1
李密李密,字玄邃,本遼東襄平人。 魏司徒弼曾孫,後周賜弼姓徒何氏。 祖曜,周太保、魏國公; 父寬,隋上柱國、蒲山公,皆知名當代。 徙為京兆長安人。 密以父廕為左親侍,嘗在仗下,煬帝顧見之,退謂許公宇文述曰:「向者左仗下黑色小兒為誰?」 許公對曰:「故蒲山公李寬子密也。」 帝曰:「個小兒視瞻異常,勿令宿衛。」 他日,述謂密曰:「弟聰令如此,當以才學取官,三衛叢脞,非養賢之所。」 密大喜,因謝病,專以讀書為事,時人希見其面。 嘗欲尋包愷,乘一黃牛,被以蒲韉,仍將《漢書》一帙掛於角上,一手捉牛靷,一手翻卷書讀之。 尚書令、越國公楊素見於道,從後按轡躡之,既及,問曰:「何處書生,耽學若此?」 密識越公,乃下牛再拜,自言姓名。 又問所讀書,答曰《項羽傳》。 越公奇之,與語,大悅,謂其子玄感等曰:「吾觀李密識度,汝等不及。」 於是玄感傾心結托。
Li Mi, whose courtesy name was Xuansui, came originally from Xiangping in Liaodong. A great-grandson of Bi, who had served as Wei’s Minister of Education, his family received the surname Tuhe from the Later Zhou. His grandfather Yao had been Grand Tutor and Duke of Wei under the Zhou; his father Kuan was a Sui Superior Pillar of State and Duke of Pushan, and both men were famous figures of their age. The clan was later reclassified as residents of Chang'an in the metropolitan region of Jingzhao. Through his father's yin privilege Mi became a Left Attendant in the inner guard. Once while he was stationed beneath the imperial arms, Emperor Yang noticed him and, when he had withdrawn, asked the Duke of Xu, Yuwen Shu, "Who was that small dark-complexioned boy on the left just now?" The Duke of Xu answered, "That was Mi, son of the late Duke of Pushan, Li Kuan." The emperor said, "The way that child looks about is out of the ordinary. Do not keep him on night watch in the palace." On another occasion Shu told him, "With gifts like yours you ought to win office through scholarship, not clerking in the Three Guards—that clutter of petty posts is no nursery for true talent." Delighted, Mi thereupon claimed illness and devoted himself wholly to study, so that contemporaries seldom saw him at all. Once, intending to call on Bao Kai, he rode a yellow ox covered with a rush mat, hung a volume of the Book of Han from its horn, held the reins in one hand, and turned the pages with the other as he rode. Yang Su, Duke of Yue and Director of State Affairs, saw him on the road, followed close behind gripping his saddle, and when he had caught up asked, "What sort of student is this, so lost in his books?" Mi recognized the Duke of Yue, dismounted, made a double bow, and stated his name. When asked what he was reading, he replied, the Biography of Xiang Yu. The Duke of Yue was struck by him; after talking with him he was greatly pleased and told his son Xuangan and the rest, "Judging Li Mi's grasp and vision, none of you can equal him." Xuangan thereupon pledged himself to Mi with wholehearted trust and friendship.
2
大業九年,煬帝伐高麗,使玄感于黎陽監運。 時天下騷動,玄感將謀舉兵,潛遣人入關迎密,以為謀主。 密至,謂玄感曰:「今天子出征,遠在遼外,地去幽州,懸隔千里,南有巨海之限,北有胡戎之患,中間一道,理極艱危。 今公擁兵出其不意,長驅入薊,直扼其喉。 前有高麗,退無歸路,不過旬朔,齎糧必盡。 舉麾一召,其眾自降,不戰而擒,此計之上也。 關中四塞,天府之國,有衛文升,不足為意。 若經城勿攻,西入長安,掩其無備,天子雖還,失其襟帶。 據險臨之,固當必克,萬全之勢,此計之中也。 若隨近逐便,先向東都,頓堅城之下,勝負殊未可知,此計之下也。」 玄感曰:「公之下計,乃上策也。 今百官家口,並在東都,若不取之,安能動物? 且經城不拔,何以示威?」 密計遂不行。 玄感既至東都,頻戰皆捷,自謂天下回應,功在朝夕。 及獲內史舍人韋福嗣,又委以腹心,是以軍旅之事,不專歸密。 福嗣既非同謀,因戰被執,每設籌畫,皆持兩端。 玄感後使作檄文,福嗣固辭不肯,密揣其情,因謂玄感曰:「福嗣既非同盟,實懷觀望。 明公初起大事,而奸人在側,必為所誤,請斬之以謝眾,方可安輯。」 玄感曰:「何至於此!」 密知言之不用,退謂所親曰:「楚公好反而不圖勝,如何? 吾屬今為虜矣!」 後玄感將西入,福嗣竟亡歸東都。
In the ninth year of Daye, while Emperor Yang campaigned against Goguryeo, he sent Xuangan to oversee transport at Liyang. With the empire in turmoil, Xuangan prepared to raise arms and secretly sent men through the passes to bring Mi as his chief strategist. When Mi arrived he told Xuangan, "The Son of Heaven is on campaign in distant Liaodong, a thousand li from Youzhou; the sea blocks the south, barbarian troubles press the north, and the single road between is desperately hazardous. If you march in suddenly, drive deep into Ji, and seize their throat directly, with Goguryeo in front and no way back, within a fortnight their supplies will run out. Raise your standard and they will submit without a battle—that is the best plan. The Guanzhong heartland is a four-sided fortress and the empire's granary; Wei Wensheng alone is no cause for concern. If you bypass the cities without assault, push west into Chang'an while they are unready, then even when the emperor returns he will have lost his strategic belt. Seize the passes and press down on them and victory is assured—that is the middling plan. If you take the easy road first toward the Eastern Capital and camp beneath its strong walls, the outcome is anyone's guess—that is the worst plan." Xuangan said, "Your worst plan is actually the best strategy. The households of the entire bureaucracy are in the Eastern Capital; unless we seize it, how can we move men's hearts? And if we leave a city untaken on our march, how will we show our power?" Mi's counsel was set aside. After Xuangan reached the Eastern Capital he won repeated victories and convinced himself the empire would rally to him and triumph was only days away. When he captured the Secretariat Gentleman Wei Fusi he made him another intimate adviser, and military affairs no longer rested solely with Mi. Fusi was no confederate—he had been taken in battle—and whenever he offered counsel he kept one foot on each side. Later Xuangan ordered him to draft a proclamation, but Fusi refused outright. Reading his intentions, Mi told Xuangan, "Fusi is no ally; he is really waiting to see which way fortune turns. You have just launched a great enterprise with a traitor at your elbow; he is bound to ruin you. Execute him to satisfy the army, and only then will affairs settle." Xuangan said, "Surely it need not go that far!" Knowing his advice would be ignored, Mi withdrew and told his intimates, "The Duke of Chu delights in reversal and will not plan for victory—what then? We are prisoners already!" When Xuangan later prepared to march west, Fusi escaped and returned to the Eastern Capital.
3
隋左武衛大將軍李子雄坐事被收,系送行在所,于路殺使者,亡投玄感,乃勸玄感速稱尊號。 玄感問於密,密曰:「昔陳勝自欲稱王,張耳諫而被外; 魏武將求九錫,荀彧止而見疏。 今者密若正言,還恐追蹤二子; 阿諛順意,又非密之本圖。 何者? 兵起已來,雖復頻捷,至於郡縣,未有從者。 東都守禦尚強,天下救兵益至。 公當身先士眾,早定關中,乃欲急自尊崇,何示人不廣也!」 玄感笑而止。 及隋將宇文述、來護兒等率軍且至,玄感謂曰:「計將安出?」 密曰:「元弘嗣統強兵於隴右,今可陽言其反,遣使迎公,因此入關,可得紿眾。」 因引軍西入。 至陝縣,欲圍弘農宮,密諫之曰:「公今詐眾西入,事宜在速,況乃追兵將至,安可稽留! 若前不得據關,退無所守,大眾一散,何以自全?」 玄感不從,遂圍之,三日不拔,方引而西。 至於晙鄉,追兵遂及,玄感敗。 密乃間行入關,為捕者所獲。
Li Zixiong, Sui General-in-Chief of the Left Martial Guard, was arrested for an offense and sent under guard toward the emperor's camp; on the road he killed his escort, fled to Xuangan, and urged him to proclaim himself emperor at once. Xuangan asked Mi, who said, "Chen Sheng once wanted to proclaim himself king; Zhang Er remonstrated and was pushed aside; Cao Cao was about to seek the Nine Bestowals; Xun Yu opposed it and was estranged. If I speak plainly now, I may yet follow in their footsteps; yet to flatter and agree with you is not my intent either. Why? Since you raised arms you have won battles, yet not a single commandery or county has joined you. The Eastern Capital's defenses remain strong, and relief armies from across the empire keep arriving. You should lead the troops yourself and secure Guanzhong quickly, yet you rush to elevate yourself—what a cramped vision you show the world!" Xuangan laughed and dropped the matter. When Sui generals Yuwen Shu, Lai Huer, and others were marching up with their armies, Xuangan asked, "What is our next move?" Mi said, "Yuan Hongsi commands strong forces in Longyou. Announce falsely that he has rebelled and send envoys to summon you; march into the passes on that pretext and you can deceive the troops." He then marched the army west. At Shaan County he wanted to besiege Hongnong Palace. Mi urged, "You have deceived the army into marching west; speed is everything, and pursuers are close—how can you delay? If you fail to seize the passes ahead with no refuge behind, the army will scatter—how will you save yourself?" Xuangan refused, laid siege for three days without success, and only then marched on west. At Xunxiang the pursuers overtook him and Xuangan was defeated. Mi slipped into the passes by back roads and was captured.
