#js039 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bookofjin · 6 years ago

Text

Liu Yuan founds the fourth Han

Translations

WS001, Preliminary Annals

10th Year [of Emperor Zhao, 304 AD], Emperor Hui of Jin was detained at Ye by the King of Chengdu, Ying. The Xiongnu offshoot Liu Yuan rebelled at Lishi, titling himself King of Han. The Inspector of Bing province, Sima Teng came to request a host. Emperor Huan led more than 100 000 cavalry. The Emperor likewise at the same time greatly raised up to accordingly assist him. They greatly routed Yuan's multitudes in Xihe and Shangdang. It happened that Emperor Hui returned to Luo. Teng therefore bid farewell to the host. Emperor Huan swore a covenant with Teng at the east of the Fen [or “at Fendong”] and then returned. He therefore sent the Assistant Assessors Wei Xiong and Duan Fan to Leishi west of Canhe Slope to raise and set up a stele to accordingly record the act.

十年，晉惠帝為成都王潁逼留在鄴。匈奴別種劉淵反於離石，自號漢王。並州刺史司馬騰來乞師。桓帝率十餘萬騎，帝亦同時大舉以助之，大破淵眾於西河、上黨。會惠帝還洛，騰乃辭師。桓帝與騰盟於汾東而還。乃使輔相衛雄、段繁，於參合陂西累石為亭，樹碑以記行焉。

WS095, Biography of Liu Cong

Yuan spoke to Xuan and others, saying:

Emperors and Kings, when where they regular? I will at best be Gao of Han, at worst be Wu of Wei. But the people of Jin are not necessarily similar to us. Han had Under Heaven for many generations, kindness and virtue connection to the population's hearts. I am also a sister's child of the Han clan, sworn to be elder and younger brothers. When the older brother perishes, the younger carries on. Can we not do likewise? Now moreover, I can raise up Han, posthumously honour the Later Ruler, and thereby comfort the populace's expectations.

He therefore moved to Zuoguocheng. The far-away people who reverted to adherence were several ten thousand. He designated himself King of Han. He set up the hundred officials, with the year titled Yuanxi [“Inaugural Radiance”], and posthumously venerated Liu Shan as the Filial and Cherished [xiaohuai] August Emperor.

…

Yao, courtesy name Yongming, was orphaned young and was reared by Yuan. He quite understood books and registers, his aspirations were by nature not ordinary. He was powerful and brave, and was very strong. Iron 1 cun thick he could shoot at and pierce it. He was convicted in an affair and was to be executed, but absconded and hid in Zhaoxian, he took service as a county soldier. There happened to be an amnesty and he got to return home.

淵謂宣等曰：「帝王豈有常哉，當上為漢高，下為魏武。然晉人未必同我，漢有天下世長，恩德結於民心，吾又漢氏之甥，約為兄弟，兄亡弟紹，不亦可乎？今且可稱漢，追尊後主，以懷民望。」乃遷於左國城，遠人歸附者數萬。自稱漢王，置百官，年號元熙，追尊劉禪為孝懷皇帝。

…

曜，字永明。少孤，見養於淵。頗知書計，志性不恆。拳勇有膂力，鐵厚一寸，射而洞之。坐事當誅，亡匿朝鮮，客為縣卒，會赦得還。

JS004, Annals of Emperor Huan

The General who Calms the North, Wang Jun [JS039], dispatched Wuwan cavalry to attack the King of Chengdu at Ye, greatly routing him. Ying drove with the Emperor in a single chariot to flee to Luoyang, those submitting to the carriage divided and scattered, hustled and bustled above and below without presenting.

The Palace Attendants and Yellow Gates were presented from within [their] bags 3 000 cash, decreed to borrow and employ. By buying food they thereby supplied, the palace people stopped to eat in the middle of the road and in guest houses. The palace people had grasped a sheng with surplus husks from rice to eat and dried garlic and salted beans to thereby advance to the Emperor. The Emperor ate it. The Imperial Palace Yellow Gates were draped in cloth.

They lodged at Huojia and traded for unpolished and uncooked rice to eat, filling thereby earthen pots. The Emperor ate two cups. There was an old father presenting and offering chicken, the Emperor accepted it.

They arrived at Wen and wanted to pay visit to the Mounds. The Emperor lost his slipper[s] and accepted the slippers of a follower. The subordinates bowed with flowing tears. Left and right all blew their noses and sobbed.

When they crossed the He. Zhang Fang lead 3 000 cavalry and used a sun beacon green covered chariot to receive and welcome. Fang bowed to pay his respects, the Emperor personally stopped him.

On xinsi [1 October], a great amnesty, bestowed those who followed each proportionately.

安北將軍王浚遣烏丸騎攻成都王穎于鄴，大敗之。��輿帝單車走洛陽，服御分散，倉卒上下無齎，侍中黃門被囊中齎私錢三千，詔貸用。所在買飯以供，宮人止食于道中客舍。宮人有持升餘粇米飯及燥蒜鹽豉以進帝，帝啖之，御中黃門布被。次獲嘉，市粗米飯，盛以瓦盆，帝啖兩盂。有老父獻蒸雞，帝受之。至溫，將謁陵，帝喪履，納從者之履，下拜流涕，左右皆歔欷。及濟河，張方帥騎三千，以陽燧青蓋車奉迎。方拜謁，帝躬止之。辛巳，大赦，賞從者各有差。

JS037, Biography of Sima Teng, King Wuai of Xincai

…

Ying was afraid. He held onto the Emperor to return to Luoyang, and advanced Teng in rank to General who Calms [the North?].

…

穎懼，挾帝歸洛陽，進騰位安將軍。

JS039, Biography of Wang Jun

…

He used the Master of Accounts, Qi Hong as the vanguard. He came across Ying's general Shi Chao at Pingji, struck and defeated him. Jun exploited the victory to thereupon overcome Yecheng. The multitude soldiers brutally plundered and the dead were very many. The Xianbei greatly carried off the wives and girls. Jun instructed that those who dared to be holding onto [them] in secret would be beheaded. Hence those who were drowned in the Yi river were 8 000 people. The black-haired commoners' bitter poison started with this.

…

以主溥祁弘為前鋒，遇穎將石超於平棘，擊敗之。浚乘勝遂克鄴城，士眾暴掠，死者甚多。鮮卑大略婦女，浚命敢有挾藏者斬，於是沉於易水者八千人。黔庶荼毒，自此始也。

JS059, Biography of Sima Ying, King of Chengdu

…

The outriders arrived at Ye. Ying dispatched the Inspector of You province, Wang Cai, with Shi Chao, Li Yi and others to resist Jun. They were defeated by Jiezhu and others.

Within Ye they greatly shook in fear. The hundred companions fled and ran, the soldiers split up and scattered. Ying was afraid, he commanded several tens of riders of his personal followers, held the Son of Heaven close, and, together with a the Overseer of the Palace Writers, Lü Zhi, then ran. After five days they arrived in Luo. Jiezhu pursued to Zhaoge, but did not catch up and turned back.

…

候騎至鄴，穎遣幽州刺史王斌及石超、李毅等距浚，為羯朱等所敗。鄴中大震，百僚奔走，士卒分散。穎懼，將帳下數十騎，擁天子，與中書監慮志單車而走，五日至洛。羯朱追至朝歌，不及而還。

JS089, Biography of Wang Yu

(see http://bookofjin.tumblr.com/js089 for full translation)

…

When the King of Chengdu. Ying, was at Ye, he also used [Wang] Yu as General who Excites the Martial. At Liu Yuanhai becoming Northern Shanyu, Yu talked to Ying, saying:

Yuanhai is now leaving. Yu requests to be pressing him for Your Highness. If not done, [I] fear he will not arrive.

Ying made it so, and used Yu as General who Rout the Caitiffs. Yuanhai thereupon kept him, afterwards using him as Grand Tutor.

成都王穎在鄴，又以育為振武將軍。劉元海之為北單于，育說穎曰：「元海今去，育請為殿下促之，不然，懼不至也。」穎然之，以育為破虜將軍。元海遂拘之，其後以為太傅。

JS091, Biographies of Cui You and Fan Long

Cui You, courtesy name Zixiang, was a native Shangdang. As young he was fond of studying, he was discerning and enlightened in the Ruist methods, tranquil, peaceful, humble and withdrawn. From young to old his mouth not once spoke about wealth and profit. At the end of Wei, he was examined as Filial and Upright, and appointed Retainer of the Chancellor's Office. He set out to be Chief of Dichi, he was very kind in government affairs. He retired due to illness, and thereupon was disabled and sick.

At the beginning of Taishi [265 – 274], Emperor Wu favoured the succession [?] from Emperor Wen's old office companions and staff, and attended on the family to designate a Palace Gentleman. Aged more than 70, he still esteemed studying and did not tire. He compiled a Chart of Mourning Clothes, which has come down through the ages. When Liu Yuanhai usurped the throne, he instructed him to be Imperial Clerk Grandee. He firmly declined and did not go. He passed on at home, at the time he was 93 years old.

崔遊，字子相，上黨人也。少好學，儒術甄明，恬靖謙退，自少及長，口未嘗語及財利。魏末，察孝廉，除相府舍人，出為氐池長，甚有惠政。以病免，遂為廢疾。泰始初，武帝祿敘文帝故府僚屬，就家拜郎中。年七十餘，猶敦學不倦，撰《喪服圖》，行於世。及劉元海僭位，命為御史大夫，固辭不就。卒於家，時年九十三。

Fan Long, courtesy name Songyan, was a native of Yanmen. His father Fang was Wei's Grand Warden of Yanmen. The pregnancy for Long lasted 15 months. When he was born then his father deceased. At the age of 4 sui, he also mourned his mother. The sound of his mournful shouts moved to anguish the travellers on the road. A lonely orphan, he had no relatives in mourning [?]. His distant clansman Fan Guang pitied and reared him. He received him [as if?] coming home, and taught him books, and had erected a sacrificial hall. Long was fond of studying and cultivated prudence, he served Guang like a father.

He had a broad and comprehensive understanding of the classics and records, overlooking nothing [?]. He put forth Spring and Autumn, Three Traditions, and compiled Three Rites, Good and Evil [in] the Ancestral Records, they considerably were ordering righteousness [?].

In the time of Emperor Hui, Under Heaven was about to be chaotic. Long hid his traces and did not obey the instructions of the province or commandery. In daytime he industriously ploughed and sowed, at night he recited the books and canons. He was quite versed in the esoteric calendar's teachings of yin and yang, and knew Bing province was about to have omens of vapours and malign auras. For that reason he more and more did not again set out to serve.

He was good friends with Zhu Ji of Shangdang. Once he wandered the mountains together with Ji. They saw an old man at the banks of a spent [?] mountain brook. The old man said:

You two Dukes, why are [you] at this place?

Long and others bowed to him. When they raised their heads to look at him, they no longer saw him. Later he and Ji depended on Liu Yuanhai. Yuanhai used Long as Great Herald and Ji as Grand Master of Ceremonies, both were enfeoffed as Dukes. Long died in the reign of Liu Cong. Cong bestowed Grand Teacher.

范隆，字玄嵩，鴈門人。父方，魏鴈門太守。隆在孕十五月，生而父亡。年四歲，又喪母，哀號之聲，感慟行路。單孤無緦功之親，疏族范廣愍而養之，迎歸教書，為立祠堂。隆好學修謹，奉廣如父。博通經籍，無所不覽，著《春秋三傳》，撰《三禮吉凶宗紀》，甚有條義。惠帝時，天下將亂，隆隱迹不應州郡之命，晝勤耕稼，夜誦書典。頗習祕歷陰陽之學，知并州將有氛祲之祥，故彌不復出仕。與上黨硃紀友善，嘗共紀遊山，見一父老於窮澗之濱。父老曰：「二公何為在此？」隆等拜之，仰視則不見。後與紀依于劉元海，元海以隆為大鴻臚，紀為太常，並封公。隆死于劉聰之世，聰贈太師。

JS101, Yearly Annals of Liu Yuanhai

…

Wang Jun sent General Qi Hong to lead Xianbei and attack Ye. Ying was defeated, and held onto the Son of Heaven to run south to Luoyang. Yuanhai said:

Ying did not employ my words, on the contrary he is himself running from disaster. He truly has menial talents. However as I and him had words, I cannot but aid him.

Hence he instructed the Yulu King of the Right, Liu Jing, and the Dulu King of the Left, Liu Yannian, and others to lead 20 000 infantry and cavalry, and commanded them to punish the Xianbei. Liu Xuan and others firmly remonstrated, saying:

Jin is without the Way, slaves and lackeys govern us. Therefore the Worthy King of the Right's fierceness does not surpass his anger. Just now Jin's guide ropes are not spread. [If] the great affair is not followed through, the Worthy of the Right will smear [himself?] with earth, to the Shanyu's shame.

Now in the Sima clan, father and son, elder and younger brother, are themselves [chopping] each other [like] fish meat, this is Heaven casting aside Jin's virtue and conferring it on us. [If] the Shanyu stores up virtue in his body, and is submitted to by the people of Jin, [he] soon will raise up our nation and tribe and restore the patrimony of Huhanxie. The Xianbei and Wuhuan could be used as helpers, why would [we] resist them and aid [our] foes!

Now Heaven is acting through us and cannot be disobeyed. To disobey Heaven is not auspicious, to go against the multitudes is not helpful. [He who when] Heaven gives does not take, will in turn receive his calamity. [I] wish the Shanyu would not doubt.

Yuanhai said:

Good. I will be raising up the hill to the pinnacle mound, why would I make a hillock! As for Emperors and Kings, when where they regular? Yu the Great set out from the Western Rong, King Wen was born among the eastern Yu. Looking back, they were conferred for virtue, that was all.

Now [I] see a multitude of more than 100 000, and anyone of us is a match for ten of the Jin. To strike the march and then destroy chaotic Jin is like snapping deadwood, that is all. At best I can complete the legacy of Gao of Han, at worst I will be no less than the Wei clan.

However the people of Jin are not necessarily similar to us. Han had Under Heaven for many generations, kindness and virtue connection to people's hearts. Thus though Zhaolie [lived] rough and rugged in the lands of a single province, he was yet able contend at an equal level Under Heaven. I am also a sister's child of the Han clan, sworn to be elder and younger brothers. When the older brother perishes, the younger carries on. Can we not do likewise? Moreover, I can raise up Han, posthumously honour the Later Ruler, and thereby comfort the people's expectations.

He therefore moved to Zuoguocheng. The far-away people who reverted to adherence were several ten thousand.

1st Year of Yongxing [304 AD], Yuanhai therefore had an altar in the southern suburbs, and falsely acceded as King of Han. He sent down an order, saying:

Formerly our Grand Founder [ta], the Exalted [gao] August Emperor used his divine martial ability to follow expectations, and broadly began the great patrimony. The Grand Ancestor [taizong], the Filial and Civil [xiaowen] August Emperor gave weight to using enlightened kindness, peace and prosperity was the Way of Han. The Generational Ancestor [shizong], the Filial and Martiaizul [xiaowu] August Emperor expanded the territory and repelled the yi, the territory exceeding the days of Tang. The Middle Ancestor [zhongzong], the Filial and Propagating [xiaoxuan] August Emperor, sought and lifted up the capable and outstanding, many scholars filled the court.

Hence the Way of our founder and ancestors strode pass the Three Kings, their achievements exalted as the Five Emperors. For that reason the foretold years were many times the Xia and Shang's, the foretold generations exceeded the Ji clan. But Yuan and Cheng had many crimes, Ai and Ping were briefly blessed. The traitorous subject Wang Mang overflowed Heaven and usurped disobediently.

Our Generational Founder [shizu], the Brilliant and Martial [guangwu] August Emperor was expansively endowed with sagely martial ability. He immensely restored the vast foundation, worshipped Han matched with Heaven, and did not neglect old matters, so that the Three Luminaries' obscurity were yet restored to clarity, the Three Receptacles' darkness were yet restored to visibility. The Manifesting Ancestor [xianzong], the Filial and Enlightened [xiaoming] August Emperor, and the Solemn Ancestor [suzong], the Filial and Articulating [xiaozhang] August Emperor, amassed eras, the blazing light twice revealed.

From He and An and afterwards, the august guide-ropes gradually decayed, Heaven's pace was hard and difficult, the state's government again and again cut off. The Yellow Turban seas boiled in the Nine Provinces, the crowd of eunuchs' poison flowed in the Four Seas. Dong Zhuo following that indulged his careless heedlessness, Cao Cao, father and son, fell rebels, were soon after.

For that reason Xiaomin let go and put aside the ten thousand states. Zhaolie strayed beyond Min and Shu, hoping the stoppage in the end would have exaltation, returning the carriage box to the old capital. How to assess Heaven not regretting the calamity, the Later Emperor was embarrassed and humiliated.

Since the altars of soil and grain were lost and ceased, the ancestral temple have not had blood to eat for forty years until this point. Now Heaven is coaxing its inner self, regretting the calamity to August Han, and making the Sima clan, father and son, elder and younger brother, repeatedly break and wipe out each other. The numerous multitudes are in the mud and soot, scattering to denounce and accuse.

This Orphan is now all at once pushed forward by the crowd of excellencies, to carry on offering to the Three Founders' legacy. Looking at [my?] current crippled ignorance, [I] shiver in fear for collapsing in a shallow grave [?]. However, as the great shame is not yet wiped away, the altars of soil and grain are without a host, with gall in the mouth and the roost cold [?], [I] will strive to follow the crowd's opinion.

He therefore made an amnesty within his region, with the year titled Yuanxi [“Inaugural Radiance”], and posthumously venerated Liu Shan as the Filial and Cherished [xiaohuai] August Emperor. He established Gaozu of Han and below, three Founders and five Ancestors, as divine rules and worshipped them. He established his wife, Ms. Huyan, as Queen. He set up the hundred officials, using Liu Xuan as Imperial Chancellor, Cui You as Imperial Clerk Grandee, Liu Hong as Grand Commandant, the remainder were designated and conferred each proportionally.

