1
梁士彥梁士彥，字相如，安定烏氏人也。 少任俠，不仕州郡。 性剛果，喜正人之是非。 好讀兵書，頗涉經史。 周世以軍功拜儀同三司。 武帝將有事東夏，聞其勇決，自扶風郡守除九曲鎮將，進位上開府，封建威縣公，齊人甚憚焉。 尋遷熊州刺史。 後從武帝拔晉州，進位柱國，除使持節、晉絳二州諸軍事、晉州刺史。 及帝還後，齊後主親總六軍而圍之。 獨守孤城，外無聲援，眾皆震懼，士彥慷慨自若。 賊盡銳攻之，樓堞皆盡，城雉所存，尋仞而已。 或短兵相接，或交馬出入。 士彥謂將士曰：「死在今日，吾為爾先！」 於是勇烈齊奮，呼聲動地，無不一當百。 齊師少卻。 乃令妻妾軍民子女，晝夜修城，三日而就。 帝率六軍亦至，齊師解圍，營於城東十餘裡。 士彥見帝，持帝須而泣曰：「臣幾不見陛下！」 帝亦為之流涕。 時帝以將士疲倦，意欲班師。 士彥叩馬諫曰：「今齊師遁，眾心皆動，因其懼也而攻之，其勢必舉。」 帝從之，大軍遂進。 帝執其手曰：「余之有晉州，為平齊之基。 若不固守，則事不諧矣。 朕無前慮，惟恐後變，善為我守之。」 及齊平，封郕國公，進位上柱國、雍州主簿。 宣帝即位，除東南道行台、使持節、徐州總管、三十二州諸軍事、徐州刺史。 與烏丸軌擒陳將吳明徹、裴忌于呂梁，別破黃陵，略定淮南地。
Liang Shiyan, whose style name was Xiangru, came from Wushi in Anding. As a young man he lived by the code of the knight-errant and refused office in the local administration. He was bold and decisive by nature and took pleasure in judging the rights and wrongs of other men. He was fond of military treatises and had read widely in the classics and histories as well. Under the Northern Zhou he was enfeoffed as Yitong Sanqi for his achievements in war. When Emperor Wu of Zhou was preparing his campaign against the eastern Qi state, he heard of Shiyan’s courage and resolution, transferred him from prefect of Fufeng to commander of Jiuqu Fortress, promoted him to Shang Kaifu, and created him Duke of Jianwei—so greatly did the Qi fear him. Before long he was moved to the governorship of Xiongzhou. He later followed Emperor Wu in the capture of Jinzhou, was raised to Pillar of State, and was made Bearer of the Staff of Authority, supreme commander of military affairs in Jin and Jiang, and governor of Jinzhou. After the emperor had withdrawn to the rear, the Qi sovereign personally led the six armies and laid siege to Jinzhou. Shiyan held the lone city with no relief from outside; his troops were terrified, yet he himself remained spirited and unshaken. The enemy threw their full strength against the walls until towers and parapets were gone and only a few feet of rampart remained. Sometimes they fought hand to hand at the walls; sometimes they charged in and out on horseback. Shiyan told his officers and men, "If we die today, I shall die before you!" At that every brave man charged as one; their battle cry shook the ground, and each fought as though he were worth a hundred. The Qi forces fell back a little. He then set wives, soldiers, townspeople, and even children to repair the walls day and night, and in three days the work was finished. The emperor arrived at the head of the six armies; the Qi lifted the siege and pitched camp more than ten li east of the city. When Shiyan met the emperor he seized his beard and wept, saying, "Your servant nearly never saw Your Majesty again!" The emperor wept in turn. The emperor, seeing his troops exhausted, meant to withdraw the army. Shiyan seized the bridle of the emperor’s horse and urged him, "The Qi army is in flight and their morale is shaken; strike while they are afraid and victory is certain." The emperor took his counsel and the main force pressed forward. The emperor took his hand and said, "My possession of Jinzhou is the foundation for conquering Qi. Had it not been held firm, the whole enterprise would have failed. I gave no thought beforehand and feared only what might come after—guard it well for me." When Qi fell he was created Duke of Xu, promoted to Supreme Pillar of State, and appointed chief clerk of Yongzhou. When Emperor Xuan came to the throne, Shiyan was made commissioner of the Southeast Circuit, Bearer of the Staff of Authority, supreme commander of Xuzhou and thirty-two prefectures, and governor of Xuzhou. With Wuyan Gui he captured the Chen generals Wu Mingche and Pei Ji at Luliang, took Huangling in a separate action, and brought most of the Huainan region under control.
2
高祖作相，轉亳州總管、二十四州諸軍事。 尉迥之反也，以為行軍總管，從韋孝寬擊之。 至河陽，與迥軍相對。 令家僮梁默等數人為前鋒，士彥以其徒繼之，所當皆破。 乘勝至草橋，迥眾複合，進戰，大破之。 及圍鄴城，攻北門而入，馳啟西門，納宇文忻之兵。
When Yang Jian became chancellor, Shiyan was transferred to supreme commander of Bozhou and military affairs in twenty-four prefectures. When Yuchi Jiong rose in rebellion, Shiyan was made campaign commander and marched with Wei Xiaokuan against him. At Heyang he confronted Jiong’s forces. He sent his household retainer Liang Mo and a few others as vanguard; Shiyan followed with his own men and broke every force they met. Pursuing the victory to Caoqiao, they met Jiong’s troops re-formed for battle and routed them completely. At the siege of Ye he stormed the north gate, then galloped to open the west gate and let in Yu Wenxin’s troops.
3
及迥平，除相州刺史。 高祖忌之，未幾，征還京師，閒居無事。 自恃元功，甚懷怨望，遂與宇文忻、劉昉等謀作亂。 將率僮僕，於享廟之際，因車駕出，圖以發機。 複欲于蒲州起事，略取河北，捉黎陽關，塞河陽路，劫調布以為牟甲，募盜賊以為戰士。 其甥裴通豫知其謀而奏之。 高祖未發其事，授晉州刺史，欲觀其意。 士彥欣然謂昉等曰：「天也！」 又請儀同薛摩兒為長史，高祖從之。 後與公卿朝謁，高祖令左右執士彥、忻、昉等於行間，詰之曰：「爾等欲反，何敢發此意？」 初猶不伏，捕薛摩兒適至，於是庭對之。 摩兒具論始末，雲：「第二子剛垂泣苦諫，第三子叔諧曰：作猛獸要須成斑。」 士彥失色，顧謂摩兒曰：「汝殺我！」 於是伏誅，時年七十二。
After Jiong’s defeat he was made governor of Xiangzhou. The emperor distrusted him; before long he was recalled to the capital and lived idle at home. Counting on his founding merit, he nursed deep grievances and joined Yu Wenxin, Liu Fang, and others in plotting rebellion. He meant to lead his household retainers at the imperial ancestral rites, when the emperor went out in his carriage, and strike at that moment. He also planned to rise at Puzhou, seize Hebei, hold Liyang Pass, block the Heyang route, seize tax grain and cloth for armor, and enlist bandits as soldiers. His nephew Pei Tongyu learned of the plot and reported it to the throne. The emperor did not yet move against him but appointed him governor of Jinzhou to see what he would do. Shiyan said delightedly to Liu Fang and the rest, "Heaven itself!" He also asked for the Yitong Xue Mo’er as his chief administrator, and the emperor agreed. Later, at a court audience with the nobles, the emperor had attendants seize Shiyan, Yu Wenxin, Liu Fang, and the others in the ranks and demand, "You plotted rebellion—how dare you conceive such a thing?" At first they still denied it; then Xue Mo’er was brought in under arrest and confronted them in open court. Mo’er recounted the whole affair, saying, "The second son Gang wept and pleaded against it; the third son Shuxie said, To raise a fierce beast you must finish its stripes." Shiyan turned pale and cried to Mo’er, "You have killed me!" He then confessed and was put to death at the age of seventy-two.
