1
周室諸王
Princes of the Northern Zhou Imperial Family
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列傳第四十六周室諸王
Biography 46: Princes of the Northern Zhou Imperial Family
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文帝十三王孝閔帝一王明帝二王武帝六王宣帝二王
Thirteen sons of Emperor Wen; one prince under Emperor Xiaomin; two under Emperor Ming; six under Emperor Wu; two under Emperor Xuan
4
周文帝十三子：姚夫人生明帝。 後宮生宋獻公震。 文元皇后生孝閔皇帝。 文宣叱奴皇后生武帝、衛剌王直。 達步妃生齊煬王憲。 王姬生趙僭王招。 後宮生譙孝王儉、陳惑王純、越野王盛、代紘王達、冀康公通、滕聞王逌。
The thirteen sons of Emperor Wen of Zhou: Lady Yao bore Emperor Ming. A lady of the rear palace bore Duke Gong Zhen of Song, Zhen. Empress Yuanwen bore Emperor Xiaomin. Empress Chinu bore Emperor Wu and Prince Zhi of Wei. Consort Dabu bore Prince Xian of Qi. A royal concubine bore Prince Zhao of Zhao. The rear palace bore Prince Xiao of Qiao, Jian; Prince Huo of Chen, Chun; Prince Yue of Yue, Sheng; Prince Hong of Dai, Da; Duke Kang of Ji, Tong; and Prince Wen of Teng, You.
5
無子，以明帝第三子實嗣。 建德三年，進爵為王。 大象中，為大前疑，尋為隋文帝害，國除。
He had no sons; Emperor Ming's third son Shi was adopted as his heir. In the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince. In the Daxiang era he served as Grand Mentor, but was soon killed by Emperor Wen of Sui and his fief was abolished.
6
衛剌王直，字豆羅突。 魏恭帝三年，封秦郡公。 武成初，進封衛國公，曆雍州牧、大司空、襄州總管。 直，武帝母弟也，性浮詭。 以晉公護執政，遂貳於帝而昵護。 及南討軍敗，慍於免黜，又請帝除護。 帝宿有誅護意，遂與直謀之。 及護誅，帝以齊王憲為大塚宰。 直既乖本望，又請為大司馬，欲擅威權。 帝知其意，謂曰：「汝兄弟長幼有序，何反居下列也？」 以為大司徒。 建德三年，進爵為王。
Prince Zhi of Wei, style name Douluotu. In the third year of Emperor Gong of Wei he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qin commandery. At the beginning of Wucheng he was advanced to Duke of Wei and successively served as governor of Yong province, Grand Minister of Works, and commissioner over Xiang province. Zhi was the uterine younger brother of Emperor Wu; his nature was frivolous and deceitful. Because the Duke of Jin, Hu, held power, he turned against the emperor while remaining intimate with Hu. When the southern campaign failed he grew resentful at being dismissed and again asked the emperor to remove Hu. The emperor had long wished to execute Hu and therefore plotted with Zhi. After Hu was killed, the emperor made Prince Xian of Qi Grand Minister of War. Zhi, having missed his original hopes, next asked to be made Grand Minister of War, seeking to monopolize authority. The emperor knew his intent and said, "Among you brothers there is an order of seniority — why would you insist on ranking below?" He was made Grand Minister of Education instead. In the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince.
7
初，帝以直第為東宮，更使直自擇所居。 直曆觀府署，無稱意者，至廢陟屺佛寺，遂欲居之。 齊王憲謂曰：「弟兒女成長，此寺偏小，詎是所宜？」 直曰：「一身尚不自容，何論兒女！」 憲怪而疑之。 直嘗從帝校獵而亂行，帝怒，對眾撻之。 自是，憤怨滋甚。 及帝幸雲陽宮，直在京師反，攻肅章門，司武尉遲運閉門，不得入，退走。 追至荊州獲之，免為庶人，囚諸宮中。 尋有異志，及其子十人並誅之，國除。
At first the emperor had taken Zhi's residence for the Eastern Palace and had Zhi choose another place to live. Zhi went through all the government offices and found none to his liking; when he came to the abandoned Qiji Buddhist monastery at Mount Zhi, he wished to live there. Prince Xian of Qi said to him, "Brother, your sons and daughters are grown — this temple is too small; how can it be suitable?" Zhi said, "I cannot even find room for myself — what does it matter about sons and daughters!" Xian was astonished and grew suspicious. Once Zhi followed the emperor on a hunting outing and marched out of line; the emperor was angry and flogged him in public. From then on his hatred and resentment grew ever stronger. When the emperor visited the Yunyang Palace, Zhi rebelled in the capital, attacked the Suozhang Gate; Commandant of Martial Affairs Yuchi Yun closed the gate and would not admit him, so he retreated. Pursued to Jing province he was captured, degraded to commoner, and imprisoned within the palace. Before long he harbored further designs; he and his ten sons were all executed and the fief abolished.
8
武成初，除益州總管，進封齊國公。 初，平蜀之後，文帝以其形勝之地，不欲使宿將居之。 諸子中欲有推擇，偏問武帝以下，誰欲此行，並未及對，而憲先請。 文帝曰：「刺史當撫眾臨人，非爾所及。 以年授者，當歸爾兄。」 憲曰：「才用殊不關大小，試而無效，甘受面欺。」 文帝以憲年尚幼，未之遣。 明帝追遵先旨，故有此授。 憲時年十六，善於撫綏，留心政術，辭訟輻湊，聽受不疲。 蜀人悅之，共立碑頌德。
At the beginning of Wucheng he was appointed commissioner over Yi province and advanced to Duke of Qi. After the conquest of Shu, Emperor Wen, because it was a strategically critical region, did not wish an old general to reside there. Among his sons he wished to choose one; he asked Emperor Wu and those below who would go — before any had answered, Xian volunteered first. Emperor Wen said, "A regional inspector must comfort the masses and oversee men — that is not your level. By age it should go to your elder brother." Xian said, "Talent has nothing to do with great or small; if a trial fails I am willing to be shamed to my face." Emperor Wen, because Xian was still young, did not send him. Emperor Ming followed his father's prior intent, hence this appointment. Xian was then sixteen; skilled at comforting and pacifying, attentive to governance; lawsuits crowded in and he heard them without tiring. The people of Shu were pleased and together set up a stele praising his virtue.
