Volume 42 Biographies 34: Yang Fei; Lu Qian (Northern Qi); Cui Jie (Northern Qi); Yang Xiuzhi; Yuan Yuxiu

陽斐盧潛崔劼盧叔武陽休之袁聿修

Yang Fei; Lu Qian; Cui Jie; Lu Shuowu; Yang Xiuzhi; Yuan Yuxiu

陽斐，字叔鸞，北平漁陽人也。父藻，魏建德太守，贈幽州刺史。孝莊時，斐於西兗督護流民有功，賜爵方城伯。歷侍御史，兼都官郎中、廣平王開府中郎，修《起居注》。

Yang Fei, styled Shuluan, came from Yuyang in Beiping. His father Zao had been Wei administrator of Jiande and was posthumously enfeoffed as inspector of Youzhou. Under Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei, Fei had merit supervising displaced populations in Western Yan and was enfeoffed as baron of Fangcheng. He served in succession as attendant censor, concurrently as director of the office for capital cases and middle aide in Prince of Guangping's establishment office, and as compiler of the Daily Records.

興和中，除起部郎中，兼通直散騎常侍，聘於梁。梁尚書羊侃，魏之叛人也，與斐有舊，欲請斐至宅，三致書，斐不答。梁人曰：「羊來已久，經貴朝遷革，李、盧亦詣宅相見，卿何致難？」斐曰：「柳下惠則可，吾不可。」梁主乃親謂斐曰：「羊侃極願相見，今二國和好，天下一家，安得復論彼此。」斐終辭焉。使還，除廷尉少卿。

In the Xinghe era he was made director of the ministry of appointments, concurrently regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, and sent on embassy to Liang. Liang minister of writing Yang Kan was a Wei defector with old ties to Fei and wished to invite him to his house. He sent three letters; Fei did not reply. The Liang people said, "Yang has been here a long time. Through your noble dynasty's changes, Li and Lu also called at his house—why do you make it difficult?" Fei said, "What Lianghui did, he might do; I may not." The Liang ruler then told Fei in person, "Yang Kan ardently wishes to meet you. Now the two states are on good terms and all under Heaven is one family—how can we again speak of this side and that?" In the end Fei declined. When the mission returned he was made vice director of the court of justice.

石濟河溢，橋壞，斐修治之。又移津於白馬，中河起石潬，兩岸造關城，累年乃就。東郡太守陸士佩以黎陽關河形勝，欲因山卽壑以為公家苑囿。遺斐書曰：「當諮大將軍，以足下為匠者。」斐答書拒曰：「當今殷憂啟聖，運遭昌歷。故大丞相天啟霸功，再造太極；大將軍光承先構，嗣績丕顯。國步始康，民勞未息，誠宜輕徭薄賦，勤恤民隱。《詩》不云乎：『民亦勞止，迄可小康，惠此中國，以綏四方。』古之帝王，亦有表山刊樹，未足盡其意；下輦成宴，詎能窮其情。正足以靡天地之財用，剝生民之髓腦。是故孔子對葉公以來遠，酬哀公以臨民，所問雖同，所急異務故也。相如壯上林之觀，揚雄騁羽獵之辭，雖系以頹墻填塹，亂以收罝落網，而言無補於風規，只足昭其愆戾也。」

The Stone Ford River overflowed and the bridge was ruined; Fei repaired it. He also moved the ford to White Horse, raised stone weirs in mid-river, and built pass-cities on both banks. The work took many years to finish. Lu Shipei, administrator of Dong commandery, because Liyang Pass and the river terrain were strategically strong, wished to follow the mountains and ravines and make a public park and hunting preserve. He sent Fei a letter saying, "I shall consult the grand general and make you the craftsman." Fei answered in refusal: "At present deep sorrow has awakened a sage, and fortune meets a flourishing age. Hence the late grand chancellor Gao Huan, Heaven opening his hegemonic achievement, remade the supreme pole; the grand general Gao Cheng, light inheriting the prior structure, continuing the great enterprise in manifest brightness. The state's steps have just grown secure and the people's toil is not yet eased—truly one ought to lighten corvée, reduce levies, and diligently tend the people's hardships. Does not the Odes say, 'The people also are weary; they may have a little rest—show favor to these central lands and thereby pacify the four quarters.' The ancient emperors also marked out mountains and carved trees, yet that fell short of fulfilling their intent; they alighted from the chariot to hold a feast—how could that exhaust their feeling? It only wasted Heaven-and-Earth's wealth and pared the living people's marrow and brain. Therefore Confucius answered Duke Ye of Chu on welcoming the distant and replied to Duke Ai of Lu on caring for the people—the questions were alike, yet the urgent tasks differed. Sima Xiangru exalted the Shanglin spectacle and Yang Xiong deployed the feather-hunt rhetoric—though tied off with crumbling walls and filled dikes, and set among gathering nets and falling game—the words did not aid wind and teaching; they only declared excess and fault."

盧潛，范陽涿人也。祖尚之，魏濟州刺史。父文符，通直侍郎。潛容貌瑰偉，善言談，少有成人志尚。儀同賀拔勝辟開府行參軍，補侍御史。世宗引為大將軍西閤祭酒，轉中外府中兵參軍，機事強濟，為世宗所知，言其終可大用。王思政見獲於潁川，世宗重其才識。潛曾從容白世宗云：「思政不能死節，何足可重！」世宗謂左右曰：「我有盧潛，便是更得一王思政。」天保初，除中書舍人，以奏事忤旨免。尋除左民郎中，坐譏議《魏書》，與王松年、李庶等俱被禁止。會清河王岳將救江陵，特赦潛以為岳行臺郎。還，遷中書侍郎，尋遷黃門侍郎。黃門鄭子默奏言，潛從清河王南討，清河王令潛說梁將侯瑱，大納賂遺，還不奏聞。顯祖杖潛一百，仍截其鬚，左遷魏尹丞。尋除司州別駕，出為江州刺史，所在有治方。

Lu Qian came from Zhuo in Fanyang. His grandfather Shangzhi was Wei inspector of Ji province. His father Wenfu was regular attendant for direct communication. Qian's appearance was striking and grand. He was skilled in conversation and from youth had the aspiration and bearing of a mature man. Palace attendant equal He Ba Sheng recruited him as expeditionary aide in the establishment office; he was made up as attendant censor. Gao Cheng drew him in as western-pavilion libationer for the general-in-chief and transferred him to middle military aide in the inner-and-outer office. He was strong and effective in confidential matters and came to Gao Cheng's notice; Gao Cheng said he would in the end be greatly useful. Wang Sizheng was captured at Yingchuan; Gao Cheng valued his talent and insight. Qian once told Gao Cheng at leisure, "Sizheng could not die defending principle—how is he worth esteeming!" Gao Cheng told those at his side, "With Lu Qian I have gained another Wang Sizheng." Early in Tianbao he was made secretariat gentleman; for memorial matters that offended the ruler's intent he was dismissed. Soon he was made left-director gentleman in the ministry of the people. For criticizing the Wei History he was confined together with Wang Songnian, Li Shu, and others. When Prince of Qinghe Yue was about to rescue Jiangling, Qian was specially amnestied and made Yue's mobile-staff aide. On return he was moved to secretariat vice director; soon he was moved to vice director of the yellow gate. Yellow-gate gentleman Zheng Zimo memorialized that when Qian followed Prince of Qinghe on the southern campaign, the prince had Qian persuade Liang general Hou Tian, who took large bribes, and on return did not report it. Gao Yang caned Qian one hundred strokes, still cut off his beard, and demoted him to aide of the metropolitan magistrate of Wei. Soon he was made separate aide of the inspector of Si province, then went out as inspector of Jiang province; wherever he served he had methods of governance.

