Jingnan campaign explained

Conflict:Jingnan campaign
Date:8 August 1399 – 13 July 1402
Place:North China Plain
Result:Yan victory
Combatant1:Princedom of Yan
Princedom of Ning
Combatant2:Ming central government
Commander1:Zhu Di, Prince of Yan
Zhu Gaochi, Hereditary Prince of Yan
Zhu Gaoxu, Prince of Gaoyang Comm.
Yao Guangxiao
Qiu Fu
Zhu Neng
Zhang Yu
Zhang Fu
Zheng He
Zhu Quan, Prince of Ning
Three Guards of Doyan
Commander2:Zhu Yunwen, the Jianwen Emperor
Geng Bingwen
Tie Xuan
Li Jinglong
Xu Huizu
Qi Tai
Huang Zicheng
Fang Xiaoru
Sheng Yong
Strength1:120,000
Strength2:500,000
Casualties1:Unknown
Casualties2:Heavy
C:靖難之役
P:Jìngnàn Zhīyì
L:Pacification (靖) of crisis (難)

The Jingnan campaign, or Jingnan rebellion, was a three-year civil war from 1399 to 1402 in the early years of the Ming dynasty of China. It occurred between two descendants of the Ming dynasty's founder Zhu Yuanzhang: his grandson Zhu Yunwen by his first son, and Zhu Yuanzhang's fourth son Zhu Di, Prince of Yan. Though Zhu Yunwen had been the chosen crown prince of Zhu Yuanzhang and been made emperor upon the death of his grandfather in 1398, friction began immediately after Yuanzhang's death. Zhu Yunwen began arresting Zhu Yuanzhang's other sons immediately, seeking to decrease their threat. But within a year open military conflict began, and the war continued until the forces of the Prince of Yan captured the imperial capital Nanjing. The fall of Nanjing was followed by the demise of the Jianwen Emperor, Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Di was then crowned the Ming Dynasty's third emperor, the Yongle Emperor.

Background

After establishing the Ming Dynasty in 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang (1328 - 1398), otherwise known as the Hongwu Emperor, began to consolidate the authority of the royal court. He assigned territories to the members of the royal family and stationed them across the empire. He had 26 sons, and of those who survived to adulthood, these princes were often assigned considerable land and forces. These members of the royal family did not have the administrative power over their territory, but they were entitled to a personal army that ranged from 3,000 to 19,000 men.[1] Royal members that were stationed in the northern frontier were entitled to even larger forces. For instance, Zhu Yuanzhang's 17th son Zhu Quan, Prince of Ning, was said to have had an army of over 80,000 men.[2]

The original crown prince, Yuanzhang's first son Zhu Biao, died before Yuanzhang at the age of 36 in 1392. Instead of declaring another of his sons as crown prince, Yuanzhang then declared Biao's surviving eldest teenaged son Zhu Yunwen (1377 - 1402) as the new heir to the throne. Zhu Yunwen was thus the nephew of Yuanzhang's other sons the feudal princes and felt threatened by their military power.

Prelude

In May 1398, when his grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang died, Zhu Yunwen ascended to the throne and was named the Jianwen Emperor. He immediately issued an order that his uncles should remain in their respective territories, and then with the assistance of his close associates Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng, made plans to demand the reduction of the military power of these perceived rivals.[3] [4] The first to be considered was Zhu Yuanzhang's fourth son Zhu Di, Prince of Yan, since he had the largest territory, but the proposal was declined.[5]

Soon after, in July 1398, the Jianwen Emperor arrested his fifth uncle Zhu Su, Prince of Zhou in Kaifeng, on treason charges. The prince and his family members were stripped of royal status and exiled to Yunnan.[6] In April 1399, three more of Zhu Yuanzhang's sons, the princes of Qi, Dai, and Xiang, and their family members were stripped of their royal status. The princes of Qi and Dai were placed under house arrest in Nanjing and Datong, respectively, while the Prince of Xiang committed suicide.[7] Two months later another son, the Prince of Min, also lost his royal status and was exiled to Fujian.[8] As the rift between the regional princes and their emperor nephew grew, the Prince of Yan, who was the eldest surviving uncle of the emperor, and commanded the most powerful military, effectively assumed the leadership role among the uncles.

Initial stage, 1399

Attack on Beiping

In December 1398, to prevent what he believed was a potential attack from his uncle, the Prince of Yan, the Jianwen Emperor had appointed several imperial staff to Beiping (present day Beijing) where Zhu Di was stationed. In response, Zhu Di pretended to be ill while preparing for the anticipated war. However, the conspiracy was reported to the imperial staff in Beiping by one of the staff in Yan court.[9] As a result, the arrest for the Prince of Yan was ordered by the imperial court. Zhang Xin, one of the imperial staff, decided to leak the imperial order to the Prince of Yan.[10] To prepare for the imminent arrest, Zhu Di ordered his general Zhang Yu to gather 800 men to patrol the Yan residence in Beiping.[11]

In July, the imperial staff surrounded the Yan residence, and Zhu Di responded by executing the imperial staff and then storming the gates of Beiping.[12] By nightfall, Zhu Di was in control of the city and had officially rebelled against the imperial court.[13] [14] For the next several days, the Yan forces captured Tongzhou, Jizhou, Dunhua and Miyun. By the end of July, Juyong Pass, Huailai and Yongping all fell to the Yan forces and the entire Beiping area was effectively under Yan control.[15]

As the Yan forces captured Huailai, the Prince of Gu fled to Nanjing from his territory in Xuanfu, which was situated near the Yan forces.[16] In August, an imperial order demanded that the Princes of Liao and Ning return to Nanjing. The Prince of Liao accepted the order while the Prince of Ning rejected it.[17] [18] The Prince of Dai intended to support the Yan forces, but was forced to remain under house arrest in Datong.[19]

Government response, 1399–1400

First offensive

In July 1399, news of the rebellion had arrived in Nanjing. The Jianwen Emperor ordered the removal of royal status from the Prince of Yan and began to assemble an attack on Yan forces.[20] [21] A headquarters for the expedition was set up in Zhending, Hebei province.[22]

Since many of the generals in the Ming court had either died or been purged by the Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang, the lack of experienced military commanders was a major concern.[23] With no other options, the 65-year-old Geng Bingwen was appointed as the commander and led 130,000 government forces north on an expedition against the Yan forces.[24] On 13 August, the government forces arrived in Zhending.[25] To prepare for the offensive, the forces were divided and stationed in Hejian, Zhengzhou and Xiongxian separately. However, on 15 August 1399, the Yan forces assaulted Xiongxian and Zhengzhou by surprise and captured both of the cities also annexing their forces.[26]

One of the generals in Geng Bingwen's camp surrendered to Zhu Di and informed him of the positions of Geng Bingwen forces. Zhu Di instructed the general to return the message that the Yan forces were approaching soon, to convince Geng Bingwen to gather his forces together to prepare for the general attack.[27]

On 24 August 1399, the Yan forces arrived in Wujixian. Based on the information gathered from the locals and the surrendered troops, they began to prepare to raid the government forces.[28]

The Yan forces launched a surprise raid on Geng Bingwen the next day, and a full-scale battle ensued. Zhu Di personally led a strike force against the flank of government forces, and Geng Bingwen suffered a crushing defeat as a result. Over 3,000 men surrendered to the Yan forces, and the remainder of the government forces fled back to Zhending. General Gu Cheng surrendered to Zhu Di.[29] [30] For the next several days, the Yan forces attempted to capture Zhending but were unable to succeed. On 29 August 1399, the Yan forces withdrew back to Beiping.[31] Gu Cheng was sent back to Beiping to assist Zhu Gaochi with the defense of the city.[32]

Second offensive

As the news of Geng Bingwen's defeat reached back to Nanjing, the Jianwen Emperor became increasingly concerned about the war. Li Jinglong was proposed by Huang Zicheng as the new commander, and the proposal was accepted despite opposition from Qi Tai.[33] On 30 August 1399, Li Jinglong led a total of 500,000 men and advanced to Hejian.[34] As the news reached the Yan camp, Zhu Di was certain of a Yan victory by outlining the weaknesses of Li Jinglong.[35] [36]

Defense of Beiping

On 1 September 1399, government forces from Liaodong began to lay siege to the city of Yongping.[37] Zhu Di led the Yan forces to reinforce the city on 19 September and defeated the Liaodong forces by 25 September. Following the victory, Zhu Di decided to raid the city of Daning controlled by Prince of Ning in order to annex his army.[38] The Yan forces reached Daning on 6 October, and Zhu Di went inside the city.[39] He was able to coerce the Prince of Ning and the troops in Daning to submit to him, and the strength of the Yan forces increased significantly.[40]

Upon learning that Zhu Di was away in Daning, the government forces led by Li Jinglong crossed Lugou Bridge and began to attack Beiping. However, Zhu Gaochi was able to hold off the attacks.[41] On one occasion, the government forces almost broke into the city, but the attack was held back by a suspicious Li Jinglong.[42] The temperature in Beiping is sub-zero during the month of October, and the Yan defenders poured water on the city walls at nightfall. As the walls were covered in ice the next day, the government forces were prevented from scaling the walls.[43] The government forces were composed of soldiers from the south, and they were unable to sustain their attack in the cold weather.[44]

Battle of Zhengcunba

On 19 October 1399, the Yan forces gathered in Huizhou and began its march back to Beiping.[45] By 5 November, the Yan forces were in the outskirts of Beiping and defeated the scout forces of Li Jinglong.[46] The main army of each side engaged in Zhengcunba for a major battle in the same day, and the forces of Li Jinglong suffered a crushing defeat.[47] [48] At nightfall, Li Jinglong retreated from Zhengcunba hastily, and the remaining attack force in Beiping was subsequently surrounded and defeated by the Yan forces.[49] [50]

