1
唐儉唐儉，字茂約，并州晉陽人，北齊尚書左僕射邕之孫也。 父鑑，隋戎州刺史。 儉落拓不拘規檢，然事親頗以孝聞。 初，鑑與高祖有舊，同領禁衛。 高祖在太原留守，儉與太宗周密，儉從容說太宗以隋室昏亂，天下可圖。 太宗白高祖，乃召入，密訪時事。 儉曰：「明公日角龍庭，李氏又在圖牒，天下屬望，非在今朝。 若開府庫，南嘯豪傑，北招戎狄，東收燕、趙，長驅濟河，據有秦、雍，海內之權，指麾可取。 願弘達節，以順群望，則湯、武之業不遠。」 高祖曰：「湯、武之事，非所庶幾。 今天下已亂，言私則圖存，語公則拯溺。 卿宜自愛，吾將思之。」 及開大將軍府，授儉記室參軍。 太宗為渭北道行軍元帥，以儉為司馬。 平京城，加光祿大夫、相國府記室，封晉昌郡公。 武德元年，除內史舍人，尋遷中書侍郎，特加授散騎常侍。
Tang Jian, whose courtesy name was Maoyue, came from Jinyang in Bing Province. He was the grandson of Yin, who had served Northern Qi as Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat. His father Jian had been governor of Rong Prefecture in Sui times. Jian was free-spirited and heedless of formal propriety, yet he was well known for devotion to his parents. His father had long-standing ties to Gaozu and had served with him commanding the imperial guard. While Gaozu held Taiyuan as deputy, Jian grew close to Taizong and, in easy conversation, urged him that the Sui court had lost its way and that the realm might be seized. Taizong informed Gaozu, who summoned Jian and questioned him privately about current affairs. Jian said, "Your Lordship bears the marks of heavenly mandate—the sun-horn and dragon-brow—and the house of Li already appears in prophetic charts. The realm already turns its hopes to you; the moment is not merely today. Open the treasuries, rally the great families to the south and the frontier peoples to the north, recover Yan and Zhao in the east, sweep across the Yellow River, secure Qin and Yong—and dominion over the empire will be yours to command with a wave of the hand. Broaden your great purpose to answer what all expect, and the achievements of the founders of the Shang and Zhou will be within reach. Gaozu replied, "The achievements of Tang and Wu are more than I dare aspire to. The realm is already in chaos. In private terms one plans to survive; in public terms one would rescue those floundering. Take care of yourself—I will consider what you say." When the Grand General's Office was established, Jian was made staff recorder. When Taizong took command as Weibei campaign marshal, he appointed Jian chief of staff. After the capital was taken, he was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and recorder in the Chancellor's Office, and enfeoffed Duke of Jinchang. In Wude 1 he became Secretariat Drafter, was soon promoted Vice Director of the Secretariat, and was specially granted the additional rank of Formation Attendant.
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王行本守蒲州城不降，敕工部尚書獨孤懷恩率兵屯於其東，以經略之。 尋又夏縣人呂崇茂以城叛，降於劉武周，高祖遣永安王孝基、工部尚書獨孤懷恩、陝州總管於筠等率兵討之。 時儉使至軍所，屬武周遣兵援崇茂，儉與孝基、筠等並為所獲。 初，懷恩屯兵蒲州，與其屬元君實謀反，時君實亦陷於賊中，與儉同被拘執，乃謂儉曰：「古人有言：『當斷不斷，反受其亂。』 獨孤尚書近者欲舉兵圖事，遲疑之間，遂至今日，豈不由不斷耶？」 俄而懷恩脫身得還，仍令依前屯守，君實又謂儉曰：「獨孤尚書今遂拔難得還，復在蒲州屯守，可謂王者不死。」 儉聞之，懼懷恩為逆，乃密令親信劉世讓以懷恩之謀奏聞。 適遇王行本以蒲州歸降，高祖將入其城，浮舟至中流，世讓謁見，高祖讀奏，大驚曰：「豈非天命也！」 回舟而歸，分捕反者按驗之，懷恩自縊，餘黨伏誅。 俄而太宗擊破武周部將宋金剛，追至太原，武周懼而北走，儉乃封其府庫，收兵甲，以待太宗。 高祖嘉儉身沒虜庭，心存朝闕，復舊官，仍為并州道安撫大使，以便宜從事，並賜獨狐懷恩田宅貲財等。 使還，拜禮部尚書，授天策府長史，兼檢校黃門侍郎，封莒國公，與功臣等元勳恕一死，仍除遂州都督，食綿州實封六百戶，圖形凌煙閣。
Wang Xingben held Pu Prefecture and refused to submit. An edict ordered Minister of Works Dugu Huai'en to encamp east of the city and bring it under control. Before long, Lu Chongmao of Xia County mutinied, surrendered his city to Liu Wuzhou, and Gaozu dispatched Prince of Yong'an Xiaoji, Dugu Huai'en, Shan Prefecture military governor Yu Yun, and others against them. Jian had arrived at the camp on official business when Wuzhou sent reinforcements for Chongmao, and Jian, Xiaoji, Yun, and the others were all taken prisoner. Earlier, while Huai'en had been encamped at Pu, he and his follower Yuan Junshi had plotted revolt. Junshi too had been trapped among the enemy and was held with Jian, and told him, "As the ancients said, 'He who ought to strike and does not will suffer disorder in the end. Minister Dugu wished lately to raise troops for his plot, yet lingered in doubt until things came to this pass—is that not precisely failure to strike when one should?' Soon Huai'en slipped away and returned to his old post at Pu. Junshi told Jian again, "Minister Dugu has broken free and resumed command at Pu—a man destined for kingship, it seems, does not perish." Alarmed, Jian secretly sent his confidant Liu Shirang to report Huai'en's designs to the throne. Just then Wang Xingben surrendered Pu. Gaozu was crossing the river by boat to enter the city when Shirang presented himself with the report. Gaozu read it and cried in astonishment, "Can this be anything but fate! He ordered the boat turned back, sent men to seize the plotters and investigate, and Huai'en hanged himself while the rest of his party were put to death. Soon Taizong shattered Liu Wuzhou's general Song Jingang and pursued to Taiyuan; Wuzhou fled north in panic, and Jian sealed the government stores, collected weapons and armor, and awaited Taizong. Gaozu praised Jian for keeping his heart loyal though he had been captive among the enemy, restored his former offices, again made him Pacification Commissioner for Bingzhou with discretionary powers, and granted him the fields, residences, and wealth confiscated from Dugu Huai'en. When he returned from duty abroad he became Minister of Rites and Chief Administrator of the Heavenly Strategies Office, while also serving as Acting Vice Director of the Secretariat; he was enfeoffed Duke of Ju, granted with the other founding meritocrats a single pardoned capital offense, appointed military governor of Suizhou with six hundred fief households in Mian Prefecture, and honored with a portrait in the Lingyan Pavilion.
