Volume 50 Biographies 15: Yu Wenqing, Li Licheng, Yuan Xiaoju, Guo Rong, Pang Huang, Li An

隋書卷五十列傳第十五

Book of Sui, Volume 50, Biographies 15

○宇文慶

● Yuwen Qing

宇文慶，字神慶，河南洛陽人也。祖金殿，魏征南大將軍，仕曆五州刺史、安吉侯。父顯和，夏州刺史。慶沉深有器局，少以聰敏見知。周初，受業東觀，頗涉經史。既而謂人曰：「書足記姓名而已，安能久事筆硯，為腐儒之業！」于時文州民夷相聚為亂，慶應募從征。賊據保岩谷，徑路懸絕，慶束馬而進，襲破之，以功授都督。衛王直之鎮山南也，引為左右。慶善射，有膽氣，好格猛獸，直甚壯之。稍遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司、柱國府掾。及誅宇文護，慶有謀焉，進授驃騎大將軍，加開府。後從武帝攻河陰，先登攀堞，與賊短兵接戰，良久，中石乃墜，絕而後蘇。帝勞之曰：「卿之餘勇，可以賈人也。」複從武帝拔晉州。其後齊師大至，慶與宇文憲輕騎而覘，卒與賊相遇，為賊所窘。憲挺身而遁，慶退據汾橋，眾賊爭進，慶引弓射之，所中人馬必倒，賊乃稍卻。及破高緯，拔高壁，克并州，下信都，禽高湝，功並居最。周武帝詔曰：「慶勳庸早著，英望華遠，出內之績，簡在朕心。戎車自西，俱總行陣，東夏蕩定，實有茂功。高位縟禮，宜崇榮冊。」於是進位大將軍，封汝南郡公，邑千六百戶。尋以行軍總管擊延安反胡，平之，拜延州總管。俄轉甯州總管。高祖為丞相，複以行軍總管南征江表。師次白帝，征還，以勞進位上大將軍。高祖與慶有舊，甚見親待，令督丞相軍事，委以心腹。尋加柱國。開皇初，拜左武衛將軍，進位上柱國。數年，出除涼州總管。歲餘，征還，不任以職。

Yuwen Qing, whose courtesy name was Shenqing, came from Luoyang in Henan. His grandfather Jindian had served as the Northern Wei's General Who Conquers the South, governing five prefectures in succession and holding the title Marquis of Anji. His father Xianhe had been governor of Xia Province. Qing was sober and far-sighted, with a capacity for large affairs, and was recognized early on for his quick mind. In the early Northern Zhou he studied at the Eastern Pavilion and read widely in the classics and histories. Before long he told people, "Books are only good for keeping your name on record—how could I spend my life at a desk and become one of those stale bookworms! At that time the tribal peoples of Wen Prefecture rose in revolt; Qing answered the call and joined the campaign. The rebels held Baoyan Gorge, where the trail was sheer and impassable. Qing had his horse tethered and went in on foot, stormed them, and routed the force; for this he was made a military commander. When Prince Wei Zhi was posted to garrison the southern mountains, he brought Qing into his inner circle. Qing was an expert archer, bold in spirit, and fond of wrestling fierce beasts; the prince thought highly of his courage. He was gradually promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong of the Third Rank, and an adjutant in the Chancellor of State's office. When Yuwen Hu was killed, Qing had helped plan the move; he was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry and granted an independent command. Later he followed Emperor Wu in the attack on Heyin, was the first to scale the walls, and fought the enemy hand to hand for a long time until a stone struck him and he fell; he lost consciousness but later came to. The emperor praised him, saying, "Even what courage you have left could be sold at a premium. He again followed Emperor Wu in the capture of Jinzhou. When a large Qi army arrived soon after, Qing and Yuwen Xian rode out on light horse to scout and suddenly ran into the enemy, who hemmed them in. Xian broke free and fled; Qing fell back to hold the Fen Bridge. As the enemy swarmed forward, Qing shot with his bow, and every man or horse he struck went down, until the rebels at last gave ground. In the defeat of Gao Wei they took Gaobi, captured Bingzhou, reduced Xindu, and captured Gao Shaoji; Qing's achievements ranked first among all. Emperor Wu of Zhou issued an edict saying, "Qing's merit was evident early on, and his reputation shines far; his service at court and in the field has not escaped Our notice. When the armies marched westward he shared command of the columns, and in pacifying the eastern regions he performed outstanding service. High rank and ceremonial honors are what he deserves. He was then promoted to Grand General, enfeoffed as Duke of Runan commandery with a fief of 1,600 households. Soon afterward, as campaigning commander-in-chief, he attacked the rebellious Hu of Yan'an, pacified them, and was appointed governor-general of Yanzhou. Before long he was transferred to governor-general of Ningzhou. When Yang Jian was still Chancellor, Qing again served as campaigning commander-in-chief in the southern expedition against the Yangtze region. The army halted at Baidi; he was recalled from the campaign and promoted to Supreme Grand General for his exertions. Gaozu and Qing were old acquaintances; Qing was treated with exceptional intimacy, put in charge of the Chancellor's military affairs, and trusted as a close confidant. Before long he was made a Pillar of State. At the beginning of the Kaihuang reign he was appointed General of the Left Martial Guards and promoted to Supreme Pillar of State. Several years later he was sent out as governor-general of Liangzhou. A little over a year later he was recalled and given no further duties.

初，上潛龍時，嘗從容與慶言及天下事，上謂慶曰：「天元實無積德，視其相貌，壽亦不長。加以法令繁苛，耽恣聲色，以吾觀之，殆將不久。又複諸侯微弱，各令就國，曾無深根固本之計。羽翮既剪，何能及遠哉！尉迥貴戚，早著聲望，國家有釁，必為亂階。然智量庸淺，子弟輕佻，貪而少惠，終致亡滅。司馬消難反覆之虜，亦非池內之物，變成俄頃，但輕薄無謀，未能為害，不過自竄江南耳。庸、蜀險隘，易生艱阻，王謙愚蠢，素無籌略，但恐為人所誤，不足為虞。」未幾，上言皆驗。及此，慶恐上遺忘，不復收用，欲見舊蒙恩顧，具錄前言為表而奏之曰：「臣聞智侔造化，二儀無以隱其靈；明同日月，萬象不能藏其狀。先天弗違，實聖人之體道；未萌見兆，諒達節之神機。伏惟陛下特挺生知，徇齊誕禦，懷五嶽其猶輕，吞八荒而不梗，蘊妙見於胸襟，運奇謨於掌握。臣以微賤，早逢天眷，不以庸下，親蒙推赤。所奉成規，纖毫弗舛，尋惟聖慮，妙出蓍龜，驗一人之慶有徵，實天子之言無戲。臣親聞親見，實榮實喜。」上省表大悅，下詔曰：「朕之與公，本來親密，懷抱委曲，無所不盡。話言歲久，尚能記憶，今覽表奏，方悟昔談。何謂此言，遂成實錄。古人之先知禍福，明可信也，朕言之驗，自是偶然。公乃不忘，彌表誠節，深感至意，嘉尚無已。」自是上每加優禮。卒於家。