The Battle of Zhengcunba was concluded by the retreat of Li Jinglong back to Dezhou.[51] The government forces lost more than 100,000 men in this battle.[52] On 9 November 1399, Zhu Di returned to Beiping and wrote to the imperial court about his intention to remove Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng from their post. Jianwen Emperor declined to respond.[53] In December, Wu Gao was dismissed from his post in Liaodong by the imperial court, and Zhu Di decided to attack Datong.[54] The Yan forces reached Guangchang on 24 December, and the garrison surrendered.[55] On 1 January 1400, the Yan forces reached Weizhou and met with no resistance yet again.[56] On 2 February, the Yan forces reached Datong and began its siege on the city. The strategic importance of Datong was significant to the imperial court, and Li Jinglong was forced to reinforce the city in a hurried manner. However, Zhu Di returned to Beiping before the government forces could arrive, and the government forces suffered a considerable number of non-combat casualties.[57] With his troops exhausted, Jinglong wrote to Zhu Di and requested an armistice.[58] During the attack in Datong, several forces from Mongolia surrendered to the Yan forces.[59] In February, the garrison at Baoding also surrendered.[60]

Battle of Baigou River

In April, Li Jinglong mobilized 600,000 men and began advancing northwards toward the Baigou River. On 24 April 1400, the Yan forces engaged with the government forces in a decisive battle.[61] The government forces ambushed Zhu Di, and the Yan forces suffered a series of defeats initially. Landmines were placed in the retreat path of the Yan forces by the government forces, which inflicted heavy losses on the Yan army on their way back to the camp.[62] [63] A new battle ensued the following day, and the government forces were successful in attacking the rear of the Yan forces.[64] Zhu Di led a personal charge against the main force of Li Jinglong, and the battle turned into a stalemate as Zhu Gaochi arrived with reinforcements.[65] [66] At this point, the wind started to blow and snapped the flag of Li Jinglong in half, which led to chaos in the government camp. Zhu Di seized the opportunity and launched a general assault and defeated the government forces.[67] More than 100,000 government troops surrendered to the Yan forces, and Li Jinglong retreated back to Dezhou once again.[68] [69] [70]

On 27 April, the Yan forces began marching toward Dezhou to lay siege to the city. The Yan forces captured Dezhou on 9 May 1400, and Li Jinglong was forced to flee to Jinan. The Yan forces followed up immediately and encircled the city of Jinan on 15 May, and Li Jinglong fled back to Nanjing.[71] Despite losing the entire army and being condemned by the imperial court, Li Jinglong was spared execution.[72]

Stalemate, 1400–1401

Battle of Jinan

As the city of Jinan was under siege by the Yan forces, the defenders led by Tie Xuan and Sheng Yong refused to surrender.[73] On 17 May 1400, the Yan forces diverted the river to flood the city.[74] Tie Xuan pretended to surrender and lured Zhu Di to the city gate.[75] As Zhu Di approached the city gate, he was ambushed by the government forces and fled back to the camp. The siege continued for the next three months.[76] The strategic importance of Jinan was crucial, and Zhu Di was determined to capture the city. After suffering several setbacks during the siege, Zhu Di turned to the use of cannons. In response, the defenders resorted to placing several plaques written with the name of Zhu Yuanzhang, father of Zhu Di, on top of the city walls. Zhu Di was forced to stop the bombardment.[77]

In June, Jianwen Emperor dispatched an envoy to negotiate for peace, but it was rejected by Zhu Di.[78] The government reinforcements arrived in Hejian around July, and disrupted the supply line of the Yan forces.[79] With the supply line threatened, Zhu Di was forced to withdraw back to Beiping on 16 August. The garrison in Jinan followed up and recaptured the city of Dezhou.[80] Both Tie Xuan and Sheng Yong were promoted to replace the commanding post previously led by Li Jinglong. The government forces advanced back north and settled in Dingzhou and Cangzhou.[81]

Battle of Dongchang

In October, Zhu Di was informed that the government forces were marching northwards, and decided to launch a pre-emptive strike on Cangzhou. Departing from Tongzhou on 25 October, the Yan forces reached Cangzhou by 27 October 1400 and captured the city in two days.[82] [83] The Yan forces crossed the river and arrived in Dezhou on 4 November.[84] Zhu Di attempted to summon Sheng Yong to surrender, but was refused. Sheng Yong was defeated while leading an attack on the rear of the Yan Army.[85] In November, the Yan forces arrived in Linqing, and Zhu Di decided to disrupt the government supply line to force Sheng Yong to abandon Jinan.[86] To counter this, Sheng Yong planned for a decisive battle in Dongchang, and armed his troops with gunpowder weapons and poisonous crossbows.[87]

On 25 December 1400, the Yan forces arrived in Dongchang.[88] Sheng Yong successfully lured Zhu Di into his encirclement, in which the Yan general Zhang Yu was killed in action while trying to break Zhu Di out.[89] While Zhu Di was able to flee from the battlefield, the Yan forces suffered another defeat the next day and were forced to withdraw.[90] On 16 January 1401, the Yan forces returned to Beiping.[91] The Battle of Dongchang was the largest defeat suffered by Zhu Di since the onset of the campaign, and he was particularly saddened by the death of Zhang Yu.[92] [93] During the battle, Zhu Di was almost killed on numerous occasions. However, the government forces were instructed by Jianwen Emperor to refrain from killing Zhu Di, which the Prince of Yan took advantage of.[94]

News of the victory following the Battle of Dongchang was well received by Jianwen Emperor. In January 1401, Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng were restored to their posts, and the emperor went on to worship the imperial ancestral temple in Nanjing.[95] [96] [97] [98] The military morale of Sheng Yong forces received a significant boost, and the Yan forces stayed clear of Shandong in subsequent attacks.[99]

Battle of Jia River-Gaocheng

The defeat at Dongchang was a humiliating loss for Zhu Di, but his close advisor Yao Guangxiao supported continuing military operations.[100] The Yan forces mobilised again on 16 February 1401 and marched southwards.[101]

In anticipation of a Yan strike, Sheng Yong stationed himself in Dezhou with 200,000 troops, while placing the remainder of the forces in Zhending. Zhu Di decided to strike Sheng Yong first.[102] On 20 March, the Yan forces encountered the forces of Sheng Yong on Jia River near Wuyi.[103] On 22 March, the Yan forces crossed the Jia River. Seeing that the camp of Sheng Yong was heavily guarded, Zhu Di decided to personally scout the opponent to search for weak spots. Since Jianwen Emperor forbade the killing of Zhu Di, the government forces refrained from shooting at Zhu Di as he scouted around with minimal harassment.[104] [105]

After the scouting operation, Zhu Di led the Yan forces and attacked the left wing of Sheng Yong. The ensuing battle lasted until nightfall, in which both sides suffered an equal number of casualties.[106] [107] Both sides engaged again the next day. After several hours of intense fighting, the wind suddenly started to blow from the northeast to southwest toward the government positions. The government forces were unable to battle against the wind as the Yan forces ran over their positions. Sheng Yong was forced to retreat to Dezhou.[108] [109] [110] Government reinforcements from Zhending also retreated after hearing the news of Sheng Yong's defeat.[111]

The Battle of Jia River re-established the military edge for Prince of Yan. On 4 March 1401, Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng were held accountable for the loss and were dismissed from their post. The emperor instructed them to recruit troops from other areas.[112]

After the defeat of Sheng Yong in Jia River, the Yan forces advanced to Zhending. Zhu Di managed to lure the government forces out of the city and engaged them in Gaocheng on 9 March 1401. Facing the gunpowder weapons and crossbows utilised by the government forces, the Yan Army suffered heavy losses.[113] [114] The battle ensued the next day, and a severe wind started to blow. The government forces were unable to hold on to its position and were crushed by the Yan forces.[115]

From Baigou River to Jia River and Gaocheng, the Yan forces were aided by the wind in all of these occasions. Zhu Di was convinced that the Yan forces were destined for victory.[116]

Ensuing battles

In the immediate aftermath of Battle of Jia River-Gaocheng, the Yan forces took the initiative and marched southwards with no resistance.[117] Zhu Di demanded peace talks, and Jianwen Emperor consulted with advisor Fang Xiaoru for opinions. Fang Xiaoru suggested to pretend to negotiate while ordering the forces in Liaodong to strike Beiping.[118] [119] The strategy did not work as planned, and in May Sheng Yong sent out an army to attack the supply line of the Yan Army.[120] [121] Zhu Di claimed that Sheng Yong refused to stop military actions with ill intentions, and managed to convince Jianwen Emperor to imprison Sheng Yong.[122] [123]

As both sides ceased to negotiate, Zhu Di decided to raid the supply line of the government forces to starve the defenders in Dezhou. On 15 June, the Yan forces successfully destroyed the main food storage of the government forces in Pei, and Dezhou was on the brink of collapse.[124] In July, the Yan forces captured Pengde and Linxian.[125] On 10 July 1401, government forces from Zhending launched a raid on Beiping. Zhu Di divided the army to reinforce Beiping and defeated the government forces by 18 September.[126] In hope to reverse the tides of the battle, imperial advisor Fang Xiaoru attempted to intensify the existing distrust between the first and second son of Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu, but the strategy failed once again.[127]

On 15 July 1401, government forces led by Fang Zhao from Datong began to approach Baoding, threatening Beiping, and Zhu Di was forced to withdraw.[128] The Yan forces had a decisive victory in Baoding on 2 October, and Fang Zhao retreated back to Datong.[129] On 24 October, the Yan forces returned to Beiping. The government forces from Liaodong attempted to raid the city again, but the attack was repelled.[130]

The Jingnan Campaign had been ongoing for more than two years up until this point. Despite numerous victories, the Yan forces were unable to hold on to territories due to lack of manpower.[131]

Yan offensives, 1401–1402

Advancing south

By the winter of 1401–1402, Zhu Di decided to alter the general offensive strategy. The Yan forces were to skip the strongholds of the government forces, and advance straight south toward the Yangtze River.[132] [133]

On 2 December 1401, the Yan forces mobilised and began advancing southward. In the month of January, the Yan forces stormed across Shandong and captured Dong'e, Dongping, Wenshang, and Pei. On 30 January 1402, the Yan forces reached Xuzhou, the major transportation hub.[134]

In response to the mobilisation of the Yan forces, Jianwen Emperor ordered Mei Yin to defend Huai'an, and ordered Xu Huizu to reinforce Shandong.[135] [136] On 21 February 1401, the government forces in Xuzhou refused to engage with the Yan forces to focus on defending the city after suffering a defeat.[137]

