1
古稱儒學家者流，本出於司徒之官，可以正君臣，明貴賤，美教化，移風俗，莫若於此焉。 故前古哲王，鹹用儒術之士； 漢家宰相，無不精通一經。 朝廷若有疑事，皆引經決定，由是人識禮教，理致升平。 近代重文輕儒，或參以法律，儒道既喪，淳風大衰，故近理國多劣於前古。 自隋氏道消，海內版蕩，彜倫攸篸，戎馬生郊，先代之舊章，往聖之遺訓，掃地盡矣！
The school of Confucian scholars in antiquity traced its origins to the office of Minister of Education. For rectifying the relations between ruler and subject, clarifying rank and status, refining moral instruction, and transforming social customs, nothing surpassed it. For this reason the sage rulers of antiquity all drew on men versed in Confucian learning. Not one of the Han chancellors failed to master a single canonical classic. When the court faced doubtful matters, it settled them by appeal to the classics; thus the people came to know ritual and instruction, and order rose toward peace. In recent times literary skill was prized and Confucian learning slighted, and legal statutes were sometimes mixed in. With the Way of the Ru lost, simple honesty withered—and recent statecraft has often fallen short of antiquity. After the Sui fell and the realm was torn apart, human order collapsed and war horses grazed at the city walls. The statutes of former ages and the teachings of the sages were swept utterly away.
2
及高祖建義太原，初定京邑，雖得之馬上，而頗好儒臣。 以義寧三年五月，初令國子學置生七十二員，取三品已上子孫； 太學置生一百四十員，取五品已上子孫； 四門學生一百三十員，取七品已上子孫。 上郡學置生六十員，中郡五十員，下郡四十員。 上縣學並四十員，中縣三十員，下縣二十員。 武德元年，詔皇族子孫及功臣子弟，於秘書外省別立小學。 二年，詔曰：
When Emperor Gaozu raised his standard at Taiyuan and first secured the capital, he had won the throne from the saddle—yet he held Confucian officials in real regard. In the fifth month of Yining 3, he first ordered seventy-two students enrolled at the Directorate of Education, drawn from families of third rank and above. The Imperial University took one hundred forty students from families of fifth rank and above. The Four Gates Academy took one hundred thirty students from families of seventh rank and above. Upper prefectures were allotted sixty students each, middle prefectures fifty, and lower prefectures forty. Upper counties were allotted forty students each, middle counties thirty, and lower counties twenty. In Wude 1, an edict directed that imperial clansmen and the sons of meritorious officials attend a separate elementary school at the Outer Secretariat. In the second year, an edict proclaimed:
3
盛德必祀，義存方策，達人命世，流慶後昆。 建國君人，弘風闡教，崇賢彰善，莫尚於茲。 自八卦初陳，九疇攸敘，徽章互垂，節文不備。 爰始姬旦，匡翊周邦，創設禮經，尤明典憲。 啟生人之耳目，窮法度之本源，化起《二南》，業隆八百； 豐功茂德，冠於終古。 暨乎王道既衰，頌聲不作，諸侯力爭，禮樂陵遲。 粵若宣父，天資睿哲； 經綸齊、魯之內，揖讓洙、泗之間； 綜理遺文，弘宣舊制。 四科之教，歷代不刊； 三千之文，風流無歇。
Great virtue demands sacrifice; righteousness lives on in the written record. A man who grasps the age and shapes his times leaves blessings for generations to come. To found a state and govern its people, to spread moral influence and expound instruction, to honor the worthy and make goodness manifest—nothing ranks above this. From the first display of the Eight Trigrams and the ordering of the Nine Categories, emblems and insignia multiplied—yet ritual forms remained incomplete. Then came Ji Dan, who steadied the Zhou state, established the ritual classics, and above all clarified canonical law. He opened men's ears and eyes, traced law and measure to their source, raised transformation from the Two Souths, and built an enterprise that flourished for eight hundred years. His abundant achievement and towering virtue stood above all antiquity. When the royal Way waned, praise songs ceased, feudal lords fought by force, and ritual and music fell into ruin. Then came the Venerable Ni, endowed by Heaven with keen wisdom. He wove order within Qi and Lu, teaching courtesy between the Zhu and Si. He gathered surviving texts and broadly restored the old institutions. The teaching of the four categories has never been effaced across the ages. His three thousand disciples carried his influence forward without end.
4
惟茲二聖，道著群生，守祀不修，明褒尚闕。 朕君臨區宇，興化崇儒，永言先達，情深紹嗣。 宜令有司於國子學立周公、孔子廟各一所，四時致祭。 仍博求其後，具以名聞，詳考所宜，當加爵土。 是以學者慕向，儒教聿興。
These two sages made the Way manifest to all living beings—yet their sacrifices were neglected and fitting honors still lacking. We rule the realm, promote moral transformation and honor Confucian learning, ever mindful of the former worthies, with deep resolve to carry on their line. Let the responsible officials establish at the Directorate of Education one temple each to the Duke of Zhou and Confucius, with seasonal sacrifices throughout the year. Moreover, seek out their descendants far and wide, report their names, examine what is fitting, and confer rank and fiefs. Scholars turned toward it in admiration, and Confucian teaching flourished anew.
5
至三年，太宗討平東夏，海內無事，乃銳意經籍，於秦府開文學館。 廣引文學之士，下詔以府屬杜如晦等十八人為學士，給五品珍膳，分為三番更直，宿於閣下。
By the third year, Emperor Taizong had pacified the east and the realm was at peace; he then turned keenly to the classics and opened a Literary Academy at the Prince of Qin's residence. He recruited literary scholars widely, appointed eighteen men including Du Ruhui as academicians by edict, supplied them fifth-rank delicacies, divided them into three watches, and quartered them in the pavilion below.
6
及即位，又於正殿之左，置弘文學館，精選天下文儒之士虞世南、褚亮、姚思廉等，各以本官兼署學士，令更日宿直。 聽朝之暇，引入內殿，講論經義，商略政事，或至夜分乃罷。 又召勛賢三品已上子孫，為弘文館學士。
On his accession he established the Hongwen Literary Academy to the left of the main hall, carefully selecting literary Confucians such as Yu Shinan, Chu Liang, and Yao Silian, each retaining his regular post while serving as academician on rotating night duty. In intervals from court he summoned them to the inner hall to discuss the classics and deliberate on affairs of state, sometimes not dismissing them until midnight. He also enrolled descendants of meritorious officials of third rank and above as Hongwen Academy students.
7
貞觀二年，停以周公為先聖，始立孔子廟堂於國學，以宣父為先聖，顏子為先師。 大征天下儒士，以為學官。 數幸國學，令祭酒、博士講論。 畢，賜以束帛。 學生能通一大經已上，鹹得署吏。 又於國學增築學舍一千二百間，太學、四門博士亦增置生員，其書算合置博士、學生，以備藝文，凡三千二百六十員。 其玄武門屯營飛騎，亦給博士，授以經業； 有能通經者，聽之貢舉。 是時四方儒士，多抱負典籍，雲會京師。 俄而高麗及百濟、新羅、高昌、吐蕃等諸國酋長，亦遣子弟請入於國學之內。 鼓篋而升講筵者，八千余人。 濟濟洋洋焉，儒學之盛，古昔未之有也。
In Zhenguan 2 he ceased honoring the Duke of Zhou as supreme sage, established Confucius's temple at the Directorate of Learning, named the Venerable Ni supreme sage and Yan Hui supreme teacher. He recruited Confucian scholars from across the realm to serve as learning officials. He repeatedly visited the Directorate of Learning and ordered the chancellor and erudites to lecture. When they finished, he bestowed bundles of silk. Students who mastered at least one of the great classics were all eligible for clerkly appointment. He added twelve hundred schoolrooms at the Directorate of Learning, increased enrollment at the Imperial University and Four Gates, and established erudites and students in writing and calculation to complete the arts—in all 3,260 persons. The flying cavalry of the Xuanwu Gate garrison were also assigned erudites and taught the classics. Those who mastered the classics were permitted to enter the examination system. Confucian scholars from every quarter, many bearing classics on their backs, gathered like clouds at the capital. Before long the chieftains of Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, Gaochang, Tibet, and other states also sent their sons to study at the Directorate of Learning. More than eight thousand students carried their book-cases to the lecture hall. Grand and abundant indeed—never had Confucian learning flourished so.
