1
文宣四王
The Four Princes of Wenxuan
2
太原王紹德范陽王紹義西河王紹仁隴西王紹廉
Prince of Taiyuan (Shaode); Prince of Fanyang (Shaoyi); Prince of Xihe (Shaoren); Prince of Longxi (Shaolian)
3
文宣五男：李后生廢帝及太原王紹德，馮世婦生范陽王紹義，裴嬪生西河王紹仁，顏嬪生隴西王紹廉。
Gao Yang had five sons: Empress Li bore the Deposed Emperor and Prince Shaode of Taiyuan; Lady Feng bore Prince Shaoyi of Fanyang; Lady Pei bore Prince Shaoren of Xihe; Lady Yan bore Prince Shaolian of Longxi.
4
太原王紹德，文宣第二子也。 天保末，為開府儀同三司。 武成因怒李后，罵紹德曰：「你父打我時，竟不來救！」 以刀環築殺之，親以土埋之遊豫園。 武平元年，詔以范陽王子辨才為後，襲太原王。
Prince Shaode of Taiyuan was Gao Yang's second son. At the end of the Tianbao era, he was made opener of the way with honors equal to the three ducal ministers. Because Gao Zhan was enraged at Empress Li, he cursed at Shaode, saying, "When your father was beating me, you didn't come to save me!" He killed him by striking with the ring of his knife, and personally buried him with earth in the Pleasure Garden. In the first year of Wuping, an edict made Biancai, son of the Prince of Fanyang, his successor to inherit the title Prince of Taiyuan.
5
范陽王紹義，文宣第三子也。 初封廣陽，後封范陽。 歷位侍中、清都尹。 好與羣小同飲，擅置內參，打殺博士任方榮。 武成嘗杖之二百，送付昭信后，后又杖一百。 及後主奔鄴，以紹義為尚書令、定州刺史。 周武帝克幷州，以封輔相為北朔州總管。 此地齊以重鎮，諸勇士多聚焉。 前長史趙穆、司馬王當萬等謀執輔相，迎任城王於瀛州。 事不果，便迎紹義。 紹義至馬邑。 輔相及其屬韓阿各奴等數十人皆齊叛臣，自肆州以北城戍二百八十餘盡從輔相，及紹義至，皆反焉。 紹義與靈州刺史袁洪猛引兵南出，欲取幷州，至新興而肆州已為周守。 前隊二儀同以所部降周。 周兵擊顯州，執刺史陸瓊，又攻陷諸城。 紹義還保北朔。 周將宇文神舉軍逼馬邑，紹義遣杜明達拒之，兵大敗。 紹義曰：「有死而已，不能降人。」 遂奔突厥。 衆三千家，令之曰：「欲還者任意。」 於是哭拜別者太半。 突厥他缽可汗謂文宣為英雄天子，以紹義重踝似之，甚見愛重，凡齊人在北者，悉隸紹義。 高寶寧在營州，表上尊號，紹義遂卽皇帝位，稱武平元年。 以趙穆為天水王。 他缽聞寶寧得平州，亦招諸部，各舉兵南向，云共立范陽王作齊帝，為其報讐。 周武帝大集兵於雲陽，將親北伐，遇疾暴崩。 紹義聞之，以為天贊己。 盧昌斯據范陽，亦表迎紹義。 俄而周將宇文神舉攻滅昌期。 其日，紹義適至幽州，聞周總管出兵于外，欲乘虛取薊城，列天子旌旗，登燕昭王冢，乘高望遠，部分兵衆。 神舉遣大將軍宇文恩將四千人馳救幽州，半為齊軍所殺。 紹義聞范陽城陷，素服舉哀，迴軍入突厥。 周人購之於他缽，又使賀若誼往說之。 他缽猶不忍，遂偽與紹義獵於南境，使誼執之，流于蜀。 紹義妃渤海封孝琬女，自突厥逃歸。 紹義在蜀，遺妃書云：「夷狄無信，送吾於此。」 竟死蜀中。
Prince Shaoyi of Fanyang was Gao Yang's third son. At first he was enfeoffed at Guangyang, later enfeoffed at Fanyang. He rose in succession to palace attendant and governor of Qingdu. He liked to drink with low companions, arbitrarily appointed palace attendants, and beat to death the erudite Ren Fangrong. Gao Zhan once caned him two hundred strokes and sent him to Empress Zhaoxin; the empress caned him another hundred. When the Last Emperor fled to Ye, Shaoyi was made chief minister of the secretariat and governor of Ding Province. When Emperor Wu of Zhou captured Bing Province, he made Feng Fuxiang military governor of Beishuo Province. Qi regarded this place as a strategic stronghold; many brave warriors gathered there. The former administrator Zhao Mu, the commander Wang Dangwan, and others plotted to seize Fuxiang and welcome the Prince of Rencheng at Ying Province. The affair did not succeed, so they welcomed Shaoyi instead. Shaoyi reached Mayi. Fuxiang and his subordinates Han A'onu and several dozen others were all Qi defectors; from Si Province northward, more than two hundred and eighty garrisons all followed Fuxiang, and when Shaoyi arrived, they all turned. Shaoyi and Governor of Ling Province Yuan Hongmeng led troops south, intending to take Bing Province; when they reached Xinxing, Si Province was already held by Zhou. The vanguard's two military companions of the fourth rank surrendered to Zhou with their commands. Zhou forces attacked Xian Province, captured Governor Lu Qiong, and also captured several cities. Shaoyi withdrew to hold Beishuo. Zhou general Yuwen Shenju's army pressed Mayi; Shaoyi sent Du Mingda to resist, and the troops suffered a great defeat. Shaoyi said, "Death is all there is — I cannot surrender to others." Thereupon he fled to the Turks. Three