Volume 71 Biographies 59: The Sui Imperial Family

隋宗室諸王

The Sui Imperial Clan Princes

列傳第五十九隋宗室諸王

Biography 59 — The Sui Imperial Clan Princes

蔡景王整滕穆王瓚道宣王嵩衛昭王爽河間王弘義城公處綱離石太守子崇文帝四王煬帝三子

Prince Jing of Cai, Zheng; Prince Mu of Teng, Zan; Prince Xuan of Dao, Song; Prince Zhao of Wei, Shuang; Prince of Hejian, Hong; Duke of Yicheng, Chugang; Zichong, Administrator of Lishi; the four princes of Emperor Wen; and the three sons of Emperor Yang.

蔡景王整，隋文帝之次弟也。文帝四弟，唯整及滕穆王瓚與帝同生，次道宣王嵩，次衛昭王爽並異母。整，周明帝時以武元軍功，賜爵陳留郡公。位開府、車騎大將軍。從武帝平齊。力戰而死。文帝初居武元之憂，率諸弟負土為墳，人植一栢，四根鬱茂，西北一根整栽者獨黃。後因大風雨，並根失之，果終不吉。文帝作相，贈柱國、大司徒、八州剌史。及受禪，追封諡焉。

Prince Jing of Cai, Zheng, was Emperor Wen of Sui's next younger brother. Of Emperor Wen's four younger brothers, only Zheng and Prince Mu of Teng, Zan shared his mother; Prince Xuan of Dao, Song, and Prince Zhao of Wei, Shuang followed, each born to a different mother. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou, Zheng was ennobled as Duke of Chenliu Commandery for service linked to Empress Dowager Wu's faction. He rose to Defender-in-Chief and General of Chariots and Cavalry. He followed Emperor Wu in the conquest of Qi. He fought to the end and was killed in battle. While Emperor Wen was still in mourning for Empress Dowager Wu, he and his brothers carried earth to raise her tomb, each planting a cypress. All four trees flourished, yet the one Zheng had set in the northwest alone turned yellow. Later a violent storm uprooted them all — an omen that, as it turned out, foretold ill fortune. After Emperor Wen became regent, Zheng was posthumously honored as Pillar of State, Grand Minister of Education, and inspector over eight provinces. When Wen took the throne, he was posthumously enfeoffed and given his temple name and title.

子智積襲。又封其弟智明為高陽郡公，智才開封縣公。尋拜智積開府儀同三司，授同州刺史，儀衛資送甚盛。

His son Zhiji inherited the rank. His younger brothers Zhiming and Zhicai were enfeoffed as Duke of Gaoyang Commandery and Duke of Kaifeng County. Soon afterward Zhiji was made Defender-in-Chief with Protocol Equal to the Three Dukes and appointed governor of Tong Province, with an unusually grand escort and provision.

整娶同郡尉遲綱女，生智積。開皇中，有司奏智積將葬尉太妃，帝曰：「昔幾殺我。我有同生二弟，並倚婦家勢，常憎疾我。我向之笑云：'爾既嗔我，不可與爾角嗔。 '並云：'阿兄止倚頭額。 '時有醫師邊隱逐勢，言我後百日當病癲。二弟私喜。以告父母。父母泣謂我曰：'爾二弟大劇，不能愛兄。' 我因言：'一日有天下，當改其姓。夫不受其親而愛他人者，謂之悖德，當改之為悖。 '父母許我此言。父母亡後，二弟及婦又讒我，言于晉公。于時每還，欲入門，常不喜，如見獄門。托以患氣，常鎖閤靜坐，唯食至時暫開閤。每飛言入耳，竊雲'復未邪？ '當時實不可耐，羨人無兄弟。世間貧家兄弟多相愛，由相假藉；達官兄弟多相憎，爭名利故也。」

Zheng married a daughter of Yuchi Gang of the same commandery; she bore Zhiji. During the Kaihuang reign, officials reported that Zhiji was preparing to bury Grand Consort Wei of the Yuchi clan. The Emperor said, "She once came close to killing me. I had two full brothers who leaned on their wives' families and always bore me ill will. I told them with a laugh, 'Since you resent me, I will not quarrel with you on your terms. They answered, 'Our elder brother has nothing but his brow to boast of. A physician named Bian Yin, currying favor with them, declared that within a hundred days I would go mad. My two brothers rejoiced in secret. They told our parents. Our parents wept and said to me, 'Your two brothers are cruel beyond measure; they cannot love their elder brother.' I replied, 'If I ever win the realm, I shall change their surname. Those who reject their own kin to favor outsiders are called perverse in virtue — I would change their name to Bei, "perversity." Our parents assented. After our parents died, my brothers and their wives slandered me again, reporting to the Duke of Jin. Whenever I came home then, I dreaded crossing the threshold; it felt like entering a jail. I pleaded ill health, kept my doors bolted, and sat in seclusion, opening them only when food was brought. Whenever fresh slander reached me, I would mutter, 'Again? Not yet done? It was truly unbearable; I envied men who had no brothers. Poor brothers often love one another, because they must lean on each other; while brothers among the great often hate one another, because they compete for fame and gain."

智積在同州，未嘗嬉戲遊獵，聽政之暇，端坐讀書。門無私謁。有侍讀公孫尚義，山東儒士，府佐楊君英、蕭德言，並有文學，時延於坐。所設唯餅果，酒才三酌。家有女妓，唯年節嘉慶奏於太妃前。始，文帝龍潛時，與景王不睦，太妃尉氏又與獨孤皇后不相諧，以是智積常懷危懼，每自貶損。帝亦以是哀憐之。人或勸智積為產業，智積曰：「昔平原露朽財帛，苦其多也。吾幸無可露，何更營乎！」有五男，止教讀《論語》、《孝經》而已，亦不令交通賓客。或問其故，智積曰：「恐兒子有才能以致禍也。」開皇二十年，徵還京，無他職任，闔門自守，非朝覲不出。煬帝即位，滕王綸、衛王集並以讒構得罪，高陽公智明亦以交通奪爵，智積愈懼。大業三年，授弘農太守，委政僚佐，清靜自居。及楊玄感作逆，自東都引軍而西，智積謂官屬曰：「玄感欲西圖關中，若成其計，則根本固矣。當以計縻之，使不得進。不出一旬，自可禽耳。 '及玄感軍至城下，智積登陴詈辱之，玄感怒甚，留攻之。城門為賊所燒，智積乃更益火，賊不得入。數日，宇文述等軍至，合擊破之。尋拜宗正卿。

At Tong Province Zhiji never idled in sport or the hunt; between sessions of government he sat upright with his books. No private petitioners came to his gate. His lecturing attendant Gongsun Shangyi was a Shandong scholar; his aides Yang Junying and Xiao Deyan were also learned men, and he would invite them to sit with him. He served only cakes and fruit, and wine no more than three rounds. Though he kept female musicians, they performed only at holidays and celebrations, and only before the Grand Consort. From the days when Emperor Wen was still only heir apparent, he had been at odds with Prince Jing, and Grand Consort Wei of the Yuchi clan had quarreled with Empress Dugu; Zhiji therefore lived in constant fear and kept himself abased. The Emperor pitied him for the same reason. When others urged Zhiji to amass property, he said, "Long ago on the plains wealth lay rotting in the open — men suffered because they had too much. I am fortunate to have nothing worth exposing — why should I scheme for more?" He had five sons and taught them only the Analects and the Classic of Filial Piety, and would not let them cultivate ties with guests. Asked why, Zhiji said, "I fear that if my sons show talent, it will bring disaster upon them." In the twentieth year of Kaihuang he was recalled to the capital, given no further appointment, and kept his household shut in, leaving home only for court audiences. When Emperor Yang succeeded, Prince of Teng Lun and Prince of Wei Ji were ruined by slander, and Duke of Gaoyang Zhiming lost his title for illicit associations; Zhiji's fear deepened. In the third year of Daye he was made administrator of Hongnong, left affairs to his staff, and lived in quiet seclusion. When Yang Xuangan rebelled and marched west from the Eastern Capital, Zhiji told his staff, "Xuangan means to strike west for Guanzhong; if he succeeds, his base will be secure. We must use a stratagem to hold him here and keep him from advancing. Within ten days he can be taken without fail. When Xuangan's army reached the walls, Zhiji mounted the battlements and hurled abuse at him; enraged, Xuangan halted to besiege the city. When the rebels burned the gate, Zhiji fed the flames until the breach could not be crossed. Within days the armies of Yuwen Shu and others arrived and destroyed the rebels in a joint attack. He was soon appointed Director of the Imperial Clan.

十二年，從駕江都，寢疾。帝時疏薄骨肉，智積每不自安，及遇患，不呼醫。臨終，謂所親曰：「吾今日始知得保首領沒于地矣！」時人哀之。有子道玄。

In the twelfth year he accompanied the court to Jiangdu and fell gravely ill. The Emperor had grown cold toward his kin, and Zhiji was never at ease; when illness came, he refused to call a physician. On his deathbed he told those near him, "Only today do I know I have kept my head and may die in peace upon the earth!" Men of the time mourned him. He left a son, Daoxuan.

宣帝崩，文帝入禁中，將總朝政，令廢太子勇召之。瓚素與帝不協，不從，曰：「作隋國公恐不能保，何乃更為族滅事邪！」文帝作相，拜大宗伯，典修禮律，進位上柱國、邵國公。瓚見帝執政，恐為家禍，陰有圖帝計，帝每優容之。及受禪，立為滕王，拜雍州牧。帝數與同坐，呼為阿三。後坐事去牧，以王就第。

When Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou died, Emperor Wen entered the inner palace to seize control of government and ordered the deposed Crown Prince Yong summoned. Zan, who had long been at odds with his brother, refused, saying, "As Duke of Sui you can scarcely save yourself — why court extermination for the whole clan?" When Wen became regent, Zan was made Grand Director of Ceremonies, charged with ritual and penal codes, and promoted to Upper Pillar of State and Duke of Shao. Seeing his brother in power, Zan feared disaster for the house and secretly plotted against him, yet the Emperor always treated him with forbearance. When Wen took the throne, Zan was created Prince of Teng and made governor of Yong Province. The Emperor often sat with him and called him "Little Third." Later, after an offense, he was removed from office and retired to his princely mansion.

瓚妃宇文氏，素與獨孤皇后不平，至是鬱鬱不得志，陰有咒詛。帝命瓚出之。瓚不忍離絕，固請。帝不得已，從之，宇文氏竟除屬籍。由是恩禮更薄。開皇十一年，從幸栗園，坐樹下，方飲酒，鼻忽流血，暴薨。時年四十四。人皆以為遇鳩。子綸嗣。

Zan's consort of the Yuwen clan had long quarreled with Empress Dugu; now bitter and thwarted, she secretly practiced curses. The Emperor ordered Zan to divorce her. Zan could not bear to cast her off and pleaded stubbornly. The Emperor reluctantly yielded, yet the Yuwen lady was ultimately struck from the clan registers. From then on imperial favor toward him grew still colder. In the eleventh year of Kaihuang, while accompanying the Emperor to Chestnut Garden, he sat drinking under a tree when blood suddenly poured from his nose and he died on the spot. He was forty-four. Everyone believed he had been poisoned. His son Lun inherited the title.

綸字斌褵，性弘厚，美姿容，頗知鐘律。文帝受禪，封邵國公。明年，拜邵州刺史。晉王廣納妃于梁，詔綸致禮，甚為梁人所敬。

Lun, courtesy name Binli, was open-hearted and handsome, with a fair knowledge of music and pitch. When Emperor Wen took the throne, Lun was enfeoffed as Duke of Shao. The following year he was appointed governor of Shao Prefecture. When Prince of Jin Guang took a bride from Liang, Lun was ordered to convey the betrothal gifts and won great respect among the Liang court.

綸以穆王故，當文帝世，每不自安。煬帝即位，尤被猜忌。綸憂懼，呼術者王琛問之。琛答曰：「王相祿不凡。滕即騰也，此字足為善應。」有沙門惠恩、崛多等，頗解占候，綸每與交通，嘗令些三人為厭勝法。有人告綸怨望呪詛，帝令黃門侍郎王弘窮驗之。弘希旨奏綸厭蠱惡逆，坐當死。帝令卿議之，司徒楊素等曰：「綸懷惡之由，積自家世。惟皇運之始，四海同心，在於孔懷，彌須協力。其先乃離阻大謀，棄同即異。父悖于前，子逆於後，為惡有將，其罪莫大。請依前科。」帝以皇族不忍，除名徙邊郡。

Because of his father Prince Mu's fate, Lun never felt secure under Emperor Wen. Under Emperor Yang he was watched with especial suspicion. Fearful, Lun summoned the diviner Wang Chen. Chen answered, "Your princely countenance and fortune are no common lot. Teng, 'Ascent,' is the same word as teng, 'to soar' — the name itself is an excellent omen." There were monks Huian, Jueduo, and others skilled in divination. Lun frequently associated with them and once had three of them perform rites of occult counter-magic. When someone accused Lun of resentment and curses, the Emperor ordered Yellow Gate Attendant Wang Hong to investigate. Hong, reading the Emperor's wish, reported that Lun had practiced sorcery and treason, crimes warranting death. The Emperor ordered the high ministers to deliberate. Minister of Education Yang Su and others said, "The roots of Lun's malice lie in generations of his house. At the dawn of the dynasty, when the realm was united, those of the same womb ought all the more to stand together. His forebears turned from the great design, forsaking kin for the alien cause. The father was perverse before him, the son rebellious after — evil that runs in a line merits the gravest penalty. We ask that the statute be applied as before." The Emperor, unwilling to shed imperial blood, struck his name from the registers and banished him to a frontier commandery.

大業七年，帝征遼東，綸欲上表，請從軍自效，為郡司所遏。示幾，徙珠崖。及天下大亂，為賊林仕弘逼，攜妻子竄儋耳。後歸國，封懷化縣公。尋病卒。

In the seventh year of Daye, when the Emperor campaigned against Liaodong, Lun tried to memorialize offering to serve in the army, but local officials stopped him. As a warning, he was exiled to Zhuya. When the empire collapsed into chaos, the rebel Lin Shihong pressed him, and he fled with his family to Dan'er. Later he returned to court and was enfeoffed as Duke of Huaihua County. He soon died of illness.

綸弟坦，字文褵，初封竟陵郡公，坐綸徙長沙。

Lun's younger brother Tan, styled Wenli, was initially made Duke of Jingling Commandery, but was exiled to Changsha on account of Lun's crime.

坦弟猛，字武褵，徙衡山。

Tan's younger brother Meng, styled Wuli, was exiled to Hengshan.

猛弟溫，字明褵，初徙零陵。溫好學，解屬文，既而作《零陵賦》以自寄，其詞哀思。帝見而怒之，轉徙南海。

Meng's younger brother Wen, styled Mingli, was first sent into exile at Lingling. Wen was studious and skilled in writing. He later composed the "Rhapsody on Lingling" to give voice to his feelings; its language was deeply mournful. When the Emperor read it he was enraged and had Wen banished further to Nanhai.

溫弟詵，字弘褵，前亦徙零陵。帝以其修謹，襲封滕王，以奉穆王嗣。大業末，于江都為宇文化及所害。

Wen's younger brother Shen, styled Hongli, had earlier been exiled to Lingling as well. Because of his refined and careful conduct, the Emperor made him Prince of Teng to maintain Prince Mu's succession. In the closing years of Daye he was killed by Yuwen Huaji at Jiangdu.

道宣王嵩，在周以武元軍功，賜爵興城公。早卒。文帝受禪，追封諡焉。以滕穆王瓚子靜襲。卒，諡曰悼。無子，以蔡王智積子世澄襲。

Prince Daoxuan Song earned military distinction under Emperor Wu of Zhou and was granted the title Duke of Xingcheng. He died young. When Emperor Wen took the throne, he was posthumously enfeoffed and given a posthumous title. Prince Jing, son of Prince Mu of Teng Zan, inherited the title. When he died he was given the posthumous name Dao. He had no son, so Shicheng, son of Prince of Cai Zhiji, inherited the title.

