TỐNG SỬ LÝ ĐÌNH CHI TRUYỆN CHÚ DỊCH (QUYỀN 421) (宋史李庭芝傳注譯（卷421）注譯)

Tống Sử quyển 421: Lý Đình Chi truyện (宋史李庭芝傳•卷421)

李庭芝，字祥甫。其先汴人，十二世同居，號「義門李氏」，後徙隨之應山縣。金亡，襄、漢被兵，又徙隨。然特以武顯。

庭芝生時，有芝產屋棟，鄉人聚觀，以為生男祥也，遂以名之。少穎異，日能誦數千言，而智識恒出長老之上。王旻守隨，庭芝年十八，告其諸父曰：「王公貪而不恤下，下多怨之，隨必亂，請徙家德安以避。」諸父勉強從之，未浹旬，旻果為部曲挾之以叛，隨民死者甚眾。嘉熙末，江防甚急，庭芝得鄉舉不行，以策干荊帥孟珙請自效。珙善相人，且夜夢車騎稱李尚書謁己，明日庭芝至。珙見其魁偉，顧諸子曰：「吾相人多，無如李生者，其名位當過我。」時四川有警，即以庭芝權施之建始縣。庭芝至，訓農治兵，選壯士雜官軍教之。期年，民皆知戰守，善馳逐，無事則植戈而耕，兵至則悉出而戰。夔帥下其法於所部行之。淳祐初始去，舉進士，中第。辟珙幕中，主管機宜文字。珙卒，遺表舉賈似道自代，而薦庭芝於似道，庭芝感珙知己，扶其柩葬之興國，即棄官歸，為珙行三年喪。

似道鎮京湖，起為制置司參議，移鎮兩淮，與似道議柵清河五河口，增淮南烽百二十。繼知濠州，復城荊山以備淮南。皆切中機會。開慶元年，似道宣撫京湖，留庭芝權揚州。尋以大兵在蜀，奏知峽州，以防蜀江口。朝廷以趙與𥲅為淮南制置，李應庚為參議官。應庚發兩路兵城南城，大暑中暍死者數萬。李璮窺其無謀，奪漣水三城，渡淮奪南城。鄂兵解，庭芝丁母憂去。朝議擇守揚者，帝曰：「無如李庭芝。」乃奪情主管兩淮制置司事。庭芝再破璮兵，殺璮將厲元帥，夷南城而歸。明年，復敗璮於喬村，破東海、石圃等城。又明年，璮降，徙三城民於通、泰之間。又破蘄縣，殺守將。

庭芝初至揚時，揚新遭火，廬舍盡燬。州賴鹽為利，而亭戶多亡去，公私蕭然。庭芝悉貸民負逋，假錢使為屋，屋成又免其假錢，凡一歲，官民居皆具。鑿河四十里入金沙餘慶場，以省車運。兼浚他運河，放亭戶負鹽二百餘萬。亭民無車運之勞，又得免所負，逃者皆來歸，鹽利大興。始，平山堂瞰揚城，大元兵至，則構望樓其上，張車弩以射城中。庭芝乃築大城包之，城中募汴南流民二萬人以實之，有詔命為武銳軍。又大修學，為詩書、俎豆，與士行習射禮。郡中有水旱，即命發廩，不足則以私財振之。揚民德之如父母。劉槃自淮南入朝，帝問淮事，槃對曰：「李庭芝老成謹重，軍民安之。今邊塵不驚，百度具舉，皆陛下委任得人之效也。」

咸淳五年，北兵圍襄陽急，夏貴入援，大敗虎尾州；范文虎總諸兵再入，又敗，文虎以輕舠遁，兵亂，士卒溺漢水死者甚眾。冬，命庭芝以京湖制置大使督師援襄陽。文虎聞庭芝至，貽書似道曰：「吾將兵數萬入襄陽，一戰可平，但無使聽命於京閫，事成則功歸恩相矣。」似道喜，即除文虎福州觀察使，其兵從中制之。文虎日攜美妾，走馬擊毬軍中為樂。庭芝屢欲進兵，曰：「吾取旨未至也。」明年六月，漢水溢，文虎不得已始一出師，未至鹿門，中道遁去。庭芝數自劾請代，不允，竟失襄陽。陳宜中請誅文虎，似道庇之，止降一官知安慶府，而貶庭芝及部將蘇劉義、范友信廣南。庭芝罷居京口。

未幾，大元兵圍揚州，制置印應雷暴死，即起庭芝制置兩淮。庭芝請分淮西夏貴，而己得專力淮東，從之。十年，築清河口，詔以為清河軍。十二月，大元兵破鄂，詔天下勤王，庭芝首遣兵為諸道倡。德祐元年春，似道兵潰蕪湖，沿江諸郡或降或遁，無一人能守者。庭芝率所部郡縣城守。有李虎者持招降榜入揚州，庭芝誅虎，焚其榜。總制張俊出戰，持孟之縉書來招降，庭芝焚書，梟俊五人於市。而日調苗再成戰其南，許文德戰其北，姜才、施忠戰其中。時出金帛牛酒燕犒將士，人人為之死鬥。朝廷亦以督府金勞之，加庭芝參知政事。七月，以知樞密院事征入朝，徙夏貴知揚州，貴不至，事遂已。

十月，大元丞相伯顏入臨安，留元帥阿术軍鎮江以遏淮兵。阿术攻揚久不拔，乃築長圍困之。冬，城中食盡，死者滿道。明年二月，饑益甚，赴濠水死者日數百，道有死者，眾爭割啖之立盡。宋亡，謝太后及瀛國公為詔諭之降，庭芝登城曰：「奉詔守城，未聞有詔諭降也。」已而兩宮入朝，至瓜州，復詔庭芝曰：「比詔卿納款，日久未報，豈未悉吾意，尚欲固圉邪？今吾與嗣君既已臣伏，卿尚為誰守之？」庭芝不答，命發弩射使者，斃一人，餘皆退去。姜才出兵奪兩宮，不克，復閉城守。三月，夏貴以淮西降，阿术驅降兵至城下以示之，旌旗蔽野，幕客有以言覘庭芝者，庭芝曰：「吾惟一死而已。」阿术使者持詔來招降，庭芝開壁納使者，斬之，焚詔陴上。已而知淮安州許文德、知盱眙軍張思聰、知泗州劉興祖皆以糧盡降。庭芝猶括民間粟以給兵，粟盡，令官人出粟，粟又盡，令將校出粟，雜牛皮、麴糵以給之。兵有烹子而食者，猶日出苦戰。七月，阿术請赦庭芝焚詔之罪，使之降，有詔從之。庭芝亦不納。是月，益王遣使以少保、左丞相召庭芝，庭芝以朱煥守揚，與姜才將兵七千人東入海，至泰州，阿术將兵追圍之。朱煥既以城降，驅庭芝將士妻子至泰州城下，陴將孫貴、胡惟孝等開門降。庭芝聞變，赴蓮池，水淺不得死。被執至揚州，朱煥請曰：「揚自用兵以來，積骸滿野，皆庭芝與才所為，不殺之何俟？」於是斬之。死之日，揚之民皆泣下。

有宋應龍者為泰州諮議官，泰守孫良臣之弟舜臣自軍中來說降，良臣召應龍與計，應龍極陳國家恩澤，君臣大義，請殺舜臣以戒持二心者，良臣不得已殺之。及泰州降，應龍夫婦自經死。提刑司諮議褚一正置司高郵，督戰被創，沒水死。知興化縣胡拱辰，城破亦死。

TỐNG SỬ KHƯƠNG TÀI TRUYỆN CHÚ DỊCH (QUYỀN 451) (宋史姜才傳注譯（卷451）注譯)

Tống Sử quyển 451: Khương Tài truyện (宋史姜才傳•卷451)

姜才，濠州人。貌短悍。少被掠入河朔，稍長亡歸，隸淮南兵中，以善戰名，然以來歸人不得大官，為通州副都統。時淮多健將，然驍雄無逾才。才知兵，善騎射，撫士卒有恩，至臨陣，軍律凜凜。其子當戰，回白事，才望見以為敗也，拔劍馳逐，幾殺之。

賈似道出師，才以兵屬孫虎臣為先鋒，相拒於丁家洲。大軍設砲架彀車弩江濱，中流數千艘，旌旗聯亙，鼓行而下。才奮兵前接戰，鋒已交，虎臣遽過其妾所乘舟，眾見之，讙曰：「步帥遁矣。」於是諸軍皆潰，才亦收兵入揚州。大兵乘勝攻揚州，才為三疊陣逆之三里溝，戰有功。又與元帥戰揚子橋，日暮兵亂，流矢貫才肩，才拔矢揮刀而前，所向辟易。已而大軍築長圍，自揚子橋竟瓜洲，東北跨灣頭至黃塘，西北至丁村，務欲以久困之，時德祐元年也。

明年正月，宋亡。二月，五奉使及一閤門宣贊舍人持謝太后詔來諭降，才發弩射卻之，復以兵擊五奉使於召伯堡，大戰而退。未幾，瀛國公至瓜洲，才與庭芝泣涕誓將士出奪之。將士皆感泣。乃盡散金帛犒兵，以四萬人夜搗瓜洲，戰三時，眾擁瀛國公避去。才追戰至浦子市，夜猶不退。阿术使人招之，才曰：「吾寧死，豈作降將軍邪！」四月，才以兵攻灣頭柵。五月，復攻之，騎旋濘而止，乃舍騎步戰，至四鼓，全師以歸。揚食盡，才時出運米真州、高郵以給兵。六月，護餉至馬家渡，萬戶史弼將兵擊奪之，才與戰達旦，弼幾殆，阿术馳兵來援，乃得免去。

庭芝以在圍久。召才計事，屏左右，語久之，第聞才厲聲云：「相公不過忍片時痛耳。」左右聞之俱汗下。才自是以兵護庭芝第，期與俱死。

七月，益王在福州，以龍神四廂都指揮使、保康軍承宣使召才，才與庭芝東至泰州，將入海。阿术以兵追及，圍泰州，使使者招之降，才不聽。阿术驅揚兵士妻子至城下，會才疽發脅不能戰，諸將遂開門降。都統曹安國入才臥內，執之以獻。阿术愛其忠勇，欲降而用之，才肆為謾言；阿术責庭芝不降，才曰：「不降者，才也！」復憤憤不已，阿术怒，剮之揚州。才臨刑，夏貴出其傍，才切齒曰：「若見我寧不媿死邪？」

有洪福者，夏貴家僮也，從貴積勞為鎮巢雄江左軍統制，鎮江北。貴降，福與子大淵、大源、下班祗候彭元亮結貴軍復之，加右武大夫、知鎮巢。貴既臣附，招福，不聽，使其從子往，福斬之。大兵攻城，久不拔，遣貴至城下，好語語福，請單騎入城。福信之，門發而伏兵起，執福父子，屠城中。貴泣殺大源、大淵，謼曰：「法止誅首謀，何至舉家為戮？」福叱曰：「以一命報宋朝，何至告人求活邪？」次及福，福大罵數貴不忠，請身南向死，以明不背國也。聞者流涕。

TỐNG SỬ MẠNH TÔNG CHÍNH TRUYỆN CHÚ DỊCH (QUYỀN 403) (宋史孟宗政傳注譯（卷403）注譯)

Tống Sử quyển 403: Mạnh Tông Chính truyện (宋史孟宗政傳•卷403)

孟宗政，字德夫，絳州人。父林，從岳飛至隨州，因家焉。宗政自幼豪偉，有膽略，常出沒疆場間。開禧二年，金將完顏董犯襄、郢，宗政率義士據險遊擊，奪其輜重。宣撫使吳獵奇之，補承節郎、棗陽令。京西路分趙方、吳柔勝皆薦其才，轉秉義郎、京西鈐轄，駐劄襄陽。

嘉定十年，金人犯襄陽、棗陽，方檄宗政節制神勁、報捷、忠義三軍。宗政與統製扈再興、陳祥分為三軍，設伏三所，蹀血以戰，金兵敗走。尋報棗陽圍急，宗政午發峴首，遲明抵棗陽，馳突如神。金人大駭，宵遁。方時移帥京西，聞捷大喜，差權棗陽軍。初眡事，一愛僕犯新令，立斬之，軍民股栗。於是築隄積水，修治城堞，簡閱軍士。

十一年，金帥完顏賽不擁步騎圍城，宗政與再興合兵角敵，歷三月，大小七十餘戰，宗政身先士卒。金人戰輒敗，忿甚，周城開濠，四面控兵列濠外，飛鋒鏑，以鈴自警，鈴響則犬吠。宗政厚募壯士，乘間突擊，金人不能支，盛兵薄城，宗政隨方力拒。隨守許國援師至白水，鼓聲相聞。宗政率諸將出戰，金人奔潰。賜金帶，轉武德郎。

十二年，金帥完顏訛可擁步騎傅城，宗政囊糠盛沙以覆樓棚，列甕瀦水以隄火，募砲手擊之，一砲輒殺數人。金人選精騎二千，號弩子手，擁雲梯、天橋先登，又募鑿銀礦石工晝夜塪城，運茅葦直抵圜樓下，欲焚樓。宗政先毀樓，掘深坑，防地道；創戰棚，防城損；穿穽才透，即施毒煙烈火，鼓韝以熏之。金人窒以濕氈，析路以刳士，城頹樓陷。宗政撤樓益薪，架火山以絕其路，列勇士，以長槍勁弩備其衝。距樓陷所數丈築偃月城，袤百餘尺，翼傅正城，深坑倍仞，躬督役，五日成。金人摘強兵披厚鎧、氈衫、鐵面而前，又濕氈濡革蒙火山，覆以冰雪，擁雲梯徑抵西北圜樓登城。城中軍以長戈舂其喉，殺之；敢勇軍自下夾擊金兵，兵墜死燎焰。金將於後截其軍，拒馬揮刀迫前，自昕至昃，死傷踵接，梯橋盡燬。金人連不得志，俄乘順風渡濠，飛脂革燒戰棚，宗政激將士血戰，凡十五陣，矢石交，金兵死者千餘，弩子手十七八，射其都統殪。天反風，金人愈忿，炮愈急。會王大任領銳卒一千冒重圍轉鬥入城，內外合勢，士氣大振，賈勇入金營，自晡至三更，金人橫屍遍地，奪其銅印十有六，訛可棄帳走，獲輜重牛馬萬計。捷至，朝廷方錄前戰守功，升武功大夫兼閤門宣贊舍人，重賜金帶。

制置司以湖陽縣迫境金兵，檄宗政圖之。宗政一鼓而拔，燔燒積聚，夷蕩營砦，俘掠以歸。金人自是不敢窺襄、漢、棗陽。許國移金陵，宗政代為荊鄂都統制，仍知棗陽。宗政以迫濠而陳，乃於西北濠外瀦水為濘以限騎。中原遺民來歸者以萬數。宗政發廩贍之，為給田、創屋與居，籍其勇壯號「忠順軍」，俾出沒唐、鄧間，威振境外。金人呼為「孟爺爺」。俄病疽卒。轉右武大夫、團練使、防禦使。

宗政於有功者怨必賞，有罪者親必罰。好賢樂善，出於天性。未嘗學兵法，而暗與之合。死之日，邊城為罷市慟哭。子：珙，有傳。

HẬU THÔN TIÊN SINH ĐẠI TOÀN TẬP, QUYỂN 141, ĐỖ THƯỢNG THƯ (ĐỖ CẢO) THẦN ĐẠO BI (後村先生大全集•卷第一百四十一•杜尚書神道碑)

 

HẬU THÔN TIÊN SINH ĐẠI TOÀN TẬP, QUYỂN 143, MẠNH THIỂU BẢO (MẠNH CỦNG) THẦN ĐẠO BI (後村先生大全集•卷之一百四十三•孟少保神道碑)

 

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後村先生大全集三十五 

孟少保( 孟珙)

孟氏之先自絳徙唐後徙隨之華陽。公諱珙，字璞玉，高大父安嘗從岳王飛軍，曾大父立累，贈太子太保，妣胡氏絳郡夫人。大父林贈太子太傅，妣白氏太寕郡夫人。父宗政右武大夫鄂州江𨹧府都統制兼知棗陽軍，累贈太師永國公諡忠毅廟壮烈，妣馬氏冀國夫人，郭氏唐國夫人。公冀國所出忠毅第四子也。國家自辛已後東南久安，開禧初邊事始動，然將材亦出二十年間，出奇賈勇守固戰克蔽●國之西門繄忠毅之功。公幼從父，兵間出入必俱。嘉定戊寅，虜㓂襄陽帥，檄忠毅禦之，公料虜必窺樊城，請布陣羅家渡以待。虜至，伏發，死者大半帥。又檄援棗陽，嘗父子相失公，望胡騎中有素袍白馬者，識其為忠毅也，急麾騎軍哭陣，陣開而忠毅晚，以功補授初品。

己卯，虜聚粮械扵湖陽，忠毅命公攻㧞之。辛已辟光化尉。癸未，忠毅公薨扵棗陽，今上寳慶。乙酉，差峽州兵馬監押。丁亥辟京西，第五副將權神勁軍統制權管忠順軍。盖忠毅所招唐鄧蔡三郡壮士二萬餘人，江海縂之衆不安，制司以公伐海，公分其軍為三衆，乃帖然。紹定，戊子，公曰制閫剏平，虜堰于棗陽，溉田十萬頃，立十十庄三轄，使軍民分屯。是年收十萬石，又命忠順軍家自蓄馬，官給藁榖，孳生不計。馬益蕃息。己丑，陞京西弟五正將，棗陽軍駐劄縂轄，本軍屯駐忠順三軍。庚寅，差京西兵馬都監。丁唐國憂。明年，起復京西兵馬鈐轄、棗陽軍駐劄，仍縂制三軍。壬辰以閫檄討武天錫平之。

癸已，韃將那欒倴盞追元顔守緒，逼蔡，制閫慮其侵軼，檄公戍鄧，虜至，敗之，追至青塜吕堰，又敗之，以閫檄討武仙，克之。天錫者，鄧人，乘虜乱聚衆二十萬為邊患。公逼其壘一鼓㧞之，其麾下斬天錫首以獻。仙，真定人，聚衆亦二十萬，後受金虜招為唐鄧行省，與天錫鄧守移刺袁相倚角，為金盡力欲迎守緒，入蜀犯光化，鋒剽甚聞。公進兵轉而西，移刺爰以鄧州，張林以申州降，仙將楊聚、劉儀降。公以仙虚實問儀，儀言大寨在石穴山，以馬蹬、沙窩、岵山三寨為保障，又言必先破离金寨、王子山寨，則沙窩孤立矣。公用其策盡破諸寨，直𢷬石穴夷其衆，仙遁去。或言其能隱形，二除鄂州江陵府副都統制，賜金帶，其冬以閫檄伐金。

初韃使王檝約共攻蔡，且求兵粮，請師期。或謂金垂亡，宜執讐耻，或言韃貪，宜防後患，議不央，師以訪公。公言倘國家事力有餘則兵粮可勿與，其次當權以濟事，不然金滅無厭將及我矣。帥曰善，吾計决矣，用兵幾何？公請二萬，帥曰大將非公不可，命公盡䕶諸將以米千石餉韃軍，倴盞使人来迓公，與射獵割鮮而飲，遣先歸輕騎直造其帳。倴盞喜取馬乳酹之，且頻酌以飲，公曰：「你殺得武仙賽因賽因者，華言極好也，得蔡降人言城中飢，公曰：「虜已窘矣，當畫地而守以防突圍，我得東南，韃得西北，公語倴盞已戒南軍，毋入北營，汝亦當戒北軍，毋入南寨，倴盞諾令其萬户張柔領八都魯五十人踰濠突城，城中鈎二人以徃，柔亦罣鈎，公麾兵捄之，池深飛劍斫鈎挾柔以出，遂逼柴潭，立柵衛城恃潭為固，外即汝河潭高扵河五六尺，城上金字號樓伏巨弩，相傳云：岸下有伏龍人，不敢近將士疑畏。公召麾下飲再行曰柴潭非天造地設，樓上伏弩能及逺而不可射近，彼所恃此水决而注之，涸可立待，皆曰堤堅未易鑿。公曰：「所謂堅者，止築兩堤首耳，鑿其兩翼可也。」潭果决，實以薪葦過師。