thousand households followed him; he ordered them, "Whoever wishes to return may do as they please." More than half wept, bowed, and took leave. The Turkic khan Tabo, who called Gao Yang a heroic Son of Heaven, loved and valued Shaoyi because his heavy ankles resembled Gao Yang's; all Qi people in the north were placed under Shaoyi's command. Gao Baoning was at Ying Province and submitted a memorial with an honorific title; Shaoyi thereupon ascended the imperial throne, proclaiming the first year of Wuping. Zhao Mu was made Prince of Tianshui. Tabo heard Baoning had taken Ping Province and also summoned the various tribes, each raising troops southward, declaring they would jointly set up the Prince of Fanyang as Qi emperor and avenge him. Emperor Wu of Zhou massed troops at Yunyang, intending to lead a northern campaign in person, but suddenly died of illness. When Shaoyi heard of it, he thought Heaven was aiding him. Lu Changsi held Fanyang and also submitted a memorial welcoming Shaoyi. Before long Zhou general Yuwen Shenju attacked and destroyed Changqi. That day Shaoyi happened to reach You Province; hearing Zhou's military governor had sent troops outward, he wished to take advantage of the vacancy to seize Ji City; he displayed the Son of Heaven's banners and flags, ascended the tomb mound of King Zhao of Yan, and from the height looked far and arrayed his troops. Shenju sent Grand General Yuwen En with four thousand men to ride to relief at You Province; half were killed by Qi troops. When Shaoyi heard Fanyang had fallen, he put on plain mourning clothes and wailed; he turned his army and entered the Turks. Zhou men put a price on his head with Tabo and also sent He Ruoyi to persuade him. Tabo still could not bear to do it; he feigned going hunting with Shaoyi on the southern border and had Ruoyi seize him, then exiled him to Shu. Shaoyi's consort, daughter of Feng Xiaowan of Bohai, escaped from the Turks and returned home. Shaoyi in Shu sent a letter to his consort saying, "The barbarians are faithless — they sent me here." At last he died in Shu.
6
西河王紹仁，文宣第四子也，天保末，為開府儀同三司。 尋薨。
Prince Shaoren of Xihe was Gao Yang's fourth son; at the end of Tianbao he was made opener of the way with honors equal to the three ducal ministers. Before long he died.
7
隴西王紹廉，文宣第五子也。 初封長樂，後改焉。 性粗暴，嘗拔刀逐紹義，紹義走入廄，閉門拒之。 紹義初為清都尹，未及理事，紹廉先往，喚囚悉出，率意決遣之。 能飲酒，一舉數升，終以此薨。
Prince Shaolian of Longxi was Gao Yang's fifth son. At first he was enfeoffed at Changle, later the title was changed. By nature he was violent and rough; once he drew a knife and chased Shaoyi; Shaoyi ran into the stables and shut the door to keep him out. When Shaoyi first served as governor of Qingdu but had not yet taken up affairs, Shaolian went ahead, summoned all prisoners out, and disposed of cases as he saw fit. He could drink wine — one draft of several sheng; he ultimately died of it.
8
孝昭六王
The Six Princes of Xiaozhao
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樂陵王百年始平王彥德城陽王彥基定陽王彥康汝陽王彥忠汝南王彥理
Prince Bainian of Leiling; Prince Yande of Shiping; Prince Yanji of Chengyang; Prince Yankang of Dingyang; Prince Yanzhong of Ruyang; Prince Yanli of Runan
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孝昭七男：元后生樂陵王百年，桑氏生襄城王亮，出後襄城景王，諸姬生汝南王彥理、始平王彥德、城陽王彥基、定陽王彥康、汝陽王彥忠。
Gao Yan had seven sons: the empress bore Prince Bainian of Leiling; Lady Sang bore Prince Liang of Xiangcheng — who was given in adoption to Prince Jing of Xiangcheng; various ladies bore Prince Yanli of Runan, Prince Yande of Shiping, Prince Yanji of Chengyang, Prince Yankang of Dingyang, and Prince Yanzhong of Ruyang.
