Volume 68 Biographies 56: Dou Luning, Yang Shao, Wang Ya, Han Xiong, He Ruodun

豆盧寧楊紹王雅韓雄賀若敦

Dou Luning — Yang Shao — Wang Ya — Han Xiong — He Ruodun

列傳第五十六

Biography 56

豆盧甯子勣孫毓楊紹子雄王雅子世積韓雄子禽賀若敦子弼弟誼

Dou Luning (Ji, Yu) — Yang Shao (Xiong) — Wang Ya (Shiji) — Han Xiong (Qin) — He Ruodun (Bi, Yi)

豆盧寧，字永安，昌黎徒何人。其先本姓慕容氏，燕北地王精之後也。高祖勝，以燕。皇始初歸魏，授長樂郡守，賜姓豆盧氏。或云北人謂歸義為「豆盧」，因氏焉，又云避難改焉，未詳孰是。父萇，魏柔玄鎮將，有威重，見稱于時。武成中，以寧勳，追贈柱國大將軍、少保、涪陵郡公。寧少驍果，有志氣，身長八尺，美姿容，善騎射。魏永安中，以別將隨爾硃天光入關。以破万俟醜奴功，賜爵靈壽縣男。嘗與梁ＧＣ定遇於平涼川，相與肄射，乃相去百步懸莎草以射之，七發五中。ＧＣ定服其能，贈遺甚厚，天光敗，從侯莫陳悅。及周文討悅，甯與李弼來歸。

Dou Luning, styled Yong'an, came from Tujin in Changli commandery. His clan had originally been Murong, descended from Jing, Prince of Beidi of Former Yan. An early ancestor, Sheng, had ties to Yan. At the beginning of Huangshi he came over to Wei, was made administrator of Changle, and received the surname Doulu. Some say northerners used "Doulu" for those who submitted in loyalty and the clan took it as a surname; others say the name was adopted in flight from calamity—the true story is unknown. His father Chang was Wei garrison general of Rouxuan, a man of formidable presence widely praised in his day. During Wucheng, in recognition of Dou Luning's service, his father was posthumously made pillar-of-state grand general, junior guardian, and Duke of Fuling. Dou Luning was bold and spirited from youth, stood eight chi tall, was handsome in bearing, and excelled at mounted archery. During Wei Yong'an he entered the passes as a separate commander under Erzhu Tianguang. For defeating Moqi Chounu he was given the rank of Baron of Lingshou. He once met Liang Chaoding on the Pingliang River and they practiced archery together; standing a hundred paces apart they hung sedge grass as a target, and Ning shot seven times and hit five. Chaoding admired his skill and showered him with gifts; after Tianguang's defeat he went with Houmochen Yue. When Duke Wen of Zhou attacked Yue, Dou Luning and Li Bi came over to his side.

初，寧未有子，養弟永恩子勣。及生子贊，親屬皆請贊為嗣。寧曰：「兄弟之子猶子也，吾何擇焉。」遂以勣嗣。時以此多之。及寧薨，勣襲爵。

At first Dou Luning had no son of his own and adopted Ji, son of his younger brother Yong'en. When he later had a son named Zan, his relatives all urged that Zan be made heir instead. Ning said, "A brother's son is as good as one's own—why should I choose between them?" He kept Ji as his heir. People widely admired him for this. When Ning died, Ji succeeded to his rank and fief.

勣字定東。生時，周文親幸甯家稱慶，時遇新破齊軍，周文因字曰定東。勣聰悟，有器局。初以勳臣子封義安縣侯。周閔帝受禪，授稍伯下大夫、開府儀同三司，改封丹陽郡公。明帝時，為左武伯中大夫。勣自以經業未通，請解職遊露門學。帝嘉之，敕以本官就學。齊王憲納勣妹為妃，恩禮愈厚。武帝嗣位，渭源燒當羌因饑作亂，以勣有才略，拜渭州刺史。甚有惠政，華夷悅服，大致祥瑞。烏鼠山俗呼為高武隴，其下渭水所出。其山絕壁千尋，由來乏水，諸羌苦之。勣馬足所踐，忽飛泉湧出。有白烏翔止査前，乳子而後去，有白狼見於襄武，人為之謠曰：「我有丹陽，山出玉漿。濟我人夷，神烏來翔。」百姓因號其泉曰玉漿泉。後丁父艱，毀瘁過禮。襲爵楚國公。大象二年，累遷利州總管，尋拜柱國。隋文帝為丞相，益州總管王謙作亂，勣嬰城固守。謙將達奚惎等攻之，起土山，鑿城為七十餘穴，堰江以灌之。勣時戰士不過二千，晝夜相拒。經四旬，梁睿軍且至，賊解去，授上柱國，賜一子爵中山縣公。開皇中，為夏州總管。帝以其家貴盛，勳效克彰，後為漢王諒納其女為妃，恩遇彌厚。七年，追守利州功，詔食始州臨津縣邑千戶。十年，以疾徵還京師，詔諸王並至勣第，中使顧問，道路不絕。卒，諡曰襄。

Ji, styled Dingdong. At his birth Duke Wen came in person to Ning's home to celebrate; having just routed the Qi army, the duke gave him the style Dingdong—"to settle the east." Ji was quick-witted and possessed both talent and breadth of vision. At first, as the son of a meritorious minister, he was made Marquis of Yi'an. When Emperor Min of Zhou took the throne, Ji was made junior baron lower grand master with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol and raised to Duke of Danyang. Under Emperor Ming he was left martial baron middle grand master. Feeling he had not yet mastered the classics, Ji asked to leave office and study at the Lumen Gate academy. The emperor approved and told him to keep his rank while he studied. Prince Qi Xian married Ji's younger sister, and the court's favor toward him deepened. When Emperor Wu came to the throne the Shaodang Qiang of Weiyuan rebelled in famine; Ji was sent as governor of Wei because of his ability and strategic sense. His rule was deeply benevolent; Chinese and non-Chinese alike were won over, and many auspicious signs were reported. Wushu Mountain, locally called Gaowu Long, is where the Wei River has its source. Its cliffs tower thousands of feet; water had always been scarce there, to the great hardship of the Qiang. Where Ji's horse stepped, a spring suddenly burst from the ground. A white crow alighted at his gate, fed its young, and flew away; a white wolf was seen at Xiangwu, and people sang, "We have our lord of Danyang; the mountain gives jade nectar. He succors our folk, Chinese and tribes alike; the divine crow comes winging. The people therefore named the spring the Jade-Nectar Spring. Later, mourning his father, he grieved beyond what ritual required. He succeeded to the dukedom of Chu. In Daxiang year 2 he rose to area commander of Li Province and was soon made pillar-of-state. While Emperor Wen of Sui was still chief minister, Wang Qian, area commander of Yi, rebelled; Ji shut the gates and held the city. Qian's generals Daxi Ji and others besieged him, built earthworks, opened more than seventy breaches in the walls, and dammed the river to flood the city. Ji had barely two thousand men under arms and held out day and night. After forty days Liang Rui's relief force approached and the rebels withdrew; Ji was made upper pillar-of-state and one son was enfeoffed Duke of Zhongshan. Under Kaihuang he served as area commander of Xia. The emperor, seeing his house eminent and his service outstanding, later had Prince Han Liang marry his daughter; imperial favor toward him only deepened. In year 7, honoring his defense of Li Province, he was granted the income of a thousand households in Linjin, Shi Province. In year 10 he was recalled to the capital on account of illness; the princes were ordered to visit him, and palace envoys came in an unbroken stream. He died and was given the posthumous name Xiang.

子賢嗣。位顯州刺史、大理少卿、武賁郎將。次子毓。

His son Xian succeeded him. He served as governor of Xian, vice minister of judicial review, and martial-clad commandant. His second son was Yu.

毓字道生，少英果，有氣節。漢王諒出鎮并州，毓以妃兄為王府主簿。以征突厥功，授儀同三司。及煬帝即位，諒納諮議王頍謀作亂。毓苦諫不從，因謂其弟懿曰：「吾匹馬歸朝，自得免禍。此乃身計，非為國也。今且偽從，以思後計。」毓兄顯州刺史賢言于帝曰：「臣弟毓素懷志節，必不從亂，但逼凶威，不能克遂。臣請從軍，與毓為表裏，諒不足圖也。」帝許之。賢密遣家人齎敕書至毓所，與之計。諒將往介州，令毓與總管屬硃濤留守。毓與濤議拒之，濤拂衣不從，毓追斬之。時諒司馬皇甫誕以諫被囚，毓出之，與協計，及開府，磐石侯宿勤武等閉城拒諒。部分未定，有人告諒。諒攻之，城陷，見害，時年二十八。諒平，贈大將軍，封正義縣公，諡曰湣。

Yu, styled Daosheng, was bold and resolute from youth and possessed both spirit and integrity. When Prince Han Liang took up his post at Bing, Yu became chief clerk of his household as brother of the princess. For his service against the Turks he was given equal-to-three-division protocol. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Liang listened to Wang E and plotted rebellion. Yu pleaded with him in vain and told his younger brother Yi, "If I ride back to court alone I can save myself. That would be saving myself, not saving the realm. For now I shall pretend to go along and look for a chance to act." Yu's elder brother Xian, governor of Xian, told the emperor, "My brother Yu has always been loyal and will not join the revolt, but he is under duress and cannot yet act. Let me join the campaign and work with him from within and without—Liang will be no match for us. The emperor agreed. Xian secretly sent a servant with an imperial edict to Yu to plan together. When Liang set out for Jie Province he left Yu and the commander's aide Zhu Tao to hold the city. Yu urged Tao to resist; Tao refused, and Yu ran him down and killed him. Liang's army marshal Huangfu Dan had been imprisoned for opposing the revolt; Yu freed him, and with Suqin Wu, Marquis of Panshi, and other officers they shut the gates against Liang. Before their dispositions were complete, someone informed Liang. Liang attacked, the city fell, and Yu was killed at the age of twenty-eight. After Liang's defeat Yu was posthumously made grand general and Duke of Zhengyi, with the posthumous name Min.

