1
列傳第七太祖諸子宗雋本名訛魯觀宗傑本名沒里野宗強本名阿魯，子爽 （本名阿鄰） 可喜阿瑣宗敏本名阿魯補元宗峻子，本名常勝
Biography 7. Sons of Taizu: Zong Juan, born Eluguan; Zong Jie, born Meiliye; Zong Qiang, born Alu—and Shuang his son. (born Alin) Kexi, A Suo, Zong Min (born Alubu); Yuan, son of Zong Jun, born Changsheng.
2
太祖聖穆皇后生景宣帝、豐王烏烈、趙王宗傑。 光懿皇后生遼王宗幹。 欽憲皇后生宋王宗望、陳王宗雋、瀋王訛魯。 宣獻皇后生睿宗、豳王訛魯朵。 元妃烏古論氏生梁王宗弼、衛王宗強、蜀王宗敏。 崇妃蕭氏生紀王習泥烈、息王甯吉、莒王燕孫。 娘子獨奴可生鄴王斡忽。 宗幹、宗望、宗弼自有傳。
Empress Shengmu, consort of Taizu, bore the Jingxuan Emperor, Prince Feng Wulie, and Prince Zhao Zong Jie. Empress Guangyi bore Prince Liao Zong Gan. Empress Qinxian bore Prince Song Zong Wang, Prince Chen Zong Juan, and Prince Shen Elu. Empress Xuanxian bore Ruizong and Prince Bin Eluduo. Primary consort Lady Wugulun bore Prince Liang Zong Bi, Prince Wei Zong Qiang, and Prince Shu Zong Min. Honored Consort Xiao bore Prince Ji Xinilie, Prince Xi Ningji, and Prince Ju Yansun. The consort Dunuke bore Prince Ye Gahuo. Zong Gan, Zong Wang, and Zong Bi are treated in separate biographies.
3
爽，本名阿鄰。 天德三年，授世襲猛安。 正隆二年，除橫海軍節度使，改安武軍，留京師奉朝請。 海陵將伐宋，嚴酒禁，爽坐與其弟阿瑣，及從父兄京、徒單貞會飲，被杖，下遷歸化州刺史，奪猛安。 未幾，複除安武軍節度使。
Shuang—born Alin. In Tiande year 3 he received a hereditary meng'an commission. Zhenglong year 2: appointed military commissioner of the Henghai Army, then of the Anwu Army, and kept at the capital on court attendance. When Hailing was about to march on Song he banned wine outright. Shuang had drunk with his brother A Suo and with his cousins Jing and Tushan Zhen; he was flogged, demoted to prefect of Guihua, and lost his meng'an. Soon he was reappointed military commissioner of the Anwu Army.
4
海陵渡淮，分遣使者翦滅宗室，爽憂懼不知所出。 會世宗即位東京，宗室璋推爽弟阿瑣行中都留守，遣人報爽。 爽棄妻子來奔，與弟忻州刺史可喜，俱至中都。 東迎車駕，至梁魚務入見，世宗大悅，即除殿前馬步軍都指揮使。 封溫王，改秘書監。 母憂，尋起複，遷太子太保，進封壽王。
Hailing crossed the Huai and sent agents to purge the clan. Shuang was sick with fear and could see no way out. Shizong came to the throne at Dongjing. The clansman Zhang had A Suo, Shuang's younger brother, hold Zhongdu as acting protector and sent to inform Shuang. Shuang left wife and children behind and fled to join him; with his brother Kexi, prefect of Xin, he entered Zhongdu. He rode east to meet the imperial train, was received at Liangyuwu, and Shizong rejoiced; at once Shuang was made commander of the Palace Horse and Foot Armies before the throne. He was enfeoffed Prince Wen and appointed Director of the Secretariat. When his mother died he left office, but was soon recalled, made Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and advanced to Prince Shou.
