Volume 61 Biographies 11: Wen Daya, Chen Shuda, Dou Wei

溫大雅子無隱大雅弟彥博子振挺大雅弟大有

Wen Daya; his son Wuyin; Daya's younger brother Yanbo; Yanbo's sons Zhen and Ting; and Daya's younger brother Dayou.

陳叔達竇威子惲兄子軌軌子奉節琮從子抗抗子衍靜靜子逵誕誕子孝慈孝慈子希玠誕少子孝諶抗季弟璡

Chen Shuda; Dou Wei—his son Yun; his nephew Gui; Gui's sons Fengjie and Cong; his clansman Kang; Kang's sons Yan and Jing; Jing's son Kui; Dan; Dan's son Xiaoci, whose son was Xijue; Dan's younger son Xiaochen; and Kang's youngest younger brother Jin.

溫大雅，字彥弘，太原祁人也。父君悠，北齊文林館學士，隋泗州司馬。大業末，為司隸從事，見隋政日亂，謝病而歸。大雅性至孝，少好學，以才辯知名。仕隋東宮學士、長安縣尉，以父憂去職。後以天下方亂，不求仕進。高祖鎮太原，甚禮之。義兵起，引為大將軍府記室參軍，專掌文翰。禪代之際，與司錄竇威、主簿陳叔達參定禮儀。武德元年，歷遷黃門侍郎。弟彥博，為中書侍郎；對居近密，議者榮之。高祖從容謂曰：「我起義晉陽，為卿一門耳。」尋轉工部，進拜陝東道大行台工部尚書。太宗以隱太子、巢刺王之故，令大雅鎮洛陽以俟變。大雅數陳秘策，甚蒙嘉賞。太宗即位，累轉禮部尚書，封黎國公。大雅將改葬其祖父，筮者曰：「葬於此地，害兄而福弟。」大雅曰：「若得家弟永康，我將含笑入地。」葬訖，歲余而卒，謚曰孝。撰《創業起居注》三卷。永徽五年，贈尚書右僕射。

Wen Daya, whose courtesy name was Yanhong, came from Qi in Taiyuan. His father Junyou had been a scholar in the Northern Qi's Forest of Literature and later served the Sui as marshal of Sizhou. Near the end of the Daye reign he held a post in the metropolitan administration, but as he watched the Sui order unravel day by day he pleaded illness and withdrew to his home. Daya was deeply filial by nature. As a youth he loved study and won renown for his talent and eloquence. Under the Sui he served as a scholar in the crown prince's palace and as magistrate of Chang'an County, then left office to mourn his father. Afterward, with the empire falling into chaos, he made no effort to resume his career. When Gaozu was posted to Taiyuan he treated Daya with marked respect. When the uprising began, Daya was appointed recorder on the Grand General's staff and put in sole charge of written communications. At the transfer of the mandate he worked with Registrar Dou Wei and Chief Clerk Chen Shuda to settle the court rituals. In the first year of Wude he rose through successive posts to Vice Minister of the Yellow Gate. His younger brother Yanbo served as Vice Minister of the Secretariat; the two held neighboring posts close to the throne, and observers spoke of the family with admiration. Gaozu said to him in an easy tone, "When I raised the army at Jinyang, I did it for your whole household." Before long he was moved to the Ministry of Works and then promoted to Minister of Works on the Eastern Shaanxi Grand Commission. On account of the struggle involving the Hidden Crown Prince and the Prince of Chao and Assassin, Taizong stationed Daya at Luoyang to watch for any turn of events. Daya repeatedly offered confidential counsel and won high praise for it. After Taizong's accession, Daya rose through successive posts to Minister of Rites and was enfeoffed as Duke of Li. When Daya was preparing to rebury his grandfather, the diviner said, "If you bury him in this spot, it will harm the elder brother and bless the younger." Daya replied, "If my younger brother may live out his days in peace, I shall go to my grave with a smile." The burial was carried out, and a little more than a year later he died. His posthumous title was Filial. He wrote three fascicles of 《Records of the Founding Court》. In the fifth year of Yonghui he was posthumously appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

子無隱，官至工部侍郎。大雅弟彥博。

His son Wuyin rose to the post of Vice Minister of Works. Daya's younger brother was Yanbo.

彥博幼聰悟，有口辯，涉獵書記。初，其父友薛道衡、李綱常見彥博兄弟三人，咸嘆異曰：「皆卿相才也。」開皇末，為州牧秦孝王俊所薦，授文林郎，直內史省，轉通直謁者。及隋亂，幽州總管羅藝引為司馬。藝以幽州歸國，彥博贊成其事，授幽州總管府長史。未幾，征為中書舍人，俄遷中書侍郎，封西河郡公。時高麗遣使貢方物，高祖謂群臣曰：「名實之間，理須相副。高麗稱臣於隋，終拒煬帝，此亦何臣之有？朕敬於萬物，不欲驕貴，但據土宇，務共安人，何必令其稱臣以自尊大？可即為詔，述朕此懷也。」彥博進曰：「遼東之地，周為箕子之國，漢家之玄菟郡耳。魏、晉已前，近在提封之內，不可許以不臣。若與高麗抗禮，則四夷何以瞻仰？且中國之於夷狄，猶太陽之比列星，理無降尊，俯同夷貊。」高祖乃止。其年，突厥入寇，命右衛大將軍張瑾為并州道行軍總管，出拒之，以彥博為行軍長史。與虜戰於太谷，軍敗，彥博沒於虜庭。突厥以其近臣，苦問以國家虛實及兵馬多少，彥博固不肯言。頡利怒，遷於陰山苦塞之地。太宗即位，突厥送款，始征彥博還朝，授雍州治中，尋檢校吏部侍郎。彥博意有沙汰，多所損抑，而退者不伏，囂訟盈庭。彥博惟騁辭辯，與之相詰，終日喧擾，頗為識者所嗤。復拜中書侍郎，兼太子右庶子。貞觀二年，遷御史大夫，仍檢校中書侍郎事。彥博善於宣吐，每奉使入朝，詔問四方風俗，承受綸言，有若成誦。聲韻高朗，響溢殿庭，進止雍容，觀者拭目。四年，遷中書令，進爵虞國公。高祖常宴朝臣，詔太宗諭旨，既而顧謂近臣曰：「何如溫彥博？」其見重如此。

