1
孫搴陳元康杜弼
Sun Cen; Chen Yuankang; Du Bi
2
孫搴,字彥舉,樂安人也。 少厲志勤學,自檢校御史再遷國子助教。 太保崔光引修國史,頻歷行臺郎,以文才著稱。 崔祖螭反,搴預焉,逃於王元景家,遇赦乃出。 孫騰以宗情薦之,未被知也。
Sun Cen, styled Yanju, came from Le'an. As a youth he disciplined himself in study. From investigating censor he rose to assistant instructor at the National University. Grand Guardian Cui Guang put him to work on the national history. He served repeatedly as mobile headquarters gentleman and won renown for his writing. When Cui Zuchidi rose in rebellion, Cen had been implicated. He hid in Wang Yuanjing's home and emerged only after an amnesty. Sun Teng recommended him as a clansman, yet he went unnoticed.
3
會高祖西討,登風陵,命中外府司馬李義深、相府城局李士略共作檄文,二人皆辭,請以搴自代。 高祖引搴入帳,自為吹火,催促之。 搴援筆立成,其文甚美。 高祖大悅,即署相府主簿,專典文筆。 又能通鮮卑語,兼宣傳號令。 當煩劇之任,大見賞重。 賜妻韋氏,既士人子女,又兼色貌,時人榮之。 尋除左光祿大夫,常領主簿。
When Gao Huan marched west and climbed Fengling, he ordered Li Yishen of the central and outer offices and Li Shilue of the headquarters city bureau to draft a proclamation together. Both declined and asked that Cen take their place. Gao Huan brought Cen into the tent, blew the fire himself, and urged him to write. Cen took up the brush and finished on the spot; the prose was excellent. Gao Huan was delighted and immediately made him chief clerk of the headquarters, put exclusively in charge of correspondence. He also knew Xianbei and helped relay commands. Given the heaviest duties, he was held in exceptional regard. He was given Lady Wei in marriage — a gentleman's daughter, and beautiful besides; contemporaries envied him. Soon he was made left grand master for splendid happiness while continuing as chief clerk.
4
世宗初欲之鄴,總知朝政,高祖以其年少未許。 搴為致言,乃果行。 恃此自乞特進,世宗但加散騎常侍。 時又大括燕、恒、雲、朔、顯、蔚、二夏州、高平、平涼之民以為軍士,逃隱者身及主人、三長、守令罪以大辟,沒入其家。 於是所獲甚衆,搴之計也。
When Gao Cheng first wanted to go to Ye to direct government, Gao Huan would not allow it — he was still too young. Cen spoke up for him, and the plan went ahead. He traded on this favor and asked for extraordinary promotion; Gao Cheng only added the title irregular attendant cavalier. Another mass levy then swept the people of Yan, Heng, Yun, Shuo, Xian, Yu, the two Xia provinces, Gaoping, and Pingliang into the ranks. Anyone who hid — together with his landlord, the three heads of household organization, and local magistrates — faced execution and confiscation of the family property. The haul was enormous; the scheme was Cen's.
5
搴學淺而行薄,邢邵嘗謂之曰:「更須讀書。」 搴曰:「我精騎三千,足敵君羸卒數萬。」 嘗服棘刺丸,李諧等調之曰:「卿棘刺應自足,何假外求。」 坐者皆笑。 司馬子如與高季式召搴飲酒,醉甚而卒,時年五十二。 高祖親臨之。 子如叩頭請罪,高祖曰:「折我右臂,仰覓好替還我。」 子如舉魏收、季式舉陳元康,以繼搴焉。 贈儀同三司、吏部尚書、青州刺史。
Cen's learning was shallow and his conduct thin. Xing Shao once told him, "You need to read more." Cen replied, "My three thousand picked horsemen are enough to match your tens of thousands of worn-out foot soldiers." He once took thorn-pill medicine. Li He and others teased him, "Your thorns ought to be enough on their own — why look elsewhere?" Those present all laughed. Sima Ziru and Gao Jishi invited Cen to drink; he drank himself to death, aged fifty-two. Gao Huan came in person to mourn him. Ziru kowtowed asking forgiveness. Gao Huan said, "You have broken my right arm — find me a good replacement and give him back." Ziru recommended Wei Shou; Jishi recommended Chen Yuankang to succeed Cen. Posthumously granted equal in protocol to three imperators, minister of personnel, and inspector of Qing Province.
6
高祖經綸大業,軍務煩廣,元康承受意旨,甚濟速用。 性又柔謹,通解世事。 高祖嘗怒世宗,於內親加毆蹋,極口罵之。 出以告元康,元康諫曰:「王教訓世子,自有禮法,儀刑式瞻,豈宜至是。」 言辭懇懇,至于流涕。 高祖從此為之懲忿。 時或恚撻,輒曰:「勿使元康知之。」 其敬憚如此。 高仲密之叛,高祖知其由崔暹故也,將殺暹。 世宗匿而為之諫請。 高祖曰:「我為舍其命,須與苦手。」 世宗乃出暹而謂元康曰:「卿若使崔得杖,無相見也。」 暹在廷,解衣將受罰,元康趨入,歷階而升,且言曰:「王方以天下付大將軍,有一崔暹不能容忍耶?」 高祖從而宥焉。 世宗入輔京室,崔暹、崔季舒、崔昂等並被任使,張亮、張徽纂並高祖所待遇,然委任皆出元康之下。 時人語曰:「三崔二張,不如一康。」 魏尚書僕射范陽盧道虔女為右衛將軍郭瓊子婦,瓊以死罪沒官,高祖啟以賜元康為妻,元康乃棄故婦李氏,識者非之。 元康便辟善事人,希顏候意,多有進舉,而不能平心處物,溺於財利,受納金帛,不可勝紀,放責交易,遍於州郡,為清論所譏。
While Gao Huan built his great enterprise amid heavy military burdens, Yuankang carried out his intent and kept affairs moving fast. Gentle and careful by nature, he understood how things worked in practice. Gao Huan once flew into a rage at Gao Cheng and, in the inner quarters, beat and kicked him while cursing him without restraint. When he came out he told Yuankang. Yuankang remonstrated, "In teaching the heir there are proper ritual norms — conduct others should look up to. How can it go this far? His words were earnest, even to tears. From that time Gao Huan checked his anger. When he still lashed out in anger, he would say, "Do not let Yuankang know." Such was the regard and restraint he inspired. When Gao Zhongmi rebelled, Gao Huan knew Cui Xuan was the cause and meant to kill him. Gao Cheng hid him and pleaded on his behalf. Gao Huan said, "To spare his life I must still lay on a hard beating." Gao Cheng then brought Xuan out and told Yuankang, "If you let Cui be beaten, we are done with each other." Xuan stood in court stripping off his robe to take punishment. Yuankang rushed in, mounting the steps in haste, and said, "My lord is about to entrust the realm to the great general — can you not tolerate one Cui Xuan?" Gao Huan followed this and pardoned him. When Gao Cheng entered the capital to direct affairs, Cui Xuan, Cui Jishu, Cui Ang, and others were all employed; Zhang Liang and Zhang Huizuan were both men Gao Huan favored — yet every appointment still ranked below Yuankang. People said at the time, "The three Cuis and two Zhangs are not the equal of one Kang." Wei vice director of the masters of writing Lu Daovan of Fanyang had a daughter married to the son of Right Guards General Guo Qiong. Qiong was condemned to death and his property seized; Gao Huan memorialized to give the woman to Yuankang as wife. Yuankang abandoned his former wife, Lady Li — and men of judgment condemned him. Yuankang was skilled at winning favor, reading faces and awaiting intent. He pushed many promotions, yet could not judge fairly, drowning in profit — taking bribes beyond counting, lending at interest and trading across commanderies and counties — and was censured by men of pure judgment.
