Records of Jin, Volume 7

Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 85

[Annals of Jin, Book 7] From the year zhaoyang dayuanxian to the year yanfeng kundun, two years in total.

In the spring, the first month, Li Te secretly crossed the river to attack Luo Shang. The forces all scattered and fled. The governor of Shu Commandery, Xu Jian, surrendered Shaocheng. Li Te entered and occupied Shaocheng, taking only horses to supply the army, with no other plunder or looting. He pardoned the people within the region and changed the era name to Jianchu. Luo Shang held Tacheng and sent an envoy to Li Te to sue for peace. The people of Shu who had gathered to build fortified villages all submitted to Li Te. Li Te sent envoys to pacify them. Because the army lacked food, he scattered the six commanderies' refugees to the various fortresses to seek sustenance. Li Liu said to Li Te, "These fortresses have just submitted; their hearts are not yet stable. We should take their noble families' sons as hostages, gather our forces for self-defense, and guard against unforeseen events." He also wrote to Li Te's secretary, Shangguan Dun, saying, "Accept surrender as if facing an enemy; do not take it lightly." Former General Li Xiong also said the same. Li Te angrily replied, "The great matter has already been settled. We should only pacify the people. Why add suspicion and resentment to drive them away?"

The imperial court sent the Inspector of Jingzhou, Zong Dai, and the Grand Administrator of Jianping, Sun Fu, leading thirty thousand marines to rescue Luo Shang. Zong Dai made Sun Fu the vanguard, advancing toward Deyang. Li Te sent Li Dang and the Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, Li Huang, to join the Grand Administrator of Deyang, Ren Zang, in resistance. The forces of Zong Dai and Sun Fu were formidable, and all the fortified villages harbored divided loyalties. The Military Clerk of Yizhou, a man of Shu Commandery named Ren Rui, said to Luo Shang, "Li Te has scattered his troops for food; he is arrogant and lax, without defense. This is Heaven's time for his destruction. We should secretly agree with the various fortresses, set a date for a simultaneous uprising, and attack from within and without. Defeating him is certain!" Luo Shang had Ren Rui lowered by rope from the city wall at night to announce orders to the fortresses, setting the date for the tenth day of the second month for a joint attack on Li Te. Ren Rui then went to Li Te, pretending to surrender. Li Te asked about the situation within the city. Ren Rui said, "Food stores are nearly exhausted; only goods and silk remain." Ren Rui requested leave to visit his family, and Li Te agreed. He then returned and reported to Luo Shang. In the second month, Luo Shang sent troops to suddenly attack Li Te's camp. All the fortified villages responded. Li Te's army suffered a great defeat. Li Te, Li Fu, and Li Yuan were killed. Their bodies were burned, and their heads were sent to Luoyang. The refugees were greatly terrified. Li Liu, Li Dang, and Li Xiong gathered the remnants and retreated to Chizu. Li Liu declared himself Grand General, Commander-in-Chief, and Inspector of Yizhou, occupying the Eastern Palace. Li Dang and Li Xiong occupied the Northern Camp. Sun Fu captured Deyang and took Jian Shuo prisoner. Ren Zang retreated to Fuling.

In the third month, Luo Shang sent the Supervisor of Guards, He Chong, and Chang Shen, among others, to attack Li Liu. A man of Fuling, Yao Shen, also raised troops to attack Li Liu. Li Liu and Li Xiang resisted Chang Shen, sending Li Dang and Li Xiong to resist Yao Shen. He Chong took advantage of the emptiness to attack the Northern Camp. The Di chieftains Fu Cheng and Wei Bo were in the camp; they rebelled and responded to He Chong. Li Dang's mother, Lady Luo, donned armor and fought. Wei Bo cut her eye with a sword, but her courage grew fiercer. The camp was about to be breached when Li Liu and the others, having defeated Chang Shen and Yao Shen, returned with their troops. They joined battle with He Chong and the others and thoroughly defeated them. Fu Cheng and Wei Bo led their men in a breakout to join Luo Shang. Li Liu and his men advanced victoriously to Chengdu. Luo Shang again closed the city gates for defense. Li Dang, riding in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, was struck by a spear and died.

The imperial court sent the Palace Attendant, a man of Yan Commandery named Liu Shen, bearing credentials to command the forces of Luo Shang, Xu Xiong, and others, to campaign against Li Liu. When he reached Chang'an, the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, detained Liu Shen to serve as Army Adviser and sent Xi Ti to replace him.

Li Liu, because Li Te and Li Dang had died one after another, and Zong Dai and Sun Fu were about to arrive, was greatly terrified. Li Han advised Li Liu to surrender, and Li Liu agreed. Li Xiang and Li Xiong repeatedly remonstrated, but Li Liu did not accept. In summer, the fifth month, Li Liu sent his son Li Shi and Li Han's son Li Hu as hostages to Sun Fu's army. Li Hu's elder brother, Li Li, was Grand Administrator of Zitong. Hearing of this, he raced back from his commandery, wanting to remonstrate but arriving too late. After withdrawing, he plotted with Li Xiong to attack Sun Fu's army. Li Xiong said, "For the present situation, this is what should be done. But if the two elders do not consent, what can we do?" Li Li said, "We should force them!" Li Xiong was greatly pleased. So together they said to the refugees, "We have already harmed the people of Shu. If we now surrender, we will become fish and meat to be butchered. Only by uniting our efforts to attack Sun Fu can we seek wealth and honor!" All the people obeyed them. Li Xiong then joined Li Li in attacking Sun Fu's army and thoroughly defeated them. It happened that Zong Dai died at Dianjiang, and the Jingzhou army withdrew. Li Liu was deeply ashamed. From then on, he regarded Li Xiong as exceptionally talented and entrusted all military matters to him.

The Prince of Xinye, Sima Xin, governed harshly and impatiently, losing the allegiance of the Man and Yi peoples. The Yiyang Man, Zhang Chang, gathered several thousand followers, intending to rebel. Jingzhou, in accordance with the Renwu edict, conscripted brave men to go to Yizhou to campaign against Li Liu, calling them the "Renwu Soldiers." The people feared the distant expedition and all were unwilling to depart. Edicts urging their dispatch were severe and urgent. Any prefectural commandery where they lingered for five days on the way had its two-thousand-picul officials dismissed. Therefore, commandery and county chiefs personally drove them out. Turning back, unable to go far, they gathered again and became bandits. At this time, Jiangxia had a great harvest, and several thousand people came there seeking food. Zhang Chang took advantage of this to deceive and confuse the people. He changed his name to Li Chen and recruited followers at Shiyanshan in Anlu. Refugees and those avoiding military service flocked to him. The Grand Administrator, Gong Qin, sent troops to suppress him but could not prevail. Zhang Chang then attacked the commandery seat. Gong Qin was defeated and fled to Wuchang with his officer Zhu He. Sima Xin sent the Cavalry Commander, Jin Man, to attack him, but Jin Man was also defeated and fled.

Zhang Chang then occupied Jiangxia and spread false prophecies, saying, "A sage should appear to become the people's lord." He found a petty clerk of Shanxian County, Qiu Shen, changed his name to Liu Ni, falsely claiming he was a descendant of the Han dynasty, and honored him as the Son of Heaven, saying, "This is the sage." Zhang Chang made himself Chancellor, fabricated auspicious omens such as phoenixes and imperial seals, and established the reign name Shenfeng. The suburban sacrifices, ritual vestments, and colors all followed the Han precedents. Those who did not respond to his summons were executed along with their clans; no officials or people dared disobey. He also spread rumors, saying, "All south of the Yangzi and Huai Rivers have rebelled. The imperial army is being mobilized on a large scale and will slaughter everyone." Mutual incitement caused panic and fear. Between the Yangzi and Han Rivers, people everywhere rose to join Zhang Chang. Within ten days or a month, his followers reached thirty thousand. All wore crimson caps and made beards from horsetails. An edict sent the Army Supervisor, Hua Hong, to attack him. Hua Hong was defeated at Zhangshan.