8
太宗又以經籍去聖久遠，文字多訛謬，詔前中書侍郎顏師古考定《五經》，頒於天下，命學者習焉。 又以儒學多門，章句繁雜，詔國子祭酒孔穎達與諸儒撰定《五經》義疏，凡一百七十卷，名曰《五經正義》，令天下傳習。
Taizong also found the classics distant from the sages and full of textual errors; he ordered the former Vice Director Yan Shigu to collate the Five Classics, promulgate them throughout the realm, and command scholars to study them. Because Confucian learning had many schools and commentary had grown tangled, he ordered Chancellor Kong Yingda and other scholars to compile exegeses of the Five Classics—170 juan in all, entitled Correct Meaning of the Five Classics—and commanded the realm to study them.
9
十四年，詔曰：「梁皇侃、褚仲都，周熊安生、沈重，陳沈文阿、周弘正、張譏，隋何妥、劉炫等，並前代名儒，經術可紀。 加以所在學徒，多行其疏，宜加優異，以勸後生。 可訪其子孫見在者，錄名奏聞，當加引擢。」
In the fourteenth year, an edict proclaimed: 'Huang Kan and Chu Zhongdu of Liang, Xiong Ansheng and Shen Chong of Zhou, Shen Wena, Zhou Hongzheng, and Zhang Ji of Chen, He Tuo and Liu Xuan of Sui—these were all famous Confucians of former ages whose classic learning is worthy of record. Moreover, students everywhere chiefly studied their commentaries; they should receive special favor to encourage later generations. Seek out their living descendants, record their names and report them, and grant promotion and elevation.'
10
二十一年，又詔曰：「左丘明、卜子夏、公羊高、谷梁赤、伏勝、高堂生、戴聖、毛萇、孔安國、劉向、鄭眾、杜子春、馬融、盧植、鄭玄、服虔、何休、王肅、王弼、杜元凱、範寧等二十一人，並用其書，垂於國胄。 既行其道，理合褒崇。 自今有事太學，可與顏子俱配享孔子廟堂。」 其尊重儒道如此。
In the twenty-first year, another edict proclaimed: 'Zuo Qiuming, Bu Zixia, Gongsun Gao, Guliang Chi, Fu Sheng, Gaotang Sheng, Dai Sheng, Mao Chang, Kong Anguo, Liu Xiang, Zheng Zhong, Du Zichun, Ma Rong, Lu Zhi, Zheng Xuan, Fu Qian, He Xiu, Wang Su, Wang Bi, Du Yu, Fan Ning—these twenty-one men all used their books, handed down to the national heir. Since their Way was practiced, it was only fitting to honor them. From now on, at Imperial University ceremonies they may share sacrifice in Confucius's temple together with Yan Hui.' Such was his respect for the Confucian Way.
11
高宗嗣位，政教漸衰，薄於儒術，尤重文吏。 於是醇醲日去，畢競日彰，猶火銷膏而莫之覺也。 及則天稱制，以權道臨下，不吝官爵，取悅當時。 其國子祭酒，多授諸王及駙馬都尉，準貞觀舊事。 祭酒孔穎達等赴上日，皆講《五經》題。 至是，諸王與駙馬赴上，唯判祥瑞按三道而已。 至於博士、助教，唯有學官之名，多非儒雅之實。 是時復將親祠明堂及南郊，又拜洛，封嵩嶽，將取弘文國子生充齊郎行事，皆令出身放選，前後不可勝數。 因是生徒不復以經學為意，唯茍希僥幸。 二十年間，學校頓時隳廢矣。
When Emperor Gaozong succeeded to the throne, government and teaching gradually declined; he slighted Confucian learning and especially valued literary clerks. Pure learning daily waned and ruthless competition daily waxed, like fire consuming tallow—yet none perceived it. When Empress Wu assumed regency, she governed by expedient power, lavished offices and ranks without stint, and sought to please the age. The chancellorship of the Directorate was mostly granted to imperial princes and sons-in-law of the emperor, following Zhenguan precedent. When chancellors such as Kong Yingda attended on audience days, all lectured on topics from the Five Classics. By this time, when princes and sons-in-law attended on audience, they merely judged auspicious omens in three categories. As for erudites and assistant instructors, they bore only the titles of learning officials; most lacked true scholarly substance. She was again about to sacrifice in person at the Bright Hall and southern suburb, worship at Luo, and enfeoff Mount Song; she took Hongwen and Directorate students as ritual attendants, granting them all initial appointment and release for selection—countless in number. Because of this, students no longer took classic learning to heart and only hoped for lucky advancement. Within twenty years, the schools collapsed entirely.
12
玄宗在東宮，親幸太學，大開講論，學官生徒，各賜束帛。 及即位，數詔州縣及百官薦舉經通之士。 又置集賢院，招集學者校選，募儒士及博涉著實之流。 以為《儒學篇》。
While still crown prince, Xuanzong personally visited the Imperial University, opened wide lectures and discussion, and bestowed bundles of silk on officials and students alike. On his accession he repeatedly ordered prefectures, counties, and officials to recommend men who had mastered the classics. He also established the Jixian Academy, gathered scholars for collation and selection, and enlisted Confucian scholars and men of broad and solid learning. This constitutes the 'Treatise on Confucian Learning.'
13
徐文遠，洛州偃師人，陳司空孝嗣玄孫，其先自東海徙家焉。 父徹，梁秘書郎，尚元帝女安昌公主而生文遠。 屬江陵陷，被虜於長安，家貧無以自給。 其兄休，鬻書為事，文遠日閱書於肆，博覽《五經》，尤精《春秋左氏傳》。 時有大儒沈重講於太學，聽者常千余人。 文遠就質問，數日便去。 或問曰：「何辭去之速？」 答曰：「觀其所說，悉是紙上語耳，仆皆先已誦得之。 至於奧賾之境，翻似未見。」 有以其言告重者，重呼與議論，十余反，重甚嘆服之。
Xu Wenyuan was a native of Yanshi in Luozhou, a great-great-grandson of Chen Minister of Works Xiao Si; his ancestors had moved there from Donghai. His father Che was a Liang Secretariat clerk who married Emperor Yuan's daughter Princess Anchang and fathered Wenyuan. When Jiangling fell he was taken captive to Chang'an; the family was too poor to support itself. His elder brother Xiu sold books for a living; Wenyuan spent his days reading in the shop, mastered the Five Classics, and was especially expert in the Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals. At the time the great Confucian Shen Chong lectured at the Imperial University before audiences often exceeding a thousand. Wenyuan went to question him and left after only a few days. Someone asked: 'Why did you leave so quickly?' He answered: 'Everything he said was merely words on paper—I had already recited it all myself. As for the hidden depths, he seemed never to have reached them.' Someone reported his words to Shen Chong, who summoned him to debate; after more than ten exchanges Chong sighed in deep admiration.
14
文遠方正純厚，有儒者風。 竇威、楊玄感、李密皆從其受學。 開皇中，累遷太學博士。 詔令往并州，為漢王諒講《孝經》、《禮記》。 及諒反，除名。 大業初，禮部侍郎許善心舉文遠與包愷、褚徽、陸德明、魯達為學官，遂擢授文遠國子博士，愷等並為太學博士。 時人稱文遠之《左氏》、褚徽之《禮》、魯達之《詩》、陸德明之《易》，皆為一時之最。 文遠所講釋，多立新義，先儒異論，皆定其是非，然後詰駁諸家，又出己意，博而且辨，聽者忘倦。
Wenyuan was upright, sincere, and steadfast, with the bearing of a true Confucian. Dou Wei, Yang Xuangang, and Li Mi all studied under him. During the Kaihuang reign he rose repeatedly to erudite of the Imperial University. An edict ordered him to Bingzhou to lecture on the Classic of Filial Piety and the Record of Rites for Prince Liang of Han. When Liang rebelled, Wenyuan was struck from the register. At the beginning of Daye, Vice Minister Xu Shansin recommended Wenyuan together with Bao Kai, Chu Hui, Lu Deming, and Lu Da as learning officials; Wenyuan was appointed erudite of the Directorate, and the others erudites of the Imperial University. Contemporaries ranked Wenyuan's Zuo Commentary, Chu Hui's Rites, Lu Da's Odes, and Lu Deming's Changes as the finest of the age. In his lectures Wenyuan often established new interpretations, settled the rights and wrongs of earlier scholars' disputes, then examined and refuted rival schools and advanced his own views—broad yet discriminating, so that listeners forgot fatigue.
