Volume 18 Biographies 10: Sun Teng; Gao Longzhi; Sima Ziru

孫騰高隆之司馬子如

Sun Teng; Gao Longzhi; Sima Ziru

孫騰，字龍雀，咸陽石安人也。祖通，仕沮渠氏為中書舍人，沮渠滅，入魏，因居北邊。及騰貴，魏朝贈通使持節、侍中、都督雍華岐幽四州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、司徒公、尚書左僕射、雍州刺史，贈騰父機使持節、侍中、都督冀定滄瀛殷五州諸軍事、太尉公、尚書令、冀州刺史。

Sun Teng, styled Longque, was a native of Shi'an in Xianyang. His grandfather Tong served the Juqu clan as attendant drafting at the central secretariat; when the Juqu were destroyed he entered Wei and settled on the northern frontier. When Sun Teng rose high, the Wei court posthumously granted his grandfather Tong bearer of the staff of authority, palace attendant, commander-in-chief of military affairs in the four provinces of Yong, Hua, Qi, and You, grand general of agile cavalry, duke over the masses, left vice director of the masters of writing, and governor of Yong Province; his father Ji received bearer of the staff of authority, palace attendant, commander-in-chief of military affairs in the five provinces of Ji, Ding, Cang, Ying, and Yin, grand commandant, director of the masters of writing, and governor of Ji Province.

騰少而質直，明解吏事。魏正光中，北方擾亂，騰間關危險，得達秀容。屬尒朱榮建義，騰隋榮入洛，例除冗從僕射。尋為高祖都督府長史，從高祖東征邢杲。師次齊城，有撫宜鎮軍人謀逆，將害督帥。騰知之，密啟高祖。俄頃事發，高祖以有備，擒破之。高祖之為晉州，騰為長史，加後將軍，封石安縣伯。高祖自晉陽出滏口，行至襄垣，尒朱兆率衆追。高祖與兆宴飲於水湄，誓為兄弟，各還本營。明旦，兆復招高祖，高祖欲安其意，將赴之，臨上馬，騰牽衣止之。兆乃隔水肆罵，馳還晉陽。高祖遂東。及起義信都，騰以誠款，常預謀策。騰以朝廷隔絕，號令無所歸，不權有所立，則衆將沮散，苦請於高祖。高祖從之，遂立中興主。除侍中，尋加使持節、六州流民大都督、北道大行臺。高祖進軍於鄴，初留段榮守信都，尋遣榮鎮中山，仍令騰居守。及平鄴，授相州刺史，改封咸陽郡公，增邑通前一千三百戶，入為侍中。時魏京兆王愉女平原公主寡居，騰欲尚之，公主不許。侍中封隆之無婦，公主欲之，騰妬隆之，遂相間構。高祖啟免騰官，請除外任，俄而復之。

From youth Sun Teng was honest and straightforward, with a clear grasp of administrative affairs. In the Zhenguang era of Wei, when the north was in turmoil, Sun Teng threaded through danger and peril and reached Xiurong. When Erzhu Rong raised righteousness, Sun Teng followed him into Luoyang and by precedent was made supernumerary vice master of attendants. Soon he became chief clerk of Gao Huan's headquarters and followed Gao Huan east to campaign against Xing Gao. When the army halted at Qi city, soldiers of the Fu Yi garrison plotted rebellion and were about to kill the commander. Sun Teng learned of it and secretly reported to Gao Huan. Before long the affair broke out; because Gao Huan was prepared, he captured and crushed them. When Gao Huan became governor of Jin Province, Sun Teng served as chief clerk, was additionally made rear general, and was enfeoffed baron of Shi'an County. When Gao Huan left Jinyang by Fukou and marched to Xiangyuan, Erzhu Zhao led troops in pursuit. Gao Huan and Zhao feasted and drank at the water's edge, swore brotherhood, and each returned to his own camp. Next day Zhao summoned Gao Huan again; Gao Huan wished to reassure him and was about to ride to him, but as he was mounting his horse Sun Teng seized his robe and held him back. Zhao cursed him from across the river and galloped back to Jinyang. Gao Huan thereupon marched east. When Gao Huan raised righteousness at Xindu, Sun Teng for his loyalty and sincerity was constantly included in planning. Sun Teng argued that with the court cut off, commands had nowhere to attach; if they did not provisionally establish a ruler, the army would lose heart and scatter — he urgently pleaded with Gao Huan. Gao Huan followed his counsel and thereupon established the restoration sovereign. Sun Teng was made palace attendant, and soon additionally bearer of the staff of authority, grand commander of displaced populations in six provinces, and grand chief of the northern circuit. When Gao Huan marched on Ye, at first he left Duan Rong to hold Xindu; soon he sent Rong to garrison Zhongshan and still had Sun Teng remain to guard the city. When Ye was pacified, Sun Teng was appointed governor of Xiang Province, his title was changed to duke of Xianyang Commandery with a fief increased to one thousand three hundred households in all, and he entered court as palace attendant. At that time the daughter of Prince Yu of Jingzhao, Princess Pingyuan, was widowed and living alone; Sun Teng wished to marry her, but the princess refused. Palace attendant Feng Longzhi had no wife, and the princess wished to marry him; Sun Teng, jealous of Longzhi, then sowed discord between them. Gao Huan memorialized to dismiss Sun Teng from office and requested that he be sent out on external appointment; before long he was restored.