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樂陵王百年，孝昭第二子也。 孝昭初卽位，在晉陽，羣臣請建中宮及太子，帝謙未許，都下百僚又有請，乃稱太后令立為皇太子。 帝臨崩，遺詔傳位於武成，並有手書，其末曰：「百年無罪，汝可以樂處置之，勿學前人。」 大寧中，封樂陵王。 河清三年五月，白虹圍日再重，又橫貫而不達。 赤星見，帝以盆水承星影而蓋之，一夜盆自破。 欲以百年厭之。 會博陵人賈德胄教百年書，百年嘗作數「勑」字，德胄封以奏。 帝乃發怒，使召百年。 百年被召，自知不免，割帶玦留與妃斛律氏。 見帝於玄都苑涼風堂，使百年書「勑」字，驗與德胄所奏相似，遣左右亂捶擊之，又令人曳百年繞堂且走且打，所過處血皆遍地。 氣息將盡，曰：「乞命，願與阿叔作奴。」 遂斬之，棄諸池，池水盡赤，於後園親看埋之。 妃把玦哀號，不肯食，月餘亦死，玦猶在手，拳不可開，時年十四，其父光自擘之，乃開。 後主時，改九院為二十七院，掘得一小屍，緋袍金帶，一髻一解，一足有靴。 諸內參竊言，百年太子也，或言太原王紹德。 詔以襄成王子白澤襲爵樂陵王。 齊亡，入關，徙蜀死。
Prince Bainian of Leiling was Gao Yan's second son. When Gao Yan first ascended, he was at Jinyang; the court ministers requested establishing the empress and crown prince; the emperor modestly did not consent; the officials at the capital again petitioned, and only then, in the empress dowager's name, he was established as crown prince. As the emperor faced death, his final edict transferred the throne to Gao Zhan, and included a handwritten note; at the end it read, "Bainian is without guilt — you may keep him at leisure; do not follow those who came before." In the Daning era he was enfeoffed Prince of Leiling. In the fifth month of the third year of Heqing, a white rainbow twice encircled the sun, again stretching across without reaching through. A red star appeared; the emperor used a basin of water to catch the star's reflection and cover it — in one night the basin broke by itself. He intended to use Bainian to suppress these omens. It happened that a man of Boling, Jia Dezao, taught Bainian writing; Bainian once wrote several characters for "edict," and Dezao sealed them and submitted the sample. The emperor thereupon flew into rage and had Bainian summoned. When Bainian was summoned, knowing he could not escape, he cut off his belt-girdle and pendant and left them for his consort Lady Hulü. He saw the emperor at the Cool Wind Hall in the Xuan Capital Garden; the emperor had Bainian write the character "edict" — it matched what Dezao had submitted — then sent attendants to beat him wildly; others were made to drag Bainian around the hall, beating him as he went; wherever he passed, blood spread across the ground. When his breath was nearly gone, he said, "Spare my life — I beg to be your uncle's slave." He was then beheaded and cast into a pool; the pool water turned entirely red; afterward the emperor personally watched as he was buried in the rear garden. The consort clutched the pendant and wailed, refusing food; after more than a month she too died; the pendant was still in her hand, her fist clenched so it could not be opened; she was fourteen; her father Guang pried it open himself, and only then did it open. In the Last Emperor's time the nine courtyards were changed to twenty-seven; when digging they found a small corpse in crimson robe and gold belt — one topknot, one unbound, one foot still in boots. The palace attendants whispered among themselves that it was Crown Prince Bainian — or some said Prince Shaode of Taiyuan. An edict made Baize, son of the Prince of Xiangcheng, succeed to the title Prince of Leiling. When Qi fell he entered the passes, was transferred to Shu, and died there.
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始平王彥德、城陽王彥基、定陽王彥康、汝陽王彥忠，與汝南同受封，並加儀同三司，後事闕。
Prince Yande of Shiping, Prince Yanji of Chengyang, Prince Yankang of Dingyang, and Prince Yanzhong of Ruyang received enfeoffment together with the Prince of Runan, all additionally given honors equal to the three ducal ministers; later events are unrecorded.
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武成十二王
The Twelve Princes of Wucheng
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南陽王綽琅邪王儼齊安王廓北平王貞
Prince Chuo of Nanyang; Prince Yan of Langye; Prince Kuo of Qi'an; Prince Zhen of Beiping
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高平王仁英淮南王仁光西河王仁幾樂平王仁邕
Prince Renying of Gaoping; Prince Renguang of Huainan; Prince Renji of Xihe; Prince Renyong of Leping
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潁川王仁儉安陽王仁雅丹陽王仁直東海王仁謙
Prince Renjian of Yingchuan; Prince Renya of Anyang; Prince Renzhi of Danyang; Prince Renqian of Donghai
17
武成十三男：胡皇后生後主及琅邪王儼，李夫人生南陽王綽，後宮生齊安王廓、北平王貞、高平王仁英、淮南王仁光、西河王仁幾、樂平王仁邕、潁川王仁儉、安樂王仁雅、丹陽王仁直、東海王仁謙。
Gao Zhan had thirteen sons: Empress Hu bore the Last Emperor and Prince Yan of Langye; Lady Li bore Prince Chuo of Nanyang; the rear palace bore Prince Kuo of Qi'an, Prince Zhen of Beiping, Prince Renying of Gaoping, Prince Renguang of Huainan, Prince Renji of Xihe, Prince Renyong of Leping, Prince Renjian of Yingchuan, Prince Renya of Anle, Prince Renzhi of Danyang, and Prince Renqian of Donghai.
18
南陽王綽，字仁通，武成長子也。 以五月五日辰時生，至午時，後主乃生。 武成以綽母李夫人非正嫡，故貶為第二，初名融，字君明，出後漢陽王。 河清三年，改封南陽，別為漢陽置後。
Prince Chuo of Nanyang, styled Rentong, was Gao Zhan's eldest son. Born at the fifth hour of the fifth day of the fifth month; only at the noon hour was the Last Emperor born. Gao Zhan, because Chuo's mother Lady Li was not the legitimate consort, demoted him to second rank; his original name was Rong, styled Junming; he was given in adoption to the Prince of Hanyang. In the third year of Heqing the title was changed to Prince of Nanyang, and a separate heir was established for Hanyang.