肅宗作相，以潛為揚州道行臺左丞。先是梁將王琳為陳兵所敗，擁其主蕭莊歸壽陽，朝廷以琳為揚州刺史，勑潛與琳為南討經略。琳部曲義故多在揚州，與陳寇鄰接。潛輯諧內外，甚得邊俗之和。陳秦、譙二州刺史王奉國、合州刺史周令珍前後入寇，潛輒破平之，以功加散騎常侍，食彭城郡幹。遷合州刺史，左丞如故。又除行臺尚書，尋授儀同三司。王琳銳意圖南，潛以為時事未可。屬陳遣移書至壽陽，請與國家和好。潛為奏聞，仍上啟且願息兵。依所請。由是與琳有隙，更相表列。世祖追琳入京，除潛揚州刺史，領行臺尚書。

When Gao Yan served as chancellor, Qian was made left aide on the Yangzhou circuit mobile staff. Earlier Liang general Wang Lin had been defeated by Chen troops and escorted his lord Xiao Zhuang back to Shouyang. The court made Lin inspector of Yangzhou and ordered Qian together with Lin to conduct southern-campaign strategy. Lin's old troops and adherents were mostly in Yangzhou, adjoining Chen invaders. Qian brought internal and external affairs into harmony and deeply won the border people's accord. Chen inspectors of Qin and Qiao prefectures Wang Fengguo and of He prefecture Zhou Lingzhen invaded in succession; Qian at once defeated and pacified them. For merit he was given added rank as scattered-cavalry regular attendant with salary from the dry fief of Pengcheng commandery. He was moved to inspector of He province while continuing as left aide. He was again made mobile-staff director of the masters of writing; soon he was given acting insignia equal to the three excellencies. Wang Lin was keen to scheme south; Qian thought the times were not yet ripe. It happened that Chen sent a letter to Shouyang requesting peace and harmony with the state. Qian memorialized the report and also submitted a memorial wishing to cease arms. As requested. Because of this he and Lin were at odds and mutually impeached each other in memorials. Gao Zhan recalled Lin to the capital and made Qian inspector of Yangzhou, still holding mobile-staff director of the masters of writing.

潛在淮南十三年，任總軍民，大樹風績，甚為陳人所憚。陳主與其邊將書云：「盧潛猶在壽陽，聞其何當還北，此虜不死，方為國患，卿宜深備之。」顯祖初平淮南，給十年優復。年滿之後，逮天統、武平中，徵稅煩雜。又高元海執政，斷漁獵，人家無以自資。諸商胡負官責息者，宦者陳德信縱其妄注淮南富家，令州縣徵責。又勑送突厥馬數千疋於揚州管內，令土豪貴買之。錢直始入，便出勑括江、淮間馬，並送官廄。由是百姓騷擾，切齒嗟怨。潛隨事撫慰，兼行權略，故得寧靖。

Qian was in Huainan thirteen years, in overall charge of army and people, and planted great achievements; Chen men deeply feared him. The Chen ruler wrote his frontier generals, "Lu Qian is still at Shouyang—when will he return north? While this captive is not dead he will be a national calamity; you ought to guard deeply against him." At the beginning, when Gao Yang pacified Huainan, he granted ten years of privileged exemption from levies. After the term ended, by the Tiantong and Wuping eras taxation grew numerous and complex. Moreover Gao Yuanhai held power and prohibited fishing and hunting, so households had no means to support themselves. Various merchant Hu who owed official interest were allowed by eunuch Chen Dexin arbitrarily to register the debts against wealthy Huainan families and order prefectures and counties to collect payment. There was also an edict to send several thousand Turkish horses into Yangzhou's jurisdiction and order local magnates to buy them at high price. The money had scarcely entered when an edict came to seize horses throughout the Jiang and Huai region and send them all to the government stables. Because of this the common people were disturbed; they gnashed their teeth and sighed in resentment. Qian according to circumstances comforted them and also employed expedient strategy, and therefore attained peace.

武平三年，徵為五兵尚書。揚州吏民以潛戒斷酒肉，篤信釋氏，大設僧會，以香華緣道，流涕送之。潛嘆曰：「正恐不久復來耳。」至鄴未幾，陳將吳明徹渡江侵掠，復以潛為揚州道行臺尚書。五年，與王琳等同陷。尋死建業，年五十七。其家購屍歸葬。贈開府儀同三司、尚書右僕射、兗州刺史。無子，以弟士邃子元孝為嗣。

In the third Wuping year he was summoned as director of the five armies ministry. Yangzhou officials and people, because Qian strictly avoided wine and meat and devoutly believed in Buddhism, held a great Buddhist assembly, with incense and flowers lining the road, and sent him off weeping. Qian sighed, "I fear not long before I return." At Ye, not many days had passed when Chen general Wu Mingche crossed the river invading; Qian was again made Yangzhou-circuit mobile-staff director of the masters of writing. In the fifth year he fell together with Wang Lin and the rest. Soon he died at Jianye, aged fifty-seven. His family ransomed the corpse to return it for burial. Posthumously enfeoffed as grand master opening the government with protocol equal to the three excellencies, right vice director of the masters of writing, and inspector of Yan province. Having no sons, he took his younger brother Shisui's son Yuanxiao as heir.

士邃，字子淹，少為崔昂所知，昂云：「此昆季足為後生之俊，但恨其俱不讀書耳。」歷侍御史、司徒祭酒、尚書郎、鄴縣令、尚書左右丞、吏部郎中，出為中山太守，帶定州長史。齊亡後卒。

Shisui, styled Ziyan, in youth was known to Cui Ang. Ang said, "These brothers are enough to be outstanding men of the younger generation—only a pity they do not read books at all." He served in succession as attendant censor, libationer of the ministry of worship, gentleman of the masters of writing, magistrate of Ye county, left and right vice directors of the masters of writing, and director in the ministry of personnel; he went out as administrator of Zhongshan, concurrently chief administrator of Ding province. After Qi fell he died.

潛從祖兄懷仁，字子友，魏司徒司馬道將之子。懷仁涉學有文辭，情性恬靖，常蕭然有閑放之致。歷太尉記室、弘農郡守，不之任，卜居陳留界。所著詩賦銘頌二萬餘言，又撰《中表實錄》二十卷。懷仁有行檢，善與人交，與瑯邪王衍、隴西李壽之情好相得。曾語衍云：「昔太丘道廣，許劭知而不顧；嵇生性惰，鐘會過而絕言。吾處季、孟之間，去其泰甚。」愆以為然。武平末卒。

Qian's second cousin Huainian, styled Ziyou, was son of Wei secretariat marshal Daojiang. Huainian was broadly learned with literary accomplishment; his nature was calm and quiet, often bearing an air of leisurely detachment. He served as recorder for the grand commandant and as administrator of Hongnong but did not take up the post, choosing residence on the border of Chenliu. His writings in poetry, fu, eulogy, and hymn exceeded twenty thousand words; he also compiled Records of Kindred Excellence in twenty scrolls. Huainian had conduct and probity and was good at friendship; with Langye Wang Yan and Longxi Li Shou he was deeply close. He once told Yan, "In antiquity Taichiu's way was broad yet Xu Shao knew him and would not look at him; Ji's nature was indolent yet Zhong Hui passed by and broke off speech with him. I stand between Chi and Meng and have removed their excesses." Yan thought it so. He died late in Wuping.

