Volume 36 Biographies 24: Xue Bian, Xue Zhi, Xue Cheng

薛辯薛寘薛憕

Xue Bian, Xue Zhi, and Xue Cheng

列傳第二十四

Biographies 24

薛辯五世孫端端子胄端從子浚端從祖弟湖湖子聰聰子孝通孝通子道衡聰弟子善善弟慎薛寘薛憕

The line continues through Xue Bian's fifth-generation descendant Duan and his son Zhou, Duan's collateral descendant Jun, and Duan's first cousin once removed Hu; through Hu's son Cong and Cong's son Xiaotong to Xiaotong's son Daoheng; through Cong's collateral nephew Shan and Shan's younger brother Shen; and separately Xue Zhi and Xue Cheng

薛辯，字允白，河東汾陰人也。曾祖興，晉尚書右僕射、冀州刺史、安邑公，諡曰：莊。祖濤襲爵，位梁州刺史，諡曰忠惠。京都傾覆，皆以義烈著聞。父強，字威明，幼有大志，懷軍國籌略。與北海王猛，同志友善。及桓溫入關中，猛以巾褐謁之。溫曰：「江東無卿比也，秦國定多奇士，如生輩尚有幾人？吾欲與之俱南。」猛曰：「公求可與撥亂濟時者，友人薛威明其人也。」溫曰：「聞之久矣。」方致朝命。強聞之，自商山來謁，與猛皆署軍謀祭酒。強察溫有大志而無成功，乃勸猛止。俄而溫敗。及苻堅立，猛見委任。其平陽公融為書，將以車馬聘強。猛以為不可屈，乃止。及堅如河東伐張平，自與數百騎馳至強壘下，求與相見。強使主簿責之。因慷慨宣言曰：「此城終無生降之臣，但有死節之將耳。」堅諸將請攻之，堅曰：「須吾平晉，自當面縛。舍之以勸事君者。」後堅伐晉，軍敗，強遂總宗室強兵，威振河輔，破慕容永于陳川。姚興聞而憚之，遣使重加禮命，徵拜右光祿大夫、七兵尚書，封馮翊郡公，轉左戶尚書。年九十八，卒。贈輔國大將軍、司徙公，諡曰宣。

Xue Bian, styled Yunbai, was from Fenyin in Hedong. His great-grandfather Xing had served as Jin Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing and Inspector of Jizhou and held the title Duke of Anyi; he was posthumously known as Zhuang. His grandfather Tao inherited the family title, served as Inspector of Liangzhou, and was posthumously known as Zhonghui. When the capital was overrun, both men became famous for their righteous courage. His father Qiang, styled Weiming, had shown great ambition from youth and kept in mind plans for army and state. He and Wang Meng of Beihai were kindred spirits and close friends. When Huan Wen marched into Guanzhong, Meng went to see him dressed as a common scholar in plain cloth. Wen said, "There is no one like you east of the Yangtze. Qin must have many remarkable men—how many more are there like you? I would like to take them south with me." Meng replied, "If you are looking for someone who can set chaos aright and rescue the age, my friend Xue Weiming is the man." Wen said, "I have heard of him for a long time." Wen was on the point of issuing a court summons. When Qiang heard of this, he came down from Mount Shang to present himself, and both he and Meng were appointed Army Strategy Libationers. Qiang saw that Wen had great ambition but would never succeed, and urged Meng to withdraw. Before long, Wen was defeated. When Fu Jian came to the throne, Meng was given important responsibilities. The Prince of Pingyang, Rong, wrote offering to fetch Qiang with carriage and horses. Meng judged that Qiang could not be coerced, and the invitation was dropped. When Jian marched into Hedong to attack Zhang Ping, he rode ahead with several hundred horsemen to Qiang's fortress and asked for an audience. Qiang sent his registrar to rebuke him. He then declared with passion, "This city will never yield a minister who surrenders alive—only generals who die holding their post." Jian's generals urged an attack, but Jian said, "When I have pacified Jin, he will come and bind himself before me. Let him be, as an example to encourage loyal service." Later, when Jian's campaign against Jin ended in defeat, Qiang rallied the clan's fighting men, his authority shaking the Yellow River region, and defeated Murong Yong at Chenchuan. Yao Xing heard of him and was wary; he sent envoys with repeated honors and summoned Qiang to serve as Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Director of the Seven Armies, enfeoffing him as Duke of Fengyi and later transferring him to Director of the Left Households. He died at the age of ninety-eight. He was posthumously honored as General Who Assists the State and Duke of Situ, with the posthumous name Xuan.

辯幼而俊爽，俶儻多大略，由是豪傑多歸慕之。強卒，復襲統其營。仕姚興，曆太子中庶子、河北太守。辯知姚氏運衰，遂棄歸家保鄉邑。及晉將劉裕平姚泓，即署相國掾。尋除平陽太守，委以北道鎮捍。及長安失守。辯遂歸魏。仍立功於河際，位平西將軍、東雍州刺史，賜爵汾陰侯。其年詣闕，明元深加器重，明年方得旋鎮。帝謂之曰：「朕委卿西蕃，志在關右，卿宜克終良算，與朕為長安主人。」辯既還任，務農教戰。恆以數千之眾，摧抗赫連氏。帝甚褒獎之。又除并州刺史，征授大羽真。泰常七年，卒於官。帝以所圖未遂，深悼惜之。贈並、雍二州刺史。

Bian was handsome and quick-witted from youth, bold and far-seeing, and many men of consequence came to admire him. When Qiang died, he again took command of his father's forces. He served under Yao Xing as Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent and later as Administrator of Hebei. Seeing that the Yao house was in decline, Bian resigned and went home to defend his native district. When the Jin general Liu Yu overthrew Yao Hong, Bian was appointed Aide to the Chancellor of State. He was soon made Administrator of Pingyang and charged with holding the northern frontier. When Chang'an fell, Bian went over to Wei. He won further distinction on the Yellow River frontier, was appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Eastern Yongzhou, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Fenyin. That year he presented himself at court; Emperor Mingyuan held him in high regard, and he was not able to return to his post until the following year. The emperor told him, "I am entrusting you with the western frontier; my aim is Guanzhong. Carry your plans through to the end and be master of Chang'an on my behalf." On returning to his post, Bian devoted himself to agriculture and military training. With only a few thousand men he repeatedly held off the Helian. The emperor praised and rewarded him generously. He was also appointed Inspector of Bingzhou and summoned to receive the title Grand Yuzhen. In the seventh year of Taichang he died in office. The emperor deeply mourned him, for his own designs in the west had not yet been fulfilled. He was posthumously honored as Inspector of Bing and Yong.

子謹，字法順。容貌魁偉，高才博學。隨劉裕度江，位府記室參軍。辯將歸魏，密報謹，謹遂亦來奔。授河東太守，後襲爵汾陰侯。始光三年，與宜都王奚斤共討赫連昌，禽其東平公乙兜，克蒲阪。遂以新舊百姓並為一郡，除平西將軍，復為太守。神蒨三年，除使持節、秦州刺史。山胡白龍憑險作逆，太武詔南陽公奚眷與謹並為都將，討平之，封涪陵郡公。太延初，征吐沒骨，平之。謹自郡遷州，威恩兼被，風化大行。時兵荒之後，儒雅道息，謹命立庠序，教以詩書。三農之暇，悉令受業，躬巡邑裏，親加考試，河汾之地，儒道更興。真君元年，征授內都坐大官，輔政。深見賞重，每訪以政道，車駕臨幸者前後數四。後從駕北討，與中山王辰等後期，見殺。尋贈鎮西將軍、秦雍二州刺史，諡曰元公。

His son Jin, styled Fashun, was imposing in bearing, gifted, and widely learned. He crossed the Yangtze with Liu Yu and served as Registrar in the princely establishment. When Bian prepared to go over to Wei, he sent word secretly to Jin, who then defected as well. He was made Administrator of Hedong and later inherited the marquisate of Fenyin. In the third year of Shiguang he joined the Prince of Yidu, Xi Jin, in attacking Helian Chang, captured Helian's Prince of Dongping, Yidou, and took Puban. He merged the old and new populations into a single commandery, was appointed General Who Pacifies the West, and again served as administrator. In the third year of Shenqi he was appointed Bearer of the Staff of Authority and Inspector of Qinzhou. When the Mountain Hu leader Bailong rebelled from mountain strongholds, Emperor Taiwu ordered the Prince of Nanyang, Xi Juan, and Jin to serve jointly as chief generals and put down the revolt; Jin was enfeoffed as Duke of Fuling. At the opening of Taiyan he campaigned against Tuguhun and subdued them. After Jin moved from commandery to provincial office, his authority and kindness reached everyone, and civilizing influence spread widely. In the aftermath of war, classical learning had fallen silent; Jin ordered schools built and had the people taught the Odes and Documents. In the slack seasons of the farming year he had everyone attend school; he toured the districts in person to examine the students, and learning flourished again along the Fen and Yellow Rivers. In the first year of Zhenjun he was summoned to court as Grand Master of the Inner Court and took part in governing. He was held in deep esteem; the emperor often sought his counsel on governance, and the imperial carriage visited him on four occasions. Later, on a northern campaign, he and the Prince of Zhongshan, Chen, and others fell behind schedule and were executed. He was soon posthumously honored as General Who Guards the West and Inspector of Qin and Yong, with the posthumous name Duke Yuan.

長子初古拔，一曰車轂拔，本名洪祚，太武賜名焉。沈毅有器識。弱冠，司徙崔浩見而奇之。真君中，蓋吳擾動關右，薛永宗屯據河側，太武親討之。詔拔糾合宗鄉，壁於河際，斷二寇往來之路。事平，除中散，賜爵永康侯。太武南討，以拔為都將，從駕臨江而還。又共陸真討反氐仇傉檀、強免生，平之。皇興三年，除散騎常侍，尚文成女西河長公主，拜駙馬都尉。其年，拔族叔徐州刺史安都據城歸順，敕拔詣彭城勞迎，除南豫州刺史。延興二年，除鎮西大將軍、開府儀同，進爵平陽公。三年，拔與南兗州刺史游明根、南平太守許含等，以善政征詣京師。獻文親自勞勉，復令還州。太和六年，改爵河東公。卒，贈左光祿大夫，諡曰康。

His eldest son Chuguba—also called Cheguba, originally named Hongzuo—received his name from Emperor Taiwu. He was steady, resolute, and discerning. When he came of age, Cui Hao, Duke of Situ, met him and was struck by his ability. During the Zhenjun era, Gai Wu raised disturbances in Guanxi and Xue Yongzong held the riverbank; Emperor Taiwu campaigned against them in person. An edict ordered Ba to rally the clan and local communities, fortify the riverbank, and sever the rebels' lines of communication. When the campaign ended he was made Palace Attendant and enfeoffed as Marquis of Yongkang. On Taiwu's southern campaign, Ba served as chief general, accompanied the emperor to the Yangtze, and returned with the army. He also joined Lu Zhen in suppressing the Di rebels Chou Lután and Qiang Miansheng. In the third year of Huangxing he was made Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, married Emperor Wen's daughter the Princess Chang of Xihe, and was appointed Commandant of the Horse Guards for the Emperor's Sons-in-Law. That year his clansman-uncle Andu, Inspector of Xuzhou, surrendered his city; Ba was ordered to Pengcheng to welcome him and was appointed Inspector of Southern Yuzhou. In the second year of Yanxing he was appointed General Who Guards the West with privilege to maintain an office equal to the Three Excellencies and advanced to Duke of Pingyang. In the third year Ba, together with You Minggen, Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, Xu Han, Administrator of Nanping, and others, were summoned to the capital for their excellent administration. Emperor Xianwen received them in person with praise and sent them back to their posts. In the sixth year of Taihe his title was changed to Duke of Hedong. He died and was posthumously honored as Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, with the posthumous name Kang.