騰以高祖腹心，入居門下，與斛斯椿同掌機密。椿既生異端，觸塗乖謬。騰深見猜忌，慮禍及己，遂潛將十餘騎馳赴晉陽。高祖入討斛斯椿，留騰行幷州事，又使騰為冀相殷定滄瀛幽安八州行臺僕射、行冀州事，復行相州事。天平初，入為尚書左僕射，內外之事，騰咸知之，兼司空、尚書令。時西魏遣將寇南兗，詔騰為南道行臺，率諸將討之。騰性尫怯，無威略，失利而還。又除司徒。初北境亂離，亡一女，及貴，遠加推訪，終不得，疑其為人婢賤。及為司徒，奴婢訴良者，不研虛實，率皆免之，願免千人，冀得其女。時高祖入朝，左右有言之者，高祖大怒，解其司徒。武定中，使於青州，括浮逃戶口，遷太保。初，博陵崔孝芬取貧家子賈氏以為養女，孝芬死，其妻元更適鄭伯猷，攜賈於鄭氏。賈有姿色，騰納之，始以為妾。其妻袁氏死，騰以賈有子，正以為妻，詔封丹陽郡君，復請以袁氏爵迴授其女。違禮肆情，多此類也。

Because Sun Teng was Gao Huan's trusted confidant, he entered and dwelt in the secretariat, and together with Husi Chun managed confidential affairs. Chun then harbored divergent designs and went astray at every turn. Sun Teng saw that he was deeply suspected, feared disaster would reach him, and secretly led more than ten horsemen in a dash to Jinyang. When Gao Huan entered to punish Husi Chun, he left Sun Teng to administer Bing Province affairs; he also had Teng serve as vice master of the mobile office for the eight provinces of Ji, Xiang, Yin, Ding, Cang, Ying, You, and An, administering Ji Province affairs, and again administering Xiang Province affairs. At the beginning of Tianping, Sun Teng entered court as left vice director of the masters of writing; in internal and external affairs he knew all, and concurrently held minister of works and director of the masters of writing. At that time Western Wei sent generals to raid Southern Yan Province; an edict made Sun Teng grand chief of the southern circuit and ordered him to lead the generals in suppressing them. Sun Teng by nature was feeble and timid, without martial prestige or strategy; he lost the battle and returned. He was again made minister over the masses. At first, when the northern frontier was in turmoil, he lost a daughter; when he rose high he searched for her far and wide but never found her, and suspected she had become someone's slave. When he became minister over the masses, slaves and maidservants claiming to be free persons — without investigating truth or falsehood — were in every case freed; he hoped to free a thousand persons and thereby recover his daughter. At that time Gao Huan entered court, and those around him spoke of it; Gao Huan was greatly angered and removed him from the ministry. In the Wuding era he was sent to Qing Province to register floating and absentee households, and was transferred to grand preceptor. At first, Cui Xiaofen of Boling took a poor family's daughter of the Jia clan as a foster daughter; when Xiaofen died, his wife Yuan remarried Zheng Boyou and took Jia with her to the Zheng household. Jia was beautiful in appearance; Sun Teng took her in and at first made her a concubine. When his wife Lady Yuan died, Sun Teng because Jia had borne a son formally made her his wife; an edict enfeoffed her as lady of Danyang Commandery, and he again requested that Lady Yuan's title be transferred to her daughter. Disregarding ritual and indulging desire — there were many cases of this kind.

騰早依附高祖，契闊艱危，勤力恭謹，深見信待。及高祖置之魏朝，寄以心腹，遂志氣驕盈，與奪由己，求納財賄，不知紀極。生官死贈，非貨不行，餚藏銀器，盜為家物，親狎小人，專為聚斂。在鄴與高岳、高隆之、司馬子如號為四貴，非法專恣，騰為甚焉。高祖屢加譴讓，終不悛改，朝野深非笑之。武定六年四月薨，時年六十八。贈使持節、都督冀定等五州諸軍事、冀州刺史、太師、開府、錄尚書事，諡曰文。天保初，以騰佐命，詔祭告其墓。皇建中，配享高祖廟庭。子鳳珍嗣。鳳珍庸暗，武平中，卒於開府儀同三司。

Sun Teng early attached himself to Gao Huan; through hardship and danger he labored diligently with respectful care and was deeply trusted and favored. When Gao Huan placed him in the Wei court and entrusted him as a confidant, his spirit grew proud and overbearing; granting and taking were at his own will, and he sought bribes beyond reckoning. Offices in life, posthumous gifts in death — none were granted without payment; stored silver vessels from tribute feasts he stole as household goods; he consorted closely with petty men and devoted himself solely to amassing wealth. At Ye, together with Gao Yue, Gao Longzhi, and Sima Ziru he was called one of the Four Dignitaries; lawless and willful, they did as they pleased — Sun Teng was the worst of them. Gao Huan repeatedly censured and reproved him, but in the end he would not repent and reform; court and countryside deeply scorned and mocked him. In the fourth month of the sixth year of Wuding he died, aged sixty-eight. Posthumously he was granted bearer of the staff of authority, commander-in-chief of military affairs in the five provinces of Ji, Ding, and the rest, governor of Ji Province, grand preceptor, opener of a government office, and recorder of the affairs of the masters of writing; his posthumous title was Wen. At the beginning of Tianbao, because Sun Teng had aided in establishing the mandate, an edict ordered sacrifice announced at his tomb. In the Huangjian era he was given associated sacrifice in Gao Huan's temple court. His son Fengzhen succeeded. Fengzhen was dull and dim; in the Wuping era he died while holding the rank of opener of a government office equal in protocol to three imperators.