4
有子五人。 操字孟德，出繼伯父，官至上開府、義鄉縣公、長寧王府驃騎，早卒。 子剛剛字永固，弱冠授儀同，以平尉迥勳，加開府。 擊突厥有功，進位上大將軍、通政縣公、涇州刺史。 士彥之誅也，以諫獲免，徙瓜州。 叔諧官至上儀同、廣平縣公、車騎將軍。 志遠為安定伯，務為建威伯，皆坐士彥誅。 梁默梁默者，士彥之蒼頭，驍武絕人。 士彥每從征伐，常與默陷陣。 仕周，致位開府。 開皇末，以行軍總管從楊素北征突厥，進位大將軍。 漢王諒之反也，複以行軍總管從楊素討平之，加授柱國。 大業五年，從煬帝征吐谷渾，遇賊力戰而死，贈光祿大夫。 宇文忻宇文忻，字仲樂，本朔方人，徙京兆。 祖莫豆于，魏安平公。 父貴，周大司馬、許國公。 忻幼而敏慧，為兒童時，與群輩遊戲，輒為部伍，進止行列，無不用命，有識者見而異之。 年十二，能左右馳射，驍捷若飛。 恆謂所親曰：「自古名將，唯以韓、白、衛、霍為美談，吾察其行事，未足多尚。 若使與僕並時，不令豎子獨擅高名也。」 其少小慷慨如此。 年十八，從周齊王憲討突厥有功，拜儀同三司，賜爵興固縣公。 韋孝寬之鎮玉壁也，以忻驍勇，請與同行。 屢有戰功，加位開府、驃騎將軍，進爵化政郡公，邑二千戶。
He had five sons. Cao, styled Mengde, was adopted by his uncle’s line, rose to Shang Kaifu, Duke of Yixiang, and biaoji to the Prince of Changning, and died young. His son Gang, styled Yonggu, received the rank of Yitong at his capping; for service against Yuchi Jiong he was made Kaifu. For victories over the Turks he was promoted to Supreme Great General, Duke of Tongzheng, and governor of Jingzhou. When Shiyan was executed, Gang was spared for having remonstrated and was banished to Guazhou. Shuxie rose to Supreme Yitong, Duke of Guangping, and General of the Chariots and Cavalry. Zhiyuan was Baron of Anding and Wu Baron of Jianwei; both were executed because of Shiyan’s crime. Liang Mo was Shiyan’s household slave, a warrior without equal. Whenever Shiyan campaigned, Mo charged the enemy lines at his side. Under the Zhou he rose to Kaifu. At the end of the Kaihuang reign he served as campaign commander under Yang Su against the Turks in the north and was promoted to Great General. When Prince Liang of Han rebelled, he again followed Yang Su as campaign commander to crush the revolt and was further made Pillar of State. In Daye year 5 he followed Emperor Yang against Tuyuhun, fought the enemy to the death, and was posthumously made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness. Yu Wenxin, styled Zhongle, was originally from Shuofang but his family had moved to Jingzhao. His grandfather Modouyu had been Duke of Anping under the Wei. His father Gui was Zhou’s grand marshal and Duke of Xu. Xin was clever from childhood; even in play with other boys he would drill them into ranks, and none failed to obey his commands—men of discernment marked him as extraordinary. At twelve he could shoot from horseback to either side, swift as though he flew. He often told his intimates, "Men speak only of Han Xin, Bai Qi, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing among the great generals of old; when I weigh their deeds, they are not so very admirable. Had they lived in my day, I would not have let those youngsters keep all the glory to themselves." Such was the bold spirit of his boyhood. At eighteen he followed Prince Xian of Qi against the Turks with distinction, was made Yitong Sanqi, and created Duke of Xinggu. When Wei Xiaokuan held Yubi, he asked to have the valiant Xin with him. He won repeated victories, was made Kaifu and General of Agile Cavalry, advanced to Duke of Huazheng with a fief of two thousand households.
5
從武帝伐齊，攻拔晉州。 齊後主親馭六軍，兵勢甚盛，帝憚之，欲旋師。 忻諫曰：「以陛下之聖武，乘敵人之荒縱，何往不克！ 若使齊人更得令主，君臣協力，雖湯、武之勢，未易平也。 今主暗臣愚，兵無鬥志，雖有百萬之眾，實為陛下奉耳。」 帝從之，戰遂大克。 及帝攻陷并州，先勝後敗，帝為賊所窘，左右皆殲，帝挺身而遁，諸將多勸帝還。 忻勃然而進曰：「自陛下克晉州，破高緯，乘勝逐北，以至於此。 致令偽主奔波，關東響振，自古行兵用師，未有若斯之盛也。 昨日破城，將士輕敵，微有不利，何足為懷。 丈夫當死中求生，敗中取勝。 今者破竹，其勢已成，奈何棄之而去？」 帝納其言，明日複戰，遂拔晉陽。 及齊平，進位大將軍，賜物千段。 尋與烏丸軌破陳將吳明徹于呂梁，進位柱國，賜奴婢二百口，除豫州總管。
He followed Emperor Wu against Qi and took Jinzhou. The Qi sovereign personally led the six armies in overwhelming force; the emperor was afraid and meant to withdraw. Xin urged him, "With Your Majesty’s sacred prowess, striking an enemy dissolute and reckless—where could you fail to prevail! If Qi should again find a worthy ruler and court and sovereign worked as one, not even the might of Tang and Wu could easily subdue them. But now the ruler is dull and his ministers foolish; the army has no heart for battle. Though they number a million, they are in truth a gift to Your Majesty." The emperor took his counsel and won a great victory. When the emperor stormed Bingzhou he won at first and then lost; the enemy cornered him, his escort was wiped out, and he broke through alone while many generals urged retreat. Xin stepped forward angrily and said, "Since Your Majesty took Jinzhou, broke Gao Wei, and drove the victory north to this very place— you have put the false sovereign to flight and made the east of the passes tremble—never in history has an army marched in such glory. Yesterday’s assault failed because the troops grew careless; a small setback is nothing to brood over. A true man finds life in the jaws of death and wrests victory from defeat. The bamboo is already split—the momentum is yours—how can you throw it away and turn back?" The emperor took his advice; the next day they fought again and took Jinyang. When Qi fell he was promoted to Great General and given a thousand lengths of goods. Soon after, with Wuyan Gui, he defeated the Chen general Wu Mingche at Luliang, was made Pillar of State, given two hundred slaves, and appointed supreme commander of Yuzhou.
6
高祖龍潛時，與忻情好甚協，及為丞相，恩顧彌隆。 尉迥作亂，以忻為行軍總管，從韋孝寬擊之。 時兵屯河陽，諸軍莫敢先進。 帝令高熲馳驛監軍，與熲密謀進取者，唯忻而已。 迥遣子惇，盛兵武陟，忻先鋒擊走之。 進臨相州，迥遣精甲三千伏於野馬岡，欲邀官軍。 忻以五百騎襲之，斬獲略盡。 進至草橋，迥又拒守，忻率奇兵擊破之，直趨鄴下。 迥背城結陣，與官軍大戰，官軍不利。 時鄴城士女觀戰者數萬人，忻與高熲、李詢等謀曰：「事急矣，當以權道破之。」 於是擊所觀者，大囂而走，轉相騰藉，聲如雷霆。 忻乃傳呼曰：「賊敗矣！」 眾軍複振，齊力急擊之，迥軍大敗。 及平鄴城，以功加上柱國，賜奴婢二百口，牛馬羊萬計。 高祖顧謂忻曰：「尉迥傾山東之眾，運百萬之師，公舉無遺策，戰無全陣，誠天下之英傑也。」 進封英國公，增邑三千戶。 自是以後，每參帷幄，出入臥內，禪代之際，忻有力焉。 後拜右領軍大將軍，恩顧彌重。
When Yang Jian was still rising, he and Xin were close friends; once Yang Jian became chancellor, his favor toward Xin only deepened. When Yuchi Jiong rebelled, Xin was made campaign commander and marched with Wei Xiaokuan against him. The army lay at Heyang and no unit dared advance. The emperor sent Gao Jiong by relay horse to supervise the army; of those who secretly planned the advance with Jiong, only Xin took part. Jiong sent his son Dun with a large force at Wuzhi; Xin as vanguard routed them. As he advanced on Xiangzhou, Jiong hid three thousand picked troops at Yema Hill to ambush the imperial army. Xin fell on them with five hundred horsemen and killed or captured nearly every man. At Caoqiao Jiong held the line again; Xin led picked troops, broke them, and drove straight for Ye. Jiong drew up his lines with his back to the city and fought a great battle; the imperial army fared badly. Tens of thousands of men and women of Ye were watching the battle; Xin said to Gao Jiong, Li Xun, and the rest, "This is desperate—we must break them by stratagem." They then struck at the spectators, who fled with a great uproar, trampling one another until the noise was like thunder. Xin then shouted through the ranks, "The rebels are beaten!" The army took heart again, struck together with all their force, and Jiong’s troops were utterly routed. When Ye fell he was made Supreme Pillar of State for his merit, given two hundred slaves, and cattle, horses, and sheep beyond count. The emperor turned to Xin and said, "Yuchi Jiong threw all Shandong into the field with an army of a million; you left no stratagem unused and no enemy line unbroken—truly you are the hero of the age." He was advanced to Duke of Ying and his fief increased by three thousand households. From then on he took part in every council of war and moved freely in and out of the inner apartments; when the throne changed hands, Xin had been a driving force. He was later made General-in-Chief of the Right Guards Army, and the emperor’s favor toward him only deepened.