衛昭王爽，字師仁，小字明達。在周以武元軍功，于繈褓中封同安郡公。六歲而武元崩，為獻皇后所養，由是寵愛特異諸弟。年十七，為內史上大夫。文帝執政，授蒲州刺史、柱國。及受禪，立為衛王，所生李氏為太妃。爽位雍州牧、右領軍大將軍、權領并州總管、上柱國、涼州總管。爽美風儀，有器局，政甚有聲。大軍北伐，河間王弘、豆盧勣、竇榮定、高熲、虞慶則等分道而進，以爽為元帥，俱受爽節度。親率李充等四將出朔州，遇沙缽略可汗于白道，接戰，大破之，沙缽略中重瘡而遁。帝大悅，賜爽真食梁安縣千戶。六年，復為元帥，步騎十五萬出合川，突厥遁逃。徵為納言。帝甚重之。未幾，爽疾，帝使薛榮宗視之，雲眾鬼為厲。爽令左右驅逐之。居數日，有鬼物來擊榮宗，走下階而斃。其夜爽薨，年二十五。贈太尉、冀州刺史。子集嗣。

Prince Zhaohui of Wei, Shuang, styled Shiren and known familiarly as Mingda. In Zhou he was made Duke of Tong'an Commandery in infancy for his father's service under Emperor Wu. When he was six, Emperor Wu died. Empress Xian raised him, and from then on he was favored above his brothers. At seventeen he was appointed Grand Master of the Palace Secretariat. While Emperor Wen directed affairs of state, Shuang was made Governor of Puzhou and Pillar of State. When the throne passed to Emperor Wen, Shuang was made Prince of Wei and his birth mother Lady Li was made Grand Consort. Shuang served as Governor of Yongzhou, Great General of the Right Palace Guard, acting Commander-in-Chief of Bingzhou, Senior Pillar of State, and Commander-in-Chief of Liangzhou. Shuang was imposing in appearance and broad-minded; his administration won wide praise. On the great northern campaign, Prince of Hejian Hong, Doulu Ji, Dou Rongding, Gao Jiong, Yu Qingze, and others marched on separate routes with Shuang as supreme commander, all under his command. Leading four generals including Li Chong from Shuozhou, he met Shabolüe Qaghan at Baidao, engaged him in battle, and inflicted a crushing defeat; Shabolüe suffered a serious wound and fled. The Emperor was delighted and granted Shuang a permanent income from one thousand households in Liang'an County. In the sixth year he again served as supreme commander, leading one hundred fifty thousand foot and horse soldiers out of Hechuan; the Turks fled without fighting. He was recalled to court and appointed Chief Talker. The Emperor held him in high esteem. Before long Shuang fell ill. The Emperor sent Xue Rongzong to see him; Rongzong reported that a host of ghosts were tormenting him. Shuang ordered his attendants to drive the spirits away. A few days later ghostly beings attacked Rongzong; he fled down the steps and collapsed dead. That same night Shuang died at the age of twenty-five. He was posthumously made Grand Commandant and Governor of Jizhou. His son Ji inherited the title.

河間王弘，字辟惡，文帝從祖弟也。祖愛敬，早卒。父元孫，少孤，隨母郭氏養于舅族。及武元帝與周文建義關中，元孫時在鄴，懼為齊人所誅，因假外家姓為郭氏。元孫死，齊為周滅，弘始入關。與文帝相得，帝哀之，為買田宅。

Prince of Hejian Hong, styled Pie'e, was Emperor Wen's younger paternal cousin. His grandfather Aijing died young. His father Yuansun lost his father early and was brought up in his maternal uncle's household with his mother Lady Guo. When Emperor Wu and Zhou Wen raised their rebellion in Guanzhong, Yuansun was in Ye. Fearing death at the hands of the Qi, he took his maternal family's surname, Guo. After Yuansun died and Qi fell to Zhou, Hong entered Guanzhong for the first time. He and Emperor Wen became close; the Emperor took pity on him and bought him fields and a house.

慶傾曲善候時變。帝猜忌骨肉，滕王綸等皆被廢放，唯慶獲全。累遷滎陽太守，頗有政績。及李密據洛口倉。滎陽諸縣多應密。慶勒兵拒守。歲餘，城中糧盡，兵勢日蹙。密遺慶書曰：「王之先世，家住山東，本姓郭氏，乃非楊族。婁敬之于漢高，殊非血胤；呂布之于董卓，良異天親。芝焚蕙歎，事不同此。江都荒湎，流宕忘歸，骨肉崩離，人神怨憤。舉烽火于驪山，諸侯莫至；浮膠船于漢水，還日未期。王獨守孤城，援絕千里，糧餱支計，僅有月餘，弊卒之多，才盈數百。有何恃賴，欲相抗拒？求枯魚於市肆，既事非虛；因歸雁以運糧，竟知何日！止恐禍生匕首，釁發蕭牆，空以七尺之軀，懸賞千金之購，可為酸鼻者也。幸能三思，自求多福。」于時江都敗問亦至，慶得書，遂降於密，改姓為郭氏。密破，歸東都，又為楊氏，越王侗不之責也。及侗稱制，拜宗正卿。

Qing was supple and obsequious, adept at reading the shifting times. As the Emperor grew suspicious of his own kin, Prince of Teng Lun and others were all deposed and exiled, yet Qing alone was spared. Rising through the ranks to Prefect of Xingyang, he compiled a solid record of governance. When Li Mi took control of the Luokou Granary. Most counties in Xingyang went over to Li Mi. Qing mustered troops to hold out in defense. After more than a year the city's grain ran out and its position grew steadily worse. Li Mi sent Qing a letter: "Your ancestors came from Shandong; their original surname was Guo — you are not truly of the Yang line. Lou Jing's tie to Emperor Gaozu of Han was no blood kinship; Lü Bu's bond with Dong Zhuo was anything but natural kinship. When one companion plant is destroyed the other mourns — but your situation is not like that. At Jiangdu the Emperor drowned in debauchery and forgot to return; families were torn apart and both men and gods burned with outrage. He lit the beacon fires at Mount Li, yet no allies answered; He floated glue-bound boats on the Han River with no set date for return. You hold a lone city with aid cut off a thousand li away; dried rations will last barely a month, and your exhausted troops number only a few hundred. What do you have to rely on in choosing to resist? To ask for dried fish at the market — that errand is no idle one; To hope wild geese will bring you grain — who knows when that would be! I fear only that a dagger will strike within your own walls, that for nothing your seven-foot frame will fetch a thousand-gold price on your head — the thought is heartbreaking. Think carefully and choose what is best for yourself." About then news of the catastrophe at Jiangdu arrived as well. Qing read the letter and surrendered to Li Mi, taking the surname Guo. After Li Mi's defeat Qing returned to the Eastern Capital and resumed the Yang surname; Prince of Yue Yang Tong did not hold it against him. When Yang Tong assumed imperial authority, Qing was made Director of the Imperial Clan.

世充既僭偽號，降爵為郇國公，復為郭氏。世充以兄女妻之，署滎州刺史。及世充將敗，慶欲將妻同歸長安，其妻曰：「國家以妾奉箕帚於公者，欲以申厚意，結公心耳。今父叔窮迫，家國阽危，而不顧婚姻，孤負付屬，為全身之計，非妾所能責公也。妾若至長安，公家一婢耳，何用妾為！顧送還東都，君之惠也。」慶不許。其妻遂沐浴靚莊。仰藥而死。慶遂歸國，為宜州刺史、郇國公，復姓楊氏。其嫡母元太妃，年老，兩目喪明，世充斬之。

After Wang Shichong seized a spurious throne, Qing was demoted to Duke of the State of Xun and again took the surname Guo. Wang Shichong married him to his brother's daughter and made him Governor of Xingyang. As Wang Shichong's cause neared collapse, Qing wanted to take his wife with him to Chang'an. His wife said, "The court gave me to you in marriage to show its goodwill and win your loyalty. Now that your in-laws are desperate and the realm is in peril, you would abandon our marriage and betray the trust placed in you to save yourself — I cannot blame you for that. If I went to Chang'an I would be nothing but a servant in your household — what good would I be to you! Please send me back to the Eastern Capital — that would be your kindness to me." Qing refused. His wife bathed, dressed herself finely, and prepared herself. She took poison and died. Qing then returned to the Tang court, was made Governor of Yizhou and Duke of the State of Xun, and resumed the Yang surname. His stepmother Grand Consort Yuan was elderly and blind; Wang Shichong had her executed.

義城公處綱，文帝族父也。生長北邊，少習騎射。在周，以軍功拜上儀同。文帝受禪，贈其父鐘葵柱國、尚書令、義城縣公，以處綱襲焉。累遷右領軍將軍。綱雖無才藝，而性質直，在官強濟，亦為當時所稱。拜蒲州刺史，吏人悅之。卒于秦州總管，諡曰恭。

Duke of Yicheng Chugang was a clan elder kinsman of Emperor Wen. Raised on the northern frontier, he learned riding and archery from boyhood. In Zhou he was made Senior Regiment Commander for military service. When Emperor Wen took the throne he posthumously made Chugang's father Zhongkui Pillar of State, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Duke of Yicheng County, which Chugang inherited. He rose to General of the Right Palace Guard. Chugang had no literary gifts, but possessed an upright character and governed forcefully and effectively — enough to win praise in his day. As Governor of Puzhou he won the goodwill of officials and commoners alike. He died in office as Commander-in-Chief of Qinzhou and was posthumously named Gong.

弟處樂，官至洛州刺史。漢王諒反，朝廷以為二心，廢錮不齒。

His younger brother Chule rose to Governor of Luozhou. When Prince of Han Liang rebelled, the court judged Chule disloyal; he was stripped of rank, imprisoned, and cast out from society.

離石太守子崇，武元帝族弟也。父盆生，贈荊刺史。子崇少好學，涉獵書記，有風儀，愛賢好士。開皇初，拜儀同，以車騎將軍恆典宿衛，後為司門侍郎。煬帝嗣位，累遷候衛將軍。坐事免。未幾，復檢校將軍事。從帝幸汾陽宮，子崇知突厥必為寇，屢請早還京師，不納。尋有雁門之圍。及賊退，帝怒之曰：「子崇怯懦，妄有陳請，驚動我眾心，不可居爪牙寄。」出為離石郡太守，有能名。自是突屢寇邊塞，胡賊劉六兒復擁眾劫掠郡境，子崇表請兵鎮遏。帝復大怒，令子崇行長城。子崇行百餘里，四面路絕，不得進而歸。

Zichong, Prefect of Lishi, was a younger kinsman of Emperor Wu in the imperial clan. His father Pensheng was posthumously made Governor of Jing. Zichong was an avid student from youth, widely read in books and records, carried himself well, and loved worthy men. Early in the Kaihuang era he was made Regiment Commander and served in the palace guard under General of Chariots and Cavalry Heng; he later became Vice Director of the Gate Office. Under Emperor Yang he rose to General of the Palace Guard. He was dismissed for an offense. Soon he was again given provisional command of troops. On the Emperor's visit to Fenyang Palace, Zichong foresaw a Turkish invasion and repeatedly urged an early return to the capital, but the Emperor refused. Soon afterward came the siege of Yanmen. After the enemy withdrew, the Emperor raged: "Zichong is a coward who disturbed my troops with reckless petitions — he is unfit to serve at my side." He was banished to serve as Prefect of Lishi Commandery, where he earned a name for competence. Turks then raided the frontier repeatedly, and the rebel Liu Liu'er again led bands to pillage the prefecture. Zichong memorialized requesting troops to hold them in check. The Emperor flew into a rage again and ordered Zichong to inspect the Great Wall. Zichong marched more than a hundred li but found every route blocked and had to turn back.

歲餘，朔方梁師都、馬邑劉武周等各作亂，郡中諸胡復反。子崇患之，言欲朝集，遂與心腹數百人自孟門關將還京師。遇道路隔絕，退歸離石。左右聞太原兵起，不復入城，各叛去。子崇悉收叛者父兄斬之。後數日，義兵至，城中應之。城陷，為讎家所殺。

More than a year later Liang Shidu in Shuofang, Liu Wuzhou in Mayi, and others rebelled, and the Xianbei and other peoples in the commandery rose again. Alarmed, Zichong announced that he intended to go to court, then set out from Mengmen Pass with several hundred trusted men to return to the capital. Blocked by severed roads, he fell back to Lishi. When his followers heard that rebels had risen at Taiyuan, they refused to enter the city and scattered in desertion. Zichong rounded up the fathers and elder brothers of every deserter and had them executed. A few days later rebel armies arrived, and the city rose to join them. When the city fell, the families of those he had killed put him to death.

文帝五男，皆文獻皇后所生。長曰房陵王勇，次煬帝，次秦孝王俊，次庶人秀，次庶人諒。

Emperor Wen had five sons, all born to Empress Wenxian. The eldest was Prince Yong of Fangling; next came the future Emperor Yang; then Prince Jun of Qin; then Xiu, later stripped of rank; and lastly Liang, also reduced to commoner status.

房陵王勇，小名睍地伐。周世以武元軍功，封博平縣侯。及文帝輔政，立為世子，拜大將軍、左司衛，封長寧郡公。出為洛州總管、東京少塚宰，總統舊齊之地。後徵還京師，進上柱國、大司馬，領內史禦正，諸禁衛皆屬焉。文帝受禪，立為皇太子，軍國政事及尚書奏死罪已下，皆令勇參決。帝以山東人多流冗，遣使案檢，又欲徙人北實邊塞。勇上書諫，以為「戀土懷舊，人之本情，波迸流離，蓋不獲已。有齊之末，主暗時昏，周平東夏，繼以威虐，人不堪命，致有逃亡，非厭家鄉，原為羈旅。若假以數歲，沐浴皇風，逃竄之徒，自然歸本。雖北夷犯邊，令所在嚴固，何待遷配，以致勞擾？」上覽而嘉之。時晉王廣亦表言不可，帝遂止。是後時政不便，多所損益，帝每納之。帝常從容謂群臣曰：「前世皇王，溺於嬖幸，廢立之所由生。朕傍無姬侍，五子同母，可謂真兄弟也。豈若前代，多諸內寵，孽子忿爭，為亡國之道邪！」

Prince Yong of Fangling's childhood name was Mandifa. Under the Northern Zhou, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Boling for Empress Wu Yuan's military service. When Emperor Wen assumed the regency, Yong was named heir, appointed Grand General and Director of the Left Guard, and enfeoffed as Duke of Changning. He was sent out as commander of Luozhou and junior steward of the Eastern Capital, with authority over the former Qi lands. Recalled to the capital, he was promoted to Pillar of State and Grand Marshal, put in charge of the Secretariat and the office of palace censors, with all imperial guards under his command. When Emperor Wen took the throne, Yong was installed as crown prince. Military and civil affairs, and criminal cases up to but not including capital offenses referred by the Ministry of Justice, were all submitted for his review. Noting the large numbers of displaced people in the east, the Emperor sent investigators and planned to resettle population northward to strengthen the frontier. Yong memorialized in protest, arguing that "love of home is human nature, and flight into exile is only what people do when they have no choice. Under the last rulers of Qi, the court was corrupt and the age benighted. When Zhou conquered the east, harsh rule followed until life was unbearable and people fled—not because they hated their homes, but because they were driven into rootless wandering. Given a few years under the emperor's benevolent rule, those who fled would naturally come home. Even if northern tribes raid the border, local defenses can be strengthened—why resort to forced relocation and cause such upheaval? The Emperor read the memorial and commended it. The Prince of Jin, Guang, also memorialized against the plan, and the Emperor abandoned it. Thereafter, whenever Yong pointed out flaws in policy and proposed changes, the Emperor adopted his advice. The Emperor often told his ministers at leisure, "Past emperors drowned in favorites—and that is how heirs were deposed or raised. I keep no concubines at court. My five sons share one mother—they are true brothers. How unlike earlier dynasties, where harem intrigues drove bastard sons to fight one another—the road to ruin!"