子願師嗣。拜儀同三司。大業初，行新令，五等並除。未幾，帝復下詔改封雍丘侯，復以願師襲。

His son Yuanshi succeeded him. He was granted equal-to-three-division protocol. At the start of Daye the new regulations abolished all five ranks of nobility. Soon afterward the emperor re-enfeoffed the line as Marquis of Yongqiu, and Yuanshi succeeded again.

贊以寧勳，建德初，賜爵華陰縣侯。累遷開府儀同大將軍，進爵武陽郡公。

Zan, through Ning's merit, was made Marquis of Huayin at the start of Jian'e. He rose to opening-office equal-to-three-division grand general and was advanced to Duke of Wuyang.

通字平東，一名會，弘厚有器局。在周，以父功賜爵臨貞縣侯，改封沃野縣公。位開府、北徐州刺史。開皇初，進爵南陳郡公，尚隋文帝妹昌樂縣長公主。曆定相二州刺史、夏洪二州總管，並以寬惠稱。卒官。諡曰安。子寬嗣。

Tong, styled Pingdong, also known as Hui, was magnanimous and far-sighted. Under Zhou he was made Marquis of Linzhen for his father's service, then Duke of Woye. He held opening-office rank and served as governor of North Xu. At the start of Kaihuang he was raised to Duke of Nanchen and married Emperor Wen's younger sister, the elder princess of Changle. He served in turn as governor of Ding and Xiang and as area commander of Xia and Hong, winning renown everywhere for leniency and kindness. He died in office. He was given the posthumous name An. His son Kuan succeeded him.

楊紹，字子安，弘農華陰人也，祖興，魏新平郡守。父國，中散大夫。紹少慷慨有志略，屢從征伐，力戰有功。普泰初，封平鄉縣男。大統元年，進爵冠軍縣公。四年，為鄜城郡守。紹性恕直，兼有威惠，百姓安之。累遷驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、鄜州刺史，賜姓叱呂引氏。周孝閔帝踐祚，進爵儻城郡公，位大將軍。卒，贈成、文等八州刺史。諡曰信。子雄嗣。

Yang Shao, styled Zi'an, came from Huayin in Hongnong; his grandfather Xing had been Wei administrator of Xinping. His father Guo was a palace attendant. From youth Shao was open-handed and enterprising; he fought in many campaigns and distinguished himself in battle. At the start of Putai he was made Baron of Pingxiang. In Datong year 1 he was raised to Duke of Guanjun. In year 4 he became administrator of Fucheng. Shao was fair-minded and upright, combining firmness with kindness, and the people lived securely under him. He rose to grand general of swift cavalry and governor of Fu with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, and received the surname Chilüyin. When Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou came to the throne, Shao was raised to Duke of Tangcheng and made grand general. He died and was posthumously named governor of eight provinces including Cheng and Wen. He was given the posthumous name Xin. His son Xiong succeeded him.

雄初名惠，美姿容，有器度，雍容閒雅，進止可觀。周武帝時，為太子司旅下大夫。帝幸雲陽宮，衛王直作亂，襲肅章門，雄逆拒破之。封武陽郡公，遷右衛上大夫。大象中，進爵邘國公。隋文帝為丞相，雍州牧、畢王賢構作難，雄時為別駕，知其謀，以告文帝。賢伏誅，以功授柱國、雍州牧，仍領相府虞候。周宣帝葬，備諸王有變，令雄率六千騎送至陵所。進位上柱國。

Xiong, originally named Hui, was handsome and poised, dignified and graceful in manner. Under Emperor Wu of Zhou he was lower grand master in the crown prince's bureau of travel. When the emperor was at Yunyang Palace, Prince Wei Zhi rebelled and attacked the Suzhang Gate; Xiong met the assault and drove him back. He was created Duke of Wuyang and promoted to Senior Grand Master of the Right Guard. In the Daxiang era he was raised to Duke of Han. While Yang Jian served as chancellor, Bi Wang Xian, Governor of Yong Province, plotted rebellion. Yang Xiong, then serving as assistant administrator, discovered the plot and reported it to Yang Jian. Xian was executed. For this service Yang Xiong was made Pillar of State and Governor of Yong Province while continuing to command the chancellor's guard patrol. At Emperor Xuan of Zhou's funeral, fearing the princes might cause trouble, the court ordered Xiong to escort the procession to the tomb with six thousand cavalry. He was promoted to First Rank Pillar of State.

文帝受禪，除左衛將軍，兼宗正卿。遷右衛大將軍，參預朝政。封廣平王，以邘公別封一子。雄請封弟士貴，朝廷許之。或奏高熲朋黨者，帝言之於朝，雄深明其虛，帝亦以為然。雄時貴寵，冠絕一時，與高熲、虞慶則、蘇威稱為「四貴」。雄寬容下士，朝野顧屬。帝陰忌之，不欲其典兵馬，乃改授司空，外示優崇，而內實奪其權也。雄乃閉門不通賓客。尋改封清漳王。仁壽初，帝以清漳不允聲望，命職方進地圖，指安德郡示群臣曰：「此號足為名德相稱」。乃改封安德王。

When Yang Jian took the throne, Xiong was appointed Left Guard General and concurrently Director of the Imperial Clan Court. He was transferred to General-in-Chief of the Right Guard and given a voice in state affairs. He was created Prince of Guangping, and one son was separately given the title Duke of Han. Xiong petitioned to have his younger brother Shigui enfeoffed, and the court agreed. When someone accused Gao Jiong of forming a faction, the emperor raised the matter at court. Yang Xiong fully explained that the charge was groundless, and the emperor agreed. At the height of his career Xiong's favor eclipsed all rivals; together with Gao Jiong, Yu Qingze, and Su Wei he was known as one of the "Four Exalted Ones." Xiong was gracious toward men of talent, and all eyes in court and country turned toward him. The emperor secretly distrusted him and did not want him in command of military forces. He was therefore made Minister of Works—an outward mark of highest honor that in fact removed him from command. Xiong shut his gates and refused visitors. He was soon re-created Prince of Qingzhang. Early in the Renshou era the emperor felt the title Prince of Qingzhang did not match Xiong's standing. He ordered a map brought and, pointing to Ande commandery, showed it to the officials: "This title is worthy of his reputation." Xiong was thereupon re-created Prince of Ande.

子恭仁，位吏部侍郎。

His son Gongren rose to Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel.

恭仁弟綝，性和厚，頗有文學。曆義州刺史、淮南郡太守。及父薨，起為司隸大夫。遼東之役，楊玄感反，其弟玄縱自帝所逃赴其兄，路逢綝，綝避人偶語久之。司隸刺史劉休文奏之，時恭仁將兵於外，帝寢其事。綝憂，發病而卒。

Gongren's younger brother Shen was mild and generous by nature and had some literary talent. He served in turn as governor of Yi Province and administrator of Huainan. When his father died he was recalled from mourning and appointed Censor-in-Chief. During the Liaodong campaign Yang Xuangan rebelled. Xuangan's brother Xuanzong fled the imperial camp to join him and met Shen on the road. Shen spoke with him at length out of others' hearing. Censor-in-Chief Liu Xiuwen reported the matter to the throne. Because Gongren was then commanding troops in the field, the emperor set the matter aside. Shen was terrified; he fell ill and died.

雄弟達，字士達，有學行，仕周，位儀同、內史下大夫，封遂寧縣男。文帝受禪，拜給事黃門侍郎，進爵為子。遷兼吏部侍郎，加開府。轉內史侍郎、鄯鄭趙三州刺史，俱有能名。平陳後，帝差品天下牧宰，達為第一，擢拜工部尚書，加上開府。達為人弘厚，有局度，楊素每曰：「有君子貌兼君子心者，唯楊達耳。」獻皇后及文帝山陵制度，達並參預焉。煬帝嗣位，轉納言，領營東都副監。遼東之役，領右武衛將軍。進位左光祿大夫。卒于師。贈吏部尚書、始安侯，諡曰恭。

Xiong's younger brother Da, courtesy name Shida, was a man of learning and integrity. Under the Northern Zhou he rose to Acting Associate and Junior Grand Master of the Palace Secretariat, and held the title Baron of Suining. When Yang Jian took the throne, Da was made Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and promoted to viscount. He was made Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel and granted the privilege of opening his own office. He became Vice Director of the Palace Secretariat, then served as governor of Shan, Zheng, and Zhao in succession, earning a reputation for competent administration in each. After the conquest of Chen the emperor ranked every provincial governor in the land. Da placed first and was promoted to Director of the Ministry of Public Works with the rank of Senior Opening of an Office. Da was openhearted and magnanimous, a man of broad vision and steady judgment. Yang Su often said, "Among those who look the gentleman and are one in spirit, Yang Da is the only example I know." Da played a part in planning the tomb arrangements for Empress Xian and Emperor Wen alike. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Da became Palace Reporter and served concurrently as deputy supervisor of the Eastern Capital project. During the Liaodong campaign he served as General of the Right Martial Guard. He was promoted to Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He died in camp. He was posthumously honored as Director of the Ministry of Personnel and Marquis of Shi'an, with the posthumous name Respectful (Gong).