懷仁兄子莊之，少有名望。官歷太子舍人、定州別駕、東平太守。武平中都水使者，卒官。

Huainian's elder brother's son Zhuangzhi in youth had name and repute. He held office as crown-prince gentleman attendant, separate aide of Ding province, and administrator of Dongping. Late in Wuping he was commissioner of waterways; he died in office.

懷仁從父弟昌衡，魏尚書左僕射道虔之子。武平末尚書郎。沉靖有才識，風儀蘊籍，容止可觀。天保中，尚書王昕以雅談獲罪，諸弟尚守而不墜，自茲以後，此道頓微。昌衡與頓丘李若、彭城劉泰瑉、河南陸彥師、隴西辛德源、太原王脩並為後進風流之士。

Huainian's younger cousin from his father's line Changheng was son of Wei left vice director of the masters of writing Daogian. Late in Wuping he was gentleman of the masters of writing. Calm and quiet with talent and insight, bearing and manner well contained, deportment worth viewing. In the Tianbao era minister of writing Wang Xin was condemned for elegant talk; his younger brothers still maintained it, but thereafter this way suddenly declined. Changheng together with Dunqiu Li Ruo, Pengcheng Liu Taizhen, Henan Lu Yanshi, Longxi Xin Deyuan, and Taiyuan Wang Xiu were all leading younger-generation men of grace and fashion.

昌衡從父弟思道，魏處士道亮之子，神情俊發，少以才學有盛名。武平末，黃門侍郎，待詔文林館。

Changheng's younger cousin from his father's line Sidao was son of Wei unreclused Daoliang; his spirit and expression were brilliant, and from youth he had great fame for talent and learning. Late in Wuping he was vice director of the yellow gate and awaited edicts at the Forest of Literature Hall.

思道從父兄正達、正思、正山，魏右光祿大夫道約之子。正達尚書郎，正思北徐州刺史、太子詹事、儀同三司，正山永昌郡守。兄弟以后舅，武平中並得優贈。

Sidao's elder cousins from his father's line Zhengda, Zhengsi, and Zhengshan were sons of Wei right director of the shining grandee Daoyue. Zhengda was gentleman of the masters of writing; Zhengsi was inspector of Northern Xuzhou, crown-prince grand tutor, and equal in insignia to the three excellencies; Zhengshan was administrator of Yongchang commandery. The brothers, because they were maternal uncles of the emperor, in Wuping all received preferential posthumous enfeoffments.

正山子公順，早以文學見知。武平中符璽郎，待詔文林館。與博陵崔君洽、隴西李師上同志友善，從駕晉陽，寓居僧寺，朝士謂「康寺三少，」為物論推許。

Gong Shun, son of Zheng Shan, won notice early for his literary gifts. In Wuping he served as seal-letter gentleman and as an attendant at the Wenslin Hall. He was close in spirit with Cui Junqia of Boling and Li Shishang of Longxi. When the court went to Jinyang they lodged together in a monastery, and colleagues dubbed them "the Three Youngsters of Kang Temple"—a name the age endorsed.

正達從父弟熙裕，父道舒。為長兄道將讓爵，由是熙裕襲固安伯。虛淡守道，有古人之風，為親表所敬重。

Zheng Zhengda's younger cousin Xiyu was the son of Daoshu. His elder brother Daojiang yielded the title, and Xiyu thereby inherited the barony of Gu'an. Withdrawn and steady, he held to the Way with an antique bearing, and kin and affines held him in esteem.

潛從祖兄愻之，魏尚書義僖之子。清靖寡欲，卒於司徒記室參軍。

Lu Qian's elder cousin Sunzhi was the son of Wei Minister of Works Yixi. Pure, quiet, and sparing in desire, he ended his days as recorder in the grand tutor's office.

崔劼，字彥玄，本清河人。曾祖曠，南渡河，居青州之東，時宋氏於河南立冀州，置郡縣，卽為東清河郡人。南縣分易，更為南平原貝丘人也。世為三齊大族。祖靈延，宋長廣太守。父光，魏太保。

Cui Jie, styled Yanxuan, came from Qinghe. His great-grandfather Kuang crossed the Yellow River southward and settled in eastern Qing province. When the Song regime set up Ji province south of the river with its commanderies and counties, the family became men of Eastern Qinghe. When Nan county was redivided, they were reckoned instead as men of Beiqiu in southern Pingyuan. For generations they ranked among the great clans of the Three Qi. His grandfather Lingyan had been Song governor of Changguang. His father Guang had been Wei grand guardian.

劼少而清虛寡欲，好學有家風。魏末，自開府行參軍歷尚書儀曹郎、秘書丞，修起居注，中書侍郎。興和三年，兼通直散騎常侍，使于梁。天保初，以議禪代，除給事黃門侍郎，加國子祭酒，直內省，典機密。清儉勤慎，甚為顯祖所知。拜南青州刺史，在任有政績。皇建中，入為秘書監、齊州大中正，轉鴻臚卿，遷幷省度支尚書，俄授京省，尋轉五兵尚書，監國史，在臺閣之中，見稱簡正。世祖之將禪後主，先以問劼，劼諫以為不可，由是忤意，出為南兗州刺史。代還，重為度支尚書、儀同三司，食文登縣幹。尋除中書令，加開府，待詔文林館，監撰新書。遇病卒，時年六十六。贈齊州刺史、尚書右僕射，諡曰文貞。

From youth Jie was spare in wants, loved study, and carried the family's scholarly tone. Late in Wei he rose from staff gentleman in an opening office through ritual observances in the ministry, secretariat director, compiler of the Veritable Records, and secretariat vice-director. In the third Xinghe year he was also irregular-attendant cavalier attendant and sent as envoy to Liang. At the opening of Tianbao, for his part in debating the abdication and dynastic change, he was made gentleman of the yellow gate, named national university libationer, and placed in the inner court to handle secrets. Frugal, diligent, and careful, he won deep notice from Emperor Xianzu. Appointed governor of Southern Qing, he governed with clear results. In Huangjian he entered as secretariat director and grand rectifier of Qi, then director of the Honglu, then merged-bureau director of revenue, soon given a capital post, then director of the five armies while supervising the national history. Within the terrace offices he was praised as plain and correct. When Emperor Shizu prepared to yield the throne to the Later Sovereign, he first consulted Jie. Jie urged that it must not be done; the advice crossed his will, and Jie was sent out as governor of Southern Yan. Recalled from the province, he was again director of revenue and peer of the three ranks, drawing salary from Wen commandery dry. Soon he was secretariat director with an open office, attended at the Wenslin Hall, and supervised compilation of the new book. He fell ill and died at sixty-six. Posthumously he was made governor of Qi and right vice director of the masters of writing, with the posthumous name Wenzhen.

