Volume 75 Biographies 63: Zhao Jiong, Zhao Fen, Wang Shao, Yuan Yan, Yu Wenbi, Yi Louqian, Li Yuantong, Guo Rong, Pang Huang, Li An, Yang Shangxi, Zhang Jiong, Su Xiaoci, Yuan Shou

趙煚趙芬王韶元巖宇文㢸伊婁謙李圓通郭榮龐晃李安楊尚希張煚蘇孝慈元壽

Zhao Jiong, Zhao Fen, Wang Shao, Yuan Yan, Yu Wenbi, Yi Louqian, Li Yuantong, Guo Rong, Pang Huang, Li An, Yang Shangxi, Zhang Jiong, Su Xiaoci, and Yuan Shou

趙煚趙芬王韶元巖宇文㢸伊婁謙李圓通郭榮龐晃李安楊尚希張煚蘇孝慈元壽

Zhao Jiong, Zhao Fen, Wang Shao, Yuan Yan, Yu Wenbi, Yi Louqian, Li Yuantong, Guo Rong, Pang Huang, Li An, Yang Shangxi, Zhang Jiong, Su Xiaoci, and Yuan Shou

趙煚，字通賢，天水西人也。祖超宗，魏河東太守。父仲懿，尚書左丞。

Zhao Jiong, whose courtesy name was Tongxian, came from Xi in Tianshui commandery. His grandfather Chaozong had served as Administrator of Hedong under the Wei. His father Zhongyi had been Left Assistant Director in the Ministry of Works.

煚少孤，養母至孝。年十四，有人盜伐其父墓中樹者，煚對之號慟，因執送官。見魏右僕射周惠達，長揖不拜，自述孤苦，涕淚交集，惠達為之隕涕歎息者久之。及長，沈深有器局，略涉書記。周文帝引為相府參軍事。從破洛陽。及班師，煚請留撫納亡叛，從之。煚於是帥所領與齊人前後五戰，斬獲甚眾，以功封平定縣男。累轉中書侍郎。

Jiong lost his father while still young and supported his mother with exemplary filial devotion. When he was fourteen, he found a man stealing timber from his father's grave; Jiong wept aloud in grief before him, then seized the man and handed him over to the magistrates. On meeting Zhou Huida, the Wei dynasty's Right Vice Director, he gave a deep bow but did not prostrate himself, then told of his orphaned plight until tears streamed down his face; Huida wept and sighed over him for a long time. As an adult he was grave and far-sighted, possessed of real capacity, and had some training in written administration. Emperor Wen of Zhou brought him into service as a staff officer in the chancellor's office. He took part in the campaign that captured Luoyang. When the army withdrew, Jiong asked permission to stay behind to pacify the region and win over deserters and rebels; his request was granted. Jiong then led his troops through five engagements with the Qi, killing and capturing a great number of the enemy; for this service he was enfeoffed as Baron of Pingding. He rose through successive posts to Vice Director of the Secretariat.

周閔帝受禪，遷硤州刺史。蠻酋向天王以兵攻信陵、秭歸，煚襲擊破之，二郡獲全。時周人於江南岸置安蜀城以禦陳，屬霖雨數旬，城頹者百餘步。蠻酋鄭南鄉叛，引陳將吳明徹欲掩安蜀。議者皆勸煚益修守禦，煚不從，乃遣使說誘江外生蠻向武陽，令乘虛掩襲南鄉所居，獲其父母妻子。南鄉聞之，其黨各散，陳兵亦遁。明年，吳明徹屢為寇患，煚與前後十六戰，每挫其鋒。以功授開府儀同三司，再遷戶部中大夫。周武帝欲收齊河南地，煚諫曰：「河南洛陽，四面受敵，縱得不可以守。請從河北直指太原，傾其巢穴，可一舉以定。」帝不納，師竟無功。尋從上柱國於翼自三鴉道伐陳，克十九城而還。以讒毀，功不見錄。累遷禦正上大夫。

When Emperor Min of Zhou ascended the throne, Jiong was appointed Governor of Xia province. The tribal chieftain Xiang Tianwang attacked Xinling and Zigui with an army; Jiong caught him in a surprise attack and routed him, saving both commanderies. The Zhou had built Ancheng on the south bank of the Yangzi to hold the Chen at bay; after weeks of steady rain, more than a hundred paces of the wall had collapsed. The tribal leader Zheng Nanxiang rebelled and enlisted the Chen general Wu Mingche in a plan to seize Ancheng by surprise. Counselors all urged Jiong to strengthen the fortifications, but he refused; instead he sent envoys to win over Xiang Wuyang, a tribal leader beyond the river, and had him raid Nanxiang's stronghold while it was undefended, capturing his parents, wife, and children. When Nanxiang heard what had happened, his followers scattered, and the Chen army withdrew as well. The following year Wu Mingche raided repeatedly; Jiong met him in sixteen engagements and each time drove back his advance. For these achievements he was made Grand Master with the Honored Title Equal to the Three Dukes, and was soon promoted again to Grand Master in the Ministry of Revenue. When Emperor Wu of Zhou planned to recover Qi's Henan territories, Jiong advised him: "Luoyang in Henan is exposed on every side; even if we take it, we cannot hold it. Strike north from Hebei straight at Taiyuan and destroy their base at a stroke—that is how the matter can be settled in one campaign. The emperor did not heed him, and the campaign ended in failure. He soon followed the Grand Pillar of State Yu Yi on an expedition against Chen by the Sanya route, took nineteen cities, and returned. Slanderers maligned him, and his achievements went unrecognized. He was promoted in succession to Grand Master of Imperial Rectitude.

煚與宗伯斛斯徵素不協，徵後出為齊州刺史，坐事下獄，自知罪重，遂逾獄走。帝大怒，購之甚急。煚密奏曰：「徵自以罪重，懼死遁逃，若不北走匈奴，則南奔吳越。徵雖愚陋，久曆清顯，奔彼敵國，無益聖朝。今炎旱為災，可因茲大赦。」帝從之。徵賴而免，煚卒不言。

Jiong and Husu Zheng, the Minister of Rites, had never been on good terms. Zheng was later posted as Governor of Qi, then imprisoned for an offense; knowing his crime was capital, he broke out of prison and fled. The emperor was furious and put a high price on his head. Jiong submitted a secret memorial: "Zheng knows his crime is grave and has fled for fear of execution; if he does not go north to the Xiongnu, he will go south to Wu and Yue. Though Zheng is a man of little talent, he has long held high office; flight to an enemy state would do the dynasty no good. The land is stricken with drought and heat; let Your Majesty use this occasion to proclaim a general amnesty. The emperor agreed. Zheng was spared by the amnesty, and Jiong never spoke of what he had done.

隋文帝為丞相，加上開府，再遷大宗伯。及踐阼，煚授璽紱。進位大將軍，賜爵金城郡公，拜相州刺史。朝廷以煚習故事，徵拜尚書右僕射。未幾，以忤旨出為陝州刺史，轉冀州刺史，甚有威惠。煚嘗有疾，百姓賓士，爭為祈禱，其得人情如此。冀州市多奸詐，煚為銅鬥鐵尺。置於肆，百姓便之。帝聞而嘉焉，頒之天下，以為常法。嘗有人盜煚田中蒿，為吏所執。煚曰：「此乃刺史不能宣風化，彼何罪也？」慰諭遣之，令人載蒿一車賜盜者，盜愧過於重刑。帝幸洛陽，煚來朝，帝勞之。卒於官。

When Emperor Wen of Sui was still chancellor, Jiong was made Grand Master Opening the Office and was soon promoted again to Grand Minister of Rites. When the emperor took the throne, it was Jiong who presented the imperial seal and cord. He was promoted to Grand General, ennobled as Duke of Jincheng commandery, and appointed Governor of Xiang province. Because Jiong was expert in court precedent, the court recalled him and appointed him Right Vice Director of the Ministry of Works. Before long he offended the emperor and was sent out as Governor of Shan, then transferred to Ji, where he ruled with a formidable blend of sternness and benevolence. Once when Jiong fell ill, townspeople and visitors alike crowded in to pray for his recovery—such was the affection he commanded. The markets of Ji were rife with short measure and fraud; Jiong had standard bronze bushels and iron rulers made. He placed them in the marketplaces, to the great convenience of the people. The emperor heard of it with approval and ordered the practice adopted empire-wide as permanent law. Once a man was caught by the clerks stealing mugwort from Jiong's fields. Jiong said, "This only shows that I as governor have failed to teach the people properly—what crime has he committed? He comforted the man and sent him home, then had a full cartload of mugwort delivered to him as a gift; the thief was more ashamed than if he had suffered the harshest penalty. When the emperor visited Luoyang, Jiong came to court and was received with words of praise and encouragement. He died in office.

子義臣嗣，位至太子洗馬。後同楊諒反，誅。

His son Yichen succeeded him and rose to the post of Groom in the Heir Apparent's Stud. He later joined Yang Liang's rebellion and was put to death.