5
頃之，世宗第五女蜀國公主下嫁唐括鼎，賜宴神龍殿，謂爽曰：「朕與卿兄弟，在正隆時，朝夕常懼不保，豈意今日賴爾兄弟之福，可以享安樂矣。」 爽泣下，頓首謝。 未幾，判大宗正事，太子太保如故。
Not long after, Shizong's fifth daughter, the Princess of Shu, married Tangguo Ding; a feast was held in the Shenlong Hall. The emperor said to Shuang, 「You and your brothers—in the Zhenglong years we woke each day afraid we would not live to see the next. Who dreamed that today, by your brothers' blessing, we could sit in ease? 」Shuang wept and bowed to the ground. Soon he was put in charge of the Imperial Clan Court while keeping his rank as Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent.
6
爽有疾，詔除其子符寶祗候思列為忠順軍節度副使。 爽入謝，上曰：「朕以卿疾，使卿子遷官，冀卿因喜而愈也。 思列年少，未閑政事，卿訓以義方，使有善可稱，別加升擢。」 爽疾少間，將從上如涼陘，賜錢千萬，進封英王，轉太子太傅。 複世襲猛安，進封榮王，改太子太師。
Shuang fell ill; an edict made his son Silie, a Sigil Guard Attendant, deputy military commissioner of the Zhongshun Army. Shuang came to give thanks. The emperor said, 「Your illness moved me to advance your son—I hoped gladness might ease you. Silie is young and untried in government; teach him the right way so he may deserve praise, and I will raise him further. 」When Shuang was somewhat better and was to follow the emperor to Liangxi, he received ten million cash, was advanced to Prince Ying, and made Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. His hereditary meng'an was restored; he was advanced to Prince Rong and made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent.
7
顯宗長女鄴國公主下嫁烏古論誼，賜宴慶和殿，爽坐西向，迎夕照，面發赤似醉。 上問曰：「卿醉邪？」 對曰：「未也，臣面迎日色，非酒紅也。」 上悅，顧群臣曰：「此弟出言，未嘗不實，自小如此。」 因謂顯宗兄弟曰：「汝等可以為法。」 以爽貲用有闕，特賜錢一萬貫。 二十三年，爽疾久不愈，敕有司曰：「榮王告滿百日，當給以王俸。」
The Xianzong's eldest daughter, Princess of Ye, married Wugulun Yi; a feast was given in the Qinghe Hall. Shuang sat facing west into the sunset; his face burned red as if he were drunk. The emperor asked, 「Are you drunk? 」He answered, 「No, sire. I am facing the sun—that flush is not from wine. 」The emperor was pleased and told the ministers, 「This brother of mine has never told a lie—not since he was a boy. 」Then he said to the Xianzong and his brothers, 「You would do well to be like him. 」Learning that Shuang's household was short, the emperor specially granted ten thousand strings of cash. In year 23 Shuang's illness would not lift. An edict ran: 「When Prince Rong's sick leave reaches one hundred days, grant him a prince's salary.」
8
既薨，上悼痛，輟朝，遣官致祭，賻銀千兩、重彩四十端、絹四百匹。 陪葬山陵，親王、百官送葬。 他日，謂大臣曰：「榮王之葬，朕以不果親送為恨。」 其見友愛如此。
At his death the emperor mourned deeply, halted court, sent officers to sacrifice, and granted one thousand taels of silver, forty bolts of heavy brocade, and four hundred bolts of silk. He was buried with the imperial tombs; princes and officials followed the bier. Another day he told his ministers, 「At Prince Rong's funeral I could not go myself—that still grieves me. 」Such was the love he bore him.