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貞觀初，使於突厥，說誘之，因以隋蕭後及楊正道以歸。 太宗謂儉曰：「卿觀頡利可圖否？」 對曰：「銜國威恩，亦可望獲。」 遂令儉馳傳至虜庭，示之威信。 頡利部落歡然定歸款之計，因而兵眾弛懈。 李靖率輕騎掩襲破之，頡利北走，儉脫身而還。 歲餘，授民部尚書。 後從幸洛陽苑射猛獸，群豕突出林中，太宗引弓四發，殪四豕，有雄彘突及馬鐙，儉投馬搏之，太宗拔劍斷豕，顧笑曰：「天策長史，不見上將擊賊耶！ 何懼之甚？」 對曰：「漢祖以馬上得之，不以馬上治之； 陛下以神武定四方，豈復逞雄心於一獸。」 太宗納之，因為罷獵。 尋加光祿大夫，又特令其子善識尚豫章公主。 儉在官每盛修肴饌，與親賓縱酒為樂，未嘗以職務留意。 又嘗托鹽州刺史張臣合收其私羊，為御史所劾，以舊恩免罪，貶授光祿大夫。 永徽初，致仕於家，加特進。 顯慶元年卒，年七十八。 高宗為之舉哀，罷朝三日，贈開府儀同三司、并州都督，賻布帛一千段、粟一千石，賜東園秘器，陪葬昭陵，謚曰襄，官為立碑。
Early in Zhenguan he was sent to the Turks, won them by persuasion, and brought back Empress Xiao of Sui and Yang Zhengdao. Taizong asked Jian, "In your view, can Jieli be won over? Jian answered, "Given his regard for our empire's majesty and kindness, there is hope of securing him." Taizong then sent Jian post-haste to the Türk court to display both power and good faith. Jieli's tribes gladly agreed to surrender, and their forces accordingly grew lax. Li Jing struck with light cavalry and routed them. Jieli fled north, and Jian made his way back alive. A year or so later he was made Minister of Revenue. Later, while accompanying Taizong on a hunt for fierce game in the Luoyang park, a drove of boars rushed from the woods. Taizong loosed four arrows and killed four; a huge boar charged his stirrup. Jian leapt from his saddle to wrestle it, and Taizong cut it down with his sword, then laughed over his shoulder, "Chief Administrator—do you not see your commander fighting the foe? Why such terror? Jian answered, "The founder of Han won the empire from horseback, yet he did not govern it from horseback. Your Majesty, by divine prowess, has pacified the realm—surely you need not vent heroic passion on one animal." Taizong took his counsel and ended the hunt. He was soon promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Taizong further had his son Shanshi marry Princess Yuzhang. In office Jian constantly staged extravagant banquets and drank freely with relatives and guests, scarcely attending to his duties. He had also asked the Salt Commissioner Zhang Chenhe to hold private sheep for him; impeached by the censorate, he was spared punishment on account of old ties but demoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Early in Yonghui he retired to his home, and was specially promoted to the highest honorary rank. He died in Xianqing 1 at the age of seventy-eight. Gaozong mourned him, closed court for three days, and posthumously appointed him Honored Equal to the Three Excellencies with the title of military governor of Bingzhou. He granted one thousand bolts of silk and one thousand piculs of grain as funeral gifts, bestowed the Eastern Garden secret vessels, had him buried at Zhaoling, gave him the posthumous name Xiang, and had officials erect a stele.
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儉少子觀，最知名，官至河西令，有文集三卷。 儉孫從心，神龍中，以子晙娶太平公主女，官至殿中監。 晙，先天中為太常少卿，坐與太平連謀，伏誅。 長孫順德長孫順德，文德順聖皇后之族叔也。 祖澄，周秦州刺史。 父愷，隋開府。 順德仕隋右勳衛，避遼東之役，逃匿於太原，深為高祖、太宗所親委。 時群盜並起，郡縣各募兵為備。 太宗外以討賊為名，因令順德與劉弘基等召募，旬月之間，眾至萬餘人，結營於郭下，遂誅王威、高君雅等。 義兵起，拜統軍。 從平霍邑，破臨汾，下絳郡，俱有戰功。 尋與劉文靜擊屈突通於潼關，每戰摧鋒。 及通將奔洛陽，順德追及於桃林，執通歸京師，仍略定陝縣。 高祖即位，拜左驍衛大將軍，封薛國公。 武德九年，與秦叔寶等討建成餘黨於玄武門。 太宗踐祚，真食千二百戶，特賜以宮女，每宿內省。
Jian's youngest son Guan was the best known; he rose to magistrate of Hexi and left a collected writings in three fascicles. Jian's grandson Congxin, in the Shenlong era, rose to Director of the Palace Domestic Service after his son Jun married a daughter of Princess Taiping. Jun served as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in the Xiantian era and was executed for conspiring with Princess Taiping. Zhangsun Shunde was a clansman uncle of Empress Wende Shunsheng. His grandfather Cheng had been governor of Qin Prefecture under Northern Zhou. His father Kai had held a Sui palace guard command. Shunde had served the Sui as a Right Merit Guard, evaded the Liaodong campaign, and took refuge at Taiyuan, where Gaozu and Taizong came to rely on him deeply. Bandits were rising everywhere, and counties and prefectures were each recruiting troops for defense. Taizong used the suppression of bandits as his public pretext and had Shunde, Liu Hongji, and others recruit troops. Within a month they mustered more than ten thousand men, encamped outside the city, and then executed Wang Wei, Gao Junya, and the others. When the righteous army was raised, he was made commander-in-chief. He took part in pacifying Huoyi, storming Linfen, and capturing Jiang commandery, distinguishing himself in each. He soon joined Liu Wenjing in attacking Qu Tu Tong at Tong Pass and in every engagement shattered the enemy van. When Tong was fleeing toward Luoyang, Shunde overtook him at Taolin, captured him, and brought him back to the capital, then secured Shan County as well. When Gaozu ascended the throne, Shunde was made General of the Left Martial Tiger Guards and enfeoffed Duke of Xue. In Wude 9 he joined Qin Shubao and others in suppressing Jiancheng's remaining supporters at the Xuanwu Gate. When Taizong took the throne, Shunde's actual fief was set at twelve hundred households; he was specially granted palace women and often lodged in the inner palace.