趙芬，字士茂，天水西人也。父諒，周秦州刺史。芬少有辯智，頗涉經史。周引為相府鎧曹參軍。曆記室，累遷開府儀同三司。性強濟，所居之職，皆有聲績。周武帝親總萬機，拜內史下大夫，轉小禦正。明習故事，每朝廷有所疑議，眾不能決者，芬輒為評斷，莫不稱善。後為司會。及申國公李穆討齊，引為行軍長史，封淮安縣男。再遷東京小宗伯，鎮洛陽。隋文帝為丞相，尉遲迥與司馬消難陰謀往來，芬察知之，密白帝。由是深見親委，遷東京左僕射，進爵郡公。開皇初，罷東京官，拜尚書右僕射，與郢公王誼修律令。俄兼內史令，甚見信任。未幾，以老病出為蒲州刺史，加金紫光祿大夫，仍領關東運漕，賜錢百萬、粟五千石而遣之。後數年，上表乞骸骨，征還京師。賜以三驥軺車，几杖被褥，歸於家。皇太子又致巾帔。後數年，卒，帝遣使致祭，鴻臚監護喪事。

Zhao Fen, whose courtesy name was Shimao, came from Xi in Tianshui commandery. His father Liang had been Governor of Qin under the Zhou. From youth Fen was quick-witted and articulate and had read widely in the classics and histories. The Zhou court brought him in as a staff officer in the armor bureau of the chancellor's office. He served in the secretariat and rose in succession to Grand Master with the Honored Title Equal to the Three Dukes. Forceful and resourceful by nature, he left a record of distinction in every post he held. When Emperor Wu of Zhou took personal control of government, Fen was made Grand Master in the Inner Scribe's Office, then transferred to Junior Imperial Rectifier. Expert in precedent, he was called on whenever the court faced a question the assembled officials could not settle; his rulings were invariably praised as sound. He later became Director of Accounts. When Duke Li Mu of Shen campaigned against Qi, Fen served as his chief clerk on campaign and was enfeoffed as Baron of Huai'an. He was promoted again to Junior Grand Minister of Rites of the Eastern Capital and was stationed at Luoyang. When Emperor Wen of Sui was still chancellor, Fen discovered secret communications between Yuwen Jiong and Sima Xiaonan and reported them privately to the emperor. For this he won deep trust, was made Left Vice Director of the Eastern Capital, and was advanced to duke of a commandery. At the start of the Kaihuang era the Eastern Capital offices were abolished; Fen was appointed Right Vice Director of the Ministry of Works and joined Duke Wang Yi of Ying in revising the law code. He soon held the additional post of Director of the Inner Scribe's Office and enjoyed the emperor's full confidence. Before long, citing age and illness, he was sent out as Governor of Pu with the additional title of Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and was left in charge of grain transport on the Guandong waterways; the emperor gave him a million cash and five thousand piculs of grain and sent him on his way. Several years later he petitioned to retire and was recalled to the capital. He was given a light carriage drawn by three fine horses, together with an armrest, staff, bedding, and quilts, and sent home. The crown prince also sent him a headcloth and kerchief. He died several years later; the emperor sent envoys to perform the sacrificial rites, and the Director of State Ceremonies oversaw the funeral.

子元恪嗣，位揚州總管司馬，左遷候衛長史。

His son Yuankuo succeeded him, serving as chief administrator under the Yangzhou commandery-in-chief before being demoted to chief clerk of the palace guard.

少子元楷，與元恪皆明幹世事。元楷，大業中為曆陽郡丞，與廬江郡丞徐仲宗俱竭百姓之產，以貢於帝。仲宗遷南郡丞；元楷超拜江都丞，兼領江都宮監。

His younger son Yuankai, like Yuankuo, was sharp and capable in practical affairs. During the Daye reign Yuankai served as administrator of Liyang commandery; he and Xu Zhongzong, administrator of Lujiang, both squeezed the people dry to send tribute to the emperor. Zhongzong was promoted to administrator of Nan commandery; Yuankai was specially promoted to administrator of Jiangdu and concurrently made superintendent of the Jiangdu palace.

隋文帝受禪，進爵項城郡公，轉靈州刺史，加位大將軍。晉王廣之鎮并州，除行台右僕射，賜彩五百匹。韶性剛直，王甚憚之，每事諮詢，不敢違法度。韶嘗奉使檢行長城，後王穿池，起三山，韶既還，自鎖而諫，王謝而罷之。帝聞而嘉歎，賜金百兩，並後宮四人。平陳之役，以本官為元帥府司馬。及克金陵，韶即鎮焉。晉王廣班師，留韶於石頭防遏，委以後事。歲餘，征還。帝謂公卿曰：「晉王以幼出籓，遂能克平吳、越，王子相之力也。」於是進位柱國，賜奴婢三百口，錦絹五千段。及上幸并州，以其稱職，特加勞勉。後上謂曰：「自朕至此，公須鬢漸白，無乃憂勞所致？柱石之望，唯在於公，努力勉之！」韶辭謝，上勞而遣之。

When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Shao was advanced to Duke of Xiangcheng commandery, appointed Governor of Ling province, and given the additional rank of Grand General. When Prince Jin Guang was posted to Bingzhou, Shao was made Right Vice Director of the mobile secretariat and given five hundred bolts of colored silk. Shao was upright and unyielding by nature; the prince held him in considerable awe, consulted him on every matter, and did not dare overstep the law. Once, while Shao was away on an inspection tour of the Great Wall, the prince dug a pond and built three artificial hills; when Shao returned he put himself in chains to remonstrate, and the prince apologized and abandoned the project. The emperor heard of it with admiration and rewarded him with a hundred taels of gold and four women from the inner palace. During the campaign to conquer Chen he served in his existing rank as chief administrator on the commander-in-chief's staff. As soon as Jinling fell, Shao took command of the garrison there. When Prince Jin Guang withdrew his army, he left Shao at Shitou to hold the line and entrusted him with all remaining affairs. After more than a year he was recalled to court. The emperor told his ministers: "Prince Jin went to his fief while still young, yet he was able to subdue Wu and Yue—that was the work of a worthy prince and a capable minister. Shao was thereupon promoted to Pillar of State and given three hundred household slaves and five thousand lengths of brocade and silk. When the emperor visited Bingzhou, he singled Shao out for special praise and encouragement for his faithful service. Later the emperor said to him, "Since I arrived here your temples have turned noticeably gray—surely that comes from worry and overwork? The empire's hopes rest on you alone—do your utmost! Shao thanked him and withdrew; the emperor praised him once more and let him go.

士隆略知書計，尤便弓馬，慷慨有父風。大業世，頗見親重，位備身將軍，改封耿國公。越王侗稱帝，士隆率數千兵自江淮而至。會王世充僭號，甚禮重之，署尚書右僕射。憂憤，疽發背卒。

Shilong had some schooling in letters and accounts, excelled above all at archery and horsemanship, and was generous and bold in his father's mold. During the Daye reign he enjoyed considerable favor, rose to General of the Personal Guard, and was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Geng. When Prince Yue of the East, Yang Tong, declared himself emperor, Shilong led several thousand men from the Jiang-Huai region to join him. Wang Shichong had by then declared himself emperor; he treated Shilong with great respect and made him Right Vice Director of the Ministry of Works. Tormented by grief and anger, he developed a carbuncle on his back and died.

元巖，字君山，河南洛陽人也。父禎，魏敷州刺史。岩好讀書，不守章名，剛鯁有器局，以名節自許，少與勃海高熲、太原王韶同志友善。仕周，為武賁給事。大塚宰宇文護見而器之，以為中外記室。累遷內史中大夫，封昌國縣伯。周宣帝嗣位，為政昏暴，京兆郡丞樂運輿櫬詣朝堂，陳帝八失，言甚切至。帝大怒，將戮之，朝臣莫有救者。巖謂人曰：「臧洪同日，尚可俱死，其況比干乎？若樂運不免，吾將與之俱斃。」詣閤請見，言於帝曰：「樂運知書奏必死，所以不顧身命者，欲取後世名。陛下若殺之，乃成其名，落其術內。不如勞而遣之，以廣聖度。」運因獲免。後帝將誅烏丸軌，岩不肯署詔。御正顏之儀切諫不入，巖進繼之，脫巾頓顙，三拜三進。帝曰：「汝欲党烏丸軌耶？」岩曰：「臣非黨軌，正恐濫誅，失天下望。」帝怒，使閹豎搏其面，遂廢於家。

Yuan Yan, whose courtesy name was Junshan, came from Luoyang in Henan commandery. His father Zhen had been Governor of Fu under the Wei. Yan loved learning but cared little for formal titles; upright and strong-willed, he held himself to a standard of integrity and in youth was close friends with Gao Bin of Bohai and Wang Shao of Taiyuan. Under the Zhou he served as an attendant in the martial guard. Grand Preceptor Yuwen Hu took notice of him and esteemed his ability, making him secretary for both court and field affairs. He rose through the ranks to Palace Secretary Grand Master and was created Marquis of Changguo. When Emperor Xuan of Zhou came to the throne, his rule turned cruel and erratic. Yue Yun, deputy magistrate of Jingzhao, appeared at court carrying a coffin and laid out eight failings of the emperor in language sharp and unsparing. The emperor flew into a rage and was on the point of putting him to death, yet not one minister at court would speak for him. Yan told those around him, "When Zang Hong asked to die on the same day as Chen Shi, they could still perish together — how much more is that true of Bi Gan? If Yue Yun is not spared, I mean to die at his side." He went to the palace gate and asked to be received, then said to the emperor, "Yue Yun knew his memorial would cost him his life. He risked everything only to win a name that would outlive him. If Your Majesty executes him, you only fulfill his fame and walk straight into his design. Better to acknowledge his effort and let him go, and so display the breadth of your imperial grace." Yue Yun was spared as a result. Later, when the emperor intended to put Wuhuan Gui to death, Yan would not put his name to the edict. Yan Zhiyi, Director of Imperial Correctness, pleaded urgently in vain; Yan stepped forward to take up the remonstrance, removed his cap, and prostrated himself, bowing three times and pressing forward three times. The emperor said, "Are you taking Wuhuan Gui's side?" Yan replied, "I am not siding with Gui. I fear only that reckless executions will cost Your Majesty the trust of the realm." The emperor in his anger had eunuchs beat his face, and Yan was stripped of office and sent home.

隋文帝為丞相，加開府、戶部中大夫。及受禪，拜兵部尚書，進爵平昌郡公。巖性嚴重，明達世務，每有奏議，侃然正色，廷爭面折，無所回避，上及公卿皆敬憚之。時帝懲周代諸侯微弱，以致滅亡，由是分王諸子，權侔王室，以為磐石之固。遣晉王廣鎮并州，蜀王秀鎮益州。二王年並幼，選貞良有重望者為之僚佐。時嚴與王韶為河北道行台右僕射，帝謂曰：「公宰相大器，今屈輔我兒，亦如曹參相齊之意。」及巖到官，法令明肅，吏人稱焉。蜀王好奢，嘗欲取獠口為閹人，又欲生剖死囚，取膽為樂。巖皆不奉教，排閣切諫，王輒謝而止。憚巖為人，每循法度。蜀中獄訟，巖所裁斷，莫不悅服。有得罪者，謂曰：「平昌公與罪，吾何怨焉？」上甚嘉之，賞賜優洽。卒於官，上悼惜久之。益州父老莫不隕涕，於今思之。

While Emperor Wen of Sui still served as chief minister, Yan was given the rank of Separate Office Director and made Grand Master of the Ministry of Revenue. After the abdication and accession, he was appointed Minister of War and raised to Duke of Pingchang. Stern and dignified by nature, Yan understood the affairs of the age. In every memorial and proposal he spoke with unflinching candor, arguing in open court and contradicting men to their faces without shrinking; emperor and ministers alike respected and feared him. The emperor had taken warning from how the enfeebled feudal lords of the Zhou had invited ruin, and so enfeoffed his sons as kings with powers rivaling the throne itself, trusting that they would serve as an immovable bulwark. He posted Prince of Jin Yang Guang at Bingzhou and Prince of Shu Yang Xiu at Yizhou. Both princes were still young, so men of proven integrity and high standing were chosen to serve as their advisers. Yan and Wang Shao were then Right Vice Directors on the Hebei circuit staff. The emperor told them, "You are men fit for the highest office. That you now serve my son in a lesser post is like Cao Shen's governing of Qi — a deliberate restraint for the good of the state." Once Yan took up his post, his laws were clear and his discipline firm, and officials and common people alike praised him. The Prince of Shu was fond of luxury. He once proposed taking captive Lao tribesmen for castration, and at another time wished to vivisect condemned prisoners and extract their gall bladders for sport. Yan refused every such order, forcing his way in to remonstrate bluntly, whereupon the prince would apologize and abandon the plan. In awe of Yan's moral force, the prince thereafter kept to the bounds of law. In every prison case and lawsuit Yan decided in Shu, none went away dissatisfied. One man who had been punished said, "It was the Duke of Pingchang who judged me — what cause have I to resent him?" The emperor was greatly pleased and rewarded him with exceptional generosity. He died in office, and the emperor mourned his loss for a long while. The elders of Yizhou wept without exception, and remember him to this day.