Sima Xin submitted a memorial, saying: "The rebel bandits are countless, like dogs and sheep, wearing crimson caps and hairy faces, brandishing swords and halberds. Their sharp edge cannot be withstood. I request that the court order the various armies to come to the rescue in three directions." The court appointed the Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry, Liu Qiao, as Inspector of Yuzhou, and the General Who Pacifies Ning, a man of Pei Commandery named Liu Hong, as Inspector of Jingzhou. It also issued an edict to the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, ordering the Inspector of Yongzhou, Liu Shen, to lead ten thousand troops from the province, together with five thousand from the Western Expedition Headquarters, to set out from Lantian to attack Zhang Chang. Sima Yong did not obey the edict. Liu Shen himself led the provincial troops to Lantian. Sima Yong again forced him to surrender his forces. Thereupon, Liu Qiao encamped at Runan, and Liu Hong, together with Former General Zhao Xiang and the General Who Pacifies the South, Yang Yi, encamped at Wancheng. Zhang Chang sent his general, Huang Lin, leading twenty thousand men to attack Yuzhou. Liu Qiao repelled him.

Initially, Sima Xin was friendly with Qi Prince Sima Jiong. After Sima Jiong failed, Sima Xin became fearful and personally aligned himself with Grand General Sima Ying. When Zhang Chang rebelled, Sima Xin submitted a memorial requesting to campaign against him. At that time, Changsha Prince Sima Yi was already at odds with Sima Ying, suspecting that Sima Xin was colluding with Sima Ying in a plot, so he did not allow Sima Xin to dispatch troops, and Zhang Chang’s forces grew increasingly strong. Attendant Secretary Sun Xun said to Sima Xin: “You, as the regional commander, have received the court’s heavy trust to lead troops beyond the capital. What is wrong with acting immediately after submitting the memorial! Yet you allow treacherous and evil men to spread and grow, leading to unpredictable disasters—is this the true meaning of defending the royal house and stabilizing the state!” Sima Xin was about to send out troops when Wang Sui said: “Zhang Chang and his ilk are merely petty bandits; a deputy general is sufficient to subdue them. Why must you, in violation of the imperial decree, personally risk arrows and stones!” When Zhang Chang reached Fancheng, Sima Xin finally led troops to resist. His forces scattered, and Sima Xin was killed by Zhang Chang. An imperial decree appointed Liu Hong to replace Sima Xin as Zhennan General, overseeing all military affairs in Jing Province. In the sixth month, Liu Hong appointed Southern Barbarian Chief Clerk, Lujiang native Tao Kan, as Grand Protector, Canjun Kuai Heng as Righteous Army Supervisor, and Yamen Commander Pi Chu as Battle Commander, advancing to occupy Xiangyang. Zhang Chang united his forces to besiege Wan County, defeated Zhao Xiang’s army, and killed Yang Yi. Liu Hong withdrew to Liang County. Zhang Chang attacked Xiangyang but could not capture it.

Li Xiong attacked and killed Wenshan Prefect Chen Tu, then seized Pi City.

In autumn, the seventh month, Li Liu moved his camp to Pi City. The people of Shu all fortified themselves in mountain strongholds, some fleeing south into Ning Province, others east to Jing Province. Cities and towns were empty, fields without smoke, and Li Liu’s raids yielded no gains, leaving his soldiers hungry and exhausted. Only over a thousand households from Fuling relied on the secluded scholar Fan Changsheng at Qingcheng Mountain. Pingxi Canjun, Fuling native Xu Yu, persuaded Luo Shang to appoint him as Wenshan Prefect, to form an alliance with Fan Changsheng and jointly campaign against Li Liu. Luo Shang refused, and Xu Yu, enraged, left the city to surrender to Li Liu, who appointed him Anxi General. Xu Yu persuaded Fan Changsheng to supply Li Liu with military provisions, and Fan Changsheng complied. Li Liu’s army thus revived.

Initially, Li Han believed that Changsha Prince Sima Yi was weak and would certainly be killed by Qi Prince Sima Jiong. He therefore planned to use this as a pretext to accuse Sima Jiong and campaign against him, then depose the emperor, establish Grand General Sima Ying as emperor, make Hejian Prince Sima Yong the chancellor, and seize power himself. Shortly after, Sima Jiong was killed by Sima Yi, but Sima Ying and Sima Yong remained as regional lords, not as they had planned. Sima Ying, relying on his merit, became arrogant and extravagant, and all government affairs fell into greater disarray than under Sima Jiong. He still resented that Sima Yi was inside the court, preventing him from realizing his ambitions, and wanted to eliminate him. At that time, Huangfu Shang was again serving as Sima Yi’s Canjun, and Huangfu Shang’s elder brother, Huangfu Zhong, served as Qin Province Inspector. Li Han advised Sima Yong: “Huangfu Shang is trusted by Sima Yi, and Huangfu Zhong will ultimately not be at your disposal. You should eliminate them early. You can submit a memorial requesting to promote Huangfu Zhong to a court official, then seize him when he passes through Chang’an.” Huangfu Zhong learned of this and openly issued a proclamation to the Department of State Affairs, mobilizing troops from Longshang to campaign against Li Han. Sima Yi, believing the army had just taken a brief rest, sent an envoy with an imperial decree ordering Huangfu Zhong to halt, and summoned Li Han to serve as Henan Yin. Li Han accepted the summons, but Huangfu Zhong did not comply with the decree. Sima Yong sent Jincheng Prefect You Kai, Longxi Prefect Han Zhi, and others to unite troops from four commanderies to attack him. Sima Yong secretly sent Li Han, along with Attendant Feng Sun and Palace Secretary Bian Cui, to plot Sima Yi’s murder. Huangfu Shang informed Sima Yi, who arrested Li Han, Feng Sun, and Bian Cui, and executed them. Cavalry Commandant from Langye, Zhuge Mei, and former Director of the Chancellery from Wuyi, Qian Xiu, both fled to Ye City.

Zhang Chang’s ally Shi Bing invaded Yang Province, killing Inspector Chen Hui, and all commanderies fell. He then breached Jiang Province, with other generals like Chen Zhen attacking Wuling, Lingling, Yuzhang, Wuchang, and Changsha, all of which were captured. Linhuai native Feng Yun raised troops to invade Xu Province in response to Shi Bing. Thus, within the five provinces of Jing, Jiang, Yang, Yu, and Xu, most territory was occupied by Zhang Chang. Zhang Chang appointed provincial governors and commandery prefects, all of whom were vicious bandits, solely engaged in plundering and robbery.

Liu Hong sent Tao Kan and others to attack Zhang Chang at Jingling, while Liu Qiao sent his general Li Yang and others to Jiangxia. Tao Kan and his men fought multiple battles with Zhang Chang, inflicting a great defeat, cutting off tens of thousands of heads in succession. Zhang Chang fled to Xiajun Mountain, and all his troops surrendered.

Initially, Tao Kan’s father died when he was young, leaving his family poor, and he served as a Bailiff in the commandery. Changsha Prefect Wan Si passed through Lujiang, met Tao Kan, and found him extraordinary. He had his son befriend Tao Kan before leaving. Later, Tao Kan was recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate and went to Luoyang. Langzhong Ling of Yuzhang State, Yang Zhuo, recommended him to Gu Rong, and thus Tao Kan became famous. After defeating Zhang Chang, Liu Hong said to Tao Kan: “In the past, I served as a Canjun under Duke Yang (Yang Hu), and he said I would one day be in his position. Now I see you, and you will certainly succeed me.”

When Liu Hong withdrew and camped at Liang, Zhengnan General, Fanyang Prince Sima Xiao, sent former Chief Commandant of the Changshui Camp, Zhang Yi, to concurrently oversee Jing Province. When Liu Hong arrived, Zhang Yi refused to hand over authority and raised troops to resist Liu Hong. Liu Hong campaigned against Zhang Yi and killed him. At that time, many commandery prefects and county magistrates in Jing Province were vacant. Liu Hong requested to fill the positions, and the decree approved. Liu Hong appointed officials based on merit and virtue, matching talent to office, and everyone admired his fairness and appropriateness. Liu Hong submitted a memorial recommending Pi Chu to fill the post of Xiangyang Prefect. The court believed that although Pi Chu had merit, his reputation was shallow, and instead appointed Liu Hong’s son-in-law, former Dongping Prefect Xia Houzhi, as Xiangyang Prefect. Liu Hong issued an edict saying: “One who governs a state should place the entire state in his heart. If one must use only relatives before appointing them, then Jing Province has ten commanderies—would one need to find ten sons-in-law to govern affairs!” He then memorialized: “Xia Houzhi is my relative; according to established rules, he cannot supervise me. Pi Chu’s achievements deserve reward and recompense.” The decree followed his advice. Liu Hong then encouraged and urged agriculture and sericulture, relaxed punishments, reduced taxes, and both the government and people had ample resources, with the populace loving and supporting him.

