1
資治通鑑第168卷卷第一百六十八
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 168
2
【陳紀二】起上章執徐，盡玄黓敦牂，凡三年。
[Chen Records 2] From Shangzhang Zhixu through Xuanyi Dunzang—three years in all.
3
春，正月，癸丑朔，大赦，改元。
In spring, the first month, on the guichou new moon, Chen Qian proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name.
4
齊大赦，改元乾明。
Northern Qi proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the era name to Qianming.
5
辛酉，上祀南郊。 齊高陽王湜，以滑稽便辟有寵於顯祖，常在左右，執杖以撻諸王，太皇太后深銜之。 及顯祖殂，湜有罪，太皇太后杖之百餘； 癸亥，卒。
On xinyou, Chen Qian sacrificed at the southern suburb. Northern Qi's Prince Gao of Gaoyang, Gao Shi, by buffoonery and ready flattery won favor with Gao Yang, was constantly at his side, and wielded a staff to thrash the princes; the empress dowager deeply resented him. When Gao Yang died, Shi was found guilty; the empress dowager had him beaten more than a hundred strokes; on guihai he died.
6
辛未，上祀北郊。
On xinwei, Chen Qian sacrificed at the northern suburb.
7
齊主自晉陽還至鄴。
The Northern Qi ruler returned from Jinyang to Ye.
8
二月，乙未，高州刺史紀機自軍所逃還宣城，據郡應王琳，涇令賀當遷討平之。
In the second month, on yiwei, Gaozhou inspector Ji Ji fled from the army back to Xuancheng, seized the commandery to join Wang Lin, and Jing magistrate He Dangqian campaigned and pacified him.
9
王琳至柵口，侯瑱督諸軍出屯蕪湖，相持百餘日。 東關春水稍長，舟艦得通，琳引合肥漅湖之眾，舳艫相次而下，軍勢甚盛。 瑱進軍虎檻洲，琳亦出船列於江西，隔洲而泊。 明日，合戰，琳軍少卻，退保西岸。 及夕，東北風大起，吹其舟艦並壞，沒於沙中。 浪大，不得還浦。 及旦，風靜，琳入浦治船，瑱等亦引軍退入蕪湖。 周人聞琳東下，遣都督荊、襄等五十二州諸軍事、荊州刺史史寧將兵數萬乘虛襲郢州，孫瑒嬰城自守。 琳聞之，恐其眾潰，乃帥舟師東下，去蕪湖十里而泊，擊柝聞於陳軍。 齊儀同三司劉伯球將兵萬餘人助琳水戰，行台慕容恃德之子子會將鐵騎二千，屯蕪湖西岸，為之聲勢。
Wang Lin reached Zhakou; Hou Tian supervised the armies and marched out to encamp at Wuhu; the two sides faced each other for more than a hundred days. The spring waters at Dongguan rose; boats could pass; Wang Lin led the forces from Hefei and Chaohu downstream in a long column of war vessels; his army's momentum was formidable. Hou Tian advanced to Tiger Cage Ford; Wang Lin also sent out ships on the west bank and moored across the ford from him. The next day they joined battle; Wang Lin's army fell back slightly and withdrew to hold the west bank. By evening a great northeast wind rose, wrecked his fleet, and drove the ships into the sand. The waves were too high to return to harbor. At dawn the wind stilled; Wang Lin entered the harbor to repair his ships; Hou Tian and the rest withdrew into Wuhu. Northern Zhou heard Wang Lin was heading east and sent area commander of military affairs for fifty-two provinces including Jing and Xiang, Jingzhou inspector Shi Ning, with tens of thousands of troops to strike Yingzhou while it was empty; Sun Yong closed the walls and defended himself. Wang Lin heard this, feared his troops would scatter, led the fleet east, moored ten li from Wuhu, and the night-watch clappers were heard in the Chen camp. Northern Qi's Liu Boqiu, equal in honor to the three dukes, led more than ten thousand men to aid Wang Lin on the water; Murong Shide's son Zihui led two thousand iron cavalry on Wuhu's west bank to lend him momentum.
10
丙申，瑱令軍中晨炊蓐食以待之。 時西南風急，琳自謂得天助，引兵直趣建康。 瑱等徐出蕪湖躡其後，西南風翻為瑱用。 琳擲火炬以燒陳船，皆反燒其船。 瑱發拍以擊琳艦，又以牛皮冒蒙沖小船以觸其艦，並熔鐵灑之。 琳軍大敗，軍士溺死者什二三，餘皆棄船登岸走，為陳軍所殺殆盡。 齊步騎在西岸者，自相蹂踐，並陷於蘆荻泥淖中； 騎皆棄馬脫走，得免者什二三。 擒劉伯球、慕容子會，斬獲萬計，盡收梁、齊軍資器械。 琳乘舴艋冒陳走，至湓城，欲收合離散，眾無附者，乃與妻妾左右十餘人奔齊。
On bingshen, Hou Tian ordered the army to cook at dawn and eat from their bedding in readiness. The southwest wind was fierce; Wang Lin thought Heaven was helping him and led his troops straight for Jiankang. Hou Tian and the rest slowly came out of Wuhu and followed on his heels; the southwest wind turned in Hou Tian's favor. Wang Lin threw torches to burn Chen ships; the flames turned back and burned his own fleet. Hou Tian loosed catapults against Wang Lin's ships, covered assault boats in oxhide to ram them, and poured molten iron as well. Wang Lin's army was routed; two or three tenths of his men drowned; the rest abandoned their ships and fled ashore, where the Chen army killed nearly all of them. Northern Qi's foot and horse on the west bank trampled one another and sank into the reed marsh and mud; the horsemen abandoned their horses and fled on foot; only two or three tenths escaped. Liu Boqiu and Murong Zihui were captured; the dead and captured numbered in the tens of thousands; all Liang and Northern Qi stores and weapons were seized. Wang Lin took a skiff and broke through the Chen lines, fled to Pencheng, tried to rally the scattered, but none would follow; he fled to Northern Qi with his wife, concubines, and a dozen attendants.
11
先是，琳使侍中袁泌、御史中丞劉仲威侍衛永嘉王莊； 及敗，左右皆散。 泌以輕舟送莊達於齊境，拜辭而還，遂來降； 仲威奉莊奔齊。 泌，昂之子也。 樊猛及其兄毅帥部曲來降。
Earlier, Wang Lin had sent palace attendant Yuan Bi and censor-in-chief Liu Zhongwei to attend Prince Zhuang of Yongjia; when he was defeated, his attendants all scattered. Bi sent Zhuang to the Qi border in a light boat, bowed in farewell and returned, and surrendered to Chen; Liu Zhongwei escorted Zhuang and fled to Northern Qi. Bi was the son of Yuan Ang. Fan Meng and his elder brother Yi led their household troops to surrender.
12
齊葬文宣皇帝於武寧陵，廟號高祖，後改曰顯祖。
Northern Qi buried Gao Yang at Wuning Mausoleum; his temple name was Gaozu, later changed to Xianzu.
13
戊戌，詔：「衣冠士族、將帥戰兵陷在王琳黨中者，皆赦之，隨材銓敘。」
On wuxu, an edict said, "Gentry, generals, and soldiers trapped in Wang Lin's faction are all pardoned and will be appointed according to their talents."
14
己亥，齊以常山王演為太師、錄尚書事，以長廣王湛為大司馬、並省錄尚書事，以尚書左僕射平秦王歸彥為司空，趙郡王睿為尚書左僕射。
On jihai, Northern Qi made Prince Yan of Changshan grand preceptor and recorder of the masters of writing, Prince Zhan of Changgung grand marshal and recorder for the merged provinces, left vice director Prince Guiyan of Pingqin minister of works, and Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery left vice director.
15
詔：「諸元良口配沒入官及賜人者並縱遣。」
An edict said, "All good people of Northern Wei Yuan descent assigned to government service or given to others are all released."
16
乙巳，以太尉侯瑱都督湘、巴等五州諸軍事，鎮湓城。
On yisi, grand commandant Hou Tian was made area commander of military affairs for five provinces including Xiang and Ba, and garrisoned Pencheng.
17
齊顯祖之喪，常山王演居禁中護喪事，婁太后欲立之而不果； 太子即位，乃就朝列。 以天子諒陰，詔演居東館，欲奏之事，皆先咨決。 楊愔等以演與長廣王湛位地親逼，恐不利於嗣主，心忌之。 居頃之，演出歸第，自是詔敕多不關預。
At Gao Yang's funeral, Prince Yan of Changshan dwelt in the forbidden quarters to oversee mourning; Empress Dowager Lou wished to install him but did not succeed; the crown prince took the throne and he then took his place at court. Because the new emperor was in mourning seclusion, an edict had Gao Yan dwell in the Eastern Lodge; all memorials were first referred to him for decision. Yang Yin and the rest, because Gao Yan and Prince Zhan of Changgung were close in rank and power, feared harm to the young emperor and resented them. Before long Gao Yan left the palace for his mansion; from then on edicts and orders mostly bypassed him.
18
或謂演曰：「鷙鳥離巢，必有探卵之患。 今日王何宜屢出？」 中山太守陽休之詣演，演不見。 休之謂王友王晞曰：「昔周公朝讀百篇書，夕見七十士，猶恐不足。 錄王何所嫌疑，乃爾拒絕賓客！」
Someone said to Gao Yan, "When a fierce bird leaves the nest, someone will surely come for the eggs. Prince, why should you go out so often today?" Zhongshan administrator Yang Xiuzhi called on Gao Yan; Gao Yan would not see him. Xiuzhi said to the prince's friend Wang Xi, "In olden days the Duke of Zhou read a hundred chapters in the morning and received seventy scholars in the evening, yet still feared it was not enough. What suspicion does the recorder prince have, that he thus refuses his guests!"
19
先是，顯祖之世，群臣人不自保。 及濟南王立，演謂王晞曰：「一人垂拱，吾曹亦保優閒。」 因言：「朝廷寬仁，真守文良主。」 晞曰：「先帝時，東宮委一胡人傅之。 今春秋尚富，驟覽萬機，殿下宜朝夕先後，親承音旨。 而使他姓出納詔命，大權必有所歸，殿下雖欲守籓，其可得邪！ 借令得遂沖退，自審家祚得保靈長乎？」 演默然久之，曰：「何以處我？」 晞曰：「周公抱成王攝政七年，然後復子明辟，惟殿下慮之！」 演曰：「我何敢自比周公！」 晞曰：「殿下今日地望，欲不為周公，得邪？」 演不應。 顯祖常使胡人康虎兒保護太子，故晞言及之。
Earlier, in Gao Yang's time, no minister could feel safe. When Gao Yin was installed, Gao Yan said to Wang Xi, "One man sits with folded hands; we too may keep our ease." He went on, "The court is lenient and humane—a true heir who keeps the statutes." Wang Xi said, "In the late emperor's time the Eastern Palace was entrusted to one Hu tutor. Now the emperor is still young and suddenly oversees all affairs; Your Highness ought morning and evening to attend him personally and receive his instructions. Yet another clan handles the edicts; great power must go somewhere—though Your Highness wishes to keep to your fief, how can you? Even if you could achieve modest withdrawal, do you judge that your house's fortune can endure?" Gao Yan was silent a long while and said, "What am I to do?" Wang Xi said, "The Duke of Zhou held King Cheng and governed as regent seven years, then restored the son and clarified the court—only Your Highness must consider it!" Gao Yan said, "How dare I compare myself to the Duke of Zhou!" Wang Xi said, "With Your Highness's position and renown today—if you do not wish to be the Duke of Zhou, can you avoid it?" Gao Yan did not answer. Gao Yang had often had the Hu Kang Hu'er protect the crown prince; therefore Wang Xi spoke of it.
