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卷六十六 列傳第五十六 杜僧明 周文育 侯瑱 侯安都 歐陽頠 黃法𣰰 淳于量 章昭達 吳明徹

Volume 66 Biographies 56: Du Sengming, Zhou Wenyu, Hou Zhen, Hou Andou, Ouyang Wei, Huang Fa, Chun Yuliang, Zhang Zhaoda, Wu Mingche

Chapter 66 of 南史 · History of the Southern Dynasties
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1
Biography 56
2
Du Sengming, Zhou Wenyu, Hou Zhen, Hou Andou, Ouyang Wei, Huang Fa, Chun Yuliang, Zhang Zhaoda, and Wu Mingche
3
西
In the campaigns against Jiaozhi and the suppression of Yuan Jingzhong, Du Sengming and Zhou Wenyu both distinguished themselves. When Hou Jing rebelled, they both followed the Emperor north to relieve Jiankang. When the Emperor routed Lan Yu at Shixing, Sengming led the van and killed Yu with his own hand. In another battle with Cai Luyang at Nanye, Sengming's mount was struck down; the Emperor rode to his aid and gave him his own horse. Sengming remounted, cut down dozens of the enemy, and pressing the advantage, won a crushing victory over Luyang. Li Qianshi of Gaozhou again held Dago, advanced into Ganshi, and threatened the Emperor's position. The Emperor sent Zhou Wenyu ahead with Sengming, and together they drove Qianshi back. Qianshi joined with Liu Xiaoshang of Ningdu to attack Nankang; Chen Baxian once more sent Sengming, Wenyu, and the rest to hold them off. After more than a hundred days of fighting, they took Qianshi alive and delivered him to the Emperor. When the Emperor moved on Nankang, he left Sengming at Xichang to oversee the armies of Ancheng and Luling. Emperor Yuan of Liang, acting as regent, made him inspector of Xinzhou and Viscount of Linjiang.
4
滿
Zhou Wenyu, styled Jingde, came from Yangxian in Yixing commandery. He lost his parents early and grew up in poverty in Shouchang, Xin'an, where he was known by the surname Xiang and the name Mengnu. At eleven he could swim several li without tiring, leap six feet from a standstill, and outplay every boy in the neighborhood. Zhou Hui of Yixing, commander of the Shouchang river post, was struck by the boy and called him over to speak with him. Wenyu answered, "My mother is old, our house is poor, and my brothers and sisters are all grown—taxes and labor service are ruining us. Moved, Hui went home with Wenyu and asked his mother to let him adopt the boy; she agreed and released him to Hui's care. When Hui's tour ended, he brought Wenyu to the capital and asked Zhou She, steward to the crown prince, for a proper name; She named him Wenyu and gave him the style Jingde. He had his nephew Hongrang teach him letters and accounts. Hongrang, a fine calligrapher, copied out Cai Yong's Exhortation to Learning and old poems for him, but Wenyu ignored them and said, "Who ever got rich from that? A long spear is what you need. Impressed, Hongrang taught him riding and archery instead, to Wenyu's delight.
5
使
Chen Qingzhi of Sizhou, a fellow townsman and old friend of Hui's, had him appointed commander of the vanguard. Qingzhi sent Hui with five hundred men to Xincai and Xuanhuo to pacify the Baishui tribes. The tribes plotted to capture Hui and hand him to Wei; when the plot came out, Hui and Wenyu fought them off. The enemy was overwhelming; they clashed dozens of times in one day, and Wenyu, leading the van, broke their ranks—none in the army fought more fiercely. Hui fell in the fighting; Wenyu rode in under fire, recovered his body, and the enemy dared not close on him. At dusk both sides drew off. Wenyu had taken nine wounds; once healed he asked to go home and bury Hui. Qingzhi honored his devotion, gave him rich gifts for the funeral, and let him go.
6
After the funeral, Lu Anxing became protector of the southern rivers and invited Wenyu to accompany him. He earned distinction in campaign after campaign and was made magistrate of Nanhai. After Anxing's death, Wenyu and Du Sengming attacked Guangzhou, were beaten by Chen Baxian, and were pardoned.
7
便 宿
Later Wang Mai, inspector of the region, made Wenyu his chief adjutant and relied on him heavily. When Mai was relieved of his post, Wenyu wanted to leave with him for the north. At Dayu Pass he consulted a fortune-teller, who said, "Go north and you will never be more than a county magistrate; go south and you will become a duke or marquis. Wenyu replied, "Enough silver will do—who dreams of titles?" The diviner added, "You will soon come by two thousand taels of silver in a single stroke—take that as proof if you doubt me." That night at an inn a trader challenged him to dice; Wenyu won exactly two thousand taels. At dawn he told Mai he was leaving; when Mai heard why, he let him go south. The Emperor was delighted when he heard Wenyu had returned and gave him troops from his own guard.
8
In the war against Hou Jing, Wenyu and Du Sengming led the van, defeated Lan Yu, and relieved Ouyang Wei, earning credit in each action. At Nanye the Emperor routed Cai Luyang, but Wenyu was trapped in rings of enemy troops under a hail of missiles; his horse was killed, yet fighting with one hand and stripping the saddle with the other he broke free. He rejoined Du Sengming and the rest, and together they counterattacked and won a great victory. The Emperor then recommended him as marshal of his headquarters.
9
While Li Qianshi held Dago, he sent Du Pinglu to build a fort at Yuliang in Ganshi. The Emperor sent Wenyu against him; Pinglu abandoned the fort and fled, and Wenyu occupied it. Hearing of Pinglu's defeat, Qianshi left the weak at Dago and led his best troops against Wenyu in person. Wenyu met him in battle; Qianshi gave ground little by little, and the fight hung in the balance. The Emperor then sent Du Sengming, who smashed Qianshi's fleet; Qianshi's army broke and he fled past Dago straight to Xingan. Emperor Yuan of Liang made him inspector of Yizhou. Qianshi joined Liu Xiaoshang to block the loyalist advance; the Emperor sent Wenyu, Hou Andou, Du Sengming, Xu Du, and Du Leng to fortify Baikou and stop them. Wenyu fought them again and again until he took Qianshi alive.
