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bookofjin · 4 years ago

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Rise of Sixteen States: The Taishi era (265 - 274)

(Some of the place names I could guess a very approximate location for, and a couple I could not find any other references to at all.)

Taishi era (265 – 274)

(Zhang Gui)

Zhang Gui, courtesy name Shiyan, was a native of Wushi in Anding, he was the seventeenth generations grandson of Han's King of Changshan, Er. His family had for generations been Filial and Upright, and hence was distinguished for Ruist studies. His grandfather Lie was Wei's Prefect of Waihuang. His father Wen became Prefect of the Grand Palace. His mother was Ms. Xin of Longxi.

Gui as young excelled at studying and clarifying the classics. He was a receptacle with capacity, his manners and decorum were the standard and norm. He and Huangfu Mi, courtesy name Shi'an, from the same commandery were good friends, [they?] hid away at Nüji Mountain in Yiyang.

At the beginning of Taishi [265 – 274], he received his junior uncle Xi's fifth grade official rank. The Overseer of the Palace Writers, Zhang Hua debated the right principles of the classics and the gains and impairments of government affairs with Gui, and found considerable capabilities in him. He said that the Central Corrector of Anding was hiding the good and repressing talent, and then praised his ability to converse, and considered him to be the finest of the second grade. The General of Guards, Yang Yao, nominated him for his staff, and his was appointed Retainer to the Heir-Apparent. Du Yu of Jingzhao made use ofhis commentary on the Changes as a present to him.

(Qifu Guoren)

Qifu Guoren was a Xianbei man of Longxi. His ancestors were the Rufusi, Chulian, and Chilu sections. From north of the desert they set out south for Taiyin Mountain. They came across a single enormous insect on the road. It was shaped like a godly turtle, and was great like hill or mound. They therefore killed a horse and sacrificed to it, prayed and said:

If [you] are a benevolent god, readily open the road. If [you] are an malevolent god, then block and do not [allow us] to pass through.

Suddenly they did not see it, and then there was a small boy where it had been. At time there was also in the Qifu section an old man without sons. He requested to rear him as a son, and the multitudes all together allowed it. The old man was delighted, and since he himself had been relied and depended on, named him Hegan. Hegan in the language of the Xia is “rely and lean on”.

Aged ten sui, he was gallant, brave, and good at riding and shooting, bending a bow of five hundred jin. The four sections yielded to his valour and martial ability, and pushed him forward as their overall master, titling him the Qifu Khagan Tuoduo Mohe. Tuoduo is someone who is claimed not a god and not a man.

His descendant was Youlin, he was precisely Guoren's fifth generation grandfather. At the beginning of Jin's Taishi [265 – 274], he led 5 000 households to shift to Xiayuan, and the section's multitudes little by little flourished. The Xianbei Lujie and more than 70 000 family groups were stationed at Gaoping Stream. He and Youlin frequently attacked and struck each other. Lujie was defeated, and ran south to Lüeyang. Youlin completely annexed his multitudes, and securely dwelt at Gaoping Stream.

(Tufa Wugu)

Tufa Wugu was a Xianbei man of Hexi. His ancestors sprang from the same as Later Wei. His eight generations grandfather Pigu led his section from north of the frontier to Hexi. His territory to the east reached Maitian and Qiantun, to the west it reached Shiluo, to the south it reached Jiaohe, to the north it bordered the great desert.

When Pigu passed on, his son Shoutian was installed. Earlier, when she was pregnant with Shoutian, his mother, Ms. Huye, dreamt of a single old man whose cloak was hairy and with lapels on the left, and he was riding a white horse. He spoke to her, saying:

Your husband, though moving west, in the end must turn around east. When [you] arrive in Liang, [you] will surely give birth to a noble son who as an adult will be a ruler of men.

When he finished talking, the unborn child moved and she woke up. Later, she because of that slept and gave birth to Shoutian on a cloak. The Xianbei speak of cloaks as “tufa”, and following that used Tufa as his title, and Shoutian as his name, in their custom it became the propriety of cape covering [?].

When Shoutian passed on, his grandson Shujineng was installed. He was strong and determined, and had many plans and schemes. Middle of Jin's Taishi [265 – 274], he killed the Inspector of Qin province, Hu Lie, at Wanhu Knoll, and defeated the Inspector of Liang province, Su Yu, at Jin Mountain.

(Liu Yuan)

Late in Taishi [265 – 274], Wang Mi of Donglai and others relied on Liu Yuan to connect with Wang Hun. Hun also frequently told about him to Emperor Wu of Jin. The Emperor summoned and talked with him, and was greatly pleased with him. Afterwards he spoke to Wang Ji, saying:

Liu Yuan's appearance and countenance are fashionable and decorous, he is clever in conversation, perceptive and knowledgeable. Even Youyu and Midi has nothing to add.}

Ji replied, saying:

Yuan's decorous appearance, cleverness and perceptiveness is truly like the sagely purpose. As such his civil and military talents and capacity is superior to two masters in far-reaching. Your Majesty, suppose [we] rely on him accordingly for the affairs of the south-east, Wu and Kuai are not sufficiently pacified.

The Emperor considered it good. Kong Xun and Yang Yao advanced to say:

Your Subjects observe Yuan's talents, at present we fear we are without his equal. Your Majesty, suppose we make light his multitude, [it will be] insufficient accordingly to complete the affair. Suppose we make use of his power and authority, after the pacification of Wu, we fear him not then crossing north. He is not of our type of kin, and his heart is surely different. Yuan's talents and ability there are truly few who compares to. To rely on him accordingly with his original section, Your Subjects humbly have cold hearts for Your Majesty. Suppose [we] lift up the fastness of the Heavenly barrier to accordingly support him, is it not impossible?

