1
資治通鑑第144卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 144
2
【齊紀十】重光大荒落，一年。
[Qi Records 10] The first year of the Chongshen era (Great Barren Fall).
3
和皇帝中興元年（ 辛巳，公元五零一年）
First year of the Zhongxing ("Restoration") era of Emperor He ( xinsi [cyclical date], equivalent to 501 CE)
4
春，正月，丁酉，東昏侯以晉安王寶義為司徒，建安王寶寅為車騎將軍、開府儀同三司。
In spring, the first month, on dingyou, Marquis Donghun appointed Prince of Jin'an Bao Yi Grand Tutor and Prince of Jian'an Bao Yin General of Chariots and Cavalry with privilege to maintain an office equal to the Three Excellencies.
5
乙巳，南康王寶融始稱相國，大赦； 以蕭穎冑為左長史，蕭衍為征東將軍，楊公則為湘州刺史。 戊申，蕭衍發襄陽，留弟偉總府州事，憺守壘城，府司馬莊丘黑守樊城。 衍既行，州中兵及儲偫皆虛。 魏興太守裴師仁、齊興太守顏僧都並不受衍命，舉兵欲襲襄陽，偉、憺遣兵邀擊於治平，大破之，雍州乃安。
On yisi, Prince of Nankang Bao Rong first assumed the title of Chancellor of State and proclaimed a general amnesty; He appointed Xiao Yingmou Senior Secretary of the Left, Xiao Yan General Who Conquers the East, and Yang Gongze Governor of Xiang Province. On wushen, Xiao Yan marched from Xiangyang, leaving his younger brother Wei to oversee prefectural and district affairs, Dan to hold Lei City, and the prefectural major Zhuangqiu Hei to defend Fancheng. Once Yan had left, the province's troops and reserve stores were entirely exhausted. Pei Shiren, prefect of Weixing, and Yan Sengdu, prefect of Qixing, both defied Yan's orders and raised armies to attack Xiangyang. Wei and Dan dispatched forces to intercept them at Zhiping, routed them utterly, and Yong Province was pacified.
6
魏咸陽王禧為上相，不親政務，驕奢貪淫，多為不法，魏主頗惡之。 禧遣奴就領軍於烈求舊羽林虎賁，執仗出入。 烈曰：「天子諒暗，事歸宰輔。 領軍但知典掌宿衛，非有詔不敢違理從私。」 禧奴惘然而返。 禧復遣謂烈曰：「我，天子之子，天子叔父，身為元輔，有所求須，與詔何異！」 烈厲色曰：「烈非不知王之貴也，奈何使私奴索天子羽林！ 烈頭可得，羽林不可得！」 禧怒，以烈為恆州刺史。 烈不願出外，固辭，不許； 遂稱疾不出。
Prince Yuan Xi of Xianyang served as chief minister of Northern Wei but took no part in state affairs himself. Arrogant, lavish, greedy, and dissolute, he broke the law repeatedly, and the Wei emperor grew deeply displeased with him. Xi sent a servant to Yu Lie, Commandant of Guards, to demand the veteran Tiger Guards of the Feathered Forest to bear arms and attend him whenever he went abroad. Lie replied, "The Son of Heaven remains in mourning seclusion; all affairs rest with the chief minister. As Commandant of Guards, I am charged only with palace security. Without an imperial edict I will not bend the rules for a private request." Xi's servant went away baffled and empty-handed. Xi sent word again: "I am the emperor's son and his uncle, and I hold the chief ministership. What difference does my demand make from an edict?" Lie said sharply, "Lie knows perfectly well how exalted you are—yet how dare you use a private servant to demand the emperor's Feathered Forest guards! You may have Lie's head—but you will not have the Feathered Forest guards!" Xi, furious, made Lie Governor of Heng Province. Lie wished to remain at court and pleaded repeatedly to stay; the emperor would not allow it; he then pleaded sickness and refused to leave his home.
7
烈子左中郎將忠領直閣，常在魏主左右。 烈使忠言於魏主曰：「諸王專恣，意不可測。 宜早罷之，自攬權綱。」 北海王詳亦密以禧過惡白帝，且言彭城王勰大得人情，不宜久輔政。 帝然之。
Lie's son Zhong, a Left Palace Gentleman-General in charge of the Direct Access Guard, was always close to the Wei emperor. Lie had Zhong tell the emperor, "The princes wield unchecked power; their intentions cannot be foreseen. Your Majesty should dismiss them soon and take the reins of government into your own hands." Prince Yuan Xiang of Beihai also privately reported Xi's misdeeds to the emperor, adding that Prince of Pengcheng Yuan Xie had won extraordinary favor among the people and ought not remain in power indefinitely. The emperor assented.
8
時將礿祭，王公並齋於廟東坊。 帝夜使於忠語烈：「明旦入見，當有處分。」 質明，烈至。 帝命烈將直閣等六十餘人，宣旨召禧、勰、詳，衛送至帝所。 禧等入見於光極殿，帝曰：「恪雖寡昧，忝承寶歷。 比纏尪疹，實憑諸父，苟延視息，奄涉三齡。 諸父歸遜殷勤，今便親攝百揆。 且還府司，當別處分。」 又謂勰曰：「頃來南北務殷，不容仰遂沖操。 恪是何人，而敢久違先敕，今遂叔父高蹈之意。」 勰謝曰：「陛下孝恭，仰遵先詔，上成睿明之美，下遂微臣之志，感今惟往，悲喜交深。」 庚戌，詔勰以王歸第； 禧進位太保； 詳為大將軍、錄尚書事。 尚書清河張彝、邢巒聞處分非常，亡走，出洛陽城，為御史中尉中山甄琛所彈。 詔書切責之。 復以於烈為領軍，仍加車騎大將軍，自是長直禁中，軍國大事，皆得參焉。
As the yue sacrifice approached, princes and grandees all kept ritual abstinence in the temple's eastern wing. That night the emperor sent Zhong to tell Lie, "Come to audience tomorrow at dawn; your assignment will be decided then." At first light Lie came. The emperor ordered Lie, with more than sixty Direct Access guards, to summon Xi, Xie, and Xiang by imperial decree and escort them to the throne room. Xi and the others were brought before the Hall of Radiant Pole. The emperor said, "Though I, Ke, am dull and unworthy, I have inherited the throne. Lately, consumed by lingering illness, I have truly depended on my uncles merely to draw breath—and that has already stretched to three years. You have served with unstinting humility; from today I shall personally direct the affairs of state. Return to your mansions for now; further disposition will be made in due course." To Xie he said, "North and south affairs have pressed hard of late; I could not let you withdraw to honor your wish for seclusion. Who am I, Ke, to keep you from the late emperor's command any longer? Today I grant you the seclusion you have long desired." Xie bowed and said, "Your Majesty's filial reverence in honoring the late emperor's charge perfects enlightened rule above and fulfills this humble servant's wish below. Memory of the past floods the present; joy and sorrow are intertwined beyond measure." On gengxu the emperor ordered Xie to return to his princely residence; Xi was advanced to Grand Tutor; Xiang was appointed Grand General with charge over the Masters of Writing. Zhang Yi of Qinghe and Xing Luan, both Masters of Writing, hearing of these extraordinary moves, fled the city. The Censor-in-Chief Zhen Chen of Zhongshan impeached them for deserting Luoyang. An edict sharply censured them. Yu Lie was restored as Commandant of Guards and additionally made Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry. Henceforth he kept permanent watch within the palace precincts, and on all major military and civil matters he had a voice.
9
魏主時年十六，不能親決庶務，委之左右。 於是幸臣茹皓、趙郡王仲興、上谷寇猛、趙郡趙修、南陽趙邕及外戚高肇等始用事，魏政浸衰。 趙修尤親幸，旬月間，累遷至光祿卿； 每遷官，帝親至其宅設宴，王公百官皆從。
The Wei emperor was only sixteen. Unable to decide routine business himself, he left it to his intimates. Favorites Ru Hao, Wang Zhongxing of Zhaojun, Kou Meng of Shanggu, Zhao Xiu and Zhao Yong of their respective commanderies, together with the empress's kin Gao Zhao, now took charge, and Wei administration steadily deteriorated. Zhao Xiu enjoyed the deepest favor and within mere weeks was promoted repeatedly until he reached Director of the Imperial Clan; at every promotion the emperor went in person to his home to give a banquet, and princes, grandees, and the entire bureaucracy attended.
10
辛亥，東昏侯祀南郊，大赦。
On xinhai Marquis Donghun performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven and proclaimed a general amnesty.
11
丁巳，魏主引見群臣於太極前殿，告以親政之意。 壬戌，以咸陽王禧領太尉，廣陵王羽為司。 魏主引羽入內，面授之。 羽固辭曰：「彥和本自不願，而陛下強與之。 今新去此官而以臣代之，必招物議。」 乃以為司空。
On dingsi the Wei emperor received the full court in the front hall of Taiji and declared his intention to rule in person. On renxu Prince Xi of Xianyang was appointed concurrent Grand Commandant, and Prince Yu of Guangling Minister over the Masses. The emperor led Yu within the palace and invested him with the seal in person. Yu pleaded firmly, "Yanhe never wanted the post, yet Your Majesty compelled him to accept it. He has only just been relieved, and to give the office to me at once will certainly draw criticism." Yu was therefore appointed Minister of Works instead.
12
二月，乙丑，南康王以冠軍長史王茂為江州刺史，竟陵太守曹景宗為郢州刺史，邵陵王寶修為荊州刺史。
In the second month, on yichou, Prince of Nankang appointed Wang Mao, chief secretary of the Champion's staff, Governor of Jiang Province, Cao Jingzong, prefect of Jingling, Governor of Ying Province, and Prince of Shaoling Bao Xiu Governor of Jing Province.
13
甲戌，魏大赦。
On jiaxu the Northern Wei court proclaimed a general amnesty.
14
壬午，東昏侯遣羽林兵擊雍州，中外纂嚴。
On renwu Marquis Donghun dispatched Feathered Forest troops against Yong Province; throughout the realm defenses were mobilized.
15
甲申，蕭衍至竟陵，命王茂、曹景宗為前軍，以中兵參國張法安守竟陵城。 茂等至漢口，諸將議欲並兵圍郢，分兵襲西陽、武昌。 衍曰：「漢口不闊一里，箭道交至，房僧寄以重兵固守，與郢城為掎角； 若悉眾前進，僧寄必絕我軍後，悔無所及。 不若遣王、曹諸軍濟江，與荊州軍合，以逼郢城； 吾自圍魯山以通沔、漢，使鄖城、竟陵之粟方舟而下，江陵、湘中之兵相繼而至，兵多食足，何憂兩城之不拔！ 天下之事，可以臥取之耳。」 乃使茂等帥眾濟江，頓九里。 張沖遣中兵參軍陳光靜開門迎戰，茂等擊破之。 光靜死，沖嬰城自守。 景宗遂據石橋浦，連軍相續，下至加湖。
On jiashen Xiao Yan reached Jingling, appointed Wang Mao and Cao Jingzong to lead the vanguard, and left Central Army Major Zhang Fa'an to hold Jingling city. When Mao and the others reached Hankou, the generals debated massing their armies to besiege Ying while sending detachments against Xiyang and Wuchang. Yan said, "Hankou is scarcely a li wide, and arrows can strike from every side. Fang Sengji holds it with a large force in concert with Ying city; if we advance with our entire army, Sengji will surely cut off our rear, and regret will come too late. Better to send Wang, Cao, and the other armies across the river to join the Jingzhou troops and press Ying city; I will myself besiege Lushan to open the Mian and Han waterways, float grain from Yuncheng and Jingling downriver in convoys, and bring troops from Jiangling and the Xiang region in succession. With ample men and provisions, why should either city hold out? The empire can be won from one's couch." He then had Mao and the others lead their forces across the river and encamp at Jiuli. Zhang Chong sent Central Army Major Chen Guangjing out to give battle; Mao and the others routed him. Guangjing was killed, and Chong shut himself within the city to hold out. Jingzong then seized Shiqiao Ford and strung his camps in succession down to Jiahu.
