1
貞觀四年四年春正月乙亥，定襄道行軍總管李靖大破突厥，獲隋皇后蕭氏及煬帝之孫正道，送至京師。 癸巳，武德殿北院火。
In the fourth year of Zhenguan, on yihai of the first spring month, Li Jing, commander of the Dingxiang campaign, crushed the Turks, took Sui Empress Xiao and Yangdi's grandson Zhengdao prisoner, and sent them to Chang'an. On guisi a fire consumed the north courtyard of Wude Hall.
2
二月己亥，幸溫湯。 甲辰，李靖又破突厥於陰山，頡利可汗輕騎遠遁。 丙午，至自溫湯。 甲寅，大赦，賜酺五日。 民部尚書戴胄以本官檢校吏部尚書，參預朝政。 太常卿蕭瑀為御史大夫，與宰臣參議朝政。 御史大夫、西河郡公溫彥博為中書令。
On jihai of the second month the emperor went to the hot springs. On jiachen Li Jing routed the Turks again at Yinshan, and Illig Khagan fled into the distance with only a few horsemen. On bingwu he returned from the hot springs. On jiayin he proclaimed a general amnesty and granted five days of public feasting. Dai Zhou, minister of popular affairs, was ordered to supervise the Ministry of Personnel in addition to his own post and to join in deliberating state affairs. Xiao Yu, director of imperial sacrifices, was made censor-in-chief and joined the chief ministers in governing. Wen Yanbo, censor-in-chief and Duke of Xihe, was appointed director of the Secretariat.
3
三月庚辰，大同道行軍副總管張寶相生擒頡利可汗，獻於京師。 甲申，尚書右僕射、蔡國公杜如晦薨。 甲午，以俘頡利告於太廟。
On gengchen of the third month Zhang Baoxiang, deputy commander on the Datong front, took Illig Khagan alive and brought him to Chang'an. On jiashen Du Ruhui, right vice director and Duke of Cai, died. On jiawu the court reported Illig's capture to the ancestral temple.
4
夏四月丁酉，御順天門，軍吏執頡利以獻捷。 自是西北諸蕃咸請上尊號為「天可汗」，於是降璽書冊命其君長，則兼稱之。
On dingyou of the fourth summer month he sat at Shuntian Gate as officers marched Illig forward to present the triumph. From then on the northwestern peoples asked to call him Heaven Khagan; he sent imperial patents to their rulers, who might use the title alongside their own.
5
秋七月甲子朔，日有蝕之。 上謂房玄齡、蕭瑀曰：「隋文何等主？」 對曰：「克己復禮，勤勞思政，每一坐朝，或至日昃。 五品已上，引之論事。 宿衛之人，傳餐而食。 雖非性體仁明，亦勵精之主也。」 上曰：「公得其一，未知其二。 此人性至察而心不明。 夫心暗則照有不通，至察則多疑於物。 自以欺孤寡得之，謂群下不可信任，事皆自決，雖勞神苦形，未能盡合於理。 朝臣既知上意，亦復不敢直言，宰相已下，承受而已。 朕意不然。 以天下之廣，豈可獨斷一人之慮？ 朕方選天下之才，為天下之務，委任責成，各盡其用，庶幾於理也。」 因令有司：「詔敕不便於時，即宜執奏，不得順旨施行。」
On the jiazi new moon of the seventh autumn month the sun was eclipsed. The emperor asked Fang Xuanling and Xiao Yu, "What manner of ruler was Emperor Wen of Sui? They answered, "He disciplined himself and honored the rites, toiled over policy, and often held court until the sun was low in the west. He called in officials of the fifth rank and above to debate affairs of state. Palace guards ate their meals in relays, passing food along the line. He was not by nature humane and luminous, yet he was a ruler who drove himself to excel. The emperor said, "You see one side of him, not the other. His nature was piercingly suspicious, yet his judgment was clouded. A dark mind cannot see far; excessive scrutiny breeds doubt in everything. Having seized power by tricking the bereaved court, he trusted no one beneath him, decided everything alone, and though he exhausted mind and body, his rule still missed the mark. Once ministers knew what he wanted, they dared not speak plainly; from the chancellor down, they only took orders and obeyed. I do not think that way. How can one man's wit govern a realm this wide? I mean to choose the best people in the land for the land's work, give them charge, hold them to results, and let each serve where he excels—only then can we hope for right rule. He then ordered the offices: "If any edict does not suit the times, memorialize against it immediately; do not obey my whim." [End of the order.]
6
八月丙午，詔三品已上服紫，五品已上服緋，六品七品以綠，八品九品以青； 婦人從夫色。 甲寅，兵部尚書、代國公李靖為尚書左僕射。
On bingwu of the eighth month an edict fixed court colors: third rank and above in purple, fifth rank and above in scarlet, sixth and seventh in green, eighth and ninth in blue; and wives were to dress in their husbands' colors. On jiayin Li Jing, minister of war and Duke of Dai, was made left vice director of the Masters of Writing.
7
九月庚午，令收瘞長城之南骸骨，仍令致祭。 壬午，令自古明王聖帝、賢臣烈士墳墓無得芻牧，春秋致祭。
On gengwu of the ninth month he ordered the bones scattered south of the Great Wall collected, buried, and mourned. On renwu he forbade grazing or cutting fodder on the graves of ancient sage rulers, worthy ministers, and loyal dead, and required spring and autumn offerings at their tombs.
8
冬十月壬辰，幸隴州，曲赦隴、岐二州，給復一年。 辛丑，校獵於貴泉穀。 甲辰，校獵於魚龍川，自射鹿，獻於大安宮。 甲子，至自隴州。 戊寅，制決罪人不得鞭背，以明堂孔穴針灸之所。 兵部尚書侯君集參議朝政。
On renchen of the tenth winter month he visited Longzhou, pardoned Long and Qi in part, and granted a year's tax relief. On xinchou he held a hunt at Guiquan Valley. On jiachen he hunted at Yulong River, shot a deer with his own bow, and sent it as tribute to D'an Palace. On jiazi he returned from Longzhou. On wuyin he decreed that convicts must not be flogged on the back, the locus of acupuncture points at the Hall of Enlightenment. Hou Junji, minister of war, joined in governing.
9
十二月辛亥，開府儀同三司、淮安王神通薨。 甲寅，高昌王麴文泰來朝。
On xinhai of the twelfth month Li Shentong, generalissimo with the golden seal and Prince of Huai'an, died. On jiayin Qu Wentai, king of Gaochang, presented himself at court.
10
是歲，斷死刑二十九人，幾致刑措。 東至於海，南至於嶺，皆外戶不閉，行旅不賚糧焉。 貞觀五年五年正月癸酉，大蒐於昆明池，蕃夷君長咸從。 丙子，親獻禽於大安宮。 己卯，幸左藏庫，賜三品已上帛，任其輕重。 癸未，朝集使請封禪。 己酉，封皇弟元裕為鄶王，元名為譙王，靈夔為魏王，元祥為許王，元曉為密王。 庚戌，封皇子愔為梁王，貞為漢王，惲為郯王，治為晉王，慎為申王，囂為江王，簡為代王。
That year only twenty-nine people were executed—punishment all but fell into disuse. From the eastern sea to the southern ranges, outer gates stood unlatched and travelers needed no grain on the road. In the fifth year of Zhenguan, on guiyou of the first month, he held a grand hunt at Kunming Pool with foreign chieftains in attendance. On bingzi he presented the hunt's kill in person at D'an Palace. On jimao he opened the Left Treasury and gave silk to every official of third rank and above, each free to choose his portion. On guiwei the provincial assembly envoys petitioned for a feng and shan rite. On jiyou he enfeoffed his brothers: Yuan Yu Prince of Zheng, Yuanming Prince of Qiao, Lingchai Prince of Wei, Yuanxiang Prince of Xu, and Yuanxiao Prince of Mi. On gengxu he enfeoffed his sons: Yin Prince of Liang, Zhen Prince of Han, Yun Prince of Tan, Zhi Prince of Jin, Shen Prince of Shen, Xiao Prince of Jiang, and Jian Prince of Dai.
11
夏四月壬辰，代王簡薨。 以金帛購中國人因隋亂沒突厥者男女八萬人，盡還其家屬。
On renchen of the fourth summer month Prince Jian of Dai died. He paid gold and silk to redeem eighty thousand Chinese men and women enslaved among the Turks during the Sui collapse and sent them home to their kin.
12
六月甲寅，太子少師、新昌縣公李綱薨。
On jiayin of the sixth month Li Gang, junior tutor to the crown prince and Duke of Xinchang, died.
13
七月甲辰，遣使毀高麗所立京觀，收隋人骸骨，祭而葬之。 戊申，初令天下決死刑必三覆奏，在京諸司五覆奏，其日尚食進蔬食，內教坊及太常不舉樂。
On jiachen of the seventh month he sent envoys to tear down Goguryeo's victory mounds, collect Sui dead, mourn them, and bury them with honor. On wushen he first required three reviews before any execution in the realm, five in the capital; on execution days the palace kitchen served only vegetables and court music fell silent.
14
九月乙丑，賜群官大射於武德殿。
On yichou of the ninth month he held a grand archery feast for the officials at Wude Hall.
15
冬十月，右衛大將軍、順州都督、北平郡王阿史那什缽苾卒。
In the tenth winter month Ashina Shibobi, general of the right guard, governor of Shunzhou, and Prince of Beiping, died.
16
十二月壬寅，幸溫湯。 癸卯，獵於驪山。 丙午，賜新豐高年帛有差。 戊申，至自溫湯。 貞觀六年六年春正月乙卯朔，日有蝕之。
On renyin of the twelfth month he went to the hot springs. On guimao he hunted on Mount Li. On bingwu he gave graded gifts of silk to the elderly of Xinfeng. On wushen he returned from the hot springs. In the sixth year of Zhenguan, on the yimao new moon of the first spring month, the sun was eclipsed.
