1
楊素，字處道，弘農華陰人也。 祖暄，魏輔國將軍、諫議大夫。 父敷，周汾州刺史，沒于齊。 素少落拓，有大志，不拘小節，世人多未之知，唯從叔祖魏尚書僕射寬深異之，每謂子孫曰：「處道當逸群絕倫，非常之器，非汝曹所逮也。」 後與安定牛弘同志好學，研精不倦，多所通涉。 善屬文，工草隸，頗留意於風角。 美須髯，有英傑之表。 周大塚宰宇文護引為中外記室，後轉禮曹，加大都督。 武帝親總萬機，素以其父守節陷齊，未蒙朝命，上表申理，帝不許。 至於再三，帝大怒，命左右斬之。 素乃大言曰：「臣事無道天子，死其分也。」 帝壯其言，由是贈敷為大將軍，諡曰忠壯。 拜素為車騎大將軍、儀同三司，漸見禮遇。 帝命素為詔書，下筆立成，詞義兼美。 帝嘉之，顧謂素曰：「善自勉之，勿憂不富貴。」 素應聲答曰：「臣但恐富貴來逼臣，臣無心圖富貴。」
Yang Su, whose courtesy name was Chudao, came from Huayin in Hongnong. His grandfather Xuan had been General Who Assists the State and grand master of remonstrance under Wei. His father Fu served as governor of Fen Province under the Zhou and perished in Qi captivity. In youth Su was free-spirited and ambitious, careless of small conventions; few knew him yet. Only his father's younger cousin, Wei Vice Director Kuan, saw something remarkable in him and often told his descendants, "Chudao will outstrip all others—no ordinary talent, and not one you can match. Later he studied alongside Niu Hong of Anding, reading deeply without tiring and gaining wide mastery. He wrote well, excelled at cursive and clerical calligraphy, and took a keen interest in wind-and-angle divination. With a fine beard and commanding looks, he had the air of a hero. Yuwen Hu, Zhou's grand minister, appointed him recorder in the central and exterior staff; later he moved to the Ministry of Rites and was made grand commander. When Emperor Wu took direct control of government, Su—whose father had held firm and died in Qi—had received no posthumous honors from court. He memorialized to plead the case, and the emperor refused. After he persisted, the emperor flew into a rage and ordered his attendants to behead him. Su cried out boldly, "I serve a lawless emperor—death is only what I deserve. The emperor was impressed by his courage and posthumously made Fu grand general with the title Loyal and Stalwart. Su was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry with threefold peerage rank and gradually won favor at court. The emperor had Su draft an edict; he finished at a stroke, with wording and sense alike polished. The emperor praised him and said, "Apply yourself—you need not fear missing out on wealth and rank. Su answered at once, "I only fear wealth and rank closing in on me—I have no wish to pursue them."
2
及高祖為丞相，素深自結納。 高祖甚器之，以素為汴州刺史。 行至洛陽，會尉迥作亂，滎州刺史宇文胄據武牢以應迥，素不得進。 高祖拜素大將軍，發河內兵擊胄，破之。 遷徐州總管，進位柱國，封清河郡公，邑二千戶。 以弟岳為臨貞公。 高祖受禪，加上柱國。 開皇四年，拜御史大夫。 其妻鄭氏性悍，素忿之曰：「我若作天子，卿定不堪為皇后。」 鄭氏奏之，由是坐免。
When Gaozu became chancellor, Su bound himself closely to him. Gaozu thought highly of him and appointed him governor of Bian Province. On reaching Luoyang he found Wei Chiyuan in revolt; Xing governor Yuwen Zhou held Wulao in support, blocking Su's advance. Gaozu made Su grand general, raised Henei troops, attacked Zhou, and broke him. He was transferred to command Xuzhou, promoted to pillar of the state, and enfeoffed as Duke of Qinghe with two thousand households. His younger brother Yue was made Duke of Linzhen. When Gaozu took the throne, Su was further made supreme pillar of the state. In Kaihuang year 4 he was appointed censor-in-chief. His wife Lady Zheng was sharp-tempered; Su snapped, "If I were emperor, you could never be empress. Lady Zheng reported him, and he was removed from office.
3
上方圖江表，先是，素數進取陳之計，未幾，拜信州總管，賜錢百萬、錦千段、馬二百匹而遣之。 素居永安，造大艦，名曰五牙，上起樓五層，高百餘尺，左右前後置六拍竿，並高五十尺，容戰士八百人，旗幟加於上。 次曰黃龍，置兵百人。 自餘平乘、舴艋等各有差。 及大舉伐陳，以素為行軍元帥，引舟師趣三硤。 軍至流頭灘，陳將戚欣以青龍百餘艘、屯兵數千人守狼尾灘，以遏軍路。 其地險峭，諸將患之。 素曰：「勝負大計，在此一舉。 若晝日下船，彼則見我，灘流迅激，制不由人，則吾失其便。」 乃以夜掩之。 素親率黃龍數千艘，銜枚而下，遣開府王長襲引步卒從南岸擊欣別柵，令大將軍劉仁恩率甲騎趣白沙北岸，遲明而至，擊之，欣敗走。 悉虜其眾，勞而遣之，秋毫不犯，陳人大悅。 素率水軍東下，舟艫被江，旌甲曜日。 素坐平乘大船，容貌雄偉，陳人望之懼曰：「清河公即江神也。」 陳南康內史呂仲肅屯岐亭，正據江峽，於北岸鑿岩，綴鐵鎖三條，橫截上流，以遏戰船。 素與仁恩登陸俱發，先攻其柵。 仲肅軍夜潰，素徐去其鎖。 仲肅複據荊門之延洲。 素遣巴蜒卒千人，乘五牙四艘，以柏檣碎賊十餘艦，遂大破之，俘甲士二千余人，仲肅僅以身免。 陳主遣其信州刺史顧覺鎮安蜀城，荊州刺史陳紀鎮公安，皆懾而退走。 巴陵以東，無敢守者。 湘州刺史、岳陽王陳叔慎遣使請降。 素下至漢口，與秦孝王會。 及還，拜荊州總管，進爵郢國公，邑三千戶，真食長壽縣千戶。 以其子玄感為儀同，玄獎為清河郡公。 賜物萬段，粟萬石，加以金寶，又賜陳主妹及女妓十四人。 素言於上曰：「裡名勝母，曾子不入。 逆人王誼，前封於郢，臣不願與之同。」 於是改封越國公。 尋拜納言。 歲餘，轉內史令。
The emperor was planning the conquest of the south; Su had long urged schemes against Chen. Soon he was made commander of Xin Province, given a million coins, a thousand bolts of brocade, and two hundred horses, and dispatched. At Yong'an Su built great warships called Five-Tooth: five-story towers over a hundred feet high, six battering poles fifty feet tall on every side, each holding eight hundred fighters under banners and flags. Next came the Yellow Dragon class, each carrying a hundred men. Other flat boats and skiffs followed in graded sizes. When the great assault on Chen began, Su was made campaign commander and led the fleet toward the Three Gorges. At Liutou Shoals Chen general Qi Xin held Langwei with over a hundred Green Dragon ships and several thousand men, blocking the route. The terrain was steep and dangerous, and the generals were alarmed. Su said, "Victory or defeat turns on this one stroke. If we land by day they will see us; the shoal runs fast and cannot be controlled—we would lose our chance. He attacked by night. Su himself led thousands of Yellow Dragon ships down with men gagged for silence, sent Colonel Wang Changxi against Xin's outpost from the south bank, and Grand General Liu Ren'en with armored cavalry to Baisha's north bank; at dawn they struck and Xin fled. He took all their men, treated them kindly, and sent them off without the least harm; the Chen people rejoiced. Su's fleet moved east; the river was covered with ships, banners and armor blazing in sunlight. Su sat in an open boat, imposing in bearing; Chen people looked on in dread and said, "The Duke of Qinghe is the river god incarnate. Chen interior minister Lü Zhongsu held Qiting at the gorge, cut the north-bank cliff, and stretched three iron chains across the upper stream to block the fleet. Su and Ren'en landed together and first stormed the palisade. Zhongsu's army broke by night; Su removed the chains at leisure. Zhongsu rallied at Yanzhou in Jingmen. Su sent a thousand Bayan troops in four Five-Tooth ships; with cypress rams they shattered a dozen enemy ships, took two thousand armored men, and Zhongsu barely escaped. The Chen ruler posted Xin governor Gu Jue at Anshu and Jing governor Chen Ji at Gong'an; both fled in fear. East of Baling none dared stand guard. Xiang governor and Prince of Yueyang Chen Shushen sent envoys to surrender. Su descended to Hankou and joined Prince Xiao of Qin. On returning he was made commander of Jing Province, promoted to Duke of Ying with three thousand households and direct income from a thousand in Changshou. His son Xuangan was made threefold peerage, and Xuanjiang duke of Qinghe. He received ten thousand bolts of goods, ten thousand shi of grain, gold and jewels, the Chen ruler's younger sister, and fourteen female entertainers. Su told the emperor, "There is a lane called Shengmu; even Zengzi would not enter it. The rebel Wang Yi had been enfeoffed at Ying; I do not wish to share that title. He was therefore re-enfeoffed as Duke of Yue. Soon he was made director of the Masters of Writing. After a year he became director of the Secretariat.