4
時煬帝在高陽,密與其黨俱送帝所,謂其徒曰:「吾等之命,同於朝露,若至高陽,必為俎醢。 今在道中,猶可為計,安得行就鼎鑊,不規逃避也!」 眾然之。 其多有金者,密令出示使者曰:「吾等死日,幸用相瘞,其餘即皆報德。」 使者利其金,許之。 及出關外,防禁漸弛,密請市酒食,每夜宴飲,喧嘩竟夕,使者不以為意。 行至邯鄲,密等七人穿牆而遁。 抵平原賊帥郝孝德,孝德不甚禮之。 密又舍去,詣淮陽,隱姓名,自稱劉智遠,聚徒教授。 經數月,鬱鬱不得志,為五言詩曰:「金風蕩初節,玉露凋晚林。 此夕窮途士,郁陶傷寸心。 野平葭葦合,村荒藜藿深。 眺聽良多感,徙倚獨沾襟。 沾襟何所為? 悵然懷古意。 秦俗猶未平,漢道將何冀? 樊噲市井徒,蕭何刀筆吏。 一朝時運會,千古傳名諡。 寄言世上雄,虛生真可愧。」 詩成而泣下數行。 時人有怪之者,以告太守趙佗,下縣捕之,密又亡去。 會東郡賊帥翟讓聚黨萬餘人,密往歸之。 或有知密是玄感亡將,潛勸讓害之,讓囚密于營外。 密因王伯當以策於讓曰:「當今主昏於上,人怨於下,銳兵盡於遼東,和親絕于突厥,方乃巡遊揚、越,委棄京都,此亦劉、項奮起之會,以足下之雄才大略,士馬精勇,席捲二京,誅暴滅虐,則隋氏之不足亡也。」 讓深加敬慕,遽釋之。 遣說諸小賊,所至皆降。 密又說讓曰:「今兵眾既多,糧無所出,若曠日持久,則人馬困弊,大敵一臨,死亡無日矣! 未若直取滎陽,休兵館穀,待士勇馬肥,然後與人爭利。」 讓以為然。 自是破金堤關,掠滎陽諸縣城堡,多下之。 滎陽太宗楊慶及通守張須陀以兵討讓,讓曾為須陀所敗,聞其來,大懼,將遠避之。 密曰:「須陀勇而無謀,兵又驟勝,既驕且狠,可一戰而擒之。 公但列陣以待,為公破之。」 讓不得已,勒兵將戰,密分兵千余人于木林間設伏。 讓與戰不利,稍卻,密發伏自後掩之,須陀眾潰,與讓合擊,大破之,遂斬須陀於陣。 讓於是令密別統所部。 密軍陣整肅,凡號令兵士,雖盛夏皆若背負霜雪。 躬服儉素,所得金寶皆頒賜麾下,由是人為之用。 尋復說讓曰:「昏主蒙塵,播蕩吳、越,群兵競起,海內饑荒。 明公以英傑之才,而統驍雄之旅,宜當廓清天下,誅剪群凶,豈可求食草間,常為小盜而已! 今東都士庶,中外離心,留守諸官,政令不一。 明公親率大眾,直掩興洛倉,發粟以賑窮乏,遠近孰不歸附? 百萬之眾,一朝可集,先發制人,此機不可失也!」 讓曰:「僕起隴畝之間,望不至此,必如所圖,請君先發,僕領諸軍便為後殿。 得倉之日,當別議之。」 春,密與讓領精兵千人出陽城北,逾方山,自羅口襲興洛倉,破之。 開倉恣人所取,老弱繈負,道路不絕,眾至數十萬。 隋越王侗遣虎賁郎將劉長恭率步騎二萬五千討密,密一戰破之,長恭僅以身免。 讓於是推密為主,號為魏公。 二月,于鞏南設壇場,即位,稱元年,其文書行下稱行軍元帥魏公府。 以房彥藻為左長史,邴元真為右長史,楊得方為左司馬,鄭德韜為右司馬。 拜翟讓為司徒,封東郡公。 單雄信為左武候大將軍,徐世勣為右武候大將軍,祖君彥為記室,其餘封拜各有差。 於是城洛口周回四十里以居之。
Emperor Yang was at Gaoyang, and Mi and his companions were escorted toward him. He told his followers, "Our lives are like dew at dawn; if we reach Gaoyang we will be carved on the block. We are still on the road and can still act—why march straight into the cauldron without planning escape?" They all agreed. Those who had gold Mi had display it to the escorts, saying, "When we die, use this to bury us properly; the rest is yours in gratitude." Greedy for the gold, the escorts agreed. Outside the passes the guard grew lax; Mi bought wine and food, and they feasted noisily every night until dawn while the escorts took no notice. At Handan, Mi and six others broke through a wall and escaped. They came to the Pingyuan bandit leader Hao Xiaode, who received him without much respect. Mi left again for Huaiyang, hid his identity under the name Liu Zhiyuan, and gathered students to teach. After several months of frustration he wrote a pentasyllabic poem: "Golden wind shakes the season's first turn; jade dew withers the late woods. Tonight a man at the end of the road—grief wounds his every inch of heart. Level wilds where reeds and rushes merge; deserted villages where pigweed runs deep. Gazing and listening stir deep feeling; pacing alone, he soaks his collar. Why do the lapels grow wet? Because ancient longings weigh on him. Qin tyranny is not yet ended—what hope is there for Han restoration? Fan Kuai was a market brawler; Xiao He a petty clerk with brush and knife. Yet when the moment turned they won posthumous fame for a thousand ages. I tell the world's bold spirits: to live empty-handed is shame indeed." When he finished the poem, tears ran down his face in streams. Someone who thought him odd reported him to Prefect Zhao Tuo; the county sent men to arrest him, and Mi fled once more. About then Zhai Rang, a bandit leader of Dong Commandery, had gathered more than ten thousand followers, and Mi went to join him. Some who knew he was Xuangan's fugitive general secretly urged Rang to kill him, and Rang had Mi imprisoned outside the camp. Through Wang Bodang, Mi laid out a plan for Rang: "The ruler is benighted above and the people resentful below; elite troops are spent in Liaodong, ties with the Turks are broken, and he tours Yang and Yue while abandoning the capital—this is the same moment when Liu Bang and Xiang Yu rose. With your talent and daring, your fierce soldiers and horses, you could sweep both capitals, punish cruelty, and end tyranny, and the Sui would not be hard to overthrow." Rang was deeply impressed and released him at once. Mi was sent to win over smaller bands, and wherever he went they submitted. Mi urged Rang again: "Your force is large but there is no grain supply; if this drags on, men and horses will be exhausted, and when a major enemy arrives you will have no days left to live. Better march straight on Xingyang, rest the troops, and stock grain; when your men are bold and your horses strong, then fight for mastery." Rang agreed. They then stormed Jindi Pass and seized fortified places throughout Xingyang commandery. Yang Qing, Prince of Zheng in Xingyang, and Transit Governor Zhang Xutuo marched against Rang, who had been beaten by Xutuo before; hearing he was coming, Rang was terrified and prepared to flee. Mi said, "Xutuo is brave but not clever; his troops have won too quickly and are arrogant and cruel—we can take him in a single battle. You need only form the line and wait—I will defeat him for you." Rang had no choice but to deploy for battle while Mi hid more than a thousand men in the woods. Rang's fight went badly and he fell back; Mi's ambush struck from behind, Xutuo's force collapsed, and together they routed the enemy and killed Xutuo in the battle. Rang then put Mi in independent command of his own force. Mi's formations were disciplined and stern; his orders were obeyed as if the men carried winter frost on their backs even in midsummer. He lived plainly himself and gave all captured gold and jewels to his men, so they served him willingly. Soon he urged Rang again: "The benighted emperor wanders in distress through Wu and Yue; armies rise everywhere and famine grips the land. With your heroic gifts you command fierce troops—you should clear the realm and destroy the wicked, not grub for food in the weeds like a petty bandit forever! The Eastern Capital's people are divided in heart, and the officials left behind cannot agree on policy. Lead the host yourself straight against the Xingluo granary, open the grain to feed the destitute—who near or far would not rally to you? A million followers can be gathered in a day; strike first and seize the advantage—this chance must not be missed!" Rang said, "I came up from the fields and never dreamed of this; if we do as you propose, you go first and I will bring up the rear with the rest of the army. Once we hold the granary we can decide the rest." That spring Mi and Rang led a thousand picked troops out north of Yangcheng, crossed Fang Mountain, struck the Xingluo granary from Luokou, and captured it. They opened the granaries for free taking; the old and weak came on one another's backs without end along the roads, and the following swelled to hundreds of thousands. Yang Tong, the Sui Prince of Yue, sent Tiger Guard General Liu Changgong with twenty-five thousand foot and horse to attack Mi; Mi routed them in a single battle, and Changgong barely escaped alive. Rang then made Mi their leader, with the title Duke of Wei. In the second month he set up an altar south of Gong, took the throne, proclaimed year one, and his documents went out under the title Campaign Marshal, Duke of Wei. He appointed Fang Yanzao as Left Chief Clerk, Bing Yuanzhen as Right Chief Clerk, Yang Defang as Left Major, and Zheng Detao as Right Major. He made Zhai Rang Minister of Education and enfeoffed him as Duke of Dong Commandery. Shan Xiongxin became Left Martial Guard General-in-Chief, Xu Shiji Right Martial Guard General-in-Chief, and Zu Junyan Recorder; the rest received ranks and titles according to merit. He then fortified Luokou on a circuit of forty li and made it his seat.