…

王浚使將軍祁弘率鮮卑攻鄴，穎敗，挾天子南奔洛陽。元海曰：「穎不用吾言，逆自奔潰，真奴才也。然吾與其有言矣，不可不救。」於是命右於陸王劉景、左獨鹿王劉延年等率步騎二萬，將討鮮卑。劉宣等固諫曰：「晉為無道，奴隸御我，是以右賢王猛不勝其忿。屬晉綱未馳，大事不遂，右賢塗地，單于之恥也。今司馬氏父子兄弟自相魚肉，此天厭晉德，授之於我。單于積德在躬，為晉人所服，方當興我邦族，復呼韓邪之業，鮮卑、烏丸可以為援，奈何距之而拯仇敵！元海曰：「善。當為崇岡峻阜，何能為培塿乎！夫帝王豈有常哉，大禹出於西戎，文王生於東夷，顧惟德所授耳。今見眾十餘萬，皆一當晉十，鼓行而摧亂晉，猶拉枯耳。上可成漢高之業，下不失為魏氏。雖然，晉人未必同我。漢有天下世長，恩德結於人心，是以昭烈崎嶇於一州之地，而能抗衡於天下。吾又漢氏之甥，約為兄弟，兄亡弟紹，不亦可乎？且可稱漢，追尊後主，以懷人望。」乃遷於左國城，遠人歸附者數萬。

永興元年，元海乃為壇於南郊，僭即漢王位，下令曰：昔我太祖高皇帝以神武應期，廓開大業。太宗孝文皇帝重以明德，升平漢道。世宗孝武皇帝拓土攘夷，地過唐日。中宗孝宣皇帝搜揚俊乂，多士盈朝。是我祖宗道邁三王，功高五帝，故卜年倍於夏商，卜世過於��氏。而元成多僻，哀平短祚，賊臣王莽，滔天篡逆。我世祖光武皇帝誕資聖武，恢復鴻基，祀漢配天，不失舊物，俾三光晦而復明，神器幽而復顯。顯宗孝明皇帝、肅宗孝章皇帝累葉重暉，炎光再闡。自和安已後，皇綱漸頹，天步艱難，國統頻絕。黃巾海沸於九州，群閹毒流於四海，董卓因之肆其猖勃，曹操父子凶逆相尋。故孝愍委棄萬國，昭烈播越岷蜀，冀否終有泰，旋軫舊京。何圖天未悔禍，後帝窘辱。自社稷淪喪，宗廟之不血食四十年于茲矣。今天誘其衷，悔禍皇漢，使司馬氏父子兄弟迭相殘滅。黎庶塗炭，靡所控告。孤今猥為群公所推，紹脩三祖之業。顧茲尪闇，戰惶靡厝。但以大恥未雪，社稷無主，銜膽棲冰，勉從群議。」乃赦其境內，年號元熙，追尊劉禪為孝懷皇帝，立漢高祖以下三祖五宗神主而祭之。立其妻呼延氏為王后。置百官，以劉宣為丞相，崔游為御史大夫，劉宏為太尉，其餘拜授各有差。

JS101, Biography of Liu Xuan

Yuanhai acceded as king at the advice of Xuan. For that reason he especially received honour, his merits among the relatives [?] had no equal, in the army and state, inside and outside, nobody did not esteem him.

元海即王位，宣之謀也，故特荷尊重，勛戚莫二，軍國內外靡不專之。

JS102, Biography of Chen Yuanda

Chen Yuanda, courtesy name Changhong, was a native of the Rear Section. His original family name was Gao, due his birth month hindering his father, he for that reason changed to be called Chen. As young he was faced with orphanage and impoverishment. He often personally ploughed while reciting books. He enjoyed the Way and walked chanting, in exuberant delight like that. Reaching age fourteen, he did not interact or communicate with people. Yuanhai was Worthy King of the Left. He heard about and summoned him, but Yuanda did not answer. When Yuanhai usurped the title, people spoke to Yuanda, saying:

Formerly Excellency Liu was submissive. You Lord disregarded [him] and did not look back. Now he is esteemed as the flying dragon. Are you, Lord, afraid?

Yuanda replied, saying:

Why are you saying that? His person's bearing and measures are prominent and outstanding, and he has the aspirations of caging and netting space and time. I firmly understood it a long time ago. As such in former days, although I did not go, it was due to destined time having not yet arrived. [I] was not able with no affairs to babble babble. He himself had accordingly confidence [?] in me. You Sir only just became aware of him. I fear it will not go beyond two or three days before the relayed letter will surely arrive.

That evening Yuanhai actually summoned Yuanda as Gentleman of the Yellow Gates. The person said:

You Lord is likely a sage!

When he had arrived, he was brought in for audience. Yuanhai said:

You Sir assented to come early. Why be a Gentlemen and that is all.

Yuanda said:

Your Subject has considered an allotment for his nature [?], the abundant allotments are brimming. [If] Your Subject early knocked the Heavenly Gates, maybe the Great King would bestow a place among the Nine Ministers or Receiver of Words. If these then are not allotments for Your Subject, Your Subject may ask accordingly for what he is worthy of! Thus due to curbing feelings, hemming and hawing, waiting for allotment and then arrive, [then] the Great King is without the slander of excessive bestowal, Your Small Subject avoids the calamity of summoning bandits, can this not be done!

Yuanhai was greatly pleased. While in his post, he was loyal and bold, frequently advancing with frank words. When he withdrew to edit a draft, even his sons and brothers did not get to know about it.

陳元達，字長宏，後部人也。本姓高，以生月妨父，故改云陳。少面孤貧，常躬耕兼誦書，樂道行詠，忻忻如也。至年四十，不與人交通。元海之為左賢王，聞而招之，元達不答。及元海僭號，人謂元達曰：「往劉公相屈，君蔑而不顧，今稱號龍飛，君其懼乎？」元達笑曰：「是何言邪？彼人姿度卓犖，有籠羅宇宙之志，吾固知之久矣。然往日所以不往者，以期運未至，不能無事喧喧，彼自有以亮吾矣。卿但識之，吾恐不過二三日，驛書必至。」其暮，元海果徵元達為黃門郎。人曰：「君殆聖乎！」既至，引見，元海曰：「卿若早來，豈為郎官而已。」元達曰：「臣惟性之有分，盈分者顛。臣若早叩天門者，恐大王賜處於九卿、納言之間，此則非臣之分，臣將何以堪之！是以抑情盤桓，��分而至，大王無過授之謗，小臣免招寇之禍，不亦可乎！」元海大悅。在位忠謇，屢進讜言，退而削草，雖子弟莫得而知也元海大悅。在位忠謇，屢進讜言，退而削草，雖子弟莫得而知也。。

JS103, Yearly Annals of Liu Yao

Liu Yao, courtesy name Yongming, was Yuanhai's clan-child. He was orphaned young and was reared by Yuanhai. While a child he was intelligent and discerning, and had unusual measures. At the age of eight sui, he accompanied Yuanhai hunting in the western mountains. It happened to rain, and they stopped beneath a tree. Suddenly thunder shook the tree, the nearby people could not but fall over. Yao's spirit and appearance remained self-composed. Yuanhai was astonished with him and said:

This our family's thousand li colt. Cousin is not dead!

He was 9 chi, 3 cun tall, his hands hung down beyond the knees. When he was born, his eyebrows were white and his eyes had a red shine. His beard and whiskers did not exceed a hundred roots, but all were 5 chi long. He by nature lifted up schemes and was eminently bright, he stood out from the crowd. He studied books and treatises with a broad outlook, he did not precisely consider sections or sentences. He was good at composing texts and was skilled with the draft and clerical scripts. His gallantry and martial ability exceeded other people, iron 1 cun thick he could shoot at and pierce it, at that time he was nicknamed as a divine archer. He was particularly fond of military books could recite roughly all of them from memory.

He often made light of and insulted Wu and Deng, and compared himself with Yue Yi, Xiao and Cao. At the time people did not agree with him, only Cong always said:

Yongming, to flow with Shizu and Wu of Wei, why are those excellencies sufficient to speak of!

As a youth he drifted to Luoyang. He was convicted in an affair and was to be executed, but absconded and hid in Zhaoxian. There befell an amnesty and he then returned home.

He himself, due to his appearance and quality being different from the multitudes, feared he would not be tolerated by the era. He hid his tracks in the Guancen Mountains, using the zither and books as his affairs. One night as he was dwelling idle, there were two servant boys who entered, knelt, saying:

The King of Guancen sends his Young Subjects to receive and pay respects to the August Emperor of Zhao.

They presented a single edged sword and set it up before them, bowed twice and left. He used a torch to inspect it. The sword was 2 chi long, its shine and polish was not ordinary, red jade made up the scabbard, on its backside there was an inscription which said: “The divine sword reigns, removes the multitudes' posion”. Yao thereupon wore it. The sword followed the four seasons and changed to have five colours.

劉曜，字永明，元海之族子也。少孤，見養於元海。幼而聰彗，有奇度。年八歲，從元海獵於西山，遇雨，止樹下，迅雷震樹，旁人莫不顛仆，曜神色自若。元海異之曰：「此吾家千里駒也，從兄為不亡矣！」身長九尺三寸，垂手過膝，生而眉白，目有赤光，鬚髯不過百餘根，而皆長五尺。性拓落高亮，與眾不群。讀書志於廣覽，不精思章句，善屬文，工草隸。雄武過人，鐵厚一寸，射而洞之，於時號為神射。尤好兵書，略皆闇誦。常輕侮吳、鄧，而自比樂毅、蕭、曹，時人莫之許也，惟聰每曰：「永明，世祖、魏武之流，何數公足道哉！」弱冠游于洛陽，坐事當誅，亡匿朝鮮，遇赦而歸。自以形質異眾，恐不容于世，隱迹管涔山，以琴書為事。嘗夜閑居，有二童子入跪曰：「管涔王使小臣奉謁趙皇帝，獻劍一口。」置前再拜而去。以燭視之，劍長二尺，光澤非常，赤玉為室，背上有銘曰：「神劍御，除眾毒。」曜遂服之。劍隨四時而變為五色。

TPYL045, Geography Part 10: Mountains of Hebei

The Records of Former Zhao states:

Liu Yuanhai's clan-child Yao, once escaped to hide in the mountains of Guancen. At night suddenly there were two servant boys who entered, knelt, and said:

The King of Guancen sends his Young Subjects to receive and pay respects to the August Emperor of Zhao.

They presented a single edged sword and set it up before them, bowed twice and left. He used a torch to inspect it. The sword was 2 chi long, its shine and polish was not ordinary, on its backside there was an inscription which stated: The divine sword worn [by] the ruler, removes the multitudes' poison”. Yao thereupon wore it. In the following season it changed to have five colours.

《前趙錄》云：劉元海族子曜，嘗隱避於管涔之山，夜忽有二童子入，跪曰：「管涔王使小臣奉謁趙皇帝，獻劍一口置前，再拜而去。以燭視之，劍長二尺，光輝非常，背有銘云「神劍」。服御除眾毒，曜遂服之，隨時變為五色也。

TPYL119, Regional Hegemons Part 3: Liu Yuan

Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States, Records of Former Zhao says:

…

Yuan said:

I will be raising up the hill to the pinnacle mound, why would I make a hillock! As for Emperors and Kings, when where they regular? Yu the Great was born among the Western Rong, King Wen was born among the eastern Yu. Looking back, they were conferred for virtue, that was all.

Now [I] see a multitude of more than 100 000, and anyone of us is a match for ten of the Jin. To strike the march and destroy chaotic Jin is like snapping deadwood, that is all. At best I can complete the legacy of Gao of Han, at worst I will be no less than the Wei clan. How is Huhanxie a sufficient course of action!

Xuan and others praised it as good.

1st Year of Yuanxi [304 AD], he moved to Zuoguocheng. The Jin people who [came from] the east to adhere were several ten thousand. Xuan and others sent up [to assume] the venerated title. Yuan said:

Now the Jin clan still exist, the Four Regions are not yet settled. [We] can look up to and honour the Exalted August's first regulations, and moreover designate [me] King of Han [while] for the moment delaying the tile of August Emperor. [When I] hear the cosmos is mixed into one [I] will once more discuss it.

10th Month [14 November – 10 December], he had an altar in the southern suburbs, and falsely ranked as King of Han. He changed Jin's 1st Year of Yongxing to be the 1st Year of Yuanxi [“Inaugural Radiance”], there was a great amnesty Under Heaven. He posthumously venerated Liu Shan as the Filial and Cherished [xiaohuai] August Emperor, established the divine rulers of the three Ancestors and five Founders and worshipped them. He set up the hundred officials, using Liu Xuan as Imperial Chancellor, and designated and conferred each proportionally.

淵曰：「當為崇岡峻阜，何能為培螻乎！夫帝王豈有常哉，大禹生於西戎，文王生於東夷，顧惟德所授耳。今見眾十餘萬，皆一當晉十，鼓行摧亂晉，猶拉枯耳。上可成漢高之業，下不失為魏氏，何呼韓耶足道哉！」宣等稱善。

元熙元年，遷於左國城，晉人東附者數萬。宣等上尊號，淵曰：「今晉氏猶在，四方未定，可仰遵高皇初法，且稱漢王，權停皇帝之號，聽宇宙混一當更議之。」十月，為壇南郊，僣漢王位，改晉永興元年為元熙元年，大赦天下，追遵劉禪為孝懷皇帝，立三宗五祖之神主而祭之。置百官，以劉宣為丞相，拜授各有差。

TPYL119, Regional Hegemons Part 3: Liu Yuan

Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States, Records of Former Zhao says:

Liu Yao, courtesy name Yongming, was Yuan's clan-child. He was orphaned young and was reared by Yuan. While a child he was intelligent and discerning. He by nature lifted up schemes and was eminently bright, he stood out from the crowd. Iron 1 cun thick he could shoot at and pierce it. He was 9 chi, 3 cun tall, his hands hung down beyond the knees. When he was born, his eyebrows were white and his eyes had a red shine. His beard did not exceed a hundred roots, but all were 5 chi long.

崔鴻《十六國春秋·前趙錄》曰：劉曜，字永明，淵之族子。少孤，見養於淵。幼而聰慧，性托落高亮，與眾不群。鐵厚一寸，射而洞之。身長九尺三寸，手垂過膝，生而眉白，目有赤光，須不過百餘根，皆長五尺。

TPYL421, People's Doings Part 62: Righteousness, Middle

…

Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States, Records of Former Zhao says:

The King of Jiangdu, [Liu] Yannian, at the age of 15 mourned his two parents. He served his uncle and had a reputation for filial piety. His son Liangsun and first cousin once removed were seized by a man-eating thief [?]. Yannian pursued and requested them. The thief considered Liangsun to return home with Yannian. Yannian did obeisance and requested saying:

I as a young orphan was reared by my uncle. This is my uncle's orphaned grandson. [I] hope that [you will] consider my son to change with him.

The thief said:

You Lord is a righteous gentleman

He released him.

…

江都王延年，年十五喪二親，奉叔父孝聞。子良孫及弟從子為啖人賊所掠，延年追而請之。賊以良孫歸延年，延年拜請曰：「我以少孤為叔父所養，此叔父之孤孫也，愿以子易之。」賊曰：「君義士也。」免之。

ZZTJ085, Annals of Jin

…

He dispatched the Yulu King of the Left, Hong, to lead 5 000 elite cavalry and meet up with Ying's general Wang Cui and resist the Duke of Dongying, Teng. But Cui had already been defeated by Teng, so Hong returned back with nothing done.

Wang Jun and the Duke of Dongying, Teng, combined troops to strike Wang Bin, greatly routing him. Jun used the Master of Accounts, Qi Hong as vanguard. He defeated Shi Chao at Pingji, and exploited the victory to advance the army. Within Ye they greatly shook in fear. The hundred companions fled and ran, the soldiers split up and scattered. … Ying thereupon commanded several tens of riders of his personal followers, and together with Zhi served the Emperor in driving a calf chariot fleeing south to Luoyang.

…

Wang Jun entered Ye. The multitude soldiers brutally plundered and the dead were very many. He sent Jiezhu of the Wuhuan to pursue the Brother-Heir, Ying. He reached Zhaoge but did not catch up. Jun turned back to Ji. Since many of the Xianbei carried off people's wives and daughters, he instructed that if there were those who dared to be holding onto [them] in secret, they would be beheaded. Hence those who were drowned in the Yi river were 8 000 people.

The Duke of Dongying, Teng, requested a host from Tuoba Yitou to accordingly strike at Liu Yuan. Yituo and his younger brother Yilu combined troops to strike Yuan in Xihe, and routed him. He swore a covenant with at the east of the Fen, and then returned. The outriders arrived at Ye.

Liu Yuan heard the Brother-Heir, Ying, had left Ye, he sighed and said:

He did not employ my words, on the contrary he is himself running from disaster. He truly has menial talents. However as I and him had words, I cannot accordingly not aid him.

He commanded to send out troops to strike the Xianbei and Wuhuan. Liu Xuan and others remonstrated, saying:

The people of Jin's slaves and lackeys govern us. Now their bones and flesh harm each other. Thus Heaven rejects them and causes us to restore the patrimony of Huhanxie. The Xianbei and Wuhuan are of our manners and type, and could be used as helpers. Why would we strike them!

Yuan said:

Good. A man of great talent must become Gao of Han or Wu of Wei. Huhanxie, how is it enough to emulate him!

Xuan and others touched head to ground, saying:

[They] are not reaching up [to you].

…

Liu Yuan moved the capital to Zuoguocheng. The Hu and Jin who reverted to him were more and more multitudes. Yuan spoke to his crowd of subjects, saying:

Formerly Han had Under Heaven for a very long time, with kindness connecting to the population. I am a sister's child of the the Han clan, sworn to be elder and younger brothers. When the older brother perishes, the younger carries on. Can we not do likewise?

He therefore founded a state titled Han. Liu Xuan and others requested to elevate to the venerated title. Yuan said:

Now the Four Regions are not yet settled, moreover [we] can rely on the Exalted Founder and designate [me] King of Han.

