Volume 22 Biographies 14: Li Yuanzhong; Lu Wenwei; Li Yishen

李元忠族弟密族叔景遺盧文偉孫詢祖族人勇李義深

Li Yuanzhong; his younger clansman Mi; his clansman uncle Jingyi; Lu Wenwei; Sun Xunzu; his clansman Yong; and Li Yishen

李元忠，趙郡柏人人也。曾祖靈，魏定州刺史、鉅鹿公。祖恢，鎮西將軍。父顯甫，安州刺史。元忠少厲志操，居喪以孝聞。襲爵平棘子。魏清河王懌為司空，辟為士曹參軍。遷太尉，復啟為長流參軍。懌後為太傅，尋被詔為營構明堂大都督，又引為主簿。元忠粗覽史書及陰陽數術，解鼓箏，兼好射彈，有巧思。遭母憂，去任。未幾，相州刺史、安樂王鑒請為府司馬，元忠以艱憂，固辭不就。

Li Yuanzhong came from Bo in Zhao Commandery. His great-grandfather Ling had served in Wei as governor of Ding Province and duke of Julu. His grandfather Hui was general who guards the west. His father Xianfu was governor of An Province. In youth Yuanzhong forged a resolute character and won renown for filial piety in mourning. He inherited the title viscount of Pingji. When Prince of Qinghe Yi of Wei became minister of works, he recruited Yuanzhong as staff officer in the personnel bureau. When Yi was transferred to grand commandant, he again recommended him as senior itinerant staff officer. Later, when Yi became grand tutor, he was soon ordered grand director-general for the construction of the Bright Hall and again took Yuanzhong as chief clerk. Yuanzhong had read widely in history and the arts of yin-yang and numerology. He could play the zither and drum, loved archery and slingshot, and had a gift for invention. When his mother died he left his post. Before long, Governor of Xiang Province Prince of Anle Jian invited him to serve as commander in the princely household, but Yuanzhong, still in deep mourning, firmly declined.

初，元忠以母老多患，乃專心醫藥，研習積年，遂善於方技。性仁恕，見有疾者，不問貴賤，皆為救療。家素富實，其家人在鄉，多有舉貸求利，元忠每焚契免責。鄉人甚敬重之。魏孝明時，盜賊蜂起，清河有五百人西戍，還經南趙郡，以路梗共投元忠。奉絹千疋，元忠唯受一疋，殺五羊以食之，遣奴為導，曰：「若逢賊，但道李元忠遣送。」奴如其言，賊皆捨避。

At first, because his mother was old and often ill, Yuanzhong devoted himself to medicine. He studied for years until he mastered the healing arts. By nature he was benevolent and forgiving. Whenever he saw the sick, high or low, he treated them. The family had long been wealthy. Household members in the countryside often made loans at interest, but Yuanzhong repeatedly burned the contracts and released the debtors. The people of the district held him in deep respect. During Emperor Xiaoming of Wei's reign bandits rose everywhere. Five hundred men from Qinghe, returning from garrison duty in the west through Southern Zhao Commandery, found the roads blocked and together sought refuge with Yuanzhong. They presented a thousand bolts of silk. Yuanzhong accepted only one, slaughtered five sheep to feed them, and sent a servant to guide them. "If you meet bandits," he said, "simply tell them Li Yuanzhong sent you on your way." The servant did as he was told, and the bandits all let them pass.

永安初，就拜南趙郡太守，以好酒，無政績。值洛陽傾覆，莊帝幽崩，元忠棄官還家，潛圖義舉。會高祖率衆東出，便自往奉迎。乘露車，載素箏濁酒以見高祖，因進從橫之策，備陳誠款，深見嘉納。時刺史尒朱羽生阻兵據州，元忠先聚衆於西山，仍與大軍相合，擒斬羽生。卽令行殷州事。中興初，除中軍將軍、衛尉卿。二年，轉太常卿、殷州大中正。後以從兄瑾年長，以中正讓之。尋加征南將軍。武帝將納后，卽高祖之長女也，詔元忠與尚書令元羅致娉於晉陽。高祖每於宴席論敘舊事，因撫掌欣笑云：「此人逼我起兵。」賜白馬一匹。元忠戲謂高祖曰：「若不與侍中，當更覓建義處。」高祖答曰：「建義處不慮無，止畏如此老翁不可遇耳。」元忠曰：「止為此翁難遇，所以不去。」因捋高祖鬚而大笑。高祖亦悉其雅意，深相嘉重。後高祖奉送皇后，仍田於晉澤，元忠馬倒被傷，當時殞絕，久而方蘇。高祖親自撫視。其年，封晉陽縣伯，邑五百戶。後以微譴失官。時朝廷離貳，義旗多見猜阻。斛斯椿等以元忠淡於榮利，又不以世事經懷，故不在嫌嫉之地。尋兼中書令。

At the beginning of Yongan he was appointed on the spot administrator of Southern Zhao Commandery. His love of wine left him no record of merit. When Luoyang fell and Emperor Xiaozhuang died in confinement, Yuanzhong abandoned his office and returned home, secretly planning a righteous rising. When Gao Huan led his host eastward, Yuanzhong went of his own accord to welcome him. He rode an open carriage, bearing a plain zither and a jar of unstrained wine to see Gao Huan. He thereupon laid out stratagems of alliance and opposition, declared his loyalty in full, and won deep favor. At the time Governor Erzhu Yusheng held the province with rebellious troops. Yuanzhong first gathered a force on Western Mountain, then joined the main army, captured Yusheng, and executed him. He was immediately ordered to provisionally administer Yin Province. At the beginning of the restoration he was appointed general of the central army and minister steward. In the second year he was transferred to minister of ceremonial and great arbiter of Yin Province. Later, because his older cousin Jin was senior in years, he yielded the arbiter's post to him. Soon afterward he was additionally made general who pacifies the south. When Emperor Xiaojuan was about to take an empress — Gao Huan's eldest daughter — he ordered Yuanzhong and Director of the Masters of Writing Yuan Luo to conduct the betrothal mission to Jinyang. At every feast Gao Huan would recount old affairs, then clap his hands and laugh with delight. "This man drove me to raise the banner," he would say, and grant him one white horse. Yuanzhong joked to Gao Huan, "If you do not make me palace attendant, I shall find another place to raise the banner." Gao Huan replied, "Places to raise the banner are not lacking — I only fear that an old man like this cannot be encountered again." Yuanzhong said, "It is precisely because this old man is hard to meet that I do not leave." Thereupon he seized Gao Huan's beard and laughed loudly. Gao Huan also fully grasped his refined intent and valued him deeply. Later, when Gao Huan escorted the empress and was hunting at Jin Marsh, Yuanzhong's horse fell and injured him. He collapsed on the spot and only revived after a long time. Gao Huan personally tended to him. That year he was enfeoffed baron of Jinyang County with a fief of five hundred households. Later, for a minor offense, he lost his office. At the time the court was divided, and men of the righteous banner were often suspected and obstructed. Husi Chun and the rest, because Yuanzhong was indifferent to glory and profit and did not concern himself with worldly affairs, did not count him among those they envied and resented. Soon afterward he was additionally made director of the secretariat.