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後，順德監奴，受人饋絹事發，太宗謂近臣曰：「順德地居外戚，功即元勳，位高爵厚，足稱富貴。 若能勤覽古今，以自鑑誡，弘益我國家者，朕當與之同有府庫耳。 何乃不遵名節，而貪冒發聞乎！」 然惜其功，不忍加罪，遂於殿庭賜絹數十匹，以愧其心。 大理少卿胡演進曰：「順德枉法受財，罪不可恕，奈何又賜之絹？」 太宗曰：「人生性靈，得絹甚於刑戮； 如不知愧，一禽獸耳，殺之何益！」 尋坐與李孝常交通除名。 歲餘，太宗閱功臣圖，見順德之像，閔然憐之，遣宇文士及視其所為，見順德頹然而醉，論者以為達命。 召拜澤州刺史，復其爵邑。 順德素多放縱，不遵法度，及此折節為政，號為明肅。 先是，長吏多受百姓饋餉，順德糾擿，一無所容，稱為良牧。 前刺史張長貴、趙士達並佔境內膏腴之田數十頃，順德並劾而追奪，分給貧戶。 尋又坐事免。 發疾，太宗聞而鄙之，謂房玄齡曰：「順德無慷慨之節，多兒女之情，今有此疾，何足問也！」 未幾而卒，太宗為之罷朝，遣使弔祭，贈荊州都督，謚曰襄。 貞觀十三年，追改封為邳國公。 永徽五年，重贈開府儀同三司。 劉弘基劉弘基，雍州池陽人也。 父昇，隋河州刺史。 弘基少落拓，交通輕俠，不事家產，以父廕為右勳侍。 大業末，嘗從煬帝征遼東，家貧不能自致，行至汾陰，度已後期當斬，計無所出，遂與同旅屠牛，潛諷吏捕之，繫於縣獄，歲餘，竟以贖論。 事解亡命，盜馬以供衣食，因至太原。 會高祖鎮太原，遂自結托，又察太宗有非常之度，尤委心焉。 由是大蒙親禮，出則連騎，入同臥起。 義兵將舉，弘基召募得二千人。 王威、高君雅欲為變，高祖伏弘基及長孫順德於廳事之後，弘基因麾左右執威等。 又從太宗攻下西河。 義軍次賈胡堡，與隋將宋老生戰，破之，進攻霍邑。 老生率眾陣於城外，弘基從太宗擊之，老生敗走，棄馬投塹，弘基下斬其首，拜右光祿大夫。 師至河東，弘基以兵千人先濟河，進下馮翊，為渭北道大使，得便宜從事，以殷開山為副。 西略地扶風，有眾六萬。 南渡渭水，屯於長安故城，威聲大振，耀軍金光門。 衛文升遣兵來戰，弘基逆擊走之，擒甲士千餘人、馬數百匹。 時諸軍未至，弘基先至，一戰而捷。 高祖大悅，賜馬二十匹。 及破京城，功為第一。 從太宗擊薛舉於扶風，破之，追奔至隴山而返。 累拜右領都督，封河間郡公。 又從太宗經略東都，戰於瓔珞門外，破之。 師旋，弘基為殿。 隋將段達、張志陳於三王陵，弘基擊敗之。 武德元年，拜右驍衛大將軍，以元謀之勳，恕其一死，領行軍左一總管。 又從太宗討薛舉。 時太宗以疾頓於高墌城，弘基、劉文靜等與舉接戰於淺水原，王師不利，八總管咸敗； 唯弘基一軍盡力苦鬥，矢盡，為舉所獲。 高祖嘉其臨難不屈，賜其家粟帛甚厚。 仁杲平，得歸，復其官爵。 會宋金剛陷太原，遣弘基屯晉州。 裴寂為宋金剛所敗，人情崩駭，莫有固志。 金剛以兵造城下，弘基不能守，復陷於賊。 俄得逃歸，高祖慰諭之，授左一總管。 從太宗屯於柏壁，率兵二千自隰州趨西河，斷賊歸路。 時賊鋒甚勁，弘基堅壁，不能進。 及金剛遁，弘基率騎邀之，至於介休，與太宗會，追擊大破之。 累封任國公。 尋從擊劉黑闥於洺州，師旋，授秉鉞將軍。 會突厥入寇，弘基率步騎一萬，自豳州北界東拒子午嶺，西接臨涇，修營障塞，副淮安王神通，備胡寇於北鄙。 九年，以佐命功，真食九百戶。
Later, when it came out that Shunde's slave overseer had accepted silk bribes, Taizong told his close advisers, "Shunde is an imperial in-law and a founding meritocrat; his rank is high and his fief ample—he is already wealthy enough. If he would study history for his own warning and work to enlarge the state's good, I would share the treasury with him. Why does he ignore his good name and let greed become public scandal? Yet Taizong valued his past service and would not punish him. Instead he gave him several dozen bolts of silk in open court, intending to shame him. Vice Director of the Court of Judicial Review Hu Yan protested, "Shunde perverted the law and took bribes—a crime that cannot be forgiven. Why reward him with silk? Taizong replied, "A man has his pride. For him, receiving silk is worse than punishment; if he feels no shame, he is no better than a beast, and killing him would serve no purpose." Soon afterward he was struck from the rolls for associating with Li Xiaochang. More than a year later Taizong was reviewing the portraits of meritocrats, saw Shunde's likeness, and took pity on him. He sent Yuwen Shiji to observe him and found Shunde sunk in drink; commentators took this as a man who had accepted his lot. Shunde was recalled and appointed prefect of Ze, with his title and fief restored. Shunde had long been unrestrained and heedless of law, but now he disciplined himself in office and was praised as a clear and stern administrator. Senior officials had long accepted gifts from the people; Shunde investigated and exposed every case without mercy and was hailed as an excellent prefect. Former prefects Zhang Changgui and Zhao Shida had each seized dozens of qing of fertile land in the prefecture; Shunde impeached them, recovered the land, and distributed it to poor households. He was soon dismissed again on account of another offense. When he fell ill, Taizong heard of it with contempt and told Fang Xuanling, "Shunde lacks heroic resolve and is too given to domestic feeling. Now that he is ill, why should we trouble ourselves about him? He died soon after. Taizong closed court in mourning, sent envoys to offer sacrifices, posthumously appointed him military governor of Jingzhou, and gave him the posthumous name Xiang. In Zhenguan 13 his title was posthumously changed to Duke of Pi. In Yonghui 5 he was again posthumously granted Honored Equal to the Three Excellencies. Liu Hongji came from Chiyang in Yong Prefecture. His father Sheng had been governor of He Prefecture in Sui times. In youth Hongji was free-spirited, consorted with roaming swordsmen, neglected the family estate, and entered service through his father's privilege as a Right Merit Attendant. Late in the Daye era he followed Emperor Yang on the Liaodong campaign. Too poor to equip himself, he reached Fenyin, realized he was past deadline and would be executed, and in desperation joined fellow travelers in slaughtering an ox, then secretly arranged for officials to arrest them. He spent more than a year in county jail before being released on payment of a fine. Once released he went into hiding, stole horses to live on, and made his way to Taiyuan. When Gaozu was posted at Taiyuan, Hongji attached himself to him and saw in Taizong an uncommon caliber, toward whom he gave his fullest trust. He won exceptional favor: they rode together abroad and shared quarters at home. When the righteous army was about to be raised, Hongji recruited two thousand men. When Wang Wei and Gao Junya plotted a coup, Gaozu hid Hongji and Zhangsun Shunde behind the hall, and Hongji ordered his men to seize Wei and the others. He also followed Taizong in capturing Xihe. The army camped at Jiahu Fort, defeated the Sui general Song Laosheng, and advanced on Huoyi. Laosheng drew up his forces outside the city. Hongji followed Taizong in the attack; Laosheng fled, abandoned his horse, and fell into the moat. Hongji dismounted and took his head and was made Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When the army reached Hedong, Hongji crossed the river first with a thousand men, captured Fengyi, was appointed Weibei circuit ambassador with discretionary authority, and made Yin Kaishan his deputy. He extended operations west into Fufeng until his force numbered sixty thousand. He crossed the Wei to the south, encamped in the old city of Chang'an, and his fame spread far; he paraded his army before the Jinguang Gate. Wei Wensheng sent troops against him; Hongji counterattacked, routed them, and captured more than a thousand armored soldiers and several hundred horses. The other armies had not yet arrived when Hongji