Hence he acceded as King of Han. There was a great amnesty, and he changed the inaugural to be Yuanxi [“Inaugural Radiance”]. He posthumously honoured the Duke of Anle, Shan, as the Filial and Cherished [xiaohuai] August Emperor. He made Han's three Founders and five Ancestors divine rulers and worshipped them. He established his wife, Ms. Huyan, as Queen. He used the Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, as Imperial Chancellor, Cui You as Imperial Clerk Grandee, the Yulu King of the Left, Hong, as Grand Commandant, Fan Long as Great Herald, Zhu Ji as Grand Master of Ceremonies, Cui Yizhi of Shangdang and Chen Yuanda of the Rear Section both as Gentlemen of the Yellow Gates, his clan-child Yao as General who Establishes the Martial. You firmly declined and did not go.

Yuanda as young had aspirations for commitment. Yuan once summoned him, but Yuanda did not answer. When Yuan became King of Han, someone spoke to Yuanda, saying:

Are you, Lord, afraid?

Yuanda replied, saying:

I understood that person a long time ago. He likewise revealed the heart of mine. However [I] fear it will not go beyond three or two days before the relayed letter will surely arrive.

That evening Yuan actually summoned Yuanda. Yuanda served Yuan, frequently advancing with frank words. When he withdrew to edit a draft, even his sons and brothers did not get to know about it.

When Yao was born, his eyebrows were white and his eyes had a red shine. While a child he was intelligent and discerning, and made daring calculations. He was orphaned young and was reared by Yuan. Becoming adult, his deportment and appearance was remarkable and imposing. He by nature lifted up schemes and was eminently bright, he stood out from the crowd. He was fond of studying books and good at composing text. Iron 1 cun thick he could shoot at and pierce it. He often compared himself with Yue Yi and Xiao and Cao. At the time people did not agree with him, only Liu Cong esteemed him, saying:

Yongming, to flow with Shizu of Han and Wu of Wei, why are those excellencies sufficient to speak of!

遣左於陸王宏帥精騎五千，會穎將王粹拒東嬴公騰。粹已為騰所敗，宏無及而歸。

王浚、東嬴公騰合兵擊王斌，大破之。浚以主簿祁弘為前鋒，敗石超於平棘，乘勝進軍。候騎至鄴，鄴中大震，百僚奔走，土卒分散。... 穎遂將帳下數十騎與志奉帝御犢車南奔洛陽。

…

王浚入鄴，士眾暴掠，死者甚眾。使烏桓羯朱追太弟穎，至朝歌，不及。浚還薊，以鮮卑多掠人婦女，命：「有敢挾藏者斬！」於是沈於易水者八千人。

東嬴公騰乞師於拓跋猗㐌以擊劉淵，猗㐌與弟猗盧合兵擊淵於西河，破之，與騰盟于汾東而還。

劉淵聞太弟穎去鄴，歎曰：「不用吾言，逆自奔潰，真奴才也！然吾與之有言矣，不可以不救。」將發兵擊鮮卑、烏桓，劉宣等諫曰：「晉人奴隸御我，今其骨肉相殘，是天棄彼而使我復呼韓邪之業也。鮮卑、烏桓，我之氣類，可以為援，奈何擊之！」淵曰：「善！大丈夫當為漢高、魏武，呼韓邪何足效哉！」

…

劉淵遷都左國城，胡、晉歸之者愈眾。淵謂群臣曰：「昔漢有天下久長，恩結於民。吾，漢氏之甥，約為兄弟。兄亡弟紹，不亦可乎！」乃建國號曰漢。劉宣等請上尊號，淵曰：「今四方未定，且可依高祖稱漢王。」於是即漢王位，大赦，改元曰元熙。追尊安樂公禪為孝懷皇帝，作漢三祖、五宗神主而祭之。立其妻呼延氏為王后。以右賢王宣為丞相，崔游為御史大夫，左於陸王宏為太尉，范隆為大鴻臚，朱紀為太常，上黨崔懿之、後部人陳元達皆為黃門郎，族子曜為建武將軍；游固辭不就。

元達少有志操，淵嘗招之，元達不答。及淵為漢王，或謂元達曰：「君其懼乎？」元達笑曰：「吾知其人久矣，彼亦亮吾之心；但恐不過三、二日，驛書必至。」其暮，淵果徵元達。��達事淵，屢進忠言，退而削草，雖子弟莫得知也。

曜生而眉白，目有赤光，幼聰慧，有膽量，早孤，養於淵。及長，儀觀魁偉，性拓落高亮，與眾不群。好讀書，善屬文，鐵厚一寸，射而洞之。常自比樂毅及蕭、曹，時人莫之許也；惟劉聰重之，曰：「永明，漢世祖、魏武之流，數公何足道哉！」

ZZTJKY04

10th Month, Liu Yuan moved the capital to Zuoguocheng.

{Below it is said “In Lishi there was a great famine, he moved to Liting”, then thus Yuan was still at Lishi. Note that in Du You's Comprehensive Statutes: Lishi has the Southern Shanyu's courtyard at Zuoguocheng. As such, though Yuan moved to Zuoguo, he still was within the borders of Lishi county.}

Yuan acceded as King of Han.

{In the Annals of Emperors, Li Xiong and Liu Yuan were both designated kings in the 11th Month, after Emperor Hui entered Chang'an. In the Treatise on the States of Huayang, Li Xiong was designated in the 10th Month, one source writes 12th Month. The Thirty States, Spring and Autumn of Jin, and the Records of the Sixteen States all have it in the 10th Month. Now [I] follow them.}

十月劉淵遷都左國城〈下云「離石大饑，遷于黎亭」，則是淵猶在離石也。按杜佑《通典》：離石有南單于庭左國城。然則淵雖遷左國，猶在離石縣境內也。〉

淵即漢王位〈《帝紀》，李雄、劉淵稱王，皆在十一月惠帝入長安後。《華陽國志》，李雄十月稱王，一本作十二月。《三十國》、《晉春秋》、《十六國鈔》皆在十月。今從之〉

2 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 7 years ago

Text

Liu Yuan becomes Shanyu, translations

WS095, Biography of Liu Cong

The Xiongnu Liu Cong, courtesy name Xuanming, sometimes named Zai ...

Later changed Leader to be Chief Commandant, and used Yuan as Chief Commandant of the Northern Section. Yang Jun assisted the government. He used Yuan as General who Establishes Power and Great Chief Controller of the Five Sections, enfeoffed as Marquis of Hanguang district.

Later he was charged with the section population rebelling and setting out from the frontier, and was dismissed from office. Beginning of Yongning [301 – 302], the King of Chengdu, Ying, petitioned for Yuan to act as General who Soothes the Boreal, Overseer of the Army Affairs of the Five Sections.

When the King of Qi, Jiong, the King of Chansha, Ai, together with the Ying and others, executed and exterminated themselves and each other. The Chief Controller of the Northern Section, Liu Xuan, and others furtively discussed turning to rebellion, planning to push forward Yuan to be Great Shanyu. At the time Yuan was at Ye. They therefore sent Huyan You to accordingly tell him about this plan. Yuan requested to go home to attend a funeral, Ying did not allow it.

Ying became August Brother-Heir. He used Yuan as Colonel of Garrison Cavalry to the Brother-Heir. At Emperor Hui of Jin's attack on Ying, he used Yuan as General who Assists the State and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Affairs of the Northern City. When Emperor Hui had been defeated, he used Yuan as General of the Best of the Army, enfeoffed as Earl of Lunu. Soon after, the Inspector of Bing province, Sima Teng, and the Inspector of You province, Wang Jun, raised troops to attack Ying. Ying's host fought and was defeated. Yuan spoke to Ying, saying:

Now the two headquarters tramples on restraint, with a multitude exceeding 100 000. [I] fear we will not be able to manage them with the personal guards and the nearby commanderies' gentlemen and people. Yuan will, Your Highness, return to explain to the Five Sections, assemble and gather a righteous multitude, and thereby hasten to the state's difficulties.

Ying was pleased and designated Yuan as Northern Shanyu, Assisting the Army Affairs of the Imperial Chancellor.

Yuan arrived at Zuoguocheng. Liu Xuan and others elevated him to the title of Great Shanyu. Within twenty days the multitude was soon 50 000. He set his capital at Lishi.

...

Cong had ape arms and was good at shooting, he could bend a bow of 300 jin. Jin's Grand Warden of Xinxing, Guo Yi, nominated him as Master of Accounts, he served accordingly in commandery affairs. He was recommended as Good and Supportive and became Detached Marshal of Valiant Cavalry. The King of Qi, Jiong, used him as Palace Commandant of State. He set out as Marshal of the Left Section, and was moved to Commandant of the Right Section. The Grand Steward, the King of Hejian, petitioned for him to be Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the Chisha.

Since Yuan was at Ye, he feared he would be murdered by the King of Chengdu, Ying. He absconded and ran to Ying. Ying was extremely pleased, and designated him General who Amasses Crossbows of the Right, to assist in the battle affairs of the vanguard. He accompanied the return to Zuoguo.

…

匈奴劉聰，字玄明，一名載，

...

後改帥為都尉，以淵為北部都尉。楊駿輔政，以淵為建威將軍、五部大都督，封漢光鄉侯。後坐部民叛出塞，免官，永寧初，成都王潁表淵行寧朔將軍，監五部軍事。後坐部民叛出塞，免官，永寧初，成都王潁表淵行寧朔將軍，監五部軍事。及齊王冏、長沙王乂與潁等自相誅滅，北部都督劉宣等竊議反叛，謀推淵為大單于。時淵在鄴，乃使呼延攸以此謀告之。淵請歸會葬，潁不許。潁為皇太弟，以淵為太弟屯騎校尉。晉惠帝之伐潁也，以淵為輔國將軍、都督北城守事。及惠帝敗，以淵為��軍將軍，封盧奴伯。既而並州刺史司馬騰、幽州刺史王浚，起兵伐潁，潁師戰敗。淵謂潁曰：「今二鎮跋扈，眾逾十萬，恐非宿衛及近郡士民所能御之。淵當為殿下還說五部，鳩合義眾，以赴國難。」潁悅，拜淵為北單于，參丞相軍事。

淵至左國城，劉宣等上大單于之號，二旬之間，眾便五萬，都於離石。

…

聰猿臂善射，彎弓三百斤。晉新興太守郭頤闢為主簿，任以郡事。舉良將，為驍騎別部司馬齊王冏以為國中尉。出為左部司馬，尋遷右部尉。太宰、河間王顒表為赤沙中郎將。以淵在鄴，懼為成都王潁所害，亡奔潁，潁甚悅，拜右積弩將軍，參前鋒戰事。隨還左國。

JS004, Annals of Emperor Hui

…

1st Year of Yongxing [22 February 304 – 10 February 305]

…

Autumn, 7th Month, bingshen [17 August], New Moon, the General of the Guards of the Right, Chen Zhen, used a decree summoning the hundred companions to enter within the halls, and following that directed troops to punish the King of Chengdu, Ying.

On wuxu [19 August], a great amnesty. Restored the August Empress, Ms. Yang, and the August Heir-Apparent, Tan.

On jihai [20 August], the Minister over the Masses, Wang Rong; the King of Donghai, Yue; the King of Gaomi, Jian; the Duke of Pingchang, Mo; the King of Wu, Yan; the King of Yuzhang, Chi; the King of Xiangyang, Fan; the Supervisor of the Right, Xun Fan and others served the Emperor on a northern conquest. They arrived at Anyang with a multitude of 100 000. Ying dispatched his general Shi Chao to resist them in battle.

On jiwei [9 September], the Six Armies achieved defeat at Dangyin. Arrows reached the Driving Carriage, the hundred officials divided and scattered. The Palace Attendant Xi Shao died there. The Emperor was wounded in the jaw, was hit by three arrows and lost the Six Signets. The Emperor thereupon favoured Chao’s army, he was very hungry. Chao advanced to the river, left and right offered the Emperor autumn peaches. Chao dispatched his younger brother Xi to serve the Emperor and go to Ye. Ying led the group of officials to welcome and pay visit to the left of the road. The Emperor below the carriage snivelled and cried, and that evening he favoured Ying’s chariot.

Ying’s office had the ceremonies of the Nine Bestowals. The King of Chenliu sent sable-tail, ornamented clothes and shrike-tail [?]. Next day, therefore readied the Legal Cart to favour Ye. Only the the King of Yuzhang, Chi; the Minister over the Masses, Wang Rong; and the Supervisor Xun Fan, followed.

On gengshen [10 September], a great amnesty, and changed the inaugural to Jianwu [“Establishing the Martial”].

8th Month, wuchen [18 September], Ying killed the King of Dong'an, Yao.

Zhang Fang again entered Luoyang and deposed the August Empress, Ms. Yang, and the August Heir-Apparent, Tan.

The Worthy King of the Left of the Xiongnu, Liu Yuanhai, rebelled at Lishi, titling himself Great Shanyu.

...

秋七月丙申朔，右衛將軍陳以詔召百僚入殿中，因勒兵討成都王穎。戊戌，大赦，復皇后羊氏及皇太子覃。己亥，司徒王戎、東海王越、高密王簡、平昌公模、吳王晏、豫章王熾、襄陽王範、右僕射荀籓等奉帝北征，至安陽，眾十餘萬，穎遣其將石超距戰。己未，六軍敗績于蕩陰，矢及乘輿，百官分散，侍中嵇紹死之。帝傷頰，中三矢，亡六璽。帝遂幸超軍，餒甚，超進水，左右奉秋桃。超遣弟熙奉帝之鄴，穎帥群官迎謁道左。帝下輿涕泣，其夕幸於穎軍。穎府有九錫之儀，陳留王送貂蟬文衣鶡尾，明日，乃備法駕幸于鄴，唯豫章王熾、司徒王戎、僕射荀籓從。庚申，大赦，改元為建武。八月戊辰，穎殺東安王繇。張方復入洛陽，廢皇后羊氏及皇太子覃。匈奴左賢王劉元海反於離石，自號大單于。

JS037, Biography of Sima Teng, King Wuai of Xincai

The Martial and Lamented [xincai] King of Xincai, Teng, courtesy name Yuanmai, as young was designated Supervisor of the Extra Retinue, and was enfeoffed Duke of Dongying. He was successively Grand Warden of Nanyang and Wei commanderies, and by these means was recommended for responsibilities. He was summoned to be Lineage Corrector and was moved to Grand Master of Ceremonies. He shifted to Holding the Tally, General who Soothes the North, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Bing province, and Inspector of Bing province.

Emperor Hui punished the King of Chengdu, Ying, the Six Armies achieved defeat. Teng and the General who Calms the North, Wang Jun together killed the Inspector of You province set up by Ying, He Yan, and led the multitudes to punish Ying. Ying dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Wang Bin, to resist in battle. Jun led the Xianbei to strike Bin, Teng was rear support. They greatly routed him.

…

新蔡武哀王騰，字元邁，少拜冗從僕射，封東嬴公，歷南陽、魏郡太守，所在稱職，徵為宗正，遷太常，轉持節、寧北將軍、都督並州諸軍事、並州刺史。騰與安北將軍王浚共殺穎所署幽州刺史和演，率眾討穎。穎遣北中郎將王斌距戰，浚率鮮卑騎擊斌，騰為後係，大破之。

JS039, Biography of Wang Jun

…

Ying petitioned and requested the Inspector of You province, Shi Kan, to become Marshal of the Right, and used the Marshal of the Right, He Yan to replace Kan. He secretly sent Yan to kill [Wang] Jun and take over his multitude.

Yan schemed about with the Shanyu of the Wuhuan, Shen Deng. Hence he and Jun at the appointed time sailed on the Qing spring south of Jicheng. When travelling west from within Jicheng there were two roads, Yan and Jun each followed the same road. Yan wished to combine honour escort with Jun, and from that then plotted for it [?]. But they were faced with violent rain from the sky, and the troops' arms became wet and damp, so he returned without results. The Shanyu because of that schemed with his kinsmen, saying:

Yan plotted to kill Jun, but just as the affair was to be carried out, Heaven suddenly rained, making so it could not be done. This was Heaven aiding Jun. To disobey Heaven is not auspicious, we cannot be together with Yan for too long.

He therefore schemed to report to Jun. Jun secretly made ready the troops, and plotted against Yan with the Shanyu. Yan grasped a white pennant to go to Jun and surrender. Thereupon he beheaded him and took charge himself of You province.

…

穎表請幽州刺史石堪為右司馬，以右司馬和演代堪，密使演��浚，並其眾。演與烏丸單于審登謀之，於是與浚期游薊城南清泉水上。薊城內西行有二道，演浚各從一道。演與浚欲合鹵簿，因而圖之。值天暴雨，兵器霑濕，不果而還。單于由是與其種人謀曰：「演圖殺浚，事垂克而天卒雨，使不得果，是天助浚也。違天不祥，我不可久與演同。」乃以謀告浚。浚密嚴兵，與單于圍演。演持白幡詣浚降，遂斬之，自領幽州。

JS059, Biography of Sima Ying, King of Chengdu

…

The General who Calms the North, Wang Jun, and the General who Soothes the North, the Duke of Dongying, Teng, killed the Inspector of You province set up by Ying, He Yan. Ying invaded Jun. Jun garrisoned Ji province and did not advance. Together with Teng and Jiezhu of the Wuhuan he raided Ying.

…

安北將軍王浚、寧北將軍東嬴公騰殺穎所置幽州刺史和演，穎征浚，浚屯冀州不進，與騰及烏丸、羯朱襲穎。候騎至鄴，穎遣幽州刺史王斌及石超、李毅等距浚，為羯朱等所敗。

JS097, “Biography” of the Northern Di

The Northern Di are the Xiongnu.

…

The Northern Di uses the section encampments as types. Those of them who entered to live in the frontier were the Tuge type, the Xianzhi type, the Koutou type, the Wutan type, the Chile type, Hanzhi type, the Heilang type, the Chisha type, the Yubing type, the Weisha type, the Tutong type, the Bomie type, the Qiangqu type, the Helai type, the Zhongqi type, the Dalou type, the Yongqu type, the Zhenshu type, the Lilie type, altogether nine types. All were section encampments and did not mix and intermingle with each other. The Tuge were the most noble and prominent, and previously got to have the Shanyu, and governed and led the various types.

