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侯君集張亮薛萬徹兄萬均盛彥師盧祖尚劉世讓劉蘭李君羨等附
Biographies of Hou Junji, Zhang Liang, Xue Wanche, Xue Wanche's elder brother Wan Jun, Sheng Yanshi, Lu Zushang, Liu Shirang, Liu Lan, Li Junxian, and others.
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侯君集,豳州三水人也。 性矯飾,好矜誇,玩弓矢而不能成其藝,乃以武勇自稱。 太宗在籓,引入幕府,數從征伐,累除左虞侯、車騎將軍,封全椒縣子。 漸蒙恩遇,參預謀議。 建成、元吉之誅也,君集之策居多。 太宗即位,遷左衛將軍,以功進封潞國公,賜邑千戶,尋拜右衛大將軍。 貞觀四年,遷兵部尚書,參議朝政。 時將討吐谷渾伏允,命李靖為西海道行軍大總管,以君集及任城王道宗並為之副。 九年三月,師次鄯州,君集言於靖曰:「大軍已至,賊虜尚未走險,宜簡精銳,長驅疾進,彼不我虞,必有大利。 若此策不行,潛遁必遠,山障為阻,討之實難。」 靖然其計,乃簡精銳,輕齎深入。 道宗追及伏允之眾於庫山,破之。 伏允輕兵入磧,以避官軍。 靖乃中分士馬為兩道併入,靖與薛萬均、李大亮趣北路,使侯君集、道宗趣南路。 歷破邏真谷,逾漢哭山,經途二千餘里,行空虛之地。 盛夏降霜,山多積雪,轉戰過星宿川,至於柏海,頻與虜遇,皆大克獲。 北望積玉山,觀河源之所出焉。 乃旋師,與李靖會於大非川,平吐谷渾而還。 十一年,與長孫無忌等俱受世封,授君集陳州刺史,改封陳國公。 明年,拜吏部尚書,進位光祿大夫。 君集出自行伍,素無學術,及被任遇,方始讀書。 典選舉,定考課,出為將領,入參朝政,並有時譽。
Hou Junji was a native of Sanshui in Bin Prefecture. He was by nature affected and boastful, fond of showing off. He dabbled in archery without mastering it, and made his name instead on raw martial daring. While the future Emperor Taizong was still Prince of Qin, he brought Hou Junji into his staff. Junji campaigned with him repeatedly and rose through the ranks to Left Cavalry Guard and Chariot-and-Cavalry General, receiving the title Baron of Quanjiao. He gradually won the prince's trust and was drawn into counsel on major decisions. When Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were killed, Hou Junji's plans had contributed more than anyone else's. After Taizong ascended the throne, Junji was appointed Left Guard General. For his service he was promoted to Duke of Lu with a fief of a thousand households, and soon afterward named Right Guard Grand General. In 630 he was made Minister of War and joined the deliberations of state. When the court prepared to campaign against Fuyun of the Tuyuhun, Li Jing was named Grand Commander of the Western Sea Route Army, with Hou Junji and Prince Daozong of Rencheng as his deputies. In the third month of 635 the army reached Shan Prefecture. Junji told Li Jing, "Our main force is here, but the enemy has not yet retreated into the mountains. We should pick our best troops and strike at speed—they will not be on guard, and the advantage will be ours. If we do not act on this plan, they will slip away deep into the wilds. The mountains will bar our path, and finishing them off will be far harder. Li Jing agreed. He picked elite troops, traveled light, and drove deep into enemy country. Prince Daozong caught Fuyun's army at Mount Ku and routed it. Fuyun withdrew with a light force into the desert to evade the Tang army. Li Jing then split his force in two. He took the northern route with Xue Wan Jun and Li Daliang, while Hou Junji and Prince Daozong marched south. They fought through Luozhen Valley, crossed Mount Han Ku, and marched more than two thousand li across barren country. Frost fell in the height of summer; snow lay thick on the peaks. Fighting all the way past the Star River to Cypress Sea, they met the enemy again and again and each time carried off a great victory. They looked north toward Mount Jade Heap and saw where the Yellow River rises. They then withdrew, joined Li Jing on the Great Fei River, pacified the Tuyuhun, and marched home. In 637 he and Zhangsun Wuji and others received hereditary titles. Junji was appointed Prefect of Chen and raised to Duke of Chen. The following year he was made Minister of Personnel and promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Junji had come up through the army and had no schooling. Only after he rose to high office did he take up reading. Whether he ran civil-service selections, set performance reviews, led troops in the field, or sat in on court policy, he earned a solid reputation at the time.
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高昌王麹文泰時遏絕西域商賈,太宗徵文泰入朝,而稱疾不至,詔以君集為交河道行軍大總管討之。 文泰聞王師將起,謂其國人曰:「唐國去此七千里,涉磧闊二千里,地無水草,冬風凍寒,夏風如焚。 風之所吹,行人多死,當行百人不能得至,安能致大軍乎? 若頓兵於吾城下,二十日食必盡,自然魚潰,乃接而虜之,何足憂也!」 及軍至磧口,而文泰卒,其子智盛襲位。 君集率兵至柳谷,候騎言文泰剋日將葬,國人咸集。 諸將請襲之,君集曰:「不可,天子以高昌驕慢無禮,使吾恭行天罰,今襲人於墟墓之間,非問罪之師也。」 於是鼓行而前,攻其田地。 賊嬰城自守,君集諭之,不行。 先是,大軍之發也,上召山東善為攻城器械者,悉遣從軍。 君集遂刊木填隍,推撞車撞其睥睨,數丈頹穴,拋車石擊其城中,其所當者無不糜碎,或張氈被,用障拋石,城上守陴者不復得立。 遂拔之,虜其男女七千餘口,仍進兵圍其都城。 智盛窮蹙,致書於君集曰:「有罪於天子者,先王也。 天罰所加,身已喪背。 智盛襲位未幾,不知所以愆闕,冀尚書哀憐。」 君集報曰:「若能悔禍,宜束手軍門。」 智盛猶不出,因命士卒填其隍塹,發拋車以攻之。 又為十丈高樓,俯視城內,有行人及飛石所中處,皆唱言之,人多入室避石。 初,文泰與西突厥欲谷設約,有兵至,共為表裡。 及聞君集至,欲谷設懼而西走千餘里,智盛失援,計無所出,遂開門出降。 君集分兵略地,遂平其國,俘智盛及其將吏,刻石紀功而還。 君集初破高昌,曾未奏請,輒配沒無罪人,又私取寶物。 將士知之,亦競來盜竊,君集恐發其事,不敢制。 及京師,有司請推其罪,詔下獄。 中書侍郎岑文本以為,功臣大將不可輕加屈辱,上疏曰:
King Qu Wentai of Gaochang had been cutting off trade from the Western Regions. Taizong summoned him to court, but Wentai pleaded illness and stayed away. The emperor ordered Hou Junji to lead the Jiaohe Route Army against him. When Wentai heard that a Tang army was coming, he told his people, "Tang is seven thousand li away. The desert crossing alone is two thousand li across—no grass, no water. Winter winds freeze you to the bone; summer winds scorch like flame. Where those winds blow, travelers die in droves. Of every hundred who set out, scarcely one arrives. How could they march a great army here? If they camp under our walls, their provisions will be gone in twenty days. They will break apart on their own, and we can take them prisoner. What is there to fear! By the time the army reached the desert frontier, Wentai was dead and his son Zhicheng had taken the throne. Junji marched to Willow Valley. Scouts reported that Wentai's funeral was set for a fixed day and the whole kingdom would be gathered there. The generals urged a surprise attack. Junji refused. "The Son of Heaven sent us because Gaochang was arrogant and insolent—to carry out Heaven's punishment with proper dignity. To strike them at a funeral among the tombs is not how a punitive army behaves. He advanced with drums beating and attacked their farmland instead. The enemy shut themselves in the city. Junji called on them to surrender, but they refused. Before the army marched, the emperor had summoned from east of the mountains every man skilled in siege engines and sent them with the expedition. Junji felled trees to fill the moat and drove battering rams against the parapets until whole sections of wall—several yards high—crumbled away. Catapults hurled stones into the city; nothing they hit was left whole. Some defenders spread felt blankets to block the stones, but men on the battlements could no longer hold their posts. They took the city, captured more than seven thousand men and women, and marched on to besiege the capital. Zhicheng, cornered, wrote to Junji: "The one who offended the Son of Heaven was my late father. Heaven's punishment has already struck him down—he is dead and gone. I have only just succeeded him and do not know what fault you find in me. I beg your Excellency's mercy. Junji answered, "If you wish to repent, come to the camp gate with bound hands." Zhicheng still would not surrender. Junji ordered his men to fill the moat and opened the catapults on the city. He built a tower ten zhang high to overlook the city. Spotters called out wherever anyone walked or wherever a stone would land, and most people fled indoors to escape the barrage. Wentai had earlier made a pact with Yugu She of the Western Turks: if an army came, they would strike from without while Gaochang struck from within. When Yugu She heard that Junji had arrived, he fled west in fear for more than a thousand li. Zhicheng lost his ally, saw no way out, and opened the gates to surrender. Junji sent detachments to overrun the country, pacified the kingdom, took Zhicheng and his officers prisoner, carved a stone monument to record the victory, and marched home. Right after taking Gaochang, Junji had not even reported to court yet when he began assigning innocent people to penal servitude and helping himself to valuables. Officers and men, seeing what he did, joined in the looting. Junji feared exposure and did not dare stop them. Back in the capital, the responsible offices moved to prosecute him, and an edict sent him to prison. Vice Director of the Secretariat Cen Wenben argued that a meritorious commander must not be lightly humiliated, and submitted a memorial that read:
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君集等或位居輔佐,或職惟爪牙,並蒙拔擢,受將帥之任,不能正身奉法,以報陛下之恩。 舉措肆情,罪負盈積,實宜繩之刑典,以肅朝倫。 但高昌昏迷,人神共棄,在朝議者,以其地在遐荒,咸欲置之度外。 唯陛下運獨見之明,授決勝之略,君集等奉行聖算,遂得指期平殄。 若論事實,並是陛下之功,君集等有道路之勞,未足稱其勳力。 而陛下天德弗宰,乃推功於將帥。 露布初至,便降大恩,從征之人,皆沾滌蕩。 及其凱旋,特蒙曲宴,又對萬國,加之重賞。 內外文武,咸欣陛下賞不逾時。 而不經旬日,並付大理,雖乃君集等自掛網羅,而在朝之人未知所犯,恐海內又疑陛下唯錄其過,似遺其功。 臣以下才,謬參近職,既有所見,不敢默然。 臣聞古之人君,出師命將,克敵則獲重賞,不克則受嚴刑。 是以賞其有功也,雖貪殘淫縱,必蒙青紫之寵; 當其有罪也,雖勤躬潔己,不免鈇鉞之誅。 故《周書》曰:「記人之功,忘人之過,宜為君者也。」 昔漢貳師將軍李廣利損五萬之師,糜億萬之費,經四年之勞,唯獲駿馬三十匹。 雖斬宛王之首,而貪不愛卒,罪惡甚多。 武帝為萬里征伐,不錄其過,遂封廣利海西侯,食邑八千戶。 又校尉陳湯矯詔興師,雖斬郅支單于,而湯素貪盜,所收康居財物,事多不法,為司隸所繫。 湯乃上疏曰:「與吏士共誅郅支,幸得擒滅。 今司隸乃收系案驗,是為郅支報仇也。」 元帝赦其罪,封湯關內侯,賜黃金百斤。 又晉龍驤將軍王浚有平吳之功,而王渾等論浚違詔,不受節度,軍人得孫皓寶物,並燒皓宮及船。 浚上表曰:「今年平吳,誠為大慶,於臣之身,更為咎累。」 武帝赦而不推,拜輔國大將軍,封襄陽侯,賜絹萬匹。 近隋新義郡公韓擒虎平陳之日,縱士卒暴亂叔寶宮內,文帝亦不問罪,雖不進爵,拜擒虎上柱國,賜物八千段。 由斯觀之,將帥之臣,廉慎者寡,貪求者眾,是以黃石公《軍勢》曰:「使智,使勇,使貪,使愚。 故智者樂立其功,勇者好行其志,貪者邀趨其利,愚者不計其死。」 是知前聖莫不收人之長,棄人之短,良為此也。 臣又聞,夫天地之道,以覆載為先; 帝王之德,以含弘為美。 夫以區區漢武及歷代諸帝,猶能宥廣利等,況陛下天縱神武,振宏圖以定六合,豈獨正茲刑網,不行古人之事哉! 伏惟聖懷,當自已有斟酌。 臣今所以陳聞,非敢私君集等,庶以螢爝末光,增暉日月。 倘陛下降雨露之澤,收雷電之威,錄其微勞,忘其大過,使君集重升朝列,復預驅馳,雖非清貞之臣,猶是貪愚之將。 斯則陛下聖德,雖屈法而德彌顯; 君集等愆過,雖蒙宥而過更彰。 足使立功之士,因茲而皆勸; 負罪之將,由斯而改節矣。
Junji and his fellows—some in high counsel, some your claws and fangs—were all raised up by Your Majesty and given command. They failed to conduct themselves lawfully and repay your grace. Their conduct was reckless and their offenses numerous. By rights they should be bound to the penal code to restore discipline at court. Yet Gaochang was benighted—abandoned by men and spirits alike. At court many argued that because it lay in the far wilderness, the matter could be left alone. Only Your Majesty, with singular foresight, entrusted the strategy for victory. Junji and the others carried out your plan and destroyed the enemy within the appointed time. In truth the achievement was yours alone. Junji and the others had only the hardship of the march—hardly merit enough to boast of. Yet Your Majesty, in heaven's own magnanimity, credited the commanders instead. The moment the victory bulletin arrived, you showered them with grace. Every man who had marched was washed clean of fault. On their triumphant return you gave them a special banquet and, before all the realms, heaped on further rewards. Civil and military officials alike rejoiced that your rewards never came late. Yet within ten days they were all handed to the Court of Review. Though Junji and the others had brought this on themselves, the court did not know their crimes. I fear the realm will suspect that you record only their faults and forget their service. I am a man of little talent who has been wrongly placed near your person. Having seen this, I dare not keep silent. I have heard that ancient rulers, when they sent armies abroad, rewarded commanders richly if they won and punished them harshly if they failed. When they rewarded merit, even the greedy, cruel, and dissolute still won the purple and blue of high office; when they were guilty, even the diligent and self-restrained did not escape the axe. Thus the 《Documents of Zhou》 says, "Record a man's merit and forget his faults—that is how a ruler should act. In Han times General Li Guangli of the Ershi campaign lost fifty thousand men, spent hundreds of millions, and after four years of labor brought back only thirty fine horses. Though he took the King of Dayuan's head, he was greedy and careless of his men. His crimes were many. Because the campaign had reached ten thousand li, Emperor Wu overlooked his faults and enfeoffed Guangli as Marquis of Haixi with eight thousand households. Commandant Chen Tang once forged an edict to raise troops. Though he killed Zhizhi Chanyu, Tang was habitually greedy. Much of the Kangju booty he seized was taken unlawfully, and the Director of Law Enforcement had him arrested. Tang submitted a memorial: "Together with my officers and men I destroyed Zhizhi and was fortunate enough to capture and kill him. Now the Director of Law Enforcement arrests and tries me—as if he were avenging Zhizhi. Emperor Yuan pardoned him, made him Marquis within the Passes, and gave him a hundred jin of gold. In Jin times Dragon-Charger General Wang Jun had conquered Wu, yet Wang Hun and others accused him of disobeying orders, refusing command, and letting his men seize Sun Hao's treasures and burn Hao's palace and ships. Jun wrote, "The conquest of Wu this year is a great celebration for the realm—but for me it has become a source of blame. Emperor Wu pardoned him without further inquiry, made him Supporting-the-State Grand General, enfeoffed him as Marquis of Xiangyang, and gave him ten thousand bolts of silk. More recently, when Sui's Duke of Xinyi Han Qinhu took Chen, his men looted Chen Shubao's palace. Emperor Wen did not prosecute him either. He did not raise his rank, but made Qinhu Supreme Pillar of State and gave him eight thousand lengths of goods. From this we see that among commanders the scrupulous are few and the grasping many. Master Yellow Stone wrote in 《Military Momentum》: "Use the wise, use the brave, use the greedy, use the foolish. The wise delight in winning merit, the brave love to carry out their will, the greedy rush after gain, and the foolish do not count the cost of death. That is why the sages of old always took men's strengths and set aside their weaknesses. I have also heard that Heaven and Earth themselves put sheltering and sustaining first; and the virtue of emperors and kings finds its beauty in inclusive magnanimity. If even a ruler of Han Wu's measure and the emperors of every age could pardon men like Guangli, how much more should you, heaven-endowed and divinely martial, who have raised a great design to settle the realm—would you alone tighten the penal net and refuse what the ancients did! I trust that Your Majesty's own heart will weigh the matter. I speak now not to plead privately for Junji and his fellows, but in hope that this firefly's gleam may add a little light to sun and moon. If Your Majesty would send down rain and dew instead of thunder and lightning, record their small service and forget their great faults, restore Junji to court and to the field again—he may not be an upright man, but he is still a useful greedy fool of a general. Then Your Majesty's sage virtue, though the law were bent, would shine all the brighter; and Junji and the others, though pardoned, would feel their faults all the more keenly. Men who would win merit would all take heart from it; and guilty generals would reform their ways.
