之。 上年給相府錢二千萬,它物稱此; 而義恭性奢,用常不足,上又別給錢,年至千萬。。 十一月,丁亥,魏主如山北。。 殷景仁既拜揚州,羸疾遂篤,上為之敕西州道上不得有車聲。 癸丑,卒。 十二月,癸亥,以光祿大夫王球為僕射。 戊辰,以始興王浚為揚州刺史。 時浚尚幼,州事悉委後軍長史范曄、主簿沈璞。 曄,泰之子; 璞,林子之子也。 曄尋遷左衛將軍,以吏部郎沈演之為右衛將軍,對掌禁旅; 又以庾炳之為吏部郎,俱參機密。 演之,勁之曾孫也。。 曄有俊才,而薄情淺行,數犯名教,為士流所鄙。 性躁競,自謂才用不盡,常怏怏不得志。 吏部尚書何尚之言於帝曰:「范曄志趨異常,請出為廣州刺史; 若在內釁成,不得不加鈇鉞。 鈇鉞亟行,非國家之美也。」 帝曰:「始誅劉湛,復遷范曄,人將謂卿等不能容才,朕信受讒言。 但共知其如此,無能為害也。」。 是歲,魏寧南將軍王慧龍卒,呂玄伯留守其墓,終身不去。。 魏主欲以伊□為尚書,封郡公,□辭曰:「尚書務殷,公爵至重,非臣年少愚近所宜膺受。」 帝問其所欲,對曰:「中、秘二省多諸文士,若恩矜不已,請參其次。」 帝善之,以為中護國將軍、秘書監。。 大秦王楊難當復稱武都王。。 太祖文皇帝中之上元嘉十八年(辛巳,公元四四一年)。 春,正月,癸卯,魏以沮渠無諱為征西大將軍、涼州牧、酒泉王。。 彭城王義康至豫章,辭刺史; 甲辰,以義康都督江、交、廣三州諸軍事。 前龍驤參軍巴東扶令育詣闕上表,稱:「昔袁盎諫漢文帝曰:『淮南王若道路遇霜露死,陛下有殺弟之名。』 文帝不用,追悔無及。 彭城王義康,先朝之愛子,陛下之次弟,若有迷謬之愆,正可數之以善惡,導之以義方,奈何信疑似之嫌,一旦黜削,遠送南垂! 草萊黔首,皆為陛下痛之。 廬陵往事,足為龜鑒。 恐義康年窮命盡,奄忽於南,臣雖微賤,竊為陛下羞之。 陛下徒知惡枝之宜伐,豈知伐枝之傷樹! 伏願亟召義康返於京甸,兄弟協和,君臣輯睦,則四海之望塞,多言之路絕矣。 何必司徒公、揚州牧然後可以置彭城王哉! 若臣所言於國為非,請伏重誅以謝陛下。」 表奏,即收付建康獄,賜死。。 裴子野論曰:夫在上為善,若雲行雨施,萬物受其賜; 及其惡也,若天裂地震,萬物所驚駭,其誰弗知,其誰弗見! 豈戮一人之身,鉗一夫之口,所能禳逃,所能弭滅哉? 是皆不勝其忿怒而有增於疾疹也。 以太祖之含弘,尚掩耳於彭城之戮,自斯以後,誰易由言! 有宋累葉,罕聞直諒,豈骨鯁之氣,俗愧前古? 抑時王刑政使之然乎? 張約隕於權臣,扶育斃於哲後,宋之鼎鑊,吁,可畏哉!。 魏新興王俊荒淫不法,三月,庚戌,降爵為公。 俊母先得罪死,俊積怨望,有逆謀; 事覺,賜死。 辛亥,魏賜郁久閭乞列歸爵為朔方王,沮渠萬年為張掖王。。 夏,四月,沮渠唐兒叛沮渠無諱; 無諱留從弟天周守酒泉,與弟宜得引兵擊唐兒,唐兒敗死。 魏以無諱終為邊患,庚辰,遣鎮南將軍奚眷擊酒泉。。 秋,八月,辛亥,魏遣散騎侍郎張偉來聘。。 九月,戊戌,魏永昌王健卒。。 冬,十一月,戊子,王球卒。 己亥,以丹陽尹孟顗為尚書僕射。。 酒泉城中食盡,萬餘口皆餓死,沮渠天周殺妻以食戰士。 庚子,魏奚眷拔酒泉,獲天周,送平城,殺之。 沮渠無諱乏食,且畏魏兵之盛,乃謀西度流沙,遣其弟安周西擊郪善。 郪善王欲降,會魏使者至,勸令拒守; 安周不能克,退何東城。。 氐王楊難當傾國入寇,謀據蜀土,遣其建忠將軍苻衝出東洛以御梁州兵; 梁、秦二州刺史劉真道擊沖,斬之。 真道,懷敬之子也。 難當攻拔葭萌,獲晉壽太守申坦,遂圍涪城。 巴西、梓潼二郡太守劉道錫嬰城固守,難當攻之十餘日,不克,乃還。 道錫,道產之弟也。 十二月,癸亥,詔龍驤將軍裴方明等帥甲士三千人,又發荊、雍二州兵以討難當,皆受劉真道節度。。 晉寧太守爨松子反,寧州刺史徐循討平之。。 天門蠻田向求等反,破漊中; 荊州刺史衡陽王義季遣行參軍曹孫念討破之。。 魏寇謙之言於魏主曰:「今陛下以真君御世,建靜輪天宮之法,開古以來,未之有也。 應登受符書,以彰聖德。」 帝從之。。
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 123. [Song Records 5], from the bingzi year-name cycle through the dinghai year-name cycle—a span of six years. Yuanjia 13 of Emperor Wen's reign (bingzi; AD 436). In spring, the first month, on New Year's Day (guichou), the emperor was ill and held no court audience. On jiayin, the Northern Wei emperor returned to his capital. In the second month, on wuzi, the Yan king sent envoys to Wei with tribute and asked to send a hostage prince; the Wei emperor refused and prepared a punitive campaign. On renchen he sent a little over a dozen envoys to the eastern states, including Koguryŏ, to proclaim his intentions. Tan Daoji, Minister of Works, inspector of Jiang Province, and Duke of Yongxiu, had won distinction under the previous emperor. His fame was immense, his inner circle were all veterans of countless campaigns, and his sons were gifted as well—the court viewed him with suspicion and dread. The emperor's illness dragged on without recovery. Liu Zhan urged the chief minister Liu Yikang, arguing: "Once the emperor passes away, Tan Daoji will be beyond anyone's control." When the emperor's condition turned grave, Yikang persuaded him to summon Daoji to the capital. His wife, Lady Xiang, warned Daoji: "Supreme merit has always aroused jealousy. To be summoned for no apparent reason—disaster must be near." Once he arrived, they kept him at court for many months. When the emperor rallied somewhat, the court prepared to send him home; he had reached the river landing but had not yet set out; the emperor's illness worsened again. Yikang forged an edict summoning Daoji to a parting banquet and had him arrested. In the third month, on jiwei, an edict accused Tan Daoji of secretly distributing gold, recruiting outlaws, and exploiting the emperor's illness to hatch a treasonous plot." He was turned over to the judiciary; he and eleven others, including his son Zhi, attendant at the Yellow Gate, were put to death. Only his grandson Ru was spared. The court also executed Xue Tong and Gao Jinzhi, staff officers on Daoji's staff. Both were Daoji's closest confidants, famed for their valor; contemporaries likened them to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. As Daoji was seized, his eyes blazed with fury; he tore off his cap and hurled it down, crying: "So you are tearing down your own Great Wall!" When the Wei heard the news, they rejoiced: "With Daoji dead, the Wu generals are no longer worth fearing!" On gengshen, the court proclaimed a general amnesty; and appointed Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao, general of the central army, inspector of Jiang Province. On xinwei, the Wei generals E Qing and Gu Bi led ten thousand elite cavalry against Yan, while Ping Province inspector Tuoba Ying marched the Liaoxi forces to rendezvous with them. The Di chieftain Yang Nandang proclaimed himself Great King of Qin, adopted the era name Jianyi, enthroned his wife as queen and his heir as crown prince, and set up a full court mirroring the imperial model—yet he continued sending tribute to both Song and Wei. In summer, the fourth month, E Qing and Gu Bi stormed Yan's city of Bailang and captured it. Koguryŏ dispatched General Gelu Mengguang with tens of thousands of troops; following Yang Yi, they marched to Helong to escort the Yan king. The Koguryŏ army encamped at Linchuan. Yan's chief minister Guo Sheng, exploiting popular dread of forced migration, opened the gates to Wei forces; but the Wei troops suspected a trap and held back. Sheng then turned his troops against the Yan king, who brought Koguryŏ forces in through the east gate and fought him before the palace gates; Sheng fell to a stray arrow. Gelu Mengguang entered the city, had his men strip off their ragged clothes, armed them from Yan's arsenal, and looted the city thoroughly. In the fifth month, on yimao, the Yan king led Longcheng's populace eastward in exodus, torched the palaces, and the flames burned for ten days; women were armored and placed at the center of the column, Yang Yi and others led crack troops on the flanks, Gelu Mengguang commanded the cavalry rearguard, and the procession marched in tight formation for more than eighty li. Gu Bi's officer Gao Gouzi wanted to pursue with cavalry, but Bi, drunk, drew his sword and forbade it—allowing the Yan king to escape. The Wei emperor, enraged, had Bi and E Qing brought to Pingcheng in prisoner carts and reduced both to gatekeepers. On wuwu, the Wei emperor sent attendant Feng Bo to Koguryŏ with orders to deliver the Yan king. On dingmao, the Wei emperor traveled to Hexi. In the sixth month, the court ordered General Xiao Wangzhi to campaign against the rebel Cheng Daoyang. At Qikou, the rebel Bo Dinu offered to surrender. Daoyang was defeated and fled back into the Qishan hills. After Helian Ding withdrew westward, Yang Nandang seized Shanggui. In autumn, the seventh month, the Wei emperor sent Prince Pi of Leping and Liu Jie to command the Hexi and Gaoping armies against him, first dispatching Cui Lin with an imperial edict summoning Nandang to submit. You Ya of Wei arrived as envoy on a diplomatic mission to Song. On jiwei, Lady Chu, mother of the Prince of Lingling, died; she was posthumously honored as Empress Gongsi of Jin and interred with Jin ceremonial rites. In the eighth month, the Wei emperor hunted in Hexi. The Wei emperor sent Duke Zhang Li of Guangping to raise twelve thousand Ding Province troops to clear the Shaqüan road. In the ninth month, on gengxu, Prince Pi of Leping and the Wei host reached Lueyang; Yang Nandang, alarmed, submitted to the edict, withdrew the Shanggui garrison, and returned to Chouchi. The generals debated, arguing: "Unless we execute their chieftains, they will rally in rebellion once we withdraw. Besides, an army this far from home must seize booty to fill its stores and reward the troops." Pi was ready to agree, but Gao Yun, on his staff, objected: "To follow the generals' plan would destroy the goodwill of those who have