高隆之，字延興，本姓徐氏，云出自高平金鄉。父幹，魏白水郡守，為姑婿高氏所養，因從其姓。隆之貴，魏朝贈司徒公、雍州刺史。隆之後有參議之功，高祖命為從弟，仍云渤海蓚人。

Gao Longzhi, styled Yanxing, was originally surnamed Xu and claimed descent from Jinxiang in Gaoping. His father Gan served as administrator of Baishui Commandery in Wei; he was adopted by his aunt's husband the Gao clan and therefore took their surname. When Gao Longzhi rose high, the Wei court posthumously granted his father Gan duke over the masses and governor of Yong Province. Because Gao Longzhi later had merit in deliberation and counsel, Gao Huan ordered that he be treated as a younger cousin and still declared him a man of Liaoren in Bohai.

隆之身長八尺，美鬚髯，深沈有志氣。魏汝南王悅為司州牧，以為戶曹從事。建義初，釋褐員外散騎常侍，與行臺于暉出討羊侃於太山，暉引隆之為行臺郎中，又除給事中。與高祖深自結托。高祖之臨晉州，引為治中，行平陽郡事。從高祖起義山東，以為大行臺右丞。魏中興初，除御史中尉，領尚食典御。從高祖平鄴，行相州事。從破四胡於韓陵，太昌初，除驃騎大將軍、儀同三司。西魏文帝曾與隆之因酒忿競，文帝坐以黜免。高祖責隆之不能協和，乃啟出為北道行臺，轉幷州刺史，封平原郡公，邑一千七百戶。隆之請減戶七百，並求降己四階讓兄騰，並加優詔許之，仍以騰為滄州刺史。高祖之討斛斯椿，以隆之為大行臺尚書。及大司馬、清河王亶承制，拜隆之侍中、尚書右僕射，領御史中尉。廣費人工，大營寺塔，為高祖所責。

Gao Longzhi stood eight feet in height, with a fine beard and whiskers, and was deep and reserved in spirit with strong ambition. When Prince Yue of Runan was governor of Si Province, Gao Longzhi was made a clerk in the household bureau. At the beginning of Jianyi, he first received office as regular attendant of the scattered cavalry; with the mobile office of Yu Hui he went out to suppress Yang Kan at Mount Tai; Hui brought Longzhi in as a mobile office director, and Longzhi was additionally made gentlemen attendant. He and Gao Huan formed a deep personal bond. When Gao Huan came to Jin Province, Gao Longzhi was brought in as administrator and administered Pingyang Commandery affairs. He followed Gao Huan in raising righteousness in Shandong and was made right deputy of the mobile office. At the beginning of Wei Zhongxing, he was made imperial censor and concurrently chief of the imperial kitchen. He followed Gao Huan in pacifying Ye and administered Xiang Province affairs. He followed in the defeat of the four Erzhu at Hanling; at the beginning of Taichang he was made grand general of agile cavalry and opener of a government office equal in protocol to three imperators. Western Wei Emperor Wen once quarreled with Gao Longzhi over wine; the emperor was made to sit and was dismissed from office. Gao Huan blamed Gao Longzhi for failing to keep harmony and memorialized to send him out as grand chief of the northern circuit; he was transferred to governor of Bing Province, enfeoffed duke of Pingyuan Commandery with a fief of one thousand seven hundred households. Gao Longzhi requested a reduction of seven hundred households in his fief and also asked to lower his own rank by four steps in favor of his elder brother Sun Teng; both were granted by special edict, and Sun Teng was still made governor of Cang Province. When Gao Huan punished Husi Chun, Gao Longzhi was made director of the masters of writing of the grand mobile office. When the grand marshal, Prince Chang of Qinghe, assumed provisional authority, Gao Longzhi was appointed palace attendant, right vice director of the masters of writing, and concurrently imperial censor. He spent lavishly on labor and greatly built temples and pagodas, and was reproved by Gao Huan.

