Volume 86 Biographies 46: Yin Xiaozu, Liu Mian

列傳第四十六殷孝祖劉勔

Biography 46: Yin Xiaozu and Liu Mian

殷孝祖，陳郡長平人也。曾祖羨，晉光祿勳。父祖並不達。孝祖少誕節，好酒色，有氣幹。太祖元嘉末，為奉朝請，員外散騎侍郎。世祖以其有武用，除奮武將軍、濟北太守。入為積射將軍。大明初，索虜寇青州，上遣孝祖北援，受刺史顏師伯節度，累與虜戰，頻大破之，事在師伯傳。還授太子旅賁中郎將，加龍驤將軍。竟陵王誕據廣陵為逆，孝祖隸沈慶之攻誕，又有戰功，遷西陽王子尚撫軍、寧朔將軍、南濟陰太守。出為盱眙太守，將軍如故。還為虎賁中郎將，仍除寧朔將軍、陽平、東平二郡太守。又遷濟南、南郡，將軍如故。

Yin Xiaozu was a native of Changping in Chen Commandery. His great-grandfather Yin Xian had served the Jin as Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Neither his father nor his grandfather had risen to prominence. In youth Xiaozu was rakish and fond of wine and women, yet he possessed vigor and practical ability. At the end of the Yuanjia era under Emperor Wen, he served as court gentleman for the dynasty and supernumerary gentlemen-attendant at the palace gate. Emperor Xiaowu, recognizing his martial talent, appointed him General Who Exerts Might and administrator of Jibei. He was summoned to court as general of accumulated archery. Early in the Daming era the Northern Wei raided Qing Province. The emperor sent Xiaozu north to reinforce the defense, placing him under Governor Yan Shibo. He fought the invaders again and again and won crushing victories; the full account appears in Shibo's biography. After returning he was appointed commander of the crown prince's household guards brigades and was also made general of the dragon cavalry. When Prince Jingling Dan rebelled and held Guangling, Xiaozu served under Shen Qingzhi in the campaign against him and again distinguished himself in battle. He was then transferred to adjutant on the pacification staff of Prince Xiyang Zishang, made general who pacifies the north, and appointed administrator of Southern Jiyin. He was sent out to serve as administrator of Xuyi while retaining his general's rank. He returned to court as commander of the tiger guards and was also appointed general who pacifies the north and administrator of both Yangping and Dongping. He was transferred in turn to Jinan and Nan, retaining his general's rank.

前廢帝景和元年，以本號督兗州諸軍事、兗州刺史。太宗初即位，四方反叛，孝祖外甥司徒參軍潁川葛僧韶建議銜命徵孝祖入朝，上遣之。時徐州刺史薛安都遣薛索兒等屯據津徑，僧韶間行得至，說孝祖曰：「景和兇狂，開闢未有，朝野危極，假命漏刻。主上聖德天挺，神武在躬，曾不浹辰，夷凶翦暴，更造天地，未足為言。國亂朝危，宜立長生，公卿百辟，人無異議，泰平之隆，非旦則夕。而群小相煽，構造無端，貪利幼弱，競懷希望。使天道助逆，群凶事申，則主幼時艱，權柄不一，兵難互起，豈有自容之地。舅少有立功之志，長以氣節成名，若便能控濟、河義勇，還奉朝廷，非唯匡主靜亂，乃可以垂名竹帛。」孝祖具問朝廷消息，僧韶隨方酬譬，並陳兵甲精強，主上欲委以前驅之任。孝祖即日棄妻子，率文武二千人隨僧韶還都。

In the first year of Jinghe under the deposed former emperor, he was made commander of all military affairs in Yan Province and governor of Yan Province, retaining his existing title. When Emperor Ming had just ascended the throne, rebellions erupted throughout the realm. Xiaozu's nephew Ge Sengshao of Yingchuan, a staff officer in the Secretariat, urged that an imperial summons bring Xiaozu to the capital, and the emperor dispatched him. At that time Xu Province governor Xue An'du had sent Xue Suo'er and others to hold the river crossings. Sengshao traveled by concealed routes and reached Xiaozu, saying to him, "The Jinghe emperor was savage and deranged beyond anything since the realm was founded; court and countryside stood on the brink of ruin, their lives measured in hours. Our present sovereign's sacred virtue rises from heaven itself, and divine martial prowess is embodied in his person. In less than ten days he has crushed the wicked and cut down the violent, remaking heaven and earth—yet even that understates the achievement. The state is in turmoil and the court in peril; the time calls for a mature ruler. Every minister and official is of one mind, and an age of great peace will arrive not in years but within days. Yet petty men incite one another with baseless plots, greedy to profit from a young and weak throne, each nursing private ambitions. If heaven were to aid the rebels and the villains prevailed, the sovereign would be young and the times hard, authority would be divided, and wars would break out everywhere—where would any of us find safety? Uncle, you have burned since youth to win merit and have made a name in maturity for integrity and resolve. If you can now rally the loyal forces of Ji and the Yellow River and return to serve the court, you will not only restore the ruler and quell rebellion—you may win a name that endures in the annals." Xiaozu questioned him thoroughly about affairs at court. Sengshao answered point by point as needed, also reporting that the armies were strong and that the emperor wished to entrust him with the vanguard command. That very day Xiaozu left wife and children behind and led two thousand civil and military followers back to the capital with Sengshao.