9
可喜，以宗室子，累官唐括部族節度使，降忻州刺史。 海陵遣使殺之，可喜聞世宗即位，即棄州來歸，與其兄歸化州刺史阿鄰會於中都。 是時，弟阿瑣權中都留守事，可喜謂阿鄰曰：「阿瑣愚戇，恐不能撫治，欲少留以助之。」 阿鄰乃行。 可喜留中都，聞世宗發東京，乃迎見於麻吉鋪。 除兵部尚書，佩金牌，將兵往南京。 行至中都，聞南京已定，遂止。
Kexi, of the imperial clan, rose to military commissioner of the Tangguo tribal command, then was demoted to prefect of Xin. Hailing sent men to kill him. Hearing that Shizong had taken the throne, Kexi abandoned his post and fled in; he met his elder brother Alin, prefect of Guihua, at Zhongdu. A Suo was then acting protector of Zhongdu. Kexi said to Alin, 「A Suo is slow and blunt; I doubt he can hold the city. Let me stay a while to help him. 」Alin went on. Kexi remained at Zhongdu; when he heard the emperor had left Dongjing, he went out to meet him at Majipu. He was made Minister of War, given a golden tablet, and marched toward Nanjing with troops. At Zhongdu he learned Nanjing was already settled, and stopped.
10
可喜材武過人，狠戾好亂，自乙太祖孫，頗有異志。 世宗初至中都，倥傯多事，扈從諸軍未暇行賞，或有怨言。 昭武大將軍斡論，正隆末，被詔佩金牌，取河南兵四百人，監完顏彀英軍於歸化，次彰德。 會獨吉和尚持大定赦文至。 和尚使人招之，斡論不聽，率兵來迎，和尚亦以所將蒲輦兵，列陣待之。 斡論兵皆不肯戰，遂請降。 和尚邀之入相州，收其甲兵，置酒相勞，斡論托腹疾，不肯飲。 至夜，已張燈，時時出門，與其心腹密謀，欲就執和尚。 稍具弓矢，和尚覺之，佯為不知，使其從者迫而伺之，斡論不得發。 上至中都近郊，斡論上謁，上亦撫慰之。 斡論自慊，初無降志。 及河南統軍司令史斡里朵，為人狡險，憙圖事，斡論取兵于河南統軍使陁滿訛里也，斡里朵與俱來，俱不自安。 同知延安尹李惟忠，與熙宗弑逆，構殺韓王亨，世宗疏斥之。 同知中都留守璋，初自領其職，因而授之。 完顏布輝為副統，以罪解職，居京師。 於是可喜、斡論、李惟忠、斡里朵、璋、布輝謀，欲因扈從軍士怨望作亂。 斡論曰：「押軍猛安沃窟刺，必不違我。」 惟忠曰：「惟忠嘗為神翼軍總管，有兩銀牌尚在，可以矯發內藏賞士。 萬戶高松與我舊，必見聽。」 眾曰：「若得此軍，舉事無難矣。」 斡論往約沃窟刺，沃窟刺從之。 惟忠旆說高松，高松不聽，語在《松傳》。
Kexi was fierce in battle beyond others, cruel and eager for disorder; a grandson of Taizu in the yi line, he nursed no small designs. When Shizong had just entered Zhongdu, business crowded him on every side; the troops who had escorted him had not yet been rewarded, and some grumbled. Wolun, Grand General of Martial Illumination, late in the Zhenglong reign was ordered to wear the golden plaque, muster four hundred troops from Henan, and oversee Wanyan Gu Ying's forces at Guihua, stopping at Zhangde. Duji Heshang arrived with the amnesty proclamation of the Dading reign. Heshang sent envoys to call him in; Wolun refused and marched to confront him. Heshang, for his part, drew up the Pulan troops he commanded and waited in battle array. Wolun's men would not fight at all, and so they asked to surrender. Heshang brought him into Xiang Prefecture, disarmed his men, and set a feast to honor them. Wolun claimed a stomach ailment and would not drink. By night, with lamps already burning, he slipped out again and again to conspire with his closest followers—they meant to seize Heshang then and there. Bows and arrows were quietly readied. Heshang saw it but played ignorant, ordering his attendants to crowd in and watch; Wolun never found his opening. When the emperor came to the suburbs of the Central Capital, Wolun presented himself; the emperor received him with reassurance. Wolun was ill at ease with himself; he had never meant to submit in the first place. Then there was Wolidu, clerk to