巖卒後，蜀王為非法，造渾天儀，又共妃出獵，以彈彈人，多捕山獠充宦者，僚佐無能諫止。及秀得罪，上曰：「元巖若在，吾兒豈有是乎！」

After Yan's death the Prince of Shu gave himself over to lawlessness. He built an armillary sphere, hunted with his consort, shot people for sport with a pellet bow, and seized mountain Lao to fill the ranks of his eunuchs — and none of his staff could check him. When Xiu was punished, the emperor said, "Had Yuan Yan still been alive, my son would never have come to this!"

子弘嗣。歷給事郎、司朝謁者、北平通守。

His son Hongsi carried on his line. He served in turn as Attendant Gentleman, Court Herald, and Prefect of Beiping.

宇文㢸

Yu Wenbi

宇文㢸，字公輔，河南洛陽人也，其先與周同出。祖直力勤，魏钜鹿太守。父珍，周宕州刺史。㢸慷慨有大節，博學多通。仕周，嘗奉使鄧至國及黑水、龍涸諸羌，前後降附三十餘部。及還，奉詔修定五禮，書成奏之，賜田二頃、粟百石。累遷小吏部，擢八人為縣令，皆有異績，世以為知人。轉內史都上士。

Yu Wenbi, whose courtesy name was Gongfu, came from Luoyang in Henan. His clan traced its descent from the same line as the Zhou royal house. His grandfather Zhiliqin had been Administrator of Julu under the Wei. His father Zhen had served as Governor of Dang under the Zhou. Wenbi was openhanded and resolute, a man of broad learning and wide competence. Under the Zhou he served on embassy to the state of Dengzhi and to the Black Water, Longge, and other Qiang peoples, and in the course of these missions brought more than thirty tribes to submission. On his return he was ordered to revise the Five Rites. When the work was finished and presented, he was granted two qing of land and a hundred shi of grain. He rose through the Junior Ministry of Personnel and promoted eight men to county magistracies, each of whom distinguished himself in office; the world judged him a keen judge of talent. He was transferred to the post of Senior Clerk in the Interior Secretariat.

武帝將謀出兵河陽以伐齊，㢸進策曰：「齊氏建國，於今累世，雖曰無道，尚有其人。今若用兵，須擇其地。河陽要衝，精兵所聚，盡力攻圍，恐難得志。彼汾之曲，戍小山平，攻之易拔，用武之地也。」帝不納，師竟無功。建德五年，大舉伐齊，卒用弼策。於是募三輔豪俠少年數百人為別陽，從帝攻拔晉州，身被三瘡，苦戰不息，帝奇而壯之。因從平齊，以功拜上儀同，封武威縣公。宣帝嗣位，為守廟大夫。時突厥寇甘州，帝令侯莫陳昶擊之。㢸為監軍，謂昶曰：「宜選精騎，直趨祈連之西。賊若收軍，必自蓼泉之北，此地險隘，兼下濕，度其人馬，三日方度。彼勞我逸，破之必矣。若邀此路，真上策也。」昶不能用，西取合黎，大軍行遲，虜已出塞。其年，㢸又從梁士彥攻拔壽陽，改封安樂縣公，除澮州刺史，轉南司州刺史。司馬消難之奔陳，㢸追之不及。遇陳將樊毅，戰於漳口，自旦及午，三戰三捷。除黃州刺史，轉南定州刺史。

When Emperor Wu planned to march from Heyang against Qi, Wenbi submitted a strategy: "The Qi regime has stood for generations. However corrupt it may be, it still has capable men. If we commit forces now, we must choose our ground with care. Heyang is a vital crossing where elite troops are massed. To throw our full strength into a siege there is unlikely to succeed. At the bend of the Fen, the garrisons are thin and the ground level — easy to overrun, and ground made for war." The emperor rejected the advice, and the campaign came to nothing. In the fifth year of Jiande a full-scale invasion of Qi was launched, and in the end Yu Wenbi's strategy was adopted. He then recruited several hundred bold young men from the Three Adjuncts into a separate detachment, followed the emperor in the capture of Jinzhou, took three wounds in hard fighting without slackening, and the emperor admired his fierce courage. He went on to help pacify Qi and, for his service, was made Senior Pillar of State and created Duke of Wuwei. When Emperor Xuan came to the throne, he was appointed Keeper of the Ancestral Temple. When the Turks raided Ganzhou, the emperor sent Houmo Chen Chang against them. Wenbi served as army overseer and told Chang, "Select your best horsemen and ride straight for the country west of the Qilian range. If the enemy withdraws, they must come north of Liaoyuan — ground that is narrow, treacherous, and boggy. By my reckoning, men and horses would need three days to cross it. They would be exhausted while we were fresh — a certain victory. To ambush them on that road would be the best plan of all." Chang would not follow the advice. He marched west by Heli, the main force moved too slowly, and the enemy was already beyond the frontier. That same year Wenbi again followed Liang Shiyan in the capture of Shouyang. He was re-created Duke of Anle, appointed Governor of Huaizhou, and then transferred to Governor of Southern Sizhou. When Sima Xiaonan fled to Chen, Wenbi pursued but failed to catch him. He met the Chen general Fan Yi at Zhangkou and fought from dawn until noon, winning three engagements in succession. He was made Governor of Huangzhou and then transferred to Governor of Southern Dingzhou.

開皇初，以前功封平昌縣公。入為尚書右丞。時西羌內附，詔㢸持節安集，置鹽澤、蒲昌二郡而還。遷左丞，當官正色，為百僚所憚。三年，突厥寇甘州，以行軍司馬元帥竇榮定擊破之。還除太僕少卿，轉吏部侍郎。平陳之役。楊素出信州道，令㢸持節為諸軍節度，仍領行軍總管。劉仁恩之破陳將呂仲肅也，㢸有謀焉。加開府，擢拜刑部尚書，領太子虞候率。上嘗親臨釋奠。㢸與博士論議，詞致清遠。上大悅，謂群臣曰：「朕今睹周公之制禮，見宣尼之論孝，實慰朕心。」時朝廷以晉陽為重鎮，并州總管必屬親王，其長史、司馬亦一時高選。前長史王韶卒，以㢸有文武幹用，出為并州長史。十八年，遼東之役，授元帥漢王府司馬，仍領行軍總管。軍還，歷朔、代、吳三州總管，皆有能名。煬帝即位，拜刑部尚書，仍持節，巡省河北。還除泉州刺史。復徵拜刑部尚書，轉禮部尚書。

Early in the Kaihuang era he was created Duke of Pingchang for his earlier service. He was recalled to court as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. When the Western Qiang submitted, Wenbi was ordered to bear imperial credentials and pacify them. He established the commanderies of Yanze and Puchang and then returned. Promoted to Left Vice Director, he held himself with stern integrity in office and was feared by the entire bureaucracy. In the third year, when the Turks raided Ganzhou, he served as army marching marshal under supreme commander Dou Rongding and routed them. On his return he was made Vice Director of the Imperial Stud and then Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel. During the conquest of Chen. Yang Su advanced by the Xizhou route and appointed Wenbi to bear imperial credentials as overall commander of the forces, while retaining his post as campaigning grand general. When Liu Ren'en defeated the Chen general Lu Zhongsu, Wenbi had contributed to the strategy. He was given the rank of Separate Office Director, promoted to Minister of Justice, and appointed Chief Warden of the Crown Prince's Retainers as well. The emperor once attended the Confucian sacrifice in person. Wenbi joined the Erudites in debate, his speech lucid and elevated. The emperor was delighted and told the assembled ministers, "Today I have seen the Duke of Zhou's ordering of ritual and Confucius's teaching on filial piety — and my heart is deeply eased." At that time the court treated Jinyang as a strategic stronghold. The Area Commander of Bingzhou was always an imperial prince, and his chief administrator and army marshal were chosen from the finest men of the day. When the former chief administrator Wang Shao died, Wenbi was sent out as Chief Administrator of Bingzhou for his proven ability in both civil and military affairs. In the eighteenth year, during the Liaodong campaign, he was made army marshal on the staff of the Prince of Han while continuing to serve as campaigning grand general. After the army returned he served in turn as area commander of Shuozhou, Daizhou, and Wuzhou, earning a name for competence in each post. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Wenbi was appointed Minister of Justice and sent with imperial credentials to inspect Hebei. On his return he was made Governor of Quanzhou. He was recalled and reappointed Minister of Justice, then transferred to Minister of Rites.

㢸既以才能著稱，歷職顯要，聲望甚重，物議多見推許。帝頗忌之。時帝漸好聲色，尤勤遠略，㢸謂高熲曰：「昔周天元好聲色亡國，以今方之，不亦甚乎！」又言「長城之役，幸非急務」。有人奏之，坐誅，天下冤之。所著辭賦二十餘萬言，為《尚書》、《孝經注》行於世。有子儉瑗。

Wenbi was already famed for his ability. Having held one high office after another, he carried great weight in public esteem, and opinion widely favored him. The emperor grew wary of him. The emperor was turning ever more to pleasure and grand distant campaigns. Wenbi said to Gao Bin, "When Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou drowned in pleasure, the dynasty fell. Measured against that, are we not worse still?" He also remarked that the Great Wall project was no urgent necessity. Someone reported his words to the throne. He was executed for it, and the empire regarded his death as a grievous wrong. He left more than two hundred thousand words of prose and poetry, and his commentaries on the Documents and the Classic of Filial Piety circulated widely. He had a son named Jianyuan.