7
從高祖破周文帝於邙山,大會諸將,議進退之策。 咸以為野無青草,人馬疲瘦,不可遠追。 元康曰:「兩雄交戰,歲月已久,今得大捷,便是天授,時不可失,必須乘勝追之。」 高祖曰:「若遇伏兵,孤何以濟? 「元康曰:「王前涉沙苑還軍,彼尚無伏,今奔敗若此,何能遠謀。 若捨而不追,必成後患。」 高祖竟不從。 以功封安平縣子,邑三百戶。 尋除平南將軍、通直常侍,轉大行臺郎中,徙右丞。 及高祖疾篤,謂世宗曰:「邙山之戰,不用元康之言,方貽汝患。 以此為恨,死不瞑目。」 高祖崩,秘不發喪,唯元康知之。
After Gao Huan defeated Yuwen Tai of Western Wei at Mount Mang, he convened the generals to debate whether to advance or withdraw. All held that the countryside had no fresh forage, men and horses were exhausted, and distant pursuit was impossible. Yuankang said, "Two great rivals have fought for months. To win such a victory now is heaven's gift — the moment must not be lost. We must press the pursuit. Gao Huan said, "If we meet ambush, how shall I get through? " Yuankang said, "When you before crossed Shazhi and withdrew, they still laid no ambush. Now they flee in rout like this — how can they plan far ahead? If you let them go and do not pursue, it will surely breed later trouble." Gao Huan in the end did not follow his advice. For merit he was enfeoffed viscount of Anping with three hundred households. Soon he was made general who pacifies the south and regular palace attendant, transferred to gentleman of the great mobile headquarters, then moved to right vice director. When Gao Huan's illness grew grave, he told Gao Cheng, "At Mount Mang, not taking Yuankang's counsel — that is the trouble I leave you. With this as my regret, I shall die with eyes unclosed." When Gao Huan died, the death was kept secret and only Yuankang knew.
8
世宗嗣事,又見任待。 拜散騎常侍、中軍將軍,別封昌國縣公,邑一千戶。 侯景反,世宗逼於諸將,欲殺崔暹以謝之,密語元康。 元康諫曰:「今四海未清,綱紀已定,若以數將在外,茍悅其心,枉殺無辜,虧廢刑典,豈直上負天神,何以下安黎庶? 晁錯前事,願公慎之。」 世宗乃止。 高岳討侯景未克,世宗欲遣潘相樂副之。 元康曰:「相樂緩於機變,不如慕容紹宗,且先王有命,稱其堪敵侯景,公但推赤心於此人,則侯景不足憂也。」 是時紹宗在遠,世宗欲召見之,恐其驚叛。 元康曰:「紹宗知元康特蒙顧待,新使人來餉金,以致其誠款。 元康欲安其意,故受之而厚答其書。 保無異也。」 世宗乃任紹宗,遂以破景。 賞元康金五十斤。 王思政入潁城,諸將攻之不能拔,元康進計於世宗曰:「公匡輔朝政,未有殊功,雖敗侯景,本非外賊。 今潁城將陷,原公因而乘之,足以取威定業。」 世宗令元康馳驛觀之。 復命曰:「必可拔。」 世宗於是親征,既至而克,賞元康金百鋌。
Gao Cheng succeeded to power and again showed him trust and favor. He was appointed irregular attendant cavalier and general of the central army, and additionally enfeoffed duke of Changguo with one thousand households. When Hou Jing rebelled, Gao Cheng, pressed by the generals, wished to kill Cui Xuan to appease them and spoke of it secretly to Yuankang. Yuankang remonstrated, "The realm is not yet settled and the laws are in place. If, because several generals are in the field, you would please their hearts and wrongly kill the innocent, damaging the penal code — how does that only fail heaven above? How can you settle the people below? Chao Cuo's affair of old — I beg you to be cautious." Gao Cheng thereupon stopped. Gao Yue campaigned against Hou Jing without success; Gao Cheng wished to send Pan Xiangyue as deputy. Yuankang said, "Xiangyue is slow to adapt — Murong Shaozong is better. Moreover the former king left word that he could match Hou Jing. Place your full trust in this man and Hou Jing need not worry you. Shaozong was then far away; Gao Cheng wished to summon him but feared alarming him into rebellion. Yuankang said, "Shaozong knows I enjoy special favor. He has just sent a man with gold to show his sincere allegiance. I wished to set his mind at ease, so I accepted it and replied generously to his letter. He will surely not waver." Gao Cheng thereupon entrusted Shaozong, and thereby defeated Hou Jing. Yuankang was rewarded with fifty jin of gold. Wang Sizheng entered Ying city; the generals attacked but could not take it. Yuankang offered Gao Cheng a plan: "You assist court government yet have no outstanding achievement of your own. Though Hou Jing was defeated, he was never an outside enemy. Now Ying is about to fall — take advantage and go in person. That is enough to win prestige and settle your enterprise." Gao Cheng ordered Yuankang to ride post-horses and observe. On his return he reported, "It can certainly be taken." Gao Cheng thereupon campaigned in person; when he arrived the city fell, and Yuankang was rewarded with a hundred ingots of gold.
9
初,魏朝授世宗相國、齊王,世宗頻讓不受。 乃召諸將及元康等密議之,諸將皆勸世宗恭應朝命,元康以為未可。 又謂魏收曰:「觀諸人語,專欲誤王。 我向已啟王,受朝命,置官僚,元康叨忝或得黃門郎,但時事未可耳。」 崔暹因間之,薦陸元規為大行臺郎,欲以分元康權也。 元康既貪貨賄,世宗內漸嫌之,元康頗亦自懼。 又欲用為中書令,以閑地處之,事未施行。
Earlier the Wei court had offered Gao Cheng the posts of chancellor of state and Prince of Qi; he repeatedly declined. He then summoned the generals and Yuankang and others to deliberate in secret. The generals all urged Gao Cheng respectfully to accept the court command — Yuankang held it not yet possible. He also told Wei Shou, "Judging by what these men say, they mean only to mislead the prince. I have already told the prince to accept the court command and establish officials — I, unworthy, might obtain yellow gate gentleman — but the times are not yet right." Cui Xuan seized the chance to recommend Lu Yuangui as gentleman of the great mobile headquarters, intending to divide Yuankang's power. Because Yuankang was greedy for bribes, Gao Cheng inwardly came to dislike him; Yuankang too grew afraid. Gao Cheng also meant to make him director of the secretariat, a post that would sideline him — but the matter was not carried out.