7
忻妙解兵法，馭戎齊整，當時六軍有一善事，雖非忻所建，在下輒相謂曰：「此必英公法也。」 其見推服如此。 後改封國公。 上嘗欲令忻率兵擊突厥，高熲言於上曰：「忻有異志，不可委以大兵。」 乃止。 忻既佐命功臣，頻經將領，有威名於當世。 上由是微忌焉，以譴去官。 忻與梁士彥昵狎，數相往來，士彥時亦怨望，陰圖不軌。 忻謂士彥曰：「帝王豈有常乎？ 相扶即是。 公于蒲州起事，我必從征。 兩陣相當，然後連結，天下可圖也。」 謀泄伏誅，年六十四，家口籍沒。
Xin had a master’s grasp of military doctrine and kept his troops in perfect order; whenever the six armies adopted some good practice, even if Xin had not devised it, the men below would say to one another, "That must be the Duke of Ying’s way." Such was the esteem in which he was held. Later his title was changed to Duke of the State. The emperor once meant to send Xin against the Turks, but Gao Jiong told him, "Xin has other ambitions and must not be given a great command." The plan was dropped. As a founding merit-holder who had repeatedly held high command, Xin enjoyed a formidable reputation in his day. The emperor therefore grew wary of him and dismissed him from office. Xin was on intimate terms with Liang Shiyan and they met often; Shiyan too nursed grievances and secretly plotted rebellion. Xin said to Shiyan, "Are emperors eternal? Men need only support one another. When you rise at Puzhou, I shall march with you. When our two armies stand face to face, we shall join forces and the realm may be ours." The plot was exposed; he confessed and was executed at sixty-four, and his entire household was confiscated.
8
忻兄善，弘厚有武藝。 仕周，官至上柱國、許國公。 高祖受禪，遇之甚厚，拜其子穎為上儀同。 及忻誅，並廢於家。 善未幾卒。 穎至大業中為司農少卿。 及李密逼東都，叛歸於密。 忻弟愷，別有傳。 王誼王誼，字宜君，河南洛陽人也。 父顯，周鳳州刺史。 誼少慷慨，有大志，便弓馬，博覽群言。 周閔帝時，為左中侍上士。 時大塚宰宇文護執政，勢傾王室，帝拱默無所關預。 有朝士於帝側微為不恭，誼勃然而進，將擊之。 其人惶懼請罪，乃止。 自是朝士無敢不肅。 歲餘，遷禦正大夫。 丁父艱，毀瘁過禮，廬於墓側，負土成墳。 歲餘，起拜雍州別駕，固讓，不許。 武帝即位，授儀同，累遷內史大夫，封楊國公。 從帝伐齊，至并州，帝既入城，反為齊人所敗，左右多死。 誼率麾下驍雄赴之，帝賴以全濟。 時帝以六軍挫衄，將班師。 誼固諫，帝從之。 及齊平，授相州刺史。 未幾，複征為大內史。 汾州稽胡為亂，誼率兵擊之。 帝弟越王盛、譙王儉雖為總管，並受誼節度。 其見重如此。 及平賊而還，賜物五千段，封一子開國公。 帝臨崩，謂皇太子曰：「王誼社稷臣，宜處以機密，不須遠任也。」
Xin’s elder brother Shan was generous and skilled in arms. Under the Zhou he rose to Supreme Pillar of State and Duke of Xu. When Yang Jian took the throne he treated Shan with great favor and made his son Ying Supreme Yitong. When Xin was executed, they were all stripped of rank and confined at home. Shan died soon after. Ying rose to Vice Minister of the Imperial Granaries under Emperor Yang. When Li Mi threatened the Eastern Capital, he defected to Mi’s side. Xin’s younger brother Kai is treated in a separate biography. Wang Yi, styled Yijun, came from Luoyang in Henan. His father Xian had been governor of Fengzhou under the Zhou. As a youth Yi was bold and high-minded, skilled in bow and horse, and widely read. Under Emperor Min of Zhou he served as Senior Attendant of the Left Central Service. At that time Grand Preceptor Yu Wenhu held real power and overshadowed the throne; the young emperor sat silent and had no voice in affairs. When a courtier showed slight disrespect beside the emperor, Yi stepped forward in a rage to strike him. The man begged forgiveness in terror, and Yi desisted. After that no courtier dared show disrespect in the emperor’s presence. A year later he was promoted to Grand Master of the Imperial Clan. When his father died his mourning exceeded the rites; he lived in a hut beside the tomb and carried earth to build the mound himself. After a year he was recalled and made Vice Governor of Yongzhou; he declined firmly but was not allowed to refuse. When Emperor Wu came to the throne, Yi was made Yitong, rose through the ranks to Grand Master of the Palace Secretariat, and was created Duke of Yang. He followed the emperor against Qi; at Bingzhou, after the emperor had entered the city, the Qi turned the tables and many of his escort were killed. Yi led his bravest men to the rescue, and the emperor owed his survival to him. The emperor, seeing the six armies beaten back, meant to withdraw. Yi urged him firmly to press on, and the emperor took his counsel. When Qi fell he was made governor of Xiangzhou. Before long he was recalled to serve as Grand Internal Historian. When the Jiahu of Fenzhou rose in rebellion, Yi led troops against them. The emperor’s brothers, Princes Sheng of Yue and Jian of Qiao, though supreme commanders themselves, were placed under Yi’s command. Such was the esteem in which he was held. When the rebels were crushed and he returned, he received five thousand lengths of goods and one son was created a founding duke. On his deathbed the emperor told the crown prince, "Wang Yi is a pillar of the state; keep him close in confidential posts and do not send him far away."
9
皇太子即位，是為宣帝。 憚誼剛正，出為襄州總管。 及高祖為丞相，轉為鄭州總管。 司馬消難舉兵反，高祖以誼為行軍元帥，率四總管討之。 軍次近郊，消難懼而奔陳。 于時北至商洛，南拒江淮，東西二千余裡，巴蠻多叛，共推渠帥蘭雒州為主。 雒州自號河南王，以附消難，北連尉迥。 誼率行軍總管李威、馮暉、李遠等分討之，旬月皆平。 高祖以誼前代舊臣，甚加禮敬，遣使勞問，冠蓋不絕。 以第五女妻其子奉孝，尋拜大司徒。 誼自以與高祖有舊，亦歸心焉。
The crown prince succeeded him as Emperor Xuan. Fearing Yi’s blunt integrity, the new emperor sent him out as supreme commander of Xiangzhou. When Yang Jian became chancellor, Yi was transferred to supreme commander of Zhengzhou. When Sima Xiaonan rebelled, Yang Jian made Yi campaign marshal at the head of four supreme commanders to crush him. When the army reached the suburbs, Xiaonan fled in fear to Chen. At that time, from Shangluo in the north to the Huai and Yangtze in the south—a span of more than two thousand li—many Ba tribes rebelled and made the chieftain Lan Luozhou their leader. Luozhou styled himself King of Henan, joined Xiaonan, and in the north linked arms with Yuchi Jiong. Yi sent campaign commanders Li Wei, Feng Hui, Li Yuan, and others against them in separate columns, and within a month all were pacified. Because Yi was a veteran of the previous dynasty, Yang Jian treated him with exceptional courtesy; envoys bearing condolences and inquiries never ceased. He gave his fifth daughter to Yi’s son Fengxiao in marriage and soon after appointed Yi Grand Minister of Education. Yi, counting on his long friendship with Yang Jian, gave him his loyalty in return.