Yanbo was clever and quick-witted as a boy, gifted with eloquence, and read widely in books and documents. In earlier days his father's friends Xue Daoheng and Li Gang would often see Yanbo and his two brothers and marvel, saying, "Every one of them has the makings of a minister or chancellor." Near the close of Kaihuang he was recommended by the prefectural governor Prince Qin Xiaojun, appointed Gentleman of the Forest of Literature, assigned to the Secretariat, and later transferred to Direct Attendant. When the Sui order collapsed, Luo Yi, regional commander of Youzhou, took him on as marshal. When Yi surrendered Youzhou to the Tang cause, Yanbo helped bring it about and was made chief clerk of the Youzhou headquarters. Before long he was called to court as Drafting Secretary, soon promoted to Vice Minister of the Secretariat, and enfeoffed as Duke of Xihe. At that time Goguryeo sent envoys with tribute gifts, and Gaozu told the assembled ministers, "Between title and reality there ought to be a proper match. Goguryeo called itself a vassal of the Sui, yet in the end it defied Emperor Yang—what kind of vassalage is that? I hold all things in respect and do not wish to grow proud; I hold the realm only to bring peace to the people—why must I make them call themselves vassals merely to puff myself up? Draft an edict at once and set forth this intent of mine." Yanbo stepped forward and said, "The lands of Liaodong were in Zhou the domain of Jizi, and under the Han no more than the commandery of Xuantu. Before Wei and Jin they lay within our very frontier; we cannot allow them to stand as our equals. If we treat Goguryeo as an equal in ritual, how will the four quarters of barbarians look to us? Moreover, China's relation to the barbarians is like the sun's to the lesser stars—by right there is no lowering of dignity to stoop to their level." Gaozu thereupon dropped the plan. That year the Turks raided the borders. Gaozu appointed Grand General of the Right Guards Zhang Jin Grand Commander of the Bingzhou Expedition to march out against them, with Yanbo as expedition chief clerk. They met the enemy at Taigu; the army was defeated and Yanbo fell into Turk hands. Because he was a close minister of the court, the Turks pressed him relentlessly about the empire's strength and the size of its armies; Yanbo steadfastly refused to answer. Khan Jiali flew into a rage and had him moved to the harsh passes of the Yin Mountains. After Taizong's accession the Turks offered submission, and only then was Yanbo summoned back to court, appointed Administrator of Yongzhou, and soon made acting Vice Minister of Personnel. Yanbo set out to purge the ranks and demoted many officials; those removed refused to accept it, and the court rang with their noisy appeals. Yanbo could only unleash his eloquence and argue them down; the hall was in uproar all day, and thoughtful observers largely scoffed at the spectacle. He was again appointed Vice Minister of the Secretariat and concurrently Right Vice Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In the second year of Zhenguan he was made Censor-in-Chief while continuing to handle the duties of Vice Minister of the Secretariat. Yanbo excelled at public speech. Whenever he came to court on embassy and was questioned by edict about customs throughout the realm, he received the imperial words as though he had memorized them beforehand. His voice rang high and clear, filling the hall; his bearing as he advanced and withdrew was composed, and onlookers watched in wonder. In the fourth year he was made Secretariat Director and advanced in rank to Duke of Yu. Gaozu often feasted the court ministers and had Taizong convey the imperial message; then he turned to his close attendants and said, "How does he compare with Wen Yanbo?" Such was the esteem in which he was held.

初，突厥之降也，詔議安邊之術。朝士多言：「突厥恃強，擾亂中國，為日久矣。今天實喪之，窮來歸我，本非慕義之心也。因其歸命，分其種落，俘之河南，散屬州縣，各使耕田，變其風俗。百萬胡虜，可得化而為漢，則中國有加戶之利，塞北常空矣。」惟彥博議曰：「漢建武時，置降匈奴於五原塞下，全其部落，得為捍蔽，又不離其土俗，因而撫之。一則實空虛之地，二則示無猜之心。若遣向西南，則乖物性，故非含育之道也。」太宗從之，遂處降人於朔方之地，其入居長安者近且萬家。議者尤為不便，欲建突厥國於河外。彥博又執奏曰：「既已納之，無故遣去，深為可惜。」與魏徵等爭論，數年不決。十年，遷尚書右僕射。明年薨，年六十四。彥博自掌知機務，即杜絕賓客，國之利害，知無不言，太宗以是嘉之。及薨，謂侍臣曰：「彥博以憂國之故，勞精竭神，我見其不逮，已二年矣。恨不縱其閒逸，致夭性靈。」彥博家無正寢，及卒之日，殯於別室，太宗命有司為造堂焉。贈特進，謚曰恭，陪葬昭陵。

Earlier, when the Turks submitted, the court was ordered to debate how best to secure the frontier. Many at court argued, "The Turks have long relied on their strength to harass China. Now Heaven has truly abandoned them; in their desperation they come to submit to us—this is not born of admiration for our virtue. Let us take advantage of their submission, break up their tribes, move them south of the Yellow River, scatter them among the prefectures and counties, set them to farming, and change their ways. A million barbarian captives could be transformed into Han subjects; China would gain households, and the northern marches would stand forever empty." Only Yanbo argued, "In the Jianwu era of Han, surrendered Xiongnu were settled below the passes of Wuyuan; their tribes were kept intact so they could serve as a shield, yet without being torn from their native customs, and thus they were won over. That plan truly filled empty lands, and it showed a heart free of suspicion. If we send them toward the southwest, we go against their nature; that is not the way of cherishing and nurturing subjects." Taizong followed his counsel and settled the submitted Turks in the Shuofang region; those who took up residence in Chang'an approached ten thousand households. Critics found the arrangement especially troubling and wished to establish a Turk state beyond the river. Yanbo again pressed his memorial, saying, "Since we have already taken them in, to send them away without cause would be a great waste." He debated with Wei Zheng and others, and for several years no final decision was reached. In the tenth year he was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. The following year he died, at the age of sixty-four. Once Yanbo took charge of confidential affairs he cut off visitors entirely; whatever harmed or benefited the state, he spoke of without reserve, and Taizong praised him for it. When he died, Taizong told his attendants, "Yanbo wore himself out caring for the state; I saw him failing for two years already. I regret that I did not let him enjoy some leisure and thereby cut short his life." Yanbo's household had no proper main hall; on the day of his death the coffin lay in a side room, and Taizong ordered the relevant offices to build a hall for the family. He was posthumously appointed Special Advancement; his posthumous title was Respectful, and he was buried with honor at Zhaoling.

子振，少有雅望，官至太子舍人，居喪以毀卒。振弟挺，尚高祖女千金公主，官至延州刺史。

His son Zhen enjoyed an elegant reputation in youth, rose to Crown Prince Attendant, and died from grief during mourning. Zhen's younger brother Ting married Gaozu's daughter Princess Qianjin and rose to the post of Prefect of Yanzhou.

