Let's just force refugees back to the desolate war zone they came from.
Wang Ru was a native of Xinfeng in Jingzhao. He began as provincial military personnel. Coming across the chaos, he drifted and moved until he arrived at Wan. At the time the various drifters had gotten a decreed that all of them would be dispatched back to their home villages. Ru, since Guanzhong was wasted and ruined, did not wish to return back. The General who Conquers the South, Shan Jian, and the Commander of the Central Gentlemen of the South, Du Rui, each dispatched troops to send him off, and, with a short time limit, order him to issue out.
Ru thereupon secretly joined up with various untrusted youngsters, and at night assaulted the two armies, routing them. Du Rui with all of his multitudes struck Ru, and they fought at Nieyang. Rui's army was greatly defeated. Shan Jian was not able to hold out, and moved to station at Xiakou. Ru also routed Xiangcheng.
And so Pang Shi of Nan'an, Yan Ni of Pingyi, Hou Tuo of Chang'an, and others each led their partisans to attack the various cities and garrisons, and to great extent killed the Prefects and Chiefs in response to him. Before long, his multitudes reached forty or fifty thousand, and he titled himself Great General and nominal Shepherd of Si and Yong provinces.
Ru feared an attack from Shi Le, and therefore lavishly sent goods to Le, to join together as brothers. Le likewise tolerated his strength and allowed it. At the time Hou Tuo occupied Wan, and he and Ru were not in concord. Ru explained to Le, saying:
Hou Tuo, though in name a subject of Han, is in truth a traitor to Han. Ru often fear he will come invading. Older Brother ought to prepare against him.
Le had a long-standing hatred for Tuo's changeability, but shied away from Ru's lips and teeth, and for that reason did not attack him. When he heard Ru's words, he was considerably pleased, and thereupon he at night ordered the Three Armies to eat at the mattresses and await instructions. At cock-crow, he harnessed up, those who set out late were beheaded. At daybreak, he pressed down on the gates of Yan, and attacked them. After twelve days he overcame them. Le thereupon beheaded Tuo.
Ru hence greatly plundered the Mian-Han region, and advanced to pressure Xiangyang. Conquers the South Shan Jian sent general Zhao Tong to lead a force to strike him. Throughout the year he was unable to overcome him, and with his intelligence and strength both spent, he thereupon guarded al-around and defended himself. Wang Cheng led an army to attend to the Imperial Capital, but Ru intercepted, struck, and routed him.
Ru for continuous years planted grain, but it all turned to weeds. Within the army there was great starvation. His partisans attacked and pillaged each other, and when the official army advanced to chastise, they led each other to come and surrender. Ru made planes that nothing came out of, and reverted to Wang Dun.
Dun's cousin Leng was fond of Ru's dashing martial ability, and requested that Dun assign him beneath his own banner. Dun said:
Such people are fierce, deceitful, and difficult to nurture. You are by nature hostile and irritable, and unable tolerate and foster. It will turn into a disaster in the end.
Leng firmly requested it, and he granted it. Leng set up his various left and right, and he to great extent was increasingly treated with favour. Ru several times competed at shooting with Dun's various generals, and frequently at the contests made mistakes and lost. Leng as a result did not tolerate it, and caned him. Ru to great extent considered it to be shameful.
Earlier, Dun was not on the track of a [loyal] subject, and Leng always admonished him. Dun often was angry with him for differing with himself. When Dun heard that Ru had been humiliated by Leng, he secretly sent people to incite him to anger, and encourage and cause him to kill Leng. Ru went to Leng, and on the occasion of a leisurely banquet he requested to sword dance as enjoyment. Leng went along with it. Ru hence danced his blade as a show, and little by little came forward. Leng hated it, and berated him for not stopping, he bellowed out to his left and right to make them drag him away. Ru went straight forward and murdered Leng. Dun heard and feigned surprise, he also arrested Ru and executed him.
Qiao Zong was a native of Nanchong in Baxi. His grandfather Xianzhi had esteem and fame in the western lands. Zong as young was yet prudent and cautious, the people of Shu loved him. He became Office Army Advisor who Calms the West.
1st Year of Yixi [405 AD], the Inspector dispatched Zong, Hou Hui, and others to lead the various counties [and] Di to advance the troops and go down east. Hui was duplicitous, and owing to that the people of Liang# province did not happily go east, he wanted to plot against the Inspector of Yi province, Mao Qu. He and Yang Mei of Baxi agreed on a plan at Wuchengshuikou, and together they pressured Zong to become the ruler. Zong was afraid, and did not do it, but ran and jumped into the river. Hui pulled him out and requested it, after two or three times, he thereupon used troops to force Zong on top of the carriage. They attacked Qu's younger brother, the Colonel of the Western Barbarians, Jin, at Fucheng. The city fell and Jin died there. Zong then titled himself Inspector of Liang# and Qin provinces.
When Qu heard that Zong had rebelled, he went from Lüecheng. He dispatched Army Advisor Wang Qiong to lead 3 000 men and chastise Zong. He also dispatched his younger brother Yuan to lead 4 000 troops to maintain Qiong's rear [and?] advance. Zong dispatched his younger brother Mingzi and Hui to resist Qiong at Guanghan. Hui struck and routed Hui and others, and pursued until Mianzhu. Mingzi set up two ambushes to wait for him, and greatly defeated Qiong's multitudes. The dead were eight or nine out of ten. A encampment household member from Yi province, Li Teng, opened the city to admit Zong.
When Mao Qu had died, Zong used his cousin Hong as Inspector of Yi province, and Mingzi as General who Garrisons the East and Inspector of Ba province, to lead his multitude of 5 000 people and station at Baidi. He declared himself King of Chengdu.
Next Year [406 AD], he dispatched envoys to declare himself to vassal of Yao Xing. He wanted to to follow the river course east to rob, in the name of chastising the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Liu Yu. He begged for regiments from Yao Xing, and moreover asked for Huan Qian as assistance. Xing dispatched him.
9th Year of Yixi [413 AD], Liu Yu used the Grand Warden of Xiyang, Zhu Lingshi, as Inspector of Yi province. The General who Soothes Boreal, Zang Xi, the Grand Warden of Xiapi, Liu Zhong, the Grand Warden of Lanling, Kuai En, and others to lead a multitude of 20 000, and proceed from Jiangling to chastise Zong.
Earlier, when planning the prime leader, everyone objected against his person, Lingshi's qualities and name were simple and shallow. Yu went against the multitude and pick him out, and granted him half of those beneath his banner. Zang Xi was Yu's wife's younger brother. In rank was put on his right side, and also was subordinate to him.
