1
資治通鑑第140卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance — Volume 140
2
卷第一百四十
Volume 140
3
【】◎齊紀六起旃蒙大淵獻，盡柔兆困敦，凡二年。
Qi Records 6 spans from the year Zhanmeng Dayuanxian through Rouzhao Kundun — two years in all.
4
高宗明皇帝中建武二年（ 乙亥，公元四九五年）
In the second year of Jianwu of Emperor Ming of Qi ( yihai, AD 495)
5
春，正月，壬申，遣鎮南將軍王廣之督司州、右衛將軍蕭坦之督徐州、尚書右僕射沈文季督豫州諸軍以拒魏。
In spring, on the renshen day of the first month, the court sent General Who Guards the South Wang Guangzhi to command the forces of Si Province, General of the Right Guard Xiao Tanzhi to command Xu Province, and Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Shen Wenji to command the armies of Yu Province — all to resist Wei.
6
癸酉，魏詔：「淮北之人不得侵掠，犯者以大辟論。」
On guiyou, Wei proclaimed: "The people north of the Huai must not be raided; violators shall face execution."
7
乙未，拓跋衍攻鐘離，徐州刺史蕭惠休乘城拒守，間出襲擊魏兵，破之。 惠休，惠明之弟也。 劉昶、王肅攻義陽，司州刺史蕭誕拒之。 肅屢破誕兵，招降萬餘人。 魏以肅為豫州刺史。 劉昶性褊躁，御軍嚴暴，人莫敢言。 法曹行參軍北平陽固苦諫； 昶怒，欲斬之，使當攻道。 固志意閑雅，臨敵勇決，昶始奇之。
On yiwei, Tuoba Yan besieged Zhongli. Xu Province Inspector Xiao Huixiu held the city, then made sorties against the Wei army and routed them. Huixiu was the younger brother of Huiming. Liu Chang and Wang Su attacked Yiyang, which Si Province Inspector Xiao Dan defended. Wang Su repeatedly defeated Xiao Dan's forces and won over more than ten thousand men. Wei made Wang Su Inspector of Yu Province. Liu Chang was narrow-minded and quick-tempered; he ruled his troops with brutal severity, and none dared object. Yang Gu of Beiping, acting aide in the Legal Bureau, remonstrated with him at length; Chang flew into a rage and meant to execute him, but instead sent him to the front of the assault. Yang Gu bore himself with calm dignity and fought with bold resolve; Chang then came to admire him.
8
丁酉，中外纂嚴。 以太尉陳顯達為使持節、都督西北諸軍事，往來新亭、白下以張聲勢。
On dingyou, the court and the realm went on full alert. Grand Commandant Chen Xianda was made Bearer of the Staff and supreme commander of northwestern forces, shuttling between Xinting and Baixia to show strength.
9
己亥，魏主濟淮； 二月，至壽陽，眾號三十萬，鐵騎彌望。 甲辰，魏主登八公山，賦詩。 道遇甚雨，命去蓋； 見軍士病者，親撫慰之。 魏主遣使呼城中人，豐城公遙昌使參軍崔慶遠出應之。 慶遠問師故，魏主曰：「固當有故！ 卿欲我斥言之乎，欲我含垢依違乎？」 慶遠曰：「未承來命，無所含垢。」 魏主曰：「齊主何故廢立？」 慶遠曰：「廢昏立明，古今非一，未審何疑？」 魏主曰：「武帝子孫，今皆安在？」 慶遠曰：「七王同惡，已伏管、蔡之誅； 其餘二十餘王，或內列清要，或外典方牧。」 魏主曰：「卿主若不忘忠義，何以不立近親，如周公之輔成王，而自取之乎？」 慶遠曰：「成王有亞聖之德，故周公得而相之。 今近親皆非成王之比，故不可立。 且霍光亦捨武帝近親而立宣帝，唯其賢也。」 魏主曰：「霍光何以不自立？」 慶遠曰：「非其類也。 主上正可比宣帝，安得比霍光！ 若爾，武王伐紂，不立微子而輔之，亦為苟貪天下乎？」 魏主大笑曰：「朕來問罪。 如卿之言，便可釋然。」 慶遠曰：「『見可而進，知難而退』，聖人之師也。」 魏主曰：「卿欲吾和親，為不欲乎？」 慶遠曰：「和親則二國交歡，生民蒙福； 否則二國交惡，生民塗炭。 和親與否，裁自聖衷。」 魏主賜慶遠酒殽、衣服而遣之。
On jihai, the Wei emperor crossed the Huai; in the second month he reached Shouyang. His army was said to number three hundred thousand, with armored horsemen as far as the eye could see. On jiachen, the Wei emperor climbed Bagong Mountain and wrote a poem. On the march he was caught in heavy rain and had his carriage canopy taken down; and when he saw sick soldiers, he went among them to comfort them himself. The Wei emperor sent a messenger to call someone out from the city; Prince Yaochang of Fengcheng sent his aide Cui Qingyuan to answer. Qingyuan asked why the army had come. The Wei emperor said, "There must be a reason, of course! Do you want me to speak plainly, or to swallow the truth and hedge?" Qingyuan said, "I have not yet been told why you summoned me — there is nothing to swallow." The Wei emperor said, "Why did your ruler depose one emperor and set up another?" Qingyuan said, "Replacing a benighted ruler with a wise one is hardly unprecedented — what is there to question?" The Wei emperor said, "Where are all of Emperor Wu's descendants now?" Qingyuan said, "Seven princes shared in treason and have already met the fate of Guan and Cai; the other twenty-odd princes either hold honored posts at court or govern provinces abroad." The Wei emperor said, "If your master still cared for loyalty and duty, why did he not set up a close kinsman — as the Duke of Zhou served King Cheng — instead of taking the throne himself?" Qingyuan said, "King Cheng had nearly sage-like virtue, so the Duke of Zhou could serve as his minister. None of today's close kinsmen measure up to King Cheng, so none could be enthroned. Besides, Huo Guang passed over Emperor Wu's kin to enthrone Emperor Xuan — solely because Xuan was worthy." The Wei emperor said, "Why did Huo Guang not take the throne himself?" Qingyuan said, "He was not of their line. Our sovereign may be compared to Emperor Xuan — how could he be compared to Huo Guang! By that logic, when King Wu overthrew Zhou, was he also grasping the realm out of greed because he did not enthrone Weizi and serve as his minister?" The Wei emperor laughed and said, "I came to demand an accounting. Hearing you speak thus, I can set my mind at ease." Qingyuan said, "'Advance when you see an opening; withdraw when you know the odds are against you' — that is the teaching of the sages." The Wei emperor said, "Do you wish us to make peace by marriage, or not?" Qingyuan said, "With marriage alliance, both states will rejoice and the people will prosper; without it, both states will turn hostile and the people will suffer ruin. Whether to seek alliance or not rests solely with your sacred judgment." The Wei emperor gave Qingyuan wine, food, and garments, then sent him back.
10
戊申，魏主循淮而東，民皆安堵，租運屬路。 丙辰，至鐘離。
On wushen, the Wei emperor marched east along the Huai; the people went about their lives undisturbed, and tribute convoys stretched along the road. On bingchen, he reached Zhongli.
11
上遣左衛將軍崔慧景、寧朔將軍裴叔業救鐘離。 劉昶、王肅眾號二十萬，塹柵三重，並力攻義陽，城中負楯而立。 王廣之引兵救義陽，去城百餘里，畏魏強，不敢進。 城中益急，黃門侍郎蕭衍請先進，廣之分麾下精兵配之。 衍間道夜發，與太子率蕭誄等徑上賢首山，去魏軍數里。 魏人出不意，未測多少，不敢逼。 黎明，城中望見援軍至，蕭誕遣長史王伯瑜出攻魏柵，因風縱火，衍等眾軍自外擊之，魏不能支，解圍去。 己未，誕等追擊，破之。 誄，諶之弟也。
The emperor sent General of the Left Guard Cui Huijing and General Who Pacifies the North Pei Shuye to relieve Zhongli. Liu Chang and Wang Su, with a host said to number two hundred thousand, threw up triple lines of ditches and palisades and attacked Yiyang together. Inside the city the defenders stood behind their shields. Wang Guangzhi marched to relieve Yiyang but halted more than a hundred li from the city, fearing Wei's strength and daring not press on. As the siege grew desperate, Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate Xiao Yan asked to lead the vanguard; Guangzhi gave him picked troops from his own command. Xiao Yan marched by night on a hidden route, and with Heir Apparent's aide Xiao Shen and others climbed straight to Xianshou Mountain, only a few li from the Wei camp. The Wei troops, taken by surprise, could not tell how many they were and dared not close in. At dawn the city saw the relief force arrive. Xiao Dan sent Chief Clerk Wang Boyu out against the Wei palisades; they set fires with the wind at their backs, while Xiao Yan and the other columns struck from outside. Wei could not hold and raised the siege. On jiwei, Xiao Dan and the others pursued and routed them. Shen was the younger brother of Chen.
12
先是，上以義陽危急，詔都督青、冀二州諸軍事張衝出軍攻魏以分其兵勢。 沖遣軍主桑系祖攻魏建陵、驛馬、厚丘三城，又遣軍主僧護攻魏虎阬、馮時、即丘三城，皆拔之。 青、冀二州刺史王洪範遣軍主崔延襲魏紀城，據之。
Earlier, with Yiyang in grave danger, the emperor had ordered Zhang Chong, commander of Qing and Ji, to strike Wei from the north and divide their forces. Zhang Chong sent army commander Sang Xizu against the Wei cities of Jianling, Yima, and Houqiu, and army commander Seng Hu against Huyu, Fengshi, and Jiqiu — all six fell. Qing and Ji Inspector Wang Hongfan sent army commander Cui Yan to seize Wei's Jicheng.
13
魏主欲南臨江水，辛酉，發鐘離。 司徒長樂元懿公馮誕病，不能從，魏主與之泣訣，行五十里，聞誕卒。 時崔慧景等軍去魏主營不過百里，魏主輕將數千人夜還鐘離，拊屍而哭，達旦，聲淚不絕。 壬戌，敕諸軍罷臨江之行，葬誕依晉齊獻王故事。 誕與帝同年，幼同硯席，尚帝妹樂安長公主。 雖無學術，而資性淳篤，故特有寵。 丁卯，魏主遣使臨江，數上罪惡。
The Wei emperor wished to march south to the Yangzi; on xinyou he left Zhongli. Duke Yuan Yi of Changle, Feng Dan, was too ill to march. The Wei emperor wept as they parted; fifty li on, he learned that Dan had died. Cui Huijing's army was less than a hundred li away, yet the Wei emperor rode back to Zhongli by night with only a few thousand men. He beat upon the corpse and wept until dawn without pause. On renxu he ordered all armies to abandon the march to the Yangzi and buried Dan with the honors accorded Jin's Prince Xian of Qi. Dan was the emperor's age-mate; they had studied together as boys, and Dan had married the emperor's sister, Princess Chang of Le'an. He had little learning, but his character was honest and steadfast, and for that the emperor cherished him above others. On dingmao the Wei emperor sent envoys to the Yangzi bank to recite a list of the Qi ruler's crimes.
