Volume 187 Biographies 137: Loyal and Righteous 2

○突厥之始，啟民之前，《隋書》載之備矣，只以入國之事而述之。

○ The origins of the Turks down to the time before Qimin Khan are fully treated in the History of the Sui; the present account confines itself to their coming into the Tang state.

始畢可汗咄吉者，啟民可汗子也。隋大業中嗣位，值天下大亂，中國人奔之者眾。其族強盛，東自契丹、室韋，西盡吐谷渾、高昌諸國，皆臣屬焉。控弦百餘萬，北狄之盛，未之有也。高視陰山，有輕中夏之志。

Shibi Khan, whose personal name was Tujie, was a son of Qimin Khan. He came to the throne during the Sui emperor Yang's Daye reign, when the empire was collapsing and great numbers of Chinese took refuge with him. His people grew so strong that from the Khitan and Shiwei in the east to the Tuyuhun, Gaochang, and the other western states, all acknowledged his rule. He could field more than a million archers—a height of power among the northern peoples never seen before. From his seat beyond the Yin Mountains he looked south with disdain upon the Chinese heartland.

可汗者，猶古之單于；妻號可賀敦，猶古之閼氏也。其子弟謂之特勒，別部領兵者皆謂之設。其大官屈律啜，次阿波，次頡利發，次吐屯，次俟斤，並代居其官而無員數，父兄死則子弟承襲。

The khan was the counterpart of the ancient chanyu; his chief wife was called kehudun, the equivalent of the old title yanzhi. Princes of the royal line were termed tegin, while chiefs of detached divisions who held military command were all known as shad. The chief offices were qu'lüchuo, then abo, jielifa, tutun, and houjin—each held in hereditary rotation without a set number of incumbents, passing from elder to younger kinsmen on death.

高祖起義太原，遣大將軍府司馬劉文靜聘於始畢，引以為援。始畢遣其特勒康稍利等獻馬千匹，會於絳郡。又遣二千騎助軍，從平京城。及高祖即位，前後賞賜，不可勝紀。始畢自恃其功，益驕踞；每遣使者至長安，頗多橫恣。高祖以中原未定，每優容之。

When Emperor Gaozu rose in arms at Taiyuan, he dispatched Liu Wenjing, marshal of the grand general's staff, to Shibi Khan to enlist Turkish support. Shibi sent the tegin Kang Shaoli and others with a gift of a thousand horses, and they joined Gaozu's forces at Jiang. He further sent two thousand cavalry to help take the capital. Once Gaozu had ascended the throne, the rewards lavished on the Turks in successive years were beyond reckoning. Shibi, confident in what he had done for the new dynasty, grew increasingly arrogant; and his envoys to Chang'an were frequently high-handed and abusive. Gaozu, with the heartland still unsettled, indulged them each time.

武德元年，始畢使骨咄祿特勒來朝，宴於太極殿，奏《九部樂》，賚錦彩布絹各有差。二年二月，始畢帥兵渡河，至夏州，賊帥梁師都出兵會之，謀入抄掠。授馬邑賊帥劉武周兵五百餘騎，遣入句註，又追兵大集，欲侵太原。是月，始畢卒，其子什缽苾以年幼不堪嗣位，立為泥步設，使居東偏，直幽州之北。立其弟俟利弗設，是為處羅可汗。

In Wude 1 (618), Shibi sent the tegin Kutlug to court. Gaozu entertained him in the Hall of Supreme Pole with the Nine Department Music and gave graded gifts of brocade, silk, and cloth. In the second month of Wude 2, Shibi crossed the Yellow River with an army as far as Xia Prefecture, where the rebel Liang Shidu joined him with troops for a planned raid into Tang territory. He furnished the Mayi rebel Liu Wuzhou with more than five hundred cavalry and sent them through Gouzhu Pass, while massing a larger force with the aim of striking Taiyuan. That same month Shibi died. His son Shiboni was judged too young to rule and was made niboshi, stationed in the eastern wing just north of Youzhou. Shibi's younger brother Heli was enthroned as Elu Khan.

處羅可汗嗣位，又以隋義成公主為妻，遣使入朝告喪。高祖為之舉哀，廢朝三日，詔百官就館吊其使者，又遣內史舍人鄭德挺往吊處羅，賜物三萬段。處羅此後頻遣使朝貢。先是，隋煬帝蕭後及齊王暕之子政道，陷於竇建德。三年二月，處羅迎之，至於牙所，立政道為隋王。隋末中國人在虜庭者，悉隸於政道，行隋正朔，置百官，居於定襄城，有徒一萬。時太宗在籓，受詔討劉武周，師次太原，處羅遣其弟步利設率二千騎與官軍會。六月，處羅至并州，總管李仲文出迎勞之。留三日，城中美婦人多為所掠，仲文不能制。俄而，處羅卒，義成公主以其子奧射設醜弱，廢不立之，遂立處羅之弟咄苾，是為頡利可汗。

On succeeding, Elu Khan again married the Sui princess Yicheng and sent envoys to Chang'an to announce Shibi's death. Gaozu observed mourning, closed court for three days, and ordered the bureaucracy to offer condolences to the Turkish envoys at their lodge. He also sent Zheng Deting to condole with Elu Khan and gave thirty thousand rolls of goods. After that Elu sent tribute missions repeatedly. Earlier, the Sui empress Xiao and Yang Zhengdao, son of the executed Prince of Qi Yang Gao, had been held by the rebel Dou Jiande. In the second month of Wude 3, Elu received them at his headquarters and set up Zhengdao as king of a restored Sui. Every Chinese still in the Turkish camp was placed under Zhengdao's authority. They kept the Sui calendar, staffed a full court, and lived at Dingxiang with a following of ten thousand. While the future Taizong, still prince of Qin, was campaigning against Liu Wuzhou and encamped at Taiyuan, Elu sent his brother Bujia Shad with two thousand cavalry to join the Tang army. In the sixth month Elu came to Bingzhou, where Regional Commander Li Zhongwen went out to welcome and feast him. He remained three days, during which his men abducted many of the city's women; Li Zhongwen was powerless to stop them. Before long Elu died. Princess Yicheng refused to enthrone her son Aoshe Shad as weak and unfit, and instead raised Elu's brother Tujie as Jieli Khan.

頡利可汗者，啟民可汗第三子也。初為莫賀咄設，牙直五原之北。高祖入長安，薛舉猶據隴右，遣其將宗羅攻陷平涼郡，北與頡利連結。高祖患之，遣光祿卿宇文歆賫金帛以賂頡利。歆說之，令絕交於薛舉。初，隋五原太守張長遜，因亂以其所部五原城隸於突厥。歆又說頡利遣長遜入朝，以五原地歸於我。頡利並從之，因發突厥兵及長遜之眾，並會於太宗軍所。武德三年，頡利又納義城公主為妻，以始畢之子什缽苾為突利可汗，遣使入朝，告處羅死。高祖為之罷朝一日，詔百官就館吊其使。

Jieli Khan was Qimin Khan's third son. He had earlier held the title Moheduo Shad, with his camp just north of Wuyuan. After Gaozu entered Chang'an, Xue Ju still held the Longyou region and sent Zong Luo to take Pingliang, whereupon he allied with Jieli to the north. Alarmed, Gaozu sent Yuwen Xin, director of the imperial household, with gold and silks to win Jieli over. Xin persuaded Jieli to break with Xue Ju. Earlier, Zhang Changsun, Sui prefect of Wuyuan, had in the chaos placed his command and Wuyuan city under Turkish rule. Xin further persuaded Jieli to send Zhang Changsun to court and restore Wuyuan to Tang. Jieli agreed to both proposals and dispatched Turkish troops together with Zhang's men to join the prince of Qin's camp. In Wude 3, Jieli again married Princess Yicheng, made Shiboni, Shibi's son, Tuli Khan, and sent envoys to announce Elu's death. Gaozu closed court for a day of mourning and ordered officials to offer condolences to the envoys at their lodge.

頡利初嗣立，承父兄之資，兵馬強盛。有憑陵中國之志。高祖以中原初定，不遑外略，每優容之，賜與不可勝計。頡利言辭悖傲，求請無厭。四年四月，頡利自率萬餘騎，與馬邑賊苑君璋將兵六千人共攻雁門。定襄王李大恩擊走之。先是漢陽公蘇瑰、太常卿鄭元璹、左驍衛大將軍長孫順德等各使於突厥，頡利並拘之。我亦留其使，前後數輩。至是為大恩所挫，於是乃懼，仍放順德還，更請和好。獻魚膠數十斤，欲充二國同於此膠。高祖嘉之，放其使者特勒熱寒、阿史德等還蕃，賜以金帛。

On first taking the throne, Jieli inherited the strength his father and brothers had built up, and his armies were formidable. He aimed to dominate the Chinese realm. With the heartland only newly pacified, Gaozu had no margin for foreign war and indulged him repeatedly, lavishing gifts beyond count. Jieli spoke with insolent defiance and never ceased demanding more. In the fourth month of Wude 4, Jieli led more than ten thousand cavalry himself, and together with the Mayi rebel Yuan Junzhang's six thousand men attacked Yanmen. Prince of Dingxiang Li Da'en routed them. Earlier, Su Gui, duke of Hanyang; Zheng Yuanshu, minister of ceremonies; and Changsun Shunde, general of the Left Yao-wei Guard, among others, had been sent as envoys to the Turks, and Jieli had held them all. Tang, in turn, had detained several successive Turkish missions. Checked by Li Da'en's victory, Jieli took fright, released Changsun Shunde, and renewed his plea for peace. He sent several tens of pounds of fish glue, proposing that the two realms be bonded as inseparably as the adhesive. Gaozu approved and sent back the tegin Remen, Ashide, and the other envoys with gifts of gold and silk.

五年春，李大恩奏言突厥饑荒，馬邑可圖。詔大恩與殿內少監獨孤晟帥師討苑君璋，期以二月會於馬邑。晟後期不至，大恩不能獨進，頓兵新城以待之。頡利遣數萬騎與劉黑闥合軍，進圍大恩。王師敗績，大恩歿於陣，死者數千人。六月，劉黑闥又引突厥萬餘騎入抄河北。頡利復自率五萬騎南侵，至於汾州。又遣數千騎西入靈、原等州，詔隱太子出豳州道，太宗出蒲州道以討之。時頡利攻圍并州，又分兵入汾、潞等州，掠男女五千餘口，聞太宗兵至蒲州，乃引兵出塞。

In the spring of Wude 5, Li Da'en reported that famine had weakened the Turks and that Mayi could be seized. The court ordered Li Da'en and Dugu Sheng, director of palace attendants, to campaign against Yuan Junzhang, with a joint rendezvous at Mayi in the second month. Dugu Sheng failed to arrive on time, so Li Da'en could not advance alone and encamped at Xincheng to wait. Jieli sent tens of thousands of cavalry to unite with Liu Heita and surround Li Da'en. The imperial force was crushed; Li Da'en fell in battle and several thousand men were killed. In the sixth month Liu Heita again brought more than ten thousand Turkish cavalry on raids into Hebei. Jieli himself led fifty thousand cavalry south as far as Fenzhou. He also sent several thousand horsemen west into Ling and Yuan prefectures. The court ordered the crown prince out by the Binzhou road and the prince of Qin by the Puzhou road to counter them. Jieli was then besieging Bingzhou while detachments raided Fen, Lu, and neighboring prefectures, carrying off more than five thousand people. When he learned that the prince of Qin had reached Puzhou, he withdrew beyond the border.

七年八月，頡利、突利二可汗舉國入寇，道自原州，連營南上。太宗受詔北討，齊王元吉隸焉。初，關中霖雨，糧運阻絕，太宗頗患之，諸將憂見於色，頓兵於豳州。頡利、突利率萬餘騎奄至城西，乘高而陣，將士大駭。太宗乃親率百騎馳詣虜陣，告之曰：「國家與可汗誓不相負，何為背約深入吾地？我秦王也，故來一決。可汗若自來，我當與可汗兩人獨戰；若欲兵馬總來，我唯百騎相禦耳。」頡利弗之測，笑而不對。太宗又前，令騎告突利曰：「爾往與我盟，急難相救；爾今將兵來，何無香火之情也？亦宜早出，一決勝負。」突利亦不對。太宗前，將渡溝水，頡利見太宗輕出，又聞香火之言，乃陰猜突利。因遣使曰：「王不須渡，我無惡意，更欲共王自斷當耳。」於是稍引卻，各斂軍而退。太過因縱反間於突利，突利悅而歸心焉，遂不欲戰。其叔侄內離，頡利欲戰不可，因遣突利及夾畢特勒阿史那思摩奉見請和，許之。突利因自托於太宗，願結為兄弟。思摩初奉見，高祖引升禦榻，頓顙固辭。高祖謂曰：「頡利誠心遣特勒朝拜，今見特勒，如見頡利。」固引之，乃就坐，尋封思摩為和順王。

In the eighth month of Wude 7, Jieli and Tuli Khan led the whole nation in invasion, advancing south from Yuanzhou in a chain of camps. The prince of Qin took command of the northern campaign with Prince of Qi Li Yuanji under him. Heavy rains in Guanzhong had cut supply lines, and the prince of Qin was deeply worried; dismay showed on his generals' faces as the army halted at Binzhou. Jieli and Tuli suddenly appeared west of the city with more than ten thousand horsemen and drew up on the high ground, throwing the Tang army into alarm. The prince of Qin then rode at the head of a hundred men straight to the Turkish lines and called out: "Our realms swore not to betray one another—why have you broken the treaty and marched deep into our territory? I am the Prince of Qin, and I have come to settle this between us. If the khan will face me himself, let the two of us fight alone; if you mean to bring all your forces, these hundred horsemen are all I need to meet them." Jieli could not read him; he only smiled and said nothing. The prince advanced again and sent a rider to tell Tuli: "You once swore alliance with me to help in distress; yet now you march against me—where is the bond of sworn brotherhood? Come out yourself and let us settle it." Tuli likewise held his tongue. As the prince moved forward to cross the ditch, Jieli, struck by his bold appearance and by the talk of sworn brotherhood, began to suspect Tuli in secret. He sent a messenger saying: "Prince, do not cross—I mean no harm; I only wish to settle this with you face to face." Both sides then drew back and withdrew their forces. The prince then sowed distrust between the khans; Tuli was won over and lost all will to fight. With uncle and nephew estranged, Jieli could not bring himself to fight and sent Tuli and the Jabiy tegin Ashina Simo to sue for peace, which was granted. Tuli placed himself under the prince's protection and asked to become sworn brothers. At Simo's first audience Gaozu drew him onto the imperial couch; he kowtowed and firmly refused. Gaozu said: "Jieli sent you in good faith; to see the tegin is to see Jieli himself." Gaozu insisted, and Simo took his seat; soon afterward he was enfeoffed as prince of Heshun.

八年七月，頡利集兵十餘萬，大掠朔州，又襲將軍張瑾於太原。瑾全軍並沒，脫身奔於李靖。出師拒戰，頡利不得進，屯於并州。太宗帥師討之，次蒲州；頡利引兵而去，太宗旋師。

In the seventh month of Wude 8, Jieli massed more than a hundred thousand men, ravaged Shuo Prefecture, and struck General Zhang Jin at Taiyuan. Zhang Jin's whole force was wiped out; he alone escaped to Li Jing. Imperial troops marched out to block him; unable to advance, Jieli encamped at Bingzhou. The prince of Qin marched against him and halted at Puzhou; Jieli withdrew, and the prince marched home.

九年七月，頡利自率十餘萬騎進寇武功，京師戒嚴。己卯，進寇高陵，行軍總管左武候大將軍尉遲敬德與之戰於涇陽，大破之，獲俟斤阿史德烏沒啜，斬首千餘級。癸未，頡利遣其腹心執失思力入朝為覘，自張形勢云：「二可汗總兵百萬，今已至矣。」太宗謂之曰：「我與突厥面自和親，汝則背之，我實無愧。又義軍入京之初，爾父子並親從，我賜汝玉帛，前後極多，何故輒將兵入我畿縣？爾雖突厥，亦須頗有人心，何故全忘大恩，自誇強盛？我當先戮爾矣！」思力懼而請命，太宗不許，縶之於門下省。

In the seventh month of Wude 9, Jieli led more than a hundred thousand cavalry against Wugong, and the capital went on alert. On jimao day he pressed on to Gaoling. Yuchi Jingde, campaigning commander and general of the Left Martial Guard, met him at Jingyang and won a great victory, capturing the houjin Ashide Wumochuo and more than a thousand heads. On guwei day Jieli sent his confidant Zhishi Sili to court on reconnaissance, boasting: "The two khans command a million men—they are already here." The prince of Qin told him: "I made peace with the Turks in person, and you broke it—I have nothing to be ashamed of. When our army first entered the capital, your father and you both followed in person, and I lavished jade and silk on you again and again—why do you now march troops into the capital districts? Even a Turk ought to have some sense of gratitude—why forget our kindness and boast of your power? I ought to execute you on the spot!" Sili pleaded for his life in terror; the prince refused and had him imprisoned in the Secretariat.

太宗與侍中高士廉、中書令房玄齡、將軍周範馳六騎幸渭水之上，與頡利隔津而語，責以負約。其酋帥大驚，皆下馬羅拜。俄而，眾軍繼至，頡利見軍容大盛，又知思力就拘，由是大懼。太宗獨與頡利臨水交言，麾諸軍卻而陣焉。蕭瑀以輕敵固諫於馬前，上曰：「吾已籌之，非卿所知也。突厥所以掃其境內，直入渭濱，應是聞我國家初有內難，朕又新登九五，將謂不敢拒之。朕若閉門，虜必大掠，強弱之勢，在今一舉。朕故獨出，以示輕之；又耀軍容，使知必戰。事出不意，乖其本圖，虜入既深，理當自懼。與戰則必克，與和則必固，制服匈奴，自茲始矣！」是日，頡利請和，詔許焉。車駕即日還宮。乙酉，又幸城西，刑白馬與頡利同盟於便橋之上，頡利引兵而退。蕭瑀進曰：「初，頡利之未和也，謀臣猛將多請戰，而陛下不納，臣以為疑。既而虜自退，其策安在？」上曰：「我觀突厥之兵，雖眾而不整，君臣之計，唯財利是視。可汗獨在水西，酋帥皆來謁我，我因而襲擊其眾，勢同拉朽。然我已令無忌、李靖設伏於幽州以待之，虜若奔還，伏兵邀其前，大軍躡其後，覆之如反掌矣！我所以不戰者，即位日淺，為國之道，安靜為務，一與虜戰，必有死傷；又匈虜一敗，或當懼而修德，結怨於我，為患不細。我今卷甲韜戈，陷以玉帛，頑虜驕恣，必自此始，破亡之漸，其在茲乎！將欲取之，必固與之，此之謂也！」九月，頡利獻馬三千匹，羊萬口，上不受；詔頡利所掠中國戶口者悉令歸之。

With Gao Shilian, Fang Xuanling, and General Zhou Fan, the prince rode six horses to the Wei River, confronted Jieli across the ford, and rebuked him for breaking the treaty. The Turkish chiefs were stunned; they all dismounted and bowed in ranks. Soon the main armies came up; seeing their strength and learning that Sili was a prisoner, Jieli was thoroughly frightened. Taizong went alone to parley with Jieli across the water, then ordered the armies to withdraw and form battle lines. Xiao Yu, fearing they underestimated the foe, pleaded with the Emperor from horseback. Taizong replied, "I have already weighed this matter. It lies beyond what you can see. The Turks had swept through their own lands and marched straight to the Wei River because they had heard that the empire was newly torn by civil strife and that I had only just taken the throne. They assumed we would not dare stand against them. Had I barred the gates, the invaders would have looted without restraint. The question of who was strong and who was weak would have been settled in a single stroke. So I went out alone—to show that I did not fear them; and at the same time displayed the full might of our armies, so they would know we were ready to fight. Events took them by surprise and overturned their plans. Having penetrated so far, they could not but begin to fear. Fight, and we would surely win; treat, and the peace would surely hold. The subjugation of the northern horsemen begins here!" That same day Jieli sued for peace, and the Emperor granted it. The Emperor returned to the palace that very day. On the day yiyou, Taizong again went to the western suburbs, sacrificed a white horse, and swore alliance with Jieli on Bianqiao Bridge. Jieli then led his army away. Xiao Yu stepped forward and said, "When Jieli had not yet agreed to peace, your counselors and generals urged battle again and again, yet Your Majesty refused. I confess I was baffled. Then the enemy withdrew of their own accord. Where, I wondered, lay Your Majesty's design? Taizong said, "I saw that though the Turk army was large, it was not orderly. Khan and chiefs alike cared for nothing but gain. The khan stood alone on the west bank while his chieftains came forward to pay me homage. Had I struck then, their host would have collapsed like rotten timber. Moreover, I had already ordered Changsun Wuji and Li Jing to lay ambushes in Youzhou. If the Turks fled homeward, the hidden troops would block their path while our main force fell upon them from behind. Their destruction would have been as easy as turning one's palm. I chose not to fight because I had only lately taken the throne. A ruler's first duty is peace. One battle with the barbarians would have meant many dead and wounded; and if the northern tribes suffered defeat, they might in fear mend their ways yet nurse a lasting grudge against us. The harm would not be small. Now I sheathe our swords and lay aside our armor, luring them with gifts of jade and silk. From this their pride and excess will surely grow—and with them the first steps toward ruin. To take what one desires, one must first give generously. That is the meaning of my policy! In the ninth month Jieli offered three thousand horses and ten thousand sheep. Taizong refused the gift; and issued an edict that all Chinese subjects Jieli had carried off were to be sent home.

