Volume 194 Biographies 144: Tujie 1

突厥之始，啟民之前，《隋書》載之備矣，只以入國之事而述之。

The early history of the Turks, down to the time before Qimin Khan, is already set forth in full in the History of the Sui; the present account confines itself to their dealings with our state after that point.

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 Tuji, was a son of Qimin Khan. He came to the throne during the Daye reign-period of Sui, at a time when the empire was torn by rebellion, and great numbers of Chinese refugees flocked to his banners. His confederation grew mighty: from the Khitan and Shiwei in the east to Tuyuhun, Gaochang, and the western states, all acknowledged his overlordship. More than a million warriors answered his call—a height of northern power without precedent. From his seat beyond the Yin Mountains he looked down on the Central Plains with open disdain.

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。

Their ruler bore the title khan, the counterpart of the ancient chanyu; his chief wife was styled kehudun, in the manner of the yanshi of old. Princes of the royal line were called tegin; leaders of tribal divisions who held military command were known as shad. The chief offices, in descending rank, were qu'lüchuo, abo, jielifa, tutun, and hojin—each held hereditarily by a lineage without a fixed number of incumbents, passing from elder to younger when the officeholder died.

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 first raised arms at Taiyuan, he dispatched Grand General's Staff Marshal Liu Wenjing to Shibi Khan to court his support. Shibi sent his tegin Kang Shaoli and others with a gift of a thousand horses, and they joined Gaozu's forces at Jiang Commandery. He further sent two thousand cavalry to fight alongside the Tang forces until the capital was taken. After Gaozu's accession, the court showered Shibi with gifts and rewards beyond reckoning. Emboldened by his services, Shibi grew increasingly arrogant; and his envoys to Chang'an were frequently insolent and overbearing. Gaozu, with the heartland still unsettled, indulged him 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 year 1, Shibi sent the tegin Kutlug to court. Gaozu entertained him in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate with the Nine Department Music and bestowed graded gifts of brocade, silk, and cloth. In the second month of year 2, Shibi crossed the Yellow River with an army and advanced to Xia Prefecture, where the rebel Liang Shidu marched out to meet him, intending a joint raid into Tang territory. He detached more than five hundred horsemen to the Mayi rebel Liu Wuzhou and sent them through the Gouzhu Pass, while massing a larger force to threaten Taiyuan. That same month Shibi died. His son Shibieli was judged too young to rule and was made nibushi shad, assigned to the eastern wing of the confederation directly north of Youzhou. His younger brother Heli'er shad was raised to the throne as Chuluo 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, Chuluo again married the Sui princess Yicheng and sent envoys to Chang'an to announce Shibi's death. Gaozu observed mourning rites, suspended court for three days, and ordered the bureaucracy to offer condolences to the envoys at their lodge. He also sent Palace Secretary Zheng Deting to condole with Chuluo and bestowed thirty thousand rolls of goods. Chuluo thereafter sent tribute missions to court with growing frequency. Earlier, Empress Xiao of the late Sui emperor Yang and Yang Zhengdao, son of the executed Prince of Qi Yang Jian, had been held captive by the rebel Dou Jiande. In the second month of year 3, Chuluo received them at his royal camp and proclaimed Zhengdao king of a restored Sui. Every Chinese refugee still in the Turkic domains was placed under Zhengdao's authority. They kept the Sui calendar, staffed a full court, and settled at Dingxiang with a following of ten thousand. The Prince of Qin, the future Taizong, was then campaigning against Liu Wuzhou and had halted at Taiyuan. Chuluo sent his younger brother Buli shad with two thousand cavalry to join the Tang army. In the sixth month Chuluo arrived at Bingzhou, where Regional Commander Li Zhongwen went out to welcome and entertain him. After three days in the city, his men had seized many of its women, and Zhongwen was powerless to stop them. Soon afterward Chuluo died. Princess Yicheng, finding her son Aoshe shad unfit to rule, passed him over and enthroned Chuluo's younger 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 the third son of Qimin Khan. He had first held the title Moheduo shad, with his headquarters directly north of Wuyuan. When Gaozu entered Chang'an, Xue Ju still held Longyou and sent his general Zong Luo to take Pingliang Commandery, where he linked arms with Jieli in the north. Gaozu, alarmed at this junction of foes, sent Director of the Imperial Household Yuwen Xin with gold and silks to buy Jieli's neutrality. Yuwen Xin persuaded Jieli to break with Xue Ju. Earlier, Zhang Changsun, the last Sui governor of Wuyuan, had surrendered his command and the city of Wuyuan to the Turks amid the chaos. Yuwen Xin further persuaded Jieli to send Zhang Changsun to court and restore Wuyuan to Tang rule. Jieli agreed to both proposals and dispatched Turk cavalry together with Zhang's troops to join the Prince of Qin's camp. In Wude year 3, Jieli again married Princess Yicheng, installed Shibi's son Shibieli as Tuli Khan, and sent envoys to announce Chuluo's death. Gaozu suspended 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, and his armies were formidable. He openly aspired to dominate the Central States. With the heartland only newly pacified, Gaozu had no margin for foreign war and indulged Jieli repeatedly, showering him with gifts beyond reckoning. Jieli's envoys spoke with insolent arrogance, and his demands knew no limit. In the fourth month of year 4, Jieli personally led more than ten thousand cavalry to join the Mayi rebel Yuan Junzhang and his six thousand men in an assault on Yanmen. Prince of Dingxiang Li Da'en attacked and drove them off. Earlier, Duke of Hanyang Su Gui, Minister of Ceremonies Zheng Yuanshan, and Left General of the Valiant Cavalry Sun Shunde had been sent as envoys to the Turks, and Jieli had detained them all. The Tang court, in turn, had held several successive parties of Turk envoys. Checked by Li Da'en's victory, Jieli took fright, released Sun Shunde, and again sued for peace. He sent several tens of pounds of fish glue, proposing that the two realms should bond as inseparably as the glue itself. Gaozu welcomed the gesture, released Jieli's envoys—the tegin Rehan, Ashide, and others—to return home, and rewarded them with gold and silks.

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 year 5, Li Da'en reported that famine had weakened the Turks and that Mayi could now be seized. The court ordered Li Da'en and Vice Director of the Palace Domestic Service Dugu Sheng to campaign against Yuan Junzhang, with a rendezvous at Mayi set for the second month. Dugu Sheng failed to arrive on schedule, and Li Da'en, unable to advance alone, encamped at Xincheng to wait. Jieli sent tens of thousands of cavalry to join Liu Heita, and together they besieged Li Da'en. The imperial army was routed. Li Da'en fell on the field, and several thousand men were killed. In the sixth month, Liu Heita again led more than ten thousand Turk cavalry on raids into Hebei. Jieli himself led fifty thousand horsemen south in a fresh invasion as far as Fenzhou. He also sent several thousand horsemen west into Lingzhou, Yuanzhou, and neighboring prefectures. The court ordered the Crown Prince to advance by the Binzhou road and the Prince of Qin by the Puzhou road to meet them. Jieli meanwhile besieged Bingzhou and sent detachments into Fenzhou, Luzhou, and elsewhere, carrying off more than five thousand captives. Learning that the Prince of Qin had reached Puzhou, he withdrew beyond the passes.