時普天同逆，朝廷唯保丹陽一郡，而永世縣尋又反叛。義興賊垂至延陵，內外憂危，咸欲奔散。孝祖忽至，眾力不少，並傖楚壯士，人情於是大安。進孝祖號冠軍，假節、督前鋒諸軍事，遣向虎檻，拒對南賊。御仗先有諸葛亮筒袖鎧帽，二十五石弩射之不能入，上悉以賜孝祖。孝祖負其誠節，凌轢諸將，臺軍有父子兄弟在南者，孝祖並欲推治。由是人情乖離，莫樂為用。進使持節、都督兗州、青、冀、幽四州諸軍事、撫軍將軍，刺史如故。時賊據赭圻，孝祖將進攻之，與大統王玄謨別，悲不自勝，眾並駭怪。泰始二年三月三日，與賊合戰，常以鼓蓋自隨，軍中人相謂曰：「殷統軍可謂死矣。今與賊交鋒，而以羽儀自標顯，若善射者十士攢射，欲不斃，得乎？」是日，於陣為矢所中死，時年五十二。追贈散騎常侍、征北將軍，持節、都督如故。封秭歸縣侯，食邑千戶。四年，追改封建安縣，諡曰忠侯。孝祖子悉為薛安都所殺，以從兄子慧達繼封。齊受禪，國除。

At that time rebellion was universal; the court retained only Danyang commandery, and before long Yongshi county rebelled as well. Rebels from Yixing were about to reach Yanling. Inside and outside the capital there was panic, and everyone wanted to flee and scatter. When Xiaozu arrived unexpectedly, his force was substantial and composed of hardy Chu veterans, and morale at once settled greatly. Xiaozu was promoted to champion general, granted the credentials staff and command of all vanguard forces, and sent to Tiger Cage to confront the southern rebels. Among the imperial stores were sleeve-armor caps of the Zhuge Liang type that even twenty-five-stone crossbows could not penetrate; the emperor bestowed them all on Xiaozu. Xiaozu, confident in his loyalty, rode roughshod over the other generals and even sought to punish imperial troops whose fathers, sons, or brothers were serving in the south. As a result hearts turned away from him and no one wished to fight willingly under his command. He was promoted to bearer of the credentials staff, commander of military affairs in Yan, Qing, Ji, and You provinces, and general who pacifies the army, while retaining his governorship. When the rebels held Zhixi, Xiaozu was about to advance against them. Taking leave of supreme commander Wang Xuanmo, he was overcome with grief beyond control, and all present were astonished. On the third day of the third month in the second year of Taishi he engaged the rebels in battle. He always kept his drum and canopy with him. Men in the ranks said to one another, "Commander Yin might as well be dead already. Here he is fighting the enemy yet displaying his ceremonial insignia. If ten good archers shoot at once, how can he fail to be struck down?" That day he was struck by an arrow on the field and died, aged fifty-two. He was posthumously appointed attendant-in-ordinary and general who campaigns north, retaining his credentials staff and command. He was enfeoffed as marquis of Zigui with a fief of one thousand households. In the fourth year his fief was posthumously changed to Jian'an county and he was given the posthumous title Marquis Zhong. All of Xiaozu's sons were killed by Xue An'du, and his cousin's son Huida inherited the enfeoffment. When the Qi dynasty received the mandate, the fief was abolished.