Lingshi stayed at Baidi. Zong dispatched Qiao Dafu with a heavy force to defend Fu. Lingshi's regiments stayed at Pingmo, 200 li from Chengdu. Zong dispatched his Great General Hou Hui and Archer-Servant of the Masters of Writing, Qiao Shen, to station at Pingmo. Between the banks there were continuous walls, multi-storied buildings and heavy palisades. The multitudes were not yet able to attack. Lingshi spoke to Liu Zhong, saying:
The sky will soon be hot and feverish, the thieves are now strengthening the defiles. With the difficulties in wining in an attack, they will merely besiege our regiments. I wish to amass honed and rested troops, wait for cracks and then advance. How would you Sir consider it?
Zhong said:
Not so. Previously we spread words that the great general would make use of the Inner River, and for that reason Dafu did not dare to let go of Fu. Now a heavy army pressures him, setting out where he did not expect, and Hou Hui's followers have already wasted their courage. We can rightly so make use of his nefariousness and attack him, in the circumstances we will surely vanquish. After we vanquish Pingmo, Since we can beat the marching drums and go forward, Chengdu will surely be unable to defend. Suppose we placate the troops and grasp each other, empty and full will see each other. The Fu Army then will come, and it will be difficult to stand against them. Advancing but unable to fight, and withdrawing without being supplied, more than twenty thousand people will become the Shu children's captives,and that is all.
He followed him. At daybreak, he advanced to attack and vanquished everywhere. He behead Hou Hui and others, and so then advanced. Zong's city defenders crumbled apart one after the other. Zong therefore set out and ran. His Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Ma Dan, sealed the granaries and treasuries to wait for the royal regiments. When Lingshi entered Chengdu, he executed those relatives with the same grandfather as Zong, the remainder he all calmed and settled down, and sent them back to their professions.
Zong's flight first went to his [family] tombs. Zong's daughter spoke to Zong, saying:
Fleeing is surely no escape, but will only cause humiliation to us. When they die, dying at their ancestors' tombs is possible.
Zong did not follow, he threw in with Daofu at Fu. Daofu angrily spoke to Zong, saying:
A full-grown man's position, if he has these merits and legacy, how can he discard it! Now [you] wish to become a surrendered captive, how can it then be gained! What person will not die, why fear it unduly!
Following that, he threw his sword at Zong, and hit his horse saddle. Zong left him, and then hanged himself.
Daofu spoke to his followers, saying:
I rearing you all was exactly for the present day. Shu's survival or destruction in truth is tied up with us, and not with King Qiao. We still live, and are yet enough for a single battle.
The soldiers all promised and assented. Then [he?] scattered gold and silks as bestowals on his multitudes. The multitudes accepted them and fled. Daofu ran alone to Guanghan. A native of Guanghan, Du Jin, apprehended him.
Zhu Lingshi moved Ma Dan to Yuesui, , followed after and killed him. When Dan was moving, he spoke to his followers, saying:
Marquis Zhu did not send us off to the Captial City to wipe out the multitude mouths. I will surely not escape.
Then he washed and cleaned, and laid down. He pulled the rope and died. Shortly after Lingshi's regiments arrived, they thereupon exposed his corpse.
Su Jun, courtesy name Zigao, was a native of Ye in Changguang. His father Mo was Chancellor of Anle. Jun as young was of bookish character and had a talent for studying, he served the commandery as Master of Accounts. At the age of eighteen he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt.
During the chaos of Yongjia [307 – 313], the hundred families drifted and absconded were gathering in defence. Jun brought together and gathered, obtaining several thousand families, and organized ramparts in the home county. At the time prominent and outstanding were gathering for defence, yet Jun was the strongest. He dispatched the Senior Clerk Xu Wei to circulate a call to arms to the various defended places, showing thereby the kingly persuasion. He also collected withered bones and withered him. Distant and near perceived his kindness and righteousness, and pushed forward Jun as the master. Thereupon he shot and hunted on the border of the sea and inside the mountains of Qing. Emperor Yuan heard about him, and made use of Jun as General who Calms and Collects.
At the time Cao Ni acted as Inspector of Qing province. He petitioned for Jun to be Prefect of Ye, Jun declined due to illness and did not accept. Ni loathed him obtaining the multitudes, and feared he would certainly be troublesome, he wanted to chastise him. Jun was afraid, and led several hundred families of his sections to sail the sea and cross south.
When he had come to Guangling, the Imperial Court praised his arrival from afar, and moved him to Hawk Rising General. It happened that Zhou Jian rebelled at Pengcheng. Jun assisted in chastising him and had merit. He was appointed Interior Clerk of Huailing, then moved to Chancellor of Lanling.
When Wang Dun commenced his rebellion, decreed Jun to chastise Dun. He divined it and found it inauspicious, he delayed, turned around, and did not advance. When the kingly host achieved defeat, Jun withdrew to guard Xuchi. Former magistrates of Huailing, Xu Shen and Ai Yi, empathically requested Jun to be Interior Clerk. A decree listened to them, and added General who Exerts Power. At the beginning of Taining [323 – 326], changed his appointment to Interior Clerk of Linhuai.
Wang Dun repeatedly indulged in rebellion. The Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Xi Jian, discussed summoning Jun and Liu Xia to aid the Imperial Capital. Dun dispatched Jun's older brother to persuade Jun, saying:
Wealth and honour is possible [by] sitting by and taking. Why come yourself and court death?
Jun did not follow. Thereupon he led the multitudes to hasten to the Imperial City, pausing at the Minister over the Masses' old office. The road had been long and the travel quick, the people of the army were tired and exhausted. Shen Chong and Qian Feng planned, saying:
The Northern Army is newly arrived, and is not yet capable of attacking and fighting, [if we] strike it, we will surely vanquish. If [we] are timid and wavering, later the difficulties will overflow.
The thieves at that night crossed over Zhuge Isle, they overcame the palisades and were about to fight. Jun led his general Han Huang to cut across them at the Southern Dike, and greatly routed them. He again accompanied Yu Liang to pursue and rout Shen Chong.
He was advanced to Envoy Holding the Tally, General of the Best of the Army, Interior Clerk of Liyang, concurrently Cavalier Regular Attendant, and was ennobled Duke of Shaoling with a revenue estate of 1 800 households.
Jun originally used a single family to collect the multitudes at a juncture of tumult and turmoil. After he had reverted to obedience, his aspirations was to establish merit. When he had merit in the sate, his hopes for authority gradually became visible. Arriving at this point he had ten thousand keen soldiers, and his implements and arms were to great extent the finest. The Imperial Court relied on him for [the territory] outside the Jiang.
But Jun was quite overflowing with haughtiness in his breast. He himself depended on his multitudes, and secretly had disloyal aspirations. He consoled and admitted [those who had] absconded from the instructions. When he obtained the families of criminals who had escaped death, Jun every time sheltered and hid them. His multitudes' strength multiplied daily, everyone relied on food from the county officials, the transport ships gathered each other. [On those who] in the slightest were not of the same opinion, he readily let loose furious words.