端平甲午正月，圍蔡踰兩月矣。御札勉諭將士衆感激，思奮。公之先鋒向南門至金字樓，列雲梯，令諸軍聞鼓則進。馬義先登，趙榮繼之，公麾萬衆畢登，殺偽元帥髙家奴，使人視西北則金韃尚相持於土門水上，乃開西門下吊橋邀倴盞入江海，執偽參政張天綱以歸。公問守緒所在，天綱曰先覩西北城危，即輿金壁置小竹屋環以薪草，又往觀兵退而號泣，自經曰：『死便火我』連日兵交未克，歛城破，始火之時，竹屋烟熖猶未絶。公與倴盞拾其骨中分之，得偽武元皇帝諡寳一玉帶、一金、銀銅、印金、銀牌、各有差全師而歸。擢建康府副都統制俄授主管得侍衛，馬軍行司馬事閫檄䕶。

太常寺簿朱楊祖閤門、看班祗候林拓朝入陵，諜云：虜中傳南朝来争河南府，哨馬巳及孟津，陜府潼闗河南皆增屯，設伏，又聞淮閫刻日進師，衆疑畏不前，公曰：「淮東之師由淮、泗、汴，非旬餘不達，吾選騎疾馳不十日可竣事。建師至東京，吾巳歸矣。」於是宵征，至龍門齋宿，至于●先縣陵下，與二使●宣御表。時乆旱望陵上，雲氣五色，風雷大作，一雨沛然數十里外，元無雨也。成禮而歸，前既除馬帥而制閫奏留公襄陽，兼鎮北軍都統制。此軍乃公所招中原精鋭百載之士，公漢北、樊城、新野、塘鄧間凡萬五千餘人，俄令赴樞宻院禀議，除𢃄御器械。乙未，兼主管侍衛馬軍行司，公事時暫黄州駐劄朝辤。上言：「卿名將之子，破蔡滅金功績昭著。」公曰：「此宗社威靈，陛下聖徳，三軍將士之勞，臣何力之。」有上問恢復，奏云願陛下寛民力，蓄人材以，俟機㑹。其夏兼知光州，冬兼知黄州。

丙申，春，韃㓂黄兩耳山下，瞰城中，公跨山為城綿亘西北以䕶大城，慮軍民雜處，因高阜為兩堡曰“齊安”，曰“鎮淮”，以居諸後，屢攻皆敗之。秋節制黄蘄光信陽四郡軍馬。冬，進兵，觧蘄州圍，韃㓂荆。時㐮陽失守，隨守張龜壽、荆門守朱揚祖、郢守喬士安皆委郡去，復守施子仁死，江陵危急。詔㳂、江、淮西，遣援皆謂無踰公者，公至荆，虜㧞柵去分兩路一攻復州，一散在枝江，監利縣，編筏窺江。公遣外弟趙武等與虜𢧐躬往節度，破砦二十四還，被虜生口二萬，虜増兵來，又敗之，以火箭焚虜二千艘，虜不得逞而遁。嘉𤋮，丁酉，封隨縣開國男，擢高州刺史，進忠州團練使，兼知江陵府京西湖北安撫副使。夏，乞告改𦵏忠毅，公於大治磁湖之間御札牌趣赴江陵，仍令興國壽昌守臣津𤼵，秋除鄂州諸軍都統制。

冬，韃酋●没觧犯漢陽境，徘徊陽臺間，公至沌口，命諸將奮擊，虜出境去，韃酋口温不花入㓂蘄，守張可大、舒守李士逹各委郡，光守董臣以州降，韃合三郡人馬糧械攻黄守玉鑑，江帥萬文勝𢧐不利。公入城，軍民喜曰：「吾父来矣。」駐帳城樓，指畫𢧐守，虜刼民船千數謀渡江，公命同𪔂葛懐以戰艦衡虜陣，虜亂，欲引船遁，𪔂乗風揚帆薄北岸，四面合擊，𫉬舟二百艘，虜奪我東堤。公斬主將叱池深約移晷，收復深，選壮士陷陣，諸軍踵之，遂復東堤。虜添回回河西兵，公夜遣劉全等分七路刼砦，虜驚优，自相攻擊虜，晝夜穴城，公扵城內築月城，又掘萬人坑，廣八十餘丈，虜焚圑樓，城危甚，而士殊死𢧐，上朌親札曰：「卿等分提虎旅共保齊安郤敵盡忠，朕心嘉尚卿等，宜一乃心力早䇿雋功賜，卿等金椀各一戦，守將士天寒不易，今遣京會三十萬貫等，弟支犒公益以白金昐之嵗。暮韃軍闘死者凍死者遁㱕者十七八。

戊戌，春，韃遣八都魯突城入，悉墮坑中，我軍自月城上砲擂俱下，虜不能支，觧去。除寕逺軍承宣使　御器械，鄂州江陵府諸軍都統制閫帥。入奏，公兼留司事依舊，承宣使，除樞宻副都，承旨京西湖北路安撫制置副使，兼知岳州兼督視留府事，復郢州荆門軍。巳亥，復信陽軍、樊城、襄陽府，依舊承宣使，除樞宻院都承㫖兼知鄂州，復光化軍，兼湖廣縂領。冬，韃㓂䕫州，公䇿虜必道施黔以透湖湘，分兵屯㱕峡施，韃酋搭海圍哨開逹公塞徑路防灘淺虜潛師，夜渡萬州、湖灘。公曰：「督府請自提兵西上，虜廹㱕州大堙寨，知我有備而還。」公駐兵岳陽，條上流備禦，宜為三層藩籬，乞剏制副司及移闗外都統一軍於䕫，任倍萬以下江面之責，為苐一層備，𪔂、澧為第二層，備辰、沅、靖、郴桂為第三層，請峡州松滋各屯萬人，舟師隷焉，每州屯三千人，𪔂、澧辰、靖各屯五千人，郴桂各屯千人，如是則江面可保。又言四川帥臣賊末來，則一意●槖，賊一至則四散奔，避事甫定則連章請罪，梱載東下，雖置之嶺海，猶不失其為多貲安開之客，乞責敗事之人，以功贖過，其論戰守大計如此。庚子，進隨縣開國子制，拜寕武軍節度使，四川宣撫使兼知夔州兼節度㱕峡𪔂、澧見戌軍馬，進封漢東郡開國侯，兼京湖安撫制置使，公控辤者九韶不●者，三賜御札者，二略曰韃㓂坤維帥相矛盾不能都攘，師無紀律，反為潰亂，虜得深入迫我，上流欲得夷狄知姓名，兵將服智略者往鎮壓之，搏采於衆，母以踰𪤼此，豈尋常委寄之比，又曰：「卿言蜀事之難，是固難矣。不難無以見人傑，卿宜勇扵一行，詎可猶豫未决，三層之說，是見規摹素定凡有邊機利害可奏來。」公不敢辤。九月，領宣撫使事妙簡吳蜀之彦參錯幕府。時四川制置使棟隆之副使彭大雅不咸，公責之曰：「國事如此，勇於私闘，獨不愧亷藺之風乎。」二閫大慙。

黎守𨶕師古申大理國請道黎、雅入貢。公報此，玉斧所畫，大理自通邕廣，不宜取道州蜀，郤之。俄詔公留京湖隃制蜀事，力辤。辛丑，春，宣閫結局依舊，寕武軍節度使，京湖安撫制置大使兼夔路、制置大使以夔路隸夔路制司利潼、成都三路隸四川制司公曰：蜀事病於事權之分，今罷副司權既㱕一不當更，分夔路兼本路，屯田大使始至，軍無宿儲，公大興屯田，調夫築堰募農，給種如昔，行之棗陽者，縻錢四十六萬，緡三萬四千石粟，首秭㱕尾漢口為屯二千，為庒百七十，為頃十萬起建。閫迄壬寅計收九十三萬石有奇，上屯田本末與所減劵食之數降，詔奨諭進師公安築沙市城江陵，諸軍乞合祀，趙公方及樊劉孟、扈四都統孟即忠毅也。公泫然從之，作集忠廟。壬寅，建公安南陽二書院拜檢校少保依前寕武軍節度使、京湖安撫制置大使、夔路䇿應大使，進封漢東郡●國公。癸卯，春，觧䕫路制置大使事余玠宣諭四川過松，滋公一見如舊，玠欲荆閫通融事力，公餉以屯田米十萬石。春還岳陽，秋進師江陵。甲辰，春，兼知江𨹧府公謂：僚佐此着非也，彼若以兵綴，我上下流急，將若之何。乙巳，再乞祠不●既兼郡歎曰：江陵所恃三海，不知沮洳之地有愛变，為桑田者虜一鳴鞭即至城外，盖自城以東古嶺先鋒渡●至三

 畧無限隔，遂選僚属修內隘十有一，别作十隘於外，有距城数十里者。沮漳之水舊自城西入江，乃障而東之，俾繞城北入扵漢而三海遂通為一，隨其高下為櫃蓄，泄三百里間，𣺌然巨浸土木之工百七十萬，民不知役。繪圖上之御札稱奨，公以身鎮江陵，兄璟帥武昌，故事無兄弟同處一路者，乞㱕田不●。二書院成公奏：“㐮蜀蕩析士無所㱕，蜀士聚扵公安、襄士聚扵鄂渚，臣即兩處各屋六十間，以沒官田屋地隸焉。”公安田歳入二千石有奇，山澤間架之利，可二百萬嵗，養百二十員，鄂渚田嵗入六千石有奇山澤𫠦入，可四百萬嵗，飬百四十員，擇有學行者，為山長貳以堂長季試而旬課之，暇則習射中者，有賞竊見江西宗濓精舍鷺洲，書院皆蒙聖恩錫以宸翰，臣敢援近比以請上洒，奎墨以賜。丙午，自春迄秋，秋五乞祠不●。初，公招鎮北軍駐襄陽李虎、王旻之閧軍亂，鎮北亦潰韃，每驅為前鋒，公謂：此輩去非其罪，乃以帛書金幣招之，降者不絶。至是，河南行省范用𠮷宻通降欵，以所受偽𠮷為質，公白扵朝廟，論難之。公歎曰：“三十年收拾中原人心，今志不克，伸矣病。”遂革。九月，乞休，致授檢校少師、寕武軍節度、使致仕漢東郡開國公，以九月戊午終扵江陵府治年五十二。是月，有大星隕扵境內，聲如雷，薨之夕，大風𤼵屋折木。遺表聞，上震悼輟視朝，一日賻銀絹一千疋兩，加五百疋兩，特贈少師。丁未，𦵏扵壽昌軍武昌縣，金紫山公官自一尉至三少爵，自封男至郡公，自三百户至三千四百户，實封八百户，皆以𢧐功。自致薨後三贈至太師，封𠮷國公以子，陞朝配定襄郡夫人彭氏二男之經，左武大夫濠州圑練使𢃄，玉器械知辰州之縉紳童子科敕，賜童子舉出身。今以通●郎●秘閣新知寳慶府，二女長適，武功大夫左領軍衛將軍權𤼵，遣栁州王該次。後公六年卒，孫男七人淵澄溥浩沆潛一未名孫女二人曽，孫男一人已酉。荆襄流寓父老，請建廟議諡，立碑，詔下其事太常定廟額曰：“威愛博士翁甫考功郎官陳堅，請諡曰”忠襄“惟宰上之碑。學士院久未克。為公二子請不巳。夫天子命詞臣克荘曰：汝為之乃按公年譜參以耳目聞見著。其大者扵碑盖嘗反復。公平生而有感焉，嗟夫元顔氏之襄久矣。其失燕而徙汴也，議者尚欲存之，以捍韃及其盡失，中原而栖扵區區之蔡也。其勢與力不足以捍韃明矣，而前諭猶未改。至公始明其為國讐提偏，師覆巢穴夷種類，俘寳玉献於廟社，豈不足以雪粘斡亂華之恥，慰祖宗在天之靈哉？當元顔氏之存，邊患未嘗一日寛，謂韃始暴吾邊者，非也。盖炎紹名將張俊勤主之勞大矣，晚有附和議之愧，劉錡順昌之功高矣，或有無英㮣之評。公破蔡守黄無晚張劉。及上問和議則曰：“臣介胄之士，只當言戰不當言和、”其英㮣又如此。自昔將師通患貪功也，放利也。忌能也慢士也。公先入蔡開関，納韃北軍大掠我師，秋毫無犯，倴盞雖胡人，然與公共事七十餘日，獨知尊敬，豈非其器識徳度有以折伏之歟暮年援儒帥伐已闢精舍養士，則近世一人，而巳公用兵先計後𢧐，故能必勝。乗碑見危致命，故能堅守，至於料敵慮患瞭，如蓍蔡謂：“城都非制，帥駐足之地，宜徙重慶謂：虜必由間道，渉湖南江西之境，先事而言其後，皆驗其鎮上游也。㳂流風寒之處一一置屯。終，公之身邊人按堵去之。十年後人始有吝費神戌者，江防既撒虜，遂偷渡荆楚之人。至今思之，公幼不好，弄壮忠憤，激𤼵晚澹泊灰槁視聲色貨利如嚼蠟𫠦臨方面參佐部曲白事，献䇿言人人殊，公徐以片語折衷，衆志皆㥦，謁士游，容老校，退卒壹以恩意附接名位，雖重惟建鼔旗衙將吏生凛然反退掃一室，則爐薫書●，隐几危坐，若蕭然事外者。其學䆳扵《易》六十四卦，各係四句，名警心易賛向使公不為世務所泊尋徴之功，不減輔嗣矣，亦喜禪學與名衲游，自號無庵天子大書，其扁克荘念

端平初，與公同朝，及公以馬帥往戌，淮右猶及祖餞嵗，晚奉詔秉筆表阡乃系以銘銘曰：“當禧嘉際，力扞隨棗為國虎，臣實公嚴考。”公髪未燥。從翁兵間。迄纘戎功繼登將壇有武有文。且戰且守，守緒燔死不花潰走，雪戴天耻，全參夘城㐮鄂底，定建閫江陵，分兵戌淮，船粟餉蜀苟利社稷，如衛頭目某地險隘，某處磧灘布列砦艦蔽●風。寒，踰八十年猘不南吠酋長相戒曰：“彼有備，古有上毉灼，見病源其人往矣。而方猶存三層之說，䆒極標本倘修其方亦今盧扁申甫之生，惟嶽降靈祖葛之死，有星隕管●(曷)不七十繪麟閣像●(曷)不八十載鴨渌上武昌之栁萬山之碑豈無他人二公之思公視二公其賢相類孰為此評荆楚之士公有羙子各乗朱輪維忠維孝以燾後人

HISTORY OF SONG: BIOGRAPHY OF YU JIE (CHAPTER 416): A TRANSLATION AND ANNOTATION (宋史余玠傳注譯（卷416）注譯)

History of Song chapter 412: Biography of Yu Jie (宋史余玠傳•卷416)

余玠，字義夫，蘄州人。家貧，落魄無行，喜功名，好大言。少為白鹿洞諸生，嘗攜客入茶肆，毆賣茶翁死，脫身走襄淮。時趙葵為淮東制置使，玠作長短句上謁，葵壯之，留之幕中。未幾，以功補進義副尉，擢將作監主簿、權發遣招進軍，充制置司參議官，進工部郎官。

嘉熙三年，與大元兵戰於汴城、河陰有功，授直華文閣、淮東提點刑獄兼知淮安州兼淮東制置司參謀官。淳祐元年，玠提兵應援安豐，拜大理少卿，升制置副使。 進對：「必使國人上下事無不確實，然後華夏率孚，天人感格。」又言：「今世胄之彥，場屋之士，田里之豪，一或即戎，即指之為麤人，斥之為噲伍。願陛下視文武之士為一，勿令偏有所重，偏必至於激，文武交激，非國之福。」帝曰：「卿人物議論皆不常，可獨當一面，卿宜少留，當有擢用。」乃授權兵部侍郎、四川宣諭使，帝從容慰遣之。玠亦自許當手挈全蜀還本朝，其功日月可冀。

尋授兵部侍郎、四川安撫制置使兼知重慶府兼四川總領兼夔路轉運使。自寶慶三年至淳祐二年，十六年間，凡授宣撫三人，制置使九人，副四人，或老或暫，或庸或貪，或慘或繆，或遙領而不至，或開隙而各謀，終無成績。於是東、西川無復統律，遺民咸不聊生，監司、戎帥各專號令，擅辟守宰，蕩無紀綱，蜀日益壞。及聞玠入蜀，人心粗定，始有安土之志。

玠大更敝政，遴選守宰，築招賢之館於府之左，供張一如帥所居，下令曰：「集眾思，廣忠益，諸葛孔明所以用蜀也。欲有謀以告我者，近則徑詣公府，遠則自言於郡，所在以禮遣之，高爵重賞，朝廷不吝以報功，豪傑之士趨期立事，今其時矣。」士之至者，玠不厭禮接，咸得其歡心，言有可用，隨其才而任之；苟不可用，亦厚遺謝之。

播州冉氏兄弟璡、璞，有文武才，隱居蠻中，前後閫帥辟召，堅不肯起，聞玠賢，相謂曰：「是可與語矣。」遂詣府上謁，玠素聞冉氏兄弟，刺入即出見之，與分廷抗禮，賓館之奉，冉安之若素有，居數月，無所言。玠將謝之，乃為設宴，玠親主之。酒酣，坐客方紛紛競言所長，璡兄弟飲食而已。玠以微言挑之，卒默然。玠曰：「是觀我待士之禮何如耳。」明日更辟別館以處之，且日使人窺其所為。兄弟終日不言，惟對踞，以堊畫地為山川城池之形，起則漫去，如是又旬日，請見玠，屏人曰：「某兄弟辱明公禮遇，思有以少裨益，非敢同眾人也。為今日西蜀之計，其在徙合州城乎？」玠不覺躍起，執其手曰：「此玠志也，但未得其所耳。」曰：「蜀口形勝之地莫若釣魚山，請徙諸此，若任得其人，積粟以守之，賢於十萬師遠矣，巴蜀不足守也。」玠大喜曰：「玠固疑先生非淺士，先生之謀，玠不敢掠以歸己。」遂不謀於眾，密以其謀聞於朝，請不次官之。詔以璡為承事郎、權發遣合州，璞為承務郎、權通判州事。徙城之事，悉以任之。命下，一府皆喧然同辭以為不可。玠怒曰：「城成則蜀賴以安，不成，玠獨坐之，諸君無預也。」卒築青居、大獲、釣魚、雲頂、天生凡十餘城，皆因山為壘，碁布星分，為諸郡治所，屯兵聚糧為必守計。且誅潰將以肅軍令。又移金戎於大獲，以護蜀口。移沔戎於青居，興戎先駐合州舊城，移守釣魚，共備內水。移利戎於雲頂，以備外水。於是如臂使指，氣勢聯絡。又屬嘉定俞興開屯田於成都，蜀以富實。