submitted; once our army withdraws, rebellion will follow at once." Pi relented, reassured the newly submitted peoples, and forbade the slightest pillage; Qin and Long were soon at peace. Nandang installed his son Shun as inspector of Yong Province to hold Xiabian. “Koguryŏ refused to hand the Yan king to Wei and sent envoys pledging that they and Feng Hong would both accept Wei's overlordship.” Angered by Koguryŏ's defiance, the Wei emperor debated an attack and prepared to mobilize the Longyou cavalry. Liu Jie urged: "The newly pacified peoples of Qin and Long need time to recover; only when they are prosperous should we draw on them." Prince Pi of Leping added: "Helong was only recently secured; we should expand farming to fill our stores, then advance—Koguryŏ could be crushed in one campaign." The Wei emperor abandoned the plan. On guichou, the princes Jun and Jun were enfeoffed as Prince of Shixing and Prince of Wuling. In winter, the eleventh month, on jiyou, the Wei emperor traveled to Boyang, rounded up wild horses in Yunzhong, and established a royal stud. In the intercalary month, on renzi, he returned to the capital. Earlier, after Emperor Gaozu captured Chang'an, he acquired an ancient bronze armillary sphere; though intact in form, it could not track the seven luminaries. That year the court ordered Grand Astrologer Qian Yuezhi to cast a new armillary sphere six chi eight fen across, water-driven so that the stars at dusk, dawn, and culmination matched the heavens. The Rouran severed ties with Wei and raided the frontier. Mugui, the Tuyuhun king known as Hui, died; his brother Muli Yan succeeded him. Yuanjia 14 of Emperor Wen's reign (dingchou; AD 437). In spring, the first month, on wuzi, Changsun Song, Prince Xuan of Beiping under Wei, died. On xinmao, the court proclaimed a general amnesty. In the second month, on yimao, the Wei emperor traveled to You Province. In the third month, on dingchou, the Wei emperor appointed Prince Hun of Nanping grand general guarding the east with third-rank honors to hold Helong. On jimao, he returned to the capital. The emperor sent Liu Xibo to Wei to negotiate betrothal gifts, but the mission was called off when the emperor's daughter died. In summer, the fourth month, Zhao Guang, Zhang Xun, Liang Xian, and others surrendered with their bands. Sub-commander Wang Dao'en killed Cheng Daoyang and sent his head; the remaining rebels were wiped out. On dingwei, Zhou Jizhi, general who supports the state, was made inspector of Yi Province. Finding many local officials corrupt, the Wei emperor, in the fifth month of summer, on jichou, allowed officials and commoners to denounce lawless prefects and magistrates. Crafty men then hunted for officials' misdeeds, intimidated officeholders, and terrorized the neighborhoods; while senior officials humbled themselves before them and remained as greedy and lawless as ever. On bingshen, the Wei emperor traveled to Yunzhong. In autumn, the seventh month, on wuzi, Prince Jian of Yongchang and others crushed the remnants of the Mountain Hu rebel Bai Long in Xihe. In the eighth month, on jiachen, the Wei emperor went to Hexi. In the ninth month, on jiashen, he returned to the capital. On dingyou, the Wei emperor invested Tuyuhun king Muli Yan as grand general guarding the west with third-rank honors and enfeoffed him as Prince of Xiping. In winter, the tenth month, on guimao, the Wei emperor traveled to Yunzhong. In the eleventh month, on renshen, he returned to the capital. The Wei emperor again dispatched Dong Wan, Gao Ming, and others with more gold and silk to the Western Regions to win over the nine states. At Wusun, its king welcomed them warmly, saying: "Poluona and Zheshi both wish to submit to Wei but lack a route; your lordship should visit and reassure them." He provided guides to escort Wan to Poluona and Ming to Zheshi. Hearing of this, sixteen states sent envoys with Wan's party to offer tribute. Henceforth they sent tribute every year without fail. The Wei emperor married his sister, Princess Wuwei, to Hexi king Mujian, who sent Song Yao to Pingcheng with thanks and to ask what titles his mother and the princess should use. The Wei emperor consulted his ministers, who ruled: "A mother is honored through her son; a wife takes her husband's rank. Mujian's mother should be Empress Dowager of Hexi; in Hexi the princess should be called queen, and in the capital, princess." The Wei emperor agreed. Mujian had earlier married a daughter of the Liang king; when the Wei princess arrived, Lady Li and her mother Lady Yin were moved to Jiuquan. Soon Lady Li died; Lady Yin caressed the body without tears, saying: "Your kingdom fell and your house was ruined—you died too late." Mujian's brother Wuhui, holding Jiuquan, asked Lady Yin: "Your grandsons are at Yiwu—do you wish to join them someday?" Unsure of his intent, she feigned agreement: "My kin wander in exile; I have few years left and will die here rather than end as a nomad ghost." Before long she secretly fled to Yiwu. Wuhui sent cavalry after her; Lady Yin told them: "The Juqu of Jiuquan promised I could go north—why chase me again! Take my head and go—I will not turn back." The horsemen dared not force her and withdrew. Lady Yin died at Yiwu. Mujian sent General Juqu Pangzhou to Wei with tribute; the Wei emperor sent Gu Bi and Li Shun with robes for his courtiers and summoned the heir Fengtan to attend court. That year Mujian sent Fengtan to Wei and envoys to Jiankang with books and Zhao Feiwen's Jiazi calendar from Dunhuang, requesting dozens of other works; the Song emperor granted them all. When Li Shun returned from Hexi, the Wei emperor asked: "Years ago you urged taking Liangzhou; eastern affairs kept me from acting. Now Helong is pacified—may I campaign west this year?" He replied: "What I said then still holds, in my view. But the army has campaigned repeatedly; men and horses are exhausted—please defer the western campaign to another year." The Wei emperor abandoned the plan. Yuanjia 15 of Emperor Wen's reign (wuyin; AD 438). In spring, the second month, on dingwei, Tuyuhun king Muli Yan was appointed commander of Western Qin, He, and Sha, grand general guarding the west, inspector of Western Qin and He, and Prince of Longxi. In the third month, on guiwei, the Wei emperor ordered monks under fifty to leave the clergy. When Yan king Hong reached Liaodong, Koguryŏ king Jian sent envoys asking: "King Feng of Longcheng, resting in the wild on your journey—are your men and horses weary?" Hong, shamed and furious, styled himself emperor and rebuked Jian. Koguryŏ housed him at Pingguo, then moved him to Beifeng. Hong had always despised Koguryŏ and continued to govern, punish, and reward as if still in Yan. Koguryŏ seized his attendants and took his heir Wang Ren hostage. Hong, resenting Koguryŏ, petitioned Song for escort; the emperor sent Wang Baiju and others to fetch him and ordered Koguryŏ to provide supplies. Unwilling to let Hong go south, the Koguryŏ king sent Sun Shu and Gao Chou to kill him at Beifeng with more than ten kin and posthumously styled him Emperor Zhaocheng. Baiju led his seven thousand men in a surprise raid, killed Chou, and captured Shu alive. The Koguryŏ king protested their unauthorized killings and sent envoys to seize and deliver them to Song. Not wishing to offend a distant ally, the emperor imprisoned Baiju and his men; then later pardoned them. In summer, the fourth month, the daughter of the late Yin Chun was wed to Crown Prince Shao. In the fifth month, on wuyin, Wei proclaimed a general amnesty. On bingshen, the Wei emperor went to Wuyuan. In autumn, the seventh month, he marched north from Wuyuan against