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保定中，徵拜雍州牧。 及晉公護東伐，以尉遲迥為前鋒，圍洛陽。 齊兵數萬，奄出軍後，諸軍恇駭，並各退散。 唯憲與王雄、達奚武拒之，而雄為齊人所敗，三軍震懼。 憲親自督勵，眾心乃安。 時晉公護執政，雅相親委，賞罰之際，皆得預焉。 天和三年，以憲為大司馬，行小塚宰，雍州牧如故。 四年，齊將獨孤永業來寇，詔憲與柱國李穆出宜陽，築崇德等五城，絕其糧道。 齊將斛律明月築壘洛南。 五年，憲涉洛邀之，明月遁走。 是歲，明月又於汾北築城，西至龍門。 晉公護問計於憲，憲曰：「兄宜暫出同州為威容，憲請以精兵居前，隨機攻取。」 六年，憲率眾出自龍門，齊將新蔡王康得潛軍宵遁。 憲乃度河，攻其伏龍等四城，二日盡拔。 又攻張壁，克之。 斛律明月時在華容，弗能救，乃北攻姚襄城，陷之。 汾州又見圍日久，憲遣柱國宇文盛運粟饋之。 憲自入兩乳穀，襲克齊伯杜城。 使柱國譚公會築石殿城以為汾州之援。 齊平原王段孝先、蘭陵王高長恭引兵大至，大將軍韓歡為齊人所乘，遂退。 憲身自督戰，齊眾稍卻。 會日暮，乃各收軍。
In the Baoding era he was summoned and appointed governor of Yong province. When the Duke of Jin, Hu, attacked eastward, Yuchi Jiong was made vanguard and besieged Luoyang. Several tens of thousands of Qi troops suddenly came out behind the army; the armies were terrified and all scattered in retreat. Only Xian with Wang Xiong and Daxi Wu resisted; Xiong was defeated by the Qi men and the whole army was shaken with fear. Xian personally urged them on and the men's hearts were then at ease. At that time the Duke of Jin, Hu, held power and treated him with great trust; in matters of reward and punishment he was always consulted. In the third year of Tianhe he was made Grand Minister of War, acting as junior minister of war, while remaining governor of Yong. In the fourth year the Qi general Dugu Yongye came to raid; the emperor ordered Xian with the pillar Li Mu to go out to Yiyang and build five walled cities including Chongde to cut their grain route. The Qi general Hulu Yueyang built fortifications south of Luo. In the fifth year Xian crossed the Luo to challenge him; Yueyang fled. That year Yueyang again built a fort north of the Fen, west as far as Longmen. The Duke of Jin, Hu, asked Xian's plan; Xian said, "Elder brother should temporarily go out to Tong province for a show of might; I request to lead picked troops forward and seize opportunities to attack." In the sixth year Xian led the army out from Longmen; the Qi Prince of Xin'ai, Kangde, secretly fled by night. Xian then crossed the river and attacked his four walled cities Fulong and others — all were taken in two days. He also attacked Zhangbi and took it. Hulu Yueyang was then at Huarong and could not save them; he went north and attacked Yaoxiang city and took it. Fen province had long been besieged; Xian sent the pillar Yuwen Sheng to transport grain to feed them. Xian himself entered the Liangru Valley and stormed and took the Qi city Bodu. He had the pillar Tan Gonghui build Shidian city as relief for Fen province. The Qi Princes Pingyuan, Duan Xiaoxian, and Lanling, Gao Changgong, led great armies; General Han Huan was overcome by the Qi men and retreated. Xian personally directed the battle and the Qi masses gradually withdrew. As night fell each side withdrew their troops.
