1
資治通鑑第136卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 136
2
卷第一百三十六
Volume 136
3
【齊紀二】起閼逢困敦，盡屠維大荒落，凡六年。
[Qi Records 2] From Shangzhang Zhixu through Xuanyi Dunzang—six years in all.
4
世祖武皇帝上之下永明二年（ 甲子，公元四八四年）
Emperor Wu of Qi (first section, lower part), Yongming year 2 ( jiazi, corresponding to 484 CE)
5
春，正月，乙亥，以後將軍柳世隆為尚書右僕射； 竟陵王子良為護軍將軍兼司徒，領兵置佐，鎮西州。 子良少有清尚，傾意賓客，才俊之士，皆游集其門。 開西邸，多聚古人器服以充之。 記室參軍范雲、蕭琛、樂安任昉、法曹參軍王融、衛軍東閣祭酒蕭衍、鎮西功曹謝朓、步兵校尉沈約、揚州秀才吳郡陸倕，並以文學，尤見親待，號曰八友。 法曹參軍柳惲、太學博士王僧孺、南徐州秀才濟陽江革、尚書殿中郎范縝、會稽孔休源亦預焉。 琛，惠開之從子； 惲，元景之從孫； 融，僧達之孫； 衍，順之之子； 朓，述之孫； 約，璞之子； 僧孺，雅之曾孫； 縝，雲之從兄也。
In spring, the first month, on yihai, Rear General Liu Shilong was appointed Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing; Prince Jingling Xiao Ziliang was made Protector-General of the Army and concurrently Minister over the Masses; he took on military aides and garrisoned West Province. From youth Ziliang had refined tastes and lavished attention on his guests; talented men of every sort flocked to his house. He opened the Western Lodge and filled it with antiquities—vessels and vestments from former ages. Recorder-General Fan Yun, Xiao Chen, Ren Fang of Le'an, Legal Affairs Officer Wang Rong, Eastern Pavilion Libationer Xiao Yan, West Garrison merit officer Xie Tiao, Footsoldier Commandant Shen Yue, and presented scholar Lu Chun of Wu—all celebrated for literature and especially cherished—were known as the Eight Friends. Liu Yun, Wang Sengru, Jiang Ge of Jiyang, Fan Zhen, and Kong Xiuyuan of Kuaiji were among them as well. Chen was a nephew of Hui Kai; Yun was a grandnephew of Yuanjing; Rong was a grandson of Sengda; Yan was a son of Shunzhi; Tiao was a grandson of Shu; Yue was a son of Pu; Sengru was a great-grandson of Yazhi; Zhen was Yun's elder cousin.
6
子良篤好釋氏，招致名僧，講論佛法。 道俗之盛，江左未有。 或親為眾僧賦食、行水，世頗以為失宰相體。
Ziliang was ardently devoted to Buddhism; he invited celebrated monks and held discussions on the dharma. The splendor of clergy and laity together had no precedent south of the Yangtze. At times he personally served food and carried water for the monks—a conduct widely deemed unworthy of a chief minister.
7
范縝盛稱無佛。 子良曰：「君不信因果，何得有富貴、貧賤？」 縝曰：「人生如樹花同發，隨風而散：或拂簾幌墜茵席之上，或關籬牆落糞溷之中。 墜茵席者，殿下是也； 落糞溷者，下官是也。 貴賤雖復殊途，因果竟在何處！」 子良無以難。 縝又著《神滅論》，以為：「形者神之質，神者形之用也。 神之於形，猶利之於刀； 未聞刀沒而利存，豈容形亡而神在哉！」 此論出，朝野喧嘩，難之，終不能屈。 太原王琰著論譏縝曰：「嗚呼范子！ 曾不知其先祖神靈所在！」 欲以杜縝後對。 縝對曰：「嗚呼王子！ 知其先祖神靈所在，而不能殺身以從之！」 子良使王融謂之曰：「以卿才美，何患不至中書郎； 而故乖剌為此論，甚可惜也！ 宜急毀棄之。」 縝大笑曰：「使范縝賣論取官，已至令、僕矣，何但中書郎邪！」
Fan Zhen loudly maintained that there is no Buddha. Ziliang said, "If you do not believe in karma, how can there be rich and poor?" Zhen replied, "Human life is like flowers on a tree blooming at once and scattering in the wind—some brush the curtain and land on cushions, others hit the fence and fall into the dung pit. Those who land on cushions—that is you, my lord; those who fall into the dung pit—that is this humble official. Noble and base may take different paths—where then is karma!" Ziliang had no answer. Zhen also wrote "On the Destruction of the Soul," arguing that "the body is the substance of the spirit, and the spirit is the function of the body. The spirit in relation to the body is like sharpness to a blade; no one has heard of the blade vanishing while sharpness remains—how then could the body perish while the spirit endures!" When the treatise appeared, court and country were in an uproar; critics assailed it, but none could refute him in the end. Wang Yan of Taiyuan wrote a treatise mocking Zhen: "Alas, Master Fan! You do not even know where the spirits of your ancestors abide!" He meant to silence any reply from Zhen. Zhen replied, "Alas, Master Wang! You know where your ancestors' spirits abide, yet you cannot kill yourself to join them!" Ziliang sent Wang Rong to tell him, "With your talent, why should you fail to reach Director of the Palace Secretariat; yet you deliberately go against the grain with this thesis—how regrettable! You should destroy it at once." Zhen laughed and said, "If Fan Zhen sold his thesis for office, he would already be Minister or Vice Minister—why settle for mere Director of the Palace Secretariat!"
8
蕭衍好籌略，有文武才幹，王儉深器異之，曰：「蕭郎出三十，貴不可言。」
Xiao Yan was fond of strategy and possessed both civil and military gifts; Wang Jian held him in exceptional regard and said, "When Master Xiao passes thirty, his rank will be beyond telling."
9
壬寅，以柳世隆為尚書左僕射，丹陽尹李安民為右僕射，王儉領丹陽尹。
On renyin, Liu Shilong was appointed Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, Danyang Intendant Li Anmin became Right Vice Director, and Wang Jian served concurrently as Danyang Intendant.
10
夏，四月，甲寅，魏主如方山； 戊午，還宮； 庚申，如鴻池； 丁卯，還宮。
In summer, the fourth month, on jiayin, the Northern Wei emperor went to Mount Fang; on wuwu he returned to the palace; on gengshen he went to Hong Pool; on dingmao he returned to the palace.
11
五月，甲申，魏遣員外散騎常侍李彪等來聘。
In the fifth month, on jiashen, Northern Wei sent Supernumerary Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry Li Biao and others on a diplomatic visit.
12
六月，壬寅朔，中書舍人吳興茹法亮封望蔡男。 時中書舍人四人，各住一省，謂之「四戶」，以法亮及臨海呂文顯等為之； 既總重權，勢傾朝廷，守宰數遷換去來，四方餉遺，歲數百萬。 法亮嘗於眾中語人曰：「何需求外祿！ 此一戶中，年辦百萬。」 蓋約言之也。 後因天文有變，王儉極言「文顯等專權徇私，上天見異，禍由四戶」。 上手詔酬答，而不能改也。
In the sixth month, on the renyin new moon, Palace Secretariat Attendant Ru Faliang of Wuxing was enfeoffed as Baron of Wangcai. At that time four Palace Secretariat Attendants each controlled one bureau and were known as the "Four Households"; Faliang, Lü Wenxian of Linhai, and others held these posts; once they held sweeping power their influence dominated the court; prefects and magistrates were constantly rotated, and gifts from every quarter totaled millions each year. Faliang once said in public, "Why seek outside income! This one household alone brings in a million a year." That was speaking in round terms. Later, when celestial signs changed, Wang Jian argued forcefully that "Wenxian and the others abuse power for private gain; Heaven shows portents—the disaster comes from the Four Households." The emperor issued a personal edict in reply but could not change matters.
13
魏舊制：戶調帛二匹，絮二斤，絲一斤，谷二十斛； 又入帛一匹二丈，委之州庫，以供調外之費； 所調各隨土之所出。 丁卯，詔曰：「置官班祿，行之尚矣； 自中原喪亂，茲制中絕。 朕憲章舊典，始班俸祿。 戶增調帛三匹，谷二斛九斗，以為官司之祿； 增調外帛二匹。 祿行之後，贓滿一匹者死。 變法改度，宜為更始，其大赦天下。」
Under the old Northern Wei system each household paid two bolts of silk, two jin of floss, one jin of thread, and twenty hu of grain; plus one bolt and two zhang of silk deposited in the provincial treasury for supplementary levies; each levy followed local products. On dingmao an edict declared, "Establishing official ranks and salaries is an ancient practice; since the chaos in the Central Plains this system has lapsed. We now follow the ancient statutes and begin to distribute official salaries. Each household's levy is increased by three bolts of silk and two hu nine dou of grain to fund official salaries; the supplementary levy is increased by two bolts of silk. Once salaries are in place, anyone taking bribes of a full bolt or more shall be put to death. In changing laws and institutions a new beginning is fitting—let there be a general amnesty throughout the realm."
14
秋，七月，甲申，立皇子子倫為巴陵王。
In autumn, the seventh month, on jiashen, Prince Zilun was enfeoffed as Prince of Baling.
15
乙未，魏主如武州山石窟寺。
On yiwei the Northern Wei emperor visited the cave temple at Mount Wuzhou.
16
九月，魏詔，班祿以十月為始，季別受之。 舊律，枉法十匹，義贓二十匹，罪死； 至是，義贓一匹，枉法無多少，皆死。 仍分命使者，糾按守宰之貪者。
In the ninth month Northern Wei decreed that salary distribution would begin in the tenth month and be paid quarterly. Under the old law, perverting justice for ten bolts or taking improper gifts of twenty bolts was punishable by death; now one bolt of improper gift, or perverting justice in any amount—all were capital offenses. Envoys were also sent out to investigate corrupt prefects and magistrates.
17
秦、益二州刺史恆農李洪之以外戚貴顯，為治貪暴，班祿之後，洪之首以贓敗。 魏主命鎖赴平城，集百官親臨數之； 猶以其大臣，聽在家自裁。 自餘守宰坐贓死者四十餘人。 受祿者無不跼蹐，賕賂殆絕。 然吏民犯它罪者，魏主率寬之，疑罪奏讞多減死徙邊，歲以千計。 都下決大辟，歲不過五六人，州鎮亦簡。
Li Hongzhi of Hengnong, regional inspector of Qin and Yi, was eminent as an imperial affinal relative; his rule was greedy and brutal—after salaries were instituted he was the first official ruined by bribery. The emperor ordered him shackled and brought to Pingcheng, assembled the officials, and personally recounted his crimes; but because he was a senior minister he was allowed to take his own life at home. More than forty other prefects and magistrates were executed for bribery. Salary recipients were all on their guard; bribery nearly disappeared. Yet for other offenses the emperor was generally lenient; doubtful cases were often commuted from death to frontier exile—thousands each year. In the capital no more than five or six death sentences were handed down each year; provinces and garrisons were equally restrained.
18
久之，淮南王佗奏請依舊斷祿，文明太后召群臣議之。 中書監高閭以為：「饑寒切身，慈母不能保其子。 今給祿，則廉者足以無濫，貪者足以勸慕； 不給，則貪者得肆其奸，廉者不能自保。 淮南之議，不亦謬乎！」 詔從閭議。
After some time Prince Huainan Tuo memorialized to abolish salaries as before; Empress Dowager Wenming convened the ministers to deliberate. Director of the Palace Secretariat Gao Lü argued, "When hunger and cold press close, even a loving mother cannot protect her child. With salaries in place the honest have enough to refrain from excess, and the greedy have enough to be drawn toward integrity; without them the greedy can indulge their schemes and the honest cannot protect themselves. Is not Prince Huainan's proposal utterly mistaken!" An edict adopted Lü's position.