5
長白山賊孟讓率所部歸密,鞏縣長柴孝和、侍御史鄭頤以鞏縣降密。 隋虎賁郎將裴仁基率其子行儼以武牢歸密,拜為上柱國,封河東郡公。 因遣仁基與孟讓率兵三萬餘人襲回洛倉,破之,入東都,俘掠居人,燒天津,東都出兵乘之,仁基等大敗,僅以身免。 密復親率兵三萬逼東都,將軍段達、虎賁郎將高毗、劉長林等出兵七萬拒之,戰於故都城,隋軍敗走。 密復下回洛倉而據之,大修營塹,以逼東都,仍作書以移郡縣曰:
The Changbai bandit Meng Rang brought his force to Mi; Magistrate Chai Xiaohe of Gong and Investigating Censor Zheng Yi surrendered the county. Sui Tiger Guard General Pei Renji came over with his son Xingyan and surrendered Wulao; Mi made him Superior Pillar of State and Duke of Hedong. He sent Renji and Meng Rang with over thirty thousand men to seize the Huiluo granary, then entered the Eastern Capital, plundered the populace, and burned Tianjin Bridge. Capital troops struck at their moment of exposure; Renji's force was shattered and the leaders barely escaped. Mi again led thirty thousand men against the Eastern Capital; General Duan Da, Tiger Guard Generals Gao Pi and Liu Changlin, and others marched out seventy thousand to meet him. At the old capital site the Sui force was routed. Mi again took the Huiluo granary, threw up extensive fortifications to press the Eastern Capital, and issued a proclamation to the commanderies and counties:
6
「自元氣肇辟,厥初生人,樹之帝王,以為司牧。 是以羲、農、軒、頊之后,堯、舜、禹、湯之君,靡不祗畏上玄,愛育黔首,乾乾終日,翼翼小心,馭朽索而同危,履春冰而是懼。 故一物失所,若納隍而愧之; 一夫有罪,遂下車而泣之。 謙德軫於責躬,憂勞切於罪己。 普天之下,率土之濱,蟠木距於流沙,瀚海窮於丹穴,莫不鼓腹擊壤,鑿井耕田,治致升平,驅之仁壽。 是以愛之如父母,敬之若神明,用能享國多年,祚延長世。 未有暴虐臨人,克終天位者也。
" From the opening of primordial order and the first arising of mankind, emperors and kings were established to shepherd the people. The heirs of Fuxi, Shennong, the Yellow Emperor, and Zhuanxu, and the rulers Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang—all revered Heaven, cherished the people, labored diligently, and walked in utmost caution, as if driving a frayed rope over an abyss or treading spring ice. If a single thing went awry they felt ashamed as if plunging into a pit; if one man was guilty they left the carriage and wept for him. Their humility showed in self-reproach; their care lay in confessing their own faults. Across the realm, from the western wastes to the eastern seas, all drummed their bellies in contentment, dug wells and plowed fields, and were brought to peace and long life under benevolent rule. The people loved them as parents and revered them as gods, and so their reigns lasted many years and their fortunes extended through generations. No tyrant who abused the people has ever kept the Mandate of Heaven to the end.
7
隋氏往因周末,預奉綴衣,狐媚而圖聖寶,胠篋以取神器。 及纘承負扆,狼虎其心,始曀明兩之暉,終干少陽之位。 先皇大漸,侍疾禁中,遂為梟獍,便行鴆毒。 禍深於莒僕,釁酷于商臣,天地難容,人神嗟憤! 州吁安忍,閼伯日尋,劍閣所以懷凶,晉陽所以興亂,甸人為罄,淫刑斯逞。 夫九族既睦,唐帝闡其欽明; 百世本枝,文王表其光大。 況復隳壞磐石,剿絕維城,脣亡齒寒,甯止虞、虢? 欲其長久,其可得乎! 其罪一也。
The Sui clan, at the end of the Zhou, received the imperial robe in advance, fawned their way toward the throne, and broke open the storehouses to seize the regalia of empire. When he took the throne his heart was wolf and tiger; he first dimmed the light of his father and elder brother, then violated the place of the crown prince. While the late emperor lay gravely ill in the palace, he played the dutiful son at the bedside and then poisoned his father. His crime outdid the Ju servant's murder and Shang Chen's parricide—Heaven and Earth could not contain him; men and spirits groaned in fury! Like Zhou Xu's cruelty and Yan Bo's daily feuds, he nursed malice at Jian'ge and stirred rebellion at Jinyang; the people were drained dry and cruel punishments ran unchecked. When the nine clans live in harmony, as under the Tang emperor, reverent brilliance shines forth; when root and branch endure for a hundred generations, as under King Wen, their glory is made manifest. Yet he shattered the bedrock of the realm and destroyed its shielding princes—when the lips are gone the teeth freeze; and this was not limited to the states of Yu and Guo alone. To expect such a house to endure—how could it? This is the first of his crimes.
8
禽獸之行,在於聚麀,人倫之體,別於內外。 而蘭陵公主逼幸告終,誰謂敤首之賢,翻見齊襄之恥。 逮於先皇嬪御,並進銀環; 諸王子女,咸貯金屋。 牝雞鳴於詰旦,雄雉恣其群飛,衵衣戲陳侯之朝,穹廬同冒頓之寢。 爵賞之出,女謁遂成,公卿宣淫,無復綱紀。 其罪二也。
Beasts gather mates without distinction; human relations draw a line between inner and outer kin. Yet he forced the Princess of Lanling to his bed until her death—what virtue of the Qi maiden could be praised when Qi Xiang's incest stands revealed? He took even the late emperor's consorts and attendants, each admitted with a silver ring; and the sons and daughters of the imperial princes were all locked in golden chambers. The hen crowed at dawn and the cock flew wild; in his undergarments he played the part of Duke Chen, in a felt tent he shared the bed of Modu. Rank and reward flowed through women's chambers; ministers openly debauched themselves—and all discipline was gone. This is the second of his crimes.
9
平章百姓,一日萬機,未曉求衣,昃晷不食。 大禹不貴於尺壁,光武不隔于支體,以是憂勤,深慮幽枉。 而荒湎於酒,俾晝作夜,式號且呼,甘嗜聲伎,常居窟室,每藉糟丘。 朝謁罕見其身,群臣希睹其面,斷決自此不行,敷奏於是停擁。 中山千日之飲,酩酊無名; 襄陽三雅之杯,留連詎比? 又廣召良家,充選宮掖,潛為九市,親駕四驢,自比商人,見要逆旅。 殷辛之譴為小,漢靈之罪更輕,內外驚心,遐邇失望。 其罪三也。
A ruler settles the people's affairs, ten thousand matters a day—rising before dawn for court, working past sunset without a meal. Yu the Great did not prize a foot-square jade disk; Emperor Guangwu of Han did not hide behind screens—thus they labored in care and thought deeply on hidden wrongs. Yet he drowned in wine, turned day into night, shouted through the dawn, craved music and performers, lived in cellar rooms, and slept on heaps of lees. At court he was rarely seen; ministers seldom glimpsed his face—judgments ceased, and memorials piled up unread. He drank the thousand-day wine of Zhongshan until senseless; and lingered over the Three Elegances cups of Xiangyang—what comparison is there? He summoned good families to fill the palace, ran a secret market in nine wards, drove four donkeys himself, played the merchant, and was waylaid at inns like a common traveler. King Zhou's offenses would seem small; Emperor Ling's crimes would seem light—court and country were appalled; near and far lost all hope. This is the third of his crimes.
10
上棟下宇,著在《易》爻; 茅茨采椽,陳諸史籍。 聖人本意,惟避風雨,詎待朱玉之華,寧須綈錦之麗! 故璿室崇構,商辛以之滅亡; 阿房崛起,二世是以傾覆。 而不遵古典,不念前章,廣立池臺,多營宮觀,金鋪玉戶,青瑣丹墀,蔽虧日月,隔閡寒暑。 窮生人之筋力,罄天下之資財,使鬼尚難為之,勞人固其不可。 其罪四也。
Rafters above and walls below are prescribed in the Book of Changes; thatched roofs and plain rafters are praised in the histories. The sages meant only shelter from wind and rain—why demand vermilion pillars and jade doors, or brocade splendor! The towering Jade Chamber brought the fall of King Zhou; Epang Palace's rise brought down the Second Emperor. Yet he ignored ancient models and former warnings, raised pools and towers everywhere, and built palaces with golden studs, jade doors, green lattice, and cinnabar steps that blocked out sun and season alike. He exhausted men's strength and drained the empire's wealth—work even ghosts could scarcely finish, and labor men could not bear. This is the fourth of his crimes.
11
公田所徹,不過十畝; 人力所供,才止三日。 是以輕徭薄賦,不奪農時,甯積於人,無藏於府。 而科稅繁猥,不知紀極; 猛火屢燒,漏卮難滿。 頭會箕斂,逆折十年之租; 杼軸其空,日損千金之費。 父母不保其赤子,夫妻相棄于匡床。 萬戶則城郭空虛,千里則煙火斷滅。 西蜀王孫之室,翻同原憲之貧; 東海糜竺之家,俄成鄧通之鬼。 其罪五也。
Levies from the public fields did not exceed ten mu; and labor service was limited to three days. Thus corvée was light, taxes were low, the seasons were not disturbed, wealth stayed with the people, and the treasury was not stuffed. Yet his taxes multiplied beyond reckoning; fierce exactions burned again and again, and the treasury was a leaking cup that could never be filled. Collectors gathered grain head by head and swept up ten years' rent in advance; looms stood empty in every household, and a thousand in gold was lost each day. Parents could not keep their children; husbands and wives abandoned one another in their own beds. Ten thousand households left the cities empty; for a thousand li hearth-fires went out. The mansions of Western Shu princes became as poor as Yuan Xian's hovel; the house of Mi Zhu in the eastern sea soon joined Deng Tong among the dead. This is the fifth of his crimes.