Earlier, while the Emperor was still only a rising power, he once spoke frankly with Qing about the state of the realm. He told Qing, "The Tianyuan Emperor has built up no real virtue, and to judge by his looks he will not live long either. On top of that, his laws are harsh and excessive, and he gives himself over to pleasure without restraint; in my view, he will not last much longer. Moreover, the feudal princes have been weakened, each sent off to his own domain, with never a plan to plant deep roots and secure the foundation. Once their wings are clipped, how far can they fly! Yuchi Jiong is a noble kinsman who won renown early on; if trouble opens in the state, he is sure to become the first step toward rebellion. Yet his mind is shallow, his sons and brothers frivolous; he is greedy and lacking in generosity, and in the end will destroy himself. Sima Xiaonan is an unreliable foreigner, not someone who belongs in the inner circle; he may turn in a moment, but he is shallow and without strategy and cannot do real harm—at most he will flee south of the Yangtze on his own. Yong and Shu are rugged and hard to pass, where trouble comes easily; Wang Qian is a fool who has never had a plan—he may only be led astray by others and is not worth worrying over. Before long, everything the Emperor had said came true. By then Qing feared the Emperor had forgotten him and would never call him back; hoping to remind him of their old bond, he set down their earlier conversation in a memorial and submitted it, writing, "I have heard that when wisdom rivals creation itself, heaven and earth cannot conceal its workings; when insight matches the sun and moon, nothing under heaven can hide its true shape. To anticipate Heaven without being contradicted is how the sage embodies the Way; to read the signs before they appear is the divine insight of one who grasps the essential. I humbly consider that Your Majesty was born with extraordinary wisdom, took the throne in accord with the highest principle, holds the Five Marchmounts as lightly as pebbles and encompasses the eight directions without strain, keeps subtle insight in your breast, and turns brilliant stratagems in the palm of your hand. I am humble and lowly, yet I met your favor early on; though I am unworthy, you opened your heart to me in person. The predictions you entrusted to me have not missed by a hair. Reflecting on your sacred foresight, it surpasses any divination; to see that what you told me alone has come true proves that the Son of Heaven's words are never spoken in jest. I heard it with my own ears and have seen it with my own eyes—this is honor and joy indeed. The Emperor read the memorial with great delight and issued an edict saying, "Between us there has always been intimacy; what lay in my heart, every twist and turn, I held back nothing from you. Our conversation was years ago, yet you still remember it. Reading your memorial today, I have only now recalled what we said then. Who would have thought those words would become a verified record! The ancients' foreknowledge of fortune and disaster is clearly credible; that my words came true was mere chance. Yet you have not forgotten, and all the more show your loyal devotion. I am deeply moved by your sincerity and cannot praise you enough." From then on the Emperor treated him with ever greater favor. He died at home.

子靜禮，初為太子千牛備身，尋尚高祖女廣平公主，授儀同，安德縣公，邑千五百戶，後為熊州刺史。先慶卒。

His son Jingli first served as an attendant in the Heir Apparent's guard, then married Emperor Gaozu's daughter, the Princess of Guangping; he was given Yitong rank, enfeoffed as Duke of Ande county with a fief of 1,500 households, and later became governor of Xiongzhou. He died before his father Qing.

子協，曆武賁郎將、右翊衛將軍，宇文化及之亂遇害。

His son Xie served successively as Lang General of the Martial Guards and General of the Right Wing Guards and was killed in the uprising of Yuwen Huaji.

協弟皛，字婆羅門，大業之世，少養宮中。後為千牛左右，煬帝甚親昵之。每有遊宴，皛必侍從，至於出入臥內，伺察六宮，往來不限門禁，其恩幸如此。時人號曰宇文三郎。皛與宮人淫亂，至於妃嬪公主，亦有醜聲。蕭後言於帝，皛聞而懼，數日不敢見。其兄協因奏曰：「皛今已壯，不可在宮掖。」帝曰：「皛安在？」協曰：「在朝堂。」帝不之罪，因召入，待之如初。宇文化及弑逆之際，皛時在玄覽門，覺變，將入奏，為門司所遏，不得時進。會日瞑，宮門閉，退還所守。俄而難作，皛與五十人赴之，為亂兵所害。

Xie's younger brother Xiao, whose courtesy name was Boluomen, was raised in the palace from boyhood during the Daye reign. Later he became an attendant in the imperial guard, and Emperor Yang favored him with exceptional intimacy. Whenever the Emperor went out or held a feast, Xiao was always at his side; he even entered the inner sleeping quarters, kept watch over the Six Palaces, and passed in and out without regard for the palace gates—such was the extent of his favor. People of the time called him Third Son Yuwen. Xiao carried on licentious affairs with palace women, and even consorts and princesses were rumored to be involved. Empress Xiao reported this to the Emperor; when Xiao heard of it he was afraid and for several days did not dare show himself. His elder brother Xie then memorialized, saying, "Xiao is grown now and should not remain in the inner palace. The Emperor said, "Where is Xiao?" Xie said, "He is in the audience hall." The Emperor did not blame him, summoned him in, and treated him as before. At the time of Yuwen Huaji's regicide, Xiao was at the Xuanlan Gate; sensing trouble, he tried to go in and report it but was stopped by the gate guards and could not get through in time. Night fell and the palace gates closed; he withdrew to his post. Before long the crisis broke out; Xiao rushed there with fifty men and was killed by the mutinous troops.