19
閭又上表，以為：「北狄悍愚，同於禽獸。 所長者野戰，所短者攻城。 若以狄之所短奪其所長，則雖眾不能成患，雖來不能深入。 又，狄散居野澤，隨逐水草，戰則與家業並至，奔則與畜牧俱逃，不繼資糧而飲食自足，是以歷代能為邊患。 六鎮勢分，倍眾不鬥，互相圍逼，難以制之。 請依秦、漢故事，於六鎮之北築長城，擇要害之地，往往開門，造小城於其側，置兵扞守。 狄既不攻城，野掠無獲，草盡則走，終必懲艾。 計六鎮東西不過千里，一夫一月之功，可城三步之地，強弱相兼，不過用十萬人，一月可就； 雖有暫勞，可以永逸。 凡長城有五利：罷游防之苦，一也； 北部放牧無抄掠之患，二也； 登城觀敵，以逸待勞，三也； 息無時之備，四也； 歲常游運，永得不匱，五也。」 魏主優詔答之。
Lü also submitted a memorial arguing that "the northern barbarians are fierce and dull-witted, no better than birds and beasts. They excel at field battle and are weak at siege warfare. If we use their weaknesses against their strengths, then even in great numbers they cannot become a threat, and even when they come they cannot penetrate deeply. Moreover they live scattered in wild marshes, following pasture and water; in battle their households come with them, in flight their herds flee with them—they need no supply trains yet food and drink are always at hand; thus through the ages they have plagued the frontier. The Six Garrisons' forces are divided; even with twice the enemy's numbers they will not engage; they hem one another in and are hard to control. I propose following Qin and Han precedent to build a long wall north of the Six Garrisons, choosing strategic points, opening gates at intervals, erecting small fortresses beside them, and garrisoning troops to hold them. Since they do not storm cities, raiding will yield nothing; when pasture is exhausted they will withdraw—in time they will surely be subdued. The Six Garrisons span no more than a thousand li east to west; one man's month of labor walls three paces; combining strong and weak labor, no more than a hundred thousand men are needed and the work can be finished in a month; though the labor is temporary, the peace will be lasting. The long wall offers five benefits: ending the hardship of roaming patrols—first; northern pastures free from raiding—second; watching the enemy from the walls and meeting them refreshed—third; ending the burden of perpetual alert—fourth; annual transport by water, never wanting—fifth. The Northern Wei emperor responded with a gracious edict."
20
冬，十月，丁巳，以南徐州刺史長沙王晃為中書監。 初，太祖臨終，以晃屬帝，使處於輦下或近籓，勿令遠出。 且曰：「宋氏若非骨肉相殘，它族豈得乘其弊！ 汝深誡之！」 舊制：諸王在都，唯得置捉刀左右四十人。 晃好武飾，及罷南徐州，私載數百人仗還建康，為禁司所覺，投之江水。 帝聞之，大怒，將糾以法，豫章王嶷叩頭流涕曰：「晃罪誠不足宥； 陛下當憶先朝念晃。」 帝亦垂泣，由是終無異意，然亦不被親寵。 論者謂帝優於魏文，減於漢明。
In winter, the tenth month, on dingsi, Prince of Changsha Huang, regional inspector of South Xuzhou, was appointed Director of the Palace Secretariat. Earlier, on his deathbed the Founder entrusted Huang to the emperor, ordering that he stay near the capital or a nearby fief and not be sent far away. He also said, "Had the Song not destroyed one another, how could another house have exploited their weakness! Take this deeply to heart!" Under the old rule princes in the capital might keep only forty armed attendants. Huang loved martial display; when he left South Xuzhou he secretly brought hundreds of weapons back to Jiankang; the prohibition office discovered them and they were thrown into the Yangtze. When the emperor heard he was furious and was about to punish Huang by law; Prince of Yuzhang Liao kowtowed in tears and said, "Huang's crime truly deserves no pardon; Your Majesty should remember how the former emperor cherished Huang." The emperor wept as well; from then on he never again harbored ill will toward Huang, yet Huang was never warmly favored. Commentators held that the emperor surpassed Cao Pi of Wei but fell short of Emperor Ming of Han.
21
武陵王曄多才藝而疏心幸，亦無寵於帝。 嘗侍宴，醉伏地，貂抄肉拌。 帝笑曰：「肉污貂。」 對曰：「陛下愛羽毛而疏骨肉。」 帝不悅。 曄輕財好施，故無畜積； 名後堂山曰「首陽」，蓋怨貧薄也。
Prince of Wuling Ye was gifted in many arts but careless about winning favor and was likewise not favored by the emperor. Once at a banquet he was drunk and collapsed face down; his sable collar was smeared with meat. The emperor laughed and said, "The meat has soiled the sable." He replied, "Your Majesty cherishes fur but neglects kin." The emperor was displeased. Ye was generous with money and fond of giving, so he had no savings; he named the hill behind his hall "Shouyang," voicing resentment at his poverty.
22
高麗王璉遣使入貢於魏，亦入貢於齊。 時高麗方強，魏置諸國使邸，齊使第一，高麗次之。
King Rian of Goguryeo sent envoys to offer tribute to Northern Wei and also to Qi. Goguryeo was then powerful; Northern Wei established lodging for foreign envoys—Qi envoys ranked first, Goguryeo second.
23
益州大度獠恃險驕恣，前後刺史不能制。 及陳顯達為刺史，遣使責其租賧。 獠帥曰：「兩眼刺史尚不敢調我，況一眼乎！」 遂殺其使。 顯達分部將吏，聲言出獵，夜往襲之，男女無少長皆斬之。
The Dadu Liao of Yizhou relied on rugged terrain and were arrogant and unruly; successive regional inspectors could not control them. When Chen Xianda became regional inspector, he sent envoys to demand their tribute levies. The Liao chief said, "A two-eyed regional inspector did not dare press me—how much less a one-eyed man!" He then killed the envoy. Xianda divided his officers, announced a hunting expedition, attacked by night, and beheaded men and women of every age.
24
晉氏以來，益州刺史皆以名將為之。 十一月，丁亥，帝始以始興王鑒為督益、寧諸軍事、益州刺史，征顯達為中護軍。 先是，劫帥韓武方聚黨千餘人斷流為暴，郡縣不能禁。 鑒行至上明，武方出降，長史虞悰等鹹請殺之。 鑒曰：「殺之失信，且無以勸善。」 乃啟台而宥之，於是巴西蠻夷為寇暴者皆望風降附。 鑒時年十四，行至新城，道路籍籍，云「陳顯達大選士馬，不肯就征。」 乃停新城，遣典簽張曇皙往觀形勢。 俄而顯達遣使詣鑒，鹹勸鑒執之。 鑒曰：「顯達立節本朝，必自無此。」 居二日，曇皙還，具言「顯達已遷家出城，日夕望殿下至。」 於是乃前。 鑒喜文學，器服如素士，蜀人悅之。
Since the Jin dynasty, regional inspectors of Yizhou had always been famous generals. In the eleventh month, on dinghai, the emperor for the first time made Prince of Shixing Jian supervisor of military affairs for Yi and Ning and regional inspector of Yizhou, and summoned Xianda to serve as Central Protector of the Army. Earlier the bandit chief Han Wufang had gathered more than a thousand followers, blocked the river, and committed violence; commanderies and counties could not restrain him. When Jian reached Shangming, Wufang came out to surrender; Chief Clerk Yu Cong and others all urged that he be killed. Jian said, "To kill him would break faith and offer no way to encourage goodness." He reported to the capital and pardoned him; thereafter all the barbarian raiders of Baxi submitted at the news. Jian was only fourteen; when he reached Xincheng, rumor spread that "Chen Xianda is mustering troops and refuses to accept the summons." He halted at Xincheng and sent Registrar Zhang Tanxi to observe the situation. Soon Xianda sent envoys to Jian; all urged Jian to seize them. Jian said, "Xianda has proven his loyalty to this court—he would never do such a thing." Two days later Tanxi returned and reported that "Xianda has already moved his household out of the city and awaits Your Highness day and night." Only then did he advance. Jian loved literature; his dress and furnishings were like those of a plain scholar—the people of Shu were pleased with him.
25
乙未，魏員外散騎常侍李彪等來聘。
On yiwei, Northern Wei Supernumerary Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry Li Biao and others came on a diplomatic visit.
26
是歲，詔增豫章王嶷封邑為四千戶。 宋元嘉之世，諸王入齋閣，得白服、裙帽見人主； 唯出太極四廟，乃備朝服。 自後此制遂絕。 上於嶷友愛，宮中曲宴，聽依元嘉故事。 嶷固辭不敢，唯車駕至其第，乃白服、烏紗帽以侍宴。 至於衣服、器服制度，動皆陳啟，事無專制，務從減省。 上並不許。 嶷常慮盛滿，求解揚州，以授竟陵王子良。 上終不許，曰：「畢汝一世，無所多言。」 嶷長七尺八寸，善修容範，文物衛從，禮冠百僚，每出入殿省，瞻望者無不肅然。
That year an edict increased Prince of Yuzhang Liao's fief to four thousand households. In the Yuanjia era of Liu Song, when princes entered the fasting hall they might wear white robes and skirted caps to see the sovereign; only when leaving the four temples of the Supreme Ultimate did they don full court dress. Afterward this custom lapsed. The emperor was affectionate toward Liao; at private palace banquets he permitted the Yuanjia precedent. Liao firmly declined; only when the imperial carriage came to his residence did he wear white robes and a black gauze cap to attend the banquet. As for regulations on clothing and vessels, he always reported them for approval; nothing was decided on his own authority, and he strove for economy. The emperor would not permit any of it. Liao often feared the dangers of excess and asked to be relieved of Yangzhou to give it to Prince Jingling Ziliang. The emperor would not permit it, saying, "For your whole lifetime, say no more of it." Liao stood seven chi eight cun tall and cultivated his bearing with care; his ceremonial regalia and escort outshone all officials—each time he entered or left the palace halls, onlookers were awed.
27
交州刺史李叔獻既受命，而斷割外國貢獻； 上欲討之。
Li Shuxian of Jiaozhou, having received his appointment, cut off foreign tribute; the emperor wished to punish him.
28
世祖武皇帝上之下永明三年（ 乙丑，公元四八五年）
Emperor Wu of Qi (first section, lower part), Yongming year 3 ( yichou, corresponding to 485 CE)
29
春，正月，丙辰，以大司農劉楷為交州刺史，發南康、廬陵、始興兵以討叔獻。 叔獻耳之，遣使乞更申數年，獻十二隊純銀兜鍪及孔雀毦； 上不許。 叔獻懼為楷所襲，間道自湘川還朝。
In spring, the first month, on bingchen, Grand Minister of Agriculture Liu Kai was appointed regional inspector of Jiaozhou; troops from Nankang, Luling, and Shixing were raised to attack Shuxian. Shuxian heard of it and sent envoys begging a few more years' grace, offering twelve sets of pure-silver helmets and peacock-feather canopies; the emperor refused. Shuxian, fearing an attack by Kai, returned to court by a hidden route through the Xiang River.
30
戊寅，魏詔曰：「圖讖之興，出於三季，既非經國之典，徒為妖邪所憑。 自今圖讖、秘緯，一皆焚之，留者以大辟論！」 又嚴禁諸巫覡及委巷卜筮非經典所載者。
On wuyin Northern Wei issued an edict: "Prognostic charts arose in the three degenerate ages; they are not classics of statecraft but merely tools of demonic evil. From now on all prognostic charts and secret weft-texts are to be burned; whoever keeps them shall be put to death!" Diviners and shamans were also strictly forbidden, as were back-alley divinations not recorded in the classics.