十年冬，玠率諸將巡邊，直搗興元，大元兵與之大戰。十二年，又大戰於嘉定。初，利司都統王夔素殘悍，號「王夜叉」，恃功驕恣，桀驁不受節度，所至劫掠，每得富家，穴箕加頸，四面然箕，謂之「蟇蝕月」，以弓弦繫鼻下，高懸於格，謂之「錯繫喉 」，縛人兩股，以木交壓，謂之「乾榨油」，以至用醋灌鼻、惡水灌耳口等，毒虐非一，以脅取金帛，稍不遂意，即死其手，蜀人患苦之。且悉斂部將倅馬以自入，將戰，乃高其估賣與之。朝廷雖知其不法，在遠不能詰也。大帥處分，少不嗛其意，則百計撓之，使不得有所為。玠至嘉定，夔帥所部兵迎謁，才贏弱二百人。玠曰：「久聞都統兵精，今疲敝若此，殊不稱所望。」夔對曰：「夔兵非不精，所以不敢即見者，恐驚從人耳。」頃之，班聲如雷，江水如沸，聲止，圓陣即合，旗幟精明，器械森然，沙上之人彌望若林立，無一人敢亂行者。舟中皆戰掉失色，而玠自若也。徐命吏班賞有差。夔退謂人曰：「儒者中乃有此人！」

玠久欲誅夔，獨患其握重兵居外，恐輕動危蜀，謀於親將楊成，成曰：「夔在蜀久，所部兵精，前時大帥，夔皆勢出其右，意不止此也。視侍郎為文臣，必不肯甘心從令，今縱弗誅，養成其勢。後一舉足，西蜀危矣。」玠曰：「我欲誅之久矣，獨患其黨與眾，未發耳。」成曰：「侍郎以夔在蜀久，有威名，孰與吳氏？夔固弗若 也。夫吳氏當中興危難之時，能百戰以保蜀，傳之四世，恩威益張，根本益固，蜀人知有吳氏而不知有朝廷。一旦曦為叛逆，諸將誅之如取孤豚。況夔無吳氏之功，而有曦之逆心，恃豨突之勇，敢慢法度，縱兵殘民，奴視同列，非有吳氏得人之固也。今誅之，一夫力耳，待其發而取之，難矣。」玠意遂決，夜召夔計事，潛以成 代領其眾，夔才離營，而新將已單騎入矣，將士皆愕眙相顧，不知所為。成以帥指譬曉之，遂相率拜賀，夔至，斬之。成因察其所與為惡者數人，稍稍以法誅之。乃薦成為文州刺史。

戎帥欲舉統制姚世安為代，玠素欲革軍中舉代之敝，以三千騎至雲頂山下，遣都統金某往代世安，世安閉關不納。且有危言，然常疑玠圖己。屬丞相謝方叔家子侄自永康避地雲頂，世安厚結之，求方叔為援。方叔因倡言玠失利戎之心，非我調停，且旦夕有變，又陰嗾世安密求玠之短，陳於帝前。於是世安與玠抗，玠鬱鬱不樂。寶祐元年，聞有召命，愈不自安，一夕暴下卒，或謂仰藥死。蜀之人莫不悲慕如失父母。

玠自入蜀，進華文閣待制，賜金帶，權兵部尚書，進徽猷閣學士，升大使，又進龍圖閣學士、端明殿學士，及召，拜資政殿學士，恩例視執政。其卒也，帝輟朝，特贈五官。以監察御史陳大方言奪職。六年，復之。

玠之治蜀也，任都統張實治軍旅，安撫王惟忠治財賦，監簿朱文炳接賓客，皆有常度。至於修學養士，輕徭以寬民力，薄征以通商賈。蜀既富實，乃罷京湖之餉；邊關無警，又撤東南之戍。自寶慶以來，蜀閫未有能及之者。惜其遽以太平自詫，進蜀錦蜀箋，過於文飾。久假便宜之權，不顧嫌疑，昧於勇退，遂來讒賊之口；而又置機捕官，雖足以廉得事情，然寄耳目於群小，虛實相半，故人多懷疑懼。至於世安拒命，玠威名頓挫，齎志以沒。有子曰如孫，取「當如孫仲謀」之義，遭論改師忠，歷大理寺丞，為賈似道所殺。

EPITAPH OF DU GAO FROM "COLLECTION OF LITERARY WORKS OF SIR HOU CUN" CHAPTER 141 (後村先生大全集•卷第一百四十一•杜尚書神道碑)

Epitaph of Du Gao from "Collection of literary works of Sir. Hou Cun (後村先生大全集•卷之一百四十一•杜尚書神道碑)

公諱杲字子昕曽大父圯提舉江西常平大父鐸知萬載縣贈大中大夫刑部郎中贈開府儀同三司母陳宜人贈𠮷國夫人杜氏本京兆萬年至提舉公始居邵武公少與兄東第来場屋齊名而獨見禮於禮剖以父任待通州海門買納塩場𨶕潘提舉友文

 

攝建陽尉秤提法行公面責潘曰公奉新書太過八郡騷動矣潘愧謝稍弛其禁陳提刑彭壽

 

攝閩尉甲子死誣乙殺之公騐屍於髮中得砂視甲舍傍有池砂類髮中者鞫問子果溺死乙乃得釋至海門謁塩使豊公有俊曰小官惟冒扵貨者當譴責情可矜力不建者教之可也奈何皆臨之以威乎豊公悚然遂為知已李公珏制置江淮羅致幕下滁受兵檄公與同幕王好生提偏師徃援甫至民蔽野隔壕哀鳴求入避滁守固拒公啓鑰納之虜圍城數重公登俾中二矢益自奮厲士氣百倍虜技窮去犯齊安李公㑹合援兵幾十萬未至虜觧去兵在道不相統壹且潰亂李公曰非子昕無可行者公求制劄二十道以行先以帥命喝犒擇諸將尤桀●者出一劄抽回喻時又抽一軍不二曰諸軍悉回無敢譁者李公累奏公援滁功不報公從李公與之終始豐公建西閫辟梁縣胡公摫縂西餉辟鳯臺酒官皆力辤海門秩滿調江山丞畿漕朱公在辟監崇明鎮崇明改隸東總與岳縂領珂議不合慨然引去岳出文書一卷曰京剡也公曰比而得禽獣雖若邱陵弗為岳怒公曰可劾者文林不可强者杜某岳遂以欠蘆錢劾朝廷察蘆錢無虧二劾皆寑西閫曾公式中辟廬州節推浮公兵變公單騎往戮止渠魁守將争餉金幣公封貯一室將行屬郡丞鄭凖悉返之安豐守告戍將扇揺軍情且為變帥欲討之公曰是激使叛也請與兩卒往呼將諭之曰而果無它可持吾書詣制府將即日行一軍怗然知六安縣新社壇學宫罷元夕燈嵗歉諭富家曰吾不損米●若但出糶吾依市●為民代償三之一全活者衆邑有劇盗二設賞𫉬之帥方姑息盗竊語曰吾不失在制置帳下公命杖死縣庭而以專殺自効民有嬖其妾者治與二子均分二子謂妾無分法公書其牘云傳曰子從父令律曰違父教令是父之言為令也父令子違不可以訓然妾守志則可常享或去或終當歸二子季提舉衍覧之擊節曰九州三十三縣令之最也知安逺縣考舉及格免班幸改通●郎逆全犯邊季公時已帥廬辟公濠倅上以公久習邊事擢知濠州趙大使善湘謀復盰昭密以訪公公曰賊恃外援當㫁旴泗浮梁以困之卒用公䇿成功女真數萬厚齎駐榆林阜請降或請誘而圖之公曰殺降不仁奪貨不義納之則有後患諭遣其衆秩滿令奏事端平初元過廬謁全帥子才曰北伐不可止矣公必有以監凝其後者全日以淮西兵守潼闗以淮東兵守黄河公始為之隐憂除主管官告院知安豐軍三帥出師除公淮西運判公曰昔張魏公督師以趙開主計今日諸公無愧于先正趙開之任僕豈其人詔廷紳邊臣各條戰守公封上曰沿淮早蝗不任征役中原赤立無糧可因若虚內事外移南實北腹心之地必有可慮方草奏客曰內嵗當任子不為賢郎地乎公笑不答大使括舟載糧公曰師遵陸而糧用舟緩急必相差池請以夫運大使許之既而劾公調夫煩优沮撓軍事削兩秩罷時在外諫北伐者惟公一人及鋒衂洛陽退師保境兵釁遂開不可復合人始伏公先見奉崇道祠復元官再知濠州未行改安豐韃謀入㓂公曰此虜常先取一城為家基寨然後深入順昌為豐壽屏蔽而夐在淮北兵寡餫囏使虜得之二州危矣以白制司命幕客沈先庚遷其軍民士庶航錢粟迓之虜果大至我舟已盡泊南岸崔文舉范用𠮷二叛憤咤以俚語詈公曰吾欲●此城乃為老賊𫠦先休看它城子矣順昌軍民駐壽陽復運米二萬斛楮七萬餉之衆感悗忘其遷焉又謂兩城相望其間當有小城以接聲援益繕安豐縣城使沈先庚戌之虜未攻不克殺其將塗金朱袍者二人虜去縣圍郡城公使聶斌布重兵守禦趙諒提輕騎攻刼四隅設伏城中晝無人聲虜登高望之莫能測公出其不意開闗鏖撃虜麾其下曰南兵狠速返勿留赤老國王者大掠淮東厚装而歸公曰是可擊也命順昌守樊辛率死士刼虜帳俘𫉬萬計奪馬四百匹亂屍中有腰木牌書皇弟國王者虜法貴木牌在金銀牌之右夕刼二寨皆中醜類潰散猶以番書求亾馬五百公六世祖待制公杞守慶州元昊求降人孟香報曰償所掠則返孟香夏人不肯償我亦不與孟香北人謂我為憨爾為您公用待制公遺意効北音檄答之云您還鹵掠憨還您憨馬您不還時憨也不還您虜遁去端平丙申冬也明年嘉𤋮改元公益為備浚舊濠築外郭其冬虜必欲得城掃地而至大設攻具以火炮焚樓櫓公隨壊隨補以八都魯硬軍斫排扠木八都魯公皆𣦸囚使之攻城自贖所破甲以牛革十餘重為之設面簾以障矢公募善射用小箭專射其目盡殪之虜者填濠為二十七埧分公兵扼埧虜乗東南風縱燎公禱天求助俄而反風雨雪驟至公謂古人多乗風雪破賊而四面圍合乃募猛士奪埧路出兵將士皆●躍𣦸𢧐殺紫泥金團龍●者降人云葉國大王也焚虜砲座攻具至明日皆盡先是城閉援師前郤惟地帥吕文徳

 

圍入叶力捍禦庚牌調盱眙守余公玠及趙東夏臯赴援濠倅趙希瀞監夏趙軍公以蠟書約夾攻虜潰至㨗奏至二年春矣君相動色相賀擢軍器監進三秩御杞云朕聞安豐被兵不皇寝食知卿守禦勞苦指畫有方朕為少寛今援兵已集其賈率諸將掃蕩㓂攘以安淮右賜卿金器諸將各金椀一在城將士及淮東援兵以京㑹三十萬支犒公率三軍拜詔感泣夀春守張可大惎公百計撼揺吳公潛素奇公適在都曺主之力陳檢詳力修始同在圍中至是亦昌言公勲勞扵朝丞相李公宗勉參政徐公榮叟皆有賞未酬勞之語㑹謀西帥咸曰母以易杜某詔以安撫兼廬州推太府卿淮西制置副使兼漕虜使王檝來續和議公曰虜將察罕有言撒花自撒花厮殺自厮殺和可恃耶督帥史嵩之主和怒形辭色虜縱重堯臣歸督府以擒𫉬聞公抗章非之諜言虜下令三年毋南牧嵩之信之調八月未動眞不来矣公曰是將欵我其來必速九月察罕果率十七項人馬號八十萬挟叛賊范用𠮷輩傳城下約先破廬然後造舟巣湖以窺江於壕外築土城周六十餘里穿兩壕攻具皆数倍於犯安豐者公與客登城四郊鐡騎極目無際客股慄公曰吾必破此虜衆欲備金雞嘴公曰宜先舒城門虜果耒攻郤之公欲増一重防托亦於城內為土城虜日夕用攅砲攻打我特串樓為固虜築埧乃高於樓城危甚𪧐將有涕出者公以油灌草即惧下燎之頃𠜇與樓高者皆為煨燼又扵串樓內立雁翅七層俄砲中埧上一酋衆賊扶去日王子也乗勝出𢧐虜不能支追躡數十里骸觜縦横噐械委臺臣謂劉錡順昌吳玠和尚原之㨗不是過地御札云卿郤敵金城勛勞懋著擢呉部侍郎陛使名漕副賜對衣金𢃄進三秩有囘囘来降云慮初用女真漢軍不勝用回回又不勝乃用真韃亦折三十餘人初二城圍閉累月內外隔絶傳說萬端謂公必●徐禧李稷之禍雖素𫠦親善亦憂其為張睢陽南八矣一旦奏凱全壁出人意表識公者舉杯相慶未識者亦願為之執鞭虜攻城專恃砲為長技以數百人拽一砲中樓櫓立碎壕渠深者運木石不足驅人填之公始用順昌倅王安䇿作串楼以禦砲其用法栗棗榆槐堅木二三尺圍者列壕岸入土五六尺高丈餘上施横木中設箭●下繚以羊馬墻凡圍樓方樓一砲即毁惟串樓可支三砲率先造千百間隨虜𫠦攻施之壊則易王安者先在河北城守皆以串樓自全公又以古防城戎器多不應手創智造鵝梨砲三弓弩砲可手用弩可及千歩為平底船載勁卒勦填壕者公著数每先扵虜計畫常周扵事賊技一不得施二城既㨗扵安豐得虜屍萬七千扵廬得虜屍二萬六千𫉬虜砲車雲梯弓弩器甲不可計公每上功必曰安豐之役吕文徳聶斌功也廬之役將帥王鑑聶斌參佐黄夢桂趙希瀞功也臣何力焉又終始為王安論串楼功它將校寸勞必旌因公取爵賞者甚衆公勲名日盛人心所向惟嵩之以𫠦遣援兵失期又恥前言不騐至是調曹順聶斌各以五千人斷賊歸路公曰虜回戈則城危矣摘四千人付曹順而留聶斌不遣旦言曹順必敗公事嵩之劾公擁兵自衛以嬰城自守為是以野戰為非公奏云此賊驍㨗衆多臣實不敢以野戰為是且言督府近遣祝邦達援廬未戰而潰僅以身免又聚兵援滁僅達宣化往往失伍委械而去淮西精兵有限即野戰不如人意何以　嵩之令參議官丁仁來調兵公曰督相昔欲和今欲戰何也丁曰和自是上意公曰善則稱君奈何歸過扵上因●疏乞罷上諭公安職母費朝廷區處曹順者遇虜安豐境內全軍覆没悉如公言三軍累疏請老御札曰卿老成忠實寛朕顧憂宜為勉留以副注倚臺臣承風旨論公挑釁致㓂公待罪詔書諄諭而止虜將大舉刷前恥廟堂問䇿公曰必破之督府曰去嵗韃敗歸不肯追擊今傾國來謂必破之何也公曰兵家之数不可先傳患賊不來衆非擢所乃練舟師扼淮河遣庻監吕文徳聶斌軍伏精鋭扵要害虜所主遇伏我師二十七㨗大𢧐于朱臯四塜俘醎無数𫉬酋妻黄金鎧甲駝馬或問公何以䇿其必敗公曰力守淮河所以汙其道也彼自信陽至此已半月糧盡力憊冝為我禽㨗奏至御扎曰羽書來上謂韃且徧淮右矣朕懐抱不怡慼見顔靣未幾督府以卿牘聞朕且喜且疑吾兵何神𫆀徐攷㨗奏守堅壁之今行招䧏之䇿用襲擊之師卿可謂差強人意矣朕臨軒不斍失喜再三嘉歎擢權刑部尚書賜衣𢃄鞍馬四年以疾已去不●嵗饑公告糴江右米銜尾而至淳祐改元乞去愈力擢工部尚書賜鞍馬衣𢃄仍佩魚公念乆去鄉國扁舟●歸而嵩之入相知劉晋之于公有憾薦為御史使甘心于公晋之首上流誣詆以真學士奉祠或言虜謀自安南幹腹上●起公師桂嵩之風䑓臣重劾御槧宣諭曰杜某两有守城功若脱兵●便有後祸則朕何以使人二年差知太平州舜至六十七上愈●用命貂璫論晋之擢華文閣學士㳂江制置使知建康府行宫晋守節制安慶和無為三郡罷楊林堡以其費備歴陽淮民寓沙上者𫉬以舟師謁程浮公祠緫所即南軒㩁酒公曰此張宣公講學地也陳像設撥田祀焉置貢士庄蠲民租二萬八千石虜哨儀眞東閫不能授詔公勿以秦越為心公朝被㫖午戒噐越𪧐至今庻與聶斌提兵八千入城虜見公名旗曰此安豊盧州杜制置耶黎明觧去追擊敗之進敷文閣學士以庻知眞州公曰上𢌿汝邊郡冝勇往綾急吾親提兵援汝勉之三年中使鄧喬年傳宣撫問賜纈羅牙笏金帶香茶四年除邢部尚書不許辤免公念仕三十餘年列從槖亦七載未得一瞻天表不敢舜內引玉音奬劳云卿累任邊閫宣劳不易公奏四事一曰才難而知兵之才尤難冝素儲不可猝求二曰屯兵劳州兵逸然州兵月●四倍冝稍補助屯戌兵而存州兵半額别收精鋭属之宻院三曰賞典太𫿞四曰去盗當於其微冝選尉寨卒長滿三年能捕𫉬者與捕授上問淮事又詢邊頭諸將皆以實對因乞放歸山林以全晚節上曰說未到此公乃就職兼詳定●今一曰以獄讞廟堂始難之卒如公議兼吏部尚書時注授難但公隨資格稍通其礙銓綜為清每坐曹吏部主令抱牘儳進公曰銓法一定刑辟人命所係命刑部先之梁成大子賂當國求銓試公曰昔沈継祖論朱文公成大亦論真文忠公皆得罪名教者子孫冝廢錮安得仕嵩之遣給使道意公峻拒之御書三堂扁曰安淮曰嘉喜曰教忠命左璫持賜奎墨猶濕榮動一時朝家更化議以公建閫䕶詩將嵩黨胡某猶在朝三䟽論公上不得已進徽猷閣學士奉祠胡後遷宗少徐舍人元𤇍封還除日曰侍從名臣妾加諭列其為公議所予如此公㱕治小圃日與客按行松菊瀹茗清談曰吾今而後知閑居之樂六年請老詔不●再䟽進一秩陞寳文閣學士致仕郡●潦公𤼵私廪具告糴于盱江明年春榖貴公下其●以偈营卒舊有月借郡貧不予貸以私錢今師相鄭公當軸知公忠實柩参吳公潜念公勞舊擢庻守邕且將召公或者危之公亦不欲出矣八年三月得㿃下疾自筮得離之噬嗑其繇曰日昃之離不皷𦈢而歌則大耋之嗟㓙曰吾不起矣自草遺表豫言以深衣歛母用緇黄公待外甥任明之如子命以遺表㤙奏朌賜金扵內外親戚郡有貢士㽵簿甚公●𦔳𥝠田未果以属二子所貸營卒錢百萬令勿償疾革謂二子曰此曽元執燭曽子易簀之際其夕薨六月二十七日也卒七十六積官光禄大夫爵揚子縣開國子公昔於舍後手植二梧茂盛將薨之月一自枯一㧞扵風人謂木摧哲萎之騐上方思公前功進龍圖閣學士而公已薨遺表聞上方思贈開府儀同三司賻疋兩三百娶李氏紹興侍郎陵之孫先公三十八嵗薨贈渤海郡夫人子二人庻奉直大夫改差知潮州廡奉●大夫江西安撫司幹官女二人長●文林郎崇安尉趙崇林次未行皆已卒孫三人蕃蟠番俱承務郎以其年臘月二十九日𦵏公扵城東秀野之原公淹貫經史博記多能孫吳申韓岐扁嚴李之學靡不研究為文𥘉不抒思俄傾成章皆麗宻峻潔無一字陳腐五七言精深四六高簡散語尤古雅善行草急就章有晉宋間人風韵寸𥿄隻字得者寳玩嵗晚掃空言語文字專治闗洛諸老之書語其子曰吾扵兵間無悖謀無左畫皆得於四書其臨敵常褁藥偹不測曰萬一嗟跌當以死報君父手握重兵然未嘗妄僇一人雖大敵在前戈甲耀日矢石如雨公意氣愈閑暇無窘遽容武侯麾軍謝傳鎮物無以加也其論和戰屨與權要矛盾嵩之排拫挫抑扵上言者撼揺毁訾扵下賴上照知孤忠保全勞臣故公得以功名終始初公與余同幕金陵後余為樞椽數言公於鄭喬兩丞相公遂起廢其立功於二城也余巳斥居田里公嵗中必一再遣帳騎至山中侯余安否余問騎曰杜公何為曰與諸將樂飲議防狄爾余曰視前後三數公孰●曰㓂至公與將帥分畫既定常先登陴諸將繼之既上則不復下寝食矢石之傍猶燕居也㓂去乗陴者皆下公乃下以小人觀之杜公猶●余仲弟守樵亦言安豐迓兵至樵公厚犒而客禮之雖小校卑卒亦拊以恩肩輿止用村夫曰彼皆戰士不可私役也烏虖公所以能得人之死力能為國家建功立事有以也夫余●他人寸長微勞必自夸詡公昔與余書叙城守事但言暴客相訪久而不去頗費應酬而巳余問守備答曰向以城守城今以人守城君無憂其言雍容整暇如此非僥倖成事者既𦵏二子致公遺命屬銘於余且以閩帥趙公希瀞所作行述來趙公與公皆陷重圍同死生患難者所載詳實抑余扵公之薨有感慨焉營平破羗已七十餘衛公渡遼踰八十矣古人事業多在晚嵗公雖得謝老謀𪧐望使之臥䕶猶羆當道虎在山也今其已矣誰為陛下寛北顧者悲夫公唐相宣献公黄裳之後世系詳見於公顯考之碑不復出也銘曰韃行中原磨牙洊食戰無勍敵攻無堅壁不論書生雖有韓白猝然遇之敗撓奔北近而光滁逺則荆益朝猶金湯暮已瓦礫●闢以來未覩斯賊譬之猰㺄莫與甬力顯●杜公𦕈然逢掖其守二城危在旦夕鐡騎數重攅砲千百公甚整暇登陴指畫某捍樓櫓某刼寨柵椎牛釃酒輦金輿帛以我忠赤當彼矢石公猶暴露孰敢顧惜虜氣衰力竭公乗其𨻶忽雷萬鼓四面出擊名王横屍權帝敗續所𫉬駝馬噐甲山積露布至京朝野動色然後華人知韃可敵然後異類知憚中國然後邊臣固守疆●公身逺外公性孤●大使督相巧詆重劾淳祐聖人卓然不惑奎墨昭回曰卿忠實衆方狺吠上獨卯翼晚思識公召以常伯公來何遲公去何函手開綠野清談永日自方喬松人比召畢妖星忽隕壮士驚唶過江百年非無人物畏虜二字膏肓之疾昔在典午僅推琨逖爰及炎紹復有規澤皆以儒帥守固戰克繼者誰歟杜公其匹惜余老矣涸硯燥筆事偉詞卑不究勲徳