勇頗好學，解屬詞賦，性寬仁和厚，率意任情，無矯飾之行。引明克讓、姚察、陸開明等為之賓友。勇嘗文飾蜀鎧，帝見而不悅，恐致奢侈之漸，因誡之曰：「我曆觀前代帝王，未有奢華而能長久者。汝當儲後，若不上稱帝心，下合人意，何以承宗廟之重，居兆人之上？吾昔衣服，各留一物，時復看以自警戒。又擬分賜汝兄弟。恐汝以今日皇太子之心，忘昔時之事，故令高熲賜汝我舊所帶刀子一枚，並菹醬一合，汝昔作上士時所常食如此。若存憶前事，應知我心。」

Yong loved learning and wrote polished prose and fu. Open-hearted, kindly, and generous, he acted on his nature without pretense. He gathered Ming Kerang, Yao Cha, Lu Kaiming, and others as companions and advisors. Yong once had ornamental designs added to his Shu-style armor. The Emperor disapproved, fearing the first step toward extravagance, and warned him: "In every dynasty I have studied, no indulgent ruler lasted long. You are the heir. If you fail to win my approval or the people's trust, how will you bear the ancestral rites or rule over the multitude? I kept one item from each set of clothes I once wore, and look at them from time to time to keep myself humble. I mean to share them among you and your brothers. Lest the crown prince forget his past, I had Gao Jiong send you the knife I once wore at my belt and a jar of pickled sauce—the plain fare you ate as a junior officer. If you remember where you came from, you will understand what I mean."

後經冬至，百官朝勇，勇張樂受賀。帝知之，問朝臣：「近聞至節，內外百官相率朝東宮，是何禮也？」太常少卿辛亶對曰：「于東宮是賀，不得言朝。」帝曰：「改節稱賀，正可三數十人，逐情各去，何因有司徵召，一朝普集，太子法服設樂以待之？東宮如此，殊乖禮制。」乃下詔曰：「皇太子雖居上嗣，義兼臣子，而諸方嶽牧正冬朝賀，任土作貢，別上東宮。事非典則，宜悉停斷。」

Later, at the winter solstice, officials flocked to the Eastern Palace to congratulate Yong, who held a banquet with music. Learning of this, the Emperor asked his ministers, "I hear that at the solstice, officials inside and outside the palace all went to the Eastern Palace in procession. What custom is that? Vice Director of Imperial Sacrifices Xin Dan answered, "They were offering congratulations, not performing a formal court audience." The Emperor said, "Seasonal greetings might involve a few dozen people who come and go as they please. Why did the authorities summon everyone at once, with the crown prince in full regalia and music waiting to receive them? Such conduct at the Eastern Palace is a serious breach of protocol." He then issued an edict: "Though the crown prince is heir, he remains a subject in duty. Yet regional governors, after paying winter tribute at court, were also presenting themselves separately at the Eastern Palace. This has no precedent in ritual law and must cease entirely."

自此恩寵始衰，漸生凝阻。時帝令選強宗入上臺宿衛，高熲奏：「若盡取強者，恐東宮宿衛太劣。」帝作色曰：「我有時行動，宿衛須得雄毅。太子毓德東宮，左右何須強武？如我商量，恆於交番之日，分向東宮上下，團伍不別，豈非好事邪？我熟見前代，公不須仍踵舊風！」蓋疑熲男尚勇女，形於此言，以防之。

From then on the Emperor's affection waned, and estrangement began to grow. When the Emperor ordered strong clansmen recruited for palace guard duty, Gao Jiong warned, "If we take all the ablest men, the Eastern Palace guard will be left too weak. The Emperor's face darkened. "When I travel, my guard must be bold and tough. The crown prince is cultivating virtue—why do his attendants need to be fierce warriors? My plan is to rotate guard units between us on each shift change, with no distinction between companies—is that not better? I know only too well what happened in past dynasties—you need not cling to old habits!" The remark betrayed his suspicion that Gao Jiong's son was betrothed to Yong's daughter—a veiled warning.

勇多內寵，昭訓雲氏嬖幸，禮匹於嫡。而妃元氏無寵，嘗遇心疾，二日而薨。獻皇后意有他故，甚責望勇。又自妃薨，雲昭訓專擅內政，後彌不平，頗求勇罪過。晉王廣知之，彌自矯飾，姬妾恆備員數，唯與蕭妃居處。皇后由是薄勇，愈稱晉王德行，後晉王來朝，車馬侍從，皆為儉素，接朝臣，禮極卑屈，聲名籍甚，冠于諸王。臨還揚州，入內辭皇后，因哽咽流涕，伏不能興。皇后泫然泣下，相對歔欷。王曰：「臣性識愚下，常守平生昆弟之意，不知何罪，失愛東宮，恆蓄盛怒，欲加屠陷。每恐讒譖出於杼軸，鳩毒遇於杯杓。」皇后忿然曰：「睍地伐漸不可耐，我為伊索得元家女，望隆基業，竟不聞作夫妻，專寵阿雲，有如許豚犬。前新婦本無病痛，忽爾暴亡，遣人投藥，致此夭逝。事已如此，我亦不窮。何因復於汝處發如此意？我在尚爾，我死後當魚肉汝乎？每思東宮竟無正嫡，至尊千秋萬歲後，遣汝等兄弟向陽雲兒前再拜問訊，此是幾許大苦痛邪！」晉王又拜，嗚咽不能止，皇后亦悲不自勝。此別之後，知皇后意移，始構奪宗之計。因引張衡定策，遣褒公宇文述深交楊約，令喻旨於越公素，具言皇后此語。素瞿然曰：「但不知皇后如何？但如所言，吾又何為者！」後數日，素入侍宴，微稱晉王孝悌恭儉有禮，用此揣皇后意，後泣曰：「公言是也。我兒大孝順，每聞至尊及我遣內使到，必迎於境首。又其新婦亦大可憐，我使婢去，常與同寢共食。豈如睍地伐共阿雲相對而坐，終日酣宴，昵近小人，疑阻骨肉！我所以益憐阿肼者，嘗恐暗地殺之。」素既知意，盛言太子不才。皇后遂遺素金，始有廢立之意。

Yong kept many concubines, but Lady Yun of Zhaoxun rank was his favorite, treated with the honors due a principal consort. His principal consort, Lady Yuan, had fallen from favor. She suffered a sudden heart ailment and died within two days. Empress Wenxian suspected foul play and reproached Yong bitterly. After Lady Yuan's death, Lady Yun dominated the inner quarters, and the Empress, increasingly aggrieved, began hunting for Yong's misdeeds. The Prince of Jin, Guang, seized the opportunity to curate his image: though his concubine roster was full, he lived alone with Lady Xiao. The Empress turned against Yong and praised the Prince of Jin's virtue ever more loudly. When he came to court, his escort was plain, his manner toward officials humbly deferential—his reputation soon eclipsed every other prince. Before returning to Yangzhou, he went to bid the Empress farewell, broke into tears, and prostrated himself, unable to rise. The Empress wept as well, and mother and son wept together. The prince said, "I am dull by nature and mean only to honor our brotherhood. Yet for reasons I cannot fathom, the crown prince has turned against me and nurses such rage that he would destroy me. I live in fear of slander spun at the loom—or poison slipped into my cup. The Empress flared with anger. "Mandifa has become intolerable! I found him a Yuan bride to secure the succession, yet he pays her no mind and dotes on Ayun like some worthless cur! His wife was perfectly healthy, then suddenly died—someone had her poisoned. Even knowing this, I let it pass. Why come to me with such fears? If things are this bad while I live, what will he do to you after I am gone? When I think that the Eastern Palace has no true principal consort, and that after the Emperor's death you brothers will have to bow before that Cloud woman—what agony is that!" The Prince of Jin bowed again, sobbing uncontrollably, until the Empress was overcome with grief. After this farewell, seeing that the Empress's favor had turned, he began plotting to supplant his brother. He enlisted Zhang Heng to shape the plan and sent Duke of Bao Yuwen Shu to win over Yang Yue, who was to relay the Empress's words to Duke of Yue Yang Su. Yang Su started. "But what does the Empress truly think? If what you say is true, what am I waiting for! Days later, at a banquet, Yang Su gently praised the Prince of Jin's filial piety, modesty, and courtesy, testing the Empress's mood. She wept and said, "You speak the truth. My son is deeply filial. Whenever he learns that the Emperor or I have sent palace envoys, he rides out to the border to meet them. His wife is equally dear. When I send maids to visit, she shares bed and board with them. Unlike Mandifa, who sits drinking all day with Ayun, consorts with petty men, and drives wedges between his brothers! I favor A'pi all the more because I fear Mandifa will have him murdered in secret." Once Yang Su understood her mind, he loudly declared the crown prince unfit. The Empress then sent Yang Su a gift of gold—the first open step toward deposing Yong and elevating Guang.

勇頗知其謀，憂懼，計無所出。聞新豐人王輔賢能占候，召而問之。輔賢曰：「白虹貫東宮門，太白襲月，皇太子廢退象也。」以銅鐵五兵造諸厭勝。又于後園內作庶人村，屋宇卑陋，太子時于中寢息，布衣草褥，冀以當之。帝知其不安，在仁壽宮，使楊素觀勇，素至東宮，偃息未入，勇束帶待之，故亦不進以怒勇，勇銜之，形於言色。素還，言勇怨望，恐有他變。帝甚疑之。皇后又遣人伺覘東宮，纖介事皆聞奏，因加媒蘖，構成其罪。帝惑之，遂疏忌勇。乃于玄武門達至德門量置人候，以伺動靜，皆隨事奏聞。又東宮宿衛人，侍官已上，名籍悉令屬諸衛府，有健兒者咸屏去之。晉王又令段達私貨東宮幸臣姬威，令取太子消息，密告楊素。於是內外宣謗，過失日聞。段達脅姬威曰：「東宮罪過，主上皆已知之。已奉密詔，定當廢立。君能告之，則大富貴。」威遂許諾。

Yong sensed the conspiracy and was stricken with fear, but could find no way out. Hearing that Wang Fuxian of Xinfeng could read omens, he summoned him for counsel. Wang Fuxian said, "A white rainbow spans the Eastern Palace gate, and Venus has struck the moon—both are omens of the crown prince's fall. Yong had charms fashioned from copper, iron, and the five weapons to ward off ill fortune. In his rear garden he built a hamlet of hovels styled "Commoner's Village," where he sometimes slept on straw bedding in coarse clothes, hoping to avert the omen by symbolically accepting demotion. The Emperor, aware of Yong's anxiety, sent Yang Su from Renshou Palace to observe him. Su reached the Eastern Palace and lingered outside without entering. Yong belted himself and waited, but Su deliberately stayed away to provoke him. Yong's resentment showed plainly in face and voice. Yang Su reported that Yong was bitter and discontent and might resort to desperate measures. The Emperor's suspicions deepened. The Empress sent spies to the Eastern Palace and reported every trivial matter, embellishing slander until a case against Yong took shape. Bewildered, the Emperor turned cold toward Yong. He posted observers from Xuande Gate to Zhide Gate to monitor every move at the Eastern Palace. He transferred all Eastern Palace guards above the rank of attendant to regular guard offices and stripped away every able fighter. The Prince of Jin had Duan Da bribe Ji Wei, a favorite of the Eastern Palace, to feed intelligence on the crown prince to Yang Su. Slander swelled inside and outside the palace, and fresh accusations against Yong surfaced daily. Duan Da threatened Ji Wei: "The Emperor already knows the crown prince's crimes. A secret edict has been issued—the succession will be changed. Inform on him, and great riches await you. Ji Wei agreed.

開皇二十年，車駕至自仁壽宮，禦大興殿，謂侍臣曰：「我新還京師，應開懷歡樂，不知何意，翻悒然愁苦。」吏部尚書牛弘對曰：「由臣等不稱職，故至尊憂勞。」帝既數聞讒譖，疑朝臣具委，故有斯問，冀聞太子之愆。弘既此對，大乖本指。帝因作色謂東宮官屬曰：「仁壽宮去此不遠，令我每還京師，嚴備如入敵國。我為患利，不脫衣臥。夜欲得近廁，故在後房。恐有驚急，還就前殿。豈非爾輩欲壞我家國邪！」乃執唐令則等數人，付所司訊鞫。令楊素陳東宮事狀，以告近臣。素顯言之曰：「奉敕向京，令皇太子檢校劉居士餘黨。太子忿然作色，肉戰淚下，云：'居士党已盡，遣我何處窮討？爾作右僕射，受委自求，何關我事！ '又云：'昔大事不遂，我先被誅。今作天子，竟乃令我不如弟，一事已上，不得自由。 '因長歎回視云：'我大覺身妨！ '又云：'諸王皆得奴，獨不與我！ '乃向西北奮頭，喃喃細語。」帝曰：「此兒不堪妨承嗣久矣。皇后恆勸我廢，我以布素時生，復長子，望其漸改，隱忍至今。勇昔從南兗州來，語衛王曰：'阿娘不與我一好婦女，亦是可恨。 '因指皇后侍兒曰：'皆我物。 '此言幾許異事！其婦初亡，即以鬥帳安余老嫗。新婦初亡，我深疑使馬嗣明藥殺。我曾責之，便懟曰：'會當殺元孝矩。 '此欲害我而遷怒耳。初，長寧誕育，朕與皇后共抱養之，自懷彼此，連遣來索。且雲定興女，在外私合而生，想此由來，何必是其體胤？昔晉太子取屠家女，其兒即好屠割。今儻非類，便亂宗祐。又劉金驎，佞人也，呼定興作家翁。定興愚人，受其此語。我前解金驎者，為其此事。勇昔在宮，引曹妙達共定興女同宴，妙達在外雲'我今得勸妃酒。 '直以其諸子偏庶，畏人不服，故逆縱之，欲收天下望耳。我雖德慚堯舜，終不以萬姓付不肖子。我恆畏其加害，加防大敵，令欲廢之，以安天下。」左衛大將軍元旻諫曰：「廢立大事，天子無貳言，詔旨若行，後悔無及。讒言罔極，惟陛下察之。」辭直爭強，聲色俱厲，帝不答。

In the twentieth year of Kaihuang, the Emperor returned from Renshou Palace to Daxing Hall and told his ministers, "I have just come back to the capital and ought to be glad, yet for some reason I am sunk in gloom. Minister of Civil Appointments Niu Hong answered, "Your ministers must be failing you, and that is why Your Majesty is troubled." Having heard so much slander, the Emperor suspected his ministers knew the full story and hoped this question would draw out accusations against the crown prince. Niu Hong's answer completely missed the point. The Emperor's face darkened as he addressed the Eastern Palace staff: "Renshou Palace is close by, yet every return to the capital feels like entering enemy territory. Troubled by my bowels, I sleep without undressing. At night I stay in the rear chamber to be near the privy. Yet fearing sudden danger, I still move back to the front hall. Is it not you who wish to ruin my house and state!" He then arrested Tang Lingze and several others and handed them over to the authorities for interrogation. He ordered Yang Su to lay out the Eastern Palace affair and report it to his inner circle of ministers. Su spoke plainly: "By imperial order I came to the capital to have the crown prince investigate and purge the remaining followers of Liu Jushi. The crown prince flushed with rage, trembling and in tears: "Jushi's faction is already wiped out—where do you send me to hunt them to the ends of the earth?" You are Right Vice Minister—you took the assignment on your own; what has that to do with me! He also said: "When the great affair failed in the past, I was the first who would have been executed." Now that he is emperor, he makes me inferior even to my younger brother—not a single matter is left to my own choice. He sighed deeply, looked back, and said: "I feel more and more that my very existence is in the way!" He also said: "All the princes get servants—only I am given none!" Then he jerked his head toward the northwest and muttered under his breath." The Emperor said: "This boy has long been unfit to inherit the throne. The Empress has constantly urged me to depose him. He was born when we still wore plain cloth, and he is my eldest son; I hoped he would mend his ways and have borne with him until now. When Yong once returned from Southern Yanzhou, he told the Prince of Wei: "Mother won't give me a good wife—that alone is hateful enough." Then, pointing at the Empress's attendants, he said: "They are all mine." What extraordinary words! When his wife first died, he immediately set up a canopy tent for an old serving woman of mine. When the new wife died, I strongly suspected he had Ma Siming kill her with poison. When I rebuked him once, he snapped back: "I will kill Yuan Xiaoju." That was rage meant for me, vented on someone else. When Changning was first born, the Empress and I together held and raised him; out of natural attachment he repeatedly sent to claim the child. He also said Dingxing's daughter had been conceived in an illicit affair abroad—given such origins, why must the boy be his true heir? Long ago a Jin crown prince married a butcher's daughter, and his son delighted in slaughter. If the child is not truly of our line, he will corrupt the ancestral succession. Then there was Liu Jinlin, a sycophant, who called Dingxing "father-in-law." Dingxing, a fool, took such talk seriously. The reason I dismissed Jinlin earlier was this very matter. Yong once had Cao Miaoda feast in the palace with Dingxing's daughter; outside, Miaoda boasted, "Now I get to urge the consort to drink." He indulged them against all propriety only because most of his sons were by concubines and he feared men would not accept them—he wanted to win the empire's approval. However far my virtue falls short of Yao and Shun, I will never entrust the people to an unworthy son. I have long feared he would do me harm and guarded against him as against a formidable foe; now I mean to depose him to secure the realm." Left Guardian General Yuan Min remonstrated: "Deposing and installing an heir is a grave matter. The Son of Heaven should not speak twice—once the edict goes out, regret will come too late. Slander has gone to extremes—may Your Majesty look into it carefully." His words were blunt and forceful, his voice and manner fierce; the Emperor made no answer.