長子胤，字甯宗。少有父風。弱冠，拜中散。襲爵鎮西大將軍、河東公，除懸瓠鎮將。尋授持節、義陽道都將。後除立忠將軍、河北太守。郡帶山河，俗多盜賊。有韓、馬兩姓各二千餘家，恃強憑險，最為狡害，劫掠道路，侵暴鄉閭。胤至郡，即收其奸魁二十餘人，一時戮之。於是群盜懾氣，郡中清肅。卒於郡，諡曰敬。

His eldest son Yin, styled Ningzong, showed his father's character from youth. At his capping he was appointed Palace Attendant. He inherited his father's rank as General Who Guards the West and Duke of Hedong and was appointed Garrison Commander of Xuanhu. He was soon given the Staff of Authority and made Chief General of the Yiyang Circuit. He was later appointed General Who Establishes Loyalty and Administrator of Hebei. The commandery lay among mountains and rivers, and banditry was widespread. The Han and Ma clans each numbered more than two thousand households; trusting in their strength and the difficult terrain, they were the worst offenders, robbing travelers and terrorizing the countryside. As soon as Yin took office, he arrested more than twenty of their ringleaders and executed them in one sweep. The bandits were cowed, and the commandery became peaceful. He died in office; his posthumous name was Jing.

子裔，字豫孫，襲爵。性豪爽，盛營園宅，賓客聲伎，以恣嬉遊。卒于洛州刺史。子孝紳襲爵，位太中大夫。孝紳立行險薄，坐事為河南尹元世俊所劾，死。後贈華州刺史。

His son Yi, styled Yusun, inherited the title. He was open-handed by nature, built lavish estates, and surrounded himself with guests, musicians, and entertainers for endless revelry. He died while serving as Inspector of Luozhou. His son Xiaoshen inherited the title and served as Grand Master of Palace Counsel. Xiaoshen's conduct was treacherous and mean; he was impeached by Yuan Shijun, Intendant of Henan, and put to death. He was later posthumously honored as Inspector of Huazhou.

拔弟洪隆，字菩提，驎位河東太守。長子驎駒，好讀書，舉秀才，除中書博士。齊使至，詔驎駒兼主客郎以接之。卒，贈河東太守，諡曰宣。始拔尚西河主，有賜田在馮翊，驎駒徙居之。遂家于馮翊之夏陽。

Ba's younger brother Honglong, styled Puti; Honglong's son Lin served as Administrator of Hedong. Lin's eldest son Linju was fond of learning; recommended as xiucai, he was appointed Doctor of the Masters of Writing. When envoys from Qi arrived, an edict appointed Linju concurrently Master of Guests to receive them. He died and was posthumously honored as Administrator of Hedong, with the posthumous name Xuan. When Ba had married the Princess of Xihe, the court granted land in Fufeng, and Linju moved his household there. The clan thereafter made its home at Xiayang in Fufeng.

長子慶之，字慶集。頗有學業，閑解几案，位廷尉丞。廷尉寺鄰北城，曾夏日寺傍得一狐，慶之與廷尉正博陵崔纂，或以城狐狡害，宜速殺之；或以長育之月，宜待秋分。二卿裴延俊、袁翻，互有同異。雖曰戲謔，詞義可觀，事傳於世。後兼左丞，為並、肆行台，賜爵龍丘子，行滄州刺史。為葛榮攻圍，城陷。尋患，卒，贈華州刺史。

His eldest son Qingzhi, styled Qingji, was well educated and adept at legal paperwork, and served as Assistant in the Court of Judicial Review. The court building stood beside the northern city wall. One summer a fox was found near the offices. Qingzhi and the Reviewer Cui Zuan of Boling debated whether, as a city fox and an ill omen, it should be killed immediately; or whether, in the season of growth and nurture, they should wait until the autumn equinox. The ministers Pei Yanjun and Yuan Fan took opposing sides. Though offered in jest, their arguments were eloquent, and the story became widely known. He later served concurrently as Left Vice Director, headed the mobile office for Bing and Xi, was enfeoffed as Viscount of Longqiu, and acted as Inspector of Cangzhou. When Ge Rong besieged the city, it fell. He soon fell ill and died, and was posthumously honored as Inspector of Huazhou.

慶之弟英集，性通率。隨舅李崇在揚州，以軍功累至書侍御史、通直散騎常侍，卒。英集子端。

Qingzhi's younger brother Yingji was frank and unpretentious by nature. He followed his uncle Li Chong to Yangzhou and, through military service, rose to Palace Attendant in the Masters of Writing and Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry with Unimpeded Access before his death. Yingji's son was Duan.

端字仁直，本名沙陀。有志操，遭父憂，居喪合禮。與弟裕勵精篤學，不交人事。年十七，司空高乾邕辟為參軍。賜爵平陰男。端以天下擾亂，遂棄官歸鄉里。魏孝武西遷，周文令大都督薛崇禮據龍門，引端同行。崇禮尋失守，降東魏。東魏遣行台薛修義督乙幹貴西度，據楊氏壁。與宗親及家僮等先在壁中，修義乃令其兵逼端等東度。方欲濟河，會日暮，端密與宗室及家僮等叛之。修義亦遣騎追，端且戰且馳，遂入石城柵，得免。柵中先有百家，端與並力固守。貴等數來慰喻，知端無降意，遂拔還河東。東魏又遣其將賀蘭懿、南汾州刺史薛琰達守楊氏壁。端率其屬，並招喻村人，多設奇兵以臨之。懿等疑有大軍，便東遁，赴船溺死者數千人。端收其器械，復還楊氏壁。周文遣南汾州刺史蘇景恕鎮之。降書勞問，征端赴闕，以為大丞相府戶曹參軍。從禽竇泰，復弘農，戰沙苑，並有功，進爵為伯。後改封交城縣伯，累遷吏部郎中。

Duan, styled Renzhi, was originally named Shatuo. He was a man of principle; when his father died he observed mourning with full propriety. He and his younger brother Yu devoted themselves to study and kept aloof from worldly affairs. At seventeen he was recruited as an aide by Gao Qianyou, Minister of Works. He was enfeoffed as Baron of Pingyin. As the empire fell into chaos, Duan resigned his post and returned home. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Zhou Wen ordered Grand Commander Xue Chongli to hold Longmen and took Duan with him. Chongli soon lost the position and surrendered to Eastern Wei. Eastern Wei sent Mobile Office Xue Xiuyi, directing Yigan Gui, to cross west and seize the Yang clan fort. Duan was inside the fort with his kinsmen and household retainers when Xiuyi ordered his troops to force them to cross east. As they were about to cross the river, night fell, and Duan secretly turned on them with his kinsmen and retainers. Xiuyi sent cavalry in pursuit; Duan fought his way free and reached the Shicheng stockade. A hundred households were already in the stockade, and Duan joined them in a determined defense. Gui came repeatedly to win him over, but seeing Duan would not submit, withdrew to Hedong. Eastern Wei sent Generals Helan Yi and Xue Yanda, Inspector of Southern Fenzhou, to hold the Yang fort. Duan rallied his followers, won over the local villagers, and deployed ambushes against the enemy. Yi and his men, fearing a large force, fled east; thousands drowned trying to reach their boats. Duan seized their arms and returned to the Yang fort. Zhou Wen sent Su Jingshu, Inspector of Southern Fenzhou, to garrison the place. Zhou Wen sent a letter of commendation and summoned Duan to court as Aide in the Households Section of the Grand Chancellor's Office. He took part in capturing Dou Tai, recovering Hongnong, and fighting at Shayuan, winning distinction in each, and was advanced to Baron. He was later re-enfeoffed as Baron of Jiaocheng and rose to Director in the Ministry of Personnel.

端性強直，每有奏請，不避權貴。周文嘉之，故賜名端，欲令名質相副。自居選曹，先盡賢能，雖貴遊子弟，才劣行薄者，未嘗升擢之。每啟周文云：「設官分職，本康時務，苟非其人，不如曠職。」周文深然之。大統十六年，軍東討，柱國李弼為別道元帥，妙簡英寮，數日不定。周文謂弼曰：「為公思得一長史，無過薛端。」弼對曰：「真才也」乃遣之。轉尚書右丞，仍掌選事。

Duan was forceful and upright; in his memorials he never shrank from the powerful. Zhou Wen approved and bestowed the name Duan so that his name would match his character. In the selection office he put merit first; even sons of great families were never promoted if their talent or conduct fell short. He often told Zhou Wen, "Offices exist to secure the peace of the age; if the wrong man holds a post, it is better left vacant." Zhou Wen strongly agreed. In the sixteenth year of Datong, when the army marched east, Pillar of State Li Bi, commanding a separate column, spent days unable to choose his staff. Zhou Wen told Bi, "For your chief secretary, no one surpasses Xue Duan." Bi replied, "A true talent," and summoned him. He was transferred to Right Vice Director of the Masters of Writing while continuing to oversee appointments.

梁主蕭察曾獻馬瑙鐘，周文帝執之顧丞郎曰：「能擲摴蒱頭得盧者，便與鐘。」已經數人不得。頃至端，乃執摴[HT]蒱頭而言曰：「非為此鐘可貴，但思露其誠耳。」便擲之，五子皆黑。文帝大悅，即以賜之。

The Liang ruler Xiao Cha once presented an agate bell. Zhou Wendi held it up and told the directorate aides, "Whoever throws the dice and rolls Lu may have the bell." Several had already tried and failed. When Duan's turn came, he took the dice and said, "It is not the bell I prize, but the chance to show my sincerity." He threw, and all five dice came up black. Wendi was delighted and gave him the bell on the spot.

魏帝廢，近臣有勸文帝踐極，文帝召端告之。端以為三方未一，遽正名號，示天下以不廣。請待龕翦僭偽，然後俯順樂推。文帝撫端背曰：「成我者卿也。卿心既與我同，身豈與我異。」遂脫所著冠帶袍褲並以賜之。進授吏部尚書，賜姓宇文氏。端久處選曹，雅有人倫之鑒，其所擢用，咸得其才。六官建，拜軍司馬，加侍中、驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，進爵為侯。

After the Wei emperor was deposed, courtiers urged Wendi to take the throne; Wendi summoned Duan and confided his plans. Duan argued that the realm was not yet united and that to proclaim himself emperor too soon would show a lack of magnanimity. He urged waiting until the rival regimes were destroyed, then accepting the people's acclaim. Wendi clapped Duan on the back and said, "You have made me what I am. Your heart is already one with mine—how could your person be apart from mine?" He then stripped off his own cap, belt, robe, and trousers and gave them to Duan. Duan was promoted to Director of the Ministry of Personnel and granted the surname Yuwen. Long service in the selection office had given Duan a keen eye for talent, and those he promoted invariably proved capable. When the Six Offices were established he was made Army Major, then Palace Attendant, General of Agile Cavalry, and Grand Master with privilege equal to the Three Excellencies, and advanced to Marquis.

周孝閔帝踐阼，再遷戶部中大夫，進爵為公。晉公護將廢帝，召群臣議之。端頗具同異，護不悅，出為蔡州刺史。為政寬惠，人吏愛之。轉基州刺史。基州地接梁、陳，事藉鎮撫，總管史甯遣司馬梁榮催令赴任。蔡州父老訴榮，請留端者千餘人。至基州未幾，卒。遺誡薄葬，府州贈遺，勿有所受。贈本官，加大將軍，進封文城郡公，諡曰質。子胄嗣。

When Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou came to the throne, Duan was promoted to Grand Master of the Households Section and advanced to Duke. When Duke of Jin Hu planned to depose the emperor, he summoned the ministers for counsel. Duan spoke strongly against the move; Hu was displeased and sent him out as Inspector of Caizhou. His rule was lenient and benevolent, and officials and commoners alike loved him. He was transferred to Inspector of Jizhou. Jizhou bordered Liang and Chen and needed firm administration; Commander-in-Chief Shi Ning sent Major Liang Rong to hurry him to his post. More than a thousand elders of Caizhou petitioned Rong to keep Duan. He had not long been in Jizhou when he died. He left instructions for a simple burial and forbade his family to accept gifts from the prefecture or province. He was posthumously honored with his former offices, made Grand General, advanced to Duke of Wencheng, and given the posthumous name Zhi. His son Zhou succeeded him.

胄字紹玄，少聰明，每覽異書，便曉其義。常歎訓注者不會聖人深旨，輒以意辯之，諸儒莫不稱善。性慷慨，志立功名。周明帝時，襲爵文城郡公。累遷上儀同，尋拜司金大夫，後加開府。

Zhou, styled Shaoxuan, was clever from youth; whenever he read an unusual book he grasped its meaning at once. He often lamented that commentators missed the sages' deeper meaning and would argue from his own understanding, to the admiration of other scholars. He was generous by nature and aspired to win merit and renown. Under Emperor Ming of Zhou he inherited the dukedom of Wencheng. He rose to Senior Pillar of State, was made Grand Master of the Metals Office, and later granted privilege to maintain an office.