At the time Emperor Ming had just then collapsed, entrusting government affairs to the stewards and assistants. The [General who] Protects the Army, Yu Liang, wished to campaign against him. Jun heard there was about to be a campaigned, and dispatched Marshal He Reng to go to Liang and say:
An outer appointment of chastising the thieves, distant and near [I will] follow the instructions. [But] when it comes to interior assistance, [I am] truly not capable of it.
He did not follow, and thereupon sent down a gracious decree summoning Jun to be Great Minister of Agriculture, concurrently Cavalier in Regular Attendance, ranking as Specially Advanced, and used his younger brother Yi to replace him to lead the private troops. Jun habitually suspected the Emperor wished to murder him, and petitioned, saying:
Formerly August Emperor Ming held Your Subject's hand, and sent Your Subject north to chastise the Hu bandits. Now the Central Plains are not yet stable, there is no use in being at home. [I] beg to repair a single desolate commandery on the border of Qing province, so as to show the employment of hawks and dogs.
It again was not allowed. Jun made ready and prepared for the journey, and was about to hasten to the summons, but was hesitating and holding off, and had not yet decided. The Army Advisor Ren Rang spoke to Jun, saying:
The General sought to stay in a desolate commandery, and yet it was not allowed. With affairs and circumstances like this, [I] fear there is no life on the road. It is not as good as directing the troops and defend yourself.
Jun followed him, and thereupon did not obey the instructions. The Imperial Court dispatched envoys to criticize and explain to him. Jun said:
When the Tribunal sends down words that I wish to rebel, how will I survive? I would rather gaze at the Commandant of Justice from the mountain top, than be unable to gaze at the mountain top from the Commandant of Justice. In the past when the state was imperilled like a stack of eggs, it was not that I did not aid. When the cunning hare is dead, the hunting dog arranges for himself to be boiled in response. However when [I am] dead [I will] report to those who made the plans, that is all.
Hence he dispatched the Army Advisor Xu Hui to join with Zu Yue, and plan to make chaos, and use chastising Liang as their fame. Yue dispatched Zu Huan and Xu Liu to lead the multitudes and help Jun. Jun dispatched generals Han Huang, Zhang Jian, and others to assault Gushu. They advanced to pressure Ci Lake, and killed the Prefect of Yuhu, Tao Fu, and the General who Exerts Power, Sima Liu.
Jun himself led Huan and Liu's multitudes, ten thousand people, exploited the wind to cross from Hengjiang, and stayed at Lingkou. He fought with the kingly host, won again and again, and thereupon occupied Jiang Mound and Fuzhou Mountain. He led the multitudes to rely on the wind and release fire. The tribunals, bureau, and the various encampments, courtyards and offices in a single moment were swept away and gone.
Thereupon he captured the palace city, and let loose the troops to great plunder. They intruded and pressured the six palaces, were thoroughly heinous and extremely violent, ruthless and cruel without principles. They chased away the serving hundred officials, the Superintendent of the Brilliantly Blessed, Wang Bin, and others were all beaten and flogged, and forced and ordered them to carry and bear up Jiang Mountain. They stripped naked the scholars and women, everyone used destroyed mats, rushes and grass to screen themselves, those who had no grass sat on the ground and used earth to cover themselves. The sound of their pitiful shouts shook and moved inside and outside.
At the time the officials had 200 000 bolts of cloth, 5 000 jin of gold and silver, an immeasurable amount of cash, several ten thousand bolts of tabby silk, and others things like those. Jun fully expended them. He fabricated a decree for a great amnesty, only Yu Liang and his brothers were not pardoned. He used himself as General of Agile Cavalry that Leads the Army, Recording the Affairs of Masters of Writing. Xu Liu [as] Intendant of Danyang, promoted the General of the Van, Ma Xiong to General of Guards of the Left, Zu Huan [as] General of Valiant Cavalry, restored the King of Yiyang, Yang, to King of Xiyang, Grand Steward, Recording the Affairs of the Masters of Writing. Yang's child Bo likewise was restored to his original office.
Hence he changed and altered the officials and ministers, and set up his friends and partisans. The government affairs of the Imperial Court one and all were carried out by them. He also dispatched Han Huang to enter Yixing, and Zhang Jian, Guan Shang, Hong Hui and others to enter Jinling.
At the time Wen Jiao and Tao Kan were already advocating righteousness at Wuchang. Jun heard troops were rising up. He employed Army Advisor Jia Ning's plan, and turned back to occupy Shitou. He moreover divided up the troops to resist the various righteous army, nowhere they passed through were not ruthlessly exterminated.
When Jiao and others were about to arrive, Jun thereupon moved the Son of Heaven to Shitou, he pressured and coerced the resident people and completely gathered them in the rear park, and made the Prefect of Huaide, Kuang Shu, to defend Yuancheng.
When Jiao and others had come, they then built ramparts at Baishi. Jun led the multitudes to attack them, and almost managed to capture and take [them]. East and west he seized and plundered, and many were captured and imprisoned. The troops' power were thriving daily, and in none of the battles he did not vanquish, Because of that, the righteous multitudes were dispirited and frustrated. Those court gentlemen who ran to the Righteous Army all stated:
Jun is crafty and sly, and has wisdom and vigour, his followers and partisans are gallant are brave, [they can point] in a direction and have no enemies. Only if it is so that Heaven chastises criminals, his execution and exterminating will not be before long. If it is people's affairs to speak of it, he will not be easily removed.
Wen Jiao angrily said:
You Lords are timid cowards, and therefore actually praise the thieves.
When afterwards, he amassed battles without victory, Jiao likewise deeply dreaded him.
Guan Shang and others advanced to attack Wu commandery, they burnt Wu county, Haiyan, and Jiaxing, and defeated the various righteous armies. Han Huang also attacked Xuancheng, and murdered the Grand Warden, Huan Yi. Shang and others also also burnt Yuhang, but was greatly defeated at Wukang. They withdrew and turned back to Yixing.
Jiao and Zhao Yin led 10 000 foot troops, and followed Baishi to go up south, wishing to approach him in this way. Jun and Kuang Xiao commanded 8 000 people to confront them in battle. Jun dispatched his son Shuo together with Xiao and several tens of cavalry to first press against Zhao Yin, they defeated him. Jun looked and saw Yin running, and said:
Xiao was able to rout the thieves, I then will be less [than him].
Following that, he set aside his multitudes, and together with several cavalry went down north to charge the columns, but did not manage to enter. He was about to turn around and hurry to Baimu Slope. The Serrated Gates Peng Shi, Li Qian, and others threw at him with their lances, and he fell off the horse. They cut off his head, minced and cut him, and burnt his bones. The Three Armies all called out “ten thousand years”.