伊婁謙

Yi Louqian

伊婁謙，字彥恭，本鮮卑人也。其先世為酋長，隨魏南遷。祖信，中部太守。父靈，相隆二州刺史。謙性忠直，善辭令。仕周，累遷宣納上士、使持節、驃騎大將軍。武帝將伐齊，召入內殿，問以兵事。對曰：「偽齊僭擅，跋扈不恭，沉溺倡優，耽昏曲蘖。其折沖之將斛律明月已斃讒人之口，上下離心。若命六師齊進，臣之願也。」帝大笑，因使謙與小司寇拓跋偉聘齊觀釁。帝尋發兵。齊主知之，令其僕射陽休之責謙曰：「貴朝盛夏徵兵，馬首何向？」答曰：「僕拭玉之始，未聞興師。設復西增白帝之城，東益巴丘之戍，豈足怪哉！」謙參軍高遵以情輸齊，遂留謙不遣。帝既克并州，召謙勞之。乃執遵付謙，任令報復，謙頓首請赦之。帝曰：「卿可聚眾唾面，令知愧也。」謙跪曰：「遵罪又非唾面之責。」帝善其言而止。謙竟待遵如初。尋賜爵濟陽縣伯，累遷前驅中大夫。大象中，進爵為侯，位開府。隋文帝作相，授亳州總管，俄征還京。恥與逆人王謙同名，因爾稱字。文帝受禪，以彥恭為左武候將軍，俄拜大將軍，進爵為公。後出為澤州刺史，清約自處，甚得人和。以疾去職，吏人攀戀，行數百里不絕。卒於家。子傑嗣。

Yi Louqian, whose courtesy name was Yangong, was of Xianbei origin. His forebears had been tribal chieftains who migrated south with the Wei. His grandfather Xin had been Administrator of Zhongbu. His father Ling had served as governor of Xiang and Long provinces. Louqian was loyal and forthright by nature, and gifted in speech. Under the Zhou he rose to Senior Herald, Bearer of the Staff of Authority, and General of Agile Cavalry. When Emperor Wu prepared to invade Qi, he summoned Louqian to the inner hall and questioned him on military affairs. He answered, "The usurper state of Qi is arrogant and insubordinate, drowning in singers and actors and lost in wine. Its foremost general, Hulu Mingyue, has already been destroyed by slander, and court and army alike have lost heart. If Your Majesty orders the six armies to advance together, that is my dearest wish." The emperor laughed heartily and sent Louqian with Vice Minister of Justice Tuoba Wei as envoys to Qi to watch for any opening. The emperor soon mobilized his armies. When the Qi ruler learned of this, he had his Vice Chancellor Yang Xiuzhi reproach Louqian: "Your court is raising troops in the middle of summer — where are your armies headed?" He answered, "Since I set out on this mission, I have heard nothing of any mobilization. Even if you were to strengthen White Emperor City in the west and add troops to the garrison at Baqiu in the east, what would be so strange about that?" Louqian's aide Gao Zun betrayed the mission to Qi, and the Qi court detained Louqian and refused to let him return. After the emperor captured Bingzhou, he summoned Louqian to reward him. The emperor had Gao Zun seized and handed over to Louqian, telling him to take whatever revenge he chose; Louqian kowtowed and begged that Gao be spared. The emperor said, "You could have the whole company spit in his face and teach him shame." Louqian knelt and said, "Gao Zun's crime is not one that calls for spitting in the face." The emperor approved his reply and let the matter drop. Louqian continued to treat Gao Zun exactly as he had before. He was soon enfeoffed as Baron of Jiyang County and rose in succession to Vanguard Grand Master of the Palace. During the Daxiang reign, he was promoted to marquis and granted the rank of Bearer of the Opening Office. When Emperor Wen of Sui became Chancellor, Louqian was appointed Regional Commander of Bozhou, but was soon recalled to the capital. Ashamed of sharing a name with the rebel Wang Qian, he thereafter went by his courtesy name. When Emperor Wen took the throne, he appointed Yangong Left Martial Gate General; soon afterward he was made Grand General and ennobled as a duke. Later he was sent out as Governor of Ze Province, where he lived plainly and frugally and won the people's deep affection. He resigned because of illness; officials and commoners clung to him in farewell, and the procession of mourners stretched on for hundreds of li. He died at home. His son Jie succeeded him.

李圓通

Li Yuantong

李圓通，京兆涇陽人也。少孤賤，給使隋文帝家。及帝為隋公，擢授參軍事。初，帝少時，每宴客，恆令圓通監廚。圓通性嚴整，左右婢僕，咸所敬憚。唯世子乳母恃寵輕之，賓客未供，每有幹請。圓通不許，或輒持去。圓通大怒，叱廚人撾之數十，叫聲徹於閣內，僚吏左右，代其失色。賓去後，帝知之，召圓通命坐賜食，從此獨善之，以為堪當大任。帝作相，賜爵懷昌男。授帥都督，進爵新安子，委以心膂。圓通多力勁捷，長於武用。周代諸王素憚帝，伺便圖為不利，賴圓通保護，獲免者數矣。帝深感之，由是參預政事，授相國外兵曹，仍領左親信。尋授上儀同。帝受禪，拜內史侍郎，領左衛長史，進爵為伯。曆左右庶子、給事黃門侍郎、尚書左丞，攝刑部尚書，深被任信。伐陳之役，以行軍總管從楊素出信州道，以功進位大將軍。改封萬安縣公，揚州總管長史。秦孝王仁柔自喜，少斷決，府中事多決於圓通。入為司農卿，遷刑部尚書，後復為并州長史。孝王以奢得罪，圓通亦坐免。尋檢校刑部尚書事。仁壽中，以勳舊進爵郡公。煬帝嗣位，拜兵部尚書。帝幸揚州，以圓通留守京師。判宇文述田還百姓，述訴其受賂。帝怒，坐是免官。圓通憂懼發病，卒。贈柱國，封爵悉如故。

Li Yuantong was a native of Jingyang in Jingzhao. Orphaned and of humble birth, he served in the household of the future Emperor Wen of Sui. When Yang Jian was enfeoffed as Duke of Sui, Yuantong was promoted and appointed a staff officer. In his youth, whenever Yang Jian entertained guests, he always put Yuantong in charge of the kitchen. Yuantong was stern and exacting by nature, and all the servants and attendants both respected and feared him. Only the crown prince's wet nurse, relying on her favor with the family, looked down on him and would make unauthorized demands before the guests' meal was ready. Yuantong refused, but sometimes she would simply take what she wanted. Yuantong flew into a rage and ordered the kitchen staff to beat her several dozen times; her screams rang through the hall, and the officials and attendants nearby turned pale on her account. After the guests had gone, Yang Jian learned what had happened, summoned Yuantong, had him sit and shared a meal with him, and from then on singled him out for favor, believing him fit for great responsibility. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, Yuantong was enfeoffed as Baron of Huaichang. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, promoted to Viscount of Xin'an, and entrusted as one of Yang Jian's closest confidants. Yuantong was powerful, quick, and agile, and excelled in martial affairs. The Zhou princes had long feared Yang Jian and watched for chances to do him harm; thanks to Yuantong's protection, he escaped danger many times. Yang Jian was deeply grateful and from then on brought him into state affairs, appointing him External Military Affairs Officer of the Chancellor's Office while keeping him in charge of the Left Personal Guard. He was soon granted the rank of Senior Pillar of State. When Yang Jian took the throne, Yuantong was appointed Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Chief Secretary of the Left Guard, and was ennobled as a baron. He served in succession as Supervisor of the Heir Apparent on both the left and right, Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs, also acting as Minister of Justice, and was deeply trusted. In the campaign against Chen, he served as Mobile Campaign Commander under Yang Su on the Xinzhou route and was promoted to Grand General for his merit. His fief was changed to Duke of Wan'an County, and he became Chief Secretary to the Regional Commander of Yangzhou. Prince Xiao of Qin was mild, gentle, and self-satisfied, with little taste for decision, and most affairs of his household were settled by Yuantong. He returned to court as Minister of Public Revenue, was transferred to Minister of Justice, and later served again as Chief Secretary of Bingzhou. Prince Xiao was punished for extravagance, and Yuantong was dismissed along with him. He was soon appointed acting supervisor of the Ministry of Justice. During the Renshou reign, as a veteran of merit he was promoted to commandery duke. When Emperor Yang succeeded to the throne, Yuantong was appointed Minister of War. When the emperor traveled to Yangzhou, he left Yuantong behind to guard the capital. He ruled that Yuwen Shu's lands should be returned to the common people, and Yuwen Shu accused him of taking bribes. The emperor was furious and dismissed him from office on that account. Yuantong, stricken with anxiety and fear, fell ill and died. He was posthumously granted the title Pillar of State, and his titles and fiefs were all left unchanged.

子孝常，大業末，為華陰令。武德初，以應義旗功，封義安王。

His son Xiaochang, in the final years of the Daye reign, served as Magistrate of Huayin. At the beginning of the Wude reign, for merit in rallying to the righteous banner, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Yi'an.

又有陳茂者，河東猗氏人。家世寒微，質直恭謹，為州裏所稱。文帝為隋國公，引為僚佐，待遇與圓通等。每令典家事，常稱旨。後從帝與齊師戰于晉州，賊甚盛，帝將挑戰，茂固止不得，因捉馬鞚。帝怒，拔刀斫其額，流血被面，詞氣不撓。帝感而謝之，厚加禮敬。帝為丞相，委以心膂。及受禪，拜給事黃門侍郎，封魏城縣男，每典機密。轉益州總管司馬，遷太府卿，進爵為伯。卒官。子政嗣。

There was also a Chen Mao, a native of Yishi in Hedong. His family had long been poor and humble; he was plain, upright, respectful, and careful, and was praised throughout the district. When Yang Jian was Duke of the State of Sui, he took Chen Mao onto his staff and treated him the same as Yuantong and the others. Whenever Yang Jian put him in charge of household affairs, he always carried out his wishes to the letter. Later he followed Yang Jian into battle against Qi forces at Jinzhou; the enemy was very strong, and as Yang Jian was about to engage them, Mao tried desperately to stop him and, failing that, seized the horse's bridle. Yang Jian flew into a rage, drew his sword, and struck Mao on the forehead; blood covered his face, yet his words and bearing never faltered. Yang Jian was moved and apologized to him, treating him thereafter with great courtesy and respect. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he entrusted Chen Mao as one of his closest confidants. When Yang Jian took the throne, Chen Mao was appointed Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, enfeoffed as Baron of Weicheng County, and regularly handled confidential affairs. He was transferred to Military Assistant to the Regional Commander of Yizhou, promoted to Minister of the Imperial Storehouse, and ennobled as a baron. He died in office. His son Zheng succeeded him.