王雅，字度容，闡熙新紵人也。少沈毅，木訥寡言。有膽勇，善騎射。周文聞其名，召入軍，以功賜爵居庸縣子。從禽竇泰於潼關。沙苑之戰，雅謂所部曰：「彼軍殆有百萬，今我不滿萬人，常理論之，實難與敵。但相公神武，以順討逆，豈計眾寡？大丈夫不以此時破賊，何用生為！」乃擐甲出戰，所向披靡，周文壯之。又從戰芒山。時大軍失利，諸將皆退，雅獨拒之。敵人見其無繼，步騎競進。雅左右奮擊，斬九級，敵眾稍退，雅乃還。周文歎曰：「王雅舉身悉是膽也！」進爵為伯。累遷驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。明帝初除汾州刺史。勵精為政，人庶悅附，自遠至者七百餘家。卒于夏州刺史。子世積嗣。

Wang Ya, courtesy name Durong, came from Xinfu in Chanxi. From youth Wang Ya was grave and steady, taciturn. He was brave and expert at horse-archery. Duke Wen of Zhou heard of him, called him into service, and for his merits enfeoffed him Viscount of Juyong. He followed Duke Wen in capturing Dou Tai at Tong Pass. At Shaye Wang Ya told his troops, "They may field near a million men while we are fewer than ten thousand; by ordinary reckoning we cannot stand against them. But our Prime Minister is divinely martial—when the righteous march against rebels, who counts numbers? If a man won't break the enemy now, what use is living!" He buckled on armor and went into battle, cutting through every line; Duke Wen of Zhou was impressed. He fought again at Mount Mang. When the main force faltered, every general fell back except Ya, who held them off. Seeing he had no reinforcements, the enemy infantry and cavalry surged forward together. He and his companions fought fiercely, taking nine heads; the enemy fell back a little, and Ya withdrew. Duke Wen of Zhou sighed and said, "Wang Ya is nothing but gall from head to foot!" He was raised to baron. He rose to Grand General of Agile Cavalry and Grand Master of Splendid State with Honorary Peer Three Excellencies. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he was made inspector of Fen. He governed with tireless energy; the people gladly rallied to him, and more than seven hundred households came from afar to settle under his rule. He died in office as inspector of Xia. His son Shiji succeeded him.

世積容貌魁岸，腰帶十圍，風神爽拔，有人傑之表。在周，以功拜上儀同，封長子縣公。隋文帝受禪，進封宜陽郡公。高熲美其才能，甚善之。嘗謂穎曰：「吾輩俱周臣子，社稷淪沒，若何？」熲深拒之。未幾，授蘄州總管，平陳之役，以舟師自蘄水趣九江。以功進位柱國、荊州總管。後桂州人李光仕作亂，世積以行軍總管討平之，進位上柱國，甚見隆重。

Shiji was towering in stature, his waist ten hands around, spirited and outstanding, with the bearing of a born champion. Under the Zhou he won military merit, was made Senior Acting Associate, and created Duke of Changzi. When Yang Jian took the throne, Shiji was advanced to Duke of Yiyang. Gao Jiong admired his talent and was very fond of him. He once said to Gao Jiong, "We are all servants of Zhou; the dynasty has fallen—what is to be done?" Gao Jiong firmly rejected his words. Before long he was made supreme commander of Qizhou. In the conquest of Chen he led a fleet from the Qi River toward Jiujiang. For his merit he was made Pillar of State and supreme commander of Jingzhou. Later Li Guangshi of Guizhou rebelled; Shiji crushed the revolt as campaign commander, was promoted to First Rank Pillar of State, and was held in high esteem.

世積見帝性忌刻，功臣多獲罪，由是縱酒，不與執政言及時事。上以為有酒疾，舍之宮內，令醫者療之。世積詭稱疾愈，始得就第。及征遼東，世積與漢王並為行軍元帥。至柳城，遇疾而還。拜涼州總管，令騎士七百人送之官。

Shiji saw that the emperor was jealous and harsh and that many merit-holders had been punished; he took to drink and would not discuss current affairs with those in power. The emperor thought he had a drinking sickness, kept him in the palace, and ordered physicians to treat him. Shiji pretended to be cured and was only then allowed to return home. When the Liaodong campaign began, Shiji and the Prince of Han served as campaign marshals. At Liucheng he fell ill and withdrew. He was made supreme commander of Liangzhou, with seven hundred horsemen to escort him to his post.

未幾，其親信安定皇甫孝諧有罪，吏捕之，亡抵世積，不納，由是有憾。孝諧竟配防桂州，事總管令狐熙，熙又不禮焉。甚困窮，因徼幸上變，稱：「世積嘗令道人相其貴不，道人云：'當為國主。 '謂其妻曰：'夫人當為皇后。 '又將之涼州，其所親謂世積曰：'河西天下精兵處，可圖大事。 '世積曰：'涼州土曠人稀，非用武國。 '」由是被征，案其事。有司奏：「左衛大將軍元旻、右衛大將軍元胄、左僕射高熲，並與世積交通，受其名馬之贈。」世積竟坐誅，旻胄等免官，拜孝諧為上大將軍。

Before long his confidant Huangfu Xiaoxie of Anding committed a crime. When officers came to arrest him he fled to Shiji, who refused to shelter him—and from that arose resentment. Xiaoxie was sent in the end to garrison Guizhou under Commander Linghu Xi, who also treated him poorly. In his poverty Xiaoxie seized the chance to inform the throne, saying, "Shiji once had a Daoist read his fortune; the priest said, 'You will be lord of the state. He told his wife, 'You will be empress. When he was leaving for Liangzhou, his intimates told Shiji, 'Hexi holds the finest troops in the realm; there you may plot great affairs. Shiji said, 'Liangzhou is broad and thinly peopled—not a land for raising armies. " He was summoned to court and the matter investigated. The investigators reported that Left Guards General Yuan Min, Right Guards General Yuan Zhou, and Left Vice Director Gao Jiong had all had dealings with Shiji and accepted famous horses from him. Shiji was executed in the end; Min, Zhou, and the others were dismissed; Xiaoxie was made Supreme Great General.

韓雄，字木蘭，河南東垣人也。祖景，孝文時為赭陽郡守。雄少敢勇，膂力絕人，工騎射，有將率材略。及孝武西遷，雄便慷慨有立功之志。大統初，遂與其屬六十餘人於洛西舉兵，數日間，眾至千人，與河南行台楊琚共為掎角。每抄掠東魏，所向克獲。東魏洛州刺史韓賢以狀聞，鄴乃遣其軍司慕容紹宗與賢合勢討雄。戰數十合，雄眾略盡，兄及妻子皆為賢所獲，將以為戮。乃遣人告雄曰：「若雄至，皆免之。」雄乃詣賢軍。即隨賢還洛。潛引賢黨，謀欲襲之。事泄，遁免。謁周文于弘農，封武陽縣侯，遣還鄉里，更圖進取。雄乃招集義眾，從獨孤信入洛陽。芒山之役，周文命雄邀齊神武於隘道。神武怒，命三軍拜並力取雄，雄突圍得免。除東徐州刺史。東魏雍州刺史郭叔略接境，頗為邊患。雄密圖之，輕將十騎，夜入其境，伏於道側，遣都督韓仕于略城服東魏人衣服，詐若自河陽叛投關西者，略出馳之。雄自後射之，再發咸中，遂斬略首。除河南尹，進爵為公。尋進驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司、侍中、河南邑中正。周孝閔帝踐祚，進爵新義郡公，賜姓宇文氏。明帝二年，除都督、中州刺史。雄久在邊，具知敵人虛實，每率眾深入，不避艱難。前後經四十五戰，雖時有勝負，而雄志氣益壯，東魏深憚之。卒於鎮。贈大將軍、五州諸軍事。諡曰威。子禽嗣。

Han Xiong, whose courtesy name was Mulan, came from Dongyuan in Henan. His grandfather Jing served under Emperor Xiaowen as administrator of Zheyang commandery. From youth Han Xiong was bold and fearless, with extraordinary strength; he excelled at mounted archery and showed the makings of a commander. When Emperor Xiaowu withdrew to the west, Han Xiong was seized by a passionate desire to win distinction. At the opening of the Datong era he rose in arms west of the Luo with some sixty followers; within days his force grew to a thousand men. He coordinated with Yang Ju, executive commissioner of Henan, in a pincer strategy. His raids into Eastern Wei territory succeeded wherever he struck. Han Xian, Eastern Wei's governor of Luo province, reported the situation to the capital; Ye sent its army commander Murong Shaozong with troops to join Xian in suppressing Han Xiong. After dozens of clashes Han Xiong's force was nearly spent; Xian captured his elder brother, wife, and children and prepared to execute them. He sent word to Han Xiong: "If you surrender, they will all be spared. Han Xiong thereupon went to Xian's camp. He returned with Xian to Luoyang. He secretly won over some of Xian's followers and plotted a surprise attack. The plot was discovered and he fled to safety. He presented himself to Duke Wen of Zhou at Hongnong, was enfeoffed Marquis of Wuyang, and was sent home to plan the next advance. Han Xiong rallied loyal volunteers and entered Luoyang with Dugu Xin. At Mount Mang Duke Wen of Zhou ordered Han Xiong to ambush Gao Huan in a defile. Enraged, Gao Huan ordered all three armies to concentrate on capturing Han Xiong; Xiong broke out of the encirclement and escaped. He was appointed governor of East Xu province. Guo Shulue, Eastern Wei's governor of Yong province, held a neighboring post and was a persistent threat on the border. Han Xiong laid a secret trap. Taking only ten light horsemen, he stole into enemy territory by night and hid beside the road. He sent Commander Han Shi to Lüecheng in Eastern Wei dress, feigning to be a man who had defected from Heyang to the west; Guo Shulue rode out to meet him. Han Xiong shot him from behind—both arrows struck home—and cut off Shulue's head. He was appointed intendant of Henan and raised in rank to duke. He was soon further promoted to grand general of agile cavalry, made opener of the prefecture with ritual parity with the three ducal ministers, palace attendant, and chief of the Henan district register. When Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou took the throne, Han Xiong was promoted to duke of Xinyi commandery and given the surname Yuwen. In the second year of Emperor Ming's reign he was made area commander and governor of Zhong province. Long stationed on the border, Han Xiong knew the enemy's strengths and weaknesses inside out; he repeatedly led his men deep into hostile territory and never shrank from hardship. Over forty-five engagements, victory and defeat alternated, yet Han Xiong's fighting spirit only grew bolder—and Eastern Wei came to fear him deeply. He died at his post on the frontier. Posthumously he was made grand general with authority over military affairs in five provinces. His posthumous title was Wei, "Majestic." His son Han Qin succeeded to his place.

