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卷四十九 列傳第九 孫處 蒯恩 劉鍾 虞丘進

Volume 49 Biographies 9: Sun Chu, Kuai En, Liu Zhong, Yu Qiujin

Chapter 49 of 宋書 · Book of Song
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Chapter 49
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1
[1]
Biographies 9: Sun Chu, Kuai En, Liu Zhong, and Yu Qiujin
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Sun Chu, whose courtesy name was Jigao, was a native of Yongxing in Kuaiji commandery. His name was entered in the register as Jigao, and that courtesy name is the one by which he was known. As a young man he was quick to take offense and act on impulse. When the Founding Emperor marched east against Sun En, Jigao gladly followed him out of loyalty. After the Founding Emperor secured the capital, he appointed Sun Chu General Who Quells Martiality and enfeoffed him as a fifth-rank marquis of Xin'yi county. At the siege of Guanggu he was first over the wall and distinguished himself.
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During Lu Xun's rebellion he held the palisade at Shitou, garrisoned Yuecheng and Zhapu, and routed the rebels at Xinting. The Founding Emperor told Jigao, "These rebels are on the verge of collapse. We must first destroy their base, so that when they flee they have nowhere to go. No one but you can see this through." He sent Jigao with three thousand men across the sea to strike Panyu. At first the rebels had not guarded the sea route. Jigao reached Dongchong, little more than ten li from the city, and those within still knew nothing of his approach. Xun still had several thousand defenders, and the city was strongly fortified. Jigao burned his ships, landed with all his strength, and— as a heavy fog rolled in— assaulted the city from every side and took it that same day. Xun's father Gu, Chief Clerk Sun Jianzhi, Major Yu Wangfu, and others escaped in light boats to Shixing. He then sent General Who Quells Martiality Shen Tianzi and others to subdue Shixing, Nankang, Linhe, Shi'an, and the other commanderies beyond the Ling range. Xun was in flight at Zuoli, but his army was still formidable, and he came back over the mountain passes to strike Guangzhou. Jigao fought him off for more than twenty days until Xun was routed and fled; more than ten thousand were killed. He pursued the fugitives as far as Yulin, but fell ill and could not finish the hunt, and Xun escaped toward Jiaozhou.
4
使退
In the fourth month of the seventh year of Yixi, Jigao died at Jinkang at the age of fifty-three. Posthumously he was made General Who Leaps like a Dragon and Administrator of Nanhai, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Houguan county with a fief of one thousand households. In the ninth year, remembering Jigao's service, the Founding Emperor submitted a memorial: "Sun Jigao's exploits in the Lingnan region have already been honored with posthumous rewards. Yet I further consider that Lu Xun had grown wicked over a full twelve-year cycle and held an entire region. Had his base not been destroyed and he still had somewhere to flee, he could have rallied the remnants of his force and remained a threat; and the court would have had to dispatch armies on distant campaigns and labor over strategy in the ancestral temple. Instead Jigao crossed ten thousand li of open sea, staking his life on the raging waters; riding wind and wave he arrived within days, swiftly secured Nanhai, and destroyed their stronghold, leaving Xun with nowhere to turn and driving him to flee in light boats. In less than a month the rebel scourge was wiped out. The merit of clearing them away was truly great. The rewards granted in earlier years were still inadequate. I humbly submit that one further prefecture should be granted posthumously under his former title, so that loyal service may not be forgotten and hardworking ministers may be further inspired." Jigao was posthumously made Inspector of Jiaozhou, while his rank as general remained unchanged. His son Zongshi died, and his grandson Qingong succeeded to the title. When Qingong died, his son Yanzu succeeded. When Qi accepted the abdication, the fief was abolished.
5
使
Kuai En, whose courtesy name was Daoen, was a native of Cheng in Lanling commandery. When the Founding Emperor marched against Sun En, the county drafted him for the campaign as a second-class soldier and set him to cutting horse fodder. En often carried huge bundles— more than twice what the others could manage— and each time he dropped his load he would sigh, "A man who can draw a three-stone bow— and yet here I am cutting fodder like a stable hand!" When the Founding Emperor heard this, he immediately gave En weapons and armor, and En was overjoyed. From the campaigns against the rebels he was often first over the wall and took many enemy heads. Once seasoned in battle, his courage and strength surpassed those around him; he was sincerely loyal and careful, never once at fault, and won great trust and favor. In the fighting at Lou county an arrow struck his left eye.