17
二月丙戌，置三師官員。 戊子，初置律學。
On bingxu of the second month he established the Three Preceptors. On wuzi he founded the school of law.
18
三月戊辰，幸九成宮。
On wuchen of the third month he went to Jiucheng Palace.
19
六月己亥，酆王元亨薨。 辛亥，江王囂薨。
On jihai of the sixth month Prince Yuanheng of Feng died. On xinhai Prince Xiao of Jiang died.
20
冬十月乙卯，至自九成宮。
On yimao of the tenth winter month he returned from Jiucheng Palace.
21
十二月辛未，親錄囚徒，歸死罪者二百九十人於家，令明年秋末就刑。 其後應期畢至，詔悉原之。 是歲，黨項羌前後內屬者三十萬口。 貞觀七年七年春正月戊子，詔曰：「宇文化及弟智及、司馬德戡、裴虔通、孟景、元禮、楊覽、唐奉義、牛方裕、元敏、薛良、馬舉、元武達、李孝本、李孝質、張愷、許弘仁、令狐行達、席德方、李覆等，大業季年，咸居列職，或恩結一代，任重一時； 乃包藏兇慝，罔思忠義，爰在江都，遂行弒逆，罪百閻、趙，釁深梟獍。 雖事是前代，歲月已久，而天下之惡，古今同棄，宜置重典，以勵臣節。 其子孫並宜禁錮，勿令齒敘。」 是日，上制《破陣樂舞圖》。 辛丑，賜京城酺三日。 丁卯，雨土。 乙酉，薛延陀遣使來朝。 庚寅，秘書監、檢校侍中魏徵為侍中。 癸巳，直太史、將仕郎李淳風鑄渾天黃道儀，奏之，置於凝暉閣。
On xinwei of the twelfth month he reviewed prisoners in person and sent two hundred ninety condemned men home to await execution the next autumn. When autumn came they all returned as ordered, and he pardoned every one of them. That year three hundred thousand Tangut submitted in successive waves. In the seventh year of Zhenguan, on wuzi of the first spring month, an edict named Yuwen Zhiyi, Sima Dekan, Pei Qiantong, and the rest who, in Yangdi's last years, had held high office—men once favored by the throne— yet at Jiangdu they murdered their sovereign, crimes blacker than regicide itself. Though the deed lies in the past, such evil is condemned in every age; let the law be severe to warn those who serve. Their sons and grandsons shall be barred from office and from mingling in court ranks. That same day he composed the dance tableau Breaking the Battle Line. On xinchou he granted three days of public feasting in the capital. On dingmao dust fell from the sky like rain. On yiyou Xueyantuo sent envoys to court. On gengyin Wei Zheng, director of the Secretariat and acting palace attendant, was made palace attendant. On guisi Li Chunfeng cast the armillary sphere of the yellow path, presented it to the throne, and it was installed in Ninghui Pavilion.
22
夏五月癸未，幸九成宮。
On guiwei of the fifth summer month he went to Jiucheng Palace.
23
八月，山東、河南三十州大水，遣使賑恤。
In the eighth month thirty prefectures east and south of the mountains were flooded; he sent envoys with relief.
24
冬十月庚申，至自九成宮。
On gengshen of the tenth winter month he returned from Jiucheng Palace.
25
十一月丁丑，頒新定《五經》。 壬辰，開府儀同三司、齊國公長孫無忌為司空。
On dingchou of the eleventh month he promulgated the newly fixed Five Classics. On renchen Zhangsun Wuji, generalissimo with the golden seal and Duke of Qi, was made minister of works.
26
十二月丙辰，狩於少陵原，詔以少牢祭杜如晦、杜淹、李綱之墓。 貞觀八年八年正月癸未，右衛大將軍阿史那吐苾卒。 辛丑，右屯衛大將軍張士貴討東、西五洞反獠，平之。 壬寅，命尚書右僕射李靖、特進蕭瑀楊恭仁、禮部尚書王珪、御史大夫韋挺、鄜州大都督府長史皇甫無逸、揚州大都督府長史李襲譽、幽州大都督府長史張亮、涼州大都督李大亮、右領軍大將軍竇誕、太子左庶子杜正倫、綿州刺史劉德威、黃門侍郎趙弘智使於四方，觀省風俗。
On bingchen of the twelfth month he hunted on Shaoling Plain and ordered secondary sacrifices at the tombs of Du Ruhui, Du Yan, and Li Gang. In the eighth year of Zhenguan, on guiwei of the first month, Ashina Tubo, general of the right guard, died. On xinchou Zhang Shigui, general of the right garrison guard, crushed the rebel Liao of the eastern and western Five Caves. On renyin he dispatched Li Jing, Xiao Yu, Yang Gongren, Wang Gui, Wei Ting, Huangfu Wuyi, Li Xiyu, Zhang Liang, Li Daliang, Dou Dan, Du Zhenlun, Liu Dewei, and Zhao Hongzhi to tour the realm and report on local custom.
27
二月乙巳，皇太子加元服。 丙午，賜天下酺三日。
On yisi of the second month the crown prince came of age. On bingwu he granted three days of public feasting empire-wide.
28
三月庚辰，幸九成宮。
On gengchen of the third month he went to Jiucheng Palace.
29
五月辛未朔，日有蝕之。 丁丑，上初服翼善冠，貴臣服進德冠。
On the xinwei new moon of the fifth month the sun was eclipsed. On dingchou he first wore the Yishan crown himself and required nobles to wear the Jinde crown.
30
七月，始以雲麾將軍階為從三品。 隴右山崩，大蛇屢見。 山東、河南、淮南大水，遣使賑恤。
In the seventh month the rank of Cloud Pennon General was fixed at subordinate third grade. Mountains collapsed in Longyou and great serpents were seen again and again. Great floods struck the eastern and southern provinces and Huainan; he sent envoys with relief.
31
八月甲子，有星孛於虛、危，歷於氐，十一月上旬乃滅。
On jiazi of the eighth month a comet blazed in Xu and Wei, crossed Di, and vanished in the first third of the eleventh month.
32
九月丁丑，皇太子來朝。
In the ninth month, on dingchou day, the Crown Prince presented himself at court.
33
冬十月，右驍衛大將軍、褒國公段志玄擊吐谷渾，破之，追奔八百餘里。 甲子，至自九成宮。
In the tenth month of winter, Duan Zhixuan, right guard general and Duke of Bao, struck the Tuyuhun, broke them, and chased the fugitives more than eight hundred li. On jiazi he returned from Jiucheng Palace.
34
十一月辛未，右僕射、代國公李靖以疾辭官，授特進。 丁亥，吐谷渾寇涼州。 己丑，吐谷渾拘我行入趙道德。
On xinwei of the eleventh month, Li Jing, right vice director and Duke of Dai, resigned for illness and was made Special Guardian. On dinghai the Tuyuhun raided Liang Prefecture. On jichou they seized the Tang envoy Zhao Daode.
35
十二月辛丑，命特進李靖、兵部尚書侯君集、刑部尚書任城王道宗、涼州都督李大亮等為大總管，各帥師分道以討吐谷渾。 壬子，越王泰為雍州牧。 乙卯，帝從太上皇閱武於城西。 是歲，龜茲、吐蕃、高昌、女國、石國遣使朝貢。 貞觀九年九年春三月，洮州羌叛，殺刺史孔長秀。 壬午，大赦。 每鄉置長一人，佐二人。 乙酉，鹽澤道總管高甑生大破叛羌之眾。 庚寅，敕天下戶立三等，未盡升降，置為九等。
On xinchou of the twelfth month he named Li Jing, Hou Junji, Prince Daizong of Rencheng, Li Daliang of Liangzhou, and others supreme commanders to strike the Tuyuhun by separate columns. On renzi Prince Tai of Yue became Yongzhou prefect. On yimao the Emperor joined the Retired Emperor to review troops west of the capital. That year Kucha, Tibet, Gaochang, the Women's Kingdom, and Shazhou sent envoys with tribute. In the ninth year of Zhenguan, in the third spring month, the Qiang of Tao Prefecture rebelled and slew Prefect Kong Changxiu. On renwu he proclaimed a general amnesty. Each district received one chief and two assistants. On yiyou Gao Zengsheng, commander on the Salt Lake route, crushed the rebel Qiang. On gengyin he decreed a three-grade household system nationwide, with finer distinctions of nine grades where promotion or demotion was still pending.
36
夏四月壬寅，康國獻獅子。
On renyin of the fourth summer month Kang presented a lion.
37
閏月丁卯，日有蝕之。 癸巳，大總管李靖、侯君集、李大亮、任城王道宗破吐谷渾於牛心堆。
In the intercalary month, on dingmao, the sun was eclipsed. On guisi Li Jing, Hou Junji, Li Daliang, and Prince Daizong broke the Tuyuhun at Niuxindui.
38
五月乙未，又破之於烏海，追奔至柏海。 副總管薛萬均、薛萬徹又破之於赤水源，獲其名王二十人。 庚子，太上皇崩於大安宮。 壬子，李靖平吐谷渾於西海之上，獲其王慕容伏允。 以其子慕容順光降，封為西平郡王，復其本國。
On yiwei of the fifth month they beat them again at Wuhai and chased the fugitives to Baihai. Deputies Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche routed them at Chishuiyuan and took twenty of their great chieftains. On gengzi the Retired Emperor died at Da'an Palace. On renzi Li Jing pacified the Tuyuhun beyond the western sea and seized King Murong Fuyun. Murong Shun, who had surrendered, was made Prince of Xiping and the Tuyuhun realm was restored under him.
39
秋七月甲寅，增修太廟為六室。
On jiayin of the seventh autumn month the Ancestral Temple was expanded to six chambers.
40
冬十月庚寅，葬高祖太武皇帝於獻陵。 戊申，祔於太廟。 辛丑，左僕射、魏國公房玄齡加開府儀同三司，餘如故。
On gengyin of the tenth winter month Gaozu the Grand Martial Emperor was buried at Xian Mausoleum. On wushen his spirit tablet was installed in the Ancestral Temple. On xinchou Fang Xuanling, left vice director and Duke of Wei, received supernumerary Three-Excellency ceremonial rank; his other posts were unchanged.