天平初，復為太常。後加驃騎將軍。四年，除使持節、光州刺史。時州境災儉，人皆菜色，元忠表求賑貸，俟秋徵收。被報，聽用萬石。元忠以為萬石給人，計一家不過升斗而已，徒有虛名，不救其弊，遂出十五萬石以賑之。事訖表陳，朝廷嘉而不責。興和末，拜侍中。

At the beginning of Tianping he was again made minister of ceremonial. Later he was additionally made general of agile cavalry. In the fourth year he was appointed bearer of the staff and governor of Guang Province. At the time the province was stricken by disaster and famine; the people were gaunt with hunger. Yuanzhong memorialized asking for relief grain, to be recovered through autumn collection. In reply he was permitted ten thousand shi. Yuanzhong judged that ten thousand shi spread among the people would amount to no more than a sheng or dou per household — empty reputation that would not relieve their distress. He released one hundred fifty thousand shi to relieve them. When the matter was finished he memorialized the facts. The court praised him and did not charge him. At the end of Xinghe he was appointed palace attendant.

元忠雖居要任，初不以物務干懷，唯以聲酒自娛，大率常醉，家事大小，了不關心。園庭之內，羅種果藥，親朋尋詣，必留連宴賞。每挾彈攜壺，敖遊里閈，遇會飲酌，蕭然自得。常布言於執事云：「年漸遲暮，志力已衰，久忝名官，以妨賢路。若朝廷厚恩，未便放棄者，乞在閑冗，以養餘年。」武定元年，除東徐州刺史，固辭不拜。乃除驃騎大將軍、儀同三司。曾貢世宗蒲桃一盤。世宗報以百練縑，遺其書曰：「儀同位亞台鉉，識懷貞素，出藩入侍，備經要重。而猶家無擔石，室若懸磬，豈輕財重義，奉時愛己故也。久相嘉尚，嗟詠無極，恒思標賞，有意無由。忽辱蒲桃，良深佩帶。聊用絹百疋，以酬清德也。」其見重如此。孫騰、司馬子如嘗共詣元忠，見其坐樹下，擁被對壺，庭室蕪曠。謂二公曰：「不意今日披藜藿也。」因呼妻出，衣不曳地。二公相顧嘆息而去，大餉米絹衣服，元忠受而散之。三年，復以本官領衛尉卿。其年卒於位，年六十。詔贈縑布五百疋，使持節、督定冀殷幽四州諸軍事、大將軍、司徒、定州刺史，諡曰敬惠。初，元忠將仕，夢手執炬火入其父墓，中夜驚起，甚惡之。旦告其受業師，占云：「大吉，此謂光照先人，終致貴達矣。」子搔嗣。

Though Yuanzhong held important posts, he never let official business weigh on his mind. He amused himself only with music and wine, was for the most part constantly drunk, and paid no attention at all to domestic affairs great or small. Within his garden he planted fruit and medicinal herbs in abundance. When kinsmen and friends came to call, he always detained them for feasting and pleasure. He would carry his slingshot and wine flask and roam through the lanes at leisure. Whenever he met company for drinking, he was tranquil and at ease. He often spread word among those in charge, saying, "My years approach twilight, my will and strength have declined. I have long held a distinguished office, blocking the path for the able. If the court's generous grace will not yet release me, I beg an idle, secondary post in which to spend my remaining years." In Wuding year one he was appointed governor of Eastern Xu Province but firmly declined and did not accept. He was then made general of agile cavalry and equal in protocol to three imperators. Once he presented Gao Cheng with a tray of grapes. Gao Cheng replied with one hundred bolts of fine silk and sent him a letter saying, "Your rank as equal in protocol stands next to the pillars of state. Your mind is steadfast and plain. You have served both in the provinces and at court in posts of weight and consequence. Yet your house holds not a single stone's measure, your rooms are as empty as a suspended bell — surely it is because you hold wealth lightly and honor righteousness, serving the age and cherishing yourself. I have long admired you, my praise knows no limit. I have always wished to mark my esteem, but found no occasion. Now your gift of grapes comes as a surprise — I am deeply touched. I send one hundred bolts of silk in token of your pure virtue." Such was the esteem in which he was held. Sun Teng and Sima Ziru once went together to visit Yuanzhong. They found him sitting beneath a tree, wrapped in a quilt facing a wine jar, the courtyard overgrown and deserted. He said to the two lords, "I never thought to find myself spreading coarse greens for guests today." He called his wife out; her clothes did not even reach the ground. The two exchanged glances, sighed, and departed. They sent generous gifts of grain, silk, and clothing, which Yuanzhong accepted and distributed. In the third year he again held his former office concurrently with minister steward. That year he died in office. He was sixty. An edict posthumously granted five hundred bolts of silk and cloth, bearer of the staff, supervisor of military affairs in the four provinces of Ding, Ji, Yin, and You, grand general, duke over the masses, and governor of Ding Province, with the posthumous title Jinghui. At first, when Yuanzhong was about to enter office, he dreamed he held a torch and entered his father's tomb. He woke in the middle of the night in alarm and took it as a bad omen. At dawn he told his teacher, who divined: "Great fortune — this means light shining upon your ancestors. You will in the end reach honor and eminence." His son Sao inherited.

搔，字德況，少聰敏，有才藝，音律博弈之屬，多所通解。曾采諸聲，別造一器，號曰八絃，時人稱其思理。起家司徒行參軍。累遷河內太守，百姓安之。入為尚書儀曹郎。天保八年卒。

Sao, styled Dekuang, was clever and perceptive in youth and talented in the arts. Music, board games, and the like — he mastered many. He once gathered various tones and separately devised an instrument called the Eight Strings. Men of the age praised his inventive mind. He first entered service as itinerant staff officer in the ministry of works. He rose through offices to administrator of Henei, where the common people found peace under him. He entered court as secretary in the ministry of rites of the masters of writing. He died in the eighth year of Tianbao.