20
齊主將發晉陽，時議謂常山王必當留守根本之地； 執政欲使常山王從帝之鄴，留長廣王鎮晉陽； 既而又疑之，乃敕二王俱從至鄴。 外朝聞之，莫不駭愕。 又敕以王晞為并州長史。 演既行，晞出郊送之。 演恐有覘察，命晞還城，執晞手曰：「努力自慎！」 因躍馬而出。
The Northern Qi ruler was about to set out from Jinyang; opinion held that Prince Yan of Changshan must remain to guard the heartland; those in power wished Gao Yan to follow the emperor to Ye and leave Prince Zhan of Changgung at Jinyang; then they doubted again and ordered both princes to follow to Ye. The outer court heard this and all were appalled. An edict also made Wang Xi Bingzhou chief administrator. When Gao Yan had set out, Wang Xi went to the suburbs to see him off. Gao Yan feared observers, ordered Xi back to the city, took his hand and said, "Strive and guard yourself!" Then he leapt on his horse and rode out.
21
平秦王歸彥總知禁衛，楊愔宣敕留從駕五千兵於西中，陰備非常； 至鄴數日，歸彥乃知之，由是怨愔。
Prince Guiyan of Pingqin oversaw the forbidden guard; Yang Yin proclaimed an edict leaving five thousand troops of the imperial escort at the Western Center as a secret guard against the unexpected; after several days at Ye Guiyan learned of it; from this he resented Yang Yin.
22
領軍大將軍可朱渾天和，道元之子也，尚帝姑東平公主，每曰：「若不誅二王，少主無自安之理。」 燕子獻謀處太皇太后於北宮，使歸政皇太后。
Garrison-general Kezhunhun Tianhe, son of Daoyuan, had married the emperor's aunt Princess Dongping, and often said, "If the two princes are not executed, the young emperor cannot be secure." Yan Zixian plotted to place the empress dowager in the Northern Palace and restore government to the empress regent.
23
又自天保八年已來，爵賞多濫，楊愔欲加澄汰，乃先自表解開府及開封王，諸叨竊恩榮者皆從黜免。 由是嬖寵失職之徒，盡歸心二叔。 平秦王歸彥初與楊、燕同心，既而中變，盡以疏忌之跡告二王。
Moreover, since the eighth year of Tianbao titles and rewards had been excessive; Yang Yin wished to clarify and prune; he first resigned his honors as equal to the three dukes and Prince of Kaifeng; all who had stolen favor followed in dismissal. From this the emperor's favorites who lost office all gave their hearts to the two uncles. Prince Guiyan of Pingqin was at first allied with Yang Yin and Yan Zixian, then turned, and reported all signs of estrangement to the two princes.
24
侍中宋欽道，弁之孫也，顯祖使在東宮，教太子以吏事。 欽道面奏帝，稱「二叔威權既重，宜速去之。」 帝不許，曰：「可與令公共詳其事。」
Palace attendant Song Qindao, grandson of Song Bian, Gao Yang had placed in the Eastern Palace to teach the crown prince administrative affairs. Song Qindao memorialized the emperor to his face, saying, "The two uncles' authority is already heavy—they ought quickly to be removed." The emperor refused and said, "You may jointly examine the matter with the chief minister."
25
愔等議出二王為刺史，以帝慈仁，恐不可所奏，乃通啟皇太后，具述安危。 宮人李昌儀，即高仲密之妻也，李太后以其同姓，甚相暱愛，以啟示之； 昌儀密啟太皇太后。 愔等又議不可令二王俱出，乃奏以長廣王湛鎮晉陽，以常山王演錄尚書事。 二王既拜職，乙巳，於尚書省大會百僚。 愔等將赴之，散騎常侍兼中書侍郎鄭頤止之曰：「事未可量，不宜輕脫。」 愔曰：「吾等至誠體國，豈常山拜職有不赴之理！」
Yang Yin and the rest discussed sending the two princes out as inspectors; because the emperor was kind they feared he would refuse; they sent a joint report to the empress regent, setting forth the danger in full. Palace woman Li Changyi, Gao Zhongmi's wife—Empress Dowager Li, because they shared a surname, was very fond of her and showed her the report; Li Changyi secretly reported to the grand empress dowager. Yang Yin and the rest again held that both princes must not be sent out; they memorialized that Prince Zhan of Changgung garrison Jinyang and Prince Yan of Changshan record the masters of writing. Once the two princes had accepted office, on yisi they held a great assembly of the hundred officials at the Masters of Writing Office. Yang Yin and the rest were about to attend; regular attendant and concurrent secretariat gentleman Zheng Yi stopped them, saying, "The affair cannot yet be measured; you ought not go unguarded." Yang Yin said, "We serve the state in utmost sincerity—when Prince Yan of Changshan accepts office how can we not attend!"
26
長廣王湛，旦伏家僮數十人於錄尚書後室，仍與席上勳貴賀拔仁、斛律金等數人相知約曰：「行酒至愔等，我各勸雙杯，彼必致辭。 我一曰『執酒』，二曰『執酒』，三曰『何不執』，爾輩即執之！」 及宴，如之，愔大言曰：「諸王反逆，欲殺忠良邪？ 尊天子，削諸侯，赤心奉國，何罪之有！」 常山王演欲緩之。 湛曰：「不可。」 於是拳杖亂毆，愔及天和、欽道皆頭面血流，各十人持之。 燕子獻多力，頭又少發，狼狽排眾走出門，斛律光逐而擒之。 子獻歎曰：「丈夫為計遲，遂至於此！」 使太子太保薛孤延等執頤於尚藥局。 頤曰：「不用智者言至此，豈非命也！」
Prince Zhan of Changgung at dawn hid several dozen household slaves in the recorder's rear chamber, and with Heba Ren, Hulu Jin, and others at the table made a pact: "When wine reaches Yang Yin and the rest, each of us will urge a double cup; they are sure to decline. The first time I say 'Hold the wine,' the second 'Hold the wine,' the third 'Why not hold it'—you seize them at once!" At the banquet it was so; Yang Yin cried out, "Princes, you rebel—do you mean to kill the loyal? Honor the Son of Heaven, reduce the feudatories—hearts loyal in serving the state—what crime is there!" Prince Yan of Changshan wished to ease matters. Gao Zhan said, "It cannot be." Thereupon fists and staves beat them at random; Yang Yin, Tianhe, and Song Qindao all bled from head and face; ten men each held them. Yan Zixian was very strong and nearly bald; in disarray he pushed through the crowd and ran out the gate; Hulu Guang pursued and captured him. Yan Zixian sighed and said, "A man plans too late and comes to this!" He had crown prince guardian Xue Guyuan and the rest seize Zheng Yi at the Bureau of Imperial Medicines. Zheng Yi said, "By not heeding the wise man's words we have come to this—is it not fate!"
27
二王與平秦王歸彥、賀拔仁、斛律金擁愔等唐突入雲龍門，見都督叱利騷，招之，不進，使騎殺之。 開府儀同三司成休寧抽刃呵演，演使歸彥諭之，休寧厲聲不從。 歸彥久為領軍，素為軍士所服，皆弛仗，休寧方歎息而罷。 演入，至昭陽殿，湛及歸彥在朱華門外。 帝與太皇太后並出，太皇太后坐殿上，皇太后及帝側立。 演以磚叩頭，進言曰：「臣與陛下骨肉至親，楊遵彥等欲獨擅朝權，威福自己，自王公已下皆重足屏氣； 共相脣齒，以成亂階，若不早圖，必為宗社之害。 臣與湛為國事重，賀拔仁、斛律金惜獻武皇帝之業，共執遵彥等入宮，未敢刑戮。 專輒之罪，誠當萬死。」
The two princes with Prince Guiyan of Pingqin, Heba Ren, and Hulu Jin hustled Yang Yin and the rest through Cloud Dragon Gate; they saw commander Chilü Sao, summoned him; he would not advance; they had horsemen kill him. Cheng Xiuning, equal in honor to the three dukes, drew his blade and shouted at Gao Yan; Gao Yan had Guiyan instruct him; Xiuning in a harsh voice refused. Guiyan had long been garrison-general and was obeyed by the soldiers; all laid down their weapons; only then did Xiuning sigh and desist. Gao Yan entered Zhaoyang Hall; Gao Zhan and Guiyan waited outside Vermilion Flower Gate. The emperor and the grand empress dowager came out together; the grand empress dowager sat on the dais; the empress regent and the emperor stood at the side. Gao Yan kowtowed on the brick floor and said, "Your servant and Your Majesty are closest kin; Yang Zunyan and the rest wished to monopolize court power, making authority and blessing their own; from kings and dukes down all stood in fear; they were lip and teeth to each other and made disorder; if not checked early, they would harm the altars of state. Your servant and Zhan took state affairs as weighty; Heba Ren and Hulu Jin cherished Gao Huan's enterprise; together we seized Zunyan and the rest and brought them into the palace; we did not yet dare execute them. The crime of arrogating authority truly deserves death."
28
時庭中及兩廡衛士二千餘人，皆被甲待詔。 武衛娥永樂，武力絕倫，素為顯祖所厚，叩刀仰視，帝不睨之。 帝素吃訥，倉猝不知所言。 太皇太后令卻仗，不退； 又厲聲曰：「奴輩即今頭落！」 乃退。 永樂內刀而泣。
At the time more than two thousand guards in the courtyard and both galleries wore armor awaiting orders. Martial guard E Yongle, whose strength was unmatched, had always been favored by Gao Yang; he struck his blade and looked up; the emperor would not meet his eyes. The emperor had always been halting of speech; in haste he knew not what to say. The grand empress dowager ordered them to lay aside weapons; they did not withdraw; she again said in a harsh voice, "Slaves—your heads fall this instant!" Then they withdrew. E Yongle sheathed his blade and wept.
29
太皇太后因問：「楊郎何在？」 賀拔仁曰：「一眼已出。」 太皇太后愴然曰：「楊郎何所能為，留使豈不佳邪！」 乃讓帝曰：「此等懷逆，欲殺我二子，次將及我，爾何為縱之！」 帝猶不能言。 太皇太后怒且悲，曰：「豈可使我母子受漢老嫗斟酌！」 太后拜謝。 太皇太后又為太后誓言：「演無異志，但欲去逼而已。」 演叩頭不止。 太后謂帝：「何不安慰爾叔！」 帝乃曰：「天子亦不敢為叔惜，況此漢輩！ 但丐兒命，兒自下殿去，此屬任叔父處分。」 遂皆斬之。
The grand empress dowager asked, "Where is Master Yang?" Heba Ren said, "One eye is already out." The grand empress dowager said mournfully, "What could Master Yang have done—would it not have been better to keep him!" She then reproached the emperor: "These men harbored rebellion, wished to kill my two sons, next would reach me—why did you indulge them!" The emperor still could not speak. The grand empress dowager was angry and grieved and said, "How can you let us mother and son be ruled by an old Han woman!" The empress regent bowed in apology. The grand empress dowager again swore to the empress regent, "Gao Yan has no other intent—he only wished to remove pressure." Gao Yan kowtowed without cease. The empress regent said to the emperor, "Why do you not comfort your uncle!" The emperor then said, "The Son of Heaven dares not spare them for his uncle's sake—how much less these Han fellows! I only beg my son's life; your son will leave the hall—dispose of this lot as you will." Thereupon all were beheaded.