4
俄而江南人李稜等聚眾為亂，大者數萬，小者數千，共相影響，殺害長吏。 以素為行軍總管，帥眾討之。 賊硃莫問自稱南徐州刺史，以盛兵據京口。 素率舟師入自楊子津，進擊破之。 晉陵顧世興自稱太守，與其都督鮑遷等複來拒戰。 素逆擊破之，執遷，虜三千餘人。 進擊無錫賊帥葉略，又平之。 吳郡沈玄懀、沈傑等以兵圍蘇州，刺史皇甫績頻戰不利。 素率眾援之，玄懀勢迫，走投南沙賊帥陸孟孫。 素擊孟孫于松江，大破之，生擒孟孫、玄懀。 黟、歙賊帥沈雪、沈能據柵自固，又攻拔之。 浙江賊帥高智慧自號東揚州刺史，船艦千艘，屯據要害，兵甚勁。 素擊之，自旦至申，苦戰而破。 智慧逃入海，素躡之，從餘姚泛海趣永嘉。 智慧來拒戰，素擊走之，擒獲數千人。 賊帥汪文進自稱天子，據東陽，署其徒蔡道人為司空，守樂安。 進討，悉平之。 又破永嘉賊帥沈孝徹。 於是步道向天臺，指臨海郡，逐捕遺逸寇。 前後百餘戰，智慧遁守閩越。
Soon Li Ling and other Jiangnan men raised bands—some tens of thousands strong, some only thousands—echoing one another and killing local officials. Su was made campaign commander and marched to suppress them. The rebel Zhu Mowen styled himself governor of South Xuzhou and held Jingkou with a large force. Su led the fleet in through Yangzi Ford and routed him. Gu Shixing of Jinling styled himself governor and, with commander Bao Qian and others, resisted again. Su met and broke them, captured Qian, and took more than three thousand prisoners. Advancing he attacked Wuxi bandit chief Ye Lüe and pacified him too. Shen Xuanyi and Shen Jie of Wu besieged Suzhou; governor Huangfu Ji fought repeatedly and fared badly. Su marched to relieve the city; Xuanyi, pressed hard, fled to Nansha bandit chief Lu Mengsun. Su struck Mengsun on the Song River, broke him completely, and took Mengsun and Xuanyi alive. Bandit chiefs Shen Xue and Shen Neng of Yi and She held fortified palisades; he stormed and took them as well. Zhejiang bandit chief Gao Zhihui styled himself governor of East Yangzhou; with a thousand ships he held key points and fielded fierce troops. Su attacked from dawn to mid-afternoon in bitter fighting and broke him. Zhihui fled to sea; Su pursued from Yuyao by sea toward Yongjia. Zhihui resisted; Su drove him off and captured several thousand men. Bandit chief Wang Wenjin styled himself Son of Heaven, held Dongyang, made follower Cai Daoren minister of works, and garrisoned Le'an. Su advanced and pacified them all. He also defeated Yongjia bandit chief Shen Xiaoche. Then he marched overland toward Tiantai and Linhai, hunting down scattered rebels. After more than a hundred battles Zhihui fled to hold out in Min and Yue.
5
上以素久勞於外，詔令馳傳入朝。 加子玄感官為上開府，賜彩物三千段。 素以餘賊未殄，恐為後患，又自請行。 乃下詔曰：「朕憂勞百姓，日旰忘食，一物失所，情深納隍。 江外狂狡，妄構妖逆，雖經殄除，民未安堵。 猶有賊首凶魁，逃亡山洞，恐其聚結，重擾蒼生。 內史令、上柱國、越國公素，識達古今，經謀長遠，比曾推轂，舊著威名，宜任以大兵，總為元帥，宣佈朝風，振揚威武，擒剪叛亡，慰勞黎庶。 軍民事務，一以委之。」 素複乘傳至會稽。 先是，泉州人王國慶，南安豪族也，殺刺史劉弘，據州為亂，諸亡賊皆歸之。 自以海路艱阻，非北人所習，不設備伍。 素泛海掩至，國慶遑遽，棄州而走，餘黨散入海島，或守溪洞。 素分遣諸將，水陸追捕。 乃密令人謂國慶曰：「爾之罪狀，計不容誅。 唯有斬送智慧，可以塞責。」 國慶於是執送智慧，斬於泉州。 自餘支黨，悉來降附，江南大定。 上遣左領軍將軍獨孤陀至浚儀迎勞。 比到京師，問者日至。 拜素子玄獎為儀同，賜黃金四十斤，加銀瓶，實以金錢，縑三千段，馬二百匹，羊二千口，公田百頃，宅一區。 代蘇威為尚書右僕射，與高熲專掌朝政。
The emperor, seeing Su's long service in the field, ordered him to court by post relay. Su's son Xuangan was further made upper threefold peerage, and he received three thousand bolts of colored goods. Fearing surviving rebels would become a later threat, Su asked to go again himself. An edict followed: "We toil for the people, forgetting meals until sunset; if one thing is out of place, our grief is bottomless. South of the Yangzi, wild rebels raised false rebellion; though crushed, the people are not yet at peace. Bandit chiefs still hide in mountain caves, and we fear they may gather and trouble the people again. Director Su, supreme pillar and Duke of Yue, knows past and present and plans far ahead; in earlier campaigns he proved his name—let him command great forces, proclaim court policy, show martial might, cut down rebels, and comfort the people. Military and civil affairs are wholly entrusted to him. Su again went by post relay to Kuaiji. Earlier Wang Guoqing of Quanzhou, a Nan'an magnate, had killed governor Liu Hong, seized the province, and drawn every fugitive rebel to him. Thinking the sea route hard and unknown to northerners, he made no preparations. Su crossed the sea and struck by surprise; Guoqing fled in alarm, and remnants scattered to islands and stream caves. Su sent generals to pursue by land and water. He secretly sent word to Guoqing: "Your crimes merit death beyond question. Only by sending Zhihui's head can you atone. Guoqing seized Zhihui and sent him; he was executed at Quanzhou. The remaining factions surrendered; Jiangnan was largely pacified. The emperor sent Left Palace Guard General Dugu Tuo to Junyi to welcome and reward him. By the time he reached the capital, callers came every day. Su's son Xuanjiang was made threefold peerage; he received forty jin of gold, a silver bottle of gold coins, three thousand bolts of silk, two hundred horses, two thousand sheep, a hundred qing of public land, and a mansion. He replaced Su Wei as right vice director of the Masters of Writing and, with Gao Jiong, jointly ran court governance.