元忠族弟密，字希邕，平棘人也。祖伯膺，魏東郡太守，贈幽州刺史。父煥，治書侍御史、河內太守，贈青州刺史。密少有節操，屬尒朱兆殺逆，乃陰結豪右，與渤海高昂為報復之計。屬高祖出山東，密以兵從舉義，遙授幷州刺史，封容城縣侯，邑四百戶。尒朱兆至廣阿，高祖令密募殷、定二州兵五千人鎮黃沙、井陘二道。及兆韓陵敗還晉陽，隨軍平兆。高祖乃以薛循義行幷州事，授密建州刺史。又除襄州刺史。在州十餘年，甚得安邊之術，威信聞於外境。高祖頻降手書勞問，並賜口馬。侯景外叛，誘密執之，授以官爵。景敗歸朝，朝廷以密從景非元心，不之罪也。天保初，以舊功授散騎常侍，復本爵縣侯，卒。贈殿中尚書、濟州刺史。密性方直，有行檢。因母患積年，得名醫治療，不愈，乃精習經方，洞曉針藥，母疾得除。當世皆服其明解，由是亦以醫術知名。缺魏末行護軍司馬、武邑太守。天保初，司空長史。大寧、武平中，清河、廣平二郡守，銀青光祿大夫。齊亡後卒。子道謙，武平中，侍御史。道謙弟道貞，南青州司馬，為逆賊邢杲所殺。贈北徐州刺史。

Yuanzhong's younger clansman Mi, styled Xiyong, came from Pingji. His grandfather Boying was administrator of Dong Commandery in Wei, posthumously granted governor of You Province. His father Huan was supervising secretary of the masters of writing, administrator of Henei, posthumously granted governor of Qing Province. Mi in youth had integrity of character. When Erzhu Zhao committed regicide, he secretly joined with leading men and with Gao Ang of Bohai to plan vengeance. When Gao Huan came out of Shandong, Mi followed the righteous rising with troops. He was remotely appointed governor of Bing Province, enfeoffed marquis of Rongcheng County with a fief of four hundred households. When Erzhu Zhao reached Guang'a, Gao Huan ordered Mi to recruit five thousand troops from Yin and Ding provinces to garrison the Yellow Sand and Jingxing passes. When Zhao was defeated at Hanling and retreated to Jinyang, Mi followed the army to pacify him. Gao Huan then had Xue Xunyi provisionally administer Bing Province and appointed Mi governor of Jian Province. He was additionally made governor of Xiang Province. For more than ten years in the province he thoroughly mastered the art of securing the borders. His authority and reputation were known beyond the frontier. Gao Huan repeatedly sent personal letters of comfort and inquiry, and also granted him provisions and horses. When Hou Jing rebelled abroad, he lured Mi into captivity and granted him office and rank. When Jing was defeated and Mi returned to court, the court judged that Mi had followed Jing without genuine intent and did not punish him. At the beginning of Tianbao, for past merit he was appointed regular attendant of the scattered cavalry and restored to his original county marquisate; he died. Posthumously he was granted palace director of the masters of writing and governor of Ji Province. Mi's character was upright and direct, with proper conduct. Because his mother had been ill for years and famous physicians could not cure her, he thoroughly studied classical prescriptions until he mastered acupuncture and medicine, and his mother's illness was removed. Contemporaries admired his keen understanding, and he won fame as a physician besides. [Text missing.] At the end of Wei he served as adjutant to the defender-in-chief and as governor of Wuyi. At the beginning of Tianbao he served as chief clerk to the minister of works. During the Daning and Wuping eras he governed Qinghe and Guangping and held the title grand master for splendid happiness with the silver seal. He died after Qi fell. His son Daoqian served as investigating censor during Wuping. Daoqian's younger brother Daozhen was adjutant of Southern Qing Province and was killed by the rebel Xing Guo. Posthumously he was granted governor of Northern Xu Province.

元忠宗人愍，字魔憐，形貌魁傑，見異於時。少有大志，年四十，猶不仕州郡，唯招致姦俠，以為徒侶。孝昌之末，天下兵起，愍潛居林慮山，觀候時變。賊帥鮮于修禮、毛普賢作亂，詔遣大都督長孫稚討之。稚素聞愍名，召兼帳內統軍。軍達呼沱，賊來逆戰，稚軍為賊所敗，愍遂歸家。安樂王元鑒為北道大行臺，至鄴，以賊衆盛強，未得前。遣使征愍，表授武騎常侍、假節、別將，鎮鄴城東郭。葛榮之圍信都，餘黨南抄，陽平以北，皆為賊有。鑒命愍為前驅，別討之，頗有斬獲。及鑒謀逆，愍乃詐患暴風，鑒信之，因此得免。未幾，大都督源子邕屯安陽，大都裴衍屯鄴城，西討鑒。愍棄家口奔子邕，仍被徵赴洛，除奉車都尉，持節鎮汁河。汁河在鄴之西北，重山之中，幷、相二州交境。以葛榮南逼，故用愍鎮之。榮遣其叔樂陵王葛萇率精騎一萬擊愍，愍據險拒戰，萇不得前。尒朱榮至東關，愍乃見榮。榮欲分賊勢，遣愍別道向襄國，襲賊署廣州刺史田怙軍。愍未至襄國，已擒葛榮。卽表授愍建忠將軍。分廣平易陽、襄國，南趙郡之中丘三縣為易陽郡，以愍為太守。賜爵襄國侯。

Min, a clansman of Yuanzhong, styled Molian, was a man of towering build and striking mien — unlike anyone else of his day. From youth he nursed great ambitions. Even at forty he would not serve in prefecture or commandery, gathering rogues and daredevils as his companions instead. At the end of the Xiaochang era, as warfare erupted across the realm, Min withdrew to Mount Linlu and watched for the turn of events. The bandit chiefs Xianyu Xiuli and Mao Puxian rose in rebellion, and an edict dispatched Grand Commander Changsun Zhi to suppress them. Zhi had long heard of Min's reputation and summoned him to serve concurrently as commander of the tent guard. When the army reached Hutuo, the rebels came out to fight. Zhi's army was routed, and Min returned home. Prince Yuan of Anle served as grand mobile office of the northern circuit. When he reached Ye, the rebels were so strong that he could not advance. He sent envoys to summon Min and memorialized the throne to appoint him cavalier attendant-in-ordinary, with provisional staff and separate command, garrisoning the eastern suburb of Ye. When Ge Rong besieged Xindu, his remnant bands raided southward until all lands north of Yangping lay in rebel hands. Yuan ordered Min to serve as vanguard and hunt them down separately; he took many heads and captives. When Yuan plotted rebellion, Min feigned a sudden fit of wind sickness. Yuan believed him, and Min escaped harm. Not long after, Grand Commander Yuan Ziyong encamped at Anyang and Grand Commander Pei Yan at Ye; together they marched west against Yuan. Min abandoned his family and fled to Ziyong, then was summoned to the capital and made keeper of the imperial carriages, with staff of authority garrisoning Zhihe. Zhihe lay northwest of Ye, deep in the mountains, on the border between Bing and Xiang provinces. Because Ge Rong was pressing south, Min was posted there. Ge Rong sent his uncle, Prince Ge of Leling, with ten thousand elite cavalry to attack Min. Min held the defiles and fought them off, and Ge could not advance. When Erzhu Rong reached Dongguan, Min went to see him. Rong wished to divide the rebel forces and sent Min by a separate route toward Xiangguo to strike the army of Tian Hu, whom the rebels had appointed provisional governor of Guang Province. Before Min reached Xiangguo, Ge Rong had already been captured. He was immediately memorialized for appointment as general who establishes loyalty. The three counties of Yiyang, Xiangguo, and Zhongqiu — taken from Guangping and Southern Zhao commanderies — were joined into Yiyang Commandery, and Min was made its administrator. He was enfeoffed as marquis of Xiangguo.