Battle of Lingbi

Zhu Di decided to skip Xuzhou and continued to advance southward. The Yan forces went past Suzhou, defended by Pin An, and reached Bengbu by 9 March 1402.[138] Ping An pursued the Yan forces but was ambushed by Zhu Di at Fei River on 14 March, which forced the Pin An to retreat back to Suzhou.[139]

On 23 March 1402, Zhu Di dispatched an army to disrupt the supply line of Xuzhou.[140] The Yan forces arrived at the Sui River on 14 April, and settled across the river facing the government camp. A battle broke out on 22 April in which the government forces led by Xu Yaozu were victorious.[141] As the government forces had victories one after another, the military morale of the Yan forces started to plummet. Soldiers of the Yan forces were mostly from the north, and they were unaccustomed to the heat as summertime approached. The generals of Zhu Di proposed a withdrawal to regroup, which Zhu Di rejected.[142]

During this time, the imperial court received rumours that the Yan forces had retreated back north. Jianwen Emperor recalled Xu Yaozu back to Nanjing, which reduced the government strength north of the Yangtze River.[143] On 25 April 1402, the government forces moved the camp to Lingbi and began to set up fortifications. A series of battles ensued, and the government forces gradually ran out of food supply as the Yan forces successfully blocked their supply line.[144] With the imminent shortage of food supply, the government forces planned to break out of Yan encirclement and regroup in the Huai River. The break out signal was decided as three shots of cannon fire. On the next day, the Yan forces happened to attack Lingbi fortification with the same signal. The government forces completely collapsed in a state of confusion as the Yan forces stormed to take over and ended the battle.[145] [146] [147]

The main strength of the government forces was crushed decisively in the Battle of Lingbi, and the Yan forces were now unmatched north of the Yangtze River.

Fall of Nanjing

After the Battle of Lingbi, the Yan forces advanced straight toward the southeast and captured Sizhou on 7 May 1402.[148] Sheng Yong attempted to set up a defensive line on the Huai River to prevent the Yan forces from crossing. As the attack was halted in Huai’an, Zhu Di divided the army and launched a converging attack on Sheng Yong. Sheng Yong was defeated, and the Yan forces captured Xuyi.[149] [150]

On 11 May 1402, the Yan forces marched toward Yangzhou, and the city surrendered one week later.[151] The nearby city of Gaoyou also surrendered soon after.[152]

The fall of Yangzhou was a devastating blow for the government forces, as the imperial capital Nanjing was now exposed to a direct attack. After discussing with Fang Xiaoru, the Jianwen Emperor decided to negotiate again with Zhu Di to delay the attack while calling for help from other provinces.[153] The nearby provinces of Suzhou, Ningbo, and Huizhou all dispatched an army to protect the imperial capital.[154]

On 22 May 1402, Zhu Di rejected the negotiation for armistice.[155] On 1 June, the Yan forces were about to cross the Yangtze River, but was met with firm resistance from Sheng Yong. After suffering a few setbacks, Zhu Di was considering whether to accept the peace offer and withdraw back to the north. Zhu Gaoxu arrived with reinforcement in a decisive moment and crushed the forces of Sheng Yong.[156] During the preparation for river crossing, the Yan forces obtained several warships from the government navy. The Yan forces crossed the Yangtze River from Guazhou on 3 June, and Sheng Yong was once again defeated. On 6 June, Zhenjiang fell to the Yan forces.[157] [158]

By 8 June 1402, the Yan forces advanced to 30 km east of Nanjing. The imperial court was in a state of panic, and the Jianwen Emperor frantically dispatched several envoys in hopes to negotiate for armistice. Zhu Di rejected the notion and the Yan forces marched toward the imperial capital.[159]

Nanjing was effectively isolated by 12 June. All messengers dispatched to other provinces were intercepted by the Yan forces, and no reinforcement was in sight for the imperial capital.[160] On 13 July 1402, the Yan forces arrived in Nanjing. The city defenders decided to open up the city gate and surrender without resistance.[161] [162] [163] With the fall of Nanjing to the Prince of Yan Army, the Jingnan Campaign had drawn to an end.

Aftermath

As the Yan forces marched into Nanjing, Jianwen Emperor set the imperial palace on fire in despair. While the body of Empress Ma was located afterwards, the body of Jianwen Emperor had vanished and was never found.[164] [165] The emperor was alleged to have escaped through the tunnels and went into hiding.[166]

Zhu Di decided to go on and hold an imperial funeral for the emperor to imply his death to the general public.[167] On 17 June 1402, Zhu Di was crowned at the imperial palace and became the Yongle Emperor.[168] All of the Jianwen policies were reversed to the original policies set during the reign of Hongwu Emperor.[169]

On 25 June 1402, Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru were all executed, and their families exterminated.[170] Various other imperial advisors to the Jianwen Emperor were either executed or committed suicide, and their families were exiled by the new government.[171] Majority of these families were pardoned and allowed to return to their homeland during the reign of Hongxi Emperor.[172]

Influences

During the early reign of the Yongle Emperor, the territorial princes were restored of their positions. However, they were relocated away from the frontiers, and gradually stripped of their military power. With the subsequent policies enforced by the Yongle Emperor, the emperor was successful in consolidating the power of the central government.[173] In 1426, the Xuande Emperor managed to force all of the territorial princes to renounce their remaining personal army after suppressing the rebellion of Zhu Gaoxu.