12
古先哲王,卜征巡狩,唐、虞五載,周則一紀。 本欲親問疾苦,觀省風謠,乃復廣積薪芻,多備饔餼。 年年曆覽,處處登臨,從臣疲弊,供頓辛苦。 飄風凍雨,聊竊比于先驅; 車轍馬跡,遂周行於天下。 秦皇之心未已,周穆之意難窮。 宴西母而歌雲,浮東海而觀日。 家苦納秸之勤,人阻來蘇之望。 且夫天下有道,守在海外,夷不亂華,在德非險。 長城之役,戰國所為,乃是狙詐之風,非關稽古之法。 而追蹤秦代,板築更興,襲其基墟,延袤萬里,屍骸蔽野,血流成河,積怨滿於山川,號哭動於天地。 其罪六也。
The sage kings of old divined before tours of inspection—once in five years under Yao and Shun, once in twelve under the Zhou. They meant to ask after the people's hardships and hear local songs—yet he piled up fodder everywhere and prepared lavish provisions. Year after year he toured; place after place he climbed—his followers were exhausted and every halt was misery. Wind and freezing rain—he could only liken himself to the vanguard; cart tracks and hoofprints circled the entire realm. The ambition of the First Emperor of Qin was not yet sated; the wanderlust of King Mu of Zhou could not be exhausted. He feasted the Queen Mother of the West and sang among the clouds; he sailed the eastern sea to watch the sunrise. Households groaned under the levy of fodder; the people's hope of relief was cut off. When the realm holds the Way, defense lies beyond the frontier; barbarians do not disturb China—security rests on virtue, not on walls. The Long Wall was a Warring States project—the fashion of crafty states, not a method sanctioned by antiquity. Yet he followed Qin's example, raised the rammed-earth works again, and extended them ten thousand li—corpses covered the fields, blood ran like rivers, resentment filled the hills, and wailing shook Heaven and Earth. This is the sixth of his crimes.
13
遼水之東,朝鮮之地,《禹貢》以為荒服,周王棄而不臣,示以羈縻,達其聲教,苟欲愛人,非求拓土。 又強弩末矢,理無穿于魯縞; 沖風餘力,詎能動於鴻毛? 石田得而無堪,雞肋啖而何用? 而恃眾怙力,強兵黷武,惟在併吞,不思長策。 夫兵,猶火也; 不戢,將自焚,遂令億兆夷人,只輪莫返。 夫差喪國,實為黃池之盟; 苻堅滅身,良由壽春之役。 欲捕鳴蟬於前,不知挾彈在後。 復矢相顧,髽而成行,義夫切齒,壯士扼腕。 其罪七也。
East of the Liao lies Korea—the Yu Gong treats it as outer domain; the Zhou king left it unsubdued, holding it only by loose reins to spread civilization—if one loves the people, one does not seek new territory. A strong crossbow's last bolt cannot pierce a Lu gauze; the tail of a gale cannot stir a goose feather— stony fields gained are useless; chicken ribs eaten are profitless. Yet trusting in numbers and force, he fed armies and abused war, thinking only of conquest and never of lasting strategy. War is like fire; unchecked it burns the wielder—so millions marched east and not a single wheel returned. Fuchai lost his kingdom at the alliance of Huangchi; Fu Jian destroyed himself at the campaign of Shouchun. He reached for the cicada in front and did not see the slingshot behind. Veterans looked back in mourning queues; righteous men ground their teeth and heroes clenched their fists. This is the seventh of his crimes.
14
直言啟沃,王臣匪躬,惟木從繩,若金須礪。 唐堯建鼓,思聞獻替之言; 夏禹懸鞀,時聽箴規之美。 而愎諫違卜,蠹賢嫉能,直士正人,皆由屠害。 左僕射、齊國公高穎,上柱國、宋國公賀若弼,或文昌上相,或細柳功臣,暫吐良藥之言,翻加屬鏤之賜。 龍逢無罪,便遭夏癸之誅; 王子何辜? 濫被商辛之戮。 遂令君子結舌,賢人緘口。 指白日而比盛,射蒼天而敢欺,不悟國之將亡,不知死之將至。 其罪八也。
Straight counsel opens the ruler's mind; a loyal minister serves not himself—wood must follow the line, metal must be honed. Emperor Yao set up a drum, eager to hear counsel for improvement; Yu of Xia hung a sounding stone, often listening to admonition. Yet he was deaf to remonstrance, defied divination, harmed the worthy and envied talent—upright men were slaughtered. Left Vice Director Gao Jiong, Duke of Qi, and Superior Pillar He Ruobi, Duke of Song—one a chief minister, one a hero of Xiliu—offered bitter counsel and received the gilded awl in reward. Long Feng was innocent yet was executed by Jie of Xia; What crime had the princes committed? They were slaughtered like victims of King Zhou. Gentlemen fell silent and worthies sealed their lips. He swore by the bright sun yet dared deceive Heaven itself—never seeing that the state would fall and death draw near. This is the eighth of his crimes.
15
設官分職,貴在銓衡; 察獄問刑,無聞販鬻。 而錢神起論,銅臭為公,梁冀受黃金之蛇,孟佗薦蒲萄之酒。 遂使彝倫攸篸,政以賄成,君子在野,小人在位。 積薪居上,同汲黯之言; 囊錢不如,傷趙壹之賦。 其罪九也。
Setting offices and dividing duties depends on fair selection; examining cases and judging punishments—never with justice sold for coin. Yet the god of money ruled debate and the stink of copper became lord; Liang Ji took a golden snake, Meng Tuo offered grape wine for office. Constant norms collapsed, government was bought, gentlemen languished in the wilds, and petty men held office. Heaped firewood sat above—just as Ji An warned; purse money could not compare—grieving as in Zhao Yi's lament. This is the ninth of his crimes.
16
宣尼有言,無信不立,用命賞祖,義豈食言? 自昏主嗣位,每歲行幸,南北巡狩,東西征伐。 至如浩亹陪蹕,東都守固,閿鄉野戰,雁門解圍。 自外征夫,不可勝紀。 既立功勳,須酬官爵。 而志懷翻覆,言行浮詭,危急則勳賞懸授,克定則絲綸不行,異商鞅之頒金,同項王之剚印。 芳餌之下,必有懸魚,惜其重賞,求人死力,走丸逆坡,匹此非難。 凡百驍雄,誰不仇怨。 至於匹夫蕞爾,宿諾不虧,既在乘輿,二三其德。 其罪十也。
Confucius said that without trust nothing stands, and those who risk their lives are rewarded at the shrine—how then break one's word in righteousness? Since the benighted ruler succeeded, every year he toured—north and south on progress, east and west on campaign. At Haowan he escorted the train, at the Eastern Capital he held the line, at Wen Township he fought in the field, at Yanmen he lifted a siege— and beyond these the campaigns are beyond counting. Once merit is won, rank and reward must follow. Yet his heart was treacherous and his words fickle—rewards were promised in crisis but withheld in victory, unlike Shang Yang's gold, like Xiang Yu grinding his seals. Beneath fragrant bait the fish must hang; yet sparing rich reward while demanding men's lives—rolling a ball uphill is easier than this. Which of the brave heroes did not nurse hatred? A common man keeps an old promise unbroken—yet seated on the imperial carriage he is faithless twice and thrice over. This is the tenth of his crimes.
17
有一於此,未或不亡。 況四維不張,三靈總瘁,無小無大,愚夫愚婦,共識殷亡,咸知夏滅。 罄南山之竹,書罪未窮; 決東海之波,流惡難盡。 是以窮奇災于上國,猰暴于中原。 三河縱封豕之貪,四海被長蛇之毒,百姓殲亡,殆無遺類,十分為計,才一而已。 蒼生懍懍,咸憂杞國之崩; 赤子嗷嗷,但愁曆陽之陷。 且國祚將改,必有常期,六百殷亡之年,三十姬終之世。 故讖籙云隋氏三十六年而滅,此則厭德之象已彰,代終之兆先見。 皇天無親,惟德是輔。 況乃攙搶竟天,申繻謂之除舊; 歲星入井,甘公以為義興。 兼朱雀門燒,正陽日蝕,狐鳴鬼哭,川竭山崩。 並是宗廟為墟之妖,荊棘旅庭之事。 夏氏則災釁非多,殷人則咎征更少。 牽牛入漢,方知大亂之期; 王良策馬,始驗兵車之會。
With any one of these, what state could survive? How much more when the four bonds are broken and the three spirits afflicted—high and low, men and women alike know Yin must fall and Xia is ended. Exhaust the bamboo of South Mountain and his crimes would still not be written out; drain the eastern sea and his flowing evil would still not run dry. Thus Qiongqi brought disaster upon the realm and Yayu ravaged the central plain. The Three Rivers unleashed a penned boar's greed; the four seas suffered a serpent's venom—the people were slaughtered until scarcely one in ten remained. The people trembled, all fearing the fall of the state of Qi; infants wailed, grieving only the fall of Liyang. The dynastic fortune is about to turn, and there is a fixed term—six hundred years for Yin, thirty generations for Zhou. Prophecies say the Sui will fall in thirty-six years—the sign of exhausted virtue is clear and the dynasty's end is foreseen. Heaven is impartial and assists only virtue. Comets fill the sky—Shen Xu called this the clearing away of the old; the Year Star entered the Well—Gan Gong read it as the rise of righteous rule. The Vermilion Bird Gate burned, the sun was eclipsed on the first yang day, foxes cried and ghosts wailed, streams dried up and mountains collapsed. All are omens of temples in ruins and thorns lodging in the royal courtyard. Xia had fewer disasters than this; Yin had fewer omens of blame. When the Ox Leader entered the Han River, the season of great disorder was known; when Wang Liang drove his horses, the gathering of war chariots was confirmed.