the Henan frontier commander—a man sly, treacherous, and greedy for intrigue. Wolun had taken soldiers from the Henan frontier commissioner Tuoman E'eli; Wolidu came with them, and none of the party felt secure. Li Weizhong, Vice Director of Yan'an, had taken part in the plot that murdered Xizong and had engineered the death of Prince of Han Hen; Shizong had cast him aside. Zhang, Vice Director of the Central Capital garrison, had first seized the office for himself; only later was the appointment made formal. Wanyan Buhui had served as deputy commander-in-chief, lost his post for an offense, and was living in the capital. Then Kexi, Wolun, Li Weizhong, Wolidu, Zhang, and Buhui conspired to turn the grumbling of the emperor's escort troops into open rebellion. Wolun said: 「The escort meng'an Wokulu will never go against me. 」Li Weizhong said: 「I was once chief of the Divine Wing Army and still hold two silver plaques—I can forge orders to pay out the inner treasury's bounty to the troops. The wanhu Gao Song is an old friend of mine; he is bound to listen. 」The others said: 「With that force in hand, the deed will not be hard. 」Wolun went to win Wokulu over, and Wokulu consented. Li Weizhong went to win over Gao Song, but Gao Song refused—the story is told in the Biography of Song.
11
大定二年正月甲戌，上謁山陵，可喜中道稱疾而歸。 乙亥夜，召斡論、惟忠、斡里朵、璋、布輝會其家，沃窟刺以兵赴之，璋曰：「今不高松軍，事不可成矣。」 可喜、璋、布輝乃擒斡論、惟忠、斡里朵、沃窟刺，詣有司自首。 既下詔獄，可喜不肯自言其始謀，及與斡論面質，然後款伏。 上念兄弟少，太祖孫惟數人在，惻然傷之。 詔罪止可喜一身，其兄弟子孫皆不緣坐。 遂誅斡論、惟忠、斡里朵、沃窟刺等，其沃窟刺下謀克士卒皆釋之。 除璋彰化軍節度使，布輝浚州防禦使。 辛巳，詔天下。 是日，賜扈從萬戶銀百兩，猛安五十兩，謀克絹十匹，甲士絹五匹、錢六貫，阿里喜以下賜各有差。
In the second year of Dading, on jiaxu of the first month, the emperor went to the imperial tombs. Kexi, midway, claimed illness and turned back. That night, on yihai, he called Wolun, Li Weizhong, Wolidu, Zhang, and Buhui to his home. Wokulu came with soldiers. Zhang said: 「Without Gao Song's troops, this cannot be done. 」Kexi, Zhang, and Buhui then seized Wolun, Li Weizhong, Wolidu, and Wokulu and surrendered themselves to the officials. After they were committed to the imperial prison, Kexi would not admit the original plot of his own accord; only when he was confronted with Wolun did he confess everything. The emperor thought how few brothers he had left, and that of Taizu's grandsons only a handful still lived—his heart ached for them. An edict fixed guilt on Kexi alone; brothers, sons, and grandsons would not be punished by association. Wolun, Li Weizhong, Wolidu, Wokulu, and the others were put to death; the company-command soldiers under Wokulu were all released. Zhang was made military commissioner of Zhanghua; Buhui was made defender of Jun Prefecture. On xinsi an edict went out to all the realm. That same day the escort wanhu received a hundred taels of silver, meng'an fifty taels, company commanders ten bolts of silk, and armored soldiers five bolts of silk plus six strings of cash; ranks below Ali Xi were rewarded in due measure.
