#js081

[bookofjin]

Biography of Zhu Xu

[From JS081]

Zhu Xu, courtesy name Cilun, was native of Yiyang. His father Dao, due to his talent and ability was successively Colonel of the Western Man, and Inspector of Yi province. Xu in his generation became a famous general, and amassed to move to Hawk Rising General and Chancellor of Jiaxia.

At the end of Xingning [363 – 365], the Inspector of Liang# province, Sima Xun, rebelled. Huan Wen petitioned for Xu to be Chief Protector of Conquering and Chastising to go and chastise him. Xingning 3, 365 AD, JS008] Due to his merits he was designated General who Conquers the Caitiffs, and ennobled Count of Xiangping.

In the middle of Taihe [366 – 371], he moved to Inspector of Yan province. At the time Qian Hong, a native of Changcheng, assembled a faction of more than a hundred people. They hid and concealed [themselves] in the mountains of Yuanxiang. Used Xu as Marshal of the Centre Army and Grand Warden of Wuxing. Xu arrived in the commandery, chastised and arrested  them. The affair finished, he returend to Yan province. [Ningkang 2, 374 AD, JS009]

At the beginning of Ningkang [373 – 375], he was designated Envoy Holding the Tally, Overseer of All Army Affairs Within Mian, Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the South, and Inspector of Liang# province; to garrison Xiangyang [Taiyuan 2, 377 AD, JS009].

That year, Fu Jian dispatched his general Fu Pi and others to lead the multitudes and besiege Xu. Xu strengthened the defences. When the thieves' provisions were about to be exhausted, he led the multitudes in persistent attacks on them.

Earlier, at Fu Pi coming to attack, Xu's mother, [Lady] Han, herself climbed the city walls, took a walk, and complained that the north-western corner would be the first to be destroyed. Thereupon she led more than a hundred servant girls together with the daughters within the walls to that corner's slope, and built up the wall more than 20 zhang. The thieves attacked the north-western corner and as a result were scattered. The multitudes readily strengthened the newly built walls. Pi thereupon pulled out and withdrew. The people of Xiangyang spoke of this wall as the Lady's Wall.

Xu piled up battles to rout the thieves, people's feelings became lax in their labours. Also since the thieves had withdrawn a little distance, they suspected they would not yet be able to come, and the defensive preparations were not attentive. The Controller-Protector Li Bohu in secret was responding with the thieves. Xiangyang thereupon was taken, and Xu lost to Fu Jian. Jian killed Bohu on review of him [?], due to his disloyalty. [Taiyuan 4, 379 AD, JS009]

Xu wished to flee and return home, he secretly reached Yiyang, and hid in Xia Kui's house. Jian suspected Kui, and gathered him. Xu therefore went to Fu Hui to [surrender] his head. Jian was joyful, and did not ask about it, he used him as Master of Writing.

Middle of Taiyuan [376 – 396], Fu Jian encroached on the south [in 383 AD], Xie Shi led the multitudes to resist him. At the time the greater part of Jian's troops were at Xiang, Fu Rong with a multitude 300 000 was the first to arrive. Jian dispatched Xu to explain to Xie Shi, and declare himself the power of the troops. Xu instead spoke to Shi, saying:

When Fu Jian's multitude of 1 000 000 have fully gotten here, it will be impossible to resist them. When they have not yet assembled, to strike them can be considered an obtainable goal.

Hence Shi dispatched Xie Yan with 8 000 selected brave soldiers to ford the Fei River and incite a battle. Jian's multitudes made a small retreat. Xu at the time was in the rear of their army, he took te lead to say “Jian is defeated”. The multitudes thereupon greatly ran, and Xu therefore managed to return home.

He was designated Dragon Prancing General and Interior Clerk of Langye. He moved to [Commander-in-Chief?] of the Army Affairs of Yang province and Five Commanderies of Yu province, and Inspector of Yu province. He was stationed at Luoyang.

Later Zhai Liao of the Dingling rebelled [in 386 AD]. Xu dispatched Generals Qin Ying and Tong Bin with the various commanderies of Huai and Si, to together chastise him. Again he was Overseer of All Army Affairs of Yan and Qing provinces and Inspector of the two provinces [on 12 February 387 AD], General like before. He advanced to garrison Pengcheng. Xu requested to garrison Huaiyin, the Emperor permitted it.

Zhai Liao again sent his son Zhao to rob Chen and Ying [later the same year]. Xu turned back and dispatched Qin Ying to chastise Zhao, and ran him off. He was designated General who Conquers the Caitiffs. He petitioned to request to transport from Jiang province, 100 000 hu of uncooked rice and 5 000 bolts of cloth to thereby provide for the army's expenses. A decree listened to him.

He was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Army Affairs of Si, Yong, Liang# and Qin provinces [on 19 June 388]. The Emperor dispatched the General who Broadens Power and Grand Warden of Henan, Yang Quanqi, and the Grand Warden of Nanyang, Zhao Mu, each to lead 1 000 troops as subordinates to Xu.

Xu again petitioned to request produce from the former Inspector of Jing province, Huan Shi[qian]'s office fields of a 100 qing, and also 80 000 hu of grain. Supplied it. He continued defending Luoyang, and guarded the mountains and hills.

After that, Murong Yong led a multitude towards Luoyang [in 390 AD]. Xu crossed north from Huaiyin. He and Yong's bogus general Wang Ci and others came across each other. They therefore fought at Qin River, Ci changed to flight. He beheaded his resisting generals but never the resisting heads [?]. The Army Advisor Zhao Mu and the Chancellor of Jiangxia, Huan Bucai pursued Yong and routed him at Taixing. Yong returned home to Shangdang. At the time Yang Kai assembled a multitude of several thousand, he was at Hu and Shan. He heard Yong was defeated, and dispatched a hostage son to go to Xu and beg to surrender.

Xu pursued Yong to Shangdang's Bai River, he and Yong grasped each other for twenty days. He heard Zhai Liao wished to turn towards Jinyong, and therefore turned back. Thereupon he attacked Zhai Zhao at Shimen. He dispatched the Army Advisor Zhao Fan to rout Zhai Liao at Huai county. Liao escaped in the dark.

Xu withdrew to stay at Luoyang, he kept the Hawk Rising General, Zhu Dang to defend Shimen. Xu still sent his son Lüe as Controller-Protector for Luo City, with Zhao Fan as assistant. Xu turned back to Xiangyang. The King of Kuaiji, Daozi, considered Xu's victories and failures to remedy each other, and did not add praise or censure.

After that, the Colonel of the Eastern Qiang, Dou Chong, wished to enter the Han basin. Haungfu Zhao, a man of Anding, Zhou Xun, a man of Jingzhao, and others planned to admit him. The Inspector of Liang# province, Zhou Qiong, lost the three commanderies of Baxi, the multitudes were few and their strength weak. He reported the urgency to Xu. Xu disp General Huangfu Zhen to lead the multitudes and hasten to him. Chong occupied east of Chang'an, Zhao and Xun scattered and ran.

Xu, due to his age and illnesses, piled up petitioned to be released from office, it was not permitted. A decree put a stop to petitions. Thereupon he immediately left his duties. After several ten days, he return for punishment with the Commandant of Justice. A decree pardoned him without questioning. In the 18th Year of Taiyuan [393 AD], he passed on. He was conferred General of the Left and Cavalier in Regular Attendance.

[darrintuten1]

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[gesundheittipps]

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The post Mauve Brautjungfer Kleid Cabrio Riemen, Brautkleid, Maxikleid mit Rüschenmuster, Rückenfreies Abendkleid, A-Line-Infinity-Kleid (JS081) appeared first on Finden Sie die besten Gesundheitstipps online - Gesundheittippss.com.

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[bookofjin]

Biography of Liu Xia

[From JS081]

Liu Xia, courtesy name Zhengchang, was a native of Yiyang in Guangping. He was by nature decisive and resolute, proficient with the bow and horse, open-minded and tolerant, brave and strong. Coming upon Under Heaven's great chaos, Xia became a fortification master, always striking the traitors. He led strong soldiers to trap the tough and snap the spears-points [?], the Ji region compared him to Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

His countryman the Inspector of Ji province, Shao Xu [JS063], deeply esteemed him, and used a daughter to marry him. Thereupon he walled off between the He and the Ji, the traitors did not dare to pressure. Xia dispatched envoys between the roads to receive Emperor Yuan's rules and measures. The Imperial Court praised him, and with the imperial signet wrote to hearten and encourage, using him as Galloping Dragon General and Inspector of Pingyuan.

At the beginning of Jianwu [317 – 318], Emperor Yuan ordered:

Xia is loyal, brave, decisive and resolute, [his] righteous sincerity can be praised. Use Xia as Interior Clerk of Xiapi, General like before.

Earlier, a native of Pei, Zhou Jian, also named Fu, together with Zhou Mo of the same commandery, because of Under Heaven's chaos, were famous as fortification master, using robbing and confiscating as [their] affair. Mo surrendered to Zu Ti. Fu was angry. He thereupon raided and killed Mo, and used Pengcheng to rebel. Shi Le dispatched cavalry to assist him.

Decreed Xia to act as Interior Clerk of Pengcheng, and together with the Inspector of Xu province, Cai Bao [JS081], and the Grand Warden of Taishan, Xu Kan, punish Fu. They fought at Han Mountain, Fu was defeated and ran.

Decreed to move Xia to be Grand Warden of Linhuai. Xu Kan then rebelled. When the affair was pacified, used Xia as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North and Inspector of Yan province.

At the beginning of Taining [323 – 326], he moved from Pengcheng to garrison Sikou. Wang Han rebelled. Xia and Su Jun [JS100] together hurried to the Imperial capitol. When Han was defeated, he accompanied the Intendant of Danyang, Wen Jiao [JS067] to chase Han, arriving in Huainan. Xia was rather carefree with the troops seizing and robbing. Jiao said:

The Way of Heaven [is] to help and accommodate, for that reason Wang Han was overwhelmed and sundered. [You] cannot follow chaos with making chaos.

Xia deeply explained himself and did obeisance to apologize.

The affair pacified, he was due to his merits enfeoffed Duke of Quanling, and moved to Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Overseer of the Army Affairs North of the Huai, Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Inspector of Xu Province, Acting with the Tally. He replaced Wang Sui to headquarter at Huaiyin.

The affair pacified, he was due to his merits enfeoffed Duke of Quanling, and moved to Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Overseer of the Army Affairs North of the Huai, Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Inspector of Xu Province, Acting with the Tally. He replaced Wang Sui to headquarter at Huaiyin.

1st Year of Xianhe [326 AD], he passed on. He was posthumously conferred General who Calms the North.

His son Zhao was young in years. Emperor Cheng used Xu province to confer on Xhi Jian, and used Guo Mo [JS063] as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, leading Xia's private troops. Xia's younger sister's husband Tian Fang, and Xia's former generals, Shi Die, Bian Xian, Li Long and others, were not delighted with being another's subordinates, and together established Zhao, inheriting Xia's former rank to thereby rebel.

Emperor Cheng dispatched Guo Mo and others to lead the various commanderies and punish them. Mo and others was just then at Shangdao [?], but the Grand Warden of Linhuai, Liu Jiao lead his officers and men, several hundred, for a surprise ambush on Xia's encampment. Die and others burst out and ran. He beheaded Tian Fang and Controller-Protector Bian Xian and others. [He? They?] pursued and beheaded Die and Long at Xiapi, and transmitted the heads to go to the palace. Xia's mother, wife, children, aides and assistants, generals and men, were altogether returned to Jiankang.

Xia's wife was brave and decisive, and had her fathers manners. Xia once was surrounded by Shi Jilong. His wife alone commanded several cavalry, and pulled out Xia to set out from among a multitude of ten thousand. When Tian Feng and others desired to make chaos, Xia's wife halted them. They did not follow. She therefore secretly raised a fire to burn the armour and weaponry completely up.

Zhao inherited the noble title, his official rank reached Cavalier in Regular Attendance. Zhao passed on, his son Ju inherited. He passed on, his son Zunzhi inherited. He passed on, his son Boling inherited. When Song accepted the abdication, the state was abolished.

[bookofjin]

Biography of Zhu Si

[From JS081]

Zhu Si, courtesy name Zhongwen, was a native of Anlu. As young he was a servant messanger to Wu's Commander of the Serrated Gates Tao Dan. When Wu was pacified, he migrated to Jiangxia. Si was martial and brave, but slow of speech and did not know books. He became the commandery's Commander-Controller [?]. When he saw his home village's gentlemen and grandees, he saluted, said [his] name and that was all. When he became Commander, he thereupon accordingly was said to be humble and respectful.

At the rebellion of Zhang Chang [JS100], the Grand Warden, Gong Qin fled to Shekou. Si together with Chen Bao and Bu [?] of the same generation raised and combined multitudes to punish him, but did not prevail. Thereupon they and Qin fled to Wuchang. Later he further more led his section faction to attack and exterminate him [them?].

He moved to Controller of Cavalry Household Troops, concurrently Chief Commandant who Appeases the Yi. Si's household troops and others used the various counties to adhere to Chang. Only his original section song of righteously punishing the rebels. The rebels' followers had suspicions, requesting to separately establish counties. Because of this thereupon partitioned off Anlu's eastern boundary as Sheyang county and connected through it.

Afterwards Chen Min [JS100] made rebellion. Tao Kan [JS066] at the time was headquartered in Jiangxia. Due to Si being able in naval combat, comprehending fully the building of boats and warships, he was therefore dispatched to build a great warship, with appointment as Examiner of the Left, to occupy Jiangkou and destroy and break Min's vanguard. Min's younger brother Hui called himself Inspector of Jing province and was at Wuchang. Kan led Si and the various armies to advance and punish, routing him. When Min and Hui had been pacified, Si for his merits was enfeoffed Marquis of a village, acting as Controller of Cavalry.

At the time the Yi of Xiyang traitorously seized and robbed in Jiangxia. The Grand Warden, Yang Shi always requested the controllers and commanders to discus plans for resisting the traitors. Si alone did not speak. Shi said:

General Zhu, why do [you] not speak?

Si answered, saying:

Many people use their tongues to strike the traitors, Si only uses his strength, that is all.

Shi again asked:

General, from beginning to end [when you] strike the traitors, how can [you] always obtain victory?

Si said:

[When] a pair of foes respond to each other [?], [there is] only to accept to endure it. Others are not able to endure. I am able to endure. Thus follows victory, that is all.

Shi greatly laughed.

In the middle of Yongjia [307 – 313], Shi Le routed Jiangxia. Si and Yang Shi fled to Xiakou. Tao Kan came to defend Xiakou, Si served him, and was promoted to General who Clarifies Power. When Tao Kan punished Du Tao [JS100], he had special merits, and was said to be transmitting Kan [?].