劉勔，字伯猷，彭城人也。祖懷義，始興太守。父穎之，汝南、新蔡二郡太守，征林邑，遇疾卒。勔少有志節，兼好文義。家貧，為廣州增城令，廣州刺史劉道錫引為揚烈府主簿。元嘉二十七年，索虜南侵，道錫遣勔奉使詣京都，太祖引見之，酬對稱旨，除寧遠將軍、綏遠太守。元嘉末，蕭簡據廣州為亂，勔起義討之，燒其南門。廣州刺史宗愨又命為軍府主簿，以功封大亭侯。除員外散騎侍郎。孝建初，荊、江反叛，宗愨以勔行寧朔將軍、湘東內史，領軍出安陸。會事平，以本號為晉康太守，又徙鬱林太守。大明初還都，徐州刺史劉道隆請為寧朔司馬。竟陵王誕據廣陵為逆，勔隨道隆受沈慶之節度，事平，封金城縣五等侯。除西陽王子尚撫軍參軍，入直閣。先是，遣費沈伐陳檀，不克，乃除勔龍驤將軍、西江督護、鬱林太守。勔既至，率軍進討，隨宜翦定，大致名馬，并獻珊瑚連理樹，上甚悅。還除新安王子鸞撫軍中兵參軍，遭母憂，不拜。前廢帝即位，起為振威將軍、屯騎校尉，入直閣。

Liu Mian, courtesy name Boyou, was a native of Pengcheng. His grandfather Liu Huaiyi had been administrator of Shixing. His father Liu Yingzhi had served as administrator of Runan and Xincai; on a campaign against Lin Yi he fell ill and died. In youth Mian possessed resolve and integrity and also loved literature and learning. His family was poor. He served as magistrate of Zengcheng in Guang Province, and Guang Province governor Liu Daoxi appointed him chief clerk of the Yanglie office. In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia the northern barbarians invaded the south. Daoxi sent Mian as envoy to the capital. Emperor Wen received him, was pleased with his replies, and appointed him general who pacifies the distant and administrator of Suiyuan. At the end of Yuanjia Xiao Jian rebelled and held Guang Province. Mian raised loyal forces to attack him and burned the southern gate of the city. Guang Province governor Zong Que also appointed him chief clerk of the military office, and for his achievements he was enfeoffed as marquis of Dating. He was appointed supernumerary gentlemen-attendant at the palace gate. At the beginning of the Xiaojian era the Jing and Jiang regions rebelled. Zong Que had Mian serve as general who pacifies the north and interior minister of Xiangdong, leading troops out through Anlu. When the rebellion was suppressed he was made administrator of Jinkang with his existing rank, then transferred to administrator of Yulin. Early in the Daming era he returned to the capital. Xu Province governor Liu Daolong asked that he serve as major on the staff of the army who pacifies the north. When Prince Jingling Dan rebelled and held Guangling, Mian followed Daolong under Shen Qingzhi's command. When the rebellion was crushed he was enfeoffed as fifth-rank marquis of Jincheng. He was appointed adjutant on the pacification staff of Prince Xiyang Zishang and entered service in the inner guard. Earlier Fei Shen had been sent to attack Chen Tan without success. Mian was then appointed general of the dragon cavalry, protector-general of the West River, and administrator of Yulin. When Mian arrived he led his army forward in attack and pacified the region as circumstances required. He obtained many famous horses and also presented coral trees joined in one trunk, to the emperor's great delight. On his return he was appointed adjutant of the central army on the pacification staff of Prince Xin'an Ziluan, but when his mother died he declined the appointment. When the deposed former emperor took the throne, Mian was recalled as general who quells might and colonel of the garrison cavalry and again entered the inner guard.

太宗即位，加寧朔將軍，校尉如故。江州刺史晉安王子勛為逆，四方回應，勔以本官領建平王景素輔國司馬，進據梁山。會豫州刺史殷琰反叛，徵勔還都，假輔國將軍，率眾討琰，甲仗三十人入六門。復兼山陽王休祐驃騎司馬，餘如故。破琰將劉順於宛唐，杜叔寶於橫塘，事在琰傳。除輔國將軍、山陽王休祐驃騎諮議參軍、梁郡太守、假節，不拜。琰嬰城固守，自始春至於末冬，薛道標、龐孟虯並向壽陽，勔內攻外禦，戰無不捷。善撫將帥，以寬厚為眾所依。將軍王廣之求勔所自乘馬，諸將帥並忿廣之叨冒，勸勔以法裁之，勔歡笑，即時解馬與廣之。復除使持節、督廣、交二州諸軍事、平越中郎將、廣州刺史，將軍如故，不拜。及琰開門請降，勔約令三軍，不得妄動。城內士民，秋毫無所失，百姓感悅，咸曰來蘇。百姓生為立碑。改督益、寧二州諸軍事、益州刺史，持節、將軍如故，又不拜。還京都，拜太子左衛率，封鄱陽縣侯，食邑千戶。