Jun's Marshal Ren Rang and others together installed Jun's younger brother Yi as their master. They demanded Jun's corpse, but did not obtain it. Shuo therefore opened up the graves of Yu Liang father and mother, sliced in two the coffins, and burnt the corpses.
Yi closed the walls and defended himself. Han Huang heard Jun was dead, and guided the troops to hasten to Shitou. Guan Shang and Hong Hui advanced to attack Chengting Ramparts. The Protector-Controller Li Hong and the Senior Clerk of Light Chariots Teng Han struck and routed them, the cut off heads tallied a thousand. Shang led the multitudes to run to Yanling. Li Hong and the various armies at Chengting pursued him. The beheaded and captives tallied several thousand. Shang went to Yu Liang and surrendered. Kuang Shu offered Yuancheng in surrender. Han Huang, Su Yi, and others combined forces to attack Shu, but were unable to capture him.
Wen Jiao and others selected finest and keenest, and wanted to attack the thieves' encampment. Shuo led several hundreds of the gallant and brave to cross the Huai and fight. At the columns they beheaded Shuo. Huang and others shook in fear, and ran with their multitudes to Zhang Jian at Qu'e. The gates were narrow and they did not manage to get through, they moreover stamped and trampled each other. The dead numbered ten thousand. Yi was apprehended by Li Tang, and beheaded him at the Chariots and Cavalry Office.
At the surrender of Guan Shang, his remaining multitudes together returned to Zhang Jian. Jian also suspected Hong Hui and others were not in agreement with him, and thoroughly killed them. Furthermore, he used the navy to go from Yanling towards Changtang, great and small they were more than 20 000 people, the gold, silver, and precious things could not possibly be counted. The General who Spreads Zealousness, Wang Yunzhi and the various armies of Wuxing struck Jian, and greatly routed hi, the captured men and women were more than 10 000 people.
Jian then, together with Ma Xiong, Han Huang, and others fled with a light army. Hong led keen troops to pursue them, caught up with them at Yan Mountain, and attacked him with considerably urgency. Jian and others did not dare to come down from the mountain, only Huang alone set out. He belted on a pair of quivers with arrows. He stepped back to lean on a barbarian couch, bent his bow and shot at them, wounding and killing a considerable multitude. When the arrows were spent, they then beheaded him. Jian and others thereupon surrendered, everyone had their heads put on display.
So this something I have been working on for some time, and ended up much longer than planned.
This post discus the attempts in 309 to take Luoyang by the armies of Liu Yuan. Liu Yuan had proclaimed himself Emperor of Han in 308 and now hoped to capture the capital of the crumbling Western Jin empire.
The sources
The two main extant sources for the so-called Sixteen States period are the Book of Jin (Jinshu晉書, JS) by Fang Xuangling et al, finished in 648 during the Tang empire, and the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government by Sima Guang (Zizhi tongjian資治通鑑, ZZTJ), finished 1084 during the Song empire.
The JS is written in the biographic-thematic style. The book's 130 scrolls are divided into four sections, the first three are the standard Basic Annals (benji本紀), Treatises (zhi志), and Biographies (liezhuan列傳). The fourth, the Yearly Annals (zaiji 載記), covers the last 30 scrolls of the book
The JS throughout treats the Jin rulers as the legitimate rulers, their northern rivals are all false usurpers, the titles and ranks they grant to their followers bogus pretensions. The zaiji hence cover those fourteen of the Sixteen States who claimed Heaven's favour to declare themselves kings and emperors in defiance of the Jin. The rulers of the last two maintained nominal allegiance to the Jin court, and so are rewarded with a place among the ordinary Biographies.
The JS is essentially a composite text created by selecting from and editing together older texts, now mostly lost. Most likely the main, if not the only, source for the zaiji was the Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen States (Shiliuguo chunqiu 十六國春秋, SLGCQ) by Cui Hong of the Northern Wei era (386 – 534). This book, in 100 scrolls, seems to have been written in basically a chronicle style (with some biographical elements), with a separate chronicle for each of the sixteen states. The SLCQ is no longer extant except in excerpts or indirectly through its use as a source by later books.
The ZZTJ is a universal history written in the chronicle style, the Jin are covered in Scrolls 79 – 118. Similarly to the JS, the ZZTJ has been created by abbreviating and editing together older texts. In his notes to his text, Sima Guang names several of the sources he has used, these include the JS and the SLGCQ, but also other now largely lost books such as Xiao Fangfeng's (528 – 549) Spring and Autumn of the Thirty States (Sanshiguo chunqiu 三十國春秋,SSGCQ) in 31 scrolls, and Sun Sheng's (302 - 373) Autumn of Jinyang (Jinyang qiu 晉陽秋, JYQ) in 22 scrolls. The JYQ, a chronicle of the Jin down to Emperor Ai (r. 361 – 365), was also used by the authors of the JS.
The ZZTJ also treat Jin as legitimate, following the so-called “line of abdication”, but the rulers of the Sixteen States are treated more neutral than the JS. Liu Yuan referred to in the text as the “Ruler of Han” (hanzhu漢主), and his family and followers by the ranks and titles they held under Han.
Comparing the JS and ZZTJ it is obvious that they share much of the same source material, but they have selected and abbreviated the material in different ways. The result is that some details have been preserved in one book but not the other. To get a comprehensive overview of the surviving source material it is therefore necessary to consult both.
The longest and most detailed by descriptions on Liu Cong's attempt to take Luoyang in 309 are found in the Yearly Annals of Liu Yuanhai in JS101 and a series of entries in ZZTJ87, we can probably assume the majority of these texts come from the SLGCQ. More summary accounts are found in the Basic Annals of Emperor Huai, JS005, and the Biography of Wang Mi, JS100, but these often contradict JS101 and ZZTJ.
Situation and opposing forces summer 309
In 309 the ruler of the Jin empire was Sima Chi, posthumously Emperor Huai, who had succeeded his brother Emperor Hui in 306. Real power was however in the hands of Sima Yue, King of Donghai, who had won the civil war among the Jin princes only to see the slide into chaos continue, and control of the provinces slipping away. In 307 Sima Yue had made his three brothers the military commanders of Xiangyang, Ye and Chang'an, but by summer 309 only one of these were still alive: Sima Mo, King of Nanyang, headquartered at Chang'an.
Liu Yuan is claimed by the sources to have been the grandson of the Xiongnu Southern Shanyu Yufuluo, but this seems questionable. We need not doubt though that he belonged to the Xiongnu royal clan, which had taken the Liu family name based on their past marriages with Han princesses. During the Jin civil wars he served Sima Ying, King of Chengdu. In 304 when Sima Ying was hard-pressed by his enemies' Xianbei cavalry, Liu Yuan offered to go back home and raise an army of Xiongnu in support of Sima Ying. Once back he initially took the title of Grand Shanyu, later the same year he proclaimed himself King of Han as the successor of Liu Shan.
