Records of Jin, Volume 9

Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 087

[Annals of Jin, Book 9] From the year of Tuwei Dahuangluo to the year of Zhongguang Xieqia, covering three years.

Spring, first month, on the day Xinchou of the first month, the planet Mars invaded the Ziwei constellation. The Han Grand Astrologer Xuan Yuxiu said to the Han ruler Liu Yuan: "Within three years, Luoyang will surely be captured. Puzi is rugged and difficult to live in for long; Pingyang's celestial signs are flourishing, please move the capital there." Liu Yuan followed his advice. He issued a general amnesty and changed the era name to Herui.

Third month, on the day Wushen, Gao Mi Xiao Wang, Sima Lue, died. The Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, Shan Jian, was appointed General Who Pacifies the South, overseeing the military affairs of Jing, Xiang, Jiao, and Guang provinces, stationed at Xiangyang. Shan Jian, the son of Shan Tao, was fond of drinking and unconcerned with government affairs; he submitted a memorial saying: "Shunyang Internal Administrator Liu Fan has won the people's hearts deeply, and I fear the commoners might abduct Liu Fan to make him their ruler." The court issued an edict summoning Liu Fan to be Commandant of the Elite Cavalry. The southern provinces thus fell into turmoil, and the elders and commoners all missed Liu Hong.

On the day Dingsi, the Grand Tutor Sima Yue entered the capital from Xingyang. The Director of the Palace Secretariat, Wang Dun, said to his close associates: "The Grand Tutor monopolizes authority, but when selecting and appointing officials, he submits memorials for approval, yet the Department of State Affairs still judges matters according to old regulations. Now that he has come, he will certainly put some people to death." When the emperor was initially the heir apparent, he was close and friendly with the Palace Attendant Miao Bo. After he ascended the throne, he appointed Miao Bo as Director of the Palace Secretariat and Miao Yin as Grand Servitor, entrusting them as confidants. The emperor's maternal uncle, the Cavalier Attendant Wang Yan, the Minister of Works He Sui, and the Grand Astrologer Gaotang Chong all participated in confidential affairs. Sima Yue suspected that the court officials harbored disloyalty toward him. Liu Yu and Pan Tao urged Sima Yue to execute Miao Bo and the others. Sima Yue thus falsely accused Miao Bo and others of plotting rebellion. On the day Yichou, he dispatched General Who Pacifies the East, Wang Bing, leading three thousand armored soldiers into the palace, arrested Miao Bo and over ten others at the emperor's side, handed them over to the Commandant of Justice, and had them executed. The emperor could only sigh and weep helplessly. He Sui was the grandson of He Zeng. Initially, He Zeng attended a banquet hosted by Emperor Wu of Jin. After leaving, he said to his sons: "The emperor has founded a great enterprise. Every time I see him at banquets, I never hear him speak of long-term plans for governing the state, only trivial everyday matters. This is not a way to plan for posterity, only for himself. Future generations will likely be in danger! You may still be spared." Then, pointing to his grandsons, he said: "These ones will surely encounter calamity." When He Sui was killed, his brother He Song wept and said: "My grandfather was nearly a sage!" He Zeng spent ten thousand cash daily on meals and still said there was nowhere to place his chopsticks. His son He Shao spent twenty thousand cash daily on meals. He Sui and his brothers He Ji and He Xian were especially extravagant and wasteful. When corresponding with others, their language and etiquette were curt and arrogant. A man from Henei, Wang Ni, saw He Sui's letters and said to others: "Bowei (He Sui's courtesy name) is in a chaotic age yet so arrogant and extravagant—can he escape disaster?" Someone said: "If Bowei hears your words, he will surely harm you." Wang Ni said: "By the time Bowei and the others hear my words, they will already be dead!" By the end of the Yongjia era, the He family had no descendants left.

Your servant Sima Guang says: He Zeng criticized Emperor Wu of Jin for being idle and lazy, focusing only on immediate pleasures without long-term plans. He knew the realm would fall into chaos and his descendants would suffer disaster—how wise! Yet his own conduct was extravagant and overstepping, allowing his sons and grandsons to inherit his ways, ultimately leading to the clan's destruction due to arrogance and luxury—where then was his wisdom? Moreover, as a grand councilor, knowing the ruler's faults, he did not remonstrate but discussed them privately at home—this was not the conduct of a loyal minister.

The Grand Tutor Sima Yue appointed Wang Dun as Inspector of Yang Province.

Liu Shi had repeatedly requested retirement due to old age, but the court did not approve. The Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs, Liu Tan, submitted a statement saying: "In ancient times, when supporting the elderly, the concern was not to make them work, not to value holding office. It is appropriate to allow Liu Shi to maintain his integrity." On the day Dingmao, an edict was issued allowing Liu Shi to return to his residence with the title of marquis. Wang Yan was appointed Grand Commandant.

The Grand Tutor Sima Yue resigned as Governor of Yan Province and concurrently served as Minister of Education. Because recent disturbances had often originated from the Palace Secretariat, Sima Yue memorialized that all guards with noble titles should be dismissed. At that time, all military officers in the palace had been enfeoffed as marquises, so almost all were dismissed and left the palace, weeping as they departed. He reassigned General of the Right Guard He Lun and General of the Left Guard Wang Bing to lead several hundred soldiers from the Donghai Kingdom as palace guards.

The Left General of the Crossbowmen, Zhu Dan, fled to Han and detailed Luoyang's isolation and weakness, urging the Han ruler Liu Yuan to attack it. Liu Yuan appointed Zhu Dan as Vanguard Commander and appointed the General Who Destroys Jin, Liu Jing, as Grand Commander, leading troops to attack Liyang, and captured it. He then defeated Wang Kan at Yanjin and drowned over thirty thousand men and women in the Yellow River. When Liu Yuan heard of this, he angrily said: "How can Liu Jing have the face to see me? Besides, can Heaven's Way tolerate this? What I want to eliminate is the Sima clan—what crime have the common people committed?" He demoted Liu Jing to General Who Pacifies the Enemy.

Summer brought a great drought. The Yangtze, Han, Yellow, and Luo Rivers all dried up, so that one could wade across them.

The Han Grand General Who Pacifies the East, Shi Le, invaded Julu and Changshan, gathering a force of over a hundred thousand. He gathered together the gentry and those of reputation, establishing a separate "Gentlemen's Camp." He appointed Zhang Bin from Zhao Commandery as his chief strategist, Diao Ying as his assistant, and Kui An, Kong Chang, Zhi Xiong, Tao Bao, and Lu Ming as his claws and teeth. Many of the Hu and Jie peoples from Bing Province submitted to him.

Initially, Zhang Bin loved reading, was broad-minded, and had great ambitions, often comparing himself to Zhang Zifang (Zhang Liang). When Shi Le campaigned in Shandong, Zhang Bin said to his close associates: "I have observed all the generals one by one; none compare to this Hu general. I can achieve great deeds with him!" So he carried a sword to the camp gate, shouted loudly requesting an audience, but Shi Le did not find him extraordinary. Zhang Bin repeatedly presented strategies to Shi Le, and soon they all proved true. Shi Le thus found him remarkable and appointed him as Military Merit Officer, consulting him on all matters.

The Han ruler Liu Yuan appointed Wang Mi as Palace Attendant, overseeing the military affairs of Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang provinces, General Who Conquers the East, and Governor of Qing Province. Together with the Prince of Chu, Liu Cong, he attacked Huguan, appointing Shi Le as Vanguard Commander. Liu Kun dispatched the Protector of the Army, Huang Su, and Han Shu to rescue Huguan. Liu Cong defeated Han Shu at Xijian, and Shi Le defeated Huang Su at Fengtian, killing them both. The Grand Tutor Sima Yue dispatched the Internal Administrator of Huainan, Wang Kuang, General Shi Rong, and Cao Chao to lead troops to resist Liu Cong and his forces. Wang Kuang crossed the Yellow River and wanted to drive straight in. Shi Rong said: "They rely on strategic terrain, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Although we have tens of thousands of troops, it is still a single army bearing the enemy's attack alone. We should temporarily rely on the river as a barrier and hold our ground, to assess the situation before advancing." Wang Kuang angrily said: "Do you want to dampen morale?" Shi Rong withdrew and said: "He is skilled in warfare; Wang Kuang does not understand the situation. We will surely die today!" Wang Kuang and his men crossed the Taihang Mountains and encountered Liu Cong at Changping. In the battle, Wang Kuang's army was utterly defeated, and Shi Rong and Cao Chao both died in battle.

Liu Cong then captured Tunliu and Zhangzi, taking a total of nineteen thousand heads. The Grand Administrator of Shangdang, Pang Chun, surrendered Huguan to Han. Liu Kun appointed the Commandant Zhang Yi as acting Grand Administrator of Shangdang, stationed at Xiangyuan.

Initially, after the Xiongnu Liu Meng died, the son of the Right Worthy Prince, Juqu, Gao Sheng Ai, succeeded in leading his tribe. After Gao Sheng Ai died, his son Liu Hu succeeded, dwelling in Xinxing, calling himself the Tiefu clan, and together with the White Tribe Xianbei, they submitted to Han. Liu Kun personally led troops to attack Liu Hu, but Liu Cong sent troops to attack Jinyang, failing to capture it.