At the battle of Xiakou, Si used an iron face [?] to defend himself , and used a crossbow to shoot several people in the traitors' great host, always killing them. The traitors pulled a ship above the shore, to prepare their ranks at the bank of the river. Si thereupon went up and down the river to accordingly intercept them. An arrow hit his shin-bone, his breath and countenance did not change. The various armies arrived and the traitors were scattered. They chased and struck them, all abandoned their ships and jumped into the river. The dead were the greater half. The traitors at night returned to Changsha. Si pursued to Puqi [?], but did not catch up and turned back. He was promoted to General whose Power is Numerous, with red sun screen and bent cover.

In  the middle of Jianxing [313 – 317], Chen Sheng led various knaves, more than 2 000 families, to sever [?] the Jiang to confiscate and plunder. Kan dispatched Si as Controller-Protector to punish Sheng. Though Sheng's multitudes were few, Si condoned him and did not strike. He requested to dispatch his younger brother to go to Kan and surrender, Si outwardly allowed it. When Sheng left, Si then dispatched strong braves to intercept Sheng's younger brother and beheaded him, and hid an army to attack Sheng.

Sheng on New Year's Day [?] equally set out to sacrifice and worship, eating and drinking. Si's army entered through his gates just as [they were] waking up. Sheng's generals Yan Jin and Zheng Jin both fought desperately. In Si's army men many were wounded, he therefore returned to the encampment. Sheng fled east to defend Dongcheng.

Si again led the various armies to besiege the defenders, and thereupon surrounded the city with heavy firewood. He prepared tall oars [?], used strong crossbows to shoot at them, and also cut off their water flow. Within the city there was no water, they killed the cattle to drink the blood. Yan Jin, a younger brother of Sheng's wife, then beheaded Sheng [and used] the head to set out and surrender. Again, due his to merit in pacifying the traitors of Shu's raids and esteem [?], promoted Si to General of Broad Power, acting as Interior Clerk of Jingling.

At the time Wang Dun [JS098] desired to make use of his younger brother Gao to replace Kan as [Inspector of] Jing province. Kan's former generals, Zheng Pan, Ma Jun# and others begged for Kan to Dun. Dun did not allow it. Pan and others, due to Kan was beginning to wipe out the great traitors, the people all joyously adhering, and als due to Yi [being] jealous, unmanageable and difficult in affairs, planned to together to resist him. They thereupon garrisoned Jieyunkou, and dispatched envoys to report to Si. Si outwardly accepted it, but claimed illness and did not go.

Pan and others thereupon advanced to resist Yi. Then the offices and multitudes questioned and impeded, they again dispersed and returned to Hengsangkou [?], desiring to join Du Zeng [JS100]. At the time Zhui Gui, Zhao You and Li Huan led multitudes wanting to strike them [him?]. Pan and others feared execution. Since the Marshal Sun Jing had prepared the plan to resist Yi, they beheaded him and surrounded to Gui and others.

Yi was about to set out west and dispatched the Senior Clerk Liu Jun to stay and headquarter at the ramparts of Yangkou. At the time Du Zeng happened to request to punish Diwu Yi¤ at Xiangyang. Si spoke to Yi, saying:

Zeng is truly a crafty traitor, outwardly demonstrating to return west, using the doubts in the multitudes' hearts, desiring to persuade and drag out the official army and send it west. Afterwards he will across several roads attack Yangkou, that is all. We ought to greatly divide and separate [?], it is not yet possible to go west.

Yi was by nature self-important [?] and severe in employing himself, and also considered Si to be old, lacking in courage and difficult to trust [?], thereupon journeyed west. Zeng and others hurried to turn back. Yi therefore dispatched Si to return. Just when he had arrived at the ramparts, he was then besieged by Zeng and others. Liu Jun, due to the the rampart's northern gate being in danger, desired to order Si to defend it. Someone told Jun, speaking:

Si and Zheng Pan are the same.

He therefore moved him to defend the southern gate. The traitors knew about it, and attacked his northern gate. At the time Zheng Pan's faction members, Ma Jun# and others, likewise came to attack the ramparts. Jun#'s wife and children earlier were within the ramparts. Someone requested to skin [?] their faces to thereby display them. Si said:

To kill his wife and children will not loosen the siege. It will only increase his anger, that is all.

They therefore desisted. Si was regularly being provoked by crossbows suddenly close-mouthed not shooting [?]. Si considerably loathed them. When the traitors attacked and captured the northern gate, Si was wounded and withdrew within the ship.

Earlier, Jun opened the underside of the various ships [?], using wood to conceal. them, naming them as ship implements. When Si had entered, the traitors raised iron spears [?] to push off Si [?]. Si in response caught and took the spears, and turned around to accordingly push off the traitors. The traitors fled on top of the ship house, greatly calling, speaking:

The leader of the traitors is here!

Si followed the ship's bottom to walk submerged for 50 paces, therefore escaping. He came across a doctor, who made him feel better [?]. Du Zeng dispatched to explain to Si, speaking:

Ma Jun# and others perceived Sir's mercy, that his wife and children obtained life. Exhausting accordingly the hundred mouths outside and inside of Sir's house were to Jun# [?] Jun# already exhaustively in his heart gathers and collects. Sir can come.

Si replied, saying:

Traitors are without those with white heads. Now I am more than 60 years old, and am not able to become a traitor again with Sir. I die, accepting to return south, wife and children entrusted to you.

He then turned back to Mount Zeng. At the time, Wang Yi, Li Huan and Du Zeng grasped each other, amassing battles beneath Mount Zeng. The soldiers of the army several times made surprised calls, speaing:

The traitors desire to arrive. [?]

Si surprised and dejected then passed on. Because of that he was buried at Mount Zeng.

[bookofjin]

Do you have a proper translation of Shao Xu's daughter? Baidu claims that she also fought in battle much like Xun Guan and Li Xiu

She has a brief “biography” appended to that of her husband Liu Xia. I posted a translation of his biography some time ago. You can read it here:

https://bookofjin.tumblr.com/js081

I’ll just quote the relevant parts here:

Liu Xia, courtesy name Zhengchang, was a native of Yiyang in Guangping. He was by nature decisive and resolute, proficient with the bow and horse, open-minded and tolerant, brave and strong. Coming upon Under Heaven's great chaos, Xia became a fortification master, always striking the traitors. He led strong soldiers to trap the tough and snap the spears-points, the Ji region compared him to Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

His countryman the Inspector of Ji province, Shao Xu, deeply esteemed him, and used a daughter to marry him. Thereupon he walled off between the He and the Ji, the traitors did not dare to pressure. Xia dispatched envoys between the roads to receive Emperor Yuan's rules and measures. The Imperial Court praised him, and with the imperial signet wrote to hearten and encourage, using him as Galloping Dragon General and Inspector of Pingyuan.

(In the end though, under pressure from Shi Le’s forces, Liu Xia was forced to relocate southwards, for a while he was at Pengcheng, and then later moved to Sikou. He joined with Su Jun to fight against Wang Han, and was eventually appointed Inspector of Xu province, headquartered at Huaiyin.)

1st Year of Xianhe [326 AD], he passed on. He was posthumously conferred General who Calms the North.

His son Zhao was young in years. Emperor Cheng used Xu province to confer on Chi Jian, and used Guo Mo  as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, leading Xia's private troops. Xia's younger sister's husband Tian Fang, and Xia's former generals, Shi Die, Bian Xian, Li Long and others, were not delighted with being another's subordinates, and together established Zhao, inheriting Xia's former rank to thereby rebel.

Emperor Cheng dispatched Guo Mo and others to lead the various commanderies and punish them. Mo and others was just then at Shangdao, but the Grand Warden of Linhuai, Liu Jiao lead his officers and men, several hundred, for a surprise ambush on Xia's encampment. Die and others burst out and ran. He beheaded Tian Fang and Controller-Protector Bian Xian and others. [They] pursued and beheaded Die and Long at Xiapi, and transmitted the heads to the palace. Xia's mother, wife, children, aides and assistants, generals and men, were altogether returned to Jiankang.

Xia's wife was brave and decisive, and had her fathers manners. Xia once was surrounded by Shi Jilong. His wife alone commanded several cavalry, and pulled out Xia to set out from among a multitude of ten thousand. When Tian Feng and others desired to make chaos, Xia's wife halted them. They did not follow. She therefore secretly raised a fire to burn the armour and weaponry completely up.

[bookofjin]

Could you tell me about Deng Xia? The pixiv artist I showed you a while back really likes to include him in his Huan Wen arts (along with Xie Xuan, Zhu Xu, Chi Chao and Huan Chong) but I can't find much info about Deng that's appealing enough for him to be let alone mentioned

Deng Xia was the son of the Eastern Jin general and official Deng Yue, originally from Chen commandery. He has a tiny biography attached to that of his father in JS081, he is also mentioned in some excerpts of now lost texts. Since there is a lot of overlap between the different fragments, I have edited them together:

A basic biography from JS081, Fu Tao (c. 317 – 396): The Famous among the Grand Marshal's Staff and Functionaries, Xu Guang's (352 – 425) Annals of Jin, and Sheng Hongzhi (5th century) Annals of Jingzhou:

Deng Xia, courtesy name Yingyuan, was a native of Chen commandery, he was the son of the General who Pacifies the South, Yue. His bravery and strength surpassed other people, his vigour overshadowed the time period. At the time people compared him to Fan Kuai. Huan Wen used him as Army Advisor, and he several times accompanied Wen's campaigns and attacks. He was successively General of the Best of the Army and Grand Warden of Jingling, and was noted as a famous general.

At the service of Fangtou, Wen was ashamed and furious in his breast, and moreover feared and dreaded Xia's bravery and resoluteness, and because of that dismissed Xia from office. Soon after he passed on from illness. In the middle of Ningkang [373 – 375], he was posthumously conferred Grand Warden of Luling.

According to JS008, Annals of Emperor Ai, he took part in operations around Luoyang in 362 after that place came under attack from Murong Wei's general Lü Hu:

5th Month, dingsi [5 July 362], dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Yu Yi, and the Grand Warden of Jingling, Deng Xia, to use a naval host to rescue Luoyang.

Autumn, 7th Month [7 August – 4 September], Lü Hu and others withdrew to defend Xiaoping ford. … Deng Xia advanced to garrison Xincheng. Yu Yi’s section commander He Qian fought with Murong Wei’s general Liu Ze at Tanqiu, routing him.

JS008, Annals of the Duke of Haixi, adds a detail from the Fangtou campaign in 369:

9th Month, wuyin [17 October 369], Huan Wen’s assistant generals Deng Xia and Zhu Xu met Wei’s general Fu Mobo at Linzhu, also greatly routing him.

On wuzi [27 October], Wen arrived at Fangtou.

Deng Xia probably participated in more campaigns than this, but no records survive.

The Shishuo xinyou tells this anecdote:

After Deng of Jingling had been dismissed from office, he went to the imperial tombs. Passing by he saw the Grand Marshal, Excellency Huan. His Excellency asked him, saying: “Sir, why are you so much thinner?” Deng said: “For being ashamed before Shuda, [I am] not able to not regret the broken pot”

(Meng Min, courtesy name Shuda, lived during Eastern Han. Once, when the pot he was carrying fell to the ground, he continued walking without looking back. Asked about, he answered: “The pot is broken. What is the point of looking at it?”)

JS081 and the Annals of Jingzhou also tells this story:

North of Xiangyang City, at an inlet of the Mian River there is a pool which is extremely deep, previously it had an evil dragon(蛟) which was often harmful to people. Deng Xia was Grand Warden of Xiangyang, he was vigorous and resolute. He pulled out his sword and entered the river. The dragon coiled around his feet, Xia brandished his sword and cut the dragon into several pieces, and then came out. The flowing blood coloured the water cinnabar. His bravery was ahead of the times, since then there were no troubles with dragons.

Liu Jingsheng's (5th century) Garden of the Strange has a variant of the same:

In Jing province, on the banks of the Mingjiang, there often was an evil dragon killing people, the deaths among those who were washing or drawing water were not separated by a year. In the middle of the Shengping era [357 – 361], Chen commandery's Deng Xia, courtesy name Yingyan, was Grand Warden, he was habitually brave and strong. He was furious and entered the river to seek out the dragon, and managed easily to fist-fight with it. He then pulled and brought it forth to the bank, and wished to lop off and kill it. His mother told him: “A dragon is really a divine creature, better not to kill it [*] . Now [you] can make an incantation, now it will not again be harmful.” Xia made an incantation and released it. From then until the present has passed without this trouble.

* Text actually reads “better to swiftly kill it” 寧忽殺之, but from context seems best to emend to 寧勿殺之

[bookofjin]

So while I was randomly typing in Chinese names of Jin Dynasty figures on the Internet (don't ask me why I do this), I came across a 310 Yongjia mod for Rotk11 that previews a map with the playable factions in Chinese. I recognized some names but couldn't for these guys: 王如，胡亢，王逊，乞活军。I'm still a novice in Chinese so would you mind telling me who these guys are?

Wang Ru 王如 was a minor military official from Guanzhong who fled with other refugees south to the area around Wan and Xiangyang. In 310, when the refugees were ordered to return home, they rebelled instead. Wang Ru defeated several official Jin armies in the area, but over time his followers dwindled, and he eventually surrendered to Wang Dun at an unspecified date.

Hu Kang 胡亢 was a former military official in Jingzhou who gathered a group of adherents and declared himself Duke of Chu in 312. He was later killed by one of his subordinates, Du Zeng, who took over leadership of that group.

Wang Xun 王逊/王遜 was the Jin Inspector of Ningzhou in the far-south-west from c. 310 onwards. Given the remoteness of the region, especially with the rise of Cheng, he basically governed the province as an autonomous warlord. I posted his biography some time ago, you can read it here:

https://bookofjin.tumblr.com/js081

Beg-to-Live乞活 is a title given to several refugee leaders and their followers who fled the wars in Bingzhou in the early Yongjia era. They were mostly aligned with Sima Yue and continued to fight against Han on the Central Plain. They are not called an army 军 in the JS, I guess that is a name given to them by later historians.

[bookofjin]

After Fei, 383a

The Former Qin empire rose from the wreckage of Later Zhao during the 350s to conquer Northern China, and seemed poised to reunite all of China when in 383 AD the Qin invasion of its only remaining rival, the southern Eastern Jin empire, ended in defeat at the battle of Fei river. This about what happened afterwards.

Before Fei river

The history of Former Qin starts with Fu Hong, who in the 300s became a leader among the Di people on the western frontier of the then collapsing Western Jin empire. After 330 he pledged allegiance to Later Zhao which by had reunited most of Northern China. Some years later he was resettled with his adherents on the Central Plain. Fu Hong died in 350, by that time Later Zhao was rapidly collapsing into civil war.