10
及晉公護誅，武帝召憲入，免冠拜謝。 帝謂曰：「汝親則同氣，休戚共之，事不相涉，何煩致謝？」 乃詔憲往護第，收兵符及諸簿籍等。 尋以憲為大塚宰。 時帝既誅宰臣，親覽朝政，方欲齊之以刑，爰及親親，亦為刻薄。 憲既為護所任，自天和後，威勢漸隆。 護欲有所陳，多令憲奏。 其間或有可不，憲慮主相嫌隙，每曲而暢之。 帝亦悉其此心，故得無患。 然猶以威名過重，終不能平，雖遷授塚宰，實奪其權也。 開府裴文舉，憲之侍讀，帝嘗禦內殿引見，謂曰：「昔魏末不綱，太祖匡輔元氏； 有周受命，晉公復執威權。 積習生常，便謂法應須爾。 豈有三十歲天子可為人所制乎？ 且近代以來，又有一弊，暫經隸屬，便即禮若君臣，此乃亂時權宜，非經國之術。 爾雖陪侍齊公，不得即同臣主。 且太祖十兒，寧可悉為天子？ 卿宜規以正道，無令兄弟自致嫌疑。」 文舉再拜而出，歸以白憲。 憲指心撫幾曰：「吾心公寧不悉？ 但當盡忠竭節耳，知復何言！」
When the Duke of Jin, Hu, was executed, Emperor Wu summoned Xian, who removed his cap and bowed in apology. The emperor said, "You are kin by the same breath — we share joy and sorrow; the matter does not involve you — why trouble yourself with apologies?" He then ordered Xian to go to Hu's residence and collect military tallies and all registers. Soon Xian was made Grand Minister of War. The emperor, having killed the chief minister, personally oversaw court affairs and wished to regularize all by punishments; even toward kin he was harsh. Xian, having been used by Hu, from after Tianhe his power and prestige gradually grew. When Hu wished to make a proposal he often had Xian present it. When something was not acceptable Xian feared estrangement between lord and minister and always softened and made it clear. The emperor also fully knew this loyalty, so he had no trouble. Yet because his renown was too great he could not finally be at ease; though he was transferred to minister of war he was in reality stripped of power. Attending gentleman Pei Wenju, Xian's tutor, was once summoned to the inner hall; the emperor said to him, "In late Wei the laws were in disarray; the Grand Ancestor assisted and upheld the Yuan. When Zhou received the mandate, the Duke of Jin again wielded power. Habit piled upon habit until people thought it must be so by law. How could a thirty-year-old Son of Heaven be controlled by others? Moreover in recent times there has been another ill: after brief subordination people at once treat each other like lord and minister — that was a wartime expedient, not the art of governing a state. Though you attend Prince Qi you must not at once become like minister to lord. And the Grand Ancestor's ten sons — could they all be Sons of Heaven? You should guide him with the correct path and not let brothers bring suspicion on themselves." Wenju bowed twice and withdrew, returned, and told Xian. Xian pointed to his heart and stroked the armrest, saying, "My heart is public — can he not know it? I need only exhaust loyalty and utmost devotion — what more is there to say!"
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建德三年，進爵為王。 甯友劉休征獻王箴一首，憲美之。 休征後又以箴上之，帝方翦削諸弟，甚悅其文。 憲嘗以兵書繁廣，自刊為要略五篇，至是表陳之。 帝覽而稱善。
In the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince. Liu Xiuzheng of Ning submitted an "Admonition to Kings," and Xian praised it. Xiuzheng later submitted the admonition to the emperor; the emperor was then curtailing his younger brothers and greatly liked the text. Xian had found military books too prolix and himself abridged them into an Essentials in five sections; now he presented them in a memorial. The emperor read them and praised them.
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其秋，帝于雲陽寢疾，衛王直于京師。 帝召憲謂曰：「汝為前軍，吾亦續發。」 直尋敗走。 帝至京師，憲與趙王招俱入拜謝。 帝曰：「管、蔡為戮，周公作輔，人心不同，有如其面。 但愧兄弟親尋干戈，於我為不能耳。」 初，直內忌憲，憲隱而容之，且以帝母弟，每加友敬。 晉公護之誅也，直固請及憲。 帝曰：「齊公心跡，吾自悉之，不得更有所疑。」 及文宣皇后崩，直又密啟憲飲酒食肉與平昔不異。 帝曰：「吾與齊王異生，俱非正嫡，特為吾意，今袒括是同。 汝當愧之，何論得失。 汝親太后之子，但須自助。」 直乃止。
That autumn the emperor was ill at Yunyang; Prince Zhi of Wei was in the capital. The emperor summoned Xian and said, "You shall be the vanguard army — I too shall follow." Zhi was soon defeated and fled. When the emperor reached the capital, Xian and Prince Zhao of Zhao both entered to pay their respects. The emperor said, "Guan and Cai were executed, the Duke of Zhou served as regent — men's hearts differ as faces differ. I only regret that brothers should hunt each other with arms — I have fallen short in that." At first Zhi inwardly resented Xian; Xian concealed this and tolerated him, and because he was the emperor's uterine younger brother always treated him with friendship and respect. When the Duke of Jin, Hu, was executed, Zhi insistently asked that Xian be implicated too. The emperor said, "Prince Qi's mind and conduct I know full well myself — you must not harbor further suspicion." When Empress Dowager Chinu died, Zhi again secretly reported that Xian drank wine and ate meat no differently than before. The emperor said, "Prince Qi and I were born to different mothers; neither of us was the legitimate heir — I favored him of my own accord; now we bare the arm alike for mourning. You ought to feel ashamed — what talk of right and wrong? You are the empress dowager's son — you need only help yourself." Zhi then stopped.
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四年，帝將東討，獨與內史王誼謀之，余人莫知。 後以諸弟才略，無出憲右，遂告之。 憲即贊成其事。 及大軍將出，憲表上金寶等一十六件以助軍資。 詔不納，以憲表示公卿曰：「人臣當如此，朕貴其心耳，寧資此物。」 乃詔寧為前軍，趣黎陽。 帝親圍河陰，未克。 憲攻拔武濟，進圍洛口，拔其東西二城。 以帝疾班師。 是歲，初置上柱國，以憲為之。
In the fourth year the emperor planned an eastern campaign and discussed it only with the director of palace affairs Wang Yi; no one else knew. Later, because among his younger brothers' talent and strategy none surpassed Xian, he told him. Xian at once endorsed the plan. When the great army was about to march, Xian memorialized gold, treasures, and sixteen other items to aid military funds. The emperor would not accept them and showed Xian's memorial to the ministers, saying, "A subject should act like this — I value his heart, not these goods." He then ordered Xian as vanguard to hurry to Liyang. The emperor personally besieged Heyin but could not take it. Xian stormed and took Wuji, advanced to besiege Luokou, and captured its eastern and western cities. Because the emperor fell ill the army withdrew. That year the senior pillar rank was first established and Xian was made one.