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疏奏,乃釋。 君集自以有功於西域,而以貪冒被囚,志殊怏怏。 十七年,張亮以太子詹事出為洛州都督,君集激怒亮曰:「何為見排?」 亮曰:「是公見排,更欲誰冤!」 君集曰:「我平一國,還觸天子大嗔,何能抑排!」 因攘袂曰:「鬱鬱不可活,公能反乎? 當與公反耳。」 亮密以聞,太宗謂亮曰:「卿與君集俱是功臣,君集獨以語卿,無人聞見,若以屬吏,君集必言無此。 兩人相證,事未可知。」 遂寢其事,待君集如初。 尋與諸功臣同畫像於凌煙閣。 時庶人承乾在東宮,恐有廢立,又知君集怨望,遂與通謀。 君集子婿賀蘭楚石時為東宮千牛,承乾令數引君集入內,問以自安之術。 君集以承乾劣弱,意欲乘釁以圖之,遂贊承乾陰圖不軌,嘗舉手謂承乾曰:「此好手,當為用之。」 君集或慮謀洩,心不自安,每中夜蹶然而起,嘆咤久之。 其妻怪而謂之曰:「公,國之大臣,何為乃爾? 必當有故。 若有不善之事,孤負國家,宜自歸罪,首領可全。」 君集不能用。 及承乾事發,君集被收,楚石又詣闕告其事。 太宗親臨問曰:「我不欲令刀筆吏辱公,故自鞫驗耳。」 君集辭窮。 太宗謂百僚曰:「往者家國未安,君集實展其力,不忍置之於法。 我將乞其性命,公卿其許我乎?」 群臣爭進曰:「君集之罪,天地所不容,請誅之以明大法。」 太宗謂君集曰:「與公長訣矣,而今而後,但見公遺像耳!」 因歔欷下泣。 遂斬於四達之衢,籍沒其家。 君集臨刑,容色不改,謂監刑將軍曰:「君集豈反者乎,蹉跌至此! 然嘗為將,破滅二國,頗有微功。 為言於陛下,乞令一子以守祭祀。」 由是特原其妻及一子,徙於嶺南。
The memorial was submitted, and Junji was released. Junji believed he had earned merit in the Western Regions and resented bitterly that greed had landed him in prison. In 643 Zhang Liang left his post as the crown prince's household mentor to become military governor of Luo Prefecture. Junji confronted him angrily: "Why are you being pushed aside? Liang replied, "It is you who are being pushed aside—whom else would you blame!" Junji said, "I pacified an entire kingdom and still drew the Son of Heaven's wrath—how could I not be pushed aside! He flung back his sleeves and said, "Life is unbearable like this—will you rebel with me? I will rebel with you. Liang reported this in secret. Taizong told him, "You and Junji are both meritorious ministers. He spoke of this only to you, with no witness. If we hand it to the judicial officers, Junji will deny it. With only the two of you testifying against each other, the truth cannot be known. He set the matter aside and treated Junji as before. Soon afterward his portrait was painted with those of the other meritorious ministers in the Lingyan Pavilion. At that time the deposed crown prince Chengqian, fearing he would be replaced, knew of Junji's resentment and entered into conspiracy with him. Junji's son-in-law Helan Chushi served as a palace guard in the Eastern Palace. Chengqian had him bring Junji in repeatedly to ask how he might secure his position. Junji saw that Chengqian was weak and meant to exploit the chance. He encouraged the prince's secret plots and once held up his hands, saying, "These are capable hands—you should use them. Junji sometimes feared the plot would leak. Uneasy in his heart, he would start up at midnight and sigh for a long while. His wife, puzzled, said to him, "You are a great minister of the state—why are you like this? There must be a reason. If you have done wrong against the state, confess yourself—your life may be spared. Junji would not listen. When Chengqian's plot was exposed, Junji was arrested, and Chushi went to court to report the whole affair. Taizong questioned him in person. "I did not want clerks to humiliate you," he said, "so I am examining this myself. Junji had nothing left to say. Taizong told the officials, "When the realm was still unsettled, Junji truly served with all his strength. I could not bear to punish him then. I mean to beg his life—will you grant it? The ministers pressed forward as one. "Junji's crime is intolerable to Heaven and Earth," they said. "Execute him to uphold the law." Taizong told Junji, "We take our long farewell. From now on I shall see only your portrait in the Lingyan Pavilion!" He sobbed and wept. He was beheaded at the public crossroads, and his property was confiscated. At the block Junji's face did not change. He told the supervising general, "Was I truly a rebel? A stumble brought me here! Yet I once commanded armies and destroyed two kingdoms. I have some small merit. Tell His Majesty for me: let one son remain to tend the ancestral rites. For this his wife and one son were specially spared and exiled to the far south.