Hejian Prince Sima Yong, upon hearing that Li Han and others had been killed, immediately raised troops to campaign against Changsha Prince Sima Yi. Grand General Sima Ying submitted a memorial requesting to campaign against Zhang Chang, and the emperor agreed. Upon hearing that Zhang Chang had already been pacified, he then wanted to join Sima Yong in attacking Sima Yi. Lu Zhi admonished, saying: “You, my lord, once had great merit but relinquished power and declined favor, earning a fine reputation at the time. Now you should station your troops outside the passes, enter the court in civilian attire—this is what a hegemon does.” Canjun, Wei commandery native Shao Xu, said: “A person’s brothers are like his left and right hands. If you, enlightened lord, want to resist the world’s enemies but first remove one of your own hands, can that work?” Sima Ying heeded neither. In the eighth month, Sima Yong and Sima Ying jointly submitted a memorial saying: “Sima Yi’s assessment of merit is unfair. He, along with Right Vice Director Yang Xuanzhi and Left General Huangfu Shang, monopolize power and arbitrarily decide court affairs, killing the loyal and good. We request the execution of Yang Xuanzhi and Huangfu Shang, and that Sima Yi be sent back to his fief.” The decree said: “Sima Yong dares to raise a great army and approach the capital. I shall personally lead the Six Armies to execute the treacherous and rebellious. I now appoint Sima Yi as Grand Commandant, overseeing all military affairs within and outside the capital to defend against them.”

Sima Yong appointed Zhang Fang as Commander-in-Chief, leading 70,000 elite troops east from Hangu Pass directly toward Luoyang. Sima Ying led his army to camp at Zhaoge, appointing Pingyuan Neishi Lu Ji as Front General and Vanguard Commander-in-Chief, commanding Northern General-in-Chief Wang Cui, Champion General Qian Xiu, Central Protector Shi Chao, and others, with over 200,000 troops, advancing south toward Luoyang. Lu Ji, serving Sima Ying as a guest, suddenly ranked above all the generals, and Wang Cui and others were all discontent. Baisha Supervisor Sun Hui was close and intimate with Lu Ji, advising him to yield the command to Wang Cui. Lu Ji said: “Then they will say I am wavering, and this will hasten disaster.” He then set out. Sima Ying’s army stretched from Zhaoge to the River Bridge, with drums heard for hundreds of li.

On the day Yichou, the emperor arrived at Shisanli Bridge. Grand Commandant Sima Ai sent Huangfu Shang to lead over ten thousand men to Yiyang to resist Zhang Fang. On the day Jisi, the emperor turned his army back to Xuanwu Field; on the day Gengwu, he encamped at Shilou. In the ninth month, on the day Dingchou, he encamped at Heqiao. On the day Renzi, Zhang Fang launched a surprise attack on Huangfu Shang and defeated him. On the day Jiashen, the emperor’s army stationed at Mangshan. On the day Dinghai, the emperor arrived at Yanshi; on the day Xinmao, he encamped at Doutian. Grand General Sima Ying advanced his army and encamped on the southern bank of the Yellow River, constructing fortifications along the Qingshui River. On the day Guisi, Yang Xuanzhi, overcome with worry and fear, died. The emperor returned his army to the east of the city; on the day Bingshen, he arrived at Goushi, attacked Qian Xiu, and routed him. A general amnesty was declared. Zhang Fang entered the capital, plundering on a massive scale, and the dead numbered in the tens of thousands.

Li Liu fell gravely ill and said to his generals, “The Swift Cavalry General (Li Xiong) is benevolent and discerning, fully capable of accomplishing great deeds; however, the Front Army General (Li Xiong) is wise and brave, perhaps aided by Heaven. You may all go to the Front Army General to receive his commands.” Li Liu died, and the (multitude) elevated Li Xiong to the posts of Grand Commander-in-Chief, Grand General, and Inspector of Yizhou, with his headquarters at Pi City. Li Xiong sent Pu Tai, a man from Wudu, to deceive Luo Shang into attacking Pi City by claiming that he would serve as an internal responder. Luo Shang sent Wei Bo to lead troops to attack Pi City. Pu Tai arranged to light a fire as a signal, and Li Xiang ambushed troops along the roadside. Pu Tai brought long ladders outside the city. Wei Bo’s soldiers, seeing the fire, scrambled up the ladders, whereupon Li Xiang launched his ambush and heavily defeated Wei Bo. Pursuing the fleeing troops through the night to the city walls, they shouted “Long live!”, claiming, “We have already captured Pi City!” Entering the Lesser City, Luo Shang only then realized the deception and retreated to defend the Greater City. Wei Bo was severely wounded; Li Xiong captured him alive but pardoned and did not kill him. Li Xiang attacked Qianwei, cutting off Luo Shang’s supply route. He captured Governor Gong Hui and killed him.

Shi Chao advanced and pressed toward Goushi. Winter, tenth month, on the day Renyin, the emperor returned to the palace. On the day Dingwei, he defeated Qian Xiu east of Dongyang Gate. Grand General Sima Ying sent General Ma Wei to aid Lu Ji. On the day Wushen, Grand Commandant Sima Ai attended the emperor and engaged Lu Ji in battle at Jianchun Gate. Sima Ai’s Sima, Wang Hu, led several thousand cavalrymen, binding halberds to their horses, and charged into Ma Wei’s battle formation. Ma Wei’s army fell into chaos, and Wang Hu captured and killed Ma Wei. Lu Ji’s army suffered a great defeat, fleeing toward Qili Stream; the dead piled up like a mountain, and the stream’s flow was blocked. Sixteen of Lu Ji’s senior generals, including Jia Chong, were beheaded, and Shi Chao fled.

Initially, the eunuch Meng Jiu was favored by Grand General Sima Ying. Meng Jiu wanted his own father to be appointed magistrate of Handan County. Left Chief Historian Lu Zhi and others dared not oppose this, but Right Sima Lu Yun resolutely objected, saying, “This magistrate’s post has always been filled by men who rose through the ranks of the ducal offices; how can a eunuch’s father hold it?” Because of this, Meng Jiu harbored deep resentment against him. Meng Jiu’s younger brother, Meng Chao, led ten thousand men as a minor commander. Before battle even began, he allowed his soldiers to plunder freely, and Lu Ji arrested those responsible. Meng Chao led over a hundred ironclad cavalrymen straight into Lu Ji’s command post, seized the prisoners, and turned to Lu Ji, saying, “You barbarian slave, how dare you act as commander!” Lu Ji’s Sima, Sun Zheng of Wu Commandery, urged Lu Ji to kill him, but Lu Ji refused. Meng Chao publicly declared, “Lu Ji is plotting rebellion.” He also wrote to Meng Jiu, stating that Lu Ji harbored disloyal intentions, which was why the army could not engage swiftly. When battle came, Meng Chao disobeyed Lu Ji’s orders, leading his light troops in a solo advance, and died in combat. Meng Jiu suspected Lu Ji of killing him and slandered him to Sima Ying, saying, “Lu Ji bears disloyal intentions toward the Prince of Changsha.” Qian Xiu had long flattered Meng Jiu, and the generals Wang Chan, Hao Chang, and the Adjutant under the Tent, Gongshi Fan of Yangping, were all recommended and appointed by Meng Jiu; they jointly testified against Lu Ji. Sima Ying, enraged, sent Qian Xiu with troops to arrest Lu Ji. Staff Officer Wang Zhang admonished him, saying, “In the current situation, the disparity in strength is vast. Even an ordinary man knows that victory is certain—how much more so Lu Ji, a man of understanding! It is only that Lu Ji is a man from Wu, and Your Highness has employed him too heavily, which has aroused the jealousy of the northern old generals.” Sima Ying did not listen. When Lu Ji heard that Qian Xiu had arrived, he took off his armor, donned a white cap, met with Qian Xiu, wrote a letter bidding farewell to Sima Ying, and soon sighed, “Will I ever hear the cry of the cranes at Huating again?” Qian Xiu then killed him. Sima Ying also arrested Lu Ji’s younger brother, the Interior Minister of Qinghe, Lu Yun, and Pingdong Sacrificial Officer Lu Dan, along with Sun Zheng, and threw them all into prison.