14
魏久攻鐘離不克，士卒多死。 三月，戊寅，魏主如邵陽，築城於洲上，柵斷水路，夾築二城。 蕭坦之遣軍主裴叔業攻二城，拔之。 魏主欲築城置戍於淮南，以撫新附之民。 賜相州刺史高閭璽書，具論其狀。 閭上表，以為：「《兵法》：『十則圍之，五則攻之。』 何者國家止為受隆之計，發兵不多，東西遼闊，難以成功； 今又欲置戍淮南，招撫新附。 昔世祖以回山倒海之威，步騎數十萬，南臨瓜步； 諸郡盡降，而盱眙小城，攻之不克。 班師之日，兵不戍一城，土不辟一廛。 夫豈無人？ 以為大鎮未平，不可守小故也。 夫壅水者先塞其原，伐木者先斷其本； 本原尚在而攻其末流，終無益也。 壽陽、盱眙、淮陰，淮南之本原也； 三鎮不克其一，而留守孤城，其不能自全明矣。 敵之大鎮逼其外，長淮隔其內； 少置兵則不足以自固，多置兵則糧運難通。 大軍既還，士心孤怯； 夏水盛漲，救援甚難。 以新擊舊，以勞御逸，若果如此，必為敵擒，雖忠勇奮發，終何益哉！ 且安土戀本，人之常情。 昔彭城之役，既克大鎮，城戍已定，而不服思叛者猶逾數萬。 角城蕞爾，處在淮北，去淮陽十八里。 五固之役，攻圍歷時，卒不能克。 以今准昔，事兼數倍。 天時尚熱，雨水方降，願陛下踵世祖之成規，旋轅返旆，經營洛邑，蓄力觀釁，布德行化，中國既和，遠人自服矣。」 尚書令陸睿上表，以為：「長江浩蕩，彼之巨防。 又南土昏備，暑氣鬱蒸。 師人經夏，必多疾病。 而遷鼎草創，庶事甫爾。 台省無論政之館，府寺靡聽治之所。 百僚居止，事等行路，沉雨炎陽，自成癘疫。 且兵徭並舉，聖王所難。 今介冑之士，外攻寇仇，羸弱之夫，內勤土木，運給之費，日損千金。 驅罷弊之兵，討堅城之虜，將何以取勝乎！ 陛下去冬之舉，正欲曜武江、漢耳； 今自春幾夏，理宜釋甲。 願早還洛邑，使根本深固，聖懷無內顧之憂，兆民休斤板之役，然後命將出師，何憂不服！」 魏主納其言。
Wei had besieged Zhongli for a long time without success, and many soldiers had died. In the third month, on wuyin, the Wei emperor went to Shaoyang, built a fortress on the sandbar, blocked the waterway with palisades, and erected two flanking strongpoints. Xiao Tanzhi sent army commander Pei Shuye against the two strongpoints and captured them. The Wei emperor wished to build fortified posts south of the Huai to hold the newly submitted population. He wrote in full to Xiang Province Inspector Gao Lu under the imperial seal. Gao Lu memorialized the throne: "The Art of War says, 'Where you are ten to one, surround; where five to one, attack. The state undertook this campaign chiefly to secure the abdication tribute — not with overwhelming force — and the eastern and western fronts are too far apart to guarantee success; now you also wish to garrison the Huai south bank and win over the newly submitted. Formerly Emperor Shizu marched south to Guabu with infantry and cavalry in the hundreds of thousands, his might like mountains overturning and seas rushing back; every district submitted, yet the small city of Xuyi could not be taken. When the army withdrew, not one city was garrisoned, not one plot of land was settled. Was that because there were no capable men? No — it was judged that the great strongholds had not fallen, so the small posts could not be held. He who dams a river must first block its source; he who fells a tree must first cut its roots; if root and source still stand, striking at the branches will accomplish nothing. Shouyang, Xuyi, and Huaiyin are the root of the Huai south; if you cannot take even one of these three strongholds, leaving men to hold isolated outposts, it is plain they cannot survive. Enemy strongholds will press from without, the long Huai will cut them off within; too few troops cannot hold the posts; too many make supply impossible. Once the main army withdraws, the garrisons will be isolated and afraid; summer floods will rise, and relief will be nearly impossible. Fresh troops will strike your weary garrisons; rested enemies will meet your exhausted men. If matters stand thus, they will surely be captured — however loyal and brave, what good will it do? Moreover, love of home is human nature. In the Pengcheng campaign, even after the great fortress fell and garrisons were established, more than tens of thousands still refused submission and plotted rebellion. Jiaocheng was a mere speck north of the Huai, eighteen li from Huaiyang. In the Wugu campaign, siege dragged on for seasons, and in the end it could not be taken. Judging the present by the past, the task is several times harder. The season is still hot and the rains are coming. I pray Your Majesty will follow Emperor Shizu's precedent — turn the chariot homeward, strengthen Luoyang, husband your strength and watch for opportunity, spread virtue and civilizing influence. When China is at peace, distant peoples will submit of themselves.' Director of the Masters of Writing Lu Rui memorialized: "The Yangzi flows vast — it is their great barrier. Moreover, the southern country is humid and oppressive, and the summer heat is stifling. Troops who campaign through summer inevitably fall ill in great numbers. Moreover, the move of the capital is still in its infancy, and every branch of government is only just taking shape. The central offices have no halls for deliberation; the ministries have no chambers for hearing cases. Officials live like travelers on the road; soaking rains and blazing heat breed pestilence of themselves. Moreover, to wage war and levy corvée at once is what even sage kings find hard to bear. Now armored warriors fight the enemy abroad while the weak labor on fortifications at home, and transport costs drain a thousand in gold each day. Driving exhausted troops against an enemy behind stout walls — how can you hope to win! Your Majesty's campaign last winter was meant only to display martial glory on the Jiang and Han; now from spring it is nearly summer — by rights you should lay down arms. I pray you return early to Luoyang, strengthen the foundation, free your mind from domestic worry, let the people rest from corvée, and then send generals forth — who will not submit! The Wei emperor accepted his counsel."
15
崔慧景以魏人城邵陽，患之。 張欣泰曰：「彼有去志，所以築城者，外自誇大，懼我躡其後耳。 今若說之以兩願罷兵，彼無不聽矣。」 慧景從之，使欣泰詣城下語魏人，魏主乃還。 濟淮，餘五將未濟，齊人據渚邀斷津路。 魏主募能破中渚兵者以為直閣將軍，軍主代人奚康生應募，縛筏積柴，因風縱火，燒齊船艦，依煙直進，飛刀亂斫，中渚兵遂潰。 魏主假康生直閣將軍。
Cui Huijing was troubled that the Wei were fortifying Shaoyang. Zhang Xintai said, "They mean to withdraw; they build fortifications only to save face and fear we will pursue them. If we tell them both sides wish peace, they will surely agree." Huijing agreed and sent Xintai to parley with the Wei below the walls; the Wei emperor then withdrew. He crossed the Huai, but five generals had not yet followed when Qi troops seized the sandbar and blocked the crossing. The Wei emperor offered the post of General of the Direct Gate to whoever could break the Zhongzhu blockade. Army commander Xi Kangsheng of Dai answered the call: he lashed rafts, piled firewood, set fires with the wind, burned the Qi fleet, charged through the smoke with throwing knives, and routed the Zhongzhu force. The Wei emperor made Xi Kangsheng acting General of the Direct Gate.
16
魏主使前將軍楊播將步卒三千、騎五百為殿。 時春水方長，齊兵大至，戰艦塞川。 播結陳於南岸以御之，諸軍盡濟。 齊兵四集圍播，播為圓陣以御之，身自搏戰，所殺甚眾。 相拒再宿，軍中食盡，圍兵愈急。 魏主在北岸望之，以水盛不能救，既而水稍減，播引精騎三百歷齊艦大呼曰：「我今欲渡，能戰者來！」 遂擁眾而濟。 播，椿之兄也。
The Wei emperor ordered Forward General Yang Bo to command three thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry as rearguard. Spring floods were rising; Qi forces arrived in strength and warships choked the river. Yang Bo formed battle lines on the south bank to hold them off while the main army crossed. Qi troops surrounded Yang Bo on all sides. He formed a circular defense, fought in person, and killed a great many. The standoff lasted two nights; provisions ran out and the siege tightened. The Wei emperor watched from the north bank but could not rescue them while the waters were high. When the flood subsided slightly, Yang Bo led three hundred picked cavalry through the Qi fleet and shouted, "I mean to cross now — whoever can fight, come!" Then he fought his way across with his men. Yang Bo was the elder brother of Yang Chun.
17
魏軍既退，邵陽洲上餘兵萬人，求輸馬五百匹，假道以歸。 崔慧景欲斷路攻之，張欣泰曰：「歸師勿遏，古人畏之，兵在死地，不可輕也。 今勝之不足為武，不勝徒喪前功； 不如許之。」 慧景從之。 蕭坦之還，言於上曰：「邵陽洲有死賊萬人，慧景、欣泰縱而不取。」 由是皆不加賞。 甲申，解嚴。 初，上聞魏主欲飲馬於江，懼，敕廣陵太守行南兗州事蕭穎冑移居民入城。 民驚恐，欲席捲南渡。 穎冑以魏寇尚遠，不即施行； 魏兵竟不至。 穎冑，太祖之從子也。
After the Wei army withdrew, ten thousand men remained on Shaoyang Islet; they asked for five hundred horses and a passage home. Cui Huijing wanted to cut their retreat and attack. Zhang Xintai said, "Do not block a returning army — the ancients feared this. Troops with their backs to the wall must not be provoked lightly. Victory would add little glory; defeat would waste all we have won; better to let them pass." Huijing agreed. When Xiao Tanzhi returned, he told the emperor, "Ten thousand doomed enemies remained on Shaoyang Islet, yet Huijing and Xintai let them go." For this neither received a reward. On jiashen, the realm stood down from alert. Earlier, hearing that the Wei emperor meant to water his horses in the Yangzi, the Qi ruler was alarmed and ordered Guangling Administrator Xiao Yingzhou, acting for Nan Yan Province, to move the populace into the cities. The people panicked and prepared to flee south across the river. Yingzhou judged the Wei army still far off and did not act at once; and the Wei army never came. Yingzhou was a cousin of the founding emperor's line.
18
上遣尚書右僕射沈文季助豐城公遙昌守奉陽。 文季入城，止遊兵不聽出，洞開城門，嚴加守備。 魏兵尋退。
The emperor sent Right Vice Director Shen Wenji to help Prince Yaochang of Fengcheng defend Fengyang. Shen Wenji entered the city, kept patrols inside and barred sorties, threw open the gates as a show of confidence, and tightened the defenses. The Wei army soon withdrew.
19
魏之入寇也，盧昶等猶在建康，齊人恨之，飼以蒸豆。 昶怖懼，食之，淚汗交橫。 謁者張思寧辭氣不屈，死於館下。 及還，魏主讓昶曰：「人誰不死，何至自同牛馬，屈身辱國！ 縱不遠慚蘇武，獨不近愧思寧乎！」 乃黜為民。
During the Wei invasion, Lu Chang and other Wei envoys were still in Jiankang; the Qi, resenting them, fed them only steamed beans. Lu Chang ate in terror, tears and sweat streaming down his face. Herald Zhang Sining refused to yield in word or bearing and died in the guesthouse. On their return, the Wei emperor rebuked Lu Chang: "All men must die — why degrade yourself like an ox or horse and disgrace the state! Even if you feel no shame beside Su Wu of old, do you feel no shame beside Sining!" Lu Chang was stripped of rank and made a commoner.
20
戊子，魏太師京兆武公馮熙卒於平城。
On wuzi, Wei Grand Preceptor Feng Xi, Duke Wu of Jingzhao, died at Pingcheng.