10
及上受禪，顧遇彌厚，上親幸其第，與之極歡。 太常卿蘇威立議，以為戶口滋多，民田不贍，欲減功臣之地以給民。 誼奏曰：「百官者，曆世勳賢，方蒙爵土，一旦削之，未見其可。 如臣所慮，正恐朝臣功德不建，何患人田有不足？」 上然之，竟寢威議。 開皇初，上將幸岐州。 誼諫曰：「陛下初臨萬國，人情未洽，何用此行？」 上戲之曰：「吾昔與公位望齊等，一朝屈節為臣，或當恥愧。 是行也，震揚威武，欲以服公心耳。」 誼笑而退。 尋奉使突厥，上嘉其稱旨，進封郢國公。
When Yang Jian took the throne his favor toward Yi only deepened; the emperor visited his home in person and they feasted together in the greatest intimacy. Director of the Imperial Sacrifices Su Wei proposed that as the population grew, farmland was insufficient and the lands of merit-holders should be reduced to provide for commoners. Yi memorialized, "The officials are meritorious servants of successive reigns who have only just received fiefs; to strip them away at once—I see no good in that. As I see it, the real worry is that court ministers will lack incentive to build merit—why fret that the people lack land?" The emperor agreed and in the end set Wei’s proposal aside. Early in the Kaihuang reign the emperor planned a visit to Qizhou. Yi urged him, "Your Majesty has only just taken the throne; the people are not yet settled—why make this journey?" The emperor jested, "Once you and I stood as equals; now I have bent my station to become your sovereign—perhaps that shames you. This journey is to display my martial majesty and win back your heart." Yi smiled and withdrew. Soon after he was sent on embassy to the Turks; the emperor praised his success and advanced him to Duke of Ying.
11
未幾，其子奉孝卒。 逾年，誼上表，言公主少，請除服。 御史大夫楊素劾誼曰：「臣聞喪服有五，親疏異節，喪制有四，降殺殊文。 王者之所常行，故曰不易之道也。 是以賢者不得逾，不肖者不得不及。 而儀同王奉孝既尚蘭陵公主，奉孝以去年五月身喪，始經一周，而誼便請除釋。 竊以雖曰王姬，終成下嫁之禮，公則主之，猶在移天之義。 況複三年之喪，自上達下，及期釋服，在禮未詳。 然夫婦則人倫攸始，喪紀則人道至大，苟不重之，取笑君子。 故鑽燧改火，責以居喪之速； 朝祥暮歌，譏以忘哀之早。 然誼雖不自強，爵位已重，欲為無禮，其可得乎？ 乃薄俗傷教，為父則不慈； 輕禮易喪，致婦於無義。 若縱而不正，恐傷風俗，請付法推科。」 有詔勿治，然恩禮稍薄。 誼頗怨望。 或告誼謀反，上令案其事。 主者奏誼有不遜之言，實無反狀。 上賜酒而釋之。 于時上柱國元諧亦頗失意，誼數與相往來，言論醜惡。 胡僧告之，公卿奏誼大逆不道，罪當死。 上見誼，愴然曰：「朕與公舊為同學，甚相憐湣，將奈國法何？」 於是下詔曰：「誼，有周之世，早豫人倫，朕共遊庠序，遂相親好。 然性懷險薄，巫覡盈門，鬼言怪語，稱神道聖。 朕受命之初，深存誡約，口雲改悔，心實不悛。 乃說四天正神道，誼應受命，書有誼讖，天有誼星，桃、鹿二川，岐州之下，歲在辰巳，興帝王之業。 密令卜問，伺殿省之災。 又說其身是明王，信用左道，所在詿誤，自言相表，當王不疑。 此而赦之，將或為亂，禁暴除惡，宜伏國刑。」 上複令大理正趙綽謂誼曰：「時命如此，將若之何！」 於是賜死于家，時年四十六。 元諧元諧，河南洛陽人也，家代貴盛。 諧性豪俠，有氣調。 少與高祖同受業于國子，甚相友愛。 後以軍功，累遷大將軍。 及高祖為丞相，引致左右。 諧白高祖曰：「公無黨援，譬如水間一堵牆，大危矣。 公其勉之。」 尉迥作亂，遣兵寇小鄉，令諧擊破之。 及高祖受禪，上顧諧笑曰：「水間牆竟何如也？」 於是賜宴極歡。 進位上大將軍，封樂安郡公，邑千戶。 奉詔參修律令。
Before long his son Fengxiao died. A year later Yi submitted a memorial saying the princess was young and asking that mourning be ended. Censor-in-Chief Yang Su impeached Yi, saying, "I have heard that mourning garments fall into five grades with differing observances for near and distant kin, and mourning regulations into four types with differing rules of reduction. These are what rulers constantly observe and are therefore called the unchanging Way. Thus the worthy may not exceed them and the unworthy may not fall short of them. Yet the Yitong Wang Fengxiao had married the Princess of Lanling; Fengxiao died last May, and only one year has passed when Yi asks to end mourning. Though she is called a king’s daughter, in the end she married down; as her father-in-law, the duke still stands in the relation of one who has received her from heaven. Moreover, the three-year mourning runs from sovereign to subject; to end mourning when the period expires is nowhere clearly set forth in the rites. Yet husband and wife are where human relations begin, and mourning is the greatest of human duties—if these are not honored, gentlemen will laugh. Zuan Sui was rebuked for changing the fire too soon in his mourning; and the man who sang at dusk after morning rites was mocked for forgetting grief too soon. Yi may not force the issue, but his rank is already exalted; if he wishes to cast off ritual, how can that be allowed? This is shallow custom that injures teaching—as a father he shows no compassion; he treats ritual lightly and hurries mourning, leaving his daughter-in-law without righteousness. If this is indulged and not corrected, custom and mores will suffer; I ask that he be handed over to the law for prosecution." An edict ordered that he not be prosecuted, but the emperor’s favor toward him cooled. Yi nursed considerable resentment. Someone reported that Yi was plotting rebellion, and the emperor ordered an investigation. The investigators reported disrespectful words but no actual sign of rebellion. The emperor gave him wine and released him. At that time Supreme Pillar of State Yuan Xie was also deeply discontented; Yi met with him often and their talk was ugly and seditious. A foreign monk informed on them; the nobles memorialized that Yi had committed treason and deserved death. When the emperor saw Yi he said mournfully, "You and I were schoolmates once; I pity you deeply—what can I do against the law of the land?" He then issued an edict: "Yi, in the Zhou era, early took his place among men; I studied with him and we became close friends. Yet his nature was treacherous and shallow; shamans filled his gates with ghostly words and strange speech, calling him a sage of the divine Way. When I first received the Mandate I warned him deeply; his mouth promised repentance but his heart never changed. He preached the divine Way of the Four Heavenly Correctors, saying Yi was destined to receive the Mandate; books held prophecies of Yi, heaven held the star of Yi; below Qizhou, where the Tao and Lu rivers meet, in the years of chen and si, he would raise an imperial enterprise. He secretly ordered divinations, watching for disaster in the palace offices. He also claimed to be a Bright King, trusted heterodox cults, misled people wherever he went, and insisted that his physiognomy showed he was destined to rule without question. If he is pardoned he may yet stir rebellion; to restrain violence and root out evil, he should suffer the penalty of the state." The emperor then had Director of the Court of Review Zhao Chuo tell Yi, "Fate has brought us to this—what can be done!" He was then granted death at home at the age of forty-six. Yuan Xie came from Luoyang in Henan; his family had been noble and prosperous for generations. Xie was bold and chivalrous by nature, with spirit and presence. As youths he and Yang Jian studied together at the Imperial Academy and were close friends. Later, through military merit, he rose to Great General. When Yang Jian became chancellor, he brought Xie into his inner circle. Xie told Yang Jian, "You have no factional backing—you are like a lone wall in midstream, in grave danger. You must press on with all your strength." When Yuchi Jiong rebelled and sent troops against Xiaoxiang, Yang Jian ordered Xie to defeat them. When Yang Jian took the throne he turned to Xie and smiled, "How did that wall in midstream fare?" He then gave a feast of the greatest intimacy. He was promoted to Supreme Great General and created Duke of Le’an with a fief of one thousand households. He was ordered to take part in revising the law code.