6
素性疏而辯，高下在心，朝臣之內，頗推高熲，敬牛弘，厚接薛道衡，視蘇威蔑如也。 自餘朝貴，多被陵轢。 其才藝風調，優於高熲，至於推誠體國，處物平當，有宰相識度，不如熲遠矣。
Su was blunt yet eloquent, with everyone's rank fixed in his mind; among ministers he fairly esteemed Gao Jiong, respected Niu Hong, favored Xue Daoheng, and despised Su Wei. Most other court grandees he bullied. In talent and bearing he outshone Gao Jiong; in sincere service to the state, fair dealing, and ministerial judgment he fell far short.
7
尋令素監營仁壽宮，素遂夷山堙穀，督役嚴急，作者多死，宮側時聞鬼哭之聲。 及宮成，上令高熲前視，奏稱頗傷綺麗，大損人丁，高祖不悅。 素尤懼，計無所出，即於北門啟獨孤皇后曰：「帝王法有離宮別館，今天下太平，造此一宮，何足損費！」 後以此理諭上，上意乃解。 於是賜錢百萬，錦絹三千段。
Soon Su was ordered to oversee Renshou Palace; he leveled mountains and filled valleys with brutal urgency. Many laborers died, and ghostly weeping was heard beside the palace. When the palace was done, the emperor sent Gao Jiong to inspect it; he reported excessive splendor and great loss of life, and Gaozu was displeased. Su was terrified and at a loss; he went to Empress Dugu at the north gate and said, "Emperors keep detached palaces by law; with peace under heaven, what harm is one palace? The empress used this to persuade the emperor, and his anger lifted. He was given a million coins and three thousand bolts of brocade and silk.
8
十八年，突厥達頭可汗犯塞，以素為靈州道行軍總管，出塞討之，賜物二千段，黃金百斤。 先是，諸將與虜戰，每慮胡騎奔突，皆以戎車步騎相參，輿鹿角為方陣，騎在其內。 素謂人曰：「此乃自固之道，非取勝之方也。」 於是悉除舊法，令諸軍為騎陣。 達頭聞之大喜，曰：「此天賜我也。」 因下馬仰天而拜，率精騎十余萬而至。 素奮擊，大破之，達頭被重創而遁，殺傷不可勝計，群虜號哭而去。 優詔褒揚，賜縑二萬匹，及萬釘寶帶。 加子玄感位大將軍，玄獎、玄縱、積善並上儀同。
In year 18, when Tardu Khan of the Turks raided the frontier, Su was made Lingzhou-route campaign commander, marched beyond the passes, and received two thousand bolts of goods and a hundred jin of gold. Earlier generals fighting the Turks, fearing cavalry charges, mixed chariots with infantry and cavalry in cart-and-antler squares with horsemen inside. Su said, "That is self-defense, not a way to win. He abolished the old method and ordered pure cavalry formations. Tardu was delighted and said, "Heaven has handed this to me. He dismounted, bowed to heaven, and led more than a hundred thousand picked horsemen forward. Su struck hard and routed them; Tardu was gravely wounded and fled; casualties were beyond count, and the tribes wailed as they withdrew. An edict praised him; he received twenty thousand bolts of silk and a ten-thousand-nail treasure belt. Su's son Xuangan was further made grand general; Xuanjiang, Xuanzong, and Jishan all became upper threefold peerage.
9
素多權略，乘機赴敵，應變無方，然大抵馭戎嚴整，有犯軍令者立斬之，無所寬貸。 每將臨寇，輒求人過失而斬之，多者百餘人，少不下十數。 流血盈前，言笑自若。 及其對陣，先令一二百人赴敵，陷陣則已，如不能陷陣而還者，無問多少，悉斬之。 又令三二百人複進，還如向法。 將士股忄栗，有必死之心，由是戰無不勝，稱為名將。 素時貴幸，言無不從，其從素征伐者，微功必錄，至於他將，雖有大功，多為文吏所譴卻。 故素雖嚴忍，士亦以此願從焉。
Su was full of stratagems, seizing moments and adapting without fixed method; yet he ruled troops with iron discipline—any breach of military law meant instant execution. Before each battle he would find men's faults and behead them—sometimes more than a hundred, never fewer than ten. Blood pooled before him while he spoke and laughed as if at ease. Facing the enemy he first sent one or two hundred men to charge; if they broke through, well and good—if they returned without breaking through, all were beheaded, however many. Then he sent two or three hundred more; the same rule applied if they returned. Officers and soldiers trembled with fear, resolved to die; hence he never lost a battle and was hailed as a famous general. Su was then so favored that his word always stood; followers on campaign had even small deeds recorded, while other generals' great feats were often struck down by clerks. Though harsh, Su won soldiers' willingness to follow because of this.
10
二十年，晉王廣為靈朔道行軍元帥，素為長史。 王卑躬以交素。 及為太子，素之謀也。
In year 20, when Prince of Jin Guang was Ling-Shu campaign commander, Su served as chief of staff. The prince humbled himself to win Su's friendship. When he became heir apparent, it was Su's doing.
11
仁壽初，代高熲為尚書左僕射，賜良馬百匹，牝馬二百匹，奴婢百口。 其年，以素為行軍元帥，出雲州擊突厥，連破之。 突厥退走，率騎追躡，至夜而及之。 將複戰，恐賊越逸，令其騎稍後。 於是親將兩騎，並降突厥二人，與虜並行，不之覺也。 候其頓舍未定，趣後騎掩擊，大破之。 自是突厥遠遁，磧南無複虜庭。 以功進子玄感位為柱國，玄縱為淮南郡公。 賞物二萬段。
At the start of Renshou he replaced Gao Jiong as left vice director and received a hundred fine horses, two hundred mares, and a hundred servants. That year he was made campaign commander, marched from Yun Province against the Turks, and repeatedly defeated them. The Turks withdrew; he pursued with cavalry and caught them by night. About to fight again, fearing escape, he held his cavalry slightly back. He personally took two horsemen and two surrendered Turks and rode alongside the enemy unnoticed. When their camp was not yet settled, he signaled the rear cavalry to strike and routed them completely. Thereafter the Turks fled far away, and south of the desert no Turk court remained. For his merit Xuangan was made pillar of the state and Xuanzong duke of Huainan. He was rewarded with twenty thousand bolts of goods.