Fifth month, the Han ruler Liu Yuan enfeoffed his son Liu Yu as Prince of Qi and Liu Long as Prince of Lu.

Autumn, eighth month, the Han ruler Liu Yuan ordered the Prince of Chu, Liu Cong, and others to attack Luoyang. He issued an edict ordering General Who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, and others to resist, but they were all defeated by Liu Cong. Liu Cong drove straight to Yiyang, and, relying on successive victories, grew complacent and did not set up defenses. Ninth month, the Grand Administrator of Hongnong, Huan Yan, feigned surrender and attacked Liu Cong's army by night, inflicting a major defeat, and Liu Cong retreated.

Wang Jun dispatched Qi Hong together with the Xianbei Duanwu Wuling to attack Shi Le at Feilong Mountain, greatly defeating him. Shi Le withdrew and garrisoned Liyang.

In winter, the tenth month, Han sovereign Liu Yuan again sent Chu king Liu Cong, Wang Mi, Shi'an king Liu Yao, and Ruyin king Liu Jing leading fifty thousand elite cavalry to invade Luoyang, with Grand Minister Yangang Jingmu Gong Huyan Yi leading infantry following behind. On the bingchen day, Liu Cong and others arrived at Yiyang. The court, because the Han army had just been defeated, did not expect them to come again and was extremely terrified. On the xinyou day, Liu Cong stationed his army at West Bright Gate. Bei Gongchun and others led over a thousand brave soldiers out of the city at night to attack the Han army camp, killing their Expeditionary General Huyan Hao. On the renxu day, Liu Cong moved south to encamp at the Luo River. On the yichou day, Huyan Yi was killed by his own, and his troops scattered from Taiyang and fled back. Liu Yuan ordered Liu Cong and others to return. Liu Cong submitted a memorial claiming that the Jin army was weak and could not be withdrawn because of the deaths of Huyan Yi and Huyan Hao, firmly requesting to stay and attack Luoyang; Liu Yuan agreed. Grand Tutor Sima Yue fortified the city and held it firmly. On the wuyin day, Liu Cong personally went to Mount Song to pray, leaving Pingjin General Anyang Ai Gong Liu Li and Champion General Huyan Lang to supervise the remaining troops; Grand Tutor's staff officer Sun Xun persuaded Sima Yue to take advantage of the opportunity to attack Huyan Lang, killing him, and Liu Li drowned himself. Wang Mi said to Liu Cong: "Now that the army has suffered a setback, Luoyang's defenses are still strong. The grain transport carts are at Shan County, and the provisions will not last a few days. Your Highness would be better off returning to Pingyang with Dragon Soaring General (Liu Yao), preparing grain and mobilizing troops for a subsequent action; I will also gather soldiers and grain and await orders in Yanzhou and Yuzhou. Is this not acceptable?" Liu Cong, because he had requested to stay, dared not return. Xuan Yu Xiu Zhi said to Liu Yuan: "The Jupiter star is in the xinwei year; only then can we obtain Luoyang. Now the Jin's fortune is still strong; if the great army does not return, it will surely fail." Liu Yuan then recalled Liu Cong and the others.

The Tianshui man Hong Qi and others killed Cheng state Grand Commandant Li Li and Master of Documents Yan Shi, surrendering Zitong to Luo Shang. Cheng state ruler Li Xiong sent Grand Tutor Li Xiang, Minister of Works Li Yun, and Minister of Works Li Huang to attack them but could not conquer them; Li Yun and Li Huang died in battle.

Previously, Qiao Zhou had a son living in Baxi; Cheng state Baxi Grand Administrator Ma Tuo killed him. His son Qiao Deng went to Liu Hong to request troops for revenge. Liu Hong submitted a memorial appointing Qiao Deng as Zitong Inner Secretary, allowing him to recruit Ba and Shu refugees himself, obtaining two thousand men; he headed west, reaching Ba Commandery, and requested additional troops from Luo Shang but did not get them. Qiao Deng attacked Dangqu, killed Ma Tuo, and ate his liver. Coinciding with Zitong's surrender, Qiao Deng advanced and occupied Fu City; Li Xiong personally attacked him but was defeated by Qiao Deng.

In the eleventh month, on the jiashen day, Han Chu king Liu Cong and Shi'an king Liu Yao returned to Pingyang. Wang Mi went south through Huanyuan Pass; among the refugees in Yingchuan, Xiangcheng, Runan, Nanyang, and Henan, there were tens of thousands of households who had long been oppressed by local residents. All burned cities and killed two-thousand-stone officials and chief clerks to respond to Wang Mi. Shi Le invaded Xindu, killing Ji province Inspector Wang Bin. Wang Jun concurrently served as Ji province Inspector. An imperial edict ordered Chariot and Horse General Wang Kan and Northern Central General Pei Xian to lead troops to punish Shi Le; Shi Le led his troops back to resist them. Wei commandery Grand Administrator Liu Ju surrendered the commandery to Shi Le. Shi Le reached Liyang; Pei Xian abandoned his army and fled to Huainan; Wang Kan withdrew to defend Cangyuan.

In the twelfth month, Han sovereign Liu Yuan appointed Chenliu king Liu Huanle as Grand Tutor, Chu king Liu Cong as Grand Minister of Education, and Jiangdu king Liu Yannian as Grand Minister of Works. He sent Commander-in-Chief and Protecting General Quyang king Liu Xian together with Northern Expedition General Liu Ling, Northern Pacification General Zhao Gu, and Northern Pacification General Wang Sang to station east at Neihuang. Wang Mi submitted a memorial requesting that Left Elder Cao Ni act as Andong General, to attack east and take Qingzhou, and also to retrieve his family; Liu Yuan agreed.

Initially, Eastern Yi Colonel of the Dune Bohai man Li Zhen had agreed with Wang Jun to jointly support the Jin house. Wang Jun harbored different intentions, and Li Zhen resented him. After He Yan died, Aide to the Governor of Changli Wang Dan fled and submitted to Li Zhen, urging Li Zhen to raise troops to punish Wang Jun. Li Zhen sent his son Li Cheng to lead troops to attack Wang Jun. Liaodong Grand Administrator Pang Ben, who had long had a grudge against Li Zhen, took advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack, killing Li Zhen, and then sent men to Wulu to kill Li Cheng. Wang Dan fled and submitted to Murong Hui. The court issued an edict appointing Bohai man Feng Shi to replace Li Zhen as Eastern Yi Colonel. Pang Ben again plotted to kill him; Feng Shi's son Feng Quan advised Feng Shi to set up an ambush to invite Pang Ben, capture and behead him, and exterminate his entire family.

In spring, the first month, on the yichou day (new year's day), a general amnesty was granted.

Han sovereign Liu Yuan established Shan Zheng's daughter as empress, established Liang king Liu He as crown prince, and granted a general amnesty. He enfeoffed his son Liu Yi as Beihai king and appointed Changle king Liu Yang as Grand Marshal.

Han Zhen Dong General Shi Le crossed the Yellow River and captured Baima. Wang Mi led thirty thousand men to join him, and together they invaded Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou. In the second month, Shi Le attacked Juancheng, killing Yan province Inspector Yuan Fu, then captured Cangyuan, killing Wang Kan. He then crossed the Yellow River northward, attacked various commanderies in Jizhou, and the common people who followed him numbered over ninety thousand.

Cheng state Grand Commandant Li Guo guarded Baxi; his tent officer Wen Shi killed Li Guo and surrendered Baxi to Luo Shang.

Grand Tutor Sima Yue summoned Establishment of Might General Wu Xing ren Qian Hui and Yang province Inspector Wang Dun. Qian Hui plotted to kill Wang Dun and rebel; Wang Dun fled to Jianye and reported to Langya king Sima Rui. Qian Hui then rebelled, advanced and attacked Yangxian. Sima Rui sent General Guo Yi and others to punish him; Zhou Qi gathered villagers and joined Guo Yi and others in punishing Qian Hui, killing him. Zhou Qi three times pacified Jiangnan. Sima Rui appointed Zhou Qi as Wu Xing Grand Administrator and established Yixing Commandery in his hometown to honor him.

Cao Ni led his army east from Daliang, conquering everywhere he went; he then captured Dongping and subsequently attacked Langya.

In summer, the fourth month, Wang Jun's general Qi Hong defeated Han Ji province Inspector Liu Ling at Guangzong and killed him.

Cheng sovereign Li Xiong said to his general Zhang Bao: "If you can capture Zitong, I will reward you with Li Li's office." Zhang Bao first killed someone, then fled and surrendered to Zitong. Hong Qi and others trusted him and treated him as a confidant. Coinciding with Luo Shang sending an envoy to Zitong, Hong Qi and others went out of the city to see off the envoy; Zhang Bao closed the city gate from behind, and Hong Qi and others fled to Baxi. Li Xiong appointed Zhang Bao as Grand Commandant.

The six provinces of Youzhou, Bingzhou, Sizhou, Jizhou, Qinzhou, and Yongzhou suffered a severe locust plague; the locusts ate all the grass, trees, and the hair of oxen and horses.