10
屬世宗將受魏禪,元康與楊愔、崔季舒並在世宗坐,將大遷除朝士,共品藻之。 世宗家蒼頭奴蘭固成先掌廚膳,甚被寵昵。 先是,世宗杖之數十,吳人性躁,又恃舊恩,遂大忿恚,與其同事阿改謀害世宗。 阿改時事顯祖,常執刀隨從,云「若聞東齋叫聲」,即以加刃於顯祖。 是日值魏帝初建東宮,群官拜表。 事罷,顯祖出東止車門,別有所之,未還而難作。 固成因進食,置刀於盤下而殺世宗。 元康以身捍蔽,被刺傷重,至夜而終,時年四十三。 楊愔狼狽走出,季舒逃匿於廁,庫直紇奚舍樂捍賊死。 是時秘世宗兇問,故殯元康於宮中,托以出使南境,虛除中書令。 明年,乃詔曰:「元康識超往哲,才極時英,千仞莫窺,萬頃難測。 綜核戎政,彌綸霸道,草昧邵陵之謀,翼贊河陽之會,運籌定策,盡力盡心,進忠補過,亡家徇國,掃平逋寇,廓清荊楚,申、甫之在隆周,子房之處盛漢,曠世同規,殊年共美。 大業未融,山隤奄及,悼傷既切,宜崇茂典。 贈使持節、都督冀定瀛殷滄五州諸軍事、驃騎大將軍、司空公、冀州刺史,追封武邑縣一千戶,舊封並如故,諡曰文穆。 賻物一千二百段。 大鴻臚監喪事。 兇禮所須,隨由公給。」 元康母李氏,元康卒後,哀感發病而終,贈廣宗郡君,諡曰貞昭。
When Gao Cheng was about to receive the Wei abdication, Yuankang sat with Yang Yin and Cui Jishu in his presence, about to make great transfers and dismissals of court gentlemen, jointly appraising candidates. Gao Cheng's household bondservant Lan Gucheng had earlier run the kitchen and was greatly favored. Earlier Gao Cheng had beaten him several dozen times. A Wu man by nature impetuous, and again relying on old favor, he grew greatly resentful and with his colleague A Gai plotted to kill Gao Cheng. A Gai then served Gao Yang, always carrying a knife in attendance, saying, "If you hear shouting from the Eastern Studio," then turn the blade on Gao Yang. That day the Wei emperor had just established the Eastern Palace and officials were submitting congratulatory memorials. When the ceremony ended, Gao Yang went out the Eastern Stop Chariot Gate, bound elsewhere; before he returned the attack began. Gucheng then came in with food, set a knife beneath the tray, and killed Gao Cheng. Yuankang shielded him with his body; stabbed, gravely wounded, he died that night, aged forty-three. Yang Yin fled in disarray; Jishu hid in the privy; warehouse attendant Hexi Shele died fighting the assailants. Gao Cheng's death was then kept secret; Yuankang was buried in the palace, pretended to have been sent on mission to the southern border, and fictitiously appointed director of the secretariat. The next year an edict said, "Yuankang's insight surpassed the sages of old and his talent the flower of the age — a thousand fathoms none could peer into, ten thousand acres none could fathom. He examined military government and sustained hegemonic rule, drafted plans at Shaoling's founding and aided at the Henei assembly, devised strategy with all his heart, advanced loyalty and repaired faults, abandoned family and died for the state, swept away fleeing bandits and cleared Jing-Chu — like Shen and Fu in elevated Zhou, like Zifang in flourishing Han: the same measure across ages, the same praise across different years. The great enterprise was not yet complete when the mountain suddenly collapsed — grief being so keen, it is fitting to honor him with a rich canon. Posthumously granted bearer of the staff, supervisor of military affairs in Ji, Ding, Ying, Yin, and Cang provinces, grand general of agile cavalry, duke of the works, and inspector of Ji Province; posthumously enfeoffed Wuyi County with one thousand households, the former fief remaining as before — posthumous title Wemu. Funeral goods: one thousand two hundred lengths of silk. The grand master of splendid happiness supervised the funeral. Whatever the funeral required was to be supplied from public funds." Yuan Kang's mother, Lady Li, after his death grieved herself into illness and died; she was posthumously granted Lady of Guangzong commandery with the posthumous title Zhenzhao.
11
元康子善藏,溫雅有鑒裁,武平末,假儀同三司、給事黃門侍郎。 隋開皇中,尚書禮部侍郎。 大業初,卒於彭城郡贊治。
Yuan Kang's son Shancang was mild and elegant, with a keen eye for men; at the end of Wuping he held acting insignia equal to three masters of ceremonies and served as attendant of the yellow gate. Under Sui, in the Kaihuang era, he was vice director of the ministry of rites. Early in Daye he died while serving as superintendent of Pengcheng commandery.
12
元康弟諶,官至大鴻臚。 次季璩,鉅鹿太守,轉冀州別駕。 平秦王歸彥反,季璩守節不從,因而遇害。 贈衛尉卿、趙州刺史。
Yuan Kang's younger brother Chen rose to grand messenger. Next came Ji Zhuan, grand administrator of Julu, then aide-de-camp of Ji Province. When the Prince of Ping'an Wang Guiyan rebelled, Ji Zhuan held to his integrity and refused to join him, and was killed for it. He was posthumously granted commandant of the guards and governor of Zhao Province.
13
杜弼,字輔玄,中山曲陽人也,小字輔國。 自序云,本京兆杜陵人,九世祖驁,晉散騎常侍,因使沒趙,遂家焉。 祖彥衡,淮南太守。 父慈度,繁畤令。 弼幼聰敏,家貧無書,年十二,寄郡學受業,講授之祭,師每奇之。 同郡甄琛為定州長史,簡試諸生,見而策問,義解閑明,應答如響,大為琛所嘆異。 其子寬與弼為友。 州牧任城王澄聞而召問,深相嗟賞,許以王佐之才。 澄、琛還洛,稱之於朝,丞相高陽王等多相招命。 延昌中,以軍功起家,除廣武將軍、恒州征虜府墨曹參軍,典管記。 弼長於筆札,每為時輩所推。
Du Bi, styled Fuxuan, came from Quyang in Zhongshan; his childhood name was Fuguo. In his own preface he said he was originally from Dulang in Jingzhao; his ninth-generation ancestor Ao had been Jin attendant cavalry regular and, on a mission, was stranded in Zhao and settled there. His grandfather Yanheng had been grand administrator of Huainan. His father Cidu had been magistrate of Fanzhi. From youth Bi was clever; the family was poor and owned no books; at twelve he lodged at the district school. At the sacrificial rites of instruction his teachers always marveled at him. His fellow townsman Zhen Chen was long secretary of Ding Province; he selected and tested students, saw Bi, and questioned him. Bi's explanations were clear and his answers came like echoes; Chen was greatly struck by him. Chen's son Kuan became Bi's friend. Provincial governor Prince of Rencheng Cheng heard of him and summoned him for questioning, praised him deeply, and declared him fit to serve a king's right hand. Cheng and Chen returned to Luoyang and praised him at court; the chancellor Prince of Gaoyang and others repeatedly sought him out. In the Yan Chang era he entered service through military merit as general of Guangwu and clerk in the ink office of Hengzhou's expeditionary command, where he managed records. Bi excelled at documents and was always recommended by his contemporaries.
14
孝昌初,除太學博士,帶廣陽王驃騎府法曹行參軍,行臺度支郎中。 還,除光州曲城令。 為政清靜,務盡仁恕,詞訟止息,遠近稱之。 時天下多難,盜賊充斥,徵召兵役,途多亡叛,朝廷患之。 乃令兵人所齎戎具,道別車載; 又令縣令自送軍所。 時光州發兵,弼送所部達北海郡,州兵一時散亡,唯弼所送不動。 他境叛兵,並來攻劫,欲與同去。 弼率所領親兵格鬭,終莫肯從,遂得俱達軍所。 軍司崔鐘以狀上聞。 其得人心如此。 普泰中,吏曹下訪守令尤異,弼已代還,東萊太守王昕以弼應訪。 弼父在鄉,為賊所害,弼行喪六年。 以常調除御史,加前將軍、太中大夫,領內正字。 臺中彈奏,皆弼所為。 諸御史出使所上文簿,委弼覆察,然後施行。
Early in Xiao Chang he was made erudite of the Imperial Academy, concurrently acting legal clerk in the Prince of Guangyang's rapid-cavalry office, and chief of the traveling staff's income-and-expenditure section. On returning he was made magistrate of Qucheng in Guang Province. His government was quiet and clean; he strove for humanity and clemency; lawsuits ceased, and he was praised near and far. The age was full of troubles and bandits were everywhere; when troops were conscripted many fled or rebelled on the roads, and the court was troubled. Soldiers were therefore ordered to carry their own gear, with separate carts transporting it along the road; magistrates were also ordered to escort their men personally to the army camp. When Guang Province sent troops, Bi escorted his district as far as Beihai commandery; the provincial soldiers scattered at once, but only the men Bi escorted held firm. Rebel soldiers from other districts came to attack and rob them, urging them to flee together. Bi led his personal troops to fight; in the end none would join the rebels, and they all reached the army camp together. Army clerk Cui Zhong reported the matter upward. Such was his hold on men's hearts. In Pu Tai the personnel bureau sought outstanding magistrates; Bi had already left office and returned home, and Donglai grand administrator Wang Xin nominated him in response. Bi's father was in the district and was killed by bandits; Bi observed mourning for six years. Through regular assignment he was made censor, with the added titles forward general and grand master for splendid happiness, and headed the bureau's internal rectifier of characters. All impeachments in the bureau were Bi's work. Memorial documents submitted by censors on missions were entrusted to Bi for review before they were implemented.