天平初，丁母艱解任，尋詔起為幷州刺史，入為尚書右僕射。時初給民田，貴勢皆占良美，貧弱咸受瘠薄。隆之啟高祖，悉更反易，乃得均平。又領營構大將軍，京邑制造，莫不由之。增築南城，周迴二十五里。以漳水近於帝城，起長堤以防泛溢之患。又鑿渠引漳水周流城郭，造治水碾磑，並有利於時。魏自孝昌已後，天下多難，刺史太守皆為當部都督，雖無兵事，皆立佐僚，所在頗為煩擾。隆之表請自非實在邊要，見有兵馬者，悉皆斷之。又朝貴多假常侍以取貂蟬之飾，隆之自表解侍中，並陳諸假侍中服用者，請亦罷之。詔皆如表。自軍國多事，冒名竊官者不可勝數，隆之奏請檢括，獲五萬餘人，而群小喧囂，隆之懼而止。詔監起居事，進位司徒公。

At the beginning of Tianping, he left office on his mother's death; soon an edict recalled him as governor of Bing Province, and he entered court as right vice director of the masters of writing. At that time land was first being allotted to commoners; the powerful and noble all seized the good and fertile, while the poor and weak all received the thin and poor. Gao Longzhi reported to Gao Huan, and all were reversed and exchanged, and thus fairness was achieved. He also concurrently served as grand general of construction and oversaw all building in the capital. He expanded and built the southern city, twenty-five li in circuit. Because the Zhang River lay close to the imperial city, he raised a long dike to guard against flooding. He also dug canals to draw the Zhang River in circuit around the city walls, built water-powered mills, and all were of benefit to the age. From Xiaochang onward in Wei, the realm was much troubled; governors and prefects all served as commanders of their districts, and though there were no military affairs they all established assistant staffs — everywhere this became quite troublesome. Gao Longzhi submitted a memorial requesting that unless they were truly on the frontier and actually had troops and horses, all such appointments be cut off. Also many court nobles falsely held the rank of regular attendant to obtain the insignia of the diao and chan; Gao Longzhi himself submitted a memorial resigning his palace attendant rank and also listed those who held false attendant rank and their regalia, requesting that they too be abolished. An edict approved all as he had memorialized. Because military and state affairs were many, those who falsely claimed names and stole offices were beyond counting; Gao Longzhi submitted a request for inspection and registration, obtaining more than fifty thousand persons, but the petty men raised an uproar and Longzhi, in fear, stopped. An edict ordered him to supervise affairs of imperial record and advanced his rank to duke over the masses.

武定中，為河北括戶大使。追還，授領軍將軍、錄尚書事，尋兼侍中。續出行青州事。追還，拜太子太師、兼尚書左僕射、吏部尚書，遷太保。時世宗作宰，風俗肅清，隆之時有受納，世宗於尚書省大加責辱。齊受禪，進爵為王。尋以本官錄尚書事，領大宗正卿，監國史。隆之性小巧，至於公家羽儀、百戲、服制時有改易，不循典故，時論非之。於射堋上立三像人為壯勇之勢。顯祖曾至東山，因射，謂隆之曰：「射堋上可作猛獸，以存古義，何為置人？終日射人，朕所不取。」隆之無以對。

In the Wuding era he served as commissioner for registering households in Hebei. Recalled, he was appointed general of the palace guard and recorder of the affairs of the masters of writing, and soon additionally palace attendant. He again went out to administer Qing Province affairs. Recalled, he was appointed grand preceptor of the heir apparent, concurrently left vice director of the masters of writing and director of the ministry of personnel, and transferred to grand preceptor. At that time Gao Cheng was administering affairs; customs were stern and pure, but Gao Longzhi at times accepted bribes; Gao Cheng greatly reproached and humiliated him at the masters of writing office. When Qi received the abdication, Gao Longzhi's rank was advanced to prince. Soon, retaining his former office, he recorded the affairs of the masters of writing, served as grand director of the imperial clan, and supervised the national history. Gao Longzhi by nature was fussy over small things; as for the state's ceremonial regalia, the hundred entertainments, and dress regulations, he at times made changes and did not follow ancient precedent — contemporary opinion criticized this. At the shooting butts he set up three human figures in a posture of martial valor. Gao Yang once came to the Eastern Hills and, while shooting, said to Gao Longzhi, "At the shooting butts one could make fierce beasts to preserve the ancient meaning — why set up human figures? Shooting at human figures all day — that I will not accept." Gao Longzhi had nothing to reply.

初，世宗委任兼右僕射崔暹、黃門郎崔季舒等，及世宗崩，隆之啟顯祖並欲害之，不許。顯祖以隆之舊齒，委以政事，季舒等仍以前隙，乃譖云：「隆之每見訴訟者，輒加哀矜之意，以示非己能裁。」顯祖以其受任既重，知有冤狀，便宜申滌，何得委過要名，非大臣義。天保五年，禁止尚書省。隆之曾與元昶宴飲，酒酣，語昶曰：「與王交遊，當生死不相背。」人有密言之者。又帝未登庸之日，隆之意常侮帝。帝將受魏禪，大臣咸言未可，隆之又在其中。帝深銜之。因此，遂大發怒，令壯士築百餘下。放出，渴將飲水，人止之，隆之曰：「今日何在！」遂飲之。因從駕，死於路中，年六十一。贈冀定瀛滄幽五州諸軍事、大將軍、太尉、太保、冀州刺史、陽夏王。竟不得諡。