31
魏馮太后作《皇誥》十八篇，癸未，大饗群臣於太華殿，班《皇誥》。
Empress Dowager Feng of Northern Wei composed eighteen chapters of "Imperial Admonitions"; on guiwei she gave a great feast to the ministers in the Hall of Supreme Splendor and distributed the "Imperial Admonitions."
32
辛卯，上祀南郊，大赦。
On xinmao the emperor sacrificed at the southern suburb and proclaimed a general amnesty.
33
詔復立國學； 釋奠先師用上公禮。
An edict restored the National University; the ceremony honoring the former teacher used the rites of a senior duke.
34
二月，己亥，魏制皇子皇孫有封爵者，歲祿各有差。
In the second month, on jihai, Northern Wei regulated that imperial sons and grandsons with enfeoffed ranks should receive annual stipends in graded amounts.
35
辛丑，上祭北郊。
On xinchou the emperor sacrificed at the northern suburb.
36
三月，丙申，魏封皇弟禧為咸陽王，干為河南王，羽為廣陵王，雍為穎川王，勰為始平王，詳為北海王。 文明太后令置學館，選師傅以教諸王。 勰于兄弟最賢，敏而好學，善屬文，魏主尤奇愛之。
In the third month, on bingshen, Northern Wei enfeoffed the emperor's younger brother Xi as Prince of Xianyang, Gan as Prince of Henan, Yu as Prince of Guangling, Yong as Prince of Yingchuan, Xie as Prince of Shiping, and Xiang as Prince of Beihai. Empress Dowager Wenming ordered academies established and teachers chosen to instruct the princes. Among the brothers Xie was the most worthy—quick-witted and fond of learning, skilled at composition; the Northern Wei emperor especially cherished him.
37
夏，四月，癸丑，魏主如方山； 甲寅，還宮。
In summer, the fourth month, on guichou, the Northern Wei emperor went to Mount Fang; on jiayin he returned to the palace.
38
初，宋太宗置總明觀以集學士，亦謂之東觀。 上以國學既立，五月，乙未，省總明觀。 時王儉領國子祭酒，詔於儉宅開學士館，以總明四部書充之。 又詔儉以家為府。
Earlier, Emperor Taizong of Liu Song established the Zongming Observatory to gather scholars—it was also called the Eastern Pavilion. Since the National University had been established, in the fifth month, on yiwei, the emperor abolished the Zongming Observatory. Wang Jian was then acting as Libationer of the National University; an edict opened a scholars' hall at Jian's residence and stocked it with the four divisions of books from Zongming. An edict also made Jian's home his official residence.
39
自宋世祖好文章，士大夫悉以文章相尚，無以專經為業者。 儉少好《禮》學及《春秋》，言論造次必於儒者，由是衣冠翕然，更尚儒術。 儉撰次朝儀、國典，自晉、宋以來故事，無不諳憶，故當朝理事，斷決如流。 每博議引證，八坐、丞、郎無能異者。 令史咨事常數十人，賓客滿席，儉應接辨析，傍無留滯，發言下筆，皆有音彩。 十日一還學監試諸生，巾卷在庭，劍衛、令史，儀容甚盛。 作解散髻，斜插簪，朝野慕之，相與倣傚。 儉常謂人曰：「江左風流宰相，唯有謝安。」 意以自比也。 上深委仗之，士流選用，奏無不可。
Since Emperor Shizu of Liu Song loved belles-lettres, scholar-officials all esteemed literary composition and none made the classics their sole profession. Jian from youth loved the Rites and the Spring and Autumn Annals; in speech he always followed the Confucians—thereby the gentry converged and came again to esteem Confucian learning. Jian compiled court ritual and state statutes; precedents from Jin and Song onward he knew by heart—therefore in governing the court his decisions flowed effortlessly. Whenever broad deliberation cited precedent, none among the eight ministers, assistants, or directors could dissent. When clerks consulted on affairs there were often dozens at once; guests filled the seats—Jian answered and analyzed without delay; whether speaking or writing, all had literary grace. Every ten days he returned to the academy to supervise student examinations; scholars' scrolls filled the courtyard, sword guards and clerks—the spectacle was very grand. He wore a loose coiffure with pins inserted at a slant—court and country admired it and imitated him. Jian often said, "Among the elegant chief ministers south of the Yangtze, only Xie An." He meant to compare himself. The emperor deeply relied on him; for selecting men of the gentry, no memorial was ever denied.
40
六月，庚戌，魏進河南王度易侯為車騎將軍，遣給事中吳興丘冠先使河南，並送柔然使。
In the sixth month, on gengxu, Northern Wei promoted the Prince of Henan, Chief Tuyuhun, to General of Chariots and Cavalry and sent Palace Attendant Qiu Guanxian of Wuxing as envoy to Henan, also escorting a Rouran envoy.
41
辛亥，魏主如方山。 丁巳，還宮。
On xinhai the Northern Wei emperor went to Mount Fang. On dingsi he returned to the palace.
42
秋，七月，癸未，魏遣使拜宕昌王梁彌機兄子彌承為宕昌王。 初，彌機死，子彌博立，為吐谷渾所逼，奔仇池。 仇池鎮將穆亮以彌機事魏素厚，矜其滅亡； 彌博凶悖，所部惡之； 彌承為眾所附，表請納之。 詔許之。 亮帥騎三萬軍於龍鵠，擊走吐谷渾，立彌承而還。 亮，崇之曾孫也。
In autumn, the seventh month, on guiwei, Northern Wei sent envoys to invest Micheng, nephew of King Dangchang Liang Miji, as King of Dangchang. Earlier, when Miji died, his son Mibo succeeded but was pressed by Tuyuhun and fled to Chouchi. Mu Liang, garrison commander of Chouchi, because Miji had long been devoted to Northern Wei, pitied the family's destruction; Mibo was fierce and perverse and his followers hated him; Micheng was supported by the people; he memorialized asking to receive him. An edict permitted it. Liang led thirty thousand cavalry to Longhu, routed Tuyuhun, established Micheng, and returned. Liang was a great-grandson of Chongzhi.
43
戊子，魏主如魚池，登青原岡； 甲午，還宮； 八月，己亥，如彌澤； 甲寅，登牛頭山； 甲子，還宮。
On wuzi the Northern Wei emperor went to Fish Pool and climbed Green Plain Mound; On jiawu he returned to the palace; In the eighth month, on jihai, he went to Mize; On jiayin he climbed Ox Head Mountain; On jiazi he returned to the palace.
44
魏初，民多廕附； 廕附者皆無官役，而豪強征斂倍於公賦。 給事中李安世上言：「歲饑民流，田業多為豪右所佔奪； 雖桑井難復，宜更均量，使力業相稱。 又，所爭之田，宜限年斷，事久難明，悉歸今主，以絕詐妄。」 魏主善之，由是始議均田。 冬，十月，丁未，詔遣使者循行州郡，與牧守均給天下之田：諸男夫十五以上受露田四十畝，婦人二十畝，奴婢依良丁； 牛一頭，受田三十畝，限止四牛。 所授之田，率倍之； 三易之田，再倍之，以供耕作及還受之盈縮。 人年及課則受田，老免及身沒則還田。 奴婢、牛隨有無以還受。 初受田者，男夫給二十畝，課種桑五十株； 桑田皆為世業，身終不還。 恆計見口，有盈者無受無還，不足者受種如法，盈者得賣其盈。 諸宰民之官，各隨近給公田有差，更代相付； 賣者坐如律。
In the early Northern Wei, many commoners attached themselves to powerful patrons for protection; Such dependents owed no state corvée, yet local magnates extracted from them twice what the public tax demanded. Palace Attendant Li Anshi submitted a memorial: "In famine years the people flee, and much farmland is seized by powerful families; although old homesteads cannot always be restored, land should be remeasured and reallocated so that each household's labor matches its holding. Disputed fields, too, should be settled by a statute of limitations: when old claims can no longer be proved, ownership should pass to the current holder, cutting off fraud and false litigation." The Northern Wei emperor approved the proposal, and from this the equal-field system first came under discussion. In winter, the tenth month, on dingwei, an edict dispatched envoys to tour the provinces and commanderies and, together with local governors and prefects, equally distribute land throughout the realm: every adult male aged fifteen or above was to receive forty mu of open-field land, women twenty mu, and slaves and maidservants on the same basis as free adult males; each ox received thirty mu of land, up to a maximum of four oxen. The land actually granted was, as a rule, doubled; fields requiring three crop rotations were doubled again, to cover cultivation needs and the surplus or shortfall when land was granted and returned. When a person reached taxable age he received land; when he was exempted by old age or upon his death, the land was returned. Slaves, maidservants, and oxen were granted or returned according to whether the household still had them. First-time recipients were allotted twenty mu of mulberry land for each adult male, with a requirement to plant fifty mulberry trees; mulberry land became permanent hereditary property and was never returned during the holder's lifetime. Households were continually assessed by the number of persons actually present: surplus members received no land and required no return; shortfalls were filled according to law; and households with excess land could sell the surplus. All officials charged with governing the people were allotted nearby official fields in graded amounts, to be transferred from one term of office to the next; anyone who sold such land illegally was punished according to law.
45
辛酉，魏魏郡王陳建卒。
On xinyou Chen Jian, Prince of Wei Commandery in Northern Wei, died.
46
魏員外散騎常侍李彪等來聘。
Li Biao, Supernumerary Palace Attendant of the Rapid Cavalry of Northern Wei, and others came on a diplomatic mission.
47
十二月，乙卯，魏以侍中淮南王佗為司徒。
In the twelfth month, on yimao, Northern Wei appointed Palace Attendant Prince of Huainan, Tuo, as Minister over the Masses.
48
柔然犯魏塞，魏任城王澄帥眾拒之，柔然遁去。 澄，雲之子也。 氐、羌反，詔以澄為都督梁、益、荊三州諸軍事、梁州刺史。 澄至州，討叛柔服，氐、羌皆平。
Rouran raided the Northern Wei frontier; Prince of Rencheng Yuan Cheng led troops to repel them, and the Rouran withdrew. Cheng was the son of Yun. When the Di and Qiang rebelled, an edict appointed Cheng Grand Commander over all military affairs of Liang, Yi, and Jing provinces and Inspector of Liang Province. When Cheng reached the province, he punished rebels and won over the compliant, and both the Di and Qiang were pacified.
49
初，太祖命黃門郎虞玩之等檢定黃籍。 上即位，別立校籍官，置令史，限人一日得數巧。 既連年不已，民愁怨不安。 外監會稽呂文度啟上，籍被卻者悉充遠戍，民多逃亡避罪。 富陽民唐□之因以妖術惑眾作亂，攻陷富陽，三吳卻籍者奔之，眾至三萬。
Earlier, the Founding Emperor had ordered Yellow Gate Gentleman Yu Wanzhi and others to examine and rectify the yellow household registers. After the emperor took the throne, he separately established registry-verification offices, appointed clerks, and required each clerk to uncover several fraudulent cases in a single day. The verification went on year after year without end, and the people grew anxious, resentful, and unsettled. Outer Supervisor Lü Wendu of Kuaiji reported to the emperor that everyone whose registry entry was rejected was sent to distant frontier garrison duty, and many people fled to escape punishment. The Fuyang commoner Tang Yuzhi thereupon used sorcery to delude the people and raise a rebellion, captured Fuyang, and those in the Three Wu region whose registry entries had been rejected rallied to him until his force reached thirty thousand.
50
文度與茹法亮、呂文顯皆以奸諂有寵於上。 文度為外監，專制兵權，領軍守虛位而已。 法亮為中書通事舍人，權勢尤盛。 王儉常曰：「我雖有大位，權寄豈及茹公邪！」
Wendu, together with Ru Faliang and Lü Wenxian, all won the emperor's favor through treachery and flattery. As Outer Supervisor, Wendu monopolized military authority, while the Commander-in-Chief held only an empty title. Faliang served as Palace Attendant for General Affairs of the Secretariat, and his power was especially great. Wang Jian often said, "Though I hold a great office, how could the delegation of power compare with Master Ru!"