大雅弟大有，字彥將，性端謹，少以學行稱。隋仁壽中，尚書右丞李綱表薦之，授羽騎尉。尋丁憂去，職歸鄉里。義旗初舉，高祖引為太原令。從太宗擊西河，高祖謂曰：「士馬尚少，要資經略，以卿參謀軍事，其善建功名也！事之成敗，當以此行卜之。若克西河，帝業成矣。」及破西河而還，復以本官攝大將軍府記室，與兄大雅共掌機密。大有以昆季同在機務，意不自安，固請他職。高祖曰：「我虛心相待，不以為疑，卿何自疑也？」大有雖應命，然每退讓，遠避機權，僚列以此多之。武德元年，累轉中書侍郎。會卒，高祖甚傷惜之，贈鴻臚卿。初，大雅在隋，與顏思魯俱在東宮，彥博與思魯弟愍楚同直內史省，彥將與愍楚弟游秦典校秘閣。二家兄弟，各為一時人物之選。少時學業，顏氏為優；其後職位，溫氏為盛。

Daya's younger brother Dayou, whose courtesy name was Yanjiang, was upright and careful by nature and was known in youth for his learning and conduct. During the Renshou era of the Sui, Right Vice Director Li Gang recommended him by memorial, and he was appointed Captain of Feathered Riders. Before long he left office to mourn his father and returned to his home district. When the uprising first began, Gaozu appointed him magistrate of Taiyuan. When he followed Taizong in the attack on Xihe, Gaozu told him, "Our forces are still few; we need strategy—take this post to advise on military affairs and win your merit there! Whether our cause succeeds or fails may be read from this campaign. If we take Xihe, the imperial enterprise is assured." When Xihe fell and they returned, he again served in his former post as acting recorder on the Grand General's staff, sharing confidential affairs with his elder brother Daya. Because he and his brothers together held posts in confidential affairs, Dayou felt ill at ease and firmly asked for another assignment. Gaozu said, "I deal with you in good faith and harbor no suspicion—why do you doubt yourself?" Dayou accepted the order, yet each time he yielded ground and kept his distance from power; his colleagues admired him for it. In the first year of Wude he rose through successive posts to Vice Minister of the Secretariat. He died soon afterward; Gaozu grieved deeply for him and posthumously appointed him Director of the Court for Diplomatic Reception. Earlier, under the Sui, Daya had served in the Eastern Palace together with Yan Silu; Yanbo had served in the Secretariat together with Silu's younger brother Minchu; and Yanjiang had overseen the Secret Archive together with Minchu's younger brother Youqin. The brothers of the two families were each among the leading men of their day. In youth the Yan clan had the edge in scholarly achievement; but afterward in office the Wen clan stood in the ascendant.

陳叔達，字子聰，陳宣帝第十六子也。善容止，頗有才學，在陳封義陽王。年十餘歲，嘗侍宴，賦詩十韻，援筆便就，僕射徐陵甚奇之。歷侍中、丹陽尹、都官尚書。入隋，久不得調。大業中，拜內史舍人，出為絳郡通守。義師至絳郡，叔達以郡歸款，授丞相府主簿，封漢東郡公。與記室溫大雅同掌機密，軍書、赦令及禪代文誥，多叔達所為。武德元年，授黃門侍郎。二年，兼納言。四年，拜侍中。叔達明辯，善容止，每有敷奏，搢紳莫不屬目。江南名士薄游長安者，多為薦拔。五年，進封江國公。嘗賜食於御前，得蒲萄，執而不食。高祖問其故，對曰：「臣母患口乾，求之不能致，欲歸以遺母。」高祖喟然流涕曰：「卿有母遺乎！」因賜物三百段。貞觀初，加授光祿大夫。尋坐與蕭瑀對御忿爭免官。未幾，丁母憂。叔達先有疾，太宗慮其危殆，遣使禁絕吊賓。服闋，授遂州都督，以疾不行。久之，拜禮部尚書。建成、元吉嫉害太宗，陰行譖毀，高祖惑其言，將有貶責，叔達固諫乃止。至是太宗勞之曰：「武德時，危難潛構，知公有讜言，今之此拜，有以相答。」叔達謝曰：「此不獨為陛下，社稷計耳。」後坐閨庭不理，為憲司所劾。朝廷惜其名臣，不欲彰其罪，聽以散秩歸第。九年卒，謚曰繆。後贈戶部尚書，改謚曰忠。有集十五卷。

Chen Shuda, whose courtesy name was Zicong, was the sixteenth son of Emperor Xuan of Chen. He was graceful in bearing and well learned; under the Chen he was enfeoffed as Prince of Yiyang. When he was barely past ten he once attended a feast and composed a ten-rhyme poem at a stroke; Vice Director Xu Ling marveled at him. He served in succession as Attendant-in-Ordinary, Intendant of Danyang, and Minister of Justice. After the Chen fell he entered Sui service but long received no appointment. During the Daye reign he was appointed Drafting Secretary and then sent out as Communications Prefect of Jiang commandery. When the uprising reached Jiang commandery, Shuda surrendered the district and was appointed Chief Clerk on the Chancellor's staff and enfeoffed as Duke of Handong. He shared confidential affairs with Recorder Wen Daya; military documents, amnesties, and the proclamations of the abdication and succession were largely his work. In the first year of Wude he was appointed Vice Minister of the Yellow Gate. In the second year he was made concurrent Remonstrator. In the fourth year he was appointed Attendant-in-Ordinary. Shuda was sharp in debate and graceful in bearing; whenever he addressed the throne, the court looked to him. Many renowned scholars from the south who passed through Chang'an won his recommendation and promotion. In the fifth year he was advanced in rank to Duke of Jiang. Once, when he was granted food before the throne, he received grapes but held them without eating. Gaozu asked why; he replied, "My mother suffers from dry mouth. I could not obtain grapes though I sought them, and I wish to take these home for her." Gaozu sighed with tears and said, "You still have a mother to care for!" Thereupon he bestowed three hundred bolts of goods on him. At the beginning of Zhenguan he was additionally appointed Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Soon afterward he was dismissed for quarreling angrily with Xiao Yu before the throne. Before long he entered mourning for his mother. Shuda had long been ill; Taizong feared for his life and sent envoys to forbid condolence visitors. When mourning ended he was appointed Regional Commander of Suizhou but did not take up the post because of illness. After a long interval he was appointed Minister of Rites. Jiancheng and Yuanji envied Taizong and secretly slandered him; Gaozu was swayed by their words and was about to punish Taizong, but Shuda firmly remonstrated and stopped it. At this time Taizong thanked him, saying, "In the Wude era peril was secretly building; I know you spoke forthright counsel—this appointment is my answer." Shuda declined, saying, "I did this not only for Your Majesty but for the sake of the realm." Later the censorate impeached him for neglecting his household affairs. The court valued this famous minister and did not wish to expose his offense, allowing him to return home on an honorary stipend. In the ninth year he died; his posthumous title was Erring. Later he was posthumously appointed Minister of Revenue and his posthumous title was changed to Loyal. He left collected works in fifteen fascicles.