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 year 7, Jieli and Tuli Khan led the confederation in a full-scale invasion, marching south from Yuanzhou with camp after camp strung along the route. The Prince of Qin took command of the northern campaign, with Prince of Qi Li Yuanji under his orders. At first unending rain in Guanzhong had cut off supply lines. The prince was deeply troubled, dismay showed on every general's face, and 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. Officers and men were thrown into panic. The prince then rode at the head of a hundred horsemen straight to the Turk lines and called out: "Our realms swore never to betray one another—why have you broken the covenant and marched deep into our land? I am the Prince of Qin, and I have come to settle this between us. If you come forward yourself, I will meet you alone, khan against prince; and if you bring your whole army, these hundred horsemen are all I need to answer you. Jieli could not read his intent and only smiled without answering. The prince rode forward again and sent a man to tell Tuli: "You once swore alliance with me, promising help in time of need; yet now you march against me—where is the bond we sealed over the incense? Come out yourself, and let us settle this at once. Tuli, too, said nothing. As the prince pressed forward toward the Gou River, Jieli—struck by his daring and by the talk of a sworn bond—began to suspect Tuli in secret. He sent a messenger saying: "Your Highness need not cross the river. I mean no harm and only wish to settle matters with you face to face. Both sides then drew back, and each army withdrew. The prince then sowed distrust between the two khans. Tuli, won over, inclined toward the Tang and lost all will to fight. With uncle and nephew at odds, Jieli could not bring himself to give battle. He sent Tuli and the Jabiy tegin Ashina Simo to sue for peace, and the prince agreed. Tuli placed himself under the prince's protection and asked to become sworn brothers. On Simo's first audience, Gaozu drew him up onto the imperial couch; he kowtowed and steadfastly refused. Gaozu told him: "Jieli sent you in good faith; to see you is to see Jieli himself. Gaozu insisted until Simo took a seat, and soon enfeoffed him 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 year 8, Jieli mustered more than a hundred thousand men, ravaged Shuozhou, and struck General Zhang Jin at Taiyuan. Zhang Jin's whole force was wiped out; he alone escaped to Li Jing's camp. Imperial forces marched out to block him, and Jieli, unable to advance, 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 year 9, Jieli personally led more than a hundred thousand horsemen against Wugong, and the capital went on full alert. On the jimao day he pushed on to Gaoling. Campaign commander and Left Martial Guard General Yuchi Jingde met him at Jingyang and routed his army, capturing the hojin Ashide Wumochuo and taking more than a thousand heads. On the guiwei day Jieli sent his confidant Zhishi Sili to court on a reconnaissance mission, boasting: "The two khans command a million men, and they are already here. The prince told him: "I sealed 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 rode with us in person. I heaped jade and silks upon you—gift after gift. Why do you now march troops into the districts around my capital? Even a Turk ought to remember a debt of gratitude. Why forget our kindness entirely and boast of your strength? I ought to execute you on the spot!" Sili, terrified, begged for his life, but the prince refused and had him imprisoned in the Secretariat-Chancellery.

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。

Riding with Attendant-in-Ordinary Gao Shilian, Grand Counselor Fang Xuanling, and General Zhou Fan on six horses, the prince came to the Wei River, spoke with Jieli across the water, and rebuked him for breaking faith. The Turk chiefs were astonished and all dismounted to bow in prostration. Soon the main armies came up behind the prince. Jieli saw their strength and learned that Sili was a prisoner—and fear seized him. Emperor Taizong alone spoke with Jieli Khan across the water, then ordered the armies to fall back and form their lines. At his horse's side, Xiao Yu urgently warned him against underestimating the enemy. The emperor replied: "I have already thought this through. It is beyond what you can see. The Turks had swept their own lands and marched straight to the Wei River because they had heard our dynasty was newly torn by internal strife and that I had only just taken the throne. They assumed we would not dare resist. If I shut the gates, the Turks would loot the capital without restraint. The balance of power turns on this single decision. That is why I came out alone—to show that I did not fear them; and to display our army's strength, so they would know we meant to fight. The move caught them off guard and upset their plans. Having marched so deep into our territory, they had every reason to fear. If we fought, we would win; if we made peace, that peace would hold. Subduing the northern barbarians begins here!" That same day Jieli asked for peace, and the emperor agreed. That same day the emperor returned to the palace. On the yiyou day he went again to the west of the city, sacrificed a white horse, and sealed an alliance with Jieli on Bian Bridge. Jieli then withdrew his army. Xiao Yu spoke up: "Before Jieli agreed to peace, your strategists and generals urged you to fight, yet you refused. I did not understand why. Now the Turks have withdrawn on their own. What was your strategy? The emperor said: "I saw that though the Turk army was large, it was disorderly. Khan and ministers alike cared for nothing but plunder. Jieli Khan stood alone on the west bank while his chieftains came to pay court to me. A strike at their main force would have been like pulling down rotten timber. I had already ordered Zhangsun Wuji and Li Jing to lay ambushes at Youzhou. If the Turks fled home, our hidden troops would cut them off in front while the main army closed from behind. Crushing them would have been effortless. I held back because I had only lately taken the throne. A ruler's first duty is peace. One battle with the Turks would mean casualties on both sides; and if the northern barbarians suffered a defeat, they might turn inward, reform, and nurse a lasting grudge against us. That harm would be far from small. Now I sheathe our swords and win them over with jade and silk. Their arrogance will feed on our gifts, and ruin will follow step by step—is that not how it begins? To take from an enemy, one must first give generously—that is the principle!" In the ninth month Jieli offered three thousand horses and ten thousand sheep, but the emperor refused the gift; and issued an edict that all Chinese subjects Jieli had seized 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 Zhenguan, the Xueyantuo, Huihe, Bayegu, and other tribes north of the Yin Mountains rebelled one after another and drove off their Yugu she. Jieli sent Tuli Khan against them, but the army was beaten again and the light cavalry fled home. Jieli was furious and held him for more than ten days; Tuli resented this and began to plot against him from within. Heavy snow buried their lands several feet deep on level ground. Sheep and horses died in masses and famine spread. They then feared our armies would march out to exploit their weakness. Jieli led troops into Shuozhou, claiming he came to hunt but in truth making ready for war. His ministers said: "The barbarians are untrustworthy. They were suspicious from the start, and now, after the alliance, they bring troops onto our border without warning. We should seize the moment. They have broken faith again and again. Let us strike them down. Emperor Taizong said: "If an ordinary man's word must be kept, how much more a Son of Heaven's! How could I, having made peace with them in person, exploit their disaster and crush them while they are helpless? You may think it right. I do not. Even if every Turk tribe rebelled and all their livestock perished, I would still honor my word and not attack them rashly; I would wait until they truly overstepped, 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 ask leave to attack. An edict ordered Qin Wutong to move the Bingzhou forces as needed to support him. In the third year Xueyantuo declared a khan in the northern steppe and sent envoys with tribute. Jieli for the first time styled himself a subject. He had married an imperial princess and asked to perform the rites due a son-in-law. Jieli repeatedly put foreign Hu in charge of affairs and kept his own clansmen at arm's length. The Hu were greedy and treacherous by nature, so laws grew harsher, war came every year, the people suffered, and the tribes began to waver in loyalty. Year after year heavy snow killed most of their livestock and famine spread through the realm. Jieli could not meet his expenses and taxed the tribes again until they could bear no more. Rebellion broke out within and without. Because Jieli had sued for peace and then again aided Liang Shidu, an edict ordered Minister of War Li Jing and Protector-General of Daizhou Zhang Gongjin to advance by the Dingxiang route. Protector-General of Bingzhou Li Shiji and Right Martial Guard General Qiu Xinggong were to advance by the Tonghan route; 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 command. In the twelfth month Tuli Khan, Yushe she, Yinnaitele, and others led their followers to surrender.