reached the field and won the first battle. Gaozu was delighted and rewarded him with twenty horses. When the capital fell, his merit ranked first. He followed Taizong in defeating Xue Ju at Fufeng, pursued the rout to Long Mountain, and then returned. He rose through repeated appointments to Right Area Commander and was enfeoffed as Duke of Hejian Commandery. He again followed Taizong in operations against the Eastern Capital, fought outside the Yingluo Gate, and defeated the enemy. On the army's return, Hongji commanded the rearguard. When the Sui generals Duan Da and Zhang Zhi drew up at the Three Kings Mounds, Hongji routed them. In Wude 1, he was made General-in-Chief of the Right Xiaowei Guard; for his role in the founding conspiracy his death sentence was pardoned, and he took command as Left First Army General-in-Command. He again followed Taizong against Xue Ju. Taizong, stricken with illness, halted at Gaogai City. Hongji, Liu Wenjing, and others fought Ju at Qianshui Plain, but the imperial forces fared badly and all eight commanders-in-chief were defeated; Only Hongji's corps fought on to the last; when their arrows ran out, he was taken by Ju. Gaozu honored his steadfastness under fire and richly rewarded his family with grain and silk. After Rengao was pacified, he returned and his rank and titles were restored. When Song Jingang captured Taiyuan, Hongji was dispatched to hold Jin Prefecture. After Pei Ji was routed by Song Jingang, morale collapsed and no one held firm. Jingang marched on the city; Hongji could not hold it and was captured by the rebels again. He soon escaped and returned; Gaozu received him warmly and appointed him Left First Army General-in-Command. He followed Taizong to Baiyu, led two thousand men from Xi Prefecture toward Xihe, and cut the rebels' line of retreat. The rebel advance was too strong; Hongji held his fortifications and could not push forward. When Jingang fled, Hongji led cavalry in pursuit as far as Jiexiu, joined Taizong there, and together they routed the enemy. He was repeatedly promoted in rank until enfeoffed as Duke of Renguo. He soon joined the campaign against Liu Heita at Mozhou and, on the army's return, was made Bearer of the Battle-Axe General. When the Turks invaded, Hongji led ten thousand infantry and cavalry from Bin's northern frontier, east to Ziwu Ridge and west to Linjing, building fortifications. Serving under Prince Huai'an Li Shentong, he defended the northern border against barbarian raids. In the ninth year he received a permanent fief of nine hundred households for his founding service.
6
太宗即位，顧待益隆。 李孝常、長孫安業之謀逆也，坐與交遊除名。 歲餘，起為易州刺史，復其封爵，征拜衛尉卿。 九年，改封夔國公，世襲朗州刺史，例停不行。 後以年老乞骸骨，授輔國大將軍，朝朔望，祿賜同於職事。 太宗征遼東，以弘基為前軍大總管。 從擊高延壽於駐蹕山，力戰有功，太宗屢加勞勉。 永徽元年加實封通前一千一百戶。 其年卒，年六十九。 高宗為之舉哀，廢朝三日，贈開府儀同三司、并州都督，陪葬昭陵，仍為立碑，謚曰襄。 弘基遺令給諸子奴婢各十五人、良田五頃，謂所親曰：「若賢，固不藉多財； 不賢，守此可以免飢凍。」 余財悉以散施。
When Taizong took the throne, Hongji received even greater favor. When Li Xiaochang and Zhangsun Anye plotted treason, he was stripped of rank for his association with them. After little more than a year he was restored as prefect of Yi Prefecture, regained his title, and was summoned to serve as Minister of the Court of Imperial Regalia. In the ninth year he was made Duke of Kuiguo with hereditary rights to the Langzhou prefecture, though the hereditary appointment was not exercised per precedent. Later he asked to retire on account of age and was made General Who Assists the State, attending court on the first and fifteenth while receiving the same salary and perquisites as if still in office. On Taizong's Liaodong campaign, Hongji served as Grand General-in-Command of the vanguard. He fought Gao Yanshou at Zhudibushan with distinction, and Taizong repeatedly praised and encouraged him. In Yonghui 1 his permanent fief was raised to a total of eleven hundred households. He died that same year at sixty-nine. Gaozong mourned him with a three-day suspension of court, posthumously made him Grand Master for the Palace with Golden Bangle and Area Commander of Bing Prefecture, had him buried at Zhaoling with a commemorative stele, and granted the posthumous name Xiang. In his final instructions Hongji left each son fifteen servants and five qing of good land, telling those close to him: "If they are worthy, they will not need great wealth; if they are not, this will at least keep hunger and cold at bay. He ordered that all remaining wealth be given away in charity.
7
子仁實襲，官至左典戎衛郎將。 從子仁景，神龍初，官至司農卿。 殷嶠殷嶠，字開山，雍州鄠縣人，陳司農卿不害孫也。 其先本居陳郡，陳亡，徙關中。 父僧首，隋秘書丞，有名於世。 嶠少以學行見稱，尤工尺牘。 仕隋太谷長，有治名。 義兵起，召補大將軍府掾，參預謀略，授心腹之寄，累以軍功拜光祿大夫。 從隱太子攻克西河。 太宗為渭北道元帥，引為長史。 時關中群盜往往聚結，眾無適從，令嶠招慰之，所至皆下。 又與統軍劉弘基率兵六萬屯長安故城，隋將衛孝節自金光門出戰，嶠與弘基擊破之。 京城平，賜爵陳郡公，遷丞相府掾。 尋授吏部侍郎。 從擊薛舉，為元帥府司馬。 時太宗有疾，委軍於劉文靜，誡之曰：「賊眾遠來，利在急戰，難與爭鋒。 且宜持久，待糧盡，然後可圖。」 嶠退謂文靜曰：「王體不安，慮公不濟，故發此言。 宜因機破賊，何乃以勍敵遺王也！」 久之，言於文靜曰：「王不豫，恐賊輕我，請耀武以威之。」 遂陳兵於折墌，為舉所乘，軍乃大敗。 嶠坐減死除名。 後從平薛仁杲，復其爵位。 武德二年，兼陝東道大行台兵部尚書，遷吏部尚書。 從太宗討平王世充，以功進爵鄖國公。 復從征劉黑闥，道病卒。 太宗親臨喪，哭之甚慟，贈陝東道大行台右僕射，謚曰節。 貞觀十四年，詔與贈司空、淮安王神通，贈司空、河間王孝恭，贈民部尚書劉政會，俱以佐命功配饗高祖廟庭。 十七年，又與長孫無忌、唐儉、長孫順德、劉弘基、劉政會、柴紹等十七人，俱圖其形於凌煙閣。 永徽五年，追贈司空。
His son Renshi inherited the title and rose to captain in the Left Guard of the Hall of Military Affairs. His nephew Renjing rose to Minister of the Court of the Imperial Granaries in the early Shenlong era. Yin Qiao, styled Kaishan, came from Hu County in Yong Prefecture and was a grandson of Bu Hai, Chen's Minister of the Court of the Imperial Granaries. His family originally lived in Chen Commandery and moved to Guanzhong after Chen fell. His father Sengshou served as Deputy Director of the Secretariat under the Sui and was widely known. Qiao was admired from youth for scholarship and character and was especially gifted at correspondence. As magistrate of Taigu under the Sui he earned a reputation for effective governance. When the uprising began he was summoned to the Generalissimo's staff, took part in planning, was treated as a trusted confidant, and rose to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness through repeated military achievement. He followed