The Emperor was silent.

Later Qin and Liang were overturned and lost. The Emperor inquired into the generals and leaders. Li Xi of Shangdang said:

Your Majesty, if indeed [you] are able to send out the multitudes of the Xiongnu's Five Sections, make use of Yuan with a single General's title, sound the drums and go west. Shujineng's head, we can point to the day when it will be displayed.

Kong Xun said:

Excellency Li's words are not the arrangement for completely ending our troubles.

Xi bursting out, said:

Considering the Xiongnu's strength and fearlessness, Yuan's understanding of troops, serving and proclaiming the sagely power, what is incomplete about it!

Xun said:

Yuan, if he is able to pacify Liang province, and behead Shujineng, [I] fear Liang province will soon have difficulties, that is all. When Jianlong obtained the rain cloud, he did not return to the pond.

The Emperor therefore desisted.

Later Wang Mi was going to return home east from Luoyang. Yuan bid him farewell at the banks of the Jiuqu. He wept and spoke to Mi, saying:

Wang Hun and Li Xi recognize [me] due to their countryside background, they always are raising up [my?] insight. Slanderers in turn because of that then advance, and deeply dispute my desires, just sufficient to make [me] harmful. I had originally no thought on officialdom, only Your Honour clarified it. [I] fear death in Luoyang when the river and Master separates.

After that he with brave forbearance snorted and sighed, indulged in alcohol and long howls. The sound carried vibrantly, those sitting [there] had flowing tears from it. The King of Qi, You, at the time was at Jiuqu. When he heard it, he hurried off to inspect it, and saw Yuan was there. He talked to the Emperor saying:

[If] Your Majesty does not eliminate Liu Yuan, Your Subject fear Bing province will not be tranquil for long.

Wang Hun advanced to say:

When Yuan came of age, Hun made the lord and king guard and enlighten him. Moreover Great Jin just now manifests trust beyond the commonplace, embracing the far-away using virtue. How could it be that for suspicions without sprouts [you] kill a man and attending son, hence showing that Jin's virtue is limited.

The Emperor said:

Hun's words are correct.

#r16s

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bookofjin · 5 years ago

Text

Records of Liu Yuan

The core of this text is a translation of the Yearly Annals of Liu Yuanhai in JS101, but where they provide additional information, I have added parts from other texts, primarily the parallell accounts in WS095, TPYL119 & ZZTJ (all likely to derive from the same source as JS101), but also some bits and pieces from other places in the JS. Text I could not reconcile with the main account appears in {} brackets. Because he shares his name with the Tang founder, Li Yuan, Liu Yuan appear throughout in the JS as Liu Yuanhai. I have altered this to Liu Yuan throughout for consistency with the other texts.

Liu Yuan, courtesy name Yuanhai, was a Xiongnu of Xinxing. His personal name violates Gaozu [of Tang]'s temple taboo. His ancestor was an offshoot of the Xia princely clan named Chunwei. For generations they lived among the Northern Di, for more than a thousand years. Arriving at Modun, he assailed and routed the Eastern Hu, in the west he ran off the Yuezhi, in the north he [got] submission from the Dingling, in the interior he raided Yan and Dai. [He had] 40 000 archers. Gaozu of Han was troubled by him, he sent Liu Jing to give over the Princess to accordingly marry him, making a covenant as brothers. For that reason the sons and grandsons thereupon dared make their family name the Liu clan.

Beginning of Jianwu [25 – 56], the Wuzhuliuruodi Shanyu's son, the Aojianrizhu King of the Right, Bi, established himself as Southern Shanyu, and entered to live in Meiji in Xihe. The presently abandoned Shizuoguo city was precisely where the Shanyu moved his courtyard.

Middle of Later Han's Zhongping [184 -189], the Shanyu Qiangqu sent his son Yufuluo to command troops and assist the Han, to chastise and pacify the Yellow Turbans. It happened that Qiangqu was killed by the people of his state. Yufuluo used his multitudes to stay with the Han, and was established as Shanyu. During the chaos of Dong Zhuo, he robbed and plundered Taiyuan and Hedong, and camped in Henei.

Yufuluo died, his younger brother Huchuquan was established. He used Yufuluo's son Bao as Worthy King of the Left, this was precisely Yuan's father. He entered court. Wu of Wei because of that detained him, and made to divide his multitudes to be five sections. He used the Worthy King of the Left, Bao, as Leader of the Left Section. For his remaining leaders he always used the Liu clan as them.

In the middle of Taikang [280 -289], changed to set up Chief Commandants. The Left Section resided at Zishi in Taiyuan. The Right Section resided at Qi. The Southern Section resided at Puzi. The Northern Section resided at Xinxing. The Middle Section resided at Daling. The Liu clan, although divided to live in five sections, always resided in Jinyang at the banks of the Fen and Jian.

Bao's wife Ms. Huyan in the middle of Wei's Jiaping [249 – 254 AD] prayed for a child at Longmen. Soon after, there was a one big white fish, on top of it were two horns. With lifted fins and jumping scales it then came to the place of sacrifice. After a long time it then left. The shamans were all amazed by it, and said:

This is an auspicious omen.

That night she dreamt in the morning she was seeing the fish change into a person. In his left hand he held something as large as a chicken egg, its brilliant shine not ordinary. He gave [it] to Huyan, saying:

This here is the sun's essence, ingest to give birth to an honoured child.

She woke up and told Bao. Bao said:

A good signI formerly followed Zhang Jiong of Handan. His mother, Ms Situ [?] assessed [me], and said I would have honoured sons and grandsons. For three generations they would surely be greatly prosperous. [They] copy and resemble each other, it fits together.