禽字子通，少慷慨，以膽略稱。容貌魁岸，有雄傑之表。性又好書，經史百家皆略知大旨。周文見而異之，令與諸子遊集。以軍功稍遷儀同三司，襲爵新義郡公。武帝伐齊，禽說下獨孤永業于金墉城。及平范陽，加上儀同、永州刺史。隋文帝作相，遷和州刺史。陳將甄慶、任蠻奴、蕭摩訶等共為聲援，頻寇江北，前後入界。禽屢挫其鋒，陳人奪氣。

Han Qin, whose courtesy name was Zitong, was open-handed from youth and won renown for boldness and strategic sense. Tall and commanding in appearance, he had the look of a born champion. He also loved books by nature and had grasped the main drift of the classics, histories, and the hundred schools. Duke Wen of Zhou saw him and was impressed; he had Qin keep company with his own sons. For military merit he was gradually promoted to third rank with ritual parity with the three ducal ministers and succeeded to the title duke of Xinyi commandery. When Emperor Wu of Zhou attacked Qi, Han Qin talked Dugu Yongye into surrender at Jinyong Fort. After Fanyang was taken, he received the further rank of second-grade ritual parity with the three ducal ministers and was appointed governor of Yong province. When Emperor Wen of Sui was still chief minister, Han Qin was transferred to governor of He province. The Chen generals Zhen Qing, Ren Mannu, Xiao Mohe, and others backed one another and repeatedly raided north of the Yangtze, crossing the border again and again. Han Qin repeatedly broke their attacks, and the Chen troops lost heart.

開皇初，文帝潛有吞江南志，拜禽廬州總管，委以平陳之任，甚為敵人所憚。及大舉伐陳，以禽為先鋒。禽領五百人宵濟，襲採石，守者皆醉，遂取之。進攻姑熟，半日而拔。次於新林。江南父老素聞其威信，來謁軍門，晝夜不絕，其將樊巡、魯世真、田瑞等相繼降。晉王遣行軍總管杜彥與禽合軍。陳叔寶遣領軍蔡征守朱雀航，聞禽將至，眾懼而潰。任蠻奴為賀若弼所敗，棄軍降禽。禽以精騎直入朱雀門。陳人欲戰，蠻奴捴之曰：「老夫尚降，諸君何事！」眾皆散走。遂平金陵，執陳主叔寶。時賀若弼亦有功，乃下詔晉王曰：「此二公者，朕本委之，悉如朕意。以名臣之功，成太平之業，天下盛事，何用過此！」又下優詔於禽、弼曰：「申國威于萬里，宣朝化於一隅，使東南之人俱出湯火，數百年賊旬日廓清，專是公之功也。高名塞于宇宙，盛業光於天壤。逖聽前古，罕聞其匹。班師凱入，誠知非遠，相思之甚，寸陰若歲。」及至京，弼與禽爭功於上前，弼曰：「臣在蔣山死戰，破其銳卒，禽其驍將，震揚威武，遂平陳國。禽略不交陣，豈臣之比！」禽曰：「本奉明旨，令臣與弼同取偽都。弼乃敢先期，逢賊遂戰，致將士傷死甚多。臣以輕騎五百，兵不血刃，直取金陵，降任蠻奴，執陳叔寶，據其府庫，傾其巢穴。弼至夕方扣北掖門，臣啟關而納之。斯乃救罪不暇，安得與臣為比！」上曰：'二將俱合上勳。」於是進位上柱國，賜物八千段。有司劾禽縱士卒淫汙陳宮。坐此不得國公及真食邑。

At the opening of the Kaihuang era Emperor Wen quietly nursed the ambition to swallow the south; Han Qin was made area commander of Luzhou and charged with conquering Chen—a man the enemy deeply dreaded. When the great expedition against Chen was launched, Han Qin was placed in the vanguard. Han Qin led five hundred men across the river by night and stormed Caishi; the garrison were all drunk, and he took the place at once. He pressed on to Guniu and captured it within half a day. He then made camp at Xinlin. The elders south of the Yangtze had long known his reputation for integrity; they came to his camp day and night without pause. His officers Fan Xun, Lu Shizhen, Tian Rui, and others surrendered one after another. The Prince of Jin sent area commander Du Yan to combine forces with Han Qin. Chen Shubao sent commandant-in-chief Cai Zheng to hold Zhuque Crossing, but when word came that Han Qin was near, the defenders panicked and broke. Ren Mannu, beaten by He Ruobi, abandoned his army and surrendered to Han Qin. Han Qin drove his elite cavalry straight through Zhuque Gate. The Chen troops wanted to fight, but Mannu seized them and cried, "Even I have surrendered—what are you still fighting for!" The men all broke and ran. He thereupon pacified Jinling and took Chen Shubao prisoner. He Ruobi had distinguished himself as well, and the emperor issued an edict to the Prince of Jin: "These two men I entrusted from the first, and all has gone as I wished. By the service of great ministers to bring peace to the realm—what triumph under heaven could surpass this!" A second gracious edict went to Han Qin and He Ruobi: "You carried our nation's might ten thousand li and spread the court's civilizing rule to a distant corner, lifting the people of the southeast out of fire and boiling water; a rebel realm of centuries was swept clean in a matter of days—this is your achievement alone. Your fame fills heaven and earth; your great deed shines across the land. Searching deep into antiquity, one seldom finds your equal. Your victorious return cannot be far off; I miss you sorely—each passing moment feels like a year." When they reached the capital, He Ruobi and Han Qin quarreled over credit before the throne. Ruobi said, "Your servant fought to the death at Mount Jiang, broke their crack troops, captured their fiercest generals, and by displaying martial might pacified Chen. Han Qin barely crossed swords with the enemy—how can he compare with me!" Han Qin replied, "I had clear orders to take the rebel capital together with Ruobi. Yet Ruobi dared to move ahead of time, met the enemy and gave battle, and cost us many wounded and dead. I took five hundred light horsemen, drew no blood, marched straight into Jinling, made Ren Mannu surrender, seized Chen Shubao, and occupied their treasuries and overturned their nest. Ruobi did not reach the North Wing Gate until evening; I opened the gate and let him in. He was lucky to escape punishment—how can he compare with me!" The emperor said, "Both generals alike deserve the highest credit." Han Qin was thereupon promoted to superior pillar of state and given eight thousand bales of goods. The responsible officials impeached Han Qin for allowing his soldiers to ravage the Chen palace. For this he was denied the full title of duke of the state and a genuine fief of households.

大軍之始出也，上敕有司曰：「亡國物，我一不以入府，可于苑內築五垛，當悉賜文武百官大射以取之。」及是，上御玄堂，大陣陳之奴婢貨賄，會王公文武官七品已上，武職領兵都督已上，及諸考使以射之。

When the great army first marched out, the emperor instructed the officials: "Nothing from the fallen state shall enter the treasury; build five earthen butts in the park and let civil and military officials win the spoils by archery." When the time came, the emperor took his seat in the Hall of Deep Mystery, displayed Chen's slaves, women, and goods in grand array, and summoned princes, dukes, civil and military officials of seventh rank and above, military commanders with troops under them, and inspection commissioners to shoot for the prizes.

先是，江東謠曰：「黃斑青驄馬，發自壽陽涘，來時冬氣末，去日春風始。」皆不知所謂。禽本名禽武，平陳之際，又乘青驄馬，往返時節與歌相應，至是方悟。後突厥來朝，上謂曰：「汝聞江南有陳國天子乎？」對曰：「聞之。」上命左右引突厥詣禽前，曰：「此是執得陳國天子者。」禽厲然顧之，突厥惶恐不敢仰視。其威容如此。別封壽光縣公，真食千戶。以行軍總管屯金城，禦備胡寇，即拜涼州總管。

Earlier a song had circulated east of the Yangtze: "A yellow-spotted gray piebald horse, setting out from Shouyang's shore—when it came, winter had not yet ended; when it went, the spring wind was just rising." No one knew what it meant. Han Qin's original given name had been Qinwu, "Capture-Wu"; in conquering Chen he again rode a gray piebald horse, and the seasons of his going and return matched the song—only then did people understand. Later, when Turks came to court, the emperor asked them, "Have you heard of the Son of Heaven of Chen in the south?" They answered, "We have." The emperor had attendants bring the Turks before Han Qin and said, "This is the man who captured the Son of Heaven of Chen." Han Qin turned on them with a fierce glare; the Turks trembled and dared not meet his eyes. Such was the force of his presence. He was separately enfeoffed duke of Shouguang county with a genuine fief of one thousand households. As area commander he garrisoned Jincheng to guard against barbarian raids and was at once appointed area commander of Liang province.