the Rouran. Prince Pi of Leping led fifteen generals on the eastern route, Prince Jian of Yongchang fifteen on the western route, and the emperor took the center. At Mount Junji he split the center: Prince Chong of Chenliu marched from the Great Marsh toward Zhuoye Mountain while the emperor went north toward Tianshan, climbed Bai Fu, found no Rouran, and turned back. The northern steppe was gripped by drought; lacking water and fodder, many men and horses perished. In winter, the eleventh month, on New Year's Day (dingmao), a solar eclipse occurred. In the twelfth month, on dingsi, the Wei emperor returned to Pingcheng. Lei Cizong of Yuzhang, a devoted scholar, lived in seclusion on Mount Lu. Once summoned as scattered-cavalry attendant, he declined. That year he was summoned to Jiankang as a recluse; a school was opened for him on Mount Jilong to gather and instruct students. The emperor, devoted to culture, had He Shangzhi head metaphysics, He Chengtian history, Xie Yuan literature, and Lei Cizong Confucian studies—the Four Academies. Xie Yuan was a cousin of the poet Xie Lingyun. The emperor often visited Cizong's school, had him signal lectures with a kerchief, and lavished gifts on him. He was again offered the post of supervising secretary and again declined. Eventually he returned to Mount Lu. Sima Guang comments: The Book of Changes says, "The noble person learns widely from the words and deeds of the past to cultivate virtue." Confucius said, "Language need only convey the meaning—that is all." Thus history is one branch of Confucian learning and literature a secondary pursuit; while the emptiness of Laozi and Zhuangzi is no proper foundation for teaching. Scholarship exists to seek the Way; there is only one Way under Heaven—how can there be four separate schools! The emperor was benevolent, respectful, and frugal, diligent in government—strict in law yet not harsh, tolerant yet not lax. Officials served long in their posts; local leaders served fixed six-year terms; clerks were not dismissed capriciously; the people had stable governance to rely on. For thirty years the realm within the four borders enjoyed peace and prosperity, and the population grew; Corvée and rents were limited to the annual tax; people left at dawn and returned at dusk to mind their own work, and that was enough. In every neighborhood one could hear lectures and recitation; gentlemen cultivated integrity; villages shamed frivolous conduct. South-of-the-Yangzi manners were at their best in this age. Later commentators on governance all held up the Yuanjia era as a model. Emperor Wen of Liu Song, middle reign, upper section—Yuanjia year 16 (jimao; AD 439). In spring, the first month, on gengyin, Yikang was promoted from Minister of Works to Grand General while keeping that office; Yigong, King of Jiangxia and inspector of Southern Guan, was made Minister of Works. The Northern Wei emperor traveled to Ding Province. Earlier, Emperor Wu had decreed that his sons should rotate residence in Jing Province. Prince Yiqing of Linchuan had governed Jingzhou for eight years, and the court sought a successor; by rotation it should have been Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao. The emperor judged Yixuan's talent mean and vulgar and passed him over; In the second month, on jihai, Prince Yiji of Hengyang was appointed commander of military affairs in eight provinces including Jing and Xiang, and inspector of Jing Province. One spring Yiji went hunting. An old man in a straw cape was plowing; his attendants drove him away. The old man said, "Indulgence in roaming and hunting is what the ancients warned against. Now the warm breath of spring is abroad—miss one day's plowing and the people lose their season. How can you chase birds for pleasure and drive off an old farmer!" Yiji reined in and said, "A worthy man!" He ordered food brought, but the man declined: "If Your Highness does not steal the farming season, everyone in your realm will be fed by you—how dare this old man alone accept your gift!" Yiji asked his name, but he would not say and left. In the third month, Gena, Northern Wei inspector of Yong, attacked Shangluo; Tan Changsheng, the prefect, abandoned the commandery and fled. On xinwei, the Northern Wei emperor returned to his capital. Yang Baozong and his elder brother Baoxian fled from Tongting to Northern Wei. On gengyin, the Wei emperor made Baozong commander of Longxi, Grand General Who Conquers the West, with ceremonial parity to the Three Dukes, governor of Qin, and King of Wudu, posted at Shanggui, and married him to a princess; Baoxian was made General Who Pacifies the West and Duke of Jinshou. Hexi king Mujian had an affair with his sister-in-law Lady Li, and the three brothers took turns keeping her as a favorite. Lady Li and Mujian's sister jointly poisoned the Wei princess; the Wei emperor sent an antidote physician by relay post, and she recovered. The Wei emperor demanded Lady Li, but Mujian refused to send her, gave her generous support, and settled her at Jiuquan. Whenever Wei sent envoys westward, it routinely ordered Mujian to provide guides and escorts to see them past the drifting sands. As an envoy returned from the west and reached Wuwei, someone near Mujian told the Wei envoy, "Our lord heard the Rouran khan's boast that 'last year the Wei emperor came in person to attack us; his men and horses died of plague and he fled in defeat; we captured his younger brother, Prince Pi of Leping.' Our lord was delighted and proclaimed it throughout the realm. We also heard that the khan told the western states, 'Wei is weakened; now only I am strong under Heaven—if another Wei envoy comes, do not receive him again.' Many western states began to waver in loyalty." On his return, the envoy reported all of this in detail. The Wei emperor sent Minister He Duoluo to Liangzhou to reconnoiter; on his return Duoluo too said Mujian observed the forms of vassalage outwardly but was disloyal within. The Wei emperor wished to attack him and consulted Cui Hao. Hao replied, "Mujian's disloyalty is already plain; he must be punished. Last year's northern campaign, though it did not capture the enemy, did the state no real harm. Of three hundred thousand war-horses, fewer than eight thousand died or were wounded on the march—an ordinary year loses no fewer than ten thousand to weakness alone. Yet distant lands seized the moment and declared that Wei was spent and could not recover. Strike now without warning; when the army suddenly arrives they will panic and not know what to do, and he will surely be taken." The emperor said, "Excellent! I think so as well." He then convened the high ministers for deliberation in the Western Hall. Prince Xi Jin of Hongnong and more than thirty others said, "Mujian is a minor western state; though not wholly loyal, since he succeeded his father he has not failed in tribute. The court has treated him as a vassal and married him to a princess; his crimes are not yet proven; he should be forgiven. The state has just fought the Rouran; men and horses are exhausted—a major campaign is not yet possible. Moreover, their land is said to be saline and poor in water and grass; when the army arrives they will surely hold their walls. If the siege fails and there is nothing to forage in the countryside, that is a dangerous path." Earlier, Cui Hao disliked Minister Li Shun, who had been envoy to Liangzhou twelve times and whom the emperor regarded as capable. The Liang king often feasted with Shun and before his officials spoke arrogantly; fearing Shun would report this, he stuffed gold and jewels into Shun's robe, and Shun concealed it. Hao learned of this and