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綽始十餘歲，留守晉陽。 愛波斯狗，尉破胡諫之，欻然斫殺數狗，狼藉在地。 破胡驚走，不敢復言。 後為司徒、冀州刺史，好裸人，使踞為獸狀，縱犬噬而食之。 左轉定州，汲井水為後池，在樓上彈人。 好微行，遊獵無度，恣情強暴，云學文宣伯為人。 有婦人抱兒在路，走避入草，綽奪其兒飼波斯狗。 婦人號哭，綽怒，又縱狗使食，狗不食，塗以兒血，乃食焉。 後主聞之，詔鎖綽赴行在所。 至而宥之。 問在州何者最樂，對曰：「多取蠍將蛆混，看極樂。」 後主卽夜索蠍一斗，比曉得三二升，置諸浴斛，使人裸臥斛中，號叫宛轉。 帝與綽臨觀，喜噱不已，謂綽曰：「如此樂事，何不早馳驛奏聞。」 綽由是大為後主寵，拜大將軍，朝夕同戲。 韓長鸞間之，除齊州刺史。 將發，長鸞令綽親信誣告其反，奏云：「此犯國法，不可赦。」 後主不忍顯戮，使寵胡何猥薩後園與綽相撲，搤殺之。 瘞於興聖佛寺。 經四百餘日乃大斂，顏色毛發皆如生，俗云五月五日生者腦不壞。 綽兄弟皆呼父為兄兄，嫡母為家家，乳母為姊姊，婦為妹妹。 齊亡，妃鄭氏為周武帝所幸，請葬綽。 勑所司葬於永平陵北。
When Chuo was barely past ten he remained at Jinyang on guard duty. He loved Persian dogs; Wei Pohuo remonstrated with him; instantly he hacked several dogs to death — their corpses strewn across the ground. Pohuo fled in shock and dared speak no more. Later he served as minister of works and governor of Ji Province; he liked to strip people naked, make them crouch in the shape of beasts, and set dogs on them to devour the flesh. Transferred left to Ding Province — he drew well water for a rear pool and from the tower shot at people. He loved going about incognito, hunting without limit, indulging in violence at will — saying he was studying Gao Yang's conduct. A woman carrying a child was on the road; running to hide in the grass — Chuo snatched her child and fed it to his Persian dog. The woman shrieked and wept; Chuo in anger set the dog on her to eat as well; the dog would not eat; smearing the child's blood on her, then it ate. When the Last Emperor heard of it, he issued an edict to lock Chuo up and send him to the imperial traveling encampment. When he arrived, he was pardoned. Asked what at the province gave greatest pleasure, he replied, "Taking many scorpions and mixing them with maggots — watching them is supreme delight." That very night the Last Emperor sent for a peck of scorpions; by dawn he had gathered only two or three sheng; they were placed in a bathing tub and a man was made to lie naked in it, crying out in agony. The emperor and Chuo watched and laughed without end, saying to Chuo, "Such a delightful sport — why didn't you report it by urgent post earlier?" Chuo on this account came into great favor with the Last Emperor; he was appointed grand general and sported with him morning and night. Han Changluan heard of it and had him transferred out as governor of Qi Province. As he was about to depart, Changluan had Chuo's trusted men falsely accuse him of rebellion and memorialized, "This violates the laws of the state and cannot be pardoned." The Last Emperor could not bear to execute him publicly; he had the favored Hun attendant He Weisa wrestle with Chuo in the rear garden and strangle him to death. He was buried at Xingsheng Temple. More than four hundred days passed before he received full burial; his complexion and hair looked as if he were still alive. Folk wisdom holds that those born on the fifth day of the fifth month never rot above the neck. Among Chuo's brothers, all called their father "Elder Brother," the principal mother "Mother Dear," the wet nurse "Elder Sister," and their wives "Little Sister." When Qi fell, his consort Lady Zheng — a favorite of Emperor Wu of Zhou — petitioned for Chuo's burial. An edict ordered him buried north of Yongping Tomb.
20
琅邪王儼，字仁威，武成第三子也。 初封東平王，拜開府、侍中、中書監、京畿大都督、領軍大將軍、領御史中丞，遷司徒、尚書令、大將軍、錄尚書事、大司馬。 魏氏舊制，中丞出，清道，與皇太子分路行，王公皆遙住車，去牛，頓軛於地，以待中丞過，其或遲違，則赤棒棒之。 自都鄴後，此儀浸絕，武成欲雄寵儼，乃使一依舊制。 初從北宮出，將上中丞，凡京畿步騎，領軍之官屬，中丞之威儀，司徒之鹵簿，莫不畢備。 帝與胡后在華林園東門外張幕，隔青紗步障觀之。 遣中貴驟馬趣仗，不得入，自言奉勑，赤棒應聲碎其鞍，馬驚人墜。 帝大笑，以為善。 更勑令駐車，傳語良久，觀者傾京邑。 儼恒在宮中，坐含光殿以視事，諸父皆拜焉。 帝幸幷州，儼常居守，每送駕，或半路，或至晉陽，乃還。 王師羅常從駕，後至，武成欲罪之，辭曰：「臣與第三子別，留連不覺晚。」 武成憶儼，為之下泣，舍師羅不問。 儼器服玩飾，皆與後主同，所須悉官給。 於南宮嘗見新冰早李，還，怒曰：「尊兄已有，我何意無！」 從是，後主先得新奇，屬官及工匠必獲罪。 太上、胡后猶以為不足。 儼常患喉，使醫下針，張目不瞬。 又言於帝曰：「阿兄懦，何能率左右？」 帝每稱曰：「此黠兒也，當有所成。」 以後主為劣，有廢立意。
Prince Yan of Langya, courtesy name Renwei, was Gao Zhan's third son. Initially enfeoffed Prince of Dongping, he received posts as opening-establishment grand master, palace attendant, Secretariat supervisor, metropolitan governor of the capital region, commander of the imperial guard and concurrent imperial censor-in-chief; later he rose to minister over the masses, chief minister of the Masters of Writing, grand general, recorder of the Masters of Writing, and grand marshal. Under the old Wei rule, when the censor-in-chief went abroad the road was cleared and he and the crown prince used separate routes. Princes and nobles all stopped their carriages at a distance, unhitched the oxen, laid the yokes on the ground, and