俄征還京，恩禮殊厚。無何，其鄰母見禽門下儀衛甚盛，有同王者，母異而問之。其中人曰：「我來迎王。」忽不見。又有人疾篤，忽驚走至禽家曰：「我欲謁王。左右問何王，曰：「閻羅王。」禽子弟欲撻之，禽止之曰：「生為上柱國，死作閻羅王，亦足矣。」因寢疾卒。子世諤嗣。

He was soon recalled to the capital and received exceptionally generous favor. Before long a neighbor woman saw under Han Qin's gate a guard and insignia as grand as a king's; astonished, she asked what it meant. One of the figures said, "I have come to welcome the king." Then he vanished. Another man, deathly ill, suddenly ran in alarm to Han Qin's house and cried, "I must pay my respects to the king. Servants asked which king; he answered, "King Yama." Han Qin's sons and younger kinsmen wanted to beat the man, but Qin stopped them and said, "Alive as superior pillar of state, dead as King Yama—that is enough." He soon took to his bed with illness and died. His son Shie succeeded him.

世諤倜儻驍捷，有父風。楊玄感亂，引為將，每戰先登。玄感敗，為吏所拘。時帝在高陽，送詣行在所。世諤日令守者市酒肴以酣暢，揚言曰：「吾死在朝夕，不醉何為！」漸以酒進守者，守者狎之，遂飲令醉，因得逃奔山賊，不知所終。

Shie was bold, swift, and dashing, with his father's fighting spirit. When Yang Xuanga rebelled, Shie was recruited as a general and was first over the wall in every fight. When Xuanga was defeated, Shie was seized by the authorities. The emperor was then at Gaoyang, and Shie was sent to the traveling palace. Each day Shie had his guards buy wine and food for a feast, declaring loudly, "Death is near—if I cannot drink my fill, what is the point!" He gradually pressed wine on the guards until they grew familiar, drank themselves drunk, and he escaped to join mountain bandits; his end is unknown.

禽母弟僧壽，字玄慶，亦以勇烈知名。周武帝時，為侍伯中旅下大夫。隋文帝得政，從韋孝寬平尉遲迥。以功授大將軍。封昌樂縣公。開皇初，拜安州刺史。時禽為廬州總管，朝廷不欲其兄弟同在淮南，轉熊、蔚二州刺史，進爵廣陵郡公。尋以行軍總管擊破突厥于雞頭山。後坐事免。數歲，復拜蔚州刺史。突厥甚憚之。後檢校靈州總管事。從楊素破突厥，進位上柱國，改封江都郡公。

Han Qin's younger uterine brother Sengshou, courtesy name Xuanqing, was likewise famed for fierce courage. Under Emperor Wu of Zhou he served as attendant of the central brigade, lower grand master. When Emperor Wen of Sui seized power, Sengshou followed Wei Xiaokuan in putting down Yuwen Jiong. For his service he was made grand general. He was enfeoffed duke of Changle county. At the opening of the Kaihuang era he was appointed governor of An province. Han Qin was then area commander of Luzhou, and the court did not want both brothers in Huai-nan at once; Sengshou was transferred to govern Xiong and Wei provinces and promoted to duke of Guangling commandery. Soon afterward, as area commander, he routed the Turks at Mount Jitou. Later he was dismissed for an offense. Several years later he was again appointed governor of Wei province. The Turks feared him deeply. Later he served as acting area commander of Ling province. Following Yang Su in defeating the Turks, he was promoted to superior pillar of state and his title was changed to duke of Jiangdu commandery.

僧壽弟洪，字叔明，少驍勇，善騎射，膂力過人。仕周，以軍功拜大都督。隋文為丞相，從韋孝寬破尉遲迥，加上開府，封甘棠縣侯。及帝受禪，進爵為公。開皇九年，平陳之後，授行軍總管。及陳平，晉王廣大獵于蔣山，有猛獸在圍中，眾皆懼，洪馳馬射之，應弦而倒。陳氏諸將列觀，皆歎伏焉。王大喜，賜縑百匹。尋以功加柱國，拜蔣州刺史，轉廉州。

Sengshou's younger brother Hong, courtesy name Shuming, was from youth valiant and skilled at mounted archery, with strength beyond ordinary men. Serving the Zhou court, he was made grand commander for military merit. When Emperor Wen of Sui was chief minister, Hong followed Wei Xiaokuan in crushing Yuwen Jiong, received the further rank of opener of the prefecture, and was enfeoffed marquis of Gantang county. When the emperor took the throne, Hong was promoted to duke. In the ninth year of Kaihuang, after Chen was conquered, he was made area commander. After Chen fell, Prince Jin Guang held a great hunt on Mount Jiang; a fierce beast was trapped in the ring and everyone feared it, but Hong galloped up and shot it down at the twang of the bow. Chen generals standing by to watch all sighed in admiration. The prince was delighted and gave him a hundred bolts of silk. Shortly afterward, for his achievements he was given the rank of pillar of state, appointed inspector of Jiang prefecture, and then transferred to Lian.

時突厥屢為邊患，朝廷以洪驍勇，令檢校朔州總管事。尋拜代州總管。仁壽元年，突厥達頭可汗犯塞，洪率蔚州刺史劉隆、大將軍李藥王拒之。遇虜于恆安，眾寡不敵，洪四面搏戰，身被重創，將士沮氣。虜悉眾圍之，矢下如雨。洪偽與虜和，圍少懈。洪率所領潰圍而出。死者太半，殺虜亦倍。洪及藥王除名，隆竟坐死。煬帝北巡，至恆安，見白骨被野，以問侍臣，曰：「往韓洪與虜戰處也。」帝憫然傷之，收葬骸骨，命五郡沙門為設齋供，拜洪隴西太守。

At that time the Turks were a constant menace on the frontier, and because Hong was known for valor the court put him in charge of the Shuozhou headquarters. Before long he was made commander-in-chief of Daizhou. In the first year of Renshou, the Turkish khan Tatu invaded the borderlands; Hong led Liu Long, inspector of Wei prefecture, and Grand General Li Yaowang to meet him. They met the enemy at Heng'an, badly outnumbered; Hong fought on every side until he was gravely wounded, and his officers and men lost heart. The enemy brought up their full strength to encircle them, and arrows fell like rain. Hong pretended to seek peace with the enemy, and the siege loosened a little. Hong led his men in a breakout and escaped the ring. More than half his force was killed, yet they also slew twice as many of the enemy. Hong and Li Yaowang were stripped of rank, and Liu Long was eventually executed. On his northern tour, Emperor Yang came to Heng'an and saw white bones strewn across the countryside; he asked his attendants and was told, "This is where Han Hong fought the barbarians." Moved to pity, the emperor had the remains collected and buried, ordered Buddhist monks from five commanderies to perform memorial rites, and appointed Hong administrator of Longxi.

未幾，硃崖人王萬昌作亂，詔洪平之。以功加金紫光祿大夫，領郡如故。俄而萬昌弟仲通復叛，又詔洪平之。還師未幾，旋遇疾卒。

Before long Wang Wanchang of Zhuya rose in rebellion, and the emperor ordered Hong to put him down. For this service he was promoted to grand master of golden bells and purple radiance while retaining his prefectural post. Soon afterward Wanchang's brother Zhongtong rebelled as well, and Hong was again sent to crush the uprising. He had barely returned from campaign when he fell suddenly ill and died.

賀若敦，河南洛陽人也。其先居漠北，世為部落大人。曾祖貸，魏獻文時入國，為都官尚書，封安富縣公。祖伏連，仕魏，位雲州刺史。父統，勇健不好文學，以祖廕為秘書郎。永安初，從太宰元天穆討邢杲，以功封當亭子。齊神武初起，以統為潁州長史。執刺史田迅，以州降，拜兗州刺史，賜爵當亭縣公。歷位北雍、恆二州刺史。卒，贈司空公，諡曰哀。敦少有氣幹。統之將執田迅也，慮事不果，又以累弱既多，難以自拔，沈吟者久之，敦年十七，進策贊成其謀。統流涕從之，遂定謀歸西。時群盜蜂起，大龜山賊張世顯潛來襲統，敦挺身赴戰，手斬七八人，賊乃走。統大悅，謂左右僚屬曰：「我少從軍旅，戰陣非一，如此兒年時膽略，未見其人。非唯成我門戶，亦當為國名將。」

He Ruodun was a native of Luoyang in Henan. His forebears had lived north of the steppe and for generations had been tribal chieftains. His great-grandfather Dai came south into Wei territory during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei, rose to minister of justice, and was enfeoffed duke of Anfu county. His grandfather Fulian served the Wei court as inspector of Yun prefecture. His father Tong was a bold, rugged man with little taste for letters; through inherited privilege he received a post as secretary. In the early Yong'an period he followed Grand Preceptor Yuan Tianmu against Xing Gao and, for his service, was made viscount of Dangting. When Gao Huan first seized power in Qi, he appointed Tong chief administrator of Ying prefecture. Tong seized the inspector Tian Xun and surrendered Ying prefecture to the Western Wei; he was rewarded with the post of inspector of Yan prefecture and the title duke of Dangting county. He went on to serve as inspector of Beiyong and then of Heng prefectures. When he died he was posthumously honored as duke of works with the posthumous title "Lamented." Dun showed force of character even in youth. When Tong was preparing to seize Tian Xun, he feared the plot might fail; with so many dependents in tow, withdrawal would be difficult, and he wavered for a long time—until Dun, only seventeen, urged a plan that would carry the venture through. Tong wept and assented, and the decision to defect westward to Wei was fixed. Bandits were rising everywhere when Zhang Shixian of Mount Dagui launched a surprise attack on Tong; Dun rushed forward, killed seven or eight men with his own hand, and drove the raiders off. Tong was delighted and told his staff, "I have soldiered since youth and fought in many engagements, yet I have never seen a boy of such age with courage and wit like this. He will not only honor our clan—he will become one of the realm's great commanders."