The Yongle Emperor began the preparation for relocating the imperial capital to Beiping in 1403, a process that lasted throughout his entire reign.[174] [175] The construction of the future Forbidden City along with the restructuring of the Grand Canal were constantly ongoing. In 1420, the reconstruction of Beiping City was completed, and the Ming Dynasty officially relocated the imperial capital to Beiping and renamed the city to Beijing.[176] With the exception of Republic of China between 1928 and 1949, Beijing remains to be the fixed capital of China ever since.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Every prince is entitled to three "Wei" (三護衛) of guards. There are approximately 5000–6000 men in each "Wei".
  2. History of Ming, Volume 7: 寧獻王權,太祖第十七子。洪武二十四年封。逾二年,就藩大寧。大寧在喜峰口外,古會州地,東連遼左,西接宣府,為巨鎮。帶甲八萬,革車六千,所屬朵顏三衛騎兵皆驍勇善戰。權數會諸王出塞,以善謀稱。
  3. History of Ming, Volume 3: 遺詔曰:「朕膺天命三十有一年,憂危積心,日勤不怠,務有益於民。奈起自寒微,無古人之博知,好善惡惡,不及遠矣。今得萬物自然之理,其奚哀念之有。皇太孫允炆仁明孝友,天下歸心,宜登大位。內外文武臣僚同心輔政,以安吾民。喪祭儀物,毋用金玉。孝陵山川因其故,毋改作。天下臣民,哭臨三日,皆釋服,毋妨嫁娶。諸王臨國中,毋至京師。諸不在令中者,推此令從事。」
  4. Ming Tongjian, Volume 11: 至是燕王自北平奔喪,援遺詔止之,於是諸王皆不悅,流言煽動,聞于朝廷。謂子澄曰:「先生憶昔東角門之言乎?」對曰:「不敢忘。」於是始與泰建削藩之議。
  5. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 1: (洪武三十一年)六月,戶部侍郎卓明請徙封燕王棣於南昌,不聽。
  6. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 1: 乃命曹國公李景隆以備邊為名,猝至開封,圍王宮,執之以歸。......乃廢橚為庶人,竄蒙化。諸子皆別徙。
  7. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: (建文元年)夏四月,湘王柏自焚死,齊王榑、代王桂有罪,廢為庶人。柏膂力過人,握刀槊弓矢,馳馬若飛。至是有告其反者。帝遣使即訊,柏焚其宮室,彎弓躍馬,投火中死。榑累歷塞上,以武功喜,時與燕通,為府中人所告;會代郡亦上變,乃廢二王為庶人,錮榑京師,幽桂大同。
  8. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: (建文元年)六月,岷王楩有罪,廢為庶人:西平侯沐晟奏楩不法,廢為庶人,徙漳州。
  9. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: (六月)己酉,燕山百戶倪亮上變,告燕官校於諒、周鐸等陰事,詔逮至京師,皆戮之。復詔責燕王。王遂稱疾篤,佯狂走呼市中,奪酒食,語多妄亂,或臥土壤彌日不甦。張昺、謝貴入問疾,王盛夏圍爐播顫曰:「寒甚。」宮中亦杖而行。昺等稍信之,長史葛誠密語之曰:「王本無恙,公等勿懈。」
  10. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 初,張信之至燕也,與昺等同受密旨,憂懼不知所出。以告母,母大驚曰:「吾聞燕都有王氣,王當爲天子。汝慎勿妄舉,取赤族禍也。」至是又密敕信,使執王,信見事急,三造燕邸,辭不見,乃乘婦人車徑至門,固請之。王召入,信拜牀下,密以情輸王。王猶佯為風疾,不能言,信曰:「殿下毋爾也。臣今奉詔禽王,王果無意,當就執,如有意,幸勿誨臣。」王察其誠,下拜曰:「生我一家者,子也!」於是召僧道衍謀舉兵。
  11. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 會昺等部署衛卒及屯田軍士,布列城中,一面飛章奏聞。布政司吏李有直竊其草,獻之府中,燕王亟呼護衛張玉、朱能等率壯士八百人入衛。
  12. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 秋,七月,詔至,「逮燕府官屬」,於是張昺、謝貴等率諸衛士以兵圍府第,......壬申,王稱疾愈,御東殿,伏壯士左右及端禮門內,遣人召昺、貴,不至,復遣中使示以所逮姓名,乃至。......一時伏兵盡起,前禽昺、貴,捽葛誠、盧振下殿。王擲杖起曰:「我何病!為若輩奸臣所逼耳。」昺、貴及誠等不屈,皆斬之。
  13. Taizong Shilu, Volume 2: 是夜,(張)玉等攻九門,黎明已克其八,惟西直門未下。上令指揮唐雲解甲騎馬,導從如平時,過西直門,見闘者,呵之曰:「汝眾喧閧,欲何為者?誰令爾為此不義,是自取殺身耳。」眾聞雲言,皆散,乃盡克九門,遂下令安集城中,人民安堵,諸司官吏視事如故。北平都指揮使俞填走居庸關,馬瑄走薊州
  14. 《皇明祖訓•法律》:如朝無正臣,内有奸惡,則親王訓兵待命,天子密詔諸王,統領鎮兵討平之。
  15. Taizong Shilu, Volume 2: 甲戌,通州衛指揮房勝等率眾以城來歸。
    丙子,馬宣在薊州,謀起兵來攻。上遣指揮朱能等攻拔其城,遂生擒馬宣。遵化衛指揮蔣玉、密雲衛指揮郭亨各以城來歸。
    己卯,命指揮徐安、鐘祥、千戶徐祥等討填,安等攻破其城(居庸關),填走懷來,依宋忠。
    甲申,至懷來。......宋忠余眾蒼黃列陣未成,上麾師渡河,鼓噪直沖其陣,宋忠大敗,奔入城。......都指揮莊得單騎遁走,餘眾悉降,即散遣歸原衛。
    丙戌,永平守將趙彝、郭亮以城來歸。
    乙未,......乃作詒卜萬書,盛稱獎萬而極毀詆亨,緘識牢密,召一卒飲之酒,且厚賚之,而置書其衣中,俾歸與萬。其同獲之卒竊窺之,問守者曰:「彼何為者?」守者曰:「遣歸通意,故得厚賚。」卒跪曰:「告守者能為我請得偕行,惟命是從,不敢望賚。」守者如所言為請,遂俱遣而不與賚,不得賚者終不平,至即發其事。劉真、陳亨搜卒衣,得與卜萬書,遂疑萬,執下獄,籍其家。
  16. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 壬辰,谷王橞聞燕兵破懷來,自宣府奔京師。
  17. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 燕兵起,朝廷慮(朱)權與燕合,召權及遼王植歸京師。植泛海還,權不至,坐削護衛。
  18. Taizong Shilu, Volume 3: 齊泰等慮遼王植、寧王權為上之助,建議悉召還京,惟植至,遂遣敕削權護衛。
  19. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 陳質者,建文元年宋忠之敗,質以參將退守大同,代王欲舉兵應燕,質持之不得發。
  20. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 棣反書聞。帝告太廟,削棣屬籍,廢為庶人。詔示天下。以(耿)炳文太祖時宿將,拜征虜大將軍。
  21. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 是月,燕王反書聞。齊泰請削燕屬籍,聲罪致討。或難之,泰曰:「明其為賊,敵乃可克。」遂定議伐燕,布告天下。
  22. History of Ming, Volume 142: 暴昭,潞州人。......燕兵起,設平燕布政司於真定,昭以尚書掌司事,與鐵鉉輩悉心經畫。
  23. According to History of Ming, there were over 60 people granted nobility during the reign of Hongwu Emperor. By 1398, 35 of them died, and 26 of them were executed by Zhu Yuanzhang. The ones remaining were Geng Bingwen, Guo Ying and Yu Yuan.
  24. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 炳文等瀕行,上戒之曰:「昔蕭繹舉兵入京,而令其下曰:『一門之內,自極兵威,不祥之甚。』今爾將士與燕王對壘,務體此意,毋使朕有殺叔父名。」
  25. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 八月,己酉,耿炳文師次真定。
  26. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 壬子,......,夜半,至雄縣,襲其城。(潘)忠援兵不至,前鋒麾下九千人皆戰沒。......命護衛千戶譚淵率壯士千餘,伏月漾橋水中,......,俟忠等援軍已過,即出據橋,王遣兵逆擊忠,敗之。
    Taizong Shilu, Volume 3: 上問忠等:“莫州軍馬幾何?”忠雲:“尚有戰士萬余、馬九千餘匹,今聞臣敗必走,急取可得也。”上率精銳百余為前鋒,趨鄚州,徑薄其營,悉降之,盡獲其人馬輜重。
  27. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 會炳文部將張保來降,言「炳文兵三十萬,先至者十三萬,分營滹沱河南北。」王厚撫保,遣歸,使詐言「被執得脫,且具陳雄、鄚敗狀,燕兵旦夕至。」......炳文聞保言,果移南營過河。
  28. Taizong Shilu, Volume 3: 壬戌,未至真定二十裡,獲采樵者,詢知炳文軍惟備西北,其東南無備。上率三騎先至東門,突入其運糧車中,擒二人問之,其南岸之營果移於北岸,由西門而營,直抵西山。
  29. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 炳文出城逆戰,張玉、譚淵、朱能等率眾奮擊,王以奇兵出其背,循城夾攻,橫衝其陣,炳文大敗,奔還。朱能與敢死士三十餘騎,追奔至滹沱河東。炳文眾尚數萬,復列陣向能。能奮勇大呼,衝入炳文陣,南軍披靡,蹂藉死者甚眾,棄甲降者三千餘人。
  30. Taizong Shilu, Volume 3: 上將輕騎數十,繞出城西,先破其二營。適炳文送使客出,覺之奔還,......炳文出城迎戰,張玉、譚淵、朱能、馬雲等率眾奮擊之,上以奇兵出其背,循城夾擊,橫透敵陣,炳文大敗,急奔入城。軍爭門,門塞不得入,相蹈藉死者甚眾,乃自相斮,然後得入而闔門自守。丘福等殺入子城,門閉乃退。其左副將軍駙馬都尉李堅領眾接戰,我騎士薛祿引槊刺堅墜馬,揮刀斫之。堅大呼曰:「我李駙馬也,勿殺。」祿生擒之,其右副將軍都督甯忠、左軍都督顧成、都指揮劉遂俱被擒,斬首三萬餘級,積屍塞城壕,溺死滹沱河者無算,獲馬二萬餘匹,俘降數萬,盡散遣之,有二千人願留不歸,上從之。
