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fuyonggu · 4 years ago

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Preface to the Biographies of the Eight Princes (Book of Jin 59)

自古帝王之臨天下也，皆欲廣樹蕃屏，崇固維城。唐、虞以前，憲章蓋闕，夏、殷以後，遺跡可知。然而玉帛會于塗山，雖云萬國，至於分疆胙土，猶或未詳。泊乎周室，粲焉可觀，封建親賢，並��列國。當其興也，周、召贊其升平；及其衰也，桓、文輔其危亂。故得卜世之祚克昌，卜年之基惟永。逮王赧即世，天祿已終，虛位無主，三十餘載。爰及暴秦，併吞天下，戒衰周之削弱，忽帝業之遠圖，謂王室之陵遲，由諸候之強大。於是罷侯置守，獨尊諸己，至乎子弟，並為匹夫，惟欲肆虐陵威，莫顧謀孫翼子。枝葉微弱，宗祐孤危，內無社稷之臣，外闕籓維之助。陳、項一呼，海內沸騰，隕身於望夷，系頸於軹道。事不師古，二世而滅。漢祖勃興，爰革斯弊。於是分王子弟，列建功臣，錫之山川，誓以帶礪。然而矯枉過直，懲羹吹齏，土地封疆，逾越往古。始則韓、彭菹醢，次乃吳、楚稱亂。然雖克滅權偪，猶足維翰王畿。洎成、哀之後，戚籓陵替，君臣乘茲間隙，竊位偷安。光武雄略緯天，慷慨下國，遂能除凶靜亂，復禹配天，休祉盛於兩京，鼎祚隆於四百，宗支繼絕之力，可得而言。魏武忘經國之宏規，行忌刻之小數，功臣無立錐之地，子弟君不使之人，徒分茅社，實傳虛爵，本根無所庇廕，遂乃三葉而亡。

Ever since ancient times, kings and emperors who presided over the realm wished to provide security and protection for their rule by appointing trusted people as feudal lords and placing them in command of strategic locations, like protecting a city by expanding and fortifying its walls.

Though we know little of what took place in the mists of time prior to the sage rulers Tang (Yao) and Yu (Shun), by the time of the Xia and Yin (Shang) dynasties, we see some evidence of this principle already emerging. But although we read that jade and silk were distributed by Yu the Great (the founder of Xia) at Tushan and the records speak of "the myriad fiefs", so that we know that in principle there was a splitting of the land and a distribution of territory, still we do not know the precise details.

Matters become brighter by the dawn of the Zhou dynasty, where all becomes clear; we find the precise details of the organization of the feudal lords and how titles were granted to this relative or that worthy person, and that the realm was divided into particular fiefs and domains. When Zhou was ascendant and peaceful, we see the admirable conduct of the Dukes of Zhou and Shao; when Zhou was in decline, still we find Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin supporting the royal family through times of turmoil and danger. And thus their rulers were blessed with prosperity and success through the ages and the span of their rule was long indeed.

By the time of the last ruler of Zhou, King Nan, the blessings of Heaven had already expired. King Nan perished (in 256 BC), and then the realm had an empty throne and no sovereign for more than thirty years, until in the end the state of Qin conquered and annexed all the realm (in 221) through its violent barbarity. It was the belief of the First Emperor of Qin that the downfall of Zhou had been brought about because of the weakness and isolation of its kings, who had forgotten the farsightedness needed for the imperial enterprise, and that the royal house had become the plaything of the feudal lords, who took advantage to become great and powerful. Thus he did away with the whole feudal system and organized the realm into commandaries under the central control of the court, and he reserved all honor and majesty for himself alone, so that even his brothers and sons were no greater than commoners. In doing these things, it was the First Emperor himself who sought only to indulge his cruelty and flaunt his tyranny, for he gave no consideration of what might happen to his descendants after him. The branches and leaves of the tree of state were flimsy and weak, and the crown had few friends to turn to for aid; within, there were no subjects who would preserve the altars of state, and without, there were no lords who would guard and defend the imperial family. One cry of rebellion from Chen Sheng and Xiang Yu was all it took to set the whole realm within the Seas roiling like a cauldron; the Second Emperor of Qin lost his life at Wangyi Palace, and Ying Ziying surrendered at Zhidao with his seal around his neck. Qin failed to heed the teachings of the ancients, and thus their dynasty perished within two generations.

When Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang) rose to the fore, he made changes to correct these faults. He divided the realm and restored the system of the feudal lords, making princes of his younger relatives and granting fiefs to his accomplished ministers. Rivers and mountains were they granted, to serve as their belts and grindstones. The error of the early Han sovereigns was that they went too far in the other direction, like one who blows on hot soup so much that it grows cold; in the granting of lands and fiefs, they went beyond what the ancients had done. Thus they first had to execute Han Xin and pickle Peng Yue and afterwards experienced the crisis brought on by the Princes of Wu and Chu. But though they eventually stripped the feudal lords of the power to threaten the dynasty, the princes and nobles still retained enough power to protect the royal family from harm. Yet by the time of Emperors Cheng and Ai, again the situation had pivoted to the other extreme; the imperial relatives and feudal lords were oppressed and weak, allowing the great minister (Wang Mang) to take advantage of the opportunity and usurp the throne. Luckily, once Emperor Guangwu stitched the realm back together through his boldness and cunning, he once again generously distributed fiefs across the realm. Thus was he able to purge the wicked and quell the chaos. Han once more received the blessings of Heaven; they enjoyed peace and repose, flourishing between the two capitals (at Luoyang and Chang'an), and their legacy endured for four centuries. One could certainly say that it was because the extended royal clan once again exerted on the dynasty's behalf the strength that they had lost.

We may contrast this with Emperor Wu of Wei (Cao Cao), who was ignorant of the generosity needed to sustain the state and who through his suspicion cut those who might have supported his state down to size. His accomplished subjects never received even a spade of land to call their own, and his younger relatives reigned rather than ruled their domains; they were divvied up and sent off to pitiful dwellings, and their titles were form rather than substance. Wei had no foundation to grant it shelter, and thus it lasted no more than three eras.

有晉思改覆車，復隆磐石，或出擁旄節，蒞岳牧之榮；入踐臺階，居端揆之重。然而付託失所，授任乖方，政令不恆，賞罰斯濫。或有材而不任，或無罪而見誅，朝為伊、周，夕為莽、卓。機權失於上，禍亂作於下。楚、趙諸王，相仍構釁，徒興晉陽之甲，竟匪勤王之師。始則為身擇利，利未加而害及；初乃無心憂國，國非憂而奚拯！遂使昭陽興廢，有甚弈棋；乘輿幽縶，更同羑裏。胡羯陵侮，宗廟丘墟，良可悲也。

The Jin dynasty might have learned from these earlier examples. They were like drivers of a cart in a convoy which, seeing the carts in front of it topple and fall, might have profited by steering clear of the same danger. They could have laid a foundation for themselves solid as a rock. Some of their relatives and accomplished subjects might have been empowered with banner and scepter to lead troops out to the borders and carry out the labor of governing the land and protecting the capital, while others remained behind to serve in the government ministries and provide continuity in the administration.

Instead, the opposite took place. Positions and appointments once granted were as soon withdrawn, and people were chosen for this role or that based only on the expediency of the moment; the government and its policies were inconstant, and rewards and punishments swirled together. Some with talent were never employed; some innocent of any crime were executed regardless. Those who in the morning were honored as the peers of Yi Yin or the Duke of Zhou were denounced by the same evening as the equals of Wang Mang or Dong Zhuo. Power and authority were surrendered above, while chaos and disaster spread below.

The Princes of Chu, Zhao, and all the rest sought one after another to sow dissension; they acted righteous as though they were imitating the old "call to arms at Jinyang", but they never exhibited the conduct of cautious lords. They undertook their designs to grasp at profit for themselves, yet before the gains were in hand, doom overtook them; they never showed any concern for the state, so how could the state help but suffer calamity? Power changed hands more drastically than the pieces flip in a game of weiqi; men rose to power and were cast into prison with more dizzying speed than King Wen of Zhou's stint in the jail at Yuli. And in the end, the Xiongnu and the Jie pillaged and plundered the realm and the dynasty's ancestral temples were left empty and bare. Truly, a pitiful thought.

夫為國之有籓屏，猶濟川之有舟楫，安危成敗，義實相資。舟楫且完，波濤不足稱其險；籓屏式固，禍亂何以成其階！向使八王之中，一籓繄賴，如梁王之禦大故，若硃虛之除大憝，則外寇焉敢憑陵，內難奚由竊發！縱令天子暗劣，鼎臣奢放，雖或顛沛，未至土崩。何以言之？琅邪譬彼諸王，權輕眾寡，度長絜大，不可同年。遂能匹馬濟江，奄有吳會，存重宗社，百有餘年。雖曰天時，抑亦人事。豈如趙倫、齊冏之輩，河間、東海之徒，家國俱亡，身名並滅。善惡之數，此非其效歟！西晉之政亂朝危，雖由時主，然而煽其風，速其禍者，咎在八王，故序而論之，總為其傳云耳。

For those who serve the state by acting as its shield and screen are like the rowers on a boat crossing a river. Whether the boat enjoys peace or suffers calamity is entirely up to the collective efforts of the rowers. If they dip their oars in unison, though the river might have waves, they will not be enough to threaten the ship. And if the feudal lords act in unison to protect the state, how could turmoil ever grow so dire as to bring down the dynasty?

During the Han dynasty, there were the examples of the Prince of Liang (Liu Wu), who served without to oppose the treason of the Princes of Wu and Chu in their effort to overthrow the dynasty, and the Marquis of Zhuxu (Liu Zhang), who acted within to purge the Lü clan in their attempt to usurp the throne. If only these Eight Princes of Jin had done as they did! Though there might be foreign threats, if the Princes were united, how could such threats dare to despoil the realm? Or if there were internal dangers, even so, how could they have seized power? Even if the Son of Heaven was a blind fool or the chief ministers were arrogant and unrestrained, such things could have been dealt with; there might be shocks and quakes, but it would not have caused the mountain to collapse.

What is the proof of this? Consider how the Prince of Langye (Sima Rui) compared to the Eight Princes. His authority was less than theirs, and he had fewer troops than they did; he was a more distant relative than they, nor did he have their seniority. Yet he was able to cross south of the Yangzi by himself, take control of the regions of Wu and Kuaiji, and preserve and revive the imperial family, thus prolonging the dynasty for another century and more. Though one could argue that Heaven was helping him, still it required his own efforts to make it so. He was far different from the likes of Sima Lun or Sima Jiong or the ilk of Sima Yong or Sima Yue, who brought about the destruction of their families and their state and the annihilation of their lives and their honor! Could there be any clearer examples of the differences between good and evil?

Circumstance itself may have been the primary factor that caused the turmoil in Western Jin and the instability of its court. Yet it was these Eight Princes who fanned the flames of its destruction and hastened its demise. And having prefaced the discussion with these remarks, we have gathered their biographies here to illustrate our argument.

#Book of Jin #Jinshu #Eight Princes #War of the Eight Princes

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fuyonggu · 5 years ago

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The Romance Continued, Chapter 1

Who doesn’t appreciate a good fanfiction?

This text, Continued Romance of the Three Kingdoms, was written in 1609, almost three hundred years after the original novel. Its author went by the pen name The Unauthorized Historian of Xiyang of Western Shu; their real name is unknown. It continues the story of the Romance, beginning with the fall of Shu-Han and continuing into the Jin era, and it assumes that its reader is familiar with the Romance already. The basic premise is something along the lines of “what if most of the people who brought down Western Jin were actually descendants of people from Shu-Han?” It goes without saying that you shouldn’t expect too much historical accuracy here beyond the broad strokes.

One thing to know is that this is a long novel, clocking in at 145 chapters (making it longer than the Romance’s 120 chapters). Ironically, the work was never finished; the end of the 145th chapter states that the text up to that point was only the first half, and that the second half (either never written or lost) would finish the story.

I don’t know how often I’ll post chapters from this. This is just something fun for now. But there might be more?