明年，從河內公獨孤信於洛陽被圍，敦彎三石弓，箭不虛發。信乃言于周文，引至麾下，授都督，封安陵縣伯。嘗從校獵甘泉宮，時圍人不齊，獸多越逸。周文大怒，人皆股戰。圍內唯有一鹿，俄亦突圍而走。敦躍馬馳之，鹿上東山。敦棄馬步逐，至山半，便乃掣之而下。周文大悅，諸將因得免責。累遷太子庶子。廢帝二年，拜右衛將軍。俄加驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，進爵廣鄉縣公。時岷蜀初開，人情尚梗。巴西人譙淹據南梁州，與梁西江州刺史王開業共為表裏，扇動群蠻。周文令敦討平之，進爵武都郡公，拜典祀中大夫。尋為金州都督。蠻帥向白彪、向五子王等聚眾為寇，圍逼信州。詔敦與開府田弘赴救，未至而城已陷。乃進軍追討，遂平信州。是歲，荊州蠻帥文子榮自號仁州刺史，復令敦與開府潘招討禽子榮，並虜其眾。

The following year he was with Dugu Xin, Duke of Henei, when Luoyang came under siege; Dun wielded a three-stone bow and never wasted an arrow. Xin reported this to Yuwen Tai, who took Dun into his service, made him a commander, and enfeoffed him earl of Anling county. Once, on a hunt at Ganquan Palace, the beaters failed to close the ring and many beasts escaped. Yuwen Tai was furious, and every man present shook with fear. Only one deer remained inside the ring, and soon it too broke free and bolted. Dun spurred after it as the deer fled up the eastern hill. He dismounted and ran it down on foot, catching it halfway up the slope and dragging it back. Yuwen Tai was delighted, and the other generals were spared his wrath. He rose through several posts to attendant of the crown prince. In the second year of the deposed emperor's reign he was made general of the right guard. Shortly afterward he received the ranks of grand general of cavalry and opener of the prefecture with ceremonial parity to the three excellencies, and was promoted to duke of Guangxiang county. Min and Shu had only recently been brought under Zhou control, and local loyalty was still uncertain. Qiao Yan of Baxi held Southern Liang province and, coordinating with Wang Kaiye, Liang inspector of the western Yangzi, stirred up the Man chieftains on both sides of the border. Yuwen Tai ordered Dun to suppress them; after victory Dun was made duke of Wudu commandery and appointed grand master for sacrificial rituals. Soon afterward he became commander of Jin prefecture. The Man chieftains Xiang Baibiao and Xiang Wuziwang gathered their followers for raids and besieged Xin prefecture. Dun and Tian Hong were ordered to the relief, but the city fell before they arrived. Dun pressed forward in pursuit and recovered Xin prefecture. That same year Wen Zirong, a Man chieftain in Jing prefecture, proclaimed himself inspector of Ren prefecture; Dun and Pan Zhao were sent against him, captured him, and took his followers prisoner.

武成元年，入為軍司馬。陳將侯瑱、侯安都等圍逼湘州，遏絕糧援，乃令敦度江赴救。敦連戰破瑱，乘勝遂次湘州。俄而秋水汛溢，江路遂斷。糧援既絕，恐瑱等知其糧少，乃于營內多為土聚，覆之以米，召側近村人，陽有所訪問，隨即遣之。瑱等聞之，良以為實。敦又增修營壘，造廬舍，示以持久。湘、羅之間遂廢農業。瑱等無如之何。初，土人亟乘輕船，載米粟及籠雞鴨以餉瑱軍。敦患之，乃偽為土人，裝船伏甲士於中。瑱軍人望見，謂餉船之至，逆來爭取，敦甲士遂禽之。又敦軍數有叛人乘馬投瑱，瑱輒納之。敦又別取一馬，牽以趣船，令船中逆以鞭鞭之。如是者再三，馬便畏船不上。後伏兵於江岸，使人乘畏船馬以招瑱軍。詐云投附。瑱便遣兵迎接，競來牽馬。馬既畏船不上，伏兵發，盡殺之。此後實有饋餉及亡奔瑱者，猶謂敦之詐，並不敢受。相持歲餘，瑱不能制，求借船送敦度江。敦慮其或詐，謂曰：「舍我百里，當為汝去。」瑱等遂留船，於是將兵去津路百里。敦覘之非詐，勒眾而還。在軍病死者十五六。晉公護以敦失地無功，除其名。

In the first year of Wucheng he was recalled to court as army vice-marshal. Chen generals Hou Tian and Hou Andrui had encircled Xiangzhou and cut off its supplies, and Dun was ordered to cross the Yangzi to relieve the city. Dun won a series of victories over Hou Tian and pressed on to encamp at Xiangzhou. Then autumn floods swelled the rivers and severed his line of communication by water. With supplies cut off, Dun feared Hou Tian would discover how little grain he had left, so he piled up mounds of earth in camp and spread rice over them; he summoned local villagers, questioned them ostentatiously, and sent them away at once. Hou Tian and his officers took the report at face value. Dun further strengthened his fortifications and built shelters to show he meant to stay for the long haul. Farming between the Xiang and Luo rivers came to a standstill. Hou Tian could do nothing to dislodge him. At first the locals often ferried rice, chickens, and ducks in light boats to Hou Tian's camp. Dun turned the trick against them: disguising his men as locals, he loaded boats with hidden troops. Hou Tian's soldiers, thinking a supply convoy had arrived, rushed out to claim the cargo—and Dun's men seized them. Moreover, when Dun's men defected on horseback, Hou Tian always welcomed them. Dun took another horse and had men on a boat whip it savagely as it was led toward the shore. After this was repeated several times, the horse learned to fear boats and refused to board. Then he laid an ambush on the bank and sent a rider on the frightened horse to lure Hou Tian's men. They pretended to be defectors. Hou Tian sent men out to welcome them, and soldiers scrambled forward to lead the horse away. When the horse balked at the boats, the ambush sprang and slaughtered them to the last man. After that, even genuine supply boats and real deserters were suspected of being traps, and Hou Tian's camp refused them all. After more than a year of stalemate, unable to break Dun's hold, Hou Tian offered boats to ferry him back across the river. Dun suspected a trap and said, "Withdraw a hundred li from my position and I will go." Hou Tian left the boats on the bank and marched his army a full hundred li from the crossing. Satisfied the offer was genuine, Dun marched his army home. Five or six men in ten died of illness on the march. Yuwen Hu, Duke of Jin, stripped Dun of rank for having gained nothing while holding the field.

保定五年，累遷中州刺史，鎮函谷。敦恃功負氣，顧其流輩皆為大將軍。敦獨未得，兼以湘州之役，全軍而反，翻被除名，每出怨言。晉公護怒，徵還，逼令自殺。臨刑，呼子弼謂曰：「吾必欲平江南，然心不果，汝當成吾志。吾以舌死，汝不可不思。」因引錐刺弼舌出血，誡以慎口。建德初，追贈大將軍。諡曰烈。

In the fifth year of Baoding he was promoted to inspector of Zhong prefecture and posted to guard Hangu Pass. Dun, proud of his record, noticed that men of his own generation had all been made grand generals. He alone had not—and after the Xiangzhou campaign, though he had brought his army home intact, he had been demoted instead; he grumbled openly. Yuwen Hu, enraged, recalled him and forced him to commit suicide. At the moment of death he called his son Bi and said, "I burned to conquer the south, but fortune denied me—you must finish what I could not. I am dying for words I should never have spoken—do not forget that." He pierced Bi's tongue with an awl until it bled, warning him never to speak rashly again. At the opening of the Jiande era he was posthumously made grand general. His posthumous title was "Fierce."

弼字輔伯。少有大志，驍勇便弓馬，解屬文，博涉書記，有重名。周齊王憲聞而敬之，引為記室。封當亭縣公，遷小內史。與韋孝寬伐陳，攻拔數十城，弼計居多。拜夀州刺史，改封襄邑縣公。隋文帝為丞相，尉遲迥作亂，帝恐弼為變，遣長孫平馳驛代之。

Bi, courtesy name Fubo. From youth he harbored great ambitions; fearless in battle and skilled with bow and horse, he wrote well, read widely, and won a formidable reputation. Prince Qi Yuwen Xian, hearing of him, took him on as recorder. He was enfeoffed duke of Dangting county and promoted to junior palace scribe. Campaigning against Chen with Wei Xiaokuan, he helped capture dozens of cities, and most of the strategy was his. He was made inspector of Shou prefecture and re-enfeoffed duke of Xiangyi county. When Emperor Wen of Sui was still chief minister and Yuwen Jiong rose in rebellion, he feared Bi might turn against him and sent Zhangsun Ping by post horse to replace him.

及帝受禪，陰有平江南志，訪可任者，高熲薦弼有文武才幹，於是拜吳州總管，委以平陳事，弼忻然以為己任。與壽州總管源雄並為重鎮。弼遺雄詩曰：「交河驃騎幕，合浦伏波營，勿使騏驎上，無我二人名。」獻取陳十策，上稱善，賜以寶刀。

After taking the throne, the emperor quietly set his sights on conquering the south; when he asked who could lead the campaign, Gao Jiong recommended Bi for his combined civil and military gifts; Bi was made area commander of Wuzhou and charged with planning the conquest of Chen, a charge he accepted gladly. He and Yuan Xiong, area commander of Shouzhou, formed the two main strategic anchors on the southern frontier. He sent Yuan Xiong a verse: "At Jiao River the flying-cavalry sets its tent; at Hepu, Fubo's camp stands firm—let no qilin rise to glory without both our names upon it." He submitted ten plans for conquering Chen; the emperor approved them and gave him a precious saber.