In autumn, the seventh month, Han Chu king Liu Cong, Shi'an king Liu Yao, Shi Le, and Andong General Zhao Gu besieged Henei Grand Administrator Pei Zheng at Huai County. The court issued an edict to Expeditionary General Song Chou to rescue Huai County. Shi Le and Pingbei General Wang Sang met Song Chou in battle and killed him. The men of Henei captured Pei Zheng and surrendered. Han sovereign Liu Yuan appointed Pei Zheng as Left Vice Director of the Master of Documents. Henei Commandant Guo Mo gathered Pei Zheng's remaining troops and made himself fort chief. Liu Kun appointed Guo Mo as Henei Grand Administrator. Luo Shang died at Ba Commandery. The court issued an edict appointing Changsha Grand Administrator Xia Pi ren Pi Su to succeed him.

On a gengwu day (date uncertain), Han sovereign Liu Yuan fell gravely ill; on a xinwei day (date uncertain), he appointed Chenliu Prince Liu Huanle as Grand Tutor, Changle Prince Liu Yang as Grand Preceptor, Jiangdu Prince Liu Yannian as Grand Protector, Chu Prince Liu Cong as Grand Marshal and Great Shanyu, concurrently overseeing the affairs of the Secretariat. The Shanyu Terrace was established west of Pingyang. Qi Prince Liu Yu was appointed Grand Minister of Education, Lu Prince Liu Long as Master of Documents, Beihai Prince Liu Yi as General of Pacifying the Army and concurrently Colonel of the Capital Districts, Shian Prince Liu Yao as Grand Commander of Expeditions and concurrently Assistant of the Left to the Shanyu, Commandant of Justice Qiao Zhiming as Champion Grand General and concurrently Assistant of the Right to the Shanyu, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness Liu Yin as Left Chief Steward, Wang Yu as Right Chief Steward, Ren Yi as Minister of Personnel, Zhu Ji as Palace Secretary, Protector of the Army Ma Jing concurrently as General of the Left Guard, Yongan Prince Liu Anguo concurrently as General of the Right Guard, Anchang Prince Liu Sheng, Anyi Prince Liu Yin, and Xiyang Prince Liu Xuan all concurrently as Generals of the Martial Guard, each commanding the imperial guard. Initially, when Liu Sheng was young, he did not enjoy reading, only studying the Classic of Filial Piety and the Analects, saying, “Reciting these and being able to act on them is sufficient; why read much yet not practice them?” Li Xi saw him and sighed, saying, “Viewed from afar, one might treat him lightly, but approaching him, he is as solemn as a majestic ruler—he can be called a gentleman!” Because Liu Sheng was loyal and sincere, Liu Yuan entrusted him with important duties at his deathbed. On a dingchou day (date uncertain), Liu Yuan summoned Grand Tutor Liu Huanle and others into the palace to receive the testamentary edict to assist in governance. On a jimao day (date uncertain), Liu Yuan passed away; his heir, Liu He, ascended the throne.

Liu He was suspicious by nature and lacked kindness. The Ancestral Corrector Huyan You, the son of Huyan Yi, was never promoted by Liu Yuan due to his lack of talent and conduct; Attendant-in-Ordinary Liu Cheng had always detested Chu Prince Liu Cong; Commandant of the Palace Guards Xichang Prince Liu Rui felt ashamed for not being included in the regency; thus they plotted together, persuading Liu He, saying, “The late emperor did not consider the balance of power, allowing three princes to command strong troops within the capital, and the Grand Marshal to hold an army of one hundred thousand stationed in the outskirts—Your Majesty is merely a guest on the throne. You should deal with them as early as possible.” Liu He, being Huyan You’s nephew, trusted them deeply. On a xinsi day (date uncertain) night, he summoned Anchang Prince Liu Sheng and Anyi Prince Liu Yin to inform them. Liu Sheng said, “The late emperor’s spirit is still in the funeral chamber; the four princes have no trace of rebellion. Once we slaughter each other, what will the realm think of Your Majesty? Moreover, the great enterprise has just begun—do not heed the words of slanderous petty men and doubt your brothers. If brothers cannot be trusted, who else can be trusted?” Huyan You and Liu Rui angrily said, “In today’s deliberation, there is no second opinion—what sort of talk is this from the General of the Leading Army!” They ordered the attendants to kill Liu Sheng with swords. After Liu Sheng’s death, Liu Yin, terrified, said, “I obey Your Majesty’s command!” On a renwu day (date uncertain), Liu Rui led Ma Jing to attack Chu Prince Liu Cong at the Shanyu Terrace; Huyan You led Yongan Prince Liu Anguo to attack Qi Prince Liu Yu at the Grand Minister of Education’s residence; Liu Cheng led Anyi Prince Liu Yin to attack Lu Prince Liu Long; and they sent Master of Documents Tian Mi and General of the Martial Guard Liu Xuan to attack Beihai Prince Liu Yi. Tian Mi and Liu Xuan seized Liu Yi, broke through the gate, and surrendered to Liu Cong, who ordered his soldiers to don armor and await them. Liu Rui, learning that Liu Cong was prepared, quickly returned and joined Huyan You and Liu Cheng to attack Liu Long and Liu Yu. Huyan You and Liu Cheng suspected Liu Anguo and Liu Yin of disloyalty and killed them. That day, Liu Yu was executed; on a guiwei day (date uncertain), Liu Long was executed. On a jiashen day (date uncertain), Liu Cong attacked the Ximing Gate and breached it; Liu Rui and others fled to the Southern Palace, with the vanguard following. On a yiyou day (date uncertain), Liu He was killed in the western chamber of the Guangji Hall, and Liu Rui, Huyan You, and Liu Cheng were captured and beheaded in the thoroughfares.

The assembled officials requested Liu Cong to ascend the throne; Liu Cong considered that Beihai Prince Liu Yi was the son of Empress Shan and wished to yield the throne to him. Liu Yi wept and steadfastly refused, and only after a long time did Liu Cong agree, saying, “Liu Yi and the lords consider that the calamities are still many and covet my seniority. This is a matter of state and family; how dare I decline! When Liu Yi comes of age, I will return the great enterprise to him.” He then ascended the throne. A general amnesty was proclaimed, and the reign title was changed to Guangxing. He honored Shan as Empress Dowager and his mother, Lady Zhang, as Imperial Dowager. He appointed Liu Yi as Imperial Younger Brother, concurrently Great Shanyu and Grand Minister of Education. He established his wife, Lady Huyan, as empress. Lady Huyan was a younger cousin of Liu Yuan’s empress. He enfeoffed his son Liu Can as Henei Prince, Liu Yi as Hejian Prince, Liu Yi as Pengcheng Prince, and Liu Kui as Gaoping Prince; he also appointed Liu Can as General of Pacifying the Army and Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs. He appointed Shi Le as Inspector of Bingzhou and enfeoffed him as Jijun Duke.

Pu Hong, the chieftain of the Di tribe in Lueyang Linwei, was brave and skilled in battle and full of strategies, so the Di people feared and obeyed him. Han sovereign Liu Cong sent an envoy to appoint Pu Hong as General of Pacifying the Distant, but Pu Hong did not accept, proclaiming himself Colonel Protecting the Di, Inspector of Qinzhou, and Lueyang Duke. In the ninth month, on a xinwei day (date uncertain), Han sovereign Liu Yuan was buried in the Yongguang Mausoleum, with the posthumous title of Emperor Guangwen and the temple name of Gaozu.

Most of the refugee commoners from Yongzhou were in Nanyang, and the imperial court issued an edict ordering them to return to their hometowns. The refugees considered Guanzhong desolate and ruined and were unwilling to return; General of the Southern Expedition Shan Jian and Central General of the South Du Gui each sent troops to escort them, setting a deadline for departure. Wang Ru of Jingzhao then secretly allied with strong men and, taking advantage of the night, attacked the two relief forces, defeating them. Then Yan Yi of Fengyi and Hou Tuo of Jingzhao each gathered their followers to attack towns, killing magistrates to respond to him. Soon, their followers reached forty to fifty thousand, and Wang Ru proclaimed himself Grand General, concurrently Inspector of Si and Yong Provinces, and submitted as a vassal to the Han state.

In winter, the tenth month, Han Henei Prince Liu Can, Shian Prince Liu Yao, and Wang Mi led a force of forty thousand to invade Luoyang; Shi Le led two thousand cavalry to join Liu Can at Dayang, defeated the Supervisor of the Army Pei Miao at Mianchi, and then drove straight into the Luochuan region. Liu Can marched out through Xuanyuan Pass, plundering between Liang, Chen, Ru, and Ying. Shi Le marched out through Chenggao Pass. On a renyin day (date uncertain), he surrounded Chenliu Grand Administrator Wang Zan at Cangyuan but was defeated by Wang Zan and withdrew to station at Wenshijin.

Liu Kun personally led troops to attack Liu Hu and the Bai tribe, sending envoys with humble words and generous gifts to persuade the Xianbei Tuoba Yilu to request troops. Yilu sent his brother Fu’s son Yulü to lead two thousand cavalry to aid him, and they defeated Liu Hu and the Bai tribe, slaughtering their camps. Liu Kun and Yilu became sworn brothers, and Liu Kun submitted a memorial recommending Yilu as Great Shanyu, enfeoffing him with Dai Commandery as the Dai Duke. At that time, Dai Commandery belonged to Youzhou, and Wang Jun disagreed, sending troops to attack Yilu, who resisted and defeated him. Wang Jun therefore became estranged from Liu Kun.