13 Months after this she gave birth to Yuan. When Yuan was born, in his left hand there was writing which said “deep ocean” [Yuanhai淵海], thereupon they used it to name him.

In childhood he was noble and intelligent. At seven sui he came upon grieving his mother, he beat his breast, leaped, shouted and cried, his laments moved the nearby neighbourhood. The lineage clan and section group all together sighed in appreciation. At the time the Minister of Works, Wang Chang, heard and praised him, he both dispatched condolences and funeral gifts.

As a young child he was yet fond of studying, and did not rest day or night. He had as teacher Cui You of Shangdang. He practised Mao's Poetry, Mr. Jing's Changes, and Mr. Ma's Book of Documents. He was particularly fond of Mr. Zao's Traditions on the Spring and Autumn, and Sun and Wu's Principles of War, and in generally in everything recite them. In the History, Han and the various Masters he was without nothing in summarizing and looking over. He once spoke to the students of the same school, Zhu Ji: of Shangdang, Fan Long of Yanmen, and others, saying:

I always held in high regard the written transmittals, and often held low Sui and Lu for having no military ability, and Jiang and Guan for having no civil. The Way follows from a person's broadness, to have no knowledge of something is certainly the shame of a lordly man. The two masters coming upon the August Gao were not able to found a legacy of a marquisate. The pair of excellencies following Taizong were not able to begin being praised for local schools. How is it not a pity!

Hence he thereupon studied military affairs. He also in all crafts was marvellously cut above the multitudes. Reaching adulthood, he had ape arms and was good at shooting, his bodily strength and power surpassed ordinary people, his bearing and decorum was outstanding and imposing. He was 8 chi, 4 cun tall. His beard was more than 3 chi long, in the middle of it three red prominent hair, 3 chi, 6 cun long.

There were Cui Yizhi of Tunliu and Gongshi Yu of Xiangling and others, both good assessors of people. When they saw Yuan, they were surprised, and then in the assessment speech said:

This person's body and countenance is not ordinary, never seen by me [before].

Hence he was deeply honoured and respected, he pushed forward affection joined with grace. Wang Hun of Taiyuan with humble heart befriended him, and instructed his son Ji to do obeisance to him.

In the middle of the Xianxi [264 – 265 AD], he became a hostage son in Luoyang. King Wen of Jin profoundly welcomed him. Late in Taishi [265 – 274], Wang Mi of Donglai and others relied on him to connect with Hun. Hun also frequently told about him to Emperor Wu of Jin. The Emperor summoned and talked with him, and was greatly pleased with him. Afterwards he spoke to Wang Ji, saying:

Liu Yuan's appearance and countenance are fashionable and decorous, he is clever in conversation, perceptive and knowledgeable. Even Youyu and Midi has nothing to add.}

Ji replied, saying:

The Emperor considered it good. Kong Xun and Yang Yao advanced to say:

The Emperor was silent.

Later Qin and Liang were overturned and lost. The Emperor inquired into the generals and leaders. Li Xi of Shangdang said:

Kong Xun said:

Excellency Li's words are not the arrangement for completely ending our troubles.

Xi bursted out, said:

Considering the Xiongnu's strength and fearlessness, Yuan's understanding of troops, serving and proclaiming the sagely power, what is incomplete about it!

Xun said:

The Emperor therefore desisted.

Later Wang Mi was going to return home east from Luoyang. Yuan bid him farewell at the banks of the Jiuqu. He wept and spoke to Mi, saying:

Wang Hun and Li Xi recognize [me] due to their countryside background, they always are raising up [my] insight. Slanderers in turn because of that then advance, and deeply dispute my desires, just sufficient to make [me] harmful. I had originally no thought on officialdom, only Your Honour clarified it. [I] fear death in Luoyang when the river and Master separates.

[If] Your Majesty does not eliminate Liu Yuan, Your Subject fear Bing province will not be tranquil for long.

Wang Hun advanced to say:

The Emperor said:

Hun's words are correct.

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

Yang Jun assisted the government. He used Yuan as General who Establishes Power and Great Chief Controller of the Five Sections, enfeoffed as Marquis of Hanguang district. At the end of Yuankang [291 – 299], he was charged with the section population rebelling and setting out from the frontier, and was dismissed from office. The King of Chengdu, Ying, was headquartered at Ye. Beginning of Yongning [301 – 302], he petitioned for Yuan to act as General who Soothes the Boreal and Overseer of the Army Affairs of the Five Sections.

Middle of Taian [302 – 303], Emperor Hui lost the government, the King of Qi, Jiong, the King of Chansha, Ai, together with the Ying and others, executed and exterminated themselves and each other. In the provinces and commanderies the faithless and presumptuous were rising up in a swarm. His granduncle the Chief Commandant of the Northern Section and Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, and others furtively discussed turning to rebellion, saying:

Formerly our ancestors made a covenant with the Han to be brothers, [their] worries and contentment similar to them. Since the fall of Han, the era of Wei and Jin has risen, and our Shanyu is only an empty title, without having a foot of land for patrimony. From [one of] the various Kings and Marquises, he has fallen to be similar to the registered households. Now our multitudes, though diminished, are still not reduced to 20 000, why is it [that we have] pulled back our hands and accepted to serve, for soon to exceed a hundred years!