The Secretary Jiang Tong, Chen Liu’s Cai Ke, and Yingchuan’s Zao Song and others submitted memorials, arguing: “Lu Ji’s lack of foresight led to defeat, so executing him is permissible. As for rebellion and treason, everyone knows this is not the case. It is proper first to examine and verify the evidence of Lu Ji’s rebellion; if there is proof, then executing Lu Yun and others would not be too late.” Jiang Tong and the others pleaded unceasingly, and Sima Ying hesitated for three days. Cai Ke entered, went before Sima Ying, and knocked his head until it bled, saying, “Lu Yun has been wronged by Meng Jiu—there is no one far or near who does not know this. Now that he is about to be killed, I privately feel regret for Your Illustrious Lordship!” Attendants who followed Cai Ke inside numbered several dozen; weeping, they earnestly begged. Sima Ying showed a sorrowful expression, with a hint of leniency toward Lu Yun. Meng Jiu helped Sima Ying inside and urged him to order the execution of Lu Yun and Lu Dan, and to annihilate Lu Ji’s entire clan of three generations. The jailers tortured Sun Zheng with hundreds of blows until the bones of both ankles were exposed, yet Sun Zheng consistently maintained that Lu Ji was innocent. The jailers knew Sun Zheng was loyal and resolute, and said to him, “Who does not know the injustice of the two Lus? Do you not cherish your own life?” Sun Zheng looked up to heaven and sighed, “Lord Lu and his brother are extraordinary talents of the world. I have received their recognition and kindness. Now that I cannot save them from death, how can I bear to follow others in slandering them?” Meng Jiu and his cohorts, knowing that Sun Zheng could not be subdued, ordered the jailers to forge Sun Zheng’s confession. After Sima Ying killed Lu Ji, he often regretted it. When he saw Sun Zheng’s confession, he was greatly pleased and said to Meng Jiu and the others, “If it were not for your loyalty, this treacherous plot could not have been fully exposed.” Thereupon, he annihilated Sun Zheng’s clan of three generations. Sun Zheng’s students, Fei Ci and Zai Yi, went to the prison to plead Sun Zheng’s innocence. Sun Zheng dismissed them, saying, “In righteousness, I have not betrayed the two Lus; death is naturally my lot. Why should you do this?” They replied, “Since you did not betray the two Lus, how could we betray you?” They insisted on Sun Zheng’s innocence, and Meng Jiu had them killed as well.

The Grand Commandant Sima Ai attended the emperor in attacking Zhang Fang. Zhang Fang's soldiers, seeing the emperor's carriage, all retreated and fled, so Zhang Fang was heavily defeated, with just over five thousand dead. Zhang Fang withdrew and encamped at Thirteen Li Bridge. The troops were terrified and wanted to flee under cover of night, but Zhang Fang said, "Victory and defeat are common matters for soldiers; one skilled in warfare can turn defeat into success. Now I will advance further and build fortifications, catching them off guard—this is an extraordinary strategy." So he secretly advanced by night, approaching within seven li of Luoyang city, and constructed several layers of ramparts, bringing in grain from outside to supplement the army's provisions. Sima Ai, having won a victory, considered Zhang Fang unworthy of concern. Hearing that Zhang Fang's fortifications were complete, in the eleventh month, he led troops to attack him but was unsuccessful. The court debated that Sima Ai and Sima Ying were brothers and could be reconciled through persuasion, so they sent Zhongshu Ling Wang Yan and others to urge Sima Ying to divide the territory of Shan with Sima Ai and dwell separately, but Sima Ying refused. Sima Ai then wrote a letter to Sima Ying, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, hoping for reconciliation. Sima Ying replied, "If you behead the heads of Huangfu Shang and others, I will lead my troops back to Ye." Sima Ai did not agree. Sima Ying advanced his troops toward the capital. Zhang Fang dug up the Qianjin Dyke, causing all the water-powered pestles to run dry. They then conscripted the male and female servants of kings and nobles to husk grain by hand to supply the soldiers; all males over thirteen years of age who were not serving in the army were forced into labor, and slaves were also conscripted to assist the soldiers. Both public and private resources were exhausted, with rice costing ten thousand cash per shi. The imperial decrees could only be enforced within a single city. The Chief Clerk of the Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, Zu Ti of Fanyang, said to Sima Ai, "Liu Shen is loyal, righteous, resolute, and firm. The forces of Yongzhou are sufficient to counter the Prince of Hejian. You should petition the emperor to issue an edict to Liu Shen, ordering him to raise troops to attack Sima Yong. When Sima Yong is hard-pressed, he will surely recall Zhang Fang to save himself—this is an excellent plan." Sima Ai followed his advice. Liu Shen, receiving the edict, swiftly circulated proclamations to the four borders, and most commanderies rose in response. Liu Shen assembled troops from seven commanderies, totaling over ten thousand men, and marched toward Chang'an.

Sima Ai also sent Huangfu Shang on a secret mission, carrying an imperial edict in the emperor's own hand, ordering You Kai and others to halt their attacks, and commanding Huangfu Zhong to advance and attack Sima Yong. Huangfu Shang traveled in secret to Xinping, where he encountered his nephew, who had always hated him. The nephew reported the matter to Sima Yong, who arrested Huangfu Shang and killed him.

In the twelfth month, the Court Gentleman Zhou Qi and the former Administrator of Nanping, the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ju, raised troops in Jiangdong to attack Shi Bing, promoting the former Grand Administrator of Wuxing, Gu Mi of Wu Commandery, to oversee the military affairs of the nine commanderies of Yangzhou. They circulated proclamations to all provinces and commanderies, killing the generals and officials appointed by Shi Bing. The former Attendant-in-Ordinary He Xun rose in Kuaiji, and the Administrator of Lujiang, Hua Tan of Guangling, as well as Ge Hong of Danyang and Gan Zhuo, all raised troops in response to Gu Mi. Zhou Qi was the son of Zhou Chu; He Xun was the son of He Shao; Gan Zhuo was the great-grandson of Gan Ning.

Shi Bing sent his general Qiang Du with several tens of thousands of troops to resist Zhou Qi. Zhou Qi attacked and killed him. Shi Bing retreated from Linhuai toward Shouchun. The General Who Pacifies the East, Liu Zhun, hearing of Shi Bing's approach, was terrified and did not know what to do. The Intendant of Guangling, Chen Min of Lujiang, commanding troops in Shouchun, said to Liu Zhun, "These men were never willing to go on distant expeditions; they were forced into banditry and are a motley crowd. Their situation is easy to disintegrate. I request to lead the transport troops to defeat them for you." Liu Zhun then reinforced Chen Min with more troops and sent him to attack Shi Bing.

In the intercalary month, Li Xiong fiercely attacked Luo Shang. Luo Shang's army had no food, so he left the Gate Officer Zhang Luo to guard the city. By night, he fled eastward via the Niu Bi River, and Zhang Luo opened the gates and surrendered. Li Xiong entered Chengdu. His troops were extremely hungry, so he led them to Qi County to forage, digging up wild taro to eat. Xu Xiong, for failing to advance against the rebels, was summoned back to the capital for punishment.