永安末，假平北將軍、持節、當郡大都督，遷樂平太守。未之郡，洛京傾覆，愍率所部西保石門山。潛與幽州刺史劉靈助及高昂兄弟、安州刺史盧曹等同契義舉。助敗，愍遂入石門。高祖建義，以書招愍，愍奉書，擁衆數千人以赴高祖，高祖親迎之。除使持節、征南將軍、都督相州諸軍事、相州刺史，兼尚書西南道行臺、當州都督。令愍率本衆西還舊鎮，高祖親送之。愍至鄉，據馬鞍山，依險為壘，徵糧集兵，以為聲勢。尒朱兆出井陘，高祖破兆於廣阿。愍統其本衆，屯故城以備尒朱兆。相州既平，命愍還鄴，除西南道行臺都官尚書，復屯故城。尒朱兆等將至，高祖徵愍參守鄴城。

At the end of Yongan he was made acting general who pacifies the north, with staff of authority and grand governorship of the commandery, and transferred to administrator of Leping. Before he reached the commandery, Luoyang fell. Min led his troops west to hold Shimen Mountain. Secretly he entered into covenant with Liu Lingzhu, governor of You Province, the Gao brothers of Ganyu, Lu Cao, governor of An Province, and others to raise the righteous banner together. When Lingzhu was defeated, Min withdrew into Shimen. When Gao Huan raised the righteous cause, he wrote to summon Min. Min answered the letter and came with several thousand followers; Gao Huan personally went out to welcome him. He was made bearer of the staff of authority, general who campaigns south, commander-in-chief of military affairs in Xiang Province, and governor of Xiang Province, and concurrently director of the southwest circuit mobile office and grand governor of the province. Min was ordered to lead his original forces back to his old post, and Gao Huan personally saw him off. When Min reached his home district, he took Mount Ma'an, built fortifications in the defiles, levied grain, and gathered troops to make a show of strength. Erzhu Zhao came out through Jingxing Pass, and Gao Huan defeated him at Guang'a. Min commanded his original forces and encamped at the old city to guard against Erzhu Zhao. Once Xiang Province was pacified, Min was ordered back to Ye and made director of the masters of writing for the southwest circuit mobile office, again encamping at the old city. When Erzhu Zhao and the others were about to arrive, Gao Huan summoned Min to help defend Ye.

太昌初，除太府卿。後出為南荊州刺史、當州大都督。此州自孝昌以來，舊路斷絕，前後刺史皆從間道始得達州。愍勒部曲數千人，徑向懸瓠，從北陽復舊道，且戰且前三百餘里，所經之處，卽立郵亭，蠻左大服。梁遣其南司州刺史任思祖、隨郡太守桓和等率馬步三萬，兼發邊蠻，圍逼下溠戍。愍躬自討擊，破之。詔加車騎將軍。愍於州內開立陂梁，溉稻千餘頃，公私賴之。轉行東荊州，仍除驃騎將軍、東荊州刺史、當州大都督，加散騎常侍。天平二年卒。贈使持節、定殷二州軍事、儀同、定州刺史。

At the beginning of Taichang he was made director of the imperial treasuries. Later he went out as governor of Southern Jing Province and grand governor of the province. Since Xiaochang the province's old routes had been cut off, and successive governors had reached it only by hidden paths. Min led several thousand followers of his personal guard straight toward Xuanhu, reopened the old route from Beiyang, and fought his way forward more than three hundred li. Wherever he passed he established postal stations, and the frontier peoples were deeply impressed. Liang sent its governor of Southern Si Province Ren Sinzu, administrator of Suixian Huan He, and others with thirty thousand infantry and cavalry, and also mobilized frontier barbarians, to surround and press the garrison at Xiazhao. Min personally led the counterattack and routed them. An edict promoted him to general of chariots and cavalry. Within the province Min opened dams and channels and irrigated more than a thousand qing of rice fields, to the benefit of public and private alike. He was transferred to Eastern Jing Province and additionally made general who conquers on horseback, governor of Eastern Jing Province, grand governor of the province, and regular attendant. He died in the second year of Tianping. Posthumously he was granted bearer of the staff of authority, military affairs of Ding and Yin provinces, equal in protocol to three imperators, and governor of Ding Province.

元忠族叔景遺，少雄武有膽力，好結聚亡命，共為劫盜，鄉里每患之。永安末，其兄南鉅鹿太守無為以贓罪為御史糾劾，禁於州獄。景遺率左右十餘騎，詐稱臺使，徑入州城，劫無為而出之。州軍追討，竟不能制。由是以俠聞。及高祖舉義於信都，景遺赴於軍門。高祖素聞其名，接之甚厚。命與元忠舉兵於西山，仍與大軍俱會，擒刺史尒朱羽生。以功除龍驤將軍，昌平縣公，邑八百戶。尒朱兆來伐，又力戰有功，除使持節、大都督、左將軍。太昌初，進爵昌平郡公，增邑三百戶，加車騎將軍。天平初，出為潁州刺史。未幾，為前潁川太守元洪威所襲殺。贈侍中、殷滄二州軍事、大將軍、開府、殷州刺史。子伽林襲。

Jingyi, Yuanzhong's clansman by marriage, was fierce and bold in youth, with great physical courage. He loved gathering fugitives and outlaws for robbery and plunder, and the neighborhood suffered from him. At the end of Yongan, his elder brother Wuwei, governor of Southern Julu, was impeached by the censorate for corruption and imprisoned in the provincial jail. Jingyi led a dozen or so mounted followers, falsely claiming to be imperial envoys, and burst straight into the provincial city to seize Wuwei and free him. The provincial army pursued and attacked but could not restrain him. By this he became renowned for chivalry. When Gao Huan raised the righteous cause at Xindu, Jingyi came to the camp gate. Gao Huan had long heard his name and received him with great favor. He ordered Jingyi together with Yuanzhong to raise troops on the Western Mountains and join the main army; they captured and executed Governor Erzhu Yusheng. For his merit he was made general of the dragon cavalry, duke of Changping County, with a fief of eight hundred households. When Erzhu Zhao came to attack, he fought vigorously with further merit and was made bearer of the staff of authority, grand commander, and left general. At the beginning of Taichang his rank was advanced to duke of Changping Commandery with three hundred additional households, and he was made general of chariots and cavalry. At the beginning of Tianping he went out as governor of Ying Province. Not long after, he was ambushed and killed by the former administrator of Yingchuan, Yuan Hongwei. Posthumously he was granted palace attendant, military affairs of Yin and Cang provinces, grand general, opener of a government office, and governor of Yin Province. His son Qialin succeeded.