15
後越王侗署為國子祭酒。 時洛陽饑饉，文遠出城樵采，為李密軍所執。 密令文遠南面坐，備弟子禮北面拜之。 文遠曰：「老夫疇昔之日，幸以先王之道，仰授將軍。 時經興替，倏焉已久。 今將軍屬風雲之際，為義眾所歸，權鎮萬物，威加四海，猶能屈體弘尊師之義，此將軍之德也，老夫之幸也！ 既荷茲厚禮，安不盡言乎！ 但未審將軍意耳！ 欲為伊、霍繼絕扶傾，雖遲暮，猶願盡力； 若為莽、卓乘危迫險，則老夫耄矣，無能為也。」 密頓首曰：「昨奉朝命，垂拜上公，冀竭庸虛，匡奉國難。 所以未朝見者，不測城內人情。 且欲先征化及，報復冤恥，立功贖罪，然後凱旋，入拜天闕。 此密之本意，惟先生教之。」 文遠曰：「將軍名臣之子，累顯忠節，前受誤於玄感，遂乃暫墜家聲。 行迷未遠，而回車復路，終於忠孝，用康家國，天下之人，是所望於將軍也。」 密又頓首曰：「敬聞命矣，請奉以周旋。」
Later Prince Tong of Yue appointed him chancellor of the Directorate of Education. When Luoyang suffered famine, Wenyuan went outside the city to gather firewood and was seized by Li Mi's army. Mi seated Wenyuan facing south and, with the full ceremony of a disciple, bowed to him facing north. Wenyuan said: 'In former days I was fortunate enough to impart to you, General, the Way of the former kings. Dynasties have risen and fallen; how long it has been. Now you stand at a turning point in history, followed by righteous multitudes, holding authority over all things, your might extending across the four seas—yet you can still humble yourself and honor your teacher. This is your virtue, General, and my good fortune! Having received such generous courtesy, how could I not speak my mind fully! But I do not yet know your intent, General! If you wish to be like Yi Yin and Huo Guang, restoring a broken line and supporting a tottering throne, though I am in my dotage I will still exert my utmost. If you would be like Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo, seizing power in crisis and pressing peril, then this old man is too feeble to help.' Mi bowed his head to the ground and said: 'Yesterday I received the court's command and was granted the title of Grand Duke, hoping to exhaust my poor abilities in support of the state's peril. The reason I have not yet presented myself at court is that I cannot gauge the mood within the city. Moreover I wish first to campaign against Huaji, avenge this grievous wrong, win merit to redeem my guilt, and then return in triumph to bow at the imperial gate. This is my true intent, Master—I ask only for your guidance.' Wenyuan said: 'You are the son of a famous minister and have repeatedly shown loyalty and integrity. You were once misled by Yang Xuangang and for a time your family's reputation suffered. You had not gone far astray before you turned back, and if you end in loyalty and filial piety to bring peace to family and state, that is what the people of the realm hope for from you, General.' Mi bowed his head again and said: 'I have heard your command with respect; I shall follow it in all my dealings.'
16
及征化及還，而王世充已殺元文都等，權兵專制。 密又問計於文遠，答曰：「王世充亦門人也，頗得識之。 是人殘忍，意又褊促，既乘此勢，必有異圖。 將軍前計為不諧矣，非破王世充，不可朝覲。」 密曰：「嘗謂先生儒者，不學軍旅之事，今籌大計，殊有明略。」
When he returned from campaigning against Huaji, Wang Shichong had already killed Yuan Wendu and others and seized sole control of the army. Mi again asked Wenyuan for counsel; he answered: 'Wang Shichong was also my student, and I know him fairly well. He is cruel and narrow-minded; having seized this momentum, he is certain to harbor designs of his own. Your former plan will not succeed, General; unless you defeat Wang Shichong, you cannot present yourself at court.' Mi said: 'I once thought you were a Confucian who knew nothing of military affairs; yet in planning great strategy you show exceptional clarity.'
17
及密敗，復入東都，王世充給其廩食，而文遠盡敬，見之先拜。 或問曰：「聞君踞見李密，而敬王公，何也？」 答曰：「李密，君子也，能受酈生之揖； 王公，小人也，有殺故人之義。 相時而動，豈不然歟！」 後王世充僭號，復以為國子博士。 因出樵采，為羅士信獲之，送於京師，復授國子博士。
When Mi was defeated, Wenyuan returned to the Eastern Capital; Wang Shichong supplied his grain, yet Wenyuan showed him full respect and bowed first whenever they met. Someone asked: 'I heard you sat informally when you met Li Mi, yet you show respect to Prince Wang—why?' He answered: 'Li Mi is a gentleman and could accept Li Yiji's informal bow. Prince Wang is a petty man who kills his old associates. One acts according to the times—is that not so!' Later, when Wang Shichong declared himself emperor, he again appointed Wenyuan erudite of the Directorate. Once when he went out to gather firewood he was seized by Luo Shixin, sent to the capital, and again appointed erudite of the Directorate.
18
武德六年，高祖幸國學，觀釋奠，遣文遠發《春秋》題，諸儒設難蜂起，隨方占對，皆莫能屈。 封東莞縣男。 年七十四，卒官。 撰《左傳音》三卷、《義疏》六十卷。 孫有功，自有傳。
In Wude 6, Emperor Gaozu visited the Directorate of Learning for the libation sacrifice, had Wenyuan pose a topic from the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the assembled scholars raised challenges from every side; he answered each in turn, and none could best him. He was enfeoffed as Baron of Dongguan County. He died in office at the age of seventy-four. He compiled Pronunciation of the Zuo Commentary in three juan and Exegesis and Commentary in sixty juan. His grandson Yougong has his own biography.
19
陸德明，蘇州吳人也。 初受學於周弘正，善言玄理。 陳大建中，太子征四方名儒，講於承先殿。 德明年始弱冠，往參焉。 國子祭酒徐克開講，恃貴縱辨，眾莫敢當； 德明獨與抗對，合朝賞嘆。 解褐始興王國左常侍，遷國子助教。 陳亡，歸鄉里。 隋煬帝嗣位，以為秘書學士。 大業中，廣召經明之士，四方至者甚眾。 遣德明與魯達、孔褒俱會門下省，共相交難，無出其右者。 授國子助教。 王世充僭號，封其子為漢王，署德明為師，就其家，將行束脩之禮。 德明恥之，因服巴豆散，臥東壁下。 王世充子入，跪床前，對之遺痢，竟不與語。 遂移病於成臯，杜絕人事。
Lu Deming was a native of Wu in Suzhou. He first studied under Zhou Hongzheng and was skilled in discussing arcane philosophy. During the Chen Dajian reign, the crown prince summoned famous Confucians from across the realm to lecture at Chengxian Hall. Deming had just reached his capping age and went to take part. Chancellor Xu Ke opened the lecture, relying on his noble rank to debate freely; none dared contend with him. Deming alone contended against him, and the whole court marveled. On entering office he became Left Regular Attendant of the Principality of Shixing and was transferred to assistant instructor of the Directorate. When Chen fell, he returned to his home district. When Emperor Yang of Sui succeeded to the throne, Deming was appointed Secretariat academician. During Daye he broadly summoned men eminent in the classics, and very many arrived from every quarter. He sent Deming together with Lu Da and Kong Bao to the Secretariat Chancellery to debate one another, and none could surpass them. He was appointed assistant instructor of the Directorate. When Wang Shichong declared himself emperor, he enfeoffed his son as King of Han, appointed Deming as his teacher, came to Deming's home, and was about to perform the ceremony of presenting dried meat as tuition. Deming was shamed by this and took croton powder, lying down beneath the east wall. Wang Shichong's son entered and knelt before the bed; Deming faced him and relieved himself, and would not speak a word. He thereupon feigned illness at Chenggao and cut off all contact with the world.
20
王世充平，太宗征為秦府文學館學士，命中山王承乾從其受業。 尋補太學博士。 後高祖親臨釋奠，時徐文遠講《孝經》，沙門惠乘講《波若經》，道士劉進喜講《老子》，德明難此三人，各因宗指，隨端立義，眾皆為之屈。 高祖善之，賜帛五十匹。
When Wang Shichong was defeated, Taizong summoned him as an academician of the Prince of Qin's Literary Academy and ordered Prince Chengqian of Zhongshan to study under him. Before long he was appointed erudite of the Imperial University. Later Emperor Gaozu personally attended the libation sacrifice; Xu Wenyuan lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety, the monk Huicheng on the Prajna Sutra, and the Daoist Liu Jinxi on the Laozi. Deming challenged all three, establishing his arguments according to each school's principles, and the assembly yielded to him. Gaozu was pleased and bestowed fifty bolts of silk.
21
貞觀初，拜國子博士，封吳縣男。 尋卒。 撰《經典釋文》三十卷、《老子疏》十五卷、《易疏》二十卷，並行於世。 太宗後嘗閱德明《經典釋文》，甚嘉之，賜其家束帛二百段。
At the beginning of Zhenguan he was appointed erudite of the Directorate and enfeoffed as Baron of Wu County. He died soon after. He compiled Exegesis of the Classics in thirty juan, Commentary on the Laozi in fifteen juan, and Commentary on the Changes in twenty juan, all of which circulated widely. Taizong later read Deming's Exegesis of the Classics, greatly admired it, and bestowed two hundred bundles of silk on his family.