51
是歲，柔然部真可汗卒，子豆侖立，號伏名敦可汗，改元太平。
That year Rouran Khan Bu Zhen died; his son Dou Lun succeeded him, took the title Khan Fumingdun, and changed the era name to Taiping.
52
世祖武皇帝上之下永明四年（ 丙寅，公元四八六年）
Emperor Wu the Founder, upper section part 2, Yongming year 4 ( bingyin, the year 486 CE)
53
春，正月，癸亥朔，魏高祖朝會，始服袞冕。
In spring, the first month, on the guihai new moon, Northern Wei Emperor Gaozu held court and for the first time wore the robe and cap of state.
54
壬午，柔然寇魏邊。
On renwu Rouran raided the Northern Wei frontier.
55
唐□之攻陷錢唐，吳郡諸縣令多棄城走。 □之稱帝於錢唐，立太子，置百官； 遣其將高道度等攻陷東陽，殺東陽太守蕭崇之。 崇之，太祖族弟也。 又遣其將孫泓寇山陰，至浦陽江，浹口戍主湯休武擊破之。 上發禁兵數千人，馬數百匹，東擊□之。 台軍至錢唐，□之眾烏合，畏騎兵，一戰而潰，擒斬□之，進平諸郡縣。
Tang Yuzhi captured Qiantang, and many county magistrates of Wu Commandery abandoned their cities and fled. Yuzhi declared himself emperor at Qiantang, installed a crown prince, and established a full bureaucracy; he sent his generals Gao Daodu and others to capture Dongyang and kill Dongyang Administrator Xiao Chongzhi. Chongzhi was a clansman of the Founding Emperor's generation. He also sent his general Sun Hong to raid Shanyin; when they reached the Puyang River, Jiekou Garrison Commander Tang Xiuwu defeated them. The emperor dispatched several thousand palace troops and several hundred horses east to attack Yuzhi. When the capital army reached Qiantang, Yuzhi's force was a rabble; terrified of the cavalry, they collapsed in a single battle; Yuzhi was captured and executed, and the army went on to pacify the commanderies and counties.
56
台軍乘勝，頗縱抄掠。 軍還，上聞之，丁酉，收軍主前軍將軍陳天福棄市； 左軍將軍劉明徹免官、削爵，付東冶。 天福，上寵將也，既伏誅，內外莫不震肅。 使通事舍人丹陽劉系宗隨軍慰勞，遍至遭賊郡縣，百姓被驅逼者悉無所問。
The capital army, riding its victory, largely allowed looting. When the army returned, the emperor learned of it; on dingyou he had Army Commander Former Army General Chen Tianfu executed in the marketplace; Left Army General Liu Mingche was removed from office, stripped of his noble rank, and sent to the Eastern Works. Tianfu was one of the emperor's favored generals; once he had been executed, everyone inside and outside the court was awed into discipline. He sent Palace Attendant for General Affairs Liu Xizong of Danyang to follow the army and offer consolation; traveling to every commandery and county that had suffered the rebels, he questioned none of the common people who had been coerced.
57
閏月，癸巳，立皇子子貞為邵陵王，皇孫昭文為臨汝公。
In the intercalary month, on guisi, the emperor invested his son Zizhen as Prince of Shaoling and his grandson Zhaowen as Duke of Linru.
58
氐王楊後起卒。 丁未，詔以白水太守楊集始為北秦州刺史、武都王。 集始，文弘之子也。 後起弟後明為白水太守。 魏亦以集始為武都王。 集始入朝於魏，魏以為南秦州刺史。
Di King Yang Houqi died. On dingwei an edict appointed Baishui Administrator Yang Jishi as Inspector of North Qin Province and King of Wudu. Jishi was the son of Wenhong. Houqi's younger brother Houming served as Administrator of Baishui. Northern Wei also recognized Jishi as King of Wudu. When Jishi went to court in Northern Wei, he was appointed Inspector of South Qin Province.
59
辛亥，上耕籍田。
On xinhai the emperor plowed the sacred field.
60
二月，己未，立皇弟金求為晉熙王，鉉為河東王。
In the second month, on jiwei, the emperor invested his younger brother Jinqiu as Prince of Jinxi and Xuan as Prince of Hedong.
61
魏無鄉黨之法，唯立宗主督護； 民多隱冒，三五十家始為一戶。 內秘書令李衝上言：「宜准古法：五家立鄰長，五鄰立里長，五里立黨長，取鄉人強謹者為之。 鄰長復一夫，里長二夫，黨長三夫； 三載無過，則升一等。 其民調，一夫一婦，帛一匹，粟二石。 大率十匹為公調，二匹為調外費，三匹為百官俸。 此外復有雜調。 民年八十已上，聽一子不從役。 孤獨、癃老、篤疾、貧窮不能自存者，三長內迭養食之。」 書奏，詔百官通議。 中書令鄭羲等皆以為不可。 太尉丕曰：「臣謂此法若行，於公私有益。 但方有事之月，校比戶口，民必勞怨。 請過今秋，至冬乃遣使者，於事為宜。」 沖曰：「『民可使由之，不可使知之。』 若不因調時，民徒知立長校戶之勤，未見均徭省賦之益，心必生怨。 宜及課調之月，令知賦稅之均，既識其事，又得其利，行之差易。」 群臣多言：「九品差調，為日已久，一旦改法，恐成擾亂。」 文明太后曰：「立三長則課調有常准，苞廕之戶可出，僥倖之人可止，何為不可！」 甲戌，初立黨、裡、鄰三長，定民戶籍。 民始皆愁苦，豪強者尤不願。 既而課調省費十餘倍，上下安之。 三月，丙申，柔然遣使者牟提如魏。 時敕勒叛柔然，柔然伏名敦可汗自將討之，追奔至西漠。 魏左僕射穆亮等請乘虛擊之，中書監高閭曰：「秦、漢之世，海內一統，故可遠征匈奴。 今南有吳寇，何可捨之深入虜庭！」 魏主曰：「『兵者凶器，聖人不得已而用之。』 先帝屢出征伐者，以有未賓之虜故也。 今朕承太平之業，奈何無故動兵革乎！」 厚禮其使者而歸之。
Northern Wei had no village-and-ward system, but only clan chiefs serving as overseers; the people widely concealed themselves and misregistered their households, so that thirty or fifty families might be counted as a single household. Inner Secretariat Director Li Chong submitted a memorial: "We should follow the ancient law: every five households should appoint a neighborhood chief, every five neighborhoods a hamlet chief, and every five hamlets a party chief, choosing strong and conscientious local men for the posts. A neighborhood chief would be exempt one corvée laborer, a hamlet chief two, and a party chief three; after three years without fault, they would be promoted one grade. For the people's tax levy, each household of one male and one female would owe one bolt of silk and two shi of grain. Roughly speaking, ten bolts would go to the public levy, two bolts to extra fees on the levy, and three bolts to official salaries. Beyond this there were also miscellaneous levies. Commoners aged eighty or above were permitted one son to be exempt from corvée. Orphans, the aged, the seriously ill, and the destitute who could not support themselves were to be supported in rotation by the three chiefs." When the memorial was submitted, an edict ordered all officials to discuss it jointly. Secretariat Director Zheng Xi and others all held that it could not be done. Grand Commandant Yuan Pi said, "Your servant considers that if this law is carried out, it will benefit both public and private interests. But just when campaigns are underway, verifying and comparing household registers will surely weary and anger the people. I ask that we wait until after this autumn and only send out envoys in winter; that would be more fitting." Chong said, "'The people may be made to follow it; they may not be made to understand it. If we do not do it at tax-collection time, the people will only know the toil of establishing chiefs and verifying households, and will not yet see the benefit of equal corvée and reduced levies; resentment will surely arise in their hearts. We should do it in the month of tax assessment and collection, so that the people know their taxes are equalized; once they understand the matter and also gain the benefit, implementation will be much easier." Many ministers said, "The nine-rank gradated levy has been in force a long time; to change the law at once may cause disorder." Empress Dowager Wenming said, "If the three chiefs are established, tax levies will have a fixed standard, sheltered dependent households can be brought into the open, and opportunists can be stopped—why should it not be done!" On jiaxu the party, hamlet, and neighborhood three chiefs were first established, and the people's household registers were fixed. At first the people were all distressed and bitter, and the powerful especially did not wish it. Before long tax levies fell to less than a tenth of their former cost, and high and low alike were content. In the third month, on bingshen, Rouran sent the envoy Muti to Northern Wei. At that time the Tiele rebelled against Rouran; Rouran Khan Fumingdun personally led a campaign against them and pursued the fugitives to the Western Desert. Northern Wei Left Vice Director Mu Liang and others asked to strike while Rouran was exposed; Secretariat Supervisor Gao Lü said, "In the Qin and Han ages the realm within the seas was unified, and so one could campaign far against the Xiongnu. Now we have the Wu invader in the south—how can we abandon that and plunge deep into the barbarian heartland!" The Northern Wei emperor said, "'Arms are an ill-omened instrument; the sage uses them only when he has no choice. The Former Emperor repeatedly went on campaign because there were barbarians not yet brought to submission. Now I inherit a realm at peace—how can I for no reason set arms in motion!" He treated the Rouran envoy with generous rites and sent him back.
62
夏，四月，辛酉朔，魏始制五等公服； 甲子，初以法服、御輦祀西郊。
In summer, the fourth month, on the xinyou new moon, Northern Wei first established the five-rank public robes; On jiazi he for the first time wore ritual robes and rode the imperial carriage to sacrifice at the Western Suburb.
63
癸酉，魏主如靈泉池。 戊寅，還宮。
On guiyou the Northern Wei emperor went to Spirit Spring Pool. On wuyin he returned to the palace.
64
湘州蠻反，刺史呂安國有疾不能討； 丁亥，以尚書左僕射柳世隆為湘州刺史，討平之。
The tribal peoples of Xiang Province rose in revolt, and Inspector Lü Anguo, who was ill, could not put them down; On dinghai Liu Shilong, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Inspector of Xiang Province and brought the rebellion to an end.
65
六月，辛酉，魏主如方山。
In the sixth month, on xinyou, the Northern Wei emperor went to Fang Mountain.
66
己卯，魏文明太后賜皇子恂名，大赦。
On jimao Empress Dowager Wenming of Northern Wei gave the imperial prince Xun his name and proclaimed a general amnesty.
67
秋，七月，戊戌，魏主如方山。
In autumn, the seventh month, on wuxu, the Northern Wei emperor again went to Fang Mountain.
68
八月，乙亥，魏給尚書五等爵已上朱衣、玉珮、大小組綬。
In the eighth month, on yihai, Northern Wei granted vermilion robes, jade pendants, and graded ribbon seals to Masters of Writing of the fifth rank of nobility and above.
69
九月，辛卯，魏作明堂、辟雍。
In the ninth month, on xinmao, Northern Wei constructed the Bright Hall and the Imperial Academy.
70
冬，十一月，魏議定民官依戶給俸。
In winter, the eleventh month, Northern Wei decided that civil officials' salaries should be allotted according to the number of households under their charge.
71
十二月，柔然寇魏邊。
In the twelfth month the Rouran raided the Northern Wei frontier.
72
是歲，魏改中書學曰國子學。 分置州郡，凡三十八州，二十五在河南，十三在河北。
That year Northern Wei renamed the Directorate of Literature School the Imperial Academy. Provinces and commanderies were reorganized into thirty-eight provinces in all, twenty-five south of the Yellow River and thirteen north of it.