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 panicked and moved his headquarters to Qikou. The Hu chieftain Kang Sumi and others then brought the Sui Empress Xiao and Yang Zhengdao to surrender. In the second month Jieli was at his wit's end. He hid on Iron Mountain with tens of thousands of men still under arms and sent Zhishi Sili to court to beg forgiveness and offer the submission of the whole realm. Emperor Taizong sent Grand Master of Ceremonies Tang Jian and General An Xiuren with credentials to reassure him, and Jieli gradually regained his composure. Li Jing seized the moment and struck, routing them completely and destroying their state. Jieli mounted a thousand-li horse and fled alone to the camp of his nephew Shabaluo. In the third month Deputy Campaign Commander Zhang Baoxiang suddenly reached Shabaluo's camp, captured Jieli alive, and sent him to the capital. Emperor Taizong told him: "I never forget those who have served me well, and in the end I do not dwell on those who have wronged me. By the measure of your crimes, they are no small matter. Yet since we once faced each other at the Wei River and made alliance, you have not deeply offended again since then. For that I spare you and do not hold you to account!" He was still ordered reunited with his household, lodged at the Imperial Stud, and supplied with rations. Depressed and restless, Jieli sometimes sang mournfully with his family, weeping together. Seeing him wasted and frail, the emperor appointed him Governor of Guo Prefecture, where deer and elk were plentiful, so he could hunt and not lose his natural way of life. Jieli declined and would not go. He was instead made Grand General of the Right Guard and given fields and a residence.

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 Emperor Taizong told his ministers: "Heaven blesses the good and punishes the wicked, as surely as shadow follows form. When Qimin Khan lost his state and fled to Sui, Emperor Wen lavished grain and silk on him, raised a great host, and settled and protected him until his people survived. Once they grew strong, sons and grandsons ought to have remembered that debt and repaid it. Hardly had Shibi Khan come to power when he raised troops and besieged Emperor Yang at Yanmen. When Sui was collapsing, he again marched deep into China with all his strength. In the end, the very house Sui had raised up—he and his sons and grandsons—were slaughtered by Jieli and his brothers. Now that Jieli is ruined—is that not the fruit of betraying kindness and forgetting righteousness?"

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. An edict ordered his countrymen to bury him by their custom, burning the corpse east of the Ba River. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Guiyi with the posthumous name Huang. His old minister, the Hu official Hulü Tuyuhun Xie, cut his own throat to follow him in death.

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。

Tuyuhun Xie had been an attendant-minister to Jieli's mother, Lady Poshi. When Jieli was born he had been placed in Tuyuhun Xie's care; now, stricken with grief, Tuyuhun Xie died. Emperor Taizong, hearing of this, was moved to wonder. He posthumously made Tuyuhun Xie Gentleman of the Palace Guard, had him buried beside Jieli's tomb, and erected a stele to record the deed.

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 Shebishi was the legitimate son of Shibi Khan and Jieli's nephew. During the Daye era of Sui, when Tuli was still a child, Shibi Khan sent him to command the eastern headquarters, with the title Nibu she. When the Sui Princess Huainan went north, he married her. When Jieli succeeded as khan, he made him Tuli Khan, with headquarters directly north of Youzhou. Tuli held the eastern sector and governed the Xi, Mohe, and several dozen other tribes. His taxes and levies knew no limit, and many tribes resented him. At the start of Zhenguan the Xi, Mohe, and others submitted to the Tang. Jieli, furious that Tuli had lost them, sent him north against Xueyantuo. When he lost the army again, Jieli had him imprisoned and flogged.

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 deep bond with Emperor Taizong; Emperor Taizong in turn treated him with kindness and righteousness, swore brotherhood with him, and parted after sealing the bond. Later, as Jieli's rule collapsed, he repeatedly conscripted troops from Tuli. Tuli refused, and a breach opened between them. In the third year of Zhenguan he memorialized asking to come to court. The emperor told his ministers: "I see that in former ages rulers who toiled in heart for their people enjoyed long reigns; those who pressed the people to serve themselves saw their dynasties fall. Now the peoples of the northern tribes are dying off. That is truly because their khan failed to rule as a khan should. Tuli now willingly seeks entry to court. Unless he were desperate, how could it come to this? When the barbarians weaken, the border is secure—and that is greatly reassuring. Yet seeing his ruin, I cannot help but feel fear as well. I worry that I too may fall short, and that the same kind of disaster may befall us. My sight cannot reach far, nor my hearing. I rely on you to serve loyally and advise me frankly. Do not grow slack in speaking up." Soon afterward Jieli attacked Tuli, and Tuli sent envoys begging for troops. Emperor Taizong told his close ministers: "Tuli and I are sworn brothers. We cannot leave him unaided." Du Ruhui spoke up: "The barbarians have never kept faith. Even if we honor our treaties, they will betray us. Better to strike while they are in disorder—that is the way of conquering chaos and preying on the doomed." The emperor agreed. He then ordered General Zhou Fan to encamp at Taiyuan to prepare the advance. Tuli then led his followers to surrender. Emperor Taizong received him with great honor and repeatedly shared food from the imperial table with him.

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 Commandery with a fief of seven hundred households. His followers were settled in Shunyou and other prefectures, and he led his tribes back to the frontier. Emperor Taizong told him: "Your ancestor Qimin Khan lost his army and came alone to Sui. The Sui court raised him up, and he grew powerful—yet he never repaid that debt of kindness. When your father Shibi Khan came to power, he became a scourge to Sui. From that day on, scarcely a year passed without raids on China. Heaven punishes wickedness and sends down disaster. Your people scattered, and death swept through them. Only when all was lost did you come to us. I do not make you khan precisely because of what happened with Qimin. I am changing the old way so that China may know lasting peace and your clan may endure. That is why I appoint you Protector-General. You must obey our laws, keep your people in order, and not raid one another. Whoever violates this will face 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. At Bingzhou he fell ill on the road and died, aged twenty-nine. Emperor Taizong mourned him and ordered Vice Director of the Secretariat Cen Wenben to compose his tomb inscription. He was succeeded by his son Heluo Huhu.

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 Ashina Jieshe'er came to court at the start of the Zhenguan reign and rose to the rank of lieutenant general. In the thirteenth year he accompanied the emperor to Jiucheng Palace. Secretly rallying more than forty tribesmen and putting Heluo Huhu at their head, they raided the imperial camp by night, broke through the fourth ring of tents, and loosed a volley of arrows that killed dozens of guards. Striking Fury commander Sun Wukai led a counterattack and drove them off. They fled north across the Wei River, hoping to reach their tribes. They were soon captured and executed. An edict spared Heluo Huhu and banished him beyond the Ling passes.