The General Who Pacifies the North and Commander of All Military Affairs in Youzhou, Wang Jun, seeing that the empire was in chaos, sought to befriend the barbarians as external support. He married one daughter to the Xianbei chief Duanwu Wuchen and another to Su Nuyan. He also submitted a memorial requesting that the Liaoxi Commandery be granted to Duanwu Wuchen, making him the Duke of Liaoxi. Wang Jun was the son of Wang Shen.

When Mao Shen died, Li Rui fled to the Wuling barbarian chieftain Yu Lingcheng. Yu Lingcheng went to Li Yi to plead for Li Rui's life, and Li Yi agreed. When Li Rui arrived, Li Yi killed him. Yu Lingcheng, enraged, led various barbarian tribes to counterattack Li Yi.

The daughter of the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Yue Guang, was the consort of the Prince of Chengdu. Someone slandered him to the Grand Commandant Sima Ai. Sima Ai questioned Yue Guang about this. Yue Guang's expression did not change, and he calmly said, "Could I, Yue Guang, exchange five sons for one daughter?" Sima Ai still suspected him.

In spring, in the first month, on the day bingwu, Yue Guang died of worry.

The Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai, repeatedly fought with the Grand General Sima Ying and defeated him, capturing or killing sixty to seventy thousand men in total. Yet Sima Ai never failed in his ceremonial duties toward the emperor. Within the city, food supplies grew increasingly scarce, but the soldiers showed no signs of disloyalty. Zhang Fang believed that Luoyang could not be taken and wanted to return to Chang'an. However, the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, thought the situation could not succeed. On the day guihai, he secretly conspired with the generals of the palace guard to arrest Sima Ai at night and send him to another office. On the day jiazi, Sima Yue memorialized the emperor, who issued an edict dismissing Sima Ai from his post and confining him in Jinyong Fortress. A general amnesty was declared, and the reign title was changed. When the city gates were opened, the palace officers and soldiers saw that the forces outside the city were not strong and regretted their action. They plotted to rescue Sima Ai and use him to resist Sima Ying. Sima Yue, afraid, wanted to kill Sima Ai to end the soldiers' hopes. The Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Pan Tao, said, "This will not do. There will naturally be someone who can calm the situation." So he secretly sent word to Zhang Fang. On the day bingyin, Zhang Fang took Sima Ai from Jinyong Fortress to the camp and roasted him to death. Even Zhang Fang's soldiers wept for him.

The high officials all went to Ye to apologize. The Grand General Sima Ying entered the capital but then returned to garrison Ye. An edict appointed Sima Ying as Chancellor and added the title of Acting Director of the Imperial Secretariat to Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai. Sima Ying sent the General of Valiant Martiality, Shi Chao, and others to lead fifty thousand troops to garrison the twelve city gates. Sima Ying killed all the palace guards he had previously resented and completely replaced the guard troops. He submitted a memorial appointing Lu Zhi as Director of the Imperial Secretariat, who remained in Ye to manage the affairs of the Chancellor's office.

The Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, had his army stationed in Zheng County to support the eastern forces. Hearing that Liu Shen had raised troops, he returned to garrison Weicheng and sent the Protector Yu Zunkui to meet the enemy at Haozhi. Yu Zunkui was defeated. Sima Yong, terrified, retreated into Chang'an and urgently summoned Zhang Fang. Zhang Fang plundered over ten thousand male and female slaves from the palaces and private homes of Luoyang and headed west. The army lacked food, so they mixed human flesh with horse meat to eat.

Liu Shen crossed the Wei River and encamped, engaging Sima Yong in battle. Sima Yong was repeatedly defeated. Liu Shen sent the Grand Administrator of Anding, Ya Bo, and the Merit Officer Huangfu Dan to lead five thousand elite troops to attack Chang'an. They broke through the city gates and fought their way to Sima Yong's tent. Liu Shen's main force arrived late. The Administrator of Fengyi, Zhang Fu, seeing that they had no reinforcements, led troops to attack from the flank, killing Ya Bo and Huangfu Dan. Liu Shen's forces were then defeated, and he gathered his remaining troops and retreated. Zhang Fang sent his general Dun Wei to attack them by night. Liu Shen's army panicked and scattered. Liu Shen and his subordinates fled south but were overtaken and captured. Liu Shen said to Sima Yong, "The favor of a close friend is light, but the righteousness of ruler and subject is heavy. I could not betray the emperor's edict and weigh strength against weakness to save myself. When I rose up, I expected to die. The punishment of being chopped into mincemeat is as sweet as shepherd's purse to me." Sima Yong, enraged, had him flogged and then cut in two at the waist. The Grand Administrator of Xinping, Zhang Guang of Jiangxia, had repeatedly offered plans to Liu Shen. Sima Yong arrested and interrogated him. Zhang Guang said, "Liu Shen of Yongzhou did not adopt my strategies, which is why Your Highness has come to this state today!" Sima Yong considered him a man of spirit. He invited him to a feast and submitted a memorial appointing him as Right Commander of the Palace Guard.

Luo Shang fled to Jiangyang and sent an envoy to present a memorial stating the situation. An imperial edict ordered Luo Shang to temporarily oversee Ba Dong, Ba Commandery, and Fuling to provide military supplies. Luo Shang sent his assistant Biejia Li Xing to the General of the Southern Pacification, Liu Hong, to request grain. Liu Hong's subordinates believed that the transport routes were blocked and distant, and that Jingzhou itself was in shortage, so they wanted to give Luo Shang five thousand hu of grain from Lingling. Liu Hong said, "All under Heaven is one family, with no distinctions between here and there. If I give it to him now, I will have no worries about the western border." He then provided thirty thousand hu of grain to assist him, and Luo Shang relied on this to survive. Li Xing wished to stay and serve as Liu Hong's military advisor, but Liu Hong took his official tablet and sent him back. He also sent the administrative officer He Song to lead troops to garrison Ba Dong as reinforcements for Luo Shang. At that time, over one hundred thousand households of migrant people had arrived in Jingzhou; living as strangers in poverty and destitution, many became bandits. Liu Hong granted them large amounts of land, seeds, and grain, promoted the talented among them, and appointed them according to their abilities, thereby stabilizing the migrants.

In the second month, on the Yiyou day, the Grand Chancellor, Sima Ying, submitted a memorial deposing Empress Yang and imprisoning her in Jinyong City, and demoting Crown Prince Sima Qin to the rank of Prince of Qinghe.

Chen Min fought dozens of battles with Shi Bing. Shi Bing's forces numbered ten times those of Chen Min, but Chen Min attacked him and was victorious wherever he went. He then joined forces with Zhou Qi to attack Shi Bing at Jiankang. In the third month, Shi Bing fled north to join Feng Yun. Sima Zhang, Feng Yun's chief clerk, killed both Shi Bing and Feng Yun and surrendered. The Yang and Xu provinces were pacified. Zhou Qi and He Xun disbanded their troops and returned home, not seeking any rewards or honors. The court appointed Chen Min as the Chancellor of Guangling.

The Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, submitted a memorial requesting that the Grand Chancellor, Sima Ying, be established as the Imperial Younger Brother. On the Wushen day, an edict appointed Sima Ying as the Imperial Younger Brother, with overall command of all military affairs, retaining his position as Grand Chancellor. A general amnesty was declared. The emperor's carriage and regalia were all moved to Yecheng, with all regulations following the precedent of Emperor Wu of Wei. Sima Yong was appointed as Grand Preceptor, Grand Commander, and Governor of Yongzhou; the former Grand Tutor Liu Shi was appointed as Grand Commandant. Liu Shi, citing old age, firmly declined the appointment. The Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, grew increasingly arrogant and extravagant, with favorites wielding power, causing widespread loss of popular support. The Minister of Works, the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, along with the General of the Right Guard, Chen Zhen, and former generals of the Prince of Changsha, including Shangguan Yi, plotted to attack him. In autumn, the seventh month, on the Bingshen day (the first day of the month), Chen Zhen led troops into the Cloud Dragon Gate, used an edict to summon the Three Excellencies, all officials, and the palace guards, declared martial law, and launched an attack on Sima Ying. Shi Chao fled to Yecheng. On the Wuxu day, a general amnesty was declared, restoring Empress Yang and Crown Prince Sima Qin to their positions. On the Jihai day, Sima Yue accompanied the emperor on a northern expedition. Sima Yue was appointed as Grand Commander. The former Attendant-in-Ordinary, Ji Shao, was summoned to the emperor's field camp. The Attendant-in-Ordinary, Qin Zhun, said to Ji Shao, "Now that you are going, safety is uncertain. Do you have a good horse?" Ji Shao replied sternly, "A minister guards the emperor's carriage; whether in life or death, I am committed to this. What use would a good horse be!"