secretly informed the emperor, who did not yet believe him. When the attack on Liangzhou was debated, Shun and Minister Gu Bi both said, "From the Wenyu River west to Guzang the land is barren rock, utterly without water or grass. They say that south of Guzang on Mount Tianti snow piles more than ten feet deep in winter; in spring and summer it melts into streams that the people use for irrigation. When they hear the army is coming they will breach those channels and cut off the water. Within a hundred li of the walls nothing grows; men and horses will starve and thirst and cannot stay long. Xi Jin and the others are right." The emperor then ordered Hao and Xi Jin's party to debate the matter. The assembly had nothing more to say except, "There is no water or grass there." Hao said, "The Book of Han's Treatise on Geography says, 'The livestock of Liangzhou are the richest under Heaven'—without water and grass, how could herds multiply? Moreover, the Han would never build cities and counties where there was no water or grass. And melting snow can barely wet the dust—how could it feed irrigation channels! That is outright deception." Li Shun said, "Hearing is not like seeing—I have seen it myself; what is there to argue?" Hao said, "You took their gold and want to plead for them—do you think I am blind and can be fooled!" The emperor had been listening in secret; when he heard this he came out to face Xi Jin's party with a stern countenance, and the ministers dared say no more and only murmured assent. After the ministers left, Zhenwei General Yi Bo, a man of the Dai, said to the emperor, "If Liangzhou truly lacked water and grass, how could they have a state? The assembly's advice should be rejected; Your Majesty should follow Hao." The emperor approved. In summer, the fifth month, on dingchou, the Wei emperor reviewed troops at the western suburb; in the sixth month, on jiachen, he marched from Pingcheng. He left Palace Attendant Prince Mu Shou of Yidu to assist Crown Prince Huang in governing, with authority over all affairs left at the capital. He also posted Grand General Prince Ji Jing of Changle and Assistant State General Prince Chong of Jianning with twenty thousand men south of the desert to guard against the Rouran. He ordered the high ministers to draft a reproach to Hexi king Mujian, listing twelve crimes, and saying, "If you personally lead your ministers to surrender and welcome us from afar, bowing at our horses' heads—that is the best course. When the six armies arrive, to come bound with a coffin on your back is the next best. If you stubbornly hold a doomed city and do not repent in time, you and your clan will perish and become a warning to the world. Consider your heart and seek your own fortune!" On jiyou, Moliyan, king of Longxi Tuyuhun, was re-enfeoffed as King of Henan. The Wei emperor crossed the river from Yunzhong; in autumn, the seventh month, on jisi, he reached Shangjun Dependency State City. On renwu he left the baggage train, divided the forces, and sent Pacification Army Grand General Prince Wang Jian of Yongchang, Director Liu Jie, and Prince Su of Changshan as vanguard in two columns; Swift-cavalry Grand General Prince Pi of Leping and Grand Mentor Prince Du Chao of Yangping as rear guard; with General Who Pacifies the West Yuan He as guide. The emperor asked He for a plan to take Liangzhou. He replied, "Near Guzang are four Xianbei divisions, all my grandfather's former subjects; I wish to go before the army, proclaim the state's authority, and show them fortune and ruin—they will surely submit together. Once their outside allies submit, taking the isolated city will be like turning one's palm." The emperor said, "Excellent!" In the eighth month, on jiawu, Wang Jian of Yongchang seized more than two hundred thousand head of livestock in the Hexi region. King Mujian of Hexi heard that Wei forces were approaching and cried in alarm, "Why has it come to this!" He followed the counsel of Left Assistant Minister Yao Dingguo, refused to go out to surrender, and appealed to the Rouran for aid. He sent his brother Dong Lai, General Who Conquers the South, with more than ten thousand men to fight south of the city, but they broke and fled at the first encounter. Liu Jie heeded a diviner who pronounced the day inauspicious, held his troops back, and did not pursue; Dong Lai thus made it back into the city. The Wei emperor was furious with him for it. On bingshen, the emperor reached Guzang and sent envoys ordering Mujian to surrender. Hearing that the Rouran meant to raid the Wei frontier, Mujian hoped the emperor would return east and shut himself in Guzang to hold out. His nephew Zu climbed over the wall to surrender; when the emperor learned the full situation, he divided his forces to besiege the city. Yuan He led troops to win over more than thirty thousand dependent clans, so the emperor could focus on Guzang without other distractions. Seeing rich grass and water outside Guzang, the emperor bore a grudge against Li Shun and told Cui Hao, "Your earlier prediction has indeed come true." Hao replied, "I never speak falsely; it is mostly like this." When the emperor was planning the Liangzhou campaign, Crown Prince Huang had doubts as well. At this point the emperor wrote to the crown prince: "East and west of Guzang's gates, springs surge together north of the city, as broad as a river. Smaller channels run off into the desert; there is scarcely dry ground between them. I send this to lay your doubts to rest." On gengzi, Prince Shuo was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanping. In the ninth month, on bingxu, Mujian's nephew Wan Nian led his followers in surrender to Wei. Guzang fell; Mujian led five thousand officials and officers forward bound to beg surrender; the emperor released their bonds and received them courteously. They took more than two hundred thousand people within the walls and storehouses of treasure beyond reckoning. He sent Prince Baozhou of Zhangye, Mu Ba (General of Dragon Cavalry), and Yuan He to secure the commanderies; several hundred thousand more mixed peoples submitted. Earlier Mujian had posted his brother Wuhui as governor of Shazhou, commander west of Jiankang, and Jiuquan administrator; Yide as Qinzhou governor and Zhangye administrator; Anzhou at Ledu; and his cousin Tang'er at Dunhuang. When Guzang fell, the emperor sent Xi Juan south against Zhangye and Feng Ta north against Ledu. Yide burned the granaries and fled west to Jiuquan; Anzhou fled south to the Tuyuhun; Feng Ta raided several thousand households and withdrew. Xi Juan pressed Jiuquan; Wuhui and Yide rallied survivors at Jinchang, then joined Tang'er at Dunhuang. The emperor posted Yuan Jie at Jiuquan and stationed officers at Wuwei and Zhangye. At a feast in Guzang the emperor told his ministers, "Cui's strategems no longer surprise me— Yi Bo is a fighting man, yet his judgment matched Cui Hao's—that is truly remarkable!" Yi Bo was a fine archer who could walk backward dragging an ox and keep pace with a galloping horse; loyal and careful by nature, the emperor especially favored him. On the western campaign, Mu Shou escorted the emperor to the river, who instructed him: "Wuti and Mujian are old allies; when he hears I am attacking Mujian, Wuti will raid the border. I leave you strong troops and good horses to support the crown prince. When the harvest is in, move troops to the southern desert and set ambushes at key points for the enemy's arrival. Lure them deep, then strike, and you cannot fail. Liangzhou is far and I cannot save you—do not disobey me!" Shou kowtowed and accepted the charge. Shou deeply trusted Academician Gongsun