30
長廣王湛以鄭頤昔嘗讒己，先拔其舌，截其手而殺之。 演令平秦王歸彥引侍衛之士向華林園，以京畿軍士入守門閣，斬娥永樂於園。
Prince Zhan of Changgung, because Zheng Yi had once slandered him, first pulled out his tongue, cut off his hands, and killed him. Gao Yan ordered Prince Guiyan of Pingqin to lead palace guards toward Hualin Park, bring capital-region soldiers to guard the gates, and behead E Yongle in the park.
31
太皇太后臨愔喪，哭曰：「楊郎忠而獲罪。」 以御金為之一眼，親內之，曰：「以表我意。」 演亦悔殺之。 於是下詔罪狀愔等，且曰：「罪止一身，家屬不問。」 頃之，復簿錄五家； 王晞固諫，乃各沒一房，孩幼盡死，兄弟皆除名。
The grand empress dowager attended Yang Yin's mourning and wept, saying, "Master Yang was loyal yet was punished." She used imperial gold to make one eye, placed it in the coffin, and said, "To show my mind." Gao Yan also regretted killing him. Thereupon an edict listed the crimes of Yang Yin and the rest, and said, "Guilt stops at one person; families are not questioned." Before long, registers were made of five families; Wang Xi firmly remonstrated; thereupon one branch of each family was confiscated, infants and young were all killed, and brothers were struck from the rolls.
32
以中書令趙彥深代楊愔總機務。 鴻臚少卿陽休之私謂人曰：「將涉千里，殺騏驎而策蹇驢，可悲之甚也！」
Secretariat director Zhao Yanshen replaced Yang Yin in overseeing critical affairs. Palace reception vice director Yang Xiuzhi said privately, "About to cross a thousand li, yet you kill the qilin and drive the lame donkey—how pitiable!"
33
戊申，演為大丞相、都督中外諸軍、錄尚書事，湛為太傅、京畿大都督，段韶為大將軍，平陽王淹為太尉，平秦王歸彥為司徒，彭城王浟為尚書令。
On wushen, Gao Yan was made grand chief minister, commander-in-chief of all armies, and recorder of the masters of writing; Gao Zhan grand tutor and metropolitan commander of the capital region; Duan Shao grand general; Prince Yan of Pingyang grand commandant; Prince Guiyan of Pingqin minister of education; Prince You of Pengcheng director of the masters of writing.
34
江陵之陷也，長城世子昌及中書侍郎頊皆沒於長安。 高祖即位，屢請之於周，周人許而不遣。 高祖殂，周人乃遣昌還，以王琳之難，居於安陸。 琳敗，昌發安陸，將濟江，致書於上，辭甚不遜。 上不懌，召侯安都從容謂曰：「太子將至，須別求一籓為歸老之地。」 安都曰：「自古豈有被代天子！ 臣愚，不敢奉詔。」 因請自迎昌。 於是群臣上表，請加昌爵命。 庚戌，以昌為驃騎將軍、湘州牧，封衡陽王。
When Jiangling fell, heir Chen Chang and secretariat gentleman Chen Xu were both captive in Chang'an. When Chen Baxian took the throne he repeatedly requested them from Northern Zhou; the Zhou promised but did not send them. When Chen Baxian died, Northern Zhou sent Chen Chang back; because of Wang Lin's campaign he stayed at Anlu. When Wang Lin was defeated, Chen Chang set out from Anlu to cross the river and sent a letter to Chen Qian, its wording very insubordinate. Chen Qian was displeased; he summoned Hou Andu and said, "The heir is coming; we must find a fief where I can retire in old age." Hou Andu said, "Since antiquity has there ever been a Son of Heaven who was replaced! Your servant is foolish and dares not accept such an order." He thereupon asked to go himself to welcome Chen Chang. Thereupon the ministers memorialized, asking that titles and offices be added for Chen Chang. On gengxu, Chen Chang was made general of agile cavalry and Xiangzhou governor, enfeoffed as Prince of Hengyang.
35
齊大丞相演如晉陽，既至，謂王晞曰：「不用卿言，幾至傾覆。 今君側雖清，終當何以處我？」 晞曰：「殿下往時位地，猶可以名教出處； 今日事勢，遂關天時，非復人理所及。」 演奏趙郡王睿為左長史，王晞為司馬。 三月，甲寅，詔：「軍國之政，皆申晉陽，稟大丞相規算。」
Northern Qi's grand chief minister Gao Yan went to Jinyang; when he arrived he said to Wang Xi, "By not heeding your words I nearly came to ruin. Now though the court is clear, in the end what am I to do?" Wang Xi said, "Your Highness's former rank could still be governed by name and teaching; today's situation already touches Heaven's season—it is no longer within human reason." He memorialized to install Prince Rui of Zhao Commandery as left chief administrator and Wang Xi as marshal. In the third month, on jiayin, an edict said, "Military and state government are all referred to Jinyang, following the grand chief minister's plans."
36
周軍初至，郢州助防張世貴舉外城以應之，所失軍民三千餘口。 周人起土山、長梯，晝夜攻之，因風縱火，燒其內城南面五十餘樓。 孫瑒兵不滿千人，身自撫循，行酒賦食，士卒皆為之死戰。 周人不能克，乃授瑒柱國、郢州刺史，封萬戶郡公； 瑒偽許以緩之，而潛修戰守之備，一朝而具，乃復拒守。 既而周人聞王琳敗，陳兵將至，乃解圍去。 瑒集將佐謂之曰：「吾與王公同獎梁室，勤亦至矣。 今時事如此，豈非天乎！」 遂遣使奉表，舉中流之地來降。
When Northern Zhou troops first arrived, Yingzhou assistant defender Zhang Shigui surrendered the outer city; more than three thousand soldiers and civilians were lost. The Zhou raised earth mounds and long ladders and attacked day and night; they used the wind to set fires and burned more than fifty towers on the south of the inner wall. Sun Yong had fewer than a thousand men; he personally encouraged them, went among them with wine and food; his soldiers all fought to the death for him. The Zhou could not overcome him; they invested Sun Yong as pillar of state and Yingzhou inspector, enfeoffing him as duke of a ten-thousand-household commandery; Sun Yong falsely agreed to ease them, but secretly repaired defenses; in one morning all was ready, and he held the city again. Before long the Zhou heard Wang Lin was defeated and Chen troops were coming; they lifted the siege and left. Sun Yong assembled his officers and said, "I and the prince together upheld the Liang house; our diligence has reached its limit. Now the times are thus—is it not Heaven!" He sent envoys with a memorial, offering the midstream lands in surrender to Chen.
37
王琳之東下也，帝征南川兵，江州刺史周迪、高州刺史黃法□帥舟師鈄赴之。 熊曇朗據城列艦，塞其中路，迪等與周敷共圍之。 琳敗，曇朗部眾離心，迪攻拔其城，虜男女萬餘口。 曇朗走入村中，村民斬之； 丁巳，傳首建康，盡滅其族。
When Wang Lin was heading east, Chen Qian summoned southern river troops; Jiangzhou inspector Zhou Di and Gaozhou inspector Huang Fa□ led the fleet in haste to join him. Xiong Tanlang held the city and arrayed ships, blocking the route; Zhou Di and the rest with Zhou Fu jointly besieged him. When Wang Lin was defeated, Tanlang's followers lost heart; Zhou Di stormed his city and captured more than ten thousand men and women. Tanlang fled into a village; villagers beheaded him; on dingsi his head was sent to Jiankang and his clan was utterly destroyed.
38
齊軍先守魯山，戊午，棄城走，詔南豫州刺史程靈洗守之。
Northern Qi troops had garrisoned Lushan; on wuwu they abandoned the city and fled; an edict ordered South Yuzhou inspector Cheng Lingxi to hold it.
39
甲寅，置武州、沅州，以右衛將軍吳明徹為武州刺史，以孫瑒為湘州刺史。 瑒懷不自安，固請入朝，征為中領軍； 未拜，除吳郡太守。
On jiayin, Wuzhou and Yuanzhou were established; right guards general Wu Mingche was made Wuzhou inspector; Sun Yong was made Xiangzhou inspector. Sun Yong felt insecure and asked to enter court; he was summoned as central garrison-general; before he took office he was appointed administrator of Wu Commandery.
40
壬申，齊封世宗之子孝珩為廣寧王，長恭為蘭陵王。
On renshen, Northern Qi enfeoffed Gao Yin's sons Xiaoxing as Prince of Guangning and Changgong as Prince of Lanling.
41
甲戌，衡陽獻王昌入境，詔主書、舍人緣道迎候； 丙子，濟江，中流，隕之，使以溺告。 侯安都以功進爵清遠公。
On jiaxu, Prince Xian of Hengyang Chen Chang entered the borders; an edict ordered clerks and attendants along the route to welcome him; on bingzi he crossed the river; midstream he fell; they reported it as drowning. Hou Andu for his merit was advanced to Duke of Qingyuan.
42
初，高祖遣滎陽毛喜從安成王頊詣江陵，梁世祖以喜為侍郎，沒於長安，與昌俱還，因進和親之策。 上乃使侍中周弘正通好於周。
Earlier, Chen Baxian had sent Mao Xi of Xingyang to follow Prince of Ancheng Chen Xu to Jiangling; Liang Emperor Yuan made him vice director; he was captive in Chang'an, returned with Chen Chang, and advanced a policy of marriage alliance with Northern Zhou. Chen Qian then sent palace attendant Zhou Hongzheng to open good relations with Northern Zhou.
43
夏，四月，丁亥，立皇子伯信為衡陽王，奉獻王祀。
In summer, the fourth month, on dinghai, Chen Qian installed his son Boxin as Prince of Hengyang to carry Chen Chang's sacrifices.
44
周世宗明敏有識量，晉公護憚之，使膳部中大夫李安置毒於糖食追而進之。 帝頗覺之，庚子，大漸，口授遺詔五百餘言，且曰：「朕子年幼，未堪當國。 魯公，朕之介弟，寬仁大度，海內共聞； 能弘我周家，必此子也。」 辛丑，殂。
Northern Zhou's Yuwen Yu was bright and keen in judgment; Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu feared him and had Li An of the provisions bureau place poison in sugared food and present it. The emperor was somewhat aware; on gengzi he was critically ill; he dictated a final edict of more than five hundred words and said, "My sons are young and cannot yet bear the state. Duke of Lu is my younger brother by the same mother, broad and humane, known throughout the realm; he can expand our Zhou house—surely this son." On xinchou he died.
45
魯公幼有器質，特為世宗所親愛，朝廷大事，多與之參議； 性深沉，有遠識，非因顧問，終不輒言。 世宗每歎曰：「夫人不言，言必有中。」 壬寅，魯公即皇帝位，大赦。
Yuwen Yong from youth had capacity and quality, was especially loved by Yuwen Yu, and on great court affairs often deliberated with him; his nature was deep and reserved, with far sight; unless consulted he never spoke rashly. Yuwen Yu often sighed and said, "When this man does not speak, if he speaks it surely hits the mark." On renyin Yuwen Yong took the throne and proclaimed a general amnesty.
46
五月，壬子，齊以開府儀同三司劉洪徽為尚書右僕射。
In the fifth month, on renzi, Northern Qi made Liu Honghui, equal in honor to the three dukes, right vice director of the masters of writing.
47
侯安都父文捍為始興內史，卒官。 上迎其母還建康，母固求停鄉里。 乙卯，為置東衡州，以安都從弟曉為刺史； 安都子秘，才九歲，上以為始興內史，並令在鄉侍養。
Hou Andu's father Wenhan was administrator of Shixing Interior; he died in office. Chen Qian welcomed his mother back to Jiankang; she firmly asked to remain in her home district. On yimao, Eastern Hengzhou was established for her; Hou Andu's younger cousin Xiao was made inspector; Hou Andu's son Mi was only nine; Chen Qian made him administrator of Shixing Interior and ordered both to remain in the district to attend her.