16
荊州遣冠軍將軍鄧元起、軍主王世興、田安之將數千人會雍州兵於夏首。 衍築漢口城以守魯山，命水軍主義陽張惠紹等游遏江中，絕郢、魯二城信使。 楊公則舉湘州之眾會於夏口。 蕭穎冑命荊州諸軍皆受公則節度，雖蕭穎達亦隸焉。
Jing Province sent Champion General Deng Yuanqi and army commanders Wang Shixing and Tian Anzhi with several thousand men to join Yong Province forces at Xiashou. Yan built Hankou city to hold Lushan and ordered naval commander Zhang Huishao of Yiyang and others to patrol the river, severing communications between Ying and Lu. Yang Gongze mustered the forces of Xiang Province and joined the assembly at Xiakou. Xiao Yingmou ordered all Jing Province armies to accept Yang Gongze's command, and even Xiao Yingda was placed under his authority.
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府朝儀欲遣人行湘州事而難其人，西中郎中兵參軍劉坦謂眾曰：「湘土人情，易擾難信，用武士則浸漁百姓，用文士則威略不振； 必欲鎮靜一州，軍民足食，無逾老夫。」 乃以坦為輔國長史、長沙太守，行湘州事。 坦先嘗在湘州，多舊恩，迎者屬路。 下車，選堪事吏分詣十郡，發民運租米三十餘萬斛以助荊、雍之軍，由是資糧不乏。
The prefectural court wished to send someone to administer Xiang Province but could find no suitable candidate. Western Palace Gentleman and Central Army Major Liu Tan told the assembly, "The people of Xiang are quick to stir and slow to trust. Appoint a warrior and he will prey on the populace; appoint a scholar and authority will not hold. If you must pacify the province and keep soldiers and civilians fed, there is no one better than this old man." Tan was therefore appointed Chief Secretary Assisting the State and Prefect of Changsha, with charge of Xiang Province affairs. Tan had served in Xiang Province before and had won many old obligations of gratitude; welcomers lined the road. Upon taking office he selected capable clerks and sent them to the ten commanderies, mobilized the people to transport more than three hundred thousand hu of tax grain to support the Jing and Yong armies, and thereby supplies never ran short.
18
三月，蕭衍使鄧元起進據南堂西渚，田安之頓城北，王世興頓曲水故城。 丁酉，張沖病卒，驍騎將軍薛元嗣與沖子孜及征虜長史江夏內史程茂共守郢城。
In the third month, Xiao Yan had Deng Yuanqi advance and seize the western islet of the Southern Hall; Tian Anzhi encamped north of the city and Wang Shixing at the old city of Qu River. On dingyou Zhang Chong died of illness. Valiant Cavalry General Xue Yuansi, Chong's son Zi, and Campaign General Chief Secretary and Jiangxia interior minister Cheng Mao jointly held Ying city.
19
乙巳，南康王即皇帝位於江陵，改元，大赦，立宗廟、南北郊，州府城門悉依建康宮，置尚書五省，以南郡太守為尹，以蕭穎冑為尚書令，蕭衍為左僕射，晉安王寶義為司空，廬陵王寶源為車騎將軍、開府儀同三司，建安王寶寅為徐州刺史，散騎常侍夏侯詳為中領軍，冠軍將軍蕭偉為雍州刺史。 丙午，詔封庶人寶卷為涪陵王。 乙酉，以尚書令蕭穎冑行荊州刺史，加蕭衍征東大將軍、都督征討諸軍事，假黃鉞。 時衍次楊口，和帝遣御史中丞宗夬勞軍。 寧朔將軍新野庾域諷夬曰：「黃鉞未加，非所以總帥侯伯。」 夬返西台，遂有是命。 薜元嗣遣軍主沈難當帥輕舸數千亂流來戰，張惠紹等擊擒之。
On yisi Prince of Nankang took the throne at Jiangling, changed the era name, and proclaimed a general amnesty. He established the ancestral temple and the suburban altars, modeled prefectural and district gates on the Jiankang palace, and set up the five departments of the Masters of Writing. The prefect of Nan commandery became metropolitan magistrate; Xiao Yingmou was made Director of the Masters of Writing; Xiao Yan, Left Vice Director; Prince of Jin'an Bao Yi, Minister of Works; Prince of Luling Bao Yuan, General of Chariots and Cavalry with privilege equal to the Three Excellencies; Prince of Jian'an Bao Yin, Governor of Xu Province; Palace Attendant Xiahou Xiang, Commandant of the Center Army; and Champion General Xiao Wei, Governor of Yong Province. On bingwu an edict enfeoffed the deposed emperor Bao Juan as Prince of Fuling. On yiyou Xiao Yingmou, as Director of the Masters of Writing, was made acting Governor of Jing Province; Xiao Yan was promoted to General Who Conquers the East and made supreme commander of all campaign forces, with the yellow battle-axe conferred. Yan was then stationed at Yangkou; Emperor He sent Imperial Censor Zong Que to comfort the army. Pacifier of the North General Yu Yu of Xinye hinted to Que, "Without the yellow battle-axe, how can he command the feudal lords?" Que returned to the western capital, and the appointment followed. Xue Yuansi sent army commander Shen Nandang with several thousand light boats to fight upstream; Zhang Huishao and others attacked and captured him.
20
癸丑，東昏侯以豫州刺史陳伯之為江州刺史、假節、都督前鋒諸軍事，西擊荊、雍。
On guichou Marquis Donghun appointed Chen Bozhi, Governor of Yu Province, Governor of Jiang Province with acting credentials and supreme commander of the vanguard, to strike west against Jing and Yong.
21
夏，四月，蕭衍出沔，命王茂、蕭穎達等進軍逼郢城，薛元嗣不敢出。 諸將欲攻之，衍不許。
In summer, the fourth month, Xiao Yan advanced along the Mian River and ordered Wang Mao, Xiao Yingda, and others to press Ying city. Xue Yuansi did not dare come out. The generals wished to assault the city, but Yan would not allow it.
22
魏廣陵惠王羽通於員外郎馮俊興妻，夜往，為俊興所擊而匿之； 五月，壬子，卒。
Prince Yuan Yu of Guangling of Northern Wei had an affair with the wife of Supplementary Gentleman Feng Junxing. Yu went to her by night, was struck by Junxing, and went into hiding; In the fifth month, on renzi, he died.
23
魏主既親政事，嬖倖擅權，王公希得進見。 咸陽王禧意不自安，齋帥劉小苟屢言於禧雲，聞天子左右人言欲誅禧。 禧益懼，乃與妃兄兼給事黃門侍郎李伯尚、氐王楊集始、楊靈祏、乞伏馬居等謀反。 會帝出獵北邙，禧與其黨會城西小宅，欲發兵襲帝，使長子通竊入河內舉兵相應。 乞伏馬居說禧：「還入洛城，勒門閉門，天子必北走桑干，殿下可斷河橋，為河南天子。」 眾情前卻不壹，禧心更緩，自旦至晡，猶豫不決，遂約不洩而散。 楊集始既出，即馳至北邙告之。
Once the Wei emperor took up government in person, favorites monopolized power, and princes and grandees rarely gained audience. Prince Xi of Xianyang grew uneasy. Fast-Master Liu Xiaogou repeatedly told Xi that he had heard those close to the emperor speak of executing him. Xi grew more fearful and plotted rebellion with his consort's brother Li Boshang, Concurrent Attendant of Affairs and Yellow Gate Gentleman, the Di king Yang Jishi, Yang Lingyou, Qifu Maju, and others. When the emperor went hunting at Beimang, Xi met his faction at a small house west of the city, intending to raise troops to strike the emperor and send his eldest son Tong secretly into Henei to raise forces in support. Qifu Maju urged Xi, "Return into Luoyang and shut the gates. The emperor is sure to flee north to the Sanggan River. Your Highness can cut the river bridge and become emperor south of the river." The conspirators' resolve wavered back and forth. Xi's heart grew slower still. From dawn to dusk he hesitated without deciding, and finally they agreed to keep the plot secret and dispersed. Once Yang Jishi had left, he galloped straight to Beimang to inform on the plot.
24
直寢苻承祖、薛魏孫與禧通謀，是日，帝寢於浮圖之陰，魏孫欲弒帝，承祖曰：「吾聞殺天者身當病癩。」 魏孫乃止。 俄而帝寤，集始亦至。 帝左右皆四出逐禽，直衛無幾，倉猝不知所出。 左中郎將於忠曰：「臣父領軍留守京城，計防遏有備，必無所慮。」 帝遣忠馳騎觀之，於烈已分兵嚴備，使忠還奏曰：「臣雖老，心力猶可用。 此屬猖狂，不足為慮，願陛下清蹕徐還，以安物望。」 帝甚悅，自華林園還宮，撫於忠之背曰：「卿差強人意！」
Direct Attendants Fu Chengzu and Xue Weisun were party to Xi's conspiracy. That day the emperor slept in the shade of a pagoda. Weisun wished to assassinate him, but Chengzu said, "I have heard that whoever kills the Son of Heaven will himself contract leprosy." Weisun thereupon desisted. Presently the emperor woke, and Jishi arrived as well. The emperor's attendants had all scattered in pursuit of game; only a handful of guards remained, and in the sudden alarm no one knew what to do. Left Palace Gentleman Yu Zhong said, "My father holds the capital with the army. Defenses are already in place—there is nothing to worry about." The emperor sent Zhong galloping to look. Yu Lie had already divided his forces and made strict preparations, and sent Zhong back to report, "I am old, but my wits and strength still serve. This rabble is reckless and not worth a thought. May Your Majesty return at ease with escort cleared to steady court and people alike." The emperor was greatly pleased. He returned from Hualin Garden to the palace and patted Yu Zhong on the back. "You are rather more satisfactory than one might expect!"
25
禧不知事露，與姬妾及左右宿洪池別墅，遣劉小苟奉啟，雲檢行田收。 小苟至北邙，已逢軍人，怪小苟赤衣，欲殺之。 小苟困迫，言欲告反，乃緩之。 或謂禧曰：「殿下集眾圖事，見意而停，恐必漏洩，今夕何宜自寬！」 禧曰：「吾有此身，應知自惜，豈待人言！」 又曰：「殿下長子已濟河，兩不相知，豈不可慮！」 禧曰：「吾已遣人追之，計今應還。」 時通已入河內，列兵仗，放囚徒矣。 於烈遣直閣叔孫侯將虎賁三百人收禧。 禧聞之，自洪池東南走，僮僕不過數人，濟洛，至柏谷塢，追兵至，擒之，送華林都亭。 帝面詰其反狀，壬戌，賜死於私第。 同謀伏誅者十餘人，諸子皆絕屬籍，微給貲產、奴婢，自餘家財悉分賜高肇及趙修之家，其餘賜內外百官，逮於流外，多者百餘匹，下至十匹。 禧諸子乏衣食，獨彭城王屢賑給之。 河內太守陸琇聞禧敗，斬送禧子通首。 魏朝以琇於禧未敗之前不收捕通，責其通情，征詣廷尉，死獄中。 帝以禧無故而反，由是益疏忌宗室。
Xi did not know the plot had been exposed. He stayed with his concubines and attendants at the Hongchi villa and sent Liu Xiaogou with a memorial claiming he was out inspecting the harvest. When Xiaogou reached Northern Mang he ran into troops. They thought his red clothing odd and were about to kill him. Cornered, Xiaogou said he had come to report a rebellion, and they spared him. Someone told Xi, "Your Highness gathered men to plot, then stopped when the plan was noticed. It will surely leak out—how can you relax tonight!" Xi said, "I have my life to look after. I know how to take care of myself—why wait for others to tell me!" Another said, "Your Highness's eldest son has already crossed the river. Neither side knows what the other is doing—is that not worrying!" Xi said, "I have already sent men after him. By now he should be back." By then Tong had already entered Henei, drawn up arms, and released prisoners. Yu Lie sent Direct Attendant Sunsun Hou with three hundred tiger guards to seize Xi. When Xi heard this he fled southeast from Hongchi with only a few servants, crossed the Luo, and reached the Bo Valley stockade. Pursuers caught up, seized him, and sent him to the Hualin metropolitan pavilion. The emperor questioned him to his face about the rebellion. On renxu he was granted death in his private residence. More than ten co-conspirators were executed. All his sons were struck from the clan register and given only a pittance in goods and slaves. The rest of the family wealth was divided between the households of Gao Zhao and Zhao Xiu; the remainder went to officials inside and outside the court, even those in distant exile—some received more than a hundred bolts of cloth, others as few as ten. Xi's sons lacked food and clothing; only the Prince of Pengcheng repeatedly provided for them. Henei Administrator Lu Xiu, hearing of Xi's defeat, beheaded Xi's son Tong and sent his head. The Wei court faulted Xiu for not arresting Tong before Xi's defeat, charged him with collusion, summoned him to the Minister of Justice, and he died in prison. Because Xi had rebelled without apparent cause, the emperor grew still more distant and suspicious toward the imperial clan.