貞觀元年，陰山已北薛延陀、回紇、拔也古等部皆相率背叛，擊走其欲谷設。頡利遣突利討之，師又敗績，輕騎奔還。頡利怒，拘之十餘日；突利由是怨望，內欲背之。其國大雪，平地數尺，羊馬皆死，人大饑，乃懼我師出乘其弊。引兵入朔州，揚言會獵，實設備焉。侍臣咸曰：「夷狄無信，先自猜疑，盟後將兵，忽踐疆境。可乘其便，數以背約，因而討之。」太宗曰：「匹夫一言，尚須存信，何況天下主乎！豈有親與之和，利其災禍而乘危迫險以滅之耶？諸公為可，朕不為也。縱突厥部落叛盡，六畜皆死，朕終示以信，不妄討之；待其無禮，方擒取耳。」

In the first year of the Zhenguan reign, the Xueyantuo, Huihe, Bayegu, and other tribes north of Yinshan rose in succession against Jieli and drove off his yehu she. Jieli dispatched Tuli to punish them, but the campaign failed again and only a few horsemen escaped back. Jieli flew into a rage and held him prisoner for more than ten days; whereupon Tuli nursed a grievance and inwardly resolved to break with him. Heavy snow fell across the Turk lands until the open country lay several feet deep. Sheep and horses perished, the people starved, and Jieli grew afraid that Tang armies would march out to exploit his weakness. He led troops into Shuozhou, claiming he came to hunt, but in truth was making ready for war. The courtiers all said, "These barbarians cannot be trusted. They were suspicious from the first, and now, scarcely after our treaty, they have brought troops across our border. We should seize the moment, hold their broken oath against them, and strike while we may. Taizong said, "If even a common man must keep his word, how much more must the Son of Heaven! How could I make peace with them in person, then turn their disaster to my advantage and destroy them in their hour of peril? You may think it permissible. I do not. Even if every Turk tribe deserted Jieli and every head of livestock perished, I would still honor my word and not strike without cause; I will wait until they give me just cause, and only then take them."

二年，突利遣使奏言與頡利有隙，奏請擊之，詔秦武通以并州兵馬隨便應接。三年，薛延陀自稱可汗於漠北，遣使來貢方物。頡利始稱臣，尚公主，請修婿禮。頡利每委任諸胡，疏遠族類，胡人貪冒，性多翻覆，以故法令滋彰，兵革歲動，國人患之，諸部攜貳。頻年大雪，六畜多死，國中大餒，頡利用度不給，復重斂諸部，由是下不堪命，內外多叛之。上以其請和，後復援梁師都，詔兵部尚書李靖、代州都督張公謹出定襄道。并州都督李勣、右武衛將軍丘行恭出通漢道，左武衛大將軍柴紹出金河道，衛孝節出恆安道，薛萬徹出暢武道，並受靖節度以討之。十二月，突利可汗及郁射設、廕奈特勒等，並帥所部來奔。

In the second year Tuli sent envoys to report his breach with Jieli and to ask permission to attack him. The Emperor ordered Qin Wutong to move the Bingzhou forces as needed to support him. In the third year Xueyantuo proclaimed himself khan in the northern steppe and sent tribute to the court. Jieli submitted as a vassal for the first time, received an imperial princess in marriage, and asked to perform the rites due a son-in-law of the throne. Jieli constantly favored foreign Hu advisers over his own tribesmen. The Hu were greedy and fickle by nature, so edicts multiplied, war never ceased, the people groaned under the burden, and the tribes grew restless. Year after year snow buried the land and livestock died in great numbers. Famine spread through the khanate. Unable to meet his expenses, Jieli taxed the tribes ever more harshly until they could endure no more and rebellion broke out within and without. Because Jieli had sued for peace and then again supported Liang Shidu, the Emperor ordered Minister of War Li Jing and Daizhou Military Governor Zhang Gongjin to march by the Dingxiang route. Bingzhou Military Governor Li Ji was to advance by the Tonghan route; Right Martial Guard General Qiu Xinggong, Left Martial Guard Grand General Chai Shao by the Jinhe route; Wei Xiaojie by the Heng'an route; and Xue Wanche by the Changwu route—all under Li Jing's overall command to destroy Jieli. In the twelfth month Tuli Khan, together with Yushe She, Yinnai Tele, and others, led their tribes in flight to Tang territory.

四年正月，李靖進屯惡陽嶺，夜襲定襄，頡利驚擾，因徙牙於磧口。胡酋康蘇密等遂以隋蕭後及楊政道來降。二月，頡利計窘，竄於鐵山，兵尚數萬，使執失思力入朝謝罪，請舉國內附。太宗遣鴻臚卿唐儉、將軍安修仁持節安撫之，頡利稍自安。靖乘間襲擊，大破之，遂滅其國。頡利乘千里馬，獨騎奔於從侄沙缽羅部落。三月，行軍副總管張寶相率眾奄至沙缽羅營，生擒頡利送於京師。太宗謂曰：「凡有功於我者，必不能忘，有惡於我者，終亦不記。論爾之罪狀，誠為不小，但自渭水曾面為盟，從此以來，未有深犯，所以錄此，不相責耳！」仍詔還其家口，館於太僕，稟食之。頡利郁郁不得志，與其家人或相對悲歌而泣。帝見羸憊，授虢州刺史，以彼土多麞鹿，縱其畋獵，庶不失物性。頡利辭不願往，遂授右衛大將軍，賜以田宅。

In the first month of the fourth year Li Jing encamped at Eyang Ridge and struck Dingxiang by night. Jieli, thrown into panic, moved his royal camp to Qikou. The Hu chieftain Kang Sumi and others then surrendered, bringing with them Empress Xiao of Sui and Yang Zhengdao. In the second month, his stratagems exhausted, Jieli fled to Mount Tie with an army still tens of thousands strong. He sent Zhishi Sili to the capital to confess his crimes and offer the submission of the entire khanate. Taizong sent Grand Master of Ceremonies Tang Jian and General An Xiuren with imperial credentials to reassure him, and Jieli slowly regained his composure. Li Jing seized the moment and attacked, crushing the Turks and extinguishing their state. Jieli fled alone on a swift horse to the camp of his cousin Shaboluo. In the third month Deputy Campaign Commander Zhang Baoxiang fell suddenly upon Shaboluo's camp, took Jieli alive, and sent him to the capital. Taizong said to him, "Those who have served me well I never forget. Those who have wronged me I do not forever hold in memory. By the measure of your offenses, your guilt is no small thing. Yet since we once met face to face and swore alliance beside the Wei River, you have not since committed any grave wrong. For that I spare you blame! An edict restored his family to him. They were lodged with the Court of the Imperial Stud and provided with provisions. Despondent and without purpose, Jieli would sometimes sit with his kin, singing mournful songs and weeping together. Seeing how wasted and weary he had become, the Emperor appointed him governor of Guo Prefecture, where roe deer were plentiful, so that he might hunt freely and not be wholly severed from the life he had known. Jieli refused the post. He was instead made Grand General of the Right Guard and given lands and a house.

五年，太宗謂侍臣曰：「天道福善禍淫，事猶影響。昔啟民亡國奔隋，文帝不吝粟帛，大興士眾，營衛安置，乃得存立。既而強盛，當須子子孫孫思念報德。才至始畢，即起兵圍煬帝於雁門，及隋國將亂，又恃強深入，遂使昔安立其家國者，身及子孫，並為頡利兄弟之所屠戮。今頡利破亡，豈非背恩忘義所致也！」

In the fifth year Taizong told his ministers, "Heaven rewards virtue and punishes wickedness as surely as the body casts a shadow or the voice returns an echo. Long ago Qimin Khan lost his realm and fled to Sui. Emperor Wen lavished grain and silk upon him, mustered soldiers and laborers, and established camps to shelter his people, so that the house of Ashina was preserved. When they grew strong again, they should have remembered that debt from generation to generation. Yet no sooner had Shibi Khan come to power than he raised an army and besieged Emperor Yang at Yanmen. When Sui was near collapse he again pressed deep into China with all his strength. In the end, those very Sui emperors who had raised up his house and kin were slaughtered, they and their descendants, by Jieli and his brothers. Now Jieli lies ruined. Was that not the wages of ingratitude and faithlessness?"

八年卒，詔其國人葬之，從其俗禮，焚屍於灞水之東，贈歸義王，謚曰荒。其舊臣胡祿達官吐谷渾邪自刎以殉。

In the eighth year he died. By edict his countrymen buried him according to Turk custom, burning his body east of the Ba River. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Returning Righteousness, with the posthumous title Reckless. His former minister, the Hubo official Tuyuhun Xie, cut his own throat to die in his master's service.

渾邪者，頡利之母婆施氏之媵臣也。頡利初誕，以付渾邪，至是哀慟而死。太宗聞而異之，贈中郎將，仍葬於頡利墓側，樹碑以紀之。

Hunxie had been a handmaid of Jieli's mother, Lady Boshi. When Jieli was born, he had been placed in Hunxie's care. Now, stricken with grief, Hunxie died. Taizong, moved by the deed, posthumously honored him as Middle Commander, had him buried beside Jieli's tomb, and set up a stele to commemorate his loyalty.

突利可汗什缽苾者，始畢可法之嫡子，頡利之侄也。隋大業中，突利年數歲，始畢遣領其東牙之兵，號為泥步設。隋淮南公主之北也，遂妻之。頡利嗣位，以為突利可汗，牙直幽州之北。突利在東偏，管奚、等數十部，征稅無度，諸部多怨之。貞觀初，奚，等並來歸附，頡利怒其失眾，遣北征延陀，又喪師，遂囚而撻焉。

Tuli Khan Shibili was the eldest son of Shibi Khan and Jieli's nephew. During the Sui reign era Daye, while Tuli was still only a few years old, Shibi placed him in command of the eastern wing and gave him the title Nibu She. When the Sui princess of Huainan came north, he took her to wife. After Jieli succeeded to the khanate, he created Tuli khan and established his camp directly north of Youzhou. Tuli held the eastern territories and ruled over the Xi, Khitan, and several dozen other tribes. His exactions knew no limit, and many of the tribes came to resent him. Early in the Zhenguan reign the Xi, Khitan, and others defected to Tang. Enraged at the loss of his subjects, Jieli sent Tuli north against the Yantuo. Tuli was defeated again, then imprisoned and beaten.

突利初自武德時，深自結於太宗；太宗亦以恩義撫之，結為兄弟，與盟而去。後頡利政亂，驟征兵於突利，拒之不與，由是有隙。貞觀三年，表請入朝。上謂侍臣曰：「朕觀前代為國者，勞心以憂萬姓，世祚乃長；役人以奉其身，社稷必滅。今北蕃百姓喪亡。誠由其君不君之故也。至使突利情願入朝，若非困迫，何能至此？夷狄弱則邊境無虞，亦甚為慰。然見其顛狽，又不能不懼，所以然者，慮己有不逮，恐禍變亦爾。朕今視不能遠見，聽不能遠聞，唯藉公等盡忠匡弼，無得惰於諫諍也。」突利尋為頡利所攻，遣使來乞師。太宗謂近臣曰：「朕與突利結為兄弟，不可以不救。」杜如晦進曰：「夷狄無信，其來自久，國家雖為守約，彼必背之。不若因其亂而取之，所謂取亂侮亡之道。」太宗然之。因令將軍周範屯太原，以圖進取。突利乃率其眾來奔，太宗禮之甚厚，頻賜以禦膳。

From the Wude era onward Tuli had cultivated a close bond with Taizong; and Taizong in turn treated him with kindness and honor, swearing brotherhood with him before they parted. Later, as Jieli's rule collapsed, he repeatedly demanded troops from Tuli, who refused. From that breach arose open enmity. In the third year of Zhenguan he petitioned to come to court. The Emperor told his ministers, "Rulers of old who wore themselves out in care for the people enjoyed long reigns; those who exhausted the people to serve their own pleasure saw their dynasties fall. Now the common folk of the northern tribes are dying in vast numbers. That is truly because their khan has failed to rule as a khan should. Tuli now willingly seeks refuge at my court. Had he not been driven to extremity, how could matters have come to this? When the northern peoples weaken, our borders are safer—and that is cause for relief. Yet to see their ruin is also to feel fear, for I wonder whether I too may one day fall short—and whether such disaster may someday befall us. My eyes cannot see far and my ears cannot hear afar. I depend on you to serve me faithfully and to speak plainly when I err. Do not grow lax in your counsel." Soon afterward Jieli attacked Tuli, who sent envoys begging for aid. Taizong told his close advisers, "Tuli and I are sworn brothers. I cannot abandon him." Du Ruhui stepped forward and said, "The northern tribes have never been trustworthy. Even if we keep faith, they will break theirs. Better to strike while they are in chaos. That is the ancient principle: take advantage of disorder and strike the dying." Taizong agreed. He then ordered General Zhou Fan to encamp at Taiyuan and prepare to move against Jieli. Tuli thereupon led his people in flight to Tang. Taizong received him with great honor and often sent him food from the imperial table.

四年，授右衛大將軍，封北平郡王，食邑封七百戶，以其下兵眾置順祐等州，帥部落還蕃。太宗謂曰：「昔爾祖啟民亡失兵馬，一身投隋，隋家翌立，遂至強盛，荷隋之恩，未嘗報德。至爾父始畢，乃為隋家之患，自爾已後，無歲不侵擾中國。天實禍淫，大降災變，爾眾散亂，死亡略盡。既事窮後，乃來投我，我所以不立爾為可汗者，正為啟民前事故也。改變前法，欲中國久安，爾宗族永固，是以授爾都督。當須依我國法，整齊所部，不得妄相侵掠，如有所違，當獲重罪。」

In the fourth year he was made Grand General of the Right Guard and enfeoffed as Prince of Beiping with a fief of seven hundred households. His followers were settled in Shunyu and other prefectures, and he was sent back to the frontier at the head of his tribes. Taizong said to him, "Your ancestor Qimin lost his horses and soldiers and came alone to seek Sui's protection. The Sui court raised him up until his house grew mighty. Yet he never repaid that debt of kindness. When your father Shibi rose to power, he became a scourge to Sui. From that day forward scarcely a year passed without raids into China. Heaven punishes wickedness. Great disasters fell upon you. Your people scattered and were all but destroyed. Only when all was lost did you come to me. I do not make you khan precisely because of what happened under Qimin. I mean to break with the old way, so that China may know lasting peace and your clan may endure. That is why I appoint you military governor instead. You must obey the laws of the empire, keep your tribes in order, and refrain from raiding one another. Any breach will bring severe punishment."

五年，征入朝，至并州，道病卒，年二十九。太宗為之舉哀，詔中書侍郎岑文本為其碑文。子賀邏鶻嗣。

In the fifth year he was summoned to court. He reached Bingzhou, took ill on the road, and died at twenty-nine. Taizong mourned him and ordered Vice Director of the Secretariat Cen Wenben to write his epitaph. His son Heluohe succeeded him.

突利弟結社率，貞觀初入朝，歷位中郎將。十三年，從幸九成宮，陰結部落得四十餘人，並擁賀邏鶻，相與夜犯御營，逾第四重幕，引弓亂發，殺衛士數十人。折沖孫武開率兵奮擊，乃退。北走渡渭水，欲奔其部落。尋皆捕而斬之，詔原賀邏鶻，流於嶺外。

Tuli's younger brother Jieshelü came to court early in the Zhenguan reign and rose to the post of commandant of the palace guards. In the thirteenth year, while accompanying the emperor to Jiucheng Palace, he secretly rallied more than forty tribesmen around Heluohe. That night they stormed the imperial camp, broke through the fourth line of tents, and loosed their bows in wild volleys, killing dozens of guards. Zhechong Sun Wukai led his men in a fierce counterattack and drove them back. They fled north across the Wei River, hoping to reach their tribesmen. Soon all were captured and executed. An edict spared Heluohe but banished him beyond the Ling Mountains.