10
Marching from Nankang, the Emperor sent Wenyu with five thousand men to clear the river road. Hou Jing's officer Wang Bichou held Yuzhang; Wenyu drove him out and took the city. His accumulated merit won him the marquisate of Dongqian. At Baimao Bay the Emperor made Wenyu and Du Sengming his usual shock troops. At Gushu he met Hou Jing's general Hou Zijian and routed him. After Hou Jing's fall his fief was changed to Nanyi, and he rose to Attendant-in-Ordinary of the Scattered Cavalry.
11
After the Emperor killed Wang Senbian, he put Wenyu in command of the armies to join Chen Qian at Wuxing and take Du Kan by siege. He crossed the river, surprised Kuaiji administrator Zhang Biao, and seized the prefectural seat. When Chen Qian was ambushed by Biao, Wenyu was at Xiangyan Temple north of the city; Chen Qian rode to him by night. Biao attacked again; after a hard fight Wenyu destroyed him.
12
殿
Hou Zhen held Jiangzhou; the Emperor sent Wenyu against him, made him inspector of South Yuzhou, and had him strike at Pencheng. Before the city fell, Xu Sihui brought Northern Qi troops across the Yangtze and seized Wuhu; Wenyu was ordered back to the capital. Sihui blocked the river from Qingdun to Qiji with his fleet to cut off Wenyu's retreat. At dusk Wenyu broke out with a great clamor of drums; Sihui could not hold him. At dawn he turned on Sihui; Sihui's champion Bao Peng covered the retreat in a light boat. Wenyu took a skiff alone, boarded Peng's ship, killed him, and towed the boat back—the enemy was stunned. He left his ships at Wuhu and marched overland from Danyang. The Emperor was holding Sihui at Baicheng and met Wenyu just in time. On the eve of battle a strong wind blew in their faces; the Emperor said, "You cannot shoot arrows into the wind. Wenyu replied, "This is urgent—we must fight now, not wait on custom." He seized his spear, mounted, and charged; the army followed, the wind shifted, and hundreds fell on both sides. Sihui withdrew to Mofu Mountain; Wenyu moved his camp to confront him. His merit in the fighting was greatest; he was made Duke of Shouchang and given a band of martial music.
13
使
When Guangzhou inspector Xiao Bo rebelled and crossed the mountains, Wenyu was put in command of the forces sent against him. Yu Xiaodun of Xinwu joined Bo, left his brother Xiaoli to hold the prefectural seat, and took Shitou from Yuzhang. Bo sent his son Zi to join Xiaodun, posted Ouyang Wei at Kuzhu Ford, and put Fu Tai in Yikou to block the government forces. Government forces were short of boats while Xiaodun had three hundred skiffs and a hundred warships at Shanglao; Wenyu sent Jiao Songdu and Yang Jian on a night raid, captured the whole fleet, and built a camp at Yuzhang.
14
退 使 沿退 宿 退
Government rations ran out and the army wanted to pull back; Wenyu refused. He sent envoys by hidden routes to Zhou Di, offering alliance as brothers and explaining what each side stood to gain or lose. Di was delighted and promised to send food. Wenyu sent women and children downriver on the old boats, burned the Yuzhang camp, and pretended to retreat; Xiaodun watched with joy and let his guard down. Wenyu marched two days by back trails and reached Qianshao. Ouyang Wei and Xiao Bo lay above Qianshao, Fu Tai and Yu Xiaodun below; Wenyu camped between them, fortified the place, and feasted his men—the rebels were thrown into panic. Ouyang Wei fell back to Nixi and walled himself in. Wenyu sent Zhou Tiewu and chief clerk Lu Shancai against him and took him prisoner. He paraded his troops, feasted with Wei on the river, sailed past Fu Tai's walls, then stormed the city and took it.
15
退
At Nankang, Xiao Bo's men shook with fear when they heard the news. His officer Tan Shiyuan killed Bo to surrender, but was slain before he could deliver the head. Tan Shiyuan's subordinate Xiahou Mingche brought Bo's head and submitted. Xiao Zi and Yu Xiaodun still held Shitou; the Emperor sent Hou Andou to help Wenyu. Zi surrendered, Xiaodun fled to Xinwu, and the Guangzhou rebellion was over. Wenyu returned to Yuzhang and, for his merit, was made Grand Master with honors equal to the Three Excellencies.
16
西
Wang Lin held the upper Yangtze; Hou Andou was made western commander and Wenyu southern commander, with orders to join at Wuchang. He fought Wang Lin at Zhunkou, was captured, later escaped, and asked to be punished; the Emperor pardoned him and restored his titles. After Zhou Di broke Yu Xiaodun, Xiaodun's son Gongyang and brother Xiaoli still held the old forts and troubled the south; the Emperor sent Wenyu, Zhou Di, Huang Fa, and the rest against them. Xiong Tanlang, interior minister of Yuzhang, brought his troops to join them. Wenyu put Wu Mingche in charge of the fleet, set Zhou Di to convoy grain, and led the main force up Ivory River to fortify Jinkou. Gongyang pretended to submit and plotted to capture Wenyu; when the plot was exposed, Wenyu sent him to the capital in chains and drafted his men into other units. He then left the river, marched as infantry, and seized Sanpi.
17
退
Wang Lin sent Cao Qing to relieve Xiaoli, posted Chang Zhong'ai against Wenyu, and led his main force against Zhou Di and Wu Mingche. Di was beaten and Wenyu fell back to Jinkou. Seeing Wenyu's defeat, Xiong Tanlang plotted to kill him and go over to Zhong'ai. Wenyu's supervisor Sun Baixiang learned of the plot and urged a preemptive strike. Wenyu said, "No. My veterans are few and allied troops many; if I move against Tanlang, panic will break the army. Better to win him with trust. When Zhou Di had been beaten earlier, he abandoned his fleet and vanished. When a letter came from Di, Wenyu rejoiced and showed it to Tanlang, who killed him at table. The Emperor mourned him the same day, posthumously made him Palace Attendant and Minister of Works, and gave him the posthumous name Zhongmin, Loyal and Lamented.