26
巴西太守魯休烈、巴東太守蕭惠訓不從蕭穎冑之命； 惠訓遣子瑰將兵擊穎冑，穎冑，遣汶陽太守劉孝慶屯峽口，與巴東太守任漾之等拒之。
The administrators of Baxi, Lu Xiulie, and of Badong, Xiao Huixun, did not obey Xiao Yinghao's orders; Huixun sent his son Gui with troops to attack Yinghao. Yinghao sent the administrator of Wenyang, Liu Xiaoqing, to hold Xia Pass, and with the administrator of Badong, Ren Yangzhi, and others to resist him.
27
東昏侯遣軍主吳子陽、陳虎牙等十三軍救郢州，進屯巴口。 虎牙，伯之之子也。
The Marquis of Eastern Benightedness sent army commanders Wu Ziyang and Chen Huya with thirteen armies to relieve Ying Province, advancing to encamp at Bakou. Huya was the son of Chen Bozhi.
28
六月，西台遣衛尉席闡文勞蕭衍軍，繼蕭穎冑等議謂衍曰：「今頓兵兩岸，不並軍圍郢，定西陽、武昌，取江州，此機已失； 莫若請救於魏，與北連和，猶為上策。」 衍曰：「漢口路通荊、雍，控引秦、梁，糧運資儲，仰引氣息； 所以兵壓漢口，連結數州。 今若並軍圍郢，又分兵前進，魯山必阻沔路，扼吾咽喉； 若糧運不通，自然離散，何謂持久？ 鄧元起近欲以三千兵往取尋陽，彼若歡然知機，一說士足矣； 脫距王師，固非三千兵所能下也。 進退無據，未見其可。 西陽、武昌，取之即得； 然既得之後，即應鎮守。 欲守兩城，不減萬人，糧儲稱是，卒無所出。 脫東軍有上者，以萬人攻一城，兩城勢不得相救，若我分軍應援，則首尾俱弱； 如其不遣，孤城必陷，一城既沒，諸城相次土崩，天下大事去矣。 若郢州既拔，席捲沿流，西陽、武昌自然風靡。 何遽分兵散眾，自貽憂患乎！ 且丈夫舉事欲清天步，況擁數州之兵以誅群小，懸河注火，奚有不滅！ 豈容北面請救戎狄，以示弱於天下！ 彼未必能信，徒取丑聲，此乃下計，何謂上策！ 卿為我輩白鎮軍：「前途攻取，但以見付，事在目中，無患不捷，但借鎮軍靖鎮之耳。」
In the sixth month the Western Terrace sent Chamberlain Xi Kanwen to visit Xiao Yan's army. Following Xiao Yinghao and the others, they advised Yan, "You have troops on both banks of the river but have not united them to besiege Ying, secure Xiyang and Wuchang, and take Jiang Province. That chance is already gone; better to seek aid from Wei and ally with the north. That would still be the best plan." Yan said, "Hankou links Jing and Yong and commands Qin and Liang. Grain and supplies depend on it for our very breath; that is why we press Hankou with our army and hold several provinces together. If we unite to besiege Ying while also sending troops forward, Mount Lu will block the Mian route and choke our throat; once grain cannot get through, the army will scatter on its own. What endurance is there in that? Deng Yuanqi lately wanted to take Xunyang with three thousand men. If they gladly seize the moment, one envoy is enough; but if they resist the royal army, three thousand men will never take it. With no firm footing for advance or retreat, I do not see how it can succeed. Xiyang and Wuchang can be taken at once; but once taken they must be garrisoned at once. Holding two cities takes no fewer than ten thousand men and matching stores of grain, and we have no troops to spare. If the eastern army attacks, ten thousand men can take one city. The two cities cannot rescue each other. If we split our forces to help, head and tail grow weak together; if we do not send help, each lone city will fall. Once one is lost, the rest will crumble in turn, and the great enterprise is finished. Once Ying Province falls, we can sweep down the river and Xiyang and Wuchang will submit of themselves. Why hurry to divide the army and scatter our strength, bringing trouble on ourselves! A man who takes up great affairs means to set Heaven's steps in order. How much more when we hold several provinces' worth of troops to punish petty foes—pour a river on a fire, and what will not be put out! How can we turn north to beg barbarians for rescue and show weakness to the world! They may not even trust us, and we would only earn a shameful name. That is the low plan—how can you call it the high one! Tell the Commander-in-Chief for us: "Leave the fighting ahead to us. The matter is before our eyes and cannot fail to succeed. We only ask that he hold the rear in quiet."
29
吳子陽等進軍武口。 衍命軍主梁天惠等屯漁湖城，唐修期等屯白陽壘，夾岸待之。 子陽進軍加湖，去郢三十里，傍山帶水，築壘自固。 子陽舉烽，城內亦舉火應之； 而內外各自保，不能相救。 會房僧寄病卒，眾復推助防張樂祖代守魯山。
Wu Ziyang and the others advanced on Wukou. Yan ordered army commanders Liang Tianhui and others to hold Yuhu Citadel and Tang Xiuqi and others to hold Baiyang Rampart, waiting on both banks. Ziyang advanced to Jia Lake, thirty li from Ying, and along the hills and water built ramparts to fortify himself. Ziyang raised beacon fires, and within the city answering fires were lit; but inner and outer each held their own ground and could not help one another. When Fang Sengji died of illness, the troops again chose Assistant Defense Commander Zhang Lezu to take over the defense of Mount Lu.
30
蕭穎冑之初起也，弟穎孚自建康發，廬陵民修靈祏為之聚兵，得二千人，襲房陵，克之，內史謝篹奔豫章。 穎冑遣寧朔將軍范僧簡自湘州赴之，僧簡拔安成，穎冑以僧簡為安成太守，以穎孚為廬陵內史。 東昏侯遣軍主劉希祖將三千人擊之，南康太守王丹以郡應希祖。 穎孚敗，奔長沙，尋病卒； 謝篹復還郡。 希祖攻拔安成，殺范僧簡，東昏侯以希祖為安成內史。 修靈祏復合餘眾攻謝篹，篹敗走。
When Xiao Yinghao first rose, his younger brother Yingfu set out from Jiankang. The Luling man Xiu Lingyou raised troops for him, mustering two thousand men. They raided Fangling and took it, and Interior Minister Xie Zan fled to Yuzhang. Yinghao sent Bulwark General Fan Jianjian from Xiang Province to his aid. Jianjian took Ancheng. Yinghao made Jianjian administrator of Ancheng and Yingfu interior minister of Luling. The Marquis of Eastern Benightedness sent army commander Liu Xizu with three thousand men to attack them. The administrator of Nankang, Wang Dan, brought his commandery over to Xizu. Yingfu was defeated, fled to Changsha, and soon died of illness; Xie Zan returned to his commandery. Xizu attacked and took Ancheng and killed Fan Jianjian. The Marquis of Eastern Benightedness made Xizu interior minister of Ancheng. Xiu Lingyou gathered his remaining troops again and attacked Xie Zan. Zan was defeated and fled.
31
東昏侯作芳樂苑，山石皆塗以五采。 望民家有好樹、美竹，則毀牆撤屋而徙之，時方盛暑，隨即枯萎，朝暮相繼。 又於苑中立市，使宮人、宦者共為裨販，以潘貴妃為市令，東昏侯自為市錄事，小有得失，妃則與杖； 乃敕虎賁不得進大荊、實中荻。 又開渠立埭，身自引船，或坐而屠肉。 又好巫覡，左右朱光尚詐雲見鬼。 東昏入樂游苑，人馬忽驚，以問光尚，對曰：「向見先帝大嗔，不許數出。」 東昏大怒，拔刀與光尚尋之。 既不見，乃縛菰為高宗形，北向斬之，縣首苑門。
The Marquis of Eastern Benightedness built the Fragrant Pleasure Park and painted the mountain rocks in five colors. When he saw fine trees or beautiful bamboo in people's homes, he tore down walls and houses to transplant them. It was high summer, and they withered at once—one after another, morning and evening. He also set up a market in the park where palace women and eunuchs played peddlers. Consort Pan Guifei was market magistrate and the Marquis himself market recorder. For the slightest gain or loss the consort would beat him; he then ordered the tiger guards not to bring large thorn switches or solid-center rattan rods. He also dug canals and built weirs, towing boats himself or sitting down to butcher meat. He also loved shamans and mediums. His attendant Zhu Guangshang pretended that he saw ghosts. The Marquis entered Leyou Park and men and horses suddenly panicked. He asked Guangshang, who answered, "I just saw the late emperor very angry, forbidding you to go out so often." The Marquis flew into a rage, drew his sword, and went with Guangshang to hunt for him. Finding nothing, he bound rushes into the shape of Emperor Gaozong, beheaded the effigy facing north, and hung the head at the park gate.
32
崔慧景之敗也，巴陵王昭冑、永新侯昭穎出投台軍，各以王侯還第，心不自安。 竟陵王子良故防閣桑偃為梅蟲兒軍副，與前巴西太守蕭寅謀立昭冑，昭冑許事克用寅為尚書左僕射、護軍。 時軍主胡松將兵屯新亭，寅遣人說之曰：「須昏人出，寅等將兵奉昭冑入台，閉城號令，昏人必還就將軍； 但閉壘不應，，則三公不足得也。」 松許諾。 會東昏新作芳樂苑，經月不出遊。 偃等議募健兒百餘人，從萬春門入，突取之，昭冑以為不可。 偃同黨王山沙慮事久無成，以事告御刀徐僧重。 寅遣人殺山沙於路，吏於麝幐得其事。 昭冑兄弟與偃等皆伏誅。
After Cui Huijing's defeat, Prince Zhao of Baling and Marquis Zhao of Yongxin went over to the capital armies. Each returned to his residence as king or marquis, but neither felt secure. Sang Yan, former guard-chamberlain of Prince Ziliang of Jingling, served as Mei Chong'er's army deputy. With the former administrator of Baxi, Xiao Yin, he plotted to enthrone Zhao. Zhao promised that if the plot succeeded he would make Yin Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Director of Guards. Army commander Hu Song was then encamped at Xinting. Yin sent someone to persuade him, "Wait until the Benighted One goes out. Yin and the rest will lead troops to escort Zhao into the Terrace, close the city, and issue orders. The Benighted One will surely return to you; only close your ramparts and do not respond, and the Three Excellencies cannot be touched." Song agreed. As it happened the Marquis had just built the Fragrant Pleasure Park and for a month did not go out. Yan and the others planned to recruit more than a hundred stalwart youths to enter through Wanchun Gate and seize him by surprise. Zhao thought it would not do. Yan's confederate Wang Shansha, fearing the plot would never succeed, reported it to Imperial Blade Xu Chongzhong. Yin sent men to kill Shansha on the road, but officials found the plot described in a musk pouch. Zhao's brothers and Yan and the rest were all executed.