Zhi of the Secretariat and made him his chief counselor. Both trusted divination, convinced the Rouran would not come, and made no preparations. Zhi was a younger brother of Gui. When Khan Chelian of the Rouran heard the emperor was bound for Guzang, he invaded while the realm was exposed, leaving his brother Qiliegui with Ji Jing and Prince Chong of Jianning to hold North Garrison while he led elite cavalry deep to Mount Qijie near Shanyu; Pingcheng was thrown into panic as people rushed into the inner city. Mu Shou was at a loss, proposed sealing the western gate and sending the crown prince to Mount Baonan for safety; Empress Dowager Dou refused and stopped him. He sent Changsun Daosheng and Zhang Li to meet them at Mount Tufei. Ji Jing and Prince Chong of Jianning defeated Qiliegui north of Yinshan, capturing him along with his uncle Tawu Luhu and five hundred officers, and took more than ten thousand heads. Chelian heard the news and fled; the pursuers followed to the southern desert and withdrew. In winter, the tenth month, on xinyou, the emperor returned east, leaving Prince Pi of Leping and He Duoluo to guard Liangzhou and relocating Mujian's clan and thirty thousand households of officials and people to Pingcheng. On guihai, Tufa Baozhou led Xianbei factions to seize Zhangye and rebel against Wei. In the twelfth month, on yihai, Crown Prince Shao came of age and a general amnesty was proclaimed. Shao was handsome, loved learning and horsemanship, and delighted in entertaining guests; whatever he wished, the emperor granted; the Eastern Palace was armed on a par with the imperial guard. On renchen, the emperor reached Pingcheng; because the Rouran raid had caused little loss, Mu Shou and his circle were spared execution. The emperor still treated Mujian as a son-in-law, with his titles as King of Hexi and General Who Conquers the West unchanged. When Mujian's mother died, she was buried with grand consort honors; and thirty households were assigned to guard the tomb of the Prince of Wuxuan. Liangzhou had been known for its scholars since the days of the Zhang regime. Mujian especially loved learning; he appointed Kan Yin of Dunhuang as Guzang administrator, Zhang Zhan as minister of war, Liu Bing, Suo Chang, and Yin Xing as tutors to the national teacher, Song Qin of Jincheng as crown prince's groom, Zhao Rou as an officer of the treasury, and Cheng Jun of Guangping with his cousin Hong as lecturers to the heir. After taking Liangzhou, the emperor honored and employed them all, making Kan Yin and Liu Bing attendants on Prince Pi of Leping. Hu Sou of Anding, a gifted youth who had served Mujian without winning much favor, told Cheng Hong: "Your lord rules a remote realm yet indulges in inflated titles and usurped ceremony; he affects grandeur with an impure heart and preaches benevolence without practicing it—his fall can be awaited with toes raised. I will choose my perch and cast my lot with Wei first; a brief parting from you, my lord, not a long farewell." He then went over to Wei. Within a year Mujian had fallen. The emperor, crediting his foresight, made him General of Tiger Might and enfeoffed him as Baron of Shifu. Chang Shuang of Henei, long resident in Liangzhou though he had refused office, was made General Who Proclaims Might. Song Yao, former right chancellor of Hexi, followed the emperor to Pingcheng and died there. The emperor appointed Suo Chang a doctoral scholar of the Secretariat. The court still prized martial glory, and young nobles took up scholarly study as a fashion. Chang taught as a doctor for more than ten years, guiding pupils with stern courtesy that awed the nobility; dozens of his students later rose to posts as ministers and regional governors. Chang Shuang founded a school on the Wen River's right bank with more than seven hundred pupils; He set rules of reward and punishment, and his students treated him as a strict master. Thus Confucian learning in Wei began to revive. Gao Yun often praised Shuang's discipline: "Wen Weng prevailed through gentleness; Master Chang through severity—different methods, but the same end in forming men." Jiang Qiang of Chenliu, living in Liangzhou, presented more than a thousand scrolls of classics, histories, and masters' works plus model calligraphy, and was also made a Secretariat doctor. The emperor put Cui Hao in charge of the imperial library and the historiographical office; with Gao Yun and Zhang Wei assisting the historiographical project. Hao memorialized: "Yin Zhongda and Duan Chenggen are outstanding talents of Liangzhou; I ask that they help compile the dynastic history." Both were appointed historiographers. Zhongda was from Wuwei; Chenggen was the son of Duan Hui. Hao gathered calendrical experts, checked eclipses and planetary motions since Emperor Yuan of Han, corrected earlier chronicles' errors, and drafted a new Wei calendar for Gao Yun's review. Yun said, "The five planets' gathering in the Well in the tenth month of Han's founding year is elementary calendrical lore; yet you fault the Han histories without noticing this mistake—later ages may fault us as we fault them." Hao asked, "What mistake do you mean?" Yun replied, "In the Star Canon it says, 'Venus and Mercury always keep to the sun's course. In the tenth month the sun stood in Wei and Ji, vanished at dusk south of Shen, while the Well was only rising north of Yin—how could those two stars run counter to the sun? The clerks wanted to make the omen supernatural and never worked it out by reason." Hao said, "When the sky means to show a sign, what is impossible?" Yun said, "Words alone won't settle this; it needs another careful look." The company thought Yun odd; only Junior Tutor You Ya of the Eastern Palace said, "Master Gao is a master of the calendar—he is not talking nonsense." A year and more later Hao told Yun, "Our earlier talk—I never really minded it; but when I looked into it again, it was exactly as you said. The five planets had actually met in the Well three months before—not in the tenth month." The assembly marveled. Yun understood the calendar, yet he had never done calculations or lectured for others—only You Ya knew it. You Ya often asked Yun about omens; Yun said, "Yin-yang portents are very hard to know; once you know them, you fear letting the secret out—better not to know. Heaven and earth hold endless subtleties—why press this one point!" You Ya left off. The Wei emperor asked Yun, "What should come first in government?" Wei had sealed off much good land; Yun said, "I was lowborn in youth and know only agriculture. If the state opens fields and hoards grain so court and people alike are stocked, hunger need not trouble us." The emperor ordered every field restriction removed and land assigned to the people. Murong Lilian, king of Tuyuhun, heard that Wei had taken Liangzhou; in great fear he led his host west across the desert. The Wei emperor, noting that Lilian's brother Murong Gui had captured Helian Ding, sent envoys to reassure him, and Lilian returned to his old territory. The Di king Yang Nan'dang marched tens of thousands against Wei's Shanggui, and much of Qinzhou rallied to him. Lü Luohan of Dongping urged the garrison commander Tuoba Yitou, "Nan'dang's force is huge; if we refuse battle now and look weak, morale will collapse and we cannot hold the city." Yitou sent Luohan with a thousand picked horsemen to smash Nan'dang's line; they swept all before them and killed eight of his bodyguards—Nan'dang was shaken. Meanwhile the Wei emperor sent a sealed imperial letter rebuking Nan'dang, and he withdrew to Chouchi. The Grand Consort Sima of Nanfeng died; she had been wife to the former Prince of