Volume 90 Biographies 78: Diviners 2

藝術下

Arts and Techniques, Part Two

列傳第七十八藝術下

Biography 78: Arts and Techniques, Part Two

周澹李修徐謇從孫之才王顯馬嗣明姚僧垣褚該許智藏萬寶常蔣少游何稠

Zhou Dan, Li Xiu, Xu She, Sun Zhicai, Wang Xian, Ma Siming, Yao Sengyuan, Chu Gai, Xu Zhicang, Wan Baochang, Jiang Shaoyou, and He Chou

周澹，京兆鄠人也。多方術，尤善醫藥，遂為太醫令。明元嘗苦風頭眩，淡療得愈，由此位特進，賜爵成德侯。神瑞二年，京師饑，朝議遷都於鄴，淡與博士祭酒崔浩進計，言不可。明元曰：「唯此二人，與朕意同。」詔賜淡、浩妾各一人。卒，諡曰恭。

Zhou Dan was a native of Hu County in Jingzhao. He mastered many arts and was especially skilled in medicine, and in time was appointed Grand Physician. Emperor Mingyuan had once been afflicted with dizzying headaches; Dan cured him, and for this was promoted to Tejin and enfeoffed as Marquis of Chengde. In the second year of Shenrui, famine struck the capital, and the court debated relocating to Ye. Dan and Cui Hao, Director of the Academy, advised against it. Emperor Mingyuan said, "Only these two share my view." He issued an edict granting Dan and Hao each a concubine. When he died, he was given the posthumous name Gong ("Respectful").

李修，字思祖，本陽平館陶人也。父亮，少學醫術，未能精究。太武時奔宋，又就沙門僧坦，略盡其術。針灸授藥，罔不有效。徐、兗間，多所救恤。亮大為査事，以舍病人，死者則就而棺殯，親往吊視，其仁厚若此。累遷府參軍督護。本郡士門、宿官，咸相交昵，車馬金帛，酬賚無貲。修兄元孫隨畢眾敬赴平陽，亦遵父業而不及，以功拜奉朝請。修略與兄同，晚入代京，歷位中散令，以功賜爵下蔡子，遷給事中。太和中，常在禁內。文明太后時有不豫，修侍針藥多效，賞賜累加，車服第宅，號為鮮麗。集諸學士及工書者百餘人，在東宮撰諸藥方百卷，皆行於世。先是咸陽公高允雖年且百歲，而氣力尚康，孝文、文明太后時令修診視之。一旦，奏言允脈竭氣微，大命無逮，未幾果亡。後卒于太醫令，贈青州刺史。

Li Xiu, courtesy name Sizu, was originally from Guantao in Yangping. His father Liang had studied medicine in his youth but never mastered it fully. During the reign of Emperor Taiwu he fled to the Song court and studied under the monk Sengtan, learning nearly all of his art. Whether by acupuncture, moxibustion, or prescribing medicine, his treatments were invariably effective. Between Xu and Yan provinces he saved and cared for many people. Liang devoted himself to charitable work, taking in the sick; when they died he would personally arrange their coffining and burial and go to mourn them—such was his kindness. He rose through the ranks to Military Adjutant and Supervisor of the prefecture. The local gentry and senior officials all sought his company, rewarding him lavishly with carriages, horses, gold, and silk. Xiu's elder brother Yuansun followed Bi Zhongjing to Pingyang and likewise practiced their father's craft, though he did not equal Liang; for his service he was appointed Palace Attendant. Xiu was much like his brother; he came to the Northern Wei capital later, served as Palace Attendant, was enfeoffed as Viscount of Xia Cai for his merits, and was promoted to Attendant Within the Palace. During the Taihe era he was constantly in attendance within the palace. When Empress Dowager Wenming fell ill, Xiu's acupuncture and prescriptions proved highly effective; rewards piled up until his carriages, robes, and mansion were renowned for their splendor. He assembled more than a hundred scholars and skilled scribes at the Eastern Palace to compile a hundred-scroll pharmacopoeia, which circulated widely. Earlier, although Gao Yun, Duke of Xianyang, was nearly a hundred, he remained vigorous; Emperors Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming had Xiu examine him. One day Xiu reported that Yun's pulse was failing and his breath faint—that death was near—and before long Gao Yun did indeed die. He later died while serving as Grand Physician and was posthumously appointed Governor of Qingzhou.

徐謇，字成伯，丹陽人也，家本東莞。與兄文伯等皆善醫藥。謇因至青州，慕容白曜平東陽，獲之，送京師。獻文欲驗其能，置病人于幕中，使謇隔而脈之，深得病形，兼知色候，遂被寵遇。為中散，稍遷內行長。文明太后時問經方，而不及李脩之見任用。謇合和藥劑攻療之驗，精妙於脩。而性秘忌。承奉不得其意，雖貴為王公，不為措療也。

Xu She, courtesy name Chengbo, was from Danyang, though his family originally came from Dongguan. He and his elder brother Wenbo were all skilled in medicine. She had gone to Qingzhou; when Murong Baiyao conquered Dongyang, he was captured and sent to the capital. Emperor Xianwen wished to test his skill: a patient was placed behind a curtain while She took the pulse from outside. He diagnosed the illness precisely and read the patient's complexion as well, and thereafter won the emperor's favor. He served as Palace Attendant and was gradually promoted to Chief of the Inner Service. When Empress Dowager Wenming consulted him on medical classics, he was not as favored as Li Xiu. Yet in compounding medicines and administering curative treatments, She proved more skillful than Xiu. But he was secretive and jealous by nature. If a patient did not please him, he would refuse treatment even to kings and dukes.

孝文遷洛，稍加眷待，體小不平，及所寵馮昭儀有病，皆令處療。又除中散大夫，轉侍御師。謇欲為孝文合金丹，致延年法，乃入居嵩高，采營其物，曆歲無所成，遂罷。二年，上幸縣瓠，有疾大漸，乃馳驛召謇，令水路赴行所，一日一夜行數百里。至，診省有大驗。九月，車駕次於汝濱，乃大為謇設太官珍膳。因集百官，特坐謇于上席，遍陳餚觴於前，命左右宣謇救攝危篤振濟之功，宜加酬齎。乃下詔褒美，以謇為大鴻臚卿、金卿縣伯，又賜錢絹、雜物、奴婢、牛馬，事出豐厚，皆經內呈。諸親王咸陽王禧等各有別齎，並至千匹。從行至鄴，上猶自發動，謇日夕左右。明年，從詣馬圈，上疾勢遂甚，蹙蹙不怡，每加切誚，又欲加之鞭捶，幸而獲免。帝崩後，謇隨梓宮還洛。

When Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, She received greater favor; whenever the emperor felt unwell or his beloved Consort Feng fell ill, She was summoned to treat them. He was appointed Palace Attendant Grandee and then transferred to Imperial Physician. She wished to compound an elixir of immortality for Emperor Xiaowen; he retired to Mount Song to gather ingredients, but after years of effort achieved nothing and abandoned the project. In the second year the emperor visited Xianhu and fell gravely ill; a fast courier was sent to summon She, who traveled by water to the imperial camp, covering several hundred li in a single day and night. When he arrived, his diagnosis and treatment proved highly effective. In the ninth month the emperor halted at the Ru River; a grand banquet of imperial delicacies was prepared in She's honor. The emperor then assembled the officials, seated She in the place of honor, and had attendants proclaim his merit in saving the emperor from mortal illness—merit deserving generous reward. An edict of praise followed: She was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Baron of Jinxiang, with lavish gifts of money, silk, goods, servants, cattle, and horses—all presented through the inner palace. The imperial princes, including Prince of Xianyang Yuan Xi, each sent separate gifts amounting to a thousand bolts of silk. Accompanying the emperor to Ye, She attended him day and night as relapses continued. The following year, at the horse park, the emperor's condition worsened; fretful and irritable, he rebuked She harshly and even threatened to whip him—though She narrowly escaped punishment. After the emperor's death, She accompanied the coffin back to Luoyang.

文伯仕南齊，位東莞、太山、蘭陵三郡太守。

Wenbo served the Southern Qi as Administrator of Dongguan, Taishan, and Lanling in succession.

子雄，員外散騎侍郎，醫術為江左所稱，事並見《南史》。

His son Xiong, Supernumerary Attendant Cavalier, was renowned in the south for his medical skill; his story is recorded in the History of the Southern Dynasties.

雄子之才，幼而俊發，五歲誦《孝經》，八歲略通義旨。曾與從兄康造梁太子詹事汝南周舍宅，聽《老子》。舍為設食，乃戲之曰：「徐郎不用心思義，而但事食乎？」之才答曰：「蓋聞聖人虛其心而實其腹。」舍嗟賞之。年十三，召為太學生，粗通《禮》、《易》。彭城劉孝綽、河東裴子野、吳郡張嵊等每共論《周易》及《喪服》儀，酬應如響。咸共歎曰：「此神童也。」孝綽又云：「徐郎燕頷，有班定遠之相。」陳郡袁昂丹陽尹，辟為主簿，人務事宜，皆被顧訪。郡廨遭火，之才起望，夜中不著衣，披紅眠帕出房，映光為昂所見。功曹白請免職，昂重其才術，仍特原之。

Xiong's son Zhicai was precocious: at five he could recite the Classic of Filial Piety, and at eight he grasped its meaning. Once, with his cousin Kang, he visited the home of Zhou She of Runan, Tutor to the Liang heir apparent, to hear a lecture on the Laozi. Zhou provided a meal and teased him: "Young Xu, are you thinking about the Way, or only about your meal?" Zhicai replied, "I have heard that the sage empties his mind but fills his belly." Zhou sighed in admiration. At thirteen he entered the Imperial University and gained a working knowledge of the Rites and the Changes. When Liu Xiaochuo, Pei Ziye, Zhang Sheng, and others debated the Book of Changes and mourning rites, Zhicai's replies came as swiftly as echoes. They all exclaimed, "This is a prodigy!" Xiaochuo added, "Young Xu has the jaw of a swallow—he has the bearing of Ban Chao the Far-Reaching." Yuan Ang of Chen commandery, Administrator of Danyang, appointed him Chief Clerk; on all matters of administration he was consulted. When the prefectural offices caught fire, Zhicai rushed out at night without dressing, wrapped only in a red sleeping scarf—and Yuan Ang saw him in the firelight. The Merit Officer recommended his dismissal, but Yuan Ang, valuing his talent, specially pardoned him.