48
六月，壬辰，詔葬梁元帝於江寧，車旗禮章，悉用梁典。
In the sixth month, on renchen, an edict buried Liang Emperor Yuan at Jiangning with all Liang rites and regalia.
49
齊人收永安、上黨二王遣骨，葬之。 敕上黨王妃李氏還第。 馮文洛尚以故意，修飾詣之。 妃盛列左右，立文洛於階下，數之曰：「遭難流離，以至大辱，志操寡薄，不能自盡。 幸蒙恩詔，得反籓闈，汝何物奴，猶欲見侮！」 杖之一百，血流灑地。
Northern Qi collected the remains of the two princes of Yong'an and Shangdang and buried them. An order returned Princess Li of Shangdang to her residence. Feng Wenluo still held old intent and went to her in full dress. The princess arrayed her attendants on either side, set Wenluo on the steps below, and rebuked him: "Through hardship and exile I came to great disgrace; my will was too weak, and I could not die with honor. By grace of the throne I was allowed to return to my husband's house—what sort of slave are you, that you still dare insult me!" She had him beaten a hundred strokes until blood pooled on the ground.
50
秋，七月，丙辰，封皇子伯山為鄱陽王。
Autumn, seventh month, on bingchen, Prince Boshan was enfeoffed as king of Poyang.
51
齊丞相演以王晞儒緩，恐不允武將之意，每夜載入，晝則不與語。 嘗進晞密室，謂曰：「比王侯諸貴，每見敦迫，言我違天不祥，恐當或有變起。 吾欲以法繩之，何如？」 晞曰：「朝廷比者疏遠親戚，殿下倉猝所行，非復人臣之事。 芒刺在背，上下相疑，何由可久！ 殿下雖欲謙退，秕糠神器，實恐違上玄之意，墜先帝之基。」 演曰：「卿何敢發此言，須致卿於法！」 秕曰：「天時人事，皆無異謀，是以敢冒犯斧鉞，抑亦神明所贊耳。」 演曰：「拯難匡時，方俟聖哲，吾何敢私議！ 幸勿多言！」 丞相從事中郎陸杳將出使，握晞手，使之勸進。 晞以杳言告演，演曰：「若內外鹹有此意，趙彥深朝夕左右，何故初無一言？」 晞乃以事隙密問彥深，彥深曰：「我比亦驚此聲論，每欲陳聞，則口噤心悸。 弟既發端，吾亦當昧死一披肝膽。」 因共勸演。
Qi chancellor Yan thought Wang Xi too bookish and slow to satisfy the generals; each night he had him brought in by carriage, yet by day would not speak with him. Once he led Xi into a secret chamber and said, "Lately every prince and noble I meet presses me hard, saying I defy Heaven and court disaster—they fear rebellion is brewing. I mean to bring them to law—what do you think?" Xi said, "The court has lately kept its kin at arm's length; what Your Highness did in haste is no longer the conduct of a subject. It is like a thorn in the back—ruler and subject eye each other with suspicion; how can such a state endure? Though Your Highness wishes to step aside, to treat the throne as chaff would violate Heaven's will and topple your father's house." Yan said, "How dare you speak such words—I ought to have you punished by law!" Xi said, "Heaven and the times alike point one way; that is why I dare risk your wrath—and surely the spirits approve." Yan said, "To save the realm awaits a sage—I am no one to plot in private! Say no more!" Chancellor attendant gentleman Lu Yao, about to depart on a mission, took Xi's hand and bade him urge Yan to seize the throne. Xi relayed Yao's words; Yan said, "If court and camp alike feel this way, Zhao Yanshen is at my side day and night—why has he never said a word?" Xi then stole a moment to ask Yanshen privately; Yanshen said, "This talk alarms me too; whenever I mean to speak, my throat closes and my heart pounds. Since you have broached it, I too will risk death and speak my mind." Together they pressed Yan forward.
52
演遂言於太皇太后。 趙道德曰：「相王不效周公輔成王，而欲骨肉相奪，不畏後世謂之篡邪？」 太皇太后曰：「道德之言是也。」 未幾，演又啟云：「天下人心未定，恐奄忽變生，須早定名位。」 太皇太后乃從之。
Yan then laid the matter before the grand empress dowager. Zhao Daode said, "The prince would not play the Duke of Zhou to a young king, but would seize the throne from his own blood—does he not fear posterity will call it usurpation?" The grand empress dowager said, "Daode speaks rightly." Before long Yan memorialized again: "The realm is unsettled; sudden disaster may come—we must fix the succession at once." The grand empress dowager yielded.
53
八月，壬午，太皇太后下令，廢齊主為濟南王，出居別宮，以常山王演入纂大統，且戒之曰：「勿令濟南有他也！」
Eighth month, on renwu, the grand empress dowager deposed the Qi ruler as prince of Jinan and sent him to a separate palace, installing Prince Yan of Changshan on the throne; she warned him: "Do not let harm come again to Jinan!"
54
肅宗即皇帝位於晉陽，大赦，改元皇建。 太皇太后還稱皇太后； 皇太后稱文宣皇后，宮曰昭信。
Emperor Suzong took the throne at Jinyang, proclaimed a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Huangjian. The grand empress dowager resumed the title of empress dowager; the empress dowager was titled Empress Wensuan, her residence called Zhaoxin.
55
乙酉，詔紹封功臣，禮賜耆老，延訪直言，褒賞死事，追贈名德。
On yiyou, an edict renewed enfeoffments for meritorious ministers, honored the aged, sought blunt counsel, rewarded the war dead, and posthumously ennobled men of renown.
56
帝謂王晞曰：「卿何為自同外客，略不可見？ 自今假非局司，但有所懷，隨宜作一牒，俟少隙，即徑進也。」 因敕晞與尚書陽休之、鴻臚卿崔晞等三人，每日職務罷，並入東廊，共舉錄歷代禮樂、職官及田市、徵稅，或不便於時而相承施用，或自古為利而於今廢墜，或道德高俊，久在沉淪，或巧言眩俗，妖邪害政者，悉令詳思，以漸條奏。 朝晡給御食，畢景聽還。
The emperor said to Wang Xi, "Why do you hold yourself aloof like a stranger—I scarcely see you? Hereafter, even if you are not on the regular staff, whenever something weighs on you, write a note and, the moment you find an opening, bring it straight to me." He then ordered Xi, together with Yang Xiuzhi of the Secretariat, Cui Xi the chamberlain for dependencies, and one other: each day after court they were to meet in the eastern gallery and compile, era by era, ritual and music, offices, land and markets, and taxes—what custom kept though ill-suited to the age, what ancient profit lay in ruins, what worthy men languished forgotten, what slick tongues misled the people and what evil harmed the state—and report their findings in orderly memorials. They were fed from the imperial kitchen morning and evening, and dismissed at day's end.
57
帝識度沉敏，少居台閣，明習吏事，即位，尤自勤勵，大革顯祖之弊，時人服其明而譏其細。 嘗問舍人裴澤，在外議論得失。 澤率爾對曰：「陛下陪明至公，自可遠侔古昔； 而有識之士，鹹言傷細，帝王之度，頗為未弘。」 帝笑曰：「誠如卿言。 朕初臨萬機，慮不周悉，故致爾耳。 此事安可久行，恐後又嫌疏漏。」 澤由是被寵遇。
The emperor was deep-minded and sharp; raised in the central offices, he knew administration well; once enthroned he drove himself harder still, sweeping away Xianzu's abuses—men admired his clarity but mocked his fussiness. Once he asked attendant gentleman Pei Ze what people said of him outside court. Ze answered without hesitation: "Your Majesty's brilliance and fairness could rival the ancients; yet thoughtful men all say you wound with minuteness—the breadth of an emperor's manner is still wanting." The emperor smiled. "You are right. When I first took the reins I feared to miss anything, and so became petty. That cannot go on; later they will call me careless." From then on Ze enjoyed the emperor's favor.
58
庫狄顯安侍坐，帝曰：「顯安，我姑之子； 今序家人禮，除君臣之敬，可言我之不逮。」 顯安曰：「陛下多妄言。」 帝曰：「何故？」 對曰：「陛下昔見文宣以馬鞭撻人，常以為非； 今自行之，非妄言邪？」 帝握其手謝之。 又使直言，對曰：「陛下太細，天子乃更似吏。」 帝曰：「朕甚知之。 然無法日久，將整之以至無為耳。」 又問王晞，晞曰：「顯安言是也。」 顯安，干之子也。 群臣進言，帝皆從容受納。
Kudi Xian'an sat with him; the emperor said, "Xian'an, you are my cousin's son; today we set aside court form and speak as kin—tell me where I fail." Xian'an said, "Your Majesty talks much nonsense." The emperor said, "How so?" He answered, "Your Majesty once condemned Wensuan for beating men with a horsewhip; now you do the same—is that not nonsense?" The emperor took his hand and apologized. He asked for more blunt counsel; Xian'an said, "Your Majesty is too fussy—a Son of Heaven ends up looking like a clerk." The emperor said, "I know it well. But the realm has long gone without law; I mean to tighten discipline until order needs no forcing." He asked Wang Xi, who said, "Xian'an is right." Xian'an was a son of Gan. Whatever ministers offered, the emperor heard with grace.
59
性至孝，太后不豫，帝行不能正履，容色貶悴，衣不解帶殆將四旬。 太后疾小增，即寢伏閣外，食飲藥物，皆手親之。 太后嘗心痛不自堪，帝立侍帷前，以爪掐掌代痛，血流出袖。 友愛諸弟，無君臣之隔。
He was profoundly filial: when the empress dowager fell ill he could scarcely walk upright, his face gaunt, his belt unloosed for nearly forty days. When her illness sharpened he slept on the floor outside her door and with his own hands brought every meal and dose of medicine. Once her heart pained her unbearably; the emperor stood by the curtain and raked his own palms with his nails as though to take her pain—blood soaked his sleeves. He loved his younger brothers without the chill of throne and subject.
60
戊子，以長廣王湛為右丞相，平陽王淹為太傅，彭城王浟為大司馬。
On wuzi, Prince Zhan of Changgung was made right chancellor, Prince Yan of Pingyang grand tutor, and Prince You of Pengcheng grand marshal.
61
周軍司馬賀若敦，帥眾一萬，奄至武陵； 武州刺史吳明徹不能拒，引軍還巴陵。
Zhou army marshal He Ruo Dun led ten thousand men in a sudden strike on Wuling; Wuzhou inspector Wu Mingche could not hold and withdrew to Baling.
62
江陵之陷也，巴、湘之地盡入於周，周使梁人守之。 太尉侯瑱等將兵逼湘州。 賀若敦將步騎救之，乘勝深入，軍於湘川。
After Jiangling fell, Ba and Xiang had passed to Zhou, which set Liang men to garrison them. Grand marshal Hou Tian marched on Xiangzhou. He Ruo Dun marched infantry and cavalry to relieve the city, pursued his advantage deep inland, and camped on the Xiang.
63
九月，乙卯，周將獨孤盛將水軍與敦俱進。 辛酉，遣儀同三司徐度將兵會侯瑱於巴丘。 會秋水泛溢，盛、敦糧援斷絕，分軍抄掠，以供資費。 敦恐瑱知其糧少，乃於營內多為土聚，覆之以米，召旁村人，陽有訪問，隨即遣之。 瑱聞之，良以為實。 敦又增修營壘，造廬舍為久留之計，湘、羅之間遂廢農業。 瑱等無如之何。
Ninth month, on yimao, Zhou general Dugu Sheng advanced by river with Dun. On xinyou, palace attendant of the third rank Xu Du was sent to join Hou Tian at Baqiu. Autumn floods cut Sheng and Dun off from supplies; they split their forces to raid the countryside for food. Dun feared Tian would learn how short he was of grain; inside camp he heaped earth and spread rice on top, called in nearby villagers under pretense of questioning them, then sent them away at once. Tian took the ruse for truth. Dun strengthened his walls and built huts as though settling in for a siege; farming between the Xiang and Luo ceased. Hou Tian could find no answer.