The titles of their state was Worthy King of the Left, Worthy King of the Right, Yili King of the Left, Yili King of the Right, Yulu King of the Left, Yulu King of the Right, Jianshang King of the Left, Jianshang King of the Right, Shuofang King of the Left, Shuofang King of the Right, Dulu King of the Left, Dulu King of the Right, Xianlu King of the Left, Xianlu King of the Right, Anle King of the Left, Anle King of the Right, altogether 16 grades. All were employed for the Shanyu's relatives, sons and brothers. Their Worthy King of the Left was the most prominent, only the Heir-Apparent got to have it.

Their four families were the Huyan clan, the Bu clan, the Lan clan, and the Qiao clan. Yet the Huyan clan was the most prominent, and then were the Rizhu of the Left and Rizhu of the Right, for generations they were assistant assessors. The Bu clan then were the Juqu of the Left and Juqu of the Right. The Lan clan then were the Danghu of the Left and Danghu of the Right. The Qiao clan then were the Duhou of the Left and Duhou of the Right. There also were the various different titles of Cheyang, Juqu and Yudi, similar to the hundred officials of the Central States.

Their people of the state were the Qiwu clan and the Le clan, both brave and strong, and fond of turning to rebellion. In the time of Emperor Wu, there was a Controller of Cavalry, Qiwu Xianxie, who attacked Wu and had merit. He was moved to Chief Commandant of the Chisha.

…

北狄以部落為類，其入居塞者有屠各種、鮮支種、寇頭種、烏譚種、赤勒種、捍蛭種、黑狼種、赤沙種、鬱鞞種、萎莎種、禿童種、勃蔑種、羌渠種、賀賴種、鐘跂種、大樓種、雍屈種、真樹種、力羯種，凡十九種，皆有部落，不相雜錯。屠各最豪貴，故得為單于，統領��種。其國號有左賢王、右賢王、左奕蠡王、右奕蠡王、左於陸王、右於陸王、左漸尚王、右漸尚王、左朔方王、右朔方王、左獨鹿王、右獨鹿王、左顯祿王、右顯祿王、左安樂王、右安樂王、凡十六等，皆用單于親子弟也。其左賢王最貴，唯太子得居之。其四姓，有呼延氏、卜氏、蘭氏、喬氏。而呼延氏最貴，則有左日逐、右日逐，世為輔相；卜氏則有左沮渠、右沮渠；蘭氏則有左當戶、右當戶；喬氏則有左都侯、右都侯。又有車陽、沮渠、餘地諸雜號，猶中國百官也。其國人有綦毋氏、勒氏、皆勇健，好反叛。武帝時，有騎督綦毋伣邪伐吳有功，遷赤沙都尉。

JS101, Yearly Annals of Liu Yuanhai

It happened that Bao passed on. Used Yuanhai to replace him as Leader of the Left Section. At the end of Taikang [280 -289], he was designated Chief Commandant of the Northern Section. He clarified the penal law and prohibited the treacheries and perverted, made light of riches and was fond of giving, pushed forward integrity and connected with people. Of the Five Sections' eminent and outstanding nobody did not come. You and Ji's famous Ruists, the rear gates [?] and flourishing gentlemen, who were not a thousand li away, likewise all travelled to him.

Yang Jun assisted the government. He used Yuanhai as General who Establishes Power and Great Chief Controller of the Five Sections, enfeoffed as Marquis of Hanguang district. At the end of Yuankang [291 – 299]. he was charged with section people rebelling and setting out from the frontier, and was dismissed from office. The King of Chengdu was headquartered at Ye. He petitioned for Yuanhai to act as General who Soothes the Boreal, Overseer of the Army Affairs of the Five Sections.

Emperor Hui lost control, robbers and thieves rose up in a swarm. Yuanhai's granduncle, the old Chief Commandant of the Northern Section and Worthy King of the Left, Liu Xuan, and others furtively discussed, saying:

Formerly our ancestors made a covenant with the Han to be brothers, [their] worries and contentment similar to them. Since the fall of Han, the era of Wei and Jin has risen, and our Shanyu is only an empty title, without having a foot of land for patrimony. From [one of] the various Kings and Marquises, he has fallen to be similar to the registered households.

Now the Sima clan's bones and flesh harm each other, in the Four Seas the tripods are boiling. To raise up our nation and restore our patrimony, this is the time. The Worthy King of the Left, Yuanhai's bearing and capacity is beyond other people, his abilities and manners surpasses the generation. Suppose Heaven does not broadly honour the Shanyu, in the end it would not uselessly give birth to this man.

Hence they privately together pushed forward Yuanhai to be Great Shanyu. They therefore sent their partisan Huyan You to go to Ye to accordingly tell him about the plan. Yuanhai requested to go home to attend a funeral, Ying would not allow it. He therefore ordered You to first return home, and tell Xuan and others to summon and assemble the Five Sections, and pull in and meet with the various Hu of Yiyang, to make sounds of obeying Ying, but actually betray him.

Ying became August Brother-Heir. He used Yuanhai as Colonel of Garrison Cavalry to the Brother-Heir. Emperor Hui attacked Ying, and stayed at Dangyin. Ying made use of Yuanhai [as] General who Assists the State and Controller of the Defence Affairs of the Northern City. When the Six Armies achieved defeat, Ying used Yuanhai as General of the Best of the Army, enfeoffed as Earl of Lunu.

The Inspector of Bing province, the Duke of Dongying, Teng, and the General who Calms the North, Wang Jun, raised troops to attack Ying. Yuanhai advised Ying, saying:

Now the two headquarters tramples on restraint, with a multitude exceeding 100 000. [I] fear we will not be able to hold against them with the personal guards and the nearby capital's gentlemen and commoners. [I] requests, Your Highness, to return to explain to the Five Sections, thereby to hasten to the state's difficulties.

Ying said:

The multitudes of the Five Sections, can they protect and set out already or not? Allowing for you being able to send them out, the Xianbei and Wuhuan are strong and quick like the wind and clouds. How easily can it be done? I wish to serve the Driving Carriage and return to Luoyang, and avoid their spear points, calmly summon Under Heaven to arms, and govern them according to their opposition or loyalty. Lord, what are your thoughts?

Yuanhai said:

Your Highness is the son of the Martial August Emperor, and has special merits in the royal house. Your power and kindness shine in harmony, the Four Sea's reverent wind [?]. Who would not consider to lose their lives and throw down their bodies for Your Highness? What is the difficulty in sending them out! Wang Jun is an upstart son and Dongying a distant cousin, how could they contend equally with Your Highness?

If Your Highness goes out alone from the Ye palace, and shows weakness to people, is it possible then to arrive in Luoyang? Suppose you reach Luoyang, power and authority will not be restored to Your Highness. A paper calling to arms is a foot-long letter, who will the person be who receives it!

Moreover the Eastern Hu's courage does not exceed the Five Sections. [I] wish Your Highness would encourage and console the multitude soldiers, calming them down and thereby quell them. [I] will, Your Highness, use two sections to destroy Dongying and three sections to put on display Wang Jun. You can point to the day when the heads of the two upstarts will be hanging up.

Ying was pleased and designated Yuanhai as Northern Shanyu, Assisting the Army Affairs of the Imperial Chancellor. Yuanhai arrived at Zuoguocheng. Liu Xuan and others elevated him to the title of Great Shanyu. Within twenty days the multitude was already 50 000. He set his capital at Lishi.

...

會豹卒，以元海代為左部帥。太康末，拜北部都尉。明刑法，禁姦邪，輕財好施，推誠接物，五部俊傑無不至者。幽冀名儒，後門秀士，不遠千里，亦皆遊焉。元康末，坐部人叛出塞免官。成都王穎鎮鄴，表元海行寧朔將軍、監五部軍事。惠帝失馭，寇盜蜂起，元海從祖故北部都尉、左賢王劉宣等竊議曰：「昔我先人與漢約為兄弟，憂泰同之。自漢亡��來，魏晉代興，我單于雖有虛號，無復尺土之業，自諸王侯，降同編戶。今司馬氏骨肉相殘，四海鼎沸，興邦復業，此其時矣。左賢王元海姿器絕人，幹宇超世。天若不恢崇單于，終不虛生此人也。」於是密共推元海為大單于。乃使其黨呼延攸詣鄴，以謀告之。元海請歸會葬，穎弗許。乃令攸先歸，告宣等招集五部，引會宜陽諸胡，聲言應穎，實背之也。

穎為皇太弟，以元海為太弟屯騎校尉。惠帝伐穎，次于蕩陰，穎假元海輔國將軍、督北城守事。及六軍敗績，穎以元海為冠軍將軍，封盧奴伯。并州刺史東嬴公騰、安北將軍王浚，起兵伐穎，元海說穎曰：「今二鎮跋扈，眾餘十萬，恐非宿衛及近都士庶所能禦之，請為殿下還說五部，以赴國難。」穎曰：「五部之眾可保發已不？縱能發之，鮮卑、烏丸勁速如風雲，何易可當邪？吾欲奉乘輿還洛陽，避其鋒銳，徐傳檄天下，以逆順制之。君意何如？」元海曰：「殿下武皇帝之子，有殊勳於王室，威恩光洽，四海欽風，孰不思為殿下沒命投軀者哉，何難發之有乎！王浚豎子，東嬴疏屬，豈能與殿下爭衡邪！殿下一發鄴宮，示弱於人，洛陽可復至乎？縱達洛陽，威權不復在殿下也。紙檄尺書，誰為人奉之！且東胡之悍不踰五部，願殿下勉撫士眾，靖以鎮之，當為殿下以二部摧東嬴，三部梟王浚，二豎之首可指日而懸矣。」穎悅，拜元海為北單于、參丞相軍事。元海至左國城，劉宣等上大單于之號，二旬之間，眾已五萬，都于離石。

JS101, attached biography of Liu Xuan

Liu Xuan, courtesy name Shize, was plain, blunt and with few words. He was fond of studying, and cultivated purity. His teacher was Sun Yan of Le'an. He was deeply focused on gathering thoughts [?], not resting day or night, and was fond of the Mao Poetry and Mr Zuo's Traditions. Yan always commended him, saying:

If Xuan had met Wu of Han, he would have exceeded Jin Midi.

When his studies were complete, he turned back. He did not set out from the village gates probably for several years. Always when reciting the Book of Han, when he reached the Biographies of Xiao He and Deng Yu, he not once did not turn around to chant them, saying:

A man of great talent, if he met the Two Founders, in the end he would not make the Two Excellencies alone hold first place in pleasing before [the ruler?].

The Inspector of Bing province, Wang Guang, spoke about him to Emperor Wu. The Emperor summoned him to audience. He praised his divination replies, and because of that said:

When I had not yet seen Xuan, I said Guang's words were empty and that was all. Now I have seen him advancing and halting with manners and decorum, he can truly be said to be like a jade sceptre. Observing his natural quality, he is more than able to console and assemble his home section.

He therefore used Xuan as Chief Controller of the Right Section, and specially gave him a red cloth bent canopy. He managed the officials purely and respectfully, and for that the section cherished him.

劉宣，字士則。朴鈍少言，好學修潔。師事樂安孫炎，沈精積思，不舍晝夜，好《毛詩》、《左氏傳》。每讀《漢書》，至《蕭何》、《鄧禹傳》，未曾不反覆詠之，曰：「大丈夫若遭二祖，終不令二公獨擅美於前矣。」並州刺史王廣言之於武帝，帝召見，嘉其占對，因曰：「吾未見宣，謂廣言虛耳。今見其進止風儀，真所謂如圭如璋，觀其性質，足能撫集本部。」乃以宣為右部都督，特給赤幛曲蓋。蒞官清恪，所部懷之。

JS102, Yearly Annals of Liu Cong

Liu Cong, courtesy name Xuanming, sometimes named Zai, was Yuanhai's fourth son. His mother was named Lady Zhang. Earlier when pregnant with Cong, Ms. Zhang dreamt the sun entered her breast. She woke and told about it. Yuanhai said:

This is a good omen. Be careful not to speak.

After 15 months she then gave birth to Cong. At night there was an anomaly of sun shining. His body's appearances was not regular. In his left ear there was a single white hair, more than 2 chi long, considerably lustrous and glossy.

As a child he was yet intelligent, perceptive, and fond of studying, the Broad Scholar Zhu Ji was greatly astonished of him. At the age of 14, he examined thoroughly the classics and histories, and in addition summarized the sayings of the hundred schools. Sun and Wu's Principles of War he did nothing but recite it. He was skilled with the draft and clerical scripts, and good at composing text. He displayed and expressed his deep feelings in more than a 100 chapters of poetry, and in more than 50 chapters of rhapsodies and hymns.

At 15, he practised striking and stabbing. He had ape arms and was good at shooting, could bend a bow of 300 jin. was strong of body, gallant and alert, ahead of others for his time. Wang Hun of Taiyuan saw and was pleased with him, he spoke to Yuanhai, saying:

This boy is not measurable by me.

As a youth he drifted to the Imperial Capital, the famous gentlemen did nobody did not communicate and connect [with him]. Yue Guang and Zhang Hua were particularly astonished with him.

The Grand Warden of Xinxing, Guo Yi, nominated him as Master of Accounts. He was recommended as Good and Supportive and entered to be Detached Marshal of Valiant Cavalry. He amassed to move to Chief Commandant of the Northern Section, he was good at consoling and connecting. There were none of the Five Sections' prominent and honoured who did not revert to him. The King of Hejian, petitioned for him to be Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the Chisha.

Cong, since Yuanhai was at Ye, feared he would be murdered by the King of Chengdu, Ying. He therefore absconded and ran to the King of Chengdu. He was designated General who Amasses Crossbows of the Right, to assist in the battle affairs of the vanguard.

When Yuanhai became Northern Shanyu, he established him as Worthy King of the Right. He accompanied the return to the Right Section. When [Yuanhai] was enthroned as Great Shanyu, he changed his designation to Luli King.

劉聰，字玄明，一名載，元海第四子也。母曰張夫人。初，聰之在孕也，張氏夢日入懷，寤而以告，元海曰：「此吉徵也，慎勿言。」十五月而生聰焉，夜有白光之異。形體非常，左耳有一白毫，長二尺餘，甚光澤。幼而聰悟好學，博士朱紀大奇之。年十四，究通經史，兼綜百家之言，《孫吳兵法》靡不誦之。工草隸，善屬文，著述懷詩百餘篇、賦頌五十餘篇。十五習擊刺，猿臂善射，彎弓三百斤，膂力驍捷，冠絕一時。太原王渾見而悅之，謂元海曰：「此兒吾所不能測也。」

弱冠游于京師，名士莫不交結，樂廣、張華尤異之也。新興太守郭頤辟為主簿，舉良將，入為驍騎別部司馬，累遷右部都尉，善於撫接，五部豪右無不歸之。河間王顒表為赤沙中郎將。聰以元海在鄴，懼為成都王穎所害，乃亡奔成都王，拜右積弩將軍，參前鋒戰事。元海為北單于，立為右賢王，隨還右部。及即大單于位，更拜鹿蠡王

TPYL119, Regional Hegemons Part 3: Liu Yuan

Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States, Records of Former Zhao says:

…

It happened that his father Bao passed on. The Emperor used Yuan to replace him as Leader of the Left Section. He moved to General who Soothes the Boreal and Overseer of the Army Affairs of the Five Sections.

In the middle of Taian [302 – 303], Emperor Hui lost the government, the various Kings repeatedly destroyed and deposed each other. In the provinces and commanderies the faithless and presumptuous were rising up in a swarm. His granduncle the Chief Commandant of the Northern Section and Worthy of the Right, Xuan and others discussed, saying:

The Worthy of Right and Left, Yuan's bearing and capacity is beyond other people, his abilities and manners surpasses the generation. Under Heaven broadly honours the Shanyu, and in the end does not uselessly give birth to this man.

Hence they together pushed forward Yuan to be Great Shanyu.

…

崔鴻《三十國春秋·前趙錄》曰：

…

會父豹卒，帝以淵代為左部帥，轉寧朔將軍，監五部軍事。大安中，惠帝失政，諸王迭相殘廢，州郡奸豪，所在蜂起。從祖北部都尉、右賢宣等議曰：「右左賢淵姿器絕人，幹宇超世，天下恢崇單于，終不虛生此人也。」於是共推淵為大單于。

TPYL119, Regional Hegemons Part 3: Liu Cong

Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States, Records of Former Zhao says:

Liu Cong, courtesy name Xuanming, sometimes named Zai, was Yuan's fourth son. During his mother Lady Zhang's pregnancy, she dreamt the sun entered her breast. She woke and told Yuan. Yuan said:

A good omen.

15 months from that she then gave birth to Cong. At night there was an anomaly of sun shining. In his left ear there was a single white hair, more than 2 chi long. As a child he was yet intelligent and aware. He examined thoroughly the classics and histories, and the sayings of the hundred schools. Sun and Wu's Principles of War he did nothing but thoroughly [study] it. He had ape arms and was good at shooting, could bend a bow of 300 jin, was strong of body, gallant and alert, ahead of others for his time.

…

崔鴻《三十國春秋·前趙錄》曰：劉聰，字玄明，一名載，淵第四子。母張夫人之孕，夢日入懷，寤而告淵，淵曰：「吉征也。」自是十五月而生聰，夜有白光之異。左耳有一白毫，長二尺餘。幼而聰寤，究通經史百家之言，孫吳兵法靡不通之。猿臂善射，彎弓三百斤，膂力驍捷，冠絕一時。幼而聰寤，究通經史百家之言，孫吳兵法靡不通之。猿臂善射，彎弓三百斤，膂力驍捷，冠絕一時。

TPYL142, Imperial Relatives Part 8: Liu Yuan's Empress Zhang

Cui Hong's Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States, Records of Former Zhao says:

Liu Yuan's August Empress Ms. Zhang dreamt the sun entered her breast. She woke and told Yuan. Yuan said:

A good omen. Be careful not to speak of it.