Liu Yuan initially controlled a fairly limited territory, but in August 308 his forces captured Pingyang and Hedong commanderies. Liu Yuan then transferred his capital to Pingyang and proclaimed himself Emperor of Han. In the first half of 309 the armies of Han conquered Shangdang commandery from Jin's Inspector of Bing province, Liu Kun.
By this time Han's chief field commander seems to have been Liu Yuan's fourth son, Liu Cong, King of Chu. Among his subordinate generals the most notable was Wang Mi, a native of Donglai on the eastern coast (and so not a “barbarian”). In 306 Wang Mi had joined the local rebellion of Liu Bogen. When Bogen was defeated, he took refuge in the mountains and became a bandit leader. In 308 Wang Mi led his army west across the plains, sacked Xuchang and attacked Luoyang. When his attack on Luoyang failed, he crossed the He and pledged allegiance to Han. Liu Cong's other chief supporters tended to come from either the royal Liu clan, or the Huyan clan. Liu Yuan's mother came from the Huyan, and clearly this was an important clan, tightly connected with the Liu.
Launch of the first? campaign, defeat of Cao Wu.
Jin's 3rd Year of Yongjia, Han's 1st Year of Herui, 8th Month (21 September – 19 October 309), Liu Yuan ordered Liu Cong to attack Luoyang (ZZTJ) together with Wang Mi, and with his cousin Liu Yao and Zhao Gu as rear support (JS101, Note 1). The Han armies were by this point plundering Henei and Ji commanderies on the north bank of Yellow River, but attempting to cross the river here would have been too difficult in the face of the imperial Jin armies. Instead Liu Cong would cross closer to Pingyang, and then descend through the mountain passes to attack Luoyang from the west.
Sima Yue dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu (JS101, ZZTJ), with Generals Song Chou and Peng Mo (JS101), to stop him. Cao Wu positioned at Dayang (JS100) near the Shan pass, presumably to prevent Liu Cong from crossing. However Liu Cong defeated Peng Mo, who was killed (JS100), and the Jin army withdrew (JS100, JS101, ZZTJ).
(Note 1: Liu Cong is the only Han commander named by ZZTJ for this campaign. JS101 states the Han army was commanded by Liu Cong and Wang Mi, with Liu Yao and Zhao Gu as rear support. However JS100 states that while Cao Wu was at Danyang to confront Liu Cong, Pei Xian was at Baima to confront Wang Mi. One possibility is that Wang Mi only joined up with Liu Cong later.)
Battle at Yiyang, Liu Cong defeated in night attack, as told by JS101 and ZZTJ
After routing Cao Wu, Liu Cong crossed the He and advanced eastwards to arrive at Yiyang. Yiyang was located on the Luo river west of Luoyang.
Sima Mo (Note 2) dispatched an army from Chang'an commanded by Chunyu Ding and Lü Yi to stop Liu Cong, but in a battle at Yiyang they were also defeated (JS101). Liu Cong grew lax from his continuous victories, and failed to put his army camp in proper readiness.
In the 9th Month (20 October – 18 November) (ZZTJ), Jin's Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, feigned surrender, and attacked Liu Cong in a night raid. Liu Cong was greatly defeated and forced to withdraw (JS101, ZZTJ). It is said that Liu Yuan greeted the returning army clad in white (i.e. mourning) clothes (JS101), which implies that Liu Cong had retreated all the way back to Pingyang.
(Note 2: JS101 calls titles Sima Mo as Duke of Pingchang. This seems to be a simple mistake. Sima Mo had earlier been titled Duke of Pingchang, but in 306 was advanced to King of Nanyang.)
Junyi besieged by Liu Cong, conflicting information from JS005
JS005 has no entries for the 8th Month of Yongjia 3, which does not necessarily mean anything, as the benji chapters are very concise.
Under the 9th Month JS005 states that on 20 October), Liu Cong besieged Junyi. Cao Wu was dispatched to deal with him. On 31 October, the Jin army was defeated (JS005). JS005 then moves on to Liu Cong's siege of Luoyang, described in detail further below.
Junyi is a county in Chenliu, to the east of Luoyang. While it is not explicitly stated by JS005, 20 October was the first day of the 9th Month. Liu Cong could of course have moved east from Yiyang and bypassed Luoyang, but how does this fit in with his supposed defeat by Yuan Yan? I don't known. ZZTJ ignores these entries entirely.
Launch of the second campaign
In winter, the 10th Month [19 November – 17 December], Liu Yuan again sent Liu Cong together with Wang Mi, Liu Yao, Dragon Galloping General and King of Shi'an, and Liu Jing, King of Ruyin, to attack Luoyang with a cavalry army (Note 3). Huyan Yi, Great Minister of Works and Duke of Yanmen, with an infantry force was to provide rear support (JS101, ZZTJ). Based on later events, it seems he was stationed at Dayang. His task was probably then to protect Han communications across the He.
On 9 December Liu Cong once again arrived at Yiyang with his army, causing consternation in the Jin capital where they had not expect him to return so soon (ZZTJ). From Yiyang, Liu Cong continued east to Henan where he defeated a Jin army (JS101). It must have been around this time that Sima Yue returned to Luoyang from Puyang to defend the imperial capital. (JS005)
(Note 3: JS101 and ZZTJ call it 50 000 of the finest cavalry, JS100 puts it at 10 000 cavalry. It is probably best not to focus too much on these numbers.)
A long digression on Liu Tun, JS045 and JS100
Wang Mi's biography does not mention any reversals for the Han armies, or any need to relaunch the campaign, one possibility is that these details have been omitted from JS100's much briefer treatment. Instead JS100 simply states that Liu Cong, after defeating Cao Wu, crossed the Yellow River. Jin armies under the Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, General Song Chou and others were sent against him without success. Liu Cong and Wang Mi then attacked Luoyang with 10 000 cavalry, and burnt the Two Schools.
Liu Tun had been Minister of Retainers since the time of Emperor Hui. As already described above, JS101 states that Liu Cong at the beginning of the first campaign defeated an army led by Cao Wu, Song Chou and Peng Mo. JS101 states Liu Cong that first defeated Cao Wu and Peng Mo, and Peng Mo was killed, and then defeated Liu Tun and Song Chou. It is possible that JS101 has merged the defeat of Cao Wu and Peng Mo and the defeat of Liu Tun and Song Chou into the common defeat of Cao Wu, Song Chou and Peng Mo. In this case Liu Tun's defeat must have taken place early in the first campaign before Liu Cong arrived at Yiyang. On the other hand I don't think there is any real reason why Song Chou could not have served under Cao Wu first, but being omitted from JS100, and then under Liu Tun later. In that case Liu Tun's defeat could have come much later.