64
先是土人亟乘輕船，載米粟雞鴨以餉瑱軍。 敦患之，乃偽為土人裝船，伏甲士於中。 瑱軍人望見，謂餉船之至，逆來爭取，敦甲士出而擒之。 又敦軍數有叛人乘馬投瑱者，敦乃別取一馬，牽以趣船，令船中逆以鞭鞭之。 如是者再三，馬畏船不上。 然後伏兵於江岸，使人乘畏船馬以招瑱軍，詐雲投附。 瑱遣兵迎接，競來牽馬，馬既畏船不上，伏兵發，盡殺之。 此後實有饋餉及亡降者，瑱猶謂之詐，並拒擊之。
Until then locals had often poled light boats laden with grain and fowl to Tian's camp. Dun countered by fitting out boats like local supply craft and hiding armored men inside. Tian's men sighted them, thought provisions had arrived, rushed to seize the boats, and Dun's soldiers burst out and took them. Many of Dun's men had deserted on horseback to Tian; Dun took another horse, led it to a boat, and had sailors below whip it from underneath. He did this again and again until the horse feared boats and would not board. Then he hid troops on the bank and sent a man on the frightened horse to lure Tian's men, pretending to defect. Tian sent men to welcome the rider; they crowded to seize the horse; it would not board; the ambush rose and slaughtered them all. After that, even real supplies and real deserters Tian treated as tricks and drove away.
65
冬，十月，癸巳，瑱襲破獨孤盛於楊葉洲，盛收兵登岸，築城自保。 丁酉，詔司空侯安都帥眾會瑱南討。
Winter, tenth month, on guisi, Hou Tian smashed Dugu Sheng at Yangye Isle; Sheng pulled his men ashore and walled himself in. On dingyou, an edict ordered minister of works Hou Andu to join Hou Tian in the southern campaign.
66
十一月，辛亥，齊主立妃元氏為皇后，世子百年為太子。 百年時才五歲。
Eleventh month, on xinhai, the Qi ruler made Consort Yuan empress and his heir Bainian crown prince. Bainian was only five.
67
齊主征前開府長史盧叔虎為中庶子。 叔虎，柔之從叔也。 帝問時務於叔虎，叔虎請伐周，曰：「我強彼弱，我富彼貧，其勢相懸。 然干戈不息，未能併吞者，此失於不用強富也。 輕兵野戰，勝負難必，是胡騎之法，非萬全之術也。 宜立重鎮於平陽，與彼蒲州相對，深溝高壘，運糧積甲。 彼閉關不出，則稍蠶食其河東之地，日使窮蹙。 若彼出兵，非十萬以上，不足為我敵。 所損糧食鹹出關中。 我軍士年別一代，谷食豐饒。 彼來求戰，我則不應； 彼若退去，我乘其弊。 自長安以西，民疏城遠，敵兵來往，實自艱難，與我相持，農業且廢，不過三年，彼自破矣。」 帝深善之。 齊主自將擊庫莫奚，至天池，庫莫奚出長城北遁。 齊主分兵追擊，獲牛羊七萬而還。
The Qi ruler summoned former open-mansion chief clerk Lu Shuhu as tutor to the heir. Shuhu was a cousin of Lu Rou. The emperor asked Shuhu's view of the times; Shuhu urged war on Zhou: "We are strong where they are weak, rich where they are poor—the imbalance is extreme. Yet war drags on without conquest because we fail to use that strength and wealth. Light raids and open battle leave the outcome in doubt—that is nomad warfare, not a sure path. Establish a great fortress at Pingyang facing their Puzhou, dig deep moats, raise high walls, stock grain and armor. If they shut their gates, nibble away at Hedong day by day until they are cornered. If they march out, it will take more than a hundred thousand to stand against us. Every bushel they spend will drain Guanzhong. Our troops rotate yearly; our granaries overflow. If they seek battle, we refuse; if they withdraw, we strike their weakness. West of Chang'an the land is thin and cities few; every march exhausts them; locked with us, their fields will lie fallow—in three years they will break of themselves." The emperor was deeply pleased. The Qi ruler led a campaign against the Kumo Xi as far as Tianchi; they fled north beyond the Long Wall. He sent columns in pursuit and returned with seventy thousand head of livestock.
68
十二月，乙未，詔：「自今孟春訖於夏首，大辟事已款者，宜且申停。」
Twelfth month, on yiwei, an edict: "From early spring through the start of summer, even confessed capital cases are to be stayed for the season."
69
己亥，周巴陵城主尉遲憲降，遣巴州刺史侯安鼎守之。 庚子，獨孤盛將餘眾自楊葉洲潛遁。
On jihai, Zhou's Baling garrison commander Yuchi Xian surrendered; Hou Anding was sent as inspector of Bazhou to hold the city. On gengzi, Dugu Sheng stole away with his remnant force from Yangye Isle.
70
丙午，齊主還晉陽。
On bingwu, the Qi ruler returned to Jinyang.
71
齊主斬人於前，問王晞曰：「是人應死不？」 晞曰：「應死，但恨死不得其地耳。 臣聞『刑人於市，與眾棄之。』 殿廷非行戮之所。」 帝改容謝曰：「自今當為王公改之。」
The Qi ruler executed a man in his presence and asked Wang Xi, "Did this man deserve death?" Xi said, "He deserved death—but not here. I have heard that punishment belongs in the marketplace, where the people may witness and renounce the criminal. The throne hall is no place for killing." The emperor's face changed; he apologized: "Hereafter I shall mend my ways—for your sake and for all the princes."
72
帝欲以晞為侍郎，苦辭不受。 或勸晞勿自疏，晞曰：「我少年以來，閱要人多矣。 得志少時，鮮不顛覆。 且吾性實疏緩，不堪時務，人主恩私，何由可保！ 萬一披猖，求退無地。 非不好作要官，但思之爛熟耳。」
The emperor wished to make Xi a vice director of the Secretariat; Xi refused firmly. Some urged him not to hold himself aloof; Xi said, "Since youth I have watched many men at the summit of power. Few who rise young keep their footing. My nature is too easy and slow for court; a ruler's private favor—how could it last? If fortune turns, there will be nowhere to withdraw. It is not that I scorn high office—I have chewed the thought until it is threadbare."
73
初，齊顯祖之末，谷糴踴貴。 濟南王即位，尚書左丞蘇珍芝建議修石鱉等屯，自是淮南軍防足食。 肅宗即位，平州刺史嵇曄建議，開督亢陂，置屯田，歲收稻粟數十萬石，北境周贍。 又於河內置懷義等屯，以給河南之費。 自是稍止轉輸之勞。
Late in Xianzu's reign grain prices soared. When the prince of Jinan took the throne, left assistant director Su Zhenzhi proposed restoring the Shibie garrison farms; thereafter Huainan's armies ate their fill. When Suzong took the throne, Pingzhou inspector Ji Ye proposed opening the Dukang reservoir for military colonies; harvests of hundreds of thousands of piculs yearly made the northern frontier self-sufficient. He also established the Huaiyi colonies in Henei to feed the armies south of the Yellow River. Long supply trains grew less necessary.
74
春，正月，戊申，周改元保定。 以大塚宰護為都督中外諸軍事； 令五府總於天官，事無鉅細，皆先斷後聞。
Spring, first month, on wushen, Northern Zhou changed the era name to Baoding. Grand minister of state Yuwen Hu was made commander of all forces inside and outside; the five ministries were folded under the celestial office; great and small matters alike were decided first and reported afterward.
75
庚戌，大赦。
On gengxu, a general amnesty.
76
周主祀圜丘。
The Zhou ruler sacrificed at the Round Mound.
77
辛亥，齊主祀圜丘； 壬子，示帝於太廟。
On xinhai, the Qi ruler sacrificed at the Round Mound; on renzi, presented the imperial tablets in the ancestral temple.
78
周主祀方丘； 甲寅，祀感生帝於南郊； 乙卯，祭太社。
The Zhou ruler sacrificed at the Square Mound; on jiayin, sacrificed to the Life-Giving Emperor at the southern suburb; on yimao, offered to the Great Altar of Soil and Grain.
79
齊主使王琳出合肥，召募傖楚，更圖進取。 合州刺史裴景徽，琳兄鈱之婿也，請以私屬為鄉導。 齊主使琳與行台左丞盧潛將兵赴之，琳沉吟不決。 景徽恐事洩，挺身奔齊。 齊主以琳為驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、揚州刺史，鎮壽陽。
The Qi ruler sent Wang Lin from Hefei to raise Sogdian and Chu troops and plan a new offensive. Hezhou inspector Pei Jinghui, who had married Lin's brother's daughter, offered his household retainers as guides. The Qi ruler ordered Lin and mobile-headquarters left assistant director Lu Qian to march; Lin hesitated. Fearing exposure, Jinghui fled to Qi alone. The Qi ruler made Lin flying-cavalry grand general, palace attendant of the third rank, and inspector of Yangzhou, stationed at Shouyang.
80
己巳，周主享太廟，班太祖所述六官之法。
On jisi, the Zhou ruler offered in the ancestral temple and promulgated the six-office system laid down by the founding ancestor.
81
辛未，周湘州城主殷亮降，湘州平。
On xinwei, Zhou's Xiangzhou garrison commander Yin Liang surrendered; Xiangzhou was pacified.
82
侯瑱與賀若敦相持日久，瑱不能制，乃借船送敦等渡江。 敦慮其詐，不許，報云：「湘州我地，為爾侵逼； 必須我歸，可去我百里之外。」 瑱留船江岸，引兵去之。 敦乃自拔北歸，軍士病死者什五六。 武陵、天門、南平、義陽、河東、宜都郡悉平。 晉公護以敦失地無功，除名為民。 二月，甲午，周主朝日於東郊。
Hou Tian and He Ruo Dun had faced each other for months without advantage; Tian borrowed boats to ferry Dun's army across the river. Dun suspected a trap and refused; he answered: "Xiangzhou is ours—you invaded it; I will withdraw only if you pull back a hundred li." Tian left the boats on the bank and marched off. Dun then broke north; five or six soldiers in ten died of sickness on the march. Wuling, Tianmen, Nanping, Yiyang, Hedong, and Yidu were all recovered. Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu stripped Dun of rank for losing ground without gain. Second month, on jiawu, the Zhou ruler worshipped the sun at the eastern suburb.
83
周人以小司徒韋孝寬嘗立勳於玉壁，乃置勳州於玉壁，以孝寬為刺史。
Because Wei Xiaokuan had won fame at Yubi, Zhou created Xunzhou there and made him inspector.
84
孝寬有恩信，善用間諜，或齊人受孝寬金貨，遙通書疏，故齊之動靜，周人皆先知之。 有主帥許盆，以所戍城降齊，孝寬遣諜取之，俄斬首而還。
Xiaokuan ruled with kindness and excelled at espionage; Qi men took his gold and sent word from afar—Zhou always knew Qi's moves first. When garrison commander Xu Pen surrendered his post to Qi, Xiaokuan's agents seized him and were back with his head in no time.