21
乙未，魏主如下邳； 夏，四月，庚子，如彭城； 辛丑，為馮熙舉哀。 太傅、錄尚書事平陽公丕不樂南遷，與陸睿表請魏主還臨熙葬。 帝曰：「開闢以來，安有天子遠奔舅喪者乎！ 今經始洛邑，豈宜妾相誘引，陷君不義！ 令、僕以下，可付法官貶之。」 仍詔迎熙及博陵長公主之柩，南葬洛陽，禮如晉安平獻王故事。
On yiwei, the Wei emperor went to Xiapi; in summer, the fourth month, on gengzi he reached Pengcheng; on xinchou he went into mourning for Feng Xi. Grand Tutor and Recorder of the Masters of Writing Pi, Duke of Pingyang, disliked the southern move and with Lu Rui memorialized asking the emperor to return for Feng Xi's funeral. The emperor said, "Since the world began, has any Son of Heaven ever rushed off for an uncle's funeral! Luoyang is only now being built — how can you ministers tempt me into unrighteousness! Let the Director, Vice Director, and all below be handed to the judicial officer for demotion." He still ordered Feng Xi's coffin and that of Princess Chang of Boling brought south for burial in Luoyang, with the honors accorded Jin's Prince Xian of Anping.
22
魏主之在鐘離也，仇池鎮都大將、梁州刺史拓跋英請以州兵會劉藻擊漢中，魏主許之。 梁州刺史蕭懿遣部將尹紹祖、梁季群等將兵二萬，據險，立五柵以拒之。 英曰：「彼帥賤，莫相統壹。 我選精卒並攻一營，彼必不相救； 若克一營，四營皆走矣。」 乃引兵急攻一營，拔之，四營俱潰，生擒梁季群，斬三千餘級，俘七百餘人，乘勝長驅，進逼南鄭。 懿又遣其將姜修擊英，英掩擊，盡獲之。 將還，懿別軍繼至； 將士皆已疲，不意其至，大懼，欲走。 英故緩轡徐行，神色自若，登高望敵，東西指麾，狀若處分，然後整列而前。 懿軍疑有伏兵，遷延引退，英追擊，破之，遂圍南鄭。 禁將士毋得侵暴，遠近悅附，爭供租運。
While the Wei emperor was at Zhongli, Chouci garrison commander and Liang Province Inspector Tuoba Ying asked to join Liu Zao's attack on Hanzhong with provincial troops; the emperor approved. Liang Province Inspector Xiao Yi sent generals Yin Shaozu and Liang Jiqun with twenty thousand men to hold the passes and erect five fortified camps. Tuoba Ying said, "Their commanders are low-born and do not cooperate. If I concentrate picked troops on one camp, they will not rescue each other; once one camp falls, the other four will flee." He stormed one camp and took it; all four camps collapsed. Liang Jiqun was captured alive; more than three thousand were killed and seven hundred taken prisoner. Pressing the victory, he drove on toward Nanzheng. Xiao Yi sent General Jiang Xiu against him; Tuoba Ying ambushed and captured the whole force. As he prepared to withdraw, another column under Xiao Yi arrived; his troops were exhausted, did not expect reinforcements, panicked, and wished to flee. Tuoba Ying deliberately slowed his pace and kept his composure; he climbed a height, surveyed the enemy, gestured east and west as if deploying troops, then formed ranks and advanced. Xiao Yi's army suspected an ambush, hesitated, and withdrew. Tuoba Ying pursued, routed them, and besieged Nanzheng. He forbade his troops from plundering; people near and far submitted gladly and competed to supply provisions.
23
懿嬰城自守，軍主范絜先將三千餘人在外，還救南鄭。 英掩擊，盡獲之。 圍城數十日，城中恟懼。 錄事參軍新野庾域封題空倉數十，指示將士曰：「此中粟皆滿，足支二年，但努力堅守！」 眾心乃安。 會魏主召英還，英使老弱先行，自將精兵為後拒，遣使與懿告別。 懿以為詐，英去一日，猶不開門； 二月，乃遣將追之。 英與士卒下馬交戰，懿兵不敢逼，行四日四夜，懿兵乃返。 英入斜谷，會天大雨，士卒截竹貯米，執炬火於馬上炊之。
Xiao Yi held the city. Army commander Fan Jie, who had three thousand men in the field, marched back to relieve Nanzheng. Tuoba Ying ambushed and captured them all. The siege lasted several weeks; panic spread within the walls. Recording Secretary Army Aide Yu Yu of Xinye sealed dozens of empty granaries and told the troops, "These are full of grain — enough for two years. Hold firm!" The garrison's spirits steadied. The Wei emperor recalled Tuoba Ying. Ying sent the weak and baggage ahead, led picked troops as rearguard himself, and sent a messenger to bid Xiao Yi farewell. Xiao Yi thought it a ruse; a full day after Tuoba Ying left, he still would not open the gates; not until the second month did he send pursuers. Tuoba Ying and his men dismounted to fight; Xiao Yi's troops dared not close in. After four days and four nights on the march, they turned back. Tuoba Ying entered Xie Pass. Heavy rain fell; his men cut bamboo to hold rice and cooked it by torchlight on horseback.
24
先是，懿遣人誘說仇池諸氐，使起兵斷英運道及歸路。 英勒兵奮擊，且戰且前，矢中英頰，卒全軍還仇池，討叛氐，平之。 英，楨之子； 懿，衍之兄也。
Earlier, Xiao Yi had incited the Di of Chouci to rise and cut Tuoba Ying's supply lines and retreat. Tuoba Ying fought his way forward; an arrow struck his cheek, yet he brought the whole army safely back to Chouci, crushed the rebel Di, and pacified the region. Tuoba Ying was the son of Tuoba Zhen; Xiao Yi was the elder brother of Xiao Yan.
25
英之攻南鄭也，魏主詔雍、涇、岐三州發兵六千人戍南鄭，俟克城則遣之。 侍中兼左僕射李沖表諫曰：「秦川險厄，地接羌、夷。 自西師出後，餉援連續，加氐、胡叛逆，所在奔命，運糧擐甲，迄茲未已。 今復豫差戍卒，懸擬山外，雖加優復，恐猶驚駭。 脫終攻不克，徒動民情，連胡結夷，事或難測。 輒依旨密下刺史，待軍克鄭城，然後差遣。 如臣愚見，猶謂未足。 何者？ 西道險厄，單徑千里，今欲深戍絕界之外，孤據群賊之中，敵攻不可猝援，食盡不可運糧。 古人有言，『雖鞭之長，不及馬腹。』 南鄭於國，實為馬腹也。 且魏境所掩，九州過八； 民人所臣，十分而九； 所未民者，唯漠北之與江外耳。 羈之在近，豈汲汲於今日也！ 宜待疆宇既廣，糧食既足，然後置邦樹將，為吞併之舉。 今鐘離、壽陽，密邇未拔； 赭城、新野，跬步弗降。 東道既未可以近力守，西籓寧可以遠兵固！ 若果欲置者，臣恐終以資敵也。 又，建都土中，地接寇壤，方須大將死士，平蕩江會，若輕遣單寡，棄令陷沒，恐後舉之日，眾以留守致懼，求其死效，未易可獲。 推此而論，不戍為上。」 魏主從之。
During Tuoba Ying's siege of Nanzheng, the Wei emperor ordered Yong, Jing, and Qi to send six thousand men to garrison the city once it fell. Palace Attendant and concurrent Left Vice Director Li Chong memorialized in protest: "Qinchuan is rugged and borders Qiang and Yi territory. Since the western campaign began, supplies have flowed without cease; Di and Hu rebels have risen everywhere, and men still race to transport grain and don armor. Now you propose to post garrison troops beyond the mountains in advance; even with tax relief, the people will be alarmed. If the attack fails, you will only stir the people in vain and may unite Hu and Yi in ways hard to foresee. I have secretly instructed the provincial inspectors, per your order, to send troops only after Zhengcheng is taken. In my humble view, even that is not enough. Why? The western route is a thousand-li single track through rugged country. To garrison deep beyond the frontier, isolated among hostile peoples, is to leave troops beyond swift relief and beyond supply when food runs out. The ancients said, 'Though the whip is long, it does not reach the horse's belly.' For our state, Nanzheng is that horse's belly. Moreover, Wei already holds more than eight of the nine provinces; nine tenths of the empire's people already submit; only the northern steppe and the lands beyond the Yangzi remain outside our rule. Those within reach — must you press them so urgently now! Wait until our borders are wider and our granaries full, then establish frontier commands and launch campaigns of conquest. Zhongli and Shouyang, close at hand, are not yet taken; At Zhecheng and Xinye, the enemy has not yielded so much as a step. If the eastern front cannot be held with nearby strength, how can the western marches be secured with troops sent from afar! If you truly insist on posting garrisons, I fear you will only arm the enemy in the end. Moreover, with your capital now in the heartland, bordering enemy country, you need seasoned commanders and loyal troops to pacify the Yangzi region. If you lightly send a small detachment and abandon it to defeat, I fear that when you next campaign, men will dread being left on garrison duty and will not readily fight to the death. On these grounds, the best course is not to garrison at all." Emperor Xiaowen accepted his advice.
26
癸丑，魏主如小沛； 己未，如瑕丘； 庚申，如魯城，親祠孔子； 辛酉，拜孔氏四人、顏氏二人官，作選諸孔宗子一人封崇聖侯，奉孔子祀，命兗州修孔子墓，更建碑銘。
On guichou, Emperor Xiaowen went to Xiaopei; on jiwei, to Xiaqiu; on gengshen, to Lucheng, where he personally sacrificed to Confucius; on xinyou, he appointed four members of the Kong clan and two of the Yan clan to office, chose one Kong clansman as Marquis Who Revere the Sage to tend Confucius's cult, ordered Yan Province to repair Confucius's tomb, and erected a new stele inscription.
27
戊辰，魏主如碻磝，命謁者僕射成淹具舟楫，欲自泗入河，溯流還洛。 淹諫，以為「河流悍猛，非萬乘所宜乘。」 帝曰：「我以平城無漕運之路，故京邑民貧。 今遷都洛陽，欲通四方之運，而民猶憚河流之險； 故朕有此行，所以開百姓之心也。」
On wuchen, Emperor Xiaowen went to Que'ao and ordered Gentleman for Appearances and Superintendent of Ceremonies Cheng Yan to prepare boats, intending to enter the Yellow River from the Si and return to Luoyang against the current. Yan remonstrated, saying, "The river is fierce and violent — not fit for the Son of Heaven to travel." The emperor said, "Because Pingcheng had no water route for grain transport, the capital's people were poor. Now that we have moved the capital to Luoyang, I wish to open transport from all quarters, yet the people still fear the river's dangers; therefore I make this journey — to open the hearts of the common people."
28
魏城陽王鸞等攻赭陽，諸將不相統壹，圍守百餘日，諸將欲案甲不戰以疲之。 李佐獨晝夜攻擊，士卒死者甚眾，帝遣太子右衛率垣歷生救之。 諸將以眾寡不敵，欲退，佐獨帥騎二千逆戰而敗。 盧淵等引去，歷生追擊，大破之。 歷生，榮祖之從弟也。 南陽太守房伯玉等又敗薛真度於沙堨。
Wei Prince of Chengyang Yuan Luan and others besieged Zheyang. The generals were not united in command, and after more than a hundred days of siege they wished to hold their armor and refrain from fighting in order to wear the enemy down. Li Zuo alone attacked day and night, and very many soldiers died. The emperor sent Crown Prince Right Guard Leader Yuan Lisheng to relieve them. The generals, seeing they were outnumbered, wished to withdraw; Zuo alone led two thousand horsemen to give battle and was defeated. Lu Yuan and the others withdrew; Lisheng pursued and routed them decisively. Lisheng was a younger cousin of Rongzu. Nanyang Administrator Fang Boyu and others again defeated Xue Zhendu at Shayan.