時姬威又表告太子非法，帝使威盡言。威對曰：「皇太子由來共臣語，唯意在驕奢，欲得樊川以至散關，總規為苑。兼云：'昔漢武將起上林苑，東方朔諫，賜朔黃金百斤，幾許可笑！我實無金輒賜此等。若有諫者，正當斬之，不過殺百許人，自然永息。 '前蘇孝慈解左衛率，皇太子奮髯揚肘曰：'大丈夫當有一日，終不忘之，決當快意。 '又宮內所須，尚書多執法不與，便怒曰：'僕射已下五人，會展三人腳，便使知慢我之禍。 '又于苑內築一小城，春夏秋冬作役不輟，營起亭殿，朝造夕改。每云：'至尊嗔我多側庶，高緯、陳叔寶豈是孽子乎？ '嘗令師姥卜吉凶，語臣曰：'至尊忌在十八年，此期促矣。 '」帝泫然曰：「誰非父母生，乃至於此！我有舊使婦女，令看東宮。奏云：'勿令廣平王至皇太子處。東宮憎婦，亦廣平王教之。 '元贊亦知其陰惡，勸我于左藏東加置兩隊。初平陳後，宮人好者悉配春坊，如聞不知厭足，於外更有求訪。朕近覽《齊書》，見高歡縱其兒子，不勝忿憤，安可效尤！」於是勇及諸子皆被禁錮，部分收其黨與。楊素舞文鍛煉，以成其獄。勇由是遂敗。

At that time Ji Wei again submitted a memorial accusing the crown prince of misconduct, and the Emperor had him speak out fully. Wei replied: "In all his talks with me, the crown prince's mind has been set on proud extravagance—he wants to take the land from Fan River all the way to Sanguan Pass and turn it into a single park. He also said: "When Emperor Wu of Han was about to build Shanglin Park, Dongfang Shuo remonstrated and was rewarded with a hundred catties of gold—how ridiculous!" I have no gold to reward people like that. If anyone remonstrates, behead him—kill a hundred or so and the trouble will stop for good. When Su Xiaoci was removed as Left Guard Commandant, the crown prince bristled his beard and threw back his elbow, saying: "A real man bides his time—I will never forget this; one day I will have my revenge." When the palace needed supplies, the Secretariat ministers often refused on legal grounds; he raged: "Of the five officials from the Vice Minister down, I would execute three of them—then they would learn what it costs to slight me." Within the park he also built a small city. Labor went on without pause through all four seasons as pavilions and halls rose—built in the morning, torn down or altered by evening. He often said: "Father resents that I have so many sons by concubines—but were Gao Wei and Chen Shubao not sons of concubines?" He once had a divining nun cast omens and told me: "The Emperor's fatal year is the eighteenth— that deadline is close." The Emperor said through tears: "Who is not born of parents—yet it has come to this!" I had a former serving woman of mine observe the Eastern Palace. She reported: "Do not let the Prince of Guangping visit the crown prince." The Eastern Palace loathes women—and it was the Prince of Guangping who taught him that. Yuan Zan also knew his secret wickedness and urged me to station two more guard companies east of the Left Treasury. After Chen was first pacified, all the finest palace women were assigned to the Spring Palace; I hear he was not satisfied and sought more beyond the palace as well. I recently read the Book of Qi and saw how Gao Huan indulged his son—I was furious; how could I follow so ruinous an example! Thereupon Yong and his sons were all placed under confinement, and part of his faction was arrested. Yang Su twisted the law and fabricated evidence to complete the case. Because of this Yong was ruined at last.

居數日，有司承素意，奏「元旻身備宿衛，常曲事於勇，情有附托。在仁壽宮，裴弘將勇書於朝堂與旻，題封雲，勿令人見。」帝曰：「朕在仁壽宮。有纖小事，東宮必知，疾于驛馬，懌之甚久，豈非此徒邪？」遣武士執旻及弘付法。

Several days later, the officials, acting on Su's wishes, memorialized: "Yuan Min, charged with night guard duty, constantly curried favor with Yong and was emotionally attached to him. At Renshou Palace, Pei Hong delivered Yong's letter to Min in the court hall; the cover bore the words: Do not let anyone see. The Emperor said: "I am at Renshou Palace. Even the smallest matter—the Eastern Palace always knows of it, faster than relay horses. I have suspected this for a long time—is it not these men? He sent warriors to seize Min and Hong and hand them over for punishment.

先是，勇嘗于仁壽宮參起居還，途中見一枯槐樹，根幹蟠錯，大且五六圍，顧左右曰：「此堪作何器用？」或對曰：「古槐尤堪取火。」于時衛士皆佩火燧，勇因令匠者造數千枚，欲以分賜左右。至是，獲於庫。又藥藏局貯艾數斛，亦搜得之。大將為怪，以問姬威。威曰：「太子此意別有所在。比令長寧王已下，詣仁壽宮還，每常急行，一宿便至。恆飼馬千匹，雲徑往捉城門，自然餓死。」素以威言詰勇，勇不服曰：「竊聞公家馬數萬匹，勇忝備位太子，有馬千匹，乃是反乎？」素又發洩東宮服玩似加琱飾者，悉陳於庭，以示文帝群官，為太子罪。帝曰：「前簿王世積，得婦女領巾，狀似槊幡，當時遍示百官，欲以為戒。今我兒乃自為之。領巾為槊幡，此是服妖。」使將諸物示勇以詰之。皇后又責之罪。帝使使問勇，勇不服。

Earlier, after attending to the Emperor at Renshou Palace, Yong on the way back saw a dead paulownia tree, its roots and trunk gnarled and twisted, five or six arm-spans around, and asked those with him: "What could this be made into? Someone answered: "Old paulownia is especially good for fire-strikers." At that time the guards all carried fire-strikers on their belts; Yong therefore had craftsmen make several thousand, intending to distribute them to his attendants. By then they were found in the storehouse. The Medicine Store Bureau also had several hu of mugwort in storage—and that too was discovered in the search. The generals found this suspicious and questioned Ji Wei. Wei said: "The crown prince's purpose here must lie elsewhere. Recently he had the Prince of Changning and the younger princes visit Renshou Palace; on the return journey they always rode at full speed and reached the capital after a single night's rest. He constantly kept a thousand horses fed, saying they would ride straight to seize the city gates and that those inside would naturally starve. Su used Wei's testimony to confront Yong. Yong refused to concede: "I hear the state keeps tens of thousands of horses. I am crown prince—if I have a thousand horses, is that rebellion?" Su also produced Eastern Palace garments and playthings that seemed extravagantly ornamented, displayed them in the courtyard before Emperor Wen and the officials, and presented them as proof of the crown prince's guilt. The Emperor said: "In Wang Shiji's case there was once a woman's headscarf shaped like a spear-banner; it was shown to all the officials as a warning. Now my own son has made such things himself. A headscarf made into a spear-banner—this is ominous dress. He had the items brought out and shown to Yong for questioning. The Empress also rebuked him for his crimes. The Emperor sent envoys to question Yong, but Yong would not concede.

太史令袁充進曰：「臣觀天文，皇太子當廢。」上曰：「玄象久見矣。」群臣無敢言者。於是使人召勇。勇見使者，驚曰：「得無殺我邪？」帝戎服陳兵，禦武德殿，集百官立于東面，諸親立於西面，引勇及諸子烈於殿庭。命薛道衡宣詔廢勇及其男女為王、公主者並為庶人。命道衡謂勇曰：「爾之罪惡，人神所棄，欲求不廢，其可得邪！」勇再拜曰：「臣合屍之都市，為將來鑒誡。幸蒙哀憐，得全性命」。言畢，泣下流襟，既而舞蹈而去。左右莫不憫默。

Grand Astrologer Yuan Chong stepped forward and said: "From the heavens I read that the crown prince should be deposed. The Emperor said: "That celestial sign has long been visible. None of the officials dared speak." Thereupon he sent men to summon Yong. When Yong saw the envoys he cried out in alarm: "You aren't here to kill me, are you? The Emperor, in martial dress with troops arrayed, held court at Wude Hall. The hundred officials stood on the east, the royal kin on the west, and Yong and his son Lie were brought out into the courtyard. He ordered Xue Daoheng to proclaim the edict deposing Yong and reducing his sons and daughters who had been princes and princesses to commoners. He ordered Daoheng to tell Yong: "Your wickedness is rejected by both men and gods—to hope not to be deposed, how could that be possible! Yong bowed twice and said: "Your subject deserves to be executed in the marketplace as a warning to posterity. By your mercy I am allowed to keep my life." When he had finished, tears soaked his robe; then he performed the submission dance and withdrew. Those present were all mute with pity.

又下詔：「左衛大將軍元旻，任掌禁兵，委以心膂，乃包藏奸伏，離間君親，崇長厲階，最為魁首。太子左庶子唐令則，策名儲貳，位長宮僚，諂曲取容，音技自進，躬執樂器，親教內人，贊成驕侈，導引非法。太子家令鄒文騰，專行左道，偏被親昵，占問國家，希覬災禍。左衛率司馬夏侯福，內事諂諛，外作威勢，陵侮上下，褻濁宮闈。典膳監元淹，謬陳愛憎，開示怨隙，進引妖巫，營事厭禱。前吏部侍郎蕭子寶，往居省閣，舊非宮臣，進畫奸謀，要射榮利。前主璽下士何竦，假託玄象，妄說妖怪，志圖禍亂，心在速發；兼諸奇服，皆竦規模，增長驕奢，糜費百姓。此之七人，為害斯甚，並處斬刑，妻妾子孫皆沒官。車騎將軍閻毗、東郡公崔君綽、游騎尉沈福寶、瀛州人章仇太翼等四人，所為之事，並是悖逆，論其狀跡，罪合極刑。但未能盡戮，並特免死，各決杖一百，身及妻子資財田宅悉沒官。副將作大匠高龍叉，預追番丁，輒配東宮使役，營造亭舍，進入春坊；率更令晉文建、通直散騎侍郎判司農少卿事元衡，料度之外，私自出給，虛破丁功，擅割園地。並處自盡，」於是集群官于廣陽門外，宣詔以戮之。乃移勇於內史省，給五品料食。立晉王廣為皇太子，仍以勇付之，復囚於東宮。賜楊素物三千段，元胄、楊約並千段，楊難敵五百段，皆鞫勇之功賞也。

An edict was also issued: "Left Guardian General Yuan Min was charged with the forbidden troops and entrusted as the emperor's right hand, yet he harbored treachery, estranged ruler and kin, and fanned the evil—foremost among the ringleaders. Left Household Subprefect of the Crown Prince Tang Lingze, registered in the heir's household and chief among palace staff, flattered his way forward, traded on musical skill, personally played instruments and taught palace women, abetted arrogance and excess, and led the crown prince into unlawful conduct. Chief Steward of the Crown Prince Zou Wenteng practiced heterodox arts alone, enjoyed special favor, divined about affairs of state, and hoped for disaster. Major of Left Guard Command Sima Xiahou Fu flattered within and bullied without, insulted superiors and inferiors alike, and defiled the inner palace. Director of Imperial Provisions Yuan Yan aired private likes and dislikes, opened old grievances, brought in witchcraft, and performed suppressive rites. Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Appointments Xiao Zibao, though once of the ministry and not originally a palace officer, advanced wicked plots and schemed for rank and profit. Former Chief Clerk under the Imperial Seal He Song invoked false celestial signs, spread talk of monsters and prodigies, plotted rebellion, and burned to act quickly; together with various strange garments—all patterned after Song's designs—inflating arrogance and waste at the people's expense. These seven men, harmful beyond measure, were all sentenced to decapitation; their wives, concubines, children, and grandchildren were all confiscated as government slaves. Cavalry General Yan Pi, Duke of Dongjun Cui Junchuo, Wandering Cavalry Commandant Shen Fubao, and Zhangchou Taiyi of Yingzhou—the deeds of all four were rebellious; judged by their acts and evidence, their crimes merited the extreme penalty. But unable to execute them all, all were specially spared death; each received a hundred blows with the rod; they themselves, their wives and children, and all their property, fields, and houses were confiscated. Vice Director of the Directorate of Palace Construction Gao Longcha, who when requisitioning corvée laborers arbitrarily assigned them to serve the Eastern Palace, building pavilions and lodges and entering the Spring Palace; Director of the Court of Imperial Regalia Jin Wenjian, and Attendant Palace Secretary on Direct Route Yuan Heng, who concurrently administered the Directorate of Agriculture—beyond authorized estimates they privately issued supplies, falsely depleted corvée quotas, and arbitrarily seized parkland. All were sentenced to take their own lives." Thereupon the officials were gathered outside Guangyang Gate and the edict of execution was proclaimed. Yong was then moved to the Palace Secretariat and given the provisions allowance of a fifth-rank official. The Prince of Jin Guang was installed as crown prince; Yong was still placed in his charge and again imprisoned in the Eastern Palace. Yang Su was granted three thousand bolts of goods, Yuan Zhou and Yang Yue a thousand each, and Yang Nandi five hundred—all rewards for prosecuting Yong.

時文林郎楊孝政上盡諫，言：「皇太子為小人所誤，不宜廢黜。」帝怒，撻其胸。尋而貝州長史裴肅表稱：「庶人罪黜已久，當克已自新，請封一小國。」帝知勇黜不允天下情，乃徵肅入朝，具陳廢立意。

At that time Palace Secretary Yang Xiaozheng submitted a full remonstrance, saying: "The crown prince was misled by petty men and should not have been deposed. The Emperor was enraged and beat him on the chest. Soon after, Pei Su, Chief Administrator of Beizhou, memorialized: "The commoner has long borne punishment and dismissal; he should reform himself—please enfeoff him with a small state. The Emperor knew Yong's deposition did not accord with public sentiment; he therefore summoned Su to court and had him set forth in full the reasons for the deposition.

時勇自以廢非其罪，頻請見上，面申冤屈。皇太子遏不得聞。勇於是升樹叫，聞于帝，冀得引見。楊素因奏言：「勇情志昏亂，又癲鬼所著，不可復收。」帝以為然，卒不得見。帝遇疾于仁壽宮，皇太子入侍醫，奸亂事聞於帝。帝抵床曰：「枉廢我兒！」遣追勇。未及發使而崩，秘不發喪。遽收柳述、元岩，系大理獄，偽敕賜庶人死。追封房陵王，不為立嗣。

At that time Yong, believing his deposition was unjust, repeatedly requested audience with the Emperor to plead his innocence in person. The crown prince blocked the requests so they never reached the Emperor. Yong then climbed a tree and shouted aloud, hoping the Emperor would hear and grant him an audience. Yang Su thereupon memorialized: "Yong's mind is deranged and he is possessed by demons—he cannot be restored. The Emperor agreed, and in the end Yong was never received in audience. When the Emperor fell ill at Renshou Palace, the crown prince entered to attend him, and news of his illicit conduct reached the Emperor. The Emperor struck the bed and cried: "I wrongly deposed my son! He sent to recall Yong. Before the envoys could be dispatched he died; the death was kept secret and mourning was not proclaimed. Liu Shu and Yuan Yan were quickly seized and imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review; a forged edict ordered the commoner to die. Posthumously he was enfeoffed as Prince of Fangling, but no heir was established for him.