初，和士開擅朝，曲求物譽，諸公因此頗為子弟幹祿，世門之胄，多處京官，而劼二子拱、捴並為外任。弟廓之從容謂劼曰：「拱、捴幸得不凡，何為不在省府之中、清華之所，而並出外藩，有損家代。」劼曰：「立身以來，恥以一言自達，今若進兒，與身何異。」卒無所求。聞者莫不嘆服。

At first He Shikai dominated the court and courted praise by crooked means, so great families pressed for offices and stipends for their sons. Scions of eminent houses mostly held capital posts, but Jie's sons Gong and Zong both served in the provinces. His younger brother Kuozhi said privately to Jie, "Gong and Zong are plainly gifted—why keep them out of the capital's pure offices and send them both to the provinces, to the family's hurt for generations?" Jie said, "All my life I have been ashamed to advance by a single word of favor. If I now push my sons forward, how is that different from pushing myself?" In the end he asked for nothing. All who heard it sighed in admiration.

拱，天統中任城王湝丞相諮議參軍、管記室。撝，揚州錄事參軍。廓之沉隱有識量，以學業見稱。自臨水令為瑯邪王儼大司馬西閤祭酒，遷領軍功曹參軍。武平中卒。

Gong, in Tiantong, was staff deliberator to Prince of Rencheng Gao Chun and ran his records office. Hui served as Yangzhou recorder. Kuozhi was reserved and discerning, famed for scholarship. From magistrate of Linshui he rose to western-pavilion libationer under Prince of Langye Yan's grand marshal, then to merit staff in the guard corps. He died in Wuping.

盧叔武，范陽涿人，青州刺史文偉從子也。父光宗，有志尚。叔武兩兄觀、仲宣並以文章顯於洛下。叔武少機悟，豪率輕俠，好奇策，慕諸葛亮之為人。為賀拔勝荊州開府長史。勝不用其計，棄城奔梁。叔武歸本縣，築室臨陂，優遊自適。世宗降辟書，辭疾不到。天保初復徵，不得已，布裘乘露車至鄴。楊愔往候之，以為司徒諮議，稱疾不受。

Lu Shuqi came from Zhuo in Fanyang and was nephew to Qing province governor Wenwei. His father Guangzong had force of character. Shuqi's elder brothers Guan and Zhongxuan had both won fame in Luoyang for their writing. In youth Shuqi was quick-witted, bold and open-handed, fond of clever plans, and took Zhuge Liang for his model. Heluo Sheng made him long staff in the Jing province opening office. Sheng ignored his plans, abandoned the city, and fled to Liang. Shuqi went home to his county, built a house by the waters, and lived at ease. Emperor Shizong sent a summons; he pleaded illness and stayed away. At the opening of Tianbao he was summoned again. Unable to refuse, he came to Ye in a cloth cloak aboard an open cart. Yang Yin called on him to make him staff deliberator to the director of the secretariat, but he pleaded illness and declined.

肅宗卽位，召為太子中庶子，加銀青光祿大夫。問以世事，叔武勸討關西，畫地陳兵勢曰：「人衆敵者當任智謀，鈞者當任勢力，故強者所以制弱，富者所以兼貧。今大齊之比關西，強弱不同，貧富有異，而戎馬不息，未能吞並，此失於不用強富也。輕兵野戰，勝負難必，是胡騎之法，非深謀遠算萬全之術也。宜立重鎮於平陽，與彼蒲州相對，深溝高壘，運糧積甲，築城戍以屬之。彼若閉關不出，則取其黃河以東，長安窮蹙，自然困死。如彼出兵，非十萬以上，不為我敵，所供糧食，皆出關內。我兵士相代，年別一番，谷食豐饒，運送不絕。彼來求戰，我不應之，彼若退軍，卽乘其弊。自長安以西，民疏城遠，敵兵來往，實有艱難，與我相持，農作且廢，不過三年，彼自破矣。」帝深納之。又願自居平陽，成此謀略。上令元文遙與叔武參謀，撰《平西策》一卷。未幾帝崩，事遂寢。

When Prince Suzong took the throne he was summoned as heir-apparent vice-director and given the silver-blue-gleaming grand master cap. Asked about affairs of the day, Shuqi urged war in the west, sketched dispositions on the ground, and said, "When numbers match the enemy, use stratagem; when forces are even, use power—so the strong rule the weak and the rich absorb the poor. Great Qi and the west are unequal in strength and wealth, yet our horses never rest and we still cannot swallow them—because we refuse to use our strength and wealth. Light forces in open battle make victory uncertain—that is nomad cavalry's way, not the long-calculated art that secures all. We should plant a strong garrison at Pingyang opposite their Pu province—deep moats, high walls, grain convoys, stored armor, and a chain of walled posts. If they shut the passes and hold inside, we take everything east of the Yellow River; Chang'an, cut off, will waste away on its own. If they march out, they need more than a hundred thousand men to match us, and every bushel they eat must come from inside the passes. Our troops would rotate yearly; our granaries are full and convoys steady. Let them offer battle and we do not answer; let them retreat and we strike the opening. West of Chang'an the land is thin of people and far between towns—every march costs them dearly. Locked with us, they cannot farm; in three years they will break themselves. The emperor took the plan to heart. He also asked to hold Pingyang himself and carry the plan through. The throne ordered Yuan Wenyao and Shuqi to draft together a scroll called the Pacifying-the-West Stratagem. Before long the emperor died and the scheme lapsed.

世祖踐阼，拜儀同三司、都官尚書，出為合州刺史。武平中，遷太子詹事、右光祿大夫。叔武在鄉時有粟千石，每至春夏，鄉人無食者令自載取，至秋，任其償，都不計校。然而歲歲常得倍餘。旣在朝通貴，自以年老，兒子又多，遂營一大屋，曰：「歌於斯，哭於斯。」魏收曾來詣之，訪以洛京舊事，不待食而起，云：「難為子費。」叔武留之，良久食至，但有粟餐菜，木碗盛之，片脯而已。所將仆從，亦盡設食，一與此同。齊滅，歸范陽，遭亂城陷，叔武與族弟士遂皆以寒餧至斃。周將宇文神舉以其有名德，收而葬之。

When Emperor Shizu ascended, he was made peer of the three ranks and director of punishments, then sent out as governor of He. In Wuping he was moved to heir-apparent tutor and right grand master with gleaming cap. At home Shuqi kept a thousand dan of grain. Each spring and summer, when neighbors lacked food, he let them haul what they needed; come autumn he left repayment to their conscience and kept no accounts. Year after year he still ended with more than twice as much. Once eminent at court, old and with many sons, he built one great house and said, "Here we shall sing; here we shall mourn." Wei Shou once called to ask about old Luoyang. Before food came he rose and said, "I hate to burden your table." Shuqi kept him. Long after, the meal came—millet and greens in wooden bowls and a single slice of dried meat. The servants he had brought were fed the same. When Qi fell he returned to Fanyang. In the turmoil the city was taken; Shuqi and his clansman Shisui both starved on cold gruel. The Zhou general Yuwen Shenju, honoring their name and conduct, gathered and buried them.