Because his fief was too far from his homeland and his people were not connected, Yilu led more than ten thousand households of his tribe from Yunzhong into Yanmen, requesting land north of the Jingxing Pass from Liu Kun. Liu Kun could not control him and, moreover, wanted to rely on him for support, so he relocated the inhabitants of the five counties of Loufan, Mayi, Yinguan, Fanzhi, and Guo south of the Jingxing Pass and gave that land to Yilu; from then on, Yilu grew even stronger.

Liu Kun sent envoys to petition Grand Guardian Sima Yue, requesting troops to jointly attack Liu Cong and Shi Le; Sima Yue, wary of Xun Xi and Yuzhou Inspector Feng Song, fearing they would become future troubles, did not agree. Liu Kun then dismissed Yilu’s troops and sent them back to their country.

Liu Hu gathered his remaining followers, crossed the Yellow River westward, and settled in Sulu Chuan in Shuofang. Han sovereign Liu Cong, because Liu Hu was of the imperial clan, enfeoffed him as Loufan Duke.

On a renzi day (date uncertain), Liu Kun was appointed General of the Northern Pacification, Wang Jun as Minister of Works, and the Xianbei Duan Wuwuchen was advanced to Great Shanyu.

The famine and hardship in the capital grew increasingly severe. Grand Tutor Sima Yue sent envoys with urgent dispatches summoning troops from across the realm to come to the capital’s rescue. The Emperor said to the envoy: “Tell the generals and governors of the various regions: there is still time to save the situation; any later, and it will be too late!” Soon, however, no relief forces arrived. Zheng Nan General Shan Jian sent Inspector Du Wan to lead troops to aid the capital; they camped at Nieyang but were defeated by Wang Ru. Wang Ru then plundered heavily along the Mian and Han Rivers, advancing toward Xiangyang. Shan Jian defended the city walls closely. Jingzhou Inspector Wang Cheng personally led his army, intending to rescue the capital, but when he reached Shikou and heard that Shan Jian had been defeated, his troops scattered and he returned. Among the court officials, many advocated moving the capital to avoid the disaster, but Wang Yan considered this inadvisable and sold the imperial carriages and oxen to calm the people’s minds. Shan Jian, pressured by Yan Yi, moved from Xiangyang to Xiakou.

Shi Le led his army across the Yellow River, intending to head for Nanyang. When Wang Ru, Hou Tuo, Yan Yi, and others heard of this, they sent ten thousand troops to garrison Xiangcheng to resist Shi Le. Shi Le attacked them, capturing all their troops, and advanced to camp north of Wan. At this time, Hou Tuo held Wan, and Wang Ru held Rang. Wang Ru had long been at odds with Hou Tuo; he sent an envoy with generous gifts to bribe Shi Le, forming a brotherly alliance, and urged Shi Le to attack Hou Tuo. Shi Le attacked Wan and captured it. Yan Yi led troops to rescue Wan but arrived too late and surrendered. Shi Le beheaded Hou Tuo, imprisoned Yan Yi and sent him to Pingyang, and annexed all his forces. Then he turned south to invade Xiangyang, capturing more than thirty fortified encampments west of the Yangzi River. On his return march, heading toward Xiangcheng, Wang Ru sent his younger brother Wang Li to ambush Shi Le; Shi Le met him in battle, annihilated Wang Li’s force, and again camped west of the Yangzi River.

After Grand Tutor Sima Yue executed Wang Yan and others, he greatly lost the people’s expectations. Moreover, because the Hu bandits grew more rampant, he felt uneasy. He therefore donned military attire, entered the palace for an audience, and requested permission to campaign against Shi Le and to pacify and garrison Yanzhou and Yuzhou. The Emperor said: “Now the barbarian invaders press near the capital outskirts; no one has the will to hold firm. The court and the altars of state depend on you for support. How can you go far away and leave the foundation isolated?” Sima Yue replied: “If I go forth and, by good fortune, destroy the bandits, then the nation’s prestige can be revived—this is better than sitting idly and waiting for exhaustion.” In the eleventh month, on the day Jiaxu, Sima Yue led forty thousand armored troops to Xuchang, leaving behind his consort Lady Pei, his heir Sima Pi, as well as Longxiang General Li Yun and Right Guard General He Lun to guard the capital, overseeing and monitoring the palace offices. He appointed Pan Tao as Henan Yin, in charge of the affairs. Sima Yue submitted a memorial requesting to take the mobile secretariat (Xingtai) with him, appointing Grand Commandant Wang Yan as Army Supervisor. All the worthy and renowned scholars at court became his auxiliary officials; famous generals and crack troops were all incorporated into his command. Consequently, the palace offices had no guards left; the famine grew daily worse, and corpses lay strewn across the palace grounds. Thieves and robbers operated openly; government offices and military camps all dug moats to defend themselves. Sima Yue moved east to camp at Xiangcheng, appointing Feng Song as Left Adjutant and concurrently acting as Inspector of Yuzhou.

Jingling Wang Sima Mao reported to the Emperor and sent troops to attack He Lun, but failed. The Emperor placed the blame on Sima Mao, who fled and narrowly escaped death.

Yangzhou Commander-in-Chief Zhou Fu, seeing Luoyang isolated and endangered, submitted a memorial requesting that the capital be moved to Shouchun. Grand Tutor Sima Yue, angered that Zhou Fu had not first reported to him before directly memorializing the throne, summoned Zhou Fu and Huainan Administrator Pei Shuo. Zhou Fu refused to go and ordered Pei Shuo to lead his troops ahead. Pei Shuo falsely claimed to have received secret orders from Sima Yue and attacked Zhou Fu, but was defeated and retreated to defend Dongcheng.

An imperial edict appointed Zhang Gui as General Who Pacifies the West and Commander-in-Chief of Longyou Military Affairs. Guanglu Fu Zhi and Taichang Zhi Yu sent a letter to Zhang Gui, informing him of the famine and scarcity in the capital. Zhang Gui sent Adjutant Du Xun to present five hundred horses and thirty thousand bolts of woolen cloth.

Cheng’s Grand Tutor Li Xiang attacked Qiao Deng at Fucheng. Luo Shang’s son Luo Yu and his staff had long detested Qiao Deng and refused to supply him with grain. Yi Province Inspector Pi Su grew angry and wanted to punish them. In the twelfth month, when Pi Su reached Ba Commandery, Luo Yu and others sent men to kill Pi Su in the night. Jianping Duwei Bao Zhong killed Luo Yu, and Ba Commandery fell into great chaos. Li Xiang, knowing that Qiao Deng’s grain was exhausted and his relief forces cut off, intensified the attack on Fucheng. The officers and people within the city roasted rats for food; many died of starvation, but not one defected. Li Xiang’s son Li Shou had previously been held by Qiao Deng, and Qiao Deng now released Li Shou. The officials of the three offices submitted a memorial requesting that Ba Dong Supervisor of the Army, a man from Nanyang named Han Song, be appointed Inspector of Yi Province, with his seat of government at Ba Dong.

Earlier, because Wang Mi and Shi Le were pressing close to the capital region, the Emperor had issued an edict ordering Xun Xi to command the prefectures and commanderies to campaign against them. At that time, Cao Yi broke through Langya, advancing north to seize Qi territory. His military power was very strong. Xun Chun closed the city and defended it. Xun Xi turned back to rescue Qingzhou, engaging Cao Yi in successive battles and defeating him.

In this year, Ning Province Inspector Wang Xun arrived at his post and submitted a memorial requesting that Li Zhao be appointed Zhuti Administrator. At that time, Ning Province was pressed externally by Cheng and plagued internally by Yi bandits; the cities and towns lay in ruins. Wang Xun wore coarse clothing and ate simple food, gathered the scattered refugees, and tirelessly comforted and pacified them. Within a few years, the province was restored to order. He executed more than ten powerful families who had defied the law; because the Wuling Yi had been the chief culprits in past rebellions, he attacked and annihilated them, so that both inside and outside the province were awed and submitted.

Han Ruler Liu Cong, believing that he had ascended the throne out of proper order, harbored resentment toward his elder legitimate brother Liu Gong. While Liu Gong slept, Liu Cong dug a hole in the wall, entered, and assassinated him.

Han Empress Dowager Shan died. Han Ruler Liu Cong honored his own mother, Lady Zhang, as Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Shan was young and beautiful, and Liu Cong committed adultery with her. The Imperial Younger Brother Liu Yi repeatedly remonstrated, and Shan, ashamed and indignant, died. Liu Yi’s favor consequently gradually declined, but because of Shan’s sake, he was not yet deposed. Empress Huyan said to Liu Cong: “When the father dies, the son succeeds—this is the constant principle of past and present. Your Majesty inherited the foundation of our ancestor; what claim does the Imperial Younger Brother have? When Your Majesty passes away, the brothers of Liu Can will surely have no descendants.” Liu Cong said: “True, I should consider it slowly.” Huyan said: “If matters are delayed, changes will arise. The Imperial Younger Brother, seeing Liu Can’s brothers gradually growing up, will certainly feel uneasy. If a petty man should sow discord, a calamity may not fail to erupt even today.” Liu Cong inwardly thought she was right. Liu Yi’s maternal uncle, Guanglu Shan Chong, weeping, said to Liu Yi: “Those who are distant cannot estrange those who are close. The ruler already has intentions toward He’nei Wang Liu Can. Why does Your Highness not yield?” Liu Yi said: “At the end of the Herui era, the ruler himself considered the distinction between legitimate and secondary and yielded the great position to me. But because the ruler was the elder, I deferred to him. The realm is our ancestor’s realm; if the elder brother dies and the younger brother succeeds, what is wrong with that? Liu Can’s brothers are already grown, just like now. Moreover, among sons and younger brothers, how great is the difference in closeness? How could the ruler have such intentions?”