18
While Wenyu held Sanpi, a meteor crashed to earth like thunder, leaving a pit one zhang square filled with charred fragments. In camp a child's wail was heard from underground; soldiers dug up a coffin three feet long, which Wenyu took as a bad sign. Soon Di was beaten and Wenyu was murdered. In Tiancheng 2 an edict gave him a place in the temple of Emperor Wu. His son Bao'an succeeded him.
19
Wenyu's kinsman Jingyao rose through his patronage to become administrator of Xin'an.
20
便 西便
Bao'an, styled Anren, learned riding and archery in his teens. As a nobleman's heir he was arrogant and wild, devoted to hounds and horses, reckless in riding, and extravagant in dress and table. When Wenyu was made governor of Jinling but could not leave the field, he left Bao'an in charge; the boy gathered rowdies, to the Emperor's dismay. When Wenyu was captured by Wang Lin on the western campaign, Bao'an reformed, took up books, kept company with scholars, and ruled his father's troops with firm kindness. When Wenyu came home he was again made governor of Wuxing. After Wenyu was killed by Xiong Tanlang, Bao'an was recalled, made Fierce General, given his father's troops, and sent south.
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His son Zi succeeded him and became governor of Jinling and Dingyuan.
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西 西
Hou Zhen, styled Boyu, came from Chongguo in Baxi commandery. His father Hongyuan's family had been chieftains in western Shu for generations. The rebel Zhang Wene held Baiya Mountain with ten thousand men; Prince Xiao Fan of Poyang, inspector of Yizhou, sent Hongyuan against him, and Hongyuan was killed. Zhen begged to avenge his father, fought in the van each time, and finally killed Wene, winning fame. He entered Fan's service and was entrusted with military command. He was sent to subdue every Yi and Liao tribe in the hills that would not submit. His accumulated merit won him the posts of army adjutant in the Light Chariots Office and governor of Jinkang. When Fan became inspector of Yongzhou, Zhen was made governor of Fengyi. When Fan transferred to Hefei, Zhen went with him.
23
退
When Hou Jing besieged the capital, Fan sent Zhen to escort his heir Si to relieve the city. When the city fell, Zhen and Si retreated to Hefei together. He followed Fan when Fan moved his base to Pencheng. Soon Fan and Si both died; Zhen took over their troops and placed himself under Yuzhang administrator Zhuang Tie. Tie distrusted him; Zhen, uneasy, lured Tie to a meeting and killed him, seizing Yuzhang.
24
西 使
He later submitted to Hou Jing's general Yu Qing. Qing sent him to Hou Jing, who claimed kinship on the shared surname Hou and treated him lavishly. Hou Jing kept his wife, children, and brother as hostages and sent Zhen with Qing to pacify the southern Li region. When Hou Jing lost at Baling and his generals Song Zixian and Ren Yue were captured, Zhen killed Jing's followers and went over to the loyalists; Jing executed Zhen's brother and family in revenge. Emperor Yuan of Liang made him inspector of South Yanzhou and Marquis of Pi. He followed commander Wang Senbian against Hou Jing and always led the van. After the capital was retaken, Hou Jing fled to Wu; Senbian sent Zhen in pursuit and crushed him on the Wusong River. For his merit he was made inspector of South Yuzhou with his seat at Gushu.
25
使西 使
When Qi sent Guo Yuanjian through Ruxu, Senbian sent Zhen against him and won a great victory. When Wei attacked Jingzhou, Senbian sent Zhen ahead to relieve it, but Wei took the province before he arrived. Zhen halted at Jiujiang and escorted the Prince of Jin'an home to the capital. As regent, the court made him Palace Attendant and inspector of Jiangzhou with full command, and changed his title to Duke of Kangle. When Minister of Works Lu Fazhi held Yingzhou and called in Qi troops, Zhen was sent west against him, but Fazhi submitted to Qi before he arrived. Qi posted Murong Shide at Xiashou; Zhen besieged him until he sued for peace, then returned to Yuzhang. Senbian sent his brother Sengyin with Zhen against Xiao Bo; after Chen Baxian killed Senbian, Sengyin plotted to seize Zhen's army. Zhen arrested his followers and Sengyin fled to Qi.
26
西
That year he was made commander of five provinces with his seat at Pencheng. When Zhou generals He Ruo Dun and Dugu Sheng attacked Ba and Xiang, Zhen was made western commander and crushed Sheng's army. For his merit he was made inspector of Xiangzhou and Duke of Lingling. He died in the second year of his tenure and was posthumously made Grand Marshal with the posthumous name Zhuangsu, Stalwart and Solemn, and a place in Emperor Wu's temple. His son Jingzang succeeded him and married Emperor Wen's daughter, the Princess of Fuyang.
27
祿
Hou Andou, styled Chengshi, came from Qujiang in Shixing, a leading family of the region. His father Han served in local office in youth and was known for loyalty and discretion. After Andou rose to power, his father reached the rank of Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and interior minister of Shixing.
28
Andou wrote clerical script, played the zither, read widely, composed polished pentasyllabic verse, and excelled at riding and archery—the leading man of the district. When Hou Jing rebelled he raised three thousand armed men. When Chen Baxian marched to relieve the capital, Andou followed him, fought Cai Luyang and Li Qianshi, helped destroy Hou Jing, and was enfeoffed as Viscount of Fuchuan. He followed the Emperor to Jingkou and was made governor of Lanling.
29
使
When the Emperor plotted against Wang Senbian, Andou alone shared the plan. Andou led the fleet from Jingkou toward Shitou while the Emperor marched from Jiangcheng and Luoluo to meet him. Andou reached the north bank of Shitou, landed his men, and Senbian never knew. The north wall of Shitou was not steep; armored and sword in hand, Andou was hoisted over the parapet by his men, the troops poured in, and they reached Senbian's chamber. The Emperor's main force arrived and fought Senbian in the hall; Andou struck from within while the Emperor struck from without, and Senbian was taken alive. For his merit he was made inspector of South Xuzhou.