6
張亮,鄭州滎陽人也。 素寒賤,以農為業。 倜儻有大節,外惇厚而內懷詭詐,人莫之知。 大業末,李密略地滎、汴,亮杖策從之,未被任用。 屬軍中有謀反者,亮告之,密以為至誠,署驃騎將軍,隸於徐勣。 及勣以黎陽歸國,亮頗贊成其事,乃授鄭州刺史。 會王世充陷鄭州,亮不得之官,孤軍無援,遂亡命於共城山澤。 後房玄齡、李勣以亮倜儻有智謀,薦之於太宗,引為秦府車騎將軍。 漸蒙顧遇,委以心膂。 會建成、元吉將起難,太宗以洛州形勝之地,一朝有變,將出保之。 遣亮之洛陽,統左右王保等千餘人,陰引山東豪傑以俟變,多出金帛,恣其所用。 元吉告亮欲圖不軌,坐是屬吏,亮卒無所言。 事釋,遣還洛陽。 及建成死,授懷州總管,封長平郡公。 貞觀五年,歷遷御史大夫,轉光祿卿,進封鄅國公,賜實封五百戶。 後歷豳、夏、鄜三州都督。 七年,魏王泰為相州都督而不之部,進亮金紫光祿大夫,行相州大都督長史。 十一年,改封鄖國公。 亮所蒞之職,潛遣左右伺察善惡,發扌適奸隱,動若有神,抑豪強而恤貧弱,故所在見稱。 初,亮之在州也,棄其本妻,更娶李氏。 李素有淫行,驕妒特甚,亮寵憚之。 後至相州,有鄴縣小兒,以賣筆為業,善歌舞,李見而悅之,遂與私通。 假言亮先與其母野合所生,收為亮子,名曰慎幾。 亮前婦子慎微,每以養慎幾致諫,亮不從。 李尤好左道,所至巫覡盈門,又干預政事,由是亮之聲稱漸損。 十四年,又為工部尚書。 明年,遷太子詹事,出為洛州都督。 及侯君集誅,以亮先奏其將反,優詔褒美,遷刑部尚書,參預朝政。 太宗將伐高麗,亮頻諫不納,因自請行。 以亮為滄海道行軍大總管,管率舟師。 自東萊渡海,襲沙卑城,破之,俘男女數千口。 進兵頓於建安城下,營壘未固,士卒多樵牧。 賊眾奄至,軍中惶駭。 亮素怯懦,無計策,但踞胡床,直視而無所言,將士見之,翻以亮為有膽氣。 其副總管張金樹等乃鳴鼓令士眾擊賊,破之。 太宗知其無將帥材而不之責。 有方術人程公穎者,亮親信之。 初,在相州,陰召公穎謂曰:「相州形勝之地,人言不出數年有王者起,公以為何如?」 公穎知其有異志,因言亮臥似龍形,必當大貴。 又有公孫常者,頗擅文辭,自言有黃白之術,尤與亮善。 亮謂曰:「吾嘗聞圖讖『有弓長之君當別都』,雖有此言,實不願聞之。」 常又言亮名應圖錄,亮大悅。 二十年,有陝人常德玄告其事,並言亮有義兒五百人。 太宗遣法官按之,公穎及常證其罪,亮曰:「此二人畏死見誣耳。」 又自陳佐命之舊,冀有寬貸。 太宗謂侍臣曰:「亮有義兒五百,畜養此輩,將何為也? 正欲反耳。」 命百僚議其獄,多言亮當誅,唯將作少匠李道裕言亮反形未具,明其無罪。 太宗既盛怒,竟斬於市,籍沒其家。 歲餘,刑部侍郎有闕,令執政者妙擇其人,累奏皆不可。 太宗曰:「朕得其人也。 往者李道裕議張亮雲『反形未具』,此言當矣。 雖不即從,至今追悔。」 遂授道裕刑部侍郎。
Zhang Liang was a native of Xingyang in Zheng Prefecture. He came from a poor farming family. He was unconventional and bold in spirit, outwardly honest and inwardly cunning, and no one saw through him. At the end of the Sui, when Li Mi seized Xing and Bian, Liang joined him but won no post. When a plot formed in the army, Liang reported it. Li Mi took him for utterly loyal, made him Cavalry General, and placed him under Xu Ji. When Xu Ji surrendered Liyang to Tang, Liang strongly backed the move and was made Prefect of Zheng. Wang Shichong then seized Zheng. Liang could not take office, his isolated force had no support, and he fled into the wilds around Gongcheng. Later Fang Xuanling and Li Ji recommended him to the future Taizong as a man of bold wit, and he was made Chariot-and-Cavalry General on the Prince of Qin's staff. He gradually won trust and was treated as a trusted confidant. When Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were about to strike, Taizong saw that Luoyang was a strategic stronghold and planned to withdraw there if crisis came. He sent Liang to Luoyang with Wang Bao and more than a thousand men, secretly recruiting powerful families east of the mountains and lavishing gold and silk on them as he saw fit. Li Yuanji accused Liang of plotting treason. He was handed to the judicial officers but said nothing in his defense. When the matter was cleared, he was sent back to Luoyang. After Li Jiancheng's death, Liang was made commander of Huai Prefecture and enfeoffed as Duke of Changping. In 631 he rose through Censor-in-Chief to Minister of Splendid Happiness, was raised to Duke of Yi, and received a substantive fief of five hundred households. He later served in turn as military governor of Bin, Xia, and Fu prefectures. In 633 Prince Tai of Wei was named military governor of Xiang but never took up the post. Liang was promoted to Golden Purple-Gleam Grand Master and served as acting chief administrator of Xiang. In 637 his title was changed to Duke of Yun. In every office he held, Liang secretly sent agents to watch for wrongdoing, exposed hidden crimes as if by divine insight, checked the powerful, and helped the poor—wherever he served he won praise. While serving in the provinces he abandoned his first wife and married Lady Li. Lady Li was notoriously licentious, proud, and fiercely jealous. Liang both doted on her and feared her. At Xiang there was a boy from Ye County who sold brushes and sang well. Lady Li took a liking to him and began an affair. She claimed the boy was Liang's illegitimate son by the youth's mother, adopted him, and named him Shenji. Liang's son by his first wife, Shenwei, repeatedly urged him not to keep Shenji, but Liang refused. Lady Li was devoted to sorcery; shamans thronged their house wherever they went, and she meddled in affairs of state. Liang's reputation steadily fell. In 640 he was again made Minister of Works. The following year he became the crown prince's household mentor and was sent out as military governor of Luo Prefecture. When Hou Junji was executed, Liang was rewarded with a gracious edict for having reported Junji's treasonous talk. He was made Minister of Justice and joined court deliberations. When Taizong prepared to attack Goguryeo, Liang remonstrated repeatedly in vain, then volunteered to go himself. Liang was named Grand Commander of the Canghai Route Army to lead the fleet. He crossed from Donglai, stormed Shabei, and took several thousand captives. He advanced and camped below Jian'an. The fortifications were not yet secure, and many men were out gathering wood and grazing. The enemy struck suddenly and panic spread through the camp. Liang was by nature timid and had no plan. He simply sat on his camp stool, staring ahead in silence. The soldiers, seeing this, took his stillness for courage. His deputy Zhang Jinshu beat the drums, ordered the men to attack, and routed the enemy. Taizong knew he lacked commander's talent and did not reproach him. Liang placed great trust in a practitioner of occult arts named Cheng Gongying. At Xiang he once summoned Gongying in secret and said, "Xiang is a strategic place. People say a king will rise here within a few years. What do you think? Gongying sensed his rebellious intent and told him that when he slept he resembled a dragon and was destined for greatness. There was also Gongsun Chang, a man of letters who claimed to know the art of making gold and silver, and he was especially close to Liang. Liang told him, "I once heard a prophecy: 'A lord Zhang will set up a separate capital.' Such words exist, but I do not wish to hear them. Chang also said Liang's name matched the prophecies. Liang was delighted. In 646 a man from Shan named Chang Deyuan reported the plot and said Liang had five hundred sworn sons. Taizong sent investigators. Gongying and Chang testified against him. Liang said, "These two fear death and lie about me. He pleaded his old service in founding the dynasty, hoping for mercy. Taizong told his attendants, "Liang has five hundred sworn sons. What does he keep them for? To rebel, of course. He ordered the officials to deliberate. Most said Liang should die. Only Assistant Director of Imperial Construction Li Daoyu argued that the evidence of rebellion was incomplete and that Liang was innocent. Taizong, furious, had him beheaded in the market and confiscated his property. More than a year later the post of Vice Minister of Justice fell vacant. The chief ministers nominated candidate after candidate, but none satisfied the emperor. Taizong said, "I have found the man. When Li Daoyu said of Zhang Liang that 'the signs of rebellion were not yet complete,' he was right. I did not heed him then, and I regret it to this day. He appointed Daoyu Vice Minister of Justice.