盧文偉，字休族，范陽涿人也。為北州冠族。父敞，出後伯假。文偉少孤，有志尚，頗涉經史，篤於交遊，少為鄉閭所敬。州辟主簿。年三十八，始舉秀才。除本州平北府長流參軍，說刺史裴俊按舊跡修督亢陂，溉田萬餘頃，民賴其利，修立之功，多以委文偉。文偉既善於營理，兼展私力，家素貧儉，因此致富。孝昌中，詔兼尚書郎中，時行臺常景啟留為行臺郎中。及北方將亂，文偉積稻穀於范陽城，時經荒儉，多所賑贍，彌為鄉里所歸。尋為杜洛周所虜。洛周敗，復入葛榮，榮敗，歸家。時韓樓據薊城，文偉率鄉閭屯守范陽，與樓相抗。乃以文偉行范陽郡事。防守二年，與士卒同勞苦，分散家財，拯救貧乏，莫不人人感說。尒朱榮遣將侯深討樓，平之，文偉以功封大夏縣男，邑二百戶，除范陽太守。深乃留鎮范陽。及榮誅，文偉知深難信，乃誘之出獵，閉門拒之。深失據，遂赴中山。

Lu Wenwei, styled Xizu, came from Zhuo in Fanyang. His clan ranked among the foremost families of the northern provinces. His father Chang was adopted as heir by his uncle Bo Jia. Wenwei lost his father early but had lofty aspirations. He read widely in the classics and histories, was devoted to friendship, and in youth was respected throughout the neighborhood. The province recruited him as chief clerk. At thirty-eight he was first nominated as a cultivated talent. He was appointed chief adjutant of the pacifier of the north office in his home province and persuaded Governor Pei Jun to restore the Dukang Dam according to old traces, irrigating more than ten thousand qing of fields to the people's benefit. Most of the construction work was entrusted to Wenwei. Wenwei excelled at management and also contributed private labor; though his family had been poor and frugal, he grew wealthy thereby. In the Xiaochang era an edict appointed him concurrently as bureau director in the ministry of revenue; Field Marshal Chang Jing requested that he remain as bureau director on the mobile office staff. As the north was on the verge of chaos, Wenwei stockpiled grain in Fanyang city. When famine and dearth struck, he distributed relief generously and won ever greater trust from his neighbors. He was soon captured by Du Luozhou. When Luozhou was defeated he joined Ge Rong; when Rong was defeated he returned home. At that time Han Lou held Jicheng. Wenwei led the neighborhood to hold Fanyang and resist Lou. He was then made acting governor of Fanyang Commandery. For two years he defended the city, sharing hardship with the soldiers and dispersing his family wealth to rescue the destitute; everyone was moved with gratitude. Erzhu Rong sent General Hou Shen to suppress Lou. When Lou was pacified, Wenwei was enfeoffed as baron of Daxia with two hundred households and made governor of Fanyang. Hou Shen remained to garrison Fanyang. After Rong was executed, Wenwei knew Shen could not be trusted. He lured him out on a hunt and shut the gates against him. Shen lost his footing and fled to Zhongshan.

莊帝崩，文偉與幽州刺史劉靈助同謀起義。靈助克瀛州，留文偉行事，自率兵赴定州，為尒朱榮將侯深所敗，文偉棄州，走還本郡，仍與高幹邕兄弟共相影響。屬高祖至信都，文偉遣子懷道奉啟陳誠，高祖嘉納之。中興初，除安東將軍、安州刺史。時安州未賓，仍居帥任，行幽州事，加鎮軍、正刺史。時安州剌史盧曹亦從靈助舉兵，助敗，因據幽州降尒朱兆，兆仍以為刺史，據城不下。文偉不得入州，卽於郡所為州治。太昌初，遷安州刺史，累加散騎常侍。天平末，高祖以文偉行東雍州事，轉行青州事。

When Emperor Zhuang died, Wenwei plotted an uprising together with Liu Lingzhu, governor of You Province. Lingzhu captured Ying Province and left Wenwei to handle affairs while he personally led troops toward Ding Province, but was defeated by Hou Shen, a general of Erzhu Rong. Wenwei abandoned the province and fled back to his home commandery, still acting in concert with the Gao brothers of Ganyu. When Gao Huan reached Xindu, Wenwei sent his son Huaidao with a memorial expressing loyalty, and Gao Huan welcomed it favorably. At the beginning of Zhongxing he was made general who pacifies the east and governor of An Province. An Province had not yet submitted, so he remained in the commander's role, handling affairs of You Province, with additional titles as suppressing-army general and regular governor. At that time Lu Cao, governor of An Province, had also raised troops with Lingzhu. When Lingzhu was defeated, Cao seized You Province and surrendered to Erzhu Zhao, who reappointed him governor; Cao held the city and would not submit. Wenwei could not enter the province and established the provincial seat at the commandery capital. At the beginning of Taichang he was transferred to governor of An Province and cumulatively promoted to regular attendant. At the end of Tianping, Gao Huan had Wenwei act for Eastern Yong Province, then transferred him to act for Qing Province.

文偉性輕財，愛賓客，善於撫接，好行小惠，是以所在頗得人情，雖有受納，吏民不甚苦之。經紀生資，常若不足，致財積聚，承候寵要，餉遺不絕。興和三年卒於州，年六十。贈使持節、侍中、都督定瀛殷三州軍事、司徒、尚書左僕射、定州刺史，諡曰孝威。

Wenwei was light with wealth, loved entertaining guests, skilled at winning people over, and fond of small favors; therefore he won considerable goodwill wherever he served. Though he accepted bribes, officials and commoners did not greatly suffer from it. In managing his livelihood he often seemed to lack enough, yet he amassed wealth, currying favor with the powerful and sending gifts without cease. In the third year of Xinghe he died in office at the age of sixty. Posthumously he was granted bearer of the staff of authority, palace attendant, commander-in-chief of military affairs in Ding, Ying, and Yin provinces, grand tutor, left vice director of the masters of writing, and governor of Ding Province, with the posthumous title Xiaowei.