後主降英雄避亂

Chapter 1 -- The Later Lord Surrenders, Young Heroes Flee The Chaos

蓋聞天開於子，地闢於丑，人生於寅。自人之生，而有聖人繼天立極以維人紀，上自三皇，中及五帝，下至商湯文武，迭相為治。當是時也，純用禮樂，行一不義、殺一不辜而得天下，所不為也。孔子曰："三分天下有其二，以服事殷，周之德，可謂至德也已矣。"宜其延世三十，歷年八百，後��鮮及焉。迨至戰國，亡王用霸，日尋干戈，壞亂已極矣。秦用商鞅之法，尚戰功，忽禮樂，雖然得志一時，幸吞六國，而享祚不長，傳世惟二，孰謂天道微藐之不足信，禮樂教化之不足用哉？漢高之興，能變秦律，立法三章，天下歸心，隨滅秦楚。雖然厄於強臣佞戚，光武卒能繼述，垂統綿長，不亦宜乎！及於三國之際，炎精將涸，吳魏分崩，所賴薦生玄德，足稱令主。至窮不背於仁，百敗不折其志，天生賢哲為之羽翼。雖雲立國一隅，而實君臣一德。以弱為強，六徵九伐，敵畏若虎，足為一時之偉稱也。奈何營中星殞，丞相云亡，遂使奸雄得志，千載於今，人心痛忿。幸而天道尚存，假手苗裔夷凶翦暴，使漢祀複興，炎劉紹立。要惟卯金餘德未艾，禮樂未廢，人心向慕之至也歟！

In the beginning, the heavens stretched into being, the earth took form, and mankind arose. Ever since the dawn of humanity, there have been wise rulers who have inherited the legacy of Heaven, stood atop the pinnacle, and directed the affairs of the people. In distant antiquity ruled the Three Emperors. Then came the Five Sovereigns. And after them were Tang of Shang and Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou. Each of these passed on the administration of the realm. During these ages, sovereigns were pure and conducted themselves with propriety and ritual. There was never an instance of someone who gained the realm by acting unrighteously or killing the innocent. Thus Confucius could state, "King Wen of Zhou possessed two thirds of the empire, yet with those he still served the dynasty of Yin (Shang). The virtue of the house of Zhou may be said to have reached the highest point indeed." And the house of Zhou indeed ruled for thirty reigns and eight centuries; never has there been another to equal them.

By the time of the Warring States, the royal sway had fallen into decline and the Hegemons ruled the realm; every day saw bloody battle, and the destruction and turmoil were absolute. The state of Qin, following the policies of Shang Yang, achieved military dominance. But they cared nothing for propriety or ritual, and though they achieved their ambitions for a time by swallowing up the other Six States, they did not enjoy a long legacy, and perished after only two reigns. Who then can claim that the ways of Heaven ought to be slighted and belittled, or that the education and culture provided by ritual and ceremony can be ignored?

When Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang) established the Han dynasty, he was able to transform the canons of Qin, and he established the laws in three articles. He won the hearts of the realm, who helped him to vanquish the Qin dynasty and the rival state of Chu. And though at times the house of Han fell prey to the dominance of its ministers and the flattery of its relatives, in the end, Emperor Guangwu was able to continue the succession. He propagated its rule and inherited its legacy; well that it was so!

When the realm split into the Three Kingdoms and the states of Wu and Wei tore the land asunder, the flame of the dynasty was nearly snuffed out. Yet even so, it could still depend upon the efforts of that devoted fellow, Xuande, who was worthy to be called its lord. Even when driven to his lowest points, he never abandoned his benevolence; even when defeated for the hundredth time, he never gave up his ambition. Heaven itself provided him with worthy and talented people to serve as his wings. And though he established his state in a corner of the realm, truly both he and his subjects displayed the selfsame virtue. Six times he mustered his armies for war, nine times he campaigned against the foe. His enemies feared him like a tiger. Worthy was he to be acclaimed as a talent of the age.

Alas, that Xuande's star should fall while he was in the midst of his camps, and that the Prime Minister (Zhuge Liang) too should expire. Their deaths allowed the wicked villains to attain their evil desires. Even a thousand years later, our hearts still rend with pain at the thought. But how fortunate, then, that Heaven was not finished with the house of Han, and it allowed their descendants to slay the cruel and smite the wicked. They restored the fortunes of Han and revived the flame of the Liu clan. The lingering virtue of their house had not been extinguished; the rites and ceremonies of the dynasty had not yet fallen. And our hearts beat with admiration for them!

且說蜀主劉禪自癸巳登位，賴孔明當國，安享四十餘季。丞相既亡，至炎興元年，其中寵用宦官黃皓，致先世文武大臣關、張、黃、馬、趙諸勛舊子孫皆不得干預軍事，或退閒，或致仕，於是國勢浸衰，兵威不振。魏司馬昭聞知，議欲伐之。當有王祥一門，常懷漢德，因上疏阻之云："蜀土雖狹，民感其惠，君臣義睦，無隙可乘。況今歲星在蜀，伐之恐致不祥。"昭不聽，乃命鄧艾領兵五萬，自狄道越甘松嶺出沓中，以絆姜維之師；諸葛緒引兵五萬，自祁山趨武街橋頭，以絕姜維歸路；鐘會引兵十五萬，從斜谷、子午谷分作三路而進，以趨漢中。細作報入沓中，大將軍都督軍事姜維急修表馳奏後主。後主即命蔣舒、傅僉領兵二萬，分守陽平等關要隘，更欲大發兵以助姜維。時黃皓用事，深恨姜維常欲除己，今若發兵助勢，敵退爵尊，我必受虧，隨阻於帝曰："臣曾探得魏主深疑司馬，司馬自救不暇，焉能謀人？此來風聞乃懼我兵見加，故為虛��聲勢耳。"又引巫師詐誕，以聾帝聽，以是帝遂不為設備，罷其預守之議，群臣皆不知姜維上表請兵之故。八月，魏軍長驅大進。姜維聞鐘會兵至，乃與廖化、張翼等合議扼守劍閣以拒之。鐘會引兵攻打，被維出奇兵斷會糧道，前後身自挑戰凡數十合，互有勝敗。會亦慮糧運險遠，急未能得志，隨退兵安營相守。忽探得姜維有襲糧之兵出矣，會心甚懼，即欲退回長安，再圖後舉。

But us set the scene. The lord of Shu, Liu Shan, had risen to the throne in the Guimao year (223). And thanks to the supervision of Kongming over the state of Shu, Liu Shan had enjoyed a peaceful reign for more than forty years. But by now, the Prime Minister had died, and it was the first year of Yanxing (263). Liu Shan favored the eunuch Huang Hao and entrusted him with affairs, while the descendants of those great civil and martial servants of his father's age, the families of Guan, Zhang, Huang, Ma, and Zhao, were no longer granted any part in either the army or in government. Some of these scions lived in obscurity, while others held minor posts. But the state had fallen into decline and decay, and the morale of the soldiers had sunk too low to be revived.

When Sima Zhao of the state of Wei heard that such a state of affairs prevailed in Shu, he held a discussion among his subordinates, proposing a campaign to conquer Shu. Among these men was a certain Wang Xiang, who had always cherished the virtues of the Han dynasty. Thus he sent up a petition opposing the proposed expedition. He stated, "Although the territory of Shu is a cramped place, the people there venerate the kindness of their lord, and the relationship between its sovereign and his subjects is proper and harmonious. There is no internal dissension within the state which we could take advantage of. Besides, the Year Star (Jupiter) is currently hanging over Shu. It is well-known that no state which is enjoying the protection of the Year Star can be attacked. Thus to campaign against Shu would only invite misfortune upon us."

However, Sima Zhao did not listen to the pleas of Wang Xiang. Being determined upon the campaign, he devised a strategy for his armies to destroy the rival state. He would order the general Deng Ai to lead fifty thousand soldiers from Didao to cross the Gansong mountain ranges and enter Tazhong, where he could keep the army of Shu's Grand Commander, Jiang Wei, occupied. At the same time, he would order the general Zhuge Xu to lead another fifty thousand soldiers from Qishan to cross the bridgehead at Wujie and cut off Jiang Wei's route of escape. While these operations were taking place, Sima Zhao would send the main army of a hundred and fifty thousand under the general Zhong Hui to advance along three roads through Xie Valley and Ziwu Valley and capture the Shu bastion at Hanzhong.

Word of the planned Wei operations made their way to Jiang Wei at his base at Tazhong. He wrote a petition informing Liu Shan of the situation and dispatched a messenger at once to bring it to the capital. Liu Shan thus ordered the generals Jiang Shu and Fu Qian to lead twenty thousand soldiers to form garrisons to guard Yangping and other strategic places.

Liu Shan even planned to mobilize the full manpower of the state to reinforce Jiang Wei's army. But Huang Hao, who monopolized power at the capital, deeply hated Jiang Wei and had often wanted to get rid of him. He was worried that, if such a mobilization proved critical to letting Jiang Wei drive away the invaders, then Jiang Wei would surely be rewarded and honored while his own influence would diminish. Thus he opposed this mustering of troops, telling Liu Shan, "I have always heard that the ruler of Wei has been most suspicious of the Sima clan. The Sima clan must be entirely focused on securing their own position in Wei; how could they have a free hand to plot against us as well? If we panic in the face of this rumor and thus bolster Jiang Wei's ranks, we will only augment his power for no purpose." And he also brought in some shamans to perform a false ritual, and they deceived Liu Shan. Thus Liu Shan canceled his drafting preparations and dropped all discussion of reinforcing the defences of the state. None of his ministers ever realized that Jiang Wei had submitted this petition asking for reinforcements.

In the eighth month of that year, the Wei armies surged forward, advancing far into the state. When Jiang Wei heard that Zhong Hui's troops were on their way, he held a discussion with Liao Hua, Zhang Yi, and the other generals. They resolved to man the defenses at Jiange Pass and hold out against the enemy. When Zhong Hui's army arrived at Jiange, they launched an assault. But Jiang Wei devised a plan which allowed special troops to sever Zhong Hui's supply lines, and he also personally dueled enemies for dozens of bouts during the fighting. Each side had their share of victories and defeats. Zhong Hui was worried about keeping his troops provisioned over so far a distance and across such rough terrain, and he had his troops fall back to prepared camps to maintain their position. But when Jiang Wei's special troops continued to appear in his rear and launch surprise attacks against Zhong Hui's supply lines, Zhong Hui's heart failed him. He was resolved to fall back to Chang'an, then wait for some later time to plan another campaign.

鄧艾聞知，以書抵會曰："竊窺蜀國無能為也。蓋由宦豎專權，忠良解體，縱一姜維之智，亦不能驅眾遠出，不過虛為聲勢以分我軍，彼得以逸待勞耳。將軍但當堅守，待小將父子引本部兵，從陰平邪徑，經德陽亭，出劍閣之背，西去成都，不過三百里，以奇兵出其不意，衝其腹心。姜維知之，必撤劍閣之兵，還救涪城，都督則可方軌而進矣，何退之有哉？如劍閣兵不回，涪城無救，取之甚易。姜維前後受敵，必為公擒，此不待智者可知也。"艾竟不俟約期，即引兵行無人之徑七百餘里，鑿山通道，極其險處，艾則自裹以氈，推墮而下，將士扳援魚貫以進。至江油城，蜀將蔣舒以城降，傅僉戰死，隨逾陰平。

When Deng Ai learned that Zhong Hui's resolve had begun to waver, he sent him a letter criticizing him. He wrote, "Shu is an exhausted state, unable to accomplish anything. Its affairs are in the hands of a pathetic eunuch, and its loyal and good servants can do nothing. It is thanks to Jiang Wei's cunning alone that they are able to resist at all. But they lack the ability to move their forces about or march long distances. They can do no more than make threatening noises sufficient to cause us to divide our forces, allowing them to safely receive the brunt of a reduced attack.

"General, you need but hold firm and maintain your position. Allow my humble self and my son to lead the soldiers of my command to march through the badlands at Yinping, pass by Deyang Point, and emerge from behind Jiange Pass. From there, it will be no more than three hundred li west to the enemy capital at Chengdu; we can seize it by surprise and occupy the very heart of the enemy's country. Once Jiang Wei learns of it, he will surely bring his troops at Jiange to hurry to hold Fucheng against me, and you can then simply follow in his wake. Why then would you need to retreat? Or if the soldiers at Jiange do not turn back towards the capital, Fucheng will be defenseless and extremely easy to take. Jiang Wei will be surrounded by enemies on both sides, and he would doubtlessly fall into your hands. It would not take a genius to recognize that."