頡利之敗也，其部落或走薛延陀，或走西域，而來降者甚眾。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。因其歸命，分其種落，俘之河南兗、豫之地，散居州縣，各使耕織，百萬胡虜可得化為百姓，則中國有加戶之利，塞北可常空矣。唯中書令溫彥博議請準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，二則示無猜心。若遣向河南兗、豫，則乖物性，故非含育之道。太宗將從之。秘書監魏征奏言：「突厥自古至今，未有如斯之破敗者也，此是上天剿絕，宗廟神武。且其世寇中國，百姓冤仇，陛下以其降伏，不能誅滅，即宜遣還河北，居其故土。匈奴人面獸心，非我族類，強必寇盜，弱則卑服，不顧恩義，其天性也。秦、漢患其若是，故發猛將以擊之，收取河南，以為郡縣，陛下奈何以內地居之！且今降者幾至十萬，數年之間，孳息百倍，居我肘腋，密邇王畿，心腹之疾，將為後患，尤不可河南處也。」溫彥博奏曰：「天子之於物也，天覆地載，有歸我者，則必養之。今突厥破滅之余，歸心降附，陛下不加憐湣，棄而不納，非天地之道，阻四夷之意，臣愚甚謂不可。遣居河南，所謂死而生之，亡而存之，懷我德惠，終無叛逆。」魏征又曰：「晉代有魏時胡落，分居近郡，平吳已後，郭欽、江統勸武帝逐出塞外；不用欽等言，數年之後，遂傾瀍、洛。前代覆車，殷鑒不遠，陛下必用彥博之言，遣居河南，所謂養獸自遺患也！」彥博又曰：「聞聖人之道，無所不通，古先哲王，有教無類。突厥余魂，以命歸我，我援護之，收居內地，稟我指麾，教以禮法，數年之後，盡為農民。選其酋首，遣居宿衛，畏威懷德，何患之有？光武居南單于內郡，為漢籓翰，終乎一代，不有叛逆。」彥博既口給，引類百端，太宗遂用其計，於朔方之地，自幽州至靈州置順、祐、化、長四州都督府，又分頡利之地六州，左置定襄都督府，右置雲中都督府，以統其部眾。其酋首至者，皆拜為將軍、中郎將等官，布列朝廷，五品以上百餘人，因而入居長安者數千家。自結社率之反也，太宗始患之。又上書者多雲處突厥於中國，殊謂非便，乃徙於河北，立右武候大將軍、化州都督、懷化郡王思摩為乙彌泥孰侯利苾可汗，賜姓李氏，率所部建牙於河北。

When Jieli fell, some of his tribes fled to Xueyantuo or to the Western Regions, but vast numbers came over to Tang. The court was ordered to debate how best to secure the northern frontier. Many at court argued that the Turks had long relied on their strength to harass China. Heaven has now cast them off. They come to us in desperation, not from any love of our virtue. We should seize this moment of submission, break up their tribes, and resettle them south of the Yellow River in Yan and Yu, scattering them among the prefectures and counties to farm and weave. Millions of barbarians could become ordinary subjects. China would gain households; the northern marches would stand empty. Only Chief Minister Wen Yanbo urged following the Han precedent under Emperor Guangwu of settling surrendered Xionnu below the Wuyuan Pass. Keep their tribes whole and use them as a frontier shield. Do not tear them from their customs; win them by kindness. That would fill empty lands and show that we bear them no suspicion. To send them to Henan, Yan, and Yu would go against their nature. That is not the way of humane rule. Taizong was inclined to accept this view. Secretariat Director Wei Zheng memorialized: "From antiquity until now the Turks have never been so utterly broken. This is Heaven's judgment upon them and the divine martial power of our ancestral temples. For generations they have raided China, and the people bear deep grievances against them. Your Majesty cannot simply slaughter them now that they have surrendered—but you should send them back north of the Yellow River to their old lands. The Xiongnu have the faces of men and the hearts of beasts. They are not of our kind. When strong they raid; when weak they cringe. Gratitude and duty mean nothing to them. That is their nature. Qin and Han were vexed by this very problem and sent fierce generals against them, seized the region south of the Yellow River, and turned it into commanderies and counties. How can Your Majesty settle them in the heartland! The surrendered now number nearly a hundred thousand. Within a few years they will multiply a hundredfold, dwelling at our very elbow, hard upon the capital—a disease of the heart and belly, a calamity in waiting. They must not be placed south of the Yellow River." Wen Yanbo replied: "The Son of Heaven embraces all things as Heaven covers and Earth upholds. Whoever comes to us must be sheltered and fed. These are the broken remnants of the Turks, their hearts turned toward us in submission. If Your Majesty shows no pity but casts them out and refuses to receive them, that is not the way of Heaven and Earth. It would alienate the four quarters. I humbly deem that impossible. Settling them south of the Yellow River is what the ancients meant by giving life to the dead and preserving what was lost. Cherishing our virtue and kindness, they will never rebel." Wei Zheng answered again: "In Jin times there were Xiongnu bands left over from Wei, settled among the neighboring commanderies. After Wu was pacified, Guo Qin and Jiang Tong urged Emperor Wu to drive them beyond the frontier. He did not heed Guo Qin and the others. Within a few years the dynasty fell at Chan and Luo. The overturned cart of former ages is a mirror not far off. If Your Majesty follows Yanbo's counsel and settles them south of the Yellow River, you will be raising beasts to leave yourself a future calamity!" Yanbo replied again: "I have heard that the Way of the sages reaches everywhere, and that the ancient sage kings taught without distinction of kind. These Turk remnants offer their lives to us. If we aid and protect them, settle them within the realm, command them, and teach them rites and law, within a few years they will all become farmers. Choose their chieftains and keep them at court as palace guards. In awe of our might and grateful for our kindness—what cause for worry could there be? Emperor Guangwu settled the Southern Chanyu in the inner commanderies as a bulwark for Han, and through that whole age there was no rebellion. Yanbo was quick of tongue and cited precedents by the hundred. Taizong adopted his plan. In the Shuofang region, from Youzhou to Lingzhou, he established four area commands—Shun, You, Hua, and Chang—and further divided Jieli's lands into six prefectures, placing Dingxiang Command on the left and Yunzhong Command on the right to govern the tribes. Chieftains who came were appointed generals, commandants of the palace guards, and the like—more than a hundred of fifth rank and above filled the court—and several thousand households took up residence in Chang'an. After Jieshelü's rebellion, Taizong first grew uneasy. Many memorials also argued that settling Turks within China was ill-advised. The court therefore moved them to Hebei, installed Right Wu Hou General and Prince of Huaihua Simo as khan Ilbilish Beg, granted him the surname Li, and had him lead his tribes to establish headquarters in Hebei.

思摩者，頡利族人也。始畢、處羅以其貌似胡人，不類突厥，疑非阿史那族類，故歷處羅、頡利世，常為夾畢特勒，終不得典兵為設。武德初，數來朝貢，高祖封為和順郡王。及其國亂，諸部多歸中國，唯思摩隨逐頡利，竟與同擒。太宗嘉其忠，除右武候大將軍、化州都督，令統頡利舊部落於河南之地，尋改封懷化郡王。

Simo was of Jieli's clan. Shibi and Chuluo had thought his face resembled a foreigner rather than a Turk and suspected he was not truly of the Ashina line. Through the reigns of Chuluo and Jieli he always served as Jabiy tegin and never won command of troops as a shad. Early in the Wude reign he came repeatedly to court with tribute, and Gaozu enfeoffed him as Prince of Heshun. When the Turkish state collapsed, most tribes submitted to Tang. Only Simo stayed with Jieli and was captured along with him. Taizong praised his loyalty, made him Right Wu Hou General and military governor of Hua Prefecture, and ordered him to govern Jieli's old tribes south of the Yellow River. Soon afterward he was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Huaihua.

及將徙於白道之北，思摩等咸憚薛延陀，不肯出塞。太宗遣司農卿郭嗣本賜延陀璽書曰：

When the court prepared to move them north of the White Road, Simo and his people all feared Xueyantuo and refused to cross the frontier. Taizong sent Minister of Court Revenues Guo Siben to Xueyantuo with an imperial letter that read:

突厥頡利可汗未破已前，自恃強盛，抄掠中國，百姓被其殺者，不可勝紀。我發兵擊破之，諸部落悉歸化。我略其舊過，嘉其從善，並授官爵，同我百僚，所有部落，愛之如子，與我百姓不異。但中國禮義，不滅爾國，前破突厥，止為頡利一人為百姓之害，所以廢而黜之，實不貪其土地，利其人馬也。自黜廢頡利以後，恆欲更立可汗，是以所降部落等並置河南，任其放牧，今戶口羊馬日向滋多。元許冊立，不可失信，即欲遣突厥渡河，復其國土。我策爾延陀，日月在前，今突厥居後，後者為小，前者為大。爾在磧北，突厥居磧南，各守土境，鎮撫部落。若其逾越，故相抄掠，我即將兵各問其罪。此約既定，非但有便爾身，貽厥子孫，長守富貴也。」

Before the Turk khan Jieli was overthrown, he relied on his strength and raided China year after year. The common people slain by his followers cannot be counted. I raised an army, struck him down, and shattered his power. All the tribes have wholly submitted. I have overlooked their old crimes and praised their turn toward virtue. I have granted them ranks and titles equal to my own officials. I cherish their tribes as sons, no differently from my own people. China's rites and righteousness do not require the extinction of your state. I broke the Turks only because Jieli alone was a scourge to the people. I deposed and removed him. I do not covet Turkish land or desire Turkish horses and men. Since deposing Jieli I have wished to establish another khan. That is why the surrendered tribes were settled south of the Yellow River and left to pasture as they pleased. Now their households, sheep, and horses grow daily. I long ago promised to invest a khan, and I cannot break faith. I mean to send the Turks back across the river and restore their homeland. I have taken your measure, Xueyantuo. The sun and moon stand before you; the Turks will stand behind. The one behind is the lesser; the one before is the greater. You will hold the northern desert; the Turks will hold the southern desert. Each side is to guard its own territory and keep its tribes in order. If either side crosses the border and raids the other, I shall send troops and hold the guilty party to account. Once this covenant is fixed, it will benefit not only you but your descendants as well, who may long enjoy wealth and honor."

於是命禮部尚書趙郡王孝恭賫書就思摩部落，築壇於河上以拜之，並賜之鼓纛。突厥及胡在諸州安置者，並令渡河北，還其舊部。又以左屯衛將軍阿史那忠為左賢王，左武衛將軍阿史那泥孰為右賢王。以貳之。

Thereupon he ordered Minister of Rites Zhao Prince Li Xiaogong to carry the letter to Simo's tribe. An altar was built by the river for his investiture, and drums and banners were bestowed upon him. Turks and other nomads settled in the various prefectures were all ordered to cross north of the Yellow River and return to their old tribes. He also appointed Left Tunwei General Ashina Zhong as Left Wise Prince and Left Wuwei General Ashina Nishu as Right Wise Prince. They were appointed as deputies to divide authority between them.

薛延陀聞太宗遣思摩渡河北，慮其部落翻附磧北，預蓄輕騎，伺至而擊之。太宗遣敕之曰：「擅相侵者，國有常刑。」延陀曰：「至尊遣莫相侵掠，敢不奉詔。然突厥翻覆難信，其未破前，連年殺中國人，動以千萬計。至尊破突厥，須收為奴婢，將與百姓，而反養之如子，結社率竟反，此輩獸心，不可信也。臣荷恩甚深，請為至尊誅之。」時思摩下部眾渡河者凡十萬，勝兵四萬人，思摩不能撫其眾，皆不愜服。至十七年，相率叛之，南渡河，請分處於勝、夏二州之間，詔許之。思摩遂輕騎入朝，尋授右武衛將軍，從征遼東，為流矢所中；太宗親為吮血，其見顧遇如此。未幾，卒於京師。贈兵部尚書、夏州都督，陪葬昭陵，立墳以象白道山，詔為立碑於化州。

When Xueyantuo learned that Taizong was sending Simo north of the Yellow River, it feared the Turkish tribes would turn and attach themselves north of the desert. It gathered light cavalry in advance to strike them on arrival. Taizong sent an edict: "Whoever dares raid the other will face the fixed punishments of the state." Xueyantuo replied: "The Sovereign has forbidden mutual raiding. How could we dare disobey? Yet the Turks are fickle and cannot be trusted. Before their defeat they killed Chinese year after year, often numbering in the millions. Your Majesty shattered the Turks. They ought to have been taken as slaves and given to the people. Instead you have nurtured them like sons—and Jieshelü rebelled in the end. These people have the hearts of beasts and cannot be trusted. Your servant owes you deep grace. I beg leave to execute them on Your Majesty's behalf." At that time a hundred thousand of Simo's people crossed the river, including forty thousand fighting men. Simo could not win over his followers, and none were content. By the seventeenth year they rose in succession against him, crossed south of the river, and asked to be divided and settled between Sheng and Xia prefectures. The court granted the request. Simo then rode lightly into court. He was soon made Right Wuwei General and accompanied the Liaodong campaign, where he was struck by a stray arrow. Taizong personally sucked the blood from his wound. Such was the favor shown him. Before long he died in the capital. He was posthumously made Minister of War and military governor of Xia Prefecture, buried with honor at Zhaoling. His mound was shaped to resemble Mount Baidao, and an edict ordered a stele erected at Hua Prefecture.

先是，貞觀中，突厥別部有車鼻者，亦阿史那之族也。代為小可汗，牙於金山之北。頡利可汗之敗，北荒諸部將推為大可汗，遇薛延陀為可汗，車鼻不敢當，遂率所部歸於延陀。為人勇烈，有謀略，頗為眾附。延陀惡而將誅之，車鼻密知其謀，竄歸於舊所，其地去京師萬里，勝兵三萬人，自稱乙註車鼻可汗。西有歌羅祿，北有結骨，皆附隸之。自延陀破後，遣其子沙缽羅特勒來朝，貢方物，又請身入朝。太宗遣將軍郭廣敬征之，竟不至。太宗大怒。貞觀二十三年，遣右驍衛郎將高侃潛引回紇、仆骨等兵眾襲擊之，其酋長歌邏祿泥孰闕俟利發及拔塞匐處木昆莫賀咄俟斤等，率部落背車鼻，相繼來降。永徽元年，侃軍次阿息山。車鼻聞王師至，召所部兵，皆不赴，遂攜其妻子從數百騎而遁，其眾盡降。侃率精騎追車鼻，獲之，送於京師。仍獻於社廟，又獻於昭陵。高宗數其罪而赦之，拜左武衛將軍，賜宅於長安，處其餘眾於郁督軍山，置狼山都督以統之。車鼻長子羯漫陀，先統拔悉密部。車鼻未敗前，遣其子庵鑠入朝，太宗嘉之，拜左屯衛將軍，更置新黎州，以統其眾。

Earlier, during the Zhenguan reign, among the separate Turkish tribes there was one named Chebi, also of the Ashina clan. For generations he had been a minor khan, with his headquarters north of Mount Jin. When Khan Jieli fell, the tribes of the northern wastes wished to install Chebi as great khan. But Xueyantuo had already taken the title, and Chebi dared not contend. He led his tribe to submit to Xueyantuo instead. He was brave and fierce, skilled in strategy, and greatly admired by his followers. Xueyantuo hated him and planned to kill him. Chebi learned of the plot in secret, fled back to his old seat—a land ten thousand li from the capital, with thirty thousand fighting men—and styled himself Khan Yizhu Chebi. The Geluolu to the west and the Jiegu to the north all submitted to him. After Xueyantuo was broken, he sent his son Shaballo Tele to court with tribute and also asked to come in person. Taizong sent General Guo Guangjing to summon him, but he never came. Taizong was furious. In the twenty-third year of Zhenguan he sent Right Xiao Wei Langjiang Gao Kan secretly to lead Huihe, Pugu, and other forces in a surprise attack. Chieftains including Geluolu Nishu Que Silifa and Basai Fu Chumukun Mohuoduo Shijin led their tribes to turn against Chebi and surrender one after another. In the first year of Yonghui, Kan's army halted at Mount Axi. When Chebi heard the imperial army had arrived, he summoned his troops, but none came. He fled with his wife and children and a few hundred horsemen, and all his people surrendered. Kan led elite cavalry in pursuit, captured Chebi, and sent him to the capital. He was presented at the spirit tablets and then at Zhaoling. Gaozong recited his crimes and then pardoned him, appointing him Left Wuwei General and granting him a mansion in Chang'an. The remaining tribes were settled at Yudujun Mountain, and a Langshan command was established to govern them. Chebi's eldest son Jiemantuo had earlier governed the Basmyl tribe. Before Chebi's defeat he had sent his son Anshuo to court. Taizong praised this and made Anshuo Left Tunwei General, establishing Xinli Prefecture anew to govern his followers.

車鼻既破之後，突厥盡為封疆之臣，於是分置單于、瀚海二都護府。單于都護領狼山、雲中、桑乾三都督、蘇農等一十四州；瀚海都護領瀚海、金微、新黎等七都督、仙萼、賀蘭等八州，各以其首領為都督、刺史。高宗東封泰山，狼山都督葛邏祿社利等首領三十餘人，並扈從至嶽下，勒名於封禪之碑。自永徽已後，殆三十年，北鄙無事。

After Chebi's defeat the Turks all became frontier subjects of the empire. The court then established two protectorates, Chanyu and Hanhai. The Chanyu Protector governed the three area commands of Langshan, Yunzhong, and Sanggan, together with Su'nong and fourteen other prefectures. The Hanhai Protector governed Hanhai, Jinwei, Xinli, and seven other area commands, together with Xian'e, Helan, and eight other prefectures. In each case the tribal chieftain served as area commander or prefect. When Gaozong performed the eastern feng at Mount Tai, Langshan area commander Geluolu Sheli and more than thirty other chieftains all escorted him to the foot of the peak, and their names were carved on the fengchan stele. From Yonghui onward, for nearly thirty years the northern frontier knew no trouble.

調露元年，單于管內突厥首領阿史德溫傅、奉職二部落，始相率反叛，立泥孰匐為可汗，二十四州並叛應之。高宗遣鴻臚卿蕭嗣業、右千牛將軍李景嘉率眾討之，反為溫傅所敗，兵士死者萬餘人。又詔禮部尚書裴行儉為定襄道行軍大總管，率太僕少卿李思文、營州都督周道務等統眾三十餘萬，討擊溫傅，大破之。泥孰匐為其下所殺，並擒奉職而還。

In the first year of Tiaolu, within the Chanyu Protectorate the Turkish chieftains Ashide Wenfu and Fengzhi led their two tribes in rebellion, installing Nishu Fu as khan. Twenty-four prefectures rose in response. Gaozong sent Director of Guests Xiao Suye and Right Qianniu General Li Jingjia to suppress them, but Wenfu defeated them instead. More than ten thousand soldiers were killed. He then ordered Minister of Rites Pei Xingjian as grand commander of the Dingxiang campaign circuit, leading Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud Li Siwen, Ying Prefecture military governor Zhou Daowu, and others with more than three hundred thousand men against Wenfu. They broke his forces completely. Nishu Fu was killed by his own followers, and Fengzhi was captured and brought back.

永隆元年，突厥又迎頡利從兄之子阿史那伏念於夏州，將渡河立為可汗，諸部落復響應從之。又詔裴行儉率將軍曹繼叔、程務挺、李崇直、李文暕等討之。伏念窘急，詣行儉降。行儉遂虜伏念詣京師，斬於東市。永淳二年，突厥阿史那骨咄祿復反叛。

In the first year of Yonglong the Turks again welcomed Jieli's paternal cousin's son Ashina Funian at Xia Prefecture, intending to cross the river and install him as khan. The tribes once more answered and followed. The court again ordered Pei Xingjian, with Generals Cao Jishu, Cheng Wuting, Li Chongzhi, and Li Wenliang, to suppress them. Funian, hard pressed, came to Xingjian and surrendered. Xingjian then marched Fuzhen as a prisoner to the capital and had him beheaded at the Eastern Market. In 683, Ashina Gutulu of the Türks rose in rebellion once more.

骨咄祿者，頡利之疏屬，亦姓阿史那氏。其祖父本是單于右雲中都督舍利元英下首領也，世襲吐屯啜。伏念既破，骨咄祿鳩集亡散，入總材山，聚為群盜，有眾五千餘人。又抄掠九姓，得羊馬甚多，漸至強盛，乃自立為可汗。以其弟默啜為設，咄悉匐為葉護。時有阿史德元珍，在單于檢校降戶部落，嘗坐事為單于長史王本立所拘縶，會骨咄祿入寇，元珍請依舊檢校部落，本立許之，因而便投骨咄祿。骨咄祿得之，甚喜，立為阿波達干，令專統兵馬事。

Gutulu was a collateral member of the Ashina clan, a distant relative of Jieli Khan. His grandfather had served as a petty chief under Shel Yuan Ying, Right Protector-General of Yunzhong within the Chanyu Protectorate; the family had inherited the rank of tutunchuo for generations. When Fuzhen fell, Gutulu rallied the scattered survivors, withdrew to Mount Zongcai, and mustered an outlaw band numbering over five thousand. Raiding the Nine Tribes, he seized vast herds of sheep and horses; as his strength grew he proclaimed himself khan. He made his younger brother Mochuo she and Tuxibo yehu. At that time Ashide Yuanzhen was supervising surrendered-household tribes under the Chanyu Protectorate. He had once been detained by the Chanyu chief secretary Wang Benli on a charge of misconduct. When Gutulu raided the frontier, Yuanzhen asked to resume his tribal duties; Benli agreed, and Yuanzhen promptly went over to Gutulu. Delighted to have him, Gutulu appointed him apodagan and entrusted him with sole command of the troops.