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西 退 [2]
He followed the pacification of the capital and the securing of the capital region, and was made General of Distant Pacification with command of the standard-bearer guard. He followed General Who Quells Martiality Daogui on the western campaign, captured Huan Xianke, took Yanyue fortress, and pacified Jiangling. In the second year of Yixi the rebel Zhang Jian seized Yingcheng and rose in revolt; En defeated him and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duxiang. He joined the campaign against Guanggu and again distinguished himself in battle. When Lu Xun threatened the capital, En fought at Zhapu and drove the rebels back. With Wang Zhongde and others he pursued and defeated Lu Xun's deputy commander Fan Zongmin at Nanling. After Xun fled back to Guangzhou, En led more than a thousand men under Liu Fan to pursue Xu Daofu at Shixing and killed him. He was promoted to General Who Leaps like a Dragon and made Administrator of Lanling.
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西 退
When the Founding Emperor marched west against Liu Yi, En and Wang Zhen'e led light troops in a surprise attack on Jiangling— the full account appears in Zhen'e's biography. Retaining his original rank, he served as Clerk of the Grand Commandant with concurrent status as Acting Adjutant, leading two thousand men under Inspector of Yizhou Zhu Lingshi in the campaign against Shu. At Pengmo his detachment led the van in a great battle that raged from morning until late afternoon; his courage only mounted, and the enemy was routed. After Chengdu was pacified he was promoted to Acting Adjutant and re-enfeoffed as a fifth-rank baron of Beizhi county. When the Founding Emperor attacked Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi, En advanced with General Who Establishes Might Xu Dazhi. When Dazhi was defeated and killed, En drew up his ranks below the dike. Zongzhi's son Gui pressed his advantage and attacked En; arrows fell like rain and the battle cries shook the earth, but En rallied his men and held his formation firm. Gui charged again and again but could not break them; seeing that the attack would not succeed, he withdrew. The Founding Emperor praised his ability to hold an army steady under pressure. After Jiangling was pacified he again pursued Lu Gui at Shicheng. Gui abandoned the city and fled; En pursued him to Xiangyang. Zongzhi fled to the Qiang, and En with the other generals pursued as far as Luyang Pass before turning back. From the time he first took the field, whenever danger arose En led the other generals, repeatedly breaking through strong positions and never shying from hardship or peril. In more than a hundred battles he suffered grave wounds. The Founding Emperor recorded his accumulated service and enfeoffed him as Baron of Xining county with a fief of five hundred households. When the Founding Emperor's heir was made General Who Pacifies Barbarians, En served as Central Army Adjutant on the grand headquarters staff, and when the headquarters moved he retained that post. On the Founding Emperor's northern campaign En was left to guard the heir, and was instructed to keep company with court gentlemen. En grew ever more modest; in conversation he always addressed others by their official titles and called himself "this humble man." He treated his soldiers with firm discipline, and they all drew close to him. He was promoted to Advisory Adjutant, then transferred to General Who Assists the State and made Administrator of Huailing. When the heir opened his own headquarters En served as Attendant Secretary, then as Major, while retaining his rank as general and his prefecture.
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He entered the passes to meet the Duke of Guiyang, Yizhen. When Yizhen reached Qingni on his return, the Babao barbarians pursued him; En covered the rear and fought fiercely for days on end. Yizhen's vanguard broke and fled; En's men were also spent, and he was captured by the enemy and died in captivity. His son Guocai succeeded to the title. When Guocai died, his son Huidu succeeded. When Huidu died without an heir, the fief was abolished.