豫章王綜出鎮江都，復除豫章王國左常侍，又轉綜鎮北主簿。及綜入魏，三軍散走，之才退至呂梁，橋斷路絕，遂為魏統軍石茂孫所止。綜入魏旬月，位至司空。魏聽綜收斂僚屬，乃訪知之才在彭泗。啟魏帝，雲之才大善醫術，兼有機辯。詔征之才。孝昌二年，至洛，敕居南館，禮遇甚優。謇子踐啟求之才還宅。之才藥石多效，又窺涉經史，發言辨捷，朝賢競相耍引，為之延譽。武帝時，封昌安縣侯。天平中，齊神武征赴晉陽，常在內館，禮遇稍厚。武定四年，自散騎常侍轉秘書監。文宣作相，普加黜陟，楊愔以其南士，不堪典掌功程，且多陪從，全廢曹務，轉授金紫光祿大夫，以魏收代。之才甚怏怏不平。

When Prince of Yuzhang Zong was posted to Jiangdu, Zhicai was appointed Left Regular Attendant of the princedom and then Chief Clerk of the Northern Garrison staff. When Zong defected to Wei and the army scattered, Zhicai retreated to Liang, but with bridges destroyed and roads cut off he was detained by the Wei commander Shi Maosun. Within a month of Zong's arrival in Wei, he was appointed Minister of Works. The Wei court allowed Zong to gather his staff; he learned that Zhicai was in the Peng-Si region. He reported to the Wei emperor that Zhicai was highly skilled in medicine and quick-witted besides. An edict was issued summoning Zhicai. In the second year of Xiaochang he arrived in Luoyang and was lodged in the Southern Residence with generous treatment. She's son Jian petitioned for Zhicai to be allowed to return home. Zhicai's prescriptions were highly effective; versed in the classics and histories, he spoke with quick wit, and court officials competed to befriend him and spread his fame. Under Emperor Wu he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chang'an. During the Tianping era, when Gao Huan summoned him to Jinyang, he resided in the inner quarters and received still greater favor. In the fourth year of Wuding he was transferred from Attendant Cavalier to Director of the Secretariat. When Wenxuan became Chancellor, Yang Yin judged that Zhicai, as a southerner, was unfit to oversee construction projects and spent too much time in attendance, neglecting his duties; he was transferred to Grand Master of the Golden Gate and Purple Enclosure, with Wei Shou replacing him. Zhicai was deeply displeased.

之才少解天文，兼圖讖之學，共館客宋景業參校吉凶，知午年必有革易。因高德正啟之，文宣聞而大悅。時自婁太后及勳貴臣咸云：「關西既是勍敵，恐其有挾天子令諸侯之辭，不可先行禪代事。」之才獨云：「千人逐兔，一人得之，諸人咸息。須定大業，何容翻欲學人？」又援引證據，備有條目，帝從之。登阼後，彌見親密。之才非惟醫術自進，亦為首唱禪代，又戲謔滑稽，言無不至，於是大被狎昵。尋除侍中，封池陽縣伯。見文宣政令轉嚴，求出，除趙州刺史。竟不獲述職，猶為弄臣。皇建二年，除西兗州刺史，未之官。武明皇太后不豫，之才療之，應手便愈，孝昭賜彩帛千段、錦四百匹。之才既善醫術，雖有外授，頃即征還。既博識多聞，由是于方術尤妙。

Zhicai had studied astronomy and prophecy; with his colleague Song Jingye he divined that a wu year would bring revolution. He reported this through Gao Dezheng; Wenxuan was greatly pleased. At the time Empress Dowager Lou and the meritorious nobles all argued: "The west is a formidable enemy; they may use the emperor as a hostage to command the lords—we must not rush the abdication." Zhicai alone argued: "When a thousand men chase a rabbit, once one catches it the rest stop. The great enterprise must be settled—why hesitate to imitate others?" He cited further evidence in detail, and the emperor followed his counsel. After Wenxuan took the throne, Zhicai grew still closer to him. Zhicai had advanced not only through medicine but as the foremost advocate of the dynastic transition; witty and irreverent, he spoke without restraint and was treated with great familiarity. He was soon appointed Attendant Within and enfeoffed as Baron of Chiyang. Seeing Wenxuan's rule grow harsh, he sought a post outside the capital and was appointed Governor of Zhao. He never took up the post and remained a court entertainer. In the second year of Huangjian he was appointed Governor of Western Yan but never took up the post. When Empress Dowager Wuming fell ill, Zhicai cured her instantly; Emperor Xiaozhao rewarded him with a thousand lengths of silk and four hundred bolts of brocade. Because of his medical skill, though appointed to provincial posts he was soon recalled. Broadly learned, he became especially skilled in divination and the occult arts.

大寧二年春，武明太后又病，之才弟之范為尚藥典禦，敕令診候。內史皆令呼太后為石婆，蓋有欲忌，故改名以厭制之。之範出告之才曰：「童謠云：'周裏跂求伽，豹祠嫁石婆，斬塚作媒人，唯得一量紫綖靴。 '今太后忽改名，私所致怪。」之才曰：「跂求伽，胡言去已，豹祠嫁石婆，豈有好事？斬塚作媒人，但令合葬，自斬塚。唯得紫綖靴者，得至四月。何者？紫之為字，此下系，綖者熟，當在四月之中。」之范問靴是何義。之才曰：「靴者革旁化，寧是久物？」至四月一日，後果崩。有人患腳跟腫痛，諸醫莫能識。之才曰：「蛤精疾也，由乘船入海，垂腳水中。」疾者曰：「實曾如此。」之才為剖，得蛤子二，大如榆莢。又有以骨為刀子把者，五色斑斕。之才曰：「此人瘤也。」問得處，云：「于古塚見髑髏，額骨長數寸，試削視，有文理，故用之。」其明悟多通如此。

In the spring of the second year of Daning, Empress Dowager Wuming fell ill again; Zhicai's brother Zhifan, Director of the Imperial Pharmacy, was ordered to examine her. The palace secretaries had everyone call the empress dowager "Old Stone Woman," changing her title to ward off ill omens through taboo avoidance. Zhifan told Zhicai, "A children's rhyme runs: 'Within Zhou, Qi begged for Jia; at the Leopard Shrine they marry Old Stone Woman; the beheaded mound is the matchmaker—only a measure of purple silk boots is gained. Now they have suddenly renamed the empress dowager—this privately alarms me." Zhicai said, "'Qi begged for Jia' is barbarian speech for 'already gone'; 'Leopard Shrine marries Old Stone Woman'—can that portend anything good? 'The beheaded mound as matchmaker' means only joint burial—she will be buried at the beheaded mound. Only a measure of purple silk boots' means she will live until the fourth month. How so? In the character zi (purple), below is si (silk); xian means 'ripe'—she will die in mid-April." Zhifan asked what 'boots' signified. Zhicai said, "'Boots'—with 'leather' beside it becomes 'transform'; surely this cannot mean long life? On the first day of the fourth month, she died as he had predicted. A patient suffered swollen, painful heels that no physician could diagnose. Zhicai said, "This is clam-spirit sickness—from sailing on the sea with one's feet hanging in the water. The patient said, "That is exactly what happened. Zhicai lanced the swelling and removed two clam larvae the size of elm pods. Someone had made a knife handle from bone, mottled in five colors. Zhicai said, "This man has a tumor. Asked where he got it, the man said he had found a skull in an ancient tomb; the forehead bone was several inches long, and when he shaved it he found grain patterns, so he used it. His keen insight was often demonstrated in such ways.

天統四年，累遷尚書左僕射，俄除兗州刺史，特給鐃吹一部。之才醫術最高，偏被命召。武成酒色過度，怳忽不恆。曾病發，自雲，初見空中有五色物，稍近，變成一美婦人，去地數丈，亭亭而立。食頃，變為觀世音。之才云：「此色欲多，大虛所致。」即處湯方，服一劑，便覺稍遠；又服，還變成五色物；數劑湯，疾竟愈。帝每發動，暫遣騎追之，針藥所加，應時必效，故頻有端執之舉。入秋，武成小定，更不發動。和士開欲依次轉進，以之才附籍兗州，即是本屬，遂奏附除刺史，以胡長仁為左僕射，士開為右僕射。及十月，帝又病動，語士開云：「浪用之才外任，使我辛苦。」其月八日，敕驛追之才。帝以十日崩，之才十一日方到。既無所及，復還赴州。在職無所侵暴，但不甚閑法理，頗亦疏慢，用舍自由。

In the fourth year of Tiantong he rose to Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat, then was appointed Governor of Yan with a special grant of drums and pipes. His medical skill was supreme, and he was frequently summoned by imperial order. Emperor Wucheng indulged excessively in wine and women and was often unsettled. During one attack he said he first saw a five-colored object in the air that, as it drew near, became a beautiful woman standing several zhang above the ground. After the time of a meal it transformed into Guanyin. Zhicai said, "This comes from excessive lust and great depletion of vital energy. He prescribed a decoction; after one dose the vision receded somewhat; after another dose it turned back into a five-colored object; after several more doses the illness was completely cured. Whenever the emperor relapsed, a fast rider was sent to fetch him; his treatments took effect immediately, and he was often kept in attendance. In autumn Wucheng stabilized and had no further relapses. He Shikai wished to advance by seniority; because Zhicai was registered in Yan, his home province, he had Zhicai appointed governor, with Hu Changren as Left Vice Minister and himself as Right Vice Minister. In the tenth month the emperor relapsed and told He Shikai, "You wastefully sent Zhicai away, making me suffer. On the eighth of that month an edict sent a fast courier to summon Zhicai. The emperor died on the tenth; Zhicai arrived on the eleventh. There was nothing he could do, and he returned to his post. In office he did not oppress the people, but he was not well versed in law and was rather negligent, appointing and dismissing at will.

五年冬，後主征之才。尋左僕射闕，之才曰：「自可復禹之績。」武平元年，重除尚書左僕射。之才於和士開、陸令萱母子曲盡卑狎，二家若疾，救護百端。由是遷尚書令，封西陽郡王。祖珽執政，除之才侍中、太子太師。之才恨曰：「子野沙汰我。」珽目疾，故以師曠比之。

In the winter of the fifth year the Later Lord summoned Zhicai. When the Left Vice Minister post fell vacant, Zhicai said, "I can resume Yu the Great's work. In the first year of Wuping he was again appointed Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat. Zhicai fawned on He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan and their son, attending them with every remedy when they fell ill. For this he was promoted to Minister of the Secretariat and enfeoffed as Prince of Xiyang. When Zu Ting took power, Zhicai was appointed Attendant Within and Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. Zhicai said resentfully, "Ziye has sifted me out. Zu Ting was blind, so Zhicai compared him to the blind music master Kuang.