永淳二年，進寇蔚州。豐州都督崔智辯擊之，反為賊所殺。文明元年，又寇朔州，殺掠人吏，則天詔左武威衛大將軍程務挺為單于道安撫大使以備之。垂拱二年，骨咄祿又寇朔、代等州，左玉鈐衛中郎將淳於處平為陽曲道總管，與副將中郎將蒲英節率兵赴援，行至忻州，與賊戰，大敗，死者五千餘人。三年，骨咄祿及元珍又寇昌平，詔左鷹揚衛大將軍黑齒常之擊卻之。其年八月，又寇朔州，復以常之為燕然道大總管，擊賊於黃花堆，大破之。追奔四十餘里，賊眾遂散走磧北。右監門衛中郎將爨寶璧又率精兵一萬三千人出塞窮追，反為骨咄祿所敗，全軍盡沒，寶璧輕騎遁歸。初，寶璧見常之破賊，遽表請窮其餘黨，則天詔常之與寶璧計議，遙為聲援。寶璧以為破賊在朝夕，貪功先行。又令人出塞二千餘里覘候，見元珍等部落皆不設備，遂率眾掩襲之。既至，又遣人報賊，令得設備出戰，遂為賊所覆，寶璧坐此伏誅。則天大怒，因改骨咄祿為不卒祿。元珍後率兵討突騎施，臨陣戰死。骨咄祿，天授中病卒。

In 683 he launched a raid against You Prefecture. Cui Zhibian, Protector-General of Feng Prefecture, counterattacked but was killed by the enemy. In 684 he struck Shuo Prefecture again, slaughtering and looting officials and civilians. Empress Wu named Left General of the Martial Might Guard Cheng Wuting Pacification Commissioner of the Chanyu Circuit to meet the threat. In 686 Gutulu raided Shuo, Dai, and neighboring prefectures. Left Central Guard Lieutenant Chunyu Chuping, appointed Commander of the Yangqu Circuit, marched to their aid with his deputy Pu Yingjie. At Xin Prefecture they joined battle and were routed; over five thousand soldiers died. The following year Gutulu and Yuanzhen raided Changping; the court dispatched Left General of the Soaring Hawk Guard Heichi Changzhi and repulsed them. That August he raided Shuo Prefecture again. Changzhi was reappointed Grand Commander of the Yanran Circuit and crushed the enemy at Huanghuadui. The pursuit ran more than forty li; the rebel force broke apart and fled into the northern wastes. Right Gate Guard Lieutenant Cuan Baobi then led thirteen thousand picked troops in pursuit beyond the border, only to be beaten by Gutulu. His whole force was wiped out; Baobi fled back alone on a swift mount. Earlier, seeing Changzhi's victory, Baobi had urgently petitioned to hunt down the remnants. Empress Wu instructed Changzhi and Baobi to coordinate plans and lend distant support. Baobi believed victory was a matter of days and, eager for glory, pushed ahead on his own. He sent scouts more than two thousand li beyond the border and, finding Yuanzhen's camps unguarded, launched a surprise assault. Once there, he inexplicably warned the enemy, giving them time to arm and meet him in battle. They annihilated his force, and Baobi was put to death for it. Empress Wu, furious, rechristened Gutulu Buzulu—"the Unfinished One." Yuanzhen later marched against the Turgesh and fell on the field. Gutulu died of illness during the Tianshou period.

默啜者，骨咄祿之弟也。骨咄祿死時，其子尚幼，默啜遂篡其位，自立為可汗。長壽二年，率眾寇靈州，殺掠人吏。則天遣白馬寺僧薛懷義為代北道行軍大總管，領十大將軍以討之，既不遇賊，尋班師焉。默啜俄遣使來朝，則天大悅，冊授左衛大將軍，封歸國公，賜物五千段。明年，復遣使請和，又加授遷善可汗。

Mochuo was Gutulu's younger brother. Gutulu's son was still a child when he died; Mochuo seized the throne and proclaimed himself khan. In 693 he led his tribes against Ling Prefecture, slaughtering and looting officials and civilians. Empress Wu sent Xue Huaiyi, a monk of White Horse Temple, as Grand Commander of the Daibei Circuit at the head of ten great generals to chastise him. They never found the enemy and soon marched home. Mochuo soon sent envoys to court. Empress Wu was delighted, appointed him Left Guard General, created him Duke of Returning to the Realm, and granted five thousand bolts of goods. The following year he sent envoys seeking peace and was further invested as Qianshan Khan.

萬歲通天元年，契丹首領李盡忠、孫萬榮反叛，攻陷營府。默啜遣使上言：「請還河西降戶，即率部落兵馬為國家討擊契丹。」制許之。默啜遂攻討契丹，部眾大潰，盡獲其家口，默啜自此兵眾漸盛。則天尋遣使冊立默啜為特進、頡跌利施大單于、立功報國可汗。聖歷元年，默啜表請與則天為子，並言有女，請和親。初，咸亨中，突厥諸部落來降附者，多處之豐、勝、靈、夏、朔、代等六州，謂之降戶。默啜至是，又索此降戶及單于都護府之地，兼請農器、種子。則天初不許，默啜大怨怒，言辭甚慢，拘我使人司賓卿田歸道，將害之。時朝廷懼其兵勢，納言姚璹、鸞臺侍郎楊再思建議請許其和親，遂盡驅六州降戶數千帳，並種子四萬餘碩、農器三千事以與之，默啜浸強由此也。

In 696 the Khitan chiefs Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong rebelled and overran Ying Prefecture. Mochuo sent envoys with a message: "Return the surrendered households of Hexi, and I will lead my tribal horsemen to crush the Khitan on the empire's behalf. The throne approved. Mochuo then fell upon the Khitan. Their army broke and fled; he seized their entire population. From that day his forces swelled. Empress Wu soon dispatched envoys to invest Mochuo as Special Advancement, Grand Chanyu of the Yiedielishi line, and Khan Who Serves the State with Meritorious Achievement. In 698 Mochuo petitioned to become Empress Wu's adopted son and, noting that he had a daughter, asked for a marriage alliance. Since the Xianheng era many Türk tribes that submitted had been settled in Feng, Sheng, Ling, Xia, Shuo, and Dai—the so-called surrendered households. Mochuo now demanded those surrendered households back, along with the lands of the Chanyu Protectorate, plus farm tools and seed grain. Empress Wu refused at first. Mochuo flew into a rage, spoke with open contempt, seized our envoy Director of Reception Tian Guidao, and prepared to execute him. Fearing his armies, the court yielded. Censor-in-Chief Yao Shu and Vice Minister of the Phoenix Terrace Yang Zaisi urged acceptance of the alliance. Thousands of surrendered households from the six prefectures were uprooted, together with over forty thousand shi of seed and three thousand sets of farm tools, and handed over to him. Mochuo's power rose from that bargain.

其年，則天令魏王武承嗣、男淮陽王延秀就納其女為妃，遣右豹韜衛大將軍閻知微攝春官尚書，右武威衛郎將楊鸞莊攝司賓卿，大賫金帛，送赴虜庭。行至黑沙南庭，默啜謂知微等曰：「我女擬嫁與李家天子兒，你今將武家兒來，此是天子兒否？我突厥積代已來，降附李家，今聞李家天子種末總盡，唯有兩兒在，我今將兵助立。」遂收延秀等，拘之別所。偽號知微為可汗，與之率眾十餘萬，襲我靜難及平狄、清夷等軍。靜難軍使左正鋒衛將軍慕容玄皦以兵五千人降之。俄進寇媯、檀等州，則天令司屬卿武重規為天兵中道大總管，右武威衛將軍沙咤忠義為天兵西道前軍總管，幽州都督張仁亶為天兵東道總管，率兵三十萬擊之。右羽林衛大將軍閻敬容為天兵西道後軍總管，統兵十五萬以為後援。默啜又出自恆嶽道，寇蔚州，陷飛狐縣。俄進攻定州，殺刺史孫彥高，焚燒百姓廬舍，虜掠男女，無少長皆殺之。則天大怒，購斬默啜者，封王，改默啜號為斬啜。尋又圍逼趙州，長史唐波若翻城應之，刺史高睿抗節不從，遂遇害。則天乃立廬陵王為皇太子，令充河北道行軍大元帥。軍未發而默啜盡抄掠趙、定等州男女八九萬人，從五回道而去，所過殘殺，不可勝紀。沙咤忠義及後軍總管李多祚等皆持重兵，與賊相望，不敢戰。河北道元帥、納言狄仁傑總兵十萬追之，無所及。

That year Empress Wu sent Prince of Wei Wu Chengsi and his son Huaiyang Prince Wu Yanxiu to receive Mochuo's daughter in marriage. Right General of the Leopard Bow Guard Yan Zhiwei, acting Minister of Spring Affairs, and Right Captain of the Martial Might Guard Yang Luanzhuang, acting Director of Reception, were sent with lavish gifts to the steppe court. At the southern court of Heisha, Mochuo confronted Zhiwei and his party: "I meant to marry my daughter to a son of the Li Son of Heaven. You bring me a son of the Wu clan—is this a Son of Heaven? For generations my people have bowed to the House of Li. Now I hear the Li line is all but spent, with only two sons left. I will march and help set one of them on the throne. He then seized Yanxiu and his companions and held them apart. He proclaimed Zhiwei khan in mockery and, with him at his side, led more than a hundred thousand men against our Jingnan, Pingdi, and Qingyi garrisons. Murong Xuanjiao, commander of Jingnan Garrison, surrendered with five thousand troops. He soon raided Gui and Tan prefectures. Empress Wu named Director of Imperial Clansmen Wu Chonggui Grand Commander of the Central Heaven Army, Right Martial Might Guard General Shacha Zhongyi Vanguard of the Western Heaven Army, and Youzhou Protector-General Zhang Renbian Commander of the Eastern Heaven Army, with three hundred thousand men to meet him. Right Feathered Forest Guard General Yan Rongrong was appointed Rear Commander of the Western Heaven Army with one hundred fifty thousand men in reserve. Mochuo also descended by the Hengyue route, struck You Prefecture, and took Feihu County. He then pressed Ding Prefecture, killed Prefect Sun Yangao, burned the people's homes, and dragged off captives—old and young alike were slaughtered. Empress Wu, enraged, promised kingship to whoever killed Mochuo and rechristened him Zhanchuo—"the Slain One." He soon encircled Zhao Prefecture. Chief Administrator Tang Boruo turned traitor and opened the gates, but Prefect Gao Rui stood fast and was murdered for it. Empress Wu then named Prince of Luling crown prince and appointed him Grand Marshal of the Hebei Circuit. Before the army could move, Mochuo had already swept away eighty or ninety thousand people from Zhao, Ding, and neighboring prefectures along the Wuhui route, leaving a trail of devastation beyond reckoning. Shacha Zhongyi, Rear Commander Li Duozuo, and the rest held vast armies yet stood idle, afraid to engage. Hebei Grand Marshal and Censor-in-Chief Di Renjie led a hundred thousand men in pursuit but never caught them.

二年，默啜立其弟咄悉匐為左廂察，骨咄祿子默矩為右廂察，各主兵馬二萬餘人。又立其子匐俱為小可汗，位在兩察之上，仍主處木昆等十姓兵馬四萬餘人。又號為拓西可汗，自是連歲寇邊。久視元年，掠隴右諸監馬萬餘匹而去。制右肅政御史大夫魏元忠為靈武道行軍大總管，以備之，又命安北大都督相王旦為天兵道元帥，統諸軍討擊，竟未行而賊退。

The next year Mochuo appointed his brother Tuxibo Left Wing Inspector and Gutulu's son Moju Right Wing Inspector, each with more than twenty thousand horsemen. He made his son Fuju Lesser Khan, senior to both wing inspectors, with command over more than forty thousand warriors of the Chumukun and the other ten tribes. He took the title Tuoxi Khan as well and from then on raided the borders every year. In 700 he drove off more than ten thousand horses from the Longyou stud farms and withdrew. Wei Yuanzhong, Right Censor-in-Chief, was named Grand Commander of the Lingwu Circuit to block him; Prince of Xiang Dan, Northern Pacification Grand Protector, was ordered to lead the Heaven Army Circuit in a punitive campaign. The armies never marched—the enemy had already retreated.

長安三年，默啜遣使莫賀達干，請以女妻皇太子之子。則天令太子男平恩王重俊、義興王重明廷立見之。默啜遣大酋移力貪汗入朝，獻馬千匹，及方物以謝許親之意。則天宴之於宿羽亭，太子、相王及朝集使三品以上並預會，重賜以遣之。

In 703 Mochuo sent his envoy Mohedagan to ask that his daughter marry a son of the crown prince. Empress Wu had the crown prince's sons, Prince of Ping'en Wu Chongjun and Prince of Yixing Wu Chongming, receive him in formal audience at court. Mochuo sent the great chieftain Yilibaohan to court with a thousand horses and native gifts in thanks for the promised marriage. Empress Wu held a feast for them at Suyu Pavilion. The crown prince, the Prince of Xiang, and tribute envoys of third rank and above all attended; lavish gifts sent them on their way.

中宗即位，默啜又寇靈州鳴沙縣。靈武軍大總管沙咤忠義拒戰久之，官軍敗績，死者六千餘人。賊遂進寇原、會等州，掠隴右群牧馬萬餘匹而去，忠義坐免。中宗下制絕其請婚，仍購募能斬獲默啜者封國王，授諸衛大將軍，賞物二千段。又命內外官各進破突厥諸策。右補闕盧俌上疏曰：

After Emperor Zhongzong ascended the throne, Mochuo raided Mingsha County in Ling Prefecture. Grand Commander of the Lingwu Army Shacha Zhongyi fought a long defense, but the imperial force was beaten and more than six thousand soldiers died. The enemy then struck Yuan and Hui prefectures, drove off more than ten thousand horses from the Longyou pastures, and withdrew. Zhongyi was dismissed for the defeat. Emperor Zhongzong issued an edict refusing the marriage and again promised kingship, a Guard Grand Generalship, and two thousand bolts of goods to whoever captured or killed Mochuo. He also commanded every civil and military official to submit plans for breaking the Türks. Right Reminder Lu Fu submitted a memorial, saying:

臣聞有虞咸熙，苗人逆命，殷宗大化，鬼方不賓，則戎狄交侵，其來遠矣。漢高帝納婁敬之議，與匈奴和親，妻以宗女，賂以鉅萬，冒頓益驕，邊寇不止。則遠荒之地，凶悍之俗，難以德綏，可以威制，而降自三代，無聞上策。今匈奴不臣，擾我亭障，皇赫斯怒，將整元戎。臣聞方叔帥師，功歌周《雅》；去病耀武，勛勒燕山，則萬里折沖，在於擇將。《春秋》謀元帥，取其說《禮樂》、敦《詩書》。晉臣杜預，射不穿劄，而建平吳之勛，是知中權制謀，不在一夫之勇。其蕃將沙咤忠義等身雖驍悍，誌無遠圖，此乃騎將之材，本不可當大任。且師出以律，將軍死綏。秦克長平，趙括受戮；胡去馬邑，王恢坐誅，則棄軍有刑，古之常典。近者鳴沙之役，主將先逃，輕挫國威，須正邦憲。又其中軍既敗，陳亂矢窮，義勇之士，猶能死戰，功合紀錄，以勸戎行，賞罰既明，將士盡節，此擒敵之術也。

I have heard that when Yu of the Shun age brought all under harmony, the Miao defied him; when the Yin founder wrought great transformation, the Gui Fang refused allegiance. Border raids by the northern peoples are an ancient affliction. Emperor Gaodi of Han took Lou Jing's advice, married a princess to the Xiongnu, and showered them with treasure worth myriads—yet Modun grew only prouder, and the frontier knew no peace. In distant wastes where men are fierce and custom brutal, virtue alone cannot pacify them—only force can. Since the Three Dynasties, no better policy has been found. Today the northern enemy withholds submission and harries our frontier posts. Imperial wrath has flared, and the great army is to be assembled. I have heard how Fang Shu took command and had his triumph sung in the Zhou "Minor Odes"; how Huo Qubing flashed his martial glory and carved his deeds on Mount Yan. To break the enemy a thousand li away depends on choosing the right commander. The Spring and Autumn Annals teach that in choosing a commander one should seek a man learned in the Rites and Music and steeped in the Odes and Documents. The Jin minister Du Yu could not pierce a leaf with his bow, yet he conquered Wu. Supreme command rests on strategy, not on one man's courage. Frontier generals like Shacha Zhongyi may be personally fierce, but they lack far-sighted design. They are horsemen by trade and should not be entrusted with supreme command. When armies march, discipline is law; a general dies holding his ground. When Qin took Changping, Zhao Kuo was executed; when the Xiongnu slipped away from Mayi, Wang Hui paid with his life. Desertion of the army is a capital crime—such has always been the law. At Mingsha the commander fled first and lightly shamed the realm. The law must be enforced. When the center broke, ranks tangled and quivers empty, brave men still fought to the death. Such deeds deserve record and reward to steel the ranks. Where reward and punishment are clear, officers and soldiers will stand firm—this is how enemies are taken.

臣聞以蠻夷攻蠻夷，中國之長算。故陳湯統西域而郅支滅，常惠用烏孫而匈奴敗。請購辯勇之士，班、傅之儔，旁結諸蕃，與圖攻取，此又掎角之勢也。

I have heard that setting barbarian against barbarian is China's oldest stratagem. Chen Tang led the Western Regions and Zhizhi fell; Chang Hui wielded the Wusun and the Xiongnu were broken. Recruit eloquent and daring men—peers of Ban Chao and Fu Jiezi—to bind neighboring tribes in joint attack. That would give us a pincer.

臣聞昔置新秦以實塞下，宜因古法，募人徙邊，選其勝兵，免其行役，次廬伍，明教令，則狃習戎事，究識夷情，其所虜獲，因而賞之。近戰則守家，遠戰則利貨，趨赴鋒鏑，不勞訓誓，朝賦「楊柳」，夕歌《杕杜》，十年之後，可以久安。

In antiquity Xinqin was founded to fill the frontier. Follow that ancient way: recruit settlers for the border, choose their strongest men, free them from corvée, array them in units under clear command. Let them grow used to war and learn the ways of the steppe; whatever they capture in raid shall be theirs. Near home they defend their own hearths; far afield they profit from plunder. They will race to the clash of arms without endless drill—levied at dawn with "Yangliu," singing "Didu" by dusk. In ten years the frontier may know lasting peace.

臣聞漢拜郅都，匈奴避境；趙命李牧，林胡遠竄。則朔方之安危，邊城之勝負，地方千里，制在一賢。其邊州刺史不可不慎擇，得其人而任之。蒐乘訓兵，屯田積粟，謹設烽燧，精飾戈矛，來則懲而禦之，去則備而守之，此又古之善經也。去歲亢陽，天下不稔，利在保境，不可窮兵。使內郡黔黎，各安其業，擇共宰牧，輕其賦徭，事無過舉，爵不以私。愛人之財，節其徭役；惜人之力，不廣臺榭。察地利天時以趨耕獲，命秋狝冬狩以教戰陣。則數年之後，有勇知方，帑藏山積，金革犀利。然後整六軍，絕大漠，雷擊萬里，風掃二庭，斬蹛林之酋，懸槁街之邸，使百蠻震怖，五兵載戢，則上合天時，下順人事。理內以及外，綏近以來遠，以惠中國，以靜四方。臣少慕文儒，不習軍旅，奇正之術，多愧前良，獻替是司，輕陳瞽議。

I have heard that when Han made Zhe Du prefect, the Xiongnu shunned his border; when Zhao gave Li Mu command, the Linhu fled to the ends of the earth. The safety of Shuofang, victory or defeat along a thousand li of wall—all hangs on one worthy man. Frontier prefects must be chosen with the greatest care and the right men given authority. Muster chariots, drill soldiers, farm the garrisons and fill the granaries, man the beacon towers, sharpen the spears. When the enemy comes, strike and drive him off; when he goes, stand ready. This too is the ancient way. Last year's drought ruined the harvest across the realm. The gain lies in holding the border, not in wearing out the army with distant campaigns. Let the people of the interior keep their trades in peace. Choose upright magistrates, lighten taxes and corvée, let government err on the side of restraint, and grant no honors from private favor. Treasure the people's goods and limit their labor; spare their strength and do not raise vast terraces and towers. Read the land and the seasons to speed sowing and reaping; command autumn hunts and winter maneuvers to teach the arts of war. Within a few years the realm would have warriors brave and disciplined, treasuries heaped high as hills, blades and mail honed to a killing edge. Then you would array the six armies, cross the great desert, roll like thunder across ten thousand li and sweep like wind through the twin frontier courts—behead chieftains as Zhou Yafu did at Dielin, display captives at Gaojie as in Han times—until every barbarian people quakes and every blade is stowed again. Heaven's timing above and human will below would at last align. Put the inner house in order and reach outward; soothe those near at hand to draw the distant in—nourishing the heartland, stilling the four corners of the earth. I have admired the way of letters since youth and never trained in arms. In the arts of orthodox and unorthodox warfare I fall far short of the masters of old. Yet as one charged with remonstrance and replacement, I venture this blind man's counsel.