○李禮成

● Li Licheng

李禮成，字孝諧，隴西狄道人也。涼王暠之六世孫。祖延實，魏司徒。父彧，侍中。禮成年七歲，與姑之子蘭陵太守滎陽鄭顥隨魏武帝入關。顥母每謂所親曰：「此兒平生未嘗回顧，當為重器耳。」及長，沉深有行檢，不妄通賓客。魏大統中，釋褐著作郎，遷太子洗馬、員外散騎常侍。周受禪，拜平東將軍、散騎常侍。于時貴公子皆競習弓馬，被服多為軍容。禮成雖善騎射，而從容儒服，不失素望。後以軍功拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司，賜爵修陽縣侯，拜遷州刺史。時朝廷有所徵發，禮成度以蠻夷不可擾，擾必為亂，上表固諫。周武帝從之。伐齊之役，從帝圍晉陽，禮成以兵擊南門，齊將席毗羅率精甲數千拒帝，禮成力戰，擊退之。加開府，進封冠軍縣公，拜北徐州刺史。未幾，征為民部中大夫。

Li Licheng, whose courtesy name was Xiaoxie, came from Didao in Longxi. He was the sixth-generation descendant of Li Liang, Prince of Liang. His grandfather Yanshi had been Chancellor of State of the Northern Wei. His father Yu had been Palace Attendant. When Licheng was seven, he followed his aunt's son Zheng Hao of Xingyang, governor of Lanling, westward with Emperor Wu of Wei. Hao's mother often told those close to her, "This boy has never once looked back in his life—he will surely become someone of great consequence. When he grew up, he was sober and principled and did not receive guests casually. During the Northern Wei's Datong era he entered office as Master of Writings, then was promoted to Groom of the Heir Apparent and supernumerary Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. When the Northern Zhou took the throne he was appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Regular Attendant of the Scattered Cavalry. At that time the sons of the nobility all competed in horsemanship and archery, and dressed mostly in military fashion. Although Licheng was skilled at riding and archery, he still wore scholar's robes with ease and did not lose the reputation he had always enjoyed. Later, for military merit, he was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and Yitong of the Third Rank, enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiuyang county, and appointed governor of Qianzhou. When the court issued requisitions, Licheng judged that the tribal peoples could not be disturbed without provoking rebellion and submitted a firm memorial of remonstrance. Emperor Wu of Zhou accepted his advice. In the campaign against Qi he followed the Emperor in the siege of Jinyang and led troops against the south gate. The Qi general Xi Piluo led several thousand elite armored troops to block the Emperor; Licheng fought hard and drove them back. He was granted an independent command, promoted to Duke of Guanjun county, and appointed governor of North Xuzhou. Before long he was recalled to court as Grand Master of the Ministry of the People.

禮成妻竇氏早沒，知高祖有非常之表，遂聘高祖妹為繼室，情契甚歡。及高祖為丞相，進位上大將軍，遷司武上大夫，委以心膂。及受禪，拜陝州刺史，進封絳郡公，賞賜優洽。尋征為左衛將軍，遷右武衛大將軍。歲餘，出拜襄州總管，稱有惠政。後數載，複為左衛大將軍。時突厥屢為寇患，緣邊要害，多委重臣，由是拜甯州刺史。歲餘，以疾征還京師，終於家。其子世師，官至度支侍郎。

Licheng's wife, of the Dou clan, had died early; recognizing that Yang Jian had the bearing of a man destined for greatness, he took Gaozu's younger sister as his second wife, and the two were deeply attached. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, Licheng was promoted to Supreme Grand General and Grand Master of the Ministry of War and entrusted as one of his closest confidants. When Gaozu took the throne, Licheng was appointed governor of Shanzhou, promoted to Duke of Jiang commandery, and showered with generous rewards. Before long he was recalled as General of the Left Guards and promoted to Grand General of the Right Martial Guards. A little over a year later he was sent out as governor-general of Xiangzhou, where his rule was praised as benevolent. Several years later he again became Grand General of the Left Guards. At that time the Turks raided repeatedly, and the key border posts were usually entrusted to senior ministers; for this reason he was appointed governor of Ningzhou. A little over a year later he was recalled to the capital because of illness and died at home. His son Shishi rose to the post of Vice Minister of the Department of Revenue.

○元孝矩弟褒

● Yuan Xiaoju and his younger brother Bao

元孝矩，河南洛陽人也。祖修義，父子均，並為魏尚書僕射。孝矩西魏時襲爵始平縣公，拜南豐州刺史。時見周太祖專政，將危元氏，孝矩每慨然有興複社稷之志，陰謂昆季曰：「昔漢氏有諸呂之變，硃虛、東牟，卒安劉氏。今宇文之心，路人所見，顛而不扶，焉用宗子？盍將圖之？」為兄則所遏，孝矩乃止。其後周太祖為兄子晉公護娶孝矩妹為妻，情好甚密。及閔帝受禪，護總百揆，孝矩之寵益隆。及護誅，坐徙蜀。數戰，征還京師，拜益州總管司馬，轉司憲大夫。

Yuan Xiaoju came from Luoyang in Henan. His grandfather Xiuyi and his father Zijun had both served as Vice Chancellors of the Northern Wei. Under Western Wei, Xiaoju inherited the title Duke of Shiping county and was appointed governor of Nanfengzhou. Seeing the Zhou Founding Emperor monopolize power and endanger the Yuan clan, Xiaoju often burned with the wish to restore the dynasty, and secretly told his brothers, "When the Han house faced the crisis of the Lü clan, Zhu Xu and Dong Mou in the end secured the Liu line. Yuwen's intentions are plain to every passerby; when the house is falling and no one steadies it, what use are we imperial clansmen? Why not act against him? His elder brother Ze stopped him, and Xiaoju gave up the plan. Later the Zhou Founding Emperor had his nephew Yuwen Hu, Duke of Jin, marry Xiaoju's younger sister; the two became very close. When Emperor Min took the throne, Hu held all government affairs, and Xiaoju's favor grew ever greater. When Hu was executed, Xiaoju was implicated and exiled to Shu. After several campaigns he was recalled to the capital, appointed chief administrator under the governor-general of Yizhou, and later transferred to Grand Master of the Ministry of Justice.