18
今者順人將革,先天不違,大誓孟津,陳命景亳,三千列國,八百諸侯,不謀而同辭,不召而自至。 轟轟隱隱,如霆如雷,彪虎嘯而穀風生,應龍驤而景雲起。 我魏公聰明神武,齊聖廣淵,總七德而在躬,包九功而挺出。 周太保、魏公之孫,上柱國、蒲山公之子。 家傳盛德,武王承季曆之基; 地啟元勳,世祖嗣元皇之業。 篤生白水,日角之相便彰; 載誕丹陵,大寶之文斯著。 加以姓符圖緯,名協歌謠,六合所以歸心,三靈所以改卜。 文王厄於羑里,赤雀方來; 高祖隱于碭山,彤雲自起。 兵誅不道,《赤伏》至自長安; 鋒銳難當,黃星出於梁、宋。 九五龍飛之始,天人豹變之初,曆試諸難,大敵彌勇。 上柱國、司徒、東郡公翟讓功宣締構,翼亮經綸,伊尹之佐成湯,蕭何之輔高帝。 上柱國、總管、齊國公孟讓,柱國、曆城公孟暢,柱國、絳郡公裴行儼,大將軍、左長史邴元真等,並運籌千里,勇冠三軍,擊劍則截蛟斷鰲,彎弧則吟猿落雁。 韓、彭、絳、灌,成沛公之基; 寇、賈、吳、馮,奉蕭王之業。 復有蒙輪挾輈之士,拔距投石之夫,驥馬追風,吳戈照日。 魏公屬當期運,伏茲億兆。 躬擐甲胄,跋涉山川,櫛風沐雨,豈辭勞倦,遂起西伯之師,將問南巢之罪。 百萬成旅,四七為名,呼吸則河、渭絕流,叱吒則嵩、華自拔。 以此攻城,何城不陷; 以此擊陣,何陣不摧! 譬猶瀉滄海而灌殘熒,舉昆侖而壓小卵。 鼓行而進,百道俱前,以今月二十一日屆於東都。 而昏朝文武、留守段達等,昆吾惡稔,飛廉奸佞,久迷天數,敢拒義兵,驅率醜徒,眾有十萬,回洛倉北,遂來舉斧。 於是熊羆角逐,貔虎爭先,因其倒戈之心,乘我破竹之勢,曾未旋踵,瓦解冰銷,坑卒則長平未多,積甲則熊耳為小。 達等助桀為虐,嬰城自固,梯沖亂舞,徒設九拒之謀; 鼓角將鳴,空憑百樓之險。 燕巢衛幕,魚游宋池,殄滅之期,匪朝伊暮。 然興洛、虎牢,國家儲積,我已先據,為日久矣。 既得回洛,又取黎陽,天下之倉,盡非隋有。 四方起義,足食足兵,無前無敵。 裴光祿仁基,雄才上將,受脤專征,遐邇攸憑,安危是托,乃識機知變,遷殷事夏。 袁謙擒自藍水,張須陀獲在滎陽,竇慶戰沒于淮南,郭詢授首于河北,隋之亡候,聊可知也。 清河公房彥藻,近秉戎律,略地東南,師之所臨,風行電擊。 安陸、汝南,隨機蕩定; 淮安、濟陽,俄然送款。 徐圓朗已平魯郡,孟海公又破濟陽,海內英雄,咸來回應。 封民贍取平原之境,郝孝德據黎陽之倉,李士雄虎視于長平,王德仁鷹揚於上黨。 滑公李景、考功郎中房山基發自臨渝,劉興祖起于白朔,崔白駒在潁川起,方獻伯以譙郡來,各擁數萬之兵,俱期牧野之會。 滄溟之右,函谷以東,牛酒獻於軍前,壺漿盈于道路。 諸君等並衣冠世胄,杞梓良才,神鼎靈繹之秋,裂地封侯之始,豹變鵲起,今也其時,鼉鳴鱉應,見機而作,宜各鳩率子弟,共建功名。 耿弇之赴光武,蕭何之奉高帝,豈止金章紫綬,華蓋朱輪,富貴以重當年,忠貞以傳奕葉,豈不盛哉!
Now as the people's will turns and Heaven's timing is at hand—the great oath at Meng Ford, the mandate at Jing Bo—three thousand states and eight hundred lords speak as one without counsel and come without summons. The host thunders like storm and lightning; tigers roar and valley winds rise, dragons prance and auspicious clouds ascend. Our Duke of Wei is wise and martial, sage-like and far-reaching, embodying the seven virtues and encompassing the nine achievements. Grandson of the Zhou Grand Tutor and Duke of Wei, son of the Superior Pillar of State and Duke of Pushan. His house transmits great virtue, as King Wu received Jili's foundation; the land opened to founding merit, and the founding emperor succeeded the primal emperor's enterprise. Born at Baishui, the sun-horn mark of emperors was revealed; born at Danling, the script of the great mandate was displayed. His surname matched the charts, his name the songs—the six directions turned their hearts and the three spirits changed their omens. King Wen was confined at Youli when the red sparrow came; the High Ancestor hid at Dang Mountain and cinnabar clouds rose of themselves. He took up arms against the unrighteous and the Red Fu prophecy came from Chang'an; his edge was irresistible and the yellow star appeared over Liang and Song. At the hour when the dragon takes flight, when Heaven and man transform—tested through hardships, he grew braver against greater foes. Superior Pillar Zhai Rang, Duke of Dong—his merit in founding the enterprise, his counsel in statecraft—like Yi Yin to Cheng Tang, like Xiao He to the High Emperor. Superior Pillar Meng Rang of Qi, Pillar Meng Chang of Licheng, Pillar Pei Xingyan of Jiang, Great General Bing Yuanzhen and others—all schemed across a thousand li and led the armies in courage; with sword they could sever dragon and turtle, with bow bring down ape and goose. Han Xin, Peng Yue, Zhou Bo, and Guan Ying laid the Duke of Pei's foundation; Kou Xun, Jia Fu, Wu Han, and Feng Yi upheld the King of Xiao's enterprise. Again there were men who seized chariot hubs in battle, champions of leaping and stone-throwing, horses swift as wind, Wu halberds flashing in the sun. The Duke of Wei meets the season's fortune and bows before the hundred millions. He donned armor himself, crossed mountains and rivers, weathered wind and rain without complaint, and raised the army of the Western Earl to punish the crimes of Nan Chao. A million men formed into hosts; at a breath the Yellow and Wei rivers would cease, at a shout Song and Hua would tremble. With such force to assault cities, what city would not fall; with such force to strike formations, what formation would not shatter! It is like pouring the sea to douse a dying flame, or lifting Kunlun to crush a tiny egg. Beating drums they advance on a hundred routes—the twenty-first of this month they will reach the Eastern Capital. Yet the benighted court's officials, the garrison commander Duan Da and others—evil ripe as Kunwu, treacherous as Feilian—long blind to Heaven's will, dare resist the righteous army and lead a hundred thousand rabble north of Huiluo granary to raise the axe against us. Bears and tigers vied in the charge; seizing their will to turn their spears and riding our irresistible momentum, the enemy melted like ice before they could turn—fewer dead than at Changping, less armor heaped than at Xiong'er. Duan Da and the rest aided tyranny like Jie's minions, clung to the walls, and vainly deployed ladders and rams with their ninefold defenses; drums and horns were about to sound—they relied in vain on their hundred towers. Swallows nest on curtains, fish swim in pools—the day of their destruction is not far off. Yet Xingluo and Hulao, the state's granaries, we have held for a long time already. Having taken Huiluo, we also seized Liyang—the empire's granaries are no longer the Sui's. Uprisings on every side—food and troops in abundance, without peer and without rival. Pei Renji, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, a heroic commander entrusted with independent campaign—near and far relied on him for safety—yet read the moment and shifted allegiance from Yin to Xia. Yuan Qian was captured at Lanshui, Zhang Xutuo taken at Xingyang, Dou Qing killed at Huainan, Guo Xun beheaded in Hebei—the signs of Sui's fall are plain to see. Fang Yanzao, Duke of Qinghe, recently took command in the southeast—wherever his army went, it struck like wind and lightning. Anlu and Runan were pacified as opportunity allowed; Huai'an and Jiyang soon submitted. Xu Yuanlang has pacified Lu, Meng Haigong has taken Jiyang—heroes across the land rally in response. Feng Min seized Pingyuan, Hao Xiaode held Liyang's granary, Li Shixiong glared from Changping, and Wang Deren soared from Shangdang. Li Jing of Hua and Personnel Bureau Director Fang Shanji marched from Linyu; Liu Xingzu rose at Baishuo; Cui Baiju in Yingchuan; Fang Xianbo from Qiao—each with tens of thousands, all bound for Muye. East of the passes and west of the sea, oxen and wine were offered before the army and pots of broth lined the roads. You are all heirs of noble houses and fine talent—in the hour when the divine mandate shifts and fiefs are granted, the moment for bold transformation has come. Read the signs and act: gather your kin and build merit together. Like Geng Yan rallying to Guangwu or Xiao He serving the High Emperor—not only golden seals and purple cords, flowered canopies and vermilion wheels, but wealth to dignify the present and loyalty to pass through generations—how grand!