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五年，大舉東討，憲復為前鋒，守雀鼠穀。 帝親圍晉州，憲進克洪洞、永安二城，更圖進取。 齊主聞晉州見圍，自來援之。 時陳王純頓千里徑，大將軍永是公椿屯雞棲原，大將軍宇文盛守汾水關，並受憲節度。 憲密謂椿曰：「捕者詭道，汝今為營，不須張幕，可伐柏為庵，示有處所。 令兵去之後，賊猶致疑。」 時齊主分軍萬人向千里徑，又令其眾出汾水關，自率大兵與椿對。 宇文盛馳告急，憲自救之，齊人遽退。 盛與柱國侯莫陳芮逐之，多有斬獲。 俄而椿告齊眾稍逼，憲又救之。 會椿被敕追還，率兵夜反。 齊人果謂柏庵為帳幕，不疑軍退，翌日始悟。 時帝已去晉州，留憲後拒。 憲阻水為陣。 齊領軍段暢至橋。 憲隔水問暢姓名，暢曰：「領軍段暢也，公復為誰？」 憲曰：「我虞候大都督耳。」 暢曰：「觀公言語，不是凡人，何用隱名位。」 憲乃曰：「我齊王也。」 偏指陳王純已下，並以告之。 暢鞭馬去，憲即命旋軍。 齊人遽追之，戈甲甚銳。 憲與開府宇文忻為殿拒之，斬其驍將賀蘭豹子、山褥環等，齊眾乃退。
In the fifth year a great eastern campaign was launched; Xian again served as vanguard and guarded Sparrow-Mouse Valley. The emperor personally besieged Jin province; Xian advanced and took Hongdong and Yong'an, then planned further advances. When the Qi ruler heard Jin province was besieged he came in person to relieve it. Prince Chun of Chen held at Thousand-Li Path, the great general Duke Chun of Yongshi at Chicken-Roost Plain, and General Yuwen Sheng at Fen River Pass — all under Xian's command. Xian secretly told Chun, "Hunters use decoy paths — when you make camp now, do not pitch awnings; cut cypress for a hut to show there is a dwelling. After the troops leave the enemy will still be suspicious." The Qi ruler then sent ten thousand men toward Thousand-Li Path, had his main force come out through Fen River Pass, and himself led a great army to face Chun. Yuwen Sheng galloped to report the emergency; Xian went to rescue in person and the Qi troops quickly withdrew. Sheng with the pillar Hou Mo Chen Rui pursued them and took many heads and captives. Soon Chun reported the Qi forces were pressing; Xian rescued again. Chun was then recalled by edict and led his troops back by night. The Qi men took the cypress hut for tent curtains and did not suspect the army had withdrawn; only the next day did they realize. The emperor had already left Jin province and left Xian to hold the rear. Xian blocked the water and formed his battle line. The Qi commanding general Duan Chang reached the bridge. Xian called across the water and asked Chang's name; Chang said, "Commanding General Duan Chang — and who are you?" Xian said, "I am only a frontier patrol grand commander." Chang said, "From your speech you are no ordinary man — why hide your name and rank?" Xian then said, "I am Prince of Qi." He pointed to Prince Chun of Chen and those below and told him of them all. Chang whipped his horse away; Xian then ordered the army to turn back. The Qi troops quickly pursued, their weapons and armor very keen. Xian with Attending Gentleman Yuwen Xin as rear guard held them off and cut down their fierce generals Helan Baozi, Shanru Huan, and others; the Qi masses then withdrew.
15
帝又命憲援晉州。 齊主攻圍晉州，帝次於高顯，憲率所部先向晉州。 明日諸軍總集，稍逼城下。 齊人大陣于營南，帝召憲馳往觀之。 憲反命曰：「請破之而後食。」 帝悅。 既而諸軍俱進，應時大潰，齊主遁走。 齊人復據高壁及洛女，帝命憲攻洛女，破之。 齊主已走鄴，留其安德王延宗據并州。 帝進圍其城，憲攻其西面，克之。 延宗遁走，追而獲之。 以功進封第二子安城公質為河間王，拜第三子賓為大將軍。 仍詔憲趣鄴，進克鄴城。
The emperor again ordered Xian to relieve Jin province. The Qi ruler attacked and besieged Jin province; the emperor halted at Gaoxian; Xian led his troops first toward Jin province. The next day the armies gathered and gradually pressed below the city. The Qi formed a great battle line south of the camp; the emperor summoned Xian to gallop out and observe. Xian returned and reported, "Let me break them first, then we shall eat. The emperor was pleased. Then all the armies advanced together; at once there was a great rout and the Qi ruler fled. The Qi again held the high walls and Luonu; the emperor ordered Xian to attack Luonu and he broke it. The Qi ruler had already fled to Ye and left his Prince of Ande, Yan Zong, to hold Bing province. The emperor advanced to besiege the city; Xian attacked the western face and took it. Yan Zong fled; they pursued and captured him. For his merit his second son, Duke Zhi of Ancheng, was advanced to Prince of Hejian, and his third son Bin was made great general. He still ordered Xian to hurry to Ye; he advanced and took Ye city.
16
憲善兵謀，長於撫禦，摧鋒陷陣，為士卒先。 齊人聞風，憚其勇略。 齊任城王湝、廣甯王孝珩等守信都，復詔憲討之。 仍令齊主手書招湝，湝不納。 憲軍過趙州，湝令間諜二人覘，候騎執以白憲。 憲乃集齊舊將，偏將示之曰：「吾所爭者大，不在汝等。」 即放還，令充使，乃與湝書。 憲至信都，湝陣于城南，登張耳塚望之。 俄而湝所署領軍尉相願偽出略陣，遂降，湝殺其妻子。 明日擒湝及孝珩等。
Xian was skilled in military strategy and excelled at comforting and controlling troops; he crushed the vanguard and broke formations, going before the soldiers. The Qi, hearing of him, feared his courage and strategy. The Qi Prince of Rencheng, Huo, Prince of Guangning, Xiao Heng, and others held Xindu; the emperor again ordered Xian to attack them. He also had the Qi ruler write a letter in his own hand to summon Huo; Huo would not submit. When Xian's army passed Zhao province, Huo sent two spies to reconnoiter; patrol riders seized them and reported to Xian. Xian gathered the old Qi generals and subordinate commanders and showed them, saying, "What we contend for is great — it does not lie with you. He immediately released and returned them, made them envoys, and then wrote to Huo. When Xian reached Xindu, Huo drew up his line south of the city and ascended Zhang Er's mound to view them. Soon Huo's appointed commanding general Wei Xiangyuan feigned going out to patrol the formation and then surrendered; Huo killed his wife and children. The next day they captured Huo and Xiao Heng and the rest.