Fu Hong's son and successor Fu Jian# led his followers west into Guanzhong and established his capital at Chang'an, and in 351 he declared himself Heavenly King of Great Qin. Fu Jian# died already in 355, and was succeeded as Heavenly King by his son Fu Sheng. Fu Sheng's reign was even shorter, in 357 he fell victim to a coup by his cousin Fu Jian, who deposed and killed Fu Sheng, and declared himself Heavenly King of Qin.

During Fu Jian's long reign, the Qin empire vastly expanded its territory. To the east his armies conquered the Murong Xianbei's state of Yan in 370, to the west the Zhang clan's Liang in 376, and to the north the Tuobai Xianbei's Dai, also in 376. To the south the Qin also made major inroads against the Jin, taking Chengdu in 373, and Xiangyang in 379 after a lengthy siege.

In a practice inherited from Later Zhao, Fu Jian resettled many of the defeated peoples in the vicinity of its capital at Chang'an. He also sought to incorporate the old leadership of the conquered states into Qin by investing them with titles and ranks. Hence several members of the Murong clan became generals of Qin, including Murong Wei, the last Yan emperor. Yao Chang, brother of a defeated warlord, became a provincial governor. These practices eased the annexation of new territories, but left potential rivals in positions of authority.

Qin empire in 382

The Fei River campaign

Qin's 19th Year of Jianyuan (“Establishing the Inaugural”), Jin's 8th Year of Taiyuan (“Grand Inaugural”), the 383rd Year of the Lord, the consulship of Flavius Merobaudes (II) and Flavius Saturninus.

In the summer of that year, the Jin generel Huan Chong attacked Xiangyang, other Jin forces also invaded the Shu region. Fu Jian dispatched troops to counter these threats and the Jin armies withdrew. Then in autumn, Fu Jian proclaimed his full response, a great invasion of Jin, to be commanded by himself. On 20 September, he set out from Chang'an at the head of an army supposedly numbering 870 000 men, but this number is surely greatly exaggerated, and set up his headquarters at Xiangcheng.

At the time the ruler of Jin was Sima Yao, posthumously Emperor Xiaowu (“the Filial and Martial”), then a 21 year old young man, however he was not an active ruler. In practise head of the central government was the General of Guards, Xie An. Xie An did not take command in the field himself, but instead appointed his relatives Xie Shi, Xie Xuan and Xie Yan, and Huan Yi, a clansman of Huan Chong.

Fu Jian dispatched his brother Fu Rong with the vanguard to attack Shouyang (formerly Shouchun), which he captured on 28 November. Fu Jian came to join him there, but the bulk of the army apparently remained at Xiangcheng. Xie Shi marched north with the Jin army, and the Jin vanguard under Xie Shi and Liu Laozhi destroyed a smaller Qin force at Luo Creek.

The Jin army arrived before Shouyang, and the Qin army deployed behind the Fei River. At this point we are told, Xie Xuan sent a messenger to Fu Jian and Fu Rong, arguing that they should pull back from the river and let the Jin army cross, then they could fight a decisive battle. They agreed to this, planning to retreat only a short distance before falling on the still crossing Jin army. However once the Qin army began retreating, it proved impossible to turn it around again. The retreat turned into a rout, Fu Rong was killed while trying to re-establish control of the situation, and the whole army dissolved. The Jin killed several ten thousands of the fleeing enemies and captured the provisions and treasures left behind, including Fu Jian's sedan chair and imperial chariot. JS009, the Annals of Xiaowu, dates the rout of Fu Jian to 30 November 383.

Modern historians have questioned the historical accuracy of the traditional accounts outlined above, however as my intention is not to focus on the battle of Fei river, but on what happened afterwards, I will not go into too much detail on this here, however I think that:

Army numbers running into several hundred thousands can be safely disregarded.

There is no reason to doubt that Fu Jian did attack Jin in 383 with the goal of at least capturing Shouyang, and that this campaign ended in failure. This would certainly have harmed Fu Jian's prestige, and it is hard to see how this can have had no connection with the Qin empire's massive internal troubles that started soon after.

More speculative, I suspect that Fu Rong's army would have included many of Fu Jian's best and most reliable troops, and that heavy losses among this force would have disproportionally weakened Fu Jian's military strength.

Flight across the Huai

During the battle at Fei river, Fu Jian was hit by a stray arrow (JS114), and with his army collapsing, fled north across the Huai, alone on a single horse according to the sources (WS085, JS114), but it probably best  to not take this too literally and understand it as including a small retinue. He was pursued by the Jin commanders Mao Qu and Tian Cizhi, but upon reaching Zhongyang without catching him they turned back (JS081).

Murong Wei had been Emperor of Yan until his surrender to Qin in 370, and later been made a general of Qin. During the Fei river campaign he had been stationed with an army at Yuncheng while another Qin commander, Jiang Cheng was at Zhangkou. The Jin Grand Warden of Sui commandery, Xiahou Cheng, attacked Jiang Cheng, and killed him. Murong Wei then abandoned his army and fled north.

Given the cataclysmic nature of the Fei river battle, many stories about would have sprung up about it in its aftermath. One story tells that the fleeing Fu Jian arrived north of the Huai very hungry. He met someone who gave him a pot with cooked piglet haunch. Fu Jian praised him and bestowed a gift of silk, but the person refused to accept. Fu Jian had been bored with happiness and had now gotten what he wanted. Moreover the ruler was like a subject parents, and a son cannot help his father and then request repayment. Hearing this, a deeply ashamed Fu Jian turned to his dear concubine, Lady Zhang, asked how he could again face the world, and wept (JS114).

Another story says that after the defeat at Fei river, Lady Zhang got separated from Fu Jian. Murong Wei, who must have come across her during his own flight, wished to protect and deliver her to Fu Jian. His uncle, Murong De, protested, calling Lady Zhang a mistress of confusion and chaos whose presence had led to the Qin army's defeat. They should just pretend not to have seen her, and leave her behind. Murong Wei rejected this advise. Later on, at Xingyang, Murong De advised Murong Wei that with Qin's defeat it was time to act and restore Yan. Murong Wei again rejected Murong De's advise, so Murong De went to join Murong Chui. (JS127)

It is not clear how this set of stories should be reconciled with story of Fu Jian and the gift of piglet haunch above, and the Murong war council below, quite likely none of these stories are historical.

The Murong war council

The General of the Best of the Army, Murong Chui, was another of Murong Wei's uncles, and Murong De's elder brother. During Yan he commanded the successful defence against the invasion by the Jin general Huan Wen in 369, however he soon after fell out with Murong Wei's regents and was forced to flee to Qin. In Qin he was again made a general, and he took part in the Xiangyang campaign against Jin in 378.

He commanded a separate army during the Fei river campaign, with the destruction of Fu Rong, Murong Chui's army was the only intact Qin force in the area (WS085), numbering some 30 000 according to one source (ZZTJ105), and Fu Jian now came to him with 1 000 cavalry he had been able to gather (WS085).

Fu Jian's vulnerable position gave Murong Chui the perfect opportunity to turn against his ruler should he choose to do so, his army could have easily overwhelmed Fu Jian's retinue. The sources then record a council of sorts where Murong Chui's senior followers one by one attempts to convince him to act.

Murong Bao, Chui's son and heir, said that Chui had been biding his time, but now that Heaven had cast Qin into chaos, it was time to act. Whatever favour Chui had received from Qin paled compared to the insult of Qin conquering Yan. Moreover, earlier in Chang'an, when Bao had been playing the dice game chaupar with some friends, he had vowed to take a good throw as a divine sign of good fortune, and then gone on to make the best throw. Chui replied that he refused to turn against his benefactor at this point, but would follow him north and watch for further faults. There was no need to hurry if Heaven had indeed abandoned Fu Jian. (JS123)

Murong De, Chui's younger brother, then said that it was natural for states to swallow each other. Before, when Qin was strong, it had conquered Yan. Now, when Qin was weak, they were plotting against it. He then listed several historical examples where refusal to listen to advise had ended in disaster, and urged Chui to become another Tang of Shang or Wu of Zhou, rather than another Han Xin. They should strike now, turn against Fu Jian, and restore Yan. If they waited too long, the moment might be lost and disaster would follow. To this Chui replied that Fu Jian had saved him when he had been on the run from Yan, and again when he had been slandered in Qin. If Qin truly was doomed, he would unite the lands East of the Passes and restore Yan, nothing more. (JS123)

The final recorded speaker was Murong Chui's Army Advisor Zhao Qiu. Murong Chui was destined to restore Yan as evident in prophecies and omens. They should kill Fu Jian, occupy Ye, the former Yan capital, and march west and conquer the Qin heartlands. Murong Chui's relatives and supporters often recommended they kill Fu Jian, but Chui always refused. (ZZTJ105)

Journey to Luoyang, Murong Chui departs

After joining up with Murong Chui, Fu Jian headed west towards Chang'an. Underway he gathered up those who had scattered in the defeat. The sources claim that by the time he reached Louyang, he had gathered more 100 000, and court functions had somewhat been restored. (JS114)

During the journey, Murong Chui was advised by another of his sons, Murong Nong. That Chui had not taken advantage of Fu Jian when he was in danger was sure to impress Heaven and Earth. Nong had heard there was a prophecy which said that Yan would be restored on the north side of the He. One does not wait ten days to check if an unripe fruit us hard or not. (ZZTJ105)

Murong Chui took these words to heart. When they reached Mianchi, he approached Fu Jian and asked for permission to go with his army to the northern border and prevent incursions from peoples emboldend by Fu Jian's recent defeat, and on the way to visit his old family tombs at Ye. Fu Jian permitted it. (TPYL125)

Afterwards, Fu Jian's advisor Quan Yi protested, calling Murong Chui the Han Xin and Bai Qi of their age who would surely not be content with being a mere general. Chui had come to Qin out of necessity, like a starving hawk who would fly away when fed. They ought to recall him immediately. (JS123) Fu Jian agreed with this assessment, but he had already given Chui leave to go, and refused to go back on his word. Quan Yi replied that Fu Jian was putting small truths before the security of the state. (TPYL125)

Fu Jian is here running in full Doomed Last Ruler mode, whose every decision brings him closer to ruin. However he may simply have felt himself not strong enough to confront Murong Chui directly. If Murong Chui had the support of his troops, then attempting to restrain or apprehend him could have led directly to open battle and civil war.

Fu Jian did in any case take steps to strengthen the defences of his eastern territories against rebellion. He dispatched the General of Valiant Cavalry Shi Yue with 3 000 troops to Ye (where his son Fu Pi commanded the garrison), the General of Agile Cavalry, Zhang Hao, with 5 000 of the Feathered Forest guard, to Bing province, and left behind 4 000 troops under the General of the Headquarter Army, Mao Dang, to defend Luoyang. (JS114) He also provided Murong Chui with an additional escort of 3 000 troops under generals Li Man, Min Liang, and Yin Guo. (JS123)

(Li Man is not mentioned again in the sources.)

One source further tells that Quan Yi secretly dispatched soldiers to intercept Murong Chui at the bridge across the He. However Murong Chui suspected something, and instead prepared rafts to cross at a different place. He also sent his Army Director Cheng Tong, dressed in his clothes and riding his horse, with some of the page boys to the bridge. When the ambushers sprung their trap, Cheng Tong galloped away and escaped.

[bookofjin]

Biography of Cai Bao

[From JS081]

Cai Bao [b. 269, d. 320], courtesy name Shixuan was a native of Yucheng in Chenliu. His great-great-grandfather Zhi was Han's Commandant of Guards and uncle of the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the Left, Yong. His grandfather Mu was Wei's Master of Writing. His father Hong was Grand Warden of Yinping.

Bao was a spirited person [?], he was successively Assistant of Henan and Grand Warden of Changle and Qinghe. To escape the chaos he crossed south. Emperor Yuan used him as General who Excites the Martial and Grand Warden of Linhuai. He was moved to General who Establishes Power and Inspector of Xu province.

Earlier, when Zu Ti [J062] Swas [Inspector of] Xu province, Bao was his Marshal, [Ti] habitually disrespected Bao. Arriving at this point, Ti was [Inspector] of Yu province and Bao was [Inspector of] Xu province, all accepting to rely on [him] for conquering and punishing, Ti was considerably ashamed for it.

At that time the Grand Warden of Taishan, Xu Kan and the Interior Clerk of Pengcheng, Liu Xia [JS081], together punished the rebel traitor Zhou Fu at Mount Han [in 319, JS006]. Kan's general Yu Yao beheaded Fu. And yet when debating the achievements, Xia was before him.

Kan was angry, and used Taishan to rebel, titling himself General who Placates the North and Inspector of Yan province. He attacked the Grand Warden of Dongguan, Hou Shimao and occupied his entrenchments. Shi Jilong struck him. Kan was afraid and requested to surrender. Emperor Yuan allowed him to.

Then [Kan] returned to rebellion and reverted to Shi Le. Le dispatched his generals Wang Fudu, Zhang Jing and others with several hundred cavalry to help Kan. Decreed the General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Yang Jian [JS081], the General of Martial Power, Hou Li, the Grand Warden of Linhuai, Liu Xia, the Xianbei Duan Wenyang and others, to unite with Bao and punish him. The various generals were fearful and timid, halted the troops at Xiapi and did not dare to go forward. Bao desired to advance the army, but Jian firmly did not allow it.

Kan dispatched envoys requesting aid from Le. Le refused due to outside difficulties, and yet many times requested it from Kan. [?] Also Wang Fudu and others were licentious to his house [or “in his house”?]. Kan understood Le would not help and also worried about Fudu and others indulging in savagery. He therefore killed them and again requested to surrender.

Emperor Yuan detested his repeated rebellions and did not accept, guiding Bao and Jian to use the time to advance and punish. Jian, Liu Xia and others all doubted and shirked, did not listen to and follow each others, and exchanged requests for news. Because of that Bao for a long time did not manage to advance.

The Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Diao Xie [JS069], memorialised, saying: “Your Subject and others prostrate to consider the the conquering army north of the Huai's continuous failure and lack of speed. Presently the region is sweltering hot and when braving to cross mountain passes, the mountain people can conveniently shoot crossbows, being familiar with the mores of the land. If one person defends a defile, a hundred men can not take it. [?]

Moreover water transport arrive with difficulty, if in one morning provisions are poor, it is not again  possible for the wise [?] to defend and resist.

The Documents says to soothe to summon people and not to summon among people. [?] [We] ought to halt the soldiers at their place and deeply fortify with strong walls. When autumn arrives and is not complete, then we advance the great army.”