子恭道，性溫良，頗有文學。州辟主簿。李崇北征，以為開府墨曹參軍。自文偉據范陽，屢經寇難，恭道常助父防守。七兵尚書郭秀素與恭道交款，及任事，每稱薦之，高祖亦聞其名。天平初，特除龍驤將軍、范陽太守。在郡有德惠。先文偉卒。贈使持節、都督幽平二州軍事、幽州刺史、度支尚書，諡曰定。

His son Gongdao was gentle by nature and well versed in letters. The province recruited him as chief clerk. When Li Chong marched north on campaign, Gongdao was made ink-and-record staff officer to his opened government office. From the time Lu Wenwei held Fanyang, through raid after raid, Gongdao often stood at his father's side in defense. Guo Xiu, minister of the seven armories, had long been close to Gongdao; once in power, he spoke of him again and again, and Gao Huan came to know the name. At the beginning of Tianping he was specially appointed flying-cavalry general and governor of Fanyang. In the commandery he governed with virtue and kindness. He died before his father Wenwei. Posthumously he was granted bearer of the staff of authority, supervision of military affairs in You and Ping provinces, governorship of You Province, and the ministry of revenue; posthumous title Ding, "Settled."

子詢祖，襲祖爵大夏男。有術學，文章華靡，為後生之俊。舉秀才入京。李祖勳嘗宴文士，顯祖使小黃門勑祖勳曰：「茹茹既破，何故無賀表？」使者佇立待之。諸賓皆為表，詢祖俄頃便成。後朝廷大遷除，同日催拜。詢祖立於東止車門外，為二十餘人作表，文不加點，辭理可觀。

His son Xunzu inherited his grandfather's title, baron of Daxia. Trained in the arts and sciences, he wrote in a florid, ornate style, and stood among the finest of the younger generation. Recommended as a provincial graduate, he went to the capital. Li Zuxun once gathered men of letters for a feast; Gao Yang sent a palace attendant with an order for Zuxun: "The Rouran are broken — where is your congratulatory memorial? The messenger stood waiting. Every guest set to drafting a memorial; Xunzu finished his in moments. Later the court issued a wave of appointments, summoning men to take office all on the same day. Xunzu stood outside the East Gate Where Chariots Stop and drafted memorials for more than twenty men — not a word to revise, the language clear and the reasoning sound.

詢祖初襲爵封大夏男，有宿德朝士謂之曰：「大夏初成。」應聲答曰：「且得燕雀相賀。」天保末，以職出為築長城子使。自負其才，內懷鬱怏，遂毀容服如賤役者，以見楊愔。愔曰：「故舊皆有所縻，唯大夏未加處分。」詢祖厲聲曰：「是誰之咎！」既至役所，作《築長城賦》，其略曰：「板則紫柏，杵則木瓜，何斯材而斯用也？草則離離靡靡，緣崗而殖，但使十步而有一芳，余亦何辭間於荊棘。」邢邵曾戲曰：「卿少年才學富盛，戴角者無上齒，恐卿不壽。」對曰：「詢祖初聞此言，實懷恐懼，見丈人蒼蒼在鬢，差以自安。」邵甚重其敏贍。既有口辯，好臧否人物，嘗語人曰：「我昨東方未明，過和氏門外，已見二陸兩源，森然與槐柳齊列。」蓋謂彥師、仁惠與文宗、那延也，邢邵盛譽盧思道，以詢祖為不及。詢祖曰：「見未能高飛者借其羽毛，知逸勢沖天者剪其翅翮。」謗毀日至，素論皆薄其為人。長廣太守邢子廣目二盧云：「詢祖有規檢禰衡，思道無冰棱文舉。」後頗折節。歷太子舍人、司徒記室，卒官。有文集十卷，皆致遺逸。嘗為趙郡王妃鄭氏制挽歌詞，其一篇云：「君王盛海內，伉儷盡寰中。女儀掩鄭國，嬪容映趙宮。春艷桃花水，秋度桂枝風。遂使叢臺夜，明月滿床空。」

When Xunzu first inherited his title as baron of Daxia, an elder statesman of long standing said to him: "Great Summer is just taking shape." He answered at once: "For now let sparrow and swallow congratulate each other." At the end of Tianbao, by virtue of his office he was sent out as sub-official in charge of building the Long Wall. Proud of his gifts and smoldering inside, he disheveled his dress and appeared like a common laborer when he went to see Yang Yin. Yang Yin said: "Every old friend has been given a post — only Great Summer has not." Xunzu cried out: "Whose fault is that!" Once at his posting he wrote "Rhapsody on Building the Long Wall," which in part reads: "Planks of purple cypress, pestles of papaya — what timber for what task? Grass grows lush and tangled along the hills — if only every ten paces held a fragrant bloom, I would have no complaint about dwelling among thorns." Xing Shao once teased him: "You are young and your talent runs deep — but horned beasts have no upper teeth; I fear you will not live long." He replied: "When I first heard that, I was genuinely afraid — but seeing your temples gone gray, elder, I take some comfort." Shao greatly admired his quick wit. Gifted with a sharp tongue, he loved to pass judgment on others; he once told someone: "Yesterday, before dawn, I passed the He family gate and already saw two Lus and two Yuans standing tall as locust and willow." He meant Lu Yan Shi and Lu Renhui, and Yuan Wenzong and Yuan Nayan; Xing Shao lavishly praised Lu Sidao and judged Xunzu the lesser man. Xunzu said: "Those who see a man who cannot yet soar lend him their feathers; those who know a man whose momentum would pierce the sky clip his wings." Slander reached him day by day, and public opinion turned against his character. Xing Ziguang, governor of Changguang, sized up the two Lus and said: "Xunzu has the self-restraint of Mi Heng; Sidao lacks the icy edge of Kong Rong." Later he somewhat restrained his conduct. He served as aide to the heir apparent and recorder of the chancellor's office, and died in office. He left a collected writings in ten scrolls, all now lost. He once composed dirge lyrics for Princess of Zhao Commandery, Lady Zheng; one piece reads: "The sovereign's dominion fills the seas; consorts and pairs fill the realm. A woman's propriety eclipses the state of Zheng; a consort's grace outshines the palace of Zhao. Spring dyes the peach-blossom waters; autumn rides the cassia-branch winds. And so on the night at the Cluster Terrace, bright moon filled the empty bed."

恭道弟懷道，性輕率好酒，頗有慕尚，以守范陽勳，出身員外散騎侍郎。文偉遣奉啟詣高祖。中興初，加平西將軍、光祿大夫。元象初，行臺薛琡表行平州事，勳赴霸府。興和中，行汾州事。懷道家預義舉，高祖親待之，出為烏蘇鎮城都督，卒官。

Gongdao's younger brother Huaidao was light and impulsive, fond of wine, and ambitious; for merit in holding Fanyang he entered service as supernumerary attendant cavalry. Lu Wenwei dispatched him to deliver a memorial to Gao Huan. At the beginning of Zhongxing he was additionally made general who pacifies the west and grand master of splendid happiness. At the beginning of Yuanxiang, the mobile headquarters submitted a memorial appointing him acting administrator of Ping Province affairs; for merit he went to the overlord's headquarters. During Xinghe he administered Fen Province affairs. Huaidao's family had joined in raising the righteous banner; Gao Huan treated him with personal favor and sent him out as garrison commander of Wusu, where he died in office.