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。

After Jieli's defeat, some of his tribes fled to Xueyantuo or the Western Regions, but vast numbers came over to surrender. The court was ordered to debate how best to secure the northern frontier. Many officials argued that the Turks had long relied on their strength to harass China. Heaven has now abandoned them; they come to us in desperation, not from any love of our virtue. We should take advantage of their submission to break up their clans, resettle them south of the Yellow River in Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and scatter them among the prefectures to farm and weave. A million barbarian captives could become ordinary subjects, China would gain households, and the northern marches would stay empty. Only Director of the Secretariat Wen Yanbo urged following the Han precedent under Emperor Guangwu of settling surrendered nomads below the Wuyuan pass. Keep their tribes whole to serve as a frontier shield, let them keep their customs, and win them by kindness—thus filling empty lands and showing that we do not distrust them. To send them deep into Yanzhou and Yuzhou south of the river would violate their nature and is no way to nurture subjects. Emperor Taizong was on the point of accepting this plan. Director of the Palace Library Wei Zheng memorialized: "Never in their history have the Turks been broken as they are now. Heaven has cut them off; our ancestral temple's divine might has done this. They have raided China for generations, and the people bear deep grievances. Since Your Majesty will not destroy them now that they have surrendered, you should send them back north of the river to their old lands. These nomads have human faces and beasts' hearts; they are not of our kind. Strong, they raid; weak, they cringe. Grace and duty mean nothing to them—that is their nature. Qin and Han were vexed by just this and sent fierce generals to drive them out, taking the Henan region and making it into commanderies and counties. How can Your Majesty settle them in the interior! Nearly one hundred thousand have already surrendered; in a few years they will multiply a hundredfold. Placed at our very side, hard against the capital, they will become a disease of the heart and bowels—a calamity for the future. Above all, they must not be settled south of the river." Wen Yanbo replied: "The Son of Heaven shelters all beneath Heaven and bears all upon Earth. Whoever comes to us, we must sustain them. These are the broken remnants of the Turks, come in good faith to submit. If Your Majesty shows no pity but casts them away, that is not the way of Heaven and Earth and will turn the four quarters against us. I think it utterly wrong. Settle them south of the river—give life to the doomed and restore the lost. Grateful for our kindness, they will never rebel." Wei Zheng answered again: "Under Jin there were Wei-era barbarian tribes scattered through the neighboring commanderies. After Wu was pacified, Guo Qin and Jiang Tong urged Emperor Wu to drive them beyond the passes; he ignored them, and within a few years the capitals at Chan and Luo were overturned. The wreckage of earlier dynasties lies close at hand. If Your Majesty follows Yanbo and settles them south of the river, you will be raising beasts and storing up disaster for yourself!" Yanbo replied again: "I have heard that the sage's way knows no bounds; the ancient kings taught all alike. These surviving Turks have entrusted their lives to us. Let us shelter them, settle them within the realm, teach them our rites and laws, and in a few years they will all become farmers. Choose their chiefs for palace guard service. Awed by our might and grateful for our kindness—what is there to fear? Emperor Guangwu settled the Southern Chanyu within the interior commanderies as a bulwark for Han, and through that whole dynasty there was no rebellion." Yanbo, quick of tongue, argued from every angle, and Emperor Taizong adopted his plan. In Shuofang, from Youzhou to Lingzhou, he established the four area commands of Shun, You, Hua, and Chang; Jieli's lands were divided into six prefectures, with Dingxiang Area Command on the left and Yunzhong Area Command on the right to govern the tribes. Chiefs who came to court were appointed generals, lieutenant generals, and the like; more than a hundred held fifth rank or higher, and several thousand households took up residence in Chang'an. After Jieshe'er's revolt, Emperor Taizong began to have misgivings. Many memorials also argued that settling Turks within China was a bad idea. They were therefore moved to Hebei, and Right Bulwark General, Area Commander of Huazhou, and Prince of Huaihua Simo was installed as Yimi Nishou Kelibo Khan, given the surname Li, and ordered to lead his followers and establish his 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 belonged to Jieli's clan. Shibi and Chuluo thought his features looked Hu rather than Turk and doubted he was truly Ashina. Through Chuluo's and Jieli's reigns he remained Jabiy tegin and never gained command of troops as a she. At the start of Wude he came repeatedly with tribute, and Gaozu enfeoffed him as Prince of Heshun Commandery. When the Turk state collapsed, most tribes submitted to China; only Simo stayed with Jieli to the end and was captured with him. Emperor Taizong praised his loyalty, made him Right Bulwark General and area commander of Huazhou, and put him in charge of Jieli's old tribes south of the river. Soon he was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Huaihua Commandery.

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. Emperor Taizong sent Minister of Food Granaries Guo Siyuan to deliver to Xueyantuo an imperial letter bearing the seal, which 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 Jieli Khan was broken, the Turks relied on their strength and raided China without cease. The people they killed cannot be counted. I sent troops and broke them, and all the tribes submitted. I overlooked their past wrongs, praised their repentance, and gave them offices and ranks like my own officials. I cherish all their tribes as sons, no differently from my own people. China's way is rites and righteousness, not the annihilation of your state. I broke the Turks only because Jieli alone was a scourge to the people. I deposed him—not because I coveted Turk lands or wanted Turk horses and men. Since deposing Jieli I have wanted to install a new khan. That is why I settled the surrendered tribes south of the river and let them graze their flocks. Their households, sheep, and horses grow more numerous every day. I promised to invest him and cannot break my word. I now mean to send the Turks back across the river and restore their homeland. I rank you Xueyantuo as the sun and moon in front; the Turks shall stand behind. The one behind is lesser; the one before is greater. You shall hold the north of the desert and the Turks the south; each keep to your own territory and keep your tribes in order. If either side crosses the line and raids the other, I will send troops and punish the guilty. Once this pact is set, it will benefit not only you but your descendants after you, who will 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。

The emperor then ordered Minister of Rites Prince of Zhao Commandery Li Xiaogong to take the letter to Simo's tribe, build an altar on the riverbank to invest him, and grant him drums and banners of command. Turks and other nomads settled in the prefectures were all ordered to cross north of the river and return to their old tribes. He also appointed Left Garrison Guard General Ashina Zhong as Left Wise Prince and Left Martial Guard General Ashina Nishou as Right Wise Prince. They were to serve as his deputies.

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 Emperor Taizong was sending Simo north of the river, they feared his tribes would turn and join the north of the desert. They gathered light cavalry in advance to ambush them on the march. Emperor Taizong sent a reprimand: "Anyone who encroaches on another without leave will face the fixed penalties of the state." Xueyantuo replied: "The Son of Heaven forbids us to raid one another. We dare not disobey. Yet the Turks are treacherous and cannot be trusted. Before their defeat they killed Chinese year after year, often by the tens of thousands. When the Son of Heaven broke the Turks he should have taken them as slaves for the people. Instead he nourishes them like sons—and Jieshe'er rebelled anyway. These people have beasts' hearts and cannot be trusted. I owe Your Majesty deep gratitude and beg leave to destroy them on your behalf." By then one hundred thousand of Simo's followers had crossed the river, including forty thousand fighting men. Simo could not keep order among them, and none were content. By the seventeenth year they rose against him in a body, crossed south of the river, and asked to be settled between Shengzhou and Xiazhou. The court granted the request. Simo then came to court with a small escort. He was soon made general of the Right Martial Guard and joined the Liaodong campaign, where a stray arrow struck him; Emperor Taizong himself sucked the blood from the wound. Such was the favor he received. Before long he died in the capital. He was posthumously made Minister of War and area commander of Xiazhou, buried with honor at Zhaoling with a mound shaped like Mount Bai Road, and the court ordered a stele erected at Huazhou.