15
遷中軍將軍、北豫州、驃騎大將軍府司馬。 未之官,儀同竇泰總戎西伐,詔弼為泰監軍。 及泰失利自殺,弼與其徒六人走還,陜州刺史劉貴鎖送晉陽。 高祖詰之曰:「竇中尉此行,吾前具有法用,乃違吾語,自取敗亡。 爾何由不一言諫爭也?」 弼對曰:「刀筆小生,唯文墨薄技,便宜之事,議所不及。」 高祖益怒。 賴房謨諫而獲免。 左遷下灌鎮司馬。
He was promoted to general of the central army and staff major in the Northern Yu Province rapid-cavalry grand general's office. Before he took office, Dou Tai, equal in insignia, commanded the western campaign, and an edict made Bi his supervising army officer. When Tai was defeated and killed himself, Bi fled back with six of his men; the governor of Shan Province, Liu Gui, shackled and sent them to Jinyang. Gao Huan interrogated him, saying, "Commandant Dou on this expedition — I had already laid down how he was to act, yet he disobeyed my words and brought defeat on himself. Why did you not speak a single word in remonstrance?" Bi replied, "A petty clerk with brush and knife, with only slight skill in letters — on matters of convenience debate was not within my reach." Gao Huan grew angrier. Thanks to Fang Mo's remonstrance he was spared. He was demoted to staff major at Xia Guan garrison.
16
元象初,高祖徵弼為大丞相府法曹行參軍,署記室事,轉大行臺郎中,尋加鎮南將軍。 高祖又引弼典掌機密,甚見信待。 或有造次不及書教,直付空紙,即令宣讀。 弼嘗承間密勸高祖受魏禪,高祖舉杖擊走之。 相府法曹辛子炎諮事,云須取署,子炎讀「署」為「樹」。 高祖大怒曰:「小人都不知避人家諱!」 杖之於前。 弼進曰:「《禮》,二名不偏諱,孔子言『征』不言『在』,言『在』不言『征』。 子炎之罪,理或可恕。」 高祖罵之曰:「眼看人瞋,乃復牽經引《禮》!」 叱令出去。 弼行十步許,呼還,子炎亦蒙釋宥。 世子在京聞之,語楊愔曰:「王左右賴有此人方正,庶天下皆蒙其利,豈獨吾家也。」
Early in Yuanxiang Gao Huan summoned Bi as acting legal clerk in the great chancellor's office, assigned him to secretariat duties, made him chief of the great traveling staff, and soon added general who pacifies the south. Gao Huan also brought Bi in to manage secrets and greatly trusted him. Sometimes when hurried there was no time for a written instruction; he would hand Bi blank paper and order him to read aloud at once. Bi once seized a private moment to urge Gao Huan to accept the Wei abdication; Gao Huan raised his staff and drove him off. Chancellery legal clerk Xin Ziyan, on a consultation matter, said they must take the signature; Ziyan read shu (signature) as shu (tree). Gao Huan raged, "The little man does not even know to avoid another's taboo name!" He had him beaten before the assembly. Bi advanced, "In the Rites, when there are two names one does not avoid half of either; Confucius speaking of Zheng would not say Zai, and speaking of Zai would not say Zheng. Ziyan's crime, by reason, might be forgiven." Gao Huan cursed him, "Seeing a man angry, you still drag in the classics and cite the Rites!" He ordered him out with a shout. Bi had gone about ten paces when he was called back; Ziyan also received release and forgiveness. The heir apparent in the capital heard of it and said to Yang Yin, "At the king's side we rely on this man's uprightness; perhaps all under heaven will benefit, not our house alone."
17
弼以文武在位,罕有廉潔,言之於高祖。 高祖曰:「弼來,我語爾。 天下濁亂,習俗已久。 今督將家屬多在關西,黑獺常相招誘,人情去留未定。 江東復有一吳兒老翁蕭衍者,專事衣冠禮樂,中原士大夫望之以為正朔所在。 我若急作法網,不相饒借,恐督將盡投黑獺,士子悉奔蕭衍,則人物流散,何以為國? 爾宜少待,吾不忘之。」 及將有沙苑之役,弼又請先除內賊,卻討外寇。 高祖問內賊是誰。 弼曰:「諸勳貴掠奪萬民者皆是。」 高祖不答,因令軍人皆張弓挾矢,舉刀按矟以夾道,使弼冒出其間,曰:「必無傷也。」 弼戰慄汗流。 高祖然後喻之曰:「箭雖注,不射,刀雖舉,不擊,矟雖按,不刺,爾猶頓喪魂膽。 諸勳人身觸鋒刃,百死一生,縱其貪鄙,所取處大,不可同之循常例也。」 弼于時大恐,因頓顙謝曰:「愚癡無智,不識至理,今蒙開曉,始見聖達之心。」
Because civil and military officials in office rarely had integrity, Bi spoke of it to Gao Huan. Gao Huan said, "Bi, come — I will speak to you. All under heaven is turbid and chaotic; the custom is long-standing. Now the supervisors' and generals' families are mostly in Guanxi; Hei La often invites and entices them, and men's hearts whether to stay or go are unsettled. In Jiangdong there is again an old Wu fellow, Xiao Yan, who devotes himself to caps and robes, rites and music; Central Plain scholars look to him as where the true calendar lies. If I hastily make a net of law and show no forbearance, I fear the supervisors and generals will all go to Hei La and the scholars all flee to Xiao Yan — then people scatter; how can there be a state? You should wait a little; I do not forget this." When the Sha Yuan campaign was about to begin, Bi again asked to remove the inner traitors first, then strike the outer enemies. Gao Huan asked who the inner traitors were. Bi said, "All the meritorious nobles who plunder the myriad people." Gao Huan did not answer; he then ordered soldiers to draw bows with arrows nocked, raise knives, and press spears along the road, made Bi pass through among them, and said, "Surely there will be no harm." Bi trembled in fear, sweat streaming. Gao Huan then explained, "Though arrows are aimed they will not shoot; though knives are raised they will not strike; though spears are pressed they will not stab — yet you still lose soul and gall utterly. The meritorious men touch sharp edges with their bodies — a hundred deaths, one life; even if their greed is base, what they take is great; they cannot be treated by the usual rule." Bi was then greatly afraid; bowing his forehead he thanked him, "Foolish and without wisdom, not knowing the ultimate principle; now, enlightened, I first see the sage and penetrating mind."