22
子敦信，龍朔中官至左侍極，同東西臺三品。
His son Dunxin, during Longshuo, rose to Left Attendant-at-Court, third rank equal to the Eastern and Western Terrace.
23
曹憲，揚州江都人也。 仕隋為秘書學士。 每聚徒教授，諸生數百人。 當時公卿已下，亦多從之受業。 憲又精諸家文字之書，自漢代杜林、衛宏之後，古文泯絕，由憲，此學復興。
Cao Xian was a native of Jiangdu in Yangzhou. He served the Sui as Secretariat academician. Whenever he gathered disciples to teach, his students numbered several hundred. At the time many officials, from dukes and ministers downward, also studied under him. Xian was also expert in paleography; since Du Lin and Wei Hong of Han, ancient script had been lost, and through Xian the study was revived.
24
大業中，煬帝令與諸學者撰《桂苑珠叢》一百卷，時人稱其該博。 憲又訓註張揖所撰《博雅》，分為十卷，煬帝令藏於秘閣。
During Daye, Emperor Yang ordered him and other scholars to compile the Cassia Garden Pearl Collection in one hundred juan; contemporaries praised its comprehensiveness. Xian also glossed Zhang Yi's Broad Ready Reference, dividing it into ten juan; Emperor Yang ordered it stored in the Secret Archive.
25
貞觀中，揚州長史李襲譽表薦之，太宗征為弘文館學士。 以年老不仕，乃遣使就家拜朝散大夫，學者榮之。
During Zhenguan, Yangzhou Chief Administrator Li Xiyu recommended him by memorial, and Taizong summoned him as Hongwen Academy academician. Because of his age he declined office; the court sent an envoy to his home to appoint him Grand Master of Palace Leisure, which scholars regarded as a great honor.
26
太宗又嘗讀書有難字，字書所闕者，錄以問憲，憲皆為之音訓及引證明白，太宗甚奇之。 年一百五歲卒。 所撰《文選音義》，甚為當時所重。 初，江、淮間為《文選》學者，本之於憲，又有許淹、李善、公孫羅復相繼以《文選》教授，由是其學大興於代。
Taizong also once, when reading and encountering difficult characters omitted from dictionaries, recorded them to ask Xian; Xian provided pronunciation, glosses, and clear citations for all, and Taizong greatly marveled. He died at the age of one hundred and five. His Pronunciation and Meaning of the Literary Selection was greatly valued in his day. Initially, scholars of the Literary Selection in the Yangtze-Huai region took Xian as their foundation; Xu Yan, Li Shan, and Gongsun Luo in turn taught the Literary Selection, and thereby the study flourished greatly in the age.
27
許淹者，潤州句容人也。 少出家為僧，後又還俗。 博物洽聞，尤精詁訓。 撰《文選音》十卷。
Xu Yan was a native of Jurong in Runzhou. In youth he became a monk, and later returned to lay life. Broadly learned and well informed, he was especially expert in glossing and exegesis. He compiled Pronunciation of the Literary Selection in ten juan.
28
李善者，揚州江都人。 方雅清勁，有士君子之風。 明慶中，累補太子內率府錄事參軍、崇賢館直學士，兼沛王侍讀。 嘗註解《文選》，分為六十卷，表上之。 賜絹一百二十匹，詔藏於秘閣。 除潞王府記室參軍，轉秘書郎。 乾封中，出為經城令。 坐與賀蘭敏之周密，配流姚州。 後遇赦得還，以教授為業，諸生多自遠方而至。 又撰《漢書辯惑》三十卷。 載初元年卒。 子邕，亦知名。
Li Shan was a native of Jiangdu in Yangzhou. Upright, refined, and forceful, he had the bearing of a true gentleman. During Mingqing he rose to Recording Secretary of the Crown Prince's Inner Rate Office, direct academician of the Chongxian Academy, and Reader-in-Waiting to the Prince of Pei. He annotated the Literary Selection in sixty juan and presented it to the throne by memorial. He was granted one hundred twenty bolts of silk, and an edict ordered the work stored in the Secret Archive. He was appointed Secretary of the Prince of Lu's residence and transferred to Secretariat Gentleman. During Qianfeng he was sent out to serve as magistrate of Jingcheng. Because of his close association with Helan Minzhi, he was sentenced to exile in Yaozhou. Later he was pardoned and returned, making teaching his profession; many students came from distant places. He also compiled Resolving Doubts on the Han History in thirty juan. He died in the first year of Zaichu. His son Yong was also well known.
29
公孫羅，江都人也。 歷沛王府參軍，無錫縣丞。 撰《文選音義》十卷，行於代。
Gongsun Luo was a native of Jiangdu. He served as staff officer of the Prince of Pei's residence and as assistant magistrate of Wuxi County. He compiled Pronunciation and Meaning of the Literary Selection in ten juan, which circulated widely in his day.
30
詢初學王羲之書，後更漸變其體，筆力險勁，為一時之絕。 人得其尺牘文字，鹹以為楷範焉。 高麗甚重其書，嘗遣使求之。 高祖嘆曰：「不意詢之書名，遠播夷狄，彼觀其跡，固謂其形魁梧耶！」
Ouyang Xun at first studied Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, then gradually developed his own style; his brushwork was perilous and forceful, unmatched in his age. When people obtained even a scrap of his writing, all took it as the standard model. Goguryeo greatly valued his calligraphy and once sent envoys to request samples. Gaozu sighed and said: 'I did not expect Xun's fame as a calligrapher to reach the barbarians; when they see his writing, they must suppose he is tall and imposing!'
31
武德七年，詔與裴矩、陳叔達撰《藝文類聚》一百卷。 奏之，賜帛二百段。
In Wude 7, an edict ordered him together with Pei Ju and Chen Shuda to compile the Literary Arts Classified Collection in one hundred juan. They presented it and were granted two hundred sections of silk.
32
貞觀初，官至太子率更令、弘文館學士，封渤海縣男。 年八十余卒。
At the beginning of Zhenguan he rose to Crown Prince's Director of Water Clocks and Hongwen Academy academician, and was enfeoffed as Baron of Bohai County. He died in his eighties.
33
子通，少孤，母徐氏教其父書。 每遺通錢，紿云：「質汝父書跡之直。」 通慕名甚銳，晝夜精力無倦，遂亞於詢。 儀鳳中，累遷中書舍人。 丁母憂，居喪過禮。 起復本官，每入朝，必徒跣至皇城門外。 直宿在省，則席地藉槁。 非公事不言，亦未嘗啟齒。 歸家必衣缞绖，號慟無恆。 自武德已來，起復後而能哀戚合禮者，無與通比。 年兇未葬，四年居廬不釋服，家人冬月密以氈絮置所眠席下，通覺，大怒，遽令徹之。
His son Tong, orphaned in youth, was taught his father's calligraphy by his mother, Lady Xu. Whenever she gave Tong money, she told him: 'This is payment for your father's calligraphy.' Tong's ambition burned fiercely; day and night he never tired, and he came to rank just below his father. During Yifeng he rose repeatedly to Secretariat Drafting Official. Upon his mother's death he observed mourning beyond the prescribed ritual. Recalled to his former office, whenever he entered court he went barefoot to the gate of the imperial city. When on night duty at the Secretariat, he slept on the ground on straw. He spoke only on public business and otherwise never opened his mouth. At home he always wore hemp mourning garments and wailed without cease. From Wude onward, among those recalled to office who observed grief in accord with ritual, none could compare with Tong. The year was ill-starred and the burial had not yet taken place; for four years he dwelt in the mourning hut without removing his garments. In winter his family secretly placed felt padding beneath his sleeping mat; Tong noticed, flew into a rage, and immediately ordered it removed.
34
五遷，垂拱中至殿中監，賜爵渤海子。 天授元年，封夏官尚書。 二年，轉司禮卿，判納言事。 為相月余，會鳳閣舍人張嘉福等請立武承嗣為皇太子，通與岑長倩固執以為不可，遂忤諸武意，為酷吏所陷，被誅。 神龍初，追復官爵。
After five promotions, during Chuigong he rose to Director of the Palace Bureau and was granted the title Viscount of Bohai. In the first year of the Tianshou era, he was appointed Minister of the Summer Office. In the second year, he was transferred to Minister of Rites and assigned to handle the responsibilities of the Chief Minister. After serving as chief minister for little more than a month, when Fengge Attendant Zhang Jiafu and others petitioned to install Wu Chengsi as crown prince, Tong and Cen Changqian steadfastly opposed it; he thereby provoked the Wu clan, was ensnared by the cruel officials, and was executed. At the opening of the Shenlong era, his official ranks and titles were posthumously restored.
