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卷39 列傳第4 于義 陰壽 竇榮定 元景山 源雄 豆盧勣 賀若誼

Volume 39 Biographies 4: Yu Yi, Yin Shou, Dou Rongding, Yuan Jingshan, Yuan Xiong, Dou Luji, He Ruoyi

Chapter 39 of 隋書 · Book of Sui
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1
西 漿 使 使
Yu Yi, whose courtesy name was Cigong, came from Luoyang in Henan. His father Yu Jin had followed Yuwen Tai into the pass, served the Northern Zhou, rose to Grand Preceptor, and established the family in the Jingzhao region. From boyhood Yi was solemn and self-restrained, held to high standards, and pursued his studies with steadfast devotion. Near the end of the Datong reign he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingchang on his father's merit, with a fief of five hundred households. He entered service as General of the Direct Gate. He was later re-enfeoffed as Duke of Guangdu. When Emperor Min of Zhou took the throne, his fief was increased by six hundred households. He rose in turn to Governor of Anwu, where he devoted himself to moral instruction rather than harsh punishments. When two local men, Zhang Shan'an and Wang Shu'er, went to court over a property dispute, Yi said, "This stems from my own deficient virtue and my failure to govern well—it is not their fault. He then took from his own household goods, doubled what he gave each of them, reasoned with them, and sent them home. Ashamed, Shan'an and the others each transferred their household registration to another prefecture. From that point custom and moral instruction spread widely through the commandery. His way of winning people through virtue was always of this sort. He was promoted and enfeoffed as Duke of Jianping. Under Emperors Ming and Wu he served in turn as governor of Xijing, Guazhou, and Shaozhou. He took part in many campaigns and was promoted to the rank of Open Mansion. After Emperor Xuan came to the throne, government and punishments grew more chaotic by the day, and Yi submitted a memorial of remonstrance. At the time Zheng Yi and Liu Fang held power through imperial favor; seeing Yi as a threat, they blackened his name with the emperor first. The emperor read the memorial, his expression changed, and he told those attending him, "Yu Yi is slandering the court. Attending Rectifier Yan Zhiyi stepped forward and said, "The sage kings of antiquity set up a post for accusations and a drum for bold remonstrance, yet still feared they would never hear of their faults. Yu Yi's words must not be punished." The emperor then relented. When Yang Jian became chancellor, Wang Qian raised a rebellion; Yang Jian was about to attack him and asked Gao Jiong whom to appoint as commander. Jiong replied, "Yu Yi has long possessed strategic talent and can serve as supreme commander. Yang Jian at first agreed. Liu Fang stepped forward and said, "Liang Rui's standing and reputation have long been weighty; he cannot be placed beneath Yi. Yang Jian then dropped the idea. Rui was therefore made supreme commander and Yi marching commander-in-chief. Qian's general Daxi Ji gathered a host and held Kaiyuan; Yi led the left wing and routed him. He was soon appointed overall commander of Tongzhou, granted five hundred bondsmen and bondswomen and three thousand lengths of patterned silks, and promoted beyond the usual sequence to Senior Pillar of State. At that time Yi's elder brother Yi was Grand Commandant; his younger brother Zhi and his brother's son Zhongwen were each Senior Pillar of State; and more than ten in the family held the rank of great general or above—they were spoken of as the great imperial kin. After more than a year he was relieved of office on account of illness and returned to the capital. A few months later he died, at the age of fifty. He was posthumously appointed Governor of Yuzhou and given the posthumous name Gang (Steadfast). Funeral gifts amounted to a thousand lengths of goods and five hundred piculs of grain. His sons Xuandao and Xuanmin were both well known. His son Xuandao, whose courtesy name was Yuanming, was cautious and reserved by nature and would not associate with unworthy company. He served the Zhou and, upon leaving the brown robe of a student, was appointed Left Attendant Superior Gentleman. On his father's merit he was enfeoffed as Baron of Cheng'an, with a fief of two hundred households. He was later transferred to Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Carriage, superior gentleman. When Yang Jian was chancellor he was brought in as clerk of external military affairs and soon appointed Companion of the Heir. When Yang Jian took the throne, Xuandao was moved to Secretariat Attendant and advanced in rank to Viscount. Upon his father's death he entered mourning and for many days would take neither food nor drink. Empress Xian sent palace envoys to urge him earnestly; after more than a year she had him rise and resume his duties. When mourning ended he was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and concurrently Chief Clerk of the Left Guard, while retaining his attendant post. Six years later he was transferred to Deputy Leader of the Crown Prince's Left Guard and advanced to Senior Companion of the Heir. He died at the age of forty-two. His son Zhi'ning was known early for his reputation and was adopted as heir to his uncle Xuanmin. Xuandao's younger brother Xuanmin, whose courtesy name was Zhongda, was from youth reserved and thoughtful and possessed real talent. At the age of eleven he called on Zhao, Prince of Zhao under the Zhou, and the prince ordered him to compose a poem. Xuanmin composed a poem that showed a strong spirit of secluded integrity. The prince was deeply impressed, and every guest present sighed in admiration. He entered service as Right Attendant Superior Gentleman and was later transferred to Palace Guard of the Thousand Oxen. When Yang Jian took the throne he was appointed Commandant of the Imperial Carriage and sent on a mission to comfort Ba and Shu. When he returned he submitted a memorial that read:
2
使 西 便 使
I have heard that by establishing a bedrock clan, the house of Han was thereby made enduring; and by building the solid walls of a protecting state, the Zhou mandate was thereby made long-lived. In former times the First Emperor of Qin appointed governors and abolished the feudal lords; the Wei successor favored flatterers and estranged his own kin, so that the altars of state passed to another clan and the sacred vessel to a different surname. The lesson is clearer than watching a fire burn. Yet where mountains and rivers form natural barriers, none but kin should be stationed. Moreover the land of Shu is fertile and rich, its people numerous and prosperous; to the west it opens on Qiong and Bo, to the south it adjoins Jing and the lands of Wu. When Zhou virtue declined, this region became the leader of rebellion; when Han government lost its grip, this place became the first seat of calamity. Therefore the enlightened guard against trouble before it takes shape, and rulers restrain disorder before it breaks out—only then may one celebrate a grandeur lasting ten thousand generations and a reign beyond seven hundred years. I humbly consider that Your Majesty bears the marks of the sage ruler, has received the mandate the people willingly pressed upon you, stands equal to Heaven and second only to Earth, has come to the throne through abdication, and the myriad people rest their hearts upon you. The hundred spirits have taken their posts; it is only right to plant screen-walls for the realm and enfeoff your sons and grandsons, to continue the great designs of Zhou and Han and turn aside the overturned paths of Qin and Wei, to restrain the power of intimate favorites and exalt the root branches of the imperial clan. The Three Shu and Three Qi, called from antiquity heaven's own barriers, should now be divided among your royal kin—the time is exactly right. If enfeoffments are wisely placed and fiefs properly assigned, great villains will abandon their improper ambitions and treacherous ministers will be cut off from their wicked schemes. Your flourishing enterprise and great foundation will endure as long as Heaven and Earth; your illustrious fame and abundant achievement will shine with sun and moon. Though my learning falls far short of wide knowledge, my devotion to the state runs deep; I venture to offer this narrow view, trembling with the utmost anxiety.
3
滿退 退 涿 便 便 使宿 西
The emperor read the memorial and praised it, saying to Gao Jiong, "Generation after generation the Yu family produces men of talent. He at last adopted the counsel and sent Prince Xiu of Shu to garrison Shu. Xuanmin often took to heart the warning against reaching the brim, which former worthies prized; he constantly wished for quiet withdrawal and wrote "Rhapsody on Stating My Intent" to express his mind. Before long he died in office, at the age of twenty-nine. Yin Shou, whose courtesy name was Luoyun, came from Wuwei. His father Song had served as Governor of Xiazhou under the Zhou. From youth Shou was decisive and fierce, possessed real military talent, was cautious and generous by nature, and kept his word scrupulously. Under the Zhou he was repeatedly appointed Companion of the Heir on account of military merit. Following Emperor Wu in the pacification of Qi, he was promoted to Open Mansion and granted a thousand lengths of goods, a hundred bondsmen and bondswomen, and twenty female musicians. When Yang Jian became chancellor he brought Shou in as a staff officer. When Yuwen Yong rose in rebellion, Yang Jian appointed Wei Xiaokuan supreme commander to attack him and ordered Shou to oversee the army. At that time Xiaokuan was ill and could not personally direct military affairs; he lay in his tent and sent women to relay his orders. The army's discipline and command all depended on Shou. For his merit he was promoted to Senior Pillar of State. Soon afterward, as marching commander-in-chief, he garrisoned Youzhou; he was at once appointed overall commander of Youzhou and enfeoffed as Duke of Zhao. At that time there was Gao Baoning, a distant member of the Qi imperial house, crafty and cunning by nature and skilled in calculation; under Qi he had long garrisoned Huanglong. When Qi fell, Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him Governor of Yingzhou, and he won the hearts of both Chinese and non-Chinese subjects. When Yang Jian became chancellor, Baoning linked the Khitan and Mohe and raised troops in rebellion. With many troubles in the central plains, Yang Jian had no leisure to march against him; he sent letters of persuasion but could not move him. At the beginning of the Kaihuang reign he again drew the Turks to attack and besiege Beiping. At this point he ordered Shou to lead several tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry out through Lulong Pass to campaign against him. Baoning sought rescue from the Turks. At that time Prince Wei Shuang and other generals were campaigning north on several routes, and the Turks could not come to his aid. Baoning abandoned the city and fled north of the desert; all the counties of Huanglong were pacified. Shou withdrew his army and left Open Mansion holder Cheng Dao'ang to garrison the region. Baoning sent his son Sengqie at the head of light cavalry to raid below the walls and withdraw. Soon he led Khitan and Mohe forces to attack; Dao'ang fought bitterly for many days before they withdrew. Shou was troubled by this; he therefore set a heavy price on Baoning's head and also sent men secretly to sow discord among those Baoning trusted, including Zhao Shimo and Wang Wei. After more than a month Shimo led his followers in surrender; Baoning fled again to the Khitan and was killed by his subordinate Zhao Xiuluo, and the northern frontier was secure. He was granted a thousand lengths of goods. Before long he died in office and was posthumously appointed Minister of Works. His son Shishi succeeded him. His son Shishi, from youth, possessed integrity and spirit; he was loyal and generous by nature and skilled in many martial arts. At the age of twenty, as the son of a meritorious minister, he was appointed Companion of the Heir and rose in turn to General of Agile Cavalry. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, Shishi headed the Eastern Capital Tileworks Directorate. Three years later he was appointed Governor of Zhangye. Before this, Tuyuhun and the Dangxiang Qiang had repeatedly raided the frontier; when Shishi reached the commandery, he personally pursued any raiders who came, capturing and beheading them on the spot, and the non-Chinese peoples came to fear him deeply. He was recalled to serve as Valiant Guard General. In the Liaodong campaign he marched out by the Xiangping route. The following year the emperor again attacked Goguryeo and appointed him, in his existing office, garrison commander of Zhuo commandery. At that time bandits were rising everywhere; Shishi pursued and captured them and often succeeded. When the emperor returned, he richly rewarded Shishi and appointed him Governor of Loufan. At that time the emperor was at Fenyang Palace; hearing that Shibi Khan of the Turks was about to raid, Shishi urged the emperor to withdraw to Taiyuan. The emperor did not heed him, and the disaster at Yanmen followed. He was soon transferred to General of the Left Wing Guard and remained in the capital with the Prince of Dai. When the rebel army arrived, Shishi felt that his family had owed the Sui a debt across generations and that he was also an old associate of the princely household; he therefore marshaled troops to resist. After more than a month the city fell; he and Jingzhao Assistant Governor Gu Yi and others were put to death, at the age of fifty-three. Gu Yi came from Chang'an in Jingzhao. He was stern and unyielding by nature, with a will that could not be bent. At the beginning of the Kaihuang reign he served as Attending Censor, applied the law fairly, and would not be swayed by power or profit. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, he was transferred to Right Bureau Director of the Secretariat. At that time court government grew increasingly corrupt; bribery was practiced openly, and everyone who held a pivotal post, high or low alike, amassed gold and jewels at home. Scholar-officials throughout the realm changed their standards, but Yi held firm to his principles and stood alone in his integrity. The emperor praised his austerity and promoted him beyond the usual sequence to Assistant Governor of Jingzhao, where his public rectitude became still more evident. At that time Minister of Justice Wei Xuan also served as Jingzhao Inner Governor and often practiced devious methods, which Yi repeatedly corrected and held to account. Though Xuan was displeased, he could not harm Yi. When the rebel army arrived, Xuan feared disaster would reach him and claimed old age and illness, intervening in nothing. Yi and Shishi stood together in loyalty; father and son were both executed, and the line was cut off. Shishi had sons Hongzhi and others who, because they were young, were spared. Dou Rongding came from Pingling in Fufeng commandery. His father Shan had served as Grand Master of the Stud under the Zhou. His uncle Chi served as Grand Tutor at the beginning of the Kaihuang reign. Rongding was deep and weighty in bearing, with real capacity and vision; he was magnificent in appearance, with a fine beard, and skilled in archery and horsemanship. Under Emperor Wen of Wei he served as Palace Guard of the Thousand Oxen. Yuwen Tai saw him and was impressed; he appointed him General Who Pacifies the East and enfeoffed him as Viscount of Yijun, with a fief of three hundred households. Later he followed Yuwen Tai in battle with the Qi at Beimang; the Zhou army was faring badly when Rongding and the Duke of Runan, Yuwen Shenqing, led two thousand elite cavalry in an intercepting attack, and the Qi army withdrew. For his merit he was appointed Senior Companion of the Heir. Later he followed Emperor Wu Yuan in leading the Turk Muqan to invade Qi's Bingzhou and was granted three hundred lengths of goods. He inherited the title Duke of Yongfu, with a fief of a thousand households, was promoted to Open Mansion, and was appointed Governor of Zhongzhou. Following Emperor Wu in the pacification of Qi, he was given supernumerary Open Mansion and appointed Forward General and Central Grand Master of the Feathered Forest. His wife was Yang Jian's elder sister, the Princess of Ancheng. Yang Jian had been close to him from youth; Rongding also recognized in him the marks of a ruler and drew especially close to him. When Yang Jian became chancellor, Rongding headed the Left and Right Palace Chiefs, was sent to garrison Tiantai, commanded the two wings of armed guards within the Dew Gate, and regularly lodged in the palace. When Yuwen Yong had just been pacified, the court was much concerned about the eastern provinces and appointed Rongding overall commander of Luozhou to garrison them. Before and after he was granted four thousand bolts of thin silk and a troupe of Xiliang female musicians.