When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, Mian was additionally made general who pacifies the north while retaining his colonelcy. Jiang Province governor Prince Jin'an Zixun rebelled and the four quarters rose in response. Mian, retaining his existing office, served as adjutant on the pacification staff of Prince Pingling Jingsu and advanced to hold Liang Mountain. When Yu Province governor Yin Yan rebelled, Mian was recalled to the capital, granted acting rank as general who assists the state, and sent with troops to attack Yan. Thirty armored men-at-arms entered the six gates with him. He was additionally made major on the staff of Prince Shanyang Xiuyou, general of agile cavalry, while his other offices remained unchanged. He defeated Yin Yan's general Liu Shun at Wantang and Du Shubao at Hengtang; the full account appears in Yan's biography. He was appointed general who assists the state, adviser on the staff of Prince Shanyang Xiuyou, and administrator of Liang with acting credentials staff, but he declined. Yin Yan held the city fast from early spring until the end of winter. Xue Daobiao and Pang Mengjiao both marched on Shouyang. Mian attacked within the siege and defended against outside forces, and in every engagement he prevailed. He was skilled at winning over generals and officers and, through generosity, became someone all could rely on. General Wang Guangzhi asked for the horse Mian himself rode. All the generals and officers were indignant at Guangzhi's presumption and urged Mian to punish him according to law. Mian only laughed and immediately gave Guangzhi the horse. He was again appointed bearer of the credentials staff, commander of military affairs in Guang and Jiao provinces, general of the center who pacifies the Yue, and governor of Guang Province while retaining his general's rank, but he declined. When Yin Yan opened the gates and asked to surrender, Mian ordered the three armies not to act rashly. Within the city soldiers and civilians alike lost not the slightest thing. The people were moved with gratitude and all said he had brought renewal. During his lifetime the people erected a stele in his honor. His command was changed to military affairs in Yi and Ning provinces and governorship of Yi Province, with credentials staff and general's rank unchanged; again he declined. He returned to the capital, was appointed left commandant of the crown prince's guard, and was enfeoffed as marquis of Poyang with a fief of one thousand households.

琰初求救索虜，虜大眾屯據汝南。泰始三年，以勔為征虜將軍、督西討前鋒諸軍事，假節、置佐、本官如故。先是，常珍奇據汝南，與琰為逆，琰降，因據戍降虜，事在琰傳。至是引虜西河公、長社公攻圍輔國將軍、汝陰太守張景遠。景遠與軍主楊文萇拒擊，大破之。景遠尋病卒，太宗嘉其功，追贈冠軍將軍、豫州刺史，追封含洭縣男，食邑三百戶，以文萇代為汝陰太守。除勔右衛將軍，仍以為使持節、都督豫、司二州諸軍事、征虜將軍、豫州刺史，餘如故。四年，除侍中，領射聲校尉，又不受。進號右將軍。其年，虜遣汝陽司馬趙懷仁步騎五百，寇武津縣。勔遣龍驤將軍曲元德輕兵進討，虜眾驚散。虜子都公閼於拔又率三百人防運車囗囗千兩，於汝陽臺東水上結營。元德單騎直入，斬拔首，因進攻汝陽臺，即陷外壘，獲車一千三百乘，斬首一百五十級。勔又使司徒參軍孫曇瓘督弋陽以西，會虜寇義陽，曇瓘大破之。虜上其北豫州租，有車二千兩，勔招荒人，邀擊於許昌，虜眾奔散，焚燒米穀。

When Yin Yan had first sought aid from the northern barbarians, a great barbarian host encamped in Runan. In the third year of Taishi he was made general who campaigns the barbarians and commander of all western-expedition vanguard forces, granted acting credentials staff and adjutants while retaining his original offices. Earlier Chang Zhenqi had held Runan in rebellion together with Yin Yan. When Yan surrendered, Zhenqi therefore held the garrison and submitted to the barbarians; the account appears in Yan's biography. At this time he drew in the barbarian Western River Duke and Duke of Changshe to attack and besiege general who assists the state and Runan administrator Zhang Jingyuan. Jingyuan with army commander Yang Wenchang resisted and struck them, inflicting a great defeat. Jingyuan soon fell ill and died. Emperor Ming praised his achievements and posthumously appointed him champion general and governor of Yu Province, enfeoffed him posthumously as baron of Hanquang with a fief of three hundred households, and made Wenchang administrator of Runan in his place. Mian was appointed general of the right guard and, with that office, made bearer of the credentials staff, commander of military affairs in Yu and Si provinces, general who campaigns the barbarians, and governor of Yu Province, his other offices unchanged. In the fourth year he was appointed attendant and colonel of the archers who shoot by sound, and again he declined. His rank was advanced to general of the right. That year the barbarians sent Ruyang chief commandant Zhao Huairen with five hundred infantry and cavalry to raid Wujin county. Mian sent general of the dragon cavalry Qu Yuande forward with light troops in attack, and the barbarian host scattered in alarm. The barbarian Zidu Duke Yuwu Ba again led three hundred men to guard two thousand supply carts, encamping on the water east of the Ruyang terrace. Yuande rode in alone, beheaded Ba, then advanced to attack the Ruyang terrace, at once taking the outer rampart, capturing thirteen hundred carts, and taking one hundred fifty heads. Mian also sent Secretariat staff officer Sun Tanqian to supervise operations west of Yiyang. When barbarians raided Yiyang, Tanqian inflicted a great defeat on them. The barbarians were transporting the grain tax of Northern Yu Province—two thousand carts in all. Mian recruited displaced people and intercepted them at Xuchang; the barbarian host scattered and the grain was burned.