懷道弟宗道，性粗率，重任俠。歷尚書郎、通直散騎常侍，後行南營州刺史。嘗於晉陽置酒，賓遊滿坐。中書舍人馬士達目其彈箜篌女妓云：「手甚纖素。」宗道卽以此婢遺士達，士達固辭，宗道便命家人將解其腕，士達不得已而受之。將赴營州，於督亢陂大集鄉人，殺牛聚會。有一舊門生酒醉，言辭之間，微有疏失，宗道遂令沉之於水。後坐酷濫除名。

Huaidao's younger brother Zongdao was coarse and impulsive by nature, and heavily valued chivalric loyalty. He served as master of writing and attendant at court with regular attendance, and later acted as governor of Southern Ying Province. He once set out wine at Jinyang; guests and companions filled the hall. Palace secretariat attendant Ma Shida eyed his female konghou player and said: "Her hands are very slender and fair." Zongdao immediately gave the maid to Shida; Shida firmly declined, so Zongdao ordered his household to cut off her wrist — Shida had no choice but to accept her. About to depart for Ying Province, he gathered the district folk at the Dukang Dam, slaughtered cattle, and held a great feast. An old student, drunk, let slip some improper words; Zongdao thereupon ordered him drowned. Later, for cruelty and excess he was dismissed and stripped of rank.

文偉族人勇，字季禮，父璧，魏下邳太守。勇初從兄景裕俱在學，其叔同稱之曰：「白頭必以文通，季禮當以武達，興吾門在二子也。」幽州反者僕骨那以勇為本郡范陽王，時年十八。後葛榮作亂，又以勇為燕王。

Lu Wenwei's clansman Yong, styled Jili, had a father Bi who was governor of Xiapi in Wei. In youth Yong and his elder cousin Jingyu were both in school; their uncle Tong praised them: "The white-haired one will surely excel in letters; Jili will surely reach distinction in arms — the raising of our house rests on these two." Pugu Na, rebel of You Province, made Yong prince of Fanyang in his native commandery when Yong was eighteen. Later, when Ge Rong raised disorder, Yong was again made Prince of Yan.

義旗之起也，盧文偉召之，不應。尒朱滅後，乃赴晉陽。高祖署勇丞相主簿。屬山西霜儉，運山東鄉租輸，皆令載實，違者治罪，令勇典其事。瑯邪公主虛僦千餘車，勇繩劾之。公主訴於高祖，而勇守法不屈。高祖謂郭秀曰：「盧勇懍懍有不可犯之色，真公直人也，方當委之大事，豈直納租而已。」遷汝北太守，行陜州事，轉行洛州事。

When the righteous banner was raised, Lu Wenwei summoned him, but he did not respond. Only after the Erzhu were destroyed did he go to Jinyang. Gao Huan appointed Yong chief clerk to the chancellor. At that time the west of the mountains suffered frost and famine; rent grain from the east was transported in — all were ordered to load full measure, with punishment for violators; Yong was put in charge. The Princess of Langye falsely claimed more than a thousand carts; Yong impeached her. The princess appealed to Gao Huan, but Yong upheld the law and would not yield. Gao Huan told Guo Xiu: "Lu Yong has an unyielding, inviolable bearing — a truly upright man; he should be entrusted with great affairs, not merely collecting rent." He was transferred to governor of Rubei, administered Shaan Province affairs, and then administered Luo Province affairs.

元象元年，官軍圍廣州，數旬未拔。行臺侯景聞西魏救兵將至，集諸將議之。勇進觀形勢，於是率百騎，各籠一匹馬。至大隗山，知魏將李景和率軍將至。勇多置幡旗於樹頭，分騎為十隊，鳴角直前，擒西魏儀同程華，斬儀同王征蠻，驅馬三百匹，通夜而還。廣州守將駱超以城降，高祖令勇行廣州事。

In the first year of Yuanxiang, the imperial army besieged Guangzhou for several tens of days without taking it. Mobile headquarters commander Hou Jing, hearing that Western Wei relief troops were about to arrive, gathered the generals to deliberate. Yong went forward to observe the situation; thereupon he led a hundred horsemen, each covering one horse with a cage. Reaching Mount Dawei, he learned that Wei general Li Jinghe was leading an army and would soon arrive. Yong planted many banners and flags in the treetops, divided his cavalry into ten squads, sounded horns and charged straight ahead, captured Western Wei acting third-grade-equal Li Chenghua, beheaded acting third-grade-equal Wang Zhengman, drove off three hundred horses, and returned through the night. Guangzhou's defending commander Luo Chao surrendered the city; Gao Huan appointed Yong to administer Guangzhou affairs.

以功授儀同三司、陽州刺史，鎮宜陽。叛民韓木蘭、陳忻等常為邊患，勇大破之。啟求入朝，高祖賜勇書曰：「吾委卿陽州，唯安枕高臥，無西南之慮矣。但依朝廷所委，表啟宜停。卿之妻子任在州住，當使漢兒之中無在卿前者。」武定二年卒，年三十二。勇有馬五百匹，繕造甲仗六車，遺啟盡獻之朝廷。賻物之外，別賜布絹四千疋。贈司空、冀州刺史，諡曰武貞侯。

For merit he was granted acting third-grade-equal, governor of Yang Province, and garrisoned at Yiyang. Rebel commoners Han Mulan, Chen Xin, and others were constant border troubles; Yong routed them utterly. He submitted a memorial requesting to enter court; Gao Huan sent Yong a letter: "I have entrusted Yang Province to you — you need only sleep with pillow high and lie at ease, with no worries from the southwest. But as the court has entrusted you, memorials and reports should cease. Your wife and children may remain in the province; among the Han children there shall be none who rank above you." In the second year of Wuding he died, aged thirty-two. Yong had five hundred horses and six carts of armor and weapons freshly made; in his final memorial he presented them all to the court. Beyond the funeral gifts, he was separately granted four thousand bolts of cloth and silk. Posthumously he was granted minister of works and governor of Ji Province; posthumous title Marquis Wuzhen.