Without waiting for a response, Deng Ai at once led his troops along his proposed route. They traveled through more than seven hundred li of uninhabited land, carving through mountains and clearing roads as they went. When the road suddenly ended in a cliff, Deng Ai had himself wrapped in felt and personally rolled down the cliff, and his generals and soldiers then fashioned a fish-scale rope to descend the precipice. When they arrived at the city of Jiangyou at the far end of the road, the Shu generals Jiang Shu and Fu Qian were waiting for them. But Jiang Shu surrendered, and Fu Qian perished in battle. Deng Ai's troops then advanced to Yinping.

忽於岩畔見一石牌，上題："二火初興，有人越此，二士爭衡，不久��死。"艾探知乃諸葛孔明先設示警者。艾因大驚，遂訪孔明之墓，躬備儀禮拜祭，以求赦宥。是夜乃夢二力士，稱元運真君有召命，艾方猶豫，二士夾之而去。須臾至一處，殿閣崢嶸，光曜顯赫，力士引艾至內門。仰觀殿上，執事羅列，整肅森嚴。少頃，真君出御曰："吾即孔明耳。往時謫降人世，目擊曹瞞、馬懿並無仁德，惟務奸偽，欺上惑下，竊據土宇。吾曾奏聞上帝，削其國籍。劉漢二十六君，守道育民，初無失德，宜使其裔興漢複祀。其餘附奸凶忍之徒，悉填憲典，即目劉主迎降，乃保眾惜民之仁。爾兵進城，若不約束，大禍旋至，可宜知改。"諭畢，命力士引還。後來鄧艾忘戒縱暴，父子遭戮，鐘會亦坐誅夷，魏晉國祚不永，劉氏繼立，漢祀複存，皆如夢中之語。艾既覺悟，神思惑亂，按兵遲回者數日。鄧忠等進曰："大人深明理道，何不察妖幻者邪術也？是不脫王郎假妻為神，以阻光武之故智耳！何因一夢，隨阻軍心？正中其術矣。"艾隨釋疑，引兵而起，進至綿竹。飛報入成都，後主大驚失措，慌議出師，群臣無敢應諾者。

As Deng Ai's troops were marching along the side of a cliff, Deng Ai suddenly saw a stone stele. Upon it was written these words: "Two fires arise; men pass by here. Two commanders compete; both will soon perish." Deng Ai realized that Zhuge Kongming must have earlier placed the stele here as a warning to him. Greatly frightened by the omen, Deng Ai went to visit the grave of Kongming, and he personally conducted the rites to offer a sacrifice to the spirit of Kongming, hoping to win his pardon and forgiveness.

That night, Deng Ai saw two strong men in his dreams, who said that they had been ordered by the Steadfast Lord to fetch him. Before Deng Ai realized it, the two strong men had grabbed him, and they took him with them. The three of them soon arrived at a magnificent residence; its halls and pavilions were lofty and towering, and it shone with a glorious luster. The strong men brought Deng Ai through the gates of the residence. Deng Ai looked up to gaze at the hall, and he saw that everything was laid out meticulously and in strict order, with everything in its proper place.

The Steadfast Lord soon appeared to receive Deng Ai. He told him, "I am none other than Kongming. In life, when I walked the world below, I saw with my own eyes how Cao Man (Cao Cao) and Sima Yi were both lacking in benevolence or virtue, caring only for wickedness and cunning. They deceived their sovereigns above and beguiled the people below, seeking covetously how they might take the land for themselves. But I have heard the wishes of the Supreme God above, and I know how he has laid out the fates of dynasties. Through the twenty-six rulers of the Liu clan of Han, they have held fast to principle and nurtured the people. Never since the beginning have they abandoned their virtue. Thus it shall be that their descendants shall restore the fortunes of Han. Only for the moment shall the minions of the cruel and wicked villains be suffered to hold the laws in their hands. I have foreseen that Lord Liu shall surrender to you, for in his benevolence he wishes to protect the masses and spare the people from suffering. When you advance to the capital, unless you restrain yourself, disaster will overtake you as well. I have informed you so that you might reform yourself." Having finished speaking, he ordered the strong men to take Deng Ai away again.

Alas for Deng Ai, that he later forgot this warning and set loose his soldiers to pillage; father and son both suffered a grisly end. So too did Zhong Hui suffer execution. Nor did the fortunes of Wei or Jin long endure either. For the Liu clan was able to restore itself and the Han dynasty once again flourished, just as this dream had foretold.

When Deng Ai awoke from the dream, his thoughts were troubled by what the spirit had told him, and for several days he kept his troops back and would not advance. Then his son Deng Zhong and the other generals stepped forward and said, "Sir, you have always been wise and clear-sighted. Don't you see this is some sorcery that has taken hold of you? This is no different from when Wang Lang heeded the spirit of his wife and opposed Emperor Guangwu, to his ruin! Why should you burden the hearts of the army all for the sake of a dream? You must see through this craft." Deng Ai thus set aside his doubts and put his troops in order, and they advanced to Mianzhu.

When word arrived in Chengdu that Deng Ai's army was close at hand, Liu Shan was so shocked that he was at a loss. He hastily summoned a council to discuss sending out an army to oppose Deng Ai. But none of the assembled ministers dared to volunteer to lead it.

諸葛瞻急入，大慟曰："國家養兵育士，正在今日之用，何無一人應命？皆由陛下寵用黃皓，以至於此。今事已危急，臣雖不才，願拼微軀，上報陛下，下慰父心。"帝即付以禁兵二萬。瞻至綿竹，與鄧艾兵遇。安營已畢，召子諸葛尚議曰："吾兵屢敗，銳氣已喪，須以奇計取勝。若韓信背水，庶可為力於眾也。"尚曰："大人之見甚善。彼兵屢勝，志必驕惰。若能三軍致死，勝之極易耳。"次日，兩軍方合，瞻即揮退，艾即逼追至港次。諸葛尚大呼曰："前臨溪港，後有追鋒，若諸軍不拼死鬥，則盡無生矣。"以是三軍回身死鬥，艾兵大敗。瞻亦不敢深追。鄧艾收兵，責眾不盡力。忠曰："一人舍死，百夫莫敵，況勝敗兵家之常，安足為責？以子之見，諸葛終非父比，趁今夜彼方得勝，必不提防，一去劫營，必收大功。"艾曰："謀人之所不謀，正此之謂也。"即命忠在前，自為策應，三軍盡起，望瞻寨殺來。是夜，瞻父子果不提備，��忠斫營而入，諸軍俱在睡中，人不及甲，馬不及鞍，諸葛瞻乃嘆曰："天不佑漢人，其如何？"隨與子尚俱戰死於陣。可憐忠義兒，罹此殺身慘。所謂綿竹之戰，見孔明之有子也。敗兵逃回者入城奏知後主，計無所出。或曰急召姜都督回救，或曰棄城奔白帝城，入吳求救。眾議紛紛不定。

Then in rushed Zhuge Zhan, the son of Zhuge Liang. In a voice full of grief, he lamented, "The state has raised its soldiers and trained its officers for just such a day as this. How is it then that none of you will take up the call? It is all because Your Majesty has favored and employed Huang Hao that things have come to this. But though the emergency is already so great, and I have no talents to speak of, still I am willing to take the command and oppose the foe. Thus I may repay Your Majesty above and soothe the heart of my late father below." Liu Shan thus assigned Zhuge Zhan twenty thousand soldiers from the palace guards.

When Zhuge Zhan's forces arrived at Mianzhu, they encountered Deng Ai's army. Once the camp was complete for the day, Zhuge Zhan summoned his own son, Zhuge Shang, and discussed the situation with him. "Since our soldiers have suffered several defeats and their spirits have sunk low," said Zhuge Zhan, "we must rely on a special plan to gain a victory. We shall have to follow the example of Han Xin of old, and post our soldiers with their backs to the river. Then our men will fight with all their strength to defeat the enemy."

"You see things all too well, Father," said Zhuge Shang. "And the enemy, after having won several victories, will have also grown complacent and remiss. Thus if we can compel our soldiers to fight to the death, it will be quite easy to triumph."

The next day, just as the two armies were about to clash, Zhuge Zhan began to have his men fall back. Deng Ai led his own army in pursuit, pressing Zhuge Zhan's soldiers as far as a nearby river landing. Zhuge Shang then called out to the soldiers, "Before you is the flowing river; behind you is the enemy in hot pursuit. Unless you fight for your very lives, not one of you will survive." The Shu soldiers then turned and plunged into battle, fighting for dear life, and Deng Ai's army was greatly defeated.

Zhuge Zhan did not dare to press the pursuit too closely. Thus Deng Ai was eventually able to gather up his scattered soldiers again. He reproached his troops for not fighting with their full strength. But Deng Zhong said to him, "A man driven to the brink of death can overcome even a hundred opponents. Besides, victory and defeat are the common lot of any army. Why should you reproach them? As I see it, Zhuge Zhan is not the equal of his father. He has seized upon a momentary advantage to snatch a victory, but now his troops will be flush with their triumph, and they will surely not have prepared any defenses against us. If we march immediately and strike their camp at once, we will win a great achievement."

Deng Ai remarked, "The schemer does not account for schemes, as they say." So he ordered Deng Zhong to lead the vanguard, while he held overall command. His army advanced at once, determined to see Zhuge Zhan dead.

That night, Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang had indeed failed to prepare their defenses. Deng Zhong was thus able to break into their camp, where he found the Shu soldiers in the midst of sleep. They did not even have time to put on armor or place bridles on their horses before being overrun. Zhuge Zhan wailed, "Can it be that Heaven does not aid the servants of Han?" He and his son rushed into the battle, where both died in the fighting.

What a pity, that such a loyal and righteous son should meet with such a tragic fate. But we can see from his victory at Mianzhu that he was truly Kongming's son.

Some of the soldiers who had fled from the night attack returned to Chengdu, and Liu Shan was thus informed of Zhuge Zhan's fate. He did not know what to do. Some of his ministers advised him to immediately summon Jiang Wei back to save the capital, while others advised him to abandon the city and flee to Baidicheng, where he could seek aid from the state of Wu. Arguments flared back and forth, and no one could decide what should be done.

太史令譙周曰："大將軍拒鐘會，其兵不可抽，抽則兩失。東吳非好相識，且艾兵已近郊，若知陛下出，縱輕騎追之，亦恐不能脫，皆非善策耳。臣觀乾象，見國數已衰，賊氣方盛，客星犯闕，主星韜光，戰則無益，不如出降。上可救全城百姓之命，下可以保全九族，乃應天順時之舉，非臣不忠，敢陷陛下為屈膝事也。"後主惑其言，乃議出降。鄧艾因頓兵城下。當有帝之第三子北地王劉諶知之，急入阻曰："誰獻此計，誤陛下為萬世何如主？況城中尚有十萬之眾，當率之或戰或守，敵兵何能即入？彼兵遠來，野無所虜，糧草不接濟，但能堅守一月，全軍皆沒城下矣。且姜維諸將在外，安得無計？獻此計者，不但誤陛下，誠可斬也！設使勢窮力竭，猶當父子背城一戰，何至含垢忍恥以圖苟活，何以見先帝於地下耶？"帝曰："爾小兒何知國計？可速去。"

Then the Prefect of the Astrologers Bureau, Qiao Zhou, offered his thoughts. "The Grand General is busy opposing Zhong Hui," he said, "and his army cannot break off from that struggle; if they did so, they could neither defeat Deng Ai nor Zhong Hui. As for Wu, they are no good friends of ours. Besides, Deng Ai's army is already so close to the outskirts of the city that even if His Majesty tried to flee, Deng Ai could send light cavalry to pursue him, and I fear he would never escape. So that is not a suitable plan either.