叔武族孫臣客，父子規，魏尚書郎、林慮郡守。臣客風儀甚美，少有志尚，雅有法度，好道家之言。其姊為任城王妃，天保末，任城王致之於朝廷，由是擢拜太子舍人。遷司徒記室，請歸侍祖母李。李強之令仕，不得已而順命，除太子舍人、太子中庶子。武平中，兼散騎常侍，聘陳，還，卒於路。贈鄭州刺史、鴻臚卿。

Shuqi's younger clansman Chenke was the son of Gui, who had been Wei gentleman of the masters of writing and governor of Linlu. Chenke's bearing was striking; young, he had purpose, kept precise habits, and loved Daoist teaching. His elder sister was consort to Prince of Rencheng. At the end of Tianbao the prince brought him to court and had him made heir-apparent attender. Promoted to recorder under the secretariat director, he asked leave to go home and care for his grandmother Li. Li pressed him to serve; he could not refuse and accepted—again heir-apparent attender and then vice-director. In Wuping he was also irregular-attendant cavalier attendant and envoy to Chen; he died on the road home. Posthumously he was made governor of Zheng and director of the Honglu.

陽休之，字子烈，右北平無終人也。父固，魏洛陽令，贈太常少卿。休之儁爽有風概，少勤學，愛文藻，弱冠擅聲，為後來之秀，幽州刺史常景、王延年並召為州主簿。

Yang Xiuzhi, styled Zilie, came from Wuzhong in Youbeiping. His father Gu had been Wei magistrate of Luoyang and was posthumously made vice director of splendid happiness. Xiuzhi was sharp and high-spirited. He studied hard in youth, loved letters, and at twenty already led his generation in renown. You province governors Chang Jing and Wang Yannian both made him provincial chief clerk.

魏孝昌中，杜洛周破薊城，休之與宗室及鄉人數千家南奔章武，轉至青州。是時葛榮寇亂，河北流民多湊青部。休之知將有變，乃請其族叔伯彥等曰：「客主勢異，競相淩侮，禍難將作。如鄙情所見，宜潛歸京師避之。」諸人多不能從。休之垂涕別去。俄而邢杲作亂，伯彥等咸為土民所殺，一時遇害，諸陽死者數十人，唯休之兄弟獲免。

In Wei Xiaochang, Du Luozhou took Ji. Xiuzhi fled south with kinsmen and several thousand townsfolk to Zhangwu, then to Qing province. Ge Rong's rebellion was raging, and Hebei refugees poured into Qing. Xiuzhi saw trouble coming and told his uncle Boyan and the rest, "Hosts and guests are unequal in power; they will bully one another until disaster strikes. As I see it, we should slip back to the capital while we can." Most would not go. Xiuzhi wept and took his leave. Soon Xing Shuo rebelled. Boyan and the others were killed by locals in a single sweep; dozens of the Yang clan died, and only Xiuzhi and his brothers escaped.

莊帝立，解褐員外散騎侍郎，尋以本官領御史，遷給事中、太尉記室參軍，加輕車將軍。李神俊監起居注，啟休之與河東裴伯茂、范陽盧元明、河間邢子明等俱入撰次。永安末，洛州刺史李海啟除冠軍長史。普泰中，兼通直散騎侍郎，加鎮遠將軍，尋為太保長孫稚府屬。尋勑與魏收、李同軌等修國史。太昌初，除尚書祠部郎中，尋進征虜將軍、中散大夫。

When Emperor Zhuang took the throne, Xiuzhi entered service as irregular-attendant cavalier attendant, soon led the censorate in that rank, then became palace attendant and recorder to the grand tutor, with the added title light-chariot general. Li Shenjun oversaw the Veritable Records and had Xiuzhi join Hedong Pei Bomo, Fanyang Lu Yuanming, Hejian Xing Ziming, and others in the compilation. Late in Yong'an, on Luozhou governor Li Hai's memorial, he was made champion long staff. In Putai he was also irregular-attendant cavalier attendant and general who subdues the far, then joined Grand Guardian Sun Sui's staff. Soon an edict set him with Wei Shou, Li Tonggui, and others to revise the national history. Early in Taichang he was made gentleman of the ancestral-temple section, then advanced to general who campaigns against the barbarians and grand master who scatters the masses.

賀拔勝出為荊州刺史，啟補驃騎長史。勝為行臺，又請為右丞。勝經略樊、沔，又請為南道軍司。俄而魏武帝入關，勝令休之奉表詣長安參謁。時高祖亦啟除休之太常少卿。尋屬勝南奔，仍隨至建業。休之聞高祖推奉靜帝，乃白勝啟梁武求還，以天平二年達鄴，仍奉高祖命赴晉陽。其年冬，授世宗開府主簿。明年春，世宗為大行臺，復引為行臺郎中。

Heluo Sheng went out as Jing governor and had him appointed swift-cavalry long staff. When Sheng held a field headquarters he asked again for him as right vice director. Campaigning on the Fan and Mian front, Sheng again asked for him as southern-route army marshal. Soon Emperor Wu of Wei entered the passes. Sheng ordered Xiuzhi to carry a memorial to Chang'an for audience. At the same time the High Ancestor memorialized to make Xiuzhi vice director of splendid happiness. Soon, when Sheng fled south, Xiuzhi followed him to Jianye. Hearing that the High Ancestor was raising and supporting Emperor Jing, Xiuzhi urged Sheng to ask Liang Wu for leave to return. In the second Tianping year he reached Ye, then went to Jinyang on the High Ancestor's command. That winter he was appointed chief secretary in the Heir Apparent's sovereign office. The next spring, when the Heir Apparent became Grand Commissioner-in-Chief, Yang was again made a bureau director of the commissionerate.

四年，高祖幸汾陽之天池，於池邊得一石，上有隱起，其文曰「六王三川」。高祖獨於帳中問之，此文字何義，對曰：「六者是大王之字，王者當王有天下，此乃大王符瑞受命之徵。旣於天池得此石，可謂天意命王也，吉不可言。」高祖又問三川何義，休之曰：「河、洛、伊為三川，亦雲涇、渭、洛為三川。河、洛、伊，洛陽也；涇、渭、洛，今雍州也。大王若受天命，終應統有關右。」高祖曰：「世人無事常道我欲反，今聞此，更致紛紜，慎莫妄言也。」

In the fourth year, Emperor Gaozu visited the Heavenly Pool at Fenyang and found beside it a stone with raised characters: "Six, King, Three Rivers." Emperor Gaozu asked him alone in the tent what the inscription meant. Yang answered: "Six is the character for 'great king'; a king ought to rule all under Heaven—this is the omen of your destined mandate. Now that this stone came from the Heavenly Pool, it is Heaven appointing you king—the auspice is beyond words." The emperor asked what "Three Rivers" meant. Xiuzhi said: "The Yellow, Luo, and Yi are one Three Rivers; some also name the Jing, Wei, and Luo. The Yellow, Luo, and Yi—that is Luoyang; the Jing, Wei, and Luo—that is present-day Yong Province. If the Great King receives Heaven's mandate, in the end he will hold all of Guanzhong." Emperor Gaozu said: "Idle tongues are forever saying I mean to rebel; if word of this spreads, the uproar will only grow—do not speak of it lightly."