隋文帝受禪，三遷為兗州刺史。到官，系囚數百。胄剖斷旬日便了，囹圄空虛。有陳州人向道力偽作高平郡守，將之官。胄遇諸塗，察其有異，將留詰之。司馬王君馥固諫，乃聽詣郡。既而悔之，即遣主簿追道力。有部人徐俱羅嘗任海陵郡守，先是已為道力偽代之。比至秩滿，公私不悟。俱羅遂語君馥曰：「向道力經賜代為郡，使君豈容疑之。」君馥以俱羅所陳，又固請胄。胄呵，君馥乃止。遂收之，道力懼而引偽。其發奸擿伏，皆此類也。時人謂為神明，先是，兗州城東沂、泗二水合而南流，氾濫大澤中。胄遂積石堰之，決令西注，陂澤盡為良田。又通轉運，利盡淮海，百姓賴之，號為薛公豐兗渠。

After Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Zhou was eventually appointed Inspector of Yanzhou. When he took office, several hundred prisoners awaited judgment. Zhou cleared the docket within ten days, and the prisons stood empty. A man of Chenzhou named Xiang Daoli forged credentials as Administrator of Gaoping and was on his way to take up the post. Zhou met him on the road, sensed something amiss, and was about to detain him for questioning. Major Wang Junfu strongly objected, and Zhou allowed the man to proceed to his post. He soon regretted this and sent his registrar to pursue Daoli. A subordinate named Xu Juluo had once served as Administrator of Hailing and had already been supplanted by Daoli's imposture. By the time the term ended, neither the court nor the local authorities had noticed the fraud. Juluo told Junfu, "Xiang Daoli was officially appointed to replace me—how can you doubt him?" Junfu, citing Juluo's account, again pressed Zhou to drop the matter. Zhou rebuked him sharply, and Junfu desisted. Zhou had him arrested, and Daoli, in fear, confessed the imposture. His exposure of fraud and hidden crime was always of this sort. People called him uncannily perceptive. East of Yanzhou the Yi and Si rivers had joined and flowed south, flooding a great marsh. Zhou built stone dams, diverted the water westward, and turned the marshes into fertile farmland. He also opened transport routes that benefited the whole Huai-Hai region; the people called it Duke Xue's Abundant Yanzhou Canal.

胄以天下太平，遂遣博士登泰山觀古跡，撰封禪圖及儀上之。帝謙讓不許。轉郢州刺史，有惠政。徵拜衛尉卿，轉大理卿，持法寬平，名為稱職。遷刑部尚書。時左僕射高熲稍被疏忌，及王世積誅，熲事與相連，上因此欲成熲罪。胄明雪之，正議其獄。由是忤旨，械系之，久而得免。檢校相州事，甚有能名。

Believing the realm was at peace, Zhou sent a scholar to Mount Tai to survey ancient sites and submitted plans and rites for a Feng and Shan ceremony. The emperor modestly declined. Transferred to Inspector of Yingzhou, he governed with benevolence. Summoned as Minister of the Guards and then Minister of Justice, he applied the law with leniency and fairness and won a reputation for competence. He was promoted to Director of the Ministry of Punishments. Left Vice Director Gao Jiong had fallen under suspicion; when Wang Shiji was executed, Jiong was implicated, and the emperor sought grounds to convict him. Zhou cleared him and judged the case on its merits. This defiance of the emperor's will led to his shackling and imprisonment; he was released only after a long interval. Appointed to oversee Xiangzhou, he earned a strong reputation for administrative ability.

漢王諒作亂并州，遣其將綦良東略地，攻逼慈州。刺史上官政請援於胄，胄畏諒兵鋒，不敢拒。良又引兵攻胄，胄欲以計卻之，遣親人魯世范說良曰：「天下事未可知。胄為人臣，去就須得其所，何遽相攻也？」良乃釋去，進圍黎陽。及良為史祥所攻，棄軍歸胄。朝廷以胄懷貳心，鎖詣大理。相州吏人素懷其恩，詣闕理胄者百餘人。胄竟坐除名，配防嶺南，道卒。子筠、獻知名。

When the Prince of Han, Yang Liang, rebelled in Bingzhou, he sent his general Qi Liang east to seize territory and pressed the attack on Cizhou. Prefect Shangguan Zheng asked Zhou for help; Zhou, fearing Liang's military momentum, did not dare refuse. Liang marched on Zhou again; Zhou hoped to drive him off by stratagem and sent his confidant Lu Shifan to say to Liang, "The outcome of affairs under Heaven is still uncertain. Zhou is a subject; where he stands or withdraws must be chosen rightly—why press the attack so soon?" Liang then withdrew and marched on to besiege Liyang. When Shi Xiang attacked Liang, Liang abandoned his forces and fled back to Zhou. The court suspected Zhou of divided loyalty, put him in chains, and sent him to the Court of Justice. More than a hundred officials and commoners of Xiangzhou, who had long benefited from his kindness, went to the capital to plead on his behalf. Zhou was finally stripped of office, sent to serve on the Lingnan frontier, and died on the journey. His sons Yun and Xian won renown.

端弟裕，字仁友。少以孝悌聞於州裏。弱冠，丞相參軍事。時京兆韋夐志安放逸，不幹世務。裕慕其恬靜，數載酒肴侯之，談宴終日。夐遂以從孫女妻之。裕嘗謂親友曰：「大丈夫當聖明之運，而無灼然文武之用為世所知，雖復棲遑，徙為勞苦耳。至如韋居士，退不丘壑，進不市朝，怡然守道，榮辱弗及，何其樂也。」

Duan's younger brother Yu, styled Renyou. From youth he was known throughout the district for filial piety and brotherly devotion. At twenty he became an aide in the Chancellor's office. At that time Wei Juan of Jingzhao sought a life of seclusion and ease and kept out of public affairs. Yu admired his quiet manner, often brought wine and food to visit him, and they would talk and feast the day through. Juan then gave Yu his grand-niece in marriage. Yu once told relatives and friends, "A man ought to live in an age of enlightened rule, yet if he lacks unmistakable civil or military gifts that the world recognizes, even restless wandering is only wasted hardship. Take Master Wei: in withdrawal he does not bury himself in ravines, in advancement he does not chase the court; he keeps the Way with ease, untouched by honor or shame—what joy is that!"

裕曾宿宴於夐之廬，後庭有井，裕夜出戶，若有人欲牽其手，裕便卻行，遂落井。同坐共出之，因勸裕酒曰：「向慮卿不測夐，幸得無他，宜盡此爵。」裕曰：「墜井蓋小小耳，方當逾於此也。」人問其故，裕曰：「近夢，恐有兩楹之憂。」尋卒，文章之士誄之者數人。周文傷惜之，追贈洛州刺史。

Yu once stayed for a feast at Juan's cottage, where there was a well in the back court. He went out at night and felt as if someone were pulling his hand; he stepped back and fell into the well. His companions pulled him out and pressed him to drink, saying, "I feared something untoward might come from Juan's house; luckily you are unhurt—you should finish this cup." Yu said, "A fall into a well is a small thing; something worse lies ahead." Asked why, he said, "I dreamed recently and fear the omen of 'two pillars.' He died soon after, and several men of letters wrote dirges for him. Zhou Wen grieved for him and posthumously appointed him Inspector of Luozhou.

胄從祖弟浚，字道賾。父琰，周渭南太守。浚少孤，養母以孝聞。幼好學，有志行。周天和中，襲爵虞城侯，位新豐令。隨開皇中，曆尚書虞部、考功侍郎。帝聞浚事母孝，以其母老，賜輿服几杖、四時珍味，當世榮之。後其母疾病，浚貌甚憂瘁，親故弗之識。暨丁母艱，詔鴻臚監護喪事，歸葬夏陽。時隆冬極寒，浚衰絰徙跣，冒犯霜雪，自京及鄉，五百餘里，足凍墮指，創血流離，朝野為之傷痛。州裏賵助，一無所受。尋起令視事，上見其毀瘠過甚，為之改容，顧群臣曰：「吾見薛濬哀毀，不覺悲感傷懷。」嗟異久之。浚竟不勝喪，病且卒。其弟謨時為晉王府兵曹參軍事，在揚州。濬遺書於謨曰：吾以不造，幼丁艱酷，窮遊約處，屢絕簞瓢。晚生早孤，不聞《詩禮》。賴奉先人貽厥之訓，獲稟母氏聖善之規。負笈裹糧，不憚艱遠，從師就業，欲罷不能。砥行礪心，困而彌篤，用膺教義，爰至長成。自釋耒登朝，於茲二十三年矣。雖官非聞達，而祿喜逮親，庶保期頤，得終色養。何圖精誠無感，禍酷薦臻；兄弟俱被奪情，苦廬靡申哀訴。是用叩心泣血，隕氣摧魂者也。既而創钜釁深，不勝荼毒，啟手啟足，幸及全歸。使夫死而有知，得從先人於地下矣，豈非至願哉？但念爾伶俜孤宦，遠在邊服，顧此悢悢，如何可言！適已有書，冀得與汝面訣，忍死待汝，已曆一旬。汝既未來，便成今古，緬然永別，為恨何言！勉之哉！勉之哉！勉之哉！

Zhou's first cousin once removed, Xue Jun, styled Daoyin. His father Yan had served as Administrator of Weinan under the Zhou. Jun was orphaned young; he supported his mother and became famed for filial devotion. From childhood he loved learning and showed firm character. During Northern Zhou's Tianhe reign he inherited the marquisate of Yucheng and served as Magistrate of Xinfeng. Under Sui's Kaihuang reign he rose through posts in the Ministry of Works and as Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel. When the emperor learned of Jun's devotion to his mother, he granted her carriage robes, a cane and armrest, and seasonal delicacies—a mark of honor the age admired. When his mother later fell ill, Jun grew so haggard with grief that friends and kin scarcely knew him. Upon entering mourning for his mother, he was ordered to have the Grand Herald supervise the funeral and returned to bury her at Xiayang. In the depths of winter he went barefoot in mourning garb through frost and snow for more than five hundred li from the capital to his home; his feet froze, toes fell off, and blood streamed from his wounds—the court and the people were stricken with grief. He accepted none of the condolence gifts offered by the district. He was soon recalled to office. The emperor, struck by his wasted frame, changed countenance and told the ministers, "Seeing Xue Jun's mourning ruin, I cannot keep grief from wounding my heart." He sighed in admiration for a long while. Jun could not bear the mourning in the end; he fell ill and was near death. His younger brother Mo was then serving on the staff of the Prince of Jin's military office in Yangzhou. Jun wrote a final letter to Mo: I have been ill-fated; in youth I suffered bitter hardship, living in poverty and want, often without even a meal in my basket. Born late and orphaned young, I never properly learned the Odes and Rites. I had my ancestors' bequeathed teaching and my mother's wise and gentle guidance. I carried books on my back and bundled provisions, unafraid of hardship and distance, followed teachers to study, and could not bring myself to stop. I tempered conduct and heart, growing firmer through hardship, and so received their teaching until I came of age. Since I left the fields for office, twenty-three years have now passed. Though my rank was not lofty, my salary at least reached my mother; I hoped to live out a full span and care for her to the end. Who would have thought that deepest devotion would win no response, and crushing misfortune would follow one upon another? Both brothers were forced from mourning; in our rough shelters we could not even voice our grief. That is why my heart is torn and my spirit broken. Then my wounds grew grave beyond bearing; I open my limbs in the hope of dying whole. If the dead retain awareness, to join my ancestors beneath the earth—what greater wish could there be? Yet I think of you alone in a distant post on the frontier; at this sorrow, what words are enough! I wrote again hoping to see you once more; I have clung to life waiting for you these ten days already. You did not come; what was possible is now past; this distant farewell—what words can measure the regret! Take heart! Take heart! Take heart!