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 era, among the Turk subsidiary tribes was Chebi, also of the Ashina clan. For generations his line had held the title of lesser khan, with headquarters north of the Altai Mountains. After Jieli Khan's defeat the northern tribes were ready to make him great khan, but when Xueyantuo took the title Chebi did not dare claim it and led his followers to submit to Xueyantuo. Brave and fierce, skilled in strategy, he won a strong following. Xueyantuo came to hate him and planned his death. Chebi learned of the plot in secret, fled to his old seat ten thousand li from the capital, mustered thirty thousand fighting men, and styled himself Yizhu Chebi Khan. The Geluolu lay to the west and the Jiegu to the north; both submitted to him. After Xueyantuo's defeat he sent his son Shaboluo tegin to court with tribute and asked leave to come in person. Emperor Taizong sent General Guo Guangjing to summon him, but he never came. Emperor Taizong was furious. In the twenty-third year of Zhenguan he sent Colonel of the Right Valiant Guard Gao Kan secretly to lead Huihe, Pugu, and other forces in a surprise attack. Chiefs Geluolu Nishou Quesili fa, Baisai fu Chumukun Moheduo sijin, and others turned against Chebi with their tribes and surrendered one after another. In the first year of Yonghui, Gao Kan's army encamped at Mount Asi. When Chebi heard the imperial army had arrived, he called up his troops, but none came. He fled with his wife, children, and a few hundred horsemen, and his whole following surrendered. Gao Kan pursued with elite cavalry, captured Chebi, and sent him to the capital. He was presented at the altars of state and ancestral temple, and again at Zhaoling. Emperor Gaozong recited his crimes and then pardoned him, made him general of the Left Martial Guard, granted him a house in Chang'an, and settled the rest of his people at Mount Yudujun under a new Langshan Area Command. Chebi's eldest son Jiemanto had earlier led the Basmyl tribe. Before Chebi's fall he sent his son Anshuo to court. Emperor Taizong praised this, made him general of the Left Garrison Guard, and established Xili Prefecture 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 subjects within the frontier, and the court established the Chanyu and Hanhai protectorates. The Chanyu Protectorate governed the three area commands of Langshan, Yunzhong, and Sanggan and fourteen prefectures including Sunong; The Hanhai Protectorate governed seven area commands including Hanhai, Jinwei, and Xili and eight prefectures including Xian'e and Helan, with tribal chiefs serving as area commanders and prefects. When Emperor Gaozong performed the eastern feng at Mount Tai, Langshan Area Commander Geluolu Sheli and more than thirty other chiefs escorted him to the foot of the peak, and their names were carved on the feng-shan 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 Turk chiefs Ashide Wenfu and Fengzhi of two tribes rose in rebellion together, installed Nishou fu as khan, and twenty-four prefectures joined them. Emperor Gaozong sent Chamberlain for Dependencies Xiao Siye and Colonel of the Right Palace Guard Li Jingjia against them, but Wenfu defeated them and more than ten thousand soldiers were killed. The court then appointed Minister of Rites Pei Xingjian grand general of the Dingxiang campaign route, with Vice Director of the Palace Stud Li Siwen, Area Commander of Yingzhou Zhou Daowu, and others commanding more than three hundred thousand men. They struck Wenfu and won a great victory. Nishou fu was killed by his own followers, and Fengzhi was captured as well before the army returned.

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。

Gudulu was a distant kinsman of Jieli and also bore the surname Ashina. His grandfather had been a chief under Sheli Yuanying, area commander of Yunzhong on the Chanyu Right; the family had held the title of tuchun chuo for generations. After Funian's defeat, Gudulu gathered the scattered remnants, withdrew to Mount Zongcai, and formed a band of more than five thousand men. Raiding the Nine Surnames, they seized great numbers of sheep and horses, grew steadily stronger, and Gudulu declared himself khan. He made his younger brother Mochuo she and appointed Dusibo yehu. At that time Ashide Yuanzhen was in the Chanyu office inspecting surrendered tribes. He had once been imprisoned by chief secretary Wang Benli on a charge of misconduct. When Gudulu raided, Yuanzhen asked to resume his inspection duties; Benli agreed, and Yuanzhen immediately defected to Gudulu. Gudulu was delighted to have him and made him Apodagan, putting him in sole charge of military affairs.

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 the second year of Yongchun, they advanced and raided Weizhou. Fengzhou Area Commander Cui Zhibian attacked them but was killed by the rebels in turn. In the first year of Wenming they raided Shuozhou again, killing and plundering officials and clerks. Empress Wu ordered Left Wuwei Guard Grand General Cheng Wuting to serve as Chanyu Route Pacification Commissioner to guard against them. In the second year of Chuigong, Gudulu raided Shuozhou, Daizhou, and other prefectures again. Colonel of the Left Yuling Guard Chunyu Chuping was appointed commander of the Yangqu route, and with Vice General Colonel Pu Yingjie he marched to the relief. At Xinzhou they met the rebels and were routed; more than five thousand men were killed. In the third year Gudulu and Yuanzhen raided Changping again. The court ordered Left Yingyang Guard Grand General Heichi Changzhi to drive them back. That August they raided Shuozhou again. Changzhi was reappointed grand general of the Yanshan route and routed the rebels at Huanghuadui. After pursuing them more than forty li, the rebel host scattered and fled north across the desert. Colonel of the Right Jianmen Guard Cuan Baobi then led thirteen thousand elite troops beyond the frontier in hot pursuit, but Gudulu defeated him and wiped out the whole force. Baobi escaped on a lone fast horse. Earlier, when Baobi saw Changzhi's victory over the rebels, he urgently petitioned to hunt down the survivors. Empress Wu ordered Changzhi and Baobi to consult and coordinate, with Changzhi providing distant support. Baobi believed victory was within reach and, eager for glory, pushed ahead on his own. He sent scouts more than two thousand li beyond the frontier and found Yuanzhen's tribe and others unprepared. He then led his men in a surprise assault. Once he arrived, he even sent someone to warn the enemy, giving them time to prepare and fight. They overwhelmed him, and Baobi was put to death for this. Empress Wu was furious and renamed Gudulu Bucelü ('Never-Die Lu'). Yuanzhen later led troops against the Turgesh and was killed in battle. Gudulu died of illness during the Tianshou era.

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 Gudulu's younger brother. When Gudulu died his son was still a child, and Mochuo seized power and declared himself khan. In the second year of Changshou he led his forces against Lingzhou, killing and plundering officials and people. Empress Wu sent Xue Huaiyi, a monk of White Horse Temple, as grand general of the Daibei campaign route with ten grand generals under him. They never met the enemy and soon withdrew. Mochuo soon sent envoys to court. Empress Wu was delighted, appointed him Left Guard Grand General, created him Duke of Returning to the Realm, and gave him five thousand bolts of goods. The following year he sent envoys again 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 the first year of Wansui Tongtian the Khitan leaders Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong rebelled and seized Ying Prefecture. Mochuo sent envoys with a petition: "Return the surrendered households of Hexi to me, and I will lead my tribal forces to campaign against the Khitan for the empire." The court approved the request. Mochuo then attacked the Khitan. Their army collapsed and he captured all their families and dependents. From this his forces grew steadily stronger. Empress Wu soon sent envoys to invest Mochuo as Special Advancement, Jiedielishi Grand Chanyu, and Merit-for-the-State Khan. In the first year of Shengli Mochuo petitioned to become Empress Wu's adopted son and said he had a daughter, asking for a marriage alliance. Earlier, during the Xianheng era, Turk tribes that surrendered were settled mainly in six prefectures—Feng, Sheng, Ling, Xia, Shuo, and Dai—known as the surrendered households. At this point Mochuo again demanded these surrendered households and the land of the Chanyu Protectorate, along with farm tools and seed. Empress Wu refused at first. Mochuo flew into a rage and spoke with great insolence. He seized our envoy Director of the Office for Guests Tian Guidao and was about to kill him. The court feared his military strength. Senior Adviser Yao Shu and Vice Director of the Phoenix Terrace Yang Zaisi urged accepting the marriage alliance. The empire then expelled several thousand tents of surrendered households from the six prefectures and gave him more than forty thousand shi of seed and three thousand sets of farm tools. Mochuo grew stronger from this.