4
西 使
When Yang Jian took the throne, Rongding came to court at the capital. The emperor turned to the assembled ministers and said, "From youth I have detested the frivolous; of those whose nature is close to mine, there is only Dou Rongding. He was granted three hundred horses and eighty households of retainers and sent back. He was struck from the rolls on account of an offense, but because of the Princess of Ancheng, Yang Jian soon appointed him General of the Right Martial Guard. The emperor often visited his residence, and his favors and gifts were very generous. He regularly ordered the Imperial Kitchen Bureau to supply one sheep per day, with delicacies to match. For his merit in assisting the founding of the dynasty, he was appointed Senior Pillar of State and Governor of Ningzhou. Before long he again became General of the Right Martial Guard. He was soon appointed overall commander of Qinzhou and granted a troupe of Wu music. When the Turk Shabolue raided the frontier, he was made marching supreme commander, leading nine overall commanders and thirty thousand infantry and cavalry out from Liangzhou. He fought the enemy at Gaoyue Plain; the two armies faced each other in a place without water, and the soldiers grew desperately thirsty, going so far as to pierce their horses and drink the blood; one or two soldiers in ten died. Rongding looked up to Heaven and sighed deeply. Soon a timely rain fell, and the army recovered its strength. He then advanced in attack, repeatedly blunted their momentum, and the Turks, fearing him, sought peace and withdrew. He was granted ten thousand bolts of thin silk, advanced to Duke of Anfeng, and his fief increased by sixteen hundred households. His son Xian was enfeoffed as Duke of Ankang and granted five thousand bolts of thin silk. After more than a year he was appointed General of the Right Martial Guard and soon transferred to General of the Left Martial Guard. The emperor wished to appoint him one of the Three Dukes; Rongding submitted a memorial saying, "I have often observed the Western Han's Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, and the Eastern Han's Liang Ji and Deng Zhi—men who, through marriage ties to the throne, rose to the highest offices, accumulated favor until pride overflowed, and inevitably brought ruin upon themselves. Had those former worthies humbled themselves a little, kept far from power, and declined what was offered them, the mandate of Heaven could have been preserved—how could their clans have been destroyed! Whenever I read of those former exemplars, I am truly filled with fear. The emperor thereupon dropped the idea. The rewards granted him before and after cannot be fully counted. He died in the sixth year of Kaihuang, at the age of fifty-seven. The emperor suspended court for him, ordered Left Guard General Yuan Min to oversee the funeral, and granted three thousand bolts of thin silk as funeral gifts. The emperor told those attending him, "I have often wished to elevate Rongding to the Three Offices, but he firmly declined and would not accept. Now I wish to grant him posthumous honors, yet that would again violate his will. He was therefore posthumously appointed Governor of Jizhou and Duke of Chen, with the posthumous name Yi. His son Kang succeeded him.
5
Kang had a handsome bearing, was frank and direct by nature, and excelled in ingenious invention. After his father's death his favor grew still greater, and the money, silks, gold, and jewels granted him also reached into the tens of thousands. Kang rose to Governor of Dingzhou and was also made acting overall commander of Youzhou. When Emperor Yang took the throne, the Prince of Han, Liang, rose in rebellion; Kang was thought to have conspired with him and was struck from the rolls, and his younger brother Qing inherited the title of Duke of Chen.
6
姿
Qing also had a fine bearing, was mild and generous by nature, and was quite skilled in cursive and clerical script. He was first enfeoffed as Duke of Yongfu and rose to Governor of Hedong and Commandant of the Guards. At the end of the Daye reign he was sent out as Governor of Nan commandery and was killed by bandits.
7
Qing's younger brother Xuan was also skilled in cursive and clerical script and understood music theory quite well. He served in turn as Governor of Yingchuan, Nan, and Fufeng. Yuan Jingshan, whose courtesy name was Baoyue, came from Luoyang in Henan. His grandfather Xie was Prince of Anding under the Wei. His father Yan was Prince of Song'an. From youth Jingshan possessed capacity and vision, with strategic ability surpassing others. Under Emperor Min of Zhou he followed Grand Marshal Helan Xiang in an attack on Tuyuhun and, for his merit, was appointed Pacifying Army General. Thereafter he took part in many campaigns, rose in turn to Companion of the Heir, Third Rank, was enfeoffed as Duke of Wenchang, and was appointed Defender of Weichuan. Later he fought the Qi at Beimang, took the most enemy heads, was given Open Mansion, was transferred to Governor of Jianzhou, and was advanced to Duke of Song'an with a fief of three thousand households. Following Emperor Wu in the pacification of Qi, he distinguished himself in every battle; he was appointed Great General, re-enfeoffed as Duke of Pingyuan with a fief of two thousand households, and granted a troupe of female musicians, six thousand bolts of silk, two hundred fifty bondsmen and bondswomen, and several thousand cattle and sheep.
8
退
He served as overall commander of Bozhou. Before this, local men Wang Huiluo, Zhang Jizhen, and others had gathered fugitives and outlaws and repeatedly committed robbery. Successive governors had been unable to control them. When Jingshan took up his post he pursued and captured them; Huiluo and Jizhen fled in person to the south. He captured several hundred of their associates and beheaded them all. With laws clear and stern, bandits vanished from sight, and the region was said to be greatly well governed. Zhang Jingzun of Chen submitted Huainan to allegiance within the realm and was attacked by the Chen general Ren Mannu, who broke several of his stockades. Jingshan sent troops from Qiao and Ying to aid him, and Mannu withdrew his army. He was recalled to serve as Rectifier of the Guard. When Emperor Xuan came to the throne, he followed Senior Pillar of State Wei Xiaokuan in the campaign in Huainan. Yunzhou overall commander Yuwen Liang plotted rebellion and struck Xiaokuan with light troops. Xiaokuan was hard pressed and had not been able to form his battle line; Liang pressed him hard. Jingshan led three hundred armored cavalry out in attack, defeated him, beheaded Liang, and sent his head. For his merit he was appointed overall commander of Bozhou.