9
Liu Zhong, whose courtesy name was Shizhi, was a native of Pengcheng in Pengcheng commandery. Orphaned in youth, he lived with his fellow townsman Liu Hui, Administrator of Zhongshan. Even as a boy he had strength of will, and often burned with ambition despite his poverty and low station. In the fourth year of Long'an the Founding Emperor marched against Sun En; Zhong volunteered and fought at Juzhang, Haiyan, and Lou county from Yuyao and Jiakou, breaking through every strong position and winning merit in every engagement. He served as Inspector-and-Protector on the staff of Liu Lao, Northern Pacification Army Adjutant. Whenever the Founding Emperor took the field, Zhong never shrank from hardship, giving himself wholly to the task, and won great trust and favor.
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簿 簿 西 西宿
As the righteous banner was about to be raised, the Founding Emperor commissioned Zhong chief clerk of the commandery. The next day he entered the capital with the army. As they prepared to march on the capital, the Founding Emperor ordered, "All men of Peng and Pei who have risen in the cause may report to Chief Clerk Liu." A volunteer unit was formed with Zhong always at the Founding Emperor's side, and battle after battle was won. The next day Huan Qian encamped at Dongling and Bian Fanzhi west of Fuzhou mountain. Suspecting an ambush, the Founding Emperor looked about and spotted Zhong. "There are likely hidden troops on this hillside," he said. "Take your men forward and flush them out." Zhong galloped forward at once; sure enough, several hundred hidden troops broke and fled. Huan Xuan fled west; that evening the Founding Emperor camped at Huan Qian's former position and sent Zhong to hold the Eastern Palace. Zhong was then made Inspector-and-Protector on the Army Pacification General's staff. When Huan Xin raided Liyang, the Founding Emperor sent Zhong to assist Inspector of Yuzhou Wei Yongzhi; Xin fled at once. He was appointed Interior Minister of the principality of Nanqi and enfeoffed as a fifth-rank marquis of Anqiu county. He petitioned to reinter his father, grandfather, and ten other relatives; the Founding Emperor generously provided the funds. He was transferred to Chief Clerk of Chariots and Cavalry with concurrent status as Acting Adjutant. Sima Shufan with Liu Mi, Liu Huaiyu of Pengcheng, and others attacked Zou mountain from Fancheng; when Administrator of Lu Xu Yong lost the city, Zhong led troops to suppress them. He joined the campaign against Guanggu. When Meng Longfu was killed in action, Zhong led his personal guard straight into the enemy lines, recovered the body, and returned. He was made General Who Quells Martiality and Central Army Adjutant, succeeding Longfu as Administrator of Guangchuan.
11
When Lu Xun threatened the capital, Xu Chi's army disobeyed orders and was defeated on the south bank. Zhong led his men to hold the palisade; though he suffered grave wounds, the rebels could not break through. Xun fled south, and Zhong with General Who Assists the State Wang Zhongde pursued him. Xun had earlier left his deputy Fan Zongmin with elite troops and tall warships to hold Nanling, with camps on both banks of the river. Zhong went personally to scout the enemy; fog rolled in, and the rebels hooked and seized his boat; Zhong led his personal guard to attack the hatch of the enemy ship, but the rebels slammed it shut; Zhong then withdrew at an unhurried pace. He and Zhongde attacked Zongmin, who was routed and fled. Zhong pursued them for a hundred li and burned their ships. He again followed Liu Fan to pursue Xu Daofu at Shixing and killed him. He was appointed Acting Adjutant on the Grand Commandant's staff, General of Pacifying the North, and Administrator of Xiapi. He succeeded Meng Huaiyu as commander of the Shitou garrison.