12
及獻皇后崩，山陵制度，多出於素。 上善之，下詔曰：
When Empress Xian died, the tomb regulations owed much to Su. The emperor approved and issued an edict:
13
君為元首，臣則股肱，共治萬姓，義同一體。 上柱國、尚書左僕射、仁壽宮大監、越國公素，志度恢弘，機鑒明遠，懷佐時之略，包經國之才。 王業初基，霸圖肇建，策名委質，受脤出師，擒剪凶魁，克平虢、鄭。 頻承廟算，揚旍江表，每稟戎律，長驅塞陰，南指而吳越肅清，北臨而獯獫摧服。 自居端揆，參贊機衡，當朝正色，直言無隱。 論文則詞藻縱橫，語武則權奇間出。 既文且武，唯朕所命，任使之處，夙夜無怠。 獻皇后奄離六宮，遠日雲及，塋兆安厝，委素經營。 然葬事依禮，唯卜泉石，至如吉凶，不由於此。 素義存奉上，情深體國，欲使幽明俱泰，寶祚無窮。 以為陰陽之書，聖人所作，禍福之理，特須審慎。 乃遍歷川原，親自占擇，纖介不善，即更尋求，志圖元吉，孜孜不已。 心力備盡，人靈協贊，遂得神皋福壤，營建山陵。 論素此心，事極誠孝，豈與夫平戎定寇比其功業？ 非唯廊廟之器，實是社稷之臣，若不加褒賞，何以申茲勸勵？ 可別封一子義康郡公，邑萬戶，子子孫孫，承襲不絕。 餘如故。
The ruler is the head and ministers the arms and thighs; together they govern the people as one body. Supreme pillar, left vice director, Renshou Palace supervisor, and Duke of Yue Su has broad vision, far-reaching judgment, the strategy to aid the age, and talent to govern the state. When the dynasty was first founded he pledged loyalty, took command, captured chief villains, and pacified Guo and Zheng. Repeatedly entrusted with imperial strategy, he raised banners on the Yangzi and drove deep into the northern frontier; southward Wu and Yue were cleared, northward the barbarians were broken. As chief minister at the pivot of power he kept upright bearing at court and spoke without concealment. In letters his prose runs rich and bold; in war his stratagems are singular and unexpected. Both literary and martial—only as We command; in every post, no slackness day or night. Empress Xian has left the six palaces; the burial day draws near; the tomb site is entrusted to Su. Burial follows ritual; only the spring stones are divined—fortune does not depend on this alone. Su's righteousness serves the throne; his devotion to the state runs deep; he wishes dark and bright alike at peace and the throne without end. He holds yin-yang books to be sages' work and fortune and calamity to need careful weighing. He searched every river plain and divined in person; the slightest ill omen sent him searching again, tirelessly for supreme good fortune. Mind and strength exhausted, heaven and men assisting, he found a blessed mound and built the tomb. In this devotion his filial piety is supreme—how can it be weighed against pacifying barbarians and bandits? He is not only hall-and-temple timber but a true pillar of the altars; without special reward, how declare such encouragement? One son may be separately enfeoffed Duke of Yikang with ten thousand households, to pass down forever. The rest unchanged.
14
並賜田三十頃，絹萬段，米萬石，金缽一，實以金，銀缽一，實以珠，並綾錦五百段。
He also received thirty qing of land, ten thousand bolts of silk, ten thousand shi of rice, a gold bowl of gold, a silver bowl of pearls, and five hundred bolts of gauze and brocade.
15
時素貴寵日隆，其弟約、從父文思、弟文紀，及族父異，並尚書列卿。 諸子無汗馬之勞，位至柱國、刺史。 家僮數千，後庭妓妾曳綺羅者以千數。 第宅華侈，制擬宮禁。 有鮑亨者，善屬文，殷胄者，工草隸，並江南士人，因高智慧沒為家奴。 親戚故吏，布列清顯，素之貴盛，近古未聞。 煬帝初為太子，忌蜀王秀，與素謀之，構成其罪，後竟廢黜。 朝臣有違忤者，雖至誠體國，如賀若弼、史萬歲、李綱、柳彧等，素皆陰中之。 若有附會及親戚，雖無才用，必加進擢。 朝廷靡然，莫不畏附。 唯兵部尚書柳述，以帝婿之重，數於上前面折素。 大理卿梁毗，抗表上言素作威作福。 上漸疏忌之，後因出敕曰：「僕射國之宰輔，不可躬親細務，但三五日一度向省，評論大事。」 外示優崇，實奪之權也。 終仁壽之末，不復通判省事。 上賜王公以下射，素箭為第一，上手以外國所獻金精盤，價直巨萬，以賜之。 四年，從幸仁壽宮，宴賜重疊。
Su's favor grew daily; his brother Yue, cousin Wensi, brother Wenji, and clan elder Yi all held ministerial posts. His sons, without battlefield merit, reached pillar of the state and governor. Household retainers numbered thousands; concubines in gauze and silk numbered thousands. Mansions were splendid, modeled on the palace. Bao Heng, skilled at prose, and Yin Zhou, adept at cursive and clerical script—Jiangnan scholars enslaved after Gao Zhihui's defeat—served his household. Kinsmen and old subordinates filled eminent posts; Su's glory was unmatched in recent memory. When Yang first became heir he resented Prince of Shu Xiu; with Su he fabricated charges and had him deposed. Ministers who opposed him—even sincere servants of state like He Ruobi, Shi Wansui, Li Gang, and Liu Yu—Su secretly undermined. Flatterers and kinsmen, however untalented, were promoted. The court bent like grass; all feared and clung to him. Only Minister of War Liu Shu, as the emperor's son-in-law, repeatedly rebuked Su to his face before the throne. Court of Judicial Review director Liang Pi memorialized that Su was arrogating authority and favor. The emperor grew distant and suspicious; later he issued an edict: "The vice director is chief minister and cannot handle petty affairs—come to the ministry once every few days to discuss great matters. Outwardly honored, in reality stripped of power. Through the end of Renshou he no longer handled routine business. At an archery contest for princes and below Su's arrow ranked first; the emperor gave him a foreign golden spirit dish worth tens of thousands. In year 4 he accompanied the emperor to Renshou Palace and received lavish feasts and gifts.
16
及上不豫，素與兵部尚書柳述、黃門侍郎元岩等入閤侍疾。 時皇太子入居大寶殿，慮上有不諱，須豫防擬，乃手自為書，封出問素。 素錄出事狀以報太子。 宮人誤送上所，上覽而大恚。 所寵陳貴人又言太子無禮。 上遂發怒，欲召庶人勇。 太子謀之于素，素矯詔追東宮兵士帖上臺宿衛，門禁出入，並取宇文述、郭衍節度，又令張衡侍疾。 上以此日崩，由是頗有異論。
When the emperor fell ill, Su entered the inner chamber with Minister of War Liu Shu and Palace Attendant Yuan Yan to attend him. The heir had moved into the Great Treasure Hall; fearing the worst, he wrote and sealed a letter himself and sent it to Su. Su copied the situation and reported to the heir. A palace woman mistakenly sent it to the emperor; he read it and was furious. Favored Lady Chen also said the heir was disrespectful. The emperor grew angry and wished to summon deposed heir Yong. The heir plotted with Su; Su forged an edict recalling Eastern Palace troops to guard the upper platform, controlled all gates, put Yuwen Shu and Guo Yan in command, and ordered Zhang Heng to attend the illness. The emperor died that same day; afterward many questioned what had happened.