竇威，字文蔚，扶風平陸人，太穆皇后從父兄也。父熾，隋太傅。威家世勳貴，諸昆弟並尚武藝，而威耽玩文史，介然自守。諸兄哂之，謂為「書痴」。隋內史令李德林舉秀異，射策甲科，拜秘書郎。秩滿當遷，而固守不調，在秘書十餘歲，其學業益廣。時諸兄並以軍功致仕通顯，交結豪貴，賓客盈門，而威職掌閒散。諸兄更謂威曰：「昔孔子積學成聖，猶狼狽當時，棲遲若此，汝效此道，復欲何求？名位不達，固其宜矣。」威笑而不答。久之，蜀王秀闢為記室，以秀行事多不法，稱疾還田裡。及秀廢黜，府僚多獲罪，唯威以先見保全。大業四年，累遷內史舍人，以數陳得失忤旨，轉考功郎中，後坐事免，歸京師。高祖入關，召補大丞相府司錄參軍。時軍旅草創，五禮曠墜。威既博物，多識舊儀，朝章國典，皆其所定，禪代文翰多參預焉。高祖常謂裴寂曰：「叔孫通不能加也。」武德元年，拜內史令。威奏議雍容，多引古為諭，高祖甚親重之，或引入臥內，常為膝席。又嘗謂曰：「昔周朝有八柱國之貴，吾與公家咸登此職。今我已為天子，公為內史令，本同末異，乃不平矣。」威謝曰：「臣家昔在漢朝，再為外戚，至於後魏，三處外家，陛下隆興，復出皇后。臣又階緣戚裡，位忝鳳池，自惟叨濫，曉夕兢懼。」高祖笑曰：「比見關東人與崔、盧為婚，猶自矜伐，公代為帝戚，不亦貴乎！」及寢疾，高祖自往臨問。尋卒，家無餘財，遺令薄葬。謚曰靖，贈同州刺史，追封延安郡公。葬日，詔太子及百官並出臨送。有文集十捲。

Dou Wei, whose courtesy name was Wenwei, came from Pinglu in Fufeng and was a paternal cousin of Empress Taimu. His father Chi had served the Sui as Grand Tutor. Wei's family had been noble for generations; all his brothers prized martial arts, while Wei immersed himself in letters and history and held himself apart. His elder brothers mocked him and called him a "book fool." Li Delin, Secretariat Director under the Sui, recommended him as outstanding; he took first class in the examination and was appointed Secretary. When his term ended he should have been transferred, but he firmly refused reassignment; he remained in the Secretariat for more than ten years and his learning grew ever broader. At that time all his brothers had risen to prominence through military merit, cultivated ties with the powerful, and filled their gates with guests, while Wei held an idle and obscure post. His brothers again said to Wei, "Confucius became a sage through accumulated learning, yet was still in straits in his own day and delayed like this—if you follow this path, what more do you seek? That fame and office do not reach you is only fitting." Wei smiled and did not reply. After a long interval Prince of Shu Xiu summoned him as recorder; because Xiu's conduct was often unlawful, Wei pleaded illness and returned to his fields. When Xiu was deposed, many of his staff were punished; only Wei, through foresight, was spared. In the fourth year of Daye he rose to Drafting Secretary; because he repeatedly stated what was right and wrong and offended the throne, he was transferred to Director in the Bureau of Evaluations, later dismissed for an offense, and returned to the capital. When Gaozu entered the passes he was summoned to serve as Registrar on the Grand Chancellor's staff. At that time the army was newly formed and the Five Rites lay in ruin. Wei was broadly learned and knew many old protocols; court regulations and state statutes were largely his work, and he took part in many documents of the abdication and succession. Gaozu often told Pei Ji, "Shusun Tong could not surpass him." In the first year of Wude he was appointed Secretariat Director. Wei's memorials were composed and easy; he often cited antiquity as illustration; Gaozu held him in great affection, sometimes brought him into the sleeping quarters, and regularly seated him on the knee-cushion. He also once said to him, "In antiquity the Zhou had the nobility of the Eight Pillar States; your house and mine both attained this rank. Now I am Son of Heaven and you are Secretariat Director—we were alike at the root yet differ at the branch; this is indeed unequal." Wei thanked him, saying, "My house in the Han was twice imperial affines; under the Later Wei it was thrice an affinal house; Your Majesty's glorious rise has again produced an empress. I have again risen through affinal kinship to a post unworthy of the Phoenix Pool; reflecting on my presumption, morning and evening I tremble with fear." Gaozu laughed and said, "I have lately seen men east of the Pass marry with the Cui and Lu clans and still boast of it—are you not nobler, generation after generation an imperial affine?" When he fell ill, Gaozu went in person to inquire after him. Soon afterward he died; his household had no surplus wealth, and his final instructions were for a simple burial. His posthumous title was Tranquil; he was posthumously appointed Prefect of Tongzhou and enfeoffed as Duke of Yan'an. On the day of burial, an edict ordered the crown prince and all officials to attend the send-off. He left collected literary works in ten fascicles.

子惲嗣，官至岐州刺史。威兄子軌，從兄子抗，並知名。

His son Yun succeeded him and rose to the post of Prefect of Qizhou. Wei's nephew Gui and his clansman's son Kang were both well known.

軌，字士則，周雍州牧、酂國公恭之子也。隋大業中，為資陽郡東曹掾，後去官歸於家。義兵起，軌聚眾千餘人，迎謁於長春宮。高祖見之，大悅，降席握手，語及平生，賜良馬十匹，使掠地渭南。軌先下永豐倉，收兵得五千人。從平京城，封贊皇縣公，拜大丞相諮議參軍。時稽胡賊五萬餘人掠宜春，軌討之。行次黃欽山，與賊相遇，賊乘高縱火，王師稍卻。軌斬其部將十四人，拔隊中小帥以代之。軌自率數百騎殿於軍後，令之曰：「聞鼓聲有不進者，自後斬之。」既聞鼓，士卒爭先赴敵，賊射之，不能止，因大破之，斬首千餘級，虜男女二萬口。武德元年，授太子詹事。會赤排羌作亂，與薛舉叛將鐘俱仇同寇漢中。拜軌秦州總管，與賊連戰皆捷，餘黨悉降。進封酂國公。三年，遷益州道行台左僕射，許以便宜從事。屬党項寇松州，詔軌援之，又令扶州刺史蔣善合與軌連勢。時党項引吐谷渾之眾，其鋒甚銳。軌師未至，善合先期至鉗川，遇賊力戰，走之。軌復軍於臨洮，進擊左封，破其部眾。尋令率所部兵從太宗討王世充於洛陽。四年，還益州。時蜀土寇往往聚結，悉討平之。軌每臨戎對寇，或經旬月，身不解甲。其部眾無貴賤少長，不恭命即立斬之。每日吏士多被鞭撻，流血滿庭，見者莫不重足股慄。軌初入蜀，將其甥以為心腹，嘗夜出，呼之不以時至，怒而斬之。每誡家僮不得出外。嘗遣奴就官廚取漿而悔之，謂奴曰：「我誠使汝，要當斬汝頭以明法耳！」遣其部將收奴斬之。其奴稱冤，監刑者猶豫未決，軌怒，俱斬之。行台郎中趙弘安，知名士也，軌動輒榜箠，歲至數百。後徵入朝，賜坐御榻，軌容儀不肅，又坐而對詔，高祖大怒，因謂曰：「公之入蜀，車騎、驃騎從者二十人，為公所斬略盡，我隴種車騎，未足給公。」詔下獄，俄而釋之，還鎮益州。軌與行台尚書韋雲起、郭行方素不協。及隱太子誅，有詔下益州，軌藏諸懷中，雲起問曰：「詔書安在？」軌不之示，但曰：「卿欲反矣！」執而殺之。行方大懼，奔於京師，軌追斬不及。是歲，行台廢，即授益州大都督，加食邑六百戶。貞觀元年，征授右衛大將軍。二年，出為洛州都督。洛陽因隋末喪亂，人多浮偽。軌並遣務農，各令屬縣有游手怠惰者皆按之。由是人吏懾憚，風化整肅。四年，卒官，贈并州都督。