“As for me, I have seen the signs and omens and recognized in them the steady decline of the state. The stars are abundant in the quadrant of the sky symbolizing the enemy, while wayward stars have violated our own quadrant and the luster of our chief star has grown dim. It would do you no good to risk a battle. Better to go out and surrender at once. By doing so, our sovereign may ensure the lives of all those within the city, and we may protect the lives of our own families and clans. It is time to heed the will of Heaven and the sign of the times. Though I am not disloyal, still I must dare to propose that Your Majesty bend the knee."

Liu Shan was beguiled by Qiao Zhou's words, and he proposed going out to surrender. Deng Ai thus halted his troops and waited outside the walls of the city.

When Shu's Prince of Beidi, Liu Shan's third son Liu Chen, learned what was about to happen, he rushed into court to oppose the planned surrender. "Who has proposed this idea and thus led Your Majesty astray?" he cried. "Shall you let future generations wonder at your actions? Besides, there are still a hundred thousand soldiers within the city. We could easily have some of them go out to fight while the others remain to defend the city. Then how could the enemy ever break inside? The enemy army has traveled a great distance, and there is no food in the fields for them to forage, nor provisions in store to keep them supplied. We need only defend the city for a month before their whole army wastes away beneath our walls. And Jiang Wei and the other generals are still in the field; can they really do nothing to help us?

“Bring forth this person who has proposed that you surrender, for not only has he misled you, he ought to be beheaded! At the very least, we should do our utmost and exert every effort by risking a final battle, fathers and sons together with our backs to the city! How could you swallow such disgrace and endure such shame merely in order to save your own lives? How will you be able to face His Late Majesty in the world below?"

But Liu Shan told him, "What does a brat like you know of affairs of state? Begone at once."

北地王知帝存婦人之仁，執性不回，乃將幼子托劉璩撫育，隨哭入昭烈之廟，先殺其妻，乃自刎。劉璩者，梁王劉理之子也。在諸王之內，號稱智囊，且機警有權略，比時亦欲進議，因見劉諶之死，知帝執迷，不可以舌諍也。方哭念劉諶間，有劉封次子劉靈入省，璩曰："今國勢如此，奈何？"靈曰："惟應與吾兄劉宣等商議，全身遠害，豈宜束手待斃，行奴顏婢膝事乎？"劉璩曰："某亦為此而思度，非宣兄莫可與計者。"靈即馳請宣至。璩曰："大廈將崩，一木難扶，城若一破，玉石俱焚。兄輩計將安出？"宣曰："吾弟才略勝我百倍，必有定見。以愚諒之，帝意不可轉，國事不可支，明矣。為今之計，惟有逃避遐方，審機諒勢，或圖興複，此為上也。若還居此遲回，必遭大辱。"璩曰："兄計深與我合。"言未畢，又有一人自外而入，呼曰："劉子通在否？"劉靈忙出迎候，乃楊儀之子楊龍也。龍曰："適到尊府訪議，云兄到此，是以隨亦來會。正欲見殿下呈鄙見耳。"於是同入見璩等，乃曰："龍本不識時務之人，因思先父曾言諸葛丞相臨終，惟先父在側，囑以後事。言劉氏此複中衰，越三十年後，當有英主再出，複興漢業，重定中原。臣父對臣言之，謹記不忘，將謂國家尚有一統之日，不意事勢若此。主上惑於譙周之說，必不可移矣。臣觀七殿下相貌不凡，神異種種，將來主大器者，必殿下也。夫智者見於未萌，豈待已著乎？申生止而待死，重耳逃而複伯。此已往之明鑒也。吾輩願從殿下周游，萬死而不辭��"言未畢，有一勇士自外披襟而入，大叫曰："汝眾尚不逃走，是欲自送死耶？"眾視之，乃梁府護衛親兵總領秦州狄道人齊萬年也。

Liu Chen recognized that Liu Shan had only the kindly nature of a woman, and he was stubborn in his decision and would not be swayed. So Liu Chen first entrusted the care of his young son Liu Yao to his cousin Liu Qu to raise as his own. Then, wailing as he entered the ancestral temple of Emperor Zhaolie (Liu Bei), he killed his wife and then cut his own throat.

This Liu Qu was the son of the Prince of Liang, Liu Li. Among the princes of the royal family, he had gained a name for himself as a clever and intelligent young man, and he was quick-witted and had a calculating mind. He too had been planning to offer his thoughts in the recent discussion. But when he saw how Liu Chen had been driven to death, he knew that Liu Shan would not change his mind and rhetoric would not do any good.

Liu Qu was weeping as he thought of Liu Chen's demise, when Liu Ling came into his residence; this Liu Ling was the second son of Liu Bei's adopted son Liu Feng. Liu Qu said to him, "The state has been driven to such dire straits. What are we to do?"

Liu Ling told him, "Why not discuss things with your elder brother Liu Xuan and the others? We might preserve ourselves and stave off danger. Why should we sit here with folded hands and await disaster, or else submit to becoming slaves and bending the knee?"

Liu Qu replied, "I had just been thinking the same thing. Liu Xuan is the only one who can tell us what we should do."

Liu Ling thus quickly sent word asking Liu Xuan to join them. When Liu Xuan arrived, Liu Qu told him, "The trunk is about to fall, and the branches can hardly survive; the city is about to be taken, and the jade will be smashed alongside the stones. Elder Brother, can you think of nothing for us to do?"

Liu Xuan replied, "Younger Brother, you are a hundred times as talented and clever as I am, and you will surely be able to think of something. But in my own humble view, it seems clear that the Emperor's intention cannot be changed and the state can no longer be saved. Thus all I can suggest is that you run away and seek refuge in some distant place, then muster your strength while watching for some opportunity. By doing so, you may find some chance to revive the state. That would be the best plan. But if you stay here and linger any longer, you too will have to suffer the great disgrace of surrendering."

Liu Qu said, "Elder Brother, that is exactly what I was thinking."

He had not yet finished speaking when another man approached the residence, calling out, "Is Liu Zitong here?" Liu Ling quickly hurried out to see who the new arrival was, and discovered that it was Yang Yi's son Yang Long. "I was just about to attend the council," Yang Long said, "when they told me that you were here, so I came to find you. I only hope that His Highness will be willing to see me."

They both went back inside to rejoin Liu Qu and Liu Xuan. Yang Long told Liu Qu, "The reason that I had never taken up office is because I have always been thinking of the words that my father once heard from Prime Minister Zhuge on his deathbed. Back then, my father was the only one by his side, and he was asking the Prime Minister about his last will. The Prime Minister told him that although the Liu clan would fall into decline, thirty years after that time, a bold hero would emerge to restore the endeavor of the Han dynasty and reconquer the Central Plains. My father told this to me and instructed me to be sure never to forget it, saying that such a day for the state was sure to come. Only I never thought that things would come to this.

"Now our sovereign has been led astray by the words of Qiao Zhou, and he surely cannot be moved. I have studied the appearances of the other seven princes of the royal family, but none of them measure up. The only one who seems to have a remarkable appearance and has the makings of a grand leader is Your Highness.

"A wise man recognizes what is going to happen long before the event comes to pass. Why then do you linger here? Do not forget the fates of the sons of Duke Xian of Jin; Shensheng remained at home and so met with death, while Chong'er fled and reclaimed his inheritance in the end. These are clear examples for Your Highness to heed. As for me, I am willing to follow Your Highness wherever you go, and I would not complain even if I suffered ten thousand deaths."

Yang Long had hardly finished speaking when some bold fellow strode into the room, shaking out his sleeves as he roared, "Why haven't you people run away yet? Are you so eager to die?" Everyone turned to look, and they recognized him as a troop leader of the soldiers from the Liang garrison, Qi Wannian from Didao county in Qinzhou.

劉璩乃拉萬年手曰："吾知欲脫此虎阱，非將軍不能周旋，奈何尚有一大關系，須累將軍保扶之。昨北地王死於社稷，天地為之悲慘。又將幼子劉曜托我撫育，以為我必不負托者。我輩仗威力，或可幸全，是兒方在襁褓，為之奈何？若此兒不得出，我亦無棄行之理。"言訖，淚下如雨。萬年言曰："殿下親子在外監軍，尚不言及，而拳拳以托侄，立相與存亡之誓，真仁人之設心也。他日必為萬民之主，不卜可知矣。"蓋璩之長子聰，生而有神力，善於弓馬，因此後主命之監助姜維之軍。姜維每資其力，倚重之，故嘗留於其軍。萬年乃曰："臣敢不體殿下之心以報北地王之忠？但只身恐不能兩全。臣有契友廖全者，真勇士也，兼之義俠逾常，乃平西將軍廖化之子也。每欲從徵為國家出力，渠父惜惟一子，留家不遣，因與臣較藝，隨為刎頸之交。臣當前去約彼至此，將曜主縛於其背，臣則向前開路，誓當死戰以報國恩。但須急速，毋致遲誤。"眾曰："永齡真義勇丈夫也，速宜馳之。"萬年即偕廖全至，劉靈、楊龍等皆會。萬年即手持大刀，當先開路，廖全負劉曜挺槍次隨。劉英、劉宣保護各家眷屬居中，璩與劉靈、劉和等斷後，一齊俱望西門而出。當有魏將方來引兵攔阻去路，曰："吾觀汝輩皆仕宦裝束，且汝主既降，則盡是魏民，吾主方事招徠，何用逃竄？"萬年更不開言，怒眸若電，就輪起大刀劈面斫去。方來亦挺槍相迎。論方來豈萬年之敵乎？但賊兵眾多，又要保衛眷屬，惟衝擊而已。萬年乃殺條血路而出，廖全奮勇挾斗，人不敢追，擁衛眾人以出敵圍。方來不舍，從後引兵追來。萬年曰："賊徒不知死活，尚敢來追，不斬之無以見英雄。"乃隨勒轉馬迎之，未及二合，將方來手起一刀斬之。眾魏兵見如此利害，那個敢來追？各自奔散。正是：他年開國興基手，先向成都顯首功。

Liu Qu took Qi Wannian by the hand and said, "I know all too well that I ought to escape from this tiger's trap. But without your assistance, General, I cannot do so. I have been entrusted with a new ward, and I shall have to depend upon you to defend him. Yesterday, the Prince of Beidi died before the altars of state, and Heaven and Earth grieved and mourned for him. He entrusted me with the care of his young son, Liu Yao, to nurture and raise, for he knew that I would never shirk such a duty. Yet though by my own strength alone I might be able to preserve my life, how could I ever protect this mere infant, still in his swaddling clothes? He would never be able to escape, yet I would not abandon him." And as he spoke, his tears flowed like rain.

Qi Wannian said, "Your Highness has a grown son who is away with the army. Yet rather than speak of him, you show so much concern about this nephew that you even pledge that you shall live and die together? Truly you have the heart of a benevolent man. This very day, I recognize you as my master; who could have guessed it?"

This son was Liu Qu's eldest son Liu Cong, who had been born with prodigious strength and was a skilled mounted archer. For that reason, Liu Shan had ordered him to assist Jiang Wei's army. Jiang Wei had esteemed his strength and deeply appreciated him, thus he had remained at the frontlines.

Qi Wannian continued, "Would I dare not to honor the wishes of Your Highness's heart or repay your loyalty to the Prince of Beidi? Yet I fear that I alone cannot protect both you and the babe. But I have a sworn friend named Liao Quan, the son of the General Who Pacifies The West, Liao Hua. He is a true warrior, not to mention an uncommonly righteous fellow. He has always wished to exert his strength on behalf of the state, yet since he is an only son, his father has kept him at home and not allowed him to venture forth. He has thus taken the opportunity to test his strength against me, and we have become friends who would live and die together. Allow me to go and fetch him here, and I will have him tie the Young Master to his back, while I clear the way in front. I pledge that we will repay the grace that the state has shown us, in life or in death. But we must move swiftly; to delay further would only be a mistake."

The others all said, "Yongling is indeed a bold and righteous fellow. Quickly bring him here."

So Qi Wannian went to get Liao Quan, and the two of them rejoined Liu Ling, Yang Long, and the princes. Qi Wannian wielded a large blade and went in front to clear the path, while Liao Quan followed behind with a spear in hand and Liu Yao on his back. Liu Ying and Liu Xuan stood in the middle of the group, protecting their family members and dependents. Liu Qu, Liu Ling, Liu He, and others brought up the rear.