淮西人賈元友上書太宗，勸北攻懸瓠，可收陳郡、南頓、汝南、新蔡四郡之地。上以所陳示勔，使具條答。勔對曰：

Jia Yuanyou of the Huai West region submitted a memorial to Emperor Ming urging a northern attack on Xuanhuo, by which the lands of Chen, Nan Dun, Runan, and Xincai commanderies could be recovered. The emperor showed what Yuanyou had set forth to Mian and had him draft a detailed reply. Mian replied:

元友稱：「虜主幼弱，姦偽競起，內外規亂，天亡有期。」臣以為獯醜侵縱，乘藉王境，盤據州郡，百姓殘亡。去冬眾軍失耕，今春連城圍逼，國家復境之略，實有不遑，滅虜未及。元友又云：「有七千餘家，穀米豐積，可供二萬人數年資儲。」臣又以為二萬人歲食米四十八萬斛，五年合須米二百四十萬斛，既理不容有，恐事難稱言。元友又云：「虜於懸瓠開驛保，虜已先據，若不足恃，此不須囗。」俱是攻城，便應先圖懸瓠，何更越先取郾，以受腹背之災。且七千餘家豐積，而虜猶當遠運為糧，是威不制民，民非異計。元友又云：「虜欲水陸運糧，以救軍命，可襲之機，在於今日。」臣又以為開立驛道，據守堅城，觀其形候，不似蹙弱。可乘之機，恐為難驗。元友又云：「四郡民人，遭虜二十七年之毒，皆欲雪仇報恥，伏待朝威。」臣又以為垣式寶等受國重恩，今猶驅略車營，翻還就賊，蓋是戀本之情深，非報怨之宜，何可輕試。元友又云：「請敕荊、雍兩州，遣二千精兵，從義陽依西山北下，直據郾城。」臣又以為郾城是賊驛路要戍，且經蠻接險，數百里中，裹糧潛進，方出平地，攻賊堅城，自古名將，未有能以此濟者。假其克捷，不知足南抗懸瓠，北捍長社與不？且賊擁據數城，水陸通便，而今使官以二千斷其資運，於事為難。元友又云：「虜圍逼汝陰，遊魂二歲，為張景遠所挫，不敢渡淮。」臣又以為景遠兵力寡弱，不能自固，遠遣救援，方得少克。今定是為賊所畏不？景遠前所摧傷，裁至數百，虜步騎四萬，猶不敢前，而今必勸國家以輕兵遠討，指掌可克，言理相背，莫復過此。元友又云：「龍山雉水，魯奴、王景直等並受朝爵，馬步萬餘。進討之宜，唯須敕命。」臣以為魯奴與虜交關，彌歷年世，去歲送誠朝廷，誓欲立功。自蒙榮爵，便即逃遁，殊類姦猾，豈易闇期。兼王景直是一亡命，部曲不過數十人，既不可言，又未足恃。萬餘之言，似不近實。元友又云：「四郡恨忿此非類，車營連結，廢田二載，生業已盡，賊無所資，糧儲已罄。斷其運道，最是要略。」臣又以斷運須兵，兵應資食，而當此過懸瓠二百里中，使兵食兼足，何處求辦？