  31. Taizong Shilu, Volume 3: 丙寅,攻真定二日未下。上曰:「攻城下策,徒曠時日,鈍士氣。」遂命班師。
  32. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: (顧)成遂降,王遣人送北平,輔世子居守。
  33. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 上聞真定之敗,始有憂色,謂黃子澄曰:「柰何!」對曰:「勝敗兵家之常,無足慮。」因薦曹國公李景隆可大任,齊泰極言其不可,竟用之。
  34. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: (九月)戊寅,諜報曹國公乘傳至德州,收集耿炳文敗亡將卒并調各處軍馬五十萬,進營河間。
  35. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4:上語諸將曰:「李九江(李景隆小名),豢養之子,寡謀而驕矜,色厲而中餒,忌刻而自用,況未嘗習兵,見戰陣而輙以五十萬付之,是自坑之矣。漢高祖大度知人,善任使,英雄為用,不過能將十萬,九江何等才而能將五十萬?趙括之敗可待矣。」
  36. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: 上笑曰:「兵法有五敗,景隆皆蹈之。為將政令不脩,紀律不整,上下異心,死生離志,一也;今北地早寒,南卒裘褐不足,披冒霜雪,手足皸瘃,甚者墮指,又士無贏糧,馬無宿槁,二也;不量險易,深入趨利,三也;貪而不治,智信不足,氣盈而愎,仁勇俱無,威令不行,三軍易撓,四也;部曲喧嘩,金鼓無節,好諛喜佞,專任小人,五也。九江五敗悉備,保無能為。然吾在此,必不敢至,今須往援永平,彼知我出,必來攻城,回師擊之,堅城在前,大軍在後,必成擒矣。」
  37. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: 九月戊辰朔,永平守將郭亮馳報:江陰侯吳高、都督耿瓛等以遼東兵圍城。
  38. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: 丙戌,上率師援永平,諸將請曰:「必守盧溝橋,扼李景隆之沖,使不得徑至地城下。」上曰:「天寒冰涸,隨處可度,守一橋何足拒敵?舍之不守,以驕敵心,使深入受困於堅城之下,此兵法所謂利而誘之者也。」壬辰,吳高等聞上至,倉卒盡棄輜重,走山海。上遣輕騎追之,斬首數千級,俘降亦數千人,盡散遣之。上議攻大寧,......乙未,師行。上諭世子嚴守備,敵至,慎毋與戰。
  39. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: 壬寅,師抵大寧,城中不虞我軍驟至,倉卒關門拒守。上引數騎循繞其城,適至西南隅而城崩,上麾勇士先登,眾蟻附而上,遂克之,獲都指揮房寬,撫綏其眾,頃刻而定,城中肅然無擾。遣陳亨家奴並城中將士家屬報亨,劉真等引軍來援,軍士聞家屬無恙,皆解甲。時寧王權三護衛為朝廷削奪者尚留城中,至是皆歸附,上悉以還寧王。
  40. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 壬寅,燕師至大寧。王單騎入城,詭言窮蹙求救,執寧王手大慟。寧王信之,為草表謝,請赦其死。居數日,情好甚洽。時北平銳卒伏城外,吏士得稍稍入城,陰結三衛部長及戍卒。己酉,燕王辭去,寧王祖之郊外,伏兵起,擁寧王行,三衛彍騎及諸戍卒一呼畢集。守將朱鑑不能禦,力戰死,寧府長史石撰不屈死。壬子,燕師南還,寧王同行,寧妃、世子皆從,悉以三衛配北軍,大寧城為之一空。
  41. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: 李景隆聞上征大寧,果引軍度盧溝橋,意氣驕盈,有輕視之志,以鞭擊馬韂曰:「不守盧溝橋,吾知其無能為矣。」直薄城下,築櫐九門,遣別將攻通州。時世子嚴肅部署,整肴守備,城中晏然,數乘機遣勇士縋城夜斫景隆營,殺傷甚眾,營中驚擾,有自相蹂踐而者。景隆攻麗正門急,時城中婦女皆乘城擲瓦石擊之,其勢益沮。
  42. According to Siku Quanshu version of History of Ming, Volume 142: 瞿能傳「與其子帥精騎千餘攻張掖門」,臣方煒按:《明書》--:「能從李景隆攻北平,力戰,勢甚銳,與其子獨帥精騎千餘人殺入彰義門。」彰義門,金之西門,元所謂南城也,今之廣寧門;人猶呼為彰義。外城雖建於嘉靖時,意金城故址在明初猶存,使作張掖,音轉之訛耳。疑即彰義他書,但無可證,謹識闕疑。
  43. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 燕世子高熾堅守,夜遣勇士縋城出斫營,營中驚擾,驟退。都督瞿能攻張掖門,垂克。景隆忌能功,令止之。燕人夜汲水沃城,明日冰凝,不得上。
  44. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 景隆日夕戒嚴,不恤士卒,皆植戟立雪中,凍死者相踵。於是北平之守益堅。
  45. Taizong Shilu, Volume 4: 乙卯,我軍至會州,命張玉將中軍,鄭亨、何壽充中軍左、右副將;朱能將左軍,朱榮、李浚充左軍左、右副將;李彬將右軍,徐理、孟善充右軍左、右副將;徐忠將前軍,陳文、吳達充前軍左、右副將;房寬將後軍,和允中、毛整充後軍左、右副將;以大寧歸附之眾分隸各軍。丁巳,師入松亭關。
  46. Taizong Shilu, Volume 5: 庚午,師至孤山,訊知李景隆軍鄭村壩。我邏騎至白河,還言河水流澌,兵不可度,又聞景隆列陣于白河西。是日,大雪初霽。上默禱曰:「天若助予,則河冰合。」是夜,起營。達曙白,河冰已合。於是會師畢度。諸將進賀曰:「同符光武滹沱之瑞,上天祐助之徵也。」上曰:「成敗亦惟聽於天耳。」時景隆遣都督陳暉領騎萬餘來哨而行道相左,暉探知我軍度河,從後追躡,其眾方度,上率精騎還擊之,斬首無算,暉餘眾奔度,河冰忽解,溺死甚眾,獲馬二十餘匹,暉僅以身免。
  47. Taizong Shilu, Volume 5: 諜報景隆馭軍嚴刻,士卒多躡履執戟,盡夜立雪中,不得息,凍死及墮指者甚眾,臨戰率不能執兵。上曰:「違天時以自敝,可不勞而勝之。」乃率諸軍列陣而進,遙望敵軍讙動。上曰:「彼亂而囂,可擊也。」以精騎先進,連破其七營,諸軍繼之交戰,自午至酉,上益張奇兵,左右衝擊,大敗景隆兵,斬首數萬級,降者數萬,悉縱遣之。
  48. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 辛未,戰於鄭村壩,連破其七營,遂逼景隆。燕將張玉等列陣而進,乘勝抵城下,城中兵亦鼓噪而出,內外夾攻,景隆師潰,宵遁。
  49. Taizong Shilu, Volume 5: 是夜,景隆盡棄其輜重,拔眾南遁,遂獲馬二萬餘匹。諸將請追之,上歎曰:「殺傷多矣,降皆釋之,遁者不須追也。況天氣冱寒,饑凍而死者亦不少,宜抑止鋒銳,勿過傷生。」諸將乃止。
  50. Taizong Shilu, Volume 5: 時敵兵違九門者尚未知景隆遁,猶固守不退。癸酉,上率兵攻之,破其四營,其餘望風奔遁,所獲兵資器仗不可勝計。
  51. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 翌日,九壘猶固守,燕兵次第破其四壘。餘眾聞景隆已走,遂棄兵糧,晨夜南奔。景隆退還德州。
  52. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: ......內外夾攻,諸軍皆潰。喪士卒十餘萬。
  53. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 乙亥,燕王再上書自理,謂「朝廷所指為不軌之事凡八,皆出齊泰、黃子澄等奸臣所枉,請誅之以告天下。」不報。
  54. Taizong Shilu, Volume 5: 先是,上語左右曰:「遼東雖隔山海而數擾永平,當思所以靖之。吳高雖怯而行事差密,楊文粗而無謀,去吳高,則楊文不足慮矣。然非用智不能去之。」遂遣人齎書諭二人,與文書則盛毀辱之,與吳高書則盛稱譽之,而故易其函,若誤置者。於是二人皆以聞於朝,朝廷果疑吳高,削其爵,徙廣西,獨命楊文守遼東。由是兵無紀律,人懷疑貳,不敢數出矣。
  55. Taizong Shilu, Volume 5: 庚申,师至广昌,守备汤胜等举城降。
  56. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 二年正月丙寅朔,上至蔚州,......城中恟惧,将王忠、李远等城举降。
  57. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 我師攻大同,李景隆果來援,引軍出紫荊關。上率師由居庸關回,景隆軍凍餒死者甚眾,墮指者什二三,棄鎧伏於道,不可勝計。
  58. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 癸亥,景隆遺燕王書,請息兵,王答書索齊泰、黃子澄等,又以「前兩次上書悉不賜答,此必奸臣慮非己利,匿不以聞,今備錄送觀之。」景隆得書,遂有貳志。
  59. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 丁未(二月十二),韃靼國公趙脫列幹、司徒趙灰鄰帖木兒、司徒劉哈剌帖木兒自沙漠率眾來歸,賜賚有差。
  60. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 是月,保定知府雒僉叛降於燕。
  61. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 乙卯,燕師渡玉馬河,營於蘇家橋。
  62. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 己未,遇(平)安兵於河側,安伏精兵萬騎邀擊。燕王曰:「平安,豎子耳。往歲從出塞,識我用兵,今當先破之。」及戰,安素驍勇,奮矛直前,都督瞿能父子繼之,所向披靡,燕師遂卻。會千戶華聚、百戶谷允陷陣而入,斬首七級,又執我(南軍)都指揮何清。日色已暝,遂收軍。是役也,真定之師亦至,合兵六十萬,陣列河上,郭英等預藏火器於地中,燕師多死。王從三騎殿後,夜,迷失道,下馬伏地視流,燒稍辨東西,始知營所在,倉猝渡河而北。王還營,令諸軍蓐食。
  63. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 敵藏火器於地,其所謂「一窠蜂」、「揣馬丹」者,著入馬皆穿,而我軍俱無所複。時夜深,各收軍還營,上親殿后,從者惟三騎,迷所營處。上下馬,視河流,辨東西,營在上流,遂度河,稍增至七騎。是夜,營白溝河北,令軍士秣馬蓐食,俟旦畢度。
  64. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 明日再戰,能及安擣燕將房寬陣,敗之。
  65. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 乃令都指揮丘福等以萬餘騎沖其中堅不動,上以精銳數十突入敵軍左掖,殺傷甚眾,......於是複進戰不已。敵眾飛矢如注,上所乘馬凡三易三被創,所射矢三服皆盡,乃提劍左右奮擊,劍鋒缺折不堪擊,乃稍卻。敵來逼而限以二堤,上複馳馬越堤逆之,佯以鞭招後,敵疑有伏,不敢越堤而止,遂相持。
  66. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 燕王見事急,親冒矢石,又令大將丘福衝其中堅,不得入,王盪其左,突景隆兵繞出王後,飛矢雨注。王馬三創,凡三易,所射矢三服皆盡,乃提劍,劍鋒復折,馬阻於堤,幾為瞿能、平安所及。王亟走登堤,佯舉鞭招後騎,景隆疑有伏,不敢進,會高煦救至,乃得免。