41
十二月甲戌，吐谷渾西平郡王慕容順光為其下所弒，遣兵部尚書侯君集率師安撫之，仍封順光子諾曷缽為河源郡王，使統其眾。 右光祿大夫、宋國公蕭瑀依舊特進，復令參預朝政。 貞觀十年十年春正月壬子，尚書左僕射房玄齡、侍中魏徵上梁、陳、齊、周、隋五代史，詔藏於秘閣。 癸丑，徙封趙王元景為荊王，魯王元昌為漢王，鄭王元禮為徐王，徐王元嘉為韓王，荊王元則為彭王，滕王元懿為鄭王，吳王元軌為霍王，豳王元鳳為虢王，陳王元慶為道王，魏王靈夔為燕王，蜀王恪為吳王，越王泰為魏王，燕王祐為齊王，梁王愔為蜀王，郯王惲為蔣王，漢王貞為越王，申王慎為紀王。
On jiaxu of the twelfth month Murong Shun, Tuyuhun Prince of Xiping, was murdered by his own men; Hou Junji marched to settle the tribes and enfeoffed Shun's son Nuohebo as Prince of Heyuan to rule them. Xiao Yu, Duke of Song and right grand master, was restored as Special Guardian and again admitted to deliberations of state. In the tenth year of Zhenguan, on renzi of the first spring month, Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng presented the histories of Liang, Chen, Qi, Zhou, and Sui; the emperor ordered them placed in the Secret Archive. On guichou a great reshuffling of princely titles was decreed: among them Yuanjing of Zhao became Prince of Jing, Yuanchang of Lu became Prince of Han, Yuanli of Zheng became Prince of Xu, Yuanjia of Xu became Prince of Han, Yuanze of Jing became Prince of Peng, Yuanyi of Teng became Prince of Zheng, Yuan Gui of Wu became Prince of Huo, Yuanfeng of Bin became Prince of Guo, Yuanqing of Chen became Prince of Dao, Lingquei of Wei became Prince of Yan, Ke of Shu became Prince of Wu, Tai of Yue became Prince of Wei, You of Yan became Prince of Qi, Yin of Liang became Prince of Shu, Yun of Tan became Prince of Jiang, Zhen of Han became Prince of Yue, and Zhen of Shen became Prince of Ji.
42
夏六月，以侍中魏徵為特進，仍知門下省事。 壬申，中書令溫彥博為尚書右僕射。 甲戌，太常卿、安德郡公楊師道為侍中。 己卯，皇后長孫氏崩於立政殿。
In the sixth summer month Wei Zheng was made Special Guardian while retaining charge of the Chancellery. On renshen Chief Director Wen Yanbo became right vice director of the Masters of Writing. On jiaxu Yang Shidao, director of court music and Duke of Ande, became palace attendant. On jimao Empress Zhangsun died in Lize Hall.
43
冬十一月庚寅，葬文德皇后於昭陵。
On gengyin of the eleventh winter month the Cultured Virtue Empress was buried at Zhaoling.
44
十二月壬申，吐谷渾河源郡王慕容諾曷缽來朝。 乙亥，親錄京師囚徒。 是歲，關內、河東疾病，命醫賚藥療之。 貞觀十一年十一年春正月丁亥朔，徙鄶王元裕為鄧王，譙王元名為舒王。 癸巳，加魏王泰為雍州牧、左武候大將軍。 庚子，頒新律令於天下。 作飛山宮。 甲寅，房玄齡等進所修《五禮》。 詔所司行用之。
On renshen of the twelfth month Nuohebo, Tuyuhun Prince of Heyuan, came to court. On yihai he personally reviewed the capital's prisoners. That year plague ravaged Guanzhong and Hedong; the court sent physicians with medicine to treat the afflicted. In the eleventh year of Zhenguan, on dinghai, the new-year's day of the first spring month, Yuanli of Zheng became Prince of Deng and Yuanming of Qiao became Prince of Shu. On guisi Prince Tai of Wei was also made Yongzhou prefect and left martial guard general. On gengzi the new code and ordinances were promulgated empire-wide. Work began on Feishan Palace. On jiayin Fang Xuanling and his colleagues presented the compiled Five Rites. An edict ordered the ministries to put the rites into practice.
45
二月丁巳，詔曰：
On dingsi of the second month he issued an edict:
46
甲子，幸洛陽宮，命祭漢文帝。
On jiazi he went to Luoyang Palace and ordered rites for Emperor Wen of Han.
47
三月丙戌朔，日有蝕之。 丁亥，車駕至洛陽。 丙申，改洛州為洛陽宮。 辛亥，大蒐於廣城澤。 癸丑，還宮。
On bingxu, the first day of the third month, the sun was eclipsed. On dinghai the court arrived at Luoyang. On bingshen Luozhou was renamed Luoyang Palace. On xinhai he held a great hunt at Guangcheng Marsh. On guichou he returned to the palace.
48
夏四月甲子，震乾元殿前槐樹。 丙寅，詔河北、淮南舉孝悌淳篤，兼閑時務； 儒術該通，可為師範； 文辭秀美，才堪著述； 明識政體，可委字人：並志行修立，為鄉閭所推者，給傳詣洛陽宮。
On jiazi of the fourth summer month lightning struck the locust tree before Qianyuan Hall. On bingyin he decreed that Hebei and Huainan recommend men of filial piety and honest character who also understood public affairs; scholars masterful in the classics, fit to be teachers; writers of elegant style with talent for composition; and men of clear political judgment fit for office—all of cultivated conduct commended in their home districts were to receive travel passes and come to Luoyang Palace.
49
六月甲寅，尚書右僕射、虞國公溫彥博薨。 丁巳，幸明德宮。 己未，定制諸王為世封刺史。 戊辰，定制勛臣為世封刺史。 改封任城王道宗為江夏郡王，趙郡王孝恭為河間郡王。 己巳，改封許王元祥為江王。
On jiayin of the sixth month Wen Yanbo, right vice director and Duke of Yu, died. On dingsi he visited Mingde Palace. On jiwei he fixed the rule that princes should hold prefectures in perpetual succession. On wuchen he fixed the rule that meritorious ministers should likewise hold hereditary prefectures. Prince Daizong of Rencheng was retitled Prince of Jiangxia; Prince Xiaogong of Zhao Commandery became Prince of Hejian. On jisi Prince Yuanxiang of Xu became Prince of Jiang.
50
秋七月癸未，大霪雨。 谷水溢入洛陽宮，深四尺，壞左掖門，毀宮寺十九所； 洛水溢，漂六百家。 庚寅，詔以災命百官上封事，極言得失。 丁酉，車駕還宮。 壬寅，廢明德宮及飛山宮之玄圃院，分給遭水之家，仍賜帛有差。 丙午，修老君廟於亳州，宣尼廟於兗州，各給二十戶享祀焉。 涼武昭王復近墓二十戶充守衛，仍禁芻牧樵採。
On guiwei of the seventh autumn month torrential rains fell. The Gu River burst into Luoyang Palace four feet deep, wrecked the Left Flank Gate, and destroyed nineteen palace temples; the Luo overflowed and swept away six hundred households. On gengyin, citing the floods, he ordered every official to submit sealed memorials on what the court was doing right and wrong. On dingyou the court returned to the palace. On renyin Mingde Palace and the Mystic Park at Feishan were dismantled; the land was given to flood victims and graded gifts of silk were distributed. On bingwu temples to Laozi at Bozhou and to Confucius at Yanzhou were restored, each endowed with twenty service households. Twenty households were again posted to guard the tomb of Li Gao, Martial King of Liang, and grazing and woodcutting near the mound were forbidden.
51
九月丁亥； 河溢，壞陜州河北縣，毀河陽中潭。 幸白司馬阪以觀之，賜遭水之家粟帛有差。
That ninth month, on dinghai— the Yellow River burst its banks, destroyed Hebei County in Shan Prefecture, and wrecked the pools at Heyang; he went to White Sima Slope to see the damage and gave graded grain and silk to the stricken.
52
冬十一月辛卯，幸懷州。 乙未，狩於濟源。 丙午，車駕還宮。
On xinmao of the eleventh winter month he visited Huai Prefecture. On yiwei he hunted at Jiyuan. On bingwu he returned to the palace.
53
十二月辛酉，百濟王遣其太子隆來朝。 貞觀十二年十二年春正月乙未，吏部尚書高士廉等上《氏族志》一百三十卷。 壬寅，松、叢二州地震，壞人廬舍，有壓死者。
On xinyou of the twelfth month the king of Baekje sent Crown Prince Yong to court. In the twelfth year of Zhenguan, on yiwei of the first spring month, Gao Shilian, minister of personnel, and others presented the Genealogical Record in one hundred thirty scrolls. On renyin earthquakes struck Song and Cong prefectures, wrecking houses and killing some inhabitants.
54
二月乙卯，車駕還京。 癸亥，觀砥柱，勒銘以紀功德。 甲子，夜郎獠反，夔州都督齊善行討平之。 乙丑，次陜州，自新橋幸河北縣，祀夏禹廟。 丁卯，次柳谷頓，觀鹽池。 戊寅，以隋鷹揚郎將堯君素忠於本朝，贈蒲州刺史，仍錄其子孫。
On yimao of the second month he returned to the capital. On guihai he viewed the River Pillars and had a stele cut to record his deeds. On jiazi the Yelang Liao rose; Qi Shixing, protector of Kuizhou, crushed the revolt. On yichou he stopped at Shan Prefecture, went from Xinqiao to Hebei County, and sacrificed at the temple of Yu the Great. On dingmao he halted at Liugu Station and inspected the salt ponds. On wuyin Yao Junsu, a Sui eagle-flying general who had died loyal to the Sui, was posthumously made prefect of Pu and his descendants enrolled for office.