35
硃子奢，蘇州吳人也。 少從鄉人顧彪習《春秋左氏傳》，後博觀子史，善屬文。 隋大業中，直秘書學士。 及天下大亂，辭職歸鄉里，尋附於杜伏威。 武德四年，隨伏威入朝，授國子助教。 貞觀初，高麗、百濟同伐新羅，連兵數年不解，新羅遣使告急。 乃假子奢員外散騎侍郎充使，喻可以釋三國之憾，雅有儀觀，東夷大欽敬之，三國王皆上表謝罪，賜遣甚厚。
Zhu Zishe was a native of Wu district in Suzhou. As a youth he studied the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals under his fellow townsman Gu Biao; he later read widely in the philosophers and histories and excelled at polished prose. During the Sui Daye period, he served as an attending academician of the Secretariat. When the empire fell into widespread chaos, he resigned and returned home, soon afterward joining Du Fuwei. In the fourth year of Wude, he accompanied Fuwei to court and was appointed assistant instructor at the Imperial University. Early in the Zhenguan reign, Goguryeo and Baekje jointly attacked Silla; hostilities dragged on for years, and Silla sent envoys pleading for help. Zishe was then appointed supernumerary attendant-in-ordinary and dispatched as envoy, explaining how the three kingdoms might settle their grievances. Possessing an elegant bearing, he won great admiration among the eastern peoples; all three kings submitted memorials of apology, and the court lavished generous gifts upon his departure.
36
初，子奢之出使也，太宗謂曰：「海夷頗重學問，卿為大國使，必勿藉其束脩，為之講說。 使還稱旨，當以中書舍人待卿。」 子奢至其國，欲悅夷虜之情，遂為發《春秋左傳》題，又納其美女之贈。 使還，太宗責其違旨，猶惜其才，不至深譴，令散官直國子學。 轉諫議大夫、弘文館學士，遷國子司業，仍為學士。
Before Zishe departed on his mission, Taizong told him: 'The maritime peoples greatly esteem learning. As envoy of a great power, you must not accept their customary tribute-gifts—instead, lecture them. If your mission wins my approval upon your return, I shall appoint you Secretariat drafter. Wishing to please the foreigners, Zishe lectured on the Zuo Commentary and also accepted their gift of beautiful women. When he returned, Taizong reproached him for disobeying his orders; still valuing his talent, the emperor stopped short of severe punishment and assigned him to the Imperial University as an unattached official. He was promoted to chief censor and Hongwen Hall academician, then appointed vice director of the Imperial University while retaining his academician post.
37
子奢風流蘊藉，頗滑稽，又輔之以文義，由是數蒙宴遇，或使論難於前。 十五年卒。
Cultured, witty, and learned, Zishe was repeatedly invited to imperial banquets and sometimes called upon to debate difficult questions before the throne. He died in the fifteenth year of the reign.
38
張士衡，瀛州樂壽人也。 父之慶，齊國子助教。 士衡九歲喪母，哀慕過禮。 父友齊國博士劉軌思見之，每為掩泣。 謂其父曰：「昔伯饒號『張曾子』，亦豈能遠過！ 吾聞君子不親教，當為成就之。」 及長，軌思授以《毛詩》、《周禮》，又從熊安生及劉焯受《禮記》，皆精究大義。 此後遍講《五經》，尤攻《三禮》。 仕隋為余杭令，後以年老歸鄉里。
Zhang Shiheng was a native of Leshou in Yingzhou. His father Zhang Zhiqing served as assistant instructor at the Qi Imperial University. At the age of nine Shiheng lost his mother; his grief and devotion exceeded what the rites required. Whenever his father's friend Liu Guisi, erudite of the Qi Imperial University, saw him, he would cover his face and weep. He said to Shiheng's father: 'In former times Bo Rao was called "Zhang the Second Zengzi"—surely he cannot have been far surpassed! I have heard that a gentleman does not teach his own son personally; one should see to his full development.' When he came of age, Guisi taught him the Mao Odes and the Rites of Zhou, and he further studied the Record of Rites under Xiong Ansheng and Liu Zhuo, mastering the essential principles of each. Thereafter he lectured widely on the Five Classics, with particular concentration on the Three Rites. He served the Sui as magistrate of Yuhang; later, in his old age, he retired to his home district.
39
貞觀中，幽州都督、燕王靈夔備玄纁束帛之禮，就家迎聘，北面師之。 庶人承乾在東宮，又加旌命。 及至洛陽宮謁見，太宗延之升殿，賜食，擢授朝散大夫、崇賢館學士。 承乾見之，問以齊氏滅亡之由緒，對曰：「齊後主悖虐無度，昵近小人。 至如高阿那瑰、駱提婆、韓長鸞等，皆奴仆下才，兇險無賴，是信是使，以為心腹。 誅害忠良，疏忌骨肉。 窮極奢靡，剝喪黎元。 所以周師臨郊，人莫為用，以至覆滅，實此之由。」 承乾又問曰：「布施營功德，有果報不？」 對曰：「事佛在於清凈無欲，仁恕為心。 如其貪婪無厭，驕虐是務，雖復傾財事佛，無救目前之禍。 且善惡之報，若影隨形，此是儒書之言，豈徒佛經所說。 是為人君父，當須仁慈； 為人臣子，宜盡忠孝。 仁慈忠孝，則福祚攸永； 如或反此，則殃禍斯及。 此理昭然，願殿下勿為憂慮。」 及承乾廢黜，敕給乘傳，令歸本鄉。 十九年卒。
During the Zhenguan reign, Youzhou military commissioner and Prince of Yan Ling Cai prepared the ceremonial gifts of dark and scarlet silks, came to his home to invite him, and honored him as his teacher with the ceremony due a master. When the commoner Chenggan was at the Eastern Palace, he too issued further honors to him. When he came to audience at Luoyang Palace, Taizong invited him up to the hall, offered him a meal, and promoted him to grand master of splendid happiness and academician of the Chongxian Hall. When Chenggan met him, he asked about the reasons for the Qi dynasty's fall. Shiheng replied: 'The last ruler of Qi was wantonly cruel and drew close to petty men. Men such as Gao Ana'gui, Luo Tipo, and Han Changluan were all of servile and base ability, vicious and reckless; yet he trusted them utterly and made them his closest advisers. He executed the loyal and worthy and alienated his own kin. He indulged in extravagance to the utmost and plundered the common people. Thus when the Zhou armies reached the capital's outskirts, no one would fight for him, and the state was destroyed—this was the true cause. Chenggan asked again: 'Does giving alms and performing meritorious deeds bring karmic reward?' He answered: 'Devotion to Buddhism consists in purity and freedom from desire, with benevolence and forbearance at heart. But if one is insatiably greedy and devoted to arrogance and cruelty, then even pouring out one's wealth in service to Buddhism cannot avert present disaster. Moreover, the reward for good and evil follows like a shadow follows a body—this is taught in Confucian texts, not only in Buddhist scriptures. As ruler and father, one must be benevolent; as minister and son, one must be loyal and filial. With benevolence, loyalty, and filial piety, fortune and rank endure; but if one does the opposite, disaster follows. This principle is clear; I urge Your Highness not to worry.' When Chenggan was deposed, an edict granted him relay transport and ordered him to return to his native district. He died in the nineteenth year of the reign.
40
士衡既禮學為優，當時受其業擅名於時者，唯賈公彥為最焉。
Because Shiheng excelled in ritual studies, of those who studied under him and won fame in their day, Jia Gongyan alone stood foremost.
41
賈公彥，洺州永年人。 永徽中，官至太學博士。 撰《周禮義疏》五十卷、《儀禮義疏》四十卷。
Jia Gongyan was a native of Yongnian in Mozhou. During the Yonghui reign he rose to the post of erudite of the Imperial University. He compiled fifty fascicles of Exegetical Commentary on the Rites of Zhou and forty fascicles of Exegetical Commentary on the Ceremonial Rites.
42
子大隱，官至禮部侍郎。
His son Dayin rose to vice minister of rites.