waited for the censor to pass; tardiness or disobedience brought blows from red clubs. After the capital moved to Ye this ceremony had faded; Gao Zhan, wanting to exalt Yan's position, restored it entirely to the old form. The first time he left the Northern Palace to take up the censorate, the capital infantry and cavalry, the commander's entire staff, the censor's full retinue, and the minister's ceremonial escort were all deployed without exception. The emperor and Empress Hu set a pavilion outside the east gate of Hualin Garden and watched from behind a green gauze screen. He sent a palace eunuch galloping toward the guard line; they would not admit him. Claiming an imperial order, he was answered by red clubs that smashed his saddle — the horse bolted and he fell. The emperor laughed heartily and approved. Another order kept the carriage halted while messages passed back and forth at length; onlookers filled the capital. Yan lived constantly in the palace, conducting affairs from Han'guang Hall; all his uncles bowed to him. When the emperor traveled to Bing Province, Yan usually remained as regent; each farewell escort ended halfway, or only after Jinyang. Wang Shiluo often rode with the imperial train and once arrived late; Gao Zhan meant to punish him. He pleaded, "Your servant took leave of the Third Son and lingered without noticing how late it had grown." Gao Zhan thought of Yan and wept; he pardoned Shiluo without further inquiry. Yan's vessels, robes, ornaments, and playthings all matched Houzhu's; whatever he wanted the court supplied. Once at the Southern Palace he saw ice-chilled early plums. Returning, he raged: "Elder Brother already has them — why should I have none!" After that Houzhu always received novelties first; any attendant or craftsman who missed the point was punished. Even the retired emperor and Empress Hu thought this still not enough. Yan often had a sore throat; when a physician needled him he never blinked. He told the emperor, "Elder Brother is soft — how could he command those around him?" The emperor always said, "This sharp boy will amount to something." Thinking Houzhu inferior, he entertained thoughts of deposing him.
21
武成崩，改封琅邪。 儼以和土開、駱提婆等奢恣，盛修第宅，意甚不平，嘗謂曰：「君等所營宅早晚當就，何太遲也。」 二人相謂曰：「琅邪王眼光奕奕，數步射人，向者暫對，不覺汗出，天子前奏事尚不然。」 由是忌之。
After Gao Zhan died, Yan's title was changed to Langya. Yan resented He Shikai, Luotipo, and the rest for their extravagance and grand house-building. Once he said, "The mansions you are raising will be finished soon enough — why so slow?" The two said to each other, "Prince Yan's eyes blaze — at a few paces they bore into you. That brief meeting left us sweating before we knew it; even before the emperor in audience it is not so." From this they came to fear him.
22
武平二年，出儼居北宮，五日一朝，不復得每日見太后。 四月，詔除太保，餘官悉解，猶帶中丞，督京畿。 以北城有武庫，欲移儼於外，然後奪其兵權。 治書侍御史王子宜與儼左右開府高舍洛、中常侍劉辟疆說儼曰：「殿下被疏，正由士開間構，何可出北宮入百姓叢中也。」 儼謂侍中馮子琮曰：「士開罪重，兒欲殺之。」 子琮心欲廢帝而立儼，因贊成其事。 儼乃令子宜表彈士開罪，請付禁推。 子琮雜以他文書奏之，後主不審省而可之。 儼誑領軍厙狄伏連曰：「奉勑令軍收士開。」 伏連以咨子琮，且請覆奏。 子琮曰：「琅邪王受勑，何須重奏。」 伏連信之，伏五十人於神獸門外，詰旦，執士開送御史。 儼使馮永洛就臺斬之。
In the second year of Wuping he was moved to the Northern Palace; he attended court toward the empress dowager only once every five days and no longer saw her daily. In the fourth month an edict removed him as grand preceptor and stripped every other office; he kept only the censorate and oversight of the capital region. Because the northern city held the armory, they intended to move Yan outside first, then seize his military authority. Supervising secretary Wang Ziyi and Yan's attendants Gao Shelou and Liu Biqiang urged him: "You have been sidelined because Shikai stirred up trouble — how can you leave the Northern Palace and walk among common people?" Yan told attendant Feng Zicong, "Shikai's crimes are grave — I mean to kill him." Zicong inwardly wanted to depose the emperor and enthrone Yan, and egged him on. Yan had Ziyi submit an impeachment of Shikai's crimes, asking that he be taken into custody and investigated. Zicong mixed other papers into the memorial; Houzhu did not read closely and approved. Yan deceived army commander Kudi Fulian: "By imperial order, take Shikai." Fulian consulted Zicong and asked to confirm the order by memorial. Zicong said, "Prince Yan already holds the order — why memorialize again?" Fulian believed him, hid fifty men outside the Divine Beast Gate, and at dawn seized Shikai and sent him to the censorate. Yan sent Feng Yongluo to the censorate and had Shikai beheaded there.