Yuanyou said, "The barbarian ruler is young and weak; treachery and deceit contend everywhere; within and without there is plotting and disorder—the day of heaven's destruction is near." I hold that the barbarian hordes have invaded wantonly, riding on our borders, holding commanderies and districts while the people are ruined and slain. Last winter our armies lost the planting season; this spring walled cities press in with siege upon siege. The state's plan to recover lost territory truly has no leisure for other campaigns; destroying the barbarians cannot yet be attempted. Yuanyou also said, "There are more than seven thousand households with abundant grain, enough to supply twenty thousand men for several years." I further calculate that twenty thousand men consume four hundred eighty thousand hu of grain per year; over five years that totals two million four hundred thousand hu. Such stores cannot exist in principle, and I fear the claim will be hard to substantiate in fact. Yuanyou also said, "The barbarians opened relay stations and strongpoints at Xuanhuo, which they already hold—if those cannot be relied upon, that point need not be pursued." Both are sieges; one should first plan for Xuanhuo—why instead seize Ying first and invite disaster from front and rear? Moreover, if more than seven thousand households have abundant stores, yet the barbarians still must transport grain from afar, this shows their might does not control the people and the people are not of one mind with them. Yuanyou also said, "The barbarians intend to move grain by water and land to sustain their armies. The moment to strike them is now." I further hold that they have opened relay roads and hold fortified cities. Judging by their posture, they do not appear weak or cornered. Whether any opportunity truly exists, I fear, will be hard to verify. Yuanyou also said, "The people of the four commanderies have suffered under the barbarians for twenty-seven years. All wish to wipe away shame and take revenge, bowing to await the court's majesty." I further hold that Yuan Shibao and others have received heavy grace from the state, yet still drive and plunder supply trains and turn back to join the enemy. This surely reflects deep attachment to their homeland, not readiness for revenge. How can one lightly trust them? Yuanyou also said, "I ask that Jing and Yong provinces be ordered to send two thousand elite troops from Yiyang along the western hills northward to seize Ying city directly." I further hold that Ying city is a vital garrison on the enemy relay route, and the route passes through barbarian country and perilous terrain. To carry provisions and advance secretly for several hundred li, then emerge onto level ground and attack an enemy strong city—since antiquity no famous general has ever succeeded by such means. Even if they achieved victory, who knows whether they could resist Xuanhuo to the south and defend Changshe to the north? Moreover the enemy holds several cities with convenient water and land communications. To send only two thousand government troops now to cut their supply line would be difficult in practice. Yuanyou also said, "The barbarians have besieged Runan for two years like wandering ghosts, were checked by Zhang Jingyuan, and dare not cross the Huai." I further hold that Jingyuan's force was few and weak and could not hold on its own. Only by sending relief from afar did he achieve a slight success. Are they now certainly feared by the enemy? The damage Jingyuan inflicted before amounted to only several hundred. The barbarians have forty thousand infantry and cavalry and still did not advance—yet now one must urge the state to launch a distant campaign with light troops, claiming victory is at hand. Reason and fact contradict each other; nothing exceeds this. Yuanyou also said, "At Long Mountain and Zhishui, Lu Nu, Wang Jingzhi, and others have all received court ranks, with more than ten thousand horse and foot. The time to advance and attack them requires only an imperial order." I hold that Lu Nu has had dealings with the barbarians for many years. Last year he offered loyalty to the court and swore to achieve merit. Once he received honored rank he at once fled—utterly unlike honest men. How can one secretly count on him? Moreover Wang Jingzhi is a mere fugitive with a following of no more than several tens of men. He can neither be spoken of nor relied upon. The claim of more than ten thousand seems far from fact. Yuanyou also said, "The four commanderies hate and resent these alien kinds. Supply trains link in chains, fields lie waste for two years, livelihood is exhausted, the enemy have nothing to draw on, and grain stores are empty. To cut their transport route is the most essential strategy." I further hold that cutting transport requires troops, and troops require provisions. Yet to make troops and food both sufficient across these two hundred li beyond Xuanhuo, where is one to obtain them?

臣竊尋元嘉以來，傖荒遠人，多干國議，負儋歸闕，皆勸討虜。魯爽誕說，實挫國威，徒失兵力，虛費金寶。凡此之徒，每規近說，從來信納，皆詒後悔。界上之人，唯視強弱，王師至境，必壺漿候塗，裁見退軍，便抄截蜂起。首領回師，何嘗不為河畔所弊。

I have examined affairs since the Yuanjia era and find that many people from distant frontier regions have meddled in state policy, bearing loads as they return to court, all urging attacks on the barbarians. The schemes of Lu Shuang and others truly damaged national prestige, wasted military strength in vain, and squandered gold and treasure. All such persons constantly plot near-term proposals. Whenever their words were trusted and adopted, regret always followed. People on the borders look only at who is strong. When the royal army reaches the frontier they are sure to bring wine and wait by the road. The moment they see the army withdraw, they rise to plunder like swarming bees. When commanders turn back, have they ever not been harmed on the riverbanks?