Yingyang. Zhao Guang, Zhang Xun, and others plotted rebellion again and were put to death. Emperor Wen, middle reign, upper section—Yuanjia 17 (gengchen; AD 440). In spring, the first month, on jiyou, Juqu Wuji attacked Jiuquan; Yuan Jie despised him and went outside the walls to parley; on renzi Wuji seized Jie and besieged Jiuquan. In the second month, Xing Ying of Wei, acting palace attendant, came on an embassy. In the third month Juqu Wuji captured Jiuquan. In summer, the fourth month, on the first day wuwu, there was a solar eclipse. On gengchen Wuji attacked Zhangye; Tufa Baozhou held Shandan; on bingxu the Wei emperor sent Grand General Wang Jian of Yongchang to command the campaign against him. Grand Marshal Yikang held the court in his grasp. The emperor had been failing for years; worry would trigger relapses and often bring him to death's door; Yikang nursed him devotedly—food and medicine passed his own lips before they reached the emperor; he sometimes went whole nights without sleep; he decided and carried out every matter, within the palace and without. He loved administrative work and went through every document with relentless care. The emperor therefore gave him more and more; nothing he submitted was refused; provincial governors and below were chosen by Yikang; even questions of life and death he sometimes settled by written order. His power overshadowed the realm; court and country flocked to him; every morning hundreds of carriages crowded his gate, and Yikang received them all himself, never tiring. He had a prodigious memory—whatever reached his eyes or ears he never forgot; and in crowded halls he loved to recite what he remembered to show how clever he was. Capable men often won his special favor. He once told Liu Zhan, "What use are men like Wang Jinghong and Wang Qiu! They sit back and rake in rank and riches—who can explain that!" Yet he had little learning and no sense of the larger frame; he pulled every able courtier into his own house, while staff who had nothing to give or who crossed him were shunted off to terrace posts. He thought brotherly closeness meant he need not keep ruler-and-minister forms; he followed his impulses and never guarded himself. He kept more than six thousand private retainers without informing the court; gifts from every quarter went first in quality to Yikang, and only second best to the emperor; Once in winter the emperor ate oranges and sighed that they looked and tasted poor; Yikang said, "This year there are especially fine ones." He sent a man to the Eastern Mansion for oranges; the finest for the emperor measured three inches across. General-in-Chief Liu Zhan and Secretariat Director Yin Jingren were estranged; Zhan hoped to use Yikang's power to bring Yin down. As Yikang's power swelled, Zhan flattered him ever more openly, forgetting a subject's decorum, and the emperor grew quietly uneasy. When Zhan first came to court the emperor favored him generously. Zhan was eloquent on statecraft and steeped in earlier dynasties' precedents; his talk was so clear and orderly that listeners forgot fatigue. Whenever he entered Yunlong Gate the driver would unhitch; attendants and guards wandered off at will; he never left before nightfall—it was his habit. In his later years, as he stirred up Yikang, the emperor inwardly turned away yet treated him as before; he once told intimates, "When Liu Ban had just returned from the west, I would watch the sun, afraid he would leave; now when he comes in I watch the sun too, vexed that he won't go." Yin Jingren said privately to the emperor, "The Prince's weight threatens the realm; he should be checked a little." The emperor silently assented. Liu Bin, the Grand Marshal's left chief clerk, was kin to Zhan; Wang Lü, attendant gentleman to the Grand General, was Wang Mi's grandson; and Chief Clerk Liu Jingwen and Libationer Kong Yinxiu of Lu—all won Yikang's favor through flattery; seeing how often the emperor fell ill, they all said, "When the imperial carriage halts one evening, an elder prince ought to be enthroned." Once when the emperor was gravely ill he had Yikang prepare the deathbed edict. Yikang went back to his offices and, in tears, told Zhan and Jingren. Zhan said, "The realm is in peril—how could a child hold it!" Yikang and Jingren said nothing. Yet Yinxiu and his circle at once went to the Secretariat archives for the Jin precedent of enthroning Emperor Kang at the end of Xian'kang—Yikang knew nothing of it; when the emperor recovered he caught a whisper of it. Bin and the rest secretly schemed to steer the succession to Yikang; they formed factions, watched the inner palace, and framed in every way anyone who disagreed; they collected Yin's faults and merits, sometimes inventing charges to report to Zhan. From then on sovereign and minister drew apart. Yikang wanted Liu Bin as governor of Danyang and, in passing, told the emperor the man was poor. Before he finished, the emperor said, "Make him governor of Wu." Later, when Kuaiji governor Yang Xuanbao asked to go home, Yikang again wanted Bin in his place and asked the emperor, "Yang Xuanbao wants to leave—who should take Kuaiji?" The emperor had no one in mind and blurted, "I have already appointed Wang Hong." From the previous autumn the emperor never again visited the Eastern Mansion. In the fifth month, on guisi, Liu Zhan left office to mourn his mother. Zhan knew his guilt was plain and he had no refuge left; he told intimates, "This year I am finished. Ordinarily I lived by arguing my way forward, and so I rose; now I am cornered and that hope is gone—when ruin comes, can it wait long!" On yisi Juqu Wuji besieged Zhangye again, failed, and fell back to Linsong. The Wei emperor sent no further campaign, only an edict of warning. In the sixth month, on dingchou, the Northern Wei imperial grandson Jun was born. A general amnesty was proclaimed and the era name was changed to Taiping Zhenjun, after Kou Qianzhi's Divine Book, which speaks of "assisting the Northern Peaceful True Lord." Crown Prince Shao went to Jingkou to pay his respects at the Jing tomb. Minister of Works Liu Yikang, Prince of Jingling Liu Dan, and others accompanied him, while Liu Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia and inspector of Southern Yan Province, met them from Jiangdu. In autumn, the seventh month, on jichou, the Northern Wei Prince of Yongchang, Tuoba Jian, defeated Tufa Baozhou at Fanhe; Baozhou fled, and Jian sent the General Who Pacifies the South, Yu Juan, in pursuit. On bingshen the Northern Wei empress dowager, Lady Dou, died. On renzi the empress née Yuan died. On guichou Tufa Baozhou, cornered and desperate, took his own life. In the eighth month, on jiashen, Juqu Wuhui sent his palace chamberlain Liang Wei to the Northern Wei Prince of Yongchang, Tuoba Jian, to submit. He returned Jiuquan commandery along with the captured officer Yuan Jie and others. The Northern Wei emperor ordered Yu Juan to remain and garrison Liang Province. In the ninth month, on renzi, the Yuan empress was buried. The emperor saw that the breach with Liu Yikang, Prince of Pengcheng and minister of works, was already plain and would soon become catastrophe. In winter, the tenth month, on wushen, Liu Zhan was arrested and handed to the Court of Judicial Review. An edict laid bare his crimes, and he was executed in prison. His sons Liu An, Liu Liang, and Liu Yan were put to death as well, together with his partisans Liu Bin, Liu Jingwen, Kong Yinxiu, and eight others in all; He Mozi, lang of the Department of Storehouses, and four others were exiled to Guangzhou, followed by a general amnesty. That same day the emperor ordered Yikang to