9
使 退
When Yang Jian was chancellor, Yuwen Yong raised troops in rebellion. Xingyang Governor Yuwen Zhou conspired with Yong and secretly sent a letter urging Jingshan to join them. Jingshan seized the envoy, sealed the letter, and took it to the chancellor's office. Yang Jian greatly praised him and promoted him to Senior Great General. When Sima Xiaonan submitted Yunzhou to Chen, Chen sent generals Fan Yi, Ma Jie, and others to aid him. Jingshan led five hundred light cavalry in rapid advance to meet them. Yi and the others were afraid, plundered the local people, and fled. Jingshan pursued them, traveling more than three hundred li in a day and a night, fought Yi at Zhangkou, and won both engagements. Yi and the others withdrew to hold Zengshan town. The cities and towns that Xiaonan had taken were all recovered. He was appointed overall commander of Anzhou, promoted to Pillar of State, and granted two thousand bolts of silk in all. At that time the tribes of Tongbai Mountain gathered in rebellion; Jingshan attacked again and pacified them.
10
When Yang Jian took the throne, Jingshan was appointed Senior Pillar of State. The following year a great campaign was launched against Chen; Jingshan was made marching supreme commander and led marching commanders-in-chief Han Yan and Lü Zhe out from Hankou. He sent supernumerary Open Mansion holder Deng Xiaoru at the head of four thousand crack troops to attack Chen's Zengshan town. Chen sent their general Lu Lun with a fleet to aid the town. Xiaoru met them in counterattack and defeated them. The Chen generals Lu Da and Chen Ji held Yunkou with troops; Jingshan again sent troops to attack and drive them off. The Chen were greatly alarmed; the garrison commanders of Zengshan and Dunyang both abandoned their towns and fled. Jingshan was about to cross the Yangzi when Emperor Xuan of Chen died and an edict ordered the army to withdraw. Jingshan's reputation for might grew greatly, and the enemy feared him deeply. Several years later he was dismissed on account of an offense and died at home. He was fifty-five years old. He was posthumously appointed overall commander of Liangzhou, granted a thousand bolts of thin silk, and given the posthumous name Xiang. His son Chengshou succeeded him.
11
便 西 西 西 姿 西 西
Chengshou was skilled in archery and horsemanship and entered service as Palace Guard of the Thousand Oxen. As the son of a Senior Pillar of State he was appointed Companion of the Heir. He later served as Chariots and Cavalry in the household guard of the Prince of Qin. When Emperor Yang came to the throne, he was summoned to serve as General of the Left Personal Guard. During Yang Xuangan's rebellion he followed Minister of Justice Wei Xuan in attacking the rebels; for his merit he was promoted to Rectifying Counselor and appointed Transit Governor of Xiping. Yuan Xiong, whose courtesy name was Shilüe, came from Ledu in Xiping. His grandfather Huai and father Zuan had both been Princes of Longxi under the Wei. From youth Xiong was generous and magnanimous, with a magnificent bearing. Under the Wei he entered service as Secretariat Gentleman and was soon additionally appointed General Who Subdues the Barbarians. When his father was executed by the Gao clan, Xiong escaped, changed his name, and fled west to Chang'an. Yuwen Tai saw him and valued him, enfeoffing him as Duke of Longxi. Later he followed Emperor Wu in the campaign against Qi; for his merit he was given Open Mansion, re-enfeoffed as Duke of Shuofang, and appointed Governor of Jizhou. At that time, because the Turks were raiding the frontier, Xiong was transferred to Governor of Pingzhou to garrison the region. Before long he was made acting overall commander of Xuzhou.
12
When Yang Jian was chancellor, Yuwen Yong rose in rebellion; at that time Xiong's family was in Xiangzhou, and Yong secretly sent a letter to entice him, but Xiong paid no heed. Yang Jian sent Xiong a letter saying, "Your wife and children are in Yecheng; though you are separated now, once the rebels are destroyed, reunion will not be difficult. From today onward it is only a separation of several tens of days; you will soon be reunited—do not let it weigh on your mind. Xuzhou is a great and flourishing region, the strategic belt of the southeast, close to the Wu enemy and especially in need of pacification. Relying on your strategic ability, I entrust you with frontier affairs; build merit and fame and fulfill the court's commission. Yong sent his general Bi Yixu to hold Lanling; Xi Pi took Changlu and Xiayi. Xiong sent Xuzhou Governor Liu Ren'en to attack Yixu and Companions of the Heir Liu Hong and Li Yan to campaign against Xi Pi; all were pacified.
13
西
Seeing many troubles in the central plains, Chen sent generals Chen Ji, Xiao Mohe, Ren Mannu, Zhou Luohou, Fan Yi, and others to invade the north bank of the Yangzi; from Jiangling in the west to Shouyang in the east, many people joined them and they captured cities and towns. Xiong, together with Wuzhou overall commander Yu Kai, Yangzhou overall commander He Ruo Bi, Huangzhou overall commander Yuan Jingshan, and others, attacked and drove them off, fully recovering the former territory. Eastern Tongzhou Governor Cao Xiaoda held the province in rebellion; Xiong sent troops to strike and behead him. He was promoted to Senior Great General and appointed overall commander of Xuzhou. Several years later he was transferred to Governor of Huaizhou and soon moved to overall commander of Shuozhou. Whenever Turks came to raid, Xiong would capture and behead them, and the northern peoples deeply feared him.