23
儼徒本意唯殺士開，及是，因逼儼曰：「事既然，不可中止。」 儼遂率京畿軍士三千餘人屯千秋門。 帝使劉桃枝將禁兵八十人召儼。 桃枝遙拜，儼命反縛，將斬之，禁兵散走。 帝又使馮子琮召儼，儼辭曰：「士開昔來實合萬死，謀廢至尊，剃家家頭使作阿尼，故擁兵馬欲坐著孫鳳珍宅上，臣為是矯詔誅之。 尊兄若欲殺臣，不敢逃罪，若放臣，願遣姊姊來迎臣，臣卽入見。」 姊姊卽陸令萱也，儼欲誘出殺之。 令萱執刀帝後，聞之戰栗。 又使韓長鸞召儼，儼將入，劉辟疆牽衣諫曰：「若不斬提婆母子，殿下無由得入。」 廣寧、安德二王適從西來，欲助成其事，曰：「何不入？」 辟疆曰：「人少。」 安德王顧衆而言曰：「孝昭帝殺楊遵彥，止八十人，今乃數千，何言人少？」 後主泣啟太后曰：「有緣更見家家，無緣永別。」 乃急召斛律光，儼亦召之。 光聞殺士開，撫掌大笑曰：「龍子作事，固自不似凡人。」 入見後主於永巷。 帝率宿衛者步騎四百，授甲將出戰。 光曰：「小兒輩弄兵，與交手卽亂。 鄙諺雲『奴見大家心死』，至尊宜自至千秋門，琅邪必不敢動。」 皮景和亦以為然，後主從之。 光步道，使人出曰：「大家來。」 儼徒駭散。 帝駐馬橋上，遙呼之，儼猶立不進。 光就謂曰：「天子弟殺一漢，何所苦。」 執其手，強引以前。 請帝曰：「琅邪王年少，腸肥腦滿，輕為舉措，長大自不復然，願寬其罪。」 帝拔儼帶刀環亂築辮頭，良久乃釋之。 收伏連及高舍洛、王子宜、劉辟疆、都督翟顯貴於後園，帝親射之而後斬，皆支解，暴之都街下。 文武職吏盡欲殺之。 光以皆勳貴子弟，恐人心不安，趙彥深亦云《春秋》責帥，於是罪之各有差。 儼之未獲罪也，鄴北城有白馬佛塔，是石季龍為澄公所作，儼將修之。 巫曰：「若動此浮圖，北城失主。」 不從，破至第二級，得白蛇長數丈，回旋失之，數旬而敗。
Yan's men had meant only to kill Shikai; once it was done they pressed him: "The thing is started — it cannot stop now." Yan then led more than three thousand capital soldiers and encamped at Qianqiu Gate. The emperor sent Liu Taozhi with eighty palace troops to summon Yan. Taozhi bowed from a distance; Yan ordered him bound for beheading; the palace troops fled. The emperor sent Feng Zicong again. Yan refused: "Shikai deserved death many times over — he plotted to depose the emperor, shave Mother Dear's head and make her a nun, and amassed troops to seize Sun Fengzhen's mansion; I falsified an order and killed him for that. If Elder Brother wishes to kill me I will not flee my guilt; if he spares me, let Elder Sister come fetch me and I will enter at once." "Elder Sister" was Lu Lingxuan — Yan meant to lure her out and kill her. Lingxuan stood behind the emperor with a knife; hearing this, she trembled. Han Changluan was sent again. As Yan was about to enter, Liu Biqiang seized his robe: "Unless you kill Tipo and his mother, Your Highness cannot get in." Princes Guangning and Ande had just arrived from the west and wanted to help. They said, "Why not go in?" Biqiang said, "We are too few." Prince Ande looked at the host and said, "When Emperor Gao Yan killed Yang Zunyan it took only eighty men — now we are thousands; how can we be too few?" Houzhu wept to the empress dowager: "If fate allows I may see Mother Dear again; if not, this is farewell forever." They hastily summoned Hulu Guang; Yan summoned him as well. Guang heard Shikai was dead, clapped his hands and laughed: "A dragon's son at work — of course not like ordinary men." He entered and saw the emperor in Yong Lane. The emperor led four hundred palace guards, armed for battle, preparing to sortie. Guang said, "Boys playing soldier — clash with them and everything turns to chaos. As the proverb says, 'When a slave sees the master his heart dies.' Your Majesty should go to Qianqiu Gate yourself; Langya dare not move." Pi Jinghe agreed; Houzhu took their counsel. Guang walked ahead and had a man shout, "The master comes." Yan's followers panicked and scattered. The emperor halted on the bridge and shouted from afar; Yan still would not move. Guang went to him: "The emperor's brother killed one Han — what's the hardship in that?" He seized Yan's hand and dragged him forward. He pleaded with the emperor: "Prince Yan is young — thick-waisted and rash; grown, he will not act so again. I beg you pardon him." The emperor snatched Yan's sword-ring and beat his braided hair with it for a long while before letting him go. Fulian, Gao Shelou, Wang Ziyi, Liu Biqiang, and commander Zhai Xiankui were seized in the rear garden; the emperor shot them himself, then had them beheaded, dismembered, and exposed in the capital streets. Civil and military officers all wanted them killed. Guang said they were all sons of meritorious houses and feared unrest; Zhao Yanshen also cited the Spring and Autumn principle that blame falls on the commander — and sentences were graded accordingly. Before Yan was punished, north of Ye stood a white-horse pagoda that Shi Jilong had built for Master Cheng; Yan meant to restore it. A shaman said, "Move this stupa and the northern city loses its master." He ignored the warning; breaking through to the second tier they found a white serpent several zhang long that coiled away and vanished — within ten-odd days came defeat.