30
退
When the Emperor marched east against Du Kan, Andou stayed behind to defend the capital. Xu Sihui and Ren Yue brought Qi troops in, seized Shitou, and their patrols rode to the palace gates. Andou shut the gates and played weak, executing anyone who climbed the walls to watch the enemy. At dusk the enemy withdrew to Shitou. That night Andou had his men secretly prepare for battle. At dawn the enemy cavalry came; Andou routed them and they fled to Shitou, no longer daring to threaten the capital. When the Emperor arrived he put Andou in charge of the fleet. On the river he cut the enemy's supply lines. He raided Qin, broke Sihui's camp, took his family, found Sihui's pipa and hunting hawk, and sent them back with the message, "I called at your brother's quarters yesterday and found these—here they are. Sihui was terrified and sued for peace; the Emperor let him withdraw north. After Sihui crossed the river, Qi troops still held Caishi; Andou attacked and took many prisoners.
31
使 西
The next spring he was ordered to garrison Liangshan against Qi. Sihui invaded again as far as Hushu; the Emperor recalled Andou, and they fought south of Gengtan. Andou charged with twelve horsemen, broke their line, captured Qifu Wufang, and speared Dongfang Lao from his horse before enemy riders rescued him. The enemy fled north over Mount Jiang. Andou fought Wang Jingbao at Longwei; his cousin Xiao and Zhang Zuan led the charge—Xiao was wounded and fell, and Zhang Zuan was killed. Andou rode to save Xiao, killed twelve enemy horsemen, recovered Zhang Zuan's body, and the Qi army dared not close on him. At Mofu Mountain the Emperor ordered Andou to hit the Qi rear from Baixia, and they won a great victory. For his merit he was made a marquis, promoted to General Who Pacifies the South, and enfeoffed as Duke of Xijiang.
32
He led the fleet from Yuzhang to help Yuzhou inspector Zhou Wenyu against Xiao Bo. Before Andou arrived, Wenyu had killed Bo and captured Ouyang Wei, Fu Tai, and the rest. Only Yu Xiaodun and Bo's son Zi still held twin forts at Shitou, one each, with fleets drawn up on both banks. Andou arrived and burned their fleet in a silent night attack. Wenyu led the fleet while Andou took the infantry and cavalry ashore in battle order. Xiaodun cut their retreat; Andou had palisades thrown up and advanced camp by camp until Zi surrendered. Xiaodun fled to Xinwu and offered his son as hostage; the offer was accepted. For his merit he was made Grand Master with honors equal to the Three Excellencies.
33
西 西
He led his troops to Wuchang to join Zhou Wenyu's western campaign against Wang Lin. At the farewell at Xinlin, Andou spurred his horse over a bridge and horse and rider plunged into the water. He also fell into a ship's well from the cabin—omens of ill luck, people said. At Wuchang, Wang Lin's general Fan Meng abandoned the city; Wenyu arrived from Yuzhang as well. The two commanders advanced together but shared no chain of command, and quarrels among their men left them on uneasy terms. At Yingzhou, Lin's general Pan Chun peppered the imperial forces from the walls; Andou flew into a rage and laid siege to the city. Before the city fell, Wang Lin reached Yankou. Andou abandoned the siege, marched his whole army to Dunkou to block him, and was halted by contrary winds. Lin held the eastern shore, the imperial army the western; after several days of standoff they closed in battle. Andou's force was beaten; he, Zhou Wenyu, and Xu Jingcheng were all Lin's prisoners, shackled on one long chain and stowed under the barracuda-boat while the eunuch Wang Zijin, whom Lin trusted, watched them. At Pencheng's Baishui Ford, Andou and his companions flattered Zijin and promised him reward; Zijin feigned angling from a skiff beside the barracuda-boat and under cover of night rowed Andou, Wenyu, and Jingcheng ashore. They stole through tall grass and on foot rejoined the imperial camp. Back in the capital they submitted self-accusations; the throne pardoned them and restored rank and office.
34
He was soon made governor of Danyang, then sent out as inspector of South Yuzhou to carry on Zhou Wenyu's campaign against Yu Xiaoxun and Wang Lin's generals Cao Qing and Chang Zhong'ai. Andou issued from Gongting Lake through Songmen and harried Zhong'ai's retreat. Wenyu fell to Xiong Tanlang; Andou doubled back for the great ships, intercepted Lin's generals Zhou Jiong and Zhou Xie marching south, routed them, and took both captive. Xiaoxun's brother Xiaoyou led four thousand households toward Wang Lin; after Jiong's rout he submitted to Andou instead. Andou pushed on to Qinqi Isle, broke Cao Qing and Chang Zhong'ai, and burned their fleet. Zhong'ai fled to Mount Lu, where villagers killed him; the rest of the enemy were brought to order.
35
便殿
The army was at Nanwan when Chen Baxian died; Andou returned to court with Emperor Wen and joined the ministers in pressing Wen's enthronement. Wen demurred; the empress dowager, mindful of the Prince of Hengyang, would not issue the decree; the court could reach no decision. Andou said, "The realm is still unsettled—who has time for distant claims? The Prince of Linchuan has served the realm; we must raise him together. Whoever hesitates today—off with his head. He drew his sword, strode into the hall, demanded the seal from the empress dowager, loosed Wen's hair with his own hands, and thrust him to the mourning seat. On Wen's accession, Andou became minister of works and inspector of South Xuzhou, with the staff befitting his rank.
36
As Wang Lin descended on Zhakou, the main force encamped at Wuhu. Hou Zhen held the grand command, yet planning and orders largely issued from Andou. After Lin fled to Qi, Andou marched on Pencheng against his remnants and swept all before him. He also received a secret charge to welcome the Offered Prince of Hengyang, Wang Chang. Before Chang's arrival he had written to Emperor Wen in grossly insubordinate terms. Wen, displeased, summoned Andou and said lightly, "The heir is coming; I must find some border fief and retire. Andou answered, "When has a Son of Heaven ever been replaced? Your servant dares not obey." He went in person to meet Chang and killed him on the river. For this service he was made duke of Qingyuan. His prestige now outweighed every minister at court.
37
祿
Andou's father Han had been interior governor of Shixing and died in post; Wen recalled Andou to bury him. He soon resumed office; his father was posthumously honored, his mother made Lady of Qingyuan and brought to the capital. She begged to stay home; the throne created Luyang commandery from Rucheng, formed East Hengzhou from three districts, and made Andou's cousin Xiao its inspector. Andou's third son Mi, nine years old, was named interior governor of Shixing and left in the country to care for her. Andou was re-enfeoffed as duke of Guiyang.