73
世祖武皇帝上之下永明五年（ 丁卯，公元四八七年）
Emperor Wu the Founder, upper section part 2, Yongming year 5 ( dingmao, the year 487 CE)
74
春，正月，丁亥朔，魏主詔定樂章，非雅者除之。
In spring, the first month, on dinghai, the new moon, the Northern Wei emperor issued an edict standardizing the court music and abolishing pieces that were not properly refined.
75
戊子，以豫章王嶷為大司馬，章陵王子良為司徒，臨川王映、衛將軍王儉、中軍將軍王敬則並加開府儀同三司。 子良啟記室范雲為郡，上曰：「聞其常相賣弄，朕不復窮法，當宥之以遠。」 子良曰：「不然。 雲動相規誨，諫書具存。」 遂取以奏，凡百餘紙，辭皆切直。 上歎息，謂子良曰：「不謂雲能爾； 方使弼汝，何宜出守！」 文惠太子嘗出東田觀獲，顧謂眾賓曰：「刈此亦殊可觀。」 眾皆唯唯，雲獨曰：「三時之務，實為長勤。 伏願殿下知稼穡之艱難，無徇一朝之宴逸。」
On wuzi Prince Niao of Yuzhang was appointed Grand Marshal, Xiao Ziliang of Prince of Zhangling was made Minister over the Masses, and Prince Ying of Linchuan, General of the Guards Wang Jian, and General of the Central Army Wang Jingze were all granted the added title of Grand General with staff equal to the Three Excellencies. Ziliang recommended his chief clerk Fan Yun for a commandery appointment. The emperor said, "I have heard that he is always showing off his wit; I will not press the charge to the full extent of the law and shall pardon him by sending him far away." Ziliang said, "That is not so. Fan Yun constantly counseled and admonished me, and his memorials of remonstrance are all still preserved." He then brought them forward for presentation; there were more than a hundred sheets in all, and every word was forthright and incisive. The emperor sighed and said to Ziliang, "I never thought Fan Yun capable of this; I was just about to have him assist you—how could he be sent away to govern a commandery!" Crown Prince Wenhu once went out to the Eastern Fields to watch the harvest and, turning to the assembled guests, said, "Watching this reaping is really quite a sight." All murmured agreement, but Fan Yun alone said, "The work of the three farming seasons is truly unending toil. I humbly beg Your Highness to understand how hard it is to grow grain and not indulge a single morning's feasting and idleness."
76
荒人桓天生自稱桓玄宗族，與雍、司二州蠻相扇動，據南陽故城，請兵於魏，將入寇。 丁酉，詔假丹陽尹蕭景先節，總帥步騎，直指義陽，司州諸軍皆受節度； 又假護軍將軍陳顯達節，帥征虜將軍戴僧靜等水軍向宛、葉，雍、司眾軍皆受顯達節度，以討之。 魏光祿大夫咸陽文公高允，歷事五帝，出入三省，五十餘年，未嘗有譴； 馮太后及魏主甚重之，常命中黃門蘇興壽扶侍。 允仁恕簡靜，雖處貴重，情同寒素； 執書吟覽，晝夜不去手，誨人以善，恂恂不倦； 篤親念故，無所遺棄。 顯祖平青、徐，悉徙其望族於代，其人多允之婚媾，流離饑寒； 允傾家賑施，鹹得其所，又隨其才行，薦之於朝。 議者多以初附間之，允曰：「任賢使能，何有新舊！ 必若有用，豈可以此抑之！」 允體素無疾，至是微有不適，猶起居如常，數日而卒，年九十八。 贈侍中、司空，賻襚甚厚； 魏初以來，存亡蒙賚，皆莫及也。
Huan Tiansheng, a frontier tribesman, claimed descent from the Huan clan of the Eastern Jin, incited the tribal peoples of Yong and Si provinces to join him, seized the old city of Nanyang, asked Northern Wei for troops, and prepared to invade Qi. On dingyou an edict temporarily granted the seal of authority to Xiao Jingxian, Intendant of Danyang, to take overall command of infantry and cavalry and march straight on Yiyang, with all armies of Si Province placed under his authority; It also temporarily granted the seal of authority to Protector-General Chen Xianda, who led a river force under General Who Conquers the Barbarians Dai Sengjing and others toward Wan and Ye, with all armies of Yong and Si placed under Xianda's command to suppress the rebellion. Gao Yun of Northern Wei, Grandee of Splendid Happiness and Duke of Literature of Xianyang, served five emperors and moved in and out of the Three Departments for more than fifty years without ever once being rebuked; Empress Dowager Feng and the Northern Wei emperor held him in the highest regard and often ordered Palace Attendant Su Xingshou to support and attend him. Gao Yun was benevolent, forgiving, plain, and quiet; though he held a lofty and honored position, he lived as simply as a poor commoner; he held books in his hands day and night, reading and reciting without pause, taught others to do good, and was modest and untiring; he was deeply devoted to his kin and mindful of old friends and abandoned no one. When Emperor Xianzu pacified Qing and Xu, he relocated all their eminent clans to Dai; many of them were related to Gao Yun by marriage and were scattered, starving, and destitute; Gao Yun emptied his household to give relief until all had found their proper place, and he also recommended them to the court according to each person's talent and character. Critics often used their recent submission to cast doubt on them. Gao Yun said, "When appointing the worthy and employing the able, what difference is there between old subjects and new! If they are truly useful, how can one hold them back for that reason alone!" Gao Yun had always enjoyed robust health; now he felt slightly unwell, yet he still went about his daily routine as usual, and after several days he died at the age of ninety-eight. He was posthumously granted Palace Attendant and Minister of Works, and the funeral gifts and burial accoutrements were exceedingly generous; since the founding of Northern Wei, no one who had received imperial gifts in life or death had ever been honored so richly.
77
桓天生引魏兵萬餘人至沘陽，陳顯達遣戴僧靜等與戰於深橋，大破之，殺獲萬計。 天生退保沘陽，僧靜圍之，不克而還。 荒人胡丘生起兵懸瓠以應齊，魏人擊破之，丘生來奔。 天生又引魏兵寇舞陰，舞陰戍主殷公愍拒擊破之，殺其副張麒麟，天生被創退走。 三月，丁未，以陳顯達為雍州刺史。 顯達進據舞陽城。
Huan Tiansheng led more than ten thousand Northern Wei troops to Biyang. Chen Xianda sent Dai Sengjing and others to engage them at Shenqiao, routed them completely, and killed and captured men by the tens of thousands. Tiansheng withdrew to hold Biyang. Dai Sengjing besieged the city but failed to take it and withdrew. The frontier tribesman Hu Qiusheng raised troops at Xuanhuo in support of Qi. Northern Wei forces defeated him, and Qiusheng fled to Qi. Tiansheng again led Northern Wei troops to raid Wuyin. Yin Gongmin, garrison commander of Wuyin, repulsed and defeated them, killed his lieutenant Zhang Qilin, and Tiansheng, wounded, fled. In the third month, on dingwei, Chen Xianda was appointed Inspector of Yong Province. Chen Xianda advanced and occupied Wuyang city.
78
夏，五月，壬辰，魏主如靈泉池。
In summer, the fifth month, on renchen, the Northern Wei emperor went to Spirit Spring Pool.
79
癸巳，魏南平王渾卒。
On guisi Yuan Hun, Prince of Nanping in Northern Wei, died.
80
甲午，魏主還平城。 詔復七廟子孫及外戚緦麻服已上，賦役無所與。
On jiawu the Northern Wei emperor returned to Pingcheng. An edict restored exemption from taxes and corvée to descendants of the seven temples and maternal relatives in the highest grade of mourning and above.
81
魏南部尚書公孫邃、上谷公張儵帥眾與桓天生復寇舞陰，殷公愍擊破之； 天生還竄荒中。 邃，表之孫也。
Gongsun Sui, Southern Director of the Masters of Writing of Northern Wei, and Zhang Chu, Duke of Shanggu, led their forces together with Huan Tiansheng to raid Wuyin again. Yin Gongmin repulsed and defeated them; Tiansheng again fled back into the wilderness. Gongsun Sui was a grandson of Gongsun Biao.
82
魏春夏大旱，代地尤甚； 加以牛疫，民餒死者多。 六月，癸未，詔內外之臣極言無隱。 齊州刺史韓麒麟上表曰：「古先哲王，儲積九稔； 逮於中代，亦崇斯業，入粟者與斬敵同爵，力田者與孝悌均賞。 今京師民庶，不田者多，游食之口，三分居二。 自承平日久，豐穰積年，競相矜誇，遂成侈俗。 貴富之家，童妾袨服，工商之族，僕隸玉食，而農夫闕糟糠，蠶婦乏短褐。 故耕者日少，田有荒蕪； 谷帛罄於府庫，寶貨盈於市裡； 衣食匱於室，麗服溢於路。 饑寒之本，實在於斯。 愚謂凡珍異之物，皆宜禁斷，吉凶之禮，備為格式； 勸課農桑，嚴加賞罰。 數年之中，必有盈贍。 往年校比戶貫，租賦輕少。 臣所統齊州，租粟才可給俸，略無入倉，雖於民為利，而不可長久。 脫有戎役，或遭天災，恐供給之方，無所取濟。 可減絹布，增益谷租； 年豐多積，歲儉出賑。 所謂私民之谷，寄積於官，官有宿積，則民無荒年矣。」 秋，七月，己丑，詔有司開倉賑貸，聽民出關就食。 遣使者造籍，分遣去留，所過給糧廩，所至三長贍養之。
Northern Wei suffered severe drought in spring and summer, and the Dai region was hit hardest; cattle plague compounded the disaster, and many people died of famine. In the sixth month, on guiwei, an edict ordered officials at court and in the provinces to speak frankly without holding anything back. Han Qilin, Inspector of Qi Province, submitted a memorial saying, "The sage kings of antiquity stored grain for nine harvests; down through the middle ages they also honored this practice: those who contributed grain received the same rank as those who beheaded enemies in battle, and those who worked the fields diligently received the same rewards as those who practiced filial piety and brotherliness. Today in the capital, many commoners do not farm at all; idlers who live without working make up two-thirds of the population. Since peace has lasted so long and harvests have been abundant year after year, people compete in display and extravagance until it has become the custom. In noble and wealthy households young concubines dress in splendid clothes; among merchant and artisan families servants and slaves eat delicacies, while farmers go without coarse grain and women who raise silkworms lack even short hemp garments. As a result those who farm grow fewer by the day, and fields lie abandoned; grain and cloth are exhausted in the treasuries while precious goods overflow in the marketplaces; food and clothing are scarce within homes while fine garments spill into the streets. The root of hunger and cold truly lies here. I humbly believe that all rare and exotic goods should be banned, and that rites for auspicious and mourning occasions should be fully codified; agriculture and sericulture should be encouraged and supervised, with rewards and punishments strictly enforced. Within a few years there will surely be surplus and abundance. In recent years, when household registers were checked and compared, land taxes and levies were kept light. In Qi Province, which I govern, grain rents barely cover official salaries and scarcely reach the granaries; though this benefits the people, it cannot be sustained. If war should break out or natural disaster strike, I fear there will be no reserve from which to draw for relief. Silk and cloth levies could be reduced and grain rents increased; store more in years of abundance and release grain for relief in years of scarcity. This is what is meant by letting the people's grain be stored by the state: when the government maintains long-standing reserves, the people will never know famine years." In autumn, the seventh month, on jichou, an edict ordered the relevant offices to open the granaries for relief loans and permitted the people to leave the frontier passes to seek food elsewhere. Envoys were dispatched to compile registers, assign who would leave and who would remain, supply grain along the route, and have the local three-chief units provide for them wherever they went.