之才聰辯強識，有兼人之敏。尤好劇談體語，公私言聚，多相嘲戲。鄭道育常戲之才為師公，之才曰：「既為汝師，又為汝公，在三之義，頓居其兩。」又嘲王昕姓云：「有言則訁王，近犬便狂，加頸足而為馬，施角尾而成羊。」盧元明因戲之才云：「卿姓是未入人，名是子之誤，之當為之也。」即答云：「卿姓，在上為虐，在丘為虛，生男則為虜，配馬則為驢。」又常與朝士出遊，遙望群犬競走，諸人試令目之。之才即應聲云：「為是宋鵲？為是韓盧？為逐李斯東走？為負帝女南徂？」李諧於廣坐因稱其父名曰：「卿嗜熊白生不？」之才曰：「平平耳。」又曰：「卿此言于理平不？」諧遽出避之，道逢其甥高德正。德正曰：「舅顏色何不悅？」諧告之故。德正徑造坐席，連索熊白。之才謂坐者曰：「個人諱底？」眾莫之應。之才曰：「生不為人所知，死不為人所諱，此何足問。」唐邕、白建方貴，時人言云：「并州赫赫唐與白。」之才茂之。元日，對邕為諸令史祝曰：「卿等位當作唐、白。」又以小史好嚼筆，故常執管就元文遙口曰：「借君齒。」其不遜如此。

Zhicai was clever in debate and possessed a prodigious memory. He especially loved witty repartee; at gatherings public and private, banter and mockery flowed freely. Zheng Daoyu nicknamed him 'Teacher Duke'; Zhicai replied, "I am both your teacher and your duke—in the three bonds of relationship I hold two at once. He mocked Wang Xin's surname: "Add speech and it is 'argue'; near a dog it is 'mad'; add neck and legs for 'horse'; add horns and tail for 'sheep. Lu Yuanming jested, "Your surname means 'not yet a person'; your given name is a mistake for 'son'—it should be 'this. He replied, "Your surname—above is 'tyrant,' on a hill is 'empty'; a male child is a 'captive,' paired with a horse an 'ass. Once on an outing with court gentlemen they saw dogs running; the others asked him to identify them. Zhicai instantly replied, "Is it Song Que? Is it Han Lu? Is it chasing Li Si eastward? Is it carrying the Emperor's daughter southward? At a banquet Li He deliberately spoke his father's name: "Do you relish raw bear paw? Zhicai said, "So-so. He added, "Is that statement reasonable or not? Li He fled and met his nephew Gao Dezheng on the way. Dezheng asked, "Uncle, why do you look displeased? Li He told him what had happened. Dezheng went straight to the table and loudly demanded bear paw. Zhicai asked the company, "Whose taboo is this? No one answered. Zhicai said, "Alive he was unknown; dead he needs no taboo—what is there to ask? Tang Yong and Bai Jian were then powerful; people said, "In Bingzhou, Tang and Bai blaze. Zhicai envied them. On New Year's Day he toasted the clerks before Tang Yong: "Your posts should become Tang and Bai. Because a junior clerk chewed brush tips, he would hold a brush to Yuan Wen's mouth and say, "Lend me your teeth. Such was his insolence.

曆事諸帝，以戲狎得寵。武成生齻牙，問諸醫，尚藥典禦鄧宣文以實對，武成怒而撻之。後以問之才，拜賀曰：「此是智牙，生智牙者，聰明長壽。」武成悅而賞之。為僕射時，語人曰：「我在江東，見徐勉作僕射，朝士莫不佞之。今我亦是徐僕射，無一人佞我，何由可活！」之才妻，魏廣陽王妹，之才從文襄求得為妻。和士開知之，乃淫其妻。之才遇見而避之，退曰：「妨少年戲笑。」其縱之如此。年八十，卒，贈司徒公、錄尚書事，諡曰文明。

He served successive emperors and won favor through jesting intimacy. Wucheng was born with projecting teeth; when the Director of the Imperial Pharmacy Deng Xuanwen told the truth, Wucheng had him flogged. When he asked Zhicai, Zhicai bowed and said, "These are wisdom teeth; those who have them are intelligent and long-lived. Wucheng was pleased and rewarded him. As Vice Minister he said, "In the south I saw Xu Mian as Vice Minister—every courtier fawned on him. Now I too am Vice Minister Xu—yet no one fawns on me; how can I survive! Zhicai's wife was a sister of the Prince of Guangyang; he obtained her through Gao Huan. He Shikai learned of this and seduced his wife. Zhicai came upon them and withdrew, saying, "I disturb the young people's sport. Such was his indulgence. He died at eighty and was posthumously appointed Duke of the Secretariat and Recorder of the Affairs of the Master of Writing, with the posthumous name Wenming.

長子林，字少卿，太尉司馬。次子同卿，太子庶子。之才以其無學術，每歎曰：「終恐同《廣陵散》矣。」

His eldest son Lin, courtesy name Shaoqing, was Marshal of the Grand Commandant. His second son Tongqing was Aide to the Heir Apparent. Because they lacked learning, Zhicai often sighed, "In the end I fear it will be like the Guangling San."

弟之范亦醫術見知，位太常卿，特聽襲之才爵西陽王。入周，授儀同大將軍。開皇中，卒。

His brother Zhifan was also renowned in medicine, served as Minister of Ceremonies, and was permitted to inherit the title Prince of Xiyang. After the Zhou conquest he was appointed General of Yitong. He died in the Kaihuang era.

王顯，字世榮，陽平樂平人也。自言本東海郯人，王朗之後也。父安上，少與李亮同師，俱受醫藥，而不及亮。顯少曆本州從事，雖以醫術自通，而明敏有決斷才用。初文昭太后之懷宣武，夢為日所逐，化而為龍而繞後，後寤而驚悸，遂成心疾。文明太后敕徐謇及顯等為後診脈，謇雲是微風入藏，宜進湯加針。顯言案三部脈，非有心疾，將是懷孕生男之象。果如顯言。久之，補待禦師。

Wang Xian, courtesy name Shirong, was from Yueping in Yangping. He claimed descent from Wang Lang of Tan in Donghai. His father Anshang studied medicine with Li Liang but did not equal him. Xian served as a provincial aide in his youth; though he practiced medicine, he was bright and decisive. When Empress Dowager Wenzhao was pregnant with Emperor Xuanwu, she dreamed the sun pursued her and became a dragon coiling behind her; she awoke terrified and developed heart illness. Empress Dowager Wenming had Xu She and Xian examine her; She said a slight wind had entered the viscera and prescribed decoction and acupuncture. Xian said that examining the three pulse positions showed not heart illness but pregnancy with a male child. Events proved Xian correct. In time he was appointed Imperial Physician.

宣武自幼有微疾，顯攝療有效，因稍蒙眄識。又罷六輔之初，顯為領軍於烈間通規策，頗有密功。累遷廷尉卿，仍在侍御，營進禦藥，出入禁內。累遷御史中尉。顯前後居職，所在著稱。糾折庶獄，究其奸回，出內惜慎，憂國如家。及領憲台，多所彈劾，百僚肅然。又以中尉屬官不悉稱職，諷求改革。詔委改選，務盡才能。而顯所舉，或有請屬，未皆得人，於是眾議喧嘩，聲望致損。後宣武詔顯撰藥方三十五卷，班布天下，以療諸疾。東宮建，以為太子詹事，委任甚厚。上每幸東宮，顯常近侍，出入禁中，仍奉醫藥。賞賜累加，為立館宇，寵振當時。以營療功，封衛國縣伯。

Emperor Xuanwu had a minor ailment from childhood; Xian treated him effectively and gradually won notice. At the dismissal of the Six Regents, Xian conveyed secret plans to Yu Lie, the General-in-Chief, and rendered considerable hidden service. He rose to Minister of Justice while still attending the emperor, preparing imperial medicines within the palace. He was promoted to Censor-in-Chief. In every post he held, Xian won renown. He investigated cases, pursued wrongdoing, and was cautious in conduct, grieving for the state as for his own household. As head of the Censorate he impeached many, and officials stood in awe. Finding subordinates of the Censorate incompetent, he sought reform. An edict ordered reselection of personnel with full regard to ability. But some of his appointees owed their posts to patronage, and public criticism damaged his reputation. Emperor Xuanwu ordered him to compile thirty-five scrolls of prescriptions, distributed empire-wide. When the Eastern Palace was established, he was appointed Tutor to the Heir Apparent with heavy trust. Whenever the emperor visited the Eastern Palace, Xian attended closely, still practicing medicine within the palace. Rewards piled up and a residence was built for him; his favor was unmatched in his day. For his medical achievements he was enfeoffed as Baron of Weiguo County.

及宣武崩，明帝踐阼，顯參奉璽策，隨從臨哭，微為憂懼。顯既蒙任遇，兼為法官，恃勢使威，為時所疾。朝宰托以侍療無效，執之禁中。詔削爵位，徙朔州。臨執呼冤，直閣伊盆生以刀鐶撞其腋下，傷中吐血，至右衛府，一宿死。子曄，尚書儀曹郎中，懼走，後被獲，拷掠百餘。宅沒於官。

When Emperor Xuanwu died and Emperor Ming took the throne, Xian took part in presenting the imperial seal and edict and attended the funeral rites—slightly uneasy and afraid. Now favored and also serving as a judicial official, Xian relied on his power to throw his weight around, and people of the time resented him. A chief minister seized on the claim that his medical attendance had failed, and had him detained in the palace. An edict stripped his title and sent him into exile at Shuozhou. As he was seized he shouted that he was innocent; Direct Attendant Yi Pansheng struck him under the arm with a blade ring, wounding him grievously so that he vomited blood; he reached the Right Guard Office and died overnight. His son Ye, a Bureau Director in the Ministry of Ceremonies, fled in terror; he was later captured and flogged more than a hundred times. His residence was confiscated by the government.

馬嗣明，河內野王人也。少博綜經方，為人診脈，一年前知其生死。邢邵唯一子大寶，甚聰慧，年十七八患傷寒。嗣明為其診脈，退告楊愔云：「邢公子傷寒不療自差，然脈候不出一年便死。覺之少晚，不可復療。」數日後，楊、邢並侍宴內殿。文宣云：「邢子才兒大不惡，我欲乞其隨近一郡。」楊以年少，未合剖符。宴罷，奏云：「馬嗣明稱大寶脈惡，一年內恐死，若其出郡，醫藥難求。」遂寢。大寶未期而卒。楊愔患背腫，嗣明以練石塗之，便差，因此大為楊愔所重。作練石法：以粗黃色石如鵝鴨卵大，猛火燒令赤，內淳醋中，自有石屑落醋裏，頻燒至石盡，取石屑曝乾，搗下簁，和醋以塗腫上，無不愈。

Ma Siming was from Yewang in Henei Commandery. From youth he mastered the medical classics; by reading a patient's pulse he could tell a year in advance whether they would live or die. Xing Shao's only son Dabao was very bright; at seventeen or eighteen he contracted typhoid fever. Siming examined his pulse and afterward told Yang Yin, "The young Xing's cold damage will resolve on its own without treatment, but his pulse shows he will die within a year. Because we realize it too late, nothing can be done to save him." A few days later, Yang and Xing both attended a banquet in the inner palace. Emperor Wenxuan said, "Xing Zicai's son Dabao is quite promising. I want to ask that he be given a nearby commandery." Yang replied that the boy was too young to be entrusted with a commandery seal. After the banquet he reported: "Ma Siming says Dabao's pulse is poor and he may die within a year; if he is sent to a commandery, skilled medical care will be hard to find." The appointment was shelved. Dabao died before the year was out, just as Siming had predicted. Yang Yin had a back swelling; Siming treated it with refined-stone paste and it healed at once, and Yang Yin came to hold him in great esteem. His refined-stone method: take coarse yellow stones about the size of a goose or duck egg, heat them in a fierce fire until red-hot, and drop them into pure vinegar, where stone fragments naturally fall off; repeat until the stones are used up. Dry the fragments in the sun, pound and sift them, mix with vinegar, and apply to the swelling—every case heals.