43
時有趙州李玄植，又受《三禮》於公彥，撰《三禮音義》行於代。 玄植兼習《春秋左氏傳》於王德韶，受《毛詩》於齊威，博涉漢史及老、莊諸子之說。 貞觀中，累遷太子文學、弘文館直學士。 高宗時，屢被召見。 與道士、沙門在御前講說經義，玄植辨論甚美，申規諷，帝深禮之。 後坐事左遷汜水令，卒官。
At that time Li Xuanzhi of Zhaozhou also studied the Three Rites under Gongyan and compiled Phonetic and Semantic Notes on the Three Rites, which circulated widely in his day. Xuanzhi also studied the Zuo Commentary under Wang Deshao and the Mao Odes under Qi Wei, and read widely in Han histories and the teachings of Laozi, Zhuangzi, and other philosophers. During the Zhenguan reign he was repeatedly promoted to literary tutor of the heir apparent and direct academician of the Hongwen Hall. Under Emperor Gaozong he was repeatedly summoned to court. Along with Daoist priests and Buddhist monks he expounded the classics before the throne; Xuanzhi's discourse was eloquent, and in offering remonstrance and admonition he won the emperor's deep respect. Later, implicated in an offense, he was demoted to magistrate of Sishui and died in that post.
44
張後胤，蘇州昆山人也。 父中，有儒學，隋漢王諒出牧并州，引為博士。 後胤從父在并州，以學行見稱。 時高祖鎮太原，引居賓館。 太宗就受《春秋左氏傳》。 武德中，累除燕王諮議參軍。
Zhang Houyin was a native of Kunshan in Suzhou. His father Zhang Zhong was a Confucian scholar; when the Sui Prince of Han, Yang Liang, was sent to govern Bingzhou, he was invited to serve as erudite. Houyin accompanied his father to Bingzhou and was praised for his scholarship and character. At that time Gaozu was stationed at Taiyuan and invited him to stay at his residence. The future Taizong came to him to study the Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. During the Wude reign he was repeatedly appointed consultation and planning officer to the Prince of Yan.
45
貞觀中，後胤上言：「陛下昔在太原，問臣：『隋氏運終，何族當得天下？』 臣奉對：『李姓必得。 公家德業，天下系心，若於此首謀，長驅關右，以圖帝業，孰不幸賴！』 此實微臣早識天命。」 太宗曰：「此事並記之耳。」 因詔入賜宴，言及平昔，從容謂曰：「今弟子何如？」 後胤對曰：「昔孔子領徒三千，達者無子男之位。 臣翼贊一人，為萬乘主，計臣功逾於先聖。」 太宗甚悅，賜良馬五匹，拜燕王府司馬。 遷國子祭酒，轉散騎常侍。
During the Zhenguan reign, Houyin submitted a memorial: 'Your Majesty, when you were at Taiyuan, once asked me: "The Sui mandate is ending—which clan will win the empire? I respectfully answered: "The house of Li will surely prevail." Your family's virtue and accomplishments have won the hearts of the realm. If you take the lead now, march swiftly into the Guan region, and set your sights on the imperial throne—who would not count himself fortunate to follow you! That was truly this humble subject's early recognition of Heaven's mandate." Taizong said: 'That matter is all on record—that is all.' He then summoned Houyin to court and gave him a banquet; recalling old times, he said casually: 'How are your disciples today?' Houyin replied: 'In antiquity Confucius led three thousand disciples, yet not one of those who achieved distinction held a noble rank. I assisted a single man who became emperor; by that measure, my achievement surpasses that of the ancient sage.' Taizong was greatly pleased, bestowed five fine horses on him, and appointed him director of the Prince of Yan's household. He was promoted to chancellor of the Imperial University and then transferred to regular attendant.
46
永徽初，請致仕，加金紫光祿大夫，給賜並同職事。 卒，贈禮部侍郎，陪葬昭陵。
Early in the Yonghui reign he requested retirement; he was granted the additional title of grand master with golden seal and purple ribbon, with stipends and perquisites equal to his former office. Upon his death he was posthumously appointed vice minister of rites and granted burial at Zhaoling.
47
蓋文達，冀州信都人也。 博涉經史，尤明《三傳》。 性方雅，美須貌，有士君子之風。 刺史竇抗嘗廣集儒生，令相問難，其大儒劉焯、劉軌思、孔穎達鹹在坐，文達亦參焉。 既論難，皆出諸儒意表，抗大奇之，問曰：「蓋生就誰受學？」 劉焯對曰：「此生岐嶷，出自天然。 以多問寡，焯為師首。」 抗曰：「可謂冰生於水而寒於水也。」
Gai Wenda was a native of Xindu in Jizhou. He read widely in the classics and histories and was especially accomplished in the Three Commentaries. Upright and refined in character, with a handsome beard and bearing, he had the air of a true gentleman-scholar. Prefect Dou Kang once gathered a large assembly of Confucian scholars for mutual debate; the eminent scholars Liu Zhuo, Liu Guisi, and Kong Yingda were all present, and Wenda took part as well. When the debate ended, his answers surpassed what the other scholars had expected; Kang was astonished and asked: 'Master Gai, under whom did you study? Liu Zhuo answered: 'This young man is precocious—his gifts come from nature itself. When the many question the few, Zhuo is merely the nominal teacher.' Kang said: 'One might say that ice is born of water yet colder than water.'
48
武德中，累授國子助教。 太宗在籓，召為文學館直學士。 貞觀十年，遷諫議大夫，兼弘文館學士。 十三年，除國子司業。 俄拜蜀王師，以王有罪，坐免。 十八年，授崇賢館學士。 尋卒。 其宗人文懿，亦以儒業知名，當時稱為「二蓋」焉。
During the Wude reign he was repeatedly appointed assistant instructor at the Imperial University. While Taizong was still a prince, he was summoned to serve as direct academician of the Literary Academy. In the tenth year of Zhenguan he was promoted to chief censor and concurrent Hongwen Hall academician. In the thirteenth year he was appointed vice director of the Imperial University. Soon afterward he was appointed preceptor to the Prince of Shu; when the prince was found guilty, Wenda was implicated and dismissed. In the eighteenth year he was appointed academician of the Chongxian Hall. He died soon afterward. His clansman Wenyi was also renowned for Confucian scholarship; contemporaries called them 'the two Gais.'
49
文懿者，貝州宋城人也。 武德初，歷國子助教。 時高祖別於秘書省置學，教授王公之子，時以文懿為博士。 文懿嘗開講《毛詩》，發題，公卿鹹萃，更相問難，文懿發揚風雅，甚得詩人之致。 貞觀中，卒於國子博士。
Wenyi was a native of Songcheng in Beizhou. Early in the Wude reign he served as assistant instructor at the Imperial University. At that time Gaozu established a separate school within the Secretariat to instruct the sons of princes and dukes, and Wenyi served as its erudite. Wenyi once lectured on the Mao Odes, proposing topics for discussion; high officials all gathered and questioned one another in turn; Wenyi expounded the elegant style of the classics and captured the true spirit of the poets. During the Zhenguan reign he died while serving as erudite of the Imperial University.
50
谷那律，魏州昌樂人也。 貞觀中，累補國子博士。 黃門侍郎褚遂良稱為「九經庫」。 尋遷諫議大夫，兼弘文館學士。 嘗從太宗出獵，在途遇雨，因問：「油衣若為得不漏？」 那律曰：「能以瓦為之，必不漏矣。」 意欲太宗不為畋獵。 太宗悅，賜帛二百段。 永徽初，卒官。
Gu Nalu was a native of Changle in Weizhou. During the Zhenguan reign he was repeatedly appointed erudite of the Imperial University. Huangmen vice director Chu Suiliang called him 'the storehouse of the Nine Classics.' Soon afterward he was promoted to chief censor and concurrent Hongwen Hall academician. He once accompanied Emperor Taizong on a hunt. Rain fell on the road, and the emperor asked, 'How can you make an oilskin raincoat that does not leak? Nalu replied, 'Make it of tile, and it will never leak.' He meant to dissuade Taizong from hunting. Taizong was delighted and rewarded him with two hundred bales of silk. At the start of the Yonghui reign he died in office.
51
蕭德言，雍州長安人，齊尚書左僕射思話玄孫也。 本蘭陵人，陳亡，徙關中。 祖介，梁侍中、都官尚書。 父引，陳吏部侍郎。 並有名於時。 德言博涉經史，尤精《春秋左氏傳》，好屬文。 貞觀中，除著作郎，兼弘文館學士。
Xiao Deyan was a native of Chang'an in Yong Prefecture and a great-great-grandson of Xiao Sihua, left vice director of the Department of State Affairs under the Qi. His family was originally from Lanling; after the fall of Chen they resettled in Guanzhong. His grandfather Jie had served Liang as attendant-in-ordinary and director of punishments. His father Yin had been vice minister of personnel under Chen. Each had been eminent in his day. Deyan ranged widely through the classics and histories, excelled above all in the Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals, and loved to write. During the Zhenguan reign he was appointed master of writings and concurrent academician of the Hongwen Hall.