17
先是稽胡劉沒鐸自稱皇帝，又詔憲督趙王招等平之。
Earlier the Jiehu leader Liu Meiduo had styled himself emperor; the emperor again ordered Xian to supervise Prince Zhao of Zhao and others to pacify him.
18
憲自以威名日重，潛思摒退。 及帝欲親征北蕃，乃辭以疾。 尋而帝崩，宣帝嗣位，以憲屬尊望重，深忌之。 時尚未葬，諸王在內居服。 司衛長孫覽總兵輔政，恐諸王有異志，奏令開府于智察其動靜。 及山陵還，帝又命智就宅候憲，因是告憲有謀。 帝遣小塚宰宇文孝伯謂憲曰：「今欲以叔為太師，九叔為太傅，十一叔為太保，何如？」 憲辭以才輕。 孝伯返命，復來曰：「詔王晚共諸王俱入。」 既至殿門，憲獨被引進。 帝先伏壯士于別室，至即執之。 憲辭色不撓，固自陳說。 帝使于智對憲。 憲目光如炬，與智相質。 或曰：「以王今日事勢，何用多言！」 憲曰：「我位重屬尊，一旦至此，死生有命，寧復圖存？ 但老母在堂，恐留慈恨耳。」 因擲笏於地，乃縊之。 時年三十五。 帝以于智為柱國，封齊國公。 又殺上大將軍安邑公王興、上開府獨孤熊、開府豆盧紹等，皆以昵於憲也。 帝既誅憲，無以為辭，故托興等與憲結謀，遂加戮焉。 時人知其冤酷，咸雲伴憲死也。
Xian himself, because his renown grew daily, secretly thought to withdraw. When the emperor wished to campaign in person against the northern frontier, he declined on grounds of illness. Soon the emperor died and Emperor Xuan succeeded; because Xian's noble prestige was great he deeply resented him. The burial had not yet taken place and the princes were within wearing mourning. Director of Guards Sun Bu Changluan commanded troops to assist the government and, fearing the princes had other designs, memorialized that Attending Gentleman Yu Zhi should observe their movements. When the imperial tomb procession returned, the emperor again ordered Zhi to wait at Xian's residence; thereby he reported that Xian had a plot. The emperor sent Junior Minister of War Yuwen Xiaobo to tell Xian, "I now wish to make you Grand Mentor, the ninth prince Grand Tutor, and the eleventh prince Grand Guardian — what say you?" Xian declined, saying his talent was slight. Xiaobo returned with his report and came again: "The edict orders the prince to enter this evening together with all the princes. When they reached the palace gate, Xian alone was summoned in. The emperor had first hidden strong men in a side room; when he arrived they seized him. Xian's expression did not change and he firmly stated his case. The emperor had Zhi confront Xian. Xian's eyes were like torches as he faced Zhi. Someone said, "Given the prince's situation today, what use is much speech!" Xian said, "My rank is heavy and my kinship exalted — to come to this in a moment: life and death have their fate; how could I again plot to survive? Only my old mother is in the hall — I fear leaving her a mother's grief." He then threw his tablet to the ground and was strangled. He was thirty-five years old. The emperor made Zhi a pillar and enfeoffed him as Duke of Qi. He also killed Senior Great General Wang Xing, Duke of Anyi, Upper Attending Gentleman Dugu Xiong, Attending Gentleman Dou Lu Shao, and others — all because they were close to Xian. The emperor, having executed Xian, had no other pretext and therefore pretended that Xing and others had plotted with Xian, and then put them to death as well. People of the time knew it was unjust and cruel and all said they had died in Xian's company.
19
憲所生達步幹氏，蠕蠕人也。 建德三年，上冊為齊國太妃。 憲有至性，事母以孝聞。 太妃舊患，屢經發動，憲衣不解帶，扶持左右。 憲或東西從役，每心驚，母必有疾，乃馳使參問，果如所慮。 六子，貴、質、賨、貢、乾禧、乾洽。
Xian's birth mother was Lady Dabu Gan, a Rouran. In the third year of Jiande she was elevated to Grand Consort of Qi. Xian had a deeply filial nature and was renowned for serving his mother. The grand consort had a chronic illness that often flared; Xian did not loosen his belt for days and supported her at her side. When Xian was on campaign east or west his heart would suddenly be troubled; he was sure his mother must be ill and would gallop off messengers to inquire — and it was always as he feared. He had six sons: Gui, Zhi, Bin, Gong, Qianxi, and Qianjia.