14
In the campaign against Chen, the emperor issued a patent of appointment that read, "Alas! Only you, Senior Great General and Duke of Shuofang Xiong, are perceptive and fair, with a spirit decisive and resolute. Formerly governing Xuzhou, you met rebel invaders; you raised your banners at Mayi and pacified the northern frontier. Your excellent plans cut off threats beyond the borders; you drew your sword and quieted the ambitions of the bow-bearing peoples. North of the desert all bore your authority and grace; throughout the Lüliang region none failed to cherish your kindness. But the Yangzi and Huai region, though small, harbors the wrongful rebellion of Chen; now I shall lead the army to clear the southeast—therefore I appoint you marching commander-in-chief. Go, and take reverent heed! Thereupon he followed Prince Jun of Qin out by the Xinzhou route. When Chen was pacified he was promoted to Senior Pillar of State for his merit. His son Chong was enfeoffed as Baron of Duanshi, Bao as Baron of Anhua, he was granted five thousand lengths of goods, and he again garrisoned Shuozhou. After two years he submitted a memorial requesting retirement, was recalled to the capital, and died at home, at the age of seventy.
15
His son Chong succeeded him and rose to Companion of the Heir. Under the Daye reign he entered service from Assistant Administrator of Shangdang as Director of the Parks Bureau of the Secretariat. When bandits rose throughout the realm he led troops against Beihai, fought the rebels bitterly, and died; he was posthumously appointed Rectifying Counselor. Dou Luji, whose courtesy name was Dingdong, came from Tuhe in Changli. His original surname was Murong; he was a descendant of Jing, King of Northern Yan. When Zhongshan fell they submitted to the Wei; northerners called submission to righteousness "Dou Lu," and thus they took it as their clan name. His grandfather Chang had served as Great General of Rouxuan Garrison under the Wei. His father Ning had been Pillar of State and Grand Guardian. When Luji was born, Yuwen Tai personally visited the Ning household to offer congratulations; it happened that Qi forces had just been defeated, and Yuwen Tai therefore gave him the courtesy name Dingdong (Settling the East). Luji was intelligent and perceptive, with real capacity and vision. In youth he studied at the Imperial Academy and gained some acquaintance with literary arts. In the twelfth year of Datong under the Wei, Yuwen Tai enfeoffed Luji as Marquis of Yi'an, as the son of a meritorious minister. When Emperor Min of Zhou took the throne, he was appointed Junior Grand Master of the Left and Open Mansion Companion of the Heir, Third Rank, re-enfeoffed as Duke of Danyang with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Under Emperor Ming he served as Central Grand Master of the Left Martial Chief. Luji considered that his classical studies were not yet complete and requested to leave office to study at the Dew Gate Academy. The emperor praised this and ordered him to study while retaining his existing office. Before long the Prince of Qi, Xian, took Luji's younger sister as consort, and imperial favor toward the family grew still greater.
16
漿 漿
When Emperor Wu came to the throne, he was appointed Governor of Qiongzhou. Before he took up the post, the Shao Dang Qiang of Weiyuan rose in rebellion on account of famine; because Luji had talent and strategic ability, he was transferred to Governor of Weizhou. His government was deeply benevolent; Chinese and non-Chinese alike were pleased and submitted; his virtue spread widely, and auspicious omens appeared in great number. Wushu Mountain was commonly called Gaowu Long; the Wei River issued from its foot; the mountain had sheer cliffs a thousand fathoms high, and from old times water had been scarce—the Qiang peoples suffered greatly from this. Where Luji's horse trod, a spring suddenly gushed forth. A white bird flew down and alighted before the hall, nursed its young, and then departed; a white wolf also appeared at Xiangwu. The people made a song for him that ran, "We have Danyang; the mountain yields jade broth. It aids our people, Chinese and non-Chinese alike; the divine bird comes flying. The people therefore called the spring Jade Broth Spring. Later, upon his father's death, he mourned with a grief beyond what the rites required. In the second year of Tianhe he was appointed Governor of Shaozhou and inherited the title Duke of Chu. He was again summoned as Director of the Celestial Offices Bureau and served in turn as overall commander of Xin and Xia provinces and as Governor of Xiangzhou. Upon his mother's death he returned to the capital. In the second year of Daxiang under Emperor Xuan he was appointed overall commander of Lizhou and promoted to Senior Great General. After more than a month he was appointed Pillar of State.
17
調 使
When Yang Jian was chancellor, Yizhou overall commander Wang Qian rose in rebellion. Luji shut the city gates and held firm; Qian sent his generals Daxi Nian, Gao Anagong, Yifu Qian, and others at the head of a hundred thousand men to attack him; they raised earthen hills, bored more than seventy holes in the wall, and dammed the river to flood the city. At that time Luji had no more than two thousand fighting men, and day and night they held the enemy at bay. After forty days the situation grew increasingly desperate. Luji then sent a surprise force against them, killed several thousand, and accepted the surrender of two thousand. Liang Rui's army was about to arrive, and the rebels therefore withdrew. Yang Jian sent Open Mansion holder Zhao Zhongqing to comfort him, with an edict that read, "Luji possesses superior capacity and insight, with a spirit heroic and far-reaching; governing the frontier region, he has already brought transforming influence to bear. When Ba and Shu raised arms and suddenly came to besiege him, he defended the city and went out to fight, crushing the rebel forces. His steadfast integrity and heroic conduct have yielded abundant merit; he is appointed Bearer of the Staff and Senior Pillar of State. One son is enfeoffed as Duke of Zhongshan. (Close of edict.)