The group all fled out of the west gate of the city. But they soon found the road barred by Wei troops under the general Fang Lai, who had occupied that place. He said to them, "I can see that all of you are dressed in the attire of officials. Besides, your lord is going to surrender, so you are all people of Wei now, and our lord is going to take good care of you. Why then should you scurry away?"

Qi Wannian did not bother with words, but, with eyes full of rage like lightning, he hefted his blade to cleave Fang Lai's face in. Fang Lai too brought up his spear, and the two of them traded blows. Now could a man like Fang Lai have ever been a match for Qi Wannian? But the enemy was so numerous, and besides, Qi Wannian had to protect the others as well. So he did no more than charge the enemy and break through, leaving the road filled with blood behind him. Liao Quan too put on a bold display. The enemy did not dare to pursue them, thus they were able to escort the others out of the encirclement.

Yet Fang Lai would not stand by, and he soon led his troops to chase after them. Qi Wannian said, "These villains don't know the meaning of life and death, to dare to follow after us. Unless I behead this one, they will not recognize my prowess as a hero." So he turned his horse about to face Fang Lai, and before the two of them had gone two bouts, just as Fang Lai was raising his hand, Qi Wannian lopped off his head with one swing of his blade. When the Wei soldiers saw their commander suffer such a grievous wound, who among them would have dared to pursue any further? They all scattered and fled.

Truly it could be said: that year saw the laying of the foundation for the new state, and here was displayed the first achievement in their flight from Chengdu.

卻說鄧艾知得西門廝殺，即令部將褚群引兵助戰，從後殺來。劉璩忙令劉靈抵敵，曰："不殺鼠賊，無以雪胸中之忿。"乃大喝曰："認得劉將軍麼？"褚群忽見劉靈身長一丈，膀闊三停，威風凜凜，大是驚駭，旋勒馬謂曰："汝家國已破，尚欲何往？不降何待？"靈曰："賊奴！汝輩尚可降彼婦人小子，安能降我真將軍耶？"言訖，橫衝而入。褚群亦魏中名將，舉刀急架。鏖戰移時，魏兵合圍而來。靈即心生一計，抽馬佯敗而走。褚群不料，從後急追。靈故勒馬緩行，褚群馬逸不能收步，撞過馬頭，被靈一槍刺中透心，落馬而亡。後兵潰散，不敢複追。正是：巧施阱虎擒龍技，得樹安邦立國勛。

We should mention that, when Deng Ai had learned of the disturbance and slaughter at the west gate, he had dispatched the general Chu Qun to reinforce the garrison there. These reinforcements were now coming around from behind, determined to slaughter the fugitives. Liu Qu hastily ordered Liu Ling to deal with these foes, telling him, "Unless you slay these scurrying bandits, I will not be able to quell the rage in my chest."

Liu Ling stepped forward and announced to the Wei soldiers, "Do you recognize the banner of General Liu?"

Chu Qun suddenly noticed Liu Ling standing before them; he was a man of great height, with broad and powerful shoulders, and the very air around him seemed to chill in a fearsome aura. Chu Qun was greatly astonished. He turned his horse toward Liu Ling and called out, "Your family has already been smashed, so where are you planning to flee to? Why not surrender at once?"

Liu Ling retorted, "Bandits, slaves! Only the women and children of my generation could deign to submit to you. How could I give in and still call myself a general?" And with these words, he charged forward to attack.

Now Chu Qun too was a Wei general of some renown, so he also lifted his blade and rushed to engage his enemy. As they were fighting, the Wei soldiers began to close in around them. Then Liu Ling quickly devised a plan; he pulled on his horse and, pretending to yield the fight, he ran away. Chu Qun, not suspecting that anything was amiss, dashed after him. But Liu Ling suddenly turned his horse about; Chu Qun's horse was unable to react in time, and the two horses collided. Liu Ling seized the opportunity by driving his spear straight into Chu Qun's heart, and Chu Qun toppled dead from his horse. The other pursuit troops all scattered and fled, none daring to chase Liu Ling any further.

Truly it could be said: Through skill and guile one traps the tiger and catches the dragon. Thus was this kinsman of the royal line able to establish an achievement for the state.

卻說劉靈方離家之際，猛憶起王彌乃吾心腹之友，當今無以為匹者，萬一陷於敵中，為彼收用，則失吾國一棟梁矣。忙使人邀到，與之同出。蓋王彌者，乃北地將軍王平之子也。自幼生而穎異，膂力過人，長而有千斤之力。尤精於騎射，每為其父器重之。後乃襲父蔭居職，嘗有開跋之志。因見帝之昏庸，信任黃皓，妨賢拒諫，遂杜門不出，時人尚未之奇，惟劉靈痛父失事遭戮，飲恨不仕，彌乃與之結為異姓��弟，時與較藝，始知彌之賢於人矣。其後彌與關氏兄弟俱稱時俊，亦相結納。當日得靈之信，乃喟然嘆曰："吾父子早知有今日矣。子通兄既來見召，倘不從命，是無忠義之心而負生平之所學矣。但關家兄弟與我有休戚之托，彼年尚幼，安能自拔？"遂奔至關家。而關防、關謹見說彌至，乃從內大慟而出曰："飛豹兄，當今事勢若此，奈何奈何？"初，關興於青龍元年間從征失利，患病在家，因見國事日非，每嘆說："任奸邪於危難之秋，喪無日矣。吾族安能免哉？"昨見王彌來省，坐論時事，乃太息曰："王子均之有子也，可以托孤寄子矣。"遂囑防、謹深相結納之。王彌曰："國家垂破，而尊府與賊為世仇，禍且不測。吾因劉子通召往偕遁，深念昆玉，故此特來相訊。且欲議為今之計，惟當速避，後與諸公協謀興複，乃為上策。"防曰："兄言甚是，其如家口之計何？"彌曰："大丈夫為國不顧家，況司馬父子方有大志圖篡天下，假仁假義以收攝人心，安肯仇害人之家屬乎？願賢弟放懷以圖大事。"防、謹乃依命同出，竟留家屬在城中，後遭龐德之子龐惠毒手，合家盡罹慘禍，曾無噍類，傷哉！

We should mention that at the moment when Liu Ling had been preparing to depart from his family, he had suddenly remembered his good friend, Wang Mi. Liu Ling had thought to himself, "Wang Mi is no common fellow, and if by some chance he were to fall into the hands of the enemy and be used by them, we would lose a great pillar of our state." So he had dispatched someone to go and inform Wang Mi of his intentions at once, so that Wang Mi might flee as well.

This Wang Mi was the son of the General of Beidi, Wang Ping. He had been remarkable ever since youth; his arm strength surpassed others, such that by the time he was grown, he possessed the strength of a thousand pounds. And he was exceptionally skilled at mounted archery. He had always been deeply appreciated by his father, who recognized his potential. After Wang Ping had passed away and Wang Mi had inherited his offices, Wang Mi had originally had the ambition to make a name for himself. But when he saw that the Emperor was a dull mediocrity who entrusted affairs to Huang Hao, was jealous of worthy people, and ignored criticism, Wang Mi shut the gates of his residence and would not go out. Thus the people of that time had not recognized how remarkable he was. Only Liu Ling knew about him. Liu Ling had been bitter at how his father Liu Feng had been put to death, and he had nursed his resentment and refused to serve in office. Thus he and Wang Mi had found kindred souls in one another; they formed a bond as brothers of different surnames, and at times they tested their strength against one another. So Liu Ling recognized Wang Mi as a worthy fellow.

Wang Mi had later become good friends with the brothers of the Guan family as well, for they had all been acclaimed as talents of that age. So when Wang Mi received Liu Ling's message, he sighed deeply and lamented, "My later father always knew that this day would come. Now Brother Zitong is bidding me come and join him, and if I should fail to heed the call, I would be betraying my loyal and righteous heart and casting away the things I have learned all my life. But the brothers of the Guan family have entrusted me to share weal and woe together with them. They are still so young; how could they ever escape on their own?"

So Wang Mi hurried to the home of the Guan family. Guan Fang and Guan Jin saw him approach, and they led him inside. Then, bursting with great sorrow, they exclaimed, "Brother Flying Panther (for this was his nickname), you see how dire the situation has become. What are we to do?"

Years earlier, in the first year of Qianlong (233), their father Guan Xing had suffered a loss during one of the northern campaigns and had been lying in his sickbed at home. Guan Xing had recognized the steady decline of the state, and he was always lamenting, "Now is the season when the villains shall have their way; the day of grief is fast approaching. What shall become of our clan?" But then when he had seen Wang Mi come into their home and sit and speak of affairs, he had been reassured and thought, "He truly is the son of Wang Zijun. I can entrust the fates of my sons to him." And he had commanded Guan Fang and Guan Jin to form a close bond with Wang Mi.

Wang Mi now told the brothers, "The state is about to fall into the hands of the sworn enemies of your family. You cannot allow this disaster to overtake you as well. Now Liu Zitong has bade me come and take refuge along with him, and because of my deep regard for you, I came especially to inform you of it as well. If you ask me what you should do, the only option is to seek shelter at once, then later join your efforts with those of the other scions to assist them in reviving the state. That would be the best plan."

Guan Fang said, "Elder Brother, it is just as you say. But what shall we do about the members of our families?"

Wang Mi replied, "When a man acts in the interests of the state, he must put aside considerations of his family. Besides, the Sima clan is just about to fulfill their grand ambition of usurping the throne, and they will want to put on a show of benevolence and righteousness to win over the hearts of the masses. How could they indulge in vengeance against your family? I entreat you, my worthy brothers, to put aside your worries and think only of how to serve the state."

Guan Fang and Guan Jin thus heeded the call and fled along with Wang Mi, leaving their families behind. Alas, the remaining members of the Guan clan perished at the poisonous hand of Pang De's son Pang Hui; the whole family was caught up in that tragic disaster, so that the Guan clan was nearly extinguished. What a loss!

卻說王彌同防、謹到家辭親，帶平時用器、強弓勁弩，忻然偕關氏弟兄一齊躍馬而出。關謹曰："北門有鄧艾自在那裡，不可輕往，東西二門賊兵亦盛，惟南門路窄，提防稍懈，我們當從南門而出。"王彌然之，於是望南門衝突而去。時有魏將李因列兵擋住去路。王彌乃曰："我等是異鄉客人，因在成都生理，今天兵圍城，口食不給，是以欲奔還鄉，望將軍開一生路，放我眾人逃命，深感大恩。"因曰："吾奉主將之令，那敢放走一人？必須拿進大營，查驗一過，方可發落放去。"王彌知事不諧，即輪起大刀殺進。李因亦挺槍急架。二人相持良久，關防怒上心頭，亦提起鐵楞混殺一場。於是且戰且卻，將逃二十餘里。

We should mention that when Wang Mi, Guan Fang, and Guan Jin had gone home to take leave of their families, they had buckled on their usual equipment, including strong bows and powerful crossbows. Then, in joyful company, they had all mounted their horses and dashed off.

Guan Jin observed, "Deng Ai himself is present at the north gate, and we could not easily break through there. And the east and west gates are both filled with enemy soldiers. But the road through the south gate, being somewhat narrow, will be less guarded by our foes. Let us flee through the south gate." Wang Mi agreed, so they hurried towards the south gate.

At this time, the Wei general Li Yin had arrayed his troops to block this road. Wang Mi thus said to him, "We are travelers from another town who were in Chengdu to make a living for ourselves. But now the government troops have surrounded the city, and we have nothing to eat. So we want to go back to our hometown. General, we hope that you will clear a path for us; if you allow us to escape with our lives, we would be deeply grateful."

But Li Yin replied, "I have my orders from my commander; would I dare to let any fugitives escape? You had better go to the main camp first, and once they have examined you, then you might be allowed to depart."

Wang Mi saw that further deception was useless, so he lifted his blade and charged ahead, ready to kill. Li Yin too hefted his lance and hurried to meet his opponent. The pair were engaged in combat for quite some time before Guan Fang, whose heart and mind were now full of rage, also raised his weapon and plunged into the fighting. The trio of fugitives were thus slowly able to get away from the city, now turning to fight, now falling back, until they had advanced for more than twenty li.