19
若隋代官人,同吠堯之犬,尚荷王莽之恩,仍懷蒯聵之祿。 審配死于袁氏,不如張郃歸曹; 范增困于項王,未若陳平從漢。 魏公推以赤心,當加好爵,擇木而處,令不自疑。 脫猛虎猶豫,舟中敵國,夙沙之人共縛其主,彭寵之僕自殺其君,高官上賞,即以相授。 如暗於成事,守迷不反,昆山縱火,玉石俱焚,爾等噬臍,悔將何及! 黃河帶地,明餘旦旦之言; 皎日麗天,知我勤勤之意。 佈告海內,咸使聞知。」
If any Sui officials are like dogs that bark at Yao, still grateful to Wang Mang, still clinging to Kuai Kui's salary— Shen Pei died for the Yuans—better to be Zhang He going over to Cao; Fan Zeng was trapped with Xiang Yu—not as wise as Chen Ping joining Han. The Duke of Wei offers his sincere heart and will grant fine rank; choose your tree and settle without doubt. If you hesitate like a tiger in doubt, you make an enemy within the boat—remember how the men of Susha bound their lord and Peng Chong's servant killed his master; high office and rich reward await at once. If you are blind to success and cling to error, when Kun Mountain burns jade and stone perish together—you will bite your navels in regret when it is too late! The Yellow River girdles the land—witness these words sworn at dawn; the bright sun fills the sky—know my earnest intent. Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm so all may hear."
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祖君彥之辭也。
This proclamation was written by Zu Junyan.
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俄而德韜、德方俱死,復以鄭頲為左司馬,鄭虔象為右司馬。 柴孝和說密曰:「秦地阻山帶河,西楚背之而亡,漢高都之而霸。 如愚意者,令仁基守回洛,翟讓守洛口,明公親簡精銳,西襲長安,百姓孰不郊迎,必當有征無戰。 既克京邑,業固兵強,方更長驅崤函,掃蕩東洛,傳檄指捴,天下可定。 但今英雄競起,實恐他人我先,一朝失之,噬臍何及!」 密曰:「君之所圖,僕亦思之久矣,誠乃上策。 但昏主尚存,從兵猶眾,我之所部,並是山東人,既見未下洛陽,何肯相隨西入? 諸將出於群盜,留之各競雄雌。 若然者,殆將敗矣!」 密將兵鋒甚銳,每入苑與隋軍連戰。 會密為流矢所中,臥于營內,東都復出兵乘之,密眾大潰,棄回洛倉,歸於洛口。 煬帝遣王世充率勁卒五萬擊之,密與戰,不利,孝和溺死于洛水,密哭之甚慟。 世充營於洛西,與密相拒百餘日,大小六十餘戰。 武陽郡丞元寶藏、黎陽賊帥李文柏、洹水賊帥張升、清河賊帥趙君德、平原賊帥郝孝德,並歸於密,共襲破黎陽倉,據之。 永安大族周法明舉江、黃之地以附密,齊郡賊帥徐圓朗、任城大俠徐師仁、淮陽太守趙佗皆歸之。
Soon Detao and Defang both died; Mi appointed Zheng Ting as Left Major and Zheng Qianxiang as Right Major. Chai Xiaohe urged Mi, "The Qin lands are walled by mountains and rivers; Western Chu turned its back on them and perished, while Han Gaozu made them his capital and rose to supremacy. In my view, let Renji hold Huiluo, Zhai Rang hold Luokou, and you personally lead picked troops west against Chang'an—the people will greet you in the suburbs, and you will conquer without fighting. Once the capital is taken, your foundation will be firm and your army strong; then march through Xiaohan, sweep the Eastern Capital, and send proclamations across the land—the realm will be settled. But heroes are rising everywhere, and I fear another may act first—lose the moment and regret will come too late!" Mi said, "Your plan is one I have considered for a long time—it is truly the best strategy. But the benighted emperor still lives and his troops are many; my men are all from Shandong—seeing Luoyang still untaken, who would follow me west? The generals came from bandit bands; left behind, each would vie for supremacy. If we did that, we would likely be ruined!" Mi's troops fought fiercely, battling Sui forces again and again in the imperial park. Mi was struck by a stray arrow and confined to camp; the Eastern Capital sent troops to strike at his weakness—his army collapsed, abandoned Huiluo granary, and retreated to Luokou. Emperor Yang sent Wang Shichong with fifty thousand elite troops; Mi fought him without success. Xiaohe drowned in the Luo River, and Mi wept bitterly. Shichong camped west of the Luo and faced Mi for over a hundred days in more than sixty battles. Yuan Baocang of Wuyang, bandit leaders Li Wenbai, Zhang Sheng, Zhao Junde, and Hao Xiaode all joined Mi and together seized the Liyang granary. Zhou Faming of Yong'an brought the Yang and Huang regions to Mi; Xu Yuanlang, Xu Shiren, and Prefect Zhao Tuo of Huaiyang all submitted.
22
翟讓部將王儒信勸讓為大塚宰,總統眾務,以奪密之權。 讓兄寬復謂讓曰:「天子止可自作,安得與人! 汝若不能作,我當為之。」 密聞其言,陰有圖讓之計。 會世充列陣而至,讓出拒之,為世充所擊,讓軍少失利,密與單雄信等率精銳赴之,世充敗走。 明日,讓徑至密所,欲為宴樂,密具饌以待之,其所將左右,各分令就食。 密引讓入坐,以良弓示讓,讓方引滿,密遣壯士自後斬之,並殺其兄寬及王儒信。 讓部將徐世勣為亂兵所斫,中重瘡,密遽止之,得免,單雄信等頓首求哀,密並釋而慰諭之。 於是詣讓連營,諭其將士,無敢動者。 乃命徐世勣、單雄信、王伯當分統其眾。 未幾,世充襲倉城,密復破之。 世充復移營洛北,造浮橋,悉眾以擊密,密與千餘騎拒之,不利而退。 世充因薄其城下,密簡銳卒數百人以邀之,世充大潰,爭趣浮橋,溺死者數萬。 虎賁郎將楊威、王辯、霍舉、劉長恭、梁德、董智皆沒於陣,世充僅而獲免。 其夜,大雨雪,士卒凍死者殆盡。 密乘勝陷偃師,於是修金墉城居之,有眾三十餘萬。 留守韋津又與密戰於上春門,津大敗,執於陣。 將作大匠宇文愷叛東都,降於密。 東至海、岱,南至江、淮郡縣,莫不遣使歸密。 竇建德、朱粲、楊士林、孟海公、徐圓朗、盧祖尚、周法明等並隨使通表於密勸進,於是密下官屬咸勸密即尊號,密曰:「東都未平,不可議此。」
Wang Ruxin, an officer of Zhai Rang, urged Rang to become Grand Minister of Works and take control of all affairs, seizing power from Mi. Rang's elder brother Kuan told him again, "An emperor makes himself—how can you share the throne with another! If you cannot do it, I will." Hearing this, Mi secretly plotted against Rang. When Shichong advanced in battle order, Rang went out to meet him and suffered a setback; Mi rushed up with Shan Xiongxin and elite troops, and Shichong was driven off. The next day Rang came straight to Mi's camp for a feast; Mi prepared a meal and had Rang's attendants eat separately. Mi seated Rang and showed him a fine bow; as Rang drew it to the full, Mi's men struck from behind and killed him, along with his brother Kuan and Wang Ruxin. Xu Shiji was wounded in the confusion by grave cuts; Mi stopped the attack and spared him. Shan Xiongxin and others begged for mercy on their knees, and Mi released and reassured them. He then went to Rang's camps and addressed the troops—none dared move. He put Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin, and Wang Bodang in command of Rang's former followers. Soon Shichong raided the granary city, and Mi defeated him again. Shichong moved camp north of the Luo, built a pontoon bridge, and attacked with his full force; Mi met him with a thousand cavalry, failed, and withdrew. Shichong pressed close under the walls; Mi sent several hundred picked men against him—Shichong's army collapsed, rushed the pontoon bridge, and tens of thousands drowned. Tiger Guard Generals Yang Wei, Wang Bian, Huo Ju, Liu Changgong, Liang De, and Dong Zhi all died in battle; Shichong barely escaped. That night a heavy snowstorm fell, and nearly all his soldiers froze to death. Mi pressed the victory to take Yanshi, repaired Jinyong city as his seat, and commanded more than three hundred thousand men. Garrison commander Wei Jin fought Mi again at Shangchun Gate, was routed, and captured in battle. Director of Palace Construction Yuwen Kai defected from the Eastern Capital and surrendered to Mi. From the eastern sea to Dai in the east and the Yang and Huai in the south, commanderies and counties sent envoys to submit to Mi. Dou Jiande, Zhu Can, Yang Shilin, Meng Haigong, Xu Yuanlang, Lu Zushang, Zhou Faming, and others sent memorials urging him to take the throne; his officials all pressed him to assume the imperial title. Mi said, "The Eastern Capital is not yet pacified—we cannot discuss this yet."