高祖重其門地，娶其女為房陵王妃。及高祖為丞相，拜少塚宰，進位柱國，賜爵洵陽郡公。時房陵王鎮洛陽，及上受禪，立為皇太子，令孝矩代鎮。既而立其女為皇太子妃，親禮彌厚。俄拜夀州總管，賜孝矩璽書曰：「揚、越氛昆，侵軼邊鄙，爭桑興役，不識大猷。以公志存遠略，今故鎮邊服，懷柔以禮，稱朕意焉。」時陳將任蠻奴等屢寇江北，複以孝矩領行軍總管，屯兵于江上。後數載，自以年老，筋力漸衰，不堪軍旅，上表乞骸骨。轉涇州刺史，高祖下書曰：「知執謙捴，請歸初服。恭膺寶命，實賴元功，方欲委裘，寄以分陝，何容便請高蹈，獨為君子者乎！若以邊境務煩，即宜徙節涇郡，養德臥治也。」在州歲餘，卒官，年五十九。諡曰簡。子無竭嗣。

Emperor Gaozu valued his family standing and married his daughter to the Prince of Fangling. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, Xiaoju was appointed Junior Director of the Mausoleum, promoted to Pillar of State, and enfeoffed as Duke of Xunyang commandery. At that time the Prince of Fangling was posted to Luoyang; when Gaozu took the throne and made him crown prince, he had Xiaoju take his place as garrison commander. His daughter was then made crown princess, and the family's favor with the throne grew even deeper. Soon he was appointed governor-general of Shouzhou, with an imperial patent reading, "Turmoil spreads through Yang and Yue; the borders are overrun, petty quarrels and levies abound, and the greater design is forgotten. Because you hold to a far-reaching vision, We now post you on the frontier to win them with courtesy and restraint—this is exactly what We intend. When Chen generals such as Ren Mannu repeatedly raided north of the Yangtze, Xiaoju was again made campaigning commander-in-chief and stationed troops along the river. Several years later, finding himself old and his strength failing, unable to bear military duty, he memorialized asking to retire. He was transferred to governor of Jingzhou; Gaozu wrote, "I know you hold to humility and ask to return to private life. In taking up the throne I rely on men of founding merit; I was about to entrust you with the weight of the realm—how can you ask at once to withdraw and live only as a private gentleman! If the frontier duties are too burdensome, then move your command to Jing commandery and govern from repose while cultivating your strength. A little over a year later he died in office, at the age of fifty-nine. His posthumous name was Jian (Simple). His son Wujie left no heir.

孝矩兄子文郁，見《誠節傳》。孝矩次弟雅，字孝方，有文武幹用。開皇中，曆左領左右將軍、集沁二州刺史，封順陽郡公。季弟褒，最知名。

Xiaoju's nephew's son Wenyu is treated in the Biographies of Loyalty and Integrity. Xiaoju's next younger brother Ya, whose courtesy name was Xiaofang, possessed both civil and military talent. During the Kaihuang reign he served successively as General of the Left Guards and governor of Ji and Qin provinces, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Shunyang commandery. His youngest brother Bao was the most famous of the family.

褒字孝整，便弓馬，少有成人之量。年十歲而孤，為諸兄所鞠養。性友悌，善事諸兄。諸兄議欲別居，褒泣諫不得，家素富，多金寶，褒無所受，脫身而出，為州裡所稱。及長，寬仁大度，涉獵書史。仕周，官至開府、北平縣公、趙州刺史。及高祖為丞相，從韋孝寬擊尉迥，以功超拜柱國，進封河間郡公，邑二千戶。開皇二年，拜安州總管。歲餘，徙原州總管。有商人為賊所劫，其人疑同宿者而執之，褒察其色冤而辭正，遂舍之。商人詣闕訟褒受金縱賊，上遣使窮治之。使者簿責褒曰：「何故利金而舍盜也？」褒便即引咎，初無異詞。使者與褒俱詣京師，遂坐免官。其盜尋發於他所，上謂褒曰：「公朝廷舊人，位望隆重，受金舍盜非善事，何至自誣也？」對曰：「臣受委一州，不能息盜賊，臣之罪一也。州民為人所謗，不付法司，懸即放免，臣之罪二也。牽率愚誠，無顧形跡，不恃文書約束，至令為物所疑，臣之罪三也。臣有三罪，何所逃責？臣又不言受賂，使者複將有所窮究，然則縲絏橫及良善，重臣之罪，是以自誣。」上歎異之，稱為長者。十四年，以行軍總管屯兵備邊。遼東之役，複以行軍總管從漢王至柳城而還。仁壽初，嘉州夷、獠為寇，褒率步騎二萬擊平之。煬帝即位，拜齊州刺史，尋改為齊郡太守，吏民安之。及興遼東之役，郡官督事者前後相屬，有西曹掾當行，詐疾，褒詰之，掾理屈，褒杖之，掾遂大言曰：「我將詣行在所，欲有所告。」褒大怒，因杖百餘，數日而死，坐是免官。卒于家，時年七十三。

Bao, whose courtesy name was Xiaozheng, was skilled at horsemanship and archery and even as a boy showed the capacity of a grown man. Orphaned at ten, he was raised by his elder brothers. He was affectionate and deferential by nature and devoted himself to his elder brothers. When his brothers proposed dividing the household, Bao wept and pleaded in vain. The family was wealthy and held much gold and treasure, but Bao took none of it and left empty-handed—a conduct praised throughout the district. When he grew up, he was generous and magnanimous and read widely in books and histories. Under the Northern Zhou he rose to an independent command, the title Duke of Beiping county, and the governorship of Zhao. When Yang Jian was Chancellor, he followed Wei Xiaokuan against Yuchi Jiong; for his merit he was promoted in one step to Pillar of State and enfeoffed as Duke of Hejian commandery with a fief of 2,000 households. In the second year of Kaihuang he was appointed governor-general of Anzhou. A little over a year later he was transferred to governor-general of Yuanzhou. A merchant was robbed by bandits and seized a fellow lodger he suspected; Bao saw that the man's face showed distress and his words rang true, and released him. The merchant went to court accusing Bao of taking a bribe to release the thief; the Emperor sent an envoy to investigate. The envoy pressed him in the record, saying, "Why take gold and let the thief go? Bao at once accepted the blame and offered no defense. The envoy brought Bao to the capital, and he was dismissed from office. The thief was soon caught elsewhere. The Emperor said to Bao, "You are a veteran of the court, a man of weight and standing—taking a bribe to free a thief would be a serious matter; why falsely accuse yourself? He replied, "I was entrusted with a whole province and could not suppress banditry—that is my first offense. A subject of the province was slandered, and I did not send the case to the courts but released him at once—that is my second offense. Led by my own sincerity, I paid no heed to appearances or formal procedure, and so came under suspicion—that is my third offense. I have three offenses—how can I escape blame? If I denied taking a bribe, the envoy would press the inquiry further and innocent people would be dragged into bonds—that would be the greater fault of a senior minister, and so I accused myself." The Emperor marveled and called him a man of true stature. In the fourteenth year he served as campaigning commander-in-chief, stationing troops to guard the frontier. In the Liaodong campaign he again served as campaigning commander-in-chief, following the Prince of Han to Liucheng and back. At the beginning of the Renshou reign the Yi and Liao of Jiazhou rebelled; Bao led twenty thousand foot and horse and pacified them. When Emperor Yang took the throne, Bao was appointed governor of Qizhou, then grand administrator of Qi commandery, where officials and people lived in peace under his rule. When the Liaodong campaign began, county officials overseeing the levy came in an unbroken stream. A clerk of the West Bureau who was due to depart feigned illness; Bao questioned him, the clerk was cornered, and Bao had him beaten. The clerk then shouted, "I am going to the imperial camp to lodge a complaint. Bao flew into a rage and had him beaten more than a hundred strokes; the clerk died several days later, and Bao was dismissed for it. He died at home at the age of seventy-three.