元象初，錄荊州軍功，封新泰縣開國伯，食邑六百戶，除平東將軍、太中大夫、尚書左民郎中。興和二年，兼通直散騎常侍，副清河崔長謙使於梁。武定二年，除中書侍郎。時有人士戲嘲休之云：「有觸藩之羝羊，乘連錢之聰馬，從晉陽而向鄴，懷屬書而盈把。」尚書左丞盧斐以其文書請謁，啟高祖禁止，會赦不治。五年，兼尚食典禦。七年，除太子中庶子，遷給事黃門侍郎，進號中軍將軍、幽州大中正。八年，兼侍中，持節奉璽書詣幷州，敦喻顯祖為相國、齊王。是時，顯祖將受魏禪，發晉陽，至平陽郡，為人心未一，且還幷州，恐漏泄，仍斷行人。休之性疏放，使還，遂說其事，鄴中悉知。於後高德政以聞，顯祖忿之而未發。齊受禪，除散騎常侍，修起居注。頃之，坐詔書脫誤，左遷驍騎將軍，積前事也。尋以禪讓之際，參定禮儀，別封始平縣開國男，以本官兼領軍司馬。後除都水使者，歷司徒掾、中書侍郎，尋除中山太守。顯祖崩，徵休之至晉陽，經紀喪禮。乾明元年，兼侍中，巡省京邑。仍拜大鴻臚卿，領中書侍郎。皇建初，以本官兼度支尚書，加驃騎大將軍，領幽州大中正。肅宗留心政道，每訪休之治術。休之答以明賞罰、慎官方、禁淫侈、恤民患為政治之先。帝深納之。大寧中，除都官尚書，轉七兵、祠部。河清三年，出為西兗州刺史。天統初，徵為光祿卿，監國史。休之在中山及治西兗，俱有惠政，為吏民所懷。去官之後，百姓樹碑頌德。尋除吏部尚書，食陽武縣幹，除儀同三司，又加開府。休之多識故事，諳悉氏族，凡所選用，莫不才地俱允。加金紫光祿大夫。武平元年，除中書監，尋以本官兼尚書右僕射。二年，加左光祿大夫，兼中書監。三年，加特進。五年，正中書監，餘並如故。尋以年老致仕，抗表辭位，帝優答不許。六年，除正尚書右僕射。未幾，又領中書監。

At the start of Yuanxiang his Jing Province service was entered in the merit rolls; he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xintai with a fief of six hundred households and made General Who Pacifies the East, Grand Master of Palace Counsel, and bureau director of the left people's section. In the second year of Xinghe he was made Regular Attendant of the Palace Cadency and went to Liang as deputy to Cui Changqian of Qinghe. In the second year of Wuding he was appointed vice director of the Secretariat. Some wits then mocked Xiuzhi in verse: "A ram that has brushed the fence, on a spirited horse marked like linked coins, from Jinyang to Ye, with a roster of names clutched till his hands overflow." Left assistant director Lu Fei used the lampoon to request an audience; he reported it to Emperor Gaozu, who forbade further action; an amnesty followed and no punishment was imposed. In the fifth year he was concurrently chief steward of imperial viands. In the seventh year he was made household supervisor of the Heir Apparent, then promoted to Attendant Cavalier of the Yellow Gate and advanced to General of the Central Army and chief rectifier of You Province. In the eighth year he was concurrently palace attendant, bore credentials, and carried the imperial seal-letter to Bingzhou to urge Xianzu to accept the titles Chancellor of State and Prince of Qi. Xianzu was then preparing to receive the Wei abdication; he left Jinyang and reached Pingyang, but because hearts were not yet one he turned back to Bingzhou for the time being; fearing a leak, he cut off traffic on the roads. Xiuzhi was by nature careless and loose-tongued; on his return he spoke of the matter, and all Ye knew. Later Gao Dezheng reported it; Xianzu was angry but held his hand. When Qi received the abdication he was made Regular Companion of the Fast Cavalry and put in charge of the Daily Records. Before long, for omissions in an edict, he was demoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry—the accumulated weight of earlier offenses. Soon, during the abdication rites, he helped fix the ritual protocol; he was separately enfeoffed as Baron of Shiping and, retaining his post, concurrently served as army marshal of the Guards. He was later made commissioner of aqueducts, served as staff officer to the Minister of Education and secretariat vice director, and soon became administrator of Zhongshan. When Xianzu died, Xiuzhi was summoned to Jinyang to oversee the mourning rites. In the first year of Ganming he was concurrently palace attendant and toured the capital district on inspection. He was then appointed Grand Master for the Glorious Ceremonial while retaining his secretariat vice-directorship. At the start of Huangjian he kept his post while concurrently serving as Minister of Revenue, was advanced to General-in-Chief of the Valiant Cavalry, and continued as chief rectifier of You Province. Emperor Suzong attended closely to governance and often asked Xiuzhi for counsel on how to rule. Xiuzhi answered that governance must begin with clear rewards and punishments, careful control of officials, curbing excess and extravagance, and relieving the people's hardships. The emperor took his advice deeply to heart. During Daning he was appointed Minister of Justice, then transferred to the military and sacrifices ministries. In the third year of Heqing he went out as governor of Western Yan Province. At the start of Tiantong he was recalled as Chamberlain for the Imperial Clan and put in charge of the national history. Whether in Zhongshan or governing Western Yan, Xiuzhi pursued benevolent policies and won the affection of officials and commoners alike. After he left office the people raised steles in praise of his virtue. Soon he was made Minister of the Civil Service, drew income from the Yangwu county stipend, was given Honored Companion of the Three Special Ranks, and further granted a sovereign's office. Xiuzhi knew precedent inside out and understood clans thoroughly; every man he appointed was fit both in talent and in pedigree. He was advanced to Grand Master with Golden Girdle and Purple Purse. In the first year of Wuping he was made secretariat director; soon, retaining that post, he was concurrently right vice director of the Ministry of State Affairs. In the second year he was advanced to Left Grand Master for the Glorious while remaining secretariat director. In the third year he was given the rank of Extraordinary Advancement. In the fifth year he was made regular secretariat director; his other posts stayed as they were. Soon, citing age, he sought retirement and submitted a memorial resigning his posts; the emperor answered graciously but would not allow it. In the sixth year he was made regular right vice director of the Ministry of State Affairs. Before long he again headed the Secretariat as director.

休之本懷平坦，為士友所稱。晚節說祖珽撰《御覽》，書成，加特進，及珽被黜，便布言於朝廷，云先有嫌隙。及鄧長颙、顏之推奏立文林館，之推本意不欲令耆舊貴人居之，休之便相附會，與少年朝請、參軍之徒同入待詔。又魏收監史之日，立《高祖本紀》，取平四胡之歲為齊元。收在齊州，恐史官改奪其意，上表論之。武平中，收還朝，勑集朝賢議其事。休之立議從天保為限斷。魏收存日，猶兩議未決。收死後，便諷動內外，發詔從其義。後領中書監，便謂人云：「我已三為中書監，用此何為？」隆化還鄴，舉朝多有遷授，封休之燕郡王。又謂其所親云：「我非奴，何意忽有此授。」凡此諸事，深為時論所鄙。

By nature Xiuzhi was even-tempered, and scholar-friends spoke well of him. In his later years he urged Zu Ting to compile the Imperial Overview; when the book was finished he was given Extraordinary Advancement; when Ting was dismissed he spread word at court that they had long been at odds. When Deng Changxuan and Yan Zhitui memorialized to establish the Forest of Literature Hall, Zhitui had not wanted elderly eminent men inside; Xiuzhi went along anyway and entered with young court gentlemen and staff officers as editors awaiting edicts. Again, while Wei Shou oversaw the history, he drafted the Basic Annals of Emperor Gaozu and took the year of pacifying the Four Barbarians as Qi's founding year. Shou was then in Qi Province and feared the historiographers would overturn his intent; he submitted a memorial arguing his case. Mid-Wuping, Shou returned to court; an edict gathered eminent ministers to debate the question. Xiuzhi argued that the founding era should be fixed at Tianbao. While Wei Shou still lived, the two positions remained deadlocked. After Shou died he stirred opinion inside and outside court until an edict was issued in his favor. Later, when he again headed the Secretariat, he said: "I have already been secretariat director three times—what do I need this for?" When Longhua returned to Ye, many at court received new appointments; Xiuzhi was enfeoffed as Prince of Yan commandery. He also told those close to him: "I am no bondsman's son—why should such an honor fall on me out of nowhere?" Such conduct earned him deep contempt in the talk of the age.