政字弘道，倜儻有文武大略，善鐘律，便弓馬。少養宮中，年十七，為太子千牛備身。京都大俠劉居士重政才氣，數從之遊。圓通子孝常與政相善，並與居士交結。及居士伏誅，政及常從坐，上以功臣子，撻之二百而赦之。由是不得調。煬帝時，歷位協律郎、通事謁者、兵曹承務郎。帝以其才，甚重之。宇文化及之亂，以為太常卿。後歸大唐，為梁州總管，遇賊見殺。

Zheng, whose courtesy name was Hongdao, was bold and unconventional, possessed of broad civil and military talent, skilled in music and pitch, and adept at archery and horsemanship. Raised in the palace from childhood, he became a Thousand-Ox Guard attendant to the crown prince at seventeen. Liu Jushi, a famous man of the capital's underworld, admired Zheng's talent and spirit and often kept company with him. Yuantong's son Xiaochang was on good terms with Zheng, and both also became close to Jushi. When Jushi was executed, Zheng and Xiaochang were implicated along with him; because they were sons of meritorious ministers, the emperor had them flogged two hundred strokes and then pardoned them. For this reason they were barred from official appointment. During Emperor Yang's reign, he served in succession as Director of Harmonic Regulation, Herald for Affairs, and Clerk in the Military Affairs Section. The emperor greatly valued him for his talent. During Yuwen Huaji's rebellion, he was appointed Minister of Ceremonies. Later he submitted to the Tang and served as Regional Commander of Liangzhou, where he was killed by bandits.

郭榮，字長榮，自雲太原人也。父徽，仕魏為同州司馬。時武元皇帝為刺史，由是與隋文帝有舊。徽後位洵州刺史、安城縣公。及帝受禪，拜太僕卿，卒官。榮容貌魁岸，外疏內密，與交者多愛之。周大塚宰宇文護引為親信。護察榮謹願，擢為中外府水曹參軍。齊寇屢侵，護令榮於汾州觀城勢，時汾州與姚襄鎮相去懸遠，榮以二城孤迥，勢不相救，請於州鎮間更築城以相控攝，護從之。俄而齊將段孝先攻陷姚襄、汾州二城，唯榮所立者獨能自守。護作浮橋出兵，孝先於上流縱大筏擊浮橋，護令榮督便水者引取其筏。以功授大都督。護又以稽胡數為寇亂，使綏集之。榮于上郡、延安築周昌、弘信、廣安、招遠、咸寧等五城以遏其要路，稽胡由是不能為寇。周武親總萬機，拜宣納中士。後從平齊，以功封平陽縣男。遷司水大夫。

Guo Rong, whose courtesy name was Changrong, claimed Taiyuan as his ancestral home. His father Hui served the Wei as Vice Governor of Tong Province. At that time the Wuyuan Emperor was serving as provincial governor, and through this connection the family formed old ties with the future Emperor Wen of Sui. Hui later served as Governor of Xun Province and was enfeoffed as Duke of Ancheng County. When Emperor Wen took the throne, Hui was appointed Minister of Imperial Studs and died in office. Rong was imposing in appearance, open in manner but careful at heart, and many who knew him came to love him. Yuwen Hu, Grand Chancellor of Zhou, took him on as a personal confidant. Hu saw that Rong was careful and dutiful and promoted him to Water Affairs Officer of the Central and Outer Office. When Qi raiders invaded repeatedly, Hu sent Rong to Fenzhou to inspect the fortifications. Fenzhou and Yaoxiang Fort were then far apart; Rong argued that the two posts stood too isolated to support each other and asked that a new fort be built between them to keep the area under control. Hu agreed. Before long the Qi general Duan Xiaoxian captured both Yaoxiang and Fenzhou; only the fort Rong had built was able to hold. Hu built a pontoon bridge to move troops across the river; Xiaoxian sent great rafts downstream to smash it, and Hu ordered Rong to supervise the skilled watermen in seizing the rafts. For this service he was appointed Grand Commander. Hu also put him in charge of pacifying the Ji Hu, who had repeatedly raided and caused disorder. Rong built five forts at Shang Commandery and Yan'an — Zhoucheng, Hongxin, Guang'an, Zhaoyuan, and Xianning — to block their key routes, and from then on the Ji Hu could no longer raid. When Emperor Wu of Zhou personally took charge of government, Rong was appointed Master of Proclamation and Reception. Later he took part in the conquest of Qi and was enfeoffed as Baron of Pingyang County for his merit. He was transferred to the post of Grand Master of Waterworks.

榮少與隋文帝親狎，帝嘗與夜坐月下，謂榮曰：「吾仰觀玄象，俯察人事，周曆已盡，我其代之。」榮深自結納。未幾，周宣崩，文帝總百揆，召榮，撫其背笑曰：「吾言驗未？」既拜相府樂曹參軍。俄以本官復領籓部大夫。文帝受禪，引為內史舍人，以龍潛之舊，進爵蒲城郡公，位上儀同。累遷通州刺史。仁壽初，西南夷獠多叛，詔榮領八州諸軍事、行軍總管討平之。

Rong had been close to the future Emperor Wen of Sui since youth; one night the two sat together under the moon, and Yang Jian said to him, "I look up at the signs of heaven and down at the affairs of men — the Zhou dynasty's term is spent, and I shall take its place." Rong pledged himself to Yang Jian ever more deeply. Before long Emperor Xuan of Zhou died; Yang Jian took control of all government affairs, summoned Rong, clapped him on the back, and laughed: "Has what I said come true? He was then appointed staff officer in the music bureau of the chancellor's office. Soon, while retaining that post, he also took charge as Grand Master of the Bureau of Frontier Affairs. When Emperor Wen took the throne, he was brought in as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat; for their old ties from the days before Yang Jian's rise, he was ennobled as Duke of Pucheng Commandery with the rank of Senior Pillar of State. He was promoted in succession to Inspector of Tongzhou. At the opening of the Renshou era, many southwestern tribal peoples rebelled; Rong was ordered to assume command of military affairs across eight provinces and, as Campaign Commander-in-Chief, suppress the revolt.

龐晃，字元顯，榆林人也。父虯，周驃騎大將軍。晃少以良家子召補州都督。周文帝署大都督，領親信兵，常置左右。晃因徙居關中。後遷驃騎將軍，襲爵比陽侯。衛王直出領襄州，晃以本官從。尋與長湖西元定擊江南，孤軍深入，沒于陳。數年，衛王直遣晃弟車騎將軍元俊賚絹八百匹贖焉，乃得歸。拜上儀同，復事衛王。時隋文帝出為隨州刺史，路經襄陽，衛王令晃詣文帝。晃知帝非常人，深自結納。及帝去官歸京師，晃迎見於襄邑。帝甚歡，與晃同飯，晃因曰：「公相貌非常，名在圖籙，九五之日，幸願不忘。」帝笑曰：「何妄言也！」頃之，有一雄雉鳴於庭，帝令晃射之，曰：「中則有賞。然富貴之日，持以為驗。」文帝受禪，與晃言及之，晃再拜曰：「陛下君臨宇內，猶憶曩時之言？」上笑曰：「公此言何得忘也！」尋加上開府，拜右衛將軍。進爵為公。河間王弘之擊突厥。晃性剛悍。時廣平王雄當途用事，勢傾朝廷，晁每陵侮之。嘗於軍中臥，見雄不起，雄甚銜之。復與高熲有隙。二人屢譖晃，由是宿衛十餘年，官不得進。出為懷州刺史，遷原州總管，卒于官。帝為廢朝，諡曰敬。

Pang Huang, courtesy name Yuanxian, was a native of Yulin. His father Qiu had served Zhou as General of Agile Cavalry. While still young, Huang was summoned as a youth of good family and appointed Regional Commander. Emperor Wen of Zhou appointed him Grand Commander, put him in charge of trusted troops, and kept him constantly at his side. Huang moved to Guanzhong as a result. Later he was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry and inherited the title Marquis of Biyang. When Prince Wei Zhi went out to take charge of Xiangzhou, Huang accompanied him in his existing office. Soon afterward he joined Yu Yuanding of Changhuxi in an attack on Jiangnan; advancing deep with an isolated force, he was captured by Chen. Several years later, Prince Wei Zhi sent Huang's younger brother Yuanyu, General of Chariots and Cavalry, with eight hundred bolts of silk to ransom him, and only then was Huang able to return. He was appointed Senior Attendant and again served Prince Wei. At that time the future Emperor Wen of Sui had been sent out as Inspector of Suizhou; as he passed through Xiangyang on the way, Prince Wei ordered Huang to call on him. Huang knew that Yang Jian was no ordinary man and pledged himself to him ever more deeply. When Yang Jian resigned his post and returned to the capital, Huang went to meet him at Xiangyi. Yang Jian was greatly pleased and shared a meal with Huang; Huang then said, "Your appearance is extraordinary, your name is in the prophetic books — when the day of supreme rule arrives, I hope you will not forget me." Yang Jian laughed and said, "What wild talk!" Before long a cock pheasant cried in the courtyard; Yang Jian had Huang shoot at it and said, "If you hit it, there will be a reward. But when the day of wealth and rank comes, hold this as proof. When Emperor Wen accepted the abdication, he spoke of this with Huang; Huang bowed twice and said, "Your Majesty now rules all within the realm — do you still remember what was said in those days?" The emperor laughed and said, "How could I forget words like that!" Soon afterward Huang was given the rank of Senior Opening Grandee and appointed General of the Right Guard. His noble rank was advanced to duke. He accompanied Prince Hejian of Hejian in an attack on the Turks. Huang was by nature fierce and overbearing. At the time Prince of Guangping Yang Xiong was in power and his influence eclipsed the court; Huang repeatedly showed him contempt. Once, while lying in camp, he did not rise when he saw Xiong; Xiong deeply resented this. He also had a rift with Gao Jiong. The two repeatedly slandered Huang, and for this reason he served in palace guard for more than ten years without advancement in rank. He was sent out as Inspector of Huaizhou, transferred to Area Commander of Yuanzhou, and died in office. The emperor suspended court in mourning; his posthumous title was Jing ("Respectful").