17
漢王諒反，遣茹茹天保來據蒲州，燒斷河橋。 又遣王聃子率數萬人並力拒守。 素將輕騎五千襲之，潛於渭口宵濟，遲明擊之，天保敗走，聃子懾而以城降。 有詔征還。 初，素將行也，計日破賊，皆如所量。 帝於是以素為并州道行軍總管、河北安撫大使，率眾數萬討諒。 時晉、絳、呂三州並為諒城守，素各以二千人縻之而去。 諒遣趙子開擁眾十余萬，策絕徑路，屯據高壁，佈陣五十裡。 素令諸將以兵臨之，自引奇兵潛入霍山，緣崖谷而進，直指其營，一戰破之，殺傷數萬。 諒所署介州刺史梁修羅屯介休，聞素至，懼，棄城而走。 進至清源，去并州三十裡，諒率其將王世宗、趙子開、蕭摩訶等，眾且十萬，來拒戰。 又擊破之，擒蕭摩訶。 諒退保并州，素進兵圍之，諒窮蹙而降，餘黨悉平。 帝遣素弟修武公約齎手詔勞素曰：
When Prince of Han Liang rebelled, he sent Ruru Tianbao to seize Pu Province and burn the river bridge. He also sent Wang Danzi with tens of thousands to resist together. Su led five thousand light cavalry, crossed the Wei ford secretly by night, and at dawn attacked; Tianbao fled and Danzi surrendered in fear. An edict recalled him. Before marching, Su calculated days to victory—and all matched. The emperor made Su Bingzhou-route campaign commander and Hebei pacification commissioner with tens of thousands to attack Liang. Jin, Jiang, and Lü all held for Liang; Su left two thousand men each to pin them and marched on. Liang sent Zhao Zikai with over a hundred thousand to block the pass, hold high walls, and spread formations fifty li wide. Su pressed with main forces while he secretly led picked men through Huo Mountain along cliffs to strike the camp; one battle killed and wounded tens of thousands. Liang's Jie governor Liang Xiuluo held Jiexiu; hearing Su had come, he fled. At Qingyuan, thirty li from Bing Province, Liang led Wang Shizong, Zhao Zikai, Xiao Mohe, and nearly a hundred thousand men to resist. Su again defeated them and captured Xiao Mohe. Liang withdrew to Bing Province; Su besieged it; hard pressed, Liang surrendered and the rest were pacified. The emperor sent Su's brother Duke of Xiuwu Yue with a handwritten edict to comfort him:
18
我有隋之禦天下也，於今二十有四年，雖複外夷侵叛，而內難不作，修文偃武，四海晏然。 朕以不天，銜恤在疚，號天叩地，無所逮及。 朕本以籓王，謬膺儲兩，複以庸虛，纂承鴻業。 天下者，先皇之天下也，所以戰戰兢兢，弗敢失墜，況複神器之重，生民之大哉！ 賊諒包藏禍心，自幼而長，羊質獸心，假託名譽，不奉國諱，先圖叛逆，違君父之命，成莫大之罪。 誑惑良善，委任奸回，稱兵內侮，毒流百姓。 私假署置，擅相謀戮，小加大，少淩長，民怨神怒，眾叛親離，為惡不同，同歸於亂。 朕寡兄弟，猶未忍及言，是故開關門而待寇，揖干戈而不發。 朕聞之，天生蒸民，為之置君，仰惟先旨，每以子民為念，朕豈得枕伏苫廬，顛而不救也！ 大義滅親，《春秋》高義，周旦以誅二叔，漢啟乃戮七籓，義在茲乎？ 事不獲已，是以授公戎律，問罪太原。 且逆子賊臣，何代不有，豈意今者，近出家國。 所歎荼毒甫爾，便及此事。 由朕不能和兄弟，不能安蒼生，德澤未弘，兵戈先動，賊亂者止一從，塗炭者乃眾庶。 非唯寅畏天威，亦乃孤負付囑，薄德厚恥，愧乎天下。
In holding the Sui realm these twenty-four years, though outer tribes rebelled, no internal trouble arose; we cultivated culture and rested arms, and the four seas were calm. Lacking Heaven's favor, We bear mourning in grief, crying to Heaven and knocking our brow on earth—nothing avails. We were originally a frontier prince, wrongly made heir, and by mediocrity succeeded the great enterprise. The realm is the late emperor's realm; We tremble lest it fall—how much more the throne's weight and the people's greatness! Rebel Liang harbored evil from youth—sheep's hide, beast's heart—borrowed false fame, ignored the state's taboo, plotted rebellion, defied father and lord, and committed measureless crime. He deceived the good, trusted the wicked, raised arms within, and poison spread among the people. He usurped titles, plotted killings at will, let small overbear great and young insult elder; people resented, spirits raged, masses rebelled and kin deserted—all evil alike ending in chaos. We have few brothers and could hardly speak of it; We opened the gates to the invader and sheathed arms without striking. Heaven born the people and set rulers over them; We always take the people to heart—how lie on the mourning mat overturned and not save them! Great righteousness destroys kin—the Annals exalt it; the Duke of Zhou executed two uncles, Han Wendi the seven princes—is not righteousness here? It could not be avoided; We entrusted you with military law to question guilt at Taiyuan. Rebellious sons and traitor ministers—what age lacks them? Who thought today it would come from Our own house? We lament that poison had barely begun when it reached this. Because We could not harmonize brothers or settle the people, grace was not broad yet arms moved first; one follower rebelled, yet the multitude were charred. Not only in reverent fear of Heaven's majesty—We also bear the charge alone; thin virtue, thick shame before the realm.