29
鸞等見魏主於瑕丘。 魏主責之曰：「卿等沮辱威靈，罪當大辟； 朕以新遷洛邑，特從寬典。」 五月，己巳，降封鸞為定襄縣王，削戶五百； 盧淵、李佐、韋珍皆削官爵為民，佐仍徙瀛州。 以薛真度與其從兄安都有開徐方之功，聽存其爵及荊州刺史，餘皆削奪，曰：「進足明功，退足彰罪矣。」
Luan and the others appeared before Emperor Xiaowen at Xiaqiu. The emperor rebuked them, saying, "You have shamed our majesty — the crime deserves death; because we have newly moved to Luoyang, I am applying leniency." In the fifth month, on jisi, Luan was demoted to Prince of Dingxiang County and stripped of five hundred households; Lu Yuan, Li Zuo, and Wei Zhen were all stripped of rank and made commoners; Zuo was moreover banished to Ying Province. Because Xue Zhendu and his elder cousin Andu had merit in opening the Xu region, he was allowed to keep his title and his post as Inspector of Jing Province; the rest were stripped of everything. The emperor said, "Advancing suffices to display merit; retreating suffices to reveal guilt."
30
魏廣川剛王諧卒。 諧，略之子也。 魏主曰：「古者，大臣之喪有三臨之禮； 魏、晉以來，王公之喪，哭於東堂。 自今諸王之喪，期親三臨； 大功再臨； 小功、緦麻一臨； 罷東堂之哭。 廣川王於朕，大功也。」 將大斂，素服、深衣往哭之。
Wei Prince Gang of Guangchuan, Xie He, died. Xie He was the son of Lüe. Emperor Xiaowen said, "In antiquity, when a great minister died, the emperor paid three condolence visits; since Wei and Jin times, for the mourning of princes and dukes, the court wept at the Eastern Hall. From now on, for princes' funerals: for relatives in the first degree of mourning, three visits; for the second degree, two visits; for the third and fourth degrees, one visit; The weeping at the Eastern Hall is abolished. The Prince of Guangchuan stands to me in the second degree of mourning." When the body was about to be enshrouded, he went in plain garments and deep robes to mourn him.
31
甲戌，魏主如滑台； 丙子，捨於石濟。 庚辰，太子出迎於平桃城。
On jiaxu, Emperor Xiaowen went to Huatai; on bingzi, he halted at Shiji. On gengchen, the crown prince went out to welcome him at Pingtaocheng.
32
趙郡王幹在洛陽，貪淫不法，御史中尉李彪私戒之，且曰：「殿下不悛，不敢不以聞。」 幹悠然不以為意。 彪表彈之。 魏主詔幹與北海王詳俱從太子詣行在。 既至，見詳而不見幹，陰使左右察其意色，知無憂悔，乃親數其罪，杖之一百，免官還第。
Prince of Zhao Commandery Yuan Gan was in Luoyang, greedy, licentious, and lawless. Censorate Director Li Biao privately warned him, saying, "If Your Highness does not reform, I dare not keep this from the throne." Gan remained unconcerned and paid no heed. Biao then memorialized to impeach him. Emperor Xiaowen ordered Gan and Prince of Beihai Yuan Xiang alike to follow the crown prince to the imperial camp. When they arrived, he received Xiang but refused to see Gan. He secretly sent attendants to observe Gan's expression and, finding no sign of worry or repentance, personally enumerated his crimes, flogged him a hundred strokes, dismissed him from office, and sent him home.
33
癸未，魏主還洛陽，告於太廟。 甲申，減冗官之祿以助軍國之用。 乙酉，行飲至之禮。 班賞有差。
On guiwei, Emperor Xiaowen returned to Luoyang and reported his return to the Grand Temple. On jiashen, he reduced the salaries of superfluous officials to support military and state expenditures. On yiyou, he performed the ritual of drinking on return. Rewards were distributed in graded amounts.
34
甲午，魏太子冠於廟。 魏主欲變北俗，引見群臣，謂曰：「卿等欲朕遠追商、周，為欲不及漢、晉邪？」 咸陽王禧對曰：「群臣願陛下度越前王耳。」 帝曰：「然則當變風易俗，當因循守故邪？」 對曰：「願聖政日新。」 帝曰：「為止於一身，為欲傳之子孫邪？」 對曰：「願傳之百世！」 帝曰：「然則必當改作，卿等不得違也。」 對曰：「上令下從，其誰敢違！」 帝曰：「夫『名不正，言不順，則禮樂不可興。』 今欲斷諸北語，一從正音。 其年三十已上，習性已久，容不可猝革。 三十已下，見在朝廷之人，語音不聽仍舊； 若有故為，當加降黜。 各宜深戒！ 王公卿士以為然不？」 對曰：「實如聖旨。」 帝曰：「朕嘗與李沖論此，沖曰：「四方之語，竟知誰是； 帝者言之，即為正矣。』 沖之此言，其罪當死！」 因顧沖曰；』 卿負社稷，當令御史牽下！」 沖免冠頓首謝。 又責留守之官曰：「昨望見女猶服夾領小袖，卿等何為不遵前詔！」 皆謝罪。 帝曰：「朕言非是，卿等當庭爭。 如何入則順旨，退則不從乎！」 六月，己亥，下詔：「不得為北俗之語於朝廷。 違者免所居官！
On jiawu, the Wei crown prince received the capping ceremony at the temple. Emperor Xiaowen wished to change northern customs. He summoned the ministers and said, "Do you wish me to press far after the Shang and Zhou, or merely to fall short of the Han and Jin?" Prince of Xianyang Yuan Xi replied, "Your ministers wish Your Majesty to surpass the former kings." The emperor said, "Then should we change customs and transform usage, or cling to the old ways?" They replied, "We wish Your sagely rule renewed day by day." The emperor said, "Is this only for my own person, or do you wish to pass it to sons and grandsons?" They replied, "We wish to pass it down for a hundred generations!" The emperor said, "Then reforms must be made — you may not disobey." They replied, "When the superior commands, the inferior follows — who would dare disobey!" The emperor said, "The Master said, 'When names are not correct, speech is not in order, and ritual and music cannot flourish. Now I wish to abolish all northern speech and follow the standard pronunciation alone. Those thirty and older have long-formed habits and probably cannot be changed overnight. Those thirty and younger who are now at court may not keep the old pronunciation; if anyone deliberately persists, demotion and dismissal shall follow. Let each take this warning to heart! Do the princes, dukes, and ministers agree?' They replied, "It is truly as Your sagely edict says." The emperor said, "I once discussed this with Li Chong. Chong said, 'Of all the languages in the realm, who can say which is correct? Whatever the emperor speaks becomes the standard.' Chong's words deserve death!" Turning to Chong, he said," You bear responsibility for the state — I ought to have the censor drag you down!" Li Chong removed his cap and bowed his head to the ground in apology. He again rebuked the officials left in charge: "Yesterday I saw girls still wearing crossed collars and narrow sleeves — why have you not enforced the prior edict!" All apologized. The emperor said, "If my words are wrong, you ought to dispute them in open court. Why do you agree to my face in court yet disregard my orders when you withdraw!" In the sixth month, on jihai, he issued an edict: "Northern-custom speech may not be used at court. Violators shall be dismissed from the office they hold!"
35
癸卯，魏主使太子如平城赴太師熙之喪。
On guimao, Emperor Xiaowen sent the crown prince to Pingcheng to attend the funeral of Grand Tutor Xi.
36
癸丑，魏詔求遺書，秘閣所無，有益時用者，加以優賞。
On guichou, Wei issued an edict seeking lost books: any not held in the Secret Archive but useful for the age would receive a generous reward.
37
魏有司奏：「廣川王妃葬於代都，未審以新尊從舊卑，以舊卑就新尊？」 魏主曰：「代人遷洛者，宜悉葬邙山。 其先有夫死於代者，聽妻還葬； 夫死於洛者，不得還代就妻。 其餘州之人，自聽從便。」 丙辰，詔：「遷洛之民死，葬河南，不得還北。」 於是代人南遷者悉為河南洛陽人。
Wei officials memorialized: "The consort of Guangchuan was buried at the capital of Dai. It is unclear whether the new, higher status should follow the old, lower burial, or the old, lower status should be raised to the new honor." Emperor Xiaowen said, "Those of Dai who moved to Luoyang should all be buried at Mount Mang. Where the husband died first at Dai, the wife may return to bury him there; where the husband died at Luoyang, he may not be taken back to Dai to join his wife. People of other provinces may follow their own convenience." On bingchen, an edict proclaimed: "Those who moved to Luoyang who die shall be buried in Henan and may not be returned to the north." Thereupon all northerners who had migrated south were registered as residents of Henan and Luoyang.
38
戊午，魏改用長尺、大鬥，其法依《漢志》為之。
On wuwu, Wei adopted the long foot-measure and large bushel, following the standards set out in the Han Treatise.
39
上之廢鬱林王也，許蕭諶以揚州； 既而除領軍將軍、南徐州刺史。 諶恚曰：「見炊飯，推以與人。」 諶恃功，頗干預朝政，所欲選用，輒命尚書使為申論。 上聞而忌之，以蕭誕、蕭誄方將兵拒魏，隱忍不發。 壬戌，上游華林園，與諶及尚書令王晏等數人宴，盡歡； 坐罷，留諶晚出，至華林閣，仗身執還入省。 上遣左右莫智明數諶曰：「隆昌之際，非卿無有今日。 今一門二州、兄弟三封，朝廷相報，止可極此。 卿恆懷怨望，乃雲炊飯已熟，合甑與人邪！ 今賜卿死！」 遂殺之，並其弟誄； 以黃門郎蕭衍為司州別駕，往執誕，殺之。 諶好術數，吳興沈文猷常語之曰：「君相不減高帝。」 諶死，文猷亦伏誅。 諶死之日，上又殺西陽王子明、南海王子罕、邵陵王子貞。 乙丑，以右衛將軍蕭坦之為領軍將軍。
When Emperor Ming of Qi deposed the Prince of Yulin, he had promised Xiao Chen Yang Province; but then appointed him General Who Leads the Army and Inspector of Southern Xu Province instead. Xiao Chen said angrily, "You see the rice cooking — and push the pot to someone else." Relying on his merit, Chen frequently intervened in court affairs; whatever appointments he wanted, he would order the Masters of Writing to argue for on his behalf. The emperor heard of this and resented it, but because Xiao Dan and Xiao Tan were then commanding troops against Wei, he restrained himself and did not act. On renxu, the emperor visited Hualin Garden and feasted with Chen, Masters of Writing Director Wang Yan, and several others until all were merry; when the feast ended, he kept Chen behind; at Hualin Pavilion, personal guards seized him and escorted him back into the Secretariat. The emperor sent his attendant Mo Zhiming to rebuke Chen: "At the time of Longchang, but for you I would not be where I am today. Now one household holds two provinces and three brothers hold enfeoffments — the court's repayment can go no further than this. You constantly harbor resentment — and yet you say the rice is cooked and the whole pot should go to someone else! Today I grant you death!" Thereupon he had him killed, together with his younger brother Xiao Tan; He appointed Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate Xiao Yan Acting Administrator of Si Province and sent him to seize Xiao Dan and execute him. Xiao Chen was fond of divination and numerology; Shen Wenyou of Wuxing often told him, "Your countenance is no less than that of the High Emperor." When Xiao Chen died, Shen Wenyou was executed as well. On the day Xiao Chen died, the emperor also killed the Prince of Xiyang Ziming, the Prince of Nanhai Zihan, and the Prince of Shaoling Zizhen. On yichou, General of the Right Guard Xiao Tanzhi was appointed General Who Leads the Army.