武平中，為通直散騎常侍，針灸孔穴，往往與《明堂》不同。嘗有一家，二奴俱患，身體遍青，漸虛嬴不能食。訪諸醫，無識者。嗣明為灸兩足趺上各三七壯，便愈。武平末，從駕往晉陽，至遼陽山中，數處見榜，雲有人家女病，若能差之者，購錢十萬。又諸名醫多尋榜至是人家，問疾狀，俱不下手。唯嗣明為之療。問其病由，雲曾以手持一麥穗，即見一赤物長二尺許，似蛇，入其手指中，因驚倒地，即覺手臂疼腫。月餘日，漸及半身，肢節俱腫，痛不可忍，呻吟晝夜不絕。嗣明即為處方，令馳馬往都市藥，示其節度，前後服十劑湯，一劑散。比嗣明明年從駕還，此女平復如故。嗣明藝術精妙，多如是。

During the Wuping era he served as Regular Attendant Director of the Secretariat; his choice of acupuncture points often differed from those in the Mingtang classic. Once a household had two servants who both fell ill; their bodies turned blue all over, they wasted away, and could not eat. They consulted physicians everywhere, but none could identify the illness. Siming applied twenty-one moxa cones to each instep, and both servants recovered at once. Near the end of the Wuping era, while accompanying the emperor to Jinyang, he saw several notices in the Liaoyang mountains offering one hundred thousand cash to anyone who could cure a family's sick daughter. Many famous physicians tracked down the notices and visited the family, but after examining the case none would treat her. Only Siming undertook her treatment. When he asked what had caused the illness, she said that once, holding a wheat stalk in her hand, she saw a red creature about two feet long, like a snake, enter her finger; she fell down in fright and immediately felt pain and swelling in her arm. After more than a month the swelling spread to half her body; every limb and joint was swollen, the pain unbearable, and she moaned day and night without stopping. Siming immediately wrote a prescription, sent a rider to the market for medicine, and set out the dosage; she took ten doses of decoction and one dose of powder in all. By the time Siming returned with the imperial procession the following year, the woman had fully recovered. Siming's medical skill was extraordinary; many of his cases were like this.

隋開皇中，卒于太子藥藏監。然性自矜大，輕諸醫人，自徐之才、崔叔鸞以還，俱為其所輕。

He died in the Kaihuang era of Sui while serving as Superintendent of the Crown Prince's Medicinal Storehouse. Yet he was arrogant by nature and looked down on other physicians; from Xu Zhicai and Cui Shuluan on, he held them all in contempt.

姚僧垣，字法衛，吳興武康人，吳太常信之八世孫也。父菩提，梁高平令。嘗嬰疾疹歷年，乃留心醫藥。梁武帝召與討論方術，言多會意，由是頗禮之。僧垣幼通洽，居喪盡禮，年二十四，即傳家業。仕梁為太醫正，加文德主帥。梁武帝嘗因發熱，服大黃。僧垣曰：「大黃快藥，至尊年高，不宜輕用。」帝弗從，遂至危篤。太清元年，轉鎮西湘東王府中記室參軍。僧垣少好文史，為學者所稱。及梁簡文嗣位，僧垣兼中書舍人。梁元帝平侯景，召僧垣赴荊州，改受晉安王府諮議。梁元帝嘗有心腹病，諸醫皆請用平藥。僧垣曰：「脈洪實，宜用大黃。」元帝從之。進湯訖，果下宿食，因而疾愈。時初鑄錢，一當十，乃賜十萬貫，實百萬也。及魏軍克荊州，僧垣猶侍梁元，不離左右，為軍人所止，方泣涕而去。尋而周文遣使馳驛徽僧垣。燕公於謹固留不遣，謂使人曰：「吾年衰暮，疾病嬰沉，今得此人，望與之偕老。」周文以謹勳德隆重，乃止。明年，隨謹至長安。

Yao Sengyuan, style name Fawei, was from Wukang in Wuxing Commandery, an eighth-generation descendant of Yao Xinzhi, Grand Minister of Ceremonies of Wu. His father Puti served as Magistrate of Gaoping under the Liang. After years of chronic illness he devoted himself to medicine. Emperor Wu of Liang summoned him to discuss medical methods; his answers often struck the emperor as apt, and Wu treated him with considerable respect. Sengyuan was thoroughly learned from youth and observed mourning rites to the letter; at twenty-four he took over the family medical practice. Under the Liang he served as Chief Physician with the additional title Master of Literary Virtue. Emperor Wu of Liang once took rhubarb for a fever. Sengyuan said, "Rhubarb is a powerful purge. Your Majesty is elderly and should not use it lightly." The emperor refused to listen and soon fell critically ill. In the first year of Taiqing he was transferred to Staff Officer in the household of the Prince of Xiangdong, Western Garrison Commander. From youth Sengyuan loved literature and history and was admired by scholars. When Emperor Jianwen of Liang ascended the throne, Sengyuan also served as Secretariat Drafter. After Emperor Yuan of Liang suppressed Hou Jing, he summoned Sengyuan to Jingzhou and appointed him Adviser to the Prince of Jin'an. Emperor Yuan of Liang once suffered from abdominal illness; all the physicians recommended mild medicines. Sengyuan said, "The pulse is surging and solid; rhubarb is indicated." The emperor followed his advice. After he took the decoction, stagnant food was expelled as predicted and the illness was cured. New coin had just been introduced at ten times the old value; he was granted one hundred thousand strings—worth a million in old coin. When Wei forces captured Jingzhou, Sengyuan still attended Emperor Yuan and would not leave his side; soldiers barred him and he departed only in tears. Soon afterward Emperor Wen of Zhou sent messengers by urgent relay to summon him. Duke of Yan Yu Jin refused to release him, telling the envoy, "I am old and gravely ill; now that I have this man, I hope to spend my remaining years with him." Emperor Wen, respecting Jin's great merit, did not press the matter. The following year he followed Jin to Chang'an.

武成元年，授小畿伯下大夫。金州刺史伊婁穆以疾還京，請僧垣省疾，乃雲自腰至臍，似有三縛，兩腳緩縱，不復自持。僧垣即為處湯三劑，穆初服一劑，上縛即解；次服一劑，中縛復解；又服一劑，三縛悉除。而兩腳疼痹，猶自攣弱。更為合散一劑，稍得屈申。僧垣曰：「終待霜降，此患當愈。」及至九月，遂能起行。大將軍、襄樂公賀蘭隆先有氣疾，加以水腫，喘息奔急，坐臥不安。或有勸其服決命大散者，其家疑未能決，乃問僧垣。僧垣曰：「意謂此患，不與大散相當。」即為處方，勸急使服，便即氣通。更服一劑，諸患悉愈。大將軍、樂平公竇集暴感風疾，精神瞀亂，無所覺知。醫先視者，皆云已不可救。僧垣後至曰：「困矣，終當不死。」為合湯散，所患即療。大將軍、永世公叱伏列椿苦痢積時，而不損廢朝謁。燕公謹嘗問僧垣曰：「樂平、永世，俱有痼疾，意永世差輕。」對曰：「夫患有深淺，時有危殺，樂平雖困，終當保全；永世雖輕，必不免死。」謹曰：「當在何時？」對曰：「不出四月。」果如其言，謹歎異之。

In the first year of Wucheng he was appointed Junior Grand Master and Lesser Baron of Ji. Jin Province Inspector Yi Lou Mu returned to the capital ill and asked Sengyuan to examine him; he said that from waist to navel it felt as though three bands were bound tight, and his legs had gone slack and would no longer support him. Sengyuan immediately prescribed three doses of decoction; after the first dose the upper binding loosened; after the second dose the middle binding loosened; after the third dose all three bindings were gone. But his legs remained painful and numb, still cramped and weak. Sengyuan then prepared a powder formula; gradually Mu regained some ability to bend and straighten his legs. Sengyuan said, "Wait until the frost comes; then this illness should be cured." By the ninth month he was able to rise and walk. General-in-Chief Helan Long, Duke of Xiangle, had long suffered from a respiratory illness complicated by edema; he breathed in ragged gasps and could find no rest sitting or lying down. Some urged him to take the powerful Decisive-Life Powder, but the family could not decide and consulted Sengyuan. Sengyuan said, "In my judgment this illness is not suited to the Great Powder." He wrote a prescription and urged immediate use; Long's breathing cleared at once. After one more dose all his symptoms were cured. General-in-Chief Dou Ji, Duke of Leping, was suddenly stricken with wind illness; his mind was clouded and he was wholly unaware of his surroundings. The physicians who saw him first all said he was beyond saving. When Sengyuan arrived he said, "He is gravely ill, but he will not die." He prepared decoction and powder, and the illness was cured at once. General-in-Chief Chifu Lie Chun, Duke of Yongshi, had suffered severe dysentery for a long time yet still attended court audiences without interruption. Duke of Yan Yu Jin once asked Sengyuan, "Both Leping and Yongshi have chronic illnesses; I would think Yongshi's is the milder case." He replied, "Illnesses differ in severity and in how dangerous they are at a given moment. Leping is gravely ill but will survive in the end; Yongshi's case looks lighter, but he will certainly die." Jin asked, "When?" He answered, "Before the fourth month is out." Events proved him right, and Jin marveled.