55
閏二月庚辰朔，日有蝕之。 丙戌，至自洛陽宮。
On gengchen, the first day of the intercalary second month, the sun was eclipsed. On bingxu he returned from Luoyang Palace.
56
夏五月壬申，銀青光祿大夫、永興縣公虞世南卒。
On renshen of the fifth summer month Yu Shinan, silver-gleaming grand master and Duke of Yongxing, died.
57
六月庚子，初置玄武門左右飛騎。
On gengzi of the sixth month the left and right Flying Cavalry of the Xuanwu Gate were first established.
58
秋七月癸酉，吏部尚書、申國公高士廉為尚書右僕射。
On guiyou of the seventh autumn month Gao Shilian, minister of personnel and Duke of Shen, became right vice director.
59
冬十月己卯，狩於始平，賜高年粟帛有差。 乙未，至自始平。 己亥，百濟遣使貢金甲雕斧。
On jimao of the tenth winter month he hunted at Shiping and gave graded grain and silk to the elderly. On yiwei he returned from Shiping. On jihai Baekje sent envoys with tribute of golden armor and carved axes.
60
十二月辛巳，右武候將軍上官懷仁大破山獠於壁州。 貞觀十三年十三年春正月乙巳朔，謁獻陵。 曲赦三原縣及行從大闢罪。 丁未，至自獻陵。 戊午，加房玄齡為太子少師。
On xinsi of the twelfth month Shangguan Huairen, right martial guard general, crushed the mountain Liao at Bi Prefecture. In the thirteenth year of Zhenguan, on yisi, the new-year's day, he visited Xian Mausoleum. He granted a partial amnesty to Sanyuan County and to those in his train on capital charges. On dingwei he returned from Xian Mausoleum. On wuwu Fang Xuanling was also made junior tutor of the Crown Prince.
61
二月丙子，停世襲刺史。
On bingzi of the second month hereditary prefectures were abolished.
62
三月乙丑，有星孛于畢、昴。
On yichou of the third month a comet appeared in Bi and Mao.
63
夏四月戊寅，幸九成宮。 甲申，阿史那結社爾犯御營，伏誅。 壬寅，雲陽石燃者方丈，晝如灰，夜則有光，投草木於上則焚，歷年而止。 自去冬不雨至於五月。 甲寅，避正殿，令五品以上上封事，減膳罷役，分使賑恤，申理冤屈，乃雨。
In the fourth summer month, on wuyin, the Emperor went to Jiucheng Palace. On jiashen Ashina Jieshe'er raided the imperial camp and was put to death. On renyin a burning stone at Yunyang covered a square zhang: ash by day, luminous by night, and anything thrown on it caught fire — the wonder lasted years. Drought had persisted since the previous winter through the fifth month. On jiayin he left the main hall, called for sealed memorials from fifth-rank officials upward, cut court meals and corvée, sent relief missions and reviewed wrongful cases — and rain followed.
64
六月丙申，封皇弟元嬰為滕王。
In the sixth month, on bingshen, the Emperor's brother Li Yuan Ying was created Prince of Teng.
65
秋八月辛未朔，日有蝕之。 庚辰，立右武候大將軍、化州都督、懷化郡王李思摩為突厥可汗，率所部建牙於河北。
On xinwei, the first day of the eighth month, the sun was eclipsed. On gengchen Li Simo, general of the Right Martial Guards and Prince of Huaihua, was made Turk qaghan and settled his people north of the Yellow River.
66
冬十月甲申，至自九成宮。
In the tenth month, on jiashen, he returned from Jiucheng Palace.
67
十一月辛亥，侍中、安德郡公楊師道為中書令。
On xinhai of the eleventh month Yang Shidao, Duke of Ande and Palace Attendant, became Director of the Secretariat.
68
十二月丁丑，吏部尚書、陳國公侯君集為交河道行軍大總管，帥師伐高昌。 乙亥，封皇子福為趙王。 壬午，巂州都督王志遠有罪，伏誅。 詔於洛、相、幽、徐、齊、並、秦、蒲等州並置常平倉。 己丑，吐谷渾河源郡王慕容諾曷缽來逆女。 壬辰，狩於咸陽。
On dingchou of the twelfth month Hou Junji, Duke of Chen and Minister of Personnel, took command of the Jiaozhi campaign and marched against Gaochang. On yihai Prince Li Fu was created Prince of Zhao. On renwu Wang Zhiyuan, military commissioner of Xi Prefecture, was executed for his crimes. An edict established ever-normal granaries in Luo, Xiang, You, Xu, Qi, Bing, Qin, Pu, and other prefectures. On jichou Murong Nuohebo, Tuyuhun Prince of Heyuan, came to fetch his bride. On renchen the Emperor hunted at Xianyang.
69
是歲，滁州言：「野蠶食槲葉，成繭大如柰，其色綠，凡六千五百七十石。」 高麗、新羅、西突厥、吐火羅、康國、安國、波斯、疏勒、于闐、焉耆、高昌、林邑、昆明及荒服蠻酋，相次遣使朝貢。 貞觀十四年十四年春正月庚子，初命有司讀時令。 甲寅，幸魏王泰宅。 赦雍州及長安獄大闢罪已下。
That year Chuzhou reported wild silkworms on oak leaves had spun green cocoons as large as nai fruit, totaling 6,570 piculs. Goguryeo, Silla, the Western Turks, Tukhara, Kang, An, Persia, Shule, Khotan, Yanqi, Gaochang, Linyi, Kunming, and distant tribal chiefs sent tribute missions in turn. In the fourteenth year of Zhenguan, on gengzi of the first spring month, the court first ordered officials to proclaim the seasonal ordinances. On jiayin he visited Prince Wei Li Tai's mansion. He pardoned all prisoners in Yongzhou and Chang'an below the grade of great felony.
70
二月丁丑，幸國子學，親釋奠，赦大理、萬年系囚，國子祭酒以下及學生高第精勤者加一級，賜帛有差。 庚辰，左驍衛將軍、淮陽王道明送弘化公主歸於吐谷渾。 壬午，幸溫湯。 辛卯，至自溫湯。 乙未，詔以梁皇侃、褚仲都，周熊安生、沈重，陳沈文阿、周弘正、張機，隋何妥、劉焯、劉炫等前代名儒，學徒多行其義，命求其後。
On dingchou of the second month he visited the Imperial University, led the sacrifice in person, freed prisoners of the Court of Review and Wannian, promoted outstanding students and the libationer one grade, and granted cloth and silk by rank. On gengchen Li Daoming, Prince of Huaiyang and Left Cavalry Guards general, escorted Princess Honghua to Tuyuhun. On renwu he went to the hot springs. On xinmao he came back from the hot springs. On yiwei an edict honored former masters — Huang Kan and Chu Zhongdu of Liang, Xiong Ansheng and Shen Chong of Northern Zhou, Shen Wen'a, Zhou Hongzheng, and Zhang Ji of Chen, He Tuo, Liu Chao, and Liu Xuan of Sui — and commanded that their descendants be found and rewarded.
71
三月戊午，置寧朔大使，以護突厥。
In the third month, on wuwu, the court created the post of Pacifying-the-North ambassador to oversee the Turks.
72
夏五月壬戌，徙封燕王靈夔為魯王。
In the fifth month, on renxu, Prince Lingkai of Yan was retitled Prince of Lu.
73
六月乙酉，大風拔木。 己丑，薛延陀遣使求婚。 乙未，滁州野蠶成繭，凡收八千三百石。
In the sixth month, on yiyou, a gale uprooted trees. On jichou the Xueyantuo sought a marriage alliance by envoy. On yiwei Chuzhou reported another wild-silkworm harvest of 8,300 piculs of cocoons.
74
八月庚午，新作襄城宮。 癸巳，交河道行軍大總管侯君集平高昌，以其地置西州。
In the eighth month, on gengwu, work was completed on Xiangcheng Palace. On guisi Hou Junji, Jiaozhi campaign commander, conquered Gaochang and created Western Prefecture on its lands.
75
九月癸卯，曲赦西州大闢罪。 乙卯，於西州置安西都護府。
In the ninth month, on guimao, Western Prefecture received a partial amnesty for capital crimes. On yimao the court established the Anxi Protectorate at Western Prefecture.
76
冬十月己卯，詔以贈司空、河間元王孝恭，贈陜東道大行臺尚書右僕射、鄖節公殷開山，贈民部尚書、渝襄公劉政會等配饗高祖廟庭。
In the tenth month, on jimao, an edict enshrined Li Xiaogong of Hejian, Yin Kaishan of Yun, Liu Zhenghui of Yu, and other founding ministers in Gaozu's temple.
77
閏月乙未，幸同州。 甲辰，狩於堯山。 庚戌，至自同州。 丙辰，吐蕃遣使獻黃金器千斤以求婚。
On yiwei of the intercalary month he went to Tongzhou. On jiachen he hunted on Mount Yao. On gengxu he returned from Tongzhou. On bingchen Tibet sent envoys with a thousand jin of gold vessels to negotiate a royal marriage.
78
十一月甲子朔，日南至。 有事於圓丘。
On jiazi, the first day of the eleventh month, the sun reached its southern limit. He offered the suburban rite at the Round Mound altar.
79
十二月丁酉，交河道旋師。 吏部尚書、陳國公侯君集執高昌王麴智盛，獻捷於觀德殿，行飲至之禮，賜酺三日。 乙卯，高麗世子相權來朝。 貞觀十五年十五年春正月丁卯，吐蕃遣其國相祿東贊來逆女。 丁丑，禮部尚書、江夏王道宗送文成公主歸吐蕃。 辛巳，幸洛陽宮。
In the twelfth month, on dingyou, the Jiaozhi expedition returned. Hou Junji, Duke of Chen, presented the captive King Qu Zhisheng of Gaochang at the Hall of Observing Virtue, held the victory feast, and granted three days of public revelry. On yimao the Goguryeo crown prince came to court. In the fifteenth year of Zhenguan, on dingmao of the first spring month, Tibet sent Chancellor Gar Tongtsen to fetch the princess. On dingchou Li Daozong, Prince of Jiangxia and Minister of Rites, escorted Princess Wencheng to Tibet. On xinsi he went to the Luoyang palace.