19
公乃先朝功臣，勳庸克茂。 至如皇基草創，百物惟始，便匹馬歸朝，誠識兼至。 汴部鄭州，風卷秋籜，荊南塞北，若火燎原，早建殊勳，夙著誠節。 及獻替朝端，具瞻惟允，爰弼朕躬，以濟時難，昔周勃、霍光，何以加也！ 賊乃竊據蒲州，關梁斷絕，公以少擊眾，指期平殄。 高壁據嶺，抗拒官軍，公以深謀，出其不意，霧廓雲除，冰消瓦解，長驅北邁，直趣巢窟。 晉陽之南，蟻徒數萬，諒不量力，猶欲舉斧。 公以棱威外討，發憤於內，忘身殉義，親當矢石。 兵刃暫交，魚潰鳥散，僵屍蔽野，積甲若山。 諒遂守窮城，以拒鈇鉞。 公董率驍勇，四面攻圍，使其欲戰不敢，求走無路，智力俱盡，面縛軍門。 斬將搴旗，伐叛柔服，元惡既除，東夏清晏，嘉庸茂績，於是乎在。 昔武安平趙，淮陰定齊，豈若公遠而不勞，速而克捷者也！ 朕殷憂諒闇，不得親禦六軍，未能問道於上庠，遂使劬勞於行陣。 言念於此，無忘寢食。 公乃建累世之元勳，執一心之確志。 古人有言曰：「疾風知勁草，世亂有誠臣。」 公得之矣。 乃銘之常鼎，豈止書勳竹帛哉！ 功績克諧，哽歎無已。 稍冷，公如宜。 軍旅務殷，殊當勞慮，故遣公弟，指宣往懷。 迷塞不次。
You are a meritorious minister of the former court; achievement and glory abound. When the dynasty was first founded, with one horse you returned to court—sincerity and discernment together supreme. At Bian and Zheng the wind rolled autumn bamboo; on Jing's south and the frontier north fire spread over the plain—you early built extraordinary merit and long showed loyalty. Assisting at court's end all trusted you; you aided Us through the age's difficulty—what could Zhou Bo or Huo Guang add? The rebel held Pu Province and cut passes; you with few struck many and fixed the day for annihilation. High walls on the ridges resisted the army; your deep planning struck unexpectedly; mist cleared, ice melted; you drove north straight to the nest. South of Jinyang ant-like masses numbered tens of thousands; Liang, misjudging strength, still wished to raise the axe. With stern might outward and anger within, you forgot self for righteousness and met arrows and stones in person. Blades briefly crossed; fish scattered, birds broke; corpses covered the wild, armor piled like mountains. Liang then held the exhausted city against axes and halberds. You led the fierce on four sides until they wished to fight but dared not, sought escape but found none; wit and strength exhausted, he bound himself at the gate. Beheading generals, capturing banners, punishing rebels and soothing submission—the chief villain removed, the east cleared; great merit lies here. Wu An pacified Zhao, Huaiyin settled Qi—how compare with your reaching far without toil, swift and victorious! In deep grief at the darkened ruler We could not lead the six armies or inquire of the Way at the academy; labor fell on the marching ranks. Thinking of this We forget sleep and food. You have built merit of generations and hold a steadfast heart. The ancients said, "Strong grass knows the fierce wind; in disorder there are loyal ministers. You have obtained this. To inscribe it on the eternal tripod—how could it stop at bamboo and silk! Merit harmoniously achieved—We choke with endless sighs. It grows slightly cold; take care of yourself. Military affairs press and must greatly trouble you; We send your brother to convey Our feeling. Written in haste, not in order.
20
素上表陳謝曰：
Su submitted a memorial of thanks:
21
臣自惟虛薄，志不及遠，州郡之職，敢憚劬勞，卿相之榮，無階覬望。 然時逢昌運，王業惟始，雖涓流赴海，誠心屢竭，輕塵集岳，功力蓋微。 徒以南陽裡閭，豐沛子弟，高位重爵，榮顯一時。 遂複入處朝端，出總戎律，受文武之任，預帷幄之謀。 豈臣才能，實由恩澤。 欲報之德，義極昊天。 伏惟陛下照重離之明，養繼天之德，牧臣於疏遠，照臣以光暉，南服降枉道之書，春宮奉肅成之旨。 然草木無識，尚榮枯候時，況臣有心，實自效無路。 盡夜回徨，寢食慚惕，常懼朝露奄至，虛負聖慈。 賊諒包藏禍心，有自來矣，因幸國哀，便肆凶逆，興兵晉、代，搖盪山東。 陛下拔臣于凡流，授臣以戎律，蒙心膂之寄，稟平亂之規。 蕭王赤心，人皆以死，漢皇大度，天下爭歸，妖寇廓清，豈臣之力！ 曲蒙使臣弟約齎詔書問勞，高旨峻筆，有若天臨，洪恩大澤，便同海運。 悲欣慚懼，五情振越，雖百殞微軀，無以一報。
Your servant reflects on his emptiness; his will does not reach far; in prefecture posts he bears toil, but ministerial glory he dares not aspire to. Yet the age was prosperous and the enterprise beginning; though a trickle reaches the sea, sincerity repeatedly exhausted itself; though dust gathers on a peak, effort was slight. Only because among Nanyang lanes and Feng-Pei youths, high rank and heavy titles shone for a time. Then again he entered court's end and went out to command armies, bearing civil and martial charge and sharing inner planning. How could it be my ability? In truth by grace and favor. Wishing to repay this grace, righteousness reaches the vast sky. Bowing, your servant reflects that Your Majesty illumines double li, nurtures heaven-continuing virtue, herds me in remoteness and illumines me with radiance; the south sent bending letters, the Eastern Palace the edict of reverent completion. Grass and trees without knowledge still honor the seasons; how much more I, with heart yet no path to serve. All night turning, eating and sleeping in shame and fear, lest the morning dew come suddenly and I vainly bear your kindness. Rebel Liang long harbored evil; taking advantage of national mourning he let loose fierce rebellion, raising troops in Jin and Dai and shaking the east. Your Majesty plucked me from the common stream, entrusted military law, placed heart-and-spine trust on me, and granted the plan to pacify disorder. Prince Xiao had a red heart and all men died for him; Han's emperor had great breadth and the realm submitted; the demons were cleared—not by my strength! Wrongly receiving your order that my brother Yue bring comfort; the high intent and stern brush were as Heaven looking down; vast grace like the sea's transport. Grief, joy, shame, and fear shook the five feelings; though I died a hundred deaths I could not repay one part.
22
其月還京師，因從駕幸洛陽，以素領營東京大監。 以平諒之功，拜其子萬石、仁行、侄玄挺皆儀同三司，賚物五萬段，綺羅千匹，諒之妓妾二十人。 大業元年，遷尚書令，賜東京甲第一區，物二千段。 尋拜太子太師，餘官如故。 前後賞錫，不可勝計。 明年，拜司徒，改封楚公，真食二千五百戶。 其年，卒官。 諡曰景武，贈光祿大夫、太尉公、弘農河東絳郡臨汾文城河內汲郡長平上黨西河十郡太守。 給轀車，班劍四十人，前後部羽葆鼓吹，粟麥五千石，物五千段。 鴻臚監護喪事。 帝又下詔曰：「夫銘功彝器，紀德豐碑，所以垂名跡於不朽，樹風聲於沒世。 故楚景武公素，茂績元勳，劬勞王室，竭盡誠節，協贊朕躬。 故以道邁三傑，功參十亂。 未臻遐壽，遽揖清徽。 春秋遞代，方綿歲祀，式播雕篆，用圖勳德，可立碑宰隧，以彰盛美。」 素嘗以五言詩七百字贈番州刺史薛道衡，詞氣宏拔，風韻秀上，亦為一時盛作。 未幾而卒，道衡歎曰：「人之將死，其言也善，豈若是乎！」 有集十卷。
That month he returned to the capital and followed the emperor to Luoyang; Su was made grand supervisor of the Eastern Capital. For pacifying Liang his sons Wanshi and Renxing and nephew Xuanting were made threefold peerage; he received fifty thousand bolts of goods, a thousand of gauze and silk, and twenty of Liang's concubines. In Daye year 1 he became director of the Masters of Writing, received a first-rank Eastern Capital residence and two thousand bolts of goods. Soon he was made grand preceptor of the heir apparent; other posts unchanged. Rewards before and after were beyond counting. The next year he was made minister of education and re-enfeoffed Duke of Chu with two thousand five hundred households. That year he died in office. Posthumous title Jingwu; posthumously grand master for the brilliant, grand marshal, and governor of ten commanderies. A covered carriage was granted, forty halberd escorts, feathered banners and drums before and behind, five thousand shi of grain, and five thousand bolts of goods. The director of ceremonial supervised the funeral. The emperor also issued an edict: "Inscribing merit on ritual vessels and virtue on rich steles leaves name undying and sets fame for ages after death. Duke Jingwu of Chu Su had founding merit, toiled for the house, exhausted loyalty, and harmoniously assisted Us. His Way surpassed the Three Heroes and his achievement joined the Ten Disordered. Before long life he suddenly withdrew his clear radiance. Seasons pass, years stretch on; We spread carved inscription to picture merit—a stele may be raised at the tomb path to display this splendor. Su once gave Fan governor Xue Daoheng a five-character poem of seven hundred characters—wording grand, tone elegant—a celebrated work of the age. Soon he died; Daoheng sighed, "When a man is about to die his words are good—could it be like this! He left a collection in ten scrolls.