12
阿瑣，宗強之幼子也。 長身多力。 天德二年，以宗室子，授奉國上將軍，累加金吾衛上將軍，居於中都。
Asuo was Zong Qiang's youngest son. He was tall and immensely strong. In the second year of Tiande, as a clansman he was made General-in-Chief Who Serves the State, later promoted to General-in-Chief of the Golden Crow Guards, and lived at the Central Capital.
13
大定二年，授橫海軍節度使，剛以名鷹，詔曰：「卿方年少，宜自戒慎，留心政事。」 改武定軍，以母憂去官。 起復興平軍節度使，賜以襲衣廄馬。 遷廣甯尹，坐贓一萬四千餘貫，詔杖八十，削兩階，解職。 入見於常武殿，上曰：「朕謂汝有才力，使之臨民。 今汝在法當死，朕以親親之故，曲為全貸。 當思自今戒懼，勿複使惡聲達於朕聽。」 改平涼、濟南尹，卒官，年三十七。 上命有司致祭，賻銀千兩、重彩四十端、絹四百匹。
In the second year of Dading he was made military commissioner of the Transverse Sea Army. He was headstrong and kept a celebrated hawk; an edict said: 「You are still young. Guard yourself, stay wary, and attend to your duties. 」He was moved to Wuding Army, then left office to mourn his mother. Called back from mourning, he was appointed military commissioner of Xingping and given court dress and horses from the imperial stables. As Director of Guangning he was found guilty of embezzling more than fourteen thousand strings of cash. By edict he was beaten eighty strokes, stripped of two ranks, and removed from office. He came before the throne in the Ever Martial Hall. The emperor said: 「I thought you had ability and made you govern the people. By law you should die now; for kinship's sake I bend the rule and spare you outright. From this day forward, live in fear and restraint—do not let ill report of you reach my ears again. 」He was reassigned as Director of Pingliang and Jinan, and died in office at thirty-seven. The emperor ordered the officials to conduct the funeral rites and sent a thousand taels of silver, forty bolts of heavy brocade, and four hundred bolts of silk as burial gifts.
14
海陵謀弑立，畏宗敏尊且材勇，欲構誣以除之。 時熙宗屢殺大臣，宗敏憂之，謂海陵曰：「主上喜殘殺，而國家事重，奈何。」 宗敏言時，適左右無人，海陵將以此為指斥構害之，自念無證不可發，乃止。
When Hailing plotted murder and usurpation, he feared Zong Min—high in rank, brave and capable—and meant to frame him and destroy him. In those days Xizong was slaughtering ministers one after another. Zong Min, uneasy, said to Hailing: 「The sovereign delights in bloodshed, yet the realm hangs in the balance—what can be done? 」No one else was near when he spoke. Hailing nearly seized on the words as lese-majeste and moved to destroy him, but saw he had no proof and held back.
15
及弑熙宗，使葛王宗敏。 葛王者，世宗初封也。 宗敏聞海陵召，疑懼不敢往。 葛王曰：「叔父今不即往，至明日，如何與之相見。」 宗敏入宮，海陵欲殺之，尚猶豫，以問左右。 烏帶曰：「彼太祖子也，不殺之，眾人必有異議，不如除之。」 乃使僕散忽土殺之，忽土刃擊宗敏，宗敏左右走避，膚發血肉，狼藉遍地。 葛王見殺宗敏，問於眾曰：「國王何罪而死？」 烏帶曰：「天許大事，尚已行之，此蟣虱耳，何足道者。」 天德三年，海陵追封宗敏為太師，進封爵。 妃蒲察氏，進國號。 封子撒合輦舒國公，賜名褒，進封王； 阿里罕封密國公。 正隆六年，契丹撒八反，海陵遣使殺諸宗室，阿里罕遂見殺。 大定間，詔複官爵。
After he killed Xizong, he sent for Prince of Ge Zong Min. The Prince of Ge was the title Shizong had first received. When Zong Min heard Hailing summon him, he was afraid and did not dare go. The Prince of Ge said: 「Uncle, if you do not go today, how will you meet him tomorrow? 」Zong Min entered the palace. Hailing meant to kill him but still wavered, and asked his attendants what to do. Wudai said: 「He is Taizu’s own son. Leave him alive and the court will murmur—better cut him down. 」He sent Pusan Hutu to do it. Hutu hacked at Zong Min; his attendants scattered. Flesh and blood lay heaped across the floor. The Prince of Ge saw Zong Min slain and asked those present: 「What crime had the Kingdom Prince, that he should die? 」Wudai said: 「We have already done what Heaven approved—this is a flea. Why speak of it? 」In Tiande year 3 Hailing posthumously made Zong Min Grand Preceptor and raised his title of nobility. His consort of the Pucha clan was raised in court rank. His son Sahelian was made Duke of Shu, granted the name Bao, and later raised to prince; Alihan was enfeoffed Duke of Mi. Zhenglong year 6: the Khitan Saba rose in revolt. Hailing sent agents to slaughter the clan, and Alihan was killed. Under Dading an edict restored their offices and noble ranks.