85
離石以南，生胡數為抄掠，而居於齊境，不可誅討。 孝寬欲築城於險要以制之，乃發河西役徒十萬，甲士百人，遣開府儀同三司姚岳監築之。 岳以兵少，懼不改前。 孝寬曰：「計此城十日可畢。 城距晉州四百餘里，吾一日創手，二日敵境始知。 設使晉州徵兵，三日方集，謀議之間，自稽三日，計其軍行，二日不到。 我之隍防，足得辦矣。」 乃令築之。 齊人果至境上，疑有大軍，停留不進。 其夜，孝寬使汾水以南傍介山、稷山諸村縱火。 齊人以為軍營，收兵自固。 岳卒城而還。
South of Lishi, tribal Hu raided often but lived within Qi's border and could not be pursued. Xiaokuan meant to build a fortress at a choke point; he drafted a hundred thousand laborers from west of the river and a hundred armored men, with palace attendant Yao Yue to supervise. Yue, with so few troops, feared the raiders would not change their ways. Xiaokuan said, "This fort can be finished in ten days. It lies four hundred li from Jinyang; we break ground on day one, and the border learns on day two. Suppose Jinyang mobilizes: three days to assemble, three more in council, two on the road—they still will not arrive in time. Our walls will stand before they come." He ordered construction to begin. Qi troops reached the border, suspected a great army, and halted. That night Xiaokuan had villages south of the Fen, near Jieshan and Jishan, set fires. Qi took the fires for encampments and drew their men in. Yao Yue finished the fort and withdrew.
86
三月，乙卯，太尉零陵壯肅公侯瑱卒。
Third month, on yimao, grand marshal Hou Tian, Duke of Lingling, died.
87
丙寅，周改八丁兵為十二丁兵，率歲一月役。
On bingyin, Zhou changed the levy from eight men per ding to twelve, with one month of service per year on average.
88
夏，四月，丙子朔，日有食之。
Summer, fourth month, at the bingzi new moon, there was a solar eclipse.
89
周以少傅尉遲綱為大司空。
Northern Zhou made junior tutor Yuchi Gang grand minister of works.
90
丙午，周封愍帝子康為紀國公，皇子贇為魯國公。 贇，李後之子也。 六月，乙酉，周主使御正殷不害來聘。
On bingwu, Zhou enfeoffed Emperor Min's son Kang as duke of Ji and Prince Yun as duke of Lu. Yun was a son of Empress Li. Sixth month, on yiyou, the Zhou ruler sent director of documents Yin Buhai on a friendly mission.
91
秋，七月，周更鑄錢，文曰「布泉」，一當五，與五銖並行。
Autumn, seventh month, Zhou recoined money inscribed "Buquan," valued at five old coins and circulated alongside the five-zhu.
92
己酉，周追封皇伯父顥為邵國公，以晉公護之子會為嗣； 顥弟連為杞國公，以章武公導之子亮為嗣； 連弟洛生為莒國公，以護之子至為嗣； 追封太祖之子武邑公震為宋公，以世宗之子實為嗣。
On jiyou, Zhou posthumously enfeoffed the emperor's grand-uncle Hao as duke of Shao, with Yuwen Hu's son Hui as heir; Hao's brother Lian as duke of Qi, with Zhangwu duke Dao's son Liang as heir; Lian's brother Luosheng as duke of Ju, with Hu's son Zhi as heir; and posthumously raised the founding ancestor's son Zhen of Wuyi to duke of Song, with Shizong's son Shi as heir.
93
齊主之誅楊、燕也。 許以長廣王湛為太弟； 既而立太子百年，湛心不平。 帝在晉陽，湛居守於鄴。 散騎常侍高元海，高祖之從孫也。 留典機密。 帝以領軍代人庫狄伏連為幽州刺史，以斛律光之弟羨為領軍，以分湛權。 湛留伏連，不聽羨視事。
When the Qi ruler had executed Yang Yin and his faction. He had promised Prince Zhan of Changgung the title of grand younger brother; yet then made young Bainian crown prince—and Zhan's heart turned sour. The emperor was at Jinyang; Zhan held Ye. Palace attendant Gao Yuanhai was a great-grandson of Gaozu on a collateral line. He was left in charge of confidential affairs. The emperor sent army director Kudi Fulian to Youzhou as inspector and made Hulü Guang's brother Xian army director, to split Zhan's power. Zhan kept Fulian at Ye and blocked Xian from taking office.
94
先是，濟南閔悼王常在鄴，望氣者以鄴中有天子氣。 平秦王歸彥恐濟南王復立，為己不利，勸帝除之。 帝乃使歸彥至鄴，征濟南王如晉陽。
The deposed prince of Jinan had long been kept at Ye; geomancers said the city breathed with imperial qi. Prince Guiyan of Pingqin, fearing Jinan's restoration would undo him, urged the emperor to kill him. The emperor sent Guiyan to Ye to bring the prince of Jinan to Jinyang.
95
湛內不自安，問計於高元海。 元海曰：「皇太后萬福，至尊孝友異常，殿下不須異慮。」 湛曰：「此豈我推誠之意邪！」 元海乞還省，一夜思之，湛即留元海於後堂。 元海達旦不眠，唯繞床徐步。 夜漏未盡，湛遽出，曰：「神算如何？」 元海曰：「有三策，恐不堪用耳。 請殿下如梁孝王故事，從數騎入晉陽，先見太后求哀，後見主上，請去兵權，以死為限，不干朝政，必保泰山之安。 此上策也。 不然，當具表雲，威權太盛，恐取謗眾口，請青、齊二州刺史，沉靖自居，必不招物議。 此中策也。」 更問下策。 曰：「發言即恐族誅。」 固逼之，元海曰：「濟南世嫡，主上假太后令而奪之。 今集文武，示以征濟南之敕，執斛律豐樂，斬高歸彥，尊立濟南，號令天下，以順討逆，此萬世一時也。」 湛大悅。 然性怯，狐疑未能用，使術士鄭道謙等卜之，皆曰：「不利舉事，靜則吉。」 有林慮令潘子密，曉占候，潛謂湛曰：「宮車當晏駕，殿下為天下主。」 湛拘之於內以候之。 又令巫覡卜之，多云「不須舉兵，自有大慶」。
Uneasy in his heart, Zhan asked Gao Yuanhai for counsel. Yuanhai said, "The empress dowager is well; the emperor is dutiful beyond measure—you need not fret." Zhan said, "That is not the honest counsel I asked for!" Yuanhai asked leave to withdraw and think overnight; Zhan kept him in the rear hall. Yuanhai did not sleep until dawn, pacing slowly around the couch. Before the night watch ended, Zhan burst in: "What is your verdict?" Yuanhai said, "There are three plans—though you may find them hard to take. Ride to Jinyang with a few horsemen as Prince Xiao of Liang did: beg the empress dowager first, then the emperor; surrender your command and swear never to meddle in court—you will live secure as Mount Tai. That is the best course. Or memorialize that your power alarms the court and ask for Qing and Qi provinces—live quietly and men will not talk. That is the middle course." Zhan pressed for the third. Yuanhai said, "To speak it is to risk the death of your house." When Zhan pressed him, Yuanhai said, "Jinan is the rightful heir; the throne was taken from him on a forged order. Summon civil and military, produce the order that called Jinan north, seize Hulü Fengle, kill Gao Guiyan, set Jinan on the throne, and march under the banner of righteousness—such a chance comes once in an age." Zhan was delighted. Yet he was timid; he could not act. Diviners Zheng Daoqian and others cast lots—all said, "Do not move; stillness brings fortune." Linlu magistrate Pan Zimi, skilled in omens, whispered to Zhan: "The emperor's death is near—you will rule the realm. Zhan held him within the palace to watch events unfold. He had shamans divine as well; most answered, "Do not take up arms—great fortune will come unbidden."
96
湛乃奉詔，令數百騎送濟南王至晉陽。 九月，帝使人鴆之，濟南王不從，乃扼殺之。 帝尋亦悔之。
Zhan obeyed the edict and sent several hundred horsemen to escort the Prince of Jinan to Jinyang. In the ninth month the emperor sent poison; the Prince of Jinan would not drink it, and they strangled him. Soon the emperor regretted it as well.
97
冬，十月，甲戌朔，日有食之。
Winter, tenth month, on the first day jiaxu, there was a solar eclipse.
98
丙子，齊以彭城王浟為太保，長樂王尉粲為太尉。
On bingzi, Northern Qi made Prince You of Pengcheng grand guardian and Prince Can of Changle grand commandant.
99
齊肅宗出畋，有兔驚馬，墜地絕肋。 婁太后視疾，問濟南所在者三，齊主不對。 太后怒曰：「殺之邪？ 不用吾言，死其宜矣！」 遂去，不顧。
Emperor Xiaozong of Qi went hunting; a hare startled his horse and he fell, his ribs snapped. Empress Dowager Lou came to his sickbed and thrice asked where the Prince of Jinan was; the Qi ruler would not answer. The empress dowager raged: "You killed him? You would not heed me—death was fitting!" She turned away and would not look back.
100
十一月，甲辰，詔以嗣子沖眇，可遣尚書右僕射趙郡王睿諭旨，征長廣王湛統茲大寶。 又與湛書曰：「百年無罪，汝可以樂處置之，勿效前人也。」 是日，殂於晉陽宮。 臨終，言恨不見太后山陵。
Eleventh month, on jiachen, an edict declared the heir too young and ordered Right Vice Director Prince Rui of Zhao to summon Prince Zhan of Changguang to the throne. He also wrote Zhan: "Bainian is innocent—set him at Lechu in comfort. Do not do as those before you." That day he died at Jinyang Palace. Dying, he said he grieved that he would not see the empress dowager's tomb completed.
101
顏之推論曰：孝昭天性至孝，而不知忌諱，乃至於此，良由不學之所為也。
Yan Zhitui wrote: Xiaozhao was filial by nature yet blind to taboo, even to this—what comes of a life without learning.
102
趙郡王睿先使黃門侍郎王松年馳至鄴，宣肅宗遺命。 湛猶疑其詐，使所親先詣殯所，發而視之。 使者覆命，湛喜，馳赴晉陽，使河南王孝瑜先入宮，改易禁衛。 癸丑，世祖即皇帝位於南宮，大赦，改元太寧。
Prince Rui of Zhao first sent palace attendant Wang Songnian galloping to Ye with Xiaozong's last command. Zhan still suspected a ruse and sent a trusted man to the mourning hall to open the coffin and look. The envoy returned; Zhan rejoiced, raced to Jinyang, and sent Prince Xiaoyu of Henan ahead to replace the palace guard. On guichou, Emperor Shizu took the throne at the Southern Palace, proclaimed amnesty, and changed the era to Taining.
103
周人許歸安成王頊，使司會上士京兆杜杲來聘。 上悅，即遣使報之，並賂以黔中地及魯山郡。
Northern Zhou agreed to return Prince Xu of Ancheng and sent chief clerk Du Gao of Jingzhao on an embassy. The emperor was pleased, sent envoys at once in reply, and ceded Qianzhong and Lushan commandery as gifts.
104
齊以彭城王浟為太師、錄尚書事，平秦王歸彥為太傅，尉粲為太保，平陽王淹為太宰，博陵王濟為太尉，段韶為大司馬，豐州刺史婁睿為司空，趙郡王睿為尚書令，任城王湝為尚書左僕射，并州刺史斛律光為右僕射。 婁睿，韶之兄子也。 立太子百年為樂陵王。
Northern Qi made Prince You of Pengcheng grand preceptor and recorder of the Secretariat; Prince Guiyan of Pingqin grand tutor; Can grand guardian; Prince Yan of Pingyang grand mentor; Prince Ji of Boling grand commandant; Duan Shao grand marshal; Lou Rui of Fengzhou minister of works; Prince Rui of Zhao director of the Secretariat; Prince Cheng of Rencheng left vice director; Hu Lv Guang of Bingzhou right vice director. Lou Rui was nephew to Duan Shao's elder brother. Crown Prince Bainian was made prince of Leling.