休之好學不倦，博綜經史，文章雖不華靡，亦為典正。邢、魏殂後，以先達見推。位望雖高，虛懷接物，為搢紳所愛重。周武平齊，與吏部尚書袁聿修、衛尉卿李祖欽、度支尚書元修伯、大理卿司馬幼之、司農卿崔達拏、秘書監源文宗、散騎常侍兼中書侍郎李若、散騎常侍給事黃門侍郎李孝貞、給事黃門侍郎盧思道、給事黃門侍郎顏之推、通直散騎常侍兼中書侍郎李德林、通直散騎常侍兼中書舍人陸乂、中書侍郎薛道衡、中書舍人高行恭、辛德源、王劭、陸開明十八人同徵，令隨駕後赴長安。盧思道有所撰錄，止云休之與孝貞、思道同被召者，是其誣罔焉。尋除開府儀同，歷納言、中大夫、太子少保。大象末，進位上開府，除和州刺史。隋開皇二年，罷任，終於洛陽，年七十四。所著文集三十卷，又撰《幽州人物志》並行於世。

Xiuzhi loved learning and never tired of it; he mastered the classics and histories broadly; his prose was not ornate, but it was sound and correct. After Xing Shao and Wei Shou died, he was honored as an elder of the former generation. Though his rank and fame were high, he met others with open humility and was beloved among the gentry. When Zhou conquered Qi in the Wuping era, he was summoned with eighteen others—among them Yuan Yuxiu, Minister of the Civil Service, Li Zuqin, Chamberlain of the Guards, Yuan Xiubo, Minister of Revenue, Sima Youzhi, Minister of Justice, Cui Dana, Minister of Agriculture, Yuan Wenzong, Secretariat Director, and Li Ruo, Li Xiaozhen, Lu Sidao, Yan Zhitui, Li Delin, Lu Yi, Xue Daohang, Gao Xinggong, Xin Deyuan, Wang Shao, and Lu Kaiming—to follow the imperial train to Chang'an. In one of Lu Sidao's accounts he named only Xiuzhi, Xiaozhen, and himself as summoned—a deliberate slanting of the record. Soon he was made Honored Companion of the Sovereign's Office and served in turn as palace secretary, Grand Master of Palace Counsel, and junior mentor of the Heir Apparent. At the end of the Daxiang era he was advanced to Upper Honored Companion of the Sovereign's Office and made governor of He Province. In the second year of Kaihuang he left office and died at Luoyang, aged seventy-four. His collected works ran to thirty juan; he also wrote A Record of Notable Men of You Province—both circulated in his lifetime.

子辟強，武平末尚書水部郎中。辟強性疏脫，無文藝，休之亦引入文林館，為時人嗤鄙焉。

His son Bikong, at the end of Wuping, was bureau director of waterways in the Ministry of State Affairs. Bikong was careless and unrestrained and had no literary gift; Xiuzhi nevertheless had him admitted to the Forest of Literature Hall, to the scorn of his contemporaries.

袁聿修，字叔德，陳郡陽夏人。魏中書令翻之子也，出後叔父躍。七歲遭喪，居處禮度，有若成人。九歲，州辟主簿。性深沉有鑒識，清凈寡欲，與物無競，深為尚書崔休所知賞。魏太昌中，釋褐太保開府西閤祭酒。年十八，領本州中正。尋兼尚書度支郎，仍歷五兵左民郎中。武定末，太子中舍人。天保初，除太子庶子，以本官行博陵太守。數年，大有聲績，遠近稱之。八年，兼太府少卿，尋轉大司農少卿，又除太常少卿。皇建二年，遭母憂去職，尋詔復前官，加冠軍、輔國將軍，除吏部郎中。未幾，遷司徒左長史，加驃騎大將軍，領兼御史中丞。司徒錄事參軍盧思道私貸庫錢四十萬娉太原王乂女為妻，而王氏已先納陸孔文禮娉為定，聿修坐為首僚，又是國之司憲，知而不劾，被責免中丞。尋遷秘書監。

Yuan Yuxiu, courtesy name Shude, came from Yangxia in Chen commandery. He was the son of Fan, Wei secretariat director, and was given in adoption to his uncle Yue. At seven he lost a parent; in deportment and ritual observance he was already like a grown man. At nine the province invited him to serve as chief secretary. Deep and discerning by nature, pure and sparing in desire, without rivalry toward others, he won the deep regard of Cui Xiu of the Ministry of State Affairs. In the Wei's Taichang era he first entered office as libationer of the Western Pavilion of the Grand Tutor's sovereign office. At eighteen he headed the rectification office of his native province. Soon he was concurrently director of the revenue section and also served in the military and left-people sections. At the end of Wuding he was court scribe to the Heir Apparent. At the start of Tianbao he was made household companion to the Heir Apparent and acted as administrator of Boling under his existing title. Within a few years he won a strong reputation; near and far praised his record. In the eighth year he was concurrently vice director of the Imperial Storehouse; he soon transferred to vice director of the Grand Granary, then became vice director of the Grand Imperial Ancestral Temple. In the second year of Huangjian he left office to mourn his mother; soon an edict restored his posts, advanced him to General Who Conquers Barbarians and General Who Assists the State, and made him bureau director of the civil service section. Before long he was transferred to left chief clerk of the Minister of Education, advanced to General-in-Chief of the Valiant Cavalry, and concurrently acted as imperial censor-in-chief. Staff officer Lu Sidao of the Minister of Education privately borrowed four hundred thousand from the treasury to betroth Wang Yi's daughter of Taiyuan, though the Wangs had already accepted betrothal gifts from Lu Kongwenli; Yuxiu, as chief staff officer and the state's judicial overseer, knew and did not impeach; he was reprimanded and stripped of the censorate. Soon he was transferred to secretariat director.