15 months from that she gave birth to Cong.

崔鴻《三十國春秋·前趙錄》曰：劉淵皇后張氏，夢日入懷，寤而告淵，淵曰：「吉征也，慎勿言之。」自是十五月生聰。

ZZTJ080, Annals of Jin

…

It happened that Bao passed on. Used Yuan to replace him as Leader of the Left Section.

…

會豹卒，以淵代爲左部帥。

ZZTJ082, Annals of Jin

...

[289 AD]

Decreed to use Liu Yuan as the Xiongnu's Chief Commandant of the Northern Section. Yuan made light of riches and was fond of giving, poured out his heart into connecting with people. Of the Five Section's prominent and outstanding and You and Ji's famous Ruists many went to revert to him.

…

[290 AD]

Used Liu Yuan as General who Establishes Power and Great Chief Controller of the Xiongnu's Five Sections.

詔以劉淵爲匈奴北部都尉。淵輕財好施，傾心接物，五部豪桀，幽、冀名儒，多往歸之。

…

以劉淵爲建威將軍、匈奴五部大都督。

…

ZZTJ085, Annals of Jin

…

[304 AD]

Earlier, the Brother-Heir Ying had petitioned the Xiongnu Worthy King of the Left, Liu Yuan, to be General of the Best of the Army and Overseer of the Army Affairs of the Five Sections, making him command the troops at Ye.

Yuan's son Cong was gallant and brave above others. He broadly read the classics and histories, was good at composing writings, and could bend a bow of 300 jin. As a youth he drifted to the Imperial Capital , the famous gentlemen nobody did not communicate with him. Ying used Cong as General who Amasses Crossbows.

Yuan's granduncle, the Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, spoke to his tribesmen, saying:

Since the fall of Han, our Shanyu is simply an empty title, without having a foot of land. From more than Kings and Marquises, he has fallen to be similar to the registered households. Now our multitudes, though diminished, are still not reduced to 20 000, why is it [that we have] pulled back our hands and accepted to serve, for soon to exceed a hundred years!

The Worthy King of the Left's nobility and martial ability surpasses the generation. If Heaven does not wish to raise up the Xiongnu, it surely would not uselessly give birth to this man. Now the Sima clan's bones and flesh harm each other, in the Four Seas the tripods are boiling. To restore the patrimony of Huhanxie, this is the time!

They therefore planned with each other to push forward Yuan to be Great Shanyu. They sent their partisan Huyan You to go to Ye and tell him.

Yuan reported to Ying, and requested to go home to attend a funeral, Ying would not allow it. Yuan ordered You to first return home, and tell Xuan and others to cause to summon and assemble the Five Sections and the sundry Hu, to make sounds of helping Ying, but actually intending to rebel against him. When Wang Jun and the Duke of Dongying, Teng, raised troops. Yuan advised Ying, saying:

Now the two headquarters tramples on restraint, with a multitude exceeding 100 000. [I] fear we will not be able to hold against them with the personal guards and the nearby commandery's gentlemen and multitudes. [I] requests, Your Highness, to return to explain to the Five Sections, thereby to hasten to the state's difficulties.

Ying said:

The multitudes of the Five Sections, can they truly set out or not? Allowing for you being able to send them out, with the Xianbei and Wuhuan it is not easy to do it. I wish to serve the Driving Carriage and return to Luoyang, and thereby avoid their spearhead, calmly summon Under Heaven to arms, and govern them according to their opposition or loyalty. Lord, what are your thoughts?

Yuan said:

Your Highness is the son of the Martial August Emperor, and has great merit in the royal house. Your power and kindness are known far-away. Within the Four Seas, who would not wish to exhaust all their strength for Your Highness? How is it difficult to send them out?

Wang Jun is an upstart boy and Dongying a distant cousin, how could they contend equally with Your Highness? If Your Highness goes out alone from the Ye palace, and shows weakness to people, it will not be possible then to arrive in Luoyang. Even if you arrive in Luoyang, power and authority will not be restored to Your Highness.

Ying was pleased and designated Yuan as Northern Shanyu, Assisting the Army Affairs of the Imperial Chancellor. Yuan arrived at Zuoguocheng. Liu Xuan and others elevated him to the title of Great Shanyu. Within twenty days he had a multitude of 50 000. He set his capital at Lishi and used Cong as Luli King.

初，太弟穎表匈奴左賢王劉淵爲冠軍將軍，監五部軍事，使將兵在鄴。淵子聰，驍勇絕人，博涉經史，善屬文，彎弓三百斤；弱冠游京師，名士莫不與交。穎以聰為積弩將軍。淵從祖右賢王宣謂其族人曰：「自漢亡以來，我單于徒有虛號，無復尺土；自餘王侯，降同編戶。今吾眾雖衰，猶不減二萬，奈何斂手受役，奄過百年！左賢王英武超世，天茍不欲興匈奴，必不虛生此人也。今司馬氏骨肉相殘，四海鼎沸，復呼韓邪之業，此其時矣！」乃相與謀，推淵為大單于，使其黨呼延攸詣鄴告之。

淵白穎，請歸會葬，穎弗許。淵令攸先歸，告宣等使招集五部及雜胡，聲言助穎，實欲叛之。及王浚、東嬴公騰起兵，淵說穎曰：「今二鎮跋扈，眾十餘萬，恐非宿衛及近郡士眾所能禦也，請為殿下還說五部，以赴國難。」穎曰：「五部之眾，果可發否？就能發之，鮮卑、烏桓，未易當也。吾欲奉乘輿還洛陽以避其鋒，徐傳檄天下，以逆順制之，君意何如？」淵曰：「殿下武皇帝之子，有大勳於王室，威恩遠著，四海之內，孰不願為殿下盡死力者！何難發之！王浚豎子，東嬴疏屬，豈能與殿下爭衡邪！殿下一發鄴宮，示弱於人，洛陽不可得而至；雖至洛陽，威權不復在殿下也。願殿下撫勉士眾，靖以鎮之，淵請為殿下以二部摧東嬴，三部梟王浚，二豎之首，可指日而懸也。」穎悅，拜淵為北單于、參丞相軍事。淵至左國城，劉宣等上大單于之號，二旬之間，有眾五萬，都於離石，以聰為鹿蠡王。

2 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 7 years ago

Text

Biography of He Zeng, Part 1

[From JS033]

He Zeng, courtesy name Yingkao, was a native of Yangxia in Chen state. His father Kui was Wei's Grand Coachman and Marquis of Yangwu village. Zeng as young inherited the feudal rank. He excelled at studying and was broadly knowledgeable, he and Yuan Kan from the same commandery were equally famous. When Emperor Ming of Wei began to be Marquis of Pingyuan, Zeng became Literary Scholar. When [Emperor Ming] was enthroned, he amassed to move to Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Director of Agriculture of Ji commandery, Commander of the Palace Gentlemen, Serving within the Yellow Gates Attendant Gentleman. He sent up a missive saying:

Your Subject has heard that the state considers the pure and quiet to be the foundation, while the hundred families considers good magistrates to be the root. Now Inside the Seas are wasted and used up, service and labour are multitude and many, [it is] truly proper to relieve and support the numerous masses, happiness accordingly making the people [?]. The power of the commandery wardens, even if small, nevertheless has sole responsibility for a thousand li. [If we] compare it to the ancients, then [he is] classified [among] the lords of states. Above [we] must respectfully circulate the court's charity, thereby causing kindness and harmony. Below [we] must raise up the profitable and remove what is harmful. [If we] obtain these people then there can be calm, [if] not these people then there will be worries.

Formerly Xuan of Han declared, saying: “The hundred families by means of calming their fields and villages, then without sighing will put an end to worries about those with hearts of hatred. Government affairs will be peaceful and disputes manageable. Those who raise us up together [like] this, these are only the good 2000 shi [i.e. the wardens and chancellors of commanderies and states].” This truly can be said to be understanding the root of government.

Just now the house of state is greatly lifted up, newly has issued changes, army and host [are on] distant conquests, above and below toil and labour. As for the hundred families they can with happiness succeed, in difficulties with worries begin. People who are foolish and confused, are able to tire of the small industriousness in front of [their] eyes, and forget about the greater calamity of there being chaos [?], thus accordingly the commandery warden increasingly cannot not obtain these people [?].

Talents even if difficult to perfect, [it is?] similarly proper to roughly have power and charity, [and] be truly dread by the hundred families [?]. Your Subject has heard that the various commandery wardens, when they are old of years and sometimes sick and ill, always appoints staff for government assistance [?] and do not relieve the numerous affairs [?]. Some in person are by nature neglectful and idle, and do not consider management of government affairs to be [something to ?] thinking of. Being an official for accumulated years, kindness and beneficence does not add to the person. As such at the limits of investigations and examinations, criminals likewise do not reach being brought to heel and dismissed [?]. For that reason [they] obtain passing through and delaying the year and month, and then be without a date for rejection and put to end [?].

Your Subject foolishly consider to be possible secretly decree to the Masters [?], making [them] in secret investigating to the core and inquire the commandery wardens, they who are old and sick notto in secret favouring people and things [?]. Reaching stewards and shepherds with scarce charity, excelling at cultivating people's service, [and] those] troubling and bothering the hundred families, all can be summoned to return, and have further select replacements.

Soon after, he moved to Cavalier in Regular Attendance.

When Emperor Xuan was about to attack Liaodong, Zeng sent up a missive to the Wei Emperor saying:

Your Subject has heard that earlier king's rules and regulations, were sure to maintain with caution [?]. For that reason when establishing officials receiving duties, they then set up assistants and subordinates. When displaying the host and instructing commanders, then they put up a supervising deputy. When circulating instructions to dispatch envoys, then they put in place heralds to assist. When approaching foe to exchange blades, they also took part in driving on the right, protecting accordingly exhaustively the achievements of considered plans, preventing the change of calm and danger.

Thus accordingly when in perils there must be difficulties, then power sufficient to aid each other. When failing, in pieces, not at ease, then talent sufficient to replace each other. Thus making the defence of the state extremely deep and extremely far-reaching. When we reach the Han clan, they likewise followed the old chapters. When Han Xin attacked Zhao, Zhang Er was deputy. When Ma Yuan punished the Yue, Liu Long assisted the army. The footprints of the preceding generations are manifest in chapters and treatises.

Now the Grand Commandant receives the explanation to punish the criminals, with the finest armour and sharpen spears, infantry and cavalry several ten thousand, the roads and paths distant and obstructed, not only 4 000 li. Even if acting with Heaven's power, conquering without battle, robbers sometimes hide and escape, melting away and drawing out the days and months. The instructions are without a regular time limit, people are not metal and stone [?]. Far-reaching worries and thorough preparations, it truly is fitting to have assistants.

Now the commanded by the various generals of the Northern Army and the Grand Commandant, are all among the companions, in fame and rank [they are] nothing unusual, habitually without the honour of deciding and detached command and management. Footsoldiers are changeable and rash, and do not quell and administer each other. To be safe but not forgetting destruction, the pattern of the sagely and wise.

Your Subject foolishly consider it to be suitable to select great subjects and famous generals who are imposing, esteemed and of long-held distinction, complete their rites and salaries, dispatch [them] to go to the Northern Army, to in an advance plan and scheme together, in a withdrawal be n assisting subordinate. Even with a disaster with a one in ten thousand's chance, if the master of the army has a successor, there will be nothing to worry about.

The Emperor did not follow.

[Pei Songzhi quotes this proposal from Gan Bao's Jinji in his commentary to SGZ003]

He set out to fill the post of Grand Warden of Henei, and in his duties had a reputation for being imposing and stern. He was summoned and designated as Palace Attendance. He left office in mourning for his mother.

In the middle of Jiaping [249 – 253], he became Colonel Minister of Retainers. The Column Officer who Consoles the Army [?], Yin Mo relied on favouritism to become powerful, his perverse profits overflowing and accumulating, court and countryside fearing and dreading [him], not daring to discuss about it. Zeng memorialised to impeach him, the imperial court recommended it.

[The chronology seems muddled, the Jiaping era was after Cao Shuang's execution]

At the time Cao Shuang monopolized authority, and Emperor Xuan claimed illness. Zeng likewise resigned due to illness. When Shuang was executed, he then rose up to inspect affairs. At the deposition of the Wei Emperor, Zeng arranged his plan for it.

At the time the Colonel of Foot Soldiers, Ruan Ji [JS049] turned back to [his] talents and set loose his self-indulgence, in mourning he had no decorum. Zeng face to face confronted Ji at Emperor Wen's seat, saying:

Sir indulges in feelings and betrays the rites, a person of spoiled vulgarity. Presently the loyal and virtuous carry out the government. To put in order the kernel and name the truth, with regard to Sir's bureau, it cannot last for long.

Because of that he spoke to the Emperor, saying:

Your Excellency is just now using filial piety to govern Under Heaven, yet allows Ruan Ji though in severe grief, to drink beer and eat meat at Your Excellency's seat. [You] ought to banish [him] to the Four Frontiers, without making filth infect the Huaxia [i.e. China, the Chinese].

The Emperor said:

This master is emaciated and ill like this, are you Lord not able to have my patience? [?]

Zeng heavily pulled out the evidence, explaining the reasoning with considerable incisiveness. Even if the Emperor did not follow, at the time people respected and dreaded him.

[The same story with somewhat different wording is also told in Shishuo xinyu, 23.2]

At the execution of Guanqiu Jian, his son Dian's wife Xun in response was sentenced to death. Her “clan-brother” Yi [JS039?] and “clan-father” Yu were both relatives by marriage and associates of Emperor Jing. Together they petitioned the Wei Emperor to accordingly spare her life. A decree allowed a divorce. A daughter born by Xun, Zhi, was the wife of the Grand Warden of Yingchuan, Liu Ziyuan. She was likewise sentenced to death, but due to being pregnant was confined to prison. Xun to confess [?] paid visit to Zeng and begged for mercy saying:

Zhi is confined to the Commandant of Justice, looking back at the reflection and understanding fate, counting the days [until] completing the law. [I] beg confiscation [?] to be a public slave, thereby ransoming Zhi's life.

Zeng pitied her. He sealed the confession and sent [it?] up for discussion. The imperial court unanimously considered it to be satisfactory, and thereupon changed the law. It is spoken of in the Treatise on Punishment and Law [JS030].

#js033

8 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Jia Mi

[From JS040. JS might not always be the most sober history.]

Mi, courtesy name Changshen. His mother Jia Wan was Chong's youngest daughter. His father, Han Shou, courtesy name Dezhen, was a native of Duyang in Nanyang and was the great grandson of Wei's Minister over the Masses, Ji. He had a pleasing bearing and countenance, and had a good appearances and deportment. Jia Chong nominated him to be on the staff of the Minister of Works.

Always when Chong banqueted guests and companions, his daughter every time spied on them from within the green and gold nest [?]. She saw Shou and was pleased with him. She asked her left and right if they knew who this person was or not. There was a servant girl who explained Shou's family and courtesy name, and said he was her former master. The daughter had great feelings and thoughts, and professed it waking and sleeping [?].

The servant girl later went to Shou's house, and set out and arranged the daughter's thoughts, and also talked of the daughter's brilliance, beauty, allure and independence, a special beauty surpassing the natural order. Shou heard and his heart moved, he expediently made her pass on his abundant diligence [?]. The servant girl accordingly reported to the daughter. The daughter thereupon secretly cultivated voice and excellence [?], to greatly bestow and connect with each other [?]. She called for Shou to enter at dusk. Shou's strength and nimbleness exceeded other people, he crossed over the wall and arrived. Within the house nobody knew, however when Chong woke up, his daughter's happiness and joy was different from ordinary days.

At the time the Western Regions had sent in tribute an unusual fragrance, if once worn by a person then for a month it would not disappear. The Emperor considerably valued it, and only accordingly bestowed it on Chong and the Great Marshal, Chen Qian [JS035]. His daughter secretly stole it and accordingly presented it to Shou. Chong's companions and subordinates feasted with Shou [?] and heard of his fragrance and scent, they talked about it to Chong.

From this Chong thought he knew the daughter and Shou were communicating, but his gates and posterns were strict and stern, and he did not understand in what way he had managed to enter. Therefore in the middle of the night, he feigned surprise [?], and relying on saying there were robbers, had someone sent to follow the wall to thereby observe it for changes. Left and right reported, saying:

Nothing beyond the usual [?], however the northern-eastern corner was as if a fox or raccoon-dog had walked there.

Chong therefore examined and questioned the daughter's left and right, drawing up accordingly a descriptive reply [?]. Chong kept it secret, and therepon had the daughter marry Shou. Shou's official rank reached Cavalier in Regular Attendance and Intendant of Henan. He passed on at the beginning of Yuankang [291 – 299], and was bestowed General of Agile Cavalry.

Mi excelled at studying, and had a talent for pondering. When he had became Chong's heir, and afterwards of continuing to assist the instructions, when also Emperor monopolized and indulged herself, Mi's power surpassed the ruler. Arriving therefore linking succession [?] Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, he became powerful and blessed like this. He carried his haughty favour, his extravagant luxuriousness transgressed the norms, the house eves revered and usurped [?], his receptacles and clothes were precious and magnificent, [he had] singing servant boys and dancing women, selecting the utmost in a single season.

He opened the postern and delayed visitors. Within the Seas the spokes joined [at him], he valued travelling prominent relatives and the movement of drifting contention [?], and could not but exhaust the rites and affairs with them. Some displayed writings and compositions to talk to and please Mi, thereby just so buying friendship.

Shi Chong [JS031] and Ouyang Jian [JS031] of Bohai, Pan Yue [JS055] of Xingyang, Lu Ji [JS054] and Lu Yun [JS054] of Wu state, Mou Zheng of Lanling, Du Bin and Zhi Yu [JS051] of Jingzhao, Zhuge Quan of Langye, Wang Cui of Hongong, Du Yu of Xiangcheng, Zou Jie of Nanyang, Zuo Si [JS092] of Qi sate, Cui Ji of Qinghe, Liui Gui of Pei state, He Yu and Zhou Hui of Runan, Qian Xiu [JS060] of Anping, Chen Zhen of Yingchuan, Guo Zhang [JS040] of Taiyuan, Xu Meng of Gaoyang, Liu Ne of Pengcheng, and Liu Yu [JS062] and Liu Kun [JS062] of Zhongshan, all tutored and met with Mi. They were called the Twenty-Four Friends. The remainder did not manage to prepare for him [?].