子長壽，頗知名，位驃騎將軍。

His son Changshou was fairly well known and rose to General of Agile Cavalry.

李安，字玄德，隴西狄道人也。父蔚，仕周，為相燕恆三州刺史、襄武縣公。安美姿容，善騎射。天和中，襲爵襄武公，授儀同、小司右上士。隋文帝作相，引之左右，遷職方中大夫。復拜安弟哲為儀同。安叔父梁州刺史璋時在京師，與周趙王謀害帝，誘哲為內應。哲謂安曰：「寢之則不忠，言之則不義，失忠與義，何以立身？」安曰：「丞相，父也，其可背乎！」遂陰白之。及趙王等伏誅，將加官賞，安頓首曰：「豈可將叔父之命以求官賞？」於是俯伏流涕，悲不自勝。帝為之改容曰：「我為汝特存璋子。」乃命有司罪止璋身，帝亦為安隱其事而不言。尋授安開府，進封趙郡公，哲上儀同、黃台縣男。

Li An, courtesy name Xuande, was a native of Didao in Longxi. His father Wei had served Zhou as Inspector of Xiang, Yan, and Heng and was Duke of Xiangwu County. An was handsome in appearance and skilled at mounted archery. During the Tianhe era he inherited the title Duke of Xiangwu and was granted the rank of Attendant and Senior Clerk of the Right in the Minor Office. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he brought An into his entourage and promoted him to Middle Grandee of the Bureau of Appointments. He also appointed An's younger brother Zhe as Attendant. An's uncle Zhang, then Inspector of Liangzhou, was in the capital and plotted with the Zhou Prince of Zhao to harm Yang Jian, trying to induce Zhe to serve as an inside accomplice. Zhe said to An, "If I conceal it, I am disloyal; if I speak of it, I am unrighteous — losing both loyalty and righteousness, how can I stand as a man?" An said, "The Chancellor is like a father — how could I betray him!" He then secretly reported the plot. When the Prince of Zhao and the others were executed, as rewards and promotions were about to be granted, An prostrated himself and said, "How could I use my uncle's life to seek rank and reward?" He then lay prostrate weeping, overcome with grief he could not contain. The emperor's expression changed and he said, "For your sake I have specially spared Zhang's son." He then ordered the authorities to limit punishment to Zhang himself, and for An's sake he also concealed the matter and did not speak of it. Soon afterward An was granted the rank of Opening Grandee and advanced to Duke of Zhao commandery; Zhe was made Senior Attendant and Baron of Huangtai County.

十八年，突厥犯塞，以安為行軍總管，從楊素擊之。安別出長川，會虜渡河，與戰破之。仁壽元年，出安為甯州刺史，哲為衛州刺史。安子瓊，哲子瑋，始自繈褓，乳養宮中，至是年八九歲，始命歸家。其親顧如是。帝嘗言及作相時事，因湣安兄弟滅親奉國，乃下詔曰：「先王立教，以義斷恩，割親愛之情，盡事君之道，用能弘獎大節，體此至公。往者朕登庸惟始，王業初基，甯州刺史趙郡公李安，其叔璋潛結籓枝，包藏不逞。安與弟哲深知逆順，披露丹心，凶謀既彰，罪人斯得。朕每念誠節，嘉之無已。但以事涉其親，猶有疑惑，欲使安等名教之方，自處有地。朕常為思審，遂致淹年。今更詳案聖典，求諸往事，父子天性，忠孝猶不並立，況復叔侄恩輕，情禮本有差降。忘私奉國，深得正理。宜錄舊勳，重弘賞命。」於是拜安、哲俱為柱國，賜縑各五十匹、馬百匹、羊千口。以哲為備身將軍。進封順陽郡公。安謂親族曰：「雖家獲全，而叔父遭禍，今奉此詔，悲愧交懷。」因歔欷悲感，不能自勝。先患水病，於是疾甚而卒。諡曰懷。子瓊嗣。少子孝恭，最知名。

In the eighteenth year, when the Turks raided the frontier, An was made Campaign Commander-in-Chief and joined Yang Su in attacking them. An took a separate route out through Changchuan, encountered the enemy crossing the river, fought them, and defeated them. In the first year of Renshou, An was sent out as Inspector of Ningzhou and Zhe as Inspector of Weizhou. An's son Qiong and Zhe's son Wei had been nursed and raised in the palace from infancy; by this time they were eight or nine years old and were at last ordered to return home. The emperor's affectionate concern for their families extended even this far. The emperor once spoke of events from when he had been Chancellor; moved to pity that the An brothers had set aside kinship to serve the state, he issued an edict saying, "The ancient kings established teaching to sever affection by righteousness, cut through the bonds of cherished kin, and fulfill the way of serving one's lord — thereby able to magnify and reward great integrity and embody this supreme fairness. In the past, when I first took office and the royal enterprise was just being founded, Li An, Duke of Zhao commandery and Inspector of Ningzhou — his uncle Zhang secretly allied with princely branches and harbored rebellious designs. An and his brother Zhe deeply understood treason and loyalty and laid bare their loyal hearts; once the wicked plot was exposed, the guilty were seized. Whenever I think of their sincere integrity, my praise knows no end. But because the affair involved their kin, I still had doubts, wishing to enable An and the others to have proper standing within the norms of name and teaching. I often pondered the matter carefully, and so years passed. Now examining the sacred canon more closely and seeking guidance in past events — even between father and son, whose bond is innate, loyalty and filial piety still cannot both stand; how much more so between uncle and nephew, where affection is lighter and sentiment and ritual naturally have gradations. To forget private ties and serve the state — this deeply accords with correct principle. Their former merit should be recorded and rewards and commands magnified anew." Thereupon both An and Zhe were appointed Pillars of the State, and each was granted fifty bolts of silk, a hundred horses, and a thousand sheep. Zhe was made Personal Guard General. He was advanced to Duke of Shunyang commandery. An said to his kin, "Though our family has been preserved whole, my uncle met with disaster; receiving this edict now, grief and shame fill my heart together." He then sobbed in grief, unable to contain himself. He had long suffered from edema; at this his illness grew severe and he died. His posthumous title was Huai ("Cherishing"). His son Qiong succeeded him. His youngest son Xiaogong was the best known.

哲，煬帝時工部尚書，後坐事除名，配防嶺南，道卒。

Zhe, during Emperor Yang's reign, was Minister of Works; later he was stripped of rank for an offense, assigned to guard duty in Lingnan, and died on the road.

楊尚希

Yang Shangxi

楊尚希，弘農人也。祖真，魏天水太守。父承寶，商直淅三州刺史。尚希齠齔而孤，年十一，辭母請受業長安。范陽盧辯見而異之，令入太學，專精不倦，同輩皆共推服。周文帝嘗親臨釋奠，尚希時年十八，令講《孝經》，詞旨可觀。文帝奇之，賜姓普六茹氏。擢為國子博士，累轉舍人上士。明、武世，曆太學博士、太子宮尹、計部中大夫。賜爵高都侯，東京司憲中大夫。撫慰山東、河北，至相州而宣帝崩，與相州總管尉遲迥發喪于館。尚希出謂左右曰：「蜀公哭不哀而視不安，將有他計。吾不去，將及於難。」遂夜遁。及明，迥方覺，令數十騎追不及，遂歸京師。隋文帝以尚希宗室之望，又背迥而至，待之甚厚。及迥屯兵武陟，遣尚希領宗室兵三千人鎮潼關。尋授司會中大夫。文帝受禪，拜度支尚書，進爵為公。歲餘，出為河南道行台兵部尚書，加銀青光祿大夫。尚希時見天下州郡過多，上表以為「今郡縣倍多於古，或地無百里，數縣並置，或戶不滿千，二郡分領。具僚以眾，資費日多，吏卒又倍，租調歲減。清幹良材，百分無一，動須數萬，如何可充！所謂人少官多，十羊九牧。今存要去閑，並小為大，國家則不虧粟帛，選用則易得賢才。」帝覽而嘉之，遂罷天下諸郡。後歷位瀛州刺史、兵部、禮部二尚書，授上儀同。尚希性惇厚，兼以學業自通，甚有雅望，為朝廷所重。上時每旦臨朝，日側不倦，尚希諫以為「陛下宜舉大綱，責成宰輔。繁碎之務，非人主所宜親。」上歡然曰：「公愛我者。」尚稀有足疾，謂曰：「蒲州出美酒，足堪養病，屈公臥臨之。」於是拜蒲州刺史，仍領本州宗團驃騎。尚希在州，甚有惠政，復引瀵水立堤防，開稻田數千頃，人賴其利。卒官。諡曰平。