7
薛萬徹,雍州咸陽人,自燉煌徙焉。 隋左御衛大將軍世雄子也。 世雄大業末卒於涿郡太守。 萬徹少與兄萬均隨父在幽州,俱以武略為羅藝所親待。 尋與藝歸附高祖,授萬均上柱國、永安郡公,萬徹車騎將軍、武安縣公。 會竇建德率眾十萬來寇范陽,藝逆拒之。 萬均謂藝曰:「眾寡不敵,今若出門,百戰百敗,當以計取之。 可令羸兵弱馬阻水背城為陣以誘之,觀賊之勢,必渡水交兵。 萬均請精騎百人伏於城側,待其半渡擊之,破賊必矣。」 藝從其言。 建德果引軍渡水,萬均邀擊,大破之。 明年,建德率眾二十萬復攻幽州,賊已攀堞,萬均與萬徹率敢死士百人從地道而出,直掩賊背擊之,賊遂潰走。 及太宗平劉黑闥,引萬均為右二護軍,恩顧甚至。 隱太子建成又引萬徹置於左右。 建成被誅,萬徹率宮兵戰於玄武門,鼓噪欲入秦府,將士大懼。 及梟建成首示之,萬徹與數十騎亡於終南山。 太宗累遣使諭意,萬徹釋仗而來。 太宗以其忠於所事,不之罪也。
Xue Wanche was a native of Xianyang in Yong Prefecture; his family had moved there from Dunhuang. He was the son of Sui's Left Imperial Guard Grand General Xue Shixiong. Shixiong died at the end of the Sui while serving as prefect of Zhuo Commandery. As a youth Wanche and his elder brother Wanjun followed their father in You Prefecture. Both won favor from Luo Yi for their martial skill. When Luo Yi submitted to Gaozu, Wanjun was made Supreme Pillar of State and Duke of Yong'an, and Wanche Chariot-and-Cavalry General and Duke of Wu'an. When Dou Jiande led a hundred thousand men against Fanyang, Luo Yi met him in battle. Wanjun told Luo Yi, "We are too few to match them. If we march out we will lose every fight. We must use stratagem. Post weak troops and poor horses with the water at their backs and the city behind them to lure the enemy. They will surely cross the river to fight. Give me a hundred elite horsemen hidden beside the city. When they are half across the river, strike them—the enemy will surely break. Luo Yi followed his plan. Jiande crossed as predicted. Wanjun ambushed him and won a great victory. The next year Jiande returned with two hundred thousand men. The enemy had already scaled the walls when Wanjun and Wanche led a hundred dare-to-die men through a tunnel, struck their rear, and routed them. When Taizong defeated Liu Heita, he made Wanjun Right Second Guard General and favored him greatly. The crown prince Li Jiancheng also kept Wanche at his side. When Jiancheng was killed, Wanche led palace troops to fight at Xuanwu Gate, drumming and shouting as if to storm the Prince of Qin's residence. Taizong's men were terrified. When Jiancheng's head was displayed, Wanche fled with several dozen horsemen into the Zhongnan Mountains. Taizong sent envoys again and again to reassure him. Wanche laid down his arms and surrendered. Taizong spared him because he had been loyal to his master.
8
萬均,貞觀初歷遷殿中少監。 柴紹之擊梁師都,以萬徹為副。 未至朔方數十里,突厥四面而至,官軍稍卻。 萬均與萬徹橫出擊之,斬其驍將,虜陣亂,因而乘之,殺傷被野。 鼓行而進,遂圍師都。 俄而師都見殺,城降,突厥不敢來援。 萬徹後從李靖擊突厥頡利可汗於塞北,以功授統軍,進爵郡公。 初,靖將擊吐谷渾,請萬徹同行。 及至賊境,與諸將各率百餘騎先行,卒與虜數千騎相遇。 萬徹單騎馳擊之,虜無敢當者。 還謂諸將曰:「賊易與耳!」 躍馬復進,諸將隨之,斬數千級,人馬流血,勇冠三軍。 又與萬均破吐谷渾天柱王於赤水源,獲其雜畜二十萬計,追至河源。 萬均此後官至左屯衛大將軍,累封潞國公而卒。
At the start of Zhenguan, Wanjun rose to Vice Director of the Palace. When Chai Shao attacked Liang Shidu, Wanche served as his deputy. Still several tens of li from Shuofang, Turks closed in from every side and the Tang force fell back. Wanjun and Wanche charged out, killed the enemy's best general, threw their formation into disorder, and pressed the attack until the field was strewn with dead and wounded. They advanced with drums beating and besieged Shidu. Soon Shidu was killed, the city surrendered, and the Turks did not dare intervene. Wanche later followed Li Jing against the Turkic Khan Jieli in the northern marches and was made Army Commander and Duke of a commandery for his service. When Li Jing prepared to campaign against the Tuyuhun, he asked Wanche to accompany him. On reaching enemy country he and the other generals each led a little over a hundred horsemen ahead and suddenly ran into several thousand enemy cavalry. Wanche charged alone into them; no enemy dared stand in his way. He rode back and told the other generals, "These enemies are nothing! He spurred his horse forward again, the others followed, and they cut down thousands. Men and horses ran with blood. His courage topped the whole army. With Wanjun he defeated the Tuyuhun King Tianzhu at Red Water Source, seized some two hundred thousand head of livestock, and pursued to the Yellow River's source. Wanjun later became Left Encampment Guard Grand General, was repeatedly raised to Duke of Lu, and died in office.
9
萬徹尋丁母憂解職,俄起為右衛將軍,出為蒲州刺史。 會薛延陀率回紇、同羅之眾渡磧,南擊李思摩,萬徹副李勣援之。 與虜相遇,率數百騎為先鋒,擊其陣後,騎皆散,賊顧見,遂大潰。 追奔數十里,斬首三千餘級,獲馬萬五千匹。 以功別封一子為縣侯。 十八年,授左衛將軍,尚丹陽公主,拜附馬都尉。 尋遷右衛大將軍,轉杭州刺史,遷代州都督,復召拜右武衛大將軍。 太宗從容謂從臣曰:「當今名將,唯李勣、道宗、萬徹三人而已。 李勣、道宗不能大勝,亦不大敗; 萬徹非大勝,即大敗。」 太宗嘗召司徒長孫無忌等十餘人宴於丹霄殿,各賜以貘皮,萬徹預焉。 太宗意在賜萬徹,而誤呼萬均,因愴然曰:「萬均朕之勳舊,不幸早亡,不覺呼名,豈其魂靈慾朕之賜也。」 因令取貘皮,呼萬均以同賜而焚之於前,侍坐者無不感嘆。 二十二年,萬徹又為青丘道行軍大總管,率甲士三萬自萊州泛海伐高麗,入鴨綠水百餘里,至泊灼城,高麗震懼,多棄城而遁。 泊灼城主所夫孫率步騎萬餘人拒戰,萬徹遣右衛將軍裴行方領步卒為支軍繼進,萬徹及諸軍乘之,賊大潰。 追奔百餘里,於陣斬所夫孫,進兵圍泊灼城。 其城因山設險,阻鴨綠水以為固,攻之未拔。 高麗遣將高文率烏骨、安地諸城兵三萬餘人來援,分置兩陣。 萬徹分軍以當之,鋒刃才接而賊大潰。 萬徹在軍,仗氣凌物,人或奏之。 及謁見,太宗謂曰:「上書者論卿與諸將不協,朕錄功棄過,不罪卿也。」 因取書焚之。 尋為副將、右衛將軍裴行方言其怨望,於是廷驗之,萬徹辭屈。 英國公李勣進曰:「萬徹職乃將軍,親惟主婿,發言怨望,罪不容誅。」 因除名徙邊,會赦得還。 永徽二年,授寧州刺史。 入朝與房遺愛款暱,因謂遺愛曰:「今雖患腳,坐置京師,諸輩猶不敢動。」 遺愛謂萬徹曰:「公若國家有變,我當與公立荊王元景為主。」 及謀洩,吏逮之,萬徹不之伏,遺愛證之,遂伏誅。 臨刑大言曰:「薛萬徹大健兒,留為國家效死力固好,豈得坐房遺愛殺之乎!」 遂解衣謂監刑者疾斫。 執刃者斬之不殊,萬徹叱之曰:「何不加力!」 三斫乃絕。
Wanche soon left office to mourn his mother, but was quickly recalled as Right Guard General and sent out as prefect of Pu. When Xueyantuo led Uyghur and Tongluo forces across the desert to attack Li Simo in the south, Wanche served under Li Ji as his deputy. When they met the enemy, he led several hundred horsemen as vanguard, struck their rear, and scattered their riders. The enemy looked back, panicked, and broke completely. They pursued for miles, took more than three thousand heads, and captured fifteen thousand horses. For his service one of his sons was separately enfeoffed as a county marquis. In 644 he was made Left Guard General, married Princess Danyang, and was appointed chief commandant escort. He soon became Right Guard Grand General, then prefect of Hangzhou, then military governor of Dai, and was recalled as Right Martial Guard Grand General. Taizong once told his ministers at leisure, "Among the famous generals of our day there are only three: Li Ji, Prince Daozong, and Xue Wanche. Li Ji and Daozong do not win crushing victories, but they do not suffer crushing defeats either; Wanche either wins a crushing victory or suffers a crushing defeat. Taizong once summoned Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji and more than ten others to a feast in the Cinnabar Cloud Hall and gave each of them tapir hides. Wanche was among them. Taizong meant to call Wanche but accidentally said Wanjun's name. Stricken, he said, "Wanjun was an old companion in merit who died too young. I called his name without thinking—does his spirit want this gift? He had the hide brought forward, called Wanjun's name as if to give it to him, and burned it before the company. Everyone present was moved to tears. In 648 Wanche again led the Qingqiu Route Army, taking thirty thousand armored men from Laizhou by sea against