Sima Yue issued a call to arms, summoning troops from all directions. Those who gathered were like clouds, and by the time they reached Anyang, the army numbered over one hundred thousand, causing shock and fear in Yecheng. Sima Ying summoned his officials to ask for advice. The Prince of Dong'an, Sima You, said, "The Son of Heaven is personally leading the expedition. You should disarm, wear plain clothes, and go out to welcome him and beg for forgiveness." Sima Ying did not follow this advice. He sent Shi Chao to lead fifty thousand men to meet the imperial army in battle. The General of the Assaulting Cavalry, Qiao Zhiming, urged Sima Ying to welcome the emperor's carriage. Sima Ying angrily said, "You claim to understand reason and have devoted yourself to serving me; now that the sovereign is being pressured by a group of petty men, why do you want me to submit to punishment with my hands tied?"

Chen Zhen's two younger brothers, Chen Kuang and Chen Gui, arrived at the emperor's camp from Yecheng, saying that the people in Yecheng had all scattered. Consequently, the emperor's side was not on high alert. On the Jiwei day, Shi Chao's troops suddenly arrived. The emperor's carriage suffered a major defeat at Dangyin. The emperor was wounded on his cheek and hit by three arrows. The hundred officials and attendants all fled in all directions. Ji Shao, wearing his court robes, dismounted from his horse, boarded the carriage, and shielded the emperor with his body. The soldiers dragged Ji Shao to the carriage shaft and killed him. The emperor said, "This is a loyal minister! Do not kill him!" The soldiers replied, "We are following the orders of the Imperial Younger Brother, who only forbids harming Your Majesty alone!" They then killed Ji Shao, and his blood splattered onto the emperor's clothes. The emperor fell into the grass and lost six imperial seals. Shi Chao escorted the emperor to his own camp. The emperor was very hungry; Shi Chao offered water, and the attendants presented autumn peaches. Sima Ying sent Lu Zhi to welcome the emperor. On the Gengshen day, they entered Yecheng. A general amnesty was declared for all under Heaven, and the reign name was changed to Jianwu. The attendants wanted to wash the emperor's clothes. The emperor said, "They have the blood of Attendant Ji on them. Do not wash them!"

Chen Zhen, Shangguan Yi, and others served Crown Prince Sima Qin in guarding Luoyang. The Minister of Works, Sima Yue, fled to Xiapi. The Governor of Xuzhou, the Prince of Dongping, Sima Mao, did not accept him, so Sima Yue directly returned to Donghai. The Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, because Sima Yue was a respected member of the imperial clan, issued an order to recruit him, but Sima Yue did not accept the order. The former General of the Furious Might, Sun Hui, submitted a letter urging Sima Yue to build alliances with the regional lords to jointly support the royal house. Sima Yue appointed Sun Hui as Recorder of the Headquarters and had him participate in planning and discussions. The Colonel of the Northern Army, Gou Xi, fled to the Prince of Fanyang, Sima Xiao, who, acting on the emperor's orders, appointed Gou Xi as acting Governor of Yanzhou.

Initially, when the three princes rose in rebellion against the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun, Wang Jun gathered his troops and adopted a wait-and-see attitude, forbidding the scholars and commoners under his jurisdiction from responding to the recruitment of the three princes. The Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, wanted to attack Wang Jun but was unable to do so, and Wang Jun also planned to plot against Sima Ying. Sima Ying appointed the Right Chief Clerk, He Yan, as Governor of Youzhou, secretly ordering him to kill Wang Jun. He Yan, together with the Wuhuan Chanyu, Shendeng, planned to go on an outing with Wang Jun at the Qingquan area south of Jicheng, intending to eliminate him. Just then, a heavy rain fell, soaking the weapons, and the plan failed, so they returned. Shendeng believed that Wang Jun had Heaven's help and thus informed Wang Jun of He Yan's plot. Wang Jun, along with Shendeng, secretly deployed troops and, together with the Inspector of Bingzhou, the Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, besieged He Yan, killed him, and Wang Jun took command of the Youzhou garrison troops. Sima Teng was Sima Yue's younger brother. The Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, issued a false edict summoning Wang Jun. Wang Jun, together with the Xianbei leader Duanwu Wulu Chen, the Wuhuan leader Jie Zhu, and the Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, raised troops to attack Sima Ying. Sima Ying sent the General of the Northern Palace Guard, Wang Bin, and Shi Chao to resist them.

The Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, resented the Prince of Dong'an, Sima You, for his earlier advice. On the Wushen day of the eighth month, he arrested Sima You and killed him. Initially, Sima You's elder brother, the Prince of Langya, Sima Jing, had died, and his son, Sima Rui, succeeded him. Sima Rui was calm, alert, and had great tolerance. He served as General of the Left and was on good terms with the Aide to the Prince of Donghai, Wang Dao. Wang Dao was Wang Dun's cousin; he had clear insight and deep vision. Because the court was in constant turmoil, he often advised Sima Rui to return to his fief. After Sima You was killed, Sima Rui was accompanying the emperor in Yecheng. Fearing disaster, he planned to flee back. Sima Ying had previously ordered all passes and fords not to allow nobles to pass. When Sima Rui reached Heyang, he was stopped by the ford officials. His attendant Song Xing came from behind, struck Sima Rui with his whip, and laughed, saying, "Head of the lodging house! The authorities prohibit nobles from passing, and you are also detained?" The officials then let them pass. They reached Luoyang, greeted the Grand Consort, Lady Xiahou, and returned together to the fief. The Director of the Chancellery, Wang Cheng, exposed the treacherous and self-serving activities of Meng Jiu, urging the Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, to kill him. Sima Ying agreed.

Shangguan Yi, in Luoyang, acted tyrannically and violently. The acting Governor of Henan, Zhou Fu, who was Wang Jun's cousin, plotted with the Colonel of the Metropolitan Police, Man Fen, and others to eliminate him. The plan was leaked, and Man Fen and others were killed. Zhou Fu escaped and was spared. When the Minister of Works, Sima Yue, attacked the Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, the Grand Preceptor, Sima Yong, sent the General of the Right, the Administrator of Fengyi, Zhang Fang, to lead twenty thousand troops to assist. Upon hearing that the emperor had already entered Yecheng, Sima Yong ordered Zhang Fang to guard Luoyang. Shangguan Yi and another general, Miao Yuan, resisted Zhang Fang but were heavily defeated and retreated. Crown Prince Sima Qin attacked Shangguan Yi and Miao Yuan by night, and they fled. Zhang Fang entered Luoyang. Sima Qin welcomed Zhang Fang at Guangyang Gate and knelt to him. Zhang Fang dismounted from his carriage and stopped him. Zhang Fang then deposed Sima Qin and Empress Yang again.

Initially, the Imperial Younger Brother, Sima Ying, submitted a memorial requesting the appointment of the Xiongnu Left Worthy Prince, Liu Yuan, as General of the Champion, overseeing the military affairs of the five tribes, and had him lead troops to garrison Yecheng. Liu Yuan's son, Liu Cong, was exceptionally brave and strong, well-versed in classics and history, skilled in writing essays, and could draw a bow of three hundred jin. At the age of twenty, he traveled to the capital, and no famous scholar did not associate with him. Sima Ying appointed Liu Cong as General of the Crossbowmen.