38
西 輿
After Lin's fall, Northern Zhou held Ba and Xiang; Andou was ordered west to hold them. When Liu Yi seized Dongyang, he was sent east again. Yi expected the court army up the Qiantang; Andou marched overland through Zhuji in Kuaiji and emerged at Yongkang. In panic Yi fled to Taozhi Ridge, entrenched in the gorges, and threw up palisades. Andou fought in the front rank, took a stray arrow, and blood ran to his ankles. He still rode his carriage to direct the battle, his composure unbroken. He dammed the mountain streams. Summer floods rose; he brought warships into the reservoir until his towers stood level with Yi's walls and sent rams that shattered the parapets. Yi and his son Zhongchen fled to Jin'an; Andou took their families and marched home in triumph. He was made attendant-in-ordinary and general who campaigns north, then returned to his old post. Local officers petitioned for a stele in his honor; the throne assented.
39
便 殿殿 使
After Lin's fall Andou's laurels and self-regard swelled; he believed he had secured the dynasty and grew arrogant. He gathered scholars and warriors, raced horses, set them to verse or prose, ranked their work, and paid them accordingly. Writers such as Chu Ci, Ma Shu, Yin Keng, Zhang Zhengjian, Xu Boyang, Liu Shan, and Zu Sundeng, and fighters such as Xiao Mohe and Pei Zilie, flocked to his hall—often a thousand at once. His officers routinely broke the law; whenever the court moved against them, they fled to Andou's protection. Emperor Wen, strict and watchful by nature, deeply resented it. He grew bolder still: having sealed a memorial, he would break it open to add lines—"I also report such-and-such." At court feasts, drunk, he sprawled or slouched against the furnishings. At a spring purification feast at Leyou he asked the emperor, "How does this compare with your days as Prince of Linchuan? The emperor did not reply. Andou pressed the point; the emperor said, "Heaven decreed it—but your power made it possible. After the feast he asked to borrow palace furnishings and aquatic décor to bring his wives and concubines for a revel in the Imperial Hall; Wen consented but was furious. Next day Andou took the throne; his guests sat where the ministers should have been and offered toasts. When Chongyun Hall had burned, Andou had marched armed men inside; the emperor never forgave it and quietly prepared against him. When Zhou Di rebelled, the court had expected Andou to crush him. Andou was re-enfeoffed as duke of Guiyang.
40
西 輿
After Lin's fall, Northern Zhou held Ba and Xiang; Andou was ordered west to hold them. When Liu Yi seized Dongyang, he was sent east again. Yi expected the court army up the Qiantang; Andou marched overland through Zhuji in Kuaiji and emerged at Yongkang. In panic Yi fled to Taozhi Ridge, entrenched in the gorges, and threw up palisades. Andou fought in the front rank, took a stray arrow, and blood ran to his ankles. He still rode his carriage to direct the battle, his composure unbroken. He dammed the mountain streams. Summer floods rose; he brought warships into the reservoir until his towers stood level with Yi's walls and sent rams that shattered the parapets. Yi and his son Zhongchen fled to Jin'an; Andou took their families and marched home in triumph. He was made attendant-in-ordinary and general who campaigns north, then returned to his old post. Local officers petitioned for a stele in his honor; the throne assented.
41
便 殿殿 使
After Lin's fall Andou's laurels and self-regard swelled; he believed he had secured the dynasty and grew arrogant. He gathered scholars and warriors, raced horses, set them to verse or prose, ranked their work, and paid them accordingly. Writers such as Chu Ci, Ma Shu, Yin Keng, Zhang Zhengjian, Xu Boyang, Liu Shan, and Zu Sundeng, and fighters such as Xiao Mohe and Pei Zilie, flocked to his hall—often a thousand at once. His officers routinely broke the law; whenever the court moved against them, they fled to Andou's protection. Emperor Wen, strict and watchful by nature, deeply resented it. He grew bolder still: having sealed a memorial, he would break it open to add lines—"I also report such-and-such." At court feasts, drunk, he sprawled or slouched against the furnishings. At a spring purification feast at Leyou he asked the emperor, "How does this compare with your days as Prince of Linchuan? The emperor did not reply. Andou pressed the point; the emperor said, "Heaven decreed it—but your power made it possible. After the feast he asked to borrow palace furnishings and aquatic décor to bring his wives and concubines for a revel in the Imperial Hall; Wen consented but was furious. Next day Andou took the throne; his guests sat where the ministers should have been and offered toasts. When Chongyun Hall had burned, Andou had marched armed men inside; the emperor never forgave it and quietly prepared against him. When Zhou Di rebelled the court had looked to Andou to suppress him; Wei took Chen Wenche, seized spoils past counting, and presented great bronze drums such as no living age had seen. Wei shared the credit and, on return, was made a direct-palace general. When Lan Qin marched on Jiaozhou, he again asked Wei to go with him. Qin died crossing the mountains; Wei was named governor of Linhe, begged leave to send Qin's body home, then took office. More than fifty hill settlements along the Xiang–Heng frontier were in revolt; the throne ordered Hengzhou inspector Wei Can to subdue them. Can put Wei in command; every stronghold was destroyed.
42
使
When Hou Jing rebelled, Can resigned to march on the capital and left Wei to oversee Hengzhou. After the capital fell, the south devoured itself; Lan Qin's brother Yu, former Gaozhou inspector, attacked Shixing governor Xiao Zhaoji and seized his district. Yu sent envoys to win Wei, citing his brother Qin's friendship with him. Wei refused and told the envoy, "Your masters' glory is the state's gift; in the capital's peril you should march to its aid—not play tyrant in the hills. As Chen Baxian marched to relieve the capital and neared Shixing, Wei pledged himself wholeheartedly. Yu attacked; Chen Baxian sent aid. Yu was beaten; Chen Baxian named Wang Huaiming inspector of Hengzhou and moved Wei to interior governor of Shixing.
43
In the campaigns against Cai Luzhai and Li Qianshi, Wei fought at the emperor's side. Emperor Yuan, exercising regency powers, made Shixing into East Hengzhou, named Wei its inspector, and enfeoffed him as baron of Xinfeng.