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

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

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

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

Ying said:

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

Yuan said:

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

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

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

Ying was pleased and designated Yuan as Northern Shanyu, Assisting the Army Affairs of the Imperial Chancellor. Yuan arrived at Zuoguocheng. Liu Xuan and others elevated him to the title of Great Shanyu. Within twenty days the multitude was soon 50 000. He set his capital at Lishi. He dispatched the Yulu King of the Left, Hong, to lead 5 000 elite cavalry and meet up with Ying's general Wang Cui and resist the Duke of Dongying, Teng. But Cui had already been defeated by Teng, so Hong returned back with nothing done.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yuan said:

Good. [I] will be raising up the hill to the pinnacle mound, why would I make a hillock! As for Emperors and Kings, when where they regular? Yu the Great was born among the Western Rong, King Wen was born among the eastern Yu. Looking back, they were conferred for virtue, that was all. Now [I] see a multitude of more than 100 000, and anyone of us is a match for ten of the Jin. To strike the march and destroy chaotic Jin is like snapping deadwood, that is all. At best I can complete the legacy of Gao of Han, at worst I will be no less than the Wei clan. How is Huhanxie a sufficient course of action!

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

Xuan and others touched head to ground, saying:

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

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

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

10th Month [14 November – 10 December], he had an altar in the southern suburbs, and falsely ranked as King of Han. He sent down an order, saying:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He changed Jin's 1st Year of Yongxing to be the 1st Year of Yuanxi [“Inaugural Radiance”], there was a great amnesty Under Heaven. He posthumously venerated Liu Shan as the Filial and Cherished [xiaohuai] August Emperor. He established Gaozu of Han and below, three Founders and five Ancestors, as divine rules and worshipped them. He established his wife, Ms. Huyan as Queen, set up the hundred officials, and used the Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, as Imperial Chancellor, Cui You as Imperial Clerk Grandee, the Yulu King of the Left, Hong, as Grand Commandant, Fan Long as Great Herald, Zhu Ji as Grand Master of Ceremonies, Cui Yizhi of Shangdang and Chen Yuanda of the Rear Section both as Gentlemen of the Yellow Gates, his clan-child Yao as General who Establishes the Martial, the remainder were designated and conferred each proportionally. You firmly declined and did not go.

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

At the beginning of Taishi [265 – 274], Emperor Wu favoured the succession from Emperor Wen's old office companions and staff, and attended on the family to designate a Palace Gentleman. Aged more than 70, he still esteemed studying and did not tire. He compiled a Chart of Mouring Clothes, which has come down through the ages. He passed on at home, at the time he was 93 years old.

12th Month [12 January 305 – 3 February], the Duke of Dongying, Teng, sent General Nie Xuan to chastise him, they fought at Daling. Xuan's host achieved defeat. Teng was afraid, he led more than 20 000 households of Bing province to go down East of the Mountain. Thereupon [the people who] lived there were robbed. Yuan dispatched his General who Establishes the Martial, Liu Yao, to rob Taiyuan, Xuanshi, Tunliu, Changzi and Zhongdu, all were lost to him.

He also dispatched the General of the Best of the Army, Qiao Xi, to rob Xihe. The Prefect of Jiexu, Jia Hun resisted steadfastly and did not surrender, saying:

I am a defender of Jin, [if I am] not able to maintain it, why cautiously seek to live therefore serving thieves and miscreants? How could I face accordingly to watch and breath in the world!

Xi was angry, apprehended and wanted to kill him. Xi's general Yin Song said:

[If] the General saves him, [he can] thereby convince [him] to serve the lord.

Xi did not listen and thereupon murdered him. Jia Hun's wife, Ms. Zong, had a beautiful figure and Xi desired to take her. Ms. Zong reviled him, saying:

Slave of the Tuge, how can you murder a person's husband then desire to assign [her] without decorum, how is this to you? Why do you not hurry and kill me!

Then she raised her head to Heaven and greatly wept. Xi thereupon murdered her. At the time she was (more than) 20 years old. Yuan heard about it, and greatly angered said:

If it is the Way of Heaven to be perceptive, the view of Qiao Xi has sown seeds!

When the pursuers returned, he demoted his salary four grades, collected Hun's corpse and buried it.

2nd Year} of Yuanxi [305 AD], Teng again dispatched Sima Yu, Zhou Liang, Shi Xian and others to chastise him. They stayed at Fencheng in Lishi. Yuan dispatched his General of the Tiger Teeth, Liu Qin, and others, with the Six Armies to resist Yu and others. They fought four times, and Yu was always defeated. Qin rearranged the battalions and returned.

This Year, at Lishi there was great famine. He moved to Liting, to thereby seek out the grain of the granaries and pantries. He kept his Grand Commandant, Liu Hong, and Army-Protector, Ma Jing, to defend Lishi. He sent the Great Minister of Agriculture, Bu Yu, to transport provisions to thereby give to them.

Yuan made one blade, 3 chi, 9 cun long, the writing said: “Wipe out the Traitors” in the clerical script.

3rd Year of Yuanxi [306 AD], Winter, 12th Month [1 January 306 – 30 January], used his General of the Van, Liu Jing as Envoy Holding Tally, Great Chief Controller of Conquering and Chastising. He intercepted and struck the Inspector of Bing province, Liu Kun, at Banqiao, and was defeated by Kun. Kun thereupon occupied Jinyang. His Palace Attendant Liu Yin and Brilliantly Blessed Grandee of the Right Wang Yu advanced to admonished Yuan, saying:

Your Highness, since [you] raised troops and onwards, bit by bit there has already been a single cycle, yet [we have] solely defended merely a region, the kingly power is not yet shaking. If indeed [you] were able to instruct the generals to set out in four directions and determine the moment with a single throw, to putg on display Liu Kun's head, settle East of the He, establish the title of Emperor, strike the drums to march and go south, overcome Chang'an then make the capital there, and use the multitudes of Guanzhong to roll up Luoyang, is like pointing to your palm, that is all. These were means by which August Emperor Gao created and began the vast foundation, overcoming and exterminating strong Chu.

