Minor Translation: Brief reign of Prince Yǐn of Nán'ān 南安隱王 Tuòbá Yú 拓拔余 - Wèishū 魏書 18.5
The Hidden Prince of Wèi and unofficial Emperor
Tuòbá Yú was the son of the famous Tuòbá Tào 拓拔燾, the Emperor of Northern Wèi 魏 who is often seen as the man to end the chaotic Sixteen States period that followed the collapse of Western Jin 晉朝. Tuòbá Yú was featured prominently in the novel This Concubine’s Daughter is Poison 庶女有毒 by Qín Jiǎn 秦简, though perhaps more famously known by the C-Drama adaptation called The Princess Wèiyāng 锦绣未央 in which he is one of the major antagonists of the series. The series heavily strays from history and the novel itself fell under much scrutiny over plagiarism charges, however some of the series is based on the events of the reign of Tuòbá Tào, in particular the ending. If you don’t want spoilers for this drama, obviously avoid reading this small translation as it essentially spoils the ending somewhat.
南安王余,真君三年封吳王,後改封南安王。世祖暴崩,中常侍宗愛矯皇太后令迎余而立之,然後發喪。大赦,改年為永平。余自以非次而立,厚賞羣下,取悅於眾。為長夜之飲,聲樂不絕,旬月之間,帑藏空罄。尤好弋獵,出入無度,邊方告難,余不恤之,百姓憤惋,而余晏如也。宗愛權恣日甚,內外憚之。余疑愛將謀變,奪其權,愛怒,因余祭廟,夜殺余。高宗葬以王禮,諡曰隱。
Prince Yú of Nán'ān in Zhēnjūn third year was named Prince of Wú, later changing to Prince of Nán'ān. Shìzǔ1 collapsed suddenly [and died], Internal Regular Attendant [zhōngcháng shì] Zōng Ài2 with forged edict from the Dowager Empress enthroned [Tuòbá] Yú, later declared mourning. Amnesty was declared, year was changed to Chéngpíng.3 Because he was not next in order [in succession], he rewarded the subordinates greatly to win their favor. His nights were spent drinking and he carried on with music all night, within several months the treasuries were emptied. He favored hunting, came and went without restraint [ignoring his duties]; incurring the displeasure of the people yet he showed no change. There came a time in which [Tuòbá Yú] feared [Zōng] Ài would plot to remove him so [Yú] resolved to take his power. Ài, hearing of this, had Prince Yú murdered at night while he was at the sacrificial temple. Gāozōng4 buried him with the rights of a Prince, bestowing on him the posthumous name Hidden [Yǐn] Prince.5
Shìzǔ is the temple name of Tuòbá Tào 拓拔燾 who was mentioned earlier.
Zōng Ài was a palace eunuch who was honored heavily by the Emperor. However after his role in a succession crisis that resulted in the death of the Crown Prince, as well as several other prominent ministers he murdered the Emperor and set up Tuòbá Yú as Emperor. He massacred the courts preferred Prince and the prime supporters. Later he murdered Tuòbá Yú after he heard news that he wished to kill Zōng Ài. Eventually Zōng Ài was overthrown by the court and power was returned to the royal family.
Alternatively the reign era might be Yǒngpíng 永平, however I’ve chosen Chéngpíng because it is used in two separate sources. Either could be mistaken for the other. If there is a correction in the future i will make it.
Gāozōng is the temple name of Tuòbá Jùn 拓拔俊, the son of the former Crown Prince whom Zōng Ài had a role in undermining and driving to death. He was a young emperor, being enthroned by the court at the age of twelve when they overthrew and killed Zōng Ài and his cohorts after the murder of Tuòbá Yú.
One whose corpse is not displayed to the state may be called 隱 Yǐn ("hidden"); one who is hidden away and unable to achieve something may be called Yǐn.
Chéngpíng "Inherited Peace" does appear to be the correct name after all. Later when Tuòbá Jùn ascended he established Zhèngpíng "Proper Peace". I am not certain where Yǒngpíng came from other than one scribe mistook a character.