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When the Founding Emperor marched against Liu Yi, Zhong led an army in support of Wang Zhen'e. After Jiangling was pacified he again followed Zhu Lingshi against Shu as vanguard, taking the outer water route to Pengmo, two hundred li from Chengdu. The enemy Champion General and Campaign Protector Qiao Kang and others had linked camps on both banks with layered towers and heavy palisades; their force was said to number thirty thousand. Zhong was then afflicted with a foot ailment and could not walk; Lingshi came to consult him. "The weather is fiercely hot," he said, "and the enemy holds strong positions with a tight defense. An assault may not succeed and will only wear our men down. I reckon their troops are timid and restless and will not hold firm for long. We should conserve our strength, rest the army, and wait for an opening; and when the moment comes, strike— that is how we can win quickly. Two plans are before us, and the lord originally entrusted this decision to you— what is your view?" Zhong replied, "I disagree. We had spread word that the main army was advancing by the inner water route, so Qiao Daofu did not dare leave Fucheng. Now our main force has arrived unexpectedly, and the Shu troops have already lost their nerve. The enemy holds the passes because they are afraid to fight, not because they can sustain a long defense. Strike now, while they are still terrified, with every available man— we are sure to break them. March in with drums beating, and Chengdu will not be able to hold. If we hold back now, they will learn our true strength; the Fucheng army may suddenly unite against us. Once their troops regain confidence and their best commanders assemble, we will fail to bring them to battle and run out of provisions— and become prisoners of Shu." Lingshi accepted his counsel. The next day they attacked, took two cities, killed the enemy generals Hou Hui and Qiao Shen, and went on to pacify Chengdu. For his service at Guanggu he was enfeoffed as Baron of Yongxin county with a fief of five hundred households. He was promoted to Attendant Within the Yellow Gates, Army Staff Officer on the Grand Commandant's staff, General Who Leaps like a Dragon, and Interior Minister of Gaoyang, while retaining command of the Shitou garrison.
13
His son Jingyi succeeded to the title. Jingyi rose to Administrator of Matou and died in office. His son Guozhong succeeded; when Qi accepted the abdication, the fief was abolished. Zhong's second son Jingshun, Baron of Gaochang, died, and his son Guoxu succeeded. When Xu died without an heir, the fief was abolished.
14
退
In the second year of Yixi he was made General Who Leaps like a Dragon and enfeoffed as a fifth-rank marquis of Longchuan county. He joined the Founding Emperor's campaign against Guanggu and routed the enemy at Linqu. When Lu Xun threatened the capital, Meng Chang, Zhuge Changmin, and others proposed moving the emperor south across the Yangzi. Jin argued before the court that this was unacceptable and openly refuted Chang and his allies; the Founding Emperor was greatly pleased. He proposed felling trees to build a palisade at Shitou. He was made Administrator of Poyang while retaining his rank as general. He commanded eighteen cavalry and infantry detachments, advancing east from Poyang to Wumu Pass. Xun sent the general Ying Gou to serve as magistrate of Shangrao. More than a thousand men held the old city; Jin advanced, attacked, and captured it. Xun then sent Tong Minzhi as Administrator of Poyang to hold the commandery. Jin advanced overland from Yugan toward Poyang; Minzhi fled, and Jin pursued, defeated him, and took several hundred heads. He again followed Liu Fan to Shixing, where Xu Daofu was hunted down and killed.
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In the eighth year he was made Protector of the Ningman and Administrator of Xunyang, with civil and military authority. He then followed the campaign against Liu Yi. After the campaign he was appointed Acting Adjutant on the Grand Commandant's staff and soon promoted to General Who Quells Martiality. In the ninth year, for his accumulated service he was enfeoffed as Baron of Wangcai county with a fief of five hundred households and made General Who Leaps like a Dragon. In the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi he again distinguished himself. When the army returned he was made General Who Assists the State and Administrator of Shanyang. An order from the Song administration appointed him Administrator of Qin commandery with supervisory authority over Chenliu, while his rank as general remained unchanged. In the second year of Yuanxi an order from the Prince of Song appointed him Major on the staff of Right General Yikang, the Founding Emperor's fourth son. In the second year of Yongchu he was made Right Commandant of the Heir Apparent's Guard. The following year he died in office. He was sixty years old. His service against Sima Xiuzhi was reviewed posthumously; his rank was raised to viscount and his fief increased by three hundred households.
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His son Geng succeeded to the title. When Geng died, his son Xizu succeeded. When Xizu died, Shibao succeeded. When Qi accepted the abdication, the fief was abolished.
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The historiographer writes: The Odes say, "No word goes unrewarded, no virtue goes unrequited." These generals all rose from common laborers— men who had come up from the ranks of grooms and fodder-cutters— and only because their loyalty to their lord was undivided were they able to spread their wings and soar. When it came to leading charges and fighting battle after battle, risking death a hundred times without thought for their own lives— that too sprang from undivided loyalty. And so they received the reward of marquisates— the poet spoke truly indeed!
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