At first, Gao Cheng entrusted affairs to right vice director Cui Xian, gentlemen attendant Cui Jishu, and others; when Gao Cheng died, Gao Longzhi reported to Gao Yang that they should all be killed, but permission was not granted. Gao Yang because Gao Longzhi was an elder in years entrusted him with government affairs; Jishu and the others still because of old grievances slandered him, saying, "Whenever Longzhi sees those who come to sue, he always adds a note of pity to show that he himself cannot judge the case. Since Gao Yang's commission to him was heavy, when he knew there were unjust cases he should readily have cleared them — how could he shift blame to win renown? This was not the conduct of a great minister. In the fifth year of Tianbao, Gao Longzhi was confined at the Imperial Secretariat. Longzhi had once feasted with Yuan Chang; when the wine was deep, he told him, "In friendship with Your Highness, we should never turn our backs on each other, in life or in death." Someone reported this in secret. Moreover, before the emperor had ascended the throne, Longzhi's bearing had often been contemptuous toward him. When the emperor was about to receive the abdication from Wei, the ministers all said it was not yet permissible — and Longzhi was among them. The emperor deeply resented this. For this reason he flew into a great rage and ordered brawny men to beat Longzhi more than a hundred blows. He was released. Parched, he was about to drink water, but people stopped him. Longzhi said, "What does today matter!" And he drank. He then followed the imperial procession and died on the road. He was sixty-one. He was posthumously granted authority over military affairs in the five provinces Ji, Ding, Ying, Cang, and You, made grand general, grand tutor, and grand guardian, and enfeoffed prince of Yangxia with governorship of Ji Province. In the end he was never granted a posthumous epithet.

隆之雖不涉學，而欽尚文雅，縉紳名流，必存禮接。寡姊為尼，事之如母，訓督諸子，必先文義。世甚以此稱之。顯祖末年，既多猜害，追忿隆之，誅其子德樞等十餘人，並投漳水。又發隆之冢，出其屍，葬已積年，其貌不改，斬截骸骨，亦棄於漳流，遂絕嗣。幹明中，詔其兄子子遠為隆之後，襲爵陽夏王，還其財產。初，隆之見信高祖，性多陰毒，睚眥之忿，無不報焉。儀同三司崔孝芬以結婚姻不果，太府卿任集同知營構，頗相乖異，瀛州刺史元晏請托不遂，前後構成其罪，並誅害之。終至家門殄滅，論者謂有報應焉。

Although Longzhi had not studied, he admired literary refinement; among gentry and eminent men he always treated them with courtesy. An elder sister had become a nun; he served her as a mother would and, in instructing his sons, always put literary principles first. The age widely praised him for this. In Xianzu's late years, when suspicion and harm were many, he turned his wrath on Longzhi and executed more than ten of Longzhi's sons, including Deshu, casting them all into the Zhang River. He also opened Longzhi's tomb and took out the corpse; though it had been buried for years, the face was unchanged. The bones were hacked apart and likewise cast into the Zhang River, and the line ended. In Ganming, an edict made his elder brother's son Ziyuan Longzhi's heir, granting succession to the title prince of Yangxia and restoring his property. Earlier, when Longzhi had enjoyed Gao Huan's trust, his nature was deeply malicious; no grudge, however small, went unavenged. Commissioner with protocol equal to three imperators Cui Xiaofen, because a marriage alliance failed; grand steward Ren Ji, who jointly managed construction and often clashed with him; and Ying Province governor Yuan Yan, whose requests went unfulfilled — Longzhi, one after another, fabricated crimes against them, and all were executed. In the end his own house was wiped out; commentators called it retribution.

司馬子如，字遵業，河內溫人也。八世祖模，晉司空、南陽王。模世子保，晉亂出奔涼州，因家焉。魏平姑臧，徙居於雲中，其自序云爾。父興龍，魏魯陽太守。

Sima Ziru, styled Zunye, was a native of Wen in Henei. His eighth-generation ancestor Mo was Jin minister of works and prince of Nanyang. Mo's heir Bao, in the chaos of Jin, fled to Liang Province and settled there. When Wei pacified Guliang, the family moved to Yunzhong — so runs their own account. His father Xinglong served as Wei governor of Luyang.

子如少機警，有口辯。好交遊豪傑，與高祖相結托，分義甚深。孝昌中，北州淪陷，子如攜家口南奔肆州，為尒朱榮所禮遇，假以中軍。榮之向洛也，以子如為司馬、持節、假平南將軍，監前軍。次高都，榮以建興險阻，往來沖要，有後顧之憂，以子如行建興太守、當郡都督。永安初，封平遙縣子，邑三百戶，仍為大行臺郎中。榮以子如明辯，能說時事，數遣奉使詣闕，多稱旨，孝莊亦接待焉。葛榮之亂，相州孤危，榮遣子如間行入鄴，助加防守。葛榮平，進爵為侯。元顥入洛，人情離阻，以子如曾守鄴城，頗有恩信，乃令行相州事。顥平，徵為金紫光祿大夫。