23
素雖有建立之策及平楊諒功，然特為帝所猜忌，外示殊禮，內情甚薄。 太史言隋分野有大喪，因改封于楚。 楚與隋同分，欲以此厭當之。 素寢疾之日，帝每令名醫診候，賜以上藥。 然密問醫人，恆恐不死。 素又自知名位已極，不肯服藥，亦不將慎，每語弟約曰：「我豈須更活耶？」 素貪冒財貨，營求產業。 東、西二京，居宅侈麗，朝毀夕複，營繕無已。 爰及諸方都會處，邸店、水磑並利田宅以千百數，時議以此鄙之。 子玄感嗣，別有傳。 諸子皆坐玄感誅死。
Though Su had founding plans and merit pacifying Yang Liang, the emperor especially distrusted him—outward special ritual, inward thin feeling. The grand astrologer said Sui's allotted region would see great mourning; he therefore changed the enfeoffment to Chu. Chu shares Sui's allotted region; he wished by this to avert the omen. While Su lay ill the emperor often sent famous physicians and gave superior drugs. Yet he secretly asked the physicians and always feared Su would not die. Su knew his rank had reached its limit, refused medicine and care, and often told his brother Yue, "Do I still need to live? Su was greedy for wealth and schemed for estates. In both capitals his dwellings were lavish—torn down mornings, rebuilt evenings, construction without end. At every major city, inns, mills, and profitable lands numbered in hundreds and thousands; opinion despised him for this. His son Xuangan succeeded him; he has a separate biography. All his sons were executed because of Xuangan.
24
約字惠伯，素異母弟也。 在童兒時，嘗登樹墮地，為查所傷，由是竟為宦者。 性好沉靜，內多譎詐，好學強記。 素友愛之，凡有所為，必先籌於約而後行之。 在週末，以素軍功，賜爵安成縣公，拜上儀同三司。 高祖受禪，授長秋卿。 久之，為邵州刺史，入為宗正少卿，轉大理少卿。
Yue, styled Huibo, was Su's younger brother by a different mother. As a child he climbed a tree, fell on a splinter, and became a eunuch. By nature he loved quiet and was inwardly deceitful; he loved learning and remembered strongly. Su loved him as a brother; whatever Su did was first planned with Yue. At Zhou's end, for Su's military merit, he was made Duke of Ancheng with five hundred households and upper threefold peerage. When Gaozu took the throne he was appointed director of the palace domestic service. Later he was governor of Shao, vice director of the imperial clan, then vice director of judicial review.
25
時皇太子無寵，而晉王廣規欲奪宗，以素幸於上，而雅信約。 於是用張衡計，遣宇文述大以金寶賂遺於約，因通王意，說之曰：「夫守正履道，固人臣之常致，反經合義，亦達者之令圖。 自古賢人君子，莫不與時消息，以避禍患。 公之兄弟，功名蓋世，當途用事，有年歲矣。 朝臣為足下家所屈辱者，可勝數哉！ 又儲宮以所欲不行，每切齒於執政。 公雖自結於人主，而欲危公者固亦多矣。 主上一旦棄群臣，公亦何以取庇？ 今皇太子失愛于皇后，主上素有廢黜之心，此公所知也。 今若請立晉王，在賢兄之口耳。 誠能因此時建大功，王必鐫銘於骨髓，斯則去累卵之危，成太山之安也。」 約然之，因以白素。 素本兇險，聞之大喜，乃撫掌而對曰：「吾之智思，殊不及此，賴汝起予。」 約知其計行，複謂素曰：「今皇后之言，上無不用，宜因機會，早自結托，則匪唯長保榮祿，傳祚子孫，又晉王傾身禮士，聲名日盛，躬履節儉，有主上之風，以約料之，必能安天下。 兄若遲疑，一旦有變，令太子用事，恐禍至無日矣。」 素遂行其策，太子果廢。
The heir had no favor while Prince of Jin Guang plotted the succession; Su was favored by the emperor and deeply trusted Yue. Using Zhang Heng's plan they sent Yuwen Shu with great gold and treasure to bribe Yue and connect with the prince, saying: "Keeping upright is a minister's common duty; going against canon for righteousness is also the far-seeing man's excellent scheme. From ancient times worthy men have moved with the times to avoid disaster. Your brothers' fame covers the age; they hold power for years. Court ministers your house has humiliated—can they be counted! The heir, his wishes denied, gnashes teeth at those in power. Though you attach to the lord, many wish you harm. If the lord one day abandons his ministers, how will you find shelter? The heir has lost the empress's love; the lord long wished to depose him—you know this. To install Prince of Jin needs only a word from your elder brother. Establish great merit now and the prince will inscribe it in bone; you remove egg-pile danger and gain Mount Tai's security. Yue agreed and told Su. Su, fierce by nature, was delighted and clapped his hands: "My wit falls short; I rely on you to awaken me. Yue knew the plan would work and said again: "The empress's words the emperor never rejects; attach early and you preserve rank for descendants—Prince of Jin honors scholars, grows in fame, practices frugality like the lord; by my reckoning he can settle the realm. Hesitate, and once the heir holds power disaster may come within days. Su carried out the plan and the heir was deposed.
26
後帝在東都，令約詣京師享廟，行至華陰，見其兄墓，遂枉道拜哭，為憲司所劾，坐是免官。 未幾，拜淅陽太守。 其兄子玄感，時為禮部尚書，與約恩義甚篤。 既愴分離，形於顏色，帝謂之曰：「公比憂瘁，得非為叔邪？」 玄感再拜流涕曰：「誠如聖旨。」 帝亦思約廢立功，由是征入朝。 未幾，卒，以素子玄挺後之。
Later the emperor at the Eastern Capital ordered Yue to the capital for ancestral rites; at Huayin he saw his brother's tomb, turned aside to bow and weep, was impeached by the censorate, and dismissed. Soon he was appointed governor of Xiyang. His nephew Xuangan was then minister of rites; with Yue his bond was very deep. Grief at parting showed on his face; the emperor said, "You seem troubled—is it your uncle? Xuangan bowed with tears: "It is truly as Your Majesty says." The emperor remembered Yue's merit deposing the heir and summoned him to court. Soon he died; Su's son Xuanting was made his heir.