Liu Yuan’s grand-uncle, the Right Virtuous King Liu Xuan, said to his clansmen: “Since the fall of the Han dynasty, our Shanyu has held only an empty title without a foot of land; the other kings and marquises have all been reduced to commoners. Although our numbers have declined, we still have no fewer than twenty thousand men. Why should we submit to servitude and wastefully pass over a hundred years! The Left Virtuous King is heroic and unmatched in the world. If Heaven does not intend to revive the Xiongnu, it would surely not give birth to such a man in vain. Now the Sima clan is tearing each other apart, and the empire is in great chaos. Restoring the foundations of Huhanye—this is the very time!” Thereupon they plotted together, recommended Liu Yuan as Great Shanyue, and sent his partisan Huyan You to Ye to inform Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan reported to Sima Ying, requesting permission to return and attend the funeral, but Sima Ying did not consent. Liu Yuan sent Huyan You back first, telling Liu Xuan and the others to gather the Five Tribes as well as the miscellaneous Hu, claiming they were to aid Sima Ying, but in truth intending to rebel against him. When Wang Jun and the Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, raised troops, Liu Yuan urged Sima Ying, saying: “Now these two frontier commands are overbearing and arrogant, with forces of over a hundred thousand men. I fear the imperial guards and soldiers from nearby prefectures and commanderies cannot resist them. Let me go back to persuade the Five Tribes to come and face the national crisis.” Sima Ying said: “Can the troops of the Five Tribes really be mobilized? Even if they can be raised, the Xianbei and Wuhuan will not be easy to withstand. I plan to escort the imperial carriage back to Luoyang to avoid their, and slowly issue proclamations throughout the empire, using the principles of obedience and rebellion to subdue them. What do you think?” Liu Yuan said: “Your Highness is the son of Emperor Wu, with great merit to the royal house. Your prestige and virtue are far-spread; within the four seas, who would not be willing to die for Your Highness? What difficulty is there in raising troops! Wang Jun is a petty fellow, and the Duke of Dongying is a distant member of the clan. How can they contend with Your Highness! If Your Highness leaves the Ye Palace, it is to show weakness to others. Luoyang may not be reached; even if you arrive, authority will no longer be in Your Highness’s hands. I hope Your Highness will calm and encourage the troops, and quietly hold this place. I request to use two tribes to destroy the Duke of Dongying and three tribes to behead Wang Jun. The heads of these two villains can be hung up within days.” Sima Ying was pleased and appointed Liu Yuan as Northern Shanyue and Counselor to the Chancellor’s Military Affairs.

Liu Yuan arrived at Zuo Guocheng. Liu Xuan and the others conferred on him the title of Great Shanyue. Within twenty days, his followers reached fifty thousand. He established his capital at Lishi and appointed Liu Cong as the Lu Li King. He sent the Left Yulu King Liu Hong with five thousand elite cavalry to join Sima Ying’s general Wang Cui in resisting the Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng. Wang Cui had already been defeated by Sima Teng, and Liu Hong, not arriving in time, turned back.

Wang Jun and the Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, combined their forces to attack Wang Bin and inflicted a great defeat on him. Wang Jun appointed his recorder Qi Hong as vanguard, defeated Shi Chao at Pingji, and advanced with the momentum of victory. Scouts reached Ye, causing great alarm in the city. The hundred officials fled in all directions, and the soldiers scattered. Lu Zhi urged Sima Ying to escort the emperor back to Luoyang. At that time, there were still fifteen thousand armored soldiers. Lu Zhi made arrangements at night, and they were to set out at dawn, but Consort Cheng was reluctant to leave Ye, and Sima Ying hesitated. Soon the troops dispersed, and Sima Ying then led a few dozen cavalry from his tent and, together with Lu Zhi, attended the emperor, who rode in an oxcart south toward Luoyang. In the haste, there were no supplies for high and low alike. The Central Yellow Gate Attendant had three thousand in private money hidden in his bag. The emperor borrowed this money by imperial decree to buy food on the road. At night, they covered themselves with the attendant’s cloth quilt and ate from earthenware bowls. When they reached Wen County, they prepared to pay respects at the imperial tombs. The emperor had lost his shoes, so he put on a follower’s shoes, bowed, and wept. When they crossed the Yellow River, Zhang Fang sent his son Zhang Pi from Luoyang with three thousand cavalry, using his own carriage to meet the emperor. At the foot of Mang Mountain, Zhang Fang himself led over ten thousand cavalry to welcome the emperor. Zhang Fang prepared to kneel, but the emperor dismounted and stopped him. The emperor returned to the palace. Those who had fled gradually came back, and the hundred officials were largely assembled. On the Xinsi day, a general amnesty was granted.

Wang Jun entered Ye. The soldiers plundered wildly, and many died. He sent the Wuhuan Jiezhu to pursue the Crown Prince’s younger brother Sima Ying, reaching Chaoge without catching him. Wang Jun returned to Ji. Because the Xianbei had seized many women, he ordered: “Whoever dares to hide a woman will be beheaded!” Consequently, eight thousand women were drowned in the Yi River.

The Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, requested troops from Tuoba Yituo to attack Liu Yuan. Tuoba Yituo and his brother Tuoba Yilu combined forces to attack Liu Yuan at Xihe, defeated him, formed an alliance with Sima Teng east of the Fen River, and then returned.

When Liu Yuan heard that the Crown Prince’s younger brother Sima Ying had left Ye, he sighed and said: “He did not listen to my words, but instead fled and scattered on his own—truly a slave! Yet I made a promise to him and cannot fail to rescue him.” He prepared to raise troops to attack the Xianbei and Wuhuan. Liu Xuan and others remonstrated, saying: “The Jin people have driven us like slaves. Now they are tearing each other apart—this is Heaven abandoning them and allowing us to restore Huhanye’s foundation. The Xianbei and Wuhuan are our kind and can serve as aid. Why attack them?” Liu Yuan said: “Good! A great man should act like Han Gaozu or Wei Wudi. Huhanye—is he worth emulating!” Liu Xuan and others knocked their heads and said: “This is beyond our comparison!”

The Jingzhou army captured and beheaded Zhang Chang. His partisans were all exterminated to the third degree of kinship.

Li Xiong, because Fan Changsheng had fame and virtue and was respected by the people of Shu, wanted to welcome him as ruler and serve him as a subject. Fan Changsheng did not consent. The generals insisted that Li Xiong assume the imperial position. In winter, tenth month, Li Xiong ascended the throne as King of Chengdu, granted a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Jianxing. He abolished Jin laws and established a simplified code of seven articles. He appointed his uncle Li Xiang as Grand Tutor, his elder brother Li Shi as Grand Protector, Li Li as Grand Commandant, Li Yun as Minister of Education, Li Huang as Minister of Works, Li Guo as Grand Chancellor, Yan Shi as Master of Writing, and Yang Bao as Supervisor of Servants. He honored his mother, Lady Luo, as Queen Dowager and posthumously honored his father, Li Te, as King Jing of Chengdu. Because Li Guo and Li Li were wise and resourceful, Li Xiong consulted them on everything before acting, yet Li Guo and Li Li served Li Xiong with even greater caution.

Liu Yuan moved his capital to Zuo Guocheng. More and more Hu and Jin people submitted to him. Liu Yuan said to his ministers: “In former times, the Han dynasty held the empire for a long time, and its grace bound the people. I am a nephew of the Han house, and they were brothers to me. When an elder brother dies, the younger brother succeeds—is that not permissible?” Thereupon he established his state with the name Han. Liu Xuan and others requested him to assume the imperial title. Liu Yuan said: “Now the empire is not yet pacified. For the time being, it is acceptable to follow Gaozu’s precedent and call myself King of Han.” So he ascended the throne as King of Han, granted a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Yuanxi. He posthumously honored the Duke of Anle, Liu Shan, as Emperor Xiaohuai, and made spirit tablets of the three founders and five ancestors of the Han dynasty to offer sacrifices. He established his wife, Lady Huyan, as Queen. He appointed the Right Virtuous King Liu Xuan as Chancellor, Cui You as Imperial Secretary, the Left Yulu King Liu Hong as Grand Commandant, Fan Long as Grand Herald, Zhu Ji as Grand Master of Ceremonies, the Shangchang Cui Yizhi and the Rear Tribesman Chen Yuanda both as Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate, and his clan nephew Liu Yao as General Who Establishes Martial Merit. Cui You firmly declined and did not accept the office.