上覽而善之。默啜於是殺我行人假鴻臚卿臧思言。思言對賊不屈節，特贈鴻臚卿，仍命左屯衛大將軍張仁亶攝右御史臺大夫，充朔方道大總管以禦之。仁亶始於河外築三受降城，絕其南寇之路。

The emperor read the memorial and was pleased with it. Mochuo then killed our envoy, Acting Master of Ceremonies Zang Siyan. Siyan had faced the enemy without breaking faith; he was posthumously honored as Master of Ceremonies. The throne also ordered Left Garrison Guard General Zhang Renbian to serve as acting Vice Censor-in-Chief and Grand Commander of the Shuofang Circuit to meet the threat. Renbian first raised the three Surrender-Accepting Cities south of the river, severing the Turks' path of southern raids.

睿宗踐祚，默啜又遣使請和親。制以宋王成器女為金山公主許嫁之。默啜乃遣其男楊我支特勒來朝，授右驍衛員外大將軍。俄而睿宗傳位，親竟不成。

When Ruizong took the throne, Mochuo once more sent envoys to ask for a marriage alliance. An edict promised him the daughter of Prince of Song Chengqi as Princess Jinshan. Mochuo sent his son Yang Wozhi tele to court and had him appointed External Grand General of the Right Martial Cavaliers. Before long Ruizong abdicated, and the marriage was never concluded.

初，默啜景雲中率兵西擊娑葛，破滅之。契丹及奚，自神功之後，常受其征役，其地東西萬餘里，控弦四十萬，自頡利之後最為強盛。自恃兵威，虐用其眾。默啜既老，部落漸多逃散。開元二年，遣其子移涅可汗及同俄特勒、妹婿火拔頡利發石阿失畢率精騎圍逼北庭。右驍衛將軍郭虔瓘嬰城固守，俄而出兵擒同俄特勒於城下，斬之。虜因退縮，火拔懼不敢歸，攜其妻來奔，制授左衛大將軍，封燕北郡王，封其妻為金山公主，賜宅一區，奴婢十人，馬十匹，物千段。明年，十姓部落左廂五咄六啜、右廂五弩失畢五俟斤及子婿高麗莫離支高文簡、睟跌都督崿跌思泰等各率其眾，相繼來降，前後總萬餘帳。制令居河南之舊地。授高文簡左衛員外大將軍，封遼西郡王；睟跌思泰為特進、右衛員外大將軍兼睟跌都督，封樓煩郡公。自余首領，封拜賜物各有差。默啜女婿阿史德胡祿，俄又歸朝，授以特進。其秋，默啜與九姓首領阿布思等戰於磧北。九姓大潰，人畜多死，阿布思率眾來降。

Earlier, during the Jingyun reign, Mochuo had marched west against Suoge and wiped him out. From the Shendgong era onward the Khitan and Xi had borne his levies and corvée. His domain stretched more than ten thousand li from east to west; he could put four hundred thousand archers in the field—the mightiest Turkic power since Elig Khan. Confident in his armies, he drove his people with brutal severity. As Mochuo aged, clans and tribes began to slip away in ever greater numbers. In Kaiyuan 2 he dispatched his son Yinike Khan, together with Tong'e tele and his brother-in-law Hubo-elite-fa Shi Ashibi, at the head of elite horsemen to besiege Beiting. Right Martial Cavalier General Guo Qian'guan shut the gates and held the city; then he sallied out, seized Tong'e tele beneath the walls, and executed him. The raiders withdrew. Hubo, afraid to go home, fled to the Tang with his wife. By edict he was made Left Guard Grand General and Prince of Yanbei Commandery; his wife was created Princess Jinshan and given a mansion, ten servants, ten horses, and a thousand bolts of silk. The following year the chiefs of the Ten Surnames—the five Tulu chiefs of the left wing and the five Nushibi chiefs of the right, along with Mochuo's Goguryeo son-in-law Molizhi Gao Wenjian, the Uyghur commander Otu Sitai, and others—led their followers to surrender one after another, more than ten thousand tents in all. An edict settled them on their old grazing grounds south of the Yellow River. Gao Wenjian was made External Grand General of the Left Guard and Prince of Liaoxi Commandery; Otu Sitai was granted Special Advancement, made External Grand General of the Right Guard and concurrent Uyghur commander, and enfeoffed as Duke of Loufan Commandery. The other leaders received titles, offices, and gifts in due measure. Mochuo's son-in-law Ashide Hulu soon defected as well and was given the rank of Special Advancement. That autumn Mochuo fought the Nine Surnames chieftain Abu Si and his allies north of the desert. The Nine Surnames were shattered; men and herds perished in great numbers, and Abu Si came over with what remained of his people.

四年，默啜又北討九姓拔曳固，戰於獨樂河，拔曳固大敗。默啜負勝輕歸，而不設備。遇拔曳固迸卒頡質略於柳林中，突出擊默啜，斬之。便與入蕃使郝靈荃傳默啜首至京師。骨咄祿之子闕特勒鳩合舊部，殺默啜子小可汗及諸弟並親信略盡，立其兄左賢王默棘連，是為毗伽可汗。

In the fourth year Mochuo marched north again against the Bayegu of the Nine Surnames and met them on the Dule River; the Bayegu were routed. Drunk on victory, Mochuo withdrew carelessly and took no precautions. In a grove of willows he ran into Ketuilie, a Bayegu straggler, who sprang out, struck him down, and took his head. He and the envoy to the Turks, Hao Lingquan, then brought Mochuo's head to the capital. Kutlug's son Köl Tigin rallied the old clans, slaughtered Mochuo's son the lesser khan along with his brothers and trusted men almost to the last, and set up his elder brother, the Left Wise Prince Mojilian, as Bilge Khan.

毗伽可汗以開元四年即位，本蕃號為小殺。性仁友，自以得國是闕特勒之功，固讓之。闕特勒不受，遂以為左賢王，專掌兵馬。是時奚、契丹相率款塞，突騎施蘇祿自立為可汗，突厥部落頗多攜貳，乃召默啜時衙官暾欲谷為謀主。初，默啜下衙官盡為闕特勒所殺，暾欲谷以女為小殺可敦，遂免死。廢歸部落，乃復用，年已七十餘，蕃人甚敬伏之。

Bilge Khan took power in Kaiyuan 4; among his own people he was known as Xiaosha. Mild and loyal by temperament, he held that the throne was Köl Tigin's due and pressed him to accept it. Köl Tigin refused. He was made Left Wise Prince instead and given sole command of the armies. About then the Xi and Khitan were submitting at the frontier in numbers, Suluk of the Turgesh had declared himself khan, and many Turkic tribes were wavering. Xiaosha recalled Tonyukuk, a court officer from Mochuo's day, to serve as his chief adviser. When Köl Tigin had first seized power he had put Mochuo's lesser court officers to the sword; Tonyukuk alone survived because his daughter became Xiaosha's khatun. Dismissed and sent back to his clan, he was later brought into service again. He was already past seventy, and the steppe peoples revered him deeply.

俄而降戶阿悉爛、睟跌思泰等復自河曲叛歸。初，降戶南至單于，左衛大將軍單于副都護張知運，盡收其器仗，令渡河而南，蕃人怨怒。御史中丞姜晦為巡邊使，蕃人訴無弓矢。不得射獵，晦悉給還之。故有抗敵之具。張知運既不設備，與降戶戰於青剛嶺，為降戶所敗。臨陣生擒知運，擬送與突厥。朔方總管薛納率兵追討之。賊至大斌縣，又為將軍郭知運所擊。賊眾大潰散，投黑山呼延谷，釋張知運而去。上以張知運喪師，斬之以徇。小殺既得降戶，謀欲南入為寇。暾欲谷曰：「唐主英武，人和年豐，未有間隙，不可動也。我眾新集，猶尚疲羸，須且息養三數年，始可觀變而舉。」小殺又欲修築城壁，造立寺觀。暾欲谷曰：「不可。突厥人戶寡少，不敵唐家百分之一，所以常能抗拒者，正以隨逐水草，居處無常，射獵為業，又皆習武。強則進兵抄掠，弱則竄伏山林，唐兵雖多，無所施用。若築城而居，改變舊俗，一朝失利，必將為唐所並。且寺觀之法，教人仁弱，本非用武爭強之道，不可置也。」小殺等深然其策。

Before long the surrendered tribesmen Ashilan, Otu Sitai, and others broke away from the river bend and went back to the Turks. When the surrendered households had first moved south to Chanyu, Left Guard Grand General and Chanyu Vice Protector Zhang Zhiyun had stripped them of every weapon and driven them across the river. The tribesmen seethed with resentment. The censor-in-chief Jiang Hui, touring the frontier as imperial envoy, heard them protest that they had been left without bows or arrows. They could not even hunt. Jiang Hui ordered every weapon returned. And so they once again had the means to fight. Zhang Zhiyun, having made no ready defense, met the defectors at Qinggang Ridge and was beaten. They took him alive on the field and meant to hand him over to the Turks. Shuofang commander Xue Na marched out in pursuit. The rebels reached Dabin County, where General Guo Zhiyun fell upon them. The host broke and scattered into Black Mountain's Huyan Valley, freeing Zhang Zhiyun before they fled. The emperor had Zhang Zhiyun beheaded for losing his command, as a warning to others. With the defectors back under his banner, Xiaosha plotted a southern raid. Tonyukuk said, "The Tang emperor is fierce in war; his people are united and the granaries full. There is no seam to exploit—we must not stir. Our clans are only just gathered and still spent. Let us breathe and recover for a few years, then watch how the wind shifts before we strike." Xiaosha then proposed building walled towns and founding temples. Tonyukuk said, "That must not be done. The Turks are few—hardly one in a hundred compared with Tang. We have held our own only because we roam with the grass and water, keep no fixed abode, live by the bow and the hunt, and every man knows war. When we are strong we ride out to loot; when we are weak we vanish into the hills. Tang armies may be countless, yet they have nothing to strike. Build walls and settle down, change the old ways, and the first hard loss will see us devoured by Tang. And temples teach men to grow soft and mild—that is no path for a people that lives by the sword. Do not raise them." Xiaosha and his chiefs were fully persuaded.

八年冬，御史大夫王晙俊為朔方大總管，奏請西征拔悉密，東發奚、契丹兩蕃，期以明年秋初，引朔方兵數道俱入，掩突厥衙帳於稽落河上。小殺聞之，大恐。暾欲谷曰：「拔悉密今在北庭，與兩蕃東、西相去極遠，勢必不合。王晙兵馬，計亦無能至此。必若能來，候其臨到，即移衙帳向北三日，唐兵糧盡，自然去矣。且拔悉密輕而好利，聞命必是先來，王晙與張嘉貞不協，奏請有所不愜，必不敢動。若王晙兵馬不來，拔悉密獨至，即須擊取之，勢易為也！」

In the winter of the eighth year Censor-in-Chief Wang Jun became Grand Commander of Shuofang and proposed a western strike against the Baximi while the Xi and Khitan marched from the east, intending that early the next autumn Shuofang troops would converge by several routes and fall on the Turkic royal camp at the Jiluo River. When Xiaosha heard of the plan he was deeply alarmed. Tonyukuk said, "The Baximi hold Beiting now, far from both eastern and western allies—they cannot possibly join forces. And Wang Jun's army, by any reckoning, cannot come this far. Even if they do come, wait until they are near, then shift the royal camp three days' ride to the north. When Tang grain runs out they will withdraw of themselves. The Baximi are rash and greedy—they will hurry ahead at the first word. Wang Jun and Zhang Jiazhen are at odds; if the court does not grant Wang Jun what he wants, he will not march. If Wang Jun stays home and only the Baximi appear, we need only crush them—that will be easy work!"

九年秋，拔悉密果臨突厥衙帳，而王晙兵及兩蕃不至。拔悉密懼而引退。突厥欲擊之，暾欲谷曰：「此眾去家千里，必將死戰，未可擊也，不如以兵躡之。」去北庭二百里，暾欲谷分兵間道先掩北庭，因縱卒擊拔悉密之還眾。遂散走投北庭，而城陷不得入，盡為突厥所擒，並虜其男女而還。暾欲谷回兵，因而出赤亭以掠涼州羊馬。時楊敬述為涼州都督，遣副將盧公利、判官元澄，出兵邀擊之。暾欲谷曰：「敬述若守城自固，即與連和；若出兵相當，即須決戰。我今乘勝，必有功矣！」公利等兵至刪丹，遇賊，元澄令兵士揎臂持滿，仍急結其袖，會風雪凍烈，盡墜弓矢。由是官軍大敗，元澄脫身而走。敬述坐削除官爵，白衣檢校涼州事。小殺由是大振，盡有默啜之眾。俄又遣使請和，乞與玄宗為子，上許之。仍請尚公主，上但厚賜而遣之。

In the autumn of the ninth year the Baximi did reach the Turkic camp, but Wang Jun's army and the two allied peoples never came. The Baximi, afraid, pulled back. The Turks wanted to give chase. Tonyukuk said, "Those men are a thousand li from home and will sell their lives dearly—do not meet them head-on. Trail them instead." Two hundred li from Beiting he split his force, sent detachments by hidden paths to seize Beiting first, then loosed his riders on the retreating Baximi. The Baximi broke and ran for Beiting, but the city had already fallen and the gates were shut; the Turks took them all, men and women together, and drove them home. Tonyukuk wheeled about and came out through Chiting to loot sheep and horses in Liangzhou. Yang Jingshu was then Protector-General of Liangzhou; he sent Vice General Lu Gongli and staff officer Yuan Cheng to intercept the raiders. Tonyukuk said, "If Jingshu shuts the walls and holds fast, treat with him; if he comes out to fight, we must break him in open battle. We ride on victory now—how can we fail?" When Gongli's men reached Shandan they met the enemy. Yuan Cheng had the soldiers roll up their sleeves, draw their bows to the full, and then bind their sleeves tight—but a biting wind and snow froze them stiff, and bowstrings and arrows fell useless to the ground. The Tang force was routed; Yuan Cheng alone got away. Jingshu was stripped of rank and title and left to manage Liangzhou in plain clothes under probation. From that day Xiaosha's power surged until he held all the strength Mochuo had once commanded. He soon sent envoys again to sue for peace, asking to be received as the emperor's adopted son, and Xuanzong agreed. He also asked for an imperial princess in marriage; the court granted lavish gifts but sent him away without a bride.

十三年，玄宗將東巡，中書令張說謀欲加兵以備突厥。兵部郎中裴光庭曰：「封禪者，告成之事，忽此征發，豈非名實相乖？」說曰：「突厥比雖請和，獸心難測。且小殺者仁而愛人，眾為之用；闕特勒驍武善戰，所向無前；暾欲谷深沈有謀，老而益智，李靖、徐勣之流也。三虜協心，動無遺策，知我舉國東巡，萬一窺邊，何以禦之？」光庭請遣使征其大臣扈從，則突厥不敢不從，又亦難為舉動。說然其言，乃遣中書直省袁振攝鴻臚卿，往突厥以告其意。小殺與其妻及闕特勒、暾欲谷等環坐帳中設宴，謂振曰：「吐蕃狗種，唐國與之為婚；奚及契丹，舊是突厥之奴，亦尚唐家公主；突厥前後請結和親，獨不蒙許，何也？」袁振曰：「可汗既與皇帝為子，父子豈合為婚姻？」小殺等曰：「兩蕃亦蒙賜姓，猶得尚主，但依此例，有何不可？且聞入蕃公主，皆非天子之女，今之所求，豈問真假，頻請不得，實亦羞見諸蕃。」振許為奏請。小殺乃遣其大臣阿史德頡利發入朝貢獻，因扈從東巡。

In the thirteenth year, as Xuanzong prepared to tour the east, Chief Minister Zhang Yue wanted to reinforce the borders against the Turks. Pei Guangting, director in the Bureau of Military Affairs, said, "The feng and shan are rites of perfected peace—why summon armies now and make the deed contradict the word?" Zhang Yue replied, "The Turks may talk peace, but a wolf's heart is never sure. Xiaosha is humane and wins men's loyalty; Köl Tigin is a peerless fighter, unstoppable wherever he rides; Tonyukuk is deep, patient, and cunning—still sharpening with age, a match for Li Jing or Xu Ji. Three such leaders, of one mind and leaving no plan unused—if they see the whole empire marching east, what will stop them from testing the frontier?" Pei Guangting proposed summoning their senior ministers to attend the emperor in person—the Turks would hardly refuse, and they would find it hard to stir abroad. Zhang Yue accepted the idea and dispatched Yuan Zhen of the Secretariat Direct Office, acting as Master of Ceremonies, to lay the matter before the khan. Xiaosha, his wife, Köl Tigin, Tonyukuk, and the rest feasted in a circle within the tent and said to Yuan Zhen, "The Tibetans are a dog pack, yet Tang gives them brides; the Xi and Khitan were once Turkic slaves, yet they too receive Tang princesses; we Turks have asked again and again for a marriage alliance, and alone among them we are refused—why?" Yuan Zhen said, "You are already the emperor's adopted son—can father and son also marry?" They answered, "Those two peoples were granted imperial surnames and still received princesses—by that precedent, what is impossible? Besides, the princesses sent beyond the frontier are seldom the emperor's own daughters. What we ask for now—does it matter whether the bride is royal blood? To be refused again and again is shame we cannot show the other peoples." Yuan Zhen promised to submit the request to the throne. Xiaosha then dispatched his senior minister Ashide-elite-fa to the capital with tribute, and so to accompany the emperor on the eastern progress.

玄宗發都，至嘉會頓，引頡利發及諸蕃酋長入仗，仍與之弓箭。時有兔起於御馬之前，上引弓傍射，一發獲之。頡利發便下嘛捧兔蹈舞曰：「聖人神武超絕，若天上則不知，人間無也。」上因令問饑否。對曰：「仰觀聖武如此．十日不食，猶為飽也！」自是常令突厥入仗馳射。起居舍人呂向上疏曰：

When Emperor Xuanzong left the capital and reached Jiahui Station on his eastern tour, he had Ashina Defa and the chieftains of the various subject peoples enter the imperial escort and handed them bows and arrows. A hare suddenly bolted from in front of the imperial horse. The emperor strung his bow, fired a shot on the move, and dropped it with a single arrow. Ashina Defa at once dismounted, held up the rabbit in both hands, and danced as he cried: "Your sacred might surpasses all bounds. Whether you belong to heaven I cannot know—but among men there is none like you." The emperor then asked whether they were hungry. He answered: "Having seen such sacred prowess, even if I went ten days without food I would still feel sated!" From that time the Turks were regularly allowed into the imperial escort to ride and shoot. The court diarist Lü Xiang submitted a memorial that read:

臣聞鴟梟不鳴，未為瑞鳥，猛虎雖伏，豈齊仁獸，是由醜性毒行，久務常積故也。今夫突厥者，正與此類，安忍殘賊，莫顧君親！陛下持武義臨之，修文德來之，既懾威靈，又沐聲教；以力以勢，不得不庭。故稽顙稱臣，奔命遣使。陛下乃能收其傾效，雜以從官，赴封禪之禮，參玉帛之會，此德業自盛，固不可名焉。因復詔許侍遊，召入禁仗。仰英姿之四照，送神藝之百發，恩意俱極，誠無得逾焉。乃更賜以馳逐，使操弓矢，競飛鏃於前，同獲獸之樂，是屑略太過，未敢取也。雖聖胸豁達，與物無猜，而愚心徘徊，與時加栗。儻此等各懷犬吠，交肆盜憎，荊卿詭動，何羅竊至，暫逼嚴蹕，稍冒清塵，縱即殪玄方，墟幽土，單于為醢，穹廬為汙，何塞過責？特願陛下勿復親近，使知分限。待不失常，歸於得所，以謂回兩曜之鑒，祛九宇之憂，孰不幸甚！

I have heard it said that an owl is no bird of good omen simply because it keeps silent, and a crouching tiger is no gentle beast. Fierce nature and savage habits are not acquired in a day—they are the harvest of long cultivation. The Turks are precisely of this kind: cruel, ruthless, and heedless of sovereign or family. Your Majesty has met them with armed righteousness and drawn them in with civil virtue. They tremble before your majesty and rejoice in your civilizing influence. By force and circumstance they have no choice but to attend court. That is why they kowtow as vassals and hurry to send envoys. Your Majesty has been gracious enough to accept their sworn fealty, mingle them among your attendants, bring them to the feng and shan ceremonies, and seat them at the convocation of jade and silk emissaries. Your virtue and achievement are already beyond words. You have further granted them leave to join your progresses and summoned them into the inner imperial escort. They may gaze upon your heroic radiance and watch your uncanny skill of a hundred shots on the mark. Your grace and favor could hardly go further. To grant them the hunt as well, put bows and arrows in their hands, let them race their shafts before you, and share the joy of the kill—that is indulgence carried too far, and I cannot bring myself to approve it. Though Your Majesty's mind is broad and trusts without reserve, my own dull heart wavers and grows more fearful by the day. If among them lurks the spirit of a barking dog, of thieves who turn on one another, of a Jing Ke plotting treacherous violence, or a He Luo stealing up unawares—if they should for a moment press upon the imperial train and stain the royal path—even were they slaughtered to the last man, their lands laid waste, their khans minced to pulp and their yurts trampled into filth, who could answer for the blame? I beg Your Majesty to keep them at a distance hereafter and make them understand the bounds of their place. To keep all in proper order and each man in his station would restore the clarity of sun and moon and lift the anxieties of the realm under heaven. What blessing could be greater?