Yuan was pleased and said:

This is in an Orphan's heart.

Yuan advanced to occupy Hedong. He attacked and robbed Puban and Pingyang, both were lost to him. Yuan thereupon entered to have his capital at Puzi. The counties, ramparts and fortifactions belonging to Hedong and Pingyang fully surrendered.

{WS001 & WS095: 11th Year [305 AD], Liu Yuan attacked Sima Teng. Teng again begged for troops. Emperor Huan personally led 10 000 light cavalry to save Teng, he beheaded Yuan's general Qiwu Tun. Yuan fled south to Puzi.

{JS062: Liu Yuan at the time was at Lishi, the distance between them was more or less 300 li Kun secretly dispatched to go among the assorted miscreants of his section. The surrendered were more than 10 000 groups. Yuan was very much afraid. He thereupon walled Puzi and settled there.}

4th Year of Yuanxi [307 AD], at the time Ji Sang raised up troops in Zhao and Wei. Luzhuyan of Shang commandery's Four Section Xianbei and the Di chieftain Shan Zhen both surrendered to him. Yuan thoroughly appointed them to offices and feudal ranks. Wang Mi of Donglai pulled in the troops to enter and rob Qing and Xu. The Inspector of Yan province, Gou Xi opposed, struck and greatly routed him. Mi spoke to his partisan Liu Ling, saying:

The Jin troops are still strong, going home there is no placefor burial. Liu Yuan formerly was a hostage son, I and him went around in the Imperial City. [We] deeply had affection and bond. Now [he has] declared [himself] King of Han. [I] want to return to him, can it be done?

Ling affirmed it. He dispatched envoys to come and surrender. He was designated Great General who Garrisons the East, Inspector of Qing province, and Duke of Donglai commandery.

4th Month [19 May – 16 June], {JS005: Summer, 5th Month [17 June – 16 July]} a leader of horse shepherds, Ji Sang, collected a multitude in rebellion, declared himself King of Zhao, and selected and set up provinces and commanderies. He defeated the Grand Warden of Wei commandery, Feng Song, and thereupon captured Yecheng and murdered the King of Xincai, Teng. He burnt the Ye palaces, the flames lasted ten days without extinguishing. He also killed the Forward Inspector of You province, Shi Xian, at Leling, and entered to plunder Pingyuan. The Duke of Shanyang, Liu Qiu, was murdered.

Autumn, 7th Month, jiyou [15 August], New Moon, the King of Donghai, Yue, advanced to garrison Guandu, to accordingly punish Ji Sang.

8th Month, jimao [14 September], New Moon, the General who Consoles the Army, Gou Xi [JS061], defeated Ji Sang at Ye.

9th Month, wushen [13 October], Gou Xi again routed Ji Sang, capturing his nine ramparts.

11th Month [11 December – 9 January 308], Shi Le and the Hu sections and others led the multitudes to come and surrender.

12th Month, wuyin [11 January 308], Tian Lan, Bo Sheng and others, natives of Bing province, beheaded Ji Sang at Leling.

1st Year of Yongfeng [308 AD] Spring, 1st Month [8 February – 8 March], the King of Han, Yuan, dispatched the General who Consoles the Army, Cong, and others, ten generals, to go south and occupy Taixing, and the General who Assists the Han, Shi Le, and others, ten generals, to go down east into Zhao and Wei.

{JS005: 3rd Month [8 April – 6 May], Liu Yuan invaded Ji commandery and roughly had the lands of Dunqiu and Henei.}

Wang Mi withdrew to assemble the absconded and dispersed. The multitudes were again greatly excited. Xi joned with them in battle, but was not able to overcome. Mi advanced the troops to rob Taishan, Lu state, Qiao, Liang, Chen, Runan, Yingchuan, Xiangcheng etc. commanderies

Summer, 4th Month, dinghai [19 May], he entered Xuchang, opened the offices and armories, and took the instruments and canes. At places that were lost and gone, he very much killed the wardens and prefects, and had a multitude of several ten thousand. The Imperial Court was not able to exercise authority. The various commandery Wardens wanted all to run away and leave. The Grand Tutor, [the King of Donghai,] Yue, dispatched his Marshal, Wang Bin, to lead 5 000 armoured soldiers to enter and guard the Imperial City.

5th Month [5 June – 4 July], Mi entered from Huanyuan, and defeated the Public Army at Yibei.

The Imperial District greatly shook. The palace and city gates were shut in daylight. The Minister over the Masses, Wang Yan, and others led the hundred officials to resist and defend.

On renxu [23 June], Mi arrived at Luoyang, he stayed at the Jinyang gate. A decree used Wang Yan [as] Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Conquering and Chastising.

On jiazi [25 June], Yan, together with Wang Bin and others, set out to fight.

On yichou [26 June], Mi burnt the Jianchun gate and went east. Yan dispatched the General of Guards of the Left, Wang Bing to pursue him. They fought at the 7 li Brook, and again defeated him. He therefore crossed the He to return to Yuan. He went with Wang Sang from Zhi Pass to Pingyang. Yuan heard and was greatly pleased. He dispatched his Palace Attendant and concurrent Imperial Clerk Grandee, Jiao Ying, to deliver a letter to Mi, which said:

Since the General has merit not of this generation, and surpasses the virtue of the times. Because of that [we] have this greeting, that is all. While waiting to gaze on the General's arrival, Your Orphan now has newly journeyed to the General's official residence, to straight away dust off the mat and cleanse the beakers, and respectfully wait on the General.