勇有十男：雲昭訓生長寧王儼、平原王裕、安城王筠。高良娣生安平王嶷、襄城王恪。王良媛生高陽王該、建安王韶。成姬生潁川王煚。後宮生孝實、孝範。

Yong had ten sons: Yun Zhaoxun bore Changning Wang Yan, Pingyuan Wang Yu, and Ancheng Wang Jun. Concubine Gao bore Anping Wang Ni and Xiangcheng Wang Ke. Lady Wang bore Gaoyang Wang Gai and Jian'an Wang Shao. Consort Cheng bore Yingchuan Wang Jiong. Women of the inner palace bore Xiaoshi and Xiaofan.

初，儼誕，帝聞之曰：「此乃皇太孫，何乃生不得地！」雲定興奏曰：「天生龍種，所以因雲而出。」時人以為敏對。六歲，封長寧郡王。勇敗，並坐廢。上表求宿衛，辭情哀切，帝覽之惻然。楊素進曰：「伏願聖心同於螫手，不宜留意。」煬帝踐祚，儼常從行，遇鴆卒。諸弟分徙嶺外，皆敕殺之。

When Yan was first born, the Emperor heard of it and said: "This is the imperial grandson—why was he born in an ill-omened place! Yun Dingxing replied: "Heaven-born is a dragon seed—therefore he emerged amid clouds." People at the time regarded this as a clever reply. At six he was enfeoffed as Prince of Changning commandery. When Yong was ruined, all were implicated and deposed together. He submitted a memorial requesting palace guard duty; the plea was piteous, and when the Emperor read it he was moved to pity. Yang Su stepped forward and said: "I humbly wish Your Majesty's heart would be like one that cuts off a stung hand—do not take this to heart. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Yan often accompanied him on journeys and died by poisoned wine. His younger brothers were exiled separately beyond the mountain passes; all were ordered killed.

秦王俊，字阿祗。開皇元年，立為秦王。二年，拜上柱國、河南道行台尚書令、洛州刺史，時年十二。加右武衛大將軍，領關東兵。三年，遷秦州總管，隴右諸州盡隸焉。俊仁恕慈愛，崇敬佛道，請為沙門，不許。六年，遷山南道行台尚書令。伐陳之役，為山南道行軍元帥，督三十總管，水陸十餘萬，屯漢口，為上流節度。尋授揚州總管、四十四州諸軍事，鎮廣陵。轉并州總管、二十四州諸軍事。初頗有令問，文帝聞而大悅。後漸奢侈，違犯制度，出錢求息。帝遣按其事，與相連坐者百餘人。於是盛修宮室，窮極侈麗。俊有巧思，每親運斤斧，工巧之器，飾以珠玉。為妃作七寶幕籬，重不可戴，以馬負之而行。徵役無已。置渾天儀、測景表。又為水殿，香塗粉壁，玉砌金堦，梁柱楣棟之間，周以明鏡，間以寶珠，極瑩飾之美。每與賓客伎女弦歌於上。

Prince of Qin Jun, courtesy name Azhi. In the first year of Kaihuang he was installed as Prince of Qin. In the second year he was appointed Grand Preceptor, Chief Minister of the Henan Circuit Executive, and Prefect of Luozhou—at age twelve. He was additionally made General-in-Chief of the Right Martial Guard and commanded the armies east of the Pass. In the third year he was transferred to Area Commander of Qinzhou, and all prefectures of Longyou were placed under him. Jun was kind, forgiving, and compassionate; he revered Buddhism and Daoism and requested to become a monk, but permission was denied. In the sixth year he was transferred to Chief Minister of the Southern Mountains Circuit Executive. In the campaign against Chen he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Mountains Circuit army, overseeing thirty area commanders and more than a hundred thousand men by land and water, encamped at Hankou as commander of the upper stream. Soon after he was made Area Commander of Yangzhou with military authority over forty-four prefectures, stationed at Guangling. He was transferred to Area Commander of Bingzhou with military authority over twenty-four prefectures. At first he had quite a good reputation; Emperor Wen heard of it and was greatly pleased. Later he gradually grew extravagant, violated regulations, and lent money for interest. The Emperor sent to investigate; more than a hundred people were implicated with him. Thereupon he lavishly built palaces to the utmost of luxury. Jun had ingenuity; he often personally wielded axe and adze, and his ingenious contrivances were adorned with pearls and jade. For his consort he made a seven-jewel canopy screen so heavy it could not be worn on the head—a horse had to carry it when they moved. Corvée levies never ceased. He installed an armillary sphere and a gnomon. He also built a water palace with perfumed plaster and whitewashed walls, jade steps and golden stairs; between columns, beams, lintels, and rafters he ringed the hall with bright mirrors interspersed with jewels, to the utmost of glittering ornament. He often feasted with guests and singing girls, making music upon it.

俊頗好內，妃崔氏性妒，甚不平之，遂於瓜中進毒。俊由是遇疾，徵還京師。以俊奢縱，免官，以王就第。左武衛將軍劉升諫曰：「秦王非有他過，但費官物、營廨舍而已。臣謂可容。」帝曰：「法不可違。」升固諫，帝忿然作色，升乃止。楊素復進諫，以秦王過不應至此。帝曰：「我是五兒之父，非兆人之父。若如公意，何不別制天子兒律！以周公為人，尚誅管、蔡。我誠不及周公遠矣，安能虧法乎！」卒不許。

Jun was quite fond of women; his consort Lady Cui was jealous and greatly resentful, and so put poison in a melon. Jun thereby fell ill and was summoned back to the capital. Because of Jun's extravagant indulgence, he was dismissed from office and allowed to remain prince at his residence. Left Martial Guard General Liu Sheng remonstrated: "The Prince of Qin has no other fault—he merely wasted official goods and built offices and lodges. Your subject believes this can be tolerated. The Emperor said: "The law cannot be violated." Sheng pressed his remonstrance; the Emperor flushed with anger, and Sheng stopped. Yang Su again remonstrated, saying the Prince of Qin's fault did not merit punishment to this degree. The Emperor said: "I am the father of five sons, not the father of the myriad people. If it were as you suggest, why not make a separate law for the Son of Heaven's sons! Even the Duke of Zhou, for all his virtue, still executed Guan and Cai. I truly fall far short of the Duke of Zhou—how could I bend the law! In the end he did not grant it.

湛驍果有膽烈。大業初，為滎陽太守，坐浩免，亦為化及所害。

Zhan was fierce and bold, with daring spirit. At the beginning of Daye he served as Administrator of Xingyang; he was dismissed on account of Yang Hao and was also killed by Huaji.

庶人秀，開皇元年，立為越王。未幾，徙封於蜀，拜柱國、益州總管、二十四州諸軍事。二年，進上柱國、西南道行台尚書令，本官如故。歲餘而罷。十二年，入為內史令、右領軍大將軍。尋出鎮於蜀。

The commoner Xiu, in the first year of Kaihuang, was installed as Prince of Yue. Before long he was transferred and enfeoffed in Shu, appointed Pillar of State, Area Commander of Yizhou, and military commander over twenty-four prefectures. In the second year he was promoted to Grand Preceptor and Chief Minister of the Southwest Circuit Executive, his other posts remaining as before. After a year or more he was dismissed. In the twelfth year he entered the capital as Director of the Palace Secretariat and General-in-Chief of the Right Guard. Soon after he went out to garrison Shu.

秀有膽氣，容貌瑰偉，美有須髯，多武藝，甚為朝臣所憚。帝每謂文獻皇后曰：「秀必以惡終。我在當無慮，至兄弟必反。」兵部侍郎元衡使於蜀，秀深結於衡，以左右為請。衡既還京師，請益左右，帝不許。大將軍劉噲之討西爨，帝令上開府楊武通將兵繼進。秀使嬖人萬知先為武通行軍司馬，帝以秀任非其人，譴責之，因謂群臣曰：「壞我法者，必在子孫。譬如猛獸，物不能害，反為毛間蟲所損食耳。」於是遂分秀所統。

Xiu had daring spirit; his appearance was magnificent, his beard handsome, and he was skilled in many martial arts—officials greatly feared him. The Emperor often said to Empress Wenxian: "Xiu will come to a bad end. While I live there is no worry, but when it reaches his brothers he will rebel. Vice Minister of War Yuan Heng was sent as envoy to Shu; Xiu formed a deep bond with Heng and requested attendants through him. When Heng returned to the capital he requested more attendants; the Emperor did not grant it. General Liu Huanzhi campaigned against the Western Cuan; the Emperor ordered Senior Opening Grandee Yang Wutong to lead troops in follow-up advance. Xiu had his favorite Wan Zhixian serve as Rear Camp Marshal for Yang Wutong; the Emperor, holding that Xiu had appointed the wrong man, rebuked him, and said to the officials: "Those who ruin my laws will surely be among my descendants. Like a fierce beast that nothing can harm, yet damaged by insects in its fur. Thereupon Xiu's command was divided.

秀漸奢侈，違犯制度，車馬被服擬于天子。及太子勇廢，秀甚不平。皇太子恐秀終為後變，陰令楊素求其罪狀而譖之。仁壽二年，徵還京師，見不與語。明日，使使切讓之。皇太子及諸王流涕庭謝，帝曰：「頃者俊糜費財物，我以父道訓之。今秀蠹害生靈，當以君道繩之。」乃下以法。開府慶整諫曰：「庶人勇既廢，秦王已薨，陛下兒子無多，何至如是！蜀王性甚耿介，今被責，恐不自全。」帝大怒，欲斷其舌。因謂群臣曰：「當斬秀于市以謝百姓。」乃令楊素、蘇威、牛弘、柳述、趙綽推之。太子陰作偶人，書帝及漢王姓字，縛手釘心，令人埋之華山下，令楊素髮之。又作檄文曰「逆臣賊子，專弄威柄，陛下唯守虛器，一無所知」，陳甲兵之盛，云「指期問罪」，置秀集中，因以聞奏。帝曰：「天下寧有是邪！」乃廢為庶人，幽之內侍省，不得與妻子相見，令給獠婢二人驅使之。與連坐百餘人。

Xiu gradually grew extravagant, violated regulations, and his carriages, horses, and dress rivaled the Son of Heaven's. When the crown prince Yong was deposed, Xiu was greatly displeased. The crown prince feared Xiu would eventually become a future threat; he secretly had Yang Su seek out evidence of his crimes and slander him. In the second year of Renshou he was summoned back to the capital; on audience the Emperor did not speak with him. The next day he sent envoys to rebuke him sharply. The crown prince and the princes wept in the courtyard to apologize; the Emperor said: "Recently Jun wasted goods—I admonished him as a father. Now Xiu harms the people like a pest—I must restrain him as a ruler. Thereupon he handed him over to the law. Opening Grandee Qing Zheng remonstrated: "The commoner Yong is already deposed and the Prince of Qin is dead—Your Majesty has not many sons left; how can it come to this! The Prince of Shu is very upright by nature; now that he is rebuked, I fear he will not preserve himself. The Emperor was furious and wanted to cut out his tongue. He then said to the officials: "Xiu should be beheaded in the marketplace to answer to the people. He then ordered Yang Su, Su Wei, Niu Hong, Liu Shu, and Zhao Chuo to investigate him. The crown prince secretly made effigies bearing the Emperor's and the Prince of Han's names, bound their hands and nailed their hearts, had them buried beneath Mount Hua, and had Yang Su exhume them. He also composed a manifesto saying "Rebellious ministers and wicked sons monopolize power; Your Majesty merely holds an empty vessel and knows nothing," described the strength of armored troops, and wrote "We shall soon call them to account"; he placed it among Xiu's papers and thereby reported it to the throne. The Emperor said: "How could such a thing exist in the world! Thereupon he was deposed as a commoner and imprisoned in the Palace Domestic Service. He was not permitted to see his wife and children, and was given two Liao maidservants to command him. More than a hundred people were implicated along with him.

秀既幽逼，憤懣不知所為，乃上表陳己愆，請與其愛子爪子相見，並請賜一穴，今骸骨有所。帝乃下詔數其罪曰：「汝地居臣子，情兼家國，庸蜀險要，委以鎮之。汝乃幹紀亂常，懷惡樂禍，暿辟睨二宮，佇望災釁，容納不逞，結構異端。我有不和，汝便覘候，望我不起，便有異心。皇太子，汝兄也，次當建立，汝假託妖言，乃雲不終其位。妄稱鬼怪，又道不得入宮，自言骨相非人臣，德業堪承重器。妄道清城出聖，欲己當之，詐稱益州龍見，托言吉兆。重述木易之姓，更修成都之宮。妄說禾乃之名，以當八千之運。橫生京師妖異，以證父兄之災；妄造蜀地徵祥，以符已身之籙。汝豈不欲得國家惡也？天下亂也？輒造白玉之珽，又為白羽之箭，文物服飾，豈似有君？鳩集左道，符書厭鎮，漢王與汝，親則弟也，乃畫其形像，題其姓名，縛手釘心，枷鎖杻械。仍雲請西嶽華山慈父聖母神兵九億萬騎，收楊諒魂神，閉在華山下，勿令散蕩。我之於汝，親則父也，復雲請西嶽華山慈父聖母，賜為開化楊堅夫妻，回心歡喜。又畫我形像，縛手撮頭，仍雲請西嶽神兵收楊堅魂神。如此形狀，我今不知楊諒、楊堅是汝何親也！包藏凶匿，圖謀不軌，逆臣之跡也。希父之災，以為身幸，賊子之心也。懷非分之望，肆毒心于兄，悖惡之行也。嫉妒于弟，無惡不為，無孔懷之情也。違犯制度，壞亂之極也。多殺不辜，豺狼之暴也。剝削人庶，酷虐之甚也。唯求財貨，市井之業也。專事妖邪，頑囂之性也。弗克負荷，不材之器也。凡此十者，滅天理，逆人倫，汝皆為之，不祥之甚也。欲免患禍，長守富貴，其可得乎！」後聽與其子同處。煬帝即位，禁錮如初。宇文化及之弑逆也，欲立秀為帝，群議不許。於是害之，並其諸子。

Close confinement left Xiu resentful and at a loss. He submitted a memorial confessing his faults, asking to see his beloved son Zhuaizi and requesting a burial plot so his bones would have somewhere to rest. The Emperor then issued an edict enumerating his crimes, saying: "By your station you are both subject and son, with obligations to family and state alike. Yung and Shu are strategically vital—I entrusted you to guard them. Yet you violated law and disrupted order, harbored evil and rejoiced in disaster, cast sidelong glances at the two palaces, waited for calamity and misfortune, sheltered the unbridled, and formed factions of heresy. When I fell ill, you spied and watched; hoping I would not recover, you harbored rebellious intent. The crown prince is your elder brother and the rightful heir; yet you spread demonic rumors claiming he would not hold his position to the end. You spoke falsely of ghosts and demons, claimed you were forbidden to enter the palace, and declared that your bone structure marked you as no mere subject—that your virtue and merit qualified you to bear the imperial burden. You falsely prophesied that a sage would emerge from Qingcheng and wished to claim that destiny yourself; you fraudulently claimed a dragon appeared in Yizhou and presented it as an auspicious omen. You again invoked the riddle of the surname Mu-Yi and further renovated the palace at Chengdu. You falsely invoked the riddle of the name He-Nai, matching it to the cycle of eight thousand years. You fabricated prodigies and omens in the capital to foretell disaster for your father and brothers; You falsely manufactured auspicious signs in Shu to match your own destined mandate of rule. Do you not wish harm upon the state? The realm thrown into chaos? You had a white-jade scepter made and white-feathered arrows fashioned—in regalia, dress, and ornament, do these not befit a ruler? You gathered heterodox arts, talismanic writings, and curse-suppression charms; the Prince of Han is your younger brother by kin—you painted his likeness, inscribed his name, bound his hands and nailed his heart, and applied cangue, manacles, and fetters. You further claimed to have prayed to the Compassionate Father and Holy Mother of Mount Hua of the Western Peak for nine hundred million divine troops to seize Yang Liang's soul and confine it beneath Mount Hua, not letting it scatter. To you I am kin as father—yet you again claimed to have prayed to the Compassionate Father and Holy Mother of Mount Hua of the Western Peak to grant you the married name Kaifua Yang Jian and wife, with joyful change of heart. You also painted my likeness, bound the hands and clutched the head, and again claimed to have prayed for Western Peak divine troops to seize Yang Jian's soul. In such fashion—I cannot tell what relation Yang Liang and Yang Jian bear to you! Concealing evil and plotting rebellion—the mark of a traitorous minister. Hoping for your father's disaster as your own good fortune—the heart of a wicked son. Harbouring improper ambition and venting malice upon your elder brother—conduct of perverse wickedness. Jealous of younger brothers, doing every evil, without the bond of brotherly feeling. Violating regulations—the utmost of disorder. Killing many innocents—the savagery of wolves and jackals. Extorting the common people—the height of cruel tyranny. Seeking only wealth and goods—the trade of the marketplace. Devoting yourself to evil spirits and sorcery—the nature of the obstinate and arrogant. Unable to bear the burden—an untalented vessel. All these ten things destroy heavenly principle and violate human relations—you have done them all; the ill omen could not be greater. To escape disaster and long preserve wealth and nobility—how could that be possible! Afterward he permitted Xiu to dwell with his son. When Emperor Yang took the throne, his imprisonment continued as before. At Yuwen Huaji's regicide, he wished to install Xiu as emperor, but the assembled officials would not assent. Thereupon they killed him, together with all his sons.