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 ordered Prince of Wei Wu Chengsi and his son Prince of Huaiyang Yanxiu to receive Mochuo's daughter as a consort. She sent Right Baotao Guard Grand General Yan Zhiwei as acting Minister of Spring Officials and Right Wuwei Guard Colonel Yang Luanzhuang as acting Director of the Office for Guests, with lavish gifts of gold and silk, to deliver the bridal party to the Turk court. When they reached the southern court at Heisha, Mochuo said to Zhiwei and the others: "My daughter was to marry a son of the Li Son of Heaven. You bring me a son of the Wu family—is this a prince of the throne? For generations we Turks have submitted to the House of Li. Now I hear the Li imperial line is nearly extinct and only two sons remain. I will lead my army to help restore them." He then seized Yanxiu and the rest and held them separately. He falsely proclaimed Zhiwei khan and, with him at the head, led more than one hundred thousand men in an assault on our Jingnan, Pingdi, Qingyi, and other garrisons. Jingnan Army commander, Left Zhengfeng Guard General Murong Xuanjiao, surrendered with five thousand men. Soon they advanced against Ji, Tan, and other prefectures. Empress Wu appointed Director of the Household Wu Chonggui grand general of the Tianbing central route, Right Wuwei Guard General Shachuo Zhongyi forward grand general of the western route, and Youzhou Area Commander Zhang Renyuan grand general of the eastern route, with three hundred thousand men to strike them. Right Yulin Guard Grand General Yan Jingrong served as rear grand general of the western route with one hundred fifty thousand men as reserve. Mochuo also came by the Hengyue route, raided Weizhou, and took Feihu County. They soon pressed Dingzhou, killed Prefect Sun Yangao, burned outlying homes, carried off men and women, and killed without regard to age. Empress Wu was furious. She offered a princely ennoblement to whoever killed Mochuo and renamed him Zhanchuo ('Chop-Mochuo'). They soon besieged Zhao Prefecture. Chief Clerk Tang Boruo opened the gates in collusion, but Prefect Gao Rui refused to yield and was put to death. Empress Wu then named Prince of Luling crown prince and appointed him grand marshal of the Hebei campaign route. Before the army marched, Mochuo carried off eighty or ninety thousand men and women from Zhao, Ding, and other prefectures, withdrew by the Wuhui route, and massacred all along the way beyond counting. Shachuo Zhongyi, Rear Grand General Li Duozuo, and others all held large forces and confronted the rebels but did not dare to engage. Hebei route marshal and Senior Adviser Di Renjie led one hundred thousand men in pursuit but failed to catch 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。

In the second year Mochuo appointed his younger brother Dusibo left irkhan and Gudulu's son Moju right irkhan, each commanding more than twenty thousand horsemen. He also made his son Fuju lesser khan, ranking above both irkhans, with more than forty thousand horsemen of the Chumukun and other ten tribes under his command. He also took the title Tuoxi Khan and from then on raided the frontier every year. In the first year of Jiushi he drove off more than ten thousand horses from the Longyou stud farms. The court appointed Right Suizheng Censor-in-Chief Wei Yuanzhong grand general of the Lingwu campaign route to guard against him and named Northern Anbei Area Commander Prince of Xiang Dan marshal of the Tianbing route to command the punitive armies. Before the armies marched, the raiders withdrew.

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 the third year of Chang'an Mochuo sent the envoy Mohedagan to ask that his daughter marry the crown prince's son. Empress Wu had the crown prince's sons Prince of Ping'en Chongjun and Prince of Yixing Chongming receive them in formal court audience. Mochuo sent the great chief Yilibeguhan to court with a thousand horses and tribute goods to thank the court for agreeing to the marriage. Empress Wu hosted a banquet for him at Suyu Pavilion. The crown prince, Prince of Xiang, and provincial tribute envoys of third rank and above attended, and she sent him away with lavish gifts.

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 in the age of Yu, when virtue flourished widely, the Miao defied the throne; in the age of the Shang, when culture prevailed, the Guifang refused allegiance. Barbarian invasions from the north are nothing new. Emperor Gaodi of Han took Lou Jing's advice, wed an imperial princess to the Xiongnu, and lavished tens of thousands in gifts—but Modu only grew bolder and the frontier raids never stopped. Distant wastes and fierce peoples cannot be soothed by virtue alone—they must be held in check by force. Yet since the Three Dynasties, no lasting superior policy has been found. Now the Xiongnu refuse allegiance and harass our frontier posts. His Majesty in his wrath will ready the main army. I have heard how Fang Shu led the army and his achievements were praised in the Zhou "Ya"; how Huo Qubing displayed martial glory and had his deeds carved on Mount Yan—repelling enemies ten thousand li away depends on choosing the right generals. The Spring and Autumn Annals, in choosing marshals, favors men versed in ritual and music and steeped in the Odes and Documents. The Jin minister Du Yu could not hit a target with an arrow, yet he achieved the conquest of Wu. Victory depends on central command and strategy, not on the valor of one warrior. Frontier generals such as Shachuo Zhongyi are fierce fighters but lack long-range vision. They are cavalry commanders by temperament and should not be entrusted with supreme command. When an army marches, discipline is law, and a general must die at his post. When Qin captured Changping, Zhao Kuo was executed; When the Xiongnu withdrew from Mayi, Wang Hui was executed for it. Desertion has always been a capital offense. At the recent battle of Mingsha the commander fled first, shaming the empire. The law must be enforced. Even when the center broke, ranks dissolved, and arrows ran out, brave men still fought to the death. Their deeds should be recorded to inspire the ranks. When rewards and punishments are clear, officers and soldiers will give their all—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 using barbarians to fight barbarians is China's soundest long-term strategy. Chen Tang united the Western Regions and destroyed Zhizhi; Chang Hui used the Wusun and defeated the Xiongnu. Recruit eloquent and daring men, peers of Ban Chao and Fu Jiezi, ally with neighboring tribes, and strike in concert—this would create 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。

I have heard that in antiquity Xinqin was established to strengthen the frontier. We should follow that model: recruit settlers for the border, select the best fighters, exempt them from corvée, organize them in camps and squads, and enforce clear discipline. Accustomed to war and knowing the barbarians, they would be rewarded from what they capture. They would fight near to defend their homes and far for plunder, rushing to battle without elaborate drill. Morning and evening they would drill to the songs of the troops. After ten years the frontier could 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 appointed Zhe Du, the Xiongnu kept clear of the frontier; when Zhao appointed Li Mu, the Linhu fled to the far north. The safety of Shuofang and the fate of the border fortresses—a thousand li of territory—rest on a single worthy man. Border prefects must be chosen with the greatest care and the right men put in place. Muster chariots and drill troops, farm garrison fields and stockpile grain, maintain the beacon towers, and keep weapons sharp. When the enemy comes, strike and hold them; when they leave, fortify and watch. This too is an ancient and proven doctrine. Last year's drought left the realm with a poor harvest. The wise course is to hold the borders, not to drain the army in endless campaigns. Let the people of the interior provinces keep to their trades, appoint worthy magistrates, lighten taxes and corvée, avoid excess in governance, and grant rank without favoritism. Treasure the people's wealth and limit their corvée; spare their labor and build no grand terraces or pavilions. Heed the seasons and the land for planting and harvest; hold autumn hunts and winter drills to train the ranks in battle. After a few years the people will be brave and disciplined, the treasuries full as mountains, and arms keen. Then marshal the six armies, cross the great desert, thunder across ten thousand li, and sweep the Two Courts clean. Behead the chieftain of Dil Lin and hang his head at Gaojie Street. Let the hundred barbarians tremble and all weapons be stowed—then heaven's season and human will will align. Put the interior in order and extend peace outward; soothe the near to win the far; benefit the heartland and quiet the four quarters. I have admired the literati since youth and know little of war. In the arts of strategy I fall far short of the ancients. My duty is to advise and remonstrate, and I offer this counsel humbly.