12
時吐谷渾寇涼州，詔諧為行軍元帥，率行軍總管賀婁子幹、郭竣、元浩等步騎數萬擊之。 上敕諧曰：「公受朝寄，總兵西下，本欲自寧疆境，保全黎庶，非是貪無用之地，害荒服之民。 王者之師，意在仁義。 渾賊若至界首者，公宜曉示以德，臨之以教，誰敢不服也！」 時賊將定城王鐘利房率騎三千渡河，連結党項。 諧率兵出鄯州，趣青海，邀其歸路。 吐谷渾引兵拒諧，相遇于豐利山。 賊鐵騎二萬，與諧大戰，諧擊走之。 賊駐兵青海，遣其太子可博汗以勁騎五萬來掩官軍。 諧逆擊，敗之，追奔三十餘裡，俘斬萬計，虜大震駭。 於是移書諭以禍福，其名王十七人、公侯十三人各率其所部來降。 上大悅，下詔曰：「褒善疇庸，有聞前載，諧識用明達，神情警悟，文規武略，譽流朝野。 申威拓土，功成疆埸，深謀大節，實簡朕心。 加禮延代，宜隆賞典。 可柱國，別封一子縣公。」 諧拜甯州刺史，頗有威惠。 然剛愎，好排詆，不能取媚於左右。 嘗言於上曰：「臣一心事主，不曲取人意。」 上曰：「宜終此言。」 後以公事免。
When Tuyuhun raided Liangzhou, Xie was made campaign marshal at the head of several campaign commanders and tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry. The emperor instructed Xie, "You bear the court’s trust and command troops westward to bring peace to the frontier and preserve the people—not to seize useless land and harm the subjects of the wild borderlands. The army of a true king aims at benevolence and righteousness. If the Tuyuhun reach the border, enlighten them with virtue and face them with teaching—who would dare refuse to submit!" At that time the rebel general Prince Zhong Lifang of Dingcheng led three thousand horsemen across the river and allied with the Tangut. Xie marched from Shanzhou toward Qinghai to cut off their retreat. Tuyuhun brought troops to meet him at Fengli Mountain. Twenty thousand enemy iron cavalry fought a great battle with Xie, and he drove them off. The enemy encamped at Qinghai and sent Crown Prince Kebohan with fifty thousand picked horsemen to fall on the imperial army. Xie met them head-on, routed them, and pursued more than thirty li, capturing and killing beyond count; the barbarians were utterly terrified. He then sent letters explaining fortune and calamity, and seventeen titled kings and thirteen dukes and marquises led their followers to submit. The emperor was greatly pleased and issued an edict: "To reward merit is an ancient practice; Xie is bright and penetrating in counsel, alert in spirit, renowned in court and countryside for his civil and military gifts. He displayed might abroad and extended the borders; his deep strategy and great integrity have truly won my heart. Let his honors extend through generations and let his rewards be fittingly great. He is to be made Pillar of State, and one son separately created a county duke." Xie was appointed governor of Ningzhou and governed with both authority and kindness. Yet he was stubborn and fond of slander, and could not win favor with those around the throne. He once told the emperor, "I serve Your Majesty with a single heart and will not bend to win others’ approval." The emperor said, "Hold to that to the end." Later he was dismissed for an official offense.
13
時上柱國王誼有功于國，與諧俱無任用，每相往來。 胡僧告諧、誼謀反，上按其事，無逆狀，上慰諭而釋之。 未幾，誼伏誅，諧漸被疏忌。 然以龍潛之舊，每預朝請，恩禮無虧。 及上大宴百僚，諧進曰：「陛下威德遠被，臣請突厥可汗為候正，陳叔寶為令史。」 上曰：「朕平陳國，以伐罪吊人，非欲誇誕取威天下。 公之所奏，殊非朕心。 突厥不知山川，何能警候！ 叔寶昏醉，寧堪驅使！」 諧默然而退。 後數歲，有人告諧與從父弟上開府滂、臨澤侯田鸞、上儀同祁緒等謀反。 上令案其事。 有司奏：「諧謀令祁緒勒党項兵，即斷巴蜀。 時廣平王雄、左僕射高熲二人用事，諧欲譖去之，雲：'左執法星動已四年矣，狀一奏，高熲必死。 '又言：'太白犯月，光芒相照，主殺大臣，楊雄必當之。 '諧嘗與滂同謁上，諧私謂滂曰：'我是主人，殿上者賊也。 '因令滂望氣，滂曰：'彼雲似蹲狗走鹿，不如我輩有福德雲。 '」上大怒，諧、滂、鸞、緒並伏誅，籍沒其家。 王世積王世積，闡熙新渼人也。 父雅，周使持節、開府儀同三司。 世積容貌魁岸，腰帶十圍，風神爽拔，有傑人之表。 在周有軍功，拜上儀同，封長子縣公。 高祖為丞相，尉迥作亂，從韋孝寬擊之，每戰有功，拜上大將軍。 高祖受禪，進封宜陽郡公。 高熲美其才能，甚善之。 嘗密謂熲曰：「吾輩俱周之臣子，社稷淪滅，其若之何？」 熲深拒其言。 未幾，授蘄州總管。 平陳之役，以舟師自蘄水趣九江，與陳將紀瑱戰於蘄口，大破之。 既而晉王廣已平丹陽，世積於是移書告諭，遣千金公權始璋略取新蔡。 陳江州司馬黃偲棄城而遁，始璋入據其城。 世積繼至，陳豫章太守徐璒、廬陵太守蕭廉、潯陽太守陸仲容、巴山太守王誦、太原太守馬頲、齊昌太守黃正始、安成太守任瓘等，及鄱陽、臨川守將，並詣世積降。 以功進位柱國、荊州總管，賜絹五千段，加之寶帶，邑三千戶。 後數歲，桂州人李光仕作亂，世積以行軍總管討平之。 上遣都官員外郎辛凱卿馳勞之。 及還，進位上柱國，賜物二千段。 上甚重之。
At that time Supreme Pillar of State Wang Yi, who had served the state with merit, and Xie were both without office and met often. A foreign monk reported that Xie and Yi were plotting rebellion; the emperor investigated and found no treason; he comforted them and released them. Before long Yi was executed; Xie was gradually distrusted. Yet because of their old ties from before Yang Jian took the throne, he still attended court and received undiminished courtesy. At a great feast for the officials, Xie proposed, "Your Majesty’s might reaches far abroad; I ask that the Turk qaghan serve as lookout officer and Chen Shubao as clerk." The emperor said, "I conquered Chen to punish wrongdoing and comfort the people—not to boast and awe the world. What you propose is far from my intent. The Turks know nothing of our mountains and rivers—how could they keep watch! Shubao is a drunken fool—how could he be put to use!" Xie fell silent and withdrew. Several years later someone reported that Xie, with his cousin Pang, Marquis Tian Luan of Linze, Supreme Yitong Qi Xu, and others, was plotting rebellion. The emperor ordered an investigation. The investigators reported that Xie planned to have Qi Xu lead Tangut troops to cut off Ba and Shu. Prince Xiong of Guangping and Left Vice Director Gao Jiong then held power; Xie wished to destroy them, saying, "The Left Law-Enforcer star has been in motion four years; one memorial and Gao Jiong is dead. He also said, "The Great White star invades the moon, their radiances meet—it presages the death of a great minister, and Yang Xiong will be the one. Once when Xie and Pang attended court together, Xie whispered to Pang, "I am the true host; those on the throne are thieves. He had Pang read the clouds; Pang said, "Their clouds look like crouching dogs and running deer—not like our clouds of fortune and virtue. " The emperor was furious; Xie, Pang, Luan, and Xu were all executed and their households confiscated. Wang Shiji came from Xinmei in Zhanxi. His father Ya had been Zhou’s Bearer of the Staff of Authority and Kaifu Yitong Sanqi. Shiji was towering in stature, his waist ten hands around, spirited and outstanding, with the bearing of a born champion. Under the Zhou he won military merit, was made Supreme Yitong, and created Duke of Changzi. When Yang Jian was chancellor and Yuchi Jiong rebelled, he followed Wei Xiaokuan, won merit in every battle, and was made Supreme Great General. When Yang Jian took the throne, Shiji was advanced to Duke of Yiyang. Gao Jiong admired his talent and was very fond of him. He once said secretly to Jiong, "We are all servants of Zhou; the dynasty has fallen—what is to be done?" Jiong firmly rejected his words. Before long he was made supreme commander of Qizhou. In the conquest of Chen he led a fleet from the Qi River toward Jiujiang, met the Chen general Ji Zhen at Qikou, and routed him. When Prince Guang of Jin had taken Danyang, Shiji sent letters of surrender and dispatched Duke Quan Shizhang to seize Xincai. The Chen chief administrator of Jiangzhou, Huang Si, abandoned the city and fled; Shizhang entered and held it. When Shiji arrived, the Chen governors of Yuzhang, Luling, Xunyang, Bashan, Taiyuan, Qichang, and Ancheng, and the garrison commanders of Poyang and Linchuan, all came to surrender to him. For his merit he was made Pillar of State and supreme commander of Jingzhou, given five thousand lengths of silk, a precious belt, and a fief of three thousand households. Several years later Li Guangshi of Guizhou rebelled; Shiji crushed the revolt as campaign commander. The emperor sent Vice Director of the Office of Capital Affairs Xin Kaiqing by relay horse to congratulate him. On his return he was made Supreme Pillar of State and given two thousand lengths of goods. The emperor held him in high esteem.