He was successively ranked Cavalier in Regular Attendance and General of the Army of the Rear. When the Countess of Guangcheng passed away, he left his post. The mourning was not yet at an end, when he rose up to be Overseer of the Private Writers, to be in charge of the state's history.

Before this, the Imperial Court had discussed establishing the boundary limits of the Book of Jin. The Overseer of the Palace Writers, Xun Xu [JS039] said they ought to use the starting year of Wei's Zhengshi [240 – 249]. The Gentleman Drafter, Wang Zan, desired the court officials from Jiaping [249 – 253] onwards to exhaustively enter the history of Jin. At that time there was hesitations and there had not been a decision.

When Emperor Hui was established, they furthermore had discussions about it. Mi sent up an opinion, requesting to conform to [?] Taishi [265 – 274] as the cut off point. Hence the affair was sent down to the Three Offices. The Minister over the Masses, Wang Rong [JS043], the Minister of Works, Zhang Hua [JS036], the General who Leads the Army, Wang Yan [JS043], the Palace Attendant Yue Guang [JS043], the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, Ji Shao [JS089] and the Broad Scholar of the Sons of State, Xie Heng, all followed Mi's opinion. The Chief Commandant of Cavalry, the Marquis of Jibei, Xun Jun, the Palace Attendant Xun Fan [JS039] and the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, Hua Hun, considered to be proper to use Zhengshi as beginning the inauguration. The Broad Scholars Xun Xi and Diao Xie [JS06] said it was proper [to use] the starting year of Jiaping. Mi heavily took charge of [?] memorialising Rong and Hua's opinions, the affair was thereupon carried out.

He was appointed and moved to Palace Attendant, acting as Overseer of the Private Writers like before. Mi at the time accompanied the Emperor to favour the Xuanwu watchtower for a barricade hunt. At the reciting of the Book of Documents within the assembly [the Emperor?] summoned Mi to accept the bows [?]. He admonished left and right to not make people know. Hence the multitudes suspected him for having disloyal aspirations.

Mi was already intimate and valued, and several times entered the two palaces, roaming the place together with the Heir-Apparent Minhuai, without yielding or surrendering his heart. He in board games with the Heir-Apparent would quarrel over the rules. The King of Chengdu, Ying, was sitting [next to them] and with a severe countenance said:

The August Heir-Apparent is the state's next lord. Jia Mi, how can you be discourteous!

Mi was afraid, and spoke of it to the Empress. Thereupon [she] sent out Ying to be General who Pacifies the North, headquartered at Ye.

When he became Regular Attendant, he attended discussions in the Eastern Palace. The Heir-Apparent's mind was not happy, and Mi worried about it. And in his household there several times was strange and unusual events. A whirlwind blew away his court clothes, flying high for several hundred zhang, and fell down within the chancellor's palace [?]. Also a snake set out from within its midst. At night violent thunder shook his house. A pillar sunk into the ground, and crushed and destroyed [his] bed and screen. Mi was increasing afraid. When he moved to Palace Attendant, he monopolized and was in charge of the forbidden interiors. Thereupon he and the Empress completed their plan, to defame and destroy the Heir-Apparent.

When the King of Zhao, Lun, deposed the Empress, he used a decree to summon Mi to the front of the hall, wanting to slay him. He ran to enter beneath the Western Bell [?], and with a shout said:

Dear Empress [阿后] save me!

Thereupon [they] approached and beheaded him. Han Shou's youngest brother Wei was a expected [to become] a capacity. He and Shou's elder brother, the Prefect of Gong, Bao, his younger brothers the Cavalier Attendant Gentleman, Yu, and the Companion of the King of Wu [?], Jian, and Mi's mother Jia Wan were all sentenced to execution.

Earlier, at the time when Chong attacked Wu, he once garrisoned Xiangcheng. Within the army [they] suddenly lost Chong's whereabouts [?]. Chong's Chief Controller Beneath the Tent, Zhou Qin at time was having a nap, he dreamt he saw more than a hundred people taking [?] Chong, pulling him into a single pathway. Qin woke with a startle, and heard they had lost Chong. He thereupon set out to seek and search, suddenly he was looking at the road from the dream. Thereupon he went to look for him. As a result he saw Chong moving to arrive at single office building, the attendant guards were considerably abundant. The lord of the office sat facing south, his voice and countenance considerably surpassed [ordinary people?]. He spoke to Chong, saying:

There is about to be chaos in the affairs of my household, surely you and Xun Xu is already misleading my son, and also will make chaos for my grandson. [I] covertly made Ren Kai demote you, yet [you] did not leave. [I] also made Yu Chun scold you, yet [you] did not change. Now when the bandits of Wu are to be pacified, you just now petitioned to behead Zhang Hua. Your dismal stupidity, is always of this kind. If [you] do not repent meticulously, [you] will from dawn to dusk add to [your] crimes.

Chong because of that knocked his head so blood flowed. The lord said:

You, though [you] delay the sun and moon, are yet a famous receptacle like this, That is for [your] deeds in guarding the office, and that is all. In the end [I?] will make [your] inheritor die at the inside of a bell's frame, the older child perish among golden alcohol, the younger child bound up beneath a withered tree. Xun Xu likewise ought to be the same, but for his ancestors' virtue less intense [?]. Because of your descendants [?], outside of several generations, the state's inheritance likewise will change.

He finished speaking, and instructed him to leave. Chong suddenly managed to return to the encampment, his facial appearance was worn-out and haggard, his natural reasoning [?]dulled and lost, after a day it returned.

And so Mi died beneath a bell, Empress Jia submitted to gold alcohol and died, Jia Wu was examined thoroughly with a great stick. In the end everything was like he said.

At the defeat of the King of Zhao, Lun, the imperial court posthumously recounted Chong's deeds, and discussed establishing his heir. They desired to use Chong's grandnephew the Cavalier Attendant Gentleman Zhong as the successor. Chong pretended to be mad to excuse himself. They used his son Xiu to succed Chong, and enfeoffed him Duke of Lu. He also became ill and died. In the middle of Yongxing [304 – 306], established Chong's great grandnephew Zhan as Duke of Lu, to serve as Chong's descendant. He came across chaos and died, and the state was abolished.

In the middle of Taishi [265 – 274], people had a song about Chong and others which said:

Jia, Pei Wang; chaos in the strands and guideropes. Wang, Pei, Jia; aids Under Heaven.

They spoke of destroying Wei and forming Jin.

#js040

9 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Jia Chong, Part 2

[From JS040]

When Chong was governing, he concerned himself with agriculture and moderated expenditure, he combined offices and rationalized posts, the Emperor was pleased with it. He also, due to civil and military officials having different appearances, requested to relinquish leading troops. When Yang Hu and others set out for their headquarters, Chong repeatedly sent up petitions on his desire to establish merit at a border post, the Emperor in all cases did not allow it.

He was relaxed and unhurried when serving in office. In praising or censuring he was very much so [?]. He notably excelled at advancing scholars, and always was recommending intelligence, certain they would in end start the woof and weft from it. Thus accordingly scholars much returned to him [?].

The Emperor's maternal uncle Wang Xun [JS093] once slandered Chong, yet Chong still advanced Xun. Some claimed behind Chong's back that he issued intimidation for power and worth [?]. Chong always on the surface used habitual opinions to wait for them [?]. Yet Chong had no commitment for the fair and square, was not able with propriety to personally lead his subordinates [?], and paid sole attention accordingly to toadying flatterers adopting a [pleasing] countenance.

The Palace Attendant, Ren Kai [JS045], and the Prefect of the Palace Writers, Yu Chun [JS050], and others rigidly and directly defended propriety, all together were hostile to him. Also since Chong's daughter was the King of Qi's Consort, [they?] feared [he?] later benefit in abundance. When the Di and Qiang turned to rebellion, the Emperor the time accordingly was deeply worried. Kai because of that advanced to advise, requesting Chong to headquarter in Guanzhong. [The Emperor] therefore sent down a decree saying:

On the two frontiers of Qin and Liang, there are every year frequent defeats. The Hu caitiffs indulge in violence, the hundred families suffer cruelly. [It has] thereupon made different kinds fan into action, the injury reaching the Central Provinces. Even the repeated robberies of Wu and Shu, have not once come to this. Sincerely making use of being humane is not sufficient to accordingly inside console the Yi and the Xia, outside to quell the repugnant rebels, lightly making use of their multitudes and yet being unable to exhaust their power. If [we] do not obtain the esteem of belly and heart, pushing forward the wheel-hub to appoint successfully, greatly correcting their crimes, [We] fear the suffering is not over. For every worry this difficult, [We] forget to sleep and eat.

The Palace Attendant, Warden [?] Prefect of the Masters of Writing and General of Chariots and Cavalry, Jia Chong, [his] capacity for refinement vast and exalted, reaching to see clearing the far off, in military matters having the power of bringing down assaults, in the civil his breast ponders guiding the state, truly connecting people's hearts, his fame shakes outside the border. To send [him with?] power and command square and reliable, soothing and quieting the Western Xia, then I [will be] without thoughts of the western considerations, and distant and near will be equally calm.

Thus use Chong as Envoy Holding the Tally, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Qin and Liang provinces, Palace Attendant and General of Chariots and Cavalry like before, to make use of feathered tassels, drums and pipes, and give him one Attendant Cavalry.

The virtuous and good of the court desired to advance with loyal counsel and present a substitute [?], all favoured by [?] Chong for this recommendation, expected abundance only in reform of the new [?].

Chong had set outside, considering himself to be deficient for the post [?], deeply concealing [ill feelings for] Ren Kai, planning not to be compliant. He was about to go to the headquarters, the hundred companions were seeing him off at the Xiyang pavillion. Xun Xu [JS039] paid private visit to him. Chong accordingly sadly informed [him] [?]. Xu said:

Your Excellency is the state's steward and assistant, yet is ruled by another man, is is not menial? Such acts, the true difficulties of the farewell, there only is the joining in marriage to the Heir-Apparent. Do not stop the carriage but detain yourself [?].

Chong said:

Certainly, but whose breast can we rely on?

He replied, saying:

Xu requests to do it.

Soon after attending a banquet, discussing the affairs of the Heir-Apparent's marriage, Xu because of that spoke of Chong's daughter's talents, naturalness, qualities and charm, [and that she] ought to be paired with the heir's palace. And August Empress Yang and Xun Yi [JS039] likewise both praised her. The Emperor accepted their words.

There happened to be in the Imperial Capital a great snowfall, covering the ground 2 chi deep, the army could not set forth. Then the august heir accepted marriage, and thereupon he did not go west. There was a decree for Chong to take up his original post. Before this Yang Hu [JS034] privately begun detaining Chong, Reaching this point, the Emperor accordingly spoke of it to Chong. Chong apologised to Hu, saying:

[I am] starting to understand the Lord's importance.

At the time when Wu's general Sun Xiu surrendered, he was designated as Great General of Agile Cavalry. The Emperor consider Chong an old minister, desired to change distribution, and made the post of Chariots and Cavalry to the right [inferior to?] of Agile Cavalry. Chong firmly declined and was seen and heard [?]. He was appointed and moved to Minister of Works, Palace Attendant and Prefect of the Masters of Writing, leading troops like before.

It happened that the Emperor was ill in bed. Chong, the King of Qi, You, and Xun Yi took part in curing and healing him. When the illness was cured, they were each bestowed 500 bolts of tabby silk.

Earlier, when the Emperor was gravely ill, the imperial court belonged in their thoughts to You. The Intendant of Henan, Xiahou He, spoke to Chong, saying:

Sir has two daughters and sons-in-laws, [and can?] personally arranging and compare, that is all. When establishing a person [you] must establish the virtuous [one].

Chong did not reply. Reaching this point, the Emperor heard of it, and moved He to Superintendent of the Brilliantly Blessed. He then took away Chong's power over the troops, but his rank did not see any change.

He was appointed and moved to Grand Commandant and Acting Grand Guardian to the Heir-Apparent, Recording the Affairs of the Masters of Writing. In the 3rd Year of Xianning [277 AD], the sun was eclipsed at the third morning [?]. Chong requested to yield his rank, but was not allowed. Furthermore used Pei state's Gongqiu to increase his fief, his favour and fortune become more and more considerable, court officials all made sidelong glances at him.

The Intendant of Henan, Wang Xun [JS093], sent up words:

When the Hongxun Empress Dowager [Yang Huiyu] entered the temple, bringing together food for August Emperor Jing, the King of Qi, You, did not manage to act with the rites of his son.

Chong's opinion accordingly was

In the rites, the various lords to not obtain the grandfather to the Son of Heaven, the noble sons to not get the late former lord, everyone speak of receiving command and inheriting the sacrifices. They do not speak of not obtaining repeatedly their fathers and grandfathers. [The King of Qi,] You personally ought to obey the affairs of the three year mourning, himself like the rules of subjects. [?]

Had the ministers memorialise:

With regards to Chong's opinion, to wear the clothes of a son, act with rules of subjects, is not compare to before [?]. Ought to be like Xun's petition, You's mourning clothes to follow the precedent of the various lords.

The Emperor followed Chong's opinion.

At the service of the attack on Wu, decreed Chong to be Envoy Holding the Tally, Acting with Yellow Battle-Axe and Great Commander-in-Chief, with overall command of the Six Hosts, given feathered tassels, drums and pipes, red carriage screen, 10 000 troops and 2 000 cavalry, to set up Senior Clerks of the Left and Right, Marshal and Assistant Officer Palace Gentleman, increasing Army Advisors and Marshals of Cavalry to 10 people each, Marshals Beneath the Tent 20 people, great chariot and official cavalry 30 people each. Chong worried about his great achievements if they were not victorious, and petitioned, arguing:

To the west there is the worry about the Kun Yi. To the north there are the borders of You and Bing. Under Heaven is laboured and agitated. The year's grain is not mature. Fostering an army to deliver punishment, [I] fear this not the time. Also Your Subject is aged and old, not capable of vanquishing.

A decree said:

[If] the Lord does not go, I will expediently set out myself.

Chong did not manage to put and end to it, and therefore accepted the tally and battle-axe. He commanded the central army and had the rules and measures for the various armies. He used the General of the Best of the Army, Yang Ji, as assistant, and went south to garrison Xiangyang.Wu's various defenders of Jiangling all surrendered, Chong therefore moved to garrison Xiang [?].

#js040 #jia chong

6 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biographies of Wei Jun and Wei Gai

[From JS063. “Heroes of Yongjia” totally should be a game/tv series/comic/book/whatever.]

Wei Jun was a native of Dong'e in Dong commandery, he dwelt and resided in Guanzhong. At first he was a minor magistrate in Yong province. The King of Hejian, Yong at the juncture of defeat and chaos, used him as General of Martial Power. Later he became Colonel of Measuring Pay, and was potent at employing [?]. At the end of Yongjia [307 – 313], he together with several hundred families of refugees went east to defend Heyin's Xiashi. At the time the Imperial Capital was deserted and scarce. Jun took by force and plundered to obtain grain and wheat, presenting it to Emperor Huai. The Emperor used him as General who Spreads Power and Grand Warden of Pingyang, command arrangements like before. Due to the chaos, he did not go to his office.

When Luoyang fell, he garrisoned north of Luo at Shiliang Rampart. He consoled and reared the lost multitudes, gradually cultivating his army and armaments. To those who were adhering to the traitors, to all [he?] first explained and expounded, telling that Great Jin's fortunes was several times potent and long. Having acted to establish and set up [?], those who reverted to it were a considerable multitude. To those who relied on the distance to not follow instructions, he dispatched generals to punish them. If they submitted and followed that was all, he did not additionally invade or harass them. And so distant and near felt happy, those who arrived carrying [children] in swaddling clothes gradually became a multitude.

When Liu Kun [JS062] inherited authority, he made use of Jun as Intendant of Henan. At the time the Grand Commandant, Xun Fan [JS039], was establishing an acting government at Mi county. Jun went to Fan to confer on plans for army affairs. Fan was considerably happy, and insisted [?] on Li Ju [JS062] meeting with him. Ju wanted to go to him at night, Ju's officials and subordinates considered that Jun could not be trusted, so he ought not go at night. Ju said:

Loyal subjects of the same heart, what is there to be suspicious about?

When they met, guest and host thoroughly sighed [in admiration]. Jun for that reason joined together with Ju and then left.

Liu Yao was jealous of Jun obtaining the multitudes, and led multitude armies to besiege him. Liu Yan [JS062] and Guo Mo [JS063] dispatched armies to come and save him. Yao divided off troops to confront them north of the He, and then concealed troops at a very secret place [?]. In this way he intercepted Yan and Mo's armies, and greatly routed them, and exhaustively captured Yan and others' cavalry. Jun at night escaped and fled, but was taken by Yao. He thereupon died there. He was posthumously conferred General who Pacifies the West. His younger clansman Gai lead his multitudes.

Gai該, sometimes named Hai亥, originally stayed and resided in Yinpan in Jingzhao. At the King of Hejian, Yong's attack on the King of Zhao, Lun, he used Gai as Chief Commandant Commanding Troops. When Liu Yao attacked Luoyang, he accompanied Jun to hurry to the difficulties. He first led troops to defend Jingyong Fort. For that reason he obtained nothing else [?]. When Yao pulled out and left, the remaining multitudes relied on him.

At the time Du Yu's [JS034] son Yin was Grand Warden of Hongnong, garrisoning Yiquan rampart at the border of Yiyang, he several times was robbed and plundered by the various traitors. Yin insisted to Gai that they should resist together. Gai dispatched his general Ma Zhan to command 300 people and hurry to Yin. Zhan knew he was unprepared, and at night raided Yin and killed him, welcoming Gai to occupy the rampart. The rampart people shook in fear, all submitted and followed him. Then he, Li Ju and Guo Mo joined together to resist the traitors.