上納其言，遂令諸蕃先發。東封回，上為頡利發設宴，厚賜而遣之，竟不許其和親。

The emperor accepted the memorial and ordered the foreign chieftains to depart ahead of him. On his return from the eastern feng, the emperor held a banquet for Ashina Defa, lavished gifts upon him, and sent him home—but never granted the marriage alliance he sought.

十五年，小殺使其大臣梅錄啜來朝，獻名馬三十匹。時吐蕃與小殺書，將計議同時入寇，小殺並獻其書。上嘉其誠，引梅錄啜宴於紫宸殿，厚加賞賚，仍許於朔方軍西受降城為互市之所，每年賫縑帛數十萬匹就邊以遺之。

In the fifteenth year of Kaiyuan, Xiaosha sent his chief minister Meiluo chuo to court with a tribute of thirty fine horses. Tibet had written to Xiaosha proposing a joint invasion, and Xiaosha turned the letter over to the court as well. The emperor praised his loyalty, feasted Meiluo chuo in the Hall of Purple Dawn, and showered him with gifts. He also designated Shouxiang City, west of the Shuofang Army, as a border market and each year sent several hundred thousand bolts of silk to the frontier as presents for them.

二十年，闕特勒死，詔金吾將軍張去逸、都官郎中呂向，賫璽書入蕃吊祭，並為立碑。上自為碑文，仍立祠廟，刻石為像，四壁畫其戰陣之狀。

In the twentieth year Kül Tigin died. The court dispatched Jinwu General Zhang Quyi and Director of the Office for Review of Punishments Lü Xiang to the steppe with an imperial letter of condolence and orders to set up a memorial stele. The emperor wrote the inscription himself, established a temple in Kül Tigin's honor, set up a stone image of him, and had the four walls painted with scenes of his battles.

二十年，小殺為其大臣梅錄啜所毒，藥發，未死，先討斬梅錄啜，盡滅其黨。既卒，國人立其子為伊然可汗。詔宗正卿李佺往申吊祭，並冊立伊然，為立碑廟。仍令史官起居舍人李融為其碑文。無幾，伊然病卒，又立其弟為登利可汗。

That same year Xiaosha was poisoned by his minister Meiluo chuo. When the poison began to take hold, before he died he struck down Meiluo chuo and exterminated his faction. After his death the Turks enthroned his son as Khan Yiran. The court sent Director of the Imperial Clan Li Quan to offer condolences, invest Yiran as khan, and erect stele and temple in his name. The court diarist and historiographer Li Rong was commissioned to write the inscription. Before long Khan Yiran sickened and died. His younger brother was enthroned as Khan Dengli.

登利者，猶華言果報也。登利年幼，其母即暾欲谷之女，與其小臣飲斯達干奸通，干預國政，不為蕃人所伏。登利從叔父二人分掌兵馬，在東者號為左殺，在西者號為右殺，其精銳皆分在兩殺之下。二十八年，上遣右金吾將軍李質賫璽書，又冊立登利為可汗。俄而登利與其母誘斬西殺，盡並其眾。而左殺懼禍及己，勒兵攻登利，殺之。自立，號烏蘇米施可汗。左殺又不為國人所附，拔悉密部落起兵擊之。左殺大敗，脫身遁走，國中大亂。西殺妻子及默啜之孫勃德支特勒、毗伽可汗女大洛公主、伊然可汗小妻余塞匐、登利可汗女余燭公主及阿布思頡利發等，並率其部眾相次來降。天寶元年八月，降虜至京師，上令先謁太廟，仍於殿庭引見，禦華萼樓以宴之，上賦詩以紀其事。

Dengli means, in Chinese, "the fruit of one's deeds." Dengli was still a boy. His mother, a daughter of Ton Yabghu, carried on an affair with a petty official named Yinsi taghan and meddled in affairs of state. Neither was respected by the Turks. Two of Dengli's uncles divided the armies between them. The one in the east was called Left Sha, the one in the west Right Sha, and the best warriors of the realm were split between them. In the twenty-eighth year the emperor sent Right Jinwu General Li Zhi with an imperial letter to invest Dengli once again as khan. Soon Dengli and his mother tricked West Sha into an audience and beheaded him, absorbing all his followers. East Sha, fearing he would be next, raised troops against Dengli and killed him. He then proclaimed himself Khan Uchumiš. East Sha won no support from the people. The Basmyl tribe rose against him. East Sha suffered a crushing defeat and fled for his life. The realm descended into chaos. West Sha's wife and children; Mo-ch'o's grandson Tegin Boduzhi; Bilge Kagan's daughter, Princess Daluo; Khan Yiran's junior wife Yusafu; Khan Dengli's daughter, Princess Yuzhu; Ashina Abusi irkin; and others led their followers to surrender one after another. In the eighth month of the first Tianbao year, the surrendered Turks reached Chang'an. The emperor had them pay homage at the imperial ancestral temple first, then received them in audience, and entertained them from the Hua'e Tower, composing a poem to commemorate the occasion.

西突厥本與北突厥同祖。初，木桿與沙缽略可汗有隙，因分為二。其國即烏孫之故地，東至突厥國，西至雷翥海，南至疏勒，北至瀚海，在長安北七千里。自焉耆國西北七日行，至其南庭；又正北八日行，至其北庭。鐵勒、龜茲及西域諸胡國，皆歸附之。其人雜有都陸及弩失畢、歌邏祿、處月、處密，伊吾等諸種。風俗大抵與突厥同，唯言語微差。其官有葉護，有特勒，常以可汗子弟及宗族為之；又有乙斤、屈利啜、閻洪達、頡利發、吐屯、俟斤等官，皆代襲其位。

The Western Turks and the Northern Turks sprang from the same line. Originally Mughan and Khan Shabo'e had quarreled, and the people split into two wings. Their realm occupied the old Wusun lands, reaching east to the Eastern Turk domains, west to Lake Balkhash, south to Shule, and north to the steppe sea—seven thousand li north of Chang'an. From Yanqi, seven days' travel to the northwest brought one to their Southern Court. Eight more days due north brought one to their Northern Court. The Tiele, Kucha, and the other Hu states of the Western Regions all submitted to them. Their population was a mix of Dulu, Nushibi, Qarluq, Chumukun, Chumi, Yiwu, and other tribes. Their customs were largely those of the Turks, with only slight differences in speech. High office included the ranks of yabghu and tegin, usually held by the khan's sons, brothers, and kinsmen. There were also the offices of irkin, quriltu, yan hongda, irkinfa, tutun, and irkin, all passing from generation to generation.

處羅可汗，隋煬帝大業中與其弟闕達設及特勒大奈入朝。仍從煬帝征高麗，賜號為曷薩那可汗。遇江都之亂，從宇文化及至河北。化及敗，歸長安，高祖為之降榻，引與同坐，封歸義郡王。獻大珠於高祖。高祖勞之曰：「珠信為寶，朕所重者赤心，珠無所用。」竟不受之。先與始畢有隙，及在京師，始畢遣使請殺之，高祖不許。群臣諫曰：「今若不與，則是存一人而失一國也，後必為患。」太宗曰：「人窮來歸我，殺之不義。」驟諫於高祖，由是遲回者久之。不得已，乃引曷薩那於內殿，與之縱酒，既而送至中書省，縱北突厥使殺之。太宗即位，令以禮改葬。

Khan Niri, during Emperor Yang's Daye reign, came to court with his younger brother Que dazhi and Tegin Dani. He accompanied Emperor Yang on the campaign against Goguryeo and was given the title Yeshana Khan. When the Jiangdu catastrophe struck, he followed Yuwen Huaji into Hebei. After Huaji's defeat he made his way to Chang'an. Gaozu had a seat lowered in his honor, received him to sit at his side, and enfeoffed him as Prince of Guiyi. He presented large pearls to Gaozu as tribute. Gaozu thanked him, saying: "Pearls are indeed precious, but what I value is a loyal heart. Pearls are of no use to me." In the end he declined them. He had long been at odds with Shibi. When he was living in the capital, Shibi sent envoys demanding his death, but Gaozu refused. His ministers urged: "If you refuse, you will be saving one man at the cost of a whole kingdom. This will surely bring trouble later." Taizong said: "This man came to us in his hour of need. To kill him would be unjust." He pressed the argument again and again, and Gaozu wavered for a long while. At last, having no alternative, he summoned Yeshana to the inner hall, caroused with him one last time, then had him escorted to the Secretariat and allowed the Northern Turk envoys to kill him. When Taizong came to the throne, he ordered Yeshana reburied with full honors.

闕達設初居於會寧，有部落三千余騎。至隋末，自稱闕達可汗。武德初，遣使內屬，拜吐烏過拔闕可汗，厚加撫慰。尋為李軌所滅。

Que dazhi had originally settled at Huining with a following of more than three thousand mounted warriors. By the end of the Sui he proclaimed himself Khan Que da. Early in the Wude reign he sent envoys declaring submission to Tang. He was invested as Khan Tuwoguo ba Que and treated with generous favor. Before long he was destroyed by Li Gui.

特勒大奈，隋大業中與曷薩那可汗同歸中國。及從煬帝討遼東，以功授金紫光祿大夫。後分其部落於樓煩。會高祖舉兵，大奈率其眾以從。隋將桑顯和襲義軍於飲馬泉，諸軍多已奔退，大奈將數百騎出顯和後，掩其不備，擊，大破之，諸軍復振。拜光祿大夫。及平京城，以力戰功，賞物五千段，賜姓史氏。武德初，從太宗破薛舉。又從平王世充，破竇建德、劉黑闥，並有殊功。賜宮女三人，雜彩萬余段。貞觀三年，累遷右武衛大將軍、檢校豐州都督，封竇國公，實封三百戶。十二年卒，贈輔國大將軍。初，曷薩那之朝隋也，為煬帝所拘，其國人遂立薩那之叔父，曰射匱可汗。

Tegin Dani came to China together with Yeshana Khan during the Sui emperor Yang's Daye reign. When he followed Emperor Yang's Liaodong campaign, he was rewarded with the title of Jinzi Glory-Palace Grand Master. Later his tribe was settled at Loufan. When Gaozu rose in arms, Dani led his followers to join him. The Sui general Sang Xianhe struck the Righteous Army at Yinma Spring. Most of the Tang forces had already broken and fled. Dani led several hundred horsemen around behind Xianhe, took him by surprise, and routed him. The army's spirit revived. He was made Glory-Palace Grand Master. When the capital was taken, he was rewarded with five thousand bolts of goods for his valor in battle and granted the surname Shi. Early in the Wude reign he followed Taizong in the defeat of Xue Ju. He also helped pacify Wang Shichong and scored notable victories against Dou Jiande and Liu Heita. He was given three palace women and more than ten thousand bolts of colored silk. In the third year of Zhenguan he rose to Right Wuwei Grand General and acting military governor of Feng Prefecture, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Dou with a fief of three hundred households. He died in the twelfth year and was posthumously made Auxiliary State Grand General. When Yeshana had gone to the Sui court, Emperor Yang held him captive. His people thereupon enthroned Yeshana's uncle as Khan Shekui.

射匱可汗者，達頭可汗之孫也。既立後，始開土宇，東至金山，西至海，自玉門已西諸國皆役屬之。遂與北突厥為敵，乃建庭於龜茲北三彌山，尋卒。弟統葉護可汗代立。

Khan Shekui was a grandson of Khan Datou. Once enthroned he began to expand his domain east to Mount Jin and west to the sea. From Yumen Gate westward every state bowed to his authority. He made an enemy of the Northern Turks, established his court at Mount Sanmi north of Kucha, and soon died. His younger brother Tong Yehu succeeded him as khan.

統葉護可汗，勇而有謀，善攻戰。遂北並鐵勒，西拒波斯，南接罽賓，悉歸之。控弦數十萬，霸有西域，據舊烏孫之地。又移庭於石國北之千泉。其西域諸國王悉授頡利發，並遣吐屯一人監統之，督其征賦。西戎之盛，未之有也。

Khan Tong Yehu was brave, shrewd, and masterful in war. He conquered the Tiele to the north, held Persia at bay in the west, and reached south to Kabul. All submitted to him. He could field several hundred thousand archers, dominated the Western Regions, and held the old Wusun lands. He moved his court to the Thousand Springs north of Sogdiana. He invested the kings of the Western Regions as irkinfa and sent a tutun to each to supervise taxation and levies. The Western Regions had never known such power.

武德三年，遣使貢條支巨卵。時北突厥作患，高祖厚加撫結，與之並力以圖北蕃，統葉護許以五年冬。大軍將發，頡利可汗聞之，大懼，復與統葉護通和，無相征伐。統葉護尋遣使來請婚。高祖謂侍臣曰：「西突厥去我懸遠，急疾不相得力，今請婚，其計安在？」封德彜對曰：「當今之務，莫若遠交而近攻，正可權許其婚，以威北狄。待之數年後，中國盛全，徐思其宜。」高祖遂許之婚，令高平王道立至其國，統葉護大悅。遇頡利可汗頻歲入寇，西蕃路梗，由是未果為婚。

In the third year of Wude he sent envoys presenting giant eggs from Tiaozhi. While the Northern Turks were raiding the frontier, Gaozu courted Tong Yehu warmly and proposed a joint campaign against the northern peoples. Tong Yehu promised to join forces in the winter of the fifth year. When the Tang army was preparing to march, Illig Khan learned of the plan and was terrified. He renewed peace with Tong Yehu, and the two sides ceased hostilities. Tong Yehu soon sent envoys to ask for a marriage alliance. Gaozu asked his ministers: "The Western Turks are impossibly far from us. In a crisis they could not help us quickly. Why do they now seek a marriage alliance? What is their aim?" Feng Deyi answered: "Our pressing need is to befriend the distant and strike the near. We should grant the marriage for now, as a threat to the northern barbarians. Wait a few years. When the empire is secure and prosperous, we can decide what is truly fitting. Gaozu then agreed to the marriage and sent Prince Daoli of Gaoping to the Western Turk realm. Ishbara was overjoyed. Jieli Khan raided year after year, cutting the roads to the western regions, and the marriage was never carried through.

貞觀元年，遣真珠統俟斤與高平王道立來獻萬釘寶鈿金帶，馬五千匹。時統葉護自負強盛，無恩於國，部眾鹹怨，歌邏祿種多叛之。頡利可汗不悅中國與之和親，數遣兵入寇，又遣人謂統葉護曰：「汝若迎唐家公主，要須經我國中而過。」統葉護患之，未克婚。為其伯父所殺而自立，是為莫賀咄侯屈利俟毗可汗。太宗聞統葉護之死，甚悼之，遣賫玉帛至其死所祭而焚之。會其國亂，不果至而止。

In the first year of Zhenguan, Ishbara sent Zhenzhu Tong Irkin and Prince Daoli of Gaoping with tribute: a gold belt studded with ten thousand gems and five thousand horses. Ishbara had grown arrogant in his power and showed the court no gratitude. His tribes seethed with resentment, and many Qarluk clans broke away. Jieli Khan resented China's marriage alliance and sent raiders year after year. He also sent word to Ishbara: "If you mean to receive a Tang princess, she will have to pass through our lands. Ishbara was alarmed, and the marriage could not be concluded. His uncle killed him and seized the throne for himself, taking the title Moheduo Hou Quli Sibi Khan. When Emperor Taizong learned of Ishbara's death, he mourned deeply and sent jade and silk to the place where he had fallen for rites of mourning, which were burned in offering. Civil strife broke out in the realm, however, and the envoys never completed the journey.

莫賀咄侯屈利俟毗可汗，先分統突厥種類為小可汗，及此自稱大可汗，國人不附。弩失畢部共推泥孰莫賀設為可汗，泥孰不從。時統葉護之子咥力特勒避莫賀咄之難，亡在康居，泥孰遂迎而立之，是為乙毗缽羅肆葉護可汗。連兵不息，俱遣使來朝，各請婚於我。太宗答之曰：「汝國擾亂，君臣未定，戰爭不息，何得言婚！」竟不許。仍諷令各保所部，無相征伐。其西域諸國及鐵勒先役屬於西突厥者，悉叛之，國內虛耗。

Moheduo Hou Quli Sibi Khan had once ruled a Turkic division as a lesser khan. When he now proclaimed himself great khan, the tribes refused to follow him. The Nishibi tribes together proposed Nishou Moheshe as khan, but Nishou declined. Ishbara's son Heli Teler, fleeing Moheduo's persecution, had taken refuge in Kangju. Nishou went to meet him and raised him as Yibi Boluo Siyehu Khan. War between them never ceased. Both sides sent envoys to court, each asking for a marriage alliance. Emperor Taizong answered: "Your realm is in chaos. Ruler and subjects are unsettled and war never stops. How can you speak of marriage? In the end he refused. He also urged both sides to keep to their own tribes and cease fighting one another. The states of the Western Regions and the Tiele peoples who had long served the Western Turks all broke away, leaving the realm hollowed out.

肆葉護既是舊主之子，為眾心所歸，其西面都陸可汗及莫賀咄可汗部豪帥，多來附之。又興兵以擊莫賀咄，大敗之。莫賀咄遁於金山，尋為咄陸可汗所害，國人乃奉肆葉護為大可汗。肆葉護可汗立，大發兵北征鐵勒，薛延陀逆擊之，反為所敗。肆葉護性猜狠信讒，無統馭之略。有乙利可汗者，於肆葉護功最多，由是授小可汗，以非罪族滅之。群下震駭，莫能自固。肆葉護素憚泥孰，而陰欲圖之，泥孰遂適焉耆。其後沒卑達幹與突厥弩失畢二部豪帥潛謀擊之，肆葉護以輕騎遁於康居，尋卒。國人迎泥孰於焉耆而立之，是為咄陸可汗。

Siyehu was the son of the former ruler and the man to whom hearts turned. Many chiefs from the western Duluo Khan's following and from Moheduo Khan's tribes came over to him. He raised troops again to strike Moheduo and routed him completely. Moheduo fled to Mount Jin, was soon killed by Dulo Khan, and the tribes then upheld Siyehu as great khan. Once Siyehu Khan was enthroned, he mustered a great army to campaign north against the Tiele. The Xueyantuo met him in battle and turned the defeat back on him. Siyehu was suspicious and cruel by nature, quick to believe slander, and lacked any gift for rule. One Yili Khan had done more for Siyehu than any other man and was made lesser khan for it—then, on a groundless charge, Siyehu exterminated his whole clan. His followers were terrified, and no one could feel secure in his place. Siyehu had long feared Nishou and secretly plotted against him. Nishou withdrew to Yanqi. Later Meibei Dagan and the chiefs of two Nishibi divisions secretly plotted against him. Siyehu fled to Kangju with a small cavalry escort and soon died. The tribes brought Nishou back from Yanqi and enthroned him as Dulo Khan.