Gui, whose courtesy name was Shize, was the son of Zhou's Regional Governor of Yongzhou and Duke of Zan, Gong. During the Daye reign of the Sui he served as Eastern Bureau Attendant of Ziyang commandery, then left office and returned home. When the uprising began, Gui gathered more than a thousand men and went to pay respects at Everlasting Spring Palace. When Gaozu saw him he was greatly pleased, came down from his seat to clasp his hand, spoke of their whole lives, bestowed ten fine horses, and sent him to seize territory south of the Wei. Gui first took Yongfeng Granary and gathered a force of five thousand men. He took part in the pacification of the capital, was enfeoffed as Duke of Zanhuang county, and appointed Advisory Attendant on the Grand Chancellor's staff. At that time more than fifty thousand Ji Hu bandits raided Yichun; Gui campaigned against them. Marching to Huangqin Mountain he met the bandits; they took the high ground and set fires, and the imperial army fell back somewhat. Gui beheaded fourteen of his subordinate officers and promoted a minor commander in the ranks to replace them. Gui himself led several hundred horsemen in the rear guard and ordered, "Whoever on hearing the drum does not advance will be beheaded from behind." Once the drum sounded, the soldiers vied to rush the enemy; the bandits shot at them but could not stop them; he inflicted a great defeat, beheading more than a thousand, and capturing twenty thousand men and women. In the first year of Wude he was appointed Steward of the Heir Apparent. It happened that the Red-Plank Qiang rebelled, and together with Xue Ju's defector Zhong Juchou they raided Hanzhong. Gui was appointed Regional Commander of Qinzhou; in successive battles with the rebels he was victorious, and the remaining factions all submitted. He was advanced in rank to Duke of Zan. In the third year he was transferred to Left Vice Director of the Yizhou Grand Commission, with permission to act as circumstances required. It happened that the Tangut raided Songzhou; an edict ordered Gui to reinforce it, and also directed Prefect of Fuzhou Jiang Shanhe to join forces with him. At that time the Tangut drew the forces of Tuyuhun; their attack was very fierce. Gui's army had not yet arrived when Shanhe reached Qianchuan ahead of schedule, met the enemy in fierce battle, and drove them off. Gui regrouped his army at Lintao, advanced to attack Zuofeng, and broke their tribal forces. Soon afterward he was ordered to lead his troops in following Taizong to campaign against Wang Shichong at Luoyang. In the fourth year he returned to Yizhou. At that time bandits in Shu often gathered; he campaigned against and pacified them all. Whenever Gui faced the enemy in battle, sometimes for ten days or a month he would not remove his armor. Among his troops, whether noble or base, young or old, whoever did not obey his orders was immediately beheaded. Every day many clerks and soldiers were flogged until blood filled the courtyard; those who saw it walked in fear with trembling legs. When Gui first entered Shu he took his nephew as a trusted confidant; once at night he went out and called him, but because he did not arrive in time, Gui in anger beheaded him. He constantly warned his household servants not to go outside. Once he sent a slave to the official kitchen to fetch broth and then regretted it, saying to the slave, "I truly sent you, but I must behead you to make the law clear!" He sent his subordinate officer to seize the slave and behead him. The slave cried that he was wronged; the officer overseeing the execution hesitated; Gui in anger beheaded them both. The Grand Commission Director Zhao Hong'an was a well-known scholar; Gui had him beaten with the cudgel whenever he moved, reaching several hundred times a year. Later he was summoned to court and granted a seat on the imperial couch; Gui's bearing was not reverent, and he also sat while responding to the edict; Gaozu was greatly angered and said, "When you entered Shu, twenty attendants of chariot and cavalry followed you, and you have nearly beheaded them all; my Longzhong chariot and cavalry are not enough to supply you." An edict sent him to prison; soon afterward he was released and returned to garrison Yizhou. Gui and the Grand Commission Directors Wei Yunqi and Guo Xingfang had long been at odds. When the Hidden Crown Prince was executed, an edict was sent down to Yizhou; Gui hid it in his bosom; Yunqi asked, "Where is the edict?" Gui did not show it but only said, "You wish to rebel!" He seized and killed him. Xingfang was greatly afraid and fled to the capital; Gui pursued but could not catch and kill him. That year the Grand Commission was abolished; he was at once appointed Grand Governor of Yizhou and given an additional fief of six hundred households. In the first year of Zhenguan he was summoned and appointed Grand General of the Right Guards. In the second year he was sent out as Regional Commander of Luozhou. Because of the disorders at the end of the Sui, the people of Luoyang were largely shiftless and deceitful. Gui dispatched agricultural commissioners and ordered each subordinate county to investigate all idlers and the lazy. Thereby officials and clerks were awed into obedience, and local customs were brought into strict order. In the fourth year he died in office and was posthumously appointed Regional Commander of Bingzhou.

子奉節嗣，尚高祖永嘉公主，歷左衛將軍、秦州都督。

His son Fengjie succeeded him, married Gaozu's daughter Princess Yongjia, and rose through the posts of General of the Left Guards and Regional Commander of Qinzhou.

軌弟琮，亦有武干，隋左親衛。大業末，犯法，亡命奔太原，依於高祖。琮與太宗有宿憾，每自疑。太宗方蒐羅英傑，降禮納之，出入臥內，其意乃解。及將義舉，琮協贊大謀。大將軍府建，為統軍。從平西河，破霍邑，拜金紫光祿大夫、扶風郡公。尋從劉文靜擊屈突通於潼關，通遣裨將桑顯和來逼文靜，義軍不利。琮與段志玄等力戰久之，隋軍大潰，通遁走。琮率輕騎追至稠桑，獲通而返。進兵東略，下陝縣，拔太原倉。拜右領軍大將軍，賜物五百段。時隋河陽都尉獨孤武潛謀歸國，乃令琮以步騎一萬自柏崖道應接之。遲留不進，武見殺，坐是除名。武德初，以元謀勳特恕一死，拜右屯衛大將軍，復轉右領軍大將軍。時將圖洛陽，遣琮留守陝城，以督糧運。王世充遣其驍將羅士信來斷糧道，琮潛使人說以利害，士信遂帥眾降。及從平東都，賞物一千四百段。後以本官檢校晉州總管。尋從隱太子討平劉黑闥，以功封譙國公，賞黃金五十斤。未幾而卒。高祖以佐命之舊，甚悼之，贈左衛大將軍，謚曰敬。永徽五年，重贈特進。