23
及義旗建,密負其強盛,欲自為盟主,乃致書呼高祖為兄,請合從以滅隋,大略云欲與高祖為盟津之會,殪商辛於牧野,執子嬰於咸陽,其旨以弑後主執代王為意。 高祖覽書笑曰:「李密陸梁放肆,不可以折簡致之。 吾方安輯京師,未遑東討,即相阻絕,便是更生一秦。 密今適所以為吾拒東都之兵,守成皋之扼,更求韓、彭,莫如用密。 宜卑辭推獎,以驕其志,使其不虞於我。 我得入關,據蒲津而屯永豐,阻崤函而臨伊、洛,吾大事濟矣。」 令記室溫大雅作書報密曰:
When the righteous banner was raised, Mi, confident in his strength, wished to be alliance leader himself; he wrote calling the High Ancestor "elder brother" and proposed a joint campaign to destroy the Sui—meeting at Meng Ford, destroying the tyrant at Muye, and seizing the puppet emperor at Xianyang. The High Ancestor read the letter and laughed, "Li Mi is insolent and unrestrained—not someone to summon with a brief note. I am still settling the capital and have no time for an eastern campaign; if we block each other now, we simply create another Qin. Mi now happens to be holding off the Eastern Capital's troops and guarding the Chenggao choke point—for Han Xin and Peng Yue, none serves better than Mi. We should use humble praise to swell his ambition so he does not beware of us. When I enter the passes, hold Pujin, camp at Yongfeng, block Xiaohan, and face the Yi and Luo—my great enterprise will succeed." He had Recorder Wen Daya draft a reply to Mi:
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「頃者,昆山火烈,海水群飛,赤縣丘墟,黔黎塗炭。 布衣戎卒,鋤櫌棘矜,爭霸圖王,狐鳴蜂起。 翼翼京洛,強弩圍城; 膴膴周原,僵屍滿路。 主上南巡,泛膠舟而忘返; 匈奴北熾,將被髮于伊川。 輦上無虞,群下結舌,大盜移國,莫之敢指。 忽焉至此,自貽伊戚,七百之基,窮於二世。 周、齊以往,書契以還,邦國淪胥,未有如斯之酷者也。 天生蒸民,必有司牧,當今為牧,非子而誰? 老夫年餘知命,願不及此,欣戴大弟,攀鱗附翼。 惟冀早應圖籙,以寧兆庶。 宗盟之長,屬籍見容; 復封于唐,斯榮足矣! 殪商辛於牧野,所不忍言; 執子嬰於咸陽,非敢聞命。 汾、晉左右,尚須安輯,盟津之會,未暇卜期,今日鑾輿南幸,恐同永嘉之勢。 顧此中原,鞠為茂草,興言感歎,實疚於懷。 脫知動靜,數遲貽報,未面靈襟,用增勞軫。 名利之地,鋒鏑縱橫,深慎垂堂,勉茲鴻業。」
" Recently Kun Mountain burned and the seas churned; the realm became ruins and the people were charred. Common soldiers with hoes and staves contended for empire; rebels rose like foxes crying and hornets swarming. The stately capitals were besieged by strong crossbows; the broad Zhou plain—stiff corpses filled the roads. The emperor toured south on his pleasure boat and forgot to return; the Xiongnu pressed from the north, about to overrun the Yi River. The court saw no danger; officials bit their tongues—the great thief stole the state and none dared accuse him. Suddenly it came to this—he brought ruin on himself; a foundation of seven hundred years ended in the second generation. Since Zhou and Qi, since records began—states have fallen, but never with cruelty like this. Heaven born the people and there must be a shepherd—who but you should rule today? I am past fifty and do not aspire to rule; I gladly support my great younger brother, clinging to the dragon's scales. I only hope you soon answer Heaven's signs and bring peace to the millions. As chief of the alliance, receive me among your kin; enfeoffed again in Tang—that honor is enough! Slaying the tyrant at Muye—what I cannot bear to speak of; seizing Ziying at Xianyang—I dare not accept such orders. Fen and Jin still need settling; the meeting at Meng Ford cannot yet be scheduled—today the emperor tours south, and I fear a repeat of the Yongjia disaster. Looking on the central plain overgrown with weeds, I sigh with real pain in my heart. If I learn your movements, forgive delayed reports; not meeting face to face increases my cares. Fame and profit draw blades on every side—take great care and strive on with your great enterprise."
25
密得書甚悅,示其部下曰:「唐公見推,天下不足定也!」 於是不虞義師而專意於世充。 俄而宇文化及率眾自江都北指黎陽,兵十餘萬,密乃自將步騎二萬拒之。 隋越王侗稱尊號,遣使授密太尉、尚書令、東南道大行台行軍元帥、魏國公,令先平化及,然後入朝輔政。 密將與化及相抗,恐前後受敵,因卑辭以報謝焉。 化及至黎陽,與密相遇,密知其軍少食,利在急戰,故不與交鋒,又遏其歸路。 密遣徐世勣守倉城,化及攻之不能下。 密知化及糧且盡,因偽與和,以弊其眾。 化及弗之悟,大喜,恣其兵食,冀密饋之。 後知其計,化及怒,與密大戰于衛州之童山下,密為流矢所中,頓於汲縣。 化及力竭糧盡,眾多叛之,掠汲縣,北趣魏縣。 其將陳智略、張童仁等率所部兵歸於密者,前後相繼。 初,化及留輜重於東郡,遣其所署刑部尚書王軌守之,至是軌舉郡降密。 密引兵而西,遣使朝於東都,執弑煬帝人于弘達獻越王侗。 侗召密入朝,至溫縣,聞世充作難而止,乃歸金墉城。
Mi was greatly pleased by the letter and told his followers, "The Duke of Tang promotes me—the realm is as good as settled!" He therefore paid no heed to the Tang army and focused solely on Shichong. Soon Yuwen Huaji marched north from Jiangdu toward Liyang with more than a hundred thousand men; Mi personally led twenty thousand foot and horse to resist him. Yang Tong, the Sui Prince of Yue, assumed the imperial title and invested Mi as Grand Commandant, Director of State Affairs, Southeast Campaign Marshal, and Duke of Wei, ordering him to pacify Huaji first and then enter court as regent. Mi was about to fight Huaji and feared attack from both sides; he therefore replied with humble thanks. Huaji reached Liyang and met Mi; Mi knew his army was short of food and that haste favored the enemy, so he refused battle and blocked Huaji's retreat. Mi sent Xu Shiji to guard the granary city; Huaji attacked but could not take it. Knowing Huaji's grain was nearly gone, Mi feigned peace to wear down his army. Huaji did not see through it, was delighted, and let his men eat freely, hoping Mi would supply them. When he learned the trick, Huaji was enraged and fought Mi below Tong Mountain in Weizhou; Mi was wounded by a stray arrow and halted at Ji County. Huaji's strength and grain were spent; many deserted him; he plundered Ji County and fled north toward Wei County. His generals Chen Zhilue, Zhang Tongren, and others brought their troops over to Mi in succession. Huaji had left supplies in Dong Commandery under his Minister of Justice Wang Gui; Gui now surrendered the whole commandery to Mi. Mi marched west and sent envoys to the Eastern Capital court, capturing Yu Hongda, who had killed Emperor Yang, and presenting him to Yang Tong. Tong summoned Mi to court; at Wen County he heard Shichong had rebelled and turned back to Jinyong.
26
時密兵少衣,世充兵乏食,乃請交易,密初難之,邴元真好求私利,屢勸密,密遂許焉。 初,東都絕糧,兵士歸密者日有數百,至此得食,而降人益少,密方悔而止。 密雖據倉而無府庫,兵數戰皆不獲賞,又厚撫初附之兵,由是眾心漸怨。 九月,世充以其眾五千來決戰,密留王伯當守金墉,自引精兵就偃師,北阻邙山以待之。 世充軍至,密遂敗績,裴仁基、祖君彥並為世充所虜,密與萬餘人馳向洛口。 世充圍偃師,守將鄭頲之下兵士劫叛,以城降世充。 密將入洛口倉城,邴元真已遣人潛引世充,密陰知之,不發其事,欲待世充兵半渡洛水,然後擊之。 及世充軍至,密候騎不時覺,比將出戰,世充軍已濟矣。 密自度不能支,引騎而遁,徑赴武牢,元真竟以城降於世充。
Mi's troops lacked clothing and Shichong's lacked food; they proposed trade. Mi hesitated, but Bing Yuanzhen, eager for private gain, urged him repeatedly, and Mi agreed. When the Eastern Capital had no grain, hundreds of soldiers defected to Mi daily; once they were fed at Mi's camp, defections slowed—Mi regretted the trade and tried to stop it. Though Mi held the granaries he had no treasury; his troops fought repeatedly without reward, while he lavished gifts on new recruits—resentment spread. In the ninth month Shichong came with five thousand men for a decisive battle; Mi left Wang Bodang at Jinyong and led elite troops to Yanshi, blocking Mount Mang to the north. When Shichong arrived Mi was defeated; Pei Renji and Zu Junyan were captured; Mi fled toward Luokou with more than ten thousand men. Shichong besieged Yanshi; under defender Zheng Ting the garrison mutinied and surrendered the city. Mi was about to enter Luokou granary city; Bing Yuanzhen had secretly invited Shichong in. Mi knew but kept silent, planning to strike when half of Shichong's army was across the Luo. When Shichong arrived Mi's scouts failed to warn him in time; before he could fight, Shichong's army had already crossed. Knowing he could not hold, Mi fled with his cavalry straight to Wulao; Yuanzhen surrendered the city to Shichong.