83
柔然伏名敦可汗殘暴，其臣侯醫垔石洛候數諫止之，且勸其與魏和親。 伏名敦怒，族誅之，由是部眾離心。 八月，柔然寇魏邊，魏以尚書陸睿為都督，擊柔然，大破之。 睿，麗之子也。 初，高車阿伏至羅有部落十餘萬，役屬柔然。 伏名敦之侵魏也，阿伏至羅諫，不聽。 阿伏至羅怒，與從弟窮奇帥部落西走，至前部西北，自立為王。 國人號曰「候婁匐勒」，夏言天子也； 號窮奇曰「候倍」，夏言太子也。 二人甚親睦，分部而立，阿伏至羅居北，窮奇居南。 伏名敦追擊之，屢為阿伏至羅所敗，乃引眾東徙。
Fumingdun Khan of the Rouran was cruel and violent. His minister Houyi Aishiluohou repeatedly remonstrated against this and also urged him to seek a marriage alliance with Northern Wei. Fumingdun was enraged and executed his entire clan, and from that point his followers lost heart. In the eighth month the Rouran raided the Northern Wei frontier. Northern Wei appointed Lu Rui, Master of Writing, commander-in-chief, attacked the Rouran, and routed them completely. Lu Rui was a son of Lu Li. Earlier Avtuoluo of the Gaoche had more than a hundred thousand tribesmen and was subject to the Rouran. When Fumingdun invaded Northern Wei, Avtuoluo remonstrated, but he would not listen. Avtuoluo was enraged and, together with his younger cousin Qiongqi, led his tribes west to the northwest of the Former Front and declared himself king. His people called him "Houlou Fule," which in Chinese means Son of Heaven; they called Qiongqi "Houbei," which in Chinese means crown prince. The two were very close and affectionate; they divided their domains and established separate camps, with Avtuoluo in the north and Qiongqi in the south. Fumingdun pursued and attacked them but was repeatedly defeated by Avtuoluo, and so led his followers east in migration.
84
九月，辛未，魏詔罷起部無益之作，出宮人不執機杼者。 冬，十月，丁未，又詔罷尚方錦繡、綾羅之工； 四民欲造，任之無禁。 是時，魏久無事，府藏盈積。 詔盡出御府衣服珍寶、太官雜器、太僕乘具、內庫弓矢刀鈐十分之八，外府衣物、繒布、絲纊非供國用者，以其太半班賚百司，下至工、商、皁隸，逮於六鎮邊戍，畿內鰥、寡、孤、獨、貧、癃，皆有差。
In the ninth month, on xinwei, Northern Wei issued an edict abolishing useless construction projects and releasing palace women who did not operate looms. In winter, the tenth month, on dingwei, another edict abolished the brocade, embroidery, damask, and gauze workshops of the Imperial Workshop; if people of the four classes wished to make such goods, they were free to do so without restriction. At this time Northern Wei had long been free of warfare, and the treasuries were full to overflowing. An edict ordered that eight-tenths of the imperial wardrobe's garments and treasures, the Grand Provisioner's miscellaneous vessels, the Grand Servant's riding equipment, and the inner storehouse's bows, arrows, blades, and halberds be released, along with more than half of the outer storehouse's clothing, silk cloth, and silk floss not required for state use, to be distributed in graded gifts to the hundred offices, down to artisans, merchants, and menials, reaching the six frontier garrisons and, within the capital region, widowers, widows, orphans, solitaries, the poor, and the infirm, each according to rank.
85
魏秘書令高祐、丞李彪奏請改《國書》編年為紀、傳、表、志，魏主從之。 祐，允之從祖弟也。 十二月，詔彪與著作朗崔光改修《國書》。 光，道固之從孫也。
Gao You, Director of the Secretariat of Northern Wei, and Vice Director Li Biao memorialized asking that the National History, which had been written in annalistic form, be reorganized into annals, biographies, tables, and treatises. The Northern Wei emperor approved. Gao You was a younger cousin of Gao Yun on the paternal side. In the twelfth month an edict ordered Li Biao and Editorial Director Cui Guang to revise the National History. Cui Guang was a grandnephew of Cui Daogu.
86
魏主問高祐曰：「何以止盜？」 對曰：「昔宋均立德，猛虎渡河； 卓茂行化，蝗不入境。 況盜賊，人也，苟守宰得人，治化有方，止之易矣。」 祐又上疏言：「今之選舉，不採識治之優劣，專簡年勞之多少，斯非盡才之謂。 宜停此薄藝，棄彼朽勞，唯才是舉，則官方斯穆。 又勳舊之臣，雖年勤可錄而才非撫民者，可加之以爵賞，不宜委之以方任，所謂王者可私人以財，不私人以官者也。」 帝善之。
The Northern Wei emperor asked Gao You, "How can theft be stopped?" He replied, "In former times Song Jun established virtue and tigers crossed the river; Zhuo Mao practiced benevolent governance and locusts did not enter his jurisdiction. How much more so with thieves and robbers, who are human beings: if prefects and magistrates are the right men and governance is properly conducted, stopping them is easy." Gao You also submitted a memorial in which he said, "Present-day appointments do not weigh a candidate's grasp of governance, but rely solely on years of seniority and service. That is not true meritocracy. Stop measuring petty qualifications, disregard stale service records, and promote men solely for talent—then government will be well ordered. As for old ministers with meritorious service, those whose diligence deserves recognition but whose abilities do not suit governing the people may be rewarded with titles and gifts, but should not be given charge of a province—that is what is meant when it is said a ruler may favor a man with wealth, but not with office." The emperor approved his proposal.
87
祐出為西兗州刺史，鎮滑台。 以郡國雖有學，縣、黨亦宜有之，乃命縣立講學，黨立小學。
Gao You was sent out as regional inspector of West Yan Province and stationed at Huatai. Since commanderies and kingdoms already had schools but counties and districts did not, he ordered counties to establish lecture academies and districts to establish elementary schools.
88
世祖武皇帝上之下永明六年（ 戊辰，公元四八八年）
Emperor Wu of Qi (first section, lower part), Yongming year 6 ( wuchen, corresponding to 488 CE)
89
春，正月，乙未，魏詔：「犯死刑者，父母、祖父母年老，更無成人子孫，旁無期親者，具狀以聞。」
In spring, the first month, on yiwei, Northern Wei issued an edict: "When one convicted of a capital crime has elderly parents or grandparents, no adult descendants, and no close collateral kin, the full circumstances are to be reported."
90
初，皇子右衛將軍子響出繼豫章王嶷； 嶷後有子，表留為世子。 子響每入朝，以車服異於諸王，每拳擊車壁。 上聞之，詔車服與皇子同。 於是有司奏子響宜還本。 三月，己亥，立子響為巴東王。
Earlier, the imperial prince Zixiang, General of the Right Guard, had been given in adoption to Prince of Yuzhang Liao; When Liao later had a son of his own, he memorialized asking to keep that son as his heir. Whenever Zixiang came to court he found his carriage and dress inferior to those of the other princes, and each time he would pound the carriage wall with his fist. When the emperor heard of this, he decreed that Zixiang's carriage and dress should be the same as those of an imperial prince. The relevant offices thereupon memorialized that Zixiang should be restored to his birth family. In the third month, on jihai, Zixiang was enfeoffed as Prince of Badong.
91
角城戍將張蒲，因大霧乘船入清中採樵，潛納魏兵。 戍主皇甫仲賢覺之，帥眾拒戰於門中，僅能卻之。 魏步騎三千餘人已至塹外，淮陰軍主王僧慶等引兵救之，魏人乃退。
Zhang Pu, garrison commander of Jiaocheng, took advantage of heavy fog to sail into the Qing River to gather firewood and secretly let Northern Wei troops in. The garrison chief Huangfu Zhongxian discovered the plot, led his men to fight them at the gate, and barely managed to drive them back. More than three thousand Northern Wei infantry and cavalry had already reached the far side of the moat; Wang Sengqing of Huaiyin and others led troops to the relief, and the Wei forces withdrew.
92
夏，四月，桓天生復引魏兵出據隔城，詔游擊將軍下邳曹虎督諸軍討之。 輔國將軍朱公恩將兵翕伏，遇天生遊軍，與戰，破之，遂進圍隔城。 天生引魏兵步騎萬餘人來戰，虎奮擊，大破之，俘斬二千餘人。 明日，攻拔隔城，斬其襄城太守帛烏祝，復俘斬二千餘人。 天生棄平氏城走。 陳顯達侵魏； 甲寅，魏遣豫州刺史拓跋斤將兵拒之。
In summer, the fourth month, Huan Tiansheng again brought Northern Wei troops out to occupy Gecheng; the emperor ordered Mobile Corps General Cao Hu of Xiapi to command the armies against him. Auxiliary State General Zhu Gong'en lay in ambush with his troops, met Tiansheng's reconnaissance force, defeated them, and then advanced to besiege Gecheng. Tiansheng brought more than ten thousand Northern Wei infantry and cavalry to fight; Cao Hu struck vigorously and routed them completely, capturing and killing more than two thousand men. The next day they stormed and captured Gecheng, executed Xiangcheng prefect Bo Wuzhu, and captured and killed more than two thousand more. Tiansheng abandoned Pingshi and fled. Chen Xianda launched a raid into Northern Wei territory; On jiayin Northern Wei sent Regional Inspector of Yu Province Tuoba Jin with troops to resist him.
93
甲子，魏大赦。
On jiazi Northern Wei proclaimed a general amnesty.
94
乙丑，魏主如靈泉池； 丁卯，如方山； 己巳，還宮。
On yichou the Northern Wei emperor went to Spirit Spring Pool; On dingmao he went to Fang Mountain; On jisi he returned to the palace.
95
魏築城於醴陽，陳顯達攻拔之，進攻沘陽。 城中將士皆欲出戰，鎮將韋珍曰：「彼初至氣銳，未可與爭，且共堅守，待其力攻疲弊，然後擊之。」 乃憑城拒戰，旬有二日，珍夜開門掩擊，顯達還。
Northern Wei built a fort at Liyang; Chen Xianda captured it and advanced to attack Biyang. The city's officers and soldiers all wanted to sally forth; garrison commander Wei Zhen said, "They have just arrived full of fight—we should not meet them head-on. Hold the walls together, wait until their assault wears them down, and then counterattack." They held the walls and fought on the defensive; after twelve days Zhen opened the gate by night and struck by surprise, and Xianda withdrew.
96
五月，甲午，以宕昌王梁彌承為河、涼二州刺史。
In the fifth month, on jiawu, King of Dangchang Liang Micheng was appointed regional inspector of He and Liang provinces.
97
秋，七月，己丑，魏主如靈泉池，遂如方山； 己亥，還宮。
In autumn, the seventh month, on jichou the Northern Wei emperor went to Spirit Spring Pool and then to Fang Mountain; On jihai he returned to the palace.
98
九月，壬寅，上如琅邪城講武。
In the ninth month, on renyin the emperor went to Langya city for a military review.
99
癸卯，魏淮南靖王佗卒。 魏主方享宗廟，始薦，聞之，為廢祭，臨視哀慟。
On guimao Prince Huainan the Tranquil of Northern Wei, Tuo, died. The Northern Wei emperor was performing the ancestral sacrifice, at the first offering, when he heard the news; he canceled the ceremony, went to view the body, and mourned with deep grief.
100
冬，十月，庚申，立冬，初臨太極殿讀時令。
In winter, the tenth month, on gengshen, at the onset of winter the emperor for the first time went to the Hall of Supreme Ultimate to announce the seasonal ordinances.
101
閏月，辛酉，以尚書僕射王奐為領軍將軍。
In the intercalary month, on xinyou, Deputy Director of the Masters of Writing Wang Huan was appointed General of the Guards.
102
辛未，魏主如靈泉池； 癸酉，還宮。
On xinwei the Northern Wei emperor went to Spirit Spring Pool; On guiyou he returned to the palace.