When Mi saw Yuan, he recommended declaring the venerated title. Yuan spoke to Mi, saying:

Your Orphan originally spoke to the General like Dou Zhougong, that was all. Now [you] truly are my Kongming and Zhonghua. Liezu had a saying: “I having the General is like the fish having water”.

Hence he appointed Mi Colonel Minister of Retainers, concurrently Palace Attendant and Specially Advanced. Mi firmly declined.

Autumn, 7th Month [3 August – 1 September], phoenixes assembled at Puzi. The Imperial Chancellor, Liu Xuan, and others, 64 people, sent up [to assume] the venerated title.

On jiachen [4 August], Liu Yuan robbed Pingyang. The Grand Warden, Song Chou, fled to the capital city. The Grand Administrator of Hedong, Lu Shu, battled powerfully and died there.

Winter, 10th Month, jiaxu [2 November], Liu Yuan usurped the title of August Emperor in the southern suburbs. A great amnesty and changed the inaugural to Yongfeng [“Eternal Phoenixes”].

11th Month [30 November – 28 December], used his son the General of Guards, He, as Great General, and the [General who] Consoles the Army, Cong, as Great General of Chariots and Cavalry. his junior kinsman the [General who] Establishes the Martial, Yao, as Dragon-Prancing Great General.

On bingwu [4 December], Han's Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs in the Centre and Outside, Great Marshal and acting Imperial Chancellor, the Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, passed on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yuan became king [because of] Xuan's plans. For that reason he especially received respect and esteem, in merit and kinship he had no equal. In army and state, inside and outside, there was nothing he had not sole control of.

12th Month, yihai [2 January 309], Yuan used his Great General, Liu He, as Great Marshal, enfeoffed King of Liang, the Prefect of the Masters of Writings, Liu Huanle, as Great Minister over the Masses, enfeoffed King of Chenliu, the Empress' father, the Imperial Clerk Grandee, Huyan Yi, as Great Minister of Works, enfeoffed Duke of Yanzhou commandery. The imperial clan, considering the close and estranged as equals, were wholly enfeoffed kings of commanderies and counties. Those with a different family name, differentiated by their deeds and schemes, were all enfeoffed dukes and marquises of commanderies and counties.

1st Year of Herui [309 AD], Spring, 1st Month, xinchou [28 January], the Shimmering Deceiver [Mars] transgressed the Purple Eminence. The Prefect Grand Scribe, Xuanyu Xiuzhi, talked to Yuan, saying:

Your Majesty, although the dragon is rising and the phoenix soaring, and soon accepted the great instructions, yet the vestiges of Jin are not yet ended, the august dwellings are of slight account. The mishap of the Purple Palace is like a bell for the Jin clan. Before three years are gone, we will surely overcome Luoyang. Puzi is rough and steep, and not possible to keep calm for long. Pingyang's condition is to have purple vapours and is also the old capital of Taotang. [I] wish Your Majesty to above receive the empyrean apparition, and below to be in concord with the earthly omens.

In the middle of the Fen river there was obtained a jade signet. Its height was 1 cun, 2 fen, its area 4 cun. The writing said: “Has Newly [xin] Guarded It”, perhaps the signet of Wang Mang. Those who obtained it consequently added the three characters “The Abyssal [yuan] Seas [hai] Shines” and presented it. Yuan considered it providential for himself. A great amnesty and changed the inaugural to Herui [“River's Providence”].

3rd Month [28 March – 25 April], the General who Amasses the Crossbows of the Left, Zhu Dan, ran to Han. He set out and affirmed that Luoyang was isolated and weak, and urged Yuan to attack it. Yuan used Dan as Chief Controller of the Vanguard, and used the Great General who Wipes out the Jin, Liu Jing, as Great Chief-Controller. They commanded the troops to attack Liyang and overcame it. Dispatched the General of Chariots and Cavalry Wang Kan, to strike them. The kingly host achieved defeated at Yanjin. They drowned more than 30 000 men and women in the He. Yuan heard about and angrily said:

How can Jing face to see Us again? And how is Heaven's Way able to look up on him? Those who it is my wish to eliminate is the Sima clan, that is all. How can people of no importance be at fault?

He demoted Jing to be General who Pacifies the Caitiffs. Wang Mi was sent to accompany Liu Yao to rob Henei, and also attacked Lizhang together with Shi Le.

{JS005: 3rd Month [28 March – 25 April], Liu Yuan robbed Liyang. … Summer, 4th Month [26 April – 25 May], the General who Amasses the Crossbows of the Left, Zhu Dan, ran to Liu Yuan.}

Summer, Yuan used Wang Mi as Palace Attendant, Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang provinces, Great General who Conquers the East and Shepherd of Qing province. He attacked Huguan together with the King of Chu, Cong, and used Shi Le as Chief-Controller of the Vanguard. Liu Kun dispatched the Army-Protectors Huang Su and Han Shu to relieve it. Cong defeated Shu at Xijian. Le defeated Su at Fengtian. In both cases they killed them. The King of Donghai, Yue, dispatched the Interior Clerk of Huainan, Wang Kuang, the Grand Warden of Anfeng, Wei Qian, and Generals Shi Rong and Chao Chao to chastise them. Kuang crossed the He, and wished to make a long chase and get in front. Rong said:

Those ones are exploiting the defiles to set out between them. Even if we had a multitude of several ten thousand, still this single army is only accepting the enemy. Or we make the Zu River to be a strength to thereby measure the shape and tendency, and afterwards plot against them.

Kuang angrily said:

Lord, do you wish to dispirit the multitudes!