  67. History of Ming, Volume 118: 白溝河之戰,成祖幾為瞿能所及,高煦帥精騎數千,直前決戰,斬能父子于陣。
  68. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 比日晡,瞿能復引眾搏戰,大呼滅燕,斬馘數百。越雋侯俞通淵、陸涼衛指揮滕聚,引眾赴之。會旋風起,折大將旗,南軍陣動,王乃以勁騎繞其後,乘風縱火。能父子及通淵、聚皆死,安與朱能亦敗,官軍大亂,奔聲如雷。郭英等潰而西,景隆潰而南,棄其器械輜重殆盡。燕師追至月樣橋,降十餘萬人。景隆走德州。
  69. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 會旋風折其大將旗幟,眾大亂,我軍乘風縱火,燔其營,煙焰漲天,郭英等潰而西,李景隆等潰而南,棄輜重、器械、孳畜不可勝計,所賜斧鉞皆得之,斬首數萬級,溺死十余萬,追至雄縣月樣橋,殺溺蹂躪死者複數萬,橫屍百餘裡,降者十余萬,悉放遣之,李景隆單騎走德州。
  70. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: ......會旋風起,折景隆大將旗,陣動。棣以勁騎繞其後,乘風縱火,煙焰漲天。能父子及通淵、聚皆死,安與朱能戰,亦敗。官軍大亂,奔聲如雷。郭英潰而西,景隆潰而南。盡棄其所賜璽書斧鉞,走德州。
  71. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 壬戌,我軍乘勝進取德州。辛未,李景隆聞我軍且至,拔德州之眾宵遁。癸酉,命陳亨、張信入德州,籍吏民,收府庫,得糧儲百余萬。......李景隆奔濟南。(庚辰)詰旦,至濟南,李景隆眾十余萬倉卒佈陣未定,......,遂進擊之,大敗景隆,斬首萬餘級,獲馬萬七千餘匹。景隆單騎遁。
  72. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 冬十月,詔李景隆還。赦不誅。御史大夫練子寧、宗人府經歷宋徵、御史葉希賢並言景隆失律喪師,懷貳心,宜誅。黃子澄亦請正其罪以謝天下。皆不聽。子澄拊膺曰:「大事去矣!薦景隆誤國,萬死不足贖罪!」
  73. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 燕師遂圍濟南,鉉與庸等乘城守禦。王知不可驟克,令射書城中趣降。
  74. Taizong Shilu, Volume 6: 辛巳,隄水灌濟南城。
  75. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 鉉乃佯令守陴(牆頭)者皆哭,撤守具,遣千人出城詐降。王大喜,軍中懽呼。鉉設計,預懸鐵板城門上,伏壯士闉堵(甕城)中,候燕王入,下板擊之,又設伏,斷城外橋以遏歸師。
  76. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 比王入門中,人呼千歲,鐵板下稍急,傷燕王馬首。王驚覺,易馬而馳。伏發,橋倉猝不可斷,王鞭馬自橋逸去,憤甚,復設長圍攻之。鉉隨宜守禦,燕師持久頓城下者凡三閱月,卒不能下。
  77. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 初,燕王之攻真定也,三日不下,即解兵去。惟自以得濟南足以斷南北道,即不下金陵,畫疆自守,亦足以徐圖江、淮,故乘此大破景隆之銳,盡力攻之,期於必拔。不意鉉等屢挫其鋒,又令守陴者詈燕,燕王益憤,乃以大炮攻城。城中不支,鉉書高皇帝神牌,懸之城上,燕師不敢擊。
  78. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 六月,上聞濟南危急,用齊泰、黃子澄計,遣使赦燕罪以緩其師。己酉,命尚寶丞李得成詣燕師,諭王罷兵。王不聽,留之,得成遂附於燕。
  79. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 秋,七月,都督平安將兵二十萬,進次河間之單家橋,謀出御河,斷燕餉道。
  80. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: (八月)戊申,燕師解圍去,盛庸、鐵鉉追擊,敗之。金兵德州,燕守將陳旭遁,遂復德州。
  81. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 九月,辛未,擢鐵鉉山東布政使,參贊軍務,尋進兵部尚書。封盛庸為曆城侯,授平燕將軍,以代景隆,都督陳暉、平安副之。詔庸屯德州,平安及吳傑屯定州,徐凱屯滄州,相為犄角以困北平。
  82. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 丙午,下令征遼東。......壬子,密令徐理、陳旭等朱詣直沽,造浮橋濟師。丙辰,移師還通州,循河而南。......戊午,我軍過直沽。上語諸將曰:「徐凱等所設備,惟青縣、長盧而已,塼垛兒、灶兒坡數程皆無水,皆不備,趨此可徑至滄州城不?」是夜二更,啟行,晝夜三百裡,敵兩發哨騎皆不相遇。明旦,至監倉,遇敵哨騎數百,盡擒之。食時,至滄州,敵猶未覺,督軍士築城。我軍既至城下,始蒼黃分,守城垛眾皆股栗,不及擐甲。我軍四面急攻之,上麾壯士由城之東北角登,逾時拔其城。而先已遣人斷敵歸路,遂斬首萬餘級,獲馬九十餘匹,而生擒都督徐凱、程暹、都指揮俞琪、趙滸、胡原、李英、張傑並指揮以下百余人,餘眾悉降,咸給牒遣。
  83. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 丙辰,自通州循河而南,渡直沽,晝夜兼行。戊午,師至滄州城下,凱等方四出伐木,晝夜築城,倉猝收筑具出戰。燕師四面攻之,張玉率壯士由城東北隅肉薄而登,庚申,拔之。
  84. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 棣自長蘆渡河,至德州。
  85. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: (十一月)甲子。......上慮德州盛庸之眾要之,乃率諸軍自長蘆度河,循河而南至景州,遂至德州,遣人於城下招盛庸,庸堅壁不出。時我軍皆已過,上獨率數十騎殿后,庸覘知之,遣騎數百來襲後,上返兵擊之,殺百餘人,生擒千戶蘇瓛,餘悉降。
  86. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 壬申,駐軍臨清。上語諸將曰:「盛庸聚眾德州,而仰給禦河運糧,若邀其糧,彼乏食,必不得而出,出必虛聲躡我之後,其實欲向南就食。今覘伺其出,還軍擊之,蔑不破矣。」甲戌,移軍館陶,遣輕騎哨至大名,盡得其糧舟,遂取其糧,焚其舟。我軍至館陶渡河,至冠縣,過莘縣,遂向東阿、東平,以誘敵眾。
  87. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 乙卯,燕師抵東昌,庸背城而陣,列火器毒弩以待。
  88. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 乙卯,我師至東昌,盛庸背城而出。
  89. History of Ming, Volume 118: 及成祖东昌之败,张玉战死,成祖只身走,适高煦引师至,击退南军。
  90. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 燕王直前薄庸軍左翼,不動;復衝中堅,庸開陣縱王入,圍之數重。燕將朱能率番騎來救,王乘間突圍出。而燕軍為火器所傷甚眾,大將張玉死於陣。會平安至,與庸合兵。丙辰,又戰,復大敗之,前後斬馘數萬人。燕師遂北奔,庸等趣兵追之,復擊殺無算。
  91. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 丁巳,師至館陶。時盛庸馳報真定,於是敵眾四出,以要我歸師。......(三年正月)丙子,師至北平。
  92. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 王聞張玉敗沒,痛哭曰:「勝負常事,不足慮;艱難之際,失此良將,殊可悲恨!」
  93. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 上複曰:「勝負固兵家常事,今勝負亦相當,未至大失,所恨者失張玉耳。艱難之際,喪此良輔,吾至今寢不帖席,食不下嚥也。」
  94. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 是役也,燕王瀕於危者數矣,諸將徒以奉上詔,莫敢加刃。王亦陰自恃,獨以一騎殿後,追者數百人不敢逼。適高煦領指揮華聚等至,擊退庸兵,獲部將數人而去。
  95. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: (建文元年十一月)罷兵部尚書齊泰、太常寺卿黃子澄:棣以前所上書不報,再上書,請去泰、子澄。帝為罷二人以謝燕。陰留之京師,仍參密議。
  96. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 辛巳三年,春正月。復齊泰、黃子澄官。
  97. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 丁丑(正月初七),享太廟,告東昌捷。
  98. Those Ming Dynasty Stuff, Volume 1: 朱允炆大喜過望,決定去祭祀太廟,想來祭祀內容無非是告訴他的爺爺朱元璋,你的孫子朱允炆戰勝了你的兒子朱棣。真不知如朱元璋在天有靈,會作何感想。
  99. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 庸軍勢大振。自燕人犯順,轉鬭兩年,奉銳甚。至是失大將,燕軍奪氣。其後定計南下,皆由徐沛,不敢復道山東。
  100. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 棣恥東昌之敗,意殆欲稍休,道衍力趣之。謂棣曰:臣前言師行必克,但費兩日;兩日者,昌字也,自此全勝矣。
  101. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 二月庚寅朔。戊戌,命僧修齋,薦陣亡將士,上親為文祭之。祭畢,上流涕言曰:「奸惡橫加毒害於我,爾等憫我無辜,奮力戰鬥,為我而死,含無窮之冤於地下。每念及之,痛切於心。」遂脫所服袍,焚于前,諸將趨進,亟止之。......乙巳,上率師南出
  102. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 乙巳,燕師復南下。己酉,次保定。盛庸合諸軍二十萬駐德州,吳傑、平安出真定。燕王與諸將議所向,丘福等請攻定州,王曰:「野戰易,攻城難。今盛庸在德州,吳傑、平安在真定,我若頓兵城下,彼必合勢來援。堅城在前,強敵在後,此危道也。今真定距德州二百餘里(注:真定即石家莊附近,離德州約四百里,應是記載有誤),我軍介其中,敵必出迎戰,取其一軍,餘自膽破。」諸將曰:「腹背受敵,奈何?」王曰:「百里之外,勢不相及,兩軍相薄,勝敗在呼吸間,雖百步不能相救,況二百里哉!」明日,遂移軍東出
  103. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: (三月)己卯,偵知盛庸軍營夾河,遂進師迫之。庚辰,距敵營四十裡駐兵。
  104. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 棣將輕騎來覘,掠陣過,庸遣千騎追之。