80
三月戊申，幸襄城宮。 庚午，發襄城宮。
In the third month, on wushen, he went to Xiangcheng Palace. On gengwu he left Xiangcheng Palace.
81
夏四月辛卯，詔以來年二月有事泰山，所司詳定儀制。
In the fourth month, on xinmao, an edict scheduled the feng and shan at Mount Tai for the second month of the coming year and ordered the rites office to draft the protocol.
82
五月壬申，並州僧道及老人等抗表，以太原王業所因，明年登封已後，願時臨幸。 上於武成殿賜宴，因從容謂侍臣曰：「朕少在太原，喜群聚博戲，暑往寒逝，將三十年矣。」 時會中有舊識上者，相與道舊以為笑樂。 因謂之曰：』他人之言，或有面諛。 公等朕之故人，實以告朕，即日政教，於百姓何如？ 人間得無疾苦耶？」 皆奏：「即日四海太平，百姓歡樂，陛下力也。 臣等餘年，日惜一日，但眷戀聖化，不知疾苦。」 因固請過並州。 上謂曰：「飛鳥過故鄉，猶躑躅徘徊； 況朕於太原起義，遂定天下，復少小游觀，誠所不忘。 岱禮若畢，或冀與公等相見。」 於是賜物各有差。 丙子，百濟王扶餘璋卒。 詔立其世子扶餘義慈嗣其父位，仍封為帶方郡王。
In the fifth month, on renshen, Bingzhou monks, Daoists, and elders petitioned that Taiyuan had nurtured the royal enterprise and begged him to visit after next year's fengshan. At Wucheng Hall he feasted his ministers and said lightly: "In my youth at Taiyuan I loved gathering for dice and wagers — nearly thirty summers and winters have passed. Some old acquaintances were present; they traded reminiscences and laughter. He added: "Strangers may flatter me to my face, but you are my old companions — speak plainly: how fares governance for the people today? Are the people free of hardship?" They answered: "The realm is at peace and the people rejoice — all through Your Majesty's virtue. We in our old age savor each day of your rule and scarcely know want." They then pressed him to visit Bingzhou on his way. The Emperor replied: "Even a bird over its old nest hesitates and wheels about; how much more I, who raised arms at Taiyuan and won the realm, and wandered there as a youth — I cannot forget it. When the Tai rites are done, perhaps we may meet again. He then gave each man gifts according to rank. On bingzi King Jang of Baekje died. An edict enthroned his heir Buyeo Yichi and created him Prince of Daifang.
83
六月戊申，詔天下諸州，舉學綜古今及孝悌淳篤、文章秀異者，並以來年二月總集泰山。 己酉，有星孛於太微，犯郎位。 丙辰，停封泰山，避正殿以思咎，命食減膳。
On wushen of the sixth month an edict called on every prefecture to nominate scholars versed in the classics, men of filial purity, and gifted writers to gather at Mount Tai the following second month. On jiyou a comet appeared in Taiwei and crossed the Courtiers' Belt. On bingchen the Mount Tai fengshan was canceled; he left the main hall to ponder his faults and ordered leaner meals.
84
秋七月甲戌，孛星滅。
In the seventh month, on jiaxu, the comet disappeared.
85
冬十月辛卯，大閱於伊闕。 壬辰，幸嵩陽。 辛丑，還宮。
In the tenth month, on xinmao, he held a grand review at Yique. On renchen he went to Songyang. On xinchou he went back to the palace.
86
十一月壬戌，廢鄉長。 壬申，還京師。 癸酉，薛延陀以同羅、僕骨、回紇、靺鞨、霫之眾度漠，屯於白道川。 命營州都督張儉統所部兵壓其東境； 兵部尚書李勣為朔方行軍總管，右衛大將軍李大亮為靈州道行軍總管，涼州都督李襲譽為涼州道行軍總管，分道以御之。
In the eleventh month, on renxu, the office of village head was abolished. On renshen he returned to Chang'an. On guiyou the Xueyantuo crossed the desert with Tongluo, Pugu, Huihe, Mohe, and Xi forces and camped on the White Road River. He ordered Zhang Jian, commissioner of Yingzhou, to press them from the east; Li Ji became Shuofang campaign commander, Li Daliang commander on the Lingzhou route, and Li Xiyu commander on the Liangzhou route — each to meet them on a separate front.
87
十二月戊子朔，至自洛陽宮。 甲辰，李勣及薛延陀戰於諾真水，大破之，斬首三千餘級，獲馬萬五千匹，薛延陀跳身而遁。 勣旋破突厥思結於五臺縣，虜其男女千餘口，獲羊馬稱是。 貞觀十六年十六年春正月辛未，詔在京及諸州死罪囚徒，配西州為戶； 流人未達前所者，徙防西州。 兼中書侍郎、江陵子岑文本為中書侍郎，專知機密。
On wuzi, the first day of the twelfth month, he returned from Luoyang. On jiachen Li Ji met the Xueyantuo at the Nuozhen River, crushed them, took more than three thousand heads and fifteen thousand horses, and their leader bolted away. Ji then defeated the Turkic Sigu at Wutai, took more than a thousand captives, and seized flocks and herds in proportion. In the sixteenth year of Zhenguan, on xinwei of the first spring month, an edict sent capital and provincial death-row convicts to Western Prefecture as colonists; exiles who had not yet reached their destination were reassigned to guard Western Prefecture. Cen Wenben, Viscount of Jiangling, became Secretariat vice director with sole charge of confidential affairs.
88
夏六月辛卯，詔復隱王建成曰隱太子，改封海陵剌王元吉曰巢剌主。
In the sixth month, on xinmao, an edict restored Li Jiancheng as Hidden Crown Prince and retitled the assassin Li Yuanji as Prince of Chao.
89
秋七月戊午，司空、趙國公無忌為司徒，尚書左僕射、梁國公玄齡為司空。
In the seventh month, on wuwu, Zhangsun Wuji, Duke of Zhao, became Minister of Education, and Fang Xuanling, Duke of Liang, became Minister of Works.
90
九月丁巳，特進、鄭國公魏徵為太子太師，知門下省事如故。
In the ninth month, on dingsi, Wei Zheng, Duke of Zheng, became grand tutor to the heir while continuing to oversee Palace Secretariat affairs.
91
冬十一月丙辰，狩於岐山。 辛酉，使祭隋文帝陵。 丁卯，宴武功士女於慶善宮南門。 酒酣，上與父老等涕泣論舊事，老人等遞起為舞，爭上萬歲壽，上各盡一杯。 庚午，至自岐州。
In the eleventh month, on bingchen, he hunted on Mount Qi. On xinyou he sent envoys to offer sacrifice at Sui Wendi's tomb. On dingmao he feasted the elders and townsfolk of Wugong at the south gate of Qingshan Palace. As the wine warmed, he and the elders wept over old times; they rose in turn to dance, shouted long life, and he drained a cup with each. On gengwu he returned from Qizhou.
92
十二月癸卯，幸溫湯。 甲辰，狩於驪山，時陰寒晦冥，圍兵斷絕。 上乘高望見之，欲舍其罰，恐虧軍令，乃回轡入谷以避之。 是歲，高麗大臣蓋蘇文弒其君高武，而立武兄子藏為王。 貞觀十七年十七年春正月戊辰，右衛將軍、代州都督劉蘭謀反，腰斬。 太子太師、鄭國公魏徵薨。 戊申，詔圖畫司徒、趙國公無忌等勛臣二十四人於凌煙閣。
In the twelfth month, on guimao, he went to the hot springs. On jiachen he hunted on Mount Li in cold, murky weather, and the beaters lost contact. From a height he saw them stranded; he wanted to pardon them yet feared breaking discipline, so he turned into a ravine to spare them sight of him. That year the Goguryeo minister Yeon Gaesomun killed King Yeongnyu and enthroned his nephew Jang. In the seventeenth year of Zhenguan, on wuchen of the first spring month, Liu Lan, general of the Right Guards and commissioner of Daizhou, rebelled and was cut in two at the waist. Wei Zheng, Duke of Zheng and grand tutor to the heir, died. On wushen an edict commissioned portraits of Zhangsun Wuji and twenty-three other meritorious ministers for the Lingyan Pavilion.
93
三月丙辰，齊州都督齊王祐殺長史權萬紀、典軍韋文振，據齊州自守，詔兵部尚書李勣、刑部尚書劉德威發兵討之。 兵未至，兵曹杜行敏執之而降，遂賜死於內侍省。 丁巳，熒惑守心前星，十九日而退。
On bingchen of the third month Prince of Qi Li You, governor of Qizhou, slew his chief administrator Quan Wanji and army inspector Wei Wenzhen and barricaded himself in the city; Li Jing, minister of war, and Liu Dewei, minister of punishments, were ordered to march against him. The troops had not yet arrived when Du Xingmin of the military staff seized the prince and surrendered him; he was then granted death in the Palace Domestic Service. On dingsi Mars lingered before the Fore Star for nineteen days before passing on.