105
丁巳，周主畋於岐陽； 十二月，壬午，還長安。
On dingsi, the Zhou ruler hunted at Qiyang; twelfth month, on renwu, he returned to Chang'an.
106
太子中庶子餘姚虞荔、御史中丞孔奐，以國用不足，奏立煮海鹽賦及榷酤之科，詔從之。
Crown prince attendant Yu Li of Yuyao and imperial censor Kong Huan, finding the treasury bare, memorialized for sea-salt levies and a wine monopoly; the court assented.
107
初，高祖以帝女豐安公主妻留異之子貞臣，征異為南徐州刺史，異遷延不就。 帝即位，復以異為縉州刺史，領東海太守。 異屢遣其長史王澌入朝，澌每言朝廷虛弱。 異信之，雖外示臣節，恆懷兩端，與王琳自鄱陽信安嶺潛通使往來。 琳敗，上遣左衛將軍沈恪代異，實以兵襲之。 異出軍下淮以拒恪，恪與戰而敗，退還錢塘。 異復上表遜謝。 時眾軍方事湘、郢，乃降詔書慰諭，且羈縻之。 異知朝廷終將討己，乃以兵戍下淮及建德以備江路。 丙午，詔司空、南徐州刺史侯安都討之。
Earlier Gaozu had married Princess Feng'an to Liu Yi's son Zhenchen and summoned Yi as inspector of South Xuzhou; Yi delayed and would not come. When the emperor took the throne, he again made Yi inspector of Jinzhou and concurrent administrator of Donghai. Yi repeatedly sent chief clerk Wang Si to court; Si always said the throne was weak. Yi believed him. Outwardly loyal, inwardly he wavered, and exchanged secret envoys with Wang Lin across Xin'an Ridge in Poyang. When Lin fell, the emperor sent left guard general Shen Ke to replace Yi—in truth to strike him with troops. Yi marched to Xiahuai to meet Ke; Ke was beaten and withdrew to Qiantang. Yi again submitted a humble apology. The armies were busy at Xiang and Ying, so the court sent comforting words and held him on loose reins. Yi knew the court would come for him at last and garrisoned Xiahuai and Jiande to guard the river road. On bingwu, the court ordered minister of works and inspector of South Xuzhou Hou An'du against him.
108
春，正月，乙亥，齊主至鄴； 辛巳，祀南郊； 壬午，享太廟； 丙戌，立妃胡氏為皇后，子緯為皇太子。 後，魏兗州刺史安定胡延之之子也。 戊子，大赦。
Spring, first month, on yihai, the Qi ruler reached Ye; on xinsi, he sacrificed at the southern altar; on renwu, he offered at the imperial temple; on bingxu, he made Consort Hu empress and his son Wei crown prince. The empress was daughter of Hu Yanzhi of Anding, Wei's inspector of Yanzhou. On wuzi, general amnesty.
109
己亥，以馮翊王潤為尚書左僕射。
On jihai, Prince Run of Fengyi was made left vice director of the Secretariat.
110
周涼景公賀蘭祥卒。
Duke Jing of Liang, Helan Xiang of Northern Zhou, died.
111
壬寅，周人鑿河渠於蒲州，龍首渠於同州。
On renyin, Northern Zhou dug a canal at Puzhou and the Longshou Canal at Tongzhou.
112
丁未，周以安成王頊為柱國大將軍，遣杜果送之南歸。
On dingwei, Northern Zhou made Prince Xu of Ancheng grand general of the pillars and sent Du Guo to escort him south.
113
辛亥，上祀南郊，以胡公配天； 二月，辛酉，祀北郊。
On xinhai, the emperor sacrificed at the southern altar, with Duke Hu as companion to Heaven; second month, on xinyou, he sacrificed at the northern altar.
114
閏月，丁未，齊以太宰、平陽王淹為青州刺史，太傅、平秦王歸彥為太宰、冀州刺史。
Intercalary month, on dingwei, Northern Qi made grand mentor Prince Yan of Pingyang inspector of Qingzhou and grand tutor Prince Guiyan of Pingqin grand mentor and inspector of Jizhou.
115
歸彥為肅宗所厚，恃勢驕盈，陵侮貴戚。 世祖即位，侍中、開府儀同三司高元海、御史中丞畢義雲、黃門郎高乾和數言其短，且云：「歸彥威權震主，必為禍亂。」 帝亦尋其反覆之跡，漸忌之。 伺歸彥還家，召魏收於帝前作詔草，除歸彥冀州，使乾和繕寫。 晝日，仍敕門司不聽歸彥輒入宮。 時歸彥縱酒為樂，經宿不知。 至明，欲參，至門知之，大驚而退。 及通名謝，敕令早發，別賜錢帛等物甚厚，又敕督將悉送至清陽宮。 拜辭而退，莫敢與語，唯趙郡王睿與之久語，時無聞者。
Guiyan had been favored by Xiaozong; swollen with power he insulted the great houses. When Shizu took the throne, palace attendant Gao Yuanhai, imperial censor Bi Yiyun, and yellow gate gentleman Gao Qianhe denounced him again and again: "Guiyan's power eclipses the throne—he will bring ruin." The emperor traced his shifting loyalties and grew to fear him. When Guiyan went home, he summoned Wei Shou to draft the edict moving Guiyan to Jizhou and had Qianhe fair-copy it. That same day he ordered the gate office to bar Guiyan from the palace. Guiyan was drinking deep and knew nothing until dawn. At dawn he came to court; at the gate he learned the truth, started back in terror, and fled. When he took formal leave, the order bade him depart at once, heaped gifts upon him, and sent escorts to Qingyang Palace. He bowed and withdrew; none dared speak with him save Prince Rui of Zhao, who talked long—and none overheard.
116
帝之為長廣王也，清都和士開發善握槊、彈琵琶有寵，闢為開府行參軍，及即位，累遷給事黃門侍郎。 高元海、畢義雲、高乾和皆疾之，將言其事。 士開乃奏元海等交結朋黨，欲擅威福。 乾和由是被疏。 義雲納賂於士開，得為兗州刺史。
When the emperor had been Prince of Changguang, He Shikai of Qinghe, master of backgammon and the pipa, won favor; he rose to attendant of the yellow gate. Gao Yuanhai, Bi Yiyun, and Gao Qianhe hated him and were about to expose him. Shikai memorialized that Yuanhai and the rest had formed a faction to seize power and favor. Qianhe was cast aside. Yiyun bribed Shikai and won appointment as inspector of Yanzhou.
117
帝征江州刺史周迪出鎮湓城，又征其子入朝。 迪趑且顧望，並不至。 其餘南江酋帥，私署令長，多不受召，朝廷未暇致討，但羈縻之。 豫章太守周敷獨先入朝，進號安西將軍，給鼓吹一部，賜又女妓、金帛，令還豫章。 迪以敷素出己下，深不平之，乃陰與留異相結，遣其弟方興將兵襲敷； 敷與戰，破之。 又遣其兄子伏甲船中，詐為賈人，欲襲湓城。 未發，事覺，尋陽太守監江州事晉陵華皎遣兵逆擊之，盡獲其船仗。
The emperor summoned Jiangzhou inspector Zhou Di to Pencheng and his son to court. Di hesitated and looked about; neither came. Other southern chieftains appointed their own magistrates and ignored summons; the court had no leisure to punish them and only held them loosely. Yuzhang administrator Zhou Fu alone came to court first; he was made general who pacifies the west, given martial pipes, courtesans, gold, and silk, and sent back to Yuzhang. Di resented Fu, who had always ranked below him; he secretly allied with Liu Yi and sent his brother Fangxing to raid him; Fu fought and routed him. He sent his nephew with armed men hidden in merchant ships to strike Pencheng. Before they sailed the plot was discovered; Xunyang administrator Hua Jiao of Jinling intercepted them and seized ships and arms.
118
上以閩州刺史陳寶應之父為光祿大夫，子女皆受封爵，命宗正編入屬籍。 而寶應以留異女為妻，陰與異合。 虞荔弟寄，流寓閩中，荔思之成疾，上為荔征之，寶應留不遣。 寄嘗從容諷以逆順，寶應輒引它語以亂之。 寶應嘗使人讀《漢書》，臥而聽之，至蒯通說韓信曰：「相君之背，貴不可言。」 蹶然起坐，曰：「可謂智士！」 寄曰：「通一說殺三士，何足稱智！ 豈若班彪《王命》，識所歸乎！」
The emperor made Minzhou inspector Chen Baoying's father grand master for splendid happiness, ennobled his children, and ordered the director of the imperial clan to enter them in the lineage register. But Baoying had married Liu Yi's daughter and secretly aided him. Yu Li's brother Ji was stranded in Min; Li sickened with longing, and though the emperor summoned Ji for his sake, Baoying would not release him. Ji once gently spoke of loyalty and rebellion; Baoying always turned the talk aside. Baoying once had the Book of Han read to him as he lay listening; at Kuai Tong telling Han Xin, "Turn your back on your lord—glory beyond words," he started up and cried, "Now there was a wise man!" Ji said, "Tong's one speech killed three men—what wisdom is that! Better Ban Biao's 'Kingly Mandate,' which knows where loyalty lies!"
119
寄知寶應不可諫，恐禍及己，乃著居士服，居東山寺，陽稱足疾。 寶應使人燒其屋，寄安臥不動。 親近將扶之出，寄曰：「吾命有所懸，避將安往！」 縱火者自救之。
Ji knew Baoying would not listen and feared for his life; he took lay robes, dwelt at East Hill Temple, and feigned lameness. Baoying sent men to burn his hut; Ji lay still. His attendants would have dragged him out; Ji said, "My fate hangs elsewhere—where would I flee!" The men who set the fire themselves pulled him out.
120
乙卯，齊以任城王湝為司徒。
On yimao, Northern Qi made Prince Cheng of Rencheng minister of education.
121
齊揚州剌史行台王琳數欲南侵，尚書盧潛以為時事未可。 上遣移書壽陽，欲與齊和親。 潛以其書奏齊朝，仍上啟且請息兵。 齊主許之，遣散騎常侍崔瞻來聘，且歸南康愍王曇朗之喪。 琳由是與潛有隙，更相表列。 齊主征琳赴鄴，以潛為揚州刺史，領行台尚書。 瞻，凌之子也。
Yangzhou inspector Wang Lin, head of the eastern office, repeatedly wished to strike south; secretariat director Lu Qian held the moment unripe. The emperor sent a letter to Shouyang seeking peace with Northern Qi. Qian presented the letter to the Qi court and memorialized for a halt to arms. The Qi ruler agreed, sent attendant Cui Zhan on an embassy, and returned the coffin of Prince Min of Nankang, Tanlang. Lin and Qian became enemies and denounced each other in memorial after memorial. The Qi ruler summoned Lin to Ye and made Qian inspector of Yangzhou and head of the eastern office. Zhan was Ling's son.
122
梁末喪亂，鐵錢不行，民間私用鵝眼錢。 甲子，改鑄五銖錢，一當鵝眼之十。
At Liang's fall iron coin would not pass; the people used goose-eye cash in secret. On jiazi they recast five-zhu cash, each worth ten goose-eye.