20
貴字乾福，少聰敏，尤便騎射。 始讀孝經，便謂人曰：「讀此一經，足為立身之本。」 十歲，封安定郡公。 文帝始封此郡，未嘗假人，至是封焉。 年十一，從憲獵於監州，一圍中，手射野馬及鹿一十有五。 建德二年，拜齊國世子。 後出為豳州刺史。 貴雖出自深宮，而留心庶政。 性聰敏，過目輒記，嘗道逢二人，謂其左右曰：「此人是縣党，何因輒行？」 左右不識，貴便說其姓名，莫不嗟伏。 白獸烽經為商人所燒，烽帥受貨，不言其罪。 他日，此帥隨例來參，貴乃問云：「商人燒烽，何因私放？」 烽帥愕然，遂即首伏。 其明察如此。 卒時年十七，武帝甚痛惜之。
Gui, style name Qianfu, was clever as a boy and especially skilled at riding and archery. When he first read the Classic of Filial Piety he told people, "To read this one classic is enough to be the root of establishing oneself." At age ten he was enfeoffed as Duke of Anding commandery. Emperor Wen had first enfeoffed this commandery and had never granted it to another — now it was granted to him. At age eleven he followed Xian hunting in Jian province; in one drive he shot fifteen wild horses and deer with his own hand. In the second year of Jiande he was appointed heir of Qi. Later he went out to serve as governor of Bin province. Though Gui came from the inner palace, he paid attention to ordinary administration. He was clever and remembered whatever he saw; once on the road he met two men and said to his attendants, "This man is a county party member — why is he traveling here?" His attendants did not know them; Gui then gave their names, and all were amazed and submitted. The White Beast beacon had once been burned by merchants; the beacon commander took a bribe and did not report the crime. Another day that commander came to pay his respects as usual; Gui then asked, "Merchants burned the beacon — why did you release them privately?" The beacon commander was startled and at once confessed. His keen insight was like this. He died at seventeen; Emperor Wu deeply mourned him.
21
質字乾佑，以憲勳封河間郡王。 賓字乾禮，中壩公。 貢出後莒莊公，乾禧，安城公。 乾洽，龍涸公。 並與憲俱被誅。
Zhi, style name Qianyou, was enfeoffed as Prince of Hejian commandery for Xian's merit. Bin, style name Qianli, Duke of Middle Dam. Gong was adopted heir to Duke Zhuang of Ju; Qianxi was Duke of Ancheng. Qianjia was Duke of Longhu. They were all executed together with Xian.
22
隋文帝將遷周鼎，招密欲圖之，以匡社稷。 乃要隋文帝至第，飲於寢室。 招子員、貫及妃弟魯封、所親人史胄皆先在左右，佩刀而立。 又藏兵刃于帷席間，後院亦伏壯士。 隋文帝從者多在合外，惟楊弘、元胄胄弟威及陶徹坐戶側。 招屢以佩刀割瓜啖隋文，隋文未之疑。 元胄覺變，扣刀而入。 招乃以大觴親飲胄酒，又命胄向廚取漿。 胄不為之動。 滕王逌後至，隋文降階迎，胄因得耳語曰：「公宜速出。」 隋文共逌等就坐，須臾辭出。 後事覺，陷以謀反，其年秋，誅招及其子德廣公員、永康王貫、越公乾銑、弟乾鏗等，國除。
When Emperor Wen of Sui was about to seize the Zhou mandate, Zhao secretly plotted against him to preserve the state. He invited Emperor Wen of Sui to his residence and entertained him in the bedchamber. Zhao's sons Yuan and Guan, his consort's younger brother Lu Feng, and his confidant Shi Zhou were all beforehand at his side, wearing swords and standing. Weapons were also hidden among the curtains and mats, and strong men lay in wait in the rear courtyard. Most of Emperor Wen of Sui's followers were outside the hall; only Yang Hong, Yuan Zhou, Yuan Zhou's younger brother Wei, and Tao Che sat by the door. Zhao repeatedly cut melon with his sword to serve Sui Wen, who did not suspect him. Yuan Zhou sensed something amiss and entered with his hand on his sword. Zhao then with a great goblet personally made Zhou drink wine and again ordered Zhou to the kitchen to fetch broth. Zhou did not stir. Prince You of Teng arrived later; Sui Wen went down the steps to welcome him, and Zhou was thus able to whisper, "Your Grace ought to leave quickly." Sui Wen sat with You and the others, then soon took his leave. Later the plot was discovered; he was framed for rebellion; that autumn Zhao was executed together with his sons Duke Yuan of Deguang, Prince Guan of Yongkang, Duke Qianxi of Yue, his younger brother Qianheng, and others, and the fief was abolished.
23
招所著文集十卷。
Zhao's collected works ran to ten scrolls.
24
譙孝王儉，字侯幼突。 武成初，封譙國公。 建德三年，進為王。 從平鄴，拜大塚宰。 薨，子乾惲嗣，為隋文帝所害，國除。
Prince Xiao of Qiao, Jian, style name Houyoutu. At the beginning of Wucheng he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qiao. In the third year of Jiande he was advanced to prince. He followed in the pacification of Ye and was appointed Grand Minister of War. He died; his son Qianyun succeeded but was killed by Emperor Wen of Sui and the fief abolished.
25
冀康公通，字屈率突。 武成初，封冀國公。 薨，子絢嗣。 建德三年，進為王。 大定中，亦為隋文帝所害。 國除。
Duke Kang of Ji, Tong, style name Qushuatu. At the beginning of Wucheng he was enfeoffed as Duke of Ji. He died and his son Xuan succeeded. In the third year of Jiande he was advanced to prince. In the Dading era he too was killed by Emperor Wen of Sui. The fief was abolished.
26
滕聞王逌，字爾固突。 少好經史，解屬文。 武成初，封滕國公。 建德三年，進爵為王。 宣政元年，進位上柱國。 大象元年，詔以荊州新野郡邑萬戶為滕國，逌出就國。 三年，朝京師，為隋文帝所害，並其子，國除。
Prince Wen of Teng, You, style name Erqutu. As a youth he loved the classics and histories and was skilled at literary composition. At the beginning of Wucheng he was enfeoffed as Duke of Teng. In the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince. In the first year of Xuanzheng he was advanced to senior pillar. In the first year of Daxiang an edict made the ten thousand households of Xinye commandery in Jing province the state of Teng, and You went out to his fief. In the third year he came to the capital, was killed by Emperor Wen of Sui together with his sons, and the fief abolished.