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 it and was pleased. Mochuo then killed our envoy, Acting Chamberlain for Dependencies Zang Siyan. Siyan refused to submit to the enemy and was posthumously honored as Chamberlain for Dependencies. The court then appointed Left Tunwei Guard Grand General Zhang Renyuan acting Right Censorate Chief Censor and grand general of the Shuofang route to defend against Mochuo. Renyuan built the three Surrender-Accepting Cities beyond the river, blocking the southern route of Turk 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 Emperor Ruizong took the throne, Mochuo again sent envoys seeking a marriage alliance. The court betrothed Prince of Song Chengqi's daughter, Princess Jinshan, to him. Mochuo then sent his son Yang Wozhi tele to court and had him appointed Right Xiao Guard Extra Grand General. Soon after Ruizong abdicated, and the marriage never took place.

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 era, Mochuo led troops west against Suoge and destroyed him. Since the Shenggong era the Khitan and Xi had been subject to his levies and forced labor. His domain stretched more than ten thousand li east to west, and he could field four hundred thousand bowmen—the strongest since Jieli's day. Confident in his military power, he abused his people without mercy. As Mochuo grew old, more and more of his tribesmen began to flee and disperse. In the second year of Kaiyuan (714), he sent his son Yi nie khan, Tong'e tele, and his son-in-law Huoba yilifa of the Shashi Ashibi clan with elite cavalry to besiege Beiting. Right Xiao Guard General Guo Qianjin held the city in a stout defense, then sallied forth and captured Tong'e tele beneath the walls and beheaded him. The invaders thereupon drew back. Huoba, afraid to return, fled to the Tang with his wife. The court appointed him Left Guard Grand General and created him Prince of Yanbei; his wife was created Princess Jinshan. He was given a residence, ten servants, ten horses, and a thousand bolts of silk. The following year the five Dulu chuo of the Ten Surnames' left wing, the five Nushibi wuchijin of the right wing, Goryeo Molizhi Gao Wenjian (Mochuo's son-in-law), and Suju Protector E'die Sitai each led their followers to submit in turn, more than ten thousand households in all. An edict ordered them to settle in their former lands south of the river. Gao Wenjian was made Left Guard Extra Grand General and created Prince of Liaoxi; E'die Sitai was made Tejin, Right Guard Extra Grand General and concurrent Suju Protector, and created Duke of Loufan. The other chieftains received titles, appointments, and gifts according to their rank. Mochuo's son-in-law Ashide Hulu soon submitted to the court again and was given the rank of Tejin. That autumn Mochuo fought Abu Si and other Nine Surnames chiefs north of the Gobi. The Nine Surnames were routed. Many people and livestock perished, and Abu Si led his followers in submission.

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 (716), Mochuo marched north against the Bayegu of the Nine Surnames. They fought at the Dule River, and the Bayegu suffered a crushing defeat. Emboldened by victory, Mochuo withdrew carelessly and took no precautions. In a willow grove he encountered Jiezhilue, a Bayegu straggler, who burst out and struck down Mochuo and killed him. Jiezhilue then sent Mochuo's head to the capital with Hao Lingquan, the envoy to the Turks. Kutluk's son Kultegin rallied the old tribes, slaughtered Mochuo's son the Lesser Kagan, his brothers, and nearly all his trusted men, and raised his elder brother Mojilian, the Left Wise Prince, who became Bilge Kagan.

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 Kagan came to the throne in the fourth year of Kaiyuan. Within the steppe he was known as Xiao Sha. He was humane and cordial by nature. Believing he owed the throne to Kultegin, he earnestly tried to yield it to him. Kultegin refused, and was instead made Left Wise Prince with sole command of the army. At this time the Xi and Khitan were submitting in numbers, Sulu of the Turgesh had proclaimed himself khan, and many Turkic tribes were wavering. He therefore recalled Tun Yugu, an official from Mochuo's court, as his chief strategist. Earlier, Kultegin had killed all the officials who had served under Mochuo. Tun Yugu alone was spared because his daughter was Xiao Sha's khatun. After being dismissed and sent back to his tribe he was employed once more. He was already over seventy, and the Turks held him in deep reverence.

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 Axi Lan, E'die Sitai, and others rebelled south of the Yellow River and returned to the Turks. When the defectors had first moved south to Chanyu, Zhang Zhiyun, Left Guard Grand General and Vice Protector of Chanyu, disarmed them all and ordered them to cross the river farther south, which bred bitter resentment among the tribesmen. The censor in-chief Jiang Hui served as border inspector, and the tribesmen complained they had been given no bows or arrows. Unable to hunt, they petitioned Jiang Hui, who returned their weapons in full. Thus they once again had the means to fight. Zhang Zhiyun had taken no precautions. He fought the defectors at Qinggang Ridge and was defeated. They captured Zhang Zhiyun alive on the field and intended to deliver him to the Turks. Xue Na, supreme commander of Shuofang, led troops in pursuit. The rebels reached Dabin County and were struck again by General Guo Zhiyun. The rebels broke and scattered into Huyan Valley at Black Mountain, released Zhang Zhiyun, and fled. The emperor had Zhang Zhiyun beheaded for losing his command as a warning to others. With the defectors back under his banner, Xiao Sha planned a southward raid. Tun Yugu said, "The Tang ruler is formidable, the realm is at peace and the harvests are full. There is no opening yet—we must not act. Our people have only just been reassembled and are still weak. We must rest and recover for several years before we watch for a change and strike. Xiao Sha still wished to build fortifications and erect temples and monasteries. Tun Yugu said, "That will not do. The Turks are few in number—not one percent of the Tang population. We have been able to resist because we follow the grass and water, live without fixed abodes, hunt for our living, and every man is trained in arms. When strong we advance and raid; when weak we vanish into the hills. However many Tang soldiers they send, they cannot touch us. If we settle in walled towns and abandon our old ways, one defeat and the Tang will swallow us whole. Temples and monasteries teach gentleness and weakness. That is no path for warriors who must fight to prevail—they must not be built. Xiao Sha and his men strongly approved this counsel.

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 (720), Censor-in-chief Wang Jun, supreme commander of Shuofang, proposed a western campaign against the Basmyl and an eastern strike with the Xi and Khitan, aiming for the following autumn to advance on several routes and fall upon the Turkic court encampment on the Jiluo River. When Xiao Sha heard this he was terrified. Tun Yugu said, "The Basmyl are at Beiting now, and the two eastern tribes are immensely far away—the plan cannot hold together. Wang Jun's army, I reckon, will not reach us either. If they do come, we need only move our camp north for three days' march when they draw near. Their supplies will run out and they will withdraw of their own accord. The Basmyl are reckless and greedy—they will rush ahead at the first word of action. Wang Jun and Zhang Jiazhen are at odds, and the plan will displease one side or the other, so neither will dare act. If Wang Jun's army stays home and only the Basmyl come, we can strike and take them—that will be easy!"