A decree said: “To recognize difficulties and withdraw, truly unites the words of military families. Surely mean thieves, although cunning and crafty, formerly were completely captured and that was all. To not fight and yet withdraw, was before to humiliate and disgrace yourself, and likewise shunned by the ancients. Moreover Shao [?] is already occupying the thieves' ramparts, dominating power is already aroused. It is not possible to withdraw a single step!”

With that dispatched the Imperial Clerk Preparer of Documents Hao Gu to be acting as tribunal, urging and managing, and ordering to advance and punish. Bao desired to straight-away advance, Jian held on and did not listen.

Xie again memorialised to dismiss Jian from office and appoint Bao to be the vanguard, use Jian's troops to blend with his, decrease his title by removing General of Guards [?], due to his duties behind his best [?].

Bao advanced to occupy Biancheng, desiring to use it to pressure Kan. At the time Shi Jilong was garrisoning Juping and wanted to attack Bao. Bao escaped in the night. He withdrew to defend Xiapi. Xu Kan raided and seized Bao's baggage wagons at Tanqiu. Generals Liu Chong and Lu Dang fought with all their strength and died there.

Bao was already defeated and wanted to return and apologize for the crime. The Palace Attendant of the North, Wang Shu, stopped him and said: “The Hu bandits have just arrived, suppose the Lord moreover undertakes to administer his post, [you will] be the protective shield of the hundred families. When the traitors withdraw apologize for the crime, [it will not be?]  too late.” Bao followed him.

Emperor Yuan heard Bao had withdrawn, and sent [people] to arrest him. When the envoys arrived, Wang Shu in the night used troops to surround Bao. Bao due to having these [?] difficulties, led those beneath the banner [his close subordinates] to attack him. Hearing there was a decree he then desisted. Shu arrested Bao and sent him off to Jiankang. [There they] beheaded him, his corpse was in the marketplace for three days. At the time he was 52 years old.

When Bao was in the lands of Xu, he inside consoled the generals and soldiers and outside cherised the various multitudes, to a great extent obtaining emotions of near and far. Hearing of his death, many grieved and pitied him.

He was without sons. His elder brother's son Yi, courtesy name Yuanzi, [was] Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Inspector of Yan province and Marquis of Gaoyang district. During Yin Hao's northern invasion, he sent Yi to lead the multitudes setting out from Pengcheng. He passed on with the army.

Yang Jian, courtesy name Jingqi, was a native of Taishan. His father Ji was Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the Xiongnu. His elder brother Wei was successively Grand Coachman and Inspector of Yan and Xu provinces. Jian became Grand Warden of Dongyang and amassed to be moved to Guard Leader of the Left to the Heir-Apparent.

At the time Xu Kan turned to rebellion, the Minister over the Masses, Wang Dao [JS065], due to Jian being from a leading family in Kan's province [?], [thought he would] surely be able to overpower him, and requested to dispatch [Jian] north to punish [Kan]. Jian deeply confessed his talent was not commanding a host. The Grand Commandant, Xi Jian [JS067], likewise petitioned, saying Jian was not talented [and they] ought not foolishly send [him]. Dao did not accept, and powerfully put forward to confer and use him as Commander-in-Chief of Conquering and Punishing. In the end he achieved defeat.

Dao, due to recommending Jian [who was] not talented, requested himself to be demoted. The Emperor did not follow. He had the ministers set right on Jian being beheaded as punishment. Emperor Yuan decreed to use Jian on the outer staff of the Consort Dowager, with a special pardon from death, and removed his name [from the list of qualified officials?]. For a long time after that he had minor offices.

When Emperor Cheng was enthroned, relaxed his punishment and revived him to the high. Due his merits, he was enfeoffed Marquis of Fengcheng county and moved to Superintendent of the Brilliantly Blessed. He passed on.

[bookofjin]

Biography of Tao Kan, Part 2

[From JS066]

Soon after, he moved to Dragon Galloping General and Grand Warden of Wuchang. At the time Under Heaven was famished and wasted, many of the mountain barbarians [yi] cut off the Jiang to rob and plunder. Kan ordered the various generals to pretend to construct merchant ships to thereby entice them. When the plunderers as a result arrived, [they] emerged and captured several people, being the left and right of the King of Xiyang, Yang.

The plunderers as a result arrived [?], [they had] captured alive several people who were the left and right of the King of Xiyang, Yang. Kan immediately dispatched troops to pressure Yang, ordering them to set out towards the traitors. Kan deployed the columns at Diaotai to be the rear connection. Yang tied up and sent off 20 people from beneath his tent. Kan beheaded them.

From this water and land was respectful and peaceful. With the roads overflowing with drifters and the lost returning home, Kan exhausted his wealth to succour and supply them. He also established barbarian markets in the east of the commandery, greatly harvesting their profits.

Then the Emperor sent Kan to strike Du Tao [JS100]. He ordered the General who Rouses Power, Zhou Fang [JS058], and the General who is Broad Martial, Zhao You [JS057] to accept Kan's rules and measures. Kan ordered the two generals to be the vanguard, and his elder brother's son Yu to be the left flank. He struck the traitors and routed them.

At the time Zhou Yi [JS69] was Inspector of Jing province. He previously headquartered at Xunshui city, the traitors plundered his Liangkou. Kan sent his section general Zhu Si [JS081] to rescue him. The traitors withdrew to defend Lingkou. Kan spoke to the various generals, saying:

These traitors will surely change to walk towards Wuchang. I ought to return to the city, [we] can arrive after travelling day and night for three days. Do you Sirs know how to be able to endure the starvation and fight?

The section general Wu Ji said:

[I] require and desire ten days to endure hunger. In daytime [I] will strike the traitors, at night disperse to catch fish. Sufficient thereby to aid each other.

Kan said:

Sir is a sturdy general.

The traitors as a results increased their troops and came to attack. Kan sent Zhu Si and others to confront and strike. They greatly routed them, captured their supply wagons, and killed and wounded a considerable multitude. He dispatched the Army Advisor Wang Gong to announce the victory to Wang Dun [JS100]. Dun said:

Suppose [we] had not Marquis Tao, [we would] readily lose Jing province. Boren just now entered the frontier, and readily was routed by the traitors. [I] do not understand how [he] became Inspector.

[Boren was Zhou Yi's courtesy name.]

Gong replied, saying:

This lowly province just now has affairs and difficulties.. Without Dragon Galloping Tao it is impossible.

Dun agreed, and promptly petitioned to designated Kan as Envoy Holding the Tally, General who Soothes the Far-off, Colonel of the Southern Man and Inspector of Jing province, to command Xiyang, Jiangxia and Wuchang, headquarter at Dunkou, and also move to enter the Mian-Jiang [region].

He dispatched Zhu Si and others to punish the traitors of Jiangxia, and killed them. The traitor Wang Chong called himself Inspector of Jing province, and occupied Jiangling. Wang Gong turned back, and came to Jingling. He fabricated Kan's instructions, and used Du Zeng [JS100] as Great Controller-Protector of the Vanguard, advanced the army to behead Chong, and comprehensively took the surrender of his multitudes.

Kan summoned Zeng but he did not come. Gong also feared [he would be] sized for the crime of fabricating instructions [?]. Thereupon he and Zeng raised troops in rebellion. They struck Kan's Controller-Protector Zheng Pan at Dunyang, routing him, and also defeated Zhu Si at Miankou. Kan desired to withdraw and enter Yunzhong. The section general Zhang Yi wanted to be second [?] to Kan, and deceptively advised, saying:

[For] the traitors to arrive and then act, [is for] the multitudes surely not possible. [?]

He misled him so hid did not advance. No matter what [?], the traitors arrived. As a result he was defeated by them. he traitors hooked the warship Kan was sailing. Kan was hard-pressed and in a critical position, and fled to enter a small boat. Zhu Si fought with all his power, and only then obtained escape. Zhang Yi in the end ran to the traitors. Kan was convicted and dismissed from office. Wang Dun petitioned to use Kan as an unranked commoner to lead his post [?].

Kan again led Zhou Fang and others to advance the army and enter the Xiang. He sent the Chief Commandant Yang Ju to spur on ahead. He struck Du Tao, greatly routed him, and garrisoned the troops to the west of the city. Kan's Accessory Clerk explained the achievements to Wang Dun, saying:

Provincial general Tao sent [me?] to you Lord to uniquely basically specially establish, accompanying unassumingly to reach visibility, merits of loyalty and fairness [?] being had as result [?]. He set out to help the Southern Xia, assisting and aiding Conquers the South Liu. First coming across Zhang Chang, later during Chen Min, Kan used sideways travel to alone take on the great bandits, without conquest and no vanquishing, the crowd of detestables were routed and exterminated.

Recently, Wang Ru made chaos to the north, Du Tao straddled the south. Two conquerors ran and fled [?], as one the province in starlight hurried, its remaining commanderies and counties, in them the ground ruptured [?]. Kan summoned and pulled along using the rites, embraced the distant using virtue. The multitudes of the sons that came, from beginning to end amassed extremely [?].

He received and inherited taking responsibility for the conferral, alone defending imperilled and endangered. People departed [but he] did not move. People left [but he] did not disperse. In past years he directed and supervised, directly preparing the cities of Xiang, with ambitions to climb the clouds and skies, divine impetus alone pass judgement.

To no avail, due to the army having few provisions [and being] isolated, he did not as a result offer up a victory. As such Du Tao was afraid and scared, he came and turned back to Xiakou. He had not yet passed through two nights in the same place, [when] drifters of Jianping welcome the traitors to rebel together. Kan immediately turned around the army and sailed upstream to weed out the barbarians and detestables. Reaching making the Western Gate unbarred, the borders of the Hua without worries, the merits of Kan.

The Enlightened General sympathized with these Jing and Chu, saved [their] fate from mire and charcoal, and sent Kan to govern and lead the the remnants of the destitute and withered, during the cold to clothe them, during famines to feed them, house by house congratulating each other, having in the same way squeezed the floss silk [?].

The Jiang's banks are uniquely dangerous [?], the ground has no major narrow points. It is not possible for a single army to alone be able to protect and solidify. For that reason [he] moved to come to Gaoji, thereby avoiding its thoroughfares. The traitors' light and rash arrived first, the great multitudes were after. Kan resisted in battle through the day, killing their famous leaders.

The traitors made use of dogs and sheep to join each other [?], and with equal strength came to attack [?]. Kan used the composure of a loyal subject, righteously without retreat or looking back, put on tough [armour] and carried sharp [weapons], personally undertook acts of war. Generals and soldiers strove to strike, and could not but obey the instructions. The dead during that time could not be counted.

The traitors' multitudes were arranged in fives, alternately resting and fighting. Kan due to the solitary army [being] a single unit, its strength not alone holding out, measured when proper to cut off or maintain [?], thereby waiting to later raise up [?].

Yet the master calls Kan to account, to honour and promote or demote and scrape off [?] Kan is by nature humble and modest, when the deed is complete he personally withdraws [?]. Now in receiving acceptance for turning back [?], [he?] only fears to delay and tarry.

As such, so-and-so and others of little account truly fear management be neglected in the interior, affairs will fail outside, the mistakes of presumption administration will be brought about in a thousand villages [?], cause the Man蠻 of Jing to turn aside and depart, the western mountain crooks undefended. With the lips gone the teeth are cold, invasion will pressure without limit.

Dun hence petitioned to restore Kan to office.

Tao's general Wang Gong with 3 000 spirited soldiers set out for the Wuling Jiang, and enticed the Five Creeks barbarians. He used a naval host to cut off official transports, and went straight towards Wuchang. Kan sent Zheng Pan and the General who Prostrates the Waves, Tao Yan, to hasten by night Baling. They hid the host to ambush them while unprepared, greatly routing them. They beheaded more than 1000 and took the surrender of more than 10 000. Gong escaped and turned back to Xiang city.

Among the traitors [they were] leaving from hopelessness. Du Tao thereupon suspected Zhang Yi and killed him. The multitude's feelings were increasingly fearful, those who surrendered grew more and more. Wang Gong again challenged for battle. Kan from afar spoke to him, saying:

When Du Tao was Inspector of Yi province he robbed and used the treasury cash, his father died [but] he did not run to mourn. Sir originally was a talented person, why are [you] following him? Rather than Under Heaven [you] would rather have white headed traitors! [?]

Gong began with sidewise feet atop the horse [?]. When Kan had finished speaking, Gong composed his features and put down his feet, his expression and appearance were considerably amiable. Kan knew he could be moved, and again ordered and explained to him, cutting off his hair as a pledge. Gong thereupon came to surrender.

Then Tao was defeated and ran. [Kan] advanced and overcame Changsha, he captured his generals Mao Bao, Gao Bao and Liang Kan, and turned back.

[bookofjin]

Annals of Emperor Xiaowu, Part 1

[From JS009. Huan Wen dies 18 August 373. In the north Fu Jian expands his territory, conquering Shu, Liang and Dai. Meanwhile at Jiankang, Xie An becomes Minister over the Masses while Xie Xuan takes command of all Jin armies north of the Jiang.]

The Filial and Martial [xiaowu] August Emperor, taboo Yao, courtesy name Changming, was Emperor Jianwen's third son. 3rd Year of Xingning, 7th Month, jiashen [19 September? 365], he was first enfeoffed King of Kuaiji.

2nd Year of Xian'an, Autumn, 7th Month, jiwei [12 September 372], he was established as August Heir-Apparent. That day, Emperor Jianwen expired and the Heir-Apparent was enthroned as August Emperor. A decree said:

We, due to not being prepared, soon coming across grieving the ill omen, shout at the sky and strike the earth. Disperse the knowledge being informed [?]. Disdaining the immature and callow, minute like joining pearl fringes, deeply only the weight of the altars of soil and grain, greatly fear not carrying out the load and burden. [We] look up to and relying on the spirits of the founders and ancestors, sacrifices for [their] amassed up virtue.

The Former Emperor's honest manners and profound reforms, bequeathed songs among the people [?]. The stewards assists and the worthy are virtuous [?], merits are plentiful and virtue abundant. The relied on for looking after the instructions, truly depends on restoring the teachings. The crowd of princes leads the duties, the hundred companions are industrious in government.

[We?] hope for a person of orphaned weakness to have refuge, the foundation of the August Utmost not to fall. Former mercy bequeaths kindness, spreading to the Four Seas, pondering the vast remaining enrichment [?], thereby prospering the numerous multitudes. Thus a great amnesty Under Heaven, to give the people a further beginning.

9th Month, jiayin [6 November], posthumously venerated the Late Mother, the Consort of the King of Kuaiji, as the Obedient [shun] August Empress.

Winter, 10th Month, dingmao [19 November], buried August Emperor Jianwen in the Gaoping Mound.

11th Month, jiawu [16 December], the bewitching traitor Lu Song at dawn entered the palace courtyard. The General who Floats and Strikes, Mao Anzhi, and others, punished and captured him.