24
自是太后處儼於宮內，食必自嘗之。 陸令萱說帝曰：「人稱琅邪王聰明雄勇，當今無敵，觀其相表，殆非人臣。 自專殺以來，常懷恐懼，宜早為計。」 何洪珍與和士開素善，亦請殺之。 未決，以食輿密迎祖珽問之，珽稱周公誅管叔，季友鴆慶父，帝納其言。 以儼之晉陽，使右衛大將軍趙元侃誘執儼。 元侃曰：「臣昔事先帝，日見先帝愛王，今寧就死，不能行。」 帝出元侃為豫州刺史。 九月下旬，帝啟太后曰：「明旦欲與仁威出獵，須早出早還。」 是夜四更，帝召儼，儼疑之。 陸令萱曰：「兄兄喚，兒何不去？」 儼出至永巷，劉桃枝反接其手。 儼呼曰：「乞見家家、尊兄！」 桃枝以袂塞其口，反袍蒙頭負出，至大明宮，鼻血滿面，立殺之，時年十四。 不脫靴，裹以席，埋於室內。 帝使啟太后，臨哭十餘聲，便擁入殿。 明年三月，葬於鄴西，贈謚曰楚恭哀帝，以慰太后。 有遺腹四男，生數月皆幽死。 以平陽王淹孫世俊嗣。
From then the empress dowager kept Yan in the palace and tasted every meal herself. Lu Lingxuan told the emperor, "People say Prince Yan is clever and bold, a match for no one today; his face scarcely looks like a subject's. Since the killing he has lived in fear — better plan early." He Hongzhen, always close to He Shikai, also urged Yan's death. Still undecided, they secretly sent a food carriage for Zu Ting; he cited the Duke of Zhou executing Guan Shu and Ji You poisoning Duke Qing's killer; the emperor accepted this. When Yan was sent to Jinyang, right guard grand general Zhao Yuankan was told to lure and seize him. Yuankan said, "I once served the late emperor and saw daily how he loved this prince; I would rather die than do this now." The emperor sent Yuankan away as governor of Ying Province. In the last ten days of the ninth month the emperor told the empress dowager, "Tomorrow I hunt with Renwei — out early, back early." That night at the fourth watch the emperor summoned Yan; Yan was suspicious. Lu Lingxuan said, "Elder Brother calls — why won't you go?" Yan went out to Yong Lane; Liu Taozhi bound his hands behind his back. Yan cried, "Let me see Mother Dear and Elder Brother!" Taozhi stuffed his mouth with his sleeve, covered his head in the reversed robe, and carried him out; at Daming Palace blood streamed from his nose across his face and he was killed at once — he was fourteen. His boots were never removed; wrapped in a mat, he was buried inside the palace. The emperor sent word to the empress dowager; she wailed only a dozen cries before they hustled her into the hall. The following third month he was buried west of Ye; posthumously he was titled Emperor Gong'ai of Chu, to comfort the empress dowager. Four posthumous sons were born; within months all were secretly killed. Shijun, grandson of Prince Yan of Pingyang, was made heir.
25
儼妃，李祖欽女也，進為楚帝后，居宣則宮。 齊亡，乃嫁焉。
Yan's consort was Li Zuqin's daughter; she was raised to empress of the Emperor of Chu and lived in Xuanze Palace. When Qi fell she remarried.
26
齊安王廓，字仁弘，武成第四子也。 性長者，無過行。 位特進、開府、儀同三司、定州刺史。
Prince Kuo of Qi'an, courtesy name Renhong, was Gao Zhan's fourth son. By nature he was a man of worth; he had no misdeeds. He held special advance, opening-establishment, honorary-equal thirds grand master, and the governorship of Ding Province.
27
北平王貞，字仁堅，武成第五子也。 沈審寬恕。 帝常曰：「此兒得我鳳毛。」 位司州牧、京畿大都督，兼尚書令、錄尚書事。 帝行幸，總留臺事。 積年，後主以貞長大，漸忌之。 阿那肱承旨，令馮士幹劾繫貞於獄，奪其留後權。
Prince Zhen of Beiping, styled Renjian, was the fifth son of Gao Zhan. He was composed in judgment and generous in forgiveness. The emperor often said, "This boy has inherited my finest plumage." He held in succession the governorship of Si Province, grand command of the capital region, and the concurrent posts of chief minister and recorder of affairs of the Masters of Writing. When the emperor traveled, he was left in overall charge of the capital. Over the years, as Zhen came of age, the Later Lord grew wary of him. Anaogong, reading the emperor's intent, had Feng Shigan impeach Zhen and imprison him, stripping him of his authority as regent in the capital.
28
高平王仁英，武成第六子也。 舉止軒昂，精神無檢格。 位定州刺史。
Prince Renying of Gaoping was the sixth son of Gao Zhan. His bearing was lofty and dignified, his spirit unbound by constraint. He served as Governor of Ding Province.