14
世積見上性忌刻，功臣多獲罪，由是縱酒，不與執政言及時事。 上以為有酒疾，舍之宮內，令醫者療之。 世積詭稱疾愈，始得就第。 及起遼東之役，世積與漢王並為行軍元帥，至柳城，遇疾疫而還。 拜涼州總管，令騎士七百人送之官。 未幾，其親信安定皇甫孝諧有罪，吏捕之，亡抵世積。 世積不納，由是有憾。 孝諧竟配防桂州，事總管令狐熙。 熙又不之禮，甚困窮，因徼幸上變，稱：「世積嘗令道人相其貴不，道人答曰：'公當為國主。 '謂其妻曰：'夫人當為皇后。 '又將之涼州，其所親謂世積曰：'河西天下精兵處，可以圖大事也。 '世積曰：'涼州土曠人稀，非用武之國。 '」由是被征入朝，按其事。 有司奏：「左衛大將軍元旻、右衛大將軍元胄、左僕射高熲，並與世積交通，受其名馬之贈。」 世積竟坐誅，旻、胄等免官，拜孝諧為上大將軍。 虞慶則虞慶則，京兆櫟陽人也。 本姓魚。 其先仕于赫連氏，遂家靈武，代為北邊豪傑。 父祥，周靈武太守。 慶則幼雄毅，性倜儻，身長八尺，有膽氣，善鮮卑語，身被重鎧，帶兩鞬，左右馳射，本州豪俠皆敬憚之。 初以弋獵為事，中便折節讀書，常慕傅介子、班仲升為人。 仕周，釋褐中外府行參軍，稍遷外兵參軍事，襲爵沁源縣公。 宣政元年，授儀同大將軍，除并州總管長史。 二年，授開府。 時稽胡數為反叛，越王盛、內史下大夫高熲討平之。 將班師，熲與盛謀，須文武幹略者鎮遏之。 表請慶則，於是即拜石州總管。 甚有威惠，境內清肅，稽胡慕義而歸者八千餘戶。
Shiji saw that the emperor was jealous and harsh and that many merit-holders had been punished; he took to drink and would not discuss current affairs with those in power. The emperor thought he had a drinking sickness, kept him in the palace, and ordered physicians to treat him. Shiji pretended to be cured and was only then allowed to return home. When the Liaodong campaign began, Shiji and the Prince of Han served as campaign marshals; at Liucheng they met epidemic disease and withdrew. He was made supreme commander of Liangzhou, with seven hundred horsemen to escort him to his post. Before long his confidant Huangfu Xiaoxie of Anding committed a crime; when officers came to arrest him he fled to Shiji. Shiji refused to shelter him, and from that arose resentment. Xiaoxie was sent in the end to garrison Guizhou under Commander Linghu Xi. Xi also treated him poorly, and in his poverty Xiaoxie seized the chance to inform the throne, saying, "Shiji once had a Daoist read his fortune; the priest said, 'You will be lord of the state. He told his wife, 'You will be empress. When he was leaving for Liangzhou, his intimates told Shiji, 'Hexi holds the finest troops in the realm; there you may plot great affairs. Shiji said, 'Liangzhou is broad and thinly peopled—not a land for raising armies. " He was summoned to court and the matter investigated. The investigators reported that Left Guards General Yuan Min, Right Guards General Yuan Zhou, and Left Vice Director Gao Jiong had all had dealings with Shiji and accepted famous horses from him." Shiji was executed in the end; Min, Zhou, and the others were dismissed; Xiaoxie was made Supreme Great General. Yu Qingze came from Liyang in Jingzhao. His original surname was Yu. His ancestors had served the Helian clan and settled at Lingwu; for generations they were powerful on the northern frontier. His father Xiang had been governor of Lingwu under the Zhou. As a youth Qingze was fierce and bold, eight feet tall, brave, fluent in Xianbei, able to wear heavy armor and shoot from horseback with quivers at either side; the frontier champions of his district all respected and feared him. At first he lived by the hunt; in mid-life he turned to books and admired the careers of Fu Jiezi and Ban Chao. Under the Zhou he began as staff officer of the central offices, rose to staff officer for external military affairs, and inherited the title Duke of Qinyuan. In the first year of Xuanzheng he was made Yitong Great General and chief administrator to the commander of Bingzhou. In the second year he was made Kaifu. When the Jiahu rebelled repeatedly, Prince Sheng of Yue and Lower Grand Master Gao Jiong pacified them. As they prepared to withdraw, Jiong and Sheng agreed that a man of civil and military capacity was needed to hold the region down. They memorialized for Qingze, and he was immediately made supreme commander of Shizhou. He governed with authority and kindness; the region was peaceful, and more than eight thousand Jiahu households came over in admiration of his rule.
15
開皇元年，進位大將軍，遷內史監、吏部尚書、京兆尹，封彭城郡公，營新都總監。 二年冬，突厥入寇，慶則為元帥討之。 部分失所，士卒多寒凍，墮指者千餘人。 偏將達奚長儒率騎兵二千人別道邀賊，為虜所圍，甚急，慶則案營不救。 由是長儒孤軍獨戰，死者十八九。 上不之責也。 尋遷尚書右僕射。
In Kaihuang year 1 he was promoted to Great General, made Director of the Palace Secretariat, Minister of Personnel, and Governor of Jingzhao, created Duke of Pengcheng, and put in charge of building the new capital. In the winter of year 2 the Turks invaded, and Qingze was made marshal to repel them. The columns lost their way; many soldiers froze, and more than a thousand suffered frostbite so severe their fingers dropped off. Flank general Daxi Changru led two thousand horsemen by another route to intercept the enemy, was surrounded in desperate straits, yet Qingze sat in camp and would not rescue him. Changru’s isolated force fought alone, and eight or nine out of ten were killed. The emperor did not hold him accountable. Soon after he was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
16
後突厥主攝圖將內附，請一重臣充使，於是上遣慶則詣突厥所。 攝圖恃強，初欲亢禮，慶則責以往事，攝圖不服。 其介長孫晟又說諭之，攝圖及弟葉護皆拜受詔，因即稱臣朝貢，請永為籓附。 初，慶則出使，高祖敕之曰：「我欲存立突厥，彼送公馬，但取五三匹。」 攝圖見慶則，贈馬千匹，又以女妻之。 上以慶則勳高，皆無所問。 授上柱國，封魯國公，食任城縣千戶。 詔以彭城公回授第二子義。
Later the Turk qaghan Shetu prepared to submit and asked for a senior minister as envoy; the emperor sent Qingze to the Turk camp. Shetu, counting on his strength, at first meant to receive him as an equal; Qingze rebuked him with past offenses, and Shetu refused to yield. His aide Zhangsun Sheng persuaded him further; Shetu and his brother Yehu bowed to receive the edict, styled themselves subjects, sent tribute, and asked to remain a vassal forever. Before Qingze departed, the emperor instructed him, "I mean to preserve the Turks; if they offer you horses, take only a few." Shetu gave him a thousand horses and a daughter in marriage. Because Qingze’s merit was great, the emperor asked nothing about it. He was made Supreme Pillar of State, created Duke of Lu, with a sustenance fief of one thousand households in Rencheng. An edict transferred the title Duke of Pengcheng to his second son Yi.