18
後從高祖破西魏於邙山,命為露布,弼手即書絹,曾不起草。 以功賜爵定陽縣男,邑二百戶,加通直散騎常侍、中軍將軍。 奉使詣闕,魏帝見之於九龍殿,曰:「朕始讀《莊子》,便值秦名,定是體道得真,玄同齊物。 聞卿精學,聊有所問。 經中佛性、法性為一為異?」 弼對曰:「佛性法性,止是一理。」 詔又問曰:「佛性既非法性,何得為一?」 對曰:「性無不在,故不說二。」 詔又問曰:「說者皆言法性寬,佛性狹,寬狹既別,非二如何?」 弼又對曰:「在寬成寬,在狹成狹,若論性體,非寬非狹。」 詔問曰:「既言成寬成狹,何得非寬非狹? 若定是狹,亦不能成寬。」 對曰:「以非寬狹,故能成寬狹,寬狹所成雖異,能成恒一。」 上悅稱善。 乃引入經書庫,賜《地持經》一部,帛一百匹。 平陽公淹為幷州刺史,高祖又命弼帶幷州驃騎府長史。
Later, following Gao Huan, he defeated Western Wei at Mount Mang; ordered to compose the victory bulletin, Bi wrote on silk at once by hand without ever drafting first. For merit he was enfeoffed baron of Dingyang county with a fief of two hundred households and was added direct attendant cavalry regular and central army general. On mission to the court the Wei emperor received him in the Hall of Nine Dragons and said, "When I first read the Zhuangzi I encountered the name of Qin; surely you embody the Way and attain the true, mystery same and all things equal. Hearing you are skilled in learning, I have a question. In the sutras, are Buddha-nature and dharma-nature one or different?" Bi replied, "Buddha-nature and dharma-nature are only one principle." The emperor again asked, "If Buddha-nature is already not dharma-nature, how can they be one?" He replied, "Nature is nowhere not present; therefore one does not speak of two." The emperor again asked, "Speakers all say dharma-nature is broad and Buddha-nature narrow; broad and narrow are already distinct — if not two, how?" Bi again replied, "In the broad it becomes broad, in the narrow it becomes narrow; if one discusses the substance of nature, it is neither broad nor narrow." The emperor asked, "Since you say it becomes broad and becomes narrow, how can it be neither broad nor narrow? If fixed as narrow, it also cannot become broad." He replied, "Because it is not broad or narrow, therefore it can become broad or narrow; what broad and narrow become may differ, but what can become is constantly one." The emperor was pleased and praised it as good. He then led him into the sutra library and granted one copy of the Dizhi Sutra and one hundred bolts of silk. Prince of Pingyang Yan was governor of Bing Province; Gao Huan also ordered Bi to serve concurrently as chief clerk of Bing's rapid-cavalry office.
19
弼性好名理,探味玄宗,自在軍旅,帶經從役。 註老子《道德經》二卷,表上之曰:「臣聞乘風理弋,追逸羽於高雲; 臨波命鉤,引沈鱗於大壑。 茍得其道,為工其事,在物既爾,理亦固然。 竊惟《道》、《德》二經,闡明幽極,旨冥動寂,用周凡聖。 論行也,清凈柔弱,語跡也成功致治。 實衆流之江海,乃群藝之本根。 臣少覽經書,偏所篤好,雖從役軍府,而不舍遊息。 鉆味既久,斐斖如有所見,比之前註,微謂異於舊說。 情發於中而彰諸外,輕以管窺,遂成穿鑿。 無取於遊刃,有慚於運斤。 不足破秋毫之論,何以解連環之結。 本欲止於門內,貽厥童蒙,兼以近資愚鄙,私備忘闕。 不悟姑射凝神,汾陽流照,蓋高之聽卑,邇言在察。 春末奉旨,猥蒙垂誘,今上所註《老子》,謹冒封呈,並序如別。」 詔答云:「李君遊神冥窅,獨觀恍惚,玄同造化,宗羣極群有。 從中被外,周應可以裁成; 自己及物,運行可以資用。 隆家寧國,義屬斯文。 卿才思優洽,業尚通遠,息棲儒門,馳騁玄肆,既啟專家之學,且暢釋老之言。 戶列門張,途通徑達,理事兼申,能用俱表,彼賢所未悟,遺老所未聞,旨極精微,言窮深妙。 朕有味二經,倦於舊說,歷覽新註,所得已多,嘉尚之來,良非一緒。 已勑殺青編,藏之延閣。」 又上一本於高祖,一本於世宗。
By nature Bi loved subtle principle and tasted the profundities of the Way; from his time in the army he carried sutras on campaign. He annotated Laozi's Daode Jing in two juan and memorialized, "Your servant has heard that riding the wind one adjusts the arrow and pursues swift feathers in high clouds; standing by the wave one commands the hook and draws submerged scales from the great abyss. If one obtains its Way one masters the work; in things it is so, in principle likewise naturally so. I venture to consider the two classics Dao and De — they illuminate the dark utmost; their purport is dark in motion and stillness; their use pervades common and sage. Speaking of practice: pure, quiet, soft and yielding; speaking of traces: success and achieving order. Truly the Yangtze and sea among all streams, the root of all arts. Your servant from youth browsed sutras and was especially devoted; though serving in the army office he did not abandon leisure pursuit. Drilling into the flavor long, patterns emerged as if he had insight; compared with earlier commentaries he slightly judged them different from the old doctrine. Feeling arising within and manifesting without, lightly using a tube to peer, he thus produced forced interpretation. No borrowing from the roaming blade; shame before the wielding axe. If the reasoning cannot match the finest hair-splitting, how can it loosen the linked rings? I had meant to keep this within my own household, to leave it for children at their first lessons, and also to shore up my own dullness nearby, privately filling gaps in what I remembered. I did not grasp that on Mount Guye the spirit gathers, that Fenyang sends down its light — the lofty hears the humble, and what is said close at hand must be scrutinized. Late in spring I received the edict and was graciously encouraged; the present sovereign's commentary on the Laozi — I respectfully present it sealed, with a preface submitted separately." The edict replied: "Master Li roams the spirit in the dark void, alone contemplates the dim and vague, is mysteriously one with creation, and takes the multitude of beings as his end. From within reaching outward, a comprehensive response can shape and complete; from the self to things, operation can supply what is needed. To exalt the house and settle the realm — that meaning belongs to this learning. Your talent and thought are excellent and thorough; your pursuits are lofty and far-reaching. You rested in the Confucian gate and ranged through the Daoist hall — you have both opened a school of your own and made plain the teachings of Buddhism and Laozi. Households arrayed, gates open; paths connected, routes direct — principle and affairs both set forth, ability and use both shown. What those worthies had not grasped, what old recluses had not heard — the aim is utmost subtlety, the words exhaust depth and wonder. We relish the two classics and are weary of old explanations; having reviewed new commentaries, our gain is already great — the esteem we feel does not spring from one cause alone. We have already ordered it bound in green silk and stored in the Yan Pavilion." He also presented one copy to Gao Huan and one to Shizong.