In spring, the first month, on the day Renshen, Xun Xi was defeated by Cao Yi, abandoned his city, and fled to Gaoping.

Shi Le planned to hold the Jiang and Han regions. Army Supervisor Du Zhangbin considered this unfeasible. Just then, a famine and plague broke out among the troops, killing more than half. They then crossed the Mian River, invaded Jiangxia, and on the day Guiyou, captured Jiangxia.

On the day Yihai, Cheng’s Grand Tutor Li Xiang conquered Fucheng and captured Qiao Deng. Grand Protector Li Shi conquered Baxi and killed Wen Shi. Thereupon, Cheng Ruler Li Xiong granted a general amnesty and changed the reign title to Yuheng. Qiao Deng was sent to Chengdu; Li Xiong wanted to pardon him, but Qiao Deng’s words and demeanor showed no submission, so Li Xiong killed him.

Refugees from Ba and Shu were scattered throughout Jing and Xiang provinces. They were repeatedly harassed and troubled by the local people and officials. A Shu man named Li Xiang gathered a crowd and rebelled, occupying Lexiang. Nanping Administrator Ying Zhan, together with Liling Magistrate Du Bi, jointly defeated him. Wang Cheng sent Chengdu Neishi Wang Ji to attack Li Xiang; Li Xiang requested to surrender, but Wang Cheng pretended to agree and then attacked and killed him. He distributed Li Xiang’s wife and children as rewards and drowned more than eight thousand people in the river. The refugees became even more resentful and angry. Another Shu man, Du Chou, rebelled. Xiang Province Adjutant Feng Su, who had a grudge against the Shu man Ru Ban, said to Inspector Xun Tiao: “The Ba and Shu refugees all want to rebel.” Xun Tiao believed this and wanted to exterminate all the refugees. The refugees, greatly frightened, rebelled en masse—forty to fifty thousand households. Because Du Bi enjoyed prestige in the province, they jointly made him their leader. Du Bi styled himself Governor of Liang and Yi Provinces and concurrently Xiang Province Inspector.

Pei Shuo sought help from Langya Wang Sima Rui. Sima Rui sent Yangwei General Gan Zhuo and others to attack Zhou Fu at Shouchun. Zhou Fu’s troops scattered, and he fled to Xiangcheng. Yuzhou Commander-in-Chief, Xincai Wang Sima Que, captured him. Zhou Fu died of grief and indignation. Sima Que was the son of Sima Teng.

Liu Tao, the Inspector of Yangzhou, passed away. Sima Rui, the Prince of Langye, again appointed Wang Dun, the Military Advisor of the Eastern Pacification Army, as Inspector of Yangzhou, and shortly thereafter granted him the additional title of Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs for Expeditions. On the Gengchen day, Sima Gan, the Prince of Pingyuan, died. In the second month, Shi Le attacked Xincai, killing Sima Que, the Prince of Xincai Zhuang, at Nandun; he then advanced and captured Xuchang, killing Wang Kang, the General of Pacifying the East. The Di tribesmen Fu Cheng and Wei Wen rebelled again, moving from Yidu to Badong; Bao Zhong, the Commandant of Jianping, campaigned against them. Bao Zhong took the opportunity to kill Han Song and assumed control of the affairs of the three offices himself. Sima Yue, the Prince of Donghai and Filial Devoted, having fallen into conflict with Xun Xi, was further slandered by Pan Tao, the Governor of Henan, and Liu Wang, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Xun Xi, enraged, submitted a memorial requesting the heads of Pan Tao and others, proclaiming, "Sima Yuanchao, as Chancellor, is unjust, throwing the realm into chaos. How could Xun Daojiang be driven by unrighteousness!" He then issued proclamations to all provinces, boasting of his own merits and enumerating Sima Yue's crimes. The Emperor also detested Sima Yue's monopolization of power, which often defied imperial edicts; the remaining generals like He Lun plundered high officials and insulted princesses. The Emperor secretly bestowed a personal edict upon Xun Xi, ordering him to attack Sima Yue. Xun Xi frequently exchanged documents with the Emperor, arousing Sima Yue's suspicion. Sima Yue dispatched cavalry scouts to patrol the area of Chenggao, who indeed captured Xun Xi's envoy and the edict. Sima Yue then issued a proclamation denouncing Xun Xi's crimes, appointed Yang Mao, a Palace Attendant in his office, as Inspector of Yanzhou, and ordered him to jointly attack Xun Xi with Pei Dun, the Inspector of Xuzhou. Xun Xi sent cavalry to seize Pan Tao, but Pan Tao fled by night and escaped; he captured Liu Zeng, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Cheng Yan, a Palace Attendant, and executed them. Sima Yue, afflicted with worry and anger, fell ill, entrusted his posthumous affairs to Wang Yan, and died on the Bingzi day of the third month at Xiangcheng, keeping the death secret. The officials jointly recommended Wang Yan as commander, but he dared not accept; they deferred to Sima Fan, the Prince of Xiangyang, who also declined. Sima Fan was the son of Sima Wei. Thus, Wang Yan and others escorted Sima Yue's coffin back to Donghai for burial. Upon hearing of Sima Yue's death, He Lun and Li Yun escorted Consort Pei and the heir Sima Pi eastward from Luoyang, with the city's scholars and commoners vying to follow. The Emperor posthumously demoted Sima Yue to a district prince and appointed Xun Xi as Grand General and Grand Commander-in-Chief, overseeing the military affairs of the six provinces of Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang. The generals and officials of Yizhou jointly killed Bao Zhong and submitted a memorial requesting that Zhang Luo, the Grand Administrator of Ba Commandery, assume control of the three offices. Zhang Luo fought against Wei Wen and others, was killed in battle, and Wei Wen and his followers drove and plundered the officials and commoners, fleeing westward to surrender to Cheng. The civil and military officials of the three offices jointly submitted a memorial requesting that Wang Yi, a native of Shu Commandery and the Military Adjutant of Pingxi, assume control of the three offices and concurrently serve as Grand Administrator of Ba Commandery. Initially, Zhang Guang, the Inspector of Liangzhou, assembled the commandery grand administrators at Weixing to discuss plans for advancement. Zhang Yan declared, "The Hanzhong region is desolate and ruined, and it borders a great enemy. The task of recovery should await a hero." Zhang Guang, believing that Zhang Yan had accepted bribes from Deng Ding, leading to the loss of Hanzhong, and now obstructed the assembly, ordered him to be taken out and executed. He then organized the army and advanced to battle, only reaching Hanzhong after many years, where he pacified the people and restored production, gaining their heartfelt submission. In the summer, the fourth month, Shi Le led light cavalry to pursue the coffin of Grand Tutor Sima Yue, catching up to it at Ningping City in Kuxian. He heavily defeated the Jin army, surrounded them on horseback, and shot them, with over one hundred thousand soldiers and officers trampling each other into a heap, none escaping alive. Shi Le captured Grand Tutor Wang Yan, Sima Fan the Prince of Xiangyang, Sima Ji the Prince of Rencheng, Sima Dan the Prince of Wuling Zhuang, Sima Xi the Prince of Xihe, Sima Xi the Prince of Liang Huai, Sima Chao the Prince of Qi, Liu Wang the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Zhuge Quan the Chief Justice, Liu Qiao the Inspector of Yuzhou, and Yu Quanjin the Senior Administrator of the Grand Tutor, and seated them under a tent, inquiring about the Jin dynasty's affairs. Wang Yan detailed the causes of the chaos and defeat, claiming the plans were not his own; he also stated that since youth he had no desire for officialdom and did not participate in worldly matters; he then urged Shi Le to claim the imperial title, hoping to escape death. Shi Le said, "You entered officialdom young, with a reputation spreading across the seas, holding great responsibilities—how can you say you had no desire for office! If not you, who ruined the realm!" He ordered his attendants to escort him out. The others, fearing death, mostly made self-deprecating statements. Only Sima Fan, the Prince of Xiangyang, maintained a solemn demeanor, turning to rebuke them, saying, "In today's matter, why must there be such chaos!" Shi Le said to Kong Chang, "I have traveled the world but never seen such a man; should I keep him?" Kong Chang replied, "They are all princes and dukes of Jin, and in the end will not serve us." Shi Le said, "Nevertheless, it is crucial not to harm them with blades." That night, he sent men to push down the walls, crushing them to death. Sima Ji was the son of Sima Ling, the Prince of Jing, younger brother of Emperor Xuan; Sima Xi was the son of Sima Dan. Shi Le split open Sima Yue's coffin and burned his corpse, saying, "This man brought chaos to the realm; I avenge the world, so I burn his bones to announce it to Heaven and Earth." He Lun and others reached Weicang, encountered Shi Le, and were defeated. Sima Pi, the heir of Donghai, along with forty-eight princes of the imperial clan, fell into Shi Le's hands. He Lun fled to Xiapi, and Li Yun fled to Guangzong. Consort Pei was captured and sold, and only after a long time crossed the Yangtze. Initially, it was Consort Pei's idea for Sima Rui, the Prince of Langye, to garrison Jianye, so Sima Rui was grateful to her, treating her with great favor, and had her son Sima Chong succeed as Sima Yue's heir. The Han state's Zhao Gu and Wang Sang attacked Pei Dun and killed him. Du Bi attacked Changsha. In the fifth month, Xun Qi abandoned the city and fled to Guangzhou; Du Bi pursued and captured him. Then Du Bi moved south, breaking through Lingling and Guiyang, plundering eastward to Wuchang, killing many officials at the rank of two-thousand-stone. The court appointed Fu Zhi, the Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, as Minister over the Masses, and Xun Fan, the Chief Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, as Minister of Works. Wang Jun was granted the title of Grand Commander-in-Chief, Attendant of the Imperial Secretariat, and Grand Commander-in-Chief, overseeing military affairs of Youzhou and Jizhou. Sima Mo, the Prince of Nanyang, was appointed Grand Commandant and Grand Commander-in-Chief. Zhang Gui was appointed General of Chariot and Cavalry. Sima Rui, the Prince of Langye, was appointed General of the Eastern Pacification Army, concurrently overseeing the military affairs of the five provinces of Yangzhou, Jiangzhou, Xiangzhou, Jiaozhou, and Guangzhou. Initially, Grand Tutor Sima Yue, because Sima Mo, the Prince of Nanyang, could not pacify Guanzhong, submitted a memorial requesting his recall to court as Minister of Works. General Chunyu Ding advised Sima Mo not to accept the summons, and Sima Mo followed this advice; he submitted a memorial appointing his heir Sima Bao as General of the Western Pacification Army-in-Chief, to garrison Shanggui, but Qinzhou Inspector Pei Bao refused him entry. Sima Mo sent Chen An, a Commandant under his command, to attack Pei Bao; Pei Bao fled to Anding, where Grand Administrator Jia Pi accepted him. Xun Xi submitted a memorial requesting the relocation of the capital to Cangyuan, dispatching Liu Hui, a Palace Attendant in his office, with several dozen ships, five hundred imperial guards, and a thousand hu of grain to welcome the Emperor. The Emperor intended to comply, but the high officials hesitated, and the attendants were greedy for their household possessions, so it did not materialize. Soon, Luoyang faced famine and hardship, with people eating each other, and most of the hundred officials had fled. The Emperor convened the high officials to discuss, preparing to depart, but the guards and attendants were not ready. The Emperor clapped his hands and sighed, saying, "How can there be no carriage!" He then sent Fu Zhi to Heyin to prepare boats, with several dozen court officials guiding and following. The Emperor walked out of the West Side Gate to the Bronze Camel Street, was robbed by bandits, and could not advance, returning. Wei Jun, a native of Dong Commandery and Commandant of Provisions, led several hundred refugee families to occupy Xiashi at Heyin. At that time, he seized grain and wheat and presented them to the Emperor. The Emperor appointed him General of Exalted Might and Grand Administrator of Pingyang, concurrently retaining his role as Commandant of Provisions.