27
從父文思
Su's father's younger cousin Wensi
28
文思字溫才，素從叔也。 父寬，魏左僕射，周小塚宰。 文思在周，年十一，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍。 尋以父功，封新豐縣子，邑五百戶。 天和初，治武都太守，十姓獠反，文思討平之，複治翼州事。 党項羌叛，文思率州兵討平之。 進擊資中、武康、隆山生獠及東山獠，並破之。 後從陳王攻齊河陰城，又從武帝攻拔晉州，以勳進授上儀同三司，改封永寧縣公，增邑至千戶。 壽陽劉叔仁作亂，從清河公宇文神舉討之，戰于磚井，在陣生擒叔仁。 又別從王誼破賊於鯉魚柵。 其後累以軍功，遷果毅右旅下大夫。 高祖為丞相，從韋孝寬拒尉迥于武陟。 迥遣其將李圍俊懷州，與行軍總管宇文述擊走之。 破尉惇，平鄴城，皆有功，進授上大將軍，改封洛川縣公。 尋拜隆州刺史。 開皇元年，進爵正平郡公，加邑二千戶。 後為魏州刺史，甚有惠政，及去職，吏民思之，為立碑頌德。 轉冀州刺史。 煬帝嗣位，征為民部尚書。 轉納言，改授右光祿大夫。 從幸江都宮，以足疾不堪趨奏，複授民部尚書，加位左光祿大夫。 卒官，時年七十。 諡曰定。 初，文思當襲父爵，自以非嫡，遂讓封于弟文紀，當世多之。
Wensi, styled Wencai, was Su's father's younger cousin. His father Kuan was Wei left vice director and Zhou minor grand minister. Under Zhou, at eleven Wensi was made General of Chariots and Cavalry, threefold peerage, and regular attendant. Soon for his father's merit he was enfeoffed Viscount of Xinfeng with five hundred households. At Tianhe's start he governed Wudu; the Ten-Surname Liao rebelled and he pacified them, then governed Yi Province. The Tangut Qiang rebelled; Wensi led provincial troops and pacified them. He advanced against raw Liao of Zizhong, Wukang, Longshan, and the eastern mountains and broke them all. He followed Prince of Chen against Qi at Heyin and Emperor Wu to capture Jin; for merit he became upper threefold peerage and Duke of Yongning with a thousand households. Liu Shuren of Shouyang rebelled; following Duke of Qinghe Yuwen Shenju he captured Shuren alive at Zhuanjing. He also followed Wang Yi and defeated bandits at Liyu palisade. Afterward by repeated military merit he became right brigade deputy commander of determined courage. When Gaozu was chancellor he followed Wei Xiaokuan against Wei Chiyuan at Wuzhi. Chiyuan sent Li Weijun against Huai; with campaign commander Yuwen Shu he drove him off. He broke Wei Dun and pacified Ye—all with merit; he was further made grand general and Duke of Luochuan. Soon he was governor of Long Province. In Kaihuang year 1 he was advanced Duke of Zhengping with two thousand more households. Later as Wei governor he governed benevolently; when he left, officials and people raised a stele praising him. He was transferred to governor of Ji Province. When Emperor Yang succeeded he was summoned minister of the household. He became director of the Masters of Writing and right grand master for the brilliant. At Jiangdu Palace foot ailment kept him from audience; he was again minister of the household and left grand master for the brilliant. He died in office at seventy. Posthumous title Ding. Wensi should have inherited his father's title; considering himself not legitimate he yielded to brother Wenji; the age praised him.
29
文思弟文紀
Wensi's younger brother Wenji
30
文紀字溫范，少剛正，有器局。 在周襲爵華山郡公，邑二千七百戶。 自右侍上士累遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司、安州總管長史。 將兵迎陳降將李瑗于齊安，與陳將周法尚軍遇，擊走之。 以功進授開府，入為虞部下大夫。 高祖為丞相，改封汾陰縣公。 從梁睿討王謙，以功進授上大將軍。 前後增邑三千戶。 拜資州刺史。 入為宗正少卿，坐事除名。 後數載，複其爵位，拜熊州刺史。 改封上明郡公。 除宗正卿。 兼給事黃門侍郎，判禮部尚書事。 仁壽二年，遷荊州總管。 歲餘，卒官，時年五十八。 諡曰恭。
Wenji, styled Wenfan, from youth was upright and firm with capacity. Under Zhou he inherited Duke of Huashan with two thousand seven hundred households. From right attendant upper clerk he rose to General of Chariots and Cavalry, threefold peerage, and chief of staff to An Province's commander. He led troops to welcome Chen surrendering general Li Yuan at Qi'an and drove off Chen general Zhou Fashang. For merit he was made colonel opening the state and deputy under the masters of works. When Gaozu was chancellor he was re-enfeoffed Duke of Fenyin. He followed Liang Rui against Wang Qian and for merit was further made grand general. Before and after his fief increased by three thousand households. He was appointed governor of Zi Province. He entered as vice director of the imperial clan and was dismissed for an offense. Several years later his title was restored and he was governor of Xiong Province. He was re-enfeoffed Duke of Shangming. He was made director of the imperial clan. He also served as attendant of affairs and yellow gate and judged Ministry of Rites affairs. In Renshou year 2 he was transferred commander of Jing Province. After more than a year he died in office at fifty-eight. Posthumous title Gong.
31
史臣曰：楊素少而輕俠，俶儻不羈，兼文武之資，包英奇之略，志懷遠大，以功名自許。 高祖龍飛，將清六合，許以腹心之奇，每當推彀之重。 掃妖氛于牛鬥，江海無波； 摧驍騎于龍庭，匈奴遠遁。 考其夷凶靜亂，功臣莫居其右； 覽其奇策高文，足為一時之傑。 然專以智詐自立，不由仁義之道，阿諛時主，高下其心。 營構離宮，陷君於奢侈； 謀廢塚嫡，致國于傾危。 終使宗廟丘墟，市朝霜露，究其禍敗之源，實乃素之由也。 幸而得死，子為亂階，墳土未幹，闔門殂戮，丘隴發掘，宗族誅夷。 則知積惡餘殃，信非徒語。 多行無禮必自及，其斯之謂歟！ 約外示溫柔，內懷狡算，為蛇畫足，終傾國本，俾無遺育，宜哉！
The historian says: Yang Su in youth was light and chivalrous, bold and unrestrained; he combined civil and martial gifts and heroic stratagem, ambition reaching far, achievement and fame his pledge. When Gaozu rose to clear the realm he was promised heart-and-belly trust; each time he bore the push-car's weight. He swept demonic vapors from the Ox Dipper; rivers and seas had no waves; he crushed fierce cavalry at the Dragon Court; the Xiongnu fled far away. Examining his pacifying the fierce and settling disorder, no meritorious minister stands above him; reading his singular plans and elevated prose, he was fully a hero of the age. Yet he relied on craft and fraud, not humaneness and righteousness; he flattered the lord and bent his heart accordingly. He built detached palaces and trapped the lord in extravagance; he plotted to depose the heir and brought the state to peril. In the end the ancestral temple became a mound and court knew dew and frost; examining disaster's source, in truth it was Su. Fortunate to die himself, his son became disorder's stair; before grave earth dried the whole gate was slaughtered, the mound dug, the clan executed. Then one knows accumulated evil's remaining calamity is no empty talk. Much unprincipled conduct must rebound on oneself—is this not what is meant! Yue outwardly gentle yet inwardly cunning, adding feet to the snake he overturned the state's foundation and left no descendants—fit indeed!