33
雍州刺史張欣泰與弟前始安內史欣時，密謀結胡松及前南譙太守王靈秀、直閣將軍鴻選等誅諸嬖倖，廢東昏。 東昏遣中書舍人馮元嗣監軍救郢； 秋，七月，甲午，茹法珍、梅蟲兒及太子右率李居士、制局監楊明泰送之於中興堂，欣泰等使人懷刀於座斫元嗣，頭墜果柈中，又斫明泰，破其腹； 蟲兒傷數瘡，手指皆墮； 居士、法珍等散走還台。 靈秀詣石頭迎建康王寶寅，帥城中將吏見力，去車輪，載寶寅，文武數百唱警蹕，向台城，百姓數千人皆空手隨之。 欣泰聞事作，馳馬入宮，冀法珍等在外，東昏盡以城中處分見委，表裡相應。 既而法珍得返，處分閉門上仗，不配欣泰兵，鴻選在殿內亦不敢發。 寶寅去杜姥宅，日已瞑，城門閉。 城上人射外人，外人棄寶寅潰去。 寶寅亦逃，三日，乃戎服詣草市尉，尉馳以啟東昏。 東昏召寶寅入宮問之，寶寅涕泣稱：「爾日不知何人逼使上車，仍將去，制不自由。」 東昏笑，復其爵位。 張欣泰等事覺，與胡松皆伏誅。
Zhang Xintai, inspector of Yong Province, and his younger brother Xinshi, former interior minister of Shian, secretly plotted with Hu Song, the former administrator of Nanqiao Wang Lingxiu, Direct Attendant Hong Xuan, and others to kill the favorites and depose the Marquis of Eastern Benightedness. The Marquis sent Palace Gentleman Feng Yuansi to supervise the army relieving Ying; In autumn, the seventh month, on jiawu, Ru Fazhen, Mei Chong'er, Right Leader of the Crown Prince's Guard Li Jushi, and Control Bureau Supervisor Yang Mingtai escorted him to Zhongxing Hall. Xintai and the others had men hide blades at their seats and strike Yuan Si. His head fell into the fruit tray. They also struck Mingtai and split open his belly; Chong'er took several wounds and all his fingers were cut off; Jushi, Fazhen, and the others scattered and fled back to the Terrace. Lingxiu went to Stone City to welcome Prince Bao of Jiankang, leading such officers and men as the city could muster. They removed the carriage wheels, loaded Bao Yin aboard, and several hundred civil and military officials cried the guard-clearing chant as they marched on the Terrace City. Several thousand commoners followed empty-handed. When Xintai heard the plot had begun he galloped into the palace, hoping Fazhen and the others were still outside and that the Marquis would entrust the whole city to him so inner and outer could act together. But Fazhen soon returned, ordered the gates shut and arms mounted, and gave Xintai no troops. Hong Xuan inside the hall also did not dare move. Bao Yin left Old Lady Du's house. The sun had set and the city gates were closed. Men on the wall shot at those outside, and the crowd abandoned Bao Yin and fled in disorder. Bao Yin also fled. On the third day he put on military dress and went to the Grass Market Commandant, who galloped to report to the Marquis. The Marquis summoned Bao Yin into the palace to question him. Bao Yin wept and said, "That day I did not know who forced me into a carriage and took me away. I was not free to act." The Marquis laughed and restored his titles. When Zhang Xintai's plot was exposed, he and Hu Song were both executed.
34
蕭衍使征虜將軍王茂、軍主曹仲宗等乘水漲以舟師襲加湖，鼓噪攻之。 丁酉，加湖潰，吳子陽等走免，將士殺溺死者萬計，俘其餘眾而還。 於是郢、魯二城相視奪氣。
Xiao Yan sent Campaigning General Wang Mao and army commander Cao Zhongzong and others to take advantage of the rising waters and attack Jia Lake with a fleet, drumming and shouting as they assaulted it. On dingyou the camp at Jia Lake collapsed. Wu Ziyang and the others fled. Tens of thousands of their men were killed or drowned, and the rest were taken prisoner before the army returned. Thereupon the garrisons at Ying and Mount Lu lost heart when they looked at one another.
35
乙巳，柔然犯魏邊。
On yisi the Rouran invaded the Wei frontier.
36
魯山乏糧，軍人於磯頭捕細魚供食，密治輕船，將奔夏口，蕭衍遣偏軍斷其走路。 丁巳，孫樂祖窘迫，以城降。
Mount Lu ran short of grain. The soldiers caught small fish at Jitou to eat and secretly built light boats, intending to flee to Xiakou. Xiao Yan sent a detached force to cut off their escape. On dingsi Sun Lezu, hard pressed, surrendered the city.
37
己未，東昏侯以程茂為郢州刺史，薛元嗣為雍州刺史。 是日，茂、元嗣以郢城降。 郢城之初圍也，士民男女近十萬口； 閉門二百餘日，疾疫流腫，死者什七八，積屍床下而寢其上，比屋皆滿。 茂、元嗣等議出降，使張孜為書與衍。 張沖故吏青州治中房長瑜謂孜曰：「前使君忠貫昊天，郎君但當坐守畫一荷析薪，若天運不與，當幅巾待命，下從使君。 今從諸人之計，非唯郢州士女失高山之望，亦恐彼所不取也。」 孜不能用。 蕭衍以韋睿為江夏太守，行郢府事，收瘞死者而無其生者，郢人遂安。
On jiwei, Marquis Donghun appointed Cheng Mao governor of Ying Province and Xue Yuansi governor of Yong Province. That same day, Mao and Yuansi surrendered Ying City. When the siege of Ying City began, nearly a hundred thousand men, women, and children were trapped within; the gates stayed shut for more than two hundred days. Pestilence and festering sores swept the city; seven or eight in ten perished. Corpses heaped beneath the beds while the living slept above them, and house after house overflowed with the dead. Mao, Yuansi, and their colleagues debated surrender and had Zhang Zi compose a letter to Xiao Yan. Fang Changyu, registrar of Qing Province and a former officer of Zhang Chong, told Zhang Zi: "Your father's loyalty reached to Heaven itself. You ought only to hold the line, keep one consistent policy, and shoulder the hard work of the cause. If fate turns against us, don the plain headcloth and wait for Heaven's word—then follow your father to the grave. If you now adopt the crowd's counsel, you will not only dash the hopes Ying's people have pinned on you as on a mountain peak—you may find the enemy unwilling to accept you as well." Zhang Zi would not heed him. Xiao Yan made Wei Rui administrator of Jiangxia and acting prefect of Ying, buried the dead and succored the survivors, and the people of Ying at last found peace.
38
諸將欲頓軍夏口； 衍以為宜乘勝直指建康，車騎咨議能軍張弘策、寧遠將軍庾域亦以為然。 衍命眾軍即日上道。 緣江至建康，凡磯、浦、村落，軍行宿次、立頓處所，弘策逆為圖畫，如在目中。
The generals wanted to encamp at Xiakou; Yan argued they should ride their victory straight to Jiankang; Zhang Hongce, consulting officer for the Chariots and Cavalry staff and commander of able troops, and the Ningyuan general Yu Yu agreed. Yan ordered the entire army to march at once. All the way downriver toward Jiankang, for every shoal, creek mouth, and village—every campsite, halt, and staging ground along the line of march—Hongce had already charted the terrain in advance, as if it lay spread before his eyes.
39
辛酉，魏大赦。
On xinyou, Northern Wei proclaimed a general amnesty.
40
魏安國宣簡侯王肅卒於壽陽，贈侍中、司空。 初，肅以父死非命，四年不除喪。 高祖曰：「三年之喪，賢者不敢過。」 命肅以祥禫之禮除喪。 然肅猶素服、不聽樂終身。
Wang Su, Marquis Xuanjian of Anguo in Wei, died at Shouyang and was posthumously honored as palace attendant and minister of works. Earlier, because his father had died by violence, Wang Su had worn mourning for four years without ending it. Emperor Xiaowen said: "The three-year mourning—even the worthy dare not overstay it." He ordered Wang Su to leave mourning with the xiang and chan ceremonies. Yet Wang Su continued in plain dress and refused music for the rest of his life.
41
汝南民胡文超起兵於灄陽以應蕭衍，求取義陽、安陸等郡以自效； 衍又遣軍主唐修期攻隨郡，皆克之。 司州刺史王僧景遣子貞孫為質於衍，司部悉平。
Hu Wenchao of Runan raised an army at Zhenyang to join Xiao Yan, offering to seize Yiyang, Anlu, and neighboring commanderies in his service; Yan also sent the army commander Tang Xiuqi against Su commandery; all fell. Wang Jingjing, governor of Si Province, sent his son Zhensun as a hostage to Yan, and the whole Si region was pacified.
42
崔慧景之死也，其少子偃為始安內史，逃潛得免。 及西台建，以偃為寧朔將軍。 偃詣公車門上書曰：「臣竊惟高宗之孝子忠臣而昏主之亂臣賊子者，江夏王與陛下，先臣與鎮軍是也； 雖成敗異術而所由同方。 陛下初登至尊，與天合符； 天下纖介之屈，尚望陛下申之，況先帝之子陛下之兄，所行之道，即陛下所由哉！ 此尚弗恤，其餘何冀！ 今不可幸小民之無識而罔之； 若使曉然知其情節，相帥而逃，陛下將何以應之哉！」 事寢，不報。 偃又上疏曰：「近冒陳江夏之兔，非敢以父子之親而傷至公之義，誠不曉聖朝所以然之意。 若以狂主雖狂，而實是天子，江夏雖賢，實是人臣，先臣奉人臣逆人君為不可，未審今之嚴兵勁卒方指象魏者，其故何哉！ 臣所以不死，苟存視息，非有它故，所以待皇運之開泰，申忠魂之枉屈。 今皇運已開泰矣，而死社稷者返為賊臣，臣何用此生於陛下之世矣！ 臣謹案鎮軍將軍臣穎冑、中領軍臣詳，皆社稷之也，同知先臣股肱江夏，匡濟王室，天命未遂，主亡與亡； 而不為陛下瞥然一言。 知而不言，不忠； 不知而不言，不智也。 如以先臣遣使，江夏斬之； ，則征東之驛使，何為見戮？ 陛下斬征東之使，實詐山陽； 江夏違先臣之請，實謀孔矜。 天命有歸，故事業不遂耳。 臣所言畢矣，乞就湯鑊！ 然臣雖萬沒，猶願陛下必申先臣。 何則？ 惻愴而申之，則天下伏； 不則愴而申之，則天下叛。 先臣之忠，有識所知，南、董之筆，千載可期，亦何待陛下屈申而為褒貶！ 然小臣惓惓之愚，為陛下計耳。」 詔報曰：「其知卿惋切之懷，今當顯加贈謚。」 偃尋下獄死。
After Cui Huijing's death, his youngest son Yan, interior secretary of Shi'an, had hidden himself and survived. When the Western Terrace was set up, Yan was appointed general who pacifies the north. Yan went to the imperial carriage gate and submitted a memorial: "I reflect that among Emperor Gaozong's filial sons and loyal ministers—and among a benighted sovereign's rebellious ministers and traitorous sons—stand the Prince of Jiangxia and Your Majesty, my late father and the commander-in-chief; though fortune favored one side and not the other, they walked the same road. Your Majesty has newly taken the throne and stands in harmony with Heaven; if even the smallest injustice in the realm may still hope for Your Majesty's redress, how much more the late emperor's son—Your Majesty's own elder brother—whose path was the very path Your Majesty has walked! If even this wins no pity, what hope remains for anything else! You must not gamble on the people's ignorance and mislead them; for if they came to know the truth and fled in a body, how would Your Majesty meet that!" The petition was shelved without response. Yan submitted another memorial: "I have lately dared plead for clemency toward Jiangxia—not to let a father's love wound supreme public duty, but because I truly do not understand the court's intent. If a mad sovereign remains the Son of Heaven, and a worthy prince remains a subject, then my father's service as subject who opposed his ruler was wrong—yet why do elite troops now point at the imperial gate? For what cause! I have clung to life only to await the dawn of a new reign and to plead the wrong done a loyal ghost. That dawn has come—yet he who died for the state is branded a traitor. What use is my life in Your Majesty's world! I charge that the commander-in-chief Xiao Ying Gou and the central palace guard commander Xiao Xiang are pillars of the realm; both knew my father aided Jiangxia to save the dynasty, that Heaven's mandate failed, and that they died when their lord died; yet neither will speak one word to Your Majesty. To know and remain silent is disloyalty; not to know and remain silent is folly. If Jiangxia killed envoys because my father sent them; why were the Eastern Expedition's courier envoys slaughtered? Your Majesty slew the Eastern Expedition's envoys to deceive Shan Yang; Jiangxia's refusal of my father's plea was in truth plotting with Kong Jin. Heaven's mandate already had its owner; that is why the cause failed. I have said all I can; I beg to be cast into the cauldron! Yet though I die a thousand deaths, I still beg Your Majesty to vindicate my father. Why? Redress him with compassion, and the realm will bow; redress him without true compassion, and the realm will rebel. My father's loyalty is plain to the wise; historians like Nan Shi and Dong Hu will praise him for a thousand years—what need for Your Majesty to bend praise and blame to your will! Yet this humble man's earnest folly is offered only for Your Majesty's sake." An edict answered: "We know your anguished heart; your father shall now receive conspicuous posthumous honors and a title." Yan was soon thrown into prison and executed.