The ruler of Han, Liu Cong, dispatched the Former Army Grand General Huyan Yan with an army of 27,000 to invade Luoyang. When they reached Henan, the Jin army suffered twelve consecutive defeats, with over 30,000 dead. The Prince of Shian, Liu Yao, Wang Mi, and Shi Le all led their forces to rendezvous; before they arrived, Huyan Yan left his baggage at Zhang Fang’s old camp. On the Guiwei day, he first reached Luoyang; on the Jiashen day, he attacked Pingchang Gate; on the Bingxu day, he breached the city gate, then burned Dongyang Gate and various government offices. On the first day of the sixth month, Dinghai, Huyan Yan, because his follow-up forces had not yet arrived, plundered and then withdrew. The emperor prepared boats on the Luo River, intending to flee east, but Huyan Yan burned all the boats. On the Gengyin day, Xun Fan and his younger brother, the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness Xun Zu, fled to Huanyuan Pass. On the Xinmao day, Wang Mi reached Xuanyang Gate; on the Renchen day, the Prince of Shian, Liu Yao, reached Ximing Gate; on the Dingyou day, Wang Mi and Huyan Yan captured Xuanyang Gate, entered the Southern Palace, ascended the Taiji Front Hall, and let their soldiers loot wildly, seizing all the palace women and treasures. The emperor left Huayuan Garden Gate, intending to flee to Chang’an, but Han troops pursued and captured him, imprisoning him at Duan Gate. Liu Yao entered from Ximing Gate and garrisoned at the Armory. On the Wuxu day, Liu Yao killed the Crown Prince Sima Quan, Wu Xiao Wang Sima Yan, Jingling Wang Sima Mao, the Right Vice Director Cao Fu, the Minister of Works Lüqiu Chong, the Henan Yin Liu Mo, and others, with over 30,000 scholar-officials and commoners dead. Then they excavated the various imperial tombs, burned the palaces, temples, and government offices, completely destroying them. Liu Yao took the Empress of Emperor Hui, Yang, and moved the emperor along with the six imperial seals to Pingyang. Shi Le led his army out of Huanyuan Pass and garrisoned at Xuchang. The Grand Master of Splendid Happiness Liu Fan and the Minister of Works Lu Zhi fled to Bingzhou.

On the Dingwei day, the ruler of Han, Liu Cong, declared a general amnesty and changed the era name to Jiaping. He enfeoffed the Jin emperor as Tejin Zuoguanglu Dafu, titled Ping’a Gong, and appointed the Attendant-in-Ordinary Yu Min and Wang Jun as Grand Masters of Splendid Happiness. Yu Min was the elder brother of Yu Ai.

Initially, the Prince of Shian, Liu Yao, resented Wang Mi for entering Luoyang before his arrival. Wang Mi urged Liu Yao: “Luoyang is the center of the empire, with mountains and rivers forming natural defenses on all sides. The city walls and palaces do not need further construction. You should report to the sovereign and move the capital here from Pingyang.” Liu Yao, believing the empire was not yet pacified and that Luoyang was exposed to attack from all sides and indefensible, rejected Wang Mi’s plan and instead burned Luoyang. Wang Mi cursed: “You Tu Ge whelp, do you have the mind of a true emperor?” Thus a rift developed between him and Liu Yao, and he led his army east to garrison at Xiangguan. The former Colonel of the Capital Districts Liu Tun advised Wang Mi: “Now the nine provinces are boiling, and heroes are contending for supremacy. General, you have rendered unparalleled merit to the Han dynasty and are now at odds with the Prince of Shian. How will you manage? It is better to move east and occupy your home province, slowly observe the situation of the empire. At best, you can unify the four seas; at worst, you can achieve the foundation of a three-way partition. This is the superior strategy.” Wang Mi inwardly agreed.

The Grand Mentor Fu Zhi established a provisional administration at Heyin, the Minister of Works Xun Fan at Yangcheng, and the Henan Yin Hua Hui at Chenggao. The Administrator of Runan, Pingyang native Li Ju, built houses for them and transported grain to supply them. Hua Hui was a great-grandson of Hua Xin.

Xun Fan, together with his younger brother Xun Zu and his clansman the Central Protector Xun Song, along with Hua Hui and his younger brother the Central General Hua Heng, established a provisional administration at Mi County. They sent proclamations to all directions, recommending the Prince of Langye, Sima Rui, as the leader of the alliance. Xun Fan, acting on imperial authority, appointed Xun Song as the Administrator of Xiangcheng, Li Ju as the Administrator of Xingyang, and the former Champion General, Henan native Chu Se, as the Interior Minister of Liang. The Yangwei General Wei Jun garrisoned at Shiliangwu north of Luoyang. Liu Kun, acting on imperial authority, appointed Wei Jun as the Henan Yin. Wei Jun went to Xun Fan to consult on military plans. Xun Fan invited Li Ju to meet together, and Li Ju traveled through the night to go. Li Ju’s subordinates all said: “Wei Jun cannot be trusted; it is inadvisable to go at night.” Li Ju said: “Loyal ministers share the same heart; what is there to doubt?” So he went, and after they met, they exchanged friendly words and parted. Wei Jun’s clansman Wei Gai gathered a group and held Yiquanwu. Xun Fan appointed him as the Wuwu General.

The Prince of Yuzhang, Sima Duan, the younger brother of the Crown Prince Sima Quan, fled east to Cangyuan. Xun Xi led the various officials and honored him as the Crown Prince, establishing a provisional administration. Sima Duan, acting on imperial authority, appointed Xun Xi concurrently as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs, and Recorder of the Secretariat. They moved their garrison from Cangyuan to Mengcheng.

The Fujun General, the Prince of Qin, Sima Ye, the son of Wu Xiao Wang and nephew of Xun Fan, was only twelve years old. He fled south to Mi County, and Xun Fan and others honored him, then moved south to Xuchang. The former Inspector of Yuzhou, Tianshui native Yan Ding, gathered several thousand refugees from the western provinces at Mi County, intending to return to their homeland. Xun Fan, recognizing Yan Ding’s talent and his possession of troops, appointed him as the Inspector of Yuzhou, with the Zhongshu Ling Li Chu, the Left Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works, Pengcheng native Liu Chou, the Chief Clerk of the Town General Zhou Yi, and the Commander Li Shu as his staff. Zhou Yi was the son of Zhou Jun.