stay overnight and remain at the Secretariat. That evening Liu Zhan and his associates were seized one after another; Du Ji, inspector of Qing Province, mustered troops inside the palace to guard against any surprise and sent men to announce the imperial command to Yikang, setting forth the crimes of Zhan and his circle. Yikang submitted a memorial resigning his post. An edict made him inspector of Jiang Province while retaining his titles of palace attendant and grand general, and sent him out to take up residence at Yuzhang. Earlier, Yin Jingren had been bedridden for five years. Though he did not appear before the emperor, secret letters passed back and forth by the dozen each day, and every matter of state, great or small, was referred to him; his movements were so tightly concealed that no one could glimpse what he was doing. On the day Liu Zhan was arrested, Jingren had his robes brushed and his cap straightened, and those around him could not fathom his meaning. That night the emperor went to the Hall of Worthies Extended in the Garden of Flourishing Talents and summoned Jingren. Jingren still pleaded foot ailment and was carried in on a small litter to take his seat; the executions and dispositions were wholly entrusted to him. Earlier, Tan Daoji had recommended Shen Qingzhi of Wuxing as loyal, prudent, and versed in warfare, and the emperor had him lead the guard at the eastern side gate. As commander of the palace guards, Liu Zhan once told him, "You have been at the Secretariat a long time—it is about time something was done for you." Qingzhi said sternly, "This subordinate has served at the Secretariat ten years and ought to advance on his own merits. I will not lean on you for that again!" On the night Liu Zhan was arrested, the emperor opened the gate and summoned Qingzhi. Qingzhi entered in military dress with his trousers tied, and the emperor said, "Why are you dressed in such haste?" Qingzhi replied, "When the unit commander is summoned at midnight, one cannot dress at leisure." The emperor sent Qingzhi to seize Liu Bin and execute him. Xu Zhizhi, valiant cavalry general and son of Xu Daozhi, was especially close to Yikang, and the emperor deeply resented him. When Yikang fell, Zhizhi was arrested, and the crime called for death. His mother, the Princess of Kuaiji, was the eldest legitimate daughter among the imperial siblings and had always been treated with ceremony by the emperor; no household matter, great or small, was undertaken without consulting her first. When the founder was on campaign, he once cut reeds at Xinzhou with his own hands. There was a padded coat of homespun cloth that Empress Zang had made herself; after he rose to eminence he gave it to the princess, saying, "If later generations grow proud and extravagant beyond measure, show them this garment." Now the princess entered the palace to see the emperor, wailing. She no longer performed the ritual of subject and consort. She took the padded coat in a brocade pouch, flung it to the ground, and said, "Your house was poor and base to begin with—this is what my mother made for your father; now that you have eaten your fill at last, you would suddenly kill my son!" The emperor then pardoned him. Wang Qiu, minister of the civil office and uncle to Wang Lü, was known for his simplicity and restraint and was deeply valued by the emperor. Lü was ambitious by nature and had bound himself closely to Yikang and Zhizhi; Qiu warned him again and again, but he would not listen. On the night Xu Zhizhi was executed, Lü came barefoot to Qiu. Qiu ordered attendants to fetch shoes for him, first warmed wine and gave it to him, and said, "What did I tell you day after day?" Terrified, Lü came barefoot to Qiu. Qiu ordered attendants to fetch shoes for him, first warmed wine and gave it to him, and said, "What did I tell you day after day?" Lü was too frightened to answer. Qiu said calmly, "While your uncle is here, what do you have to fear!" Because of Qiu, the emperor spared Lü's life and had him dismissed to live at home. While Yikang held power, everyone vied for his favor. Only Jiang Pu, chief clerk to the minister of works, had early kept his distance and asked to leave for a post as grand administrator of Wuling. Tan Daoji once sought a marriage alliance with Pu for his son, but Pu firmly declined. Daoji then pressed the matter through Yikang, yet Pu refused all the more firmly and so was not caught in the ruin of the two great lords. When the emperor heard of this, he commended him. Pu was the son of Jiang Yi. Liu Yikang, Prince of Pengcheng, remained at the Secretariat more than ten days. When he came to bid the emperor farewell, he went down to the landing; the emperor only faced him and wept bitterly, saying nothing more. The emperor sent the monk Huilin to visit him. Yikang said, "Does your disciple have any prospect of return?" Huilin replied, "A pity you did not read a few hundred scrolls of books!" Earlier, Xie Shu, governor of Wuxing, was the younger brother of Xie Yu. He had long served Yikang with repeated counsel that brought benefit, and died young. As Yikang was about to depart for the south, he sighed, "In the past Xie Shu alone urged me to withdraw, while Liu Ban alone urged me to advance; now Ban lives while Shu is dead—no wonder ruin came!" The emperor also said, "If Xie Shu were still alive, Yikang would certainly not have come to this!" Xiao Bin, staff officer of the campaign against the barbarians, was made Yikang's consulting officer and concurrently inspector of Yuzhang; every matter, great or small, was entrusted to him. Bin was the son of Xiao Mo. The dragon valiant general Xiao Chengzhi was sent with troops to garrison and guard the region. Those among Yikang's attendants who were dear to him were all allowed to accompany him; his stipends and gifts were generous and unceasing, and every important matter of court was reported to him. After a long while, the emperor held a banquet with the Princess of Kuaiji, and they were very merry; the princess rose, bowed twice, and knocked her forehead to the ground, overcome with grief. The emperor did not understand her meaning and rose to support her himself. The princess said, "The carriage will certainly not survive the year's end in Your Majesty's court. I beg you now for his life." Thereupon she wailed bitterly. The emperor wept as well, pointed toward Mount Jiang, and said, "You need have no such fear. If I break today's oath, I would be betraying Chuning Mausoleum." He immediately sealed the wine he had been drinking and sent it to Yikang, with a note that read, "Your elder sister of Kuaiji drank at banquet and thought of her younger brother; the wine that remains is now sealed and sent." Therefore, for as long as the princess lived, Yikang remained unharmed. Sima Guang remarks: Emperor Wen's brotherly affection for Yikang at the outset was by no means slight. Yet in the end he lost the joy of brotherhood and damaged the bond between ruler and minister. Tracing the steps of the disorder, it was precisely because Liu Zhan's hunger for power and profit knew no limit. The Book of Poetry says, "The greedy man ruins his kind." Is this not what is meant! Liu Yigong, Prince of Jiangxia and inspector of the campaign south and Yan Province, was made minister of works and recorder of the affairs of the masters of writing. On wuyin Liu Yiqing, Prince of Linchuan, was made inspector of Southern Yan Province, and Yin Jingren was made inspector of Yang Province while retaining his titles of vice director and minister of the civil office. Chastened by Pengcheng's fall, Yigong, though he held overall recording, merely carried out documents, and