52
德言晚年尤篤誌於學，自晝達夜，略無休倦。 每欲開《五經》，必束帶盥濯，危坐對之。 妻子候間請曰：「終日如是，無乃勞乎？」 德言曰：「敬先聖之言，豈憚如此！」 時高宗為晉王，詔德言授經講業。 及升春宮，仍兼侍讀。 尋以年老，請致仕，太宗不許。 又遺之書曰：
In his later years Deyan pursued learning with exceptional zeal, studying from dawn to night with scarcely a pause. Whenever he opened the Five Classics he girded his sash, washed his hands, and sat upright before them. His wife, watching from the doorway, asked, 'To go on like this all day—is it not exhausting? Deyan answered, 'These are the words of the ancient sages. How could I begrudge the effort!' At that time the future Gaozong was Prince of Jin, and an edict appointed Deyan to instruct him in the classics. When the prince entered the Eastern Palace, Deyan continued as his reading tutor. Soon afterward, citing his age, he asked to retire; Taizong refused. The emperor also sent him a letter that read:
53
朕歷觀前代，詳覽儒林，至於顏、閔之才，不終其壽； 遊、夏之德，不逮其學。 惟卿幼挺珪璋，早標美譽。 下帷閉戶，包括《六經》； 映雪聚螢，牢籠百氏。 自隋季版蕩，阇序無聞，儒道墜泥塗，《詩書》填坑穽。 眷言墳典，每用傷懷。 頃年已來，天下無事，方欲建禮作樂，偃武修文。 卿年齒已衰，教將何恃！ 所冀才德猶茂，臥振高風，使濟南伏生，重在於茲日； 關西孔子，故顯於當今。 令問令望，何其美也！ 念卿疲朽，何以可言！
I have looked back through the ages and studied the annals of scholars. Talents like Yan Hui and Min Sun did not live out their span; men like Ziyou and Zixia fell short of their own learning in virtue. You alone, from youth, stood like jade and scepter-stone, and won an early name for excellence. Behind drawn curtains and closed doors you mastered the Six Classics; studied by snowlight and firefly glow, and took in the whole world of learning. Since the collapse of the late Sui, the schools fell silent, the Confucian Way sank into the mire, and the Odes and Documents were buried in ruin. Whenever I think of those ancient texts, grief rises in me anew. These last years the realm has been at peace, and I mean to establish ritual and music, to sheathe the sword and revive learning. Yet your years are failing—on whom else can I rely for teaching! I look to you to keep your talent and virtue in full flower, to uphold a lofty example even in repose, and to make this age see again a Fu Sheng of Jinan; a Confucius of the west, shining once more in our own time. Your name and your promise—how splendid they are! Yet when I think how worn you are, words fail me!
54
尋賜爵封陽縣侯。 十七年，拜秘書少監。 兩宮禮賜甚厚。 二十三年，累表請致仕，許之。 高宗嗣位，以師傅恩，加銀青光祿大夫。 永徽五年，卒於家，年九十七。 高宗為之輟朝，贈太常卿。 文集三十卷。
Soon afterward he was ennobled as Marquis of Yang County. In the seventeenth year of Zhenguan he was appointed vice director of the Secretariat. Both the emperor and the crown prince honored him with lavish gifts. In the twenty-third year he repeatedly petitioned to retire, and at last permission was granted. When Gaozong came to the throne he advanced Deyan, in gratitude for his service as tutor, to grand master of the splendorous light with silver seal. In the fifth year of Yonghui he died at home, aged ninety-seven. Gaozong suspended court in mourning and posthumously appointed him director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. His collected writings ran to thirty juan.
55
曾孫至忠，自有傳。
His great-great-grandson Zhizhong has a separate biography.
56
許叔牙，潤州句容人。 少精於《毛詩》、《禮記》，尤善諷詠。 貞觀初，累授晉王文學兼侍讀，尋遷太常博士。 升春宮，加朝散大夫，遷太子洗馬，兼崇賢館學士，仍兼侍讀。 嘗撰《毛詩纂義》十卷，以進皇太子。 太子賜帛百段，兼令寫本付司經局。 御史大夫高智周嘗謂人曰：「凡欲言《詩》者，必須先讀此書。」 貞觀二十三年卒。 子子儒。
Xu Shuya was a native of Jurong in Run Prefecture. In youth he mastered the Mao version of the Odes and the Book of Rites and was especially gifted at recitation. Early in Zhenguan he was repeatedly appointed literary attendant to the Prince of Jin and reading tutor, and soon afterward became an erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When the prince entered the Eastern Palace, Shuya was promoted to grand master of spreading morality, made crown prince keeper of the stud, and appointed academician of the Chongxian Hall while retaining his post as reading tutor. He once compiled Exegesis of the Mao Odes in ten juan and presented it to the crown prince. The crown prince rewarded him with one hundred bales of silk and ordered a fair copy deposited with the Office for Classics. Censor-in-chief Gao Zhizhou once remarked, 'Anyone who means to speak of the Odes must read this book first. He died in the twenty-third year of Zhenguan. His son was Ziru.
57
子儒，亦以學藝稱。 長壽中，官至天官侍郎、弘文館學士。 子儒居選部，不以藻鑒為意，委令史句直，以為腹心。 註官之次，子儒但高枕而臥，時雲「句直平配」。 由是補授失序，無復綱紀，道路以為口實。 其所註《史記》，竟未就而終。
Ziru, too, won renown for scholarship and skill. During the Changshou era he rose to vice minister of the Heavenly Office and academician of the Hongwen Hall. When Ziru headed the Selection Department he paid no attention to judging talent himself, but entrusted everything to the clerk Gou Zhi as his right hand. During the registration of appointments Ziru merely lay back with a high pillow, while people said, 'Gou Zhi assigns the posts.' Appointments therefore fell into disorder, standards collapsed, and the affair became a byword on the streets. His commentary on the Records of the Grand Historian was never finished before he died.
58
敬播，蒲州河東人也。 貞觀初，舉進士。 俄有詔詣秘書內省佐顏師古、孔穎達修《隋史》，尋授太子校書。 史成，遷著作郎，兼修國史。 與給事中許敬宗撰《高祖》、《太宗實錄》，自創業至於貞觀十四年，凡四十卷。 奏之，賜物五百段。 太宗之破高麗，名所戰六山為駐蹕，播謂人曰：「聖人者，與天地合德，山名駐蹕，此蓋以鑾輿不復更東矣。」 卒如所言。
Jing Bo was a native of Hedong in Pu Prefecture. Early in Zhenguan he passed the jinshi examination. Soon an edict summoned him to the inner Secretariat to assist Yan Shigu and Kong Yingda in compiling the History of Sui, and shortly afterward he was made collator to the crown prince. When the history was finished he was promoted to master of writings and appointed to help compile the national history. Together with drafting gentleman Xu Jingzong he compiled the Veritable Records of Gaozu and Taizong, from the founding of the dynasty down to the fourteenth year of Zhenguan, forty juan in all. He presented the work and received five hundred segments of goods in reward. When Taizong defeated Goguryeo he named the six mountains on which the battles were fought 'Halting the Imperial Carriage.' Bo remarked to others, 'A sage shares the virtue of Heaven and Earth. To call a mountain "Halting the Carriage" can only mean the imperial coach will not travel east again. In the end events proved him right.
59
時梁國公房玄齡深稱播有良史之才，曰：「陳壽之流也。」 玄齡以顏師古所註《漢書》，文繁難省，令播撮其機要，撰成四十卷，傳於代。 尋以撰實錄功，遷太子司議郎。 時初置此官，極為清望。 中書令馬周嘆曰：「所恨資品妄高，不獲歷居此職。」 參撰《晉書》，播與令狐德棻、陽仁卿、李嚴等四人總其類。
At that time Duke of Liang State Fang Xuanling spoke highly of Bo's gifts as a historian, saying, 'He is of Chen Shou's company. Finding Yan Shigu's annotated Book of Han too prolix to use easily, Xuanling had Bo distill its essentials into forty juan, which circulated widely. Soon afterward, for his work on the veritable records, he was promoted to crown prince supervisor of deliberation. The post had only just been created and was regarded as highly distinguished. Secretariat director Ma Zhou sighed, 'What I regret is that my seniority and rank were already too high—I never had the chance to hold that office myself. He took part in compiling the Book of Jin; Bo, together with Linghu Defen, Yang Renqing, Li Yan, and four others, supervised its organization by category.