103
十二月，柔然伊吾戍主高羔子帥眾三千以城附魏。
In the twelfth month Gao Gaozi, garrison commander of Yiwu for Rouran, led three thousand men in surrendering the city to Northern Wei.
104
上以中外谷帛至賤，用尚書右丞江夏李珪之議，出上庫錢五千萬及出諸州錢，皆令糴買。
Because grain and cloth prices had fallen very low throughout the realm, the emperor, following the proposal of Right Assistant Director of the Masters of Writing Li Guizhi of Jiangxia, released fifty million cash from the central treasury plus funds from the provinces to buy grain.
105
西陵戍主杜元懿建言：「吳興無秋，會稽豐登，商旅往來，倍多常歲。 西陵牛埭稅，官格日三千五百； 如臣所見，日可增倍。 並浦陽南北津、柳浦四埭，乞為官領攝一年，格外可長四百許萬。 西陵戍前檢稅，無妨戍事； 餘三埭自舉腹心。」 上以其事下會稽，會稽行事吳郡顧憲之議以為：「始立牛埭之意，非苟逼蹴以取稅也，乃以風濤迅險，濟急利物耳。 後之監領者不達其本，各務己功，或禁遏佗道，或空稅江行，案吳興頻歲失稔，今茲尤甚，去之從豐，良田饑棘。 埭司責稅，依格弗降，舊格新減，尚未議登，格外加倍，將以何術！ 皇慈恤隱，振廩蠲調； 而元懿幸災榷利，重增困瘼，人而不仁，古今共疾！ 若事不副言，懼貽譴詰，必百方侵苦，為公賈怨。 元懿稟性苛刻，已彰往效； 任以物土，譬以狼將羊，其所欲舉腹心，亦當虎而冠耳。 書云：『與其有聚斂之臣，寧有盜臣。』 此言盜公為損蓋微，斂民所害乃大也。 愚又以便宜者，蓋謂便於公，宜於民也。 竊見頃之言便宜者，非能於民力之外，用天分地； 率皆即日不宜於民，方來不便於公。 名與實反，有乖政體。 凡如此等，誠宜深察。」 上納之而止。
Du Yuanyi, garrison commander of Xiling, proposed: "Wuxing had no harvest while Kuaiji enjoyed a bumper crop, and merchant traffic was more than double the usual volume. The official quota for the Xiling ox-dam toll was thirty-five hundred per day; In my view the daily rate could be doubled. Together with the north and south crossings at Puyang and the four dams at Liupu, I ask to administer them on the state's behalf for one year; beyond the regular quota some four million extra could be collected. At Xiling I would inspect tolls myself without interfering with garrison duties; for the other three dams I would appoint my own trusted men." The emperor referred the matter to Kuaiji, where Acting Administrator Gu Xianzhi of Wu Commandery argued: "The ox dams were not established merely to press travelers for revenue, but to help people cross when winds and waves made the river treacherous. Later supervisors lost sight of that purpose and pursued their own profit, sometimes blocking alternate routes or taxing empty river traffic. Wuxing has suffered failed harvests year after year, and this year is worse than ever—people flee toward abundance while fertile fields turn to wasteland. The dam offices still collect tolls at the full official rate—rates were only just cut and no increase has even been discussed—so how can they possibly double the quota! Imperial compassion has eased distress, opened granaries, and remitted taxes; yet Yuanyi would profit from others' misfortune and pile new burdens on the afflicted—a man who is human in form but not in heart is condemned in every age! If results fail to match his promises he will fear reprimand and surely squeeze the people by every means, bringing blame upon your administration. Yuanyi's harsh character has already been proved by past experience; to put him in charge of revenue is like setting a wolf to guard sheep, and the trusted men he would appoint would be wolves in men's clothing as well. The Classic says, "Better a thieving minister than one who amasses wealth.' The point is that theft from the state does slight harm, while extraction from the people does great harm. I also hold that what is called expedient should mean what benefits the state and suits the people. I observe that those who lately propose expedient measures are not finding resources beyond what the people's strength allows; they generally harm the people at once and will burden the state hereafter. Name and reality are reversed—this is at odds with sound governance. Matters such as these truly call for careful scrutiny." The emperor accepted his view and dropped the matter.
106
魏主訪群臣以安民之術。 秘書丞李彪上封事，以為：「豪貴之家，奢僭過度，第宅車服，宜為之等制。 「又，國之興亡，在塚嗣之善惡； 塚嗣之善惡，在教諭之得失。 高宗文成皇帝嘗謂群臣曰：『朕始學之日，年尚幼沖，情未能專； 既臨萬機，不遑溫習。 今日思之。 豈唯予咎，抑亦師傅之不勤。』 尚書李言斤免冠謝。 此近事之可鑒者也。 臣謂宜准古立師傅之官，以訓導太子。
The Northern Wei emperor asked his ministers for methods of pacifying the people. Secretary Director Li Biao submitted a sealed memorial arguing that among the powerful and noble, extravagance exceeded all bounds and that graded regulations should govern residences, carriages, and dress. " Further, whether a state rises or falls depends on the character of the heir; and the character of the heir depends on the quality of his education. Emperor Wencheng once told his ministers, "When I first began my studies I was very young and unable to concentrate; once I assumed the throne I had no time to keep up my studies. Reflecting on it now, the fault is not mine alone, but also my tutors' failure to teach diligently.' Minister of the Masters of Writing Li Yanjin removed his cap and begged forgiveness. This recent episode offers a clear warning. "I propose that the court follow ancient precedent by establishing tutorship offices to instruct the crown prince.
107
「又，漢置常平倉以救匱乏。 去歲京師不稔，移民就豐，既廢營生，困而後達，又於國體，實有虛損。 曷若豫儲倉粟，安而給之，豈不愈於驅督老弱餬口千里之外哉！ 宜析州郡常調九分之二，京師度支歲用之餘，各立官司，年豐糴粟積之於倉，儉則加私之二糶之於人。 如此，民必力田以取官絹，積財以取官粟。 年登則常積，歲凶則直給。 數年之中，谷積而人足，雖災不為害矣。
" Further, the Han dynasty established Ever-Normal Granaries to relieve want. Last year the capital region had a poor harvest; people were relocated to fertile areas, abandoning their livelihoods and reaching hardship before relief, which in truth weakened the state. How much better to store grain in advance and distribute it at home—is that not preferable to driving the old and weak a thousand li to scrape a living elsewhere! Two-ninths of the regular provincial levies and the capital's annual surplus should be set aside under dedicated offices; in years of plenty grain should be purchased and stored, and in years of scarcity sold to the people at a modest markup. Thus the people will work the fields to earn official silk and save to buy official grain. In good years grain will accumulate; in bad years it will be distributed directly. Within a few years stores will fill and the people will be secure, so that even famine will do little harm.
108
「又，宜於河表七州人中，擢其門才，引令赴闕，依中州官比，隨能序之。 一可以廣聖朝均新舊之義，一可以懷江、漢歸有道之情。
" Further, talented men from good families among the seven provinces south of the Yellow River should be selected, summoned to court, and ranked according to ability on the same scale as Central Province offices. This would both extend the court's principle of treating old and new subjects equally and win over the hearts of the people along the Yangtze and Han who wish to submit to a righteous ruler.
109
「又，父子兄弟，異體同氣； 罪不相及，乃君上之厚恩。 至於憂懼相連，固自然之恆理也。 無情之人，父兄繫獄，子弟無慘惕之容； 子弟逃刑，父兄無愧恧之色； 宴安榮位，游從自若，車馬衣冠，不變華飾； 骨肉之恩，豈當然也！ 臣愚以為父兄有犯，宜令子弟素服肉袒，詣闕請罪。 子弟有坐，宜令父兄露板引咎，乞解所司； 若職任必要，不宜許者，慰勉留之。 如此，足以敦厲凡薄，使人知所恥矣。
" Further, fathers and sons and brothers, though separate in body, share one breath of life; that punishment does not extend from one to another is the sovereign's great mercy. Yet that kin should share one another's worry and fear is the natural order of things. Yet among the heartless, when fathers and elder brothers are imprisoned, sons and younger brothers show no grief or fear; when sons and younger brothers flee justice, fathers and elder brothers show no shame; they feast at ease in honored office, go about as before, and their carriages, horses, and dress remain as splendid as ever; can this be what flesh and blood ought to mean! I propose that when fathers and elder brothers commit offenses, their sons and younger brothers should wear plain white, bare the upper body, and come to court to beg forgiveness. When sons and younger brothers are guilty, fathers and elder brothers should post a public confession and ask to be relieved of office; if the post is indispensable and dismissal is not feasible, they should be consoled and kept in office. In this way the court could strengthen public morals and teach people what shame means.
110
「又，朝臣遭親喪者，假滿赴職。 衣錦乘軒，從郊廟之祀； 鳴玉垂絲委，同慶賜之燕。 傷人子之道，虧天地之經。 愚謂凡遭大父母、父母喪者，皆聽終服； 若無其人，職業有曠者，則優旨慰喻，起令視事，但綜司出納、敷奏而已，國之吉慶，一令無預。 其軍旅之警，墨縗從役，雖愆於禮，事所宜行也。」 魏主皆從之。 由是公私豐贍，雖時有水旱，而民不困窮。
" Further, when court ministers lose a parent, once mourning leave ends they return to office. Dressed in brocade and riding in curtained carriages, they attend suburban and temple sacrifices; Their jade pendants chime and sash cords trail as they attend the court's celebratory banquets and gift-giving feasts. This wounds the duty of a filial son and violates the fundamental order of Heaven and Earth. I submit that all who lose a grandparent or parent should be allowed to observe the full mourning period; If no substitute exists and the post would go unfilled, the throne should send a gracious edict of consolation and recall the mourner to office—but only to manage accounts and present memorials. He should take no part whatever in the state's joyous ceremonies. In times of military emergency, serving in simplified black mourning dress—though a lapse from proper ritual—is what circumstances demand." The Northern Wei emperor accepted all of these proposals. From this both the state and private households grew prosperous; and though flood and drought occurred from time to time, the people did not suffer want.
111
魏遣兵擊百濟，為百濟所敗。
Northern Wei sent troops against Baekje and was defeated by them.
112
世祖武皇帝上之下永明七年（ 己巳，公元四八九年）
Emperor Wu of Qi (first section, lower part), Yongming year 7 ( jisi, corresponding to 489 CE)
113
春，正月，辛亥，上祀南郊，大赦。
In spring, the first month, on xinhai, the emperor performed the southern suburban sacrifice and proclaimed a general amnesty.
114
魏主祀南郊，始備大駕。
The Northern Wei emperor performed the southern suburban sacrifice and for the first time employed the full imperial procession.
115
壬戌，臨川獻王映卒。
On renxu, Prince Xian of Linchuan, Xiao Ying, died.
116
初，上為鎮西長史，主簿王晏以傾諂為上所親，自是常在上府。 上為太子，晏為中庶子。 上之得罪於太祖也，晏稱疾自疏。 及即位，為丹陽尹，意任如舊，朝夕進見，議論朝事； 自豫章王嶷及王儉皆降意接之。 二月，壬寅，出為江州刺史； 晏不願外出，復留為吏部尚書。 三月，甲寅，立皇子子岳為臨賀王，子峻為廣漢王，子琳為宣城王，子鈱為義安王。
Earlier, when the emperor was Chief Clerk of the Army of the West, Registrar Wang Yan won his favor through sycophantic flattery and thereafter remained constantly at his headquarters. When the emperor became heir apparent, Yan was made Palace Aide to the Heir Apparent. When the emperor fell from favor with the Founding Emperor, Yan feigned illness and distanced himself. After the emperor took the throne, Yan was made Governor of Danyang; the emperor trusted him as before and received him morning and evening to discuss affairs of state; From Prince Liao of Yuzhang down to Wang Jian, all showed deference in receiving him. In the second month, on renyin, he was appointed Inspector of Jiang Province; Yan did not wish to leave the capital and was kept on as Director of the Ministry of Personnel. In the third month, on jiayin, the emperor enfeoffed his sons Ziyue as Prince of Linhe, Zijun as Prince of Guanghan, Zilin as Prince of Xuancheng, and Zimin as Prince of Yi'an.