Rong withdrew, and said:

Those ones are good at employing troops. Kuang is in the dark about the condition of affairs. We will now surely die.

Kuang and others went beyond Taixing. They caught up with Mi in battle between Gaodu and Changping. He greatly defeated them. The dead were six or seven out of ten. Chao and Rong died there. Cong thereupon routed Tunliu and Changzi. Altogether the beheaded and captured tallied 19 000. The Grand Warden of Shangdang, Pang Chun used Huguan to surrender to Han. Liu Kun used Chief Commandant Zhang Yi as acting Grand Warden of Shangdang. He occupied Xiangyuan. Yuan advanced Mi to Great General who Conquers the East, enfeoffed as Duke of Donglai.

5th Month [26 June – 23 July], enfeoffed his son Yu as King of Qi, and Long as King of Lu.

Wang Mi and Liu Yao, Shi Le and others attacked Wei commandery, Ji commandery and Dunqiu, and captured more than 50 fortifications. Again he and Le attacked Ye. The General who Calms the North, He Yu, abandoned the city and ran.

Autumn, 8th Month [21 September – 19 October], Yuan instructed his son Cong and Wang Mi to advance and rob Luoyang. Liu Yao with Zhao Gu and others to be their rear support. The King of Donghai, Yue, dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Pei Xian to stay at Baima and chastise Mi, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, to stay at Dongyan and chastise Le, the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, to stay at Dayang and chastise Yuan. Wu's section General, Peng Mo, was defeated by Cong, and was murdered. The multitude armies all withdrew. Cong crossed the Yellow River. Cong and others pushed deep to arrive at Yiyang. The Duke of Pingchang, Mo, dispatched Generals Chunyu Ding, Lü Yi and others from Chang'an to chastise him. They fought at Yiyang. Ding and others achieved defeat. Cong relied on his continuous victories, and did not make preparations.

9th Month [20 October – 18 November],}{JS101: the Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, pretended to surrender. In a night assault, Cong's army was greatly and turned back. Yuan wore white clothes to welcome the host.

{JS005: 9th Month, bingyin [20 October], Liu Cong besieged Junyi. Dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, to chastise him. On dingchou [31 October], the kingly host achieved defeat.

Winter, 10th Month [19 November – 17 December], Yuan again greatly sent out soldiers. He dispatched the King of Chu, Cong, Wang Mi, the King of Shi'an, Yao, and the King of Ruyin, Jing, to lead 50 000 spirited cavalry to rob Luoyang. The Great Minister of Works, Duke Gangmu of Yanmen, Huyan Yi, led foot soldiers to support them.

On bingchen [9 December], Cong and others arrived at Yiyang. The Imperial Court, since the Han troops were newly defeated, did not think they would arrive again, and were greatly afraid. {JS100: The Emperor dispatched the Colonel Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, General Song Chou, and others to resist them, neither were able to withstand. Mi and Cong used 10 000 cavalry to arrive at the Imperial City, and burnt the two schools.}

On xinyou [14 December], Cong advanced to station at Ximing Gate. The Army-Protector Jia Yin at night pushed at him. Beigong Chun and others at night led more than 1 000 brave soldiers to set out and attack the Han fortifications. They fought at Daxia Gate and beheaded Cong's General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Huyan Hao. His multitudes thereupon scattered.

{JS005: Cong arrived at the Ximing Gate. Yue opposed him, fought outside of the Xuanyang Gate, and greatly routed him. Sent the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, and the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, to chastise Liu Cong. The kingly host achieved defeat. Kan and others fled back to the Imperial City.

On renxu [15 December], Cong turned around the army and went south, he fortified at Luo River. Soon after he advanced to station at the Xuanyang Gate. Yao stationed at Shangdong Gate. Mi stationed at Guangyang Gate. Jing attacked Daxia Gate.

On yichou [18 December], Huyan Yi was killed by his subordinates. His multitudes dispersed from Dayang and returned home. Yuan counselled Cong and others to turn back the host. Cong petitioned, claiming that the Jin troops were few and weak, he could not for the reasons of Yi and Hao's death turn back the host. He firmly requested to stay and attack Luoyang. Yuan allowed it. The Grand Tutor, Yue, was surrounded in the city and defended himself.

On wuyin [31 December], Cong personally prayed at Song Peak, he ordered the General who Pacifies the Jin, King Ai of Anyang, Liu Li, and the General of the Best of the Army, Huyan Lang, and others to supervise the kept behind army. The Army Advisor to the Grand Tutor, Sun Xun advised Yue to exploit the absence and set out. Yue instructed Xun, Generals Qiu Guang and Lou Pou, and others to lead 3 000 tough soldiers of his personal retinue, to go from Xuanyang Gate and strike Lang. They beheaded him. Cong heard and hurried to return. Li feared Cong would blame him, went into the river and died. Wang Mi spoke to Cong, saying:

Now we have lost our sharpness, and Luoyang is still strong. The transport carts are at Shan, provisions and food will not be provided for several days. Your Highness, it is not as good as returning the host, wrap up provisions and send out soldiers, and calmly be later taking the lead. Your Subordinate Official will gathering soldiers and amass grain within Yan and Yu, and humbly listen and make ready for the appointed time. Is it not also possible?

Cong himself requested to stay, not yet daring to turn back. Xuanyu Xiuzhi again talked to Yuan, saying:

When the year is xinwei, we will get Luoyang. Now Jin's vapours are still abundant. If the great army does not return home, it will surely be defeated.

Yuan hurried to dispatch the Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Fu Xun to summon Cong and others to return the host. [The next xinwei year was 311 AD.]