天和六年，遷遂伯中大夫。建德三年，文宣太后寢疾，醫巫雜說，各有同異。武帝引僧垣坐，問之。對曰：「臣准之常人，竊以憂懼。」帝泣曰：「公既決之矣，知復何言！」尋而太后崩。其後復因召見，乃授驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司。敕停朝謁，若非別敕，不勞入見。四年，帝親戎東討，至河陰遇疾，口不能言；瞼垂覆目，不得視；一足短縮，又不得行。僧垣以為諸藏俱病，不可並療，軍中之要，莫過於語，乃處方進藥，帝遂得言。次又療目，目疾便愈。未及足，足疾亦瘳。比至華州，帝已痊復。即除華州刺史，仍詔隨駕入京，不令在鎮。宣政元年，表請致仕，優詔許之。是歲，帝幸雲陽，遂寢疾，乃召僧垣赴行在所。內史柳昂私問曰：「至尊脈候何如？」對曰：「天子上應天心，或當非愚所及。若凡庶如此，萬無一全。」尋而帝崩。

In the sixth year of Tianhe he was promoted to Grand Master and Baron of Sui. In the third year of Jiande Empress Dowager Wenxuan fell gravely ill; physicians and shamans offered conflicting diagnoses. Emperor Wu seated Sengyuan and asked his opinion. He answered, "By my reckoning, compared with an ordinary case, I am deeply afraid for her." The emperor wept and said, "Since you have already made up your mind, what more is there to say!" Before long the Empress Dowager died. Later he was summoned again and granted the titles General of Agile Cavalry and Grand Master with Honors Equal to the Three Ducal Ministers. An edict excused him from court audiences; unless specially summoned, he need not appear. In the fourth year the emperor personally led an eastern campaign; at Heyin he fell ill and could not speak; his eyelids drooped over his eyes and he could not see; one leg was shortened and cramped, and he could not walk. Sengyuan judged that multiple organs were affected and could not all be treated at once; in camp nothing mattered more than the emperor's ability to speak; he prescribed medicine accordingly, and the emperor recovered his speech. Next he treated the eyes, and the eye ailment was cured at once. Before he had even reached the leg, that ailment was cured as well. By the time they reached Huazhou the emperor had fully recovered. He was immediately appointed Inspector of Huazhou, but an edict ordered him to accompany the emperor to the capital rather than remain at his post. In the first year of Xuanzheng he submitted a memorial asking to retire, and a gracious edict approved the request. That year the emperor traveled to Yunyang, took to his bed with illness, and summoned Sengyuan to the imperial encampment. Interior Secretary Liu Ang asked him privately, "How is the emperor's pulse? He answered, "The Son of Heaven answers to Heaven above; that may lie beyond what a man like me can judge. Were an ordinary man in such a state, not one in ten thousand would recover." Before long the emperor died.

宣帝初在東宮，常苦心痛，乃令僧垣療之，其疾即愈。及即位，恩禮彌隆。謂曰：「嘗聞先帝呼公為姚公，有之？」對曰：「臣曲荷殊私，實如聖旨。」帝曰：「此是尚齒之辭，非為貴爵之號。朕當為公建國開家，為子孫永業。」乃封長壽縣公。冊命之日，又賜以金帶及衣服等。大象二年，除太醫下大夫。帝尋有疾，至於大漸，僧垣宿直侍疾。帝謂隋公曰：「今日性命，唯委此人。」僧垣知帝必不全濟，乃對曰：「臣但恐庸短不逮，敢不盡心！」帝頷之。及靜帝嗣位，遷上開府儀同大將軍。

When Emperor Xuan was still crown prince in the Eastern Palace, he often suffered from heart pain; Sengyuan treated him, and the ailment vanished at once. Once he took the throne, the honors shown him grew ever greater. He asked, "I once heard my father call you Duke Yao—is that true? Sengyuan answered, "I have been favored far beyond my deserts; it is just as Your Majesty says." The emperor said, "That was a term of respect for your years, not a noble title. I shall ennoble you with a fief and found a house that your descendants may hold forever." He was thereupon enfeoffed as Duke of Changshou County. On the day of his enfeoffment he was also given a gold belt, robes, and other gifts. In the second year of Daxiang he was appointed Grand Physician with the rank of Lower Grand Master. The emperor soon fell gravely ill, and Sengyuan remained on night watch at his bedside. The emperor told the Duke of Sui, "My life now rests in this man's hands alone. Sengyuan knew the emperor could not be saved. He answered, "I fear only that my poor skill may fall short—but how could I fail to give my all!" The emperor nodded in acknowledgment. When Emperor Jing succeeded to the throne, Sengyuan was promoted to Senior Opener of the Gate and General with Honors Equal to the Three Ducal Ministers.

隋開皇初，進爵北絳郡公。三年，卒，年八十五。遺誡衣帢入棺，朝服勿斂，靈上唯置香奩，每日設清水而已。贈本官，加荊、湖二州刺史。

At the start of the Kaihuang era under Sui he was promoted to Duke of Beijiang Commandery. In the third year he died at the age of eighty-five. He left orders to be laid in his coffin wearing only a headcloth, not court robes; on the bier nothing was to be placed but an incense box, with fresh water set out daily and nothing else. He was posthumously granted his former rank and additionally honored as Inspector of Jing and Hu provinces.

僧垣醫術高妙，為當時所推，前後效驗，不可勝紀。聲譽既盛，遠聞邊服，至於諸蕃外域，咸請托之。僧垣乃參校徵效者為《集驗方》十二卷，又撰《行記》三卷，行於世。

Sengyuan's medical art was superb and universally admired; the cures he achieved, before and after, were beyond numbering. As his renown spread, it reached the distant frontiers; even foreign lands beyond the borders sought him out. Sengyuan collated proven remedies into Collected Verified Prescriptions in twelve volumes and also wrote Records of Practice in three volumes; both works circulated widely.

長子察，《南史》有傳。

His eldest son Cha has a biography in the History of the Southern Dynasties.

次子最，字士會。博通經史，尤好著述。年十九，隨僧垣入關。明帝盛聚學徒，校書於麟趾殿，最亦預為學士。俄授齊王憲府水曹參軍，掌記室事，特為憲所禮接。最幼在江左，迄于入關，未習醫術。天和中，齊王憲奏遣最習之。憲又謂最曰：「博學高才，何如王褒、庾信？王庾名重兩國，吾視之蔑如，接待資給，非爾家比也。勿不存心。且天子有敕，彌須勉勵。」最於是始受家業，十許年中，略盡其妙。每有人告請，效驗甚多。

His second son was Zui, courtesy name Shihui. He was deeply learned in the classics and histories and especially devoted to authorship. At nineteen he followed Sengyuan west through the Pass. Emperor Ming gathered many students and set them to collating books in the Linzhi Hall; Zui also served among them as an academy scholar. Soon he was made Water Bureau adjutant in the household of Prince Xian of Qi, with charge of the secretariat, and Xian treated him with particular courtesy. Zui had grown up in the south and, until he entered the Pass, had never studied medicine. During the Tianhe era Prince Xian of Qi memorialized that Zui be sent to learn the art. Xian also told Zui, "In breadth of learning and native talent, how do you compare with Wang Bao and Yu Xin? Wang and Yu are famous in both realms, yet I think little of them; the welcome and support I give you are beyond anything your family has ever received. Do not neglect to bear this in mind. Moreover the emperor himself has commanded it—you must apply yourself all the more. Zui then took up the family art, and within about ten years had largely mastered its depths. Whenever anyone sought his aid, successful cures were numerous.

隋文帝踐極，除太子門大夫。以父憂去官，哀毀骨立。既免喪，襲爵北絳郡公，復為太子門大夫。俄轉蜀王秀友。秀鎮益州，遷秀府司馬。及平陳，察至，最自以非嫡，讓封于察，隋文帝許之。秀後陰有異謀，隋文帝令公卿窮其事。開府慶整、郝瑋等並推過於秀。最獨曰：「凡有不法，皆最所為，王實不知也。」榜訊數百，卒無異辭，竟坐誅。論者義之。撰《梁後略》十卷，行於世。

When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, Zui was appointed Gate Grand Master to the crown prince. He resigned to mourn his father's death, grieving until he was wasted nearly to a skeleton. When mourning ended he inherited the title Duke of Beijiang Commandery and again became Gate Grand Master to the crown prince. Soon he was transferred to serve as Companion to Prince Xiu of Shu. When Xiu was posted to Yizhou, Zui was promoted to Secretariat Director in the prince's household. When Chen was conquered and Cha arrived, Zui, believing himself not the rightful heir, yielded the title to Cha, and Emperor Wen approved. Later Xiu secretly plotted rebellion, and Emperor Wen ordered the chief ministers to investigate the matter to its roots. Qing Zheng, Opener of the Gate, Hao Wei, and others all shifted the blame onto the prince. Zui alone declared, "Every unlawful act was mine; the prince truly knew nothing of it. After hundreds of strokes under torture he never changed his account and was executed in the end. Commentators honored him for his loyalty. He wrote Outline of the Later Liang in ten volumes, which circulated widely.

褚該，字孝通，河南陽翟人也。父義昌，梁鄱陽王中記室。該幼而謹厚，尤善醫術。仕梁，曆武陵王府參軍，隨府西上，後與蕭捴同歸周。自許奭死後，該稍為時人所重，賓客迎候，亞于姚僧垣。天和初，位縣伯下大夫，進授車騎大將軍、儀同三司。該性淹和，不自矜尚，但有請之者，皆為盡其藝術。時論稱其長者。後以疾卒。子則，亦傳其家業。

Chu Gai, courtesy name Xiaotong, was from Yangdi in Henan. His father Yichang served as Secretariat Director in the household of the Prince of Poyang under Liang. From youth Gai was careful and sincere, and especially skilled in medicine. He served Liang as adjutant in the household of the Prince of Wuling, followed the prince westward, and later returned to Zhou together with Xiao Chou. After Xu Yi died, Gai gradually won esteem among his contemporaries; visitors seeking him out ranked second only to Yao Sengyuan. At the start of Tianhe he held the rank of Lower Grand Master of a county marquisate, then was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry with Honors Equal to the Three Ducal Ministers. Gai was gentle by nature and never boastful; whenever anyone sought him out he gave his full skill. Contemporaries praised him as a man of upright character. He later died of illness. His son Ze also carried on the family art.

許智藏，高陽人也。祖道幼，常以母疾，遂覽醫方，因而究極，時號名醫。誡諸子曰：「為人子者，嘗膳視藥，不知方術，豈謂孝乎。」由是，遂世相傳授。仕梁，位員外散騎侍郎。父景，武陵王諮議參軍。智藏少以醫術自達，仕陳，為散騎常侍。陳滅，隋文帝以為員外散騎侍郎，使詣揚州。會秦王俊有疾，上馳召之。俊夜夢其亡妃崔氏泣曰：「本來相迎，如聞許智藏將至。其人若到，當必相苦，為之奈何？」明夜，俊又夢崔氏曰：「妾得計矣，當入靈府中以避之。」及智藏至，為俊診脈曰：「疾已入心，即當發癇，不可救也。」果如言，俊數日而薨。上奇其妙，齎物百段。煬帝即位，智藏時致仕。帝每有苦，輒令中使就宅詢訪，或以輦迎入殿，扶登御床。智藏為方奏之，用無不效。卒於家，年八十。

Xu Zhicang was from Gaoyang. His grandfather Daoyou, moved by his mother's frequent illness, took up medical texts and pursued them to their depths; he was renowned as a master physician of his day. He warned his sons, "A son tastes his father's food and watches over his medicine; if he knows nothing of healing, can he be called filial? From that time the art was passed down from generation to generation. He served Liang as Supernumerary Master of Cavaliers Attendant. His father Jing served as Consultation Adjutant in the household of the Prince of Wuling. Zhicang rose early through his medical skill and served Chen as Master of Cavaliers Attendant-in-Ordinary. When Chen fell, Emperor Wen appointed him Supernumerary Master of Cavaliers Attendant and sent him to Yangzhou. When Prince Jun of Qin fell ill, the emperor urgently summoned him. Jun dreamed one night that his dead consort Lady Cui wept and said, "I had come to welcome you, but I hear Xu Zhicang is on his way. If he arrives, he will surely make things hard for me—what can I do? The next night Jun dreamed again that Lady Cui said, "I have found a way—I shall enter the spirit realm to hide from him." When Zhicang arrived he felt Jun's pulse and said, "The disease has reached the heart; convulsions will follow at once. There is no saving him." It happened just as he said; Jun died within a few days. The emperor marveled at his skill and rewarded him with a hundred bolts of silk and goods. By the time Emperor Yang took the throne, Zhicang had already retired. Whenever the emperor fell ill, he sent palace envoys to inquire at Zhicang's home, or had him brought by carriage to the palace and helped onto the imperial couch. Zhicang would prescribe remedies and submit them; every prescription worked. He died at home at the age of eighty.