諒自以居天下精兵處，以太子讒廢，居常怏怏，陰有異圖。遂諷帝云：「突厥方強，太原即為重鎮，宜修武備。」帝從之。於是大發工役，繕修器械，貯納於并州。招集亡命，左右私人，殆將數萬。王頍者，梁將王僧辯之子，少倜儻，有奇略，為諒諮議參軍。蕭摩訶者，陳氏舊將。二人俱不得志，每鬱鬱思亂，並為諒親善。

Liang, believing himself stationed where the empire's best troops were gathered, and that the crown prince had deposed him through slander, was often discontented and secretly harbored rebellious designs. He therefore hinted to the Emperor: "The Turks are growing strong; Taiyuan is a vital stronghold—it is fitting to strengthen military readiness. The Emperor assented. Thereupon corvée labor was massively mobilized, weapons were repaired, and stores were accumulated at Bingzhou. Outlaws were recruited and personal retainers gathered—nearly ten thousand in all. Wang Pi was the son of Liang general Wang Sengbian—bold and talented in youth, with unusual stratagems—he served as Liang's advisory staff officer. Xiao Mohe was a former general of Chen. Both were frustrated in their ambitions, often brooding on rebellion, and were both on intimate terms with Liang.

及蜀王以罪廢，諒愈不自安。會文帝崩，使車騎屈突通征之，不赴，遂發兵反。總管司馬皇甫誕諫，諒怒，收系之。王頍說諒曰：「王所部將吏家屬盡在關西，若用此等，即宜長驅深入，直據京都，所謂疾雷不及掩耳。若但欲割據舊齊之地，宜任東人。」諒不能專之。乃兼用二策，唱言：「楊素反，將誅之。」

When the Prince of Shu was deposed for his crimes, Liang grew even more ill at ease. When Emperor Wen died, the new emperor sent Cavalry General Qu Tuo to summon him; he did not come and raised troops in rebellion. Area Commander's aide Huangfu Dan remonstrated; Liang was enraged and had him arrested and imprisoned. Wang Pi urged Liang: "Your generals and officers' families are all west of the Pass—if you use these men, you should drive deep at full speed and seize the capital directly—as the proverb says, thunder is too swift for one to cover one's ears. If you only wish to carve out the old Qi territory, you should employ men from the east. Liang could not commit to either plan alone. He therefore used both plans together, proclaiming: "Yang Su has rebelled—we shall execute him."

總管府兵曹河東裴文安說諒曰：「井陘以西，是王掌據內，山東士馬，亦為我有，宜悉發之。分遣羸兵，屯守要路，仍令隨方略地；率其精銳，直入蒲津。文安請為前鋒，王以大軍繼後，風行電擊，頓於霸上，咸陽以東可指麾而定。京師震擾，兵不暇集，上下相疑，群情離駭，我即陳兵號令，誰敢不從！旬日之間，事可定矣。」諒大悅。於是遣所署大將軍余公理將兵出太谷，以趣河陽。大將軍綦良出滏口，以趣黎陽。大將軍鄧建出井陘，以略燕、趙。柱國喬鍾馗出雁門。署文安為柱國，紇單貴、王聃、大將軍茹茹天保、侯莫陳惠直指京師。未至蒲津百餘里。諒忽改圖，令紇單貴斷河橋，守蒲州，而召文安。文安至曰：「兵機詭速，本欲出其不意。王既不行，文安又返，使彼計成，大事去矣。」諒不對。於是從亂者十九州，乃以王聃為蒲州刺史，裴文安為晉州，薛粹為絳州，梁菩薩為潞州，韋道正為韓州，張伯英為澤州。遣偽署大將軍常倫進兵絳州，遇晉州司法仲孝俊之子，謂曰：「吾曉天文遁甲，今年起兵，得晉地者王。」孝俊聞之曰：「皇太子常為晉王，故曰晉地，非謂反徒也。」時潞州有官羊生羔，二首相背，以為諒之咎徵。

Area Commander's office military clerk Pei Wen'an of Hedong urged Liang: "West of Jingxing is territory you hold; Shandong's soldiers and horses are also ours—you should deploy them all. Send weak troops in detachments to garrison key routes, still having them advance according to terrain; Lead your elite forces straight into Pujin. Let Wen'an serve as vanguard while Your Highness follows with the main army—swift as wind and lightning you halt at Bashang; east of Xianyang can be secured at a wave of the hand. The capital will be shaken; troops will not have time to assemble; superiors and subordinates will suspect each other; the multitude will scatter in alarm—we need only deploy troops and issue commands—who would dare disobey! Within ten days the matter can be settled. Liang was greatly pleased. Thereupon he sent his appointed Grand General Yu Gongli to lead troops out through Taigu toward Heyang. Grand General Qi Liang marched out through Fukou toward Liyang. Grand General Deng Jian marched out through Jingxing to overrun Yan and Zhao. Pillar of State Qiao Zhongkui marched out through Yanmen. He appointed Wen'an Pillar of State; Gedan Gui, Wang Dan, Grand General Ruru Tianbao, and Hou Mo Chen Hui marched straight on the capital. When they were still more than a hundred li from Pujin. Liang suddenly changed plans, ordered Gedan Gui to break the river bridge and hold Puzhou, and recalled Wen'an. When Wen'an arrived he said: "Military opportunity relies on cunning speed—the intent was to catch them unawares. Your Highness neither advances nor I return—their plans succeed and the great affair is lost. Liang made no reply. Thereupon nineteen prefectures joined the rebellion; he appointed Wang Dan Administrator of Puzhou, Pei Wen'an of Jinzhou, Xue Cui of Jiangzhou, Liang Pusa of Luzhou, Wei Daozheng of Hanzhou, and Zhang Boying of Zezhou. He sent the falsely appointed Grand General Chang Lun to advance on Jiangzhou; he met the son of Jinzhou judicial officer Zhong Xiaojun and said: "I know astronomy and dunjia—whoever raises troops this year and gains Jin territory will be king. Xiaojun heard this and said: "The crown prince was once Prince of Jin, hence Jin territory—it does not refer to rebels. At that time in Luzhou an official sheep gave birth to a lamb with two heads facing opposite directions, taken as an omen of Liang's guilt.

煬帝遣楊素率騎五千，襲王聃、紇單貴于蒲州，破之，於是率步騎四萬趣太原。諒使趙子開守高壁，楊素擊走之。諒大懼，拒素於蒿澤。屬天大雨，諒欲旋師，王頍諫曰：「楊素懸軍，士馬疲弊，王以銳卒親戎擊之，其勢必舉。今見敵而還，示人以怯，阻戰士之心，益西軍之氣，願必勿還。」諒不從，退守清源。素進擊之，諒與官兵大戰，死者萬八千人。諒退保并州，楊素進擊之，諒乃降。百僚奏諒罪當死，帝曰：「朕終鮮兄弟，情不忍言，欲屈法恕諒一死。」於是除名，絕其屬籍，竟以幽死。

Emperor Yang sent Yang Su with five thousand cavalry to strike Wang Dan and Gedan Gui at Puzhou and defeat them; he then led forty thousand infantry and cavalry toward Taiyuan. Liang had Zhao Zikai hold Gaobi; Yang Su attacked and drove him off. Liang was greatly afraid and blocked Yang Su at Haomarsh. Heavy rain fell; Liang wished to withdraw. Wang Pi remonstrated: "Yang Su's army is isolated—men and horses exhausted—if Your Highness personally leads elite troops to strike, victory is certain. To turn back upon sight of the enemy shows timidity to others, dampens the fighters' will, and boosts the western army's morale—I urge you not to return. Liang did not heed him and withdrew to defend Qingyuan. Su pressed the attack; Liang fought a great battle with government troops—eighteen thousand were killed. Liang retreated to hold Bingzhou; Yang Su pressed the attack and Liang surrendered. The hundred officials memorialized that Liang's crime merited death. The Emperor said: "I have few brothers left—my feelings will not permit me to speak of it; I wish to bend the law and spare Liang's life. Thereupon his name was erased, his clan register was severed, and in the end he died in confinement.

先是，并州謠言：「一張紙，兩張紙，客量小兒作天子。」時偽署官告身皆一紙，別授則二紙。諒聞謠喜曰：「我幼字阿客，'量'與'諒'同音，吾於皇家最小。」以為應之。

Earlier, a ballad in Bingzhou ran: "One sheet of paper, two sheets of paper—the youngest son Ke will be Son of Heaven. At that time the falsely appointed official patent letters were all one sheet; separate appointments used two sheets. Liang heard the ballad and rejoiced, saying, "My childhood name is A Ke—the word for 'measure' and the word for my name sound alike; I am the youngest in the imperial house. He believed it matched him.

子顥，因而禁錮。宇文化及弑逆之際，遇害。

His son Hao was accordingly imprisoned. At Yuwen Huaji's regicide he was killed.

煬帝三男：蕭皇后生元德太子昭、齊王暕。蕭嬪生趙王杲。

Emperor Yang had three sons: Empress Xiao bore Crown Prince Yuande Zhao and Prince of Qi Xiu. Concubine Xiao bore Prince of Zhao Guo.

元德太子昭，煬帝長子也。初，文帝以開皇三年四月庚午，夢神自天而降，雲是天神將生降。寤，召納言蘇威以告之。及聞蕭妃在并州有娠，迎置大興宮之客省。明年正月戊辰而生昭，養于宮中，號大曹主。三歲時，於玄武門弄石師子，文帝與文獻皇后至其所。文帝適患腰痛，舉手馮後，昭因避去，如此者再三。文帝歎曰：「天生長者，誰復教乎！」由是大奇之。文帝嘗謂曰：「當為爾娶婦。」應聲而泣。文帝問其故，對曰：「漢王未婚時，恆在至尊所，一朝娶婦，便則出外。懼將違離，是以啼耳。」上歎其有至性，特鍾愛焉。年十二，立為河南王。仁壽初，徙為晉王。拜內史令，兼左衛大將軍。轉雍州牧。煬帝即位，便幸洛陽宮，昭留守京師。及大業元年，帝遣使者立為皇太子。

Crown Prince Yuande Zhao was Emperor Yang's eldest son. Initially, on the gengwu day of the fourth month of the third year of Kaihuang, Emperor Wen dreamed a god descended from heaven, saying a heavenly spirit was about to be born. Upon waking he summoned Chief Censor Su Wei and told him. When he heard Consort Xiao was pregnant at Bingzhou, he had her brought to the Guest Quarters of Daxing Palace. In the first month of the following year, on the wuchen day, Zhao was born; he was raised in the palace and styled Lord Dacao. At age three, while playing with a stone lion at Xuanyuan Gate, Emperor Wen and Empress Wenxian came to where he was. Emperor Wen happened to suffer back pain and leaned on the empress for support; Zhao thereupon withdrew—this happened three times. Emperor Wen sighed: "Born with propriety—who could teach that! From this he marveled at him greatly. Emperor Wen once told him, "I shall find you a wife. At once he burst into tears. Emperor Wen asked why. He answered, "When the Prince of Han was still unmarried, he always remained at His Majesty's side; the moment he married, he was sent away. I fear I shall be separated from you — that is why I weep. The emperor sighed at his exceptional filial devotion and came to cherish him with special affection. At the age of twelve he was enfeoffed as Prince of Henan. At the beginning of the Renshou era he was transferred and made Prince of Jin. He was appointed Director of the Secretariat and concurrently Commander-in-Chief of the Left Guard. He was transferred to serve as Governor of Yong Province. When Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he went at once to Luoyang Palace while Zhao remained behind to hold the capital. In the first year of Daye the emperor sent envoys to install him as crown prince.

昭妃慈州刺史博陵崔弘升女。後秦王妃以蠱毒獲譴，昭奏曰：「惡逆者，乃新婦之姑，請離之。」乃娶滑國公京兆韋壽女為妃。昭有子三人：韋妃生恭皇帝，大劉良娣生燕王倓，小劉良娣生越王侗。

Zhao's consort was the daughter of Cui Hongsheng of Boling, Governor of Cizhou. Later the Princess of Qin was punished for sorcery. Zhao submitted a memorial: "The guilty party is my new wife's mother-in-law — I ask permission to divorce her. He then married the daughter of Wei Shou of Jingzhao, Duke of Huaguo, as his consort. Zhao had three sons: Consort Wei bore Emperor Gong; the elder Lady Liu bore Prince of Yan Tan; the younger Lady Liu bore Prince of Yue Tong.

倓字仁安，敏慧美咨容，煬帝于諸孫中特所鍾愛，常置左右。性好讀書，尤重儒素，造次所及，有若成人。良娣早終，每忌日未嘗不流涕嗚咽，帝由是益奇之。宇文化及弑逆之際，倓覺變，欲入奏，恐露其事，因與梁公蕭钜、千牛宇文晶等穿芳林門側水竇入。至玄武門，詭奏曰：「臣卒中惡，命懸俄頃，請得面辭，死無所恨。」冀見帝，為司宮者所遏，竟不得聞。俄而難作，遇害，時年十六。

Tan, styled Ren'an, was quick-witted and handsome; of all his grandsons Emperor Yang favored him above the rest and kept him constantly at his side. He loved reading by nature and held Confucian simplicity in special esteem; even in unguarded moments his bearing was that of a grown man. His lady companion died young; on each anniversary of her death he never failed to weep aloud, and the emperor came to admire him all the more for it. When Yuwen Huaji carried out his regicide, Tan sensed that something was wrong and wished to go in and report it; fearing discovery, he entered with Duke of Liang Xiao Ju, Cabinet Guard Yuwen Jing, and others through a drainage culvert beside Fanglin Gate. When he reached Xuanyuan Gate he submitted a false report: "Your subject has suddenly fallen gravely ill; my life hangs by a thread — I beg leave to take my farewell in person, and I shall die without regret. He hoped to see the emperor, but was stopped by the palace attendants and never got his message through. Before long the catastrophe broke out and he was killed. He was sixteen years old.