11th Month, jiashen [6 January], Cong and Yao, returned home to Pingyang.

{JS005: Winter, 11th Month [18 December – 16 January], the beg-to-live leaders Li Yun, Bo Sheng and others led the multitudes to relieve the Imperial City. Cong withdrew and ran.}

Wang Mi set out from Huanyaun. Yue dispatched Bo Sheng and others to pursue and strike Mi. They fought at Xinji. Mi's host achieved defeat. Hence he held on to the guard post of Baoban, and turned back to Pingyang. He then used 20 000 cavalry to rob the various counties of Xiangcheng. The various drifting people of Hedong, Pingyang, Hongnong and Shangdang who were in Yingchuan, Xiangcheng, Runan, Nanyang and Henan were several ten thousand families. They were not treated decorously by the people who originally lived there. Everyone burnt down the cities and towns, and killed the 20 000 shi and chief magistrates to accordingly submit to Mi.

12th Month [17 January – 15 February], Yuan used the King of Chenliu, Liu Huanle, as Grand Tutor, the King of Chu, Liu Cong, as Great Minister of Works, the King of Jiangdu, Liu Yannian, as Great Minister of Works. He dispatched the Chief Protector Great General, the King of Quyang, Xian, with the Great General who Conquers the North, the General who Calms the North, Zhao Gu, the General who Pacifies the North, Wang Sang, to go east and set out for Neihuang. Wang Mi petitioned the Senior Clerk of the Left, Cao Yi, [as] Acting General who Calms the East, and tour Qing province, and moreover to welcome his family. Yuan allowed it.

2nd Year {of Herui [310 AD], Spring, 1st Month, [16 February – 16 March],Yuan established Shan Zheng's daughter as August Empress, his son the Great Marshal, the King of Liang, He, as August Heir-Apparent. A great amnesty. Enfeoffed his son Ai as King of Beihai. Used the King of Changle, Liu Yang as Great Marshal.

Han's Great General who Garrisons the East, Shi Le, crossed the He, and uprooted Baima. Wang Mi again used 20 000 people to met up with Shi Le, and rob Chen commandery and Yingchuan. He stationed at Yangyao, and dispatched his younger brother Zhang to rob Xu and Yan together with Shi Le, consequently they routed Yue's army.

Summer, 4th Month [15 May – 13 June], Wang Jun's General Qi Hong routed Liu Yuan's Inspector of Ji province, Liu Ling, at Guangzong, and killed him.

Autumn, 7th Month [12 August – 9 September], the King of Chu, Liu Cong, his junior cousin, the King of Shi'an, Yao, Shi Le, and the Great General who Calms the North, Zhao Guo, besieged the Grand Warden of Henei, Pei Zheng, at Huai, Decreed the General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Song Chou, to relieve it. Le and the Great General who Pacifies the North, Wang Sang, confronted and struck Chou, and killed him. {JS005: 9th Month [10 October – 7 November],} Yue Yang, a native of Henei, apprehended the Grand Warden, Pei Zheng, in rebellion, and surrendered to Shi Le. Yuan used Zheng as Assistant of the Left of the Masters of Writing.

8th Month [10 September – 9 October], gengwu [20 August], Yuan was bedridden with illness, and wanted to make plans for looking after responsibilities.

On xinwei [21 August], he used the King of Chenliu, Huanle. as Grand Steward, the King of Changle, Liu Yang, as Grand Tutor, the King of Jiangdu, Yannian, as Grand Guardian, the Minister over the Masses, the King of Chu, Cong, as Great Marshal and Great Shanyu. They were together to Record the Affairs of the Masters of Writing. He set up the Tribunal of the Shanyu west of Pingyang. He used his son, the King of Qi, Yu, as Great Minister over the Masses, the King of Lu, Long, as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, the King of Beihai, Ai, as Great General who Consoles the Army and acting Colonel Minister of Retainers, the King of Shi'an, Yao, as Great Chief Controller of Conquering and Chastising and acting Aide of the Left to the Shanyu, the Commandant of Justice, Qiao Zhiming, as Great General of the Best of the Army and acting Aide of the Right to the Shanyu, the Brilliantly Blessed Grandee Liu Yin as Supervisor of the Left, Wang Yu as Supervisor of the Right, Ren Yi as Master of Writing of the Personnel Section, Zhu Ji as Overseer of the Palace Writers. The Army-Protector Ma Jing to act as General of Guards of the Left, the King of Yong'an, Anguo to act as General of Guards of the Right, the King of Anchang, Sheng, the King of Anyi, Yin, and the King of Xiyang, Xuan, all to act as Generals of Martial Guards, and divide direction over the forbidden troops.

Earlier, at the time when Sheng was young, he was not fond of studying books. He only read the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects, saying:

Recite these [and you are] able to act, they are sufficient. Why use many to recite and then not act!

Li Xi saw him, and replied, saying:

Gazing at him it is like [I] can be at ease. When he arrives, the dignity is like a stern lord. He can be said to be a lordly man!

Yuan, because of his loyalty and sincerity, when approaching the end appointed him accordingly to a critical duty.

On dingchou [27 August], Yuan's illness was critical. He summoned Huanle, Yang and others to enter within the forbidden [chambers] to accept the testamentary decree to assist the government.

{JS005: 6th Month [13 July – 11 August],} jimao [29 August], Yuan passed away in the Brilliant Eminence Hall. He had held the throne for 6 years, his bogus posthumous title was Brilliant and Civil [guangwen] August Emperor, his temple title was Exalted Founder [gaozu]. The tomb was titled the Eternal Brilliance Mound [yongguang ling]. The Heir-Apparent, He, was enthroned.

#liu yuan

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