HISTORY OF SONG: BIOGRAPHY OF DU GAO (CHAPTER 413): A TRANSLATION AND ANNOTATION (宋史杜杲傳注譯（卷412）注譯)

History of Song chapter 412: Biography of Du Gao (宋史杜杲傳•卷412)

杜杲，字子昕，邵武人。父穎，仕至江西提點刑獄，故杲以任授海門買納鹽場，未上，福建提點刑獄陳彭壽檄攝閩尉。民有甲之子死，誣乙殺之，驗髮中得沙，而甲舍旁有池沙類髮中者，鞫問，子果溺死。

江淮制置使李珏羅致幕下。滁州受兵，檄杲提偏師往援，甫至，民蔽野求入避，滁守固拒，杲啟鑰納之。金人圍城數重，杲登陴中矢，益自奮厲，卒全其城。

調江山丞，兩浙轉運使朱在辟監崇明鎮，崇明改隸淮東總領，與總領岳珂議不合，慨然引去。珂出文書一卷，曰：「舉狀也。」杲曰：「比而得禽獸，雖若丘陵，弗爲。」珂怒，杲曰：「可劾者文林，不可強者杜杲。」珂竟以負蘆錢劾，朝廷察蘆無虧，三劾皆寢。

淮西制置曾式中辟廬州節度推官。浮光兵變，杲單騎往誅其渠魁，守將爭餉金幣，悉封貯一室，將行，屬通判鄭準反之。安豐守告戍將扇搖軍情，且爲變，帥欲討之，杲曰：「是激使叛也。」請與兩卒往，呼將諭之曰：「而果無他，可持吾書詣制府。」將即日行，一軍帖然。

知六安縣，民有嬖其妾者，治命與二子均分。二子謂妾無分法，杲書其牘云：「《傳》云：『子從父令』，律曰：『違父教令』，是父之言爲令也，父令子違，不可以訓。然妾守志則可，或去或終，當歸二子。」部使者季衍覽之，擊節曰：「九州三十三縣令之最也。」

知定遠縣，會李全犯邊，衍時爲淮帥，辟通判濠州，朝廷以杲久習邊事，擢知濠州。制置大使趙善湘謀復盱眙，密訪杲，杲曰：「賊恃外援，當斷盱眙橋梁以困之。」卒用其策成功。金衆數萬駐榆林阜請降，輜重甚富，或請誘而圖之。杲曰：「殺降不仁，奪貨不義，納之則有後患。」諭而遣之。召奏事，差主管官告院，知安豐軍。善湘與趙范、范弟葵出師，遷淮西轉運判官。詔問守禦策，杲上封曰：「沿淮旱蝗，不任征役；中原赤立，無糧可因。若虛內事外，移南實北，腹心之地，必有可慮。」時在外諫出師者惟杲一人。及兵敗洛陽，人始服其先見。奉崇道祠，再知濠州，未行，改安豐。大元兵圍城，與杲大戰。明年，大兵復大至，又大戰。擢將作監，御書慰諭之。丞相李宗勉、參知政事徐榮叟曰：「帥淮西無逾杜杲者。」詔以安撫兼廬州，進太府卿、淮西制置副使兼轉運使。復與大元兵戰。累疏請老，不許。權刑部尚書。

淳祐元年，乞去愈力，擢工部尚書，遂以直學士奉祠。帝欲起之帥廣西，以言者罷。帝曰：「杜杲兩有守功，若脫兵權，使有後禍，朕何以使人？」乃起知太平州。俄擢華文閣學士、沿江制置使、知建康府、行宮留守，節制安慶、和、無爲三郡。

杲罷楊林堡，以其費備歷陽，淮民寓沙上者護以師。首謁程顥祠。總領所即張栻宦游處，陳像設祀焉。置貢士莊，蠲民租二萬八千石。復與大元兵戰於真州。進敷文閣學士，遷刑部尚書，引見，帝加獎勞。乞歸，不許，兼吏部尚書。杲隨資格通其礙，銓綜爲精。梁成大子賂當國者求銓試，杲曰：「昔沈繼祖論朱文公，成大亦論真文忠公，皆得罪名教者，子孫宜廢錮，安得仕？」進徽猷閣，奉祀。請老，升寶文閣致仕。帝思前功，進龍圖閣而杲卒，遺表上，贈開府。

杲淹貫多能，爲文麗密清嚴，善行草急就章。晚歲專意理學，嘗言：「吾兵間無悖謀左畫，得於《四書》。」子：庶。

EPITAPH OF MENG GONG FROM "COLLECTION OF LITERARY WORKS OF SIR HOU CUN" (後村先生大全集•卷之一百四十三•孟少保神道碑)

Epitaph of Meng Gong from "Collection of literary works of Sir. Hou Cun (後村先生大全集•卷之一百四十三•孟少保神道碑)

後村先生大全集三十五 

孟少保( 孟珙)

孟氏之先自絳徙唐後徙隨之華陽。公諱珙，字璞玉，高大父安嘗從岳王飛軍，曾大父立累，贈太子太保，妣胡氏絳郡夫人。大父林贈太子太傅，妣白氏太寕郡夫人。父宗政右武大夫鄂州江𨹧府都統制兼知棗陽軍，累贈太師永國公諡忠毅廟壮烈，妣馬氏冀國夫人，郭氏唐國夫人。公冀國所出忠毅第四子也。國家自辛已後東南久安，開禧初邊事始動，然將材亦出二十年間，出奇賈勇守固戰克蔽●國之西門繄忠毅之功。公幼從父，兵間出入必俱。嘉定戊寅，虜㓂襄陽帥，檄忠毅禦之，公料虜必窺樊城，請布陣羅家渡以待。虜至，伏發，死者大半帥。又檄援棗陽，嘗父子相失公，望胡騎中有素袍白馬者，識其為忠毅也，急麾騎軍哭陣，陣開而忠毅晚，以功補授初品。

己卯，虜聚粮械扵湖陽，忠毅命公攻㧞之。辛已辟光化尉。癸未，忠毅公薨扵棗陽，今上寳慶。乙酉，差峽州兵馬監押。丁亥辟京西，第五副將權神勁軍統制權管忠順軍。盖忠毅所招唐鄧蔡三郡壮士二萬餘人，江海縂之衆不安，制司以公伐海，公分其軍為三衆，乃帖然。紹定，戊子，公曰制閫剏平，虜堰于棗陽，溉田十萬頃，立十十庄三轄，使軍民分屯。是年收十萬石，又命忠順軍家自蓄馬，官給藁榖，孳生不計。馬益蕃息。己丑，陞京西弟五正將，棗陽軍駐劄縂轄，本軍屯駐忠順三軍。庚寅，差京西兵馬都監。丁唐國憂。明年，起復京西兵馬鈐轄、棗陽軍駐劄，仍縂制三軍。壬辰以閫檄討武天錫平之。

癸已，韃將那欒倴盞追元顔守緒，逼蔡，制閫慮其侵軼，檄公戍鄧，虜至，敗之，追至青塜吕堰，又敗之，以閫檄討武仙，克之。天錫者，鄧人，乘虜乱聚衆二十萬為邊患。公逼其壘一鼓㧞之，其麾下斬天錫首以獻。仙，真定人，聚衆亦二十萬，後受金虜招為唐鄧行省，與天錫鄧守移刺袁相倚角，為金盡力欲迎守緒，入蜀犯光化，鋒剽甚聞。公進兵轉而西，移刺爰以鄧州，張林以申州降，仙將楊聚、劉儀降。公以仙虚實問儀，儀言大寨在石穴山，以馬蹬、沙窩、岵山三寨為保障，又言必先破离金寨、王子山寨，則沙窩孤立矣。公用其策盡破諸寨，直𢷬石穴夷其衆，仙遁去。或言其能隱形，二除鄂州江陵府副都統制，賜金帶，其冬以閫檄伐金。

初韃使王檝約共攻蔡，且求兵粮，請師期。或謂金垂亡，宜執讐耻，或言韃貪，宜防後患，議不央，師以訪公。公言倘國家事力有餘則兵粮可勿與，其次當權以濟事，不然金滅無厭將及我矣。帥曰善，吾計决矣，用兵幾何？公請二萬，帥曰大將非公不可，命公盡䕶諸將以米千石餉韃軍，倴盞使人来迓公，與射獵割鮮而飲，遣先歸輕騎直造其帳。倴盞喜取馬乳酹之，且頻酌以飲，公曰：「你殺得武仙賽因賽因者，華言極好也，得蔡降人言城中飢，公曰：「虜已窘矣，當畫地而守以防突圍，我得東南，韃得西北，公語倴盞已戒南軍，毋入北營，汝亦當戒北軍，毋入南寨，倴盞諾令其萬户張柔領八都魯五十人踰濠突城，城中鈎二人以徃，柔亦罣鈎，公麾兵捄之，池深飛劍斫鈎挾柔以出，遂逼柴潭，立柵衛城恃潭為固，外即汝河潭高扵河五六尺，城上金字號樓伏巨弩，相傳云：岸下有伏龍人，不敢近將士疑畏。公召麾下飲再行曰柴潭非天造地設，樓上伏弩能及逺而不可射近，彼所恃此水决而注之，涸可立待，皆曰堤堅未易鑿。公曰：「所謂堅者，止築兩堤首耳，鑿其兩翼可也。」潭果决，實以薪葦過師。

端平甲午正月，圍蔡踰兩月矣。御札勉諭將士衆感激，思奮。公之先鋒向南門至金字樓，列雲梯，令諸軍聞鼓則進。馬義先登，趙榮繼之，公麾萬衆畢登，殺偽元帥髙家奴，使人視西北則金韃尚相持於土門水上，乃開西門下吊橋邀倴盞入江海，執偽參政張天綱以歸。公問守緒所在，天綱曰先覩西北城危，即輿金壁置小竹屋環以薪草，又往觀兵退而號泣，自經曰：『死便火我』連日兵交未克，歛城破，始火之時，竹屋烟熖猶未絶。公與倴盞拾其骨中分之，得偽武元皇帝諡寳一玉帶、一金、銀銅、印金、銀牌、各有差全師而歸。擢建康府副都統制俄授主管得侍衛，馬軍行司馬事閫檄䕶。

太常寺簿朱楊祖閤門、看班祗候林拓朝入陵，諜云：虜中傳南朝来争河南府，哨馬巳及孟津，陜府潼闗河南皆增屯，設伏，又聞淮閫刻日進師，衆疑畏不前，公曰：「淮東之師由淮、泗、汴，非旬餘不達，吾選騎疾馳不十日可竣事。建師至東京，吾巳歸矣。」於是宵征，至龍門齋宿，至于●先縣陵下，與二使●宣御表。時乆旱望陵上，雲氣五色，風雷大作，一雨沛然數十里外，元無雨也。成禮而歸，前既除馬帥而制閫奏留公襄陽，兼鎮北軍都統制。此軍乃公所招中原精鋭百載之士，公漢北、樊城、新野、塘鄧間凡萬五千餘人，俄令赴樞宻院禀議，除𢃄御器械。乙未，兼主管侍衛馬軍行司，公事時暫黄州駐劄朝辤。上言：「卿名將之子，破蔡滅金功績昭著。」公曰：「此宗社威靈，陛下聖徳，三軍將士之勞，臣何力之。」有上問恢復，奏云願陛下寛民力，蓄人材以，俟機㑹。其夏兼知光州，冬兼知黄州。

丙申，春，韃㓂黄兩耳山下，瞰城中，公跨山為城綿亘西北以䕶大城，慮軍民雜處，因高阜為兩堡曰“齊安”，曰“鎮淮”，以居諸後，屢攻皆敗之。秋節制黄蘄光信陽四郡軍馬。冬，進兵，觧蘄州圍，韃㓂荆。時㐮陽失守，隨守張龜壽、荆門守朱揚祖、郢守喬士安皆委郡去，復守施子仁死，江陵危急。詔㳂、江、淮西，遣援皆謂無踰公者，公至荆，虜㧞柵去分兩路一攻復州，一散在枝江，監利縣，編筏窺江。公遣外弟趙武等與虜𢧐躬往節度，破砦二十四還，被虜生口二萬，虜増兵來，又敗之，以火箭焚虜二千艘，虜不得逞而遁。嘉𤋮，丁酉，封隨縣開國男，擢高州刺史，進忠州團練使，兼知江陵府京西湖北安撫副使。夏，乞告改𦵏忠毅，公於大治磁湖之間御札牌趣赴江陵，仍令興國壽昌守臣津𤼵，秋除鄂州諸軍都統制。

冬，韃酋●没觧犯漢陽境，徘徊陽臺間，公至沌口，命諸將奮擊，虜出境去，韃酋口温不花入㓂蘄，守張可大、舒守李士逹各委郡，光守董臣以州降，韃合三郡人馬糧械攻黄守玉鑑，江帥萬文勝𢧐不利。公入城，軍民喜曰：「吾父来矣。」駐帳城樓，指畫𢧐守，虜刼民船千數謀渡江，公命同𪔂葛懐以戰艦衡虜陣，虜亂，欲引船遁，𪔂乗風揚帆薄北岸，四面合擊，𫉬舟二百艘，虜奪我東堤。公斬主將叱池深約移晷，收復深，選壮士陷陣，諸軍踵之，遂復東堤。虜添回回河西兵，公夜遣劉全等分七路刼砦，虜驚优，自相攻擊虜，晝夜穴城，公扵城內築月城，又掘萬人坑，廣八十餘丈，虜焚圑樓，城危甚，而士殊死𢧐，上朌親札曰：「卿等分提虎旅共保齊安郤敵盡忠，朕心嘉尚卿等，宜一乃心力早䇿雋功賜，卿等金椀各一戦，守將士天寒不易，今遣京會三十萬貫等，弟支犒公益以白金昐之嵗。暮韃軍闘死者凍死者遁㱕者十七八。

戊戌，春，韃遣八都魯突城入，悉墮坑中，我軍自月城上砲擂俱下，虜不能支，觧去。除寕逺軍承宣使　御器械，鄂州江陵府諸軍都統制閫帥。入奏，公兼留司事依舊，承宣使，除樞宻副都，承旨京西湖北路安撫制置副使，兼知岳州兼督視留府事，復郢州荆門軍。巳亥，復信陽軍、樊城、襄陽府，依舊承宣使，除樞宻院都承㫖兼知鄂州，復光化軍，兼湖廣縂領。冬，韃㓂䕫州，公䇿虜必道施黔以透湖湘，分兵屯㱕峡施，韃酋搭海圍哨開逹公塞徑路防灘淺虜潛師，夜渡萬州、湖灘。公曰：「督府請自提兵西上，虜廹㱕州大堙寨，知我有備而還。」公駐兵岳陽，條上流備禦，宜為三層藩籬，乞剏制副司及移闗外都統一軍於䕫，任倍萬以下江面之責，為苐一層備，𪔂、澧為第二層，備辰、沅、靖、郴桂為第三層，請峡州松滋各屯萬人，舟師隷焉，每州屯三千人，𪔂、澧辰、靖各屯五千人，郴桂各屯千人，如是則江面可保。又言四川帥臣賊末來，則一意●槖，賊一至則四散奔，避事甫定則連章請罪，梱載東下，雖置之嶺海，猶不失其為多貲安開之客，乞責敗事之人，以功贖過，其論戰守大計如此。庚子，進隨縣開國子制，拜寕武軍節度使，四川宣撫使兼知夔州兼節度㱕峡𪔂、澧見戌軍馬，進封漢東郡開國侯，兼京湖安撫制置使，公控辤者九韶不●者，三賜御札者，二略曰韃㓂坤維帥相矛盾不能都攘，師無紀律，反為潰亂，虜得深入迫我，上流欲得夷狄知姓名，兵將服智略者往鎮壓之，搏采於衆，母以踰𪤼此，豈尋常委寄之比，又曰：「卿言蜀事之難，是固難矣。不難無以見人傑，卿宜勇扵一行，詎可猶豫未决，三層之說，是見規摹素定凡有邊機利害可奏來。」公不敢辤。九月，領宣撫使事妙簡吳蜀之彦參錯幕府。時四川制置使棟隆之副使彭大雅不咸，公責之曰：「國事如此，勇於私闘，獨不愧亷藺之風乎。」二閫大慙。