Yang Shangxi was a native of Hongnong. His grandfather Zhen had served Wei as Administrator of Tianshui. His father Chengbao had served as Inspector of Shang, Zhi, and Xi. Shangxi lost his father while still in infancy; at eleven he took leave of his mother and asked to study in Chang'an. Lu Bian of Fanyang saw him and considered him extraordinary, had him enter the Imperial Academy, and he applied himself without weariness until all his fellows respected him. Emperor Wen of Zhou once personally attended the sacrificial ceremony; Shangxi was then eighteen and was ordered to lecture on the Classic of Filial Piety — his words and meaning were worthy of note. The emperor marveled at him and granted him the surname Puliuru. He was promoted to Academician of the Imperial University and rose in succession to Senior Clerk of Attendants. During the Ming and Wu reigns he served successively as Academician of the Imperial University, Steward of the Heir Apparent's Palace, and Middle Grandee of the Accounts Bureau. He was granted the title Marquis of Gaodu and made Middle Grandee of the Eastern Capital Judicial Bureau. While pacifying and comforting Shandong and Hebei, he reached Xiangzhou when Emperor Xuan died; together with Yuchi Jiong, Area Commander of Xiangzhou, he announced the mourning at the official residence. Shangxi went out and said to those around him, "The Duke of Shu weeps without grief and his gaze is unsettled — he must have another plan in mind. If I do not leave, I shall be caught up in disaster." He fled that night. When dawn came Jiong realized it only then and sent several dozen horsemen in pursuit but could not overtake him; Shangxi returned to the capital. Emperor Wen of Sui, because Shangxi enjoyed standing among the imperial clan and had abandoned Jiong to come to him, treated him with great favor. When Jiong stationed troops at Wuzhi, Emperor Wen sent Shangxi to lead three thousand clan troops to guard Tong Pass. Soon afterward he was appointed Middle Grandee of the Bureau of Accounting. When Emperor Wen accepted the abdication, Shangxi was appointed Minister of Revenue and his noble rank was advanced to duke. After more than a year he was sent out as Minister of War for the Henan Circuit Office and given the Grand Master with the Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon. Shangxi then saw that prefectures and commanderies throughout the realm were too numerous and submitted a memorial stating, "Today commanderies and counties are more than twice as many as in antiquity — sometimes over a territory of less than a hundred li several counties are established side by side, or over households numbering fewer than a thousand two commanderies divide the oversight. Staff assistants grow ever more numerous, expenditures daily increase, clerks and soldiers again double, and land tax and corvée levies diminish year by year. Capable and upright talent — not one in a hundred; yet tens of thousands are needed at every turn — how can this be supplied! This is what is meant by too few people and too many officials — ten sheep and nine shepherds. Now if we keep what is essential, remove what is idle, and merge small units into large ones, the state will not lose grain and silk, and in selection and appointment worthy talent will be easy to obtain." The emperor read it and praised it, and thereupon abolished all commanderies throughout the realm. Later he served successively as Inspector of Yingzhou and as Minister of War and Minister of Rites, and was granted the rank of Senior Attendant. Shangxi was by nature sincere and generous; he had also mastered learning on his own and enjoyed great refined standing, and the court held him in high esteem. In those days the emperor held court every morning and never flagged, even when the sun was westering. Shangxi remonstrated with him: "Your Majesty should grasp the great principles and hold your chief ministers accountable. Petty, piecemeal business is not work the sovereign himself should take in hand." The emperor said, pleased, "You truly care for me." Shangxi was troubled by a foot ailment, and the emperor told him, "Puzhou produces fine wine, enough to nurse you back to health — I must ask you to go lie there and govern the prefecture from your couch." Thereupon he was appointed Inspector of Puzhou, while continuing to command the prefecture's regional militia cavalry. As inspector, Shangxi governed with great benevolence. He diverted the Fen River, built dikes and embankments, and opened several thousand qing of rice paddies; the people prospered from his work. He died in office. His posthumous title was Ping ("Balanced").

子旻嗣，後封丹水縣公，位安定郡丞。

His son Min succeeded him and was later enfeoffed as Duke of Danshui County and appointed Assistant Administrator of Anding commandery.

張煚，字士鴻，河間鄚人也。父羨，少好學，多所通涉，仕魏，為蕩難將軍。從武帝入關，累遷銀青光祿大夫。周文引為從事中郎，賜姓叱羅氏。曆司織大夫、雍州中從事、應州刺史、儀同三司，賜爵虞鄉縣公。復入為司成中大夫，典國史。周代公卿，類多武將，唯羨以素業自通，甚為當時所重。後以年老致仕。隋文帝受禪，欽其德望，以書征之。及謁見，敕令勿拜，扶杖升殿，上降榻執手，與之同坐，宴語久之，賜以几杖。會遷都龍首，羨上表勸以儉約，上優詔答之。卒，贈滄州刺史，諡曰定。所撰《老子》、《莊子》義，名《道言》，五十二篇。

Zhang Jiong, whose courtesy name was Shihong, came from Mo in Hejian commandery. His father Xian loved learning from youth and mastered many fields of study. Under Wei he served as General Who Pacifies Difficulties. He followed Emperor Wu of Zhou when the army entered the Pass and rose through successive posts to Grand Master with the Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon. Duke Wen of Zhou brought him into service as Attendant Gentleman and granted him the surname Chiluo. He served in succession as Grand Master of Weaving, Middle Attendant of Yongzhou, Inspector of Yingzhou, and Attendant Equal to the Three Dukes, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Yuxiang County. He returned to court as Grand Master Director of Education and was put in charge of the national history. Under the Zhou, high ministers were mostly military men; Xian alone rose through scholarly accomplishment and was greatly esteemed in his day. Later he retired from office on account of his age. When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, he admired Xian's virtue and reputation and summoned him by letter. When he came to audience, the emperor ordered that he not bow. Leaning on his staff, Xian ascended the hall; the emperor came down from his couch, took his hand, and sat with him as an equal. They talked at leisure for a long time, and the emperor granted him an armrest and walking staff. When the court moved the capital to Longshou, Xian submitted a memorial urging frugality, and the emperor replied with a gracious edict. When he died he was posthumously made Inspector of Cangzhou and given the posthumous title Ding ("Settled"). He wrote commentaries on the Laozi and Zhuangzi under the title Dao Discourse, in fifty-two chapters.

煚好學，有父風。仕魏，位員外侍郎。周文引為外兵曹。明、武世，位塚宰司錄，賜爵北平縣子。宣帝時，加儀同，進爵為伯。隋文帝為丞相，煚深自推結。帝以其有幹用，甚親遇之。及受禪，拜為尚書右丞，進爵為侯。遷太府少卿，領營新都監丞。丁父憂去職，柴毀骨立。未期，授儀同三司，襲爵虞鄉縣公。曆太府卿、戶部尚書。晉王廣為揚州總管，授煚司馬，加銀青光祿大夫。

Jiong loved learning and took after his father. Under Wei he served as Supernumerary Gentleman Attendant. Duke Wen of Zhou brought him into service as Clerk in the External Military Section. During the reigns of Emperors Ming and Wu he served as Chief Recorder to the Chancellor and was enfeoffed as Viscount of Beiping County. Under Emperor Xuan he was granted the rank of Attendant Equal and ennobled as a baron. When Yang Jian was still chancellor, Jiong pledged himself to him in close friendship. The emperor valued his practical ability and treated him with great intimacy. When Yang Jian took the throne, Jiong was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and ennobled as a marquis. He was transferred to Junior Minister of the Imperial Storehouse and put in charge of supervising construction of the new capital. He left office to mourn his father and grieved until he was skin and bone. Before the mourning period was complete, he was granted the rank of Attendant Equal to the Three Dukes and inherited his father's title as Duke of Yuxiang County. He served in succession as Minister of the Imperial Storehouse and Minister of Revenue. When the Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, became Regional Commander of Yangzhou, Jiong was appointed his military assistant and granted the rank of Grand Master with the Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon.

煚性和厚有識度，甚有當時譽。後拜冀州刺史，晉王廣頻表請之，復為晉王長史，檢校蔣州事。及晉王為皇太子，復為冀州刺史，位上開府，吏人悅服，稱為良二千石。卒官。子慧寶，官至絳郡丞。

Jiong was generous and steady by nature, possessed of judgment and breadth of view, and enjoyed great renown in his day. Later he was appointed Inspector of Jizhou. The Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, repeatedly memorialized asking for him back, and Jiong again became the prince's chief secretary with supervisory authority over Jiang Prefecture. When the Prince of Jin became crown prince, Jiong again served as Inspector of Jizhou with the rank of Senior Office Opener. Officials and common people alike were pleased and submitted to him, and he was hailed as an excellent prefectural governor. He died in office. His son Huibao rose to the post of Assistant Administrator of Jiang commandery.

開皇中，有劉仁恩者，政績為天下第一，擢拜刑部尚書。以行軍總管從楊素伐陳，與素破陳將呂仲肅于荊門，仁恩計功居多，授上大將軍，甚有當時譽。馮翊郭均、上党馮世期並明悟有幹略，相繼為兵部尚書。此三人俱顯名於世，然事行闕落，史莫能知。

In the Kaihuang era there was a Liu Ren'en whose administrative record ranked first in the realm; he was promoted to Minister of Justice. As campaigning commander he followed Yang Su in the campaign against Chen. With Su he defeated the Chen general Lü Zhongsu at Jingmen, and Ren'en's share of the credit was the greatest; he was granted the rank of Senior General and enjoyed great renown in his day. Guo Jun of Fengyi and Feng Shiqi of Shangdang were both clear-minded men of practical strategy who served in succession as Minister of War. These three men all won fame in the world, yet their deeds have been lost and the historians can no longer recover them.

蘇孝慈

Su Xiaoci

蘇孝慈，扶風人也。父武，周兗州刺史。孝慈少沉謹，有器幹，美容儀。仕周，位至工部中大夫，封臨水縣公。隋文帝受禪，進爵安平郡公，拜太府卿。于時王業初基，征天下匠，纖微之巧，無不畢集。孝慈總其事，世以為能。歷位兵部尚書，待遇愈密。時皇太子勇頗知時政，上欲重宮官之望，多令大臣領其職，拜孝慈太子右衛率，尚書如故。及于陝州置常平倉，轉輸京下，以渭水多沙，乍深乍淺，乃決渭水為渠以屬河，令孝慈督其役，渠成，上善之，又領太子左衛率，仍判工部、戶部二尚書，稱為幹理。進位大將軍，轉工部尚書，率如故。先是，以百僚供費不足，台省府寺咸置廨錢，收息取給。孝慈以為官與百姓爭利，非興化之道，表請公卿已下給職田各有差，上並納焉。及將廢太子，憚其在東宮，出為淅州刺史。太子以孝慈去，形於言色。遷洪州總管，俱有惠政。後桂林山越相聚為亂，詔孝慈為行軍總管，擊平之。卒官。子會昌。

Su Xiaoci was a native of Fufeng. His father Wu had served as Inspector of Yanzhou under the Zhou. From youth Xiaoci was grave and careful, possessed of real capacity, and handsome in bearing. Under the Zhou he rose to Grand Master in the Ministry of Works and was enfeoffed as Duke of Linshui County. When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Xiaoci was advanced to Duke of Anping commandery and appointed Minister of the Imperial Storehouse. At that time the new dynasty was just being established; craftsmen were summoned from throughout the realm, and every refinement of skill was gathered at court. Xiaoci oversaw the whole undertaking, and the world judged him capable. He served in succession as Minister of War, and the emperor's favor toward him grew ever closer. At that time Crown Prince Yong took a lively interest in affairs of state. The emperor wished to raise the standing of palace officials and often had great ministers hold their posts; Xiaoci was appointed Right Commandant of the Crown Prince's Guard while retaining his ministerial rank. When an Ever-Normal Granary was established at Shazhou to supply the capital, the Wei River proved too sandy and treacherously shallow. A canal was cut from the Wei to join the Yellow River, and Xiaoci was put in charge of the work. When the canal was finished the emperor praised it. Xiaoci also served as Left Commandant of the Crown Prince's Guard while concurrently overseeing the Ministries of Works and Revenue, and was acclaimed as an able administrator. He was promoted to General and transferred to Minister of Works, while retaining his post as commandant. Previously, because official salaries and expenses were insufficient, every department, ministry, and directorate had set up office operating funds and lived off the interest. Xiaoci held that for officials to compete with the people for profit was no way to cultivate the realm. He submitted a memorial proposing that officials from the rank of duke and minister downward be granted salary fields in graded amounts, and the emperor accepted the proposal in full. When the emperor was about to depose the crown prince, he feared Xiaoci's influence in the Eastern Palace and posted him out as Inspector of Xizhou. The crown prince's distress at Xiaoci's departure showed plainly in his words and face. He was transferred to Regional Commander of Hongzhou; in both posts he governed with benevolence. Later the Yue tribes of the Guilin mountains rose in rebellion; Xiaoci was ordered out as campaigning commander and crushed them. He died in office. His son was Huichang.