123
後梁主安於儉素，不好酒色，雖多猜忌，而撫將士有恩。 以封疆褊隘，邑居殘毀，干戈日用，鬱鬱不得志，疽發背而殂； 葬平陵，謚曰宣皇帝，廟號中宗。 太子巋即皇帝位，改元天保； 尊龔太后為太皇太后，王后曰皇太后，母曹貴嬪為皇太妃。
The Later Liang ruler lived plainly, shunned wine and women, and though suspicious treated his officers with grace. His realm was narrow, his towns in ruins, war daily at hand; he brooded without hope until a carbuncle on his back killed him; he was buried at Pingling, posthumous title Emperor Xuan, temple name Zhongzong. Crown Prince Kui took the throne and changed the era to Tianbao; Empress Dowager Gong was honored as grand empress dowager; the queen became empress dowager; Noble Consort Cao, the emperor's mother, became grand imperial consort.
124
三月，丙子，安成王頊至建康，詔以為中書監、中衛將軍。
Third month, on bingzi, Prince Xu of Ancheng reached Jiankang and was made director of the Secretariat and central guard general.
125
上謂杜杲曰：「家弟今蒙禮遣，實周朝之惠； 然魯山不返，亦恐未能及此。」 杲對曰：「安成，長安—布衣耳，而陳之介弟也，其價豈止一城而已哉！ 本朝敦睦九族，恕己及物，上遵太祖遣旨，下思繼好之義，是以遣之南歸。 今乃雲以導常之土易骨肉之親，非使臣之所敢聞也。」 上甚慚，曰：「前言戲之耳。」 待杲之禮有加焉。
The emperor told Du Gao, "My brother returns with honor—truly Zhou's grace; yet without Lushan's return, I doubt we would have seen this day." Gao answered, "In Chang'an Prince Xu was a commoner—but he is Chen's own brother. His worth is more than one city! Our court honors kinship, forgives as we would be forgiven, obeys the founder's charge, and seeks lasting peace—therefore he was sent south. To trade common earth for blood kin—that is not for this envoy's ears." The emperor flushed and said, "I spoke in jest." His courtesy toward Gao only increased.
126
頊妃柳氏及子叔寶猶在穰城，上復遣毛喜如周請之，周人皆歸之。
Xu's consort Lady Liu and son Shubao remained at Rang; the emperor sent Mao Xi to Zhou to ask for them, and Zhou returned them.
127
丁丑，以安右將軍吳明徹為江州刺史，督高州刺史黃法□、豫章太守周敷共討周迪。
On dingchou, general of the right guard Wu Mingche was made inspector of Jiangzhou to oversee Gaozhou inspector Huang Fa□ and Yuzhang administrator Zhou Fu against Zhou Di.
128
甲申，大赦。
On jiashen, general amnesty.
129
留異始謂台軍必自錢塘上，既而侯安都步由諸暨出永康，異大驚，奔桃枝嶺，於巖口豎柵以拒之。 安都為流矢所中，血流至踝，乘轝指麾，容止不變。 因其山勢，迮而為堰。 會潦水漲滿，安都引船入堰，起樓艦與異城等，發拍碎其樓堞。 異與其子忠臣脫身奔晉安，依陳寶應。 安都虜其妻及餘子，盡收鎧仗而還。
Liu Yi expected the imperial army from Qiantang; instead Hou An'du marched from Zhuji through Yongkang. Yi fled to Taozhi Ridge and raised palisades at the cliff mouth. A stray arrow struck An'du; blood ran to his ankles, yet from his litter he commanded, his bearing unchanged. He used the slope to pen the water into a dam. When the floods rose, An'du brought ships into the dam, raised tower-ships level with Yi's walls, and smashed his battlements with rams. Yi and his son Zhongchen fled to Jin'an and threw themselves on Chen Baoying. An'du took his wife and remaining sons, seized arms and armor, and withdrew.
130
異黨向文政據新安，上以貞毅將軍程文季為新安太守，帥精甲三百徑往攻之。 文政戰敗，遂降。 文季，靈洗之子也。 夏，四月，辛丑，齊武明婁太后殂。 齊主不改服，緋袍如故。 未幾，登三台，置酒作樂，宮女進白袍，帝投諸台下。 散騎常侍和士開請止樂，帝怒，撾之。
Yi's partisan Xiang Wenzheng held Xin'an; the emperor sent general of firm resolution Cheng Wenji as administrator with three hundred picked men straight against him. Wenzheng was beaten and surrendered. Wenji was Cheng Lingxi's son. Summer, fourth month, on xinchou, Empress Dowager Lou Wuming of Northern Qi died. The Qi ruler did not change dress; he still wore scarlet. Soon he climbed the Three Terraces for wine and music; palace women brought white robes and he hurled them from the terrace. Attendant He Shikai begged him to stop; the emperor raged and beat him.
131
乙巳，帝遣使來聘。
On yisi, the Chen emperor sent envoys on an embassy.
132
齊青州上言河水清，齊主遣使祭之，改元河清。
Qingzhou reported clear river water; the Qi ruler sacrificed and changed the era to Heqing.
133
先是，周之群臣受封爵者皆未給租賦。 癸亥，始詔柱國等貴臣邑戶，聽寄食它縣。
Until then, Northern Zhou nobles had received no rent from their fiefs. On guihai an edict first granted fief households to pillar-state and other great lords, allowing sustenance drawn from other counties.
134
五月，庚午，周大赦。
Fifth month, on gengwu, Northern Zhou proclaimed general amnesty.
135
己丑，齊以右僕射斛律光為尚書令。
On jichou, Northern Qi made right vice director Hu Lv Guang director of the Secretariat.
136
壬辰，周以柱國楊忠為大司空。 六月，巳亥，以柱國蜀國公尉遲迥為大司馬。
On renchen, Northern Zhou made pillar-state Yang Zhong grand minister of works. Sixth month, on jihai, pillar-state Duke Yuchi Jiong of Shu was made grand marshal.
137
秋，七月，己丑，納太子妃王氏，金紫光祿大夫周之女也。
Autumn, seventh month, on jichou, the crown prince took Lady Wang, daughter of grand master of splendid happiness Zhou.
138
齊平秦王歸彥至冀州，內不自安，欲待齊主如晉陽，乘虛入鄴。 其郎中令呂思禮告之。 詔大司馬段韶、司空婁睿討之。 歸彥於南境置私驛，聞大軍將至，即閉城拒守。 長史宇文仲鸞等不從，皆殺之。 歸彥自稱大丞相，有眾四萬。 齊主以都官尚書封子繪，冀州人，祖父世為本州刺史，得人心，使乘傳至信都，巡城，諭以禍福，吏民降者相繼，城中動靜，小大皆知之。
Prince Guiyan of Pingqin reached Jizhou uneasy within, planning to wait until the ruler went to Jinyang and then seize empty Ye. His palace bureau director Lü Sil reported him. The court ordered grand marshal Duan Shao and minister of works Lou Rui against him. Guiyan had private post stations on the southern border; hearing the army approach, he shut the gates. Chief clerk Yuwen Zhongluan and others refused; he killed them all. Guiyan styled himself grand chancellor and mustered forty thousand men. The Qi ruler sent minister of justice Feng Zihui—whose family had held Jizhou for generations and won men's hearts—by post-cart to Xindu to tour the walls and speak of fortune and ruin; the city surrendered in waves, and every movement within was known.
139
歸彥登城大呼云：「孝昭皇帝初崩，六軍百萬，悉在臣手，投身向鄴，奉迎陛下。 當時不反，今日豈反邪！ 正恨高元海、畢義雲、高乾和誑惑聖上，疾忌忠良，但為殺此三人，即臨城自刎。」 既而城破，單騎北走，至交津，獲之，鎖送鄴。 乙巳，載以露車，銜木面縛。 劉桃枝臨之以刃，擊鼓隨之，並其子孫十五人皆棄市。 命封子繪行冀州事。
Guiyan mounted the wall and shouted, "When Xiaozhao died, a million men of the six armies were in my hand. I raced to Ye and raised you to the throne. I did not rebel then—would I rebel now! I hate only that Gao Yuanhai, Bi Yiyun, and Gao Qianhe deceive the throne and destroy the loyal—kill these three and I will cut my own throat at the wall." The city fell; he fled north alone, was taken at Jiaojin, chained, and sent to Ye. On yisi he was loaded on an open cart, gag in mouth, face bound. Liu Taozhi held a blade to him; drums beat as they went; he and fifteen sons and grandsons died in the market. Feng Zihui was ordered to govern Jizhou.
140
齊主知歸彥前譖清河王岳，以歸彥家良賤百口賜岳家，贈岳太師。
The Qi ruler knew Guiyan had slandered Prince Yue of Qinghe; he gave a hundred of Guiyan's household, bond and free, to Yue's kin and posthumously honored Yue as grand preceptor.
141
丁酉，以段韶為太傅，婁睿為司徒，平陽王淹為太宰，斛律光為司空，趙郡王睿為尚書令，河間王孝琬為左僕射。
On dingyou, Duan Shao became grand tutor, Lou Rui minister of education, Prince Yan of Pingyang grand mentor, Hu Lv Guang minister of works, Prince Rui of Zhao director of the Secretariat, and Prince Xiaowan of Hejian left vice director.
142
癸亥，齊主如晉陽。
On guihai the Qi ruler went to Jinyang.
143
上遣使聘齊。
The Chen emperor sent envoys to Northern Qi.
144
九月，戊辰朔，日有食之。
Ninth month, first day wuchen, solar eclipse.
145
以侍中、都官尚書到仲舉為尚書右僕射、丹楊尹。 仲舉，溉之弟子也。
Palace attendant and minister of justice Dao Zhongju was made right vice director of the Secretariat and governor of Danyang. Zhongju was Dao Gai's nephew.
146
吳明徹至臨川，攻周迪，不能克。 丁亥，詔安成王頊代之。
Wu Mingche reached Linchuan and attacked Zhou Di but could not break him. On dinghai the court ordered Prince Xu of Ancheng to replace him.
147
冬，十月，戊戌，詔以軍旅費廣，百姓空虛，凡供乘輿飲食衣服及宮中調度，悉從減削； 至於百司，宜亦思省約。
Winter, tenth month, on wuxu, an edict declared that war had emptied the land; food, drink, clothing for the throne, and palace expenses were all to be cut; the hundred offices should practice thrift as well.
148
十一月，丁卯，周以趙國公招為益州總管。
Eleventh month, on dingmao, Northern Zhou made Duke Zhao of Zhao inspector-general of Yizhou.
149
丁丑，齊遣兼散騎常侍封孝琰來聘。 十二月，丙辰，齊主還鄴。
On dingchou, Northern Qi sent acting attendant Feng Xiaoyan on an embassy. Twelfth month, on bingchen, the Qi ruler returned to Ye.
150
齊主逼通昭信李後，曰：「若不從我，我殺爾兒！」 後懼，從之。 既而有娠。 太原王紹德至閣，不得見，慍曰：「兒豈不知邪！ 姊腹大，故不見兒。」 後大慚，由是生女不舉。 帝橫刀詬曰：「殺我女，我何得不殺爾兒！」 對後以刀環築殺紹德。 後大哭，帝愈怒，裸後，亂撾之。 後號天不已，帝命盛以絹囊，流血淋漉，投諸渠水。 良久乃蘇，犢車載送妙勝寺為尼。
The Qi ruler forced Empress Li of Zhaoxin, saying, "Refuse me and I kill your son!" She yielded in fear. Soon she was with child. Prince Shaode of Taiyuan came to her door and was turned away; he raged, "Does the boy not know! Sister's belly swells—that is why she will not see me." The empress burned with shame; thereafter she bore girls and would not rear them. The emperor brandished a blade and snarled, "You killed my daughter—shall I not kill your son!" Before the empress he beat Shaode to death with the blade's ring. The empress wailed; the emperor, wilder still, stripped her and beat her at random. She cried to heaven without end; he had her stuffed in a silk sack, blood streaming, and cast into a canal. After long while she revived; an ox-cart bore her to Miaosheng Temple as a nun.