書成而絕。有司以聞，文帝為之屑涕，降使齎冊書弔祭。浚性清儉，死日家無遺財。

He finished the letter and died. Officials reported his death; Emperor Wen wept and sent an envoy with imperial documents of condolence and sacrifice. Jun was by nature austere and frugal; when he died his household had nothing left.

浚初為兒時，與宗中兒戲澗濱，見一黃蛇，有角及足。召群童共視，了無見者。以為不祥，歸大憂悴。母問之，以實對。時有胡僧詣宅乞食，母以告之。僧曰：「此兒之吉應。且此兒早有名位，然壽不過六七耳。」言終而出，忽然不見。後終於四十二，六七之言驗矣。子乾福，武安郡司倉書佐。

As a boy Jun played with kinsmen's children by a stream and saw a yellow serpent with horns and feet. He called the other boys to look, but none of them could see it. He took it as an ill omen and went home deeply troubled. When his mother asked, he told her what had happened. A foreign monk came to the house begging food, and his mother told him the story. The monk said, "This is an auspicious sign for the boy. He will win fame and office early, yet his life will not pass sixty or seventy." With that he left and vanished abruptly. He later died at forty-two, and the prophecy of "six or seven tens" was fulfilled. His son Qianfu served as a clerical aide in the granary office of Wu'an Commandery.

洪隆弟湖，字破胡。少有節操，篤志於學；專精講習，不幹時務；與物無競，好以德義服人。或有兄弟忿鬩，鄰里爭訟者，恐湖聞之，皆內自改悔。鄉閭化其風教，咸以敬讓為先。三召州都，再辟主簿，州將傾心致禮，並不獲己而應之。為本州中從事、別駕、除河東太守。兄弟並為本郡，當世榮之。復受詔為仇池都將。後罷郡，終於家。有八子，長子聰知名。

Honglong's younger brother Hu, styled Pohu. From youth he showed moral discipline and devoted himself to learning; he specialized in teaching and study and kept out of worldly affairs; he did not strive with others and preferred to win people through virtue and integrity. If brothers quarreled or neighbors went to law, they feared Hu might hear and would repent on their own. The countryside was shaped by his example; everyone put respect and forbearance first. He was thrice summoned as district chief and twice offered the post of registrar; the prefect treated him with full respect, and each time he accepted only because he could not refuse. He served as provincial attendant and vice director, then was appointed Administrator of Hedong. Brothers holding office together in their home commandery was the envy of the age. He was again appointed by edict as commander of Qiuchi. He later left office and died at home. He had eight sons; the eldest, Cong, won renown.

聰字延智。方正有理識，善自標緻，不妄遊處。雖在暗室，終日矜莊，見者莫不懍然加敬。博覽墳籍，精力過人，至於前言往行，多所究悉。詞辯占對，尤是所長。遭父憂，廬於墓側，哭泣之聲，酸感行路。友于篤睦，而家教甚嚴；諸弟雖昏宦，恆不免杖罰，對之肅如也。未弱冠，州辟主簿。

Cong, styled Yanzhi. Upright and discerning, he held himself to a strict standard and did not roam or socialize lightly. Even alone in a dark room he remained grave and composed all day; all who met him were moved to reverence. He read widely in the classics and had unusual stamina; he studied deeply the words and deeds of past ages. Debate and repartee were his particular strengths. When his father died he dwelt in a hut by the tomb; his weeping moved all who passed on the road. He was devoted to his brothers, yet household discipline was severe; his younger brothers, though married and in office, were still liable to the rod; in his presence they were always deferential. Before he came of age the province appointed him registrar.

太和十五年，釋褐著作佐郎。于時，孝文留心氏族，正定官品。士大夫解巾，優者不過奉朝請。聰起家便佐著作，時論美之。後遷書侍御史，凡所彈劾，不避強禦；孝文或欲寬貸者，聰輒爭之。帝每云：「朕見薛聰，不能不憚，何況諸人也？」自是貴戚斂手。累遷直閣將軍，兼給事黃門侍郎、散騎常侍，直閣如故。

In the fifteenth year of Taihe he entered office as Assistant in the Office for Compiling Literature. At that time Emperor Xiaowen was reforming the clans and fixing official ranks. When gentlemen entered service, even the best rarely rose above Attendant at Court. Cong began his career directly as an assistant in the compiling office, which contemporaries praised. He was later made Attending Censor and in every impeachment refused to spare the powerful. Whenever Emperor Xiaowen wished to show leniency, Cong argued against it. The emperor often said, "When I see Xue Cong I cannot help but feel awe—how much more so for others?" From then on the imperial kin held themselves in check. He rose through repeated promotions to Direct Gate General and was concurrently appointed Gentleman Attendant of the Yellow Gate and Roving Cavalier Attendant, while retaining his Direct Gate position.

聰深為孝文所知，外以德器遇之，內以心膂為寄。親衛禁兵，委總管領。故終太和之世，恆帶直閣將軍。群臣罷朝之後，聰恆陪侍帷幄，言兼晝夜。時政得失，預以謀謨；動輒匡諫，事多聽允。而重厚沈密，外莫窺其際。帝欲進以名位，輒苦讓不受。帝亦雅相體悉，謂之曰：「卿天爵自高，固非人爵之所榮也。」又除羽林監。

Emperor Xiaowen knew him well: outwardly he honored his character and ability, inwardly he entrusted him as a core adviser. He placed the imperial guard under Cong's command. Throughout the Tahe reign he therefore always held the title of Direct Gate General. After court was dismissed, Cong invariably remained at the emperor's side, and their counsel could run from day into night. He took part in planning on the rights and wrongs of current policy; He remonstrated again and again, and the emperor mostly heeded him. Yet he was grave and reserved; outsiders could not fathom his inner mind. When the emperor wished to promote him in rank and title, he firmly refused. The emperor understood him perfectly and said, "Your innate nobility is too high to be honored by mere human titles. He was also appointed Supervisor of the Feathered Forest Guard.

帝曾與朝臣論海內姓地人物，戲謂聰曰：「世人謂卿諸薛是蜀人，定是蜀人不？」聰對曰：「臣遠祖廣德，世仕漢朝，時人呼為漢。臣九世祖永，隨劉備入蜀，時人呼為蜀。臣今事陛下，是虜非蜀也。」帝撫掌笑曰：「卿幸可自明非蜀，何乃遂復苦朕。」聰因投戟而出。帝曰：「薛監醉耳。」其見知如此。

Once, while discussing leading families and figures across the realm with his ministers, the emperor jokingly asked Cong, "People say your Xue clan are Shu men—are you Shu men or not? Cong answered, "My distant ancestor Guangde served the Han dynasty for generations, and people called us Han. My ninth-generation ancestor Yong followed Liu Bei into Shu, and people called us Shu. I now serve Your Majesty—we are northerners, not Shu. The emperor clapped his hands and laughed. "You could have simply said you are not Shu—why must you torment me again? Cong threw down his halberd and stalked out. The emperor said, "Supervisor Xue is merely drunk. Such was the depth of the emperor's regard for him.

二十三年，從駕南征，兼御史中尉。及宣武即位，除都督、齊州刺史，政存簡靜。卒於州，吏人追思，留其所坐榻以存遺愛。贈征虜將軍、華州刺史，諡曰簡懿侯。魏前二年，重贈車騎大將軍、儀同三司、延州刺史。子孝通最知名。

In the twenty-third year he accompanied the emperor on the southern campaign and was made concurrent Central Commander of the Censorate. When Emperor Xuanwu succeeded to the throne, Cong was appointed regional commander and Governor of Qizhou, governing with simplicity and restraint. He died in office; officials and commoners mourned him and preserved the couch where he had sat as a token of his kindness. He was posthumously made General Who Subdues the Barbarians and Governor of Huazhou, with the posthumous title Marquis Jianyi. Two years before the fall of Wei, he was again posthumously honored as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, and as Governor of Yanzhou. His son Xiaotong was the most famous.

孝通字士達。博學有俊才。蕭寶夤征關中，引參驃騎大將軍府事，禮遇甚隆。及寶夤將有異志，孝通悟其萌，托以拜掃求歸，乃見許。同寮咸怪，止之；但笑而不答，遽還鄉里。寶夤後果逆命。

Xiaotong, styled Shida. He was broadly learned and possessed outstanding talent. When Xiao Baoyin campaigned in Guanzhong, he brought Xiaotong into his staff at the Rapid Cavalry Grand General's headquarters and treated him with great honor. When Baoyin was plotting rebellion, Xiaotong sensed it early and asked leave to return home on the pretext of tending ancestral graves; his request was granted. His colleagues were astonished and tried to stop him; but he only smiled and said nothing, and hurried home. Baoyin did rebel, as Xiaotong had foreseen.

北海王元顥入洛，宗人薛永宗、修義等又聚徙作亂，欲以應之。孝通與所親計曰：「北海乘虛遠入，吳兵不能久住，事必無成。今若與永宗等舉，滅族道也。」乃率其近親，與河東太守元襲嬰城固守。及寶夤平定，元顥退走，預其事者咸罹禍，唯同孝通者皆免。事寧，入洛，除員外散騎侍郎。爾硃天光鎮關右，表為關西大行台郎中，深見任遇。關中平定，預有其力，以功賜爵汾陰侯。莊帝既幽崩，元曄地又疏遠，更議主社稷。孝通以廣陵王恭，高祖猶子，又在茂親，夙有令望。不言多載，理必陽瘖。奉以為主，天人允葉。世隆等並以為疑。孝通密贊天光察之。廣陵王曰：「天何言哉？」於是定冊，即節閔帝也。以首創大議，拜銀青光祿大夫、散騎常侍，兼中書舍人，封藍田縣子。孝通求以官贈亡兄景懋，又言己有侯爵，請轉授兄息子舒。節閔覽啟傷感，以侯爵既重，不容轉授，乃下詔褒美。特贈景懋撫軍、北雍州刺史。孝通尋遷中書郎，深為節閔所知重。

When the Prince of Beihai, Yuan Hao, entered Luoyang, clansmen Xue Yongzong and Xiuyi raised armed bands among displaced people to join him. Xiaotong told his intimates, "The Prince of Beihai has seized a moment of weakness to march in from afar; Liang troops cannot hold Luoyang—the enterprise must fail. If we join Yongzong now, we walk our clan to extinction." He led his close kin and, with Hedong governor Yuan Xi, held the city in a desperate defense. When Baoyin was crushed and Yuan Hao fled, all who had joined the revolt were ruined—only those who had followed Xiaotong's course were spared. After peace was restored he went to Luoyang and was appointed Outside-the-Number Palace Attendant. When Erzhu Tianguang held Guanzhong, Xiaotong was recommended as registrar on the Guanxi Grand Commissioner's staff and won his deep trust. He played a part in pacifying Guanzhong and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fenyin for his service. After Emperor Zhuang died in confinement and Yuan Ye's claim was too remote, the court debated anew who should rule the realm. Xiaotong favored Prince of Guangling Gong: a grandson of Emperor Gaozu, of the highest imperial kin, and long held in esteem. Though he had scarcely spoken for years, his silence was surely feigned—a sign fit for enthronement. They enthroned him, and Heaven and men alike assented. Shilong and others were skeptical. Xiaotong secretly urged Tianguang to look into it. The Prince of Guangling said, "What has Heaven to say? The succession was settled, and he became Emperor Jiemin. For leading the deliberation on the succession, he was made Silver-Gleaming Light Grand Master and Palace Attendant, appointed concurrent Secretariat Gentleman, and enfeoffed as Viscount of Lantian. Xiaotong asked that offices be granted posthumously to his dead brother Jingmao, and since he already held a marquisate, asked to pass it to his brother's son Shu. Jiemin was moved when he read the memorial; because a marquisate could not be transferred, he issued an edict commending Xiaotong's devotion. Jingmao was specially posthumously made General Who Pacifies the Army and Governor of North Yong. Xiaotong was soon promoted to Secretariat Gentleman and won Jiemin's deep trust.