43
八月，丁卯，東昏侯以輔國將軍申冑監豫州事； 辛未，以光祿大夫張瑰鎮石頭。
In the eighth month, on dingmao, Marquis Donghun made Assistant General Who Supports the State Shen Gou overseer of Yuzhou; On xinwei he stationed Grandee of Splendid Happiness Zhang Gui at Stone City.
44
初，東昏侯遣陳伯之鎮江州，以為吳子陽等聲授。 子陽等既敗，蕭衍謂諸將曰：「用兵未必須實力，所聽威聲耳。 今陳虎牙狠奔歸，尋陽人情理當恟懼，可傳檄而定也。」 乃命搜俘囚，得伯之幢主蘇隆之，厚加賜與，使說伯之，計即用為安東將軍、江州刺史。 伯之遣隆之返命，雖許歸附，而云「大軍未須遽下」。 衍曰：「伯之此言，意懷首鼠。 及其猶豫，急往逼之，計無所出，勢不得不降。」 乃命鄧元起引兵先下，楊公則徑掩柴桑，衍與諸將以次進路。 元起將至尋陽，伯之收兵退保湖口，留陳虎牙守湓城。 選曹郎吳興沈瑀說伯之迎衍。 伯之泣曰：「余子在都，不能不愛。」 瑀曰：「不然。 人情匈匈，皆思改計； 若不早圖，眾散難合。」 丙子，衍至尋陽，伸之束甲請罪。 初，新蔡太守席謙，父恭穆為鎮西司馬，為魚復侯子響所殺。 謙從伯之鎮尋陽，聞衍東下，曰：「我家世忠貞，有殞不二。」 伯之殺之。 乙卯，以伯之為江州刺史，虎牙為徐州刺史。
Earlier, Marquis Donghun had posted Chen Bozhi in Jiang Province to back Wu Ziyang and his allies. After Ziyang's defeat, Xiao Yan told his generals: "War does not always require brute force; what armies heed is renown. Chen Huya has fled home in disarray; Xunyang's people should be terrified already—we can take it with a proclamation alone." He ordered prisoners searched, found Bozhi's banner commander Su Longzhi, rewarded him richly, and sent him to win Chen Bozhi over—promising him at once the post of general who pacifies the east and governor of Jiang Province. Bozhi sent Longzhi back with his reply: he agreed to submit, yet said, "The main army need not march south in haste. Yan said: "Those words show Bozhi still sits on the fence. While he wavers, press him hard; bereft of options, he will have no choice but to yield." He ordered Deng Yuanqi to march down first, Yang Gongze to strike Chaisang directly, and himself with the other generals to follow in sequence. As Yuanqi neared Xunyang, Bozhi drew in his forces, fell back to defend Hukou, and left Chen Huya to hold Pencheng. Shen Yu of Wuxing, gentleman of the selection bureau, urged Bozhi to welcome Yan. Bozhi wept: "My sons are in the capital—I cannot cease to love them." Yu said: "That is not so. The people's hearts are in turmoil; everyone is looking to change sides; if you do not move soon, once the army scatters you cannot gather it again." On bingzi, Yan reached Xunyang; Chen Bozhi bound his armor in surrender and begged pardon. Earlier, Xi Qian, prefect of Xincai, had a father, Gongmu, who served as western garrison major and was killed by Marquis Yufu Zixiang. Xi Qian had followed Bozhi to Xunyang. Hearing that Yan was marching east, he said: "My house has been loyal for generations—we die once and do not waver." Bozhi had him killed. On yimao, Bozhi was made governor of Jiang Province and Huya governor of Xu Province.
45
魯休烈、蕭瑰破劉孝慶等於峽口，任漾之戰死。 休烈等進至上明，江陵大震。 蕭穎冑恐，馳告蕭衍，令遣楊公則還援根本。 衍曰：「公則今溯流上江陵，雖至，何能及事！ 休烈等烏合之眾，尋自退散，政須少時持重耳。 良須兵力，兩弟在雍，指遣往征，不為難至。」 穎冑乃遣軍主蔡道恭假節屯上明以拒蕭瑰。
Lu Xiulie and Xiao Gui routed Liu Xiaoqing and his forces at Xiakou; Ren Yangzhi fell in battle. Xiulie and his allies pushed on to Shangming; Jiangling was thrown into panic. Xiao Ying Gou, terrified, urgently asked Xiao Yan to send Yang Gongze back to defend their base. Yan replied: "If Gongze turns upriver for Jiangling now, even should he arrive, what good will it do! Xiulie's men are a rabble gathered in haste; they will soon scatter on their own—we need only hold steady awhile. If we truly need force, my two brothers are in Yong; dispatch them and they can arrive without difficulty." Ying Gou then sent the army commander Cai Daogong with provisional credentials to camp at Shangming and block Xiao Gui.
46
辛巳，東昏侯以太子左率李居士總督西討諸軍事，頓新亭。
On xinsi, Marquis Donghun made Crown Prince's Left Leader Li Jushi supreme commander of the western campaign and encamped at Xinting.
47
九月，乙未，詔蕭衍若定京邑，得以便宜從事。 衍留將軍鄭紹叔守尋陽，與陳伯之引兵東下，謂紹叔曰：「卿，吾之蕭何、寇恂也。 前塗不捷，我當其咎； 糧運不繼，卿任其責。」 紹叔流涕拜辭。 比克建康，紹叔督江、湘糧運，未嘗乏絕。
In the ninth month, on yimao, an edict granted Xiao Yan discretionary authority should he pacify the capital. Yan left General Zheng Shaoshu to hold Xunyang and marched east with Chen Bozhi, telling him: "You are my Xiao He and Kou Xun. If the advance fails, the fault is mine; if the grain convoys falter, the fault is yours." Shaoshu wept as he bowed farewell. By the fall of Jiankang, Shaoshu had overseen grain shipments from Jiang and Xiang without a single break in supply.
48
魏司州牧廣陽王嘉請築洛陽三百二十三坊，各方三百步，曰：「雖有暫勞，奸盜永息。」 丁酉，詔發畿內夫五萬人築之，四旬而罷。
In Wei, Prince Guangyang Jia, governor of Si Province, proposed building three hundred twenty-three wards in Luoyang, each three hundred paces square, saying: "Though the labor is brief, banditry will cease for good." On dingyou an edict drafted five hundred thousand laborers from the metropolitan region; in forty days the work ended.
49
己亥，魏立皇后于氏。 後，征虜將軍勁之女； 勁，烈之弟也。 自祖父栗磾以來，累世貴盛，一皇后，四贈公，三領軍，二尚書令，三開國公。
On jihai, Northern Wei installed Empress Yu. She was the daughter of General Who Conquers the Barbarians Jin; Jin was the younger brother of Lie. From their grandfather Li Di onward the clan had risen for generations: one empress, four men posthumously made dukes, three commanders-in-chief, two chiefs of the masters of writing, and three founding marquises.
50
甲申，東昏侯以李居士為江州刺史，冠軍將軍王珍國為雍州刺史，建安王寶寅為荊州刺史，輔國將軍申冑監郢州，龍驤將軍扶風馬仙玭監豫州，驍騎將軍徐元稱監徐州軍事。 珍國，廣之之子也。 是日，蕭衍前軍至蕪湖； 申冑軍二萬人棄姑孰走，衍進軍，據之。 戊申，東昏侯以後軍參軍蕭瑰為司州刺史，前輔國將軍魯休烈為益州刺史。
On jiashen, Marquis Donghun appointed Li Jushi governor of Jiang Province, Champion General Wang Zhenguo governor of Yong Province, Prince of Jian'an Bao Yin governor of Jing Province, Assistant General Who Supports the State Shen Gou overseer of Ying Province, Dragon-Prancing General Ma Xianbi of Fufeng overseer of Yuzhou, and Valiant Cavalry General Xu Yuancheng overseer of Xu Province. Zhenguo was Guang's son. That day Xiao Yan's vanguard reached Wuhu; Shen Gou's twenty thousand men abandoned Guzhu and fled; Yan pressed forward and occupied it. On wushen, Marquis Donghun made Rear Army staff officer Xiao Gui governor of Si Province and former Assistant General Who Supports the State Lu Xiulie governor of Yi Province.
51
蕭衍之克江、郢也，東昏侯游騁如舊，謂茹法珍曰：「須來至白門前，當一決。」 衍至近道，乃聚兵為固守之計，簡二尚方、二冶囚徒以配軍； 其不可活者，於朱雀門內日斬百餘人。
After Xiao Yan captured Jiang and Ying, Marquis Donghun still roved and hunted as before. He told Ru Fazhen, "When they reach the White Gate, we shall settle it in one battle." As Yan drew near, he massed troops for a last-ditch defense, drafting convicts from the two palace workshops and two smelteries into the ranks; those deemed beyond saving he had beheaded by the hundred each day inside the Vermilion Bird Gate.
52
衍遣曹景宗等進頓江寧。 丙辰，李居士自新亭選精騎一千至江寧。 景宗始至，營壘未立，且師行日久，器甲穿弊。 居士望而輕之，鼓噪直前薄之； 景宗奮擊，破之，因乘勝而前，逕至皁莢橋。 於是王茂、鄧元超、呂僧珍進據赤鼻邏，新亭城主江道林引兵出戰，眾軍擒之於陳。 衍至新林，命王茂進據越城，鄧元起據道士墩，陳伯之據籬門，呂僧珍據白板橋。 李居士覘之僧珍眾少，帥銳卒萬人直來薄壘。 僧珍曰：「吾眾少，不可逆戰，可勿遙射，須至塹裡，當並力破之。」 俄而皆越塹拔柵。 僧珍分人上城，矢石俱發，自帥馬步三百人出其後，城上人復逾城而下，內外奮擊，居士敗走，獲取器甲不可勝計。 居士請於東昏侯，燒南岸邑屋以開戰場，自大航以西、新亭以北皆盡。 衍諸弟皆自建康自拔赴軍。
Yan sent Cao Jingzong and others forward to encamp at Jiangning. On bingchen, Li Jushi led a thousand picked horsemen from Xinting to Jiangning. Jingzong had only just arrived; his camp was not yet built, and after a long march his men's arms and armor were worn out. Jushi looked on and despised them; drumming and shouting, he charged straight at their line; Jingzong struck back hard, broke them, and pressing his advantage marched straight to Zaojia Bridge. Wang Mao, Deng Yuanchao, and Lü Sengzhen then seized Chibei Market. Jiang Daolin, lord of Xinting, led his men out to fight and was taken in the field. Yan reached Xinlin and ordered Wang Mao to hold Yue City, Deng Yuanqi Daoshi Mound, Chen Bozhi Fence Gate, and Lü Sengzhen Whiteboard Bridge. Li Jushi saw that Sengzhen had few men and led ten thousand elite troops straight at his camp. Sengzhen said, "We are too few to meet them head-on. Hold your fire from afar; when they reach the ditch we shall strike together and break them." In a moment they had all crossed the ditch and torn down the palisade. Sengzhen sent men up the wall with a storm of arrows and stones, himself led three hundred horse and foot around their rear, and his men on the wall leaped down to join the fight. Attacked from within and without, Jushi was routed. The arms and armor taken were beyond count. Jushi asked Marquis Donghun to burn the towns and houses on the south bank to clear a battlefield; from the Great Ferry west to Xinting north nothing was left standing. All of Yan's younger brothers slipped out of Jiankang on their own and joined his army.