宗人許澄，亦以醫術顯。澄父奭，仕梁，為中軍長史，隨柳仲禮入長安，與姚僧垣齊名，拜上儀同三司。澄有學識，傳父業，尤盡其妙。歷位尚藥典禦、諫議大夫，封賀川縣伯。父子俱以藝術名重于周隋二代，史失其事，故附云。

His clansman Xu Cheng also won distinction through medicine. Cheng's father Yi served Liang as Chief Secretary of the Central Army, entered Chang'an with Liu Zhongli, and was as famous as Yao Sengyuan; he was appointed Senior Honors Equal to the Three Ducal Ministers. Cheng was learned and scholarly; he inherited his father's art and mastered its depths. He served as Director of Imperial Pharmacy and Remonstrance Grand Master, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Hechuan County. Father and son were both famed for their art in the Zhou and Sui eras; because the histories omitted their deeds, they are recorded here.

萬寶常，不知何許人也。父大通，從梁將王琳歸齊，後謀還江南，事泄伏誅。由是寶常被配為樂戶，因妙達鐘律，遍工八音。與人方食，論及聲調。時無樂器，寶常因取前食器及雜物，以箸扣之，品其高下，宮商畢備，諧於絲竹，大為時人所賞。然曆周、隋，俱不得調。

Wan Baochang—of unknown origin. His father Datong followed the Liang general Wang Lin in surrendering to Qi; later he plotted to return to the south, the plot was discovered, and he was put to death. For this Baochang was assigned to a musicians' household; through his exquisite mastery of pitch and temperament he became skilled in all eight tones. Once, while dining with others, the talk turned to musical pitch. With no instruments at hand, Baochang took the dishes and assorted objects before them, struck them with chopsticks, and graded their pitches until the full pentatonic scale was present, harmonizing like strings and pipes; contemporaries marveled at him. Yet through both Zhou and Sui he never received an official post.

開皇初，沛國公鄭譯等定樂，初為黃鐘調。寶常雖為伶人，譯等每召與議，然言多不用。後譯樂成，奏之。上召寶常，問其可不。寶常曰：「此亡國之音，豈陛下所宜聞！」上不悅。寶常因極言樂聲哀怨淫放，非雅正之音，請以水尺為律，以調樂器，其聲率下鄭譯調二律。並撰《樂譜》六十四卷。且論八音旋相為宮法，改弦移柱之變，為八十四調，一百四十律，變化終於一千八百聲。時以《周禮》有旋宮之義，自漢已來，知音不能通，見寶常特創其事，皆哂之。至是，試令為之，應手成曲，無所疑滯，見者莫不嗟異。於是損益樂器，不可勝紀。其聲雅淡，不為時人所好。太常善聲者，多排毀之。又太子洗馬蘇夔以鐘律自命，尤忌寶常。夔父威方用事，凡言樂者附之而短寶常。數詣公卿怨望，蘇威因詰寶常所為，何所傳受。有一沙門謂寶常曰：「上雅好符瑞，有言征祥者，上皆悅之。先生當言徒胡僧受學，雲是佛家菩薩所傳音律，則上必悅。先生當言，所為可以行矣。」寶常遂如其言以答威。威怒曰：「胡僧所傳，乃四夷之樂，非中國宜行。」其事竟寢。寶常聽太常所奏樂，泫然泣曰：「樂聲淫厲而哀，天下不久將盡。」時四海全盛，聞言者皆謂不然。大業之末，其言卒驗。

At the start of Kaihuang, the Duke of Pei Zheng Yi and others established the court music, initially in the Yellow Bell mode. Although Baochang was only a household musician, Zheng Yi and the others often summoned him to consult, yet seldom followed his advice. Later, when Zheng Yi's music was finished, it was performed for the emperor. The emperor summoned Baochang and asked whether the music was acceptable. Baochang said, "This is the music of a doomed state—how can Your Majesty listen to it! The emperor was displeased. Baochang then argued at length that the music was mournful and dissolute, not the proper court sound; he asked to use a water-pipe as a pitch standard to tune the instruments, saying the pitch should fall two notes below Zheng Yi's tuning. He also compiled the 《Music Treatise》 in sixty-four volumes. It also sets out the method by which the eight tones rotate as tonic notes, the technique of retuning strings and shifting bridge-pillars, eighty-four modes, one hundred forty pitch standards, and variations reaching one thousand eight hundred notes. Because the 《Rites of Zhou》 spoke of rotating tonics, yet since Han no musician had been able to master the concept, when Baochang devised it on his own everyone mocked him. When he was asked to demonstrate, he produced a composition at once, without the slightest hesitation, and all who witnessed it were astonished. He then redesigned musical instruments beyond number. The music was refined and subdued, and people of the day did not care for it. Musicians of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices mostly disparaged and rejected it. Su Kui, Groom of the Crown Prince, claimed expertise in pitch and temperament and particularly resented Baochang. Kui's father Su Wei was then in power, and everyone who spoke on music sided with him against Baochang. Baochang repeatedly petitioned high officials with grievances, and Su Wei questioned him about his work and its source. A monk told Baochang, "The emperor favors omens and portents; anyone who speaks of auspicious signs wins his favor. You should say you learned from a foreign monk, and that the pitch system was transmitted by a Buddhist bodhisattva—the emperor will surely be pleased. Tell him your work is ready to be adopted. Baochang answered Su Wei as the monk had advised. Su Wei angrily said, "Music transmitted by a foreign monk is barbarian music—not fit for China. The proposal was dropped. Hearing the Court of Imperial Sacrifices perform, Baochang wept and said, "This music is licentious, harsh, and mournful—the realm will not long endure. The empire was then at the height of its prosperity, and all who heard him dismissed the prediction. At the end of the Daye era, his prophecy came true.

寶常貧而無子，其妻因其臥疾，遂竊其資物而逃，寶常竟餓死。將死，取其所著書焚之，曰：「何用此為？」見者於火中探得數卷，見行於世。

Baochang was poor and childless; while he lay ill his wife stole his possessions and fled, and he starved to death. As he was dying, he burned his manuscripts, saying, "What use are these? Onlookers rescued several volumes from the flames, and they circulated afterward.

開皇中，鄭譯、何妥、盧賁、蘇夔、蕭吉並討論墳籍，撰著樂書，皆為當時所用，至於天然識樂，不及寶常遠矣。安馬駒、曹妙達、王長通、郭令樂等能造曲，為一時之妙，又習鄭聲，而寶常所為，皆歸於雅。此輩雖公議不附寶常，然皆心服，謂以為神。時樂人王令言亦妙達音律。大業末，煬帝將幸江都，令言之子嘗于戶外彈胡琵琶，作翻調《安公子曲》，令言時臥室中，聞之驚起，曰：「變！變！」急呼其子曰：「此曲興自早晚？」其子曰：「頃來有之。」令言遂歔欷流涕，謂其子曰：「汝慎無從行，帝必不反。」子問其故，令言曰：「此曲宮聲往而不反。宮，君也，吾所以知之。」帝竟被弑于江都。

During Kaihuang, Zheng Yi, He Tuo, Lu Ben, Su Kui, and Xiao Ji all consulted the classics and wrote treatises on music, and their work was adopted at court—but in innate musical insight none came close to Baochang. An Maju, Cao Miaoda, Wang Changtong, Guo Lingyue, and others were celebrated composers of their day and practiced the fashionable Zheng music, whereas Baochang's work always aimed at refinement. Though they did not publicly support Baochang, they all inwardly acknowledged his mastery and regarded him as extraordinary. The musician Wang Lingyan of the time also had exquisite mastery of pitch and temperament. Near the end of Daye, as Emperor Yang prepared to travel to Jiangdu, Lingyan's son played a Central Asian pipa outside in a transposed version of 《An Gongzi》; Lingyan, resting in his bedchamber, started up in alarm and cried, "A change! A change! He called urgently to his son, "When did this tune appear?" His son answered, "Only recently." Lingyan sighed and wept and told his son, "Do not follow the emperor on this journey—he will never return." When his son asked why, Lingyan said, "In this tune the tonic note advances and does not return. The tonic stands for the ruler—that is how I know." In the end the emperor was murdered at Jiangdu.

蔣少游，樂安博昌人也。魏慕容白曜之平東陽，見俘，入于平城，充平齊戶。後配雲中為兵。性機巧，頗能畫刻，有文思，吟詠之際，時有短篇。遂留寄平城，以傭寫書為業，而名猶在鎮。後被召為中書寫書生，與高聰俱依高允。允並薦之，與聰俱補中書博士。自在中書，恆庇于李沖兄弟子侄之門。始北方不悉青州蔣族，或謂少游本非人士，又少遊微，因工藝自達，是以公私人望，不至相重，唯高允、李沖，曲為體練。孝文、文明太后嘗因密宴謂百官曰：「本謂少游作師耳，高允老公乃言其人士。」然猶驟被引命，以規矩刻繢為務，因此大蒙恩賜，而位亦不遷陟也。

Jiang Shaoyou was from Bochang in Le'an. When Murong Baiyao of Wei pacified Dongyang, Jiang was taken captive, sent to Pingcheng, and registered as a household of the Pacification of Qi. He was later assigned as a soldier in Yunzhong. Ingenious by nature, he was skilled at painting and carving, had literary sensibility, and sometimes composed short poems. He remained in Pingcheng, earning his living as a copyist, while his name still lingered on the garrison register. He was later summoned as a copyist in the Secretariat and, with Gao Cong, came under Gao Yun's patronage. Gao Yun recommended them both, and he and Gao Cong were appointed Secretariat Erudites. Once in the Secretariat, he always found shelter under Li Chong and his brothers, sons, and nephews. At first northerners did not know the Jiang clan of Qingzhou; some said Shaoyou was no true gentleman, and because he was of humble origin and had risen through craftsmanship, official and private opinion did not treat him with much respect—only Gao Yun and Li Chong showed him full consideration. At a private banquet Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Dowager Wenming told the officials, "We thought Shaoyou was only a craftsman, but old Gao Yun insists he is a gentleman. Yet he was repeatedly summoned to serve, devoted to drafting, measuring, carving, and painting; he received generous rewards but his rank was never raised.