Gui's younger brother Cong also had martial talent and served the Sui as Left Palace Guard. Near the end of Daye he broke the law, fled for his life to Taiyuan, and attached himself to Gaozu. Cong and Taizong had an old grievance, and he constantly suspected himself. Taizong was then gathering outstanding men, received him with lowered ceremony, and had him enter and leave the sleeping quarters; only then did his mind ease. When the uprising was about to be raised, Cong assisted and supported the great plan. When the Grand General's headquarters was established, he was made Commander-in-Chief. He took part in the pacification of Xihe and the victory at Huoyi, and was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon and Duke of Fufeng. Soon afterward he followed Liu Wenjing in attacking Qu Tutong at Tong Pass; Tutong sent his deputy general Sang Xianhe to press Wenjing, and the rebel army fared ill. Cong together with Duan Zhixuan and others fought fiercely for a long time; the Sui army was routed and Tutong fled. Cong led light cavalry in pursuit to Chousang, captured Tutong, and returned. He advanced eastward in campaign, took Shaan county, and seized Taiyuan Granary. He was appointed Grand General of the Right Guards and bestowed five hundred bolts of goods. At that time the Sui Commandant of Heyang, Dugu Wu, secretly plotted to submit to the Tang cause; Cong was ordered to take ten thousand foot and horse by the Baiya route to meet and support him. He delayed and did not advance; Wu was killed, and for this Cong was struck from the rolls. At the beginning of Wude, because of his merit in the founding plot he was specially pardoned from death, appointed Grand General of the Right Garrison Guards, and again transferred to Grand General of the Right Guards. At that time they were planning the campaign for Luoyang; Cong was sent to garrison Shaan city and supervise grain transport. Wang Shichong sent his fierce general Luo Shixin to cut the grain route; Cong secretly sent men to persuade him of gain and loss, and Shixin thereupon led his followers in submission. When he took part in the pacification of the Eastern Capital, he was rewarded with fourteen hundred bolts of goods. Later he was made acting Regional Commander of Jinzhou in his former rank. Soon afterward he followed the Hidden Crown Prince in pacifying Liu Heita; for his merit he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qiao and rewarded with fifty jin of gold. Before long he died. Gaozu, because of his old merit in assisting the mandate, grieved deeply for him, posthumously appointed him Grand General of the Left Guards, and gave the posthumous title Respectful. In the fifth year of Yonghui he was again posthumously appointed Special Advancement.

抗，字道生，太穆皇后之從兄也，隋洛州總管、陳國公榮之子也。母，隋文帝萬安公主。抗在隋以帝甥甚見崇寵。少入太學，略涉書史，釋褐千牛備身、儀同三司。屬其父寢疾，抗躬親扶侍，衣不解帶者五十餘日。及居喪，哀毀過禮。後襲爵陳國公，累轉梁州刺史。將之官，隋文帝幸其第，命抗及公主酣宴，如家人之禮，賞賜極厚。母卒，號慟絕而復甦者數焉，文帝令宮人至第，節其哭泣。歲餘，起為岐州刺史，轉幽州總管，政並以寬惠聞。及漢王諒作亂，煬帝恐其為變，遣李子雄馳往代之。子雄因言抗得諒書而不奏，按之無驗，以疑貳除名。抗與高祖少相親狎，及楊玄感作亂，高祖統兵隴右，抗言於高祖曰：「玄感抑為發蹤耳！李氏有名圖籙，可乘其便，天之所啟也。」高祖曰：「無為禍始，何言之妄也！」大業末，抗於靈武巡長城以伺盜賊，及聞高祖定京城，抗對眾而忭曰：「此吾家妹婿也，豁達有大度，真撥亂之主矣！」因歸長安。高祖見之大悅，握手引坐曰：「李氏竟能成事，何如？」因縱酒為樂。尋拜將作大匠。武德元年，以本官兼納言。高祖聽朝，或升御坐，退朝之後，延入臥內，命之舍敬，縱酒談謔，敦平生之款。常侍宴移時，或留宿禁內。高祖每呼為兄而不名也，宮內咸稱為舅。常陪侍游宴，不知朝務。轉左武候大將軍，領左右千牛備身大將軍。尋從太宗平薛舉，勳居第一。四年，又從征王世充。及東都平，冊勳太廟者九人，抗與從弟軌俱預焉。朝廷榮之，賜女樂一部、金寶萬計。武德四年，因侍宴暴卒，贈司空，謚曰密。

Kang, whose courtesy name was Daosheng, was a paternal cousin of Empress Taimu and the son of the Sui Regional Commander of Luozhou and Duke of Chen, Rong. His mother was Emperor Wen of the Sui's Princess Wan'an. Under the Sui, as the emperor's nephew-by-marriage, Kang was greatly honored and favored. In youth he entered the Imperial Academy, read briefly in books and histories, and on entering service was made Palace Guard Attendant and Companion of the Third Rank. When his father fell ill, Kang personally attended him and did not remove his belt for more than fifty days. In mourning his grief exceeded the rites. Later he inherited the title Duke of Chen and rose through successive posts to Prefect of Liangzhou. When he was about to take up his post, Emperor Wen visited his residence, ordered Kang and the princess to feast deeply, treated them with family ritual, and bestowed extremely rich rewards. When his mother died he wailed until he fainted and revived several times; Emperor Wen sent palace women to his residence to moderate his weeping. After more than a year he was recalled to serve as Prefect of Qizhou, then transferred to Regional Commander of Youzhou; his government in both posts was known for leniency and kindness. When Prince of Han Liang rebelled, Emperor Yang feared Kang might change sides and sent Li Zixiong posthaste to replace him. Zixiong reported that Kang had received Liang's letter but did not memorialize it; investigation found no proof, but on suspicion of divided loyalty he was struck from the rolls. Kang and Gaozu had been close in youth; when Yang Xuangan rebelled and Gaozu commanded troops in Longyou, Kang said to Gaozu, "Xuangan is only the one who sets the hounds running! The Li house has a famous chart and register—one may seize this opportunity; it is what Heaven has opened." Gaozu said, "Do not be the beginning of disaster—how wild your words!" Near the end of Daye, Kang at Lingwu patrolled the Long Wall to watch for bandits; when he heard Gaozu had secured the capital, Kang said to the assembled men in delight, "This is my family's son-in-law—open and magnanimous, truly a lord who can put chaos in order!" Thereupon he returned to Chang'an. When Gaozu saw him he was greatly pleased, clasped his hand and drew him to sit, saying, "The Li house has actually accomplished the enterprise—what do you think?" Thereupon they drank freely for pleasure. Soon afterward he was appointed Master of Works. In the first year of Wude he was made concurrent Remonstrator in his former office. When Gaozu held court, Kang sometimes ascended the imperial seat; after court was dismissed he was invited into the sleeping quarters, told to set aside ceremony, and they drank freely, jested, and renewed their lifelong friendship. He constantly attended feasts for long stretches, or stayed overnight within the forbidden precincts. Gaozu always called him elder brother without using his name; within the palace all called him maternal uncle. He constantly accompanied him in excursions and feasts and knew nothing of court affairs. He was transferred to Grand General of the Left Martial Guards and concurrently Grand General of the Left and Right Palace Guard Attendants. Soon afterward he followed Taizong in pacifying Xue Ju; his merit ranked first. In the fourth year he again followed in the campaign against Wang Shichong. When the Eastern Capital was pacified, nine men had their merit recorded in the Imperial Ancestral Temple; Kang and his clansman Gui were both among them. The court honored them and bestowed a set of female musicians and treasures numbering in the tens of thousands. In the fourth year of Wude he suddenly died while attending a feast; he was posthumously appointed Minister of Works and given the posthumous title Secret.