16
胙王元，景宣皇帝峻子也，本名常勝，為北京留守，弟查刺為安武軍節度使。
Yuan, Prince of Zu, son of the Jingxuan Emperor Jun, was born Changsheng. He served as regent at the Northern Capital; his brother Chaci was military commissioner of the Anwu Army.
17
皇統七年四月戊午，左副點檢蒲察阿虎特子尚主，進禮物，賜宴便殿。 熙宗被酒，酌酒賜元，元不能飲，上怒，仗劍逼之，元逃去。 命左丞宗憲召元，宗憲與元俱去，上益怒，是時戶部尚書宗禮在側，使之跪，手殺之。
Huangtong year 7, fourth month, day wuwu: the son of Left Vice Director of the Palace Inspection Bureau Pucha Ahute married a princess and brought wedding gifts; the emperor gave a feast in the Informal Hall. Xizong, already drunk, poured wine and pressed it on Yuan. Yuan could not drink. The emperor flew into a rage, sword in hand, and drove at him; Yuan fled. He ordered Left Vice Director Zongxian to fetch Yuan; Zongxian left with him, and the emperor’s wrath only mounted. Minister of Revenue Zongli stood nearby—the emperor forced him to his knees and killed him himself.
18
海陵與唐括辯謀廢立，海陵曰：「若舉大事，誰當立者。」 海陵意謂己乃太祖長房之孫，當立。 而辯與秉德初意不在海陵，常勝乃熙宗之弟，辯答曰：「無胙王常勝乎。」 海陵複問其次，辯曰：「鄧王子阿楞。 海陵曰：「阿楞屬疏。」 由是海陵謂胙王有人望，不除之將不得立，故心忌常勝並阿楞。 是時，阿楞方為奉國上將軍。
Hailing and Tangguo Bian plotted to depose the throne. Hailing asked: 「If we raise a coup, whom should we set up? 」Hailing meant himself—grandson of Taizu in the senior house—to take the throne. Bian and Bingde had not first thought of Hailing. Changsheng was Xizong’s own brother. Bian said: 「What of the Prince of Zu, Changsheng? 」Hailing pressed for the next choice. Bian said: 「Aleng, son of the Prince of Deng. 」Hailing said: 「Aleng is too far from the line. 」Thence Hailing reckoned the Prince of Zu held the people’s favor—without removing him he could not reign—and so he hated Changsheng and Aleng alike. Aleng was then General-in-Chief Who Upholds the State.