黎守𨶕師古申大理國請道黎、雅入貢。公報此，玉斧所畫，大理自通邕廣，不宜取道州蜀，郤之。俄詔公留京湖隃制蜀事，力辤。辛丑，春，宣閫結局依舊，寕武軍節度使，京湖安撫制置大使兼夔路、制置大使以夔路隸夔路制司利潼、成都三路隸四川制司公曰：蜀事病於事權之分，今罷副司權既㱕一不當更，分夔路兼本路，屯田大使始至，軍無宿儲，公大興屯田，調夫築堰募農，給種如昔，行之棗陽者，縻錢四十六萬，緡三萬四千石粟，首秭㱕尾漢口為屯二千，為庒百七十，為頃十萬起建。閫迄壬寅計收九十三萬石有奇，上屯田本末與所減劵食之數降，詔奨諭進師公安築沙市城江陵，諸軍乞合祀，趙公方及樊劉孟、扈四都統孟即忠毅也。公泫然從之，作集忠廟。壬寅，建公安南陽二書院拜檢校少保依前寕武軍節度使、京湖安撫制置大使、夔路䇿應大使，進封漢東郡●國公。癸卯，春，觧䕫路制置大使事余玠宣諭四川過松，滋公一見如舊，玠欲荆閫通融事力，公餉以屯田米十萬石。春還岳陽，秋進師江陵。甲辰，春，兼知江𨹧府公謂：僚佐此着非也，彼若以兵綴，我上下流急，將若之何。乙巳，再乞祠不●既兼郡歎曰：江陵所恃三海，不知沮洳之地有愛变，為桑田者虜一鳴鞭即至城外，盖自城以東古嶺先鋒渡●至三

 畧無限隔，遂選僚属修內隘十有一，别作十隘於外，有距城数十里者。沮漳之水舊自城西入江，乃障而東之，俾繞城北入扵漢而三海遂通為一，隨其高下為櫃蓄，泄三百里間，𣺌然巨浸土木之工百七十萬，民不知役。繪圖上之御札稱奨，公以身鎮江陵，兄璟帥武昌，故事無兄弟同處一路者，乞㱕田不●。二書院成公奏：“㐮蜀蕩析士無所㱕，蜀士聚扵公安、襄士聚扵鄂渚，臣即兩處各屋六十間，以沒官田屋地隸焉。”公安田歳入二千石有奇，山澤間架之利，可二百萬嵗，養百二十員，鄂渚田嵗入六千石有奇山澤𫠦入，可四百萬嵗，飬百四十員，擇有學行者，為山長貳以堂長季試而旬課之，暇則習射中者，有賞竊見江西宗濓精舍鷺洲，書院皆蒙聖恩錫以宸翰，臣敢援近比以請上洒，奎墨以賜。丙午，自春迄秋，秋五乞祠不●。初，公招鎮北軍駐襄陽李虎、王旻之閧軍亂，鎮北亦潰韃，每驅為前鋒，公謂：此輩去非其罪，乃以帛書金幣招之，降者不絶。至是，河南行省范用𠮷宻通降欵，以所受偽𠮷為質，公白扵朝廟，論難之。公歎曰：“三十年收拾中原人心，今志不克，伸矣病。”遂革。九月，乞休，致授檢校少師、寕武軍節度、使致仕漢東郡開國公，以九月戊午終扵江陵府治年五十二。是月，有大星隕扵境內，聲如雷，薨之夕，大風𤼵屋折木。遺表聞，上震悼輟視朝，一日賻銀絹一千疋兩，加五百疋兩，特贈少師。丁未，𦵏扵壽昌軍武昌縣，金紫山公官自一尉至三少爵，自封男至郡公，自三百户至三千四百户，實封八百户，皆以𢧐功。自致薨後三贈至太師，封𠮷國公以子，陞朝配定襄郡夫人彭氏二男之經，左武大夫濠州圑練使𢃄，玉器械知辰州之縉紳童子科敕，賜童子舉出身。今以通●郎●秘閣新知寳慶府，二女長適，武功大夫左領軍衛將軍權𤼵，遣栁州王該次。後公六年卒，孫男七人淵澄溥浩沆潛一未名孫女二人曽，孫男一人已酉。荆襄流寓父老，請建廟議諡，立碑，詔下其事太常定廟額曰：“威愛博士翁甫考功郎官陳堅，請諡曰”忠襄“惟宰上之碑。學士院久未克。為公二子請不巳。夫天子命詞臣克荘曰：汝為之乃按公年譜參以耳目聞見著。其大者扵碑盖嘗反復。公平生而有感焉，嗟夫元顔氏之襄久矣。其失燕而徙汴也，議者尚欲存之，以捍韃及其盡失，中原而栖扵區區之蔡也。其勢與力不足以捍韃明矣，而前諭猶未改。至公始明其為國讐提偏，師覆巢穴夷種類，俘寳玉献於廟社，豈不足以雪粘斡亂華之恥，慰祖宗在天之靈哉？當元顔氏之存，邊患未嘗一日寛，謂韃始暴吾邊者，非也。盖炎紹名將張俊勤主之勞大矣，晚有附和議之愧，劉錡順昌之功高矣，或有無英㮣之評。公破蔡守黄無晚張劉。及上問和議則曰：“臣介胄之士，只當言戰不當言和、”其英㮣又如此。自昔將師通患貪功也，放利也。忌能也慢士也。公先入蔡開関，納韃北軍大掠我師，秋毫無犯，倴盞雖胡人，然與公共事七十餘日，獨知尊敬，豈非其器識徳度有以折伏之歟暮年援儒帥伐已闢精舍養士，則近世一人，而巳公用兵先計後𢧐，故能必勝。乗碑見危致命，故能堅守，至於料敵慮患瞭，如蓍蔡謂：“城都非制，帥駐足之地，宜徙重慶謂：虜必由間道，渉湖南江西之境，先事而言其後，皆驗其鎮上游也。㳂流風寒之處一一置屯。終，公之身邊人按堵去之。十年後人始有吝費神戌者，江防既撒虜，遂偷渡荆楚之人。至今思之，公幼不好，弄壮忠憤，激𤼵晚澹泊灰槁視聲色貨利如嚼蠟𫠦臨方面參佐部曲白事，献䇿言人人殊，公徐以片語折衷，衆志皆㥦，謁士游，容老校，退卒壹以恩意附接名位，雖重惟建鼔旗衙將吏生凛然反退掃一室，則爐薫書●，隐几危坐，若蕭然事外者。其學䆳扵《易》六十四卦，各係四句，名警心易賛向使公不為世務所泊尋徴之功，不減輔嗣矣，亦喜禪學與名衲游，自號無庵天子大書，其扁克荘念

端平初，與公同朝，及公以馬帥往戌，淮右猶及祖餞嵗，晚奉詔秉筆表阡乃系以銘銘曰：“當禧嘉際，力扞隨棗為國虎，臣實公嚴考。”公髪未燥。從翁兵間。迄纘戎功繼登將壇有武有文。且戰且守，守緒燔死不花潰走，雪戴天耻，全參夘城㐮鄂底，定建閫江陵，分兵戌淮，船粟餉蜀苟利社稷，如衛頭目某地險隘，某處磧灘布列砦艦蔽●風。寒，踰八十年猘不南吠酋長相戒曰：“彼有備，古有上毉灼，見病源其人往矣。而方猶存三層之說，䆒極標本倘修其方亦今盧扁申甫之生，惟嶽降靈祖葛之死，有星隕管●(曷)不七十繪麟閣像●(曷)不八十載鴨渌上武昌之栁萬山之碑豈無他人二公之思公視二公其賢相類孰為此評荆楚之士公有羙子各乗朱輪維忠維孝以燾後人

HISTORY OF SONG: BIOGRAPHY OF MENG GONG (CHAPTER 412): A TRANSLATION AND ANNOTATION (宋史孟珙傳注譯（卷412）注譯)

Relevant links

History of Song: Biography of Meng Gong in Vietnamese History of Song: Biography of Du Gao

 History of Song chapter 412: Biography of Meng Gong (宋史孟珙傳•卷412)

1.孟珙，字璞玉，隨州棗陽人。四世祖安，嘗從岳飛軍中有功。嘉定十年，金人犯襄陽，駐團山，父宗政時爲趙方將，以兵禦之。珙料其必窺樊城，獻策宗政由羅家渡濟河，宗政然之。越翼日，諸軍臨渡佈陣，金人果至，半渡伏發，殲其半。宗政被檄援棗陽，臨陣嘗父子相失，珙望敵騎中有素袍白馬者，曰：「吾父也。」急麾騎軍突陣，遂脫宗政。以功補進勇副尉。

Meng Gong, style Pu Yu, was a native of Caoyang, Suizhou. His great-great-grand father (four generations earlier counting from his father) used to enlist in the army of Yue Fei and achieved some merits. In Jiading 10 (Feb/8/1217 đến Jan/27/1218), the Jin army encroached Xiangyang, they camped in mountain of Tuan (團山). At that time, his father Meng Zongzheng (宗政) was a general under the command of Zhao Fang (趙方), he led his troops to defend that place. Meng Gong predicted that the enemy had some intention on Fancheng (樊城). He offered a stratagem to his father Zongzheng: to cross the river from the port Luojia (羅家). Zongzheng thought that this was the right move. After several days, the whole army formed formation on the opposite bank, the Jin army arrived as predicted. Half-way crossing the river, they were ambushed and half of them lost their lives. Zongzheng was ordered by the emperor to reinforce Caoyang. Right at the moment when they engaged in battles, the father and son lost each other. Meng Gong saw that among the enemy cavalry, there was a man who dressed in white robe and rode a white horse, he said: "That is my father!" He hurriedly ordered his cavalry to furiously engaged in battle, and as such, his father Zongzheng was able to escape. For his achievement he was appointed to be the Second-in-command of the Courageously Advance Army. 

2.十二年，完顏訛可步騎二十萬分兩路攻棗陽，環集城下，珙登城射之，將士驚服。宗政命珙取它道劫金人，破砦十有八，斬首千餘級，大俘軍器以歸，金人遁，以功升下班祗應。

In Jiading 12 (Jan/18/1219 đến Feb/5/1220), Wanyan Eke (完顏訛可) had 200,000 cavalry and infantry splitting into two roads to invade Caoyang. They surrounded the city and were below the walls. Meng Gong ascended on top of the wall and shot them, his men was flabbergasted and admired him. Meng Zongzheng ordered Gong to find a different rout to attack the Jin. He annihilated 18 camps, decapitated more than a thousand enemy's head, as well as captured a large quantity of military equipments before he returned. The Jin fled afterwards. For his success, he was promoted to be (?)

3.十四年，入謁制置使趙方，一見奇之，辟光化尉，轉進武校尉。十六年，以功特授承信郎。丁父憂，制置使起復之，珙辭，訖葬趣就職，又辭，轉成忠郎。理宗即位，特授忠翊郎，尋差峽州兵馬監押兼在城巡檢，京湖制置司差提督虎翼突騎軍馬，又辟京西第五副將，權管神勁左右軍統制。

In Jiading 14 (Jan/25/1221 đến Feb/12/1222), Meng Gong met and bowed to the Military Commissioner (制置使) Zhao Fang (趙方). At first sight, Fang could tell there was something extraordinary about him. He was appointed to be the Commander of Guanghua, then was transferred and promoted to be Wujin (進武) Commandant. In Jiading 16, he must attend the funeral of his father. The Military Commissioner Zhao Fang wished to employ him in his service, but Meng Gong (politely) refused. Zhao Fang then suggested that after the funeral mourning period ended, Gong should immediately assumed his duty, yet Gong once again declined. He was transferred to be (?). When the emperor Song Lizong (宋理宗) was enthroned, he was especially entrusted to be (?). Not long after this, he was appointed to be the Supervisor of Militia of Xiazhou (峽州), while also served as Executive Police Chief of the City. Then he was appointed to be the Military Governor of the Command Headquarter of Jinghu, Commander-in-Chief of the Tiger Wings Cavalry Army. He was then promoted to be the Fifth-Ranking Vice General of Jingxi, temporarily served as the Commandant of the Left and Right Wing of the Shenjing Army.

4.初，宗政招唐、鄧、蔡壯士二萬餘人，號「忠順軍」，命江海總之，衆不安，制置司以珙代海，珙分其軍爲三，衆乃帖然。紹定元年，珙白制置司創平堰于棗陽，自城至軍西十八里，由八疊河經漸水側，水跨九阜，建通天槽八十有三丈，溉田十萬頃，立十莊三轄，使軍民分屯，是年收十五萬石。又命忠順軍家自畜馬，官給芻粟，馬益蕃息。二年，升京西第五正將、棗陽軍總轄，本軍屯駐忠順三軍。明年，差京西兵馬都監。丁母憂。又明年，起復京西兵馬鈐轄、棗陽軍駐劄，仍總三軍。

Previously, Meng Zongzheng recruited more than 20,000 strong men from Tangzhou (唐), Dengzhou (鄧) and Saizhou (蔡). He called them the Loyal and Obedient Army (忠順軍). Jiang Hai was ordered to command them, but they were unruly. The Headquarter of Military Commissioner then led Meng Gong to replace Jiang Hai. Gong divided this army into three groups and they willingly followed his arrangement. In Shaoding 1, Meng Gong suggested establishing Pingyan (平堰) () in Caoyang to the Military Commissioner Zhao Fang, running 18 li from the city to the military headquarter, from the Ba Die river (八疊河) through the bank of Jian Shui (漸水). The water flows through nine mountains. They should build a "connecting to heaven" canal that was 83 zhang in width to irrigate 100,000 mu of farmland. They should establish 10 estates and three he, then the soldiers and civilians divided lands to till the field. That year, they were able to harvest 150,000 shi of food. The family of the Loyal and Obedient Army was ordered to raise horses themselves while officials would provide fodders. Horses increased in great number. In Shaoding 2 (Feb/8/1228 đến Jan/26/1229), Meng Gong was promoted to be the Fifth-Rank General, Commander of Caoyang Army. The Caoyang army stationed where the Loyal and Obedient Army was. The next year (Jan/16/1230 đến Feb/3/1231), he was appointed to be the Military Director in Chief of Jingxi. He had to attend the funeral of his mother as she passed away. He was then latter appointed to be the Military Administrator of Infantry and Cavalry of Jingxi, Caoyang Army Detached from Caoyang. He then assumed control of the three Loyal and Obedient Army as before.

() The name suggestes that this is a dike. 平 means to FLAT where as 堰 means a dike.

5.六年，大元將那顏倴盞追金主完顏守緒，逼蔡，檄珙戍鄂，討金唐、鄧行省武仙。仙時與武天錫及鄧守移剌瑗相掎角，爲金盡力，欲迎守緒入蜀，犯光化，鋒剽甚。天錫者，鄧之農夫，乘亂聚衆二十萬爲邊患。珙逼其壘，一鼓拔之，壯士張子良斬天錫首以獻。是役獲首五千級，俘其將士四百餘人，戶十二萬二十有奇，乃授江陵府副都統制，賜金帶。

In Shaoding 6, the general of the Great Yuan (Mongols) Nayan Benzhan () pursued the emperor of Jin Wanyan Shouxu (Jin Aizong) and approached Caizhou (蔡). Meng Gong was ordered to defend Ezhou (鄂) and attack the Branch Secretariat of Tangzhou (唐) and Dengzhou (鄧) of Jin named Wu Xian (武仙). At the time, Wu Xian, together with Wu Tianxi (武天錫) and the defender of Dengzhou (鄧) Yila Yuan formed a pincer attack on Song. They all wanted to defend Jin to their last breath. Their intention was to take Shouxu to Shu (Sichuan). As such, they encroached Guanghua (光化), their vanguard was very powerful. Wu Tianxi was originally a peasant of Dengzhou. He gathered 200,000 men during the chaotic time and became a threat to the border security (of Song dynasty). Gong approached his fortification and within just one sound of drums he was able to take it. The brave soldier Zhang Ziliang cut off Yang Tianxi's head and submitted to Meng Gong. In this battle, Gong was able to take 5000 heads, captured more than 400 generals and soldiers, together with 120,020 families. As such, he was promoted to be Vice Supreme Commandant of Jiangling and was bestowed a golden belt.

6.制置司檄珙問邊事，珙曰：「金人若向呂堰，則八千人不爲少，然須木查、騰雲、呂堰等砦受節制乃可濟。」已而劉全、雷去危兩部與金人戰於夏家橋，小捷。有頃，金人犯呂堰，珙喜曰：「吾計得矣。」亟命諸軍追擊呂堰，進逼大河，退逼山險，砦軍四合，金人棄輜重走，獲甲士五十有二，斬首三千，馬牛橐駝以萬計，歸其民三萬二千有奇。瑗遣其部曲馬天章奉書請降，得縣五，鎮二十二，官吏一百九十三，馬軍千五百，步軍萬四千，戶三萬五千三百，口十二萬五千五百五十三。珙入城，瑗伏階下請死，珙爲之易衣冠，以賓禮見。

The Headquarter of Military Comissioner (制置司) asked Gong about matters pertaining to border security, Gong replied that: "If the Jin attacked Lü Yan (呂堰), then our 8000 troops was a not small force, but we need to subject the three forts Mu Zha (木查), Teng Yun (騰雲) and Lü Yan to tight control so that they could come to assist each other." Not long after this, the subordinate commanders Liu Quan (劉全) and Lei Quwei (雷去危) fought with the Jin on the Xiajia bridge (夏家橋) and achieved a small victory. Then after this, the Jin army encroached Lü Yan, Meng Gong was happy and said: "My plan has worked out!" He immediately ordered the whole army to pursue and attack Lü Yan fort. Forward, they advanced to approach the great river. Backward, they retreated to get close to the rugged mountains. The army of all four forts joined force together. The Jin army abandoned their baggage trains and escaped. The Song army captured 52 armoured men, cut off 3000 heads, as well as more than 10,00 horses, cows and camels. Slightly more than 32,000 familes were returned. Yila Yuan ordered his subordinate Ma Tianzhang (馬天章) to submit a message expressing his wish to surrender. The Song was able to capture 5 counties, 22 towns, 193 officials, 1500 cavalrymen, 14,000 infantrymen, 35,300 families, 125,553 people. Gong entered the city, Yila Yuan bowed down to the steps and asked to be execute. Gong, however, let him change his cloth and treated him as a guest.