the Hidden Crown Prince in capturing Xihe. When Taizong became Grand Marshal of the Weibei circuit, Qiao was appointed his chief clerk. With bandits rampant in Guanzhong and the people without a clear leader, Qiao was sent to win them over, and wherever he went they submitted. He and Army Commander Liu Hongji then led sixty thousand men to camp in the old city of Chang'an. When the Sui general Wei Xiaojie sallied from the Jinguang Gate, Qiao and Hongji routed him. After the capital was pacified he was made Duke of Chen Commandery and transferred to the Chancellor's staff. He was soon appointed Vice Minister of the Board of Civil Office. He joined the campaign against Xue Ju as army supervisor on the grand marshal's staff. Taizong was ill and entrusted the army to Liu Wenjing, warning him: "The enemy has marched far; they want a quick fight, and it is hard to meet their spearhead head-on. Hold on and wait until their supplies run out—only then can we move against them. Qiao withdrew and told Wenjing: "The Prince is ill and fears you might fail—that is why he said that. We should strike now and break the enemy—why leave such a formidable foe for the Prince to face! Later he told Wenjing: "With the Prince ill, the enemy may despise us. Let us display our strength to intimidate them." They duly drew up at Zhedi, Ju seized the opportunity, and the army suffered a crushing defeat. Qiao's death sentence was commuted and he was stripped of rank. He later helped pacify Xue Rengao and regained his titles. In Wude 2 he concurrently served as Minister of War on the Shandong Grand Commissioner staff and was then transferred to Minister of the Board of Civil Office. He followed Taizong in defeating Wang Shichong and was raised to Duke of Yun for his service. He again joined the campaign against Liu Heita but died of illness en route. Taizong came in person to mourn him and wept bitterly, posthumously making him Right Vice Commissioner of the Shandong Grand Commissioner and granting the posthumous name Jie. In Zhenguan 14 an edict ordered that he, alongside the posthumously honored Sikong Prince Huai'an Li Shentong, Sikong Prince of Hejian Li Xiaogong, and Minister of the Board of Revenue Liu Zhenghui, all share sacrifices in Gaozu's temple for their founding service. In the seventeenth year his likeness was painted at the Lingyan Pavilion along with those of Zhangsun Wuji, Tang Jian, Zhangsun Shunde, Liu Hongji, Liu Zhenghui, Chai Shao, and fourteen others—seventeen in all. In Yonghui 5 he was posthumously honored as Sikong.
8
嶠從祖弟聞禮，有文學，武德中，為太子中舍人，修梁史，未就而卒。 聞禮子仲容，亦知名，則天深愛其才。 官至申州刺史。 劉政會劉政會，滑州胙城人也。 祖環雋，北齊中書侍郎。 政會，隋大業中為太原鷹揚府司馬。 高祖為太原留守，政會率兵隸於麾下。 太宗與劉文靜謀起義兵，副留守王威、高君雅獨懷猜貳。 後數日，將大會於晉祠，威與君雅謀危高祖。 有人以白，太宗既知迫急，欲先事誅之，因遣政會為急變之書，詣留守告威等二人謀反。 是日，高祖與威、君雅同坐視事，文靜引政會入，至庭中，雲有密狀，知人欲反。 高祖指威等令視之，政會不肯，曰：「所告是副留守事，唯唐公得省之耳。」 君雅攘袂大呼曰：「此是反人，欲殺我也！」 時太宗已列兵馬佈於街巷，文靜因令左右引威等囚於別室。 既拘威等，竟得舉兵，政會之功也。 大將軍府建，引為戶曹參軍。 從平長安，除丞相府掾。 武德初，授衛尉少卿，留守太原。 政會內輯軍士，外和戎狄，遠近莫不悅服。 尋而劉武周進逼并州，晉陽豪右薛深等以城應賊，政會為賊所擒，於賊中密表論武周形勢。 賊平，復其官爵。 歷刑部尚書、光祿卿，封邢國公。 貞觀初，累轉洪州都督，賜實封三百戶。 九年卒，太宗手敕曰：「舉義之日，實有殊功，所葬並宜優厚。」 贈民部尚書，謚曰襄。 後與殷開山同配饗高祖廟庭。
Qiao's younger clansman Wenli was a man of letters who served as crown prince attendant in the Wude era, began compiling the History of Liang, and died before finishing it. Wenli's son Zhongrong was also celebrated, and Empress Wu greatly admired his talent. He rose to prefect of Shen Prefecture. Liu Zhenghui came from Zuocheng in Hua Prefecture. His grandfather Huanjun served as Vice Director of the Secretariat under Northern Qi. Under the Sui in the Daye era, Zhenghui served as adjutant of the Taiyuan Hawk-raising Garrison. When Gaozu served as garrison commander of Taiyuan, Zhenghui placed his troops under Gaozu's command. Taizong and Liu Wenjing plotted the uprising while the deputy commanders Wang Wei and Gao Junya alone remained suspicious and disloyal. Days later, as a great assembly was planned at the Jin Shrine, Wei and Junya plotted against Gaozu's life. Word reached Taizong of the plot; knowing time was short, he moved to strike first and sent Zhenghui with an urgent report to headquarters accusing Wei and the others of treason. That day Gaozu was conducting business with Wei and Junya when Wenjing brought Zhenghui before the court and announced a secret report of an impending rebellion. Gaozu told Wei and the others to view the report, but Zhenghui refused: "This concerns the deputy commanders—it may be shown only to the Duke of Tang. Junya threw up his sleeves and cried out: "These are traitors who mean to kill me!" By then Taizong had already deployed troops in the streets; Wenjing had Wei and the others seized and confined in another room. With Wei and the others secured, the uprising could proceed—an achievement owed to Zhenghui. When the Generalissimo's headquarters was established, he was appointed registrar of the Household Bureau. After Chang'an was pacified he joined the Chancellor's staff. At the start of Wude he was made Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Regalia and left to hold Taiyuan. Zhenghui kept the garrison in order at home and maintained good relations with neighboring tribes; people near and far submitted willingly. When Liu Wuzhou pressed Bingzhou, local magnates in Jinyang including Xue Shen opened the gates to him. Zhenghui was captured but sent secret reports on Wuzhou's situation from inside enemy lines. After the rebels were defeated his rank and titles were restored. He later served as Minister of Justice and Minister of the Court of Imperial Banquets and was enfeoffed as Duke of Xing. Early in Zhenguan he rose to Area Commander of Hong Prefecture and received a permanent fief of three hundred households. He died in the ninth year. Taizong wrote in his own hand: "On the day we raised the army he rendered exceptional service; his burial should be treated with the greatest honor. He was posthumously made Minister of the Board of Revenue and granted the posthumous name Xiang. He was later granted shared sacrifice in Gaozu's temple alongside Yin Kaishan.