Ziru from youth was quick-witted and had a gift for speech. He loved to befriend bold heroes and formed a deep bond of mutual trust with Gao Huan. In Xiaochang, when the northern provinces fell, Ziru led his household south to Si Province and was treated with honor by Erzhu Rong, who made him acting commander of the middle army. When Rong marched on Luoyang, Ziru was made marshal, given credentials, and appointed acting general who pacifies the south, supervising the vanguard. At Gaodu, Rong — because Jianxing was rugged and lay on a vital route with worries for the rear — made Ziru acting governor of Jianxing and commander of that commandery. At the beginning of Yongan he was enfeoffed baron of Pingyao County with a fief of three hundred households and continued as director in the Grand Mobilization Office. Rong, because Ziru was clear in argument and could speak to the affairs of the time, often sent him on missions to court, where he mostly pleased the throne; Emperor Xiaozhuang also received him warmly. When Ge Rong's rebellion broke out and Xiang Province stood isolated and perilous, Rong sent Ziru by secret route into Ye to help strengthen its defense. When Ge Rong was pacified, his rank was advanced to marquis. When Yuan Hao entered Luoyang and hearts were divided, because Ziru had once held Ye and had some grace and trust there, he was ordered to administer Xiang Province. When Hao was pacified, he was summoned as minister of splendid honors.

尒朱榮之誅，子如知有變，自宮內突出，至榮宅，棄家隨榮妻子與尒朱世隆等走出京城。世隆便欲還北，子如曰：「事貴應機，兵不厭詐，天下恟恟，唯強是視，於此際會，不可以弱示人。若必走北，即恐變故隨起，不如分兵守河橋，迴軍向京，出其不意，或可離潰。假不如心，猶足示有餘力，使天下觀聽，懼我威強。」於是世隆還逼京城。魏長廣王立，兼尚書右僕射。前廢帝以為侍中、驃騎大將軍、儀同三司，進爵陽平郡公，邑一千七百戶。固讓儀同不受。高祖起義信都，世隆等知子如與高祖有舊，疑慮，出為南岐州刺史。子如憤恨，泣涕自陳，而不獲免。高祖入洛，子如遣使啟賀，仍敘平生舊恩。尋追赴京，以為大行臺尚書，朝夕左右，參知軍國。天平初，除左僕射，與侍中高岳、侍中孫騰、右僕射高隆之等共知朝政，甚見信重。高祖鎮晉陽，子如時往謁見，待之甚厚，並坐同食，從旦達暮，及其當還，高祖及武明後俱有賚遺，率以為常。

When Erzhu Rong was executed, Ziru knew there had been a coup. He burst out from within the palace, went to Rong's residence, abandoned his household, and followed Rong's wife and children with Erzhu Shilong and others in fleeing the capital. Shilong wished at once to return north, but Ziru said, "In affairs, what matters is seizing the moment; in war, deception is not to be despised. The realm is in uproar — all look only to strength. At a juncture like this, one cannot show weakness. If we must flee north, I fear upheaval will follow at once. Better to divide the army to hold Heqiao, turn the host back toward the capital, and strike where they do not expect it — perhaps we can break and scatter them. Even if it does not go as we wish, it will still show that we have strength to spare and make the realm look on in fear of our might." Thereupon Shilong turned back and pressed on the capital. When the Northern Wei Changguang King was enthroned, Ziru was additionally made vice director of the left in the Secretariat. The Deposed Emperor made him attendant-in-ordinary, grand cavalry general, and commissioner with protocol equal to three imperators, advancing his enfeoffment to duke of Yangping Commandery with a fief of one thousand seven hundred households. He firmly declined the protocol rank and would not accept it. When Gao Huan raised the righteous banner at Xindu, Shilong and the others, knowing Ziru had old ties with Gao Huan, were suspicious and sent him out as governor of Nanqi Province. Ziru, resentful and indignant, wept and pleaded his case, but could not escape removal. When Gao Huan entered Luoyang, Ziru sent envoys to offer congratulations and again recalled their lifelong old kindness. Soon he was summoned to the capital and made director in the Grand Mobilization Secretariat, attending day and night at Gao Huan's side and taking part in military and state affairs. At the beginning of Tianping he was made vice director of the left and, together with attendant-in-ordinary Gao Yue, attendant-in-ordinary Sun Teng, and vice director of the right Gao Longzhi, jointly managed court affairs; he was greatly trusted and honored. When Gao Huan held Jinyang, Ziru would from time to time go to audience and was treated with great kindness — they sat together and ate from morning until evening. When it was time for him to return, Gao Huan and Empress Wuming both sent gifts; this became the rule.

子如性既豪爽，兼恃舊恩，簿領之務，與奪任情，公然受納，無所顧憚。興和中，以為北道行臺，巡檢諸州，守令已下，委其黜陟。子如至定州，斬深澤縣令；至冀州，斬東光縣令。皆稽留時漏，致之極刑。若言有進退，少不合意，便令武士頓曳，白刃臨項。士庶惶懼，不知所為。轉尚書令。子如義旗之始，身不參預，直以高祖故舊，遂當委重，意氣甚高，聚斂不息。時世宗入輔朝政，內稍嫌之，尋以贓賄為御史中尉崔暹所劾，禁止於尚書省。詔免其大罪，削官爵。未幾，起行冀州事。子如能自厲改，甚有聲譽，發摘姦偽，僚吏畏伏之。轉行幷州事。詔復官爵，別封野王縣男，邑二百戶。