19
河南軍士孫進自稱「皇弟按察大王」，熙宗疑「皇弟」二字或在常勝也，使特思鞫之，無狀。 特思乃嘗疑海陵與唐括辯時時竊議，告之悼後者。 海陵知熙宗有疑常勝心，因此可以除之，謂熙宗曰：「孫進反有端，不稱他人，乃稱皇弟大王。 陛下弟止有常勝、查刺。 特思鞫不以實，故出之矣。」 熙宗以為然，使唐括辯、蕭肄按問特思，特思自誣服，故出常勝罪。 於是，乃殺常勝及其弟查刺，並殺特思。 海陵乘此並擠阿楞殺之。 阿楞弟撻楞，熙宗本無意殺之，海陵曰：「其兄既已伏誅，其弟安得獨存。」 又殺之。 熙宗以海陵為忠，愈益任之，而不知其詐也。
Sun Jin, a soldier in Henan, called himself 「Younger Brother, Inspector King.」 Xizong wondered whether 「younger brother」 meant Changsheng and set Tesi to question him; nothing was proved. Tesi had long suspected Hailing and Tangguo Bian of meeting in secret, and had told Empress Dowager Dao. Hailing saw that Xizong already doubted Changsheng and that here was his chance. He told Xizong: 「Sun Jin’s revolt has a thread to pull—he named no one else but Younger Brother the King. Your Majesty has only two brothers—Changsheng and Chaci. Tesi’s inquiry did not get at the truth, and so he was let go. 」Xizong agreed and set Tangguo Bian and Xiao Yi to press Tesi; Tesi confessed under torture, and Changsheng was condemned. Then they killed Changsheng and his brother Chaci, and killed Tesi too. Hailing used the moment to force Aleng’s death as well. Aleng’s brother Taleng—Xizong had not meant to kill him. Hailing said: 「The elder brother is already dead—can the younger live alone? 」They killed him as well. Xizong thought Hailing faithful and relied on him ever more heavily, never seeing the fraud.
20
海陵篡立，追封常勝、查刺、阿楞官爵，親臨葬所致祭。 大定十三年六月丁巳，世宗召皇太子諸王，侍食於清輝殿，曰：「或稱海陵多能，何也。 海陵譎詐，睢盱殺人，空虛天下三分之二。 太祖諸孫中，惟胙王元天性賢者也。」
Once Hailing seized the throne he posthumously restored Changsheng, Chaci, and Aleng, and came in person to their graves to sacrifice. Dading year 13, sixth month, day dingsi: Shizong called the crown prince and the princes to dine with him in the Clear Splendor Hall and said: 「Some praise Hailing as a man of many talents—why? Hailing was sly and murderous; he glared down the court and killed until a third of the realm stood empty. Of Taizu’s grandsons, only Prince of Zu Yuan was truly worthy by nature.」
21
元子育，本名合住，大定二十七年，自南京副留守遷大宗正丞，兼勸農副使。 上問宰臣曰：「合住為人如何？」 平章政事襄、參政宗浩對曰：「為人清廉幹治。」 上曰：「乃父亦然。」 又曰：「蒲陽溫胙王元，外若愚訥，臨事明敏過人。 朕于兄弟間，于元尤款密。」
Yuan’s son Yu, born Hezhu: in Dading year 27 he went from deputy regent at the Southern Capital to Grand Director of the Imperial Clan and Vice Commissioner for Encouraging Agriculture. The emperor asked his chief ministers: 「What manner of man is Hezhu? 」Grand Councilor Xiang and Vice Councilor Zonghao answered: 「Upright, frugal, and able in office. 」The emperor said: 「His father was the same. 」He went on: 「Puyangwen—Prince of Zu Yuan—seemed slow and tongue-tied, yet in business he outshone everyone. Of all my brothers, none was dearer to me than Yuan.」
22
贊曰：「太祖躬擐甲胄，以定國家，舉無遺策，而諸子勇略材識，足以遂父之志。 傳及太宗，而諸孫享其成矣。
The encomium says: 「Taizu took the field in armor to found the realm and never left a move to chance. His sons had courage, plan, and wit enough to finish what he began. It reached Taizong, and the grandsons lived on the harvest.」