20
武定中,遷衛尉卿。 會梁遣貞陽侯蕭明等入寇彭城,大都督高岳、行臺慕容紹宗率諸軍討之,詔弼為軍司,攝行臺左丞。 臨發,世宗賜胡馬一匹,語弼曰:「此廄中第二馬,孤恒自乘騎,今方遠別,聊以為贈。」 又令陳政務之要可為鑒戒者,錄一兩條。 弼請口陳曰:「天下大務,莫過賞罰二端,賞一人使天下人喜,罰一人使天下人服。 但能二事得中,自然盡美。」 世宗大悅曰:「言雖不多,於理甚要。」 握手而別。 破蕭明於寒山,別與領軍潘樂攻拔梁潼州,仍與岳等撫軍恤民,合境傾賴。
In the Wuding era he was promoted to commandant of the guards. When Liang sent the Marquis of Zhenyang, Xiao Ming, and others to invade Pengcheng, Grand Commander Gao Yue and expeditionary commander Murong Shaozong led the armies against them; an edict appointed Bi army adjutant and acting left director of the expeditionary secretariat. Before he set out, Shizong gave him a Hu horse and said to Bi, "This is the second horse in the stable; I always ride it myself. Now that we part for a distant campaign, I offer it to you in passing." He also ordered him to set down one or two points of important administration that could serve as mirrors and warnings. Bi asked to state them orally: "Under Heaven's great tasks, nothing surpasses reward and punishment; reward one man and all under Heaven rejoice, punish one man and all under Heaven submit. If only these two are kept true, perfection follows of itself." Shizong was greatly pleased and said, "Your words are few, but in principle they matter greatly." They clasped hands and parted. They defeated Xiao Ming at Hanshan; separately, with army commander Pan Yue, Bi attacked and took Liang's Tong Prefecture, and still with Yue and the others comforted the troops and showed mercy to the people — the whole circuit leaned on them.
21
六年四月八日,魏帝集名僧於顯陽殿講說佛理,弼與吏部尚書楊愔、中書令邢邵、秘書監魏收等並侍法筵。 敕弼升師子座,當衆敷演。 昭玄都僧達及僧道順並緇林之英,問難鋒至,往復數十番,莫有能屈。 帝曰:「此賢若生孔門,則何如也?」
On the eighth day of the fourth month of the sixth year, the Wei emperor gathered famed monks at the Xianyang Hall to expound Buddhist doctrine; Bi, together with Minister of Personnel Yang Yin, Secretariat Director Xing Shao, Secretariat Supervisor Wei Shou, and others, all attended the dharma mat. An edict ordered Bi to ascend the lion seat and expound before the assembly. Zhaoxuan Director of Monks Da and the monk Daoshun, both eminent in the sangha, pressed questions like blades; back and forth for several dozen rounds, none could overcome him. The emperor said, "If this worthy had been born at Confucius's gate, then what?"
22
關中遣儀同王思政據潁州,太尉高岳等攻之。 弼行潁州事,攝行臺左丞。 時大軍在境,調輸多費,弼均其苦樂,公私兼舉,大為州民所稱。 潁州之平也,世宗曰:「卿試論王思政所以被擒。」 弼曰:「思政不察逆順之理,不識大小之形,不度強弱之勢,有此三蔽,宜其俘獲。」 世宗曰:「古有逆取順守,大吳困於小越,弱燕能破強齊。 卿之三義,何以自立? 「弼曰:「王若順而不大,大而不強,強而不順,於義或偏,得如聖旨。 今既兼備衆勝,鄙言可以還立。」 世宗曰:「凡欲持論,宜有定指,那得廣包衆理,欲以多端自固?」 弼曰:「大王威德,事兼衆美,義博故言博,非義外施言。」 世宗曰:「若爾,何故周年不下,孤來即拔?」 弼曰:「此蓋天意欲顯大王之功。」
Guanzhong sent Yitong Wang Sizheng to hold Ying Prefecture; Grand Marshal Gao Yue and others attacked him. Bi handled the affairs of Ying Prefecture and acted as left director of the expeditionary secretariat. At that time the great army was in the territory and levies cost dearly; Bi balanced hardship and ease, and both public and private interests were served — the people of the prefecture praised him greatly. When Ying Prefecture was pacified, Shizong said, "Tell me why Wang Sizheng was captured." Bi said, "Sizheng did not examine the principle of rebellion and obedience, did not know the forms of great and small, and did not measure the situation of strong and weak — with these three blind spots, capture was fitting." Shizong said, "In antiquity there was taking by rebellion and guarding by obedience; great Wu was trapped by small Yue, and weak Yan could break strong Qi. Your three points — how do they stand? " Bi said, "If a king is obedient but not great, great but not strong, or strong but not obedient, in principle he may be partial and would not match the sage's intent. Now that all victories are combined, my crude words can stand again." Shizong said, "In debate one ought to have a fixed aim — how can one wrap up every principle and try to secure oneself with many arguments?" Bi said, "Great King's prestige and virtue combine every excellence; meaning is broad, so words are broad — it is not piling words beyond the meaning." Shizong said, "If so, why was it not taken in a full year, yet when I came it fell at once?" Bi said, "This was surely Heaven's intent wanting to display Great King's merit."
23
顯祖引為兼長史,加衛將軍,轉中書令,仍長史。 進爵定陽縣侯,增邑通前五百戶。 弼志在匡贊,知無不為。 顯祖將受魏禪,自晉陽至平城都,命弼與司空司馬子如馳驛先入,觀察物情。 踐祚之後,敕命左右箱入柏閣。 以預定策之功,遷驃騎將軍、衛尉卿,別封長安縣伯。
Xianzu summoned him as concurrent chief administrator, added guard general, transferred him to secretariat director, and he still served as chief administrator. He was advanced in enfeoffment to marquis of Dingyang, with a fief combined with the previous grant reaching five hundred households. Bi's aim was to support and aid; there was nothing he knew of that he did not do. When Xianzu was about to receive the Wei abdication, traveling from Jinyang to the capital at Pingcheng, he ordered Bi and Sikong Sima Ziru's son Ziru to ride post-horses in advance and observe the people's feelings. After he took the throne, an edict ordered the left and right document boxes brought into the Cypress Pavilion. For merit in deciding policy, he was promoted to flying cavalry general and commandant of the guards, and was separately enfeoffed as baron of Chang'an.