Liu Tun has his own biography in JS045, but the relevant sections are difficult to reconcile with the other texts. First there is a story that Liu Tun once set off with a large retinue of guests and relatives for a visit to the family grave. The Prefect of Luoyang, Wang Leng, told Sima Yue that Liu Tun was planning to defect to Wang Mi, who came from the same commandery, Donglai, as him. Sima Yue sent some cavalry to chase after Liu Tun, to his shame when the truth came to light.
This episode is dated by JS045 to the time when Liu Cong and Wang Mi were in Hedong, which should place it somewhere between Han's capture of Hedong and Liu Cong's crossing of the Yellow River. One potential issue with the historicity of the whole episode is that it seems to require Sima Yue to have been in Luoyang. However JS005 gives the impression that Sima Yue was at Puyang for this whole period and only returned to Luoyang when the city was directly threatened.
JS045 follows this story with a summary of Liu Tun's career during the remainder of Emperor Huai's reign. When Liu Yao threatened Luoyang, Liu Tan was appointed General who Consoles the Army and commander of the capital's defences. Liu Yao withdrew. Liu Tun then moved to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, but was shunted off by a suspicious Sima Yue into an essentially honorary court position. Later on he was restored to Minister of Retainers by Emperor Huai.
On first impression this straightforward enough, but again there are some issues. First of all I am not aware of any operations against Luoyang led by Liu Yao before the summer of 311, by which time Sima Yue was dead. It could of course refer to something otherwise unrecorded, but I think it is possible that it actually refer to Liu Cong's attack on Luoyang in 309, which Liu Yao took part in. It would make sense for someone like Liu Tun to be made commander of the defence of the capital in Sima Yue's absence. It would also fit with JS100's statement that Liu Cong defeated Liu Tun after crossing the He, JS045 has just omitted Liu Tun's defeat as irrelevant. I don't think it is a problem either that JS100 titles Liu Tun as Minister of Retainers rather than General who Consoles the Army, since his generalship was an emergency appointment.
This theory is however contradicted by JS005. According to JS005, Sima Yue's brother, Sima Jian, King of Gaomi and military commander at Xiangyang, died on 5 April 309. The court appointed the Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing, Shan Jian, as military commander at Xiangyang to replace Sima Jian, and the Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, as Supervisor of the Left to replace Shan Jian. If Liu Tun became Supervisor of the Left already in April 309, then he cannot have been Minister of Retainers when Liu Cong invaded in December 309. What I am not certain about is how soon after Sima Jian's death Liu Tun's appointment took place. Surely should have taken some time to pick a successor for Sima Jian and then for Shan Jian?
My theory is therefore, though involves a large amount of speculations and is also partly contradicted by the sources, that when Liu Cong unexpectedly appeared at Yiyang on 9 December, the court turned to Liu Tun to lead the defences. And it was an army under Liu Tun's command that Liu Cong defeated at Henan.
Siege of Luoyang, first phase
On 14 December, Liu Cong arrived with his army before Luoyang and camped outside the Ximing Gate (JS005, JS101, ZZTJ). That night the Jin launched a night attack, either led by the Army Protector Jia Yin (JS101) or Beigong Chun (ZZTJ). The Jin forces set out from the Daxia Gate (JS101) and attacked the Han encampments (ZZTJ) where they killed Han's General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Huyan Hao (JS101, ZZTJ, Note 4).
Next day, 15 December, Liu Cong withdrew south to the Luo river where he made a fortified camp (JS101, ZZTJ). On 18 December (Note 5) Huyan Yi was killed by his own men, and his forces dispersed from Dayang (ZZTJ). According to ZZTJ, Huyan Yi received the posthumous title of “Stern and Solemn” (guangmu), he might not have been the ideal boss.
After these reversals Liu Yuan ordered the army to return, however Liu Cong successfully argued that the Jin forces were small and that they should not let the deaths of Huyan Hao and Huyan Yi deter them from continuing the attack.
(Note 4: JS101 states that Huyan Hao's forces dispersed as a result, but this seems to be a conflation with the fate Huyan Yi's army, as described by ZZTJ.)
(Note 5: ZZTJ dates Liu Cong's move south to the Luo to renxu (day 59 in the 60-day cycle), Huyan Yi's death to yichou (day 2) and Liu Cong's excursion to Mount Song to wuyin (day 15), all in the 10th Month. However there was no yichou or wuyin days in Yongjia 3, Month 10, which should have ended on jiazi (day 1). I think the explanation for this is simply that Sima Guang's source has failed to record the start of the 11th Month between renxu and yichou. The first date actually recorded in the ZZTJ under the 11th Month is Liu Cong's return to Pingyang on jiashen (day 21). Everything fits perfectly if Huyan Yi's death and the trip to Mount Song are assumed to have taken place in the 11th Month.)
Siege of Luoyang, second phase
After presumably reorganizing his forces, Liu Cong returned to the renew the attack. This time he made camp outside the Xuanyang Gate, Liu Yao camped outside the Shangdong Gate, Wang Mi outside the Guangyang Gate, while Liu Jing attacked the Daxia Gate (JS101). Based on the positions of these gates, it seems the Han armies were now threatening Luoyang from all sides.
On 31 December Liu Cong went to personally pray at the holy Mount Song, he left behind Liu Li, King of Anyang and General who Pacifies the Jin, and Huyan Lang, General of the Best of the Army, to command the Han forces in his absence (JS101, ZZTJ). While this is not explicitly stated, I assume they were only put in command of the forces directly under Liu Cong at the Xuanyang Gate, and that Wang Mi and Liu Yao were still in command and present at their own camps.
Jin's Army Advisor to the Grand Tutor, Sun Xun suggested to Sima Yue that this would be the perfect opportunity for a counter-attack (ZZTJ). Sima Yue ordered Sun Xun, together with Generals Qiu Guang and Lou Pou, to sally out with a force of 3 000 men from his personal retinue (JS101). They set out from the Xuanyang Gate, and routed the Han army camped outside it. Huyan Lang was killed (JS005, JS101, ZZTJ), making him the third Huyan to fall. Liu Cong hurried back but it was too late. Liu Li feared he would take the blame and drowned himself in the river. (JS101, ZZTJ)
Wang Mi now, according to the common account of JS101 and ZZTJ, advised Liu Cong that it would be best to abandon the attack on Luoyang for now. The Jin defenders were still strong, provisions were few and the supply train was still at the Shan pass. Instead Liu Cong should return to Pingyang with Liu Yao and prepare a new army. Meanwhile Wang Mi would stay behind in Yan and Yu provinces and store up provisions, presumably by plundering. (JS101, ZZTJ) Liu Cong however, because his earlier request to continue, was reluctant to give up (ZZTJ).