53
冬，十月，甲戌，東昏侯遣征虜將軍王珍國、軍主胡虎牙將精兵十萬餘人陳於朱雀航南，宦官王寶孫持白虎幡督戰，開航背水，以絕歸路。 衍軍小卻，王茂下馬，單刀直前，其甥韋欣慶執鐵纏槊以翼之，衝擊東軍，應時而陷。 曹景宗縱兵乘之，呂僧珍縱火焚其營，將士皆殊死戰，鼓噪震天地。 珍國等眾軍不能抗，王寶孫切罵諸將帥，直閣將軍席豪發憤突陳而死。 豪，驍將也，既死，士卒土崩，赴淮死者無數，積屍與航等，後至者乘以之以濟。 於是東昏侯諸軍望之皆潰。 衍軍長驅至宣陽門，諸將移稍前。
In winter, the tenth month, on jiaxu, Marquis Donghun sent Campaigning General Wang Zhenguo and army commander Hu Huya with more than a hundred thousand elite troops to form battle lines south of the Vermilion Bird Ford. The eunuch Wang Baosun bore the White Tiger banner to direct the fight. They opened the ford and faced the water behind them to cut off retreat. Yan's army gave ground slightly. Wang Mao dismounted, drew a single blade, and charged straight ahead; his nephew Wei Xinqing flanked him with an iron-shod lance. They smashed the eastern army on the spot. Cao Jingzong drove his men in pursuit; Lü Sengzhen set fire to their camp. Officers and soldiers fought as if unto death; drums and shouts shook heaven and earth. Zhenguo's armies could not hold. Wang Baosun cursed the generals bitterly. Direct Gate General Xi Hao, in a fury, charged the line and was killed. Hao was a fierce fighter; once he fell, the army collapsed. Countless men drowned in the Huai; corpses piled level with the ford, and those who came after crossed on the dead. At that sight all of Marquis Donghun's armies broke and fled. Yan's army swept on to the Xuanyang Gate as the generals edged their lines forward.
54
陳伯之屯西明門，每城中有降人出，伯之輒呼與耳語。 衍恐其復懷翻覆，密語伯之曰：「聞城中甚忿卿舉江州降，欲遣刺客中卿，宜以為慮」。 伯之未之信。 會東昏侯將鄭伯倫來降，衍使伯倫過伯之，謂曰：「城中甚忿卿，欲遣信誘卿以封賞，須卿復降，當生割卿手足； 卿若不降，復欲遣刺客殺卿。 宜深為備。」 伯之懼，自是始無異志。
Chen Bozhi held the Ximing Gate. Whenever a defector came out of the city, Bozhi would call him aside and whisper in his ear. Yan feared he might waver again and told him privately, "I hear the city is furious that you surrendered Jiang Province and means to send assassins against you. You should beware." Bozhi did not yet believe him. Just then Marquis Donghun's officer Zheng Bolun came over to Yan. Yan sent Bolun to Bozhi with this message: "The city is furious with you. They mean to lure you back with titles and rewards; if you surrender again they will cut off your hands and feet while you live; if you do not yield, they will send assassins to kill you. Guard yourself well." Bozhi was terrified and from then on held no other allegiance.
55
戊寅，東昏寧朔將軍徐元瑜以東府城降。 青、冀二州刺史桓和入援，屯東宮。 己卯，和許東昏，雲出戰，因以其眾來降。 光祿大夫張瑰棄石頭還宮。 李居士以新亭降於衍，琅邪城主張木亦降。 壬午，衍鎮石頭，命諸軍攻六門。 東昏燒門內營署、官府，驅逼士民，悉入宮城，閉門自守。 衍命諸軍築長圍守之。
On wuyin, Marquis Donghun's General Who Pacifies the North Xu Yuancheng surrendered the Eastern Mansion. Huan He, governor of Qing and Ji provinces, marched in to reinforce and encamped at the Eastern Palace. On jimao, He promised Donghun he would go out to fight, then brought his entire force over to Yan. Grandee of Splendid Happiness Zhang Gui abandoned Stone City and returned to the palace. Li Jushi surrendered Xinting to Yan, and Zhang Mu, lord of Langye, surrendered as well. On renwu, Yan took Stone City and ordered his armies to assault the six gates. Donghun burned the camps and government offices inside the gates, drove scholars and commoners into the palace city, shut the gates, and held himself within. Yan ordered his armies to build a long encirclement and lay siege.
56
楊公則屯領軍府壘北樓，與南掖門相對，嘗登樓望戰。 城中遙見麾蓋，以神鋒弩射之，矢貫胡床，左右失色。 公則曰：「幾中吾腳！」 談笑如初。 東昏夜選勇士攻公則柵，軍中驚擾； 公則堅臥不起，徐命擊之，東昏兵乃退。 公則所領皆湘州人，素號怯懦，城中輕之，每出蕩，輒先犯公則壘； 公則獎厲軍士，克獲更多。
Yang Gongze held the north tower of the Army Director's fortress, facing the Southern Flank Gate, and once climbed the tower to watch the battle. Men in the city saw his banner and canopy from afar and shot at him with divine-edge crossbows. An arrow pierced his camp chair; his attendants turned pale. Gongze said, "That nearly took my foot!" He talked and laughed as before. Donghun by night sent picked warriors to assault Gongze's palisade, throwing his camp into alarm; Gongze lay still and did not rise, then calmly ordered a counterattack; Donghun's men withdrew. Gongze's men were all from Xiang Province, long reputed cowards; the city despised them and whenever they sallied always struck Gongze's camp first; Gongze exhorted his men, and their captures and victories grew ever greater.
57
先是，東昏遣軍主左僧慶屯京口，常僧景屯廣陵，李叔獻屯瓜步； 及申冑自姑孰奔歸，使屯破墩，以為東北聲援。 至是，衍遣使曉諭，皆帥其眾來降。 衍遣弟輔國將軍秀鎮京口，輔國將軍恢鎮破墩，從弟寧朔將軍景鎮廣陵。
Earlier, Donghun had posted army commander Zuo Sengqing at Jingkou, Chang Sengjing at Guangling, and Li Shuxian at Guabu; when Shen Gou fled from Guzhu, Donghun posted them at Podun to support the northeast. Now Yan sent envoys to win them over, and all led their forces to surrender. Yan posted his brother Assistant General Who Supports the State Xiu at Jingkou, another brother Hui at Podun, and his cousin General Who Pacifies the North Jing at Guangling.
58
十一月，丙申，魏以驃騎大將軍穆亮為司空； 丁酉，以北海王詳為太傅，領司徒，初，詳欲奪彭城王勰司徒，故譖而黜之； 既而畏人議己，故但為大將軍，至是乃居之。 詳貴盛翕赫，將作大匠王遇多隨詳所欲，私以官物給之。 司空長史於忠責遇於詳前曰：「殿下，國之周公，阿衡王室，所須材用，自應關旨； 何至阿諛附勢，損公惠私也！」 遇既踧□，詳亦慚謝。 忠每以鯁直為詳所忿，嘗罵忠曰：「我憂在前見爾死，不憂爾見我死時也！」 忠曰：「人生於世，自有定分； 若應死於王手，避亦不免； 若其不爾，王不能殺！」 忠以討咸陽王禧功，封魏郡公，遷散騎常侍，兼武衛將軍。 詳因忠表讓之際，密勸魏主以忠為列卿，令解左右，聽其上爵，於是詔停其封，優進太府卿。
In the eleventh month, on bingshen, Northern Wei made Swift Cavalry General Mu Liang minister of works; on dingyou appointed Prince of Beihai Xiang grand tutor and concurrent minister of education. Earlier Xiang had wanted Xie's post as minister of education and had slandered him into dismissal; then, fearing criticism, he had taken only the post of grand general; only now did he assume the ministry. Xiang's glory blazed; Master of Works Wang Yu often indulged his wishes and privately gave him government goods. Minister of Works chief clerk Yu Zhong rebuked Wang Yu before Xiang: "Your Highness is the state's Duke of Zhou, who steadies the throne. Whatever materials you need should pass through proper channels; how could you sink to fawning on power, harming the public purse for private gain!" Wang Yu shrank back abashed; Xiang apologized as well. Xiang often resented Zhong's blunt honesty and once cursed him: "I worry I shall see you die first, not that you will see me die!" Zhong said, "Life has its allotted span; if I am fated to die by your hand, flight will not save me; if not, you cannot kill me!" For his merit in punishing Prince of Xianyang Xi, Zhong was enfeoffed as duke of Wei commandery, promoted to cavalier attendant-in-ordinary, and made military guard general as well. Xiang, exploiting Zhong's memorial declining honors, secretly urged the Wei emperor to make Zhong a ranked minister, remove him from the ruler's side, and let him rise in rank. An edict then halted his enfeoffment and promoted him to grand steward instead.
59
巴東獻武公蕭穎冑以蕭瑰與蔡道恭相持不決，憂憤成疾； 壬午，卒。 夏侯詳秘之，使似其書者假為教命，密報蕭衍，衍亦秘之。 詳徵兵雍州，蕭偉遣蕭心詹將兵赴之。 瑰等聞建康已危，眾懼而潰，瑰及魯休烈皆降。 乃發穎冑喪，贈侍中、丞相； 於是眾望盡歸於衍。 夏侯詳請與蕭憺共參軍國，詔以詳為侍中、尚書右僕射，尋除使持節、撫軍將軍荊州刺史。 詳固讓於憺，乃以憺行荊州府州事。
Xiao Ying Gou, Duke Wuxian of Badong, fell ill with worry because Xiao Gui and Cai Daogong remained locked in stalemate; On renwu he died. Xiahou Xiang kept the death secret, had someone forge orders in Ying Gou's hand, and secretly informed Xiao Yan, who also concealed it. Xiang raised troops in Yong Province; Xiao Wei sent Xiao Xinzhan with an army to reinforce him. Gui and his allies heard Jiankang was in peril; their armies panicked and broke. Gui and Lu Xiulie both surrendered. Only then was Ying Gou's death announced; he was posthumously honored as palace attendant and chancellor; and all hopes turned to Yan. Xiahou Xiang asked to administer state affairs jointly with Xiao Dan. An edict made Xiang palace attendant and right vice director of the masters of writing, then envoy bearing staff of authority, general who pacifies the army, and governor of Jing Province. Xiang firmly yielded to Dan, who was then put in charge of Jing prefectural and provincial affairs.
60
魏改築圜丘於伊水之陽； 乙卯，始祀於其上。
Northern Wei rebuilt the Round Mound Altar on the south bank of the Yi River; on yimao they first sacrificed there.
61
魏鎮南將軍元英上書曰：「蕭寶卷驕縱日甚，虐害無辜。 其雍州刺史蕭衍東伐秣陵，掃土興兵，順流而下； 唯有孤城，更無重衛，乃皇天授我之日，曠載一逢之秋； 此而不乘，將欲何待！ 臣乞躬帥步騎三萬，直指沔陰，據襄陽之城，斷黑水之路。 昏虐君臣，自相魚肉； 我居上流，威震遐邇，長驅南出，進拔江陵，則三楚之地一朝可收，岷、蜀之道自成斷絕。 又命揚、徐二州聲言俱舉，建業窮蹙，魚游釜中，可以齊文軌而大同，混天地而為一。 伏惟陛下獨決聖心，無取疑議； 此期脫爽，併吞無日。」 事寢不報。
Wei's General Who Guards the South Yuan Ying submitted a memorial: "Xiao Baojuan grows more arrogant and cruel by the day, slaughtering the innocent. His governor of Yong Province, Xiao Yan, marches east against Moling, raises armies across the land, and comes downriver; only a lone city remains, with no strong guard—this is the day Heaven grants us, an opportunity that comes once in ages; if we do not seize it now, what are we waiting for! I beg to lead thirty thousand foot and horse in person straight to the north bank of the Mian, hold Xiangyang, and cut the Black Water route. The benighted ruler and his ministers tear one another apart; holding the upper river, our might will shake the realm; driving south to take Jiangling, we can seize the Three Chu in a morning and cut off the roads to Min and Shu. Order Yang and Xu to rise together in name; Jianye is trapped like a fish in a cauldron—we can unite the realm, align all under one rule, and merge heaven and earth into one. I beg Your Majesty to decide alone with a sage heart and heed no doubters; if this moment slips away, conquest may never come again." The memorial was shelved without reply.