子衍。衍嗣，官至左武衛將軍。時抗群從內三品七人，四品、五品十餘人，尚主三人，妃數人，冠冕之盛，當朝無比。

His son was Yan. Yan succeeded him and rose to the post of General of the Left Martial Guards. At that time among Kang's clansmen there were seven of the third rank within the palace, more than ten of the fourth and fifth ranks, three who married princesses, and several who became imperial consorts; the splendor of their ranks was unmatched at court.

靜，字元休，抗第二子也。武德初，累轉并州大總管府長史。時突厥數為邊患，師旅歲興，軍糧不屬，靜表請太原置屯田以省饋運。時議者以民物凋零，不宜動眾，書奏不省。靜頻上書，辭甚切至。於是征靜入朝，與裴寂、蕭瑀、封德彝等爭論於殿庭，寂等不能屈，竟從靜議。歲收數千斛，高祖善之，令檢校并州大總管。靜又以突厥頻來入寇，請斷石嶺以為障塞，復從之。太宗即位，征拜司農卿，封信都男，尋轉夏州都督。值突厥攜貳，諸將出征，多詣其所。靜知虜中虛實，潛令人間其部落，郁射設所部郁孤尼等九俟斤並率眾歸款，太宗稱善，賜馬百匹、羊千口。及擒頡利，處其部眾於河南，以為不便，上封曰：「臣聞夷狄者，同夫禽獸，窮則搏噬，群則聚塵。不可以刑法威，不可以仁義教。衣食仰給，不務耕桑，徒損有為之民，以資無知之虜，得之則無益於治，失之則無損於化。然彼首丘之情，未易忘也，誠恐一旦變生，犯我王略，愚臣之所深慮。如臣計者，莫如因其破亡之後，加其無妄之福，假以賢王之號，妻以宗室之女，分其土地，析其部落，使其權弱勢分，易為羈制。自可永保邊塞，俾為籓臣，此實長轡遠馭之道。」於時務在懷輯，雖未從之，太宗深嘉其志。制曰：「北方之務，悉以相委，以卿為寧朔大使，撫鎮華戎，朕無北顧之憂矣。」再遷民部尚書。貞觀九年卒，謚曰肅。子逵。

Jing, whose courtesy name was Yuanxiu, was Kang's second son. At the beginning of Wude he rose through successive posts to Chief Clerk of the Bingzhou Grand Governor's headquarters. At that time the Turks repeatedly raided the frontier; armies were raised year after year and military grain ran short; Jing memorialized requesting garrison fields at Taiyuan to economize on transport of provisions. At that time debaters held that the people and goods were depleted and it was not fitting to mobilize the masses; the memorial went unanswered. Jing repeatedly submitted memorials, his words very urgent and direct. Thereupon Jing was summoned to court and debated in the hall with Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, Feng Deyi, and others; Ji and the rest could not overcome him, and in the end his proposal was followed. Each year several thousand hu were harvested; Gaozu approved this and ordered him to act as inspector of the Bingzhou Grand Governor. Jing also, because the Turks repeatedly raided the borders, requested that Shiling Pass be cut off to serve as a barrier; this too was followed. When Taizong took the throne, Jing was summoned and appointed Director of the Directorate of Agriculture, enfeoffed as Baron of Xindu, and soon transferred to Regional Commander of Xiazhou. It happened that the Turks were divided in loyalty; when the generals went out on campaign, many came to his headquarters. Jing knew the real strength and weakness among the barbarians and secretly sent men to sow division among their tribes; the nine irkin including Yuguni under Yushe's command all led their followers in submission; Taizong praised this and bestowed a hundred horses and a thousand sheep. When Jiali was captured and his tribal followers were settled south of the Yellow River, Jing held this inconvenient and submitted a sealed memorial, saying, "Your servant has heard that the barbarians are like birds and beasts: when cornered they strike and devour, when gathered they raise dust. They cannot be awed by penal law, nor instructed by benevolence and righteousness. Their food and clothing depend on others' supply; they do not farm or raise silkworms; they only harm productive people to support ignorant barbarians—gaining them brings no benefit to government, losing them brings no harm to order. Yet their longing for home is not easily forgotten; I truly fear that if change arises in a single day they will violate our royal domain—this is what your foolish servant deeply fears. As your servant calculates, nothing is better than after their defeat and ruin to add undeserved blessings, lend them the title of worthy king, marry them to daughters of the imperial clan, divide their lands, and split their tribes so that their power is weak and their force divided and easy to restrain. Thereby the frontier may be forever secured and they made vassal ministers—this is truly the way of governing from afar with loose reins." At that time the task lay in cherishing and gathering them in; though his plan was not followed, Taizong deeply praised his intent. An edict said, "Northern affairs are all entrusted to you; with you as Pacifier of the North Ambassador, comforting and garrisoning Chinese and barbarians, I have no worry of looking north." He was again transferred to Minister of the Household. In the ninth year of Zhenguan he died; his posthumous title was Solemn. His son was Kui.

逵尚太宗女遂安公主，襲爵信都男。

Kui married Taizong's daughter Princess Suian and inherited the barony of Xindu.