李義深，趙郡高邑人也。祖真，魏中書侍郎。父紹宗，殷州別駕。義深學涉經史，有當世才用。解褐濟州征東府功曹參軍，累加龍驤將軍。義旗初，歸高祖於信都，以為大行臺郎中。中興初，除平南將軍、鴻臚少卿。義深見尒朱兆兵盛，遂叛高祖奔之。兆平，高祖恕其罪，以為大丞相府記室參軍。累遷左光祿大夫、相府司馬，所經稱職。轉幷州長史。時刺史可朱渾道元不親細務，民事多委義深，甚濟機速。復為大丞相司馬。武定中，除齊州剌史，好財利，多所受納。天保初，行鄭州事，轉行梁州事，尋除散騎常侍，為陽夏太守。段業告其在州聚斂，被禁止，送梁州窮治，未竟。三年，遇疾，卒於禁所，年五十七。

Li Yishen was a native of Gaoyi in Zhao Commandery. His grandfather Zhen was attendant master of writing in Wei. His father Shaozong was administrative aide of Yin Province. Yishen's learning ranged across the classics and histories; he possessed talent useful to his age. He began office as merit officer of the eastern campaign staff of Ji Province and was repeatedly promoted to flying-cavalry general. When the righteous banner was first raised, he joined Gao Huan at Xindu and was made master of writing of the great mobile headquarters. At the beginning of Zhongxing he was appointed general who pacifies the south and vice minister of the court of imperial entertainments. Yishen saw that Erzhu Zhao's troops were strong and thereupon rebelled against Gao Huan and fled to join him. When Zhao was pacified, Gao Huan pardoned his crime and made him recorder of the great chancellor's government office. He was repeatedly promoted to left grand master of splendid happiness and chancellor's marshal; in every post he was praised as competent. He was transferred to chief administrator of Bing Province. At that time Governor Kezhun Hun Daoyuan did not attend to minor affairs; civil matters were largely entrusted to Yishen, who handled them with great dispatch. He again served as the great chancellor's marshal. During Wuding he was appointed governor of Qi Province; he was fond of wealth and profit and accepted many bribes. At the beginning of Tianbao he administered Zheng Province affairs, then administered Liang Province affairs; soon he was appointed attendant cavalry with regular attendance and made governor of Yangxia. Duan Ye reported that he had amassed wealth in the province; he was placed under arrest, sent to Liang Province for thorough investigation, and the case was not yet concluded. In the third year he fell ill and died in confinement, aged fifty-seven.

子騊駼，有才辯，尚書郎、鄴縣令，武平初，兼通直散騎常侍。聘陳，為陳人所稱。後為壽陽道行臺左丞，與王琳等同陷。周末逃歸。開皇初，永安太守。卒於絳州長史。

His son Taotao was talented and eloquent; he served as master of writing and magistrate of Ye County, and at the beginning of Wuping concurrently held attendant at court with regular attendance. Sent on a mission to Chen, he was praised by the men of Chen. Later he became left assistant director on the Shouyang route staff and was taken prisoner along with Wang Lin and his companions. When the Zhou dynasty drew to its close, he broke free and made his way home. In the early Kaihuang reign he served as prefect of Yong'an. He died in office as chief administrator of Jiang Province.

子正藻，明敏有才幹。武平末，儀同開府行參軍、判集書省事。以父騊駼沒陳，正藻便謝病解職，憂思毀瘠，居處飲食若在喪之禮，人士稱之。隋開皇中，歷尚書工部員外郎、盩厔縣令。卒於宜州長史。

His son Zhengzao was quick-minded and gifted with real capacity. Near the end of Wuping he held the rank of palace-corps military attendant with an opening-establishment commission and supervised the secretarial archive. When his father Taotuo perished in Chen captivity, Zhengzao at once pleaded illness and quit his post. Grief wore him thin; in how he lived, moved, and ate he kept to mourning rites as though the coffin still stood in the hall — and men of judgment praised him for it. Under the Sui, during Kaihuang, he served in turn as outer gentleman in the works bureau of the masters of writing and as magistrate of Zhouzhi. He died in office as chief administrator of Yi Province.

騊駼弟文師，中書舍人、齊郡太守。

Taotuo's younger brother Wenshi was drafting master of the palace secretariat and prefect of Qi Commandery.

義深兄弟七人，多有學尚。第二弟同軌以儒學知名。第六弟稚廉別有傳。

Among Yishen's seven brothers, many pursued learning. The second brother, Tonggui, won renown for Confucian scholarship. The sixth brother, Zhilian, is treated in a separate biography.

義深族弟神威。曾祖融，魏中書侍郎，神威幼有風裁，傳其家業，禮學粗通義訓。又好音樂，撰集《樂書》，近於百卷。魏武之末，尚書左丞。天保初卒。贈信州刺史。

Yishen's clansman Shenwei. His great-grandfather Rong had been attendant master of writing under Wei. Shenwei showed moral force even as a boy, carried on the family tradition, and had a working knowledge of ritual and moral teaching. He also loved music and compiled a Book of Music running to nearly a hundred scrolls. In the final years of Eastern Wei he was left vice director of the masters of writing. He died at the opening of the Tianbao reign. Posthumously he was made governor of Xin Province.

史臣曰：元忠本自素流，有聞教義，人倫之譽，未以縱橫許之。屬莊帝幽崩，群胡矯擅，士之有志力者皆望勤王之師。及高祖東轅，事與心會，一遇雄姿，遂瀝肝膽，以石投水，豈徒然哉？既享功名，終知止足，進退之道，有可觀焉。文偉望重地華，早有志尚，間關夷險之際，終遇英雄之主，雖禮秩未弘，亦為佐命之一。詢祖詞情艷發，早著聲名，負其才地，肆情矜矯，京華人士，莫不畏其舌端。任遇未聞，弱年夭逝，若得終介眉壽，通塞未可量焉。

The historian writes: Yuanzhong sprang from a plain family, known for learning and moral teaching — a man whose name in human affairs was never linked to the arts of alliance and intrigue. When Emperor Zhuang died in shadow and the barbarian faction seized unlawful power, every man of will and talent turned his eyes toward a king's army marching to restore the throne. When Gao Huan turned his chariot east, wish and circumstance met as one; at the first sight of that heroic bearing Yuanzhong poured out his whole heart — a stone thrown into water, bound to sink to the bottom. Could that have been accident alone? Having tasted merit and fame, he learned at last where to stop and be satisfied — in how he came forward and stepped back, there is a lesson worth keeping. Wenwei carried weight of birth and bright lineage, and early held high purpose. Through straits and dangers he at last found a lord of heroic stamp; though rank and reward never ran deep, he still belongs among those who helped seat the throne. Xunzu's writing flared with color and he won a name while still young; trusting in talent and station, he indulged pride and display — in the capital, everyone feared the cut of his tongue. Preferment never truly found him; he died in early manhood. Had he lived to frost his brows with age, who could say what heights or depths awaited him?

贊曰：晉陽、大夏，抱質懷文。蹈仁履義，咸會風雲。盧嬰貨殖，李厭囂氛。始終之操，清濁斯分。義深參贊，有謝忠勤。

The encomium says: Jinyang and Daxia — men who held to substance and carried culture in their hearts. They walked in benevolence and stood in righteousness, and all alike caught the storm when the age turned. Lu turned his hand to trade and profit; Li turned his face from the noise of a corrupt age. Constancy from beginning to end — here the clear and the muddy part ways. Yishen lent counsel and support, yet fell short of steadfast loyalty.

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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