94
夏四月庚辰朔，皇太子有罪，廢為庶人。 漢王元昌、吏部尚書侯君集並坐與連謀，伏誅。 丙戌，立晉王治為皇太子，大赦，賜酺三日。 丁亥，中書令楊師道為吏部尚書。 己丑，加司徒、趙國公長孫無忌太子太師，司空、梁國公房玄齡太子太傅； 特進、宋國公蕭瑀太子太保，兵部尚書、英國公李勣為太子詹事，仍同中書門下三品。 庚寅，上親謁太廟，以謝承乾之過。 癸巳，魏王泰以罪降爵為東萊郡王。
On gengchen, the new moon of the fourth summer month, the crown prince was judged guilty and cast down to commoner rank. Prince of Han Yuan Chang and Hou Junji, minister of the civil office, were both condemned as accomplices and put to death. On bingxu Prince Jin Li Zhi was made crown prince; he proclaimed a general amnesty and granted three days of public feasting. On dinghai Yang Shidao, chief councillor, was made minister of the civil office. On jichou Zhangsun Wuji, Duke of Zhao and grand mentor, was made grand preceptor of the crown prince; Fang Xuanling, Duke of Liang and grand tutor, was joined by Xiao Yu, Duke of Song, as grand protector; and Li Jing, Duke of Ying and minister of war, as steward of the heir apparent, still serving as associate of the secretariat and chancellery of the third rank. On gengyin the emperor went in person to the ancestral temple to answer for Chengqian's crimes. On guisi Prince of Wei Li Tai was stripped of rank for his crimes and made Duke of Donglai.
95
五月乙丑，手詔舉孝廉茂才異能之士。
On yichou of the fifth month he issued a personal edict calling up men of filial virtue, eminent talent, and exceptional ability.
96
六月己卯朔，日有蝕之。 壬午，改葬隋恭帝。 丁酉，尚書右僕射高士廉請致仕，詔以為開府儀同三司、同中書門下三品。
On jimao, the new moon of the sixth month, the sun was eclipsed. On renwu the Sui emperor Gong was given a new burial. On dingyou Gao Shilian, vice director of the chancellery, asked to retire and was made director with the honorary rank of third grade at the secretariat and chancellery.
97
閏月戊午，薛延陀遣其兄子突利設獻馬五萬匹、牛駝一萬、羊十萬以請婚，許之。 丙子，徙封東萊郡王泰為順陽王。
On wuwu of the intercalary month Xueyantuo sent the qaghan's nephew Tulishe with fifty thousand horses, ten thousand oxen and camels, and a hundred thousand sheep to sue for a marriage alliance, which was granted. On bingzi Duke of Donglai Li Tai was transferred to Duke of Shunyang.
98
秋七月庚辰，京城訛言云：「上遣棖棖取人心肝，以祠天狗。」 遞相驚悚。 上遣使遍加宣諭，月餘乃止。 丁酉，司空、太子太傅、梁國公房玄齡以母憂罷職。
On gengchen of the seventh autumn month a wild rumor ran through Chang'an: "The emperor has sent his heart-snatchers to cut out men's hearts and livers as offerings to the Heavenly Dog." Panic passed from mouth to mouth. He sent envoys to reassure the people everywhere; more than a month passed before the uproar died away. On dingyou Fang Xuanling, Duke of Liang and grand tutor of the heir apparent, left office to mourn his mother.
99
八月，工部尚書、鄖國公張亮為刑部尚書，參預朝政。
In the eighth month Zhang Liang, Duke of Zhen and minister of works, became minister of punishments and took a seat in court deliberations.
100
九月癸未，徙庶人承乾於黔州。
On guawei of the ninth month the deposed Chengqian was sent into exile at Qian prefecture.
101
冬十月丁巳，房玄齡起復本職。
On dingsi of the tenth winter month Fang Xuanling returned from mourning to his former post.
102
十一月己卯，有事於南郊。 壬午，賜天下酺三日。 以涼州獲瑞石，曲赦涼州，並錄京城及諸州系囚，多所原宥。 貞觀十八年十八年春正月壬寅，幸溫湯。
On jimao of the eleventh month he performed the southern suburban sacrifice. On rewu he granted three days of public feasting throughout the realm. When an auspicious stone was found in Liangzhou he granted a partial amnesty there and reviewed prisoners in the capital and in every prefecture, pardoning many. In the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, on renyin of the first spring month, he went to the hot springs.
103
夏四月辛亥，幸九成宮。
On xinhai of the fourth summer month he went to Jiucheng Palace.
104
秋八月甲子，至自九成宮。 丁卯，散騎常侍清苑男劉洎為侍中，中書侍郎江陵子岑文本、中書侍郎馬周並為中書令。
On jiazi of the eighth autumn month he returned from Jiucheng Palace. On dingmao Liu Ji, palace attendant and Baron of Qingyuan, was made attending secretary; Cen Wuben and Ma Zhou, vice directors of the secretariat, were both made secretaries of state.
105
九月，黃門侍郎褚遂良參預朝政。
In the ninth month Chu Suiliang, vice director of the yellow gate, joined in court deliberations.
106
冬十月辛丑朔，日有蝕之。 甲辰，初置太子司議郎官員。 甲寅，幸洛陽宮。 安西都護郭孝恪帥師滅焉耆，執其王突騎支送行在所。
On xinchou, the new moon of the tenth winter month, the sun was eclipsed. On jiachen the office of admonisher of the heir apparent was established for the first time. On jiayin he went to Luoyang Palace. Guo Xiaoke, protector-general of the pacified west, led an army that destroyed Yanqi, seized King Tutuizhi, and sent him to the imperial camp.
107
十一月壬寅，車駕至洛陽宮。 庚子，命太子詹事、英國公李勣為遼東道行軍總管，出柳城，禮部尚書、江夏郡王道宗副之； 刑部尚書、鄖國公張亮為平壤道行軍總管，以舟師出萊州，左領軍常何、瀘州都督左難當副之。 發天下甲士，召募十萬，並趣平壤，以伐高麗。
On renyin of the eleventh month the imperial carriage reached Luoyang Palace. On gengzi Li Jing, Duke of Ying and steward of the heir apparent, was made campaign commander on the Liaodong circuit, marching from Liucheng, with Prince Daozong of Jiangxia, minister of rites, as his deputy; and Zhang Liang, Duke of Zhen and minister of punishments, commander on the Pyongyang circuit with a fleet out of Laizhou, with Chang He of the left army and Zuo Nandang, governor of Luzhou, as his deputies. Armored men were levied throughout the realm and a hundred thousand recruits were raised, all hurrying to Pyongyang for the campaign against Goguryeo.
108
十二月辛丑，庶人承乾死。 貞觀十九年十九年春二月庚戌，上親統六軍發洛陽。 乙卯，詔皇太子留定州監國； 開府儀同三司、申國公高士廉攝太子太傅，與侍中劉洎、中書令馬周、太子少詹事張行成、太子右庶子高季輔五人同掌機務； 以吏部尚書、安德郡公楊師道為中書令。 贈殷比干為太師，謚曰忠烈，命所司封墓，葺祠堂，春秋祠以少牢，上自為文以祭之。
On xinchou of the twelfth month the deposed Chengqian died. In the nineteenth year of Zhenguan, on gengxu of the second spring month, the emperor personally led the Six Armies out of Luoyang. On yimao he decreed that the crown prince remain at Dingzhou to oversee the realm; Gao Shilian, Duke of Shen, acting grand tutor, with Liu Ji, Ma Zhou, Zhang Xingcheng, and Gao Jifu — five men in all — were to handle state affairs together; and Yang Shidao, Duke of Ande and minister of the civil office, was made secretary of state. Bi Gan of Yin was posthumously made grand tutor with the posthumous name Loyal and Stern; the authorities were ordered to seal his tomb, repair his shrine, and sacrifice each spring and autumn with the lesser victim; the emperor himself composed a text and offered sacrifice.
109
三月壬辰，上發定州，以司徒、太子太師兼檢校侍中、趙國公長孫無忌，中書令岑文本、楊師道從。
On renchen of the third month he marched from Dingzhou with Zhangsun Wuji, grand preceptor and examining attending secretary, and the secretaries Cen Wuben and Yang Shidao in his train.
110
夏四月癸卯，誓師於幽州城南，因大饗六軍以遣之。 丁未，中書令岑文本卒於師。 癸亥，遼東道行軍大總管、英國公李勣攻蓋牟城，破之。
On guimao of the fourth summer month he swore in the army south of Youzhou and thereupon feasted the Six Armies on a grand scale before sending them forth. On dingwei Cen Wuben, secretary of state, died on campaign. On guihai Li Jing, campaign commander, attacked and took Gaimou.
111
五月丁丑，車駕渡遼。 甲申，上親率鐵騎與李勣會圍遼東城，因烈風發火弩，斯須城上屋及樓皆盡，麾戰士令登，乃拔之。
On dingchou of the fifth month the imperial carriage crossed the Liao. On jiashen the emperor led his iron cavalry to join Li Jing in investing Liaodong; riding a fierce wind he loosed fire-bolts, and in a breath the towers and roofs on the wall were ash; he ordered the men up the ladders and the city fell.
112
六月丙辰，師至安市城。 丁巳，高麗別將高延壽、高惠真帥兵十五萬來援安市，以拒王師。 李勣率兵奮擊，上自高峰引軍臨之，高麗大潰，殺獲不可勝紀。 延壽等以其眾降，因名所幸山為駐蹕山，刻石紀功焉。 賜天下大酺二日。
On bingchen of the sixth month the army reached Anshi. On dingsi the Goguryeo generals Gao Yanshou and Gao Huizhen led a hundred and fifty thousand men to relieve Anshi and bar the imperial army. Li Jing led a furious charge; the emperor brought his men down from the heights to press the enemy; Goguryeo broke and fled; the slain and captured were beyond reckoning. Yanshou and his men surrendered with their host; the mountain where the emperor had halted was therefore named Mount Imperial Sojourn, and stone was carved to record the deed. He granted two days of public feasting throughout the realm.
113
秋七月，李勣進軍攻安市城，至九月不克，乃班師。
In the seventh autumn month Li Jing pressed the siege of Anshi; by the ninth month the city had not fallen, and the army withdrew.
114
冬十月丙辰，入臨渝關，皇太子自定州迎謁。 戊午，次漢武臺，刻石以紀功德。
On bingchen of the tenth winter month the army entered Linyu Pass; the crown prince came from Dingzhou to welcome the emperor. On wuwu he halted at Hanwu Terrace and had stone carved to record his merit.