At that time, the empire was in great chaos, only Jiangdong was relatively stable. Most of the scholar-officials and commoners from the central plains crossed the Yangtze River to avoid the turmoil. The Adjutant of the Town General, Wang Dao, advised the Prince of Langye, Sima Rui, to gather the talented and outstanding among them and work with them. Sima Rui heeded this advice and recruited over a hundred subordinates, whom contemporaries called the “Hundred and Six Clerks.” He appointed the former Administrator of Yingchuan, Bohai native Diao Xie, as the Military Counselor and Sacrificial Wine; the former Administrator of Donghai, Wang Cheng, and the Prime of Guangling, Bian Hu, as Attendant Gentlemen of the Masters of Writing; the Magistrate of Jiangning, Zhuge Hui, and the Military Officer of Liyang, Chen Guo native Chen Yi, as Acting Military Officers; and the former Retainer of the Grand Mentor, Yu Liang, as the Clerk of the Western Bureau. Wang Cheng was the son of Wang Hun’s younger brother; Zhuge Hui was the son of Zhuge Jing; Yu Liang was the younger brother of Yu Gun’s younger brother.

The Inspector of Jiangzhou, Hua Yi, a great-grandson of Hua Xin, believed that although he had received his appointment from the court, he was under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Langye, Sima Rui, and often refused to accept his commands. Most of the county and district officials advised him, but Hua Yi said: “I only wish to see the imperial edict.” When Sima Rui received Xun Fan’s proclamation, acted on imperial authority to set up officials, and changed the senior officials, Hua Yi and the Inspector of Yuzhou, Pei Xian, both refused to obey the orders. Sima Rui sent the Inspector of Yangzhou, Wang Dun, the Interior Minister of Liyang, Gan Zhuo, and the Yanglie General, Lujiang native Zhou Fang, to combine forces and attack Hua Yi. Hua Yi was defeated and fled to Ancheng, where Zhou Fang pursued and killed him, along with his five sons. Pei Xian fled to Youzhou. Sima Rui appointed Gan Zhuo as the Inspector of Xiangzhou, Zhou Fang as the Administrator of Xunyang, and appointed the Yangwu General Tao Kan as the Administrator of Wuchang.

In autumn, the seventh month, Wang Jun set up an altar, sacrificed to Heaven, established a crown prince, and issued a proclamation to the empire, claiming to have received a secret imperial edict authorizing him to confer titles and appointments on imperial authority. Thus he fully established the hundreds of officials and arranged for the generals of the Zheng and Zhen ranks. He appointed Xun Fan as the Grand Commandant and the Prince of Langye, Sima Rui, as the Grand General. Wang Jun concurrently served as the Minister of Works, appointed Pei Xian and his son-in-law Zao Song as Ministers of Works, Tian Zheng as the Inspector of Yanzhou, and Li Yun as the Inspector of Qingzhou.

The Prince of Nanyang, Sima Mo, sent his Gate Guard General Zhao Ran to garrison Puban. Zhao Ran requested the post of Administrator of Fengyi but was denied, so he angrily led his troops and surrendered to Han. The ruler of Han, Liu Cong, appointed Zhao Ran as the Pingxi General. In the eighth month, Liu Cong sent Zhao Ran and the Anxi General Liu Ya with 20,000 cavalry to attack Sima Mo at Chang’an. The Prince of Henei, Liu Can, and the Prince of Shian, Liu Yao, led the main army closely behind. Zhao Ran defeated Sima Mo’s army at Tong Pass and drove straight to Xiaqui. The Liangzhou general Beigong Chun led his troops from Chang’an and surrendered to Han. The Han army surrounded Chang’an. Sima Mo sent Chunyu Ding out of the city to fight, but he was defeated. Sima Mo’s granaries were empty and exhausted, his soldiers scattered, so he surrendered to Han. Zhao Ran escorted Sima Mo to the Prince of Henei, Liu Can; in the ninth month, Liu Can killed Sima Mo. Famine occurred in the region west of the Pass, with white bones covering the wilderness, and fewer than one or two percent of the people survived. Liu Cong appointed the Prince of Shian, Liu Yao, as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Governor of Yongzhou, changing his title to the Prince of Zhongshan, to guard Chang’an. He appointed Wang Mi as the Grand General and enfeoffed him as the Duke of Qi.

Xun Xi became arrogant and extravagant, harsh and tyrannical. The former Grand Administrator of Liaoxi, Yan Heng, who was Yan Zan’s son, repeatedly admonished Xun Xi, but Xun Xi killed him. Attending Secretary Ming Yu was ill and had himself carried in on a litter to remonstrate. Xun Xi angrily said, “I killed Yan Heng—what does that have to do with anyone else? And you, despite your illness, have yourself carried in to curse me!” Ming Yu replied: “You, Illustrious Lord, treated me with courtesy, so I fulfill my duty with courtesy. Now that you are angry with me, what will happen to those far and near who incur your anger? Even Jie, the Son of Heaven, perished because of arrogance and tyranny—how much more so a subject! I hope you will set aside this anger for a moment and consider my words.” Xun Xi did not listen. From then on, the people became estranged and filled with resentment, compounded by plague and famine. Shi Le attacked Wang Zan at Yangxia and captured him. He then struck Mengcheng, seized Xun Xi and Prince Duan of Yuzhang, fettered Xun Xi’s neck with chains, and appointed him Left Sima. Han ruler Liu Cong bestowed on Shi Le the post of Inspector of Youzhou.

Wang Mi and Shi Le appeared close on the surface, but inwardly they were suspicious of each other. Liu Tan urged Wang Mi to summon Cao Ni’s army to plot against Shi Le. Wang Mi wrote a letter and sent Liu Tan to summon Cao Ni, also inviting Shi Le’s troops to accompany him to Qingzhou. When Liu Tan reached Dong’e, he was captured by Shi Le’s roving cavalry. Shi Le secretly killed Liu Tan, but Wang Mi did not know. Around this time, Wang Mi’s generals Xu Miao and Gao Liang took their troops and left without authorization, so Wang Mi’s forces gradually weakened. When Wang Mi heard that Shi Le had captured Xun Xi, he was disgusted but sent a letter of congratulations: “How remarkable that you captured Xun Xi and appointed him! Let him be your left hand, and I your right hand—then the empire will not be hard to pacify.” Shi Le said to Zhang Bin, “Wang Mi is noble in rank yet humble in words—he surely intends to plot against me.” Zhang Bin took the opportunity to urge Shi Le to lure Wang Mi in and eliminate him while his power was slightly waning. At that time, Shi Le was locked in battle with the Qi Huo Chen Wu at Pengguan, and Wang Mi was also locked in a desperate struggle against Liu Rui. Wang Mi asked Shi Le for reinforcements, but Shi Le refused. Zhang Bin said, “You have always worried about not finding an opportunity to deal with Wang Mi. Now Heaven has delivered him to us. That boy Chen Wu is not worth worrying about; Wang Mi is a hero among men—he should be eliminated as soon as possible.” Shi Le then led his troops to attack Liu Rui and killed him. Wang Mi was overjoyed, believing Shi Le was truly friendly toward him, and no longer suspected him. In winter, in the tenth month, Shi Le held a banquet for Wang Mi at Jiwu. Wang Mi prepared to go, but his Chief Clerk Zhang Song advised against it; Wang Mi did not listen. When the drinking was at its height, Shi Le personally killed Wang Mi and absorbed his followers. He then sent a memorial to Han ruler Liu Cong, claiming that Wang Mi had rebelled. Liu Cong was enraged and sent an envoy to rebuke Shi Le for “killing an imperial counselor without authorization, showing no regard for the sovereign,” but nonetheless he enfeoffed Shi Le as General of the East, Commander of Military Affairs in Bing and You Provinces, and concurrently Inspector of Bingzhou, to appease him. Xun Xi and Wang Zan secretly plotted to betray Shi Le, so Shi Le killed them, along with Xun Xi’s younger brother Xun Chun.

Shi Le led his troops to plunder the commanderies of Yuzhou, reaching the Yangzi River before turning back and encamping at Gebei.

Earlier, when Shi Le had been captured and sold, he had become separated from his mother, Lady Wang. Liu Kun found her, along with Shi Le’s nephew Shi Hu, and sent them back to Shi Le, also sending a letter saying: “General, your use of troops is divine, and you are invincible. The reason you roam the world without a foothold, win every battle without an inch of territory, is perhaps because serving a true lord is the righteous path, while adhering to rebels makes one a bandit. The principle of success and failure is like breathing—blow and it is cold, exhale and it is warm. Now I offer you the titles and ranks of Palace Attendant, Grand Chariot General, concurrently Protector of the Xiongnu Central Lang General, and Duke of Xiangcheng—will you accept them?” Shi Le replied in a letter: “Achieving merit has different paths, which a pedantic scholar cannot understand. You should devote your loyalty to your own court; I will naturally pacify troubles and serve my purpose.” Shi Le sent Liu Kun fine horses and treasures, treated his envoy generously, but declined his overtures and broke off relations.