60
會刑部奏言：「準律：謀反大逆，父子皆坐死，兄弟處流。 此則輕而不懲，望請改從重法。」 制遣百僚詳議。 播議曰：「昆季孔懷，天倫雖重，比於父子，性理已殊。 生有異室之文，死有別宗之義。 今有高官重爵，本廕唯逮子孫； 祚土錫珪，余光不及昆季。 豈有不沾其廕，輒受其辜，背禮違情，殊為太甚！ 必期反茲春令，踵彼秋荼，創次骨於道德之辰，建深文於措刑之日，臣將以為不可。」 詔從之。
When the Ministry of Punishment memorialized, 'Under the statute, for treason and great treason father and son alike are put to death, while brothers are exiled, this is too lenient to deter crime. We ask that the penalty for brothers be made heavier. An edict ordered the officials to deliberate fully. Bo argued, 'Brothers are bound by deep natural affection, yet compared with the tie between father and son their relation is already different in nature and principle. In life they belong to separate households; in death they enter different ancestral lines. Today, when high office and noble rank bring hereditary privilege, that privilege extends only to sons and grandsons; when the throne grants fiefs and bestows jade seals, the reflected honor does not reach brothers. How then can brothers who share none of that privilege be made to share the guilt? It violates ritual and human feeling alike, and goes too far! To reverse the leniency of spring and follow the harshness of autumn, to invent punishments that pierce to the bone in an age devoted to virtue, and to pile severe statutes upon a day meant for measured justice—I hold that unacceptable. The edict adopted his opinion.
61
永徽初，拜著作郎。 與許敬宗等撰《西域圖》。 後歷諫議大夫、給事中，並依舊兼修國史。 又撰《太宗實錄》，從貞觀十五年至二十三年，為二十卷。 奏之，賜帛三百段。 後坐事出為越州都督府長史。 龍朔三年，卒官。 播又著《隋略》二十卷。
At the start of Yonghui he was appointed master of writings. With Xu Jingzong and others he compiled the Map of the Western Regions. He later served as remonstrance councilor and drafting gentleman, continuing throughout to help compile the national history. He also compiled Taizong's Veritable Records from the fifteenth to the twenty-third year of Zhenguan, twenty juan in all. He presented the work and was rewarded with three hundred bales of silk. Later, after he was implicated in an offense, he was sent out to serve as chief secretary of the Yuezhou headquarters. In the third year of Longshuo he died in office. Bo also wrote Outline of Sui in twenty juan.
62
劉伯莊，徐州彭城人也。 貞觀中，累除國子助教。 與其舅太學博士侯孝遵齊為弘文館學士，當代榮之。 尋遷國子博士，其後又與許敬宗等參修《文思博要》及《文館詞林》。 龍朔中，兼授崇賢館學士。 撰《史記音義》、《史記地名》、《漢書音義》各二十卷，行於代。
Liu Bozhuang was a native of Pengcheng in Xu Prefecture. During Zhenguan he was repeatedly appointed assistant professor at the Imperial University. He and his maternal uncle Hou Xiaozun, an erudite of the Imperial University, were appointed together as Hongwen Hall academicians, to the admiration of their contemporaries. He was soon made an erudite of the Imperial University, and later joined Xu Jingzong and others in compiling the Comprehensive Essentials of Literary Thought and the Forest of Phrases from the Literary Court. During Longshuo he was also appointed academician of the Chongxian Hall. He wrote Phonetic Glosses to the Records of the Historian, Place Names in the Records of the Historian, and Phonetic Glosses to the Book of Han, each in twenty juan, and all three circulated widely.
63
子之宏，亦傳父業。 則天時，累遷著作郎，兼修國史。 卒於相王府司馬。 睿宗即位，以故吏贈秘書少監。
His son Zhihong carried on his father's scholarship. Under Wu Zetian he rose through repeated promotions to master of writings and continued to help compile the national history. He died while serving as secretary to the Prince of Xiang. When Ruizong came to the throne he posthumously honored Zhihong, as a former servant, with the title vice director of the Secretariat.
64
秦景通，常州晉陵人也。 與弟肸，尤精《漢書》，當時習《漢書》者皆宗師之，常稱景通為大秦君，暐為小秦君。 若不經其兄弟指授，則謂之「不經師匠，無足采也」。 景通，貞觀中累遷太子洗馬，兼崇賢館學士。 為《漢書》學者，又有劉納言，亦為當時宗匠。
Qin Jingtong was a native of Jinling in Chang Prefecture. He and his younger brother Xi were especially versed in the Book of Han; everyone who studied that classic in their day looked to them as masters, and people commonly called Jingtong 'Great Lord Qin' and Wei 'Little Lord Qin.' Anyone who had not studied under the two brothers was dismissed with the saying, 'Without a master's tutelage, it is not worth taking seriously.' Under Zhenguan, Jingtong rose through repeated promotions to crown prince keeper of the stud and academician of the Chongxian Hall. Another leading scholar of the Book of Han was Liu Nayin, also regarded as a master of his generation.
65
納言，乾封中，歷都水監主簿，以《漢書》授沛王賢。 及賢為皇太子，累遷太子洗馬，兼充侍讀。 常撰《俳諧集》十五卷，以進太子。 及東宮廢，高宗見而怒之。 詔曰：「劉納言收其余藝，參侍經史，自府入宮，久淹歲月，朝遊夕處，竟無匡贊。 闕忠孝之良規，進詼諧之鄙說，儲宮敗德，抑有所由。 情在好生，不忍加戮，宜從屏棄，以勵將來。 可除名。」 後又坐事配流振州而死。
During Qianfeng, Nayin served as chief clerk of the Directorate of Waterways and instructed the Prince of Pei, Xian, in the Book of Han. When Xian was made crown prince, Nayin was promoted to crown prince keeper of the stud and appointed reading tutor. He compiled a fifteen-scroll Collection of Jests and presented it to the crown prince. When the eastern palace was abolished, Gaozong saw the work and flew into a rage. An edict declared: 'Liu Nayin was kept on for his miscellaneous skills to serve at the classics and histories. From the prince's household into the palace he went, tarrying month after month in daily company—yet he offered no guidance whatsoever. He failed to offer sound counsel in loyalty and filial piety, yet put forward vulgar jests; the heir's moral decay, it would seem, did not arise without cause. Our hearts incline toward sparing life, and we cannot bring ourselves to execute him; let him be cast out instead, as a warning to those who follow. Let his name be struck from the rolls.' He was later implicated in another offense, exiled to Zhenzhou, and died there.
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羅道琮，蒲州虞鄉人也。 祖順，武德初，為興州刺史。 勤於學業，而慷慨有節義。 貞觀末，上書忤旨，配流嶺表。 時有同被流者，至荊、襄間病死，臨終，泣謂道琮曰：「人生有死，所恨委骨異壤。」 道琮曰：「我若生還，終不獨歸，棄卿於此！」 瘞之路左而去。 歲餘，遇赦得還，至殯所，屬霖潦瀰漫，柩不復可得。 道琮設祭慟哭，告以欲與俱歸之意，若有靈者，幸相警示。 言訖，路側水中，忽然湧沸。 道琮又咒云：「若所沸處是，願更令一沸。」 咒訖，又沸。 道琮便取得其屍，銘誌可驗，遂負之還鄉。 當時識者稱道琮誠感所致。 道琮尋以明經登第。 高宗末，官至太學博士。 每與太學助教康國安、道士李榮等講論，為時所稱。 尋卒。
Luo Daocong was a native of Yuxiang in Pu Prefecture. His grandfather Shun served as prefect of Xing Prefecture in the early Wude era. He applied himself diligently to learning and was high-minded, possessed of integrity and principle. Near the end of the Zhenguan reign he submitted a memorial that displeased the throne and was exiled to Lingnan. A fellow exile fell ill and died between Jing and Xiang. On his deathbed he wept and said to Daocong, 'Death comes to us all; what I cannot bear is to leave my bones in a foreign land.' Daocong replied, 'If I make it home alive, I will never return alone and leave you here!' He buried him by the roadside and went on. More than a year later he was pardoned and allowed to return. When he reached the burial site, heavy rains had flooded the area and the coffin was nowhere to be found. Daocong made offerings and wept aloud, declaring his wish to take the remains home. If his spirit lingered, he prayed, let it show him where they lay. As soon as he had spoken, the water at the roadside suddenly surged and boiled. Daocong spoke another prayer: 'If this is the place, let it bubble up once more.' When he finished, the water bubbled again. Daocong retrieved the body; the inscription on the tomb marker confirmed it, and he shouldered the coffin all the way home. Contemporaries who witnessed it attributed the marvel to the power of Daocong's sincerity. Daocong soon passed the civil service examination in the Classics specialty. By the end of Gaozong's reign he had risen to erudite of the Imperial University. He regularly debated learning with the university assistant instructor Kang Guo'an, the Daoist Li Rong, and others, and won renown in his day. He died not long afterward.