Xun Fan just then [?] used Gai as General of Martial Power, commanding the cities and the people of western Yong and Liang, making him punish Liu Yao. When Emperor Yuan inherited authority, he was promoted to General of the Best of the Army and Grand Warden of Hedong. He supervised and protected Hedong, Henan and Pingyang commanderies.

Yao once attacked Li Ju, Gai routed him. When Ju wanted to welcome Guo Mo, Gai dispatched an army to help him. He also joined together with Intendant of Henan, Ren Yin. Later [they] gradually starved and wasted away, Yao's robbers arrived daily. He desired to lead the multitudes and move south, the multitudes did not follow. Gai thereupon fled on a single horse to Nanyang. The Emperor again used him as Chief Controller of the Vanguard, General who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Yong province.

Ma Zhan led Gai's remaining multitudes to surrender to Yao. Yao's summons and sending outs were already incessant. Zhan was also haughty and cruel. His private troops dispatched messengers to praise Gai. Gai went secretly to hurry to them, his multitudes killed Zhan and accepted Gai. Gai moved to Xinye, and led the multitudes to help Zhou Fang [JS058] to punish and pacify Du Zeng [JS100]. A decree used Gai as Grand Warden of Shunyang.

At the rebellion of Wang Dun [JS100], the Inspector of Liang# province, Gan Zhuo [JS070], did not follow, and desired to observe whether Gai would come or go, to test accordingly his sincere purpose in acting on it. Gai said:

I originally fled the traitors, but is nevertheless loyal to the state. Now Excellency Wang is raising troops against the Son of Heaven, never will I be liable to it.

He thereupon resisted and did not submit.

When Su Jun [JS100] rebelled, he led the multitudes to rescue the government. The army stayed at Shitou and received Tao Kan's [JS066] rules and measures. Jun was not yet pacified, when Gai became gravely ill and returned for the garrison. He passed on on the road and was buried in Wuling. His cousin Xiong commanded his multitudes.

#js063

6 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Duan Pidi

[From JS063. A leader of the Duan Xianbei, but presuambly as a Jin loyalist his biography is in a regular chapter. ]

Duan Pidi was a Xianbei of the Eastern Section. His forebears were strong and tough, and for generations were chieftains. His father Wuwuchen dispatched an army to help the King of Donghai, Yue, in conquering and punishing and had merits. Wang Jun [JS039] petitioned him as a king friendly to Jin [?] enfeoffed as Duke of Liaoxi, and married a daughter to Wuwuchen, thereby connecting neighbourhoods in assisting.

When Emperor Huai was enthroned, he used Wuwuchen as Great Shanyu, Pidi as Worthy King of Left, leading the multitudes assisting the state in conquering and punishing, temporarily appointed Great General who Consoles the Army. Wuwuchen died and his younger brother Shefuchen used Wuwuchen's son Jilujuan to inherit the title.

Liu Yao pressured Luoyang and Wang Jun dispatched the Protector-Controller Wang Chang to lead Jilujuan, his younger brother Wenyang and his cousin Mobei to attack Shi Le at Xiangguo. Le was defeated and returned to the ramparts. Mobei pursued to enter the rampart gates and was seized by Le. Le held Mobei hostage and dispatched envoys requesting peace to Jilujuan. Jiluyuan wanted to allow it. Wenyang admonished, saying:

[You] received the instructions to punish Le, would [you] rather not, since Mobei is a single person, for that reason indulge being the head of completing the capture? [?] [You] have already lost Jun's opinion, moreover to have later grief, surely it is not possible to allow [it].

Jiluyuan did not listen, and used 250 armoured horses and one basket each of gold and silver to bestow on Mobei. Le returned it, and again substantially used gold, jewels, coloured silk and tabby silk to report to Jiluyuan. Jiluyuan ordered Wenyang to swear an oath together with Shi Jilong, a covenant to be brothers, thereupon he pulled out the cavalry and returned. Chang and others were not able to defend alone, and likewise turned back..

At the beginning of Jianwu [317 – 318], Pidi pushed forward Liu Kun [JS062] as Great Commander-in-Chief, joining oaths to punish Le, and likewise called to arms Shefuchen, Jiluyuan, Mobei and others to from three directions all assemble at Xiangguo. Kun and Pidi advanced to garrison Gu'an, there to wait for the multitude armies. Le was afraid and dispatched secret envoys to substantially bribe Mobei. So Mobei was already considering to report his old mercy, moreover since Pidi was outside, he desired to raid and plunder his state. He therefore criticized Pidi to Shefuchen and Jiluyuan, saying:

Are you comparing father's elder brother and a nephew's younger brother? [?]Though [you?] in a single morning had merits, Pidi is alone in gathering them.

Shefuchen and others accordingly did so. They pulled out the army and returned. Pidi likewise halted.

It happened that Jiluyuan became ill and died. Pidi came running from Ji to mourn, and arrived in Youbeiping. Mobei circulated words that Pidi wanted to usurp [the throne], and sent out the army to strike and defeat him. Mobei thereupon murdered Shefuchen and his sons, younger brothers and partisans, more than 200 people, and established himself as Shanyu.

When Wang Jun was defeated, Pidi acted as Inspector of You province. Liu Kun [came?] from Bing province, to rely on him repeatedly he and Pidi joined in covenants, to together punish Shi Le. Pidi was repeatedly defeated by Mobei, the soldiers [?] and multitudes left and scattered. He feared Kun had designs on him, and thereupon murdered him. And so the people of Jin were leaving and scattering.

Pidi was not able to strengthen himself. [From?] the north he relied on Shao Xu [JS063]. Mobei also attacked and defeated him. Pidi was wounded [?], he spoke to Xu, saying:

I, a Di [狄] of the Yi, longed for righteousness, and it accordingly came to the destroying my household. Lord, if you have not forgotten old agreements, advance and punish with me. The Lord's kindness!

Xu said:

Relying on Your Excellency's power and virtue, Xu managed s a result to join. Now Your Excellency has difficulties, how could I dare not to accompany [you]!

Thereupon both gave their strength to chase Mobei, beheading and capturing roughly everyone [?]. He also ordered Wenyang to the north to punish Mobei's younger brother at Jicheng. When he returned, at a distance of 80 li from the city, he heard Xu had fallen. The multitudes feared and scattered. He was repeatedly blocked by Shi Jilong. Wenyang used his personal troops, several hundred men, to give his strength to rout him. Only then did he manage to enter the city. Jilong repeated plundered beneath the walls. Wenyang climbed the walls to overlook and observe, desiring to set out and strike him. Pidi did not allow it. Wenyang said:

I have a reputation for bravery [?], for that reason the hundred families held on to me. To see people being plundering and but not helping them, is not a grown-up man. To cause the multitudes to lose their expectations, who can repeatedly be me delivering death! [?]

Thereupon he commanded strong soldiers, several tens of cavalry, to set out and fight, killing very many of the Hu. Then it happened that his horse became exhausted, crawling and unable to stand up. Jilong shouted, saying:

Great brother and I are both of thus of the Rong and Di, long ago [we] hoped to be together. Heaven does not disobey [its] desires. Today when we see each other, for what reason would we again fight? [I] request to cast away the cane.

Wenyang cursed him, saying:

You are are cruel bandit, long ago [we] ought to have joined in death. My elder brother did not employ my plan, and for that reason has caused you to manage to come to this. I would rather die and not become your prisoner.

Thereupon he fought bitterly beneath the horse. His spear broke off, holding his blade he fought strongly and did not stop. Jilong's army from four sides loosened horses enveloping and splitting from the barrier [?],first grasping Wenyang [?]. Wenyang fought from the early morning to the afternoon, when his strength was at end, he later was captured. Inside the city they were greatly afraid.

Pidi desired to return to court on a single horse [?]. Xu's younger brother, the Interior Clerk of Le'an, Ji collaborated with the troops. [He?] did not allow it. Ji again desired to capture the government messenger Wang Ying and send him to Jilong. Pidi with a stern countenance reproved him, saying:

Sir was not able to honour the aspirations of his elder brother, [but] pressures me to not to obtain a return to court, likewise accordingly to great extent. Again [you] desire to capture the Son of Heaven's messenger. I, though a Hu and humble [?], have not heard of that.

Because of that he spoke to Ying, saying:

Pidi for a generation received heavy kindness, and did not neglect loyalty and filial piety. Today affairs are pressing, and I desire to return [with my] crimes to the imperial court. Yet seeing the pressure is urgent, [I] loyally and earnestly will not accompany [you?]. If I manage to act to the end [?], [and this is] not the day of death, my heart will not forget the foundation.

Thereupon he crossed south of the Yellow River. Pidi wore his court clothes, held the Tally, and with his retainers and servants [?] set out to see Jilong, saying:

I received the state's kindness, and was aspiring to be wiping you out. Unfortunately my state is in chaos, and accordingly it came to this. I already was not able to die, but also is not able to be respectful of you.

Le and Jilong habitually had joined with Pidi as brothers. Jilong stood up and bowed to him. When Pidi arrived Xiangguo, he also was not decorous to Le, often wore court clothes, and held the Jin tally. Passing through the year, there was within Guo [?] a plan to push forward Pidi to be the ruler. The affair was exposed and he was murdered. Wenyang likewise took poison and died, only Mobei survived of them. When he died, his younger brother Ya was established. When Ya died, his granduncle Jiulujuan's grandson Liao was established.

From Wuwuchen and afterwards, coming upon Jin suffering chaos, they established themselves in rank and titles and took possession of the lands of Liaoxi, yet they as ministers held sway over the people of Jin. Their territory to the west reached the end of You province, to the east it bordered the Liao river. Thus they had command of possibly [?] more than families of the Hu and Jin, controlling tautly [?] possibly 40 or 50 000 cavalry. They and Shi Jilong one after another invaded and robbed each other, the continuous warfare did not end. In the end they were routed by Jilong. He moved their cast off masses, several tens of thousand families to the lands of Si and Yong. His son Lan repeatedly assembled troops, he was a worry for a long time to Jilong [?].

When the Shi clan was destroyed, Mobei's son Qinjiu assembled the Hu and Jie, obtaining more than 10 000 people, defending the Wangren Mountains, titling himself King of Zhao. He adhered to Murong Jun. Soon after he was defeated by Ran Min, he moved to Yimu and usurped the venerated title. Jun dispatched Murong Ke to strike him. Qinju then surrendered.

#js063

2 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Guo Yi

[From JS045]

Guo Yi, courtesy name Daye, was a native of Yangqu of Taiyuan. As young he was veryfamous. Shan Tao [JS043] spoke of him as exalted and uncomplicated, and having a capacity for refinement.

He began as Prefect of Yewang. Yang Hu [JS034] often passed by him. Yi sighed and said:

Why must Yang Shuzi be less than Guo Daye?

Not long after he also went, he again sighed, saying:

Yang Shuzi leaves a person in the distance.

Thereupon he saw off Hu, setting out several hundred li outside boundary [of his county], he was convicted for this and dismissed from office.

At the end of Xianxi [264 – 265], he became Emperor Wen's Master of Account to the Chancellor of State. At the time Zhong Hui rebelled in Shu. Xun Xu [JS039] was precisely Hui's sister's son and as young grew up in Hui's house. Xu became an officer of Emperor Wen, and Yi began to set out to him. The Emperor, although he did not employ him, understood his elegance and propriety.

When Emperor Wu walked the eastern steps and began establishing the Eastern Palace, [the residence of the Heir-Apparent], he used Yi and Zheng Mo [JS044] together as Palace Cadets. He moved to Leader of the Guard of the Right and General of Valiant Cavalry, enfeoffed as Baron of Pingling.

At the beginning of Xianning [275 – 280], he moved to Inspector of Yong province and Soaring Eagle General. He made use of red curtains, bent cover, drums and pipes. Yi had a widowed elder sister who followed Yi to his post. The elder sister's boy servant often was perfidious and offensives, and was criticized by people. Yi scrutinized and restrained to the end, saying:

Great elders, why must [I] consider an old sister's request for fame? [?]

He dispatched [him?] and did not question.

At the time the village elder Li Han [JS060] was capable and talented, yet his gate was cold and he was pushed back by the chivalrous families. Yi employed him as Attendant Officer. Han later as a result had fame and rank. The times considered Yui as understanding people.

In the middle of Taikang [280 – 289], he was summoned to Master of Writing. Yi was very famous, in that time period the court officials all set out to be his inferiors. At the time the Emperor appointed and relied on Yang Jun [JS040]. Yi petitioned that Jun was a small receptacle, and could not be relied on therefore for the altars of soil and grain. The Emperor did not listen, and Jun later as a result was executed.

When Yi became ill, a decree bestowed 200 000 cash, and he was daily given beer and rice. In the 8th Year of Taikang [287 AD], he passed on.

The Grand Master Ceremonies sent up that his posthumous title should be Luminous [jing]. Had the ministers discuss, since high and low should not have the same title, a posthumous title similar to August Jing [Sima Shi] was not possible, and requested to confer the posthumous title Majestic [mu]. A decree said:

Posthumous titles are the means for flagging virtue and displaying acts. Note that the posthumous title regulated for the single virtue of not indulging is Uncomplicated [jian]. Yi was loyal, resolute, pure and straight, setting up virtue without change.

And so he thereupon was conferred the posthumous title of Uncomplicated.

#js045

5 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Jia Chong, Part 1

[From JS040]

Jia Chong [b. 217, d. 282], courtesy name Gonglü, was a native of Xiangling in Pingyang. His father Kui was Wei's Inspector of Yu province and Marquis of Yangli village. Kui only late begot Chong. [They] say that afterwards he was congratulated by the whole village [chong lü], and for that reason he used that for naming him. Chong was orphaned young [in 228], during the mourning period he earned a reputation for filial piety.

He inherited his father's rank as Marquis. He was designated Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, he directed and settled the department's orders, combined with measures and support for tests and lessons [?] His arguments and compositions were moderate and measured, affairs all were put to use.

He amassed to move to Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, Director of Agriculture of Ji commandery and Commander of the Palace Gentlemen. As Advisor in the Army Affairs of the Great General, followed Emperor Jing to punish Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin at Lejia. The Emperor was gravely ill and turned back to Xuchang, and kept Chong to supervise the affairs of the various armies. Due to his efforts he had added to his estate 350 households.

Later he became Marshal to the Great General for Emperor Wen, then shifted to Senior Clerk of the Right. The Emperor had newly taken control of the court and feared the regional headquarters would be of different opinion, so he sent Chong to go to Zhuge Dan, to plan [his] desire to attack Wu, and secretly to examine him for insurrection.

When Chong had discussed and talked about the affairs of the time, he then spoke to Dan, saying:

Under Heaven everyone desires abdication and replacement. Lord, what should be done about it?

Dan raised his voice and said:

Is Sir not the son of Jia of Yu province? For generations [you] have accepted the charity of Wei. How can [you] desire to have the altars of soil and grain hauled to [another] person? If there are difficulties within Luo, I shall die for it [Wei].

Chong was silent.

When he returned, he reported to the Emperor, saying:

Dan is twice in Yang province, his power and fame was early displayed. He is able to obtain people's dying effort. [I] observed his regulations and plans, him being a rebel is certain. [If we] summon him now, the rebellion will be quick and the affair small. [If we] do not summon [him], the affair will be late and the calamity great.

The Emperor therefore summoned Dan to be Minister of Works, and Dan rebelled as a result. He again followed to conquer Dan. Chong advanced with a plan, saying:

The troops of Chu are careless but sharp. If [we build] deep ditches and tall ramparts to accordingly pressure the traitors' city, we can subdue them without a fight.

The Emperor followed it. When the city fell, the Emperor climbed the ramparts due to the labours of Chong.

The Emperor first returned to Luoyang, and made Chong command rear affairs. He advanced his feudal rank to Marquis of Xuanyang district, and added to his estate 1 000 households. He moved to Commandant of Justice. Chong was a refined expert in the logic of the law and had a name for levelling contradictions.

He moved to Army-Protector of the Centre. At the Duke of Gaogui district's attack on the Chancellor's Office, Chong led the multitudes to resist in battle at the Southern Watchtower. The army was about to be defeated. The Cavalry Controller Cheng Cui's younger brother, the Retainer to the Heir-Apparent, Ji, spoke to Chong, saying: “Today's affair, what can we do?”

Chong said: “His Excellency has reared you lot, precisely planning for today. Why ask again!”

Ji hence drew out his halberd and violated the imperial route.

When the Duke of Changdao district was enthroned, he was advanced in fief to Marquis of Anyang district, and had added to his estate 1 200 households. He commanded the various armies outside of the city, with concurrent rank as Cavalier in Regular Attendance.

Zhong Hui planned rebellion in Shu. The Emperor temporarily gave Chong the Tally, to use his original office as Chief Controller of All Army Affairs of Guanzhong and Longyou. He went west to occupy Hanzhong, he had not yet arrived when Hui died.

At the time army and state had many affairs. The imperial court was thick with intrigues, always calculating on it. The Emperor considerably trusted and esteemed Chong. He and Pei Xiu [JS035], Wang Chen [JS039], Yang Hu [JS034] and Xun Xu [JS039] together were relied on as belly and heart. The Emperor also instructed Chong to settle the laws and statutes. He made use of metal chapters, and was bestowed armour and a single ward [?]. When the Five Ranks first were established, he was enfeoffed Marquis of Linyi. He was the most merited man of Jin, and considerably received unusual favour, his blessings and bestowals were often superior to the crowd of officials.

Chong had a talent for writing indictments, had an ability to see and investigate higher aspirations. Earlier, Emperor Wen, due to Emperor vastly assisting the the kingly profession, was just about to transmit the rank to the Marquis of Wuyang, You. Chong spoke of Emperor Wu's vast benevolence, and that he moreover also had lived the longest, had the virtues of a lord, and ought to receive the altars of soil and grain. When Emperor Wen was bedridden from illness, Emperor Wu inquired and asked about later affairs. Emperor Wen said: “He who understands you is Jia Gonglü.”