This Year, in the Three Wu a great drought, among the people many starved to death. Decreed there to be relief given.

Fu Jian took Chouchi, and captured the Inspector of Qin province, Yang Shi.

[Ningkang 1]

[9 February 373 – 28 January 374]

1st Year of Ningkang [“Tranquil Prosperity”], Spring, 1st Month, jichou, New Moon [9 February], changed the inaugural.

2nd Month [10 March – 8 April], the Great Marshal, Huan Wen, came to court.

3rd Month, guichou [4 May], decreed to remove the taxes for Danyang's 4 pontoon bridges, Zhuge and others [?].

Summer, 5th Month [7 June – 6 July], drought.

Autumn, 7th Month, jihai [18 August], the Envoy Holding the Tally, Palace Attendant, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs in the Centre and Outside, Imperial Chancellor, Recording the Masters of Writing, Grand Marshal, Shepherd of Yang province, General who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Xu and Yan provinces, the Duke of Nan commandery, Huan Wen, passed away.

On gengxu [29 August], advanced the General of the Right, Huan Huo [JS074], to be General who Conquers the West. Used the Inspector of Jiang province, Huan Chong as General of the Army of the Centre, Commander-in-Chief of All army Affairs of Yang, Yu and Jiang provinces and Inspector of Yang province, headquartered at Gushu.

8th Month, renzi [31 August?], the Chongde Empress Dowager presided over court and administered the government.

9th Month [3 October – 1 November], Fu Jian's general Yang An robbed Chengdu.

On bingshen [14 October], used the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Wang Biaozhi [JS076] as Prefect of the Masters of Writing; the Master of Writing of the Personnel Section, Xie An [JS079], as Supervisor of the Masters of Writing; the Interior Clerk of Wu state, Diao Yi, as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North and Inspector of Xu and Yan provinces, headquartered at Guangling. Again set up the offices of Superintendent of the Brilliantly Blessed, Great Minister of Agriculture and Privy Treasurer.

Winter, 10th Month, the Duke of Xiping, Zhang Tianxi [JS086], offered as tribute things of the region.

11th Month [1 December – 30 December], Fu Jian's general Yang An took Zitong and Liang# and Yi provinces. The Inspector, Zhou Zhongsun [JS058], led 5 000 cavalry to escape south.

[Ningkang 2]

[29 January 374 – 16 February 375]

2nd Year, Spring, 1st Month, guiwei [29 January], a great amnesty. Posthumously enfeoffed and conferred on the former Heir of Kuaiji, Yu, to be King Xian of Linchuan.

On jiyou [24 February], the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North and Inspector of Xu and Yan provines, Diao Yi, passed on.

2nd Month, guichou [28 February], used the Intendant of Danyang, Wang Tanzhi [JS075], as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North and Inspector of Xu and Yan provinces.

On dingsi [4 March], there was a comet star in the Maiden and Barren [lodges].

3rd Month, bingxu [2 April], a broomstick comet was seen in the Base [lodge].

Summer, 4th Month, renxu [8 May], the August Empress Dowager decreed, saying:

Lately the profound images are mistaken and off the mark, Heaven above is displayed unusually, looking up to observe these changes, [We] shake with fear in our breast. As for the causes to the changes in presenting and retiring, from the Way of the Ancients [?], We dare not carry out the thoughts repeatedly in [Our] heart, thereby pondering in Our mean [?].

Again the Three Wu's inner soil [?], the thighs and arms are looking at the commanderies, yet floods and droughts arrive together, the hundred families lose their patrimony, from dawn to dusk they only grieve, [We?] are unable to forget in [Our?] breasts, the proper time to aid and help, relieving their languishing exhaustion.

For the counties of the Three Wu, Yixing, Jinling and Kuaiji which were flooded where it was particularly considerable [?], fully remove one year of cloth tax, those next allow removing half a year, accept relief loans to already thereby bestow on them [?].

5th Month [27 May – 25 June], Zhang Yu, a native of Shu, titled himself King of Shu, and led the multitudes to besiege Chengdu. He dispatched envoys to calling himself a vassal [?].

Autumn, 7th Month [25 July – 23 August], in Liang province the earth shook, mountains collapsed.

Fu Jian's general Deng Qiang attacked Zhang Yu, and exterminated him.

9th Month, dingchou [19 November], there was a comet star in the Heavenly Market.

Winter, 11th Month, jiyou [21 December], in Tianmen, Dan traitors attacked the commandery. The Grand Warden, Wang Fei, died there. The General who Conquers the West, Huan Huo, dispatched a host to punish and pacify them.

Qian Bushe and Qian Hong, natives of Changcheng, and others made chaos. The Grand Warden of Wuxing, Zhu Xu [JS081], punished and pacified them.

On guiyou [14 January], the General who Garrisons the Distant, Huan Shiqian [JS074], routed Fu Jian's general Yao Chang at Dianjiang.

[Ningkang 3]

[17 February 375 – 6 February 376]

3rd Year, Spring, 1st Month, xinhai [21 February], a great amnesty.

Summer, 5th Month, bingwu [16 June], the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North and Inspector of Xu and Yan provinces, the Marquis of Lantian, Wang Tanzhi, passed on.

On jiayin [24 June], used the General of the Army of the Centre and Inspector of Yang province, Huan Chong as General who Garrisons and Inspector of Xu province, headquartered at Dantu. The Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Xie An, acted as Inspector of Yang province.

Autumn, 8th Month, guisi [1 October], established the August Empress, Ms. Wang. A great amnesty and added to the ranks of the civil and military officials 1 grade.

9th Month [11 October 9 - November], the Emperor discussed the Classic of Filial Piety.

Winter, 10th Month, guiyou, New Moon [10 November], the sun was eclipsed [OK].

12th Month, guiwei [19 January], calamity of the Shenshou gate.

On jiashen [20 January], the August Empress Dowager decreed, saying:

Lately the sun's eclipse announces change. Floods and droughts do not arrive. Though carrying out and personally considering aid, it is not yet finished in its regions. Thus bestow grain on those of the hundred families who are impoverished, 5 hu per person.

On guisi [29 January], the Emperor released sacrifices in the Central Hall, worshipped Master Kong, using Yan Hui as the match.

[Taiyuan 1]

[7 February 376 – 25 January 377]

The 1st Year of Taiyuan [“Grand Inaugural”], Spring, 1st Month, renyin [7 February], New Moon, the Emperor applied the inaugural clothes, and went to audience at the Grand Temple. The August Empress Dowager returned from government affairs.

On jiachen [9 February], a great amnesty and changed inaugural.

On bingwu [11 February], the Emperor first presided over court. Used the General who Conquers the West, Huan Huo [JS074] as Great General who Conquers the West; the General who Garrisons the Army, Chi Yin [JS067] as Great General who Garrions the Army; the General of the Army of the Centre, Huan Chong, as General of Chariots and Cavalry. Added to the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Xie An, Overseer of the Palace Writers, Recording the Affairs of the Masters of Writing.

On jiazi [29 February], paid visit to Jianping and others the four Mounds. [Jianping was the tomb of Emperor Yuan.]

Summer, 5th Month, guichou [17 June], the earth shook.

On jiayin [18 June], a decree said:

Lately Heaven above has handed down oversight, the reprimanding announcements again and again obvious, We are in fear of them, shaking with caution in [Our] heart. Considering the means by discussing lawsuits and delaying death, forgive transgressions and and pardon crimes, the numerous reasons for great change, with it further change.

And so a great amnesty, and conferred on the civil and military ranks 1 grade each.

6th Month [3 July – 1 August], enfeoffed the King of Hejian, Qin's son, Fanzhi, as King of Zhangwu.

Autumn, 7th Month [2 August – 30 August], Fu Jian's general Ji Chang, took Liang province, imprisoned the Inspector, Zhang Tianxi, and completely possessed his territory.

On yisi [8 August], removed the system of measuring field and harvest taxes. Excellencies, Kings and below, a poll tax of 3 hu grain. Dispensed with to be the food of labourers [?].

Winter, 10th Month [29 October -  27 November], moved and measured [?] northern migrants to south of the Huai.

11th Month, jisi, New Moon, the sun was eclipsed. Decreed the great officials to withdraw provisions. [Not OK. Wrong year?].

12th Month [27 December – 25 January], Fu Jian sent his general Fu Luo to attack Dai. He captured the King of Dai, Sheyijian.

[Taiyuan 2]

[26 January 377 – 13 February 378]

2nd Year, Spring, 1st Month [26 January – 23 February], restored [families] with cut off succession, to continue meritorious subjects.

3rd Month [26 March – 23 April], used the Inspector of Yan province, Zhu Xu, as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the South, Inspector of Liang# province and Overseer of All Armies Within Mian, headquartered at Xiangyang.

Intercalary Month, renwu [12 May], the earth shook.

On jiashen [14 May], a violent storm, snapping trees and turning over houses.

Summer, 4th Month, jiyou [8 June], rain and hail.

5th Month, dingchou [6 July], the earth shook.

6th Month, jisi [27 August? 7th Month], a violent storm, scattering sand and stone.

Linyi offered as tribute things of the region.

Autumn, 7th Month, yimao [12 October? 8th Month], the Old Man Star [Canopus] was seen.

8th Month, renchen [19 September], the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Huan Chong, came to court.

On dingwei [4 October], used the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Xie An, as Minister over the Masses.

On bingchen [13 October], the Envoy Holding the Tally, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Jing, Liang#, Ning, Yi, Jiao and Guang provinces, Inspector of Jing province and Great General who Conquers the West, Huan Huo, passed on.

Winter, 10th Month, xinchou [27 November], used the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Huan Chong, [as] Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Jing, Jiang, Liang#, Yi, Ning, Jiao and Guang provinces, acting Colonel who Protects the Southern Man and Inspector of Jing province; the Master of Writing, Wang Yun [JS093], as Inspector of Xu province, Controller of All Armies of Jinling South of the Jiang; the Marshal who Conquers the West, Xie Xuan [JS079], as Inspector of Yan province, Chancellor of Guangling and Overseer of All Armies North of the Jiang.

On renyin [28 November], the Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Brilliantly Blessed Grandee of the Left and Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Wang Biaozhi, passed on.

12th Month, gengyin [15 January], used the Master of Writing Wang Shao [JS065] as Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.

[Taiyuan 3]

[14 February 378 – 2 February 379]

3rd Year, Spring, 2nd Month, yisi [31 March], built a new palace. The Emperor moved to reside in the manor of the King of Kuaiji.

3rd Month, yichou [20 April], thunder and rain, a violent storm, turning over houses and snapping trees.

Summer, 5th Month, gengwu [24 June], the King of Chenliu, Cao Hui, passed away.

6th Month [11 July – 9 August], great floods.

Autumn, 7th Month, xinsi [3 September], the Emperor entered the new palace.

On yiyou [7 September], the Old Man Star was seen in the southern regions.

[bookofjin]

Annals of Emperor Xiaowu, Part 2

[From JS009. On yihai (30 November 383), the various generals fought with Fu Jian at Fei river, greatly routing him. The prisoners and beheaded tallied several tens of thousands.]

[Taiyuan 4]

[3 February 379 – 21 February 380]

4th Year, Spring, 1st Month, xinyou [10 February], a great amnesty. Those commanderies and counties suffering floods or droughts had reduced their rents and taxes.

On bingzi [25 February], paid respect to Jianping and others, 7 Mounds.

2nd Month, wuwu [8 April? 3rd Month], Fu Jian sent his son Pi to attack and take Xiangyang, and capture the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the South, Zhu Xu. He also took Shunyang.

3rd Month [3 April – 2 May], a great plague.

On renxu [12 April], a decree said:

Crafty bandits are unrestrained and inhibited, the frontier defenders are overturn and lost, worries over the boundary and border, affairs adds to pacifying daily [?]. Thus inside and outside the multitude officials, each exhausting their hearts and exerting their strength, thereby quieting the numerous affairs.

Also yearly the crops do not climb, the hundred families are lacking much. Thus decreeing in managing worshipping, affairs follow frugal agreements, the nine relatives provide and give, the multitude officials stockpiling salaries, opportune to possibly reduce by half.

Altogether the various services and expenses, from not essential to the affairs of the armies and state, all ought to be suspended and scrutinized, thereby in the time of relief apply oneself [?].

On guiwei [3 May?], sent the General of the Right, Mao Wusheng to lead a host to attack Shu.

Summer, 4th Month [3 May – 31 May], Fu Jian's general Wei Zhong took Weixing. The Grand Warden, Ji Yi, died there.

5th Month [1 June – 30 June], Fu Jian's generals Ju Nan and Peng Chao took Xuchi. The Interior Clerk of Gaomi, Mao Zaozhi was captured by the traitors.

6th Month [1 July – 29 July], great drought.

On wuzi [7 July], the General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Xie Xuan, fought with Nan and Chao at Junchuan, greatly routing them.

Autumn, 8th Month, dinghai [4 September], used the General of the Left, Wang Jun [JS093], as Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.

On yiwei [12 September], a violent storm, scattering sand and stone.

9th Month [27 September – 26 October], bandits killed the Grand Warden of Jian'an, Fu Zhan.

Winter, 12th Month, jiyou, New Moon [24 January], the sun was eclipsed. [OK]

[Taiyuan 5]

[22 February 380 – 9 February 381]

5th Year, Spring, 1st Month, yisi [20 March], paid visit to the Chongping Mound [the tomb of Emperor Kang].

Summer, 4th Month [21 May – 18 June], great drought.

On guiyou [16 June], a great amnesty for punishments of 5 years and below.

5th Month [19 June – 18 July], great floods. Used the Minister over the Masses, Xie An, as General of Guards, with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Ministers.

6th Month, jiayin [27 July], shook the four pillars of the Cherished Composition Hall, killing 2 people attending within.

On jiazi [6 August], due to successive years of desolate scarcity, a great amnesty. Unpaid rent and overdue debt from the 3rd Year of Taiyuan and before, all were waived and eliminated by it. Thus for  bachelors, the widowed, destitute, solitary, orphaned and those not able to maintain themselves, each person were bestowed 5 hu grains.

On dingmao [9 August], used the General of Agile Cavalry, the King of Langye, Daozi, as Minister over the Masses.

Autumn, 9th Month, guiwei [24 October], the August Empress, Ms. Wang, expired.

Winter, 10th Month [14 November – 12 December], the Grand Warden of Jiuzhen, Li Xun, occupied Jiao province in rebellion.

11th Month, yiyou [25 December], buried the Settling [ding] August Empress in the Longping [“Prosperous Peace”] Mound.

[Taiyuan 6]

[10 February 381 – 30 January 382]

6th Year, Spring, 1st Month [10 February – 11 March], the Emperor began respecting Buddhist regulations. He established a monastery within the halls, and pulled in various  sramanas to accordingly reside there.