40
魏高閭上言：「鄴城密皇后廟頹圮，請更葺治； 若謂已配饗太廟，即宜罷毀。」 詔罷之。
Gao Lu of Wei memorialized: "The temple of Empress Mi in Ye City has fallen into ruin — I request that it be repaired again; if she is already deemed to share sacrifice in the Grand Temple, then it should be abolished and torn down." An edict ordered it abolished.
41
魏拓跋英之寇漢中也，沮水氐楊馥之為齊擊武興氐楊集始，破之。 秋，七月，辛卯，以馥之為北秦州刺史、仇池公。
While Tuoba Ying of Wei was raiding Hanzhong, Yang Fuzhi of the Zushui Di attacked Yang Jishi of the Wuxing Di on behalf of Qi and defeated him. In autumn, in the seventh month, on xinmao, Yang Fuzhi was appointed Inspector of Northern Qin Province and enfeoffed as Duke of Chouchi.
42
八月，乙巳，魏選武勇之士十五萬人為羽林、虎賁以充宿衛。
In the eighth month, on yisi, Wei selected one hundred fifty thousand valiant men for the Feathered Forest and Tiger Guards to serve as palace guards.
43
魏金墉宮成，立國子、太學、四門小學於洛陽。
The Jincheng Palace of Wei was completed, and the Directorate of Education, the Imperial Academy, and the Four Gates Primary School were established at Luoyang.
44
魏高祖游華林園，觀故景陽山，黃門侍郎郭祚曰：「山水者，仁智之所樂，宜復修之。」 帝曰：「魏明帝以奢失之於前，朕豈可襲之於後乎！」 帝好讀書，手不釋卷，在輿、據鞍，不忘講道。 善屬文，多於馬上口占，既成，不更一字； 自太和十年以後，詔策皆自為之。 好賢樂善，情如飢渴，所與游接，常寄以布素之意，如李沖、李彪、高閭、王蕭、郭祚、宋弁、劉芳、崔光、邢巒之徒，皆以文雅見親，貴顯用事； 制禮作樂，郁然可觀，有太平之風焉。
Emperor Xiaowen of Wei toured Hualin Garden and viewed the old Jingyang Hill; Gentleman Attendant-in-Ordinary Guo Zuo said, "Mountains and waters are what the benevolent and the wise delight in — they ought to be restored." The emperor said, "Emperor Ming of Wei lost his way through extravagance before — how could I follow that example after!" The emperor loved reading and never put down his scrolls; whether in his carriage or in the saddle, he never ceased expounding the classics. He was skilled at literary composition and often dictated pieces from horseback; once finished, he changed not a single word; from the tenth year of Taihe onward, he drafted all edicts and proclamations himself. He loved the worthy and delighted in goodness with a hunger like thirst; those he kept company with he always treated with unadorned sincerity — men such as Li Chong, Li Biao, Gao Lu, Wang Xiao, Guo Zuo, Song Bian, Liu Fang, Cui Guang, and Xing Luan were all drawn close for their refinement, rose to wealth and power, and held the reins of government; rites were instituted and music composed — splendid to behold, with the air of an age of great peace.
45
治書侍御史薛聰，辨之曾孫也，彈劾不避強禦，帝或欲寬貸者，聰輒爭之。 帝每曰：「朕見薛聰，不能不憚，何況諸人也！」 自是貴戚斂手。 累遷直閣將軍，兼給事黃門侍郎、散騎常侍，帝外以德器遇之，內心以膂為寄，親衛禁兵，悉聰管領，故終太和之世，恆帶直閣將軍。 群臣罷朝之後，聰桓陪侍帷幄，言兼晝夜，時政得失，動輒匡諫，事多聽允； 而重厚沉密，外莫窺其際。 帝欲進以名位，輒苦讓不受。 帝亦雅相體悉，謂之曰：「卿天爵自高，固非人爵之所能榮也。」
Supervising Secretary Xue Cong, a great-grandson of Xue Bian, impeached without shunning the powerful; whenever the emperor wished to show leniency, Cong would argue against it. The emperor often said, "When I see Xue Cong I must feel awe — how much more so for everyone else!" From then on the great clans held their hands in check. He rose through repeated promotion to General of the Direct Gate, concurrently Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate and Regular Palace Attendant; outwardly the emperor honored him for virtue and talent, inwardly he relied on him as his backbone — the personal guard and palace troops all fell under Cong's command, so throughout the Taihe era he always held the title General of the Direct Gate. After the ministers left court, Cong constantly attended him within the curtains, speaking through day and night; on the rights and wrongs of current policy he always offered correction — and the emperor mostly heeded him; yet he was grave, steadfast, and impenetrably reserved — outwardly none could fathom his inner mind. Whenever the emperor wished to advance him in rank and title, he firmly declined and would not accept. The emperor also understood him well and said to him, "Your heavenly rank is naturally high — it is truly not something human rank could add luster to."
46
九月，庚午，魏六宮、文武悉還於洛陽。
In the ninth month, on gengwu, the six palaces and all civil and military officials of Wei returned to Luoyang.
47
丙戌，魏主如鄴，屢至相州刺史高閭之館，美其治效，賞賜甚厚。 閭數請本州，詔曰：「閭以懸車之年，方求衣錦，知進忘退，有塵謙德； 可降號平北將軍。 朝之老成，宜遂情願，徙授幽州刺史，令存勸兩修，恩法並舉。」 以高陽王雍為相州刺史，戒之曰：「作牧亦易亦難：『其身正，不令而行。 所以易； 『其身不正，雖令不從，』所以難。』
On bingxu, the Wei emperor went to Ye and repeatedly visited the residence of Xiang Province Inspector Gao Lu, praising his administrative achievements and bestowing very generous rewards. Gao Lu repeatedly requested his home province; an edict said, "Gao Lu, in the years when he ought to retire, now seeks to return home in brocade — knowing advance and forgetting retreat, he has tarnished the virtue of humility; let his title be reduced to General Who Pacifies the North. As an elder statesman of the court, his wish should be granted — transfer and appoint him Inspector of You Province, so that encouragement and discipline may both be preserved and favor and law alike upheld." Prince Yong of Gaoyang was appointed Inspector of Xiang Province; the emperor admonished him: "To be a regional governor is both easy and hard: 'If one's person is upright, things proceed without being ordered. That is why it is easy; If one's person is not upright, though ordered they will not obey' — that is why it is hard."
48
己丑，徙南平王寶攸為郡陵王，蜀郡王子文為西陽王，廣漢王子峻為衡陽王，臨海王昭季為巴陵王，永嘉王昭粲為桂陽王。
On jichou, the Prince of Nanping Baoyou was made Prince of Junling, the Prince of Shujun Ziwen Prince of Xiyang, the Prince of Guanghan Zijun Prince of Hengyang, the Prince of Linhai Zhaoji Prince of Baling, and the Prince of Yongjia Zhaocan Prince of Guiyang.
49
乙未，魏主自鄴還； 冬，十月，丙辰，至洛陽。
On yiwei, the Wei emperor returned from Ye; in winter, in the tenth month, on bingchen, he reached Luoyang.
50
壬戌，魏詔：「諸州牧精品屬官，考其得失為三等以聞。」 又詔：「徐、兗、光、南青、荊、洛六州，嚴纂戎備，應須赴集。」 十一月，丁卯，詔罷世宗東田，毀興光樓。
On renxu, Wei decreed: "Provincial governors shall grade their subordinate officials, assess their performance in three ranks, and report upward." Another decree ordered: "The six provinces of Xu, Yan, Guang, Southern Qing, Jing, and Luo shall strictly muster military readiness and assemble when required." In the eleventh month, on dingmao, an edict abolished Emperor Shizong's Eastern Field and destroyed the Tower of Rising Glory.
51
己卯，納太子妃褚氏，大赦。 妃，澄之女也。
On jimao, the crown prince took Lady Chu as his consort, and a general amnesty was proclaimed. The consort was a daughter of Chu Cheng.
52
庚午，魏主如委粟山，定圜丘。 己卯，帝引諸儒議圜丘禮。 秘書令李彪建言：「魯人將有事於上帝，必先有事於泮宮。 請前一日告廟。」 從之。 甲申，魏主祀圜丘； 丙戌，大赦。
On gengwu, the Wei emperor went to Weisu Mountain and fixed the site of the Round Mound altar. On jimao, the emperor summoned the Confucian scholars to discuss the rites of the Round Mound. Secretariat Director Li Biao proposed: "When the men of Lu were about to sacrifice to the Supreme Lord, they first had to sacrifice at the Pan Palace. I request that the ancestral temple be notified one day beforehand." This was approved. On jiashen, the Wei emperor sacrificed at the Round Mound; on bingxu, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
53
十二月，乙未朔，魏主見群臣於光極堂，宣下品令，為大選之始。 光祿勳於烈子登引例求遷官，烈上表曰：「方今聖明之理，朝應廉讓，而臣子登引人求進； 是臣素無教訓，乞行黜落！」 魏主曰：「此乃有識之言，不謂烈能辦此！」 乃引見登，謂曰：「朕將流化天下，以卿父有謙遜之美、直士之風，故進卿為太子翊軍校尉。」 又加烈散騎常侍，封聊城縣子。
In the twelfth month, on the first day yimao, the Wei emperor received the ministers at the Hall of Glorious Pole, proclaimed the lower-grade ordinance, and inaugurated the great selection of officials. Director of the Imperial Household Yu Lie's son Deng cited precedent to seek promotion; Lie memorialized: "Under the present sage governance the court should practice humility and yielding, yet my son Deng cites others' examples to seek advancement; this shows I have never taught him properly — I beg to be dismissed!" The Wei emperor said, "These are words of discernment — I did not think Yu Lie capable of this!" He then summoned Deng and said, "I shall spread transformation through the realm; because your father has the beauty of humility and the bearing of an upright man, I advance you to Colonel of the Crown Prince's Supporting Army." Yu Lie was further made Regular Palace Attendant and enfeoffed as Viscount of Liaocheng County.
54
魏主謂群臣曰：「國家從來有一事可歎：臣下莫肯公言得失是也。 夫人君患不能納諫，人臣患不能盡忠。 自今朕舉一人，如有不可，卿等直言其失； 若有才能而朕所不識，卿等亦當舉之。 如是，得人者有賞，不言者有罪，卿等當知之。」
The Wei emperor said to the ministers, "The state has always had one thing to lament: that subordinates will not speak openly of what is right and wrong — that is the point. The trouble of the ruler lies in not being able to accept remonstrance; the trouble of the minister lies in not being able to give full loyalty. From now on, whenever I raise up a man, if there is anything unsuitable about him, you shall speak straight of his faults; if there is talent I do not know of, you also shall recommend him. Thus: those who gain good men shall be rewarded; those who do not speak shall be punished — you must understand this."
55
丁酉，詔修晉帝諸陵，增置守衛。
On dingyou, an edict ordered the repair of the Jin emperors' tombs and additional guards posted.
56
甲子，魏主引見群臣於光極堂，頒賜冠服。
On jiazi, the Wei emperor received the ministers at the Hall of Glorious Pole and distributed caps and robes as gifts.
57
先是，魏人未嘗用錢，魏主始命鑄太和五銖。 是歲，鼓鑄粗備，詔公私用之。
Earlier, the people of Wei had never used coin; the Wei emperor first ordered the casting of Taihe five-zhu coins. That year, minting was roughly complete, and an edict ordered their use in public and private commerce.
58
魏以光城蠻帥田益光為南司州刺史，所統守宰，聽其銓置。 後更於新蔡立東豫州，以益光為刺史。
Wei appointed Tian Yiguang, chieftain of the Guangcheng barbarians, Inspector of Southern Si Province, with authority to appoint and place the prefects and magistrates under his command. Later Eastern Yu Province was established at Xincai, and Tian Yiguang was appointed its inspector.