○郭榮

● Guo Rong

郭榮，字長榮，自雲太原人也。父徽，魏大統末為同州司馬。時武元皇帝為刺史，由是與高祖有舊。徽後官至洵州刺史、安城縣公。及高祖受禪，拜太僕卿，數年，卒官。榮容貌魁岸，外疏內密，與其交者多愛之。周大塚宰宇文護引為親信。護察榮謹厚，擢為中外府水曹參軍。時齊寇屢侵，護令榮於汾州觀賊形勢。時汾州與姚襄鎮相去懸遠，榮以為二城孤迥，勢不相救，請於州鎮之間更築一城，以相控攝，護從之。俄而齊將段孝先攻陷姚襄、汾州二城，唯榮所立者獨能自守。護作浮橋，出兵渡河，與孝先戰。孝先於上流縱大筏以擊浮橋，護令榮督便水者引取其筏。以功授大都督。護又以稽胡數為寇亂，使榮綏集之。榮于上郡、延安築周昌、弘信、廣安、招遠、咸寧等五城，以遏其要路，稽胡由是不能為寇。武帝親總萬機，拜宣納中士。後從帝平齊，以戰功，賜馬二十匹，綿絹六百段，封平陽縣男，遷司水大夫。

Guo Rong, whose courtesy name was Changrong, claimed descent from Taiyuan in Yun. His father Hui served at the end of the Northern Wei's Datong era as chief administrator of Tongzhou. At that time Emperor Wu of Northern Wei was governor there, and through this the family formed old ties with Yang Jian. Hui later rose to governor of Xunzhou and Duke of Ancheng county. When Gaozu took the throne, he was appointed Grand Minister of Stud; several years later he died in office. Rong was imposing in appearance, open in manner but inwardly reserved; those who knew him tended to love him. The Northern Zhou Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu took him into his inner circle. Hu saw that Rong was prudent and reliable and promoted him to adjutant in the Central-Outer Office's Water Bureau. When Qi forces raided repeatedly, Hu sent Rong to Fenzhou to observe the enemy's movements. Fenzhou and Yaoxiang garrison were far apart; Rong argued that the two posts were isolated and could not support each other, and proposed building a new city between them to link their defenses; Hu agreed. Before long the Qi general Duan Xiaoxian captured Yaoxiang and Fenzhou; only the city Rong had built held out. Hu built a pontoon bridge, crossed the river with his army, and fought Xiaoxian. Xiaoxian sent large rafts downstream to smash the pontoon bridge; Hu had Rong direct skilled watermen to seize the rafts. For this he was made Grand Commander. Because the Ji Hu raided repeatedly, Hu also sent Rong to pacify them. Rong built five cities at Shangjun and Yan'an—Zhouchang, Hongxin, Guang'an, Zhaoyuan, and Xianning—to block their main routes, and the Ji Hu could no longer raid. When Emperor Wu took personal charge of government, Rong was appointed Xuanna Central Gentleman. Later he followed the Emperor in the pacification of Qi; for his military merit he received twenty horses and six hundred lengths of silk, was enfeoffed as Baron of Pingyang county, and promoted to Grand Master of the Water Ministry.

榮少與高祖親狎，情契極歡，嘗與高祖夜坐月下，因從容謂榮曰：「吾仰觀玄象，俯察人事，周曆已盡，我其代之。」榮深自結納。宣帝崩，高祖總百揆，召榮，撫其背而笑曰：「吾言驗未？」即拜相府樂曹參軍。俄以本官複領蕃部大夫。高祖受禪，引為內史舍人，以龍潛之舊，進爵蒲城郡公，加位上儀同。累遷通州刺史。仁壽初，西南夷、獠多叛，詔榮領八州諸軍事行軍總管，率兵討之。歲餘悉平，賜奴婢三百餘口。

Rong had been close to Yang Jian since youth, and their bond ran very deep. One night they sat together under the moon, and Yang Jian said frankly to him, "I read the heavens above and human affairs below—the Zhou mandate is spent, and I shall take its place. Rong pledged himself to him wholeheartedly. When Emperor Xuan died and Yang Jian took control of government, he summoned Rong, clapped him on the back, and laughed, "Have my words come true? He was at once appointed adjutant in the Chancellor's Music Bureau. Before long, while keeping his original post, he also took charge of tribal affairs as Grand Master. When Gaozu took the throne, he was made Inner Secretariat Attendant; for their bond from the years before he rose, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Pucheng commandery and given the rank Supreme Yitong. He was later promoted to governor of Tongzhou. At the beginning of the Renshou reign many Yi and Liao of the southwest rebelled; Rong was ordered to serve as campaigning commander-in-chief over eight provinces and lead troops against them. Within a little over a year all were pacified, and he was granted more than three hundred servants.