62
車騎大將軍源懷上言：「蕭衍內侮，寶卷孤危，廣陵、淮陰等戍皆觀望得失。 斯實天啟上期，併吞之會； 宜東西齊舉，以成席捲之勢。 若使蕭衍克濟，上下同心，豈惟後圖之難，亦恐揚州危逼。 何則？ 壽春之去建康才七百里，山川水陸，皆彼所諳。 彼若內外無虞，君臣分定，乘舟藉水，倏忽而至，未易當也。 今寶卷都邑有土崩之憂，邊城無繼授之望，廓清江表，正在今日。」 魏主乃以任城王澄為都督淮南諸軍事、鎮南大將軍、開府儀同三司、揚州刺史，使為經略； 既而不果。 懷，賀之子也。
Chariots and Cavalry General Yuan Huai submitted: "Xiao Yan attacks within; Baojuan stands alone and endangered; garrisons at Guangling, Huaiyin, and elsewhere all watch which way fortune turns. This is truly Heaven opening the supreme moment for conquest; east and west should strike together to complete a sweeping advance. If Xiao Yan succeeds and court and army unite, not only will later conquest grow hard—we may find Yang Province itself in peril. Why? Shouchun lies only seven hundred li from Jiankang; every mountain, river, and route is terrain they know intimately. If they are secure within and without, sovereign and ministers settled, they can come by boat in a flash—hard to withstand. Now Baojuan's capital totters; border cities expect no relief; to clear the lands south of the Yang must be done today." The Wei emperor then made Prince of Rencheng Cheng grand marshal over Huainan, general who guards the south, opener of an office equal to the three excellencies, and governor of Yang Province to direct strategy; but in the end nothing came of it. Huai was He's son.
63
東豫州刺史田益宗上表曰：「蕭氏亂常，君臣交爭，江外州鎮，中分為兩，東西抗峙，已淹歲時。 民庶窮於轉輸，甲兵疲於戰鬥，事救於目前，力盡於麾下，無暇外維州鎮，綱紀庶方，籓城棋立，孤存而已。 不乘機電掃，廓彼蠻疆，恐後之經略，未易於此。 且故壽春雖平，三面仍梗，鎮守之宜，實須豫設。 義陽差近淮源，利涉津要，朝廷行師，必由此道。 若江南一平，有事淮外，須乘夏水汎長，列舟長淮； 師赴壽春，須從義陽之北，便是居我喉要，在慮彌深。 義陽之滅，今實時矣。 度彼不過須精卒一萬二千； 然行師之法，貴張形勢。 請使兩荊之眾西擬隨、雍，揚州之卒頓於建安，得捍三關之援； 然後二豫之軍直據南關，對抗延頭，遣一都督總諸軍節度，季冬進師，迄於春末，不過十旬，克之必矣。」 元英又奏稱：「今寶卷骨肉相殘，籓鎮鼎立。 義陽孤絕，密邇王土，內無兵儲之固，外無糧援之期，此乃欲焚之鳥，不可去薪，授首之寇，豈容緩斧！ 若失此不取，豈惟後舉難圖，亦恐更為深患。 今豫州刺史司馬悅已戒嚴垂發，東豫州刺史田益宗兵守三關，請遣軍司為之節度。」 魏主乃遣直寢羊靈引為軍司。 益宗遂入寇。 建寧太守黃天賜與益宗戰於赤亭，天賜敗績。
Eastern Yu governor Tian Yizong submitted a memorial: "The Xiao house has thrown the realm into chaos; ruler and ministers fight one another; commanderies south of the Yang are split in two and have faced off for years. The people are exhausted by transport; armies are worn out by battle. Each side tends only what lies before it; strength is spent under its own banners. Neither can spare force to hold distant commanderies; frontier cities stand like chess pieces, barely surviving alone. If we do not seize the moment and sweep their southern frontier clean, later campaigns may never be easier than this. Moreover, though old Shouchun is pacified, three sides remain blocked; garrisons must be planned in advance. Yiyang lies close to the headwaters of the Huai and commands the key river crossings; any army the court sends south must pass that way. When the south is subdued in one sweep and campaigns open beyond the Huai, we must ride the summer rise and mass a fleet on the Long Huai, and any force bound for Shouchun must come north of Yiyang—right at our throat. The worry could hardly be greater. The time to destroy Yiyang is now. The enemy, I judge, would require no more than twelve thousand elite soldiers; but the art of war prizes the display of overwhelming force. Send the two Jing armies west in a feint toward Sui and Yong, station Yangzhou's troops at Jian'an to shield the Three Passes, then let the two Yu armies seize Nan Pass and face Yantou, with one commander-in-chief directing all forces. March in the last month of winter through spring's end—within a hundred days it will surely fall." Yuan Ying memorialized again: "Baojuan's own kin are at each other's throats, and the provincial strongholds stand like tripods in rivalry. Yiyang stands alone, hard against our heartland. It has no secure stores of arms within, no hope of grain from without—a bird bent on burning itself: do not remove the kindling! A foe offering its head—why stay the axe? If we let this chance slip, later campaigns will be harder—and I fear a worse calamity still. Inspector of Yu Sima Yue has already mobilized and is about to march; Inspector of East Yu Tian Zongzong holds the Three Passes. Please send an army supervisor to direct them." The Wei emperor then sent Direct Attendant Yang Lingyin as army supervisor. Zongzong then invaded. Jianning Administrator Huang Tianci fought Zongzong at Chiting; Tianci was routed.
64
崔慧景之逼建康也，東昏候拜蔣子文為假黃鉞、使持節、相國、太宰、大將軍、錄尚書事、揚州牧、鐘山王； 及衍至，又尊子文為靈帝，迎神像入後堂，使巫禱祀求福。 及城閉，城中軍事悉委王珍國； 兗州刺史張稷入衛京師，以稷為珍國之副。 稷，瑰之弟也。
When Cui Huijing pressed Jiankang, Marquis Donghun appointed Jiang Ziwen Acting Bearer of the Yellow Battle-axe, Envoy with the Staff of Full Powers, Chancellor, Grand Preceptor, Grand General, Recorder of the Masters of Writing, Governor of Yangzhou, and Prince of Mount Zhong; When Yan arrived, he further honored Ziwen as Spirit Emperor, brought the idol into the rear hall, and had shamans pray for blessing. When the city was closed, all military affairs in the capital were entrusted to Wang Zhen'guo; Inspector of Yanzhou Zhang Ji came to defend the capital and was made Zhen'guo's deputy. Ji was the younger brother of Gui.
65
時城中實甲猶七萬人，東昏素好軍陳，與黃門、刀敕及宮人於華光殿前習戰鬥，詐作被創勢，使人以板□去，用為厭勝。 常於殿中戎服、騎馬出入，以金銀為鎧冑，具裝飾以孔翠。 晝眠夜起，一如平常。 聞外鼓叫聲，被大紅袍，登景陽樓屋上望之，弩幾中之。
The city still had seventy thousand men under arms. Donghun had always loved war games; with Yellow Gate attendants, blade-guards, and palace women he drilled before Hua'guang Hall, feigning wounds and having them borne away on boards [lacuna in text] as a charm against evil. He often wore military dress in the halls, riding in and out, with armor of gold and silver trimmed in kingfisher plumes. He slept by day and rose by night, as if nothing were amiss. Hearing drums and shouts outside, he threw on a great red robe, climbed to the roof of Jingyang Tower to watch, and nearly took a crossbow bolt.
66
始，東昏與左右謀，以為陳顯達一戰即敗，崔慧景圍城尋走，謂衍兵亦然，敕太官辦樵、米為百日調而已。 及大桁之敗，眾情兇懼。 茹法珍等恐士民逃潰，故閉城不復出兵。 既而長圍已立，塹柵嚴固； 然後出蕩，屢戰不捷。
At first Donghun and his intimates assumed Chen Xianda had been beaten in one battle and Cui Huijing's siege would soon break—Yan's army would be no different. He ordered the Imperial Kitchen to stock firewood and rice for a hundred days, and nothing more. After the rout at Daheng, panic seized the city. Ru Fazhen and others, fearing soldiers and civilians would flee, shut the gates and sent out no more troops. Soon the long siege was in place, moats and palisades tight; only then did they sally forth—and lost again and again.
67
東昏尤惜金錢，不肯賞賜； 法珍叩頭請之，東昏曰：「賊來獨取我邪！ 何為就我求物！」 後堂儲數百具榜，啟為城防； 東昏欲留作殿，竟不與。 又督御府作三百人精伏，待圍解以擬屏除，金銀雕鏤雜物，倍急於常。 眾皆怨怠，不為致力。 外圍既久，城中皆思早亡，莫敢先發。
Donghun was miserly with money and refused to reward anyone. Fazhen kowtowed to beg; Donghun said, "When the rebels come, do they want only me? Why come to me for things!" Hundreds of planks lay stored in the rear hall; officials proposed them for the city's defense; Donghun wanted them for a new hall and would not release them. He also ordered the Imperial Workshops to fashion three hundred elite hidden guards for when the siege lifted, and gold and silver trinkets with twice the usual urgency. Everyone grumbled and slackened; no one would give his best. The siege wore on; all in the city wished for a quick end, but none dared strike first.
68
茹法珍、梅蟲兒說東昏曰：「大臣不留意，使圍不解，宜悉誅之。」 王珍國、張稷懼禍，珍國密遣所親獻明鏡於蕭衍，衍斷金以報之。 兗州中兵參軍馮翊張齊，稷之腹心也，珍國因齊密與稷謀同弒東昏。 齊夜引珍國就稷，造膝定計，齊自執燭； 又以計告後閣舍人錢強。 十二月，丙寅夜，強密令人開雲龍門，珍國、稷引兵入殿，御刀豐勇之為內應。 東昏在含德殿作笙歌，寢未熟，聞兵入，趨出北戶，欲還後宮，門已閉。 宦者黃泰平刀傷其膝，仆地，張齊斬之。 稷召尚書右僕射王亮等列坐殿前西鐘下，令百僚署箋，以黃油裹東昏首，遣國子博士范雲等送詣石頭。 右衛將軍王志歎曰：「冠雖弊，何可加足！」 取庭中樹葉挼服之，偽悶，不署名。 衍覽箋無志名，心嘉之。 亮，瑩之從弟； 志，僧虔之子也。
Ru Fazhen and Mei Chong'er told Donghun, "The great ministers do nothing, so the siege never lifts—they should all be killed." Wang Zhen'guo and Zhang Ji feared for their lives. Zhen'guo secretly sent a confidant to offer Xiao Yan a bright mirror; Yan broke off gold in reply. Zhang Qi of Fufeng, Central Troops Commander of Yanzhou, was Ji's trusted man. Through Qi, Zhen'guo secretly plotted with Ji to kill Donghun together. By night Qi brought Zhen'guo to Ji; knee to knee they fixed the plan, Qi holding the candle. He also confided the plan to Rear Pavilion Attendant Qian Qiang. On the night of bingyin in the twelfth month, Qiang secretly had Yunlong Gate opened. Zhen'guo and Ji led troops into the hall; Imperial Blade Feng Yongzhi was their man inside. Donghun was at Hede Hall with music and song, not yet deep in sleep. Hearing troops enter, he ran out the north door toward the inner palace—but the gate was shut. Eunuch Huang Taiping cut his knee with a blade; he fell. Zhang Qi beheaded him. Ji summoned Wang Liang, Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, and others to sit before the western bell in the hall court, had the hundred officials sign a petition, wrapped Donghun's head in yellow oilcloth, and sent Imperial University Erudite Fan Yun and others to Shitou with it. Right Guards General Wang Zhi sighed, "Though the cap is worn, how can one set foot upon it!" He took leaves from the courtyard tree, chewed and swallowed them, feigned collapse, and would not sign. Yan read the petition, saw no name of Zhi, and inwardly approved. Liang was the younger cousin of Ying; Zhi was the son of Sengqian.
69
衍與范雲有舊，即留參帷幄。 王亮在東昏朝，以依違取容。 蕭衍至新林，百僚皆間道送款，亮獨不遣。 東昏敗，亮出見衍，衍曰：「顛而不扶，安用彼相！」 亮曰：「若其可扶，明公豈有今日之舉！」 城中出者，或被劫剝。 楊公則親帥麾下陳於東掖門，衛送公卿士民，故出者多由公則營焉。 衍使張弘策先入清宮，封府庫及圖籍。 於時城內珍寶委積，弘策禁勒部曲，秋毫無犯。 收潘妃及嬖臣茹法珍、梅蟲兒、王咺之等四十一人皆屬吏。
Yan and Fan Yun were old friends; he kept Yun to counsel him in the command tent. Wang Liang in Donghun's court had survived by equivocation. When Xiao Yan reached Xinlin, officials sent pledges of loyalty by secret paths; Liang alone sent none. Donghun fell; Liang came out to see Yan. Yan said, "When a man topples and you do not steady him, what use is such a minister!" Liang said, "If he could have been steadied, would Your Excellency have taken today's step!" Those who left the city were sometimes robbed and stripped. Yang Gongze personally led his men and arrayed them at the East Yecha Gate, escorting ministers and commoners, so most who left went through Gongze's camp. Yan sent Zhang Hongce ahead to enter the palace, seal the treasuries and archives. Treasures lay heaped in the city; Hongce restrained his troops—not a hair was touched. Pan Consort and favorites Ru Fazhen, Mei Chong'er, Wang Xuanzhi, and forty-one others were all handed to the law.