7.初，仙屯順陽，爲宋軍所撓，退屯馬蹬。金順陽令李英以縣降，申州安撫張林以州降，珙言：「歸附之人，宜因其鄉土而使之耕，因其人民而立之長，少壯籍爲軍，俾自耕自守，才能者分以土地，任以職使，各招其徒以殺其勢」制置司是之。七月己酉，仙愛將劉儀領壯士二百降，珙問仙虛實，儀陳：「仙所據九砦，其大砦石穴山，以馬蹬、沙窩、岵山三砦蔽其前；三砦不破，石穴未易圖也。若先破離金砦，則王子山砦亦破，岵山、沙窩孤立，三帥成禽矣。」珙翼日遣兵向離金，廬秀執黑旗帥衆入砦，金人不疑爲宋軍，乃分據巷道，大呼縱火，掩殺幾盡。是夜，壯士楊青等搗王子山砦，護帳軍酣寢，王建入帳中，斬金將首囊佩之，平明視之，金小元帥也。

Before this, Wu Xian stationed his army in Shunyang (順陽) and was harassed by the Song army. He thus retreated to Madeng (馬蹬). The District Magistrate of Jin named Li Ying surrendered his district, the Military Commissioner Zhang Lin also brought his prefecture to the Song. Meng Gong said: "Regarding those who have come to surrender and submit, we should return their lands to them so that they can till the field. We should let them elect their leaders among themselves. Those who are young but strong should be registered to be subjected to military duties, thus making it possible for them to self-sustain and defend themselves. Those who show talents should be assigned a plot of land and appointed them to be officials. Each of them would then recruit their own followers so that the power of those who newly come to submit would diminish." The Headquarter of Military Comissioners approved Meng Gong's opinion. In the seventh month, jiyou, Wu Xian's favourite general Liu Yi (劉儀) headed a group of 200 strong men coming to surrender. Meng Gong asked him about the actual situation of Wu Xian's army. Liu Yi said: "Wu Xian occupied nine forts. The greatest fort was called Shixue Shan (石穴山). This fort relied on three smaller forts Madeng (馬蹬), Shawo (沙窩), Hushan (岵山) to guard its front. If these three forts are not taken, then  Shixue Shan great fort could not be easily assaulted. If we first take Lijin (離金) fort, then Wangzishan (王子山) would also fall into our hands. Once that is done, then the three forts Madeng, Shawo and Hushan could also be easily capture. The next day, Meng Gong ordered his troops to attack Lijin fort, their commanders Lu Xiu held the black banner to lead them into the fort. The Jin troops did not suspect that they were Song soldiers. They divided their forces to occupy the roadways and shouted loudly while setting fire to the fort. They killed almost everyone by surprise. That night, the strong man Yang Qing (楊青) harrassed Wangzishan fort. Those who guarded the fort were in deep sleep. Wang Jian (王建) entered their tents and cut off the head of the Jin general and put it in a bag. When the sun rises, he peek at it and realized that that was the head of a Vice Marshal.

8.丙辰，出師馬蹬，遣樊文彬攻其前門，成明等邀截西路，一軍圍訖石烈，一軍圍小總帥砦，火燭天，殺僇山積，餘逸去者復爲成明伏軍所得，壯士老少萬二千三百來歸。師還，至沙窩西，與金人遇，大捷。是日，三戰三克。未幾，丁順等又破默候里砦。珙召儀曰：「此砦既破，板橋、石穴必震，汝能爲我招之乎？」儀曰：「晉德與花腿王顯、金鎮撫安威故舊，招之必來。」乃遣德行，儀又請選婦人三百偽逃歸，懷招軍榜以向，珙從之。威見德，敘情好甚歡，介德往見顯，顯即日以書乞降。德復請珙遣劉儀候之。顯軍約五千，猶未解甲，珙令作栲栳陣；入陣，周視良久，乃去，如素所撫循；饗以牛酒，皆醉飽歌舞。珙料武仙將上岵山絕頂窺伺，令樊文彬詰旦奪岵山，駐軍其下，前當設伏，後遮歸路。已而仙衆果登山，及半，文彬麾旗，伏兵四起，仙衆失措，枕藉崖谷，山爲之赬，殺其將兀沙惹，擒七百三十人，棄鎧甲如山。薄暮，珙進軍至小水河，儀還，具言仙不欲降，謀往商州依險以守，然老稚不願北去，珙曰：「進兵不可緩。」夜漏十刻，召文彬等受方略，明日攻石穴九砦。丙辰，蓐食啟行，晨至石穴。時積雨未霽，文彬患之，珙曰：「此雪夜擒吳元濟之時也。」策馬直至石穴，分兵進攻，而以文彬往來給事。自寅至巳力戰，九砦一時俱破，武仙走，追及於鯰魚砦，仙望見，易服而遁。復戰於銀葫蘆山，軍又敗，仙與五六騎奔。追之，隱不見，降其衆七萬人，獲甲兵無算。還軍襄陽，轉修武郎、鄂州江陵府副都統制。

Bingchen, the army of Meng Gong approached Madeng fort. Gong ordered Fan Wenbin (樊文彬) to attack its front gate,  Cheng Ming (成明) cut off the western path. An army was responsible for surrounding Qishilie (訖石烈) fort, another army was tasked with surrounding Xiaozongshi (小總帥) fort, fire brightened up the sky, enemy's bodies piled up like mountain. Those who fled fell into the ambush set up by Cheng Ming and were captured. 12,300 strong men came to surrender. The army returned and encountered the enemy in the west of Shawo fort. They scored a great victory. On that day, the army engaged three times and won all three. Not long after this, Ding Shun  (丁順) captured Mohouli (默候里) fort. Meng Gong asked Liu Yi to come to ask: "This fort was now captured. Upon learning this, those in Banqiao (板橋) and Shixueshan fort would be deeply shaken, could you came there and called them to surrender on my behalf?" Liu Yi responded: "Jin De (晉德) and Huatui Wangxian (花腿王顯) were all acquaintances of the the Prison Guard An Wei (安威) of Jin. If these two came to ask for surrender, then An Wei would certainly come." Meng Gong asked Jin De to go first. Liu Yi then asked Gong to select 300 women to pretend to go back to surrender, carrying with them an announcement that calls for surrender. Meng Gong approved Liu Yi's suggestion. An Wei, upon meeting Jian De, was very happy and expressed his friendliness. An Wei introduced Jian De to Huatui Wangxian, Wangxian immediately wrote a letter of submission on that day. Jin De asked Meng Gong to let Liu Yi to meet Wangxian. Troops under Wangxian's command numbered some 5000, they had not submitted (literally put down their armours). Meng Gong ordered his men to form kaolao formation. He entered the formation, looking around for a while, and the left. He looks to be pleased as usual. Meng Gong set up a banquet with wind and and let the men of Wangxian to be both drunk and full, while letting them dancing and singing. Meng Gong predicted that Wu Xian might ascend the top of mount Huxian and stealthily scouted around. He ordered Fan Wenbin to capture that mountain top in the early morning of the next day and stationed his troops there. Wenbin set up an ambush in the front while cut off the retreat rout in the back. Not long after this, Wu Xian's troops ascended the moutain as expected. Waiting until they were half-way up on the mountain, Wenbin waved his flags and his soldiers rise up from all sides, Wu Xian's men were totally panic, their bodies piled up on each other on the mountain, dyeing it red with their blood. killing their general Wusha Re (兀沙惹), capturing 730 men. Their armours were thrown down like mountain. At sunset, Meng Gong ordered his army to advance to the Xiaoshui river (小水河). Liu Yi came back and reported that Wu Xian was not willing to surrender. He intended to arrive at Shangzhou (商州) and using the difficult terrain there to defend himself. Yet, those who were old or young were not willing to run to the north. Meng Gong said: "We could not afford to delay, march on!" In middle of the night, at ten ke (Chinese way of counting hours), Meng Gong summoned Fan Wenbin and informed him of the general strategy. The next day, they attacked Shixueshan fort and nine other forts. Bingchen, Gong's troops were allowed to eat breakfast at a very early hour, and they arrived at Shixueshan fort early in the morning. At that time, rain kept pouring non-stop, Fan Wenbin was worried about this. Meng Gong said: "This snowing night was the opportunity to capture Wu Yuanji (吳元濟) ()." He whipped his horse and rode to Shixueshan. He divided his army and assaulting the fort, Fan Wenbin was tasked with supporting the main army. They ferociously engaged in battle from yin (from 3 to 5am) till si (from 9am to 11am). All nine forts were captured at the same time. Wu Xian fled. Gong's army pursued them to Nianyu (鯰魚) fort. Wu Xian observed around, changed his attires and then fled. Two sides fought again in the Yinhulu mountain (銀葫蘆山, literally Silver Gourd Mountain), Wu Xian was defeated again. He fled with 5 or 6 cavalrymen. The Song pursued them but they all hid and the pursuers could not find out their whereabouts. 70,000 men of Wu Xian surrendered, Meng Gong's men captured so many armours that they lost count. His army then returned to Xiangyang (襄陽). He was transferred to serve as (?) and as Vice Supreme Commander of Jianglin and Ezhou. 

9.大元兵遣宣撫王楫約共攻蔡，制置使謀於珙，珙請以二萬人行，因命珙盡護諸將。金兵二萬騎繇真陽橫山南來，珙鼓行而前，金人戰敗，卻走，追至高黃陂，斬首千二百級。倴盞遣兔花忒、沒荷過出、阿悉三人來迓，珙與射獵，割鮮而飲，馳入其帳。倴盞喜，約爲兄弟，酌馬湩飲之。金兵萬人自東門出戰，珙遮其歸路，掩入汝河，擒其偏裨八十有七人。得蔡降人，言城中饑，珙曰：「已窘矣，當盡死而守，以防突圍。」珙與倴盞約，南北軍毋相犯。決堰水，布虎落。倴盞遣萬戶張柔帥精兵五千人入城，金人鉤二卒以往，柔中流矢如蝟，珙麾先鋒救之，挾柔以出。撥發官宋榮不肅，將斬之，衆下馬羅拜以請，猶杖之。黎明，珙進逼石橋，鉤致生俘郭山，戰少卻。金人突至，珙躍馬入陣，斬山以徇，軍氣復張，殊死戰，進逼柴潭立柵，俘金人百有二，斬首三百餘級。翼日，命諸將奪柴潭樓。金人爭樓，諸軍魚貫而上。金人又飾美婦人以相蠱，麾下張禧等殺之，遂拔柴潭樓，俘其將士五百三十有七人。蔡人恃潭爲固，外即汝河，潭高於河五六丈，城上金字型大小樓伏巨弩，相傳下有龍，人不敢近，將士疑畏。珙召麾下飲，再行，曰：「柴潭非天造地設，樓伏弩能及遠而不可射近，彼所恃此水耳，決而注之，涸可立待。」皆曰：「堤堅未易鑿。」珙曰：「所謂堅者，止築兩堤首耳，鑿其兩翼可也。」潭果決，實以薪葦，遂濟師攻城，擒其兩將斬之，獲其殿前右副點檢溫端，磔之城下，進逼土門。金人驅其老稚熬爲油，號「人油炮」，人不堪其楚，珙遣道士說止之。

The army of the Great Yuan sent the Pacification Commissioner Wang Ji (王楫) come to Meng Gong's place to plan for a joint attack on Caizhou (蔡). The Military Commissioner discussed the matters with Meng Gong, Gong asked for 20,000 men for the campaign. As such, Gong was ordered to support all generals. 20,000 horsemen of Jin dynasty rode to the south from Zhenyang (真陽), Hengshan (橫山) (mountain Heng). Meng Gong sounded the drum and advanced, the Jin was defeated in battle and fled. The Song pursued them to Gaohangpi (高黃陂) (literally means high and yellow mountain slope). They collected 1,200 heads of the enemy. Nayan Benzhan ordered three men Tuhuate (兔花忒), Meiheguo (沒荷過) and Axi (阿悉) to welcome Meng Gong (to their camp). Gong went hunting with them, cutting fresh meat, drinking and riding up to their tent. Benzhan liked him and wished to become his sworn brother. He poured horse milk (for Meng Gong) and they drunk it together. The Jin numbered 10,000 men came out from the eastern gate to battle, Meng Gong cut off their retreating route, took them by surprise and crossed Ruhe (汝河) (river Ru), capturing 87 enemy subordinate generals. His troops captured a surrendered prisoner from Caizhou who said that the city already ran out of provisions. Gong said: "The situation inside is already desperate, they would defend themselves to their last breath, we ought to watch out for any attempt to break out." Meng Gong and Nayan Benzhan came to an agreement that the northern and souther army would not mix up together. They would drain the dike and set up wooden ramparts. Benzhan ordered the wanhu Zhang Ru (張柔) to lead an elite force numbered 5000 to enter the city. The Jin people used hooks to pull off two soldiers and dragged them away. Zhang Ru was hit by numerous arrows to the point where he looked like a hedgehog. Gong led the vanguard to rescue him. Gong grabbed Zhang Ru and escaped from the scene. The Dispatcher Ma Rong showed disrespect, Meng Gong almost had him execute, but the men dismounted and asked Gong to pardon him. Ma Rong was beaten by sticks later. As the sun was about rise, Gong's army approached Shiqiao (石橋) (literally means the stone bridge). His troops used hooks to capture alive Guo Shan (郭山). His army slightly backed off, the Jin suddenly rushed forth, Gong jumped on his horse and entered the enemy's formation. He cut off Guo Shan's head to make an example, which enlivened the fighting spirit of the army one more time, they fought without caring about their lives, and thus made an advance towards the tower Chaitan (柴潭樓) (literally the tower of the Chai swamp) while setting up wooden ramparts. They captured 200 Jin soldiers, decapitated 300 heads. The next day, Meng Gong ordered all generals to capture Chaitan tower. The Jin made an attempt to wrestle the tower from the Song, the generals took their turn to climb up the tower. The Jin sent forth women with makeups to distract their enemy, but Gong's subordinate Zhang Xi (張禧) slayed them all, thus the Song army captured the tower and 537 generals and soldiers from the enemy. The people of Caizhou counted on the artificial swamp as an obstacle. Outside was the Ruhe (river Ru). The swamp was higher than the river level 5 to 6 zhang. On top of the city wall were big and small towers shaped like the character "jin" (金) , in which hidden a large crossbow. Legend had it that there was a dragon down there, men did not dare to come close. The generals and soldiers were afraid of it. Meng Gong summoned his generals for a drink. After the second drink, he said: "The Chai swamp was not something formed by nature, the crossbow installed in the tower could only reach our troops from afar, tt was not effective in close distance. Our enemy only counted on this river. If we break the dike and drain the swamp, then it would be empty." All the generals said: "The dike was particularly sturdy, it was not easy to chisel it." Gong responded: "The reason why the dike was sturdy was because of its head and tail, if we chisel its two wings (or sides), then it will be broken." The swamp was indeed drained, the army used firewoods and grass to fill up the hole to cross the swamp and stormed the city. They captured two enemy generals and executed them. The Right Vice Place Inspectorate General Wen Duan also fell into the Song army hands. His body was torn to pieces below the city wall. The Song approached the city gate made of earth. The Jin cooked the old and young with boiling oil. They called it "human oil bun". The people could not withstand the pains inflicted to them. Meng Gong sent a Daoist priest to persuade them to stop this calamity.

10.端平元年正月辛丑，黑氣壓城上，日無光，降者言：「城中絕糧已三月，鞍靴敗鼓皆糜煮，且聽以老弱互食，諸軍日以人畜骨和芹泥食之，又往往斬敗軍全隊，拘其肉以食，故欲降者衆。」珙下令諸軍銜枚，分運雲梯布城下。己酉，珙帥師向南門，至金字樓，列雲梯，令諸將聞鼓則進，馬義先登。趙榮繼之，萬衆競登，大戰城上，降其丞相烏古論栲栳，殺其元帥兀林達及偏裨二百人。門西開，招倴盞入，江海執其參政張天綱以歸。珙問守緒所在，天綱曰：「城危時即取寶玉置小室，環以草，號泣自經，曰：『死便火我』，煙焰未絕。」珙與倴盞分守緒骨，得金諡寶、玉帶、金銀印牌有差。還軍襄陽，特授武功郎、主管侍衛馬軍行司公事。擢建康府都統制兼權侍衛馬軍行司職事。

Duanping 1, I, xinchou (February/1/1234), black smoke filled the city. Sunlight could not shine upon it (due to black smoke). A surrenderer said: "The city has run out of food for 3 months. Horse saddles and leather boots were all cooked. I also heard that the old and weak are eating each other, while soldiers day by day mix  human and animal bones with parsley and mud to consume. Furthermore, they usually killed the whole squad of surrendered enemy troops and cut off their meat to eat. As such, a lot of people want to surrender." Meng Gong ordered the whole army to hold a metallic bit in their mouth (), passed on the siege ladders and distributed them under the city wall. Jiyou, Gong commanded his troops to head towards the southern gate. They approached the tower shaped like a character jin (金字樓), placed the ladder against the wall, and ordered all the generals to climb up upon the sound of drums. General Ma Yi (馬義) was the first to ascend to the top, then Zhao Rong (趙榮) followed him. Ten thousand soldiers rushed against each other to climb. A great battle occured on the city wall. The Grand Councilor Wugu Lunkaolao (烏古論栲栳) surrendered, the Marshal Wulinda (兀林達) and 200 subordinate commanders were killed in action. The western gate was opened so that Nayan Benzhan (and the Mongols) could enter the city. Jiang Hai (江海) captured the Vice Grand Councilor Zhang Tiangang (張天綱) and brought him back to Meng Gong. Gong asked where was the Jin emperor Wanyan Shouxu, Tiangang answered: "When the situation inside the city turns hopeless, our emperor brought jewels and pears to a small chamber, then surrounded himself with dried grass, shed tears and and hung himself. His last words were: "Once I died, burnt my own body." Fire and smoke kept burning afterwards." Meng Gong and Nayan Benzhan shared the ashes of the Jin emperor Wanyan Shouxu. They obtained the emperor's jade seal, a jade belt, gold and silver seals and command tokens. The army of Meng Gong returned to Xiangyang. He was especially appointed to be Military General of Merit, Metropolitan Cavalry Command in Charge. He was then elevated to Supreme Commandant of Jiankang Prefecture while concurrently and temporarily served as Administrative Official of the Metropolitan Cavalry Headquarter.