59
氐王楊炅卒。
The Di king Yang Jiong died.
60
高宗明皇帝中建武三年（ 丙子，公元四九六年）
The third year of Jianwu of Emperor Ming of Qi ( bingzi, AD 496)
61
春，正月，丁卯，以楊炅子崇祖為沙州刺史，封陰平王。
In spring, in the first month, on dingmao, Yang Jiong's son Chongzu was appointed Inspector of Sha Province and enfeoffed as King of Yinping.
62
魏主下詔，以為：「北人謂土為拓，後為跋。 魏之先出於黃帝，以土德王，故為拓跋氏。 夫土者，黃口之色，萬物之元也； 宜改姓元氏。 諸功臣舊族自代來者，姓或重複，皆改之。」 於是始改拔拔氏為長孫氏，達奚氏為奚氏，乙旃氏為叔孫氏，丘穆陵氏為穆氏，步六孤氏為陸氏，賀賴氏為賀氏，獨孤氏為劉氏，賀樓氏為樓氏，勿忸于氏為于氏，尉遲氏為尉氏； 其餘所改，不可勝紀。
The Wei emperor issued an edict stating: "Northerners call earth tuo and 'after' ba. Wei's ancestors came forth from the Yellow Emperor; ruling by the virtue of earth, they were therefore called the Tuoba clan. Earth is the color of yellow, the origin of the ten thousand things; the surname should be changed to Yuan. Among meritorious ministers and old clans who had come from Dai since antiquity, surnames were sometimes duplicated — all were to be changed." Thereupon they first changed the Babo clan to Zhangsun, the Daxi clan to Xi, the Yizhan clan to Shusun, the Qiumuling clan to Mu, the Buliugu clan to Lu, the Helai clan to He, the Dugu clan to Liu, the Helou clan to Lou, the Wunuyu clan to Yu, and the Yuchi clan to Wei; the remaining changes were too numerous to record.
63
魏主雅重門族，以范陽盧敏、清河崔宗伯、滎陽鄭羲、太原王瓊四姓，衣冠所推，鹹納其女以充後宮。 隴西李沖以才識見任，當朝貴重，所結姻姻，莫非清望； 帝亦以其女為夫人。 詔黃門郎、司徒左長史宋弁定諸州士族，多所升降。 又詔以「代人先無姓族，雖功賢之胤，無異寒賤； 故宦達者位極公卿，其功、衰親仍居猥任。 其穆、陸、賀、劉、樓、於、嵇、尉八姓，自太祖已降，勳著當世，位盡王公，灼然可知者，且下司州、吏部，勿充猥宮，一同四姓。 自此以外，應班士流者，尋續別敕。 其舊為部落大人，而皇始已來三世官在給事已上及品登王公者為姓； 若本非大人，而皇始已來三世官在尚書已上及品登王公者亦為姓。 其大人之後而官不顯亦為族； 若本非大人而官顯者說為族。 凡此姓族，皆應審核，勿容偽冒。 令司空穆亮、尚書陸琇等詳定，務令平允。」 琇，□之子也。
The Wei emperor greatly valued great clans; the four surnames of Lu Min of Fanyang, Cui Zongbo of Qinghe, Zheng Xi of Xingyang, and Wang Qiong of Taiyuan — all esteemed by the gentry — had their daughters taken into the rear palace. Li Chong of Longxi, trusted for talent and insight, was weighty at court; every marriage alliance he made was with families of clear reputation; the emperor also took his daughter as a lady. An edict ordered Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate and Left Chief Clerk of the Secretariat Song Bian to fix the gentry clans of the provinces — many were raised or lowered in rank. Another edict stated: "The northerners who came from Dai originally had no surname clans; though descendants of meritorious worthies, they were no different from the poor and base; thus those who rose in office reached the highest ranks of dukes and ministers, while their meritorious or declining kin still held mean posts. The eight clans of Mu, Lu, He, Liu, Lou, Yu, Ji, and Wei — from the Grand Ancestor down, their merit shining in the age, their ranks all reaching kings and dukes, clearly evident — shall be reported to the Directorate of the Palace and the Ministry of Personnel: do not assign them to mean posts; treat them the same as the four great surnames. Beyond this, those who should rank among the gentry stream will receive separate edicts in due course. Those who were formerly tribal great chiefs, and since Huangshi have had three generations in office at Attendant-in-Ordinary or above, or whose rank reached kings and dukes, are to be registered as surnames; if they were not originally great chiefs, but since Huangshi have had three generations in office at the Masters of Writing or above, or whose rank reached kings and dukes, they are also to be registered as surnames. The descendants of great chiefs whose offices were not illustrious are also to be registered as clans; if they were not originally great chiefs but their offices were illustrious, they are likewise registered as clans. All these surname clans should be examined and verified — false claims will not be tolerated. Minister of Works Mu Liang, Master of Writing Lu Xiu, and others were ordered to fix this in detail, striving for fairness." Lu Xiu was a son of Lu Zhen.
64
魏舊制：王國舍人皆應娶八族及清修之門。 威陽王禧娶隸戶為之，帝深責之，因下詔為六弟聘室：「前都所納，可為妾媵。 咸陽王禧，可聘故穎川太守隴西李輔女； 河南王幹，可聘故中散大夫代郡穆明樂女； 廣陵王羽，可聘驃騎咨議參軍滎陽鄭平城女； 穎川王雍，可聘故中書博士范陽盧神寶女； 始平王勰，可聘廷尉卿隴西李沖女； 北海王詳，可聘吏部郎中滎陽鄭懿女。」 懿，羲之子也。
An old regulation of Wei held that the household attendants of princely states all had to marry into the eight clans and families of pure cultivation. Prince Xi of Xianyang had married a woman from a bondservant household as his consort. The emperor rebuked him severely and issued an edict arranging brides for his six younger brothers: "Those previously taken in from the capital may serve as concubines. Prince Xi of Xianyang may betroth the daughter of Li Fu of Longxi, former Administrator of Yingchuan; Prince Gan of Henan may betroth the daughter of Mu Mingle of Da commandery, former Palace Attendant of Scattered Duties; Prince Yu of Guangling may betroth the daughter of Zheng Pingcheng of Xingyang, Consulting Officer under the Flying Cavalry General; Prince Yong of Yingchuan may betroth the daughter of Lu Shenbao of Fanyang, former Doctor of the Secretariat; Prince Xie of Shiping may betroth the daughter of Li Chong of Longxi, Minister of Justice; Prince Xiang of Beihai may betroth the daughter of Zheng Yi of Xingyang, Director in the Ministry of Personnel." Yi was the son of Zheng Xi.
65
時趙郡諸李，人物尤多，各盛家風，故世之言高華者，以五姓為首。
At that time the Li clan of Zhao commandery produced an especially large number of talented men, and each branch flourished in its own family tradition. When people spoke of eminent nobility, they placed the five great surnames at the head.
66
眾議以薛氏為河東茂族。 帝曰：「薛氏，蜀也，豈可入郡姓！」 直閣薛宗起執戟在殿下，出次對曰：「臣之先人，漢末仕蜀，二世復歸河東，今六世相襲，非蜀人也。 伏以陛下黃帝之胤，受封北土，豈可亦謂之胡邪！ 今不預郡姓，何以生為！」 乃碎戟於地。 帝徐曰：「然則朕甲、卿乙乎？」 乃入郡姓，仍曰：「卿非『宗起』，乃『起宗』也！」
Public discussion held the Xue clan to be a flourishing clan of Hedong. The emperor said, "The Xue are a Shu clan — how can they be entered among the commandery surnames!" Straight Attendant Xue Zongqi, halberd in hand below the hall, stepped forward in turn and replied, "My forebears served Shu in the late Han. After two generations they returned to Hedong, and we have now continued there for six generations in succession — we are not Shu people. I submit that Your Majesty is a descendant of the Yellow Emperor, enfeoffed in the northern lands — can you also be called a barbarian! If I am not now counted among the commandery surnames, what reason have I to go on living!" He then smashed his halberd on the ground. The emperor said slowly, "Then am I first and you second?" He was admitted to the commandery surnames. The emperor also said, "You are not 'Zongqi' but 'Qizong' — the one who raises his clan!"
67
帝與群臣論選調曰：「近世高卑出身，各有常分； 此果如何？」 李沖對曰：「未審上古已來，張官列位，為膏梁子弟乎，為致治乎？」 帝曰：「欲為治耳。」 沖曰：「然則陛下今日何為專取門品，不拔才能乎？」 帝曰：「苟有過人之才，不患不知。 然君子之門，借使無當世之用，要自德行純篤，朕故用之。」 沖曰：「傅說、呂望，豈可以門地得之！」 帝曰：「非常之人，曠世乃有一二耳。」 秘書令李彪曰：「陛下若專取門地，不審魯之三卿，孰若四科？」 著作佐郎韓顯宗曰：「陛下豈可以貴襲貴，以賤襲賤！」 帝曰：「必有高明卓然、出類拔萃者，朕亦不拘此制。」 頃之，劉昶入朝，帝謂昶曰：「或言唯能是寄，不必拘門； 朕以為不爾。 何者？ 清濁同流，混齊一等，君子小人，名品無別，此殊為不可。 我今八族以上士人，品第有九，九品之外，小人之官復有七等。 若有其人，可起家為三公。 正恐賢才難得，不可止為一人渾我典制也。」
The emperor discussed selection and appointment with his ministers, saying, "In recent times high and low origins each have their fixed station; is this really how it should be?" Li Chong replied, "I do not know whether from high antiquity onward, in spreading offices and arranging ranks, the aim was to serve the sons of noble houses or to bring order to the realm?" The emperor said, "To bring order to the realm." Chong said, "Then why does Your Majesty today rely exclusively on family rank and not elevate men of ability?" The emperor said, "If a man has surpassing talent, one need not fear that he will go unknown. But the households of gentlemen — even if for the moment they lack use in the age — are after all pure and steadfast in conduct, and therefore I employ them." Chong said, "Were Fu Yue and Lü Wang to be obtained by family station!" The emperor said, "Extraordinary men — in a whole age there are only one or two." Secretary Director Li Biao said, "If Your Majesty relies exclusively on family station, which were superior — the three ministers of Lu, or the four categories of disciples?" Associate Editorial Director Han Xianzong said, "Your Majesty — can the noble inherit nobility and the base inherit baseness!" The emperor said, "There will surely be men lofty and outstanding, surpassing the common run — I also do not bind them with this regulation." Before long Liu Chang entered court. The emperor said to him, "Some say that office should be entrusted only to ability, without need to be bound by family gates; I do not believe that. Why? For the clear and the turbid to flow together, mixed into one level, with gentleman and petty man undistinguished in name and rank — that is utterly unacceptable. I now have nine grades for gentlemen of the eight clans and above; beyond the nine grades, the offices of petty men have seven additional ranks. If such a man exists, he may rise from humble origin to one of the Three Ducal Ministers. I only fear that talent is hard to find — one must not overturn my whole system of regulations for a single man."