太宗納之，元友議遂寢。勔與常珍奇書，勸令反虜，珍奇乃與子超越、羽林監式寶，於譙殺虜子都公費拔等凡三千餘人。勔馳驛以聞，太宗大喜，以珍奇為使持節、都督司、北豫二州諸軍事、平北將軍、司州刺史，汝南、新蔡縣侯，食邑千戶；超越輔國將軍、北豫州刺史，潁川、汝陽、囗囗三郡太守，安陽縣男；式寶輔國將軍、陳、南頓二郡太守，真陽縣男，食邑三百戶。珍奇為虜所攻，引軍南出，虜追擊破之，珍奇走依山，得至壽陽，超越、式寶為人所殺。

Emperor Ming accepted this, and Yuanyou's proposal was set aside. Mian wrote to Chang Zhenqi urging him to turn against the barbarians. Zhenqi then, with his son Chaoyue and Yulin supervisor Shibao, at Qiao killed the barbarian Zidu Duke Fei Ba and others—more than three thousand in all. Mian sent word by post relay to report it. Emperor Ming was greatly pleased and made Zhenqi bearer of the credentials staff, commander of military affairs in Si and Northern Yu provinces, general who pacifies the north, and governor of Si Province, marquis of Runan and Xincai with a fief of one thousand households; Chaoyue was made general who assists the state and governor of Northern Yu Province, administrator of Yingchuan, Ruyang, and [text defective] commanderies, and baron of Anyang; Shibao was made general who assists the state and administrator of Chen and Nan Dun commanderies, baron of Zhenyang with a fief of three hundred households. Zhenqi was attacked by the barbarians, led his army south, and the barbarians pursued and defeated him. Zhenqi fled into the hills and reached Shouyang. Chaoyue and Shibao were killed.

五年，汝陰太守楊文萇又頻破虜於荊亭及戍西。詔進勔號平西將軍、豫州刺史，餘如故，不拜。其年，徵拜散騎常侍、中領軍。勔以世路糾紛，有懷止足，求東陽郡。上以勔啟遍示朝臣，自尚書僕射袁粲以下，莫不稱讚，咸謂宜許。上曰：「巴陵、建平二王，並有獨往之志。若世道寧晏，皆當申其所請。」勔經始鍾嶺之南，以為棲息，聚石蓄水，仿佛丘中，朝士愛素者，多往遊之。六年，改常侍為侍中。其年，南兗州刺史齊王出鎮淮陰，以勔為使持節、都督南徐、兗、青、冀、囗五州諸軍事、平北將軍，侍中、中領軍如故，出鎮廣陵。固辭侍中、軍號，許之，以為假平北將軍。七年，解都督、假號、并節。太宗臨崩，顧命以為守尚書右僕射，中領軍如故，給鼓吹一部。廢帝即位，加兵五百人。

In the fifth year Runan administrator Yang Wenchang again repeatedly defeated the barbarians at Jingting and west of the garrison. An edict advanced Mian to general who pacifies the west and governor of Yu Province, the rest unchanged; he declined. That year he was summoned and appointed attendant-in-ordinary and general of the central army. Mian, seeing the age tangled in strife, felt a wish to stop and be content, and requested Dongyang commandery. The emperor showed Mian's memorial to all court officials. From vice director of the Secretariat Yuan Can downward, none failed to praise it; all said it should be granted. The emperor said, "The two princes of Baling and Pingping both have a will to go their own way. If the age is peaceful and settled, each should be granted what he requests." Mian began construction south of Zhong Ridge as his dwelling, gathering stones and storing water in imitation of a hill retreat. Court gentlemen who loved simplicity often went there to visit. In the sixth year the attendant-in-ordinary post was changed to attendant. That year Prince Qi, governor of Southern Yanzhou, went out to garrison Huaiyin. Mian was made bearer of the credentials staff, commander of military affairs in Southern Xu, Yan, Qing, Ji, and [text defective] provinces, general who pacifies the north, with attendant and general of the central army unchanged, and went out to garrison Guangling. He firmly declined the attendant post and military title. This was granted, and he was made acting general who pacifies the north. In the seventh year he was relieved of command, acting rank, and credentials staff together. When Emperor Ming lay dying he entrusted him by final command as guardian minister and right vice director of the Secretariat, general of the central army unchanged, and granted one set of martial music. When the deposed emperor took the throne, five hundred more troops were added to his guard.