開皇九年，大舉伐陳，以弼為行車總管。將渡江，酹酒祝曰：「弼親承廟略，遠振國威，若使福善禍淫，大軍利涉；如事有乖違，得葬江魚腹中，死且不恨。」先是，弼請緣江防人每交代際，必集曆陽。於是大列旗幟，營幕被野，陳人以為大兵至，悉發國中士馬。既知防人交代，其眾復散。後以為常，不復設備。及此，弼以大軍濟江，陳人弗覺。襲陳南徐州，拔之，執其刺史黃恪。軍令嚴肅，秋毫不犯，有軍士于人間酤酒者，弼立斬之。進屯蔣山之白土岡，陳將魯廣達、周智安、任蠻奴、田瑞、孔范、蕭摩訶等以勁兵拒戰。田瑞先犯，擊走之。魯廣達等相繼遞進，弼軍屢卻。弼揣知其驕，士卒且惰，於是督萬將士，殊死戰，遂大破之。麾下士開府員明禽麾訶至，弼命左右牽斬之。摩訶色自若，弼釋而禮之。從北掖門入。時韓禽已執陳叔寶。弼至，呼叔寶視之。叔寶惶懼流汗，股栗再拜。弼謂曰：「小國之君當大國卿，拜，禮也。入朝不失作歸命侯，無勞恐懼。」

In the ninth year of Kaihuang the court mounted a full-scale invasion of Chen and appointed Bi campaign commander. As he prepared to cross the Yangzi, he poured a libation and prayed: "Bi takes up the court's design to carry our nation's power far abroad; if Heaven rewards virtue and punishes wrong, may this host cross safely; if fate goes against us, may I lie in the bellies of the river fish—and I shall die without regret." Earlier, Bi had arranged for Yangzi patrol troops to muster at Liyang whenever they rotated off duty. He then spread banners across the landscape and pitched tents as far as the eye could see; the Chen court, thinking a full invasion force had arrived, mobilized every soldier and horse in the realm. When they realized it was only a routine rotation, the troops stood down and went home. After this happened several times, the Chen treated it as normal and stopped keeping watch. When the moment came, Bi crossed the Yangzi with the main army—and the Chen never saw it coming. He struck Southern Xuzhou, captured the city, and took its inspector Huang Ke prisoner. Discipline was iron: not a leaf was touched. When one soldier bought wine from a local household, Bi had him executed on the spot. He pushed forward to Baitu Hill on Mount Jiang, where Chen generals Lu Guangda, Zhou Zhian, Ren Mannu, Tian Rui, Kong Fan, and Xiao Mohe met him with elite troops. Tian Rui led the first assault and was beaten back. Lu Guangda and the others pressed forward in waves, and Bi's line gave ground again and again. Bi read their overconfidence and slack discipline, rallied his ten thousand men for a last stand, and broke them completely. When one of his officers, Yuan Ming, brought up a captured standard-bearer, Bi ordered his guards to drag the man away and cut off his head. Mohe's face never changed; Bi freed him and received him with honor. He entered the city through the North Side Gate. By then Han Qin had already taken Chen Shubao prisoner. When Bi arrived, he had Shubao brought before him. Shubao broke into a sweat of terror, his legs shaking as he bowed again and again. Bi told him, "It is only proper for the ruler of a small state to bow before a minister of a great power. When you go north to court you will still be made marquis of Guiming—there is no cause for such fear."

既而弼恚恨不獲叔寶，於是與禽相訽，挺刃而出。令蔡徵為叔寶作降箋，命乘騾車歸己，事不果。上聞弼有功，大悅，下詔褒揚之。晉王以弼先期決戰，違軍命，於是以弼屬吏。上驛召之，及見。迎勞曰：「克定三吳，公之功也。」命登御坐，賜物八千段，加位上柱國。進爵宋國公，真食襄邑三千戶，加寶劍、寶帶、金甕、金盤各一，並雉尾扇、曲蓋，雜彩二千段，女樂二部，又賜陳叔寶妹為妾。拜右領軍大將軍。

Bi, bitter that Han Qin and not he had taken Shubao, quarreled with him and went out with blade in hand. He had Cai Zheng draft Shubao's surrender memorial and ordered the former emperor brought to his own camp in a mule cart, but the plan failed. When the emperor learned of Bi's victory, he was delighted and issued an edict of praise. The Prince of Jin, charging that Bi had joined battle ahead of schedule in defiance of orders, handed him over to the judicial officers. The emperor summoned him by post horse, and when they met he welcomed him warmly and said, "The conquest of the Three Wu is your achievement." He had Bi take a seat on the imperial dais, gave him eight thousand rolls of goods, and promoted him to pillar of state. He was made duke of Song with a fief of three thousand households at Xiangyi, given a precious sword, belt, golden urn, and golden dish, pheasant-tail fans and curved canopies, two thousand rolls of colored silk, two troupes of female musicians, and Chen Shubao's younger sister as a concubine. He was appointed grand general of the right guard corps.

平陳後六年，弼撰其畫策上之，謂為《禦授平陳七策》。上弗省，曰：「公欲發揚我名，我不求名，公宜自載家傳。」七策：「其一，請廣陵頓兵一萬，番代往來。陳人初見設備，後以為常，及大兵南伐，不復疑也。其二，使兵緣江時獵，人馬喧噪。及兵臨江，陳人以為獵也。其三，以老馬多買陳船而匿之，買弊船五六十艘於瀆內。陳人覘以為內國無船。其四，積葦獲於揚子津，其高蔽艦。及大兵將度，乃卒通瀆于江。其五，塗戰船以黃，與枯荻同色，故陳人不預覺之。其六，先取京口倉儲，速據白土岡，置兵死地，故一戰而克。其七，臣奉敕，兵以義舉。及平京口，俘五千餘人，便悉給糧勞遣，付其敕書，命別道宣喻。是以大兵度江，莫不草偃，十七日之間，南至林邑，東至滄海，西至象林，皆悉平定。」

Six years after the conquest of Chen, Bi compiled his campaign plans and submitted them under the title "Seven Stratagems for Conquering Chen, as Imparted by the Throne." The emperor declined to read them and said, "You want to burnish my name, but I do not seek fame—put these in your family chronicle instead." The seven stratagems: "First, keep ten thousand troops at Guangling on rotating tours of duty. At first the Chen stood to arms whenever they saw it; later they took it for routine, and when the main army marched south they raised no alarm. Second, send troops to hunt along the river from time to time, with men and horses raising a great din. When the army reached the riverbank, the Chen took it for another hunt. Third, use worn-out horses to buy up Chen boats and hide them, while keeping fifty or sixty broken-down vessels in the canals. Chen scouts reported back that the north had no fleet worth the name. Fourth, stack reeds and rushes at Yangzi Ford high enough to conceal warships behind them. When the main force was ready to cross, they suddenly cut channels through to the river. Fifth, paint the warships yellow to match the withered reeds, so the Chen would not spot them until too late. Sixth, seize the Jingkou granaries first, then hold Baitu Hill at once—put the men where they must fight to the death, and one battle will decide all. Seventh, I received the imperial command and marched under the banner of a just cause. After Jingkou fell, more than five thousand prisoners were given grain, paid for their trouble, and sent home with imperial edicts to spread the word along every road. So when the main army crossed the river, every foe bowed like grass in the wind; within seventeen days, from Linyi in the south to the eastern sea and Xianglin in the west, all was pacified."

轉右武候大將軍。弼時貴盛，位望隆重，其兄隆為武都郡公，弟柬萬榮郡公，並刺史、列將。弼家珍玩不可勝計，婢妾曳綺羅者數百，時人榮之。

He was transferred to grand general of the right martial guard. Bi stood at the summit of power and prestige; his elder brother Long was duke of Wudu commandery, his younger brother Jian duke of Wanrong commandery—both served as prefectural inspectors and field generals. Treasures filled Bi's house beyond counting, and hundreds of concubines trailed silk and gauze—the age looked on with envy.

弼自謂功名出朝臣之右，每以宰相自許。既而楊素為右僕射，弼仍為將軍，甚不平，形於言色，由是免官，弼怨望愈甚。後數載，下弼獄，上謂曰：「我以高熲、楊素為宰相，汝每昌言此二人唯堪啖飯耳，是何意也？」弼曰：「熲，臣之故人，素，臣之舅子，臣並知其為人，誠有此語。」公卿奏弼怨望，罪當死，上曰：「臣下守法不移，公可自求活理。」弼曰：「臣恃至尊威靈，將八千兵度江，即禽陳叔寶，竊以此望活。」上曰：「此已格外酬賞，何用追論！」弼曰：「平陳之日，諸公議不許臣行。推心為國，已蒙格外重賞，今還格外望活。」既而上低徊者數日，惜其功，特令除名。歲餘，復其爵位。上亦忌之，不復任使，然每宴賜，遇之甚厚。

Bi considered his achievements greater than any minister's and often spoke as though the chancellorship were already his. When Yang Su became right vice director while Bi remained a mere general, Bi's displeasure showed in every word and look; he was stripped of office, and his resentment only deepened. Years later Bi was thrown into prison. The emperor said to him, "I made Gao Jiong and Yang Su my chancellors, yet you keep saying aloud that those two are fit only to eat rice—what do you mean by that?" Bi replied, "Jiong is an old friend of mine and Su my nephew by marriage—I know them both, and I did say it." The ministers reported his seditious talk and urged the death penalty. The emperor said, "The law stands firm—find your own grounds for mercy." Bi said, "Your servant, relying on Your Majesty's power, led eight thousand men across the river and captured Chen Shubao at once—I dare hope for my life on that score." The emperor said, "That was already rewarded beyond measure—why bring it up now?" Bi said, "On the day Chen fell, the ministers debated and would not let me march. I served the state with an open heart and have already been rewarded beyond desert—now I ask for extraordinary mercy again." The emperor wavered for days, reluctant to lose so great a servant, and finally ordered only his name struck from the rolls. After more than a year his title was restored. The emperor still distrusted him and gave him no further office, yet at every feast and gift treated him with marked generosity.