68
臣光曰：「選舉之法，先門地而後賢才，此魏、晉之深弊，而歷代相因，莫之能改也。 夫君子、小人，不在於世祿與側微。 以今日視之，愚智所同知也。 當是之時，雖魏孝文之賢，猶不免斯蔽。 故夫明辨是非而不惑於世俗者，誠鮮矣！ 壬辰，魏徒始平王勰為彭城王，復定襄縣王鸞為城陽王。
Sima Guang remarks: "The method of selection, putting family station before talent, was the deep flaw of Wei and Jin; yet dynasty after dynasty inherited it, and none could reform it. Whether a man is a gentleman or a petty man does not depend on hereditary emolument or humble origin. Viewed from our own day, both the foolish and the wise know this. Even in that age, for all the worth of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, he could not escape this blindness. How rare, then, are those who discern right and wrong and are not deluded by the customs of their age! On renchen, Wei transferred Prince Xie of Shiping to Prince of Pengcheng and restored Prince Luan of Dingxiang county as Prince of Chengyang.
69
二月，壬寅，魏詔：「君臣自非金革，聽終三年喪。」
In the second month, on renyin, Wei proclaimed: "Unless under arms, lords and ministers may complete the full three-year mourning period."
70
丙午，魏詔：「畿內七十已上，暮春赴京師行養老之禮。」 三月，丙寅，宴群臣及國老、庶老於華林園。」 詔：「國老，黃耇已上，假中散大夫、郡守； 耆年已上，假給事中、縣令。 庶老，直假郡、縣，各賜鳩杖、衣裳。」
On bingwu, Wei proclaimed: "Those seventy and above within the capital region shall, in late spring, go to the capital to perform the rites of encouraging the elderly." In the third month, on bingyin, he feasted his ministers together with state elders and common elders in Hualin Garden. An edict stated: "State elders — those of yellow hoar and above — are granted acting Palace Attendant of Scattered Duties or the post of commandery governor; those of venerable age and above are granted acting Palace Attendant or county magistrate. Common elders are directly granted commandery and county posts; each is given a dove staff and clothing."
71
丁丑，魏詔：「諸州中正各舉其鄉民望，年五十已上守素衡門者，授以令、長。」
On dingchou, Wei proclaimed: "Each provincial zhongzheng shall recommend men of local renown in his district who are fifty or older, of unblemished integrity and closed gates, and appoint them as magistrate or elder."
72
壬午，詔：「乘輿有金銀飾校者，皆剔除之。」
On renwu, an edict stated: "Wherever the imperial carriage bears gold or silver ornamental fittings, they are all to be removed."
73
上志慕節儉。 太官嘗進裹蒸，上曰：「我食此不盡，可四破之，餘充晚食。」 又嘗用皁莢，以餘濼授左右曰：「此可更用。」 太官元日上壽，有銀酒鎗，上欲壞之； 王晏等咸稱盛德，衛尉蕭穎冑曰：「朝廷盛禮，莫若三元。 此一器既是舊物，不足為侈。」 上不悅。 後預曲宴，銀器滿席。 穎冑曰：「陛下前欲壞酒金倉，恐宜移在此器。」 上甚慚。
The emperor admired and emulated thrift. The Imperial Kitchen once presented wrapped steamed buns. The emperor said, "I cannot finish this — break it into four parts; the remainder will serve for my evening meal." He also once used black-pod soap and gave the remaining solution to his attendants, saying, "This can be used again." On New Year's Day the Imperial Kitchen offered longevity wine in a silver flagon, and the emperor wished to destroy it; Wang Yan and the others all praised his sagely virtue, but Commandant of the Guard Xiao Yingzhou said, "Of the court's grand ceremonies, none surpass the Three Origins. This single vessel is an old piece and is not enough to count as extravagance." The emperor was displeased. Later, at a private feast, silver vessels filled the table. Yingzhou said, "Your Majesty previously wished to destroy the gold wine store — I fear it should have been moved to these vessels instead." The emperor was deeply ashamed.
74
上躬親細務，綱目亦密，於是郡縣及六署、九府常行職事，莫不啟聞，取決詔敕。 文武勳舊，皆不歸選部，親近憑勢，戶相通進，人群之務過繁密。 南康王侍郎穎川鐘嶸上書言：「古者，明君揆才頒政，量能授職，三公坐而論道，九卿作而成務，天子唯恭己南面而已。」 書奏，上不懌，謂太中大夫顧暠曰：「鐘嶸何人，欲斷朕機務！ 卿識之不？」 對曰：「嶸雖位末名卑，而所言或有可采。 且繁碎職事，各有司存； 今人主總而親之，是人主愈勞而人臣愈逸，所謂『代包人宰而為大匠斫』也。」 上不顧而言他。
The emperor personally attended to minute affairs, and his regulations were also dense. Thereupon in the commanderies and counties, the six directorates, and the nine offices, none of the routine duties failed to be reported upward for decision by edict and decree. Civil and military men of merit and long service did not pass through the Selection Department; intimate followers relied on influence, and households pushed one another forward in office — the business of the realm grew excessively dense. Zhong Rong of Yingchuan, attendant to the Prince of Nan Kang, memorialized, saying, "In antiquity enlightened rulers measured talent to issue government and gauged capacity to assign office. The three dukes sat discussing the Way, the nine ministers completed the tasks, and the Son of Heaven only respectfully faced south." When the memorial was submitted, the emperor was displeased and said to Grand Master of the Court Gu Hao, "Who is this Zhong Rong, that he wishes to cut me off from my affairs! Do you know him?" He replied, "Although Rong is low in rank and obscure in name, what he said may have something worth adopting. Moreover, tedious and minute duties each have their departments; when the lord personally oversees them all, the lord grows more weary and the ministers more at ease — what is called 'replacing the people's steward and acting as the great craftsman hewing wood himself.'" The emperor paid no heed and spoke of other things.
75
夏，四月，甲辰，魏廣州刺史薛法護來降。
In summer, the fourth month, on jiachen, Xue Fahu, Inspector of Guangzhou in Wei, came to surrender.
76
魏寇司州，櫟城戍主魏僧鈱拒破之。
Wei raided Si Province, but Wei Sengyin, garrison commander of Liyang, repulsed and defeated them.
77
五月，丙戌，魏營方澤於河陰。 又詔漢、魏、晉諸帝陵，百步內禁樵蘇。 丁亥，魏主有事於方澤。
In the fifth month, on bingxu, Wei constructed the suburban altar at Heyin. An edict also forbade gathering firewood within a hundred paces of the tombs of the emperors of Han, Wei, and Jin. On dinghai, the Wei ruler performed the rites at the suburban altar.
78
秋，七月，魏廢皇后馮氏。 初，文明太后欲其家貴重，簡馮熙二女入掖庭，其一早卒，其一得幸於魏主，未幾，有疾，還家為尼。 及太后殂，帝立熙少女為皇后。 既而其姊疾愈，帝思之，復迎入宮，拜左昭儀； 後寵浸衰。 昭儀自以年長，且先入宮，不率妾禮。 後頗愧恨，歸儀因譖而廢之。 後素有德操，遂居瑤光寺為練行尼。
In autumn, the seventh month, Wei deposed Empress Feng. Initially Empress Dowager Wencheng wished to elevate her family's honor and selected two daughters of Feng Xi for the rear palace. One died early; the other won the Wei ruler's favor, but before long she fell ill and returned home to become a nun. When the dowager died, the emperor installed Xi's younger daughter as empress. Afterwards her elder sister recovered from her illness. The emperor missed her and welcomed her back into the palace, appointing her Left Worthy Lady; but the empress's favor gradually waned. The Worthy Lady, considering herself older and having entered the palace first, did not observe the decorum owed a concubine. The empress grew resentful, and through slander couched in the language of ritual propriety she was deposed. The empress had always possessed moral conduct; thereupon she took up residence at Yaoguang Temple as a practicing nun.
79
魏主以久旱，自癸未不食至於乙酉，群臣皆詣中書省請見。 帝在崇虎樓，遣舍人辭焉，且問來故。 豫州刺史王肅對曰：「今四效雨已沾洽，獨京城微少。 庶民未乏一餐而陛下輟膳三日，臣下惶惶，無復情地。」 帝使舍人應之曰：「朕不食數日，猶無所感。 比來中外貴賤，皆言四郊有雨，朕疑其欲相寬勉，未必有實。 方將遣使視之，果如所言，即當進膳； 如其不然，朕何以生為！ 當以身為萬民塞咎耳！」 是夕，大雨。 魏太子恂不好學，體素肥大，苦河南地熱，常思北歸。 魏主賜之衣冠，徇常私著胡服。 中庶子遼東高道悅數切諫，恂惡之。 八月，戊戌，帝如嵩高，恂與左右密謀，召牧馬輕騎奔平城，手刃道悅於禁中。 領軍無儼勒門防遏，入夜乃定。 詰旦，尚書陸琇馳以啟帝，帝大駭，秘其事，仍至汴口而還。
Because of prolonged drought, the Wei ruler abstained from food from guiwei until yiyou, and the ministers all went to the Secretariat to request an audience. The emperor was at Chonghu Tower. He sent a palace attendant to decline the audience and also to ask why they had come. Yuzhou Inspector Wang Su replied, "Rain has already soaked the four quarters; only the capital has received somewhat less. The common people are not yet lacking a meal, yet Your Majesty has stopped eating for three days. Your subordinates are anxious beyond bearing." The emperor had the attendant reply, "I have not eaten for many days, yet still without response. Recently everyone inside and outside the court, noble and base alike, has said that rain has fallen in the four suburbs. I suspect they wish only to comfort me and that it may not be real. I am about to send an envoy to inspect. If it is truly as they say, I will at once resume my meals; if it is not so, how can I go on living! I ought to use my own body to bear the fault for the ten thousand people!" That evening, heavy rain fell. The Wei crown prince Xun did not love learning. His constitution was naturally large and heavy, he suffered from the heat of the Henan region, and he often thought of returning north. The Wei ruler bestowed robes and caps on him, but Xun habitually wore barbarian dress in private. The Central Palace Attendant Gao Daoyue of Liaodong remonstrated bluntly again and again; Xun came to hate him. In the eighth month, on wuxu, the emperor went to Mount Song. Xun secretly plotted with his close attendants, summoned horse-herders and light cavalry to flee to Pingcheng, and personally slew Daoyue in the inner palace. Commandant of the Guards Wu Yan secured the gates and held them closed; order was restored only after nightfall. At dawn, Master of Writing Lu Xiu rode posthaste to report to the emperor. The emperor was greatly alarmed, kept the affair secret, and nevertheless went on to Bian Ford before returning.
80
甲寅，入宮，引見恂，數其罪，親與咸陽王禧等更代杖之百餘下，扶曳出外，囚於城西； 月餘乃能起。
On jiayin he entered the palace, summoned Xun, and enumerated his crimes. He personally took turns with Prince Xi of Xianyang and others in beating him more than a hundred blows, had him supported and dragged outside, and imprisoned him west of the city; More than a month passed before he could rise.
81
丁巳，魏相州刺史南安惠王楨卒。
On dingsi, Prince Zhen of Nan'an the Kind, Wei inspector of Xiang province, died.
82
九月，戊辰，魏主講武於小平津； 癸酉，還宮。
In the ninth month, on wuchen, the Wei ruler held a military review at Xiaoping Ford; On guiyou, he returned to the palace.
83
冬，十月，戊戌，魏詔：「軍士自代來者，皆以為羽林、虎賁。 司州民十二夫調一，吏以供公私力役。
In winter, the tenth month, on wuxu, a Wei edict declared: "Soldiers coming from Dai are all to be made Feathered Forest guards and tiger guards. In Sizhou, one household in every twelve was levied in rotation, the clerks supplying labor for public and private service.