煬帝即位，入為武候驃騎將軍，以嚴正聞。後數歲，黔安首領田羅駒阻清江作亂，夷陵諸郡，民夷多應者，詔榮擊平之。遷左候衛將軍。從帝西征吐谷渾，拜銀青光祿大夫。遼東之役，以功進位左光祿大夫。明年，帝複事遼東，榮以為中國疲敝，萬乘不宜屢動，乃言於帝曰：「戎狄失禮，臣下之事。臣聞千鈞之弩不為鼷鼠發機，豈有親辱大駕以臨小寇？」帝不納。複從軍攻遼東城，榮親蒙矢石，晝夜不釋甲胄百餘日。帝每令人窺諸將所為，知榮如是，帝大悅，每勞勉之。九年，帝至東都，謂榮曰：「公年德漸高，不宜久涉行陣，當與公一郡，任所選也。」榮不願違離，頓首陳讓，辭情哀苦，有感帝心，於是拜為右候衛大將軍。後數日，帝謂百僚曰：「誠心純至如郭榮者，固無比矣。」其見信如此。楊玄感之亂，帝令馳守太原。明年，複從帝至柳城，遇疾，帝令存問動靜，中使相望。卒于懷遠鎮，時年六十八。帝為之廢朝，贈兵部尚書，諡曰恭，贈物千段。有子福善。

When Emperor Yang took the throne, Rong entered court as Flying Cavalry General of the Martial Guards and was known for his stern integrity. Several years later the Qian'an chieftain Tian Luoju blocked the Qing River in rebellion; in the commanderies around Yiling many commoners and tribal peoples joined him, and Rong was ordered to attack and pacify them. He was promoted to General of the Left Guards. He followed the Emperor on the western expedition against Tuyuhun and was appointed Silver-Green Grand Counselor of the Palace. In the Liaodong campaign he was promoted to Left Grand Counselor of the Palace for his merit. The next year the Emperor again launched a Liaodong campaign; Rong believed the empire was exhausted and the Son of Heaven should not march out repeatedly, and told the Emperor, "When barbarians break ritual propriety, that is work for his ministers. I have heard that a crossbow of a thousand jun is not drawn for a mouse—why should Your Majesty personally humble the imperial carriage to face a petty foe? The Emperor did not accept his advice. He again followed the army in the attack on Liaodong city; Rong personally braved arrows and stones and did not remove his armor day or night for more than a hundred days. The Emperor often had observers watch what his generals were doing; when he learned how Rong conducted himself, he was greatly pleased and repeatedly praised and encouraged him. In the ninth year the Emperor came to the Eastern Capital and told Rong, "You are growing old and should not remain long in the field; I shall give you a commandery of your own choosing. Rong was unwilling to leave his side; he prostrated himself and pleaded to stay, his words so heartfelt that they moved the Emperor, who then appointed him Grand General of the Right Guards. Several days later the Emperor told the court, "For sincerity as pure and complete as Guo Rong's, there is truly no equal. Such was the trust the Emperor placed in him. During the rebellion of Yang Xuangan, the Emperor ordered him to ride posthaste to defend Taiyuan. The next year he again followed the Emperor to Liucheng, fell ill, and the Emperor sent repeated inquiries; palace envoys came in an unbroken stream. He died at Huaiyuan garrison at the age of sixty-eight. The Emperor suspended court in mourning, posthumously appointed him Minister of War, gave him the posthumous name Gong (Respectful), and granted a thousand lengths of goods. He had a son named Fushan.

○龐晃

● Pang Huang

龐晃，字元顯，榆林人也。父虯，周驃騎大將軍。晃少以良家子，刺史杜達召補州都督。周太祖既有關中，署晃大都督，領親信兵，常置左右。晃因徙居關中。後遷驃騎將軍，襲爵比陽侯。衛王直出鎮襄州，晃以本官從。尋與長湖西元定擊江南，孤軍深入，遂沒於陣。數年，衛王直遣晃弟車騎將軍元俊齎絹八百匹贖焉，乃得歸朝。拜上儀同，賜彩二百段，複事衛王。

Pang Huang, whose courtesy name was Yuanxian, came from Yulin. His father Qiu had been General of Agile Cavalry under the Northern Zhou. In youth, as the son of a respectable family, Huang was summoned by Governor Du Da to serve as provincial commander. After the Zhou Founding Emperor secured Guanzhong, he appointed Huang Grand Commander in charge of trusted troops and kept him constantly at his side. He then moved his household into Guanzhong. Later he was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry and inherited the title Marquis of Biyang. When Prince Wei Zhi was posted to garrison Xiangzhou, Huang accompanied him in his existing post. Soon he joined Yuwen Ding of Changhu West in an attack on the south; their isolated force pushed deep into enemy territory and was overwhelmed. Several years later Prince Wei Zhi sent Huang's younger brother Yuwen Jun, General of Chariots and Cavalry, with eight hundred lengths of silk to ransom him, and he returned to court. He was appointed Supreme Yitong, granted two hundred lengths of colored silk, and again served Prince Wei.

時高祖出為隨州刺史，路經襄陽，衛王令晃詣高祖。晃知高祖非常人，深自結納。及高祖去官歸京師，晃迎見高祖于襄邑。高祖甚歡，晃因白高祖曰：「公相貌非常，名在圖籙。九五之日，幸願不忘。」高祖笑曰：「何妄言也！」頃之，有一雄雉鳴于庭，高祖命晃射之，曰：「中則有賞。然富貴之日，持以為驗。」晃既射而中，高祖撫掌大笑曰：「此是天意，公能感之而中也。」因以二婢賜之，情契甚密。武帝時，晃為常山太守，高祖為定州總管，屢相往來。俄而高祖轉亳州總管，將行，意甚不悅。晃因白高祖曰：「燕、代精兵之處，今若動眾，天下不足圖也。」高祖握晃手曰：「時未可也。」晃亦轉為車騎將軍。及高祖為揚州總管，奏晃同行。既而高祖為丞相，進晃位開府，命督左右，甚見親待。及踐阼，謂晃曰：「射雉之符，今日驗不？」晃再拜曰：「陛下應天順民，君臨宇內，猶憶曩時之言，不勝慶躍。」上笑曰：「公之此言，何得忘也！」尋加上開府，拜右衛將軍，進爵為公，邑千五百戶。河間王弘之擊突厥也，晃以行軍總管從至馬邑。別路出賀蘭山，擊賊破之，斬首千餘級。

