Xù Jìn yángqiū 續晉陽秋
Continuation of the Spring and Autumn Annals of Jin by 檀道鸞 (Tán Dàoluán, fl. Liu Song dynasty, 5th century CE) — zhuàn 撰
About the work
A fragmentary historical work covering Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420 CE) history, composed by Tán Dàoluán 檀道鸞 of the Liu Song dynasty (CBDB 410514). The work continues the tradition of the Jìn yángqiū 晉陽秋 by Sūn Shèng 孫盛 (d. 373 CE), extending annalistic coverage of the Eastern Jin. Despite its placement here in the KRP geography division (KR2k), this is primarily a historical record rather than a geographic one; it belongs properly with the historical miscellanies (záshǐ 雜史). Its placement in the geography section may reflect the particular compilation strategy of the KRP jíyìběn anthology from which these fragments are drawn.
The surviving KRP text consists of anecdotes and biographical vignettes, all organized under the names of Eastern Jin figures and cited primarily in Liu Yiqing’s 劉義慶 Shìshuō xīnyǔ 世說新語 commentaries.
Abstract
The work is organized by the names of Eastern Jin emperors and officials. Surviving fragments include:
Tàizōng Jiǎn Wén Dì 太宗簡文帝 (Emperor Jiānwén, r. 371–372): Brief biographical notes — his personal name Yù 昱, style Dàowàn 道萬; son of Emperor Zhōngzōng; benevolent reputation; administered with Chōng (Huán Wēn’s 桓溫 deputy) when Emperor Mù was young; deposed the Prince of Hǎi Xī 海西公 and enthroned by Huán Wēn; reigned three years before dying. A note adds he “was oppressed by a powerful minister 彊臣, worried and frustrated without achieving his will, reigned two years before dying” — the two notes give contradictory reign lengths (a textual discrepancy noted by traditional commentators).
Xiào Wǔ Dì 孝武帝 (Emperor Xiàowǔ, r. 372–396): A note recording that on the ninth day of the ninth month, Níngkāng 寧康 third year (375), the emperor lectured on the Xiào jīng 孝經; Servant of the Right Xiè Ān 謝安 sat in attendance, with several officials reading and interpreting. The Tàipíng yùlǎn version of this note gives slightly different detail (the date, officials present).
Liáng Wáng 梁王: Liáng Wáng Zhēnzhī 珍之, style Jǐngdù 景度.
Zhèng Chōng 鄭沖: Emperor Wén of Jìn commanded Xún Xù 荀勗, Jiǎ Chōng 賈充, and Péi Xiù 裴秀 to codify rites and laws; they all first consulted Zhèng Chōng before implementation.
Xiè Ān 謝安: Several extended vignettes covering:
- The post-Yongjia demographic disruption in the Yangtze delta region, the Tai Yuan period census-clearing of illegal residents, and Xie An’s reply to a critic: “What you worry about is refugees, but without them, what would distinguish the capital?”
- Xie An’s early Kuaiji years and musical cultivation — he played music through his grief but within ritual limits; when in charge of government and remodeling his estate with luxurious carriages and entertainments, Wang Tan-zhi 王坦之 remonstrated strongly.
- His reputation for “broad elegance and spiritual poise.”
- His years of retirement at Shangyu in Kuaiji — seven or eight years, repeatedly summoned and refusing, accepting prohibitions without concern.
- His original plan to serve under Huán Wēn as Chief of Staff at Huán’s request; his forty-year-old appointment and service for the realm’s restoration.
- The Battle of Fei River: when Fú Jiān’s 苻堅 army advanced and the capital was in shock, Xie An showed no alarm, ordered his carriage, went to his country estate, and played wéiqí 圍棋 with his nephew Xie Xuan; when he returned at night and quietly arranged the campaign, someone asked why he showed no joy when the news came; he replied: “But the boys have already routed the enemy” — then went back to play. His magnanimous capacity described.
Xiè Xuán 謝玄: “Xuan’s discernment and integrity; he had the talent and strategy for governing the state.”
Xiè Lǎng 謝朗: “His style name was Zhǎngdù 長度; son of An’s second elder brother Jù. An recognized him early; his literary distinction was brilliant; his reputation second only to Xuan; he served to the post of Administrator of DongyangCommandery.”
Xiè Zhòng 謝重: From Chén commandery; his father was Lǎng, Administrator of Dongyang; he had a bright and elegant temperament; ended as Cavalry-Commandant-General.
Huán Chōng 桓沖: A vivid account of Huan Chong’s recognition that Xie An’s civil temperament was superior to his own military-administrative capacity, so he yielded the Yangzhou governorship to Xie; and his alarm during the Fei River campaign — sending three thousand elite personal troops to the capital while Xie An deflected them back. His famous lament: “Xie An has a statesmanlike capacity, but no military strategy; I estimate that the enemy will certainly break through Xiangyang and throw their whole force at the Huai and Fei. The whole world will know — we shall be under barbarian rule.” Then hearing of the great victory, dying in shame and regret.
Huán Wēn 桓溫: “Huan Wen, having already monopolized the court by martial force, held power as both general and chancellor. His intent of disloyalty was evident in his bearing and words. Once reclining to receive close associates, he started up, stroked his pillow, and said: ‘To remain in such obscurity — to be laughed at by Wén [Emperor] and Jǐng [Emperor of Wei]!‘” No one dared respond.
Yuán Hóng 袁宏: An extended account of Yuan Hong’s literary talent (his “Songs Commemorating History” 詠史詩), his poverty as a grain-transport worker on the Yangtze, his chance encounter with Xiè Shàng 謝尚 on the river at Bull Shoal 牛渚 who heard him intoning poetry on a moonlit autumn night, sending to ask who it was — “the boy Yuan of Linru reciting his own verses” — Xie inviting him for an all-night conversation, and Yuan’s reputation rising from that point. Also his service to Huán Wēn; his composing of the “Eastern Campaign Rhapsody” 東征賦; the tense encounter with Huan Wen about praising all Eastern Jin worthies except Huan’s own father Huán Xuānchéng 桓宣城 — resolved by Yuan’s graceful extemporaneous panegyric; and his final biographical note (career, character, death in Dongyang).
Xì Chāo 郄超: Brief characterization of his talents and his close relationship with Huán Wēn, sharing secret plans.
The Xù Jìn yángqiū is a major source for the social history and anecdotal tradition of the Eastern Jin court, complementing and overlapping with the Shìshuō xīnyǔ and its commentaries.
Translations and research
- The Xù Jìn yángqiū is discussed in all major studies of Eastern Jin historiography and in commentaries on the Shìshuō xīnyǔ.
Links
- ctext.org search: https://ctext.org/search.pl?if=en&search=續晉陽秋