及詔尚書李沖與馮誕、遊明根、高閭等議定衣冠於禁中，少遊巧思，令主其事。亦訪于劉昶。二意相乖，時致諍競，積六載乃成，始班賜百官。冠服之成，不遊有效焉。後於平城將營太廟太極殿，遣少遊乘傳詣洛，量准魏、晉基趾。後為散騎侍郎，副李彪使江南。孝文修船乘，以其多有思力，除都水使者。遷兼將作大匠，仍領水池湖泛戲舟楫之具。及華林殿詔修舊增新，改作金墉門樓，皆所措意，號為妍美。雖有文藻，而不得申其才用。恆以剞劂繩尺，碎據匆匆，徙倚園、湖、城、殿之側，識者為之歎慨。而乃坦爾為己任，不告疲恥。又兼太常少卿，都水如故。卒，贈龍驤將軍、青州刺史，諡曰質。有文集十卷餘。少遊又為太極立模範，與董爾、王遇等參建之，皆未成而卒。

When Li Chong, Feng Yan, You Minggen, Gao Lu, and others were ordered to determine ceremonial dress within the palace, Shaoyou's ingenuity put him in charge. They also consulted Liu Chang. Their views conflicted and disputes arose; after six years the work was finished and the new dress first distributed to the officials. Shaoyou's contribution was essential to the completion of the ceremonial dress. Later, when the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Hall of Supreme Ultimate were to be built at Pingcheng, Shaoyou was dispatched by fast courier to Luoyang to take measurements from Wei and Jin foundations. He later served as Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Writing Office and accompanied Li Biao on a mission to the south. When Emperor Xiaowen undertook shipbuilding, Shaoyou was appointed Commissioner of Waterways for his design talent. He was promoted to Concurrent Master of Palace Construction while continuing to oversee the pleasure boats and equipment on the palace pools and lakes. When Huayuan Hall was restored and expanded and the Jinyong Gate tower rebuilt, he designed them all to acclaim for their elegance. Though he had literary gifts, he could not fully put his talents to use. Constantly wielding carving tools and measuring cords, rushing from task to task, he wandered among gardens, lakes, walls, and halls, and those who understood his gifts sighed for him. Yet he accepted it calmly as his duty and never complained of fatigue or shame. He also served concurrently as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices while retaining his post as Commissioner of Waterways. When he died he was posthumously granted General of the Flying Dragon and Governor of Qingzhou, with the posthumous name Simple. He left collected writings of more than ten chapters. Shaoyou also created models for the Hall of Supreme Ultimate and worked on its construction with Dong Er, Wang Yu, and others, but all died before it was finished.

初，文成時，郭善明甚機巧，北京宮殿，多其制作。孝文時，青州刺史侯文和亦以巧聞，為要舟，水中立射。滑稽多智，辭說無端，尤善淺俗委巷之語，至可玩笑。位樂陵、濟南二郡太守。宣武、明帝時，豫州人柳儉、殿中將軍關文備、郭安興並機巧。洛中制永寧寺九層佛圖，安興為匠也。

Earlier, during Emperor Wencheng's reign, Guo Shanming was very ingenious, and many palaces of the northern capital were his work. During Emperor Xiaowen's reign, Qingzhou governor Hou Wenhe was also known for ingenuity; he built pleasure boats for archery at targets standing in the water. Witty and clever, his speech was unpredictable; he was especially skilled in popular street talk and banter. He served as governor of Leling and Jinan commanderies. During the reigns of Emperors Xuanwu and Ming, Liu Jian of Yuzhou, Palace Guard General Guan Wenbei, and Guo Anxing were all ingenious craftsmen. When the nine-story pagoda of Yongning Temple was built in Luoyang, Anxing was the master craftsman.

始孝文時，有范寧兒者善圍棋，曾與李彪使齊。齊令江南上品王抗與寧兒，制勝而還。又有浮陽高光宗善樗蒲。趙國李幼序、洛陽丘何奴並工握槊。此蓋胡戲，近入中國。雲胡王有弟一人遇罪，將殺之，弟從獄中為此戲以上之，意言孤則易死也。宣武以後，大盛于時。

From Emperor Xiaowen's reign there was Fan Ning'er, skilled at weiqi, who once accompanied Li Biao on a mission to Qi. Qi pitted the Jiangnan master Wang Kang against Ning'er; Ning'er won and returned home. There was also Gao Guangzong of Fuyang, skilled at chupu. Li Youxu of Zhao and Qiu Henü of Luoyang were both expert at woshuo. This was originally a foreign game that had recently entered China. A barbarian king's younger brother, condemned to death, is said to have devised this game in prison and sent it to the king, meaning that one who stands alone is easily killed. After Emperor Xuanwu it became extremely popular.

何稠，字桂林，國子祭酒妥之兄子也。父通，善琢玉。稠年十餘，遇江陵平，隨妥入長安。仕周，禦飾下士。及隋文帝為丞相，召補參軍，並掌細作署。開皇中，累遷太府丞。稠博覽古圖，多識舊物。波斯嘗獻金線錦袍，組織殊麗。上命稠為之。稠錦成，逾所獻者，上甚悅。時中國久絕琉璃作，匠人無敢措意，稠以綠瓷為之，與真不異。尋加員外散騎侍郎。

He Chou, courtesy name Guilin, was the nephew of National University Chancellor He Tuo. His father Tong was skilled at jade carving. When Chou was just over ten, Jiangling fell; he followed He Tuo to Chang'an. He served in Zhou as a lower officer in the Imperial Ornaments Office. When Emperor Wen of Sui was prime minister, Chou was summoned as an adjutant and put in charge of the Fine Works Office. During Kaihuang he rose to Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury. Chou studied ancient designs and was knowledgeable about antiquities. Persia once presented a gold-thread brocade robe of exceptional beauty. The emperor ordered Chou to replicate it. Chou's brocade surpassed the tribute gift, and the emperor was greatly pleased. Glassmaking had long ceased in China and no craftsman dared attempt it; Chou made it from green porcelain, indistinguishable from the real. He was soon additionally appointed Supernumerary Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Writing Office.

開皇末，桂州俚李光仕為亂，詔稠募討之。師次衡嶺，遣使招其渠帥，洞主莫崇解兵降款，桂州長史王文同鎖崇詣稠所。稠詐宣言曰：「州縣不能綏養，非崇之罪。」命釋之，引共坐，與從者四人，為設酒食遣之。大悅，歸洞不設備。稠至五更，掩及其洞，悉發俚兵以臨餘賊，象州逆帥杜條遼、羅州逆帥龐靖等相斷降款。分遣建州開府梁昵討叛夷羅壽，羅州刺史馮暄討賊帥李大檀，並平之。承制署首領為州縣官而還，眾皆悅服。有欽州刺史甯猛力帥眾迎軍。初，猛力欲圖為逆，至是惶懼，請身入朝。稠以其疾篤，示無猜貳，放還州，與約八九月詣京師相見。稠還奏狀，上意不懌。其年十月，猛力卒，上謂稠曰：「汝前不將猛力來，今竟死矣。」稠曰：「猛力共臣約，假令身死，當遣子入侍。越人性直，其子必來。」初，猛力臨終，誡其子長真曰：「我與大使期，不可失信于國士，汝葬我訖，即宜上路。」長真如言入朝。上大悅曰：「何稠著信蠻夷，乃至於此！」以勳授開府。

At the end of Kaihuang, the Li chieftain Li Guangshi of Guizhou rebelled, and Chou was ordered to raise troops against him. When the army reached Hengling, envoys summoned the chieftains; cave lord Mo Chong disarmed and submitted, and Guizhou Administrator Wang Wentong brought Chong in chains to Chou's camp. Chou publicly declared, "The prefecture and county failed in governance—this is not Chong's fault. He had Chong released, invited him to sit with him, served wine and food to him and his four companions, and sent them away. Chong was greatly pleased; he returned to his cave without taking precautions. At the fifth watch Chou stormed the cave, mobilized Li warriors against the remaining rebels, and rebel chiefs Du Tiaoliao of Xiangzhou, Pang Jing of Luozhou, and others submitted in turn. He dispatched Jianzhou Defender Liang Ni against the rebel Yi Luo Shou and Luozhou Governor Feng Xuan against rebel chief Li Datán; both campaigns succeeded. By imperial commission he appointed chieftains as local officials and returned; all submitted willingly. Qinzhou governor Ning Mengli led his followers to welcome the army. Mengli had once planned rebellion; now fearful, he asked to come to court in person. Seeing that Mengli was gravely ill, Chou showed no suspicion, let him return to his province, and arranged to meet at the capital in the eighth or ninth month. When Chou reported back, the emperor was displeased. In the tenth month of that year Mengli died; the emperor told Chou, "You did not bring Mengli here when you could—now he is dead. Chou said, "Mengli agreed with me that even if he died, he would send his son to serve at court. The Yue are straightforward by nature—his son will surely come." Earlier, as Mengli lay dying, he admonished his son Changzhen: "I gave my word to the envoy; one must not break faith with a man of honor. When my burial is complete, set out for the capital at once." Changzhen did as instructed and came to court. The emperor was greatly pleased. "He Chou's trustworthiness even among the southern tribes has brought us to this! For this achievement he was granted the rank of Defender of the State.

仁壽初，文獻皇后崩，稠與宇文愷參典山陵制度。稠性少言，善候上旨，由是漸見親昵。上疾篤，謂稠曰：「汝既曾葬皇后，今我方死，亦宜好安置。囑此何益？但不能忘懷耳。魂而有知，當相見於地下。」上因攬太子頸曰：「何稠用心，我後事動靜當共平章。」

At the start of the Renshou era, after Empress Wenxian's death, Chou and Yuwen Kai jointly oversaw the design of the imperial tomb. Chou spoke little but was skilled at reading the emperor's wishes, and gradually grew close to him. As the emperor lay gravely ill, he told Chou, "You already arranged the empress's burial; now that I am dying, see that I am properly laid to rest as well. What good will it do to tell you this? Yet I cannot put it out of my mind, that is all. If the dead have awareness, we shall meet again beneath the earth. The emperor then put his arm around the crown prince's neck. "He Chou is devoted to me; the two of you shall jointly decide all matters after my death."