Meanwhile back in Pingyang, Liu Yuan's astrologer Xuanyu Xiuzhi had divined that Luoyang would only fall in a xinwei year, and that the Han army would be defeated if it did not return. Liu Yuan then sent out his Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, Fu Xun, to summon Liu Cong to come back.
Siege of Luoyang, third phase? More contradictions from JS005
JS101 and ZZTJ end their account with Xuanyu Xiuzhi's prophecy and the summons from Liu Yuan. Liu Cong and Liu Yuan returned to Pingyang on 6 January 310 (ZZTJ). Based on JS005 however, it seems fighting might continued for a while after the battle at Xuanyang Gate. The author JS101 and ZZTJ's source might have left this out to not detract from Wang Mi's practical and Xuanyu Xiuzhi's mystic advise, or authors of JS005 might just have been confused and muddled things together.
JS005's treatment of the whole siege is as expected quite brief. According to it, sometime after Sima Yue's return to the capital, Liu Cong arrived at the Ximing Gate. Sima Yue and Liu Cong fought a battle outside the Xuanyang Gate and Liu Cong was defeated. As a brief summary nothing here contradicts JS101 or ZZTJ.
JS005 then says that the Jin sent the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, and the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, against Liu Cong. However the Jin army was defeated and Wang Kan fled back to capital. Cao Wu certainly gets defeated a lot! Now I suppose if Liu Cong had moved some distance away from Luoyang, it would make sense to speak of his return to the capital afterwards. But it is more tempting to speculate that defeat is the same as Jin defeat dated to 31 October by JS005, and that this entry is a duplicate. However as discussed above, that battle is also difficult to fit in.
Next, says JS005, Liu Cong attacked Luoyang's Ximing Gate but did not prevail. Ignoring Wang Kan, if Liu Cong continued the siege after being defeated at Xuanyang Gate, he could certainly have moved his camp back outside the Ximing Gate. But if Wang Kan's defeat is a duplicate, this could be as well.
JS100 treats the whole siege very briefly. When Liu Cong and Wang Mi showed up outside Luoyang, Sima Yue resisted them at the Ximing Gate. The Han army was defeated and left. This suggest that the final battles of the siege took place at the Ximing Gate. However since the battle at the Xuanyang gate is ignored, it might as well refer to Liu Cong's arrival at the Ximing Gate at the beginning of the siege.
JS005 then says that in the 11th Month the Beg-to-Live leaders Li Yun and Bo Sheng led their army to the relief of Luoyang, and Liu Cong then withdrew and left. And with this we seem to be on safer ground.
Wang Mi defeated at Xinji. Li Yun and Bo Sheng's role in the end of the siege.
As he had advised, when Liu Cong abandoned the siege, Wang Mi did not accompany him back to Pingyang, but instead set out south through the Huanyuan pass to start the work of piling up provisions (JS101, ZZTJ). However Sima Yue sent out an army led by either Bo Sheng (JS101) or Li Yun (JS005) (Note 6), and they defeated Wang Mi at Xinji in Yingchuan (JS005).
If, as JS101 says, Sima Yue could sent Bo Sheng to chase after Wang Mi, it makes sense, as JS005 claims, that Li Yun and Bo Sheng had come to Luoyang with a relief army before Liu Cong's withdrawal. If this was the case, then real reason why Liu Cong had to retreat was the arrival of enemy reinforcements rather than Xuanyu Xiuzhi's prophecy. This however makes for less neat and instructive to the story.
(Note 6: Since Li Yun and Bo Sheng were both commanders in the same army, the disagreement between JS005 and JS101 on who led the Jin army at Xinji does not seem a critical problem.)
Postscript
Liu Yuan died of illness in 310. His oldest son and chosen successor, Liu He, ruled for only a few days before Liu Cong deposed him and enthroned himself as Emperor of Han. Liu Cong ruled until his own death in 318.
Sima Yue died 23 April 311 and what remained of the Jin empire crumbled quickly after that. On 13 July 311 Wang Mi and Liu Yao entered Luoyang, which by this point was ravaged by famine and almost undefended. They plundered the city and brought Emperor Huai a captive back to Pingyang. 311 was a xinwei year, so everything had predictably gone just as as Xuanyu Xiuzhi had predicted. Emperor Huai was eventually executed by Liu Cong in 313.
Following the fall of Luoyang, Wang Mi fell out with Shi Le, and was killed by him at a banquet in November 311.
Translations
Note that JS refers to Liu Yuan劉淵 as Liu Yuanhai 劉元海, his courtesy name, to observe the Tang taboo on 淵, the name of Tang Gaozu.
JS005, Basic Annals of Emperor Huai
9th Month [20 October – 18 November], bingyin [20 October 309], Liu Cong besieged Junyi. Dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu to punish him.
On the day dingchou [31 October], the royal regiments achieved defeat.
The King of Donghai, Yue, entered to defend the capital city. Cong arrived at the Ximing gate. Yue defended against him, and in a battle outside the Xuanyang Gate greatly routed him.
…
Sent the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, and the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, to punish Liu Cong. The royal regiments achieved defeat. Kan fled and returned to the capital.
…
Liu Cong attacked Luoyang's Ximing gate, but did not overcome [it].
Winter, 11th Month, the Beg-to-Live leaders, Li Yun, Bo Sheng, and others led the multitudes to aid the Imperial Capital. Cong withdrew and left.
Tun's wife had previously passed on, and was first buried in an accompanying tomb. His son Gengsheng [?] was newly married. In the family law, the wives had to do obeisance at the grave. The guests and relatives who followed along had several tens of vehicles. They loaded alcohol and food, and went.
Before this, the Prefect of Luoyang, Wang Leng, was trusted by Yue, and made light of Tun. Tun always desired to restrain him. Leng considered him an enemy. At the time Liu Cong and Wang Mi garrisoned Hedong, the Imperial District was endangered and in fear. Leng reported to Yue, stating Tun was a countryman of Mi and desired to throw in with him. Yue made ready cavalry wanting to pursue Tun. The Senior Clerk of the Right, Fu Xuan clarified Tun would not do so. Tun heard about it. He had not yet reached the grave when he turned around, and accordingly with proper righteousness called Yue into account. Yue was considerably ashamed.
When Liu Yao robbed the Imperial Capital, used Tun as General who Consoles the Army, Acting with the Tally, Commander-in-chief of All Army Affairs of the City Defences. Yao withdrew. He moved to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.
Yue dreaded Tun for his long-time duties in supervision and managing, and also that he was admired in the multitudes' feelings, therefore used him as Brilliantly Blessed Grandee of the Right, acting Junior Tutor to the Heir-Apparent, concurrently Cavalier in Regular Attendance. Outwardly he showed honour and advancement, but in truth he took away his authority. Emperor Huai again decreed Tun to act as Commandant of Guards, concurrently Specially Advanced. Later he then used Tun as Minister of Retainers, concurrently Palace Attendant. Tun for five [times?, years?] was Minister of Retainers, he indeed united the reasons of matters and feelings [?].