Ziru's nature was bold and openhanded; relying moreover on old favor, in ledger affairs he granted and withheld as he pleased, openly accepting bribes without the least scruple. In Xinghe he was made commissioner of the Northern Circuit, inspecting the various provinces; prefects, magistrates, and all below were subject to his promotions and demotions. When Ziru reached Ding Province, he beheaded the magistrate of Shenze County; when he reached Ji Province, he beheaded the magistrate of Dongguang County. Both had delayed their reports past the deadline, and for this he inflicted the utmost penalty. If someone's words on promotion or demotion fell even slightly short of his wish, he would order brawny men to drag him down and set a naked blade at his neck. Gentry and commoners alike were terrified and did not know what to do. He was transferred to director of the Secretariat. From the first raising of the righteous banner, Ziru had taken no part in it; relying solely on being Gao Huan's old friend, he yet held heavy responsibility. His spirit was very high, and he amassed wealth without cease. At that time Shizong was assisting in court governance and inwardly came to dislike him; soon he was impeached for graft by censor-in-chief Cui Xian and confined at the Imperial Secretariat. An edict pardoned him from the capital crime and stripped his office and rank. Before long he was restored to administer Ji Province. Ziru was able to discipline himself and reform; he gained a fine reputation, exposing fraud and deceit, and his subordinate officials feared and submitted to him. He was transferred to administer Bing Province. An edict restored his office and rank; separately he was enfeoffed baron of Yewang County with a fief of two hundred households.

子消難嗣。尚高祖女，以主婿、貴公子，頻歷中書、黃門郎、光祿少卿。出為北豫州刺史，鎮武牢。消難博涉史傳，有風神，然不能廉潔，在州為御史所劾。又於公主情好不睦，公主譖訴之，懼罪，遂招延鄰敵，走關西。

His son Xiaonan succeeded. He married Gao Huan's daughter; as imperial son-in-law and a nobleman's heir, he repeatedly served as director in the Secretariat, as gentleman in the Yellow Gate Office, and as vice director of splendid honors. He went out as governor of Northern Yu Province and garrisoned Wulao. Xiaonan was broadly read in histories and records and had a fine presence, yet he could not be clean and honest; in the province he was impeached by the censorate. Moreover he was on bad terms with the princess; the princess slandered and accused him. Fearing punishment, he then drew in neighboring enemies and fled to Guanxi.

子如兄纂，先卒，子如貴，贈岳州刺史。纂長子世雲，輕險無行，累遷衛將軍、潁州刺史。世雲本無勳業，直以子如故，頻歷州郡。恃叔之勢，所在聚斂，仍肆姦穢。將見推治，內懷驚懼，侯景反，遂舉州從之。時世雲母弟在鄴，便傾心附景，無復顧望。諸將圍景於潁川，世雲臨城遙對諸將，言甚不遜。世宗猶以子如恩舊，免其諸弟死罪，徙於北邊。侯景於渦陽敗後，世雲復有異志，為景所殺。

Ziru's elder brother Zuan had died earlier; when Ziru rose high, Zuan was posthumously made governor of Yue Province. Zuan's eldest son Shiyun was reckless and without proper conduct; he rose in succession to guard general and governor of Ying Province. Shiyun by origin had no merit; relying solely on being Ziru's nephew, he repeatedly held provincial and commandery posts. Relying on his uncle's power, wherever he served he amassed wealth and still indulged in wickedness and corruption. When he was about to be prosecuted, inwardly he was alarmed and afraid; when Hou Jing rebelled, he then raised the province and followed him. At that time Shiyun's younger maternal brother was in Ye; he gave his heart wholly to Jing and no longer looked back. When the generals besieged Jing at Yingchuan, Shiyun from atop the walls shouted across at the generals, his words very insolent. Shizong still, for Ziru's old kindness, pardoned his younger brothers from the death penalty and exiled them to the northern frontier. After Hou Jing was defeated at Woyang, Shiyun again harbored a different intent and was killed by Jing.

世雲弟膺之，字仲慶。少好學，美風儀。天平中，子如貴盛，膺之自尚書郎歷中書、黃門郎。子如別封須昌縣公，回授膺之。膺之家富於財，厚自封殖。王元景、邢子才之流以夙素重之。以其疏簡傲物，竟天保世，淪滯不齒。幹明中，王曦白肅宗，除衛尉少卿。河清末，光祿大夫。患泄利，積年不起，至武平中，猶不堪朝謁，就家拜儀同三司。好讀《太玄經》，註揚雄《蜀都賦》。每云：「我欲與揚子雲周旋。」齊亡歲，以利疾終，時年七十一。

Shiyun's younger brother Yingzhi, styled Zhongqing. From youth he loved learning and had a fine bearing. In Tianping, when Ziru was at the height of power, Yingzhi rose from gentleman in the Secretariat through the Secretariat and the Yellow Gate Office. Ziru had been separately enfeoffed duke of Xuchang County and transferred that title to Yingzhi. Yingzhi's household was rich in wealth and he enriched himself generously. Men such as Wang Yuanjing and Xing Zicai, because of long-standing esteem, held him in high regard. Because he was blunt and proud toward others, through the Tianbao reign he languished without rank. In Ganming, Wang Xi reported to Emperor Suzong and had him made vice director of the Court of Guard. At the end of Heqing he was minister of splendid honors. He suffered from dysentery and for years could not rise; by Wuping he still could not attend court audience, and at home he was invested commissioner with protocol equal to three imperators. He loved to read the Classic of Supreme Mystery and annotated Yang Xiong's Rhapsody on the Capital of Shu. He would often say, "I wish to keep company with Yang Ziyun." In the year Qi fell he died of his illness. He was seventy-one.