9
子玄意襲爵，改封渝國公，尚南平公主，授駙馬都尉。 高宗時為汝州刺史。 次子奇，長壽中為天官侍郎，為酷吏所陷也。 柴紹柴紹，字嗣昌，晉州臨汾人也。 祖烈，周驃騎大將軍，歷遂、梁二州刺史，封冠軍縣公。 父慎，隋太子右內率，封鉅鹿郡公。 紹幼趫捷有勇力，任俠聞於關中。 少補隋元德太子千牛備身。 高祖微時，妻之以女，即平陽公主也。
His son Xuanyi inherited the title, was made Duke of Yu, married Princess Nanping, and was appointed commandant of the emperor's sons-in-law. Under Gaozong he served as prefect of Ru Prefecture. The second son Qi served as Vice Director of the Bureau of Celestial Offices in the Changshou era and was destroyed by the harsh officials. Chai Shao, styled Sichang, came from Linfen in Jin Prefecture. His grandfather Lie was a Zhou general of fast cavalry who served as prefect of Sui and Liang prefectures and was enfeoffed as Duke of Guanjun County. His father Shen served as Right Inner Leader of the Crown Prince under the Sui and was enfeoffed as Duke of Julu Commandery. From youth Shao was swift, strong, and brave, and his reputation as a man of chivalry spread throughout Guanzhong. In his youth he served as a guard attendant to the Sui Yuande Crown Prince. While Gaozu was still obscure he gave Shao his daughter in marriage—the Princess of Pingyang.
10
義旗建，紹自京間路趣太原。 時建成、元吉自河東往，會於道，建成謀於紹曰：「追書甚急，恐已起事。 隋郡縣連城千有餘裡，中間偷路，勢必不全，今欲且投小賊，權以自濟。」 紹曰：「不可。 追既急，宜速去，雖稍辛苦，終當獲全。 若投小賊，知君唐公之子，執以為功，徒然死耳。」 建成從之，遂共走太原。 入雀鼠谷，知已起義，於是相賀，以紹之計為得。 授右領軍大都督府長史。 大軍發晉陽，兼領馬軍總管。 將至霍邑，紹先至城下，察宋老生形勢，白曰：「老生有匹夫之勇，我師若到，必來出戰，戰則成擒矣。」 及義師至，老生果出，紹力戰有功。 下臨汾，平絳郡，並先登陷陣，授右光祿大夫。 隋將桑顯和來擊，孫華率精銳渡河以援之，紹引軍直掩其背，與史大奈合勢擊之，顯和大敗，因與諸將進下京城。 武德元年，累遷左翊衛大將軍。 尋從太宗平薛舉，破宋金剛，攻平王世充於洛陽，擒竇建德於武牢，封霍國公，賜實封千二百戶，轉右驍衛大將軍。 吐谷渾與党項俱來寇邊，命紹討之。 虜據高臨下，射紹軍中，矢下如雨。 紹乃遣人彈胡琵琶，二女子對舞，虜異之，駐弓矢而相與聚觀。 紹見虜陣不整，密使精騎自後擊之，虜大潰，斬首五百餘級。 貞觀元年，拜右衛大將軍。 二年，擊梁師都於夏州，平之。 轉左衛大將軍，出為華州刺史。 七年，加鎮軍大將軍，行右驍衛大將軍，改封譙國公。 十二年，寢疾，太宗親自臨問。 尋卒，贈荊州都督，謚曰襄。 平陽公主平陽公主，高祖第三女也，太穆皇后所生。 義兵將起，公主與紹並在長安，遣使密召之。 紹謂公主曰：「尊公將掃清多難，紹欲迎接義旗； 同去則不可，獨行恐罹後患，為計若何？」 公主曰：「君宜速去。 我一婦人，臨時易可藏隱，當別自為計矣。」 紹即間行赴太原。 公主乃歸鄠縣莊所，遂散家資，招引山中亡命，得數百人，起兵以應高祖。 時有胡賊何潘仁聚眾於司竹園，自稱總管，未有所屬。 公主遣家僮馬三寶說以利害，潘仁攻鄠縣，陷之。 三寶又說群盜李仲文、向善志、丘師利等，各率眾數千人來會。 時京師留守頻遣軍討公主，三寶、潘仁屢挫其鋒。 公主掠地至盩厔、武功、始平，皆下之。 每申明法令，禁兵士，無得侵掠，故遠近奔赴者甚眾，得兵七萬人。 公主令間使以聞，高祖大悅。 及義軍渡河，遣紹將數百騎趨華陰，傍南山以迎公主。 時公主引精兵萬餘與太宗軍會於渭北，與紹各置幕府，俱圍京城，營中號曰「娘子軍」。 京城平，封為平陽公主，以獨有軍功，每賞賜異於他主。 六年，薨。 及將葬，詔加前後部羽葆鼓吹、大輅、麾幢、班劍四十人、虎賁甲卒。 太常奏議，以禮，婦人無鼓吹。 高祖曰：「鼓吹，軍樂也。 往者公主於司竹舉兵以應義旗，親執金鼓，有克定之勳。 周之文母，列於十亂； 公主功參佐命，非常婦人之所匹也。 何得無鼓吹！」 遂特加之，以旌殊績； 仍令所司按謚法「明德有功曰昭」，謚公主為昭。
When the uprising began, Shao made his way through the capital region to Taiyuan. Jiancheng and Yuanji were traveling from Hedong when they met Shao on the road. Jiancheng confided to him, "The summons to return is urgent—I fear Father has already risen in arms. Sui prefectures and counties are walled and linked for more than a thousand li. If we cut across between them, we cannot hope to get through whole. I mean to throw in with some petty bandits for the moment and save ourselves as best we can. Shao replied, "No. The pursuit is already pressing. You should flee at once. The road will be hard, but in the end you can still come through safely. If you join some petty bandits and they learn you are the Duke of Tang's sons, they will seize you for their own credit—and you will have died for nothing. Jiancheng took his advice, and together they fled to Taiyuan. When they entered Sparrow-and-Rat Pass and learned the uprising had already begun, they congratulated one another and agreed that Shao's counsel had been right. He was appointed chief clerk of the Right Army Aide Staff of the Grand Army Commander. When the main army marched from Jinyang, he also served as general-in-command of the cavalry corps. As the army approached Huoyi, Shao rode ahead to scout Song Laosheng below the walls and reported, "Laosheng has nothing but a common brawler's courage. When our army arrives he is sure to come out—and once he does, we can take him. When the army arrived, Laosheng did come out as predicted. Shao fought hard and earned distinction. At the capture of Linfen and pacification of Jiang Commandery he was first over the walls and first into the breach on both occasions, and was made Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. When the Sui general Sang Xianhe attacked, Sun Hua led elite troops across the river to reinforce him. Shao swung his army straight at their rear and, joining Shi Dana, crushed them. Xianhe was routed, and Shao then advanced with the other generals to take the capital. In Wude 1 he rose to General-in-Chief of the Left Wing Guard. He soon followed Taizong in pacifying Xue Ju, defeating Song Jingang, reducing Wang Shichong at Luoyang, and capturing Dou Jiande at Wulao. He was enfeoffed Duke of Huo with a substantive fief of twelve hundred households and made General-in-Chief of the Right Xiaowei Guard. When Tuyuhun and the Tangut raided the frontier together, Shao was ordered to campaign against them. The enemy held the heights and rained arrows down on Shao's army until they fell like rain. Shao then had a hu pipa played and two women dance facing each other. The barbarians, astonished, lowered their bows and gathered to watch. Seeing the enemy ranks fall out of order, Shao secretly sent elite cavalry to strike from the rear. The barbarians broke in rout, and more than five hundred heads were taken. In Zhenguan 1 he was appointed General-in-Chief of the Right Guard. In the second year he attacked Liang Shidu at Xia Prefecture and pacified him. He was transferred to General-in-Chief of the Left Guard and sent out as prefect of Hua Prefecture. In the seventh year he was advanced to Grand General of Garrison Troops, acted as General-in-Chief of the Right Xiaowei Guard, and was re-enfeoffed Duke of Qiao. In the twelfth year he took to his bed with illness, and Taizong came in person to inquire after him. He died soon after and was posthumously