十九年，上幸仁壽宮，宴王公，詔弼為五言詩，詞意憤怨，帝覽而容之。明年春，弼又有罪，在禁所，詠詩自若。上數之曰：「人有性善行惡者，公之為惡，及與行俱。有三太猛：嫉妒心太猛，自是非人心太猛，無上心太猛，昔在周朝，已教他兒子反，此心終不能改邪？」他日，上謂侍臣曰：「初欲平陳時，弼謂高熲曰：'陳叔寶可平。不作高鳥盡，良弓藏邪？熲云：'必不然。' 平陳後，便索內史，又索僕射。我語熲曰：'功臣正宜授勳官，不可豫朝政。弼後語熲：'皇太子于己，出口入耳，無所不盡。公終久何必不得弼力，何脈脈邪！ '意圖鎮廣陵，又求荊州總管，並是作亂處，意終不改也。」

In the nineteenth year the emperor visited Renshou Palace and feasted the princes and dukes; Bi was ordered to compose a pentasyllabic poem whose bitter tone the emperor read and overlooked. The following spring he offended again; confined in detention, he composed poetry as calmly as ever. The emperor listed his faults and said, "Some men are good or evil by nature; in you, evil keeps pace with every act. Three things in you are far too fierce: jealousy, the urge to judge others right or wrong, and disloyalty to your betters—long ago in Zhou days you already taught your son rebellion; can this heart never change?" On another day the emperor told his attendants, "When we first planned to conquer Chen, Bi said to Gao Jiong, 'Chen Shubao can be taken. Won't we end like the high bird gone, the good bow stored away? Jiong said, 'Surely not.' After Chen fell, he demanded the palace secretaryship, then the vice directorship. I told Jiong, 'Meritorious men should receive honorary posts—they must not meddle in court politics. Later Bi told Jiong, 'The crown prince confides in me completely—what leaves my lips enters his ear, and nothing is withheld. In time you will surely have Bi's backing—why hesitate so! He meant to garrison Guangling and also sought the Jingzhou command—both are seats of rebellion; his intent has never changed."

後突厥入朝，上賜之射，突厥一發中的。上曰：「非弼無能當此。」乃命弼。弼再拜祝曰：「臣若赤誠奉國，當一發破的；如不然，發不中也。」弼射一發而中。上大悅，顧謂突厥曰：「此人天賜我也！」

Later, when Turks came to court, the emperor staged an archery contest; a Turk hit the mark with his first shot. The emperor said, "Only Bi can answer this." He then called Bi forward. Bi bowed twice and prayed, "If I serve the state with loyal heart, may this arrow find its mark; if not, let it miss." He loosed one arrow and struck true. The emperor was delighted and turned to the Turks: "Heaven gave me this man!"

煬帝之在東宮，嘗謂曰：「楊素、韓禽、史萬歲三人，俱良將也，優劣如何？」弼曰：「楊素是猛將，非謀將；韓禽是鬥將，非領將；史萬歲是騎將，非大將。」太子曰：「然則大將誰也」？弼拜曰：「唯殿下所擇。」弼意自許為大將。及煬帝嗣位，尤被疏忌。大業三年，從駕北巡至榆林。時為大帳，下可坐數千人，召突厥啟人可汗饗之。弼以為太侈，與高熲、宇文幹等私議得失，為人所告，竟坐誅，時年六十四。妻子為官奴婢，群從徙邊。

When Emperor Yang was still crown prince, he once asked Bi, "Yang Su, Han Qin, and Shi Wansui are all fine generals—how do they compare?" Bi said, "Yang Su is a fierce fighter, not a strategist; Han Qin is a brawler, not a field commander; Shi Wansui is a cavalryman, not a supreme commander." The crown prince asked, "Then who is the supreme commander?" Bi bowed and said, "Whomever Your Highness chooses." He meant himself. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Bi was kept at a distance and watched with special suspicion. In the third year of Daye he accompanied the northern tour as far as Yulin. A great pavilion was raised, large enough to seat thousands, and the Qiren Khan of the Turks was summoned to a feast. Bi judged the display far too lavish; with Gao Jiong, Yuwen Gan, and others he privately debated its wisdom, was reported, and was eventually executed at the age of sixty-four. His wife and children were made government slaves; his kinsmen were exiled to the frontier.

子懷亮，慷慨有父風。以柱國世子，拜儀同三司。坐弼為奴，俄亦誅死。

His son Huailiang was bold and high-spirited, with his father's bearing. As heir of a pillar of state he was appointed opener of the prefecture with ceremonial parity to the three excellencies. Because of his father's disgrace he too was soon put to death.

敦弟誼。誼性剛果，有幹略。周文據關中，引之左右，累遷儀同三司、略陽公府長史。周閔帝受禪，封霸城縣子，加開府，曆原、信二州總管。及兄敦以讒毀伏誅，坐免官。從武帝平齊，拜洛州刺史，進封建威縣侯。開皇中，位左武候將軍、海陵郡公。後以突厥為邊患，誼素有威名，拜靈州刺史，進位柱國。誼時年老，猶能重鎧上馬，甚為北夷所憚。數載，上表乞骸骨，卒於家。子舉襲爵。

Dun's younger brother was Yi. Yi was resolute and decisive by nature, with a gift for command. When Yuwen Tai held Guanzhong he brought Yi into his inner circle; Yi rose to opener of the prefecture with ceremonial parity to the three excellencies and chief administrator of the Duke of Lueyang's household. When Emperor Min of Zhou took the throne, Yi was made viscount of Bacheng, given opener of the prefecture rank, and served as area commander of Yuan and then Xin prefectures. When his brother Dun was executed on slander charges, Yi was implicated and dismissed from office. He followed Emperor Wu in the conquest of Qi, was made inspector of Luozhou, and advanced to marquis of Jianwei county. In the Kaihuang era he served as general of the left martial guard and duke of Hailing commandery. Later, when the Turks threatened the frontier, Yi—long famed for his formidable reputation—was made inspector of Ling prefecture and promoted to pillar of state. Though advanced in years, Yi could still buckle on heavy armor and ride to war, and the northern tribes feared him deeply. Some years later he petitioned to retire and died at home. His son Ju succeeded to his rank.

論曰：周文帝屬禍亂之辰，以征伐而定海內，大則連兵百萬，系之以存亡，小則轉戰邊亭，不闋於旬月。是以兵無少長，士無賢愚，莫不投筆要功，橫戈請奮。豆盧甯、楊紹、王雅、韓雄等，或攀翼雲漢，底績屯夷，雖運移年代，而名成終始，美矣哉！豆盧勣譽宣分竹，毓節見臨危，可謂載德象賢也。觀德王位登臺兗，慶流後嗣，保茲寵祿，實仁厚之所致乎！王世積俊才雖多，適足為害者矣。賀若敦志略慷慨，深入敵境，勍寇絕其糧道，江淮阻其歸途。臨危而策出無方，事迫而雄心彌厲，故能利涉死地，全師以反。而茂勳莫紀，嚴刑已及，天下是以知宇文護之不能終其位也。自南北分隔，將三百年。隋文爰應千齡，將一函夏。賀若弼慷慨，申必取之長策，韓禽奮發，賈余勇以爭先。隋氏自此一戎，威加四海。稽諸天道，或時有廢興；考之人謀，實二臣之力。其俶儻英略，賀弼居多，武毅威雄，韓禽稱重。方于晉之王、杜，勳庸綽有餘地。然賀弼功成名立，矜伐不已，竟顛殞於非命，亦不密以失身。若念父臨終之言，必不及於斯禍。韓禽累葉將家，威聲動俗，敵國既破，名遂身全，幸也。廣陵、甘棠，咸有武藝，驍雄膽略，並為當時所推，赳赳幹城，難兄難弟矣。

Commentary: Duke Wen of Zhou came to power amid chaos and secured the realm through war—at times marshaling armies of a million on which empires rose or fell, at times fighting month after month at distant frontier posts. Soldiers young and old, men wise and simple alike, all laid down the pen for glory and took up the spear eager to fight. Dou Luning, Yang Shao, Wang Ya, Han Xiong, and others—some rose to the highest heavens, some won fame on the frontier—yet through changing times their reputations endured from first to last. Admirable indeed! Dou Lu Ji won renown when entrusted with a commandery; Yu showed his integrity in crisis—they embodied virtue worthy of their forebears. Consider Prince De, raised to high rank at Yan, his blessings passing to his heirs, his honors preserved—surely this came of genuine kindness and magnanimity! Wang Shiji's brilliance proved only his undoing. He Ruodun was bold and resourceful; thrust deep into enemy land, he found fierce foes severing his supply lines and the Yangzi and Huai blocking his retreat. In extremity his wits never failed; under pressure his resolve only hardened—so he crossed the valley of death and brought his army home whole. Yet his great service went unrewarded and harsh punishment fell on him—so all knew Yuwen Hu could not long keep power. North and south had been divided for nearly three hundred years. Emperor Wen of Sui then answered the call of the age and set out to reunify the realm. He Ruobi, bold and far-sighted, laid out the strategy that would surely win; Han Qin threw himself into the fight and pressed every advantage to be first. With that single campaign the Sui dynasty's might reached the four seas. By Heaven's decree dynasties rise and fall; but in human terms this victory was truly the work of these two ministers. In daring strategy He Bi stood foremost; in martial ferocity Han Qin was unmatched. Even beside Jin's Wang Jun and Du Yu, their achievements would still stand tall. Yet He Bi, once fame and success were his, never ceased boasting and at last died a violent death—he lacked discretion and paid with his life. Had he remembered his father's dying words, he would never have come to such ruin. Han Qin came from a line of generals, his fame resounding through the land; when the enemy fell he kept both glory and life—how fortunate. Guangling and Gantang alike were men of arms, their courage and daring praised by all their day—firm pillars of the state, a pair of brothers none could match.

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