44
使
When Hou Jing fell, Emperor Yuan asked the ministers, each to name men they knew. No one had answered yet. Emperor Yuan said, "I already have one man. Ouyang Wei is upright and able to steady the age—but I fear the Guangzhou inspector Xiao will not let him come. He then made him inspector of Wuzhou. Soon he named him to Yingzhou to draw him out of the hills. Xiao Bo held him fast and he never took office. Soon he was made inspector of Hengzhou and advanced to marquis of Shixing.
45
Xiao Bo at Guangzhou was strong in troops and heavy in rank. Emperor Yuan feared him and sent Wang Lin to replace him. Lin had reached Little Gui Ridge. Bo sent Sun Yu to hold the province, drew all his men to Shixing, and shied from Lin's edge. Wei held a separate city, would not call on Bo, shut the gates, piled the ramparts, and would not fight. Bo in rage sent troops and seized all his wealth, horses, and arms. Soon he pardoned him, restored his goods, and swore alliance again. When the Wei took Jingzhou, Wei pledged himself to Bo. Bo crossed to Nankang and made Wei his vanguard. Zhou Wenyü broke and captured him and sent him to Chen Baxian, who freed him and received him graciously.
46
After Bo died the south was in turmoil. Wei was famed there and was Chen Baxian's old friend—so he received pacify-the-south general, inspectorship of Hengzhou, and the marquisate of Shixing. Before he crossed the ridge, his son He had already taken Shixing. When he arrived, all south of the mountains submitted in awe. He pressed on to Guangzhou and held all Yue. He was made commander of nineteen provinces including Jiao and Guang, center-general who pacifies Yue, and inspector of Guangzhou.
47
使
Wang Lin held the middle river. Wei kept envoys moving by sea and the eastern passes. In Yongding year 3 he was given grand precedence with his old title. When Emperor Wen succeeded he was made general who campaigns south and Duke of Yangshan.
48
Earlier Yuan Tanhuan of Jiaozhi had secretly left Wei five hundred taels—one hundred for Hepu administrator Xi Cai, four hundred for his son Zhiju—unknown to anyone else. Bo soon broke him and stripped him bare—only the entrusted gold remained. Tanhuan died too. Wei returned every ounce faithfully, and men marveled.
49
The whole Wei house stood high in the south. They sent bronze drums, captives, and rare tribute in heaps that greatly fed army and state. He died in Tiancheng year 4. Posthumously: minister of works, posthumous name Mu. His son He succeeded.
50
便簿
Huang Fa, styled Zhongzhao, came from Xinjian in Bashan. As a young man he was quick and fearless, could march two hundred li in a day on foot, and leap three zhang in a bound. He wrote well and kept accounts with ease. Moving through the prefectures and commanderies, he was feared in every village.
51
In Taiping year 1 (556) four Jiangzhou commanderies were split off as Gaozhou. Fa was made inspector and garrisoned at Bashan. Xiao Bo sent Ouyang Wei against him. Fa met him in battle and broke his force.
52
In Yongding year 2 (558) Wang Lin sent Li Xiaoqin, Fan Meng, and Yu Xiaoxiang against Zhou Di and also meant to take Fa. Fa marched to Di's aid and captured Xiaoxiang and two other generals. For merit he was made pacify-the-south general and grand master with the gold seal and purple ribbon. Xiong Tanlang killed Zhou Wenyü at Jinkou. Fa and Zhou Di crushed him.
53
In Tiancheng year 3 (562) Zhou Di rebelled. Fa and Wu Mingche suppressed him, and Fa's merit stood first. When the Deposed Emperor came to the throne, Fa was raised to duke.
54
In Taijian year 5 (573) a great northern campaign was launched. Fa was made area commander and advanced from Liyang. They built battering carts and foot warships, drove the rams against the walls, and brought cannon to bear on the towers. The city fell and every man in the garrison was killed. At Hefei they surrendered at the first sight of his banners. Fa forbade plunder, comforted them himself, made covenant, and sent them all back north. For merit he was made palace attendant as well and re-enfeoffed as Duke of Yiyang.
55
In the seventh year he was made inspector of Yuzhou and garrisoned at Shouyang. He died. Posthumously: minister of works, posthumous name Wei. His son Wan succeeded.
56
姿便
Chun Yuliang, styled Siming, came from Jibei stock. For generations the family had lived at Jianye. His father Wencheng served Liang as a commander and rose to inspector of Liangzhou. In youth Yuliang carried himself well, had a commanding presence, showed judgment and resolve, and fought well from horseback. When Emperor Yuan of Liang governed Jingzhou, Wencheng gave Yuliang troops and horses and sent him to serve there. For military merit he was enfeoffed as Baron of Guangjin.
57
西使 使 西
In Hou Jing's rebellion Emperor Yuan of Liang sent five armies to relieve the Terrace City. Yuliang served in one of them. When the Terrace City fell, Yuliang returned to Jingzhou. Emperor Yuan, acting under the provisional mandate, made him inspector of Bazhou. Hou Jing attacked Bazhou from the west. Emperor Yuan sent Wang Sengbian to hold Baling. Yuliang and Sengbian joined forces, shattered Jing's army, and captured his general Ren Yue. Pressing on to Yingzhou, they took Song Zixian. He then followed Sengbian in suppressing Hou Jing. He was enfeoffed as marquis of Xiemu. Soon he went out as area commander and inspector of Guizhou. When the Wei took Jingzhou, Yuliang held Guizhou. Wang Lin held Xiang and Ying and repeatedly summoned Yuliang. Outwardly Yuliang dealt with Lin, but in secret he sent envoys to Chen Baxian. When Chen Baxian took the throne, Yuliang was made secure-the-west grand general and grand master with the gold seal and purple ribbon.