27
逌所著文章頗行於世。
The articles You composed circulated widely.
28
孝閔帝一男：陸夫人生紀厲王康，字乾安。 保定初，封紀國公。 建德三年，進爵為王，出為利州總管。 康驕侈無度，遂有異謀，司錄裴融諫，康殺之。 五年，詔賜康死。 子湜嗣，大定中，為隋文帝所害，國除。
Emperor Xiaomin had one son: Lady Lu bore Prince Kang of Ji, style name Qian'an. At the beginning of Baoding he was enfeoffed as Duke of Ji. In the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince and he went out as commissioner over Li province. Kang was arrogant and extravagant without limit and then harbored other designs; Director of Records Pei Rong remonstrated and Kang killed him. In the fifth year an edict ordered Kang to take his own life. His son Shi succeeded; in the Dading era he was killed by Emperor Wen of Sui and the fief abolished.
29
明帝三男：徐妃生畢剌王賢。 後宮生豐王貞、宋王實。 實出後宋獻公震。
Emperor Ming had three sons: Lady Xu bore Prince Xian of Bi. The rear palace bore Prince Zhen of Feng and Prince Shi of Song. Shi was the adopted heir of Duke Gong Zhen of Song.
30
畢剌王賢，字乾陽。 保定四年，封畢公。 建德三年，進爵為王。 曆荊州總管、大司空。 大象初，進上柱國、雍州牧、太師。 明年，宣帝崩。 賢性強濟，有威略，慮隋文帝傾覆宗祐。 言泄，並其子被害，國除。
Prince Xian of Bi, style name Qianyang. In the fourth year of Baoding he was enfeoffed as Duke of Bi. In the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince. He served as commissioner over Jing province and Grand Minister of Works. At the beginning of Daxiang he was advanced to senior pillar, governor of Yong province, and Grand Mentor. The next year Emperor Xuan died. Xian was forceful and resolute with authority and strategy and feared Emperor Wen of Sui would overturn the imperial clan. His words leaked out; he and his sons were killed and the fief abolished.
31
豐王貞，字乾雅。 初封豐國公，建德三年，進爵為王。 大象初，為大塚宰。 大定中，並其子為隋文帝所害，國除。
Prince Zhen of Feng, style name Qianya. He was first enfeoffed as Duke of Feng; in the third year of Jiande his rank was raised to prince. At the beginning of Daxiang he was made Grand Minister of War. In the Dading era he and his sons were killed by Emperor Wen of Sui and the fief abolished.
32
武帝七男：李皇后生宣帝、漢王贊。 庫汗姬生秦王贄、曹王允。 馮姬生道王充。 薛世婦生蔡王兌。 鄭姬生荊王元。
Emperor Wu had seven sons: Empress Li bore Emperor Xuan and Prince Zan of Han. Lady Kuhan bore Prince Zan of Qin and Prince Yun of Cao. Lady Feng bore Prince Chong of Dao. Lady Xue bore Prince Dui of Cai. Lady Zheng bore Prince Yuan of Jing.
33
宣帝三子：硃皇后生靜皇帝。 王姬生萊王衍。 皇甫姬生郢王術。 衍及術並大象二年封，並為隋文帝所害，國除。
Emperor Xuan had three sons: Empress Zhu bore Emperor Jing. A royal concubine bore Prince Yan of Lai. Lady Huangfu bore Prince Shu of Ying. Yan and Shu were both enfeoffed in the second year of Daxiang and both were killed by Emperor Wen of Sui; their fiefs were abolished.
34
論曰：昔賢之議者，咸以周建五等，曆載八百； 秦立郡縣，二世而亡。 雖得失之跡可尋，是非之理互起，而因循莫變，復古未聞。 良由著論者溺於貴遠，司契者難於易業，詳求適變之道，並未窮於至當也。 嘗試論之：夫皇王迭興，為國之道匪一； 聖賢間出，立德之指殊塗。 斯豈故為相反哉，亦云為政而已矣。 何則？ 五等之制，行于商、周之前； 郡縣之設，始于秦、漢之後。 論時則澆淳理隔，易地則用舍或殊。 譬猶幹戚日用，難以成垓下之業； 稷嗣所述，不可施成周之朝。 是知因時制宜者，為政之上務也； 觀人立教才，經國之長策也。 且夫裂封疆，建侯伯，擇賢能，署牧守，循名雖曰異軫，責實抑亦同歸。 盛則與之共安，衰則與之共患。 共安系乎善惡，非禮義無以敦風共患寄以存亡，非甲兵不能靖亂。 是以齊、晉帥禮，鼎業傾而復振； 溫、陶釋位，王綱弛而更張。 然則周之列國，非一姓也，晉之群臣，非一族也，豈齊、晉忠於列國，溫、陶賢於群臣哉？ 蓋位重者易以立功，權輕者難以盡節故也。 由斯言之，建侯置守，乃古今之異術； 兵權爵位，蓋安危之所階乎。 周文之初定關右，日不暇給，既以人臣禮終，未遑蕃屏之事。 晉蕩輔政，爰樹其黨，宗室長幼，並握兵權，雖海內謝隆平之風而國家有磐石之固矣。 武皇克翦芒刺，思弘政術，懲專朝之為患，忘維城之遠圖，外崇寵任，內結猜阻。 自是配天之基，潛有朽壤之墟矣。 宣皇嗣位，凶暴是崇，芟刈先其本枝，削黜偏於公族。 以齊王之奇姿傑出，足可牢籠於前載。 處周公之地，居上將之重，肋冠俗，攻戰如神，敵國系以存亡，鼎命由其輕重。 屬道消之日，挾震主之威，斯人而嬰斯戮，君子是以知國祚之不永也。 其餘雖地惟叔父，親則同生，假文能輔主，武能威敵，莫不謝卿士于當年，從侯服于郡國，號為千乘，位侔匹夫。 是以權臣乘其機，謀士因其隙，遷龜鼎速於俯拾，殲王侯烈于燎原，悠悠邃古，未聞茲酷。 豈非摧枯振朽，易為力乎？ 向使宣皇擇姬、劉之制，覽聖哲之術，分命賢戚，布於內外，料其輕重，間以親疏，首尾相持，遠近為用，使其位足以扶危，其權不能為亂，事業既定，僥倖自息，雖使臥赤子，朝委裘，社稷固以久安，憶兆可以無患矣。 何後族之地而能窺其神器哉。 昔張耳、陳餘，賓客廝役，所居皆取卿相，而齊王之文武僚吏，其後亦多台牧，異代相符，可謂賢矣哉。
The commentary says: In former times those who discussed the matter all held that Zhou established the five ranks and lasted eight hundred years; Qin established commanderies and counties and perished in the second generation. Though the traces of success and failure can be traced and the principles of right and wrong contend with each other, people clung to custom without change and restoring antiquity was not heard of. This was truly because theorists were infatuated with what was remote in time and those who held power found it hard to change their practices; when they sought in detail the way to suit changing circumstances they did not reach what was ultimately fitting. Let us try to discuss it: emperors and kings rise in succession, and the way to govern a state is not one alone; sages and worthies appear in turn, and the aim of establishing virtue takes different paths. This is not intentionally to be opposite — it is only that governing is governing. Why? The system of five ranks was practiced before the Shang and Zhou; the setting of commanderies and counties began after the Qin and Han. Judged by time, shallow and pure ages are separated in principle; judged by place, what is used or