On dingyou [7 March], used the Master of Writing Xie Shi [JS079] as Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.

Began setting up the office of Imperial Clerk of Controlling Transport [?].

Summer, 6th Month, gengzi, New Moon [8 July], the sun was eclipsed [OK].

In Yang, Jing and Jiang provinces great floods.

On jisi [6 August], changed the system and measurements, diminishing bothersome expenditures, reducing magistrates' soldier staff [?] with 700 people.

Autumn, 7th Month, bingzi [13 August], pardoned punishments of 5 years and below.

On jiawu [31 August], the Grand Warden of Jiaozhi, Du Yuan, beheaded Li Xun. Jiao province was pacified.

A great famine.

Winter, 11th Month, jihai [3 January? In the 12th Month], used the Great General who Garrisons the Army, Chi Yin, as Minister of Works.

Tan Yuanzhi, a native of Kuaiji, rebelled, titling himself General who Calms the East. The Army Advisor who Garrisons the Army, Xie Aizhi, punished and pacified him.

12th Month, jiachen [8 January], Fu Jian dispatched his Grand Warden of Xiangyang, Yan Zhen to rob Jingling. The Grand Warden of Xiangyang, Huan Shiqian, punished and captured him.

[Taiyuan 7]

[31 January 382 – 18 February 383]

7th Year, Spring, 3rd Month [31 March – 28 April], Fan Xiong of Linyi dispatched envoys presenting the things of the region.

Autumn, 8th Month, guimao [4 September], a great amnesty.

9th Month [24 September – 23 October], five states of the Eastern Yi dispatched envoys to come with a tribute of things of their region.

Fu Jian's general Du Gui burnt and torched the grain fields north of the Mian, plundered the hundred families of Xiangyang and left.

Winter, 10th Month, bingzi [6 December], thunder.

[Taiyuan 8]

[18 February 383 – 7 February 384]

8th Year, Spring, 2nd Month, guiwei [12 April], yellow fog at the Four Passes.

3rd Month [19 April – 17 May], in Shixing, Nankang and Luling great floods, covering the land 5 zhang deep.

On dingsi [16 May], a great amnesty.

Summer, 5th Month [17 June – 14 July], the General who Assists the State, Yang Liang, attacked Shu. He uprooted 5 cities and captured Fu Jian's general Wei Guang.

Autumn, 7th Month [15 August – 12 September], the General who Soars like an Eagle, Guo Qia with with Fu Jian's general Zhang Chong at Wudang, greatly defeating him.

8th Month [13 September – 12 October], Fu Jian led a multitude to cross the Huai. Dispatched the Chief Controller of Conquering and Punishing, Xie Shi, the General of the Best of the Army, Xie Xuan, the General who Assists the State, Xie Yan [JS079], the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the West, Huan Yi [JS081] and others to resist him.

9th Month [13 October – 10 November], decreed the Minister over the Masses, the King of Langye, Daozi to Record the Affairs of the Six Departments of the Masters of Writing.

Winter, 10th Month [11 November – 10 December], Fu Jian's younger brother Rong took Shouchun.

On yihai [30 November], the various generals fought with Fu Jian at Fei river, greatly routing him. The prisoners and beheaded tallied several tens of thousands. They captured Jian's sedan chair and Cloud Mother Chariot [?].

11th Month, gengshen [14 January? 12th Month], decreed the General of Guards, Xie An, to service [?] and return the host to Jincheng.

On renzi [6 January], established the King of Chenliu's Heir, Lingdan, as King of Chenliu.

12th Month, gengwu [24 January], due to the robber difficulties beginning to be pacified a great amnesty.

Used  the General of the Army of the Centre, Xie Shi, as Prefect of the Masters of Writing.

Started alcohol prohibitions. First increased the hundred families taxes in grain, 5 shi per mouth.

The former [?] King of Guoding, Zhai Liao, betrayed Fu Jian, and raised troops in Henan. Murong Chui from Ye united with Liao and thereupon attacked Jian's son Hui at Luoyang.

The Duke of Chouchi, Yangshi fled and returned to Longyou, and dispatched envoys calling himself a vassal.

[Taiyuan 9]

[8 February 384 – 26 January 385]

9th Year, Spring, 1st Month, gengzi [23 February], enfeoffed the King of Wuling's grandson Bao as King of Linchuan.

On wuwu [12 March?, 2nd Month], established the King of Xinning, Xi's son Zun as King of Xinning.

On xinhai [5 March], paid visit to Jianping and others, the four Mounds.

The General who Gallops like Dragon, Liu Laozhi [JS084], overcame Qiaocheng. The General of Chariots and Cavalry, Huan Chong's section general Guo Bao attacked Xincheng, Weixing and Shangyong commanderies. [They?] surrendered to him.

2nd Month, xinsi [4 April], the Envoy Holding the Tally, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Jing, Jiang, Liang#, Ning, Yi, Jiao and Guang provines, General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Jing province, Huan Chong, passed on.

Murong Chui from Luoyang together with Zhai Liao attacked Fu Jian's son Pi at Ye.

3rd Month [7 April – 6 May], used the General of Guards, Xie An as Grand Guardian.

Fu Jian's Senior Clerk of Beidi, Murong Hong, and Grand Warden of Pingyang, Murong Chong, both rose with troops and betrayed Jian.

Summer, 4th Month, jimao [1 June], added to and set up Teachers of the Grand School, 100 people.

Enfeoffed Zhang Tianxi as Duke of Xiping.

Sent the Grand Warden of Jingling, Zhao Tong to attack Xiangyang. He overcame it.

Fu Jian's general Yao Chang betrayed Jian, and raised troops in Beidi. He established himself as king, the state titled Qin.

6th Month, guichou, New Moon [5 July], the Chongde August Empress Dowager, Ms Chu, expired.

Murong Hong was killed by his junior uncle Chong. Chong called himself August Brother-Heir.

Autumn, 7th Month, wuxu [19 August], dispatched the Combined Minister of Works, the King of Gaomi, Chinzhi, to repair and pay visit to the 5 Mounds of Luoyang.

On yiyou [30 August], buried the Prosperous and Dedicated [kangxian] August Empress in the Congping Mound.

Baiji dispatched envoys to come with a tribute of things of their region.

Fu Jian and Murong Chong fought to the west of Zheng. Jian's host achieved defeat.

8th Month, wuyin [28 September], the Minister of Works, Chi Yin, passed away.

9th Month, xinmao [11 October], the Chief Controller of the Vanguard, Xie Xuan attacked Fu Jian's general and Inspector of Yi province, Zhang Chong, at Juancheng, and overcame him.

On jiawu [14 October], added to the Grand Guardian, Xie An, Great Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Yang, Jiang, Jing, Si, Yu, Xu, Yan, Qing, Ji, You, Bing, Liang#, Yi, Yong and Liang, 15 provinces.

Winter, 10th Month, xinhai, New Moon [31 October], the sun was eclipsed [OK].

On dingsi [6 November], the King of Hejian, Tanzhi, passed away.

On yichou [14 November], due to the profound images deviating from the norms, a great amnesty.

On gengwu [19 November], established the former King of Xincai, Huang's younger brother Chong as King of Xincai.

Fu Jian's Inspector of Qing province, Fu Lang, led the multitudes to come and surrender.

12th Month [29 December – 26 January], Fu Jian's general Lü Guang, claimed authority in Heyou, titling himself Duke of Jiuquan.

Murong Chong usurped the throne of August Emperor at Efang.

[bookofjin]

Annals of the Deposed Emperor

[From JS008. Also known as the Duke of Haixi from his title after his deposition. This completes the translation of this chapter.]

Duke of Haixi

The Deposed Emperor, taboo Yi, courtesy name Yanling, was Emperor Ai's younger brother of the same mother. In the 8th Year of Xiankang [342 AD], he was enfeoffed as King of Donghai. In the 8th Year of Yonghe [352 AD], he was Cavalier in Regular Attendance, amassing promotion to  General of the Garrison Army. In the 4th Year of Shengping [360 AD], he was designated General of Chariots and Cavalry. In the 5th Year [361 AD], changed his fief to King of Langye. At the beginning of Longhe [362 AD], he moved to Palace Attendant, Great General of Agile Cavalry, Opening Office with the Same Ceremonies as the Three Ministers.

3rd Year of Xingning, 2nd Month, bingshen [30 March], Emperor Ai expired without a successor.

On dingyou [31 March], the August Empress Dowager decreed, saying: “The Emperor, following not being relieved of his illness, distressing calamity yet again arrive, the lost thread perished, grief and sadness cuts the heart. The King of Langye, Yi, his clarifying virtue thick and personal, must undertake to succeed and inherit,  ought to serve the founders and ancestors, compiling and succeeding to the great command. Expediently and quickly correct the great rites, to thereby tranquil people and gods.”

And so the hundred officials received and welcomed him at the Langye mansion. That day, he was enthroned as August Emperor. A great amnesty.

3rd Month, renshen [5 May], buried the Lamented August Emperor at the Anping Mound.

On guiyou [6 May], the Cavalier in Regular Attendance, the King of Hejian, Qin, passed away.

On bingzi [9 May?], Murong Wei's general Murong Ke captured Luoyang. The General of who Tranquil the Boreal, Zhu Yao, fled to Xiangyang. The Senior Clerk of the Best of the Army and General who Spreads the Martial, Shen Jin, died there.

Summer, 6th Month, wuzi [20 July], the Envoy Holding the Tally, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Yi and Ning provinces, General who Garrisons the West and Inspector of Yi province, the Duke of Jiancheng, Zhou Fu, passed on.

Autumn, 7th Month [4 August – 1 September], the Xiongnu Worthy King of the Left, Wei Chen, and the Worthy King of the Right, Cao Gu, led a multitude of 20 000 to raid Fu Jian's Xingcheng.

On jiyou [10 August], changed the fief of the King of Kuaiji, Yu, to be King of Langye.

On renzi [13 August], established the August Empress, Ms. Yu.

Enfeoffed the King of Langye, Yu's son Changming as King of Kuaiji.

Winter, 10th Month [31 October – 29 November], the Inspector of Liang# province, Sima Xun rebelled, titling himself King of Chengdu.

11th Month [30 November – 28 December], [he?] led the people of Shu to Jiange [?] and attacked Fu. The Colonel of the Western Yi, Guanqiu ?? abandoned the city and escaped.

On yimao [14 December], he besieged the Inspector of Yi province, Zhou Chu [JS058] at Chengdu. Huan Wen dispatched the Chancellor of Jiangxia, Zhu Xu to relieve it.

12th Month, wuxu [26 January], used the Interior Clerk of Kuaiji, Wang Biaozhi [JS076] as Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.

[Taihe 1]

[28 January 366 – 15 February 367]

1st Year of Taihe [“Grand Harmony”], Spring, 2nd Month, jichou [18 March], used the Inspector of Liang province, Zhang Tianxi as Great General, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Longyou and Guanzhong, and Duke of Xiping commandery.

On bingshen [25 March], used the Interior Clerk of Xuancheng, Huan Mi, as Holding the Tally, Overseer of All Army Affairs of Liang# and Yi provinces, Conquering and Punishing.

3rd Month, xinhai [9 April], the King of Xincai, Miao, passed away.

The Inspector of Jing province, Huan Huo, dispatched the Controller-Protector Huan Pi to attack Nanzheng. Bi Qin, a native of Weixing, raised troops to accordingly obey Pi.

Summer, 4th Month [26 April – 25 May], drought.

5th Month, wuyin [5 July], the August Empress, Ms. Yu, expired.

Zhu Xu attacked Sima Xun at Chengdu, the multitudes dispersed, he apprehended Xun and beheaded him.

Autumn, 7th Month, guiyou [29 August], buried the Filial [xiao] August Empress in the Jingping [“Revering Peace”] Mound.

9th Month, jiashen [8 November], a thorough [?] amnesty in Liang# and Yi provinces.

Winter, 10th Month, xinchou [25 November], Fu Jian's generals Wang Meng and Yang An attacked Nanxiang. The Inspector of Jing province, Huan Huo relieved it, the host lodged at Xinye, and Meng and An withdrew.

Used the King of Kuaiji, Yu, to be Imperial Chancellor.

12th Month [17 January – 15 February], Zhao Hong, Zhao Yi and others, natives of Nanyang, occupied Wancheng in rebellion. The Grand Warden, Huan Dan, left to protect Xinye.

Murong Wei's general Murong Li captured Lu commandery and Gaoping.

[Taihe 2]

[16 February 367 – 4 February 368]

2nd Year, Spring, 1st Month [16 February – 16 March], the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Yu Yi, committed a crime, he left entering the sea.

Summer, 4th Month [15 May – 13 June], Murong Wei's general Murong Chen robbed Jingling. The Grand Warden, Luo Chong, struck and routed him.

Fu Jian's general Wang Meng robbed Liang province. Zhang Tianxi resisted him. Meng's host achieved defeat.

5th Month [14 June – 12 July], the General of the Right, Huan Huio, struck Zhao Hong and ran him off. He advanced to capture Murong Wei's general Zha Pan, and sent him off to the Imperial Capital.

Autumn, 9th Month [10 October – 7 November], used the Interior Clerk of Kuaiji, Chi Yin [JS067] as Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Xu, Yan, Qing and You provinces, General who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Xu province.

Winter, 10th Month, yisi [24 November], the King of Pengcheng, Xuan, passed away.

[Taihe 3]

[5 February 368 – 23 January 369]

3rd Year, Spring, 3rd Month, dingsi, New Moon [4 April], the sun was eclipsed [OK?].

On guihai [10 April], a great amnesty.

Summer, 4th Month, guisi [10 May], rain and hail, a great storm snapped the trees.

Autumn, 8th Month, renyin [16 September], the Prefect of the Masters of Writing and General of Guards, the Marquis of Lantian, Wang Shu, passed on.

[Taihe 4]

[24 January 369 – 11 February 370]

4th Year, Summer, 4th Month, gengxu [22 May], the Great Marshal, Huan Wen, commanded the multitudes in attacking Murong Wei.

Autumn, 7th Month, xinmao [31 August], Wei's general, Murong Chui, led the multitudes in resisting Wen. Wen struck and defeated him.

9th Month, wuyin [17 October], Huan Wen's assistant generals Deng Xia and Zhu Xu met Wei's general Fu Mobo at Linzhu, also greatly routing him.

On wuzi [27 October], Wen arrived at Fangtou.

On bingshen [4 November], due to provision supplies not being maintained, he burnt the boats and returned.

On xinchou [9 November], Murong Chui pursued and defeated Wen's rear army at Xiangyi.

Winter, 10th Month [16 November – 14 December], a great star drifting west, it made a sound like thunder.