膺之弟子瑞，天保中為定州長史，遷吏部郎中。舉清勤平約。遷司徒左長史，兼廷尉卿，以平直稱。幹明初，領御史中丞，正色舉察，為朝廷所許。以疾去職，就拜祠部尚書。卒，贈瀛州刺史，諡曰文節。

Yingzhi's nephew Zirui, in Tianbao served as chief administrator of Ding Province and was transferred to director in the Ministry of Personnel. He was recommended for integrity, diligence, fairness, and restraint. He was transferred to left director in the Department of State and concurrently director of the Court of Judicatory, and was known for fairness and uprightness. At the beginning of Ganming he held the post of censor-in-chief; with stern countenance he investigated and impeached, and the court approved him. He left office because of illness and was invested at home as minister of sacrifices. When he died, he was posthumously made governor of Ying Province with the posthumous epithet Wenjie.

子瑞弟幼之，清貞有素行，少歷顯位。隋開皇中，卒於眉州刺史。子瑞妻，令萱之妹，及令萱得寵於後主，重贈子瑞懷州剌史，諸子亦並居顯職。同遊，武平末給事黃門侍郎。同回，太府卿。同憲，通直常侍。然同遊終為嘉吏，隋開皇中尚書民部侍郎，卒於遂州刺史。

Zirui's younger brother Youzhi was pure and upright, with established virtue; from youth he repeatedly held eminent posts. Under Sui in the Kaihuang era he died as governor of Meizhou. Zirui's wife was Lu Lingxuan's younger sister. Once Lingxuan won the Later Sovereign's favor, Zirui was posthumously raised to governor of Huaizhou, and his sons, one and all, took eminent posts. Tongyou, at the end of Wuping, held the post of attendant at the Gate of Yellow Commissions. Tonghui served as grand minister of the palace store. Tongxian served as attendant-in-ordinary of direct communication. Tongyou, however, proved a worthy official in the end — under Sui in the Kaihuang era he rose to vice minister of the people's affairs bureau in the Masters of Writing and died as governor of Suizhou.

史臣曰：高祖以晉陽戎馬之地，霸圖攸屬，治兵訓旅，遙制朝權，京臺機務，委寄深遠。孫騰等俱不能清貞守道，以治亂為懷，厚斂貨財，填彼溪壑。昔蕭何之鎮關中，荀彧之居許下，不亦異於是乎！賴世宗入輔，責以驕縱，厚遇崔暹，奮其霜簡，不然則君子屬厭，豈易間焉。孫騰牽裾之誠，有足稱美。隆之勞其志力，經始鄴京，又並是潛德僚寀，早申任遇，崇其名器，未失朝序。子如徒以少相親重，情深昵狎，義非草昧，恩結寵私，勳德莫聞，坐致臺輔。猶子之愛，訓以義方，膺之風素可重，幼之清簡自立，有足稱也。

The historian writes: Gao Huan held Jinyang — land of war-horses, cradle of the hegemonic design — where he drilled troops and trained armies, held court power from afar, and entrusted the capital's affairs to men at great remove. Sun Teng and the rest alike could not keep their integrity or hold order and disorder as their concern. They taxed without mercy and filled ravine and gully with plunder. Long ago Xiao He guarded Guanzhong and Xun Yu held Xudu — were they not utterly unlike this? Only because Gao Cheng entered to assist, rebuking their arrogance, richly employing Cui Xuan and setting his frost-white censor's brush in motion — otherwise would the court have grown weary of them and been so easily set at odds? Sun Teng's sincerity when he seized Gao Huan's robe — that at least deserves praise. Longzhi toiled in will and strength to found Ye as capital. They were all men of hidden capacity among the staff — early given trust, raised in rank and emblem, not fallen from court order. Ziru reached power on youthful intimacy alone — deep bonds and familiar warmth, not merit won in founding days, but favor woven in private attachment. No deed of merit is recorded; yet he sat and rose to the highest ministry. The uncle's love that taught right conduct; Yingzhi's bearing worth honoring; Youzhi's purity and self-reliance — these at least deserve mention.

贊曰：閎、散胥附，蕭、曹扶翼。齊運勃興，孫、高陳力。黷貨無厭，多慚袞職。司馬滑稽，巧言令色。

The encomium says: Hong and San drew close as followers; Xiao and Cao lent wing to the throne. When Qi's fortune rose in sudden spate, Sun and Gao brought forth their strength. Gorging on wealth without end — much to shame the minister's robe. Sima — glib, nimble, clever of tongue and pleasant of face.

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.

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