越王侗，字仁謹，美姿容，性寬厚。大業三年，立為越王。帝每巡幸，侗常留守東都。楊玄感反，與戶部尚書樊子蓋拒之。事平，朝于高陽，拜高陽太守。俄以本官留守東都。十三年，帝幸江都，復令侗與金紫光祿大夫段達、太府卿元文都、攝戶部尚書韋津、右武衛將軍皇甫無逸等總留台事。

Prince of Yue Tong, styled Renjin, was handsome in appearance and generous by nature. In the third year of Daye he was enfeoffed as Prince of Yue. Whenever the emperor traveled on tour, Tong usually remained behind to hold the Eastern Capital. When Yang Xuangan rose in rebellion, he joined Minister of Revenue Fan Zigai in resisting him. After the affair was settled he attended court at Gaoyang and was appointed Administrator of Gaoyang. Before long he was again left to hold the Eastern Capital in his existing capacity. In the thirteenth year the emperor went to Jiangdu and again ordered Tong, together with Chamberlain for Attendant Affairs Duan Da, Grand Steward Yuan Wendu, Acting Minister of Revenue Wei Jin, and General of the Right Wuyi Guards Huangfu Wuyi, to oversee all affairs of the capital in his absence.

宇文化及之弑逆，文都等議尊立侗，大赦，改元曰皇泰。諡帝曰明，廟號世祖，追尊元德太子為孝成皇帝，廟號世宗，尊其母劉良娣為皇太后。以段達為納言、右翊衛大將軍、攝禮部尚書，王世充為納言、左翊衛大將軍、攝吏部尚書，元文都為內史令、左驍衛大將軍，盧楚亦內史令，皇甫無逸為兵部尚書、右武衛大將軍，郭文懿為內史侍郎，趙長文為黃門侍郎，委以機務，為金書鐵券，藏之宮掖。于時洛陽稱段達等為「七貴」。

After Yuwen Huaji's regicide, Wendu and the others deliberated raising Tong to the throne, proclaimed a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Huangtai. They gave the former emperor the posthumous title Ming and temple name Shizu; elevated Crown Prince Yuande to Emperor Xiaocheng with temple name Shizong; and honored his mother Lady Liu as empress dowager. Duan Da was made Chief Censor, Commander-in-Chief of the Right Yiyi Guard, and Acting Minister of Rites; Wang Shichong Chief Censor, Commander-in-Chief of the Left Yiyi Guard, and Acting Minister of Personnel; Yuan Wendu Director of the Secretariat and Commander-in-Chief of the Left Xiao Guard; Lu Chu also Director of the Secretariat; Huangfu Wuyi Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief of the Right Wuyi Guard; Guo Wenyi Vice Director of the Secretariat; and Zhao Changwen Vice Director of the Yellow Gate. State affairs were entrusted to them, golden-letter iron bonds were issued, and stored within the palace. At the time Luoyang referred to Duan Da and his colleagues as the "Seven Nobles."

未幾，宇文化及以秦王浩為天子，來次彭城，所經城邑，多從逆黨。侗懼，遣使者蓋琮、馬公政招懷李密。密遂請降，侗大忻悅，禮其使甚厚。即拜密為太尉、尚書令、魏國公，令拒化及。仍下書曰：

Before long Yuwen Huaji set up Prince of Qin Hao as emperor and encamped at Pengcheng; many of the cities and towns along his route joined the rebel cause. Alarmed, Tong sent envoys Gai Cong and Ma Gongzheng to win Li Mi over. Li Mi then offered to submit; Tong was overjoyed and treated his envoys with great honor. He immediately appointed Li Mi Grand Marshal, Director of the Secretariat, and Duke of Wei, and ordered him to resist Huaji. He also issued an edict that read:

我大隋之有天下，於茲三十八載。高祖文皇帝聖略神功。載造區夏。世祖明皇帝則天法地，混一華戎。東暨蟠木，西通細柳，前逾丹徼，後越幽都，日月之所臨，風雨之所至，圓首方足，稟氣食毛，莫不盡入提封，皆為臣妾。加以寶貺畢集，雲瑞咸臻，作樂制禮，移風易俗。智周寰海，萬物咸受其賜；道濟天下，百姓用而不知。世祖往因曆試，統臨南服，自居皇極，順茲望幸。所以往歲省方，展禮肆觀，停鑾駐蹕，按駕清道，八屯如昔，七萃不移。豈意釁起非常，逮於軒陛，災生不意，廷及冕旒。奉諱之日，五情崩殞，攀號荼毒，不能自勝。

Our Great Sui has held the realm for thirty-eight years to this day. Founding Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Wen, possessed sage strategy and divine merit. He brought order to the Central Kingdom. Emperor Ming, temple name Shizu, took heaven as his model and earth as his law, uniting Chinese and barbarian alike. East to Panmu, west to Xiliu, south beyond the red frontier, north past Youdu — wherever sun and moon shine and wind and rain reach, every living soul with round head and square feet, every creature that draws breath and eats flesh, all entered the imperial domain and became our subjects. Moreover precious tribute poured in from every quarter; auspicious clouds and omens appeared in abundance; music was composed, ritual was instituted, and customs were transformed. His wisdom encompassed the four seas; all things alike received his bounty; His Way succored the realm; the common people benefited without even knowing it. Emperor Shizu, having previously been tested in provincial rule and having governed the southern domains, once he took the throne, wished to respond to their longing for his presence. Hence in years past he toured the regions, displaying rites and receiving tribute; the imperial carriage halted and the retinue encamped; escorts cleared the roads; the eight garrisons stood as before and the seven elite corps remained unchanged. Who could have imagined that rebellion would erupt so abnormally as to reach the imperial hall, or that disaster would strike without warning and touch the imperial crown itself? On the day we received the mournful tidings, our hearts collapsed within us; we clung and wailed in unbearable grief.

且聞之自古，代有屯剝，賊臣逆子，何世無之。至如宇文化及，世傳庸品。其父述，往屬時來，早沾厚遇，賜以昏媾，置之公輔。位尊九命，祿重萬鐘，禮極人臣，榮冠世表，徒承海嶽之恩，未有涓塵之答。化及以此下材，夙蒙顧眄，出入外內，奉望階墀。昔陪籓國，統領衛兵，及從升皇祚，陪列九卿。但本性凶狠，恣其貪穢，或交結惡黨，或侵掠商貨，事重刑簽，狀盈獄簡。在上不遺簪履，恩加草芥，應至死辜，每蒙恕免。三經除解，尋復本職；再徙邊裔，仍即追還。生成之恩，昊天罔極；獎擢之義，人事罕聞。化及梟獍為心，禽獸不若，從毒興禍，傾覆行宮。諸王兄弟，一時殘酷，痛暴行路，世不忍言。有窮之在夏時，犬戎之于周世，釁辱之極，亦未是過。朕所以刻骨崩心，飲膽嘗血，瞻天視地，無處自容。

Moreover we have heard that since antiquity every age has known hardship and decline; treacherous ministers and rebellious sons — what age has ever lacked them? As for Yuwen Huaji, his family has for generations been known as undistinguished stock. His father Shu, favored by fortune in earlier days, received generous treatment early on — granted marriage ties with the throne and placed among the chief ministers. His rank was honored with the nine orders; his stipend was weighed in myriad measures; ritual for him reached the utmost permitted a subject; his glory topped all his peers — yet he received favors vast as seas and mountains and repaid not so much as a mote of dust. Huaji, though of such base talent, long enjoyed the imperial favor; he passed in and out of the inner and outer courts and attended at the palace steps. Formerly he accompanied the prince in his domain and commanded the guard troops; when the sovereign ascended the throne he took his place among the Nine Ministers. But his nature was fierce and cruel; he indulged greed and corruption — now consorting with evil factions, now plundering merchants' goods — until the charges merited heavy punishment and the prison records overflowed with his case files. The sovereign did not cast aside even the humblest retainer; grace extended even to the meanest weed — crimes deserving death were repeatedly pardoned. Three times he was dismissed from office, only to be restored to his former post shortly afterward; Twice he was banished to the frontier, yet immediately recalled. The grace of raising him was boundless as heaven itself; such promotion and favor is rarely heard of among men. Huaji had the heart of an owl and a beast — worse than any animal — brewing poison to raise calamity and overthrowing the traveling palace. The princes and imperial brothers were slaughtered together in one cruel stroke; the horror on the roads is something the age cannot bear to speak of. The outrage of Youqiong in the Xia and the Dog Rong in the Zhou — the extremity of insult scarcely surpasses this. Therefore we gnaw our bones and shatter our hearts, drink gall and taste blood, look to heaven and earth, and find nowhere to hide our shame.

今王公卿士，庶尹百辟，咸以大寶鴻名，不可顛墜，元凶巨猾，須早夷殄，翼戴朕躬，嗣守寶位。顧惟寡薄，志不逮此。今者出黼扆而仗旄鉞，釋衰麻而擐甲胄，銜冤誓眾，忍淚臨兵，指日遄征，以平大盜。且化及偽立秦王之子，幽遏比於拘囚；其身自稱霸相，專擅擬於九五。履踐禁禦，據有宮關，昂首揚眉，初無慚色。衣冠朝望，外懼凶威，志士誠臣，內懷憤怨。以我義師，順彼天道，梟夷醜族，匪夕伊朝。

Now kings, dukes, ministers, and scholars, all officials and lords of every rank, agree that the great mandate and glorious name must not fall; the arch criminal and great villain must be swiftly destroyed; they support us to succeed and guard the imperial throne. Reflecting on our own inadequacy, our will does not reach so far. Now we leave the imperial screen to take up battle-axes, cast off mourning garb to don armor, bear our grievance and vow ourselves to the host, hold back tears as we lead the army, and within days march swiftly to pacify the great rebel. Moreover Huaji has falsely enthroned the Prince of Qin's son and confines him like a prisoner; He himself styles himself overlord and chancellor, arrogating to himself the imperial throne. He treads the forbidden precincts and occupies the palace gates, holding his head high without the slightest shame. Court officials and eminent men outwardly fear his brutal power, while loyal hearts and true ministers inwardly burn with outrage. With our righteous army, following heaven's Way, we shall cut down and exterminate the foul clan — not overnight, but within the morning.

太尉、尚書令魏公，丹誠內發，宏略外舉，率勤王之師，討違天之逆。果毅爭先，熊羆競進，金鼓振讋，若火焚毛，鋒刃從橫，如湯沃雪。魏公志存匡濟，投袂前驅，朕親禦六軍，星言繼軌。以此眾戰，以斯順舉，擘山可以動，射石可以入。況賊擁此人徒，皆有離德，京都侍衛，西憶鄉家，江左淳人，南思邦邑。比來表書駱驛，人信相尋。若王師一臨，舊章暫睹，自應解甲倒戈，冰銷棄散。且聞化及自恣，天奪其心，殺戮不辜，挫辱人士，莫不道路以目，號天跼地。朕今復仇雪恥，梟轅者一人，拯溺救焚，所哀者士庶。唯望天鑒孔殷，祐我宗社，億兆感義，俱會朕心。梟戮元凶，策勳飲至，四海交泰，稱朕意焉。兵衛軍機，並受魏公節度。

The Grand Marshal and Director of the Secretariat, Duke of Wei — loyalty blazing within, grand strategy displayed without — leads the army that hastens to the sovereign's aid to punish rebellion against heaven. The resolute vie to lead the charge; warriors compete like bears and panthers; drums and bells shake the timid like fire burning hair; blades cross as boiling water melts snow. The Duke of Wei, his purpose set on restoring order, flings his sleeves and advances at the fore; we personally command the six armies and march at starlight to follow in his track. With such troops fighting and such righteous cause, moving mountains is possible and piercing stone achievable. How much more so when the rebels hold followers who all lack unity — capital guards longing westward for home, simple folk of the Jiang region yearning southward for their native lands. Recently memorials and letters have arrived in an unbroken stream, and messengers follow one upon another. If the royal army appears even once and they glimpse the old order again, they should of themselves lay down arms and turn their blades — melting like ice, scattering like frost. Moreover we hear that Huaji indulges himself unrestrainedly; heaven has withdrawn his reason — he slaughters the innocent and humiliates the gentry; none but walks the roads with downcast eyes, crying to heaven and stamping the earth. We now seek vengeance and wipe away shame — the one we mean to execute at the gate is a single man; what we mean to rescue from drowning and fire are officials and common folk. We only hope that heaven's mirror is vast and bright, that it protects our state and altars, and that the millions, moved by righteousness, unite with our heart. Slay the arch criminal, record merit and hold the victory feast — let the four seas know peace — that is our wish. Military guard and state affairs alike fall under the Duke of Wei's command.

密見使者，大悅，北面拜伏，臣禮甚恭，遂東拒化及。

When Li Mi received the envoys he was greatly pleased; he bowed prostrate facing north with the utmost courtesy and thereupon resisted Huaji from the east.

七貴頗不協。未幾，元文都、盧楚、郭文懿、趙長文等為世充所殺，皇甫無逸遁歸京師。世充詣侗所陳謝，辭情哀苦。侗以為至誠，命之上殿，被髮為盟，誓無貳志。自是侗無所關預。及世充破李密，眾望益歸之，遂自為鄭王，總百揆，加九錫，備法物，侗不能禁。段達、雲定興等十人入見侗曰：「天命不常，鄭王功德甚盛，願陛下遵唐、虞之跡。」侗怒曰：「天下者，高祖之天下，東都者，世祖之東都。若隋德未衰，此言不可而發。必天命有改，亦何論於禪讓！公等或先朝舊臣，或勤王立節，忽有斯言，朕亦何望！」神色凜然，侍衛者莫不流汗。既而退朝，對良娣而泣。世充更使謂曰：「今海內未定，須得長君，待四方乂安，復子明辟。必若前盟，義不違負。」侗不得已，遜位於世充，遂被幽於含涼殿。世充僭偽號，封潞國公。

The Seven Nobles were quite at odds with one another. Before long Yuan Wendu, Lu Chu, Guo Wenyi, Zhao Changwen, and others were killed by Wang Shichong, while Huangfu Wuyi fled back to the capital. Wang Shichong came to Tong's residence to express regret, his words pitifully anguished. Tong took it as sincere devotion, summoned him to the hall, and with hair unbound they swore an oath of undivided loyalty. From then on Tong had no part in affairs of state. When Wang Shichong defeated Li Mi, popular hope turned to him all the more; he thereupon made himself King of Zheng, seized all authority, received the Nine Bestowals and full regalia — and Tong could not stop him. Duan Da, Yun Dingxing, and ten others came to see Tong and said, "Heaven's mandate is not constant; the King of Zheng's merit is very great — we wish Your Majesty would follow the example of Tang and Yu. Tong angrily replied, "The realm belongs to Gaozu; the Eastern Capital belongs to Shizu. If Sui virtue has not yet declined, such words ought not even be spoken. Even if heaven's mandate must change, what talk is there of abdication! You are either veterans of the former court or men who risked yourselves to raise the throne — to speak thus suddenly, what hope have I left!" His bearing was stern and chilling; every attendant in the room broke into a sweat. Afterward he withdrew from court and wept before his lady companion. Wang Shichong again sent an envoy to tell him, "The realm is not yet settled; we need a mature ruler. Once the four quarters are at peace, I shall restore you, the rightful heir, to the throne. If our earlier pact holds, I will not break faith. Tong had no choice. He abdicated in favor of Wang Shichong and was confined in Hanliang Hall. Wang Shichong seized a spurious imperial title and enfeoffed him as Duke of the State of Lu.

有宇文儒童、裴仁基等謀誅世充，復尊立侗。事泄，並見害。世充兄世惲因勸世充害侗。世充遣其侄行本齎鳩詣侗曰：「願皇帝飲此酒。」侗知不免，請與母相見，不許。遂布席焚香禮佛，祝曰：「從今以去，不生帝王尊貴家。」及仰藥，不能時絕，更以帛縊之。世充偽諡曰恭皇帝。

Yuwen Rutong, Pei Renji, and others plotted to kill Wang Shichong and restore Tong to the throne. When the plot was discovered, they were all executed. Wang Shichong's elder brother Shiyun then urged him to kill Tong. Wang Shichong sent his nephew Xingben with poisoned wine to Tong, saying, "I beg Your Majesty to drink this wine. Tong knew he could not escape. He asked to see his mother, but permission was refused. He spread a mat, burned incense, and bowed before the Buddha, praying, "From this day forward, may I never again be born into an imperial or noble house. He drank the poison, but death did not come quickly, so they strangled him with silk as well. Wang Shichong gave him the posthumous title Emperor Gong.