天統中，詔與趙郡王叡等議定五禮。出除信州刺史，卽其本鄉也，時人榮之。為政清靖，不言而治，長吏以下，爰逮鰥寡孤幼，皆得其歡心。武平初，御史普出過詣諸州，梁、鄭、兗、豫疆境連接，州之四面，悉有舉劾，御史竟不到信州，其見知如此。及解代還京，民庶道俗，追別滿道，或將酒脯，涕泣留連，競欲遠送。旣盛暑，恐其勞弊，往往為之駐馬，隨舉一酌，示領其意，辭謝令還。還京後，州民鄭播宗等七百餘人請為立碑，斂縑布數百疋，托中書侍郎李德林為文以紀功德。府省為奏，勑報許之。尋除都官尚書，仍領本州中正，轉兼吏部尚書、儀同三司，尚書尋卽真。

During Tiantong an edict ordered him, with the Prince of Zhao commandery Rui and others, to deliberate and fix the Five Rites. He went out as governor of Xin Province—his native commandery—and men of the time counted it an honor. His rule was pure and tranquil; without many words he brought order; from senior officials down to widows, orphans, and children, all gave him their goodwill. At the start of Wuping censors toured the provinces in force; Liang, Zheng, Yan, and Yu lay on every side of Xin, and denunciations arose on all fronts—yet no censor ever reached Xin Province; such was the regard in which he was held. When his term ended and he returned to the capital, commoners and clergy alike filled the roads to see him off, some bringing wine and dried meat, weeping and lingering, each vying to escort him farther. It was high summer, and he feared they would weary themselves; again and again he halted his horse, took a single cup from whoever offered one to acknowledge their feeling, then begged them to turn back. After he reached the capital, more than seven hundred provincials led by Zheng Bozong asked that a stele be raised for him; they collected several hundred bolts of silk and cloth and asked secretariat vice director Li Delin to compose the inscription recording his merit. The provincial and central offices memorialized; an edict granted permission. Soon he was made Minister of Justice while still heading his native rectification office; he was transferred to concurrently serve as Minister of the Civil Service and Honored Companion of the Three Special Ranks, and soon his ministry post became regular.

聿修少平和溫潤，素流之中，最有規檢。以名家子歷任清華，時望多相器待，許其風監。在郎署之日，值趙彥深為水部郎中，同在一院，因成交友。彥深後被沙汰停私，門生藜藿，聿修猶以故情存問來往。彥深任用，銘戢甚深，雖人才無愧，蓋亦由其接引。為吏部尚書以後，自以物望得之。初，馮子琮以僕射攝選，婚嫁相尋，聿修常非笑之，語人云：「馮公營婚，日不暇給。」及自居選曹，亦不能免，時論以為地勢然也。在官廉謹，當時少匹。魏、齊世，臺郎多不免交通餉遺，聿修在尚書十年，未曾受升酒之饋。尚書邢邵與聿修舊款，每於省中語戲，常呼聿修為清郎。大寧初，聿修以太常少卿出使巡省，仍命考校官人得失。經歷兗州，時邢邵為兗州刺史，別後，遣送白綢為信。聿修退綢不受，與邢書云：「今日仰過，有異常行，瓜田李下，古人所慎，多言可畏，譬之防川，願得此心，不貽厚責。」邢亦忻然領解，報書云：「一日之贈，率爾不思，老夫忽忽，意不及此，敬承來旨，吾無間然。弟昔為清郎，今日復作清卿矣。」及在吏部，屬政塞道喪，若違忤要勢，卽恐禍不旋踵，雖以清白自守，猶不免請謁之累。

From youth Yuxiu was mild and warm in manner; among men of plain family stock he was the most exact in observance and restraint. As the son of an eminent house he held one brilliant post after another; men of reputation widely esteemed him and trusted his judgment of character. In his days in the bureau offices Zhao Yanshen was director of the waterways section in the same courtyard; the two became close friends. Later Yanshen was culled and suspended, his disciples scattered like wild greens in winter; Yuxiu still kept up inquiries and visits out of old friendship. Zhao Yanshen took him up; Yuxiu remembered it with deep restraint. His talent needed no apology, yet even that owed to Yanshen's hand on the ladder. Once he was Minister of Personnel, he believed he had earned the post by what the world thought of him. Earlier Feng Zicong, as vice director, had also run the selection office; wedding matches came one after another. Yuxiu often laughed at him and said to others, "Master Feng brokers marriages—his days have no spare hour." When he himself sat in that office, he could not escape the same; the talk of the time said it was the terrain of the post." In office he was scrupulous and careful; few in his day could stand beside him. Under Wei and Qi, secretariat gentlemen seldom escaped gifts and favors; Yuxiu served ten years in the Masters of Writing and never took even a cup of wine as a gift. Minister Xing Shao and Yuxiu were old intimates. In the ministry they traded jokes, and Shao often called Yuxiu "Clear Gentleman." In the first Daning year, Yuxiu left the capital as vice director of the Grand Ceremonials on a circuit inspection, and was told to weigh officials' gains and failures. His route took him through Yan province, where Xing Shao was governor. After they had parted, Shao sent white silk as a courtesy. Yuxiu sent the silk back and wrote Xing: "Today I pass through your ground—an uncommon walk. The ancients warned of the melon field and the plum tree; many words are to be feared, like a river you must bank. Take this as my heart, and do not lay a heavy charge on me." Xing took it gladly and answered: "A gift of a single day, sent without thinking it through—this old man, in his haste, never got that far. I accept your meaning; between us there is no gap. You were once Clear Gentleman; today you are Clear Minister again." In the Ministry of Personnel the age was corrupt; to cross those who mattered was to invite ruin overnight. He kept his hands clean, yet even so could not shake off the drag of callers bearing gifts.

齊亡入周，授儀同大將軍、吏部下大夫。大象末，除東京司宗、中大夫。隋開皇初，加上儀同，遷東京都官尚書。東京廢，入朝，又除都官尚書。二年，出為熊州刺史。尋卒，年七十二。

When Qi fell he entered Zhou and was made colonel-in-ordinary of the first rank and vice minister in the Ministry of Personnel. Late in the Elephant reign he was made director of the imperial clan at the Eastern Capital, with vice-minister rank. When Sui opened under Kaihuang he was raised to grand colonel-in-ordinary of the first rank and moved to minister of the capital at the Eastern Capital. When the Eastern Capital was abolished he came to court and was again made Minister of Justice. In the second year he went out as governor of Xiong province. Before long he died, at seventy-two.

子知禮，武平末儀同開府參軍事。隋開皇中，侍御史，歷尚書民部考功侍郎。大業初，卒於太子中舍人。

His son Zhi Li, late in Wuping, was colonel-in-ordinary and staff officer of an establishment that opened the government. Under Sui Kaihuang he was attendant censor, then passed through minister of the household for the people and vice director of merit assessment. Early in Daye he died while serving as attendant of the heir apparent.

史臣曰：崔彥玄奕世載德，不忝其先；盧詹事任俠好謀，志尚宏遠；陽僕射位高望重，鬱為時宗；袁尚書清明在躬，以器能見任；與陽斐、盧潛並朝之良也。有齊季世，權歸佞幸，賴諸君維持名教，不然則拔本塞源，裂冠毀冕，安可道哉！

The historiographer writes: Cui Yanxuan carried virtue down the generations and did not disgrace his line; Lu Qian, as chamberlain, loved bold companions and good counsel; his aims ran wide and long; Yang Xiuzhi the vice director stood high in rank and weight in the world's eyes, a pillar of his time; Yuan Yuxiu the minister kept clarity in his own person and was trusted for what he could do; with Yang Fei and Lu Qian they were the court's best men. In Qi's last days power went to flatterers; only these men held up rites and learning. Without them the roots would have been pulled and the source dammed, caps torn off and regalia trampled—who could even name such an age?

贊曰：惟茲數公，心安寵辱，不夷不惠，坐鎮流俗。

Praise: These men alone—hearts at ease with favor and disgrace, neither harsh nor soft—sat like weights on the age's drifting customs.

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 full text uses the Zhonghua Shuju first edition of the Book of Northern Qi (November 1972) as the base for collation.

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