29
淮南王仁光，武成第七子也。 性躁且暴，位清都尹。 次西河王仁幾，生而無骨，不自支持； 次樂平王仁邕； 次潁川王仁儉； 次安樂王仁雅，從小有喑疾； 次丹陽王仁直； 次東海王仁謙。 皆養於北宮。 琅邪王死後，諸王守禁彌切。 武平末年，仁邕已下始得出外，供給儉薄，取充而已。 尋後主窮蹙，以廓為光州，貞為青州，仁英為冀州，仁儉為膠州，仁直為濟州刺史。 自廓已下，多與後主死於長安。 仁英以清狂，仁雅以喑疾，獲免，俱徙蜀。 隋開皇中，追仁英，詔與蕭琮、陳叔寶修其本宗祭禮。 未幾而卒。
Prince Renguang of Huainan was the seventh son of Gao Zhan. He was impulsive and violent by nature and served as Magistrate of Qingdu. Next came Prince Renji of Xihe, born without firm bone, unable to support himself; next, Prince Renyong of Leping; next, Prince Renjian of Yingchuan; next, Prince Renya of Anle, mute from childhood; next, Prince Renzhi of Danyang; and last, Prince Renqian of Donghai. All were raised in the Northern Palace. After the Prince of Langya died, the princes were kept under ever tighter guard. In the closing years of Wuping, Renyong and those below him were at last allowed outside; their provisions were meager, barely enough to live on. Before long, with the Later Lord hard pressed, Kuo was sent to Guang Province, Zhen to Qing Province, Renying to Ji Province, Renjian to Jiao Province, and Renzhi was made Governor of Ji Province. From Kuo downward, most died at Chang'an with the Later Lord. Renying was spared for his innocent eccentricity, Renya for his muteness; both were exiled to Shu. During the Kaihuang era of Sui, Renying was recalled; an edict ordered him, with Xiao Cong and Chen Shubao, to restore the sacrificial rites of their ancestral houses. Before long he died.
30
後主五男：穆皇后生幼主，諸姬生東平王恪，次善德，次買德，次質錢。 胡太后以恪嗣琅邪王，尋夭折。 齊滅，周武帝以任城已下大小三十王歸長安，皆有封爵。 其後不從戮者散配西土，皆死邊。
The Later Lord had five sons: Empress Mu bore the Young Lord; various consorts bore Prince Ke of Dongping, then Shande, then Maide, then Zhiqian. Empress Dowager Hu had Ke succeed to the Prince of Langya's line; he soon died young. When Qi fell, Emperor Wu of Zhou brought to Chang'an some thirty princes great and small from the Prince of Rencheng downward, all granting them ranks and fiefs. Afterward those spared execution were scattered to the western frontier, all dying on the borders.
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論曰：文襄諸子，咸有風骨，雖文雅之道，有謝間平，然武藝英姿，多堪禦侮。 縱咸陽賜劍，覆敗有徵，若使蘭陵獲全，未可量也，而終見誅翦，以至土崩，可為太息者矣。 安德以時艱主暗，匿跡韜光，及平陽之陣，奮其忠勇，蓋以臨難見危，義深家國。 德昌大舉，事迫羣情，理至淪亡，無所歸命。 廣寧請出後宮，竟不獲遂，非孝珩辭致有謝李同，自是後主心識去平原已遠。 存亡事異，安可同年而說。 武成殘忍姦穢，事極人倫。 太原跡異猜嫌，情非釁逆，禍起昭信，遂及淫刑。 嗟乎！ 欲求長世，未之有也。 以孝昭德音，庶可慶流後嗣，百年之酷，蓋濟南之濫觴。 其云「莫效前人」之言，可為傷嘆，各愛其子，豈其然乎？ 琅邪雖無師傅之資，而早聞氣尚。 士開淫亂，多歷歲年，一朝勦絕，慶集朝野，以之受斃，深可痛焉。 然專戮之釁，未之或免，贈帝謚恭，矯枉過直，觀過知仁，不亦異於是乎？
Discussion: Gao Cheng's sons all had striking presence; though in cultured elegance they fell short of the Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao, in martial skill and heroic bearing many were fit to repel insult. Even if swords were granted at Xianyang, signs of ruin were already plain; had the Prince of Lanling been preserved whole, what might have been cannot be measured — yet in the end they were cut down one after another until the state collapsed. A matter for deepest sighing. Yanzong of Ande, finding the times perilous and the ruler benighted, hid his tracks and kept his light under a bushel; yet at the battle of Pingyang he summoned his loyal valor — for facing peril in crisis, his devotion to house and state ran deep. When Dezhi launched his great action, affairs pressed the feelings of the multitude; the logic led to extinction, with nowhere left to turn for deliverance. Guangning's request to leave the inner palace was never granted — not that Xiaoxheng's words lacked the persuasiveness of Li Tong; from that time the Later Lord's heart and mind had already drifted far from Pingyuan. Survival and destruction are not the same matter — how can they be spoken of in one breath? Gao Zhan was cruel, licentious, and corrupt — his conduct pushed the bounds of human relations. Shaode of Taiyuan's conduct seemed strange and bred suspicion; in sentiment there was no rebellion, yet disaster arose from Empress Zhaoxin, and thus came excessive punishments. Alas! To seek long endurance — never yet has such a thing been seen. One might have hoped that Xiaozhao's virtuous reputation could bring blessing down upon later generations, but a century of cruelty — perhaps Jinan was the headwater whence it all flowed. His words, "Do not imitate your predecessors" — how they stir one's grief! That each man loves his own son — can it really be so? The Prince of Langya, though without tutors' instruction, had early shown noble character. He Shikai's licentious misrule had endured for many years; in a single morning it was cut down, and joy filled court and countryside — that for this he should meet his death is deeply painful. Yet the offense of unauthorized killing could not be entirely set aside; to posthumously grant him the imperial title and the epithet Gong — to straighten the crooked went too far. To discern benevolence through one's faults — is this not different from that principle?
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全文以中華書局、一九七二年十一月、第一版《北齊書》為本校。
The entire text has been collated against the November 1972 first edition of the Book of Northern Qi published by Zhonghua Shuju.