Goguryeo. They entered the Yalu more than a hundred li and reached Bojok. Goguryeo was terrified and many towns were abandoned. The lord of Bojok, Suofusun, led more than ten thousand men to resist. Wanche sent Right Guard General Pei Xingfang with infantry as a follow-up force, then pressed the attack with the main army and routed the enemy completely. They pursued for more than a hundred li, killed Suofusun in battle, and advanced to besiege Bojok. The city used the mountains for defense and the Yalu as its moat. They attacked but could not take it. Goguryeo sent General Gao Wen with more than thirty thousand men from Wugu, Andi, and other cities in two formations. Wanche divided his force to meet them. Blades had barely crossed when the enemy broke and fled. In camp Wanche bullied others with his temper, and some reported him to court. When he came to audience, Taizong said, "Memorials say you quarrel with the other generals. I record your merit and overlook your faults. I will not punish you. He took the memorial and burned it. Soon his deputy Pei Xingfang accused him of disloyal talk. The case was tried at court and Wanche could not defend himself. Duke of Ying Li Ji said, "Wanche is a general and the emperor's son-in-law. To speak with resentment is a crime that cannot be pardoned. He was struck from the rolls and exiled to the frontier. An amnesty later allowed him to return. In 651 he was appointed prefect of Ning. At court he grew close to Fang Yiai and told him, "Even with my bad leg, if I sit in the capital the others still will not dare move. Yiai told Wanche, "If the state falls into crisis, I will join you in making Prince Jing Yuanjing ruler." When the plot was exposed, officers arrested him. Wanche would not confess until Yiai testified against him. He was executed. At the block he shouted, "Xue Wanche is a great fighting man! It would be fine to keep me to die for the state. How can I be killed because of Fang Yiai! He stripped to the waist and told the executioner to strike quickly. The executioner's blow did not kill him. Wanche shouted, "Strike harder! It took three strokes to finish him.
10
萬徹長兄萬淑,亦有戰功。 貞觀初,至營州都督,檢校東夷校尉,封梁郡公。 季弟萬備,有孝行,母終,廬於墓側。 太宗降璽書弔慰,仍旌表其門。 後官至左衛將軍。 並先萬徹卒。
Wanche's elder brother Wanshu also won distinction in battle. Early in Zhenguan he became military governor of Ying, acting commandant of the eastern barbarians, and Duke of Liang. His youngest brother Wanbei was famously filial. When their mother died he built a mourning hut beside her tomb. Taizong sent an imperial letter of condolence and marked his gate with official commendation. He later rose to Left Guard General. All three died before Wanche.
11
初,武德、貞觀之際,有盛彥師、盧祖尚、劉世讓、劉蘭、李君羨等,並有功名而不終其位。
In the Wude and Zhenguan periods there were also Sheng Yanshi, Lu Zushang, Liu Shirang, Liu Lan, and Li Junxian—men who won merit and fame but did not end their careers in honor.
12
盛彥師者,宋州虞城人。 大業中,為澄城長。 義師至汾陰,率賓客千餘人濟河上謁,拜銀青光祿大夫、行軍總管,從平京城。 俄與史萬寶鎮宜陽以拒東寇。 及李密之叛,將出山南,史萬寶懼密威名,不敢拒,謂彥師曰:「李密,驍賊也,又輔以王伯當,決策而叛,其下兵士思欲東歸,若非計出萬全,則不為也。 兵在死地,殆不可當。」 彥師笑曰:「請以數千之眾邀之,必梟其首。」 萬寶曰:「計將安出?」 對曰:「軍法尚詐,不可為公說之。」 便領眾逾熊耳山南,傍道而止,令弓弩者夾路乘高,刀楯者伏於溪谷。 令曰:「待賊半渡,一時齊發,弓弩據高縱射,刀楯即亂出薄之。」 或問之曰:「聞李密欲向洛州,而公入山,何也?」 彥師曰:「密聲言往洛,實走襄城就張善相耳,必當出人不意。 若賊入谷口,我自後追之,山路險隘,無所展力,一夫殿後,必不能制。 今吾先得入谷,擒之必矣。」 李密既度陝州,以為余不足慮,遂擁眾徐行,果逾山南渡。 彥師擊之,密眾首尾斷絕,不得相救,遂斬李密,追擒伯當。 以功封葛國公,拜武衛將軍,仍鎮熊州。 太宗討王世充,遣彥師與萬寶軍於伊闕,絕其山南之路。 賊平,除宋州總管。 初,彥師之入關也,王世充以其將陳寶遇為宋州刺史,處其家不以禮,及此,彥師因事殺之。 平生所惡數十家亦皆殺之。 州中震駭,重足而立。 會徐圓朗反,彥師為安撫大使,因戰,遂沒於賊。 圓朗禮厚之,令彥師作書報其弟,令舉城降己。 彥師為書曰:「吾奉使無狀,被賊所擒,為臣不忠,誓之以死。 汝宜善侍老母,勿以吾為念。」 圓朗初色動,而彥師自若,圓朗乃笑曰:「盛將軍乃有壯節,不可殺也。」 待之如舊。 賊平,彥師竟以罪賜死。
Sheng Yanshi was a native of Yucheng in Song Prefecture. During the Sui he served as magistrate of Chengcheng. When the Tang army reached Fenyin, he led more than a thousand retainers across the river to submit. He was made Silver-Gleam Grand Master and campaigning general and helped take the capital. Soon he and Shi Wanbao garrisoned Yiyang against the eastern rebels. When Li Mi rebelled and prepared to march south of the mountains, Shi Wanbao feared his reputation and would not fight. He told Yanshi, "Li Mi is a ferocious enemy, aided by Wang Bodang. His men are desperate to get home east. Unless our plan is foolproof, we should not fight. Men with their backs to the wall are almost impossible to stop. Yanshi laughed. "Give me a few thousand men to ambush him, and I will take his head." Wanbao asked, "What is your plan?" He answered, "Military law favors deception. I cannot tell you the plan." He led his men over the southern slopes of Bear-Ear Mountain and halted beside the road. Archers lined the heights on both sides; sword-and-shield men hid in the stream valleys. His order ran: "When the enemy are half across, fire together. Archers shoot from the heights; sword-and-shield men rush out and close on them. Someone asked, "I hear Li Mi is heading for Luo Prefecture. Why are you going into the mountains?" Yanshi said, "Mi says he is going to Luo, but he is really heading for Xiangcheng to join Zhang Shanxiang. He will take an unexpected route. If they enter the valley and I pursue from behind, the narrow mountain road gives no room to fight. One man guarding the rear could hold us off. If I enter the valley first, I am sure to take them. Li Mi crossed Shan Prefecture, thinking nothing remained to fear him, and marched slowly. He crossed south of the mountains as Yanshi had predicted. Yanshi struck. Mi's force was cut in two and could not rescue itself. Yanshi killed Li Mi and captured Wang Bodang in pursuit. For this he was enfeoffed as Duke of Ge, made Martial Guard General, and continued to garrison Xiong Prefecture. When Taizong attacked Wang Shichong, he sent Yanshi and Wanbao to Yique to cut Shichong's routes south of the mountains. When the rebels were defeated, he was made commander of Song Prefecture. When Yanshi had first entered the passes, Wang Shichong's general Chen Baoyu was prefect of Song and had treated Yanshi's family discourteously. Now Yanshi seized a pretext and killed him. He also killed several dozen families he had hated all his life. The whole prefecture was terrified. People walked on tiptoe in fear. When Xu Yuanlang rebelled, Yanshi was sent as pacification commissioner, was defeated in battle, and fell into enemy hands. Yuanlang treated him well and made him write to his younger brother urging the city to surrender. Yanshi wrote, "I failed in my mission and was captured by rebels. As a minister I am disloyal and swear to die for it. Serve our mother well. Do not think of me. Yuanlang's face fell at first, but Yanshi remained calm. Yuanlang laughed and said, "General Sheng has true steel in him. He cannot be killed." He treated him as before. When the rebels were defeated, Yanshi was nevertheless sentenced to death for his crimes.