且說鄧忠正巡視至南門，知城中奸細走出，李因已去追趕，乃令族弟鄧濮帶領家兵二千，星飛趕捉。而王彌等早被魏人團團圍住不放，正在危急之際，只見東南坡下突出三騎，領了莊客數百人，各持利刃殺入陣來。且看那三人入陣，恰似虎入羊群，揮刀亂斫。鄧濮驟馬接戰，卻不提防被暗箭正中坐馬，把鄧濮掀翻在地，那樊榮只一刀斫死。不想放箭者卻是李圭，於是關防、關謹乘亂殺出重圍。李因馳馬急追，防、謹奮力抵衛，殊不知王彌從旁躍出，將李因一刀刺中左腿。因負痛逃去，諸副將亦不知去向。那三人縱橫衝突，彼追兵伏尸流血，殺死殆盡。王彌、關防等見追兵已散，乃回身下馬，相見拜謝，深感再造之恩，且問為何得諸君來救，願聞姓字因由。三人答曰："某等弟兄乃李圭、李瓚與表弟樊榮也。先祖李嚴被上譴責，徙居於安樂鎮，此去尚有六十餘里。先父李豐曾為參軍，見朝廷任非其人，囑我輩不可出仕。今與叔父李裕權止舊窩，聽得魏兵追捉列位，吾弟兄在前山看已多時，見諸公勢窘，心甚忿怒，以是統領蒼頭前來助鬥耳。"王彌等稱謝不已，亦各道訴逃竄之故。圭曰："既如此，皆是同志，即吾一家，乃天使之相遇也。且今天色已晚，權到敝莊住宿一宵，再作他圖。"王彌等感其殷勤，即與同到莊所。

We should mention that Deng Zhong had been on patrol near the south gate, and when he saw these fugitives making a desperate escape and that Li Yin had already gone in pursuit of them, Deng Zhong ordered his younger kinsman Deng Pu to lead two thousand of their household soldiers and chase after the trio like shooting stars.

Wang Mi and the Guan brothers soon found themselves totally surrounded by the Wei soldiers; they were unable to break through, and they were in a most perilous position. But suddenly they saw three riders charge out from behind a slope to the southeast, and behind them followed several hundred strong retainers, each wielding good weapons and prepared to slaughter the enemy ranks. And when these three horsemen led their forces into the enemy, they were like tigers among sheep, and their blades inflicted great destruction as they swung to and fro. Deng Pu turned his horse to attempt to face this new threat, but then an arrow loosed from some unknown direction struck his horse; Deng Pu tumbled to the ground, where one of the horsemen, Fan Rong, finished him off with a single swipe of his blade. The marksman had been another of the riders, Li Gui. Guan Fang and Guan Jin then took advantage of the confusion to cut their way out. Li Yin made a mad dash to pursue them, but they exerted all their strength to hold him off. Wang Mi then closed in from the side and pierced Li Yin in his left leg. Yelping with pain, Li Yin fled, and his subordinates did not know which way to turn. Then the three horsemen charged their flank, and the enemy pursuit troops were nearly wiped out; the ground was strewn with their fallen bodies and flowing blood.

When Wang Mi and the Guan brothers saw that the pursuit troops had all scattered, they turned back and descended from their horses to offer their thanks to their rescuers, deeply grateful for having been saved from certain destruction. They further asked these gentlemen where they had come from and inquired what their names were. The three riders replied, "We are the brothers Li Gui and Li Zan, along with their cousin Fan Rong. Our grandfather was Li Yan, who was censured and denounced by the court and exiled to the Le'an Garrison, some sixty li from here. Our late father Li Feng once served as an advisor in the army, but when he saw that the court had no regard for him, he charged us never to take up office ourselves. Until this time, we had been doing nothing more than living with our uncle Li Yu in his old home. But when we heard that the Wei troops were about to catch some fugitives, we went up on that slope earlier and saw that you gentlemen were being sorely pressed. Our hearts were moved by anger and indignation for you, so we led our retainers to come and help you in your struggle."

Wang Mi and the Guan brothers thanked them unceasingly, and they too related the stories of their escape. Li Gui observed, "Then it seems that we all share the same ambition; we shall be as one family, for Heaven has arranged for us to meet this day. Yet see how the sky is already growing dark. Let us go and take shelter with our uncle at his village to spend the night, then tomorrow we can plan our next move." The trio were moved by this hospitality, so they agreed to return to the village with the horsemen.

莊內僮僕迎進，其叔李裕秉燭出接，分賓主坐定，又各達姓名衷曲。裕置酒相款，席間嘆息曰："余先君在日，每嘗戮力王室，為國忘家。後因失事被譴，厥志不遂。見諸葛丞相人亡，傷念不已，竟成疾而逝。今吾輩目擊國破主辱，不能繼述先君之忠，以匡救王室，何用生為？"眾皆感悼，無不泣下數行淚。惟王彌撫掌大笑而起曰："夫否泰運也，榮辱數也，何足悲哉？況天生吾才，必有所用。昔晉文避難出奔，賢士雲從，卒複霸業。吾輩才雖不及古人，然有志者事竟成，安知他年建立，出於晉文公下乎？諸君何用作楚囚之對泣耶？"裕曰："飛豹之言，真達時有志之論也。"眾皆拱手稱謝。次日，彌等辭謝，即欲告行。裕曰："且劉氏諸公子，不知去向。諸君宜且暫住寒莊，待我遣人往張、黃、諸葛、趙等各家探聽的實，那時赴會未遲。不然，彼此各自一方，勢分力弱，欲成大事，此實難矣。"彌曰："既蒙老丈厚愛，敢不惟命是從？固願速修書一封，令盛使馳各家一探，則老丈報主之忠，交友之信，可謂兩得矣。但思我輩家屬且不顧，恨不能滅此逆賊而後朝食，安可再有遲疑？今就告別，隨盛使去尋舊主，兼打探各家下落，以共圖大事。蓋國賊不俱生，非賊死吾手，我必死於賊之手矣。"裕曰："有諸君如此忠肝義膽，天地亦為之垂佑，何患事不成哉？"即送王彌等起程。臨行，攜手囑曰："早晚若舉大事，某當遣侄輩三人前來相助，聊盡老夫先世以來報國之志耳！"眾皆謝別。裕又曰："諸公如有確信，望早惠玉音，以慰懸念。"

When they arrived at the village, the household servants came out to meet them, and Li Yu set out candles to welcome their arrival. Once the hosts and guests were all properly seated, Wang Mi and the others all gave their names and poured out their emotions. Li Yu passed around the wine, and from his mat he sighed and said, "When my late father was still alive, he was always exerting all his strength on behalf of the royal house, and devoted himself to the state even at the expense of his family. But alas, because my father committed a fault and was denounced, he was never able to fulfill his ambitions. And when he saw that Prime Minister Zhuge had died, he became so overcome with grief that he developed an illness and passed away as well. As for my own generation, we have seen with our own eyes that the state has fallen and our sovereign has been shamed. We are powerless to carry on the loyalty of our forefathers or rescue the royal family. What purpose do our lives have?" And the others were so moved by his grief that not an eye was dry, but all wept freely.

Wang Mi alone let forth a great laugh. He rose up and declared, "Sir, it is not you who has suffered this extreme fate or endured such bitter shame; why then should you grieve so? Besides, Heaven must have had some purpose in mind when it created such talented fellows as ourselves. Remember that Duke Wen of Jin too was once forced to flee his state and abandon his inheritance, yet worthy gentlemen flocked to his cause like the gathering of clouds, and in the end he was able to restore his lineage and become a hegemon. Although we young people cannot claim to be as talented as those heroes of old, still we too have our ambitions and mean to see them fulfilled. And who knows whether in some distant year we might not establish ourselves and put the achievements of Duke Wen of Jin to shame? What use is it for you all to sit around and weep like prisoners of Chu?"

Li Yu replied, "Flying Panther speaks true. That is truly what a man of ambition would say in such times." And everyone present clasped their hands and apologized to him.

The next day, as Wang Mi and the others were preparing to take their leave, they asked for advice on where they should go. Li Yu told them, "I do not know where the Liu princes have gone off to. Why don't you fellows stay in this humble village for a while longer, and wait until I can send people to fetch the scions of the Zhang, Huang, Zhuge, Zhao, and other clans and inform them of what is going on? Once they arrive, it would not be too late for you to all leave together. But otherwise, if you all go your separate ways like this, your strength will be divided and weak, and even if you wished to complete the great achievement, it would be hard to accomplish anything."

Wang Mi replied, "You have been most kind to us, Sir, and would I dare not to consider your proposal? I am certainly willing to write a letter at once and let you send your messengers to seek out each family. By doing so, you would be able to both repay your loyalty to our lord and win the trust of our friends, and could kill two birds with one stone. But suppose our family members are unwilling to join us, and not ready to dedicate themselves to slaying the traitors before tending to their daily concerns? How then could you say that we would not be too late? So though we part ways for now, we will send out word for everyone to rejoin their former masters and let everyone seek out the whereabouts of their own families so that someday we may plan the great achievement together. For the same world cannot contain both us and the villains; either they shall die at our hands, or we shall die at theirs."

Li Yu said, "With such loyal hearts and righteous souls as you gentlemen possess, Heaven and Earth themselves will lend you their aid. Should there be any worries of failure?" And he accompanied Wang Mi and the others on the first stage of their journey.

As the young men were about to depart, Li Yu clasped his hands and instructed them, "If you should someday launch your great endeavor, perhaps it will have been because I sent my three nephews earlier to aid you. Thus may I repay the ambitions of the generations of our state before us!" They all thanked him and took their leave. Li Yu added, "If you gentlemen are earnest in your efforts, be sure to write to me soon, so that you do not keep me in suspense."

眾應而別，裕贈詩一首曰：君因國破棄家鄉，萬里迢遙赴遠方。此去若能興大業，早傳魚錦慰牽腸。

When the young men had all departed, Li Yu sang a verse to himself:

These scions of a worthy line

Depart their fallen home

Their kith and kin they leave behind

And far afield they roam.

But if their journeys can revive

The state, let them depart!

And should ambitions they achieve,

Send word to worried hearts.

#The Romance Continued #Continued Romance of the Three Kingdoms #Romance of the Three Kingdoms #Three Kingdoms #Sanguo

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fuyonggu · 7 years ago

Text

Biography of Sima Ying (Book of Jin 59)

(Sima Ying was another of the warring Eight Princes. Most of this material was adapted into ZZTJ.)

成都王穎，字章度，武帝第十六子也。太康末受封，邑十萬戶。後拜越騎校尉，加散騎常侍、車騎將軍。賈謐嘗與皇太子博，爭道。穎在坐，厲聲呵謐曰：「皇太子國之儲君，賈謐何得無禮！」謐懼，由此出穎為平北將軍，鎮鄴。轉鎮北大將軍。左將軍王輿殺孫秀，幽趙王倫，迎天子反正。及穎入京都，誅倫。使趙驤、石超等助齊王冏攻張泓于陽翟，泓等遂降。冏始率眾入洛，自以首建大謀，遂擅威權。穎營於太學，及入朝，天子親勞焉。穎拜謝曰：「此大司馬臣冏之勳，臣無豫焉。」見訖，即辭出，不復還營，便謁太廟，出自東陽城門，遂歸鄴。遣信與冏別，冏大驚，馳出送穎，至七里澗及之。穎住車言別，流涕，不及時事，惟乙太妃疾苦形于顏色，百姓觀者莫不傾心。

The Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, was styled Zhangdu. He was Emperor Wu's (Sima Yan's) sixteenth son. He was granted his title near the end of the Taikang era (~290), with his fief containing a hundred thousand households. Later, he was appointed as Colonel of Agile Cavalry, and then further promoted to Cavalier In Regular Attendance and General of Chariots and Cavalry.

At one point, Empress Jia Nanfeng's brother Jia Mi served as a tutor to Crown Prince Sima Yu. But Jia Mi did not conduct himself with the proper respect towards Sima Yu. Sima Ying blamed him for this, charging him with a fierce voice, "The Crown Prince is the heir to the state! Jia Mi, how dare you not show him proper respect?" Jia Mi was afraid, and because of this incident he arranged for Sima Ying to be sent away from Luoyang, to serve as General Who Pacifies The North and to be stationed at Ye. Sima Ying was later appointed Grand General Who Guards The North.