When Yang Jian was sent out as governor of Suizhou and passed through Xiangyang, the prince had Huang call on him. Huang recognized that Yang Jian was no ordinary man and pledged himself to him wholeheartedly. When Yang Jian left office and returned to the capital, Huang went to meet him at Xiangyi. Yang Jian was delighted, and Huang told him frankly, "Your bearing is extraordinary, and your name is written in the charts of fate. When you reach the throne, I hope you will not forget me. Yang Jian laughed and said, "What wild talk!" Before long a cock pheasant called in the courtyard; Yang Jian ordered Huang to shoot it, saying, "Hit it and you shall be rewarded. Keep this as proof for the day of your wealth and honor." Huang shot and hit it; Yang Jian clapped his hands and laughed, "This is Heaven's will—you sensed it and struck true." He then gave Huang two maidservants, and their bond grew very close. During Emperor Wu's reign Huang was grand administrator of Changshan while Yang Jian was governor-general of Dingzhou; the two visited each other often. Before long Yang Jian was transferred to governor-general of Bozhou; as he prepared to leave, he was deeply displeased. Huang told him frankly, "Yan and Dai are home to elite troops; if you raise an army now, the empire will be within your grasp. Yang Jian gripped his hand and said, "The time is not yet ripe." Huang was also promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Yang Jian became governor-general of Yangzhou, he requested that Huang accompany him. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he promoted Huang to an independent command and put him in charge of his personal guard, treating him with exceptional intimacy. When he took the throne, he said to Huang, "The omen of the pheasant—has it come true today? Huang bowed twice and said, "Your Majesty has answered Heaven and won the people, ruling all within the seas, yet still remembers what was said in those days—I am overcome with joy." The Emperor laughed and said, "How could I forget words like yours!" Before long he was given superior independent command, appointed General of the Right Guards, and promoted to duke with a fief of 1,500 households. When Prince Hejian of Hong attacked the Turks, Huang followed as campaigning commander-in-chief as far as Mayi. By a separate route he marched through Helan Mountain, routed the enemy, and took more than a thousand heads.

晃性剛悍，時廣平王雄當途用事，勢傾朝廷，晃每陵侮之。嘗於軍中臥，見雄不起，雄甚銜之。複與高熲有隙，二人屢譖晃。由是宿衛十餘年，官不得進。出為懷州刺史，數歲，遷原州總管。仁壽中卒官，年七十二。高祖為之廢朝，贈物三百段，米三百石，諡曰敬。子長壽，頗知名，官至驃騎將軍。

Huang was fierce and overbearing by nature; at that time Prince Guangping Xiong held power at court, and Huang often treated him with open contempt. Once, lying in camp, he did not rise when he saw Xiong; Xiong deeply resented it. He also had a feud with Gao Jiong; the two repeatedly slandered him at court. For this reason he spent more than ten years in palace guard service without promotion. He was sent out as governor of Huaizhou; several years later he was transferred to governor-general of Yuanzhou. He died in office during the Renshou reign at the age of seventy-two. Gaozu suspended court in mourning, granted three hundred lengths of goods and three hundred shi of grain, and gave him the posthumous name Jing (Respectful). His son Changshou was well known and rose to General of Agile Cavalry.

○李安

● Li An

李安，字玄德，隴西狄道人也。父蔚，仕周為朔燕恆三州刺史、襄武縣公。安美姿儀，善騎射。周天和中，釋褐右侍上士，襲爵襄武公。俄授儀同、少師右上士。高祖作相，引之左右，遷職方中大夫。複拜安弟悊為儀同。安叔父梁州刺史璋，時在京師，與周趙王謀害高祖，誘悊為內應。悊謂安曰：「寢之則不忠，言之則不義，失忠與義，何以立身？」安曰：「丞相父也，其可背乎？」遂陰白之。及趙王等伏誅，將加官賞，安頓首而言曰：「兄弟無汗馬之勞，過蒙獎擢，合門竭節，無以酬謝。不意叔父無狀，為凶黨之所蠱惑，覆宗絕嗣，其甘若薺。蒙全首領，為幸實多，豈可將叔父之命以求官賞？」於是俯伏流涕，悲不自勝。高祖為之改容曰：「我為汝特存璋子。」乃命有司罪止璋身，高祖亦為安隱其事而不言。尋授安開府，進封趙郡公，悊上儀同、黃台縣男。

Li An, whose courtesy name was Xuande, came from Didao in Longxi. His father Wei had served the Northern Zhou as governor of Shuo, Yan, and Heng provinces and as Duke of Xiangwu county. An was handsome in bearing and skilled at riding and archery. During the Northern Zhou's Tianhe era he entered office as Right Attendant Senior Gentleman and inherited the title Duke of Xiangwu. Before long he was given Yitong rank and appointed Junior Mentor Right Senior Gentleman. When Yang Jian became Chancellor, he brought An into his inner circle and promoted him to Grand Master of the Ministry of Offices. An's younger brother Ti was also appointed Yitong. An's uncle Zhang, governor of Liangzhou, was then in the capital; with the Zhou Prince of Zhao he plotted against Yang Jian and tried to win Ti as an inside accomplice. Ti said to An, "To conceal this is disloyalty; to report it seems unrighteous—without loyalty and righteousness, how can one stand in the world? An said, "The Chancellor is like a father to us—how could we betray him?" They then reported the plot in secret. When the Prince of Zhao and the others were executed and rewards were to be given, An prostrated himself and said, "We brothers have done no military service, yet we have been favored beyond measure; our whole house would give its utmost loyalty and still cannot repay such grace. We never expected our uncle's misconduct, led astray by villains to destroy the clan and cut off its line—a bitterness like shepherd's purse. To be spared with our lives is already great fortune—how could we trade on our uncle's fate for offices and rewards? He then prostrated himself in tears, overcome with grief. Gaozu's expression changed as he said, "For your sake I have spared Zhang's sons. He ordered that punishment fall on Zhang alone, and for An's sake he kept the matter quiet. Before long An was granted an independent command and enfeoffed as Duke of Zhao commandery; Ti was made Supreme Yitong and Baron of Huangtai county.

高祖即位，授安內史侍郎，轉尚書左丞、黃門侍郎。平陳之役，以為楊素司馬，仍領行軍總管，率蜀兵順流東下。時陳人屯白沙，安謂諸將曰：「水戰非北人所長。今陳人依險泊船，必輕我而無備。以夜襲之，賊可破也。」諸將以為然。安率眾先鋒，大破陳師。高祖嘉之，詔書勞曰：「陳賊之意，自言水戰為長，險隘之間，彌謂官軍所憚。開府親將所部，夜動舟師，摧破賊徒，生擒虜眾，益官軍之氣，破賊人之膽，副朕所委，聞以欣然。」進位上大將軍，除郢州刺史。數日，轉鄧州刺史。安請為內職，高祖重違其意，除左領左右將軍。俄遷右領軍大將軍，複拜悊開府儀同三司、備身將軍。兄弟俱典禁衛，恩信甚重。八年，突厥犯塞，以安為行軍總管，從楊素擊之。安別出長川，會虜渡河，與戰破之。仁壽元年，出安為甯州刺史，悊為衛州刺史。安子瓊，悊子瑋，始自繈褓，乳養宮中，至是年八九歲，始命歸家。其見親顧如是。