大業初，煬帝將幸揚州，敕稠討閱圖籍，造輿服羽儀，送至江都。其日，拜太府少卿。稠於是營黃麾三萬六千人仗，及車輿輦輅、皇后鹵簿、百官儀服，依期而就，送于江都。所役工十萬餘人，用金銀錢物巨億計。帝使兵部侍郎胡雅、選部郎薛邁等勾覆，數年方竟，毫釐無舛。

At the start of the Daye era, when Emperor Yang prepared to visit Yangzhou, he ordered Chou to review the archives and produce chariots, vestments, and ceremonial insignia, to be sent to Jiangdu. That day he was appointed Vice Director of the Palace Storehouses. Chou then raised thirty-six thousand yellow-banner guards, plus chariots, palanquins, the empress's full retinue, and ceremonial robes for every official; all was finished on schedule and sent to Jiangdu. More than a hundred thousand workers were employed; gold, silver, currency, and supplies consumed ran to hundreds of millions. The emperor had Hu Ya of the Ministry of War and Xue Mai of the Selection Bureau audit the accounts; the review took years, yet not a single item was out of balance.

稠參會今古，多所改創。魏、晉以以來，皮弁有纓而無笄導。稠曰：「此古田獵服也，今服以入朝，宜變其制。」故弁施象牙簪導，自稠始也。又從省之服，初無佩綬。稠曰：「此乃晦朔小朝之服，安有人臣謁帝，而除去印綬，兼無佩玉之節乎？」乃加獸頭小綬及佩一隻。舊制，五輅於轅上起箱，天子與參乘同在箱內。稠曰：「君臣同所，過為相逼。」乃廣為盤輿，別構欄楯，侍臣立於其中。于內復起須彌平坐，天子獨居其上。自餘麾幢文物，增損極多。帝復令稠造戎車萬乘，鉤陳八百連。帝善之，以稠守太府卿，後兼領少府監。

Drawing on past and present practice, Chou made many innovations. Since Wei and Jin times, the leather cap had tassels but no hairpin guide. Chou said, "This is ancient hunting dress; if it is now worn at court, the design should be changed. An ivory hairpin guide was added to the cap—an innovation that began with Chou. The simplified court dress, moreover, originally had no sash at the belt. Chou said, "This is dress for brief new- and full-moon audiences—how can a minister attend the emperor with neither seal sash nor jade ornament? A small beast-head sash and a single jade ornament were added. Under the old regulations, the five state chariots had a compartment built on the yoke; the emperor and attending ministers rode together inside it. Chou said, "Emperor and ministers sharing one space—that is too cramped and undignified. He therefore built wide platform chariots with separate railings, where attending ministers stood. Inside, a raised Sumeru platform was added, where the emperor sat alone. Countless other banners, flags, and ceremonial objects were added or altered. The emperor also ordered Chou to build ten thousand war chariots and eight hundred linked Gouchen sections. The emperor approved; Chou was made Director of the Palace Storehouses and later also Commissioner of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories.

遼東之役，攝左屯衛將軍，領御營弩手三萬人。時工部尚書宇文愷造遼水橋不成，師未得濟，左屯衛大將軍麥鐵杖因而遇害。帝遣稠造橋，二日而就。初，稠制行殿及六合城，至是，帝于遼左與賊相對，夜中施之。其城，周回八里，城及女垣合高十仞，上布甲士，立仗建旗，四隅置闕，面列一觀，觀下三門，比明而畢。高麗望見，謂若神功。稍加至右光祿大夫。從幸江都，遇宇文化及亂，以為工部尚書。及敗，陷於竇建德，復為工部尚書、舒國公。建德敗，歸於大唐，授少府監，卒。

During the Liaodong campaign, he served as acting General of the Left Garrison Guard, leading thirty thousand imperial crossbowmen. Work Minister Yuwen Kai had failed to bridge the Liao River; the army could not cross, and Grand General Mai Tiezhang of the Left Garrison Guard was killed in the attempt. The emperor sent Chou to build the bridge, and it was finished in two days. Chou had earlier designed a mobile palace and the Six Harmonies fortification; now, with the emperor facing the enemy east of the Liao, both were erected overnight. The fort measured eight li around; wall and parapet together stood ten ren high. Armored soldiers manned the top, weapons at the ready and banners flying. Towers rose at the four corners, a pavilion lined each face, and three gates opened beneath each pavilion—all finished by dawn. The Goguryeo forces saw it and took it for divine workmanship. He was gradually promoted to Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When he accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu, Yuwen Huaji's rebellion broke out, and he was made Minister of Works. After Yuwen Huaji's defeat he fell into Dou Jiande's hands and again served as Minister of Works and Duke of Shu. After Dou Jiande's defeat he submitted to the Tang and was appointed Commissioner of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories; he died thereafter.

又齊時有河間劉龍者，性強明，有巧思。齊後主令修三雀台稱旨，因而曆職通顯。及隋文帝踐阼，大見親委，位右衛將軍，兼將作大匠。遷都之始，與高熲參掌制度，世號為能。

In Qi times there was also Liu Long of Hejian, a man of keen intellect and ingenious mind. When Emperor Houzhu of Qi had him restore the Three Sparrows Tower to the emperor's satisfaction, he rose steadily through the ranks. When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, he won great trust and was appointed General of the Right Guard and Chief Architect. At the start of the capital relocation, he and Gao Jiong jointly oversaw institutional design, and the age hailed their talent.

大業中，有南郡公黃亙及弟兗，俱巧思絕人，煬帝每令其兄弟亙少府將作。于時改創多務，亙、兗每參典其事。凡有所為，何稠先令亙、兗立樣，當時工人莫有所損益。亙，位朝散大夫；兗，散騎侍郎。

In the Daye era there were Huang Gen, Duke of Nanjun, and his brother Yan, both possessed of extraordinary ingenuity; Emperor Yang often had the brothers alternate between the Palace Storehouses and the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. With renovations multiplying, Gen and Yan each assisted in these projects. In every project, He Chou first had Gen and Yan prepare models; none of the craftsmen could improve upon them. Gen held the rank of Grand Master for Palace Attendance. Yan was Attendant Gentleman of the Dispersed Cavalry.

論曰：陰陽卜祝之事，聖哲之教存焉，雖不可以專，亦不可得而廢也。徇於是者不能無非，厚於利者必有其害。《詩》、《書》、《禮》、《樂》所失也淺，故先王重其德；方術伎巧所失也深，故往哲輕其藝。夫能通方術而不詭於俗；習伎巧而必蹈於禮者，幾于大雅君子。故昔之通賢，所以戒乎妄作。晁崇、張深、殷紹、王早、耿玄、劉靈助、李順興、檀特師、由吾道榮、顏惡頭、王春、信都芳、宋景業、許遵、吳遵世、趙輔和、皇甫玉、解法選、魏甯、綦母懷文、張子信、陸法和、蔣升、強練、庾季才、盧太翼、耿詢、來和、蕭吉、楊伯醜、臨孝恭、劉祐、張胄玄等，皆魏來術藝之士也。觀其占候卜筮，推步盈虛，通幽洞微，近知鬼神之情狀，其間有不涉用於龜筴，而究人事之吉凶，如順興、檀特之徒，法和、強練之輩，將別稟數術，詎可以智識知？及江陵失守，前巧盡棄，還吳無路，入周不可，因歸事齊，厚蒙榮遇。雖竊之以叨濫，而守之以清虛，生靈所資，嗜欲咸遣，斯亦得道家之致矣。信都芳所明解者，乃是經國之用乎？周澹、李脩、徐謇、謇兄孫之才、王顯、馬嗣明、姚僧垣、褚該、許智藏方藥特妙，各一時之美也。而僧垣診候精審，名冠一代，其所全濟，固亦多焉。而弘茲義方，皆為令器，故能享眉壽，縻好爵。老聃云「天道無親，常與善人」，於是信矣！許氏之運針石，百載可稱。寶常聲律之奇，足以追蹤牙、曠，各一時之妙也。蔣、何以剞劂見知，沒其學思，藝成為下，其近是乎？

The Annalist says: Matters of yin and yang, divination, and prayer—the sages' teachings acknowledge them. They must not be made one's sole pursuit, yet neither can they be abolished entirely. Those who indulge in such pursuits cannot escape error; those who chase profit too eagerly always suffer for it. Where the 《Odes》, 《Documents》, 《Rites》, and 《Music》 are neglected, the harm is slight; therefore the ancient kings emphasized moral cultivation. Where arts of technique and craft are neglected, the harm runs deep; therefore the sages of old held such skills in low esteem. To master the arts of technique without falling into vulgar eccentricity— and to practice craft yet always remain within the bounds of ritual—such a one approaches the noble gentleman of the Odes. This is why the sages of old warned against reckless innovation. Chao Chong, Zhang Shen, Yin Shao, Wang Zao, Geng Xuan, Liu Lingzhu, Li Shunxing, Tan Teshi, Youwu Daorong, Yan Etou, Wang Chun, Xindu Fang, Song Jingye, Xu Zun, Wu Zunshi, Zhao Fuhe, Huangfu Yu, Jiefa Xuan, Wei Ning, Qimu Huaiwen, Zhang Zixin, Lu Fafa, Jiang Sheng, Qiang Lian, Yu Jicai, Lu Taiyi, Geng Xun, Lai He, Xiao Ji, Yang Bochou, Lin Xiaogong, Liu You, Zhang Zhouxuan, and others—all were masters of arts and techniques from Wei times onward. In their observation of omens, divination, calendrical reckoning, and piercing insight into hidden truths—nearly grasping the nature of spirits—some among them did not rely on tortoise and yarrow at all, yet still divined human fortune and misfortune: men like Shunxing and Tan Te, Fafa and Qiang Lian and their kind. Did they possess some separate gift of numerological art beyond what intellect alone could explain? When Jiangling fell, their former skills were cast aside; they could not return to Wu, could not enter Zhou, and so submitted to Qi, where they were generously honored. Though they reached office through opportunism, they preserved clarity and detachment, living on what sustains life and casting off all desire—this too approximated the Daoist ideal. Was what Xindu Fang mastered truly of use in governing the state? Zhou Dan, Li Xiu, Xu She, Sun Zhicai, nephew of Xu She, Wang Xian, Ma Siming, Yao Sengyuan, Chu Gai, and Xu Zhicang were all master physicians—each the finest of his age. Yet Sengyuan's diagnosis was exceptionally precise, his fame unrivaled in his age, and the lives he saved were indeed many. By upholding proper moral training, they all became men of promise; hence they enjoyed long life and high honors. Laozi said, "The Way of Heaven is impartial—it constantly aids the good." How true that proves here! The Xu family's mastery of acupuncture could be praised for a century. Baochang's mastery of pitch and measure rivaled the ancients Bo Ya and Shi Kuang—each the finest musician of his day. Jiang and He won renown through carving and printing, yet buried their scholarly learning; when craft ranks below learning—is that not nearer the truth?

周時，有樂茂雅以陰陽顯，史元華以相術稱，並所闕也。

During Northern Zhou, Yue Maoya was noted for yin-yang arts and Shi Yuanhua for physiognomy—both are omitted from this account.

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