made Area Commander of Jing Prefecture, with the posthumous name Xiang. The Princess of Pingyang. She was Gaozu's third daughter, born of Empress Taimu. When the uprising was about to begin, the princess and Shao were both in Chang'an. She sent messengers to summon him in secret. Shao told the princess, "Your father is about to sweep away the realm's troubles, and I mean to go join the righteous banner. We cannot go together, yet if I go alone I fear you will be left in danger afterward. What are we to do? The princess said, "Go at once. I am only a woman and can hide easily for the moment. I shall make my own plan. Shao then made his way secretly to Taiyuan. The princess returned to the family estate in Hu County, spent the household fortune, gathered fugitives from the hills until she had several hundred men, and raised troops in answer to Gaozu. At that time the bandit He Panren had gathered followers at Sizhu Garden, styled himself commander-in-chief, and had not yet pledged himself to any cause. The princess sent her retainer Ma Sanbao to win him over with arguments of gain and loss. Panren then attacked Hu County and took it. Sanbao also won over the bandit chiefs Li Zhongwen, Xiang Shanzhi, Qiu Shili, and others, each of whom brought several thousand followers to join her. The capital garrison repeatedly sent troops against the princess, and Sanbao and Panren repeatedly turned them back. The princess extended her hold as far as Zhouzhi, Wugong, and Shiping, taking them all. She repeatedly proclaimed the laws and forbade her soldiers to plunder, so men rallied from far and near until her force reached seventy thousand. The princess sent a secret messenger with the news, and Gaozu was greatly pleased. When the army crossed the river, Gaozu sent Shao with several hundred cavalry along the southern mountains to Huayin to meet the princess. The princess then led more than ten thousand elite troops to join Taizong north of the Wei. She and Shao each established a staff, and together they besieged the capital. Their camp was called the Lady General's Army. When the capital fell she was enfeoffed Princess of Pingyang. Because she alone had earned military merit, her rewards always exceeded those of other princesses. She died in the sixth year. When she was to be buried, an edict granted front and rear plumed-canopy escorts with martial music, the great imperial carriage, command banners, forty sword-bearers in formal array, and tiger-guard armored soldiers. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices memorialized that by ritual women were not granted martial music escorts. Gaozu said, "Martial music escorts are military music. In the past the princess raised troops at Sizhu in answer to the righteous banner, herself wielded drum and gong, and had merit in pacifying the realm. The mother of King Wen of Zhou was numbered among the ten ministers who brought order from chaos; the princess's merit shared in founding the mandate. She is not to be matched by ordinary women. How can she be denied martial music escorts! The honor was specially granted to mark her extraordinary achievement; and the responsible offices were ordered, under the posthumous-name code that "illustrious virtue with achievement is called Zhao," to give the princess the posthumous name Zhao.
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子哲威，歷右屯營將軍，襲爵譙國公。 坐弟令武謀反，徙嶺南。 起為交州都督，卒官。 令武尚巴陵公主，累除太僕少卿、衛州刺史，封襄陽郡公。 永徽中，坐與公主及房遺愛謀反，遣使收之。 行至華陰，自殺，仍戮其屍。 公主賜死。 馬三寶馬三寶，初以平京城功，拜太子監門率。 別擊叛胡劉拔真於北山，破之。 又從平薛仁杲，遷左驍衛將軍。 復從柴紹擊吐谷渾於岷州，先鋒陷陣，斬其名王，前後虜男女數千口，累封新興縣公。 嘗從幸司竹，高祖顧謂三寶曰：「是汝建英雄之處，衛青大不惡！」 累除左驍衛大將軍。 貞觀三年卒。 太宗為之廢朝，謚曰忠。 武士鸊武士鸊，并州文水人也。 家富於財，頗好交結。 高祖初行軍於汾、晉，休止其家； 因蒙顧接，及為太原留守，引為行軍司鎧。 時盜賊蜂起，士鸊嘗陰勸高祖舉兵，自進兵書及符瑞，高祖謂曰：「幸勿多言。 兵書禁物，尚能將來，深識雅意，當同富貴耳。」 及義兵將起，高祖募人，遣劉弘基、長孫順德等分統之。 王威、高君雅陰謂士鸊曰：「弘基等皆背征三衛，所犯當死，安得領兵？ 吾欲禁身推覈。」 士鸊曰：「此並唐公之客也，若爾，便大紛紜。」 威等由是疑而不發。 留守司兵田德平又欲勸威等鞫問募人之狀，士鸊謂德平曰：「討捕之兵，總隸唐公。 王威、高君雅等，並寄坐耳，彼何能為！」 德平遂止。 義旗起，以士鸊為大將軍府鎧曹。 從平京城功，拜光祿大夫，封太原郡公。 初為義師將起，士鸊不預知，及平京師，乃自說云：「嘗夢高祖入西京，升為天子。」 高祖哂之曰：「汝王威之黨也。 以汝能諫止弘基等，微心可錄，故加酬效； 今見事成，乃說迂誕而取媚也？」 武德中，累遷工部尚書，進封應國公，又歷利州、荊州都督。 貞觀九年卒官，贈禮部尚書，謚曰定。 顯慶元年，以後父累贈司徒，改封周國公。 咸亨中，又贈太尉、太原王，特詔配饗高祖廟庭，列在功臣之上。 孫承嗣，事在《外戚傳》。 武士棱鸊長兄士棱，性恭順，勤於稼穡。 從起義，官至司農少卿，封宣城縣公。 常居苑中，委以農囿之事。 貞觀中卒，贈潭州都督。 武士逸次兄士逸，亦有戰功，武德初，為齊王府戶曹，賜爵安陸縣公。 從齊王鎮并州，為劉武周所獲，於賊中密令人詣京師，陳武周可圖之計。 及武周平，甚見慰勉，累授益州行台左丞。 數陳時政得失，高祖每嘉納之。 貞觀初，為韶州刺史，卒。
His son Zhewei served as General of the Right Stationing Camp and inherited the title Duke of Qiao. Because his younger brother Lingwu plotted rebellion, he was banished to Lingnan. He was later recalled to serve as Area Commander of Jiao Prefecture and died in office. Lingwu married the Princess of Baling, rose through appointments as Vice Minister of the Stud and prefect of Wei Prefecture, and was enfeoffed Duke of Xiangyang Commandery. In the Yonghui era he was implicated in rebellion with the princess and Fang Yi'ai, and envoys were sent to seize him. When he reached Huayin he killed himself, but his corpse was still mutilated in punishment. The princess was ordered to take her own life. Ma Sanbao. For merit in pacifying the capital he was first appointed Crown Prince Gate Supervisor. He separately attacked the rebel Liu Bazhen at North Mountain and defeated him. He again took part in pacifying Xue Renguo and was transferred to General of the Left Xiaowei Guard. Again he followed Chai Shao against Tuyuhun at Min Prefecture. As vanguard he broke the enemy ranks, beheaded their famous king, and captured several thousand men and women in all. He was repeatedly enfeoffed Duke of Xinxing County. Once, accompanying the imperial progress to Sizhu, Gaozu turned to Sanbao and said, "This is where you made your name—a career worthy of Wei Qing! He rose in