13
盧祖尚者,字季良,光州樂安人也。 父禧,隋虎賁郎將。 累葉豪富,傾財散施,甚得人心。 大業末,召募壯士逐捕群盜。 時年甚少,而武力過人,又御眾嚴整,所向有功。 群盜畏憚,不敢入境。 及宇文化及作亂,州人請祖尚為刺史。 祖尚時年十九,升壇歃血,以誓其眾,泣涕歔欷,悲不自勝,眾皆感激。 王世充立越王侗,祖尚遣使從之,侗授祖尚光州總管。 及世充自立,遂舉州歸款,高祖嘉之,賜璽書勞勉,拜光州刺史,封弋陽郡公。 武德六年,從趙郡王孝恭討輔公礻石,為前軍總管,攻其宣、歙州,克之。 進擊賊帥馮惠亮、陳正通,並破之。 賊平,以功授蔣州刺史。 又歷壽州都督、瀛州刺史,並有能名。 貞觀初,交州都督、遂安公壽以貪冒得罪,太宗思求良牧,朝臣咸言祖尚才兼文武,廉平正直。 征至京師,臨朝謂之曰:「交州大籓,去京甚遠,須賢牧撫之。 前後都督皆不稱職,卿有安邊之略,為我鎮邊,勿以道遠為辭也。」 祖尚拜謝而出,既而悔之,以舊疾為辭。 太宗遣杜如晦諭旨,祖尚固辭。 又遣其妻兄周范往諭之曰:「匹夫相許,猶須存信。 卿面許朕,豈得後方悔之? 宜可早行,三年必自相召,卿勿推拒,朕不食言。」 對曰:「嶺南瘴癘,皆日飲酒,臣不便酒,去無還理。」 太宗大怒曰:「我使人不從,何以為天下命!」 斬之於朝,時年三十餘。 尋悔之,使復其官廕。
Lu Zushang, courtesy name Jiliang, was a native of Le'an in Guang Prefecture. His father Xi had been a Sui Tiger-Gallop commandant. For generations the family had been wealthy. He gave freely and won great loyalty. At the end of the Sui he recruited stalwarts to hunt down bandit gangs. Though very young, he was exceptionally strong and commanded his men with strict discipline. Wherever he went he won success. Bandits feared him and did not dare enter his territory. When Yuwen Huaji rebelled, the people of the prefecture asked Zushang to become their prefect. Zushang was only nineteen. He mounted the altar, swore an oath in blood before his followers, and wept until he could not speak. All were deeply moved. When Wang Shichong set up Prince Yue of Tong, Zushang submitted to him and was made military governor of Guang. When Shichong declared himself emperor, Zushang surrendered the whole prefecture to Tang. Gaozu praised him, sent an imperial letter of encouragement, made him prefect of Guang, and enfeoffed him as Duke of Yiyang. In 623 he followed Prince Xiaogong of Zhao against Fu Gongshi as vanguard commander, attacked Xuan and She, and took them. He advanced against the rebel leaders Feng Huiliang and Chen Zhengtong and defeated them both. When the rebels were defeated, he was made prefect of Jiang for his service. He later served as military governor of Shou and prefect of Ying, earning a reputation for competence in each post. Early in Zhenguan the military governor of Jiao, Duke Shou of Sui'an, was punished for corruption. Taizong sought a worthy governor, and the ministers all praised Zushang as talented in both civil and military affairs, honest and upright. Summoned to court, Taizong told him, "Jiao is a great frontier region, far from the capital. It needs a worthy governor. Your predecessors have all failed. You have the skill to secure the frontier. Go and govern it for me. Do not refuse because it is far away. Zushang bowed, thanked him, and left—but afterward regretted it and pleaded an old illness. Taizong sent Du Ruhui to explain the order again. Zushang still refused. He sent Zushang's brother-in-law Zhou Fan to reason with him: "Even common men keep their promises. You promised the emperor to his face. How can you regret it now? Go at once. In three years you will be recalled. Do not refuse. The emperor does not break his word. He answered, "South of the ranges the miasma is deadly and everyone drinks wine every day. I cannot drink wine. If I go, I will not come back." Taizong flew into a rage. "If my orders are not obeyed, how can I command the realm! He had him beheaded at court. Zushang was a little over thirty. He soon regretted it and restored official privileges to Zushang's heirs.