58
使 西
In Tiancheng year 5 (564) he was recalled as central pacification grand general. Most of the generals under Yuliang longed for home. They meant to flee into the hills rather than go to court. Emperor Wen sent Hua Jiao, inspector of Xiangzhou, to campaign in Hengzhou and also to bring troops to escort Yuliang in. In Tiankang year 1 (566) he reached the capital. Because he had lingered on the road the authorities impeached him and stripped his grand-master rank, leaving the rest unchanged. When Hua Jiao rebelled, Yuliang was made campaign-south grand general and grand commander of the western expedition, leading great ships from Yingzhou's Fan Ford against him. When Jiao fell he also forced the surrender of the Zhou general Senior Duke Tuoba Ding and his men. For merit he was made palace attendant, central army grand general, and grand master with the gold seal and purple ribbon, and raised to Duke of Liling. Before he could take office he went out as inspector of South Xuzhou.
59
In Taijian year 1 (569) his title was raised to campaign-north grand general and he was given a crutch. In the third year he and the Prince of Jiangyin, Xiao Jiqing, were found to have bought timber from the Liang imperial tombs. Jiqing was dismissed and Yuliang lost his palace attendant post. Soon he was made palace attendant again.
60
When Wu Mingche marched north, Yuliang backed the campaign. He also sent his sixth son Cen at the head of his own troops. When the Huai region was pacified, Yuliang was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Shi'an. When the Zhou captured Wu Mingche, Yuliang was made commander of all land and water forces, chariots-and-cavalry general, area commander, and inspector of South Yanzhou. In the fourteenth year he died. He was posthumously made minister of works.
61
Zhang Zhaoda, styled Botong, came from Wukang in Wuxing. He was free-spirited by nature, cared little for money, and prized boldness. In youth he met a physiognomist who told him, "Your face is too perfect. You need a small flaw, and then you will rise to wealth and rank. Under Liang's Datong reign he was direct attendant to the Eastern Palace. Drunk, he fell from his horse and cut his temple. Zhaoda was pleased. The physiognomist said, "Not yet." In Hou Jing's rebellion he led home recruits to relieve the Terrace City. A stray arrow blinded one eye. The physiognomist saw him and said, "Now your fate is set. You will soon be ennobled."
62
使 使
When the Terrace City fell he went home and fell in with Emperor Wen, and from that day they were lord and minister. After Jing fell, Emperor Wen became administrator of Wuxing. Zhaoda came leaning on his staff to pay his respects. Emperor Wen was delighted and put him in command of troops, favoring him above his peers. When Chen Baxian moved against Wang Sengbian he sent Emperor Wen back to Changcheng to raise men and stores against Du Kan and repeatedly sent Zhaoda to Jingkou to carry his orders. After Sengbian was killed, Kan sent Du Tai against Changcheng. Zhaoda followed Emperor Wen east and marched on Wuxing to attack Kan. When Kan fell he marched again with Emperor Wen against Zhang Biao at Kuaiji and took the city. For accumulated merit he was made inspector of Dingzhou. At that time Liu Yi held Dongyang. Chen Baxian, troubled by this, made Zhaoda magistrate of Changshan county to plant him in Yi's heartland.
63
便
In Tiancheng year 1 (562), for merit at Changcheng he was enfeoffed as marquis of Xinle. Soon he followed Hou Andu against Wang Lin. Zhaoda sailed the Flat-Barbarian great ship midstream; the vanguard's pounders struck the rebel ships. When Wang Lin was suppressed, Zhaoda's merit was entered first on the rolls. In the second year he was made area commander and inspector of Yingzhou. Zhou Di rebelled in Linchuan; an edict sent Zhaoda against him by the direct route. When Di was beaten and fled, Zhaoda was recalled as protector general and re-enfeoffed as marquis of Shaowu.
64
In year four Chen Baoying sheltered Zhou Di and they raided Linchuan again; Zhaoda was again made area commander against Di. Di fled. Zhaoda then crossed the mountains to march against Chen Baoying. He fought without success, then held the upper river, built rafts, mounted pounders on them, and smashed their water stockades. He also sent troops to attack their infantry. As the great battle was joining, Yu Xiaoxiang—the force Emperor Wen had sent by sea—arrived at exactly the right moment. Together they pressed the attack, pacified Minzhong, and took Liu Yi and Chen Baoying alive. For this merit he was made General Who Pacifies the Army with privilege equal to the Three Dukes.
65
Earlier Emperor Wen had dreamed that Zhaoda mounted the platform and took up the minister's ring. At dawn he told him the dream. Now, over wine at a banquet, he turned to Zhaoda and said, "Do you remember the dream? How will you repay it?" Zhaoda answered, "I will serve you as hound and horse and fulfill every duty of a minister. Beyond that I have nothing with which to repay you. Soon afterward he was posted out as area commander and inspector of Jiangzhou.
66
使使 滿
When Emperor Fei came to the throne, he was refeudated as Duke of Shaoling commandery. When Hua Jiao rebelled, his manifestos cited Zhaoda as pretext, and he repeatedly sent envoys to win him over. Zhaoda seized every envoy and sent them to the capital. When his term ended he was recalled as Grand General Who Calms the Center. When Emperor Xuan took the throne Zhaoda was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, but because he lingered on the road returning to court the relevant offices impeached him and he was reduced to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Ouyang He rebelled and held Lingnan. An edict put Zhaoda in command of all forces against him. When He heard that Zhaoda had appeared suddenly, he marched out and encamped at Huangkou. He piled sand and stone into bamboo cages and set them outside his water stockade to block the fleet. Zhaoda held the upper river, fitted out ships, and built pounders to bear on the rebel stockade. He also sent men with knives gripped in their teeth to swim under the water and cut the bamboo cages apart. Then he drove his great ships in and routed He, captured him, and sent him to the capital. When Guangzhou was pacified he was promoted to Minister of Works.
67
In Taijian year 2 (570) he marched against Jiangling. Emperor Ming of Liang and the Zhou forces had massed boats at Qingni. Zhaoda detached Qian Daoji and Cheng Wenji with light craft to burn them. The Zhou also built a fort on the south bank at the gorge mouth, called Pacify Shu Fortress, stretched great cables across the river, and wove a reed bridge to convoy army grain. Zhaoda had his men forge long halberds, mount them on tower ships, and reach up to cut the cables. The cables broke and the grain line failed. He then stormed the fort and took its surrender. In year three he died of illness in camp and was posthumously made Grand General.