When Gaozu took the throne, An was appointed Vice Minister of the Inner Secretariat, then Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat and Palace Attendant. In the conquest of Chen he served as chief administrator under Yang Su while also commanding as campaigning commander-in-chief, leading Shu troops downstream. When the Chen forces were encamped at Baisha, An told the generals, "Water combat is not what northerners do best. The Chen have anchored in a defensible spot and will surely underestimate us and leave themselves unguarded. Attack them by night and they can be broken. The generals agreed. An led the vanguard and routed the Chen army. Gaozu praised him with an edict of commendation: "The Chen thought themselves masters of water combat and believed our army feared narrow waters. You personally led your command, moved the fleet by night, crushed the enemy, took many prisoners, raised our army's spirit and broke the enemy's nerve—you have fulfilled what I entrusted to you, and I am delighted to hear it. He was promoted to Supreme Grand General and appointed governor of Yingzhou. Several days later he was transferred to governor of Dengzhou. An asked for a post at court; Gaozu, reluctant to refuse him outright, appointed him General of the Left Guards. Before long he was promoted to Grand General of the Right Guards; Ti was again made Independent Command Yitong of the Third Rank and Personal Guard General. The brothers together commanded the palace guard and enjoyed exceptional favor and trust. In the eighth year, when the Turks raided the frontier, An served as campaigning commander-in-chief under Yang Su. An marched by a separate route through Changchuan, met the enemy as they crossed the river, and defeated them. In the first year of Renshou, An was sent out as governor of Ningzhou and Ti as governor of Weizhou. An's son Qiong and Ti's son Wei had been raised in the palace from infancy; only now, at eight or nine years of age, were they sent home. Such was the intimacy and favor they enjoyed.

高祖嘗言及作相時事，因湣安兄弟滅親奉國，乃下詔曰：「先王立教，以義斷恩，割親愛之情，盡事君之道，用能弘獎大節，體此至公。往者周曆既窮，天命將及，朕登庸惟始，王業初基，承此澆季，實繁奸宄。上大將軍、甯州刺史、趙郡公李安，其叔璋潛結籓枝，扇惑猶子，包藏不逞，禍機將發。安與弟開府儀同三司、衛州刺史、黃台縣男悊，深知逆順，披露丹心，凶謀既彰，罪人斯得。朕每念誠節，嘉之無已，懋庸冊賞，宜不逾時。但以事涉其親，猶有疑惑，欲使安等名教之方，自處有地，朕常為思審，遂致淹年。今更詳按聖典，求諸往事，父子天性，誠孝猶不並立，況複叔侄恩輕，情禮本有差降，忘私奉國，深得正理，宜錄舊勳，重弘賞命。」於是拜安、悊俱為柱國，賜縑各五千匹，馬百匹，羊千口。複以悊為備身將軍，進封順陽郡公。安謂親族曰：「雖家門獲全，而叔父遭禍，今奉此詔，悲愧交懷。」因歔欷悲感，不能自勝。先患水病，於是疾甚而卒，時年五十三。諡曰懷。子瓊嗣。少子孝恭，最有名。悊後坐事除名，配防嶺南，道病卒。

Gaozu once spoke of his time as Chancellor; moved by how An and his brother had sacrificed family ties to serve the state, he issued an edict: "The ancient kings taught that righteousness must cut through private affection, that one must set aside love of kin to fulfill loyalty to one's lord—only thus can great integrity be honored and true impartiality embodied. When the Zhou mandate was spent and Heaven's mandate was passing to Us, We had only just begun to rise, the royal enterprise barely founded, in an age already rife with treachery. Supreme Grand General, governor of Ningzhou, Duke of Zhao commandery Li An—his uncle Zhang secretly conspired with other princes, incited younger kinsmen, harbored rebellious intent, and disaster was about to break out. An and his brother Ti, Independent Command Yitong of the Third Rank, governor of Weizhou, Baron of Huangtai county, knew right from wrong and laid bare their loyal hearts; once the plot was exposed, the guilty were seized. We have long cherished their loyal devotion and wished to reward them without delay. Yet because the affair involved their own kin, We hesitated, wishing to give An and his brother a proper place within the norms of morality; We reflected on this at length, and years passed. Now, reviewing the sage classics and past precedents, We see that even between father and son true loyalty and filial piety cannot always coexist; how much less between uncle and nephew, where the bond is lighter. To forget private ties and serve the state is the right course; their old merit should be honored and rewards renewed. An and Ti were both made Pillars of State, each granted five thousand lengths of silk, a hundred horses, and a thousand sheep. Ti was again made Personal Guard General and promoted to Duke of Shunyang commandery. An told his kin, "Though our house was spared, our uncle met disaster; to receive this edict now fills me with grief and shame together. He sighed and wept, overcome with emotion. He had long suffered from edema; the illness now grew severe and he died, at the age of fifty-three. His posthumous name was Huai (Cherishing). His son Qiong succeeded him. His youngest son Xiaogong was the most famous. Later Ti was stripped of rank for an offense, exiled to garrison duty in Lingnan, and died of illness on the way.

史臣曰：宇文慶等，龍潛惟舊，疇昔親姻，或素盡平生之言，或早有腹心之托。沾雲雨之餘潤，照日月之末光，騁步天衢，與時升降。高位厚秩，貽厥後昆，優矣！皛幼養宮中，未聞教義，煬帝愛之不以禮，其能不及於此乎？安、悊之于高祖，未有君臣之分，陷其骨肉，使就誅夷，大義滅親，所聞異於此矣。雖有悲悼，何損於侃。

The historian comments: Yuwen Qing and the others were old companions from before Yang Jian rose to power, linked by marriage in earlier days—some had long shared their deepest thoughts with him, some had early won his innermost trust. They shared in the bounty of his favor, caught the last gleam of his glory, and advanced along the imperial path, rising and falling with the fortunes of the age. High office and rich rewards—they passed these on to their descendants. How fortunate! Xiao was raised in the palace from boyhood without proper instruction; Emperor Yang favored him without restraint—was it any wonder his conduct fell no lower than it did? An and Ti toward Gaozu had not yet taken on the full form of ruler and subject; they destroyed their own flesh and blood and sent them to execution. The classic phrase "destroying kin for righteousness" means something quite different from this. Their grief and mourning notwithstanding, how could this be spoken of in the same breath as Jia Kan?

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