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 (721) the Basmyl did reach the Turkic court camp, but Wang Jun's army and the two allied tribes never appeared. The Basmyl, afraid, withdrew. The Turks wanted to attack them head-on, but Tun Yugu said, "These men are a thousand li from home and will fight to the death—we must not meet them directly. Better to follow at a distance. Two hundred li from Beiting, Tun Yugu sent detachments by side routes to seize Beiting first, then fell upon the Basmyl as they retreated. They scattered in flight toward Beiting, but the city had already fallen and they could not get in. The Turks captured them all, taking men and women captive before returning. On his return Tun Yugu swung through Chiting to raid sheep and horses in Liangzhou. Yang Jingshu was governor of Liangzhou. He sent his deputy Lu Gongli and staff officer Yuan Cheng to intercept the raiders. Tun Yugu said, "If Jingshu stays in his city and holds fast, we shall treat with him; if he comes out to meet us, we must fight. We are riding a victory—success is certain! Gongli's force reached Shandan and met the enemy. Yuan Cheng had the men roll up their sleeves, draw their bows, and then hurriedly tie their sleeves shut. A fierce blizzard struck and bowstrings snapped; every arrow fell useless. The government troops were routed. Yuan Cheng alone escaped. Yang Jingshu was stripped of rank and title and left to manage Liangzhou affairs in plain clothes. Xiao Sha's power surged; he held all the forces Mochuo had once commanded. He soon sent envoys suing for peace and asking to be adopted as Emperor Xuanzong's son. The emperor agreed. He also asked for a princess in marriage, but the emperor richly rewarded the envoys and sent them home.

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 (725), as Xuanzong prepared to tour the east, Chief Minister Zhang Yue proposed reinforcing the frontier against the Turks. Pei Guangting of the Ministry of War said, "The Feng and Shan rites proclaim the dynasty's fulfillment—would a sudden mobilization not make our words and deeds contradict each other? Zhang Yue replied, "The Turks have just sued for peace, but their hearts are those of beasts and cannot be trusted. Xiao Sha is humane and wins men's loyalty; Kultegin is fierce in battle and unstoppable; Tun Yugu is deep and crafty; he grows wiser with age—men of the stamp of Li Jing and Xu Shiji. These three barbarians act as one, and their moves leave no opening. If they learn the empire is touring east and seize the moment to raid the frontier, how shall we answer them? Pei Guangting proposed summoning their chief ministers to attend the emperor on the tour—the Turks would not dare refuse, and they would find it hard to stir up trouble. Zhang Yue agreed and sent Yuan Zhen of the Secretariat, acting as Grand Master of the Court for Dependencies, to the Turks to explain the plan. Xiao Sha held a feast in his tent with his wife, Kultegin, Tun Yugu, and the others seated around him. He said to Yuan Zhen, "Tang gave princesses to the Tibetan dogs; the Xi and Khitan were once our slaves, yet they too received Tang princesses; The Turks have asked for marriage time and again and alone have been refused—why? Yuan Zhen said, "Since the khan is the emperor's adopted son, how could father and son also marry?" They replied, "Those two tribes were granted the imperial surname and still received princesses. By that precedent, what objection can there be? Besides, we hear that princesses sent to foreign lands are not the emperor's own daughters. We do not ask whether the bride is royal blood or not. To be refused again and again is a humiliation before all the other tribes." Yuan Zhen promised to submit the request to the throne. Xiao Sha then sent his minister Ashide Yilifa to court with tribute and to attend the eastern tour.

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：

Xuanzong left the capital and at the Jiahui encampment had Yilifa and other tribal chiefs join the imperial guard and gave them bows and arrows. A hare sprang up before the imperial horse. The emperor drew his bow and shot sideways—one arrow brought it down. Yilifa dismounted, cradled the hare, and danced, saying, "The Sage's divine prowess is beyond measure. I cannot speak of heaven, but among men there is none like him. The emperor asked whether he was hungry. He answered, "Having witnessed such sacred prowess, I could go ten days without food and still feel satisfied! From then on the emperor regularly had the Turks join the guard for mounted archery. Diarist Lü Xiang submitted a memorial:

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 that when a horned owl does not cry, it is no bird of good omen; when a fierce tiger crouches low, it is no creature of gentleness—such things come of their foul nature and deadly habits, ingrained through long practice. The Turks are just such creatures—given to cruelty and slaughter, heedless of sovereign or kin! Your Majesty has faced them with martial authority and drawn them with civil virtue—they both fear your majesty and savor your civilizing influence; by power and circumstances they cannot but attend your court. Hence they bow their heads, call themselves subjects, and hurry to send envoys. Your Majesty has accepted their fullest submission, mingled their attendants among your officers, and brought them to the Feng and Shan rites and the assembly of feudal lords—virtue and achievement so abundant they defy words. You further commanded them to join your travels and admitted them to the inner guard. They have gazed upon your radiance from every side and watched your matchless skill with bow and arrow. Your grace toward them could go no further. Yet to give them horses for the chase, hand them bows, and let them compete in shooting before Your Majesty, sharing the same pleasure of the hunt—that is indulgence too far. I cannot approve. Though Your Majesty's mind is open and trusts all alike, this humble heart cannot rest easy and grows more fearful with each passing day. Should they turn vicious like watchdogs, plot together in malice, strike with assassins' stealth as Jing Ke did, or slip in as He Luo did—briefly threatening the imperial procession and staining the sacred road—even if every one of them were destroyed and their tents laid waste, how would that absolve the blame upon us? I beg Your Majesty to keep them at a distance and teach them the limits of their place. If they are kept within bounds and sent back where they belong, the sun and moon will shine clear again and the empire freed of dread—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 took his advice and ordered the foreign contingents to withdraw ahead of the main party. After the eastern feng rites, the emperor entertained Jielifa, showered him with gifts, and sent him home—but refused the marriage alliance he had requested.

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 year 15, Bilge Kagan sent his minister Meluchuo to court with thirty fine horses as tribute. Tibet had written to Bilge proposing a coordinated raid; Bilge handed the letter over to the Tang court as proof of his loyalty. The emperor praised his loyalty, feasted Meluchuo in the Hall of Purple Brightness, and rewarded him generously. He authorized a border market at Shouxiang city west of Shuofang and pledged to send hundreds of thousands of bolts of silk to the frontier each year as trade goods and gifts.

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 year 20, Kultegin died. The court dispatched General of the Golden Guards Zhang Quyi and Director of the Bureau of Justice Lü Xiang with an imperial letter of condolence and orders to erect a memorial stele. The emperor wrote the inscription himself, founded a temple, set up stone images, and had his battles painted on all four walls.

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 Bilge was poisoned by his minister Meluchuo. When the poison took hold, he struck first—executed Meluchuo and wiped out his entire faction before he himself died. After his death the Turks enthroned his son as Yiran Khan. The court sent Director of the Imperial Clan Li Quan to offer condolences, invest Yiran as khan, and erect stele and temple in his honor. Li Rong, attendant diarist of the Historiography Office, was commissioned to write the inscription. Soon afterward Yiran died of illness, and his younger brother was raised as Dengli Khan.

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 our tongue, "the fruit of one's deeds." Dengli was still a boy. His mother, a daughter of Tunyugu, took the petty official Yinsidagan as lover and meddled in government until the Turks refused to obey her. Two of Dengli's uncles divided military command: the eastern uncle was called Left Sha, the western Right Sha, and the confederation's best warriors served under them. In year 28 the emperor sent Right General of the Golden Guards Li Zhi with a seal-letter to invest Dengli as khan once more. Soon Dengli and his mother lured Right Sha to his death and absorbed his entire following. Left Sha, fearing he would be next, marched against Dengli and killed him. He then proclaimed himself Wusumishi Khan. Left Sha could not hold the people's loyalty, and the Basmyl tribe rose against him. Left Sha was routed and fled for his life, and the confederation plunged into chaos. Right Sha's family, Mochuo's grandson the tegin Bodezhi, Bilge's daughter Princess Daluo, Yiran's junior wife Yusai Fu, Dengli's daughter Princess Yuzhu, Abusi jielifa, and others led their tribes to surrender to the Tang one after another. In the eighth month of Tianbao year 1 the surrendered Turks reached Chang'an. The emperor had them worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple first, then received them in the palace courtyard and entertained them at the Tower of Flowering Calyx, composing a poem to commemorate the occasion.

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