元徽初，月犯右執法，太白犯上將，或勸勔解職。勔曰：「吾執心行己，無愧幽明。若才輕任重，災眚必及，天道密微，避豈得免。」桂陽王休範為亂，奄至京邑，加勔使持節、領軍，置佐史，鎮扞石頭。既而賊眾屯朱雀航南，右軍王道隆率宿衛向朱雀，聞賊已至，急信召勔。勔至，命閉航，道隆不聽，催勔渡航進戰。率所領於航南戰敗，臨陳死之，時年五十七。事平，詔曰：「夫義實天經，忠惟人則，篆素流采，金石宣輝，自非識洞情靈，理感生極，豈有捐軀衛主，捨命匡朝者哉！故持節、鎮軍將軍、守尚書右僕射、中領軍鄱陽縣開國侯勔，思懷亮粹，體業淹明，弘勳樹績，譽洽華野。綢繆顧託，契闊屯夷，方倚謀猷，翌康帝道。逆蕃扇禍，逼擾京甸，援桴誓旅，奉律行師。身與事滅，名隨操遠。朕用傷悼，震慟於厥心。昔王允秉誠，卞壼峻節，均風往德，歸茂先軌。泉途就永，冤逝無追，思崇徽策，式光惇史。可贈散騎常侍、司空，本官、侯如故，諡曰忠昭公。」

At the beginning of Yuanhui the moon invaded the Right Enforcer of Laws and the Great White star invaded the General-in-Chief. Some urged Mian to resign his office. Mian said, "In what I hold in my heart and how I conduct myself, I have no shame before the hidden and the manifest. If my talent is light and my burden heavy, calamity must come. The way of heaven is subtle—how can avoidance succeed?" When Prince Guiyang Xiufan rebelled he suddenly reached the capital district. Mian was additionally made bearer of the credentials staff and general of the army, with staff officers appointed, garrisoning and defending Stone City. Soon after the rebel host encamped south of the Zhuque floating bridge. Right army Wang Daolong led the palace guard toward Zhuque. Hearing the rebels had arrived, he urgently sent word summoning Mian. When Mian arrived he ordered the bridge closed. Daolong would not listen and pressed Mian to cross the bridge and advance to battle. He led those under his command to battle south of the bridge and was defeated. He died on the field, aged fifty-seven. When affairs were settled an edict said, "Righteousness is truly heaven's warp, loyalty is man's measure. Brush and ink flow with color, metal and stone proclaim glory—unless one's insight penetrates the spirit and principle touches the root of life, how could there be those who cast aside their bodies to guard the ruler and give their lives to support the court! Therefore bearer of the credentials staff, general who pacifies the army, guardian minister and right vice director of the Secretariat, general of the central army, and founding marquis of Poyang Liu Mian had a mind bright and pure, conduct deep and clear, established great merit and planted achievement, his fame filling the wilds of China. He was bound close in entrusted care through hardship and peril, and was about to rely on his counsel to aid and settle the imperial way. The rebellious barbarian fanned calamity and pressed upon the capital precinct. He took up the oar and swore the host, upholding law as he led the army. His person perished with the affair; his name follows his conduct into the distance. We are wounded and shaken to the core of Our heart. In former times Wang Yun held fast to sincerity and Bian Huai had stern integrity. Both matched the virtue of the past and return glory to the former track. The spring road is now forever closed; the wronged departed cannot be pursued. We think to exalt his honored policy and make his steadfast record shine. He may be posthumously given attendant-in-ordinary and minister of works, his original offices and marquisate unchanged, with the posthumous title Duke Zhongzhao."

子悛嗣，順帝升明末，為廣州刺史。齊受禪，國除。勔弟斅，泰始中，為寧朔將軍、交州刺史，於道遇病卒。先有都鄉侯爵，諡曰質侯。

His son Juan succeeded him. At the end of the Shun Emperor's rise to the throne he was governor of Guang Province. When the Qi dynasty received the mandate, the fief was abolished. Mian's younger brother Jiao, in the Taishi era, was general who pacifies the north and governor of Jiao Province. On the road he fell ill and died. He had earlier held the rank of marquis of Duxiang. His posthumous title was Marquis Zhi.

史臣曰：吳漢平蜀，城內流血沾踝，而其後無聞於漢；陸抗定西陵，步氏禍及嬰孩，而機、雲為戮上國。劉勔克壽春，士民無遺芻委粒之歎；莫不扶老攜幼，歌唱而出重圍，美矣！

The historian says: When Wu Han pacified Shu, blood in the city soaked to the ankles, yet afterward nothing is heard of him in Han; when Lu Kang secured Xiling, the Bu clan's calamity reached infants in arms, yet Lu Ji and Lu Yun were executed in the upper state. When Liu Mian took Shouyang, soldiers and civilians had no lament over lost fodder and scattered grain; all without exception supported the old and led the young, singing as they came out of the heavy encirclement—how beautiful!

Cite this Chapter