24
嘗與邢卲扈從東山,共論名理。 邢以為人死還生,恐為蛇畫足。 弼答曰:「蓋謂人死歸無,非有能生之力。 然物之未生,本亦無也,無而能有,不以為疑,因前生後,何獨致怪?」 邢云:「聖人設教,本由勸獎,故懼以將來,理望各遂其性。」 弼曰:「聖人合德天地,齊信四時,言則為經,行則為法,而雲以虛示物,以詭勸民,將同魚腹之書,有異鑿楹之誥,安能使北辰降光,龍宮韞櫝。 就如所論,福果可以熔鑄性靈,弘獎風教,為益之大,莫極於斯。 此既真教,何謂非實?」 邢云:「死之言『澌』,精神盡也。」 弼曰:「此所言澌,如射箭盡,手中盡也。 《小雅》曰『無草不死』,《月令》又云『靡草死』,動植雖殊,亦此之類。 無情之卉,尚得還生,含靈之物,何妨再造。 若云草死猶有種在,則復人死亦有識。 識種不見,謂以為無者。 神之在形,亦非自矚,離朱之明不能睹。 雖孟軻觀眸,賢愚可察; 鐘生聽曲,山水呈狀。 乃神之工,豈神之質。 猶玉帛之非禮,鐘鼓之非樂,以此而推,義斯見矣。」 邢云:「季札言無不之,亦言散盡,若復聚而為物,不得言無不之也。」 弼曰:「骨肉下歸於土,魂氣則無不之,此乃形墜魂遊,往而非盡。 如鳥出巢,如蛇出穴。 由其尚有,故無所不之,若令無也,之將焉適? 延陵有察微之識,知其不隨於形; 仲尼發習禮之嘆,美其斯與形別。 若許以廓然,然則人皆季子。 不謂高論,執此為無。」 邢云:「神之在人,猶光之在燭,燭盡則光窮,人死則神滅。」 弼曰:「舊學前儒,每有斯語,群疑衆惑,咸由此起。 蓋辨之者未精,思之者不篤。 竊有末見,可以覈諸。 燭則因質生光,質大光亦大; 人則神不系於形,形小神不小。 故仲尼之智,必不短於長狄; 孟德之雄,乃遠奇於崔琰。 神之於形,亦猶君之有國。 國實君之所統,君非國之所生。 不與同生,孰云俱滅?』 邢云:「舍此適彼,生生恒在。 周、孔自應同莊周之鼓缶,和桑扈之循歌? 「弼曰:「共陰而息,尚有將別之悲; 窮轍以遊,亦與中途之嘆。 況曰聯體同氣,化為異物,稱情之服,何害於聖。」 邢云:「鷹化為鳩,鼠變為鴽,黃母為鱉,皆是生之類也。 類化而相生,猶光去此燭,復然彼燭。」 弼曰:「鷹未化為鳩,鳩則非有。 鼠既二有,何可兩立。 光去此燭,得燃彼燭,神去此形,亦託彼形,又何惑哉?」 邢云:「欲使土化為人,木生眼鼻,造化神明,不應如此。」 弼曰:「腐草為螢,老木為蠍,造化不能,誰其然也?」
Once, attending Xianzu on the Eastern Mountain together with Xing Shao, they discussed essential principles. Xing held that when a man dies he returns to life — he feared drawing feet on a snake. Bi replied, "Generally this means that when a man dies he returns to nothing and has no power to give life. Yet things not yet born originally had no existence either; from nothing can come being — this is not regarded as doubtful. From a prior life to a later life, why alone cause wonder?" Xing said, "The sages set up teaching fundamentally to encourage and reward; therefore they use fear of what is to come so that each may attain his nature as principle hopes." Bi said, "The sages combine virtue with Heaven and Earth and equal trust to the four seasons; their speech becomes the classic and their conduct becomes law — yet you say they use emptiness to show things and deceit to encourage the people. That would be like the book in the fish's belly and unlike the edict drilled into the pillar — how could the North Star send down its light and the dragon palace hold its casket? Just as in your discussion, reward and fruit can melt and cast the nature of the spirit and greatly encourage moral teaching — in benefit nothing surpasses this. This is true teaching; why call it unreal?" Xing said, "In speaking of death, 'si' means the spirit is exhausted." Bi said, "This 'si' is like an arrow shot to exhaustion — the hand is exhausted. The Xiaoya says 'no grass does not die,' and the Monthly Ordinances also says 'decaying grass dies' — plants that move and plants that stand differ, yet they belong to the same category. Unfeeling plants can still return to life; things that hold spirit — why should re-creation be hindered? If you say that when grass dies seed still remains within, then again when a man dies there is also consciousness. Seed and consciousness are not seen and are therefore called nonexistent. Spirit in the form is also not self-visible; even Li Zhu's brightness cannot see it. Though Mencius could examine the pupils, worthy and foolish could be distinguished; Zhong You, hearing music, made mountains and waters appear in form — yet these are the spirit's workmanship; how are they the spirit's substance? It is like jade and silk not being ritual, or bells and drums not being music; push from this and the meaning is seen." Xing said, "When Ji Zha said 'nothing does not go,' he also meant scattered exhaustion; if it gathers again to become a thing, one cannot say 'nothing does not go.'" Bi said, "Flesh and bone below return to earth, while soul and breath then have nowhere they do not go — this is the form fallen and the soul roaming; gone, yet not exhausted. It is like a bird leaving the nest or a snake leaving its hole. Because something still exists, there is nowhere it does not go; if you make it nothing, where would it go? Yanling had the knowledge to discern the subtle and knew that it does not follow the form; Confucius uttered a sigh at studying the rites and praised that it differs from the form. If you permit the broad and empty, then everyone would be Ji Zi. This is not called lofty discourse — to hold this as nothing." Xing said, "Spirit in a person is like light in a candle; when the candle is exhausted the light ends, and when the person dies the spirit perishes." Bi said, "The old learning and former Confucians repeat this saying; the crowd's doubts and the multitude's confusions all arise from this. Generally, those who discriminate are not refined and those who think are not earnest. I have a slight point not yet seen that can be verified thereby. A candle generates light because of its substance; the larger the substance, the larger the light. A person is not one whose spirit is tied to the form; the smaller the form, the spirit is not smaller. Thus Confucius's wisdom was certainly not shorter than the Long Di's; Cao Cao's heroism was far beyond Cui Yan's. Spirit to form is also like a lord having a state. The state is truly what the lord governs; the lord is not what the state gives birth to. Not born together — who says they perish together?" Xing said, "Leaving this and adapting to that — birth upon birth is always present. Should Zhou and Confucius not be the same as Zhuang Zhou drumming on a pot and harmonizing with Sanghu's following song? " Bi said, "Sharing shade and resting still has the sorrow of impending parting; driving an exhausted cart to roam also has the sigh of mid-journey. How much more when bodies joined and breath shared are transformed into different things — mourning suited to feeling; what harm to a sage?" Xing said, "A hawk transforms into a dove, a rat changes into a quail, and a yellow mother into a turtle — all are categories of birth. Categories transform yet give birth to one another, like light leaving this candle and again igniting that candle." Bi said, "Before the hawk has transformed into a dove, the dove does not exist. If the rat already has two existences, how can both stand? Light leaves this candle and can ignite that candle; spirit leaves this form and also entrusts itself to that form — again, what confusion?" Xing said, "To want earth to transform into a human and wood to grow eyes and a nose — creation's spirit ought not to be like this." Bi said, "Rotten grass becomes fireflies and old wood scorpions — creation cannot do it; who makes it so of itself?"
25
其後別與邢書云:「夫建言明理,宜出典證,而違孔背釋,獨為君子。 若不師聖,物各有心,馬首欲東,誰其能禦? 奚取於適衷,何貴於得一。 逸韻雖高,管見未喻。」 前後往復再三,邢邵理屈而止,文多不載。
Afterward he separately wrote Xing a letter saying, "In establishing words and clarifying principle, one ought to issue from canonical evidence; yet you turn your back on Confucius and Buddha and stand alone as a gentleman. If one does not take the sages as teachers, each thing has its own heart — if the horse's head wants east, who can resist? What is taken from hitting the center, and what is valued in obtaining the one? Elegant rhyme though high, narrow view not understood." Before and after, back and forth again and again three times; Xing Shao's argument gave way and he stopped — much of the text is not recorded.
26
又以本官行鄭州事,未發,為家客告弼謀反,收下獄,案治無實,久乃見原。 因此絕朝見。 復坐第二子廷尉監臺卿斷獄稽遲,與寺官俱為郎中封靜哲所訟。 事既上聞,顯祖發忿,遂徙弼臨海鎮。 時楚州人東方白額謀反,南北響應,臨海鎮為賊師張綽、潘天合等所攻,弼率厲城人,終得全固。 顯祖嘉之,勑行海州事,即所徙之州。 在州奏通陵道並韓信故道。 又於州東帶海而起長堰,外遏鹹潮,內引淡水。 勑並依行。 轉徐州刺史,未之任,又除膠州刺史。
Again, while still in his original post, he was ordered to handle affairs at Zhengzhou. Before he set out, a household retainer accused him of plotting rebellion. He was arrested and jailed; the inquiry found nothing, and only after a long while was he forgiven. After that he stopped coming to court. He was punished again when his second son Taiqing, as supervisory official of the court of the imperial clan, was slow in deciding cases, and he and the court officials were all impeached by langzhong Feng Jingzhe. When the matter reached the throne, Gao Yang flew into a rage and transferred Bi to Linhai garrison. At that time Dongfang Bai'e of Chuzhou rose in rebellion with echoes north and south. Linhai garrison was attacked by bandit leaders Zhang Chuo, Pan Tianhe, and others. Bi rallied the townspeople and in the end held the place secure. Gao Yang praised this and ordered him to administer Haizhou — the very province to which he had been sent. In the province he memorialized on Tongling road and the old Han Xin road. East of the province along the coast he also raised a long dike, holding back the salt tide outside and drawing fresh water within. Edicts approved all of it and it was carried out. He was transferred to inspector of Xuzhou; before he took up the post he was again made inspector of Jiaozhou.