普泰二年正月乙酉，中書舍人元翽獻酒肴，帝因與元翌及孝通等宴，兼奏弦管，命翽吹笛；帝亦親以和之。因使元翌等嘲，以酒為韻。孝通曰：「既逢堯舜君，願上萬年壽。」帝曰：「平生好玄默，慚為萬國首。」帝曰：「卿所謂壽，豈容徙然！」便命酌酒賜孝通，仍命更嘲，不得中絕。孝通即豎忠為韻。帝曰：「卿不忘忠臣之心。」翽曰：「聖主臨萬機，享世永無窮。」孝通曰：「豈唯被草木，方亦及昆蟲。」翌曰：「朝賢既濟濟，野苗又芃芃。」墼唬骸熬馐繼逵闥潄罎楣煲換犂幀！斃⑼ㄔ唬骸拔⒊夾徘熹祝鱲我源鴰畭裕俊庇謔保䘏⑼携詰浠唢埽莾獠緯詉轹麖甓腽玻饍鞶閱壁印＜右約騁铴宋錚髗锊慂浚嗉诹萍觥？ br>外兄裴伯茂性豪俊，多所輕忽。唯欽賞孝通，每有著述，共參同異。孝通以裴宏放過甚，每謂之曰：「兄以阮籍、嵇康何如管仲、樂毅？」蓋自許經綸，抑裴傲也。裴笑而不答，宏放自若。

On the yiyou day of the first month in the second year of Putai, Secretariat Gentleman Yuan Hui brought wine and food; the emperor feasted with Yuan Yi, Xiaotong, and others, had music played, and ordered Hui to play the flute; The emperor joined in himself. He then had Yuan Yi and the others trade witty verses, taking wine as the rhyme. Xiaotong said, "Having met a sage ruler like Yao or Shun, I wish Your Majesty ten thousand years of life." The emperor replied, "All my life I have loved quietude; I am ashamed to stand at the head of all nations." The emperor said, "What you call longevity—how could it be empty words! He ordered wine poured for Xiaotong and commanded another round of couplets without a break. Xiaotong chose loyalty as the next rhyme. The emperor said, "You have not forgotten the heart of a loyal minister." Hui said, "The sage ruler oversees all affairs; may his reign never end." Xiaotong said, "Your grace covers not only grass and trees, but even the smallest creatures." Yuan Yi said, "The court is full of worthy men, and the wild fields grow thick with grain." The emperor said, "Minister and sovereign are as fish in water; one script and one track unite Chinese and barbarian realms. Xiaotong said, "Your humble servant is deeply favored—how can I repay grace as great as Mount Hua and Mount Song? His cousin by marriage Pei Bomao was bold and gifted, and treated most people with disdain. Only Xiaotong did he admire; whenever he wrote, they compared and debated their work. Finding Pei too unrestrained, Xiaotong often asked him, "Do you rank Ruan Ji and Ji Kang above Guan Zhong and Le Yi?" He was asserting his own statesmanship and putting Pei's arrogance in its place. Pei only smiled and said nothing, as grand and free as ever.

屬齊神武起兵河朔，攻陷相州刺史劉誕。爾硃天光自關中討之。孝通以關中險固，秦漢舊都，須預謀鎮遏，以為後計。縱河北失利，猶足據之。節閔深以為然，問誰可任者。孝通與賀拔岳同事天光，又與周文帝有舊；二人並先在關右，因並推薦之。乃超授岳岐、華、秦、雍諸軍事，關西大行台，雍州牧。周文帝為左丞，孝通為右丞。齎詔書馳驛入關授嶽等，同鎮長安。嶽深相器重，待以師友之禮。與周文帝結為兄弟，情寄特隆。後天光敗于韓陵，節閔遂不得入關，為齊神武幽廢。孝武帝即位後，神武方得志，征賀拔岳為冀州刺史。岳懼，欲單馬入朝。孝通乃謂嶽曰：「高王以數千鮮卑破爾硃百萬之眾，其鋒誠亦難敵。然公兩兄太師、領軍，宿在其上。侯深、樊子鵠、賈知、斛斯椿、大野胡也杖、吒呂延慶之徒，於爾硃之世，皆其夷等。韓陵之役，此輩前後降附，皆由事勢危逼，非其本心。在於高王，曹操之孔融，馬懿之葛誕。今或在京師，或據州鎮，除之又失人望，留之腹心之疾。雖令孫騰在闕下，婁昭處鉤陳，必不能如建安之時，明矣。以今觀之，隙難未已。吐萬仁雖復退逸，猶在并州，高王之計，先須平殄。今方綏撫群雄，安置內外，何能去其巢穴，與公事關中地也？且六郡良家之子，三輔禮義之人，逾幽、并之驍騎，勝汝、潁之奇士，皆系仰於公，效其智力。據華山以為城雉，因黃河而為池塹；退守不失封泥，進兵同于建水。乃欲束手受制於人，不亦鄙乎？」言未卒，嶽執孝通手曰：「君言是也。」乃遜辭為啟，而不就征。

When Gao Huan of Northern Qi raised an army in Heshuo and captured Xiangzhou governor Liu Yan, Erzhu Tianguang marched from Guanzhong to attack him. Xiaotong argued that Guanzhong was rugged, the ancient capital of Qin and Han, and must be secured in advance as a fallback. Even if Hebei were lost, Guanzhong would still be enough to hold. Jiemin strongly agreed and asked who could take the post. Xiaotong had worked under Tianguang with Helü Yue and was also old friends with the future founder of Northern Zhou; both were already in the west, and he recommended them together. Yue was then given extraordinary command over Qi, Hua, Qin, and Yong, made Grand Commissioner of Guanxi, and appointed Governor of Yong. The future Zhou founder was made left vice-director and Xiaotong right vice-director. They carried the edict by post-horse into Guanzhong to invest Yue and his colleagues, and together garrisoned Chang'an. Yue held him in the highest regard and treated him with the courtesy due a teacher and friend. He swore brotherhood with the future Zhou founder, and their bond was especially deep. Later Tianguang was defeated at Hanling; Jiemin never regained Guanzhong and was deposed and imprisoned by Gao Huan. After Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, Gao Huan was free to pursue his aims and summoned Helü Yue to serve as Governor of Ji. Yue was afraid and wanted to go to court alone on horseback. Xiaotong then told Yue, "The High King shattered Erzhu's million-man army with a few thousand Xianbei horsemen—his momentum is indeed hard to face. Yet your two elder brothers, the Grand Preceptor and the Commander-in-Chief, long outranked him. Hou Shen, Fan Zihong, Jia Zhi, Husu Chun, Daye Huyazhang, Tolü Yanqing, and others were all his peers in the Erzhu era. At Hanling they surrendered one after another only because they were cornered, not from true loyalty. To the High King they are like Kong Rong to Cao Cao, or Ge Dan to Sima Yi—men who will not submit in their hearts. Some are in the capital, some hold provinces; remove them and you lose men's esteem, keep them and they remain a sickness at your heart. Even if Sun Teng stands below the palace gates and Lou Zhao holds the inner guard, they clearly cannot bind these men as Cao Cao did at Jian'an. As things stand now, rifts and strife are far from over. Tuwan Ren has withdrawn but still holds Bingzhou; the High King's first task is to crush him. He is busy pacifying rival powers and settling affairs at home and abroad—how could he leave his base to fight you for Guanzhong? Moreover the sons of good families from the six commanderies and the men of ritual learning from the three metropolitan districts—horsemen fiercer than those of You and Bing, talents keener than those of Ru and Ying—all look to you to give their minds and strength. Take Mount Hua for your battlements and the Yellow River for your moat; retreat and you will not lose the passes; advance and your armies will match the hosts of old. Will you now fold your hands and let another master you? Is that not contemptible? Before he had finished speaking, Yue took Xiaotong by the hand and said, "You are right." He then wrote a deferential memorial in refusal and did not obey the summons.

太昌元年，孝通因使入朝，仍被留京師，重除中書侍郎。永熙三年三月，出為常山太守，仍以經節閔任遇故也。及孝武西遷，或稱孝通與周文友密，及樹置賀拔嶽鎮關中之計，遂見拘執，將赴晉陽。及引見，咸為之憂。孝通神氣從容，辭理切正，齊神武更相欽歎，即日原免。然猶致疑忌，不加位秩，但引為坐客，時訪文典大事而已。齊神武讓劍履上殿表，猶使為文。曾與諸人同詣晉祠，皆屈膝盡禮。孝通獨捧手不拜，顧而言曰：「此乃諸侯之國，去吾何遠，恭而非禮，將為神笑。」拜者漸焉。興和二年，卒於鄴。魏前二年，周文帝追軫舊好，奏贈車騎將軍、儀同三司、青州刺史。齊神武武平初，又贈鄭州刺史。文集八十卷，行于時。

In the first year of Taichang, Xiaotong came to court on embassy business and was kept in the capital, where he was reappointed Vice Director of the Secretariat. In the third month of the third year of Yongxi he was sent out as Administrator of Changshan, a post he still held on account of his earlier service and favor under Emperor Jiemin. When Emperor Xiaowu moved west, reports spread that Xiaotong was on close terms with Zhou Wen and had helped devise the plan to post Heba Yue in Guanzhong; he was arrested and ordered sent to Jinyang. When he was led in to audience, everyone feared for his life. Xiaotong remained composed in manner and precise in argument; Gao Huan admired him all the more and pardoned him that very day. He was still regarded with suspicion, however, and received no formal rank; he was kept merely as a house guest and consulted now and then on classical learning and weighty matters. Even the memorial in which Gao Huan declined the privilege of entering court armed and shod was drafted at his hand. Once, visiting the Jin shrine with a party of men, everyone else knelt and performed the full rites. Xiaotong alone stood with cupped hands and did not bow, saying over his shoulder, "This is the domain of a feudal lord, not far removed from our own; reverence without proper rite will only make the spirits laugh." One by one the bowers desisted. In the second year of Xinghe he died at Ye. Two years before the Wei dynasty fell, Zhou Wendi, mindful of their old friendship, had him posthumously honored as General of Chariots and Cavalry, with rank equal to the Three Excellencies, and Governor of Qingzhou. At the opening of the Wuping era in Qi, he was further posthumously named Governor of Zhengzhou. His collected works, eighty juan in all, circulated widely in his day.

子道衡，字玄卿。六歲而孤，專精好學。年十歲，講《左傳》，見子產相鄭之功，作《國僑贊》，頗有詞致，見者奇之。其後才名益著。齊司州牧、彭城王浟引為兵曹從事。尚書左僕射楊愔見而嗟賞，授奉朝請。吏部尚書隴西辛術與語，歎曰：「鄭公業不亡矣！」河東裴讞目之曰：「鼎遷河朔，吾謂'關西孔子'，罕遇其人，今復遇薛君矣！」

His son Daoheng, courtesy name Xuanqing. Orphaned at six, he devoted himself wholly to learning. At ten he was already expounding the Zuo Commentary; reading of Zichan's statesmanship in Zheng, he wrote "In Praise of the State-father of Guo," a piece of real literary finish that astonished all who saw it. Thereafter his reputation as a man of letters steadily rose. You, Prince of Pengcheng and Governor of Sizhou in Qi, took him on as staff in the military bureau. Yang Yin, Left Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, saw him and exclaimed in admiration, granting him the title Attendant at Court. Xin Shu of Longxi, Minister of Personnel, spoke with him and said with a sigh, "Zheng Xuan's tradition is not dead after all!" Pei Yan of Hedong looked him over and declared, "When the royal tripod shifted to the north, men spoke of a 'Confucius west of the Pass' and said such a figure was seldom found—now I have found Master Xue!"

武成即位，兼散騎常侍，接對周、陳二使。武平初，詔與諸儒修定五禮，除尚書左外兵郎。陳使傅縡聘齊，以道衡兼主客郎接對之。縡贈詩五十韻，道衡和之，南北稱美。魏收曰：「傅縡所謂以蚓投魚耳。」待詔文林館，與范陽盧思道、安平李德林齊名友善。復以本官直中書省，尋拜中書侍郎，仍參太子侍讀。齊後主之世，漸見親用，與侍中斛律孝卿參預政事。道衡具陳備周之策，孝卿不能用。

When Emperor Wucheng ascended the throne, Daoheng served concurrently as Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and received the embassies of Zhou and Chen. At the opening of Wuping he was ordered to join the scholars in revising the Five Rites, and was appointed Left Outer Military Secretary in the Masters of Writing. When Fu Zuan of Chen came on embassy to Qi, Daoheng was appointed concurrent Master of Guests to receive him. Zuan offered a fifty-rhyme poem; Daoheng replied in kind, and both north and south rang with praise. Wei Shou remarked, "Fu Zuan was only throwing earthworms to the fish." He served as a scholar awaiting imperial orders at the Forest of Letters, and stood in equal fame and friendship with Lu Sidao of Fanyang and Li Delin of Anping. He continued in his former post on duty in the Secretariat, was soon made Vice Director of the Secretariat, and also served among the Crown Prince's readers. Under the last ruler of Qi he came gradually into favor and, together with Palace Attendant Hulu Xiaqing, took part in state affairs. Daoheng laid out in full a strategy for meeting the threat from Zhou, but Xiaqing would not act on it.