On jisi [7 December], Wen gathered the dispersed soldiers and garrisoned at Shanyang.

The Inspector of Yu province, Yuan Zhen, used Shouyang to rebel.

11th Month, xinchou [8 January], Huan Wen went from Shanyang to meet with the King of Kuaiji, Yu, at Tuzhong, wanting to plan a rear rising [?].

12th Month [15 January – 11 February], he thereupon fortified Guangling and resided there.

[Taihe 5]

[11 February 370 – 1 February 371]

5th Year, Spring, 1st Month, jihai [7 March], Yuan Zhen's sons Shuangzhi and Aizhi murdered the Interior Clerk of Liang state, Zhu Xian, and the Interior Clerk of Runan, Zhu Bin.

2nd Month, guiyou [10 April], Yuan Zhen died. The Grand Warden of Chen commandery, Zhu Fu, established Zhen's son Jin to inherit the affair, requesting help from Murong Wei.

Summer, 4th Month, xinwei [7 June], Huan Wen's section general Zhu Yao routed Jin at Wuqiu.

Autumn, 7th Month, guiyou, New Moon [8 August], the sun was eclipsed [OK].

8th Month, guichou [17 September], Huan Wen struck Yuan Jin at Shouyang, defeating him.

9th Month [6 October], Fu Jian's general Meng attacked Murong Wei and captured his Shangdang.

Li Hong, a bewitching traitor of Guanghan, together with Li Jingen, a bewitching traitor of Yi province, assembled a multitude and rebelled. Hong titled himself Sage King, his multitudes more than 10 000 people. The Grand Warden of Zitong, Zhou Xiao [JS058], punished and pacified them.

Winter, 10th Month [5 November – 4 December], Wang Meng greatly routed Murong Wei's general  Murong Ping at Luchuan.

11th Month [5 December – 2 January], Meng overcame Ye, captured Murong Wei and completely had his territory.

[Taihe 6]

[2 February 371 – 20 February 372]

6th Year, Spring, 1st Month [2 February – 2 March], Fu Jian dispatched general Wang Jian to come and aid Yuan Jin. General Huan Yi [JS081] disobeyed to strike, greatly routing him.

On dinghai [18 February], Huan Wen overcame Shouyang and beheaded Yuan Jin.

3rd Month, renchen [24 April], the Oversee of All Army Affairs of Yi and Ning provinces, General of the Best of the Army and Inspector of Yi province, the Duke of Jiancheng, Zhou Chu, passed on.

Summer, 4th Month, wuwu [20 May], a great amnesty, bestowed rice on the poor and alone, 5 hu per person.

Fu Jian's general Fu Ya attacked Chouchi. The Duke of Chouchi, Yang Zuan, surrendered to him.

6th Month [29 June – 28 July], in the capital city and also in Danyang, Jinling, Wu commandery, Wuxing and Linhai great floods.

Autumn, 8th Month [27 August – 25 September], used the Forward Inspector of Ning province, Zhou Shisun as Acting with the Tally, Overseer of All Army Affairs of Yi and Liang# provinces and Inspector of Yi province.

Winter, 10th Month, renzi [10 November], the King of Gaomi, Jun, passed away.

11th Month, guimao [31 December], Huan Wen [moved] from Guangling to garrison at Baishi.

On dingwei [4 January], he visited the palace because designs to depose the established. He defamed the Emperor that when he was a screened youth he became impotent from illness, his favourites, Xiang Long, Ji Hao, Zhu Lingbao and others, attending the interior bed chamber and the two Beautiful Ladies, Ms. Tian and Ms. Meng begetting three boys, long desiring to enfeoff and set up. At the time people were misled by it. Wen because of that suggested to the Empress Dowager to use the recommendation of Yi and Huo.

On yiyou [6 January], assembled the hundred officials in the Morning Hall, and proclaimed the Chongde Empress Dowager's order, saying: “The royal house is in difficulties and distress. Mu and Ai were briefly on the throne. The state's successor did not produce an heir and the place was not established. The King of Langye, Yi, personally then was the younger brother of the same mother, and for that reason he thereby succeeded to the great rank. He did not chart the virtue of it and did not establish [?], and therefore arrived at this. Benighted and muddled overflowing with chaos, events disobeys the rites and measures. There are these three concubine sons [or “scourges”], unknown of whom they are sons. The way human relationships is lost, an ugly sound in far-away displays. Already [he?] can not thereby serve and defend the gods of soil and grain, respectfully inhering the ancestral temple. Moreover the benighted concubine sons are both great, [he?] expediently desires to establish and set up heirs and fiefs [?]. Defaming and slandering the founders and ancestors,lauding the changing of the August foundation, if this then can be endured , what is not possible in the breast? Now depose Yi to be King of Donghai, using [him] as king to return to the grades, supplying rites of guards, in everything like the former affair of the Han court's Changyi. [I?] am only a not yet perished person without favour, [?] the sorrow from this is a hundred griefs, feelings and recall are being lost, the heart of it like a cut. In the great plans of the gods of soil and grain, righteousness does not capture the end[?]. Overseeing the paper grief is obstructed, what can be done with [these] words.”

And so the hundred officials entered the Front Hall of the Great Utmost. That day Huan Wen sent the  Cavalier Attendant Gentleman Liu Xiang to gather the Emperor's imperial signet and ribbon. The Emperor put on a white cap [?] and unlined garment, and walked below the Western Hall. Riding a calf chariot he set out from the Shenshou gate. The group of subjects bowed and bid farewell, and could not but watch with sobs. The Attendant Imperial Clerk and Overseer of Within the Halls commanded a 100 troops to guard and send him off to the Donghai mansion.

Earlier, Huan Wen had not the heart of a subject. He desired first to establish merit north of the He, thereby gathering the expectations of the time. Reaching the defeat of Fangtou, his powerful fame was knocked down. He pursued hidden plans to depose the established, to thereby lengthen his power and authority. Dreading the Emperor warding the way, he feared the summon for a discussion of the times. Due to the palace revealing a heavy gloom [?], and the bed and sleeping mats easy to defame, he therefore said the Emperor was a eunuch, and thereupon acted to depose and humiliate [him].

Earlier, the Emperor in all his life always accordingly was worried. He once summoned a skilled man, Hu Qian, to divine the stalks for him. The answer said: “The House of Jin has the firmness of a stone slab. Your Majesty has the appearance of setting out from the palace.” In the end it was just like his words.

2nd Year of Xian'an, 1st Month [21st February – 20 March 372], demoted the fief of the Emperor to be Duke of Haixi county.

4th Month [19 May – 17 June], moved his residence to Wu county, counselled the Interior Clerk of Wu state, Diao Yi, to defend and guard [him], also dispatched the Imperial Clerk Gu Yun to oversee and examine him.

11th Month [12 December – 9 January 373], the bewitching traitor Lu Song dispatched his younger brother's son, the Overseer of Within the Halls, Xu Long, arriving early in the morning at his gates, saying he had a private decree of the Empress Dowager, to serve and welcome, and restore him again. The Emperor at first desired to follow it, but accepted [his?] nanny's admonishment and desisted.

Long said: “The Great General is victorious, why make use of the words of boys, girls and children?” [Presumably Lu Song had taken the title of Great General.]

The Emperor said: “I committed a crime to get here [?], fortunately [I] was met with a broad pardon. How could I dare a foolish action! Moreover [if] the Empress Dowager had a decree, there expediently ought to be public officials who come, why a single messenger [like] you? You surely must be a rebel.” Because of that he shouted left and right to tie him up. Long was afraid and ran.

The Emperor understood Heaven's instructions could not be given twice, and was very concerned for an unexpected calamity. He therefore restricted and blocked up his intelligence and clarity, and was without a thought and without a worry. For whole days he drank without restraint and indulged in domestic favourites. When he had sons he did not rear them, numerously guarding [?] [his] allotted years. At the time people pitied him, and made songs about him. The imperial court, due to the Emperor being calm in his humiliation, did not again have concerns.

11th Year of Taiyuan, 10th Month, jiashen [23 November 386], he passed away in Wu. At the time he was 45 years old.

The Historian’s Comments

Your Subject the Historian says: Xiaozong, because of being carried in a swaddling embrace, employed the reforms of his mother's clan. The centre and outside was without affairs for more than ten years. Using the talents of Wu'an, he opened his borders and frontiers. Using the manners of King Wen, he extended to the Jiang-Han. Then as said by Master Kong, I find not flaw.

The Lamented August was broadly kind, and could be used as ruler, yet in vast sacrifices praying to Heaven, he made dust of his virtues.

Donghai defied the harness of Xu Long. Bending unrestrained [as a?] subject of instructions, it can be said that soft and fragile is better than rigid and stubborn. He obtained fully those of his allotted years.

The Appraisal says:

Sending furs to speak of reform,

Greatly Filial was the Ancestor,

Obeying his sagely excellence,

Completely now truly revered.

To the west flags on the jade ramparts, [Chengdu?]

To the north banners on the metal walls, [Luoyang]

Moving the abundant [like the?] ancient Bo,

They could not but come and follow.

The Lamented Follower was broadly benevolent,

However the spirits already assembled.

Donghai had many mishaps,

At the time calamity was seen approaching.

His unusual inclination to measures,

I [say he] was not Changyi.

[bookofjin]

Annals of Emperor Ai

[From JS008. The emperor who overdosed.]

The Lamented August Emperor [ai huangdi], taboo Pi, courtesy name Qianling, was Emperor Cheng's eldest son. In the 8th Year of Xiankang [342 AD], he was enfeoffed King of Langye. In the 1st Year of Yonghe [345 AD], he was designated Cavalier in Regular Attendance, in the 12th Year [356 AD], he was promoted to General of the Army of the Centre, in the 3rd Year of Shengping [359 AD], he was appointed General of Agile Cavalry.

5th Year, 5th Month, dingsi [10 July 361], Emperor Mu expired. The August Empress Dowager ordered, saying: “The Emperor for long was not relieved of illness and a successor to the inheritance was not established. The King of Langye, Pi, the middle fostering properly governing, clarifies the virtue of majestic parents. Formerly during Xiankang, he had to be heir and second. [?] Due to his age being young and immature, he was not capable of the state's difficulties, and because of that Xianzong exaltedly yielded. Now righteously look at the feelings and ground, can not give him to be this [?]. Thus use the King to receive the Great Command.”

Hence the hundred officials prepared the legal carriage, greeting him with the grade of Langye. [?]

On gengshen [13 July], he was enthroned as August Emperor, a great amnesty.

On renxu [15 July], a decree said: “We acquired and inherited the Clarifying Instruction, and entered to compile the great command. Looking back however at the former kings in the ancestral temple, kindling once without a ruler [?], the Grand Consort mourning in the courtyard, widely dispersing and scattering, the grieving pain feeling injuring, five inside drawing out and dividing. In the veneration of the lineage and state, feelings and rites combine abundantly, the weightiness of inheritance and succession, righteously not with the two. [?] The King of Donghai, Yi, in relation belongs to the close relatives. [We] ought to serve the original command, thus use Yi as King of Langye.”

Autumn, 7th Month, wuwu [9 September], buried the Majestic [mu] August Emperor in the Yongping Mound.

Murong Ke attacked and captured Yewang. The defending general, Lü Hu, withdrew to guard Xingyang.

8th Month, jimao [30 September], at night, the sky split, several zhang wide, and there was a sound like thunder.

9th Month, wushen [29 October], established the August Empress, Ms. Wang. Emperor Mu's August Empress, Ms. He, was addressed as the Eternal Calm [yong'an] Palace.

Lü Hu rebelled and fled to Murong Wei.

Winter, 10th Month [14 November – 12 December], the General who Calms the North, Fan Wang committed a crime and was demoted to be a commoner.

11th Month, bingchen [5 January], a decree said: “In Xianzong, August Emperor Cheng's testamentary instructions, due to at the time affairs being very difficult, enlarged the airs of the exalted generation, setting up virtue and broad esteem, thereby prospering the gods of soil and grain. And the state for that reason did not 6th hour [?], the early ages of Kang and Mu, posterity and blessing did not blend. [?]. We, due to lack of virtue, again inherited the former thread, feeling however eternal admiration, grieving the nourishing combined destroyed. [?] As for the righteousness of the bright and majestic, firmly ought to be the root's Heavenly category [?]. Maintaining the body and inheriting the foundation, past and present in the regular way. Ought to above inherit Xianzong, using the meat of the original command.”

12th Month [12 January – 10 February], promoted the Inspector of Liang province, Zhang Xuanjing, to be Great Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Longyou, Colonel who Protects the Qiang and Duke of Xiping.

[Longhe 1]

[11 February 362 – 30 January 363]

1st Year of Longhe [“Plentiful Harmony”], Spring, 1st Month, renzi [2 March], a great amnesty and change of the inaugural.

On jiayin [4 March], reduced the land taxes, for each mu collected 2 sheng.

This month [11 February – 11 March], Murong Wei's generals Lü Hu and Fu Mobo attacked and captured the Lesser Ramparts, thereby pressuring Luoyang.

2nd Month, xinwei [21 March], used the General who Assists the State and Interior Clerk of Wu state, Yu Xi, as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North and Inspector of Xu and Yan provinces, headquartered at Xiapi; the Overseer of the Army of the Vanguard, the General who Gallops like a Dragon, Yuan Zhen, as Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the West, Overseer-Protector of All Army Affairs of Yu, Si, Bing and Ji provinces and Inspector of Yu province, headquartered at Ru'nan; both Acting with the Tally.

On bingzi [26 March], venerated for giving birth [to the Emperor] Ms. Zhou as August Consort Dowager.

3rd Month, renchen, New Moon [11 April], the sun was eclipsed. [Not OK]

Summer, 4th Month [10 May – 8 June], drought. Decree to send out light belts [?], to raise for the wanting and poor.

On dingchou [26 May], in Liang# province, the earth shook. Mount Haoxin collapsed.

Lü Hu again robbed Luoyang.

On yiyou [3 June], the General who Assists the State and Grand Warden of Henan, Dai Shi, fled to Wan.

5th Month, dingsi [5 July], dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Yu Yi, and Jingling, Deng Xia [JS081], to use a naval host to rescue Luoyang.

Autumn, 7th Month [7 August – 4 September], Lü Hu and others withdew to defend Xiaoping ford.

Advanced the King of Langye, Yi, as Palace Attendant, Great General of Agile Cavalry, Opening Office.

Deng Xia advanced to garrison Xincheng. Yu Yi's section commander He Qian fought with Murong Wei's general Liu Ze at Tanqiu, routing him.

8th Month [5 September – 4 October], the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the West, Yuan Zhen, advanced to lodge at Ru'nan, transporting 50 000 hu of rice to thereby supply Luoyang.