17
高祖平陳之後，幸晉王第，置酒會群臣。 高熲等奉觴上壽，上因曰：「高熲平江南，虞慶則降突厥，可謂茂功矣。」 楊素曰：「皆由至尊威德所被。」 慶則曰：「楊素前出兵武牢、硤石，若非至尊威德，亦無克理。」 遂與互相長短。 御史欲彈之，上曰：「今日計功為樂，宜不須劾。」 上觀群臣宴射，慶則進曰：「臣蒙賚酒食，令盡樂，御史在側，恐醉而被彈。」 上賜御史酒，因遣之出。 慶則奉觴上壽，極歡。 上謂諸公曰：「飲此酒，願我與諸公等子孫常如今日，世守富貴。」 九年，轉為右衛大將軍，尋改為右武候大將軍。
After the conquest of Chen, the emperor visited the Prince of Jin’s residence and feasted the officials. Gao Jiong and the others raised their cups in toast; the emperor said, "Gao Jiong conquered the south; Yu Qingze brought the Turks to submit—truly abundant merit." Yang Su said, "All of it rests on Your Majesty’s majestic virtue." Qingze said, "When Yang Su marched on Wulao and Xiaoshi, without Your Majesty’s virtue he could not have prevailed either." They then traded boasts with one another. A censor wished to impeach them; the emperor said, "Today we celebrate merit for pleasure—no impeachments." As the emperor watched the officials feast and shoot, Qingze said, "Your Majesty has given me wine and ordered me to enjoy myself fully, but with a censor beside me I fear drunken impeachment." The emperor gave the censor wine and sent him out. Qingze raised his cup in toast with the greatest merriment. The emperor told the nobles, "Drink this wine; may you and I and our sons and grandsons forever be as we are today, guarding wealth and honor through the ages." In year 9 he was made General of the Right Guards Army, then General of the Right Martial Guards.
18
開皇十七年，嶺南人李賢據州反，高祖議欲討之。 諸將二三請行，皆不許。 高祖顧謂慶則曰：「位居宰相，爵乃上公，國家有賊，遂無行意，何也？」 慶則拜謝恐懼，上乃遣焉。 為桂州道行軍總管，以婦弟趙什柱為隨府長史。 什柱先與慶則愛妾通，恐事彰，乃宣言曰：「慶則不欲此行。」 遂聞於上。 先是，朝臣出征，上皆宴別，禮賜遣之。 及慶則南討辭上，上色不悅，慶則由是怏怏不得志。 暨平賢，至潭州臨桂鎮，慶則觀眺山川形勢，曰：「此誠險固，加以足糧，若守得其人，攻不可拔。」 遂使什柱馳詣京奏事，觀上顏色。 什柱至京，因告慶則謀反。 上案驗之，慶則於是伏誅。 拜什柱為柱國。
In Kaihuang year 17 Li Xian of Lingnan seized a prefecture and rebelled; the emperor planned to suppress him. Two or three generals asked to go; none were allowed. The emperor turned to Qingze and said, "You are chancellor and a supreme duke—when the state has rebels you show no wish to march—why?" Qingze bowed in fear and thanks; the emperor then sent him. He was made campaign commander of the Guizhou circuit, with his wife’s younger brother Zhao Shizhu as chief administrator of his staff. Shizhu had already slept with Qingze’s favorite concubine; fearing exposure, he spread word that Qingze did not want this campaign. This reached the emperor. Previously, when court ministers departed on campaign, the emperor always gave a farewell feast and ceremonial gifts. When Qingze took leave for the southern campaign the emperor looked displeased, and Qingze left resentful and dispirited. After Xian was pacified, at Lingui in Tanzhou, Qingze surveyed the terrain and said, "This place is truly strong; with enough grain and the right defender, it cannot be taken." He sent Shizhu by relay horse to the capital to report affairs and read the emperor’s mood. At the capital Shizhu reported that Qingze was plotting rebellion. The emperor investigated and Qingze confessed and was executed. Shizhu was made Pillar of State.
19
慶則子孝仁，幼豪俠任氣，起家拜儀同，領晉王親信。 坐父事除名。 煬帝嗣位，以籓邸之舊，授候衛長史，兼領金穀監，監禁苑。 有巧思，頗稱旨。 九年，伐遼，授都水丞，充使監運，頗有功。 然性奢華，以駱駝負函盛水養魚而自給。 十一年，或告孝仁謀圖不軌，遂誅之。 其弟澄道，東宮通事舍人，坐除名。 元胄元胄，河南洛陽人也，魏昭成帝之六代孫。 祖順，魏濮陽王。 父雄，武陵王。 胄少英果，多武藝，美鬚眉，有不可犯之色。 周齊王憲見而壯之，引致左右，數從征伐。 官至大將軍。 高祖初被召入，將受顧托，先呼胄，次命陶澄，並委以腹心，恆宿臥內。 及為丞相，每典軍在禁中，又引弟威俱入侍衛。 周趙王招知高祖將遷周鼎，乃要高祖就第。 趙王引高祖入寢室，左右不得從，唯楊弘與胄兄弟坐于戶側。 趙王謂其二子員、貫曰：「汝當進瓜，我因刺殺之。」 及酒酣，趙王欲生變，以佩刀子刺瓜，連啖高祖，將為不利。 胄進曰：「相府有事，不可久留。」 趙王訶之曰：「我與丞相言，汝何為者！」 叱之使卻。 胄瞋目憤氣，扣刀入衛。 趙王問其姓名，胄以實對。 趙王曰：「汝非昔事齊王者乎？ 誠壯士也！」 因賜之酒，曰：「吾豈有不善之意邪？ 卿何猜警如是！」 趙王偽吐，將入後閤，胄恐其為變，扶令上坐，如此者再三。 趙王稱喉幹，命胄就廚取飲，胄不動。 會滕王逌後至，高祖降階迎之，胄與高祖耳語曰：「事勢大異，可速去。」 高祖猶不悟，謂曰：「彼無兵馬，複何能為？」 胄曰：「兵馬悉他家物，一先下手，大事便去。 胄不辭死，死何益耶？」 高祖複入坐。 胄聞屋後有被甲聲，遽請曰：「相府事殷，公何得如此？」 因扶高祖下床，趣而去。 趙王將追之，胄以身蔽戶，王不得出。 高祖及門，胄自後而至。 趙王恨不時發，彈指出血。 及誅趙王，賞賜不可勝計。
Qingze’s son Xiaoren was bold and willful from youth; he began as Yitong and led the Prince of Jin’s trusted followers. He was struck from the rolls because of his father’s crime. When Emperor Yang succeeded, because of old ties from his days as prince, Xiaoren was made chief administrator of the palace guards and overseer of the forbidden park and treasury. He had ingenious ideas and pleased the emperor greatly. In year 9, during the Liaodong campaign, he was made Assistant Director of Waterways and supervised transport with considerable merit. Yet he was luxurious by nature and used camels to carry boxes of water so he could raise fish for his own table. In year 11 someone reported that Xiaoren was plotting rebellion, and he was executed. His younger brother Chengdong, an attendant of the Eastern Palace, was also struck from the rolls. Yuan Zhou came from Luoyang in Henan, a sixth-generation descendant of Emperor Zhaocheng of Wei. His grandfather Shun had been Prince of Puyang under the Wei. His father Xiong had been Prince of Wuling. As a youth Zhou was bold and resolute, skilled in arms, handsome of beard and brow, with a bearing no one dared offend. Prince Xian of Qi saw him, admired his strength, took him into his service, and he followed on many campaigns. He rose to Great General. When Yang Jian was first summoned to the dying emperor’s side, he called Zhou first, then Tao Cheng, and entrusted both with his innermost counsel; they slept constantly in the inner apartments. When he became chancellor he commanded troops within the palace and brought his younger brother Wei in as guard as well. Prince Zhao of Zhou, knowing Yang Jian meant to seize the Zhou throne, invited him to his residence. The prince led Yang Jian into his bedchamber; attendants could not follow; only Yang Hong and the Zhou brothers sat by the door. The prince told his sons Yuan and Guan, "Bring in the melon; I shall stab him then." When the wine was deep the prince meant to strike; he stabbed the melon with his belt knife and pressed Yang Jian to eat, intending harm. Zhou stepped forward and said, "The chancellor’s office has urgent business; you cannot stay long." The prince rebuked him, "I am speaking with the chancellor—what are you doing!" He shouted at him to withdraw. Zhou glared in fury, hand on his knife, and entered to guard Yang Jian. The prince asked his name; Zhou answered truthfully. The prince said, "Were you not once in the service of Prince Xian of Qi? A true champion!" He gave him wine and said, "How could I mean you harm? Why are you so suspicious!" The prince pretended to vomit and meant to enter the rear chamber; Zhou feared a coup, helped him back to his seat, and did this three times. The prince said his throat was dry and ordered Zhou to the kitchen for drink; Zhou did not move. When Prince Teng You arrived, Yang Jian went down to welcome him; Zhou whispered, "The situation has changed utterly—leave at once." Yang Jian still did not understand and said, "He has no troops—what can he do?" Zhou said, "His household guards are at hand—if he strikes first, all is lost. I do not fear death—but what good is dying here?" Yang Jian sat down again. Zhou heard armor behind the house and said urgently, "The chancellor’s office is pressed with business—how can you linger?" He helped Yang Jian from the couch and hurried him away. The prince tried to pursue; Zhou blocked the door with his body and the prince could not pass. When Yang Jian reached the gate, Zhou caught up from behind. The prince, bitter that he had not struck in time, flicked his finger until it bled. When Prince Zhao was executed, the rewards given Zhou were beyond counting.