18
使 簿 宿 紿 西
In the second year of Kaihuang the Turks raided the frontier; Luji was made marching supreme commander of the northern route to guard the border. After more than a year he was appointed overall commander of Xiazhou. Because his family had been noble and flourishing for generations and his achievements were clearly manifest, the emperor greatly valued him. Later the Prince of Han, Liang, took Luji's daughter as consort, and imperial favor toward the family grew still greater. In the seventh year an edict read, "Senior Pillar of State and Duke of Chu Luji, on the day when the people of Shu rose in rebellion, took up arms in defiance of the throne, held his defenses firm as metal and boiling water, and stood like a rival state. His excellent counsel and great integrity have already cost him much labor; he is granted a fief of a thousand households in Linjin County, Shizhou. In the tenth year he was recalled to the capital on account of illness; an edict ordered all the princes to visit Luji's residence, and palace envoys came in an unbroken stream to inquire after him. That year he died, at the age of fifty-five. The emperor mourned him for a long time, granted special funeral gifts, had the Court of Diplomatic Reception oversee the funeral, and gave him the posthumous name Xiang. His son Xian succeeded him and rose to Governor of Xianzhou, Vice Minister of Justice, and Valiant Guard General. Xian's younger brother was Yu. His son Yu, whose courtesy name was Daosheng, was from youth heroic and resolute and possessed real integrity. When the Prince of Han, Liang, went out to garrison Bingzhou, Yu served as chief clerk of the princely establishment as the consort's elder brother. He followed Zhao Zhongqing in the northern campaign against the Turks and, for his merit, was appointed Companion of the Heir, Third Rank. When Yang Jian died and Emperor Yang took the throne, Liang was summoned to court. Liang adopted the counsel of Adviser Wang Yi and raised troops in rebellion. Yu remonstrated bitterly but was not heeded; he therefore said to his younger brother Yi, "If I return to court alone, I can escape disaster. That is a plan for my own safety, not for the state. For now I shall feign compliance while I think of a later plan. Yu's elder brother, Governor of Xianzhou Xian, said to the emperor, "My younger brother Yu has long cherished integrity and will surely not join the rebellion, but pressed by Liang's power he cannot yet act. I request permission to join the army and act with Yu from within and without—Liang can easily be overthrown." The emperor agreed and granted his request. Xian secretly sent a household member bearing an imperial edict to Yu's quarters to plan with him. Liang left the city, intending to proceed to Jiezhou, and ordered Yu and the overall commander's subordinate Zhu Tao to remain and hold the city. Yu said to Tao, "The Prince of Han has plotted rebellion; defeat will come swiftly—how can I sit and await destruction and fail my family and state! I must join you in leading troops out to resist him. Tao was alarmed and said, "The prince entrusted you with a great matter—how can you speak such words!" He thereupon brushed off his robes and left. Yu pursued and beheaded him. At that time Liang's marshal Huangfu Dan had been imprisoned for remonstrating with him; Yu released Dan and planned with him, together with Open Mansion holder and Marquis of Panshi Su Qinwu, Open Mansion holder Yuwen Yongchang, Companions of the Heir Cheng Duan and Zhangsun Kai, Chariots and Cavalry and Marquis of Ancheng Yuan Shiya, Yuanwu Magistrate Huangfu Wenhao, and others, to shut the city and resist Liang. Before the disposition of forces was settled, someone informed Liang, and Liang launched a surprise attack. When Yu saw Liang arrive he deceived his troops, saying, "These are rebel troops. Liang attacked the south gate; Yu had Jiehu tribesmen guarding the battlements; they did not recognize Liang and shot at him—arrows fell like rain. Liang came again to the west gate; the garrison troops were all men of Bingzhou who knew Liang well and at once opened the gate to admit him. Yu was thereupon killed, at the age of twenty-eight. When Liang was pacified, Emperor Yang issued an edict saying, "To praise and display integrity is the common rule of a state; to add rank in honoring the dead is to uphold the excellent standard. Yu deeply understood the greater cause, set aside family ties, risked death, and was first to devise a bold stratagem. He left rebellion and returned to loyalty, died for righteousness, and deserves posthumous honors in accordance with the highest rites. He is posthumously appointed Great General, enfeoffed as Duke of Zhengyi, granted two thousand bolts of silk, and given the posthumous name Min. (Close of edict.)