() The original word is 銜枚. 枚 means horse bit. These words were also employed by Ou Yangxiu in his poem "An Autumn Dirge". A translation of it could be found in Hebert Giles, A History of Chinese Literature, p.215-216. He rendered this phrase 銜枚疾走 as "bit in mouth"

11.太常寺簿朱楊祖、看班祗候林拓朝八陵，諜云大元兵傳宋來爭河南府，哨已及盟津，陝府、潼關、河南皆增屯設伏，又聞淮閫刻日進師，衆畏不前。珙曰：「淮東之師，由淮、泗溯汴，非旬餘不達，吾選精騎疾馳，不十日可竣事；逮師至東京，吾已歸矣。」於是晝夜兼行，與二使至陵下，奉宣御表，成禮而歸。制置司奏留珙襄陽兼鎮北軍都統制。鎮北軍者，珙所招中原精銳百戰之士萬五千餘人，分屯漅北、樊城、新野、唐、鄧間。俄令赴樞密院稟議，授帶御器械。二年，授主管侍衛馬軍司公事，時暫黃州駐劄，朝辭，上曰：「卿名將之子，忠勤體國，破蔡滅金，功績昭著。」珙對曰：「此宗社威靈，陛下聖德，與三軍將士之勞，臣何力之有？」帝問恢復，對曰：「願陛下寬民力，蓄人材，以俟機會。」帝問和議，對曰：「臣介胄之士，當言戰，不當言和。」賜齎甚厚。兼知光州，又兼知黃州。

The Chamberlain of Ceremonials (太常) and the Registrar of the Court (寺簿) Zhou Yangzu (朱楊祖) and the Apprentice Usher Lin Tuo (林拓) came to visit the mausoleums of eight emperors (of Northern Song dynasty). Intelligence reported that words passed among the Great Yuan (the Mongols) that the Song dynasty came to wrestle away Henan Prefecture from them. The advance vanguard has reached Meng Jin (盟津), Shaan Fu (陝府), Tong Guan (潼關). Henan augmented troops to set up ambushes. It was also heard that Huai (淮) general was scheduled to advance his army, but his soldiers were afraid and refused to go forward. Meng Gong said: "They army of Huaidong (淮東) which come from Huai river and Si (泗) river to reach Bianjing (汴) would not arrive there before a week. If I handpicked elite cavalry and let them move forward, then everything is done shorter than ten days. Once the army has already reached Dongjing (東京), my cavalry would have returned." As such, his force quickly marched night and day to meet the two ambassadors in the mausoleums, announced imperial edict, performed proper rituals and then returned. The Headquarter of the Military Commissioner submitted a memorial to request that Meng Gong remained in Xiangyang (襄陽) and concurrently served as the Supreme Commandant of the Zhenbei Army (鎮北). The Zhenbei army consisted of 15,000 soldiers who had gone through hundreds of battles and was recruited by Meng Gong in the Central Plain. They were divided to defend Chaobei (漅北), Fancheng (樊城), Xinye (新野), Tangzhou (唐) and Dengzhou (鄧). Not long after this, he was summoned to present his opinion at the Bureau of Military Affairs. He was appointed to be (?). Duanping 2, he served as Administrative Official of the Metropolitan Cavalry Headquarter in Charge. At the time, he was stationing his troops at Huangzhou (黃州), he came to the court to bid farewell to the emperor. The emperor said to him: "You are the son of a famous general. You have loyally and diligently served the state. With such achievements as breaking into Caizhou and exterminating the Jin, your merrits are apparent. "This is due to the august divinity of our state and your Majesty sagacious moral virtues. Comparing to the achievement of the whole army and its soldiers, I have not done much on my part." When the emperor asked about recovering lost lands (), Gong responded: "I wish that your Majesty should spare the people from arduity, conserve human and financial resource and wait for the right opportunity." When the emperor asked about whether the state should negotiate for peace with enemy, Gong replied: "I am a general, I only speak of war, not peace." The emperor awarded Meng Gong lavishly and let him serve concurrently as Magistrate of Guangzhou (光州) and Huangzhou (黃州).

12.三年，珙至黃，增埤浚隍，搜訪軍實，邊民來歸者日以千數，爲屋三萬間居之，厚加賑貸。又慮兵民雜處，因高阜爲齊安、鎮淮二砦，以居諸軍。創章家山、毋家山兩堡爲先鋒、虎翼、飛虎營。兼主管管內安撫司公事，節制黃、蘄、光、信陽四郡軍馬。

Duanping I, Meng Gong arrived at Huangzhou (黃). He ordered low walls to be increased in height while moats to be deepened in depth. Military provisions were also sought out and gathered. Frontier refugees arrived at his town numbering several thousands per day. He built 3000 huts to shelter them and spend a great deal of fund to relieve the people. He was afraid that troops and civilians mix up together. As such, he built two camps named Qi An (齊安) and Zhen Huai (鎮淮) on high ground in order to house his soldiers. He also established two forts named Zhangjiashan (章家山) and Wujiashan (毋家山) as outposts, asl well as Hu Yi (虎翼) (literally Tiger wings) and Fei Hu (飛虎) as military camps. He was in charge of the Military Comission Agency and administered the armies of four prefectures Huang (黃), Qi (蘄), Guang (光), and Xinyang (信陽)

13.大元兵攻蘄州，珙遣兵解其圍；又攻襄陽，隨守張龜壽、荊門守朱楊祖、郢守喬士安皆委郡去，復州施子仁死之，江陵危急。詔沿江、淮西遣援，衆謂無逾珙者，乃先遣張順渡江，珙以全師繼之。大元兵分兩路：一攻復州，一在枝江監利縣編筏窺江。珙變易旌旗服色，迴圈往來，夜則列炬照江，數十里相接。又遣外弟趙武等共戰，躬往節度，破砦二十有四，還民二萬。嘉熙元年，封隨縣男，擢高州刺史，忠州團練使兼知江陵府、京西湖北安撫副使。未幾，授鄂州諸軍都統制。

The army of the Great Yuan besieged Qizhou (蘄州), Meng Gong commanded his troops to relieve it. They then attacked Xiangyang (襄陽), the Grand Defender Zhang Guishou (張龜壽), the Defender of Jingmen Zhou Yangzu (朱楊祖) and the Defennder of Ying Qiao Shian (喬士安) all abandoned their districts and fled. Fuzhou (復州) Shi Ziren died in action. The situation is Jiangling was critical. The emperor ordered troops along Jiang (江) and Huaxi (淮西) came to rescue those places. Soldiers said that no one could surpass Meng Gong. He first ordered Zhang Shun to cross the river, Gong led the main army to follow. The Great Yuan divided their forces into two wings, one attacked Fuzhou (復州), one constructed rafts to cross Yangtze at Zhijiang (枝江), Jianli (監利縣) county. Meng Gong ordered his men to change the colour of their banners and clothes, let them march back and forth, at night holding torches to light up the river surface for several tens of li. He then commanded his cousin Zhao Wu (趙武) to attack together with him, personally directing his troops, eventually destroying 24 enemy forts, returned 20,000 people to their place. In Jiaxi I, he was promoted to be District Baron of Suizhou (隨縣男), and was elevated to be the Prefect of Gaozhou (高州刺史), Commissioner of Militiamen of Zhongzhou (忠州團練使) and Magistrate of Jiangling Prefecture (知江陵府), Vice Military Comissioner of Jingxi and Hubei (京西湖北安撫副使). Not long after this, he assumed the post of Supreme Commandant of all armies of Ezhou (鄂州諸軍都統制).

14.大元大將忒沒䚟入漢陽境，大將口溫不花入淮甸，蘄守張可大、舒州李士達委郡去，光守董堯臣以州降。合三郡人馬糧械攻黃守王鑒，江帥萬文勝戰不利。珙入城，軍民喜曰：「吾父來矣。」駐帳城樓，指畫戰守，卒全其城，斬逗留者四十有九人以徇。御筆以戰功賞將士，特賜珙金碗，珙益以白金五十兩賜之諸將。將士彌月苦戰，病傷者相屬，珙遣醫視療，士皆感泣。

The Great Yuan Great General Temodai (將忒沒, Mongol: Temutei) entered Hanyang (漢陽), the Great General Kouwen Buhua (口溫不花 Mongol: Kun Buqa) invaded Huaidian (淮甸). The Defender of Qizhou (蘄守) Zhang Keda (張可大) and Li Shida (李士達) of Shuzhou (舒州) abandoned their prefectures and fled. The Defender of Guangzhou (光守) Dong Yaozhen (董堯臣) surrendered his prefecture to the Mongols. The Great Yuan combined infantry and cavalry of three prefectures, together with provisions and military siege engines (), to attack the Defender of Huangzhou (黃守) Wang Jian (王鑒) and the General of Jiangzhou (江帥) Wan Wensheng (萬文勝), but they met setbacks. Meng Gong entered the city, the soldiers and civilians were excited and said: "Here our father have come." Gong established his tent on top of the city tower, personally supervising the task of defending the city. The whole city was saved from the enemy. He ordered 49 stragglers to be executed to set examples. The emperor personally penned his edict to commemorate the military feat of the generals and their soldiers, particularly bestowed Meng Gong gold bowl. Gong took 50 pieces of silver to gift all the generals. Generals and soldiers had been in bitter fighting for the whole month, those who fell ill and were wounded formed a long line. Gong ordered the medical doctors to take care of them. His men were moved to tears.

15.二年春，授寧遠軍承宣使、帶御器械、鄂州江陵府諸軍都統制。珙以三軍賞典未頒，表辭。詔曰：「有功不賞，人謂朕何？三軍勳勞，趣其來上。封爵之序，自將帥始，卿奚辭焉？」未幾，授樞密副都承旨、京西湖北路安撫制置副使兼督視行府參謀官。未幾，升制置使兼知岳州。乃檄江陵節制司搗襄、郢，於是張俊復郢州，賀順復荊門軍。十二月壬子，劉全戰於塚頭，戰於樊城，戰於郎神山，屢以捷聞。三年春正月，曹文鏞復信陽軍，劉全復樊城，遂復襄陽。授樞密都承旨、制置使兼知鄂州。全遣譚深復光化軍，息、蔡降，珙命以兵逆之，得壯士百餘，籍爲忠衛軍。

In Jiaxi 2, spring, Meng Gong was appointed to be the Pacification Comissioner of Ningyuan Army (遠軍承宣使), (?) (帶御器械), the Supreme Commandant of all armies of Ezhou and Jiangling. Gong submitted a memorial to refuse this appointment because the royal court had not awarded the army for their merits. An edicts was read as followed: "If those who made an achievement were not rewarded, how would I be measured in the eyes of people? As for the military feats of the army, let them hastily come to report to me. The order of conferring titles is from generals down to the files and ranks. Why did you refuse to accept your appointment?" Not long after this, Meng Gong was appointed to be Vice Coammnder-in-Chief of the Branch Bureau of Military Affairs (樞密副都承旨), Vice Pacifying Military Commissioner of Jingxi and Hubei Circuit (京西湖北路安撫制置副使), while assuming the responsibility of Military Inspector and Counselor (兼督視行府參謀官). Not long after this, he was promoted to be Military Commissioner (制置使) while conccurently served as Magistrate of Yuezhou (知岳州). An imperial edict was passed to order Jiangling (?) (江陵節制司) to harass Xiangzhou (襄) and Yingzhou (郢). As such, Zhang Xun () was able to recover Yingzhou (郢州), Xia Shun (賀順) recovered Jingmenjun (荊門軍). II, renzi, Li Quan fought at Zhongtou (塚頭), at Fancheng (樊城), and at Langshenshan (郎神山) (mountain Langshen). News reporting victory arrived at the court numerous times. In Jiaxi 3, I, Cao Wenyong (曹文鏞) recovered Yangjun (陽軍), Liu Quan (劉全) recovered Fancheng (樊城). Eventually Xiangyang (襄陽) was also recovered. Li Quan was appointed to be the Recipient of Edicts of the Branch Military Bureau (樞密都承旨), the Military Comissioner (制置使) while serving as the Magistrate of Ezhou (兼知鄂州). Li Quan ordered Tan Shen (譚深) to recover Guanghuajun (光化軍), Xizhou (息) and Caizhou (蔡) also surrendered. Meng Gong ordered his men to receive these places and obtained more than a hundred strong men. They were registered to be enlisted in the Zhongweijun (忠衛軍).

16.初，詔珙收復京、襄，珙謂得郢然後可以通饋餉，得荊門然後可以出奇兵，由是指授方略，發兵深入，所至以捷聞。珙奏略曰：「取襄不難而守爲難，非將士不勇也，非車馬器械不精也，實在乎事力之不給爾。襄、樊爲朝廷根本，今百戰而得之，當加經理，如護元氣，非甲兵十萬，不足分守。與其抽兵於敵來之後，孰若保此全勝？上兵伐謀，此不爭之爭也。」乃置先鋒軍，以襄、郢歸順人隸焉。

Before that, an edict was passed to order Meng Gong to recover Jing (京) and Xiang (襄). Gong said that once Yingzhou (郢) fell into the Song's hands, the supplying routes would be cleared up, once Jingmen (荊門) was captured, the Song could send their troops for surprised attacks. As a result, Gong personally directed operational strategies, sending troops to penetrate deeply into enemy territories. For those places where his troops traversed, news reporting victories came back to the court. Meng Gong submitted a memorial stating that: "Taking Xiangyang is not hard, but defending it is hard. This is not because our generals and soldiers are not brave, not because our horses and weapons are not in the best conditions, but because we cannot properly maintain the flow of supplies into the city. Xiangyang and Fancheng were essential to our state. Now that we have obtained it through hundreds of battles, we should improve our method of management and conserve our strength. It is not possible to defend these places without 100,000 troops. Instead of responding to the incursions of the enemy by drawing troops from these places, it is much more wise to protecting them as this is an ever winning strategy. The best way of conducting to war is through forging the right strategy, this is the so-called competing without seemingly competing." As such, he formed a vanguard, and let those who came from Ying and Xiang return to those places. 

17.庚寅，諜報大元兵欲大舉臨江，珙策必道施、黔以透湖湘，請粟十萬石以給軍餉，以二千人屯峽州，千人屯歸州。忠衛舊將晉德自光化來歸，珙獎用之。珙弟瑛以精兵五千駐松滋爲夔聲援，遣于德興增兵守歸州隘口萬戶谷。大元兵自隨窺江，珙密遣劉全拒敵，遣伍思智以千人屯施州。大元大將塔海並禿雪帥師入蜀，號八十萬，珙增置營砦，分佈戰艦，遣張舉提兵間道抵均州防遏。大元兵度萬州湖灘，施、夔震動，珙兄璟時爲湖北安撫副使、知峽州，急以書謀備禦。珙請于督府，帥師西上。璟調金鐸一軍迎拒於歸州大𤦩砦。劉義捷于巴東縣之清平村。珙弟璋選精兵二千駐澧州防施、黔路。四年，進封子。

Gengyin, scouts reported that the Great Yuan army would open a large-scale operation by approaching Yangtze. Meng Gong predicted that they would have to go through Shizhou (施) and Qianzhou (黔) to pass through Hu Xiang (湖湘). He asked permission from the court to supply the army with 100,000 shi of food. He ordered 2000 men to defend Xiazhou (峽州) and 1000 men to defend Guizhou (歸州). The former general of Zhongwei army Jin De (晉德) came from Guanghua (光化) to submit, Meng Gong rewarded and employed him. Gong's younger brother Meng Ying led 5000 elite troops station at Songzi (松滋) to serve as reinforcement for Kuizhou (夔). Meng Gong ordered Yu Dexing (于德興) to supply more troops to defend the Wanhugu Pass (隘口萬戶谷), which belonged to Guizhou (歸州). The Great Yuan army had intentions to cross Yangtze from Suizhou (隨). Gong secretly ordered Liu Quan (劉全) to resist the enemy, he also ordered Wu Sizhi (伍思智) to let 1000 men to station at Shizhou (施州). The Great Yuan great generals Tahai (Taqai) and Tuxue commanded their army to enter Shu (蜀) (now Sichuan (Szechwan)). They declared that they had 800,000 troops. Meng Gong increased the number of camps and forts, distributed to them warships and ordered Zhang Ju (張舉) to follow a small route to reach Junzhou (均州) and establish a defence there. The Great Yuan army crossed Hutan (湖灘) of Wanzhou (萬州). This came as a shocking news to Shizhou and Kuizhou. Meng Gong's older borther Meng Jing (璟) was at the time the Vice Military Commissioner of Hubei (湖北安撫副使) and the Magistrate of Xiazhou (知峽州), he hurriedly send letters to Meng Gong and defended the prefecture. Gong asked the Area Command (督府) permission to let his army westwards, Meng Jing ordered the army of Jin Duo (金鐸) to resist and repel the enemy at the camp of Da E, which belonged to Guizhou (歸州大𤦩砦). Liu Yi scored a victory at Qing Ping village (清平村) in Ba Dong county (巴東縣). Meng Gong's younger brother Meng Zhang (璋) selected 2000 elite troops to station in Lizhou (澧州) to defend the Shi (施) and Qian Circuit (黔路). In Jiaxi 4, Gong was conferred the title "viscount".

18.珙條上流備禦宜爲藩籬三層：乞創制副司及移關外都統一軍于夔，任涪南以下江面之責，爲第一層；備鼎、澧爲第二層；備辰、沅、靖、桂爲第三層。峽州、松滋須各屯萬人，舟師隸焉，歸州屯三千人，鼎、澧、辰、沅、靖各五千人，郴、桂各千人，如是則江西可保。又遣楊鼎、張謙往辰、沅、靖三州，同守倅曉諭熟蠻，講求思、播、施、黔支徑，以圖來上。

Meng Gong submitted a memorial detailing that the defence system should be made up of three layers: the court should establish Vice Military Commissioner and moved the army of the Headquarter of Beyond the Campaign Commander (?) to Kuizhou (夔), letting these two posts be responsible for the south of Beizhou (涪) up to Yangtze, this was the first layer. Defending Dingzhou (鼎) and Lizhou (澧), this was the second layer. Defending Chenzhou (辰), Yuanzhou (沅), Qingzhou (靖), Guizhou (桂), this was the third layer. For Xiazhou (峽州) and Songzi (松滋), each place should have 10,000 men acting as their defensive force, while the navy should be subjected to the control of these places. There should also be 3000 men defending Guizhou (歸州), while for Dingzhou, Lizhou, Chenzhou, Yuanzhou and Qingzhou, each place should have 5000 men acting as their defensive forces. For Chenzhou (郴) and Linzhou, each place should be defended by 1000 men. If the defending plan was implemented, then Jiangxi would be safe. Meng Gong then ordered Yang Ding (楊鼎), Zhang Qian (張謙) to go to Chenzhou, Yuanzhou and Qingzhou to clearly made the Magistrate who defended there be familiar with Gong's strategy. He also asked to divide Sizhou (思), Bozhou (播), Shizhou (施) and Qianzhou (黔) into smaller routes, and demanded them to submit their local maps.

19.會諜知大元兵於襄、樊、隨、信陽招集軍民布種，積船材于鄧之順陽，乃遣張漢英出隨，任義出信陽，焦進出襄，分路撓其勢。遣王堅潛兵燒所積船材，又度師必因糧于蔡，遣張德、劉整分兵入蔡，火其積聚。制拜寧武軍節度使、四川宣撫使兼知夔州。招集麻城縣、巴河、安樂磯、管公店淮民三百五十有九人，皆沿邊經戰之士，號「寧武軍」，令璋領之。進封漢東郡侯兼京湖安撫制置使。

At that time, scouts came to know that the Great Yuan army was gathering soldiers and civilians and let them plant seeds in Xiangyang (襄), Fancheng (樊), Suizhou (隨) and Xinyang (信陽). They also gathered materials to build ship in Dengzhou (鄧), which belonged to Shunyang (順陽). As such, Meng Gong ordered Zhang Hanying (張漢英) led troops to exit Suizhou, Ren Yi (任義) led men to exit Xinyang, Qiao Jin (焦進) led his army exit Xiangyang. They all marched in different routs to harass the enemy. Wang Jian (王堅) was ordered to secretly let his men to burn enemy materials for building ships. Gong predicted that the Mongols must count on their provisions stored in Caizhou (蔡), as such he ordered Zhang De (張德) and Liu Zheng (劉整), each leading an army, to enter Caizhou to burn all accumulated food and provisions of the enemy. Meng Gong was promoted to be the Military Commissioner of Ningwu Army (寧武軍節度使), Pacification Commissioner of Sichuan (四川宣撫使) while concurrently served as the Magistrate of Kuizhou (知夔州). Gong gathered 359 people from Macheng county (麻城縣), Ba He (巴河), An Le Ji (安樂磯), Guan Gong Dian (管公店) of Huai river region. These people were inhabitants of border regions and were warriors who had been through numerous battles. They were to enter the service of the Ningwu Army, whose commandership was appointed to Zhang Ling (璋領). Meng Gong was bestowed the title the Marquis of Handong District while concurrently served as the Military Commissioner and Pacification Commissioner of Jinghu (京湖安撫制置使)

 () means engage in agriculture to establish a permanent base)

20.回鶻愛里八都魯帥壯士百餘、老稚百一十五人、馬二百六十匹來降，創「飛鶻軍」，改愛里名艾忠孝，充總轄，乞補以官。四川制置使陳隆之與副使彭大雅不協，交章於朝。珙曰：「國事如此，合智並謀，猶懼弗克，而兩司方勇於私鬥，豈不愧廉、藺之風乎。」馳書責之，隆之、大雅得書大慚。

The Uyghur Aili Badulu (Bahadur) (愛里八都魯) led more than 100 strong men, 105 old and young people, and 260 horses come to submit. Meng Gong established a new army called "Feihe Army" (The Flying Uyghur Army), changed Aili's name into Ai Zhongxiao (艾忠孝) (literally means Loyal and Filial), led him serve as (?) and asked the court to appoint him to an official post. The Military Commissioner of Sichuan Chen Longzhi (陳隆之) did not get along with the Vice Military Commissioner Peng Daya (彭大雅). They verbally jousted each other by submitting memorials to the emperor. Gong said: "Now that the affairs of the state has already reached this critical stage, even if you two cooperate to come up with new ideas, it is still not guaranteed that you could succeed. Yet now you are only bravely engaging in personal quarrel, don't you two feel ashamed of yourself when comparing each other to Lian Po (廉頗) and Lin Xiangru (藺相如)? As such he sent letters to admonish them. When Chen Longzhi and Peng Daya received his letters, they really felt ashamed of themselves.