及齊亡，周武帝引為御史二命士。後歸鄉里，自州主簿入為司祿上士，隋文作相，從元帥梁睿擊王謙，攝陵州刺史。大定中，授儀同，守邛州刺史。文帝受禪，坐事除名。

After the fall of Qi, Emperor Wu of Zhou took him on as a second-grade gentleman of the Censorate. He later returned to his native place, rose from prefectural chief clerk to Senior Gentleman of the Ministry of Revenue, and when Yang Jian became Chancellor followed the commander Liang Rui against Wang Qian, serving in the interim as Governor of Lingzhou. In the Dading era he was granted the rank Yitong and served as Governor of Qiongzhou. When Emperor Wen took the throne, he was struck from the rolls on a charge of misconduct.

河間王弘北征突厥，召典軍書。還，除內史舍人。其年，兼散騎常侍，聘陳使主。道衡因奏曰：「陛下比靈斯三代，平一九州，豈容區區之陳，久在天網之外？臣今奉使，請責以稱蕃。」帝曰：「朕且含養，致之度外，勿以言辭相折。」江東雅好篇什，陳主尤愛雕蟲，道衡每有所作，南人無不吟誦焉。

When Prince Hong of Hejian marched north against the Turks, he was called in to manage military correspondence. On his return he was appointed Secretary of the Palace Secretariat. That same year he served concurrently as Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry and headed the embassy to Chen. Daoheng memorialized, "Your Majesty's virtue matches the Three Dynasties and you have brought the Nine Provinces to peace—how can a petty Chen remain long outside the imperial net? On this mission I ask leave to demand that they acknowledge themselves a tributary state." The emperor said, "For now I shall cherish and forbear with them, set them beyond ordinary reckoning, and not break them with sharp words." The southeast has always loved poetry; the Chen ruler above all dotes on ornamental verse—and whenever Daoheng wrote something new, the southerners chanted it throughout their lands.

及八年伐陳，拜淮南道行台尚書吏部郎，兼掌文翰。王師臨江，高熲夜幕中，謂曰：「今段定克江東以不？君試言之。」道衡答曰：「凡論大事成敗，先須以至理斷之。《禹貢》所載九州，本是王者封域。郭璞有云：'江東偏王三百年，還與中國合。 '今數將滿矣。以運數而言，其必克一也。有德者昌，無德者亡，自古興滅，皆由此道。主上躬履恭儉，憂勞庶政。叔寶峻宇雕牆，酣酒荒色。其必克二也。為國之體，在於任寄。彼之公卿，備員而已。拔小人施文慶，委以政事；尚書令江總唯事詩酒，本非經略之才；蕭摩訶、任蠻奴是其大將，一夫之用耳。其必克三也。我有道而大，彼無德而小。量其甲士，不過十萬，西自巫峽，東極滄海，分之則勢懸而力弱；聚之則守此而失彼。其必克四也。席捲之勢，其在不疑。」熲忻然曰：「君言成敗，理甚分明。本以才學相期，不意籌略乃爾。」還除吏部侍郎。

In the eighth year, when the campaign against Chen began, he was appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel on the Huainan circuit secretariat and also directed literary affairs. As the imperial armies reached the Yangtze, Gao Jiong said to him one night within the tent: "Will we take the southeast this time or not? Tell me what you think." Daoheng answered, "Whenever one weighs the outcome of a great affair, one must first judge it by the highest principle. The Nine Provinces recorded in the Tribute of Yu were originally the domain of the Son of Heaven. Guo Pu said, 'The petty kings east of the river hold sway for three hundred years, then return to union with the Central States.' That term is nearly spent. Judged by the turn of fate and number, the first certainty of victory lies here. Those with virtue flourish and those without perish; rise and fall have followed this law since antiquity. Our sovereign himself practices reverence and frugality and labors over the affairs of state. Shubao raises towering halls and carved walls, drowning in wine and lost to pleasure. That is the second certainty of victory. The substance of governing a state lies in whom one entrusts with power. Their ministers and grandees are mere placeholders. They elevated the petty man Shi Wenqing and entrusted him with government; Secretariat Director Jiang Zong cares only for wine and poetry and was never a man for strategy; Xiao Mohe and Ren Mannu are their chief generals—men useful in a brawl, not in a war. The third certainty of victory is here. We possess the Way and stand large; they lack virtue and are small. Count their soldiers and they are no more than a hundred thousand; from Witch Gorge to the eastern sea, split they are overmatched and weak, gathered they must defend one place and abandon another. The fourth certainty of victory is here. The tide that sweeps all before it leaves no room for doubt." Jiong said with satisfaction, "Your reasoning on victory and defeat could not be clearer. I counted on you for letters; I did not know your counsel ran so deep." On his return he was made Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel.

後坐抽擢人物，有言其党蘇威，任人有意故，除名，配防嶺表。晉王廣時在揚州，陰令人諷道衡，遣從揚州路，將奏留之。道衡不樂王府，用漢王諒之計，遂出江陵道而貙Ｑ擺詉骰梗髗蹦謔肥＝绡跤墒竅沃湏Ｈ話磘洳牛饀唐募滗瘛：笫镡輳罎諛謔肥湯桑拎由弦峭礆镡盡５籃餉抗刮模㗾匾毁饂照礴１詼髢裕蘯嘔粧庥腥吮閂嘑杧瀋蛩既緔恕５勖吭唬骸暗籃庾魑氖槌莆乙狻！比喚脛竝雜氐湏：蟮畚窖釧亍⑴：朐唬旱籃飫弦櫻浲镨骨誒停飈聳鉤p門陳戟。」於是進上開府，賜物百段。道衡辭以無功。帝曰：「爾久勞階陛，國家大事，皆爾宣行，豈非爾功也？」

Later he was accused of promoting men and of building a faction around Su Wei and favoring appointees for private reasons; he was struck from the rolls and sent to guard the southern frontier. Prince Guang of Jin was then at Yangzhou and secretly sent word urging Daoheng to travel by way of Yangzhou so he could memorialize the throne to keep him there. Daoheng had no wish to serve in a princely house; at Prince Liang of Han's suggestion he left by the road through Jiangling. Before long an edict recalled him, and he served in the Secretariat directly. Prince Guang bore a grudge for it, yet prized his talent and still showed him courtesy. Later Emperor Wen was pleased with his service and said to Yang Su and Niu Hong, "Daoheng is aged and worn with our demands; he ought to have vermilion gates and halberds posted at his door." He was then promoted to Upper Palace Attendant, First Rank, and given a hundred bales of gifts. Daoheng declined, saying he had earned no such reward. The emperor said, "You have long labored on the steps of my hall; the great affairs of state have all passed through your hand—is that not merit enough?"

道衡久當樞要，才名益顯。太子、諸王爭與交好，高熲、楊素雅相推重，聲名籍甚，無競一時。仁壽中，楊素專掌朝政。道衡既與素善，上不欲道衡久知機密，因出檢校襄州總管。道衡一旦見出，不勝悲戀，言之哽咽。帝愴然改容曰：「爾光陰晚暮，侍奉誠勞，朕欲令爾將攝。今爾之去，朕如斷一臂。」於是賚物三百段，九環金帶並時服一襲，馬十匹，慰勉遣之。在任清簡，吏人懷其惠。

Daoheng had long stood at the heart of power, and his fame for talent only grew. The crown prince and imperial princes vied for his friendship; Gao Jiong and Yang Su held him in the highest regard; his name filled every register and had no rival in the day. During the Renshou reign Yang Su held court power in his hands alone. Daoheng was close to Su, and the emperor did not want him near secrets too long; he sent him out as overseer of the Xiangzhou commandery. Torn from court in a day, Daoheng could not master his grief; his voice broke when he spoke. The emperor's face softened with sorrow and he said, "Your years are in their dusk, and your service has been loyal and hard; I wished you to take charge of affairs for me. Now that you leave, it is as if I were losing an arm." He bestowed three hundred bales of goods, a nine-ring gold belt, a set of court dress, and ten horses, and sent him off with words of comfort. In office he ruled with clarity and restraint, and clerks and common people alike cherished his kindness.

煬帝嗣位，轉潘州刺史。歲餘，上表求致仕。帝謂內史侍郎虞世基曰：「道衡將至，當以秘書監待之。」道衡既至，上《高祖文皇帝頌》。帝覽之不悅。顧謂蘇威曰：「道衡致美先朝，此魚藻之義也。」於是拜司隸大夫，將置之罪。道衡不悟，司隸刺史房彥謙素與相善，知必及禍，勸之杜絕賓客，卑辭下氣，而道衡不能用。會議新令，久不能決，道衡謂朝士曰：「向使高熲不死，令當久行。」有人奏之。帝怒曰：「汝憶熲乎？」付執法者推之。道衡自以非大過，促憲司早解。奏日，冀帝赦之，敕家人具饌以備客來侯者。及奏，帝令自盡。道衡殊不意，未能引訣。憲司重奏，縊而殺之。妻子徙且末。時年七十。天下冤之。有集七十卷，行於世。

When Emperor Yang took the throne, he was made Governor of Panzhou. After little more than a year he memorialized asking to retire. The emperor told Yu Shiji, Vice Director of the Secretariat, "When Daoheng comes I mean to receive him as Director of the Palace Library. When Daoheng arrived he presented his "Eulogy to Emperor Wen." The emperor read it and was displeased. He turned to Su Wei and said, "Daoheng lavishes praise on the former reign—that is the meaning of 'Fish and Water-weeds.' He was made Metropolitan Minister of the Inspecting Office, and the emperor meant to bring him to ruin. Daoheng did not understand; Fang Yanqian, Metropolitan Inspector, who had long been his friend, knew ruin was certain and urged him to refuse visitors and speak with humble deference, but Daoheng would not listen. At a meeting on the new statutes, when deliberation dragged on, Daoheng told the court gentlemen, "If Gao Jiong still lived, these laws would long since have been in force." Someone reported his words to the throne. The emperor flared with anger and said, "Do you mourn Jiong?" He was handed to the law officers to be tried. Daoheng judged the offense slight and pressed the censorate to release him quickly. On the day his petition was submitted, he still hoped for imperial mercy and told his household to lay out a feast for the guests who would surely come to congratulate him. When it was read, the Emperor commanded him to kill himself. Daoheng was utterly unprepared and could not bring himself to accept the sentence. The censorate memorialized again, and he was strangled. His wife and children were banished to Qimo. He was seventy years old. The empire held his death a grievous wrong. A seventy-scroll collection of his writings circulated widely.

有子五人，收最知名，出後族父孺。

He had five sons. Shou was the best known; he was given in adoption to his cousin Ru.

孺清貞孤介，不交流俗。涉歷經史，有才思，雖不為大文，所有詩詠，大致清遠。開皇中，為侍御史、揚州總管司功參軍。每以方直自處，府寮多不便之。卒於襄城郡掾。所蒞官皆有能名。道衡偏相友愛，收初生，即與孺為後。養于孺宅，至於成長，殆不識本生。太常丞胡仲操曾在朝堂就孺借刀子割爪甲。孺以仲操非雅士，竟不與之。其不肯妄交，清介獨行，皆此類也。

Ru was chaste, solitary, and proud, never mixing with common society. He was versed in the classics and histories and gifted with wit; though he never composed grand essays, his poems tended toward clarity and distance. Under Kaihuang he served as Attending Censor and Registrar under the Yangzhou commandery headquarters. He always held himself to uncompromising rectitude, which made many of his colleagues uneasy. He died while serving as commandery registrar of Xiangcheng. In every post he held he was known for competence. Daoheng cherished him above the rest; when Shou was born, he was immediately given to Ru as his heir. Raised in Ru's house, he grew to adulthood hardly knowing his birth parents. Hu Zhongcao, an assistant in the Directorate of Ceremonies, once asked Ru on the palace floor to lend him a knife to pare his nails. Ru judged Zhongcao no man of refinement and refused him outright. His refusal of casual acquaintance and his austere independence were characteristic in this way.