115
十一月辛未，幸幽州。 癸酉，大饗，還師。
On xinwei of the eleventh month he went to Youzhou. On guiyou he held a grand feast and the army marched home.
116
十二月戊申，幸並州。 侍中、清苑男劉洎以罪賜死。 是歲，薛延陀真珠毗伽可汗死。 貞觀二十年二十年春正月，上在並州。 丁丑，遣大理卿孫伏伽、黃門侍郎褚遂良等二十二人，以六條巡察四方，黜陟官吏。 庚辰，曲赦並州，宴從官及起義元從，賜粟帛、給復有差。
On wushen of the twelfth month he went to Bingzhou. Liu Ji, attending secretary and Baron of Qingyuan, was ordered to die for his crimes. That year Zhenzhu Pijia, qaghan of Xueyantuo, died. In the twentieth year of Zhenguan, in spring, the emperor was at Bingzhou. On dingchou Sun Fuga, director of the court of judicature, and Chu Suiliang, vice director of the yellow gate, with twenty-two others were sent to tour the four quarters under the Six Regulations and promote or demote officials. On gengchen he granted a partial amnesty to Bingzhou, feasted the officials in his train and the men who had risen with him at the founding, and gave graded gifts of grain, silk, and exemptions from corvée.
117
三月己巳，車駕至京師。 己丑，刑部尚書、鄭國公張亮謀反，誅。
On jisi of the third month the imperial carriage reached the capital. On jichou Zhang Liang, Duke of Zheng and minister of punishments, plotted rebellion and was put to death.
118
閏月癸巳朔，日有蝕之。
On guisi, the new moon of the intercalary month, the sun was eclipsed.
119
夏四月甲子，太子太師、趙國公長孫無忌，太子太傅、梁國公房玄齡，太子太保、宋國公蕭瑀各辭調護之職，詔許之。
On jiazi of the fourth summer month Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Xiao Yu each asked to be released from tutoring and protecting the heir apparent, and the request was granted.
120
六月，遣兵部尚書、固安公崔敦禮，特進、英國公李勣擊破薛延陀於鬱督軍山北，前後斬首五千餘級，虜男女三萬餘人。
In the sixth month Cui Dunli, Duke of Gu'an and minister of war, and Li Jing, Duke of Ying and special emeritus, were sent and broke Xueyantuo north of Mount Yudujun, taking more than five thousand heads in all and more than thirty thousand men and women captive.
121
秋八月甲子，封皇孫為陳王。 己巳，幸靈州。 庚午，次涇陽頓。 鐵勒回紇、拔野古、同羅、僕骨、多濫葛、思結、阿跌、契苾、跌結、渾、斛薛等十一姓各遣使朝貢，奏稱：「延陀可汗不事大國，部落烏散，不知所之。 奴等各有分地，不能逐延陀去，歸命天子，乞置漢官。」 詔遣會靈州。
On jiazi of the eighth autumn month an imperial grandson was enfeoffed as Prince of Chen. On jisi he went to Lingzhou. On gengwu he halted at the Jingyang encampment. Eleven Tiele tribes — the Uighur, Bayegu, Tongluo, Pugu, Duolange, Sijie, Adie, Qibi, Diejie, Hun, and Husse — each sent envoys with tribute, saying: "The Yantuo qaghan will not serve the great state; his tribes have scattered like birds and no one knows where they have gone. We each hold our own lands and cannot follow the Yantuo into exile; we submit to the Son of Heaven and beg that Han officials be set over us." He decreed that they assemble at Lingzhou.
122
九月甲辰，鐵勒諸部落俟斤、頡利發等遣使相繼而至靈州者數千人，來貢方物，因請置吏，咸請至尊為可汗。 於是北荒悉平，為五言詩勒石以序其事。 辛亥，靈州地震有聲。
On jiachen of the ninth month thousands of Tiele envoys — ilkins, eltebers, and the like — came in succession to Lingzhou with regional tribute, asked for the appointment of officials, and all begged that the sovereign be made qaghan. The northern wilds were thereby pacified; he composed a pentasyllabic poem and had it carved on stone to tell the story. On xinhai Lingzhou was shaken by an earthquake that could be heard.
123
冬十月，前太子太保、宋國公蕭瑀貶商州刺史。 丙戌，至自靈州。 貞觀二十一年二十一年春正月壬辰，開府儀同三司、申國公高士廉薨。 丁酉，詔以來年二月有事泰山。 甲寅，賜京師酺三日。
In the tenth winter month Xiao Yu, former grand protector and Duke of Song, was demoted to prefect of Shangzhou. On bingxu he returned from Lingzhou. In the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, on renchen of the first spring month, Gao Shilian, Duke of Shen and director with honors, died. On dingyou he decreed that the feng and shan rites at Mount Tai be performed in the second month of the coming year. On jiayin he granted three days of public feasting in the capital.
124
二月壬申，詔以左丘明、卜子夏、公羊高、穀梁赤、伏勝、高堂生、戴聖、毛萇、孔安國、劉向、鄭眾、杜子春、馬融、盧植、鄭康成、服子慎、何休、王肅、王輔嗣、杜元凱、範寧等二十一人，代用其書，垂於國胄，自今有事於太學，並命配享宣尼廟堂。 丁丑，皇太子於國學釋菜。
On renshen of the second month he decreed that twenty-one scholars — from Zuoqiu Ming to Fan Ning — should have their books used in the imperial academies in place of the old texts, and that from this time forward, whenever rites were performed at the Grand Academy, all were to share sacrificial honors in the temple of Confucius. On dingchou the crown prince performed the vegetable-offering rite at the National University.
125
夏四月乙丑，營太和宮於終南之上，改為翠微宮。
On yichou of the fourth summer month Taihe Palace was built on Mount Zhongnan and renamed Cuiwei Palace.
126
五月戊子，幸翠微宮。
On wuzi of the fifth month he went to Cuiwei Palace.
127
六月癸亥，司徒、趙國公無忌加授揚州都督。
On guihai of the sixth month Zhangsun Wuji, Duke of Zhao and grand tutor, was additionally made military governor of Yangzhou.
128
秋七月庚子，建玉華宮於宜君縣之鳳凰穀。 庚戌，至自翠微宮。
On gengzi of the seventh autumn month Yuhua Palace was built in Phoenix Valley in Yijun county. On gengxu he returned from Cuiwei Palace.
129
八月壬戌，詔以河北大水，停封禪。 辛未，骨利幹國遣使貢名馬。 丁酉，封皇子明為曹王。
On renxu he decreed that because of great floods in Hebei the fengshan ceremony was suspended. On xinwei the state of Guligan sent envoys with famous horses as tribute. On dingyou Prince Ming was enfeoffed as Prince of Cao.
130
冬十一月癸卯，徙封順陽王泰為濮王。
On guimao of the eleventh winter month Prince of Shunyang Li Tai was transferred to Prince of Pu.
131
十二月戊寅，左驍衛大將軍阿史那社爾、右驍衛大將軍契苾何力、安西都護郭孝恪、司農卿楊弘禮為琯山道行軍大總管，以伐龜茲。 是歲，墮婆登、乙利、鼻林送、都播、羊同、石、波斯、康國、吐火羅、阿悉吉等遠夷十九國，並遣使朝貢。 又於突厥之北至於回紇部落，置驛六十六所，以通北荒焉。 貞觀二十二年二十二年春正月庚寅，中書令馬周卒。 司徒、趙國公無忌兼檢校中書令，知尚書門下二省事。 已亥，刑部侍郎崔仁師為中書侍郎，參知機務。 戊戌，幸溫湯。 戊申，還宮。
On wuyin of the twelfth month Ashina She'er, great general of the left valiant guards, Qibi Heli, great general of the right valiant guards, Guo Xiaoke, protector-general of the pacified west, and Yang Hongli, director of the court of the granary, were made commanders on the Guanshan circuit to attack Kucha. That year nineteen distant peoples — among them Jabung, Yili, Bilinsong, Dubo, Yangtong, Shi, Persia, Kang, Tocharistan, and Ashiji — all sent envoys with tribute. He also set up sixty-six relay posts from the Turk lands northward to the Huihe tribes, opening the road into the northern wilds. In the twenty-second year of Zhenguan, on gengyin of the first spring month, Chief Councillor Ma Zhou died. Zhangsun Wuji, Minister of Education and Duke of Zhao, was also named Inspector-General of the Secretariat and took charge of Secretariat and Chancellery business. On jihai, Cui Renshi, Vice Minister of Justice, became Vice Director of the Secretariat with a seat in confidential counsel. On wuxu he went to the hot springs. On wushen he came back to the capital.
132
二月，前黃門侍郎褚遂良起復黃門侍郎。 中書侍郎崔仁師除名，配流連州。 癸丑，西番沙缽羅葉護率眾歸附，以其俟斤屈裴祿為忠武將軍，兼大俟斤。 戊午，以結骨部置堅昆都督。 乙亥，幸玉華宮，乙卯，賜所經高年篤疾粟帛有差。 己卯，蒐於華原。
In the second month Chu Suiliang, former Household Associate Attendant, left mourning and resumed that office. Cui Renshi, Vice Director of the Secretariat, was expelled from office and exiled to Lianzhou. On guichou Shaboluo Yehu of the Western Turks brought his people in; his yabghu Qu Baifu was made General of Loyal Valor and Great Yabghu as well. On wuwu the Jiegu people were made the Jiankun Protectorate. On yihai he went to Jade Splendor Palace; on yimao he gave graded gifts of grain and silk to the old and the seriously ill he passed along the way. On jimao he hunted at Huayuan.
133
四月甲寅，磧外蕃人爭牧馬出界，上親臨斷決，然後咸服。 丁巳，右武候將軍梁建方擊松外蠻，下其部落七十二所。
On jiayin in the fourth month, frontier tribes beyond the sands quarreled over pasture and drove their herds across the line; the emperor judged the dispute himself, and all parties yielded. On dingsi Liang Jianfang, general of the Right Martial Guards, struck the Songwai tribes and brought seventy-two of them to heel.