117
夏，四月，丁丑，魏主詔曰：「升樓散物以繼百姓，至使人馬騰踐，多有傷毀； 今可斷之，以本所費之物，賜老疾貧獨者。」
In summer, the fourth month, on dingchou, the Northern Wei emperor issued an edict: "The custom of ascending towers to scatter goods for the people has led to such crowding and trampling by men and horses that many are injured; hereafter it shall cease, and the goods that would have been used for it shall be given directly to the aged, the sick, the poor, and those living alone."
118
丁亥，魏主如靈泉池，遂如方山； 己丑，還宮。
On dinghai, the Northern Wei emperor went to the Lingquan Pool and then to Mount Fang; On jichou, he returned to the palace.
119
上優禮南昌文憲公王儉，詔三日一還朝，尚書令史出外諮事。 上猶以往來煩數，復詔儉還尚書下省，月聽十日出外。 儉固求解選。 詔改中書監，參掌選事。
The emperor accorded exceptional honors to Duke Wenxian of Nanchang, Wang Jian, ordering him to attend court once every three days while clerks of the Masters of Writing came out to consult him on business. The emperor still found the back-and-forth too burdensome and again ordered Jian to remain at the lower offices of the Masters of Writing, allowing him to go out only ten days a month. Jian repeatedly asked to be relieved of his duties in personnel selection. An edict transferred him to Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat with shared responsibility for personnel selection.
120
五月，乙巳，儉卒。 王晏既領選，權行台閣，與儉頗不平。 禮官欲依王導，謚儉為文獻。 晏啟上曰：「導乃得此謚； 但宋氏以來，不加異姓。」 出，謂親人曰：「『平頭憲』事已行矣。」
In the fifth month, on yisi, Wang Jian died. Wang Yan, now in charge of personnel selection, exercised the powers of the Secretariat and was on bad terms with Jian. The ritual officials wished to follow the precedent of Wang Dao and posthumously name Jian Literary Paragon. Yan memorialized the emperor, saying, "Only Wang Dao deserved that posthumous title; since the Song, such titles have not been granted to men of a different surname;" After leaving, he told his intimates, "The affair of the 'Flat-Xian' title is already settled."
121
徐湛之之死也，其孫孝嗣在孕得免。 八歲，襲爵枝江縣公，尚宋康樂公主。 及上即位，孝嗣為御史中丞，風儀端簡。 王儉謂人曰：「徐孝嗣將來必為宰相。」 上嘗問儉：「誰可繼卿者？」 儉曰：「臣東都之日，其在徐孝嗣乎！」 儉卒，孝嗣時為吳興太守，征為五兵尚書。
When Xu Zhanzhi was executed, his grandson Xiaosi, still unborn, was spared. At eight he inherited the title Duke of Zhijiang County and married Princess Kangle of Song. When the emperor took the throne, Xiaosi served as Palace Censor-in-Chief, distinguished by his dignified and restrained bearing. Wang Jian told others, "Xu Xiaosi will surely become chief minister one day." The emperor once asked Jian, "Who can succeed you?" Jian replied, "When I depart for the eastern capital, will it not be Xu Xiaosi!" When Jian died, Xiaosi was serving as Administrator of Wuxing and was summoned to be Director of the Ministry of War.
122
庚戌，魏主祭方澤。
On gengxu, the Northern Wei emperor performed the sacrifice at the Square Mound.
123
上欲用領軍王奐為尚書令，以問王晏。 晏與奐不相能，對曰：「柳世隆有勳望，恐不宜在奐後。」 甲子，以尚書左僕射柳世隆為尚書令，王奐為左僕射。
The emperor wished to appoint Commandant of the Guards Wang Huan as Director of the Masters of Writing and consulted Wang Yan. Yan was on bad terms with Huan and replied, "Liu Shilong has both merit and prestige; it would hardly be fitting to rank him below Huan." On jiazi, Left Vice Director Liu Shilong was made Director of the Masters of Writing, and Wang Huan was made Left Vice Director.
124
六月，丁亥，上如琅邪城。
In the sixth month, on dinghai, the emperor went to Langya City.
125
魏懷朔鎮將汝陰靈王天賜，長安鎮都大將、雍州刺史南安惠王楨，皆坐髒當死。 馮太后及魏主臨皇信堂，引見王公，太后令曰：「卿等以為當存親以毀令邪？ 當滅親以明法邪？」 群臣皆言：「二王，景穆皇帝之子，宜蒙矜恕。」 太后不應。 魏主乃下詔，稱：「二王所犯難恕，而太皇太后追惟高宗孔懷之恩； 且南安王事母孝謹，聞於中外，並特免死，削奪官爵，禁錮終身。」 初，魏朝聞楨貪暴，遣中散閭文祖詣長安察之，文祖受楨賂，為之隱； 事覺，文祖亦抵罪。 馮太后謂群臣曰：「文祖前自謂廉，今竟犯法。 以此言之，人心信不可知！」 魏主曰：「古有待放之臣。 卿等自審不勝貪心者，聽辭位歸第。」 宰官、中散慕容契進曰：「小人之心無常，而帝王之法有常； 以無常之心奉有常之法，非所克堪，乞從退黜。」 魏主曰：「契知心不可常，則知貪之可惡矣，何必求退！」 遷宰官令。 契，白曜之弟子也。
The Northern Wei general of Huaishuo Garrison, Spirit Prince of Runan Tiansi, and the grand general of Chang'an Garrison and Inspector of Yong Province, Kind Prince of Nan'an Zhen, were both convicted of corruption and sentenced to death. Empress Dowager Feng and the Northern Wei emperor attended at the Huangxin Hall and summoned the princes and dukes for audience. The empress dowager said, "Do you think kinship should be preserved at the cost of destroying the law? Or should kinship be set aside to uphold the law?" All the ministers said, "The two princes are sons of Emperor Jingmu and ought to receive clemency." The empress dowager made no reply. The Northern Wei emperor then issued an edict stating, "The crimes of the two princes are hard to forgive, yet the Grand Empress Dowager recalls the deep brotherly bond of Emperor Gaozong; moreover Prince Nan'an served his mother with filial devotion, as was known throughout the realm; both are specially spared death, stripped of office and rank, and imprisoned for life." Earlier, when the Wei court heard that Zhen was greedy and brutal, it sent Palace Attendant Lü Wenzu to Chang'an to investigate; Wenzu accepted bribes from Zhen and covered up his crimes; when the matter came to light, Wenzu was punished as well. Empress Dowager Feng said to the ministers, "Wenzu once declared himself incorrupt, yet in the end he broke the law. From this one can see that the human heart truly cannot be known!" The emperor said, "In antiquity there were officials who awaited dismissal. If any of you judge yourselves unable to overcome greed, you may resign your posts and return home." Director of Officials and Palace Attendant Murong Qi stepped forward and said, "The hearts of petty men are inconstant, while the laws of emperors and kings are constant; to serve constant law with an inconstant heart is more than I can bear—I beg to be dismissed." The emperor said, "Qi, if you know the heart cannot be constant, then you already know how hateful greed is—why seek dismissal!" He promoted Qi to Director of Officials. Qi was a nephew of Bai Yao.
126
秋，七月，丙寅，魏主如靈泉池。
In autumn, the seventh month, on bingyin, the Northern Wei emperor went to the Lingquan Pool.
127
魏主使群臣議，「久與齊絕，今欲通使，何如？」 尚書游明根曰：「朝廷不遣使者，又築醴陽深入彼境，皆直在蕭賾。 不復追使，不亦可乎！」 魏主從之。 八月，乙亥，遣兼員外散騎常侍邢產等來聘。
The Northern Wei emperor had his ministers discuss the question: "We have long been cut off from Qi; now we wish to exchange envoys—what do you think?" Minister You Minggen said, "That our court sent no envoys, and that we built Liyang deep in their territory—the fault lies entirely with Xiao Ze. Surely we need not send envoys again!" The Northern Wei emperor agreed. In the eighth month, on yihai, he sent Acting Supernumerary Palace Attendant Xing Chan and others on a diplomatic mission.
128
九月，魏出宮人以賜北鎮人貧無妻者。
In the ninth month, Northern Wei released palace women to be given to poor men of the northern garrisons who had no wives.
129
冬，十一月，己未，魏安豐匡王猛卒。
In winter, the eleventh month, on jiwei, Prince Kuang of Anfeng, Meng, of Northern Wei died.
130
十二月，丙子，魏河東王苟頹卒。
In the twelfth month, on bingzi, Prince of Hedong Gou Tui of Northern Wei died.
131
平南參軍顏幼明等聘於魏。
Staff Officer of the Army of the South Yan Youming and others paid a diplomatic visit to Northern Wei.
132
魏以尚書令尉元為司徒，左僕射穆亮為司空。
Northern Wei appointed Director of the Masters of Writing Yu Yuan as Minister over the Masses and Left Vice Director Mu Liang as Minister of Works.
133
豫章王嶷自以地位隆重，深懷退素，是歲，啟求還第； 上令其世子子廉代鎮東府。
Prince Liao of Yuzhang, considering his position too weighty and eminent, deeply wished to live in modest retirement; that year he memorialized asking to return to his residence; The emperor ordered his heir Zilian to take his place and garrison the Eastern Headquarters.
134
太子詹事張緒領揚州中正，長沙王晃屬用吳興聞人邕為州議曹，緒不許。 晃使書佐固請，緒正色曰：「此是身家州鄉，殿下何得見逼！」
Household Steward of the Heir Apparent Zhang Xu served as Yang Province Rectifier; Prince Huang of Changsha wished to appoint Wenren Yong of Wuxing as Provincial Deliberation Officer, but Xu refused. Huang had his clerical aide press the request; Xu said sternly, "This concerns my own clan and native district—how can Your Highness pressure me in this way!"
135
侍中江學為都官尚書。 中書舍人紀僧真得幸於上，容表有士風，請於上曰：「臣出自本縣武吏，邀逢聖時，階榮至此； 為兒昏得荀昭光女，即時無復所須，唯就陛下乞作士大夫。」 上曰：「此由江學、謝瀹，我不得措意，可自詣之。」 僧真承旨詣學，登榻坐定，學顧命左右曰：「移吾床遠客！」 僧真喪氣而退，告上曰：「士大夫故非天子所命！」 學，湛之孫； 瀹，朏之弟也。
Palace Attendant Jiang Xue was appointed Director of the Ministry of Justice. Palace Secretariat Attendant Ji Sengzhen had won the emperor's favor; in bearing and appearance he had the air of a gentleman. He petitioned the emperor: "I come from a military clerk in my home county; by good fortune in this sage age I have risen to such honor; my son's marriage to the daughter of Xun Zhaoguang has left me wanting for nothing; I ask only that Your Majesty grant me entry among the gentry-officials." The emperor said, "This is for Jiang Xue and Xie Yue to decide; I cannot intervene—you must go to them yourself." Sengzhen followed the emperor's instruction and went to Xue; he mounted the couch and sat down. Xue turned to his attendants and said, "Move my couch away from this visitor!" Sengzhen withdrew in dejection and told the emperor, "Gentry-official standing is truly not something the Son of Heaven can bestow!" Xue was a grandson of Xu Zhanzhi; Yue was a younger brother of Xie Fei.
136
柔然別帥叱呂勤帥眾降魏。」」」」」
A Rouran sub-chieftain, Chilüqin, led his followers in surrender to Northern Wei.”””””