道衡兄溫，字尼卿。沈敏有器局，博覽墳典，尤善隸書。仕周為上黃郡守。周平齊，徙燕郡太守，以簡惠稱。宣政元年，賜爵齊安縣子。卒於郡。子邁嗣。

Daoheng's elder brother Wen, courtesy name Niqing. Deep and keen, possessed of breadth of vision, he studied the ancient canon extensively and excelled especially at clerical script calligraphy. Under Zhou he was Administrator of Shanghuang. After Zhou conquered Qi he was moved to Grand Administrator of Yan, famed for simple benevolent rule. In the first year of Xuanzheng he received the title Viscount of Qi'an. He died in office. His son Mai inherited the title.

邁字弘仁，性寡言，長於詞辯。開皇初，襲爵齊安子，改封鐘山。歷位太子舍人。大業中，為刑部、選部二侍郎。

Mai, courtesy name Hongren, was taciturn by nature but fluent in debate. Early in Kaihuang he inherited the Qi'an viscounty and was later enfeoffed at Zhongshan. He served as an attendant in the Heir Apparent's household. During Daye he was Vice Director of Punishments and of Selection.

道衡從父弟道實，位禮部侍郎、離石郡太守，知名于世。從子德音，有俊才，起家游騎尉。佐魏淡修《魏史》，史成，遷著作佐郎。及越王侗稱制東都，王世充之僭號，軍書羽檄，皆出其手。世充平，以罪誅。其文筆多行於世。

Daoheng's paternal cousin Daoshi rose to Vice Director of Rites and Grand Administrator of Lishi and was known throughout the realm. His nephew Deyin, a man of bright gifts, entered service as Commandant of Roaming Cavalry. He helped Wei Dan compile the History of Wei and, when it was finished, was promoted to assistant compiler in the Bureau of Authorship. When Prince Kuai of Yue ruled at the eastern capital and Wang Shichong seized the throne, every dispatch and call to arms bore his hand. After Shichong's defeat he was executed for complicity. Much of his writing still circulated.

聰弟和，南青州刺史。和子善。

Cong's younger brother He served as Governor of Southern Qingzhou. He's son was Shan.

善字仲良。少為司空府參軍。再遷鹽池都將。孝武西遷，魏改河東為秦州，以善為別駕。善家素富，僮僕數百人。兄元信，杖氣豪侈，每食方丈，坐客恆滿，弦歌不絕；而善獨恭己率素，愛樂閒靜。

Shan, courtesy name Zhongliang. In youth he was a junior officer in the Secretariat of Works. He rose twice to command the salt-works garrison. When Emperor Xiaowu fled west, the Wei renamed Hedong as Qinzhou and made Shan its vice administrator. The Shan household was old wealth, with hundreds in their retinue. His elder brother Yuanxin swaggered and spent freely—his table could fill a hall, his guests never thinned, music never ceased; while Shan alone lived modestly and cherished stillness.

大統三年，齊神武敗于沙苑，留善族兄崇禮守河東。周文帝遣李弼圍之，崇禮固守不下。善密說崇禮，猶持疑不決。會善從弟馥妹夫高子信為防城都督，守城南面，遣馥來詣善，云「意欲應接西軍，但恐力所不制。」善即令弟濟將門生數十人，與信、馥等斬關引弼軍入。時預謀者並賞五等爵。善以背逆歸順，臣子常情，豈容闔門大小俱叨封邑，遂與弟慎並固辭不受。周文嘉之，以善為汾陰令。善幹用強明，一郡稱最。太守王羆美之，令善兼督六縣事。尋為行台郎中。

In the third year of Datong, when Qi Shenwu was routed at Shayuan, he left Shan's kinsman Chongli to defend Hedong. Emperor Wen of Zhou sent Li Bi to besiege the city, but Chongli held out and would not fall. Shan urged Chongli in secret, but Chongli still wavered and could not decide. Meanwhile Shan's cousin Fu's brother-in-law Gao Zixin, defense commander on the south wall, sent Fu to Shan with word: "We mean to admit the western army, but fear we lack the strength to see it through." Shan then sent his brother Ji with several dozen retainers; together with Xin, Fu, and the rest they cut the gate chains and admitted Li Bi's troops. All who had plotted with them were rewarded with fifth-rank titles. Shan held that deserting a doomed cause for the victor was only what any loyal subject would do—surely the whole clan could not claim fiefs for it. He and his brother Shen refused the rewards outright. Emperor Wen praised him and made him Magistrate of Fenyin. Shan governed with force and clarity; within the commandery none ranked above him. Grand Administrator Wang Pi admired his work and put him in charge of six counties as well. He was soon made a secretary on the mobile staff.

時欲廣置屯田以供軍費，乃除司農少卿，領同州夏陽縣二十屯監。又于夏陽諸山置鐵冶，復令善為監，每月役八千人，營造軍器。善自督課，兼加慰撫，甲兵精利而皆忘其苦焉。遷大丞相府從事中郎。追論屯田功，賜爵龍門縣子。遷黃門侍郎，除河東郡守，進驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，賜姓宇文氏。六官建，拜工部中大夫，進爵博平縣公。再遷戶部中大夫。

When the court sought to expand military colonies to fund the armies, he was made Vice Minister of Agriculture and superintendent of twenty colony offices in Xiayang, Tongzhou. Ironworks were set up in the Xiayang hills and Shan was again put in charge; every month eight thousand laborers forged weapons for the army. Shan oversaw the work himself and treated the men kindly; arms came out sharp and fine, and the workers scarcely felt their burden. He was promoted to attending gentleman in the Grand Chancellor's office. His service in the colonies was recognized and he was ennobled Viscount of Longmen. He rose to Vice Director of the Yellow Gate and Administrator of Hedong, was made General of Agile Cavalry with an office equal to the Three Excellencies, and received the imperial surname Yuwen. When the Six Offices were created he became Grand Master of Works and was raised to Duke of Boping. He was later moved to Grand Master of Revenue.

時晉公護執政，儀同齊軌語善云：「兵馬萬機，須歸天子，何因猶在權門，」善白之，護乃殺軌。以善忠於己，引為中外府司馬，遷司會中大夫，副總六府事。加授京兆尹，仍行司會。出為隆州刺史，兼益州總管府長史。徵拜武威少府。卒，贈三州刺史。帝以善告齊軌事，諡曰繆公。子褒嗣，官至高陽郡守。

While Duke Hu of Jin held the reins, Qi Gui, a palace attendant of the first order, told Shan: "Arms and every weight of government belong to the Son of Heaven—why do they still sit in a minister's hands?" Shan reported the remark, and Hu had Gui executed. Taking Shan's loyalty as proof, Hu made him marshal of the inner and outer staffs, then Grand Master of Accounts and deputy head of the Six Offices. He was also made Intendant of the capital district while continuing to run the Office of Accounts. He was sent out as Governor of Longzhou and chief clerk under the Yizhou headquarters. He was recalled to serve as vice director of the Wuwu Palace. He died and was posthumously made Governor of Sanzhou. Because Shan had informed on Qi Gui, the Emperor gave him the posthumous name Duke Mu. His son Bao inherited his line and rose to Administrator of Gaoyang.

善弟慎，字伯護。好學，能屬文，善草書。與同郡裴叔逸、裴諏之、柳虯、范陽盧柔、隴西李璨並友善。起家丞相府墨曹參軍。周文於行台省置學，取丞郎及府佐德行明敏者充生。悉令旦理公務，晚就講習，先《六經》，後子史。又于諸生中簡德行淳懿者侍讀書。慎與李璨及隴西李伯良、辛韶、武功蘇衡、譙郡夏侯裕、安定梁曠、梁禮、河南長孫璋、河東裴舉、薛同、滎陽鄭朝等十二人，並應其選。又以慎為學師，以知諸生課業。周文雅好談論，並簡名僧深識玄宗者一百人，於第內講說。又命慎等十二人兼學佛義，使內外俱通。由是四方競為大乘學。在學數年，復以慎為宜都公侍讀。累遷禮部郎中。六官建，拜膳部下大夫。慎兄善又任工部，並居清顯，時人榮之。

Shan's younger brother Shen, courtesy name Bohu. He loved study, could write well, and excelled at cursive calligraphy. He was close friends with Pei Shuyi, Pei Xunzhi, Liu Qiu, Lu Rou of Fanyang, and Li Can of Longxi, all men of his home commandery. He entered service as a clerk in the chancellor's ink office. Emperor Wen founded a school at the mobile secretariat and enrolled assistant directors and staff of proven virtue and sharp mind. They handled official work by day and studied in the evening—first the Six Classics, then the philosophers and histories. From the students he chose those of the purest character to attend him in reading. Shen, Li Can, and ten others—Li Boliang of Longxi, Xin Shao, Su Heng of Wugong, Xiahou Yu of Qiao, Liang Kuang and Liang Li of Anding, Zhangsun Zhang of Henan, Pei Ju of Hedong, Xue Tong, and Zheng Chao of Xingyang—were all chosen. Shen was also made master of the school, charged with the students' progress. Emperor Wen delighted in learned talk and gathered a hundred eminent monks versed in the deeper doctrines to lecture at his mansion. He also required Shen and the twelve to study Buddhist teaching, that they might be versed in both worlds of learning. From that time the realm turned eagerly to Mahayana study. After several years in the school he was made reader to the Duke of Yidu. He rose through several posts to gentleman of the Ministry of Rites. When the Six Offices were created he became Grand Master of the Commissariat. Shen's elder brother Shan held the Ministry of Works; both brothers sat in lofty offices, and their contemporaries counted it an honor.

周孝閔帝踐阼，除禦正下大夫，封淮南縣子。曆師氏、禦伯中大夫。保定初，出為湖州刺史。界既雜蠻夷，恆以劫掠為務。慎乃集諸豪帥，具宣朝旨，仍令首領每月一參，或須言事者，不限時節。慎每見，必殷勤勸誡，及賜酒食。一年之間，翕然從化。諸蠻乃相謂曰：「今日始知刺史真人父母也。」莫不欣悅。自是繈負而至者千餘戶。蠻俗，婚娶之後，父母雖在，即與別居。慎謂守令曰：「牧守令長是化人者也，豈有其子娶妻，便與父母離析？非唯萌俗之失，亦是牧守之罪。」慎乃親自誘導，示以孝慈。並遣守令，各喻所部。有數戶蠻，別居數年，遂還侍養，及行得果膳，歸奉父母。慎以其從善之速，具以狀聞，有詔蠲其賦役。於是風化大行，有同華俗。尋為蕃部中大夫。以疾去職，卒於家。有文集，頗為世所傳。

When Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou took the throne, Shen was made lower grand master of the imperial rectifier and enfeoffed Viscount of Huainan. He served successively as grand master of the masters' clan and grand master of the imperial charioteer. Early in the Baoding era he was sent out as Governor of Huzhou. His jurisdiction was thick with tribal peoples who lived by raiding. Shen summoned the tribal chiefs, set forth the court's will, and required the headmen to attend him monthly; any who had business to report might come at any time. At every audience he exhorted them warmly and set out wine and food. Within a year they submitted to his rule as one. The tribesmen said among themselves: "Only now do we know our governor is father and mother to us in truth." All were filled with joy. After that more than a thousand households came in, children strapped to their backs. Among the tribes it was custom that after marriage, even while parents still lived, the couple set up a separate household. Shen told the prefectural and county officials, "Governors and magistrates exist to transform the people. How can sons marry and at once leave their parents? That is not only a failing of popular custom but also a fault of those who govern." Shen thereupon guided them himself, teaching filial piety and kindness. He also sent each official to instruct his own district. Several tribal households that had lived apart for years returned to serve their parents, and when they obtained fruit or delicacies on the road they brought them home as offerings. Moved by how quickly they reformed, Shen reported the matter in full, and an edict exempted them from taxes and corvée labor. Exemplary customs then spread widely until they resembled those of the Chinese. He was soon recalled to serve as middle grand master in the Office of Barbarian Affairs. He resigned because of illness and died at home. He left a collected writings that circulated widely in his day.