趙王倫之篡也，進征北大將軍，加開府儀同三司。及齊王冏舉義，穎發兵應冏，以鄴令盧志為左長史，頓丘太守鄭琰為右長史，黃門郎程牧為左司馬，陽平太守和演為右司馬。使兗州刺史王彥，冀州刺史李毅，督護趙驤、石超等為前鋒。羽檄所及，莫不回應。至朝歌，眾二十餘萬。趙驤至黃橋，為倫將士猗、許超所敗，死者八千餘人，士眾震駭。穎欲退保朝歌，用盧志、王彥策，又使趙驤率眾八萬，與王彥俱進。倫復遣孫會、劉琨等率三萬人，與猗、超合兵距驤等，精甲耀日，鐵騎前驅。猗既戰勝，有輕驤之心。未及溫十餘里，復大戰，猗等奔潰。穎遂過河，乘勝長驅。

When the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun, usurped the throne (in 301), he promoted Sima Ying to Grand General Who Conquers The North, and further granted him the privilege of a Separate Office with equal authority to the Three Excellencies. However, when the Prince of Qi, Sima Jiong, launched his righteous crusade against Sima Lun, Sima Ying raised soldiers to join with Sima Jiong.

He appointed the Prefect of Ye, Lu Zhi, as his Chief Clerk of the Left, and the Administrator of Dunqiu, Zheng Yan, as his Chief Clerk of the Right. He also appointed the Yellow Gate Gentleman, Cheng Mu, as his Marshal of the Left, and the Administrator of Yangping, He Yan, as his Marshal of the Right. To serve as his vanguard commanders, he appointed the Inspector of Yanzhou, Wang Yan, the Inspector of Jizhou, Li Yi, the Commanders Zhao Xiang and Shi Chao, and others.

When Sima Ying sent out his feather proclamations declaring his intentions, there was no one who did not respond to his call. By the time Sima Ying's army reached Zhaoge, he had a host of more than two hundred thousand.

When Zhao Xiang arrived at Huangqiao, he was defeated by Sima Lun's generals Shi Yi and Xu Chao; more than eight thousand of his troops were killed, and the soldiers were greatly shaken and unsettled by the defeat. Sima Ying wanted to fall back to guard Zhaoge. However, following the strategy of Lu Zhi and Wang Yan, he sent Zhao Xiang forward again with an army of eighty thousand, and Zhao Xiang advanced together with Wang Yan. Sima Lun likewise sent forward Sun Hui, Liu Kun, and other commanders leading thirty thousand men, and they reinforced Shi Yi and Xu Chao's men to resist Zhao Xiang and Sima Ying's other generals. Their soldiers wore exceptional armor that was as bright as the sun, and their iron cavalry charged forward. However, since Shi Yi had already defeated Zhao Xiang once before, he now thought little of his capabilities. Sima Lun's forces were less than ten li from Wen County when they fought another great battle against Sima Ying's men, and this time Shi Yi and the rest ran away and scattered. Sima Ying then crossed over the Yellow River, and he pressed his advantage by quickly marching forward. The General of the Left, Wang Yu, killed Sima Lun's advisor Sun Xiu and placed Sima Lun under house arrest, and he restored the deposed Emperor Hui back to the throne.

When Sima Ying entered the capital, he executed Sima Lun. Then he sent Zhao Xiang, Shi Chao, and other generals to assist Sima Jiong by attacking Zhang Hong at Yangdi. This caused Zhang Hong and Sima Lun's other commanders there to surrender.

Since Sima Jiong considered himself to be the chief architect of the crusade against Sima Lun, after he brought his own troops into Luoyang, he used his military might to garner more power and authority. Sima Ying camped his soldiers at the Imperial Academy. When he entered the court, Emperor Hui personally thanked him for his efforts. Sima Ying made obeisance to thank him, saying, "This was Grand Marshal Sima Jiong's undertaking; I can claim no share in it."

After he had finished his court visit and took his leave, he did not return to the barracks he had set up. He only went to pay his respects at the Ancestral Temple, and then left the city through the Dongyang Gate, intending to return to Ye. Sima Ying sent a letter bidding farewell to Sima Jiong. When Sima Jiong received the letter, he was greatly alarmed, and he rode quickly to overtake Sima Ying, finally catching up with him at Seven Li Gully. Sima Ying halted his carriage and said his goodbyes to Sima Jiong, weeping freely. He said nothing about the affairs of the times, and only spoke of his concerns for his mother's sickness and pain. None of the common people who saw this could resist turning their hearts towards him.

至鄴，詔遣兼太尉王粹加九錫殊禮，進位大將軍、都督中外諸軍事、假節、加黃鉞、錄尚書事，入朝不趨，劍履上殿。穎拜受徽號，讓殊禮九錫，表論興義功臣盧志、和演、董洪、王彥、趙驤等五人，皆封開國公侯。又表稱：「大司馬前在陽翟，與強賊相持既久，百姓創痍，饑餓凍餒，宜急振救。乞差發郡縣車，一時運河北邸閣米十五萬斛，以振陽翟饑人。」盧志言於穎曰：「黃橋戰亡者有八千餘人，既經夏暑，露骨中野，可為傷惻。昔周王葬枯骨，故《詩》云'行有死人，尚或墐之'。況此等致死王事乎！」穎乃造棺八千餘枚，以成都國秩為衣服，斂祭，葬于黃橋北，樹枳籬為之塋��。又立都祭堂，刊石立碑，紀其赴義之功，使亡者之家四時祭祀有所。仍表其門閭，加常戰亡二等。又命河內溫縣埋藏趙倫戰死士卒萬四千餘人。穎形美而神昏，不知書，然器性敦厚，委事於志，故得成其美焉。

When Sima Ying arrived at Ye, an edict went out by way of Grand Commandant Wang Cui, granting Sima Ying the exceptional ceremonies of the Nine Bestowments. He was also promoted to Grand General, Commander of all military affairs, and Credential Holder, and was granted authority over the affairs of the Masters of Writing. Furthermore, he was granted the honors of entering court without hastening his step and without needing to remove his sword or shoes. Sima Ying did accept the offered ranks and titles, but he declined the ceremonies of the Nine Bestowments.

Sima Ying sent up a petition outlining the righteous merits achieved by his subordinates Lu Zhi, He Yan, Dong Hong, Wang Yan, Zhao Xiang, and five others, and fiefs were created for all of these people as Dukes or Marquises.

He also sent another petition stating, "When the Grand Marshal was fighting at Yangdi before, locked in stalemate with strong enemies for a long time, the common people of that region were devastated by the fighting. Even now, they are suffering from famine, hunger, and bitter cold, and they need the utmost assistance. I beg leave to send out carts from my commandaries and counties to transport a hundred and fifty thousand 斛s of grain currently in the official stores of Hebei, in order to provide for the people of Yangdi."

Lu Zhi said to Sima Ying, "More than eight thousand men perished at the battle of Huangqiao, and now the heat of summer is upon us. With their bare bones lying exposed in the fields, there is a danger that their remains will waste away. In former times, the King of Zhou buried bleached bones, and this is why we find in the Book of Poetry the verse, 'Dead men lie upon the road; one shall grant them grave's abode. (Xiao Bian 6)' Can we do any less for such men who died on your behalf?"

So Sima Ying had more than eight thousand coffins built, and used the funds of his princely fief in order to obtain clothing. He inspected the area to find the fallen bodies, and buried them north of Huangqiao, planting trees and hedges to serve as a fence around their graveyard. He also built the Hall of Great Sacrifice, where he carved a stone and raised a stele that listed the righteous achievements of these fallen soldiers, and arranged to have their families offer sacrifices to them four times a year. He also canvassed their towns and villages, and advanced the fallen soldiers by two ranks. He even ordered Wen County in Henei commandary to bury more than fourteen thousand of Sima Lun's fallen soldiers as well.

Sima Ying himself had a beautiful appearance, but his mind was clouded, and he could not read. But he was honest and sincere in his temperament, and he trusted Lu Zhi with affairs, so he was able to achieve such luster.

及齊王冏驕侈無禮，於是眾望歸之。詔遣侍中馮蓀、中書令卞粹喻穎入輔政，並使受九錫。穎猶讓不拜。尋加太子太保。穎嬖人孟玖不欲還洛，又程太妃愛戀鄴都，以此議久不決。留義募將士既久，咸怨曠思歸，或有輒去者，乃題鄴城門云：「大事解散蠶欲遽。請且歸，赴時務。昔以義來，今以義去。若復有急更相語。」穎知不可留，因遣之，百姓乃安。及冏敗，穎懸執朝政，事無巨細，皆就鄴諮之。後張昌擾亂荊土，穎拜表南征，所在響赴。既恃功驕奢，百度弛廢，甚于冏時。

With Sima Jiong becoming more arrogant and lacking in proper conduct, the people began to incline towards Sima Ying. Another edict was sent out by way of the Palace Attendant, Feng Sun, and the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, Bian Cui, commanding Sima Ying to return to Luoyang to help support the government, and once again granting him the Nine Bestowments. However, Sima Ying continued to decline this offer and would not accept.

He was soon promoted to Grand Guardian to the Crown Prince, Sima Tan. But Sima Ying's close companion Meng Jiu did not wish to go back to Luoyang, and his mother Lady Cheng had great longing and attachment for Ye. Sima Ying discussed the matter for a long time, but could not make a decision.

By now, the soldiers that Sima Ying had recruited for the crusade against Sima Lun had been in service for a long time. They all resented their neglect and wanted to go back to their homes, and some of them outright deserted. So the soldiers wrote on the gates of Luoyang, "Since the great affair has been concluded, the silkworms want to hurry off. We ask that you allow us to depart, and let us tend to our own affairs. We came to serve justice, and it is now just to let us leave. If another emergency should break out, we shall speak of it then." Sima Ying knew he could not keep the soldiers, so he let them depart, and the common people were thus settled.

After Sima Jiong was defeated by Sima Ai (in 302), the affairs of state all passed into the hands of Sima Ying. No issue, no matter how insignificant, was resolved without first being referred to Sima Ying at Ye.

When the rebel Zhang Chang caused turmoil and pillaging in the Jing region (in 303), Sima Ying petitioned that he lead a campaign south against him, making great noises to that effect. By this time, resting on his laurels, Sima Ying had become proud and arrogant, and he allowed affairs to become lax or neglected, worse than Sima Jiong had been.

穎方恣其欲，而憚長沙王乂在內，遂與河間王顒表請誅後父羊玄之、左將軍皇甫商等，檄乂使就第。乃與顒將張方伐京都，以平原內史陸機為前鋒都督、前將軍、假節。穎次朝歌，每夜矛戟有光若火，其壘井中皆有龍象。進軍屯河南，阻清水為壘，造浮橋以通河北，以大木函盛石，沈之以系橋，名曰石鱉。陸機戰敗，死者甚眾，機又為孟玖所譖，穎收機斬之，夷其三族，語在《機傳》。於是進攻京城。時常山人王輿合眾萬餘，欲襲穎，會乂被執，其黨斬輿降。穎既入京師，復旋鎮於鄴，增封二十郡，拜丞相。河間王顒表穎宜為儲副，遂廢太子覃，立穎為皇太弟，丞相如故，制度一依魏武故事，乘輿服御皆遷於鄴。表罷宿衛兵屬相府，更以王官宿衛。僭侈日甚，有無君之心，委任孟玖等，大失眾望。

Sima Ying was inclined to indulge whatever he desired. But he was worried about the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai, who was still in the capital. So he and the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, submitted a petition requesting the executions of Empress Yang Xianrong's father Yang Xuanzhi, the General of the Left, Huangfu Shang, and others. They also demanded that Sima Ai be sent back to his fief.