  105. Those Ming Dynasty StuffVolume 1: 然而朱棣並未接近自己所佈陣型,而是從旁掠過,很明顯他的目的是偵察。然而此時盛庸終於發現,自己並不能把朱棣怎麼樣!對付這種偵察騎兵,最好的方法就是給他一槍,把他打下馬來,然而皇帝陛下的教導始終縈繞在耳邊,無論如何是不能開槍或者射箭的,因為那會讓仁慈的皇帝陛下擔負殺害叔叔的罪名。......他只能派出自己的騎兵去追擊對方,結果當然是不了了之。
  106. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 辛巳,庸軍及燕兵遇於夾河。庸結陣甚堅,陣旁火車銳弩齊列。燕王以輕騎掠陣過,庸追卻之,乃復以步騎攻其左掖,不能入。燕將譚淵,從中軍望見塵起,遽出兵逆擊之。都指揮莊得,率眾殊死戰,遂合庸軍,斬淵及其部下董真保於陣。燕王與朱能、張武等,復以勁騎繞出南軍背,乘暮掩擊,莊得陷陣死,又殺楚智、張皂旗。
  107. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 是日戰酣,殺傷皆相當。
  108. Ming Tongjian, 卷十:既還營,復嚴陣約戰。謂諸將曰:「昨日譚淵逆擊太早,故不能成功。......,兩陣相當,將勇者勝,此光武之所以破王尋也。」
  109. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 壬午,復戰。庸軍西南,燕軍東北。燕王臨陣,張奇兵左右衝擊,自辰至未,兩軍互有勝負。會東北風大起,塵埃漲天,兩軍咫尺不相見,北軍乘風大呼,縱左右翼擊之,庸軍大敗,棄兵走。燕師追至滹沱河,踐溺死者甚眾,其降者王悉縱遣之。庸遂退保德州。
  110. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 忽大風東北起,飛埃蔽天,庸軍面迎沙礫,咫尺不辨物。棣兵縱左右翼橫擊,斬首數萬。庸大敗,走德州。
  111. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 先是,吳傑等引軍出,與盛庸合,未至八十里,聞庸敗,複還真定。
  112. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 閏月,癸巳,上以夾河之敗,罷齊泰、黃子澄,謫於外,蓋使之募兵也。
  113. Taizong Shilu, Volume 7: 是日,軍士四出取糧,又令校尉荷擔抱嬰兒,偽作避兵者,奔入真定城,揚言北軍皆出取糧,營中無備。傑等聞而信之,遂出軍襲我。
  114. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: (閏三月)戊戌,遇燕師於藳城。傑等列方陣於西南,燕王謂諸將曰:「方陣四面受敵,豈能取勝!我以精兵攻其一隅,一隅敗則其餘自潰矣。」乃以軍縻其三面,而自率精銳攻東北隅。燕將薛祿,出入敵陣,馬蹶,為南軍所執,奪敵刀斬數人,復跳而免。王復率驍騎循滹沱河出陣後,傑、安等預藏火器,發大弩射王,矢集王所建旗,勢如猬毛,燕師中火器及弩,死傷甚眾,竟不及王。
  115. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 會大風起,發屋拔樹,燕軍乘之,傑等師大潰。燕王麾兵四向蹙之,斬首六萬餘級。追奔至真定城下,傑等走入城。
  116. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 燕師自白溝河至藳城,凡三捷,皆得風助,王以為此天授,非人力也。
  117. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 己酉,燕師掠順德。辛亥,掠廣平。癸丑,次大名。諸郡縣皆望風降燕。
  118. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 王聞罷齊、黃以為緩兵之計,復上書曰:「比聞奸臣竄逐,臣亦將休兵就藩。而吳傑、平安、盛庸之眾,猶聚境上,是奸臣雖出而其計實行,臣不敢奉詔。」
  119. Taizong Shilu, Volume 8: 書至,建文君以示方孝孺。孝孺觀畢,曰:「我方將怠之,此奏之來正宜。今各處兵已多集,獨雲南兵來至,燕軍久駐大名,暑雨為沴,不戰將自困。今調遼東兵攻永平,德州擾北平,根本受敵,彼必歸援,我大軍躡其後,有必擒之勢矣。今辜遣人報之,往復一二月,吾師必集矣。」建文君善其策,遂命孝孺草詔,宣言欲罷兵。......遂令大理少卿薛嵓齎至軍中密散之,以懈我將士心。
  120. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 嵓至見燕王,王問:「上意云何?」嵓曰:「朝廷言殿下旦釋甲,暮即旋師。」王曰:此不可紿三尺兒。嵓惶懼不能對。
  121. Taizong Shilu, Volume 8: 五月己丑朔,吳傑、平安、盛庸俱發兵擾我餉道。
  122. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 己丑,燕王復使指揮武勝詣京師上書,謂:「朝廷已許罷兵,而庸等攻北,絕我糧餉,與詔旨相違,此必有主之者。」上得書,欲竟罷之。孝孺曰:「兵一罷不可復聚,若使彼長驅犯闕,何以禦之?」上從其言,乃下武勝於獄。
  123. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 帝乃誅勝以絕燕。
  124. Taizong Shilu, Volume 8: 辛酉,獲其諜者,言武勝等已下獄。上謂諸將曰:「我駐軍於此三月,以俟息兵之命。武勝既執,則其志不可轉矣,我豈能塊然坐此,為人所擒哉?彼軍萃德州,資糧皆通徐、沛來,但調輕騎數千邀而毀之,德州無所仰給,必困,縱欲求戰,我嚴師待之,以逸擊勞,以飽擊餓,有必勝之道,勝之而後求息兵,或冀能從。」諸將皆曰:「善。」遂遣李遠等率騎兵六千擾其餉道,上令遠軍皆易彼甲胄,使遙見不疑,又恐臨戰相雜難辨,令各插柳枝一握於背為識。......壬申,李遠等如上旨,至濟甯穀亭沙河,沛縣敵望之,皆不覺。我軍焚其糧舟數百艘,糧數百萬石,軍資器械不可勝計,河水盡熱,魚鱉皆浮死,其運糧軍士盡散走。京師大震,而德州兵氣稍索矣。
  125. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 秋,七月,己丑,燕師掠彰德。......丙申,燕師陷林縣。
  126. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 丁酉,平安自真定乘虛攻北平,營於平村,離城五十里,擾其耕牧。燕世子督眾固守,遣人詣燕師告急。時王在大名,遣將劉江率兵往援。......九月,甲辰,燕將劉江與平安戰於北平,敗之,安退保真定。
  127. Taizong Shilu, Volume 8: 戊戌,方孝孺言於朝曰:「今河師老無功,而德州餉道又絕,事勢可憂,向以罷兵之說誘之,既不能行,則當別圖一策,安可坐視?臣有一策。」建文君曰:「試言之。」對曰:「燕世子孝謹仁厚,得國人心,燕王最愛之,而其弟高燧狡譎,素忌其寵,屢讒之于父不信。今但用計離間其世子,彼既疑世子,則必趣歸北平,即吾德州之餉道通矣,餉道通即兵氣振,可圖進取也。」......遂令孝孺草書貽世子,令背父歸朝,許以燕王之位,而令錦衣衛千戶張安齎詣世子,世子得書不啟封,並安遣人送軍前。時中官黃儼奸險,素為世子所惡,而高燧深結之為己地。及安持書至,儼已先遣人馳報上曰:「朝廷與世子已通密謀。」上不信,高煦時侍上,亦替儼言非謬,上亦不信。語竟,世子所遣人以書及張安皆至。上覽書,歎曰:「甚矣,奸人之險詐。吾父子至親愛,猶見離間,況君臣哉?」
  128. Taizong Shilu, Volume 8: 壬寅,諜報大同敵將房昭引兵入紫荊關,侵掠保定屬縣,......房昭據易州西水寨,寨在萬山中,四面極險,惟一徑扳緣可上。房昭欲守此為持久計,以窺伺北平。上曰:「保定,北平股肱郡,豈可不援?」遂班師。
  129. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 八月,丁巳朔,燕師渡滹沱河,留其將孟善鎮保定,而自率兵圍水西寨。......冬,十月,丁巳,真定援兵至,燕師自定州馳還,合圍寨之兵邀擊於峨嵋山(在易州西南百里)下,令勇士卷旆登山,潛出陣後張旗幟,寨中望見大駭,與真定兵俱潰。斬首萬餘級,獲援將花英、鄭琦等,房昭、韋諒走免。
  130. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 己卯,燕師還北平。......(十一月)壬辰,(劉)江及(楊)文戰於昌黎,敗之。
  131. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 當是時,王稱兵已三年矣,親戰陣,冒矢石,為士卒先,常乘勝逐北,然亦屢瀕於危。所克城邑,兵去旋復為朝廷守,所據僅北平、保定、永平三郡而已。
  132. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 有以中官奉使侵暴為言者,詔所在有司繫治,於是中官密遣人赴燕,具言京師空虛可取狀。
  133. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 會詔有司繫治中官奉使之不法者,先後奔燕,具言京師空虛可取狀,王乃慨然曰:「頻年用兵,何時已乎?要當臨江一決,不復反顧矣!」道衍亦力勸燕王:「毋下城邑,疾趨京師,此批亢擣虛之策也。」遂定計。
  134. Taizong Shilu, Volume 8: (十二月)乙卯朔。
    丙寅,上率師南征。
    壬午,駐師蠡縣。
    四年正月甲申朔。
    乙未,由館陶度河。
    丁丑,師至東阿舊縣,攻城不下,力戰拔之,斬首三千餘級,生擒其守將。
    戊戌,攻拔東平,擒指揮詹璟。
    庚子,攻拔汶上,擒指揮薛鵬。
    庚戌,師至沛縣,守將以城降,知縣顏伯偉不出,為我軍所殺。
    癸丑,師至徐州。
  135. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 冬十二月,詔駙馬都尉梅殷鎮淮安。
  136. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 建文四年春正月,甲申,召故周王橚於蒙化,居之京師。命魏國公徐輝祖率京軍往援山東。
  137. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 甲戌,燕師攻徐州,城中兵出戰,敗績,閉城而守。
  138. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 三月,甲申,燕師趨宿州。壬辰,次渦河。
  139. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 丁酉,平安率步騎四萬躡燕軍。燕王設伏於淝河,命都指揮王真白義劉江各率百騎逆之,緣路設伏。安兵將至,真誘之戰,,束草置囊中如束帛狀,遇安軍,擲而餌之,安軍士競取囊。燕師伏發,真率壯士直前,斬馘無算。後軍不繼,安軍圍之數匝,遂斬真。真夙稱驍將,身被重創,猶格殺數十人,燕王嘗曰:「諸將奮勇如王真,何事不成!」聞其死,自率兵迎戰。安部將和爾和(火耳灰)挺槊大呼,直前刺王,馬忽蹶,為燕所禽。安軍乃卻,退屯宿州。
  140. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 丙午,燕王遣將譚清率兵斷徐州餉道,以平安駐宿州為持久計,斷其糧餉,可不攻而自潰也。清至徐州擊轉餉兵,大破之,還至大店,為南軍所圍。燕軍望見旗幟,亟馳赴援,鐵鉉擊卻之。和爾和之被禽也,燕王令入宿衛。至是從王,欲立功自贖,乃以身翼王,殺南軍數十人,圍解,遁去。