暕頗驕恣，昵近小人，所行多不法。遣喬令則、劉虔安、裴該、皇甫諶、厙狄仲

Prince of Qi Jian was arrogant and willful, kept company with petty men, and much of what he did violated the law. He dispatched Qiao Lingze, Liu Qian'an, Pei Gai, Huangfu Chen, and Kudie Zhong

錡、陳智偉等采求聲色狗馬。令則等因此放縱，方人家有女者，輒矯暕命呼之，載入暕宅，因緣藏匿，恣行淫穢而後遣之。仲錡、智偉二人詣隴西，撾炙諸胡，責其名馬，得數匹以進於暕。暕令還主，仲錡等詐言王賜，將歸家，暕不之知也。又樂平公主嘗奏帝，雲柳氏女美者，帝未有所答。久之，主復以柳氏進暕，暕納之。後帝問主柳氏女所在，主曰：「在齊王所。」帝不悅。暕于東都營第，大門無故崩，應事栿中折，識者以為不祥。後從帝幸榆林，暕督後軍，步騎五萬，恆與帝相去數十里而舍。會帝于汾陽宮大獵，詔暕以千騎入圍。暕大獲麋鹿以獻，而帝未有得也，怒從官，皆言為暕左右所遏，獸不得前。帝於是怒，求暕罪失。時制縣令無故不得出境，有伊闕令皇甫詡幸於暕，違禁將之汾陽宮；又京兆人達奚通有妾王氏善歌，貴遊宴聚，多或要致，於是輾轉亦入王家。御史韋德裕希旨劾暕。帝令甲士千餘，大索暕第，因窮其事。

Qi, Chen Zhiwei, and others to gather music, women, and horses for his pleasure. Emboldened, Lingze and the others grew unrestrained. Wherever a household had a daughter, they forged Jian's orders to summon her, brought her into his residence, concealed her on one pretext or another, abused her, and only then sent her away. Zhong Qi and Zhiwei went to Longxi, beat and tormented various Hu tribesmen, and demanded their famous horses. They obtained several mounts and presented them to Jian. Jian ordered the horses returned to their owners, but Zhong Qi and the others falsely claimed the prince had bestowed the horses and took them home. Jian knew nothing of it. Princess of Leping once told the Emperor that a daughter of the Liu clan was beautiful, but the Emperor made no reply. After a long while the princess again presented the Liu woman to Jian, and he took her in. Later the Emperor asked the princess where the Liu woman was. The princess replied, "She is at the Prince of Qi's residence. The Emperor was displeased. While Jian was building a mansion in the Eastern Capital, the great gate collapsed without cause and the hall beams snapped in two. Those who read omens judged it inauspicious. Later, accompanying the Emperor to Yulin, Jian commanded the rear guard of fifty thousand infantry and cavalry and always encamped several tens of li from the Emperor. When the Emperor held a great hunt at Fenyang Palace, he ordered Jian to enter the enclosure with a thousand horsemen. Jian took a great haul of elk and deer and presented them, while the Emperor had taken none. Enraged, he blamed his attendants, who all said Jian's followers had blocked the game and kept the beasts from advancing. The Emperor thereupon grew angry and began searching out Jian's faults. At that time magistrates were forbidden to leave their counties without cause. Huangfu Xu, magistrate of Yique and a favorite of Jian's, violated the ban and brought him to Fenyang Palace; moreover, a man of Jingzhao named Daxi Tong had a concubine, Lady Wang, skilled in song. At the banquets of the great and wealthy she was often summoned, and in time she passed into the Wang household as well. Censor Wei Deyu, seeking to please the Emperor, impeached Jian. The Emperor sent more than a thousand armored soldiers to search Jian's residence thoroughly and pursue the matter to the end.

暕妃韋氏，戶部尚書沖之女也，早卒。暕遂與妃姊元氏婦通，生一女。外人皆不得知，陰引喬令則於第內酣宴，令則稱慶，脫暕帽以為歡。召相工遍視後庭，相工指妃姊曰：「此產子者當為皇后，貴不可言。」時國無儲副，暕自謂次當得立。又以元德太子有三子，內常不安，陰挾左道，為厭勝事。至是，皆發。帝大怒，斬令則等數人，妃姊賜死，暕府僚皆斥之邊遠。時趙王杲猶在孩孺，帝謂侍臣曰：「朕唯有暕一子，不然者，當肆諸市朝，以明國憲也。」

Jian's consort was Lady Wei, daughter of Minister of Revenue Chong; she had died early. Jian then had relations with his consort's elder sister, a woman of the Yuan clan, and she bore a daughter. Outsiders knew nothing of it. He secretly brought Qiao Lingze into his residence for a drunken feast. Lingze offered congratulations, removed Jian's cap, and made merry. He summoned a physiognomist to inspect the entire rear court. The physiognomist pointed to the consort's elder sister and said, "The woman who bears this child shall become empress. Her nobility cannot be expressed in words. At that time the state had no heir apparent, and Jian considered himself next in line for the throne. He also brooded that Crown Prince Yuande had three sons and was inwardly ill at ease. He secretly employed heterodox arts to perform rites of magical suppression. At this point it all came to light. The Emperor was greatly enraged. He executed Lingze and several others, ordered the consort's elder sister to take her own life, and banished all of Jian's staff to remote regions. At that time Prince of Zhao Gao was still a child. The Emperor told his attendants, "I have only Jian as a son — otherwise I would have him exposed in the marketplace to make clear the law of the state."

暕自是恩寵日衰，雖為京尹，不復關預時政。帝恆令武賁郎將一人監其府事，暕有微失，輒奏之。帝亦慮暕生變，所給左右，皆以老弱備員而已。暼柬每懷危懼，心不自安。又帝在江都宮元會，暕具法服將朝，無故有血從裳中而下；又坐齋中，見群鼠數十，至前而死，視皆無頭。暕甚惡之。俄而化及作亂，兵將犯蹕，帝聞之，顧蕭後曰：「得非阿孩也？」其見疏忌如此。化及復令人捕暕，時尚臥未起，賊進，暕驚曰：「是何人？」莫有報者。暕猶謂帝令捕之，曰：「詔使且緩，兒不負國家！」賊曳至街，斬之，及其二子亦遇害。暕竟不知殺者為誰。時年三十四。

From then on Jian's favor waned daily. Though he served as Metropolitan Governor, he no longer took part in affairs of state. The Emperor always assigned one officer of the Martial Tiger Guard to oversee his household affairs. At Jian's slightest fault the officer would report it. The Emperor also feared Jian might rebel. Those assigned to attend him were all old and weak men kept on as mere placeholders. Jian constantly felt dread and could not be at ease. Moreover, when the Emperor was at Jiangdu Palace for the New Year's assembly, Jian put on his ceremonial robes to attend court, and for no reason blood flowed down from within his robe; again, while seated in his study he saw several dozen rats come forward and die. When he looked, all were headless. Jian was deeply revolted by this. Before long Huaji raised rebellion and troops were about to threaten the imperial progress. When the Emperor heard of it he turned to Empress Xiao and said, "Could it be Ahai? Such was the degree to which he was distrusted and suspected. Huaji again sent men to seize Jian. He was still in bed and had not risen when the rebels entered. Jian startled awake and cried, "Who are you? No one answered him. Jian still thought the Emperor had ordered his arrest and said, "Imperial envoy, wait a moment — your son has not betrayed the state! The rebels dragged him into the street and beheaded him. His two sons were killed as well. Jian never learned who his killers were. He was thirty-four years old.

有遺腹子湣，與蕭後同入突厥，處羅可汗號為隋王。中國人沒入北蕃者，悉配之以為部落，以定襄城處之。及突厥滅，乃獲之。貞觀中，位至尚衣奉御，永徽初，卒。

He had a posthumous son Min, who entered the Turks together with Empress Xiao. Kaghan Chuluo styled him King of Sui. Chinese taken captive in the northern frontier were all assigned to him to form a tribe and settled at Dingxiang city. When the Turks were destroyed, he was at last recovered. In the Zhenguan era he rose to Palace Attendant for Imperial Wardrobe. In the early Yonghui era he died.

趙王杲，小字季子。年七歲，以大業九年封趙王。尋授光祿大夫，曆河南尹，行江都太守。杲聰令，美容儀，帝有所制詞賦，杲多能誦之。性至孝，嘗見帝風動，不進膳，杲亦終日不食。又蕭後嘗灸，杲先請試炷，後不許之。杲泣請曰：「後所服藥，皆蒙嘗之。今灸，願聽嘗炷。」悲咽不已。後為停灸，由是尤鍾愛。後遇化及反，杲在帝側，號慟不已。裴虔通使斬之帝前而血湔御服。時年十二。

Prince of Zhao Gao had the childhood name Jizi. At age seven, in the ninth year of Daye, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Zhao. Soon he was appointed Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, served as Metropolitan Governor of Henan, and acted as Administrator of Jiangdu. Gao was clever and quick-witted, with handsome features. Whenever the Emperor composed lyrics or rhapsodies, Gao could often recite them from memory. His nature was utterly filial. Once when he saw the Emperor troubled in spirit and refusing his meal, Gao also ate nothing all day. Again, when Empress Xiao was about to undergo moxibustion, Gao first asked to test the moxa cones. The empress would not allow it. Gao wept and begged, saying, "Whenever the Empress took medicine, I always tasted it first. Now with moxibustion, I beg to be allowed to test the cones. He sobbed without cease. The empress thereupon stopped the moxibustion, and from this he was especially cherished. Later, when Huaji rebelled, Gao was at the Emperor's side and wailed without cease. Pei Qiantong had him beheaded before the Emperor, and his blood spattered the imperial robes. He was twelve years old.

論曰：周建懿親，漢開磐石，內以敦睦九族，外以輯寧億兆，深根固本，崇獎王室，安則有以同其樂，衰則有以恤其危，所由來久矣。自魏、晉已下，多失厥中，不遵王度，各徇所私。抑之則勢齊於匹夫，抗之則權侔于萬乘，矯枉過正，非一時也。得失詳于前史，不復究而論焉。隋文昆弟之恩，素非篤睦，閨房之隙，又不相容。至於二世承基，茲弊愈甚。是以滕穆暴薨，人皆竊議，蔡王將沒，自以為幸。唯衛王養於獻後，故任遇特隆，而諸子遷流莫知死所，悲夫！其錫以茅土，稱為磐石，特無甲兵之衛，居與皁吏為伍。外內無虞，顛危不暇，時逢多難，將何望哉！河間屬乃葭莩，地非寵逼，故高位厚秩，與時終始。楊慶二三其德，志在苟生，變本宗如反掌，棄慈母若遺跡，及身而絕，固宜然矣。文帝五子，莫有終其天年。房陵資於骨肉之親，篤於君臣之義，經綸締構，契闊夷險，撫軍臨國，凡二十年。雖三善未稱，而視膳無闕。恩寵既變，讒言間之，顧復之慈，頓隔於人理；父子之道，遂滅于天性，隋室將亡之效，眾庶皆知之矣。《慎子》曰：「一兔走街，百人逐之；積兔於市，過者不顧。」豈其無欲哉？分定故也。房陵分定久矣，而帝一朝易之，開逆亂之源，長覬覦之望。又維城肇建，崇其威重，恃寵而驕，厚自封植，進之既逾制，退之不以道，俊以憂卒，實此之由。俄屬天步方艱，讒人已勝，尺布鬥粟，莫肯相容。秀窺岷、蜀之阻，諒起晉陽之甲，成茲亂常之釁，蓋亦有以動之也。《棠棣》之詩徒賦，有庳之封無期，或幽囚於囹圄，或顛殞於鳩毒。本根既絕，枝葉畢翦，十有餘年，宗社淪陷。自古廢嫡立庶，覆族傾宗者多矣，考其亂亡之禍，未若有隋之酷。《詩》云：「殷鑒不遠，在夏後之世。」後之有國有家者，可不深戒哉！元德謹重，有君人之量，降年不永，哀哉！齊王敏慧可稱，志不及遠，頗懷驕僭，故帝疏而忌之，內無父子之親，貌展君臣之敬。身非積善，國有餘殃，至令趙及燕、越，皆不得死，悲夫！

Commentary: The Zhou established worthy kinsmen; the Han instituted the bedrock policy — inwardly to harmonize the nine clans, outwardly to pacify the countless masses; to root deeply and strengthen the foundation, to honor and reward the royal house — in prosperity to share its joys, in decline to relieve its perils. This has been so for a very long time. From Wei and Jin downward, many lost the mean, failed to observe royal norms, and each pursued private ends. Restrain them and their power equaled that of commoners; resist them and their authority rivaled that of the Son of Heaven. Overcorrecting the fault was not limited to one age. Gains and losses are detailed in earlier histories; I shall not examine and discuss them again here. Among Emperor Wen's brothers, affection was never deeply harmonious, and rifts within the inner quarters were likewise intolerable. When the second emperor inherited the foundation, this evil grew all the worse. Hence when Prince Teng Mu died suddenly, men whispered in private; when Prince of Cai was near death, he counted himself fortunate. Only Prince of Wei, raised by Empress Dowager Wenxian, enjoyed extraordinary favor and appointment — while the other sons were exiled and none knew where they died. Alas! Though enfeoffed with fief and styled bedrock, they had no guard of armed troops and dwelt among petty clerks. Inside and outside there was no one to guard them. Before collapse could be remedied, the times met with one hardship after another — what could be hoped for! The Prince of Hejian belonged to a distant branch of the clan and stood in no position of threatening favor; therefore he held high rank and generous stipends from first to last. Yang Qing wavered in his loyalty and sought only to survive. He changed his allegiance to the founding house as easily as turning his hand and abandoned his devoted mother as if casting off old tracks. That he perished in his own lifetime was only fitting. Of Emperor Wen's five sons, not one lived out his natural span. Prince Yong of Fangling was rich in kinship of bone and blood and steadfast in the righteousness of lord and minister. He governed statecraft, bound the realm together, shared hardship and ease, commanded armies and ruled the state — in all, twenty years. Though the three excellences of filial conduct were not fully achieved, he never failed in attending to his father's meals. Once favor changed and slander came between them, the tender care of a parent's love was suddenly cut off by human reason; the way of father and son was extinguished in natural affection. The sign that the house of Sui would perish was known to the multitude. Master Shen said, "When one rabbit runs through the market, a hundred men chase it; pile rabbits in the market and passersby do not glance at them. Is it that they have no desire? It is because shares are fixed. Prince Yong of Fangling's share had long been fixed, yet the Emperor changed it in a single morning — opening the source of rebellion and lengthening the reach of covetous eyes. Again, when the rampart prince was first established his prestige was exalted. Relying on favor he grew proud and enriched himself lavishly. Advancing him beyond regulation and retiring him without proper conduct — Jun died of grief, and this was truly the cause. Soon heaven's step grew difficult; slanderers had prevailed. An inch of cloth and a peck of grain — none would yield to the other. Xiu eyed the barriers of Min and Shu; Liang raised arms at Jinyang. Thus were these breaches of order provoked; there was cause that moved them. The ode "Wild Cherry" in the Book of Songs was sung in vain; enfeoffment at Youbi never came to pass. Some were imprisoned in jail, some perished by poisoned wine. Once the root was severed, every branch was cut away. Within little more than ten years the ancestral temple fell. From antiquity, those who deposed the legitimate heir and enthroned a lesser son — bringing ruin on clan and kindred — have been many. Examine the calamity of disorder and extinction, and none has been as cruel as Sui's. The Book of Odes says, "Yin's mirror is not far off—it lies in the age of the lord of Xia." Let every ruler and every great house hereafter take this as a profound warning! Yuande was careful and dignified, with the bearing of a true sovereign, yet Heaven granted him few years—how lamentable! The Prince of Qi was clever and accomplished, yet his vision was short and his pride ran deep. The Emperor therefore kept him at arm's length and feared him: inwardly there was no true father-son bond, outwardly only the ceremony of lord and minister. He had not piled up virtue in his own person, and the dynasty bore the aftershocks; in the end even the Princes of Zhao, Yan, and Yue were denied a natural death—how tragic!

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