孝慈兄順，周眉州刺史。

Xiaoci's elder brother Shun had served as Inspector of Meizhou under the Zhou.

子沙羅，字子粹。仕周，以破尉遲迥功，授開府儀同三司，封通泰縣公。開皇中，歷位資、邛二州刺史，檢校利州總管。從史萬歲擊西爨，進位大將軍。尋檢校益州總管長史。及蜀王秀廢，沙羅坐除名。卒於家。子康嗣。

His son Shaluo, whose courtesy name was Zicui. Under the Zhou he was granted Grand Master Opening the Office Equal to the Three Dukes and enfeoffed as Duke of Tongtai County for his merit in defeating Yuwen Jiong. In the Kaihuang era he served in succession as Inspector of Zi and Qiong prefectures and held supervisory authority over the Regional Commander of Lizhou. He followed Shi Wansui in the campaign against the Western Cuan and was promoted to General. Soon he was given supervisory authority as Chief Secretary to the Regional Commander of Yizhou. When Prince Xiu of Shu was deposed, Shaluo was implicated and stripped of his name and rank. He died at home. His son Kang succeeded him.

元壽，字長壽，河南洛陽人也。祖敦，魏侍中、邵陵王。父寶，周涼州刺史。壽少孤，性仁孝，九歲喪父，哀毀骨立，宗族鄉黨咸異之。事母以孝聞。及長，方直，頗涉文史。周武成初，封隆城縣侯。保定四年，封儀隴縣侯，授儀同三司。隋開皇初，議伐陳，以壽有思理，使於淮浦監修船艦，以強濟見稱。累遷尚書左丞。文帝嘗出苑觀射，文武並從。開府蕭摩訶妻患且死，奏請遣子向江南收其家產，御史見而不言。壽奏劾之曰：「御史之官，義存糾察，直繩莫舉，憲典誰寄？今月五日，鑾輿徙蹕，親臨射苑，開府儀同三司蕭摩訶幸廁朝行，預觀盛禮，奏稱請遣子世略暫往江南重收家產。妻安遇患，彌留有日，安若長逝，世略不合此行。竊以人倫之義，伉儷為重，資愛之道，烏烏弗虧。摩訶遠念資財，近忘匹好，一言才發，名教頓盡，而兼殿內侍御史臣韓征之等親所聞見，竟不彈糾。若知非不舉，情涉阿縱；如不以為非，豈關理識？儀同三司、太子左庶子、檢校書侍御史臣劉行本虧失憲體，何所逃愆？臣謬膺朝寄，忝居左轄，無容寢默，謹以狀聞。」上嘉納之。後授太常少卿，出為基州刺史，有公廉稱。入為太府少卿，進位開府。煬帝嗣位，漢王諒反，左僕射楊素為行軍元帥，壽為長史。事平，以功授大將軍。遷太府卿。大業四年，拜內史令，從帝西討吐谷渾，壽率眾屯金山，東西連營三百餘里以圍渾主。還拜右光祿大夫。七年，兼左翊衛將軍。從征遼東，在道卒。帝哭之甚慟，贈尚書右僕射、光祿大夫，諡曰景。

Yuan Shou, whose courtesy name was Changshou, came from Luoyang in Henan commandery. His grandfather Dun had served as Palace Attendant under Wei and held the title Prince of Shaoling. His father Bao had served as Inspector of Liangzhou under the Zhou. Shou was orphaned young. Benevolent and filial by nature, he lost his father at nine and grieved until he was skin and bone; kin and neighbors alike marveled at him. He was known for filial devotion to his mother. When he grew up he was upright and principled and had considerable training in literature and history. At the beginning of Emperor Wucheng's reign he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Longcheng County. In the fourth year of Baoding he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yilong County and granted the rank of Attendant Equal to the Three Dukes. At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, when the court debated an attack on Chen, Shou was sent to the Huai River shore to supervise shipbuilding because of his sound judgment, and was praised for his vigor and efficiency. He rose through successive posts to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Emperor Wen once went out to the park to watch archery, with civil and military officials in attendance. The wife of Grand Master Opening the Office Xiao Mohe was gravely ill and near death. He memorialized asking that his son be sent south to the Jiang region to recover their family property, and the attending censor saw it and said nothing. Shou submitted an impeachment memorial: "The censor's office exists to preserve correction and investigation. If the straight cord of justice is not applied, to whom can the authority of the statutes be entrusted? On the fifth day of this month the imperial carriage moved with full halting of traffic to attend the archery park in person. Grand Master Opening the Office and Attendant Equal to the Three Dukes Xiao Mohe, privileged to attend at court ranks, took part in the grand ceremony and memorialized asking that his son Shilue be temporarily sent south to the Jiang region to recover the family property. His wife Lady An is gravely ill and has but days remaining. If she should pass away, Shilue ought not to undertake such a journey. I hold that among the bonds of human relations, the marriage tie is paramount, and that the way of nourishing love — like the crow's devotion to its parents — must not be diminished. Mohe, brooding over distant property while forgetting the bond at his side, with a single utterance destroyed the moral order in an instant. Yet Concurrent Palace Attendant Censor Han Zhengzhi and others heard and saw it with their own ears and eyes and still did not impeach him. If they knew it was wrong and did not report it, they were guilty of partiality and indulgence; if they did not consider it wrong, what then becomes of their reason and discernment? Attendant Equal to the Three Dukes, Left Assistant to the Crown Prince, and Supervisory Secretary Attendant Censor Liu Xingben has failed the integrity of the censorate — what fault can he escape? Your subject has wrongly received the court's charge and humbly holds the left vice-directorship; I cannot remain silent and respectfully report this matter." The emperor praised and accepted the memorial. Later he was appointed Junior Minister of Ceremonies and sent out as Inspector of Jizhou, where he won a reputation for integrity. He returned to court as Junior Minister of the Imperial Storehouse and was promoted to Grand Master Opening the Office. When Emperor Yang succeeded to the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled. Left Vice Director Yang Su served as campaigning commander-in-chief, with Shou as his chief secretary. When the rebellion was suppressed, he was granted the rank of General for his merit. He was transferred to Minister of the Imperial Storehouse. In the fourth year of Daye he was made Director of the Inner Scribe's Office and accompanied the emperor on the western expedition against Tuyuhun. Shou led his forces to Jinshan and drew up a continuous line of camps more than three hundred li long, east to west, to hem in the Tuyuhun ruler. On his return he was appointed Right Grand Master with Golden Seal. In the seventh year he was additionally made General of the Left Wing Guard. He joined the Liaodong campaign and died on the road. The emperor mourned him with deep grief, posthumously appointing him Right Vice Director of the Ministry of Works and Grand Master with Golden Seal, with the posthumous name Jing.

子敏，頗有才辯，而輕險多詐。壽卒，帝追思之，擢敏守內史舍人。交通博徒，數泄省中語。化及之反，敏創其謀，偽授內史侍郎，為沈光所殺。

His son Min was clever and articulate, but reckless, unscrupulous, and given to deceit. After Shou's death the emperor, thinking fondly of him, promoted Min to secretary in the Inner Scribe's Office. He consorted with gamblers and repeatedly leaked confidential business from the Secretariat. When Yuwen Huaji rebelled, Min was the chief architect of the conspiracy; he was given the false title of Vice Director of the Inner Scribe's Office and was killed by Shen Guang.

【論】

Discussion

論曰：二趙明習故事，當世咸推，及居端右，無聞殊績。故知人之分器，各有量限，大小雲異，不可相逾。晉蜀二王，帝之愛子，擅以權寵，莫拘憲法。王韶、元岩任當彼相，並見嚴憚，莫敢為非，謇諤之風有足稱矣。宇文弼宇量宏遠，聲望攸歸，斯言不密，以致傾殞，惜矣！伊婁謙志識弘深，不念舊惡，請赦高遵之罪，有君子風焉。李圓通、郭榮、龐晃等或陳力經綸之際，或自結龍潛之始，其所以高位厚秩，隆恩殊寵，豈徒然哉！李安雖則滅親，而於義亦已疏矣。楊尚希譽望隆重，張煚、蘇孝慈威稱貞幹，並擢自開皇之初，蓋當時之選也。元壽之彈行本，有意存夫名教。然其計功稱伐，蓋不足雲，端揆之贈，則為優矣。

The commentary says: The two Zhao were thoroughly versed in court precedent and widely admired in their day, yet once they reached the highest offices, no exceptional achievements were recorded. This shows that each man's capacity has its measure and limit; talents differ in scale as clouds differ in height, and one cannot be forced beyond what he is fit for. The princes of Jin and Shu, the emperor's beloved sons, wielded unchecked power and privilege and answered to no law. Wang Shao and Yuan Yan served them in the capacity of chief ministers; both inspired such respect that no one dared misconduct himself—their tradition of bold remonstrance is indeed praiseworthy. Yuwen Bi's vision was broad and his reputation commanding; because a private remark was not kept secret, he was destroyed—a grievous loss! Yi Louqian was magnanimous in purpose and judgment; forgetting old injuries, he pleaded for Gao Zun's pardon—truly the conduct of a gentleman. Li Yuantong, Guo Rong, Pang Huang, and others either proved their worth while the empire was being ordered, or attached themselves when Yang Jian was still in obscurity; their high offices, rich rewards, and extraordinary favor were not given without cause. Though Li An sacrificed kinship for duty, even in moral terms the bond had already been severed. Yang Shangxi enjoyed great prestige; Zhang Jiong and Su Xiaoci were renowned for upright and capable administration—all were promoted at the start of the Kaihuang era and were among the finest appointments of their time. In impeaching Xing Ben, Yuan Shou sought to uphold the moral order. Yet measured by actual achievement, he hardly merits mention; the posthumous grant of a chief-minister's rank, on the other hand, was remarkably generous.

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