誕，抗第三子也。隋仁壽中，起家為朝請郎。義寧初，辟丞相府祭酒，轉殿中監，封安豐郡公，尚高祖女襄陽公主。從太宗征薛舉，為元帥府司馬。遷刑部尚書，轉太常卿。高祖諸少子荊王元景等未出宮者十餘王，所有國司家產之事，皆令誕主之。出為梁州都督。貞觀初，召拜右領軍大將軍，轉大理卿、莘國公。修營太廟，賜物五百段。復為殿中監，以疾解官，復拜宗正卿。太宗常與之言，昏忘不能對，乃手詔曰：「朕聞為官擇人者治，為人擇官者亂。竇誕比來精神衰耗，殊異常時。知不肖而任之，睹尸祿而不退，非唯傷風亂政，亦恐為君不明。考績黜陟，古今常典，誕可光祿大夫還第。」尋卒，贈工部尚書、荊州刺史，謚曰安。

Dan was Kang's third son. During the Renshou era of the Sui he first entered service as Court Requester. At the beginning of Yining he was summoned as Libationer on the Chancellor's staff, transferred to Director of the Palace Directorate, enfeoffed as Duke of Anfeng, and married Gaozu's daughter Princess Xiangyang. He followed Taizong in campaigning against Xue Ju and served as marshal on the commander's staff. He was transferred to Minister of Justice, then to Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. More than ten of Gaozu's younger sons, such as Prince of Jing Yuanjing, who had not yet left the palace—all matters of state offices and household property were put under Dan's charge. He was sent out as Regional Commander of Liangzhou. At the beginning of Zhenguan he was summoned and appointed Grand General of the Right Guards, then transferred to Director of the Court of Judicial Review and Duke of Shen. He oversaw the repair and construction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and was bestowed five hundred bolts of goods. He again served as Director of the Palace Directorate, then left office because of illness, and was again appointed Director of the Imperial Clan. Taizong often spoke with him, but he was muddled and forgetful and could not respond; Taizong therefore wrote a personal edict, saying, "I have heard that he who chooses men for offices governs well, and he who chooses offices for men brings disorder. Dou Dan of late has had his spirit decay and waste, greatly unlike ordinary times. Knowing him unworthy yet appointing him, seeing him hold salary without work yet not withdrawing—this not only harms custom and disorders government, but also suggests the ruler is not clear-sighted. Examining merit for demotion and promotion is the constant canon of antiquity and today; Dan may return home as Grand Master for Splendid Happiness." Soon afterward he died; he was posthumously appointed Minister of Works and Prefect of Jingzhou, with the posthumous title Tranquil.

子孝慈。孝慈嗣，官至左衛將軍。孝慈子希玠。希玠少襲爵，中宗時為禮部尚書，以恩澤賜實封二百五十戶。開元初為太子少傅、開府儀同三司。誕少子孝諶，在《外戚傳》。竇氏自武德至今，再為外戚，一品三人，三品已上三十餘人，尚主者八人，女為王妃六人，唐世貴盛，莫與為比。

His son was Xiaoci. Xiaoci succeeded him and rose to the post of General of the Left Guards. Xiaoci's son was Xijue. Xijue inherited the title in youth; under Emperor Zhongzong he served as Minister of Rites and by imperial grace received a substantive fief of two hundred fifty households. At the beginning of Kaiyuan he was made Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent and Palace Attendant with Honored Title equal to Companions of the Third Rank. Dan's younger son Xiaochen is treated in the 《Biography of Imperial Affines》. From Wude to the present the Dou clan had twice been imperial affines: three men of the first rank, more than thirty of the third rank and above, eight who married princesses, and six daughters who became imperial princesses-by-marriage. In the Tang age their nobility and splendor had no equal.

璡，字之推，抗季弟也。大業末，為扶風太守。高祖定京師，以郡歸國，歷禮部、民部二尚書。從太宗平薛仁杲。尋鎮益州，時蜀中尚多寇賊，璡屢討平之。時皇甫無逸在蜀，與之不協，璡屢請入朝。高祖征之，中路詔令還鎮。璡不得志，遂於路左題山，以申鬱積。有使者至其所，璡宴之臥內，遺以綾綺。無逸奏其事，坐免官。未幾，拜秘書監，封鄧國公。貞觀初，授太子詹事。後為將作大匠，修葺洛陽宮。璡於宮中鑿池起山，崇飾雕麗，虛費功力，太宗怒，遽令毀之。坐事免。會納其女為酆王妃，俄而復位，加右光祿大夫。七年卒，贈禮部尚書，謚曰安。璡頗曉音律，武德中，與太常少卿祖孝孫受詔定正聲雅樂，璡討論故實，撰《正聲調》一卷，行於代。

Jin, whose courtesy name was Zhitui, was Kang's youngest younger brother. Near the end of Daye he served as Governor of Fufeng. When Gaozu secured the capital, Jin surrendered the commandery and rose through the posts of Minister of Rites and Minister of the Household. He followed Taizong in pacifying Xue Rengao. Soon afterward he was posted to Yizhou; bandits still plagued Shu, and Jin repeatedly campaigned and pacified them. At that time Huangfu Wuyi was in Shu and clashed with him; Jin repeatedly asked to return to court. Gaozu summoned him, but midway an edict ordered him back to his post. Frustrated in his ambitions, Jin inscribed a mountain by the roadside to vent his pent-up feelings. When an envoy came to his headquarters, Jin feasted him in his private quarters and gave him silks and brocades. Wuyi memorialized the matter, and Jin was dismissed from office. Before long he was appointed Director of the Secretariat and enfeoffed as Duke of Deng. At the beginning of Zhenguan he was made Steward of the Heir Apparent. Later he was made Master of Works and oversaw repairs to Luoyang Palace. Within the palace Jin dug pools and raised artificial mountains, adorned them with lavish carved ornament, and wasted labor in vain; Taizong was furious and immediately ordered them torn down. He was dismissed for the offense. When his daughter was taken in marriage as Princess of Feng, he was soon restored to office and made Right Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. In the seventh year he died; he was posthumously appointed Minister of Rites and given the posthumous title Tranquil. Jin was well versed in pitch and regulation; during Wude, together with Vice Director of the Court for Imperial Sacrifices Zu Xiaosun he received an edict to fix the orthodox sounds of court music; Jin investigated ancient precedents and compiled one fascicle of 《Orthodox Pitch Modes》, which circulated in his day.

史臣曰：得人者昌，如諸溫儒雅清顯，為一時之稱；叔達才學明辯，中二國之選。皆抱廊廟之器，俱為社稷之臣。威守道，軌臨戎，抗居喪，靜經略，璡音律，仍以懿親，俱至顯位；才能門第，輝映數朝，豈非得人歟？唐之昌也，不亦宜乎！然彥博之褊，竇軌之酷，亦非全器焉。

The historiographer says: A ruler who gains good men flourishes—as with the Wen clan, refined and eminent, acclaimed in their age; Shuda was gifted in talent and learning and clear in debate, chosen among the best of Chen and Tang. All bore the capacity for high office, and all served as pillars of the state. Wei kept to the Way, Gui faced battle, Kang excelled in mourning rites, Jing in frontier strategy, Jin in music—and as honored kin all reached eminent posts; their talent and lineage shining across several reigns—was this not a matter of gaining the right men? That Tang flourished—was it not only fitting! Yet Yanbo's narrowness and Dou Gui's cruelty show they were not men of complete character.

贊曰：溫、陳才位，文蔚典禮。諸竇戚裡，榮盛無比。

The encomium says: The Wen and Chen in talent and rank, Wenwei in canon and ritual. The Dou as imperial affines—glory and splendor without compare.

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