薛寘，河東汾陰人也。祖遵顏，魏河東郡守、安邑侯。父乂，清河、廣平二郡守。寘幼覽篇籍，好屬文，起家奉朝請。從魏孝武西遷，封郃陽縣子。廢帝元年，領著作佐郎，修國史。尋拜中書侍郎，修起居注。遷中書令。燕公於謹征江陵，以寘為司錄，軍中謀略，寘並參之。江陵平，進爵為伯。朝廷方改物創制，欲行《周禮》，乃令寘與小宗伯盧辯斟酌古今，共詳定之。六官建，授內史下大夫。

Xue Zhi came from Fenyin in Hedong. His grandfather Zunyan had served Wei as administrator of Hedong commandery and marquis of Anyi. His father Yi was administrator of Qinghe and Guangping commanderies. From youth Zhi read widely and loved to write; he began his career as attendant at court. He followed Emperor Xiaowu of Wei in the westward move and was enfeoffed viscount of Heyang county. In the first year of Emperor Fei he served concurrently as assistant gentleman of the composing bureau and compiled the national history. Before long he was appointed vice director of the central secretariat and compiled the imperial diary. He was promoted to director of the central secretariat. When Duke of Yan Yu Jin campaigned against Jiangling, Zhi was made chief clerk and took part in every military plan of the army. When Jiangling was pacified, his rank was advanced to count. The court was then reforming institutions and wished to put the 《Rites of Zhou》 into practice, so it ordered Zhi and lesser grand master of ancestor worship Lu Bian to weigh past and present and jointly work out the details. When the six offices were established, he was appointed lower grand master of the inner secretary.

周孝閔帝踐阼，進爵為侯，轉禦正中大夫。時前中書監盧柔，學業優深，文藻華贍，而寘與之方駕，故世號曰盧、薛焉。久之，進位驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，出為淅州刺史。卒於位，吏人哀惜之。贈虞州刺史，諡曰理。所著文筆二十餘卷，行於世。又撰《西京記》三卷，引據該洽，世稱其博聞焉。寘性至孝，雖年齒已衰，職務繁廣，至於溫清之禮，朝夕無違。當時以此稱之。子明嗣。大象末，儀同大將軍、清水郡守。

When Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou ascended the throne, Zhi was raised to marquis and made middle grand master of the imperial rectifier. At the time the former director of the central secretariat Lu Rou was deeply learned and richly gifted in letters; Zhi stood equal with him, so the age spoke of Lu and Xue together. After some time he was promoted to grand general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal in protocol to the three excellencies, and posted as inspector of Xizhou. He died at his post; officials and commoners mourned him. He was posthumously made inspector of Yuzhou with the posthumous title Li. More than twenty scrolls of his writings circulated in his day. He also compiled the 《Record of the Western Capital》 in three scrolls; its citations were thorough, and the age praised his wide learning. Zhi was deeply filial by nature; though old and burdened with heavy duties, he never missed morning or evening the rites of asking after his parents' warmth and coolness. His contemporaries praised him for it. His son Ming succeeded him. At the end of the Daxiang era he was general equal in honor to the three excellencies and administrator of Qingshui commandery.

薛憕，字景猷，河東汾陰人也。曾祖弘敞，逢赫連之亂，率宗人避地襄陽。憕早喪父，家貧。躬耕以養祖母，有暇則覽文籍。疏宕不拘，時人未之奇也。江表取人，多以世族。憕世無貴仕，解褐不過侍郎。既羈旅，不被擢用。常歎曰：「豈能五十年戴幘，死一校尉，低頭傾首，俯仰而向人也！」常鬱鬱不得志，每在人間，輒陵架勝達，負才使氣，未嘗趨世祿之門。左中郎將京兆韋潛度謂曰：「君門地非下，身材不劣，何不{敝衣}裾數參吏部？」憕曰：「'世胄躡高位，英俊沈下寮'，古人以為歎息，竊所未能也。」潛度告人曰：「此年少實慷慨，但不遭時耳。」

Xue Cheng, courtesy name Jingyou, came from Fenyin in Hedong. His great-grandfather Hongchang, during the turmoil of Helian, led the clan in flight to Xiangyang. Cheng lost his father early, and the family was poor. He plowed with his own hands to support his grandmother, and when he had leisure he read books. Unconventional and unrestrained, he struck contemporaries as nothing out of the ordinary. South of the Yangzi, appointments went chiefly to great clans. Cheng's family had produced no high office for generations, and when he first entered service he rose no higher than vice director. As an outsider living abroad, he went unnoticed and unappointed. He often sighed and said, "Am I to spend fifty years in an official cap and die a mere commandant, bowing and scraping before others in every encounter?" He lived in constant frustration. Among company he would tower over the eminent, trusting in his talent and pride of spirit, and never once sought the doors of men who dispensed worldly salary. Left middle general Wei Qiandu of Jingzhao said to him, "Your family standing is not low and your person is not inferior—why not visit the Ministry of Personnel several times in humble dress?" Cheng replied, " 'Hereditary scions tread the high posts while outstanding men sink to low offices'—the ancients sighed over this, and I myself cannot accept it." Qiandu told others, "This young man is truly high-minded and generous—he simply has not met the right time."

孝昌中，杖策還洛陽。先是憕從祖真度與族祖安都擁徐、兗歸魏，其子懷俊見憕，甚相親善。屬爾硃榮廢立，怔遂還河東，止懷俊家。不交人物，終日讀書，手自抄略，將二百卷。唯郡守元襲時相要屈，與之抗禮。懷俊每謂曰：「汝還鄉里，不營產業，不肯取妻，豈復欲南乎？」憕亦不介意。普泰中，拜給事中，加伏波將軍。

During Xiaochang he took up his staff and walked home to Luoyang. Before this, Cheng's paternal cousin Zhendu and clan elder Andu had brought Xu and Yan over to Wei; Zhendu's son Huaijun met Cheng and became very close to him. When Erzhu Rong began deposing and installing emperors, Cheng retreated to Hedong and lodged with Huaijun. He did not associate with others, read all day, and copied extracts in his own hand—nearly two hundred scrolls. Only Prefect Yuan Xi would sometimes summon him and keep him awhile; Cheng received him as an equal. Huaijun often said, "You have returned to your homeland, build no property, and refuse to take a wife—do you still mean to go south?" Cheng gave it no heed either. During Putai he was appointed attendant within the gates, with added rank general who pacifies the waves.

及齊神武起兵，憕乃東游陳、梁間，謂族人孝通曰：「高歡阻兵陵上，喪亂方始。關中形勝之地，必有霸王據之。」乃與孝通俱游長安。侯莫陳悅聞之，召為行台郎，除鎮遠將軍、步兵校尉。及悅害賀拔岳，軍人咸相慶慰。憕獨謂所親曰：「悅才略本寡，輒害良將，敗亡之事，其則不遠。吾屬今即為人所虜，何慶之有乎？」長高以憕言為然，並有憂色。尋而周文平悅，引憕為記室參軍。武帝西遷，授征虜將軍、中散大夫，封夏陽縣男。文帝即位，拜中書侍郎，加安東將軍，進爵為伯。

When Gao Huan raised troops, Cheng traveled east among Chen and Liang and said to his clansman Xiaotong, "Gao Huan blocks the armies and lords it over his sovereign; disorder has only begun. Guanzhong is a land of strategic strength; a hegemon is sure to hold it." So he and his clansman Xiaotong went together to Chang'an. When Houmochen Yue heard of it, he summoned Cheng as mobile headquarters gentleman and made him general who pacifies the distance and commandant of foot soldiers. After Yue murdered Heba Yue, the troops all congratulated one another. Cheng alone told those close to him, "Yue never had much talent or strategy; by rashly killing a fine general he has brought ruin near. We are about to become someone else's prisoners—what is there to celebrate?" The people of Chang'an thought Cheng was right and all looked worried. Before long Duke Wen of Zhou crushed Yue and made Cheng recording secretary on his staff. When Emperor Xiaowu moved west, Cheng was made general who punishes the barbarians and grand master of leisurely dissemination, enfeoffed baron of Xiayang county. When Emperor Wen took the throne, Cheng was appointed vice director of the central secretariat, given the added rank of general who pacifies the east, and raised to count.

大統四年，宣光、清徽殿初成，憕為之頌。文帝又造二欹器：一為二仙人共持一缽，同處一盤，缽蓋有山，山有香氣，一仙人又持金瓶以臨器上，傾水灌山，則出於瓶而注乎器，煙氣通發山中，謂之仙人欹器。一為二荷同處一盤，相去盈尺，中有蓮，下垂器上，以水注荷，則出於蓮而盈乎器，為鳧雁蟾以飾之，謂之水芝欹器。二盤各處一床，缽圓而床方，中有人，三才之象也。皆置清徽殿前。形似觥而方，滿而平，溢則傾。憕各為頌。

In Datong year 4, when the Xuanguang and Qinghui halls were first finished, Cheng wrote encomia for them. Emperor Wen also had two tilting vessels made. One showed two immortals holding a shared bowl on one dish; the bowl's lid bore a fragrant mountain, and one immortal held a golden flask above the vessel; when water was poured on the mountain it ran from the flask into the vessel and smoke rose through the mountain—this was called the Immortals' Tilting Vessel. The other showed two lotuses on one dish a full chi apart, with a lotus hanging down over the vessel; when water was poured on the lotus it flowed out and filled the vessel, ornamented with ducks, geese, and toads—this was called the Water Lotuses Tilting Vessel. Each dish stood on its own stand; the bowl was round and the stand square, with a human figure between them to represent heaven, earth, and man. Both were set before the Qinghui Hall. The vessels were square like a gong: full they stood level, overflowing they tipped. Cheng wrote an encomium for each.

大統初，儀制多闕。周文令憕與盧辯、檀翥等參定之。以流離世故，不聽音樂，雖幽室獨處，常有戚容。後坐事死。子舒嗣，官至禮部下大夫、儀同大將軍、聘陳使副。

Early in Datong many rites and regulations were still missing. Duke Wen of Zhou ordered Cheng, together with Lu Bian, Tan Zhu, and others, to draft and codify them. Having been uprooted by the turmoil of the age, he would not listen to music; even alone in a quiet room he often looked sorrowful. Later he was executed for an offense. His son Shu succeeded him and rose to lower grand master in the Ministry of Rites, general equal in honor to the three excellencies, and deputy envoy to Chen.

論曰：薛辯有魏之初，功業早樹，門膺人爵，無替榮名。端以謙直見知；胄以公平自命。浚之孝悌，素緒之所得也。道衡雅道弈葉，世擅文宗，令望攸歸，豈徒然矣。而運逢季叔，卒蹈誅戮，痛乎！仲良任惟繁劇，弘益流譽；而陷齊諂護，以要權寵，易名為繆，斯豈虛哉！寘、憕並學稱該博，文擅雕龍，或揮翰鳳池，或著書麟閣，咸居祿位，各逞琳琅。擬彼徐、陳，慚後生之可畏；論其任遇，實當時之良選也。

Commentary: At the beginning of Wei, Xue Bian early established merit and achievement; his house received noble ranks from the throne, and its glorious name never faded. Duan was known for modesty and forthrightness; Zhou prided himself on fairness and impartiality. Jun's filial piety and brotherly devotion were what a plain lineage could achieve. Daoheng's elegant craft passed down generation after generation like leaves on a Go board; the family monopolized literary eminence, and all lofty reputation converged upon him—was it for nothing? Yet fate met a season of decline; in the end he suffered execution—how painful! Zhongliang took on only the heaviest duties and won wide renown for the good he accomplished; yet he informed on Qi Gui and flattered Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu to win power and favor—his posthumous name was changed to Miu; was that not fitting! Zhi and Cheng were both praised as broadly learned and masters of literary craft; some wrote at the Phoenix Pool, others compiled works at the Unicorn Pavilion—all held office and each shone with talent. Set beside the famous Xu and Chen, one would feel humbled by how formidable this younger generation was; Judging by their appointments and honors, they were truly the best men of their time.

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