68
姿
Zhaoda was severe by nature. Whenever he took the field he marched day and night at forced pace; yet whatever he won he credited to his commanders. He ate and drank what his men ate and drank, and they followed him for it. At every feast he staged female musicians and mixed ensembles with Qiang and Hu music, all matchless in skill and beauty—and he never gave them up even on campaign. In year four he was granted co-worship in Emperor Wen's temple.
69
His son Dabao inherited the dukedom of Shaoling and served as inspector of Fengzhou. In office he was greedy and violent, and the people hated him. The Last Emperor replaced him with Grand Master of Servants Li Yun; Dabao ambushed and killed Yun and rebelled. He was soon taken, his head hung at Zhuque pontoon, and his clans to the third degree were wiped out.
70
紿 鹿
Wu Mingche, styled Tongzhao, was from Qin commandery. His father Shu had been Liang's General of the Right Army. Mingche lost his father young and was profoundly filial. At fourteen, troubled that the family tombs were unrepaired and too poor to afford it, he turned to hard farming. A fierce drought withered the crops. Mingche wept in the fields and cried out to Heaven. A few days later a neighbor said the shoots had greened again. Mingche did not believe it until he saw for himself. That autumn's harvest paid for the burial. A man of the Yi clan who read graves told his brother, "On burial day a rider on a white horse chasing a deer will pass the tomb. That is the sign that your youngest brother will rise to great fortune. When the day came, it happened exactly so. Mingche was indeed Shu's youngest son.
71
When Hou Jing struck the capital, Mingche had more than three thousand hu of grain while neighbors starved. He told his brothers, "No one can count on tomorrow—how can we keep this from those around us? They divided by headcount, rich and poor alike. Bandits heard of it and stayed away, and many lived because of them.
72
When Chen Baxian held Jingkou he sought Mingche's friendship. Mingche came to call, and Baxian came down the steps, took his hand, and seated him at once. Mingche had some learning in the classics and studied astronomy, void-solid divination, and Dunjia under Zhou Hongzheng of Runan. He reckoned himself a man of heroic mold, and Baxian thought highly of him. When Baxian took the throne he made Mingche General Who Pacifies the South and sent him with Hou Andou and Zhou Wenyu against Wang Lin. When the armies were wiped out Mingche fought his way back to the capital alone.
73
殿 殿
Emperor Fei made him General of the Palace Guard, then intendant of Danyang, with forty armored guards to accompany him in and out of the palace. When Dao Zhongju forged orders to expel Emperor Xuan, Mao Xi saw through the fraud. Xuan was frightened and sent Xi to consult Mingche. Mingche said, "The heir is young and the realm is rudderless. You are the Zhou and Shao of our day, greater than Yi Yin or Huo Guang. Stay at court and plan deeply. Do not let suspicion unseat you. When Xiangzhou inspector Hua Jiao turned disloyal, an edict made Mingche area commander and Xiangzhou inspector, and he joined Grand General Who Campaigns South Chunyu Liang and others against Jiao. After Jiao fell he received privilege equal to the Three Dukes and was ennobled as a duke.
74
退 退
In Taijian year 5 (573) the court debated invading the north. Ministers were divided, but Mingche pressed to lead the campaign. He was made palace attendant and supreme commander, mustered more than a hundred thousand men, and marched from the capital. Yangzi towns surrendered in succession. At Qin commandery Qi grand general Wei Pohu came to relieve the city. Mingche routed him and Qin surrendered. Qin was Mingche's home. Emperor Xuan ordered the full sacrificial beast, had him worship at his ancestral shrine and tomb, and sent him home in state so grand that his countrymen glowed with pride. He took Renzhou. He was made Grand General Who Campaigns North and enfeoffed as Duke of Nanping commandery. He pressed Shouyang. Qi sent Wang Lin to hold it. Mingche attacked at night and broke the defense by midnight. The Qi army fell back to Xianguo city and Jincheng. Mingche strengthened the siege engines and dammed the Fei to flood the city. Damp and disease swept the garrison—bellies swelled, limbs ballooned—and six or seven in ten died. Qi sent Grand General Pi Jinghe with an army in the hundreds of thousands. He halted thirty li from Shouchun and would not advance. The generals asked, "What is the plan?" Mingche said, "Speed is everything in war. They have camped and stalled—they have blunted themselves. I know they will not fight." He donned armor himself and attacked on four sides. The city shook with fear. At one drumbeat he took Wang Lin alive and sent him to Jianye. Jinghe fled in terror. He was appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and inspector of Yuzhou, with fiefs totaling thirty-five hundred households. The court sent Xiao Chun to Shouyang with the imperial tally. Mingche raised an altar south of the city before two hundred thousand men in full arms, mounted the altar, bowed, received the commission, and withdrew when the rites were done.
75
輿
In year six he returned from Shouyang to court. The emperor visited his home and gave him a set of ritual bells and stones. In year seven he marched on Pengcheng, reached Lüliang, and routed the Qi army again. In year eight he was promoted to Minister of Works and given the great commander's axe and dragon banners. Soon he was made area commander and inspector of South Yanzhou.
76
Pei Zilie, styled Dashi, came from Wenxi in Hedong. He was the son of Yi, Liang's supernumerary palace attendant for casual riding. Orphaned young, he had force of character and was known for valor. He served as administrator of North Qiao and interior minister of Yueyang and was enfeoffed as Earl of Hai'an. The appraisal states: The ancients said that no one knows his ministers like their lord; the Documents say that wisdom lies in knowing men. Chen Baxian's judgment of his generals—and the disasters that befell Zhou and Hou—show that these sayings are no vanity. Otherwise how could he have rallied heroes and carved an empire from chaos? Thus Zhen and Wei fled into captivity yet still carried rebellion in them, while Fa and Liang submitted at the first sign of fortune and called themselves loyal servants—each for understandable reasons. Zhaoda's loyal strategy recalled Geng Yan of Han; his conduct resembled Wu Han. Blinded yet ennobled, branded yet made a king—whether fortune or ruin is settled cannot be merely a matter of human effort. Mingche lived in a season of ill fortune yet held the charge to expand the realm. He was no Han Xin or Bai Qi, nor a strategist on par with Sun Wu. He knew how to advance but not when to halt, how to win but not how to lose. To break that rule was to lose the army and corner the state—and so it proved.
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