discarded may differ. It is like using shields and axes in daily life — hard to accomplish the enterprise of Gaixia; what Jisi stated cannot be applied in the court of accomplished Zhou. Thus to suit the time and circumstances is the highest task of government; to observe men and establish teaching is the long-term strategy of governing a state. Moreover, to divide the fief, establish marquises and earls, choose the worthy and able, and appoint governors and guards — the names differ but the charge in substance is the same. In prosperity one shares peace with them; in decline one shares trouble with them. Sharing peace depends on good and evil — without rites and righteousness there is no means to cultivate custom; sharing trouble is entrusted to survival or perish — without arms there is no means to quell chaos. Thus Qi and Jin led with rites and the royal enterprise, though toppling, revived again; Wen and Tao relinquished rank and the royal net, though slack, was stretched anew. Zhou's various states were not of one surname and Jin's ministers were not of one clan — were Qi and Jin loyal to the states and Wen and Tao worthier than the other ministers? Those of heavy position easily establish merit; those of light authority hardly exhaust full loyalty — that is why. From this it follows that establishing marquises and setting guards are techniques different in ancient and modern times; military power and rank and position are what safety and danger step upon. When Zhou Wen at first secured the Guanxi region, his days allowed no rest; he ended as a subject in rites and had no leisure for enfeoffing the imperial kin as screens. The Duke of Jin, Dang, assisted in government and planted his faction; young and old of the imperial clan all held military power — though the realm no longer knew the breeze of peace and abundance, the state yet had the firmness of bedrock. Emperor Wu was able to cut down thorns and wished to broaden government; he took warning from the harm of monopolizing the court and forgot the distant plan of making the imperial kin a protective wall — outwardly he honored and trusted them, inwardly he bred suspicion and obstruction. From this the foundation that matched Heaven secretly held ruins of crumbling earth. Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne and honored fierceness and violence; he mowed down the root branches first and cut back the public clan on every side. With the wondrous bearing and outstanding talent of the Prince of Qi, he could well have been firmly held up as a model in former ages. He stood in the place of the Duke of Zhou and bore the weight of supreme commander; his force topped the age and his battles were like a god's — enemy states were bound to survival or ruin and the imperial mandate rose or fell with his weight. In the days when the Way was fading he wielded the awe of one who could shake his lord — that such a man should meet such a punishment showed gentlemen that the state's fortune would not endure. The rest, though in territory they were uncles and fathers and in kinship they were uterine brothers — suppose they could assist the ruler in civil matters and awe the enemy in martial ones — all alike declined from ministers in their day, followed marquis service in the commanderies and states, were called lords of a thousand chariots, yet their standing matched a common man. Thus powerful ministers seized their opportunity and strategists used their gaps; the sacred vessel was moved as swiftly as bending to pick something up and kings and marquises were exterminated as fiercely as a fire across the plain — in the long reaches of deep antiquity such cruelty was not heard of. Was it not like breaking withered wood and shaking rotten timber — easy to apply force? If Emperor Xuan had chosen the systems of the Ji and Liu houses and surveyed the arts of the sages, apportioned the worthy kin inside and outside, weighed their light and heavy duties and spaced them by kinship near and far, so head and tail held each other and far and near served their use — making their standing enough to support danger but their power unable to make chaos — once the enterprise was settled, scheming would have ceased of itself; though an infant lay abed and the court entrusted its affairs to a fur robe, the altars would have been secure in long peace and the millions could have been without trouble. How could a later clan have peeped at the sacred vessel? In former times Zhang Er and Chen Yu — guests and servants — wherever they dwelt produced ministers and chancellors; and the civil and martial officers of the Prince of Qi likewise later became many provincial governors — matching across different ages, they may be called worthy indeed!