134
五月庚子，右衛率長史王玄策擊帝那伏帝國，大破之，獲其王阿羅那順及王妃、子等，虜男女萬二千人、牛馬二萬餘以詣闕。 使方土那羅邇娑婆於金飆門造延年之藥。 吐蕃贊普擊破中天竺國，遣使獻捷。
On gengzi in the fifth month Wang Xuance, chief clerk of the Right Guard, crushed the kingdom of Diennafudi, seized King Arunasena with his queen and sons, and presented at court twelve thousand captives and more than twenty thousand head of cattle and horses. He sent the alchemist Naluo'ersapo to brew an elixir of long life at the Golden Gale Gate. The Tibetan tsenpo overran central India and sent envoys with word of triumph.
135
六月癸酉，特進、宋國公蕭瑀薨。
On guiyou of the sixth month Xiao Yu, Senior Grand Master and Duke of Song, died.
136
秋七月癸卯，司空、梁國公房玄齡薨。
On guimao in the seventh autumn month Fang Xuanling, Minister of Works and Duke of Liang, died.
137
八月己酉朔，日有蝕之。
On jiyou, the first day of the eighth month, the sun was eclipsed.
138
九月己亥，黃門侍郎褚遂良為中書令。
On jihai of the ninth month Chu Suiliang, Household Associate Attendant, became Secretariat Director.
139
十月癸亥，至自玉華宮。
On guihai of the tenth month he came back from Jade Splendor Palace.
140
十一月戊戌，眉、邛、雅三州獠反，右衛將軍梁建方討平之。 庚子，契丹帥窟哥、奚帥可度者並率其部內屬。 以契丹部為松漠都督，以奚部置饒樂都督。
On wuxu in the eleventh month the Liao of Mei, Qiong, and Ya rose; Liang Jianfang, general of the Right Guard, put them down. On gengzi the Khitan leader Kuge and the Xi leader Keduzhe each brought his people inside the frontier. The Khitan became the Songmo Protectorate; the Xi were set up as the Raole Protectorate.
141
十二月乙卯，增置殿中侍御史、監察御史各二員，大理寺置平事十員。
On yimao in the twelfth month the court added two Palace Attendant censors and two investigation censors, and placed ten reviewers in the Court of Review.
142
閏月丁丑朔，昆山道總管阿史那社爾降處密、處月，破龜茲大撥等五十城，虜數萬口，執龜茲王訶黎布失畢以歸，龜茲平，西域震駭。 副將薛萬徹脅於闐王伏闍信入朝。 癸未，新羅王遣其相伊贊千金春秋及其子文王來朝。 是歲，新羅女王金善德死，遣冊立其妹真德為新羅王。 貞觀二十三年二十三年春正月辛亥，俘龜茲王訶黎布失畢及其相那利等，獻於社廟。
On dingchou, the first day of the intercalary month, Ashina She'er, commander of the Kunshan Circuit, subdued Chumi and Chuyue, stormed fifty Kucha strongholds including Dabo, took tens of thousands captive, and brought back King Helibushibi of Kucha; with Kucha pacified, the west trembled. His deputy Xue Wanche forced Fuxinxin, king of Khotan, to present himself at court. On guiwei Silla's king sent his minister Ichan Geum Chunchu and his son Prince Munwang to pay court. That year Queen Jinseondeok of Silla died; the court sent envoys to enthrone her sister Jindeok as ruler of Silla. In the twenty-third year of Zhenguan, on xinhai of the first spring month, King Helibushibi of Kucha and his minister Nali, already prisoners, were offered at the state temple.
143
二月丙戌，置瑤池都督府，隸安西都護府。 丁亥，西突厥肆葉護可汗遣使來朝。
On bingxu in the second month the Yaozhou Protectorate was created under Anxi. On dinghai Khan Siyehu of the Western Turks sent envoys to court.
144
三月丙辰，置豐州都督府。 自去冬不雨，至於此月己未乃雨。 辛酉，大赦。 丁卯，敕皇太子於金液門聽政。 是月，日赤無光。
On bingchen in the third month the Fengzhou Protectorate was established. Rain had failed since the previous winter; not until jiwei of this month did the sky break. On xinyou he proclaimed a general amnesty. On dingmao he commanded the crown prince to conduct affairs at the Golden Liquid Gate. That month the sun burned red but cast no light.
145
四月己亥，幸翠微宮。
On jihai in the fourth month he went to Cuiwei Palace.
146
五月戊午，太子詹事、英國公李勣為疊州都督。 辛酉，開府儀同三司、衛國公李靖薨。 己巳，上崩於含風殿，年五十二。 遺詔皇太子即位於柩前，喪紀宜用漢制。 秘不發喪。 庚午，遣舊將統飛騎勁兵從皇太子先還京，發六府甲士四千人，分列於道及安化門，翼從乃入； 大行御馬輿，從官侍御如常。 壬申，發喪。
On wuwu in the fifth month Li Ji, crown prince tutor and Duke of England, was made governor of Diezhou. On xinyou Li Jing, Senior Grand Master and Duke of Wei, died. On jisi the emperor died in Hanfeng Hall. He was fifty-two. His dying edict named the crown prince to take the throne before the coffin and directed that mourning follow Han usage. The court concealed his death. On gengwu he sent old commanders with Flying Cavalry and crack troops to bring the crown prince back to the capital ahead of the procession; four thousand armored men from the six metropolitan offices lined the road and Anhua Gate, and only under their escort did the heir enter; the imperial carriage and its escort moved as on any other day, and the household staff kept their usual round. On renshen the death was made public.
147
六月甲戌朔，殯於太極殿。
On jiaxu, the first day of the sixth month, the coffin was set out in Taiji Hall.
148
八月丙子，百僚上謚曰文皇帝，廟號太宗。 庚寅，葬昭陵。 上元元年八月，改上尊號曰文武聖皇帝。 天寶十三載二月，改上尊號為文武大聖大廣孝皇帝。 【史評】史臣曰：臣觀文皇帝發跡多奇，聰明神武。 拔人物則不私於黨，負志業則咸盡其才。 所以屈突、尉遲，由仇敵而願傾心膂； 馬周、劉洎，自疏遠而卒委鈞衡。 終平泰階，諒由斯道。 嘗試論之：礎潤雲興，蟲鳴螽躍。 雖堯、舜之聖，不能用檮杌、窮奇而治平； 伊、呂之賢，不能為夏桀、殷辛而昌盛。 君臣之際，遭遇斯難，以至抉目剖心，蟲流筋擢，良由遭值之異也。 以房、魏之智，不逾於丘、軻，遂能尊主庇民者，遭時也。 或曰：以太宗之賢，失愛於昆弟，失教於諸子，何也？ 曰：然，舜不能仁四罪，堯不能訓丹硃，斯前志也。 當神堯任讒之年，建成忌功之日，茍除畏逼，孰顧分崩，變故之興，間不容發，方懼「毀巢」之禍，寧虞「尺布」之謠？ 承乾之愚，聖父不能移也。 若文皇自定儲於哲嗣，不騁志於高麗； 用人如貞觀之初，納諫比魏徵之日。 況周發、周成之世襲，我有遺妍； 較漢文、漢武之恢弘，彼多慚德。 跡其聽斷不惑，從善如流，千載可稱，一人而已！
On bingzi in the eighth month the ministers offered the posthumous title Emperor Wen and the temple name Taizong. On gengyin he was interred at Zhaoling. In the eighth month of Shangyuan 1 his elevated title became Martial-Sage Emperor. In the second month of Tianbao 13 his honorific was raised to Martial Great Sage, Greatly Broad and Filial Emperor. [Historian's appraisal] The historian writes: In his rise Emperor Wen met fortune at every odd turn; his mind was bright and his war-craft godlike. He chose men without party favor and set each to the work that fit his gift. So Qu Tu and Yuchi, once his foes, gave him heart and arm; Ma Zhou and Liu Ji, strangers at first, ended holding the balances of state. At last the realm stood level under heaven, and by this road alone. Consider this: damp the footings and clouds gather; stir the soil and the locusts leap. Yao and Shun were sages, yet they could not rule in peace with Taowu and Qiongqi at court; Yi Yin and Lü Wang were worthies, yet they could not save Jie of Xia or Xin of Yin. Between ruler and minister the meeting is perilous, even to eyes torn out and hearts laid open, sinews drawn till worms crawl the wound—such is the difference of the hour. Fang and Wei were no wiser than Confucius or Mencius, yet they upheld their sovereign and shielded the people—because the age asked it of them. Some ask: Taizong was so able—why did he lose his brothers' love and fail with his sons? The answer is: So it is. Shun could not humanize the Four Criminals; Yao could not school Danzhu—the ancients said as much. When Gaozu heeded slander and Jiancheng grudged his merit, to cut off fear was all; who had leisure for the realm's cracking apart? Crisis allowed no breath between beats—he feared first the nest torn down, not yet the ballad of brothers measuring cloth. Chengqian's dullness not even a sage father could shift. Had Taizong named a wise heir early and not poured his will into Goguryeo; had he used men as at Zhenguan's dawn and heard remonstrance as in Wei Zheng's day— and even beside the hereditary peace of Fa and Cheng of Zhou, we would still have had faults to mend; set against the scope of Han Wen and Han Wu, they would more often blush for their deeds. Yet trace how clear he was in judgment, how swift to follow what was right—a name for a thousand years, one man alone!
149
贊曰：昌、發啟國，一門三聖。 文定高位，友於不令。 管、蔡既誅，成、康道正。 貞觀之風，到今歌詠。
[Eulogy] The eulogy says: Chang and Fa founded the line; one clan, three holy kings. Wen secured the throne; brotherhood was not kept whole. Guan and Cai fell; then Cheng and Kang held the true path. The Zhenguan wind—men still sing it now.