27
弼儒雅寬恕,尤曉史職。 所在清潔,為吏民所懷。 耽好玄理,老而愈篤。 又註《莊子•惠施篇》、《易上下繫》,名《新註義苑》,並行於世。 弼性質直,前在霸朝,多所匡正。 及顯祖作相,致位僚首,初聞揖讓之議,猶有諫言。 顯祖嘗問弼云:「治國當用何人?」 對曰:「鮮卑車馬客,會須用中國人。」 顯祖以為此言譏我。 高德政居要,不能下之,乃於衆前面折云:「黃門在帝左右,何得聞善不驚,唯好減削抑挫!」 德政深以為恨,數言其短。 又令主書杜永珍密啟弼在長史日,受人請屬,大營婚嫁。 顯祖內銜之。 弼恃舊,仍有公事陳請。 十年夏,上因飲酒,積其愆失,遂遣就州斬之,時年六十九。 既而悔之,驛追不及。 長子蕤、第四子光,遠徙臨海鎮。 次子臺卿,先徙東豫州。 幹明初,並得還鄴。 天統五年,追贈弼使持節、揚郢二州軍事、開府儀同三司、尚書右僕射、揚州刺史,諡曰文肅。
Bi was refined and forgiving, and above all skilled in the historian's craft. Wherever he served he kept things clean, and officials and common people held him dear. He loved the profundities of the dark learning; in old age he grew only more devoted. He also annotated the "Hui Shi" chapter of the Zhuangzi and the upper and lower appendices of the Changes, under the title New Annotated Garden of Meanings, and both circulated in his day. Bi's nature was straight; in the hegemonic court he often set things right. When Gao Yang became chancellor and rose to head the staff, on first hearing talk of yielding the throne he still spoke against it. Gao Yang once asked Bi, "In governing a state, whom should one employ?" He replied, "For Xianbei chariot-and-horse men, one still must use Chinese men." Gao Yang took this as a jibe at himself. Gao Dezheng held a key post and could not bring himself below Bi; before the assembly he openly rebuked him: "Yellow Gate men stand at the emperor's side — how can they hear what is good and not be stirred, and only love to pare away and crush?" Dezheng nursed deep hatred and spoke of his faults again and again. He also had chief secretary Du Yongzhen secretly report that in Bi's days as chief clerk he took bribes and on a great scale staged marriage festivities. Gao Yang nursed it inwardly. Bi, trusting in old ties, still pressed official requests. In the summer of the tenth year the emperor, while drinking, piled up his faults and sent orders to execute him in his province; he was sixty-nine. Soon he regretted it and sent couriers in pursuit, but they could not catch up. His eldest son Rui and fourth son Guang were exiled far to Linhai garrison. His second son Taiqing had already been exiled to Eastern Yuzhou. At the opening of Ganming they were all allowed to return to Ye. In the fifth year of Tiantong, Bi was posthumously given bearer of the staff, command of Yang and E provinces, grand master equal in rank to the three dukes, right vice director of the masters of writing, and inspector of Yang Province, with posthumous title Wen Su.
28
蕤、臺卿,並有學業。 臺卿文筆尤工,見稱當世。 蕤字子美,武平中大理少卿,兼散騎常侍,聘陳使主。 末年,吏部郎中。 隋開皇中,終於開州刺史。 臺卿字少山,歷中書、黃門侍郎,兼大著作、修國史。 武平末,國子祭酒,領尚書左丞。 周武帝平齊,命尚書左僕射陽休之以下知名朝士十八人隨駕入關,蕤兄弟並不預此名。 臺卿後雖被徵,為其聾疾放歸。 隋開皇中,徵為著作郎,歲餘以年老致事,詔許之。 特優其禮,終身給祿,未幾而終。
Rui and Taiqing both had learning. Taiqing's brush was especially fine, and his own age praised him. Rui, styled Zimei, in Wuping was vice director of the court of judicature and concurrent regular attendant, and headed the mission to Chen. In his later years he was a langzhong in the ministry of personnel. Under Sui Kaihuang he ended his days as inspector of Kai Province. Taiqing, styled Shaoshan, served in turn as secretariat and Yellow Gate vice director, and concurrently as grand author and compiler of the national history. At the end of Wuping he was libationer of the imperial university and concurrently left vice director in the masters of writing. When Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified Qi, he ordered eighteen noted court scholars from Yang Xiuzhi, left vice director of the masters of writing, downward to follow the train into Guan; the Rui brothers were not on the list. Taiqing was later summoned, but because of deafness he was released and sent home. Under Sui Kaihuang he was summoned as author in the masters of writing; after a little more than a year, on account of age he retired, and an edict allowed it. His rites were especially favored; salary was granted for life, and before long he died.
29
史臣曰:孫搴便藩左右,處文墨之地,入幕未久,情義已深。 及倉卒致殞,高祖折我右臂,雖戎旌未卷,愛惜才子,不然何以成霸王之業。 太史公云:「非死者難,處死者難。」 「或重於太山,或輕於鴻毛。」 斯其義也。 元康以智能才幹,委質霸朝,綢繆帷幄,任寄為重。 及難無茍免,忘生殉義,可謂得其地焉。 楊愔自謂異行奇才,冠絕夷等,弒逆之際,趨而避之,是則非處死者難,死者亦難也。 顯祖弱齡藏器,未有朝臣所知,及北宮之難,以年次推重,故受終之議,時未之許焉。 杜弼識學甄明,發言讜正,禪代之際,先起異圖。 王怒未怠息,卒蒙顯戮。 直言多矣,能無及是者乎?
The historian writes: Sun Qian stood at the prince's side in the place of brush and ink; he had entered the staff not long, yet affection was already deep. When he suddenly died, Gao Huan said he had broken his right arm — though the banners of war had not yet been furled, he cherished men of talent; otherwise how could one achieve a hegemon's work. The Grand Historian said: "It is not dying that is hard; it is facing death that is hard." Some weigh heavier than Mount Tai; some are lighter than a goose feather." Such is the meaning. Yuankang, with intelligence and talent, gave himself to the hegemonic court, intimate in the command tent, with weighty trust. At the crisis he did not seek escape; he forgot life and followed righteousness — one may say he met his place. Yang Yin thought himself of unusual conduct and talent above the barbarian ranks; at the regicide he rushed to flee — so it is not that facing death is hard; dying is hard too. Gao Yang in youth concealed his gifts; no court minister knew him. At the crisis of the Northern Palace, by order of age he was pressed forward — so the succession was not yet accepted at the time. Du Bi's learning was discerning and clear; his speech was upright counsel. At the abdication he was first to raise a different plan. The king's anger had not yet cooled when he at last suffered open execution. Straight words were many — who could avoid coming to this?
30
贊曰:彥舉驅馳,才高行诐。 元康忠勇,舍生存義。 卬卬輔玄,思極談天,道亡時晦,身沒名全。
The encomium says: Yanjun galloping — talent high, conduct crooked. Yuankang loyal and brave — he gave up life and kept righteousness. Lofty Fuxuan — thought reached talk of heaven; the Way was lost, the times dark; body destroyed, name whole.
31
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.