  141. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 夏,四月,丙寅,燕師次於睢水之小河,燕王令陳文扼要處為橋以濟。丁卯,平安列陣爭橋,會何福軍亦至,張左右翼,緣河而東,擊敗燕軍,遂斬陳文於陣。安轉戰至北坂,橫槊刺王,幾及之,燕番將王琪,躍馬入陣掖燕王,得脫。南軍奪橋而北,勇氣百倍。燕將張武率勇敢士自林間突出,與王騎合,擊卻之。於是南軍駐橋南,北軍駐橋北,相持者數日,南軍糧盡。燕王曰:「更待一二日,南軍饟稍集,未易攻也。」乃留兵千餘守橋,而潛移諸軍輜重去南營三十里,夜半,渡河繞出南軍後,安等大驚。而徐輝祖之援兵適至,甲戌,與燕兵大戰於齊眉山,自午至酉,南軍輒勝,斬燕驍將李斌。
  142. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 維時王師再捷,燕人兇懼。會淮土暑濕薰蒸,北軍疾疫,乙亥,燕諸將請渡河,擇地休息士馬,俟釁而動。燕王曰:「兵事有進無退。」乃下令:「欲渡河者左,不欲者右。」諸將多趨左,王怒曰:「任公等自為之!」朱能曰:「諸軍勉旃!漢高十戰而九不勝,卒有天下。況敵已饑疲,邀其餉道,可以坐困。利已在我,豈可有退心!」諸將乃不復言。
  143. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 而帝聞訛言,謂燕兵已北,召輝祖還。福軍遂孤。
  144. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 丁丑,何福移營,與平安合軍靈壁,深塹高壘為持久計,而糧運為燕兵所阻,不得達。時南中餽餉五萬,安率馬步六萬護之。己卯,燕王率精銳橫擊,截其軍為二,福空壁來援,殺燕兵數千,卻之。會高煦伏兵突出,燕王還軍復戰,福遂敗走
  145. Taizong Shilu, Volume 9, Part I: 庚辰,何福等先與我軍相對,深溝高壘,欲運糧實其中,為持久計。至是,軍敗糧乏,眾心離貳,乃下令期明旦聞炮三震,即出走,約聚淮河就糧。辛巳,上命諸軍攻敵營壘,而躬率諸將先登,軍士蟻附而上。我軍三震炮,敵眾誤為己炮,急趨門走,門塞不得出,營中紛擾,人馬墜濠塹皆滿,破其營,生擒敵將左副總兵都督陳暉、右副總兵都督平安、右參將都督馬溥、都督徐真、都指揮孫成等三十七員、內官四員、禮部侍郎陳性善、大理寺丞彭典明、欽天監副劉伯完、指揮王貴等一百五十員,獲馬二萬餘匹,降者無算,悉縱遣,歡聲動地曰:「吾屬自此獲安矣。」何福單騎脫走。
  146. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 於是南軍糧乏,乃下令,期以明日聞礮聲三,即突圍出,就糧於淮河。辛巳,燕師攻靈壁壘,發三礮,令軍士蟻附而登。福軍誤以為己號,爭門走,燕師乘之,人馬擾亂,遂大潰。指揮宋瑄,力戰死之。福單騎走免,安及陳暉、馬溥、徐真、孫成等三十七人皆被執。
  147. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 諸將請移駐淮河就糧,夜令軍中聞三礮即走。翌日,燕兵猝薄壘,亦發礮三。福軍以為己礮也,爭趨門出。燕兵乘之,遂大亂,人馬墜壕塹俱滿。福單騎走,安及都督陳暉、侍郎陳性善等三十七人皆被執。
  148. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 己丑,燕師下泗州。王謁祖陵,賜父老牛酒。
  149. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 盛庸獨軍而南,以兵數萬、戰艦數千列淮南岸,棣兵不得渡。遣使至淮安,假道於駙馬都尉梅殷,殷劓其使,曰:「留汝口,還為而王言君臣大義。」棣氣沮。鳳陽守徐安,亦折浮橋絕舟楫以遏燕。
  150. Taizong Shilu, Volume 9, Part I: 辛卯,敵將盛庸領馬步兵數萬、戰艦數千艘列淮之南岸,我軍列北岸相對。上命將士艤舟編筏,揚旗鼓噪,指麾若將度河者,敵望之有慎色。上別遣丘福、朱能等將驍勇數百人西行二十里,以小舟潛濟,漸近敵營舉炮,敵驚愕,福等突沖敵陣,敵眾棄戈甲而走,盛庸股戰不能上馬,其下掖之登舟,遂單舸脫走,我師盡獲其戰艦,遂濟淮,駐南岸。是日,克盱眙。
  151. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 癸巳,燕師趨揚州。己亥,至天長,遣使招諭揚州守將王禮。先是,禮聞燕師至,謀以城降。監察御史王彬巡江淮治揚州,與指揮崇剛嬰城堅守,晝夜不解甲,知禮有異謀,執之,與其黨俱繫獄。有力士,能舉千斤,彬常以自隨,禮弟崇者,厚賂力士母,呼其子出。會彬解甲而浴,為千戶徐政、張勝所縛,遂出禮於獄,開門降。彬與剛皆不屈死。庚子,燕師克揚州。
  152. Taizong Shilu, Volume 9, Part I: 壬寅,高郵等衛指揮王傑等率眾詣軍門降。
  153. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 徵天下兵勤王。......下罪己詔,遣慶成郡主詣燕軍。
  154. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 壬寅,詔天下勤王,遣御史大夫練子寧、右侍中黃觀、修撰王叔英等分道徵兵,召齊泰、黃子澄還。於是蘇州知府姚善、寧波知府王璡、徽州知府陳彥回、樂平知縣張彥方、前永清典史周縉等,先後入衛。
  155. Taizong Shilu, Volume 9, Part I: 孝孺言:「乃事急矣,宜以計稍緩之。」建文君曰:「何計?」曰:「曷遣人許以割地,稽延數日,東南召募壯丁,當畢集天塹之險,北軍不長於舟楫,相與決戰江上,勝敗未知。」建文君善其言,乃遣慶城郡主度江至軍門,白其事。郡主,上之從姊也。......(朱棣)又曰:「此奸臣欲姑緩我,以俟遠方之兵耳。我豈為其所欺哉?」郡主默然,遂辭歸。
  156. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 六月,癸丑朔,燕師將渡江,盛庸扼之於浦子口,敗之。燕王欲且議和北還,適高煦引兵至,王仗鉞拊其背曰:「勉之!世子多疾。」於是煦率眾殊死戰,庸兵失利,退屯高資港。
  157. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 會朝廷遣都督僉事陳瑄率舟師往援,瑄叛降燕。
  158. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 甲寅,燕王祭大江。乙卯,燕師自瓜洲渡江,盛庸迎戰於高資港,敗績。諸將請徑薄京城,燕王曰:「鎮江咽吭,不先下之,往來不便。」戊午,至鎮江,守將童俊以城降。
  159. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 庚申,燕師營於龍潭,京師大震。上徘徊殿廷間,召方孝孺問計。時廷臣勸上幸浙或湖、湘以圖興複,孝孺曰:「城中尚有禁兵二十萬,唯有力守以待援兵。即事不濟,國君死社稷,正也。無已,且遣大臣、諸王等再詣燕師以緩之。」辛酉,上遣李景隆及兵部尚書茹瑺、都督王佐復至燕軍申前請,燕王曰:「皇考已分封,今割地何名?公等歸奏上,但奸臣至,我即解甲謝罪,退謁孝陵,歸奉北藩。」景隆等惶懼不能對,遽還。壬戌,上復遣谷王橞、安王楹等往,王卒不奉詔,唯與諸王相勞苦,宴罷遣歸。
  160. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 甲子,上遣人潛齎蠟丸,四出促援兵,皆為燕遊騎所獲。是時王叔英募兵於廣德,齊泰奔往從之;姚善起兵於蘇州,黃子澄往從之;而練子寧募兵於杭州,黃觀募兵於上游,皆倉猝不得至。上唯與方孝孺執手流涕,命徐輝祖等分道出御。谷王橞,李景隆等守金川門。時左都督徐增壽,久蓄異志,至是首謀內應。御史魏冕、大理丞鄒瑾率同官毆之,請速加誅,上猶不聽。
  161. Taizong Shilu, Volume 9, Part II: 乙丑,上至金川門。時諸王分守京城門,谷王橞守金川門,橞登城望。上遂按兵而入,城中軍民皆具香花夾道迎拜,將士入城肅然,秋毫無犯,市不易肆,民皆按堵。
  162. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 乙丑,燕師薄金川門。時北兵駐龍潭,王慮京師完繕,勤王之師四集,乃遣劉保、華聚等領十餘哨至朝陽門,覘知無備,還報燕王,遂率大隊整兵前進。至則增壽果謀內應,上乃手刃之於左順門。而是時谷王橞、李景隆已開門納燕師,輝祖等力戰,敗績。
  163. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 棣尋進兵屯金川門,左都督徐增壽謀內應,帝手劍斬之。橞、景隆守金川門,登城望見棣麾蓋,開門迎降。御史連楹叩馬欲刺棣,被殺。都城陷。
  164. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 上知事不可為,縱火焚宮,馬后死之。傳言「帝自地道出,翰林院編修程濟、御史葉希賢等凡四十餘人從。」
  165. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 王既入,遣中使出馬后屍於火,詭言帝屍,持之泣,曰:「癡兒,何至是!」
  166. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 宮中火起,帝不知所終。棣遣中使出后屍於火,詭云帝屍。越八日,用學士王景言,備禮葬之。然葬地所在,後無聞焉。或曰帝由地道出亡,其後滇黔巴蜀間,皆傳有帝為僧時往來跡,世遂以帝為遜國云。
  167. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 壬申,葬建文皇帝,蓋馬后也。上以葬禮詢之王景,對曰:「當以天子之禮葬。」從之。
  168. Taizong Shilu, Volume 9, Part II: 己巳,上謁孝陵,欷歔感慕,悲不能止。禮畢,攬轡回營,諸王及文武群臣備法駕,奉寶璽,迎上於道,遮上馬不得行。上固拒再言,諸王及文武群臣擁上登輦,軍民耆老,萬眾夾道,俯歡呼,連稱萬歲。上不得已升輦,曰:「諸王群臣以為我奉宗廟宜,莫如予。宗廟事重,予不足,今為眾心所載,予辭弗獲,強循眾志,然宜協心輔予不逮。」遂詣奉天殿,即皇帝位,諸王暨文武群臣上表稱賀。
  169. Ming Tongjian, Volume 12: 是月(建文二年正月),詔均江浙田賦。初,太祖屢蠲蘇、松、嘉、湖極重田畝,至是復諭戶部減免,畝不得過一斗。迨革除后,浙西賦復重云。
  170. Ming Tongjian, Volume 13: 丁丑,殺兵部尚書齊泰、太常寺卿黃子澄、文學博士方孝孺,皆夷其族。
  171. History of Ming, Volume 141: 贊曰:帝王成事,蓋由天授。成祖之得天下,非人力所能禦也。齊、黃、方、練之儔,抱謀國之忠,而乏制勝之策。然其忠憤激發,視刀鋸鼎鑊甘之若飴,百世而下,凜凜猶有生氣。是豈泄然不恤國事而以一死自謝者所可同日道哉!由是觀之,固未可以成敗之常見論也。
  172. History of Ming, Volume 141: 仁宗即位,谕礼部:「建文诸臣,已蒙显戮。家属籍在官者,悉宥为民,还其田土。其外亲戍边者,留一人戍所,余放还。」
  173. 顧誠《明代的宗室》,《明清史国际学术讨论会论文集》,天津人民出版社1982年7月第1版
  174. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 二月,以北平為北京。設北京留守,行後軍都督府,行部,國子監。改北平曰順天府。
  175. Mingjian Gangmu, Volume 2: 秋八月,徙富民實北京。時發流罪以下墾北京田,又徙直隸、蘇州等十郡、浙江等九省富民實之。
  176. History of Ming, Volume 6: 九月丁亥,诏自明年改京师为南京,北京为京师。