70
初，海陵王之廢也，王太后出居鄱陽王故第，號宣德宮。 己巳，蕭衍以宣德太后令追廢涪陵王為東昏侯，褚后及太子誦並為庶人。 以衍為中書監、大司馬、錄尚書事、驃騎大將軍、揚州刺史，封建安郡公，依晉武陵王遵承製故事，百僚致敬； 以王亮為長史。 壬申，更封建安王寶寅為鄱陽王。 癸酉，以司徒、揚州刺史晉安王寶義為太尉，領司徒。
When the Prince of Hailing was deposed, the queen dowager moved to the Prince of Poyang's former residence, called Xuande Palace. On jisi, by order of Empress Dowager Xuande, Xiao Yan posthumously deposed the Prince of Fuling as Marquis Donghun; Empress Chu and Crown Prince Song were reduced to commoners. Yan was made Secretariat Supervisor, Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Masters of Writing, Rapid Cavalry Grand General, and Inspector of Yangzhou, enfeoffed Duke of Jian'an Commandery. Following Jin's precedent of Prince Wuling Zun receiving and issuing edicts, the hundred officials paid him homage; Wang Liang was made chief steward. On renshen, Prince Jian'an Bao Yin was made Prince of Poyang. On guiyou, Grand Mentor and Inspector of Yangzhou, Prince of Jin'an Bao Yi, was made Grand Commandant and continued as Grand Mentor.
71
己卯，衍入屯閱武堂，下令大赦。 又下令：「凡昏制謬賦、淫刑濫役外，可詳檢前原，悉皆除蕩； 其主守散失諸所損耗，精立科條，鹹從原例。」 又下令：「通檢尚書眾曹，東昏時諸諍訟失理及主者淹停不時施行者，精加訊辨，依事議奏。」 又下令：「收葬義師，掩瘞逆徒之死亡者。」
On jimao, Yan entered and encamped at Reviewing Arms Hall and proclaimed a general amnesty. He also ordered: "Aside from Donghun's mistaken statutes, absurd levies, cruel punishments, and abusive corvée, examine all prior grounds and abolish them; for losses and waste under local magistrates, set clear rules and follow the original statutes." He also ordered: "Inspect all bureaus of the Masters of Writing; for lawsuits from Donghun's time wrongly decided or delayed by responsible officials, examine closely and report on each case." He also ordered: "Bury the loyal dead and inter the fallen among the rebels."
72
潘妃有國色，衍欲留之，以問侍中、領軍將軍王茂，茂曰：「亡齊者此物，留之恐貽外議。」 乃縊殺於獄，並誅嬖臣茹法珍等。 以宮女二千賚將士。 乙酉，以輔國將軍蕭宏為中護軍。
Pan Consort was a national beauty; Yan wished to keep her and asked Palace Attendant and Camp Commander Wang Mao. Mao said, "This is what destroyed Qi; keeping her will invite outside talk." She was strangled in prison, and favorites Ru Fazhen and others were executed as well. Two thousand palace women were bestowed to reward the troops. On yiyou, Assistant-General for the State Xiao Hong was made Central Camp Commander.
73
衍之東下也，豫州刺史馬仙玭擁兵不附衍，衍使其故人姚仲賓說之，仙玭先為設酒，乃斬於軍門以徇。 衍又遣其族叔懷遠說之，仙玭曰：「大義滅親。」 又欲斬之； 軍中為請，乃得免。 衍至新林，仙玭猶於江西日抄運船。 衍圍宮城，州郡皆遣使請降，吳興太守袁昂獨拒境不受命。 昂，顗之子也。
When Yan marched east, Inspector of Yu Ma Xianbi held his army and would not join him. Yan sent his old friend Yao Zhongbin to persuade him; Xianbi set out wine, then executed Zhongbin at the army gate as a warning. Yan sent his clansman-uncle Huaiyuan; Xianbi said, "Righteousness overrides kinship." He meant to execute him too; the army pleaded, and Huaiyuan was spared. When Yan reached Xinlin, Xianbi was still daily seizing transport boats west of the river. Yan besieged the palace-city; provinces and commanderies sent envoys to surrender; only Wuxing Administrator Yuan Ang shut his borders and refused orders. Ang was the son of Yan.
74
衍使駕部郎考城江革為書與昂曰：「根本既傾，枝葉安附？ 今竭力昏主，未足為忠； 家門屠滅，非所謂孝。 豈若翻然改圖，自招多福！」 昂復書曰：「三吳內地，非用兵之所； 況以偏隅一郡，何能為役！ 自承麾旆屆止，莫不膝袒軍門。 惟僕一人敢後至者，政以內揆庸素，文武無施，雖欲獻心，不增大師之勇； 置其愚默，寧沮眾軍之威。 幸藉將軍含弘之大，可得從容以禮。 竊以一餐微施，敞昨投殞； 況食人之祿而頓忘一旦，非惟物議不可，亦恐明公鄙之，所以躊躇，未遑薦璧。」
Yan had Jiang Ge of Kaocheng, Director of the Imperial Carriage Office, write to Ang: "The root has toppled—where can the branches cling? To exhaust yourself for a benighted lord is not loyalty; to see your house slaughtered is not filial piety. Why not turn at once and win blessing for yourself!" Ang replied: "The Three Wu are heartland, not a field for armies; and what can one remote commandery do! Since your banners arrived, all have bared their knees at the army gate. Only I dared lag behind, for I know my mediocrity—nothing to offer in civil or martial arts. Though I wished to give my heart, I would not add to the Grand Marshal's strength; and my silence would only damp the army's spirit. By your forbearance, I may yet be met with courtesy. One meal's kindness made Zang Zuo give his life yesterday; how much more for one who ate another's salary to forget it in a day—not only would the world condemn me, I fear you would despise me. That is why I hesitate and have not yet offered the jade of surrender."
75
昂問時事於武康令北地傅映，映曰：「昔元嘉之末，開闢未有，故太尉殺身以明節。 司徒當寄托之重，理無苟全，所以不顧夷險以循名義。 今嗣主昏虐，曾無悛改； 荊、雍協舉，乘據上流，天人之意可知。 願明府深慮，無取後悔。」 及建康平，衍使豫州刺史李元履巡撫東士，敕元履曰：「袁昂道素之門，世有忠節，天下須共容之，勿以兵威陵辱。」 元履至吳興，宜衍旨； 昂亦不請降，開門撤備而已。
Ang asked Fu Ying, Magistrate of Wukang from Beidi, about the times. Ying said, "At the end of Yuanjia, when restoration had not yet dawned, the Grand Commandant gave his life to show his integrity. The Grand Mentor bore the weight of the realm; he could not seek safety alone, and so faced peril and ease alike to keep faith with duty. Today's heir is brutal and benighted, without a thought of reform; Jing and Yong rise together and hold the upper Yangzi; the intent of Heaven and men is plain. I beg you, sir, to ponder this deeply and not bring regret upon yourself. When Jiankang was pacified, Yan sent Li Yuanyi, Governor of Yu Province, to tour and comfort the eastern lands, instructing him, "Yuan Ang comes from a house of moral integrity and has shown loyal integrity for generations. The realm must make room for him—do not insult him with military force." When Yuanyi reached Wuxing he proclaimed Yan's intent; Ang also did not formally surrender—he only opened the gates and removed his defenses.
76
仙玭聞台城不守，號泣謂將士曰：「我受人任寄，義不容降，君等皆有父母，我之忠臣，君為孝子，不亦可乎！」 乃悉遣城內兵出降，餘壯士數十，閉門獨守。 俄而兵入，圍之數十重。 仙玭令士皆持滿，兵不敢近。 日暮，仙玭乃投弓曰：「諸君但來見取，我義不降！」 乃檻送石間。 衍釋之，使待袁昂至俱入，曰：「令天下見二義士。」 衍謂仙玭曰：「射鉤、斬祛、昔人所美。 卿勿以殺使斷運自嫌。」 仙玭謝曰：「小人如失主犬，後主飼之，則復為用矣。」 衍笑，皆厚遇之。 丙戌，蕭衍入鎮殿中。
When Xianbi heard the Terrace City had fallen, he wept aloud and told his officers and men, "I have received another's trust; by duty I cannot surrender. You all have parents—let me be the loyal minister and you be filial sons. Is that not fitting?" He then sent all troops within the city out to surrender. Several dozen stalwart men remained, shut the gates, and held alone. Before long troops entered and surrounded them in dozens of rings. Xianbi ordered his men to draw their bows full; the soldiers did not dare approach. At day's end Xianbi cast down his bow and said, "Gentlemen, come and take me—I will not surrender on principle!" He was then sent in a cage to Shijian. Yan released him and had him wait until Yuan Ang arrived to enter together, saying, "Let the realm see two men of principle." Yan said to Xianbi, "Shooting the hook and cutting the sleeve—men of old praised such things. Do not reproach yourself for killing an envoy and cutting off your fortune." Xianbi thanked him and said, "A petty man is like a dog that has lost its master—if a later master feeds him, he will serve again." Yan laughed and treated them both generously. On bingxu Xiao Yan entered and took up residence in the central hall.
77
劉希祖既克安成，移檄湘部，始興內史王僧粲應之。 僧粲自稱湘州刺史，引兵襲長沙。 去城百餘里，於是湘州郡縣兵皆蜂起以應僧粲，唯臨湘、湘陰、瀏陽、羅四縣尚全。 長沙人皆欲泛舟走，行事劉坦翻聚其舟焚之，遣軍主尹法略拒僧粲，戰數不利。 前湘州鎮軍鐘玄紹潛結士民數百人，刻日悉城應僧粲。 坦聞其謀，陽為不知，因理訟至夜，而城門遂不閉，以疑之。 玄紹未發，旦，詣坦問其故，坦久留與語，密遣親兵收其家書。 玄紹在坐，而收兵巳報，具得其文書本末。 玄紹即首伏，於坐斬之； 焚其文書，餘黨悉無所問。 眾愧且服，州郡遂安。 法略與僧粲相持累月，建康城平，楊公則還州，僧粲等散走。 王丹為郡人所殺，劉希祖亦舉郡降。 公則克己廉賦，輕刑薄賦。 頃之，湘州戶口幾復其舊。」
After Liu Xizu had taken Ancheng he issued a proclamation to the Xiang region. Shixing interior minister Wang Sencan responded. Sencan styled himself Governor of Xiang Province and led troops to strike Changsha. A hundred-odd li from the city, troops of Xiang Province's commanderies and districts all swarmed up to answer Sencan. Only the four districts of Linxiang, Xiangyin, Liuyang, and Luo still held intact. The people of Changsha all wished to flee by boat. Acting Administrator Liu Tan instead gathered the boats and burned them, sent army commander Yin Falüe to resist Sencan, and fought several times without success. Former Xiang Province garrison general Zhong Xuanshao secretly joined several hundred gentry and commoners, setting a date for the whole city to respond to Sencan. Tan heard of the plot but pretended ignorance. He held court on lawsuits until night while the city gates were left unclosed, to sow doubt. Before Xuanshao acted, at dawn he came to Tan to ask the reason. Tan detained him long in talk and secretly sent trusted soldiers to seize the papers at his home. Xuanshao was still seated when the soldiers sent to seize returned with report, obtaining the full record of his documents. Xuanshao at once confessed with bowed head and was beheaded on the spot; his documents were burned and the rest of the faction were not questioned. The masses were ashamed yet convinced, and the province and districts were thereby pacified. Falüe and Sencan faced one another for months. When Jiankang was pacified Yang Gongze returned to the province and Sencan and the others scattered and fled. Wang Dan was killed by men of his commandery. Liu Xizu also raised the commandery in surrender. Gongze restrained himself, was frugal in levies, light in punishments, and thin in taxes. Before long Xiang Province's registered population nearly returned to its former level.”