19
宿 使 使
His son Yuanshi succeeded him and was soon appointed Companion of the Heir, Third Rank. At the beginning of the Daye reign the new ordinances were enacted and all five ranks of nobility were abolished. Before long the emperor again issued an edict saying, "The late Great General and Duke of Zhengyi Min, Yu, held firm to his integrity, gave his life for the state, and has become an enduring exemplar that shall not be forgotten. As the worthy must be honored and virtue long remembered, he is re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Yongqiu Min, and Yuanshi again inherits the title. At the end of the Daye reign he was appointed Left Guard of the Thousand Oxen. His elder brother Tong, whose courtesy name was Pingdong, was Luji's elder brother and was also known as Hui. He was magnanimous and possessed real capacity and vision. Under the Zhou, in youth on his father's merit he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Linzhen with a fief of a thousand households. He was soon appointed Great Commander and shortly transferred to Companion of the Heir, Third Rank. Grand Minister of Works Yuwen Hu brought him in to command trusted troops and re-enfeoffed him as Duke of Woye with a fief of four thousand seven hundred households. He was later given Open Mansion and served in turn as Central Grand Master of the Valiant Guard and Governor of Northern Xuzhou. When Yang Jian was chancellor, Yuwen Yong rose in rebellion and sent his appointed Governor of Juzhou, Wuwanni, at the head of a host to attack. Tong met them in counterattack and defeated them. He was granted eight hundred lengths of goods and promoted to Great General. At the beginning of the Kaihuang reign he was advanced to Duke of Nanchen. He was soon summoned to court and, in his existing office, headed the palace guard. After more than a year he was sent out as Governor of Dingzhou. He was later transferred to Governor of Xiangzhou. He married Yang Jian's younger sister, the Princess of Changle, and from that point imperial favor toward him gradually grew. He was transferred to overall commander of Xiazhou and overall commander of Hongzhou. In every post he held he was praised for generosity and kindness. In the seventeenth year he died in office, at the age of fifty-nine. He was given the posthumous name An. He had a son named Kuan. He Ruoyi, whose courtesy name was Daoji, came from Luoyang in Henan. His grandfather Fulian had served as Governor of Yunzhou under the Wei. His father Tong had served as General of the Right Guard. Yi was stern and resolute by nature and possessed real strategic ability. Under the Wei, as the son of a meritorious minister, he was enfeoffed as Baron of Rongcheng. He rose in turn to General of the Direct Gate, Great Commander, Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry, and Director of the Imperial Kitchen. When Yuwen Tai held Guanzhong he brought Yi into his inner circle. He was once sent to Xingcheng; at that time Ruru tribal groups were divided and encamped on the north bank of the Yellow River. Yi persuaded them with talk of fortune and disaster and induced them to submit; more than ten thousand came over. Yuwen Tai was deeply impressed and granted him a hundred taels of gold and silver. Qi sent its retainer Yang Chang to form ties with the Ruru; Yuwen Tai feared they would combine forces and become a frontier threat, and sent Yi on a mission to the Ruru. Yi tempted them with rich rewards; the Ruru trusted him, joined in alliance with the Zhou, and handed Chang over to Yi. Yuwen Tai praised this and appointed him General of Chariots and Cavalry, Companion of the Heir, Third Rank, and Chief Clerk of the Duke of Lueyang's establishment. When Emperor Min of Zhou took the throne, he was appointed Grand Master of Archery, re-enfeoffed as Viscount of Bacheng, transferred to Left Palace Chief, and soon given Open Mansion. He later served in turn as governor of Ling and Shao provinces and overall commander of Yuan and Xin provinces, earning a reputation for ability in each post. His elder brother Dun, overall commander of Jinzhou, was executed on account of slander. On this account he was dismissed from office.
20
西
When Emperor Wu personally took charge of government affairs he summoned Yi to serve as Governor of Xiongzhou. In the campaign to pacify Qi, Yi led troops out through Hangu Pass, seized Luoyang first, was at once appointed Governor of Luozhou, and advanced to Marquis of Jianwei. When the Qi Prince of Fanyang, Gao Shaoyi, fled to the Turks, Yi pursued him with troops, fought at Mayi, and captured Shaoyi. For his merit he was promoted to Great General. When Yang Jian was chancellor he was appointed overall commander of Bozhou and galloped by post relay to take up his command. To the west he blocked Sima Xiaonan; to the east he resisted Yuwen Yong. Shenzhou Governor Li Hui rebelled; Yi campaigned against him, was advanced to Duke of Fanyang, and appointed Senior Great General.
21
At the beginning of the Kaihuang reign he entered service as General of the Right Martial Guard. The Prince of Hejian, Hong, campaigned north against the Turks and appointed Yi deputy supreme commander. When the army returned he was transferred to General of the Left Martial Guard. He was dismissed on account of an offense. After more than a year he was appointed Governor of Huazhou, soon transferred to Governor of Fuzhou, re-enfeoffed as Duke of Hailing, and again transferred to Governor of Jingzhou. At that time the Turks repeatedly raided the frontier; because Yi had long possessed a reputation for might, the court appointed him Governor of Lingzhou and promoted him to Pillar of State. Yi was then advanced in years, yet his strength had not declined; he could still don heavy armor and mount a horse, and the northern peoples deeply feared him. After several years he submitted a memorial requesting retirement; a gracious edict granted his request. Yi's household was wealthy; in the suburbs he built a separate lodge and planted many fruit trees. He regularly invited guests, set out female musicians, and gathered for pleasure there. He died at home, at the age of seventy-seven. His son Ju inherited the title.
22
祿 使
His eldest son by a concubine, Xie, rose to General of Agile Cavalry. Xie's younger brother Xiang served as Commandant of the Imperial Carriage. Xiang's younger brother Yu served as General of Chariots and Cavalry. Yi's nephew Bi has a separate biography. The historian's appraisal: the historiographer writes: Yu Yi, Dou Rongding, and the others—some were marriage kin from Nanyang, some were old companions from Fengyi—when fortune favored the times, all displayed their talents in service. By their labor they helped settle the state, by their achievements they received rich rewards, preserved their stipends and offices, and passed them on to their descendants. Their sons were able to bear the burden; the lofty foundation did not fall—how flourishing indeed! Dou Lu Yu met a time of peril and stripping away, and gave his life for righteousness; Yin Shishi encountered a dynasty Heaven had cast aside and gave up his life without wavering. Had the dead possessed awareness, they would have had no cause for shame before ruler and kin.
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