咄陸可汗泥孰者，亦稱大渡可汗。父莫賀設，本隸統葉護。武德中，嘗至京師。時太宗居籓，務加懷輯，與之結盟為兄弟。既被推為可汗，遣使詣闕請降。太宗遣使賜以名號及鼓纛。貞觀七年，遣鴻臚少卿劉善因至其國，冊授為吞阿婁拔奚利邲咄陸可汗。明年，泥孰卒，其弟同娥設立，是為沙缽羅咥利失可汗。

Dulo Khan Nishou was also known as Great Crossing Khan. His father Moheshe had originally served under Ishbara. During the Wude reign he once visited the capital. At the time the future Emperor Taizong was still a prince. He went out of his way to win Nishou over and swore brotherhood with him. Once the tribes had raised him as khan, he sent envoys to court to submit. Emperor Taizong sent envoys to invest him with a title and grant him drums and banners. In the seventh year of Zhenguan, the court sent Honglu Vice Minister Liu Shanyin to invest him formally as Tenalouba Xili Bing Dulo Khan. The following year Nishou died. His younger brother Tong'e She succeeded him as Shaboluo Helilishi Khan.

沙缽羅咥利失可汗，以貞觀九年上表請婚，獻馬五百疋。朝廷唯厚加撫慰，未許其婚。俄而其國分為十部，每部令一人統之，號為十設。每設賜以一箭，故稱十箭焉。又分十箭為左右廂，一廂各置五箭。其左廂號五咄六部落，置五大啜，一啜管一箭；其右廂號為五弩失畢，置五大俟斤，一俟斤管一箭，都號為十箭。其後或稱一箭為一部落，大箭頭為大首領。五咄六部落居於碎葉已東，五弩失畢部落居於碎葉已西，自是都號為十姓部落。

In the ninth year of Zhenguan, Shaboluo Helilishi Khan submitted a memorial asking for a marriage alliance and presented five hundred horses. The court treated him generously but did not grant the marriage. Before long the realm was divided into ten divisions, each governed by one man and called a she. Each she was given one arrow, and from this they came to be called the Ten Arrows. The Ten Arrows were then divided into left and right wings, with five arrows in each. The left wing was called the Five Dulu tribes. Five great chuo were appointed, each governing one arrow; the right wing was called the Five Nishibi. Five great irkin were appointed, each governing one arrow. Together they were known as the Ten Arrows. Later a single arrow came to mean a tribe, and the holder of a major arrow its great chieftain. The Five Dulu tribes lived east of Suyab and the Five Nishibi west of it. From then on the whole confederation was called the Ten Surname Tribes.

咥利失既不為眾所歸，部眾攜貳，為其統吐屯所襲，麾下亡散。咥利失以左右百余騎拒之，戰數合，統吐屯不利而去。咥利失奔其弟步利設，與保焉耆。其阿悉吉闕俟斤與統吐屯等召國人，將立欲谷設為大可汗。以咥利失為小可汗。統吐屯為人所殺，欲谷設兵又為其俟斤所破，咥利失復得舊地，弩失畢、處密等並歸咥利失。

Helilishi commanded no loyalty. His tribes wavered, his tudun commander Tongtu attacked him, and his followers scattered. Helilishi met the attack with barely a hundred horsemen on each flank. After several clashes Tongtu gained nothing and withdrew. Helilishi fled to his younger brother Buli She, and together they held Yanqi. The Ashijie Que Irkin and Tongtu summoned the tribes, intending to raise Yugu She as great khan. Helilishi was to serve as lesser khan. Tongtu was killed. Yugu She's army was in turn broken by an irkin. Helilishi recovered his old lands, and the Nishibi, Chumi, and others all returned to him.

十二年，西部竟立欲谷設為乙毗咄陸可汗。乙毗咄陸可汗既立，與咥利失大戰，兩軍多死，各引去。因與咥利失中分，自伊列河已西屬咄陸，已東屬咥利失。咄陸可汗又建庭於鏃曷山西，謂為北庭。自厥越失、拔悉彌、駁馬、結骨、火燅、觸水昆諸國皆臣之。

In the twelfth year the western tribes at last enthroned Yugu She as Yibi Dulo Khan. Once Yibi Dulo Khan was established, he fought a great battle with Helilishi. Both armies bled heavily and each side pulled back. They then split the realm between them: everything west of the Ili River went to Dulo, everything east to Helilishi. Dulo Khan also set up his court west of Mount Zhu'e, calling it the Northern Court. Jueyueshi, Boshimi, Boma, Jiegu, Huoxun, Chushuikun, and the other states all submitted to him.

十三年，咥利失為其吐屯俟利發與欲谷設通謀作難，咥利失窮蹙，奔拔汗那而死。弩失畢部落酋帥迎咥利失弟伽那之子薄布特勒而立之，是為乙毗沙缽羅葉護可汗。

In the thirteenth year Helilishi's tudun Irli Fa conspired with Yugu She against him. Helilishi was cornered, fled to Ferghana, and died there. Nishibi chiefs welcomed Helilishi's brother Gana's son Kebutele and enthroned him as Yibi Shaboluo Yabghu Khan.

乙毗沙缽羅葉護可汗既立，建庭於睢合水北，謂之南庭。東以伊列河為界，自龜茲、鄯善，且末、吐火羅、焉耆、石國、史國、何國、穆國、康國，皆受其節度。累遣使朝貢，太宗降璽書慰勉。

Once Yibi Shaboluo Yabghu Khan was established, he set up his court north of the Suihe River and called it the Southern Court. The Ili River marked the eastern boundary. From Kucha and Shanshan to Qiemo, Tuhuolo, Yanqi, Chach, Samarkand, Bukhara, Maymurgh, and Kangjiu—all came under his command. He sent envoys with tribute again and again, and Emperor Taizong answered with imperial letters of encouragement.

貞觀十五年，令左領軍將軍張大師往授焉，賜以鼓纛。於時咄陸可汗與葉護頗相攻擊。會咄陸遣使詣闕，太宗諭以敦睦之道。咄陸於時兵眾漸強，西域諸國復來歸附。未幾，咄陸遣石國吐屯攻葉護，擒之，送於咄陸，尋為所殺。

In the fifteenth year of Zhenguan the court sent Left Palace Guard General Zhang Dashi to invest him and granted him drums and banners. At that time Dulo Khan and the Yabghu were locked in frequent combat. When Dulo sent envoys to court, Emperor Taizong urged them toward peace. Dulo's armies grew steadily stronger, and the states of the Western Regions began submitting to him again. Before long Dulo sent a Chach tudun to attack the Yabghu, capture him, and deliver him to Dulo, who soon had him killed.

咄陸可汗既並其國，弩失畢諸姓心不服咄陸，皆叛之。咄陸復率兵擊吐火羅，破之。自恃其強，專擅西域。遣兵寇伊州，安西都護郭恪率輕騎二千自烏骨邀擊，敗之。咄陸又遣處月、處密等圍天山縣，郭恪又擊走之。恪乘勝進拔處月俟斤所居之城，追奔及於遏索山，斬首千余級，降其處密之眾而歸。咄陸初以泥孰啜自擅取所部物，斬之以徇；尋為泥孰啜部將胡祿居所襲，眾多亡逸，其國大亂。

After Dulo Khan swallowed the Yabghu's realm, the Nishibi clans refused to accept him and rose in rebellion. Dulo led troops against Tuhuolo again and broke it. Confident in his power, he claimed the Western Regions for himself alone. He sent troops to raid Yizhou. Protector-General of Anxi Guo Ke led two thousand light cavalry from Wugu to intercept them and won. Dulo again sent the Chuyue and Chumi to besiege Tianshan County, and Guo Ke drove them off once more. Guo Ke pressed the victory, stormed the Chuyue irkin's stronghold, pursued the fugitives to Mount Esuo, took more than a thousand heads, accepted the surrender of the Chumi, and returned. Dulo had earlier executed a Dulu chuo named Nishou for seizing his tribe's goods on his own authority and displayed the severed head as a warning; soon afterward he was attacked by Helu Ju, a commander under that Dulu chuo. Many fled, and the realm fell into chaos.

貞觀十五年，部下屋利啜等謀欲廢咄陸，各遣使詣闕，請立可汗。太宗遣使賫璽書立莫賀咄乙毗可汗之子，是為乙毗射匱可汗。

In the fifteenth year of Zhenguan, subordinates including Wuli Chuo plotted to depose Dulo. Each faction sent envoys to court asking that a khan be installed. Emperor Taizong sent envoys with an imperial letter to install the son of Moheduo Yibi Khan as Yibi Shekui Khan.

乙毗射匱可汗立，乃發弩失畢兵就白水擊咄陸。自知不為眾所附，乃西走吐火羅國。中國使人先為咄陸所拘者，射匱悉以禮資送歸長安，復遣使貢方物，請賜婚。太宗許之，詔令割龜茲、於闐、疏勒、硃俱波、蔥嶺等五國為聘禮。及太宗崩，賀魯反叛，射匱部落為其所並。

Once Yibi Shekui Khan was enthroned, he mobilized Nishibi forces at Baishui to attack Dulo. Knowing he had lost the tribes' support, Dulo fled west to Tuhuolo. Shekui courteously escorted back to Chang'an the Tang envoys Dulo had earlier detained, then sent fresh envoys with tribute and a request for a marriage alliance. Emperor Taizong agreed and decreed that Kucha, Khotan, Kashgar, Shugnan, and the Pamirs—five states—be granted as betrothal gifts. After Emperor Taizong's death, Helu rebelled and swallowed Shekui's tribes.

阿史那賀魯者，曳步利設射匱特勒之子也。初，阿史那步真既來歸國，咄陸可汗乃立賀魯為葉護，以繼步真。居於多邏斯川，在西州直北一千五百里，統處密、處月、姑蘇、歌羅祿、弩失畢五姓之眾。其後，咄陸西走吐火羅國，射匱可汗遣兵迫逐，賀魯不常厥居。貞觀二十二年，乃率其部落內屬，詔居廷州。尋授左驍衛將軍、瑤池都督。高宗即位，進拜左驍衛大將軍，瑤池都督如故。

Ashina Helu was the son of Yebuli She Shekui Teler. After Ashina Buzhen came over to the Tang, Dulo Khan installed Helu as yabghu to succeed him. He made his seat on the Talas River, fifteen hundred li due north of Xizhou, and ruled the five surname peoples of Chumi, Chuyue, Gusu, Qarluq, and Nishibi. Later, when Dulo fled west to Tuhuolo, Shekui Khan sent troops after him, and Helu had no fixed home. In the twenty-second year of Zhenguan he led his tribes to submit. An edict settled them in Tingzhou. He was soon appointed General of the Left Brave Guards and Military Governor of Yaochi. When Emperor Gaozong took the throne, Helu was promoted to Grand General of the Left Brave Guards while keeping his post as Military Governor of Yaochi.

永徽二年，與其子咥運率眾西遁，據咄陸可汗之地，總有西域諸郡，建牙於雙河及千泉，自號沙缽羅可汗，統攝咄陸、弩失畢十姓。其咄陸有五啜：一曰處木昆律啜；二曰胡祿居闕啜，賀魯以女妻之；三曰攝舍提暾啜；四曰突騎施賀邏施啜；五曰鼠尼施處半啜。弩失畢有五俟斤：一曰阿悉結闕俟斤，最為強盛；二曰哥舒闕俟斤；三曰拔塞幹暾沙缽俟斤，四曰阿悉結泥孰俟斤；五曰哥舒處半俟斤。各有所部，勝兵數十萬，並羈屬賀魯。西域諸國，亦多附隸焉。

In the second year of Yonghui he fled west with his son Yiyun, seized Dulo Khan's old lands, took control of the Western Regions, set up his court at Shuanghe and the Thousand Springs, styled himself Shaboluo Khan, and ruled the ten surnames of Dulo and Nishibi. The Dulu had five chuo. The first was Chumukunlu Chuo; the second was Helu Juque Chuo, to whom Helu gave his daughter in marriage; the third was Shesheti Tun Chuo; the fourth was Tuqishi Heluoshi Chuo; the fifth was Shunishi Chuban Chuo. The Nishibi had five irkin. The first was Ashijie Que Irkin, the strongest of them; the second was Geshu Que Irkin; the third was Basagan Tun Shabo Irkin; the fourth was Ashijie Nishou Irkin; the fifth was Geshu Chuban Irkin. Each commanded his own followers. Their battle-ready forces numbered in the hundreds of thousands, all bound to Helu. Many states of the Western Regions attached themselves to him as well.

賀魯尋立咥運為莫賀咄葉護，數侵擾西蕃諸部，又進寇廷州。三年，詔遣左武候大將軍梁建方、右驍衛大將軍契苾何力率燕然都護所部回紇兵五萬騎討之，前後斬首五千級，虜渠帥六十余人。四年，咄陸可汗死，其子真珠護與五弩失畢請擊賀魯，破其牙帳，斬首千余級。

Helu soon installed Yiyun as Moheduo Yabghu. Together they repeatedly harassed the western tribes and again raided Tingzhou. In the third year an edict dispatched Left Martial Guard Grand General Liang Jianfang and Right Xiaowei Grand General Qibi Heli at the head of fifty thousand Uyghur horsemen from the Yanran Protector's command to suppress Helu. They beheaded five thousand in all and took more than sixty chieftains captive. In the fourth year Dulo Khan died. His son Zhenzhu Yabghu and the five Nishibi tribes asked leave to strike Helu, broke his main camp, and took more than a thousand heads.

顯慶二年，遣右屯衛將軍蘇定方，燕然都護任雅相，副都護蕭嗣業，左驍衛大將軍、瀚海都督回紇婆閏等率師討擊，仍使右武衛大將軍阿史那彌射、左屯衛大將軍阿史那步真為安撫大使。定方行至曳咥河西，賀魯率胡祿居闕啜等二萬余騎列陣而待。定方率副總管任雅相等與之交戰，賊眾大敗，斬大首領都搭達幹等二百余人。賀魯及闕啜輕騎奔竄，渡伊麗河，兵馬溺死者甚眾。嗣業至千泉賀魯下牙之處，彌射進軍至伊麗水，處月、處密等部各率眾來降。彌射又進次雙河，賀魯先使步失達幹鳩集散卒，據柵拒戰。彌射、步真攻之，大潰；又與蘇定方攻賀魯於碎葉水，大破之。

In the second year of Xianqing the court sent Su Dingfang, General of the Right Tunwei Guards; Ren Yaoxiang, Protector of Yanran; Xiao Siye, Deputy Protector; Po'er of the Huihe, Grand General of the Left Xiaowei Guards and Governor of Hanhai; and others to pursue and attack Helu. Ashina Mishshe, Grand General of the Right Wuwei Guards, and Ashina Bozhen, Grand General of the Left Tunwei Guards, were appointed pacification commissioners. Su Dingfang reached the west bank of the Yedu River. Helu drew up more than twenty thousand horsemen, including Hu Lu Ju Que Chuo, in battle array to meet him. Su Dingfang led Deputy Commander Ren Yaoxiang and others into battle. The rebels were routed, and more than two hundred major chieftains, including Bodhdaghan, were beheaded. Helu and Que Chuo fled with light cavalry across the Yili River. A great many men and horses drowned in the crossing. Xiao Siye reached the Thousand Springs, where Helu had kept his southern camp. Mishshe advanced to the Yili River. The Chuyue, Chumid, and other tribes came over one after another. Mishshe pressed on to Shuanghe. Helu had already sent Bushidaghan to rally scattered troops and hold a fortified stockade. Mishshe and Bozhen attacked and broke them completely; then joined Su Dingfang in an attack on Helu at the Suyab River and defeated him utterly.

賀魯與咥運欲投鼠耨設，至石國之蘇咄城傍，人馬饑乏，城主伊涅達幹詐將酒食出迎，賀魯信其言入城，遂被拘執。蕭嗣業既至石國，鼠耨設乃以賀魯屬之。賀魯謂嗣業曰：「我破亡虜耳！先帝厚我，而我背之，今日之敗，天怒我也。舊聞漢法，殺人皆於都市，至京殺我，請向昭陵，使得謝罪於先帝，是本願也。」高宗聞而湣之。及俘賀魯至京師，令獻於昭陵及太廟，詔特免死。分其種落置昆陵、濛池二都護府，其所役屬諸國，皆分置州府，西盡於波斯，並隸安西都護府。四年，賀魯卒。詔葬於頡利墓側，刻石以紀其事。

Helu and Yiyun meant to take refuge with Shunishi She. Near Sudu City in the State of Shi, their men and horses were starving. The city lord Yinedaghan feigned welcome with food and wine. Helu trusted him, entered the city, and was seized. When Xiao Siye arrived in the State of Shi, Shunishi She handed Helu over to him. Helu said to Xiao Siye, "I am a broken captive, nothing more! The late emperor treated me with great kindness, and I turned against him. This defeat is Heaven's wrath upon me. I have heard that under Han law executions are carried out in the capital market. When you reach the capital and put me to death, I beg that it be done facing Zhaoling, so I may ask forgiveness of the late emperor. That is my true wish. When Emperor Gaozong heard this, he was moved to pity. When Helu was brought to the capital as a captive, he was presented at Zhaoling and the Imperial Ancestral Temple. An edict specially spared his life. His tribes were divided between the Kunling and Mengchi protectorates. The states that had served under him were parcelled out into prefectures and districts as far west as Persia, all under the Protectorate General of Anxi. In the fourth year Helu died. An edict ordered him buried beside Jieli's tomb, with a stele carved to record the affair.

阿史那彌射者，室點密可汗五代孫也。初，室點密從單於統領十大首領，有兵十萬眾，往平西域諸胡國，自為可汗，號十姓部落，世統其眾。彌射在本蕃為莫賀咄葉護。貞觀六年，詔遣鴻臚少卿劉善因就蕃立為奚利邲咄陸可汗，賜以鼓纛、彩帛萬段。其族兄步真欲自立為可汗，遂謀殺彌射弟侄二十余人。彌射既與步真有隙，以貞觀十三年率所部處月、處密部落入朝，授右監門大將軍。其後步真遂自立為咄陸葉護，其部落多不服，委之遁去。步真復攜家屬入朝，授左屯衛大將軍。

Ashina Mishshe was a fifth-generation descendant of Ishbara Yabghu. In the beginning Ishbara, serving under the Shanyu, had commanded ten great chieftains and a hundred thousand troops. He went west to pacify the foreign states of the Western Regions, declared himself khan, and took the name Ten Surname Tribes, passing rule of the people down through the generations. In his own realm Mishshe had held the title Moheduo Yabghu. In the sixth year of Zhenguan an edict sent Vice Director of the Court for Diplomatic Reception Liu Shanyin to their realm to install him as Xili Kui Dulo Khan, with drums, banners, and ten thousand bolts of colored silk. His elder clansman Bozhen wished to make himself khan and plotted to kill more than twenty of Mishshe's brothers and nephews. Estranged from Bozhen, Mishshe in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan led his Chuyue and Chumid tribes to court and was made Grand General of the Right Palace Gate Guards. Afterward Bozhen declared himself Dulo Yabghu. Many of his tribes refused to follow him and drifted away. Bozhen came to court again with his family and was appointed Grand General of the Left Tunwei Guards.