Emperor Huai dispatched the Commander of the Palace Gentlemen of the North, Pei Xian to stay at Baima to punish [Wang] Mi, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Kan, to stay at Dongyan to punish [Shi] Le, the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu to stay at Dayang to punish [Liu] Yuanhai. Wu's section General Peng Mo was defeated by Liu Cong and murdered. The multitude armies all withdrew.
Cong crossed the Yellow River. The Emperor dispatched the Colonel Minister of Retainers, Liu Tun, General Song Chou, and others to resist him. None were able to withstand. Mi and Cong used 10 000 cavalry to reach the Imperial Capital, and burnt the Two Schools. The King of Donghai, Yue, resisted in battle at the Ximing Gate. Mi and others were defeated and left.
Hence he instructed his son Cong and Wang Mi to advance and rob Luoyang, Liu Yao with Zhao Gu and others to be their rear support. The King of Donghai, Yue, dispatched the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, and Generals Song Chou, Peng Mo, and others to resist them. The kingly host achieved defeat. Cong and others pushed deep to reach Yiyang.
The Duke of Pingchang, Mo, dispatched generals Chunyu Ding, Lü Yi and others from Chang'an to punish them. They fought at Yiyang, Ding and others achieved defeat. Cong relied on continuous victory, and did not make preparations. The Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, feigned surrender. In a night raid, Cong's army was greatly defeated and turned back. Yuanhai in white clothes greeted the host.
That winter, he then greatly sent out soldiers. He dispatched Cong and Mi, with Liu Yao, Liu Jing and others to lead 50 000 of the finest cavalry to rob Luoyang. He sent Huyan Yi to lead foot soldiers to support them. They defeated the kingly host at [or “in”] Henan. Cong advanced to garrison at the Ximing Gate. The Army-Protector Jia Yin at night pushed [?] him, They fought at the Daxia Gate. He beheaded Cong's general Huyan Hao. His multitudes thereupon dispersed.
Cong turned around the army and went south. He walled up at the Luo river, and soon after advanced to garrison at the Xuanyang Gate. Yao garrisoned at the Shangdong Gate. Mi garrisoned at the Guangyang Gate. Jing attacked the Daxia Gate. Cong personally prayed at Song Peak, and ordered his generals, Liu Li, Huyan Lang, and others, to direct and stay with the army.
The King of Donghai, Yue, instructed Army Advisor Sun Xun, Generals Qiu Guang, Lou Pou, and others to lead 3 000 strong soldiers beneath the tent. They struck Lang from the Xuanyang Gate, and beheaded him. Cong heard and hurried back. Li feared Cong would punish him, took himself into the river and died.
Wang Mi spoke to Cong, saying:
Now [we] have already lost the advantage, Luoyang is still strong. Your Highness, it is not as good as turning back the host, and calmly be raising up in the rear. Your Subordinate will gather troops and store up grain in Yan and Yu. [I will] humbly listen for [?] and make ready for the rendezvous.
Xuanyu Xiuzhi again talked to Yuanhai, saying:
[When] the year is xinwei, [we] will obtain Luoyang. Now the airs of Jin are still abundant. [If] the Great Army does not return, it will surely be defeated.
Yuanhai swiftly dispatched the Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Fu Xun to summon Cong and others to turn back with the host.
Wang Mi set out from Huanyuan. Yue dispatched Bo Sheng and others to pursue and strike Mi. They fought at Xinji. Mi's host achieved defeat. Hence he gathered in the guard posts of Puban, and turned back to Pingyang.
Autumn, 8th Month [21 September – 19 October], the Ruler of Han, Yuan, instructed the King of Chu, Cong, and others to advance and attack Luoyang. Decreed the General who Pacifies the North, Cao Wu, and others, to resist him. All were defeated by Cong.
Cong pushed deep to reach Yiyang. He himself relied on continuous victory, he was negligent and did not make preparations.
9th Month [20 October – 18 November], the Grand Warden of Hongnong, Yuan Yan, feigned surrender. [He made] a night raid on Cong's army. Cong was greatly defeated and turned back.
…
Winter, 10th Month [19 November – 17 December], the Ruler of Han then dispatched the King of Chu, Cong; Wang Mi; the King of Shi'An, Yao; and the King of Ruyin, Jing, to lead 50 000 of the finest cavalry to rob Luoyang. The Great Minister of Works, Duke Gangmu of Yanmen, Huyan Yi, to lead foot soldiers to support them.
On bingchen [9 December], Cong and others reached Yiyang. The Imperial Court, due to the Han troops being recently defeated, did not expect them to arrive again and was greatly fearful.
On xinyou [14 December], Cong garrisoned Ximing Gate. Beigong Chun and others at night led more than a thousand brave soldiers to set out and attack Han's fortifications. He beheaded their General who Conquers the Caitiffs, Huyan Hao.
On renxu [15 December], Cong went south to garrison at the Luo river.
[11th Month,] On yichou [18 December], Huyan Yi was killed by his followers, his multitudes dispersed from Dayang and returned home.
Yuan commanded Cong and others to turn back with the host. Cong petitioned claiming that the Jin troops were few, that he could not for the reasons of Yi and Hao's deaths turn back the host. He firmly requested to stay and attack Luoyang. Yuan allowed it.
The Grand Tutor, Yue, defended himself in the encircled Luoyang [?].
On wuyin [31 December], Cong prayed at Song Mountain. He kept the General who Pacifies the Jin, King Ai of Anyang, Li, and the General of the Best of the Army, Huyan Lang, to direct and administer the staying army. The Army Advisor to the Grand Tutor, Sun Xun persuaded Yue to exploit the absence to set out and strike Lang. He beheaded him. Li took himself into the river and died.
Wang Mi spoke to Cong, saying:
Now the army has already lost the advantage. The defenders of Luoyang are prepared and still strong, the transport chariots are at Shan, the provisions and food do not provide for several days. Your Highness, it is not as good as to turn back to Pingyhang with the Dragon Galloping [General, Yao], bundle up food and send out soldiers, and furthermore be raising up in the rear. Your Subordinate likewise [will] gather soldiers and grain, and await instructions in Yan and Yu. Can it not likewise be done?
Cong himself, due to requesting to stay, did not yet dare to turn back.
Xuanyu Xiuzhi talked to Yuan, saying:
[When] the year is xinwei, then [we will] obtain Luoyang. Now the airs of Jin are still abundant. [If] the Great Army does not return, it will surely be defeated.
Yuan therefore summoned Cong and others to turn back.
…
11th Month, jiashen [6 January], Han's King of Chu, Cong, and King of Shi'an, Yao, returned home to Pingyang.
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