the emperor was thereby reassured. Each year the emperor granted the ministerial mansion twenty million in cash, with other goods in proportion; but Yigong was extravagant by nature and his expenses were constantly insufficient, so the emperor gave additional cash amounting to ten million each year. In the eleventh month, on dinghai, the Wei emperor traveled to the northern mountains. After Yin Jingren took up the Yangzhou inspectorate, his chronic illness grew severe; the emperor decreed that no cart traffic be permitted on western province roads near him. On guichou he died. In the twelfth month, on guihai, Wang Qiu, palace attendant, was appointed vice director. On wuchen Prince Jun of Shixing was made inspector of Yang Province. Jun was still young, so all Yangzhou business was entrusted to Rear Army chief of staff Fan Ye and registrar Shen Pu. Fan Ye was Fan Tai's son; Shen Pu was Shen Linzi's son. Fan Ye was soon transferred to left guard general; Shen Yanzhi, bureau director, was made right guard general, and the two jointly commanded the palace guards; Yu Bingzhi was also made bureau director; all three shared in confidential counsel. Shen Yanzhi was Shen Jinzhi's great-grandson. Fan Ye was brilliantly gifted yet cold and shallow in conduct; he repeatedly breached ritual propriety and was scorned by respectable society. Restless and ambitious, he believed his gifts went unused and brooded in perpetual dissatisfaction. Minister of the civil office He Shangzhi told the emperor: "Fan Ye's aims are irregular—send him out as Guangzhou inspector; if he breeds trouble inside the capital, execution will be unavoidable. Rushing to the axe is no credit to the realm." The emperor replied: "We have only just killed Liu Zhan; to transfer Fan Ye now would make people say you cannot bear talent. I know I have heard slander. Yet knowing him as we do, he cannot harm us." That year Wei's pacifier of the south Wang Huilong died; Lü Xuanbo kept watch at his tomb and never left it for the rest of his life. The Wei emperor wished to appoint Yi Bo minister of the civil office and enfeoff him as duke of a commandery. Yi Bo declined: "The ministry is arduous and a ducal title is weighty—unsuited to one as young, crude, and shallow as I am." The emperor asked what post he wanted. He answered: "The central and secretariat bureaus are full of literati; if Your Majesty's kindness will not relent, let me take a lesser place among them." The emperor agreed and appointed him general who guards the state within the center and director of the secretariat. Yang Nandang, great king of Qin, again styled himself king of Wudu. Yuanjia 18 of Emperor Wen's reign (xinsi; AD 441). In spring, the first month, on guimao, Wei appointed Juqu Wuhui grand general who pacifies the west, governor of Liangzhou, and king of Jiuquan. Prince Yikang of Pengcheng reached Yuzhang and declined the inspectorate; on jiachen he was made overseer of military affairs for Jiang, Jiao, and Guang provinces. Former dragon-charger army aide Fu Lingyu of Badong presented a memorial at court, arguing: "Yuan Ang once warned Emperor Wen of Han: 'If the king of Huainan dies on the road from exposure, Your Majesty will be blamed for killing your own brother. Wen did not listen and later regretted it too late. Prince Yikang of Pengcheng was a favorite of the late emperor and is Your Majesty's younger brother. If he has stumbled, count his faults and virtues and teach him by moral example—why trust vague suspicion, strip him in a day, and exile him to the far south! Common people everywhere grieve for Your Majesty because of this. The fate of Luling is warning enough. I fear Yikang may die in the south before his time; though I am nobody, I am ashamed for Your Majesty. Your Majesty sees only that bad branches must be pruned—do you not see that pruning wounds the tree! I beg you to recall Yikang quickly to the capital; with brothers reconciled and court united, the realm's hopes will be satisfied and rumor will die. Must you wait for a minister of works and a Yangzhou inspector before you can restore Prince Pengcheng! If I am wrong, let me accept death to answer to Your Majesty." The memorial was read; he was seized, sent to Jiankang prison, and ordered to die. Pei Ziye wrote: When a ruler does good, it is like clouds and rain—every creature shares the gift; when he turns cruel, it is like heaven rending and earth shaking—every creature is appalled; who does not know, who does not see! Can slaying one man or silencing one mouth avert or erase such things? That is only rage outpacing reason and worsening the disease. Even the founding emperor's tolerance could not keep him from shutting his ears at Pengcheng; after that, who dared speak plainly! For generations under Song, honest counsel was rare—had the marrow of integrity shamed the ancients? Or did the age and its punishments make it so? Zhang Yue fell to a power minister; Fu Lingyu died under a sage ruler—Song's cauldron and axe: how dreadful! Wei's prince of Xinxing, Jun, was debauched and lawless; in the third month, on gengxu, he was demoted to duke. Jun's mother had already been condemned to death; he brooded on grievance and plotted rebellion; when the plot was exposed, he was ordered to die. On xinhai Wei enfeoffed the Rouran Qiliegui as king of Shuofang and Juqu Wannian as king of Zhangye. In summer, the fourth month, Juqu Tang'er rebelled against Juqu Wuhui; Wuhui left his cousin Tian Zhou to hold Jiuquan and marched with his brother Yide against Tang'er; Tang'er was defeated and killed. Believing Wuhui would remain a frontier menace, on gengchen Wei sent pacifier of the south Xi Juan against Jiuquan. In autumn, the eighth month, on xinhai, Wei sent gentleman of the loose retinue Zhang Wei as envoy. In the ninth month, on wuxu, Wei's prince of Yongchang, Jian, died. In winter, the eleventh month, on wuzi, Wang Qiu died. On jihai Meng Yun, governor of Danyang, was appointed vice director. When Jiuquan ran out of food, more than ten thousand people starved; Juqu Tian Zhou killed his wife to feed his soldiers. On gengzi Xi Juan stormed Jiuquan, seized Tian Zhou, sent him to Pingcheng, and had him killed. Short of food and fearing Wei's armies, Juqu Wuhui planned to cross the western desert and sent his brother An Zhou west against Shanshan. The Shanshan king was ready to submit, but a Wei envoy arrived and persuaded him to resist; An Zhou failed to take the city and retreated to Hedong Fort. The Di king Yang Nandang invaded at full strength, aiming to seize Shu; he sent general who establishes loyalty Fu Chong from Dongluo to block Liangzhou forces; Liang and Qin inspectors Liu Zhendao attacked Chong and killed him. Liu Zhendao was Liu Huaijing's son. Nandang took Jiameng, captured Jinshou prefect Shen Tan, and besieged Fucheng. Baxi and Zitong prefect Liu Daoxi held his cities; after ten days of assault Nandang withdrew. Liu Daoxi was Liu Daochan's younger brother. In the twelfth month, on guihai, the court ordered dragon-charger general Pei Fangming and others to lead three thousand armored men, with additional troops from Jing and Yong, to campaign against Nandang—all under Liu Zhendao. Jinning prefect Cuan Songzi rebelled; Jinzhou inspector Xu Xun suppressed him. Tianmen barbarians Tian Xiangqiu and others rebelled and raided Louzhong; Jingzhou inspector Prince Yiji of Hengyang sent acting aide Cao Sunnian, who defeated them. Kou Qianzhi told the Wei emperor: "Your Majesty reigns as the Perfected Lord and has founded the Still-Wheel Heavenly Palace rite—nothing like it since the world began. You should receive the talisman writ and proclaim your sacred virtue." The emperor agreed.