27
密將如黎陽,或謂密曰:「殺翟讓之際,徐世勣幾至於死,今向其所,安可保乎?」 時王伯當棄金墉,保河陽,密以輕騎自武牢歸之,謂伯當曰:「兵敗矣,久苦諸君! 我今自刎,請以謝眾。」 伯當抱密,號叫慟絕,眾皆泣,莫能仰視。 密復曰:「諸軍幸不相棄,當共歸關中,密身雖愧無功,諸君必保富貴。」 其府掾柳奭對曰:「昔盆子歸漢,尚食均輸。 明公與唐公同族,兼有疇昔之遇,雖不陪從起義,然而阻東都,斷隋歸路,使唐公不戰而據京師,此亦公之功也。」 眾咸曰:「然。」 密又謂王伯當曰:「將軍室家重大,豈復與孤俱行哉!」 伯當曰:「昔漢高誅項,蕭何率子弟以從,伯當恨不昆季盡從,以此為愧耳。 豈以公今日失利,遂輕去就? 縱身分原野,亦所甘心。」 左右莫不感激,於是從入關者尚二萬人。 高祖遣使迎勞,相望於道,密大喜,謂其徒曰:「我有眾百萬,一朝至此,命也。 今事敗歸國,幸蒙殊遇,當思竭忠以事所奉耳! 且山東連城數百,知吾至此,遣使招之,盡當歸國。 比于竇融,勳亦不細,豈不以一臺司見處乎?」 及至京師,禮數益薄,執政者又來求賄,意甚不平。 尋拜光祿卿,封邢國公。
Mi was about to go to Liyang when someone said, "When you killed Zhai Rang, Xu Shiji nearly died—how can you be safe going to him now?" Wang Bodang had abandoned Jinyong and held Heyang; Mi came from Wulao with light cavalry and told him, "We are defeated—I have long burdened you all! I will now take my own life to answer to the army." Bodang embraced him and wailed until he could breathe no more; all wept and none could bear to look. Mi said again, "If you will not abandon me, let us return together to Guanzhong. Though I have achieved nothing, you will surely keep wealth and honor." His aide Liu Shuang replied, "When Penzi submitted to Han he was made Director of Imperial Granaries. You and the Duke of Tang are kin and have old ties; though you did not join the uprising, you blocked the Eastern Capital and cut the Sui line of retreat, letting the Tang take the capital without a fight—that is your merit too." All agreed." Mi also told Wang Bodang, "General, your family is a heavy burden—you need not travel with me!" Bodang said, "When Han Gaozu destroyed Xiang Yu, Xiao He brought his brothers and sons to follow—I regret that not all my brothers came; that is my shame. How could I abandon you because you fail today? Even if I die in the wilds, I am content." All were deeply moved; twenty thousand still followed him into the passes. The High Ancestor sent envoys to welcome him along the road; Mi was overjoyed and told his followers, "I once commanded a million men and in a morning came to this—it is fate. Now defeated I return and am treated with special favor—I must serve my new lord with all loyalty! Moreover hundreds of cities in Shandong will send envoys when they learn I am here, and all will return to the Tang. Compared with Dou Rong, his merit was considerable—was he not worthy of a commissioner's regard?" In the capital, ceremonial courtesies grew thin, and those in power came seeking bribes—he grew deeply resentful. He was soon appointed Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and enfeoffed as Duke of Xing.
28
未幾,聞其所部將帥皆不附世充,高祖使密領本兵往黎陽,招集故時將士,經略世充。 時王伯當為左武衛將軍,亦令為副。 密行至桃林,高祖復徵之,密大懼,謀將叛。 伯當頗止之,密不從,因謂密曰:「義士之立志也,不以存亡易心。 伯當荷公恩禮,期以性命相報。 公必不聽,今祗可同去,死生以之,然終恐無益也。」 乃簡驍勇數千人,著婦人衣,戴幕離,藏刀裙下,詐為妻妾,自率之入桃林縣舍。 須臾,變服突出,因據縣城,驅掠畜產,直趣南山,乘險而東,遣人馳告張善相,令以兵應接。 時右翊衛將軍史萬寶留鎮熊州,遣副將盛彥師率步騎數千追躡,至陸渾縣南七十里,與密相及。 彥師伏兵山谷,密軍半度,橫出擊,敗之,遂斬密,時年三十七。 王伯當亦死之,與密俱傳首京師。 時李勣為黎陽總管,高祖以勣舊經事密,遣使報其反狀。 勣表請收葬,詔許之。 高祖歸其屍,勣發喪行服,備君臣之禮。 大具威儀,三軍皆縞素,葬于黎陽山南五里。 故人哭之,多有歐血者。 邴元真之降世充也,以為行臺僕射,鎮滑州。 密故將杜才幹恨元真背密,詐與之會,伏甲斬之,以其首祭於密塚。 單雄信單雄信者,曹州人也。 翟讓與之友善。 少驍健,尤能馬上用槍,密軍號為「飛將」。 密偃師失利,遂降于王世充,署為大將軍。 太宗圍逼東都,雄信出軍拒戰,援槍而至,幾及太宗,徐世勣呵止之,曰:「此秦王也。」 雄信惶懼,遂退,太宗由是獲免。 東都平,斬於洛陽。 史臣曰史臣曰:當隋政板蕩,煬帝荒淫,搖動中原,遠征遼海。 內無賢臣以匡國,外乏良吏以理民,兩京空虛,兆庶疲弊。 李密因民不忍,首為亂階,心斷機謀,身臨陣敵,據鞏、洛之口,號百萬之師,竇建德輩皆效樂推,唐公紿以欣戴,不亦偉哉! 及偃師失律,猶存麾下數萬眾,苟去猜忌,疾趣黎陽,任世勣為將臣,信魏徵為謀主,成敗之勢,或未可知。 至於天命有歸,大事已去,比陳涉有餘矣。 始則稱首舉兵,終乃甘心為降虜,其為計也,不亦危乎! 又不能委質為臣,竭誠事上,竟為叛者,終是狂夫,不取伯當之言,遂及桃林之禍。 或以項羽擬之,文武器度即有餘,壯勇斷果則不及。 楊素既知密之才幹,合為王之爪牙,委之癡兒,卒為謀主,覆族之禍,其宜也哉!
Soon hearing that his former generals would not follow Shichong, the High Ancestor sent Mi with his original troops to Liyang to rally his old officers and operate against Shichong. Wang Bodang was then General of the Left Martial Guard and was appointed his deputy. When Mi reached Taolin, the High Ancestor summoned him again; terrified, Mi plotted rebellion. Bodang urged him strongly to stop, but Mi refused and told him, "A man of honor does not change his heart whether he lives or dies. I have received your grace and expect to repay you with my life. If you will not listen, I can only go with you, for life or death—though I fear it will come to nothing." He selected several thousand fierce men, dressed them as women with veiled hats and knives hidden under their skirts, posed them as wives and concubines, and led them into the Taolin county quarters. In a moment they changed clothes and burst out, seized the county seat, drove off livestock, headed for South Mountain, took the defiles east, and sent word to Zhang Shanxiang to bring troops to meet them. Right Assistant Guard General Shi Wanbao was garrisoning Xiongzhou; he sent Vice-General Sheng Yanshi with several thousand foot and horse in pursuit, and caught Mi seventy li south of Luhun County. Yanshi ambushed him in the valley; when Mi's force was half across, he struck, routed them, and beheaded Mi, aged thirty-seven. Wang Bodang died with him; their heads were sent to the capital. Li Ji was then Director-General of Liyang; because he had once served Mi, the High Ancestor sent word of Mi's rebellion. Ji petitioned to bury him properly, and the emperor approved. The High Ancestor returned his body; Ji held the funeral in mourning with full rites between lord and minister. The ceremony was conducted with full honors; the entire army wore mourning white, and he was buried five li south of Liyang Mountain. Old friends wept for him; many vomited blood from grief. When Bing Yuanzhen surrendered to Shichong, he was made Grand Commissioner Vice Director and posted to Huazhou. Mi's former general Du Caigan hated Yuanzhen for betraying Mi; he lured him to a meeting, ambushed and killed him, and offered his head at Mi's tomb. Shan Xiongxin was from Caozhou. He was on friendly terms with Zhai Rang. In youth he was fierce and strong, especially skilled with the spear on horseback; Mi's army called him the Flying General. After Mi's defeat at Yanshi, he surrendered to Wang Shichong and was made Great General. When Taizong besieged the Eastern Capital, Xiongxin came out to fight; spear in hand he nearly reached Taizong when Xu Shiji shouted to stop him, saying, "This is the Prince of Qin." Xiongxin withdrew in fear, and Taizong was spared. When the Eastern Capital fell, he was executed at Luoyang. The historiographer writes: When Sui rule collapsed, Emperor Yang indulged in dissipation, shook the central plain, and campaigned far to Liaodong. Within there were no worthy ministers to correct the state; without, no good officials to govern the people—the two capitals stood empty and the people were exhausted. Li Mi, because the people could not endure it, was first to raise rebellion—clever in stratagem, brave in battle, holding the Gong and Luo corridor, proclaiming a million men—Dou Jiande and others rallied to him, and the Duke of Tang flattered him with feigned support—was it not magnificent! After defeat at Yanshi he still had tens of thousands; had he cast off suspicion, hurried to Liyang, made Xu Shiji his general and Wei Zheng his strategist, the outcome might still have been uncertain. When Heaven's mandate had found its lord and the great cause was lost, he still surpassed Chen She. He began as the first to raise arms and ended willing to be a surrendered captive—his calculations were perilous indeed! He could not submit as a loyal minister and serve with full devotion—he became a rebel, a madman in the end; ignoring Bodang's counsel, he met disaster at Taolin. Some compare him to Xiang Yu—in culture and bearing he had the advantage; in raw courage and decisive force he fell short. Yang Su knew Mi's talent and should have made him the prince's right hand; instead he left him to a foolish son, and Mi became a rebel chief—the ruin of the clan was only to be expected!
29
贊曰:烏陽既升,爝火不息。 狂哉李密,始亂終逆。
In praise: When the dark sun rises, torch fires never cease. Mad was Li Mi—rebellion at the start, treason at the end.