14
劉世讓,字元欽,雍州醴泉人也。 仕隋征仕郎。 高祖入長安,世讓以湋川歸國,拜通議大夫。 時唐弼餘黨寇扶風,世讓自請安輯,許之,俄得數千人。 復為安定道行軍總管,率兵以拒薛舉,戰敗,世讓及弟寶俱為舉軍所獲。 舉將至城下,令紿說城中曰:「大軍五道已趣長安,宜開門早降。」 世讓偽許之,因告城中曰:「賊兵多少,極於此矣。 宜善自固,以圖安全。」 舉重其執節,竟不之害。 太宗時屯兵高墌,世讓潛遣寶逃歸,言賊中虛實; 高祖嘉之,賜其家帛千匹。 及賊平,得歸,授彭州刺史。 尋領陝東道行軍總管,與永安王孝基擊呂崇茂於夏縣,諸軍敗績,世讓與唐儉俱為賊所獲。 獄中聞獨孤懷恩有逆謀,逃還以告高祖。 時高祖方濟河,將幸懷恩之營,聞難驚曰:「劉世讓之至,豈非天命哉!」 因勞之曰:「卿往陷薛舉,遣弟潛效款誠,今復冒危告難,是皆憂國忘身也。」 尋封弘農郡公,賜莊一區、錢百萬。 累轉并州總管,統兵屯於雁門。 突厥處羅可汗與高開道、苑君璋合眾,攻之甚急。 鴻臚卿鄭元璹先使在蕃,可汗令元璹來說之,世讓厲聲曰:「大丈夫奈何為夷狄作說客耶!」 經日餘,虜乃退。 及元璹還,述世讓忠貞勇干,高祖下制褒美之,錫以良馬。 未幾,召拜廣州總管。 將之任,高祖問以備邊之策,世讓答曰:「突厥南寇,徒以馬邑為其中路耳。 如臣所計,請於崞城置一智勇之將,多儲金帛,有來降者厚賞賜之,數出奇兵略其城下,芟踐禾稼,敗其生業。 不出歲餘,彼當無食,馬邑不足圖也。」 高祖無可任者,乃使馳驛往經略之。 突厥懼其威名,乃縱反間,言世讓與可汗通謀,將為亂。 高祖不之察,遂誅世讓,籍沒其家。 貞觀初,突厥來降者言世讓初無逆謀,始原其妻子。
Liu Shirang, courtesy name Yuanqin, was a native of Liquan in Yong Prefecture. He served the Sui as a recruitment gentleman. When Gaozu entered Chang'an, Shirang surrendered Weichuan and was made general consultant for discussion. Tang Bi's remnant followers were raiding Fufeng. Shirang volunteered to pacify them, was approved, and soon gathered several thousand men. He was again made campaigning general of the Anding route and led troops against Xue Ju. Defeated in battle, he and his brother Bao were both captured. As Ju approached the city he ordered Shirang to deceive the defenders: "Five armies are already marching on Chang'an. Open the gates and surrender at once. Shirang pretended to agree, then told the city, "This is all the enemy has. Hold firm. Secure yourselves and you will be safe. Ju respected his integrity and did not harm him. Taizong was encamped at Gaoping. Shirang secretly sent Bao to escape and report the enemy's true strength; Gaozu praised him and gave his family a thousand bolts of silk. When the rebels were defeated he returned and was made prefect of Peng. He soon led the Shandong route army with Prince Yong'an Xiaoji against Lü Chongmao at Xia County. The armies were defeated and Shirang and Tang Jian were captured. In prison he learned that Dugu Huai'en was plotting treason. He escaped and warned Gaozu. Gaozu was crossing the river to visit Huai'en's camp. Hearing the warning he cried, "Liu Shirang's arrival—surely this is Heaven's will! He praised him: "You were captured by Xue Ju and sent your brother in secret to serve the state. Now you risked your life again to warn us. This is true loyalty." Soon he was enfeoffed as Duke of Hongnong and given an estate and a million in cash. He rose to commander of Bing Prefecture and garrisoned troops at Yanmen Pass. The Turkic Khan Chuluo joined Gao Kaidao and Yuan Junzhang and attacked him fiercely. Minister of Ceremonies Zheng Yuansui had been sent to the Turks. The khan ordered him to persuade Shirang to surrender. Shirang thundered, "How can a true man serve as a lobbyist for barbarians! After more than a day the enemy withdrew. When Yuansui returned he reported Shirang's loyalty and courage. Gaozu issued an edict praising him and gave him fine horses. Soon he was summoned and made commander of Guang Prefecture. Before he took office Gaozu asked his plan for defending the frontier. Shirang answered, "The Turks raid south only because Mayi is their main route. By my plan, post a wise and brave general at Guo city with ample gold and silk. Reward deserters richly. Send raiding parties repeatedly to cut their grain and destroy their livelihood. Within a year they will run out of food, and Mayi will no longer be worth their trouble. Gaozu had no one else to appoint and sent him by urgent relay to carry out the plan himself. The Turks feared his reputation and spread a rumor that Shirang was conspiring with the khan to rebel. Gaozu did not investigate and had Shirang executed. His property was confiscated. Early in Zhenguan surrendered Turks said Shirang had never plotted treason. Only then were his wife and children pardoned.
15
劉蘭,字文郁,青州北海人也。 仕隋鄱陽郡書佐。 頗涉經史,善言成敗。 然性多凶狡,見隋末將亂,交通不逞。 於時北海完富,蘭利其子女玉帛,與群盜相應,破其本鄉城邑。 武德中,淮安王神通為山東道安撫大使,蘭率宗黨往歸之。 以功累遷尚書員外郎。 貞觀初,梁師都尚據朔方,蘭上言攻取之計。 太宗善之,命為夏州都督府司馬。 時梁師都以突厥之師頓於城下,蘭偃旗臥鼓,不與之爭鋒,賊徒宵遁,蘭追擊破之,遂進軍夏州。 及師都平,以功遷豐州刺史,征為右領軍將軍。 十一年,幸洛陽,以蜀王愔為夏州都督。 愔不之籓,以蘭為長史,總其府事。 時突厥攜離,有郁射設阿史那摸末率其部落入居河南。 蘭縱反間以離其部落,頡利果疑摸末,摸末懼,而頡利又遣兵追之,蘭率眾逆擊,敗之。 太宗以為能,超拜豐州刺史,再轉夏州都督,封平原郡公。 貞觀末,以謀反腰斬。 右驍衛大將軍丘行恭探其心肝而食之,太宗聞而召行恭讓之曰:「典刑自有常科,何至於此! 必若食逆者心肝而為忠孝,則劉蘭之心為太子諸王所食,豈至卿邪?」 行恭無以答。
Liu Lan, courtesy name Wenyü, was a native of Beihai in Qing Prefecture. He served the Sui as a clerical assistant in Poyang Commandery. He had read widely in the classics and histories and was skilled at analyzing success and failure. Yet he was by nature fierce and cunning. Seeing the Sui about to collapse, he associated with outlaws. Beihai was then intact and wealthy. Lan coveted its people and wealth, joined with bandits, and sacked the cities of his home district. During Wude, Prince Huai'an Shentong was pacification commissioner for the Shandong route. Lan led his clan to submit to him. For his service he rose to vice director of the Secretariat. Early in Zhenguan, when Liang Shidu still held Shuofang, Lan submitted a plan to capture him. Taizong approved and made him military administrator of Xia. Liang Shidu camped Turkic troops below the walls. Lan lowered his banners and drums and refused battle. The enemy fled by night. Lan pursued, routed them, and advanced on Xia. When Shidu was defeated, Lan was made prefect of Feng for his service and summoned as Right Army General. In 637 Taizong visited Luoyang and made Prince Shu of Shu military governor of Xia. The prince never took up his post. Lan was made chief administrator and ran the princely establishment. The Turks were then divided. Yushishe Ashina Momo led his tribe to settle south of the Yellow River. Lan spread disinformation to divide them. Khan Jieli suspected Momo. Momo fled in fear when Jieli sent troops after him. Lan intercepted and defeated Jieli's force. Taizong judged him capable, promoted him directly to prefect of Feng, then military governor of Xia, and enfeoffed him as Duke of Pingyuan. Late in Zhenguan he was executed by waist-slicing for plotting rebellion. Right Martial Guard Grand General Qiu Xinggong dug out Lan's heart and liver and ate them. When Taizong heard, he summoned Qiu and rebuked him: "The law has its proper forms. How could you go this far! If eating a rebel's heart and liver counts as loyalty, then the crown prince and the other princes should eat Liu Lan's heart before it ever reaches you! Qiu had no reply.
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史臣曰:侯君集摧凶克敵,效用居多; 恃寵矜功,粗率無檢,棄前功而罹後患,貪愚之將明矣。 張亮聽公穎之妖言,恃弓長之邪讖,義兒斯畜,惡跡遂彰,雖道裕雲反狀未形,而詭詐之性,於斯驗矣。 萬徹籌深行陣,勇冠戎夷,不能保其首領,以至誅戮。 夫二三子,非慎始而保終也。
The historian writes: Hou Junji crushed fierce enemies and served with great effect; yet he relied on favor, boasted of his merit, and acted without restraint. He threw away his earlier achievements and brought ruin on himself—a greedy fool of a general, plain for all to see. Zhang Liang listened to Gongying's sorcery and trusted the prophecy of a 'lord Zhang.' He raised hundreds of sworn sons, and his wickedness was exposed. Though Li Daoyu said the evidence of rebellion was incomplete, his deceitful nature was proved. Xue Wanche's tactics were deep and his courage unmatched among the frontier peoples, yet he could not save his own head and was executed. These men did not begin with caution and end in honor.
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贊曰:君子立功,守以謙沖。 小人得位,足為身害。 侯、張凶險,望窺聖代。 雄若韓、彭,難逃菹醢。
The encomium says: The gentleman who wins merit guards it with modest humility. The petty man who gains high office courts harm to himself. Hou and Zhang were violent and treacherous, scheming against the sacred age. Heroes like Han Xin and Peng Yue still could not escape the chopping block.