20
高祖受禪，進位上柱國，封武陵郡公，邑三千戶。 拜左衛將軍，尋遷右衛大將軍。 高祖從容曰：「保護朕躬，成此基業，元胄功也。」 後數載，出為豫州刺史，曆亳、淅二州刺史。 時突厥屢為邊患，朝廷以胄素有威名，拜靈州總管，北夷甚憚焉。 後複征為右衛大將軍，親顧益密。 嘗正月十五日，上與近臣登高，時胄下直，上令馳召之。 及胄見，上謂曰：「公與外人登高，未若就朕勝也。」 賜宴極歡。 晉王廣每致禮焉。 房陵王之廢也，胄豫其謀。 上正窮治東宮事，左衛大將軍元旻苦諫，楊素乃譖之。 上大怒，執旻於仗。 胄時當下直，不去，因奏曰：「臣不下直者，為防元旻耳。」 複以此言激怒上，上遂誅旻，賜胄帛千匹。 蜀王秀之得罪，胄坐與交通，除名。
When Yang Jian took the throne, Zhou was made Supreme Pillar of State and Duke of Wuling with a fief of three thousand households. He was made General of the Left Guards Army, then General of the Right Guards Army. The emperor said calmly, "Protecting my person and establishing this foundation—that was Yuan Zhou’s merit." Several years later he served as governor of Yuzhou, Bozhou, and Xizhou. When the Turks repeatedly troubled the border, the court, knowing Zhou’s formidable reputation, made him supreme commander of Lingzhou, and the northern tribes feared him greatly. He was later recalled as General of the Right Guards Army, and the emperor’s favor toward him only deepened. Once on the Lantern Festival the emperor climbed high with his intimates; Zhou was off duty, and the emperor sent a relay horse to summon him. When Zhou arrived the emperor said, "Climbing high with others is not as fine as climbing with me." He gave a feast of the greatest intimacy. Prince Guang of Jin always paid him courtesy. When the Prince of Fangling was deposed, Zhou took part in the plot. As the emperor was investigating the Eastern Palace affair, Left Guards General Yuan Min remonstrated bitterly; Yang Su slandered him. The emperor was furious and seized Min at the palace. Zhou should have gone off duty but stayed and said, "I have not left my post because I am guarding against Yuan Min." These words enraged the emperor further; he executed Min and gave Zhou a thousand lengths of silk. When the Prince of Shu Xiu fell from favor, Zhou was implicated for dealings with him and struck from the rolls.
21
煬帝即位，不得調。 時慈州刺史上官政坐事徙嶺南，將軍丘和亦以罪廢。 胄與和有舊，因數從之遊。 胄嘗酒酣謂和曰：「上官政壯士也，今徙嶺表，得無大事乎？」 因自拊腹曰：「若是公者，不徒然矣。」 和明日奏之，胄竟坐死。 於是征政為驍衛將軍，拜和代州刺史。 史評史臣曰：昔韓信愆垓下之期，則項王不滅； 英布無淮南之舉，則漢道未隆。 以二子之勳庸，鹹憤怨而菹戮，況乃無古人之殊績，而懷悖逆之心者乎！ 梁士彥、宇文忻皆一時之壯士也，遭雲雷之會，並以勇略成名，遂貪天之功以為己力。 報者倦矣，施者未厭，將生厲階，求逞其欲，及茲顛墜，自取之也。 王誼、元諧、王世積、虞慶則、元胄，或契闊艱厄，或綢繆恩舊，將安將樂，漸見遺忘，內懷怏怏，矜伐不已。 雖時主之刻薄，亦言語以速禍乎？ 然高祖佐命元功，鮮有終其天命，配享清廟，寂寞無聞。 斯蓋草創帝圖，事出權道，本異同心，故久而逾薄。 其牽牛蹊田，雖則有罪，奪之非道，能無怨乎？ 皆深文巧詆，致之刑辟，高祖沉猜之心，固已甚矣。 求其餘慶，不亦難哉！
When Emperor Yang succeeded, he received no appointment. At that time Governor Shangguan Zheng of Cizhou was banished to the south for an offense, and General Qiu He was dismissed for a crime as well. Zhou had old ties with He and often kept him company. Once when drunk Zhou said to He, "Shangguan Zheng is a true champion; banished beyond the Ling range, might he not stir up great trouble?" He slapped his belly and said, "If it were you, sir, it would not be for nothing." He reported this the next day, and Zhou was executed. Zheng was then summoned as General of the Valiant Guards, and He was made governor of Daizhou. The historiographer comments: In former times, had Han Xin not missed his rendezvous below Gaixia, the King of Xiang would not have fallen; had Ying Bu not risen in Huainan, the house of Han would not have risen to greatness. Men of such merit were cut down in resentment—how much more those who lacked the ancients’ extraordinary deeds yet harbored treason in their hearts! Liang Shiyan and Yu Wenxin were champions of their age; they rose in the storm of founding and won fame by courage and strategy, then claimed heaven’s merit as their own. Those who had repaid them grew weary while the throne was not yet sated; they bred trouble and sought their desires—and when they fell, they had brought it on themselves. Wang Yi, Yuan Xie, Wang Shiji, Yu Qingze, and Yuan Zhou—some had shared hardship in the founding, some had been bound by old friendship; when peace came they were gradually forgotten, nursed resentment within, and boasted of their merit without end. Though the ruler of the age was harsh, did they not also hasten their doom through their own words? Yet of the founding merit-holders who aided Yang Jian, few lived out their natural span or received sacrifice in the imperial temple—most passed into lonely obscurity. This was because in founding the empire affairs arose from expedient measures; they had never been of one heart, and so as time passed favor grew ever thinner. To lead an ox across another’s field is wrong—but to seize it unjustly, can there be no resentment? All were prosecuted with twisted statutes and crafty slander and brought to execution; Yang Jian’s deep suspicion was already extreme. To expect any remaining blessing for their lines—was that not also difficult!