succession to General-in-Chief of the Left Xiaowei Guard. He died in Zhenguan 3. Taizong suspended court for him and granted the posthumous name Zhong. Wu Shiyi. Wu Shiyi came from Wenshui in Bing Prefecture. His family was wealthy and he was fond of cultivating connections. When Gaozu first marched through Fen and Jin, he lodged at Shiyi's home; where Gaozu favored him. When Gaozu became Taiyuan garrison commander, Shiyi was brought in as army equipment officer on the campaign staff. Bandits were rising everywhere. Shiyi once secretly urged Gaozu to raise troops and himself presented military texts and portents. Gaozu told him, "Say no more. Military texts are forbidden, yet you brought them anyway. I understand your intent well—we shall share fortune together. When the uprising was about to begin, Gaozu recruited men and sent Liu Hongji, Zhangsun Shunde, and others to command them separately. Wang Wei and Gao Junya secretly told Shiyi, "Hongji and the others all evaded the third campaign levy. Their offense warrants death—how can they be allowed to lead troops? We mean to detain them and investigate. Shiyi said, "These are all the Duke of Tang's men. If you do that, there will be chaos." Wei and the others therefore hesitated and did not act. The garrison army affairs officer Tian Deping again wanted to urge Wei and the others to interrogate the recruits. Shiyi told Deping, "The pursuit troops all answer to the Duke of Tang. Wang Wei, Gao Junya, and the like are only nominal presences—what can they do! Deping then dropped the matter. When the righteous banner rose, Shiyi was made head of the equipment section in the Grand General's Office. For merit in pacifying the capital he was made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and enfeoffed Duke of Taiyuan Commandery. At first, when the uprising was about to begin, Shiyi had not been forewarned. After the capital was pacified he claimed, "I once dreamed that Gaozu entered the Western Capital and ascended as Son of Heaven. Gaozu smiled and said, "You were Wang Wei's man. Because you could dissuade them from moving against Hongji and the others, a trace of loyal intent is worth noting, so I rewarded you; now that you see success, you spin fanciful tales to flatter me? In the Wude era he rose to Minister of Works, was advanced to Duke of Ying, and also served as area commander of Li and Jing prefectures. In Zhenguan 9 he died in office and was posthumously made Minister of Rites, with the posthumous name Ding. In Xianqing 1, as the empress's father, he was posthumously advanced to Grand Tutor and re-enfeoffed Duke of Zhou. In the Xianheng era he was again posthumously made Grand Commandant and King of Taiyuan. A special edict ordered him honored with sacrificial companionship in Gaozu's temple hall, ranked above the meritorious ministers. His grandson Chengsi is treated in the Biographies of External Relatives. Wu Shiling. Shiyi's elder brother Shiling was respectful and compliant by nature and diligent in farming. He joined the uprising, rose to Vice Minister of the Directorate of Agriculture, and was enfeoffed Duke of Xuancheng County. He lived in the palace park precincts and was entrusted with farms and gardens. He died in the Zhenguan era and was posthumously made Area Commander of Tan Prefecture. Wu Shiyi—the second elder brother Shiyi. He too had battle merit. At the beginning of Wude he served as household section chief in the Prince of Qi's mansion and was granted the title Duke of Anlu County. Following the Prince of Qi to garrison Bing Prefecture, he was captured by Liu Wuzhou. While held by the enemy he secretly sent a messenger to the capital with a plan to overthrow Wuzhou. When Wuzhou was pacified he was warmly commended and repeatedly appointed Left Assistant of the Yizhou Executive Headquarters. He often presented his views on the strengths and failings of current policy, and Gaozu regularly welcomed and adopted his advice. Early in Zhenguan he became prefect of Shao and died in office.
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史臣曰：唐儉委質義旗之下，立功草昧之初，被拘虜庭，脫高祖蒲州之急； 侍獵苑囿，諫太宗馬上之言，可謂純臣矣。 順德佐命立功，理郡著明肅之政； 弘基臨難不屈，陷陣多克捷之勳。 殷嶠、劉政會、柴嗣昌並在太原，首預舉義，從微至著，善始令終。 馬三寶出廝養之徒，處將軍之位，亦馬之善走者也。 武士鸊首參起義，例封功臣，無戡難之勞，有因人之跡，載窺他傳，過為褒詞。 慮當武後之朝，佞出敬宗之筆，凡涉虛美，削而不書。
The historiographer writes: Tang Jian pledged himself under the banner of the righteous army and won merit in the empire's first founding days. Though held captive among the enemy, he averted Gaozu's crisis at Pu; at the hunt in the imperial park he admonished Taizong against ruling from horseback—truly a minister of integrity. Shunde aided the founding mandate and won distinction; as a prefect he earned renown for a clear and stern administration; Hongji stood unbroken under adversity and, charging the enemy lines, won repeated victories. Yin Qiao, Liu Zhenghui, and Chai Sichang were all at Taiyuan among the first to join the uprising, rising from obscurity to eminence with honorable beginnings and endings alike. Ma Sanbao rose from stable service to a general's rank—a horse, as it were, that knew how to run. Wu Shiyi was among the first to join the uprising and was enfeoffed as a founding meritocrat, yet he did no real work in the struggle and plainly rode others' efforts; other biographies show the praise lavished on him to be excessive. Lest the flattery of Xu Jingzong's brush in the era of Empress Wu pass for history, whatever praise proved hollow has been struck from the record.
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贊曰：茂約忠純，順德功勳。 弘基六士，義合風云。
Encomium: Maoyue, loyal and pure; Shunde, merit and achievement. Hongji and the founding company—righteous purpose joined with the storm.