At that time, Shi Hu was seventeen, cruel without limit, and became a scourge to the army. Shi Le told his mother, “This boy is fierce and unruly. If I let the soldiers kill him, it would be a pity for his reputation; it would be better to eliminate him myself.” His mother said, “A swift ox, as a calf, often wrecks the cart—just be patient a little!” When Shi Hu grew up, he excelled at horsemanship and archery, and his ferocity was unmatched in his time. Shi Le appointed him General of the Expeditionary Army. Whenever he sacked a city, few were left alive. But he commanded his troops strictly yet without fuss, and no one dared disobey him. His attacks and campaigns were invincible, so Shi Le came to favor and trust him. Shi Le attacked Li Ju, the Grand Administrator of Xingyang, but Li Ju repelled him.

Earlier, Prince of Nanyang, Sima Mo, had appointed Suo Chen, the son of Suo Jing, as Grand Administrator of Fengyi. After Sima Mo died, Suo Chen, together with An Yi Protector of the Jin, Qu Yun of Jincheng, and Magistrate of Pinyang, Liang Su, fled to Anding. At that time, the Grand Administrator of Anding, Jia Pi, along with various Di and Qiang tribes, had all sent hostages to the Han state. Suo Chen and his companions encountered them at Yinmi, escorted them back to Linjing, and plotted with Jia Pi to restore the Jin imperial house. Jia Pi agreed. So they jointly elevated Jia Pi as General of the West, leading 50,000 troops toward Chang’an. The Inspector of Yongzhou, Qu Te, and the Grand Administrator of Xinping, Zhu Hong, had not surrendered to Han. When they heard of Jia Pi’s uprising, they joined forces with the Grand Administrator of Fufeng, Liang Zong—Liang Su’s elder brother—leading 100,000 troops to rendezvous with him. Han’s Prince of Henei, Liu Can, was at Xinfeng; he sent his generals Liu Ya and Zhao Ran to attack Xinping, but they could not capture it. Suo Chen came to Xinping’s rescue, fighting hundreds of small and large battles, and Liu Ya and his men were defeated and withdrew. The Prince of Zhongshan, Liu Yao, fought with Jia Pi and his allies at Huangqiu; Liu Yao’s army was badly defeated. Jia Pi then attacked and killed Peng Dangzhong, the Han Inspector of Liangzhou. Qu Te and his men defeated Liu Can at Xinfeng, and Liu Can returned to Pingyang. Thus Jia Pi and his allies’ momentum greatly increased; the Hu and Jin people west of the Pass responded in unison.

Yan Ding wanted to escort the Prince of Qin, Sima Ye, into the Pass, occupying Chang’an to command the realm. The Magistrate of Heyang, Fu Chang—son of Fu Zhi—also wrote to urge him, so Yan Ding set out. Xun Fan, Liu Chou, Zhou Yi, Li Shu, and others were all from east of the Mountains and did not want to go west; they scattered and fled midway. Yan Ding sent troops to pursue them but failed to catch them, and he killed Li Xian and others. Yan Ding and Sima Ye went from Wan to Wuguan; at Shangluo they encountered bandits, and the soldiers fled and dispersed. Yan Ding gathered the remnants, advanced to Lantian, and sent a report to Jia Pi, who sent troops to receive them. In the twelfth month, they entered Yongcheng, and Jia Pi sent Liang Zong to lead troops to guard them.

Zhou Yi fled to the Prince of Langya, Sima Rui, who appointed him Army Advisor and Libationer. The former Cavalry Commandant, Huan Yi of Qiao Commandery, also crossed the Yangzi to avoid the turmoil. Seeing Sima Rui’s weakness, he said to Zhou Yi, “Because the Central Plain is beset with troubles, I came here seeking refuge, but here it is so isolated and weak—on what basis can great deeds be accomplished?” Soon after, he met Wang Dao, and they discussed the affairs of the empire together. When he came out, he said to Zhou Yi, “I have just seen Guan Yiwu—no more worries!”

The various eminent men together ascended the New Pavilion for a banquet and outing. Zhou Yi sighed in their midst, saying, “The scenery is no different, yet as we look around, there is the difference of the Yangzi and Yellow Rivers!” At this, they all looked at each other and wept. Wang Dao’s expression turned stern, and he said, “We should together devote ourselves to the imperial cause and recover the Central Plain. Why sit here like prisoners facing each other in tears?” Everyone wiped away their tears and apologized to him.

Chen Fu sent a letter to Wang Dao, saying: "The reason for the collapse and decline of China is precisely because the methods for selecting talented individuals were improper, valuing empty reputation first without attending to practical affairs. Those who engaged in boastful competition and scurried about for advancement recommended one another; those whose words carried weight gained prominence first, while those whose words were lighter were employed later. Thus, they stirred each other on, leading to the decay of customs. Added to this were the customs of Zhuangzi and Laozi, which confused the court, regarding those who cultivated their reputations as grand and upright, and those who handled government affairs as vulgar. They showed no concern for the duties of office, and the institutions and regulations were lost. If one wishes to control distant regions, one must begin with what is near. Now, the approach should be changed, clarifying rewards and punishments—just as Zhuo Mao was promoted in Mi County and Zhu Yi was honored in Tongxiang. Only then can the great enterprise arise, and the restoration be anticipated." Wang Dao was unable to follow this advice.

Liu Kun excelled at attracting and winning people over, but was deficient in pacifying and governing them. In a single day, although several thousand came to submit, those who left were also continuous. Liu Kun sent his son Liu Zun to request reinforcements from Duke Dai, Tuoba Yilu, and also sent his clansman, the Neishi of Gaoyang, Liu Xi, to gather followers in Zhongshan. Many of the people from the commanderies of Daijun, Shanggu, and Guangning, which were under the jurisdiction of Youzhou, attached themselves to him, and his followers reached thirty thousand. Wang Jun became angry and sent the Yan Chancellor Hu Ju to command the various armies, joining forces with the Duke of Liaoxi, Duan Jilujuan, to attack Liu Xi, killing him, and then driving away and plundering the men and women of the three commanderies before leaving. Duan Jilujuan was the son of Duan Wuwuchen. Tuoba Yilu sent his son Tuoba Liuxiu to lead troops to help Liu Kun guard Xinxing.

Liu Kun’s gate commander, Xing Yan, presented a piece of jasper to Liu Kun, who gave it to Tuoba Liuxiu. Tuoba Liuxiu then demanded the jasper from Xing Yan, but when he did not receive it, he seized Xing Yan’s wife and children. Xing Yan became angry, led his own followers to attack Tuoba Liuxiu, who fled. Xing Yan then surrendered Xinxing to the Han state and requested troops to attack Bingzhou.

When Li Zhen died, the Xianbei of the borderlands near Liaodong, Suxilian and Mujinzhen, falsely claimed to avenge Li Zhen, attacked various counties, killed and plundered the scholars and common people, repeatedly defeated the commandery troops, and caused chaos for years. The Dongyi Colonel Feng Shi was unable to suppress them and requested to negotiate peace, but Suxilian and Mujinzhen would not comply. The people lost their livelihoods, and many attached themselves to Murong Hui. Murong Hui provided them with grain and then sent them back. Those who wished to stay, he comforted and cared for.

Murong Hui’s youngest son, the Eagle-Striking General Murong Han, said to Murong Hui: "Since ancient times, rulers who have achieved great things have never failed to honor the Son of Heaven to comply with the people’s expectations, thereby accomplishing their great endeavors. Now, although Cui Bi and Zhang Tong outwardly claim to support you, in their hearts they are gloating over misfortune and creating turmoil. Feng Shi has already executed Zhang Tong and requested reconciliation, but they still continue to invade and oppress. The Central Plains are in turmoil and disarray, the provincial and commandery armies are demoralized, Liaodong is desolate and scattered, with no one to aid or comfort it. Chanyu, it would be better to list their crimes and punish them. Above, you can restore and revive Liaodong; below, you can annex both their tribes. Loyalty and righteousness will be manifest to the current court, while private gain will return to our state. This is the foundation for achieving the way of a hegemon and a king." Murong Hui laughed and said: "This young lad can actually think of such things!" Then he led his troops to attack Cui Bi and Zhang Tong to the east, making Murong Han the vanguard. They defeated and beheaded them, annexing all the followers of both tribes. They obtained over three thousand households of people who had been plundered by them, and together with those who had previously attached themselves to Murong Hui, all were handed over to the commandery government for resettlement. Liaodong was thus able to survive again.

Feng Shi fell ill and entrusted his grandson Feng Yi to Murong Hui. After Feng Shi died, Murong Hui summoned Feng Yi and spoke with him, greatly liking him, and said: "This is an extraordinary talent!" He then appointed him as a minor commander. Feng Shi’s sons, the chief recorder of Jizhou, Feng Quan, and the military counselor of Youzhou, Feng Chou, came to attend the funeral. Murong Hui saw them and said: "This family truly consists of thousand-pound strong oxen." Because the roads were impassable, the coffin could not be returned to their hometown, so both stayed to serve under Murong Hui. Murong Hui appointed Feng Chou as Chief Scribe and Feng Quan as Military Counselor. Wang Jun appointed his wife’s uncle, Cui Bi, as the Dongyi Colonel. Cui Bi was the great-grandson of Cui Yan.