84
魏吐京胡反，詔朔州刺史元彬行汾州事，帥並、肆之眾以討之。 彬，楨之子也。 彬遣統軍奚康生擊叛胡，破之，追至車突谷，又破之，俘雜畜以萬數。 詔以彬為汾州刺史。 胡去居等六百餘人保險不服，彬請兵二萬以討之，有司奏許之，魏主大怒曰：「小寇何有發兵之理！ 可隨宜討治。 若不能克，必須大兵者，則先斬刺史，然後發兵！」 彬大懼，督帥州兵，身先將士，討去居，平之。
The Tujing Hu of Wei rebelled. An edict ordered Shuozhou Inspector Yuan Bin to administer Bingzhou affairs and lead the forces of Bing and Si to suppress them. Bin was Zhen's son. Bin sent Commander-in-Chief Xi Kangsheng to attack the rebel Hu, defeated them, pursued them to Chetu Valley, defeated them again, and captured tens of thousands of mixed livestock. An edict appointed Bin Bingzhou inspector. Hu Quju and more than six hundred others held defensible ground and refused submission. Bin requested twenty thousand troops to campaign against them; the relevant offices memorialized approval. The Wei ruler was furious and said, "What reason is there to dispatch troops for such petty bandits! Deal with them as circumstances require. If you cannot subdue them and truly need a large army, first behead the inspector — and only then dispatch troops!" Bin was terrified. He supervised the provincial troops, took the lead before his soldiers, attacked Quju, and pacified the rebellion.
85
魏主引見群臣於清徽堂，議廢太子恂。 太子太傅穆亮、少保李沖免冠頓首謝。 帝曰：「卿所謝者私也，我所議者國也！ 『大義滅親』，古人所貴。 今恂欲違父逃叛，跨據恆、朔，天下之惡孰大焉！ 若不去之，乃社稷之憂也。」 閏月，丙寅，廢恂為庶人，置於河陽無鼻城，以兵守之，服食所供，粗免饑寒而已。
The Wei ruler summoned the ministers at Qinghui Hall to deliberate on deposing Crown Prince Xun. Crown Prince Grand Tutor Mu Liang and Junior Guardian Li Chong removed their caps and kowtowed in apology. The emperor said, "What you apologize for is a private matter; what I deliberate is the state! "Destroying kin for the greater righteousness" — the ancients prized this. Now Xun wishes to defy his father and flee in rebellion, to seize and hold Heng and Shuo — what evil in the realm is greater! If he is not removed, it will be a calamity for the altars of state." In the intercalary month, on bingyin, Xun was deposed to commoner status and placed in Wubi City at Heyang under military guard; what was supplied for food and clothing barely kept hunger and cold at bay.
86
戊辰，魏置常平倉。
On wuchen, Wei established Ever-Normal Granaries.
87
戊寅，太子寶卷冠。
On wuyin, Crown Prince Baojuan received the capping ceremony.
88
初，魏文明太后欲廢魏主，穆泰切諫而止，由是有寵。 及帝南遷洛陽，所親任者多中州儒士，宗室及代人往往不樂。 泰自尚書右僕射出為定州刺史，自陳久病，土溫則甚，乞為恆州； 帝為之徙恆州刺史陸睿為定州，以泰代之。 泰至，睿未發，遂相與謀作亂，陰結鎮北大將軍樂陵王思譽、安樂侯隆、撫冥鎮將魯郡侯業、驍騎將軍超等，共推朔州刺史陽平王熙為主。 思譽，天賜之子； 業，丕之弟； 隆、超，皆丕之子也。 睿以為洛陽休明，勸泰緩之，泰由是未發。
Earlier, when Empress Dowager Wencheng of Wei wished to depose the Wei ruler, Mu Tai remonstrated bluntly and stopped it; from that time he enjoyed favor. When the emperor moved the capital south to Luoyang, those he trusted and employed were mostly Central Plains Confucian scholars; members of the imperial house and the people of Dai were often displeased. Tai left his post as Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing to become Dingzhou inspector. He declared chronic illness, saying warm soil aggravated it severely, and begged to be transferred to Hengzhou; The emperor moved Hengzhou Inspector Lu Rui to Dingzhou for his sake and had Tai replace him. When Tai arrived, Rui had not yet departed. They then plotted rebellion together, secretly winning over General Who Guards the North Siyu of Leling, Marquis Long of Anle, Commander of Fuoming Garrison Marquis Ye of Lu Commandery, Valiant Cavalry General Chao, and others to make Shuo Inspector Prince Xi of Yangping their leader. Siyu was the son of Tianci; Ye was Pi's younger brother; Long and Chao were both sons of Pi. Rui held that Luoyang was glorious and at peace and urged Tai to delay; Tai therefore did not rise.
89
頤偽許泰等以安其意，而密以狀聞。 行吏部尚書任城王澄有疾，帝召見於凝閒堂，謂之曰：「穆泰謀為不軌，扇誘宗室。 脫或必然，今遷都甫爾，北人戀舊，南北紛擾，朕洛陽不立也。 此國家大事，非卿不能辦。 卿雖疾，強為我北行，審觀其勢。 儻其微弱，直往擒之； 若已強盛可承製發並、肆兵擊之。」 對曰：「秦等愚惑，正由戀舊，為此計耳，非有深謀遠慮； 臣雖駑怯，足以制之，願陛下勿憂。 雖有犬馬之疾，何敢辭也！」 帝笑曰：「任城肯行，朕復何憂！」 遂授澄節、鉛虎、竹使符、御仗左右，仍行恆州事。
Yuan Yi falsely assured Tai and the others to calm them, while secretly reporting the situation to the court. Acting Director of the Masters of Writing for Officials Prince Cheng of Rencheng was ill. The emperor summoned him at Ningxian Hall and said to him, "Mu Tai plots sedition and has incited the imperial house. If it should come to pass, the move of the capital having only just occurred, northerners cling to the old ways, north and south would be thrown into turmoil, and I could not hold firm at Luoyang. This is a great affair of state; no one but you can handle it. Though you are ill, force yourself to go north for me and observe the situation closely. If they are weak, go straight and seize them; if they have already grown strong, you may receive an edict and mobilize the armies of Bing and Si to attack them." He replied, "Tai and the others are foolish and deluded. It is precisely because they cling to the old that they formed this plan; they have no deep scheming or far-reaching counsel. Though I am dull and timid, I am sufficient to control them. May Your Majesty not worry. Though I suffer an illness fit for dogs and horses, how dare I decline!" The emperor smiled and said, "If Rencheng is willing to go, what more have I to worry about!" Thereupon he granted Cheng the baton of command, the leaden-tiger tally, bamboo envoy tallies, and the emperor's personal guard, and Cheng continued to administer Hengzhou affairs.
90
行至雁門，雁門太守夜告云：「泰已引兵西就陽平。」 澄遽令進發。 右丞孟斌曰：「事未可量，宜依敕召並、肆兵，然後徐進。」 澄曰：「泰既謀亂，應據堅城； 而更迎陽平，度其所為，當似勢弱。 泰既不相拒，無故發兵，非宜也。 但速往鎮之，民心自定。」 遂倍道兼行。 先遣治書侍御史李煥單騎入代，出其不意，曉諭泰黨，示以禍福，皆莫為之用。 泰計無所出，帥麾下數百人攻煥，不克，走出城西； 追擒之。 澄亦尋至，窮治黨與，收陸睿等百餘人，皆繫獄，民間貼然。 澄具狀表聞，帝喜，召公卿，以表示之曰：「任城可謂社稷臣也。 觀其獄辭，正復皋陶何以過之！」 顧謂咸陽王禧等曰：「汝曹當此，不能辦也。」
When he reached Yanmen, the Yanmen prefect reported by night, "Tai has already led troops west to join Yangping." Cheng urgently ordered an advance. Right Assistant Director Meng Bin said, "The affair cannot yet be gauged. You should follow the edict and summon the Bing and Si troops, then advance slowly." Cheng said, "Tai having plotted rebellion ought to hold a strong city; yet he instead goes to meet Yangping. Judging his conduct, he would seem to be in a weak position. Tai does not oppose us. To mobilize troops without cause would be improper. Only hasten there to stabilize the situation, and popular sentiment will settle of itself." Thereupon he doubled his pace and pressed on by forced marches. He first sent Supervising Secretary Attendant Censor Li Huan alone on horseback into Dai. Catching them unawares, he explained matters to Tai's party and showed them fortune and disaster — none would serve them. Tai could devise no plan. He led several hundred men under his command to attack Huan, failed, and fled out the west gate; They pursued and captured him. Cheng also soon arrived, prosecuted the co-conspirators to the end, seized Lu Rui and more than a hundred others — all were imprisoned — and the common people were entirely calm. Cheng submitted a full report in a memorial. The emperor was pleased, summoned the dukes and ministers, showed them the memorial, and said, "Rencheng may truly be called a minister of the altars of state. Looking at his case records, even Gao Yao could not have surpassed him!" He turned and said to Prince Xi of Xianyang and the others, "If you faced this, you could not have managed it."
91
魏主謀入寇，引見公卿於清徽堂，曰：「朕卜宅土中，綱條粗舉； 唯南冠未平，安能效近世天子下惟於深宮之中乎！ 朕今南征決矣，但未知早晚之期。 比來術者皆雲，今往必克。 此國之大事，宜君臣各盡所見，勿以朕先言而依違於前，同異於後也。」 李沖對曰：「凡用兵之法，宜先論人事，後察天道。 今卜筮雖吉而人事未備，遷都尚新，秋谷不稔，未可以興師旅。 如臣所見，宜俟來秋。」 帝曰：「去十七年，朕擁兵二十萬，此人事之盛也，而天時不利。 今天時既從，復去人事未備，如僕射之言，是終無征伐之期也。 寇戎咫尺，異日將為社稷之憂，朕何敢自安！ 若秋行不捷，諸君當盡付司寇，不可不盡懷也。」
The Wei ruler planned a southern invasion. He summoned the dukes and ministers at Qinghui Hall and said, "I have chosen my dwelling in the central land, and regulations are roughly in place; only the southern foe is not yet pacified — how could I emulate recent emperors who lowered their curtains deep within the palace! My southern campaign is now decided; I only do not know whether it will come sooner or later. Recently the diviners have all said that if we march now we are sure to conquer. This is a great matter of state. Ruler and ministers should each offer their fullest views — do not, because I spoke first, be irresolute to my face and at odds behind my back." Li Chong replied, "As a rule, the art of war should first weigh human affairs and only afterward observe Heaven's will. Now though divination and milfoil are auspicious, human affairs are not yet ready. The move of the capital is still recent, the autumn grain has not ripened well — armies cannot yet be raised. As I see it, we should wait until next autumn." The emperor said, "Seventeen years ago I held two hundred thousand troops — that was the height of human strength — yet Heaven's season was unfavorable. Now Heaven's season has complied, yet again to set aside unprepared human affairs, as the Vice Director says — that would mean there is never a time for campaigning. The enemy raiders are at our doorstep. Someday they will be a calamity for the altars of state — how dare I rest secure! If the autumn campaign is not victorious, you gentlemen should all be handed over to the Minister of Justice — you must not fail to give this your utmost thought."
92
魏主以有罪徙邊者多逋亡，乃制一人逋亡，闔門充役。 光州刺史博陵崔挺上書諫曰：「天下善人少，惡人多。 若一人有罪，延及闔門，則司馬牛受桓魋之罰，柳下惠嬰盜跖之誅，豈不哀哉！」 帝善之，遂除其制。」
Because many criminals exiled to the frontier fled, the Wei ruler ordained that if one person fled, the entire household would be conscripted for labor service. Guangzhou Inspector Cui Ting of Boling submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "Under Heaven, good men are few and evil men many. If one man is guilty and punishment extends to the whole household, then Sima Niu would suffer Huan Tui's punishment and Liuxia Hui would bear the execution due to Robber Zhi — is that not pitiable!" The emperor approved the memorial and thereupon abolished the regulation.”