When the Emperor inherited the kingly rank, he designated Chong General of Guards of the state of Jin, Opening Office with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Ministers, Serving within the Palace, and changed his fief to Marquis of Linying. When [the Emperor] accepted the abdication, Chong accordingly established and clarified the great instructions. He was transferred to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Cavalier in Regular Attendance and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and altered his fief to Duke of Lu commandery, his mother, Ms. Liu, to be Lady Dowager of Lu state.

Chong was settling the new statues and was already distributing them to Under Heaven. The hundred families benefited from them. A decree said:

From the Han clan and onwards, the laws are presently strict and stern. Formerly from the generation of the original completion [?], reaching the interval between Jian'an [196 – 220] and Jiaping [249 – 253], all desired to argue over the old canons, eliminating and cutting the books of punishment. Explaining building the limbs great, for successive years it was not complete. The Former Emperor pitied the instructions lost of the first and foremost in the thick web [?], personally issuing a moral tone, administering the proper fame and worth [?].

The General of Chariots and Cavalry, Jia Chong, rewards and clarifies the sagely thought, consulting and inquiring about the Way of Good. The Grand Tutor, Zheng Chong [JS033], also together with the Minister of Works, Xun Yi [JS039]; the Overseer of the Palace Writers, Xun Xu [JS039]; the General of the Army of the Centre, Yang Hu [JS034], the Army-Protector of the Centre, Wang Ye, and the Commandant of Justice, Du You, the Warden Intendant of Henan, Du Yu [JS034]; the Cavalier Attendant Gentleman, Pei Kai [JS035]; the Grand Warden of Yingchuan, Zhou Xiong; the Chancellor of Qi, Guo Qi; the Chief Commandants of Cavalry, Chenggong Sui [JS092] and Xun Hui; the Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, Liu Gui, and others, directing and correcting its affairs. We always reflect on they applying their hearts, often sighing with joy for them.

Now the laws and statutes are completed, and have begun to be distributed Under Heaven, punishments are large-minded and prohibitions simple, sufficient thereby to bring about the initial aspiration. Formerly when Xiao He had settled the statutes he received a fief, when Shusun Tong had systematized the rites he became Grand Masters of Ceremonies, had bestowed 500 jin of gold, his nephew[s] to be Gentleman. As for setting up merits in setting up affairs, it was esteemed by the ancients. From the Grand Tutor, the [General of] Chariots and Cavalry and down, to all add to their blessings and bestowals. Thus completely rely on the old canons.

Hence bestowed on Chong one of his sons or younger brothers to be Marquis Inside the Passes and 500 bolts of tabby silk. He firmly declined, it was not allowed.

Later he replaced Pei Xiu as Prefect of the Masters of Writing [in 268?], Regular Attendant and General of Chariots and Cavalry like before. He amassed to change Regular Attendant to Palace Attendant, and was bestowed 700 bolts of tabby silk.

Due to grieving for his mother, he left his post. A decree dispatched an Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gates to comfort and send regards. Again, due to the south-east having affairs, dispatched the General who Directs the Army, Yang Xiao to proclaim the edict, to cause him after 60 days to return inside [to the capital].

#js040 #jia chong

4 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Huang Hong

[From JS095, the chapter on “Arts and Crafts”.]

Huang Hong [285 - 381], courtesy name Shichang, was a native of Chiqiu in Wei commandery. His father Chen was good at astrology and secret techniques. Hong followed his father and inherited his profession, his focus on the mysterious was beyond the extreme, combined with a broad perception of the classics and histories, he was especially enlightened in the Rites and the Changes. He was by nature loyal and industrious, and did not move contrary to the rites. In the chaos of Yongjia [307 – 313], he and Gao Zhan of Bohai escaped to the land of You province. He explained to Zhan, saying:

Wang Jun [JS039] is a benighted tyrant, in the end he will surely not succeed. [We] ought to consider leaving or going to thereby plan a long peace. Murong Hui's laws and government cultivates enlightenment, his humble breast attracts and accepts, moreover the omens speaks of a True Man setting out in the north-east, what if he is this someone? We ought each other to revert to him, and together establish our affairs and professions.

Zhan did not follow. Hong therefore led his clan and family to revert to Hui. Hui treated him accordingly with the rites of a guest and pulled him in as Army Advisor, in the businesses and movements of army and state he always asked him. Hong pointed out and explained success or defeat, affairs always went as he said. Hui often said:

Army Advisor Hong, is This Orphan's Zhongxiang [Yu Fan?]

When Huang inherited the rank [in 337 AD], he moved him to Regular Attendant of the Left, leading the clerk officials, and considerably esteeming him. Shi Julong attacked Huang. Huang wanted to flee to Liaodong. Hong said:

The traitors have an air of defeat, no possibility for sorrow, not exceeding two days, they must surely flee vanquished away. We ought to sternly direct soldiers and horses, and make preparations for chasing and striking them.

Huang said:

Now [though] the robbers are abundant like this, Sir speaks of [their] certain flight. This Orphan does not dare to trust it.

Hong said:

When Your Highness speaks of abundance, it is the affairs of men, that is all. When Your Subject speaks of certain flight, it is the time sent by Heaven. How is there sufficient to have doubts!

When at the appointed time, Jilong as a result withdrew. Huang was increasingly amazed by him.

When Murong Jun was enthroned as King [in 348 AD], he was moved to Assistant Officer Palace Gentleman. Jun heard of the chaos of Ran Min, and wanted to make plans for the Central Plain. He made inquiries about it to Hong, and Hong recommended to act. Jun followed it. At the usurpation of [imperial] title [in 352 AD], he was appointed to be General who Advances Plans, Grand Prefect of Clerks and Marquis Inside the Passes. He was made concurrently Chief Commandant of Attendant Cavalry, Grand Warden of Xihai, acting as Grand Prefect of Clerks, Marquis of Kaiyang village. He was again enfeoffed Five Ranks Earl of Pingshu county. He often followed right and left, consulting and deciding on great affairs.

The Prefect of Spiritual Tower, Xu Dun murdered his concubine, [and?] flattered [?] the affair to Murong Ping, establishing unusual discussions to accordingly destroy him [?]. Reaching using Hong to be control of the various public offices of the Grand Clerk and the Spiritual Tower, concurrently Serving Within the Palace. Hong at the time received Dun filly and substantially, and did not accordingly destroy himself or change his heart [?].

When Murong Wei was defeated [in 370 AD], he due to his old age returned to his home. He sighed and said:

Yan will surely be restored, it will be by the King of Wu, [I] only hate my years will not be many enough to see it, that is all.

At the age of 97 he passed on. 3 years after his passing, the bogus King of Wu, Murong Chui restored it [Yan] [in 384 AD].

#js095

2 notes · View notes

bookofjin · 8 years ago

Text

Biography of Tang Bin

[From JS042. With the historian’s comments for the chapter at the bottom.]

Tang Bin, courtesy name Ruzong, was a native of Zou in Lu state. His father Tai was Grand Warden of Taishan. Bin had great measures for ordering the state, yet did not restrict or act restrained [?]. As young at ease with shooting and horses and excelled at roaming and hunting. He was 8 chi tall, on foot he could catch a running deer, he had the strength and power of many men. At night he then was sincerely pleased with the classics and histories, and was especially enlightened in the Classic of Changes. Thereupon he taught and offered lessons [?], returning home to teach and transmit, regularly several hundred people.

He began as a gate official for the commander, then moved to Master of Accounts. The Inspector, Wang Chen [JS039], assembled the various assistants and aids, and abundantly discussed plans for resisting Wu, thereby questioning the magistrates of nine commanderies. Bin and Master [of Records?] of Qiao Commandery, Zhang Yun, together argued that Wu was possible by combining their power [?]. Chen was pleased with their response. He also sent Bin difficult words on why Wu was not yet possible to attack, yet he had explanations and reasons for all to the end [?]. He returned to move to the Board of Merit and was recommended as Filial and Upright. The province nominated him as Master of Accounts, he amassed to move to Aide-de-Camp.

Bin was loyal, respectful, fair and bright, he exhausted the rules to correct and help, he did not display remonstrances to thereby call attention to himself. He also served and was made to go to the offices of each other [?] to plan affairs. At the time his companions and assistants all accepted him as one of the gallant talents of the generation. [Those who?] saw Bin could not but respect and be pleased, speaking of him to Emperor Wen, and recommending him to be on his staff.

The Emperor accordingly asked his Adjutant, Kong Hao. Hao was jealous of his abilities, and for a good long while did not answer. Chen Qian [JS035] was seated [nearby], he collected his tabled and talked, saying: “The personal conduct of Bin is better than Qian's by a considerable distance.”

The Emperor smiled and said: “Merely ability like Sir's, is certainly not easy to obtain. Why discuss about better.” Because of that he nominated Bin to be on the Board of Armour.

The Emperor questioned him, saying: “Sir, how to accordingly bring about the law?”

He replied, saying: “To cultivate and teach the narrow lane, to observe the lost footprints of the ancients. The words fills Under Heaven without the mouth making a mistake. The actions fills Under Heaven without hatred or evil.” [The second half of the answer is a straight quote from the Classic of Filial Piety.]

The Emperor looked at the four seats and said: “His fame is not empty acts.”

Another day, he spoke to Kong Hao, saying: “[When we] recently saw Tang Bin, Sir took on the responsibility of hiding the worthy.”

Earlier, at the execution of Deng Ai, Emperor Wen, due to Ai having been for a long time in Longyou, habitually obtaining the soldiers' [?] hearts, and [had] in a single morning the wiped out the Yi, feared feelings on the border were itching for action, so he sent Bin to privately examine it.

When Bin came back, he made clear to the Emperor, saying: “Deng Ai was envious and capable of deceiving the narrow-minded, showing sympathy for ability and carrying talent, those who obeyed and followed were said to having seen the affair. Those who talked straight were said to be confronting and contrary. Even the Senior Clerk, Marshal, assistants, aides and the Serrated Gates, were answered and replied to missing the point, always seeing accusations and insult. Staying personally without the rites, he greatly lost the people's hearts. He also excelled at bestowing and creating affairs and service [?], several times labouring the capability of the multitudes. Longyou has considerably suffered hardship from him, loved the news of his misfortune, and were not willing to be employed. Now that the various armies have arrived, they are sufficient to thereby quell and suppress inside and outside. Their desires are nothing accordingly to be worried about.”

He was soon appointed to the vacancy of Gentleman of the River Section of the Masters of Writing. At the beginning of Taishi [265 – 274], he was bestowed feudal rank as Marquis Inside the Passes. He set for the vacancy of Prefect of Ye. Bin had the Way and virtue and was uniform in the rites, within a month his reforms were complete. He moved to Grand Warden of Yiyang. He clarified and established guardhouses and dikes [?], the hundred families were calmed by it. Due to mourning for his mother he left office.

The eastern part of Yi province was continuous robbed by Wu, and the rank of Overseer of the Army was lacking. The court discussed employing the Grand Warden of Wuling, Yang Zong, or Bin. Emperor Wu accordingly asked the Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Wen Li [JS091]. Li said: “Zong and Bin both can not be neglected. Bin is much desirous of wealth, and Zong excels at drinking. Only Your Majesty can judge them.”

The Emperor said: “A desire for wealth can be satisfied, drinking is difficult to change.” Thereupon he employed Bin.

He made use of also decreeing Bin to be Overseer of All Army Affairs of Badong, concurrently General who Broadens the Martial. He sent up a plan for the conquering Wu, it considerably fit in with the Emperor's ideas.

Later he and Wang Jun together attacked Wu. Bin garrisoned, occupied, charged and compelled. He was the lead point of the multitude armies. He always set up suspicions troops [?], obeyed the moment and controlled victory. When capturing Xiling and Lexiang, much was taken and seized. From Baling and Miankou, and eastward, where the various traitors were assembled, they could not but shake in fear, laying down the halberds and stripping naked.

Bin understood the thieves and bandits were finished and that Sun Hao wanted to surrender. He had not yet arrived at Jianye but was 200 li away. He claimed illness to delay and halt, accordingly showing he was not contending. As a result those who arrived first fought over things, those who arrived later fought over merit. [Those who] at the time understood could not but exalt Bin for this recommendation.

When Wu was pacified, a decree said: “The General who Broadens the Martial, Tang Bin accepted serving in a corner of a region [?]. To the east he resisted the Wu bandits, to the south he oversaw the Man and Yue. He consoled and soothed the border and frontier, and has achievements in appeasing and resisting. He is also always magnanimous and generous, with aspirations for establishing merits. Just before when conquering and punishing, he supported the ill and served the instructions, he headed the beginning of the military campaign, presented prisoners and transmitted tallies [of dead enemies], his deeds and results are manifest and clear. Thus use Bin as General of the Right and Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Badong.”

He was summoned to be designated Colonel of the Assistant Army, changed his fief to Marquis of Shangyong county, with a revenue estate of 6 000 households, and bestowed on him 6 000 bolts of tabby silk When the court had suspicious opinions [?], he always assisted and anticipated them.

Northern caitiffs were invading and robbing Beiping. Used Bin as Envoy Holding the Tally, Overseer of All Army Affairs of You province, acting Colonel who Protects the Wuhuan, and General of the Right. When Bin had arrived at headquarters, he taught the soldiers and sharpened the troops, broadened agriculture with heavy sowing [?], shaking the powerful and dazzling the martial [?], circulated and explained the state's instructions, displaying thereby kindness and trust. Hence two section [chiefs?] of the Xianbei, Damohui, Zhihe and others both sent attending sons to enter with tribute.

He combined offerings to the school teachers [?], teaching and guiding without weariness, his humanity and kindness broadly covered. Thereupon he open and expanded the old frontier, returning 1 000 li of territory. He restored Qin's Long Wall fortresses, from Wencheng reaching to Jieshi, stretching uninterrupted across the mountains and valleys for a continuous 3 000 li. He divided the army to garrison and defend, signal towers and battlements watched over each other. In this way the border and frontier became calm, with no dogs barking in alarm. Since Han and Wei the Conquering and Garrisoning [Generals?] had not been comparable to him.

The various races of the Xianbei feared and dreaded, and thereupon killed Damohui. Bin desired to punish them, but feared to send up a report and wait for the announcement, then the caitiffs would surely flee and scatter. Therefore he sent out ox chariots from You and Ji [?]. The Adjutant Xu Zhi privately memorialised about it. A decree dispatched the the Imperial Clerk Jian Che to summon Bin and deliver him to the Commandant of Justice. Due to the affair he was straight away seen and released [?]. The hundred families chased after and longed for Bin's merits and virtue, and brought there to be set up a stele and composed a hymn.

Bin earlier received teachings from Yan De of Donghai. His disciples and followers were considerably many, but he only saw Bin as having a talent for the corridors and temples [I.e at court]. When Bin perfected his office [?], De had already passed on. He therefore had set up a stele for him.

At the beginning of Yuankang [291 – 299], he was designated Envoy Holding the Tally, General of the Van, acting Colonel of the Western Rong, and Inspector of Yong province. He sent down a lesson which said: “This province has a famous capital, but the gentlemen [are in] forest and swamps. Retired gentlemen Huangfu Shenshu, Yan Shulong, Jiang Maoshi, Liang Ziyuan and others, all aspire to the modest, pure and subtle, treading and acting with exalted purity. Treading the frontier and looking to the wind, empty hearts starving and thirsting, pondering adding and delaying sending [?], waiting thereby the canons of not being subjects. With a corner of the turban seeing each other, debating the Way and that is all, how, due a magistrates' duties, bend and sully the exalted laws. The commanderies and states perfect the rites, sending out and dispatching, thereby assisting at the expectations of the towns.”

Hence the four men all came. Bin respected and treated them. [Presumably Shenshu, Shulong, Maoshi and Ziyuan are courtesy names, but I couldn't find anything on them in the JS.]

In the 4th Year of Yuankang [294 AD], he passed on in office. At the time he was 60 years old. His posthumous title was Assisting [xiang], and he was bestowed 200 bolts of tabby silk and 200 000 cash.

His eldest son inherited [or “His eldest son Si”], in office he reached Grand Warden of Guangling. His youngest son Qi was Marshal who Conquers the Caitiffs.

The Historian’s Comments

Your Subject the Historian says: The Sun clan shouldered obstructions and separations of mountains of the Jiang [?], relyong on the unnatural vapours of the Ox and the Dipper, totally having water villages, defying and balancing the superior state. The two Wang undertook a military campaign, with measures and statutes to hurry and conquer. Hun had already presented victory at Hengjiang, Jun likewise subdued and purified Jianye. At this time in the labour of punishing Wu, though generals and commanders were many, the merit for settling Wu, this was due to them the most. Towards making the not attacking of the vast Fanfu [?], admiring the pushed forward merits of Yangxia [?], above reporting to the temple hall, below relying on the generals and soldiers. Is it not abundant achievement and abundant virtue, the goodness in beginning and the goodness in ending!

This and not being, that of it thus applying oneself [?]. Some pity achievements and shouldering the spirit, some rely on power and haughty hills, contending to build a southern sieve, completing now the shell brocades. Thereupon then nosily defiling the imperial screen, explain chaos to relationships of the tripod [?], this just to be a warning to meritorious subjects, likewise to present ridicule to pure debate. How is this not to be pitied!

Wang Ji followed the cramped heart of his haughty father, craftily disputing the enlightened righteousness of the son, likewise, of what use is this. Tang Bing feared and escaped intermixing in disputes, and used illness to delay and halt, with an air of withdrawing and yielding, his virtue was far away from Hun and Jun [?]. The biography says: “He did not restrict or act restrained [?]”, this is how to obtain the acts of elders [?].

The Appraisal says:

The two Wang collected arms.

From the Huai to the sea this was similar [?].

Hun just injured the good.

Jun likewise pitied achievements.

Wuzi was chivalrous and outstanding.

Early assisting in the court's arrangements.

Indulging in desires for the ox's hearts.

Twisting feelings at the horse's dike.

Ruzong understood to withdraw.

Avoided fame and maintained modesty.

#js042

3 notes · View notes