Winter, 10th Month [4 November – 2 December], bestowed rice on the poor and needed, 5 hu per person.

The King of Zhangwu, Zhen, passed away.

12th Month, wuwu, New Moon [2 January], the sun was eclipsed [OK?].

A decree said: “Military affairs travelling next to the road [?], not yet managed to lighten taxes and simplify tax and service. Mysterious images lost the measures [?], excessive drought makes suffering. How are government affairs not yet blended, about to be scholars of plank building and banks of the Wei? [?] Thus investigate and spread hidden obstructions, brightly eliminate the petty and broken, thoroughly discuss the laws and orders, all together advice on reduce mockery.” [?]

Yu Yi, withdrew from Xiapi to headquarter at Shanyang. Yuan Zhen withdrew from Runan to headquarter at Shouyang.

[Xingning 1]

[31 January 363 – 18 February 364]

1st Year of Xingning [“Fostering Tranquillity”], Spring, 2nd Month, jiwei [4 March], a great amnesty and change of the inaugural.

3rd Month, renyin [16 April], the August Consort Dowager passed away at the Langye mansion.

On guimao [17 April], the Emperor hastened to mourn. Decreed the Minister over the Masses, the King of Kuaiji, Yu, to collect the inside and outside multitudes and apply himself [?].

Summer, 4th Month [30 April – 28 May], Murong Wei robbed Xingyang. The Grand Warden, Liu Yuan, fled to Luyang.

On jiaxu [18 May], in Yang province the earth shook. The lake ditches overflowed.

5th Month [29 May – 27 June], promoted the Great General who Conquers the West, Huan Wen, to Palace Attendant, Great Marshal, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs Inside and Outside, Recording the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, Acting with Yellow Battle Axe.

Again used the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the West, Yuan Zhen, [as] Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Si, Ji and Bing provinces; the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Yu Yi, [as] Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Qing province.

On guimao [16 June], Murong Wei captured Micheng. The Grand Warden of Xingyang, Li Yuan, fled to Jiangling.

Autumn, 7th Month [27 July – 25 August], Zhang Tianxi killed the Inspector of Liang province, the Duke of Xiping, Zhang Xuanjing, titling himself Great General, Colonel who Protects the Qiang, Shepherd of Liang province and Duke of Xiping.

On dingyou [9 August], buried the Exemplary [zhang] August Consort Dowager.

8th Month [26 August – 23 September], a comet star in the Horn and Gullet, entering the Heavenly Market.

9th Month, renxu [2 November], the Great Marshal, Huan Wen, led the multitudes on a northern attack.

On guihai [3 November], due to an imperial son being born, a great amnesty.

Winter, 10th Month, jianshen [24 November], established the King of Chenliu's Heir, Hui, as King.

11th Month [22 December – 19 January], Yao Xiang's former general Zhang Jun killed the Controller-Protector of Jiang province, Zhao Pi, burnt Wuchang, and carried off the office treasury to thereby rebel. The Inspector of Jiang province, Huan Chong, punished and beheaded him.

This year, Murong Wei's general Murong Chen attacked the Grand Warden of Chenliu, Yuan Pi, at Changping.

The Grand Warden of Runan, Zhu Bin inherited to falsely raid Xuchang [?], overcoming it.

[Xingning 2]

[19 February 364 – 6 February 365]

2nd Year, Spring, 2nd Month, gengyin [29 March], in Jiangling the earth shook.

Murong Wei's general Murong Ping raided Xuchang. The Grand Warden of Yingchuan, Li Fu, died there. Ping thereupon invaded Runan. The Grand Warden Zhu Bin, escaped to Shouyang. He also advanced to besiege Chen commandery. The Grand Warden, Zhu Fu, besieged in the city, firmly defended.

Huan Wen dispatched the Chancellor of Jiangxia, Liu Hu, to strike and withdraw from him. [?]

Changed the General of the Left Army to be General of Roaming Patrols. Abolished the Generals of the Right Army, Van Army and Rear Army [and?] the offices of 5 officers and 3 commanders.

On guimao [11 April], Emperor personally ploughed the sacred fields.

3rd Month, gengxu, New Moon [18 April], greatly examined the household people, with strict legal prohibitions, it was called the system of gengxu.

On xinwei [9 May], the Emperor was not well.

The Emperor especially excelled at Huang-Lao, he cut off grain, ate with pleasure long life remedies, ingesting and eating them exceedingly much. Thereupon he was poisoned within, and did not understand the ten thousands moments. The Chongde Empress Dowager again presided over court and assisted the government.

Summer, 4th Month, jiashen [22 May], Murong Wei dispatched his general Li Hong to invade Xuchang. The royal host achieved defeat at Xuanhu. Zhu Bin fled to Huainan. Zhu Fu withdrew to guard Pengcheng.

Huan Wen dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the West, Yuan Zhen, the Chancellor of Jiangxia, Liu Hu, and other to pierce the Yangyi road [?] and thereby pass through transports. Wen led a naval host to lodge at Hefei. Murong Chen again garrisoned Xuchang.

5th Month [16 June – 15 July], moved the people of Chen by land to thereby escape it [Chen].

On wuchen [5 July], used the Inspector of Yang province, Wang Shu, as Prefect of the Masters of Writing and General of Guards.

Used Huan Wen as Shepherd of Yang province, Recording the Affairs of the Masters of Writing.

On renshen [9 July], dispatched envoys to suggest to Wen to enter and judge [?]. Wen did not follow.

Autumn, 7th Month, dingmao [2 September], again summoned Wen to enter court.

8th Month [13 September – 11 October], Wen arrived at Zheqi. Thereupon he fortified and resided there.

Fu Jian separately led an invasion of Henan. Murong Wei robbed Luoyang.

9th Month [12 October – 10 November], the General of the Best of the Army, Chen You, detained the Senior Clerk, Shen Jin to defend Luoyang, and led the multitudes to flee to Xincheng.

[Xingning 3]

[7 February 365 – 27 January 366]

3rd Month, Spring, 1st Month, gengshen [22 February], the August Empress, Ms. Wang, expired.

2nd Month, yiwei [29 March], used the General of the Right, Huan Huo [JS074] as Overseer of All Army Affairs of Jing province, Yang province's Yicheng and Yong province's Jingzhao, Acting Colonel of the Southern Man and Inspector of Jing province; Huan Chong as Overseer of Jiang province, Jing province's Jiangxia and Sui commandery, and Yu province's Runan, Xiyang, Xincai and Yingchuan commanderies, Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the South, Inspector of Jiang province and Acting Colonel of the Southern Man; both Acting with the Tally.

On bingshen [30 March], the Emperor expired in the Western Hall, at the time he was 25 years old. He was buried in the Anping [“Calm Peace”] Mound.

[bookofjin]

Biography of Zhou Ji

[From JS058. He was the son of the Zhou Chu posted earlier. When Western Jin fell apart in the 300s, he took part in suppressing various rebellions in his native south-east, then joined Sima Rui’s fledgling Eastern Jin government. He took part in a conspiracy to kill the notherners and replace them with southerners, but the plan leaked and Zhou Ji died soon after.

Ji had the courtesy name Xuanpei. In stubbornness, resoluteness and addiction to passing judgements, he had his father's manners, but in civil studies he did not reach him. He shut the gates and purified himself and did not foolishly mix and wander. Gentlemen and friends all looked at his manners with respect and dread. Because of that he had a reputation for being heavily one-sided.

As a capped youth, the province and commandery called on him, but he did not go. The Inspector had just then arrived. He summoned him to be Assistant Official of the Separate Carriage. He humbled himself with perfect courtesy and just then started to accept instructions. He amassed to recommending his name to the steward's office [?]. He was lifted up as a Flowering Talent and appointed Consulting Gentleman.

At the beginning of Taian [302 – 303], the bewitching thieves Zhang Chang [JS100], Qiu Chen and others assembled multitudes in Jiangxia. The hundred families followed them to similarly revert. Emperor Hui sent the Overseer of the Army, Hua Hong, to punish them, [he was?] defeated at Mount Zhang. Chang and others gradually flourished, killing the General who Pacifies the South, Yang Yi. The Great General who Garrisons the South, the King of  Xinye, Xin, and others were being overturned and lost [?]. Chang's separate leader Feng Yun attacked Xu province. Shi Bing attacked Yang province. The Inspector, Chen Hui, set out and fled. Nomg thereupon roughly had the land of Yang.

Ji privately desired to punish Bing and secretly connected with the Forward Interior Clerk of Nanping, Wang Ju. Together they pushed forward the Grand Warden of Wuxing, Gu Mi as Commander-in-Chief of the Army Affairs of the Yang Province's Nine Commanderies. And Shi Tong, a native of Jiangxia, raised up righteous troops and beheaded the Grand Warden of Wuxing set up by Bing, Ou Shan, and the various Senior Clerks.

Bing dispatched his general Qiang Du to comand several tens of thousand people to resist Ji. Ji approached in columns and beheaded Du. At the time the General of the Right, Chen Min [JS100], led the multitudes from Guangling to assist Ji and beheaded Bing's separate leader Zhao Peng at Wuhu. Because of that he and Ji together in the van attacked Bing at Jiankang.

Bing fled north to throw in with Feng Xun. Xun's Marshal, Zhang Tong, beheaded Xun and Bing to use in surrender. Xu and Yang were both at peace. Ji did not speak about merits and rewards. The scattered multitudes returned to [their] homes.

Chen Min rebelled in Yang province and used Ji as Grand Warden of Anfeng, concurrently General of the Fourth Grade. Ji claimed illness and did not act and secretly sent messengers to inform the General who Garrisons the East, Liu Zhun. [He?] caused to send out troops to approach the Jiang, himself being an insider [?], cutting his hair as a pledge. Zhun was at Shouchun and dispatched the Controller-Protector Heng Yan to led the multitudes and go east.

At the time Min's younger brother Chang was General who is Broadly Martial and Interior Clerk of Liyang, using Qian Guang of Wuxing as Marshal. Ji secretly suggested Guang kill Chang. Ji, Gu Rong [JS068], Gan Zhuo [JS070] and others used troops to attack Min. Min's multitudes ran and dispersed. He fled north on a single horse. They caught him at the border of Jiangcheng and beheaded him at Jiankang and exterminated his three kindred.

The King of Donghai, Yue [JS059], heard of his fame, and summoned him to be Adjutant. A decree assigned him to Gentleman of the Masters of Writing and Cavalier Gentlemen. In both cases he did not act. When Emperor Yuan first headquartered in Jiangzuo, he used Ji as Associate on the Granary Board.

Earlier, Qian Hui, a native of Wuxing, likewise raised righteous troops to punish Chen Min. Yue instructed him to General who Establishes the Martial, and sent him to lead his followers to assemble at the capital city. When Hui arrived at Guangling, heard Liu Cong was pressuring Luoyang. He was fearful and timid, and did not dare advance. The Emperor urged him to use the army at the agreed upon time. Hui therefore planned rebellion.

At the time Wang Dun [JS098] moved to Master of Writing. Undertook [they?] ought [?] to summon him to accompany Hui west. Hui secretly desired to kill Dun, taking as pretext accordingly [him?] recommending the affair. Dun heard it, and fled to inform the Emperor.

Hui thereupon killed the Colonel of Measures and Support, Chen Feng, burnt and torched the official buildings, and titled himself Great General who Pacifies the West and Commander-in-Chief of Eight Provinces. He coerced Sun Hao's son Chong, establishing [him] as King of Wu, then killed him.

He came to rob Ji's county. The Emperor dispatched General Guo Yi, Commandery Commandant Song Dian and others to punish him. Both, due to troops being few, did not dare to be the van. Ji again led the districts and villages' righteous multitudes. He, Yi and others advanced together, punished Hui, beheaded him, and sent the head to Jiankang.

Ji trice settled Jiangnan, beginning again the royal plan. The Emperor praised his deeds, and used Ji to act as General who Establishes Power and Grand Warden of Wuxing, enfeoffed as Marquis of Wucheng county.

After the robbery and chaos in Wuxing, the hundred families starved and hungered, bandits and thieves acted openly [?]. Ji had considerable power and kindness. The hundred families respected and loved him. Within less than a year there was tranquillity and calm inside the borders.

The Emperor, due to Ji again and fostering righteous troops, his deeds and sincerity equally luxuriant, therefore used Yangxian, Changcheng's Western district and Danyang's Yongshi to separate off as Yixing [“Righteous Fostering”] commandery, thereby calling to attention his merits by it.

Ji's ancestral clan was strong and abundant, the haven of people's feelings [?]. The Emperor suspected and dreaded him [it?]. At that time, the people and gentlemen of the central provinces assisted and helped the kingly profession. And yet Ji himself accordingly did not obtain transfer, inside his breast hating and resenting. He repeatedly had Diao Xie [JS069] make light of it. His shame and anger became greater and greater.

At the time the Libationer to the General who Garrisons the East, the King of Donglai, Hui [?], likewise was insulted by Zhou Kai [?]. Therefore he and Ji secretly planned to execute the various people controlling the government, push forward Ji and Dai Ruosi [JS069] to with various southern gentlemen together serve the Emperor using the warp and woof of the generation's affairs.

Before this, the refugee leader Xia Tie and others lodged at the Huai and Si. Hui secretly in a letter with Tie ordered them to raise up troops. Himself undertook with Ji to use the Three Wu to respond to them. By the beginning of Jianxing [313 – 317], Tie had assembled a multitude of several hundred people. The Grand Warden of Linhuai, Cai Bao [JS081], beheaded Tie and thereby knew. Hui heard of Tie's death, feared his crime, and fled to Ji. Ji killed him and buried him in the pig pen.

The Emperor heard and secreted it [?]. He summoned Ji to be Marshal who Garrisons the East. He had not yet arrived when he was again changed and conferred General who Establish the Martial and Grand Warden of Nan commandery.

Ji had already gone south and come to Wuhu, when again sent down an order saying: “Ji in successive generations is loyal and zealous, righteous, sincere, celebrated and distinguished, respected and loved by the Orphaned One. Now use him as Army Consultant and Libtationer, General as before, advanced in feudal rank to Duke, blessed ranked companion belonging to the one similar opening to the regulations of the state. [?]”

Ji was angry at the revolving changes, and also understood his plans had leaked. He thereupon in sadness and indignation broke out from his back [?] and he passed on. At the time he was 56 years old. When about to pass on, he spoke to his [son] Xie, saying: “Those who killed me are the various loutish boys. [If you are?] able to return them, then [you are?] my son.”

When the people of Wu spoke of the people of the central provinces, they called them “louts” [cāng傖]. For that reason he spoke like that.

He was bestowed General who Assists the State, posthumous title Loyal and Zealous [zhonglie]. His son Xie inherited.