21.釐蜀政之弊，爲條班諸郡縣，曰差除計屬、曰功賞不明、曰減克軍糧、曰官吏貪黷、曰上下欺罔。又曰：「不擇險要立砦柵，則難責兵以衛民；不集流離安耕種，則難責民以養兵。」乃立賞罰以課殿最，俾諸司奉行之。黎守閻師古言大理國請道黎、雅入貢，珙報大理自通邕、廣，不宜取道川蜀，卻之。兼夔路制置大使兼屯田大使。軍無宿儲，珙大興屯田，調夫築堰，募農給種，首秭歸，尾漢口，爲屯二十，爲莊百七十，爲頃十八萬八千二百八十，上屯田始末與所減券食之數，降詔獎諭。靖州徭琳賽良爲亂，遣王瑀平之。

Meng Gong attempted to eliminate corruption in Shu (Sichuan), issuing orders and distributing them to all prefectures and counties. These orders aimed to curb these following phenomena: bribing to obtain an official post, receiving false rewards when one was undeserved, illegally slicing off and pocketing military provisions, greedy government officials and superiors and inferiors deceiving one another. Gong also said: "If one does not erect military forts and ramparts at strategic locations, then it is hard to blame the military for not protecting civilians. If one does not gather refugees and let them engage in agricultural activities, then it is hard to blame the civllians for not supporting the army. As such, he regulated rewards and punishment in order to test and supervise officials from lower to upper level and demanded that relevant government departments to carry it out. The Grand Administrator (守) of Lizhou (黎) Yan Shigu (閻師古) reported to Meng Gong that the kingdom of Dali (大理國) wished to pass through Lizhou and Yazhou (雅) to pay tribute. Gong responded that Dali bordered Yongzhou (邕) and Guangzhou (廣), the ambassadors should not choose Sichuan to pass through. As such he refused this proposal. Meng Gong served as the Grand Military Commissioner of District of Kui (夔路制置大使) and State Farms Grand Commissioner. The army had not accumulated food and provisions, Gong established military farms on a large scale. He directed corvée labourers to build dikes, as well as gathering peasants to distribute seeds among them. The beginning of this large project starts at Zigui (秭歸) and the end is at Hankou (漢口). There were in total 20 military farms, 170 estates, 188,280 ding of arable lands. Gong submitted a memorial telling in details the whole process and providing evidence of reduction of obligatory military provisions supplied by the state. The emperor passed an edict to celebrate and reward Meng Gong's achievement. Lin Sailiang, an ethnic Yao in Qingzhou rebelled against the Song, Gong ordered Wang Yu (王瑀) to suppress him.

22.淳祐二年，珙以京、襄死節死事之臣請於朝，建祠岳陽，歲時致祭，有旨賜名「閔忠廟」。淮東受兵，樞密俾珙應援，遣李得帥精兵四千赴之，珙子之經監軍。諜知京兆府也可那延以騎兵三千經商州取鶻嶺關，出房州竹山，遣王令屯江陵，尋進屯郢州，劉全屯沙市，焦進提千人自江陵、荊門出襄。檄劉全齎十日糧，取道南漳入襄，與諸軍合。

In Chunyou II, Meng Gong asked permission from the court to build a temple in Yueyang (岳陽) for those who sacrificed themselves for the cause of the state in Jingzhao (京) and Xiangyang (襄), where sacrifices were made yearly. An imperial edict named the temple as "Shrine of Mourning the Loyals" (閔忠廟). When Huaidong was under the enemy attack, the Bureau of Military Affairs ordered Meng Gong to relieve it. He ordered Li De (李得) to command 4000 elite troops to reach Huaidong. Gong's son Meng Zhijing (之經) served as the Army Supervisor (監軍). News from scouts reported that Yeke Nayan (Eke Noyan) of Jingzhao Circuit led 3000 cavalry to pass through Shangzhou (商州) and captured Guling Pass (鶻嶺關). They made their way out of Zhushan (竹山), which belonged to Fangzhou (房州). Meng Gong ordered Wang Ling (王令) to station his army in Jiangling (江陵), and shortly thereafter advanced to Yingzhou (郢州) to encamp there. Liu Quan (劉全) defended Shashi (沙市), Qiao Jin commanded 1000 men to depart Xiangyang from Jianglin (江陵) and Jingmen (荊門). Liu Quan was ordered to bring ten days provision and to secure the pathway Nanzhang (南漳) to enter Xiangyang, thus joining force with other armies.

23.大元兵至三川，珙下令應出戍主兵官，不許失棄寸土。權開州梁棟乏糧，請還司，珙曰：「是棄城也。」棟至夔州，使高達斬其首以徇。由是諸將稟令惟謹。大元兵至瀘，珙命重慶分司發兵應援，遣張祥屯涪州。拜檢校少保，進封漢東郡公。珙言：「沅之險不如辰，靖之險不如沅，三州皆當措置而靖尤急。今三州粒米寸兵無所從出，出京湖之憂一。江防上自秭歸，下至壽昌，亙二千里，自公安至峽州灘磧凡十餘處，隆冬水涸，節節當防，兵諱備多，此京湖之憂二。今尺籍數虧，既守灘磧，又守關隘，此京湖之憂三。陸抗有言：『荊州國之藩表，如其有虞，非但失一郡，當傾國爭之。若非增兵八萬並力備禦，雖韓、白復生，無所展巧。』今日事勢大略相似，利害至重。」余玠宣諭四川，道過珙，珙以重慶積粟少，餉屯田米十萬石，遣晉德帥師六千援蜀，之經爲策應司都統制。四年，兼知江陵府。珙謂其佐曰：「政府未之思耳，彼若以兵綴我，上下流急，將若之何？珙往則彼搗吾虛，不往則誰實捍患。」識者是之。

The army of the Great Yuan reached Sanchuan (三川), Meng Gong ordered military commanders to lead their soldiers out to defend the places. He forbid them to lose or abandon an inch of soil. The Acting Magistrate of Kaizhou (開州) Liang Dong (梁棟) ran out of food supplies and asked permission from the headquarter to retreat. Meng Gong said: "This means abandon the city." When Liang Dong arrived at Kuizhou (夔州), he ordered Gao Da (高達) to decapitate Dong to make an example. As such, all generals were strictly obeyed Gong's orders and watched out for themselves. The army of the Great Yuan arrived at Luzhou (瀘), Meng Gong ordered the Branch Office of Chongqing (重慶分司) send troops to reinforce it. He also commanded Zhang Xiang (張祥) to defend Fuzhou (涪州). Gong was appointed to be the Acting Junior Guardian (檢校少保) and was promoted to be the Commandery Duke of Handong (漢東郡公). He said: "Yuanzhou (沅) is not as strategically important as Chenzhou (辰), Qingzhou (靖) is not as strategically important as Yuan. All these three prefectures requires an investment in efforts, and Qingzhou is in critical danger. As of now there are no bases to supply military arms and food to these prefectures. This is the first concern of Jinghu (京湖). The defence along the Yangtze, upward starting from Zigui (秭歸), downward reaching Shouchang (壽昌), stretches 2000 li. From Gong An (公安) to Xiazhou (峽州), there were in total around 10 places of rocky river banks. In midwinter, the water froze up, thus they all need to be defended, and yet having too many men on the defence is not advisable in terms of military convention. This is the second concern of Jinghu. Right now, the muster rolls shows a shortage of registered men, and yet we have to defend both rocky banks and mountain passes. This is the third concern of Jinghu." Lu Kang (陸抗) once said: "Jingzhou (荊州) has a critical strategic importance to the state. If it is threatened and in danger, then we need to invest all state resources to keep it in our hands. If we do not increase our troops to 80,000 to jointly establish a defence, then even if Han Xin and Bai Qi was reborned, they would not be able to employ their capability." As of now when the general situation is as such, we need to seriously consider our gains and losses." Yu Jie (余玠) became the Pacification Commissioner of Sichuan (宣諭四川), and on his way there, he paid a visit to Meng Gong. Gong, recognizing that millets stored in Chongqing were insufficient, sent 100,000 shi of rice gained from military agricultural colonies to Sichuan. He also ordered Jin De (晉德) to command 6000 men to reinforce Sichuan. Meng Zhijing (孟之經) was appointed to be (?). In Chun You 4, Meng Gong served as Magistrate of Jiangling Circuit (知江陵府). Meng Gong said to his assistant that: "Our government has not carefully considered it, if our enemy put pressure on us, the upstream and downstream of Yangtze flushes through, what would we be able to do? If Gong leaves this place, then our enemy would attack at our empty place? And yet if I leave, who would defend this place from dangers?" Those who were well-versed in these matters realize that Meng Gong was right.

(1) Tam Quốc Chí, quyển 58, Lục Tốn truyện viết như sau:

「西陵、建平，國之蕃表，旣處下流，受敵二境。若敵汎舟順流，舳艫千里，星奔電邁，俄然行至，非可恃援他部以救倒縣也。此乃社稷安危之機，非徒封疆侵陵小害也。臣父遜昔在西垂陳言，以為西陵國之西門，雖云易守，亦復易失。若有不守，非但失一郡，則荊州非吳有也。如其有虞，當傾國爭之。臣往在西陵，得涉遜迹，前乞精兵三萬，而主者循常，未肯差赴。自步闡以後，益更損耗。今臣所統千里，受敵四處，外禦彊對，內懷百蠻，而上下見兵財有數萬，羸弊日乆，難以待變。臣愚以為諸王幼沖，未統國事，可且立傅相，輔導賢姿，無用兵馬，以妨要務。又黃門豎宦，開立占募，兵民怨役，逋逃入占。乞特詔簡閱，一切料出，以補疆埸受敵常處，使臣所部足滿八萬，省息衆務，信其賞罰，雖韓、白復生，無所展巧。若兵不增，此制不改，而欲克諧大事，此臣之所深慼也。若臣死之後，乞以西方為屬。願陛下思覽臣言，則臣死且不朽。」

24.詔京湖調兵五千戍安豐，援壽春。珙遣劉全將以往。繼有命分兵三千備齊安，珙言：「黃州與壽昌三江口隔一水耳，須兵即度，何必預遣？先一日則有一日之費，無益有損，萬一上游有警，我軍已疲，非計之得也。」不從。五年，御筆以職事修舉，轉行兩官，許令回授。珙至江陵，登城歎曰：「江陵所恃三海，不知沮洳有變爲桑田者，敵一鳴鞭，即至城外。蓋自城以東，古嶺先鋒直至三氵義，無所限隔。」乃脩復內隘十有一，別作十隘於外，有距城數十里者。沮、漳之水，舊自城西入江，因障而東之，俾繞城北入於漢，而三海遂通爲一。隨其高下，爲匱蓄泄，三百里間，渺然巨浸。土木之工百七十萬，民不知役，繪圖上之。

An imperial edict was passed ordering 5000 troops to defend An Feng (安豐). They would act as reinforcement for Shou Chun (壽春). Meng Gong ordered Liu Quan (劉全) to command them and set out on his path. Then an order following next demanded that troops be stationed at Qi An (齊安). Gong said: "San Jiangkou (三江口) of Shou Chang (壽昌) of Huangzhou (黃州) were only separated by a river. We should let our troops cross the river, why is there a need to order them to move in advance? Letting troops moving forth one day early means incurring more expenses for that day. There is no benefits gained from it, only losses are created. If the upstream's situation becomes alarming, then our troops are already exhausted. This is not the right strategy." As such, he did not follow the order. In Chunyou V, the emperor personally wrote a writing that extolled Meng Gong for his achievements when he was assuming his official posts, and he was promoted two level above. He was permitted to bestow his posts to his relatives. Meng Gong arrived at Jiangling (江陵), he mounted on top of the wall and said: "Jiangling relied on Sanhai (三海). It is little known that damp lands here could turn into strawberry fields. Once the enemy whip their horses and rush forward, they would reach the outside of the city wall. Broadly speaking, from the city to the east, from Xiangfeng (先鋒) of Guling (古嶺) to Sanyi (三氵義), there are practically no obstacles." As such, he repaired 11 inner passes, created 12 new passes on the outside, some were away from the city several tens li. The streams of Ju river (沮) and Zhang river (漳) originally flowed from the west of the city to Yangtze, but since it met obstacles, it turned to flow eastwards. Meng Gong redirected it so that it took a circuitous route around the north of the city and flowed to the Han river (漢), Sanhai was connected and united into one. Depending on its elevation or troughnes, he digged large moats to store water, which became large lakes with great water surface. Meng Gong mobilized 1,700,000 men to engage in wood works and carry earth, yet the people did not feel the burden. He drew a map to submit to the throne.

25.珙以身鎮江陵，而兄璟帥武昌，故事，無兄弟同處一路者，乞歸田，不允。詔以兵五千援淮，珙使張漢英帥之。樞密調兵五千赴廣西，珙移書執政曰：「大理至邕，數千里部落隔絕，今當擇人分佈數郡，使之分治生夷，險要形勢，隨宜措置，創關屯兵，積糧聚芻于何地，聲勢既張，國威自振。計不出此而聞風調遣，空費錢糧，無補於事。」不聽。大元大將大納至江陵，遣楊全伏兵荊門以戰，珙先期諜知，達於樞密，檄兩淮爲備，兩淮不知也，後果如所報。珙奏：「襄、蜀蕩析，士無所歸，蜀士聚於公安，襄士聚於郢渚。臣作公安、南陽兩書院，以沒入田廬隸之，使有所教養。」請帝題其榜賜焉。

Meng Gong stationed in Jiangling, while his brother Meng Jing (璟) was the Military Commissioner in Wuchang (武昌). Two brothers could not meet in the same place. As such, Gong asked for permission to retire, but the court did not approve it. An imperial edict was passed ordering 5000 men to come to rescue Huai (淮), Gong ordered Zhang Hanying (張漢英) to be the head of this contingent. The Bureau of Military Affairs ordered 5000 men to reach Guangxi. Meng Gong sent a letter to the Executive Official (執政) that stated as followed: "Dali (大理) were separated from Yongzhou (邕) by 1000 li and many tribes. Nowadays we need to select men to distribute them among the circuits and let them rule over the wild Yi. Based on the difficulty of the terrain, we need to handle the defence matter as we saw fit, we also need to construct mountain passes and station troops, accumulate food supplies at several places. Our military strength will grow, our state's prestige will buttress. If we do not follow these strategies and choose instead to move our armies according to wind blow, then we will waste our funds and food resources. This will prove useless to our national matter." But the court did not adopt his suggestion. The general of Great Yuan Dana (大納) reached Jiangling (江陵), he ordered Yang Quan (楊全) to set up an ambush at Jingmen (荊門). Meng Gong sent out scouts and then reported back to the Bureau of Military Affairs and informed the two Huai regions to be ready. The two Huai regions did not know this, and thus fell victims to the enemy as Gong's report stated. Gong said: "The people of Xiang (襄) and Shu (蜀) were all scattered. Learned men had no place to return. Learned men from Shu gathered at Gongan (公安), those from Xiang gathered at Yingzhu (郢渚). I have established libraries in Gongan and Nanyang (南陽), I have gave them untaken lands and houses so that they could sustain themselves." He asked the emperor to pen a writing to reward them.

26.初，珙招鎮北軍駐襄陽，李虎、王旻軍亂，鎮北亦潰，乃厚招之，降者不絕。行省范用吉密通降款，以所受告爲質，珙白於朝，不從。珙歎曰：「三十年收拾中原人，今志不克伸矣。」病遂革，乞休致，授檢校少師、寧武軍節度使致仕，終於江陵府治，時九月戊午也。是月朔，大星隕於境內，聲如雷。薨之夕，大風發屋折木。訃至，帝震悼輟朝，賻銀絹各千，特贈少師，三贈至太師，封吉國公，諡「忠襄」，廟曰「威愛」。

Before this, Meng Gong assembled Zhenbei army which stationed in Xiangyang. The army of Li Hu (李虎) and Wang Min (王旻) rebelled, Zhenbei army also dispersed. Gong had to reward them and assemble them. Those who came to submit were numerous. The Branch Secretariat Fan Yongji (范用吉) secretly contacted Gong to surrender. Gong received his message and kept it as evidence before telling the court, but they do not approve it. He had to sighn that: "Thirty years of winning back the heart of the people from the Central Plain, now my will is not realized." As such his condition worsen. He asked to retire and was conferred the title shoujian Junior Preceptor and was appointed to the Retired Military Commissioner of Ningwu Army. He passed away in Jiangling Circuit Administrative Palace. At the time, it was XII, wuniu. The first day of that month, a large star fell into the palace, its crashing sound is like thunder. In the night when he passed away, a great wind blew off the chamber and broke up the trees. As the news of his death arrived at the court, the emperor was shocked and halted the court session. He bestowed 1000 pieces of silver and bolts of silk. Gong was conferred the title Junior Preceptor and was three times bestowed the title Grand Preceptor as well as Duke of state of Ji. His posthumous title is "Zhongxiang (忠襄)", his temple name is "Weiai (威愛)".

27.珙忠君體國之念，可貫金石。在軍中與參佐部曲論事，言人人異，珙徐以片語折衷，衆志皆愜。謁士遊客，老校退卒，壹以恩意撫接。名位雖重，惟建鼓旗、臨將吏而色凜然，無敢涕唾者。退則焚香掃地，隱几危坐，若蕭然事外。遠貨色，絕滋味。其學邃于《易》，六十四卦各繫四句，名《警心易贊》。亦通佛學，自號「無庵居士」。

Meng Gong's loyalty to his ruler and his dedication to his state could shine through metal and stone. When he was in the army and discussed military matters with his assistant and subordinate, everyone spoke up different ideas, Gong only used a few words to neutralize the differences. His subordinates all enjoy it. To learned men, travellers and old military commanders, he all care for them with gentle kindness. Even though he has achieved great status, he only cared about drums and flags (means military duties). His facial expression was stern whenever he was in front of generals and officials. Nobody dare to spit in front of him (which means showing contempt). Once he was retired, he burned incense and swept the ground with brooms, leaning on his chair and sit straight, as if he had laid down all external worries. He stayed away from unscrupulous wealth and women and did not indulge himself in tasty food. His understanding of "Yi Jing" was prfound. The 65 hexagrams could all be described in four sentences, that is (?) (警心易贊). He was also well versed in Buddhist doctrine, calling himself (?) (無庵居士).