彌射後從太宗征高麗有功，封平襄縣伯。顯慶二年，轉右武衛大將軍。及討平賀魯，乃冊立彌射為興昔亡可汗兼右衛大將軍、昆陵都護，分押賀魯下五咄六部落。步真授繼往絕可汗，兼右衛大將軍、濛池都護，仍分押五弩失畢部落。因下詔曰：

Later Mishshe followed Emperor Taizong against Goguryeo with distinction and was enfeoffed Baron of Pingxiang County. In the second year of Xianqing he was transferred to Grand General of the Right Wuwei Guards. After Helu was subdued, Mishshe was invested as Khan Irbis She, concurrently Grand General of the Right Guards and Protector of Kunling, and given charge of the five Dulu tribes that had served under Helu. Bozhen was appointed Khan Jiwangjue, concurrently Grand General of the Right Guards and Protector of Mengchi, and likewise given charge of the five Nishibi tribes. Thereupon an edict was issued, saying:

自西蕃罹亂，三十余年。比者賀魯猖狂，百姓重被劫掠。朕君臨四海，情均養育。不可使兇狡之虜，恣行侵漁，無辜之氓，久遭塗炭。故遣右屯衛將軍蘇定方等統率騎勇，北路討逐。卿等宣暢朝風，南道撫育。遂使兇渠畏威，夷人慕德，伐叛柔服，西域總平。賀魯父子既已擒獲，諸頭部落須有統領。卿早歸闕庭，久參宿衛，深感恩義，甚知法式，所以冊立卿等各為一部可汗。但諸姓從賀魯，非其本情，卿等才至即降，亦是赤心向國。卿宜與盧承慶等準其部落大小，位望高下，節級授刺史以下官。

The western regions have been in turmoil for more than thirty years. Of late Helu has run wild, and the people have suffered repeated raids. I rule the four seas and hold all alike in my care. I cannot allow cruel and cunning barbarians to prey at will, nor innocent people to endure ruin year after year. Therefore I sent Su Dingfang, General of the Right Tunwei Guards, and others to lead mounted warriors in pursuit along the northern route. You are to carry the court's influence abroad and pacify and nurture the tribes along the southern route. Thus rebel chieftains came to fear our might, foreign tribes admired our virtue, rebels were struck down and the submissive were treated with kindness, and the Western Regions were wholly pacified. Helu and his son are now captives. The tribal divisions need leaders. You came early to the imperial court, have long served in the palace guard, feel deep gratitude and loyalty, and understand law and ritual well. Therefore I install each of you as khan over a separate division. The various tribes followed Helu against their hearts' inclination. That you surrendered the moment you arrived shows your true loyalty to the state. You should work with Lu Chengqing and others to appoint chieftains, according to each tribe's size and each man's standing, to offices of prefect and below by appropriate ranks.

龍朔中，又令彌射、步真率所部從釭海道大總管蘇海政討龜茲。步真嘗欲並彌射部落，遂密告海政云：「彌射欲謀反，請以計誅之。」時海政兵才數千，懸師在彌射境內，遂集軍吏而謀曰：「彌射若反，我輩即無噍類。今宜先舉事，則可克捷。」乃偽稱有敕，令大總管賫物數百萬段分賜可汗及諸首領。由是彌射率其麾下，隨例請物，海政盡收斬之。共後西蕃盛言彌射非反，為步真所誣，而海政不能審察，濫行誅戮。

During the Longshuo reign Mishshe and Bozhen were again ordered to lead their followers under Circuit Grand Commander Su Haizheng of the Ganghaidao route against Kucha. Bozhen had long wished to absorb Mishshe's tribes. He secretly told Haizheng, "Mishshe is plotting rebellion. Use a stratagem to kill him. Haizheng had only a few thousand troops and was deep inside Mishshe's territory. He gathered his officers and said, "If Mishshe rebels, not one of us will survive. We must strike first — then we can prevail. He falsely claimed an imperial order for the grand commander to distribute millions of bolts of goods among the khan and the chieftains. Mishshe accordingly led his followers to claim their share. Haizheng seized and executed them all. Afterward the western regions widely held that Mishshe had not rebelled but had been slandered by Bozhen, and that Haizheng had failed to investigate and had slaughtered them without cause.

則天臨朝，十姓無主數年，部落多散失。垂拱初，遂擢授彌射子左豹韜衛翊府中郎將元慶為左玉鈐衛將軍兼昆陵都護，令襲興昔亡可汗，押五咄六部落。步真子斛瑟羅為右玉鈐衛將軍，兼濛池都護，押五弩失畢部落。尋進授元慶左衛大將軍。

When Empress Wu assumed the regency, the Ten Surnames went leaderless for years and many tribes were scattered and lost. In the early Chuigong period Mishshe's son Yuanqing, a middle commander in the Left Leopard-Tao Guards Escort Office, was promoted to General of the Left Jade Command Guards and Protector of Kunling, ordered to succeed as Khan Irbis She, and given charge of the five Dulu tribes. Bozhen's son Husero was made General of the Right Jade Command Guards and Protector of Mengchi, with charge of the five Nishibi tribes. Soon Yuanqing was further promoted to Grand General of the Left Guards.

如意元年，為來俊臣誣謀反被害。其子獻，配流崖州。長安三年，召還。累授右驍衛大將軍，襲父興昔亡可汗，充安撫招慰十姓大使。獻本蕃漸為默啜及烏質勒所侵。遂不敢還國。開元中，累遷右金吾大將軍。卒於長安。

In the first year of Ruyi Lai Junchen falsely accused him of plotting rebellion and had him put to death. His son Xian was exiled to Yazhou. In the third year of Chang'an he was recalled. He rose through appointments to Grand General of the Right Xiaowei Guards, succeeded his father as Khan Irbis She, and served as Commissioner for Pacification and Solicitation of the Ten Surnames. Xian's homeland was gradually encroached upon by Mochuo and Wuzhile. He therefore dared not return to his realm. During the Kaiyuan reign he rose through repeated promotions to Grand General of the Right Jinwu Guards. He died in Chang'an.

阿史那步真者，在本蕃授左屯衛大將軍。與彌射討平賀魯，加授驃騎大將軍、行右衛大將軍、濛池都護、繼往絕可汗，押五弩失畢部落。尋卒。其子斛瑟羅，本蕃為步利設，垂拱初，授右玉鈐衛將軍兼濛池都護、襲繼往絕可汗，押五弩失畢部落。天授元年，拜左衛大將軍，改封竭忠事主可汗，仍賜濛池都護。尋卒。子懷道，神龍年累授右屯衛大將軍、光祿卿，轉太仆卿兼濛池都護、十姓可汗。自垂拱已後，十姓部落頻被突厥默啜侵掠，死散殆盡。及隨斛瑟羅才六七萬人，徙居內地，西突厥阿史那氏於是遂絕。

Ashina Bozhen had been appointed Grand General of the Left Tunwei Guards in his own realm. Together with Mishshe he helped subdue Helu and was further appointed General of Agile Cavalry, Acting Grand General of the Right Guards, Protector of Mengchi, and Khan Jiwangjue, with charge of the five Nishibi tribes. He soon died. His son Husero, who in his own realm had been Bolu She, in the early Chuigong period was appointed General of the Right Jade Command Guards and Protector of Mengchi, succeeded as Khan Jiwangjue, and was given charge of the five Nishibi tribes. In the first year of Tianshou he was appointed Grand General of the Left Guards, re-enfeoffed as Khan Jiezhong Shizhu, and again granted the Protector of Mengchi. He soon died. His son Huaidao, in the Shenlong period, rose to Grand General of the Right Tunwei Guards and Director of the Imperial Household Service, then became Director of the Imperial Stud, concurrently Protector of Mengchi and Khan of the Ten Surnames. From Chuigong onward the Ten Surname tribes were repeatedly raided by the Turk Mochuo until the dead and scattered were nearly wiped out. Only about sixty or seventy thousand followed Husero in migration to the interior. The Ashina line of the Western Turks thus came to an end.

突騎施烏質勒者，西突厥之別種也。初隸在斛瑟羅下，號為莫賀達幹。後以斛瑟羅用刑嚴酷，眾皆畏之，尤能撫恤其部落，由是為遠近諸胡所歸附。其下置都督二十員，各統兵七千人。嘗屯聚碎葉西北界，後漸攻陷碎葉，徙其牙帳居之。東北與突厥為鄰，西南與諸胡相接，東南至西廷州。斛瑟羅以部眾削弱，自則天時入朝，不敢還蕃，其地並為烏質勒所並。

Wuzhile of the Tuqishi was a separate branch of the Western Turks. At first he served under Husero and was styled Mohedaghan. Later Husero's punishments grew harsh and all feared him, while Wuzhile was especially skilled at comforting and caring for his tribes. Foreign tribes near and far therefore attached themselves to him. He established twenty governors under him, each commanding seven thousand troops. He had once encamped on the northwestern marches of Suyab. Later he gradually captured the city and moved his main camp there. To the northeast he bordered the Turks; to the southwest he adjoined the foreign tribes; to the southeast his lands reached Western Tingzhou. Husero, his followers depleted, came to court in Empress Wu's time and dared not return west. Wuzhile absorbed all his lands.

景龍二年，詔封為西河郡王，令攝御史大夫，解琬就加冊立。未至，烏質勒卒。其長子娑葛代統其眾，詔便立娑葛為金河郡王，仍賜以宮女四人。

In the second year of Jinglong an edict enfeoffed Wuzhile as Prince of Xihe Commandery, ordered him to serve as Acting Censor-in-Chief, and sent Jie Wan to invest him. Before he arrived, Wuzhile died. His eldest son Suoge succeeded to command of the tribes. An edict immediately installed Suoge as Prince of Jinhe Commandery and bestowed four palace women upon him.

初，娑葛代父統兵，烏質勒下部將闕啜忠節甚忌之，以兵部尚書宗楚客當朝任勢，密遣使賫金七百兩以賂楚客，請停娑葛統兵。楚客乃遣御史中丞馮嘉賓充使至其境，陰與忠節籌其事，並自致書以申意。在路為娑葛遊兵所獲，遂斬嘉賓，仍進兵攻陷火燒等城，遣使上表以索楚客頭。

Suoge had taken his father's place in command of the troops. Zhongjie of Que Chuo, a subordinate general under Wuzhile, deeply resented this. Relying on Minister of War Zong Chuke's power at court, he secretly sent envoys with seven hundred taels of gold to bribe Chuke and asked that Suoge be removed from command. Chuke then sent Vice Censor Feng Jiabin as envoy to the region, secretly plotting the affair with Zhongjie, and also sent a personal letter stating his intentions. On the road they were taken by Suoge's patrol troops. Suoge executed Jiabin, advanced to capture Huoshao and other cities, and sent envoys with a memorial demanding Chuke's head.

景龍三年，娑葛弟遮弩恨所分部落少於其兄，遂叛入突厥，請為鄉導，以討娑葛。默啜乃留遮弩，遣兵二萬人與其左右來討娑葛，擒之而還。默啜顧謂遮弩曰：「汝於兄弟尚不和協，豈能盡心於我。」遂與娑葛俱殺之。默啜兵還，娑葛下部將蘇祿鳩集余眾，自立為可汗。

In the third year of Jinglong Suoge's younger brother Zhenu resented receiving fewer tribes than his elder brother. He rebelled, fled to the Turks, and offered to guide them against Suoge. Mochuo kept Zhenu behind and sent twenty thousand troops with his attendants against Suoge, captured him, and returned. Mochuo turned to Zhenu and said, "You cannot even live in harmony with your own brothers — how could you serve me with your whole heart? He then had both of them killed. When Mochuo's troops withdrew, Suoge's subordinate general Sulu rallied the remaining followers and declared himself khan.

蘇祿者，突騎施別種也。頗善綏撫，十姓部落漸歸附之，眾二十萬，遂雄西域之地，尋遣使來朝。開元三年，制授蘇祿為左羽林軍大將軍、金方道經略大使，進為特勒，遣侍御史解忠順賫璽書冊立為忠順可汗。自是每年遣使朝獻。上乃立史懷道女為金河公主以妻之。

Sulu was a separate branch of the Tuqishi. He was skilled at gentle rule. The Ten Surname tribes gradually submitted to him until his followers numbered two hundred thousand, and he came to dominate the Western Regions. Soon he sent envoys to court. In the third year of Kaiyuan an imperial decree appointed Sulu Grand General of the Left Yulin Army and Military Commissioner of the Jinfang Circuit, promoted him to tegin, and sent Remonstrating Censor Jie Zhongshun with an imperial patent to install him as Khan Zhongshun. From then on he sent envoys to court with tribute every year. The emperor then installed the daughter of Shi Huaidao as Princess Jinhe and gave her to him in marriage.

100

時杜暹為安西都護，公主遣牙官賫馬千疋詣安西互市。使者宣公主教與暹，暹怒曰：「阿史那氏女，豈合宣教與吾節度耶！」杖其使者，留而不遣，其馬經雪，寒死並盡。蘇祿大怒，發兵分寇四鎮。會杜暹入知政事，趙頤貞代為安西都護，城守久之，由是四鎮貯積及人畜並為蘇祿所掠，安西僅全。蘇祿既聞杜暹入相，稍引退，俄又遣使入朝獻方物。

At that time Du Xian was Protector-General of Anxi. The princess sent an aide with a thousand horses to Anxi for trade. The envoy proclaimed the princess's instructions to Du Xian. Xian angrily said, "How is it fitting for a woman of the Ashina clan to issue instructions to me, a frontier commissioner! He had the envoy beaten with the rod and detained him. The horses, caught in snow, all perished of cold. Sulu was furious and dispatched troops to raid the Four Garrisons in separate columns. Just then Du Xian entered the government as chief minister, and Zhao Yizhen replaced him as Protector-General of Anxi. The garrison held the cities for a long time. The stored provisions, livestock, and people of the Four Garrisons were all plundered by Sulu. Anxi itself barely survived. When Suolu learned that Du Xian had entered the government as chief minister, he pulled back somewhat; before long he sent envoys to court again with tribute goods.

101

十八年，蘇祿使至京師，玄宗禦丹鳳樓設宴。突厥先遣使入朝，是日亦來預宴，與蘇祿使爭長。突厥使曰：「突騎施國小，本是突厥之臣，不宜居上。」蘇祿使曰：「今日此宴，乃為我設，不合居下。」於是中書門下及百僚議，遂於東西幕下兩處分坐，突厥使在東，突騎施使在西。宴訖，厚賫而遣之。

In the eighteenth year, Suolu's envoys arrived at the capital, and Emperor Xuanzong received them with a banquet from the Hall of Crimson Phoenix. The Turks had already sent envoys to court, and on that day they too attended the banquet, quarreling with Suolu's envoys over who should take precedence. The Turkish envoy said, "The Turgesh are a small state and were originally subjects of the Turks. It is not fitting that they sit in the place of honor. Suolu's envoy replied, "This banquet was held for us. It is not fitting that we sit below." The Secretariat-Chancellery and the officials then deliberated and seated the two parties separately under the eastern and western awnings—the Turkish envoy to the east and the Turgesh envoy to the west. When the feast was over, both parties were richly rewarded and dismissed.

102

蘇祿性尤清儉，每戰伐，有所克獲，盡分與將士及諸部落。其下愛之，甚為其用。潛又遣使南通吐蕃，東附突厥。突厥及吐蕃亦嫁女與蘇祿。既以三國女為可敦，又分立數子為葉護，費用漸廣。先既不為積貯，晚年抄掠所得者，留不分之。又因風病，一手攣縮，其下諸部，心始攜貳。

Suolu was by nature austere and unpretentious. Whenever he fought and took booty, he divided all of it among his officers, soldiers, and the various tribes. His followers loved him and served him with wholehearted devotion. In secret he also sent envoys south to Tibet and east to the Turks, seeking alliance on both fronts. Both the Turks and the Tibetans gave him their daughters in marriage. With consorts from three states and several sons installed as yabghus, his expenses steadily mounted. He had never accumulated reserves in the first place, and in his later years he kept what he took in raids and no longer shared it out. He also contracted a wind ailment that left one hand curled and useless, and among his subordinate tribes loyalty first began to fray.

103

有大首領莫賀達幹、都摩度兩部落，最為強盛。百姓又分為黃姓、黑姓兩種，互相猜阻。

Two great chieftains, Mohaganchan and Doumodu, commanded the strongest tribes. The people were further divided into Yellow-clan and Black-clan factions, each suspicious of the other and blocking the other's way.

104

二十六年夏，莫賀達幹勒兵夜攻蘇祿，殺之。都摩度初與莫賀達幹連謀，俄又相背，立蘇祿之子咄火仙為可汗，以輯其余眾，與莫賀達幹自相攻擊。莫賀達幹遣使告安西都護蓋嘉運。嘉運率兵討之，大敗都摩度之眾，臨陣擒咄火仙，並收得金河公主而還。又欲立史懷道之子昕為可汗以鎮撫之，莫賀達幹不肯，曰：「討平蘇祿，本是我之元謀，若立史昕為主，則國家何以酬賞於我？」乃不立史昕，便令莫賀達幹統眾。

In the summer of the twenty-sixth year, Mohaganchan led his troops in a night attack on Suolu and killed him. Doumodu had at first plotted with Mohaganchan, but soon broke with him, enthroning Suolu's son Tohuo Xian as khan to rally the remaining tribes, and the two factions turned on each other. Mohaganchan sent envoys to notify Anxi Protector Gai Jiayun. Jiayun marched against them, routed Doumodu's army, captured Tohuo Xian in battle, and returned with Princess Jinhe as well. Jiayun then proposed to install Shi Huaidao's son Xin as khan to pacify the tribes, but Mohaganchan refused. "Overthrowing Suolu was my plan from the start," he said. "If Shi Xin is made khan, how will the court reward me? Shi Xin was not enthroned. Mohaganchan was left in command of the tribes instead.

105

二十七年二月，嘉運率將士詣闕獻俘，玄宗禦花萼樓以宴之，仍令將吐火仙獻於太廟。俄又黃姓、黑姓自相屠殺，各遣使降附。

In the second month of the twenty-seventh year, Jiayun brought his officers and soldiers to court to present captives. Emperor Xuanzong entertained them from the Tower of Flower and Calyx and had Tuhuo Xian offered up at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Before long the Yellow-clan and Black-clan were slaughtering one another again, and each faction sent envoys to surrender.

106

史臣曰：中原多事，外國窺邊，周獫狁、漢匈奴之後，其類實繁，前史論之備矣。突厥自隋文修王道，肅軍容，示恩威以羈縻之；煬帝失政教，生戎心，肇亂離以啟發之。高祖借其力而入平京師，群賊附其強而叠據河朔。高祖同禦榻以延其使，太宗幸便橋以約其和。當其時焉，不其盛矣！竟滅其族而身死於國者，何也？咸謂太宗有馭夷狄之道，李勣著戡定之功。殊不知突厥之始也，賞罰明而將士戮力。遇煬帝之亂，亡命蓄怒者既附之，其興也宜哉！頡利之衰也，兄弟扌勾隙而部族離心。當太宗之理，謀臣猛將討逐之，其亡也宜哉！洎武後亂朝，默啜犯塞，玄宗纂嗣，傳首京師，東封太山，西戎扈蹕，開元之代，繼踵來降。西突厥諸族，遇其理，則眾心悅附而甲兵興焉；遇其亂，則族類怨怒而本根破矣！理亂二道，華夷一途。或質言於盛衰倚伏，未為確論。

The historian writes: When the heartland is in turmoil, foreign peoples watch the frontiers. Since the Xianyun of Zhou and the Xiongnu of Han, their kind has been legion, and the earlier histories treat them at length. Under Emperor Wen of Sui, who restored the kingly way, tightened military discipline, and held the Turks in check through kindness and awe; Emperor Yang abandoned good government and teaching, bred a barbarian will to rebel, and opened the door to chaos that stirred them to rise. Gaozu borrowed their strength to enter and pacify the capital; rebel bands clung to their power and seized the north one stronghold after another. Gaozu received their envoys on the same imperial couch; Taizong went to Bian Bridge to seal a pact of peace. In those days, was their power not at its zenith! Yet in the end their clan was destroyed and they perished within the empire—why? All say that Taizong knew how to manage the barbarians and that Li Ji won the merit of their subjugation. They do not see that when the Turks rose, rewards and punishments were clear and officers and soldiers fought as one. When they met Emperor Yang's chaos, every fugitive nursing a grievance rallied to them—their rise was only to be expected! When Jieli declined, brothers turned on one another and the tribes lost heart. Under Taizong's good order, strategists and fierce generals hunted them down—their fall was only to be expected! Down through Empress Wu's disordering of the court, when Moq chuo raided the frontier, to Xuanzong's succession, when severed heads were sent to the capital; when he performed the feng sacrifice on Mount Tai and western tribes escorted his carriage—in the Kaiyuan era, one submission followed another. Among the Western Turkish tribes, when order prevailed, hearts rallied willingly and arms multiplied; when disorder came, clans turned resentful and their foundations were torn apart! Order and disorder follow two paths, but for Chinese and barbarian alike the principle is one. To speak only of rise and fall in terms of fortune and misfortune is not yet a sound conclusion.

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贊曰：中國失政，邊夷幸災。理亂之道，取鑒將來。

The eulogy says: When China loses good government, the border peoples seize their chance in the calamity. The way of order and disorder—let it be a mirror for times to come.

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