Chen Yuanda was known for his ambition and integrity from a young age. Liu Yuan had once tried to recruit him, but Yuanda did not respond. When Liu Yuan became King of Han, someone said to Yuanda: “Are you afraid now?” Yuanda laughed and said: “I have known this man for a long time, and he also understands my mind. I fear only that within two or three days, a courier’s document will certainly arrive.” That evening, Liu Yuan indeed summoned Yuanda. Yuanda served Liu Yuan, offering many loyal remonstrances. After retiring, he destroyed the drafts, so that even his sons and younger brothers knew nothing of them.

Liu Yao was born with white eyebrows and a red glow in his eyes. As a child, he was intelligent and clever, and had courage. He lost his father early and was raised by Liu Yuan. When he grew up, his appearance was tall and imposing, and his nature was open, magnanimous, lofty, and bright, unlike ordinary people. He loved reading and was skilled in writing. He could shoot an arrow through an inch-thick iron plate. He often compared himself to Yue Yi, Xiao He, and Cao Shen, but people at the time did not acknowledge this; only Liu Cong valued him, saying: “Yongming—he is of the same class as Han Shizu and Wei Wudi. Those few—how are they worth mentioning!”

After the Emperor returned to Luoyang, Zhang Fang, commanding troops and monopolizing power, controlled the affairs of the court, and the Grand Heir, Sima Ying, could no longer participate in governance. The Inspector of Yuzhou, the Prince of Fanyang, Sima Xiao, and the Inspector of Xuzhou, the Prince of Dongping, Sima Mao, along with others, submitted a memorial saying: "Sima Ying is unfit for his duties and should be reduced in rank to the lord of a single city, with his life especially spared. The Grand Commander (Sima Yong) should be entrusted with the responsibilities of the Guanzhong region; from the commanderies and counties downward, the selection, recommendation, and appointment of officials should all rely on him to complete. For major affairs of the court—whether to abolish or institute, to harm or benefit—consultation and deliberation should be sought in every instance. Zhang Fang has been loyal and upheld integrity for the state, yet he is not versed in adaptation and has not immediately returned west; he should be sent back to his commandery, and the offices granted to Zhang Fang should all remain as before. Situ Wang Rong and Sikong Sima Yue are both loyal to the state, cautious and careful; they should be placed in charge of pivotal affairs, and the court government entrusted to them. Wang Jun has achieved merit in stabilizing the altars of state; he should be especially honored and respected, to pacify Youzhou and Shuofang, serving as a long-term northern screen. Your subjects exert all their strength to defend the, acting as a bulwark for the imperial house. Then Your Majesty may fold your hands and let the realm naturally be at peace."

Zhang Fang had been in Luoyang for a long time; his soldiers had nearly looted everything through plunder, and the crowd’s emotions were clamorous and restless, with no further desire to remain. They discussed plans to coerce the Emperor into moving the capital to Chang’an, yet feared that the Emperor and the high ministers would not comply, intending to seize him when he left the palace. Thus, they requested the Emperor to go and pay homage at the ancestral temple, but the Emperor did not consent. On the yiyi day of the eleventh month, Zhang Fang led troops into the palace, using his own carriage to welcome the Emperor. The Emperor ran hastily to hide in the bamboo grove of the rear garden. The soldiers dragged the Emperor out, forced him into the carriage, and the Emperor, weeping, complied. Zhang Fang, from his horse, kowtowed and said: "Now bandits are rampant and the imperial guards are few. I hope Your Majesty will come to my camp; I will exert my utmost strength to guard against unforeseen events." At that time, all the court officials fled and hid, only Zhongshu Jian Lu Zhi attending at the side, saying: "In today’s matter, Your Majesty should completely follow the Right General (Zhang Fang)." The Emperor then went to Zhang Fang’s camp, ordering Zhang Fang to prepare carriages to carry the palace women and treasures. The soldiers accordingly raped and looted the rear palace, separately vying to seize the goods of the treasuries and storehouses, cutting up the tassels and military tents to use as saddle pads. The accumulated wealth from the Wei and Jin dynasties was entirely swept away. Zhang Fang wanted to burn the ancestral temples and palaces to cut off the people’s thoughts of returning, but Lu Zhi said: "In former times, Dong Zhuo was lawless and burned Luoyang; the voices of resentment and poison still exist a hundred years later. Why repeat the same mistake?" Thus, he desisted.

The Emperor stayed in Zhang Fang’s camp for three days. Zhang Fang then coerced the Emperor, along with the Grand Heir Sima Ying and the Prince of Yuzhang, Sima Chi, and others, to travel to Chang’an. Wang Rong fled to Jia County. The Grand Commander Sima Yong led his officials, infantry, and cavalry, thirty thousand men, to welcome them at Bashang. Sima Yong stepped forward, knelt, and paid homage. The Emperor dismounted to stop him. The Emperor entered Chang’an, using the Western Expedition General’s residence as the imperial palace. Only Shangshu Puye Xun Fan, Sili Liu Tun, and Henan Yin Zhou Fu, among others, remained in Luoyang to form the "Retained Secretariat," acting on the Emperor’s decrees, known as the Eastern and Western Secretariats. Xun Fan was the son of Xun Xu. On the bingwu day, the Retained Secretariat granted a general amnesty, changing the reign title back to Yong’an. On the xinchou day, Empress Yang’s position was restored.

Luo Shang moved his garrison to Ba Commandery, sending troops to plunder Shu, capturing Li Xiang’s wife Zan and his son Li Shou.

In the twelfth month, on the dinghai day, an edict ordered the Grand Heir Sima Ying to return to his residence as the Prince of Chengdu, and another established the Prince of Yuzhang, Sima Chi, as the new Grand Heir. Of the Emperor’s twenty-five brothers, only Sima Ying, Sima Chi, and the Prince of Wu, Sima Yan, survived at that time. Sima Yan was of mediocre talent and ability; Sima Chi was humble, plain, fond of learning, so the Grand Commander Sima Yong established him. An edict appointed Sikong Sima Yue as Grand Tutor, to jointly assist the imperial house with Sima Yong; Wang Rong was to participate in overseeing the administration. Further, Guanglu Daifu Wang Yan was appointed as Shangshu Zuo Puye. The Prince of Gaomi, Sima Lue, was made Zhennan General, concurrently serving as Sili Xiaowei, temporarily garrisoning Luoyang. The Dongzhonglang Jiang Sima Mo was made Ningbei General, overseeing all military affairs of Jizhou, garrisoning Yecheng. The hundred officials each returned to their original posts. An order was given to the provinces and commanderies to abolish harsh governance, care for the people, devote efforts to the fundamentals, and after peace and clarity were achieved, they should return to the Eastern Capital (Luoyang). A general amnesty was granted, and the reign title was changed. Sima Lue and Sima Mo were both younger brothers of Sima Yue. After Wang Jun left Yecheng, Sima Yue sent Sima Mo to garrison it. Because the four directions were estranged and rebellious, and disasters were unending, Sima Yue issued this edict to seek harmony, hoping to attain temporary stability. Sima Yue declined the position of Grand Tutor and did not accept it. Another edict appointed the Grand Commander Sima Yong to oversee all military affairs inside and outside the capital. Zhang Fang was made Zhong Lingjun, Lu Shangshu Shi, concurrently serving as Jingzhao Taishou.

The Duke of Dongying, Sima Teng, sent General Nie Xuan to attack the Han king Liu Yuan. They engaged in battle at Daling, and Nie Xuan’s army was utterly defeated.

Liu Yuan sent Liu Yao to invade Taiyuan, capturing Quanshi, Tunliu, Zhangzi, and Zhongdu. He further sent General-in-Chief of the Vanguard, Qiao Xi, to invade Xihe, capturing Jiexiu. The magistrate of Jiexiu, Jia Hun, did not surrender, and Qiao Xi killed him. Qiao Xi wanted to take Jia Hun’s wife, Zong, as his own; Zong cursed Qiao Xi and wept, so Qiao Xi also killed her. When Liu Yuan heard of this, he was greatly angered and said: "If Heaven has knowledge, can Qiao Xi still hope for descendants!" He recalled Qiao Xi, demoted him four ranks, collected Jia Hun’s corpse, and buried him.