Sima Yong's general Zhang Fang then campaigned against the capital. Sima Ying appointed the Interior Minister of Pingyuan, Lu Ji, as his Vanguard Commander, General of the Front, and Credential Holder. Sima Ying advanced to Zhaoge, where every night his spears and halberds shined like fire and the wells within his ramparts all looked like dragons. He advanced to camp at Henan, using the Qing River as his rampart. He built a floating bridge to cross into Hebei. To form this bridge, he enveloped large wood into great stones, and sank them in the river to form a bridge fasted together, which he called Shibie ("Stone Turtle").

Lu Ji was defeated in battle, suffering a great many deaths in the fighting. Lu Ji had also been slandered by Meng Jiu, so Sima Ying arrested Lu Ji and beheaded him, as well as killing his family to the third degree. More of this is discussed in Lu Ji's biography.

Sima Ying then pressed on and attack Luoyang. At this time, a native of Changshan, Wang Yu, had gathered a host of more than ten thousand people, wishing to attack Sima Ying. But when Sima Ai was overthrown by a coup, Wang Yu's followers beheaded him and then surrendered.

Sima Ying entered Luoyang for a time, before returning to his post at Ye. His fief was increased to twenty commandaries, and he was appointed Prime Minister. Sima Yong then petitioned that Sima Ying ought to be appointed as the new heir to the throne. So Crown Prince Sima Tan was deposed, and Sima Ying was appointed as Crown Younger Brother, with the same authority as Prime Minister he already possessed. He managed the state in the same manner as Wu of Wei (Cao Cao), and the imperial carriages and clothing were all moved to Ye. He petitioned to have the household guard soldiers be made subordinate to his own office as Prime Minister, as well as the household guards of the princes. His presumption and extravagance grew more and more by the day, and he had a heart that knew no sovereign. He also trusted in Meng Jiu and other such men. So he lost much of the hopes of the people that he had earlier enjoyed.

永興初，左衛將軍陳，殿中中郎褾苞、成輔及長沙故將上官巳等，奉大駕討穎，馳檄四方，赴者雲集。軍次安陽，眾十餘萬，鄴中震懼。穎欲走，其掾步熊有道術，曰：「勿動！南軍必敗。」穎會其眾問計，東安王繇乃曰：「天子親征，宜罷甲，縞素出迎請罪。」司馬王混、參軍崔曠勸穎距戰，穎從之，乃遣奮武將軍石超率眾五萬，次於蕩陰。二弟匡、規自鄴赴王師，云：「鄴中皆已離散。」由是不甚設備。超眾奄至，王師敗績，矢及乘輿，侍中嵇紹死於帝側，左右皆奔散，乃棄天子于槁中。超遂奉帝幸鄴。穎改元建武，害東安王繇，署置百官，殺生自己，立郊于鄴南。

At the beginning of the Yongxing era (~304), the General of the Left, Chen XX [眕 Zhen, according to ZZTJ], the Generals of the Gentlemen of the Central Hall, Biao Bao and Cheng Fu, the former General of Changsha, Shangguan Si, and others brought Emperor Hui with them to campaign against Sima Ying. Their couriers sent their proclamation out to every corner, and people came to join them like gathering clouds. By the time their army arrived at Anyang, they had swelled to more than a hundred thousand people.

Everyone in Ye was shocked and afraid. Sima Ying wanted to flee, but his Official Bu Xiong was capable and skilled, and he advised, "Do not run! The southern army is sure to be defeated."

So Sima Ying held a meeting with his ministers to ask them for plans of what to do. The Prince of Dong'an, Sima Yao, told him, "The Son of Heaven is accompanying this army. You ought to remove your armor, bind yourself in ropes, and go out to welcome them and beg forgiveness for your crimes."

But the Marshal Wang Hun and the Army Advisor Cui Kuang urged Sima Ying to meet the enemy in battle, and Sima Ying followed their advice. He sent the General of Martial Display, Shi Chao, to lead an army of fifty thousand soldiers to oppose the enemy, and Shi Chao advanced to Dangyin.

Chen Zhen's two younger brothers Chen Kuang and Chen Gui came from Ye to join his army, and they said, "Everyone inside Ye had already scattered." Because of that, Chen Zhen did not prepare much in the way of defenses. Then Shi Chao's army suddenly appeared, and the royal army was defeated. Emperor Hui was struck by an arrow, and the Palace Attendant Ji Shao died beside him. Everyone around the imperial carriage scattered and fled, abandoning Emperor Hui among the weeds. Shi Chao then brought Emperor Hui back with him to Ye.

Sima Ying changed the reign era title to the first year of Jianwu. He put Sima Yao to death. He also made his own assignments to the imperial offices, and decisions of life and death were all left up to him. Sacrifices were set up south of Ye.

安北將軍王浚、甯北將軍東嬴公騰殺穎所置幽州刺史和演，穎征浚，浚屯冀州不進，與騰及烏丸、羯硃襲穎。候騎至鄴，穎遣幽州刺史王斌及石超、李毅等距浚，為羯硃等所敗。鄴中大震，百僚奔走，士卒分散。穎懼，將帳下數十騎，擁天子，與中書監慮志單車而走，五日至洛。羯硃追至朝歌，不及而還。河間王顒遣張方率甲卒二萬救穎，至洛，方乃挾帝，擁穎及豫章王並高光、慮志等歸於長安。顒廢穎歸籓，以豫章王為皇太弟。

The General Who Maintains The North, Wang Jun, and the General Who Tranquilizes The North and Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, killed Sima Ying's appointee as Inspector of Youzhou, He Yan. So Sima Ying marched against Wang Jun. Wang Jun camped in Jizhou and did not advance; he joined together with Sima Teng, the Wuwan, and Jiezhu (ZZTJ has this as "the Wuhuan leader Jiezhu") to attack Sima Ying.

When Wang Jun's advance riders reached Ye, Sima Ying sent his new Inspector of Youzhou, Wang Bin, along with Shi Chao, Li Yi, and others to resist Wang Jun's attack. But they were defeated by Jiezhu and the others.

Everyone in Ye was greatly disturbed; the officials all ran for their lives, and the officers and soldiers all scattered. Sima Ying, also afraid, led several dozen of his personal riders out of the city, taking Emperor Hui with him. Accompanied by his Chief of the Palace Secretariat, Lu Zhi, bringing a lone cart, they fled, reaching Luoyang five days later. Jiezhu pursued them as far as Zhaoge, but when he could not catch up with them, he turned back. Sima Yong sent Zhang Fang to bring twenty thousand armored soldiers to escort Sima Ying.

When they reached Luoyang, Zhang Fang forced Emperor Hui to do as he wished. He compelled Sima Ying, the Prince of Yuzhang (Sima Chi), Gao Guang, Lu Zhi, and others to return with him to Chang'an. Sima Yong stripped Sima Ying of his place as Crown Younger Brother and ordered him sent to a border post, replacing him with Sima Chi as the new Crown Younger Brother.

穎既廢，河北思之。鄴中故將公師籓、汲桑等起兵以迎穎，眾情翕然。顒復拜穎鎮軍大將軍、都督河北諸軍事，給兵千人，鎮鄴。穎至洛，而東海王越率眾迎大駕，所在鋒起。穎以北方盛強，懼不可進，自洛陽奔關中。值大駕還洛，穎自華陰趨武關，出新野。帝詔鎮南將軍劉弘、南中郎將劉陶收捕穎，於是棄母妻，單車與二子廬江王普、中都王廓渡河赴朝歌，收合故將士數百人，欲就公師籓。頓丘太守馮嵩執穎及普、廓送鄴，范陽王虓幽之，而無他意。屬虓暴薨，虓長史劉輿見穎為鄴都所服，慮為後患，秘不發喪，偽令人為台使，稱詔夜賜穎死。穎謂守者田徽曰：「范陽王亡乎？」徽曰：「不知。」穎曰：「卿年幾？'徽曰：「五十。」穎曰：「知天命不？」徽曰：「不知。」穎曰：「我死之後，天下安乎不安乎？我自放逐，於今三年，身體手足不見洗沐，取數斗湯來！」其二子號泣，穎敕人將去。乃散發東首臥，命徽縊之，時年二十八。二子亦死。鄴中哀之。

Now that Sima Ying had been deposed, the people of Hebei began to feel nostalgic for him. At Ye, the former generals Gongshi Fan, Ji Sang, and others rose up with soldiers to welcome Sima Ying's return, with all of them feeling the same way. So Sima Yong once again appointed Sima Ying as Grand General Who Guards The Army and as Commander of military affairs in Hebei. He gave him a thousand soldiers and ordered him to return to guard Ye.

Sima Ying got as far as Luoyang, but by then the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, had raised his own army to welcome Emperor Hui's return from Chang'an, and his vanguard was nearby. Sima Ying feared that the north was now too strong and powerful and that he would not be able to go any further, so he fled from Luoyang back to Guanzhong.

After Sima Yue's forces had brought Emperor Hui back to Luoyang, Sima Ying went from Huayin to Wuguan, heading out to Xinye. An imperial edict was issued ordering the General Who Guards The South, Liu Hong, and the General of the Household Gentlemen of the South, Liu Tao, to arrest Sima Ying. So Sima Ying abandoned his mother and wife and fled in a lone cart with his two sons, the Prince of Lujiang, Sima Pu, and the Prince of Zhongdu, Sima Kuo. He crossed the Yellow River and went to Zhaoge, where he rounded up some of his former officers and soldiers, several hundred in all, planning to go join Gongshi Fan. But he Administrator of Dunqiu, Feng Song, arrested Sima Ying and his two sons and sent him to Ye.

The Prince of Fanyang, Sima Xiao, placed them under house arrest, but he had no other intentions for them. But Sima Xiao soon passed away from illness. His Chief Clerk, Liu Yu, could see how much regard the people of Ye had for Sima Ying, and he was worried that Sima Ying would become a threat someday. So he did not hold mourning for Sima Xiao. He ordered men to forge an edict from the capital to use as a pretext for what he was about to do. During the night, he ordered Sima Ying to commit suicide.

Sima Ying asked his jailer Tian Hui, "Has the Prince of Fanyang passed away?"

Tian Hui replied, "I don't know."

Sima Ying then asked, "How old are you?"

Tian Hui replied, "Forty-nine."

Sima Ying asked him, "Do you know what the will of Heaven is?"

Tian Hui replied, "I don't."

Sima Ying said, "After I die, will the realm know peace or not? It has been three years since I was sent into exile; my hands and my feet have not seen a bath, but my head has been scalded many times!"

His two sons wailed and wept, so Sima Ying ordered someone to take them away. Then Sima Ying stretched out to lay his head towards the east, and then ordered Tian Hui to strangle him. He was twenty-seven years old. His two sons also died. The people of Ye mourned for him.

穎之敗也，官屬並奔散，惟盧志隨從不怠，論者稱之。其後汲桑害東贏公騰，稱為穎報仇，遂出穎棺，載之於軍中，每事啟靈，以行軍令。桑敗，度棺于故井中。穎故臣收之，改葬於洛陽，懷帝加以縣王禮。

When Sima Ying had been defeated, his officials and subordinates had all ran off and scattered, and only Lu Zhi stayed with him until the end. Those who discussed the matter all commended him.

Later on, after Ji Sang killed Sima Teng (in 307), he announced he had avenged Sima Ying. He dug up Sima Ying's coffin and placed it on a cart; whenever he had some decision to make, he would first inform Sima Ying's spirit, and only afterwards implement it. After Ji Sang was defeated, Sima Ying's coffin was dumped into a well. His former subordinates came and claimed the coffin, and reburied him at Luoyang, with Emperor Huai granting him the ceremonies due to the prince of a county.

穎死後數年，開封間有傳穎子年十餘歲，流離百姓家，東海王越遣人殺之。永嘉中，立東萊王蕤子遵為穎嗣，封華容縣王。後沒于賊，國除。

Several years after Sima Ying's death, a boy around ten years old who was rumored to be Sima Ying's son was reported in Kaifeng, mixed in among the common people. Sima Yue sent someone to kill him.

During the Yongjia era (307-312), the Prince of Donglai, Sima Ruy, had a son Sima Zun who was chosen to be Sima Ying's heir, and Sima Zun was named as Prince of Huarong County. But later, Sima Zun was killed by bandits, and so the fief was abolished.

#Book of Jin #War of the Eight Princes #Sima Ying #Western Jin #Jin Dynasty #Chinese History #China

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